NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 19/11/2023 -Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke and his entire team are open to engagement with civil society organisations for the common good of the state even as the administration cautions against political partisanship using civil society activism as a cover.

Responding to a press briefing by a group named Masterminds, the Governor canvassed for impartial criticism of government as the right of citizens but noted that a politically coloured statements will draw similar response from the administration, noting that if a civil group play political game, the response will also be political.

The government cited as an example the Masterminds’ commendation of the state government on enrolment of pensioners which it said was laced with political colouration, positing that the policy of enroling pensioners did not exist under any previous government in Osun state.

Because of political bias, the group could not stop at commendation but had to tell stories about which administration founded or nurtured the health insurance agency.

Is the issue about who established the agency or which administration launched the health cover for pensioners?

Before responding to the many issues raised by the group, let us invite its operatives and other civil society groups in Osun state to avail themselves of the Freedom of Information Act which makes it mandatory for government agencies to provide information as may be requested by members of the public.

Information about budgets, expenditure and other data related to public finance can be accessed legally and within the bounds of the law by interested members of the public. The rules and procedures are clearly spelt out.

This administration is committed to open governance and information access especially when such efforts are not politicized or designed to score political points.

On the multi-billion Infrastructure Plan, the Governor had during Ipade Imole stated that the sources of funding include savings from revenue leakages, enhanced internally generated revenue, federal infrastructure intervention, federal refunds among others.

For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Governor made it clear that he will not borrow in any way to fund the plan, that funding of the infra plan will not affect workers’ welfare and that the state will not be fiscally endangered as was the case in the past administration.

As to the question of how the Governor plans to fund the 2024 budget and if the infra plan is captured in the new budget proposal, we ask the group and other organisations to attend budget hearing sessions at the State Assembly to access the funding plans and the details of the budgetary provisions. The hearings are ongoing.

On the N10 billion naira supplementary budget and what it contains, we urged the group to access the approved supplementary budget either through the House of Assembly or the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Development. It is a public document.

Supplementary budgeting is not in anyway an abberation and such Appropriation Acts are public documents which interested parties can seek just like the 2.1 trillion naira supplementary budget just approved by the National Assembly for President Bola Tinubu

On the alleged removal of the Chief Judge, we want to set the records straight that Governor Ademola Adeleke had only written the Chief Justice of Nigeria who is the chairman of the National Judicial Council forwarding the resolution of the House of Assembly and recommending the most senior judicial officer for appointment in acting capacity depending on the final decision of the NJC.

By conveying the House resolution to the NJC and by merely recommending for NJC action an acting capacity appointment, Governor Adeleke has proved and acted within the confines of law and in recognition of the powers and responsibility of the NJC.

On the appointment of Barrister Hashim, we challenged the group to point out any legal provisions violated as Governor Adeleke is mostly fixated on competency and legality in his appointment decisions

On alleged stifling of funding to Osun State University, we call the attention of the group and the public to the public confession of the Vice Chancellor of the University to the unprecedented capital projects and overhead funding support for the university from the state government. The video indeed went viral.

We find it curious that the group finds it convenient to ignore the completion of several abandoned projects at the university by the current administration which led to the Vice Chancellor confessing that the current government has done more than any government in the state for the university.

If not for political bias, we expect the group to list university projects initiated and others completed by the Adeleke administration instead of focussing on overhead financing adjustments which even the university management accepted is compensated for by the huge capital funding support the university is getting from the state government.

As much as this administration is ready for dynamic engagement, it is also not our duty to spoon feed civil society groups as research is an integral part of advocacy and activism. For example, attending public hearings and accessing public documents are crucial responsibilities of genuine civil society groups.

We urge civil society groups to step out as genuine partners in state development by playing their parts in the advocacy and stakeholding process and by avoiding parroting opposition party’s talking points.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO- 18/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The government of Osun state has denied news reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke has removed the Chief Judge and appointed an acting Chief Judge, clarifying that the Governor had only forwarded the resolution of the House of Assembly and recommendation for an acting appointment to the Chief Justice of the Federation for decision and action.

With all sense of responsibility ,it is important to set the records straight that Governor Adeleke has only duly notified the Chief Justice as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in writing about the resolutions of the House of Assembly following a series of petitions made against the sitting Chief Judge of Osun State.

In the communication, Mr Governor intimated the CJN of the recommendation of the House that the Chief Judge should step aside and included his own submission for an acting appointment to fill the vacuum while the NJC reviews and decides on the petition.

To that end, the Governor in the same letter recommended to the CJN ,the appointment of the most senior judicial officer, Hon.Justice Olayinka David Afolabi for thorough consideration and further processing by the same NJC through the CJN

We urge the public to note that while the House of Assembly recommended the appointment of a replacement to the Governor in its resolution, the Governor however toed the line of law by writing the CJN on the entire development and submitting all materials for NJC as mandated national agency.

We therefore wish to state categorically that Governor Adeleke has not appointed any judicial official as Acting Chief Judge and nobody has been sworn as Acting Chief Judge of Osun state.

Governor Adeleke is a man of due process and rule of law with a deep level of respect for the bar and the bench, the NJC and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We assure the public that Mr Governor is fully aware of the limit of his powers as well as the responsibilities of the various agencies of government and will therefore not act in any way to violate the constitution and rule of law.

Signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 17/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The Government of Osun State has opened up on the leadership issue within the Osun State Judiciary, informing the public that the petition and preliminary actions on the Osun state Chief Judge have been sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC), affirming that Governor Adeleke has not defied any court order.

It should also be noted that the Osun State House of Assembly that confirmed the appointment of Mrs Adepele Ojo and asked her to step aside is not a party to any ongoing case or Court Order.

It is safe to assert that all that are being posted online are mere stunts as the government is not aware of any pending case at this material moment.

We also call the attention of the public that the misappropriated money over which investigation is being carried out were appropriated by the State House of Assembly and the body has constitutional right to inquire how money it appropriated was applied.

The staff of Osun State Judiciary, who are being denied their right by the Chief Judge and some of who joined in the petition, are employees of the Osun State Government under the authority of OSHA.

We re-assure the public that appropriate representation has been made to National Judicial Council, over the development and we affirm that the Chief Judge was not suspended by the Governor, as being mischievously represented by some sections of the media.

Rather, it is the State Assembly on the premise that an official cannot be on the seat whilst investigation is ongoing, that asked the Chief Judge to step aside . The Governor only acted on the resolution of the House.

To ensure there is no vacuum, the Governor appointed an Acting Chief Judge, as prescribed by the Constitution in a situation like this.

It is therefore the responsibility of the State Assembly to inform the public, NJC, and the Governor about its findings, on the conclusion of its investigation, and also make resolutions on the next line of action.

We want to put it on record that the Governor is a law-abiding person and will not do anything to compromise the rule of law.

Whenever the court processes are served on the persons listed as Defendants in the alleged suit ( if any), they would take appropriate steps to react.

Signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

OSOGBO – 16/11/2023 – osunstate.gov.ng

The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Osun State,Mr Wole Jimi-Bada has cleared Governor Ademola Adeleke of involvement in the stepping aside of Mrs Adepele Ojo, which was predicated on a petition that prompted her being ask to step aside from office.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the Commissioner narrated that a strongly worded petition was sent to the State Judicial Service Commission and the State House of Assembly, which lead to the hearing and eventual resolution of the State House of Assembly to ask the the Chief Judge to step aside.

The House further launched investigation into the allegation contained in the said petition and even summoned the Chief Judge to appear before its investigative committee.

As part of its investigation, the House passed a resolution recommending that the State Governor should ask the Chief Judge to step aside and appoint an acting Chief Judge pending the outcome of the investigation by both the House of Assembly and the NJC to which the matter has been referred.

As the Governor believes so much in due process, rule of law and fear of God, he approved the recommendation with a caveat that if the Chief Judge is found to be innocent, she should return to her position.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Adeleke only acted to ensure that there is no vacuum by appointing an acting Chief Judge as a temporary measure.

We want to assert that the Governor was not the writer of the petition nor is the Governor the retinue of persons who provided multiple evidence as regards the conduct of the Chief Judge, as contained in the petition.

By appointing an acting Chief Judge, the Governor only acted to ensure there is no vacuum and there is no tampering with potential evidence while the investigation lasted.

Signed
Hon Wole Bada,
Hon Commissioner for Justice/Attorney General

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 16/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the resolution of the Osun State House of Assembly asking the Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo to step aside pending investigation of allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption and disregard for rule of law against her by the House of Assembly.

In the resolution of the Osun Assembly sitting today 16th November, 2023, the House resolved that the Executive should be informed of the House resolution and that the next in order of seniority to Justice Adepele Ojo be sworn-in immediately to avoid any vacuum in the third arm of government in Osun State.

The House had earlier resolved as follows:

“Having received various petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State bothering on gross misconducts, abuse of office, corruption and lack of respect for due process and rule of law, this Honourable House, in performance of its oversight functions and exercise of its investigative powers vested by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) hereby resolved as follows:

1. The the Executive should immediately notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolutions of this House immediately for their awareness.
2. That the Clerk of this House should forward the resolutions of this House to the Executive, the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission
3. That the Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and Legal Matters investigate the petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo, by inviting the Chief Judge and report to the House within 7 days from today.
4. That pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation of the allegations
5. That while she steps aside pending the investigation, the Executive Governor should immediately swear-in the next judge in order of Seniority as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State.

Meanwhile, following the approval of the resolution of the House by the Governor, the Deputy-Governor has been directed by the Governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State which will be held tomorrow at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 16/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed all public officials, appointed and elected, to start wearing Adire Osun every wednesday to boost the industry and enhance cultural strengths of the state.

In a circular issued by the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, Governor Adeleke noted that the directive affected all categories of public servants across ministries, departments and agencies of government including tertiary institutions, local governments, local development council and area office.

Consequently, every Wednesday is adopted as Adire Osun day with all accounting officers and heads of agencies expected to comply with the directive.

Additionally, all political appointees are also expected to comply with the directive from the State Executive Council to special advisers, and other categories of appointees.

Governor Adeleke had presented the subject at the last state Executive Council meeting with a unanimous approval and adoption.

The Governor noted that Adire actually has its source from Osun state, noting that the new decision will reassert the traditional claim of Osun to the adire genre.

The Governor recalled his bilateral meeting with the Ogun state Governor , Dapo Abiodun where both Governors resolved to host an annual celebration of Adire Day.

Governor Adeleke further announced his administration’s plan to create mini-industrial clusters to support the Adire industry and other craft sub-sectors in the state.

“Our administration is working on the creation of SME industrial clusters. The Adire and other craft sub-sectors will be supported to grow and flourish.

“By this decision, we are determined to rebuild the Adire industry that is under threat from foreign mass producers. We are poised to breathe life into our culture with Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation”, the Governor stated.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

OSOGBO– 15/11/2023– osunstate.gov.ng

Osun State Government has lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for the misconceived notion on the running of the state owned institution, Osun State University, (UNIOSUN), saying the rudderless opposition cannot pretend to be what it is not.
The Government notes with disgust the mischief that the position of the Osun APC on UNIOSUN clearly portrayed, recalling the huge neglect that education sector, particularly UNIOSUN suffered throughout the ruinous years of the APC led administration in Osun state.

We are quick to note that UNIOSUN was left in a shambolic and ruinous positions by the APC administration to the point that it had no capital project or meaningful interventions over the years, which obviously weighed negatively on the growth of the institution, until the intervention of God sent administration of His Excellency, Senstor Ademola Adeleke.

We are using this medium to quickly cast the mind of the general public to the open admission of the Vice Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Clement Odunayo, on the intervention of the Adeleke administration in the institution, resulting in the completion of many impactful projects for the university community within a short period of time.
With this open acknowledgement of no less a person than the Uniosun Vice Chancellor, we are particularly irked and benumbed by the toothless APC misgiving regarding this citadel of learning as it invested no dime on in it since 2010.
The only visible infrastructures in UNIOSUN were either those erected at the point of commencement or those solely sponsored by the TETFUND.

Yet, the APC that made no contribution whatsoever in that school is accusing the Adeleke administration of taking steps that would have negative bearing on the institution.
The public is already in the know that APC as a political party is composed of nothing but irredentism that no right thinking person should take serious.
We want to ,therefore,affirm the commitment of the Adeleke administration to giving the needed support, not just to UNIOSUN, but all other public institutions owned by the state. We also want to assure the general public, particularly the good people of Osun state , that this administration will not trade their interests as the APC did in the case of LAUTECH University and still not account for whatever come from such ignoble act.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.

OSOGBO- 15/11/2023 – osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of the Osun State Government has been drawn to a doctored video being circulated on social media by agents of the opposition and fake news peddlers.

Governor Ademola Adeleke and Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II enjoy the best of relations as evident by the cordial exchange of pleasantries at the Palace of Osemawe of Ondo at the coronation of Senator Olubiyi Ajagunla.

We are by this medium appealing to members of the public to disregard the doctored video in its entirety while we have uploaded the original videos for public consumption.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.

OSOGBO- 14/11/2023 – osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has felicitated with Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State on his re-election for another term.

Following his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the conclusion of the Bayelsa state gubernatorial election on Monday, Governor Adeleke noted that his victory is testament to his stellar performance in his first tenure.

“This re-election is a recognition of your achievement and dedication to the development and prosperity of your people which I personally witnessed when I was privileged to commission the Section 4 of the Igbogene-AIT-Elebele Outer Ring Road in Yenagoa”.

Governor Adeleke recalled his admonition to Bayelsa people during the project commissioning while thanking the people of Bayelsa for staying with the winning team.

“I urged the good people of Bayelsa not to change a winning team, I am happy that with your re-election, Bayelsans have chosen to stay with the winning team.”

The Governor prayed for continuous guidance for the Governor and his team to continue to deliver good governance to Bayelsa people.

“I pray that under your leadership Bayelsa State and her people will continue to grow and prosper” the statement concluded.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed
Spokesman to the Executive Governor.

OSOGBO– 14/11/2023– osunstate.gov.ng

The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has rejoiced with the Pioneer Chairman of Online Publishers in the state, Mr. Ayobami Agboola, on the auspicious occasion of his birthday, acknowledging his sense of dedication to truthfully informing the public.

Mallam Rasheed notes Mr. Agboola’s contributions to enriching the journalism field in Osun state as reflective in his consistent interest in illuminating important issues on governance and properly highlighting the voice of the public.

He lauds Mr. Agboola’s commitment to transparency and desire for positive change, pointing out that his insightful reporting has not only informed the public but has also contributed to the discourse that shaped our society.

“I celebrate my good brother, Mr. Ayobami Agboola, as he marks a new age today. Mr. Agboola is a fine professional who uses his pen to educate and stimulate discourse towards a better society,” he noted

“Through his works, the public is better informed and he serves as a suitable reference to aspiring journalists. On this day just as always, I recognize your impactful contribution to drive positive progress in our society.

“May this special day be filled with joy and happiness while hoping that you will continue on the path of promoting truthful information to the public.”

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor.