Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged Christians to live the ideals of Easter and emulate Jesus Christ.
This message is contained in a statement made available to journalists on his behalf by his Media Adviser, Mr Sola Fasure, in Osogbo on Saturday.
 

 
“The ideal of Easter is love manifested in sacrifice. It was love that motivated Jesus Christ to lay down his life. It was love also that made him adopt non-resistance method, even as he endured a farcical trial that led to his condemnation and crucifixion and death on the cross. But this turned out to be a bigger victory, as he rose from the dead on the third day, according to Christian tradition and the bible.
“Christians therefore should emulate Jesus by demonstrating love to one another and to their neighbours, just as Jesus admonished his disciples to love their neighbours as themselves.
“The absence of love is the foundation of all evils in our society. Those who love others will not steal from them, kill them, tell lies against them or harm them in any way. Christians will only be like Christ if they emulate him and pattern their lives after him”, Governor Aregbesola stressed.
Governor Aregbesola also admonished the people of the state, irrespective of their faith, to pray for the nation and the state of Osun, noting that the challenges before the nation require divine intervention.
“We should all also, irrespective of our religious persuasion, to commit the affairs of our nation into the hands of God. Though we have many challenges which appear to be formidable, but they are nothing in the hands of God. If we pray and seek the face of God, in addition to working hard and eschewing evil, we shall overcome the challenges.
“The future is bright for us if we can take maximum advantage of our human and material resources.
“I wish you all a happy Easter celebration”, the statement concludes.

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on University scholars to involve in more research that would provide food and security to eradicate the economic crisis facing Nigeria.

Aregbesola charged Nigerian Universities to embark on research capable of developing agriculture for food production and produce varieties of cattle to stop moving of herdsmen from one region to another that has caused crisis in the country.

Aregbesola made the disclosure on Wednesday in Osogbo,  when members of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Aregbesola said ” If hunger is eliminated from our land, then human beings will be normal.  Hunger is the true definition of poverty and poverty is the great grandfather of all crises in Nigeria.”

He lamented the failure of Nigerian universities to use research development to address the nation’s socio-economic problems.

He said further that “All the challenges we are facing in this country are due to scholarship problems. Let universities engage in research and development as well as other scholarly programmes to proffer solutions to Nigeria’s problems.”

“You have society totally unaffected. Universities must apply themselves with the society.  There are so many glaring crisis in our society which the universities must address” he said.

Aregbesola who appealed to the management of the Obafemi Awolowo University,  Ile-Ife,  State of Osun and other Nigerian universities  to come up with solutions on matters and problem facing the country, decried the alarming rate of poverty in Nigeria.

The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola on rapid growth of infrastructure development in the state with high investment in education sector.

The chairman of the governing council, Prof. Yemi Ogunbiyi disclosed that the seven and half years of governor Rauf Aregbesola as elevated state of Osun to new levels among states in the South West.

He appreciated Aregbesola on his high investment in education sector that would remain unbeatable after his administration.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Ivory Tower stated that the performance of Aregbesola towards the infrastructural development of the state encouraged members of his council to pay him a courtesy visit to commend and encourage him to do more.

He said the management of OAU is ready to support the state government to pledging that the university would fulfill its social responsibilities as part of its contributions to the socio-economic development of the state.

-Says Hoodlums, not Students Attack School Where NYSC Members Were Serving
The State government  of Osun has explained that hoodlums, and not students allegedly attacked the Osogbo High School where some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were serving in 2017, saying that at no time did students of the school attack any NYSC member.
 

 
 
The government in a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Kola Omotunde-Young on Friday, said it has eliminated cultism in it the public schools, stated that there was no official complaint or withdrawal of corps members from any school from the NYSC Directorate before the report.
According to Omotunde-Young, the alleged attacked school was old Osogbo High School with porous and broken down fence at its far end at the back.
Omotunde-Young stated that the school was besieged sometime in 2017 by hoodlums who found accommodation in some abandoned buildings around the premises adjoining the school at the back.
He added that the government reported the presence and activities of the hoodlums to the State Security Service and Police who restored order through arrests, prosecution and surveillance since 2017.
The commissioner wondered why incident that happened almost a year ago, with no officially complaint by NYSC that any corps members was ever endangered, could be a subject of complaint and media syndication in March 2018.
Omotunde-Young said the school has adequate number of full time teachers and N-Power volunteer teachers who have continued to do their work without hindrance or danger, stating that the school has not made request for NYSC Corps member or been turned down.
He said the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is committed to promotion of quality and functional education and the welfare of the corps members in the state.
The statement reads in part: “Osun has eliminated cult activities and hooliganism from its Elementary, Middle and High schools and have been commended severally for this.
“Osun has been acknowledged and commended locally and by international agencies for its success at undertaking substantial reform of the school system, with new world class school infrastructure, decentralisation of management through creation of Senatorial Districts headed by Tutor Generals/PSs, and strict quality enforcement and reorientation of ‎students through the newly established Osun Education Quality Assurance and Morality Enforcement Agency.”
“The government of Rauf Aregbesola has delivered 9 world class high schools each with capacity for 3000 students and another 2 of these are to be delivered in two months. These schools are state of the art and provide secure environments for learning. In addition 25 world class middle Schools and 22 world class Elementary schools have been delivered.
“It has also carried out renovations on hundreds of schools, delivering more than 1,694 standard classrooms in the existing elementary, middle and high schools. More than 12,000 teachers have been employed by the Aregbesola administration to boost manpower in the school system.
“Osun is acknowledged as one of the safest states in the country due to government’s commitment to security of lives and property.
“The government will continue to support NYSC as it is doing in its more than 1000 schools and assures the NYSC and all cadets of the government’s commitment to their best interest.”

The Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Olorunda Local Government, Mr. Amuda Jimoh has commended the state government on the construction of Osogbo to Ikirun/Ila-Odo dual-carriage way.

He stated this in a chat with OsunDefender in Osogbo on Sunday.

Mr Jimoh expressed gratitude to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for transforming roads which has aided transportation in Osun.

The Transport Union boss urged the Minister for Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to assist the state government of Osun on the project to meet the target of the dual carriage way that is expected to terminate at the Kwara state boundary.

He said the reconstruction and upgrade of the road has reduced the stress of travelling to Ikirun, Iree, Eripa, Otan-Ayegbaju, Ila as well as towns and cities outside the state.

His words “From Osogbo to Ikirun and Iree before now, we spend almost two hours on the journey because the condition of the road then was very bad and we needed to manage our vehicles. But now from Osogbo to Iree is an hour as there is nothing like traffic, gallops and unnecessary faults developed by our buses.”

Mr Jimoh urged transport workers to renew necessary documents as and when due, up to date hackney permit as well as drivers’ license to complement the laudable work of the government.

He urged members of the NURTW to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to have the opportunity to vote for the continuity of good governance in the forthcoming governorship election.

“We pray for good successor after Aregbesola administration to continue with good governance.”

The United Nations Education and Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said it did not contribute any fund to the repair of Olaiya-Ita Olokan Road, which leads to Osun Groove in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
This put to rest the controversy trailing the project.
 

 
Clarifying the claims that the international organisation contributed over 70 per cent of the fund for the 2.8 kilometre road, UNESCO’s Communication Consultant (Regional Office) Mr Olusola Macaulay said there was no time the organisation was approached by the Osun State government to fund the road project.
Besides, he said UNESCO is not currently funding any project in the state.
Macaulay, who spoke with our reporter on telephone, said: “I can confirm to you that UNESCO did not contribute any fund to the construction of the road that leads to Osun Grove. And there was no time the Osun State government or its agencies approached UNESCO to support the project or contribute anything to it. We didn’t pay 70 per cent or any other fraction to the project, as being peddled. As I speak to you, we have no project we are undertaking in Osun State.”
UNESCO’s clarification followed a statement credited to former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore that the international organisation paid over 70 per cent of the amount appropriated for the reconstruction of the road.
Also, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, described Omisore’s claim as a falsehood.
The governor said the resources invested in the project were sourced from Omoluabi Infrastructure Conservation Fund.
He said: “UNESCO is not in any way involved in the finance of the project at all. It becomes imperative to state that rather than provide funds for the road, UNESCO requested the government to re-work and change the course of the road, which leads to Osun Groove, to retain its World Heritage Site status.
“It is a known fact that UNESCO, as an organisation, does not give money for any counterpart project funding. Rather, such is given in kind and not in cash, as the former deputy governor (Omisore) would want the people to believe.
“He should be told in clear terms that getting mischievous is not a good trait that endears an aspirant to the electorate, while lying so blatantly makes one to be rejected by God. The former deputy governor should desist from deliberate efforts at misinforming the people of the state and face his disgraceful and ignoble charges with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The Osun State government challenges Omisore or any of his cohorts to substantiate their claims with relevant documents to the effect that the project was funded by UNESCO, as they unscrupulously claim.”

Residents of the State of Osun have expressed their views as the state government under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola commissioned the reconstructed Osun Workers Drive road on Tuesday.
The people of Osogbo, the state capital rejoiced over the new road which they say will contribute to economy of the area.
 

 
Osun Defender correspondent who spoke to residents on the reconstruction of the 2.8 kilometers former Olaiya- Jaleyemi-Asubiaro-Ita Olokan road reports that a business man in the area, Mr. Yusuff Mikhail said that, “Am not a politician but I have passion for present administration because of unexpected infrastructure in the state and human development.
Mr. Mikhail added that “before Aregbesola reconstructed this road, it was very dangerous for motorists, galloping all around, then you can’t calculate the time to spend before reaching your destination.”
He further added that “I didn’t think Osogbo can grow like this in the last eight years before governor Aregbesola came to power in the state of Osun.”
Also, a taxi driver, Mr Afolabi Gafar expressed his gratitude to government on infrastructure development especially, the newly commissioned workers drive .
He stated further that “the new commissioned road workers drive will really help my business because I can move from Estate area, Oke-fia, Alekuwodo down here to lsale-Osun without galloping, unnecessary hold up because of the quality of work government did.”
“However, traffic signs on the road met the standard, anybody that understand the rule of traffic will know what I am talking about.”
“I want to implore people of Osogbo whether you are workers or business men to monitor this road because it belong to us and next generation and let us do our civic responsibility to the government.”

The State Government of Osun, on Monday, said the former deputy governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore is not competent to rule the people of the state, saying that he has demonstrated lack of understanding on how government runs.
 

 
Besides, the government in a press released signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, demanded an apology from Omisore for lying that the United Nation Education Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) committed 70 per cent of fund to the construction of the just commissioned Workers Drive.
 
Here is the Full Statement:
Omisore should Apologise to Osun Govt, People For Lying on Road Funding
-He is not competent to Rule Osun People
The former Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore should apologise to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the state government of Osun and the good people of the state for lying on the funding of the recently commissioned Workers Drive in Osogbo.
The Government wishes to remind the people that the embattled Omisore and his cohorts, including some sponsored professionals obviously serving pecuniary interest had last week, lied that UNESCO committed 70 per cent to the funding of the Workers Drive, wrongly claiming that the crisis riddled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had role in the reconstruction of the road.
However, the UNESCO has denied committing any fund to the reconstruction of the former Olaiya-Odi-Olowo-Ita-Olokan Road, which connects the road that leads to Osun Groove in Osogbo, the state capital.
UNESCO’s Communication Consultant (Regional Office) Mr Olusola Macaulay has said UNESCO is not currently funding any project in the state, and that the state government at no time approached the organization to fund the Workers Drive.
“There was no time the Osun State government or its agencies approached UNESCO to support the project or contribute anything to it. We didn’t pay 70 per cent or any other fraction to the project, as being peddled”, Macaulay said.
The UNESCO statement has confirmed the position of the government on the reconstruction of the road, and reinstated our claim that it was done 100 per cent from the Omoluabi Infrastructure Conservation Fund.
Omisore should eat the humble pie and tow the responsible line with the UNESCO puncturing his blatant lies. He should be bold enough to apologise to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the state government and the people of the state. Taking this step will help him in redeeming his battered and hogwash image in this matter.
The former deputy governor has demonstrated, by engaging in rumour peddling and spreading falsehood, gross incompetence and lack of understanding to run government. He has exposed his intellectual laziness to think or conduct simple research on how a renowned organization like UNESCO run its affair before embarking on his white lies.
It is crystal clear that Omisore has nothing to offer the people of the state of Osun and it is bad enough that he is a leading governorship aspirant of the opposition PDP which has shown that they lacked requisite person to hold the exalted position of the governor of Osun. This apparent failure is indicative of the fact that Omisore is a failed aspirant whose rabid desire to rule pushes to tell lies with a view to gain relevance, even when that hurts and dis-orients the people.
The government advises Omisore to quickly look around for institution where he could take a course on how government and organisations run as his conduct so far has shown that he might have been impeached as a deputy governor because of his incompetence and misconduct.
Let Omisore and his co-travelers in the journey of tomfoolery know that getting mischievous is not a good trait that endears an aspirant to the electorate, while lying so blatantly makes one to be a reject by God.
The former deputy governor should desist from deliberate efforts at misinforming the people of the state and face his disgraceful and ignoble charges with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
We urged the good people of the state to once again disregard the lies and leave Omisore, and his co-mischief makers to their irresponsibility.
Signed
Adelani Baderinwa
Commissioner for Information and Strategy
State of Osun

A member of the Osun State House of Assembly representing Obokun State constituency, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has said that the All Progressives Congress led government at the centre has been responsive given the demonstration of commitment to Federal Government projects in the state.
 

 
In a statement in Osogbo, capital of the  State of Osun, Oyintiloye who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy said, this was in response to the move of the parliament calling the attention of the Federal Government to the abandoned federal projects last year sequel to a motion moved by him.
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari administration for getting to work on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gbongan-Iwo-Oyo Road.
According to him, “The Federal Government says it has spent N2.8 billion on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gbongan-Iwo-Oyo Road. Similarly, it gave an assurance that it would complete the ongoing project worth  N537 million Ojutu bridge in Ilobu, Osun.”
Oyintiloye said this expression of commitment and practical demonstration by release of funds was good news to the people of the state.
It would be recalled that Oyintiloye, in 2016 raised a motion, under the matter of urgent public importance on Federal Government abandoned projects in the state.
At the time, Oyintiloye told the assembly that abandoned federal projects ranging from road infrastructure, water scheme and housing stood at about N20.318 billion.
He highlighted that the affected road projects cost about N16.519 billion, while housing costs N2.955 billion and water scheme costs N844.342 million.
He also identified the dualisation of Mayfair junction-Lagere-Iremo-Enuwa- Ilesha bye pass road in Ile-Ife (22km), Gbongan-Iwo-Oyo S/B Road (46km), rehabilitation of Oshogbo-Ilesha road (27km), rehabilitation of Oyan Township pipeline and Iwo Township Water Supply Scheme among others.
He expressed worry  that Osun had least impact among other states that benefited from federal government projects, lamenting that the little offered to the state were still being abandoned.
When the contractors were mobilised and returned to the site and inspection conducted by the Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fasola recently, Oyintiloye said the development once again affirmed that the APC led federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari is a responsive and responsible government.
“It’s exciting, the narrative is changing, the Federal government listened to the clarion call of the state Assembly and different stakeholders, and it’s heart-warming that Osun is also beginning to get her fair share.”
He said the projects would enhance free flow of goods and services, promote economy, job creation and complement the efforts of the state in ensuring good road network, among other benefits.
He noted that with the quantum of infrastructure done by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration and the intervention of the Federal Government; the state would be for it.

The Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Dr Najeem Salaam has advised students of Higher Institutions to shun violence, cultism and other vices.
 

 
Dr Salaam gave this advice during an excursion visit of Political Science and International Relation students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Okuku campus to the State House of Assembly Complex, Osogbo.
Dr Salaam described the students as leaders of tomorrow upon whose shoulder the nation’s future lies.
According to him, “the House of Assembly is happy to have you leaders of tomorrow in our midst” and urged the students to watch their steps in their various dealings in life.
He said, “I urged you all to shun violence and cultism in your school for a better tomorrow”.
The speaker who taught the students some basic needs in their studies and the House procedures, also urged them to be a good ambassadors of their schools and the society as a whole.
Meanwhile, in his remark, the leader of the team and a lecturer in the department, Mr Olumide Omodunni, appreciated the parliamentarians for their good gesture towards the students.
He said, “It is an honour to allow us into this House of Assembly to witness the proceeding of the House”.
“This sow of seed in the students’ minds will help them in one way or the other in future”, he added.
Similarly, the President of National Association of Political Science and International Relation Student, Mr. Kuti Samuel appreciated the House of Assembly for the love extended to them.
According to him, “We thank the House of Assembly for the opportunity given to us to be here and this will surely enhance our study”.
He assured the parliamentarians to make good use of the knowledge the students acquired in life and for the improvement of the society.