Public schools students and teachers in the State of Osun have lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola on his commitment to the advancement of education.
 

 
The Students and Teachers commended the state government especially on its “Opon Imo” (Tablet of Knowledge), Initiative.
The device, named ‘Opon Imo’ (Tablet of Knowledge), was introduced by the Aregbesola administration in 2013 as a first-of-its-kind stand alone e-learning tablet to aid learning by secondary school students in the state.
The beneficiaries so far have been final year students in the state. Since its introduction in 2013, it has served four sets of final year students in Osun public schools.
The State government on Wednesday however started the distribution of the tablets for the 2017/2018 academic sessions.
While it lasts, 30,000 units of the tablets will be given to final year students who will be writing the SSCE, NECO and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) examinations and their teachers, across the state.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Osogbo Government High School, the Principal of the school, Mrs Folorunsho Ladapo, described Opon-Imo as an unusual education technological device in the state.
Also at the Adventist Government High School today, the final year students expressed their gratitude to Aregbesola who they tagged “Peoples Governor”.
In her remarks, the Vice Principal Academics, Mrs A A Oyewole commended the Governor for having the progress of the students at heart. She said the gesture is an extra mile on the part of the Governor.
The Coordinator of the programme, Bambo Basorun however urged the students to make judicious use of the tablets, saying its use will go a long way in determining the outcome of their forthcoming examination.

Members of staff in all Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the State of Osun have been seriously warned to desist from indolency and lacklustre attitude while carrying out their official assignments.

 

This admonition was given today by the Chairman, State of Osun Local Government Service Commission, Elder Peter Babalola at the flag-off of the Local Government staff head count which took off at Olorunda Local Government as well as Olorunda North and South Local Council Development Areas of the State respectively.
Elder Babalola who was represented by the Commissioner 1 of the Agency, Mr. Kehinde Olamolu stated that it is necessary and mandatory for Local Government staff to wake up to their responsibilities for effective performance as truancy, absenteeism, indolence and inefficiency will no longer be tolerated by the government.
Mr. Olamolu reiterated the fact that in as much as government pays the staff salaries regularly, it is expected that they should reciprocate the gesture by being diligent in their duties.
He said that the head count exercise would be a continuous one and would take place in all the Local Governments and the Local Council Development areas of the State to determine the number of staff in all the council areas.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that no sensible and responsible Government would want to make life difficult for its people.
 

 
Aregbesola said this at the grand finale of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Chapter Correspondents’ Chapel 2017 Press Week in Osogbo.
The State Governor debunked the news that his Government is intentionally withholding workers’ salary, saying that his Government has only been incapacitated.
Aregbesola wondered why a Government would want to make life difficult for its people when its primary role is the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
While reviewing the topic of the Press Week themed “Media Effectiveness; Panacea to Nation’s Democratic Challenges, the Osun Chief Executive urged journalists to rise to the challenges facing the country, saying the media should set standards and agenda for the Government.
Lamenting how modern day journalists have forgotten their main duty to the society and now commercialize news, Ogbeni said the elites used the effectiveness of the media helped in the country’s independence.
He said the media must foresee problems and proffer solutions to it, adding that the media are supposed to work hand in hand with the government to achieve a better society.
“The media should set agenda for development, If you see corruption, report corruption, challenge corruption. It is the duty of the media to foresee the country’s problems and proffer solutions to it. It is so sad to see papers lying.
“The media should rise to the global challenge of hunger and poverty, it must stand against anything that threatens true federalism and not criticize governments.
“The elites used the media to gain Nigeria’s independence then but now our press men criticize those even trying to make things better, they have failed to set standards for the government. Instead of looking at the larger picture, our media are clamouring for the salary of the less than 5% of the population. Look at the roads, the schools, our security system which has all been improved but the media won’t report that rather they criticize.
“I can boldly say that Aregbesola’s administration has succeeded amazingly. I urge our press men to rise to the country’s challenges and work with the government to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.” He added.

The State of Osun House of Assembly will soon come up with a position regarding the proposed constitutional amendment by the National Assembly.
The speaker of the State parliament, Hon. Najeem Salaam stated this at the Assembly complex while addressing the plenary in which a group called Friends of Democracy in Nigeria led by Senator Olorunnibe Mamora was received recently.
 

 
The speaker who was represented by the deputy speaker Hon. Akintunde Adegboye in his opening remarks appreciated the friends of Democracy in Nigeria team for their advocacy visit to the state Assembly.
Adegboye said, we are here to prolong the life of Democracy in our country, Nigeria.
However, in his remarks, the leader of the team, Senator Mamora commended the lawmakers for the audience granted the team.
Mamora who is the former speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly solicited for the cooperation of Osun Assembly for the constitutional amendment proposed by the National Assembly.
According to him, “I am very impressed with reception of the House of Assembly and by their legislative experience during the interactive session”.
“We needs to deeply strengthen those institutions for our democracy to have stand in Nigeria”, he added.
He commended the State of Osun House of Assembly for their legislative experience and exposure in the entire south west.
He gave kudos to governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for introducing parliamentary system of governance in Local Government in other to reduce the cost of governance in the state.
He urged the Assembly to have common goal towards the proposed constitutional amendment for the future of the Country.
He said Nineteen (19) clauses bill is going through process in the amendment.
In his goodwill message, the former member House of Representative Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele thanks the honourable members for their reception. Hon Bamidele said these amendments will enhance budget and governance process and strengthen government Institutions.
He added that it will strengthen Electoral System and Judicial System as well.
According to him, “this amendment will give strength to Local Government Autonomy and key Accountability institution in the Country”.
“For each item/clause to be successfully amended, it will require a simple majority in at least 24 out of the 36 States Houses of Assembly, while the States Houses of Assemblies has the constitutional mandate to vote on the amendments”. He added.
In their various reactions the honourable members commended the team for their advocacy visit to Osun. “They said the House of Assembly will soon come up with its position on the constitution amendment”.

The Secretary to the Government of the State of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti, has congratulated the lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency, Honourable Tubosun Oyintiloye on his nomination for an award by PILAS as the Most Outstanding State House of Assembly Member in Nigeria.

This was contained in a congratulatory message sent, signed by the SSG.
According to him, the award couldn’t have come at a better time in view of the lawmaker’s contributions to debates on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
“I thank God for your life as the award is an evidence of your unwavering efforts in contributing your own quota to the development of democracy in our great country Nigeria.
“The award is also an acknowledgement of your contribution to good governance in Osun in particular and the nation in general,” he stated.
Alhaji Adeoti however admonished Honourable Oyintiloye to see the award as a clarion call to further dedicate his life to the development of his fatherland.
“The award should serve as the desired tonic to gear you further into becoming a role model for the younger generations who should learn from you that no good effort will go unnoticed.

The Executive Secretary, Ayedaade Local Government Council Area, Mr Bashir Oduwole, has eulogised the Governor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola for the massive work done on the Chief Bisi Akande Trumpet Bridge located in Gbongan, the headquarters of the council.

He lauded the governor for the construction of the bridge which he described as amazing, saying, it has helped to reduce road accidents at Gbongan Junction for road users.
The bridge, according to the ES, has helped to open up Gbongan town and increased the level of economic and social activities.
The local government boss made the remark when he and his cabinet went to inspect the bridge as part of activities marking the 7th year anniversary of the Aregbesola government.
In a statement by the Information Officer of the local government, Mrs Khadijat Amusan, the ES said the Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi Oyetunji, Odugbemi I, his Chiefs and the entire people of Gbongan are grateful to the governor.
“No doubt, Gbongan being a town strategically located in a junction, leading to the State Capital would benefit immensely from the construction work”, he stressed.
As part of the activities marking the anniversary, the ES and his team went to Olufi and Obada markets in Gbongan and Ode-Omu respectively to clear heap of refuse in the market.
The council also undertook the renovation of Ten Shopping Complex at Old Obada market in Ode-Omu as well as rural electrification at Ebira quarters also in Ode-Omu. A 3-day free health care programme was organised for the people in the council area.

Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, the pioneer president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has stated that the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola would pay all outstanding salaries and pensions owed workers and pensioners by April, 2018.

 

 
 
Sunmonu said this as a discussant at the En-Route Rauf series II event with the theme, “Governance Delivered”, an event organised by the Oranmiyan group in commemoration of the 7th anniversary of Governor Aregbesola in office.
Sunmonu who had been mediating between the government and workers since the state had been unable to pay workers and pensioners their full salary assured pensioners and workers in the state that the Governor would pay all their outstanding salary arrears and pensions by April next year.
The former NLC boss however, urged the workers to pray God make it easy and to prevail on those eligible to pay tax to do so.
According to him, “When there was money, the State Governor paid even 13th month out of state money, it wasn’t negotiated by anybody, the Governor just felt it was right.
“It was when money stopped coming from the Federal Government the Governor had to pay the half salaries of some levels but be rest assured that he will pay the outstanding salaries and pensions by April 2018.
“Let’s pray God make it easy and pay our taxes. By April 2018, the State Government will not owe anybody again.”

Governor, State of Osun , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was on Friday, honoured with the 1st Nigeria Cocoa Award in recognition of his contribution to agricultural sector through his various programmes particularly the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O-REAP).
 
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh were also honoured with awards during the event which took place at Eti-Oni community  in the State.

The award ceremony was part of activities for this year edition of cocoa festival of the community and 20 awards from 20 categories were given out to recognised individuals, government agencies and corporate bodies.
 
The CEO/Executive Vice Chairman of Osun Produce Board, Dr Yemi Adegoke who represented Governor Aregbesola and received the plaque of the award on his behalf, said the governor remained committed to agriculture and that.
 
“Governor Aregbesola set up the state produce board to make sure farmers in this state increase quality and quantity of their produce and make profits as well as generating revenue for the state. Our Governor has been promoting agriculture and he deserved this honour.”

 
In the media category of the award, four newspapers including Daily Trust, Nigerian Tribune, The Nation and Business Day were nominated and the award was won by The Nation newspaper.
 
The Minister of Information and Culture and Agriculture counterpart  were both given the award of “Overall Outstanding Performance in Agriculture” and “Tourism for Sustainable Development”. The awards for the two ministers were received for them by the Assistant Manager, News and Current Affairs, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Mr Adekunle Adebayo.
 
The Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O-REAP) also bagged an award which was received by the Senior Special Assistance (SSA) to Governor Aregbesola on O-REAP, Mr Femi Komolafe. He used the occasion to enumerated the various contribution of the state government to  agriculture and motivation for farmers in the state.
 
Komolafe said the state government had been supporting cocoa farmers with 200,000 seedlings annually with other financial and agricultural materials and other insentives.
 
Mr Godwin Emefiele, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, also bagged the award for “Cocoa Renaissance in Nigeria” which was presented to him by the Royal Father of the Programme, Oba Saheed Ademola, Elegushi Kusenla III.
 
Receiving the award on behalf of the CBN governor, Mr Adebisi Adedeji, the Deputy Director CBN head, Development Finance Office, said the Central Bank plans to shift it’s focus to cocoa production in line with it’s agricultural investment programme.
 
He appreciated Nigeria cocoa farmers for their efforts in making Nigerian cocoa acceptable by the European market, which he said were not acceptable some years ago. He said CBN would continue to support farmers in their operations.
 
The host of the Cocoa Festival, Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni, said he was happy hosting the 4th edition of the Cocoa Festival and that his town, Eti-Oni was strategic to the growth and development of the produce in Nigeria.
 
Oba Thompson said his forefather, Gureje Thompson brought the cocoa crop to grow in the region in 1896 and that the move then was to facilitate development of the area after the 1878-86 Kiriji war.
 
He said the cocoa spread to neighbouring towns and later became the mainstay of the Western Region and stressed that the 2017 Cocoa Festival is to take Nigeria back to the path of development and growth
 
During a conference that preceded the awards ceremony, stakeholders dissected issues that concerned cocoa production and value added chain. Mr Babatunde Olarenwaju, one of the panel speaker and a food security expert said more women should be encouraged to go into cocoa production.
 
Olarenwaju stressed that the ability of women to give birth, nurture and train children is an indicator that they can manage cocoa production, irrespective of the stress and hardship attached to the work.
 
Dr Balu Balasubramnian,  the co-founder of CocoaTown United States of America, in his own presentation said women played major roles in cocoa processing in other part of the world where he runs his cocoa processing business.
 
Balasubramnian said giving women a level playing ground and providing them with enough support as their male counterparts would go a long way in increasing and multiplying cocoa turnovers.

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said on Thursday that 50,000 small scales business owners in Osun will access interest free loan to develop their businesses and by extension reduce poverty in the state.
 

 
Osinbajo said this in Osogbo during the launching of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) initiatives in Osogbo, State of Osun.
He said President Muhammed Buhari-led administration has identified small and medium enterprise as key sector to repositioning the country’s economy and create wealth for the teeming masses.
According to him, Buhari’s government is determined to end poverty among the people of Nigeria and will continue to assist small and medium enterprises to reduce unemployment in the society.
He said, “Our government is visionary, transparent and committed to the wellbeing of the people, the promise of President Buhari and our party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) is to make life more abundant for the people, our administration is not corrupt and we are going to deliver on our promises.”
“I have inspected some of the small and medium business exhibited here today and it showed that Osun people are reflecting virtuous value of the state, through hardwork and creativity. I see beautiful furniture, artwork, agro- allied products among others and I am impressed that the federal government’s investment on the free interest loan is justifiable.”
“We have brought One Stop Shop here where all the federal government agencies that have to do with small scale business under one roof to address any challenge, our mission is to uplift the poorest Nigerians, federal government is solidly behind you and the state government will also support you to succeed.”
“I rejoice with the people of the state for the developmental strides of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and I urge you to continue to support the governor, I am sure he would fulfill all his promises.
“I have moved down to some places on my arrival and I am so impressed that God answered our prayer that we have someone like Governor Aregbesola, he has redefine social and economic prospect of Osun through massive infrastructural  development”, Osinbajo added.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola in his remarks commended the federal government for the intervention saying the loan will go a long way to reduce poverty  and improve the economy of the state in no distance time.
“We are excited and overwhelmed with the federal government intervention where 20,000 people will have access to N500,000 to N1 Million loan without interest, it is unprecedented and we consider it as a blessing to the people of Osun.
In his address, State Commissioner for Commerce and Investment, Mr Ismaila Alagbada explained that Aregbesola’s administration has distributed N3.5 billion to more than 10,000 people as loans to improve the small scale business and empower the informal workers in the state.
He said they have designed a refunding mechanism for the repayment of the loans and organised the beneficiaries in a way to minimise default.
According to him, the MSME launched in Osun will avail over 10,000 people access to small scale business loans and provide platform for the small and medium entrepreneurs the opportunity to interact with network of government agencies responsible for registering, regulating, and controlling the opportunity to interact on business development and challenges.
The network of government agencies include; Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Bank of Industry (BOI) among others
The commissioner explained that most of the small scale business owners including market women and artisans are confronting problem with registering their companies and accessing credit to improve the business which informed the One Stop Shop campaign of the federal government.
Alagbada added that through the platform, business owners will be avail with the opportunity to interact with BOI, CAC and further enhance trust among all the stakeholders.