The newly created Osun Produce Board has disclosed its readiness to support Kola-nut farmers and merchants in the State to improve the quantity and quality of their production to an enviable and acceptable height that would attract international patronage.

 
The Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Osun Produce Board, Dr. Yemi Adegoke made this disclosure during a Kola-nut stakeholders meeting held at the Local Government Civil Service Commission Hall at the New Secretariat.
Dr. Yemi Adegoke said that it has become necessary to scale up Kola-nut farming and trading from indigenous activities to an internationally recognised business.
He said that, it is part of the mandate of the Osun Produce Board to ensure that all agricultural produce from the State without exclusion are of high quality standard that meets international requirement for export purpose.
He maintained that, sooner, all agricultural produce from Osun would be graded, branded and certified for its quality before exporting in order to showcase the quality of Osun agricultural produce to the world.
Dr. Adegoke therefore assured all members of the Kola-nuts Association of Nigeria, Osun branch and Kola-nut farmers in the State that once their Agric product is of high quality standard that pass the grading test, Osun Produce Board would link them up with the available market within and outside the Country without stress.
Earlier, the Director of Operations, Osun Produce Board, Mr. Olukayode Arewa had hinted that, the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has approved the grading of kola nut for export purposes which will commence from 17th of July, 2017.
Mr. Arewa therefore assured farmers and merchants of the needed training on storage and quality control, noting that from July 17th of this year, it would be an unlawful and punishable offence for any merchant to export kola-nuts out of Osun without proper grading.
Other speakers at the meeting include the National Chairman, Kola-nuts Association Of Nigeria, Alagba Babadara, State Chairman, Alhaji Karimu Giwa and the State Secretary, Alhaji Morufu Babalola who all appreciated Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola for the support given to the association, adding that no government has ever deemed it fit to support their association.
They all promised to comply with the government directives on grading of kola nuts as a means to boost kola nut
business in the State.

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The Osun  Government says it has registered more than 24,000 cooperative societies in the state towards economic growth.

 

 
The Special Adviser to the Governor, Mr Gbenga Awosode made this known while marking the International Cooperative Day in Osogbo, the state capital.
The programme themed, Cooperative Ensures ‘No One Is Left Behind’ by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative in collaboration with Federation of Osun Cooperative Limited.
Mr. Awosode said more than 16,000 registered cooperative societies had benefited immensely from the state government grants towards wealth creation.
He said the programme reaffirms the invaluable role of cooperative unions in social, economic and cultural development as well as in actualisation of social policy objectives of governments across the world.
“The essence of the annual celebration is principally to increase awareness about cooperative movement, highlight successes recorded by movement in the past years and to promote the core values and ideals of cooperative movement.”
“Celebration of the world corporate day also aims at strengthening the international cooperative movement as well as building a strong partnership with other international actors including government, non-governmental organisations and other cross national organisations.
Mr Awosode who described cooperative societies as critical to global economic and social development explained that it has helped a lot in the creation of new ethics and ideas in the business.
He said despite the huge developmental value of cooperative societies, the unions was beset with myriad of challenges.
According to him, the challenges includes; poor management, lack of cooperation among cooperators, low commitment, overdue loans and debts, among others.
He said these challenges have stifle the growth of cooperative unions in Nigeria and other developing countries.
“These challenges must be overcome if cooperative societies are to serve as tools for economic development, poverty alleviation and wealth creation.”
Mr. Awosode, however, said the state government recognises the importance of cooperative societies as a critical political and economic force and would continue to partner with it for economic growth.
According to him, “the core of values of the cooperative movement is not only in tandem with the vision of the Rauf Aregbesola administration but also the theme of this year’s celebration as contained in the famous Green Book entitled “My Pact with the people of Osun”.
The administration also involves banishing poverty, hunger, unemployment, wealth creation, enhance communal peace and progress, restore healthy living, and promote functional education, among other things. He added.

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The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Monday described the late statesman, Ambassador Maitama Sule as one of the last bastion of the original patriots whose interest was the growth of Nigeria and the Black race.
 

 
Aregbesola in a condolence message on the death of the former Minister of National Guidance under the Shehu Shagari administration, said the late Maitama Sule, was one of those leaders who shunned ethnicity and promoted national interests above all others.
The condolence message, signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, described the late diplomat as a man of integrity, a nationalist whose exploits in Nigeria and beyond contributed to making Nigeria a continental force to be reckoned with.
“This death just marks the eclipse of one of the last set of the original nationalists who truly wanted a united Nigeria where we recognized our differences and sources of strength and wanted us to utilize those qualities for the greatness of Nigeria and the entire Black race.
“He did away with sentiments bordering on religion, ethnic affiliations and other such devisive factors and embraced One Nigeria as his belief.
“On behalf of my family, the entire people and the government of the state of Osun, I offer my condolences. I also pray that may Allah overlook his deeds while here with us while praying for our country to attain the greatness for which the likes of Maitama Sule labored in their agile days.”

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The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Sanitarian Idowu Korede has again warned the people of the State of Osun to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse along water ways across the State.
 

 
Sanitarian Korede gave the warning while inspecting the extent of damage wrecked by flood at Olorunsogo market and other areas in Ile Ife.
He said one of the major causes of flood from time immemorial had remained indiscriminate dumping of refuse adding that if waterways are blocked, water must find its level somewhere else.
Speaking during the visit, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Abdulrasheed Opatola, said government had in recent times carried out intensive tour of some flood-prone communities in the State to clear up blocked drainages and canals.
The Special Adviser wondered why any right thinking person would be dumping refuse on water ways created for free flow of river, saying the numerous campaigns against such practice is in the best  interest of the residents.
While inspecting  the area damaged by the flood, he pointed out that box culverts on the stream need to be reconstructed to avert possible re-occurrence in the future. He also advised residents along the stream to vacate the areas to allow dredging of the streams.
The flood, which occurred at Olorunsogo market, recorded the death of a person and a cow and the loss of a motor-cycle.

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The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in the State of Osun, Hon. Kunle Ige has reiterated government efforts to continue encouraging Osun farmers to embrace modern farming techniques in order to improve agricultural yields and boost food production in the State to seek royal advice. He then thanked him for his support for the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

 

 
Hon. Odewumi added that the present government in the State will continue to support and develop royal institutions in the state saying culture and tradition are very important for developmental strides.
While responding, the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran enjoined the Special Adviser to continue to maintain culture and tradition in the State. He appreciated the visit saying, he would continue to cooperate with the government of Ogbeni Aregbesola.

Hon. Bisi Odewumi had paid a similar visit to Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja ll and Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdul Wahab Adedotun Bibire.

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The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in the State of Osun, Hon. Kunle Ige has promised farmers in the State that the government of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola will continue to give the needed support to all genuine farmers in the state of Osun without any discrimination in order to boost food production and banish hunger in the State.
 

 
Hon. Kunle Ige further disclosed that arrangement that will guarantee farmers’ easy access to government support on loan intervention, agro-chemicals, farm equipment and improved seedlings is already on -going but noted that government could no longer afford to subsidise again.
Hon. Kunle Ige made these known while playing host to the Executive members of All Farmers Association Of Nigeria (AFAN), Osun branch during its courtesy visit to the Ministry Of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Commissioner stressed that, the government is fully aware that non- availability of agro-chemicals and inputs at the needed time could create worries and challenges for farmers, he therefore allayed the farmers fear by assuring them that fertilizer and other agro-chemicals that may be needed would be available within their reach soonest. He added that 50 new tractors would be purchased while serviceable tractors among the existing ones would be put in
good working condition for the use of Osun farmers.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, AFAN, Osun branch, Farmer Kayode Afolabi appreciated Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola for being friendly to farmers and appreciated his unalloyed contributions to the development of agriculture in the State.
Farmer Afolabi also congratulated the Commissioner, Hon. Kunle Ige and Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon. Oluremi Kolajo for their appointment, describing it as a well deserved honour.
While pledging AFAN’s continued support to the government of the day, he also used the occasion to seek for
government assistant for AFAN to access the Central bank loan, provision of fertilizer at a subsidised rate and provision of tractors for farmers’ use among others, noting that, these would go a long way to assist AFAN members in the State.
Highlight of the meeting was the special prayer offered by AFAN members to the Commissioner and Special Adviser to achieve success in office.

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The Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Architect Akintunde Akinajo has called for proper planning before erecting any structure in order to safe guard flooding and other associated hazards.

 
Arch. Akinajo made the call when he paid a visit to the Federal Government Technical College, Ilesa. He explained that the visit become imperative based on the letter he received from the school complaining of the blockade of drainage and the need for a site plan.
The Commissioner advised the School management to create a catchment pit and channel the water to the available drainage to safe guard the properties of the people living in the College neighbourhood. He added that detailed survey of the site must be provided to ensure good neighbourliness.
Arch. Akinajo assured the management of the College that the matter will be resolved amicably promising to invite the concerned people to a meeting where the matter will be resolved.
The Vice Principal Academics, Mr. Moses Gbadegesin who received the team on behalf of the Principal appreciated the team for the prompt action and later conducted them round the College to have the proper view of the matter. He added that all efforts to settle with the people living around the area have not yielded desired results.
On the team of the Commissioner were the Director of Lands Services, Mr Tayo Hassan, Director of Town Planning, Town Planner Ezekiel Oladejo, Surveyor – General, Surveyor Rauf Akintola, Engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport and other Staff of the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning.

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The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Leke Ogunsola has reiterated the commitment of the present administration in the State of Osun to make the State drug-free.
 

 
He made this known at St. Charles High School, Osogbo during the flag-off ceremony held to kick-start the year 2017 United Nation Anti Drug Abuse Campaign day.
Hon. Ogunsola emphasized that medical records show that majority of the patients admitted into mental health institutes in Nigeria fall within 21 to 30 years of age.
He added that drug trafficking breeds lawlessness crime, distorts national economy and even undermine the stability of government through increase in crime rate and act of vandalism and terrorism.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Usamotu said Osun State Drug Abuse Control Committee (OSDACC) had been creating awareness on the menace of drug abuse and trafficking at the grassroots by mobilising the communities against the threat posed by drug abuse to the present and future generations.
In addition, the Commissioner said the abuse of the aforementioned drugs is now a threat to Nigeria and to those countries where they are transported.
He therefore appealed to parents to listen to their children in order to help them grow healthy and safe.
While speaking at the event, the Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Oyeleye Samuel assured the government of the State of Osun the maximum anti-drug abuse campaign in schools, market places, churches and mosques for the benefit of the state citizenry.
Finally, the Commander enjoined the community leaders, parents, teachers and policy makers to listen to the youths and children so that the menace of drug abuse and drug trafficking can be minimized in order to save the future of our nation.

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