The South-West governors yesterday met in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to deliberate on how to chart a common agenda to fast-track the development of the region.
The meeting, hosted by Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, was attended by all the six governors in the region, including Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun).
They met under the aegis of Western Nigeria Governors’ Forum, a meeting put together by Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), a technocratic institution for the sustainable development of the region, which according to Amosun, had been the vanguard for socio-economic and re-engineering of the South-West.
At the end of the four-hour meeting, all the participants agreed that regional integration as a sustainable economic development paradigm presents the Western Region, and indeed the whole of Nigeria, a pathway into economic prosperity for all.
A communique read by Amosun stated, among others:
• “A joint task force and joint actions will be pursued and sustained on security threats to guarantee the safety of lives, property and prosperity of the people of the region.
• “The competitive advantage of constituent states would be harnessed for sustainable regional development.
• “In order to improve the food security of the region, DAWN should convene a regional agric summit to be held in Ibadan.
• “Approval is given for the establishment of a Western Nigeria Export Development Initiative (WENEDI) to drive the export potentials of the region.”
• “A committee be set up for codification of our values and ethos as an instrument of Yoruba uniqueness to strengthen our identity and unity of purpose.”
Also, the governors agreed that the artificial boundaries of states, religions, political affiliations, among others, would not be a barrier to regional development and urged all the states to be encouraged to significantly improve bilateral and multilateral co-operation to foster regional development.
Amosun had in his welcome address charged his colleagues not to allow themselves to be used as “instruments of division”.
He stated that creation of states from the Old Western Region in 1976, which should have been an impetus for development in the South-West, had been “allowed to create artificial boundaries between the Yoruba nation.”
“To further worsen the situation, some of our people are also making themselves available as instruments of division because of their selfish political gains. The consequence is that our people begin to see themselves as a people of one state or the other rather than as a sub-unit of the entity of the Yoruba people,” he said.
The Justice Moshood Adekunle Adeigbe-led Committee for the Review of the Osun State High Court Amended (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2008 will begin its assignment with the inaugural sitting on Wednesday 26th of
July at the Osun State High Court Complex, Ilobu Road, Osogbo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Committee Mr. Asimiyu Adebayo.
According to the Secretary, the Committee welcomes memorandum from respective stakeholders in the justice administration sector, inclusive of honourable judges, Magistrates, state Counsels, the Nigerian Bar Association, the academia, as well as the general public.
The statement further stated that such memoranda should be submitted in seven (7) copies through the office of the Secretary of the committee, at Osun State High Court Complex, Ilobu Road, Osogbo, within two (2) weeks.
According to the statement, such memoranda should contain the proposed amendment and the existing rules of Osun State High Court Amended Civil Procedure Rules, 2008, to which it relates; The nature of the
proposed Rules where a new provision is being proposed; Explanation and justification for the proposed amendment to the existing Rules and or insertion of a new provision.
It would be recalled that the State Chief, Judge, Honourable Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, did recently inaugurate a six-member Committee to do a Review of the Osun High Court Amended (Civil Procedure) Rules,
2008.
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday said he received with great sadness, news of the passing away of one of Nigeria’s gifted scholars, culture icons, nationalists and top-on-the-shelf dramatists, PA Adebayo Faleti.
In a statement signed by the Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the death of the playwright, theatre director and teacher was a huge loss not only to the creative world alone but also to the world of Yoruba language and culture heritage which he promoted till his death.
The Governor described Pa Faleti as a complete man of the theatre – an actor, director, choreographer and designer – who created performance spaces influenced by traditional architectural forms.
Aregbesola said the late writer and dramatist contributed immensely to the promotion and advocacy of Yoruba Language and well as its culture.
He noted that the appearance of and dressing of Faleti spoke volumes of his origin and he was always ready to advocate for the promotion of Yoruba language and culture.
He stated that the exit of Faleti will certainly create a yawning gap in the theatre and cultural world.
‘’The death of PA Adebayo Faleti is a huge loss in so many ways. His death is a big blow to the theatre and entertainment circle, a big blow to the cultural world as well as to the Yoruba Language community.
‘His appearance and personality attested to the promotion of Omoluabi ethos the Yoruba people are known for and which the State of Osun stands for and promotes in all facets of human endeavours.
‘Faleti exemplified the advocacy for and exhibition of Yoruba Language and culture in his writings and on stage particularly with one of his celebrated novels, Won ro pe Were ni .
‘’Thespian of a first class mold and a cultural ambassador, Faleti will not be forgotten for his immense patriotism and sincere commitment to a better Nigeria and promotion and contributions to Yoruba Language and Culture.
‘’On behalf of the government and people of Osun, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended families of the late stage icon, Oyo State Government, literary and drama communities.
‘’May his soul rest in peace,’’ Aregbesola said.
…As Lagos, Osun Governors Renew Calls For Regional Integration.
The governor of Lagos, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, on Thursday said he was amazed at the pace of development taking place in Osun despite its very meagre resources.
He said his administration would do everything possible to support Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun at ensuring the success of his government.
This was even as the two governors renewed the calls for and reaffirmed their commitments towards the actualisation of South-West regional integration.
A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted the two governors as making the calls when Ambode paid a courtesy call on Aregbesola at the Government House in Osogbo.
Ambode was quoted in the statement as saying it was time for the region to fully exploit its potential by standing by what Aregbesola of Osun has been championing since the beginning of his administration.
He stated that the Lagos state government is fully committed to the regional integration of the South West for its economic potential to be fully harnessed and sustained.
The Lagos State Governor added that the time is right for all well-meaning indigenes of the region to rally round and ensure that the South West begins to rely on its economic endowments as means of being independent.
He said, “We have an historic duty to join Aregbesola in championing what he has been clamouring for, which is the integration of the South west.
“I fully commit myself to the integration of the South-West because I believe it is the only way the region can fully explore its potentials for the benefit of all.
“I can assure you that the South West has all it takes to stand alone and survive without having to depend on any external means of funding”
Ambode highlighted the developmental strides of Aregbesola in Osun, saying the Governor has laid unprecedented marks of development in the state.
He commended the Governor for being steadfast to weather the financial storm and challenges the state is passing through, while assuring the Osun government that Lagos State will support Osun with what it can to the end.
He urged Aregbesola to continue the good work, saying the reward of hard work is more work while also charging the Governor to ensure that the legacies are not destroyed.
“We are in consonance with what Aregbesola is doing in Osun. I cannot begin to define how Osun has developed under this administration.
“I am particularly amazed by commitment to developing the state despite the tough economic challenges the state is passing through.
“I want to assure you that Lagos State Government will continue to support Osun till the end with all it can. I don’t want the development to stop and he should be reminded that the reward for hard work is more work.” Ambode stated.
Responding, Aregbesola said that any move for development in the South West without regional integration is like a child’s play compared to the kind of development the region will experience if there is full regional integration.
Aregbesola stated that the call for the regional integration of the South West must be taken beyond mere rhetorics, stressing that all the South West governors must work towards actualising it before the end of their current tenures.
The Osun governor said the only state that can survive on its own is Lagos, which he said is not too good because other states in the South West will be over dependent on Lagos if that happens.
He said it is in the interest of Lagos and other states in the South West to clamour for the regional integration in all aspects of life.
“There can be no meaningful development in the South west without the integration of the region.
“It is the only way we can fully take advantage of the comparative competitiveness that exists in our region. That is why we commend the efforts of the Lagos State Government on the move for regional integration.
“It is time for us as a region to take the issue of regional integration beyond mere rhetoric, we need to actualise it before the end our various tenures.
“I want us to set the shortest period of our tenure as the deadline to actualise the dream because it is the best for this region.”
“We must pursue the clamour for the southwest regional integration to advance social-economic, political and education relationship for the comparative competitiveness,” Aregbesola said.
The entrance examination into the Osun State School of Nursing, Asubiaro Osogbo for 2016/2017 academic session holds today (22nd July 2017) at Ataoja HIgh School, Osogbo by 8:00am prompt.
This information is contained in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Isamotu Rafiu through the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Phebe Abioye.
The statement advised all prospective candidates to be at the examination Hall before 8:00am for checking in.
The State of Osun Broiler Outgrowers Production Scheme, OBOPS, has produced at least 5 million birds in the last three years, the scheme managers have said.
Revealing this over the weekend, Mr. Kolawole Ogini who is the facilitator of the second phase of the scheme stated that OBOPS has placed Osun among states with relatively high production in poultry business in Nigeria.
He disclosed that Amo Byng Poultry Farm have been saddled with the responsibility of stocking day-old-chicks and appropriate feeds to raise the birds to maturity through a bank loan, after which the anchor farm buys back from the participants.
Mr Ogini stated that the second phase of the scheme is a Public-Private Partnership scheme designed to facilitate poultry farming within the State of Osun.
While reviewing the selection process, Ogini said the scheme is open to poultry farmers in the state with 2,000 capacity pens and bio-security facilities in place which includes perimeter netting and well closed entrance.
Ogini who lauded the state government for its successes recorded in several agricultural intervention programmes, said the first phase of the scheme recorded a huge success as about 768 farmers were engaged, cash profit paid to farmers stood at N785millions as well as making over 120 broilers farmers who keyed into the initiative millionaires.
Aside this, the OBOPS programme has also helped the state government’s course on the elementary school feeding programme, O’Meals of the present administration leading to the gainful employment of about 1,000 farmers and over 3,000 food vendors under the elementary school feeding programme.
“The OBOPS II pilot scheme which initially engaged 15 poultry farmers has now grown into 100 farmers across the 30 local governments and 32 local council development areas with 2,000 day old chicks given to each farmer.”
Ogini further revealed that efforts are on to increase the 3.7 tonnes of feed given to farmers presently as well as the development of more suitable approach to reach the hinterland by engaging more people from the grassroots and turn OBOPS II into a legacy programme which subsequent governments will emulate.
According to him, the programme is a continuum to ensure that development drive of government is met and achieved.
“The first phase was successfully facilitated with capital outlay of about N500 Million from the State Government. Up to 1,500 poultry farmers participated and up to 5 million chicken birds were successfully produced within 3 years.
“Constraint faced by paucity of funds lead to the state’s desire to facilitate same program with Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Loan facility. Up to 30,000 farmers participation evenly spread across the State is anticipated.
Recall that the first phase which made over 120 millionaires was sponsored by the Osun state government and anchored by TUNS farm.
Mr. Ogini further revealed that for interested participants, “2,000 birds capacity pen is required for each farmer. They will be provided with all necessary facilities like drinkers, feeders, and hygienic source of water etc.
“In broiler’s production today Osun is rated second to Oyo state in the country with plans to engage over 30,000 poultry farmers and have the scheme spread to every home in no distant future.
“The selection is open to all poultry farmers in the state and only requires farmers to provide a 2,000 capacity pens with basic facilities to avoid high mortality rates. The government liaises with loaning banks to fund supplies such as day-old-chicks, vaccines, feeds, technical assistance and above all buy backs the final output.” Mr. Ogini stated.
In order to ensure a successful and hitch free hajj this year, the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in the State of Osun will commence the vaccination of pilgrims on Friday,21st of July and end on Saturday, 22nd of July, 2017.
The Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Sikiru Adetona Alao stated this in his office today during a press interview.
He advised all intending to come to the officer of the Board early in the morning on that day to get vaccinated.
Alhaji Alao also added that collection of clearance ,distribution of bags and cloths to intending pilgrims is still on- going.
Furthermore, he enjoined the intending pilgrims to be virtuous and display the ethos of ormolu abs in Saudi Arabia which the state has been known for.
He therefore thanked the Governor of the State , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesolafor his support to the Board all the time.
I received with shock and deep sorrow the departure of Chief Sir Festus Oluwagbenga Abiola on Sunday, July 16. He was 73 years old.
Sir Abiola was a community leader, an industrialist, successful businessman, patriot, a widely travelled socialite and a devout Christian.
Until his death, he was the Chairman of Unique Radiovision, a private broadcast outfit located in Ilesa, State of Osun. He was a rallying-point in the politics of Ijesaland and State of Osun in general.
Sir Abiola was a Pillar of Support for The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijesaland and our state. He was a firm believer in the development agenda and ideology notable with the progressives, in which cause he invested a greater part of his adult life for their realisation in the South-West and the entire nation.
A Christian and of the Catholic denomination, Chief Abiola demonstrated his undying love for God through untiring pious religious devotion. He was to many a shade of rest and pillar of support; providing succour and relief to the needy, the downtrodden and the vulnerable in the society. His efforts in the area of communal service never abated till he breathed his last.
He was my confidant, mentor, ally and supporter who gave his all to the cause of my administration. He was devoted to our cause from my emergence on the platform of Oranmiyan, to the campaigns, the election proper, the years of struggle for my mandate, my first term in office, my re-election, my ups and downs, the struggles, the challenges and triumphs.
His death is a personal and irreparable loss. He will be greatly missed. May God grant his soul eternal repose and unending comfort in his next estate. Amen.
On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Osun, I pray that God will grant his family, the people of Ijesaland, particularly our Kabiyesi, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland and Owa-in-Council, the fortitude to bear this irredeemable loss.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
Governor, State of Osun
The Government of Osun wishes to announce that it has received the second tranche of the Paris Club refunds.
The refunds, totaling N6.314bn, was paid into the state coffers on Monday July 17, 2017.
In line with our government’s promise to utilize the resources of this state in the best interest of our people, we hereby restate our commitment to this promise as we begin shortly transparent deployment on our commitments to the concerned stakeholders.
Signed:
Semiu Okanlawon
Director, Bureau of Communication & Strategy
Office of the Governor, Osogbo
Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has joined people of Osun and well-meaning Nigerians in commiserating with the family of late Chief Olu Abiola, who passed on on Sunday.
He said the late Abiola was a true patriot.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola described the death of Chief Abiola as a great loss to the business circle, the State of Osun and Nigeria as a whole.
The governor said the late industrialist and Chairman Unique FM radio station, fondly called Baba Olomi, was an invaluable asset in the business world.
Aregbesola said Abiola’s death has undoubtedly robbed the state and the industrial sector of another great personality.
“The death of Chief Olu Abiola is a sad one to us in Osun. Here is a man of immense qualities, which he had employed to promote everything ideal in his lifetime.
“Chief Olu Abiola, undoubtedly, distinguished himself in business sector to the extent that his name became a household one across the country.
“He made his mark in the timber industry and became one of the great Timber merchants in the country. Chief Abiola was also during his life a notable socialite.
“Throughout his life, he distinguished himself as a man of immense wealth, a perfect gentle man and an Omoluabi per excellence, which is what the Osun epitomises.
“There is therefore, no gainsaying the fact that Abiola’s exit would create a huge gap in the business and industrial in Nigeria. We are however consoled by the fact that he led a fulfilled life.
“I, on behalf of the government and people of Osun, offered our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended families of deceased as well as friends and well wishers.
“We pray that the Almighty God reposes his gentle soul in paradise,” Aregbesola said.