Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Wednesday expressed regrets that the family of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke has been using the unfortunate incident of his death to manipulate the minds of the people of the Ede ancient city.
 

 
Aregbesola said it is sad that since the death of the former governor of Osun in April, many lies and fabrications have emanated from the family and few of his loyalists.
Among the lies being peddled against him and his government include the fact that the younger brother of the politician, Dr. Deji Adeleke claimed that he borrowed the Aregbesola government money to pay workers salaries. He said it is also unthinkable that the Adeleke family would claim that Aregbesola begged Senator Adeleke to join APC.
Aregbesola stated these when he led the campaign train of Senator Mudashir Husain to Ede in the series of mega-campaigns ahead of the July 8, 2017 senatorial election.
Ede is the home town of the late Adeleke.
This was just as the Governor along with the Timi of Ede, Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal, sued for peace stating that the coming election should not be allowed to cause crisis.
The Governor said anywhere where peace is absent there can be no development.
He stated that God chooses whom he likes as a leader and so politicians should thread cautiously. ‎
He held that APC did the best it could have done for the first democratically elected Governor of the state when his then party, People’s Democratic Party PDP treated treated him by giving him the Senatorial ticket then.
Aregbesola stated that it was the late senator who came to APC uninvited because of the treatment he received in the PDP.
On the purported claim in some quarters that the Adeleke family helped his re election, the Governor said he never collected a Kobo from the younger brother of the late Senator, Dr. Deji Adeleke or any of the Adelekes.
‎He added that his administration has never for any reason borrowed money from any individual or group to meet the state’s statutory obligations.
‎Aregbesola held that with the volume of workers’ salaries arrears and pensions at that time, no individual could borrow the state the amount required at that time.
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According to him, “Deji Adeleke does not have the financial capacity to bail out Osun from  ‎its financial challenges even before now, not to talk about lending us money to pay workers’ salaries. If anything at all, it is their family that sought and got favours from the Osun State Government under my watch. It is to the glory of God that they got the Certificate of Occupancy of their university from our government. Why didn’t those who are their new friends give them C of O of that university?
“If Deji Adeleke has so much money, why is he begging me to waive the payable tax of his university? Why cant he just pay?
“I am bold enough to say this over and over again, because I have never sought for assistance from any of the Adeleke’s family even during the life time of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, nothing as such occurred.
“Though my relationship with late Adeleke was cordial and beyond politics because we have known each other even before Osun politics because our residences are adjacent to each other in Lagos state.
“He was a good brother and a friend to me while alive, but during this dire economic period, I never approach him for any financial assistance not to talk of obtaining cash from his brother.
The governor commended the monarch for calling for peace to reign in the entire senatorial district before during and after the election.
Aregbesola said it is the responsibility of the Oba to make sure peace reigns in his domains.
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According to him, “if the monarch fails to guarantee peace in his area, he will be the first person to be blamed for shirking in his responsibility.
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“I am very happy that you called for and preached peach to the people. As we all know there is no iota of gain in causing chaos.
And I must say here, Kabiesi, that peace in a town is the responsibly of a king.
And if he fails in his secure that peace he will be the one that will be held responsible.”
The campaign ground witnessed  huge crowd of residents from Ede.

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The Chairman, Moremi Estate Landlord Association, Mr. Sanmi Kayode and one of the welfare Coordinators of Energy Petrol Filling Station, Ibadan road, Ile-Ife, Mr. Lawrence has called on the State Government of Osun to come to the aid of their people in the community.
 

 
The two community leaders made the appeal due to the heavy rainfall accompanied by flood which rendered majority of the residents homeless last Saturday for hours.
This was disclosed during an on-the-spot assessment to the area by officials of Osun State Emergency Management Agency led by the General Manager, TPL Olanipekun Olarewaju.
Mr. Sanmi requested that, the channel under the bridge in the area is too narrow and should be enlarged to allow free flow of water.
In his response, the General Manager, Osun State Emergency Management Agency, TPL Olanipekun Olarewaju sympathised with them and assured the community leaders that, their request will be made known to the State
Government for urgent attention, because the safety of lives and property of the people of Osun are precious to the Governor.

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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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