The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called for the cooperation of security agencies in the process of unravelling those behind the March 8 mayhem in Ile-Ife.

Aregbesola stated this on Monday in Osogbo shortly after inaugurating a five-man judicial commission of enquiry into the communal clash in Ile-Ife on March 8, where no fewer than 46 persons reportedly died.
The pan Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has declared its support for the panel of enquiry set up by the governor three weeks after the crisis in the ancient town.
Afenifere’s spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, in an interview with one of our correspondents on Monday, stated that the governor was the one constitutionally empowered to investigate the crisis.
Odumakin stated, “We accept the investigation which we hope will unearth the truth of the crisis in Ife even though we have yet to see the composition.
“The investigation should be impartial so as to show the sense of justice and respect for truth which we cherish as a people. We eagerly wait to see if a proper investigation can turn up the same verdict which an ethnic-driven police in Abuja have prematurely turned up out of primordial consideration.”
The police had paraded 20 suspects of Yoruba extraction in Abuja for allegedly masterminding the riot in the ancient town.
But Afenifere objected to the arrest and parade of the 20 suspects in Abuja by the police.
Members of the Osun panel, who have been given four weeks to submit their report, are Justice M. A. Adeigbe, who is the chairman; DCP Bose Dawodu (retd.), Mr. Ismail Ajibade, the state Commissioner of Police, the state Director of the Department of State Services and Mr. Bisi Babalola, who is the secretary.
The governor charged the commission to investigate and determine the remote and immediate causes of the disturbance; identify the perpetrators and the extent of their involvement; and determine the extent of injury suffered by any individual or group.
They were also mandated to recommend appropriate civil or criminal actions to be taken against the perpetrators; and make appropriate suggestions to the state government towards the prevention of future occurrence.
The panel is also mandated to recommend appropriate monetary sum as compensation(s) for damage or injuries that might have been suffered by any individual or group of individuals in respect of matters received by it.
Aregbesola added, “The report that small arms and light weapons were deployed freely during the crisis was disturbing and frightening.
“It has implication for security of lives and property and the potential for more conflicts beyond the immediate theatre of war, if not nipped in the bud.
“I want you to look into this. The sources and the current location of these arms and their custodians should be investigated and determined. They should all be recovered.
“There were also reports that cultists, who have no regard for human lives, were recruited into the mayhem for a fee. This is most disheartening. Please investigate this and unearth the roles they played and let the law be applied without fear or favour.
“I charge this commission to be courageous and fearless. Undertake this assignment with all seriousness and the fear of God. You should pursue the truth and not fear where it will lead to.”
He believed that the crisis was not an inter-ethnic, inter-religious or inter-regional conflict.
He described the mayhem as just an ugly development, a breach of public peace, masterminded by hoodlums and criminals, which resulted into loss of lives and property.
Aregbesola stated, “In the light of ongoing investigation, therefore, we do not want to pre-empt the outcome by making statements prejudicial to the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
“However, we have no doubt that this is not an inter-ethnic, inter-religious or inter-regional conflict by any stretch of the imagination. It was just an ugly development, a breach of public peace, masterminded by hoodlums and criminals resulting to loss of lives and property.
“We should all therefore disabuse our minds of ethnic bias by denying the narrative of inter-ethnic conflict between the Yoruba and Hausa community in Ile-Ife, because it was not.”
The governor called on all and sundry to always explore the options of peaceful resolution of conflicts before crisis, saying crisis would always leave both parties in pain and agony at the end of the day.
In his response, the chairman of the judicial commission of enquiry, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, promised that the commission would discharge its job without fear or favour.
He stated, “Mr. Governor, I assure you that we will not let you and the people of the state down. We will carry out this task you have given us to the best of our ability.
“My members and I will ensure that the perpetrators of the sad event, which occurred at Ife, are brought to book.”
Meanwhile, the pan-northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum, on Monday, cautioned its Yoruba counterpart, Afenifere, over comments on the mode of arrest of suspects in the aftermath of the Ile-Ife crisis.

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Northern Socio-Political group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday urged Yoruba elders to restrain from giving ethnic coloration to the crisis that erupted in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
 

 
The Northern socio-cultural group, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Muhammadu Ibrahim, said:
 
“Unfortunately, subsequent events after the preliminary investigation report of the police into the Ile-Ife crisis, there have been accusations by some Yoruba leaders that the police report was biased, as the suspects paraded by the police were alleged to be mainly Yoruba.
 
“ACF’s position in this regard is to appeal to the respected elders of Yoruba not to give unnecessary ethnic coloration to the unfortunate Ile-Ife clash as criminality knows no ethnicity or religion.
 
“Any slightest disagreement between individuals or groups of persons that are regarded as ethnic or religious tend to deepen hatred and division among Nigerians. Elders are known for their wisdom in settling disputes and not to fan embers of divisions.”
Osun governor has raised a five-man judicial commission of inquiry into the disturbance of public peace that claimed some lives in the ancient city of Ile-Ile town on March 20. The committee has four weeks to turn in its report.
The move came even as the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (OPC) disagreed on the reactions trailing the mayhem, especially the arrest of 20 suspects.

In a statement, OPC President Fredrick Fasehun accused the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris of bias, tagging him an ethnic jingoist for arresting the hosts in a clash involving resident-settlers. He called for the police chief’s sack “over charges of tribalism and prejudice”.
But in another statement through its Publicity Secretary Muhammed Ibrahim, the ACF warned Yoruba leaders to be cautious in their reactions, saying that crime and violence have no ethnic colouration.
Reiterating his administration commitment to the promotion of communal peace in the Living Spring State, Aregbesola called for cooperation with security agencies in the process of unravelling the masterminds of the March 8 mayhem.
In his speech entitled “Justice for all, never again in the Land of the Virtuous (Ipinle Omoluabi), shortly after inaugurating the five-member panel at the weekend, the governor tasked the committee to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the crisis.
He named Justice M.A Adeigbe as the panel’s chair. Other members are:  Mrs. Bose Dawodu DCP (rtd), Barrister Ismail Ajibade, the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of DSS and Mr. Bisi Babalola who will act as the secretary.
He urged the panel to identify the perpetrators and their extent of involvement, determine the extent of injury suffered by any individuals or group.
The committee was also mandated to recommend appropriate civil or criminal action to be taken against the perpetrators, make appropriate suggestions to the State Government towards the prevention of future occurrence and also recommend appropriate monetary sum as compensation(s) for damages or injuries that may have been suffered by any individual or group of individuals in respect of matters received by it.

He said: “You have four weeks to carry out this assignment. The report that small arms and light weapons were deployed freely during the crisis was disturbing and frightening.
“It has implication for security of lives and property and the potential for more conflicts beyond the immediate theatre of war, if not nipped in the bud.
“I want you to look into this. The sources and the current location of these arms and their custodians should be investigated and determined. They should all be recovered.
“There are also reports that cultists who have no regard for human lives were recruited into the mayhem for a fee. This is most disheartening. Please investigate this and unearth the roles they played and let the law be applied without fear or favour.
“I charge this commission to be courageous and fearless. Undertake this assignment with all seriousness and the fear of God. You should pursue the truth and not fear where it will lead to.
“We want justice for all, like Martin Luther King Jr, once said, ‘Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream’, to the victims and the perpetrators alike, as I wish you success on this crucial assignment.”
The governor warned against pre-empting the outcome of on going investigation, saying it will be prejudicial to the efforts of the law enforcement agencies, he however expressed confidence that the crisis is not an inter-ethnic, inter religious or inter regional conflict.
In his response, Justice Adeigbe promised that his panel will discharge its job without fear or favour.
He said the commission would go all out to ensure that the real perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book and ensure that all warring factions are appeased.
The panel chair said: “Mr. Governor, I assure you that we will not let you and the people down. We will carry out this task you have given us to the best of our ability.” Myself, and my members will ensure that the perpetrators of the sad event which occurred at Ife are brought to book.”
Fasehun, who accused Idris of acting an ethnic script said: “The IG just confirmed that only Yoruba were arrested in a conflict between Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani people; that is prejudicial and that is unacceptable.
“Idris is a man with an agenda. He has shown himself a bigot. And he is unfit to be the IG of Police in a cosmopolitan and pluralistic country like Nigeria. Before he smears President Muhammadu Buhari, the President should offload him.”
According to the OPC leader, for the IG to have made such a statement was “an admission of tribalism, unbefitting of the exalted position of the Inspector-General of the Nigerian police. It is a confirmation that the police under Mr. Ibrahim Idris took the prejudicial step to arrest only Yoruba people although the crisis pitched two tribes against each other.”
Fasehun accused the police chief taking sides and that contrary to his training and oath of office, foreclosed an open case between two conflicting groups.
“The IG has admitted that only Yoruba suspects were arrested and that it was deliberate. It is a clear case of prejudice,” he emphasised.
He called for the immediate release of the Ife-20, saying, their arrest neither followed due process nor the facts on the ground.
Fasehun warned that such a prejudicial stance by security agents like the IG could embolden herdsmen to inflict violence and death on communities across the country.
Fasehun said: “Is there any wonder why under Idris’s watch, the police has been unable to apprehend, prosecute and check the mayhem inflicted by Fulani herdsmen at Agatu in Benue State, where they have sacked communities and continue to graze their cattle with impunity, in Delta State, in Ekiti State, Ogun State, Nasarawa State, Benue State, in Plateau State and in Southern Kaduna?
“Despite the havoc being unleashed and continued against citizens in Southern Kaduna, the police under Idris has been unable to apprehend and prosecute a single culprit.
Pointed out that the police have swing into action only in cases where victims put up resistance against, he alleged   that the police often arrest people defending their homes and farms against invaders.
“Everywhere communities rise up to resist agents of death, Idris would quickly rise up to arrest citizens for daring to protect themselves,” Fasehun reiterated.

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Leadership and members of the ruling party in Osun state, the All Progressive Congress (APC) have commended various economic initiatives introduced by the present administration in the state, saying the programmes are serving as a stimulant for its economy to grow and develop.

According to them, Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s introduction of certain economic turnaround initiatives, had prevented the state from feeling, fully the crushing weight of economic recession ravaging the country at the moment.

Speaking at a programme tagged: “Enroute Rauf: A discourse on Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the polity of the State of Osun”, the state chairman of the party, Gboyega Famoodun, who chaired the first session of the discourse, said introduction of initiatives like “O’ Yes”, ” O’ Reap” and School Feeding Programmes, had assisted the state in revamping its economy through creation of new spenders of money.

Through creation of new spenders that are separate from the regular salary earners, Famoodun said more money is being pumped into the state’s economy using robust economic activities.

But, the Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti, urged governor to support only aspirant capable of continuing the six-point Integral Action Plan of the present administration.

The SSG said “They should say whatever they like. Whoever wants to succeed Aregbesola must be ready to continue his six-point integral action plan.

“The policy laid down by Asiwaju Tinubu was sustained by Fashola and Ambode is building on it. That is why Lagos state is progressing. We are satisfied with the six-point integral action plan of Aregbesola and we would not allow anybody that is not ready to maintain and sustain the success achieved by the governor.”

In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, explained that the debt profile released by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, was exaggerated.

He said the N165.9 billion debt as released by NEITI was nothing, compared to the development Osun has witnessed in the last six years of his administration and promised to complete all the ongoing projects before the expiration of his tenure in November, 2018.

In his welcome remarks, one of the conveners of the discourse, Rasheed Ropo Raji, said the event was organised to ensure that the ruling party does not lose sight of its humble beginning.

He said such discourse should be organised frequently for younger generation and new members to have good idea of how the enterance of Aregbesola into Osun’s politics revolutionised it and did the unthinkable of returning power to the opposition.

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Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has again rietirated the commitment of his administration to the promotion of communal peace in the state, just as he called for cooperation with security agencies in the process of unravelling those behind the March 8 mayhem in Ile-Ife.
 

The Governor stated this in a speech titled “JUSTICE FOR ALL, NEVER AGAIN IN THE LAND OF THE VIRTUOUS ( IPINLE OMOLUABI ), on Saturday shortly after inaugurating a five man judicial commission of enquiry into the disturbance of public peace in Ile-Ife on March 8.
Members of the commission who have been given four weeks to work are: Justice M.A Adeigbe who is the chairman, Mrs. Bose Dawodu DCP (rtd), Barrister Ismail Ajibade, the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of DSS and Mr. Bisi Babalola who will act as the secretary.
The Governor charged the commission to investigate and determine the remote and immediate cause of the disturbance, identify the perpetrators and extent of involvement, determine the extent of injury sufferd by any individual or group.
They were also mandated to recommend appropriate civil or criminal action to be taken against the perpetrators, make appropriate suggestions to the State Government towards the prevention of future occurrence and also recommend appropriate monetary sum as compensation(s) for damages or injuries that may have been suffered by any individual or group of individuals in respect of matters received by it.
According to the governor, “You have four weeks to carry out this assignment. The report that small arms and light weapons were deployed freely during the crisis was disturbing and frightening.
“It has implication for security of lives and property and the potential for more conflicts beyond the immediate theatre of war, if not nipped in the bud.
“I want you to look into this. The sources and the current location of these arms and their custodians should be investigated and determined. They should all be recovered.
“There are also reports that cultists who have no regard for human lives were recruited into the mayhem for a fee. This is most disheartening. Please investigate this and unearth the roles they played and let the law be applied without fear or favour.
“I charge this commission to be courageous and fearless. Undertake this assignment with all seriousness and the fear of God. You should pursue the truth and not fear where it will lead to.
“We want justice for all, like Martin Luther King Jr, once said, ‘Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream’, to the victims and the perpetrators alike, as I wish you success on this crucial assignment.” He said.
The Governor warned against a pre-empt of the outcome of on going investigation, saying it will be prejudicial to the efforts of the law enforcement agencies, he however expressed confidence that the crisis is not an inter-ethnic, inter religious or inter regional conflict.
He described the mayhem as just an ugly development, a breach of public peace, masterminded by hoodlums and criminals which resulted into loss of lives and property.
Aregbesola, who called for cooperation and patience with the police and other law enforcement agencies until the outcome of the final investigation, hinted that the police and others have assured of even handedness and that the rule of law will be strictly adhered to and allowed to prevail.
He said the opinion of those fanning the embers of discord between the Hausa and Yoruba should be disregarded, stressing that it is unwise and wicked for anybody to describe the violence in the Sabo area of Ile-Ife as a religious or tribal war.
While emphasising that it is the duty of government to guarantee the welfare and security of all people in its area of jurisdiction, the governor stated that the present administration in the state will do the best with all the resources at its disposal, without fear or favour to guarantee security of lives and property.
“The police and other law enforcement agencies have assured all of even handedness and that the rule of law will be strictly adhered to and prevail. We owe them support and the need for patience until the final outcome, since investigation into the matter continues.
“In light of ongoing investigation, therefore, we do not want to pre-empt the outcome by making statements prejudicial to the efforts of the law enforcement agencies.
“However, we have no doubt that this is not an inter-ethnic, inter religious or inter regional conflict by any stretch of the imagination. It was just an ugly development, a breach of public peace, masterminded by hoodlums and criminals resulting to loss of lives and property.
“We should all therefore disabuse our minds of ethnic bias by denying the narrative of inter-ethnic conflict between the Yoruba and Hausa community in Ile Ife, because it was not.
“It is the duty of government to guarantee the welfare and security of all people in its area of jurisdiction. This we shall do to the best of our ability and with all the resources at our disposal, without fear or favour.” Aregbesola maintained.
The Governor called on all and sundry to always explore the options of peaceful resolution of conflicts before crisis, saying crisis will always leave both parties in pain and agony at the end of the day. He added that war is bad and must be avoided by all means possible.‎
“Civilized people should avoid destructive actions and promotion of conflicts. War is bad and must be avoided by all means. We must always first explore and exhaust all options for peace and seriously consider the cost of conflict before promoting it.
“The consequences of war in Libya, Syria, Yemen and South Sudan are sufficiently frightening enough to check any thought of war by any one.
“Secondly, Yoruba people are OMOLUABI; very loving, fair-minded, justice seeking, hospitable and accommodating to a fault. This is why other people flock to us. Likewise, the Hausa community in Ile-Ife and other parts of the state.” He stated.
In his response, Chairman of the judicial commission of enquiry, Hon. Justice Moshood Adeigbe who thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the people of Osun, promised that the commission will discharge its job without fear or favour.
He said the commission will go all out to ensure that the real perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book and ensure that all waring factions are appeased.
“Mr. Governor, I assure you that we will not let you and the people of down, we will carry out this task you have given us to the best of our ability.
“Myself and my members will ensure that the perpetrators of the sad event which occurred at Ife are brought to book.
“We will ensure that it doesn’t happen again in Osun. We will do our job without fear or favour to anyone or group in the matter,” Adeigbe assured.

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A recent visit to pig farms across the state of Osun has revealed how the state became a major player in pig farming business in Nigeria.
 

 
In order to boast pig farming business, the state had sent some 40 students to Germany as part of its O-Pig programme in 2014.
With the skills acquired in Germany, many of the Pig farmers who are now expert in pig fattening has with the help of government set up various lucrative pig farms across the state.
 
A member of the Pig Farmers Association of the State who spoke on behalf of his colleagues applauded the government, revealing that despite the fact that the governor is a Muslim who doesn’t eat pork, yet he has supported their efforts because he recognizes the economic potentials inherent in Pig farming.
 
At one of the pig breeding centers visited in Ilesha, state of Osun,
some of the beneficiaries of the initiative spoke on the benefit of initiative to the farmers and the state at large.
 
Omoboyeje Olalekan, a graduate of Animal Production and Health, who is one of the farmers trained in Germany, stated that the training was very impactful as he learnt modern skills in pig farming and application of modern technology to his trade.
 
Speaking on the success of the initiative, Director-General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships, (OEDP), Dr. Charles Diji Akinola revealed that the government has disbursed over N400million naira as loan to 3,645 farmers in the O-Pig programme which kicked off in July, 2014.
 
Also financial grant to the tune of N40million naira has been provided to pig farmers in the state. So far, over 2000 Pigs have been sold by the German trainees and over 1000 pigs are presently being reared at the Ilesa Pen.
 

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The government of the State of Osun is on the verge of becoming the hub for rice production in the Southwest, with its recent move to focus on rice cultivation, as part of its agricultural policies.
The governor, Rauf Aregbesola, his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, and other members of his team recently visited one of the major rice farms collaborating with the state government to produce Ofada Osun Rice.
 

 
If the partnership sails through, it is expected to break the country’s reliance on imported rice, generate more income for the state and also create job opportunities for the populace of the state, as people from every part of the country would be coming into the state Osun Rice.

The Guardian’s visit to one of the farms in Songbe borders, near Ogbagba in Iwo area of the state, attested to the drive. Though the rice has just been harvested, the plan is to cultivate 450 hectares mainly for rice in the next three weeks, for the new planting season.
The Guardian learnt that the move is part of the holistic agricultural policy of the state, which has placed it on the green map of the Southwest within the space of six years; making it one of the major suppliers of agricultural produce to markets in Lagos and other South Western states.
Executive Chairman of ajogbe group, Bosoye Olalere, who is partnering the state, said the target for the new planting season is to do a lot more than last year, noting that additional land has been acquired to achieve the dream.
While disclosing that youth, under the state modern agriculture techniques would be integrated into the system, where they would be given acres of land to cultivate and manage, he added that 35 workers are on the pay roll of the farm, noting that during harvest ad-hoc staff would be employed, as another way of creating employment for the people.
“The idea of the farm is to run an integrated farming system. There is a plan to build the processing plant, which is the second phase of the project for processing of rice paddy.

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence‎s Commission (ICPC) has described the petition of the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State against Governor Rauf Aregbesola as baseless and unsubstantiated.
 
 

 
ICPC, in a letter with reference number ICPC/INV/NGB/T.E2/003, addressed to the petitioner, Chairman, Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State, which was copied to the Osun Secretary to the State Government stated that it’s investigations have not established an act contrary to the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000 as none of the allegations were substantiated.
The commission stated that having diligently investigated the allegations and finding nothing against Governor Aregbesola, the allegations have been dismissed.
The Government, through the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, reminded Nigerians that the ICPC’s final decision was a vindication of the repeated claims by the government that the group was one of individuals hired for the purpose of tarnishing its name.
ICPC, in the letter titled, Re: Petition against Osun State Governor- Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, for criminal and reckless mismanagement of Osun State funds since November 2010 to August 2015 held that all of the allegations brought forward have been looked into conclusively with no infraction substantiated.
According to ICPC, “The above case bordering on fraudulent diversion of N11.4 billion obtained through Osun SUKUK bond to private foreign account, money meant for building of schools regardless of the N13.9 billion intervention funds from. The Federal Government through UBEC for the purpose of building classrooms has been investigated conclusively with no infraction substantiated.
“An investigation of‎ the above allegations confirmed that Osun State government raised N11.344 billion from the issue of the SUKUK bond through Nigerian commercial banks. Investigation also revealed that after the issue of the bond, Osun State Government sought and got approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Shariah Board of Lotus Capital Ltd. To amend the schedule of schools to be constructed from 27 mixed schools to 11 high schools and to furnish the schools. The approval of SUKUK holders is still pending.
“Also contrary to the allegation that the SUKUK proceed was diverted to private foreign account, it was disbursed from Osun SUKUK company accounts with 13 Collecting Nigerian Commercial banks and used for payments of contractors awarded the contracts of construction and furnishing of 11 senior Secondary Schools in various part of Osun State.
“Furthermore, contrary to the allegation that N13.9 billion was disbursed by UBEC to Osun State, the total of N7,192,585,041.64 has been disbursed to Osun SUBEB for the period 2011-2015. This amount consists of Universal Basic Education matching grants, Special Education Funds, Teachers Professional Development Fund and state’s counterpart funds lodgement in line with UBE Act 2004.
“In view of the above paragraphs, investigations have not established an act contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 as none of the allegations were substantiated. Therefore the matter is hereby laid to rest”. The Commission said.
The Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, stating the Government’s position over the outcome of the ICPC’s investigations, said the Aregbesola government was never in doubt that the group was an illegal one which was only being used by traducers of the administration to diminish its many achievements.
“When the so-called group was everywhere making its highly irresponsible and frivolous allegations, we never minced words on the fact that it was an unregistered group of few disgruntled, hired individuals to tarnish the image of the government and seek to diminish the massive good governance initiatives that are the hallmarks of our interventions here.
“The ICPC’s dismissal of the frivolous allegations is a vindication of our earlier position on the group and other collaborators in their ignoble campaigns of calumny.
“The Aregbesola administration has instituted the most transparent, people friendly government in its six years and more and we do not intend to depart from this path. This is because we are convinced in this lies the brighter future of our dear state,” Okanlawon added.

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The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Akinyinka Oluseyi Esho has enjoined all health workers across the state of  Osun to be up and doing in discharging their services towards saving one million souls in the state especially children under 5yrs old of malaria infection

This is contained in an address by the Permanent Secretary during the opening ceremony of a training programme for health workers.
Speaking earlier, the Programme Officer of Save One Million Lives (SOML), Mr. Gbenga Oyebode enjoined all health workers in the State of Osun to render quality health care services by educating mothers on the importance of the use of mosquito nets. Also speaking, the Director, Public Health, Dr. Adepoju Gbenga assured the trainees that, the state government will not relent in its efforts in ensuring that malaria infection is brought under control.

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The Osun State House of Assembly has described as a rude shock, the death of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) correspondent in the Assembly, Nathaniel Abimbola on Friday.

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A lot of hullabaloo has been generated around Osun Debt Portfolio especially in the run-up to the 2014 gubernatorial election in the State when the incumbent Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, was contesting for the second term. The target of the opposition at the time was to use it, among others, to confuse Osun populace, sow seed of discord between the Government and the Electorate and rubbish all the pro-people policies and programmes of Aregbesola Government and of course, hijack Bola Ige house .
 

 
Yes, it is an inalienable right of the citizens to know their State debt profile, reasons for the loan / what the loan is meant for and exercise oversight function to monitor if the loan is justifiably utilised. However, this is not the case here. The opposition was merely hell-bent on using it to score cheap political point and still intend to so use it in the forthcoming campaigns and elections. Hence, they come up with contradictory figures of N413 billion, N400 billion and N360 billion etc as Osun debt “burden”.
This piece, is therefore, not meant for the irredeemable opposition. It targets only average and genuine Osun people who deserve to know the exact financial state of their State and whether or not their resources are judiciously and justifiably utilised.
Debt is that thing, such as money, being owed by one person to another with an obligation to pay back on agreed terms and time and usually with interest. In the contemporary world, loan taking is not a crime. It is taken to address challenges which ordinary regular income would not do. In the case of a government, it is usually taken for infrastructural development which requires huge resources that are not readily available but could be gathered over a period of time. When loan is taken for such a purpose, it is a positive one. On the other hand, when a loan is taken for a white elephant project or recurrent spending, it is negative.

This explains why the advanced and powerful nations in the world today are among the mostly indebted. According to CIA Factbook – 2013 Q1 Figure for instance, external debts of United States of America (USA); United Kingdom (UK); France; Germany; Japan; and China in US$ are 17,910,859,000,000; 9,219,000,000,000; 5,750,152,000,000; 5,546,869,000,000; 2,861,488,000,000; and 1,680,000,000,000 respectively – trillion in dollars.
Here in Nigeria, Lagos State was recently declared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the 6th largest economy in Africa. Its external debt as at 2015 was $1.087 billion and a debt profile of N368,409,682,283.25. Lagos, the most prosperous State in Nigeria, is Nigeria’s unrivalled, most indebted State. It is followed by Kaduna with $234million external debt; Cross River; Edo; Ogun and Osun; $131.469million; $123million; $109million; and $67million external debts respectively, according to Business News Report online, April 13, 2015.
Based on Debt Management Office release on 31st December, 2016, on States and Federal Governments External Debt Stock, Osun External Debt is N70,533,845.79. As at today, the real totality of Osun debt – external and internal – is estimated at N162.5 billion. This debt is to be repaid for a period of 20years. This figure should put to rest various fictional and controversial figures.
The debt profile of a Country/State, however, has to be assessed against its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) value. GDP is a broad measurement of a Country/State overall economic activity. It is the total value of goods and services produced by an entity in a given period of time, usually annually and quarterly.

Osun is populated by 4 million people. Its debt profile of N162.5 billion is to be repaid in 20years as DMO intervened to help States extend their loans life span. This implies that each Osun indigene is obliged to pay N2,031.25 per annum for a period of 20years to repay the debt. If this is divided per day, every Osun citizen will pay N5.56 (five naira, fifty-six kobo) daily for 20 years, which is not enough to buy a sachet water popularly called Pure Water!
Meanwhile, the debt incurred by Osun Government on behalf of its people was not incurred by the Aregbesola administration alone. Assuming it is, what has Aregbesola administration guaranteed by calling every citizen to pay Pure Water Price daily for 20 years?
security of lives and property as provided in Section 14 Subsection (1b), Chapter 11 of the 1999 Constitution as amended via procurement of 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) with 100 Patrol Vehicle for 24-hour security cover of the State 365 days a year. This has made the state highly risky to criminals and crimes to the extent that Inspector General of Police recently proclaimed Osun as the least crime-infested State in Nigeria.
Massive road networks construction and maintenance unprecedented in the history of the State. Today, Osogbo wears State Capital look with parks and gardens among others.
Building of State of Art Model Schools across the State with all modern facilities that will make teaching and learning conducive.
School-days feeding of over 253,000 elementary school pupils with nutritional meals – chicken, fish, beef, eggs and fruits.

Renovation and upgrading of Tertiary Health Facilities like State Hospitals with modern medical equipment; Construction of various Primary Health Centres across the Local Government Areas with medical equipment, solar and new motorised powered boreholes. Highly mobile ambulances for a swift response to emergency.
Various empowerment and social intervention programmes for youths, the aged, the physically challenged, farmers, artisans, small and middle scale businesses to business men and women, transporters (NURTW and RTEAN) via the cooperatives, etc.
If the State debt obligation is valued via achievements in all these areas, the debt is a blessing as it has enhanced the totality of our lives from infants to the aged. It has guaranteed a better life for the urban and rural people. It has made our State attractive to various investments and businesses. It has made Osun to be a State to reckon with in the Committee of States. It has made us proud. All these within a short time.
If the most indigent citizen of Osun is asked to conscientiously put her widow’s mite on these massive infrastructures and facilities, the least she will commit to put down on a daily basis is N20 which is almost 4 times of what an average citizen is obliged to pay on this debt profile for 20years. Only shallow minded elements and the unreasonable opposition will hold that the debt is an albatross.
Governor Aregbesola’s deep vision, solid plan and determination to produce positive results have laid a solid foundation in Osun for incoming generations to build on. Osun cannot afford to retrogress. Aregbesola achievements must be consolidated and built upon.

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