The bill, when passed, would raise the number of local government in the state to 57
The members of the Osun State House of Assembly on Monday deferred further consideration of the Local Government Creation and Administration Bill 2013 due to petitions.
The Speaker of the House, Najeem Salaam, disclosed this at the plenary in Osogbo.
Mr. Salaam said the bill would not be considered for second reading for now due to petitions from members of the public on the creation of additional local governments.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola had on December 16, 2013, presented a bill to the House for the creation of additional 27 local government areas in the state.
The bill scaled through its first reading on January 8.
Mr. Salaam said the technicalities and petitions arising from the bill would have to be resolved before considering it for the second reading.
“Due to the technicalities and petitions arising from the bill, it cannot be considered for the second reading for now.
“The second reading of the bill will lead us to presenting it to the committee of the whole House, which will lead to passage of the bill.
“But before that, there are some other assignments which we have to do before the consideration of the bill”, Mr. Salaam said.
The bill, when passed, would raise the number of local governments in the state to 57.
The bills seeking to amend the State University Development Fund and State Independent Electoral Commission were, however, read on the floor of the House.
OSUN DEFENDER

Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged Muslims in the state and the entire country to pray for the restoration of peace in every part of the country as they celebrate the Eid- Maolud.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola in a goodwill message also charged the nation’s leaders to emulate the life Prophet Muhammed as a selfless political and religious leader.
The governor urged Muslims to submit totally to the will of Allah and pray for the country at this critical time so that it can overcome the current insecurity pervading the country.
Aregbesola equally tasked Muslims on tolerance and love which Prophet Mohammed exhibited during his life times.
He advised Nigerians to use the period to reflect on the ideals of peace, unity, harmony and selflessness in order to build a stable nation.
“I urge all Muslims to continue to follow the exemplary leadership of the noble Prophet Mohammed for a peaceful and egalitarian society.
“The Prophet lived a complete life worthy of emulation by all and sundry. Those who imbibe such exemplary leadership style and qualities would enjoy the essence of life.
“I promise that our administration will continue to work tirelessly to bring the desired change for a better and more developed state of Osun.”
“I enjoin Muslims across the nation to cultivate the habit and imbibe the spirit of peaceful co-existence among one another and be their brothers’ keepers,” Aregbesola said.
He noted that if Muslims and other religious groups uphold these virtues, the will contribute in no small measures to nation’s greatness.
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Photos from a Courtesy Visit by the Caleb University Crew to the Governor in Osogbo, State of Osun on Tuesday 14-01-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Proprietor/Visitor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Dr. Oladega
Adebogun (right) and Managing Director, Accord Engineering, Engineer
Benjamin Olamijulo (left), during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor in Osogbo, State of Osun on Tuesday 14-01-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left);
Proprietor/Visitor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Dr. Oladega
Adebogun (2nd right); Chieftain, All Progressive Congress (APC),
Senator Bayo Salami (right) and Managing Director, Accord Engineering,
Engineer Benjamin Olamijulo (left), during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor in Osogbo, State of Osun on Tuesday 14-01-2014

Following the outstanding success of the Osun State government’s school feeding programme, ‘O’ Meal, the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola has been invited to address the House of Common in the United Kingdom on the impact of the feeding programme on education.
Osun State government, through its elementary school feeding programme (‘O’ Meal) provides free nourishing mid-day meal for pupils in Grade 1 to 4 throughout the state, an action that has resulted to increase in pupils enrolment in the state.
The invitation is in recognition of the outstanding transformation of the elementary school education in Osun State by Mr Aregbesola through the ‘O’ Meals programme.
He is expected to provide an overview of the impact of the school feeding programme on pupils enrolment, retention of pupils in schools, empowerment of women and how small scale farmers have been provided means of livelihood through the programme.
Aregbesola who was invited by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture & Food for Development and the Partnership for Child Development, Imperial College London is scheduled to deliver his address inside the House of Common.
According to a statement signed by the programme advocate, Sunit Bagree, the meeting would focus on the evolution of home grown school feeding (O Meals).
Other speakers expected at the gathering include Prof. Donald Bundy, Lead Health and Education Specialist, World Bank, Ms. Boitshepo Bibi Giyose – Senior Food & Nutrition Security Advisor, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), African Union and Dr Josephine Kiamba – HGSF Senior Technical Adviser (Southern Africa), Partnership for Child Development, Imperial College London.
Leadership (Abuja)
The Deputy Governor of Osun, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, has charged civil servants to make positive contributions to the development of the state. Laoye-Tomori gave the charge during a prayer session she organised for political office holders and civil servants to herald the official activities of the New Year.
She expressed gratitude to God for divine mercies and protection of all categories of workers in the state. The deputy governor, however, called on residents to embrace peace while loving one another in order to move the state forward. Laoye-Tomori also advised civil servants to depend only on God in all their undertakings, adding that they should be dutiful, dedicated and honest.
She further enjoined residents to pray for the success of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola’s administration in its bid to promote and enhance peace, progress and security of lives and property. Present at the prayer session were top government functionaries in the office of the deputy governor as well as other civil servants.
Photos from the Inspection of Ongoing construction of the East by Pass road by the Administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun, in Osogbo on Monday 13/01/2014
A valedictory session was held in honour of the late Justice Olukayode Ibidapo-Obe in Osogbo on Thursday.
Ibidapo-Obe, a former high court judge of Oyo State, died on Dec. 1, 2013 at the age of 87 years.
The Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, described the deceased as a legal icon and judicial elder statesman whose exit was a big blow to the judiciary.
Ojo said Ibidapo-Obe was a “doer of justice and truth’’, in spite of whose ox was gored and who operated under the Latin maxim “Fiat Justicia Ruat Coelum’’ (justice must be done even though heaven falls).
“Ibidapo-Obe was a fearless and courageous man who was prepared to meet with death with bravado as he wrote in his book; “In Retrospect.’’
The Osun Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Mr Adewale Afolabi, described him as an industrious man and a great achiever.
Afolabi said Ibidapo-Obe was among few public servants who always returned unspent money to government’s treasury.
He added that Ibidapo-Obe was proof of how a good person should conduct himself, adding that he would be greatly missed by the state, his family, friends and the nation at large.
The family of the deceased, represented by Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, thanked members of the state judiciary for organising the valedictory service for their father.
The event, held at the State High Court 1, Osogbo, had judges, magistrates and other judiciary staff in the state in attendance.
(NAN)
Governor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, and other members of the Executive Council have joined the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Worldwide to offer prayers for peace and stability in the state, and Nigeria at large.
This was deemed necessary particularly at a period when the state governorship election is fast approaching.
The vigil, which held at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, the state capital, saw thousands of Christians and Muslims from the South-West states converging to pray for peace in troubled parts of the country.
In what looked more like a revival service, several members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also joined in the gathering where they not only prayed for continued peace and progress of the state, but also for the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola for a second term in office.
Governor Aregbesola, while speaking on the significance of the programme, said that religion could best be described as love, peaceful co-existence, tolerance and harmony without rancour.
The all night prayer session which lasted from 10pm till dawn, with various artistes drew the presence of a large congregation from virtually all the Yoruba speaking states in Nigeria.
CHANNELSTV
Scores of residents of Osogbo, the Osun capital, on Saturday commended the state government on the bi-monthly sanitation aimed at improving the health of the people.
Mr Adelani Tijani, a resident of Oke-Ijetu area of the town, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the policy was a move in the right direction.
“I am personally delighted about the exercise. It has seriously changed the face of our environment and made it clean, and the metropolis is now carrying the real face of a state capital.
“It is obvious that environment determines the survival of its inhabitants. It is the number one thing to consider in human development policies as a government,’’ he said.
Also, Mrs Akinyemi Daisi, a shop owner at Ogo-Oluwa area of the town, described the initiative as a proactive approach to healthy living.
“A serious government must take as an optimum responsibility the need for a healthy environment for its citizens, as it will transform to better economic conditions,’’ she said.
Daisi listed some of the sanitary problems which used to confront the people of the area to include poor waste disposal.
She however said the present administration in the state had addressed the waste disposal problem.
“We are indeed grateful to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola for his outstanding initiative. The issue of waste disposal has been adequately addressed through the `O’Clean Programme’.
(NAN)
The military has been urged to stay committed to the maintenance of peaceful and united Nigeria.
The call came in Osogbo Thursday, when Governor Rauf Aregbesola addressed ex-service men of the Nigerian Armed Forces on the occasion of the 2014 Remembrance Day.
Governor Aregbesila said it is in the interests of the military and civilians alike that Nigeria is not plunged into civil war.
Aregbesola commended efforts of the exservice men in ensuring that Nigeria stayed together as one.
The event which held in the State House witnessed multitude of ex-military men and their wives; just as widows of those who had laid their lives for the country at one expedition or the other also attended.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of N15 million Naira for the launch of the 2014 Remebrance Emblem.
Aregbesola said the military has played huge role in keeping the nation as one, especially before, during and after the civil war.
He however urged them to desist from engaging in politics; adding that nations that had been governed at one time or the other by the military is always behind their contemporaries.
“The military is best at the baracks.
“Nations that are far behind us before military interregnum in our country are today far ahead of us”, Aregbesola said.
State chairman of the Nigerian legion, Col. Alimi Saamotu leveraged on the occasion of the event to call on Federal Government to offset outstanding 25% military pension. He described the payment as “quit overdue”.
Saamatu explained that the remembrance day is particularly set aside to express concern for and appreciation of fallen heroes in the first world war, the Nigerian civil war and other wars fought in neighbouring African countries.
The high point of the event was the decoration of dignitaries with the remembrance emblem. Air Vice Marshal C.P Udey of the Airforce Safety Institute, Ipetu Ijesa decorated Governor Aregbesola.
The deputy governor, Otunba Titi Laoye Tomori, the Deputy Speaker of the Osun Assembly Adegbeye Akintinde, Royal fathers and other dignitaries were also decorated
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