Nigerians from all works of life have been advised to engage themselves in regular exercise and other sporting activities so as to be develop completely.
Deputy Governor of the state of Osun, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, gave this advice while laying the foundation stone of the Sports Complex at the Achievers’ University, Owo, Ondo State.
In her speech titled: Towards The Development of a Complete Man, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said education system that neglects human development through their kinetic body and regular physical exercise has moved away from attaining its expected level.
Applauding the decision of the Senate and Management of the institution for the building of the sports complex, state of Osun Deputy Governor urged them to put the sports complex to use saying foundation determines social relevance of any structure but its proper usage determines its importance.
She however said the importance placed on human development propelled governor of the state of Osun, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, to introduce the monthly Walk to Live in the state.
In his remark, Pro-Chancellor of the Achievers’ University, Senator Bode Olajumoke, said any institution of learning without complementing sporting facilities is not complete in its quest of building a complete person.
Also speaking, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), urged governments at all levels to invest more on sports most especially at the school level so as to develop Nigerian youths to an appreciable level.
OSUN DEFENDER
Subject: LETTER OF APPRECIATION
Mr. Governor,
We herein use this opportunity to personally thank you for sending us to Germany for a 3-month agricultural training programme.
We sincerely appreciate this kind gesture of yours and must note that this is indeed the first time an African head of government would invest so much in the human capacity development of youths in the area of agriculture and that it would never be an understatement each time you are addressed as the “first among your equals”.
During our 3-month sojourn in Germany, we learnt quite a lot of innovative and useful things in the field of modern agriculture which we believe if given a chance to replicate would greatly assist your Government in its passionate drive to banish hunger, eradicate poverty and banish unemployment.
We assure you that with our newly acquired knowledge and skills being put into practice we can:
1. Drastically reduce the percentage which an average Osun citizen spends on food to approximately 5% and;
2. also help in massively increasing the Internally Generated Revenue of the State of Osun.
3. These and many more are we ready to do in order to uplift and develop the state to the level that you passionately and compassionately wish to take her and its citizens to through agriculture.
We seek to achieve all these and many more through ”a platform of an independent, innovative and enterprising agricultural agency”.
We would like to seek your assistance” in terms of some upkeep money starting from this month of December while we patiently wait on your graciousness to grant us this productive platform”.
Once again, we want to appreciate you for this opportunity you have given us and also assure you that we will always be at your disposal to help develop the agricultural sector of the State of Osun.
Thank you in anticipation of your favourable response.
Best,
SIGNED:
Your German trained Osun youths
(Batch A)
1. BELLO A. T.
2. ALADESANMI A. Y.
3. FADARE T.
4. ADEWOLE A.
5. KEHINDE T.J.
6. ADEJUWON A.J.
7. AKILAPA O. E.
8. OLUWAFEMI B. O.
9. JIMOH W. A.
10. ADEGOKE N. A.
11. AKINGBADE M. O.
12. WILLIAMS I. V.
13. OLUFESO M. O.
14. IDOWU S. O.
15. MAKINDE I. O.
16. BABATUNDE O. T.
17. OMOBOYEJE O. O.
18. MAKANJU M. O.
19. ADETUNJI K. A.
20. OJO O.
OSUN DEFENDER
Photos from the 6th edition of an interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of Osun last week

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from Ijesha people while rejoicing with prayer of supports for his
Second Term in office immediately after the 6th edition of an interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal
Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and
Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of
Osun last week

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from Ijesha people while rejoicing with prayer of supports for his
Second Term in office immediately after the 6th edition of an
interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal
Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and
Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of
Osun last week

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from Ijesha people while rejoicing with prayer of supports for his
Second Term in office immediately after the 6th edition of an
interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal
Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and
Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of
Osun last week

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (standing) addressing
the people of Ijeshaland after their word of support for his Second Term in office, during the 6th edition of an interactive programme
tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of Osun last week

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) dancing with the State market women and People of Ijeshaland after their word of support for his Second Term in office, during the 6th edition of an
interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal
Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and
Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of
Osun last week

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Winner Arewa Osun, Miss Adiatu Damilola; Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat and Chief Executive Officer, Miss Arewa Beauty Pageant, Mr Oludare Kolade, after words of support for
Aregbesola Second Term in office by people of Ijeshaland, during the
6th edition of an interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in
Ijesha South Federal Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa
East, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa
High School, Ilesa, State of Osun last week

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Wife
of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; Governor, Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola; Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood
Adeoti and Member House of Representatives representing Atakunmosa East/West and Ilesa East/West, Honourable Ajibola Famurewa, after
words of support for Aregbesola Second Term in office by people of
Ijeshaland, during the 6th edition of an interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of Osun last week

From left, Speaker State Assembly of Osun, Honourable Najeem Salam;
Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor, Ogbeni
Rauf Aregbesola; his Wife, Sherifat; Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Member House of Representatives representing Atakunmosa East/West and Ilesa East/West,
Honourable Ajibola Famurewa, after words of support for Aregbesola
Second Term in office by people of Ijeshaland, during the 6th edition of an interactive programme tagged, “Gban-gba Dekun” in Ijesha South Federal Constituency consisting of Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa
East and Atakumosa West Local Governments at Ilesa High School, Ilesa, State of Osun last week
The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has assured the 157 Landlords whose structures were affected by the on-going road dualisation from Mosalasi=Gaji to Onisekere in Ayetoro, Osogbo road axis, of the payment of their compensation which is worth N750million.
The Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Arc. Muyiwa Ige made this disclosure during a visit by the affected Landlords and Tenants Association to the Minsitry.
Arc. Ige however, warned the Landlords to maintain the approved 6-metres as set back of their structures to the road which had earlier been agreed upon.
One of the Landlords, Elder Moshood Abayomi Oladejo, commended the Government of the State of Osun for the kind gesture and promised that the compensation as well as the special packages to the tenants will be optimally utilized.
Also speaking, Comrade Waheed Lawal, reiterated the commitment of the present administration to alleviating the sufferings of the citizenry.
OSUN DEFENDER
In fulfillment of one of the Six Points Integral action plan of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, the Government of the State through the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Special Needs will organize a Two-Week Skill Acquisition for 100 nominated youths in the 30 Local Government Areas and Ife East Area Council of the State.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Akinyinka Esho, the Skill Acquisition Programme will be organised in collaboration with Ojenco Continuing Education and Training Institute, Ada. The statement affirmed that, the programme is part of the efforts of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration to create jobs for the youths and in the process banish hunger and poverty among the citizenry of the state.
The training which commences tomorrow Wednesday 11th December will end on Monday 23rd, December 2013. Training exercise is from 9am to 4pm each week day that the programme covers. The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Akinyinka Esho therefore enjoined all the participants to be punctual and utilize the best opportunity that the programme will offer.
Highlight of the training will be the distribution of trade materials to each of the participants on Monday 23rd, December, 2013 at the same venue.
OSUN DEFENDER
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Tuesday said, there is the need for every Nigerian to know their rights so that they will be in a better position to guard against people trampling on their rights.
Aregbesola stated this while speaking on World Human Right Day (WHRD), organized by the Osun Civil Society Coalition (OCSC) in Osogbo.
Aregbesola said, ‘’ it is the responsibility of everyone to know their rights and fight for it, rather than being abused by extremists. There is need to see ourselves as an entity of change that can bring about change in our country. People of the country must be educated enough to know their right, process and the system in which their right will not be trampled upon’’ he said.
The governor who was represented by the Chairman of O’ School, Alhaji Layi Abdulkareem Oyeduntan said the present administration has really made great impact in the state with regards to its various developmental activities, especially in the education sector.
Abdulkareem said, ‘’the people must stand up to support an activist, who chose to fight for the course of the people of Osun, by ensuring that all their needs are met towards his developmental agenda.
Professor Olorunyomi Oju, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nasir Faggie said, ‘’ education is a human right which everybody must have access to and not a privilege, adding that it is a legacy that must be given to everybody’’.
Oju urged the Federal Government to comply with the agreement reached with ASUU, in order to help save the education sector from the total collapse.
Delivering lecture titled: “The Economic and Social Rights of Nigerians, the Need for Conscious Revival” Barrister Yinka Muyiwa said government has a legal obligation to respect, protect and fulfill economic, social and cultural rights.
According to him, ” there is need for human rights advocates to educate and challenge any form of human right abuse so as to make the government more committed to the respect, protection and fulfillment of these rights.
He noted that the governments at all level have the primary responsibility for making economic and social right of the people a reality.
Muyiwa, however, urged comrades to jettison any action capable of causing misunderstanding among themselves, just as he charged them to resolve if there is any disagreement among them.
He, therefore, called on the civil and human right activists to be politically active, saying that they must play important part in the political evolution of the society so as to be able to put the right people in the right positions.
The Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran said there is need to develop courage and conviction to fight for ones right.
Adeniran explained that every individual should be conscious of his or her right and be ready to fight for it because, we live in an egalitarian society where the mind is being subsided”.
He lamented that Nigeria leaders are not ready to assist the less privilege to accomplish their dreams, adding that they only want the children of the common people to continue living in penury.
While explaining why Nigerians have to say no to injustice, the CACOL chairman said, it is better for a man to die than to be alive with his right being infringed upon by another human being.
Adediran encouraged members of the public to summon courage and stand against anti-masses policy of federal government in the education sector.
He charged the youths to strive hard to acquire knowledge and skills in order to be able to compete with in a very competitive environment with few jobs available.
Earlier, Comrade Abiodun Agboola, Chairman, Osun Civil Society Coalition (OCSC) said the programme is organized to celebrate the importance of human rights.
Agboola stressed that every December 10 is set aside to not only mark human rights day but to sensitize the citizens on their rights in the state.
He observed that it is the responsibility of every citizen to know their rights and when ever such is being abused, they should stand up and fight for their right.
Agboola who described Aregbesola as a comrade Governor urged him not to relent in his efforts to ensure that the rights of the people of the state are protected.
While speaking on the roles parents have to play in human right crusade, OCSC Chairman appealed to the parents to always teach their children about their rights and how to fight for it.
BIOREPORTS
Nigeria and Britain have been enjoined to work towards deepening the existing cordial diplomatic relations, spanning decades.
The Governor of Osun State, South West Nigeria, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, gave the advice when the British Deputy High Commissioner in the country, Mr. Peter Carter came on a courtesy visit to Osogbo.
While describing the relationship between the two Commonwealth countries as legendary and historic, Mr. Aregbesola said Nigeria is the image of Britain in Africa and therefore, needed to be accorded top priority.
He said the administration was willing to partner with the British government in improving the educational sector, adding that great business opportunities abound in the tourism, hospitality, agro-allied and manufacturing sectors of the state economy.
Governor Aregbesola said the administration has invested heavily in education, health, security, transportation, housing and other infrastructural development to make it easy for investors to operate.
According to him, ”It is for the investors that we are working so hard to create a conducive environment for them to operate. We have earmarked nine towns for rapid urban renewal.
We are very serious about basic education, because that is the foundation for development. We take the issue of security very serious. We are constructing more roads to support investors, that also informed the construction of an Airport. Hopefully by May 2014, it will be completed”.
British input
The visiting British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Peter Carter, commended the administration’s efforts at transforming the state from a largely semi-urban town into a modern sophisticated city.
“Your administration is dynamic, forward looking and trying to achieve a great deal. Three years into your administration… to see what you have accomplishd in agriculture, education, infrastructure, housing and attracting investors, these is commendable”, the British envoy said.
Mr Carter said the British Council has been active in the state through the training of teachers in the teaching of the English subject, adding that the Department for International development (DFID) has also been working with the government on women empowerment.
“We will work with you with the development of your sugar industry. We have got great expertise in the development of eternal and Bio-Fuel. We want to partner with you in that area.
We have investors interested in hospitality business, education, mobile money. The more you have access to e-banking, the better for the economy. That is why we are here to partner with you, I look forward to real practical results to my first visit to Osun State”, he added.
Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960, after several years of colonial rule. Since then the country has continued to maintain a cordial relationship with the former colonialist.
The relationship has been quite symbiotic. Nigeria is Britain’s largest trade partner in Africa.
VOICE OF NIGERIA
A total of 104 athletes on Tuesday took part in the taekwondo event of the ongoing National Youth Games as Bayelsa, Osun and Yobe states emerged champions in different categories at the National Stadium, Abuja.
Laipko Frederick from Bayelsa produced intimidating kicks to defeat Ahmadu Isa from Nasarawa in the final of the male -48kg weight category.
Frederick had earlier dismissed Esakpa Kerry from Rivers to book his final spot with Isa defeating Oluigbo Mathew from Osun in the male -48kg semifinals for athletes between the ages of 14 and 15.
Adegoke Abdullahi from Osun defeated Ekpo Joseph from Akwa Ibom to win the male -55 category in a keenly contested match.
To make it to the final, Abdullahi brushed aside Abubakar Isah from Kaduna, while Joseph overcame Agwu Isaac before picking the final slot.
The male 55kg was won by Bashiru Mohammed who defeated Usman Mohammed from Niger State.
Mohammed had earlier kicked out Ndem Joe-Maria in the semifinals, while Usman defeated Okechi Chima from Abia.
Fifty-nine male athletes took part in the taekwondo event, while 45 contested in the female category.
THE PUNCH
Special Adviser to Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Amos Adekunle, said on Tuesday that the state government had concluded arrangements to purchase 20 additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).
Adekunle disclosed this while featuring on a programme tagged: ‘News-point’, organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Osogbo.
It should be recalled that the state government has already purchased five APCs and 30 other security vehicles as well as crash helmets to strengthen security agencies.
“Besides, we have also bought 100 robot vehicles and one helicopter for area surveillance to make sure that all the nooks and crannies of the state are really covered by security facilities,” he said.
The special adviser said the security vehicles would be made available to security-threatened areas, including Ejigbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife with a view to nipping crimes in the bud.
According to him, the issue of security is very germane to the development of the state and that there is need to invest in it so that investors can be attracted to the state.
Adekunle also said that the state government had begun the building of new police stations to complement the existing ones in the nine federal constituencies in the state.
On the communal clash between Oba-Ile and Oba-Oke, the special adviser said no fewer than 26 suspects had been arrested in connection with the crisis.
VANGUARD
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Monday pledged to facilitate the creation of more local government areas in the state so as to stimulate grassroots development.
Aregbesola made the promise in Ile-Ife during the inauguration of Oranmiyan Security Tower and Complex.
He also called for the engagement of competent security personnel to work at the security tower and complex.
He said that competent personnel, who would not abandon their duty posts, would be engaged to tackle the rising menace of armed robbers and hoodlums in the town.
Aregbesola said that Ile-Ife had been constantly under the siege of armed robbers and hoodlums due to the heavy concentration of banks and other financial institutions in the town.
He, however, said that the tower would facilitate efforts to monitor all the nooks and crannies of Ile-Ife, while enhancing the safety of the town.
He said that the security tower and complex would boost economic activities in Ile-Ife, particularly in the Lagere neighbourhood where the tower was sited.
Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who was represented by Oba Samuel Omisakin, the Obalufe of Iremo, Ile-Ife, commended Aregbesola for executing several development projects in the state.
Sijuwade said that the governor had considered it expedient to initiate plans and strategies to tackle the security challenges facing the people of Ile-Ife and Osun in general.
He urged the citizens of the state to support the efforts of the Aregbesola-administration to take the state to greater heights.
THE PUNCH