The Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday said the decision to send stranded medical students of the Osun State University to a foreign university to complete their medical studies was borne out of the conviction of his administration that no sacrifice would be too much to secure better future for children.

The Governor stated this Wednesday night while receiving the report of the Committee on Transfer of UNIOSUN medical students to Ukraine.

Last year, Aregbesola’s government sponsored 87 medical students of the UNIOSUN to V.N Karazin Kharkvin National University in Ukraine to complete their medical programme.
The students had had their programme stalled due to non-availability of a Teaching Hospital for the state university.
Aregbesola said that his government facilitated the transfer of the students because it believes that a responsible government must fulfill its part of a pact entered to with the people irrespective of which person or party in power signed the agreement in so far that governance is a continuum.
Last year, government spent about N162Million to bail out 87 medical students who now continue their programme in Karachin University.
He said, “I feel fulfilled that the students, who would have had their dreams aborted, would now realise their ambition of becoming a full time medical Doctor.
“We have kept faith with these children, their parents and Guidance towards realising their life time ambition. In couple of years from now we will be celebrating their graduation as trained Medical Doctors.
“This government is promising that it will assuage the challenges that the students may be facing during their stay in Ukraine.” The governor told the gathering.

The governor also clarified that of the 98 students made provisions for in the transfer scheme, 87 of them eventually took the offer as parents of the remaining concerned students had made different arrangements for their children

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the transfer committee, Dr. Simeon Afolayan commended the governor for the huge amount spent to keep the hope of the students alive.
Afolayan revealed that over 115 students of the UNIOSUN now pursue their academic programme in Ukraine because of the tremendous support of Aregbesola’s administration.
Afolayan noted that, “Despite the fact that not all the 115 students are of Osun state origin, Aregbesola’s government, in its magnanimity sponsored the students without any string attached. This means that the students did not sign any bond with the government.
“For this gesture, posterity will not forget Aregbesola’s courage and magnanimity to the medical students of UNIOSUN.” Afolayan stressed.
One of the parents of the beneficiaries who is also the Chairman of the Parents representatives to government, Dr. Ademola Ayodele thanked the governor for a rare expression of compassion shown to their wards.
Ayodele said the news of the transfer of the students to Ukraine first came to them as a dream, but with the courage, commitment and determination of government the goal was achieved at the end.

The National Emergency Management Agency has trained volunteers at the grassroots on disaster management and risk reduction with special focus on flood prevention and control.
This was the thrust of a capacity building workshop organized by NEMA for Grassroots Emergency Management Volunteers on flood Evacuation drill at Heritage Hotel, Osogbo, Osun State on Wednesday.
Speaking during the workshop, NEMA South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande noted that since disaster occurs in the communities and people of that community are the first respondents when disaster occurs, it is imperative to sensitize the grassroots so as to enjoy their cooperation and collaboration.
According to Akande, “The sensitization is aimed at raising the consciousness of the people on proactive disaster management and risk reduction through community collaboration for an effect disaster prevention, mitigation and coordination among members of vulnerable
communities.
“Disaster occurs in the communities, it is paramount to build the capacity of first responders to emergencies so as to step up the resilience of potential victims of emergencies and disasters.
“Local authorities have direct link with key service delivery to their communities. They should be the best informed with regard to hazard and risk associated with their environment.
“This is why officials of Local Government areas are not left out in this workshop, for disaster management to have positive impact. Local government council and community must be involved in developing their own preventive, mitigation and response to strategies.”
He charged the state government on importance of risk reduction and enjoined Local Government councils in the state to mobilize their community members and volunteers to strengthen the local emergency management committees in their areas.
Also speaking at the workshop, NEMA Senior Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, Miss Aikpokpo Ebahi cautioned people against blockage of water ways. She admonished people of the state to avoid building on river bank. She also warned against drinking flooded water as such could be contaminated.
DAILY TRUST

As the state of Osun clocks 22, traditional religious
worshippers in the state today organised a prayer session for the
growth and development of the state of Osun.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola ,who was represented at the event held
at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding by the
Commissioner for Home Affairs ,Culture and Tourism ,Mr Sikiru Ayedun
reemphasised the commitment of his administaration to ensure giving
equal treatment to the various religious faiths in the state.
Ogbeni Aregbesola ,who stated that being in government is not
for anything else ,but for the people of the state said that the
present administration is ready to work for the growth and development
of the state and the people.
While highlighting the achievements of the present
administration since coming on board bout three yeras ago, the
governor said the state has witnesed tremendous growth under the
present government saying if previous administrations had done
somethings similar ,things would have been much better for the state.
He added that all the efforts of the government in the areas of
education, health, job creation, construction of good roads among
others are aimed at taking the state to the next level so as to give
the people a sense of belonging.
He stated that the emergency declared by the government in the
education sector which culminated into the school feeding programme,
the uniform and the Opon Imo project are testimonies that the present
administration means well for the state, stresing that development is
only possible in an environment where there is religious harmony among
all the faiths.
In a lecture which he titled: WHERE IS OUR DESTINATION ,Chief.
Dr Ifagbenusola Ifalekan Atande said he said he believes the state is
heading towards a period when everything will work accordingly in the
state, where all the necesary infrastructures will be available and
working well.
Chief Ifagbenusola added that he believes the state is heading
towards a destination where the actions of the government will creat
religious harmony in the state and religious crisis of any form.
Dr ifagbenusola ,who said that he is fully assured that
the state is heading to a destination where things will work well said
the various policies put in place by the administration of Ogbeni
Aregbesola is a sure pointer to the fact that the future of the state is
very bright.
The traditionalist then advised every government or
individual who seems to be geting it wrong in any venture or in
governence to Seat, Think, Observe and Plan before moving foward.
He traced the history of the past administrations in the state
and prayed that God should reward them for them for what they have
done and he appreciated Governor Aregbesola for granting their request
of apublic holiday.
Prayers were then rendered by Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon for the
Governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, members of the state
executive council and for the peace and progress of the state.
Present at the event were nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and
people from far and near including friends of the state from Brazil,
the Caribean anong others.
OSUN DEFENDER

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged youths to be change agents.
He spoke through the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Ajibola Basiru, at a workshop organised by the Omoluabi Empowerment Initiative in collaboration with the Ola Oni Centre for Social Research in Osogbo, the state capital.
Urging youths to take their destiny in their hands, Aregbesola said all eyes are on the younger generation to correct many of the ills of the past years.
He warned youths against allowing themselves to be used as tools of destruction, adding that his administration is determined to educate and empower them.
A senior lecturer in the Political Science Department of the Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Akhaine Odion Slyvester, urged youths to shun acts that can tarnish the country’s image.
THE NATION

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola delivering his address
at the commissioning of Omoluabi Garment Factory-Sam and Sara, at
Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-08-2013
The efforts of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to attract investors to the state have begun to yield results as a garment factory, Omoluabi Garment Factory, has sprung up in the state.
Commissioning the factory located at Abere on Monday, the governor said the industry was a product of his administration’s policy to reap the economic benefits of the production of the school uniform, provided for school children in the state.
The governor added that the factory is just one of the factories that have been brought into existence through the administration’s education revitalisation project, as another factory will, in a short time, begin the production of the e-learning tablet, Opon-Imo, and other electronic gadgets in Ilesa.
He said: “We have since supplied 750,000 uniforms to all our public school pupils free-of-charge. Through this alone, we have provided job opportunities for our market women, who supplied the materials for the uniforms and about 3,000 tailors, who sewed them.
“But this Omoluabi Garment Factory that we are commissioning today is a product of the policy to reap the economic benefits of the production of the school uniforms. This factory will henceforth produce the school uniforms here; it will employ our people here; it will buy its inputs from here, and the batik it will produce will be sewn by our tailors here.
“All of these, among other gains, will have numerous spin-offs that will rebound to the advantage of the people of the State of Osun. The uniform material will be sold and sewn at control prices, so as to make it affordable for our people.
“This garment factory is one testimony of our investment drive and our commitment to attracting investors to our state. We have the market and the human and material resources. As a government, we are most willing to provide the enabling environment in infrastructure and security needed for thriving economic activities.”
He also charged the managers of the factory to be innovative and be uncompromisingly committed to quality, as he expressed the commitment of his administration to focus on the implementation of its policies, with the assurance that the people will be better for it.
Speaking, the Managing Director of Sam and Sarah Garment Factory, Mrs Folake Oyemade, said that with the advent of the factory, the state, in partnership with the company, has been able to reduce the unemployment rate and impprove the economic power of the people.
She said that in the quest for job creation, the company has partnered with the state government and trained 500 tailors, while another 500 youths and individuals, who have flair for garment making are presently being trained.
By the end of the year, she assured that 3,000 individuals would have been trained, promising to employ as many as are willing to work with the company.
In his address, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Ismaila Alagbada, revealed that several local, foreign and private investors have continued to submit proposals to partner with the state government in the execution of diverse projects that will add value to the state economy.
This, according to him, is an indication of the high confidence reposed in the administration by the investors, saying that very soon, Osun will become a reference point as the state with the fastest growing economy in Nigeria.
He further noted that the commissioning of the factory was a signal that the much-desired industrial revolution is around the corner.
In their goodwil messages, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Honourable Debo Akanbi and the Timi of Edeland, Oba Adesola Lawal, commended the governor for the facilitation of the factory.
The duo said that Aregbesola’s approach to governance would continue to be a reference point, as the approach has been having positive impact on the lives of the people.
OSUN DEFENDER

A Music Video by Nigerian Artist B’SALA for GOVERNOR RAUF AREGBESOLA (STATE OF OSUN). Listen and Enjoy it.

A dance drama staged in Osogbo as part of the 2013 Osun Osogbo Festival, reinforces the need for greater national unity, CHUX OHAI writes
As the activities to mark the Osun Osogbo Festival reached a climax on Thursday, August 22, 2013, the Hornbill House of the Arts was putting final touches on its preparation for the production of Odia Ofeimun’s epic dance drama, titled ‘Nigeria the Beautiful.’
For a reason best known to Ofeimun, who is the executive producer, the dance drama was scheduled for the Government House in Osogbo. As early as 8pm, the guests, including some members of the international community out to witness yet another edition of the festival, had begun to arrive at the venue.
The stage, a fine specimen of contemporary theatre by the look of it, had caught the attention of the guests as they sat down to a preceding dinner, served while cultural performers, including the group known as Adunni and Nefertiti, took turns to entertain the gathering.
Although drama productions are not rare in Osogbo, a piece like Nigeria the Beautiful is certainly not common. While they awaited the arrival of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and the kick-off of the dance drama, the more reflective among the guests must have silently wondered about the relationship between Osun Osogbo Festival and the dance drama.
They did not have to wait for long to find out the answer.
For almost two hours, the guests were treated to a rare narrative of the history of Nigeria’s journey from colonial rule, through a tumultuous post-independent era characterised by a destructive civil war and misrule by the military, to the present day.
Seasoned director, Felix Okolo’s gift of the spectacular was obvious in his effective deployment of the rich tapestry of Nigerian dances and music to capture the different phases of the country’s social and political history, beginning from her hurried independence and the circumstances that led to the collapse of the First Republic to the present crisis-ridden democracy.
While the production highlighted the various attempts by the people at kicking against the ineptitude of the country’s rulers, its emphasis on the deeply blemished role played by the corrupt and avaricious leadership was not lost on the audience.
Many of the guests had stayed glued to their seats till the wee hours of the next day, perhaps held spell-bound by the dazzling performance of the dancers or the sheer force of the narrative.
With the production, Ofeimun appears to be passing a simple message to the entire nation: that Nigeria’s beauty actually lies in its cultural diversity and the country can still be salvaged if the leaders decide to tap from its collective history.
Like the Osun Osogbo Festival, which serves as a meeting point for various people sharing a common cultural identity and religion, irrespective of their positions and individual aspirations, Nigeria the Beautiful canvasses a shared sense of community among Nigerians across the various ethnic groups and social strata.
As the centenary of the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates draws closer, the dance drama echoes a general call for actions that are capable of promoting greater unity among Nigerians.
But the production was not without its flaws. It was almost ruined by poor acoustics and inability of some of the narrators to recall their lines. Throughout the duration of the dance drama, some of them unnecessarily laboured to be heard by the audience, though they were already equipped with cordless microphones.
PUNCH