Historic As Osinbajo launched MSME Clinic in Osun, Commends Aregbesola

Posted by Yemi Adepoju

It was historic and full of life in Osogbo, the capital city of the State of Osun as government and the good people of the state hosted Vice President - Professor Yemi Osinbajo on a one day official visit to flag off MSME clinic (a flagship programme of federal government to ease ways of doing business in Nigeria) and give out cheques to all the beneficiaries of MarketMoni of Bank of Industry on Thursday 30th November 2017.

As early as 6am, the venue of the programme - Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo started receiving guests from all the nooks and crannies of the state; artisans, traders, community leaders, market women, drummers, entertainers, traditional rulers, heads of government ministries, departments and agencies wore both good clothes and good look to receive the august visitor.

It seems both nature and climate conspired to give the occasion a perfect weather condition that is neither too hot nor too dull. At exactly 3:44 pm, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and his Chief Host, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola among other government officials touched the venue of the programme with glitz, glamour and standing ovation.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo in his remark said he was in Osun with Director Generals of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Bank of Industry (BOI) among others in order to familiarize with Osun on how they can grow their businesses maximally and efficiently. He said MSME Clinic utmost objective is to ensure a conducive environment and sustainable operational support by the government to small-scale enterprises for visible growth and development.

Vice President Osinbajo admirably commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for all his lofty programmes that are beauty and masterpiece to behold. He specifically mentioned good roads, world-class bridges, magnificent new schools and empowerment programmes as both legendary and everlasting. He urged the people of the state to keep supporting the government in all her efforts to transform the state into enviable height and thanked everyone for the rousing welcome accorded to him.

Signed
Editor.
Progressives e-Group
...Truly in support of good governance!

BULK FUND USED FOR 10KM LOCAL GOVERNMENT ROADS UNDER AREGBESOLA WERE SIPHONED UNDER PDP - KOLAPO ALIMI TELLS CRITICS.

Posted by Yemi Adepoju

Reacting to criticism by the opposition on social media yesterday, Barrister. Kola Alimi, The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said, the bulk of funds used in financing all 10kilometers of roads supervised by the state government of Osun were from excess crude oil fund, popularly known as eco-fund, which the previous administration siphoned without anything to show for it.

A comment by one Facebook user, Prince Ade that the 10km roads per local government have claimed all allocation meant for local governments for over 7years. Barrister Kolapo Alimi Replied that "PDP can never see anything wrong in the failed Honeycomb road project through which Billions of naira was siphoned but they could condemn a road project that was successful. What a shameless set of people.

He further explained, "For your information, the bulk of the fund used for the construction of the roads were from excess crude oil fund, popularly known as eco-fund, which the previous administration siphoned without anything to show for it. So, your blackmail was only borne out of ignorance. If I Kolapo Alimi that was part of successful completion of an unprecedented road project should be ashamed, what will you now tell those that were part of the administration that failed on honeycomb? Why should I be ashamed, I am proud to be associated with a successful project. Sentiment apart, removing the 10km roads constructed under Aregbesola from each LG, there will be no good road again.

Kolapo Alimi was also asked by another Facebook user, Hardeywuyi Burlarnley 

"Aside from that for you not to mention or list another success of your administration at the local level for the past 7yrs, that shows that you have not achieved anything. Don't forget that in 2007, the governor targeted his campaign on 6points integral action. Can you enlighten us if he is able to stand on his earlier promises?"

He replied,"Thank you, my brother, for that question, for your information local Government is responsible for the payment of 5% traditional allowances, primary school Teachers and Local Government staff salaries, primary school, and Local Government pensioners. After all these payments whatever that remains is spent by each LG base on the peculiarity and need of their people.
Apart from the 10km roads which were centrally supervised, some LGs also embarked on rehabilitation of roads in their respective LGs, some embarked on the grading of roads, some for the digging of boreholes, some on transformers etc.

"What we have not embarked upon is another centrally supervised project. Each LG is doing its own bit in its area and for your information after the creation of new Local councils, most of the new Councils have embarked on the construction of their secretariat, all these are being done despite the paucity of fund ravaging all the tiers of Government."

He concluded, " I'm not stating the facts because of you people that are PROFESSIONAL CRITICS, I'm stating the facts because of innocent readers who might take what you people are posting as facts, having put the facts to the public galore for the consumption reasonable members of the society, I'm done on that. However, since we are in a democracy where talk is free and where everyone is free to hold the opinion best suited him/her, you are free to hold the opinion that best suited you. Meanwhile, I appreciate you people for your engagement so far, thank you."

FIFA Approved Nigeria and Argentina Prestige International Friendly Match Slated fo Nov. 14

Content of the letter below


The General Secretary, 
Aleksandr Alaev,
The Football Union of Russia


"FIFA would like to thank you for complying with the Regulations Governing International Matches by submitting the relevant information and authorizations for the following tier 1 international match: Argentina Vs Nigeria, Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, 14 November 2017.


In accordance with article 7 of the regulations, FIFA is happy to provide official authorization for this men’s tier 1 international match.


Please note that this authorization is conditional upon FIFA receiving details of the referees who will officiate in the stated match. We will confirm authorization once the referee details have been received and checked. We would like to remind you that only referees included in the 2017 FIFA Refereeing Lists can officiate in an international ‘A’ match.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that in accordance with article 12 of the Regulations Governing International Matches, your association is required to ensure that a completed association report, list of players for both teams and the referee report are submitted to FIFA within 48 hours of each international ‘A’ match."

signed by;
Christian Unger
 FIFA’s Director of Competitions.

Aregbesola: Jide's death is a blow to many of his family

Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described as shocking, the death of Jide Tinubu, son of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Aregbesola said the deceased was a young man with promising future, who, sadly, was snatched away by the icy hands of death at his prime.

The statement added by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, Aregbesola said he received the news of Jide's death with great shock and grief.

He noted that in the African belief system, it is a very sad occurrence for a child to predecease his or her parent, saying Jide's sudden demise is very painful.

The statement reads: “I received the sad news of the death of Jide Tinubu, the son of the former governor of Lagos State and the Party’s National Leader, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with great shock and grief.

“It is very sad to lose a child or any loved one for that matter at his or her prime. Jide's death is a blow to  many of his family, both extended and immediate.

“This indeed, is a very sad moment we all share with our great leader. My heartfelt condolence goes to the entire Tinubu family.
"On behalf of myself, the government and the good people of Osun, I offer our heartfelt condolences to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at this moment of trial.

"We pray Almighty Allah (SWT) bestow on the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable lose and May Allah grant the late Jide eternal rest.”

Progressives e-Group Mourn Tinubu's son.

The Progressives e-Group commiserate with the Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday as received the shocking news of the death of Barrister Jide Tinubu, the son of the former Governor of Lagos State and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Through the coordinator of the social media group and, Mr. Wale Alabi on his social media page said,"May Almighty Allah console our leader, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the death of his son. Our prayers are with you and family sir."

Mr. Jide Tinubu was a Law graduate of the University of Liverpool, England. He obtained his Master's degree in Maritime Law from the University. He has worked in the Legal Department of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

Sunday Akere on Transit of a Needless Political Journey

When Hon Akere Sunday was inventing the cyclone that relegated him to Osun APC reserved bench, I wrote few lines on Facebook so he could do the needful before things fell apart (though not too late).

I wanted Hon Sunday Akere to realign with the mainstream. As his lover, I knew he had nothing to gain romancing political hustlers. I was afraid he may lose the social capital our leaders invested in him and the premium the youths also placed on his person.

As a good leader, Hon Akere called when he saw my post. He knew what I was talking about but chosen to ignore the valid point in my message. He threatened to sue me if I'm adamant on retaining that particular write-up. I politely opted for the litigation challenge and our conversation ends there.

Today, where is Hon Akere standing? What value have those desperate minds he has been romancing added to his political profile? Does it change the leadership system in Osun APC? Is he still thinking his new allies possessed what it takes to dislodge the 'mainstream' from Osun politics?

When I read his message on Facebook last night, I was confused and wanted to be sure his Facebook account hadn't been hacked. As a party member, I knew Hon Akere to be a fighter who always stand on his feet till his ambition is realized. It was so strange to see him denying his involvement in the scheming of Demola Adeleke ambition to become APC senator.

I didn't know how to accurately decode his expression and still don't know till now. Was that message a retreat or a surrender note? Was it a step to come back? Was it another political strategy? Or did somebody cloned his Facebook??

It's quite unfortunate that Hon Akere drove himself to this needless political wilderness. He is a man of good aura. A man of Governor Aregbesola's heart. Mr. Governor loves him, everybody loves him. He is one of the leaders I would vouch for when loyalty and determination are questioned.

I still don't believe the love of money influenced his decision to join the rebel group, I believe he was played into it. He is surrounded by pessimists and confused minds. Though there may be an element of truth in the rumour of him nursing political ambition, could that be his reason to align with enemies of a man God used for his elevation?

Rather than denying his involvement in the recently 'failed political coup' he should just come back to his boss with his hands down in a sober mode like the prodigal son in the scripture. I know Aregbesola will find a way to reunite him with the family.

He should pick his phone and congratulate Mr. Governor for dismantling their plans, accepts defeat, concedes to the reality that Aregbesola is the grandmaster of Osun politics and return back to his root before the bigger political tsunami of the mainstream finally consume him.

This is my 10 kobo advice.

Wale ALABI of the Progressives e-Group

Rauf Aregbesola, His Cabinet, and Lessons in Governance

Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s refusal to constitute a cabinet for a long time in his state of Osun may have been quite controversial but the lessons for democracy and governance should not be missed now that the cabinet has been constituted.

Consistently, the motive of the governor had been that the state’s finances could not cope with payment of salaries of commissioners and other political appointees. The governor was even dragged to court by the opposition elements and civil society organisations. And even not too long ago, a court summoned the state chief executive officer for explanation on why he had been adamant about the composition of the state executive council, a constitutional provision in Sections 192 & 193 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

In the absence of an executive council, the governor appointed some individuals called coordinating directors, without recourse to the state assembly. The coordinating directors played some roles similar to those of commissioners, and worked with permanent secretaries.

And consequent upon this unusual political action, an Osun State High Court in Osogbo had in October last year ordered Aregbesola to defend himself on why he failed to constitute his cabinet since his inauguration on November 27, 2014, following a case filed by one Kanmi Ajibola.

Besides, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had described Aregbesola’s refusal to appoint commissioners more than two years into his administration as “barbaric, illegal, unacceptable and democratically faulty.”

The opposition party even faulted the Federal Government, which it accused of granting Osun bailout funds without state executive council resolution on the matter as a necessary condition for the release of such funds.

Aregbesola had, of course, responded that his government had instituted the most transparent financial system in the allocation of resources that accrued to the state, insisting that he could not pay salaries of commissioners and other political office holders and that was why he chose not to constitute the cabinet.

He said Osun pioneered the constitution of a committee saddled with the responsibility of assisting the state government in the allocation of state revenue to ensure prompt payment of salaries as well as adequate running of government.

That committee, in truth, is headed by a veteran Labour leader, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu.Other members include the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun; Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, Chairman of Osun’s Nigerian Union of Teachers and government representatives, who are not political appointees.

Certainly, the world and indeed the people of Nigeria, now in need of purposeful leadership, should note that the development in Osun State should not be trivialised.

There is no doubt that allowing a state to be run without a state executive council for 33 months was unusual. But were Aregbesola’s decision to fit into the mould of an error, then he would have erred in the direction of prudence. Interestingly, he did not even act in error.

There is a marked difference between the federal and state governments. It is curious that political leaders have not taken note, and even Aregbesola might not have taken note but for financial adversity that has led to its discovery – that while it is compulsory for the president to constitute a cabinet and appoint ministers from each of the 36 states of the federation, it is, in fact, not mandatory for the states, according to the constitution as amended.

Also, Section 14 (3) and 147 of the 1999 Constitution provides that the President shall “appoint at least one minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state,” a principle which may also be applied in part to the states, but the law did not specify a time frame for such appointment.

While the president and the governors exercise the executive powers vested in them in Section 5 of Constitution through delegation to the ministers and other appointees, a governor has not breached any law by not appointing commissioners as members of the state executive Council. This is the evidence: Section 192 (1) provides:

There shall be such offices of Commissioners of the Government of a State as may be established by the Governor of the State. Section 193 91) provides too: The Governor of a state, may in his discretion, assign to the Deputy Governor or any Commissioner of the Government of the State responsibility for any business of the Government of that State, including the administration of any department of Government.

There is ample evidence in the circumstances that while the state required a whopping N1.7 billion for just monthly salaries, not to talk of other duties to the people, it often received much less than that from the federation account. This means that paying even the civil servants became an uphill task, let alone political office holders who are often parasites and could constitute political risks if they were owed.

What is more, the executive council cannot be more important than the people’s council. Office holders cannot be more important than the people whose votes and sweat sent them into such offices and for whom the offices are held in trust. The people in civil-service states like Osun especially need to be taken care of with regular payment of civil servants’ salaries. Traders and other service providers in such states depend on regular payment of salaries of their regular customers. That is how the state economy works. And that, appropriately, was Aregbesola’s priority.

So, at this critical time when most citizens are worried about prudence in the context of dwindling revenues at all levels, it is quite important for political leaders at all levels to learn from Osun and consider cutting the cost of governance as a fundamental objective in a state’s policy thrust. This is one relevant take-away from the Aregbesola example. Indeed, the courage to refuse to dispense political patronage, something of a political suicide by a politician should be commended. Nigerians cannot in one breath seek prudence in governance and turn around to oppose or blame those who practise it.

Now, it has been established that state governors can actually begin the practice of allocating resources according to available means and contributions to the purse. It has also been established here that giving political appointments to political jobbers and campaigners in the state is not synonymous with jobs creation for the people. It is also clear from what can be termed the Aregbesola School of Governance that governors are not under compulsion to constitute the state executive councils. Or, better still, governors can establish a manageable cabinet that will still be representative as long as service delivery to the people is the ultimate goal.

While the gesture of the former state officers who worked quietly as volunteers to keep Osun government running in the absence of the cabinet is commendable, it is important to state too that Nigeria’s democracy will be further enriched in this regard, in the true spirit of service, if the nation wakes up to hear that the commissioners and advisers just appointed are working sacrificially (as volunteers) in the interest of the state.

The objective of political appointments, in the main, is to enable the head of the executive branch of government appoint some citizens to assist him in the onerous task of governance. And so it is otiose and wasteful for governors to appoint commissioners and advisers that the states’ revenue profile cannot sustain. This is a great lesson from Osun. Clothes must of necessity be cut according to available cloth, lest a regime of debt, to lenders, to the state’s workers and political office holders and, indeed, to the people that constitute the sovereignty, is installed.

Aregbesola may not have intended it but with his creativity occasioned by economic adversity, he has opened all eyes further to a fact: Service to the people must take precedence over political correctness. That, certainly, is not a bad thing.

Culled from Guardian Newspaper’s Editorial, June 14, 2017.

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU CONGRATULATES GOVERNOR AMBODE AT 54

Congratulations and happy birthday to you Governor Ambode. We join in celebrating this special day for you have truly been a gift to the people of Lagos State.

When you first ran for governor, those of us who supported you were greeted with all manner of abuse. These detractors did not know you and thus could not see the unique qualities you possessed. Those who knew you were sure you could do well and would do good for the state.

As governor, you have proven your supporters right and your detractors wrong. You have shown the traits of a true leader who cares about the welfare of all the people.

You have surprised many by your exceptional performance. Proving to be not only a pragmatic and excellent manager of resources, you have shown yourself to be a visionary and tireless leader who inspires those around him and instils in them a sense of civic duty and a thirst for excellence.

In your two years in office, you have provided new infrastructure, promoted new centres of commerce, created jobs and delivered dividends of progressive governance to Lagosians.

The people of this state see the work that you are doing and they are proud to have such a selfless and committed man as their governor. You have made the light of Lagos shine even brighter.

Governor Ambode, I say thank you for being an exemplary and humble public servant who cares for each and every Lagosian no matter who they are. I am proud to call you my governor.

As you mark 54 today, my prayer is that God continue to guide your steps and prosper all that you do for the benefit of our people.

Happy birthday my governor. May you enjoy many more and may each birthday be better than the one that preceded it.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Jagaban Borgu

Pay Your School Fees or Stay Off Campuses; UNIOSUN VC tells Defaulting Students

• ...statutory registration period won't be extended beyond 13th of June, 2017 - VC

Posted By Wale Alabi 

Pe-News

The management of Osun State University has reaffirmed its decision to shut down students who refuse to pay their tuition fees and complete their academic registration before or on 13th of June, 2017.

The school position was made known during a stakeholders' meeting which was held on Thursday, 8th of June, 2017 inside the school auditorium and had in attendance; the representatives of students and Parents Association, Director of Intercampus and Public Affairs, Dr Anthony Kola-Olusanya, Public Relations and Protocol Officer,  Mr. Jibola Oyekunle, ASUU Chairman, Dr Seye Abiona, NAAT Chairman, Mr Ismail Adeleke,  Treasure SSANU,  Mr.  Samuel Obisesan, Acting Dean,  Student Affairs, Dr Mrs Adigun, Acting Bursar, Mr. Samson Adegbite Acting Registrar, Mr Gafar Adebayo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Janet Olaitan Shittu and Vice Chancellor, Professor Olabode Popoola.

Unveiling the management resolution which has already been known to the students, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Olabode Popoola explained the school cannot survive unless students promptly pay their school fees. He reminded the gathering that before every tuition fee was slashed by 50% by the government of Aregbesola in 2012, the school charges were in the region of #200,000 and around #250,000.

"What the school is currently charging is even ridiculous, in the sense that you will find some private secondary schools charging almost same amount per term," says the VC.

According to his mathematical analysis, the total accrual from school fees per annum if fully paid is not enough to offset the school annual wage bill.

"The school fees if completely paid is not enough to pay our wage bill not to talk of catering for other services.Running a productive academic system in university is not limited to payment of workers salaries alone, there are other essential services that needed to be provided as well. But, as ridiculous as our current charges are, the school management doesn't have an intention to upwardly review them." Prof Popoola confirmed.

Popoola expressed with disappointment how a sizable number of students decides to hold the school to ransom by expending their school fees on frivolous things.

However, he made a clear statement that management won't only disallow defaulters from writing exams, but deny them a right to classrooms and lectures.

"Students who fail to pay within the stipulated time should stay away from our classrooms because we won't let them in." He continued.

Professor Popoola reminds the gathering of the existing rule of the university which states that "student who fails to pay his/her school fees over a period of two (2) semesters seized to be a student."

He assures the gathering that management decision under his leadership will continue to follow best practice as put in place by the rules and regulations guiding the university.

The VC pleads with parents to always recognize the fact that payment of children school fees is a paramount task which posterity would appreciate.

In his own remark, the Vice Chairman of Parents Association, Mr. Niran Ojo applauds the new VC for gregariously working to sustain smooth and uninterrupted academic activities in the university. He said the VC hasn't done anything that may trigger unfriendly reaction from the parents.

Also, Mr. Ojo lauds the governor of Osun on his determination to transform the state to a modern society.

He emphasized all parents in their association are responsible but wouldn't rule out the possibility of having some irresponsible characters among the students. He cited a case of a student who regularly received his school fees at home but failed to remit them. He said the secret came open during the convocation ceremony when the said student couldn't graduate with his colleagues. It was at that spot his parents knew he had not been paying his school fees from 100 Level. All that was left was to weep with the parents for that gobsmacked scenario. 

Mr. Ojo relied on that experience as a reference to advise the management to always satiate parents with their children status in the school.

On the issue of payment of school fees, he said parents were badly hit by the economic downturn.

Nevertheless, he promised that parents would meet to discuss and take necessary steps that will assist in regular and prompt payment of school fees.

On their side, representatives of students who were in attendance begged the management for the extension of the registration period. They said it's not totally correct that all defaulting students invested their school fees on the crashed MMM as being circulated around.

"We are not here to protest, fight, create chaos or argue, we are here to ask for mercy on behalf of other students. We are here to beg the management to have mercy on us, all we want is an extension of the registration period" says Iginla Owolabi one of the student leaders.

Adding his voice, The Chairman of the Academic Staff University Union {ASUU}, Dr. Seye Abiona expressed his concern about student's nonchalance towards payment of school fees which is a statutory responsibility of every student. He advised the school to learn from the calamity that befell LAUTECH for handling its workers' salaries with levity.

Dr. Abiona also expressed worries over the failure of students to take advantage of the school massive investment in construction to get themselves a part time job that could help their financial condition.

He explained the school has created some platforms to assist serious and determined students who are financially unstable to independently sponsor their academics.

"It's quite unfortunate no student tapped from the job opportunities created by the management initiative" Dr. Abiona submitted.

Various contributions were added by the representatives of University of Osun Alumni Association and other attendees, all enjoin students to pay their fees while they plead with the management to consider an extension of the registration period.

In his closing remark, Prof Labode Popoola thanks, all attendees, prays for parents, and students to be abundantly blessed abound for them to be liquid enough to pay their fees before the closing date.

He insists on the management resolution of shutting down defaulters on 13th of June, 2017.

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Full Biography of Our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu

Full Biography of Our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu
29 March 1952 (age 65)
Accountant, Politician
Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected Senator for the Lagos West constituency in Lagos State, Nigeria in 1993, he also was elected governor of Lagos State (1999 – 2007). He is said to be among Nigeria's most successful politicians ever. He is currently the national leader of the ruling party in Nigeria, All Progressive Congress (APC).
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was born in Lagos, Nigeria to the illustrious Tinubu Family of Lagos State. He attended Richard Daley College, Chicago Illinois, where he earned himself a place in the honors list of the College. He subsequently proceeded to the Chicago State University, Illinois where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Management).
During his undergraduate years, he was honored with the Outstanding Student’s Award, The University Scholar’s Award and the Certificate of Merit in Accounting and Finance.
On his arrival in the U.S. in 1975 and with the support of an ever-adoring mother, this courageous youth, faced with an unflinching zeal to succeed, took on such menial jobs as dishwashing, night-guard and cab-driving to see himself through the initial difficulties of school at the Richard Daley College, Chicago, Illinois.
The brilliance of this young Nigerian showed in his ability to make the honours’ list of Richard Daley College. He subsequently transferred to the Chicago State University, Illinois, graduating with honours in 1979 and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Management). During his first year in Chicago State University, young Bola was given the rare privilege to partly teach other students of his Faculty remedial tutorial classes. Most of his colleagues and contemporaries at the university attributed their improved grades to his tutorial lectures.
Throughout his undergraduate years, young Bola was on the Dean’s List and was honoured with the Outstanding Student’s Award, the University Scholar’s Award and the Certificate of Merit in Accounting and Finance. He was also awarded the prestigious Sumna cum laude for scoring 3.54 out of possible 4.0 GP.
With his successful academic profile, young Bola contested and won his first political election as the President of the Accounting Society of the institution in his final year at the University.
Upon graduation with honours and several awards, Bola Tinubu cut his professional teeth at the American-based Arthur Anderson, Deloitte Haskins and Sells (now called Deloitte Haskins and Touche) and GTE Service Corporation - the largest Communication and Utility Company in the United States of America.
Meanwhile, at Deloitte Haskins and Sells, the young and professional Bola broadened his experience by participating in the auditing and management consultancy services of General Motors, First National Bank of Chicago, Procter and Gamble, International Harvester, GEC and other Fortune 500 firms.
CAREER AND LIFE
On his return to Nigeria and with his international experience in Financial Management, young Bola joined Mobil Producing Nigeria as a Senior Auditor before he retired as the company’s Treasurer.
As pragmatic, charitable, grassroots’ person, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu saw communal service as a veritable tool for social development. He never hesitated to serve his community spearheading several financial contributions and fund-raising for community development programmes in Lagos State. He leads Primrose Group, a political action organization pushing for fundamental changes in the politics of Lagos State.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu opted fully for public service in exchange for his lucrative job at Mobil. His first foray into active politics was as a founding member of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 1992, he was elected as an Honourable Senator of the Federal Republic Nigeria to represent Lagos West Senatorial District. At the National Assembly, he distinguished himself as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance, Appropriation and Currency - a foremost committee of the Senate.
With the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Nigerian Presidential Election and the consequent fresh militarization of the Nigerian politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu became a founding member of the famous pro-democracy group, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which, for several years, engaged the military for the very soul of Nigeria. Subsequently, Bola Tinubu suffered many arrests and detention, harassments and constant threats to his life forcing him to flee Nigeria for his personal safety. He, however, did not give up the struggle as he joined NADECO abroad to continue the agitation for a restoration of democratic governance and the rule in the country.
In 1998, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Nigeria to heed a call for all Nigerians to join in the National Reconciliation and Development. A year later, he began his two-term public service as an elected Executive Governor of Lagos State on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
For his excellent performance as the Executive Governor of Lagos State of Nigeria (1999 – 2007), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu received several awards. These include Best Governor in Nigeria for Y2000 by the Nigerian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce; Y2002 Best Practices Prize in improving the living environment, awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and the UN Habitat Group; Y2000 Best Computerized Government in Nigeria Award by the Computer Association of Nigeria. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Law Degree by the Abia State University in recognition of his immense contribution to democracy, good governance and development of Nigeria. He is the proud recipient of numerous other chieftaincy titles and a patron of many professional and social organizations.
As an astute political strategist, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu survived the massive incursion of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the South Western States of Nigeria as the lone re-elected Governor of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). This led him on a regular collision course with the PDP-controlled Federal Government, especially on his creation of additional 37 Local Council Development Areas for Lagos States. A Supreme Court judgment in his favour stated that the Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo’s Federal Government should release the seized statutory allocation of the Lagos State Local Government funds.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was actively involved in the creation of the Action Congress (AC) political party as recourse to the decimated Alliance for Democracy (AD). Rallying like minds across the country, he sold sound ideals and programmes on this fresh and new political platform. Within a few months, he transformed this new party as the credible opposition to the PDP in the country.
His political career began in 1992, when he was elected to the Nigerian Senate representing the Lagos West constituency in the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic. After the results of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilized support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the 12 June results. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to the country in 1998 after the death of military dictator Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule.
In the run-up to the 1999 elections, Bola Tinubu was a protégé of Alliance for Democracy (AD) leaders Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo. He won the AD primaries for the Lagos State gubernatorial elections in competition with Funsho Williams and Wahab Dosunmu, a former Minister of Works and Housing. In April 1999, he stood for the position of Executive Governor of Lagos State on the AD ticket and was elected.
Lagos State governor
When he assumed office in May 1999, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised 10,000 housing units for the poor. During his eight-year period of office, he made large investments in education in the state. He also initiated new road construction, required to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state.
The Oloye Tinubu, alongside a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election to office as Governor in April 2003. All other states in the South West fell to the People's Democratic Party.
He was involved in a struggle with the Federal government over whether Lagos State had the right to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to meet the needs of its large population.
The controversy led to the Federal government seizing funds meant for local councils in the state. During the later part of his term in office, he was engaged in continuous clashes with PDP powers such as Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Lagos State senator who became minister of works, and Bode George, southwest chairman of the PDP.
Relations between Bola Tinubu and deputy governor Femi Pedro became increasingly tense after Pedro declared his intention to run for the gubernatorial elections. Femi Pedro competed to become the AC candidate for governor in the 2007 elections, but withdrew his name on the eve of the party nomination. He defected to the Labour Party while still keeping his position as deputy governor. Tinubu's tenure as Lagos State Governor ended on 29 May 2007 when Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress took office. Fashola had been Chief of Staff to Bola Tinubu.
Today, the great legacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is built on by his successor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who served as his Chief of Staff. Continuation of Tinubu’s outstanding policies makes the present administration of Lagos State an exceptional and the foremost Government in Nigeria.
The Jagaban Borgu still marches on in the political landscape of the country, with a resolve to take on any challenging task with positive public to reduce poverty among his people.
Following the victory by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 2007 elections, Bola Tinubu was active in negotiations to bring together the fragmented opposition parties into a "mega-party" capable of challenging the PDP in 2011. In July 2009, he called for implementation of electoral reforms spelled out in the Uwais report to ensure that the 2011 elections would be as free and fair as the elections of 1993 had been. In December 2009 there were reports that Babatunde Fashola and Bola Tinubu had fallen out over the issue of whether Fashola should run for reelection in 2011, with Tinubu said to be supporting the Commissioner for Environment, Muiz Banire.
Tinubu formed a new party alongside Muhammadu Buhari a party which was named All Progressive congress (APC). The goal was to build a stronger party to get rid of the ruling party PDP.
In 2015 Tinubu's target became a success as APC won the presidential elections and most of the polls across the country.
Tinubu is married to Oluremi Tinubu, the current Senator of central Lagos State. His youngest daughter, Abibat Tinubu, graduated from a Music college in Boston, Massachusetts, US in 2013.
Come, join us at Progressives e-Group in celebrating a living legend, grass root mobilizer, National leader, d custodian of our political history, astute politician, a political prophet and excellent personified @ 65 years Birthday.
Your leadership has meant so much to us. Thank you for having such a positive impact on your constituents. Happy birthday and God bless JAGABAN OF BORGU

AREGBESOLA'S EDUCATION POLICIES DRIVES UP UNIVERSITY ADMISSION FOR OSUN INDIGENES By Bola Ilori

There has been a mischievous reporting of Osun 2014 low WAEC outing as if it just occurred.
The issue of Osun education status needs a brief review for those who are not deliberately mischievous but genuinely willing to know if the state is improving or receding.
I would want to say that the huge investment in education is gradually paying off in Osun. For clarification, people have focussed on the WAEC position released every other year by WAEC. This focus has not really allowed the state to assess its own performances against its own baseline. Aregbesola met WAEC success rate of 15% and have driven it to 46.30% in 2016. So statistically Aregbe has upped Osun WAEC results by 195%.
Those blaming Aregbesola are those who failed to ask themselves where Osun was before Aregbe. That is not even my focus here.

My main concern is how Nigerians have the knack for always leaving the real matter and promoting inanities.
We all know that WAEC is not designed to be a terminal qualification and that is why only the matriculable results (5 credits) are reckoned with. Just like money whose real value is not its quantity but what it can buy. A man holding 1000 USD is better placed than a man with 2000 Zimbabwe dollars despite both bearing the name of dollar. WAEC result, therefore, is not an end in itself but a mean to an end which is higher institution matriculation.
I’m not the one to break the news of “miracle centres”, you know that several those high WAEC figures are the product of “miracle centres” where massive cheating is the norm.
I’m not saying all high WAEC figures are fake, but let’s check the statistics using Abia that came 1st in WAEC as a case study. The value of its high WAEC rating should translate to a high admission of its students to a higher institution, but Alas the Osun some may wish to blame has been having more of its students secure admission than Abia since 2014 till date.
So what is the essence of high WAEC that leads to low admission? The meaning of this data is that the value of Osun’s 29th position is worth more than the 1st of Abia. The most consistent state that has its WAEC figure corroborating its admission status in Nigeria is IMO state.
Ogun used to be the best in admission in the South West, but Osun has overtaken Ogun State to be the best in the South West since 2014. Osun has ranked high on all positive indices used by JAMB and Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) since 2014. Osun has been on the top 3 in Nigeria in last 3 years.
Pls, Visit the NBS office nearest to you before you argue based on ignorance.
When others a busy celebrating miraculous inanities, Aregbesola has focussed on what really matters and now the figures are adding up.
Osun is not there yet, but Osun is not relenting. Osun education is no doubt doing well and looking up.
Tell all those who care to listen that Osun is Coming!!!!

#UNIOSUN: Four Months In Office As Vice Chancellor, Professor Labode Popoola Sets A New Bar In Measuring Excellent Performance In University Administration.

There's no need to verbose a simple narrative that University of Osun was experiencing a strong whirlwind before the emergence of Professor Labode Popoola as the Vice Chancellor of the institution.

When the erudite professor came on board, he was confronted by numerous operation deficiencies which had snowballed to a hard stub militating against all efforts to maximize Osun State University's capabilities.

Sitting on the chair of leadership well prepared, Professor Popoola has rejigged and repositioned the institution on a path to greatness within his 120 days in office.

In four months, Vice Chancellor Popoola has invested his experience in grantsmanship, research and administration on the transformation of academic and research terrains and general administration of the University in manners that will benefit society and raise the reputation of Osun State University. His selfless and exemplary leadership with integrity and firmly playing by the rules is gradually moving UNIOSUN towards the dream of its founding fathers.

THE SCORECARD:
Outlined below are some significant milestones of the ongoing silent revolution:

BLOCKING OF FINANCIAL LEAKAGES:
Through self-discipline, persuasion, negotiations and prudence, he has been able to block financial leakages, which had previously led to high operational costs. Within four months, some 15 million Naira has been saved for the University.

ADHERENCE TO BEST ACADEMIC PRACTICE ON SCHOOL FEES PAYMENT AND STUDENT REGISTRATION

By the time he came on board four months ago, the University was being owed school fees to the tune of over two billion naira. This ugly development was already becoming an intractable problem as students believed it was a right not to pay school fees. There were several cases of students owing fees of up to 11 semesters. Indeed, on 16th February 2017, students protested against the payment of late registration penalty, a global practice which has been in existence since the inception of the school. Gladly, the crisis was resolved within few days. The messy development of students not wanting to pay tuition fees has gradually become a thing of the past. By dint of strong will and rare administrative tact, Professor Labode Popoola succeeded in making the students realize the need to pay their fees as and when due. Over 80% of the students have now registered as against less than 50% in February.

HIS UNIQUE ADMINISTRATIVE STYLE, RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE LEADERSHIP
Professor Labode Popoola’s remarkable administrative tact was demonstrated in the manner he managed to calm the frayed nerves of students during their protest against the shooting of two of their colleagues on Saturday, January 21, 2017.  In a swift response to salvage the situation, he waded in to ensure that the two wounded students were given immediate and adequate medical attention. He mobilized the top echelon of the LAUTECH Teaching hospital to give the best care there could be to save the lives of the victims and even defied security advice, to visit the students on their hospital beds. Part of his tactical approach was to immediately suspend academic activities with a view to dousing the escalating tension resulting from the unfortunate incident. This worked like a magic as normalcy returned to campuses when the University reopened a week after the incident. Now, students have direct access to the VC via telephony, email, and other media.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS
In his relentless drive to improve the overall teaching and research standards in the University, in line with international best practice, Professor Labode Popoola took advantage of his international influence to secure partnership with the University of Gambia and the Medical Research Council, The Gambia by signing MoU on staff and student exchange and capacity building, among others. The MoUs are expected to be concluded before the end of the first quarter of 2017.

TOUR TO ALL CAMPUSES
In continuation of his strategic plan to constantly interact with the University Community, Professor Labode Popoola led the University Management on a tour of Campuses which held between Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th January, 2017. The tour which lasted for three (3) days gave the University Management the opportunity to meet with all the royal fathers where the University campuses are located and to solicit for more support for the University. The tour also afforded the Management team the opportunity of checking the current state of the ongoing projects in the University, the existing infrastructure and meeting with all staff and students of Osun State University.

DIRECTORATE OF INTERCAMPUS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
In demonstration of his mastery of the managerial intricacy of a multi-campus system, which characterizes Osun State University, Professor Labode Popoola has recently secured Council approval of the Directorate of Intercampus and Public Relations, which will be responsible for coordination of activities across campuses. The Directorate is also designed to strengthen outreach and relationship across the spectrum of all stakeholders of the University. The Directorate will work with the Vice-Chancellor, Headships of Colleges, Staff, Students and other stakeholders to improve on service delivery.

EMERGENCE OF UNIOSUN IN 1ST POSITION AT INTER-UNIVERSITY DEBATE
On Thursday, 2nd March 2017 Osun State University outclassed other participating universities to emerge 1st position at the Inter-University Debate organized by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), in commemoration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 80th Birthday and the Grand Opening of the OOPL. The theme of the debate was “Presidential Libraries will Reduce Leadership Deficit in Africa”. This feat was a product of the Vice-Chancellor’s persistence for an intensive coaching of the debating team. According to the VC, the winning team will now form the nucleus of UNIOSUN students intellectual and cultural outreach activities.

BOOSTING OF THE UNIVERSITY IT STANDARD WITH ACQUISITION OF TELEPROMPTER
In his bid to boost its IT standard, Professor Labode Popoola has achieved for the University an unprecedented leap, with the recent acquisition of TELEPROMPTER, a standard modern IT device used for speech presentation. It is interesting to note that Osun State University is the first and the only university to acquire this device in Nigeria.

HOSTELS ON CAMPUSES THROUGH PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
One of the identified shortcomings of UNIOSUN is its non-residential nature. Since his assumption of duties, Professor Popoola has embarked on an aggressive drive to make the University residential by building hostels on all campuses through private-public partnership initiative. This is beginning to yield desired results as the responses from the private sector have been very positive. Also, the process of rehabilitation of the abandoned hostel facility in Okuku has begun.

FACE-LIFTING AT THE UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS 
The administration has embarked on a complete renovation of the administrative building on the main campus of the University to give the campus a face-lift ahead of the 6th Convocation and 10th Foundation Day ceremonies scheduled to hold from 23rd to 31st March 2017.This is expected to be concluded by the 25th of March, 2017.

ACCESS ROAD TO THE MAIN CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY
Funds have been raised through the Advancement Board to hasten successful completion of the access road to the main campus of the University after the University took it over from the government.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES
In fulfillment of his commitment in improving the welfare of staff and students in the University, his administration has commenced weekend healthcare services at Ifetedo, Osogbo, Ikire and Okuku campuses of the University. The two other campuses will commence such services by the middle of March, latest.

RESTORATION OF VALUE SYSTEM AND ACADEMIC CULTURE
To a very large extent, he has been able to bring sanity to the system and towing the path of academic culture in all his doings since he assumed duties as the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University. From time to time, he reminds stakeholders of his vision to take Osun State University to a height where it will be “first among equals, most preferred, making significant contributions to society, an efficiently run, self-reliant, sustainable institution and a force to reckon with among universities globally; a truly 21st Century University before the end of his tenure.”

Congratulations to the change mantra. Your best is yet to come...

Peace Corps is a threat to Nigeria’s security, says IGP

Ibrahim Idris, the inspector-general of police, has said the Nigeria Peace Corps constitute a threat to the country’s security, hence the recent clampdown.

The police chief said the recruitment process of the corps ran against the laws guiding the establishment of security agencies in the country.

While speaking at a three-day training programme organised for senior police officers, he said Dickson Akoh, the corps commandant, will be charged to court.

“Nigeria is not a lawless country. You can’t just wake up overnight and establish a security organisation,” he said.

“There are processes. Security is the responsibility of the executive arm of government and there are processes to take. Even it took the police almost a year to recruit 10,000.

“I want us to appreciate that we have so many challenges in this country and we don’t want some of these people of questionable characters to enter our security services and constitute a threat to the security of this country. And that is what the peace corps is doing. You don’t just go on the streets and be picking people by the virtue of the fact that they give you money.

“The commandant was picked up in a joint operation involving the police, the military and the DSS. We are going to charge him to court.”


@thecableng

Osun Farmers Advised Against Illegal Harbouring Of Fulani/Bororo Herdsmen

Farmers in the State of Osun have been advised to desist from illegal harbouring of Fulani/Bororo cattle rearers in their community so as to guide against farmland destruction commonly caused by cattle grazing on cultivated farmlands in the State of Osun

The Committee Chairman on peaceful coexistence between Fulani/Bororo and Farmers in the State of Osun, Hon Mudasiru Oguntola Toogun gave this advice while addressing the people of Ajenisuwa Village, Oke Osun, Osogbo during an on-the-spot assessment of a Cassava and Plantain farm that was destroyed by cattle grazing in the area.

Hon Toogun who went in company of some officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with the aim to apprehend the perpetrators of the painful act, described farming activities as difficult task that requires  energy and time.  He noted that it would be painful for farmers to lose such an energy and time to cows that move freely and graze around cultivated farm lands.

He further disclosed that such a painful development could not be possible without the support and cooperation of the saboteurs among the farmers that harbour herdsmen illegally in the area.

He stressed that, the Government of the State of Osun led by Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is not against Fulani/Bororo staying in any part of the State but they must be ready to adhere to rules and regulations to forestall peace.

He therefore directed the people of Ajenisuwa Community to fish out the illegal Fulani/Bororo herdsmen in the area and their accomplices to avoid further damage on farm crops.

Hon Toogun who was amazed when he saw over seven thousand cows grazing within the farm settlement area during the visit, recounted the past experience to the people of the area that Bororo people are always armed and aggressive to attack at any time.

He also implored farmers not to argue or fight with any cattle rearer that may offend them but rather report their unwholesome activities to Fulani/Bororo Committee or Law enforcement agents.

Also speaking, Baale Ajenisuwa Village, Prince Musibau Oyedele and Seriki Fulani in the State of Osun, Alhaji Sulaiman Oluwatoyin both appreciated the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola’s peace moves and promised their unalloyed cooperation and support to make Osun the most peaceful State in the Country.

REPLY TO FACELESS OTITO KORO by Amitolu Shittu

Those of you hiding under a fake name called Otitokoro on Facebook are coward! If you and your paid master are bold enough unmasked your face your platform is Facebook not faceless book.

I pity all of you even from Lalemi Compound in Osogbo to Ilie District in Olorunda North LCDA I know many of you, I know your capacity and limitations you will only harm your political godfathers and disarmed them, rendered them impotence politically.

The only political weapons you have is trading in false which is not fashionable any longer in politics, only politics of idea, fear of God and development is what is in vogue you guys should find something tangible to do Governor Rauf Aregbesola is already in a state of sublimation just like our sage the great AWO!

Like I said Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is my friend and Leader I will never betrayed him not only him I will never betrayed my benefactor.

To you Desmond Adekanola son of my respected teacher and political leader High Chief Adekanola of Ilie, Baba was a good teacher he taught me in primary III at famous Oke- Okanla Baptist primary School, Osogbo in 1975. I shall for ever be greatful to Baba Adekanola for his love he led other teachers to our house in 1977 on condolences visit when my father died. Also Baba taught me political tactics during NRC in 1991. Desmond Adekanola stop playing politics of Yoruba proverbial "OMO OSAN"

Let me tell you and your Co traveller in the satanic business of dirty politics that you and your faceless Otitokoro are trading in a political business of self destruction. You can not choose my friend for me I remain unrepentant Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola's supporter.

You and your Otitokoro can not turn white to black over night. I Know your boss and your boss knows me very well for your information I am an activist that keep records confirm this from your sponsors my records of Activities from politics to activism is intact.

I equally keeps diaries on your bosses not because of anything but because of charlatans like you who use faceless OTITOKORO as a name on face book. I am ready and much more ready for you and your pay masters please stop using fake name use your real name.

Your pay masters can not win this political war against Governor Rauf Aregbesola it is absolutely impossible!!!

BOLA ILORI DISTANCE SUPPORTERS FROM ONDO APC DEADLY CLASH

The Director General of Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Bola Ilori has distanced himself and his supporters for the deadly clash which causality has now risen to 10 killed in Ondo city in Ondo state.

Speaking through his Facebook page and tweeter handle, Bola Ilori said “MY SUPPORTERS ARE NOT INVOLVED in the deadly clash that left 8 dead in Ondo over the weekend. It is APC vs APC fracas between Mrs. Fagbemi and Dr. Ademodi boys.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, none of my supporters was involved in the deadly clash that claimed eight souls was APC vs APC fracas between the boys of Mrs. LOLA FAGBEMI led by one guy popularly called Sir T and the boys of DR BAYO ADEMODI led by one Mr. Jebutu (his car was destroyed at the APC secretariat)”.

Ilori said that the crisis was due to superiority contest between two factions of the APC in Ondo City. “I learned it was because one group was trying to show supremacy over the other and claiming to be the genuine supporter of Aketi while the other is fake in posturing for relevance and subsequent appointments.”

“It will be recalled that, apart for age long rivalry, while Mrs. Fagbemi has been a supporter of the new Governor through the APC primaries to the Governorship election. On the other hand, Dr. Ademodi only supported Aketi during the main elections” Ilori said.

The report has it that the police have since arrested the leaders of the boys from both camps. It’s on record that none of my supporters was among those killed, attacked or arrested.
Many of those killed were in APC cloth.

Ilori called on the police to stop echoing rumours in an attempt to drag other political parties into a solely APC problem and embark on a thorough investigation to dig out facts and not propagating baseless rumour.

While commending the security agencies for rising to control the crisis that has serious potential of escalating, Ilori said he” condemn in totality the killing of 8 Ondo residents and tens of others seriously injured”.

Ilori admonished that the current Nigerian Army patrol in the city should be vigilant against possible reprisal attacks by the family and friends of the deceased.

"I pray for peace returns to our land, the repose of the soul of those killed and quick recovery of the dozens of people seriously injured!” the statement concluded

LAWMAKING AS A VERITABLE TOOL FOR ECONOMIC EMANCIPATION By Rt. Hon Najeem Folasayo Salaam

Contractarians like Hobbes and John Locke agreed in their treaties on the need to part company with the State of Nature, for life is nasty, brutish, short and cheap. Though, they differed on the module operandi, for some believe it was a state of lawlessness, others believe that the dwellers were obeying natural law.

Even, the rule of might is right said to be the prevailing order in the state of nature still finds room in the divine command theory of John Austin, but the desire to migrate to the civil society was very enticing. Hence, a social contract was established, where people submitted their rights to the authority in exchange for the security of life and property. That tells us the significance of lawful society.

In that wise, there can be no lawful society with a law giver, and today the law giver is the parliament, and that is why congress or House of Assembly is regarded as the shrine of democracy in any land. Of course, it is a subject of debate the weight each parliament carries; for in the first world defined by economic prosperity, parliament is the most senior partner among the trio of executive, legislature and judiciary. Also, in China, the Peoples Parliament is where the central power resides.

However, it is a different case in Africa. It appears that most of the African countries relegate parliament to the second position, for the executive wields enormous power, but the Presidential system in South Africa and Nigeria seem slightly different; may be because we borrowed idea of constitutional democracy from the United States of America, but I must tell you that upon all the amendments, Nigerian President still wields more power than the American President.

For the purpose of academic exercise, let us examine the power of the parliament: (a) it appropriates and approve the budget and it oversights the other branches and organs of government with a view to ensuring that the earmarked projects are executed to specification. So, when you see a government that is performing, the secret is the legislature that is not only progressive but also development conscious. I make bold to say that the parliament under my watch falls into that category in Osun state.

Meanwhile, I am not oblivious of the fact that there is a plausibility that a lawgiver could be mean with his law, because in the philosophy of law, which all laws emanate, eternal law, divine law, human law and command theory are the types of law to contend with, while eternal law ordained by God like Mosaic law, divine belong to the esoteric revelation to be revealed by Priests, Human law is law we are making in parliaments across the world to regulate the affairs of men.

Thomas Qcquina, one of the natural law authors appears to place premium on Command Theory, because he believes that a law without obligation is no law. At this juncture, it is pertinent to say that our parliament should not just be making laws without first examining the obligations involved. It is not how much, but how well a law could be administered for the general good.

I recall when I took the mantle of leadership of the House in this state, I was under pressure to outdo my predecessors in terms of laws to be passed, but I took to a caveat that only laws that would engender development must pass; with God on our side, my colleagues were brought into the loop, they saw reason with me and we jointly made up our mind that we would use the legislative instrument with difference. Lo and behold, our effort has brought unprecedented development to the state in terms of infrastructure- on roads, bridges, school buildings and so on.

I am not saying this to impress you here, but a throwback would tell you that our former colleagues under previous administration were collecting 20 million naira to prosecute constituency projects, but we were persuaded to drop it for The purpose of accountability and the promotion of the separation of power, and we did without raising a finger. Besides, I make bold to say that we resolved since 2011 that I assume the position of the Speaker never to cut a deal or negotiate a cut before we pass the budget, not because we are getting money as much as we desire, but because we desire to gain a mileage on oversight functions.

For instance, the government rolled out ten kilometer road per Local government, we approved it because it would enhance mobility of our people, and we appropriated funds for the project. However, it got to a certain stage, the contractors became sluggish and the job was heading south. We took it up at the Assembly, summoned the contractors, Local Government officials, and the officials of the Ministries concerned in the state, particularly, Finance, Works and Infrastructure, Local Government, and sent a red signal that the parliament was ready to wield its power to commit erring official or contractors to prison, and blacklist those who think they could take the people for granted. After the meeting, the contractors returned to site, all officials made themselves available for duties, and within a record time, 300 kilometres of road was delivered, and I am sure this environment must have benefitted from it.

Yes, it appears to be normal to you, but in a nation where corruption is on its four, it is convenient for us at the parliament to succumb to pressure of financial inducement from contractors who wanted to buy their way for shoddy job, or we could have cut a deal with contractors and look away while they picked the money and dialogue with their feet without consequence. So, it is a great sacrifice for a man who is capable of doing evil , but chooses to do good, and it is worth commending. On that, I salute my colleagues, because I know that nobody would roll out drum to celebrate their resolve, unlike the executive that would dance to public applause for the projects we midwife.

Still on Lawgiving, Thomas Acquinas was criticized by John Austin on the issue of obligation of the law, saying that despite the fact that Acquina mentioned the obligation in his Command theory of the law, he was not assertive on how the obligation would be earned, but concentrate on the enforcement of the law, because it is the law. So, Austin then argued that for obligation to be assimilated as a duty, rationality must be the choice, and that is the principle we have adopted at the parliament under my watch.

We resolve to examine what is the law for our people and seek their opinion before any critical law is passed. Land use act is one, local government creation is another and another one is state support security fund. I just acknowledge that the utilitarian concept of greatest happiness for greatest number has been the unwritten rule for the conduct of our public hearing.

Having flogged the issue of Lawgiving which means lawmaking, it is congruous to now inform you how we apply our principle to economic emancipation of the state. Granted, things are difficult, people our suffering and poverty appears to be spreading his terrible net among our people, and the politicians on the position of authority are the fall-guys. However, the anti corruption drive of this government at the centre has exposed us to how our resources were stolen blind, the billions of naira found in hard currency in the hide out of former NNPC Group Managing Director was enough to pay salaries of workers for three months in ten states for three months, yet the folk is not a politician.

Know that the immediate past Comptroller General of Custom, Dikko Abdullahi was not a politician when he returned one billion naira to the federal government as a recovered loot, and I read that 17 posh cars, wonders on the wheel were just evacuated from his hide-out garage. A lawyer was accused of wiring illicit funds into his account from the proceed of crime, but he claimed that was his legal fee; a teacher or lecturer is extorting his student using instrument of manipulation like score; directors in the ministries and lesser officials would wait until their palms are well greased before they work on files; judiciary in some cases operate cash and carry system; traders are shortchanging customers; filling stations have altered their dispensing machine. Yet, the politicians are the fall guys. Why I do not extricate politicians from the web, I just want to say that we are involved, and until we change our attitude, the routine remains the same.

As touching the economy of the state of Osun, i must say that raising of the internally generated revenue from paltry N200 million to almost one billion naira a month is as a result of some laws we made. First, we repealed and replaced the Procurement act we met, because it was wired around the governor. Besides, we made laws that ensures security of life and property, and give it to us that it is only in Osun that bank robbers have not parted away their with loot alive. Because we passed the law on security fund, and ensure that the equipment were procured, some armed robbers who sometimes stormed a bank in Ikirun did not make it alive, and some investors who found a secured environment have started constructing some facilities that would add to our prosperity soon.

Besides, we have waded into so many disputes among the government and workers, among the traders and farmers, and among the farmers and loggers, we had once settled the rift between the loggers and farmers here in Ifetedo. These are the steps we took and still taking to emancipate the economy of the state. But, our effort is largely not enough, because the issue on exclusive list is not helping the matter.

Let me charge you as some of you are preparing to join the over saturated labour market that the only thing that will give you the upstart is your talent and zeal. Jobs are no longer created massively as required, because the world has moved to knowledge economy. Besides, we do not have the conducive environment for now because of stillborn power sector and pipeline vandalism, even politics which is seen as lucrative because of massive corruption, is fast losing it because the country is in dire strait. So, let me borrow from J. F. Kenedy who says, "think of what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for you.

On a final note, I urge you to participate in how your affair is being conducted by the politicians through community organizing and Voter's education. Be part of the people who would knock the door to educate people on how to interrogate issues with politicians instead of demanding money. Also, retrace your step from dishing frivolous awards to politicians who have no merit to be honoured, and learn how to apply your studies to economic independence.

I thank you for your attention.

Rt. . Hon. Najeem Salaam

Osun Has Capacity To Produce Rice To Feed Entire South-West- Expert

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun was on Tuesday told that his state has the capacity to grow enough rice to feed the entire South-West region of the country.


This was the submission of rice farming and livestock expert and Managing Director of Savanna Seeds and Livestock Limited, Mr. Olafare Richard, at a farmers’ meeting at Onilapa Farm in Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area in Osun.

This was just as the Chairman of Committee on Resolution of Crisis Between Farmers and Herdsmen, Hon Mudathir Toogun, said his committee has handled and settled over 5,000 cases involving farmers and Fulani cattle rearers across the state in the last three years.

Olafare said with the available resources, the necessary equipment, the most yielding and quality seedling and the enabling environment, Osun can produce rice need of the whole South-West.

He revealed that Osun State has about 60 percent of the most productive rice seedlings that can be found in the whole country, lamenting that the best of the opportunities of this seed have not been realised.

Olafare therefore canvassed for a complete value-chain to improve rice production, saying with the growing trend of rice production in Osun, the state is capable to take of the rice of the geo-political zone.

He called on the government to further support rice farmers so as to improve their productivity.

“We need effective rice management in the state. At present, we have resource farmers.

Our framers need to be supported and once this is done, Osun can boast of mass rice production.

“We also need the support of the government to build the capacity of farmers because with government support, we are going to produce Osun rice,” Olafare said.

Toogun said after the Boko Haram insurgency, the next most volatile crisis in the country is the constant break in relationship between farmers and Hausa-Fulani herdsmen in all regions of the nation.

He commended the governor for sitting up a committee to interface with these two principal actors, making Osun the safest place in terms of security.

He stated that the foresight of the governor in setting of the committee prior to the outbreak of the farmer-herdsmen crisis in the state helped in no small measure to combat the crisis and ensure that both farmers and herdsmen live harmoniously and resolve any crisis that arises as quickly as possible.

“We are able to be on top of the situation in the state because of the pro-activeness of government in providing a platform for all actors to meet and dialogue among themselves.

“This has helped us a great deal and with this intercession, we have settled not less than 5,000 cases between 2014 and now.

“This is why Osun State is the most peaceful today when you think of farmers-herdsmen crises ravaging the country,” Togun said.

In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola called for mass participation in agriculture as the only way to rescue the nation from her present socio-economic challenges.

He said the economic situation in the country has called for the need to improve on the nation’s agricultural capacity, saying all hands must be on deck to promote farming.

Lamenting on the state of the nation’s economy, Governor Aregbesola said it has become imperative for all to do the needful in promoting agriculture.

Aregbesola said his government was ready to support and collaborate with any individual or group that shows interest in farming.

According to him, with the present economic reality, it has become imperative to produce what we consume because failure to do so, we will remain dependent.

“Any nation that cannot feed itself will continue to be enslaved. It is time to embrace agriculture and take our minds from the money coming from the crude oil as the commodity can no longer sustain our economy”, he added.

Expressing the readiness of his administration towards the realisation of an improved farming practices in the state, Governor Aregbesola said efforts continue to be geared up in meeting the state objectives on agriculture sector.

He called on the rice farmers to double efforts at increasing their productivity, saying “Osun has the capacity to produce 20 tones of rice per hectare”.

Governor Aregbesola therefore called on the residents in the state to support his government with prompt tax payment.

No Room for traitors in our camp - Osun West Senatorial District APC

*Lists why Aregbesola remains pride of the party


Leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress APC in Osun West Senatorial District have listed massive infrastructure provision, education projects, empowerments of youths, women and adequate security as some of the reasons the district has resolved to back Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The party leaders said it amounted to treachery for anyone who had been part of the APC government in Osun to say anything evil about the Governor or his government; knowing how Aregbesola had, with very meagre resources, transformed the state beyond expectations.

The APC loyalists in the Senatorial District also commended the leadership style of Governor Aregbesola in the last six years of his administration.

The commendations were made by the party's supporters during the District's monthly meeting, held in Iwo, Iwo Local Government Area of the state.

A chieftain of the party in the District and Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Elder Peter Babalola, lauded Governor Aregbesola for always being fair and just to the people of the state and party members in particular.

 Babalola eulogized Aregbesola's determination in building a state that would be a model of socio-economic and political development not only in the South-western Nigeria but in the whole country.

The party chieftain said Governor Aregbesola has successfully used his office to bring drastic change in the lives of the citizenry most importantly the party's loyalists.

Elder Babalola said the state helmsman has sincerely used the political will at his disposal to restructure the party by ensuring that every member of the APC in the state benefits in one way or the other.

Reaffirming the assertion, the APC chieftain said the exemplary leadership style of Governor Aregbesola, coupled with his ardent commitment to good governance had impacted positively on the lives of the people of the state.

He frowned at  a statement credited to some members of the party in the state accusing Aregbesola of bias.

 in the state said on no account does Governor Aregbesola exhibits attitude or action calculated to promote injustice between and among the members of the party.

He added, "it is crystal clear that Governor Aregbesola has been just and fair to all members of this party in the state.

"He has demonstrated high sense of commitment to internal democracy as this is manifested in his fairness to all and sundry.

"But it is unfortunate that some members who have benefited tremendously in this government still deemed it fit to castigate the personality of Mr. Governor for no just cause.

"Without any iota of equivocation, those portraying this government in bad light are the biggest beneficiaries of this administration and as a matter of fact, they are the most ungrateful.

"But on our part, we would not relent in telling people the truth about this, as we are equally determined to continue to be grateful to Governor Aregbesola for being truthful, loyal and fair to the principles and practices of our party.

"So for these reasons we would continue to pass vote of confidence on Mr. Governor for as long as he (Aregbesola) makes us proud through his giant strides.

Corroborating the statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti decried what he described as anti-party comments credited to some members of the party.

He described some members of the party who are allegedly criticising the administration of Governor Aregbesola as political triators.

According to him, "no genuine member of our party having benefited from the present government would throw tantrums at Mr. Governor or any member of his administration".

"Those that are perpetrating evils against this government are neither pseudo in disguise or treacherous members of the party because they all benefited largely in this government", he added.

Adeoti, said Governor Aregbesola is God-sent to the people of the state, hence calls for the need to support him by all in taking the state to greater heights.

While calling for decorum as the state awaits Governor Aregbesola's declaration of the new caretaker committees across the Local Government Councils in the state, Alhaji Adeoti assured citizens of continued dividends of democracy.

"I can assure you all that Governor Aregbesola is working seriously to bring succour and smiles to the faces of the residents of this state.

"As he (Aregbesola) is putting efforts together to redeem our state and position our economy on the path of greatness and prosperity, I reassure all members of our great party an improved well being," Adeoti affirmed.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Osun West Senatorial District of the APC, Hon. Yinusa Amobi, reaffirmed the readiness of the District to produce the next Governor in the state.

He said it would be a great mistake for the District to miss the next governorship ticket, adding that no stone would be left unturned to ensure seamless installation of a candidate as governor from the District comes 2018.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke who is representing Osun West Senatorial District and a Member representing Iwo Federal Constituency, Hon. Gafar Amere, reaffirmed the decision of the District to support Aregbesola in all his steps.