Why Agriculture remains our only panacea to economic recovery- Aregbesola

Nigeria’s enduring economic recovery will only materialize only when the country revitalizes her investments in agriculture and make it a venture that attracts the bulk of the most productive segment of the population.
This was the conclusion of the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as he brought together all officials of the state involved in the agriculture sector to further find fresh ways to improve the state’s performance in agricultural investments.
At the interactive session with officials of the State Ministry of Agriculture and it's agencies, Governor Aregbesola painted a gloomy picture of imminent acute famine and drought the nation may likely face if the heavy reliance on oil continues.
A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor signed by the Director, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Governor Aregbesola as saying that the Governor declared that oil can no longer be the economic mainstay of the nation if it plans to exit the recession facing it present.
The Governor charged the agriculture officers in the state to sit up, redouble their efforts and re-dedicate themselves towards the transformation of the dreams of the state from peasant, rural, subsistent agricultural state to a modern, industrial and commercial agricultural state.
Aregbesola said, "At this critical juncture and judging from the economic crisis of the present, the country and our state have no alternative than to diversify and stop relying on what comes from Abuja, if we must survive.
"We must forthwith stop importation of food items and start cultivating our own food crops. We have everything we need to be a great agricultural nation. Let us undertake a survey to know where each state has comparative advantage over others.
"Our Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies must put their acts together and go back to massive agricultural practice and production.
"The situation at present requires that we do everything humanly possible to awaken the huge potentiality of our agricultural sector.
"Failure to do this leaves us with only two alternatives. It is either we float or sink, but in our state, we shall float because our administration is determined to leave no stone unturned this time around at ensuring general wellbeing of its citizenry in making the state food basket of the nation."
Aregbesola was quoted further as noting that unless the nation and the state plunge their resources and energies towards agriculture, millions of people, particularly children, will face serious hunger.
He stated that only agriculture can rescue the nation from the nationwide and global economic meltdown currently being experienced arising from the oil glut and the activities of the Niger Delta militants.
Governor Aregbesola said that the only panacea to the current economic imbroglio is for every serious minded government to rise to the occasion and look for alternative means by exploring the abundant potentialities in agriculture.
The governor said with less than two years to the end of his administration, he would not relent in his bid to turn around the sector so that there would be food security .

Osun Ambulance Services saved 1,774 lives in 2016; Director-General discloses

The State of Osun Ambulance Services (O’Ambulance) has disclosed that it rescued more than 2000 people in 2016 through its prompt rescue operations in emergencies across the state.
In an end-of-the-year review of its activities submitted to the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, the Director General of O’Ambulance, Dr. Akinloye, said the state ambulance service responded to more than 1116 road traffic accident emergencies across the state last year.
Besides, O’Ambulance also responded to 178 cases of collapse, 348 hospital referral and 132 labour emergency cases all of which lives involved were saved, according to Dr. Akinloye.
A statement released by the Bureau, signed by the Director, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted the D-G as stating that of 1,829 casualties involved in all the emergency cases, the agency was able to save 1,774 lives and recorded only 55 deaths arising from the cases.
He also revealed that of the 1,774 casualties saved, 1,116 were males while 658 were females. He added that of the 55 deaths recorded, 27 were males and 28 females.
The O’Ambulance Boss said the agency was able to record such significant figure of life-saving due to the resources available to it.
According to him, the government made available ambulances with relevant equipment, which makes rescue operation and immediate first aid for victim quick and efficient.
 He said, “We have two sets of ambulances. We have the small ones, which are 31 in number - one for each local government. They are stationed to serve the primary health care centres in the local government.
“We have the big, high-tech ones. We have 17 of that and each is stationed along major routes especially where we do experience high rate of occurrence of road traffic accident.
“We have our ambulances in strategic places so it is easy for us to move swiftly. Our response to any scene of accident wherever it happens in the state is between 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes, it is faster than that especially if it is within Osogbo.”
He noted that his agency responds to more than 200 emergences in a month arising from road traffic accidents, referral, labour cases and other health emergencies across the state.
He stated that his agency usually faces more challenges during festive period and the ‘ember’ months, saying despite this uphill tasks, his agency always rise up to the occasion.
He commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for providing the logistics and other paramedical gadgets for the agency, saying the agency is more committed to saving lives of the people of Osun or those passing through the state.
He continued, “In every month, we have average cases of 250 to 300 rescue operations. Sometimes it can be more than that, especially towards the end of the year (during December).
“And like I told you, it can be more too during the festive period because of mass movement of people. You know there would be heavy human and vehicular movement.
“Then the motorcyclists are another major challenge. At times, they form the bulk of our operations. You know that they are impatient and very reckless. So, they are always involved in one accident or the other, either with themselves or with vehicles.
“We have the logistics. And with the support of Mr. Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, things are going on smoothly and we are working. We are in the business of ‘life-saving,’ so we cannot but double our efforts to ensure we prevent avoidable deaths.
“We guarantee the safety of lives. We have saved many lives and we’ll continue to save lives. But the real beneficiaries, those we rescued, that would be able to tell you that people are safe in Osun. Some of these people pray for us when they are well again and they render assistance where they see us work because they know the importance of what we do – saving lives.”

Ooni Targets More Tourists Attractions In Osun

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has assured to turn the ancient city around to attract tourists and boost its economy.

In a occasion where the Monarch was represented by Moses Olafare, his spokesman made the promise at a news briefing held in his office within the palace in Ile-Ife Osun state.


He said that Ile-Ife was a land of expansion and a sacred town globally known as the source of the Oduduwa race.

“The town is known for its peaceful nature, accommodating to visitors and tourists, and home to 201 Yoruba deities,” he said.

The Ooni’s spokesman further told reporters that there were several historical monuments and sites in the ancient city that when developed into international standard, millions of local and foreign tourists and visitors would like to visit, having read about them in history books in the past.
According to him, the ancient city is endowed with shrines and monuments that include: the Moremi Ajasoro’s statue of liberty reputed as the tallest statue in Nigeria and the third in Africa.

In Osun, there are also the Oranmiyan groove, the Ooni’s palace, Olokun, Osara, Obatala, Orunmila, Oranfe and Oduduwa shrines.

He said that these and many more were the cultural heritages that tourists, visitors and Nigerians in the Diaspora could use to trace Yoruba history, their routes and other descendants of Oduduwa.

The monarch also said that no fewer than 200 tourists and visitors visited the Ooni’s palace daily, saying this was beside the over 500 visitors that visited the various shrines and monuments across the city every day.

“The hotel operators in Ile-Ife and adjoining communities, as well as operators of taxicabs and commercial buses, have been benefiting from the influx of tourists and visitors that throng the town regularly.

“Business men and women in addition to residents of the community have also been benefitting in one way or the other from the visitors and tourists that came into the town,” he said.

The monarch said that these had improved the living standards of the community, maintaining that since his coronation as the monarch, the town has continued to witness tremendous infrastructure development in areas of roads and provision of security for residents and visitors alike.

He lauded the state government for embarking on a holistic development of the state.

“The government has been playing its part by developing the various cultural sites, tourism and monuments across the state.

“I want to complement the state government’s efforts by upgrading the ones around me to international standards.

“It is part of my plans to give splendid facelifts to the several monuments and heritage sites across the city which I have begun to do.

“The idea is for tourists and visitors to have several attractions to see in the ancient city and to also have value for their visits and monies they will be spending there,”he said.

The monarch said that in the last one year of his ascension to the throne as the Ooni of Ife, the ancient town had recorded unprecedented human traffic and economic growth.

CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR AREGBESOLA ON OSUN BAILOUT

For more than twenty months, most states of the federation had been battling with financial challenges owing to the fall in oil prices at the international market for most part of 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The challenges created serious burden on government at all levels especially in meeting their obligations on payment of salaries and pension to their active workers and retired people.
The situation was at its peak in later part of 2014 when the impact of the economic hardship in the country began to biter harder; forcing Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in September 2014 to invite labour leaders to crucial meeting to decide on two available options whether to reduce workers or continue paying salaries according to available resources.
The development however necessitated the constitution of the State’s Revenue Apportionment Committee headed by labour veteran; Comrade Hassan Sunmonu where the labour leaders agreed to second option that government should pay them according to the available resources. Since then government had introduced modulated salaries payment approach with workers on grade level 01 to 07 collecting their 100% full salaries while those of grade level 08 and above were paid 50%, half of their salaries. The same modulated structure was also adopted for pensioners in the state.
The administration of Muhammadu Buhari on assumption of office then provided succour through the Central Bank in July 2015 and gave bail out to affected states that are virtually unable to pay salaries and pensions of its workers and retired ones.
The State of Osun was not left out of the arrangements and indeed, had the biggest assistance of N34.9billion. The money was feasibly inadequate to cater for the needs of the state then regarding workers’ salaries and pension, a development that resulted in series of allegations and counter allegations against the state government.
Then the opposition accused the state government of diverting the fund to other use aside from the payment of salaries and pension that was originally meant. The intervention of the state lawmakers probing how the money was spent saved the situation from degenerating further.
The State House of Assembly gave the government a clean bill of health declaring that the money was judiciously spent and that it was used for purposes for which it was meant.
Towards the end of last year, assistance came to most states from the refund on loan sought from Paris Club which serves as big relief to them on salaries and pension palaver. This time around, the modulated structure for payment of salaries was reviewed upward by government with workers on grade levels 01 to 07 still collecting their full salaries; workers on grade levels 08 to 12 now collecting 75% and workers on level 12 and above still collecting 50% of their normal salaries.
The same approach was adopted for pensioners with those collecting N20,000 as pension were paid their full pension; those collecting between N20,000 and N80,000 as pension having 75% and those collecting N80,000 and above still collecting 50%. This was approach used for the payment of salaries and pensions for workers and pensioners for the last four months in the 2016.
From the fresh funds, Osun State acknowledged receipt of sum of N11.7billion of which a sum of N2.5billion was added to it internally to make N14.2billion used for payment of modulated salaries and pension for workers and pensioners for months of September; October; November and December 2016.
Speaking on the development, the State Chapter Chairman of The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), and Comrade Jacob Adekomi lauded Governor Aregbesola for the gesture but appealed to him to endeavour and pay the balance of their salaries and pensions since July 2014.
Adekomi in a statement he signed said the state government owed workers on Grade Level 08 and above as well as pensioners for 18 months.
He commended Aregbesola for paying the salaries of workers and urged him to fulfil his promise to pay the balance of the half salaries for the 18 months.
According to Adekomi, “we do not doubt that Mr. Governor is a man of his words and he will attend to the balance of the outstanding amount of the salaries of officers on GL.08 as well as the pensioners”.
But some section of the pensioners took to the street protesting the modulated pensions received and demanded the immediate payment of the balance of the half of their pensions.
Not satisfied by the response and promise from the government on their plights, the pensioners put up canopies at the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park claiming that they had been displaced from their different homes into ‘pensioners’ camp’.
The spokesman of the group, Comrade Yemi Lawal said that they put up the idea of the camp in order to put the record straight on their grouse against the insensitivity of the Aregbesola’s government to their plights.
The Internally Displaced Pensioners (IDP) further claimed that between 2008 and 2012, the state government owes them a sum of N22billion as gratuity till today while pension arrears are N4.7billion making N26.7billion.
Lawal sounded warning that half pension is unacceptable to his group adding that the whole world must be aware that its members were dying while waiting for their statutory emoluments.
The invitation extended to the recently sacked Justice of Osun State High Court, Justice Folahanmi Oloyede who was accused of misconduct in the course of performing her official duties by the Nigeria Judicial Commission (NJC) to address them added political colouration to their claims. Oloyede has not hiding the fact that she is against the administration of Aregbesola in preference of PDP and opposition.
But the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Prince Rotimi Adelugba faulted the claims of IDP pensioners saying they were being sponsored by the opposition. He explained that pensioners in the state were under the same umbrella until when IDP pensioners introduced political sentiments into the agitations and activities of the pensioners.
Adelugba maintained that the political sentiments introduced into the activities and agitations of pensioners polarized the union into four groups including Civil Society Coalition for Emancipation of Osun; Good Governance Initiatives and Triangular Group of Pensioners.
According to Adelugba, “we were surprise when they brought emblem and membership card of Senator Omisore Support group to the meeting of pensioners and they changed our agenda to political.
Adelugba who expressed gratitude to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his magnanimity in the payment of their pension up till month of December 2016 said the pensioners were immensely grateful to him.
He however cautioned other retired civil servants in the state not to play politics with the issue of the payment of the pension.
He said “The state government set up a committee headed by a veteran labour leader and former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu to fine-tune the issue of salary and pension payment in the state and the committee suggested the best approach to the salary and pension issues in the state”.
“The committee comprised leaders of labour unions in the state and after a comprehensive analysis of the financial situation of the state, the committee proffered a way forward and we all saw reasons to accept the recommendations of the committee in the best interest of the generality of the workers, pensioners and the good people of our dear state”.
“We all agree that the state government should not downsize because we didn’t want any worker in the state to be sacked. Therefore, the only option we had was to agree with the modulated salary scheme in which the junior officers from level 01 to level 07 would get their full salary but the senior staff from level 08 and above would be earning half of their salary and the same thing applicable to the pensioners”.

EXCLUSIVE: Bayero University Confers Honour on Aregbesola.....

* lauds Aregbesola for pioneering Islamic Bond (Sukuk) in Nigeria.....

Commendations and laurels came the way of the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, again on Thursday as he was honoured for his contributory role in the development of Islamic finance system in Nigeria.
Aregbesola was given the award of  "Leadership Award in Islamic Finance' on Thursday by the International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIIBF) of the Bayero University, Kano.
The IIIBF said it gave the Governor the award because of his administration's pioneering role in the issuance of Sukuk Bond in the country.
In 2013, Osun became the first state government to issue Islamic (Sukuk) bond in the history of Islamic finance in Nigeria.
The Osun initiative has however opened the door for other states and Federal government to explore the huge benefits derivable from the interest-free Sukuk Islamic bond.
Other awardees in this category include the Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Chairman of Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Umar Mutallab.
In a statement by the Bureau of Communication and strategy in the office of the governor, Governor Aregbesola was quoted as saying the award represented a recognition for his administration’s many trail-blazing zeals in many respects.
In the statement signed by the Director of the Bureau, Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola was quoted as saying he took Sukuk because of its numerous economic benefits to developing the state.
“Sukuk offers huge opportunities and financial latitude for development because of the interest-free policy it offers debtors. It was this opportunity that we seized and utilised through the bonds to upgrade the state infrastructure in the area of education.
"The N11bn Sukuk bond Osun took is what is being used to finance some of the schools being built especially the High Schools.
"Specifically it has helped us change the face of education through the construction of what can be called the best schools in Nigeria today. President Buhari was in Osun in September to commission one of such schools, The Osogbo Government High School.
"Through Sukuk, we have been able to fulfil one of our 6-point action plans which are restoration of functional education.
"Such financing option was never in existence before Osun blazed the trail. We, therefore, give glory to God for making that decision a positive one in the life of the people of Osun," Aregbesola said.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the former Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, said Osun State is the most informed state in Nigeria on Islamic financial system.
Usman commended Osun for blazing the trail in the Islamic finances for other to follow.

2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Aregbesola commends PMB, security agencies for subduing Boko Haram.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, ‎Nigeria Armed forces and other security organisations in subduing the activities of Boko Haram group in the North-Eastern part of the country.
‎
The Governor while addressing the people at the grand finale of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, at the Military Cenotaph, Osogbo lauded security agencies in the country for destroying the Sambisa forest base of the group. ‎

Aregbesola stated that the nation will not forget the gallant soldiers and security officials whose lives have been lost in the cause of putting down the Boko Haram uprising.

He commiserated with the Government and people of the Northern States of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba and others caught in the throes of the group, whose people have been brutalised, killed or kidnapped and many who are now in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

Aregbesola who described peace as the indispensable means of existence, said the roles being played by the security agents in the country to continuously engender peaceful coexistence among Nigerians can never be over-emphasized since the discovery of Nigeria.

He held that the impacts of the armed forces towards the realisation of peace, unity and stability of Nigerian society had been a driven force in placing the country towards the path of greatness.‎

Governor Aregbesola added that the annual remembrance of fallen heroes and survivors of the Nigeria Army will be incomplete, if the country fails to retrace its past and device popular means of living in unity.‎

Aregbesola said, "Boko Haram represents clear and unmitigated evil and is unreservedly condemned. Of course, any group that embrace violence cannot be regarded as representing Islam or any religion.

"Every religion preaches peace, love and good neighbourliness. We must not forget however the roles of extra-judicial killing and disregard for due process of law in the emergence of this group and the havoc it wreaked on our nation and people.

"Law enforcement agencies must therefore shun arbitrariness, impunity and disregard for the laws of the land.
‎
"I must commend the efforts of our armed forces and other security organisations, particularly the commander-in-chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, the service chiefs, every soldier and security operative in the region, in subduing this group and for destroying its base in the Sambisa forest.

"There are those who still daily fan the embers of religious discord, inciting one religious group against another. Even ordinary cases of law infraction requiring law enforcement action must be projected to fit into the narrative of ethno-regional and religious division in a way that promote mutual antagonism and distrust.

"We must all in our little (or big) ways refrain from anything capable of inciting one group against another and precipitate or exacerbate conflict". ‎
‎
Aregbesola stated that the best way to honour the memory of the country's departed heroes and making sure their efforts are not in vain is for all Nigerians to prevent the outbreak of conflicts and hostilities.

He also noted that all governments, institutions and agencies, must guard the constitution jealously to prevent its breakdown.

According to him, "We must protect our federalism, defend the right of opposition and minorities in our midst.

"We must all embrace the democratic method and means for pressing demands and conflict resolution. May the peace of God reign in our land and may our soldiers death never be in vain". The governor emphasised.‎

‎

SEE PHOTOS FROM SENATOR ISIAKA ADELEKE'S 62 BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Chief Bisi Akande @ 78: We’re celebrating courage, selfless service -Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Sunday described former interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Chief Bisi Akande, as an exemplary leader whose courage in public service has helped Nigeria in so many dimensions.

Governor Aregbesola, on the occasion of Akande’s 78th birthday, said Nigeria’s political history would be incomplete without adequate chronicling of the eminent roles played by the former Governor of Osun.

The Governor, through a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said Chief Akande brought transparency into governance adding that his tenure as governor of Osun is mostly remembered for the selfless service to the people and the courage he brought into governance.

“Chief Bisi Akande is a democrat if no small status when the history of democratic struggles in Nigeria is written. He was one of those who fought to ensure that the military retreated back to the barracks and he never looked back while the struggle lasted.

“His emergence as the Governor of Osun in 1999 proved to be one of the best things to have happened to our state. Since the creation of Osun, his administration was the first to give a sense of direction to the future development plans for the state. He might have encountered challenges along the line, but it is worthy of note that Chief Adebisi Akande demonstrated uncommon courage in handling state matters as long as they mattered to the future survival and growth of the state. Today, history has proved Chief Akande’s actions in office as very painful but courageous.”

Aregbesola also recalled the stabilising roles the Ila-born politician played in the formation and nurturing of the All Progressives Congress which he said bailed Nigeria out of the 16 years of the stranglehold of the Peoples Democratic Party.

He added, “In saluting the courage of this eminent elder statesman, we must not fail to recognize his roles in the conception and actual formation of our party, the APC. Chief Akande demonstrated an uncommon agility and vigor in all the activities leading to the successful birth of our party. Today, Nigerians can heave a sigh of relief from the 16 years of misrule that the PDP represented. “

The Governor, while praying for longer life for the politician, said his experience is still very much required for the task of building a virile Nigeria.

Tinubu, APC Govs, Ministers, Others Meet In Ibadan

In a renewed effort to put its house in order, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slated a meeting of its senior members for today in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with a view to closing ranks ahead of the 2019 elections.

The meeting, which is at the instance of the former chairman of the party and one-time governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, is conceived to see if the deep-seated animosity amongst its senior and prominent members could be addressed in the collective interest.

In addition, the meeting, it was learnt would also address the issue of the development of South-west within the change agenda and see what progress has been made and how much more could still be made before the present term of the government winds down to a close.
Twice, attempts had been made to look at the state of the party in the zone as well as the development of the region within the collective of the federation.

The first was the meeting at theamEovernment House in Ibadan, which recorded about 50 per cent success, and the second, which held at the Government House, Abeokuta, Ogun State, but ended on a bitter note of rivalry.
The state of the party in the zone, however, deteriorated before and after the Ondo State governorship election, which was believed to have sharply fictionalised the APC along two interests: The Bola Tinubu Group and the President Muhammadu Buhari camp.

Unfortunately, the rivalry had taken a messier slant as the majority of those believed to be siding with the president are former allies of Tinubu, all of whom rose to political reckoning through his means and support.

But whilst the accused have dismissed the allegation of betrayal and backstabbing in the party and collective interest, nothing has shown that the house was one and the same, a development that could pave the way for a major political disaster in 2019.


It is against this backdrop, that Akande requested for a meeting of all the stakeholders from the governors to the minister and of course, the central character, Tinubu, to sit at a table and explore peaceful options of co-existence in the collective interest.

Although there were feelers that Tinubu was not in the country as at yesterday afternoon, sources said he would eventually make it to the meeting as he had already confirmed attendance.

However, this meeting turns out, observers are of the view that it would further reveal either the underbelly of the crisis trailing the party in the zone or dismiss reports of the deep animosity believed to exist amongst the characters in the party from the zone.

Why Osun Pensioners Can’t Complain – Aregbesola.

Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said pensioners had no cause to curry unnecessary sympathy for themselves as they had just received accumulated four months arrears of pension.

The governor made the assertion at an investiture and award ceremony where members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun Chapter made him their Grand Patron in Osogbo.

Aregbesola said: “Apart from Lagos State, no state has paid such amount as the nation is just going through a special period.

“Alhough government owed them gratuity which will be paid when the economy improves, my administration should be commended with the four months of pensions cleared.

“It was very funny and shameful when some people said they are pensioners and that they are displaced in their own territory. They can never say they are protesting because of money or unpaid arrears.

OSUN Pensioners - Facts! By Dr Adewale Bolorunduro

Currently, the pension bill of Osun is about 600m Naira monthly, the highest monthly pension bill in southwestern states (except Lagos). The reasons: 1) implementation of 1998 new pension basis, which was implemented in 2005, many states are yet to implement their own. Please take note of the arrears of 1999 to 2005, which I will addressed later 2) exit of the 5000 staff in 2011 and 2012 as a result of the 2008 pension reform act of fgn that allowed workers to join new contributory pension scheme or exit, irrespective of age. so the few about 100 people under the pretence of IDP is far cry from the 5000 retirees of 2011/12 or the total retirees figures of 11000.

OSUN under Aregbesola has always been paying them fully  and timely until November 2014. In 1998, Abacha in his attempt to succeed himself perpetually mandated states and federal govts to increase pension basis by 142 percent . This unfunded mandate could not be implemented by many states because Abacha didnt back it up with funds. Osun like other states didn't implement it until 2005, leaving arrears of 1999 to 2005. No state in the southwest has paid the arrears including Lagos state.

Ogbeni aregbesola out of his magnanimous heart asked for the arrears to be calculated, it was initially 3.9b Naira but with biometric verification of retirees it was reduced to 2.6b Naira. Ogbeni paid 400m naira immediately and subsequently paid another 900m naira, totaling 1.3b naira. Remaining 50percent.

The man should be appreciated and honestly, many retirees appreciate him. The 100 Idp out of the 5000 retirees of 2011/12 class are just playing dirty politics. Why wouldn't they, when they left service too quickly. The protesters are yet to tell us the actual honest motive. We are waiting. The government of OSUN has been very transparent and Mr Governor has always pleaded and always appreciates the civil servants and the pensioners.

He always reminds them of the good relationships they have always have. Yes modulated wage payments based on revenue availabilty are used  now due the the shortfall in revenue accruing from federation accounts, however the pensioners at low end gets full pension.

APC Congratulates Lawan On Election As Senate Leader

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2017





The All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomes the development in the Senate, which led to the replacement of the former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume with Senator Ahmed Lawan, both members of our great Party.



The Party view this as concrete expression of faith by the APC Senate Caucus in our efforts to resolve the lingering issues that have trailed the election of Senate leadership. We believe this is a major step forward in our efforts to reunite the various interest groups in that Senate election, thereby presenting a common legislative front for our great party.



We are particularly delighted that the consultations that were initiated towards the end of 2015 between the Party caucuses in the National Assembly and the party executives as well as other leading stakeholders of our party has yielded these results and the Senate has demonstrated its willingness to finally submit to the will of the Party in this regard.



Recall that soon after the issue of election in the Senate occurred, the Party leadership had resolved that Senator Lawan be compensated with the position of the Senate Leader. Sadly, that directive was not fully complied with at the time. But we are happy to see this change effected, which represents a significant progress in our efforts to build a strong and united Party. With this development therefore, we are confident that the issues arising from the elections in the Senate in 2015 have been put to rest.



We thank Senator Ndume for his service and sacrifice to our party, which would not be forgotten. We also congratulate Senator Lawan, the new Senate Leader on his election by the APC caucus in the Senate. We hope he will use his vast experience and knowledge to enhance legislative works to further our party’s agenda of change.

The APC assure Nigerians that we will continue to work assiduously under the leadership and guidance of President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve any other pending issues that may have affected our Party at different levels. However, with this latest development, APC has demonstrated its resilience and capacity to resolve its internal differences in order to realise the true change and transformation that we promised Nigerians.



SIGNED:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress

Lautech Student Protest: People's Champion, The Conquering Governor...

People's Champion – the conquering governor, can I have a word with you before you raise your glass in celebration?

Your Excellency, that was low! Kicking a man that is down is the tactic of a man without class. That tactic is underarm, a punch below the belt, a dirty punch to the gentlemanly code of ethics, a show of shame and desperation of a man who will always have to play dirty to be in charge. On social media, and in the court of public opinion, the scripts have been written in verbatim the way you planned it. The headlines are planned to put smiles of a champion on your face. You just won a challenge with kids old enough to be your grandchildren. Honestly, you deserve the wry smile. These kids are poor and corrupt!

Permit me to remind you, sir, that these poor and corrupt kids are your creations; these are the supposed heirs of today that fate promised to be the leaders of tomorrow. That the students lost their head when they considered taking money from you is unbecoming and unfortunate, but that you offered them was undeserving of a visitor to a tertiary institution, where knowledge and character are meant to be moulded. Sir, I think you showed your hand quickly in this one, and you are caught complicit!

I have read commentaries of “good people” who are so much in a hurry to cast the first stone; people who are quick to create a reasonable distance to the guilty, and ally with saints. The commentaries of the students compromising the “struggle” and selling their consciences to the beast have become a fast-selling sentiment, forgetting that the giver of the bribe too is complicit and culpable of the same crime. To take away education from them, short-change their parents and guardians in a bid to enslave their minds, for me, is a tactic of the weak. Yes! Like the “good people” rightly opined, history is unforgiving of a felon (you inclusive sir), but it has a way of grading the actors judging who took the lead role from the minor considering the extent of their culpability. We will soon forget the protesters; after all, they are kids!

In this entire episode, there was an alumnus – a special assistant to the governor, who encouraged these kids, with a smile, to walk into the governor’s trap. He was a general in the struggle, who, by antecedence, is condemned to be on the side of the struggle. He cannot feign ignorance of the tactic of his paymaster. Judas did not just take the shekels of gold, he masterminded the plot; the betrayal with a kiss was all his idea....

Written By Emperor Felix Fapohunda

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS RESUME IN OSUN

Public and Private schools on Monday resumed for the 2nd term academic session in Osun State, with high expectations from stakeholders, DAILY POST observes.

It could be recalled that both Public and Private schools in the state vacated for the Christmas and New Year break on December 16, 2016.
They were billed to resume for the new term on December 3, but later changed to December 9 by the directives from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), signed by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Fatai Kolawole.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST gathered that students of Osogbo Grammar School have assembled as early as 7:30am on Monday to commence the new year with prayers, as teachers set to kick-start lessons immediately.

Also, at Christ African Middle School, Gbodofon, Osogbo, teaching started as early as 8:15am, as well as Anthony Udofia Elementary School, along Osogbo-Iwo road.

In the same vein, teachers for various subjects at Urban Day Secondary School, Modakeke, and Akirun Grammar school in kirun were busy setting modality for new term in their offices, while others were already in the class.

One of the teachers at Akirun Grammar school, who pledged anonymity said the government of Osun has zero tolerance for absenteeism, adding that they always commence academic work on the first day of resumption irrespective of the level of turn-out of students.
She, however, added that the government must do more to facilitate adequate funding of the schools, especially the provision of running cost for procuring necessary teaching materials.

” I think it is necessary for government to prioritise the running cost in our schools, the situation where Heads of schools used their personal money to buy teaching materials is not acceptable, and inimical to the process of learning, “, she said
.
At the Olufi Middle School in Gbongan, another teacher, who didn’t want his name to be mentioned because of civil service rule demanded for better working condition from the government, saying ” despite the fact that the take- home for teachers is not enough to take home, it is also not regular.”

(Daily Post)

RE - OSUN PENSIONERS OPEN IDP CAMPS FOR MEMBERS

 
The government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun has suffered the worst form of media attacks in the hands of half-baked journalists, economic saboteurs, religious fundamentalists and political neophytes. Over time, their unending attacks have been orchestrated to malign the governor, incite the people against him by distorting facts and putting up a false narrative of the true state of events in Osun.
It is pertinent to say that the monumental strides recorded in Osun under Governor Aregbesola are legendary and would forever remain indelible in the hearts of the people. It is worthy of note also, that even under the present inclement financial weather, Ogbeni Aregbesola has paid the salaries of civil servants and pensioners up till December 2016, a rare feat in the country, which is commendable.
Going down memory lane, in November 2010 when he assumed the mantle of leadership in Osun, the price of crude oil was well above $100 and he inherited a net wage bill of just N1.4 billion. As at today, with increase in minimum wage, even when the price of crude oil has dipped to around $50, Osun now pays N3.6 billion to state workers, a wage bill excluding the local governments workforce’s salaries of about N2 billion. It takes a measure of ingenuity, creativity and sacrifice on the leadership of the state government to be able to pay salaries, run the government and provide social and economic infrastructure, despite this glaring shortfall in revenue.
Although, a cadre of the workers, those on grade level eight and above, have not been collecting full salary under the modulated salary scheme contained in the agreement signed by the state government and the workers unions, which implementation and operations have been adjudged successful.
In the same vein, the teeming pensioners in Osun have been treated with the same consideration and courtesy. A case in sight is the concessional loan obtained by states governments from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2015 for defraying backlog of salary arrears in which Osun got N34 billion. Despite the clear directive from the CBN that the grant was for the payment of active workers only and the insistence of labour unions to exclude pensioners, Ogbeni Aregbesola in his magnanimity and consideration for the retirees still released a whopping N7.44billion to offset the outstanding arrears of pensioners – N5.42billion for State pensioners and N2.02 billion for Local Government pensioners.
In contrast, there have been undenied reports of neglect of pensioners by various State Governments across the country, including in an Eastern State where retirees have not received a dime in the last 72months.
Yet, from the recently released Paris Club refund of N11.7 billion used in offsetting backlog of workers salaries, the about 21,552 Osun pensioners got a total of  N2.57 billion for the payment of September to December 2016 salaries. For emphasis sake, just as the active workers, Osun pensioners, both State and Local Governments, have been paid till December 2016. Though Osun got a sum of N11.7billion from the shared Paris Club refund,   a verifiable sum of 14.2 billion was expended for payment of salaries and wages of September-December 2016 salaries.
It’s worth noting that under the modulated scheme, a total sum of N3.98bn was paid to state pensioners for year 2016 while their counterparts in the Local Government gulped a total sum of N3.90 billion, totalling N7.88 billion as pension payment in 2016 for Osun retirees.
It is however disheartening to read The Punch newspaper make mockery of the government by circulating tendentious picture of misguided pensioners, less than 100 in number, claiming to have opened an IDPs camp, without recourse to ethical and professional requirement of investigation, in order to have a well-balanced report.
This is nothing other than the hijack of a media organisation for propaganda and incitement of the people against the government by obsolete political marauders who have failed to see anything good in the government of the day. We are unperturbed by their moves as their combined efforts remain insignificant politically in the politics of Osun, as indicated in all elections conducted in the state since 2011 in which they have continued to suffer heavy defeat.
We share the pains of the people and governments of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, who have some of their citizens and residents in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. We sympathise with the victims of terrorist attacks who have lost family members, their homes, valuables and possessions and are left with no other home apart from the IDPs camps. If the dream of the writer of the malicious story and his cohorts such as a dismissed female Judge and a fake cleric is to have Osun host an IDP centre, in a state where peace and tranquillity is second to none, where ongoing projects are nearing completion, where masses oriented programmes are applauded internationally, then we leave posterity to be the judge of their wicked intentions.
The Aregbesola administration is forging ahead to deliver on all promises to the people of the state, complete all projects embarked upon, make life more meaningful for the citizens, expand the horizon of economic activities, attain enviable heights in all facets of human endeavour and leave behind a legacy for championing a free and egalitarian society devoid of poverty, violence, crime and injustice.
We appeal for understanding, support and cooperation from all citizens and residents, in order to transform our dream of a great and prosperous state into reality for our generation and the yet to be born.

ENGR . OMOWAIYE Oluremi  . A.

We’re turning Osun to model of civilised administration in Nigeria - Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to turn the state to a model of civilised administration in the country.
He said his government had not relented in its determination to achieve 25 years works within 8 years.
Governor Aregbesola gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving the leadership of Methodist Church of Nigeria, at the Government House, Osogbo.
He said his administration has been working round the clocks in reviving the state's economy and as well positioning the state among the most viable economic states in Nigeria.
Aregbesola said his government, since inception in 2010, has been threading paths of economic reinvigoration, which according to him, helped to record unprecedented feats in the last six years.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola receiving souvenirs from ArchBishop of Ilesa ArchDiocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend Amos Akindeko, during a Courtesy visit and special prayers for the development of the state by the leadership of Osun Methodist Church Nigeria in commemoration of New Year 2017, at Government House, Osogbo, on Thursday 05-01-2017

He said the state under his leadership has succeeded in its designed policies of economic re-engineering and revitalisation aimed at achieving greater profitability, effectiveness and productivity.
Aregbesola said his coming to the state was not in anyway by accident but rather a clarion call to liberate the good people of the state from the shackles of backwardness.

The Governor who described his emergence as the regaining of "hope" that had already been lost, said "coming to Osun has given birth to socio-economic prosperity and political stability".

According to him, the state government, having realised the economic potential of the state, decided to embark on people-oriented programmes that have positively affected the lives of the residents.

Affirming his belief on the efficacy of prayers, Governor Aregbesola attributed some of the achievements made by his government to unflinching supports received from religious leaders.

He called on religious leaders in the country to save the nation from her present economic situation.

Aregbesola said the country has reached a climax where prayers and supplication are indispensable to facilitate quick survival.

"I am a product of prayers. I believe strongly in the efficacy of prayers. That is why our administration has been growing from strength to strength.

"As we all know, the present economic situation has challenged each and everyone on the need to move closer to God and as well support the country with prayers.

"We must all pray vehemently to rescue our nation out of the current socio-economic, religious, cultural and political unrest", he stressed.

Earlier, the Archbishop of Ilesa Arch-diocese of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Amos Akindeko, eulogized Governor Aregbesola for always placing God first in all he does.

Rev. Akindeko, who led other men of God in prayers, prayed God to continue to uphold the state and its people.

Leadership of Osun Methodist Church Nigeria offering special prayers for the development of the state in commemoration of New Year 2017 at the Government House, Osogbo. With them are, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and others on Thursday 05-01-2017

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. (4th left); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (5th right); ArchBishop of Ilesa ArchDiocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend Amos Akindeko (5th left); Bishop Ijesa North Diocese, Bishop James Olusegun (3rd right); Bishop Osogbo Diocese, Amos Ogunrinde (left); Lay President, Ilesa Diocese Methodist Church Nigeria, Festus Morakinyo (right) and others, after a Courtesy visit and special prayers for the development of the state by the leadership of Osun Methodist Church Nigeria in commemoration of New Year 2017, at Government House, Osogbo, on Thursday 05-01-2017

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; ArchBishop of Ilesa ArchDiocese, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Reverend Amos Akindeko; Bishop Ijesa North Diocese, Bishop James Olusegun; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and others, at the Courtesy visit and special prayers for the development of the state by the leadership of Osun Methodist Church Nigeria in commemoration of New Year 2017, at Government House, Osogbo, on Thursday 05-01-2017

Why Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola won Uhuru Times ‘Man of the year’ 2016 Award

According to Uhuru Times, the foundation of Uhuru Times vision rests on late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s political philosophy about the place of man in the society, and how those in positions of leadership ought to behave while in office. Of the five Governors picked as possible winner of the ‘Man of the year 2016’ only Osun State’s Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Lagos State’s Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode met our standards.

"We do not intend to curse the darkness Nigeria has found itself in. To borrow the words of Moral Rearmament, a group that was active in Nigeria in the 1980s, ours is to light a candle in the prevailing darkness, and hope that by doing so, others will follow suit in their respective areas of competence. It is the Governors we beamed our searchlight on, being possible agents of change in a system, where almost everything depend on Government. In their respective states, these Governors literally hold the power of life and death over residents of their respective states." Uhuru Times team explained.

"For Uhuru Times, four issues are important in a society like Nigeria, where life expectancy still remain very low due to a nonchalant attitude by political leaders to the real needs of the people. These are;
Education, Healthcare Services (preventive and curative), Gainful Employment and Infrastructural development.

Uhuru Times through its analysis had proven the critics of Governor Rauf Aregbesola wrong. Most especially those who think running an expensive government determines the success of an administration.

Congratulations to the Peoples Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as Uhuru Times 'Man of the Year' 2016.