The Osun State Government has announced the schedule of the year 2016 Eid-el-Fitri free train ride between Lagos and Osogbo, the state capital.
The government said Saturday the train rides will commence on Tuesday, July 5.

The government is extending the welfarist gesture to residents despite facing severe financial hardship that has made it difficult to pay workers’ salaries.
According to the government, the free train ride is in line with the Rauf Aregbesola administration’s tradition of facilitating convenient movement of its citizen in and out of the state during festive seasons.
A statement from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment disclosed that the free train would start on Tuesday and end on Saturday.
The statement said the free train would convey people from Lagos to Osogbo on Tuesday July 5 by11am.
Similarly, the return journey from Osogbo to Lagos was fixed for Saturday, July 9 at 11am prompt.
According to the statement, the provision of the free train ride is with a view to facilitating a hitch-free homecoming during the Muslim festival period.
Similar arrangements apply during every eid el-Kabir, Christmas and Easter celebrations.
“This gesture is from the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to the people, to provide the opportunity for indigenes and non-indigenes, who would like to visit the state during the festive period.
“The free train ride commences with the ascension to power of Aregbesola in 2010 and has been a regular gesture from his government to the people during Christian and Muslim festival periods since 2011.
“This government wants transportation comfort for its citizens, who hitherto normally encounter hardship and fare hikes during the festive periods”, the statement noted.
The Government therefore enjoined people from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States to utilize the free train opportunity offered by the Aregbesola government to come home and celebrate the sallah with their relatives.

Pope Francis has called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, particularly residents of Osun State, irrespective of the socio-cultural and religious beliefs.

The Pope made the appeal during a visit of the Roman Catholic Church to Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House in Osogbo, the state capital.
 

Source: Channels TV

The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reiterated the extreme importance of the environment to the existence and general well being of mankind.
 

 
Aregbesola observed this at the presentation of kits to the state’s highway managers by one of the leading commercial institutions in the country, Sterling Bank.
The Governor lamented the carefree attitude of Nigerians to the environment, saying the manner in which people just overlook the environment without any adequate attention to general cleanliness of where they live is worrisome.
According to the governor, apart from the biological make-up of human beings as they are created by God, it is only the environment that makes them what they are.
He noted that for people to live healthy and productive life, the environment must be clean, bright and well catered for regularly.
Emphasising the importance and the need to take care of the surrounding, Aregbesola averred that after food, the next thing on the priority of human beings is the environment as it could make or mar human existence depending on the way it is attended to.
He said: “Our environment defines us as human beings.
“But we all overlook our environment as if we can exist independently of the environment we live in.
“We act as if the only thing we owe ourselves is the cleanliness of our body alone.
“We neglect the environment in which our body lives.
“No amount of cleanliness we do to our body will endure if our environment is un-hygenic.
“To tell you how important our environment is to us, generally paying attention to our environment is the next most important thing after food.”
Aregbesola called on all stakeholders, who operate within the environment, to wake up and make the environment the best it could be made of to aid better living, adding that the most avowed critics of the state could not fault the progress the government has made in the state in making the environment the best for conducive living.
He commended the bank for contributing its quota to making the environment a better place for the people of the state.
He called on other corporate organisations to emulate the corporate responsibility demonstrated by Sterling Bank in donating the kits.
In his remark the Executive Director of the bank, Lanre Adesanya, said the presentation of the kits is in line with the bank’s strategic focus on the environment as one of its corporate responsibilities.
Adesanya stated that environmental cleanliness is one of the cardinal points of Sterling Bank’s corporate responsibilities.
He commended the Governor for the administration’s effort at changing the landscape of the entire state despite the challenge being faced in both public and private sectors.
He continued: “I must say here that our partnership with the state governments on environmental cleanliness is very solid and enduring.
“If you are going to talk about a cleaner in Nigeria, you cannot but mention Sterling Bank as one of the prominent organisations that has been at the forefront of environmental cleanliness nationwide.
“Mr. Governor, let me assure you that Sterling Bank will continually engage in initiatives that will protect the environment, especially those that are connected to the protection of lives through our renowned partnership with the state governments in order to maintain a healthy environment to guarantee good health for our people.”

 Governor, state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commended the management of PZ Cussons for donating a block of three classrooms to boost learning in Iwoye-Ijesha area of the state.

Aregbesola gave the commendation during the inauguration and handling over of the 90-student capacity building at Saint Thomas’ Elementary and Middle School,Iwoye-Ijesha.

The block has three classrooms with seats for 30 students in each class.

The governor said the gesture reflected the philanthropic nature of the company and a confirmation of its social responsibility drive to the people at the grassroots.

The governor noted that the project was tailored towards his aggressive infrastructural development in the education sector.

Aregbesola, however, enjoined parents to be passionate about the welfare of their wards and prepare them for the future.

In her remarks, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, the deputy governor, commended PZ for the donation.

Laoye-Tomori said the classrooms would provide conducive environment for learning and teaching, and urged other corporate organisations to emulate the good gesture.

Also, Mr Tunde Oyelola, the Vice- Chairman, PZ Cussons, said the philosophy behind the gesture was a conscious plan and strategic way of giving back to the society.

Oyelola, said the intervention has covered 26 states of the federation within the six geopolitical zones as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).

Also speaking, a member of the board of trustee of the foundation, Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti, said the rationale behind the project was predicated on the “philosophy of doing good business”.

Ifaturoti, who doubled as the Corporate Affairs Manager of PZ, said “what we mean by doing good business is that we are corporately responsible by giving back to our host communities.

“Our focus is to initiate projects with humane impact in the areas of education, healthcare delivery, potable water and road rehabilitation.

“However, it is noteworthy to mention that education got the lion share of funding due to expected high clamour for access to education”.

Ifaturoti added that the foundation has executed 58 projects across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Headmistress of the school, Mrs Omolara Adeyolanu, said the project would provide conducive learning environment for the pupils.

The head of Iwoye-Ijesha community, Mr Abiodun Gabriel, said the project was very significant and timely to his people.

The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said his administration will not be deterred in its resolve to take the state to an enviable height despite the myriad of sponsored media attacks on his person and government.
 

 
Aregbesola stated this while hosting journalists across the state to a get-together fast-breaking dinner, tagged: “Iftar with Ogbeni.”
It was held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Osogbo.
 
Aregbesola held that his government remains firm and steady to its commitment to make life more meaningful to the people even in the face of condemnations and attacks on the pages of a section of the media.
 
The Governor, while describing journalism as a noble profession, charged journalists and media practitioners to make professionalism their watchword, adding that they should always be ready to verify veracities or otherwise of information at their disposal before going to the press.
 
Aregbesola added that ‎with the remarkable decline rate of newspapers’ circulation and distribution strength in Nigeria, the only way newspaper organisations could stay afloat is their credibility.
 
He attributed the decline in the numbers of newspapers’ readers to lack of accuracy, facts and authenticity in the reportage of items in recent journalism, saying if proper gatekeeping, quality research and investigations were meticulously done, newspapers would not have lost its credibility in the society.
Aregbesola said: “Sunday Times in those days sold 500,000 copies per edition in this country up until 1975 and Sunday Times was so popular that whoever was literate in Nigeria will want to read it either by borrowing it, buying it or going to the library.
“The circulation of all Nigeria newspaper today is less than 300,000.
“So it should therefore interest us how a nation with increased population generally, have almost 10 times number of graduates that we had in 1975 now has the circulation figures we now have.
“It is therefore important for us to interrogate the decline in readership.
“If you ask me, closely watching the economy, the decline is as a result of credibility gap in our media publications.
 
“I want to appeal to our media people to support the course of disseminating reliable, accurate, informative and entertaining news.”
 
Aregbesola, who recounted several sponsored attacks and abuses in the media calculated to pull down his government and discredit his person, said if truth had been meticulously given its rightful place over the years, some newspapers would not for any reason consistently maligned his government unjustly.
 
He also admonished media practitioners to always champion truth, facts, balance and accuracy in whatever they do as the watchdog of the society, adding that there is the need for them to as a matter of necessity be conscious of whatever they present to the public.
 
According to him: “My joy tonight is that our state continues to survive inspite of the mischievous, desperate and malicious contents in some sections of the media against our government.
 
“Unfortunately, media in recent times have portrayed our government as one of the worst in the country whereas the reverse is the case.
 
“It has erroneously portrayed us as a famished state. About this time last year, it was as if heaven will fall. It was as if the entire world was collapsing in our state. What churches do normally became an opportunity to portray us as famine-stricken state. One person even went to the extent of donating his wardrobe allowance.
 
“Everything was made to look as if people are dying on the streets here. Recently, I still read in our papers that we are owing mountains of salaries, while the reverse is actually the case. I have decided to ignore such tantrums.
 
“Available records have shown that there is no iota of doubt in the fact that some media practitioners have demonstrated their hatred to us through their adamant disposition to falsehood, baseless and unfounded claims against our noble political voyage.
 
“I wonder why they found it difficult to display high sense of commitment to journalistic ethics and media professional code of conduct despite the conspicuous realities.
 
“The pertinent question is that whether or not the media assess itself, facts must always be disseminated and reported, and it is on the basis of this we have always advised the media experts to support the dissemination of reliable, accurate, objective, authentic, impersonal, dis-sensational and factual news.”
 
Aregbesola reaffirmed his commitment towards the successful completion of all the initiated projects across the state, saying no stone would be left unturned to bring the needed succour and dividends of democracy to the citizenry.
 
He promised to continue on the template of good governance and pro-masses policies, saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.”
 
He called on the people in the state to support the government by faithfully carrying out their civic responsibilities through regular and prompt payment of their taxes, saying unless government at all levels seek for other means to crude oil revenue, the future is bleak.
 
He added: “No amount of propaganda and condemnation would dissuade us from attaining economic prosperity just as we are determined to complete all the ongoing projects before the end of our tenure here.”

The Catholic Church yesterday described Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State as a major pillar of support of the church, just as the church said it does not promote or support violence of any form.
 
 

 
This was just as the Governor Aregbesola said his government has no ill-feeling against any sect or religion, noting that religion is an instrument of developing capacity for love, instrument for refinement and testing the human will to resist provocations. Both spoke when the representatives of the Pope and Ambassador of the Vatican, Most Reverend Augustine Kashuja led other Bishops of the church to pay a courtesy call on him at the Government House yesterday.
 
The visit was ahead of the ordination of a new Bishop for the Osogbo Dioceses of the Catholic Church. The Papal envoy said there is no face-off between the Christians since the governor assumed office five years ago because of the role dialogue plays in the relationship between the church and the state.
 
Aregbesola pledged his administration’s support to the Catholic and entire Church, promising that government will continue to work with leadership of the church, members as well other Christian bodies so as to bring about peaceful state where people will go about their religious, social and cultural activities without molestation.
 
In his remark, Professor Olu Aina, of the Osun Development Association ODA, who had been involved in the dialogue between the Muslims and Christian groups in the state over the hijab issue, said the furore on hijab had been resolved amicably.
 
I’ve not drawn salary since I became governor – Aregbesola Meantime, Governor  Aregbesola has given reasons why he had not constituted a new cabinet with about two years into his re -election into the office. He attributed the problem to the dwindling economy situation that is currently rocking not only the state but the entire country for some time now.
 
Speaking at an interactive session while hosting newsmen on Tuesday night during Iftau at the government house, Osogbo,Aregbesola stated that, if the cabinet were to be in place, the state government would require over N100million on them every month for the payment of their salaries and maintenance of their quarters and offices.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged state workers to employ necessary measures capable of increasing the state Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in the face of the current economic reality.
The Governor also called for prudency, transparency and accountability in the process of managing the limited resources of the state for greater economic productivity.
 

 
Governor Aregbesola gave the charge during an interactive session with Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the State Public Service, at Multipurpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, State Secretariat.
The Governor who lamented over the adverse effects of the current economic situation, however directed the state workforce to complement government efforts towards the generation of improved revenues.
The state helmsman who described Osun as an agrarian agricultural state, said the time has come for it to diversify its economy in its bid to augment and strengthen the capacity of its economy for the betterment of all.
 
Governor Aregbesola identified workers as a formidable organ in governance, saying their contributions towards the attainment of economic prosperity can never be overemphasized.
 
The Governor who lauded the significant contributions of the state workers over the years, however attributed some of the achievements recorded by his government to better understanding and cooperation enjoyed from the workforce since assumption of office.
He recounted the abysmal state of the economy when he assumed office in 2010, saying with the meaningful contributory efforts and mutually beneficial relationship between workers and government, his government had made memorable feats in all aspects of the economy.
Aregbesola stressed the need to jack up the revenues accruable to the state from all sources, noting that the only realizable alternative to cushion the dismal tendencies of the current economic downturn was for the state to double efforts in blocking all the leakages hampering sustainable IGR of the state.
He warned against lackadaisical attitude in the civil service, saying all workers must henceforth work in tandem not only with civil service rules or code of conduct, but as well as the state’s policies on new revenue generation regime.
Aregbesola who set a target of N10billion to be generated as monthly revenue for the state, said in recognition of the current economic situation, coupled with the available statistics, the state has the capacity to generate N5billion every month.
The Governor implored workers to adopt the new government policies on revenue increment, saying the decision was taken to seek for complementary efforts of all in the government bid to continuously thrive at meeting up its constitutional responsibilities.
Aregbesola who attributed some of the economic challenges bedeviling the country to what he regarded as “political insensitivity and lack of proper administrative direction” in the past administrations, said his government would leave no stone unturned in its resolve to turn around the socioeconomic fortunes of the state.
The Governor who called for an urgent economic intervention, said going by the current economic trends overtimes, no government should rest on its oars to bring about relief capable of transforming the state of the nation’s economy.
He said the time has come for every reasonable government to go back to the economic drawing board and map-out policies capable of bringing general succour not only to the states but the entire nation.
According to him, “It is regrettable that we found ourselves in this economic mess but by and large, all hands must be on deck to revamp our economy and rise again.
“We must deploy all the available mechanism to raise our IGR and as well improve the standard of living.
“Going by the available statistical records, our state is capable of generating at least ten billion (N10billion) every month, and for us to achieve this, all hands must be on deck for a common goal.
“This revenue proposal calls for a reciprocal commitment of all citizens especially the workforce in our bid to continuously meet up with our obligations.
“The time has come for us to diversify our economy especially in a bid to meet up with our set goal of generating at least N5billion every month.
“Irrespective of the present economic challenges, our state if properly organized in term of revenue generation, can conveniently generate N5billion monthly just as its sustainability would in no doubt increase the tempo to more than N10billion monthly.
 
“For us to achieve these feats, every citizen must work together and demonstrate high sense of commitment to government policies for better and greater economic condition.
“To us as government, the time of free money has gone just as everyone is expected to work for whatever he/she would earn.
“Every worker must justify what he/she earns by demonstrating high sense of commitment, loyalty, competence and transparency in all he does.
“We have entered into the era of self-sustenance. Era of self economic dependence and reliance, thus giving room for every government to strive tirelessly on the need to restrategize on better revenue generation.
“Any government who fails to accede this economic reality, would in no doubt become a parasite to others.
“Despite the current economic challenges, our government would do all within the framework of the constitution to jack up the state’s revenue”, he added.
Governor Aregbesola said in fulfillment of its government’s constitutional responsibilities, the current N600million monthly IGR regular was too low to cater for its obligations.
Speaking on the state of the nation’s economy, Governor Aregbesola decried over what he regarded as “unprecedented corruption” characterized with the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He stressed that if the nation’s God-given abundant resources had been properly channeled, Nigeria would have been in a relatively economic condition.
The Governor contented that more than average of Nigerian is living in abject poverty due to the poor leadership ,incompetence, lack of focus and mismanagement, hence he called for noble and proper intervention of the wise before it gets out of hands.
Governor Aregbesola said all hands must be on deck to revive the state economy especially at the point majority of the nations in the world are battling with the untold economic hardship and as well struggling to avert and reposition the economy.

The representative of the Catholic Church Pope, Papa Nuncio, Most Reverend Augustine Kasujja, has commended Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola for his extreme spirit of solidarity, cordiality and hospitality.
The international religious cleric also applauded the state government for adopting policies that facilitated equity among the members of the existing religions.
 

 
Rev. Kasujja who led the delegation of the Catholic Church, made the state during a courtesy call to the state governor, at government house, Osogbo.
The cleric stated that the antecedents of the present administration in the state was a clear manifestation to the fact that, Osun remains one of the states in the country with high level religious tolerance.
Rev. Kasujja who described  Governor Aregbesola as a religious peacemaker, said the Governor’s reception is very exceptional even in spite the fact that he is a muslim.
The cleric applauded the state for resorting to dialogue whenever there is misunderstanding, saying greater impacts of the state on religious propagation would be forever commended.
He averred that the process of dialogue in solving disputes and related issues had over the years contributed significantly towards the mutually beneficial relationship between and among the various faiths in the state.
Rev. Kasujja who described dialogue as the only mechanism to avert violence, pledged catholic’s commitment to continuous spirit of dialogue in resolving issues.
He called on the adherents of all religions to champion dialogue as the only tool capable of restoring peace, love unity and togetherness, saying any attempt to wave this off, the society is doomed and crumbled.
Rev. Kasujja said very individual must as a matter of necessity seeks peace, adding that once it missing, one is demanding for vendetta which according to him can cause unavoidable societal catastrophe.
He said, “the essence of life is love and every human being must brace up this indispensable valuable to ensure peaceful cohabitation.
“By extension, every human being is created to propagate the continuity of the existing peace and as well ascertain and maintain peaceful co-existence among themselves.
“Based on these reasonable reasons, all religious adherents must imbibe the noble spirit of dialogue for better mediation and reconciliation whenever there is natural misunderstanding.
“We must accept and tolerate one another’s beliefs as we are created to relate without any form of violence.

Rev. Kasujja lamented over the state of education in Africa, saying there is a need for government at all levels to come up with a modality that would transform the state of education across the continent.
He therefore sought for more cooperation and support from government at various levels, saying once government does the needful, the socioeconomic, religious, political and cultural matters are solved.
According to him, ” it is unfortunate that most of the schools now are not in the right positions, but we believe strongly that with sincere change in our attitude, things would get better.
Earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Reverend Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, described the current government as the great supporter of the Catholic Church.
He attributed the support and collaboration being received from the state government to what he regarded as strong commitment of Governor Aregbesola to religious’ propagation.
Rev. Abegunrin who commended the efforts of the present government in maintaining peace and unity amidst diverse religious faithful, said it is on record that Osun remains one of the states in Nigeria that have done justice to the existing religions.
According to him, “I am happy that Osun government under the leadership of Governor Aregbesola has proven the required sincerity and justice to religions as expected from any leader whatsoever.
“Obviously Osun government is a great supporter of our church. The government has already established a very unique, robust and healthy relationship not only to Catholic members or muslims, but by extension, the christian community and other religious faithful.
Rev. Abegunrin who charged residents of the state on the need to promote love, unity and co-existence irrespective of religious differences, advocated religious tolerance as the major instrument to put an end to the current religious challenges.
Rev. Abegunrin who condemned in its entirety the alleged religious crisis that trailed the judgment of the State High Court over the right to wear hijab by the female muslim pupils in the public schools, said if dialogue had been given its best place by the protesting set of the christian community, the matter wouldn’t have escalated.
The religious leader who described the court order as valid, said not until a court injunction is being proved otherwise by an higher court, such verdict remains valid.

He noted that the only way out for whoever feels being dissatisfied with the court injunction was to approach a superior court and file an appeal towards the lower court judgment, saying the case of hijab would have put to rest if the aggrieved had taken a legal direction.
Rev. Abegunrin pointed out that the court injunction which had created a lot of disaffection among the members of the populace due to over anticipation, would have been intellectually averted if proper steps had been taken.
He called on the people to always address issues with passion especially issues that bother on religions, saying proper understanding of the constitutional procedure in seeking a redress, would in greater measure helps to avoid unnecessary societal fracas.
The cleric described catholic community as a peace-loving religious body, saying as far as christianity is concerned, there is no room for violence.
Rev. Abegunrin who declared as uncalled for, the wearing of ceremonial garments to schools by the christian pupils, adding that such act amounts to a complete religious aberration.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who commended the leadership of the Catholic Church, said no efforts would be spared to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.
Governor Aregbesola said peaceful co-existence among the citizenry remains un-negotiable, emphasizing that his government would do all it could to continuously foster desired cordiality, love and peace among the religious faithful.
The Governor reiterated his determination to continuously prioritizing justice and equity among the existing religion, noting that his government had never accorded preference to any religion.
According to him, “We have no ill-feelings to any set of religion as we strongly believe that religion is an instrument of refinement and instrument of developing capacity for human beings.
“Our government also believe that religion is an instrument of testing human beings to restrict provocation towards the development of every human being for higher spiritual attainment.
“Therefore, when religions failed to do these, there is a need to challenge the adherents of such religion.
Governor Aregbesola canvassed love as the only mechanism to entrench peaceful relationship between and among the people of diverse religious philosophy.
He said, “As a matter of fact, all founders of religions today need love to centralize faith into their religions, thus, there is no other means at all as to love and compassion.

“The cardinal focus of all religions is love. Though differences occur in the methodology of attaining goals.
“I am always disturbed when we human beings discriminate, develop hatred and so on against their faiths because to me, I believe strongly that there is no iota of doubt in the sense that religion means love, compassion, unity and accommodation.
Governor Aregbesola who supported his claims with three fundamental religious facts, said faith, hope and love must not be undermined in any of the existing religions.
According to him, “There are three fundamental factors that enshrines religion, such as faith, hope and love and as big as they are, love is most superior because it brings comfortability, peace, unity, togetherness and tranquility.
“Obviously, love is the end of all loss and as a matter of fact, no religion should skip this vital instrument in its orthodoxical doctrines, principles and standards.
Governor Aregbesola therefore promised to continuously build healthy relationship among the religious adherents.
“Catholic church has been particularly supportive to our administration and I want to encourage the church to continue with that.
“We will work extremely with the leadership of your church, and other denominations to bring about a peaceful state where our people can go about their lawful economic activities, social and cultural engagements without molestation.
“Our focus is to ensure that every citizen lives a good life with joy, happiness and prosperity”, he added.
Meanwhile, one of the members of Osun Development Association, Professor Olu Aina said the association had reached a common ground with the protesting members of the christian community to put an end to the lingering hijab tussle in the state.
Prof. Aina who assured the people of the state on peaceful relationship vowed that the association would deplore necessary measures to ensure stable peace in all parts of the state.
“We have met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN on the need to over look any form of religious differences among the adherents of the existing religions.
“To this end, we hope that henceforth, nothing as such would replicate in the state”, he stated.

I have followed the unfolding but unfortunate drama in state of Osun schools over the rulings of a Court on the right of school children to wear the hijab as prescribed by the Holy book with amusement but recently, I have begun to feel alarmed because the issue is seriously being politicised thus may become poisonous to the people and Government of the State. It is therefore important that responsible stakeholders in the affairs of the state ought to lend their voice to shed light on the pervading darkness and remove the toxins that may hold the state captive if not engaged.
 

 
 
The issues are still very clear but like most things we do in Nigeria, we take it out of context, politicise it and complicate it in order to score some very cheap point. Most of the time, we are not mindful of the danger we may be putting our nation into as a result of such self-driven agenda. That a group of students were resisted by a school authority from wearing hijab to school and as a people who are sticklers to the supremacy of the law, they approached the courts for redress over the perceived trampling by the authorities on their natural rights.
Fortunately as it turns out the Courts in their wisdom against the position of the Government as represented by the school authority recognised the rights of these children and went ahead to rule that they have the fundamental right to wear the hijab to classes being part of their education as growing children. This was really against the wishes of the Government at this particular point in time as adequately represented by state authorities at that level of governance.
Now this was the situation. The Government of the State especially the Executive arm did not make that ruling neither did it impose the hijab on the schools. The Courts did. Whether right or wrong, I had expected the resultant to be blamed on the Courts but in this case, some mischief makers are leading an outcry against the Governor who I believe never had any hands in such matters. Perhaps, this may not have been the case had the Governor been of another faith from the beneficiaries of the Court’s ruling. This is definitely wrong and need to be understood as such.
What has happened in this case is that the Governor with his eyes on the Rule of Law and in keeping with his avowals to protect the constitution to govern without fear or favour has allowed himself to be led by the pronouncement of the courts. I do not understand whether some of the opponents of the Governor would want the Governor to disobey Judicial pronouncements or resort to dictatorship so as to satisfy their own desires and expectations? We believe that as a true democrat, the Governor has demonstrated a high sense of submission to the dictates and essence of the Rule of Law. He ought to be deeply appreciated by all and not disparaged as some self-seeking unpatriotic opportunists have tended to do in this regard.

If suddenly, those that were not in any way desirous or had the intention of wearing any of their religious habits suddenly decided to so wear then, it will not be wrong and difficult to allude mischief to such actions.Other faiths in the state prior to the ruling of the Courts never exercised any intention of wearing their habits to school and were denied. It was only the students that wanted to wear the hijab and rightly went to seek judicial protection.
It should be noted that while the hijab is an everyday compulsory wear for the girl child, these other religious garbs such as the choir gowns, the Nunnery dresses are for special occasions especially when the students in the schools are not Nuns. Common sense and good reason requires that we allow the hijab demanding students to wear it while the other faiths who never made such demands should have kept their peace. Or, are we saying that the schools are conducting choir presentations on daily basis that would warrant the wearing of such choir gowns to school?
What we have here is that some individuals seeking to score cheap political point and create some advantage for themselves have decided to persuade otherwise good and peaceful people of other faiths to create confusion so as to give the impression of disenchantment amongst the people against the Government. It also had the intention of portraying the state government as religiously biased and insensitive in favour of one faith which is completely far from the truth.
The whole argument becomes more intriguing when we note that Iwo the town at the centre of this melee is predominantly Muslim. One wonders why such predominance will not even be demonstrated at least at the level of equal access and freedom to good and quality education. They have not asked that others should not come to school but have asked that their rights to the hijab be respected. Some parents have been known to deny their girl-children education on this singular excuse that they are not allowed to observe their religious beliefs. We must protect the girl child and champion her education and I strongly believe that this must have also weighed heavily in the mind of the Governor. All of us I am sure must be concerned about this too and refrain from this furore.

His Excellency, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, the Executive Governor of the State, whom I have come to admire, does not in any way hold any grudges against any religion. He is a liberal that is committed to allowing every citizen to freely express his or her religious beliefs without let or hindrance. Perhaps, that may have been his perceived sin – the avowal to ensure that all citizens are free to hold and practice their religion in the state. He does not want one religion to hold dominant position over any other and wants the expression of equality to permeate all strata of the state again, that may also be his sin.
It should also be noted that against the misinformation that the agitation for hijab use in public schools started with OGBENI, the truth is that this agitation predated his assumption of office. Muslims have been vigorously agitating for the use of hijab since the advent of western education in the region. All administrations in the west from Obafemi Awolowo to others who succeeded him have contended with this demand. As a matter of fact the 2004 guideline on education that formed the basis of the litigation was the product of a protracted agitation by Muslims in the State, in that year. Those limiting hijab struggle to OGBENI’S tenure are being economical with the truth.
It has become therefore important that those stoking the fire of confusion in Osun Schools should be told to sheath their swords. The people of Osun and in fact the state itself is important and that should guide their actions and pronouncements. There is no meaningful teaching activity that would take place under such charged atmosphere. There is therefore no meaningful learning that would occur within such chaos. I still wonder what the impact of this will be on the performance of the students especially in this year’s School certificate exams both at the Junior and Senior levels.
All the stakeholders in this worrying debacle have choices to make; either in favour of the children or against them; either in favour of a greater and better Osun tomorrow or against the future of the state; either in favour of development or against it and ultimately either in favour of the Rule of Law and good and principled governance or the enthronement of anarchy and dictatorship. These are clear choices that must be made and quickly too before the poison eats too deep into the fabrics of the state.

I urge the Governor to continue standing by the law and not allow the pressures push him into truncating the rulings of the Courts. However, the need for a multi-stakeholder meeting to be called to look into the issues and forge an accommodating path is also central and critical at this time. Osun has men and women of great repute including being the seat of the highest traditional stool in Yoruba land and one of the highest in the Country. This should be turned into advantage in this situation. It is definitely not beyond what could be resolved internally within the state.
The future of the children of Osun state should not be turned into platforms for the negotiation of political power. They should not be made pawns in the political chessboard of Nigerian politicians especially those in state of Osun. It will not only be morally abhorrent but will also amount to committing infanticide as allowing this to continue will definitely destroy the future of the state’s children.
Paradoxically, majority of those fighting this war do not have their children studying in state of Osun talk less studying in its public schools and that explains why they do not give a hoot to the consequences of their actions in the lives of Osun children. Let the lives and future of the children in the state count and let the gladiators cease today for the sake of the children. That should be the major consideration within the ambits of sticking to the ambits of the Rule of Law. The Governor cannot disobey the law and those who seek a different action from the Governor must also avail themselves of the opportunities available in the Law to upturn the judgment. It is only when there is a counter judgment and the Governor behaves otherwise that we can then accuse the Governor of wrong doing.
For now, his Excellency the Governor has stood on the side of the people and the Law. He truly deserves our commendation!
Hon. Jimoh is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House Of Assembly Representing Apapa Constituency II.

In its efforts to prevent cheats from taking advantage of unsuspecting customers, the Osun State government has introduced scale and weight standard for use in markets across the state. In the circumstances, Governor Rauf
 

 
Aregbesola formally launched the scales and weight instruments and officially outlawed the old practice of transacting business using plastic bowls such as kongo, denge, kobiowu, dana and tin, among others that often results in several complaints and frictions among the buyers and sellers in most markets across the state.
 
In their stead, the state government introduced standard gauge and weight measurement through the use of scales for transaction of businesses. The new method was aimed at eliminating problems associated with the old measuring practices.
 
Deliberate alteration of measures; not measured fully to standard by trimming the head, melting and layering the plastic bowls and other containers with candles to reduce container size; deliberate distortion of bottles to reduce their content capacity and unhygienic conditions of the bottles, tins and others used for measuring liquid items are some of the causes of frequent friction among buyers and sellers in most markets.
 
While launching the standardised weights and measuring scales known as Osunwon Omoluabi at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said fair and honest trade rest on the use of accurate weights and measures.
 
Aregbesola said: “No business can be conducted satisfactorily unless each person is sure the other person is fair and honest.”
 
He further stated that the scheme would eliminate cheating and other malpractices that have become the hallmark of doing business in most markets.
 
The governor maintained that the use of standardised scales in markets across the state will engender a chain of economic benefits, adding that dealers in weighing scales would experience business expansion as the programme will ensure increase in the demand of their products.
 
Aregbesola said the move was to make the state the preferred destination for commercial activities in the sub-region, reiterating that his administration would not relent in its efforts to increase economic activities.
 
He said: ”In the quest to be competitive and make more profit, which is greed, traders devise varying means of short-changing buyers. Measures are deliberately reduced through cutting, filling with candles and wax, and sleight of hand. Scales are tilted fraudulently while husks, chaffs, barks and other rubbish are included in goods sold, with the intention of reducing the actual value of what the buyers take home.
 
“One of the tragedies of this immoral practice is that foreigners began to distrust our export because, for instance, cocoa graders put top grades at the top of the sack, leaving poor quality at the bottom, and in the process, collect money for the top grade. Those who are in the business can tell you what loss they suffered because foreigners distrusted their products and classified all cocoa coming from our land as inferior, irrespective of the grade.”
 
The Governor maintained that the introduction of standardised weights and measures was a Federal Government’s law being replicated in the state.
 
He explained that weights and measures constitute item 63 on the Exclusive Legislatives List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is, only the Federal Government can legislate on weights and measures in the country.
 
The various laws made in this respect include Weights and Measures Act CAP W3LFN, 2004, Pre-Shipment Inspection of Export Act CAP P25 LFN, 2004; Weights and Measures Standardisation of Indigenous Measures Regulations, 1992 and the Weights and Measures Fees Regulations.
 
“The legislations are geared toward ensuring that products are not under-dispensed at markets, factories, oil and gas stations and crude oil depot in Nigeria,” he said.
 
The Coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Ismaila Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada, who is the former Commissioner for Industries, Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment, hinted that the standardised weighing scale across markets in the state became necessary in order to mitigate challenges noticeable in commercial transactions.
Jayeoba-Alagbada said in order to eradicate cheating in the process of exchange of commercial goods and checkmate other challenges of market forces, government decided to formally introduce the standardised weighing scales.
He stated that training workshops had already been conducted in the markets all over the state on the effective use of the scales.
 
He stated that the Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the day-to-day administration of the programme.
 
 
He said: “I need to emphasise that market men and women had been fully mobilised to key into this emerging commercial revolution. Both the leadership and the followership of the associations of market women and men had agreed, not only to comply with the right use of the scales and measures but also to continuously carry out peer reviews with a view to ensuring flawless implementation of the standardised weighing scales and measures programme. I want to place it on record that, but for the grace of God and the dogged determination of Mr. Governor, this launch, and indeed the entire standardised scales and measures programme would have been a mirage.”
 
He revealed that 178 OYES cadets have been trained under the train-the-trainer programme on the use, maintenance and repairs of the new measuring scales. The OYES cadet would also man some control posts in all the markets to serve both as repair and challenge-mitigating centres.
 
Speaking on the new scale, the President-General of Osun State Market Women Association, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, said the standardised scale became necessary due to imbalance in measurement and fraud in commercial activities.
 
Asindemade said the kongo measurement introduced to the market in the old Oyo State became the standard measurement in Osun State when it was created. According to her, the old measurement was gradually subjected to abuse and fraud to the extent that individual seller used his or her yardstick for measurement, thus the need to re-standardise and unify it.
 
She, however, warned that the introduction of the standard scale should not translate to increase in prices of commodity in the markets.
 
“It is in a bid to correct the anomaly in measurement and scale that the Osun State government introduced the standardised weighing scales in markets so as to forestall fraud and cheating in measurements. As we embrace this innovation, I call on market men and women to co-operate with government to make this a success. Besides, introduction of the weight and measurement does not and should not lead to increase in price of commodities in our markets.”
 
The state government, however, subsidised the new measuring scales for the traders. For instance, from the supplier in Lagos, a 150kg platform is sold for N38, 500, but the state government is selling it at N28, 500. The prices of the scales are: 150kg (table) N8, 500, 20kg N2, 500, 10kg 2,500, while 5kg is N2, 000.