NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO- 06/09/2024- Osunstate.gov.ng
Our attention has been drawn to yet another ridiculous concoction by the All Progressive Congress falsely accusing the Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Hon Kazeem Akinleye of an imaginary breach of Code of Conduct over an alleged TEFUND contract.
We affirm again that the accusation is baseless as the Chief of Staff has not violated any provisions of the Code of Conduct or any other extant laws for that matter.
As a public officer, the Chief of Staff has not deployed his office to, in whatever ways, favour himself especially as he is not a member of the governing board of Osun State University nor a member of the board of directors of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
Specifically too, Hon Akinleye had effectively ceased to be a director of the mentioned company ever before his appointment as the Chief of Staff and so cannot in any way be held accountable for the business operations of the said company.
The Chief of Staff has never sat at any meeting or board deliberation where such a contract was determined and is therefore by all accounts not in breach of any provisions of the Code of Conduct or any subsisting laws of the land.
The defamatory publication is therefore a reflection of what we noted earlier that the state APC has run out of ideas to tackle the superlative delivery of service by the Adeleke government and is now resorting to cheap blackmail and outright fake news.
We note with disdain the reprehensible desperation of the opposition to destroy the vibrant and world class Osun State University which is running its affairs in line with best practices and in compliance with its establishment laws.
We equally decry the failed attempt of the opposition to distract the state government of which Hon Akinleye is a critical actor, from its very laudable delivery of good governance and democratic dividends.
We assert with all confidence that Hon Akinleye has not in any way abused his office as he mainly applies himself to discharging his official duties as the Chief of Staff to the Governor which does not include contract solicitation and influence for and/or on behalf of any personality be it natural or corporate.
While urging the public to discountenance the failed men of yesterday, we restate the commitment of the administration to upholding and enforcing due process, best practices and procurement laws.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO- 05/09/2024
The Governor of Osun State, Senator (Dr) Ademola Adeleke has congratulated the outgoing Controller of Corrections, Osun State Command, CC Tolu Ajiboye Ogunsakin on his retirement and birthday anniversary.
Governor Adeleke, who was represented by the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye at CC Ogunsakin’s pullout parade at the State Headquarters of Nigerian Correctional Service, Ataoja, Osogbo, commended the officer for his unwavering commitment to the correctional service, highlighting the officer’s role in the reformation and restoration of individuals who faced challenges in their lives.
“We are here to honor a patriot whose passion lies in the reformation of human beings, focusing on the well-being and restoration of those who stumbled along their path,”
Adeleke praised the officer for his resilience and dedication through various trials, noting his significant contributions to national reformation efforts and his remarkable ability to bring hope and rebuild lives within the prison system.
“Today, we celebrate not only your years of service but also your tenacity, passionate commitment, and unwavering patriotism,” the Governor emphasized.
In his address, Governor Adeleke recognized the officer’s exemplary public service, both in private and public spheres, and expressed gratitude for his deep wisdom and active participation in the State Security Council.
“Your strong voice and invaluable contributions will be greatly missed,”
As the officer transitions into retirement, Governor Adeleke extended best wishes for a fulfilling new chapter in his life, celebrating both his significant achievements and his birthday.
“You have our goodwill and best wishes as you embark on this new phase of your life. Happy blessed birthday and may you continue to be blessed as a private citizen.”
The ceremony was a testament to the officer’s exemplary service and dedication, marking a fitting tribute to his distinguished career in public service.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed
Spokesperson to the Governor
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO- 06/09/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has congratulated the newly appointed Director General of the Department of State Service, Mr Adeola Ajayi, describing his emergence as the head of the secret service as “the beginning of a new era”.
In a statement issued on Friday, the state Governor who described the DSS as a pivotal national institution with a critical role in national stability said the new helmsman is tested and experienced to lead a new stage of national reform within the service to strengthen its contribution to national security.
Governor Adeleke who noted the importance of secret service men and women all over the country said Mr Ajayi has served in various sectors and is therefore well positioned to drive a new vision of a secret service with dedicated focus on its core mandate.
While expressing delight at ongoing reforms already initiated by the new DG, the Governor expressed optimism that Mr Ajayi will drive the reforms to logical conclusion as the nation expects so much from his leadership in line with the confidence reposed in him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I use this medium to congratulate Mr Ajayi on his appointment . This is the beginning of a new era of robust intelligence gathering and analysis for sustainable national security. His antecedents confirm him as a skilled manager of human and material resources.
“ His appointment is therefore well deserved with huge expectations from all sections of the society. As he settles down to work, we are already noticing his breath of fresh air, his reforms and his new tone in security management.
“For us in Osun state , we look towards the deepening of existing partnership with the service which has secured Osun State as one of the most peaceful states in the Federation. We further offer our support as a subnational entity to strengthen intelligence gathering to further secure our people.
“As a state, we wish Mr Ajayi rewarding service years in the saddle of this pivotal national security agency even as we note his avowed commitment to best practices and due process within the context of rule of law”, Governor Adeleke was quoted to have noted in the statement.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO – 04/09/2024 – osunstate.gov.ng
As part of its efforts to develop a Climate Action Plan, Osun State Government has organized a one-day Inter-agency Workshop for Desk Officers and Focal Persons appointed from all MDAs in the state on their roles on Climate Action across the state.
The workshop which held on Tuesday, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, at the Government Secretariat in Osogbo, the Osun state Capital, was organized by the Department of Climate Change and Renewable Energy of the ministry.
While declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon Mayowa Adejoorin noted that the workshop was important as it provides a platform for participants to upgrade their knowledge about climate change, its effect and how it affects the society.
“As the world is going digital, so also the climate change is making a wave. All department in this place are supposed to be here, because if you understand what climate change is, you should know that it affects all our daily activities.
“I want to implore you to concentrate and learn what the expert will be telling you, Not everyone of us had too much Knowledge of climate change. I also learned through the process, when I resumed I only know climate change theoretically, I know what it means. By virtue of my profession, I know what climate change is but not it’s effect, it’s economic advantage.
“I want you to concentrate, listen to the experts, take notes, so that when you get to your various MDA you’d be able to educate them on why we need to promote Climate change according to the desire of this government, ably led by Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, he has really encouraged us to promote this climate change to any level we can, and he has been doing so many things to encourage this ministry and the host of this climate change agenda”, the Commissioner noted.
Addressing participants at the workshop, Consultant to the State Government on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Prof Chinwe Obuaku noted that Climate Change is an issue that affect all sectors stating it as the reason for having a Climate Change Desk Officer across Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.
She said “The main objective for this is to train desk officers on their roles and responsibilities for our Climate Change Agenda.
“When we conceived the idea of this workshop, I made it known that it will be intellectually stimulating for everyone of us and we’ll have to do a couple of tasks in-house. So this workshop is designed for us to understand our individual capacity gap and needs.
“What we are doing today is something that a lot of states in Nigeria haven’t done yet. Two weeks ago we were in Abuja to attend a GHG Data Analysis and Inventory Stakeholders Meeting and it turned out that Osun state is actually one of the state within the Southwest that is doing well in terms of Climate Action.
“Climate Change is an issue that affects all sector, you look at Methane, Nitrous oxide, CO2 and then you’ll begin to reflect on which of the sectors that generate most of the Green House Gas emissions.
“You also need to realize that human activities contributes about 80% to our Carbon footprint and then natural disasters contributes about 20% and when you look at the measures taken to curb human activities, that’s when you begin to mitigate and then when you look at natural activities, you begin to adapt to that.”
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Mr Richard Afolayan Ogungbami stated that the workshop is needed for the ministry that coordinate activities and issue of climate change to extend the frontier of knowledge in climate change to other departmental agency of Government.
He said, “The workshop is the fall out of a workshop that was attended by some of our staff about 2 or 3 weeks ago now. They went there to discuss on Bi-annual transparency report from Sub Nationals.
“And for those who have been tracking the activities of His Excellency, Senator Jackson Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, they will discover that he has a passion for the issue of climate change and that explains why department of climate change and energy was created in the state.
“There’s therefore the need for us as the ministry that coordinate activities and issue of climate change to extend the frontier of knowledge in climate change to other departmental agency of Government that have one role or the other to play on the issue of Climate change.
“Climate change has become a topical issue, in the sense that it has to do with shift of temperature and weather pattern. The shift has affected us in a number of way, so much that, today, you cannot even see pricisely, accurately and predict what is going to happen. That affect almost all sectors of our life, it affected Agric. In the past, Ministry of Agric can predict accurately and tell farmers, go to the field by March you can begin planting but these days by virtue of the activities of climate change, we cannot say farmers should go to field and plant in March, because you cannot even predict when the first rain will fall in the course of a year.”
Signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO – 02/09/2024 – osunstate.gov.ng
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima on the occasion of his 58th birthday.
While congratulating the Vice President, the Governor described him as a man of immense humility and as a great leader that other leaders should emulate.
Governor Adeleke in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, also commended Vice President Shettima for standing by the President noting that it’s an act worthy of emulation in a season that loyalty is scarce.
“I want to rejoice with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the occasion of his birthday today.
“Mr Shettima is a man of immense humility and a great leader that other leaders who intend to be great should emulate so that they can also grow.
“I also want to commend Mr Shettima for standing by President Tinubu, it is a sign of loyalty, in an era in which loyalty is now very scarce.
“Once again, I wish him a happy birthday”, the Governor noted.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed
Spokesperson to the Governor
By Sarafa Ibrahim
Someone sent a message to me on WhatsApp, and I have since been ruminating about the phrase used, which informed the title of this my piece. Ostensibly commenting on a video showing a procession of newly acquired tractors making their ways into Osogbo, the state capital, he said,’Adeleke breathes life to agriculture in Osun’.
For several minutes, I paused to process what he said, and in the end, the import of the phrase sunk deeper into me. Of a truth, agriculture in Osun, for some time now, has been more in name than really feeling its effect. While Osun state is well known as an agrarian state, past negligence and the dearth of meaningful investment in essential equipment and implements have left the agriculture sector in the state almost lifeless.
For several years, agriculture in Osun state was just a mere rhetoric as policy and interventions in the sector were so insufficient to make any impact and drive expected growth in the sector. It was so bad that in 2020, to be precise, a meagre N6,992,500.00, was the aggregated amount spent on agriculture by the end of the third quarter, reflecting the terrible fate that the sector endured under the previous administrations.
Upon assuming office in November 2022, Governor Ademola Adeleke radiate hope that it will no longer be business as usual, which was anchored on a 5-point action plan. And less than two years in office, we can all see the manifestation of its implementation going by the remarkable delivery of service across sectors. The last time Osun experienced this sort of investment in agriculture as reflected in the acquisition of new tractors was under the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
This sounds unbelievable, but that was how bad things were under the previous administrations. In 2020, to be precise, the Osun state chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) highlighted the extent of neglect that the agriculture sector in the state was subjected to when he declared that there was no tractor in the state to aid their farming operation. Alhaji Sulaimon Araokanmi, who chairs AFAN in Osun state at that time, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that “we also asked the government to provide tractors for us because there is no tractor in the whole state that farmers can use to cultivate.”
Apparently, it was all for nothing, as Oyetola did nothing about their request. All through his time in office, no single tractor was purchased, nor was any other serious effort made to aid agriculture activities in the state and ramp up food production. This type of story follows a familiar pattern and clearly explains the decline in agricultural activities and damage to the state’s food security.
This is obviously not a route that Governor Adeleke is willing to thread, and the manifestation of this fact is in the new tractors bought by his administration to improve farming activities in the state. Unveiling the new tractors on Friday, Governor Adeleke left no one in doubt that Osun is poised to leverage the agriculture potential of the state for food production wealth for the state and its people by disclosing that “Today, we are distributing 6,000 herbicides, 80,000 cashew seedlings, 8,000 cassava cuttings, 8,000 various vegetable seeds and 500 bags of Lime to our farmers, women associations, people living with disabilities and government schools with large farmlands.”
I’ve seen some opposition elements trying to diminish the extent of the intervention by Governor Adeleke by cross-referencing numbers, however, the mistake they are making is failing to appreciate the monumental impact of not doing anything in the past. They should be concerned that throughout the 12 years it held sway in the state, it was unable to buy just a single tractor to aid farming activities.
What actually matter was Osun moving away from archaic farming practice that the lack of interest by successive APC administration condemned Osun farmers to. This is exactly what the new tractors procured by the Adeleke administration offer to Osun farmers. Unlike the experience in the past, Osun farmers now have at their disposal tractors to cultivate lands and ensure broader farming activities. This is why most Osun people welcome the investment of Governor Adeleke in that regard.
For once, a governor is showing a zeal to solve a problem that is at the heart of the state’s food security. As Governor Adeleke clearly indicated while unveiling the new tractors, more are still on the way because “the state is committing N8 Billion for the acquisition of tractors and farm clearing equipment within the context of due process and another N2 billion worth of farm input support.”
For Osun to translate its vast agricultural potential to feeding its population and generating wealth, it needs to adopt sustainable practices that ensure increased productivity. This understanding clearly reflects the decision of Governor Adeleke to acquire tractors, which will not only boost productivity on our farms but also support the health of our farmers.
It is an open secret that mechanised farming is the order of the day, and only a handful of farmers could afford it without the support of the government. This gap is what Governor Adeleke is bridging with the new tractors and other farm implements, which will significantly address the decline in productivity in the sector over the years, and in turn, fight multidimensional poverty and enhance food security.
Governor Adeleke and his team carefully assessed the needs of the agriculture sector and came up with interventions that answer those needs. Before now, farmers in Osun state are left to their faith, going through the most challenging experience to cultivate their farms. This unfair treatment not only limit the capacity of their output but also weight on their health, contributing to the dwindling interest in farming and the attendant drop in food production.
But all that is bound to change with the intervention of Governor Adeleke. The good thing about the new tractors procured by the Adeleke administration is that it is multiple-purpose. Apart from the general use of clearing lands and ploughing at an incredible rate, the new machines can also transport farm outputs. Beyond tractors, Governor Adeleke will be supplying farmers in the state with implements, which includes improved seedings, bolstering the prospect of bountiful yields at the point harvest. Through partnership with the federal government, thousands of bags of fertilizers will be distributed to farmers in the state.
To cap it all, the Adeleke administration provides a lump sum of N8.6m to each of the poultry farmers participating in the Osun Broiler Outgrower Production Scheme (OBOPS), which according to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Otunba Tola Faseru, will allow them to “raise two thousand (2,000) day-old broiler birds to table size within six weeks and the cycle will be repeated continuously and off-taker will buy back from each farmer.” But he did not stop there as he went on to assure that the government “will continue to support farmers’ group who are into food processing by empowering them with Agricultural asset like Maize Shelter, Palm Kernel Cracker, Smoking kiln, Poultry Cages, Pens etc. to encourage value addition.”
As much as the governor is prepared to aid farmers in meeting the food needs of the people for today, he is also making strategic investment to create a wealth that will serve the purpose tomorrow. This is what the specialised breed of cocoa and cashew seedlings being undertaken by the Adeleke administration reflects, putting tomorrow’s wealth in the hands of the people.
Osun is a major cocoa belt in Nigeria, and investing rightly, just as Governor Adeleke is pursuing, will not only restore past glory but also draws a sizeable wealth for the state and its people. The same thing with cashew, which is capable of providing the state and its people with a steady source of revenue in the future. In essence, Governor Adeleke understands well enough the immense potentials that agriculture holds for Osun, and he is willing to explore it.
The long and short of it all is that Governor Adeleke is prepared to do everything necessary to turn the tide in the agriculture sector and ensure food security for the people. And just as the person who sent me a message aptly captured, Governor Adeleke has breathe life to the agriculture sector in Osun state, and the people will reap bountifully from it. This is why Governor Adeleke will continue to enjoy the support of Osun people because, so far, he has been working to uplift lives and move the state forward.
- Sarafa Ibrahim is a Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor on Print Media.
PROTOCOLS
At the inception of this Administration, we crafted our policy objectives and also fashioned an agenda towards their realization which was tagged the 5-Point Action Plan. We set out the objectives of this Government to include the welfare of workers, financial inclusion, localization, people-centered infrastructure upgrade as well as social sector upliftment and agro-industrialization.
- We immediately hit the ground running towards the achievement of these priorities and in less than two years into the first tenure of this Administration, we have made conscious efforts aimed at achieving these policy objectives. The 5-Point Action Plan are arranged in a methodical manner such that they complement each other.
- We started by reflating the economy of the State through the prompt payment of monthly salaries and pensions, increasing the fund available for the payment of gratuities and those on the contributory pension scheme, and then the payment of backlog of half salaries which had negatively impacted the workers and the people of the State. We are also ensuring financial inclusion and localization by insisting on local contractors and patronage of local suppliers in the execution of the capital projects by this Administration. We have constructed over 100 kilometers of roads alongside several bridges and channelization projects. Another 80 kilometers are under construction. These multi-billion naira projects include four fly-over bridges, channelization of several major roads, rehabilitation of several schools and health centers with various levels of completion. All these were done in order to create an enabling environment for the social sector upliftment and agro-industrialization of the State.
- In less than two years of this Administration, we have effectively touched every aspect of the 5-Point Action Plan we set out to achieve at the inception.
- Today, we are distributing herbicides, cashew seedlings, cassava cuttings, various vegetable seeds and bags of Lime to our farmers, women associations, people living with disabilities and government schools with large farmlands. We are equally unveiling newly purchased tractors with full implements for the use of our farmers in Osun State which is the first phase of this project. These tractors will be released to farmers cooperative societies and associations after all necessary administrative procedures have been concluded. This is also in line with the promise made to our resourceful youthful population during the last End Bad Governance protest. We hope to provide all necessary infrastructure and resources to enhance agricultural production and ensure food security for our people. No leader with conscience would be happy that his people are struggling to make ends meet and feed their families. We have set our targets at this critical sector and we are ready to make the required investments in this regard.
- I also wish to inform the public that the state is committing N8 Billion for the acquisition of tractors and farm clearing equipment within the context of due process and another N2 billion worth of farm input support.
- At this juncture, it is my honour and privilege to the Glory of God and for the benefit of the good people of my beloved Osun State, that I unveil these farm inputs with the hope that it will serve as humble beginning for the agro-industrial development of the State in line with the 5-Point Action Plan of this Administration.
- Long Live Osun State, Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
● Speaks On State Electricity Agenda
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO – 29/08/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng
It was with pomp and pageantry that Governor Ademola Adeleke relaunched the execution of Obokun 33KVA Feeder abandoned for the past 11 years by previous administrations of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
The project, which was awarded in 2013 to service towns and villages across four Local governments of Osun East but was abandoned by successive governments leaving the affected towns in darkness and economic paralysis.
Governor Adeleke accompanied by Ijesha PDP leaders and dignitaries led by Hon Sunday Bisi and Hon Ibukun Fadipe said the revival of the project is “a reaffirmation of our policy of easing life challenges and strengthening the economic and well being of our people”.
“I was told this project was abandoned for the past 11 years. In that period, our people of Obokun and adjacent areas suffered untold hardship, blackout and economic loss. From today, that era of darkness has come to an end. Light has come and darkness has vanished.
“Today I congratulate the good people of Obokun Local Government and all the communities that will benefit from the new 33KV Feeder Line, Specifically, let me reach out to the people of Omi Aladiye, Akad, settlements along Ilesa – Osogbo road,Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government as well as Kajola and Osunjela in Atakumosa West Local Government. Imole has come to your doorsteps”, the Governor narrated.
Governor Adeleke said his administration focuses on bringing economic light to the people of Osun state, stressing that there is “a robust plan to transform the state energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation.
While affirming that Osun has a draft electricity bill and policy which will expand power generation and distribution, the state Governor assured that “the policy and the bill when finally passed into law will change the face of Osun electricity space.
“Being so blessed with many rivers and solar assets, we will generate our electricity. We will issue licenses for those capable of generating electricity. We will regulate our power distributor, the Ibadan disco.
“We will manage the relationship between power generators and purchasers. The new plan will create a regulatory agency for the state power sector.
“Ahead of the passage, I am further directing the Ministry to develop an implementation plan with timelines and deliverables. Stakeholders must be fully involved in the process for sustainable outcome.
“We are acting fast in the energy space because power supply is an engine room of economic growth. Regular power supply boosts economic activities. Our vision is that Osun state will be self-sufficient in power supply and also export to neighboring states.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Energy, Hon Festus Adeyemo said Governor Adeleke was deeply alarmed by the total blackouts being experienced in Obokun Local Government as a result of the dilapidated 33KV feeder line that supplies electricity to the community/towns in Obokun Local Government from Ilesa.
“The project is very significant for the people of Obokun and other three local governments. The Obokun 33KV Feeder Line, when completed, will be supplying electricity to four Local Government namely; part of Ilesa West (Omi Aladiye, Akad) and other neighboring Communities along Ilesa – Osogbo road, 95% of Towns in Obokun Local Government, Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government as well as Kajola and Osunjela in Atakumosa West Local Government”, the Commissioner noted .
While appreciating the Governor as Mr Infrastructure, the Commissioner reassured the public that the directive on the setting up of Osun Electricity bill and policy has been complied with, adding that “Osun now has a draft electricity market bill that is being processed for the attention of the state assembly.
“Your Excellency, Osun has never had any policy and legal framework for the energy sector until your assumption of office. The electricity bill comforms with best practices and stands as a great addition to your Excellency’s achievements”, the Commissioner asserted in his welcome address.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO: 29/08/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng
Governor Ademola Adeleke has described a top Osun businessman and top member of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Apesin Lanre Kolade as a dependable ally and loyal party man who remains a strong backbone of the party in the state.
The state Governor who rejoiced with Apesin on the occasion of his birthday recollected the commendable contribution of the businessman in the Imole political struggles, describing the politician-businessman as “a partyman who mobilized with total devotion to victory of the PDP, now and in recent past.
“ Your birthday is an occasion for reflection and celebration of blessed life which reflects in your positive contribution to humanity and. consistency in the service of God. Your passion is philanthropy as a hobby.
“ You have touched lives at home and abroad for humanity’s sake. You support the needy and the weak without discrimination, a record that endears you to man and God.
“As a politician, you deploy your resources to give voice to the voiceless. You invest without asking what the system can do for you. Your belief in our capacity to deliver on good governance is unrivaled.
“As you mark your day today, be rest assured that our common vision of a new Osun is under implementation without let or hindrance. What we laboured for is a state of good governance. We are relentlessly pursuing the vision”, the Governor was quoted as stating.
While praying for more blessings on the celebrant, Governor Adeleke charged him to continue his path of philanthropy, loyalty and service to humanity, noting “We value you as a dependable ally, a trusted supporter of the state leadership and a strong pillar of the party in Osun state”.
Happy blessed birthday my dear brother.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor
Olubunmi Badiora
Osun State Government, as part of its agenda to improve the lives of its citizens, has reiterated its commitment to continue to elevate the lives of the people of the State through innovation and digital economy.
Governor Ademola Adeleke made this known at the official launch of Osun Up-Skill program held at the Governors office, Exco Lounge, Abere.
The Governor who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Information Communication Technology, Honourable Adewumi Adeyemi said that the partnership with GFA Technology and Wema Bank will unlock the full potentials of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state as one of the backbone of the economy of the State.
He explained further that through innovation, skills development, access to finance, and market expansion, the government will drive the state’s economic growth, thereby creating opportunities for all.
He therefore urged the people of the state to be fully engaged in this programme and ensure that everyone hears about, adding that participation will propel our dear State toward greater prosperity, and together a stronger and vibrant Osun State can be built.
The Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital Economy, Hon. Maruf Dele Ayofe while addressing the participants at the press conference said that the program is designed to equip 50,000 citizens in the crucial digital and soft skills for the 21st-century job market as this is in line with the National Digital Economy Policy Strategy framework, the United Nations Cooperation Framework, and the World Bank’s Digital Economy for Africa Initiative.
The Commissioner who was represented by Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Innovation and Science, Hon. Bamiyo Akinlosotu added that the Osun Up-Skill Program is more than just a training initiative, but a catalyst for economic growth, a bridge to job opportunities, and a foundation for nurturing local entrepreneurship and through the program, the state aimed to create a digital business data repository and an interactive platform connecting the government with the citizens, as well as fostering transparency and collaboration.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Science, Hon. Azeez Badmus in his remarks said that for a community to thrive, it has to go through an education which has to be skilled based and that is what the programme is all about while adding that as benefits of the training of the 50,000 citizens there will be a lot of progressive improvements in the quality of skills in the State as it would boost the economy of the State.
Mr. Adebola Omololu, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of GFA Technologies thanked the Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke for giving them the opportunity to be in the State for the training and added that they picked Osun State because it is believed to be cradle of civilisation for the Yoruba nation.
Mr. Omololu while describing what the programme is all about said it is going to be for 50,000 indigene and residents of the state, it will be in 5 cohorts comprising of 10,000 trainees at a time for 8 weeks, he added that official training will kick off on 30th September and its going to be hybrid comprising of virtual and physical training and that they are targeting some categories of service providers which include trade service, personal tech service, education sector, professional service.
He said that some of the reasons for coming to Osun State is to enable the people to get better tools, to be more productive, more efficient and by extension try to earn more money through upscale of their businesses.
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital Economy, Mrs Olufunke Bukola Jolayemi in her vote of thanks appreciated the Governor for the support at all times.
She enjoined participants to make good use of the training by registering for it and charged them to inform others about the training and to make good use it by preparing to achieve maximally from it.
She announced that a website: osunupskill.osunstate.gov.ng has been created for the training, and urged everyone to register on it.
The representatives of Wema Bank, Osun Tech Community and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Osun State Chapter in their goodwill messages thanked the State Government for bringing the programme to the State. They opined that the programme which is a much anticipated one came into existence at the right time, when the people needs it, while adding that the training will be very impactful not only for employability purpose but to also add to the digital economy of the State, and that Wema Bank, the tech community as well as NANS in Osun State is ready to partner and collaborate with them to ensure that it becomes successful.
