For some time now, I have observed in silence but with watchful care various road expansionist schemes embarked upon by the Aregbesola administration; not only in Osogbo, the state capital, but also in all the nooks and crannies of the State of Osun.
In Osogbo in particular, the expansion work included removal of illegal structures, kiosks and other movable structures and separation of structures that obstruct road expansion works. Others include relocation of some markets, sawmills and other oddly-located places; broadening of gutters, canals and waterways; and provision of parks, gardens and road extension cum beautification; to include creation of walkways, bus stop sheds and spaces and the provision of street lighting.
The good effects of these good, noble works are not slow in coming. The good work has resulted in accelerated development of interior, remote and outskirts parts of the city. The spread and presence of virtually all sorts of traders is now visible in all parts of the city; such that we need to spend or worry less to gain access to any article we need to buy within our neighbourhood.
This development has also facilitated the rapid development of shopping complexes, some of which had been long abandoned due to unattractive prospect of rentage or occupation. In addition, new ones are springing up by the day.
We also have a better state capital metropolis; which has now begun to compete favourably with its contemporaries not only in Nigeria; but also in other parts of the world. Modern organized market places are now in place. Our roads are now better than ever; erosion paths and water channels/canals are well defined. Our schools and health institutions are in a better condition, and above all, there is peace and tranquility in the land.
I do pray that God should enable Governor Aregbesola to achieve greater feats for our state and her entire populace. God bless us all.
•Waheed Shittu, Ile-Ife Road, Edun-Abon, Ife-North LGA, State of Osun.
OSUN DEFENDER

The Special Adviser to the Governor of the State of Osun on Commerce, Co-operatives and Investment, Dr Olalekan Yinusa, disclosed that over one billion naira has been committed to resuscitating the Cocoa Industry in Ede.
He disclosed this while responding to the request of the Timi of Edeland, Oba Adesola Lawal, on the need to revamp the moribund company at the Ede Federal Constituency Edition of Gbangba D’ekun in Ede.
According to him, the abandoned industry would soon commence operation with state-of-the-art equipment available in any part of the world.
He explained how the Aregbesola administration saved the state from being cheated by the investors invited to partner with the state by the previous administration in the state.
Yiusa said initially, the industry was valued at N153 million by the investor, hence, conceded only 15 per cent of the total value of the industry to the state.
However, upon assumption of office, government set up a committee with the representatives of the investors as members and the industry was revalued by the same investors to the sum of N478 million.
He added that the Company’s Board of Directors is headed by an Ede indigene to guarantee employment opportunities for the teeming residents of the town.
According to him, the governor has given approval for the investors to commence work on the company, assuring the monarch that the plant would commence operation soon.
BIOREPORTS

Despite criticism it generated especially from Christians in Osun State, some states of the federation have begun consultations with Osun on how to raise investment bond for infrastructural development of their respective states.
Osun Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, said that some states in the country have approached Osun on how to raise bond from Sukuk (Islamic bond) and conditions attached.
It would be recalled that British Government recently raised about 300million Euro from Sukuk shortly after Osun State was completing the N11.4billion bond of the same fund for infrastructural development of the state.
Bolorunduro, enunciating the economic importance of the Sukuk bond to the people of the state, said the investment is the cheapest and fund solution into the future of the state.
According to him, “the Sukuk is a fund solution of the future because it has attracted fresh investors to the state and at the same time creates opportunities for the existing investors who are looking for high yield to diversify their investment.”
He explained that with Sukuk, Osun has set the path for the infrastructural development and that there was no single Islamic jurisprudence attached to it as erroneously claimed from some quarters.
The commissioner further noted that there was no bilateral agreement required and there was no basis for Christians to feel sad about it. “It was done in accordance with investment and security act of secular country called Nigeria and to make everybody comfortable,” he said, adding: “Sukuk bond has attracted fresh investors, people who naturally would not have invested in the capital market and they are sure that their money will not go into vanity such as hotels, night clubs and so on but commercial infrastructure and trading.
“To be transparent; the fund was not put into the budget because you have to see what it was used for.”
DAILY INDEPENDENT

 
It was with grand style that the people of Osun welcomed the Islamic New Year (Hijrah 1435) as Governor Rauf Aregbesola led a huge crowd of Muslim faithfuls at a colourful display of fireworks to usher in the New Year Midnight Sunday.
The atmosphere was electrifying and carnival like at the Freedom Park, Osogbo as muslim faithfuls, both old and young, men and women, members of the executive council including the Deputy Governor, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye Tomori thronged the park to offer prayers to Allah and thank Him for witnessing another end of the Islamic year.
Governor Aregbesola, who joined the Chief Imam of Osogbo and President, League of Imams and Alfas in South West, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Mustapha Ajisafe, to lead others at a prayer session at the Praying Ground, Osogbo on Monday admonished Islamic adherents in the State to bring to bear moral and spiritual rebirth as the hallmark of lessons of the migration of Prophet Muhammed from Mecca to Medina which is called Hijrah 1,435 years ago.
The governor and other Muslim leaders later proceeded to the Osogbo Township Stadium where the carnival continued amidst songs, lectures and prayers for the state. Governor Aregbesola specifically challenged market men and women, artisans, public servants, professional bodies as well as religious leaders to let uprightness be their watchword in all their dealings with fellow human beings.
He said the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad is now different as what is required of them today is spiritual migration which entails cleaning and purging of souls of anti-social vices.
“As we commence the Islamic calendar, Hijrah 1435AH, we must imbibe a covenant of peace, tranquility, transparency, honesty and good neighborliness. Let us ask ourselves or humanity that if Prophet Muhammad comes today, are we worthy of being his followers? What Hijrah connotes for us it that we shun all vice and put on the garb of good deeds,” Aregbesola said.
“We therefore, have a duty to live by the dictate of Islam and follow the path of modesty, virtue and righteousness. We have no excuse to do otherwise for Allah has stipulated in the Quran in numerous accounts how best we can live as true believers.” Quoting Qur’an chapter 7 verse 56, Governor Aregbesola lamented that if Islam promotes peace and good neighbourliness, where then do some misguided elements in the name of Islam thrive in promoting cantankerous vices.
“A tiny minority has emerged in Islam, who by their actions, has profaned Allah and portrays Islam as a religion of violence. They are at war with everybody and make no discrimination between Muslims and adherents of other religions.
“Muslims, Christians, men, women, children, aged, young and just anybody within their range is considered a  fair game and they always leave on their trail blood, sorrow and tears,” Governor Aregbesola lamented. According to Governor Aregbesola, the declaration of public holiday in the state heralding Hijrah 1435 AH is aimed at promoting justice and fairness among religious groups.
In his sermon, the President League of Imams and Alias, South West, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Mustapha Olayiwola Ajisafe, said among other lessons, respect and prayers for leaders , following the path of holiness and godliness remains qualities a good Muslims must imbibe and promote at all times.
Sheikh Ajisafe described killings, maiming, violence, intolerance , promoting discord as behaviours Allah condemns among his creations. The cleric identified peace, security, health, education and youth empowerment as critical on the agenda of a government that truly wants to serve the people. He commended the giant stride of the Aregbesola administration and lauded his government for using development to redefine governance.
In his speech Chairman of the Hijrah 1435 AH celebrations, Alhaji Isaka Nofiu Alani, appealed to all stakeholders in the state to show more understanding and allow the ongoing education reorganisation, restructuring and reclassification to sail through as it is going to raise the standard of education in the state.
“I appeal to all citizens of the state, home and abroad, to show more understanding and allow the ongoing educational reorganisation, restructuring and reclassification to sail through as it is going to raise the standard of education in the state by ensuring adequate provision of educational infrastructural facilities as well as manpower to the effect that our children will have better understanding of their studies,” Alani said.
Also speaking on the significance of the day, Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Bashiru Ajibola said that as the state of Osun is promoting tolerance and equality among all the religions people must take religion as something that should promote and not to hide under religion to cause crisis and chaos in the society.

Exciting photos of Fireworks in celebration of New Islamic Calendar Year (Hijrah 1435), held at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Sunday evening 03-11-2013

From left, Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Gov Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Barrister Ajibola Bashir; his Home and Affairs
counterpart, Hon. Sikiru Ayedun and Works and House Commissioner, Engr
Sabitu Oladepo Amuda, during the celebration of New Islamic Calendar
Year (Hijrah 1435), held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on
Sunday evening 03-11-2013

Muslim faithfuls witnessing the fireworks organised by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, during the celebration of New Islamic
Calendar Year (Hijrah 1435), held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of
Osun on Sunday evening 03-11-2013

Muslim faithfuls witnessing the fireworks organised by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, during the celebration of New Islamic
Calendar Year (Hijrah 1435), held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of
Osun on Sunday evening 03-11-2013

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori and other Muslim faithful, watching fireworks, organised
by the State Government, during the celebration of New Islamic Calendar Year (Hijrah 1435), held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of
Osun on Sunday evening 03-11-2013

Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme-Technology is a 6-month rolling programme inaugurated on the 24^th day of April, 2011 by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the State of Osun Nigeria. This training programme in collaboration with a private organization is designed to train 5,000 participants (OYES cadets) in various aspect of applied technology. The government hopes to train and empower 40,000 participants in 4 years.
The programme has 10 training centres evenly spread across the state and covers intensive training on areas such as; Basics of Computer system , Computer Software Application, Computer Hardware, Computer Networking, Mobile Phone Software, Basic Electronics, Mobile Phone Hardware, and Entrepreneurship Studies.
At the completion of this training, successful trainees have various engagement opportunities such as; direct employment in private organizations (including the training partner), employment into a various governmental initiatives as well as opportunities to be self-employed through the provision of initial start-up capital by the government.
For more information, contact us via www.osun.gov.ng

Funmilayo Eso Williams (Mrs.) an indigene of Ilesa-West L.G.A, a Christian by religion, a Barrister by profession and a seasoned business administrator with over 24years of experience in the banking industry.  Daughter of an illustrious son of Ijesa Land, one of the most erudite jurists of this country, Late Hon. Justice Kayode Eso.

Started off with her A-levels at Burgess Hills School for girls, Sussex, South-East of England, and then proceeded to the University of London where she graduated with a bachelor of Humanities. Joined Afribank Nigeria Plc a few years ago then known as IBWA, she pushed further and successfully completed another bachelor’s degree in Law at the University of Lagos where she was awarded an LLB and thereafter completed the mandatory year at the Nigerian Law School Lagos where she was called to bar.
She worked at Afribank for about 23years, there she served in various departments ranging from Human Resources to Accounts and then the Legal department. She then consequently became the head of the legal department in the Lagos Area. She voluntarily retired as head of the Private Banking Department, where she led a team that provided services to high-net worth customers bringing banking to their homes. She has over the years undergone various courses/trainings both in  Nigeria and abroad.
After her voluntary retirement she moved to Ibadan and served as the Director of Schools at Bodija International College/School, a 40 year old high profile college in Ibadan, Oyo state where she is still a Board member till date. In August 2011 she answered the clarion call to serve her State of Origin as a Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Children Affairs.
For more…visit www.osun.gov.ng

Osun, Kano and Niger states have declared today, Monday 4th Nov. 2013 a work free day to commemorate the new Islamic calendar as the first day of Muharam 1435 AH.
In a statement released by the Head of Service, Barrister Abbas Bello, Niger State Governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu urged the Muslim Ummah and the entire citizens of the state to pray for peace and sustainable development of the state.
He also urged Civil Servants to reflect on their commitment to duty while reiterating on his administration resolve to the promotion of religious peace and social harmony.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, in a statement said Governor Rauf Aregbesola enjoined Muslims to pray for peace and development of the state during the celebration of the Islamic Lunar year.
He congratulated Muslim faithfuls for witnessing the beginning of another year, urging them to celebrate it with moderation and live in harmony with one another.
Last year, Governor Aregbesola declared a  Hijrah Day as public holiday with a promise to institutionalise the holiday.
Hijrah according to Islamic teaching is the beginning of a new year marking the movement of the Holy Prophet from Makkah to Medinah.
In celebrating this year’s Hijirah Day, an Islamic cleric, who is the President of the Muslim Community in Osun State, Sheikh Salahudeen Olayiwola, has preached peace and harmony among religious bodies in the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, he commended Governor Aregbesola for recognizing the peoples’ rights of association and worship.
Olayiwola said that the state could only record progress in an atmosphere of unity and oneness, calling on all religious bodies to work together to make the state socio-economically viable and investment attractive.
He said: “What Islamic religion preaches is peace and those practising it are always for peace. I know also that the same thing goes for Christianity. If we can now live in peace and harmony, remarkable achievements will be achieved in the state.”
WORLDSTAGE

The Commissioner for Health in Osun, Dr Temitope Ilori, on Saturday, urged parents and caregivers to make their children available for immunisation against measles and other child killer diseases.
Ilori made the call in an interview. She said “people should avoid the antics and sentiments that vaccines kill; they should join in the crusade against the killer diseases.
“The Integrated Measles Campaign embarked upon by the Osun State Government is to vaccinate children between the ages of nine and 59 months against measles. The Oral Polio Vaccine and other antigens will also be available during the integrated campaign and they are purposefully for children under the age of five years. I, therefore, want to urge traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders to encourage their wives to bring their children for the immunisation at various designated centres”. She urged.
The commissioner charged immunisation officers in the 30 local government areas of the state to put in their best and ensure the success of the programme. She said the state had taken delivery of 856,200 doses of the measles vaccine and 1,019,480 doses of polio vaccine.
The state would, therefore, vaccinate no fewer than 725,574 children against measles, while 853,616 children would be administered the polio vaccine.
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun had on Friday in Osogbo launched the campaign against measles. The governor said at the launch that the state government was committed to protect the lives of children.
He urged women to also do the same for their children by making them available for the vaccination at the designated centres. 

NIGERIAN PILOT