Our performance in the first term endeared us to you and convinced you to give us the mandate for another term
   – Governor Rauf Aregbesola in his inauguration speech on Thursday, November 27, 2014.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State, had at least three reasons to celebrate when he was inaugurated as governor for a second term. My focus here is not so much on the reasons for celebration as on their implications for our young democracy. However, I first have to bore you with the reasons for celebration in order to appreciate the discussion that follows.
First, Aregbesola won a hard-fought electoral battle against the power machine of the Peoples Democratic Party. The PDP operatives maligned his administration virtually throughout his first term and distorted his records during the campaigns. In the days leading up to the election, Osun voters were intimidated by unprecedented security presence. Finally, on the eve of the election and the very day of the election, Aregbesola’s supporters were harassed, and as many as 700 of them were arrested or otherwise prevented from carrying out their legitimate duties. Clearly, these are not the best ways to grow a democracy.
Second, in spite of all odds, Aregbesola won the election by a wide margin. Not only did he win with 55 per cent of all lawful votes, being the widest margin of victory in recent governorship elections, he garnered over 70 per cent of the female votes.
Third, Aregbesola would be the first governor of the state to have legitimately won reelection and, therefore, the first to serve a legitimate second term in office. Interestingly, his predecessors had teamed up with him and were by his side during the inauguration.
What is more, Osun voters, who made his re-election possible, were at the inauguration in all their diversity – traditional rulers, religious leaders, political leaders, business leaders, professionals, market women, artisans, youths, and so on. It was an unusually large crowd for a second term inauguration and on a week day.
My encounter with one of the voters at the inauguration venue was quite instructive. The woman was pleading earnestly with the security at the gate to let her into the stadium. I decided to intervene, when I observed that she had a child on her back, while holding her young daughter by the right hand and her son by the left. The security at the gate would not let her into the VIP section of the stadium. Besides, she had no invitation card. I decided to lead her to another gate and pleaded with the security there to let her in.
On the way to the other gate, I asked her why she came with her children, and without an invitation card. She said she wanted to see the governor who feeds her children in school, gives them free uniform, and gets “Ijoba” (the government) to buy fruits from her kiosk. “Iruu re s’owon pupo (his likes are very scarce)”, she added. The sentiment she expressed reflects the attitude of most Osun women towards Aregbesola.
This leads to the first of three key issues arising from Aregbesola’s inauguration, namely, the role of performance as a qualification for re-election in a democracy. This is an important issue in Aregbesola’s case, given the historical, political, and media contexts of his re-election. Historically, no governor before him since 1999 ever won re-election. The odds were equally stacked against him politically: If there was one governor the PDP and the Presidency wanted out of power, it was Aregbesola. Moreover, he was a target of negative press, which often jumped on the bandwagon of the opposition to blow up distorted information about the man and his programmes.
So, why and how did he win? Two short answers: Outstanding performance and the resilience of an appreciative electorate. Here is how Aregbesola put it in his inauguration speech: “We revamped agriculture and made it a profitable venture for farmers. We have positioned our youths for greatness by providing them with quality education. We have redefined the infrastructure of education by building state of the art schools, and proving cutting edge technology, free school uniforms, free meals and so on. We have empowered our people economically through all the ‘O’ projects: O’REAP, O’MEALS, O’BEEF, O’HUB, O’HONEY, O’CLEAN and so on. We have made micro-credit available to our people on a large scale, … we have lifted the GDP of the state, making Osun the seventh largest economy in Nigeria. We have cared for the environment in an unprecedented way. We have banished flooding and cleaned the environment of filth … There is no local government that did not partake in our local and intercity road projects. We have embarked on a most ambitious urban renewal programme. We have cared for the old, the weak and infirm while special people have not escaped our touch. We have delivered on our six integral action programme”.
This leads to the second issue: Why and how was Aregbesola able to accomplish so much with limited resources and within so short a period? First, it must be appreciated that Aregbesola is a trained engineer, a pragmatic and seasoned administrator of people and resources. For eight straight years, he was the Commissioner for Works in Lagos State, under whose watch the unprecedented urban renewal projects in Lagos were crafted. His knowledge of policymaking and project execution was deployed to its fullest when he became a governor in Osun. Even more importantly, he has long adopted an ideology of governance that puts people first. The lesson here is simple: Elect candidates who have cognate experience in governance and have verifiable track records.
Second, Aregbesola recruited the best people, all professionals in their own right, to his cabinet and created the Bureau of Social Services to monitor and oversee all state projects. The Bureau, headed by Femi Ifaturoti, is staffed with engineers, architects, lawyers, quantity surveyors, and other project specialists, who monitor and provide monthly assessments of all ongoing projects throughout the state. BOSS, as the department came to be known, has become an institution in the Osun government circle.
Third, Aregbesola got national and international sponsors, private partners, and Osun citizens involved in appropriate projects. He also employed direct labour, where appropriate, by engaging volunteers and thousands of young graduates in his O’YES programme. Most importantly, he ensured that every single project he embarked upon generated jobs for Osun citizens and he encouraged the reinvestment of their earnings within the state. As a result, Osun became the seventh largest economy in the nation.
Finally, he adopted a governance ideology of progressivism, which views social and economic development as twin engines of growth. It was not enough for him to invoke Obafemi Awolowo. He reinvented him in his approach to governance, by putting people first in all his programmes and projects. Surely, his style is different from the sage’s; but the results would have gladdened the sage as they did Osun voters.
The critical question now is about the sustainability of the programmes and projects. For a start, Aregbesola’s To-Do list over the next four years must include four items.
First, he should consolidate the programmes and projects he has so far embarked upon. Second, he should focus more on the necessary infrastructure that connects the people with one another and with the projects. Third, he should ensure that institutions, such as BOSS, are so entrenched in Osun governance paradigm that future state governors cannot brush them aside. Fourth, future leaders must be identified and groomed, who would share the same philosophy of governance and advance on the programmes and projects. He should develop an enduring Osun brand.
PUNCH

Osun State Coalition of Civil Societies is advocating the establishment of Human Rights Desk in the Nigeria Police Force to enable Citizens report cases of Human rights abuses without inhibition.
At a rally organised on Wednesday in Osogbo to commemorate this year’s World Human Rights Day, the chairman of the Coalition, Comrade Abiodun Agboola, stressed the need for Nigerians’ rights to be upheld by security personnel.
The Coalition made-up of several civil Society groups, marched through the popular Olaiya junction in the state capital, with each of them carrying placards with different inscriptions Like ‘Education is Our Right’, ’2015; Our votes must count’ and ‘Government should ensure Our Security’ among others.
Comrade Agboola and other speakers, who later addressed the people, urged Nigerians to resist any attempt by any person or group of persons to trample on their rights especially as the general election is approaching.
They maintained that the solution to insecurity, economy and corruption was the responsibility of all, urging Political office holders to show sincerity in the fight against all acts that could run down the country.
On Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Suleiman Abba, ordered all police officials in Nigeria to ensure that the rights of Nigerians and all residents were upheld and sustained, as they carry out their duties.
Mr Suleiman Abba, gave the command in Commemoration of the International Human Rights Day 2014 and as further proof of his commitment to respecting the rights of Nigerians.
In line with the need to ensure that rights or Nigerians are upheld by the police, the police authority had launch a Human Rights Manual.
A Human Rights Desk was also created and would be manned by officers in all the formations of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Desk Officers are tasked with ensuring that rights of suspects are protected and cared for.
The IGP further emphasised his commitment to walking the talk in observance of the Human Rights of all Nigerians irrespective of class, creed and tongue.
A rights group, Amnesty International had accused the Nigerian police of extra judicial killings and series of Human rights abuses, an allegation that the police denied.
CHANNELSTV

Indigenes of Osun State based in the United State of America (USA) have pledged their support for the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in taking the state to a greater height in terms of provision of good health services.
However, the team has arrived the state on a medical mission visit, promising to ensure good health of the people of the state.
Receiving the medical team at the Osun State Secretariat, Abeere, the Deputy Governor, Mrs.Titi-LaoyeTomori, lauded the team for the love they have for their state by taken the risk to come at a time when people are afraid of coming to the country due to the threat of Ebola Virus Disease.
Tomori who represented Governor RaufAregbesola, noted that the administration had reduced untimely death through the provision of free ambulance, adding that the administration would strive further and ensure good health of the people of the state.
“You will recall that provision of good health services is one of the six point integral action of this administration. I also want to tell you that Osun is the only state that is providing 24 hours ambulance service in the country.
“Despite the fact that we are the least funded state, we are the second in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the country,” she added.
Also speaking, former Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. (Mrs) TemitopeIlori, expressed her happiness at the visit of the team, promising to do whatever in her capacity to bring development to the state.
“Though, we have left the government, we would not hesitate to facilitate anything that can be of benefit to the state.”
Dr. Ilupeju Oluremi, who led the team, however, assured the state government of the team’s readiness towards supporting the programmes of Aregbesola, noting that they had awarded 31 scholarship last year through the Ministry of Education.
HALLMARK

As Governor Rauf Aregbesola and members of his political party, All Progressives Congress (APC), began the defence of his victory at the August 9th Governorship Election in Osun State before the three-man Election Petition Tribunal Panel, four of the witnesses who appeared before the tribunal had told the court that the election was hitch-free and devoid of manipulation.
The witnesses including a retired police officer, Folorunsho Olojede, a retired civil servant, Akinropo Adeniji, Mrs. Racheal Babatunde, and Rauf Ajide Olaegbon, told the election petition tribunal that there were proper accreditations and voting where they voted, adding that there was no attempt to disenfranchise anybody in the polling units.
The witnesses, who claimed that they were neither politicians nor members of APC said they were ordinary voters but volunteered to give evidence before the tribunal to make record straight.
It would be recalled that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, is challenging the re-election of Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the ground that there were no proper accreditation and voting, that additional voting points were not created and that some voters were disenfranchised.
Omisore is challenging election results in 17 local government councils of the state, claiming that votes declared in favour of Governor Rauf Aregebsola were not legitimate.
To prove that he won the election convincingly, Aregbesola had listed several documents and over 500 witnesses who would confirm to the tribunal that the election was the true reflection of the wishes of the people as expressed on August 9, 2014.
Listed among the witnesses are APC’s polling agents and voters who witnessed voting processes in the various units being challenged.
Mrs. Babatunde was the first witness to appear before the tribunal and she told the tribunal that she was neither a member of APC nor any other political party, saying when she got to her polling unit in Ward 8 of Olorunda Local Government; she was properly accredited and eventually voted.
Explaining that she was not an agent of any political party, but ordinary voter who witnessed what happened at the polling unit on the election day, the witness further said that the processes followed on the said day was peaceful, as nobody was harrased nor chased away.
She added that she stayed behind until after the election and the APC won at the unit, adding that she saw agents of all political parties counter-signing the result form for the unit.
Another witness, Folorunsho told the tribunal that there was no any case of inducement of voters on the Election Day in his Ward 3, Unit 6 of Olorunda local government, saying nobody was disenfranchised on the said day.
He testified that after the election, votes were counted, announced, counter-signed by party agents and pasted on the wall, saying, “when I heard that the election is being challenged, I was baffled and wondered how such peaceful election could be taken to tribunal.
“When I heard that the result of the election is being challenged, I volunteered myself to testify in this case to confirm that the election was very peaceful.
“I am a retired police officer and I don’t belong to any political party. I was just a voter on that day. I decided to come and testify because of the development Aregbesola has brought to Osun and what he is still doing”.
In his evidence, Akinropo told the court that accreditation was properly done and voting was conducted in a peaceful manner, saying nobody voted more than once on the said day.
He said the result announced for his unit was the true reflection of the people wish, saying, no party was allocated votes.
As against the claim that additional voting points were not created, all the witnesses told the tribunal that additional voting points were created for their various units.
Also, Olaegbon testified that he was accredited and voted, just as every other voter was allowed to vote on the said day.
He said he witnessed the accreditation, voting and announcement of the result on the said day.
Subsequently, Aregbesola counsel sought adjournment till Tuesday and it was granted.
Explaining the rationale behind request for adjournment, the APC Counsel, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) said the request was strategic, saying the petitioners have not make any case before the tribunal.
Saying that the witnesses called so far were unshakeable under cross-examination, Akeredolu said “we want to take our time to make sure that the witnesses we are calling are as good as the ones we have called. The witnesses have done extremely well”.
Omisore’s counsel, Chris Uche (SAN) also said they were happy with the progress made so far.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from his party members,during declaration of the party’s flag bearers to the National/State Assemblies, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Tuesday 09-12-2014

From Right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Secretary,
Osun National/State Assembly Primaries Committee, Mustapha Maoshood;
Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori ((right) and a member, Sada
Machika (left), during primaries/declaration of the party’s
flagbearers to the National/State Assemblies at Nelson Mandela Freedom
Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Tuesday 09-12-2014

From Right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Secretary,
Osun National/State Assembly Primaries Committee, Mustapha Maoshood;
Chairman of the Committee, Muhammad Maigari and a member, Sada
Machika, during primaries/declaration of the party’s flagbearers to the
National/State Assemblies, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State
of Osun on Tuesday 09-12-2014

From Right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his
Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Secretary, All Progressives Congress
(APC), Osun Chapter, Rasaq Salensile and a Senatorial Aspirant, Isiaka
Adeleke, during primaries/declaration of the party’s flagbearers to the
National/State Assemblies, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State
of Osun on Tuesday 09-12-2014

From left, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Secretary,
All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun Chapter, Rasaq Salensile and
Osun APC Chairman, prince Gboyega Famodun, during
primaries/declaration of the party’s flagbearers to the National/State
Assemblies, at Nelson Mandela freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on
Tuesday 09-12-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) acknowledging
cheers from his party members,during declaration of the party’s
flagbearers to the National/State Assemblies, at Nelson Mandela Freedom
Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Tuesday 09-12-2014

Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday evening, concluded its primary elections into the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly, with the emergence of candidates for the party ahead the 2015 general election.
In a press statement signed by the APC’s director of publicity, research and strategy in Osun State, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, clinched the party’s ticket for Osun West senatorial district.
The incumbent senator, representing Osun Central senatorial district, Professor Sola Adeyeye, secured the party’s ticket for a return to the upper chamber, while his counterpart in Osun East, Senator Babajide Omoworare, also won the primaries.
According to the release, “in the House of Representatives category, Honourable Lasun Yusuf, emerged in Orolu/Ifelodun Federal Constituency,  while in Ifelodun/Boripe, Honourable Yinka Ajayi won. In Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro Federal Constituency,  Honourable Fakeye Femi won, just as Mr Akintayo Amusu emrged the winner in Boripe Federal Constituency”.
“For Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan,  Ayo omidiran emerged the winner, while  Ajibola Famurewa  won in Atakumosa East and West/Ilesa East and West.
In Obokun/Oriade, Nathaniel Agunbiade emerged as the candidate of the APC.
TRIBUNE

Association of Patient and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) have been enjoined to see tax payment as individual civic responsibility to government.
Chairman, Osun State Board of Revenue Mobilisation and Advisory Committee, Alhaji Aderemi Adegoke, gave the advice during a meeting with NAPPMED representatives in the Osun Internal Revenue Service Conference Room.
Adegoke pointed to Governor Rauf  Aregbesola’s unprecedented achievements in his first four years in office as laudable reference points which are enough to propel tax payers in the state to contribute their own quota through their tax payment as at when due.
He also made reference to presumptive tax table being provided and approved by the Federal Government that spells out all categories of artisans to pay tax with NAPPMED members inclusive in the list.
He, therefore, urged them to see tax payment as a clarion call which we have to obey.
Also speaking at the meeting, Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, A.A. Ojo, reiterated the need for renewal of the association members practising licence as unavoidable for whoever wants to be operating legally in the state.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Stakeholders in Osun State have been admonished to shun any act that could breach the peace and tranquility before and during the coming general elections.
They were also advised to play the game according to the dictate of Electoral Act.
These were the resolutions at a sensitisation programme on voter education, security awareness and environmental sustainability organised by the Osun State Directorate of National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Osogbo.
All the speakers at the sensitisation programme were of the views that if politicians play the game according to the rules, the general elections will be hitch free and credible in all ramifications.
The security personnel who also spoke at the event exonerated their agencies of any wrong doings during electioneering exercises, maintaining that the political class are the ones that normally attempt to heat the polity to outsmart one another before and during election.
This usually leads to violence and crisis, they noted.
In his keynote address, Osun State Director of NOA, Dr. Lawrence Olugbenga Martins, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the feat recorded in the August 9 governorship election in the state, urging the commission to keep up the standard it has set for itself and at the same time work towards improving on it to meet the international standard.
He also observed that security operatives must be appreciated for maintaining peace throughout the electoral process in the state.
“It is a thing of joy that all aggrieved persons did not take law into their hands but chose to seek redress through the proper judicial process.”
Martins stressed further that the sensitisation programme was aimed at engendering peaceful coexistence among leaders of political parties and their followers to promote tranquility.
 
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has opened case to defend his victory against the petition filed by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party told the Election Petitions Tribunal on Monday.
Omisore had alleged that that the August 9governorship  poll was not free, fair and credible.
The petitioner and four witnesses who testified in his favour told Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal that the election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere devoid of manipulation.
The first witness called by the governor, Mrs. Rachael Babatunde, a trader, said that there was proper accreditation at the unit where she cast her vote on election day at Olorunda Local Government Area.
The witness, who was led in evidence by counsel to the first respondent, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) said voting also went on peacefully without any harassment.
A retired police officer, Mr. Folorunso Olojede, also told the court that the election was free and fair.  He stated that security personnel were present at the unit where he voted and that they ensured that the election went smoothly without any hitch.
The petitioner’s lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche ( SAN), however, told the witness that he was a member of Osun State Customary Court and he answered in the affirmative.
The witness stated that nobody was disenfranchised during the poll, while telling the panel that he was not a member of any political party.
The third witness called by the first respondent, Mr.  Adeniji Akinropo, said he was a retired civil servant but the occupation which appeared on the voter register show that he was not retired.
He, however, blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission for this, saying he had complained to the electoral body on the  same issue.
DAILY TIMES

A Yoruba adage “Nkan ti a nwa lo si Sokoto, o wa ni apo sokoto”, when translated in English literarily means “Why travel far when what you seek for is close by”.
Every year myriads of Nigerians travel to the city of Israel and Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage and for prayers. However, right here in the South Western part of Nigeria, Erinmo mountains in Erinmo Ijesa from time to time is visited by several people from different parts of the country for prayers of help to surmount their numerous challenges.  Little wonder, this serene town is blessed with a renowned man of God like Prophet S.K. Abiara of the Christ Apostolic Church.
Historically, Erinmo is a town whose origin can be traced to the cradle of the Yoruba race, Ile-Ife.  It is believed that Erinmo was founded by the third and fifth Ooni of Ife.
Geographically, Erinmo is located at the border between Osun and Ekiti State making it a transit town through which people can reach several parts of Nigeria.
Erinmo Ijesa is an autonomous community in Oriade Local Government area in the State of Osun.
The town can aptly be described as a Jerusalem of some sort due to the several thousands of people from within and outside Nigeria that visit the popular ‘Oke Erinmo’ (Erimo Mountain) for various prayer requests.  Many who had visited the prayer mountain can attest to answered prayers. For those who had visited, they can proudly say that God works wonders at Oke Erinmo and testimonies abound to validate this fact.
No doubt, Erinmo Day Celebration is not new to the people of the community (at least the older generation), but this year’s event is a very special one given the fact that it marks a revival of the annual event after being rested for 18 years.
indeed indigenes both home and abroad received the news of the revival of the age-long celebration with much Exhilaration and anticipation.
The people of Erinmo, while still basking in the euphoria of the enthronement of HRM Oba (Dr.) Michael Odunayo Ajayi Arowotawaya II, a well educated, young, dynamic and intelligent man as the new Elerinmo of Erinmo Ijesa, were equally greeted with the news that the Ilufemiloye (as the Kabiyesi is fondly called) has inaugurated a committee to resuscitate the hitherto rested Erinmo Day Celebration, with the aim of bringing more glamour into it and making it a common base for the rapid development of the ancient town.
The young indigenes of Erinmo especially those born some 20 years ago who had never witnessed such celebration are looking forward to it with so much expectation, as well, the older generation are quite nostalgic about it.
Kabiyesi Oba Elerinmo no doubt is leaving no stone unturned to make the event a memorable one. He has however made available his vast contacts in both the business and corporate world and within the traditional council for the planning committee to leverage on and mobilise for this year’s celebration.
Activities for Erinmo Day
This year’s celebration is billed to be a five-day (5) event, starting from 24th December to 28th December 2014, with various activities such as Ayo Olopon game, Novelty football matches, street carnival, children’s Christmas party with the Elerinmo, interactive session between the Elerinmo and the indigenes and Jumat prayers.
The high point of the event will be on Saturday 27th December where a N300 million ultra-modern palace and other developmental projects’ fund will be launched.  Erinmo will play host to various dignitaries from far and near, several royal fathers are expected to grace the occasion and as well many captains of industries and business leaders.  Several political leaders across various political divide have equally indicated their readiness to attend this year’s celebration.
The governor of the State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is the Special Guest of Honour while the highly respected Yoruba Elder, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun is expected to chair the occasion.  Many other prominent Nigerians too numerous to mention are billed to attend.
The celebration will be brought to a close on Sunday 28th December with an interdenominational thanksgiving service to be led by no other than the world renowned Evangelist (an indigene of Erinmo) Prophet S. K. Abiara.
Prospects of Erinmo
In a statement released by Abiodun Olusesan Ogundele, chairman, Erinmo Day 2014 Planning Committee, he stated some of the benefits and prospects of Erinmo Ijesa.
The popular Oke Erinmo is still under-utilized. There are about five (5) other mountains suitable as tourist attraction and destination; we have a massive arable land that is well suitable for large scale Agricultural activities.
Erinmo people are warm, loving, hospitable, receptive and very peaceful.  Government and other private investors are hereby requested to look in the direction of Erinmo as we guarantee a huge and quick return on investment.  I must equally mention the abundance of human resources in Erinmo.  We are proud to state that Erinmo has very educated, highly skilled and competent sons and daughters both home and all round the globe.
The Clarion Call
The time has come for all Erinmo indigene to come and join hands together as we march on in this journey to our new era and as we reposition Erinmo Ijesa to take its rightful place in the scheme of things in Osun State and in Nigeria as a whole. Erinmo a gbe wa! Igba otun de!
DAILY TIMES