… Advocate for Maximized Tax Revenues

The traditional rulers in Osun have cleared the air on the lingering allegation of financial mismanagement, administrative ineptitude and recklessness leveled against the current administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola by the members of the opposition.

The royal fathers gave the vindication in their separate remarks while playing a host on the delegation of Osun State Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, led by the state Chairman, Comrade Amitolu Shittu.
In his address, the Timi of Edeland, Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal while receiving the state leadership of PCRC, expressed disappointment in what he described as unfounded, baseless and frivolous the allegation of financial recklessness purportedly credited to the members of the opposition parties against Governor Aregbesola of Osun, affirming that the current economic hardship was not in anyway the fault of Governor Aregbesola.
The royal father who attributed the present economic complications to what he described as the effects of negligence of the past administrations in the country, saying Nigeria wouldn’t have been in this economic mess if the past governments had diversified the nation’s God-given abundant resources.
The traditional ruler who commended Governor Aregbesola for repositioning the state to the path of greatness among its peers in spite the challenges posed by the present economic situation, said Governor Aregbesola has proven his weights as a true leader whose passion for development of his state can never be distorted.
Identifying some of the successes recorded by the present administration, Oba Lawal said the government of Governor Aregbesola has prudently managed the resources of the state for the general well being of the citizenry, adding that his laudable achievements can never be over-emphasized.
The royal father further explained that the present administration has demonstrated high sense of commitment towards the plights of the masses, affirming that the current administration had also maximized the little resources of the state for the betterment of all.
Oba Lawal lamented over the state of the nation’s economy especially its effects on the life of the states of the federation, reiterating that had it been the past administration had looked beyond the oil boom, Nigeria would have been the best among its peers in the world.
The traditional ruler expressed optimistic in the agricultural potentials which according to him has the capacity to take the nation to the greatest heights of economic prosperity.
Oba Lawal who recounted back to early 50s when the economic main stay of Nigeria was purely on agriculture and solid mineral, adding that in spite this non-oil sector, the entire country was successfully governed.
The royal father commended the Late Obafemi Awolowo for his genuine foresight and undaunting selfless efforts  which according to him brought Nigeria and Africa to the frontline of socio-political and economic liberation in the world.
Oba Lawal said the downward trend in the global prices of crude oil was a signal to the fact that the time has come where a nation could only succeed through productivity, industrialization and commercialization.
“I want to say emphatically that the current economic hardship is not the fault of Governor Aregbesola because we all know that the prices of crude oil has dropped sharply in the international market and this downturn has culminated to the present situation.
“The current government in the state has been doing its best in all areas of the economy especially on security as we all know that our state is one of the peaceful states in Nigeria.
“People should stop blaming or pointing faulty fingers at Mr. Governor for this because to me it is not his fault. What we need to do now is to extend our support and collaboration to the Governor as obedient citizens and as well perform our civic duties to government with regular tax payment”, Oba Lawal stated.
The traditional ruler who described tax as grease that lubricates the wheel of progress, canvassing support for the current government in Nigeria especially Osun state.
He therefore urged the current government to also look inward and go back to the economic drawing board so as to facilitate the desired socio-economic prosperity and political sustainability in the country.
Also in their separate remarks, the Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi and Alayegun of Ode-Omu, Oba Lamidi Oke, eulogized Governor Aregbesola for prioritizing security and education in the state, saying his efforts on the sectors had impacted meaningfully in the lives of the people.
The duo maintained that the procurement of security facilities by the current government had reduced drastically the rate of crime in the state.
The royal fathers further stated that the provision of security vehicles by the state government has helped to reawaken the security consciousness of the people in their towns, adding that the noble initiatives has equally gone a long way towards the protection of lives and property of their subjects.
They said the current government has supported the state with adequate security apparatus and necessary equipment which according to them had rescued the state from all forms of crimes.
The traditional rulers stated that the kind gesture of Mr. Governor on security most importantly the provision of Armour Personnel Carriers, APC, to all the security agencies across the Local Governments in the state has really helped to stem the tide of insecurity in their various communities.
The duo further remarked that the drastic security measures taken by the present administration has positioned the state to be one of the peaceful states in Nigeria, saying for that initiatives, the present administration ought to be commended.
The royal fathers however condemned the allegation of financial mismanagement leveled against the State Governor by a section of the public, saying instead of pointing fingers of blames on Mr. Governor or anyone whatsoever, there is a need for the people to study the circumstances around the nation’s economy which according to them culminated to the present situation.
They therefore advised the people to remain hopeful and prayerful for quick economic recovery of the state and Nigeria at large.
Meanwhile, the monarchs who early commended the leadership and members of the State Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC for their prompt security intervention in the state, said their productive and proactive contributions towards the actualization of a secured state had yielded meaningful results in years past.

The governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola played host to the team of the national feeding program on Thursday the 21st of January,2016  at the Governor office Secretariat, Abere.
The team led by the programme manager, partnership for child development, Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi, said it had come on a learning visit to the state.
Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi stated that is was only wise for the team to visit Osun as the state had pioneered the idea of school feeding, adding that the team could learn a thing or two from the success of the program in the state.
See photos Below

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (5th right); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (5th left); team leader, programme manager partnership for child development, Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi (3rd right); staff from office of vice President, Mr Dotun Adebayo (4th left); staff from office of the Vice President, Mrs Titi Adeyemi-Doro (4th right) and others. during a courtesy visit by officials from the Vice President office to brief the Governor on efforts towards rolling out National School feeding programme at the Governor office Secretariat abere, on Thursday 21-1-2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left); team leader, programme manager partnership for child development, Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi (right); staff from office of vice President, Mr Dotun Adebayo (2nd left); staff from office of the Vice President, Mrs Titi Adeyemi-Doro (2nd right); Aace foods inter, Mrs Juliet Daniel (left). during a courtesy visit by officials from the Vice President office to brief the Governor on efforts towards rolling out National School feeding programme, at the Governor office Secretariat abere, on Thursday 21-1-2016.

Osun State Investment Company’s managing director, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji yesterday remarked that Aregbesola’s critics would later eulogize his intimidating achievements in the state at the end of the day. Oyebamiji, who made the remark in an interactive session with newsmen in Osogbo, charged the governor to disregard his political detractors who would want to get him derailed in achieving his positive aim in governance.
 

 
He however counseled Aregbesola to forge ahead in his developmental projects which had transformed the state in the last few years of his administration. Oyebamiji specifically lauded the massive road construction projects of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Oyebamiji noted that the bane of location of industry in Osun State by investors has been lack of good road networks adding that with the measures taken by Aregbesola, investors will be encouraged to invest in the state.
The managing director also identified large scale cultivation of cocoa and palm trees as long term panacea to the dwindling economic fortune of the state, saying that the state has what it takes to revive its economy if cocoa and oil palm cultivation is embraced.
According to him, Osun Investment Company has cultivated no fewer than 1,500 hectares of cocoa with 623 hectare in Ibokun and 523 hectare in Iwo.
While charging the people in the South West to embrace cocoa and oil palm cultivation, Oyebamiji noted that apart from the comparative advantage it has over other crops, mix cropping with it would help sustain the farmers.
Alhaji Oyebamiji maintained that until Nigerians are able to produce substantial part of what they consume, the economy will continue to dwindle blaming the present economic downturn on over dependence on oil.
To further boost the economy of the state, the managing director disclosed that the company is planning to establish a petroleum refinery to be located at Dagbolu in Olorunda local government area of the state.
He further disclosed that the investment company has estates spread all over the country including 34 three bedroom apartments in Lagos, 14 flats in Abuja and another 19 flats in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Osun Community Protests Invasion By Thugs
Koba Ope community in Osogbo, Osun State capital yesterday appealed to Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to intervene in alleged invasion, intimidation, harassment, and assault on members of the communities by thugs of Fountain University Osogbo.
Addressing the press in Osogbo, the chairman of the community, Imam Ayatullah Abudulkabir Adepoju said members of the community that shared boundary with the university have continued to suffer in the hands of rented thugs.

Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola today met with executive members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Amongst the associations’s executive members who meet the governor include, President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde, Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers, Ibadan Branch, Engr.Bola Olowa, Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Alade Ajibola, and Executive Secretary Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Olusola Obadimu.
See photos below

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left), in a warmth handshake with President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji (middle), Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde (right), at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left), President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji (3rd right), Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde (2nd right), Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers, Ibadan Branch, Engr.Bola Olowa (right), Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Alade Ajibola (2nd left), and Executive Secretary Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Olusola Obadimu (left), at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. (2nd left), President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji (2nd right),Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde (right), and Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Alade Ajibola (left), at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.

In the bid to increase Internally Generated Revenue in the state, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has hinted of the coming Commodity Board that will ensure that Osun ranks among the best cocoa producers in Nigeria within the next two years.

He said the board will be under direct supervision of his office.
The governor, while meeting with Produce merchants in the state at the Government House in Osogbo, stated that with the new cocoa development initiatives in the state, fresh revenues will be available to the state thus making the economy of the state prosperous in 2016.
He told the produce merchants that the economic situation of the state has been badly affected with the pillaging of the national treasury by the previous administration.
Aregbesola added that the situation with the drop in oil prices and the sharp reduction in the Federation Accounts from N1.2 trillion in 2012 to N369 billion in November allocations shared in December 2015 has reduced the running of government to little or nothing hence, the need to look inward in increasing IGR.
The governor noted that the state will soon bounce back‎ with the identification of Sixty million Cocoa trees presently in the state, adding that government henceforth will criminalize any action of farmers and merchants that runs foul of government laws on cocoa.
He pointed out that government will soon be registering all farmers in the state for easy implementation of government policies on agriculture thus giving adequate room for monitoring and giving the necessary support for farmers.
According to him, “To show the people of the state that we are ready to face agriculture squarely in Osun, I am establishing a Commodity Board that will be supervised directly from the office of the governor.
“Our bags of cocoa in Osun will be branded with this; government will be able to ensure that the quality of cocoa coming out of the state meets international quality standards.
“When there was free money coming from oil, no government was looking at what cocoa could bring to the economy; we are back to the days where cocoa will be the main stay of our economy in Osun,” The governor emphasized.
Aregbesola hinted that Produce tribunals will be set up across the state and that special colour will be given to vehicles transporting cocoa within the state.
The Governor reminded produce merchants of the immense wealth that cocoa alone brought to the Western Region and the good use to which the revenues were put by the then governments.
The Governor added that the State Executive Council meetings will be held in rural areas where cocoa farming is thriving in the state for about six months to one year after the formation of his cabinet.
Earlier, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Osun, Chief Raheem Adeniji, stated that the association is ready to partner and cooperate with government in her bid to revamp the cocoa farming in the state.
He lamented the poor economic state the country has found itself with the neglect of cocoa which he said was the backbone of the economy in the 60s.
He identified the cancellation of Cocoa and Marketing Board by the then military government as a setback for the industry in Nigeria.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, has appointed the third richest woman of African descent in the world, Folorunso Alakija, as Chancellor of the Osun State University, Osogbo.
 

 
The governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Semiu Okanlawon, said p‎ursuant to the provisions of clause 5(8) of the first schedule to the Osun State University (Establishment) Law, 2006, Mr. Aregbesola is privileged to appointment Mrs. Alakija‎ as the Chancellor of the University. ‎
 
The appointment, which according to the statement, takes immediate effect will be for a period of five years.‎
The statement noted that statute 3(1) (a) and statute 5 of the Osun State University Law (2006) provides that the University shall have a Chancellor, who shall, in relation to the University take precedence before all other members of the University and when he or she is present shall preside at all meetings of Convocation held for conferring degrees, diplomas, certificates and other awards.‎
Mr. Aregbesola, while congratulating the new Chancellor, said Mrs. Alakija’s antecedent and sterling qualities as a God-fearing woman, a person of honour, integrity and successful business woman would no doubt impact positively on the running of Osun State University.
The governor pointed out that the government of Osun would look forward to a great working relationship with the new Chancellor as she leads Osun State University, Osogbo, to a new height of excellence.‎
“‎I wish to inform you, that the investiture is expected to hold during the 4th Convocation ceremony of the institution, proposed to come up on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th February, 2016.‎

“‎While congratulating you once again, please accept the assurance of best regards of the people and Government of Osun”.
In her acceptance letter addressed to the governor, Mrs Alakija said, “It is with pleasure that I receive and accept the appointment as the chancellor of the University of Osun State. I pray for God’s grace and strength to execute my duties as Chancellor of the University during my five-year tenure.”

Members of Osun Professionals in FCT, a group in support of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday staged a peaceful march in support of the governor.
 

 
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group, led by its Pressident, Mr Yahaya Mojeed marched around Three Arms Zone and Central Area of Abuja.
Speaking with newsmen, Mojeed urged all indigenes of the state to support Aregbesola in his quest to develop the state.
He also urged the governor to avoid political distractions and to continue in his determination to move the state forward.
According to him, Aregbesola needs to be encouraged as he makes efforts to tackle developmental challenges facing the state.
“Most states in Nigeria are facing similar challenges due to dwindling revenue and reduction in allocation to states.
“We are using this opportunity to urge our governor to remain steadfast and be creative in revenue generation to deliver on his mandate.
“Poverty and underdevelopment do not have political colouration; we are, therefore, asking politicians to sheath their swords and support their leaders to perform,’’ Mojeed said.

Ekiti State Governor,  Mr Ayodele Fayose,  yesterday called for the unity of Yoruba,s nation for meaningful development.

He also identified the need for State Governors to collectively address the nation’s dwindling economy.
Governor Fayose stated this in Osogbo when he paid a visit to his counterpart in Osun State,Mr Rauf Aregbesola.
The Governor who said his visit to the state was about the future of Yoruba nation maintained that efforts of past Yoruba leaders must not be in vain.
According to him, the visit of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to the Alaafin Of Oyo more than a week ago sends a strong signal on the need for unity and cooperation.
He remarked that Governors should also look beyond political parties and politics for proper development of the region.
Governor Fayose equally stressed that governors should tap from available opportunities from Agriculture to reduce economic problem in their respective states.
On weither Fayose would quit PDP he noted that “I won’t quit but time will tell if PDP is dead or not’.
Responding, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who commended Governor Fayose for the visit stressed the need to create economic bond that would rescue people from level of poverty and live a modern live.
He noted that since oil had lost its position as the biggest source of revenue generation for the country, said there is the need to shift attention to Agriculture.
Aregbesola added that Governors in the southwestern part of Nigeria had concluded plans to reposition Oodua Investment Company Limited conglomerate as the engine room of Yoruba economy.
Governor Aregbesola who described peace and unity as indispensable instrument to greatness, success and progress said it is time for Yorubas to strengthen the existing peace for all round development.

The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has given a pass mark to the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola over his management of the bail out funds received from the federal government.
 

 
Mr. Wabba stated this while speaking with Tribune Newspaper in an interview on issues bordering on the anti-labour activities in some of the states, oil pipeline vandalisation, corruption and the demand for new national minimum wage.
“Osun is better.” Mr. Wabba said while answering questions bordering on the use of FG bailout funds.
“You remember we went there to negotiate the payment of the bailout. Even after the bailout, the governor has keep fate with continue payment of salary and transparently put on the table whatever comes in. They have also worked on how to improve the IGR, including setting up a committee that is being chaired by Hassan Sunmonu. So we can say progressively, the issue is under control.”
“There is actually cooperation between the union and the government towards addressing the issue. I think that is quite different from the issue of Imo State. Imo State is not even carrying the workers along; everything is being done by himself, even the payment of the bailout. It has not been transparently done to ensure that everybody is on the same page.” Mr. Waba stated
He continued, “Oyo State also has the same case with Osun, they are also assiduously working with our people. They have arrears, but they are working and making the issue transparent to address it.”
“The other one is Ebonyi State, which we are also planning to visit. He is paying regularly, but he also went ahead to also deduct some percentage from the salary of workers, which cannot be justified and which is not accepted to us. The only challenge is that you cannot also deduct workers salaries without their consent because the salary was negotiated, there is a table and therefore unilaterally, you can’t also go ahead to deduct from workers salary without their consent.”
“The other issue associated to it is that he is also trying to undermine the NLC structure going to obtain a black market pronouncement of court. But all of these, we are handling them and the Central Working Committee (CWC) have already approved that we should visit Imo and Ebonyi states and we have visited Imo and ready to visit Ebonyi because it was the decision of the CWC after taken reports of activities from all the states of the federation. They thought we should be able to visit them and see how we can be able to assist them.”