The Governor Of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, has notified the State House of Assembly of the restructuring of the state’s machinery of government reducing the state’s ministries to 12 in the process.

He has also announced the creation of a new ministry while merging some existing ones.
In a letter of notification forwarded to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, Governor Aregbesola stated that while there will be 12 ministries, nine agencies and bureaus will be under his office for direct supervision.
The governor stated in his letter which was dated January 21 that the decision to restructure was arrived at after a reappraisal of the machinery of government.
The letter titled: “Notification of the Restructuring of Some Existing Ministries and Creation of a New Ministry in the State of Osun” listed the 12 ministries in the letter to the House of Assembly:

1. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Youths Engagement
2. Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment
3. Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development
4. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
5. Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning,
6. Ministry of Finance
7. Ministry of Health,
8. Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture,
9. Ministry of Justice
10. Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, and Community Affairs
11. Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Affairs
12. Ministry of Works and Transport
 
The letter also listed nine agencies and bureaus that will be operating directly under the office of the governor. The agencies are:
1. Office of Regional Integration
2. State of Osun Sports Council
3. Department of Social and Grassroots Mobilization and Guidance
4. Office of Policy Coordination
5. Osun Job Centre
6. Bureau of Lands,
7. Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing)
8. Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing)
9. Office of Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources
The governor while urging the Speaker to communicate the development to members of the House, also explained that the decision was taken to reduce the cost of governance as well as enhance service delivery.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has  commiserated with the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade.
 

 
The Governor described the late monarch as fatherly, quiet, peace-loving, progressive and a bridge-builder during his time.
 
In a statement by the Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, Governor Aregbesola said the death of the first class monarch has left a huge vacuum in the traditional rulers’ council in Oyo State and by extension in Nigeria.

He lauded the late monarch for always championing peaceful co-existence as well as fostering cordial relationship among diverse ethnic nationalities residing in the ancient city.
 
According to him, the monarch’s reign was peaceful, remarkable and progressive even though his reign was brief.
 
The statement added: “Indeed, the exit of Olubadan is a sudden one, yet it was also a glorious one at the time it came.

“Olubadan’s reign was remarkable and peaceful. The people of Ibadan and Oyo State as well as its government have certainly lost one of Yoruba’s foremost traditional rulers.
 
“I, on behalf of government and people of Osun, commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Ibadan Elders’ Council, the entire people of Ibadan and Oyo State in general.
 
“We pray that the Lord repose the soul of our dearest monarch in paradise.”

The Governor of the state of  Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, and the newly installed Oluwo of Iwo, Abdu-Rasheed Akanbi at the weekend said that the first basic requirement for any citizen to make demands from the government is the fulfilment of their civic responsibility to the government by payment of taxes.
 
The Governor identified the importance of tax in governance at the occasion of the presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment to the Oluwo of Iwo.
 
 

 
Also at the event was the Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, Deputy Governor of Osun State, Grace Tomori, and many others.
 
‎Governor Aregbesola stated that taxation is the heartbeat of any government and that the primary way people can demonstrate loyalty to the state is by supporting it through payment of tax.
 
He held that people must return to payment of tax like before, saying what states of the federation gets from the federal allocation can no longer sustain them in meeting their responsibility to the people.
 
Governor  Aregbesola called on people of the state, most especially young school leavers to be productively engaged in farming.
 
According to him, “with the precipitous fall in oil price, an end has come to this and by necessity, we must earn our own money, if we must tide over this special and challenging time.
 
“Every able-bodied person, most importantly the youth and school leavers, must be productively engaged, especially in farming. This should not be difficult to do in Iwo because the people are predominantly farmers.
 
“We are rolling out a new programme with huge incentives for all interested persons to participate in farming, in a way that will make them rich and yield huge revenues to the government,” the governor stressed.
 
‎‎Mr. Aregbesola charged the monarch to lead by example, saying leadership naturally comes with certain privileges and that a good leader must convert privileges to resources of governance.
 
He also admonished that the monarch must rule with wisdom and fear of God, noting that the people over whom he presides are diverse politically, ideologically, temperamentally, socially and by moral disposition.
 
“Not all of them will readily agree with you and many of them will say or do things you will consider abhorrent. But they are all your subjects and you are required to preside over them with tact and wisdom in a way that will enable you to get the best out of them.
 
“A leader must also be a unifying person and must never constitute a divisive agent. There are two kings whose reign the Yoruba never forget. These are the king whose reign is peaceful and the one whose reign is characterised by turmoil and scattering.
 
“May your reign be peaceful and usher in prosperity for the people in the realm,” the governor said.
 
In his acceptance speech, the Oluwo said he is in the total support of government’s tax efforts and that state and the communities making it up will witness tremendous progress.
 
He then joined the call by the governor to all well-meaning citizens to carry out their civic responsibilities by promptly paying their taxes.
 
He lamented that this was not the situation in the past as “our fathers used to fulfil their obligation to government and thus expected good governance.”
 
The monarch enjoined the people of Iwo and Osun in particular that they must publicise the necessity for tax payment to all and sundry.
 
He said: “What then has happened that we must turn away from taxes and at the same time expect wonders from the government.
 
“Please, as you stand here today, say it loud to the hearing of the next man or woman to you “Emi o sanworii temi, Iwo nko? (Meaning I will pay my own taxes, what about you?”
 
The monarch also advocated for the use of local resources in the economic production process for the development of our own God-given potential, saying this will guarantee economic well-being of the people of the state.

 

Promising that his reign would focus on the development pursuit of economic liberation of his people, he stated that he would continue to advocate for a massive utilisation of locally sourced materials for the production of those articles and goods being massively consumed by the people.
 
He continued: “I am here to serve my people. I am here to take my homeland to that height that it deserves among the comity of modern cities of the world. ”
 
In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Wale Babalakin, described the coronation as the most singular notable event in recent history of the town and the state.
 
He commended the people of Iwo Land for the maturity they employed in choosing the monarch without any rancour.
 
He noted that Osun has the most concentration of cities in the country, which presents any monarch and government both challenges assets.
 
He stated that the peaceful selection of the new monarch would be a harbinger of good things to come to the town and state.
 
“This is a singular notable event in the history of presentation of staff of office to a king in the state.
 
“Very remarkable and done in the most mature way, the people of Iwo must be congratulated for this achievement.
 
“They people have done well in chosen a popular, we’ll educated and we’ll exposed man as king.
 
“This is a great asset as well as a challenge to the town and the state; challenge to progress and population as asset. If the state’s natural and human endowments are annexed, today’s event will be a harbinger of good things to come,” Mr. Babalakin said.

The Osun State Government has given an assurance that it would continue to create an enabling environment for investors to thrive in the state.

The Acting Chairman of the Osun Internal Revenue Service, Dayo Oyebanji, stated this in Osogbo the Osun State capital, at a meeting where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with a foreign gaming company.
He stated that the gaming initiative was not only to create employment for many youths, but to also boost the state’s revenue generation through entertainment.
He explained that creating an enabling environment for investors would in turn improve the economic base of government to help meet its statutory obligation of providing basic needs for its citizens.
Describing the initiative, which is a landmark for Osun State, he added that the project would also empower people to make money for themselves.
The Internal Revenue boss maintained that in order to achieve the objectives of the partnership, the gaming would be automated thereby enhancing zero tolerance for leakages of revenue.
One of the project partners, John Kamara, had earlier pointed out that aside from building and discovering new talents, the entertainment industry in Osun state would also be developed.
Kamara promised to deliver on the MoU signed with the Osun State government to boost the state’s economy as agreed.
While assuring them of success, he said that the company, through gaming and entertainment, had partnered with many countries to build their economy.

Osun State government yesterday said 55 contacts traced to the index case of Lassa Fever in the state have been placed under surveillance.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Temitope Oladele, said the state could not be said to have recorded case of Lassa fever, because the confirmatory test that would have confirmed that the index case died of the disease, could not be run.

He explained that, so far, none of those being monitored have shown symptoms of the disease, adding that the state is in contact with the hospital where the doctor died to be abreast of new development on the matter.

According to him, the 33-year-old doctor that died in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, OAUTHC, on Monday, whose blood sample proved positive in first test, lived in an unnamed neighboring state and only came to Osun on visit.

He added that second sample that should have been used for confirmatory test could not be taken from the index case before he died.

But in preparation for any eventuality, Oladele said monitoring room has been set up in the state ministry of health with mobile lines giving out to people to report any suspicious case.

He added that doctors working in all local government areas in the state have been put on red alert, while other health practitioners have been mobilised to prepare ground in case any incident of Lassa is reported.

Oladele further averred that massive sensitisation is being embarked upon by government for people, especially in the grassroots on how the disease can be contacted.

Pictures of the First President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU}, Professor Biodun Jeyifo with the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), and the Keynote Speaker, Professor Attahiru Jega,during the 70th Birthday of Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at the International Conference  Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

First President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU}, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), and Keynote Speaker, Professor Attahiru Jega,during the 70th Birthday of Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at the International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

From Left- First President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU},Professor Biodun Jeyifo, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), Keynote Speaker, Professor Attahiru Jega,and Professor Kole Omotoso during the 70th Birthday of Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at the International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

From right- Lead Speaker and Chairperson, Dr. Edwin Madunagu, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Professor Kole Omotoso and Comrade Chido Onumah, during the 70th Birthday of the first President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU},Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, exchanging greetings
with Dr. Seinde Arigbede,during the 70th Birthday of the first President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU},Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

Photos of the Director, Primary Health Care/Disease Control, Ministry of Health, State of Osun, Dr.Kayode Ogunniyi and others during a press briefing on the situation report on suspected case of Lassa Fever in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, at the Ministry of Health on Thursday 21-01-2016

…as the Varsity sets to establish its Distance Learning Education in the State

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Micheal Adikwu has commended the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his untiring commitment and passion towards the provision of an improved, quality and functional education.

Professor Adikwu also commended the State Government for remain focused and determined in spite the present enormity of economic challenges facing the entire country.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution gave the commendation while addressing people during a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office by the management team of the university.

Professor Adikwu who was represented by his Deputy on Administration, Professor Sanni Mashi said the current government in the state has displayed a genuine commitment towards the promotion of modern public education with prompt financial interventions and  provision of needed facilities aimed at aiding the teaching and learning process.

Professor Mashi said the State has placed itself at the front burner of quality and effective education thus earned the state several commendations, accolades and encomiums and as well made it the model among its peers in the country, africa and the entire world, saying the state education’s policy had been found worthy and copied by government at various levels locally and internationally.

He disclosed that the management and staff of the university in line with the constitution guiding the activities of Nigerian University deemed it fit to establish its Distance Learning Education in Osun which according to him if completed will be the first in the entire Southwestern region.

Professor Mashi stressed that the centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education of the University was established in its continuous efforts to reach out to the teeming population of Nigerians to have the opportunity of formal education.

Professor Mashi said, “the aim of Distance Education is to increase access to education to a large number of citizens interested in furthering their education.

“Unlike the formal systems, however, Distance Education is designed to democratize and liberalize education to facilitate the pursuit of knowledge without sacrificing ones career.

“It also enables studies to be combined with work by those that are interested in involving themselves.

“One of the objectives of the system is to make life-long education the hallmark of Nigeria’s educational policy.

“Osun is the first state in the Southwest zone where the Centre wishes to establish its presence.

Professor Mashi who also attributed the visit of the management of the institution to the state to what he described as timely educational partnership and projection, said the establishment of the Distance Learning in the state will add more value to the education strides of the current government and as well boost its economic potentials.

“Our visit to Osun is to intimate Mr. Governor of our decision to establish a Distance Learning in Iragberi, Egbedore, Local Government area of the state.

“Our University has expressed its commitment to Distance Learning Education through involvement in the activities of the National Universities Commission and other strategic partnership dedicated solely to Open and Distance education advancement in the Commonwealth and Africa”, Professor Mashi stated.

Professor Mashi who extolled the administrative acumen of Governor Aregbesola, however vowed to give the current administration the necessary supports and collaboration.

“While we appreciate the enormity of the problems which government at all levels face these days, we equally demand for your support to enable us take off successfully in the state.

“To be specific we need an office space and facilities where preliminary work of the service centre will commence.

“We promise and assure that the activities of the centre in the state will impact positively on a large number of people in the state and contiguous states especially the youths and public servants.

“We wish your administration a successful accomplishment in your efforts to reposition the state as we look forward to partner with your government in the development of education sector in the state”, he said.

In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola commended the management of the institution for counting the state worthy  of hosting such academic centre and for situating first of its kind in the state.

He added, “We appreciate the authority of UniAbuja for deeming it fit to pursue a cause that was almost dead and for building this monumental edifice in our state.

“Our state will continue to appreciate the economic benefits of this kind gesture, as host community will in no doubt be forever grateful to this.

Analyzing his commitment towards education, Governor Aregbesola said his administration prioritized education having understood the fact that education is the only heritage that one could live on and be so sure of, saying  it is also the only patrimony that can never be joked with.

“To understand education both in philosophical and practical essence, education is beyond secondary level because it is the greatest tool for the advancement of every human community, society and organization.

“Therefore the difference between developed and under developed nations, is the degree of application of knowledge.

“No efforts should be spared in getting education to be properly disseminated and passed on.

“Though we are constrained with the economic tragedy that has befallen our nation by the phenomenal decline in our oil revenues which unfortunately is the mainstay of the economy, but we will do everything within the limit of our resources to support this project and ensure its success and realization”, Aregbesola stated.

He therefore urged the institution to support the state by situating science related courses that will meet the needs of the state, saying Information and Communication Technology ICT is the major area where the state needed most in energizing the youths towards the realization of independent life.

He said, “ICT is the tool for rapid transformation of any society, for this reason, our government needs university knowledge to advance our society in the area of ICT, sciences, administration and management.

…denounces the allegation of financial recklessness

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has decried the continuous fall in the global prices of the crude oil which had orchestrated a continued dwindling in the revenues accruable to Nigeria and other oil producing state.

Governor Aregbesola who attributed the current economic imbroglio in the states of the federation to what he regarded as the adverse effect of the present economic downturn in the oil sector across the world.

Governor Aregbesola made the statement while addressing the people during the 2nd Guest Personality Lecture organized by the Law Students of Osun State University, College of Law, at Ifetedo Campus.

Governor Aregbesola said Nigeria’s economy has gotten to the state of dilemma, saying efforts should be urgently intensified all and sundry to rescue the nation from the bring of collapse.

Analyzing the causes of the current economic challenges, Aregbesola said the nation wouldn’t have been entangled if the past administrations especially the administration of the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan was not characterized with palpable corruption.

Governor Aregbesola who lamented over the way and manner at which the nation’s treasury and fortunes were being managed in the past said  monumental corruption has been the bane of socio-political and economic retrogression in the country.

He said, “it is unfortunate that our leaders in the past led us to this economic mess due to their deliberate insensibility and corruption.

“It is also regrettable and disheartening that we have experienced the worst economic situation in history due to present huge fall in the oil prices which adverse effects had been spread across government at all levels.

“Our administration was the first in Nigeria to cry out on the economic effects of the alleged oil theft during the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan which later snowballed into the continuous depreciation in the prices of crude oil at the international market.

“Specifically, in July 2013, we decried the incessant oil theft being allegedly proclaimed by the immediate past administration, as we brilliantly told Nigerians to rise to our call and seek for transparency in the management of the oil sector.

“So incredible, we were misinterpreted and viewed as critiques, but now we have been vindicated as what we were fighting against later appeared openly to all.

“Without any sense of doubt, if truly that Nigeria’s economy would definitely experience this economic impasse and our call was heeded to the letter and supported with relevant economic panacea, the country would have been prevented from the gigantic effects occasioned by the nation’s mainstay commodity.

Governor Aregbesola however declared as unfounded and mischievous the allegation that his administration is being tormented with effects of the current economic crisis due to his over-ambition to development.

He said his administration was aware of an allegation purportedly credited to the members of the opposition and enemies of his government who according to him attributed his inability to pay the full salaries of some sections of the state workforce to over-zealousness for transformation.

“It is unfortunate that some people do not reflect on the circumstances that led to the current economic situation in Nigeria.

“But the real fact is that, our economy has been seriously bastardized by the leadership of the main opposition party that led the country for sixteen years.

“These mischievous people have forgotten that our administration in spite the current economic situation has never abdicated its responsibilities in providing the basic amenities to its citizens as well as the payment of workers agreed salaries.

“They have forgotten that all the projects being implemented were mostly needed by the state, even as I speak to you, we still have a lots to do in order to develop and transform our state.

“In view of this, our government is not over-ambitious to development but rather providing the needful needs aimed at developing and transforming the state and the citizens.

“If we have failed to executive all the projects we have done and still doing, the state might not be able to regain such huge transformation as being prioritized by our government.

“So for this reason alone, it is shameful for anybody to think or accuse us of being over-ambitious to development because it is only the enemy of progress that will reason in such an irrational manner”, Aregbesola affirmed.

Governor Aregbesola therefore called on the people to support his administration in its bid of finding workable alternative to chusion the effects of the current economic crisis.

Aregbesola advocated for massive particiaption in agriculture, saying it is the only surviving sector that can bailout the country from her present economic situation.

Earlier in his lecture, the guest lecturer and human rights activist, Barrister Femi Falana who spoke on a topic titled: “Justifiability of Social and Economic Rights in Nigeria” lamented over what he regarded as infinitesimal economic policy in Nigeria, saying the nation’s fortunes had been selfishly mismanaged by the governments at various levels.

The legal luminary who bemoaned the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for being insensitive, reckless and corrupt said the current corruption charges leveled against some of the people who worked with the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan was a clear signal to his claims.

Mr. Falana accused members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the brain behind the Nigeria economic woes, saying it was unfortunate that the Party (PDP) and its loyalists could siphoned billions of naira purportedly voted for arms procurement.

He called for a genuine and transparent anti-graft war in Nigeria, stressing that the time has come for all Nigerians to form a united front against corruption which he described as a common enemy of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Barrister Falana who called for a speedy and an accelerated prosecution of those facing trial of corruption charges in Nigeria, saying whoever found guilty or being convicted should be given a capital punishment.

Mr. Falana however  charged the Federal Government to establish a Special Court for anti-corruption crusade, saying it is the only way to reduce the congestion of trials and prosecutions of corruption cases in the country.

Mr. Falana enjoined the present government to be more vigilant and conversant on the hypocritical attitude of those who appear saintly but behave otherwise.

“Our economy as a nation is totally troubled due to corruption, selfishness, nepotism and political chauvinism that have proliferated in all facets of our national life.

“Our people have been economically damaged and disorientated simply because we are running an infinitesimal policy where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.

“This is the time for President Muhamadu Buhari to rededicate and restrategize his policies towards his widely acceptable anti-corruption war and fight against insurgency, so that anyone found guilty of corruption would be held thoroughly dealt with and made as a deterrent to others.

“The Federal Government must also as a matter of urgency establish a Special Court to fight against corruption, drug trafficking and human trafficking in order to create a new, saver and better Nigeria that we all desired”, Mr. Falana stated.

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with the head of South African Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman Al-Jammami , and Prof, Olosupo Oladipo during a Courtesy visit to the Governor, at Government house Osogbo, on Wednesday  20/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), Head of South
Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman
Al-Jammami (left), and Prof, Olosupo Oladipo during a Courtesy visit
to the
Governor, at Government house Osogbo, on Wednesday 20/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right) Head of
South Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth
(MAMY),Abdulrahman Al-Jammami (2nd right), Prof, Olosupo Oladipo (2nd
left),National President of Jama’at Ta’awun Muslimeen, Sheik Daood
Imran Molaasan (left),and Provost Al-Hummah College of Education, Dr.
Qosim Muhammed Tijani (right), during a Courtesy visit to the
Governor, at Government House Osogbo, on Wednesday 20/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with Head of South
Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman
Al-Jammami and Prof, Olosupo Oladipo during a Courtesy visit to the
Governor, at the Government House Osogbo, on Wednesday 20/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with Head of South
Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman
Al-Jammami during a Courtesy visit to the Governor at thr Government
House, Osogbo