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Category: General

Anthony Udofa Hgh School-3

Anthony Udofa Hgh School-3
SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, AT THE COMMISSIONING OF ANTHONY UDOFIA GOVERNMENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AT THE SCHOOL PREMISES AT OKE-FIA, OSOGBO ON TUESDAY JANUARY, 11, 2016
 
Protocols,
Giant Strides At A Special Time
It gives me great pleasure to be gathered with you well-meaning people in the joy of today, the commissioning of Anthony Udofia Government Elementary School. I congratulate the people of Osogbo, the teachers and staff of this brand new school, its pupils and their parents and those working for the development of education in this state.
Assembling here to commission Anthony Udofia Government Elementary School is the third time this joyous train will arrive in Osogbo. Actually, we began the commissioning of our legacy schools with Salvation Army Government Middle School at Alekuwodo on October 2, 2013. We were again in Isale Osun on March 13, 2014 for the commissioning of AUD Government Elementary School. You are going to see us again in Osogbo very soon to commission other legacy schools, by the grace of God.
We are building 100 Elementary schools like this across the state; though this is ambitious, the idea behind it is that there should be an elementary public school in every neighbourhood. Elementary school is the basic of the basic education. Any child with a good elementary school foundation will have no problem making progress educationally, other things being equal.
Being in this school gives the satisfaction of being in the proper environment of learning. The complex we are in is a 960-pupil capacity school with 24 classrooms of 40 pupils each, with further capacity for upgrade to 1,000. It has an ICT room, a library, multipurpose hall, 29 toilets, offices for headmaster, facility manager, staff room, food court, sick bay, security/reception office and a water fountain for aesthetics. It cost N140 million for the structure, furnishing and landscape.
I am happy and fulfilled that we have public schools that can compete with the best in the world and indeed, our new schools are the ones to beat around here.
All these are in fulfilment of our promise to provide functional basic education for the pupils in the state. This stems from our conviction that every child is owed basic education. It is a fundamental and inalienable right of every child.
Basic education is basic, pardon my tautology. A good basic education fulfils the definition of literacy as the ability to read and write and is a solid foundation on which other superstructure of vocational training or higher education can be built upon. Having the ability to read means that one can receive information and systematised knowledge stored in various retrieval forms like books, digital electronic devices and by direct observation of events and phenomena. This includes the capacity to observe, understand and make sense out of nature, creation and one’s environment in the most basic form. To write means also that one can graphically reproduce one’s thought, observations, ideas and received knowledge in clear, free flowing prose, in at least one language.
Though we usually take this for granted and confuse it with passing through an educational institution, but we are increasingly faced with the stark reality of school leavers who cannot express themselves or reproduce knowledge in spoken or written form because they neither have the knowledge nor possess the ability to reproduce it. This failure is manifest in no better form than the less than five percent success of pupils in external examinations before our coming in 2010.
This is why we have made education development the priority of our administration. As you are mostly aware, these schools and other innovations are the products of the educational summit we held immediately after my inauguration. Indeed, we are constructing 100 brand new state-of-the-art Elementary Schools, 50 Middle Schools and 20 High Schools. Out of these, 14 Elementary Schools, 15 Middle Schools and 11 High Schools, including the one we are commissioning today, have been completed, receiving finishing touches and awaiting commissioning, to the glory of God.
Fulfilling our commitment to complete these school projects and our other obligations is financially challenging, if not herculean. As at Friday January 8, the new OPEC Reference of 13 Crude Basket which includes Nigeria’s Bonny Light sold for $28.46. This is a new low for the cascading price of crude oil, the life line of the nation’s economy, which hit a dazzling height of $140 in 2013. It is a crude awakening to the grim fact that any hope of allocation from the Federation Accounts is gone. We must therefore face the twin realities of first living within our means and making our own money. We must be engaged in productive activities that will lead to job creation, wealth creation and generous taxation to the government.
Our people must work hard and double their productivity. We must all be engaged in one productive activity or the other. The youths, especially fresh graduates and school leavers, must find something to do, especially in agriculture, an area where we have tremendous advantage. As I told the people of the state recently, the era of free, unearned money is gone. This is not a situation peculiar to Osun alone. Only states that can generate its own revenue will be able to withstand the financial disaster that befell the nation on account of the precipitous slump in oil price. We are now faced with two choices: to sink or to swim to the shores of safety and prosperity. The rule of self-preservation dictates that we must take the later course.
In addressing this challenge, it is also imperative that we live within our means. It is impractical anyway to do otherwise, since states do not print money and you cannot spend what you don’t have. The government sits atop society and presides over contending and competing interests therein. It is our duty that no particular interest predominates and asphyxiates other interests and put the survival of the state in danger. We must therefore reasonably spread what we have, especially on human development. People must be the focus of development, from where it will spread to every other interest in society. This is why we have been unwavering in our commitment to human development projects like education. For this reason, this school projects must be commended by all.
There is this ignorant and unreasonable idea being vigorously promoted by a few disgruntled media organisations and their political sponsors that reduced government to paying salaries alone. We are fully conscious of our legal and moral obligations to workers, yet, the truth is that workers are less than five per cent of the population of the state over whom we have responsibilities as a government. The idea therefore that all state’s resources must be spent on workers alone is insane, unsustainable and impossible.
These media organisations have been inciting workers and pensioners to rebellion, subversion and sabotage, with the intent of destabilising the state and disrupting the peace of our communities. In the past, they have made futile attempts to precipitate religious crisis by inciting Christians against Muslims in the state. It did not fly. They have also made repeated but failed efforts at inciting Civil Servants against the government. They have failed also. They hunt for crises and where they could not find any, they invent stories and write fiction, thereby putting the noble profession of journalism into disrepute, just because they want to stoke crises in the state.
I must commend the mainstream Civil Servants for not taking the bait and falling prey to the infernal political schemes of failed politicians whom the people of this state have consistently rejected at the polls and who want to take over the government thorough subterfuge and conspiracy.
This is why other categories of workers in the state’s employment must see reason and cooperate with government on the need to live within our means. We have the lesson of history that the greatest leap in human development comes from the greatest challenges. The greatest monuments and the greatest scientific innovations were recorded at uneasy periods. This is a very special time that requires faith, understanding, creativity and new thinking. Albert Einstein, the great physicist, once defined insanity as doing the same thing, the same way, all the time and expecting a different result.
I have the faith that with the various efforts we are making and fresh opportunities we are exploring in agriculture, solid mineral development, tourism and manufacturing, we will surmount the present challenges, create wealth and usher in new round of prosperity and wealth creation.
I will like to thank all the people that have made today’s occasion a huge success, beginning with the Federal Universal Basic Education Commission and its state counterpart, all the agencies and officials of government on education, especially my able deputy, Iyaafin Grace Titi Laoye Tomori, the construction firm that handled the project, the teachers, staff and pupils of this school and all men (and women) of goodwill.
I thank you all for your kind attention.
Osun a dara!

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FOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY (1)

Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presenting a gift to the Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola, during the Courtesy visit to the Governor by the Board of Trustees and Governing Council of Fountain University, Osogbo at Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola (4th left); President, Nasiru-llahi Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT). Engr Yomi Bolarinwa (2nd right); Pro Chancellor, Governing Council Fountain University,Professor Ishaq Oloyede (3rd left); Secretary  Board of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji Latif Olasupo (left); Member Board of Trustees, Senator Bayo Salami (left); Vice Chancellor, Professor Raji Basiru (right). during a Courtesy visit to Mr Governor by the Board and Governing Council of the fountain university, Osogbo at the Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); Chairman Board
of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola (4th left);
President, Nasiru-llahi Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT). Engr Yomi
Bolarinwa (2nd right); Pro Chancellor, Governing Council Fountain
University,Professor Ishaq Oloyede (3rd left); Secretary Board of Trustees
Fountain University, Alhaji Latif Olasupo (left); Member Board of Trustees,
Senator Bayo Salami (left); Vice Chancellor,
Professor Raji Basiru (right). during a Courtesy visit to Mr Governor by
the Board and Governing Council of the fountain university, Osogbo at
the Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) and Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola, during a Courtesy visit to Mr Governor by Board of Trustees and Governing Council of Fountain University,  Osogbo at the Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
(right) and Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji
Abdulwaheed Adeola, during a Courtesy visit to
Mr Governor by Board of Trustees and Governing Council of Fountain
University, Osogbo at the Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right); Presenting a gift to the Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola, during the Courtesy visit to the Governor by the Board of Trustees and Governing Council of Fountain University, Osogbo at Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
(right); Presenting a gift to the Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain
University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola, during the Courtesy visit to
the Governor by the Board of Trustees and Governing Council of
Fountain University, Osogbo at Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right); Presenting a gift to the Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola (2nd left) and a Member Board of Trustees, Senator Bayo Salami, during the Courtesy visit to the Governor by Board of Trustees and Governing Council of the Fountain University, Osogbo at the Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
(right); Presenting a gift to the Chairman Board of Trustees Fountain
University, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Adeola (2nd left) and a Member Board of Trustees,
Senator Bayo Salami, during the Courtesy visit to the Governor by
Board of Trustees and Governing Council of the Fountain University,
Osogbo at the Government House on Monday 11-1-2016

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Governor-Aregbesola-stood-with-Prof.-Soyinka-during-commissioning-of-Wole-Soyinka-High-School-Ejigbo

Governor-Aregbesola-stood-with-Prof.-Soyinka-during-commissioning-of-Wole-Soyinka-High-School-EjigboOne of the first acts in office, after the Osun Governor, Rauf Aregbesola was sworn in as the 8th Osun governor on November 27, 2010, was the convening of egg-heads, particularly in the education sector at an education summit. It was chaired by Prof Wole Soyinka. Top on the list of outcome of the summit were rehabilitation of existing schools and construction of brand new ones across the state.
Since then, the Aregbesola government has never relented in its quest to redefine the environment of learning for Osun children. From the ashes of the death traps and collapsing buildings of public schools, about two hundred schools are being constructed across the state.
The plan is to construct 100 brand new state-of-the-art Elementary Schools, 50 Middle Schools and 20 High Schools. About 40 of them have been completed and put to use so far, including 14 Elementary Schools, 15 Middle Schools and 11 High Schools.
With current feat in education generally, and particularly in infrastructure in the state, Aregbesola is being pragmatic as far as the saying “the willing spirit of a horse takes it to the skies, even without wings” is concerned. Even as Nigeria suffers economically from distasteful fallout of unprecedented corruption under PDP 16 year rule, Osun government remains steady and focused in the provision of quality education. It takes the willing spirit in a leader to achieve this.
So far, strategies put in place in respect of allocations earmarked for school infrastructure in the state is strong, such that such funds cannot go for other purposes. As far as the Aregbesola Government is concerned, “public schools can be the best and be returned to the preeminent position it occupied in the past”.
Today, quality of basic education and performance of the students, especially at elementary level, has greatly improved geometrically.
Before Aregbesola came on board, a paltry N200 was allocated as running cost on each pupil in public schools under PDP government. Today, the story has changed. It is now N400 for each elementary pupil in government schools and N500 for each of them in higher schools. This is in addition to timely and adequate supply of modern instructional and learning materials to all schools.
Also at the elementary level, about 254,000 children are taken care of under the free school meal programme tagged O’Meals. It is expected that the programme would be extended beyond current beneficiaries, especially when the Federal Government commenced on the programme nationwide. It would be recalled that the idea was adopted from the Aregbesola’s initiative.
Today across modern climes, the character of a society is measured beyond the character of the men and women living in it. Buildings and other architecture are yardstick by which human society is classified. The condition and quality of buildings in a society reflect public pride or indifference of the people. It reflects the level of prosperity, social values and behaviour of the people, as well as all the many influences of both their past and present, which combine to give the community its unique character. Apparently, this is part of the reasons why Governor Aregbesola is keen about the aesthetics of the structure of every school building that is being constructed across Osun. According to him, the “plan (of government) is to ensure that our school buildings are about the most beautiful structure around the neighbourhoods.
However, to achieve this important plan, it is very needful that strategies are put in place for proper management and maintenance of education infrastructure in the state. Hence, current plan of the Aregbesola government to out-source the management of the eleven 3000-capacity state of the art high schools is commendable. The initiative is starting with the already commissioned Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo.
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For details, please log kn to: http://www.phillipsconsulting.net/os-service-supplier
 

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Buratai-e1442856804316

Buratai-e1442856804316The board set up by the Nigerian Army to probe involvement of officers and soldiers in election malpractices during the governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti State, on Monday, submitted its report.
It will be recalled that based on petitions and allegations of unprofessional and partisan conducts of some officers and soldiers in the states last year, the Nigerian Army set up a board of inquiry.
The board submitted its report, on Monday, to the Chief of Army Staff at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Submitting the report, Chairman of the board, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, stated that the board placed advertorials in the media requesting for memoranda from the public before they commenced sitting.
In all, he stated that 23 officers and over 100 soldiers appeared before it as well as 62 civilians.
According to him, the board made far-reaching recommendations that would assist the Nigerian Army and the nation in the future.
He further added that two officers were recommended for compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army, three were to lose their command and one was recommended for prosecution for collecting financial gratification.
Other recommendations included placing 15 officers on watch list, nine officers were to be further investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations leveled against them, while six officers were to face an audit committee and 62 officers (mostly of the rank of Majors-below) were to be given letters of displeasure and to appear before their respective General Officers Commanding for counselling.
He thanked the Nigerian Army for the opportunity to serve and reiterated the board members’ willingness to serve when called upon for any other such assignment.
In his remarks while receiving the report, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, thanked the board for a thorough and dispassionate job devoid of influence from any quarters.
He expressed delight that the board, knowing the gravity and implication of their report on the careers of officers and impact on the Nigerian Army, discharged their assignment diligently and professionally.
He assured them that the report would be reviewed accordingly, in line with Nigerian Army’s legal and administrative procedures.
VANGUARD

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seal-of-the-state-of-osun

seal-of-the-state-of-osunThe Osun House of Assembly has ordered the authorities of the state-owned tertiary institutions to suspend the issuance of sack letters on some teaching and non-teaching staff.
Speaker Najeem Salaam, who gave the directive at the inter-denominational prayers to begin legislative business yesterday, said the exercise should be suspended until the Assembly is convinced.
The directive followed the reported issuance of sack letters on some of the lecturers who were engaged by the institutions and not by the government.
The Speaker summoned the officials of the Ministry of Education and the affected institutions to appear before the Assembly today.
According to him, it is important to ensure the matter is investigated by the Assembly.
“Recently, there have been news about the sack of lecturers, but instruction have been given to the House Committee on Education that the Permanent Secretary in charge of Education, Director in charge of tertiary institution, the provosts, rectors and their registrars, the chairmen of the governing councils in state-owned tertiary institution must all be in the Assembly today r.
“Henceforth, the institutions have to suspend that action until the House is convinced,” Salaam said.
THE NATION

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Osun-Elementary-School-Feeding-2

Osun-Elementary-School-Feeding-2The Permanent Secretary of the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB), Alhaji Fatai Kolawole, has urged governments at all levels to give more priority to primary education.
Kolawole made the call Monday in Osogbo in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN).
He said every government must recognise the need to develop human capital through qualitative education in which primary education is the key factor.
According to him, quality education in the early life of the child is necessary for him to advance educationally.

The SUBEB boss reiterated the resolve of the present administration in Osun to completely stamp out illiteracy in the state and “restore the dignity of the common man”.
He also said that the state government was committed to the welfare of teachers despite shortage of funds.
“We are working assiduously in Osun to improve the lives of our teachers despite the shortage in monthly allocations from the federation account.
“It is very important to develop our human capital and strengthen our economy through education,” Kolawole said.
GUARDIAN

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Osun school administration pre-qualification

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL : School Administration Service Provider. Details below….

Osun school administration pre-qualification

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COMRADE HASSAN SUNMONU@75th (4a)

Photos of the Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with the Celebrant, Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu and his wife. Mrs Titilayo, during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his75th Birthday Anniversary at Government house Osogbo at the weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); The Celebrant Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu (2nd right) and his wife, Mrs Titilayo Sunmonu. during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his75th Birthday Anniversary, at the Government House Osogbo at the weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his Deputy,
Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); The Celebrant Former President of Nigeria Labour
Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu (2nd right) and his wife, Mrs Titilayo
Sunmonu. during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on
his75th Birthday Anniversary, at the Government House Osogbo at the
weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); The Celebrant Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu (2nd right) and his wife, Mrs Titilayo Sunmonu. during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his75th Birthday Anniversary, at the Government House Osogbo at the weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his Deputy,
Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); The Celebrant Former President of Nigeria Labour
Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu (2nd right) and his wife, Mrs Titilayo
Sunmonu. during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on
his75th Birthday Anniversary, at the Government House Osogbo at the
weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) presenting a gift to The Celebrant, Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu and his wife. Mrs Titilayo, during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his75th Birthday Anniversary at Government house Osogbo at the weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) presenting a gift to
The Celebrant, Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan
Sunmonu and his wife. Mrs Titilayo, during a dinner in honour of
Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his75th Birthday
Anniversary at Government house Osogbo at the weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) presenting a gift to The Celebrant, Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu and his wife. Mrs Titilayo, during a dinner in honour of Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his75th Birthday Anniversary at Government house Osogbo at the weekend

Governor State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) presenting a gift to
The Celebrant, Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan
Sunmonu and his wife. Mrs Titilayo, during a dinner in honour of
Comrade Hassan Sunmonu on his75th Birthday
Anniversary at Government house Osogbo at the weekend

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Osun-State-Governor-Mr.-Rauf-Aregbesola-360×225

Osun-State-Governor-Mr.-Rauf-Aregbesola-360x225Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has cleared the air on the lingering rumours making the round that his government was proposing a new tax regime on the religious institutions across the state in order to alternate the adverse effects of the dwindling revenues from the Federal Accounts.

Governor Aregbesola who reacted spontaneously on what he described as sponsored venomous antics of the opposition and enemies of his administration, said on no account does he has the intention to neither propose nor impose tax payment on mosques, churches and traditional temples.

Aregbesola made the statement while addressing the muslim faithful during a Jumat service, at Islahudeen Central Mosque, Osogbo.

Governor Aregbesola who frowned at the development said though his government has been looking for every realizable means and alternative to salvage the state from the looming economic crisis, stressing that his government has never intended or resolved on such tax policy.

He disclosed that the economy of the state has not worsen to the stage of taxing religious institutions or collecting offerings and tithes from either mosques churches to develop the state.

Governor Aregbesola who described tax as a lubricant that greases the wheel of development, growth and transformation, said the time has come for all to support government through regular tax payment especially at the period where nothing comes to the state from the Federation Accounts.

He said the only way for citizens to prove their support and cooperation towards  government’s efforts is to be obedient and diligent to taxation.

“It is unfortunate that in spite our sincere efforts on the ongoing numerous developmental projects across the state, some detractors could still consume shame by peddling rumours in a bid to frustrate our efforts.

“Our detractors have forgotten that we successfully administered the affairs of the state for five years without a new tax policy.

“Under whatever pressure and inconstructive criticism, our administration would not be distorted or derailed from the paths of progress, development and unparalleled transformation being characterized with.

“We shall continue to maximize our little resources to enhance the general well being of our people who we owe constitutional responsibilities”, he affirmed.

Governor Aregbesola further pledged to continuously strengthen religious institutions to promote and engender peace, saying he would not be lured into compromising equity and balance.

He therefore called on religious leaders to seek the face of God in liberating the state and country out of the present economic recession orchestrated by the continued fall in the global prices of crude oil.

He said, “Nigeria needs fervent prayers to get out of the present economic bondage and this is a challenge for Nigerians especially our religious leaders to seek the face of God for quick deliverance

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COMRADE HASSAN SUNMONU@75th (5)

COMRADE HASSAN SUNMONU@75th (5)The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has highlighted the urgent need for the leadership and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC to bailout the country from her present economic stalemate.

In his intellectual prediction to salvage the country from the current socio-political, economic and religious complications, Governor Aregbesola opined that the only workable fruition in combating the myriads of challenging situation in Nigeria was for organized labour, civil society organizations, professional bodies and academic leaders to wake up from slumber and seek what at stake for everlasting solution.

Governor Aregbesola made the statement while playing host on the foremost veteran Labour leader and pioneer President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, at a dinner party organized in honour of his 75th Birthday Anniversary.

Aregbesola said Nigeria is passing through emergency economic situation which has been the worst in her history, saying there is a need for Nigerians to collectively approach the situation as emergency in their bid to find lasting solution.

Governor Aregbesola who expressed bitterness on the way and manner at which the nation’s economy was extravagantly managed in the past, said bad governance has led the nation to its present looming situation.

He stated that no government in Nigeria no matter how prudent today can run its affairs the way it should be run or it has been run before now simply because of persistent dwindling revenues.

Aregbesola held that the current economic situation has called for awakening, saying this is the time for the leadership of NLC to rise to the occasion in a bid to add accolades to their reputation by proving to Nigerians and the entire globe that truly they are major stakeholders of Nigeria economic enterprise.

Aregbesola said, “The financial situation in Nigeria is so bad to the extent that no government in Nigeria could run the government perfectly in the way it desires.

“Our country is going through a tough time, but quite unfortunate, we are yet to be fully communicated on the degrees of damage caused to our economy and seriousness of the situation.

“We have been misled overtimes to depend absolutely on crude oil revenues. Nobody cares for untapped, unexplored and unexploited wealth from solid minerals, agriculture, science and technology and so on.

“To appreciate the gravity of the economic challenges facing our country, graphic analyses shown that between 2011 and June 2013, our nation used to have N1.2trillion in the distributable purse called Federation Accounts to be shared between the three tiers of government~federal, states and local governments.

“From June 2013, the distributable funds dropped to about N600billion and this has been on the persistent free fall till present moment.

“Apparently, November allocation’s pool which was distributed on the 22nd of November, 2015 was N369billion for the three tiers which implies that no revenue from the Federation Accounts.

“Obviously, this has been the economic situation with our nation. But quite unfortunate, we have all been disoriented to think only on the revenues from the crude oil. If we had before now considered other sources of revenue, the impact of the economic challenge would not be as grave.

Governor Aregbesola who implored the  leadership of NLC and other stakeholders to brace up and tighten their belts in liberating the country out of the current financial impasse.

“My request to the leadership of labour is that this is not an ordinary crisis and they should not treat it ordinarily because Nigeria has never had a very hard economic situation like this in her history.

“The economic situation we are passing through today remains the worst in our history. Though the current economic situation has not been declared as an emergency but there is the need for us to collectively approach it as emergency and be honest about it. Unless we want to heat up the polity with another reason, we are at the economic emergency.

“Certainly there is no government in Nigeria today, no matter how prudent it appears, can run its affairs the way it should be run or it has been run before due to the current situation.

“This is the time for leadership of NLC to rise to this occasion in a bid to add accolades to their reputation by proving to Nigerians and the entire globe that truly they are major stakeholders of Nigerian economic enterprise.

“If the Federal Government didn’t not call the Labour leaders, let the labour leader call the Federal Government to seek and discuss what at stake and demand for a way out because if we didn’t seek for a way out quickly, a bulk of emergency may come up.

“This situation is beyond individual operation or finger pointing because I don’t see a way for any state to escape this in the next few months if there is no collective approach to salvage this economic mess.

“This is the time for us to look for a realistic and workable alternative to enhance our economic revenue generation.

Governor Aregbesola therefore charged members of the organized labour, civil society organizations, professional groups, stakeholders among others to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians out of this mess.

He said, “Workers must mobilize themselves to ensure that real service comes from public servants. A situation where workers don’t care about their service or how their salaries are being earned, this doesn’t edify the workers.

“Productivity, diligence, dedication, commitment, transparency, honesty and truthfulness must be the watchwords of the workforce and they must be able to justify what they earn as wages, salaries, allowance, arrears among others.

“Until the workers in civil and public service understand appreciate this simple analogy, Nigeria is going no where.

“The paradise has changed. We can no live as we lived before. Oil is out of fashion. Oil has finished its own time and period in the world.

“We must decide as a people, as political and labour leaders to find meaningful and beneficial alternative to oil to navigate this turbulent economic period for the betterment of all.

Earlier in his remark, National President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba commended Governor Aregbesola for his firmness and resilient in spite the current economic situations.

Comrade Ayuba who lauded Aregbesola’s achievements in all sectors of the economy confirmed that the current government is building succor of thirty years to the people of the state, saying most of his policies and programmes might not be appreciated now but will be commended years to come.

According to him, your people might not appreciate your work now. But in actual fact, they will come to appreciate you and your good works in few years to come.

“You are building a brighter future for generations to come and the prosperity stands firmly to judge you aright”, he said.

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