Following the dwindling revenue allocation from the federation account to Osun State Government, the State House of Assembly yesterday held a public hearing on the Land Use Charge bill with an assurance to maintain a level playing field for professionals involved in the bill that would soon be passed to law.
The Speaker of the house, Hon. Najeem Salaam, apparently speaking on memoranda submitted by concerned professionals in the bill sued for understanding saying that the essence of the public hearing was to enable professional bodies and the people of the state make their contributions in the legislation process.
Professional bodies like Nigeria Institution of Surveyors and Valuers, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners and Architects while presenting their memoranda in response to the bill expressed diverse views and concerns on the bill.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Land, Physical Planning and Urban Development in the state, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Wale Ojo said cemetery, burial grounds, churches, palaces, retirees, pensioners, old people and other non-governmental organisations that are non-profit oriented should be exempted from paying any charge.
But the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors and Valuers said religious bodies that own schools and other institutions that are profit oriented should be taxed.
Speaking on behalf of the body, Prof. Bioye Tajudeen advised the House of Assembly to re-visit the bill with the aim of involving the services of professionals that would bring a turn around to the state’s economy.
The public hearing held at the premises of the Osun state house of Assembly in Osogbo also had in attendance traditional rulers, market men and women, artisans, landlords, lawyers among others.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola in his speech appealed to taxable people of the state to pay their taxes in order for the government to continue numerous projects it has embarked upon in the state.

Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam has admonished religious leaders to preach godliness instead of unhealthy competition of religion, saying while the former draws people to morality of religion, the latter brews violence.
Speaking at a programme organized by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ejigbo chapter,  where he was a recipient of an award, Speaker Salaam observed that the politics of religion nowadays has proved unhealthy because pecuniary interest appeared to have overtaken the fundamental, which touches on the relation of man with his Creator.
Speaker Salaam then tasked all religious leaders to close rank irrespective of their religious leaning and forge a common ground against agents of violence, destruction and those who exploit people in the name of God, saying that was the duty that must be done in order to make the world a better place.
In a related development, Speaker Salaam then enjoined all elected and appointed politicians to work with genuine religious leaders in their respective constituencies with a view to fostering a secured and morally upright society.
However, he decried some sects which were advocating violence and wicked discrimination among the countrymen in the name of religion, saying the Creator of the Universe was capable of decreeing one faith if HE so desire, noting that having different faith was a design of God.

Osun State House of Assembly has warned that it would not hesitate to impose sanctions on any personnel in the health sector found to be sabotaging the efforts of government.
Chairman, House Committee on Health, Honourable Leke Ogunsola, stated this at the inaugural meeting of his committee, saying, “the system in the health sector will no longer be business as usual.”
He said the assembly would not witchhunt anybody in the course of performing its oversight function, but would ensure that things were done properly.
According to him, the house would go all out and do everything possible to ensure that the people get the best in terms of healthcare delivery system.
Noting that there had been complaints about the poor attitude of medical workers to patients, he said any of them who was tired of his service should honourable resign, rather than taken the lives of the people for granted.
Ogunsola noted that the Assembly would ensure proper monitoring of health system in the state to ensure that the people get the best in terms of healthcare delivery system.

The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has extended his condolences to the family of late Emir of Borgu, Senator Haliru Dantoro, who died last week, describing him as a totally detribalised Nigerian who served meritoriously.
A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted the governor as describing the death of the late Emir and one time Senator and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a monumental loss to the country.
Aregbesola, who prayed for the repose of the Emir’s soul, extended his “profound condolence to the immediate family, the government and the entire people of Niger State.‎
He described the death of the late Emir of Borgu, as a great loss to Nigeria as it enters the change period, stating that the wealth of experience of the late monarch who was a great administrator will be missed.
Aregbesola noted that the demise of the Emir at this critical period of “change” of our national life is a great loss to Niger state and the country in general.
The governor urged the family to take with equanimity the death of Alhaji Haliru Dantoro; saying death is an inevitable end.
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Aregbesola said, “One clear lesson is the transience of life itself. It’s not about Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, but about the fact that death is a certainty that must come to every living being.‎
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“The demise of our highly revered father, Mai Borgu of Borgu Kingdom is a great loss to the country and indeed Niger State where he hailed from. Nigeria as a whole in this period of her change will miss his wise counsel and wealth of experience as a seasoned administrator.
“The late Emir of borgu was a bridge builder, an amiable personality who is at home with his people. It is my fervent prayer that Allah will grant him Aljanah Firdaus and give the people of Niger State the fortitude to bear the loss. We also pray Allah to comfort his family and give them courage and hope”. The governor emphasised.

Honourable Sunday Akere was the Commissioner of Information and Strategy in the first term of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, of Osun State. In this interview, the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart speaks on the face-off between the state workforce and the government and other issues.
THERE is a claim that the Osun State government is shortchanging its workers despite the financial bailout from the Federal Government. How do you explain this?
It is unfortunate that a lot of noise is being made in respect of payment of salary in Osun because in terms of states owing a backlog of salaries, Osun is not the worst.  Several other states are worst and there is little or no noise about it. But the situation is understandable because of the fact that the Osun State governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) happens to be the albatross of the misfortune of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both at the state and national levels in the elections held in March and April this year.  The August 9, 2014 election in Osun really spelt doom for the party. It signalled the end of dominance of the party at the federal level.  It was the agitation and outspokenness of Aregbesola that moved the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to initiate the idea of supporting the states with a bailout fund. It is in three parts. Everybody knows that the bailout covers the arrears of June ending. The government of Aregbesola entered a Memorandum of Understanding with workers in the state on how the fund was to be disbursed. We have done the first part. The government has paid till May ending in full. Local government workers also have been paid till June in full. There was no provision for payment of pension in the fund but the governor  graciously acceded to the request and paid half of outstanding pension for December 2014 and also January, February and March pension. April will soon be paid. There is no hide-and-seek game between the government and the organised labour. We lay our cards on the table for all to see. Both sides are satisfied that nothing is hidden. And labour leaders can clarify what I have said regarding compliance to the terms of agreement. I can even get you a copy of the MOU we signed with labour for the sake of clarification.
But, the government is being accused of desperate moves to shore up Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at the expense of the people of the state?
There is no desperation in our increasing the IGR. Everybody knows what accrued from the Federation Account since July 2013 is not sufficient to pay salary. The government used to receive an average of N4.3 billion. But, it has dropped to N2.7 billion. In April this year, it was N464 million. The understanding with labour is that we are not going to borrow again to pay salary. We agreed that whatever comes from Abuja would be added with whatever we can raise internally. It is even the leadership of labour that insisted that every avenue is tapped to make IGR. If an adult is asked to pay N1,500, I don’t think that is too much, talk less of being tagged desperation. Even the lowest paid civil servant pays N3, 500. Don’t forget all the facilities these people are enjoying. Payment of tax is what they should gladly do in return to show that they are citizens who truly want the state to develop.
Lecturers in state polytechnics are accusing the government of insensitivity to their welfare. Why is the situation so?
Sometime last year, the lecturers in the polytechnics and colleges of education started an agitation, asking government to increase the retirement age to 65 years like what obtains at Federal Government-controlled institutions. It took us a long time during which they intimidated the government. The state Executive Council deliberated on it and the state House of Assembly passed it as a law. After this had been done, they came up with another agitation telling us that the state should allow them to opt out of pension scheme. We told them that we met the compulsory pension scheme on ground. The Argebesola administration met it as a policy, which all levels of workers in the state pay it. We said under which condition should we allow you to opt out? There is a law which set up this scheme.  If you know you are not comfortable with it, you challenge it at the court of law. This is what we told them to do. They were at home for about nine months and we appealed to them to consider the plight of their students, some of whom should be in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) now. We asked them to return to class to save their students the agony of watching their colleagues leaving them behind. We told them to consider the future of the students under them. In the past two weeks, the governing councils of the institutions have instructed the work to resume. Since last week, work has started in the four institutions. Those ready to work are back. The non-academic staff has also called off their strike. We are telling others outside to return to work.
It appears work has stopped on some projects in the state, especially the Gbongan-Akoda-Osogbo road.  Have the Nigerians seen the end of those projects?
It is not that work is no more going on the projects. Work is still going on in schools under construction. Where we slowed down a bit is the construction of roads. We are only assessing the federal road we are handling with a view to getting a refund. Graciously, we have a listening government at the centre now. It has shown genuine concern, and by the time we finish that and get the refund, we will return to work and complete the projects. We have done the assessment of the stage of work done on the Gbongan-Akoda-Osogbo as well as the Osogbo-Ikirun-Kwara State road as directed by the Federal Government. We have made our recommendation to the Federal Government. We have heard in the past weeks that Federal Government has promised to release a sum of N537 Billion to states handling Federal Government projects, among of which is Osun. So, when the fund is released, we are one of the beneficiaries, and this will make a difference and the job will be completed.
About two weeks ago, the government signed an agreement with the construction company handling the Moshood Abiola International Airport to complete the project within eight months. We are only sorting out the issue of salary arrears so that people will not accuse us of diverting the bailout fund into the airport project. I am assuring the people of Osun that there is no project initiated by the governor that will not be complete before the end of his term.
Is this controversy not robbing the governor of the popularity he enjoyed in his first term?
The government of Aregbesola is still popular and acceptable to the people as it used to be. The politics of Osun is like the politics of the entire nation. Osun people still appreciate him at public functions, especially at mosques and other places where they show their love to him. The only problem is the opposition, who are out to confuse the public with propaganda. For instance, we have not received the bailout fund before they went to town and said Aregbesola had collected and fixed the fund. The election had been won and lost. The loser went to the tribunal, Appeal Court and the Supreme Court. He lost all. The best thing for the loser is to accept the verdict in good faith and allow the winner to concentrate on the business of governance instead of causing distraction and confusing the public. But, I am happy the people of Osun cannot be deceived. So, they understand their blackmail better. In Osun, there is nothing hidden in the way the government is being run. That is the basis of our confidence to engage them when they come up with their blackmail.
What do you consider as the major challenge of being in government?
One challenge I always reflect on is public perception of political office holders. It is registered in the minds of the public that everyone in government is there to enrich themselves. They have no tolerance to understand how things work in the corridors of power. But, how do you explain this to the people who seem to have made up their mind? So, I am saying it not fair to jump into such conclusion. It is high time we appealed to the public to take pressure off the head of political office holders in the country. It is believed that going into government is going to steal money. People should understand that holding such offices carries a lot of responsibilities bothering on service delivery. They should not do things that would tempt public office holders to do what they should not do. If the demand is higher than supply, a public office holder is tempted to do what he should not do. I am appealing for understanding and more cooperation for government after elections. Another four years is the opportunity the electorate has to exercise their right of choice again.
-Tribune

Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to assent the constitutional amendment that accommodates autonomy of state Houses of Assembly.
Speaking at a closing segment of the Legislative Retreat of Kwara State House of Assembly in Ede, State of Osun, Speaker Salaam stressed that, for the the training and special skill acquisition on legislative matter to attain level of practicality, the autonomy must be obtained.
He said, “if a state parliament is self accounting, the chances are high that checks and balance contemplated by the framers of the constitutional democracy would be attained, but if a parliament would rely on executive for funding, then we should know that independence is redefined.”
Speaker Salaam then expressed his optimism on the preparedness of the state legislatures across the federating units of the country, saying over two third majority of the state assemblies endorsed the autonomy at the last constitutional amendment.
In a related development, Speaker Salaam further pleaded with lawmakers of the state Houses of Assembly to halt the habitual haste of changing leadership of the parliament, saying that roving impeachment of Speakers had made assemblies unstable to the advantage of the executive.
According to him, “Another sore point in the weakness of legislature is incessant changing of leadership and until we halt the trend, the executive would continue to take the advantage of the situation, and we would not blame it for supporting a trend that keeps its interest, because this is politics.”
Speaker Salaam also urged the electorate to be magnanimous to the legislators by re-electing them back for a long time, for the sake of cutting the cost.
Salaam said, “if we have our lawmakers reelected time and time over again, the cost of training new lawmakers would be saved, and the system would be better for it, because of the experience that would have been acquired along the line, but if we keep on changing the lawmakers, then we have to keep on training at expensive rate.”
OSUN DEFENDER

Traditional Installations rites for Ooni-designate, Prince Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has entered its second day as members of Isoro cult barred visitors from paying visit on him. Although Prince Ogunwusi entered Ilofi, a place an Ooni-elect is prepared for the throne on Thursday, full traditional rites only commenced yesterday.
Saturday Vanguard investigation in the ancient city of Ile-Ife yesterday revealed the heavy presence of security around Iremo where Ilofi is located and residents appeared to be avoiding the area.
Other rites expected to be performed on the Ooni designate according to sources is lighting of ancient traditional lambs, each of which has its significant role in the ancient town.
A shop owner around Iremo Quarters told our correspondent that the deserted street was not unconnected with the ongoing rites, adding that many people, despite assurances by the traditional chiefs, still entertained fear.
Another source also said heavily armed security men were guiding Ilofi, and that, only members of Isoro Cult were allowed into the premises. A shop owner along Iremo road, in a chat with newsmen, said: “some of us chose not to open shop for business because of the ongoing rites.
“We have been assured that business can go on. Apart from the ongoing rites, Ife is also in celebration mood and some of us chose to just enjoy the moment with other Ife indigenes.” Across Ife metropolis, the ongoing installation rites dominated discussions, while residents were also speaking on their expectations from the the new monarch.
Meanwhile, the Oluomo of Ife and former Chairman Ife East Local Council, State of Osun, Chief Gbenga Owolabi has described the emergence of Ooni elect as long expected one saying, he would transform the town beyond expectation. He felicitated with him on his appointment by the state government as Oba elect and prayed to God to guide and give him wisdom of governance.
Owolabi expressed  delight at the choice of the new Ooni-elect by Ife kingmakers while speaking with journalists at Ile-Ife. He said “I charge the new Oba to bring his vibrancy of youth, wide contacts and wealth of business experience to bear in the development of Ile-Ife and the State of Osun. “I also implore him to work assiduously towards the enhancement and sustenance of the globally- acclaimed rich cultural heritage of the Yorubas as a means of uniting the race for peace and progress.”
What people say about him He’ll bring development for the people
Mr. Sunday Akere,   Osun State Commissioner for Information,
The emergence of the new Ooni is a clear reflection of the disposition of the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni ‘Rauf Aregbesola, towards allowing fairness, transparency and openness in every process. Contrary to some opinions that because of the closeness of some of the contestants to the governor, that transparency may not be allowed, but the governor allowed the people Ile-Ife to make their choice.
The emergence of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi shows that there is nothing God cannot do. The father even reflected that when he said they had a revelation that he would become the Ooni. And the government believes that his emergence will bring development, peace and prosperity to Ife, Osun and the Yoruba race in general.
“We believe like others that Ife is a cradle of civilization everything will be done to ensure that we support what will bring peace, orderliness and tranquility to the area. The reception given to the new Ooni by the entire citizenry of lle-Ife is a reflection that he is the man of their choice and our prayer is that his period should bring development and progress to Yorubaland.
His resume speaks for him
Professor Muheeb Opeloye, former Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. We thank God and we are happy that God has given us a new monarch within three months of Kabiyesi Oba Sijuade Onibuse’s demise. And, that is God’s choice for us and we believe God will do the right thing for Ife because we are a prayerful people.
So, as for the new Ooni, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, his resume is all about peace and development which we need in Yorubaland and in Nigeria. Because of his exposure, I believe that he will be able to help Ife especially as an industrialist. I believe that the people of Ile-Ife will cooperate with him. The elite, the young, the elderly, the educated and the uneducated, everybody should rally round the new Ooni to ensure that he succeeds throughout his reign.
He’ll pursue policies of his predecessor
Professor Ishaq Akintola, Lagos State University
The Ooni-elect, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is young, agile and he has a good record of commitment to industry and growth and I think during his reign, such a person is most likely to change the game. He has the capacity to be a game changer in the area of employment, youth empowerment and others. I wish him all the best.”
The king makers did their best. Doubting Thomases can continue to doubt. From all we know so far, they were transparent and they followed the due process and I also commend the state government for its prompt as it did not dilly-dally. We expect the new King, the Ooni of Ife, to be objective and we also expect him to be non-partisan. I equally expect that the new Ooni will pursue the policy of the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi regarding peace, cordial relationship and mutual respect between Ile-Ife and Modakeke.
Well brought up
Professor Fola Lasisi, pioneer Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
It is not just that the new Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi is a young man, I learned that the selection process which led to his emergence was transparent. Oba Aderemi must also be congratulated even though he has gone because in his time, he wanted things to be done well not just for Ife and for Yorubaland but for the whole of Nigeria.
Many people forget very easily that Oba Aderemi was very much involved in governance in his time but he was not a noise maker. I congratulate the young man, Adeyeye. He did not talk much while they (the contestants) were running around and I congratulate the father because he brought him up very well.
VANGUARD

Following the upsurge of clashes between Fulani herdsmen and their host communities across the country, the Department of State Security has brokered peace parley between the leadership of Afenifere and Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association over the frosty relationship between the two groups in the South West.
The Director of DSS in Osun State, Mr. Andrew Iorkay, according to a source organised the peace meeting following the growing tension between the leadership of Afenifere and Fulani herdsmen.
The action of the DSS in the state may not be unconnected with the recent abduction of Chief Olu Falae and altercations between the leadership of the pan Yoruba group, the Afenifere and the Fulani pastoralists.
The source said the DSS boss did not want the situation to degenerate among the two groups in Osun State hence the peace meeting.
VANGUARD

As the coronation rites were being performed on the new Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, by the Ife traditionalists otherwise called Isoros, the embattled Lafogido Ruling House challenging the decision of the Ife Kingmakers and Osun State Government for restricting the occupant of the stool to Giesi Ruling House may have withdrawn the case from the court.

Reliable source close to the ruling house told our reporter that Lafogido Ruling House has mandated its counsel to withdraw the case in the interest of peace and tranquility.

It was further learnt that the counsel have received the mandate of the ruling house to discontinue with the case for peace in Ile-Ife.

When contacted on phone, the head of Sookos in Lafogido Ruling House, Chief Adeleke Adewoyin confirmed the development saying that since a new monarch has been named by kingmakers and state government, there is nothing the ruling house can do again rather than to discontinue with the case.

Sooko Adewoyin who reiterated that the initial claim of the ruling house was to seek the intervention of the state government and other stakeholders to correct the lopsidedness in the rotational ascendancy to the stool of the Ooni. He argued that his ruling house has been marginalized for a very long time.

Adewoyin who was is former Deputy Governor in the state under Chief Adebisi Akande led administration, assured the people of Ile-Ife of the readiness of the ruling house to work with the new Ooni to ensure that lopsidedness is corrected so that the stool may not be attracting litigation in the future.

“Since the state government said that we are late in our agitation, then we have no option than to work with new Ooni to correct the inbalance in the ascendancy processes to the stool.

“There is popular saying in Ile-Ife that it is against the Ife Tradition to fight with Ooni. If you fight with sitting Ooni, you bear the consequences. So we have advice our lawyer to withdraw the suit from the court.

Meanwhile the coronation rites continues in Ile-Ife as the new monarch is currently at Ilofi where the Ife Traditionalists are expected to perform all the traditional rites for the coronation and presentation of staff of office.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

As part of efforts to stem rural-urban migration, the Bank of Industry (BoI) has inaugurated a 24kilowatts (kw) micro-grid solar solution in two communities in Osun State.
BoI Managing Director Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, said the project is in furtherance of the United Nations campaign for eco-friendly sources of energy. With this initiative, Osun is the first state to benefit from Bol’s intervention in the provision of renewable energy in Southwest, he added.
The solar electrification project is located in Idi-Ata and Onibambu communities in Osun State. Olaoluwa, however, lamented that rural communities are the worst hit in terms of poor access to electricity, especially the off-grid arrears, which have always been without power supply and have resigned their fate to the use of kerosene lanterns, oil lamps, and other types of dangerous and unhealthy sources of light to be able to live daily.
The development, he said, has hampered the socio-economic development of the nation as it has created an atmosphere that is not conducive for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are the drivers of the nation’s economic growth.
He stated that the situation remained one of the main factors responsible for the concept of rural-urban migration. Olaoluwa noted that the 4,500 megawatts (Mw) of electricity generated from the national grid was grossly inadequate for a leading African economy like Nigeria with a population of about 170 million people, hence the intervention of Bol and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).