In pursuance of his infrastructure expansion agenda, Governor Ademola Adeleke has launched road dualisation construction activities at Ede and Osogbo while documentation processes are almost completed on planned flyovers across the three senatorial districts.
Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter on Monday extol Governor Ademola Adeleke for his quick intervention in the crisis between the union and the embattled Chief Judge of the state, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo.
Governor Ademola Adeleke is ramping up actions to extend the life span of the Ilesa water financing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank which is due for closure by December ending.
The Osun State government is constrained to clarify that no Osun state government official attended any naming ceremony in Atlanta, United States as being peddled in some opposition misinformation gaffe.
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO–03/12/2023– Osunstate.gov.ng
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has denied plan to issue a fresh staff of office to Taiwo Adegboye, as the Alawo of Awo, describing as untrue reports in some section of the media that his administration is taking steps contrary to the dictate of rule of laws.
In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke clarified that Taiwo Adegboye was installed as the Alawo of Awo in September 2021 and was subsequently issued staff of office by the Administration of Gboyega Oyetola.
Mallam Rasheed reiterated the commitment of the Adeleke administration to the rule of law, saying that the government will not do anything to impugn judicial decisions or tamper with peace and stability of any community in the society.
“We are constrained to inform the public that insinuations of plan by the Adeleke administration to issue fresh staff of office on Awo stool are untrue. The crisis on the Awo stool preceded the administration of Governor Adeleke as Taiwo Adegboye, who is at the centre of the issue, was installed as Alawo several months before his (Adeleke) assumption of office,” the statement noted.
“It is worth noting that he (Taiwo Adegboye) was issued staff of office by the previous administration, and so, it is unfounded that Adeleke is planning to issue a staff of office that has already been issued.
“As a government committed to the fairness and rule of law, we recognizes the right of Taiwo Adegboye to exhaust legal option on the Obaship tussle, which at the moment is before the Supreme Court.
“We must also note that Taiwo Adegboye has sought a stay of execution on the judgement of the Appeal Court, hence, the government decision to maintain status quo pending the full determination of the litigation.
“Available information is that Taiwo Adegboye is celebrating the anniversary of his installation and not installation or presentation of new staff of office as erroneously being speculated.”
Mallam Rasheed enjoins the public, particularly the people of Awo to disregard concoctions and deliberate misinformation on the Awo Obaship, noting Governor Adeleke’s commitment to the path of legality and rule of law.
“Governor Adeleke will not do anything to distort traditions and well established procedures on kingship matters, and we want to urge the public to discountenance any information contrary to this commitment,” he added.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO– 02/12/2023– Osunstate.gov.ng
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has rejoiced with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dosu Babatunde, on the occasion of his birthday, hailing him as an exceptional individual with deep sense for responsibility.Governor Adeleke acknowledges Hon. Babatunde’s dedication and unwavering commitment to the service of the people, noting that his energy and expertise is an asset for his administration’s quest to achieve meaningful progress for Osun state.While recognizing his past contributions to the people as outstanding, Governor Adeleke said Hon. Babatunde passion for good governance strengthens hope in our administration’s genuine push to deliver for the people of Osun state.”I rejoices with the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dosu Babatunde on the auspicious occasion of his birthday. His birthday is a reminder of his past contributions and the assurance of future service for the people,” the Governor noted.”Hon. Babatunde’s dedication and foresight will continue to offer our administration the much needed strength, and as he marks a new age, I’m confident that his unwavering commitment will translate to greater benefits for our people.”May this new age fulfill all your expectations and I look forward to your continuous commitment to meeting our expectations through impactful governance. Many happy returns of the day.”
Signed:Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke warmly congratulates the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, on the auspicious occasion of his birthday, extolling his versatility and purposefulness as helpful in driving people-centered governance to Osun people.
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO– 29/11/2023– Osunstate.gov.ng
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved the payment of wage award to civil servants and pensioners in the state as a measure to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal.The Governor stated that the action was in a continuation of his avowed commitment to workers’ welfare and a fulfillment of his pledge for the gradual rollout of palliative measures to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.”On the first day of my second year in office, I unveil this wage award and reaffirm our five point agenda which has workers’ welfare as number one item”, Governor Adeleke noted.Governor Adeleke’s approval was conveyed in a circular issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building, disclosing that workers in the service of the state will get a N15,000 wage award while pensioners will receive N10,000. The circular which was signed by Sunday Olugbenga Fadele, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, noted that the wage award will run for six months, beginning from the month of December. “Sequel to the negotiation meetings and interactions with labour movement in Osun state, including the representatives of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has approved the monthly payment of N15,000 to each active worker and N10,000 to each pensioners in Osun state as palliatives to assuage the pains being experienced as a result of removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The payment, as approved, is to commence from the month of December, 2023 for a period of six (6) months,” the circular reads in part.”While acknowledging and appreciating the understanding of Osun state workers and pensioners for their show of understanding regarding the efforts of the State Government in the last one year to improve tremendously on their welfare, being the first on the 5-point Action Plan, the present administration will continue to ensure its commitment to the welfare of workers are met at all times.”It is expected that this gesture of government will spur workers in the State to be more diligent and committed to their duties.”
Signed:Mallam Olawale Rasheed,Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor
NEWS ANALYSIS
OSOGBO -28/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng
1.BUDGET AND FINANCE
Osun APC: Mismanagement of over N130 billion revenue accrued to the State in the last 12 months. FALSE
FACT: Data from a recently published document of Osun budget performance on BudgIT Openstate website, which can also be verified with publications on the Office of the Accountant-General and Nigeria Bureau of Statistics websites, put Osun share of FAAC revenue from Q1-Q3 at N61,791,671,831.96 and Independent Revenue at N27,405,272,559.69. The sum of both revenue source did not in anyway match the bogus figure quoted by the Osun APC.
FACT: On November 23, 2022, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominated House of Assembly passed the 2023 Appropriation Bill proposed by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola four days before the inauguration of Governor Ademola Adeleke. And Governor Adeleke recently sought and got the approval of the House of Assembly for the 2023 Supplementary Budget. Therefore, it is not just false but a fallacy for the APC in Osun state to claim that Governor Adeleke is spending out of budgetary provision.
FACT: The Governor Office is not restricted to Governor Adeleke’s office but several agencies, departments and units. No part of the appropriated fund is for Governor Adeleke’s comfort or expensive lifestyle as it is well known that he forfeited monthly security votes that was accessed by his predecessors. The fund is largely to replace movable and immovable public assets in the Governor’s office and agencies, departments and units in the enlarged Governor’s office, looted by the immediate past administration. Part of the money is to fund capital projects, such as the renovation of the State Secretariat and some selected offices and the Government House, which was left in a terrible state.
FACT: Data from a recently published document of Osun budget performance on BudgIT Openstate website put spending on meals and refreshment in the period under review at N456,401,071.13 as against the N2bn misleading claim of the Osun APC. It is worth noting that the amount quoted above was spent by the entire government, including tertiary institutions, for meals and refreshment at office and public functions.
FACT: Budget data showed that out of a total N5,980,551,000.00 voted for Osun State University (UNIOSUN) in the 2023 budget, N4,100,235,705.94 has so far being released from Q1-Q3, representing 68.6% budget performance. This same line of budget performance can be seen from the other sectors, but as usual, APC stood logic on its head and promote false narratives.
FACT: Since the inauguration of cabinet in June, 2023, Governor Adeleke has held cabinet meeting regularly in consistent with the Constitutional provisions. What the Osun APC has shown is sheer ignorance, making erroneous claim about what they lack information about.
Osun APC: Suspended 28 Traditional rulers without due process. FALSE
FACT: Governor Adeleke averted major crisis in towns across Osun state caused by the deliberate disregard for laid down rules, guidelines, traditions and even court orders by the APC administration in installation traditional rulers. Places like Ikirun and Iree had descended to violent crisis as people showed open rejection of the unlawfully imposed monarch’s by the APC shortly after its loss at the governorship poll. The Osun APC show of lawlessness caused the unfortunate loss of lives, destruction of properties, among other social upheavals. Governor Adeleke took action to restore peace and ensure sanity of our institutions, and contrary to the lies of the Osun APC, only a handful of traditional rulers was affected, as the Olupo of Olupona which the APC usually add to its erroneous claim celebrated one year in office few days ago, hence, defeating the lies of been suspended.
FACT: On November 26, 2022, Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Osogbo nullified the council election conducted by the Oyetola-led administration shortly after losing reelection bid. The court ruled that the YES or NO election was held in clear violation of the Electoral Act, 2022, and so, officials produced are not lawful and should vacate office. It is therefore an evil and irresponsible lie by the Osun APC to claim that Governor Adeleke sacked the illegal council officials, because available facts showed otherwise.
FACT: This is a claim not supported by logic or any fact. Perhaps the Osun APC is confusing Governor Adeleke for former Governor Oyetola, who undoubtedly abused local government fund while at the helm of affairs.
Osun APC: Increased WAEC fee from N18,000 to N37,000 per student. FALSE
FACT: First and foremost, WAEC just like NECO, is an external exam, which Osun state does not have control over, including charges on services. Therefore, the claim by the Osun APC that Osun Government under Governor Ademola Adeleke increased WAEC fee is nothing but fallacy. It is important to note that WAEC had in July of 2022, about four months before Governor Adeleke took office announced a 29% increase in WAEC fee and this cuts across Nigeria, not just Osun state, hence only retard will attribute the change in fee to Governor Adeleke as the APC erroneous portrayed.
FACT: The Rector of the Osun State Polytechnic is on suspension pending the conclusion of an investigation into allegations raised against him. This is the practice everywhere in order to ensure fairness and transparency in investigation, because it is against the principle of justice to allow a person who is under investigation to sit in the same office while it last. Mr. Kehinde Alabi was drafted in acting capacity, not because he’s Governor Adeleke kinsmen, but to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation of the suspended Rector on allegations of misappropriation raised against him, and will step aside once the investigation proved the innocence of the suspended Rector.
FACT: There was no disruption of academic activities in Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, except in the wildest imagination of the rudderless opposition in the state. While the examination of students was delayed for few days due to knotty management issues, but it was quickly resolved and students took their papers. At the moment, the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, is in session, with academic activities going seamlessly, contrary to the misleading impression the Osun APC tried to create.
FACT: Just like it goofed on the funding of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), the Osun APC claim on subventions to public tertiary institutions in Osun state is patent falsehood. For the records, the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, the Osun State Polytechnic, the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, the Osun State College of Education, Ila, and Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has accessed N719,896,77.00, N1,254,772,230.89, N288,802,591.87, N313,570,636.00 and N4,100,235,705.94 respectively as at the end of quarter 3. All of these represents a better performance compared to the quarter 3 of 2022 when the APC was in charge.
FACT: The Management of UNIOSUN had categorically denied claim of increasing the school fees of the institution. Ademola Adesoji, the University’s Public Relations Officer noted in a statement that “Osun Defender’s interpretation of the breakdown of the University fee is inaccurate and misleading. We urge the public to disregard such misinformation and seek accurate details directly from official University channels.”
FACT: Just as many other claims, this is also unfounded and misleading. Governor Adeleke inherited a deeply flawed process in the University of Ilesa, which would have hampered the sustainability of the school if allowed to stand. One of such is the unresolved question on the faith of staff of College of Education, Ilesa, after it transmute to a University, pitching the unions against the successful take-off the institution.
Osun APC: Dissolved statutory boards (OSSIEC, Judicial Service Commission etc) without due process. FALSE
FACT: On October 13, 2023, the Ibadan Division of the National Industrial Court invalidated laws made by Osun Assembly under the name State of Osun Assembly. Justice Dele Peters who was adjudicating on a suit filed by Chief Owoeye Abiodun and six others against the Osun State Government, its Attorney-General and four others over their purported dissolution of Obokun Local Government Education Board, said law of the agency was made by a non-existing State of Osun House of Assembly. Justice Peters ruled that any law allegedly made by such an illegal and unconstitutional institution whether it is called State of Osun House of Assembly or any other name is illegal, null, void and unconstitutional.
The clear import of the judgement is that, all boards, whether statutory or otherwise, set up under laws of State of Osun House of Assembly, which the court declared as unconstitutional, is nothing but illegal and it is in application of this lawful court judgement that Governor Adeleke ordered dissolution of the boards. The Governor acted legally to unwind the illegal actions of the Osun APC.
CLARIFICATION: Barrister Hashim Abioye is a lawyer by profession and well versed in electoral matters. In fact, he was the one that first drew the attention of the outgone OSSIEC to the illegality of the October 15, 2022, local poll, but was rebuffed. That illegality cost Osun state over N2bn, which could have been saved if Otunba Oladitan and the APC had listened to the wise counsel of Barrister Hashim. Barrister Hashim is competent and capable, hence, the pettiness of the Osun APC. Barrister Hashim is a man of impeccable character and strick on laws and constitutionality, hence, guarantees a transparent and credible poll.
FACT: Governor Adeleke did not suspend the Chief Judge as claimed by the Osun APC, rather, he acted in line with the Provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Governor Adeleke did not act outside the National Judicial Commission (NJC) as he had communicated to them and waiting for their decision on it. It is a public knowledge that Governor Adeleke is a man of due process and will not act outside the provisions of the laws as mischievously suggested by the Osun APC.
Osun APC: Failure to account for the N2bn palliative grant and N7bn share of the savings from fuel subsidy removal. FALSE
FACT: First and foremost, the N2bn palliative fund is not a grant but a facility that will be repaid back. And on utilization, Governor Adeleke at Ipade Imole on October 5, 2023, gave a detailed explanation on how the fund will be utilized. For the record, Governor Adeleke disclosed that the N2bn fund will fund the purchase of buses to complement the buses in the pool of the state, which has been repaired, for public usage. Part of the fund, according to the Governor, will fund rehabilitation of some healthcare centres while the remainder will go to the purchase of food items for distribution to the public. Procurement order has already been made already.
On the N7bn refund, the Osun APC continues to show its ignorance on the source of the fund and purpose. It should be recalled that Governor Adeleke is the first Governor to announce receipt of the N7bn refund, and contrary to the outright lies of the APC, the money is nowhere connected to subsidy removal. It was earned revenue of Osun state just like other State, which the Federal Government duly refunded it. While making the disclosure, Governor Adeleke said the N7bn will be used to fund infrastructural projects. Governor Adeleke has shown transparency and accountability, unlike what was obtainable under the APC where refunds are shrouded in secrecy and utilization a misery.
FACT: On August 29, 2023, the Osun State Government began the distribution of the first batch of rice, which stood at 6,300 bags of 50kg. This was out of the over 14,000 bags of 50kg rice that was distributed across Osun state in three batches. The template for the distribution of the palliative rice was designed by Osun stakeholders, which has membership drawn from every segment of the state. In fact, the APC was among the socio-political groups that benefited from the palliative rice and just being mischievous with its unreasonable concoction.
Osun APC: Non of the committees (Mining and Solid Mineral Committee, Asset Recovery Committee, Obaship and Appointment Review Committees) set up through his Executive Orders some 12 months ago has seen the light of the day. FALSE
FACT: The Committees set up by Governor Adeleke through Executive Orders have completed their assignments, submitted reports and white papers drawn. The Adeleke administration is however tightening every legal issues so as to ensure that none of the findings will be faulted under judicial scrutiny. The unease of the Osun APC on the findings of the Committees is not unconnected to its past corruptions and abuse, which it feared will be unveiled through the release of the Committee’s findings.
Osun APC: Failure to fulfill his campaign promise of clearing backlog of salary within 100 days in office. FALSE
FACT: Governor Adeleke at no point during campaigning promised to clear owed backlog of salary within 100 days. The promise of Governor Adeleke, which can be confirmed from clips at campaigns and debates, is to see to the payment of owed salary, which Oyetola ignored for 48 months should he get elected. And one year in office, he has lived up to that promise by paying 3 months out of the 30 months half salary.
FACT: Governor Adeleke is open and accountable in the use of public fund. Ipade Imole is a forum purposely put up by Governor Adeleke to give account on public spendings and get feedback from the people aside the regular public engagements by the Governor’s media team to provide public account to the public. Under the Oyetola-led APC administration, the Osun people were treated with disdain as it totally shun giving account to the public, and was forced on a number of occasion by revelations to disclose receipt of refund from the Federal Government. Governor Adeleke, without any prompting disclosed receipt of N7 billion refund and how it will be used.
FACT: Available records of staffs or consultants tasked with revenue collection is at variance with the Osun APC ludicrous claim, as no friends or cronies of the Adelekes is engaged. It should be noted that consultants involved in collecting revenues in private accounts are inherited from the APC administration, who think their unwholesome practice can continue under the Adeleke administration, but has since been shown the way out. Revenue collection has been cleaned and that explains the surge in revenue that accrues to the state.
FACT: Governor Adeleke financial discipline has blocked a lot of wastages and freed more money for the use of the public. This is why Governor Adeleke has been able to do a lot of things which the APC had through its ruinous years in government termed impossible.
Osun APC: About 200 health workers sacked on his assumption in office out of hatred for predecessor. FALSE
FACT: Upon assumption of office, Governor Adeleke stopped a dangerous move of the APC to dump its members on the state’s wage bill illegally. No health worker was sacked as falsely alleged by the APC and we challenge them to produce a letter of disenchantment issued by the Government to the fictitious health workers. The truth is that the Osun APC tried to illegally load the state wage bill with unqualified party members but failed.
FACT: Governor Adeleke is a man of due process and rule of law and anything that did not align with this principle will not get his support. Governor Adeleke will always ensure that all Osun citizens are given a chance at any available opportunity, especially in job recruitment, hence, his insistence on the adherence to the rule of law and due process. No kobo of Osun money was wasted as falsely alleged by the Osun APC.
Signed:
Sarafa Ibrahim
Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor on Print Media
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO – 28/112023 – Osunstate.gov.ng
The one year record of Governor Ademola Adeleke far outshined and outpaced the lackluster performance of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in four years, Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has declared.
He affirmed that Governor Adeleke by any impartial assessment, has justified the confidence reposed in him by the Osun electorate who massively booted Mr Oyetola out of office using their ballot papers on July 16, 2022.
As Osun people in a democratic process voted Governor Adeleke into office, it is a misnomer and a busybody venture to accuse an eminent Osun citizen and a global business icon , Dr Deji Adeleke of imposing his brother in an election that stands out as a model in Nigeria’s electoral victory. Is it a crime for Dr Deji Adeleke to support his brother’s political ambition in line with the constitutional right to vote and be voted for?
Every Osun voter and citizen who actively supported and ensured electoral victory of Governor Adeleke are today happy to see the positive turn of events in the state, leaving only sore losers of July 2022 elections as classless wailers. An APC friend called me this Monday and said ” Demola has done so well but we will continue to attack him”. His reason- politics and partisanship
Responding to a statement credited to Ismail Omipidan, a former aide to Mr Oyetola, the Governor’s spokesperson described Omipidan’s statements as a compendium of lies and baseless assertions without any foundation in reality of today’s Osun state and a futile attempt to deny the self-evident sterling performance of Governor Adeleke in the last one year.
“No matter how painful it is to some people,including Omipidan, the last one year witnessed verifiable evidence and manifestation of democratic dividends across the sectors which conscientious members of the opposition defied politics to affirm and which non-partisan members of the public endorsed.
“If Omipidan is doubting that Governor Adeleke has surpassed expectations as well as his boss’s performance in one year, let’s ask him if Oyetola constructed 90 kilometers of road as Adeleke did under one year? Or is it not true that Oyetola was only able to commission a maternity centre during his one year anniversary?
“If Omipidan thinks appointing a transition committee implies a lack of governance agenda, ask him if Governor Adeleke’s five point agenda was not unveiled before and during the governorship elections. Or is the five point agenda till date not the governing ideology of the state government?
“When the former press aide questioned what investors has been to Osun or which investor the Governor has traveled to meet, tell him to come to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and read the list of investors interested in the free trade zone, tourism creative industry, agro-processing, mining processing and revitalisation of Osun airport among others.
“What law has the Governor broken by taking a break a year after assuming office? What is wrong in briefing the public about a Governor’s itineraries? If anybody is interested in investment inflow into Osun, why jump ship? Why not wait for usual annual returns?
“If the Ila man questioned Governor’s delivery on his electoral promises, ask him what best way to deliver on electoral promises than constructing 90 kilometers of road, creating medical surgeries and access benefiting over 50,000 residents, enrolling 23,000 pensioners in health insurance, completely reconstructing 31 schools under a year, rehabilitating four out of 10 small towns water schemes, drilling 332 boreholes, continuous rehabilitation of four major water works and more, all under a year?
“If Mr Omioidan still insists that Adeleke’s government is fraudulent, dare him to go to contributory pensioners and abuse Governor Adeleke. They will tutor him that under a year Adeleke paid five months arrears while Oyetola under four years paid only two months.
“He should go to John Mackay area in Osogbo, and tell them Adeleke did not build that almost three kilometer road and reconstructed the dilapidated school there. He will be lucky if he is not mobbed.
“Even when Oyetola left Osun with close to 90 percent infrastructure deficit now being fixed by Governor Adeleke, sore losers take ongoing construction of Osogbo ring road as final work and assumed others are like them who manipulated and violated procurement process as attested to by an investigative report of a media institute into a fake but fully paid for borehole project awarded by the Oyetola administration.
“When he mentioned state of insecurity, ask him to stop quoting false statistics, remind him security agencies are under the control of the Federal Government and that Osun is gradually getting rid of the elevation of thuggery to state assets as witnessed during APC reign in the state.
“As Mr Omipidan questioned the digital economy agenda in Osun state, let’s ask him if Osun under Oyetola had an ICT policy, Tech Innovation policy and a Startup bill? Today, Osun has a State ICT Policy, a Tech Innovation Policy and draft bill to domesticate Nigeria’s Startup Act.
“Is he aware of the Broadband Fiber Optic project? Ask him to look for those red,yellow and blue cords being laid along roads in Osun state. Those are broadband materials to deepen internet penetration in Osun.
“If the Ila man continues to assert that the Governor has no capacity, question him about the multi billion naira infrastructure plan just unveiled by Mr Governor. Such an ambitious, thoughtful and acclaimed programme is a product of an ingenious leader of Adeleke calibre.
“When he raised false claims over non-upward reviews of workers’ salaries, let’s ask him why Oyetola refused to pay the pension and half salary debt now being shouldered by the current government. Why did the past government not cash backed promotion arrears? Why did the former Governor bastardized the public service, destroying the careers of thousands?
“Failure in governance is simply a lack of capacity to deliver good governance to the citizenry. Oyetola failed in several areas where Adeleke succeeded as I listed above. Above are facts for fact checking as Governor Adeleke will say.
“No level of polemics, rhetorics, excuses and buck passing can cover up or rewrite that lackluster Osun state leadership of between 2018 to 2022, a tenure built on the stolen mandate of 2018”, the Spokesperson noted in the statement.
Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke
