● Seeks Banks’ Support for new Industrial Policy

OSOGBO- 15/07/2023- Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has pleaded with banks’ Chief Executive officers in Nigeria to reopen their closed branches in towns across Osun state, assuring that “there is a new Sheriff in town”.

Speaking at the comissioning of the rebuilt Ede branch of First Bank of Nigeria on Friday, Governor Adeleke said his administration has reworked the security architecture of the state to secure major towns and villages.

“The conditions responsible for the closing of Banks’ branches at Ila, Iree, Ikirun, Iwo and other areas of the state no longer exist. Osun is secured for banking operations.

“I call on top bank managements, reopen your branches. Osun is under-banked, even with digital applications, physical offices are still needed in many towns.

“I recently launched a sustainable industrial policy for the state. I call on banks to partner with us for implementation. We want to grow the private sector. This is good news for financial institutions.

“We are receiving high volumes of investors’ interest to enter the Osun market. We are creating the enabling environment. Bank chiefs should join us.

“I commend the First Bank for its deep partnership with Osun state. Expand your reach, our administration is prepared to deepen partnership with financial institutions and private organizations”, the Governor noted while comissioning the branch.

Speaking while welcoming the Governor, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan reassured the Governor and all Osun residents of the resolve of his bank to provide banking operation of high standard to their esteemed customers across the state.

Commending the Governor for his pro-business policies and prigrammes, Dr Adeduntan who was represented by the Executive Director said First Bank is committed to expanding services to all under served areas through its First Monie product.

The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adewale Egbedun, the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye and four commissioners designates.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the Executive Governor

The government of Osun state has chided Muslim Rights Organisation (MURIC) for its failed bid to foment religious crisis in the state, affirming that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s appointments of commissioners and permanent secretaries are based on merit and competency.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government noted that ever since assuming office, Governor Adeleke has premised his governance decisions on competency and commitment to state duty of appointees in his avowed commitment to deliver on good governance and correct inherited ills from previous governments.

His first appointees occupying commanding heights of the government were appointed not by religion but merit, competency and conformation with his style of leadership.

The same principle of meritocracy which produced the nominated commissioners was applied in the appointments of permanent secretaries who are accounting officers of the ministries. This policy of equity, fairness and competency also guided the many landmark decisions of Mr Governor.

With just eight months in office, the Governor has formed the habit of scouting for the best among indigenes who can support the concerted efforts to rescue the state from the many challenges of under-development, infrastructural deficit and poverty.

It should also be put on record that the Governor’s approach has paid off with superlative delivery and performance which is highly appreciated by Osun indigenes at home and abroad.

It must therefore be noted that no agent of destabilization with mere nuisance value masquerading as a religious body can deploy religion as a partisan tool to divide and distract a government that is busy with correcting ills of the recent past.

Osun state is a highly enlightened society with deep records of religious harmony and close understanding of the Governor as a cosmopolitan leader who has never and will never pander to religious bigotry, ethnic partisanship and unmeritorious decision making.

MURIC should look elsewhere for its merchandise of extremism and division. Religious leaders in Osun understand and support their Governor and their prayers uphold him every second.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO- 07/07/2023

Osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of Governor Ademola Adeleke has been drawn to a fake news alleging that the state chief executive has appointed his supposed daughter in person of Adenike Folasade Adeleke and his alleged uncle, Prof Maroof Adeleke into the State cabinet.

There is no truth whatsoever in the report as neither of the two nominees are daughter or uncle of the Governor. Prof Adeleke was born at Ilesa and hails from Osogbo, the state capital. Mrs Adeleke is the daughter of Chief Omidiran of Osogbo Land and wife of the late Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

We had expected those pushing the fake news to engage in basic investigative journalism if they have any altruistic motive. If however the goal is to malign the state Governor, the truth can not be hidden as the nominees are bona-fide indigenes of Osogbo Land.

We therefore urge members of the public to ignore those merchants of fake news. No biological member of the Governor’s family is included in the cabinet list. Governor Adeleke is committed to fair distribution of appointments based on competency, spread and sectoral representation.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO – 07/07/2023

Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered immediate review of the ongoing staff audit across the state public service even as he restated the commitment of his administration to the enhancement and *protection* of workers’ interest.

Addressing a joint meeting of labour leaders and the auditing firm on Thursday afternoon, Governor Adeleke directed the joint committee working on the exercise to address all sticky areas and come up with acceptable modalities for hitch free exercise.

The Governor who listened to the representatives of labour and other stakeholders, expressed displeasure at the inconvenience the exercise has caused public servants and instructed the Head of Service to ensure adjustment of the procedures to ensure the well being and comfort of the workforce.

“I have read a lot of comments and complaints from the public service. I have also listened to you all at this meeting. We must adjust the procedures to have a mutually acceptable exercise. We should all remember the purpose of this audit exercise which is to block leakages to expand staff welfare.

“To that extent, the joint committee should meet urgently to decide on two items. First, a new acceptable timetable should be created that will take into account the diversity and peculiarities of each government agency or ministry.

“Secondly, the committee should also brainstorm on decentralisation of the exercise on zonal basis to reduce the burden and logistics of movements to the capital city”, the Governor directed.

As both labour and establishment leaders accepted the rationale behind the auditing exercise, Governor Adeleke urged all stakeholders to join hands to ensure a hitch free completion of the programme, noting that his government partnership and brotherhood with the labour movement preclude any anti-labour move from his table.

“Let all stakeholders go back to the drawing board and make neccesary adjustments. This is a government in love with labour, workers, artisans, women, youth and others. We will never act against the best interest of the public servants, Governor Adeleke affirmed.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the Governor.

The attention of the Osun state government has been drawn to a press conference by a pressure group within the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and fake news about plans to sack workers.

We affirm that there is neither a plan to sack workers nor any re-introduction of half salary. This was old fake news sponsored by agents of the opposition which the public is implored to ignore.

The government also wishes to state that Governor Ademola Adeleke is available to meet all stakeholders for the development of the state. As a responsive leader, the Governor has met many groups and associations since assuming office. Many of such groups are also lined up for appointments with the state chief executive officer including the protesting Pensioners.

It is however important to note that the Government of Governor Ademola Adeleke has remained committed to meeting its financial obligations to workers, both in and out of service. The government can however not pay off all outstanding salaries and pensions all at once due to paucity of funds which is known to all stakeholders.

The administration has adopted a phased payment system but with an increase in the amount paid monthly to the pensioners among others. In recognition of the state of the economy, the monthly payment has been increased from two hundred thousand naira under the former government to five hundred thousand naira. This is a decision under implementation despite the tight financial status of the state.

The government wishes to note that Governor Adeleke remains the only Governor in the history of Osun state to have made workers’ welfare his number one governance agenda, a fact acknowledged by the protesting Pensioners. The government remains committed to that agenda within the context of fund availability.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

OSOGBO- 04/07/2023 -Osunstate.gov.ng

Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has described as shocking and sad the exit into the world beyond the publisher of News Direct Newspaper, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi.

In a condolence message issued Tuesday evening, Governor Adeleke said Osun State and the journalism profession have lost a major icon, a media entrepreneur and community worker of great repute.

” I just got the news and I must note how devastating we are. We note his contributions to the development of journalism and the growth of Osun State. We lost a consummate professional who distinguished himself during his lifetime.

“On behalf of the people and government of Osun state, we commiserate with the family and associates of Dr. Ibiyemi on this sad loss. We pray the good Lord to strengthen and protect all that he left behind”, the statement concluded.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the Governor.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has submitted a full list of commissioners and special advisers to the Osun State House of Assembly through the House Speaker.

The list is to be read out at the plenary session of the Assembly when it resumes from its recess early next week.

The House of Assembly had gone on recess after the inauguration to allow the new lawmakers to get prepared for legislative business and for the logistics of House operations to be firmed up for newly inaugurated Assembly.

This disclosure was made by the Spokesperson to the Governor while speaking to journalists at Osogbo, Osun State capital on Tuesday afternoon.

” His Excellency has finalized the commissioners’ list and submitted same to the State Assembly. The House is resuming next week and expectedly, the House Speaker will disclose the names to his colleagues to commence screening of nominees.

“The Governor and the state leadership have done the needful and the public should expect the list to be made public sooner than later.

“The delay was clearly due to many factors, namely the protracted litigation on the outcome of the governorship election and the general elections covering state Assembly, National Assembly and the presidential elections.

” The good thing is that the long wait is over. The long awaited commissioners’ list here”, the Spokesperson posited.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor