The General Overseer of the Living Faith Church (aka Winners’ Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo, on Wednesday said the infrastructural renewal, particularly the education revolution in Osun deserves global applause.

Bishop Oyedepo gave his assessment today in Osogbo when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The cleric noted that any governance that is producing results and affecting the lives of vast majority of the people must be deeply appreciated.

The Bishop strongly appealed to stakeholders to always be at the vanguard of peaceful coexistence, noting that there is nothing like living in peace, working peace and promoting peace.

“There is nothing like peace in the whole world. We should always walk towards whatever will promote peace and peaceful coexistence among our people.

“Let us work for an atmosphere that encourages peace, which engenders growth and development. This is because life is all about promoting the wellbeing of the people.

“I deeply appreciate the infrastructural development. Besides, the education revolution is for us a great achievement.

“I can see the massive road construction going on. This is to the benefit of the people. No policy can remove the roads. I am very impressed,” Oyedepo said.

Responding, Governor Aregbesola disclosed that his administration has no political, religious or tribal preference.

Aregbesola stated that it is absolutely impossible for him to be a religious fundamentalist owing to his all-faith inclusive background.

He described as shocking and mischievous the erroneous tag ascribed to his administration as pro-Islamic faith.

Aregbesola averred that if there is any accusation anyone could level against him, it is that he has zero level tolerance for religious opportunism.

He stressed that he has always encouraged people to practise whatever faith they profess, even within his own immediate family.

“My upbringing in Yoruba setting has given no basis for religious antagonism and mutual distrust.

“It is impossible in Yoruba milieu not to imbibe the culture of accommodation, tolerance and understanding of the faith of others.

“I guide my faith as much as I fight for the protection of the faith of others. If anyone would accuse me at all, it should be that I have zero tolerance for fundamentalism.

“Therefore, my liberal disposition to religion is thus farther from the erroneous impression of being an Islamic extremist,” Aregbesola said.

Download inspiring Quotes about the Government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. This Quote is from Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, Former Governor, Oyo State. Visit the website at www.osun.gov.ng  or Twitter @stateofosun for more updates on the State of Osun and its projects.

Photos of the Governor,  State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, during the Bishop’s Visit to the Governor in Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) and Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, during the Bishop’s Visit to the Governor in Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) and Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, during the Bishop’s Visit to the Governor in Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Wife, Sherifat, during the Bishop’s Visit to the Governor in Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Wife, Sherifat, during the Bishop’s Visit to the Governor in Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Founder, Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Wife, Sherifat, during the Bishop’s Visit to the Governor in Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Osun State Commissioner for Youths, Sport and Special Needs,  Stephen Kola-Balogun, has raised alarm over the sale of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in exchange for money saying it is new approach to rig the forthcoming August 9 gubernatorial election in the state by some unscrupulous politicians.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo over the senario, Kola-Balogun said the new approach adopted by the politicians is undemocratic, criminal and wicked.

While expressing concern over the alleged dubious act explained that collection of voter cards from youths and the elderly people by some politicians across the state should be discouraged.

He warned politicians to desist from such action or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

“It has come to his notice that some people are currently collecting voters cards of youths in exchanged for N10,000 while the elderly ones are being tricked to submit their voters card for peanut.

Kola-Balogun posited that selling and buying of voter cards is a new approach to rigging and must be discouraged for democracy to thrive.?

While calling on youths not to sell their future, Kola-Balogun called on law enforcement agents to investigate the matter and bring to book those found culpable.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

AS the activities marking this year’s celebration of Osun Osogbo Cultural Festival formally begins, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye 11, have called on Nigerians to take advantage of the tourism potential of the cultural fiesta even as the state government targets its share of $4 billion tourism domestic market.

Speaking at the Festival Corporate Forum held in Lagos yesterday, the traditional ruler of Osogbo, who is the custodian and chief celebrant of the yearly festival, said the celebration has gone beyond a religious or cultural affair to that of tourism with the potential to bring about the economic development of the people.

It is for this reason, said the monarch, who spoke through Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, that the festival has continued to attract support with many activities built round it. ‘‘Essentially, these activities with other associated ones, are to springboard cultural tourism development in Osun State and generally in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Also speaking in the same vein, Aregbesola, who was represented at the occasion by his Senior Assistant on Tourism and Culture, Mr. Ladi Soyede, pointed out that it was because of the importance that the state government attached to tourism development that prompted its promotion of cultural events and other related activities in the state, Osun Osogbo Cultural Festival inclusive.

According to him, the huge investment and progress made by the government in the cultural sector in the last three years has impacted on the fortune of the festival as it has become the biggest festival in the country.

Soyede revealed that the festival last year recorded 21, 713 domestic visitors and 123 foreign tourists while the Abuja Carnival, the closet to it recorded 19, 015 domestic tourists and 113 foreign tourists.

He said that the target of the state government is to get its fair share of the estimated $4 billion domestic market and the $3 billion Diaspora market. To this end, he said that the government would double its effort at developing and promoting its cultural and tourism activities

TELEGRAPH

In the pursuit of the developmental agenda of the Aregbesola administration, various programmes and projects have been rolled out, such as support to farmers under which more than twelve thousand cooperative farmers have been supported to the tune of N753,260,000 and empowerment of over two thousand textile dealers  and three hundred and thirty-two textile dealers and 332 cocoyam off-takers with a combined sum of over. N233,000,000

Some of the Mini-Buses distributed to Members of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Cooperative Transporters of Nigeria, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun. Insert: From left, Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his Wife, Sherifat; Member, House of Representatives representing Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency, Honourable Ayo Omidiran and Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Ismaila Alagbada on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Some of the Mini-Buses distributed to Members of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and Cooperative Transporters of Nigeria, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun. Insert: From left, Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his Wife, Sherifat; Member, House of Representatives representing Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency, Honourable Ayo Omidiran and Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Ismaila Alagbada on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right) handing-over key to one of the Mini-Buses to Zonal Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu Local governments, Alhaji Rauf Agboola (2nd left), during the distribution and Launching of Micro Credit Agency at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun. With them are, Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Ismaila Alagbada (right) and President, Cooperative Transporters, Alhaji Asimiyu Oladejo (left) on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) addressing the crowd, during the Launching of Micro Credit Agency and distribution of Mini-Buses to Cooperative Transporters and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) addressing the crowd, during the Launching of Micro Credit Agency and distribution of Mini-Buses to Cooperative Transporters and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

From left, Deputy Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye; Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his Wife, Sherifat; Member, House of Representatives representing Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency, Honourable Ayo Omidiran and Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Ismaila Alagbada, during the Launching of Micro Credit Agency and distribution of Mini-Buses to Cooperative Transporters and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Wednesday 09-07-2014

Osun State Governor and candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state governorship election slated for August 9, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday, 8th July, 2014, reaffirmed his warning to the security operatives against bullying or intimidating electorate during the poll saying they will regret such act.

The governor while addressing the party’s supporters who thronged the ancient town of Ede for his re-election campaign rally for Ede/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency advised security agents that would be dispatched to the state during the poll to do what is right or be ready to be dealt with traditional powers.

According to the governor who spoke in Yoruba language, “any security operative that tries to intimidate or bully us will regret it. They should do their job justly or we show them that we are people with tradition and we shall deal with anyone such person ruthlessly.”

While enumerating his numerous achievements in the last three and half years in office which cut across road construction, building of modern schools, empowerment of over 2,000 youths among others, Governor Aregbesola urged electorate to guide their voters cards jealously and desist from selling them to any politician.

Governor Aregbesola explained the dangers in selling their voters cards saying it would hinder progress in the state.

“Don’t sell your voter’s cards for any amount. Don’t even think of it, because it would only tell on generations yet unborn negatively.Your voters cards are your power that would redeem and transform the state the more,” Aregbesola counselled.

Governor Aregbesola who raised alarm of a purported group christened “Omo Ilu Foundation” which forms are being allegedly distributed to the people of the state by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked the people of the state to shun it saying the group is evil.

He specifically told the people of the state of the danger inherent in the form saying the PDP uses it to lure unsuspecting members of the public to a secret cult in order to be victorious at the poll.

The governor however promised that his administration would ensure that the people of the state continued to benefit from his people-oriented policies and programmes adding that he would better the condition of the citizenry if elected for second term in office.

Speaking earlier, the first executive Governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke warned members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that would serve as ad-hoc officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the election against rigging saying they should not extend their antics in Ekiti to Osun state.

He said: “I want to sound a note of warning to NYCS members, if you have been rigging elections, don’t take it to Osun. We are different, this is not Ekiti. Count and record the votes you see, else, it will boomerang on you.”

Also speaking, the acting state Chairman of APC, Elder Lowo Adebiyi, accused the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate of causing crisis in the state alleging that the latter has been moving round the state with masked security agents.

Adebiyi implored security agencies to investigate Omisore alongside his alleged masked security agents saying they are Boko Haram members disguising as security operatives.

GAZELLE NEWS

The Government of the State of Osun regrets to inform members of the public the suspect incidence of the collapse of the Main Hall of the newly completed ultra-modern High School, Ejigbo State of Osun.

Information at the disposal of the government indicates that the Main Hall which had been completed along with other classrooms of the school came down at about 6am Wednesday after a loud bang was heard by those who were within the hall and others within the vicinity of the project.

As a responsible government, it is too early for us to say what the exact cause of the collapse is until we have full investigations and advice of professionals.

However, it must be stated here that all necessary quality assurance tests were carried out to ensure structural durability and integrity of the project just as in all other projects under this administration.

Engineers from the Osun Ministry of Works and engineers from the Structural Engineering section of the Nigerian Society of Engineers have been dispatched to the site to establish the real cause of this unfortunate incident.

Signed:

Semiu Okanlawon

Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy

Office of the Governor

Osogbo

Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola says the height of urbanisation in any society is the development of modern markets which has the ability to develop the economy of such a society.

Governor Aregbesola made the assertion at the official commissioning of the first and second phases of the Ayegbaju international modern market, in Osogbo, the state capital.

Aregbesola who opined that the market will be the first centre of commerce in the state, described its commissioning as a celebration of wealth, commercialisation and the market women whom he described as the major stakeholders.

> He added that the Ayegbaju International market will be followed by other equally big markets in all the nine major cities that have been listed for the urban renewal programme of the present administration.

> He explained that his administration has continued to embark on people oriented projects aimed at improving the economic status of the state, and impact,positively on the lives of its people.
>
Expressing the optimism that the market will definitely enhance the economy of the state, the number one citizen in the state assured the people of the state that his administration will continue to strive for the growth of the state saying it is the main reason he is in government.

In an address, the state Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr Bashir Ajibola explained that the market has three phases and that only two phases have been completed, saying that the remaining phase will be ready for commissioning soon.

Hon Ajibola disclosed that the government has also approved the construction two ultra modern markets in Ilesa and Ife(Atakumosa and Oranmiyan modern markets) respectively.

Also speaking, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun expressed appreciation to the Governor for the wonderful feat.

He held that the people of Osogbo will forever be grateful to the administration of Aregbesola for turning Osogbo the state capital into what he described as a mega-city through various infrastructural developments.

In her own remark, the Iyaloja General ,Alhaja Awawu Asindemade appreciated the governor for his genuine interest in the affairs of the market women and the people of the state at large.

Alhaja Asindemade  said the market will not only boost the economy of the state but also affect the lives of the entire citizenry positively

The Ayegbaju International market which has been built on a Public Private Partnership in collaboration with Unity Bank and handled by Edward Property Consult has facilities such as: Mini stalls, Open stalls, Ware house, Lock- up shops, Exclusive shops, Police station, Bank, Medical center, Church, Bukateria, Meat and fish stalls, Wash bay, Cold rooms.

Others facilities in the market also include Mosque, CCTV cameras, Administrative and Maintenance Offices, Administrative lodge among others.

The third phase of the market when completed will have a Petrol station, Mega shopping mall to accommodate cinema and multi-purpose event hall and a three star hotel.

Major roads within were named after prominent sons and daughters of Osogbo as well as names of some families in the town.

The commissioning brought together dignitaries from within and outside the state, among whom is the first lady, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye Tomori as well as members of the state executive council.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has urged people of the state to shun religious sentiment and vote for merit in the August 9 governorship election in the state.
The governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), charged the electorate in the state to see themselves as one irrespective of their religious inclinations.
Aregbesola, who gave the advice at a campaign rally held at Ibokun, Ijesha North Federal constituency, urged Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers in the state to be united and tolerate one another in order to foster peace and unity in the state.
He said members of the opposition parties are liars who want to use religious difference to discredit him, however, he said their plans won’t work.
The governor, who said his administration has commenced payment of June salary despite the shortage in the federal government’s allocation to the state, said he would not relent in making life better for ordinary citizens of the state.
Aregbesola expressed optimism that come August 9, the APC in the state will emerge victorious and would continue the developmental projects his administration has already embarked upon in the state.
“Let’s be ready to vote with all that we have during the August 9 election. Let’s put in everything that we have; no matter what the opposition does, we shall stand and vote. I thank you for your support and by the grace of God, come August 10, we shall triumph”, he said.
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