The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said his administration will not be deterred in its resolve to take the state to an enviable height despite the myriad of sponsored media attacks on his person and government.
 

 
Aregbesola stated this while hosting journalists across the state to a get-together fast-breaking dinner, tagged: “Iftar with Ogbeni.”
It was held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Osogbo.
 
Aregbesola held that his government remains firm and steady to its commitment to make life more meaningful to the people even in the face of condemnations and attacks on the pages of a section of the media.
 
The Governor, while describing journalism as a noble profession, charged journalists and media practitioners to make professionalism their watchword, adding that they should always be ready to verify veracities or otherwise of information at their disposal before going to the press.
 
Aregbesola added that ‎with the remarkable decline rate of newspapers’ circulation and distribution strength in Nigeria, the only way newspaper organisations could stay afloat is their credibility.
 
He attributed the decline in the numbers of newspapers’ readers to lack of accuracy, facts and authenticity in the reportage of items in recent journalism, saying if proper gatekeeping, quality research and investigations were meticulously done, newspapers would not have lost its credibility in the society.
Aregbesola said: “Sunday Times in those days sold 500,000 copies per edition in this country up until 1975 and Sunday Times was so popular that whoever was literate in Nigeria will want to read it either by borrowing it, buying it or going to the library.
“The circulation of all Nigeria newspaper today is less than 300,000.
“So it should therefore interest us how a nation with increased population generally, have almost 10 times number of graduates that we had in 1975 now has the circulation figures we now have.
“It is therefore important for us to interrogate the decline in readership.
“If you ask me, closely watching the economy, the decline is as a result of credibility gap in our media publications.
 
“I want to appeal to our media people to support the course of disseminating reliable, accurate, informative and entertaining news.”
 
Aregbesola, who recounted several sponsored attacks and abuses in the media calculated to pull down his government and discredit his person, said if truth had been meticulously given its rightful place over the years, some newspapers would not for any reason consistently maligned his government unjustly.
 
He also admonished media practitioners to always champion truth, facts, balance and accuracy in whatever they do as the watchdog of the society, adding that there is the need for them to as a matter of necessity be conscious of whatever they present to the public.
 
According to him: “My joy tonight is that our state continues to survive inspite of the mischievous, desperate and malicious contents in some sections of the media against our government.
 
“Unfortunately, media in recent times have portrayed our government as one of the worst in the country whereas the reverse is the case.
 
“It has erroneously portrayed us as a famished state. About this time last year, it was as if heaven will fall. It was as if the entire world was collapsing in our state. What churches do normally became an opportunity to portray us as famine-stricken state. One person even went to the extent of donating his wardrobe allowance.
 
“Everything was made to look as if people are dying on the streets here. Recently, I still read in our papers that we are owing mountains of salaries, while the reverse is actually the case. I have decided to ignore such tantrums.
 
“Available records have shown that there is no iota of doubt in the fact that some media practitioners have demonstrated their hatred to us through their adamant disposition to falsehood, baseless and unfounded claims against our noble political voyage.
 
“I wonder why they found it difficult to display high sense of commitment to journalistic ethics and media professional code of conduct despite the conspicuous realities.
 
“The pertinent question is that whether or not the media assess itself, facts must always be disseminated and reported, and it is on the basis of this we have always advised the media experts to support the dissemination of reliable, accurate, objective, authentic, impersonal, dis-sensational and factual news.”
 
Aregbesola reaffirmed his commitment towards the successful completion of all the initiated projects across the state, saying no stone would be left unturned to bring the needed succour and dividends of democracy to the citizenry.
 
He promised to continue on the template of good governance and pro-masses policies, saying: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.”
 
He called on the people in the state to support the government by faithfully carrying out their civic responsibilities through regular and prompt payment of their taxes, saying unless government at all levels seek for other means to crude oil revenue, the future is bleak.
 
He added: “No amount of propaganda and condemnation would dissuade us from attaining economic prosperity just as we are determined to complete all the ongoing projects before the end of our tenure here.”

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The Catholic Church yesterday described Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State as a major pillar of support of the church, just as the church said it does not promote or support violence of any form.
 
 

 
This was just as the Governor Aregbesola said his government has no ill-feeling against any sect or religion, noting that religion is an instrument of developing capacity for love, instrument for refinement and testing the human will to resist provocations. Both spoke when the representatives of the Pope and Ambassador of the Vatican, Most Reverend Augustine Kashuja led other Bishops of the church to pay a courtesy call on him at the Government House yesterday.
 
The visit was ahead of the ordination of a new Bishop for the Osogbo Dioceses of the Catholic Church. The Papal envoy said there is no face-off between the Christians since the governor assumed office five years ago because of the role dialogue plays in the relationship between the church and the state.
 
Aregbesola pledged his administration’s support to the Catholic and entire Church, promising that government will continue to work with leadership of the church, members as well other Christian bodies so as to bring about peaceful state where people will go about their religious, social and cultural activities without molestation.
 
In his remark, Professor Olu Aina, of the Osun Development Association ODA, who had been involved in the dialogue between the Muslims and Christian groups in the state over the hijab issue, said the furore on hijab had been resolved amicably.
 
I’ve not drawn salary since I became governor – Aregbesola Meantime, Governor  Aregbesola has given reasons why he had not constituted a new cabinet with about two years into his re -election into the office. He attributed the problem to the dwindling economy situation that is currently rocking not only the state but the entire country for some time now.
 
Speaking at an interactive session while hosting newsmen on Tuesday night during Iftau at the government house, Osogbo,Aregbesola stated that, if the cabinet were to be in place, the state government would require over N100million on them every month for the payment of their salaries and maintenance of their quarters and offices.

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The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged state workers to employ necessary measures capable of increasing the state Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, in the face of the current economic reality.
The Governor also called for prudency, transparency and accountability in the process of managing the limited resources of the state for greater economic productivity.
 

 
Governor Aregbesola gave the charge during an interactive session with Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the State Public Service, at Multipurpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, State Secretariat.
The Governor who lamented over the adverse effects of the current economic situation, however directed the state workforce to complement government efforts towards the generation of improved revenues.
The state helmsman who described Osun as an agrarian agricultural state, said the time has come for it to diversify its economy in its bid to augment and strengthen the capacity of its economy for the betterment of all.
 
Governor Aregbesola identified workers as a formidable organ in governance, saying their contributions towards the attainment of economic prosperity can never be overemphasized.
 
The Governor who lauded the significant contributions of the state workers over the years, however attributed some of the achievements recorded by his government to better understanding and cooperation enjoyed from the workforce since assumption of office.
He recounted the abysmal state of the economy when he assumed office in 2010, saying with the meaningful contributory efforts and mutually beneficial relationship between workers and government, his government had made memorable feats in all aspects of the economy.
Aregbesola stressed the need to jack up the revenues accruable to the state from all sources, noting that the only realizable alternative to cushion the dismal tendencies of the current economic downturn was for the state to double efforts in blocking all the leakages hampering sustainable IGR of the state.
He warned against lackadaisical attitude in the civil service, saying all workers must henceforth work in tandem not only with civil service rules or code of conduct, but as well as the state’s policies on new revenue generation regime.
Aregbesola who set a target of N10billion to be generated as monthly revenue for the state, said in recognition of the current economic situation, coupled with the available statistics, the state has the capacity to generate N5billion every month.
The Governor implored workers to adopt the new government policies on revenue increment, saying the decision was taken to seek for complementary efforts of all in the government bid to continuously thrive at meeting up its constitutional responsibilities.
Aregbesola who attributed some of the economic challenges bedeviling the country to what he regarded as “political insensitivity and lack of proper administrative direction” in the past administrations, said his government would leave no stone unturned in its resolve to turn around the socioeconomic fortunes of the state.
The Governor who called for an urgent economic intervention, said going by the current economic trends overtimes, no government should rest on its oars to bring about relief capable of transforming the state of the nation’s economy.
He said the time has come for every reasonable government to go back to the economic drawing board and map-out policies capable of bringing general succour not only to the states but the entire nation.
According to him, “It is regrettable that we found ourselves in this economic mess but by and large, all hands must be on deck to revamp our economy and rise again.
“We must deploy all the available mechanism to raise our IGR and as well improve the standard of living.
“Going by the available statistical records, our state is capable of generating at least ten billion (N10billion) every month, and for us to achieve this, all hands must be on deck for a common goal.
“This revenue proposal calls for a reciprocal commitment of all citizens especially the workforce in our bid to continuously meet up with our obligations.
“The time has come for us to diversify our economy especially in a bid to meet up with our set goal of generating at least N5billion every month.
“Irrespective of the present economic challenges, our state if properly organized in term of revenue generation, can conveniently generate N5billion monthly just as its sustainability would in no doubt increase the tempo to more than N10billion monthly.
 
“For us to achieve these feats, every citizen must work together and demonstrate high sense of commitment to government policies for better and greater economic condition.
“To us as government, the time of free money has gone just as everyone is expected to work for whatever he/she would earn.
“Every worker must justify what he/she earns by demonstrating high sense of commitment, loyalty, competence and transparency in all he does.
“We have entered into the era of self-sustenance. Era of self economic dependence and reliance, thus giving room for every government to strive tirelessly on the need to restrategize on better revenue generation.
“Any government who fails to accede this economic reality, would in no doubt become a parasite to others.
“Despite the current economic challenges, our government would do all within the framework of the constitution to jack up the state’s revenue”, he added.
Governor Aregbesola said in fulfillment of its government’s constitutional responsibilities, the current N600million monthly IGR regular was too low to cater for its obligations.
Speaking on the state of the nation’s economy, Governor Aregbesola decried over what he regarded as “unprecedented corruption” characterized with the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He stressed that if the nation’s God-given abundant resources had been properly channeled, Nigeria would have been in a relatively economic condition.
The Governor contented that more than average of Nigerian is living in abject poverty due to the poor leadership ,incompetence, lack of focus and mismanagement, hence he called for noble and proper intervention of the wise before it gets out of hands.
Governor Aregbesola said all hands must be on deck to revive the state economy especially at the point majority of the nations in the world are battling with the untold economic hardship and as well struggling to avert and reposition the economy.

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The representative of the Catholic Church Pope, Papa Nuncio, Most Reverend Augustine Kasujja, has commended Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola for his extreme spirit of solidarity, cordiality and hospitality.
The international religious cleric also applauded the state government for adopting policies that facilitated equity among the members of the existing religions.
 

 
Rev. Kasujja who led the delegation of the Catholic Church, made the state during a courtesy call to the state governor, at government house, Osogbo.
The cleric stated that the antecedents of the present administration in the state was a clear manifestation to the fact that, Osun remains one of the states in the country with high level religious tolerance.
Rev. Kasujja who described  Governor Aregbesola as a religious peacemaker, said the Governor’s reception is very exceptional even in spite the fact that he is a muslim.
The cleric applauded the state for resorting to dialogue whenever there is misunderstanding, saying greater impacts of the state on religious propagation would be forever commended.
He averred that the process of dialogue in solving disputes and related issues had over the years contributed significantly towards the mutually beneficial relationship between and among the various faiths in the state.
Rev. Kasujja who described dialogue as the only mechanism to avert violence, pledged catholic’s commitment to continuous spirit of dialogue in resolving issues.
He called on the adherents of all religions to champion dialogue as the only tool capable of restoring peace, love unity and togetherness, saying any attempt to wave this off, the society is doomed and crumbled.
Rev. Kasujja said very individual must as a matter of necessity seeks peace, adding that once it missing, one is demanding for vendetta which according to him can cause unavoidable societal catastrophe.
He said, “the essence of life is love and every human being must brace up this indispensable valuable to ensure peaceful cohabitation.
“By extension, every human being is created to propagate the continuity of the existing peace and as well ascertain and maintain peaceful co-existence among themselves.
“Based on these reasonable reasons, all religious adherents must imbibe the noble spirit of dialogue for better mediation and reconciliation whenever there is natural misunderstanding.
“We must accept and tolerate one another’s beliefs as we are created to relate without any form of violence.

Rev. Kasujja lamented over the state of education in Africa, saying there is a need for government at all levels to come up with a modality that would transform the state of education across the continent.
He therefore sought for more cooperation and support from government at various levels, saying once government does the needful, the socioeconomic, religious, political and cultural matters are solved.
According to him, ” it is unfortunate that most of the schools now are not in the right positions, but we believe strongly that with sincere change in our attitude, things would get better.
Earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Reverend Gabriel Leke Abegunrin, described the current government as the great supporter of the Catholic Church.
He attributed the support and collaboration being received from the state government to what he regarded as strong commitment of Governor Aregbesola to religious’ propagation.
Rev. Abegunrin who commended the efforts of the present government in maintaining peace and unity amidst diverse religious faithful, said it is on record that Osun remains one of the states in Nigeria that have done justice to the existing religions.
According to him, “I am happy that Osun government under the leadership of Governor Aregbesola has proven the required sincerity and justice to religions as expected from any leader whatsoever.
“Obviously Osun government is a great supporter of our church. The government has already established a very unique, robust and healthy relationship not only to Catholic members or muslims, but by extension, the christian community and other religious faithful.
Rev. Abegunrin who charged residents of the state on the need to promote love, unity and co-existence irrespective of religious differences, advocated religious tolerance as the major instrument to put an end to the current religious challenges.
Rev. Abegunrin who condemned in its entirety the alleged religious crisis that trailed the judgment of the State High Court over the right to wear hijab by the female muslim pupils in the public schools, said if dialogue had been given its best place by the protesting set of the christian community, the matter wouldn’t have escalated.
The religious leader who described the court order as valid, said not until a court injunction is being proved otherwise by an higher court, such verdict remains valid.

He noted that the only way out for whoever feels being dissatisfied with the court injunction was to approach a superior court and file an appeal towards the lower court judgment, saying the case of hijab would have put to rest if the aggrieved had taken a legal direction.
Rev. Abegunrin pointed out that the court injunction which had created a lot of disaffection among the members of the populace due to over anticipation, would have been intellectually averted if proper steps had been taken.
He called on the people to always address issues with passion especially issues that bother on religions, saying proper understanding of the constitutional procedure in seeking a redress, would in greater measure helps to avoid unnecessary societal fracas.
The cleric described catholic community as a peace-loving religious body, saying as far as christianity is concerned, there is no room for violence.
Rev. Abegunrin who declared as uncalled for, the wearing of ceremonial garments to schools by the christian pupils, adding that such act amounts to a complete religious aberration.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who commended the leadership of the Catholic Church, said no efforts would be spared to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.
Governor Aregbesola said peaceful co-existence among the citizenry remains un-negotiable, emphasizing that his government would do all it could to continuously foster desired cordiality, love and peace among the religious faithful.
The Governor reiterated his determination to continuously prioritizing justice and equity among the existing religion, noting that his government had never accorded preference to any religion.
According to him, “We have no ill-feelings to any set of religion as we strongly believe that religion is an instrument of refinement and instrument of developing capacity for human beings.
“Our government also believe that religion is an instrument of testing human beings to restrict provocation towards the development of every human being for higher spiritual attainment.
“Therefore, when religions failed to do these, there is a need to challenge the adherents of such religion.
Governor Aregbesola canvassed love as the only mechanism to entrench peaceful relationship between and among the people of diverse religious philosophy.
He said, “As a matter of fact, all founders of religions today need love to centralize faith into their religions, thus, there is no other means at all as to love and compassion.

“The cardinal focus of all religions is love. Though differences occur in the methodology of attaining goals.
“I am always disturbed when we human beings discriminate, develop hatred and so on against their faiths because to me, I believe strongly that there is no iota of doubt in the sense that religion means love, compassion, unity and accommodation.
Governor Aregbesola who supported his claims with three fundamental religious facts, said faith, hope and love must not be undermined in any of the existing religions.
According to him, “There are three fundamental factors that enshrines religion, such as faith, hope and love and as big as they are, love is most superior because it brings comfortability, peace, unity, togetherness and tranquility.
“Obviously, love is the end of all loss and as a matter of fact, no religion should skip this vital instrument in its orthodoxical doctrines, principles and standards.
Governor Aregbesola therefore promised to continuously build healthy relationship among the religious adherents.
“Catholic church has been particularly supportive to our administration and I want to encourage the church to continue with that.
“We will work extremely with the leadership of your church, and other denominations to bring about a peaceful state where our people can go about their lawful economic activities, social and cultural engagements without molestation.
“Our focus is to ensure that every citizen lives a good life with joy, happiness and prosperity”, he added.
Meanwhile, one of the members of Osun Development Association, Professor Olu Aina said the association had reached a common ground with the protesting members of the christian community to put an end to the lingering hijab tussle in the state.
Prof. Aina who assured the people of the state on peaceful relationship vowed that the association would deplore necessary measures to ensure stable peace in all parts of the state.
“We have met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN on the need to over look any form of religious differences among the adherents of the existing religions.
“To this end, we hope that henceforth, nothing as such would replicate in the state”, he stated.

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I have followed the unfolding but unfortunate drama in state of Osun schools over the rulings of a Court on the right of school children to wear the hijab as prescribed by the Holy book with amusement but recently, I have begun to feel alarmed because the issue is seriously being politicised thus may become poisonous to the people and Government of the State. It is therefore important that responsible stakeholders in the affairs of the state ought to lend their voice to shed light on the pervading darkness and remove the toxins that may hold the state captive if not engaged.
 

 
 
The issues are still very clear but like most things we do in Nigeria, we take it out of context, politicise it and complicate it in order to score some very cheap point. Most of the time, we are not mindful of the danger we may be putting our nation into as a result of such self-driven agenda. That a group of students were resisted by a school authority from wearing hijab to school and as a people who are sticklers to the supremacy of the law, they approached the courts for redress over the perceived trampling by the authorities on their natural rights.
Fortunately as it turns out the Courts in their wisdom against the position of the Government as represented by the school authority recognised the rights of these children and went ahead to rule that they have the fundamental right to wear the hijab to classes being part of their education as growing children. This was really against the wishes of the Government at this particular point in time as adequately represented by state authorities at that level of governance.
Now this was the situation. The Government of the State especially the Executive arm did not make that ruling neither did it impose the hijab on the schools. The Courts did. Whether right or wrong, I had expected the resultant to be blamed on the Courts but in this case, some mischief makers are leading an outcry against the Governor who I believe never had any hands in such matters. Perhaps, this may not have been the case had the Governor been of another faith from the beneficiaries of the Court’s ruling. This is definitely wrong and need to be understood as such.
What has happened in this case is that the Governor with his eyes on the Rule of Law and in keeping with his avowals to protect the constitution to govern without fear or favour has allowed himself to be led by the pronouncement of the courts. I do not understand whether some of the opponents of the Governor would want the Governor to disobey Judicial pronouncements or resort to dictatorship so as to satisfy their own desires and expectations? We believe that as a true democrat, the Governor has demonstrated a high sense of submission to the dictates and essence of the Rule of Law. He ought to be deeply appreciated by all and not disparaged as some self-seeking unpatriotic opportunists have tended to do in this regard.

If suddenly, those that were not in any way desirous or had the intention of wearing any of their religious habits suddenly decided to so wear then, it will not be wrong and difficult to allude mischief to such actions.Other faiths in the state prior to the ruling of the Courts never exercised any intention of wearing their habits to school and were denied. It was only the students that wanted to wear the hijab and rightly went to seek judicial protection.
It should be noted that while the hijab is an everyday compulsory wear for the girl child, these other religious garbs such as the choir gowns, the Nunnery dresses are for special occasions especially when the students in the schools are not Nuns. Common sense and good reason requires that we allow the hijab demanding students to wear it while the other faiths who never made such demands should have kept their peace. Or, are we saying that the schools are conducting choir presentations on daily basis that would warrant the wearing of such choir gowns to school?
What we have here is that some individuals seeking to score cheap political point and create some advantage for themselves have decided to persuade otherwise good and peaceful people of other faiths to create confusion so as to give the impression of disenchantment amongst the people against the Government. It also had the intention of portraying the state government as religiously biased and insensitive in favour of one faith which is completely far from the truth.
The whole argument becomes more intriguing when we note that Iwo the town at the centre of this melee is predominantly Muslim. One wonders why such predominance will not even be demonstrated at least at the level of equal access and freedom to good and quality education. They have not asked that others should not come to school but have asked that their rights to the hijab be respected. Some parents have been known to deny their girl-children education on this singular excuse that they are not allowed to observe their religious beliefs. We must protect the girl child and champion her education and I strongly believe that this must have also weighed heavily in the mind of the Governor. All of us I am sure must be concerned about this too and refrain from this furore.

His Excellency, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, the Executive Governor of the State, whom I have come to admire, does not in any way hold any grudges against any religion. He is a liberal that is committed to allowing every citizen to freely express his or her religious beliefs without let or hindrance. Perhaps, that may have been his perceived sin – the avowal to ensure that all citizens are free to hold and practice their religion in the state. He does not want one religion to hold dominant position over any other and wants the expression of equality to permeate all strata of the state again, that may also be his sin.
It should also be noted that against the misinformation that the agitation for hijab use in public schools started with OGBENI, the truth is that this agitation predated his assumption of office. Muslims have been vigorously agitating for the use of hijab since the advent of western education in the region. All administrations in the west from Obafemi Awolowo to others who succeeded him have contended with this demand. As a matter of fact the 2004 guideline on education that formed the basis of the litigation was the product of a protracted agitation by Muslims in the State, in that year. Those limiting hijab struggle to OGBENI’S tenure are being economical with the truth.
It has become therefore important that those stoking the fire of confusion in Osun Schools should be told to sheath their swords. The people of Osun and in fact the state itself is important and that should guide their actions and pronouncements. There is no meaningful teaching activity that would take place under such charged atmosphere. There is therefore no meaningful learning that would occur within such chaos. I still wonder what the impact of this will be on the performance of the students especially in this year’s School certificate exams both at the Junior and Senior levels.
All the stakeholders in this worrying debacle have choices to make; either in favour of the children or against them; either in favour of a greater and better Osun tomorrow or against the future of the state; either in favour of development or against it and ultimately either in favour of the Rule of Law and good and principled governance or the enthronement of anarchy and dictatorship. These are clear choices that must be made and quickly too before the poison eats too deep into the fabrics of the state.

I urge the Governor to continue standing by the law and not allow the pressures push him into truncating the rulings of the Courts. However, the need for a multi-stakeholder meeting to be called to look into the issues and forge an accommodating path is also central and critical at this time. Osun has men and women of great repute including being the seat of the highest traditional stool in Yoruba land and one of the highest in the Country. This should be turned into advantage in this situation. It is definitely not beyond what could be resolved internally within the state.
The future of the children of Osun state should not be turned into platforms for the negotiation of political power. They should not be made pawns in the political chessboard of Nigerian politicians especially those in state of Osun. It will not only be morally abhorrent but will also amount to committing infanticide as allowing this to continue will definitely destroy the future of the state’s children.
Paradoxically, majority of those fighting this war do not have their children studying in state of Osun talk less studying in its public schools and that explains why they do not give a hoot to the consequences of their actions in the lives of Osun children. Let the lives and future of the children in the state count and let the gladiators cease today for the sake of the children. That should be the major consideration within the ambits of sticking to the ambits of the Rule of Law. The Governor cannot disobey the law and those who seek a different action from the Governor must also avail themselves of the opportunities available in the Law to upturn the judgment. It is only when there is a counter judgment and the Governor behaves otherwise that we can then accuse the Governor of wrong doing.
For now, his Excellency the Governor has stood on the side of the people and the Law. He truly deserves our commendation!
Hon. Jimoh is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House Of Assembly Representing Apapa Constituency II.

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In its efforts to prevent cheats from taking advantage of unsuspecting customers, the Osun State government has introduced scale and weight standard for use in markets across the state. In the circumstances, Governor Rauf
 

 
Aregbesola formally launched the scales and weight instruments and officially outlawed the old practice of transacting business using plastic bowls such as kongo, denge, kobiowu, dana and tin, among others that often results in several complaints and frictions among the buyers and sellers in most markets across the state.
 
In their stead, the state government introduced standard gauge and weight measurement through the use of scales for transaction of businesses. The new method was aimed at eliminating problems associated with the old measuring practices.
 
Deliberate alteration of measures; not measured fully to standard by trimming the head, melting and layering the plastic bowls and other containers with candles to reduce container size; deliberate distortion of bottles to reduce their content capacity and unhygienic conditions of the bottles, tins and others used for measuring liquid items are some of the causes of frequent friction among buyers and sellers in most markets.
 
While launching the standardised weights and measuring scales known as Osunwon Omoluabi at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said fair and honest trade rest on the use of accurate weights and measures.
 
Aregbesola said: “No business can be conducted satisfactorily unless each person is sure the other person is fair and honest.”
 
He further stated that the scheme would eliminate cheating and other malpractices that have become the hallmark of doing business in most markets.
 
The governor maintained that the use of standardised scales in markets across the state will engender a chain of economic benefits, adding that dealers in weighing scales would experience business expansion as the programme will ensure increase in the demand of their products.
 
Aregbesola said the move was to make the state the preferred destination for commercial activities in the sub-region, reiterating that his administration would not relent in its efforts to increase economic activities.
 
He said: ”In the quest to be competitive and make more profit, which is greed, traders devise varying means of short-changing buyers. Measures are deliberately reduced through cutting, filling with candles and wax, and sleight of hand. Scales are tilted fraudulently while husks, chaffs, barks and other rubbish are included in goods sold, with the intention of reducing the actual value of what the buyers take home.
 
“One of the tragedies of this immoral practice is that foreigners began to distrust our export because, for instance, cocoa graders put top grades at the top of the sack, leaving poor quality at the bottom, and in the process, collect money for the top grade. Those who are in the business can tell you what loss they suffered because foreigners distrusted their products and classified all cocoa coming from our land as inferior, irrespective of the grade.”
 
The Governor maintained that the introduction of standardised weights and measures was a Federal Government’s law being replicated in the state.
 
He explained that weights and measures constitute item 63 on the Exclusive Legislatives List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is, only the Federal Government can legislate on weights and measures in the country.
 
The various laws made in this respect include Weights and Measures Act CAP W3LFN, 2004, Pre-Shipment Inspection of Export Act CAP P25 LFN, 2004; Weights and Measures Standardisation of Indigenous Measures Regulations, 1992 and the Weights and Measures Fees Regulations.
 
“The legislations are geared toward ensuring that products are not under-dispensed at markets, factories, oil and gas stations and crude oil depot in Nigeria,” he said.
 
The Coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Ismaila Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada, who is the former Commissioner for Industries, Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment, hinted that the standardised weighing scale across markets in the state became necessary in order to mitigate challenges noticeable in commercial transactions.
Jayeoba-Alagbada said in order to eradicate cheating in the process of exchange of commercial goods and checkmate other challenges of market forces, government decided to formally introduce the standardised weighing scales.
He stated that training workshops had already been conducted in the markets all over the state on the effective use of the scales.
 
He stated that the Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the day-to-day administration of the programme.
 
 
He said: “I need to emphasise that market men and women had been fully mobilised to key into this emerging commercial revolution. Both the leadership and the followership of the associations of market women and men had agreed, not only to comply with the right use of the scales and measures but also to continuously carry out peer reviews with a view to ensuring flawless implementation of the standardised weighing scales and measures programme. I want to place it on record that, but for the grace of God and the dogged determination of Mr. Governor, this launch, and indeed the entire standardised scales and measures programme would have been a mirage.”
 
He revealed that 178 OYES cadets have been trained under the train-the-trainer programme on the use, maintenance and repairs of the new measuring scales. The OYES cadet would also man some control posts in all the markets to serve both as repair and challenge-mitigating centres.
 
Speaking on the new scale, the President-General of Osun State Market Women Association, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, said the standardised scale became necessary due to imbalance in measurement and fraud in commercial activities.
 
Asindemade said the kongo measurement introduced to the market in the old Oyo State became the standard measurement in Osun State when it was created. According to her, the old measurement was gradually subjected to abuse and fraud to the extent that individual seller used his or her yardstick for measurement, thus the need to re-standardise and unify it.
 
She, however, warned that the introduction of the standard scale should not translate to increase in prices of commodity in the markets.
 
“It is in a bid to correct the anomaly in measurement and scale that the Osun State government introduced the standardised weighing scales in markets so as to forestall fraud and cheating in measurements. As we embrace this innovation, I call on market men and women to co-operate with government to make this a success. Besides, introduction of the weight and measurement does not and should not lead to increase in price of commodities in our markets.”
 
The state government, however, subsidised the new measuring scales for the traders. For instance, from the supplier in Lagos, a 150kg platform is sold for N38, 500, but the state government is selling it at N28, 500. The prices of the scales are: 150kg (table) N8, 500, 20kg N2, 500, 10kg 2,500, while 5kg is N2, 000.

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The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reassured on prompt implementation of pro-masses policies and programmes targeted to bring the desired change and succor to every resident of the state.
 

 
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration readiness to maintain a top position among its peers at championing good environmental sanitation.
Aregbesola stated this during the presentation of highway managers’ kits to the members of Osun Waste Management, OWMA.
Governor Aregbesola who identified environmental challenges as part of the reasons his administration took aggressive steps towards waste management and sanitation, saying the efforts started with the 90 days emergency declaration on sanitation and zero tolerance for filth and drift at the later end of the launching of the O’Clean and O’9lean plus initiatives.
He boasted that the available records and accolades earned through the initiative had without any sense of doubt positioned the state as one of the safest states in environmental management.

Analyzing some of his achievements, Governor Aregbesola said his government had contributed significantly in the reduction of sanitation related diseases.
He emphasized that the present government had modified the monthly environmental sanitation observed every last Saturday of the month to include markets and workplaces sanitation every Thursday of the week.
According to him, “our administration has also dredged and channeled major rivers and streams throughout the state so as to prevent the palpable loss of lives and property usually associated with the menace of flooding.

“We have also ensured that Osun Waste Management Agency created by this administration received all necessary attention and support to fulfil its mandate of keeping the state clean.
Governor Aregbesola who commended management of Sterling Bank of being the first corporate entity to deem it fit to collaborate with the government
on waste management efforts.
He said, “we thank the management of Sterling Bank for this laudable feat of donating these set of uniform kits to our road sweepers and highway managers.
He therefore urged other corporate entities to emulate the good gesture as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Lanre Adesanya, said the presentation of uniforms to refuse packers and environmental highway managers was in line with the bank’s strategic focus on the environment as one of its corporate’s social responsibility priorities.

He commended the state government’s  efforts at changing the landscape of the entire state in spite of the challenges being experienced both in the private and public sectors.
Mr. Adesanya noted that the efforts are undoubtedly a reflection of an unparalleled determination and commitment to have in place a state that can be proud of.
He said, “at Sterling Bank, environmental cleanliness is one of the cardinal points of our Corporate Social Responsibility thrust that informs the bank’s continued commitment of enormous resources towards ensuring that the environment where we live is habitable.
“As we embark on this mission, we consider it of utmost importance, to protect those whose job is to manage and clean the environment that is why we came up with the idea of producing uniforms for highway managers to ensure their safety, make them more relevant in the society and as well as dignify them while discharging their duties.
He therefore assured the state of continuous support and collaboration in maintaining a healthy environment in the state.
In his remarks, the General Manager, Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA), Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun said the government of the state of Osun, through Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA) has in the recent years embarked on various activities under the O’OCLEAN and O’OCLEAN PLUS initiatives with the focus on achieving the government objectives of restoration of healthy living and empowerment for the citizenry.

Alhaji Oyeladun noted that the current administration has successfully placed a high priority on environmental sanitation and waste management, hence the creation of this agency.
He said OWMA has succeeded in entrenching the culture of cleanliness among the citizenry, adding that with the efforts put together by the agency, there is sharp reduction in sanitation related diseases just as there is drastic reduction in mortality and morbidity rates.
The OWMA General Manager explained that in the previous years, the agency has consolidated on the gains of the various components of the O’Clean plus initiative, which include “PSP waste management, Igi-Iye, Biogas, waste Nylon buy back, O’clean Marshal, among others.
Alhaji Oyeladun pointed out that the agency was able to achieve the feats through the significant cooperation of members of the public on the regular statewide environmental sanitation exercises, as well as weekly market and workplace/office sanitation every Thursday.
He commended the state government for its untiring efforts at ensuring clean, hygienic and safest environment across the state since inception.
According to him, “the OWMA appreciates the heavy investment of this government on waste management, which includes the servicing of the refuse compactors, the management of the central dumpsites and others scattered around the state, regular payment of the stipend to about 500 Road Managers and other sundry issues.
“These efforts have continued to attract awards for the state government both locally and internationally.
“The sixty-one units (61) of roll-on-roll refuse vehicles with two hundred and forthy-four (244) waste bin were distributed to private waste collectors under the private sector partnership programme in waste management.
“The PSP initiatives had succeeded in providing employment opportunities for the citizens as well sustaining the gains of the O’clean programme.
“The initiative also has the potential of achieving the zero tolerance for dirt and filth in the state, as well as increasing the internally generated revenue of the state government in the coming years.

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This story is not for those with rigid views about the culpability of the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, for the so-called hijab crisis in Osun schools. The goal is not to convince, but to educate, them and others about hijab wearing by female students in Osun schools. I tell the story from three perspectives.
 

 
First, I have spent about 20 years in Osun State, primarily at Ilesa and Ile-Ife, and have travelled across the entire state over the years. Ever before Aregbesola became governor, I encountered hijab-wearing female students in both Muslim and Christian schools in different parts of the territory now known as Osun State. True, there have been periodic arguments about hijab in the schools, but never have such arguments overshadowed discussions about education in the state, where there are more serious problems to be solved. It is most unfortunate that Aregbesola’s well-intentioned intervention has now been turned on its head over hijab, which is now being used as a whip to “flog” him with.

Second, I have known the Aregbesola ancestral family in Ilesa since my Higher School Certificate days in Ilesa Grammar School in the 60s. The Aregbesola lineage is made up of both Christians and Muslims. I also know Governor Aregbesola’s own nuclear family quite well. Both he and his wife are Muslims. I know that his wife does not wear hijab. Nor does his daughter. I wonder why and how he could Islamise a whole state, when he comes from a family of Christians and Muslims.
Third, I also know a lot about the educational programme being implemented in Osun by Aregbesola. I reviewed the programme at inception and have written about it on this column. Two central features of the programme are the re-classification and restructuring of the schools, primarily to separate elementary grades 1-4, the beneficiaries of the school feeding programme, from the rest of the elementary grades, which are then merged with the JSS grades 1-3 to form the Middle school in the re-classification. The SSS grades 1-3 are then constituted into High School in the re-classification.
It was this re-classification that led to the restructuring of schools, which in turn led to the merging of some schools and the building of mega schools to accommodate the merged populations. Aregbesola was, however, careful to ensure that Muslim and Christian schools were not merged. Rather, Muslim schools were merged only with Muslim schools, while Christian ones were merged only with their Christian counterparts.
Baptist High School, Iwo, is the site of one of such mergers, adding on students from four other Christian schools, namely, Baptist Secondary School, United Methodist, St. Mary’s, and St. Anthony’s. The last three of these schools had hijab-wearing female students before the merger.
True, Aregbesola never ordered the use or non-use of hijab in Osun schools, the merger of hijab- and non-hijab wearing schools made Baptist High School a site of contestation over hijab, the Christian affiliations of the five schools notwithstanding.
Whether blown up or not by the press, the hijab issue is a lesson for all politicians. In plural societies, cleavages between groups could be exploited for political gain. In societies, like Osun with shared history, culture, and language, religious differences assume greater importance than usual. In Osun today, hijab has been elevated to the highest level as a symbol of religious differences.
There have been two major occasions for this elevation. The first occurred in 2013/14 as the contest for the governorship election took off. At that time, political opponents took as much mileage as they could over a concocted hijab crisis. The second occasion followed a recent court judgment which validated the wearing of hijab. On both occasions, some Christians brainwashed or pressurised a few students to wear Christian robes to school, and even monitored the teachers’ reactions. It all happened in the same Baptist High School, Iwo.
On this second occasion, however, a second school was involved. At the Christ African Middle School, Osogbo, some female Muslim students were prevented from participating in school activities because they wore hijab in the attempt to enforce the court judgment. Muslim leaders quickly intervened and brought the situation under control.
How and why commentators quickly extrapolated from incidents in one or two schools to the entire state says a lot about the state of journalism in this country. True, there are genuine questions to be raised about the dividends of Aregbesola’s investment in education in the state. It is, however, unfortunate that the press would wait for a uniform crisis to raise those concerns.
It is even more worrisome that protests by a few students in one or two schools, at the instigation of their parents or politicians, could be used to anticipate violence of the scale of Boko Haram insurgency and pipeline vandalism by the Niger Delta militants.
It is equally shameful that some parents or guardians would push or pressurise their children or wards to protest hijab and not substantive educational problems. It is particularly worrisome that Christian leaders would take the law into their own hands instead of taking  a leaf from their Muslim counterparts’ book, by appealing the court judgment, which they considered favourable to Muslims.
I have always been sceptical of a press that stokes the fire of disunity, instead of seeking ways of educating the public properly and making opposing sides of a sensitive issue, such as religion, see reason.
This is not to say that there have not been useful suggestions in the commentaries. For example, Aregbesola has been advised to turn over the Christian schools to their missionary owners. However, such an armchair suggestion is not based on what obtains on the ground in Osun today. The strides taken so far with the reclassification and restructuring of Osun schools have gone so deep that reversing the trend will be a huge waste of state resources. Besides, from my knowledge of similar steps in the United States, it often takes years for the dividends of such investment to begin to show.
Finally, Osun parents will contribute more to their children’s education when they work hand in hand with the government and the school teachers to resolve conflicts in the schools. If such attempts fail, there is always the court of law.
 
Source : Punch Newspaper

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The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged Officers and Men of Nigeria Police Force on the need to strengthen community relations among the diverse people of Nigeria.
 

 
Aregbesola also pointed out that the only ingredient capable of enhancing the activities of the members of Nigeria Police Force was to maintain civility while discharging their constitutional duties as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Governor Aregbesola stated this during address at the Passing-Out Parade of Police Mobile Force Squadron Commanders’ Seminal/Combat Operation Course 03/2016, at Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State.
Aregbesola identified the protection of lives and property of Nigerian people as the reason behind the establishment of Nigeria Police Force, saying the only way for police officers in the country to champion the course was to establish and entrench a strong bond with the people in their various communities.
The Governor who charged the nation’s police on the need to rededicate themselves and live up to their responsibilities, said officers of the Nigeria Police Force must build more on efficiency, competence, courage, sacrifice and effectiveness.
Governor Aregbesola who described community relations as a vibrant mechanism to policing, said the time has come for the management of Nigeria Police Force to map-out strategies that will maintain and sustain favourable, mutually-beneficial and cordial relationships between it and the citizens.
The governor maintained that not until the police see themselves as part and parcel of the community, their services to the nation would remain ineffective and unappreciated.
Aregbesola also used the occasion to appeal to the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, to as a matter of necessity expedite actions that would reposition the force and as well stamp-out the perceived corruption and ineptitude.
He noted that such action if properly carried out would definitely correct the anomalies in the sector and as well instill trust and confidence.
He said, “going by the space of the current security challenges facing our nation, there is no iota of doubt that one of the ways to overcome this security menace was for the officers and men of Nigeria Police to develop workable strategy that will fast track necessary intimacy between it and the people in the community.
“Since society can only be civilized if there is adequate security of lives and property, hence, remains a challenge to security agencies to maintain good relations with the people in the communities.
“Police must integrate with the people in the community to ensure that their civil responsibility is being carried out with high sense of discipline, loyalty and competence.
“As part of the efforts of Nigeria Police to ensure safety, they must not forget the fact that safety begins in their immediate environment and for this purpose, they must respect the people in the society and engagement them in their services”, Aregbesola added.
Governor Aregbesola who described the state as one of the safest states in Nigeria, said his administration would not relent to prioritize safety of the citizenry in all its policies.
He therefore advocated for peaceful co-habitation among Nigerians, saying “united will stand divided will fall”.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris revealed that efforts are in top gear to ensure that all commissioned officers from the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police to the Inspector-General of Police declare their assets.
The newly appointed IGP said the initiative is aimed at checking the activities of corrupt officers and deterring others from indulging in corrupt practices while nothing that the obvious implication of unprofessional conducts will attract serious disciplinary measures.
Idris who vowed to complement the efforts of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against insurgency, corruption and other related vices, said the Force is set to put a drastic end to all the myriads of challenges bedeviling the country.
He described corruption as a cankerworm which has been identified as the most critical factor holding the Nigeria Police back from the path of quality and professional service delivery, saying his administration was set to consolidate on the solidly built foundation of its previous administration in tackling corruption and ensure that the Force is ridded of a few misguided elements bringing infamy upon the image of the Force.
The new IGP disclosed that his administration would ensure that the root cause of corruption is fought to standstil by frontally engaging the IGP Monitoring Unit and X-Squad to checkmate officers nationwide with a view to enforcing accountability, transparency and discipline among officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, “This event is coming at a very crucial time when the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to build a Police Force capable of combating emerging security challenges of national concern such as kidnapping, militancy, insurgency, terrorism, communal clashes, cattle rustling and host of other organized crimes”.
“We will spare no effort to ensure total accomplishment of these goals and also maintain a safest, secured and prosperous nation through prompt and timely discharge of our duties as police officers.
He promised that his administration would consolidate on the welfare initiatives of the immediate past administration by ensuring prompt payment of salaries, promotion of officers as at when due through regular encouragement.
The new IGP vowed that his administration would uphold adequate protection of lives and property just as it remains one of the cardinal duties of the Nigeria Police Force, adding that special attention would also be given to action and potential consequences.
He however charged the participants of the course on the need to take critical analysis of the lessons learnt from the training with a view to be more effective and efficient in their performance and maintain the virtues of worthy ambassador of Nigeria.
The new IGP who expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated commanders, expressed delight in the fact that they (commanders) demonstrated a high sense of discipline, professional competence, dedication and responsibility during the course of the training exercise.
According to him,”going by the quality of the training acquired in the last three-week, I have no doubt that you will translate these strategic professional competences into actionable realities.
“It is also my joy that you have all demonstrated these distinguishing virtues and successfully completed your three-week exercise”.
He noted that it remains important for them to know that every action and inaction of the men under their respective commands will have direct bearing on someone’s life which may make or mar their careers as the case may be.
The new IGP urged them to rise up to the challenges by applying the skills acquired towards nipping emergent crimes in the bud.
“Henceforth, all police officers must act with utmost civility to members of the public in the course of discharging their constitutional responsibilities”, he added.
He therefore called on the commanders of the operational arm of the Force to display a high sense of professionalism by ensuring that their personnel are appropriately deployed to authorized persons, saying henceforth all officers who might have been deployed to the unauthorized persons must be withdrawn immediately.
In his remarks, the Commandant, Police Mobile Training College, Ila-Orangun, ACP Muhammed Dankwara, revealed that a total of fifty-nine (59) out of sixty (60) Squadron commanders who attended the three-week course have been recommended for pass-out after a rigorous, tedious, energy sapping, re-invigorating, physically and mentally tasking courses.
ACP Dankwara stressed that the course which commenced on Monday 6th of June, 2016 saw the course participants through theory and practical work including strategic leadership/management course, PMF duties and statutory roles of a commander as well as the use of the Global Position System, Weapon Handling, Firearm Laws among others.
He said, “I am pleased that the course participants have exhibited a high sense of discipline and commitment in all ramifications while the course lasted.
ACP Dankwara however implored the new IGP to as a matter of duty resuscitate the training of the rank and file in the Police Mobile Force so as to clear the backlog of training of local mobilized combatants in the various squadrons.
He noted that one of the ways to curb incessant misuse of firearms was for the authority of the Nigeria Police Force to urgently weapon handling for the gallant officers.
ACP Dankwara meanwhile suggested that operational outfit within the force be detailed to send officers and men on regular basis for training and retraining.

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The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed that a sum N350m has been spent by his administration on the construction of four modern markets in the state capital.
Aregbesola also revealed that his government has disbursed a sum of N28m as compensation to people whose properties  and means of livelihood have been affected by the ongoing construction of rural roads across the state.

 
The Governor stated this at the flag-off ceremony for the Payment of Compensation to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) on Rural Access and Mobility Project Roads Construction (RAMP) and Opening of the Four Newly Constructed Markets, at the new yam market, Awosuru, Alekuwodo Area, Osogbo.
The Governor who described good roads as prerequisite mechanism to socioeconomic development in the society, said the massive construction of rural roads by the present administration was aimed to facilitate his vision at turning the state to the food basket of the nation.
The Governor said as part of his government’s determination to turn Osun to a commercial hub of the southwestern region, his government has mustered necessary efforts to enhance massive construction and establishment of the state-of-the-art modern markets and commercial centres in the state.
Aregbesola said the new markets located at different parts of the state capital were established to turn the state into economic hub of the country, saying with the inauguration of modern markets,  consumers of goods will be attracted to the markets because of their modern facilities.
He expressed delight on the springing up of new markets, saying the new ideas would set the tone for quick economic recovery of the state and as well boost the Internally Generated Revenue considerably.
Aregbesola said, “these markets will now be the point of commercial activities in the state as it will equally be the center of attraction for business activities from within and outside the country.
“we are very delighted to achieve this in the process of renewing our major cities. With this, we can boldly say we are killing two birds with a stone~beautifying our cities and trying to boost the economy through construction of modern markets”
“Good and decent markets is mutually beneficial for both the sellers and  buyers of goods.
“With this giant stride, our market men and women now have decent and clean shops to display their goods while meeting the choice of the consumers towards clean environment.
Speaking on the construction of rural roads which the state had embarked upon in collaboration with the World Bank and the French Development Agency, the Governor stressed that it is the determination of his administration to spare no effort at developing rural areas just as much is being done in the urban centres.
He revealed that his government decided to partner the World Bank and French Development Agency on the need to facilitate the construction of standard roads across the communities and villages in the state in order to promote agricultural sector.
Aregbesola emphasized benefits attached to good roads most especially in the local communities, stressing that greater achievement on this motive usually enhance easy transportation of  farm produce from rural areas to urban centres.
Governor Aregbesola who lamented over the nation’s over-reliance on crude oil, said no stone will be left unturned to ensure adequate resuscitation of agricultural sector in the state.
He insisted that for the nation to get out of the economic woes being currently experienced, all hands must be on deck to shift attention to non-oil sectors especially agriculture.
The Governor therefore expressed delight in the fact that most of the rural roads being constructed across the rural communities have been serving as linkage connecting many rural areas to urban cities for the realization of possible beneficial integration, economic growth and development.
He said, “roads construction should not only be limited to the urban centers, rural areas also needs to be given attention especially on the need to boost agricultural productivity.
“Farmers need to find it easy in conveying their farm produce to the markets, that is why we have collaborated with Word Bank and French Development Agency to construct rural roads for the benefit of our farmers.
“We are also happy to know that the construction of these rural roads have helped in connecting many rural communities not only to one another, but to urban cities which have been disconnected as a result of bad roads over the years”, he added.
Meanwhile, the state helmsman however handed over house keys to three of the claimants whose buildings were separated from the ongoing rural roads construction, while others were given cheques as compensation.
Earlier, Olura of Ira Arakeji, Oba Julius Fatanmi who spoke on behalf of other Royal fathers commended the efforts of the state government in developing the rural areas through the construction of roads.
He said the efforts of the present administration had significantly changed the lives of many farmers in the state and at the same open-up many rural communities which have been abandoned as a result of bad roads.
“Aregbesola’s efforts is unprecedented and we will forever be grateful for his good gestures as our communities are now very accessible just as new buildings are springing up here and there as roads connecting us to one another have been opened up.
“Our farm produce now attract good prices in the markets because we farmers are no longer scared that our goods will get spoilt before being conveyed to the markets”, the monarch added.
In their separate remarks, the President General of the Market Women Association in the state, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Arch. Wale Ojo and Coordinating Director, Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr. Abimbola Oso, lauded Governor Aregbesola for extending his kind gestures to the rural dwellers.
The trio confirmed that the present administration has in no doubt changed the face of commerce in the state through its greater contributions to state’s economy.
They described Governor Aregbesola as rural developer and transformer, noting that the development of grassroots and the urban centers had ever remained the priority of the current government.
According to Arch. Wale Ojo, “Obviously the quest for the rural people has already been entrenched in the six-point integral action-plan of this administration which is centered on the emancipation of the rural poor dwellers through the provision of good roads, farm inputs, land as well as the provision of loans to farmers.
“Though the implementation of the Urban Renewal Project in the state capital and some major cities led to the displacement of many traders, thus informed the government on the need to urgently establish ultra modern markets to cushion the effect.
On his part, Mr. Abimbola Oso said, “As for me, the relocation of some of our markets are bold steps taken by the state government to ensure that sanity and modernization are brought to commercial activities in the state.
“The urban renewal project for instance is an irreversible course because with this step, Osogbo is already wearing a new look and it is imperative to make a passionate appeal to all for whom these new markets have been provided to move in immediately.
Meanwhile, the newly opened markets are the yam market at Awosuru, the provision market at Igbo Kenya, the building materials market and the new MDS market at Ido Osun.
As part of the occasion were, the presentation of keys on the newly built houses to people whose houses were affected as a result of the construction of rural roads at Yinmi Aba and Gbengbeleku as well as the presentation of cheques to farmers whose farms were affected.

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