The Osun State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service has started issuing the new 64- page passport.

According to a statement made available in Osogbo on Thursday, the Comptroller of NIS in Osun State, Mrs. Stella Onwaduegbo, said this while Governor Rauf Aregbesola was being given the new passport.

Onwaduegbo urged those who have business to do at the command not to go through any tout, saying everybody who wanted to get the Nigerian passport must appear in person.

She said the e-passport was okay for frequent travelers and it would prevent identity theft.

According to her, the new passport will ensure the integrity of the Nigerian travel document adding that it has taken care of low income earners and the aged.

The NIS boss also appealed to Nigerians traveling outside the country to always see themselves as ambassadors of the country and therefore shun any act which could tarnish the image of Nigeria.

Aregebsola advised Nigerians who do not travel often to stick with the 32-page passports. He said getting the new ones would amount to waste of resources.

The governor also advised Nigerians travelling outside the country to shun any act which could tarnish the image of the nation.

Aregbesola tasked immigration officials to work hard to burnish the image of the country. He said that immigration officials must be dedicated and show enthusiasm about their job especially while attending to travelers coming and going out of the nation.

OSUN DEFENDER

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In an apparent response to public outcry, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday said it might review the creation of additional 30,000 polling units in the country.

Dropping this hint in Osogbo, the Osun State capital yesterday, the INEC National Commissioner in-charge of the South-West, Prof. Lai Olurode, said if the generality of opinion the commission had been collating on the issue was against the creation of the polling units, the commission might have no alternative than review it.

Olurode, who spoke at a media parley organised by the Osun State chapter of Association of Veteran Journalists, entitled: “The Frontliners”, held at the press centre, said the creation of the new polling units had been attracting severe criticisms because the electoral body did not do extensive consultations before announcing it.

He said the creation of the new polling units was done with good intention, adding that it was done to make it easier for voters to cast their votes and decongest existing polling units in the country.

Reacting to the large presence of security operatives during elections, Olurode stated that it elections would be better if more security could be provided, adding that the commission would not allow the use of masked securitymen during future elections in the country.

To ensure that the motive behind deployment of huge security for poll was not defeated, the INEC boss said the commission would ensure that securitymen are friendly with the electorate.

He said INEC was set for the 2015 election, saying, “We have been preparing the 2015 election since 2011.

“The voters’ register is 99 per cent clean as at now, and more technologies are being introduced to ensure that every vote counted.

“We will also use card readers to detect fake permanent voters’ card if there is any.”

NATIONAL MIRROR

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Osun State Government has disclosed its determination to make the state one of the highest producers of honey in the world.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola made the remarks while declaring open a national bee keeping workshop with the theme, “Knowledge Transfer Initiative Phase II”, orgniased by the National Board of Technology Incubation (NBTI) in collaboration with the State Modern Bee Keeping Association.
Aregbesola said that industrial grade honey extractors which would enable the state to extract honey from honeycomb bee farmers within and outside the state had been installed at the project site, Ashi in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that the state has the potential to compete with top honey producers in the world like U.S.A, China, Russia and Australia, saying that Osun has laid a foundation of providing bee keeping facilities to help beekeepers fulfil their potentials.
In his address, the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Abdu Bulama, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, praised the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola for taking the business of bee keeping very seriously.
Also, President of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTF), Hon. Bayo Ajibade expressed appreciation to the state government for establishing an Apiary in the state and making it to function optimally, saying the apiculture at Oyan has blossomed into an enviable citadel of apicultural studies.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Quick Impact Intervention Programme (QIIP), Mr Dele Ogundipe, re affirmed the state government’s resolve to make Osun the leading producer of honey in the country and one of the leaders in the world.
The Director General for NBTI, Dr Mohammed Jibrin, while welcoming participants to the workshop said part of the objectives of the phase II training is to devise strategies of sustainably funding the initiative in order to address the challenges of honey production.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

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To alleviate the burden of high costs of rams for the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir, Osun State government has flagged off the sale of rams at affordable prices to the people.

Flagging off the sales at Oloba Farm Settlement located in Iwo, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the gesture was part of his administration’s efforts to make life abundant for the people of the state.

Speaking through the secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Governor Rauf Aregbesola explained that the sale of rams and cows at the Oloba Farm Settlement was not only for Muslims but for all the citizens, adding that his administration embarked on the rearing of rams and cows since 2012 at the location to capture at least 10% of the meat consumption of Lagos State after meeting the local needs of the Osun people.

According to the governor, the project, under the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme tagged ‘O REAP’, has not only provided meat and boosted the state’s economy but has also provided employment for youths and enhanced food security which is one of the six action plans of his administration.

He said, “The rams that are being offered here are of the highest quality possible. This is the product of our effort at best practices in partnership with Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Oluponna Fish Farming Educational Resource (OFFER) Centre, Oluponna and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)”.

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As part of the effort of the Osun State government to reduce the cost of rams during the forthcoming Eid-ed-Kabir festival for the people of the state, it has flagged off the sale of rams at affordable prices to the people.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola flagged off the sales of rams for Eid-id-Kabir festival at Oloba Farm Settlement located in Iwo. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Governor Aregbesola said that the gesture was part of his administration’s efforts to make life more meaningful for the people of the state.
He explained that the sales of rams and cows at the Oloba Farm Settlement was not only for Muslims but for all citizens, adding that his administration embarked on the rearing of rams and cows since 2012 at the location to capture at least 10 percent of the meat consumption of Lagos State after meeting the local needs of meat and boost the state economy.
Governor Aregbesola noted that his government would not leave any stone unturned at ensuring adequate food security for the people, explaining that the gesture was part of his government’s Six Point Integral Action Plan aimed at transforming the state. According to him, “In Lagos alone, at least 6,000 cattle are slaughtered every day and at every Ileya, thousands of rams are killed in celebration of Eid Malud.
If we can plug effectively into this, we will provide at least 5,000 direct jobs and five times more indirectly through animal husbandry and allied industries. “This Oloba Cattle Ranch and the others that are being developed in the state will be managed by private sector operators in a public private partnership with the state government.
These operators will be responsible for administering the ranch, ensuring security of property and cattle, and will collect and remit fees on behalf of government. “The role of government is to develop the road, power and water infrastructure required on the ranches, while the general public in Osun will be able to lease space to feed and keep their cattle until they are ready for the market.” 
NIGERIAN PILOT

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Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor on O’REAP, Mr Komolafe Femi; Director General Office of Economic Development and Partnership, Dr Charles Akinola; Secretary to State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; All Progressive Congress (APC) Party Chairman in Iwo local Government, Alhaji Semiu Ayanfe and others during the opening of sales of ram for the 2014 Ileya festival at the Oloba cattle ranch, Oloba, Iwo in Osun State on Tuesday.

Secretary to State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (2nd
right); Director General Office of Economic Development and
Partnership, Dr Charles Akinola (2nd left); Senior Special Assistant
to Osun State Governor on O’REAP, Mr Komolafe Femi (right); Project
Consultant, Mr Ladi Olanrewaju (left); All Progressive Congress (APC)
Party Chairman in Iwo local Government, Alhaji Semiu Ayanfe (3rd left)
during the openning of sales of ram for the 2014 Ileya festival at the
Oloba cattle ranch, Oloba, Iwo in Osun State on Tuesday 30-09-2014

(L-R) Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor on O’REAP, Mr
Komolafe Femi; Director General Office of Economic Development and
Partnership, Dr Charles Akinola; Secretary to State Government of
Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; All Progressive Congress (APC) Party
Chairman in Iwo local Government, Alhaji Semiu Ayanfe and others
during the openning of sales of ram for the 2014 Ileya festival at the
Oloba cattle ranch, Oloba, Iwo in Osun State on Tuesday.

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In a bid to further boost fish production in the state under the Osun Fisheries Outgrower Production Scheme (OFOPS), the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has entered into a collaborative agreement with Dutch Company (Dieselexport) on ways of improving the fish farming and value addition.

The areas of the collaborative agreement include: the production of quality fish feed, organisation of capacity building for farmers, processing of the fish to standard for export and drafting of experts to remain in Osun.

Receiving members of the company in his office, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin, who was represented by the Coordinating Director in the ministry, Dr Bukola Aluko, said the state is willing to collaborate with the company because it always wants to be a big player in the fish business.

While explaining that the present administration of Ogbeni Raurf Aregbesola is ready to give them enabling environment to operate, the commissioner then implored them to expedite action so that the collaboration will begin as soon as possible, explaining that the state government decided to collaborate with the Feg Agro farms because of the passion of the owner in fishery production.

In their separate remarks, the representatives of Dieselexport International, Netherlands, Mr. Sadiq Usman, and Mr. Peter Roberts both expressed optimism that the collaboration with the state government of Osun will benefit the state in so many ways including employment generation while expressing delight in what they saw at Feg Agro farms, Ijeda where they visited.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

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Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has restated his readiness to ensure transformation of rural communities across the state.

The governor stated this during the commissioning of projects executed under the second phase of replication of UNICEF Community Development Initiative Programme, UCDIP, and Osun State government in conjunction with local government across the state.

Aregbesola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Water Resources Rural Development and Community Affairs, Mr Kunle Ige, at the commissioning of the twenty five projects out of sixty projects executed for rural communities in the thirty local government area and Modakeke Area office of the state, noted that the projects have potentials of improving the standard of living of rural dwellers, urging residents to guide the project jealously.

Inaugurating electrification project in Anarun and a modern palace in Agberire communities in Iwo Local Government area of the state, Aregbesola maintained that his administration would continue to make welfare of his people a priority, adding that the state had witnessed unprecedented transformation in all facets of human life under his administration.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Iwo Local Government, Alhaji kamorudeen Alao, said the present administration in the state had resolved to position rural communities for economic development through provision of basic facilities in rural areas.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the Baale of Anarun, Chief Samuel Oyewole and Olukotun of Agberire, Chief Waliu Adekunle, lauded the state government for the gesture and promised effective utilisation of the projects.

NATIONAL MIRROR

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Ahead the conduct of 2015 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Osun, on Wednesday, commenced the display of election notices in all the 30 local government areas in the state, including its secretariat, situated along Gbongan-Ibadan Expressway.

The election notice was pasted at the headquarters of all the 30 local government councils, without the exception of the only area office in Modakeke.

It explained that provision of section 30 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 states that “notice of 2015 General Elections should be published not later than ninety (90) days before the day appointed for holding of an election.

Under this Act notice is hereby given that election to the following offices shall hold as follows”,

According to the notice, “the Presidential andNational Assembly Election would hold on the 14th February, 2015, while the State House of Assembly Election comes up on the 28th February, 2015”.

“To this end, the Independent National Electoral Commission, Osun State on Wednesday 1st October, 2014, has displayed at the State Office of the Commission and thirty (30) Local Government Offices and Area Office , Modakeke notice of 2015 General Elections”, the release added.

TRIBUNE

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The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has identified peoples’ freedom to willingly choose their leaders as a hallmark of democracy.

Aregbesola, in a message by the Director, the Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, observed this in a message to mark the nation’s 54th independence anniversary.

The governor said independence, in the true sense of the word, will only make meaning if people of the nation have unrestricted free will to elect their leaders at all tiers of government.

According to him, a refusal to allow peoples’ will and aspirations to be freely expressed most of the time results in chaos and confusion.

He called on leaders and people of the country to come to terms with the reality of what democracy means, which is the unfettered freedom of expression, of choice of those whom the people want to rule them.

Through this alone, Aregbesola said, will independence benefit the nation and propel its people towards positive contributions.

“Democracy as a system of government only has meaning in an atmosphere of freedom

“Our nation stands to benefit immensely if the will of the people supersedes the individual leader’s ambition.

“We, as a nation, must put our acts together as from now on and remain focused on how to move this country to greater heights.

“This should be the lesson as well as the primary message we should spread around as the nation clocks 54 years,” Aregbesola said

Adding that Nigeria’s independence will be meaningless unless there is absolute respect for democratic ethos, Aregbesola said “Today, our country witnesses blatant cases of abuse of human rights and total disregard for the rights of the people to choose those who lead them.

“Relentlessly, we have campaigned for a true federation which takes into account all the freedom of the federating units to conduct their affairs in the most suitable manner according to their respective circumstances.

“It is regrettable that many of the institutions of the state which ought to be in place for the enthronement of acceptable federalism and democracy have been weakened deliberately to achieve some personal political and economic advantages of those who had worked over the years against the happiness of our people.”

Aregbesola said collectively all Nigerians could make independence work by compelling leaders to act with total respect for the rule of law adding, “Our country stands the chance of covering the lost grounds if only we realize the need to act in the best interest of the people.”

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