Osun Archives — OsunDefender

Aregbesola’s Work Has Spoken For Him – Oba Aromolaran

As Governor Visits Ijesa South Federal Constituency

The Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran has said that the huge infrastructure development of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in Osun has spoken for him and will continue to.

He said if the All Progressives Congress (APC) plays by the rules and listens to elders advise on the way forward, victory in the coming poll‎ is guaranteed.

Aromolaran emphasised that it is only God who has the final say in who becomes the Governor of the state at the expiration of Aregbesola’s tenure, but with prayers anything can happen.

The Monarch stated this when Governor Aregbesola paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Adimula before the commencement of the ‎goodwill visit to members of APC by the governor to Ijesa South Federal Constituency.

The royal father urged politicians ahead the coming election to stop maligning themselves for a better Osun and Nigeria to be achievable, saying that the winner of the forthcoming election is only known to God and can be unlocked through prayers. ‎

He commended Aregbesola for the infrastructure development that has happened in the state but asked that government should ensure that more is done in Ijesaland.

“Aregbesola has done so well for Osun and deserves commendation from all angles, especially on roads and school infrastructure.

“His works have always spoken for him and I am sure it will continue to. As for the coming gubernatorial elections on September 22, I want us all to understand that it is God that chooses a leader but with prayers our heart desires will be granted.

“Myself and the whole of Ijesaland including the chiefs will continue to hail Aregbesola for his achievements, but I want to use this medium to appeal to the administration to do more for Ijeshaland.

“As we are pledging our unflinching support to the governor, I want to urge politicians in Osun and Nigeria at large to eschew politics of bitterness for the benefit of the state and the country at large.

The Governor at the goodwill visits stated that the team came to sensitise members of the party on the forthcoming election in September this year‎.

He urged the people of the state to learn from Lagos who had enjoyed unprecedented development due to the fact that the state is enjoying unbroken regime of the progressive party.

Aregbesola stated that ever since the creation of Nigeria when Osun was a division of the Western Region and now a state, no government has ever achieved his administration’s feat in terms of infrastructural development.

He explained further that the essence of allowing continuity in government in Osun is not for himself alone but for the benefit of the entire state as the spate of development being experienced will definitely continue under the APC‎ government.

While thanking God for liberating the state through the APC government, Aregbesola stressed that residents of the state should be careful not to allow the opposition take over the state ever again.

He said, “I want us to be very careful not to lose what we have; what we have is unparalleled ‎development which have never been experienced in the state since its creation.

“The state is going through a developmental phase and we must be careful not to halt the steady wind of positive change that is blowing across the state.

“Lagos state is the most developed state in the country today simply because no other party has, apart from the APC, ruled the state. It is the continuity in the governance of Lagos that has enabled it to develop in that manner.

“I thank God for liberating Osun through our party and I urge us seriously to guide the state from being taken over by the opposition again”. The governor stated.

Propagate Our Party, Mobilize People – Aregbesola Urges Party Members

By Nofisat Marindoti

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged members of his party, The All Progressives Congress, APC, to propagate and mobilize people ahead the fast approaching Governorship election.

Aregbesola who noted that the party is lagging behind, urged the members to start working again passionately to ensure the party’s victory at the polls.

The Governor gave this charge on a visit to Ijesa South Federal Constituency on Tuesday.

He also implored them not to allow those who wouldn’t work when they get into power, to get elected.

According to him, “Lagos State is the most developed city because of the same party continuity. They are enjoying the dividend of democracy there. It is for our benefit if APC remains power.

Ijesa South Federal Constituency APC Crowd

“Don’t be deceived, our party is our pride and we have been lagging behind, let’s start working again. Let’s propagate our party and mobilize people. No Government since democracy started, has done what APC has done in Osun and we are not relenting, we are still working.

“There are 11 high schools in Ilesa, 9 has been completed, before the end of our tenure, the remaining two will be completed and that is just for high schools, the middle schools are there, our various programmes are there, the road projects are also there which will all be completed before the end of our tenure as well.”

The Governor thereby urged the people to support whoever becomes the party’s candidate.

“I implore us to stand with whoever becomes the party’s candidate, let’s be more concerned about the party and not the person.” he added.

In his remarks, the party State Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, appreciated the party members for coming out en-masse. He urged them to be united ahead the fast approaching election.

He also implored them to let go of all misunderstandings to ensure the party’s victory at the polls.

The Governor also paid a courtesy visit to the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II.

Aregbesola Condemns Iran-Saudi Arabia Proxy Conflict, Advocates Tolerance, Peace

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has condemned in it totality the proxy conflict between the two powerful Islamic countries Iran and Saudi-Arabia that had claimed lives in recent time.

Aregbesola said the persecution of the victims would portray the two countries in bad light, hence the need to strengthen peace, tolerance and love.

He stated this on Tuesday while playing a host on the ‎members of Muslim Media Watch Group‎, at Government House, Osogbo.

The Governor who described as an ‘unchecked acrimony’, the cold war between the two countries maintained that if not quickly nipped in the bud could escalate to other parts of the Islamic world.

Aregbesola posited that a crisis between Saudi Arabia and Iran spells doom for the entire Muslim world because of their position, stressing that it is totally wrong for an individual to be persecuted because of what he or she believes in.

He condemned in totality a situation where groups of people are being persecuted for their beliefs, saying such acts will make such group to feel being intimidated, thus leading to a strong revolt and resistance which may eventually lead to chaos and violence in the society.

Governor urged intellectuals of the religion to look for a means of mediating between the powerful countries that represent the religion of Islam, so as to guide against violence from erupting in other parts of the world.

According to Aregbesola, “The proxy cold war between the two powerful islamic countries, Saudi Arabia and Iran if not quickly checked could lead to bigger crisis which is not good for the entire muslim world.

“I know the crisis is all about tolerance and that is why I condemn in totality anything that can hinder peace, love and tranquility among the different religion adherents.

“There is no way you will show disaffection to people of other faiths or beliefs that it would not lead to resistance from them because they will feel persecuted and definitely violence will erupt.

“Many Muslims all over the world look to these two giant countries for the way they do things, hence the need to avert anything that could cause disaffection.

“I urge us to be more tolerant to one another‎ because that is what God preaches. No religion preaches against tolerance as God Himself preaches love and we can only serve God by showing love to one another.”

Earlier in his remarks, the National Coordinator of the group, Ustas Ibrahim Abdullahi applauded Aregbesola for promoting religious tolerance in the state.

Abdullahi also lauded the massive infrastructural developments which the present administration has achieved in the last seven and a half years.

He described the achievements made by the Aregbesola’s administration in all sectors as unprecedented since the creation of Osun.

The coordinator added the group decided to visit Mr Governor in recognition of success which the state has recorded since inception of the present administration.

Osunpoly Loses Female Lecturer

By Sodiq Lawal

The entire staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree have been thrown into mourning over the death of a French Lecturer, Mrs Awe Christine, who died in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to sources close to the deceased, she has been bedridden for almost a month at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife, but no particular illness was mentioned.

In an exclusive interview with the Rector of the institution, Dr Jacob Agboola confirmed the death of the deceased.

He described the death of the deceased as shocking.

The Head of Mass Communication Department, Mr Idowu Akinrosoye described the deceased as an hardworking woman.

Akinrosoye however extended condolences to the family of the deceased and to the staff and students of the institution.

Government Should Be Sustained By The People – Aregbesola

By Nofisat Marindoti

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has stated that it is the sole responsibility of the people to sustain and assist the government in carrying out its duties.

Aregbesola said the people could do this by paying their taxes, levies and other related payments.

The Governor said this while laying the foundation of the new secretariat complex of Ilesa East Local Council Development Area.

Ogbeni Aregbesola who lamented the dependence of Nigerians on the allocation from the Federal Government, posited that money to serve to people should come from the people themselves.

“I commend the Chairman for this latest development, when I came here last year, there was nothing. I just want to appeal to our people to support the local Government by paying their taxes and levies. We all know the Local Government is closer to the people, it is like a community government and it deals with our daily affairs.

“What we practice in Nigeria is an aberration, Government should be sustained by the people. No Government can succeed without resources and the money for these resources should come from the people themselves.

“We have all depended on the Federal allocation which is now not there anymore. If you want the realization of the Local Government Secretariat, then we must be alive to our revenue responsibility by paying our taxes.” He added.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Hon. Oladipo Adeniyi, appreciated the Governor for his laudable and people oriented projects which has transformed the State into the cynosure of all eyes.

Osun Repairs Six Fire Trucks

To prevent fire disaster, loss of property and related disasters, the Osun State Government has repaired and put to use six fire-fighting trucks.

The trucks have been out of use since 2010 before Rauf Aregbesola took over the reins of government in the state.

Adebisi Obawale, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, disclosed this when conducting test of the trucks repaired along with Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Obawale further stated that the abandoned fire trucks in the last seven years ago were now fully ready for any emergency in the state.

He described the repair as part of the Aregbesola administration’s achievements.

“Our first aim is to care for life and property as part of our six-point integral action.

“Although we are not praying for emergency or disasters, at the same time we must be fully prepared to save life and property as part of my office duties before minor issues became major problems,” said he.

Michael Ogundipe, the director, Fire Service, also explained to the governor that they now have enough manpower and equipment to combat fire across the state, especially in Ilesa, Iwo, Ife, Osogbo, Ede and Ikirun.

After the testing of the trucks by Osun State fire officers, Aregbesola gave kudos to the Commissioner for Ministry of Home Affairs, for his commitment in the rehabilitation and repair of the trucks.

Osun Bureau Releases Tax Defaulters’ Figure

Osun State Bureau of Statistics has released figures of tax defaulters.

The Statistician-General, Prof. Wasiu Alagbe Gbolagade, said in a statement that measures must be taken to address the “lackadaisical attitude of our people in the payment of tax to the government.”

He said the database for record of tertiary and non-government health institutions showed that the number of registered private health institutions was 586.

Gbolagade said: “Of this figure, the population of those paying tax regularly is 60. Those not paying tax are 526.

“In the case of registered private pharmacy premises, the total number of registered premises is 87 as at March 20. Seventy seven are not paying tax. Only 10 are paying when due.

“The record of registered patent and proprietary medicine vendors shows that the number registered with the government is 692 and none is paying.

“The number of registered beer parlours with the government is 172 and none is paying tax. Larger percentages of beer parlours have not registered with the government. Precisely, seven out of 30 registered.

“The registered number of eateries in Osogbo, the state capital, is nine and those responding to tax are seven. Two are not complying.

“The number of registered hotels is 381. Only 18 are paying tax.

“The number of registered water establishment is 477, out of which 470 are paying taxes. Seven are not paying. The number of registered petrol stations with the government is 723. Six hundred and seventy-one are not paying tax to the government. Only 52 are responding positively.

“Two thousand, four hundred and fifty cooperatives are registered. All of them are not paying tax because they claim they are non-profit organisations.”

Osun 2018: Aregbesola Calls For Continuity

By Nofisat Marindoti

As the governorship election draws closer, Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged party members to remain united to ensure the party’s victory at the polls.

Aregbesola gave this charge during a visit to Ife Federal constituency in Ile-Ife on Monday.

He implored members to support whoever becomes the party candidate, adding that the party should remain one and indivisible.

Ogbeni Aregbesola who stated that the former administration led by the opposition party, The Peoples Democracy Party, PDP, was characterized by corruption and lack of development, also urged the party members and the entire residents of the State not to fall for their deceit again.

According to him, “This event is not a rally, it is rather a meeting among party members. We shouldn’t wait until someone is picked as the party candidate before we start working, let’s start working now and support whoever becomes the party candidate.

“It is the continuity of our party that matters, let’s start working towards that continuity. The opposition has started their usual ways of misleading and deceiving people, we should take care not to get swayed.”

Aregbesola who listed the achievements of his administration, reiterated that any State or Country must borrow to ensure its development, adding that the United States of America also owes.

“It is not the borrowing and the debt that matters, it is what the money is used for that matters. Look at the achievements of our administration, look at the roads, the schools, the medical centres and our various programmes, how else could we have achieved all these?”

The Governor also posited that he has no back account, asking anybody with contrary evidence to come out with it.

Osun Gets New REC

By Nofisat Marindoti

Mr Olusegun Agbaje has been posted to the State of Osun by The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

Sources confirm that the new REC resumed at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo, capital of the State on Monday.

Agbaje was received by the administrative officer of the commission who took him around the key departments in the headquarters.

On resumption, Agbaje held a meeting with some very senior officials of the commission. The subject matter of the meeting was not disclosed to our correspondent.

Agbaje is not new to Osun. He was posted to the state as election REC during the 2014 governorship election in the state which he conducted successfully.

See Yourselves As Agents Of ‘Change’ Mantra, Aregbesola Tells Corps Members

By Toba Adedeji

The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has implored corps members to be the best in making the country proud and see themselves as agents of ‘Change’ mantra of the APC government.

Aregbesola made this known at the Swearing-in ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘A’ Corps Members in National Youth Service Corp permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, State of Osun on Monday.

According to Aregbesola’s message to the corps members, he said, “I urge you to maintain discipline and decorum in camp and participate vigorously in all the activities of the orientation programme and throughout your service year.

“You should be the best the country would be proud of and see yourselves as agents of our ‘change’ mantra. You must shun corruption and other vices and instead embrace integrity and humility. To be great leaders tomorrow, you must lay a solid foundation today.”

Aregbesola who was represented by the Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement in the State of Osun, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega also commended the scheme for the values it has added so far.

He said, “Over the years, these founding objectives have been vigorously and successfully implemented. Thousands of youths, mobilized under the scheme, have contributed immensely to the growth and development of our country. Besides promoting national unity and integration, the NYSC scheme has also become a viable tool for the implementation of critical national development programmes.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Emmanuel Attah also disclosed that at the end of the Batch ‘A’ registration in Ede, the scheme registered 1188 male and 1223 females.

He admonished the corps members that the call for National Service is a clarion call to sacrifice, humility and dedicated service to our nation.

“As a highly skilled segmented of the youthful population of our country from different geographical, social and religious backgrounds, your amenability to tolerance and peaceful coexistence with one another will always remain a reliable barometer to measure the pressure of our national cohesion. You must, therefore; not let our nation down,” He said.

Don’t Relent In Your Support For Aregbesola – Ooni Charges Osun People

By Nofisat Marindoti

The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has urged residents of the State of Osun to back development by supporting the present administration led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Oba Ogunwusi said this during a courtesy visit by the Governor as part of events heralding his tour of Federal Constituencies in the state.

The Governor said the purpose of the visit was to check on party members at the various Constituencies.

He sought the Ooni’s prayers and approval in order to make the entire event a successful one.

Meanwhile, the Ooni expressed his happiness at seeing the Governor and appreciated his support for the town.

He also urged members of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to be united, adding that disunity hinders development.