Category: Osun

{COMMUNITY} Orolu NULGE Canvasses Support For LG Autonomy

 

The Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Orolu Local Government Chapter has appealed to members of the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to, as a matter of urgency, allow local government autonomy to have its way.

The NULGE Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Oyedele made the appeal recently during a get-together party organized by the NULGE executive in Orolu local government council Secretariat, Ifon.

He said this is a major way the legislators could proof themselves to be selfless and show commitment towards ensuring unprecedented developmental in all nooks and crannies of the country.

The NULGE Chairman also commended the state of Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for what he described as his unusual style of government which has contributed immensely to the unprecedented developmental projects recorded by his administration.

He thanked the governor and the local government chairman, Honourable Adekunle Benson for their positive gestures toward the local government employees, adding that all staff members in the council would do everything humanly possible to support and cooperate with the present administration in the local government as well as the state level.

He also charged staff members in the council to do their jobs diligently and according to the laid down procedure, noting that, “responsible civil servants must imbibe the act of protecting and safeguarding their jobs as millions of unemployed graduate are outside roaming the street, therefore, let us work hard as we all know that there is a reward for hardworking”.

While speaking, the council chairman, Honourable Adekunle Benson said for total transformation and unprecedented developmental projects to be experienced and witnessed in all nooks and crannies in line with his administration’s plan, particularly on good roads, clean environment, standard market, waterways, electricity, potable water, food security, total empowerment, Agriculture, Security, Health, Education, Wealth creation, poverty alleviation and many more, workers cooperation and support is highly needed.

The leader of the council’s parliament, Hon Rafiu Durodola reiterated the commitment of the administration to maintain an open door policy and welcome suggestions and ideas that will take the council to the promised land.

According to him, “We need to work assiduously by tapping every available Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) potentials due to the local government to complement both the federal and state allocations so that we can get to the promised land in no distant time”.

The vice Chairman, Hon. Toyin Adeleke also stated that his administration will witness standard practice, transparency and strict accountability in the evolution and execution of government policies and programmes to ensure good governance, while assuring NULGE members that the administration will only reward hard work.

Gift items, including gas cylinders, coolers, tray, books, food items, drinks and other kitchen utensils were distributed to NULGE executives and members.

39-Year-Old Man Remanded Over Alleged Contempt Of Court

By Mariam Bello

A magistrate court sitting in Osogbo on has remanded a 40-year-old man, Idowu Samuel, in Ilesa prison custody over alleged contempt of court.

Samuel who is facing a count charge bothering on disrespect of court pleaded not guilty to the count charge against him.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Rasak Olaiwola, told the court that the accused person committed the offence on April 3 at about 9:00am within the court jurisdiction.

Olaiwola said the defendant refused to appear in his case in MOS/ 619c/2017 when it was called by the court clerk.

He said the offence contravened section 133(7) of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11 laws of Osun, 2003.

The defendant had no legal representation.

The magistrate, Mr Olusegun Ayilara, ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison due to the magnitude of the offence committed.

The case was adjourned to April 24 for mentioned.

CRIME: Police Arraigns Three Men Over Alleged Possession Of Indian Hemp

 

By Mariam Bello

The Osun State police command on, Tuesday April 17, 2018 arraigned three persons before a Magistrate Court in Osogbo over alleged possession of cannabis sativa called Indian hemp. 

The suspects include Muhammad Jamiu 20, Oladosu Kehinde 19, and Oladosu Taiwo,19.

They are facing four – count charges bothering on conspiracy,  breach of peace,  illicit possession and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Jafari  Musilim,  told the court that the accused persons  committed the offence on April 13 ,at about 9:00 am along Sabo area,  Osogbo.

Muslim said the defendants conspired among themselves to organised a cannabis sativa festival which led to the breach of peace within their environs.

He said the defendants were also paraded with stolen motorcycles valued N75,000 each during the raid.

He also stressed further that the activities of the accused led to public disturbance before the intervention of the Police.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 516(A), 249(D), 430(8) and Section 383 punishable under Section 390 of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11, laws of Osun, 2003.

The accused not guilty to the count charges against them.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Okobie Najite, prayed the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr   Olusegun Ayilara, granted the suspects bail in the sum N200,000  and two sureties each.

Ayilara said the sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction with evidence of tax payments and two passports sized photographs, attached with an affidavit of means.

One of the sureties must be a landed property owner and the case was adjourned to June 1 for hearing.

Ife North LG Begins Grading Of Roads

The authority of the Ife North Local Government Area of the State of Osun, led by Hon. Orosanya Taiwo has begun the massive grading of the roads in the council area.

According to a statement by the council’s Senior Information Officer, Olonade Tunde, the roads currently undergoing grading include, Ipetumodu 1, Ojude,  Oruku-Apekaye Street, C.A.C. Oke-Anu FGHS Isale-Oba-Elemu, Alh. Maria-Isale Ola Susu Line 1, Hon. Akinyoola road, Paadi quarter area, and Oyetade Estate road, Susu Line II.

Others are, Odo-Oba Toll gate road, Alfa street, Hassan Street and Aremu Adegoke Street, Adam road, Ogundiran road, Odo-Oba street I & II new town roads, Alapata Street, Obada street, as well as work and relax road.

In Yakooyo, there are, Oke-Osin-express, Amule Sorafaja, Arubiewe Street, Ferni Akinrinade and adjoining street, Awotidoye Street, Oloke street and Oju-gboro street. In akinlalu, there are, Bamigboye Surulere quarter and Oke-oja road, Alanco Peleyeju road, Akinlalu-Ata road, Ata-Itamerin Akinola, Oloro road-Abudoro Aderibigbe Abudoro-papa, Papa- Aderibigbe/Egan Alice Eleerun.

Among others are, Asipa-Ode-Omu road, Asipa-Iwaro, Bisi Odewumi road, Oke-odo Asipa Ifelodun Street and Anglican Church road.

According to the statement, Hon. Orosanya had earlier identified some of the

major needs of the communities in the Local government during his

familiarization tour of the Local government Area.

He said the grading of the roads was in fulfillment of his promises to do his best in

meeting the challenges of the people.

 

BACK PAGE: Ile-Ife Mosque As Act Of Love

ISAAC OLUSESI writes that the latest Ile-Ife Mosque is situating the worship of Allah to further the greatness and progress of Islam in the land, an act of love for the religion and mankind, with posterity entrenched in honour of the architect of the House of God.

I did not until now develop an enduring nostalgia towards a mosque, recently dedicated in Ile-Ife, State of Osun, Nigeria. It is not just because the mosque is a well befitting, humble place of worship where men and women of the Islamic faith could adore their Creator, Allah, Ar-Rahmoni Rohim, Most Gracious, Most Merciful in the fullness of reverence before Him. It is also because the House of God is singularly built and donated to the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) by Alhaja Rafatu Ademinure Folashade Awofisayo (Nee Ademiluyi), a quintessential grandmother who has an uncanny presence of mind, with superlative capacity that uplifts souls in despair, and penetrating helpful humour to the needy, giving handsomely to people, making friends effortlessly with complete strangers, and living her life in full tributes to her faith with uncommon passion. While her simple view of life is disarming.

Alhaja Awofisayo’s experience of ageing is strikingly benevolent. But the phenomenon of ageing generally holds out to so many people malevolent shadowy nonentities, oft-shrouded in warped, incomprehensible mysteries, a morbid fascination in bewilderment and infertile sensibility. Intuitively, everyone undergoes ageing, unheralded; but no one, not even the scientists, mystics, seers, horoscopes or any of the practitioners of the arcane sciences can lay any valid claim to a valid knowledge of ageing beyond numbers and physiology.

However, for Alhaja Awofisayo, daughter of the Late, His Imperial Majesty Ajagunlawarikan Ademiluyi I, (1910-1930) Ooni of Ife, ageing has been a blissful growth into an enchanted rose-tinted world, so the writer thought; but she swiftly cautioned. “please, not fully so always.” In other words, she had travelled the road, pockmarked with pumps, pitfalls and a myriad of unseen hazards.  Her ability and her frenzied efforts that made her brave adversity and survive the harshest weather have been, “by the Grace of Allah, The Sustainer,” she blurted out when asked how she overran man’s trap devices for ensnaring man, the ravenous road of life that devours very many unwary victims, sucking them down its bottomless abyss. But as destiny would have it, Princess Awofisayo survives and progresses into opulence, the very reason for the mosque at Ajebamdele, Ile-Ife, in profound appreciation of Allah, The Sufficient.

The validity of life is that a reality exists sometimes, brutally so; and sometimes, blissfully. And deliberately, to embrace the bliss and confront head on the brutality, we all elbow, jostle, gauge and scheme in this existentialist jungle, call life, to get a better and higher foothold. Inexplicably, a greater force literally moves, sweeping the bliss into a swirling void, implying that a more than cursory look at the affairs of man quickly reveals teleology. Nothing is arbitrary; nothing occurs by happen-stance. Not even the Ile-Ife mosque, the latest architectural master-piece. The mosque is teleological, a development already pre-determined, purposed and designed by its architect, Alhaja Awofisayo who gave the land free of charge to FOMWAN and sold one of her houses to build the mosque on it- the climax of her titanic charity to co-believers in her religion.

It means that only a well-ordered person has a well-ordered obligation to the society, and in Princess Awofisayo’s own case, to her religion. Such rationalization makes her worship both a duty and pleasure to further the greatness and progress of the religion of Islam in the land. With the mosque, God’s own vineyard, what a dream come true for her, what a hope fulfilled, and what posterity entrenched? The dream is the totality of her ambition to serve Allah with all hers; the hope fulfilled is a defined worship boundary, the mosque, secured by her where men and women of all nations, tribes, social status and politics could worship Allah; and the posterity entrenched is the recompense that history will remember Princess Awofisayo and tomorrow will honour her in gratitude. The mosque will survive her longevity, and will be maintained, furthering Islam in peace and expanding its coast in affirmative terms.

The expansive surroundings of the fully completed mosque were spuced up for dedication, with other preparations, ship-shaped. All the guests including NASFAT, FOMWAN, Ansar-Udeen Society of Nigeria and several other Islamic societies showed up; no guest was unwanted, even the lame, dumb and deaf, all stormed the arena and everybody had a full stomach. No one fumed, no one cursed. The event, well attended was a celebration of Alhaja Awofisayo’s act of love for her religion and mankind generally. At the dedication, the Muslim clergy appraised her religious stamina and sure footedness in Islam, and applauded her integrity, dignity and reliability. And mama stood tall as the clerics upbraided, denounced debauchery, perfidy, opportunism and valiancy as heroism in the society; and they thought-provokingly chorused: “We can proudly hold up our own Alhaja Awofisayo as a specimen of how the affluent should be the society asset.”

And indeed, the mosque she donated to FOMWAN in Ife Central Local Government Council Area of Osun is a common good above parochial, narrow and selfish preferment. The cross-opinion of the guests including the royalties present is that mama is a model of saintliness, one whose actions are as good as her words, with every pore in her skin oozing clean, unimpeachable intentions. She is reportedly, a do-gooder who does everything she does for just one reason. Love. And really, showing love and doing good to those who are either starting life, or are cheated by the game of life and those being crushed by the difficulties of life and living is mama’s business.

And Princess Awofisayo, holder of several titles in Islam and Matron, FOMWAN could achieve all that feats while conveying the impression of ordinariness, showing that her personality captures an essential of the English national character: a tremendous ability to conceal ability. The trait underlies the elitist world view of her son, Prince Felix Awofisayo, a successful Pharmacist-son and Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (Osun SUBEB). The son, who hates feudal pretentions, detests privileges based on the circumstances of birth and position, and absolutely contemptuous of arrogance of office, spoke of his mother as someone who knows how to cultivate the right principles and stay by them. He added that, “ when I was very much young, my mother was very ersatile, prodigiously talented and workaholic but she never compromised her integrity and love for fellow human beings,” revealing Princess Awofisayo’s rich, exciting life.

It is wished that the nonagerian grandma lives longer in continued good health, while the Ile-Ife Mosque continues to serve Allah, The Hereafter, and mankind.

Federal Government Establishes IDP Centre In Osun

The federal Government has established a reintegration centre for migrants and internally displaced persons at Oke Bale, Osogbo in the State of Osun.

The centre was commissioned recently by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr Obawale Adebisi at the premises located at Oke Bale area of the town.

Dr Obawale  explained that this is a result of the flood that occurred in 2012, which caused extensive damage in terms of human life and property and drawn the attention of the Federal Government to the immediate need of IDP camp in the state and others.

He further disclosed that the primary aim of this present government is to ensure the welfare and security of the people as part of its six points integral actio

The commissioner then assured the federal government and the representative of the presidential committee on flood, rehabilitation and relief, Mr Owoicho John adequate of the states commitment to ensure that the centre is put to effective use.

According to Dr Obawale the state government would provide a fire station close to the center in the nearest future to enhance the welfare of the IDP camp and to ensure security of properties therein due to any unforeseen natural disasters.

He said the centre is equipped with state of the art facilities such as fire alarm, fire indicators among others.

After the assessment of the building (Rooms, store, hall, kitchens and toilets etc…. and additional facilities such as solar borehole, doors, windows, the main gate ,tested fire alarm and indicators by Director of Operation Engr Akin Adetuberu and others stakeholders their present (General Manager OSEMA, contractor, consultant…) the keys of the completed camp was properly handed over to the state government.

He then expressed gratitude to the Federal government and also gave kudos to the contractor, consultant and others stakeholders their present.

Osunwon Omoluabi Receives Traders’ Supports

The new measuring and weight scale introduced by the government of the State of Osun has received the support of market men and women in the state.

Speaking at a sensitization and training organized by the state Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives and Industries at the popular Igbonna market in Osogbo, the leader of the market men who is also the Babaloja of the state, Chief David Iyiola commended the state government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the innovation through the introduction of the standard measuring scales for use in all markets across the state.

He said the gesture has saved them from cheating and being cheated, adding that the use of measuring scales has been beneficial to both the sellers and buyers.

While assuring that the market men and women were prepared to embrace the use of standard scale, Iyiola noted that the incessant quarrel which normally accompany usage of old modes of measuring products had gone forever.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Hon. Femi Popoola said there are many gains for all stakeholders in the usage of the new standard scale.

According to him, both the buyers and sellers are to benefit from the project, assuring that 48 markets had been visited by officials of the ministry to sensitise the people of its importance.

He warned against contravening the law governing the use of the new scale.

Also, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Ismaila Jayeoba-Alagbada said that the state has recorded another achievement over the acceptance for usage of the weight and measuring scales, describing it as unquantifiable.

He assured traders from other neighbouring states to come over and patronise markets in the Osun, assuring that they would have value for their money.

Alagbada noted that the acceptability would remove misconception by some stakeholders that government will be determining the prices of goods and services for them.

 

 

Osun Assembly Set Up Committee For Asset Management Agency Bill

By Israel Afolabi

The state of Osun House of Assembly has set up ad-hoc committee to harmonise opinions on the state Asset Management Agency bill 2018 under consideration before the legislature.

The speaker of the parliament, Dr. Najeem Salaam made this known on Tuesday while addressing lawmakers at the plenary where further consideration was given to the bill at the state Assembly Complex Osogbo.

Dr. Salaam stated that the ad-hoc committee becomes necessary so as to enhance the speedy passage of the Asset Management Agency Bill 2018.

He noted that consistence approach must be considered in the aformention bill to be effective.

At the sitting presided over by the speaker Dr. Najeem Salaam, the house dissolved into the committee of the whole consequent on the motion moved by the majority leader Hon. Timothy Owoeye and Hon. Abiodun Awolola respectively.

Meanwhile further scrutiny of the bill was entertained by the legislators at the committee level where they engaged in debates on the clauses as contained in the bill.

The areas of focus for correction by the lawmakers were exclusively deliberated upon before arriving at a joint decision.

The speaker in his remarks, noted that the submission forwarded to the House by the stakeholders particularly officials of the Ministry of land, physical planning and urban development as part of their input in the process of consideration of the bill would also be considered.

Thus, the submission as debated by the legislators generated argument and counter argument with varied opinions as expressed on the subject matter.

According to him, “there is a need to set up ad-hoc committee to harmonise various submission and report back to the House”.

In another development, the speaker has disclosed that the State Assembly would soon release guidelines for operation of parliamentary democracy at the grassroots.

Dr. Salaam made the disclosure while playing host to forum of Deputy Leaders in the council areas across the state in his office.

According to him, “the operation guidelines would spell out the job of the leadership of the parliamentary as well as the powers inherent in them”.

He also urged them to uphold the virtues of patience and perseverance in the course of their duties.

Osun Assembly Passes N179.2 billion 2018 Budget

By Israel Afolabi

Osun House of Assembly has passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N179.2 billion.

The passage of the budget followed a motion moved  by the leader of the house,  Honourable Timothy Owoeye and seconded by the House Chairman  on Finance and Appropriation, Kamil Oyedele, at the plenary on Wednesday in Osogbo.

The budget, as approved has N92.6 billion as capital expenditure, which represents 51.2 per cent and N86.6 billion as recurrent expenditure, which represents 48.9 per cent.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola had on Dec. 28, 2017 presented a budget of N173.9 billion to the assembly.

The budget was jacked up by the parliament in the course of its consideration

Explaining the reason for the delay in the passage of the budget, the Speaker of the house, Honourable Najeem Salaam, said the lawmaker were being careful to present a budget that would be acceptable to the people.

Salaam urged the state governor to release the approved budget to Ministries,  Department and Agencies of government immediately funds are available for proper implementation.

He said this would allow the MDAs to function effectively.

The speaker also urged revenue generating agencies to improve on the internally generated revenue drive to complement what the state was getting from the Federal allocation.

Speaking with newsmen after the passage of the bill, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said that the budget was increased by N5.2 billion by the assembly.

Oyintiloye said the increment represents 3.03 per cent of the original budget presented  to the assembly by the governor, saying that the increment was necessitated by the finding of the parliament which unveiled some of the needs of the state that were not originally captured.

The lawmaker said that he was satisfied with the approved budget christened  ’ budget of enduring legacy’.

“It is a budget of hope with capital expenditure higher than the recurrent expenditure.

“With the sectoral allocation, I believe it is a budget for the common man, which is promising and achievable, if all involve in the implementation play their role”, Oyintiloye said.

The lawmaker said that the assembly, through its standing committees would ensure proper implementation of the budget and its performance.

Aregbesola Charges NUJ On Quackery

By Shina Abubabakar

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has admonished the leadership of media to evolve measures and means of quality control and cultivate the habit of weeding out unprofessionals and unprofessional conduct from the media profession.

He said it was the appropriate time for the leadership of the media profession to do what is needful for growth and development of democracy.

The governor made the remarks while declaring open the ‘2018 Press Week’ of the Osun Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osogbo.

Aregbesola who was represented by Mr. Yomi Obaditan, his Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Media, said there had been many unsavoury developments in the media sector.

He said extortion, blackmail, rumour mongering and falsehood promotion by unprofessional and rogue who present themselves as journalists were taking prominence in the media profession.

He said the practice of hearsay, innuendoes, insinuations and un-investigated claims being published and reported under the guise of ‘allegedly’ is unprofessional and has brought more harm to reputations, the professionalism and integrity of media organisations and journalists.

He said journalists and media practitioners round the globe are vibrant opinion-molders and change-agents, who raise the consciousness of the people to issues of their welfare, development and security.

He said if the society would survive and overcome its challenges, the media must play a leading role and therefore every media claim or report must be thoroughly investigated and only the truth should always be published.

Lekan Alabi, Chairman of the occasion and Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, said that media practitioners deserve to be part of budget planning and not implementation alone.

Alabi, who is also the Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadan land said that the roles of the media should not be on budget implementation but must also be involved implanting of the financial estimates.

Alabi said several opportunities are open to journalists and that they ought to make inputs into budget planning at the local, state and federal levels.

He said media practitioners must however learn the rudiments of accounting and auditing.

He said the essential tools for journalists to make good impact or contributions to national development are to be qualified, creative and stable men and women behind pens, computers, microphones and the cameras.

Mr Biodun Olalere, the state Chairman of NUJ in his own remarks welcomed the guests to the programme, and stated the importance of journalists’ involvement in budget implementation.

Olalere said it is important for journalists to hold the government accountable for budgets presented and their implementations as well as also investigating how such budgets are expended.