The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AREGBESOLA

  • Serving under a PDP President my only regret – Aregbesola

    Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola has said that his administration’s first term coinciding with the Peoples  Democratic Party(PDP)-led federal government between 2010 and 2015, remains his only regret as governor.

    Aregbesola, who described the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the worst in the history of Nigeria, said “the only regret I have is that my administration coincided with the PDP led administration.”

    Speaking during the fourth edition of Ogbeni Till Daybreak, he explained: “As a matter of fact, PDP superintended the most irresponsible government in Nigeria.

    “If I have had the opportunity of working with a serious government at the federal level between 2011 and 2015, Osun would have been an eldorado.”

    The governor expressed commitment to his resolve to complete all his projects before the end of his tenure in November.

    Aregbesola, who told the audience that he has surpassed his predecessors in the area of infrastructural development, said the quality of the interchange bridge built by his administration at Gbongan along the Ibadan -Ilesa express way would remain one of the best in the country.

    According to him, such a project could only be found in metropolitan cities like Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port-Harcourt.

     

  • Monarch hosts Aregbesola, extols gov’s virtues

    The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, has said that he conferred the title of the Pride of Yorubaland on Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as an appreciation of his giant stride in Osun State.

    Oba Akanbi while hosting Ogbeni Aregbesola in his palace, extolled the landmarks which Osun State recorded from 2010 when his administration came into power, urging him to continue his work till his last day in office.

    He argued that the title was his royal response to the transformation which the government had brought to Osun State since his inauguration eight years ago, adding that the honour is befitting and a motivation to the recipient.

    The traditional ruler specifically referenced the ongoing upgrading of Osogbo, the state capital by the Aregbesola administration, challenging whoever differs with his point to a debate.

    “I should be talking for my town but I am father of all. Because of this, the transformation of Osogbo is worthy of  mention and an achievement in the record of Governor Aregbesola. The Osogbo we have today with overhead bridge is a modern capital city that can stand side by side with other developed state capitals.

  • Ataoja hails Aregbesola for redefining Osun politics

    •’We’ll repay all loans next year’

    The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, has said the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has halted killings and destruction, which characterised Osun State politics before he assumed office.

    Aregbesola has said the government will complete refund on sukuk and conventional loans it took for projects.

    The duo spoke yesterday at the Ataoja’s palace during the governor’s goodwill visit to Oba Olanipekun to mark the end of his sensitisation tours to the nine federal constituencies.

    The monarch noted that the peace and sanity, which Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) brought, are laudable achievements.

    He praised Aregbesola’s legacy in every sector, saying his administration had changed governance in the state.

    Oba Olanipekun said: “To me, the greatest achievement of this government is the peace it has brought to politics and the state. It is with the coming of this administration that we know that politics can be done without killing and destruction.

    “Before now in Osun, we all think politics was associated with brigandage and violence, but Aregbesola and APC have brought such a thing to its knees. We can now sleep with our eyes closed.

    “Aregbesola is a governor who listens. This is why he has been able to fulfil most of his campaign promises to the people of Osun in the last seven and a half years.

    “I want to use this medium to let you know the voice of Osogbo elders and this includes those who don’t even have sympathy for the APC. They always tell me that Aregbesola has done really well for our state.”

    Aregbesola assured residents that the debt profile of the state would soon reduce while revenue inflow to the state would take a turn for the better.

    The governor described the loans as a “necessity” to rescue the state from backwardness and poor governance.

    He described as baseless and unfounded insinuations that the state borrowed beyond its capacity, saying the debt profile had been adjudged as moderate by the National Bureau of Statistics and several other relevant agencies.

    Aregbesola said: “We thank God that Osun is moving forward through us and we are grateful to God for this.

    ‘’The opposition is going about, saying we are indebted. We don’t have a problem with that because the fact remains that we did not spend the debts on frivolities but on projects that are everywhere.

    “Osun will definitely clear the debts and our projects will remain for the benefit of all.  I am happy to inform you that the coast is getting clearer because by 2019 our sukuk and conventional loans would have been cleared.”

     

  • ‘Aregbesola has set high standard, legacy in Osun’

    The Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul-Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji, has said Osun State Governor Aregbesola has set an incomparable standard and legacy with his achievements and success.

    The monarch said the governor had fulfilled the hopes of the founding fathers.

    He added that these hopes were not met under previous administrations until the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) came on board.

    Oba Adedeji spoke yesterday while hosting Aregbesola and his team during their visit to Ifelodun Federal Constituency in continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership sensitisation tour in Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin councils.

    The monarch described the governor as a game-changer, whose impact in the last seven and a half years had taken Osun State to an enviable height.

    He urged the electorate to vote for continuity as the only way to sustain the legacies the Aregbesola administration had accomplished.

    Oba Adedeji said: “We don’t want Osun State to witness stagnation and retrogression again. So, we want the ruling APC to continue in government for the growth and development to continue as well.

    “Aregbesola has come to Osun and has conquered.”

    Addressing  APC supporters, Aregbesola said his administration had impacted every household through social protection programmes.

     

  • ‘Aregbesola has taken Osun to great heights’

    The Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa in Osun State, Oba Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye, has hailed Governor Rauf Aregbesola for taking the state to enviable heights.

    The monarch advocated continuity as the only means to sustain the governor’s achievements.

    He said it had become incumbent on the residents to embrace continuity, if they desired good governance.

    Oba Agunsoye the Ijesa and other indigenes to vote for a candidate that will continue with Aregbesola’s developmental projects.

    The monarch spoke at his palace during the governor’s visit in continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) sensitisation tours of Ijesa-North Federal Constituency.

    Hailing Aregbesola for the giant strides his administration recorded in the last seven and a half years, the Elegboro said the government performed well in all aspects of governance. According to him, when there is continuity, there is improvement and progress, hence the need for Osun State residents to support the continuity agenda.

    Oba Agunsoye said: “As at today, no state or government can rival or compete with Lagos State, particularly in physical infrastructure. This is made possible because of continuity.

    “It has, therefore, become important for us as a people and as citizens of Osun, if we truly desire good governance, to allow continuity.

    “There is no gainsaying that the present administration has done wonderfully well in all sectors, as manifested in the series of pro-masses programmes, like Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), Osun School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), which have become models for other governments locally and international.”

    Aregbesola said his administration spent over N30 billion on direct social investment programmes.

    He added: “We are using this tour to remind our people that we have fulfilled at least 70 per cent of our campaign promises and for them to know that they must do everything to ensure that our party remains in the saddle of leadership.

    “Our government has done so much to make life meaningful and abundant for the citizens, just as we have made direct investment on the people to the tune of about N30 billion through various schemes such as Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES), Osun School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Programme (O’REAP), Osun Ambulance services, among others.

    “It is a known fact that no government outside of Lagos has spent as much as we have on direct social investment programmes in the country…”

     

  • Aregbesola rescues accident victims

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday rescued eight accident victims on Gbongan road.

    The governor’s convoy ran into the scene of the accident, where a Honda car with registration number (Lagos) AKD 895 CJ, had crushed a mini-commercial bus otherwise known as Korope, marked (osun) RLG 556 XA.

    On sighting the summersaulted bus with many sympathisers assisting the victims, the governor, in company of his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, alighted from his car and called for an ambulance to convey the injuries to a hospital.

    Aregbesola also ensured that the two vehicles were removed from the road to allow free flow of traffic before leaving the scene.

    The accident victims, mostly market women, were reportedly returning from the popular Owode Market in Ede, Osun State.

    There was a blood stain and some raw foodstuffs on the scene of the accident.

    The driver of the Honda car was said to have lost control and hit the mini-bus when he suddenly ran into a speed breaker on the highway.

    An eyewitness said the car driver was speeding, without an inkling of the speed breaker on the road.

  • NIPSS hails Aregbesola for transforming Osun

    The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has hailed the Rauf Aregbesola administration in Osun State for its social protection intervention initiatives as a demonstration of good governance.

    The institute also lauded Governor Aregbesola for redefining the art of good governance with the provision of socio-economic and infrastructural development.

    Also, the governor called for the decentralisation of the policing structure in Nigeria, saying overhauling the police structure would bring effectiveness and strengthen security across the country.

    The NIPSS Director of Research, Prof Habu Galadima, spoke at a get-together organised by the state government for participants of this year’s Senior Executive Course 40 of NIPSS at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, the state capital.

    Galadima, who led the NIPSS delegation to Osun on a week of study, hailed Aregbesola for running an all-inclusive government where people are directly involved in decision-making and implementation of government policies and programmes.

    The NIPSS director described Osun social protection programmes as unparalleled and one of the best in the world.

    He praised the state for setting the pace in good governance in the country.

    The NIPSS Director of Research applauded Aregbesola for focusing on repositioning and stimulating the state’s economy for the betterment of all and sundry.

    Galadima said: “We came to Osun with lots of assumptions and we have validated those assumptions through the good works of Governor Aregbesola that we have been exposed to.

    “We have benefited hugely from our interactions, and through this we have seen the beauty of Osun social protection programmes that had transformed the lives of many households in the state.

    “Our exposure to Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, popularly called OYES alone, indeed shows that Osun has got it right in mobilising its youths for future leadership and challenges.

    “We have seen that the OYES scheme and other people-oriented programmes of the state are not only designed to alleviate poverty or make life more abundant but also put together to secure a virile future for the people of the state.

    “We are indeed happy to be in Osun because we have seen the governor’s giant strides in every stratum of the economy. In fact, he has written his name in the sand of time. I am very sure that the history of Osun, when written, will reserve a better page for his name.

    “You have made remarkable transformation. We saw good roads, we saw bridges that are well constructed, we saw ultra-modern schools erected across the nooks and crannies of the state, pointing that you are a true engineer who understands the best international practices in infrastructure.

    “You have injected the spirit of inclusiveness in your decision-making, as being seen in the huge success which your administration recorded in all your social protection initiatives.

    “These are factual virtues which your administration has achieved. It shows that the masses’ interest always takes the centre stage of your administration, just as the people are directly involved in the process and implementation of your administration’s policies, programmes and actions.

    “So, what we need to do is draw a lesson from the practices in Osun and make reasonable recommendations for Mr President on the success story of Osun social protection programmes.”

    Aregbesola called for the overhauling of the police structure to strengthen internal security in Nigeria.

    He said Nigeria needs to decentralise its police system for effective, efficient and quality service delivery, if the nation is truly desirous of strengthening security.

    The governor noted that what the country requires is beyond the procurement of security apparatuses but effective management of conventional security outfits.

    Aregbesola urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly and other relevant agencies to enact laws that would strengthen zonal commands of the police.

    The governor said the initiative would reduce the burden on the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

    According to him, it is uncivilised for the commissioner of police to be reporting directly to the IGP, whereas there is a zonal command headed by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).

    He added: “There is need for the police system in the country to be decentralised and federalised for effective and efficient management because that is the only way to go if we truly want to strengthen our internal security.”

  • Aregbesola is the architect of modern Osun – Oluwo

    THe Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, has described the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the architect of modern Osun with the level of development he has brought to the state. The monarch said Aregbesola has taken the lead among his peers in the area of infrastructure as manifested in the spate of developments the state has recorded as no governor has matched Aregbesola’s achievements in history as evident in the giant strides recorded in the state.?

    Oluwo stated this on Friday in his palace in Iwo while playing host to the Governor and his entourage who were on a goodwill visit to Iwo Federal Constituency as part of activities marking the All Progressives Congress (APC) visitation tours to the nine Federal Constituencies in the state. Oba Akanbi stressed that he is particularly pleased with the bridges constructed by the government just as he noted that the beautiful school structures put up by the Aregbesola administration are noteworthy.

    “I am not a politician and I am not being sentimental with what I am about to say, among all the governors and leaders in Nigeria, Aregbesola has redefined governance, he has brought a paradigm shift to governance in the country and he has brought a change to leadership in our land. He has shown us the way it should be done and I strongly think others should take a cue from this; I so much love Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress because they hate what I hate and they love what I love,” he said.

    In his remarks, Governor Aregbesola described the visit as a necessity. He urged the people of the town to support the APC. “We are here to inform you on the need to buckle up and sit tight by forming a formidable frontier that will help to take our party to victory in all elections, particularly in forthcoming governorship polls. We must also see this visit as a warning signal not to allow the PDP to come back to government as we all know that PDP has nothing good to offer Nigerians”, Aregbesola added.

  • Aregbesola has developed Osun, says monarch

    The Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Kayode Oyedotun, has hailed Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola for developing the state.

    He praised the governor for providing infrastructure.

    The monarch spoke when Aregbesola visited him in his palace in Ila, as part of his tour of constituencies in the state.

    He said: “Aregbesola’s contribution to the growth and development of Osun is unrivalled. We thank God for the manner he has steered the ship of this state, especially in the area of schools and others.”

    The traditional ruler advised All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that its candidate for the September 22 poll emerged from a credible primary election.

    “The selection of the standard-bearer should not be only seen as being credible, but also transparent.

    “I must state that APC remains the party to beat in the coming gubernatorial election, but it must be careful in the choice of candidate.

    “As long as they avoid imposition, there won’t be problem for the party in the election because Aregbesola has done well to ensure victory for APC at the polls,” he said.

    The governor urged members not to allow the aspirants to divide them.

    He noted that the visit was a wake-up call to members, saying: “As the September 22 date approaches, members must rise to the challenge of making our party win the governorship election.”

    Aregbesola said residents must ensure that the good work started by him was not left to people who would take the state back to dark ages.

    He enjoined the monarch to use the visit to pray for the party.

    “We are here to sensitise our members to beware of the machinations of the opposition party, which had the opportunity to rule the state, but failed woefully.

    “We are reminding our loyalists that these people ruled Osun before our emergence, but our achievements speak for us.

    “We are by far different and impactful on the lives of our people. Our performance is incomparable with any government’s.

    “We appeal to our people to work together and ensure APC remains the party to beat in any election,” the governor said.

  • Aregbesola mourns oyo speaker, Tambuwal’s aide

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, has described the death of Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Michael Adeyemo, as a sudden, rude shock and a collasal tragedy to the state.

    Aregbesola in a condolence message by his media Adviser, Sola Fasure, in Osogbo on Saturday, said the deceased was hale and hearty, full of life, when last he saw the speaker.

    “He was his usual self, active, effervescent, exuding infectious enthusiasm. He will be missed.

    “Even though death signifies the final note in the unbroken melodies of human existence, the abrupt occurrence of Adeyemo’s death, turned the sweet melodies to a painful dirge.

    “He would be remembered for his unalloyed contributions to the politics and development of Oyo State.

    “On behalf of the people and Government of Osun, I commiserate with the immediate and extended family of the deceased, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, members of Oyo State House of Assembly and the entire people of Oyo.

    “I pray that God repose his gentle soul and give everyone concerned the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

    Aregbesola also condoled with Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and the entire people of the state, on the death of his Media Adviser, Alhaji Imam Imam.

    Aregbesola said that Imam’ s death was a devastating blow not only to the media but also to the government and people of Sokoto State.

    “It is, indeed, a tragedy of huge proportion to have lost this fine journalist and manager of men.

    “It is rather unfortunate that Imam will be lost this soon. We pray for the repose of his soul.

    “On behalf of myself, government and people of Osun, we send our heartfelt condolences to Imam’s immediate and extended family, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, the Government of Sokoto State and Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ),”Aregbesola said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeyemo, 47, and Imam Imam, 44. died on Friday.