The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AREGBESOLA

  • Aregbesola: our popularity not affected by economic challenges

    Aregbesola: our popularity not affected by economic challenges

    OSUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday declared his administration continues to enjoy unparralled love, acceptance and popularity despite current economic challenges.

    He said this has been demonstrated by the number of people who usually troop out to receive and cheer him whenever he has cause to mingle with the citizens of the state.

    Aregbesola spoke while addressing a gathering shortly after an endurance trek organised in commemoration of his 60th birthday anniversary.

    Majority of Osogbo residents engaged in nothing less than three hours endurance trek with the governor as parts of efforts to demonstrate their solidarity and love to the present administration.

    The train of the 9.5km endurance trek commenced around 9:00am at Government House and terminated at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo at few minutes after 12:00pm.

    The endurance trek tagged Ogbeni walk for live had the longest kilometres in the history of the exercise in the state.

    Aregbesola’s friends, political associates and sympathisers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were among the people that accompanied the governor through the routes designated for the trek.

    The Governor led the endurance trek alongside his deputy, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye Tomori, Speaker Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, his Deputy, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye, Secretary to the State Government Moshood Adeoti and Chief of Staff Gboyega Oyetola.

    The people of the town were seen waving and dangling their brooms in the air to demonstrate their unflinching support to Aregbesola’s administration.

    Aregbesola said: “The number of people who often troop out to receive us each time we have the opportunity and privilege to identify with the citizens remain a clear testimony to unparalleled love and acceptability enjoying by our administration.

    “I am always amazed each time I see myself in the midst of people showing their loves and supports to our administration. To me, it is beyond human imagination.

    “Nobody or government has ever in the history of Africa achieved this feat. No government has ever engaged in the number of endurance trek as being done by our administration.”

    He continued: “Our popularity and acceptance had been put to test through this activity which we designed not only to improve healthy living but to restore hope in our people and as well as identify with their challenges and needs.

    “We have successfully incorporated masses into all our policies and programmes as many of our projects are designed to banish poverty, hunger, unemployment and as well make life more meaningful and abundant for the citizenry.”

    The governor, who recalled some of his achievements in the last six years, said no government has done average of what he accomplished since the creation of the state.

    Speaking on his successor, Aregbesola called on the people to discountenance the antics of the political traducers who according to him are destroying the image of his administration for personal political gains.

  • Aregbesola, politics in Osun and beyond

    Aregbesola, politics in Osun and beyond

    Our progenitor, the great Oranmiyan who has become a phenomenon in Yorubaland traversing the old Oyo Empire was a Prince, a King, warrior and custodian of cultural authority during his heroic days. Many centuries after he left, another symbol of peace, progress and prosperity for the Yoruba race is Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the Governor of Osun State.

    Ever since he assumed the position of the chief executive officer in Osun, he has come under tense and heavy criticism, largely orchestrated by the opposition. However, the radiating love between him and his people (citizens, residents and electorate) remain uncompromised.

    Fundamentally, Aregbesola is a mountainous movement, better described as an unstoppable revolution. It is a promulgation of enduring legacies for today and the coming generations: these and more he professed, he has demonstrated over the years in deeds, words and actions.

    Travelling down memory lane, just thirty two months ago, the most vindictive and politically intimidating election since the advent of the Fourth Republic was conducted on August 9, 2014 in what political scientists often refer to as an over-militarized supervised ballot of  a little above 700,000  electorate where well above 70,000 security operatives stretching from masked DSS to army officers, mobile and regular policemen and several other paramilitary agencies terrorized and intimidated innocent and law abiding electorate but the Osun people rose and stood against tiring oppression, frightening influence and terrific intimidation with the broom mentality of purposeful unity, Aregbesola won clearly.

    His dexterity and natural instinct of participatory governance is legendary. He posits with enormous humility that he remains the only governor who can confidently boast of two large territories in different domains of Osun East senatorial district and Lagos West senatorial district where he can make himself available for an election if he so desires.

    Putting the issues in clear perspectives, the success story of infrastructural development under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos State between 1999 – 2007 and beyond which epitomizes symbolic revolution in massive infrastructural development, cannot be waved away; it is documented with indelible ink in the annals of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure at the Centre of Excellence.

    Till date, his unflinching loyalty, strength and noticeable discipleship to the Tinubu political dynasty makes him the delight of the politician and a force to reckon with in the political landscape of Lagos and beyond.

    Is Aregbesola actually a large political heavyweight in Osun? How? When? Where? Well, his mode of governance is patently unusual, reversing the old trends and bringing government in its entirety and totality closer to the governed by expressly surprising the over four million teeming populace through the constitutional and conventional roles of entrenching the depth of democratic principles with legacy projects.

    The construction of new 70 state-of-the-art educational facilities for elementary, middle and high school pupils/students, with complementary renovation of additional 1,500 classrooms. The government alone has served 200,000,000 plates of nutritious meal as at December 31, 2016 with 250,000 dished out daily under the O-Meal scheme with O – REAP (Osun Rural Enterprise and agriculture programme) a platform for peasant and mechanized farmers to translate their farm produce into profits and prosperity as the bed rock.

    Undoubtedly, the chunk of the success stories have now metamorphosed into a national template for implementation of the blueprint of APC Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government.

    The Osun Special Ambulance scheme (O – Ambulance) don’t discriminate between Fulani, Ibibio, Efik, Igbira or Oyo when discharging effectively their statutory duties of saving accident victims and offering emergency services to the residents of Osun, records show that 12,000 lives have been saved from untimely death within four years of operation.

    We cannot exhaust all existing channels to salute the doggedness, patience and understanding of the rank and file of the workforce, the labour unions for standing unceremoniously with the government in solidarity.

    The succession conspiracy theory can’t distract our government, the model of finesse for emerging and performing successors under the Tinubu dynasty is not accidental, Babatunde Raji Fasola was thrown up less than three months to the defunct Action Congress (AC) 2007 Governorship primaries, same applied to Akinwumi Ambode whose entry into the race was less than a year. The baton will be passed to a worthy apostle of the six point integral action plan of Aregbesola in due course.

    Rauf does not give in to hypocrisy or pride as erroneously analyzed in some quarters, but a firm grip of the political firmament in Osun as this was again displayed at the just concluded seven-hour all night interactive session tagged Ogbeni till Daybreak where a random sampling showed residents glued to their television sets despite the leprous and epileptic power supply.

    Conscious efforts to resuscitate the Osun economy to boost the revenue generation through the agricultural and ICT revolution is commendable, the Cocoa processing industry in Ede is back on its feet after 15years of collapse, the chocolate liquor from the firm is touching grounds in China and  Europe.

    Aregbesola is reinventing the wheels of Awo legacies, approaching the mechanism of sustainable development through agriculture, infrastructure, social intervention and education for the benefit of mankind, he is purpose driven and remarkably focused on his set goals, he cannot be distracted by rabble rousers as every available parameter by both government and private establishment clearly reveal indices, statistical figures and empirical data of progress in human capital development, poverty reduction, infrastructural development, agricultural prosperity, etc. Saboteurs of development and political scavengers should halt all moves to replace Aregbesola with retrogressive element as they are whipping a dead horse; they have lost the battle al binitio.

    • Oluremi Omowaiye, an engineer writes from Osogbo
  • Osun Assembly confirms Aregbesola’s nominees

    Osun Assembly confirms Aregbesola’s nominees

    The Osun House of Assembly on Monday confirmed 38 out of 39 state executive council nominees submitted by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    The nominees were confirmed following a motion moved by the House Majority Leader, Mr. Timothy Owoeye, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr. Akinwale Akinwole.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Najeem Salaam, directed the governor to proceed with the swearing-in of the nominees, having found them worthy of confirmation.

    Salaam, however, urged the nominees to operate an open-door policy and shun corruption.

    He advised the nominees to bring in new ideas to governance in order to rekindle the hope of the people in the state.

    Salaam, who noted that the monthly allocation from the Federation Account could no longer sustain the state, urged the nominees to assist government in improving its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    One of the nominees, Mr. Tejumola Adeola, was, however, not confirmed because he failed to appear before the Assembly for screening.

    NAN

  • Aregbesola: I’ve made big difference in Osun

    Aregbesola: I’ve made big difference in Osun

    At the popular audience participation programme, ‘Ogbeni Till Day Break,’ in Osogbo, capital of Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has rendered account and solicited support from the people for his programmes as the state prepares for a succession battle. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    How should a poor state be administered in a period of national economic adversity? Focus, financial creativity and adjustment, resolve, courage and commitment to the vision of a greater tomorrow may serve as the bridge between despondency and survival. The audience at the popular accountability programme, ‘Aregbe Till Day Break,’ in Osogbo, capital of Osun State, agreed at the weekend that Governor Rauf Aregbegbe has led the state from economic despair to a new period of hope through sheer administrative prowess.

    For more than six hours, from midnight, the governor tendered his score card before the people. He was on the popularity weighing scale at the WOCDIF Event Centre, the venue of the event. He responded to probing questions with vigour and aggression. In a sense, the governor was combative. Reeling out facts and figures, he convinced the audience that governance was not a tea party in a period of national distress. Accompanied by Deputy Governor Grace Laoye Tomori and other aides, Aregbesola, after explaining some of his projects, would ask his permanent secretaries and other state officials to shed light on the people-oriented programmes, government’s constraints and prospects of early completion.

    In another breath, the governor also brought a personal character to bear on the televised programme. A DJ was on hand for an interlude. So were iterant drummers and praise singers. It was electrifying. Their intervention was to complement Aregbesola’s magnetism and aura and to make people stay awake. ‘Aregbe Till Day Break’ was a carnival-like event characterised by a display of statesmanship and showmanship by the governor.

    The governor’s achievements are visible in the nooks and crannies of the state. They are felt from the boundary towns to the capital. Various callers hailed the governor for spreading the projects evenly. But, they also asked for more.

    Under his transformationl leadership, cosmopolitan Osun State, which has the largest number of towns in Nigeria, has become a huge construction site. The Gbogan Junction Bridge is a sight that fills commuters with awe. There is no local government where a road project is not on-going. It is a clear departure from the past. In fact, the event was revealing. More towns and villages asked for more roads, which the resources of the state cannot accommodate.

    Despite the giant strides in road construction, critics believe that not much has been done. Besides, they have alleged that the contracts were inflated. This drew the ire of the workaholic governor, who gave himself a pass mark. He acknowledged that billions of naira have been spent on the roads, which have the special characteristics of concrete drainages. They are cost-effective and government is prudent and transparent. Some of the roads and bridges commemorate historical dates in the state.An engineer, Aregbesola explained the cost implications of qualitative road construction, which made him a trail blazer in infrastructure battle. He said: “The cost of roads are not the same anywhere in the world. We cannot compare the cost of a kilometer of road in each of the states. Our roads are done with the active participation of officials of the Ministry of Works, with absolute transparency in the rate and cost. The rate is in line with the international standard. You should ask how much they construct roads in other states. You can’t compare our roads with sensational roads. We have not inflated the cost of any of our projects.”

    Aregbesola added: “In the history of Osun, the quality of roads we are constructing has never been seen or done by any government. Also, no administration has constructed the number of bridges constructed by our government in the last six years.”

    The governor challenged his critics to prove their allegation of contract inflation. He said his personal lifestyle abhorred theft, graft and corruption. “They say I inflated contract. I have no building of my own in Ilesa, my home town. And they say I am inflating contracts. I don’t spend money anyhow. I don’t look at women anyhow.”

    The governor praised the House of Assembly for supporting the executive to succeed. Noting that no money can be spent without the approval of the legislators, he said it is their right to claim any project executed by the administration in their constituencies.

    To demonstrate the frugality of governance, Aregbesola has bridged the loopholes. Frivolous spending is old fashioned. Even, despite the high concentration of intending Christian and Muslim pilgrims, he has cancelled pilgrimage sponsorship, owing to paucity of funds.

    The governor reminded the people of their civil obligations. Describing governance as a collective enterprise, he urged them to pay their taxes and rates.

    There are fears that some of the roads may not be completed before Aregbesola leaves office. Many felt that the governor was biting more than he could chew. He tried to assuage the feelings, promising that no project will be abandoned. However, he advised the intended beneficiaries and those agitating for more roads to exercise patience. “I can’t even pay salaries. Where are the resources? I am committed to the completion of the roads in Ifon, Orolu and Ede. Even, Lagos that has an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N1 billion daily cannot tar all the roads. In Osun, we realise N700 million monthly. If Lagos cannot tar all the roads, Osun cannot. We will try to tar the roads within the limit of resources,” he said.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the government for irregular payment of salaries. Aregebsola attributed the gap to the economic condition of the state. He said he could only manage to jerk up the IGR from N200 million to a meagre N700 million monthly, while the Federal Allocation to the state decreased from N6 billion to N700 million. He said the government successfully worked out a mutually agreeable arrangement with workers. One of his aides, who shed light on the modulated salary system, said workers who fall between Level one and seven are paid fully while those between eight and 12 are paid 75 per cent of their salaries. Also, those who are in Level 12 and above receive 50 per cent. The governor promised to revert back to the normal system as soon as the situation improves.

    Despite the constraints, the government has continued to defend the education sector with heavy investment. New schools with modern learning facilities are on the increase. Medical students on scholarship in Ukraine are expected to complete their programme this year. Mrs.Laoye Tomori will be a special guest there.

    But, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) crisis continue to stare his government in the face. The institution is jointly owned by Oyo and Osun governments. Aregbesola, who attributed the plight of the university to financial constraints on the part of government, urged the institution to emulate the Osun State University by looking inward. “States cannot print money. The IGR is N700 million monthly. It is a far cry from what we need to sustain the state. On assumption of office, we based our projections on the revenue base that has changed, following the drop in oil earnings and allocations to states. It is difficult to fund LAUTECH and other tertiary institutions because of the financial constraint.

    “Why can’t LAUTECH operate within its revenue base like the Osun State University? The variation in fee is N5000. There are 12,000 students in Osun State University. There are 30,000 students in LAUTECH. LAUTECH also has postgraduate students.”

    Aregbesola owned up that the state has been slow in the issuance of the Certificates of Occupancy to applicants. He assured that the delay will become a thing of the past. “We will change the situation,” he said. The governor also noted the complaints about the Emergency Centres in the state. He said they will be fixed to give maximum service to the people.

    The governor said the plan to create an Osun food basket in Lagos was on course. He also said Osun farmers will soon have the opportunity to register their productive capacity on an electronic platform in August. He said the state will maintain its commitment to the education and welfare of special people, who are ignored by the society. He narrated a story of how he came across a mentally challenged person at Ilesa and how she was rehabilitated and restored to a position of optimum performance.

    Aregbesola added: “We are the first government that has set up an office for a population with special needs. It is a ministry on its own. It has a permanent secretary,” he said.

    A minute of silence was observed for the departed colourful politician, Senator Isiaka Adeleke. The governor paid glowing tribute to his memory.

    Two sensitive questions for Aregbesola as the programme were his alleged senatorial ambition in Lagos West District  and succession in Osun State. On succession, he refused to disclose his plan, saying: “I am not God who knows tomorrow. The best deserves to succeed me. I beg God to give the position to someone who will perform better than me. Lets face our work. Lets leave succession struggle for now. The clerics should continue to pray for us.”

    He added: “The succession battle is not threatening my party. Our party is as solid, strong and effective as any party could be. Our party has not suffered. We are united, coordinated and working so well. It is the opposition party that is threatened, uncoordinated and in fear.”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Gboyega Famodun, debunked the rumour that the succession struggle was tearing the party apart. He said the chapter was cohesive. “Our party is not threatened. It is not time yet. The party is so cohesive and united. The state transited from 30 local governments and one area office to 64 councils without acrimony. It is rare. There is no crack on the wall.”

    On his alleged senatorial ambition, Aregbesola neither confirmed nor deny it. But, he said the time was not ripe. He traced his political journey his life and how God used Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to raise him to stardom. He said: “Politics is the resolution of conflict. The good of the people is the priority and it must be addressed, regardless of the method. In 2004, when I said I was coming to Osun to rescue the state, one of my relations said it was a suicide. She did not believe it was possible. The incumbent governor said I was an irritant. From an irritant, I became an Oranmiran. From Oranmiran, I became an Oranmiyan. From Oranmiyan, I became the governor.

    “I am large in Osun as I am large in Lagos. If I need to contest, I don’t need to consult anybody anywhere. I thank God, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people of the two states. I pray that God will prolong my life to prove to the world that politics is a noble calling and a good vacation. We have commitment to regionalism. We should not fan sectionalism. If we want to have a regional arrangement, why discriminating against a Yoruba man in any Yoruba state?

    “I was born in Ikare-Akoko, achieved fame in Lagos and became governor of Osun State. There is no such decision yet. By 12 midnight on November 27, 2018, a Tuesday, I will leave office. There will still be much gap between then and election. We have time to make up our mind.”

     

  • Aregbesola to make Osun polio free

    Aregbesola to make Osun polio free

    As the national strategy for child survival through mass immunisation to eradicate childhood killer diseases, including poliomyelitis, began at the weekend nationwide, Osun State government has promised to make the state free of the disease.

    At the launch in Osogbo, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said since the inception of his administration, the state has been free of polio, adding that “it is our desire to ensure it remains so.”

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Akinyinka Esho, the governor said health facilities had been stocked with vaccine and other materials for the exercise, noting that immunisation is free.

    He said: “Health workers will go from house to house to administer two drops of oral polio vaccine (OPV) to children between ages 0 and five years. For mothers who visit our health facilities, there are other vaccines available for their babies.”

  • AREGBESOLA: I’VE NOT ENDORSED ANYONE AS MY SUCCESSOR

    AREGBESOLA: I’VE NOT ENDORSED ANYONE AS MY SUCCESSOR

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State says he has not endorsed anyone to succeed him ahead of next year’s election in the state. Aregbesola, speaking during an all night interactive programme tagged: ‘Ogbeni Till Daybreak’ in Osogbo, dismissed suggestions that effort to choose his successor was threatening his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
    He described the APC as solid, strong and effective as any party could be. “There is no aspect of our party’s organisation and management that has suffered in any form in respect of who will be my successor. We are united, connected and working so well for the progress of the party. We are the most cohesive political party in the state,” he said.
    The governor insisted that none of the opposition parties in the state could withstand the APC in the 2018 governorship election. “If the only opposition party we have in the state is disorganised, dismembered, then where is the fear for 2018 election? the governor asked. On the speculation that he was planning to contest for Lagos West Senatorial election in 2019, Aregbesola said there was no such dream yet.
    The APC Chairman in the State, Gboyega Famodun, who the governor also asked to speak on 2018 election in the state, said that the party had not chosen anyone as its candidate. “There is no governorship aspirant in the party as far as I know. The insubordination of few members of the party does not mean that the party is being threatened ahead of 2018 governorship election. We have a very strong structure in the state,” he said.

  • Aregbesola signs Isiaka Adeleke inquest order

    Aregbesola signs Isiaka Adeleke inquest order

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday signed an executive order setting up a coroner’s inquest into the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke under the Coroner Law, Cap. 32, Vol. I, Law of Osun, 2002.
    The governor also appointed Mr Olusegun Ayodele, a Magistrate, as the head of the inquest.
    He directed that the inquest be carried out in Osogbo, the state capital, within three weeks.
    Aregbesola said the inquest became necessary because of the suddenness and the circumstances surrounding the death he governor said a coroner’s inquest was a long established procedure dating back to the eighth century and was applied in the interest of the community to investigate sudden, natural and unexplained deaths.
    He said: “A sudden and an unexplained death of a person of high status must be investigated and documented.
    “Therefore, the status of our brother, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the suddenness and the circumstances of his death, would propel a responsible government to set up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of his death.
    “History will not be kind to us as a government if we fail to do the inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death.
    “We must do this for historical purposes because it is in the general interest of the community and state to investigate any sudden or unnatural death of this nature.”
    The Solicitor General of Osun and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Abiola Adewemimo, said the circumstances and the suddenness of Adeleke’s death necessitated the coroner’s inquest.
    She said the inquest would ascertain the cause of death of the former governor, adding that the governor, by virtue of the Coroner Law, was empowered to order such inquest in the circumstance.
    Mrs Adewemimo said: “The state is still reeling in shock at the sudden demise of our dear Serubawon, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
    “The circumstance and the suddenness of Adeleke’s death call for the setting up of an inquest to ascertain the cause of his death in the interest of our state.”

  • Buhari, Aregbesola, Atiku, senators, others mourn

    Buhari, Aregbesola, Atiku, senators, others mourn

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his colleagues from other states, the All Progressives Party (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday mourned Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.

    The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the Senate President and other senators also expressed shock over the death of their colleague in the early hours of yesterday at a private hospital in Osogbo.

    Commiserating with the Osun State Government and members of the National Assembly on the death of Adeleke,  Buhari noted that the gentle and kind-hearted former Osun governor passionately and relentlessly championed the cause of the less-privileged and most vulnerable in the society.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President said the sudden loss of the legislator will create a gap in the Red Chamber.

    According to him, Adeleke had always epitomised unbridled patriotism, maturity and experience, especially with his recent interest in the protection of whistle blowers.

    The statement reads: “Adeleke’s contribution to his state, as first elected governor, and the country will always be remembered by posterity.”

    In Osun State, the Aregbesola-led administration said it “was still in shock over the nightmare” of the senator’s death.

    The government described as a nightmare, the news of the death of one of the illustrious sons of the state.

    In a statement signed by Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the Director, Bureau of Communication & Strategy, the government said the death of Adeleke was hard to accept.

    It reads: “The sad news of the death of the first civilian governor of our state, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, has struck us like a thunderbolt. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who is far away in China on state assignment is still speechless and in mourning.

    “While the government awaits the reports of the autopsy which is being conducted, we can only calm our people to take this huge and incalculable loss with equanimity.

    “Alhaji Adeleke, no doubt, has served our dear state well -first as its civilian governor and currently as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he has provided adequate representation for the people of his senatorial district and the state. He was a politician with a towering dossier.

    “We find this loss inexplicable but we are restrained by the fact that we cannot query the verdicts of our Creator, the Almighty. We commiserate with the good people of Osun over this sad loss. We are still in shock.”

    The APC national leadership said it received news of the death with shock and grief, expressing deep sympathies to the immediate family, people and government of Osun State.

    The late two-time senator who served in the present Eighth Senate as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, was a detrabalised Nigerian, the party said in statement by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi.

    The statement reads: “He was a democrat, an astute grassroots politician and philanthropist who distinguished himself in all positions of service he occupied.

    “The history of Osun State would be incomplete without copious reference to late Adeleke’s contributions to the State’s social, political and economic development as its first elected governor.

    “The party recall with pride that the establishment of a Polytechnic at Iree, a College of Technology at Esa-Oke and the completion of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) are some of the notable legacies the late Adeleke’s administration bequeathed during his short stint as governor of the then newly-created Osun State.

    “He was exemplary as Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar, Nigeria as well as in several strategic Senate committees, viz: Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Integration and Cooperation, Housing and Air Force where he served as member.

    “As Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the late Adeleke’s efforts at electoral reforms are noteworthy.

    “With the death of Senator Adeleke, Nigeria has indeed lost an illustrious son whose wealth of experience was still needed as the present APC-led administration works to restore the country to path of progress.

    “The party is however consoled by the fact that the late Adeleke lived an accomplished and impactful life. May the Almighty God give the late Adeleke eternal rest and the family, the strength to bear the great loss.”

  • Aregbesola urges Nigerians to keep hope alive

    Aregbesola urges Nigerians to keep hope alive

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has charged Nigerians on the need to keep hope alive in-spite of the daunting economic challenges being faced by the country.
    He said it is in this that the citizens can be galvanised towards contributing their quota to the overall progress of the country.
    This was the summary of the governor’s message to Nigerians as Christians all over the world celebrate Easter to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ.
    Aregbesola, in the message signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, urged Christians to reflect on the import of Easter celebrations in their dealings, not only with other Christians, but with people of other religions.
    He said Nigerians must eschew bitterness and all forms of violence, stressing that the progress, peace and security of the nation is anchored on good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence.
    He reminded Christians that having gone through forty days of fasting and praying, Easter was a better time for them to purge themselves of those weights that “have impeded our progress as a people over the years by demonstrating love in its fullness not only to one another but also to our society.”

  • Aregbesola to monarch: be father to your people

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged the new Oloba-Ile of Oba in Olorunda Local Government Area, Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi, to play fatherly roles among his people.

    The governor, who spoke at the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the monarch, advised him to ensure peace in the town and with neighbouring communities.

    Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the governor said: “The success recorded by this administration in the area of communal peace and harmony could not have been achieved without the cooperation and support of our revered royal fathers. We are indeed very grateful for your assistance at all times and will implore you to continue to play your fatherly roles.”

    Oba Oyeyemi, who has a Ph.D in Pyschology, urged Aregbesola to provide the community with infrastructure, such as good roads and health facilities which he said would ensure rapid growth of the community.