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Tag: AREGBESOLA

  • Osoba back in APC as leaders resolve differences

    Osoba back in APC as leaders resolve differences

    The Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South West, met in Lagos on Sunday and restated their commitment to work together to move the country and the region forward.

    Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who spoke with journalists shortly after the meeting held at the Ikoyi residence of former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, said the leadership of the party in the region have resolved their differences and are more than ever ready to pursue an agenda for development of the region.

    “We have resolved all the differences within the leadership and as such we are happy to tell the world that the leadership of progressive politics in Western part of Nigeria is united and ready to jointly prosecute the agenda for growth, purposeful leadership, development, good governance in the Western part of Nigeria.

    “As we are committed to doing that for the entire nation and through that support the effort at the national level to revive the Nigerian economy and put the people in a better stead than we inherited when our party took over governance in Nigeria,” Aregbesola stated.

    Aregbesola expressed optimism that good governance and purposeful leadership can trigger the desired change, which according to him will not only profit Nigeria, but also the African continent and the black race.

    “I have told you very clearly that the progressive leadership of the Yoruba race is now fully united and are ready and charged to lead our efforts to reposition our land and integrate with others nationwide to put Nigeria in its proper footing,” Aregbesola said.

    Aregbesola announced that Aremo Osoba had rejoined the APC from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    “There was a time when Osoba switched to another party, he was a foundation member of the APC and he was in the APC throughout my election. Yes, he was for a time with the SDP, but with what we have just done today, Akinrogun Osoba, the Aremo himself, is back with the Progressive leadership of the Yoruba race”.

    Those in attendance at the meeting included the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Segun Olusegun; former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; former interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; APC National Vice Chairman, South West, Chief Pius Akinyelure and Senator Gbenga Obadara

  • Aregbesola revamps Osun cocoa industry

    Aregbesola revamps Osun cocoa industry

    This Cocoa Products Industry, Ede has a big story surrounding it. I therefore owe great gratitude to many people in government and outside it.

    “The then military government was very ardent to break a monopoly of bad fortunes for Ede, by actively supporting the quest to site the industry here. It is my earnest prayer, that everyone connected with the operation of it in whatever category, would find joy and happiness in all their undertakings”.

    Those were the messages of hope delivered at the inauguration of the multi-million naira Cocoa Product Industry, Ede on October 17, 1982 by the late Oba Tijani Oladokun Oyewusi, Agbonran II, Timi of Ede. It was during the regime of late Chief Bola Ige as governor of the old Oyo State.

    From the onset, one squabble or the other reared its ugly head. The first expatriate Managing Director of the company, Mr. K. W. Sheldon, tried his best to put it on sound footing, but he lost out in a dirty board-room politics in a dramatic manner. The government, owner of the company, thereafter felt concerned about happenings in the company, and decided in 1990 to lease it out. This brought about a ‘marriage of strange bed partners’. And the resultant effect were rounds of muscle flexing. The two principal leases of the factory at the time, that is  Worldwide Industrial Ventures Limited and Dalami (Nig.) Limited, got involved in allegations and counter-allegations, which resulted in a fierce legal battle, that saw two legal luminaries – the late Chief Fredrick Rotimi Alade Williams (Timi the Law, SAN) and Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) slugging it out at an Osogbo High Court.

    This went on for a period, before sanity prevailed, as the administration of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first executive governor of Osun State, took the bull by the horns, by giving the final nod to Worldwide Industrial Ventures Limited, to effectively run the affairs of the company. Dalami (Nig.) Limited again went to court to contest its termination and this went on for years, before it was resolved by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s government.

    At the time Worldwide Ventures Limited took over, production capacity level was at five per cent. But within a short period, it raised the production capacity to 60 per cent by injecting substantial funds into importation of spare-parts as well as locally sourced ones from the Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, Osogbo and Nigeria Sugar Company Foundries, Bacita. The FFA contents of cocoa, cake and butter, under Worldwide Ventures Limited hovered between 1.40 and 1.55 as against 2.24 before it took over. Globally acceptable FFA content for cocoa butter is 1.50.

    Most unfortunately, the unexpected again happened in 1995, when the leasehold agreement of Worldwide Ventures Limited with Osun State government, was crudely, illegally and arrogantly terminated by some overzealous officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, acting on the instruction of a commissioner, who had his own ulterior motive of bringing in his friend to take over the leasehold of the company. Worldwide Ventures Limited was “thrown” out of Cocoa Product Industry premises in a jungle manner. It was like scaring away foreign investors. What followed could be better imagined than described.

    There and then, began the unending and protracted problem of the industry for a long time. Osun State government’s only industry, which Infact, is a goldmine if properly managed, is the Cocoa Product Industry, Ede. It is a veritable source of foreign exchange earnings for the state. It is capable of generating the much needed internal revenue for the state at this crucial moment of its socio-economic development. Moreso, with the need to tap into all natural resources, that abound in the state.

    Much as I am not holding brief for anybody, it is only fair to let the Chinese investors now in control, to operate without let or hindrance. Neither should any encumbrances placed on their way. There should be no bad blood, as regards who brought them into the scene. What we need in Osun State is accelerated industrial development. The present leasee is determined to put the company on the right footing. The factory is now a beautiful sight to behold.

    The Cocoa Product Industry erstwhile managers and workers, who have been on forced holiday for more than eleven years, are men of proven integrity, who should be given the right of a recall if they so wish and take the company to greater heights. Cocoa Product industry, Ede, is a company of yesterday, today and tomorrow for the people of Osun State. It is posterity-bound and prosperity-inclined.

    The administration of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has now taken the bull by the horns in giving a new lease of life to the hitherto moribund industry. Governor Aregbesola in his wisdom was able to put in place, a dynamic Board of Directors, under the able leadership of a leading light in the entrepreneurial world, in person of Sir Adewale Adeeyo (OON).

    This wonderful leader of men and material, on serious scrutiny of what was on the ground, shifting and weighing, hit upon a world-class investor from China, by name Runners (Nig.) Ltd, who are specialists in Cocoa Industry Management back in their country.

    Sir Adewale Adeeyo-led board, in cooperation with officials of the Osun State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, were able to identify the core problems of Osun Cocoa Products industry, major among which, was that over the years of its abandonment, some unscrupulous people have vandalised very  important cables, electrical materials among others.This in effect, had affected the industry badly. Governor Aregbesola was ready to give executive approval to the urgent needs of the company, whenever they were made. The governor trusted absolutely in Sir Adewale Adeeyo role to re-invigorate the industry.

    The new investor, also came up with master plans for the resuscitation of the factory. They threw themselves seriously into revamping its operation. Brand new and state-of-the art equipment were brought in to replace the obsolete ones put in place since 1982, which in anyway are not in tandem with modern day operation of such a gigantic factory, adjudged the biggest in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Sir Adeeyo did not leave anything to chance. He visited China one or two times to confirm the efficiency of the new investor as far as their activities in China were concerned.

    He was able to ascertain and ensure that the new investors would not jettison the continuous and permanent operation of Osun Cocoa Products Industry. Kudos to you, Sir Adeeyo for living up to expectation.

    It is to the glory of God, that the confidence reposed in Runners (Nig.) Limited – the Chinese new investor was not misplaced. The dynamic company, has made us proud in Osun with its multi-million naira turn-around rejuvenation and total-over hauling of the industry. What we now have in place is a factory that will stand the test of the time and ensure, that the sweet aroma from the Osun Cocoa Products Industry, Ede endures forever.

    A sparkling environment and committed workers are already in place, roaring to go into action. This new development will certainly improve the socio-economic life of Osun in general and Ede, its catchment area in particular. We hope that additional production lines for beverages, chocolate etc. will be put in place by RUNNERS (NIG.) LTD. Bravo to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Sir Adeeyo and other stakeholders, for not allowing the dreams of the industry founding fathers to die. Posterity will judge you kindly. All hands should be on deck, to make Osun Cocoa Products Industry, a lasting legacy and a pride of us all, so that generations coming behind, will say of us living, that we mastered our moment.

    To cocoa farmers all over Nigeria, there is a ready market waiting for your produce at Osun Cocoa Products Industry, Ede. Governor Aregbesola should trudge on and bring more industries to Osun, as we have industrial sites for kaoline, bauxite, gold and other mineral resources across the state, waiting for exploitation and production for local consumption and importation, to boost the state internally generated revenue. The assistance of the World Bank in this regard should be sought. Such new investors should also be given tax holiday.

     

    • Lawal wrote from Ede, Osun State.
  • Kudos to Aregbesola

    Kudos to Aregbesola

    SIR: By this time in 2011, I was in much apprehension for my aged parents and our lastborn living with them in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. They live in an area called Gbonmi, which literally means ‘clear out the flood water’. This is because their home got flooded every year. Whenever there is a heavy deluge, their home and the whole of that area will be flooded and they would have to spend days clearing out the flooded area.

    If it is one of those rains that last for days, then they would have to leave the area for weeks sometimes, until the rain subsides and the flood water recedes.

    The heavy rains that have been pouring in Osogbo for the past two weeks reminds me of those terrible days. When the rain came in 2011, we were already running around with my other siblings on how to raise money and get an upland accommodation for my parents and force them to leave the house they toiled to build for themselves. However, to my greatest surprise, my parents called to tell me that it would not be necessary to leave their home again.

    The reason for this was that the then new governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as he styled himself to be called, had embarked on a rigorous effort at clearing and desilting the rivers, rivulets and streams in the state. The myth and superstition surrounding the waters were shattered when earth moving machines entered the rivers, streams and rivulets to clear the debris and charted the course for free flow of water.

    That year, meteorologists told us that we had more rain but there was no flooding in Osun. I understand that the exercise had been a yearly affair and some houses on water path had been pulled down, though with pains to the owners.

    My parents are lucky that their house is not on waterway and was not demolished, but they have been at peace since then. I found it intriguing that a little gesture like this could bring smiles to the faces of many people who would have been going through sorrow and anguish during the raining season every year.

    I commend Aregbesola for saving my parents from yearly embarrassment. I understand that his state’s finances is a bit down, following a drop in oil price but I pray that God will help him and turn things around for him financially.

     

    • Dele Odejide,

    Surulere, Lagos

  • No project’ll be abandoned in Osun, Aregbesola assures

    Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has promised not to abandon any of the projects initiated by his administration.

    Speaking during the presentation of awards of excellence to some prominent individuals of the state by the Dynamic Reformers Group, a group in the All Progressives Congress in the state, the governor implored the people not to be dampened as a result of the economic challenges facing the state and the nation.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, noted that the economic crisis was not peculiar to Osun, describing it as a national phenomenon.

    While assuring that his administration would explore avenues to put the state back on track, he added, “I can assure you that none of our projects will be abandoned. We will complete all of them before the expiration of our tenure. Do not be discouraged or disappointed, because the economic challenges we are experiencing now is just temporary.”

    The governor, who expressed appreciation to the Dynamic Reformers Group for being active in the struggle to reclaim his mandate, also acknowledged the efforts of the group towards the enthronement of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Aregbesola charged the group to continue to support the president and the APC in the war against corruption.

    In his address, the Chairman, Award Ceremony Planning Committee, Alhaji Ademola Jekayinfa, enjoined the people of the state to continue to support the APC-led government at the state and federal levels.

    Awardees at the event include the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, to mention but a few.

  • Aregbesola to complete projects

    Aregbesola to complete projects

    In spite of the fall in revenue, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has allayed the fear of residents over the ongoing road projects.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr. Nuru Adeagbo, spoke on his behalf, after inspecting roads being constructed under the Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project, O’RAMP.

    Adeagbo said Aregbesola was working towards completing all projects his administration initiated, and even initiate new ones.

    The Permanent Secretary, who is the Chairman of the Osun Project Monitoring Committee ,OSPMC, explained that 225kilometers rural road projects in Iwo and Ilesa were inspected.

    Giving the breakdown of the projects, Adeagbo said nine roads in Iwo and six roads in Ilesa were inspected, expressing satisfaction at the level of work done so far.

    He lauded the governor for allowing the World Bank to partner with the Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project, O’RAMP, in the development of the rural roads.

    The coordinator for the project, Adelere Oriolowo, explained that work bagan on the roads in 2015 in rural areas across the state to enable farmers transport their produce without stress.

    Oriolowo said the projects, when completed, will improve the standard of living of the people with its Community Road Maintenance Gang through which, people living close to the projects are employed and paid for its maintenance.

  • Aregbesola and challenges of development in Osun

    Becoming governor was not, for Rauf Aregbesola, the fulfilment of an ambition. It was for him, the beginning of a mission: a mission to transform his beloved state, Osun. Prior to his assumption of office on November 27, 2010, the scandalous performance of successive governments, with the rare exception of the Bisi Akande administration is better imagined than real. As a result of poor governance by successive governments, the state infrastructures were in a terrible state of decay. The level of rot, particularly, the degree of moral decadence he met on ground was totally unacceptable to him. Consequently, he embarked on far –reaching reforms to make the state measure up to the standard of what a modern society should be and put it on the path of irreversible posterity. The arrested development of the state explains why Aregbesola was in a hurry to develop the 25 year old state when he came on board in 2010, and was consequently spending up to 80 percent of the state’s resources on capital projects.

    Corrupt public officials and beneficiaries of the old order were not happy with him, because after devoting such a humongous sum to the execution of capital projects, there was little or nothing to steal coupled with the fact that he also blocked all areas of leakages. The foregoing made him unpopular amongst the elites and thieving public officials who have been feasting like vultures on the meagre resources of the state. But to the commoners, the toiling masses and the vulnerable who are in the majority, the anti-corruption and attitudinal change crusade of Aregbesola is a welcome development. In any existing economic or political system, there are those who would naturally oppose the emergence of ideas formulated towards endowing a progressive society. These are those that have been recently uncovered and referred to as a “cabal” opposed to the provision of the people of the state of Osun with the right kind of leadership as symbolized in the pragmatic and quality style of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. They are those who have gone to town, with wild, despicable allegations and malicious propaganda to paint Ogbeni Aregbesola in bad light, cause mischief, misinform and disrupt the existing good relationship between Aregbesola and the appreciative people of Osun.  Like Winston Churchill, Aregbesola might be vilified for his principled position, but no one can fault the altruistic and patriotic motivations for his actions. Like the saying goes, “Diamonds are forever”. Changing global reality in our new world is making leaders that have vision look like narrow-minded, satanic, heartless and wicked while making those without vision look like saints.

    I have watched with a sense of bewilderment, the unrelenting smear campaign against Aregbesola administration and his person.  It is as if Osun is the only state in Nigeria owing its workers salary arrears due to dwindling allocation from the federation account. The opposition, a section of the media on its payroll and the “lynch mob” have found an opportunity in the current economic recession affecting the whole world to vent their spleen on the governor for the sole purpose of deflecting attention from their uncomplimentary activities of their days in power, partly responsible for our present economic woes.

    In just three years, Aregbesola has been able to prove that something good can, indeed come out of Nazareth. He has pulled Osun from the backwaters of underdevelopment, illiteracy, ignorance and disease, to a state that is on irreversible path to prosperity. To realize his vision, the governor had, on assuming office, initiated a strategy of building up reserve of funds with which it could leverage for the projects it has planned to do. His government did two things that nobody thought he could do. By November, 2010, when it assumed office, the state had borrowed a whopping N1 billion to pay salaries. Yet, this did not stop the new administration from recruiting 20,000 OYES members! It was that same period that the state paid bonus to its workers. The abiding question is: How did the Aregbesola do it? By March of the following year, Aregbesola had restructured the state finances to the extent that the state was no longer in any precarious financial condition. The state has stopped borrowing money to pay salaries; it never failed to pay N200 million monthly allowance to OYES volunteers. In less than three years of his first four year- tenure, chroniclers of history would establish Aregbesola’s massive interventions in hitherto rotten and neglected sectors such as education, environment, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, health and security. From better –developed education system, to well- equipped hospitals, to empowered people; to policies geared towards empowerment, poverty alleviation and a social security programme that protects the vulnerable.

    The state of Osun’s experience in the spheres of infrastructure and human capital development is also worthy of commendation when compared to what the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola met on ground and how he has been able to transform Osun in less than three years. The current economic recession affecting the state, nay Nigeria notwithstanding, Aregbesola has so far demonstrated that, with great determination, Osun State could become the envy of many and the pride of her citizens at home and in the Diaspora. Osun State infrastructural facilities, though yet to be completed due to the economic meltdown, is the symbolic representation of Aregbesola’s government’s  resolve to eradicate the decadence of the past and link the state and subsequently, the people with the future.

    Aregbesola’s efforts at repositioning Osun State have not gone unnoticed. The World back in conjunction with 14 states in Nigeria have replicated the OYES initiative in those states. Aregbesola was invited to address the UK parliament on the Schools Feeding Programme and on his innovative tablet of knowledge, “Opon Imo”. Even the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC federal government has incorporated some of his programme, especially the School Feeding Programme and the N5000 stipend for the unemployed graduates into its programme.

    Aregbesola has within three years in office pioneered changes geared towards the achievement, improvement and sustenance of good quality of life for the citizens of the state. He has within so short a time in office demonstrated that where there is a will, there is always a way. Surely, the good that Aregbesola has started in Osun State, though, temporarily hindered by the current economic recession, will outlast him; it will live long after he would have passed on. Since he meant well for the state, he deserves the support of people. In this historic battle of repositioning the state, he needs to be encouraged, not scared. And since this battle is collective, not personal, he deserves solidarity, not brickbats.

     

    • Aminu is National Coordinator, Oodua Youth for Good Governance .
  • Doctors selfish, says Aregbesola

    Doctors selfish, says Aregbesola

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday described the action of striking doctors in the state as selfish in the face of the present economic hardship in the country.

    The governor spoke at a lecture titled: “To the improved health of the people” at the launch of new equipment for Boripe Local Government Health Centres at Boripe Local Government Secretariat in Iragbiji.

    Aregbesola admonished the striking doctors to recognise that the state is in a very special time of serious economic challenge and they should be willing to sacrifice like other workers who are at their duty posts.

    He held that government despite the great financial challenges has given the welfare of the people priority, saying it is high time that all realised that the state is in a special period where sacrifice must be made.

  • Aregbesola: why we’re investing in cocoa

    Aregbesola: why we’re investing in cocoa

    Revenues from cocoa and other prominent farms produce in which Osun State has comparative advantages have great capacities to turn around the state’s economy and fortunes, if pursued with renewed vigour, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said.

    The governor said his administration would make the state great again, hence the recent investment and research into cocoa production and the focus on other areas of agriculture.

    He noted that for the state to start on a good footing at producing what he called Cocoa Omoluabi, the state has listed and identified 60 million active cocoa trees across the state.

  • Aregbesola: PDP has served its terms in Nigeria

    Aregbesola: PDP has served its terms in Nigeria

    •Ekiti governor makes first visit to APC state

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayodele Fayose, to face the reality of the death of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Aregbesola said although he was not asking Fayose to abandon his party, it was better for him to cooperate with another party that would give hope to Nigerians.

    He urged the Ekiti State governor to use his energy for human and physical development in the Southwest and other parts of the country.

    Aregbesola spoke at the Government House in Osogbo, the state capital, when he hosted Fayose.

    The Ekiti State governor said his visit was not political.

    According to him, he is not ready to abandon the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fayose said his visit was meant to boost his belief in the Yoruba race as well as its development and unity.

    Aregbesola described Fayose’s visit as a demonstration of maturity.

    The Osun governor noted that it takes a very matured human being to know that at the end of every public office, he would be left with humanity.

    He said: “Osoko (Fayose) has said he is not going to leave his party. But the reality today is that PDP has served its term in Nigeria. When a horse is dead, it is either you abandon it or you bury it.

    “I want my good friend and brother to know that PDP has exhausted its stay in Nigeria; it can no longer be revived. Let us look at a political party that will give hope to our people. Opposition must be for a purpose. I stand by you on the unity of Yoruba land.

    “The war is over. We are in a season of mobilising our people to agriculture and produce such that we will economically have the strength to give leadership to the nation and Africa. Our energy must be directed at bringing human and physical development. We have enough in this region to give leadership.”

    Aregbesola assured Fayose that he would stand by him in his effort to galvanise the people of the Southwest for accelerated development.

    The governor, who regretted the economic situation of the country, noted that there was an invasion on the economy of Nigeria to the extent that the country was losing 75 per cent of its income due to oil glut.

    He said: “The country is facing a very serious crisis with the rate at which the crude oil price is falling. There is an invasion on the economy to the level that we are losing 75 per cent of our income, which is not good.

    “At this point, wise people must have an alternative to oil; which part of it is your visit. We must use our culture and affinity to form a bond that can make our people live a normal life. It is a duty that we owe our people, states and Nigeria.”

    Fayose noted that against all speculations that he was coming to Osogbo to ask Aregbesola to beg President Muhammadu Buhari, he was in the state for the unity of the Yoruba race.

    The governor said the Yoruba race is greater than any political office, hence his belief in the development of the race.

    He recalled that the visit of the Ooni of Ife to the 45th coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo was instructive.

    According to him, there is   need for every Yoruba son and daughter to work for the unity and progress of the race.

    He said: “This is my first official visit to any APC state in Nigeria. I am not in Osogbo to ask Aregbesola to help me beg, as being speculated in some quarters. We are all Yoruba. Politics is like water: it can flow anywhere.

    “I believe in the Yoruba race. The race comes first before the office of the governor. The race is eternal while that of governor is momentary. We must watch today to be guided by tomorrow. I am here for the unity of Yoruba as it affect the Oodua, the Yoruba progenitor.”

     

  • Aregbesola inaugurates management committees for Osun schools

    Aregbesola inaugurates management committees for Osun schools

    ..tasks them on effective management

    Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has inaugurated a community based management committee for State of OSUN Schools,a bold step towards the effective maintenance of public school facilities across the state.

    The committee members drawn from all the local governments in the state are grouped in three categories separately for all the local governments in the state for the elementary, middle and high schools respectively.

    Speaking at the inauguration held at the government technical college in Osogbo, Ogbeni Aregbesola pointed out that the move is aimed at returning the schools to the communities which he described as the original owners for easy management and maintenance.

    He said the government is inaugurating the committee because it is believed that the community owns education and they are the ones who can manage better than anybody.

    While explaining the importance of education to the society, the state governor stressed that education is very critical because it is an area where no society can afford to fail, emphasising that it is only through education that the society can meet up the present and safeguard the future.

    The Governor among other objectives charged the committee members to source for funds to maintain and manage the schools without creating unnecessary burden on parents and pupils but to find a way of assisting them.

    He also charged the committee to identify the school needs and lapses so as to find lasting solutions to them, while also explaining to them not to see their appointment into the various committees as a political reward but a call to be part of history.

    He said,”It makes good sense to know that community based approach to school management is the best approach anywhere in the world as it is effective in the management of our schools”

    “We are spending so much in the education sector because education is critical to every society, it is an area where no society can afford to fail, the education sector is important because it is through education that a society can meet up with the present and safeguard the future”

    “Education is the primary foundation of every development, the technology of building, architecture science among others are acquired through education, so there is nothing you can do without education”

    “With the trend in the world, the whole world is now going digital and one can not but conclude that the future belongs to only the educated”

    “I want you to know that this assignment should not be seen as a political reward, you should rather see it as a call to be part of history because we changing the face of education in the state of Osun and we will be surely remembered for it”

    “I want to also assure you that there will be prices for the community management committee that performs exceptionally” the governor noted.

    In an address, the state Deputy Governor, Mrs Grace Titilaoye Tomori charged the members of the committee to see the new school facilities as that of their individual community property, saying their job is to ensure that the schools are well managed.

    She said the government of Rauf Aregbesola sees education as a pivot to all kinds of development hence the huge expenditure of government in the education sector.

    The Deputy governor described the task of the committee as a great challenge and responsibility which implored them to face vigorously so as not to let the government, the community and the students down.

    According to her, “To Aregbesola, education is the pivot of development, that is why he is not looking back at all in his drive to take education to the next level in the state”

    “We want the ownership of the schools and other facilities government has provide to go down to the grass root level for proper management”

    “All the schools are to be managed by the communities because we believe you are all stakeholders and that’s why we have brought together all the lovers of education to be part of the committees in the all the local government.”

    “Your job is to ensure that the schools are well maintained, you own the schools as well as the quality of school feeding and the academic work that goes on inside, government want you to monitor the O’meal vendors to ensure that they shorchange our pupils because government is not reducing the quality of feeding at all”.

    In a welcome address by the Permanent Secretary, SUBEB, Mr Fatai Kolawole, members of the committees were encouraged to see themselves as owners of the schools and facilities in their communities.

    He called on them to see the inauguration as an opportunity to support the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola in his bid to change the face of education in the state of Osun.

    “It is our belief that the committees can assist government in the proper management of the education facilities which government has spent so much money to put in place”

    Members of the committees in all the local government areas include: market women, parent forum, old student’s association, artisans, representative of students among others.