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Tag: Gboyega Oyetola

  • N150m grant released for Health Insurance Scheme

    The Osun State government has approved the release of N150 million take-off grant for the state Health Insurance Scheme.

    Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) Dr. Niyi Ogini, who broke the news on Monday in Osogbo, the state capital, said the government gave the approval to ensure effectiveness in the health insurance operation.

    Ogini added that the Governor Gboyega Oyetola administration had made provisions for equitable grants from state, local government areas (LGAs) and local council development authorities (LCDAs).

    He said the local governments are being captured in the 2019 Budget.

    Read Also: Mandatory health insurance scheme excites Lagos

    Oyetola said: “The grant would be used for the establishment of Osun Health Insurance Business and Zonal offices across the 68 LGAs and the LCDAs.

    “The grant is also for employment of ad-hoc personnel, provision of operational vehicles, conduct of vulnerable research and enrolment of the vulnerable population among others; installment of necessary ICT infrastructure for health insurance operation as well as conduct advocacy and sensitisation of different sectors of population with capacity-building.

    “The state government had released the circular for the commencement of deduction of premium of 1.5 per cent of basic salary of public servants and also three per cent contribution of government to public servants premium which is to be prepared with their salaries.”

    He noted that the essence of the deduction was to ensure that residents have equitable access to healthcare services and also adequate distribution of health facilities within the state.

  • Alaafin, Fasanmi, Wase congratulate Oyetola

    THE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, National Leader of Afenifere (Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba) Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Idris Wase have congratulated Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola on the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed his election as governor.

    Oba Adeyemi, in a statement issued yesterday, eulogised the moral courage, sense of commitment and unbiased dispensation of justice by the Supreme Court on the judgment.

    This, he noted, will further solidify and entrench confidence in the ordinary citizens as their last hope.

    He extolled the virtues of Oyetola, describing him as ‘’a mature leader that treats the people of his state with respect and do not talk down to them’’.

    The Alaafin said: “The governor encourages mutual respect, even in the context of vehement disagreements among groups.

    “These are good qualities of leadership, which entails justice, fairness and equity, which are cardinal to the survival of any polity, not to mention a federal polity.

    “He is determined to re-define the ethics of politics and governance that is equal for everyone, thereby establishing a sustainable world for future generations’.”

    Fasanmi, in a statement from his media office, said: “The apex court judgment showed that the votes of Osun people count. This victory will enable Oyetola to concentrate on good governance, which he has started since the beginning of his administration.”

    He urged the governor to keep the flag of progressives flying in Osun State.

    The Afenifere leader assured the people that under Oyetola’s administration, the dawn of a new era has begun.

    Read Also: 10 facts about Osun State Governor Oyetola

    He hailed the judiciary for a job well done.

    “It is my joy to witness Oyetola’s victory at the Supreme Court,” he added.

    Wase described the affirmation of Oyetola’s electoral victory as a “strategic bolster” for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Wase, in a congratulatory statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Umar Puma at the weekend, urged Oyetola to extend the hands of fellowship to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    It reads: “Deputy Speaker described the Supreme Court judgment as a strategic bolster to the APC not just in Southwest geopolitical zone, but in the entire country.

    “He called on Oyetola to be magnanimous by extending his hands of fellowship to his opponents for the interest of the state and the country at large.”

  • Buhari congratulates Oyetola on Supreme Court victory

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State on the Supreme Court judgement that affirmed his victory in the state’s governorship election of September 2018.

    The President, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “The decision of the apex court lays to rest the tussle over the governorship of Osun State and removes all encumbrances on the path of the governor from fully delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of the state.”

    Read Also: Oyetola has acquitted himself well, says Oluwo

    He commended the government and people of Osun for allowing the rule of law to run its entire course, urging them as well as security agencies to sustain the peace.

    He called on the victorious governor and the ruling All Progressives Congress to be magnanimous in victory and make concrete moves towards inclusive governance as may be necessary.

    President Buhari also expressed the Federal Government’s continued willingness to partner with the state government to better the lots of the people.

  • Presidency tackles Atiku over comments on judgement

    The Presidency on Friday tackled former Vice President and presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over his comments on the Supreme Court judgement affirming the election of Mr Gboyega Oyetola as governor of Osun State.

    Commenting on the judgement, Atiku, in a statement, had said: “I urge the nation’s judiciary to take a pulse of the nation and reflect it.

    “In their hands, God has placed a great responsibility. The duty to ensure that justice is done, irrespective of the pressure to do otherwise by the powers that be.”

    But the Presidency, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that it found Atiku’s reaction very ridiculous, and comical.

    The statement reads: “Many things fly in the face of logic, reason, and legality in this portion of the statement.

    “Alhaji Abubakar urged the judiciary to reflect the pulse of the nation in their judgments.

    “Learned people know that the judiciary comes to conclusions drawing from matters of law placed before it, and not sentiments, or so-called “pulse of the nation.”

    “A pertinent question is: how does the judiciary gauge the pulse of the nation? Is it even positioned to do such? Is the judiciary established for that purpose, or to dispense justice, even if the heavens fall?

    “Again, there is insinuation of inducement in the statement when the PDP candidate said the judiciary should ensure justice is done, ‘irrespective of the pressure to do otherwise by the powers that be.’

    “We see this as an attempt to browbeat the judiciary, thus causing it to entertain sentiment in the ongoing petition on the presidential election before the tribunal.

    Read Also: Osun: We ‘ll stand by Adeleke, says Atiku

    “If anybody has the tendency or proclivity to put pressure on the judiciary, Nigerians knows where the finger points, and it is definitely not at President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “This was a man who had thrice taken his electoral challenges to the judiciary, up to the Supreme Court, and not once was he accused of trying to influence the process, or put pressure on the courts.

    “When the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost Zamfara and Rivers states, arising from judicial proclamations then, there was no “pressure to do otherwise, by the powers that be.

    “But now that the victory of the party in Osun was upheld, there is insinuation of pressure from those who have never learnt to play straight.”

    According to him, President Buhari has always been committed to fair play, which he noted was clearly evident in the last general elections.

    Buhari, he said, remains committed to even-handedness and justice always.

  • Osun: Jubilation as Supreme Court upholds Oyetola’s election

    • Why court dismissed Adeleke’s appeal

    • APC, Buhari, Tinubu, others congratulate governor

    • It’s time to move forward, says Oyetola

    • Adeleke: my ambition was never a do or die affair

    The streets of Osogbo and other communities in Osun State erupted in excitement on Friday as the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Gboyega Oyetola as the governor of the state.

    The apex court’s endorsement of Oyetola’s mandate followed its dismissal of the four appeals filed by Senator Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.

    The appeals by Adeleke and his party were against the May 9, 2019 judgments of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which voided the majority judgment of the election tribunal and affirmed the election of Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Osun State.

    The four appeals were marked: SC/553/2019; SC/554/2019; SC/555/2019 and SC/556/2019.

    The Supreme Court, in a majority decision of five-to-two, read by Justice Olabode Rodes-Vivour, held that the majority judgment given by the election tribunal in favour of Adeleke and the PDP was a nullity.

    Justice Rhodes-Vivour held that the tribunal was not properly constituted when it gave its decision in view of the non-participation of one of the tribunal members in one of the sittings where trial was conducted and vital documents admitted in evidence.

    The judge, in the lead majority judgment, agreed with lawyer to Oyetola, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) that the failure of a member of the election tribunal, Justice Peter Obiora, to sit on February 6, 2019 rendered the entire proceedings and the judgment given by the tribunal a nullity.

    The judgment by Rhodes-Vivour was on the appeal marked SC/553/2019, which was directed at the Court of Appeal’s judgment in the appeal filed by Oyetola against the majority decision of the election tribunal.

    The court noted that Justice Obiora was absent on February 6, 2019 when the respondents’ witnesses (RWs) 12 and 13 – Ayoola Soji and Oladejo Kazeem – testified and tendered exhibits, which the tribunal admitted in evidence.

    The apex court held that having not attended the tribunal’s siting on February 6, 2019, Justice Obiora did not see the two witnesses and was unable to examine their demeanour, as required, and therefore, it was wrong for the judge to have authored a judgment in which he reviewed the evidence given by the witnesses.

    Justice Rhodes-Vivour added: “As rightly pointed out by the learned senior counsel for the first respondent, Chief Wole Olenipekun (SAN), learned counsel for the appellant, O. Ikpeazu (SAN) also held the view that Obiora J did not sit on the 6th of February 2019.

    “At no time did Ikpeazu dispute the proceedings of the 6th of February2019. It was observed that at the election tribunal, Obiora J signed the record of proceedings at the end of every proceeding, except on the 6th of February 2019 when he did not sign at the end of the proceedings.”

    Justice Rhodes-Vivour said after examining the submissions of counsel and the record of appeal, “I hold the position that Obiora J did not sit on the said day.

    “What then is the implication of that on the proceedings conducted and the judgment delivered by the tribunal?

    “The Supreme Court has always set aside the judgments of the trial courts where the panels have been irregular and inconsistent.

    “An examination of the record of appeal reveals that well over 90 persons gave evidence, and at the end of each day’s proceedings, three judges, who included Obiora J, signed. It was only the proceedings of the 6th of February 2009 that was not signed by Obiora J.

    “That was the day when the testimonies of RW12 and RW13 were taken. They were cross examined and vital documents admitted in evidence, which counsel agreed, at the Court of Appeal, that Obiora J did not sit on the 6th of February 2019 and so, he could not have signed the proceedings of that day.

    “The failure of Oboira J to sit on the 6th of February 2019 renders the proceedings of that day worthless and the entire judgment a nullity.

    “The correct order to make in this circumstance is to declare the entire judgment of the tribunal a nullity as a result of the fact that one of the members of the panel did not sit on a day proceedings were held.

    “The learned counsel to the appellants ought to have advised his clients that the failure of Obiora J to sit on the 6th of February, 2019, but prepared the majority judgment, is a fundamental flaw.

    “The tribunal was not properly constituted as regard the number of its members on the 6th of February 2019.

    “The absence of Obiora J from the proceedings of the 6th of February 2019 affected the competence of the tribunal to deliver the judgement in any form.”

    Justice Rhodes-Vivour proceeded to set aside the entire proceedings of the tribunal and its judgement delivered in favour of Adeleke and the PDP.

    He upheld the majority judgement of the Court of Appeal, which earlier voided the tribunal’s judgement and affirmed the victory of Governor Oyetola.

    Justice Rhodes-Vivour added: “I affirm the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    “The majority judgment of the tribunal is a nullity.

    “The preliminary objection is overruled.

    “The appeal is dismissed.”

    The judge also dismissed two other similar appeals filed by Adeleke, marked: SC/554/2019 and SC/555/2019.

    Both appeals were against the Court of Appeal judgments in the appeals by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC against the majority judgment of the tribunal.

    Justices Ibrahim Muhammad (Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria), Kudirat Kekerere-Ekun, Amiru Sanusi and Uwani Abba-Aji agreed with the lead majority judgment as delivered by Justice Rhodes-Vivour.

    Justice Abba-Aji read the lead majority judgment in the second appeal marked: SC/556/2019, which challenged the legality of the supplementary election conducted in Osun after INEC declared the first election inconclusive.

    Justice Abba-Aji said in view of the court’s position in the earlier judgment, to the effect that the majority judgment of the tribunal was a nullity, it was unnecessary to consider other issues raised in the appeal.

    Justices Kumai Akaahs and Paul Galumje gave the dissenting judgments in both cases in which they allowed the two appeals.

    In his contribution, Akaahs said: “I wish to say that INEC is supposed to be an umpire and not an interested party.

    “In this particular case, INEC used its manual to cancel an election in some polling units and declared the election inconclusive when the appellant had scored the highest number of votes and got the required spread of two-thirds of the votes in the 25 per cent of the Local Government Areas.

    “‎They ought to have declared the appellant the winner, but INEC had something up its sleeves and it was able to achieve that by the rerun, whereby the 2nd respondent (Oyetola) had ‎400 plus votes as against the 1st appellant (Adeleke), who had 300 plus.

    Read Also: 10 facts about Osun State Governor Oyetola

    “Whereas in the election of September 22, 2018, after the illegal cancellation of some results, the 1st appellant had scored the majority votes of 300,000 plus votes‎.

    “INEC has always used the rerun election to do what it likes. This should not continue.

    “On that basis, I hold that the 1st appellant, having scored the highest number of lawful votes and had the spread, he ought to be declared the winner, and I so declare.”

    Jubilation in Osogbo, other communities

    Residents of Osun State on Friday trooped out in solidarity with the State governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, following the Supreme Court judgement which affirmed him as the winner of the September 22, 2018 governorship election.

    Residents of the state went into wild jubilation, moving in groups from one location to another and singing victory songs.

    The popular Olaiya junction and Nelson Mandela Freedom Park were among the places where residents converged to sing and dance to Oyetola’s victory.

    Addressing his supporters at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Oyetola said since the matters of the last governorship election had been laid to rest by the courts, all stakeholders should come together to move the state forward.

    Oyetola said: “It is time to move forward. I extend hands of friendship to the opposition. We are all Omoluabi. I will focus on security, peoples’ welfare, especially women.”

     My ambition was never a do or die affair, says Adeleke

    The PDP candidate in the election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Friday congratulated Governor Oyetola on his victory at the Supreme Court.

    Adeleke, in a statement issued by his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, said his ambition to become the governor of Osun State was never a do or die affair.

    Adeleke said the judgement of the Supreme Court, being the apex court in the land, “regardless of my disagreement and disappointment, remains final.”

    He said: “As a democrat and law abiding citizen, I accept the ruling no matter my misgiving. I wish Governor Oyetola well in the governance of Osun state.”

    He expressed gratitude to his teeming supporters, leaders and members of the PDP for their “massive support throughout the duration of the case,” lauding “our high spirit and commitment to the cause of democracy, which we championed from last year till date.”

    He continued: “In all circumstances, we must thank God Almighty. We gallantly fought a good fight in pursuit of a democratic cause. The ideals we fought for live on.

    “Our ambition was never a do or die affair. We aspired to serve and deliver democratic dividends to the people of Osun State.

    “Our ambition was altruistic. We wish Governor Oyetola the best in governance of the state.”

    PDP shocked at judgment, calls for calm, unity

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday expressed shock at the judgement of the Supreme Court which affirmed Mr Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Osun State.

    In a statement issued by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the fact that the Supreme Court had a split judgment also spoke volumes on its verdict in this matter.

    The statement said: “Our study of the judgment however shows that the Supreme Court did not negate the position of the PDP and millions of Nigerians that our candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, won the election, but based its verdict on reservations over issues of technicalities arising at the election petition tribunal.

    “Nevertheless, our party stands with overwhelming majority of Nigerians on that undeniable fact that the people of Osun State, by the votes cast at the poll, preferred Senator Adeleke as their governor.

    “The PDP, as a law-abiding party, however, urges the people of Osun State to remain united, calm and not lose hope in our democratic process and the quest for a government that truly represents their wishes and aspirations.”

  • Osun to stop payment of workers’ salary deductions to MDAs

    The Osun State government is planning to stop  payment of workers’ salary deductions directly into the account of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Supervisor for Finance Mr. Bola Oyebamiji gave this indication during the weekly finance meeting.

    He said Governor Gboyega Oyetola has given a directive for the beginning of automation of salary deductions to cooperatives, banks and other financial institutions being patronized by civil servants.

    He said the governor, through the automation system, planned to check fraud and improve fiscal transparency in government financial transactions.

    Oyebamiji also said the measure would go a long way in strengthening cooperative societies within the civil service, where the deductions are expected to go.

    According to the Supervisor for Finance, the deductions include civil servants’ funds for cooperative societies, loan repayment funds to banks and funds meant for the Osun Health Insurance Scheme among others.

    He maintained that the measure  would aid efficiency, remove the bottlenecks involved in the payment of salary deductions  and go a long way in checking fraud as well as the irregularities involved in such payments.

    Oyebamiji said the old method of paying funds into the accounts of MDAs before it gets to the beneficiaries was slow, clumsy and not devoid of fraud.

    He added that the Oyetola administration would continue to priorities the welfare of civil servants “because they remain the heartbeat of government that support the informal sector of the economy”.

    He advised civil servants to go and open bank accounts for the purpose.

    Also on Wednesday, Oyetola has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the transformation of the agricultural sector.

    Speaking at the 2019 Osun Farmers Field Day, Oyetola promised to promote mechanised farming to achieve food security.

    Read Also: APC leaders pray for Oyetola’s victory

    The governor said his administration would partner with farm tools manufacturing firms to ensure that farmers get access to modern machines for processing their farm produce.

    He said: “Our vision is to make agriculture profitable and ensure food security as part of our eight-point agenda designed to wholly transform the agriculture sector in this state.

    “We have the will as an administration and your turnout today is proof that you are ready to partner with us to transform our dream of food sufficiency, poverty eradication and job creation into reality.

    “Our farmers are allies in the march towards food sufficiency, poverty eradication and job creation.

    “Agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy of this state and it serves as the backbone of our economy as the sector has vast potential for critical infrastructural development that is reminiscent of the glorious days of Cocoa economy in the old western region.”

    “In line with my campaign promises, the government has embarked on a number of projects to enhance the economic base of farmers and the state.

    “Under the partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the state government has provided 205.5 hectares of land in Ago-Owu for the purpose of conducting researches and setting up demonstration farms for best farming practices.”

    The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles Akinola, said the state government had been working assiduously to make life abundant and meaningful for the farmers.

    Akinola said over 20,000 hectares of land will be provided for farmers to expand the scope of farming in the state.

    He said the state had partnered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other donor agencies to ensure the availability of funds for farmers and as well as enhance easy access to loans.

    The Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Alfred Dixon, commended the administration of Governor Oyetola for prioritising the agriculture sector.

    Chairman, Osun State Chapter of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria Alhaji Sulaiman Araokanmi applauded the government for being committed to the welfare of the citizens and general well-being of farmers since assumption of office.

  • Oyetola has acquitted himself well, says Oluwo

    The traditional ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, spoke with reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on the performance of Governor Gboyega Oyetola who was sworn in six months ago as the state’s fifth civilian governor, ADESOJI ADENIYI reports.

    What is your assessment of the performance of Governor Oyetola in the last six months?

    Since Oyetola came on the saddle, he has left no one in doubt about his commitment to good governance and passion for development. No one can mistake his disposition to good intention, except if you are watching him closely and observe his every step. Though he is not giving to too much talk, but his actions cannot be mistaken for someone who does not know what next to do or someone groping in the dark to find a way out of a logjam. With him as governor, I believe the future is very bright for Osun State. Since he assumed power, he has been trying to solidify the foundation laid by his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. In the area of infrastructure, the first thing he did was rehabilitation and maintenance of roads. Look at Iwo/Osogbo road, he has done some remedial work on it, pending the time full work will commence. The governor works with traditional rulers; he consults to know the needs and problems of the people.  When he asked me about our own problem, I told him Iwo/Osogbo road is very important to us, because of its economic impact on our people and the state. You know what? He worked very hard in his first weeks in office to ensure he starts the process of fulfilling his campaign promises to the people. During this period, he went straight to Abuja and told the Federal Government that Iwo/Osogbo road needs to be fixed up. Being a federal road, he let them know the state does not have money to do it. His effort had paid off as the road is now approved. Today, the background work on the Iwo/Osogbo road is going on. They are doing the surface, the design and other things have also started.

    But, there are allegations that he is slow…

    That he doesn’t talk too much does not mean he does not have action. I admire his kind of leadership and I believe his administration is doing fine and the future is going to be great for Osun. You will soon start to see more positive signs, if you watch him closely. Oyetola is an upright leader, who matches his words with action. He is vibrant and diligent. I believe he is going to do well and better than his predecessor because that is our prayer that tomorrow should be better than today.

    Osun has been bedeviled in recent times by security challenges, like kidnappings. What is your assessment of his performance in that regard?

    The security challenge is not peculiar to Osun. It is even global. But, what we must begin to talk more about is finding solution to these challenges facing us as a people. Moreover, man is created to solve problems and make a change. Let me tell you, the capacity of any responsible leader is to demonstrate capacity to stand up to challenges and find solution to them. This is what Oyetola has exhibited substantially since he became the governor. First, he convened a security meeting with stakeholders, especially the monarch to have a first-hand information about security in their domain and also together find lasting solution to the problem. He has been able to identify the flash points and trouble spots in all parts of the state and he is working with security agencies to curtail this menace.

    In the face of security challenges, how much collaboration does the government have with the traditional rulers?

    Traditional rulers have a lot to do, because we are closer to the grassroots more than any other person as you observed. We know our communities we know who is coming in, we know who is going out. We have chiefs we and minor kings we call Baales. They are under us and they are in all these communities and they know what is going on. They brief us regularly about what is going on in the communities. This is a great structure to fight crimes. Oyetola is doing his best to relate well with us but I would want him to make more use of the natural structure provided by the traditional rulers to fight crimes. He has been very close to the grassroots and he is somebody that listens. He also demonstrates a good sense of judgment. After listening to you, he exercises his independence to analyze and come to the right conclusion on issues.

    Are you not being partisan as a royal father, instead of being neutral as expected of your status?

    It’s a lie that traditional rulers cannot be involved in politics. Traditional rulers must be involved. It has been like that from the time immemorial. May be people don’t know the history. From time immemorial when you see a government that is doing great, that’s doing good any government is in power must be supported by traditional rulers to make life better for their people. Monarchs should work with the government and no matter what. But if a traditional ruler is with the government the people will think oh, he is on that side of the government. No. A resourceful, a vibrant traditional ruler that sees a good governor, vibrant and visionary governor, a governor that is doing great you must  be part of that government. Traditional rulers have been part of government since time immemorial during the time of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi. May God bless his soul! He was governor and Chief Ladoke Akintola was the premier of the Western region. The Oluwo was part of the government at that time as a minister without portfolio. So, I believe traditional ruler should be offered advisory roles or commissioners without portfolio which I believe they should be doing now.

    Many see you as a controversial monarch. In less than four years on throne you have been involved in many issues within and outside Iwo and Osun State…

    Like I’m just telling you now, that I work with government for what? I do so, for development, advancement and for a greater Iwo Kingdom. If I want good life for my people I have to work with the government. And I’m saying the truth. If you call me controversial, because am being truthful, so be it. I am being honest with myself and my people which it doesn’t actually happen in Africa. In Africa anybody that’s doing bad that is what they like. They like that follow-follow syndrome. They would want to say oh no! this is not how our father were doing it. Believe me, we are in a civilised age and that’s why we need change. Do you know why we are all born? We are all born to make a change   while you’re on this earth. So when we bring change they see you as controversial. Today Iwo has been on the map and when Iwo is on the map the people are taking about Iwo. And that means there is advancement, there is significance. We have brought to Iwo today people know Iwo and when people know Iwo, they know where it is in Osun. Osun is going higher, Iwo is going higher and I keep saying it anybody that doesn’t want development are called anti-progrogress. There are many people who are anti development you may not be able to help those people because that is the way are.

    With what happened in the Oluwo’s mosque recently, can let us know the status of the Oluwo on issues of spirituality and administration?

    One thing is that ‘Bayi lanse ni ile, wa ewo i bomi ni’. People should know their own history, the history of your domain is different my domain. The history of my domain is that Oluwo is the spiritual leader, back to time immemorial, you will see that even political leaders, spiritual leader, monarchy leadership, traditional leadership everything, even chief security officer. All these duties are in hand of the traditional ruler because they will assess the performance of the King on the basis of how thing go right or wrong. The people would say oh,  his time was not good or his time was good. Let me tell you the majority of Iwo people know that my time is great, my time is good. I got back the lost glory of Iwo. In our own Iwo, Islam everybody in Iwo, Iwo is 100 percent Muslims. There is no house that you will tell me that there is no Muslims there. If you see anybody that is a Christian now in Iwo that person only got converted. If that person is from Iwo proper that person converted, everybody has Muslims name in Iwo and the king is the one that brought Islam to Iwo over 400 years ago. The king was the first to build Mosque, the Mosque the is even part of the palace.

    Kabiyesi, people say you fighting too many battles in many fronts…

    I want to ask you something. Can some people come to your house right now and say they want to get in without your consent?  Do you have the right to tell them to go back? And if there are many doors in your house you have the right to go and lock those doors and if anybody comes there you have the right call the police. Should you say because people want to fight you should leave your house for them?

    In your view, what are the strong points of the Buhari administration, in the face of all the challenges facing Nigeria?

    Let me tell you when you want to build a new house or a new nation in 21st Century, what do you do? In the 21st Century, if you were giving a responsibility to renovate an old house and along the line you discovered the foundation is weak and also found out some serious defects what do you do? You have to be painstaking, plan very well and get into your re-construction work with caution, because as you make amends somewhere there is every likelihood that there will be some cracks here and there. Nigeria is a project that must not fail, therefore, all of us need to support our leaders with prayers. Also, we have duties to perform as patriotic citizens, who have expectations from the government. That is why I organize prayers for our leaders. I did for Buhari, while he was sick. I did for Osinbajo. I have also organized prayer for Oyetola to succeed in his new assignment. Yes, the nation is facing serious challenges, particularly in the area of security but this is not something we can not surmount if we can work with government and lag our own roles too.

     

  • Osun has bright future under Oyetola – APC

    The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has assured the people of the state of bright future under the leadership of Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

    The APC said the people of the state have good reason to exercise hope and trust in the ability of Governor Oyetola to put the Osun on a high socio-economic and political pedestal, assuring that with the governor, Osun is in safe hands.

    In a statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said: “In less than a year of being mandated by the people of the state to succeed Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor has continued to put Osun on the progressive lane of development that distinguishes it from many states in the country.”

    “Recently, the World Bank gave a clean bill of health to the state of Osun and 20 others for their transparent and accountable management of their states’ finances.

    “As a result, the World Bank is now packaging development grants for all the states cleared by the Bank. Imagine a probable evil event of PDP winning the last governorship election and the APC’s accountable and transparent management of the state finances had been discontinued as the PDP had promised before and during the campaigns, Osun would have been tragically removed from that list by the World Bank.

    “But that this tragedy didn’t happen is one of the glorious outcomes of APC victory in last November’s election. It secured continuity and guaranteed international assistance”, the APC said, adding that;

    “It would have been a tragedy of monumental proportion if the contrary had happened”  according to a statement from the directorate of publicity signed by its publicity director, Barr Kunle Oyatomi and circulated to the media in Osogbo today.”

    Read Also: Osun monarchs meet over insecurity

    Acknowledging the Oyetola-led APC government’s consolidation on the  healthcare delivery in the last six months which has brought the health services to all the electoral wards in the state, the APC said:

    “This is what you get from the government that is determined to continue with the good work of the past administration as opposed to a reckless People’s Democratic Party’s alternative ready to dismantle all the marvelous achievements of the APC under the exceptional leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Only a satanic twist of event would turn such progressive table around.”

     

  • Paris Club Refund: Osun pensioners advised to crosscheck information with other states

    The Osun State Supervisor of Finance, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has charged the pensioners in the state to disregard “false information” that the state government had received N6.3 billion last tranche of the Paris Club refund from the federal government.

    He advised the pensioners, who last week protested non-payment of their pension areas, to crosscheck with other states on the Paris Club refund to be sure that no state of the federation had received such fund.

    Oyebamiji, who insisted that no state has received the Paris Club refund from the FG not to talk of diverting it for other purposes, said Governor Oyetola is known for transparency and accountability.

    In a statement by the Information Officer in the state’s Ministry of Finance, Mr. Kingsley Omoyeni, the supervisor said with or without the Paris Club refund, the Gboyega Oyetola administration is looking into their matter, assuring that their welfare and that of workers remain paramount to the governor.

    He said: “There is no iota of truth in the rumour going around that Osun government has received N6.3 billion as the Paris Club refund, there has been nothing of such at all.

    “I want the pensioners to crosscheck the information from their colleagues in other states. I can assure them that no state has received the fund. Our state cannot be different and therefore there is no way Osun among the states of the federation will be the only one to get such fund.

    “The Oyetola administration attaches so much importance to the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state. The state government is always looking into their welfare and we are hoping that things will continue to get better.

     

  • Nigerians must hold public officers accountable – Osun lawmaker

    The Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Tunde Olatunji, has charged Nigerians to hold public office holders accountable in order to break the nation’s yoke of under development.

    Speaking at a News Point programme of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, Olatunji, representing Ife North state constituency, insisted that accountability in government is not negotiable.

    According to him: “It is high time we held our government accountable for Nigeria to grow.”

    The lawmaker called on Nigerians to see the fight against insurgents as collective, stressing that, “every Nigerian must join hands with the government to build this nation.”

    The lawmaker, who acknowledged efforts of the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to end the menace of kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities, said far-reaching solutions must be sought to overcome the challenges facing Nigeria.

    Read Also: Osun pensioners split over protest

    He said: “Special attention must be to paid family units, where children are trained about values and social norms. Family restructuring is a strong factor to consider and that can be a panacea to ending insecurity and economic predicament.

    ”A large percentage of youths involved in crimes are from broken homes and their bad attitude and characters are substantially linked to poor parenting. The real restructuring towards socio-economic challenges of Nigeria must start from the families.

    ”I make bold to say that over 80 per cent of young people in crime are either from broken homes or fragmented families. That is a serious factor that has continued to aggravate our national security challenges.”

    Olatunji, an ex-banker, advised the Federal Government to control population explosion, which he said was not commensurate with growth in productivity.

    According to him, the recent figure that puts Nigeria’s population at over 200 million should be a thing of great concern to all Nigerians, in the absence of advancement in the country’s level of productivity.