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Tag: Governor of Osun State

  • I’ll run a people-friendly administration – Oyetola

    Promises 30,000 jobs

     

    The new governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola has pledged to run a people friendly administration.

    He made the promise in his inaugural address on Tuesday in Osogbo after he was sworn-in.

    According to Oyetola, the welfare of workers in the state will be of utmost concern to his government, as he pleddged to pay salaries promptly.

    “Ours shall be a government committed to serving the people,” Oyetola stated.

    “We will ensure workers’ salaries are paid promptly based on the financial inflow of the state. We will prioritize workers welfare and pensioners.

    “We will organize the Osun Economic Summit, with the first quarter of our year in office.”

    According to him, he will ensure creation of 30,000 jobs and improvement on the standard of living for citizens of the state.

    “It is time to create jobs for our youths; we will upgrade our vocational technical institutions to make them more vibrant with the demands of the technology-driven world. We in partnership with private sectors will establish large manufacturing industries in the major sectors of the economy to create at least 30,000 jobs.”

    Read Also: Oyetola sworn in as Osun governor

    He said he will ensure the achievement of the sustainable development goals for the overall development of the state.

    Oyetola assured that education will be promoted in the state in line with the principle of the Omoluabi.

    “We will promote equitable and value based developmental education, by emphasizing its competence and character as reflected in the principle and philosophy of Omoluabi,” he said.

    He commended his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the various developmental projects implemented during his tenure and promised to sustain and improve on them.

  • Buhari commiserates with Aregbesola over mother’s death 

    Buhari commiserates with Aregbesola over mother’s death 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commiserated with the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, over the passing away of his mother, Saratu Aregbesola.

    In a telephone conversation, President Buhari expressed sympathy with the governor, describing his mother “as a great woman who was a pillar of discipline to her children.’’

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said the matriarch of the Aregbesola family deserved great honour for “the sacrifices she made to bring up her children on the path of sound moral character and commitment to good reputation.’’

    He said that the governor’s mother contributed immeasurably to the building of a respectable pedigree for her family by raising disciplined and humble children like Governor Aregbesola.

    He prayed that Allah would bless her soul and reward all her good deeds with paradise, and also comfort the family she left behind.

  • TCN announces nine percent improvement 

    TCN announces nine percent improvement 

    The Market Operator of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a 9 percent improvement in energy delivered to DisCos from the Transmission Company of Nigeria for the month of February, as compared to January.

    A communique on the 14th meeting Ministry of power sectoral meeting that made this known yesterday said that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola urged electricity customers to play their role in the success of the industry, through the timely payment of bills, ending the vandalism of power assets, and the assault of electricity workers who seek to install or read meters. Federal Government had started by the payment of an initial tranche of =N=374,551,000 to Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for outstanding MDA debts at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

    The meeting was held in National Control Centre, Osogbo.

    The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomoriwere also present.

    The meeting focused on identifying, discussing, and finding practical solutions to critical issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

    The operators were fully represented at the highest executive management levels, including a Commissioner of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Managing Directorsand CEOs of Generating Companies (GenCos), Distribution Companies (DisCos), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), as well as various government agencies such as theNiger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) responsible for the regulation and development of the electricity industry.

    The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria, highlighted the issue of unutilized load (previously described as load rejection) currently causing high system frequency on the national grid, and encouraged the industry to take necessary steps to address the problem. TCN restated its commitment to expand transmission infrastructure and improve its operation and performance within the power sector value chain.

    The Vice Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission affirmed the Federal Government’s expressed commitment to tariffs that ensure a self-sustaining power sector and to supporting NERC in applying sanctions where appropriate to ensure operators comply with the rules. NERC highlighted the recently reconstituted commission’s focus on fair but firm regulation in the following areas: enforcing DisCo metering commitments, prepaid meters for MDAs, centralised management of market revenues collected from all customers, appropriate capitalisation of DisCos, and prudent procurement.

    Minister emphasized that the purpose of the NESI is to ensure that citizens can access power safely, reliably, and consistently and that it must remain committed to ensuring the achievement of these objectives:

    NERC was tasked with ensuring fair play for consumers and providers within the sector.

    The Minister reiterated that the Federal Government is committed to its responsibilities in the power sector, through policies such as the Power Sector Payment Assurance Guarantee to ensure liquidity stability in the sector so that generating companies are paid for their services.

    He also stated that all stakeholders remain committed to their various roles in supplying and distributing power to ensure that the power sector functions effectively.

    The Governor of Osun state acknowledged the gradual improvement of electricity supply especially in Osun State which hosts the National Control Centre. Acknowledged the importance of the Power Sector Recovery Plan as critical to ensuring accountability for losses, improving customer service, customer accessibility, safety, and performance in the sector.

    The meeting received confirmation from Independent System Operator (ISO) that the intention of Paras Energy (a private generating company) to sell 60MW internationally will not jeopardize the power purchased by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) for use in the domestic market.

    NDPHC provided updates on host community connections in Egbema, and announced significant progress on Oronta and Omotosho which were previously limited by funding challenges. Progress was also announced on reconnecting Magboro community, subject to safety checks by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA). Olorunsogo Power also stated that funding of road repairs in the host community has also been approved.

    TCN presented a report on the problem of unutilized load on the grid and committed working closely with the DisCos to eliminate the occurrence of the problem.

    Market Operator (TCN) announced a 9% improvement in energy delivered to DisCos from the Transmission Company of Nigeria for the month of February, as compared to January. Ikeja and Yola DisCos showed improved remittance to the Market Operator for services rendered in the month of February.  The Market Operator encouraged sector participants to fulfil all their obligations to ensure the success of the Power Sector Recovery Plan.

    NEMSA presented a report on its investigation of various customer complaints especially complaints related to the integrity of meters. The meeting acknowledged incidents of insider malpractice and the negative impact on customers and agreed on the need for vigilance to eliminate such cases.

    TCN presented a brief on ongoing works to address specific challenges and limitations around the country. TCN acknowledged the delay in replacing the damaged 60MVA transformer at Katampe which caused prolonged load shedding and poor service in parts of Maitama, Wuse II and Jabi in Abuja.

    NERC reported on stakeholder performance for 2016.  DisCos were ranked based on metering progress, NBET and MO remittance, amongst other indicators. Eko DisCo was ranked as the best performing Distribution Company, while Kaduna DisCo was ranked as the lowest.

    Okpai (Thermal Plant) and Jebba (Hydro Plants) were ranked as the best performing in their respective categories, based on indicators such as percentage availability and reporting compliance.

     

  • Osun can produce rice for Southwest – Aregbesola

    Osun can produce rice for Southwest – Aregbesola

    The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday confirmed the claims of a research that the state has the capacity to meet the rice needs of the South West.

    The Governor made this observation during a visit to Onilapa to meet with rice farmers to discuss ways of improving output and packaging of local rice in the state.

    “Two days ago, I was in Onilapa to meet with rice farmers to discuss ways of improving output and packaging of local rice in the state.

    “New research has shown that the state of Osun has enough capacity to meet the rice needs of the South West.

    Aregbesola Ofada“Our government will continue to provide support for these local farmers until they reach the target of 20 tonnes per hectare.

    “We are working closely with various research institutes to offer insight and ideas to rural farmers towards improving their capacity.

    People of Onilapa in Osun State

    “Our intervention in agriculture did not begin today as we have prioritised the welfare of these rural farmers from the get-go. This is why we willfully up took the task of opening up our rural areas through the construction of roads

    “Under our Rural Access and Mobility Project (ORAMP), we have constructed 10km of roads in all LGAs totalling 310km across the state,” he said.

  • Osun mourns passage of Rasheed Gbadamosi

    Osun mourns passage of Rasheed Gbadamosi

    The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday, extended his condolences to the family of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi who died on Wednesday.

    Aregbesola described the late Gbadamosi as a leading industrialist, humanist, art  and culture promoter and writer.‎

    In a condolence message signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola described the death of the industrialist as the “passage of a good man.”

    The Governor, who prayed for the repose of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi’s soul and extended his condolences to the immediate family, members of the business community, the people of Lagos state where he hailed from and Nigeria at large.

    Aregbesola urged Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, people of the Business and Art communities, to take, with equanimity, the death of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, describing it as an inevitable end for all.‎

    Aregbesola said: “The late Gbadamosi lived his life for the good of humanity. He was a good man. He built a reputation as a credible businessman and industrialist. His love for philanthropy was remarkable. He loved culture and spent his resources to promote arts. It is painful to loose this good man but one clear lesson is the transient nature of life itself.”

    “On behalf of the good people of Osun, it is our fervent prayer that Allah will grant him Aljanah Firdaus and give the people of Lagos  State the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Do things differently, Aregbesola urges youth

    Do things differently, Aregbesola urges youth

    The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged youths to do things differently in order to make their mark quickly in the society.

    Aregbesola gave the advice in a statement by his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday.

    “We are focusing on youths in this state; we engage them and discuss regularly on things that affect them.

    “No government will neglect people of this age bracket because they are very central and critical to the society.

    “That is why we provide for them to participate in one way or another in our programmes and policies.

    “Youths are crucial to governance because of the huge deposit of potential they have to actualise things easily.

    “All I want to advise them to do is to be creative and innovative in whatever they engage in.

    “It is by doing things differently that they can quickly make their marks in the society,“ he said.

    Aregbesola said his administration had provided different avenues for youth engagement in governance.

    According to him, such avenues include the creation of Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) and Youth Empowerment Scheme –Technology (OYESTECH).

    He said his administration had also established the Osun Job Centre, as a way of creating a database of unemployed youths across the state, so as to train them to be employers of labour.

    The governor urged youths in the state to take advantage of the opportunities to develop themselves.