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Tag: Governor of Osun

  • Insecurity: Aregbesola urges couples to embrace family planning 

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on Nigerians, especially married couples to embrace family planning so as to curtail population explosion in the country.

    The Governor said that with the spate of insecurity in the land, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the population of the country must not get to the level that the Nigerian state cannot handle.

    Aregbesola while addressing people at the 2018 Ramadan Lecture‎ organized by the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), at Oke-Baale in Osogbo, stated that the increase in population had contributed to the security challenge the country is facing.

    He said for Nigeria and other parts of the world to enjoy relative peace, parents must begin to inculcate values and virtues into their wards and children.

    Read Also:Ramadan: Let’s pray for people in difficulties – Aregbesola

    Aregbesola, speaking on the theme of the Lecture: “Insecurity in Nigeria, Islamic Perspectives to Finding Solution”‎, said it has become incumbent on parents to complement government efforts at ensuring security of lives and property by reducing the number of children to the number they can adequately take care of.

    He described the lack of parental care, poor upbringing and unchecked procreation as causes of security challenges confronting the nation.

    Aregbesola charged government at various levels to come up with pro-masses programmes capable of empowering citizens and support their needs for national integration, growth and development.

    He emphasised that one of the practical ways to fight insecurity and rescue the country from the menace is for parents to begin to inculcate in their children the virtues of “Omoluabi”.

    “As parents, we must do all we could to give our children the best in term of training, education, character and virtues if we are truly serious about addressing security challenges.

    “We must be conscious of our population and see the need to embrace family planning as population explosion has been the major factor to security challenge in our country.

    “Today, a sizable number of our youths are unemployed, thus contributing to security threats and societal unrest.

    “While government at various levels are charged to be alive to their constitutional responsibilities, Nigerians must support and complement government in ‎the actualization of these goals,” Aregbesola stressed.

    Earlier in his lecture, the guest lecturer and Chief Imam of Offa, Sheik Muideen Saman Hussain‎, advocated good governance as panacea to security challenges in the country.

    The cleric called on well-meaning Nigerians and religious leaders to support government’s efforts at ensuring the security of lives and property of the citizenry.

  • ‘It is false to say Osun is not paying workers’ salary’

    ‘It is false to say Osun is not paying workers’ salary’

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday frowned over what he regarded as falsehood insinuations that Osun is not paying workers their monthly salaries.

    This was even as the Governor advocated for a federalized policing which he said remains the only panacea to effective and efficient policing in Nigeria.

    Aregbesola said in spite the economic challenges confronting the nation and Osun state, in particular, his administration has not failed in paying the state workforce regularly.

    According to a statement by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Governor Aregbesola was quoted as stating these while delivering a key note address at a programme organised by the Osun state command of the Police Community Relations Committee.

    Aregbesola said he was aware of the insinuation being peddled by those he regarded as adversaries to incite the public against his administration, saying workers in the state have been paid up to June 2017.

    Governor Aregbesola said his administration has done so much in prioritising the welfare of the workforce, an initiative which according to him has made a difference to the course of good governance.

    According to him, there is need to educate Nigerians about the salary situation in Osun, because some people have been saying that since my administration is conscious about eradicating poverty why not pay workers’ salaries?

    “Let me make a resounding correction that despite the paucity of funds, it is only a section of workers on grade level 12 and above who receives painfully 50 percent of their gross salaries based on an agreement between the government and the labour union.

    “So outside that category of workers on grade level 12 and above, no other receives half of his or her salaries and the workers in this category are just 20 percent of the state workforce.

    “Outside that, officers on levels 8-10 receive 75 percent of their salaries while officers on levels 7 and below receive their full pay.

    “Contrary to what the naysayers claim about us, all workers in the state have received their salaries up to June this year according to the payment scheme and agreement. The only outstanding salary in Osun is the month we are in and by the grace of God before the month end, every worker will earn their salary in line with the agreement will have with workers.

    “I am saying this to correct the impression of those spreading falsehood and capitalising on this that we have been up to our responsibilities as regards the payment of workers’ salaries in accordance with the available resources.”

    The state helmsman noted that his administration has also been conscious of the welfare of pensioners, saying the state has paid pensioners their dues just as active workers have been paid.

    He added, “As we pay active workers, so we pay pensioners. The only outstanding pay to pensioners is the gratuity and this is due to workers who choose not to participate in the Contributory Pension Scheme and therefore left service in 2011/2012.

    “The amount required to service that gratuity is about N5billion and we keep on telling them that once we have the capacity to so do, we will surely pay them.

    “One thing that is certain about money is that once you don’t have it you can not use it. It doesn’t mean we hate them; its because of limited resources to pay them and meet physical expenditure.

    “The pensioners in the state do receive their pensions and what is outstanding is only the N5billion gratuities that we can not afford for now”

    While advocating for the devolution of police structure, Governor Aregbesola canvassed for a total federalisation of Nigeria Police which he said

    is the only solution to myriads of civil challenges in the country.

    He said unless the powers that reside in the Police are decentralised into zonal units, the Force would continue to languish in challenges and poor professionalism.

    According to him, we have to federalise policing instead of the current centralised policing we have.

    “If we are truly serious about combating crimes and criminality most especially the acts of terrorism and kidnapping, then we have to federate the present structure of Nigeria police.

    “It is obsolete for the Inspector General of Police receiving direct brief from state Commissioner of Police. Nigeria is too big for this.

    “So if we can not afford total decentralisation of Police, then let us adopt zonal Command structure that will localise policing within the zone.

    “I am advocating for federation of police structure. We must have state and local police structure so as to effectively combat crimes and criminality in the country.

    “As we all know, most of our security challenges are basically due to the inability of our centralized structure of policing in which police do fail to effectively understand the terrain to which perpetrators of many of these crimes operate”, Aregbesola stressed.

    In his lecture, the former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, attributed some of the socio-economic, religious, political and security challenges in the country to lack of personal sacrificial spirit between and among Nigerian people.

    Arase whose lecture zeroed on the theme of the symposium, “Combating Twin Evil of Terrorism and Kidnapping through People’s Policing in Nigeria”, condemned in its totality what he described as barbaric the incessant cases of kidnapping, terrorism and insurgency in the country.

    He said it is a time for all to develop consciousness towards securing the society by reporting any strange within and outside the individuals’ communities, states and nation at large.

    He charged men and officers of Nigeria Police Force on the need to champion professionalism, efficiency, effectiveness and proficiency while discharging their constitutional responsibilities to the people.

    Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, said in creating an efficient policing, Nigeria must ensure that relationship between the local residents and the police is two-way.

  • ‘PDP totally dead, even Obasanjo tore its card’

    ‘PDP totally dead, even Obasanjo tore its card’

    • Says Obasanjo who gave PDP relevance in South-West has torn its card into shreds

    Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on Tuesday stated that the Peoples Democratic Party‎ (PDP) has lost its relevance in the South-Western part of Nigeria with the turning into shreds of the party’s membership card by the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo who brought the party to the region.

    This was even as the Governor warned the opposition party against importing into the state hoodlums and mercenaries for the purpose of unleashing mayhem during the coming Osun West Senatorial by-election.

    Aregbesola stated these when the campaign train led by him to solicit votes for Senator Mudashir Husain moved to Ikire, in Irewole Local Government Area of the state.

    Aregbesola who had earlier paid a courtesy call on Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, said the emergence of the All Progressives Congress at the centre has been the end of PDP’s reign in the country.

    He said the PDP’s era has gone in Nigeria particularly in the South-west as many of the party’s founding fathers have dumped the party.

    Aregbesola held that ‎the PDP has become a dead party in Nigeria, saying whoever returns to the party now could only meet vanity.

    The Governor described the move to revive the PDP through the forthcoming bye-election as an exercise in futility, saying the former President who brought PDP to the South-west ‎openly before members of the part tore his membership card of the PDP into shreds.

    According to him, ‎”Why will any sensible politician at this time will want to associate with a party that is not only drowning but dead in the South-West.

    “It will be an exercise in futility for anybody to now want to wake up a dead horse through the July 8 Osun West Senatorial bye-election when founding fathers of the party have not only deserted the party but wouldn’t want to be associated with it.

    “We are all living witnesses to how the former President openly at his ward declared that the the PDP has gone beyond redemption, hence his declaration of the obituary of the party with the symbolic trashing of his membership card “, he stressed.

    He also took the opportunity of the campaign to warn troublemakers especially the opposition parties who are nursing the ambition of bringing in militants to unleash mayhem should people resist their underhand tendencies during the July 8 bye-election.

    Aregbesola, however, warned suspected militants who PDP might have engaged to turn down the offer as the state in collaboration with security agencies ‎will do everything possible to ensure that Osun remains peaceful as ever.

    He said, “Why will anybody think that the people of Osun who stood firm even in the face of provocation‎ during the last general election under the supervision of the PDP led government then, would now waiver from such determination?.

    “It is on record that despite the intimidation by the then security apparatus who invaded the state with weird looking officers who had strange looking dogs still could not deter our people from associating with our good governance, why will they be deterred by militants?.

    “We use this medium to warn any militant who the opposition had contracted to think twice before coming to Osun as government is ever ready to use every lawful means at its disposal to smoke them out of the state”, the Governor told the gathering

  • Climate change: Aregbesola cautions Donald Trump

    Climate change: Aregbesola cautions Donald Trump

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on Tuesday urged the United States of America to seriously consider its stand concerning climate change, as whatever decision America takes will seriously affect many countries of the world negatively.

    This was even as the United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington described the social protection programmes of Osun Government as the dividend of democracy and good governance.

    The American envoy also lauded the State Government for running an impactful and people-oriented government in spite of the present economic challenges facing Nigeria.‎

    ‎Governor Aregbesola, while playing host to the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Syminton who paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s office in Osogbo said the United States of America had over the years evolved to be a major factor in what happens to the other parts of the world.

    He added that when an entity becomes powerful as America in the world, such a nation needs to consider other nations before taking major decisions.

    The governor noted that the position of America in the world is so strategic to the extent that major decisions of the United States have a direct bearing on other nations of the world.

    According to Aregbesola, America is so important and significant that issues like climate change can not be taken for granted.

    He said: “America has evolved to be a major factor in world growth and development to the extent that whatever decision the country takes on any burning issue shakes the world.

    “When an entity is as powerful as America, such entity needs to be very careful about every major decision it takes because of other countries.

    “An entity whose decision can affect other nations of the world must be very careful.

    “America’s human and international relations must not be taken for granted, if you love America it is to your own benefit and if you hate America it is to your own disadvantage,” The Governor stated.

    The Osun governor also made it clear to the ambassador that his administration came into government with a clear objective of how to tackle its responsibilities to the people of the state.

    He said the coming into power of the administration was to revive the peace, progress, and prosperity of the state and the nation at large.

     Aregbesola maintained that his administration focused on the six-point integral action plan which has over the years made his government focus on social security areas through schemes such as the O-YES, O-MEALS, O-AMBULANCE the welfare scheme for the aged among others.

    “We came into government with a clear objective, it is to stimulate the growth and development of the Osun people and to leave them better than the way we met them.

    “From the onset, our goal for the people of the state was clear to us. As part of our efforts to take our people out of poverty, we re-energised the school feeding programme which we met on ground.

    “The OMEAL programme of our state has turned subsistence farming into a commercial venture in Osun. It has boosted the sales of agricultural products in the state tremendously” Aregbesola stated.

    Speaking earlier, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Symington who commended the efforts of the state government in road infrastructure likened road development to human development.

    The envoy also applauded various social intervention programmes of Ogbeni Aregbesola through job and wealth creation, saying that is why people are always interested in coming to the state to learn.

    Describing democracy as the best form of government in the world, Syminton noted that the policies adopted by the Osun state government in stimulating her economy and advancing the well-being of her citizens remain the major characteristics of democracy in the world.

    “The state is on a steady growth, I so much appreciate good roads. This state is investing so much in roads infrastructure and it’s very good for the future and overall development of the state.

    “Another good area is your various social intervention programmes, you are helping in creating jobs and wealth, no wonder people always come to your state to learn,” The American envoy noted.

  • Environment Day: Aregbesola renews campaigns on respect for nature

    Environment Day: Aregbesola renews campaigns on respect for nature

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday said his government’s concern for a better environmental sanity stemmed from the realisation that it is only in a stable environment that the potential of the citizenry can be realised.

    Aregbesola, in a statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, stated this on the occasion of the World Environment Day, which comes up every June 5.

    The Bureau’s statement signed by its Director, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Governor Aregbesola as restating his calls on the people of the state to be much more conscious of their environment and take those proactive steps to mitigate the degree of environmental disasters that the world is now exposed to.

    The governor, who recently ordered all government agencies in the state to commence a massive tree planting exercise, was quoted as saying that especially as the threats of climate change gets more real, efforts must be geared towards preventive measures to save the environment.

    The statement noted: “Today is the World Environment Day. It is the day set aside by the United Nations to call our attention to the critical issues of environment. This year’s theme: Connecting  People to Nature is apt in the sense that we cannot fully appreciate the beauty of the environment if we fail to get closer to it.

    “This theme is reminding us of that urgent need to plant trees, maintain the existing ones, discourage deforestation, and eliminate those human activities that contribute to environmental degradations.

    “So far, about 123 kilometers of waterways and canals in the state capital and outside the state capital have been dredged to avert flood disasters.

    “Of critical note is the massive channelization going on at the Old Garage area of Osogbo where the government is constructing a completely new bridge to put an end to the perennial flood that is peculiar to the area.

    “About 2.5 million seedlings have also been planted in the ongoing tree-planting campaigns in the state.”

    The statement added that it is worthy of note that the Osun government has perfected its strategy for waste management in such a way that the people are conscious of the need to be more responsible in the handling of wastes generated by them.

    Urging the people of Osun to monitor trends across the world for environmental issues, the Bureau said unless this is done, the magnitude of the global worries over the environment would not be fully appreciated.

    “It is only when this is done that we can measure our performance and mitigate all possible complications that could compromise our environment,” the statement concluded.

  • Aregbesola swears in Commissioners, Special advisers

    Aregbesola swears in Commissioners, Special advisers

    ‎The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday swore-in his 39 member executive council.

    The Executive Council comprises of Commissioners and Special Advisers, thus inaugurating the team that would accompany the Governor in what he called “our home run.”

    On the list of the commissioners are an Associate Professor of Economics, Olalekan Dauda Yinusa; a Doctor of Law, Ajibola Basiru and a former Senator, Mudasiru Hussain.

    The Governor announced that he as well as his deputy, Iyaafin Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, were dropping their portfolios in Works and Infrastructure and Education respectively for new entrants into the cabinet to allow for more effective policy coordinations and supervisions.

    The Governor at the inauguration at the parking lot of Bola Ige House in Osogbo‎ stated that the inauguration was long overdue, but for dire constraint of funds.

    Aregbesola stressed that Osun was not insulated from the financial challenges that the country had during the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration in Nigeria.

    He held that Osun was receiving negative monthly allocations from the Federation Account during the period, saying ‎what hit Nigeria during this period was the equivalent of economic natural disaster and Osun was not alone.

    According to him, “I congratulate all the appointees for being considered worthy of service to the government and people of our dear state and for scaling the hurdle of screening.

    Many of you served in the first term; the rest are fresh hands. Of course, this is long overdue. It should have come up immediately after my inauguration on November 27, 2014. As you all know, we were hamstrung by dire constraint – principally financial.

    “Our second term coincided with the onset of a national economic disaster. The first on account of a purported daily theft of 650,000 barrels of crude oil under the watch of the immediate past PDP national government. This is curious and improbable.

    “We must note that 650,000 barrels of crude oil is the equivalent of 65 supertankers each laden with over 300,000 metric tonnes of crude oil. By the way, a supertanker is about 450 metres long, the equivalent of four and a half football fields.

    “Indeed, 27 states and the Federal Government were unable to pay salaries of workers. It might interest us to know that the government of Goodluck Jonathan‎, according to his Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had to borrow N476 billion from commercial banks to be able to pay salaries in the last four months of his administration,” Aregbesola told the gathering.

    The Governor further stated that his government has responsibilities to three broad categories, the most important of which is the commitment to the generality of the people of the state whose mandate he swore an oath to exercise faithfully.

    He also added that state workers whom his administration has a contractual obligation to pay at the end of every month, and the political class who made it possible to campaign, contest and win elections will be carried along in his administration.

    ‎He said: “What we have done during the special time occasioned by the emergency period we faced was to play a delicate balancing act between the three categories.Painfully, we came to an understanding with the workers on a realistic schedule of payment.

    “We also continued with our programmes and critical social intervention albeit on a reduced scale.

    “Lastly, we have a good understanding of the political class on the need for them to make the sacrifice as we defer appointments and cabinet formation.

    “Our traducers, rather than reasonably comprehend the situation went to town to harp on the non-composition of the cabinet but in the process expose their own ignorance.

    “They thought by doing this, they would discredit us. However, right thinking people started asking them what business they have got with the formation or non-formation of an APC government cabinet”. The Governor emphasised.

    The Governor spiced his one hour plus speech with intermittent musical renditions which enlivened the event.

    Speaking on behalf of newly sworn-in cabinet members, the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Surajudeen Ajibola Bashir, described the delay in the constitution of the cabinet by Mr Governor as a sign of courage and commitment to good governance.He said  Aregbesola had exhibited

    He said Aregbesola had exhibited a high sense of commitment to raise the bar of governance in the last six years of his administration, saying this had reflected in the general well-being of the citizens.

    The new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said the new cabinet would leave no stone unturned at ensuring unflinching support and cooperation with the present administration in the state.

     Ajibola assured the people of the state of the readiness of the new cabinet to consolidate on the legacies built by Aregbesola-led administration in the last six years.

    “With this delay, it shows the courage, commitment and doggedness of this administration in managing the limited resources.

    “Though this would have been done with the economic prowess of Mr. Governor in meeting the demands and needs of the people of the state, it was delayed.

    “So, the formation of this cabinet shows the commitment and courage of this government despite the economic recession.

    “It also shows the doggedness and commitment of the present administration led by Governor Aregbesola to weather the storm.

    “But the remaining 18 months to the expiration of this administration is enough to galvanise development.

     “I urge my colleagues to rally round our governor to move the state forward.”

  • You shall not labour in vain – Aregbesola tells workers 

    You shall not labour in vain – Aregbesola tells workers 

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Monday promised workers in the state their sacrifice and commitment to stability of the state even in the face of economic challenges would not be in vain.

    Aregbesola stated this in Osogbo in a statement where he also saluted the umbrella body of the workers for being sensitive enough to put off the May Day celebration as a mark of honour for the late first civilian governor of the state Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.

    In the statement admonishing workers, which was signed by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said the government is well-acquainted with the sacrifices they have made under the gruelling economic condition the country is going through.

    According to him, the government had at the inception taken care of workers’ welfare because of its belief that it is through this and the cooperation of the workers that a virile state can be jointly built.

    The Governor commended the workers for the resilience and understanding they have displayed with the government in this crucial times, saying his administration is “sentistive enough to recognise their contributions especially in the face of the economic crisis foisted on us certain modalities for the payment of salaries, pensions and other welfare packages.”

    He averred that the economic impasse the country and the world is going through affected the majority of the states’ capacity to fulfill some of their statutory responsibilities.

    We must express appreciation for the rare sensitivity of the umbrella body of the workers, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), in putting off this year’s celebration in our state as a mark of honour for the memory of the first civilan governor of the state, our own brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who unfortunately and suddenly exited this world on Sunday April, 23, 2017.

    “The Labour Day has coincided with the state burial. The pains and pangs of his sudden death are still with us. May the peace of Allah be with him in his final abode of rest.

    “We remember with nostalgia, how this administration, at inception, showed ample commitment to the welfare of its workforce.

    “We could not have done less for we hold tenaciously to the belief that it is only through the commitment and cooperation of our workers that we can realise the very noble objectives for which we are here as government.

    “More than six years, we have no reason to doubt that our workers have been dependable partners in our development journey so far,” he said.

    He stated that with the glory of God and the unflinching support of the workers in the state, he has been able to pilot the affairs of the state effectively.

    Aregbesola therefore, sought for the continued understanding and support of workers and the people in government’s determination to take the state to enviable height

  • Aregbesola, Alakija want varsities to lead development initiatives

    Aregbesola, Alakija want varsities to lead development initiatives

    • As Chancellor promises to build paediatric hospital

    Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on Nigerian universities to make their impact felt in the society just as he charged them to produce graduates with good moral values.

    Aregbesola, stated this on Thursday while speaking as the Visitor to Osun State University during the 10th year anniversary and 6th convocation of the university in Osogbo.

    The governor said any academic activity without instilling good character in the learner will eventually spell doom for the society in the future.

    He described all the negative happenings in the country as a result of learning without character, stressing that the extent of harm a knowledgeable person without character can wreck can only be imagined.
    Aregbesola said, “We need to begin to learn with good character or else we are preparing for the beginning of evil vices in the country.

    “All the negatives in the country is as a result of learning without characters in our universities.

    “There is no limit to the extent of evil a man who is learned, but without character can do, such a person is like a time bomb.”

    Aregbesola also charged Nigerian universities to engage in researches that will impact positively on the Nigerian society, saying the community needs to feel the impact of the university.

    The governor added that Nigerian universities must be interested in building a virile society, stating that the nation’s citadels of learning should make it a point of duty to assist the nation in the area of infrastructural development.

    He said, “The university must be relevant to the host community and the nation at large. The community must feel the impact of the university.

    “The Nigerian university must be interested in development and how it is to be managed. You must engage in researches that can benefit the society.

    “I charge our universities to begin to think beyond producing graduates,” he noted.

    The governor also called on tertiary institutions in Nigeria, especially the universities, to begin to focus more on the development of science and technology, stressing that in a few years to come technology would have changed the world dramatically.

    He said Nigerian universities need to start preparing the youths towards a digitized future for the country to remain relevant in world order.

    “We need to begin to prepare for a future where so many amazing things will be done technologically.
    “In the next ten years, technological knowledge would have changed the world dramatically to the extent that cars will begin to drive itself without a driver.

    “In ten years time, your mobile phone will be able to tell you a lot of things about your health and so on. We need to be prepared for this future as a country,” Aregbesola said.

    In his opening remark, the Pro-Chancellor and chairman, governing council of the University, Mallam Yusuf Alli, SAN, said the ten years of existence of the university was a period of preparation and now is the time for consolidation.

    According to the legal luminary, the university needs to cultivate in its students exemplary and exceptional leadership, academic excellence, scholarship and best international practices.

    The Pro-Chancellor stated that the university must also be committed to Science, Technology and Information Technology, saying the university would not be able to be a global participant if it relies on obsolete and outdated knowledge.

    “Our Council is aware of the needs of tertiary education in these contemporary times and this demands that the University must keep to its vision and mission, even in the midst of economic challenges of the moment.

    “To this end, we have continued to develop our infrastructure and facilities to meet the growing needs of our students and staff.

    “We are proud to report that the university has continued to grow in leaps and bounds,” Yussuf Alli he said.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Labode Popoola in his address said the university has made tremendous progress as it develops, saying the institution has made provision for thousands of students.

    According to Prof Popoola, the ten year old university has graduated six thousand four hundred and ninety three (6,493) students.

    The Don noted that the university does not only admit students but aim at developing a total individual in the students.

    “I make bold to state here that the university is not just aiming to house students on its campuses but also to develop total individuals imbued with a culture of self-respect and respect for others, tolerance of and celebration of diversity, ethical behaviours and personal growth as well as holding each others accountable,” Popoola said.

    Earlier in her address, the Chancellor of the university, Dr. Mrs Folorunso Alakija, expressed delight over the transformation the university is going through under the leadership of Aregbesola.

    Alakija also commended the Governor for his efforts in creating a sound learning environment and laying of a good foundation for quality education through the construction of mega schools.

    The Chancellor, who promised to build a state of the arts paediatric hospital for the university, called on the all stakeholders to support the institution in charting a new course with a view to attaining greater height.

    She said: “The time has come for this institution to chart a new course towards attaining greater heights during its second decade of existence.

    “We must be able to proffer solutions to societal challenges. The time has come for all stakeholders to collaborate to move this institution forward.”

  • Tinubu remains pathfinder of a rare breed – Aregbesola

    Tinubu remains pathfinder of a rare breed – Aregbesola

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday described former Governor of Lagos State and a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as one rare breed of a pathfinder.

    Aregbesola, saluting Tinubu on the occasion of his 65th birthday (which comes up today Wednesday) said history has already recorded the former Governor as having found ways where there were none and created opportunities for humanity where many did not see any.

    The Osun Governor’s message signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, recognised Tinubu’s immense contributions to the political and economic growth of Nigeria and indeed Africa.

    It said that Lagos began to emerge as a truly habitable state after what he described as “Tinubu’s mega-development vision” adding that the success story of Lagos has rubbed off on South-West, Nigeria and indeed, the whole of Africa.

    Aregbesola said Tinubu’s capacity for talent hunt and leadership recruitment are unparalleled adding that his unique ability to spot the best hands for crucial assignments have elevated him to that pedestal of rare leader of men.

    “Today, we are celebrating a giant pathfinder; one whose contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic growth have provided development scholars serious models for academic studies.

    This is one Nigerian politician whose politics is known to have impacted heavily on humanity. From Lagos where God used him for the emergence of a new state, to Nigeria as a whole and indeed, the continent of Africa where his influence continues to be felt, Tinubu manifests in our lives in all ramifications,” the statement said

    The Governor prayed for a longer life for Tinubu just as he expressed the wish that his visions of a greater Nigeria and indeed, the Black race would continue to blossom.

  • ‘Aregbesola laid 50 years infrastructure in 6years’

    ‘Aregbesola laid 50 years infrastructure in 6years’