The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola

  • Supreme Court verdict on Osun evidence judiciary is on course —Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has commended the Supreme Court over Friday’s judgment affirming the victory of Governor Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State.

    He described the verdict as a further testimony that the judiciary is firmly on course and works in synch with the people’s aspiration.

    He said in spite of the “intimidation, unnecessary accusations and rumour-mongering, the apex court lived to its billing by dispensing justice without fear or favour.”

    Asiwaju Tinubu congratulated Governor Oyetola, urging him to be magnanimous in victory, extend his hands of fellowship to the People’s Democratic Party and continue to unite the people.

    According to him, with the electoral case now laid to rest, governance can now begin in full swing and the people of Osun can begin to reap the fruits of the government they voted to put in place.

    In the statement entitled “Supreme Court Verdict on Osun: Testimony That Judiciary is on Course,” personally signed by him, the APC leader said: “Friday’s Supreme Court judgment affirming the victory of Governor Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State is a further testimony that our judiciary is firmly on course and works in synch with the people aspiration. The judgment has further vindicated the judiciary as unbiased, independent and impartial.

    “In spite of the intimidation, unnecessary accusations and rumour-mongering, the apex court lived to its billing by dispensing justice without fear or favour.

    Read Also: Tinubu hails representative at Lagos Assembly

    “The court did not rule based on any hearsay but acted on the basis of the merits and demerits of the case before it. The Supreme Court and the judiciary therefore deserve our commendation for it has further strengthened the democratic process.

    “On the issue of the Electoral Act, it is only the INEC, as the electoral body, that can apply the law appropriately with respect to elections. This the commission did rightly. It discharged itself creditably on the Osun election.

    “The decision of the apex court lays to rest the tussle over Osun governorship and removes all encumbrances on the path of the governor. Now, governance can begin in full swing and the people of Osun can begin to reap the fruits of the government they voted to put in place.

    “I congratulate Governor Oyetola for his steadfastness and for remaining calm while the electoral case lasted. I commend the government and people of Osun in allowing the rule of law to run its entire course. I urge them to continue to assist the security agencies in maintaining and sustaining the peace.

    “Governor Oyetola should be magnanimous in victory, extend his hands of fellowship to the People’s Democratic Party and continue to unite the people.

    “The All Progressives Congress must be commended for standing firmly behind the governor.

    “Also, PDP and its candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, have exercised and exhausted their rights as expected of them. I praise them for their doggedness.

    “It is now time to rally round and join hands with the government to move Osun to the Next Level.”

  • Aregbesola, Oyetola hail Osun finance commissioner, Oyebamiji

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the state governor-elect, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, have hailed the state Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, as he received an Islamic honor.
    They described him as a  man of impeccable character.
    They spoke in Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of the state as Oyebamiji was turbaned the Balogun Musulumi of Irewole, Isokan and Ayedade Federal Constituency by the League of Imams and Alfas in the three council areas.
    According to Aregbesola, the commissioner deserved the honor because of his leadership quality and peaceful disposition to people.
    He praised Oyebamiji for his contribution to Islam, staying he has always adhered to Islamic injunctions without a compromise.
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    The outgoing governor also said that Oyebamiji has displayed high sense of commitment to the growth and development of of the state and humanity  in different capacities.
    He further described the commissioner as a formidable, forthright, reliable and dependable political associate, who supported his administration with all sense of responsibility.
    Expressing delight on the appointment and installation of  Oyebamiji, he said the position will give him an opportunity to do more and impact greatly on the lives of the people.
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    He said: “I have known Oyebamiji for over 20 years, I know him as a man of faith. He is God fearing,  honest, loyal and he is a truthful person. We have been working together since our emergence and he had displayed extreme commitment towards the growth and development of our state. He has served in two different capacities and as such he is eminently qualified for this religious title being bestowed on him today.”
    Also speaking at the event, the Osun State governor-elect, Mr. Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, who congratulated the commissioner for the honor, described him as an enigmatic, resilient and reliable political associate.
    Oyetola said: “Oyebamiji is a worthy person. He is an exemplary being, a man who works and relates to people with ‎extreme sense of loyalty, honesty, commitment and determination.”
    The guest lecturer and grand mufty for Irewole, Ayedaade and Isokan, Sheik Abdul-Raheed Maye, in his sermon admonished Muslims to live purposeful life that can earn them worthy recognition and reward in all they do.

    Read Also: As Aregbesola bows out

    Maye commended Oyebamiji for genuinely identified with Islam and Muslims and for supporting the core values of his faith.
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    He described Oyebamiji as a good ambassador of Osun and Nigeria, saying he has tremendously impacted on the lives of the people. ‎
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    In his response,  Oyebamiji commended  the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola for re-positioning the Osun on the path of development despite financial challenges facing the  state.
    Oyebamiji, who applauded League of Imams and Alfas, Irewole, Ayedaade and Isokan for consider him worthy, promised to live up to their expectations.
    Dignitaries in attendance at the event  include the outgoing Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, his deputy, Chief Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Osun governor-elect, Mr. Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola; his wife, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, the Osun Deputy Governor-elect, Mr. Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, the Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.
    Others include; Former Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Patricia Foluke Etteh; Chairman Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Prince Gboyega Famodun; Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi; Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul-Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji; Federal Commissioner National Population Commission, Senator Mudasiru Hussain, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abdul-Rasak Salinsile; Asiwaju Adinin of Ibadanland, Sheik Mitiulahi Onimolu; and members of the State and National Assemblies; members of the Osun State Executive Council.

  • Osun has lowest index of unemployment – Aregbesola

    The Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said the state has the lowest index of unemployment in Nigeria because of the youth engagement programmes of his administration since his assumption of power in 2010.

    Addressing the reporter shortly after the fitness walk organised for the newly absorbed 20,000 youths into the state Youths Empowerment Scheme (O-YES) in Osogbo, the state capital, the governor said: “What you are witnessing today, the O-YES scheme, started in 2010/11, 100 days after our inauguration and we are still running it.”

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 22 governorship election, Mr. Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, and his running mate, Gboyega Benedict Alabi, participated in the health walk.

    The governor continued: “Because we are not just a conventional administration like the previous governments, we have designed and empowered our young ones to cater to all needs of the people.

    “It is clear that no government have the capacity to employ all youths but we have, through the O-YES scheme, created opportunities that will engage and take the youths out of vices.

    “Two-third of youths in the O-YES are either in one employment or the other or self-employed. This explains the results of all surveys, political, social, undertaken nationwide which throws up the fact that Osun has the highest index of happiness, lowest unemployment rate in Nigeria, as well as the 7th largest economy in the country.”

    Aregbesola, who said no family regardless of party affiliations had not benefited from the OYES programme, maintained that Osun has set a pace for other states, especially in the area of youths empowerment.

    He further said the OYES was the first in the African continent, adding that the success of the programme attracted the attention of the World Bank, which studied it and certified it to be a viable and sustainable solution to the problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

    He, therefore, enjoined the youths on the need to canvass vote for APC, also to come out en mass and cast their votes for APC, Oyetola comes September 22, 2018.

    Read Also: Not too young movement decry high cost of nomination forms

    Meanwhile, Oyetola said the OYES was a laudable scheme which he intends to keep and improve on if elected governor.

    According to him: “The scheme has taken, cumulatively, 80,000 youths off the streets and provided them with a platform to do something productive.

    “The state is very peaceful because the youths are engaged and because they have something to do, they are not vulnerable. The government is encouraging the youths through the scheme to embrace hardwork, to shun vices and also remove vulnerability.”

    The head of the O-YES programme, Col. Enibukun Oyewole (rtd), lauded the state government for setting up the scheme, which he said has transformed the lives of lots of youths in the state.

    Oyewole said a lot of the OYES cadets had been sent abroad for training in various skill acquisitions, stating that a sum of N3.6 billion is expended on the scheme annually.

  • Osun 2018: APC has laid good foundation – Tinubu

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday night declared that the government of the outgoing Osun State Governor, Rauf Aragbesola, has laid good foundation for the party to retain the seat in the forthcoming governorship election.

    The election comes up on the 22nd of September, 2018.

    Tinubu spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of APC South West stakeholders with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the APC is also fielding a qualified technocrat in the forthcoming election.

    He said “We expect victory. We have a progressive government there where the incumbent and the outgoing governor has worked and laid a good foundation. Therefore, we have successes to build upon.

    “We equally are bringing in one of the most competent and qualified technocrat in the person of Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola. He is eminently qualified.” he said

    Asked if the Osun election is going to be a hard battle like the Ekiti governorship election, he said “You don’t predict the activity of elections. It can always be unique from one state to the other.

    “But we believe that with our leadership in Osun from the state chairman down to the lowest level and the way they conducted the direct primary and the way people had turned out, are signals to the opposing parties that they have no way of beating us.”

    The Osun State Governorship candidate for APC, Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, thanked President Buhari for the opportunity of the visit.

    Read Also: Buhari laying foundation for better future, says Tinubu

    He said “It shows that he is the father of all. He is committed to APC winning the Osun election come 22nd September this year.

    “He is committed to our party retaining the government, he is committed to free and fair elections. And I want to say categorically, that by the grace of God, we are winning that election on the 22nd of September.” he said

    The victory, he said, would be a foundation for the election of President Buhari in 2019.

    He added “We are committed to it and I belong to Buhari Support Group. We have done very well as a party, we have done very well as a government, the governor has done very well. The state has changed from what it used to be. Huge development projects have been taking place.”

    While thanking the former APC aspirants for their love and understanding, he said that there is now absolute reconciliation of all the aspirants.

    “We are all now working together, except for the few people that decided to defect. But that will not have any serious consequence on the outcome of the election.” he said

    Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Gamduje, who is the chairman of the Osun Governorship Campaign Council, said that the purpose of the meeting was to create an inclusive atmosphere so that they would face the election squarely.

    He said “From what has transpired, all those who contested, the aspirants that lost the election, they have pledged their loyalty, commitment and that they are part and parcel of the election campaign.

    “So, that is very encouraging. And also other stakeholders have made their commitments in order to win this very important election.

    “And most importantly is that Mr President has blessed the Campaign Council. He has appreciated those aspirants who lost the election and he appreciated also the commitment of all those who matter in the South West geopolitical zone APC politics. I think that is very encouraging for us.” he added

  • Aregbesola commends UNDP for supporting nation’s democracy

    … Rallies support for Oyetola

    The Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has  commended the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) for providing support for the nation’s democracy.

    He said the support would ensure sustainable development in the country.

    The governor spoke on Monday at the opening ceremony of a “High Level Stakeholders’ Dialogue for Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Political Leaders and Civil Society on Peaceful Gubernatorial Election in Osun State,” sponsored by  the UNDP in conjunction with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    However, the governor advised voters to screen the candidates of the participating political parties for the September 22 Osun governorship election before making their choice.

    The governor also called on  traditional rulers and leaders of Christian and Muslim faiths in the state to support the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, to build be able to consolidate on the gains of his administration.

    Aregbesola, who described Oyetola as “brilliant, cool, calm, attentive and capable” of surpassing him in bringing more development to Osun State, said it was important that people should ensure the state is not governed by “someone who does not know anything about governance.”

    Stressing the need for peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election, Aregbesola tasked the traditional rulers to ensure there is peace in their domains.

    Read Also: Eid El-Kabir: Aregbesola, Oyetola, felicitate with Muslims

    According to him, only when there is peace will the Monarchs  perform their roles as royal fathers.

    In a peaceful atmosphere and warned against returning the state to the era, he said people could not walk at night in Osogbo, the state capital.

    Aregbesola, who recalled how 2007 governorship he contested with the former governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was rigged, blamed the insecurity that characterised the period to the insistence of some people on subverting people’s wish for change in governance.

    He advised all stakeholders to ensure free, fair and credible election on September 22, plead with the traditional rulers  to ensure the candidate of the APC is elected to guarantee continuation of various initiatives his administration introduced.

    He said: “When I wanted to contest in 2007, I could not talk to any royal father openly. Even inside their palaces, they could not talk for the fear of being attacked. I have done a lot in the last 8 years to ensure peace in Osun. Osun today has more Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) than Lagos.

    “Not minding our meagre resources, I ensure security across the state. At Gbongan Junction, my friend was killed by armed robbers. Whether those in government knew about it or not, I can’t say. That cannot happen now. Those thieves that came to Ikirun to rob were killed because we equiped the security. For 5 years, my administration paid all security agents in the state monthly allowance.

    “In each of our local government areas, my administration tarred 10kilometres. We are the first government in Nigeria to give computer tablets for learning to our secondary school students. In the area of road construction, go to Osogbo and see wonders we did. Bisi Akande Trumphet Bridge is at Gbongan junction. All these can only continue, if the right is elected to succeed my administration.”

    In his welcome address, the country Director of the UNDP, Mr. Samuel  Bwalya, said the workshop was organised in conjunction with Osun State government to ensure peaceful conduct by all citizens in the run up to, during and after governorship election.

    Represented by a top official of the UNDP, Mr. Matthew Alao, he said the peaceful election is key, not only to the inhabitants of the state, but to all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria globally.

    According to him: “Peace holds the lever to the continuous sustainable peace and stability of the state and a strong indicator of what to expect in 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

    “We all therefore have critical roles to play to ensure that the election is conducted in the atmosphere of peace, stability and in the spirit of sportsmanship by all the contestants, their teeming supporters and the civil populace.”

    Participating at the 3-day workshop include the traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of political parties and civil societies, non governmental organization and representatives of the media.