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Tag: Najeem Salaam

  • Osun Speaker felicitates with governor-elect over victory

    The Speaker, Osun state House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, on Friday congratulated the governor-elect, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola on his victory at the just concluded governorship election in the state .

    Salaam made the felicitation in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, in Osogbo, saying the mandate given to the Oyetola, should challenge him to give his best to the people of the state.

    He said the governor-elect is expected to deliver more in terms of democracy dividends and infrastructure development in addition to enhancing human capital development.

    He said the people of the state had elected Oyetola considering the achievements and challenges confronting the outgoing administration, urging the governor-elect to `hit the ground running.’

    He expressed confidence that the governor elect will deliver on his mandate in the light his wealth of experience as the immediate past Chief of Staff.

    Read Also: Osun Guber election: Buhari congratulates APC, Oyetola

    Salaam also lauded the courage of Osun people in keeping faith with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that those who partook in the electoral process had enriched democracy in one way or the other.

    He tasked candidates of opposition parties to renew their commitment to the development and collective interest of the state by working with the current and incoming government through a “constructive engagement”.

    He commended Sen. Ademola Adeleke, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and others for their sportsmanship while the electioneering lasted.

    He lauded their good showing at the polls, urging them to engage the incoming administration in a constructive criticism that would further enhance the development of Osun.

  • Osun 2018: We are not deterred by defections from APC – Aregbesola

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun says he and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state are not deterred by the defections of some party members to opposition parties.

    Aregbesola made the remark at a rally organised by the Speaker, State House of Aseembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, in Ejigbo, Mr Sola Fasure, the media aide to the governor, said in a statement on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some APC members in the state had defected to opposition parties in the past few weeks ahead of the Sept. 22 governorship election in the state.

    However, the governor said the party remained strong on account of its wide acceptance by the people of the state, adding that the defections would not in any way affect the party’s victory in the forthcoming election.

    He said that members of the party were committed and united, regardless of gale of defections from the party.

    “This defection has made us to know those that are genuinely with us and those that are not with us.‎

    “We have known friends, enemies and cunning individuals among us by this defection but we are not afraid of their antics as we remain united, strong and committed.

    “We are confident of victory. We know God is on our side and we believe in Him; we believe He will lead us to victory”.

    Aregbesola said his party was working hard to sustain the tempo of continuity, which according to him, can only set the state on the pedestal of all round development.

    He said that APC is the only political party that can turn around the socioeconomic fortunes of the state and Nigeria for the better and urged the electorate to vote for the party in all elections.

    He commended Salaam, who was one of the 17 aspirants that contested the APC governorship primary which Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola won, for always abiding by the party’s decision.

    He described Salaam as a pillar of support to APC in the state and beyond, noting that his position had been diligently used to effect positivity in the party and for its loyalists.

    Earlier, the APC state Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, enjoined party loyalists to remain committed, noting that the party had a better chance to win the governorship election.

  • Catholics in Osun protest killings of innocent Nigerians

    Members of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo in Osun State on Tuesday protested  killings of innocent Nigerians in many parts of the country.

    They described the incessant bloodletting as wicked and barbaric, saying: “Nigeria now flows with blood instead of the honey.”

    Carrying their rosaries, Bibles and placards with various inscriptions, the protesters called on the Federal Government to find immediate solution to the killings.

    Some of the placards displayed by the prayerful demonstrators read “Enough is Enough,” ” Stop Incessant Killings Now” “Embrace The Culture of Life, not that of killing ” “FG should bring Killer herdsmen to justice,” “Provide job for youths and not guns” “Human lives are sacred,  protect it, ” among others.

    Members of the church in Osogbo, including the priests joined other dioceses across the nation in prayer and demonstration against reoccurring bloodletting.

    The Catholic mission faithful, who dressed in their various church uniforms, had converged at Our Lady of Fatimah’s Catholic Hospital, Jaleyemi and marched to the popular Olaiya junction before proceeding to the Osun State House of Assembly where they presented a statement to the Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaam.

    Read Also: Osun PDP guber aspirant promises economic boost

    The Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, Most Rev. John Oyejola while addressing journalists specifically condemned the murder of two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Gor and Fr.  Felix Tyolaha as well as seventeen other Catholic faithful by a gang of terrorists on Tuesday, April 24 at St.  Ignatius Catholic Church,  Ukor-Mbalom,  Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue state during morning Mass.

    Speaking on behalf of the bishop, the Vicar General of the diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Ajayi, said the country now flows with human blood instead of honey.

    According to him, the protest was in compliance with the directive of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). It’s tagged “March For Life.”

    He said: “We are protesting the incessant killings taking place in all parts of our country Nigeria. We are calling on government to provide adequate security for everyone and take decisive steps in ending the current culture of death through a sincere respect for, protection and promotion of human life.”

    The bishop also called on the Federal Government to issue urgent directive to security agencies in the country to provide better security for all.

  • Osun Assembly passes vote of confidence on Speaker

    Osun Assembly passes vote of confidence on Speaker

    The 26-member Osun House of Assembly on Friday passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Dr Najeem Salaam, describing his leadership style as “exemplary. ”

    The lawmakers gave the commendation when the leadership of the house appeared before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to defend its 2018 budget proposal in Osogbo.

    Timothy Owoeye, the Chairman, House Committee on Government Business, had made a presentation of N2.8 billion as budget proposal before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

    In his remarks, Mr Kamil Oyedele, the Chairman, House Committee, Finance and Appropriation, said the existing peaceful coexistence between the executive and the legislature in the state was attributable to the Speaker’s exemplary leadership style.

    “ No doubt, the leadership style of Mr Speaker has always propelled members to toe  the line of peaceful co-existence with the executive  and this has been translating to the development of the state.

    “All these name calling like “rubber stamp”, “Yesso” and the likes are enough to trigger violence in the house, but we are not bothered.

    “We can see that the collaboration with the governor is translating into the development of this state.

    “If they call us different names, we are happy that we rubber stamp  for development and stand for the development of this state.

    Read Also: Osun governor’s office to spend N22bn in 2018

    “So, we are passing  a vote of confidence on Mr Speaker and are determined to toe  the line of peaceful co-existence for the development of our state,” Oyedele  said.

    In his remarks, Owoeye said that members of the assembly would continue to work with the Speaker for the development of the state.

    He said that the maturity of the Speaker in handling the affairs of the parliament was responsible for the confidence reposed in him by all 25 members.

    In his response, the Speaker expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him, with a promise that he would continue to ensure he did the needful for the development of the state.

    He appealed to the people of the state to embrace the newly introduced parliamentary local government system in the state, describing it as best for the people.

    Meanwhile, the Osun Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has presented a budget estimate of N1.6 billion for the year.

    OSIEC Chairman, Mr Segun Oladitan, in his presentation, however, said the commission hoped to realise N50 million as internally generated revenue.

    NAN

     

  • Osun bye-election defeat won’t affect APC – Speaker

    Osun bye-election defeat won’t affect APC – Speaker

    The Speaker of  Osun House of Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, says the electoral defeat suffered by the All Progressives  Congress (APC) in the July 8 senatorial bye-election will  not affect the fortunes  of the party.

    Salaam,  in a statement issued on Thursday in Osogbo  by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Goke Butika, described the defeat as  an electoral set back and a wake-up call.

    The speaker, who said the development would strengthen  the APC  for  future elections, promised that all the loopholes identified during the poll  would be critically addressed.

    The APC caucus in the assembly, he said, however, passed  a vote of confidence on Gov. Rauf Aregbesola.

    Salaam said the enduring achievements of the governor in the areas of education, security, infrastructure and health could not be ignored.

    “APC administration under the leadership of  Gov. Aregbesola has saved the state from cheap death that could be caused by flood through proactive measures.

    “It secured the state from criminals that almost overran financial institutions located in the state before he took the mantle through coordinated security architecture.

    “Our loss in the election cannot affect the fortunes  of our party and government but rather,  it is  a weight shedding exercise to renew its pact with the people for better delivery.

    “We affirm our strong faith in the party, ‘’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dr Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party scored 97,480 votes to defeat Sen.  Mudashiru Husain, the APC flag-bearer,  who scored 66,116 votes during the election.

    Adeleke won in nine out of the 10 local government areas in the senatorial district.

  • Osun: Assembly passes vote of confidence on speaker

    Osun: Assembly passes vote of confidence on speaker

    Members of the Osun House of Assembly on Thursday passed vote of confidence on the Speaker, Mr Najeem Salaam, over what they described as “his quality leadership style”.

    The assembly members commended the leadership of the house when they appeared before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to defend the 2017 budget proposal in Osogbo.

    The N3.2 billion budget proposal was presented to the committee by the Leader of Government Business, Mr Timothy Owoeye.

    In his remarks, Mr Kamil Oyedele, the House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation,  said the manner in which the Speaker had been directing the affairs of the assembly has translated to peaceful coexistence between the executive and the legislative arms of government in the state.

    Oyedele said, “No doubt, the leadership style of Mr Speaker has always propelled members to toll the line of peaceful co-existence with the executive, and this has been translating to development of the state.

    “All these names calling like “rubber stamp”, “Yesso” and the likes are enough to trigger violence in the house, but we are not bothered.

    “We can see that the collaboration with the governor is translating to the development of this state.

    “If they call us different names, we are happy that we rubbers stamp for development and stand for the development of this state.

    “So, we are passing vote of confidence on Mr Speaker and determined to toll the line of peaceful co-existence for the development of our state,” Oyelede said.

    Also speaking, Mr Rasheed Afolabi, the House Committee Chairman on Public Account, said the speaker was a man of peace.

    He also commended Gov. Rauf Aregbesola for cooperating with members of the assembly.

    He said the respect for the autonomy of the assembly was one of such cooperation in a right direction.

    Afolabi said the assembly would not relent in giving support to the governor.

    Mr Tunde Olatunji, the House Committee Chairman on Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Youth Empowerment, described the speaker as a man of peace, who is always catering for the interest of other members.

    Olatunji, said members of the assembly would continue to support the speaker, adding that he deserved the vote of confidence passed on him.

    Meanwhile, Mr Segun Olorunsogo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development, presented a budget estimate of N725.9 million to the assembly.

     

  • Osun Assembly expresses worry over state of nation

    As the Federal Government celebrates the centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation, the Osun State House of Assembly has expressed worry over the state of the nation.

    The House lamented that the action and inaction of the political class are daily threatening the country’s democracy.

    Addressing the parliament, the Speaker, Najeem Salaam, described the celebration in the face of terrorism and insecurity that claim lives and property daily as “insensitive and uncalled for”.

    He said the nation’s leadership has demonstrated the highest level of contempt to the citizenry, who are daily confronted with the horror of insecurity and poverty.

    The Speaker said: “What are we celebrating? Is it the slaughtering of pupils in their dormitories or the defeatist economy that has sentenced millions to poverty? Our nation demands a sober reflection that will engender a clear way out on the challenges facing us, not a jamboree called a national conference, where half of the participants are selected by the President.”

     

  • Petitions stall Osun’s council creation bill

    Petitions stall Osun’s council creation bill

    Members of the Osun State House of Assembly have deferred consideration of the Local Government Creation and Administration Bill, 2013, due to petitions.

    At plenary, the Speaker, Najeem Salaam, said the bill would not be considered for second reading for now due to petitions from the public on the proposed creation of local council development areas (LCDAs).

    On Dec.16, Governor Rauf Aregbesola presented a bill to the House for the creation of 27 lcdas.

    The bill scaled through its first reading on Jan. 8.

    Salaam said the technicalities and petitions arising from the bill would have to be resolved before considering it for second reading.

    He said: “Due to the technicalities and petitions arising from the bill, it cannot be considered for second reading for now. The second reading of the bill will lead us to presenting it to the committee of the House and then its passage. But there are other assignments we have to do before consideration of the bill.”

    The bill, when passed, would raise the number of councils in the state to 57.

    The bills seeking to amend the State University Development Fund and State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) were read on the floor of the House.

  • Awo Centre holds lecture

    Awo Centre holds lecture

    The Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance will hold a public lecture tomorrow to round off activities marking Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s third anniversary in office.

    The lecture, themed: Aregbesola’s Strategic Human Development, will hold at Leisure Spring Hotel on Iwo Road, Osogbo at 1pm. The guest lecturer and Interim Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, will speak on: Setting new standard in public governance through revolutionary visioning.

    Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Prof. Wale Omole will chair the occasion.

    Aregbesola and Osun House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam are expected at the lecture.