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Tag: Osun govt

  • 2024 budget: Ex-IPAC chair, Osun govt at loggerheads over N135b excess revenue

    2024 budget: Ex-IPAC chair, Osun govt at loggerheads over N135b excess revenue

    The former Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) chairman, Adewale Adebayo, and the Osun State Government are at loggerheads over the demand to account for over N135 billion excess revenue not captured in the 2024 budget.

    Adebayo, who is also the Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Allied Peoples Movement(APM), demanded transparency regarding the utilization of the excess revenue generated in 2024 in a release to newsmen on Saturday.

    “The 2024 budget approved by the State House of Assembly was pegged at N273 billion, providing a clear revenue generation and expenditure framework. However, reports indicate that the state has realized a staggering N408 billion in revenue, leaving a surplus of N135 billion,” he said.

    He demanded a comprehensive financial report which should be made public stating a detailed breakdown of how the N135 billion excess revenue was utilized on projects or programmes.

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    “We heard it from good authority that the Osun State Government is mopping up money through surplus budget among others against the 2026 election, “he added.

    Meanwhile, Osun State Government through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi berated Adebayo over his claims, faulting that he failed to state the sources where Governor Ademola Adeleke led government got the money in 2024.

    He said: “The allegations are very ridiculous. People just come out with figures; you should be able to state the source like FAAC and IGR. The claims by the ex-IPAC chair are a fabricated lie; our government has never and will never embark on spending money that is not budgeted for.

  • Group chides Osun govt., firm over N60b tax evasion, environmental degradation

    Group chides Osun govt., firm over N60b tax evasion, environmental degradation

    The coalition of Civil Society Groups on Saturday berated the Osun State government and Segilola Gold Limited over alleged N60b tax evasion and environmental degradation of communities in the state.

    The Nation reports that the Osun State government vowed to go after the firm over the alleged evasion of N60b tax, and failure of the firm to comply with environmental rules.

    However, Segilola denied the allegations, saying it has consistently demonstrated a commitment to being a law-abiding, transparent corporate entity, fulfilling tax obligations.

    Meanwhile, the coalition under the aegis of The Osun Masterminds (TOM) through the Executive Director, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli berated the Osun State Government for prioritising revenue over the proper management of the environment around the mining sites.

    Read Also: Lagos hosts ‘Green Worship’ in support of the indigent, orphans

    He said, “It is also sad that the State Government’s release, where it accused Segilola of several infractions, prioritized earnings over proper management of the environment. We are extremely bothered about the Environmental Degradation ongoing in ljeshaland and the Osun State Government must immediately do something about this.

    “Also, it is unfortunate for a firm making money on the land of Osun State to evade taxes running to billions of Naira and not respecting environmental law. It is a matter of law which must be respected.”

  • Osun govt threatens firm over alleged unremitted N60b taxes

    Osun govt threatens firm over alleged unremitted N60b taxes

    • ’We’re fulfilling tax obligations, royalty’

    Osun State Government yesterday threatened legal action against Segilola Gold Ltd over alleged unremitted N60billion taxes and unethical business practices.

    The government, through the Special Adviser on Mining and Solid Mineral, Prof. Lukman Jimoda,

    Financial Consultant on Mining and Mineral Resources, Dr Wale Bolorunduro, while addressing reporters at the Governor’s Lounge during a news conference, also alleged failure of the company to comply with environmental rules.

    Jimoda raised concerns that Segilola Gold Ltd was operating sharp operational practices by using proxy companies in its commercial activities of outsourcing employment, drilling and others.

    He said Segilola evaded taxes, failed to disclose security documentation, carried out business premises levies evasion, stripped Osun State of its interest in Tropical Mines Limited since 2016 and committed non-payment of environmental development levy.

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    Bolorunduro said: “Segilola failed to pay over N60billion to Osun State. The worth of gold that are being taken away from Osun State yearly cost over $200million.

    “The company is attempting to sidestep its fiscal responsibilities, with far-reaching consequences for the state’s revenue. The refusal to remit taxes from both direct employees and service providers, as well as the evasion of other financial obligations, highlighted a deeper issue of corporate governance and transparency.”

    Segilola Gold Ltd through its Country Manager, Austin Menegbo, said: “We wish to refute the allegations made by Osun State Government concerning tax evasion and unethical business practices.

    “Our company has consistently demonstrated a commitment to being a law-abiding, transparent corporate entity, fulfilling tax obligations and royalty payments in full and on time. We maintain detailed records and have receipts for royalty payments made to the Federal Government, as well as tax remittances to the state government.”

  • Osun govt vows to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030

    Osun govt vows to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030

    Osun State Government has urged carriers of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDs) to come out for treatment.

    Health Commissioner Jola Akinola, speaking yesterday during distribution of HIV prevention tools to stakeholders by Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OSACA), said it had perfected plans to ensure 2030 deadline of zero case of HIV/AIDS was attained.

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    Akinola, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Isiaka Adekunle, implored carriers of the virus to register at its facilities for treatments, to meet up with the 2030 deadline to end HIV.

    Speaking about the tools, the Executive Secretary of OSACA, Olusegun Daramola, hailed Governor Ademola Adeleke.

    He said “These items will undoubtedly enhance our capacity to screen citizens for HIV, and we are confident that it will make a significant impact on the lives of us all.”

  • Herders invade Osun Govt farm settlement, destroy harvest

    Herders invade Osun Govt farm settlement, destroy harvest

    A farmer in Irewole local government area of Osun State, Akinade Matthew, has raised the alarm after herders destroyed a five hectares maize and cassava. 

    Akinade, while speaking with THE NATION on Saturday, noted the herdsmen invaded the farm located at Ikoyi last week. 

    He said: “The headers damaged all the maize on the hectares of land and cassava which were due for harvest. Not one stick of either corn or cassava was standing when I got to the farm. 

    Read Also: Osun govt will continue to support Osun-Osogbo festival – Adeleke

    “I have expended a lot on this farm from clearing, cutting of trees, planting, workmanship and others.”

    “I doubt if Amotekun operatives are still in place in Osun State because they it will definitely take hours before they perpetrated the heinous act.” 

    The farmer pleaded with the Osun State Government especially Governor Ademola Adeleke and Commissioner of Agriculture to come to the aid of farmers in the farm settlement. 

  • Osun govt alerts security agencies over likely communal clash

    Osun govt alerts security agencies over likely communal clash

    Osun State Government has alerted security agencies across the state over likelihood of a communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities.

    The notice of alert was conveyed to heads of security agencies by the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security, Samuel Ojo.

    The two communities had been at loggerheads since last month when two people were killed over a disputed land.

    The notice of red alert over the impending communal clash stated that there is looming security threat and danger to lives and properties between Ilobu and Ifon.

    Read Also: Protest rocks Osun govt secretariat over planned imposition of monarch 

    Ojo said: “Intelligence reports indicate rising tension and internecine strife between Ilobu and Ifon townships. It is imperative for all the security agencies to swing into action by mobilising security operatives to Ilobu/Ifon axis to curb the impeding/envisaging danger that may cause the residents loss of lives and properties.

    “According to a source, some of the residents of both towns were seen with their pump action barrel, Dane guns, clubs and other dangerous weapons, warming up for the clash.”

  • Osun govt kicks-starts hospitals revitalisation

    The Osun State government yesterday started the rehabilitation and revitalisation of hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state.

    The formal ceremony was held in Ejigbo where about N300 million will be spent to turn around the hospital, provide equipment, drugs and engage personnel.

    The 3.2-kilometre road from the centre of the state capital, Osogbo, to the University of Osun campus, passing through the hospital gate, will also be rehabilitated.

    There will also be provision of water, staff quarters for doctors and medical officers and landscaping of the hospital.

    Work also began yesterday on the general hospital in Ifetedo in Ife South Local Government Area.

    Governor Gboyega Oyetola said: “Ejigbo General Hospital will not only be rehabilitated but will also be upgraded and fully revitalised. It will have full complement of state-of-the-art equipment, new children’s ward and medical personnel quarters.”

    The contractor was given three months to deliver the project.

    The governor said his administration remained resolute to building healthy citizens that will contribute productively to the socio-economic development of the state.

    Having been named the second in World Bank’s Save One Million Lives (SOML) initiative, Osun State got $20.547 million from the fund.

    Oyetola promised judicious use of the money, saying: “Because quality healthcare is one of the cardinal programmes of our All Progressives Congress-led administration, considerable efforts have been made since the party came to power to prioritise the health of the people.

    “Osun State boasts 57 secondary and 876 primary healthcare facilities, out of which 323 are focal facilities that will implement the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). This translates to one functional primary healthcare per ward.”

    The governor praised the immediate past administration of Rauf Aregbesola for spending N1.8 billion on renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of nine hospitals.

    He added: “As part of efforts to expand healthcare delivery, our administration also instituted the Osun Health Insurance Scheme, while government makes healthcare affordable to its citizens under the scheme. It also pays premium for the vulnerable.”

    The ceremony at Ejigbo was witnessed by the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin; the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salam and Head of Service (HoS) Olowogboyega Oyebade.

    Others are: the State APC Chairman Prince Gboyega Famodun; the Supervisor for Finance, Mr Bola Oyebamiji; the Supervisor for Home Affairs, Dr. Obawale and the Supervisor for Works, Mr Remi Omowaiye, who hailed the governor for his commitment to the provision of infrastructure.

    The monarch urged the government to site a School of Nursing on the premises of the hospital after its rehabilitation because it was the original plan when the town gave over 50 acres of land for the hospital project over 40 years ago.

    Prof. Adewole acknowledged the commitment of the Oyetola administration to building on the achievements of his predecessors in all sectors to register the name of the state on the map of development across the world.

     

     

  • ‘Women empowerment priority to Osun govt’

    Wife of the Osun State governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, has said women empowerment is in the priority list of her husband’s administration.

    Mrs. Oyetola spoke at an empowerment programme for women sponsored by the Forum of Wives of Council Chairmen (FOWICC) in Osun State.

    Food items and other essentials were distributed to 2,000 widows and the aged at the event.

    The governor’s wife, who hailed the wives of the council chairmen for the gesture, said the programme was organised to assist women living in poverty.

    According to her, the issue of women empowerment and wellbeing in Osun State was a major concern for the state government.

    Assuring that the state government would continue to empower those in need, Mrs Oyetola said nobody would be left behind in the various social protection programmes of the current administration.

    She urged women to vote en mass for President Muhammadu Buhari and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    FOWICC Chairperson Mrs. Comfort Abiodun said the distribution of the foodstuffs and other essentials was aimed at alleviating poverty among the aged and widows in the state.

    She said widows and the aged in the nine Federal constituencies in the state would benefit from the empowerment programme.

  • Osun govt announces dates for Eid-el-Fitr free train

    The Osun State government yesterday announced that it had made arrangements to provide free train ride for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

    The government said the train will convey passengers on Thursday, June 14, from Lagos to Osogbo, the Osun State capital, ahead of the weekend celebration of the end of the annual fasting period by Muslim faithful.

    The train is expected to leave the Iddo Terminus of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in Lagos at 10 am on Thursday.

    A statement by the Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, enjoined holiday makers to Osun and other states after Osun to use the opportunity offered by the free train to come home and celebrate with their families and other loved ones.

    The statement by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, Ismail Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada, said the train will return to Lagos on Monday, June 18.

    The statement said: “We wish to inform indigenes of Osun State who are resident in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states that as usual, this government has concluded arrangements to make this year’s festival as comfortable as possible for them by making available our free train.

    “We urge our people to take advantage of this trip as well to avail themselves of our various developmental projects that have changed the face of Osun State.”

  • Osun govt shuts OAU for owing N1.8b tax

    Osun State Internal Revenue Service has shut Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife for owing N1.8 billion tax.

    This followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given by the agency to private organisations and public establishments to pay their tax arrears.

    Led by a top official, Mr. Oladipo Babatunde, the university was shut by officials of the revenue task force around 7am.

    The Nation learnt that the Senate building, administrative block and bursary were part of the facilities the agency sealed off, before heading for the university main gate to put it under lock and key.

    Other tax defaulting establishments, including a construction company, Sammiya Construction Company and a money lending company, LAPO Agric, located on Gbongon/Ibadan Road, Osogbo were shut by the officials.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax Matters and Revenue Generation, Gbenga Akano, said OAU owed the government about N1.8 billion, adding that it sealed off the university after failing to meet the deadline for payment.

    He said the money owed by the institution was unremitted PAYE and development levy.

    Akano said: “It is callousness and an act of wickedness for any organisation to refuse to pay taxes. We all know that the state is broke because of the meagre federal allocation it receives, which is caused by recession.

    “The allocation is insufficient to run the government. We gave the affected establishments a seven-day ultimatum, which was publicised by the media. We expect every responsible organisation to come to us for dialogue.

    “But as at this morning, OAU management has refused to approach us. They did not respond.”

    OAU authorities said the matter would soon be resolved.

    A statement by spokesman Abiodun Olanrewaju said the debt was inherited from past administrations.

    The statement reads: “The present administration since 2017 has been paying consistently, but the backlog of debt inherited from past administrations is causing this little problem. Everything will be resolved by the grace of God. The school management is assuring the public that it will soon be resolved.”