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Tag: Osun State

  • Bamidele returns from United States after medical treatment

    …Says APC victory in governorship election will be icing of the cake.

    Stalwart of All Peoples Congress (APC) Opeyemi Bamidele on Thursday returned from the United States after his medical treatment.

    He said he was grateful to God for saving his life after the stray bullets that hit him in the build up to Ekiti State governorship election.

    Bamidele said he was not only excited over the victory of governor elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, but that people of the state will have a better deal.

    He , however, said the victory of APC in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election will be the icing of the cake for the ruling party.

    Speaking on arrival at the international wing of the Lagos Airport, Bamidele said he was grateful to political associates, friends and associates that paid for and facilitated his trip for treatment abroad after the unfortunate incident in Ekiti.

    Bamidele in a few days, he will address the nation to share his thoughts on the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration

    Besides, the victory of the APC in Ekiti, Bamidele said re-electing the party in Osun will pave the way for the journey ahead for the 2019 presidential election.

    Bamidele said: “I am happy to be back home, and I want to express gratitude to God and my family, friends and associates that have shown love to me during the period of my trial after the unfortunate incident.

    “I am very grateful to the people of Nigeria and Lagos State for the love they have shown , even the sons and daughters of Ekiti State, they have all be wonderful.

    “What is important today is to give glory to God, and to thank all the people that God used to pay for my hospital bills, to fly me out of Nigeria, visit me in London and the United States and to ensure that get the best rest and treatment.

    “I am happy I am back on my feet, I did not come back on any wheel chair, I am happy I did not come back on a stretcher, glory to God. For me, it is a new season, it is a new beginning.”

    He went on: “Well before the 2019 election, we have one major election ahead of us, which is the governorship election in Osun State. By the grace of God, APC will be re- elected in Osun State.

    Read Also: Death rumour about me inhuman, says Bamidele

    APC, being re- elected back in Osun State will be the icing of the cake to the victory that God gave us in Ekiti State. From then, we can face 2019.

    “For me, it is a very straight turf, it is a clear vision, and the understanding all of us must have is that President Buhari may not have done, what he did in the last few years if not for corruption fighting back, most of the things, we are seeing in the country now is organized response by who felt Buhari administration has not allowed them to do what we have known them for in this country.

    ” Nigerians need to be resolute in their bid to re- elect Buhari at the centre in 2019.It will be the new beginning of all the things , he has done in the last years, and Nigerians will be happy for it.”

    On his thoughts on the re- election of Fayemi , he said : ” I was part of the election campaign of Fayemi as the director general of the support campaign group,despite tghe unfortunate incident, i continue to campaign for him in my sick hospital bed.

    “Ultimately, I am grateful to God and the people of Ekiti State for giving the APC victory. I have no doubt that Dr Fayemi of today different. Most of the fear that people had should be a thing of the past, Ekiti people are in for a new deal, a better deal under the administration of Fayemi and the APC.

    “The success story continues.”

    On speculations that he was gunning for the Senate seat in the state, Bamidele said he has always left everything in God’s hands.

    He said: “In my life and political career, I have always left everything in God’s hands. Within the next few days, I will address the nation on the things that God is calling me to do , as the next step of my political journey.”

     

  • Omisore: I will return mission schools, employ skilled youths

    The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Osun State Sen. Iyiola Omisore has revealed that he would return mission schools to owners and employ skilled youths in the state if elected as governor in the September 22 election. 

     

    Omisore, in an interview with The Nation on Tuesday explained that his first priority will be to boost the morale of civil servants and teachers in the state having been demoralized by irregular payment of their salaries. 

     

    The SDP candidate, who is a former governor of the state between 1999 and 2002, said the demoralized workforce is the engine room of development in the state, hence requires an urgent and special focus by the incoming governor. If elected, he promised to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities promptly as the principal part of his human capital development agenda. 

     

    According to him, a survey has shown that most graduates and artisans in the state have been jobless in the last eight years because of alleged poor government policy. Omisore said he would open up employment for graduates, retrain artisans and employ them through government projects. “Aside graduates, our auto technicians, carpenters, welders etc that have been jobless in the last eight years will be retrained and offered jobs.” He said. 

     

    On mission schools, Omisore said he would return missions schools to original owners with a solid arrangement that will ensure that teachers in such schools do not lose their jobs. He said the arrangement will ensure that students are the major focus of the idea while existing teachers are well taken care of. 

    Read Also: SDP: Court strikes out case against Omisore

     

    The former senator said having governed the state before as deputy governor and served as senator twice, representing one third of the state, he fully understands what the people are grappling with.

     

    He posited that the state needs an experienced politician and leader like him who has been part and parcel for the system since the return of civilian rule in 1999.

     

    His campaign train has visited Iwo, Ilesa and Ikirun.

     

    Omisore recently joined the SDP and picked its governorship ticket. He was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014.

  • 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.

  • SDP: Court strikes out case against Omisore

    An Osun State High Court in Osogbo on Monday struck out a suit challenging Senator Iyiola Omisore as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the September 22 state guber poll.

    It would be recalled that two state officers of the SDP, Alhaji Rasheed Mayowa and Chief Azeez Alakinde-Ismaila, had approached the court to compel the party’s national body not to allow a fresh congress but to stand by the congress which produced the executives of SDP in the state in 2016 and which their tenure would expire by 2020.

    The applicants also told the court that the congress which produced Senator Omisore as the party’s candidate was illegal having being conducted contrary to two respective court orders.

    At Monday’s hearing, the applicants’ counsel, Barr. Olayinka Sokoya, argued that the matter was beyond the internal running of the party but was premised on the constitution of the party.

    He further argued that the defendants’ disposition against his applications before the court be discountenance, noting that disobeying court orders had rendered everything done by Omisore’s group null and void.

    Sokoya prayed the court to sack all the executives elected by the factional SDP congress led by Dr Bayo Faforiji and declare all actions taken so far as unconstitutional including, the primary it conducted which produced Senator Omisore.

    He also asked to court to fully restore all powers back to the Chief Ademola Ishola led executive which produced an Iwo indigene, Barr. Kehinde Atanda, as the governorship candidate.

    Read Also: Go for political offices, SDP urges Youths

    But the counsel of the national secretariat of the SDP, Barr. Kehinde Adesiyan, asked the court to dismiss in its entirety all the applications filed by the applicants, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first instance.

    Also, Omisore’s counsel, Barr. Adeyemi Adetife, who aligned    with Adesiya, explained that his client has nothing to do with the suit, wondering why he will be joined in the matter before the court.

    Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barr. Vilba Kinta explained that as an umpire in election matters, the body has nothing to do with the internal problem of the party.

    However, the applicants were said to have filed application for withdrawal of the suit after intervention by some stakeholders.

    When briefed about the settlement out of court, the presiding judge, Justice David Oladimeji, struck out the case.

  • NUC tasks VC’s on female sexual harassment

    The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission ( NUC ), Prof. Rasheed Adamu Abubakar, has tasked Vice Chancellors on sexual harassment of female students in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

    He said lecturers accused and found to sexually students must be made to face the music.

    The NUC boss spoke at the 33rd Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities with the theme “Revitalization of University Education in Nigeria” held at the Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State.

    According to him: “We must ensure that the image of our universities being dented by some few unscrupulous perpetrators of sexual harassment is protected. If this trend is allowed to continue unchecked, the future of education is bleak in Nigeria. The nation’s universities should be seen as producing graduates that can not compete favourably with their colleagues anywhere in the world.”

    Speaking further at the 4-day conference, Abubakar advised the Vice Chancellors not to restrict their research and academic collaborations to international universities but to collaborate internally with their co-universities in Nigeria and ensure that their products can complete internationally.

    Abubakar, who expressed optimism that Nigerian graduates can compete anywhere in the world, however, lamented that some international institutions find it hard to employ Nigerian doctors, engineers and other professionals.

    Read Also: Why private universities have low students enrollment – NUC

    Welcoming participants, the host and Vice-Chancellor of the Redeemer University Ede, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, who is also the current Chairman of the association, reminded his colleagues that the onus is on them to produce graduates that can compete with their contemporaries anywhere in the world.

    He said: “We therefore need to encourage ourselves by stating the fact that, the Nigerian education system is not beyond redemption. We only need a purposeful leadership, absolute commitment from all key stakeholders and a sense of urgency to turn around the education sector.

    “We are glad that the current leadership of the NUC is resolutely committed to this. His style of leadership and ongoing restructuring through the NUC is heartwarming and points to a better future for the country.

    “While the society is quick to point areas of weaknesses in our tertiary education system, we need to salute the courage, tenacity and doggedness of our able Vice Chancellors in moving the system forward in spite of the myriads of challenges confronting the ivory towers.”

  • Osun Bureau of Statistics releases list of completed roads

    The Osun State Bureau of Statistics has released list of some of the road projects completed by the Rauf Aregbesola administration.

    According to a press release by the head of the bureau, Prof. Wasiu Alagbe Gbolagade, who is the Statistician-General of the state, the projects spread across the three senatorial districts – Osun West, Osun East and Osun Central.

    He disclosed that the 18.89km rehabilitation of network of Iwo township roads, 20km rehabilitation of network of Ikirun township roads and 29.71km rehabilitation of Ilesa township roads were among the projects.

    Gbolagade further disclosed that the projects also include 29.45km rehabilitation of selected Osogbo township roads, 2.475km rehabilitation of Police Station – Oke Oyo – CAC Apanla Jesu -Ejigbo/Masifa Rd, 5.524km construction of selected roads in Ile Ife, 0.8km rehabilitation of Abaku – Owode Road, Osogbo and 0.65km rehabilitation of Ifeloju – Omo West road, Osogbo.

    Read Also: Osun APC chieftain resigns, defects to PDP

    Others listed in the in statement are: “1.95km rehabilitation of Alamisi-Idi Esu road, 7.1km rehabilitation of Ife/Ondo road trailer park – Uniosun, Moro – 7.8km Ipetumodu – Asipa – Ife / Ibadan Expressway, 2km Ife/Ondo Rd (Wema Bank) -Isale Ife/Ondo road, 8.98km Spot Patching / rehabilitation of Abere – Ojoro – Yidi road, 1.95km total Overlay of Alamisi –  Idi Esu round about, Ikirun.

    “9.9km Spot Patching / rehabilitation of Ilesa – Ifewara road, 42km Spot Patching / rehabilitation of Osogbo – Ibokun – Imesi Ile – EKSB road, 26.5km Spot Patching / rehabilitation of Ada – Ibokun – Ikinyinwa / Ilase – Idominasi road, 5.2km Spot Patching / rehabilitation of Erin – Oke Erin Ijesa – Akinfenwa road,

    “3.55km Spot rehabilitation of Ipetu Ijesa road (township), 20.3km Ede township roads, 5.3km rehabilitation of Okuku township Road, 230km intervention on Local Government roads Across the State of Osun.”

  • Angry youths set Area Commander’s Office ablaze

    Angry youths set ablaze on Friday set ablaze the Police Area Commander’s Office in Iwo, Osun State over alleged killing of one Tunde Nofiu by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

    The youths armed with cutlasses, clubs axe, charms and other dangerous weapons, reportedly were singing war songs before the attack on the police.

    Some of them carried placards with different inscriptions like “We are ready for war against policemen in Iwo,”  “We will resist oppression and suppression at all cost in the town,”   “Why must an innocent soul be killed by the police all in the name of carrying arms and ammunition.” among others.

    The youths were said to have gone wild and moving round the town to register their annoyance.

    The youth were said to have set ablaze the Area Commander’s Office located at Adeeke part of the town in the early hours of the day.

    It was gathered that on Thursday that SARS officials went to a beer parlour and allegedly got drunk and later shot the victim in the abdomen while returning from the spot.

    It was also gathered that the deceased was not attended to by the people for fear of being shot by the police.

    Investigation further revealed that the policemen on sensing danger after killing the boy reportedly ran away.

    Read Also: Youths and cyber crime

    Reasons for killing the deceased was unknown as some people linked the killing to accidental discharge.

    But some people accused the police of constant harrasement of the residents of the town, especially the youths.

    Reason for his being killed it was gathered was as a result of alleged accidental discharge from the police officials.

    Meanwhile, the police authorities said investigation into the matter has started.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye, said, on phone assured of justice, saying the police will get to the root of the matter.

  • Low turnout of workers in Osun after Isese, Eid-el-Kabir holidays

    There was low turnout of state government workers in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Thursday after the long holidays for Isese Day and Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in the state.

    The Isese Day holiday was declared by Osun Government for traditional religion worshipers to celebrate their religion.

    The Isese holiday was observed on Monday, Aug. 20, while the two-day Eid-el-Kabir holiday, declared by the Federal Government, were observed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    A visit by our reporters to the state government secretariat in Abere and Olorunda as well as Osogbo Local Government secretariat, all in Osogbo, revealed that many of the workers were yet to resume.

    Some of the secretariat staff, who spoke under anonymity, said that the situation might be because the week was nearly over.

    One of the officers said: “Normally, when we get holidays that extend to Wednesday and Thursday, the week is already over, so there is no need rushing back from where you travel to.

    Read Also: Build on skills, Amosun urges campers

    “It is not easy to be rushing back to work on a Thursday or Friday to resume work when the next day is weekend, so the best is to just roundoff the week.”

    On why he was back to work contrary to his explanation, he said he was on essential duty “as some people had to be on duty to keep the work going.”

    Banks were, however, opened to customers. Some shops have equally re-opened for business.

    The NYSC Secretariat staff were all back to work and normal daily activities were in full gear.

    Some of the staff were seen having meeting in their departments.

    NAN

  • 20 female youths for beauty contest in Osun

    Twenty female youths in Osun State will be participating in a beauty contest organized by the House of Skin Dudu Entertainment in partnership with the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo.

    At a press conference in Osogbo, the Chairman of the Implementation Committee of the event, Dr. Olakunle Balogun, said the contest tagged ‘Arewa Asa Cultural Beauty Pageant’ would run for two weeks.

    According to him, after screening the twenty participants would be camped for ten days and reduced to ten contestants on the last day by testing their confidence, intelligence, knowledge of current affairs among others.

    He said the organizers had planned final day of the event to coincide with the grand finale of the annul Osun Osogbo festival, where the winner of the contest will emerge with the two runners up.

    Read Also: Embrace life insurance, Adeosun urges Nigerians

    Balogun said: “Being the maiden edition the Arewa As 2018 has been put together to commemorate the age long unique festival of Osun Osogbo. The introduction of this pageantry is borne out of passion for our culture and values.

    “We are also using this socio-cultural event to rejuvenate, promote and reposition our lost heritage and values. We are bringing back the lost Yoruba culture and tradition that have caused a severe societal decadence among the youths.”

  • Osun 2018: INEC promises free, transparent poll

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mr. Segun Agbaje, on Thursday assured that the Independent National Electoral Commission  would conduct a transparent and violence-free election in September 22 Osun State.

    Speaking at a meeting with the stakeholders including the governorship candidates, their running mates and party officials, he called for their cooperation.

    Agbaje said the INEC would  collaborate with security agents to prevent vote buying during the poll.

    Read Also: 2019: INEC meets NASS leadership over budget

    The INEC boos, who said telephones would be allied to be used by voters during the election, revealed that many electorate after calling money from politicians will use the device to snap images of where they have voted as an evidence of keeping to an agreement with them.

    According to him, vote-buying was an electoral offense punishable under the law.

    He said: “We won’t allow any voter to go to the polling booths with cell phones. So, if nobody carries his phone to vote there won’t be anything to show that this where they cast their votes.”