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Tag: Osun State

  • Court remands monarch for allegedly spreading rumour against Ooni

    Court remands monarch for allegedly spreading rumour against Ooni

    An Osun Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Friday remanded a traditional ruler, Adeoye Adefarakan, 63, and one Abidemi Olukanmi, 18, for allegedly spreading rumour against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Christian Olajide, told court that the accused committed the offence sometime in November, 2017 at Ile-Ife.

    Olajide said that the accused conspired between themselves to commit felony– publication of false news that caused fear and alarm and deformation of character.

    He said that the accused also chanted and sang songs causing hatred, ridicule, spreading rumour and negative report against the Ooni of Ife.

    According to the prosecutor the actions of the accused affected the reputation of Ogunwusi and exposed him to ridicule.

    Olajide said that the song caused fear and alarm for members of the public and breached public peace at Ife Kingdom

    He said that the offence contravened sections 59, 374, 375 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

    The Defence Counsel, Mr Edward Birilomoni, applied for bail for the accused, pledging that his clients would not jump bail and that they would produce reliable sureties.

    However, the Magistrate, Mrs Adejumoke Ademola-Olowolagba, refused the accused bail but advised the counsel to come with written application for the consideration of bail.

    Ademola-Olowolagba ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody, pending the consideration of their bail.

    She adjourned the case until Feb. 23, for hearing.

    NAN

  • Nigerian firm emerges top at African mining contest

    A Nigerian firm, Thor Exploration Limited (also known as Segilola), a gold mining company operating in Osun State, has emerged winner of the 2018 Investment Battlefield for their gold exploration project in the Southwest state.

    The company was selected as the most promising of the 22 junior mining companies that  participated in the battlefield, after beating Algold Resources, a Mauritanian gold explorer and developing company to the second place.

    Segilola’s CEO, Segun Lawson, accepted the award after pitching the project to a panel of judges made up of leading analysts and investors, on Wednesday night in Cape Town, South Africa.

    The award came just as Nigeria was named among the top ten mining designations for 2019.

    Thor Exploration Limited, which has considerable interest in some West African countries is also listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and  the asset is owned 100 per by Segilola Gold Project in Osun State.

    Thor has been developing the Segilola Gold Project since it acquired it 15 months ago and aims to break ground this year by commencing construction.

    The Segilola Gold Project was presented by Thor Exploration Limited to a number of investor panels at the 2018 Mining Indaba in the extremely competitive  Investor Battlefield Competition, which ran over the course of three days. Thor and Segilola emerged victorious over all participants with Segilola being declared the “Best Emerging Mining Project in Africa”.

    “The economic robustness of the project, the progressive Mining Code of Nigeria and the regulatory framework of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, as well as the potential to increase its size through further exploration were the key critical factors considered by the panel,” Lawson said.

    Head of Nigerian delegation to the conference and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who hailed the developments, said the various reforms being put in place by government were designed to create enabling environment for thriving mining activities.

    “We are looking forward to more cheery news of great exploits. We want to be a big mining destination, in addition to our dual mandate of job creation and economic growth,” Fayemi added.

    General Manager, Global Business Report, Alice Pascoletti, said Nigeria’s inclusion among the top mining destinations for 2019, was premised on factors, such as legal and regulatory framework, ease of doing business, risk profile as well as experiences of operators in the country.

    Thor’s CEO, Lawson, 39, a geologist who was educated in the United Kingdom, had a brief stint in investment banking before venturing into mining, when he founded the company some eight years ago.

    Thor Explorations currently employs 52 people in the three West African countries, but Lawson said this would rise to about 250  once production starts at the Segilola Gold project, which is its flagship.

  • ‘Why I want to succeed Aregbesola’

    ‘Why I want to succeed Aregbesola’

    As the race to succeed Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State gathers momentum, an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ayoade Adewopo, has pledged to consolidate on the foundation laid by founding fathers of the state, especially in the agricultural sector, if elected governor of the state during this year’s governorship election that is billed to hold in September, writes Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor.

    AYOADE Adewopo, a United State based legal practitioner, is one oft he leading aspirants on the platform of the opposition PDP seeking to displace outgoing Governor Aregbesola’s ruling All Progressives Congress from the government house. The aspirant who disclosed his plans for the state while speaking with journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, said with the massive uncultivated land available in the state, food and unemployment should not be problems of the people.

    While urging chieftains and members of the PDP in the state to queue behind his governorship aspiration, the Ile-Ife-born politician stressed that the only way the opposition party can win the next governorship election is to support a candidate with the vision and mission to develop Osun state and change the way government businesses is being done, which, according to him, he ably represents.

    He explained that the chances of the PDP at the next governorship election, though very bright, will be determined by the readiness of the leadership of the party to make the right choices, which according to him, include the choice to decide whether the party is just seeking power or it is seeking power so as to fix the many problems of the state by doing the right things when elected into office.

    Adewopo said the PDP must take advantage of what he described as the lackluster performance of the current administration in the state by presenting to the now eagerly waiting electorate, a candidate that will represent the yearnings of the people and present a clear agenda on how to move the state forward when elected as the next governor of the state.

    “What we keep hearing is that Osun is a poor civil service state and as such governments couldn’t build roads; they couldn’t build factories and they couldn’t give us good schools across the state. Our fathers and mothers cannot transport their agricultural products from the hinterland to the major towns for sale. It is time to turn a new page in the way we do the business of government here in Osun.

    “Concerning Agriculture, it’s time to ensure meat and milk sufficiency in our state. It is time to use our natural resources to alleviate poverty and boost our economy. Agriculture is now an industry and Osun must engineer its agricultural resources into a viable industry as one of the pillars of our economy. With this, we can feed the state and make a lot of money feeding the nation, building agro-allied industries across the state,” he said.

    Adewopo aded that he has got his plans and blueprint well cut out, all centered on his philosophy of allowing human beings to live and live well. The former President of Marion County Bar Association, Indianapolis, Indiana USA, said he also has plans for senior citizens in the state, especially pensioners who has worked during their youthful age for the growth of Osun state.

    Speaking further, the PDP chieftain said the is urgent need to prioritize the well being of the people by ensuring that the health sector in the state is overhauled. Lamenting the current state of things, he said “we will work hard at reviving our primary healthcare programmes and bringing healthcare closer to our people. It’s time to ensure our pregnant women, new-born babies and the elderly get the best of healthcare available commensurate with that of developed economies.

    “It is time to put our dear state on the map of the healthcare market, helping families break the stranglehold of early deaths due to unaffordable or the non-existence of healthcare facilities. It is time for us to show our people that the government they elect must be concerned about how the health needs of the people are met effectively and promptly at all times.”

    Similarly, he said it is also time to take another look at the education policies in the state. “Osun needs schools and not just buildings. Our  students must go back to distinct uniforms. Schools should be returned to willing and able missions.  It is also the time to treat our teachers right. It is time to treat teaching like the profession it is. Our students morale is at its lowest ebb.

    “It is time to put Osun back on the map of the destination centers for education, helping our teachers and parents get the best of qualitative education for our children. Surely, help is on the way. These and many more are the reasons we are saying we need a young and fresh personality with fresh ideas capable of injecting new strategies and approaches into governance to lead us in 2018,” he added.

  • Osun LG Election: Omoworare calls for votes for APC 

    Osun LG Election: Omoworare calls for votes for APC 

    The Senator representing Osun East (Ife/Ijesa) Senatorial District, Senator Babajide Omoworare has called on voters across the state especially in Ile-Ife and it’s environs to cast their vote for APC candidates in the forthcoming Local Government election in Osun State.

    The call was contained in a press statement issued in Ile-Ife by his media aide Comrade Tunde Dairo. He called on the people of Osun to vote APC candidates to replicate the giant strides of the APC government led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in their local communities.

    He appealed specifically to the people of Ile-Ife to cast their votes for the APC candidates. According to Omoworare, “with complete sense of humility, I call on all our people in all the electoral wards of Ifeland to vote enmasse for all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.”

    Omoworare went further to appeal to the people saying that “this election offers us a unique opportunity to bring to fore our indisputable position as a politically sophisticated people capable of determining our destinies devoid of parochial or primordial sentiments.”

    He expressed optimism in the capacity of the voting zone to establish itself as political fortress of the ruling APC and enjoy more democratic dividends.

    “It is my fervent hope that rather than make a regressive movement, our  choosing APC candidates over other parties in the local government election of Saturday will prime us in taking our rightful place where we can enjoy to the fullest the dividends of democracy we have so laboured for,” Omoworare said.

  • Osun LG polls: 318 candidates to run unopposed

    Osun LG polls: 318 candidates to run unopposed

    …Osun declares Thursday, Friday work free days

    The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission ( OSIEC ) on Wednesday said that 318 councillorship candidates are running unopposed in the Saturday January 27 elections. This is because there are no candidates running against them.

    According to the commission, the election would therefore hold in 71 out of 389 wards in the state.

    The Chairman of OSIEC, Barr. Segun Oladitan, at a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital, further disclosed that another 12 political parties have withdrawn from participating in the election, adding that only 6 parties would now participate.

    He also said the election would hold in 6 wards of the Central District, 13 wards in the West and 52 wards in the East Senatorial District of the state.

    In his words: “For the purpose of this election which is based on the parliamentary system of government, 38 parties registered at the initial stage out of which only 18 signified their intention to participate. I can reliably tell you that 12 political parties have withdrawn from participating in the election, remaining only 6 political parties in the race.

    “Of all the candidates representing the participating political parties in the 389 wards across the state, 318 councillorship candidates in 318 wards have been presented unopposed representing the candidates who satisfy the requirements of the law with reference to section 41 of the Electoral Act (2011) as amended. Therefore, there shall be elections in only 71 wards of the state.”

    The OSIEC chairman, who spoke about the injunction against the commission, said the state high court sitting in Ilesha on Tuesday dismissed application for restraining the commission, hinting that the Federal High Court, Abuja also on Wednesday dismissed the exparte motion, sought to restrain the commission from conducting the Saturday local government election.

    He gave an assurance of free and fair poll, adding that there would be vehicular restriction that he said would exclude federal roads from 7am to 2 pm.

    Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Sola Fasure, in a statement, said that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has vacated its order 2017 restraining the holding of elections into the Local Council Development Authorities ( LCDAs ) and withholding local Government Allocations in the state.

    The court had on December 4, 2017 ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria, Accountant General of the Federal government and Ministry of Finance to warehouse statutory allocations to the local government councils in the state, as prayed by three members of the Peoples Democratic Party in a Motion Experte.

    The PDP members, Chief Kolawole Osunkemitan, Chief Douglas Adeyinka Oyinlola and Prince Aderemi Adeniran Adelowo had approached the court with an application for the stoppage of monies for the local government in the state in an attempt to stop the conduct of the local government in the state.

    Contesting the court order, the state government filed an application before the court with a prayer for the vacation of the order.

    According to him: “In his ruling on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, Justice John Tosho of the court held that the interim order earlier granted restraining the holding of elections into the LCDAs and withholding Local Government Allocations has lapsed by effusion of time.

    “Justice Tosho also upheld the contention of  the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Dr. Ajibola Basiru that the orders earlier for the plaintiffs were made upon the earlier ex parte application heard on November 27, 2017.

    “The court further held that they were caught by the provision of Order 26, Rule 12 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules which provides that an order granted upon an ex parte application will lapse where a person affected by the orders filed as application to discharge and/or vary the orders and the application is not heard within fourteen (14) days of filing.”

    Consequently, the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf  Aregbesola, has called on Osun eligible voters to come out  to perform their civic responsibility in the Local Government Parliamentary Election, without let or hindrances.

    This was just as the state government‎ declared Thursday and Friday January 25 and 26, 2018 as work free days to enable Osun residents prepare and participate in the election scheduled to hold on Saturday January 27, 2018.‎

  • Monarch marks 10th anniversary on throne

    The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal has pledged his commitment to grassroots development. He stated this while addressing reporters in his palace in Ede, Osun State on preparations for his 10th anniversary on the throne of his ancestors.

    The monarch said he would support any project that would make life meaningful for his subjects.

    Oba Lawal noted that a leadership position could only be meaningful if there is transparency, accountability and concern for people’s welfare.

    According to him, the major challenge the people, especially the less-privileged are experiencing, is poverty.

    Oba Lawal promised to support programmes that will alleviate the suffering of his subjects.

    The Timi also vowed to ensure continued phenomenal growth and advancement in Ede Town and Osun State during his reign.

    Also, the Chairman of the 10th Anniversary Committee, Prof. ‘Siyan Oyeweso said: “The Kabiyesi has been able to maintain peace and security in Ede since he assumed the throne of his forefathers 10 years ago.

    “We owe the relative peace and security being enjoyed in the ancient town of Ede to his peace and security initiatives through traditional means and the co-operation of his subjects.”

    According to him, the monarch was also concerned about the welfare of his people in the Diaspora through constant engagement with those in Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United States of America (USA) and others.

    “There are rapid socio-economic developments during Oba Lawal’s reign. In his time, the Ilori College of Education, Adeleke University and Redeemer’s University all in Ede, were established as part of education developments.

    “This gives a global relevance to the community and has placed it on a global map of education development. The students’ population and workers who patronise infrastructure facilities in the town also boost its economy relatively.

    “Also, the Spring Time Development Foundation, Ede, a non-governmental association, which gives scholarships to make education available to the less-privileged individuals, was founded during the monarch’s reign.

     

  • Osun LG polls: Come out to vote en mass, APC to electorate

    Osun LG polls: Come out to vote en mass, APC to electorate

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Osun State of has charged the people of the state to come out en masse on Saturday to vote for its candidates in the local government election.

    The party advised the people, particularly the APC supporters to ensure those they prefer to elect to be in charge of their local governments have their votes because “it is a responsibility they should not take lightly.”

    According to the statement by its spokesperson, Kunle Oyatomi “Participation in local government election is as important as any other election in the country, and for locals, it should perhaps be more important for residents of the locality because it is their closest interaction with governance through which they can be heard.

    “Since it is official from the state electoral commission that the election is holding on Saturday, and since no other agency is authorised by law to do so, it is imperative that voters turn up for the election. 
    ‘Nobody should allow himself/herself  to be deceived that there will be no voting on that day. Anyone who says so will be attempting to fool you; so you have to come out and vote for your choice of candidate 

    “Any party that is not participating in the election may be doing so either out of ignorance or fear of possible disgraceful failure at the polls or both. However, the APC already has 280 of its candidates returned unopposed out of the 389 wards; but that’s not a reason to take victory for granted in the remaining 109 wards up for grabs. Go out on Saturday and register a decisive victory by voting for the APC from the rest of the contest.

    “The local government election will give a vivid indication of what the governorship contest of September will be. The APC expects no less than a resounding victory.
    ‘As you read this, ‘the party continued, the PDP, which is the most vitriolic opposition party we have in Osun, is so disorganised that its centre cannot hold.

    “Besides, all efforts to patch the factions together have repeatedly failed; which is an indication that the party is incapable of governing. They are falling apart even before the people of Osun show them the red card for the fourth time. The first time the PDP got the red card was in 2003, (but it took the court’s intervention in 2010 to stop PDP from stealing victory). 

    “The second time was just under a year that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola came to power in 2011. That was when Sen. Iyiola Omisore and others were removed from the National Assembly. The third humiliation of Omisore and the PDP was in 2014 when in spite of the massive deployment of Federal might in the ex-Senator’s favour, he lost the governorship election woefully.

    “The fourth time will be a double on Saturday and in September 2018 that crushing defeats in both the council and governorship elections will nail the coffins of the PDP once and for all. That will be the crowning glory for a brilliant patriot of Osun origin who has so robustly fought a monstrosity called PDP from stopping progress in Osun. God bless Ogbeni.”

  • 2018: Omisore reassures Osun citizens of new dawn

    2018: Omisore reassures Osun citizens of new dawn

    Former Deputy Governor of Osun State and a two term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Osun East senatorial district, Dr. Iyiola Omisore has reassured his people in Osun State that the New Year will usher in a new dawn.

    In his Christmas and New Year message to the citizens of Osun State, the Apesin Oodua of the Source reassured them of a better 2018, the year that promises real change to the people.

    Speaking to his party loyalists who came to visit him on Christmas Day at his country home in Ile Ife, the Bashorun of Ijeshaland and Asiwaju Balogun of Ibadanland expressed his pleasure at having them around. He thanked them for their abiding faith in him and appealed to them to gird their loins and be ready to Change the change come 2018 gubernatorial election in the state.

    “Osun state has been under socio-economic and political bondage for the past 7 years under the directionless leadership of APC. My people have suffered undue pain; the economic and social lives of the people have retroceded; the civil servants have suffered, the educational system has been bastardised, infrastructural system across the state has collapsed. It’s time to Change the change. My people in Osun should hold their destiny in their hands and come out massively to vote out pains and long suffering. They should also be ready to guide their votes and not allow themselves to be deceived by anybody”, he emphasised.

    Senator Omisore averred that he is out to serve his people; “as a private citizen I have added more value to the mass of sons and daughters of Osun than the government. I am determined to do more by continue with my social intervention programs; scholarship program and other philanthropic gestures. I am out to rescue my people.

    “I wish my people merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. Be merry, be happy and be good to one another; let’s show love. Love is what the birth of Christ spiritually signifies. Do not allow the current economic hardship and fuel scarcity kill your joy in this joyful season. Happy new year”, he stated.

    While he was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Omisore worked with other members of the committee over 4 rounds of national budget reviews and allocation, increasing national investments in infrastructure, economic and social development as well as championing civic engagement in what has become nationally recognized as the ‘Inclusive national budgeting initiative’.

    Omisore is a grass root Politician, a political mobiliser and a community man, who has always being involved in development efforts in his place of birth, Ile Ife. He has been conferred with over twenty (20) traditional titles by different communities, where he has won the admiration of the people. He is a free mixer and could be found in the circle of both high and the lowly throughout Nigeria. He is also very much at home within the academia and has presented several academic papers at various academic functions.

    He is born a Prince to the present Ayepe, Olode, Ile-Ife, Oba David Olajide Omisore who is the grandson of the Late Olufewara Kabiyesi Oba Titus Adetoba of the Oseganderuku ruling house in Ifewara where his mother, Princess Emila Adejola ruled as Regent until her death in 2006. Iyiola grew up in Ile-Ife, in a very large and extended family where diligence, integrity and community service were part of both his heritage and leadership responsibility as royalty.

    The erudite engineer sprang to recognition and prominence with his people as a result of his philanthropic activities over two decades ago. At the last count he has personally funded or facilitated the funding of over two hundred and fifty (250) projects widely spread all over his home state of Osun and in other states in Nigeria.

  • Price of goods soar as Christmas approaches

    Price of goods soar as Christmas approaches

    As the Yuletide celebration approaches, prices of goods and services have soared in major markets in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    A market survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ile-Ife, showed that the hike is caused by high cost of transportation occasioned by the ongoing fuel scarcity across the country.

    Mrs Munirat Salami at Fowobake Market, expressed dissatisfaction with the level of sales this season, attributing the low patronage to the economy, saying it had taken a negative turn on consumers.

    “The increase in the prices of foodstuffs is a tradition in every Yuletide, but people still buy what they need if money is available.

    “But now things are hard, traders spend a lot of money on transport and after sales, we make little profits,” she lamented.

    Salami told NAN that the prices of five tubers of yam range from N1, 200 to N3, 500, which was between N2, 500 to N800 earlier.

    A condiment seller at Oja-tuntun Market, Mrs Bolatito Afolabi, said that the cost of transporting the perishable goods “is so high’’ and this had affected her business and patronage negatively.

    Afolabi said that a basket of big tomatoes for some weeks was selling for N14, 000 from N9, 000, while a small basket was going for N11, 000 as against N8, 000 previously.

    She said that the same was applicable to other perishable goods such as long pepper or (sombo) that increased to N14, 000 from N7, 000.

    According to her, the other species of pepper such as “tatase’’ and “rodo’’ have only marginally increased in their prices.

    Mrs Bisi Awosunle, who sells live chicken and turkey at Itakogun Market, disclosed that even before the Yuletide season, the price of animal feeds were unbearable.

    “If not that I am used to the business, I would have just stopped for now, but I have no choice than to manage myself with the situation on ground,” she said.

    Awosunle said that the price of broiler chicken ranges from N2,500 to N4,500, while cockerel chicken rose from N2,500 to N3,800.

    He added that turkey was now told for between N3, 500 and N10,000 depending on the size.

    Also, Mr Ngozi Emeka, a foodstuff seller, said that the price of rice had been somewhat stable, adding that a bag of Falcon rice was now N14, 800 from N14, 300.

    Emeka said that African King Rice rose to N14, 500 from N13, 000, while Royal Rice, Kadran Rice and REF Rice remained at N13, 500.

    He said that the a bag of “oloyin’’ or sweet beans had gone up to N35, 000 from N25, 000, while “drum’’ beans now sold  for N32,000 from N28, 000.

    However, the price of yam flour has drastically come down from N100, 000 for a big bag to N65, 000, while the small bag which sold for N85, 000 is down to N55 ,000.

  • Free health programme for Osun communities

    Health is wealth is a popular maxim. With this age-long expression at the back of their minds, the management of Springtime Development Foundation Ede, Osun State, in collaboration with Grace for Impact, from Georgia, United States of America has embarked on free health care outreach programme for citizens of Ede North Local Government Area and Ede South –East Local Council Development Area, Sekona.

    The event which held on November 13 and 14, 2017, was aimed at availing the people state-of-the-art mobile medical facilities and drugs to take care of their various ailments.

    Springtime Development Foundation is a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO), which has, over the years, extended its philanthropic gestures in various ways to the needs of Nigerians from all walks of life. During this year’s health care outreach, the people were happy as the beneficiaries were excited to no end.

    The people of Ede began trooping to the palace of Timi of Ede land, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal. As early as 7:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13, the palace of the monarch had been filled to capacity.

    Would-be-patients eagerly waited to be attended to. The same applied to the Palace of Olu of Sekona, Oba Abdul-Waheed Adebowale in Ede South-East LCDA. They came from neighbouring villages to participate in the robust health care outreach.

    As expected, they were not disappointed. The team of Springtime Development Foundation, led by the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Banji Adesiyi and the  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pastor  Samuel Oyalabu and Grace for Impact outfit led by Pastor Dapo Oriola gave a good account of themselves. They smiled at the patients, a gesture that indicated that they were there to make the people happy. They approached the business of the day with absolute professional touch, the effect of which was salutary on the beneficiaries.

    The entire workforce of Springtime Development Foundation, whose efforts were complemented by some Ad-hoc staff from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), gave a very good account of themselves.

    They worked tirelessly to meet the needs of the patients. This year’s edition of the programme cut across general health care services; cervical cancer screening, optical ailment rectification and supply of free eye glasses and drugs, dental service and minor surgeries.

    That Monday, 125 and 250 patients were attended to at Sekona and Ede Centres respectively, while on the second day, 150 patients and 200 patients were respectively attended to at Sekona and Ede centers, bringing the total to 725 beneficiaries of the free health care service.

    The beneficiaries passionately regarded the event as Godsend, to avail them of excellent medical care with standard drugs. They were full of praises for the organisers, who deemed it fit to bring the programme to the people at the grassroots, particularly the low-income earners, who had lost hope of such standard treatment extended to them.

    They praised the kindness of the Chairman of Springtime Development Foundation, Dr. Deji Adeleke and prayed God to grant him long life.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony on November 13, the Vice-Chairman, Springtime Development Foundation, Mr. Banji Adesuyi, assured the people that the exercise will continue to expand in leaps and bounds so as to accommodate more beneficiaries.

    He promised that the gesture would be extended to other local government areas in Osun State in due time without consideration for tribe, creed, religion or sex.

    Springtime Development Foundation, Mr. Adesuyi recalled, has been championing the cause of the less-privileged over the years with total commitment and without attracting public attention to itself. He noted that when good health is lost, everything, including wealth, is lost. He therefore appealed to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the drugs given to them.

    The leader of the team from USA, Pastor Dapo Oriola, said they felt proud to be associated with Springtime Development Foundation in its great effort to make life worth living for Nigerians who could not afford the high cost of quality health facilities, through provision of free Medicare to them.

    The Grace For Impact Organisation, Dr. Dapo Oriola said, is an assemblage of thorough-bred medical professionals from the USA, who, on their own free volition, chose to come down to Nigeria at their own expense to collaborate with the Springtime  Development Foundation and help out in the provision of good health care delivery to the people.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Springtime Development Foundation, Pastor Samuel Olu Oyalabu emphasised that the foundation will always put the plight of the less-privileged people in the society at its front burners, so as to fulfill the vision and mission of the Founder and Chairman, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, who he described as a silent philanthropist of no mean order.

    Recall that the Springtime Development Foundation, in June this year, gave out 700 mattresses and 700 pillows to each of Ilesa and Ile-Ife prisons to ameliorate the effect of the health hazards which results from the inmates sleeping on bare floor.

    Apart from the free health care programme, plans are on to donate skill acquisition materials such as barbing equipment, sewing machines and other entrepreneurial materials for the inmates of both Ilesa and Ile-Ife prisons, to make them self-reliant after serving out their various prisons terms.

    Both the Timi of Edeland, Oba Lawal and the Olu of Sekona Oba Waheed Adebowale, praised the organisations for deeming it fit to provide their citizens with free health care services, which they said will go a long way to make them enjoy good health. They prayed for the continued success and growth of the two organisations.

    • Olumide Lawal, lives in Ede, Osun State.