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Tag: OSUN

  • Three feared killed in Osun communal clash

    Three feared killed in Osun communal clash

    • .We’ve drafted our men to the communities, say police

    Three persons were reportedly killed at Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State in resumed hostilities over land disputes.

    A police source told our Correspondent in Confidence that the three deaths were recorded in the two communities located in Orolu and Irepodun Local Councils.

    The state police command confirmed violent clash in the communities but remained silent on whether there were casualties.

    However, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, told our Correspondent that one of his tribesmen was killed by Ifon natives.

    He said: “An Ilobu man was killed today (yesterday) when some natives of Ifon went to the farm of our people in Oyo State especially at Ologele and Aganna.

    “They later stormed the wooden gate area of Ilobu to fire gunshots but police have been drafted to the area.”

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    Similarly, the Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union, Prince Jide Akinyooye alleged that natives of Ilobu stormed Ifon land on the instruction of a monarch in the area to “sack our people from the land.

    “This resulted in a crisis. They shot and maimed our people. I have reported the matter to the police authority.”

    Yesterday’s clash created tension in the community as residents and shop owners scampered to safety which led to stampede.

    Communal clash erupted in the communities last October resulting in many deaths and loss of properties such that Govenror Ademola Adeleke had to declare curfew in the two local government areas.

    Contacted, the spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said: “We have sent our squad to the local government areas. They were briefed before they left. We are working around the situation.”

  • US professor accidentally shot dead by security bidding him ‘goodbye’ in Osun

    US professor accidentally shot dead by security bidding him ‘goodbye’ in Osun

    A tragic incident struck in Ejigbo, Osun state when a United States Professor and politician, Richard Adeoriokin, was accidentally shot dead by a local security guard while bidding him farewell after an event. 

    The incident occurred around 8:30 pm on Saturday along Inisha Road of Ejigbo, following the conclusion of a public function attended by Professor Adeoriokin, his political associates, and the son of Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oyeyode Oyesosin. 

    After the meeting at the king’s residence, the son ordered the security guard to fire gunshots into the air to bid farewell to his friends. 

    Unfortunately, one of the bullets struck the Professor, resulting in his death, and the enraged mob subsequently killed the security guard. 

    Afeez Lawal, the personal assistant to Professor Richard who was present at the scene, recounted that his boss, a lecturer at Prairie View A&M University in Houston, Texas, and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had attended a ceremony where Governor Ademola Adeleke was conferred with a chieftaincy title before the tragic incident occurred.

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    He said: “We headed to Ejigbo for the 50th coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo. Immediately, after the event, we were almost set to go back to Osogbo, the king’s son, Oyeyode Oyesosin said we should go to his house along Inisha road for a brief meeting, so those that followed him home Ayodele Asalu, Timothy and Prof Richard. 

    “When the king’s son wanted to bid his guests farewell, he ordered the local security to fire guns to the air, as a gesture but unfortunately, one of the security’s guns was facing down, instead of firing to the sky, he fired the bullet downward, the bullet hit Professor on his leg, he fell, before we could rush him to the hospital he had lost a lot of blood. He gave up the ghost at the Baptist hospital in Ejigbo.”

    The aide confirmed that the remains of the Professor had been deposited in Osun State University Teaching Hospital Morgue. 

    Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered through investigation over the killing of Adeoriokin and one other as he condoled with the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyosin. 

    He directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and ensure that the law takes its cause.

    He further called for pre-emptive action by the security agencies to prevent any possible counter-attacks or eruption of violence in the ancient town following the sad incident. 

    Adeleke Urged families of the deceased not to take laws into their own hands.

    He said: “What happened at Ejigbo is really sad. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed an immediate investigation into the killings of Dr Richard Adeoriokin and the subsequent killing of his killer. I have also instructed the State Police Command to issue guidelines on the usage of local guns. Such regulations will enhance the safety and protection of the citizens, especially at public functions.”

    Subsequently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal condoled with Ejigbo over the killing of one of its prominent indigenes, describing the death as tragic and wicked and tasked the Police Authority to investigate the matter.

  • Surge in out-of-school children statistics raises concern in Osun

    Surge in out-of-school children statistics raises concern in Osun

    The surging number of out-of-school children Osun State as the highest in the Southwest is raising concerns, TOBA ADEDEJI reports.

    Brother! Come and buy my mint candy! I sell cheaply. Please buy from me even if it is one or two. My brother over there is also selling bitter kola. You can buy from him too,” an eight-year-old boy, who is a candy hawker at the popular Ola-Iya Bridge, pleaded with this reporter.

    When asked why he was not in school by the early hour of the day? He replied: “We go to school once in a while. We are also sent here once in a while to come and make money. Out of our profit, our parents use it for our school fees. We are attending private school. Our parents decided to withdraw us from public school because our performance is becoming poor.”

    Checks by The Nation indicated that most public places in Osun State have been flooded with children during school hours. These children are either begging or hawking. Others are left for the street urchins to determine their fate.

    Among the places visited in Osogbo, the state capital, during school hours are: Ola-Iya, Alekuwodo, Shasha market, Osun Mall, Oke-Fia, Old Garage, Igbona, Aregbe, Oja-Oba, Olu-Ode, Owode-Ede, Ilesa garage amongst others. Other public places in the state’s major towns are not left out, including Ikirun, Ede, Ilesa, Iragbiji, Aagba, Okuku and others.

    Despite that every child has the right to education as enshrined in the Child Rights Act of 2003, this seems to be a mirage in Osun State because the statistics of out-of-school children have ever increased.

    A  Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MIC-6) released in 2021 rated Osun as the state with highest number of out-of-school children in the Southwest. The MICS-6 is a National Bureau of Statistics data supported by the United Nations Children and Educational Fund (UNICEF). According to the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Muhammad Okorie, 14.88 per cent of male and 11.5 percent of female children in Osun were out-of-school in the state.

     How Aregbesola’s educational policy boomeranged

    Osun State is one of the states with the highest number of classrooms after the intervention of the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who tackled infrastructural shortfall in the education sector.

    The administration embarked on the construction of 11 mega schools, including the construction of other major and minor classrooms across the state. Omotunde Young, the Commissioner for Education under the Rauf Aregbesola administration, noted that the Osun State schools were run like zoos before the government came in and “the governor decided to change the undesirable condition previous government had left the sector”.

    Subsequently, the administration introduced a new education policy which consisted of a single uniform for students, school renaming, reclassifications and merging among others. The school was reclassified to a 4-5-3-4 system as Aregbesola held that the system was introduced by Obafemi Awolowo and he promised that the system would bring to the fore, the importance of education to the society and ensure that no child of school age was excluded from getting quality western education.

    The policy was reversed by the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola, who succeeded Aregbesola on the ground that the policy affected the quality of education negatively, a situation that caused partners and stakeholders, including United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), ex-students associations among others to withdraw from the state.

     In 2022, after the policy was reversed, UNICEF, through its Social Policy Specialist, disclosed that Osun has the highest number of out-of-school children in the Southwest.

    However, the number increased from the statistics of UNICEF of 2022 according to the report presented by the Education Summit committee inaugurated by Governor Ademola Adeleke, which was chaired by Prof. Oyesoji Aremu despite that the state has 1,340 primary schools – 647 in urban and 693 in rural areas – and 387 secondary schools.

    Blame game

    But, Oyetola has blamed the surge on Adeleke for playing politics with the education system, stressing that the governor sacked over 1,500 teachers he employed during his administration.

    Oyetola maintained that the policy of reversal he initiated during his administration had started yielding good results because he followed the recommendations made by the review committee on education chaired by Prof. Olu Aina.

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    He said: “My admonition to the government is that the government should not play politics with education. When we were in government, we employed about 1,500 teachers. But unfortunately, the present government stopped all of them when they came on board, and over a year now, they have not done anything to fill up the vacancies created. This has led to the recent increase in out-of-school children in Osun State. I want to implore the government to ensure they employ adequate teachers and also the ex-students of schools across the state should partner with the government.”

    However, the Adeleke administration berated Oyetola over his allegation. The state government, through Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, attributed the huge number of out-of-school children to years of neglect of the education sector inherited from the Oyetola administration.

    Alimi noted that the upcoming recruitment of 6,000 teachers is part of the administration’s three-pronged approach to redressing the situation.

    According to him, “Osun suffered years of educational neglect and misplaced priority under the Oyetola government. It is on record that the last administration in a series of post-election bobby traps employed over 10,000 workers to make the state ungovernable for the incoming Adeleke government, a development the new government promptly addressed with six executive orders to restore normalcy.”

     Despite the government’s defence, findings by The Nation revealed that many schools, including schools of special needs, are short of teachers as some schools have 69 pupils against five teachers, 102 pupils to 12 teachers, 86 pupils to four teachers, 310 pupils to 25 teachers, 275 pupils to 15 teachers among others.

    Osun has 11,000 shortfall of teachers, says ex-Education Special Adviser

    Speaking on the development, the former Special Adviser to Oyetola on Education, Jamiu Olawumi, chided Adeleke’s approach in handling the education sector, stating that the present government placed politics above quality education.

    He explained: “During the administration of Oyetola, we ensured we took education to the doorstep of the people. We organised town hall meetings in nine Federal Constituencies to know their grievances against the policy we inherited. The policies that Aregbesola’s government introduced chased partners away from the state. Imagine, the school merger decision forced male students to attend only girls’ school, and the male will carry a certificate that he attended Baptist Girls College. UNICEF blacklisted us and the state suffered greatly. We were enlisted again after the reversal.

     “Subsequently, we introduced scholarship programmes for indigent pupils, which is a platform we created to bring children into our school. We paid for the WAEC and NECO exams.

     “In the report of the Education Review Committee chaired by Prof. Olu Aina, it was discovered that we have a 6,000 shortage of teachers in our schools and we commenced a recruitment exercise. We employed 2,500. But, Adeleke came on board to sack 1,500 politically. Every month teachers retire from service and others leave their jobs every day for several reasons.

     “By projection, Osun has an 11,000 teacher shortfall in schools, which is one of the factors that is contributing to the number of out-of-school children in the state. Instead of the government addressing the matter, their education summit only addresses how they will renovate classrooms. They do not think about the teachers that will teach them.

    “The present government is only interested in how they will make money through contracts of refurbishing the school. They are not tackling the challenges holistically. They renovated 31 schools out of about 380 schools in bad condition. They are looking for soft matter to address in the sector.”

    He added, “On school feeding, the money budgeted per student is till N100 per pupil and each of them has to eat an egg per day. The cost of an egg per one in the current economic reality is N120. Despite the fact that education is free in Osun, the current government’s action is discouraging students from going to school.”

     Osun govt: we are making education

    encouraging to children

    The Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, boasted that the government’s rate of awareness to woo children to school was superb.

    He lamented that “in the past, the previous administration neglected the national policy on education; they formulated their policies and did their own. They said they were running an unusual government, and Aregbesola said so. They dumped the 6-3-3-4 policy and adopted their style. We also have the issue of Mega School that is giving us problems now.”

     “Why is Osun home to out-of-school children? It is because Osun is a civil servant state. We are into farming, and the low-income earners in Osun are many. Many students in Osun before they go to school have to hawk before they can get a stipend to feed in school. They do that for one hour before they go to school. It is easier for them because the school is close to them. But when they started their mega school nonsense, whereby schools are very far from them, this made many students opt out.”

    He added: “Tackling the problem from the previous government is a big challenge because most schools have been abandoned. We are renovating the schools in catchment areas so that students can attend schools close to them. We are improving on school feeding which made the students stop hawking before they go to school. The school population is now increasing.”

    Eluwole noted that the government is tackling truancy in schools and also commissioned special marshals to arrest children and parents who are found on the street during school hours, saying, “We are tackling the menace of truancy, absenteeism and insecurity in schools now; it is not business as usual”

    The surge in out-of-school children is pathetic

    Speaking on the issue, a Child rights advocate, Dr. Chuks Okoji, who is also a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, described the surge in out-of-school children as pathetic.

    He said: “The first blame has to be on the parents who refused to enroll and ensure their children go to school. It is unfortunate that in this age, some parents are lackadaisical about the acquisition of universal basic education that is available for free at least at the primary school level.

     “I have heard people point to poverty as the main reason for pupils dropping out of school. But, the question is what the reason is for pupils dropping out of Government Primary school, which is free? The problem is most parents give birth to children they can’t cater for. I am not saying there is no poverty in the land, but if proper family planning is in place, ensuring that a child has access to basic education wouldn’t be a problem for serious parents.”

    Okoji lamented that irresponsible parents will hinge the blame on the government and the economy, which are not the main cause of the surge in out-of-school children.

    According to him, the government is also culpable in contributing to the surge.

    “Visit most Primary and Secondary schools and you will pity the learning condition of the students. Most students sit on the floor under dilapidated buildings. The maintenance of these school structures, especially in the remote areas is zero. It will be hard to convince students to go to school under this harsh condition and the government has a role to play in making the learning environment conducive.

     “In furtherance to this, the welfare of the teachers in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria is not encouraging. Gone are the days when teachers will look out for the child not seen in school. The teacher who is sad about the pay of his work will not go the extra-mile to encourage the attendance of pupils in school.

     “The economy has played a damning role in the surge of out-of-school pupils. Most parents can’t afford to give meals to their wards and as such, the child is pushed to the street to fend for himself. It is not surprising to see children who are within primary school age hawking beverages and bottled water on the street and inside traffics in major towns of the country. The ones in the villages resort to menial jobs to have money to survive,” Okoji said.

  • Crisis brewing in Osun as ruling houses, communities oppose monarchs’ sack

    Crisis brewing in Osun as ruling houses, communities oppose monarchs’ sack

    Crisis is brewing in Ikirun, Igbajo and Iree communities of Osun State after Governor Ademola Adeleke yesterday sacked their monarchs, following issuance of a White Paper.

    It was gathered that there was tension in the affected communities, as they were opposed to the decision of the state government.

    Iree community, through the Secretary of the ruling houses, Mr Gbenga Olatunji, said the state government “only robs mud on the face of judiciary with such proclamation, when a competent court of jurisdiction has already reserved judgment on the same subject matter. It further shows that they want to create artificial crisis in Iree community.

    “If not the JUSUN strike, the court would have delivered judgment on December 14, 2023. We reject the White Paper and we strongly believe in the judiciary to do justice on the throne. It is just a question of time, that charade cannot stand. But we appeal to our people, especially the ruling houses, to remain calm and law-abiding.”

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    Similarly, the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who is from Larooye ruling house in Iree, Prince Adebayo Adeleke,  condemned the White Paper, describing it as an effort in futility.

    He said Governor Ademola Adeleke only further validates his ignorance of the law with respect to the kingship process and the government’s vendetta posture.

    He said: “If Governor Adeleke was rightly advised, he would have understood such pronouncement is a contempt of court and double standard on a matter that parties have called witnesses and filed written address.”

    The Oluomo of Igbajo, Sunday Akere, described the decision of Adeleke as unfortunate, stressing that Oba Famodun was duly appointed after following due process and support from kingmakers.

    He noted that the decision of Adeleke was political because it took him over one year to make such decision.

    He said: “Residents of Igbajo community are behind Oba Famodun because he was legally nominated and appointed by the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. We are going to challenge the decision of Adeleke in court. We are law-abiding.”

  • Controversy trails execution of N498m borehole projects in Osun

    Controversy trails execution of N498m borehole projects in Osun

    Some water projects embarked upon by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun State are enmeshed in controversies that range from high cost to inefficiency, TOBA ADEDEJI reports.

    We drink water from wells and streams and also use the water for domestic purposes. Occasionally, they open the borehole located at maternity and another one donated to us by Ajilesoro Foundation in 2022. They use a generator to pump the water before we can fetch.”

    Those were the words of Segun Oyelere, a 21-year-old resident of Araromi-Oke-Odo, near Ifetedo in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State. He was responding to a question about the effectiveness of the borehole water project purportedly executed by the Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, recently.

    In a clear demonstration of his ignorance of the purported water project in his community, Segun said: “We trek to Oju-Odo River side to fetch water in gallons, using the wheelbarrow or motorcycle to transport it. But the task of getting water was made easier in 2021 and 2022 when the government and individuals named Ajilesoro constructed a borehole for use in the area.

    “They, however, did not consider how we would pump the water, because we have not had electricity here in Araromi-Oke-Odo for decades. So we resorted to using generators to pump water once in a while.”

    Araromi-Oke-Odo, the rustic community whose residents are predominantly farmers, has not had electricity for more than 92 years that it came into existence. Hence, access to drinking water is a major challenge faced by the inhabitants of the community.

    Announcing the programmes to mark his 100 days in office on January 18, 2023, Adeleke, who was sworn in as the sixth executive governor of the state on November 27, 2022, had listed provision of 332 borehole projects across all the wards in the state.

    On March 7, 2023, while he was marking his 100 days in office, Adeleke announced that the 332 borehole projects had been completed across the state, noting that water was running and the boreholes were functioning well.

    However, on July 3, 2023, four months after it was claimed that the boreholes were functioning well, he distributed generators meant to power the boreholes across the 332 wards in the state.

    The Nation investigation by into the borehole projects across the state revealed that they are non-existent in many wards across the state while only a few of them are running well where they are in existence.

    Our correspondent, who visited Ward 2, Aruru Balogun Compound, Olorunda Local Government Area, discovered that the borehole had been abandoned by the residents of the area because it was not functioning. The site of the project was overgrown with weed and there was no sign that the borehole ever functioned since it was installed.

    At Ward 5, Olorunda Local Government Area, the borehole project was also not functioning when our correspondent visited.

    A resident of the community, Serifdeen Abidemi, said: “We commend Governor Adeleke for putting forward this kind of project. But I wish to appeal to him that ever since they erected the project, there has not been a single drop of water. Governor Adeleke should look into the challenges associated with the water project.”

    When our correspondent visited the water project at Wards 2, 6 and 14 in Osogbo, the state capital, there was no water running in the facilities despite the provision of a generator meant for pumping the water at the locations in Osogbo Local Government Area.

    Other local government areas of the state visited by The Nation included Irewole, Boripe, Ilesa, Egbedore, Iwo and Isokan where very few of the boreholes were running well while the majority of them were not functional.

    At Ward 7 (Ikire) in Irewole Local Government Area, the borehole was not functioning. Indeed, the tank stand was said to have collapsed in May 2023 as a result of rainstorm just a few months after installation.

    Similarly, at Ward 4, Iragbiji in Boripe Council, the water facility was also not functioning and grasses had taken over the surroundings of the water stand. Also at Ward 2, Imo, Ilesa, water was not running from the borehole facility due to absence of electricity.

    A source at the Osun State Ministry of Water Resources said there was no detailed documentation of the locations of the borehole facilities at the ministry. The source added that the boreholes were done in different wards without the knowledge of the ministry knowledge but directly from the office of the governor. The source noted that contracts for the boreholes were awarded to individuals who were believed to be close to the government.

    Osun residents lament

    Jumoke Adefokun, a resident of Okini community in Egbedore Local Government Area, said: “The borehole project here in Egbedore is not working. Although those that are constructing it came at a time for test run, we are unable to get water from the facility.

    “We implore the government to force the engineer handling the project back to site and work until they see that the water is running.”

    A commercial motorcycle operator in Iwo, who identified himself simply as Ade, said: “There are about three of the boreholes that I know in this town, but only two of them are working. The third one located at Oritasogbo is not functioning. If the government can step in, we are sure that it will start running like others.

    Civil society organisations react

    The coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of The Osun Masterminds, speaking through it Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, said: “You will recall that at the time the state government decided to embark on the borehole projects it executed in all the wards in the state, we criticised the step and advised that government should instead channels its energy towards revitalising the moribund water supply schemes in the state.

    “For reasons of political expediency, particularly the celebration of 100 days in office, the government decided to implement the policy.

    “As responsible citizens who are equal stakeholders in the Osun project, we visited numerous locations of these boreholes and discovered that although the government has informed the people through several press releases and interviews that the boreholes were now completed and in service, majority of the boreholes are still not functional.

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    “We visited several wards across the state and interacted with many locals in those areas. Our findings revealed that upon completion of most, if not all of the boreholes, they did not work beyond the day the installed pumping machines were tested.

    “In some cases, no provision was made for electrical connection that will power the boreholes, while in some cases poor arrangements that cannot serve a long term purpose were made.

    “We also found that a lot of the boreholes had truly been completed way before February ending, but are still not in service till today.”

    Oyedokun-Alli advised that Governor Ademola Adeleke should commission an enquiry into the current state of the boreholes.

    He added: “We advise that the Osun State Government, through its relevant offices, get into action immediately to ensure that the boreholes are functional for the people of the state. They cannot just stand as decorations scattered around the corners of the state. They have to serve the purpose for which they were built.

    “We want to also advise the Adeleke-led government to ensure that in its drive to implement a local content policy in government procurement, it must not make the mistake of turning government projects to ‘job for the boys’ that will end up badly executed and injurious to the finances of our dear state in the long run.”

    CSO threatens to drag Adeleke to court over procurement process

    The Executive Director, Centre for Responsive Governance, Ayodeji Ologun, told The Nation that he wrote a letter to the Osun State Government to request for the cost and list of boreholes sunk in 332 wards, using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but there had been no response till date.

    He added that part of the request made in the letter was the demand for the cost per unit of the boreholes and proof of approval of the project, because there was no cabinet in place when the project was executed.

    Ologun disclosed that he addressed the letter to the Osun State Government through the office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) whose Chief of Staff was copied.

    He noted that 14 days after the letter was written to the office of SSG, there had been no response. “We are going to sue the Osun State government for failing to honour our letter of request on information around the borehole project,” Ologun threatened.

    The letter dated August 21, 2023 was received by one Lukman Alabi in the office of the SSG on August 23, 2023.

    The letter reads: “Relying on Section 2(1) of the Freedom of Information Bill as stated below, I on behalf of myself and the organisation through whom this letter is written kindly request that you furnish us with the composition of the Procurement Board of Osun State as provided for by the law promulgated by the Osun State House of Assembly and also furnish us with the cost per unit of the over 300 boreholes sunk in different parts of the state as made public by the state government.

    “Subject to the provisions of this Act but notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, Law or Regulation, every citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has a legally enforceable right to, and shall, on application be given access to any record under the control of a government or public institution.

    “Section 2(1) of the Freedom of Information Bill Sir, relying on the above and yet the provision of the law, we want these details in the PDF format.

    “Sir, please be informed that based on schedule 10 of the act, we await your response on the above matter(s) in the interest of the spirit of the constitution.

    “Section 5 of the FOl Bill requires the head of the government institution to which an application is made to, within 14 working days of the application, give the applicant a written notice informing him or her whether or not access to the record or part of it will be given and to give the applicant access to the information or record.

    “Where access will not be given, the Bill also requires the head of the institution, within 14 working days, to give notice to the applicant stating the specific provisions of the Bill on which the refusal is based and informing the applicant that he or she has a right to challenge the refusal in Court.”

    Previous water projects in Osun

    Findings made by The Nation revealed that there are many pending or abandoned water projects in Osun State. They include the pending Ilesa water project, the abandoned mini-water scheme of the former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration, and the abandoned mini-water projects of the Federal lawmakers that represented Osun between 2011 and 2015, among others.

    Investigation revealed that most of the water projects are more comprehensive and provide more practical solutions to the water supply problems in the state.

    Multi-million naira project without appropriation

    It will be recalled that the former administration of Adegboyega Oyetola signed the 2023 budget into law at the twilight of his government on November 25, 2023, after which he handed over to Governor Adeleke on November 27, 2023.

    Subsequently, Adeleke announced his programme for the first 100 days, among which was the sinking of 332 boreholes across the state, which was not contained in the 2023 budget.

    The government had failed to present a supplementary budget to the State House of Assembly six months after the project despite what the constitution stipulated in Section 122.

    The All progressives Congress (APC), through its Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, alleged that the supplementary budget was passed at the assembly without due process, after which it was secretly signed into law by Governor Adeleke on August 15, 2023.

    According to a copy of the supplementary budget obtained by The Nation, the borehole project was not expressly documented in the 2023 supplementary budget.

    The highlights of the budget related to water project are; Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, N11,000,000; Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency, N26,600,000; Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation N12,400,000; Osun State Water Cooperation, N10,000,000; and Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency N168,000,000.

    Going by the revealed cost per one borehole of N1.5m, the cost for the entire project across all the 332 wards will be N498 million.

    The leading opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, raised the alarm, claiming that the state government constructed one borehole at the rate of N15 million, alleging that the project was a ploy to siphon the state’s resources.

    However, during the town hall meeting of Governor Adeleke in October 2023, he revealed the unit cost of one borehole, saying that one borehole cost N1.5 million, contrary to the claim of the opposition party.

    Government reacts

    Addressing newsmen at the Exco Lounge in his office, Adeleke said for the umpteenth time that all the boreholes are running perfectly.

    He said he had been getting good feedbacks from the citizens of Osun State, hence, he announced phase two of the project across the 332 wards again.

    Efforts to speak with the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Sunday Oroniyi, yielded no result as he had not responded to the calls and text messages sent to his phone and WhatsApp number at the time of filing this report.

    The spokesperson of the governor, Olawale Rasheed, also did not respond to the text messages sent to his phone on the matter.

    However, the Commissioner for Finance, Sola Ogungbile, responding to questions from newsmen during the unveiling of the N100 billion project by the administration of Adeleke, disclosed that the government had short, immediate and long term plans.

    He noted that most of the projects executed in the last one year fell under the immediate plans, which he said had been taken care of by the 2023 Supplementary Budget, adding that “other projects will be included in the 2024 budget because it is work in progress.”

    We’re awaiting signal from Abuja to investigate Adeleke’s 332 borehole projects, others —ICPC

    Following a petition over alleged fraud surrounding Governor Adeleke 332 borehole projects, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed that steps were being taken to investigate alleged fraud.

    The coalition of civil society organizations in Osun State under the aegis of The Osun Masterminds (TOM) had filed a petition and submitted same to the anti-graft agency on October 31, 2023.

    The petition signed by the coalition’s Executive Director Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli and Comrade Ayo Ologun alleged fraudulent award of contracts and flagrant violation of Osun Public Procurement Law, 2015.

    The Osun State Resident Commissioner of ICPC, Demola Bakare, during a media parley to commemorate 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day, confirmed that the agency had received a petition over the projects embarked upon by the government in the state.

    Responding to a question from newsmen, he said: “The petition is receiving necessary attention. It has been forwarded to our headquarters in Abuja.

    “Presently we do not have substantive chairman and there are certain things that every other person apart from the chairman cannot do…if we take many matters to court, I know that the defense lawyers can challenge us that the right person is not prosecuting the case.

    “So as soon as the new chairman comes, we will look at it and take direct actions.”

  • Osun seeks greater collaboration with bank

    Osun seeks greater collaboration with bank

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged the management of LivingTrust Mortgage Bank to establish more branches in the state.

    Adeleke spoke at a meeting with the management, led by its Chairman, Dr. Adebayo Jimoh and Managing Director, Dr. Adekunle Adewole, in Osogbo.

    He lauded the bank for establishing branches in two unbanked communities, noting more branches would complement the state’s efforts to stimulate economy of the rural population.

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    Livingtrust recently won an award of the ‘Financial Institution with the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time’ from the Development Bank for its role in supporting new and rural-based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

    The bank’s chair thanked the state for its support, informing the governor of the bank’s future strategic direction.

  • Plans to cede land to Oyo renew hostility among Osun warring communities

    Plans to cede land to Oyo renew hostility among Osun warring communities

    Two warring communities, Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State have renewed their hostility over alleged plots to cede some portions of lands to Oyo State.

    The Nation recalled that Ifon and Ilobu clashed in October which resulted in the killing of over twenty people and loss of property worth millions of Naira after which the state government imposed a curfew to quell the violence.

    Meanwhile, amidst the uneasy calm between the communities, Ifon community its Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union Board of Trustees, Prince Jide Akinyooye alleged that chiefs of Olobu are conspiring with some impostors to cede Molufon, Okiti, Idi-Iroko, Olosho villages, and others to Iranyin town in Suurulere Local Government Area of Oyo State. He added that Ilobu indigenes supported by the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan were installed as chiefs on the lands which belonged to Ifon.

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    Reacting to the allegation of Ifon, the National Public Relations Officer of Ilobu, Mr Tairu Babatunde described the claim by Ifon as false noting that the Osun government and police authorities should ensure that nothing truncates the existing peace in the communities.

    He said, “Olobu does not have royal authority over the settlements claimed by Ifon, hence, the Oyo government has a right to install whoever they want as chiefs.”

    “The claim by Ifon is to cause disaffection between Osun and Oyo State because the lands belong to Oyo State. Those in the villages like Idi-Iroko, Ologele, Bara Odunayo, Bara Oloso, Wale, Bada; Abebi, Laniyan, Bolorunduro etc. are in Oyo State but Ilobu indigene-occupied those places, hence the local council of Oyo State can make them chiefs.”

  • Osun residents charged to take ownership of development projects in communities

    Osun residents charged to take ownership of development projects in communities

    Residents of Osun State have been charged to take ownership of development projects in their various communities so as to ensure maintenance and sustainability.

    The State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke gave the charge in Osogbo at 2023 Community Development Day and Community Fair facilitated by Osun Community and Social Development Agency (Osun CSDA) under the Osun Care programme.

    The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi warned residents against ‘I don’t care’ attitude towards Infrastructure facility provided for them to make their lives better.

    He said: “When we provide boreholes for you in your communities, if you don’t maintain it, it will spoil. Same with roads and school projects or health centers. I beg you in the name of God, ensure that you maintain all development projects in your Communities so that they would serve you adequately”.

    The General Manager of Osun CSDA, Mrs Aderonke Funmi Abokede said the community fair was aimed at showcasing the remarkable achievement of Osun State government in ensuring good quality of life for residents through Osun CSDA under the Osun COVID 19 Action Recovery and Economie Stimulus Program (Osun CARES), a World Bank intervention programme.

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    Abokede said “Our Governor is walking his talk on his 5 Point Development Agenda with the provision of democracy dividend to the people as electoral promises are translated into needed social amenities and development, through Osun CSDA, a change agent, Agency.”

    She said part of the projects are provision of classrooms, science laboratories in schools and skills acquisition centres for persons with disabilities.

    “The education projects are providing good learning environment for the students come rain, come sunshine; this will not only encourage increase in enrolment, but retention and more importantly very good performance of the pupils in their examinations.”

    Abokede also appealed to residents to ensure proper maintenance of development projects in their various communities.

  • Nine killed, three injured in Osun accident

    Nine killed, three injured in Osun accident

    Nine people were killed, while three others sustained injuries as a truck carrying beans crashed yesterday in Osun State.

    It was learnt that the accident occurred at Yidi junction, Inisa, in Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State. 

    The Nation gathered that the accident occurred in the early hours of yesterday when the truck with registration number MNA606SB had lone accident, which resulted in the death of some of its passengers.

    A source said the vehicle, a Mitsubishi canter truck, was coming from Niger State and heading for Edo State when the accident occurred at Inisa.

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    Efforts to speak with the Sector Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Henry Benamaisia, was unsuccessful, as he did not pick his calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone.

    The spokesperson for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kehinde Adeleke, when contacted, confirmed that nine people died, while three sustained injuries as the truck carrying beans had accident.

    She said the bodies had been deposited in a morgue, while the injured were taken to hospital.

  • Osun Assembly passes 2024 budget of N273.90bn

    Osun Assembly passes 2024 budget of N273.90bn

    The Osun State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed the  state’s N273,908,997,410 budget for 2024.

    The motion for the passage of budget was moved at plenary by the Majority Leader, Mr Babajide Kofoworola and which was supported by other members.

    Earlier on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Olumide Fatunmise, had presented the report of the committee to the legislature for passage after the third reading.

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    The Speaker, Prince Adewale Egbedun, said the final copy of the Bill would be produced and forwarded to the Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, for assent.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun had presented the 2024 budget of N273,908,997,410 before the legislature on Nov. 9 for consideration and approval. (NAN)