The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • Osun to boost IGR through forestry

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has set up a committee to reposition the forestry sector to boost the state’s revenue generation base.

    The six-man panel, headed by Prof. Bayonle Olorede, the Provost of the Post-Graduate College of the Osun State University, has been given three weeks to submit a report on how to stimulate the sector for optimum performance.

    Other members of the committee are: Former Chairman, Task Force on Forestry, Mr Adelowo Adebiyi; the General Manager, Osun Parks and Gardens, Mr Musibau Akinromade; the Chairman, Osun Timber Contractors’ Association, Mr Yusuf Okunade; a retired forester, Dr Henry Olufemi Bibilari and Mr Sina Amusan, who will serve as Secretary.

    The committee is expected to resolve issues on the closure of the forests since last year and other outstanding matters among stakeholders in the sector.

    It is also to suggest ways to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the unit and give other recommendations that may be necessary.

    After its first meeting, Prof Olorede promised that the committee would live up to its responsibilities by making recommendations that will enable the state to maximise the potential in the sector.

  • Osun residents charged to see governance as joint responsibility

    The residents of Osun State have been advised to see business of governance as a joint responsibility for which they must be active participants.

    Addressing a press briefing in Osogbo, the Supervisor in charge of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, therefore, called for the support of the people to make the Gboyega Oyetola administration succeed.

    The immediate past Commissioner for Finance, who is also the Supervisor for Commerce, Cooperatives and Industries, submitted that for government to succeed, the people must contribute their quota by paying their taxes and other levies promptly for the government to be able to provide social amenities and build infrastructure.

    He stressed the need for residents to join hands with the government to move the state forward.

    Read Also: Osun tribunal: Oyetola to open defence January 30

    According to him: “All over the world, no government can succeed without the input and contribution of the governed either through payment of taxes and levies or through the maintenance of public works.

    “The administration of Mr. Oyetola is ready to look inwards and raise funds which will, in turn, be used to better the lives of the masses in the state. The time has passed that state government will be looking up to the federal government for funds through the federal allocation which is already is dwindling.

    “The Oyetola administration is determined to make life better for the people of the state and it is eager to build on the achievements of the past eight years. I want to sincerely appeal to residents of Osun and indigenes, both home and abroad, to see the task of moving the state forward as onerous which all and sundry must join hands with government to achieve.

    “The present administration in Osun is eager to put smiles on the faces of the people through masses oriented programmes and policies but this can be only achieved if the people play their roles. it is time that we began to see business of governance as a joint responsibility. If you don’t have any means of paying your tax or other levies you can assist government in the maintenance of public works.

    “Mr. Gboyega Oyetola is another kind-hearted individual with a sincere heart to continue from where the immediate past administration stopped. The policy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to put smiles on the faces of the people and so we have no choice than to continue to drive the growth and development of our dear state.

    “Osun is already on a pedestal of greatness and we shall get there but with the support of the people. Our state is ranked among the best in the country. With the support of our people, the task ahead will easy for us to achieve.“

  • Bandits kill three in Osun bank robbery

    Three persons, including police security, were feared killed by bandits on Thursday during an attack on a new generation commercial bank in Ila-Orangun.

    The bandits, numbering about eight, were said to have struck around 2.00 pm and operated for one- and- a half hours after blasting the bank’s security door with an explosive substance.

    Two other victims killed by the armed robbers were said to be hit by stray bullets while a number of people sustained various degrees of injury while trying to flee the scene.

    It was gathered the robbers carted away a substantial amount of money that could not be verified as at the time of filing this report.

    An eye witness account revealed a police task force raced to the scene but missed the robbers by whiskers.

    Read Also: Three arrested for impersonating INEC workers

    The eyewitness further revealed the police team gave the robbers, who made their escape route through a road leading to Oke-Ila and Ora Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of the state, a hot chase.

    A police source, not authorised to speak on the incident, confirmed an armed gang attacked the bank but said the police would not want to reveal their findings now “for security reasons.“

  • Osun tribunal: Oyetola to open defence Jan 30

    The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal has adjourned to January 30 this year for the state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to open his defence.

    The tribunal is hearing the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Isiaka, challenging the decision by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Oyetaola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

    The petitioners are alleging, among others, that the election results were doctored to favour the APC candidate. It is also their contention that the election was marred with fraud and that it was not held in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo announced on Thursday, after INEC closed its case, that the tribunal will adjourn and return on January 30 when the second respondent will open his case. Oyetola is listed as the second respondent in the petition.

    INEC, listed as the first respondent to the petition, opened its case last Friday and closed on Thursday, without calling oral evidence, but relied solely on documentary evidence.

    The electoral body, while tendering all documents relevant to the election, including result sheets as announced by its officials, said it chose not to call oral evidence because the petitioners have not made out sufficient case to disprove the credibility of the election and the results it announced.

    Read Also: Oyetola: bottom-up approach pivotal to service delivery

    INEC opened its case at the closure of the case of the petitioners, who tendered documents and called oral evidence.

    Most of the petitioner’s witnesses were PDP’s agents at the polling units where elections held.

    Majority of the witnesses, who were artisans and traders, were barely literate and able to express themselves in English language.

    Some of them could also not read when called upon to read portions of the statements they claimed were written for them by their lawyers, but which they signed.

  • EFCC, ICPC should investigate 2016 audit report – CSO

    A civic organization, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) on Wednesday called on the anti-graft agencies the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission to investigate the 2016 Audit Report.

    The organization stated that N2.97 billion meant for 30 critical projects in the country was unaccounted for as stated in the report.

    Executive Director of PLSI, Olusegun Elemo, stated these at the launch of its Independent Findings of priority projects captured in the 2016 audit report.

    Elomo stated that the organization monitored 19 priority projects in 12 states captured under the report this year and found out that most of them have been abandoned.

    According to him, ten out of the projects have been abandoned even when monies have been paid for them.

    He noted that only one out of the 19 projects had been completed when PLSI visited the states this month.

    The monitored states by PLSI include; Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Adamawa, Imo and Enugu.

    Some of the abandoned projects include; construction of mini-water scheme phase two, contract for the construction of small earth dam, rehabilitation of two-township water supply schemes, improvement of Olode water supply scheme under the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority.

    Others are construction of Weru bridge fencing of Okene water works among others which was supposed to be implemented by the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests six suspected internet fraudsters

    Projects abandoned under the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing include the rehabilitation of Ikorodu road with about N112.8million unaccounted for, also the rehabilitation of 24km Akungba-Ikare-Omuo-Kabba road among others.

    Elomo said: “We visited 12 states over the last six months and monitored 19 out of the 30 priority projects highlighted in this report. While one of the projects had been completed, two were not executed, 10 abandoned, three poorly implemented, another two currently ongoing and one now provided for in the 2018 Appropriation Act.

    “The major issue for us is how procurement laws and financial regulations are flagrantly disregarded at the risk of public funds and the negative effect on Nigerians, many of which are in rural areas in terms of access to clean portable water, access roads, quality health facilities.

    “A total of N2.97 billion is said to be unaccounted for by different contractors on these 30 projects and we are calling on the anti-corruption agencies to quickly investigate these cases in order to ensure deserved value for money is achieved.”

    Also, Project Director, TrustAfrica, Chinedu Nwagu, called on the National Assembly to carry out a review of the 2016 report.

    He said it is only when a review of the report is done and recommendations forwarded to the Executive arm of government that the anomalies found in the report could be corrected.

    Nwagu said: “There is need for the National Assembly to do the needful by ensuring extensive review of the 2016 audit report of the federation. It is only when this is done and recommendations forwarded to the Executive Arm that these anomalies can be corrected.

    “Parliament should equally make effort in sending the new Audit Service Commission Bill 2018 to the president for assent. The new law will go a long way in preventing such illegality from occurring again,” he said.

  • 1, 254, 467 PVCs collected in Osun, says REC

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Olusegun Agbaje, has disclosed that 1,254,467 permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) have been collected by the eligible voters in the state.

    He said the PVCs collected so far represented 75.50 per cent of the total figure of 1,681,930.

    Making the disclosure while holding separate meetings with religious leaders and political party leaders at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office along Gbongan road in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the REC said the balance of 427,463 PVCs (25.42%) are yet to be collected.

    He called on residents of the state to go to where they have registered for collection of their PVCs, saying they have up till Monday January 21 to do so.

    However, the INEC boss, who warned that the PVCs will not be given in proxy, enjoined the prospective voters to keep their voter’s cards safely “because it is going to be the tools for you to elect the candidates of your choice and no other identification document will be accepted in place of the PVCs.”

    He continued: “Accordingly, those that are yet to collect their PVCs are advised to cash in on this opportunity to do so because only those that are with their valid PVCs are going to be allowed to cast their votes during the general elections.”

    Educating the electorate on how to guard against vote voiding, the REC advised the electorate to apply finger print only in one box which according to him corresponds with the party symbol of their choice.

    He also warned voters against violence before, during and after the polls.

    The INEC boss, who denied given PVCs to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as alleged by some political parties, said some politicians’ attitude of wining by all means was a major challenge the commission is facing.

    According to him, wining-at-all-costs attitude by the politicians had led them to deploy all sorts of illicit means such as vote buying, use of thugs to disrupt election process, raising of alarm and dissemination of fake news to whip up unnecessary sentiments.

     

     

     

  • I feared I won’t live long, says Akande

    The former Osun State governor and pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Abdul-Kareem Adebisi Akande, on Thursday said he had always harbored the fear that he might die young.

    For this reason he said he was always in a hurry to make his accomplishments before he clocked 50 years old.

    Speaking at grand reception organized for him to mark his 80th birthday anniversary in his Ila-Orangun country home, Chief Akande, in a. Once laden with emotion, explained that he exercised the fear that he might not live up to 50 because his mother died when she was 45 years old and father died when he clocked 50.

    According to him, he taught it was hereditary that he would not live long.

    He said: “My father died at age fifty and my mother died at the tender age of forty-five and I thought within me that definitely, I am not going to live long. I therefore tried to achieve much early in life.

    “When I clocked fifty and did not die as expected, I decided to slow down. That is God in action. I also came to know that doing things for humanity is much more rewarding than for oneself. With my colleagues then we formed Ila Charity Club and later Ilupeju Club, from where I knew the complexity of Ila town.”

    Akande advised the politicians to be less concerned about personal issues but rather think of what will benefit the society.

    Read Also: Akande: Mentor, role model at 80

    In his remarks, Osun State governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola described the former governor of Osun as a person that stands out as symbol and model of politics of principle, politics without bitterness, political inclusion and integrity.

    He further described Akande as a great man by any estimation, a compassionate human being, an example of decorum in any circumstances and indeed a principled leader.

    Also speaking, the immediate past governor of Osun, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola described Chief Akande as a father to all, adding that Akande impacted positively on whosoever comes his way.

    He said: “For him, political participation is for the higher goal of improving the condition of man-galvanising the human and material resources of the society for meeting needs and solving problems and in the process bring progress.”

    Aregbesola, who posited that Osun is the most difficult of all the states of the federation to govern, said governance in the state “is not eating bread and butter.”

    According to him, Akande motivated him to come to Osun to be governor, adding that during his tenure he was always guiding him with his wisdom despite “what some element tried to doctor come between us.”

    He described him as one of his political fathers who is. outstanding, truthful, honest and has integrity.

    Also, in his remark, Senator representing Osun Central, Prof. Olusola Adeyeye, referred to Chief Akande as a father to all politicians, describing as a disciplined personality that abhors corruption.

    Dignitaries in attendance at the event, include the Osun State governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, and his wife, Kafayat, the former governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, and wife, Sherifat, the state deputy governor, Gboyega Alabi, former deputy governors of Osun State, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, and Senator Christopher Iyiola Omisore, the deputy governor of Ekiti State, Bisi Egbeyemi.

    Others were the Second Republic senator and national leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, senator representing Osun Central, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, art. Hon. Najeem Salam, former Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello, the Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo.

    Among the traditional rulers were the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Adewale Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun, and Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Adekinle Magbagbeola.

  • 18 die in Osun auto crashes

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Osun on Wednesday said 18 persons died in various road accidents in December 2018.

    The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Peter Oke, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Osogbo that the accidents were caused by over speeding, wrongful overtaking and carelessness of many drivers.

    ‘‘ The total numbers of Road Traffic Accidents for the month of December 2018 was 28 which led to the death of 18 persons.

    ‘‘The remaining 10 persons sustained various degrees of injuries in the accidents within the state,’’ he said.

    He also stated that 773 road traffic offenders were apprehended while 268 were educated and cautioned on the sensitivity of road driving.

    Read Also: NSCDC recovers N31.5m debts in Jigawa in 2018

    The sector commander further said that no fewer than 906 persons were issued with driver’s licence in the month under review.

    He added that the command executed 12 radio and eight television programmes to educate and enlighten the public on the dangers associated with dangerous driving.

    Oke urged motorists to desist from defying road traffic regulations, adding that the command would not spare any person caught flouting the law.

  • Osun: PDP, Adeleke’s witnesses allege over-voting

    Proceedings resumed on Monday before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja with the petitioners calling 10 more witnesses.

    The petitioners – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke – are contesting the outcome of the election won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adegboyega Oyetola.

    The 10 witnesses called on Monday by the petitioners brought to 34 the number of witnesses so far called by the petitioners, who planned to call over 100.

    All the witnesses called on Monday, most of who were barely literate artisans, alleged that there were over-voting at the polling units where they served as agents of the PDP.

    Some of the witnesses could not read the statements they claimed to have signed and adopted before the tribunal on Monday as their evidence in chief in the case.

    The witnesses, most of whom could also not express themselves fluently in English language, were however unable to substantiate their allegations of over-voting.

    When asked, under cross-examination, to provide proof of their claimed over-voting, the witnesses would point to some alterations in the result sheets tendered before the court.

    When reminded, by respondents’ lawyers, that they signed the said result sheets on their own volition, the witnesses would claim to have signed after protesting.

    At a point, some of the witnesses became unruly as they refused to answer questions under cross-examination, thereby necessitating occasional intervention by tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo.

    Some of the witnesses, also confessed, under cross-examination, that they were not the actual PDP’s agents, whose names were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the election.

    One of the witnesses, Mrs. Victoria Fadeke Alo admitted that it was actually another agent – Ilesanmi Samson Taiwo – who signed the result sheet as agent of the PDP in the polling unit she claimed to have represented the party.

    Under cross-examination by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who appeared for Oyetola, Mrs Alo admitted that she was not the Ilesanmi Samson Taiwo, whose name appeared on the result sheet as the PDP agent.

    Another witness, Oyedokun Wasiu Soyode, who said he acted as PDP agent at Polling Unit 9, Ward 5 in Ejigbo Local Government also admitted not being the actual agent whose name was sent to INEC.

    Soyode, who was cross-examined by John Baiyeshea (SAN), who took over from Olanipekun, said his name was not on the list of party agent sent to INEC.

    He said it was his brother, Lateef Taiwo, who was the original agent whose name was sent to INEC, but took ill on the election day and was later admitted in the hospital.

    He said the development informed why he was asked to take his brother’s place.

    Also, Shehu Mufutau Alani , who said he acted as PDP agent in Unit 8, Ward 7, Iwo Local Government, also admitted not being the party agent, whose name was submitted to INEC.

    He said one Fadirat Isiaka, whose name was submitted fell sick few day before the election, a development that informed his choice as a replacement.

    Read Also: Senate to NLC: shelve minimum wage strike

    Under cross-examination by lawyer to the APC, Lasun Sanusi (SAN), Ajani said his lawyer wrote the witness’s statement, which he signed.

    He denied knowledge of where the lawyer got the information he wrote on the statement.

    Oyedele Waliu Ayinla, who said he acted as PDP agent at Unit 002, Ward 9 in Egbedore Local Government, could not read his statement when asked to read a portion of it.

    He was the petitioners’ last witness for the day. Further hearing continues Tuesday, Jan. 8.

  • Civil servants resume work in Osun

    Civil servants in Osun on Wednesday resumed work after observing the New Year celebration in line with the Federal Government’s declaration of Tuesday as a public holiday.

    A visit by correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that the state secretariats in Abere, Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Secretariat were beehive of activities.

    NAN also reports that Federal Government’s establishments reopened for business with many civil servants going about their lawful duties.

    It was observed that while some were seen exchanging greetings, others were saying prayers with their colleagues.

    Similarly, commercial banks in Osogbo reopened for business and were attending to their customers for various transactions.

    A civil servant, Mr Adeyemi Fatai, told NAN that he was happy because of the renewed hope that 2019 has brought to him.

    According to him, 2018 was a turbulent year, stressing that the new would bring him better fortunes just as other workers.

    “It is a thing of joy and happiness to make it to a new year, and it gladdens my heart to be at work, to be with my friends and colleagues, as God had spared us to be alive.

    “I believe things would work out fine this year and better opportunities will come our way, as I trust God to turn things around for me and other workers in the state.

    “Our new governor has promised us workers, that he would be paying us full salaries, and I believe this is a sign of better things that will be coming this year,” he said.

    Another civil servant, Mrs Esther Popoola, who lauded God for keeping her alive to witness the new year, expressed optimism that things would turn around for the better in the state and Nigeria in 2019.

    “I thank God for sparing my life till today, I believe God has a purpose for doing things and I know the problems and challenges we are facing in this country will soon be over.

    “ I know that God will choose good leaders for us this year, because we have learnt from our human mistakes, and we have prayed for guidance and good leadership from Him.

    “I believe this year, God will help our government solve the many crises they are facing and hopeful that the welfare of workers too will be adequately taken care of,” she said.