The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • Osun records 284 per cent students’ performance in WAEC in seven years

    The Osun State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wasiu Omotunde-Young, yesterday said the state government recorded 284 per cent improvement in the performance of students in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) from 2010 to 2017.

    Addressing reporters at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital, Omotunde-Young said the Rauf Aregbesola administration had brought the state’s education from darkness to light in the last seven and a half years.

    According to him, students’ performance in public schools in the state improved from 15.68 per cent in 2010 to 44.59 per cent in 2017, saying this was a significant improvement of 284 per cent.

    The commissioner recalled that in 2010, a total of 43,216 public secondary school students sat for WAEC while only 6,77 passed with Credit in Mathematics and English language, representing 15.68 per cent.

    In 2017, he said 32,488 public secondary school students sat for WAEC, while 14,487 passed with Credit in Mathematics and English language, representing 44.49 per cent.

    The commissioner said the improvement in students’ performance was the result of focused, deliberate and purposeful intervention Aregbesola put into the Education sector.

    He added: “As at November 2010, when Aregbesola retrieved his mandate to govern the state, the situation in the Education sector was marked with poor, dysfunctional, appalling learning and teaching infrastructure across the state. All of these exulted in very poor performance of students in internal and external examinations.”

    According to him, a blueprint developed from education summit organised in 2011 resulted in a radical and comprehensive policies, which he noted transformed the sector.

    The commissioner said the state government’s intervention in infrastructure development, training and capacity development of teachers, supply of science laboratory materials, among others, led to the improvement of the students’ performance.

     

  • Civil society groups begin good governance assessment in Osun

    AHEAD of September 22 governorship election in Osun State, three civil society groups have embarked on a public assessment project in Osun State. The project targets about 30,000 respondents on governance in the state for the past eight years.

    The groups said it was aimed at establishing deep public perception of the socio-political developments in the state for the past eight years.

    The project is being undertaken by three rights groups, the Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection, (CSC-MAP), the Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC), and the Green Peoples Environmental Rights Groups (GREPNET), a member of the International Alliance on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forest (IAITPTF), based in Thailand.

    In a release, which was signed by Comrade Oluwole Suleiman, Uche Obiora and Oladimeji Fatunla, the group stated that 10,000 questionnaires have been distributed to 500 volunteers picked across the 31 local government areas. Is said there is also an online version expected to reach a total of 20,000 people using Information Technology (IT).

    The project takes a look at cultural, socio-political and economic developments in the state from the perspectives of the people.

    The statement said: “We are adopting best practices in measuring good governance in Nigeria. Osun has been picked as a pilot project in Nigeria. We want the people to assess the government in the past eight years in a reflective and comparative sense. Every social strata in Osun will participate in the questionnaire including civil servants, students, peasants and the general public.”

    The groups stated that 10,000 questionnaires will be administered while the same assessment is being conducted online and that it is targeting a minimum of 20,000 people.

    The statement said the coalition is organizing training for some of the key leaders of the survey in the three senatorial districts of the state. The trainees will be responsible for administering the questionnaire to locals.

  • Police arraign man for maltreating wife

    The Police in Osun on Thursday, arraigned one Micheal Adesina,40, before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for allegedly maltreating his wife.

    Adesina, who resides at Akui area of Ile-Ife, Osun, was arraigned on two-count charge of maltreatment and Failure to supply necessaries.

    The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Monday around 11 a.m. at Akui area of Ile-Ife.

    Osanyintuyi said the accused beat up his wife and has failed to provide for their two children.

    According to him, the offence contravened section 339 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2003.

    NAN reports that under Section 339, any person who, being charged with the duty of providing for another the necessaries of life, without lawful excuse fails to do so, whereby the life of that other person is or is likely to he endangered, or his health is or is likely to be permanently injured, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.

    The accused, who was not legally represented, however, pleaded not guilty to two-count charge of Failure to supply necessaries and maltreatment.

    Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode, nebore granting the accused bail, counseled him on the need to be a man and provide adequate care to his wife and children.

    Ijiyode, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like amount.

    He ordered that the surety must swear to an affidavit of means, reside within the court jurisdiction and the
    address must be verified by the prosecutor.

    Ijiyode who also ordered that the surety must not below Grade Level 06, must provide two recent passport photographs.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until June 25, for mention.

  • Men in court over theft of Fish worth N4.3m

    The Police in Osun on Thursday arraigned three men in an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of cat fish worth N4.3 million.

    The defendants are Ojo Michael, 33, Ojo Dayo, 23, and Matthew Emmanuel, 22 ,whose addresses was unknown.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Olaiwola Rasaki, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Jan. 14, at Power line Area, Osogbo.

    He said the trio conspired and entered a fish pond belonging to one Owolabi Tajudeen and stole cat fish worth N4, 281,200.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 516 and punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code cap 34 vol.11 laws of Osun, 2003.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to a two- count charge bothering on conspiracy and theft.

    Read Also: Man arraigned for alleged fraud in Ondo

    The Defence Counsel, Mr Oyegbemi Adediran, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Aishat Ajanaku, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000 and two sureties each in the like sum.

    Ajanaku said the sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction, produce evidence of tax payments and three passports sized photographs, attached with an affidavit of means.

    The case was adjourned until July 12 for hearing.

  • Osun 2018: APC promises transparent primary

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Osun has promised to ensure credible and transparent primary among its 27 aspirants ahead of the Sept. 22 gubernatorial election in the state.

    Mr Gboyega Famodun, the state Chairman of the party, said this on Wednesday at its secretariat in Osogbo when one of the aspirants, Mr Peter Babalola, declared his intention to contest.

    Famodun, who noted that there was agitation for zoning of the party’s ticket to the West Senatorial District of the state, said the party would be guided by its constitution.

    “Although, l have respect for people of the West, but I stand with the party’s constitution.

    “Since we are going to the primary, whatever the wishes of delegates, I will abide, but I will ensure open and transparent primary,” he said.

    In his remarks, Babalola said that the party should allow the West Senatorial District of the state to produce the next governor.

    He said since the Central District had governed the state for more than 11 years and East District for close to eight years, the West District should also be given the slot.

    Read Also: Agency completes 368 micro-projects in Osun

    Babalola, who is from the West District, however, said that even if the party does  not give him the ticket, someone from the district should be considered.

    He said that all the aspirants from the West District had signed an agreement not to leave the party irrespective of anyone picked from the district.

    Babalola also canvassed that any aspirant to be picked should be  a Christian, adding that Muslims had  ruled the state for years.

    The aspirant, who is the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, said he was vying for the governorship election to consolidate on  Gov. Rauf Aregbesola’s legacies.

    ” I have the experience and I am competent to govern the state,’’ Babalola said.

    The News men reports that there had been agitation by APC members for the zoning of the party’s ticket to the West District of the state.

    NAN

  • ‘I’m in governorship race to make Osun retain its pride’

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, has said he is in the race to succeed Governor Rauf Aregbesola and make the state retain its position as the pride of the nation.

    Oyetola, who noted that the foundation for good governance had been laid by the Aregbesola administration, said a visionary government that could consolidate on the current gains is required to advance the course of public good.

    Addressing reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, ahead of his campaign take-off today at the APC state secretariat on Gbongan Road, the Chief of Staff to the Governor described himself as the most competent aspirant for the job because of his vast experience and exposure in private and public service.

    According to him, whoever wants to succeed Aregbesola must not only have the capacity and competence but must also have integrity, passion, vision and a sense of mission.

  • Osun’ll prosper when I become governor – Ogunbiyi

    A governorship aspirant in Osun State, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, says economic prosperity will be the lot of the people if he is given the opportunity to rule.

    Ogunbiyi, who is a former managing director of Mutual Benefit Assurance, wants to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Addressing supporters when he visited to the party’s secretariat in Osogbo to declare his intention to contest, Ogunbiyi said leadership is about service.

    He urged his fellow aspirants to allow the corporate interest of PDP predominate over personal ambition, adding that if he wins the ticket he would return Osun State to the path of economic prosperity without plunging the state into unnecessary debts.

    He donated a 60-seater bus to the state party secretariat and also announced the donation of 46 brand new vehicles to the party.

    Besides, he awarded scholarship to the son of former image maker of the PDP, Iyabo Olusola, who died recently following a protracted illness.

    Responding, the PDP chairman, Soji Adagunodo, noted that Ogunbiyi had been a consistent financier of the party.

    He recalled that he was deeply involved in the reconciliation process that saved the PDP from being torn into shreds during the intra party crises which lasted for two years.

  • Osun celebrates Children’s day with pomp

    No fewer than 1,700  school pupils in Osun State on Saturday joined their mates nationwide to commemorate this year edition of Children’s Day. Amidst colorful calisthenics on display by the pupils of both public and private schools participating at the Osogbo City stadium, the state governor,  Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, addressed the children, assuring them that the state government would continue to give priority to education in the state.

    In attendance at the event were the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and cabinet members of the Osun State government, including the state deputy governor, Chief Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, the Chief of Staff to the governor,  Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and the Head of Service, Oyebade Olowogboyega, among other dignitaries. Aregbesola, who described children as the leaders of tomorrow, said his government had provided an enabling environment for children to excel in their academic pursuit.

    According  to the governor, his administration had built world class  schools with adequate infrastructure and school feeding programme to motivate learning. He said his administration was determined to lay a solid foundation for education of children.

  • FEC okays N5.19b for Osun, Ekiti roads

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N5.19 billion for rehabilitation of roads in Osun and Ekiti States.

    Minister of Information Lai Mohammed spoke to reporters after the FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa.

    He was with Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Danbazau, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma and Minister of Health Isaac Adewole.

    The 34 kilometre road project is from Ila Orangun –Oke Ilale -Ikon road in Osun up to Ekiti State. It is due for completion in 15 months.

    Mohammed said Minister of Mines and Steel development Dr. Kayode Fayemi is in a position to speak on when he would resign after picking the ticket as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governship candidate in Ekiti State.

    ”I think I read it just like you that he will resign this week. If he did say so, today is just Wednesday I think we still have the rest of the week to see if he will resign. But I think really he is the best person that can speak on it.”

    Amaechi said the  FEC approved the purchase of equipment for cargo clearance at port (64 ton capacity mobile crane) at the cost of 3.5 million Euros while the naira component is N203 million and N69 million for training, all totalling N1.6 billion.

    He also announced the approval of N280 million for international advisers for railways projects in the country including Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Abuja to Itakpe, Kano to Maradu and the seaport in Bonny.

    ”These international advisers will guide us on the financial model when we sit down to negotiate with the companies or contractors.” he said

    Udo Udoma said that President Muhammadu Buhari had not received the 2018 Budget bill as passed by the National Assembly last week.

    According to him, the Executive arm of government is ready to work very fast on it as soon as it is received.

    He said that he presented the recently released figures by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to FEC.

    Stressing that FEC was encouraged by the results, he said that Nigeria is on track towards achieving it’s target of 3.5% GDP growth rate for this year.

    Adewole said the FEC ratified the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.

    Noting that Nigeria is a party to the WHO framework convention on tobacco control, he said that Nigeria signed the protocol in 2004 and which became operational in 2005.

    By 2nd July, 2018, he said that it is expected that 40 countries would have ratified.

    Danbazzau said FEC approved a memo for the consultancy service for the construction of Technology Building to be managed by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

    He said: “That Technology Building is meant to accommodate data communication command and control centre.”

    He said that the project, which is for security reasons and to control issuance of passport and visas, will cost N582 million and would be completed in 23 months.

  • Osun releases its labour force figure

    •State among those with lower unemployment rate

    The Osun State Office of Statistician-General has released the population figure of labour force engaged by the state government.

    A statement by the state’s Statistician-General, Prof. Wasiu Alagbe Gbolagade, said the figure, as at 2017, was 2,365, 622.

    Out of the figure, Gbolagade said 1,918,274 persons had full-time jobs.

    He said the state’s total unemployed and underemployed persons was 449,307.

    The Statistician-General added that percentage rate of unemployed and underemployed was 19 per cent, adding that the percentage for unemployment rate was 5.3 per cent and the percentage for under employment was 19.0.

    The statement said: “The above analysis actually shows that Osun is one of the fewer states in the country with fewer unemployed persons in 2017.

    “Osun State is also in the second position with the least Unemployment Rate of 5.3. Osun State was also ranked third for underemployment with 13.7 per cent.

    “The above facts could be verified from Job Creation Survey Labour Force Statistics for 2017. Between 2011 and 2017, 40,000 qualified youths were employed and empowered under the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES). According to the State of Osun Statistical database, 8,000 (persons) were employed and empowered under the O-YES Cadet as teachers in primary and secondary schools.

    “While 1,600 youths were trained on Modern Agricultural Practices through O-REAP; 40 youths were empowered in Acquisition of Advanced Farming Skills in Germany. Five Thousand (5,000) youths were empowered on Acquisition of ICT skills at RLG, Ilesa. Thirty-one (31) youths were empowered under the Train the Trainer Project at Lucasnulle in Germany, in Mechatronics.”