The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • ‘Osun has surpassed others in promoting education’

    The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)ý, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, has hailed the Osun State government for its promptness and faithfulness in the partnership between the commission and the state.

    He said Osun remained one of the few states where quality education had been institutionalised.

    Bobboyi spoke when he led his entourage on a visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo.

    He described Osun as a searchlight in moving, promoting, resuscitating and revamping the education sector.

    The executive secretary said the state, under the leadership of Governor Aregbesola, had made the commission proud in the achievement of its goals to revamp the education sector.

    He said his administration was committed to the provision and promotion of quality education.

    Aregbesola said his administration’s goal was to develop the state.

    He said his government was determined to turn Osun to a citadel of knowledge.

     

  • Osun wins Fed Govt’s $1.5m contract

    Osun State government has won $1.5 million contract from the Federal Government to produce cables and assemble decoders for digitalisation of television.

    Finance Commissioner Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, who spoke at the training of the second batch of 5,000 youths on ICT, organised by RLG-Adulawo Company Ltd in Ilesa, said the Federal Government had announced September as the deadline for the digitalisation of television.

    He said the government won the contract when representatives of the Federal Government came to RLG-Adulawo Company, established by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration, to assemble electronic devises, and saw its capacity and competence to produce cables and assemble decoders.

    Oyebamiji said the government would spend N100 million in training youths in ICT despite paucity of fund.

    He advised the beneficiaries to make the best of the training.

    The commissioner said N320 million was spent on training youths in the first batch of the programme, adding that the training cost was higher than that of the second batch because the beneficiaries were sent to Ghana for internship after their classroom training and because RLG-Adulawo Company had not been established at that time.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Osun, Kogi, Ekiti most peaceful states, says report

    Osun State is the most peaceful in the country, according to a report on Nigeria Peace Index (NPI).

    It is closely followed by Kogi and Ekiti States, according to the report.

    According to NPI, Kwara and Imo ranked as fourth and fifth respectively in the rating.

    The inaugural peace index report put together by the Foundation for Peace Professionals, a research organisation that advocates for peace, adopted similar methodology of the Global Peace Index.

    It also followed the pattern of the United States Peace Index and the United Kingdom Peace index in series of national indexes.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the report in Abuja, the Executive Director of FPP, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, explained in attempting to rate the level of peace in Nigeria, NPI investigated the extent to which states experience social, economic, political and environmental factors that either hinder or promote peace.

    He said: “We collected data for 2010 to 2016, an average of which gives us the result of Nigeria peace Index 2017.

    “Five broad indicators were adopted for this index and they include the level of poverty crime rate, level of education, rate of human rights abuse and level of Incarceration.

    “Key findings of the NPI showed that Osun State is the most peaceful state in Nigeria and it has greater tendency for peace based on its overall performance in the five broad indicators. While Osun didn’t come top in any of the five indicators, its overall score is the least violent.

    “Osun, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara and Imo States are five most peaceful states in Nigeria.

    “Kogi is second most peaceful state in Nigeria and most peaceful in the North. Imo is the most peaceful state in South-East and fifth most peaceful in Nigeria.

    “Akwa Ibom is most peaceful state in South-South, Kaduna in North-West, Kogi in North Central, Osun in South-West, Imo in South-East and Taraba State in North-East.”

    The report stated that Yobe Kebbi, Bauchi, Zamfara and Sokoto were five least peaceful states in Nigeria, adding this was apart from Borno that was not considered due to insufficient data and the Boko Haram red light.

    The report therefore assumed that Borno was overall least peaceful.

    It said Lagos had least poverty in Nigeria while Zamfara had least crime and Imo the most education.

    The NPI noted that Ekiti had least incarceration and Taraba had least human rights abuses, adding that the North-West with least education and most poverty in Nigeria was one of the two least peaceful regions in the country despite being most performing in the other three indicators.

  • Osun presents 2015, 2016 audited accounts

    Osun State has presented its 2015 and 2016 audited accounts.

    This is in a bid to achieve transparency and accountability in the management of finances.

    The presentation made Osun a pacesetter among the six participating states in the State and Local Governance Reform (SLOGOR) Project.

    Others are Anambra, Cross River, Jigawa, Kano and Yobe.

    Participants at the forum described the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration as accountable, transparent and open, particularly in the management of public treasury.

    The programme, organised by Office of the Auditor-General in Osun State, in collaboration with SLOGOR Project (EU/World Bank Assisted), was held at Aurora Event Centre, Osogbo.

    The Auditor-General, Mr. Folorunso Adesina, put the revenue for 2015 at N85.9 billion, while recurrent expenditure was N66.9 billion. Capital expenditure was put at N17.9 billion.

    He said revenue for 2016 was N91.5 billion, adding that recurrent expenditure for the same year was N61.1 billion and capital expenditure N28.3 billion.

    Adesina said the audit was conducted in accordance with international standard, as applicable to the public sector and provisions of Section 125 (5) of the Constitution.

    He said in compliance with Section 125 (2) of the Constitution as amended, “I have examined the accounts and financial statements of the Osun State for the year ending December 31, 2015.

    “In my opinion, projects and programmes executed were satisfactory in consideration of fund employed. The financial statements and related schedules gave a true and fair view of Osun State as at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016.”

    The state Coordinator, SLOGOR, Mr. Yemi Ijidele, hailed the Aregbesola government for its accountability, prudent management of resources and for following financial best practices.

    The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Mr. Olalekan Afolabi, hailed the government for prioritising transparency, accountability, probity and openness.

    The Head of Service, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, said the government had demonstrated sincerity of purpose in the management of public funds.

     

    State releases IGR for eight years

    •Rumour of fictitious figures dismissed

     

     

    Osun State, through the Office of the Statistician-General, has released the figure of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for eight years, from 2010 to 2017.

    In a statement yesterday, the Statistician-General, Prof. Wasiu Gbolagade, dismissed the rumour that Osun was fictitiously giving incorrect figures as a window dressing.

    He said in 2010, the IGR stood at N3,376,735,645.43k, rose to N7,398,572,036.48k in 2011 and was N5,020,250,633.94k in 2012.

    Gbolagade said the IGR in 2013 was N7,284,225,003.77k, became N8,513,274,186.67k in 2014, while it was N8,072,966,446.00k in 2015, N8,884,756,040.35k in 2016 and N11,731,026,444.38k in 2017.

    He said: “The IGR increased from N3.38 billion in 2010 to N8.51 billion in 2014. It increased from N8.88 billion in 2016 to N11.73 billion in 2017, representing percentage increase of 32.4. This corroborates the claim of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    “The types of IGR the state depends mostly on are PAYE, MDAs revenue, direct assessment, road taxes and other taxes. Of the above, PAYE generated the highest revenue for the state.

    “Whoever that doesn’t believe can approach the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), State Bureau of Statistics (SBS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and World Bank for records and verification because the investment of the state in infrastructure, serene and secure environment, friendly government private sector interaction and fairly acceptable taxes triggered in no small quota the figures seen. By our projection, the state will hit the target soon.

    “It is worthy to note for public consumption and enlightenment that N6.496 billion quoted from NBS table is meant for nine months, not 12 months in 2017. This growth rate excludes Osun, which is just nine months. The NBS did not capture Q4, which were the last three months from October to December, 2017, standing at N6.496 billion of the 2017 total figure.”

     

  • Osun gives free train ride at Easter

    Osun State government is organising free train service for people intending to travel during the Easter holiday.

    This is the 34th edition of the free train service from Lagos to Osogbo, organised by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration.

    It started in 2011.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Industries, Commerce and Cooperatives,  Ismail Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada, said: “The government is happy to have come this far in the provision of the service that makes life more comfortable for the citizens of Osun and other states.

    “We are happy as we again organise the free train service for our people to celebrate Easter.

    “The free train will move from Iddo Train Terminus in Lagos at 10am on Friday and arrive Osogbo at 6pm the same day.

    “It will take off from Nelson Mandela Freedom Park Train Station in Osogbo at 10am on Monday, April 2 and arrive Lagos Iddo Terminus at 6pm.

    “Passengers along the Lagos-Ogun-Oyo to Osun routes will have the opportunity to join the train at designated train stations.”

  • FRSC to prosecute drivers without valid licence in Osun

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Osun Command, says it will start prosecuting drivers without valid driver’s licence and  expired licence on April 1.

    Mr Anthony Oko, the Sector Commander, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting on Tuesday in Osogbo.

    Oko said the command had created enough awareness on the need for drivers to procure genuine driver’s licence and not to drive without a valid licence.

    “Any driver caught driving without a licence is regarded as a monster and a killer.

    “A driver without a licence is even endangering the lives of people when they drive a vehicle, because to be a driver, you have to go to a driving school, where you are trained and issued a certificate.

    “Any driver that is driving without a licence and gets involved in an accident would be treated as a murderer,” he said

    The sector commander also stressed the importance of going to a certified driving school for a driver’s licence and a refresher course for old drivers.

    He cautioned drivers against obtaining fake driver’s licence, adding that fake driver’s licence was difficult to differentiate from the original.

    He said that any driver’s licence obtained without the applicant physically going to FRSC for capturing and Bio-metrics was fake.

    Oko advised drivers to visit FRSC website on www.frsc.gov.ng to verify the authenticity of their drivers licence or send a text “NDLEA status” space driver’s licence number to 33811.

    NAN

  • NASU strike: Osun varsity to implement ‘no-work-no-pay policy’

    The Governing Council of  the University of  Osun  says it will implement  the ` no-work-no-pay’’  policy against striking members of its  Non Academic Staff Union ( NASU )  if  they failed to resume work  on  April 10.

    Mr Gafar Shittu, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council said this in Osogbo on Tuesday in a statement. Shittu said that any non-academic staff who fails to return to work on or before April 10 would no longer be paid.

    The News men  recalls that the non-teaching staff  under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee ( JAC )  had on March 5 embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of earned allowances among other demands.

    The registrar  said that  a  register of  attendance would be opened in every college and department for non-teaching staff members who are willing to resume work immediately.

    Shittu, however, said that the council had agreed during its emergency meeting on Monday that the N300 million balance of the 2014/2015 Earned Allowance would be paid in instalments at N10 million per month beginning from April 30.

    Read Also: FG to source N8bn to settle SSANU, NASU, NAAT

    ‘‘It is apposite to state at this juncture that the University has been unable to pay the Earned Allowance because of the shortfall in its finances.

    ‘‘Nevertheless, of the total sum of N524 million being the cost of the accrued allowances for the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, N224 million has since been paid while the university is not owing any arrears of salary till date.

    ‘‘It is on this note that the management reiterates its long-standing appeal to the striking non-teaching staff to return to work and join once again in the arduous task of the growth and development of the university,’’ he said.

    In a telephone interview with the News men, the university’s NASU Chairman, Mr Isaiah Fayemi, said the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ) of the institution would meet later in the day to decide the next line of action.

    “We are presently in the state House of Assembly premises but once we are through, JAC will meet to take a position on the issue,” Fayemi said.

    NAN

  • Osun assembly wants residents to comply with land use charge law

    The Osun House of Assembly has called on  residents of the state to comply with the land use charge law in the state. Mr Nurayn Adebisi, the House Committee Chairman on Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, made the call on Tuesday in Osogbo at  a meeting with consultants engaged for the operation of the land use charge and officials of the  Ministry of Finance.

    Adebisi said that the revenue generated from land use charge between 2015 when the bill was passed into law and 2017 was not commensurate with the expected revenue.

    He said that more needed to be done to generate more revenue from the land use charge to enable government to perform its responsibilities.

    The lawmaker called on officials of the Ministry of Finance and the consultants to collaborate with the Osun Internal Revenue Service to  harmonise   revenue collection from the land use charge.

    Read Also: Osun poll: Towards a worthy successor

    Adebisi also said that there was need to review the operations of the land use consultants with a view  to adhering strictly with the public procurement law.

    He said there was also need for public enlightenment on the importance of the land use charge

    In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Adebimpe Ogunlumade, said that the ministry would ensure that the revenue generated from  land use charge was deployed  in line with the enabling law.

    NAN

  • Osun Federal Housing project 70 percent completed

    The Federal Government National Housing Programme situated in Abere, Osun State has reached 70 per cent completion, Deputy Director, Architecture, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (FMPWH), Mrs. Lola Onwubalili has said.

    She disclosed this during an inspection visit to the project site at the weekend in Oshogbo.

    The Ministry official said the project has immensely benefitted the public including artisans, bricklayers, contractors, food vendors and ultimately meant to help address the housing deficit in the country.

    She said 16 units have been practically completed while the infrastructure such as water, power and road is 90 per cent ready.

    Onwubalili, who is the project Team Leader in the state, revealed that the housing project consisted 68 units of flats with two blocks of two-bedroom and two blocks of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows including a condominium.

    The condominium block which is still under construction has 24 housing units in all, consisting four units of one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom.

    According to her, 12 contractors were involved in the project, adding that they locally sourced their building materials and engaged about 360 direct employees aside from other indirect jobs.

    “Osun State project is one of the five on-going sites in the south-west and we are proud to say it is the best in terms of progress of work.

    “The programme has provided jobs not only for contractors and building professionals but scores of skilled artisans and hundreds of unskilled labourers,”  she said.

    In his remarks, FMPWH Federal Controller, Mr. Kolawole Kukoyi, said the National Housing Programme (NHP) situated in Ede North Local Government is an opportunity to provide affordable housing for the people.

    Though, he explained that the Federal Government was yet to develop the modalities for allocation but gave assurance over the masses interest.

    Mrs. Adewuyi Modinat, sand supplier and Mrs. Titilayo Ayanlola, food vendor lauded government for creating jobs through the initiative and further called for quick commencement of the phase two of the project.

    Meanwhile, in Kwara State, Team Leader, Kunle Shonibare said the state NHP has 38 blocks consisting 76 units of flats executed by 19 contractors.

    He explained that the project which has reached 60 per percent completion will be completed before December,  2018.

    The Kwara State Association of Suppliers said 34 of their members benefitted from the scheme by supplying all materials needed for the project.

    The Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Engr. Abdulganiyu Mustapha pledged to provide additional land for second phase of the project.

    He lauded the federal government for the initiative stressing that it should be replicated in other constituencies in the state.

    He emphasised need for synergy to understand peculiarity of the state in delivering impactful project.

    The programme kicked off in 33 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory between January and February, 2017 with the aim of delivering over 2700 housing units, engaging 653 contractors and providing jobs for over 54, 000 people.

  • DFID: Osun on right path to growth, development

    •Aregbesola hailed for determination 

    The Department for International Development (DFID) has lauded the giant strides and determination of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in generating a robust development plan for the state.

    Also, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development Dr Olalekan Yinusa said the workshops for Sector Plan Development teams, approved by the state government, were yielding good results.

    He said the state was putting in place a robust development plan for the state in all sectors.

    The DFID, through its Southwest Reform Facilitator, Miss Rachel Illah, made the commendation at a three-day Envisioning/Capacity Building workshop for Sector Plan Development teams on Medium Term Sector Strategy (2019-2021) organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development.

    It noted that Osun State was on the right path to development.

    Miss Illah said the governor’s passion, coupled with the machinery his administration set in motion for development, was encouraging and in line with the guidelines and regulations of the DFID.

    The DFID facilitator said the desire for growth and development by the state government, was worthy of emulation by other states in Nigeria.

    She noted that the most important ingredient of growth is the desire the state government had demonstrated.

    Miss Illah said the capacity building workshop was the right way to craft a development plan for any state, adding that no meaningful development can take place without a visible blueprint.

    She added: “I am amazed and impressed at what is going on in Osun. It is only very few states that do what Osun is doing. This is the best way to go, if you want to achieve a real and meaningful development plan or blueprint.”

    “This capacity-building workshop for sector plan development teams is a pointer to the fact that the state really knows what it wants to achieve in terms of growth and development.

    “I can see and feel the desire for growth and development by the people and government of this state. I can see through this workshop that the governor has been able to carry all stakeholders along.

    “I am happy to know that everyone is on the same page in Osun. This is what my organisation clamours for: that everyone, including the government, shares the same passion for development.”

     

    “This shows something significant. It shows the government in this state knows that it is not all about politicians. I am aware that this workshop is all-encompassing. I can see public servants, civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), market women.

    “I have also seen members of political parties different from the ruling party in the state. It shows that government knows that the particular needs of the people should be the priority and not what government wants.

    “A budget for development should be directed at the particular needs of the masses for it to be meaningful.

    “The happiness of the people should be paramount to the government in planning for development and the Osun State government has taken this as priority, or else this workshop will not be happening in the first place.”