The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • ‘Osun soon to become world-class tourism destination’

    ‘Osun soon to become world-class tourism destination’

    The State of Osun, in its bid to becoming a world-class tourist destination, is committed to its cultural pact with Oyotunji African Village in Sheldon, South Carolina, United States.

    Ambassador to the Crown and Kingdom of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina Rotimi Vaughan said Osun State would soon become a global tourism destination.

    Vaughan noted that the state is determined to reposition tourism by partnering his organisation.

    The ambassador spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, during accreditation of the government’s delegates to the Oyotunji National Celebrations of Arts, Culture and Heritage Tourism in U.S.

    He said, after receiving the government’s letter confirming its partnership and participation, Osun State was blessed with attractive tourist sites, such as natural locations, historical objects, modern constructed international standard facilities with unique local blend.

    Vaughan noted that the participation would create more awareness and market about the state’s tourism assets to the world.

    He said: “Osun is favourably blessed in terms of huge culture and tourism deposits that can attract both local and foreign tourists. There are mountains, ranches, world-class museums, arts galleries, waterfalls and other eco-tourism centres. I must commend the present administration for creating an enabling environment for tourism business to grow in the state.”

    According to him, a large number of Nigerians, Africans and non-Africans are expected to participate in this year’s celebration.

    Vaughan hailed the government for showing interest in the programme, adding that there is need for the government and Yoruba monarchs to make Oyotunji Village a better cultural home for African-Americans in North America and beyond.

    He said: “It may interest you to know that so many African-Americans do come to Oyotunji to learn Yoruba culture, the deities, Yoruba tradition and language. As a matter of fact, African-Americans want their culture back. Therefore, the support of our obas and other Yoruba stakeholders are required.

    “Their developmental support for Oyotunji Village shall be seen as the support for the Yoruba race in North America.”

    The ambassador hailed the works of Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II for promoting African culture in the U.S.A, North America and other parts of the world.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Taiwo Oluga, said the Rauf Aregbesola administration was committed to making the state a tourism hub of international standard.

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola is to be represented at the Oyotunji festivals by his Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Taiwo Oluga, who will lead the state’s delegates.

     

  • Agro-entrepreneur urges FG to ban importation of starch

    Agro-entrepreneur urges FG to ban importation of starch

    An agro-entrepreneur, Mr Goke Adeyemi, on Monday urged the Federal Government ( FG )to ban the importation of starch as way encouraging  starch production from cassava in the country.

    Adeyemi, who is the Chairman of the Harvest Feed and Agro Processing Limited ( HFAP ), made the call in an interview in Abuja.

    He underscored the need for the government to protect local starch producing industries from unfair competition from foreign products, saying some companies were importing starch to the detriment of the local industries.

    “Nigeria is the leading cassava producer in the world, producing a third more than Brazil and almost doubling the production capacity of Thailand and Indonesia, which is opportunity for us to stop corn starch importation.

    “We have enough raw materials to produce edible cassava starch for local use and exportation to earn foreign exchange but government needs to help local producers.

    “Cassava has the potential to industrialise Nigeria more than any other product; if the potential is properly harnessed, it is a key instrument for job creation and catalyst for development,’’ he said.

    The agro-entrepreneur commended FADAMA III Additional Financing (AF) Programme for its intervention in the country’s agricultural sector and described its partnership with his company as “wonderful”.

    “We are into processing cassava into edible starch; we have a wonderful relationship with Osun State FADAMA, which involves the cultivation a 300-hectare cassava farm.

    “The FADAMA in Osun State is very organised; they are on top of their game and they supervise their farmers properly. They have also facilitated the interface between the off-takers and farmers very well, we have a seamless relationship,’’ he said.

    Adeyemi, however, urged the National Office of FADAMA to increase the size of the farmers’ farmlands because the farms were too small to meet the off-takers’ demand.

    “FADAMA should strive to develop commercial farmers; particularly those farmers who can cultivate 10 to 50 hectares of farmlands.

    “The arrangement will be beneficial to industrial users like us in HFAP, rather than smallholder farmers that are cultivating less than five hectares.

    “All the same, cassava farmers that are cultivating less than five hectares are also good for food market but FADAMA needs to  do more to help both farmers and off-takers,’’ he said.

    Adeyemi urged the FADAMA programme to encourage smallholder farmers to adopt the use of equipment such as tractors, harvesters, planters and ploughs, among others, in place of the traditional farm implements such as hoes and cutlasses.

    “This is the only way to encourage the youth to become interested in agriculture and engage in mechanised farming.

    “We can go into partnership with the FADAMA programme in the area of agricultural equipment but this should not a short-term relationship, it must be a long-time relationship like five years, such that we can recoup our investments.

    “We started our engagement with FADAMA sometime in July by off-taking cassava from their farmers, and we are able to solve transportation problem by off-taking directly from their farm, instead of waiting for them to bring their produce to us,’’ he said.

    Adeyemi identified the challenges they encountered awhile ago to include the price issue, saying that the price of cassava had started to drop, regardless of the agreed price.

    “Even though we agreed on a certain amount, the price we agreed to pay was too high, compared to the current market price.

    “We had to do some negotiations again; we reached an agreement and started doing our business together,’’ he explained.

    He, however, said that that HFAP had its own cassava farms in Ogun State, adding that his company, nonetheless, patronised FADAMA farmers, while off-taking cassava from other farmers.

    “We provided inputs to the farmers and they do the farming and after a year, we buy from them and deduct whatever we had spent on them. However, my challenge is that our farmers still need more education because there is a lot of side-selling taking place.

    “I am planning of engaging in in-grower schemes aside from out-growers schemes, which I am doing presently. In this case, I will own the land and will ask farmers to come and cultivate it.

    “We will also sign an agreement with the farmers, it will be better for me to control the processes; I will like to work with FADAMA and any other programme or organisation to develop the model.

    NAN

  • Osun, World Bank empower 1,131 youths

    Osun, World Bank empower 1,131 youths

    The Osun State government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has empowered 1,131 less-privileged youths.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on International Relations, Dr. Michael Odugbile, who spoke at an orientation and training programme for beneficiaries at Ede, noted that the World Bank supported the initiative under the state’s Youth Employment and Social Support Operation.

    According to him, the programme is one of the bank’s projects for supporting Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s agenda to banish unemployment and poverty.

    He said: “YESSO programme is supporting the poorest of the poor unemployed youths between ages 18 and 35 years, especially those who do not have more than the Junior Secondary School Certificate (JSSC).”

    Also, Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement Mrs. Foluke Adegboyega said the YESSO is the  offshoot of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme  (O’YES).

    She said the programme was designed to rescue the underprivileged.

    The commissioner said beneficiaries, with lower certificates or none, were those who demonstrated outstanding character.

    Mrs Adegboyega said the 1,131 were selected by their communities.

    She said: “The beneficiaries will be entitled to a stipend of N7,500 per month and this will be based on their participation in activities of the programme.”

    The commissioner added that the deployment of YESSO beneficiaries will be based on needs of communities.

  • NDLEA destroys 60.5 hectares of cannabis farm in Osun

    NDLEA destroys 60.5 hectares of cannabis farm in Osun

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Osun command, on Saturday disclosed that it destroyed a 60.8 hectares of India hemp (Cannabis Sativa) farm at Ikeji Arakeji, in the state.

    Mr Samuel Egbeola, the state commandant of the NDLEA disclosed this during an interview with journalists at the agency’s office in Osogbo.

    According to Egbeola, the hemp farm was discovered and destroyed on Thursday, following a tip-off from an informant.

    He said the agency also seized 10 bags of already harvested cannabis which weighed 107.4kilograms.

    He said two suspects found on the farm during the operation were equally arrested and that the arrested suspects were helping the agency in their investigation.

    The NDLEA boss assured the people of the state that the agency would always stick to its responsibilities of ensuring a drug free state.

    “We are appealing to the people of the state to always relate information on illicit drug operations, especially cannabis farms to the NDLEA.

    “Our office is always open, so people with useful information are always welcome to come in at anytime so we can all work together in ensuring a drug free state.

    “It is our mandate to rid the state of illicit drugs and this could only be made possible with the support and cooperation of the people.” he said

    He said he was grateful  for the support the office has been receiving from the public and urged for more cooperation.

    The command had on Wednesday, announced that it destroyed a 16.8-hectare, Indian hemp (Cannabis Sativa) farm located in Ikoyi, Osun, on Sept.26.

    NAN

  • Ekiti, Osun governorship polls hold July 14, Sept 22

    Ekiti, Osun governorship polls hold July 14, Sept 22

    Governorship polls will hold in Ekiti State on July 14 next year and on September 22 in Osun state.

    The Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) announced the dates yesterday as it rolled out the programe of activities on the elections.

    The tenure of Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose will end on October 15, 208 and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola will vacate office after two terms November 28, 2018.

    According to the timetable released by the electoral body, a run off election, if necessary, will take place within seven days after the announcement of results in line with relevant laws.

    The timetable, signed by the Commission’s secretary, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, indicated that INEC will  issue notice for the Ekiti election on April 4, 2018, which is not later that 90 days before the election. Political campaigns will commence on April 15 while collection of forms by political parties for issuance to candidates will come a day after.

    Political primaries and resolution of disputes arising from such is slated for 15April-14 May, 2018.

    Notice of election in Osun State will be released on June 23 while campaign for the electionwill start on June 25.

    Collection of forms for the Osun election has been fixed for June 25, while primaries and resolution arising from disputes must be conducted between June 24- July 23.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee Prince Solomon Soyebi  said INEC was guided by the  provisions of section 178(1)and (2) of the 1999 constitution as amended, and section 25(7) and (8) of the electoral Act,2010 in arriving at the dates.n

    He also  restated that the Commission’s  earlier warning to intending aspirants and their parties that the release of dates for elections did not amount to notice for campaigns for votes. He warned that parties which infringe  on provisions of the Electoral Act as amended  would be sanctioned.

    “Anybody who deviates from the Electoral guidelines by engaging in public campaign ahead  of the date for commencement of campaign is committing electoral offence and will be prosecuted.

    “All political parties and their candidates are hereby enjoined  to cooperate with us,” Soyebi said.

  • NDLEA destroys 16 hectares of hemp farm in Osun

    NDLEA destroys 16 hectares of hemp farm in Osun

    The Osun State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) on Wednesday announced that 16.8 hectares of Indian hemp ( Cannabis Sativa ) farm located in Ikoyi community in the state had been destroyed.

    The Commandant, Mr Samuel Egbeola, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on the achievements of the agency in Osun.

    He said that the farm was destroyed on Sept. 26.

    The commandant said that the farm was discovered and destroyed by the NDLEA, following a tip-off by an intelligence source.

    He said that during the operation, 25 kilogrammes of already harvested hemp were found on the farm.

    The NDLEA chief said, however, that no arrest was made during the operation because nobody was found on the farm.

    Egbeola re-assured people of the state that the agency would not rest on its oars until those involved in illicit drug operations were apprehended.

    He called on members of the public to cooperate with the agency by always giving useful information that would lead to the arrest of anyone involved in India hemp plantations.

    “We are appealing to the people of the state to always relate information on plantations, especially cannabis plantations to the NDLEA.

    “Our office is always open, so people with useful information are always welcome at anytime so we can all work together in ensuring a drug free state.

    “It is our mandate to rid the state of illicit drugs and this can only be made possible with the support and cooperation of the people.

    “We also use this medium to solicit for the support of the press”, he said.

    NAN

  • Osun APC challenges PDP to public discourse

    Osun APC challenges PDP to public discourse

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a public discourse on the future of the state.

    The APC said it would like the PDP to articulate publicly ‘why it has been so viciously opposed to everything done by the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola-led APC government and why the party wants the projects abandoned or destroyed or both’.

    In a statement by its spokesperson Kunle Oyatomi, APC said: “Besides, the PDP should clearly explain what it plans to replace these projects with and how.”

    The party urged the media to moderate the public discourse, which it said should be based on 14 years of governance in Osun State.

    It expressed surprise that the opposition appeared to have lost its voice since the ruling party challenged it to tell Osun State residents what programmes and projects it intended to substitute with what the APC has been doing in the last seven years.

    According to the APC, the PDP and its associates should not be allowed to misinform the people of Osun with lies and fabricated figures designed to make the governor and his administration look bad and hated by impressionable segment of society.

    It said: “We seek civilised engagement with the PDP and others on the critical issues, which will be moderated by the media, because the best governorship election will be based on issues that require thorough enlightenment of the voting public.

    “In spite of the ICPC’s acquittal of Osun government on the false allegation by the PDP of diversion of the bailout fund for salaries, together with the Debt Management Office’s clean bill on the status of the state’s debt profile, evil people are still demonising Ogbeni Aregbesola on the issues.

    “In the light of this dangerous political incitement of the PDP and the wicked fake news peddling, which other opponents of the APC government have made a habit of spreading, it has become necessary to engage these misdirected politicians and a treacherous ex-Head of Service (HoS) in a public discourse.

    “The people of the State of Osun are being taken for a ride by unscrupulous politicians who are shamelessly given the impression that the people of the state are largely gullible, hence incapable of appreciating things of international standard, developed in their communities.”

  • INEC: EKiti, Osun guber polls timetable out Thursday

    INEC: EKiti, Osun guber polls timetable out Thursday

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would on Thursday release the timetable for Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections coming up in 2018.

    The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.

    Yakubu said that INEC had started preparations for the elections in the two states.

    “The end-of-tenure governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states will be conducted next year.

    “In keeping with the commission’s tradition of giving all stakeholders ample time to prepare, the timetable and schedule of activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections will be released on Thursday,” Yakubu said.

    He added that INEC would on Saturday conduct bye-election in Eti-Osa state constituency in Lagos state.

    “Only yesterday, we received the official declaration of vacancy by the Honourable Speaker House of Representatives for the Kware/Wamakko Federal Constituency in Sokoto state.

    “The timetable and schedule of activities for the election would be released on Tuesday.”

    Yakubu said that as part of the preparation for 2019 general elections, which remained 505 days, the commission would continue to explore ways by which all processes associated with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were improved upon.

    He said that so far 2,786,405 citizens have registered in ongoing CVR exercise of which 1,619,513 representing 58 per cent were males while 1,166,892 (42 per cent) were females.

    “In addition, 108,752 unclaimed permanent voters’ cards were collected.

    “The commission has also recorded 132,431 requests for transfer from original places of registration to new locations.

    “We also received 261,429 requests for replacement of PVCs that were damaged, defaced or wrong entries of personal and other details.”

  • Doctors suspend seven-day warning strike in Osun

    The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) yesterday directed its members in the employ of the state government to resume work after a seven-day warning strike over salary arrears and poor working conditions.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the doctors began the strike on September 18.

    The directive for resumption of work followed a communiqué jointly signed by the NMA Chairman, Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke, and Secretary, Olalekan Ajayi.

    It said the strike was suspended due to the intervention of well-meaning stakeholders, who assured the association that the state government would address their grievances.

    The association said the strike became necessary because of the poor conditions of facilities in state hospitals and poor welfare.

    According to the communiqué, the poor facilities affected the quality of health care services rendered to the residents and had negatively affected the health indices of the state.

    It said: “Osun State had experienced an unprecedented brain drain in the Health sector as a result of the various unimaginable welfare challenges facing doctors in the employment of the state. These had caused an alarming instability in the sector.”

    NAN reports that some of the issues in contention include “inappropriate and demeaning remuneration”, withholding of four to six months doctors emoluments, over-taxation, among others.

     

     

  • Man docked for stealing fowl

    Man docked for stealing fowl

    A 32-year-old man, Gbenga Daramola was on Monday arraigned in an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court in Osun over an alleged theft of a fowl, some baby clothes and other items.

    Daramola is facing a four-count charge bothering on burglary and theft.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Olayiwola Rasaki, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 9 at about 5:30 p.m. at Balogun Biro, Oke Baale area of Osogbo.

    Rasaki alleged that the accused broke into the apartment of one Saka Mojira and stole a fowl, some baby clothes, two crates of Coca Cola and one Huawie mobile phone.

    He said that the stolen items were worth about N40,000.

    The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

    The defence counsel, Mr Okobe Najite, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Fatimoh Sodamade, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum.

    Sodamade said the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of tax payment to the Osun Government.

    She also ruled that the accused should also produce two passport photographs attached to an affidavit of means of livelihood.

    The case was adjourned till Oct. 26 for mention.