The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • I’ll win Osun West by-election, says Adeleke

    I’ll win Osun West by-election, says Adeleke

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Osun West Senatorial District, Ademola Adeleke, has said he will win the by-election on July 8.

    Adeleke spoke yesterday in Abuja when the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, presented him with PDP’s flag at the party’s national secretariat.

    Adeleke is vying for the vacant seat his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, occupied until his death on April 24.

    Describing his chances as very bright, Adeleke said he was not a political neophyte.

    The politician said he cut his political teeth under the tutelage of his late brother.

    According to him, the death of his older brother will be a deciding factor in the election while his PDP candidature has elicited fear in the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Adeleke, who defected from the APC to the PDP during the selection, said he had returned to his political base.

    He said: “I believe victory is ours. We are winning. Nobody can stop us in Osun State. After the July 8 election, we will surely come back to this PDP national secretariat to celebrate our victory.

    “The APC is not a steadfast party. They lie too much. I am not new in Osun politics. I have worked closely with my late brother, who was the grand master of Osun politics. The death of Senator Adeleke will surely play a great part in the election and ensure my victory.”

  • Osun rallies support for Child Rights Act

    Osun rallies support for Child Rights Act

    The Osun government on Wednesday called on parents, volunteers, non-governmental organisations and security agencies to assist  in ensuring successful implementation of  the Child Rights Law.

    The Director of Press and  Public Relations in the State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Dapo Ajayi, made the call in Ede at a training programme organised by National Orientation Agency for community volunteers.

    Ajayi, who said the state domesticated the Child Rights Act and passed it into law, warned that it was now illegal for the rights of children  to be abused.

    “Abusing the rights of children must be stopped forthwith because offenders would be arrested  and prosecuted,’’ he said.

    He called on residents to ensure that children were stopped from hawking goods on the streets during school hours while  their  use as house help at a tender age should be discouraged.

    Ajayi said  government was  committed to the welfare of children, adding that this informed  the provision of state-of-art school buildings and one meal per day for all children in  public elementary schools.

    He  called on parents and guardians as well as community volunteers to pay attention to  children and monitor their activities in order to prevent them from physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

    Ajayi also  called on community  leaders to evolve  communal action that would check  child abuse.

  • Iwo bank robbery: IGP’s team in Osun

    Iwo bank robbery: IGP’s team in Osun

    he special team of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) may have arrived in Osun State to fish out members of the armed gang that attacked three commercial banks and killed four policemen on Tuesday in Iwo.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said some policemen on a special mission from the Force Headquarters in Abuja were in the state.

    Also, police authorities in Osun State yesterday said it had not arrested any suspect in connection with Iwo bank robbery.

    In a phone chat, police spokesman Folasade Odoro said investigation and the search for the bandits had begun.

    But she said besides a member of the gang, who was shot dead by the police during the robbery, three vehicles and some weapons suspected to belong to the hoodlums were recovered from the scene of robbery.

    The state government and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, have commiserated with the police command and families of the slain policemen.

    In a statement by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, the government said: “We empathise with those who were caught and injured in the crossfires. We assure our people that the criminals will not escape justice. Recent history of our state confirms that no criminal violates our peace and goes away with it. We are confident that security men are on the trail of these misguided elements and, in due course, they will be brought to justice.”

    The Oluwo assured residents of the commitment of security agencies to the security of life and property.

    In a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr. Alli Ibraheem, the monarch said there was urgent need to collaborate with government at all levels to secure “our community”.

    He urged the police to establish a networking system with vigilantes to protect the lives and property of the people.

    Oba Akanbi said: “I will work with the state government to review the security details of Iwo land. Recent happenings are disheartening. We will curb the robbery cases. Efforts are in top gear to resist any subsequent attacks.

    “I just procured a surveillance vehicle for civic security guard to complement government’s efforts. My council is ready to do more to secure my people.”

     

  • Aregbesola seeks restructuring of Police Force

    Aregbesola seeks restructuring of Police Force

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, has called for the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) through proper restructuring and reform.

    The governor made the call on Sunday in Osogbo when a Deputy Inspector- General of Police, Mr Foluso Adebanjo paid him a courtesy visit.

    He said decentralisation of the force would ensure effective zonal security management, control and operation.

    Aregbesola said Nigeria had grown beyond centralised policing, saying that devolution of policing powers must be encouraged for greater productivity and discipline.

    “I am a strong advocate of federalisation of Police Force.

    “We need to devolve the control of Police in such a way that the cumbersome responsibility shouldered by the Inspector General of Police would be reduced.

    “Since the first obligation and responsibility of government remains security and maintenance of law and order, therefore, it behoves on any serious government to prioritise and guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizenry.

    “It is a misnomer in a society like Nigeria for Commissioner of Police in a state to be directly answerable to Inspector General of Police in spite of the fact that there is Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police in the zone to which such state emanates.

    “Ideally, CP should be answerable to zonal commander who is AIG, while AIG become responsible to IG.

    “This will sanitise the system and instill the spirit of commitment and dedication into the system.

    “There is need to federate Police Force. Police must restructure its structure in such a way that would enhance effective zonal structure and management.”

    Earlier in his remarks, DIG Adebanjo commended the governor for making Osun one of the states with the lowest crime rate in Nigeria.

    Adebanjo also lauded Osun Government for giving the force necessary support and cooperation in its bid to maintain law and order.

    “Let me add to it, Osun has one of the lowest crime rates in Nigeria. We cherish this feat and we know that the tempo would be sustained.

    “We have been monitoring events in the state even from Abuja and we know that the state has never relented in its efforts of security consciousness.

    “On our part, we shall continue to live up to expectation of Nigerian people in ensuring a safe atmosphere for all to live in.

    ” We will not rest on our oars to ensure that our nation is free from crimes of all nature,” the DIG said.

  • Osun calls for collective effort to protect children

    Osun calls for collective effort to protect children

    The Osun State government has called for a concerted effort to save children from multidimensional challenges facing them.

    The state deputy governor, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, at the celebration of the Children’s Day in Osogbo, said it was necessary to protect the children in the interest of the future of the nation.

    According to her, myriads of challenges facing the children including child abuse, sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation and other vices must be fought at all fronts with sincerity.

    Laoye-Tomori, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Festus Olajide, advised the children to focus on their education and be good ambassadors of the state.

    She also implored parents and guardians to prioritise the education of their children and wards, adding that the Aregbesola administration was committed to building a solid foundation for the children.

    Laoye-Tomori commended the teachers for their dedication despite the harsh economy.

     

  • Osun doctors protest payment of half salary

    Doctors under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Osun State chapter, yesterday protested in Osogbo payment of half salary by the government.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the doctors dressed in laboratory coats and branded shirts. They marched from Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) complex, Osogbo through Olaiya junction to other streets.

    The doctors carried placards and chanted anti-government songs.

    NMA Chairman Dr. Tokunbo Olajumoke told reporters there were no drugs and equipment in government hospitals.

    He said this was contrary to the government’s claim that it had spent N10 billion to improve health facilities.

    Olajumoke said people died following non-availability of drugs and modern equipment.

    He said: “We may consider strike as the last option if this protest fails to achieve result.”

    The chairman said despite that doctors received half salaries, the government deducted full tax from what he described as “amputated salaries”.

    He urged the government to improve facilities and pay full salary.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Rafiu Kusamotu appealed to the doctors to be patient.

    He said although there was need for intervention in the sector, the government needed time for the newly-constituted executive council to settle down to work.

  • Osun introduces calisthenics in public schools

    The government of Osun State has announced that it will institutionalise calisthenics in all public schools as extra-curricular activities as part of the education interventions of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    While addressing journalists at a training workshop for coaches who are teachers in secondary schools in Osogbo, the state capital, Director, Department of Social, Grassroots Mobilisation and Guidance, Office of the Governor, Comrade Bayo Ojo said calisthenics in public schools has assisted in decimating social menace among students.

    The workshop had in attendance, Permanent Sectary, Ministry of Education, Mr Festus Olaide, Permanent Secretary, Local Government Loans Board Dr Oyeboade Olowogboyega and selected coaches from the nine federal constituencies.

    He said calisthenics has instilled discipline among the 22, 000 students drawn from 50 schools in the two local governments, Osogbo and Olorunda that have been participating in the programme since 2012.

    According to him, spreading the benefit of calisthenics on volunteer basis is, among others, to encourage school children to be physically strong, mentally sound, skilful, knowledgeable and socially oriented.

    Ojo said: “Calisthenics is an exercise that consists of varieties of rhythmic movements with different formations and compositions. Every participant is important to the success of the display which involved competence in coordination and management of complex situations.

    “Worthwhile training in the process is unity of purpose that compels participants to work towards a single objective, co-operation and team work that allows the participants learn to work in concert, realising that each must play his or her own part well in time, as each part, big or small, is equally important in attaining the set goals.”

    He explained that organisation, discipline and collective responsibilities involved in calisthenics are core values missing in Nigeria that has derailed the desired development of the country, arguing that if the young generation imbibed such values, Nigeria can be sure of a better future.

    To bring the game down to the grassroots, the state government is introducing selected schools as training centres in the nine federal constituencies and allows schools to take ownership of the programme as extra-curricular activities.

    Students from the public and interested private schools will constitute the calisthenics team of between 1,000 and 1,500 students that will participate in the state-wide competition that has trophy and financial rewards for the winners.

     

  • Man kills brother, self in Osun 

    The police in Osun State said they have discovered the body of a 35-year-old man, Joseph Abifarin, after he allegedly killed his elder brother with a heavy stick in Iresi town.

    Spokesperson Mrs. Folashade Odoro, in a statement yesterday, said the incident occurred last Tuesday about 10.a.m.

    She said: “Abifarin Opeyemi reported that her father, Ayo Abifarin, 40, of Aros Compound, was killed by his younger brother.

    “The younger brother hit him on the head with a heavy stick.

    “When the incident happened, people took Abifarin to hospital, but he died on the way.

    “When the police went to arrest the culprit, he was found dead in a pool of blood in his compound.

    “The bodies have been taken by the police to the General Hospital for an autopsy and the incident is being investigated.”

  • Man arraigned for stealing truck

    An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun on Tuesday remanded in prison 45-year-old Sunday Fagbemi , who allegedly stole a truck worth N12 million pending when his bail application would be considered.

    The accused is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, theft and damage to property.

    Police Prosecutor Emmanuel Abdullahi told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 9 at Trailer Park, Ondo Road, Ile-Ife.

    Abdullahi said the accused conspired with others to steal the trailer with registration no. LSD 794 NX valued at N12 million, property of Global Concept Nigeria Ltd.

    According to him, the accused also stole a trailer tyre valued at N150, 000 and also damaged the ignition.

    The offences contravened Sections 383, 390 (9), 451 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun 2003.

    The Magistrate, Mr. Olalekan Ijiyode, said the accused should be remanded in Ile-Ife Prison until June 21 for ruling on the bail application.

  • Osun State Education Marshall

    Education Marshal

    Newly Introduced Osun State Education Marshall Caught students While Wandering the Street During School Hour.

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