The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • PDP wins Osun Assembly by-election

    PDP wins Osun Assembly by-election

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Dipo Sunday Eluwole has been declared the winner of the Ife Central state constituency for the Osun State House of Assembly by-election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Eluwole scored 5,504 votes in an election keenly contested on Saturday by Accord Party’s candidate Ayodele Olusegun Fanibe coming second with 4,790 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Adetilewa Sijuwade, third with 4,587 votes.

    For electoral violence, 842 votes were cancelled by INEC in two polling units at Agbedegbe and Moore and the election was declared inconclusive.

    Yesterday, the election was rescheduled for the two polling units and the PDP candidate, with narrow margin, eventually carried the day.

    Some hoodlums were arrested for allegedly attempting to snatch ballot boxes at Akodi Obalufe.

    Also, there was commotion at INEC office in Ife as officials fled. Some officials  jumped the fence to escape hoodlums’ attack.

    The Returning Officer, Francis Oladimeji, said: “Votes in the two polling units were cancelled. That is Agbedegbe Street, Moore Ojaja Unit 02 and Moore Ojaja.

    “The number of accredited voters in the two units is 872. The margin between the first two candidates is 710, by our record. Following the regulation, where the number of cancelled votes is more than the margin between the two leading candidates, we cannot announce the winner. The commission has resolved that election in those cancelled units will be conducted again.”

    The PDP yesterday urged the police to make public the identities of the hoodlums arrested for alleged attempt to snatch ballot boxes and voter cards during the election.

    In a statement by its spokesperson, Prince Diran Odeyemi, the party said: “PDP is demanding details of those apprehended because we had earlier before the election accused the opposition of importing thugs from Lagos.

    “The PDP could not have attempted to disrupt an election it was winning so convincingly. Even when it lost the election, it never fomented trouble. We are peace lovers.”

    The party also said after parading the suspects, they should also be prosecuted to deter others.

  • Low turnout in Osun bye election

    Low turnout in Osun bye election

    A massive low turnout of voters was recorded during Saturday’s bye election for the Ife Central constituency seat in the Osun State House of Assembly .

    Though electoral materials and officers arrived most of the polling units as early as 8.00 am, our correspondent observed that only very few people came out to perform their civic responsibilities.

    Voting, however, held peacefully at Ajebamidele Falaju Bus Stop, Unit 12, INEC, Open Space, Mayfair Junction, Iremo 11, Unit 01A and B, New Garage, Iremo/Ajebaamidele Unit 001.

    It was further observed that accreditation of voters and voting held simultaneously unlike in previous elections where voting took place some hours after accreditation.

    Three political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party (AP) expressed concern over the poor turnout of voters.

    Candidates of the parties, Prince Tilewa Sijuwade, Chief Dipo Eluwole and Mr. Olusegun Ayodele Fanibe respectively, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of electoral officers and security agents.

    The election was held to fill the vacant seat following the death of Hon. Oladejo Makinde, a PDP member.

  • Street trading banned in Osun

    Street trading banned in Osun

    THE Osun State House of Assembly has passed the Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Bill 2016 into law.

    A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said a motion on the bill was moved at plenary yesterday by House Leader Timothy Owoeye, and seconded by Babatunde Olatunji (Ife North).

    The statement said the bill was seeking to prohibit hawking or exposing goods, wares and articles for sale or offer service whether from a stationary positions in any place or streets in some major towns or within the vicinity of any public building.

    The statement said Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Iwo, Ede, Ikirun, Ikire, Ila-Orangun and Ejigbo are among the towns where law would be enforced.

    The statement added that the bill also prohibited the establishment or maintenance of any market by any person other than the state, local government or statutory corporations.

     

  • Ekiti, Osun polls: Military retires Gen. Momoh, others

    Ekiti, Osun polls: Military retires Gen. Momoh, others

    12 officers handed over to EFCC 

    Reabsorbed Capt. Koli studying overseas

    Aliyu Momoh, the Brigadier-General indicted alongside others for unprofessional conduct during  the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2014 and the 2015 general elections, has been retired.

    Twelve other officers were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged financial inducement during the elections.

    They are three serving Majors-General and one retired, three Brigadiers-General,  four colonels and one Lieutenant-Colonel.

    Many officers lost their commands for alleged misconduct.

    Following a strong commendation,  Capt. Sagir Koli, the officer who blew the whistle on the compromise by some officers during Ekiti and Osun polls, has been reabsorbed. He is on a post-graduate course overseas.

    The disciplinary measures were ratified by the Army Council.

    But the names  of those indicted were not disclosed as at press time last night.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The action taken against some officers in the Army was based on their unprofessional conduct while on duty during three elections, namely Ekiti, Osun and the 2015 poll.

    “It is not as if any specific election was isolated. The public ought to be properly informed on the scope of investigation and disciplinary measures put in place.

    “While some officers went beyond their brief, others became associated with management of funds and a few were partisan.

    “The Army Council recommended the retirement of some officers, the loss of commands by another set of officers and the handing over of 12 others to EFCC for investigation.

    “The 12 officers handed over to EFCC were in respect of the three elections. After the investigation of the anti-graft agency, they might be arraigned before a Court Martial.”

    It was gathered that some officers were in a cantonment in Abuja awaiting trial by a Court Martial.

    When contacted, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, last night said: “I confirm that Gen. Momoh along with some other officers have been retired.

    “A board of Inquiry looked into allegations against some officers during the conduct  of the governorship elections in  Ekiti  and  Osun states in 2014 and the 2015 general elections.

    “ The board sat down, called for memoranda,  completed its assignment and submitted a report. Based on the recommendations, the Army Council met and took some decisions.”

    Capt. Koli, who recorded the conversation at a meeting where the plot to rig the Ekiti election was hatched, has been reabsorbed into the army.

    He is said to be on a post-graduate course abroad and thereafter he might proceed on a professional training which can make his career elevation possible in the future.

    Another source said: “The Board of Inquiry strongly commended Capt. Koli and the Army Council took judicious notice of this. He has since been reabsorbed into the Nigerian Army.

    “The initial plan was to make Capt. Koli a Defence Attaché but after counseling, he opted for a post-graduate course and professional training.

    “For security reasons, we cannot disclose his location at the moment.”

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Army Board of Inquiry, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade (the General Officer Commanding 1 Division) on January 11 submitted a report to Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    He said 23 officers, over 100 soldiers  and 62 civilians appeared before it as well as 62 civilians.

    He said the board made far-reaching recommendations that would assist the Nigerian Army and the nation in the future.

    He disclosed that two officers were recommended for compulsory retirement, three to lose their commands and one for prosecution for collecting financial gratification.

    Fifteen officers were placed on watch list, nine for further investigation by the EFCC and six officers to face an audit committee.

    The board advised that 62 officers (mostly Majors and below) were to be given letters of displeasure and to appear before their General Officers Commanding for counselling.

     

  • Osun doctors call off seven-month strike

    Osun doctors call off seven-month strike

    Striking medical doctors in Osun State under the aegis of Association of Medical and Dental Officers yesterday suspended their seven-month-old industrial action.

    The chairman of the association, Dr Isiaka Adekunle, confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital.

    He said the doctors would report for duty today.

    Adekunle told NAN that though the government was yet to meet any of their demands, their decision to resume was in response to appeals from residents.

    He, however, said the association would continue to dialogue with the government.

    Adekunle said the association took the decision at its Annual General Meeting on March 30.

    He said: “House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam and some others prevailed on us to call off the strike.

    “We observed that the people who are at the receiving end of our strike are the masses who can only access health care from state owned hospitals.

    “Based on this, the doctors unanimously agreed at our AGM that the strike be suspended despite the fact that none of our demands has been met by the government

    “While we pray for good fortune for the state and the nation as a whole, when the economy of the state improves, government will have no choice than to answer our demands.”

    Adekunle appealed to the government to keep to its promises by not victimising members who participated in the strike.

    “We want a promise from the government that none of our members will be victimised for participating in the strike.

    “We believe government will keep to its side of agreement while we keep to ours,” he said.

    The doctors went on strike on September 28, last year, to protest unpaid salaries and non-remittance of their cooperative and contributory deductions from their salaries.

     

  • Aregbesola revamps Osun cocoa industry

    Aregbesola revamps Osun cocoa industry

    This Cocoa Products Industry, Ede has a big story surrounding it. I therefore owe great gratitude to many people in government and outside it.

    “The then military government was very ardent to break a monopoly of bad fortunes for Ede, by actively supporting the quest to site the industry here. It is my earnest prayer, that everyone connected with the operation of it in whatever category, would find joy and happiness in all their undertakings”.

    Those were the messages of hope delivered at the inauguration of the multi-million naira Cocoa Product Industry, Ede on October 17, 1982 by the late Oba Tijani Oladokun Oyewusi, Agbonran II, Timi of Ede. It was during the regime of late Chief Bola Ige as governor of the old Oyo State.

    From the onset, one squabble or the other reared its ugly head. The first expatriate Managing Director of the company, Mr. K. W. Sheldon, tried his best to put it on sound footing, but he lost out in a dirty board-room politics in a dramatic manner. The government, owner of the company, thereafter felt concerned about happenings in the company, and decided in 1990 to lease it out. This brought about a ‘marriage of strange bed partners’. And the resultant effect were rounds of muscle flexing. The two principal leases of the factory at the time, that is  Worldwide Industrial Ventures Limited and Dalami (Nig.) Limited, got involved in allegations and counter-allegations, which resulted in a fierce legal battle, that saw two legal luminaries – the late Chief Fredrick Rotimi Alade Williams (Timi the Law, SAN) and Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) slugging it out at an Osogbo High Court.

    This went on for a period, before sanity prevailed, as the administration of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first executive governor of Osun State, took the bull by the horns, by giving the final nod to Worldwide Industrial Ventures Limited, to effectively run the affairs of the company. Dalami (Nig.) Limited again went to court to contest its termination and this went on for years, before it was resolved by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s government.

    At the time Worldwide Ventures Limited took over, production capacity level was at five per cent. But within a short period, it raised the production capacity to 60 per cent by injecting substantial funds into importation of spare-parts as well as locally sourced ones from the Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, Osogbo and Nigeria Sugar Company Foundries, Bacita. The FFA contents of cocoa, cake and butter, under Worldwide Ventures Limited hovered between 1.40 and 1.55 as against 2.24 before it took over. Globally acceptable FFA content for cocoa butter is 1.50.

    Most unfortunately, the unexpected again happened in 1995, when the leasehold agreement of Worldwide Ventures Limited with Osun State government, was crudely, illegally and arrogantly terminated by some overzealous officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, acting on the instruction of a commissioner, who had his own ulterior motive of bringing in his friend to take over the leasehold of the company. Worldwide Ventures Limited was “thrown” out of Cocoa Product Industry premises in a jungle manner. It was like scaring away foreign investors. What followed could be better imagined than described.

    There and then, began the unending and protracted problem of the industry for a long time. Osun State government’s only industry, which Infact, is a goldmine if properly managed, is the Cocoa Product Industry, Ede. It is a veritable source of foreign exchange earnings for the state. It is capable of generating the much needed internal revenue for the state at this crucial moment of its socio-economic development. Moreso, with the need to tap into all natural resources, that abound in the state.

    Much as I am not holding brief for anybody, it is only fair to let the Chinese investors now in control, to operate without let or hindrance. Neither should any encumbrances placed on their way. There should be no bad blood, as regards who brought them into the scene. What we need in Osun State is accelerated industrial development. The present leasee is determined to put the company on the right footing. The factory is now a beautiful sight to behold.

    The Cocoa Product Industry erstwhile managers and workers, who have been on forced holiday for more than eleven years, are men of proven integrity, who should be given the right of a recall if they so wish and take the company to greater heights. Cocoa Product industry, Ede, is a company of yesterday, today and tomorrow for the people of Osun State. It is posterity-bound and prosperity-inclined.

    The administration of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has now taken the bull by the horns in giving a new lease of life to the hitherto moribund industry. Governor Aregbesola in his wisdom was able to put in place, a dynamic Board of Directors, under the able leadership of a leading light in the entrepreneurial world, in person of Sir Adewale Adeeyo (OON).

    This wonderful leader of men and material, on serious scrutiny of what was on the ground, shifting and weighing, hit upon a world-class investor from China, by name Runners (Nig.) Ltd, who are specialists in Cocoa Industry Management back in their country.

    Sir Adewale Adeeyo-led board, in cooperation with officials of the Osun State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, were able to identify the core problems of Osun Cocoa Products industry, major among which, was that over the years of its abandonment, some unscrupulous people have vandalised very  important cables, electrical materials among others.This in effect, had affected the industry badly. Governor Aregbesola was ready to give executive approval to the urgent needs of the company, whenever they were made. The governor trusted absolutely in Sir Adewale Adeeyo role to re-invigorate the industry.

    The new investor, also came up with master plans for the resuscitation of the factory. They threw themselves seriously into revamping its operation. Brand new and state-of-the art equipment were brought in to replace the obsolete ones put in place since 1982, which in anyway are not in tandem with modern day operation of such a gigantic factory, adjudged the biggest in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Sir Adeeyo did not leave anything to chance. He visited China one or two times to confirm the efficiency of the new investor as far as their activities in China were concerned.

    He was able to ascertain and ensure that the new investors would not jettison the continuous and permanent operation of Osun Cocoa Products Industry. Kudos to you, Sir Adeeyo for living up to expectation.

    It is to the glory of God, that the confidence reposed in Runners (Nig.) Limited – the Chinese new investor was not misplaced. The dynamic company, has made us proud in Osun with its multi-million naira turn-around rejuvenation and total-over hauling of the industry. What we now have in place is a factory that will stand the test of the time and ensure, that the sweet aroma from the Osun Cocoa Products Industry, Ede endures forever.

    A sparkling environment and committed workers are already in place, roaring to go into action. This new development will certainly improve the socio-economic life of Osun in general and Ede, its catchment area in particular. We hope that additional production lines for beverages, chocolate etc. will be put in place by RUNNERS (NIG.) LTD. Bravo to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Sir Adeeyo and other stakeholders, for not allowing the dreams of the industry founding fathers to die. Posterity will judge you kindly. All hands should be on deck, to make Osun Cocoa Products Industry, a lasting legacy and a pride of us all, so that generations coming behind, will say of us living, that we mastered our moment.

    To cocoa farmers all over Nigeria, there is a ready market waiting for your produce at Osun Cocoa Products Industry, Ede. Governor Aregbesola should trudge on and bring more industries to Osun, as we have industrial sites for kaoline, bauxite, gold and other mineral resources across the state, waiting for exploitation and production for local consumption and importation, to boost the state internally generated revenue. The assistance of the World Bank in this regard should be sought. Such new investors should also be given tax holiday.

     

    • Lawal wrote from Ede, Osun State.
  • Osun assures workers of March salaries

    Osun assures workers of March salaries

    The Osun State Government has debunked insinuations that it would not pay March salaries because of the N6 million federal allocation it received for February.

    In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy,  Semiu Okanlawon, the government assured workers of payment of their salaries.

    The statement reads: “Just as the Rauf Aregbesola administration had weathered the storm to pay salaries up to December, the government is executing a well-mapped out strategy to ensure that workers do not suffer.

    “The state received  less than N150 million from October till date, due to the repayment obligations for the infrastructure programmes it has been prosecuting.

    “Despite its obligations,  Osun has paid more than N5 billion in salaries during the same period.

    “Federal Allocation is not the state’s only source of revenue and the  support  of workers has allowed us to stretch our reserves and other sources to pay on mutually agreed terms as well as fulfill our promises to the people.

    “As at today, the process for the payment of January salaries is in the final stages. Osun workers will receive their salaries this week.

    “The state today remains a major projects site employing thousands of our people.

    “Osun is, therefore, fulfilling its obligations to the people and  running government.

    “The state calls all who care to come to visit to see for themselves the moods in the state rather than pander to rumours, conjectures and lies.”

    It added: “Osun, by virtue of its poor allocation, has never had the opportunity of ample resources commensurate to payment of salaries, payment of pensions and gratuities and implementation of capital projects.

    “But due to prudent management of resources, creative infrastructure financing, this government has been able to fulfill its obligations in all these critical areas of governance.

    “The fact remains that Osun, under Aregbesola did not have to wait for the day the state would get N6 million as allocation before proffering solutions towards sustainable economic self-reliance.

    “This is why Osun has reduced the cost of governance, moved aggressively to increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),  sought to attract investments through provision of hitherto non-existent infrastructure and enabling environment and instituted performance-driven governance.

    “The government, therefore, calls on its critics not to capitalise on the last allocation to make unguarded statements.

    “We are aware of those whose job it is to confuse the unsuspecting public through their mischievous statements.

    “The question these self-appointed critics should be asked is: if they demand that further funds should not be released to this government, what has happened to all the loads of lies-laden petitions they had sent to the Federal Government?” it added.

  • Osun revamps more farm settlements

    Osun revamps more farm settlements

    In the face of dwindling oil fortune which has affected its allocation, Osun State has embarked on agricultural revolution to enhance earnings and create jobs, writes SINA FADARE 

    To help farm settlers with food production, Osun has stepped up the improvement of infrastructure in the nine farm settlements across the state.  The exercise has also triggered in increase in the number of applicants for land in the settlements.

    The three residential farm settlements in Ago-Owu, Esa-Oke and Oyere were established in the 1960s by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but they have been neglected by successive administrations until recently.

    The Rauf Aregbesola administration had on assumption of office, through the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Programme (O-REAP), embarked on programmes directed at revitalising the settlements.

    According to the project leader, Mr. Gboyega Osobu, O-REAP identified land as a key resource and as a result instituted a mechanism, termed the Osun Farm Settlements Land Validation Project, to collate detailed situation report on the existing agricultural lands on government farm settlements. He said the action became necessary for effective management of the land holdings, farmers’ information and to increase the amount of land available for both small and large-scale farmers.

    Osobu further stated that the validation project;  the  first in the history of farm settlements in the Southwest, was carried out in two phases with the active involvement of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O-YES) cadets and staff of Agric Services Department of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

    He said the project adopted the use of the Geographic Information Technology (GIS) to map the boundaries of individual farm holdings and of the farm settlements, after carrying out a perimeter survey of all the farm settlements.

    After the validation exercise, Osobu noted, records showed that there are over 7,000 farmers spread across the nine settlements occupying two to 10 hectares of land.  Over 4,211 hectares of land was also discovered, bringing the total to approximately 20,200 hectares.

    An Agric land allocation committee constituted by the Governor has since allocated up to 6000 hectares of land to 250 small-holder farmers. The data generated was utilised in developing an Agriculture Land Planning Information System (ALPIS), conceived to assist in the overall management activities and to make the information relating to the farm settlements available at the touch of a button.

    In terms of physical upgrade of infrastructure; over 100 kilometres of roads have been constructed in and around the farm settlements to allow movement of farm produce out of the settlements. Over 30 bridges, 100 culverts, a number of electrification projects, provision of bore holes, construction of over 120 cribs for storage and the construction of model medical centres have been facilitated by the Aregbesola-led government.

    According to the General Manager, Osun State Agricultural Development Corporation (OSADEC), John Olanipekun, the state government provided free mechanisation services for clearing and preparation of farmland of over 7,000 hectares owned by farmers to boost massive food production.

    Olanipekun said: “Since the inception of the present administration, there had been radical transformation in terms of agricultural activities in the state. It realised the need to diversify the economy of the state. This is also seen in the attention given to farm settlements in the State.”

    OSSADEC has also cleared 754 hectares of land for various groups of farmers outside the farm settlements at subsidised rate, thus making farming easy for farmers.

    The government has also assisted farmers in the settlements and in other parts of the state to access credit facilities. Olanipekun revealed that since the Aregbesola-led administration came into office, no fewer than 3,645 farmers have benefitted from loan facilities of N429, 740,000, while it commenced the disbursement of N500 million to about 5,500 farmers across the state last year.

    Olanipekun said: “The loan to farmers is interest-free. The government paid the interest on behalf of the farmers to the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), which is collaborating with the state on the implementation of the loan scheme. The government made it zero-per cent interest to make it accessible to farmers, so as to boost their morale. This loan covered virtually all aspects of agriculture, ranging from crops, livestock, fishery, piggery and agricultural marketing such as agro chemical and insecticides.

    “Aside from the loans, there are other forms of loan facilitated by the State government to farmers. For instance, the State under O-REAP, gave agro chemicals, seeds and seedlings to identified farmer groups and individuals.

    “The state has also assisted farmers in adding value to their produce through the provision of storage facilities. It constructed over 120 cribs for storage, which is subsidised by the government.”

    Olanipekun explained that  OSSADEC has 10 sets of cassava processing equipment, 10 set of cassava chipping machines, three sets of yam flour (elubo) processing equipment, four sets of multi-grain threshing equipment, 20 rice harvesting equipment to sell to farmers, group of farmers and farmer co-operatives at 40% subsidy.

    “Besides, the government recently signed an MoU with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for the establishment of a demonstration farms at Ago Owu Farm Settlement for best farming practices.

     

     

  • Osun gets 31 LCDAs, three area councils

    Osun gets 31 LCDAs, three area councils

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday created 31 Local Council Development Areas, three area councils and two administrative offices.

    Following the request for additional local councils by the people, several legal procedures were sent to the House of Assembly in form of an executive bill.

    The House set up a committee and subsequently, a referendum was held on February 19, last year, in which the people gave a “Yes” vote.

    On why the state is creating more councils, Aregbesola said his administration has put in place procedures that will save money.

    He said his administration will use its revenues in such a way that increasing the number of councils will not constitute any financial burden.

    The governor dissolved the management committees of the existing 30 local councils and area office and their executive secretaries, deputy executive secretaries, members, special advisers and other functionaries.

  • How to end Osun, doctors’ rift, by lawyer

    How to end Osun, doctors’ rift, by lawyer

    A Lagos lawyer, Adebisi Ogundipe, has suggested ways of ending the impasse between the Osun State government and striking doctors.

    Ogundipe, who described the ongoing rift as a lose-lose situation, urged both parties to return to the negotiating table to resolve their differences.

    The lawyer, who will be installed as the Agba Akin of Iyanfoworogi, Ile-Ife, at the weekend, said the parties should reach a compromise in the face of the prevailing economic situation.

    Admitting that government should prioritise doctors’ salaries and emoluments because of their significant roles, he urged the doctors to show some level of understanding in the travails of the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    His words: “Give it to the doctors, they play formidable role in the lives of the people and they must be accorded due respect. But, at the same time, I expect them to understand the travails of the present administration and to empathise with the government.

    “They should sit with the government, discuss, negotiate and reach an agreement on the way out of the logjam for the sake and benefit of the good people of Osun State.

    “It’s about management; it’s about reconciliation by negotiation; it’s about dialogue and not about indefinite strike. At the end of the day, going to strike will not do anyone any good.