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Tag: Rauf Aregbesola

  • June 12: Osun declares Monday as public holiday

    June 12: Osun declares Monday as public holiday

    Osun Government has declared Monday as public holiday to commemorate the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

    This is contained in a release signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa in Osogbo on Friday.

    “The public holiday is to commemorate the June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by the late business mogul, late Bashorun MKO Abiola, but was annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida junta.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government of Osun under Gov. Rauf Aregbesola has been celebrating the day since 2011.

  • 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 rehabilitates 160 lunatics – Commissioner

    Osun rehabilitates 160 lunatics – Commissioner

    The Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, said 160 lunatics have been rehabilitated by the state government, while over 5,000 accident victims were rescued through its health and welfare programmes since 2013.

    Baderinwa made this known to newsmen when he visited the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo on Wednesday.

    He said the O’ Rehabilitation Programme of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola’s administration had succeeded in providing cure to 160 insane people who were integrated back into the society.

    The commissioner said the rehabilitation programme had also cleaned up streets, cities and towns across the state.

    He disclosed that over 5000 accident victims were rescued and evacuated through the Osun Ambulance Service, thereby saving lives of many road users.

    Baderinwa advised media practitioners in the state to embrace developmental journalism for the promotion of good governance, sustainable peace and development.

    He stressed the need to develop robust relationship between journalists and the state government in order to ensure free flow of information on government policies and programmes.

  • Adeleke’s family rejects coroner inquest set up by Aregbesola

    Adeleke’s family rejects coroner inquest set up by Aregbesola

    The family of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, who died on April 23, has rejected  the coroner inquest instituted by Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun.

    While addressing a press conference on Sunday in Ede, the immediate younger brother of the deceased, Deji , alleged that the outcome of the inquest was predetermined.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aregbesola had on May 2 signed an executive order setting up a coroner inquest into the  death of the senator.

    The order was according to the Coroner Law Cap 32 Vol I Law of Osun,  2002.

    The family, according to Adeleke, however,  rejected the coroner inquest in its entirety.

    “The family, hereby, denounce in its entirety the ill-advised and self-serving coroner inquest ordered by the Osun State Government, purportedly set up to determine the cause of death of our dearly beloved Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.

    “We condemn, in strictest terms, the continuous politicisation attempts by the state of this great loss to our family, particularly the ordering of this inquest at a time we are still coming to terms with the harsh reality of his sudden departure and the pain and grief  therefrom.

    “We have been reliably informed by credible sources that the outcome of the kangaroo inquest is already predetermined by the state.

    “It is also designed to serve its own interest with distorted facts and misinformation which will clearly not be in the interest of the good people of Osun in general and the Adeleke family in particular,”  Adeleke  said.

    NAN recalls that the Adeleke  family had at a press conference on April 26 said that the autopsy result conducted on the deceased was yet to be out.

    The late senator, who was buried on April 24, represented Osun West Senatorial District on  the platform of the APC.

    Adeleke, who died at 62 years, was also the first civilian governor of  Osun  between January  1992 and November  1993 on the platform of defunct Social Democratic Party.

  • Osun doctors protest unpaid salaries, poor health facilities

    Members of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Osun Chapter, on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo over unpaid salaries and poor healthcare facilities in state-owned health institutions.

    The doctors, who carried placards, marched from the association’s secretariat on Gbogon/Ibadan Road to the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, and sang anti-government songs.

    Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke, the NMA Chairman in the state, told newsmen that the state government owed doctors two years arrears of salaries.

    Olajumoke also said that government was imposing heavy task on the doctors in spite of the fact that they were not well paid.

    The NMA chairman said the doctors could no longer meet their financial obligations because of the unpaid salaries.

    Olajumoke said there were no drugs in all public hospitals in the state.

    He urged Gov. Rauf Aregbesola to ensure the payment of the arrears of their salaries without delay to avoid the wrath of doctors and its consequences.

    Reacting to the protest, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, a media aide to Aregbesola, said the state government remained committed to the welfare of workers, including doctors.

    Okanlawon said the state government had developed the most ingenious formula for satisfying the needs of its workforce within the limit of available resources.

    He said the health sector in the state had witnessed a huge improvement in the last seven years under the leadership of Aregbesola.

  • Aregbesola to set up panel to probe Adeleke’s death

    Aregbesola to set up panel to probe Adeleke’s death

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has said  the government would  set up a panel to probe the cause of the sudden death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke,

    Aregbesola made this promise in a statement by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, his media aide.

    The statement sounded more like a tribute by Aregbesola to the departed senator, who also happened to be his neighbour in Ikeja, Lagos.

    He described Adeleke as a man of peace, who he said defected from the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the August 2014 governorship poll in the state because he could not stand violence.

    According to the governor, the state government  had planned a befitting state burial for the late politician but was scuttled by some person ” crying more than the bereaved” who unleashed terror on dignitaries, who came to honour the departed soul.

    “Senator Adeleke was a man of peace. He preached peace and lived it through his life.

    “He left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he could not stand violence.

    “This was after he was beaten up by some leaders of the PDP during a meeting in a hotel in Osogbo.

    “It is a profound irony and most unfortunate therefore that a few disgruntled elements purporting to protest his death desecrated his funeral with violence and attacks on innocent persons.

    “They dishonoured him and did his memory a great disservice by keeping his friends, political associates and well-wishers away from his burial.

    “The best we could do in the circumstance was to declare three days of mourning throughout the state and fly national, state and our party’s
    flags at half-staff in his honour.

    “The State Government of Osun, using the instrumentality of the law, is setting up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of this unfortunate and sad incident, in order to put the record straight on his death.

    “He is irreplaceable in our hearts.  We commiserate with his family, the good people of Ede, associates, friends, constituents and generality of our people on the passage of this patriot.

    “As we pray for the repose of his soul, we equally pray for the strength to bear this heavy loss”.

    Adeleke, who was representing Osun West Senatorial District, died on April 23.

  • Adeleke was a grassroots politician – Tinubu

    Adeleke was a grassroots politician – Tinubu

    Former Lagos State Gov. Bola Tinubu, has described late Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, as a grassroots politician with rich political background.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), National Leader in a condolence message issued on Sunday in Lagos, said that the leadership and good counsel of Adeleke were still very much required when death came.

    Adeleke, 62, also a former governor of Osun, died in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Osogbo.

    ”I received the news of Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s death with shock.

    ” It was too much to bear coming barely a day after that of Dipo Famakinwa. The news of his death was both sudden and saddening for me and I am sure for most members of our political family.

    ”Sen. Adeleke was a grassroots politician with a rich political back ground. He was hugely popular in his Osun , particularly in the three local governments in Ede, his hometown.

    ”He was a major leader of our party, the APC. His leadership and good counsel were still very much required when death came.

    ”The late senator and I shared mutual respect and affection. My path and his first crossed during the aborted Third Republic, in the 1992/93 era, when we both belonged to the defunct Social Democratic Party.

    He was in the Peoples Democratic Party at the rebirth of democratic dispensation in 1999, but he later joined us in the APC in the build-up to the 2015 election, ” he said.

    According to Tinubu, he left behind a legacy in the area of education by establishing Ire Polytechnic and College of Education, Esa-Oke, among other laudable things during his time.

    ”Adeleke was with us in Lagos during the colloquium marking my 65th birthday. He also joined us for the inauguration of Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge and adjoining roads constructed by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    ”I commiserate with his wife and children. I commiserate with the entire Adeleke family and his friends and numerous supporters.

    ”My heart also goes out to his brother, Dr Deji Adeleke. I mourn with Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and the people of Osun over this unfortunate occurrence.

    ”I pray that they all have the strength to withstand this loss. I also pray for the repose of Adeleke’s soul, ” Tinubu said.

  • Late Adeleke, a patriotic statesman – Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Sunday described the late Sen. Isiaka Adeleke (APC-Osun West)  as  a patriotic statesman.

    Saraki, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the death of the two-term senator was “a sad personal loss.’’

    He said  Adeleke,  who was the first civilian  governor of Osun, was an important figure in the 8th Senate.

    Saraki also said: “My heart goes out to the family of Sen. Adeleke and the people of the great State of Osun.

    “Adeleke was a leader in every right, a formidable colleague, patriotic statesman, good family man and complete gentleman whose contributions to the development of Osun State in particular and the nation in general will never be forgotten.”

    The senate president described   the late lawmaker,  who served as Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market,  as  a consummate reformer and  courageous public servant.

    He added that the late senator was a grassroots politician whose love for his people and commitment to national service remained unparalleled.

    “From his track-record as a second term senator, it is clear that Adeleke was a man who his people trusted to carry out their mandate in the Senate.

    “He was always passionate about his work in the legislature  and showed competence, dedication and an ability to work with everyone to bring about the greater good.

    “ He will be sorely missed,” he said.

    Saraki commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the larger Adeleke family, Osun West Senatorial District, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and the entire people of Osun as well as  the 8th National Assembly.

  • Focus on science, technology, Aregbesola urges varsities

    Focus on science, technology, Aregbesola urges varsities

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has called on Nigerian universities to focus more on science and technology development in the country.

    Aregbesola made the call while delivering a speech at the   10th year anniversary and 6th convocation ceremony of Osun University on Thursday in Osogbo.

    The governor said technology would have changed the world dramatically in a few years.

    According to him, Nigerian universities need to start preparing the youths toward a digital future for the country to remain relevant in the new world order.

    “We need to begin to prepare for a future where so many amazing things will be done technologically.

    “In the next 10 years, technological knowledge would have changed the world dramatically to the extent that cars will begin to drive itself without a driver.

    “In 10 years time, your mobile phone will be able to tell you a lot of things about your health and so on.

    “We need to be prepared for this future as a country,” he said.

    Aregbesola also urged Nigerian universities to engage in research that would impact positively on the society.

    In his opening remark, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Malam Yusuf Alli, said 10 years of the existence of the institution was a period for preparation, adding that now was the time for consolidation.

    Alli, who noted that the university must be committed to science, technology and information technology, pointed out that the institution would not be able to be a global participant if it relies on obsolete and outdated knowledge.

    Earlier in her address, the Chancellor of the university, Dr Folorunso Alakija, expressed delight over the transformation the university was witnessing.

    Alakija, who promised to build a state of the art paediatric hospital for the university, called on all stakeholders to support the institution in charting a new course with a view to attaining greater height.

    The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof.  Labode Popoola, said the institution had made tremendous progress in the last 10 years of its existence.

    Popoola said the university had also graduated 6,493 students.

     

  • Ife crisis: No reprisal attack in North -Kwankwanso

    Ife crisis: No reprisal attack in North -Kwankwanso

    Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso,(APC- Kano Central) on Tuesday  said there would be  no  reprisal attacks   against the Yoruba   living in the North following the crisis in Ile-Ife on March 8.

    Kwankwaso said this in Sabo area of Ile-Ife after meeting  with members of  the Hausa community inside a mosque.

    The former Kano State governor, who was in company with Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and  Sen.  Babajide Omoworare (APC-Osun East), told journalists   that he was in Osun  to promote peace and the rule of law.

    According to him, the Kwankwasiya Foundation will offer the victims of the crisis succour as from next week.

    He urged members of the Hausa community to resist the temptation to take laws into their hands and further  breach the peace gradually  returning to the affected area.

    Also speaking,   Gov. Rauf Aregbesola stressed the significance of peaceful co-existence in spite of the activities of the hoodlums which led to the incident.

    He said security agencies had arrested some suspects in connection with the crisis, adding that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.

    Aregbesola further said that the state government would help set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee with a view to finding a   permanent  solution  to the crisis.

    Receiving Kwankwaso  on behalf of  the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Obalufe of Ife kingdom,  Idowu Adediwura,  recalled  that Hausa  had   been living in Ife since 1894 without any fear of molestation.

    He attributed the incident to the activities of miscreants, saying Ife had been generally peaceful.

    The traditional ruler commended the efforts made by Kwankwanso toward  resolving the crisis while appealing to security agents to handle the issue with fairness and objectivity.

    “We are creatures of Almighty God, hence we are all citizens of the world and we abhor bloodletting in all its ramifications, ” he stated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its state’s counterpart had distributed some relief materials to the victims of the communal clash.