Osun defender dec 17 2013 edition by OsunDefender

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013

VOL. 8. NO.150

Front Page Comment

Who Killed Osun's Emerging Egalitarian Profile Chief Bola Ige, To state that the state exaggeration but an people and without any belief. It's a society or formerAttorneyof Osun is coming up as assertion based on the form of discrimination philosophy that gives General and an egalitarian society reality on ground. against any one equal opportunity to the of citizens to develop their under Aregbesola's society emphasises irrespective Minister for leadership is to state the equal rights - socio- background, race, colour potentials and realise cum religious or political their dreams. As stated obvious. This is no economic Justice? political rights for the continues on page 4

N50

IGE

Jonathan Is Destroying Nigeria - Lai Muhammed

- See Story On Page 2

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed) acknowledging cheers from his admirers during an interactive programme tagged: ‘Gbangba D’ekun’ in Ilesa, State of Osun, recently.

APC Is Formidable Enough To Dislodge PDP - Group

- See Story On Page 3

News

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Jonathan Is Destroying Nigeria - Lai Muhammed

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

HE Interim National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Muhammed last Thursday identified bad leadership as a major drain of Nigeria’s social and political development. Muhammed, who Governance in Osogbo, was a Guest Lecturer at capital State of Osun, a public lecture said no government can organised by Awolowo achieve high standard Centre for Philosophy, of deliverables in Ideology and Good governance, if the

leaders are not focused with correct implementation architecture. He pointed out that the fraudulent process of electing leaders in Nigeria is principally responsible for poor governance, saying that the leadership of any country is as good as the system that produces them.

M u h a m m e d expressed concern on the current political trend in Nigeria with what he described as the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government arbitrary policies, widespread corruption and abuse of executive powers. He said: “President Jonathan wants to destroy this country in

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left); Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Federal Matters, Honourable Idiat Babalola; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research, Planning and Policy Implementation, Prince Olusegun Bada (left); Personal Assistant to State of Osun Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Bisi Oyoosun (right); Engineer Abdulkareem Ojutiku (2nd left); S.J Samuel during the occasion of unveiling late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s statue at Osun Lodge, Abuja by Governor Aregbesola last Thursday.

Man Donates Bus To APC In Ifetedo

By KEHINDE OLAIDE

Aderinlewo also stressed the need to acknowledge the good deeds of Mr. Abdul-Lateef Adeosun. She maintained that members of the women wing of the party in the council area recognized and appreciated the presentation of the bus, promising that they would give their maximum support to Aregbesola in 2014.

member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ife-South Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun, Mr Abdul-Lateef Adeosun, a.k.a Successco has lauded the various developmental projects of the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. He spoke at Ifetedo, contributes his quota headquarters of the local towards the progress of government council area the party. recently while donating a While eulogizing the brand-new 18-seater bus action of the donor, to the party, just as he Alhaja Fausat affirmed the support of the people for the governor in the 2014 governorship election coming up in the state. According to him, the vehicle was donated to By ISMAEEL UTHMAN help members of the party in mobilizing members 44-year-old medical doctor, Adeyemi Gbadebo and Adebayo Adenigba (48) have been arraigned before and supporters of the an Osogbo Magistrate Court for alleged theft. party for the 2014 election. Gbadebo and Adenigba, offence on June 15, 2013, at Adesosun also according to the charge about 2.00pm, at Temidire solicited the support of sheet, conspired to steal 400 Estate, Halleluya Area, the people of the state for units of six-inch blocks, Osogbo. Police prosecutor, the governor, with a view seven bags of cements and Inspector Adegoke Taiwo, to ensuring the two tipper-loads of sands, said the accused persons valued at N79,349. sustenance of the ongoing allThe charge sheet further had committed an offence d e v e l o p m e n t a l alleged that the accused contrary to and punishable programmes in the state. persons maliciously under Sections 516, 451 and Earlier in his speech, damaged a building fence 390 of the Criminal Code the APC Chairman in the worth N100,000, property Cap 34, Vol.11 Laws of 2003. council area, Elder of The Apostolic Church, in Osun, The accused persons an attempt to run away, at Jonathan Ologbenla Assembly in however entered a notappreciated Adeosun’s Temidire Osogbo, the State of Osun guilty plea to the threekind gesture, who, he capital. count charge of stealing, said, is not even seeking Gbadebo and Adenigba malicious damage and slammed any political post, but yet allegedly committed the conspiracy

In their various goodwill messages, different political groups such as the Oranmiyan Group, Aregbe Link, Youth Solidarity and Ladies in Politics gave kudos to the donor. Highlight of the programme was the commissioning and handing-over of the bus to the party chairman.

Medical Doctor, One Other Arraigned Over Theft

against them.

Defence Counsel, Barrister Musleemat Nagode and Barrister S. P Ibiyemi prayed the court to admit the accused persons to bail in the most liberal terms. The defence counsel maintained that the suspects remained innocent until the court pronounced them guilty of the charges, just as they stated that the allegations against the accused persons were bailable. Ruling on the matter, Magistrate Olusola Aluko granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each. Aluko also ordered that the sureties must be residing within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case till January 30, 2014 for hearing.

his desperation to continue in power without anything to show for it and now, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has further exposed most of the issues we have raised in the past with his letter to President Jonathan.” M u h a m m e d therefore warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal Government to stop the intimidation and harassment of new APC governors and National Assembly members, saying the people of Nigeria will rise to protect their mandate. “PDP period of nemesis has come. When Governors Yisa Yaguda, Theodore Orji, Ohakim Ikedia, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe among others decamped to the PDP, their seats were not declared vacant, but now that events have pushed PDP to become minority in the National Assembly, they are now making efforts to unseat the new APC members. This will never be possible,” he stressed. Muhammed added that the party now has 16 governors, 55 Senators, 217 Federal House of Representatives members, while urging the people to prepare in rising against the PDP in its bid to subvert the country’s democracy. He also condemned the harassment of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who were tear-gassed by the police. In his own remarks, governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf

Aregbesola called on the people of Nigeria to be more vigilant and prayerful, warning that the nation’s economy is suffocating. Aregbesola, who lamented the recent missing $4.98 billion from the NNPC accounts, said the Federal Government will ruin the economy in no distant time, should the situation persist. The governor said by calculation, if the missing fund is shared equally among the states, in-line with 26 percent allocation formula to the states, Osun will get N57 billion. “If I get this money in this state, I will just ask my people to be laughing for one week, because there will be wonders from that money and that is the money they have declared missing. He therefore urged the people to be more prayerful and revalidate their voters’ registration cards. Speaking on his third year in office, Aregbesola said through unrelenting efforts of his administration, the state is witnessing infrastructure renewal, e c o n o m i c reconstruction, job creation and qualitative education. Former Obafemi Awolowo University Vice Chancellor, Professor Wale Omole, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said he was proud of the g o v e r n o r ’ s transformation programmes in the last three years, which have made people to forget the previous years of the locust.

APC Congratulates Osun Citizens Citizens of the State of Osun have been congratulated for their unflinching loyalty, support, and demonstration of commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to effect political change in the country. This commendation accomplished and is still came from the party’s accomplishing in the best Directorate of Publicity interest of citizens of the Research and Strategy in state; adding that with appreciation of what its both good work of the director, Barrister Kunle party and steadfastness Oyatomi described as of its supporters, Osun is “the unique already taking a frontline demonstration of Osun’s position in the struggle for solidarity with the APC political change in the philosophy of change, country. It will be recalled that which has taken root in national officers of the the state and is Mobilization Committee nationally acknowledged of the All Progressives by progressive forces all Congress (APC) stormed over the country.” Osogbo last Tuesday to Oyatomi urged APC sensitize citizens of the members in the State of State of Osun and prepare Osun to remain steadfast them to defend their votes in their loyalty and in next year’s support for the good governorship election, work, which Ogbeni Rauf and the crucial 2015 Aregbesola has presidential election.

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News

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Aregbesola Presides Over Osun Farmers Exhibition

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged farmers in the state to redouble their efforts in food production to banish hunger and create wealth in the state. Aregbesola tasked the Festival held at farmers on Friday at the Government Technical grand finale of the 2013 College, Osogbo, State of Agric and Farmers Osun capital.

He stated that his administration is not in any way comfortable with the current food production chain in the state, adding that farm produce could not even feed the people of the state, not to talk exporting it to other states.

The governor warned that any state that could not feed itself is set for doom, while encouraging youths to see farming as a lucrative business. He chided the Federal Government for spending over N600 billion annually on the

importation of food, arguing that such fund would have been invested on agricultural sector with a view to increasing local capacity for food production. He stressed that his administration will continue to invest in

•Vice President, National Institute for Islamic Culture and Research, Hajiya Sadiya Hamza (3rd left); National President of the group, Mallam Abdulsalam Aliyu (3rd right) presenting Muja Hidud-Din Award of Liberation to governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; with them: Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Federal Matters, Honourable Idiat Babalola (right); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research, Planning and Policy Implementation, Prince Olusegun Bada (left); Engineer Abdulkareem Ojutiku (2nd left); Mr Segun Alalade (4th left) and Taiwo Hassan (2nd right) during the presentation of the award to the governor by the institute at the State of Osun Governor’s lodge, Abuja, last Thursday.

APC Is Formidable Enough To Dislodge PDP - Group

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

make Nigeria a better place for all, Okikiola enjoined them to be openminded in receiving more progressive-minded politicians, who have the interest of their people at heart. Commending the governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his giant strides in the

N Osun-based socio-political and empowerment group, Okikiola Dependable Movement (ODM), has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is formidable enough to take over the government at the centre from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It said that the alliance clamouring for. While lauding the APC of the G5 Governors and for their members of the New leaders Peoples Democratic Party unrelenting efforts to (nPDP) with the APC has created a strong opposition party to save the nation’s democracy. At a press conference By ISMAEEL UTHMAN addressed by the UDIENCE at an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court in Chairman of the the State of Osun were last Monday stunned movement, Comrade as a 35-year-old man, Jamiu Azeez, was Olusegun Okikiola in Osogbo, the capital of the arraigned for allegedly beaten his wife, Simiatu to State of Osun recently, the death. Azeez, who was read to the accused group noted that the before person, he was ordered to party is viable enough, arraigned Olusola be remanded in prison because it spreads all over Magistrate the country, “contrary to Aluko, was ordered to be custody by the presiding the antics of some people, remanded in prison magistrate. who are saying that the custody for the alleged OSUN DEFENDER APC is a regional party.” offence. gathered that Simiatu met According to him, the According to the her untimely death, APC has shown that it is charge sheet read in court because she cautioned a party for every Nigerian on Monday, Azeez her husband against with positive mercilessly descended on habitually getting drunk developmental mindset Simiatu on December 1, and night crawling. and ideology that can 2013 around 2.00am at Azeez, who was improve Nigeria as a Ilobu, headquarters of reportedly drunk, felt whole. Irepodun Local insulted with the counsel He maintained that Government Council from his wife and APC is the only Area of the State of Osun, allegedly attacked her. opposition political party which resulted in the Simiatu was said to that can better the lots of victim giving up the ghost have breathed her last, Nigerians and offer the during the assault. while her husband was good governance that the After the one-count still beating her. people have been charge of murder was Police prosecutor,

last three years of his administration, he noted that his efforts had in all ramifications boosted the economy of the state. “Aregbesola has done well, especially in the area of youths, artisans and traders’ empowerment, which the Federal Government is now emulating, but the

programmes should be emulated with sincerity,” he added. Noting that the developmental programmes of Aregbesola has prepared the ground for his victory in the 2014 governorship election, he urged the people to embrace and vote him into office again.

Court Remands Man For Allegedly Beating Wife To Death

Inspector Solomon Oladele, who held the brief of Inspector Mireti Wilson, said that the accused person has committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. 11 Laws of Osun 2003. The plea of the suspect, who had no legal representation, was not taken, as the magistrate court lacks jurisdiction to entertain murder cases. Murder offence attracts death sentence or life imprisonment, in case the suspect is found guilty of the crime. Magistrate Olusola, while handling down his ruling, directed the Investigative Police Officer (IPO) of the case to forward the case-file to the

Directorate of Public P r o s e c u t i o n (DPP), Ministry of Justice of the State of Osun for advice. He however, ordered the accused person to be remanded in Ilesa Prison custody and adjourned the case till February 11, 2014.

agricultural development to ensure steady food production in the state and declared a N5 million prize for the best farmers in all the 30 local government council areas and those who turn-in highest produce from next year. He said the competition will be reorganised to be on the farm assessment from next year. Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), State of Osun, Chief Emiola Ogunsanya said the intervention of the present administration is second to none with timely and adequate provision of agro-chemicals, fertilisers with 30-50 percent subsidy, provision of farm inputs and credit facilities. While appreciating the governor for opening and rehabilitating rural access roads that lead to major farm settlements in the state, the AFAN chairman said the road projects have eased the transportation of goods to the urban cities, adding that no government, in his over 30 years of farming in the state, has shown such commitment. The chairman then appealed to the Federal Government to change its stand on the importation of food items into the country, saying that about $533 million being spent on fish importation alone can be used to develop dams and lakes all over the country. Earlier in a welcome address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Wale Adedoyin stated that the current administration will continue to provide necessary support to farmers and commit resources to promote and encourage farmer with a view to bringing out the best. Farmers from all the 31 local government council areas in the state were represented at the show, with exhibition of various farm produce such as food crops, citrus, tubers, as well as animal husbandry, such as cattle, broilers, pigs among others

Security Tip In Osun The government of the State of Osun has procured special security numbers for use by people in distress. The numbers are: 08100000481, 08100000482, 08100000483, 08100000484, 08100000485, 08100000486. All the numbers became operational since August 17, 2012. Please, note and call to assist Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the elected governor of the State Of Osun, in sustaining a peaceful and crime-free environment. - Management

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Osun's Emerging Egalitarian Profile continued from front page

above Osun under the can-do administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is gradually evolving as an egalitarian state where the citizens enjoy equality of opportunity. And this is evident in the non-discriminating approach of Governor Aregbesola in the treatment of the people irrespective of their political and religious beliefs. Examples abound in support of our position here. From provision of youth employment to training of youths in skill acquisition both in and outside the country, recruitment into the state civil service to religious holidays and distribution of other forms of democracy dividends Ogbeni Aregbesola has maintained egalitarian approach. He has not only eschewed discrimination of any form

but he is obviously being seen to be doing so. We believe this is the hallmark of a good leader. In Osun today in the distribution of dividends of democracy it's not about the son or daughter of whom you are. Neither is it about what your religious belief is nor is it about your political belief. So also equality of opportunity is available with respect to religious rights. For instance the state now observes holidays for traditional religion festivals as applicable to the other two major religions of Islam and Christianity. Ifa is being taught in the public schools like Islamic Religious knowledge and Christian Religious knowledge. Take for example again the last recruitment into the state civil service was on the basis of merit but not on who you know as it used to be the case in the preAregbesola era. Also the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES)

employment was done across the state with no regard to party affiliation such that the Governor's party members were complaining that children of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members benefited more from the scheme. What is more? The O' MEAL scheme whereby Osun public primary school pupils are being given free quality lunch comparable to the ones that only the children of the rich and the privileged ones in our society have access to, is also a pointer to the gradual emergence of Osun as an egalitarian state under Ogbeni Aregbesola. Suffice it to add here that the O'MEAL scheme in the state of Osun has increased the number of school enrollment tremendously to the extent that Osun has topped the list of the states in the federation with increasing

On Education Reforms And Schools’ Reclassification

have kept quiet for some while now, even as the noise over the ongoing restructure and reclassification of schools in the state raged on. Much as I would have preferred to keep mum over the matter, patriotism and genuine concern for one’s fatherland got the better part of me; so that I am not compelled to make my comments on the matter. First and foremost, I received with shock and disappointment the rumour making the rounds on the supposed merger of our public schools. On the note of clarification, what is meant by schools’ merger? We who are old enough to be alive during the military era that immediately succeeded the Second Republic, precisely, during the time of Buhari / Idiagbon as helmsmen of the country; and Colonel (later Brigadier General Oladayo Popoola) as the Administrator of the old Oyo State, would

definitely have adequate grasp of the meaning and full implication of schools’ merger. During that time, several many schools, mainly community schools that were established and made to strive by the population explosion of schools during the days of free education of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria

(UPN) were merged into older and more viable schools. As a result, pupils had to trek longkilometre distances to get to their schools on daily basis. Even then, no school was utterly wiped out. What subsisted was only the classification of schools as Junior or Senior secondary schools or both; depending on the

existing structures, capacity and exigencies on hand. That was in an era when education was not free and universal. Under the present dispensation, however, not only is education free and universal; it is also both functional and qualitative. In effect, the population explosion being currently witnessed, and which

shall continue to be witnessed forbid an outright abolition of any schools of whatever name and location under any guise. So far, no school anywhere in the state has been abolished or snuffed out of existence through the current reclassification exercise. Instead, the Government

Unusual has been demonstrating its role as the true proprietor of public institutions in the state by demolishing old dilapidating school structures and replacing them with new, befitting ultra-modern ones; so as to make learning easier, more comfortable, more attractive and befitting. It is therefore, my honest attempt to discharge my obligation as a citizen of the state by appealing to all and sundry to support all efforts and activities of the government of the day in turning around the prospects of public education in our state. This administration means well for the generality of our people. We should be cautious not to scuttle all or any of its noble efforts at making life more abundant for us and the generations to come. •SEGUN OMOTARA, Iresi, Boluwaduro Local Government, State of Osun.

number of primary school enrollment according to UNESCO rating. This is quite a feat. Indisputably there is much evidence on ground and plentiful examples to site apropos the egalitarian nature of governance in Aregbesola's Osun but we cannot mention them all here. We believe the above few examples are enough to buttress the title of this piece. As the amiable and hardworking Mr. Governor of the state of Osun marches on in the pursuit of his egalitarian agenda for the state even in the face of daunting challenges, Osun Defender deems it fit to wish him success in this meritorious journey as we again call for more cooperation and support from Osun citizens for the Governor especially in the coming election. The Governor needs a second term to complete his good work.

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

Anniversary OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, December 17, 2013

THREE YEARS OF RAUF REVOLUTION IN THE STATE OF OSUN

So Far; So Good! (IV) The celebration goes on and on. NIYI OLASINDE devotes this edition in his commemorative series to showcasing the numerous multi-sector achievements of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the State of Osun; even as the tide and wave of progress ripple on and on.

â&#x20AC;˘The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, addressing the crowd during the official commissioning of Oranmiyan Security Tower and Complex by the governor at Lagere, Ile-Ife, recently.

INTERVIEW

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

Osun Assembly Is Efficient Than Ever - Binuyo The lawmaker, representing Ife North Constituency in the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Ipoola Binuyo, who is the Chief Whip of the House said that the decorum in the present Assembly is borne-out of the maturity of the current lawmakers. When our reporter, KAZEEM MOHAMMED met him, he also spoke on the impact of some of the policies of the state government. Excerpts:-

SDF: You had contested for councillorship and now House of Assembly of which capacity you are now serving, why are you interested in legislative areas? BINUYO: My interest in legislation is prompted by the fact that representation has to do with your capability and I believe as a lawyer and chartered arbitrator; that is the area I can serve people without my name being embellished. I am a principled person, I don’t lie and being a legislator, I will be able to express my mind and tell people where I stand. As a legislator, I don’t control allocation and I collect my salary the way the salaries of civil servants are being paid. When you are the chairman of a local government council, I doubt if any council chairman would disclose the allocation he collects per month, meaning that, when you are in that position, you must be ready to lie and there is no way you will lie and your name will not be dented. I am not saying executive is not good, but being the kind of person that I am, I prefer to be a legislator. Apart from that, when I was in Obafemi Awolowo University as an undergraduate, I was the class governor from 200 level to final year. At the Nigeria Law School, I was the OAU student coordinator for my set in 1999/2000. So, the interest has been there for long. OSDF: What is the secret behind the decorum being enjoyed in the present Assembly, unlike in the past? BINUYO: The secret is that we are all matured people. In the last Assembly, of which I was a member, we were 11 lawmakers from the opposition, while the PDP members were 15. Those of us in the opposition were more vocal, but the majority then would not want us to have our way. In the present Assembly, however, if there is any issue, we would have resolved it at the parliamentary before we go to the floor, unlike in the last Assembly whereby, we, from the opposition would have our meeting and those from the PDP would have their separate meeting before going to the floor. They would have agreed on what they wanted to impose on us and when they would raise it on the floor, we would reject such thing and that was why there was no decorum. However, the fact that there is decorum does not mean that we are rubber-stamps. If the truth need to be told, we would tell whoever that is concerned. We don’t care whose ox is gored, whoever wants to bring back the pace at which development is going in Osun today would see the other side of the House, as we would take all necessary action against such person. There must be justification for whatever money that the government is spending and that is why we are monitoring the activities

of the government closely. OSDF: How will you consider the efficiency of the last Assembly with the one we have now, especially in the area of legislation? BINUYO: This Assembly is more efficient. It is the bills that come to the House that will determine its efficiency. The present government under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is more reasonable and determined to work and he has good programmes. It is those programmes that have been tailored towards the lawmaking process. For instance, there is no way you can see the kind of development we are seeing in the state today, if there is no law that backs it. Because of the quality of service Ogbeni has come to render, we have a lot of issues to deal with in the House. We have a lot of bills to consider and that has made this Assembly to be busier. OSDF: As a lawyer and lawmaker, how will you rate the present administration interms of compliance with the laws of the state, especially, the Appropriation Law? BINUYO: Ogbeni Aregbesola is somebody that respects the law so much, maybe because he is a product of the law, who got to power through court judgment. When you want to talk about budget compliance, this administration is far above the last administration. In the last administration, the budget performance was not up to 40 per cent, but since inception, this administration performs above 100 per cent. The present government performs better that what is being appropriated for, which is excellent, because all the programmes appropriated for are being executed to the letter. For instance, the last administration releases money for agriculture during raining season, when it would not be useful for the purpose and they will end up using that money for their personal enrichment. The situation is totally different in the present administration, because the right things are being done at the right time. So, interms of compliance with the law of the land, this government is excellent, unlike the last administration. OSDF: Which programme of this government will you say interests you most? BINUYO: There is no programme of this government that does not interest one. It only depends on how it touches one. Will you say that employment of 40,000 youths under OYES is not good, apart from the massive employment into the civil service? I know how many people that have been employed in my constituency through me. Through me alone, not less than 40 people have been employed under this

•BINUYO

administration in my constituency, not to talk of those that didn’t go through me. Do you also want to say that the massive road construction going on is not important? They are not just constructing roads; they are constructing quality roads that can stand the test of time, unlike the situation during the last administration, when they constructed sub-standard roads. See road networking going on in Osogbo, Ilesa, Iwo, Ejigbo, Ile-Ife and all the other towns in the state. Will you say that the Opon Imo, Agba-Osun, O’Meal, and so many other developmental programmes of this government do not interest one? If I have my way, I would say that nobody should contest with Ogbeni Aregbesola for second term. He has done well and he should be supported. OSDF: What about the claims by the opposition party that nothing reasonable has been achieved by this government? BINUYO: It is madness. The deaf can feel the impact of the government by their sight. Do you want to talk of the type of the schools he is building or the massive construction of roads going on? There are many developmental programmes going on everywhere. Infact, from Ipetumodu to Ode-Omu in my constituency, work is going on there. I believe that whoever is in his or her senses would know that Ogbeni is working. If anybody now says that Aregbesola is just grandstanding, that person should be taken out for psychiatric treatment. In the health sector, agriculture, security, education, water provision, if we must be fair, Aregbesola has done well. Also look at the massive work going on at IdoOsun Airport. There is no aspect of his six-point integral action plan that has not been touched and if that is the case, tell

me what the opposition, be it PDP or whoever wants to use to campaign against Ogbeni. He does not waste money. I give kudos to Ogbeni and I doff my hat for him. OSDF: Which area of development do you think this government should focus more attention on? BINUYO: I believe that the governor has not really exhausted all his programmes in his Six-point Integral Action Plan. We still need to do more on road construction, health system, agriculture, railway, and education and even on employment, because there is no area that is not important. OSDF: With the development, you have mentioned, what do you see in the 2014 governorship election in Osun? BINUYO: If the INEC under the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega does not compromise as they did in Anambra State and they allow the people of Osun to judge by their votes, Ogbeni will be surprised that the people love him and they will show that by their votes. Even when Aregbesola was still struggling to become the governor, people loved him and now that he has shown the stuff he is made of through his developmental programmes, people now love him the more. Any day, anytime, Aregbesola is in the minds of the people and for us to continue to enjoy him, we must stand firmly and we must not allow anything to stop his good work. OSDF: What is your message for the people of your constituency? BINUYO: I want to thank the people of my constituency for their support so far, starting from politicians, voters and traditional rulers and I promise that I will never disappoint them in the assignment that they have given to me. I am here to represent them and I will continue to represent them well.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Presenting The Executive Bill On Local Governments Creation To The Speaker, State Of Osun House Of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, At The Chamber Of The House Last Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•Governor Aregbesola (right) presenting the bill to Honourable Salaam (left).

•(L-R) Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and the deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori at the programme.

•(L-R) State of Osun Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi and former Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Professor Mojeed Alabi.

•(L-R) Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade; Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Bisi Odewumi and Special Adviser to the Governor on Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Mr Oladipo Soyode.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

PHOTOTALK

•(L-R) Honourables Kamil Oyedele; Sijuade Adetilewa and Rasak Adeyemi during the presentation of the bill.

•A cross section of members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission on the occasion.

•(L-R) Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Festus Agunbiade; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Wale Adedoyin and Special Adviser to the governor on Security, Barrister Adekunle Amos at the event.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

Faces At The Maiden Edition Of Aregbesola Strategic Human Development Public Lecture, Held At Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Recently.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); Guest Lecturer and Interim National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed (2nd right); Chairman of the occasion, Professor Wale Omole (left) and the Director-General, Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Professor Moses Makinde (right), during the public lecture organised by Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance to round-off activities marking Governor Aregbesola’s third year in office.

Presentation Of An 18-Seater Bus To The All Progressives Congress (APC) In IfeSouth Local Government Council Area, State Of Osun, Donated By Mr. Abdul-Lateef Photo: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM Adeosun, Recently in Ifetedo.

• •(L-R) The donor, Mr. Abdul-Lateef Adeosun; APC Women Leader, Ife-South Local Government Council Area, Alhaja Fausat Aderinlewo and an APC Leader in the council area, Elder Jonathan Ologbenla at the presentation of the bus.

•The bus donated.

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

A lawyer Mr. Murtala Abdul-Rasheed writes on State of Osun Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s achievements in the judicial section.

Aregbesola’s Giant Stride In Judicial Sector B

Y now, very few people, except of course malicious political opponents, would refuse to acknowledge that the incumbent governor of the State of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is a man imbued with a class when it comes to the issue of leadership. However, I will leave his accomplishments for the state in general terms for the chroniclers of history, having decided to limit myself for what he has impacted on the administration of justice since he ascended to office three years ago. To impugn the insinuation that this is just a routine hagiography of a popular public office holder, I would also refrain from making direct, positive evaluative remarks but would leave it to the readers to draw their own conclusions from the factual and welldocumented performances of the Oranmiyan. My real intention for writing this piece is to show how a ruler, convinced on his ideology and principled enough to make sacrifices for their actualisation, can bring about far-reaching changes. I am a lawyer and being well-schooled in the philosophy that law is an instrument for positive social changes, I am always delighted whenever I perceive that any person, body or institution is making worthwhile contribution to help the cause of justice administration. Accordingly, I want to place it on record that I have been so excited about the remarkable landmark achievements that Ogbeni Aregbesola has made to overhaul justice administration in the state. The governor had earlier promised that the revival of the justice sector would be a subset of his administration’s larger Osun Rebirth Project. He made this vow in his campaign brochure published as the Green Book- My pact with the people of Osun State, stating solemnly as follows: “My government will ensure speedy access to justice by all individuals in Osun State, by reforming the courts system and procedural rules, introducing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and free legal services.” That vow now seems to have turned prophetic! While space may not permit wholesome recitation of the governor’s endeavours in this context, I would briefly mention those that I regard most remarkable. Now, let us move down to the facts and figures. Prior to his ascension to office, there were only 18 magistrates holding sway throughout the expansive Osun state. Since the majority of the cases are invariably handled by magistrates, Aregbesola felt the inadequacy this limited number of judicial officers foisted on the Judiciary and its concomitant negative impact on efficient administration of justice, he therefore, appointed additional 19 magistrates to bring to 37 the number of this cadre of judicial officers. The governor also appointed 18 more state counsel to boost the efficiency of service delivery at the state’s Ministry of Justice. He established the state’s Citizen’s Mediation Centre to settle disputes between citizens without the need to resort to litigation and thereby decongest the courts. He did not stop there; he appointed 309 presidents and members of the customary courts in the state to revive the court, which had become remarkably in-operational because of lack of quorum and failing to meet the objectives for which it was established. Furthermore, to ensure that only quality persons are appointed into the judicial service, the governor tinkered with the body charged with the issue of appointment of judicial officers, the

•AREGBESOLA Judicial Service Commission. On June 9, last year, he appointed competent, fit and proper persons into Osun State Judicial Service Commission. After the efforts to appoint a very brilliant and erudite judge of Osun State extraction, Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole, proved abortive, Aregbesola adhered strictly to the recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC), which culminated in the appointment of the unassuming and generally acceptable first female Chief Judge for the state. To consolidate on all these appointments, the governor also made a lot of investment on human capacity building of judicial officers. For example, all legal practitioners in the government of the state and magistrates (which have become enlarged in size as noted above) were sponsored to this year’s Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Calabar. They were also sponsored to this year’s International Bar Association Conference, which held in Boston, United States. All magistrates in the state were also sponsored to Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria Annual Conference, which held in Lagos earlier this year, with the state recording the largest number of contingent at the conference among the 36 states. Besides, judges of superior court are sponsored to overseas training periodically to sharpen their skills and equip them with modern ideas on justice delivery. Aregbesola’s relationship with the bar has been excellent. All the five branches of the NBA in the state, namely Osogbo, Ikirun, Iwo, Ilesa and Ife, have, at one time or the other, become beneficiaries of the state governor’s largesse. For example, At the annual Sapara Williams Law week of the NBA Ilesa which held

on November 26. Ogbeni announced the donation of three buses to the Ilesa, Ife and Iwo branches of NBA, which did not have buses of their own, unlike the remaining two other branches of Osogbo and Ikirin that have. Under the vibrant leadership of Ogbeni, the state’s legislature has been proactive by passing many laws. These include Osun State Agency For the Control of HIV/AIDS (O-SACA) Law, 2011; State of Osun Security Trust Fund Law, 2012; State of Osun Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (Amendment) Law, 2012; State of Osun Legitimacy (Repeal) Law, 2012; State of Osun Anthem, Crest and Flag Law, 2012; State Of Osun Debt Management Office Law, 2012 and The Osun Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, 2012. In addition to these laws, there are also many bills at different stages of passage at the state’s legislature; these include justice-sector bills, such as the State of Osun Special Offences Court Bill, 2013. In short, the legal/policy reform initiatives of Aregbesola’s administration cut across nine major sectoral areas. These include (a) Public Finance Management; (b)Revenue Generation; (c)Education and Human Capacity Development; (d) Urban Renewal and Environment; (e)Governance and Security; (f) Judicial Sector Reform; (g) Health and Safety; (h) Agriculture and Food Security and (i) Institutionalisation of Social Welfare Schemes. An objective reader may ponder on why a governor who is not himself a lawyer may embark on revolutionising the justice sector on such an expansive and ambitious scale. But, I am not surprised; having known that the governor is a beneficiary of a courageous

and uncompromising judiciary, he will strive to fulfill on his promise to make the society better that he met it. Though he is an engineer, Aregbesola somehow understands the great importance a good administration of justice system implies for harmonious co-existence, progress and sustainable development. This is easily shown in the way he handled the matter of his governorship election debacle in his state. Having been cheated of his mandate through massive election rigging in the last governorship election in the state, the governor urged all his followers and supporters not to take law into their hands through violence. He assured them he would follow the unpredictable and expensive procedure of litigation. What a torturous path that proved to be! For whopping three years, he fought a relentless legal battle, which would have exhausted the patience of men of lesser steely constitution. To claim back his stolen mandate, he called more than 100 witnesses and tendered 168 exhibits in his petition before the Election Petitions Tribunal, to prove the allegation of mass rigging of the election. Eventually, the judgment came on November 26, 2011, when the Court of Appeal declared Aregbesola the winner of the election and ordered he should be sworn-in the following day. Furthermore, it is remarkable that all the above quoted achievements of Ogbeni were done for the Judiciary alone despite the fact that Osun State is the smallest economy in Nigeria. To make this objective and the larger dream realisable of Osun Rebirth Project, the governor embarked on major drive to increase phenomenally the internally generated revenues of the state. It is noteworthy that as at 2009, Osun had a meagre Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of N110 billion ($963 million) and internally generated revenue (IGR) of N320million monthly, but as of today, the state has an IGR of about N1.4 billion per month, also, the state’s GDP is about N738 billion. Commenting on the performance of Aregbesola after three years in office at the Ilesa Bar- organised Law week in honour of Christopher Alexander Sapara-Williams show case session, the guest speaker and Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Ajibola Bashiru, gave an overview of the governor’s justice sector initiatives as follows: “Aregbesola has led an administration to modernise governance; institutionalise good governance practices; facilitate and support investment; improve security and social welfare; promote public good and realise the Six-point Integral Action Plan of the Administration. “Governmental institutions and policies become more meaningful, achievable and sustainable when they are entrenched in the legal framework of society. The immense development being witnessed in various facets of life in the State of Osun is functions of not only purposeful leadership, but clear reengineering of different aspects of the society including financial, legal, judicial and social sectors.” In conclusion, I would like to state that the governor has erected a great foundation for dynamic and efficient justice administration which is solid enough to carry the weight of subsequent superstructure of legal reforms. This exemplary legacy would surely give him a place in history. •Abdul-Rasheed is a former National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association. Culled from THE NATION

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

FEATURE

Aregbesola’s Discipline Committee In The State Of Osun: Timely Intervention At Humanising Public Education Worse than issues bordering on poor quality service delivery; hinged on poor funding, poor provision of infrastructure / superstructure and acute shortage of teaching personnel; other factors militated against the effective operation of public educational facilities in the State of Osun in years prior to the coming on board of the incumbent administration. It was timely identification of these other debilitating factors and getting the spate of attendant rot arrested head-on that prompted the Government Unusual to constitute a discipline committee to look into the crux of the matter and make recommendations as appropriate. NIYI OLASINDE writes on the Importance of the committee’s exertions and expectations from them.

HE fortunes of public educational institutions in Nigeria have dwindled in recent years; just as their private counterparts are finding a free day in gaining prominence with apparent bid to outweigh, supplant and replace them in prominence, relevance and impact. This sad trend presents a sharp deviation from the situation, which had long been entrenched in our culture and polity; where the role of public educational institutions in quality service delivery, translating into production of high quality manpower output was overwhelming and preponderant. In known situations in the past, some sub-sections of the country had come under series of administrations and regimes, both civil and military, under which education as an essential social service was provided free. In the present-day South-West geopolitical zone of the country, the experience in the early 1950s under the rule of the defunct Action Group (AG), led by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was that free qualitative and functional education was provided in order to facilitate rapid provision of the much-needed human capital, preparatory for an independence nation. It was highly effective and the harvest was prolific. Some decades later, precisely during the Second Republic, some states of the federation, which came under the rule of the rule of Awolowo’s defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) also enjoyed this vital social service and others in the category of human services free of charge. All along, there had been variations of this free provision of educational services either as a nationwide or sectional phenomenon. Even under some military regimes, some variations of free, compulsory education were provided, with government footing the bills. A case in hand was the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme introduces nationwide by the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd.) in the late 1970s. During the glorious past times under review, all was well with our education system, to the extent that we boldly assert that all the eminent sons and daughters who functioned hitherto as movers and shakers of the nation in various sectors were products of the good gestures packages into the free, qualitative and functional educational arrangements of those days. Earliest harbingers of trouble started to roar their ugly heads in the earlier-mentioned late 1970s; when the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo, upon the promptings of the time responded

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (in Middle School uniform with fez cap), in the midst of a cross section of pupils, during the official commissioning of Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo and flag-off of the new school system (Reclassification) in the State of Osun, recently.

swiftly by constituting discipline corps in schools. Under that arrangement, military personnel, known in derogatory language as “zombie” were drafted mainly to our public secondary schools to “enforce discipline”. Thereafter, military regimes in the country had taken their turns to institute various measures, aimed majorly at stemming the tide of indiscipline, corruption and decadence, an obvious reflection of a depraved society – all to little or no avail. Examples are the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) of the mid-1980s and the War Against Indiscipline and Corruption (WAIC) of 1990s (under the military regimes of General Mohammadu Buhari rtd; and late General Sani Abacha respectively). The trend traced above had so degenerated over the years that discipline had nearly become completely elusive and non-extant in our public schools. The most unfortunate trend is the one which became prevalent upon the claimed aligning of parts of the nation with the mainstream politics at the centre, under the rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The endresult has spelt catastrophe for virtually all sectors of life in our nation; since the party and its instrumentality of governance was all-out and hell-bent to sustain through fraud the vast “empire” which ir fraudulently acquired. Most

sadly, this sad trend took its ugly toll on our educational sector. In the State of Osun, events during the fiery hostage of the immediate past administration fared the state in such horrible stead that our schools were debased, as they condescended into training grounds for political thugs, hoodlums and social miscreants. This was in obvious response to the kind of oppressive leadership unleashed on the state and its people by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The rest is story! We are all aware of the ugly events of the time. Disheartening still was the spurious efforts by the foisted administration; itself the grand author of deceit and confusion; instituting a discipline corps! Upon the assumption of office of the incumbent administration in the state, the terrain in our public educational institutions was everything far from desirable. As a matter of fact, all indications on ground as pertains to them were repelling factors for parents / guardians to have their wards entrusted into these schools. In the space of three years, the Aregbesola administration has turned the fortunes of public education around to the chagrin and utter confound of distracters. In brazen and shameless reaction to the rapid transformation witnessed; especially to futilize it, so that the administration would not be outstripping theirs in performance; the

powers-that-be of yesteryears have enlisted various untoward measures and ploys, which include co-opting of pupils / students of public schools to cause crises. These orchestrated violence and crises were contrived to capsize the ship of progress roving the state’s school system. Instances of these crises include those trailing various innovative policies and programmes rolled out so far by the Rauf Aregbesola administration. In all of it, the government of the day has proven itself competent and equal to the task by employing wide consultation of stakeholders and embarking on massive enlightenment programme. These prompt and proactive measures have gone far to quell the embers of disharmony fanned by the wicked enemies of the state and its good people. The last and most recent joker is the introduction of a committee of experts, commissioned to carry out deep-rooted enquiry into the causes, depth and intensity of indiscipline, decadence and disorderly conduct among our school age children so as to fashion out modalities for combating the spate. This measure will go a long way not only in restoring sanity to the sub-sector; but also in reviving its long-lost glory. The time-tested efforts of the committee, chaired by Dr. Isiaka Owoade, it is hoped, shall soon manifest into a potent tool in the hand of our government and policy makers in moving our state forward. Really, Osun is moving.

IN RETROSPECT

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

A Memorable Quote From A PDP Aspirant In The State Of Osun

“Recently, Chief Bola Ige came on radio here (Osogbo the state capital), to insult me and my family. THAT IS THE LAST TIME HE WOULD INSULT ME. He was beaten yesterday. The people of Ile-Ife beat him up and he was crying like a baby, as they removed his cap and glasses. If it had been at a political gathering, he will be dead by now..... In fact, what the people wanted to do was more than removing his glasses and cap....” -IYIOLA OMISORE. •Culled from Vanguard Newspaper.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 19, 2013

FEATURE

Giant Strides Continue In Osun

AST week, the media reported the British Deputy High Commissioner as saying that the State of Osun is a viable destination for any investor, who is looking for a safe place to put his money in Nigeria because, according to him, “the State is peaceful”.

senseless lies about your own state, or you junket media houses with utterly false stories about how the state is being run, all for the purpose of tarnishing the image of the government in power, in the long run you qualify to be described as a terrorist. You are in the business of mentally terrorizing your community. That is not politics; it is crime!! But the good thing is that these lies and those who take pleasure in propagating them have not succeeded even in fooling ordinary people in the state who see, hear, feel and delight in the incredible level of progress that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by Ogbeni Rauf Aragbesola, continues to make in Osun.

The High Commissioner did not stop at that; he said, “within three years of his administration, what the government of Ogbeni Aregbesola has done in terms of infrastructural development and how the governor has been attracting businesses and industries is IMPRESSIVE, PRAISEWORTHY AND BOASTFUL for FUTURE of the state”, (emphasis mine). For a country now accustomed to negative stories from mischievous quarters, painting the State of Osun in the most unfavourable light, this statement from Mr. Peter Carter, Britain’s Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria should put the lie to the misinformation and disinformation fed to and promoted by a section of the media. The reader will recall that less than a month ago, some scary noises came out of a religious organisation in the State of Osun, warning of chaos if the governor’s education reform agenda was not immediately scrapped, and a return to status quo effected. However, what scares these religious people in the education policies of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been applauded by the British Deputy High Commissioner, who has this to say about standardization of education in Osun;

By KUNLE OYATOMI

development. However, a vocal minority enamoured of and sated by the miserableness of conditions that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola met, are getting serious and sizeable media attention, as they hysterically demand a return to the status quo created by their People Democratic Party (PDP) “The British Council, friends. because of the GIANT These people live in the past STRIDES made by the and they have practically lost administration in the area of their legitimacy as “promoters education, has trained over 200 teachers in teaching English of the good” for at each stage language and the council is also of the Aregbesola revolution keen to continue the work it has every step taken by the already started in training governor was viciously condemned, his person more teachers”. maligned and the State placed The truth could not be more in the dumps by the opposition clearly stated. What’s going on party and their surrogate. In in the State of Osun in virtually fact, many respectable citizens all departments is really and who were misled to buy into the truly “giant strides” in false stories coming out of Osun got a sense that a radical

Every person, who denies the progress going on in the State of Osun is a criminal. But people who know what is happening, whose source of information is not the political illiterates assembled in the opposition party, will tell you that the state is making giant strides. And no less a personality than the British Deputy High Commissioner has said just that. Let the enemies of progress bow their heads in shame. They have eyes to see what is going on in their country, but they deny what they see. However, their denial has changed nothing and will Islamists had emerged in stop nothing. Osogbo who must be Giant strides in Osun checkmated. continue. The world is That was some two years ago. acknowledging it. The people We had worked as hard as we are delighting in it. The streets could to change the pathetic of our cities tell the story. image which the PDP and their Business is bubbling. The pace friends tried disingenuously to of commercial activities in the create of the State of Osun. As last three years has more than you read this, that strainous doubled. There is no single effort is not over, because there family in Osun today that is not are people in high and low positively affected by the giant places who have a preference strides which the Ogbeni Rauf for lies and continue to buy into Aregbesola led government is the falasies that PDP and their taking. The scare-mongering of surrogate tell about Osun. They the opposition, the lies of their keep the negative stories alive surrogate, and the evil of their and they swear by their goddess machination supporters from distant lands of lies that Aregbesola is cannot and will not be allowed destroying Osun. to stop these giant strides. Some people, awfully limited Finally, a word of warning in their perceptive ability, call and advice: Those who seek to that politics; blind, deaf and unenlightened politics perhaps. undo these giant strides which When you sit back in the the people of Osun cherish fraudulently acquired should be prepared to face the opulence of your wealth to tell wrath of the people. In Yorubaland, they should understand what that means.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013

Local Government Creation Bill 2013: Osun Set To Create 27 New Councils * COST-EFFECTIVE COUNCILS * PEOPLE-ORIENTED COUNCILS * DEVELOPMENT-BASED COUNCILS Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on Monday, at the floor of the state House of Assembly, presented an Executive bill for the creation of 27 additional local government areas in the state. Delivering a speech which he titled: Making Government Count at The Grass Roots, the Governor said the move is in fulfilment of the administration's belief in giving happiness to the greater number of people as they can easily ascertain the needs of the people. He noted that many of the local councils are too large to be able to take care of the needs of the people at the grass roots. While stating that the proposed new 27 local councils will co exist with the existing ones, Ogbeni Aregbesola stated that they will be known as local council development areas or local counties. Ogbeni Aregbesola explained that in accordance with section 7 and 8 of the amended Nigerian constitution, a Local Government Creation Committee headed by a former speaker, Hon. Mojeed Alabi had earlier been set up after which a review committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti was set up to review the job of the first committee. He said Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of local councils, when created, will be elected from among the Councillors in the area and the head of local government administration henceforth will be a civil servant who is not not

â&#x20AC;˘ Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) presenting the Executive Bill on creation addional 27 Local Governments to the Speaker, State House of Assembly of Osun, Honourable Najeem Salam (left) at the Hallowed Chamber of the House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 16-12-2013

more than Grade level 14 in the local government and would be called Council Manager.

the state saying it is also a move at delivering the campaign promises of the administration.

This parliamentary characteristic is to reduce the cost of governance and ensure smooth running of government at the local level. Local Government Planning Board for each LG will be constituted to serve as advisory body for the new council areas. The board will not be an implementation body and would not be involved in the day-today running of the councils.

He described the proposed creation of additional twentyseven local government areas in the state as a way to bring about unprecedented development at equal pace to the people at the grass roots level.

He added that any civil servant that is more than grade level 14 in the local council will henceforth be redeployed out of the local government to the civil service saying the aim is to make the in

The Speaker who said that the new councils if created will not constitute a burden on the existing thirty local government areas in the state noted that they will serve as platform of effective and all inclusive governance at the grass

roots. Expressing the satisfaction of the state parliament with the way the state is witnessing massive development in all sectors under the leadership of Governor Aregbesola, Honourable Salam promised that the House would look into the bill and facilitate its quick passage into law. Meanwhile the Assembly had earlier passed the State of Osun Mass Education Agency Establishment Bill, 2013 into law through a motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Honourable Afolabi Atolagbe and seconded by Honourable Folorunsho Bamisayemi.

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