Osun Defender - November 27th, 2014 Edition by OsunDefender

www.osundefender.org Thursday, november 27, 2014

Quote “Look at what we did in Osun State. In Osun, we had the best election conducted so far; the best election we have conducted so far as a commission since 2011.” • Quote from Professor Attahiru Jega’s interview in The Guardian of Wed. Oct. 29 (2nd part of a series that •Jega started on the 28th).

T HE

Inauguration Edition

5TH

M O S T - V I S I T ED

NEWS-

VOL. 9. NO.142

Front Page Comment

N50

Agenda For The Second Term (1) merited the appelneeded opportunity

For the good people of the State of Osun, the future starts today with the inauguration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for a well-earned second term in office as their helmsman. With his antecedents and a stellar performance he

lation of ‘symbol of good governance’ in the state. Having earned his spurs, the second term looks promising, even enticing. There is much to look forward to. For a start it will provide the symbol with the

to consolidate and institutionalize the gains of the first term. This is of fundamental importance. For it will ensure that the template will not be undone in the future. Continue on pg6

Aregbesola Begins nd 2 Term Today

•Inauguration Holds At Osogbo City Stadium ASUSS Breaks Away From NUT - See Story On Page 3

- Pg 5

Aregbesola: A Dependable Leader - CBN - Pg 4

Osun SUBEB Sends Mathematics Teachers On Training - Pg 4

•(L-R) Representative of Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Paul Uduka; Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; State of Osun governor , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, during the flag-off ceremony for the disbursement of 2billion accessed by the State of Osun loanees in the state under the CBN Development Fund and distribution of mini-buses to commercial transporters in Osogbo by Governor Aregbesola in Osogbo, last Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI

N700m Inauguration: Blackmail, Unfounded Allegation - APC

- See Story On Page 3

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27,

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Osun Defender Thursday, November

Aregbesola Begins 2 nd Term Today •Inauguration Holds At Osogbo City Stadium

Federal Government had invaded the hitherto peaceful State of Osun with hooded security operatives, who drove round the length and breadth of the state in what many residents termed a show of brute force, all in another attempt to drive fear into

declaration of a state of he governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni hold, the top hierarchy emergency by the Federal of the party went as far Rauf Aregbesola, who was popularly reGovernment. elected by majority of the state electorate as planning to foment A week to the August troubles in some selected during the August 9, 2014 governorship election, 9, 2014 governorship cities and towns across is billed to start his second term in office today election that saw to the the state, with a view after his inauguration at the newly-rehabilitated governor’s victory in a to creating a state of Osogbo City Stadium in the state capital. landslide manner, the anarchy, to warrant the Aregbesola, whose first term in office, according to most of the state residents, virtually turned the whole state into one big construction site, with all the nooks and crannies of the state feeling the touch of his numerous life-changing policies and programmes. According to the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, M r. S u n d a y A k e r e , aside the inauguration ceremony at the city stadium, a luncheon party will hold at the Government House at Oke-Fia Area of Osogbo, as well as a musical concert at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, also located at the centre of the state capital. The musical concert, the commissioner stressed, will feature numerous musicians of repute, who would be at •Ilare Elementary School in Ile-Ife built under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. various corners of the park to entertain their fans and admirers in the celebration of the By ismaeel uthman governor’s inauguration for a second term in anyone to allege that a rg u m e n t a n d s e e office. he All Progressives Congress (APC) in a state government is reason,” he added. Before today, members the State of Osun has stated that the party planning to spend N700 The APC chieftain of a particular opposition is too ideological, diligent and responsive million on a second stated that Aregbesola political party in the state, in a desperate attempt to people’s plights than to engage in frivolities term inauguration. is very sensitive to further confuse their and lavish spending on government functions. “What is the APC to workers’ plight supporters, had gone A P C s t a t e d t h i s which is known for going to spend the N700 and always ready to to town with several on Tuesday w hile corruption, impunity million on? Printing enhance their welfare rumours that today’s d e b u n k i n g t h e and lawlessness that of posters? Or buying in every possible ways. event would not hold, a l l e g a t i o n a g a i n s t c o u l d l a v i s h N 7 0 0 water? The PDP should ”The PDP are enemies as all machinery have i t b y t h e P e o p l e s million and even more give a breakdown of of the workers. In the been put in place with an assurance from Abuja, the D e m o c r a t i c P a r t y on mere inauguration of how the N700 million history of this state, would be spent.” nation’s seat of power, (PDP) that it planned governor. Aregbesola remains the Oyatomi challenged that their candidate would to spend N700 million Oyatomi maintained only governor who has be sworn in and not on the inauguration the PDP to give the that the PDP was still done so much for the Aregbesola. of Governor Rauf b r e a k d o w n o f t h e suffering from the workers. The workers One of the rumours A r e g b e s o l a ’s f o r N700 million budget shock of its defeat in themselves know and was that in the course of second term in office. t h a t t h e A P C - l e d the August 9, 2014 appreciate his gestures. inspecting the electoral T h e D i r e c t o r o f government in the state governorship election; This week Monday, materials used for the Research, Publicity p l a n n e d t o e x p e n d hence it resolves to Aregbesola empowered August 9 election, and Strategy of the o n t h e A r e g b e s o l a discredit Aregbesola the workers of Osun as directed by the APC in the state, inauguration. and the APC through with N2 billion through governorship election Mr Kunle Oyatomi, H e s a i d : “ T h e blackmail and baseless the assistance of the petition tribunal, various ballot papers were found described the allegation allegation is untrue and allegations. Central Bank of to have been erroneously a s u n f o u n d e d , phantom. The unchecked “The P D P ’ s Nigeria. counted for Aregbesola. m i s c h i e v o u s a n d vastness of corruption allegation is a ruse ”The PDP was in As at last Monday, a a reflection of the b e i n g p e r p e t r a t e d and a mere ranting of power for seven and rumour that the tribunal corruption inherent under the President a clueless people. The a half years, what did had been directed from within the PDP at all Goodluck JonathanPDP is just chasing they do in Osun? They Abuja to sit and deliver levels of government. led administration is shadow. When people only left the masses judgment on a pending A c c o r d i n g t o responsible for the have gone berserk, they impoverished. case on the governorship election was blown into O y a t o m i , w h o PDP to think that all need help. Those in the “ T h e p e o p l e ’s the air and it was spread spoke with OSUN g o v e r n m e n t s a r e leadership of the PDP will in the state will like a wildfire during the DE F E N DER i n a corrupt. in Osun need help. The always prevail against hamattan across the state. telephone interview “It is mischievous APC in Osun would the kind of unofficial In another desperate on Tuesday, it is only or rather, a blackmail. enjoin them to look terrorism, which Osun attempt to ensure that the PDP government, It is unthinkable for beyond their pedestrian lived through before today’s event did not

the people ahead of the election. H o w e v e r, i n s p i t e of all these, the people stood their ground, defied the security operatives and still came out to overwhelmingly vote for the incumbent Governor Aregbesola.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

N700m Inauguration: Blackmail, Unfounded and after the August 9, 2014 election that Allegation - APC confirmed a second

term for Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. “ We , t h e r e f o r e , cannot afford to be complacent in a situation, where lawlessness, impunity and reckless misuse of power appear to be the order of the day in a country that is precariously sliding into evil, darkness and man’s inhumanity to man for political, selfish and irresponsible desperation for power.” Meanwhile, Oyatomi has called on supporters of the APC to observe a three-day fasting and prayers for Aregbesola’s inauguration to be hitch-free. Oyatomi said: “The APC is calling on wellmeaning citizens of the state and its supporters to observe three days of fasting and prayers for a smooth, peaceful and dignified second term inauguration of Ogbeni

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Osun Defender Thursday, November

Aregbesola: A dependable Leader - CBN

•Empowers Osun SME With N2bn

By kehinde ayantunji

Bolorunduro, disclosed that Osun was the first state in Nigeria to benefit a sum of N2 billion for the CBN to improve micro, small and medium enterprises, affirming the money was a product of financial engineering. He maintained that 50 per cent of the money is expected to be used for agriculture and commerce. Bolorunduro promised that the loan would be judiciously used by the beneficiaries in such a way that the loans would multiply in numerous folds. “Osun is the first state to have assessed and secured the N2 billion loan for Central Bank of Nigeria for the purpose of development.

“The state arrived at this financial opportunity through a careful and prudent financial engineering of the state governor in the last four years. “This judicious use has helped the state a great deal in the developmental projects and programmes of the administration. “ We h o p e t o f o c u s more on agriculture and commerce in the state for further growth and development,” Bolorunduro said. In his remark, the State Commissioner for C o m m e r c e , I n d u s t r y, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Ismail Jayeoba-Alagbada, said Aregbesola has kept his electoral promises made to the people through the second tier of his

he Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) making people the driving people in the lower rung Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Monday said the agents of development of the socio-economic people-focused programmes and policies of is to economically and ladder – the small traders, Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration since financially empower them, the market women, the inception have established him as “the strongman of and then allow them to artisans, the transporters, handle the rest. Osun politics’. the small-holder farmer, According t o and the craftsmen and The CBN Governor, that his administration Aregbesola: “We thus who was represented by is conscious of the fact d e c i d e d t o c o m e u p women among others. “It is for this reason his Special Adviser on that the success of any with various economic that we have established Development and Finance, development enterprise empowerment schemes in the Osun Micro-Credit Mr. Paul Nduka Eluowe, was dependent upon the order to give our people the while affirming the belief active involvement and economic wherewithal and A g e n c y, w h i c h w a s that the polices had raised participation of the people. the financial enablement officially inaugurated on He pointed out that to make them job-creators July 9, 2014. the state to a higher “It was aimed at ensuring pedestal, spoke at the Osun, with carefully and wealth generators official ceremony for the th o u g h t- o u t p o licies , in a manner that will be easy access to credit disbursement of N2 billion programmes, conscious beneficial to all and sundry. facilities by operators of micro, small and Central Bank of Nigeria mobilisation and proper “In order for the (CBN) Micro, Small and organisation of the people, p r o g r a m m e s t o h a v e medium scale enterprises, Medium Scale Enterprises nothing can stand in the the widest coverage for particularly those in the informal sector of Osun Development Fund and way of its development. maximum outcomes, we The governor added that have decided to spread economy”. the distribution of second The State Commissioner batch of 22 mini-buses, the most effective ways of the net to include the for Finance, Dr. Wale held at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, the state capital. The scheme is in By kazeem mohammed partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), A l s o , t h e S U B E B partnership with National while under the bank’s Permanent Secretary, Teachers Institute (NTI), he State of Osun Universal Basic Education N220 billion Micro, Small (SUBEB) has sent some selected Mathematics Mr Fatai Kolawole, said extended the terminal and Medium Enterprises Teachers across the state on further training the training programme point of graduate teachers Development Fund, the N2 was informed by the in elementary schools in Mathematics. billion secured by Osun is commitment of the state from GL.14 to GL.16, already being disbursed. The three-day workshop, The training, which he government to building as well as training the E l u m e l u s a i d t h a t holding between Tuesday described as a pilot project trainers on School-Based Small and Medium Scale and Thursday in Abeokuta, of such trainings, has the the capacity of teachers in Management Committee Enterprises are essential Ogun State capital, was target to send not less the state. (SBMC) among others. He said the government, ingredients of growth for organised by the National 1,500 teachers on such The SUBEB boss said through SUBEB, had these gestures had earned any serious developing Mathematical Centre. training in batches. trained 210 teachers on country. At a farewell programme He said on the last ‘Teaching Knowledge Test the board two separate He commended Osun f o r t h e b e n e f i t t i n g day of the training, the Essentials’ in partnership awards of excellence governor for formulating in the development of policies and programmes teachers, the SUBEB teachers would be given with the British Council, p r i m a r y e d u c a t i o n Executive Chairman, mathematical kits worth and conducted promotion that have economically and in Nigeria at the 2014 financially empowered the Prince Felix Awofisayo, of N250,000 to use in their e x a m i n a t i o n s a n d Association of Primary said the decision of the various schools. people of the state. interviews for 683 teachers Schools Head Teachers Awofisayo then charged across all elementary and of Nigeria (AOPSHON) The CBN boss charged government to send the the governor to ensure that teachers on training was the benefitting teachers to middle schools in the state. Excellence Award and 60 percent of the N2 billion to ensure improvement in be focused in the course of Kolawole also added that 2014 Positive Advocacy given to the state should go the teaching and learning the training, with a view the board had organised Award respectively. to women and two percent of mathematics in public to impacting positively on a residential training to physically-challenged schools across the state. their students. programme for teachers in people in the state. He said: “I am overwhelmed by the numbers of people present at today’s event. It shows that you are the strong man of Osun politics. “Your programmes have shown that you are loved by your people with this massive attendance. I hope you will continue to be the strongman of Osun. “I am not surprised that the majority of the people in attendance are women, which the CBN believes that women are supposed to be empowered to unleash their potentials,” the CBN boss noted. The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in his address titled: “Marching onto Greater Development Heights”, said his determination to drive the state to a prosperous height was borne-out of genuine commitment to take Osun to the height of socioeconomic and industrial •(L-R) Commissioner 1 of SUBEB, Mr Clement Akanni; SUBEB Chairman in the State of Osun, Prince Felix Awofisayo; Commissioner 2, Mr development. Kamoru Adekunle and Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Alhaji Fatai Kolawole during a meeting with some teachers in the State of Osun for A r e g b e s o l a h e l d National Mathematics Training workshop in Abeokuta. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Osun SUBEB Sends Mathematics Teachers On Training

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Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

•Kilomodemo (SSA to Aregbesola) in a group picture with pupils and members of The Ultimate Club, Ikirun, State of Osun, recently.

Gov’s Aide Urges Seriousness Amongst Stu•Commends Aregbesola On Develop-

b u t s h o u l d r a t h e r vision. aim at going further Also speaking, the and making things to founder of the club; happen in their lives Olawale Opeyemi, and their chosen careers said the club was new m e c h a t r o n i c s , a n d and also commended one and was aimed at now added to it was the Ultima te Club grooming the youths political and financial me mbe r s f or the ir t o w a r d s c h o o s i n g engineering. Ibitoye urged the students on the need to have general By shina abubakar understanding of the many areas of cademic Staff Union of Secondary engineering besides the Schools in the State of Osun has protested areas of their specialty. the continuous remittance of its While highlighting professional dues into the coffers of the Nigeria on the benefits of Union of Teachers (NUT). studying engineering, In a peaceful protest the group fees are still he maintained that they to the office of the Tutor- being remitted to the were the key drivers of General for Osun East NUT. human development. He stated that they Senatorial office, the H e t h e r e f o r e union leader, Comrade had all written the NUT a d m o n i s h e d t h e Akinkunmi Obawole, to notify them of their students not to lose said it was unfortunate non-membership status hope on their dreams, that the members’ of of NUT anymore, as

he Government of the State of Osun has been commended for making use of indigenous engineers in executing her numerous developmental projects. This commendation was given by Engineer Felix Adeniran Ibitoye, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), during a lecture titled: Engineering; A Lucrative and Dignified Profession as part of a career talk organised by the Ultimate Club of Ikirun in collaboration with the NSE, Osogbo branch. The NSE Osogbo boss, who also is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Engineering Matters, advised the students and the youths in attendance to note that the field of engineering comprises of three main areas of mechanical, electrical and civil, but other areas have been added to it though they are what was termed as minor fields. According to the mechanical and politically-oriented engineer, they included structural, computer, industrial, chemical, metallurgical,

By Francis Ezediuno

a good professional careers for their future. The club’s founder noted that being a new club, there was need to woo the youths, who would provide the needed change in their different communities.

He was full of appreciation to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Osogbo branch, for overwhelmingly supporting the club. The event which was held at the Ikirun Town

ASUSS Breaks Away From

changes in their status. “We have written all the concerned authorities of the existence of the ASUSS and we expect that such letters should be acknowledged, not just verbally, but should be followed with action, particularly with regards to remittance of dues. We are also making it public that the recent call for strike by the NUT excludes our members, as we are By ismaeel uthman charges were read to justice with mercy on the still attending classes accused person, saying a n d e n g a g i n g o u r 25-year-old man, Adewale Oluwatobi, him in the dock. Police prosecutor, that he was remorseful students. The call for was on Wednesday sentenced to six strike is fully for the years’ imprisonment by an Osogbo S e r g e a n t A b i o d u n for the offence. Presiding magistrate, NUT members and we Fagboyinbo, stated that Magistrate’s Court for theft. are no longer part of it”, the offence levelled Mr Olusola Aluko, he added. Oluwatobi, according Baruwa Street, Osogbo. against him was contrary convicted the accused In his reaction, the The charge sheet to and punishable under person and thereafter Tutor-General for the to the charge sheet read in court, stole two stated that the stolen Section 390 of the sentenced him to six area, Mr Kola Buari, mobile handsets and items belonged to one Criminal Act of Nigeria. months’ jail term with appreciated the union some other materials Miss Arike Awofisayo. Defence counsel, Mrs an option of N40,000 for its peaceful protest, saying their request The accused person Nnena Ugwu, prayed fine. valued at N70,000 on is being looked into, September 15, 2014 at pleaded guilty to the the court to temper theft offence when the

well as informed them of the existence of a new union, which is fully registered; hence, the NUT should stop collecting their dues. Obawole further stressed that the essence of the protest was to inform all stakeholders in the state of the division between the union and the NUT in order for it to notify and effect necessary

Man, 25, Bags 6-month Jail Term For Theft

Osun Defender Thursday, November

By ismaeel uthman

Agenda For The Second Term (1) two claims. The first is that by offering an enduring alternative perspective he has restored faith in the efficacy of good governance. Secondly, he has re–established a progressive, social democratic agenda to an understandably cynical electorate.

reestablished. The multiplier effect of this is that linkages have been formed; coordinating diverse government policies into one with a view to elevating living standards, fighting long–term structural poverty as well as rebalancing the stultified rural economy.

created in every sector will now have to be refined, constantly finetuned and fundamentally institutionalized. Aregbesola has already shown the efficacy of policies which trigger off enduring multiplier effects, they must now be deepened.

What this means is that the future can only be guaranteed when all the decisive game–changing innovations exhibited during the first term are consolidated and codified into institutionalized frameworks. This is the only way to guarantee continuity and protect the gains for all time.

The two positions are inter linked. For by re-establishing trust in the beneficial intervention of good governance, he has demonstrated that government has a decisive and important role to play in the lives of men and women. In addition it has also re-established the philosophical thrust of progressive politics. This is that coordinated government policies will impact on the common cause. In doing so living standards are elevated by widening access to education, health facilities as well re–invigorating the physical and social infrastructure to a more enduring level.

For example there is a linkage between the educational policies pursued by the Aregbesola administration and an upward trajectory in the productive base of the rural economy. To illustrate by providing free meals we have noticed an increase in farm production through assured markets and a guaranteed minimum farm gate price. The resulting increase in production is bound to naturally induce the emergence of agroindustries of all shapes and sizes.

An example is the key role of agriculture. In the second–term there must be institutionalized mechanisms to formally increase production such as guaranteed farm gate prices. Overall the second term must also look at and seek to adapt from some of the acclaimed measures of Brazil’s BOLSA FAMILA PROGRAMME which was developed to pull millions out of poverty. Luckily programmes such as the school meals already reflect shades of Bolsa Famila and are achieving the same effect.

Therefore this has to be borne in mind as we set forth an Agenda for the second term. It is our belief that when the history of our times comes to be written, the ‘symbol’ will strike

The alternative perspective which has now been established puts the human being at the epicenter of all government policies. In this way trust in the efficacy government has been

Institutionalising the gains is vital for future good governance. As Napoleon Bonaparte has very sensibly pointed out,’ Men are powerless in their (inevitably futile) attempt to dictate the course of the future, only institutions can do that’. He is correct. In his own case for example, no one today really remembers the decisive game–changing military victories such as the battle of Austerlitz. Napoleon is remembered today for the Code Napoleon which is the ground norm of French law.

Naturally the increase in employment generation, widening of the tax-base and a subsequent increase in the government’s own internally generated revenue base will become noticeable. It is this form of linkage that will have to be intensified in the course of the second term. The structures already

As Aregtbesola Takes Another Oath Of Office

t is my pleasure to write this piece in your reputable newspaper. May you continue to serve your audience b e t t e r. I w a n t t o comment on the second term inauguration of the people’s governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, which is starting today. The All Progressives Congress-led (APC) administration has done a lot to deserve re-election and I would not dwell on that much. It is my view that the people of the state gave their mandate to the governor based on their trust in his ability to further promote good governance and their expectation that he would deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy. The governor should

not forget what the people of the state, particularly residents of Osogbo, Ikirun and Ilesa did during the build up to the poll, especially when hooded security operatives invaded the towns in a bid to intimidate them, but the people

did not bulge, rather they stood on the way of risk to show their belief in the governor’s ability to lead the state to greatness. Similarly, when the PDP invaded the major towns with money, seeking to purchase votes, the people of the State of the Virtue

showed their valour and damned the moneybags, due to their belief in the governor’s ability to lead the way. Today is another history in the making, that a governor is taking oaths of office as democratically elected governor. I

wish that the people would ultimately be the vanguard of this new administration. The governor must look back and redress where there are errors and continue to thread the path of success in areas where his policies are applauded. This is not the time

In our next edition we will conclude our exposition of what in our opinion should be the policy thrust for the promising new administration that takes off today.

to listen to sycophants, whose stock-in-trade is deception in a bid to get favour. The governor must have thick skin for the truth, whether it is in his favour or against him, as long as it would improve the lots of the people. As the people freely gave their mandate to the governor, it is their expectation that to whom much is given, much is expected and I hope that the governor would not relent in his bid to make Osun a state we would all be proud of in no distant time. As a people, we must also understand that Rome, London and even Dubai were not built in a day or a year. We must be patient and show understanding with the administration and pray for its

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Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Feature

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Four Years Of Purposeful Governance: It’s Better

In this commemorative splash, NIYI OLASINDE runs a vivid documentary on the monumental landmark achievements of the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as it marks its turning point into a fresh tenure of office today. The focal points are Education, Agriculture, Road Infrastructure, Human Resource and Capacity Building. THE journey commenced almost eight years ago. The people sought out a change in the baton of the administration of their state and went all-out for it through the ample opportunity provided by the Gubernatorial Elections of year 2007. We were all witnesses to the events which characterized the elections and those that trailed it. The events of the three and a half years of the post-election litigations, tagged as the struggle would not be traced here, lest they bore our numerous readers. But here, we shall devote quality time and space to tracing the numerous achievements of the administration in the space of four years, which have succeeded in justifying its branding as Government Unusual. Readers would bear witness that the achievements of this incumbent administration have been numerous, monumental and transformational all through the entire three-year period. More than this, the impact of the landmark breakthrough achievements is expected to last with us far longer than the entire span of the life of the administration. Even as it consolidates its achievements in the next one whole term, which is its second tenure in office, generations unborn would find in the life-transforming projects and programmes of Ogbeni Aregbesola and his indefatigable team fond legacies which imbue in them viable relics of fulfilled lives and purposeful citizenship. Before we go on with a detailed exposition of the numerous laudable achievements of the Government Unusual, which got inaugurated exactly four years ago, OSUN DEFEBDER Magazine finds it necessary to conduct a brief background study on the situation which formed antecedents and constituted a build-up to the wave of change which we currently experience. This special anniversary package shall open with a thorough examination of the background to the numerous achievements recorded so far by the Rauf Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun. In doing this, we shall do justice to some of the achievements of the Government Unusual in summary form. We shall bring out the peculiarities of these achievements; which have presented a positive deviation from known trends in the state since creation about twenty-three years ago. It was in an attempt at producing this positive change that sages identified the necessity for a government which would work assiduously towards the realization of the dreams, yearnings and aspiration of the state’s founding fathers. It was found out that that element had been elusive all the while since the state’s creation date in 1991. The appearance in the horizons of an administration which held high promise of realization of these dreams did not catch the people unawares. At the beginning of the movement, the pact which the change agent presented to the people of the state appeared to many as too good to be true. Today however, realization has dawned on many of these pessimists that the pact can be achieved. We here present the cardinals which dictated the contents in the pact: “MY PACT WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OSUN My mission and ambition are to restore to the people, a state of peace, opportunity, for progress and room for the pursuit of prosperity in our time under a people friendly government. I give you Six-Point Integral Action plan, to the intent that they constitute my actions of faith concerning which I want to be held accountable at any time during my stewardship. SIX POINT INTEGRAL ACTION PLAN · Banish Poverty · Banish Hunger · Banish Unemployment (Create Work/ Wealth) · Restore Healthy Living · Promote Functional Education · Enhance Communal Peace and Progress On this august occasion of the fourth year anniversary of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun, it is both deserving and worthwhile that all progress-

•(R-L) President-General, Market Women Association, State of Osun, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade; Governor Aregbesola; State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro and other dignitaries, during the launch of Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (E-TCT), at Leisure Spring Hotels, Osogbo, State of Osun, recently. loving patriots who are found in the categories of indigenes, residents or well-wishers of the state should take a victor’s palm and wave it in celebration of excellence and magnanimity in governance. Now, Osun is getting it right! Now, Osun is on the right course to self-sufficiency in virtually all spheres of life. Now, your state, my state and our state is finding its foot as primemover – a clear leader in the comity of states in the federation of Nigeria. We deserve nothing less than hearts of gratitude to God Almighty. We are moving! Osun is moving! Nothing, we say nothing will stop us! Let us now turn to examining the progress and development witnessed in all spheres of life in the state since the inception of the Rauf Aregbesola administration four years ago. LOTS have been achieved in the Education sub-sector of the State of Osun during the three-year period under review. As a matter of fact, it can be argued with all justification that the sub-sector has been one of the most versatile in the state. Events and programmes which took place in the sub-sector within this period shall now seize our attention. As a sub-sector of the Social Services Sector of our economy, the importance of education to the socio-economic and industrial development of any nation cannot be overemphasized. It is against this background that the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola has remained resolute on the promotion of functional education in the state. The governor continually recounted how a timely discovery was made by his team that the educational infrastructures in our schools were in worrisome state upon their assumption of office in late 2010. In order to rightly and accurately assess the level of decay in our educational system, the Government of the State quickly convened a two-day education summit with the theme:”Resolving the Education Crisis in Osun State: Bridging Analysis and Implementation Gaps”; held at the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) in February 2011. The summit was to become one of the most prominent and decisive giant strides taken by the Aregbesola administration. To put the record straight, it came as the first ever in the annals of education summits in the state! By that singular action, the incumbent administration demonstrated its unwavering resolve to tackle head-on the spate of neglect and rot that had bedeviled the education industry in the state. Also by the impetus of the summit, the Government Unusual took the bull by the horns to restructure and reconstruct

amenities and infrastructure in the education sector of the state; in order to restore quality and promote functional education at all levels in the state. Today, the public education sub-sector of the state has been so wondrously and positively overhauled that the state has been moved from its rear position of a laggard in terms of performances of candidates’ results in public examinations into a frontal position. We need to remind readers here, in passing that at the inception of the incumbent administration four years ago, the state was found at a position which it was ranked between thirty-second and thirty-third among the thirty-six states of the federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. This position was a sad, condescending level for a state which has fond legacy as an educationally advanced state / area in the history of Nigeria. Fortunately, the Rauf Aregbesola wave of revolution in the State of Osun has revived the fond legacy; such that today, the state smiles home with a position ranking it among the units; even among the first five in the entire nation. The magic wand wielded in achieving this wonderful feat is not far-fetched: the administration committed the cream of resources to the task in the most honest, accountable, transparent, responsible and responsive manner. Apart from the Free Education Programme at the Primary and Secondary levels, the Aregbesola administration in the state has made remarkable achievements in the educational sub-sector. An instance of this is the rebranding, repackaging and transformation brought to bear on the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme; an old programme of the Yar’Adua / Oyinlola years; which has been resuscitated and rechristened Osun Elementary Schools Free Feeding and Health Programme (O’Meal). With the reorganization and resuscitation of the programme, all the pupils in primaries one to three in public schools in the State of Osun were initially covered under the free feeding programme which offers them wide assortments of highly nutritious meals during the school hours. Even meals that are not served in routine menu in conventional practice, like quality chocolate, milk, eggs and chicken are on the list of regular menu of the feeding programme. During the course of the past one year however, the coverage of the feeding programme has been extended to cover Primary Four in our public elementary schools; with

the possibilities of getting the coverage further expanded at some non-distant future date. In addition, the poor condition of infrastructure in public schools in the state is already being radically reversed. Towards this end, the first phase of the construction of New Model 100 Elementary Schools, 50 Middle and 20 High Schools is in top gear. As a matter of fact, the first-fruits of these lofty, laudable projects have been commissioned and put to use; while many more are still being completed. This, the governor noted, is in consonance with the team’s determination to raise the standard of education in our dear state. Consequent to the first-ever Education Summit held for the State of Osun referred to above, there was conducted a wide-covering inspection of schools and their facilities throughout the state; as well as requisition given to all principals and head teachers to give the roll of dangerously dilapidated structures in their respective schools; so as to give government the cues to follow in its demolition cum reconstruction bids via the instrumentality of the State of Osun Schools Infrastructure Development Project Committee (O’SCHOOLS). The committee, an intervention initiative of the incumbent administration aimed at reducing and even totally eradicating the untold risks of life to which users of the infrastructure (teachers and pupils alike) had been hitherto exposed. As at the time of toll-taking and commencement of the reconstruction work, nothing less than four thousand and fifty-five (4,055) dangerously dilapidated structures had been demolished throughout the entire public schools in the state, as they constitute terrible risks to the lives of their users. All these demolished structures had been reconstructed with decent and befitting edifices. With the present effort of the Government Unusual in the Education sub-sector of the state, we owe the administration nothing short of our kind understanding, support, cooperation and prayers. Other achievements of the government of the day through the State of Osun Schools Infrastructure include the massive use of local contents – local contractors, local suppliers of materials, local patronage of suppliers through procurement of manufactured materials from their sellers within the state; as well as the productive engagement of craftsmen and artisans with a view to injecting enormous cash

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Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Feature

Four Years Of Purposeful Governance: It’s Better

•Governor Aregbesola addressing the newsmen. Continued from page 20 into the economy of the state for the betterment of all. Authoritative and impeccable sources revealed that as the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) has been injecting about N200 Million into the economy of the state on monthly basis; so the O’SCHOOLS is doing valiantly to wrestle the state and its residents from poverty, penury, sloth and woe. Concerning the restructuring process in the education structure of the state, the state has successfully accomplished the meaningful categorization of stages of schooling into Elementary, Middle and High schools. By the resumption of schooling activities for the just concluded 2013/2014 academic year, the new categorization, reclassification and dichotomization have formed proper shape. These are all a tip of the iceberg in the strings of successes recorded by the Aregbesola administration for the four-year period under appraisal. It is in a bid to arrest the spate of perennial acute shortage of teachers in our schools and concomitantly ensuring effective teaching and learning activities in schools that the incumbent administration has embarked on massive recruitment and selection processes for qualified, quality, competent and experienced teachers for engagement at our Primary and Secondary levels. This step, apart from being a necessity to compensate for the ravaging neglect of the past; became necessary to take adequate and abundant care of the exploding enrolment figures in schools, following the introduction of a truly free, functional and qualitative education at those levels. Specifically, various selection exercises have so far been conducted by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the State PostPrimary Teaching Service Establishment and Pensions Commission (TESEPC), involving various numbers of candidates successfully absorbed into the teaching service of the state. Following the large number of retirees in the state’s teaching service at the end of the 2012 fiscal year; arrangements were made early enough in the 2013 fiscal year to recruit and select qualified, competent and experienced teaching personnel to handle tutelage of pupils and students in the government schools. These arrangements concluded during the first half of year 2013 have yielded expected dividends in hiring a huge number of properly retrained and well-motivated teachers as fresh blood injected into the system in replacement for the retired hands. This new employment roll has been made prominently manifest by the beginning of the ended 2013 / 2014 academic session. In addition to these numbers of teachers engaged, selection has also been made for competent and qualified teachers among the volunteer cadets of the popular Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) and those

hitherto employed by the Parents-Teachers’ Association (PTA). According to Ogbeni Arregbesola, the process of recruitment of teachers, which was then on, and billed for completion within the first quarter of 2012, was intended to be a continuous process. Also in the area of education, the governor noted that it was in his administration’s bid to ameliorating the suffering of parents, guardians and students that reduction was effected in the exorbitant fees being charged by the authorities of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN). A similar gesture was extended to all other tertiary institutions owned by the state. These include the Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree; the Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH), Esa-Oke; the Osun State College of Education (OSCOED), Ilesa; and the Osun State College of Education (OSCOED) , Ila-Orangun. The Government of the State, the governor declared, had abrogated all forms of charges in our public schools. To achieve effectiveness in teaching and learning, the examination and running grants being released quarterly by the government to the public secondary schools in the state have been increased by over 300 per cent. It was promised that the Aregbesola administration shall continue to give the deserved attention to the welfare of teachers in as the tenure of office of the administration wears on. This promise was redeemed all through last year (2012), and this has been assiduously pursued in subsequent years. Judging by the level of recognition being currently accorded to teachers and the teaching profession, skies are not the end-limit but the starting point for their growth and elevation in the public service. It is placed on record how in the year 2012 teachers in the high echelon in the state were elevated to the exalted status of Permanent Secretary, with the designation of Tutors-General. Facts on ground have also revealed that within the short period of the incumbent administration of Rauf Aregbesola in office, the State Library Board had received the full attention of government, particularly in the provision of conducive working environment; a situation which has positively impacted on its services to the reading public. The governor constantly promises that the State Library Board would continue to receive quality support from the State Government of Osun in 2012 and years ahead. This promise has persistently been translated into action. Ogbeni Aregbesola also promised his administration’s resolve to revive the State Scholarship Board. This promise has been redeemed in the year 2012, and has been consolidated in year 2013. Under the auspices of the scholarship board, assistance is given to deserving, outstanding but indigent (financially challenged) students of the state’s origin to obtain higher education at home and abroad.

Similarly, students who are indigenes of the state in various institutions of higher learning across the country are paid annual bursary allowances. This bursary policy may appear not to be a new phenomenon; the various amounts paid as bursary allowances to different categories of students have been reviewed upward in tune with economic realities of this time and in consonance with the needs and courses of students of various institutions. Under the incumbent administration of Ogbeni, bursary allowances are disbursed with high degree of honesty and transparency. There are no sharp practices or cutting of corners as it used to be in those dark yesteryears. Since the governor has already rolled out the State of Osun Schools’ Calisthenics Programme, alongside the inauguration of Ewa Ipinle Osun, it is certain that he shall soon be forthcoming in the fulfillment of his promise to give revival to the old boys’ and girls’ associations and voluntary clubs in all primary and secondary schools for leadership training and team spirit building. During year 2012, it was in full realization of the vibrant role and the auspicious place of Education sub-sector of the Social Services Sector to the socio-economic life and political emancipation of the State of Osun and the liberation of the people that the incumbent administration accorded to it a total allocation of N13.7 Billion or 18.8 per cent of its total capital budget; though that initial budgetary provision later on got reviewed upwardly, following the consideration of the State of Osun House of Assembly. In year 2013 alone, there have been tremendous achievements recorded for the Education sub-sector in the state. Apart from the State of Osun Schools Uniform Scheme (O’Uniform) other strings of successes have followed. Chiefest of them all; which is among the fundamental firsts which the administration has recorded so far is the introduction of the computer-like devise into the teachinglearning programme at the Senior Secondary level of education in the state. The programme called Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo) has brought lots of improvements in to the learning processes at that stage as well eased the process of getting the state’s candidates for external examinations adequately prepared for success. Lots have already been written on the nittygritty of the Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo) in our earlier editions. The launch however eventually saw the light of day in the month of May 2013. With the beginning of the 2013 / 2014 academic session, Opon Imo devises have been distributed to the category of students for which it was designed throughout the length and breadth of the state. Also, various trainings and workshops entailing its handling and operation have been organized for teachers. At the outset of the 2013 / 2014 academic session,

the Government of the State of Osun carried out its resolve to distribute copies of Opon Imo to teachers in secondary schools who have reached echelons as high as Grade Level 12 and above. Also during the month of May, precisely on Monday May27, 2013 the annual globally-held Children’s Day celebrations took a different turn in the State of Osun. This was as at the instance of the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola the first-ever O’odua World Children’s Day Celebration was organized and held. The event, a unifying force for all offspring of legendary Oduduwa in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, turned out to be a convergence of all children, adult and traditional (royal) fathers of Yoruba extraction spread across the globe. At the event of the day, representatives and contingents present included those from about ten states in the federation of Nigeria, those from the neighbouriing old Dahomey Kingdom (now Republic of Benin), and those from other parts of the universe, with the inclusion of the United States of America (USA), the Americas and the Caribbean. It was really a colourful and eventful programme. The states within the federation include the host state, the State of Osun. Others are Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti States. We also had in attendance other states like Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states. Apart from an impressive turnout from almost all royal fathers from the host state at the event, royal fathers from other places outside the State of Osun include the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; the Aseyin of Iseyin; and the Eleruwa of Eruwa. Royal fathers from the Republic of Benin include the Olupopo of Popo; Onisabe of Sabe and Oniketu of Ketu among others. Through the auspices presented by the programme, youths from those different states mentioned above and those from other parts were able to interact and cooperate with love and share commonalities. As it turned out, and as Governor Aregbesola himself pointed out at the programme, the event of May 27, held at the main bowl of the Osogbo Township Stadium under construction marked the largest-ever held congregation of black nationalities anywhere in the world. AGRICULTURE is the mainstay and prime sustainer of our economy in the South-West in particular; and in Nigeria in general. It is on this note that we boldly assert that the overwhelming importance of this sub-sector to our socioeconomic life and our overall prosperity cannot be overemphasized. This is more so because above 70 per cent of our working population is engaged in this industry and all forms of farming enterprises. In full cognizance of this fact, the Rauf Aregbesola administration has vowed not to renege in its determined efforts at investing massively in food production, food security and agriculture in its entirety. The activities of government in this regard have transcended mere lip-service. The Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Programme (OREAP) has taken off effectively. It has, during the previous years of this administration in office, given birth to such other programmes like O’Beef, O’Fish, O’Honey and chicken production. The number of “O” programmes in this connection is still counting. As the 2012 Budget and other past years contained much promise in the area of agriculture, so it was that at the end of each respective year, the trust of the people for a fruitful year of bumper harvest was not betrayed. At the beginning of the 2013 fiscal year and the current year in particular, the stage had been set for a bumper harvest. As this year reaches its end and at this turning point of the administration, we can proudly beat our chests and say confidently that we have never had it so good! The incumbent administration under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had in 2011 embarked on various programmes geared towards boosting agricultural output in the state. One of such was the land validation exercise carried out in four out of the nine farm settlements in the state, to determine the status of the performance of the settlers. While doing that, the governor did promise that the exercise shall be extended to all other farm settlements in the state. Ogbeni has made good his promise in the past years by fully validating the other farm settlements and funding them all into full capacity, as well as restoring them to their pride

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Feature

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Four Years Of Purposeful Governance: It’s Better Here! Continued from page 21

of place of old. In order to facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce from the farms, as much as a total of 45 kilometre access and 25 kilometre feeder roads was constructed during the year 2011 to link farm settlements with the urban centres. According to government sources, the list of affected farm settlements includes Mokore, Esa-Oke / Esa-Odo, Iwo / Patara and Orile Owu and Ago Owu. The willingness and readiness of the Government of the State manifested in its intensified efforts at providing access / feeder roads in the rural areas during the 2012 fiscal year and in the immediate past fiscal year – 2013. In the area of empowerment of farmers, a total of 3,776 farmers’ cooperative societies were registered in the 2011 fiscal year; out of which 66 benefitted from N153 Million loan disbursed by the Government of the State under its quick impact intervention programme. The year 2012, it is placed on record, also witnessed bumper production of broilers through the Osun Poultry Grower Production Scheme; a tripartite arrangement involving the Government of the State, an agricultural concern (Scheme Manager) and the Poultry Association of Nigeria. It was also to the awareness and the gladdening delight of all stakeholders in the field of agriculture in the state in the year under review that more than N40 Million out of the N1 Billion obtained under the Commercial Agriculture credit Scheme, as early as the first quarter of the year 2012. A large number of poultry farmers in the state who had benefitted from the scheme in year 2011 were also opportune through the scheme to expand the scope of their poultry farms under a wellguaranteed market for their broiler production in year 2012. Equally worth of note is the fact that a total sum of N621 Million was released during the year 2011 for the procurement of modern agro-inputs which included 3,580 metric tonnes of fertilizer; 14.68 metrtic tones of improved maize and rice seeds and various quantities of agro- chemicals. Apart from the 42.50 per cent subsidy provided by the Government of the State, farmers were also granted loans pending harvesting and marketing of their produce to be able to buy fertilizer. The Government of the State did promise and did actually redeem the promise in the just-concluded fiscal year to give necessary encouragement to farmers by making fertilizer available to them at subsidized rates. To facilitate and enhance this last gesture, an independent committee of experts was constituted in 2011 to advise government on the distribution of fertilizer to genuine practising farmers as part of government’s resource optimization strategies. In validation of this, the government confirmed continuously that the state currently has reserve of fertilizer and agro-inputs for active genuine farmers. Given the importance attached to agriculture and rural development sub-sector, a total sum of N5.6 Billion was provided in the 2012 Budget to fund the various government programmes in agriculture and rural development in the 2012 fiscal year. In copious pursuance of analysis of feats in the area of Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development, conducted above for the incumbent administration in the State of Osun for its past years in office; it was the expectation at the outset of this current year that it shall be a year of greater consolidation of achievements and lofty grounds already gained. In the light of this, the Government of the State of Osun has devoted greater budgetary provisions to this all-important sub-sector. Also, since the government had not, in the past years, been out with all its intended programmes, policies and schemes in this area, more of new innovative programmes actually unfolded in the year 2013. Additionally on this sub-sector, it is noticed that since most agriculture-oriented programmes are perennial or long-term in nature, they take long time to mature. It is of little wonder therefore that the Aregbesola administration has continued assiduously in its pursuance of its already-initiated programmes and projects; nourishing them to a logical conclusion thereby. In the unfolding of the various agricultural policies for the year 2013; the governor began by reasoning that the State of Osun is an agrarian economy with arable fertile soil, which can only be moved forward positively by revolutionizing its Agriculture. As all

•O’ Meal vendors in the State of Osun with Governor Rauf Aregbesola at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, recently.

indications around us have shown, the focus and pursuits of the administration since inception have drifted toward this inclination. The foregoing came in affirmation of our earlier claims that the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola prioritizes agriculture and sees it as a vital means to attain its lofty ends in government. It further confirms the claims laid to it above that the helmsman of the State of Osun accords great emphasis to the Six-Point Integral Action Plan of his administration, on the basis of which he made his pact with the people of the state during his election campaign prior to the 2007 Gubernatorial Elections. True to his promises and pact, the administration of Ogbeni has been proving well its worth, mien and mettle by prompt, consummate and accurate delivery of his (Ogbeni’s) election promises. Staunch evidence to this is found in the assessment of his administration for the year 2012 and earlier years; in terms of priority attention given to the sector and its various sub-sectors, huge yearly budgetary provisions, provision of infrastructural amenities aimed mainly to open up rural areas to urban areas, employment generation and youth empowerment, among others.

In December 2013, the first set of O’YES cadets on agricultural training programme in Germany, comprising twenty trainees, came back on our shores – fully trained; and fully prepared to impact positively heir acquired training on our agricultural terrains. The rest of the group has returned in early 2014. The actualization of the promise of the administration just bared above, concerning the training of the selected youths of the state’s origin in the German State of Saxony came as a promise kept. Today, it is highly commendable that the Aregbesola administration had sent the vibrant youths, numbering upward to about fifty, selected from the length and breadth of the nine Federal Constituencies which the state comprises. The youths, who have been selected in just, fair and objective manners, are receiving a three-month intensive training in virtually all areas of agricultural endeavour, which include animal husbandry, soil science, crop propagation, agroprocessing, food preservation, feeds milling and others. This effort came courtesy of the State Government’s intervention innovation called Quick Intervention Programme. It was hoped that by the time the training programme shall be complete; and the programme should have been replicated, the agricultural cum food security drive of the incumbent administration should

have become most prominently manifest to the overall benefit of all. This vision was premised on the fact that the administration of the day is more committed to delivery of promises than paying mere lip-services to programmes. It was revealed that during the same year under review, 97 hectares of land was put into cultivation by the participants of the programme and that efforts were in top gear to form the participants of the academy into registered cooperative groups with assistance from the government as part of the exit strategy for the OYES cadets in January/February 2013. This goal has by now been realized, as the 2010/2012 Batch of OYES cadets have already been graduated into the labour market. Also, already, another batch of OYES cadets, i.e. the 2013/2015 Batch, comprising 20,000 vibrant unemployed youth has been recruited; a substantial part of which has been receiving functional training in areas of farming, animal husbandry and dairy farming and entire agriculture practice. ROAD transportation is the single most important, prevalent and widely-used means of transportation in the third world, perhaps due to its availability, affordability, flexibility and the nature of our landscape which makes a greater part of our hinterland accessible through several means of land coverage, ranging from human porterage through the use of beasts of burden to several forms of automated modern land transportation. The use of the term land transportation carries along with it some shades and degree of ambiguity, since the concept of land in Economic studies has components which comprise more than the hard surface of the earth’s crust to include other elements of natural endowments which include bodies of water. Owing to this fact, it is better, safer and more specific, at least for the purpose of clarity of argument to refer to road transportation when all means of transportation involving transverse on the earth’s surface for conveyance of people and goods are concerned. In West Africa and Nigeria as its major subset, the auspicious role of road transportation has been found to be of immense and invaluable place to social, cultural, political, economic and virtually all spheres of life. Much of integration in all these spheres would be elusive without a means of transportation that is both accessible and affordable. The flexibility factor that road transportation possesses is the icing of the cake as it has become the delight of a multitude of people. Above the matter of choice by preference, people are, more often than not, left with no better option than to adopt transporting people and freight through our roads. For the purpose of this discourse, Road transportation

would imply all modern means of conveyance of passengers and goods from one place to another, as we spare ancient means like human porterage and the use of beasts of burden. Due to factors which include huge costs of capital outlay, cost of maintenance, risks of carnages and attendant losses of lives and property, slow speed, traffic congestion and environmental pollution; modern means of road transportation have come under severe criticism. Yet, there has not been any known alternative invented to replace it, given its many advantages, especially those hinged on availability, convenience, flexibility and affordability. As a matter of fact, all other known means of transportation that are often preferred on the basis of speed, comfort and / or other factors are not used in isolation. Either at the point of embarkation or disembarkation, their users still need to complement them with some forms of transportation by road. Either rail ways or motor roads, road transportation has come to be the masses delight in this part of the globe, hence, huge investment in their provision and smooth operation has become one major index of measuring the leverage of performance of any government at any tier, local, state or federal. In the State of Osun, South West geopolitical zone, it is obvious that early realization of the foregoing has set the ball rolling for the incumbent administration of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, who is committing huge financial resources and other means at its disposal to provision of good, motorable roads all over the state. The record has to be set straight that there are a great number of these roads that criss-cross the length and breadth of the territory of the twenty-three-year old state. Though they exist in different categories, these roads have in recent times become the responsibility of the state government in terms of their construction, rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance. The reasons for this wise step cannot be far-fetched. The derelict state of disrepair and abandonment in which they were prior to the coming on board of the administration on November 27, 2010 and the urgent need for intervention are reasons cogent enough to justify the giant strides of the Government Unusual. Prior to November 2010, we were witnesses to how portions of our landscape that were once considered motor roads deteriorated into undulating terrains and erosion paths. All manners of roads in the state – federal, state and local – had virtually deteriorated. We would not engage in the boredom or drudgery involved in tracing the fossils of those past

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Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Feature

Four Years Of Purposeful Governance: It’s Better Here!

•A newly-commissioned road at Oroki Housing Estate, Osogbo, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, on Monday. Continued on page 22 eras all over. But we need to state clearly that Ogbeni had made up his mind to come for a task of complete overhaul and reconstruction. Additional portions of his Pact with the people of the state further justify this conclusion: SIX POINT INTEGRAL ACTION PLAN · Banish Poverty · Banish Hunger ·Banish Unemployment (Create Work/ Wealth) ·Restore Healthy Living ·Promote Functional Education ·Enhance Communal Peace and Progress BANISH HUNGER FOOD& AGRICULTURE Vision: Our government shall banish hunger in Osun and enhance wealth through massive increase in food production and agriculture. Every farmer shall sell his products and be prosperous. The labour of the farmer shall no longer be in vain because we shall provide assistance and support to farmers in finding and exploiting profitable market for their goods. We do not presently grow enough food in Osun to feed us round the year and this should concern a government that cares for its people. Our government shall support farmers to attain increase in food production, better storage and delivery. We shall provide assistance to farmers in exploiting profitable markets and market opportunities for their products. · To maximize the benefit of resultant massive increase in food production, we shall improve: · Access roads and general transportation to even the most remote areas of the state. · Storage process and capacity. · Processing of agricultural produce. · Rural electricity and water supply. CASH CROPS · Encourage production of cash crops which can enhance farmer’s income and provide basis for an effective agro-industrial society in the state of Osun. · Specified to vigorously develop extensive farming in palm trees to create a fully integrated oil palm processing industry. · To target and capture minimum of 10% of the multibillion naira- per day food market of the neighbouring states. · Support cooperative efforts by farmers · Be a catalyst to the development and promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises that will exploit available raw materials. · Set up price support scheme for farmers through commodity exchange board.

ROADS Vision: Roads to and in all towns and villages in Osun. Road construction and maintenance shall be used to generate employment for the indigenes of the State of Osun. · Community based road maintenance units will be established to ensure timely repairs and deduce overall maintenance costs. · Development and regular maintenance of urban and rural roads to get top priority. · Access roads to evacuate agricultural produce shall be constantly improved and expanded. · Create partnerships with the private sector on road development and provision of infrastructure. TRANSPORTATION We shall produce a transport master plan to provide direction for development of the sector. The safety of the lives of the indigenes of the State of Osun is of great concern to us. We shall: · Reduce to the barest minimum, road traffic accident within 6 months on all roads starting with Federal roads. · Create a motorized division of the Osun troopers to patrol roads to prevent accidents on the highways and organize rescue and recovery operations. WITH the background information set above in mind, it becomes quite explainable and understandable why the State of Osun today has transformed into a massive site for infrastructure, particularly, road infrastructure. Almost four years into the journey, there is no part of the state where the hand of the administration has not been prominently felt. Within the metropolis of Osogbo, the state capital and outside of it, work has come alive and government is seen at work, fixing already existing roads and constructing new ones. It is important to note that the administration in its avowed commitment to make the state a model of sorts does not spare federal roads. The State of Osun is reputed to have one of the lengthiest coverage of federal highways crisscrossing its territories. Unfortunately, due to long years of abandonment and neglect, these roads had been in derelict state of disrepair prior to the emergence of the incumbent administration. Today, the people are heaving a sigh of relief as these roads are witnessing massive transformation in rehabilitation and reconstruction; yet there are expectations. Within and outside Osogbo metropolis, the state is replete with massive presence of road infrastructure projects all of which are at various stages of completion. While some have been completed and already commissioned for use, some are at stages nearing completion and are billed for commissioning and outright

use before the end of the current year. Aside expectations, Governor Aregbesola bared the promise during the election campaigns which preceded the just-concluded Governorship Elections that his second term in office would bring about more road infrastructure for the state. Let it also be stressed in passing that apart from federal roads, the administration has not neglected state and local roads in its transformation drives. Also, rural access roads, which are intended to open up rural areas to urban centres are not left out of the re-engineering process. The intra-city roads in the state have witnessed massive rejuvenation. Work is on in the direction of the State of Osun Urban Renewal Project which aims at giving face-lift and new lease of life to named ancient towns and cities, especially zonal headquarters like Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ila-Orangun, Ejigbo, Ede, Iwo, Ikirun and Ikire. Osogbo, as the state capital shall have two city centres: Oja Oba/ Palace area and Old Garage. The city centres shall be provided with good modern amenities like post offices, police stations, recreational centres, parks and gardens, eateries and the likes to give the places the desired face-lift that shall make them conform to modern-day standard of cities. Today, work is earnestly in upper swing in getting reconstructed the Osogbo/Ila-Odo/ErinIle, Kwara State Boundary road. It is expected that the completed road shall be delivered before the end of the current year, 2014. This assurance was further affirmed recently by the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola during the election campaigns preceding the last election in the state. As part of expectations of residents from government, the contract for the reconstruction of Osogbo/Iwo/Ibadan Road; also a dualization project, which has since been awarded is also expected to bring about a fully constructed road in due course of time. Not only these, work on the Gbongan/Orile-Owu/ Odeyinka/Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State Boundary road which has reached an advanced stage is expected to be delivered soon. Also a contract awarded by the incumbent administration, the Gbongan Trumpet Interchange along the Ibadan / Ile-Ife Expressway is expected to be handed over to motorists for use any moment from now. Gbongan/Akoda end of the Gbongan/Osogbo Expressway is also not left out of the massive reconstruction in roads, currently ongoing in the State of Osun. Work is also going on, on the construction of Igbajo/Imesi/Ekiti State Boundary road. The Gbongan/Orile-Owu/ Odeyinka/Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State Boundary road is important as it provides a shortcut to cosmopolitan Lagos State without having to go through the unnecessary headache of traffic congestion which is the normal feature

of Ibadan/Lagos axis. Already, the Ikirun/Iree/ Ila-Orangun road project has been upgraded. However, residents trust Aregbesola as a man of his word that he shall carry out the upgrade of the stretch of that road, up till the EkanMeje / Kwara State Boundary before the first quarter of his second term in office. People of the Land of Virtue, especially residents of Osogbo, Okinni, Ilobu, Erin-Osun and IfonOrolu are full of expectations that the Osogbo – Ogbomoso Road would be reconstructed and dualized in earnest; while in Ede / Ejigbo axis of the state, the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is expected not to renege on its promise and resolve to fix eight the expanse of road linking these two major cities of the Osun West Senatorial District. There are other road projects currently going on in the State of Osun. Within the metropolis of Osogbo the state capital alone, practically all the inner access roads have been reconstructed. These roads are damn too numerous to mention. Of recent, the East Bypass, stretching from IdoOsun end, through Ataoja School of Science to Isale Osun/Oke Ijetu/Ibokun Road bursting out at Ikirun road had its contract work awarded and work has commenced in earnest. As a matter of fact, work on that road, named Adesoji Aderemi Bypass shall soon be completed. This is not to talk of the work that is ongoing at the Old Garage Area of Osogbo, which, apart from being a work of beautification, is intended to make that heart of the city more spacious, healthy and more befitting. The West Bypass, popularly referred to as Ring Road, constructed by an earlier administration in the state is currently witnessing a facelift. According to residents of the state, one factor that has sustained their confidence in Ogbeni Aregbesola and his administration is the fact that in spite of the fact that the processes leading to the last election were quite demanding, work did not stop on virtually all the road sites in the state. The broadening work on the New Osogbo / Gbongan / Ibadan Expressway from Olaiya / Old Fakunle end is a case in hand. The Osogbo / Ila-Odo / Erin-Ile / Kwara State Boundary Road and the Oba Adesoji Aderemi Bypass are other instances. Now that the coast is clear and that victory has been won at the polls, it is hoped that work at those sites and others too numerous to mention shall be intensified in order that the living standards of the people could be improved. So far, the list of roads constructed, rehabilitated and upgraded within Osogbo, the state capital; which have been commissioned and put to effective used includes Station Road to Ebenezer Hotel Road; Boorepo to Elelede Junction Road; Elelede to Gbaemu Road; Gbodofon to Gbaemu Junction Road; and Ilobu Road to GRA Road. Others include: Oja Oba Road to Plantation Area; Balogun / Biiro to Oke Baale Road; Alafia Street to Church Street; Awolowo Way; Coca-Cola to Capital Hotel Road; Oke Onitea Road to Anaye Market Junction; Bisi Bankole, Okefia to Ita Olokan Road; the Road from Opposite Capital Hotel to Oroki Road; Oroki Estate to Ilobu Road; Odetoyinbo to Heritage Hotel Road with Spur; and Kola Balogun Road Junction to Fiwasaye Olohunosebi Junction. There are also the Osunbukola to Ede Road; John Mackay Road to Oke Baale; the road from Tanisi to Keji Adigun Street; Adams Street to Mercy Land and Road Spur; Steel Rolling Camp to Kabelo Filling Station; and Rehabilitated Ifeloju OmoWest Road. In Ilesa, few selected roads, numbering fifteen (15) and spanning up 20.71 kilometres include Tosho Obembe – General Hospital, Oke Opo Community, Irojo – Sabo Junction, Ilerin / Leventist – Obokun Avenue, Lejoka / Abiola / Imo Junctions, Omo Olupe Street and Old Omieran Road. Others are Isokun / Osogbo, Ibala / Ido Oko Junction, Oladokun Ibironke, Oke Omiru and Otekunrin roads. Granted that the victory of Ogbeni Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the August 9 Gubernatorial Elections came through based on concrete achievements of the administration in the area of provision of road infrastructure during the first tenure of office, it is expected that higher grounds will be reached during the second tenure, commencing from November 27, 2014.

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Feature

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Education Soaring Higher

What could have informed the choice of the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, to seek for a deputy with background in education-related qualification? Could it be his quest and love for functional education? Aside, he believes that a woman can handle education-related issue better, as women are foremost teachers, agents of socialization and above all, the motherly qualities of tenderness, caring good virtues, which nature had endowed them with. Many described her as loyal, dutiful, dedicated, passionate, unassuming, submissive, godly but highly cerebral, strict and a disciplinarian, whose background as a daughter of a headmaster, coupled with her discipline, had been an additional value to her position as the deputy governor of the State of Osun and Commissioner for Education in the state. Otunba Grace Titilayo OlaoyeTomori, though could not be said to have any succinct in politics, but she is not absolutely a green-horn in politics at the time she met with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola because she had once been a Registrar at the prestigious University of Lagos and a Director at IGI Insurance Company, where she must have learnt the board room game, which is politicking. A meeting with the governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola had only awaken the giant in her, as she shared in the dream, vision and passion of the governor as clearly stated in his mantra: “My pact with the people of Osun State” which becomes her companion, throughout the time the retrieval of the mandate lasted. A clear understanding of her mission, did not only make her to be focused throughout the first term of his boss, as the governor of the state, as both were involved in the transformation and turning around the state for a better future. In the word of Deputy Governor: “The governor had told me that he would want me to be the Commissioner for Education aside being his deputy, which is a very large and challenging position in Osun, because it involves both the basic education and tertiary education, as well as formal and non-formal education, So, for me, there is no dull moment and as his deputy, I am not regarded as a spare tyre.” “A deputy governor that does not realise that he is to bring out the best in his governor, is wasting his or her time, as we are but to complement him to govern the state.” This fact had not only made her passionate about her duty, but it had also made her to be focused in the last four years, as she had a clearly understanding of what her position as the deputy governor entails. As a born again Christian pitching her tent with a staunch Muslim, how does she relate without conflict on the basis of religion? The second citizen of Osun assessed that the level of intelligence, along with the fear of God of her boss had helped tremendously. “He is a man that believes everybody should practice his or her religion the way he or she chooses. “He is highly accommodating and he knows that I do not joke with my church programmes. He is very happy when I tell him am going to church, as I attend Prayer City of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles at Arepo along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. “The governor doesn’t interfere with my religious belief and am quite happy with him. He has encouraged people to practice what they believe in. Most of us working with him are Christians. For example, in a cabinet of 37 members,

•Laoye-Tomori By sola jacobs

26 of us are Christians and you know what that means. Even in the House of Assembly, where they have 26 members, only 10 of them are Muslims, 16 are Christians, same goes for the Executive Secretaries in all the local government council areas. So I am happy working with him,” she said cheerfully. Score Cards as the Commissioner for Education. On assumption of office, the Action Congress of Nigeria-led administration left no one in doubt that it had come to revamp the battered economy of the State of Osun and turns its fortunes around for good. Toward this end, a six-point integral action plan was put in place as the guiding policy framework for the overall development of the state. The scenario of Osun schools at the assumption of office in the last four years, according to the Commissioner of Education, was that schools were at comatose because apart from the infrastructural collapse, there was rot in the system. Students’ performance was abysmal and the learning environment was not conducive for teaching and learning. The teachers were not motivated, while the students were not equally encouraged to be in school and there was nothing to attract the kids to come to school. Many of the classrooms had leaking roofs and pupils had to give way whenever it rained. Some of the girls took their classes on bare floors, while the boys perched on the windows. Some of the students, whose parents could afford furniture, brought furniture from home and accommodated some of their friends. According to her, there was a school she visited and found three girls on a chair, it was practically impossible for them to learn or understand anything

being taught in that condition. “There were other schools I visited and for 990 students, they had only six teachers and out of these six teachers, only four were regular teachers, while the other two were the Principal and Vice Principal. At another school, on my arrival, the boys were running around and I asked them what they had, they told me they had Chemistry and I asked: “Why are you not in the laboratory? They looked at me as if I was speaking a language they didn’t understand, because they didn’t have laboratories. For most schools, laboratory was no longer in existence in the State of Osun. Science subjects were no longer taught the way they were taught when we were in school many years back. If the students that are currently in schools are lacking what I gained over 40 years ago, then, we have a big problem. The instructional materials were not provided. I mean basic tools like chalk, register book, school records and diary, books and so on. It was then we realized why those students were not performing well in schools. At that time, only three percent of our students could boast of five credits including mathematics and English that would enable them gain admission into higher institutions. That was the pitiable state and the rot we met. “To tackle the anomaly, the state first held an education submit in February 2011, where stakeholders, notable academicians, parents and the government sat to access and proffer solutions to the problems that were bedeviling the education sector of the state. Within the six months of the state’s intervention, the position of the State of Osun had moved from 32 to 18. That was before our major intervention. Our kids are brilliant, they just needed support. The school grant was poor: the elementary schools were given N200 per school in a month. What

will that do? That is not even enough to cut grass in the school premises. What the teachers did was to resort to Parents Teachers Association (PTA) to get funds to run the schools. So it was burdensome for parents to send their children to school. To tell the truth, only the poor sent their children to public schools in Osun until this administration came in. One of the things the government of Ogbeni did to change the system was that it reviewed the school grant from N200 per school to N400 per child in each public school. In the high schools, we reviewed it from N150 to N550. Also we have supplied instructional materials every term to schools. So far, the state had supplied instructional materials to the tune of N300 million “This government has promoted quite a lot of teachers and they now have access to housing and car loans, which have also been reviewed upward. The teachers are being trained and retrained continuously. Some of them have been sent out of the country for trainings and conferences. NEW SCHOOL SYSTEM EMERGES IN THE STATE OF OSUN The school reclassification system was part of the communiqué of the education submit containing the recommendations for the way forward and it had since become the blueprint of the administration for the development of the all-important sector. The new school system is structured as follows. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Pupils between the ages of six and nine are in the elementary schools within their neighbourhoods. The categorization was formally known as Primaries 1-4, but had since be referred to as Grade 1-4. Infrastructural facilities at the elementary schools had been designed to accommodate 900 pupils. The first of it to be commissioned in the State of Osun was the Salvation Army Elementary School at Oke-fia, in Osogbo, which was a promise delivered. Others that had since been commissioned included Baptist Elementary School at Ilare, Ile-Ife, A.U.D Elementary School at Isale-Osun, Osogbo, among others. The total of such state-of-the-art schools delivered is fourteen altogether. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL Pupils in the middle-schools are in age range of 10-14years. This was known as Primary 5, Primary 6, JSS1, 2 and 3 in the past, but the categorization is known as Grades 5-9. Similarly their infrastructural facilities had been designed to accommodate 900 pupils. Total number of fourteen modern buildings are almost being completed. THE HIGH SCHOOLS Students in the high schools are between the ages of 15-17 years. The infrastructural facilities have been designed to contain 3,000 students. Other facilities in consonance with international academic standard will include a standard football pitch, recreational facilities, laboratories and libraries. The private sectors would be encouraged to build students’ hotels and staff quarters on agreeable terms and conditions. In all, the government has so far committed a total of N30 billion to the building of the 100 elementary school type, 50 middle school type and 20 high school type, within the first term of the administration. INTRODUCTION OF NEW SCHOOL UNIFORM In other to bridge the gap that had

Continued on page 35

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Feature

Osu n Edu cat ion So ari ng Hig he r Continued from page 34

hitherto existed between the rich and the poor, the government of the State of Osun decided to introduce unified school uniforms, as an effort to create a unique identity for Osun students and enthrone a culture of loyalty between the people and the state government. To ensure uniformity and engender deep sense of belonging in public primary and secondary school children, the state government had distributed free customized uniforms for its new school system since the beginning of 2012/2013 academic session. The deputy governor continued that no aspect of the school uniform is designed to be offensive in any way, as all religious faiths in the state were duly-considered in its conception and design. The introduction of the uniform had not only benefited the students alone, but in a way, it has promoted the economic development of the state, which had provided employment opportunities for tailors and private investors. In this view, a garment factory known as “Omoluabi Garment Factory” had since birthed in the state and it had recruited over 1,000 local tailors. Market women in the local markets across the state are serving as retail outlets for the sale of the school uniforms to the parents and guardians. O’MEAL Another uncommon feat in the education sector is Osun Elementary School feeding policy of the Aregbesola’s administration. The programme was initiated in 2004 by the Federal Government. It was known as the Home Grown Feeding and Health Programme. At its inception, 13 pilot states were selected from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to kick-start the programme. The programme commenced in the State of Osun on 6th May, 2006. The government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola scaled up the programme on the 30th April, 2012 and renamed it Osun Elementary Feeding and Health Programme, (O’MEALS) to be financed by the state and local governments at a 40:60 ratio, targeting Grades 1-4 in all public schools with a population of over 250,000 pupils being feed on daily basis The objectives of the programme are: (i) To banish hunger, (ii) To improve enrolment and school attendance in public primary schools, (iii) To improve retention and completion rates (iv) Improve the health status of pupils in public schools (v) Job creation through empowerment of women and (vi) Encouragement of small scale farmers. All the set objectives had been achieved as the state topped the ladder of school enrollees in 2013 throughout the nation. Still on O’meal, the project had since empowered women sector in the state economy, as 3007 vendors were recruited, trained and kitted, while a colossal amount of N12.7 million is spent daily on feeding 250,000 pupils, who are the beneficiaries. The vendors are kitted with 2 sets of appropriate uniforms. They are also given N4,000 weekly as transport subsidy, while the state also distributed cooking utensils to the vendors through an interest-free loan schemes at a cost of N41,500 per food vendor. The loan repayment is spread over three years for convenience. OSUN SCHOOL MENU AT A GLACNE

•Laoye-Tomori

Monday: Yam + Fish stew + Orange Tuesday: Rice + Beans + Chicken + Orange Wednesday: Beans porridge + bread + whole egg + Banana. Thursday: Rice + Egusi stew + Chicken + Orange Friday: Cocoyam porridge + vegetable + Beef + pawpaw Aside, the food vendors are trained regularly and mandated to go for medical certification to protect pupils from communicable diseases. Monitoring and evaluation, as the backbone of the programme, is being given priority. The programme is monitored by different committees including parents and community members. This government, since its inception, had been deworming pupils twice a year to enhance pupils’ health. Now, Osun pupils look healthy, robust and happy and there is a steady increase in school enrolment. Indeed, there is restoration of confidence in public schools. The E-learning Project (Opon-Imo) “This is the conception and creation of my boss, which could make one to call him a genius. It is produced to aid students and learning for secondary schools in the state, especially, students in Grades 11 and 12. It contained seventeen subjects that students offer during West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) with the inclusion of notes, textbooks, mostly provided by Evans Publishers and Masters Teachers inputs. Lesson notes on each subject are also included. Besides, six extracurricular subjects in form of sex education, civic education, Yoruba History, Yoruba Traditional Religion, Computer Education and Entrepreneurship Education were included. Ten years’ past questions and answers by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation

Board (JAMB) and the West African Examination Council were also in the learning kit. Well over 150,000 units were distributed free for students and teachers across the state. The achievements in the education sector in this last four years included, decentralization of TESCOM and TEPO. For efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of secondary schools, as well as advancement of teachers to permanent secretary status, government is in the process of decentralizing the activities of the Post-Primary School Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) into three Education Districts on the basis of the senatorial districts of the state and the creation of Teachers Establishment and Pension office (TEPO), the governor had since appointed Tutors General/Permanent Secretaries from among principals of public secondary schools to head the educational districts and TEPO. Promotion of Technical and Vocational Education The administration had done lot to improve the quality of nine Technical and Vocational Education Colleges in the State of Osun and increased examination grants/running costs to the colleges and had established Lifelong Academics in the nine federal constituencies, which is aimed at reducing unemployment and promote self-reliance. Besides, 170 personnel have been recruited into the Technical Schools which include; Educational Officers (19); Higher Technical Instructors (16); Technical Instructors (70); Assistant Technical Instructors (30); Artisans (18); and Library/Laboratory Assistants (17). To alleviate the sufferings of parents, the present administration has been paying the WASC, SSCE and NABTEB SSCE examinations fees for the students of state-owned technical colleges were beneficiaries as well. The state government in 2013 paid N4,974,355.00 (four million, nine hundred and seventy

four thousand, three hundred and fifty five naira) but the cost had increased, as there are more enrollees in the State Technical Colleges. Realizing the pivotal role of tertiary education in the development of human materials and economic resources, the state government did complete overhauling of its tertiary institutions through: (a) Accreditation of some of their programmes in Osun State Polytechnic Iree, and Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke. (b) It also promotes its staffers to boost the morale and enhance their productivity. (c) New salary scales for the staffers was done so also, the new salary packages for heads of state-owned tertiary institutions and the elongation of retirement age of academic staff from 60 years of age or 35 years of service to 65 years of age without recourse to working experience, was approved. The government also stopped the reversal on retirement, as the usual practice before its assumption in office, as those who retire on Salary Grade Level 15 are reversed to Grade Level 14. Part of the achievements of Aregbesola’s government was the sponsoring of UNIOSUN medical students to Ukraine, as students from 300 to 500 levels got stagnated in their academic activities, as they could not proceed to the clinical classes, because there was no accredited teaching hospital to cater for their needs. The state government, in its magnanimity, transferred the affected 92 students to Karazin University in Kharkiv, Ukraine, to continue and complete their academic programme. There was also downward review of school fees in the state-owned tertiary institutions. In the colleges of education, the old fees was N28,000 but had been down-scaled to N20,000. Polytechnics/ College of Technology; from N42,000 to N25,000. Osun State University Law and Medical from N195,000 to N100,000, Sciences N155,000 to N75,000 and others from N130,000 to N75,000. BURSARY AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS To reduce the burden of higher education for citizens, the government reviewed upward the bursary to finalyear students, as students of Colleges of Education were paid N10,000, Polytechnics and allied institutions; N15,000, students in universities, who are in Humanities and Social Sciences; N15,000, Medical/Law students; N15,000 and special grants for Law School students. THE STATE LIBRARY To ensure the conducive reading environment, the state government had renovated the State Library at Okefia, Osogbo and equipped it with books. The e-library donated to the state by Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has been completed and equipped with necessary accessories, including internet connectivity. “The achievements so far recorded in the education sector in the state is through God and the pragmatic effort of the visioner, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, for the confidence he reposed in me to serve as the deputy governor, who is never treated as a spare tyre and also as the State Commissioner for Education. So, we pray that God will help us to do more for our beloved State of Omoluabi, despite the dwindling resources from the federal allocations, Osun educational sector is soaring higher and higher, because we have a learned leader, who knows the worth of education

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Feature

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Footprints Of Unusual Governor n November 26, 2010, history placed Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the front burner of Nigeria’s democracy, as the governor with the longest electoral litigation surrounded by toughest judicial battle, in the history of the country. The landmark judgment of Justice Clara Ogunbiyi-led of the Court of Appeal that sat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, remained a sound precedence in Nigeria judiciary. His emergence was never by accident, rather, a consciousness and revolutionary determination to free the people of the state from the bondage of hopelessness, uncertainty and set a pace for the truncated development of Yoruba race under illustrious Obafemi Awolowo, the victory was hardly fought with utmost sacrifice. Before and after April 14, 2007 governorship election, many lost their lives, why hundreds rots in jail in the course of fighting a system that was hell-bent in perishing the popular wish of the people and refused to reconcile itself with realities of people’s power. Aregbesola serves as symbol of liberation and his political platform, ‘Oranmiyan’ emerged as a new rallying vanguard to struggle for the total emancipation of the people from all forms of exploitation. This unusual political posture in 2005, when Oranmiyan was launched in Osogbo, attracted the teeming masses of the state, who strongly believed that the destiny of the state is safe and will be prosperous under the leadership of Aregbesola. Scaling through three and half years electoral and legal hurdles, on November 27, 2010, he wasted no time in facing daunting and intimidating challenges facing the state with many retrogressive forces he had to contend with. He found himself hemmed on all sides by the forces of the old order. The legislature was in firm grip of severally-wounded and hostile oppressors of yesteryears, who were not only threatening fire and brimstone, but planned to reverse the tide by impeaching the governor. Since governance in a democracy is about constitutional and conventional reconciliation on development, Aregbesola found himself to walk a tight rope, deftly and dexterously entering a compromise here, concession there. Much had to be put on hold to balance the political equation in 2011 before the defunct Action Congress Nigeria (ACN) captured the state legislative arm. Routine decision, such as the appointment of commissioners and other officers were put on hold. Then, PDP lawmakers negotiated two local government caretaker committee members before they could screen and confirm the nominees of the governor that were to manage the affairs of the 30 local government council areas and the Area Office in Modakeke. But with the promises of Aregbesola to heal the wound of the state, taking cognisance of time, he embarked on society and character reorientation towards human development. His first innovation was to retrieve the concept of Omoluabi from Yoruba moral philosophy of socialization. He introduced an inspiring and motivating Osun Anthem, which projected the Yoruba as the light of the black race, to the surprise and consternation of the mainstreamers, who doubted the sustainability of the new anthem. It was widely-accepted by the people and became popular, while other states in the South West became jittery of the anthem. The major intention was to ensure a shift of perception from depression, frustration to the core value of patriotism, honesty, hard work and collective responsibility. During this period of PDP hostility, he was equally busy reorganizing the state ministries and agencies, as captured in the Six-point Integral Action Plans, (My Pact with the people of Osun) ministries and agencies were restructured and reorganized for efficiency. He created the Ministries of Special Duties and Regional Integration, Human Resources and Capacity Building, and reorganized other ministries. To keep his electioneering promise of employing 20,000 youths within 100 days in Office, Aregbesola approved the recruitment

•aregbesola By kehinde ayantunji of 20,000 youths into the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, (OYES) in less than three months, which has now become a World Bank model project, recommended to all the 36 states of the federation and other African developing countries. As at today, 40,000 youths have benefited from the programme. He proceeded to education by convening an encompassing Education Summit, presided over by Professor Wole Soyinka, which led to the reorganization of the basic education to Elementary, Middle and High School. All the reforms Aregbesola carried out emanated from the summit. In the third year of the administration, Aregbesola has employed 10,407 teachers in all categories of schools. The state currently now has 12,715 teachers in primary schools and 7,848 teachers in secondary schools. This is 54.8 per cent more than it inherited in 2010. The salaries and pensions being pay every year by the governor stands at N16.8 billion for primary school teachers and N10.3 billion on secondary schools. On school salaries alone, Aregbesola’s administration has been spending N27.1 billion annually aside N900 million for the free uniform and N3.6 billion annual expenditure on school feeding programme. The total grants to schools stands at N856 million against N122 million recorded for previous administration and increased the payment of WAEC to N400 million against N38 million paid by previous administration. The government has equally built and commissioned 13 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, while 12 high schools among others are under construction. He equally invented new study tool, Tablet of Knowledge ( Opon Imo), which gulped N1.2 billion. Before the August 9, 2014 governorship election he donated, hundreds of Omoluabi Scholar Buses to the school children at highly-subsidized rate and despite the falling federal allocation, he has been sustaining the free school feeding, which has been applauded globally. . The administration has been operating on the notion that governance is inescapably

about vision, a clear conception of where you want to go from where you are. But the vision would have been a mere dream, if it has not translated into concrete achievements. At the inception of this administration, it had a vision of progress for Osun, of which road infrastructure development is a vital component. Because of the paramount importance of road transportation for the movement of people and goods in Nigeria, Aregbesola accorded it a priority attention in the development of the state. It came up with a map for the comprehensive development of road network. These encompass rural and local roads, intracity and inter-city roads, as well as inter-state roads. This road plan cuts across the length and breadth of Osun. All over the state, Aregbesola commenced in earnest the construction of new roads, repair/rehabilitation of old and dilapidated ones. In the Six Geo-political Zones of Osun, six selected roads extending for over 74.1 kilometres were constructed. Likewise, in the federal constituencies, Aregbesola chose for construction and rehabilitation, intra-city roads, which cover 79 kilometres. In the roadmap being executed, there are also 20 inter-city roads that extend over a distance of 294.27 kilometres, with additional 10 kilometres of roads in each of the state’s local government council areas, including the Area Office. Aregbesola’s administration is also constructing 36.85-kilometre dualcarriageway from Osogbo to Ila-Odo to Kwara State boundary, and the GbonganAkoda. Also, under completion is OrileowuIjebu Igbo Road. In Osogbo alone, the internal road constructed by the his administration is 26.31 kilometres. They are 21 in number, which include: Station Road to Ebenezer Hotel Road; Boorepo to Elelede Junction Road; Elelede to Gbemu Road; Gbodofon to Gbemu Junction Road; and Ilobu Road to GRA Road. Others include: Oja Oba Road to Plantain Area; Balogun Biiro to Oke Baale Road; Alafia Street to Church Street, Awolowo Way; Coca-Cola to Capital Hotel Road; Oke Onitea Road to Anaye Market Junction; Okefia to Ita Olokan Road; the Road from

Opposite Capital Hotel to Oroki Road; Oroki Estate to Ilobu Road; Odetoyinbo to Heritage Hotel Road with Spur; and Kola Balogun Road Junction to Fiwasaye Olohunosebi Junction. There are also the Osunbukola to Ede Road; John Mackay Road to Oke Baale; the road from Tanisi to Keji Adigun Street; Adams Street to Mercy Land and Road Spur; Steel Rolling Camp to Kabelo Filling Station; and Rehabilitated Ifeloju Omo-West Road. The situation remains the same in Ilesa, Ede, Iwo, Ikirun, Ila, Ibokun, Gbongan and other major cities in the state. There is no community in the state that has not benefited from the Governor Aregbesola road revolution. On rural roads, On Thursday, September 18, 2014, the governor officially launched the Osun Rural Mobility Project and the flag-off of the construction of 225 kilometre road in the state in at Ira Open Square, off IlesaAkure Expressway. The Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) is a tool for rural transformation, which addresses the basic needs of transporting goods and services in the rural areas. Aregbesola, in his address at the ceremony, connected the importance of rural roads to agricultural development and pointed out that with the development of agriculture, the festering cancer of hunger, unemployment, poverty, and poor education can be dealt with. He said: “Indispensable to this agricultural revolution programme, necessary development attention is accorded, that had long been denied our rural areas. This crucially involves opening them up by road. “Our effort in this area has fortunately attracted the attention and assistance of development partners, who have been doing a lot to enhance our road infrastructure development in the rural areas of Osun,” Aregbesola stressed. “These projects, supported by the World Bank and French Development Agency, have gone a long way in furthering our objective of linking our food production centres in the rural areas with their supply centres mainly located in the urban areas, both within and outside the state,” the governor told the gathering.ý Part of the intervention that the people of the state will never forget was the massive dredging of water ways in Osogbo, Ilesa, Ife, Ila, Ikinrun, Iragbiji, Ipetu ijesa, Ede and other major towns, where they normally experience flooding in the state. He also declared a 90-day emergency on environmental sanitation to get rid of diseases in the state. On security of lives and properties, since November 27, 2010, crime rate has been reduced to the barest minimum. No governor has funded the state security apparatus like Aregbesola, as he procured in the first year, five Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and just this year, he donated another 25 to the security agents in the state. He extended similar gesture to the health sector, with construction of new hospitals and renovation of major ones in the nine federal constituencies, with regular supply of drugs and provision of free ambulances for emergency cases across the state, which has saved many lives. To boost commerce and industries, in partnership with the Nigeria Railway Cooperation, he has renovated the Osun terminal, now known as Nelson Mandela Freedom Pack. To improve small scale businesses, he created Micro Credit Agency for the affordable small scale loans and so far, N2.6 billion has been disbursed to the market men and women. After the election, the governor also flagged off Oranmiyan New Town, a low cost housing estate in Osogbo. All these are some of the unprecedented achievements of Governor Aregbesola, it has placed the state on a pedestal that will be difficult for anyone to reverse. Without mincing words, the State of Osun has in the short period of Ogbeni’s administration,

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

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Osun Defender Thursday, November

Aregbesola’s Four Years In The Saddle As Governor Of The State Of Osun What did you see or will you say are his achievements so far? Even the deaf, dumb and the blind know that Ogbeni Abdulrauf Adesoji Aregbesola has brought changes to government business in the State of Osun and there is virtually no sector that his ‘Midas touch’ has not been felt across the state. This is a known fact but to celebrate the second inauguration of the unusual governor, EZEDIUNO FRANCIS, was in town and the people bared their minds concerning what he had been able to achieve in his four years and what they expect in the next four years. 1. Engr. Adeniran Felix Ibitoye (a.k.a KILOMODEMO) Chairman, The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Osogbo Branch. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s unusual achievements in the last four years of his administration have surpassed the expectations of the people of the state and become the envy of the opposition party. Despite the meagre resources at his disposal and the economic challenges being faced globally, Ogbeni’s administration in the State of Osun has succeeded as a result of the prudent financial engineering he introduced into the system through his six-point integral action plan, when he came on board four years ago. His first term was very eventful by putting smiles on the faces of the people in the critical areas like agriculture, youth empowerment, education, tourism, etc. Some highlights of his achievements as being noticed include: ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION Construction and rehabilitation of roads across all the local government council areas, construction of the first-ever overhead bridges, construction of super highways to connect Osun to Lagos and Osun to Kwara States with standard drainage works. All these are channels for economic growth and developments, which are highly commendable. QUALITATIVE AND WORLD CLASS EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM The governor has invested heavily to uplift the crippled educational system to a qualitative and standard one. The free meals for elementary school pupils with nourishing food and health programmes (O’MEALS) to bridge the gap between the children of the poor and the rich. This is a way of promoting functional education in the state and has created positive impact in the enrolment and attendance of the pupils. It is a programme being ranked as the best by the British parliament, UNICEF and even some states in the country. RE-MODELING OF SCHOOLS: Provision of other school facilities such as newly-built schools with the state-of-the-art facilities, which provide serene environment conducive to learning, is a way of investing in the lives of the future leaders, rather than as expenditure. CONDUSIVE AND SEECURE ENVIRONMENT Tackling the security problems has been one of his major achievements. He ensured peaceful coexistence and tranquility between the people and the security officials, bringing crime to its barest minimum, which has made the state security-friendly in the country. IMPROVED AND AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTION Providing Omoluabi Free Train services to Osun Indigenes living in Lagos and other neighboring states during festive periods. This kind gesture, which started since the inception of his administration, makes it easier for families to reunite during festivals and alleviating the suffering of the common people, which do help a lot to save more money during the period. JOB CREATION AND EMPOWERMENT

•Miss Grace Oyejobi

•Awokola Adeoye Clement Curbing the unemployment through Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) has greatly reduced idleness, poverty, unrest and frustration among the youths. It has greatly increased and built an “Army of Entrepreneurs”. Training and Re-Training of civil servants has really sensitised the workers, re-dedicate and increase their commitments. Training and re-training of artisans from the state by a team of German trainers in establishing a Mechanic Village in Esa-Oke with the latest and best machines procured. This will upgrade our artisans to fit into the modern automobile practice standard and help the people of the state and other states in repair and services of latest automobiles with ease. ENABLING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Establishment of Ayegbaju International Markets in Osogbo and Dagbolu to sustain and assist economic development, where a number of investors have indicated their intention to establish their businesses. The Airport in Ido-Osun is a laudable achievement, which cannot be wished away when completed. It is in fulfillment of his promise to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. CONTEMPORARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES Unveiling of Oranmiyan New Town, which will create a healthy environment that will assist the people to have a better living and increase the population of the state. IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL SECTOR Recently was the flagging off of 225km rural roads across the state through O’RAMP. The aim was to boost agricultural practices and food security. Provision of extension services to farmers are numerous particularly in the area of fertiliser distribution, supply of farm inputs and infrastructure support and development in addition to on-site monitoring of farm operations, coupled with the O’Honey. Electrification, boreholes and access roads in the rural communities are the keys to overall development and have direct impact on the lives of the people at the grassroots. I see the provision of these basic needs for the people as a way of making all nooks and crannies of the state economically buoyant. Osun Citizens Mediation Centre (O’MEDIATION) is a great achievement. They say “Justice delayed is justice denied”. It is for quick dispensation of justice and settlement of various disputes among the people of the state, which has brought significant alternative route to conflict

resolution free-of-charge. Others achievements include commitments to a healthy living among residents in the state with the increase in the capacity of Ede Water Works, establishment of Osun Ambulance Service Authority (O’Ambulance), payment of stipends to the senior citizens in the state (Agba Osun), rehabilitation and refurbishment of State Hospitals and Primary Health Centers, modernisation of old railway station, cordiality among the three arms of government (Legislative-Executive-Judiciary ) in the state, which is part of the peace we are enjoying, among others All these achievements coupled with others are commendable and are pro-masses programmes. He really understands the plight of the masses. It is now time for the Federal Government and other governors to jettison the rivalry in politics and emulate Ogbeni in giving the dividends of democracy back to the voters and their people. The truth is that the governor has set a standard in governance, which will be difficult for anyone to surpass in Nigerian history with his pro-people’s policies. He has really followed the footsteps of Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Ajibola Ige by demonstrating that power is responsibility and this has indeed made him a reference point across the country in terms of good governance. I implore the good people of Osun to rally round the government of Ogbeni Aregbesola to achieve more in his second term. He is seen as a simple and down-to-earth man, that easily mixes and relates freely with his people. This is a man, who is very much in-tune with the yearnings of his people, which made many socio-economic political groups to identify with him during the last gubernatorial campaigns. That is why the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) under my leadership shall continue to support the people-oriented programmes of Ogbeni in moving the state ahead of others. Throughout his first four years, there was not a boring moment with his continued programmes, projects, policies and innovations, which have added more values to the lives of the people. The state engineers under the umbrella of NSE commend his efforts for patronising our indigenous engineers and positioning our local engineers in their rightful places in the scheme of service. In the past, our engineers were rendered redundant, but the present situation has changed all and engineers have one thing or

•Imam Ayatullah Kabir Adepoju other to gain in terms of professionalism. We are proud of him (a Fellow of the Society) who has run a responsible and a responsive government. He has made the branch and the society proud that in spite of the dwindling statutory monthly allocation from the Federal Government, he has re-engineered the state within the ambit of the available resources. Without any sentiment, I see him as a strategist, democrat, humane, sensational, focused, committed, visionary and a man of dedicating mind. All these have a lot of improvement in the cordial relationship and collaboration with the international communities in developing the state. I equally encourage the governor to make the new term to be more rewarding and fulfilling to surpass his first term. I therefore seek for the continued cooperation and assistance of my colleagues and the good people of the state in supporting our governor in taking the state to the next level of greatness. 2. Honourable M. B. O. Ibrahim (Oriade State Constituency, State of Osun) From my own perspective, what he has done in four years is comparable to an eight-year tenure. Before he came to power, we all knew

Continued on page 43

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

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Aregbesola’s Four Years In The Saddle As Governor Of The State Of Osun He made it possible for the farmers to take their farm produce to Lagos free-of-charge through the railway. More industries are being built as Osun is peaceful and conducive for business We have more hotels and they have great patronage as people enter Osun for business on a daily basis Our orientation is changing gradually in the entertainment arena because some entertainers are coming to Osun and package great shows and this is because the governor supports them immensely. Criminal activities have also reduced to the barest minimal. People are willing to pay their taxes because they see what government is doing with their money. That is why the IGR has increased. His administration has sent some youths abroad to learn how to repair cars with computer, establishment of Oyestech and sending some youths to Ghana to learn about ICT. He has empowered farmers by establishing OREAP.

•Hon. Adeoye Sakirat Adedayo

•Honourable M.B.O. Ibrahim In the health sector, he introduced O’Ambulance, upgraded LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, renovation of all the state hospitals and also improved the welfare package of the workers. With all these, we can see that Ogbeni is working. Even in our House of Assembly, he had done exceedingly well, especially on the Chapel, Mosque, health centre, staff quarters and even the flooring of the House. Every operation of the House has been digitalised that even some former House members are still giving kudos to the governor. Agriculture, rural electrification and installation of transformers are not also ruled out. During his first tenure, he has performed wonderfully when compared to other states and if not for the reduction in the monthly allocation to the state from the federation account, I am very sure he would have done more than what is on ground.

•Mr Segun Continued from page 42 Immediately, he came on board, he declared a 90-day environmental emergency, not knowing that Ebola disease was just hanging around the corner. It was because of this attitude of cleanliness that the state did not record any outbreak of the dreaded disease when it ravaged the country. On education, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola took it as a priority and that was why he organised an education summit in early 2011. The outcome of the summit was what he implemented and that included reclassification of schools into elementary, middle and high schools. Osun is the first state in the history of this nation to introduce this new school system. The Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo) that he gave to students of highs schools, O’Meal in the elementary schools, which further increased the enrolment level of pupils into public schools. The road networks in the state, especially in Osogbo, the state capital, is marvelous. If you take a closer look at the road network within the state capital, you will discover that it’s like the letter ‘O’ because of the way it is designed to go around the town.

This is a government that is paying workers’ salaries between the 24th to the 26th of every month for the four years he has been in the saddle. He had done more than what he promised and I am sure in the next four years, he would do more than what he had done previously. There is no sector that he has not turned around even in the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads within the state. In the next four years, I expect him to do more than what he had done in the last four years and one of those things that I expect to finish up is the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola International Airport at Ido-Osun where work is currently in progress. The good thing is that the airport will not be only for passengers but would have hangars for repairs and servicing of aircrafts, which will be paid for in Naira and will generate revenue into the state’s coffers. We are also hoping that the College of Aeronautic and Aviation, which will be a part of UNIOSUN, Ipetu-Ijesa Campus, will come up during the next four years. We are expecting him to construct and rehabilitate more roads, especially the IwoOsogbo and Ilobu-Osogbo roads. The IlesaOsogbo road that he promised to dualise, we can see that work had already started on it. I also expect him to take care of the rural areas and develop agriculture, so that Osun people will have excess food. We should also

not forget the welfare package for the workers and the people of the State of Osun, for the sole purpose of economic growth and the House of Assembly has given approval for the access to the micro-finance fund, so that people can have access to funds, which will grow the economy. I also want him to bring good bills for passage into law for good governance. I also thank the people of the state for reelecting Ogbeni Aregbesola for a second term and I also urge them to continue in that wise and vote in all the All Progressives Congress candidates in the forthcoming general elections in February, 2015. 3. Adeoye Sakirat Adedayo He has demonstrated unequaled achievements in governance, infrastructural provision, youth employment, accessible health care, crimefree society, religious tolerance, relative peace and high human capital development. In the areas of agriculture, poultry farmers in Osun made N260 million as profit in the year running, thereby spreading the dividends of democracy. He has been able to turn the State of Osun into an investors’ haven, which attracted an ICT development company from Ghana in the assembly of phones and accessories. Also, in the areas of water supply, several water schemes have been upgraded. By the time the Ede Water Project is completed, 97 per cent of people will be enjoying clean potable water. 4. Adekunle Abolade (Entertainer) To me, the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola-led administration has done wonderfully well in the following areas: He repackaged our educational system and built good classrooms in all the public schools in the state. He employed many youths through OYES without restrictions to any political party. He constructed good roads all over the state and increased the tourism potentials of the state by making it a tourism center. The governor values the Yoruba tradition by not being biased, as he has given the traditional religious worshippers their own holiday popularly known as Isese Day Those that go on pilgrimage to Mecca through the state since Aregbesola came on board have had cause not to complain. He put those people that are capable to head each of the ministries as his commissioners. Through him, the state government has constructed international markets like Ayegbaju International Market to make the state a commercial centre.

5. Awokola Adeoye Clement (Civil Servant) To me, he has cleansed the Augean stables in all sectors. I don’t even know where to start but one thing is that he has brought absolute peace and tranquility to the state. One major problem confronting Nigeria is the menace of unemployment, which the governor has arrested through OYES, direct employment of graduates into the teaching and general civil service. Your question is not an issue we can elaborate on this platform, as there are other areas left unmentioned. In the education sector, there has been an unprecedented development that have impacted positively on the lives of the people, especially the poor masses, reduction in the tuition fees payable in all the state-owned tertiary institutions, rapid infrastructure development, as witnessed through construction of state-of-the-art school buildings, O’meal school feeding, distribution of school uniforms on gratis, purchase of school buses and so on. Massive construction of roads across the state simultaneously has never been experienced anywhere in the country. The free health and medical services, renovation of dilapidated hospitals that were hitherto glorified maternity centres. 6. Imam Ayatullah Kabir Adepoju (Councillor Ward 5, Olorunda LG) The Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has performed beyond our expectations in Osun. Wallahi, it is only the enemies of progress that can fault him. On education, he had performed well than any other state in Nigeria. So also are our roads. His performance there is super and agriculture has also been given its pride of place. In the area of peace and tranquility, since the four years he came on board, we have been sleeping with our two eyes closed, unlike the pre-Aregbesola era that was characterised by thuggery and hooliganism. 8. Dele Ayanboye (Dir of Infor, Ede North LG) There is peace in the state. The massive road construction is unprecedented. The O’School programme is novel. The youth empowerment programme is okay. Just to mention a few. 9. Bayo Oyedepo (Lecturer, Igbajo Poly) The introduction of O’Meal for elementary school pupils and Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo) for high school pupils are the high points of his government. 10. Grace Oyejobi (Student) He has tried just that he needs to improve his relationship with the state’s civil servants, as well as the pensioners. 12. Femi Kalejaiye (Driver) He is working as far as I am concerned.

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Osun Defender Thursday, November

Some Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Achievements In The State Of Osun In The Last Four Years, Packaged By GBENGA ADENIYI. Old Ones In The State Receive 10,000 Naira From Governor Aregbesola Every Month.

•Aregbesola presenting 10,000 naira cash to old woman, one of the beneficiaries.

•Aregbesola in a discussion with old ones.

•Aregbesola (3rd left) his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (left) and some political functionaries in a group photograph with old women, who are beneficiary of his programme.

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

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Some Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Achievements In The State Of Osun In The Last Four Years, Packaged By GBENGA ADENIYI. AGRICULTURE

•Rams at Oloba Cattle Market, Iwo.

•Fertilizers for farmers in the state.

•Aregbesola in Okuku feeding fish

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Some Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Achievements In The State Of Osun In The Last Four Years, Packaged By GBENGA ADENIYI. AJE INTERNATIONAL MARKET

•Blocks of shops at Aje International Market, Osogbo.

•Another block of shops.

•Another building at the market.

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Some Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Achievements In The State Of Osun In The Last Four Years, Packaged By GBENGA ADENIYI. Ayegbaju Market

•Administrative block at Ayegbaju Market, Osogbo.

•A block of shops at the market.

•Another building at the market

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

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At The Funeral Of Pa Amos Ajadi Oyewale In Modakeke, State Of Osun, Recently.

â&#x20AC;˘Some of the children of the deceased.

â&#x20AC;˘Mr Tunji Oyewale, nephew of the deceased; Mr Deyemi Oyewale (brother) and his wife at the funeral service for the deceased at Cathedral of St. Stephens Anglican Church, Modakeke, State of Osun, recently.

Osun Defender Thursday, November

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

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Osogbo City Stadium In The State Of Osun Rehabilitated Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Recently.

•Entrance of the Stadium.

•Back view of the Stadium.

•Stadium field.

•Viewers sitting.

Osun Defender Thursday, November 27, 2014

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Beautification In The State Of Osun Urban Renewal Projects Under The Administration Of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

â&#x20AC;˘An ongoing pedestrian way project along Fakunle Street, Osogbo.

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T HE

6TH

M O S T - V I S I T ED

NEWS-

THURSday, november 27, 2014 he State of Osun is now frenzy, preparatory to the swearing-in of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola for his second term in office. Just two days away, the state will go agog for the epoch-making event that is expected to be a precursor to another lifetransforming tenure that will propel the multiplication of smiley faces, which the ingenuity of the uncommon governor will herald through his six-point integral action plan. People will troop in from all walks of life to witness what can be regarded as the first genuine expression of people’s wish after the 1999 elections that brought in Chief Bisi Akande as Osun governor. We must adequately get prepared to manage the influx that this event will generate; because it may likely turn out to be unprecedented. It is good that the people of Osun have proved a point that they don’t belong to that set of people who get carried away with rhetorics and conjectures that have no roots in pragmatic exemplars. Here in Osun, people take time to examine the quality of news that filters to them and then decide to act based on the perceived credibility that such news carries. That is why they decided to return Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola as the Executive Governor of the State of Osun for the second time; irrespective of the cannons of fallacies that the opposition hauled prior to August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state. The concern in this column this week is actually the sequence that will follow the proposed swearingin. In line with the dictums that “if we fail to prepare, we are preparing to fail”, and “one good turn deserves another”, we need to x-ray the critical issue of finance that is the bedrock of programme execution. No doubt, people will expect more dividends of democracy that will impact more positively on the lives of the people. With Aregbesola’s penchant for success, people will expect that all ongoing projects will be completed, and new ones initiated. It is expected that the grey areas of the past four years would have been well identified and be mitigated to the countdown of his second four-year term in office. All agencies of government will be expected to plug all loopholes that engendered wastages in the first term, so that the much-envisaged better results from all sectors are realized this time around. The profligates at the center of our economic management have proffered an evasive antidote of austerity measure to their self-inflicted economic woes, not minding the recklessness that characterizes their financial management in all sectors of our economy. Those who keenly observed the scenario in the main bowl of the newly-commissioned Akwa Ibom International Stadium

By ade olugbotemi

Fund Paucity: Imperatives Of Alternative Financing

•aregbesola

in Uyo during the qualifier match with South Africa, in which the whole arena was painted green with Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) kits a few days earlier, will understand what we are driving at here. State governments that know what they are doing therefore have no choice than to apply stringent economic measures, in addition to resource diversification to keep their survival alive. The most critical at the moment in the State of Osun is the crises-laden education sector. We might have seen remarkable structural transformation, whereby some schools have been equipped with modern buildings in the last four years, others are ongoing awaiting completion, and other schools are also clamouring for attention, so that the transformation can be total. With the rise in expenditure of the education sector, and the attendant dwindling resources available for projects’ execution, it may be very difficult to fully realise the dream of adequate funding except alternative sources of fund are exploited. Not minding the criticism of

fraud and mismanagement against the Federal Government of late, some austerity measures have been contemplated by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to the end that enough funds may be generated for project execution and to keep the economy running. Although this may be a ploy to shroud the shady deals that have been uncovered with the Federal Government, state governments cannot feel unconcerned about the handwriting that is boldly seen on the wall. The Federal Government has chosen to dole out whatever is solely deemed desirable. This is enough signals that unless there are measures in place to mitigate the consequence of impunity from the government at the center, most state governments may go bankrupt. Majority of people were convinced that Governor Aregbesola was wellmeaning when he instructed that school principals and headmasters should not collect levies, under whatever guise, from students in any of the public schools. This initially generated a lot of furore because school managers used such money as stopgap in the past. The

governor, reacting to this excuse quickly increased overhead subvention payable to schools. The payments of the buffer were short-lived because of a depleted federation account. This is made worse by the SURE-P fund that is not totally available to states controlled by parties other than Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The result is that PDP’s profligacy is extended to states not being controlled by them through the proportion of SURE-P fund that is mismanaged by their cronies. The Governor of the State of Osun may have no choice now than to eat humble pie, and revert to the old order whereby Parents, Teachers Association (PTA) is allowed to charge and manage levies to cushion the effect of inadequate fund or lack of it. We have gotten to a point where nothing seems to be free any longer; not even the air we breathe because free air may be contagious afterall. Most parents are now of the opinion that education, important as it is, must not be completely free. The governor also needs to buy into this in accordance with the present reality, so that schools can have access to some basic amenities that will keep the system going. Government on her side must put in place certain conditions that will curb any tendency of overbearing from the PTA, whose duty it is to manage the fund so generated. School heads must also offer useful counsel to those saddled with the responsibility of managing the fund in order to protect personal names and integrity. This symbiosis will go a long way in dousing the raging tension in this all-important sector, so that the much-needed sanity and vitality can be restored. Students’ role of submitting to constituted authority is also important. Most schools are now crises-laden because of the unruly behaviour of some students. The culture of giving honour to whom honour is due, which seems to have become archaic, must be pursued will renewed vigour. This will make the objective of laudable results realizable, and the situation will additionally be saved from damaging rut. Proceeds from our land resources might have increased remarkably since the coming to power of Ogbeni Aregbesola, there is the urgent need to intensify efforts on this potential money spinner. More people must be mobilized into the farm, so that resultant massive food production can yield proceeds to finance the ongoing projects and also bring relief to the oversaturated labour market. Loose ends created by tax evasion must also be looked into and plugged. Income from tax has always been a veritable source of fund for project financing; that is why all agencies of government must synergize to mobilize taxation funds to keep the system going, now that mismanagement has caused the

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