The South-West governors yesterday met in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to deliberate on how to chart a common agenda to fast-track the development of the region.

The meeting, hosted by Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, was attended by all the six governors in the region, including Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun).

They met under the aegis of Western Nigeria Governors’ Forum, a meeting put together by Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), a technocratic institution for the sustainable development of the region, which according to Amosun, had been the vanguard for socio-economic and re-engineering of the South-West.

At the end of the four-hour meeting, all the participants agreed that regional integration as a sustainable economic development paradigm presents the Western Region, and indeed the whole of Nigeria, a pathway into economic prosperity for all.

A communique read by Amosun stated, among others:

• “A joint task force and joint actions will be pursued and sustained on security threats to guarantee the safety of lives, property and prosperity of the people of the region.

• “The competitive advantage of constituent states would be harnessed for sustainable regional development.

• “In order to improve the food security of the region, DAWN should convene a regional agric summit to be held in Ibadan.

• “Approval is given for the establishment of a Western Nigeria Export Development Initiative (WENEDI) to drive the export potentials of the region.”

• “A committee be set up for codification of our values and ethos as an instrument of Yoruba uniqueness to strengthen our identity and unity of purpose.”

Also, the governors agreed that the artificial boundaries of states, religions, political affiliations, among others, would not be a barrier to regional development and urged all the states to be encouraged to significantly improve bilateral and multilateral co-operation to foster regional development.

Amosun had in his welcome address charged his colleagues not to allow themselves to be used as “instruments of division”.

He stated that creation of states from the Old Western Region in 1976, which should have been an impetus for development in the South-West, had been “allowed to create artificial boundaries between the Yoruba nation.”

“To further worsen the situation, some of our people are also making themselves available as instruments of division because of their selfish political gains. The consequence is that our people begin to see themselves as a people of one state or the other rather than as a sub-unit of the entity of the Yoruba people,” he said.

Pensioners under the aegis of Forum of 2011/12 Retired Public Servants of Osun staged a protest at the entrance to the Government Secretariat to drive home non-payment of their entitlements.

The factional chairman of the group, Mr Omoniyi Ilesanmi, who addressed newsmen on the sidelines of the protest, said they are out to ensure the government does not divert the released Paris Refund for other use.

It would be recalled that the Osun state government through a statement yesterday confirmed payment of second tranche of Paris Refund to the state and promised judicious distribution of the fund.

Meanwhile the chairman representing the Triangular Group of Pensioners in the state, Prince Rotimi Adelugba has raised alarm over the splinter motive of Omoniyi led group.

In a statement, Mr Adelugba accused the Ilesanmi-led group of being sponsor by the opposition in the state to paint the present administration in a bad light; a situation he said is capable of breaching public peace.

Read full statement: “Right before the state government announced precisely how much it received from the federal government as second tranche of the Paris Refund; we were intimated on the series of meeting held by Ilesanmi’s group and other operatives of the politician.” Prince Adelugba stated.

“As much as we support the right of our colleague to express their constitutional guaranteed right of freedom of speech and expression, we take an exception to their collaboration with politicians in the state thereby giving their protest a political undertone.

“We are calling on the security agencies in the state to be on the lookout for well-armed miscreant who have been embedded with Ilesanmi’s group with the aim of destabilizing the peace we enjoy in the state of Osun.

On the payment of pensions and gratuity, Prince Adelugba pleaded with his colleague to come to the negotiating table like over 30,000 members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners have done rather than going on the street with the sole aim of embarrassing the government and not engagement.

“If resolution of the issue at hand is their intention, they will be on the negotiating table and not the street, but we are certain their intention is otherwise. The government have been open to us. I recall, Osun was the first state to publish how it spent the first tranche of the Paris refund. We have confidence the Governor Aregbesola’s administration to properly disburse the second tranche of the refund like he did the first one.” The statement reads.

This project attest to the fact that the governor of Osun, Ogbeni Aregbesola is working hard in the agricultural sector to make the state self-dependent and reduce food shortage experienced in the past. This program will also create jobs as each farm is expected to have at least three workers. Agriculture is the way to go since our oil is on the dwindling order with no market again. Ogbeni must be commended for working the talk. Well done Mr Governor

This is proving that the governor of Osun, Ogbeni Aregbesola is working hard in the agricultural sector to make the state self dependant and stop the issue of food scarcity. This program will also help with job securities as each farm is expected to have at least two workers. Well done Mr Governor

This is one initiative that many household in Osun have benefited due to its direct or indirect link. The phase 1 of the programme recorded huge success with government buy backs arrangement of the produce for O’meal programme to which school pupils greatly benefited. Also, it created hundreds of jobs, increase state internally generated revenue. Second phase is an enlarge programme with over 500 farmers expected to benefit, increase jobs, food security and IGR jack up. Kudos first Omoluabi, Ogbeni!

……As second phase kicks-off, to empower 30,000 farmers


The State of Osun Broiler Outgrowers Production Scheme, OBOPS, has produced at least 5 million birds in the last three years, the scheme managers have said.


Revealing this over the weekend, Mr. Kolawole Oginni who is the facilitator of the second phase of the scheme stated that OBOPS has placed Osun among states with relatively high production in poultry business in Nigeria.


He disclosed that Amo Byng Poultry Farm have been saddled with the responsibility of stocking day-old-chicks and appropriate feeds to raise the birds to maturity through a bank loan, after which the anchor farm buys back from the participants.

Mr Oginni stated that the second phase of the scheme is a Public-Private Partnership scheme designed to facilitate poultry farming within the State of Osun.


While reviewing the selection process, Oginni said the scheme is open to poultry farmers in the state with 2,000 capacity pens and bio-security facilities in place which includes perimeter netting and well closed entrance.


Oginni who lauded the state government for its successes recorded in several agricultural intervention programmes, said the first phase of the scheme recorded a huge success as about 768 farmers were engaged, cash profit paid to farmers stood at N785millions as well as making over 120 broilers farmers who keyed into the initiative millionaires.


Aside this, the OBOPS programme has also helped the state government’s course on the elementary school feeding programme, O’Meals of the present administration leading to the gainful employment of about 1,000 farmers and over 3,000 food vendors under the elementary school feeding programme.


“The OBOPS II pilot scheme which initially engaged 15 poultry farmers has now grown into 100 farmers across the 30 local governments and 32 local council development areas with 2,000 day old chicks given to each farmer.”


Oginni further revealed that efforts are on to increase the 3.7 tonnes of feed given to farmers presently as well as the development of more suitable approach to reach the hinterland by engaging more people from the grassroots and turn OBOPS II into a legacy programme which subsequent governments will emulate.


According to him, the programme is a continuum to ensure that development drive of government is met and achieved.


“The first phase was successfully facilitated with capital outlay of about N500 Million from the State Government. Up to 1,500 poultry farmers participated and up to 5 million chicken birds were successfully produced within 3 years.


“Constraint faced by paucity of funds lead to the state’s desire to facilitate same program with Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Loan facility. Up to 30,000 farmers participation evenly spread across the State is anticipated.


Recall that the first phase which made over 120 millionaires was sponsored by the Osun state government and anchored by TUNS farm.


Mr. Oginni further revealed that for interested participants, “2,000 birds capacity pen is required for each farmer. They will be provided with all necessary facilities like drinkers, feeders, and hygienic source of water etc.


“In broiler’s production today Osun is rated second to Oyo state in the country with plans to engage over 30,000 poultry farmers and have the scheme spread to every home in no distant future.


“The selection is open to all poultry farmers in the state and only requires farmers to provide a 2,000 capacity pens with basic facilities to avoid high mortality rates. The government liaises with loaning banks to fund supplies such as day-old-chicks, vaccines, feeds, technical assistance and above all buy backs the final output.” Mr. Oginni stated.

……As second phase kicks-off, to empower 30,000 farmers


The State of Osun Broiler Outgrowers Production Scheme, OBOPS, has produced at least 5 million birds in the last three years, the scheme managers have said.


Revealing this over the weekend, Mr. Kolawole Oginni who is the facilitator of the second phase of the scheme stated that OBOPS has placed Osun among states with relatively high production in poultry business in Nigeria.


He disclosed that Amo Byng Poultry Farm have been saddled with the responsibility of stocking day-old-chicks and appropriate feeds to raise the birds to maturity through a bank loan, after which the anchor farm buys back from the participants.

Mr Oginni stated that the second phase of the scheme is a Public-Private Partnership scheme designed to facilitate poultry farming within the State of Osun.


While reviewing the selection process, Oginni said the scheme is open to poultry farmers in the state with 2,000 capacity pens and bio-security facilities in place which includes perimeter netting and well closed entrance.


Oginni who lauded the state government for its successes recorded in several agricultural intervention programmes, said the first phase of the scheme recorded a huge success as about 768 farmers were engaged, cash profit paid to farmers stood at N785millions as well as making over 120 broilers farmers who keyed into the initiative millionaires.


Aside this, the OBOPS programme has also helped the state government’s course on the elementary school feeding programme, O’Meals of the present administration leading to the gainful employment of about 1,000 farmers and over 3,000 food vendors under the elementary school feeding programme.


“The OBOPS II pilot scheme which initially engaged 15 poultry farmers has now grown into 100 farmers across the 30 local governments and 32 local council development areas with 2,000 day old chicks given to each farmer.”


Oginni further revealed that efforts are on to increase the 3.7 tonnes of feed given to farmers presently as well as the development of more suitable approach to reach the hinterland by engaging more people from the grassroots and turn OBOPS II into a legacy programme which subsequent governments will emulate.


According to him, the programme is a continuum to ensure that development drive of government is met and achieved.


“The first phase was successfully facilitated with capital outlay of about N500 Million from the State Government. Up to 1,500 poultry farmers participated and up to 5 million chicken birds were successfully produced within 3 years.


“Constraint faced by paucity of funds lead to the state’s desire to facilitate same program with Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Loan facility. Up to 30,000 farmers participation evenly spread across the State is anticipated.


Recall that the first phase which made over 120 millionaires was sponsored by the Osun state government and anchored by TUNS farm.


Mr. Oginni further revealed that for interested participants, “2,000 birds capacity pen is required for each farmer. They will be provided with all necessary facilities like drinkers, feeders, and hygienic source of water etc.


“In broiler’s production today Osun is rated second to Oyo state in the country with plans to engage over 30,000 poultry farmers and have the scheme spread to every home in no distant future.


“The selection is open to all poultry farmers in the state and only requires farmers to provide a 2,000 capacity pens with basic facilities to avoid high mortality rates. The government liaises with loaning banks to fund supplies such as day-old-chicks, vaccines, feeds, technical assistance and above all buy backs the final output.” Mr. Oginni stated.

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As results of the senatorial by-election in Osun state continue to trickle in, results being released by officials at polling centres suggest that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Mudashiru Husain is ahead in key area of the district.

Specifically, results from the political constituencies of the major actors in the district politics are gradually emerging.

For instance, while the incumbent speaker, Hon Najeem Salaam recorded maximum votes in Ejigbo local government areas, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Ademola Adeleke showed good strength in Ede, his home town of APC, Hon Rasaq Salinsile delivered Iwo town for the APC by raking in good votes for APC in most of the local government areas including Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa which happens to be part of Iwoland.

Also, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Elder Peter Babalola who hails from Irewole local government garnered massive votes for the party which many observers long envisage.

As results of the senatorial by-election in Osun state continue to trickle in, results being released by officials at polling centres suggest that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Mudashiru Husain is ahead in key area of the district.

Specifically, results from the political constituencies of the major actors in the district politics are gradually emerging.

For instance, while the incumbent speaker, Hon Najeem Salaam recorded maximum votes in Ejigbo local government areas, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Ademola Adeleke showed good strength in Ede, his home town.

Similarly, the state Secretary of APC, Hon Rasaq Salinsile delivered Iwo town for the APC by raking in good votes for APC in most of the local government areas including Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa which happens to be part of Iwoland.

Also, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Elder Peter Babalola who hails from Irewole local government garnered massive votes for the party which many observers long envisage.

APC in early lead as results announced so far shows Senator Husain of APC is coasting to victory. The overall results will shock PDP

I think the students should channel the grievances to appropriate quarters rather than holding the lawful citizens to ransom. Though, one sympathize with the students but mustn't take law into their hands.

Aregbesola Vows to Resist Militants Attempt to Invade Osun By-Election

…Says Adeleke’s death is painful

The ancient town of Ejigbo stood still for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Osun West Senatorial District by-election, Senator Mudashiru Husain as the campaign train of the party stopped in the town's mega rally in preparation for Saturday's polls.

Led by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the team first paid homage to the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin in his palace before heading to the campaign ground.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Aregbesola ordered a minute silence in honour of the senator who represented the district before death came calling on April 23rd, Isiaka Adeleke.

Aregbesola who was elated at the mammoth crowd that thronged to the venue of the mega rally berated the Peoples Democratic Party plans to import militants to the state.

He vowed to resist any attempt by the opposition to import militants for the election, warning them to leave the state in their best interest.

Aregbesola explained that although the death of Adeleke is painful, the selection of Husain was based on party's principles and regulations and not hatred for the deceased's family.

According to him, Husain is a loyal progressive, adding that elective position is not hereditary but by professionalism, experience and political sagacity to hold the office.

"If elective office is hereditary, Bola Ige's family should have been the Governor of Osun, Ajasin's family in Ondo, Awolowo's family in Ogun. But it is not, meaning politics and getting into political office is not hereditary but divine."

He said "When they were in the federal government, we defeated them, after Saturday's election that will be the end of the conservatives in Osun."

Governor Aregbesola urged voters especially women to vote the APC candidate, safeguard, protect their votes and follow it till the results are announced.

Speakers at the rally includes Senator Mudashiru Husain; Speaker of Osun Assembly, Najeem Salaam; Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Elder Peter Babalola; and the Osun APC chairman, Prince Gboyega Famoodun who urged the people of Ejigbo to vote the APC in the forthcoming elections.

The other party chieftains who spoke charged voters to be resolute and support its candidate for continued development and progress of the district.

Aregbesola Vows to Resist Militants Attempt to Invade Osun By-Election

…Says Adeleke’s death is painful

The ancient town of Ejigbo stood still for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Osun West Senatorial District by-election, Senator Mudashiru Husain as the campaign train of the party stopped in the town's mega rally in preparation for Saturday's polls.

Led by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the team first paid homage to the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin in his palace before heading to the campaign ground.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Aregbesola ordered a minute silence in honour of the senator who represented the district before death came calling on April 23rd, Isiaka Adeleke.

Aregbesola who was elated at the mammoth crowd that thronged to the venue of the mega rally berated the Peoples Democratic Party plans to import militants to the state.

He vowed to resist any attempt by the opposition to import militants for the election, warning them to leave the state in their best interest.

Aregbesola explained that although the death of Adeleke is painful, the selection of Husain was based on party's principles and regulations and not hatred for the deceased's family.

According to him, Husain is a loyal progressive, adding that elective position is not hereditary but by professionalism, experience and political sagacity to hold the office.

"If elective office is hereditary, Bola Ige's family should have been the Governor of Osun, Ajasin's family in Ondo, Awolowo's family in Ogun. But it is not, meaning politics and getting into political office is not hereditary but divine."

He said "When they were in the federal government, we defeated them, after Saturday's election that will be the end of the conservatives in Osun."

Governor Aregbesola urged voters especially women to vote the APC candidate, safeguard, protect their votes and follow it till the results are announced.

Speakers at the rally includes Senator Mudashiru Husain; Speaker of Osun Assembly, Najeem Salaam; Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Elder Peter Babalola; and the Osun APC chairman, Prince Gboyega Famoodun who urged the people of Ejigbo to vote the APC in the forthcoming elections.

The other party chieftains who spoke charged voters to be resolute and support its candidate for continued development and progress of the district.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the mother during his visit for Eid Fitr celebration.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola and mother during his visit for Eid Fitr celebration.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledge cheers from mammoth crowd during the celebration of Eid Fitr, heading to Osogbo Central Eid ground, Oke-Baale. Osogbo. Shows a golden fish has no hidden place. Ogbeni is truly a symbol of greater Osun.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledge cheers from mammoth crowd during the celebration of Eid Fitr, heading to Osogbo Central Eid ground, Oke-Baale. Osogbo. Shows a golden fish has no hidden place. Ogbeni is truly a symbol of greater Osun.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola joins Muslim faithful today at Osogbo Central Eid ground, Oke-Baale. Osogbo. Prayer was offered for the nation, State of Osun and the Kidnapped school children in Lagos.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola joins Muslim faithful today at Osogbo Central Eid ground, Oke-Baale. Osogbo. Prayer was offered for the nation, State of Osun and the Kidnapped school children in Lagos.

Press Release
June 22, 2017

Osun has done everything to make Osunwon Omoluabi an acceptable Philosophy in Commerce

The attention of the Government of Osun has been drawn to a protest embarked upon by some market women at the secretariat Osogbo today.
Their protest was ostensibly to press home their rejection of the use of the standard weight and measure (Osunwon Omoluabi) which the government introduced last year as part of the efforts to standardize commercial transactions in our state.
We consider this rather to be sad, unfortunate and totally uncalled for.
For the avoidance of doubts, Osunwon Omoluabi was launched in Osun precisely on June 13, 2016 to bring equity, Justice and fairness in all forms of commercial transactions within the territory of Osun.
It was done to restore confidence in both the buyer and the seller. It was done to eliminate all forms of distrust, acrimony and tensions associated with buying and selling.
Above all it was a move by the current administration to bring our commercial transactions at par with the most civilized and acceptable norm on commerce across the globe.
We recall that long ahead of the 2016 public presentation of Osunwon Omoluabi, this government embarked on a massive public enlightenment, stakeholders engagements and full elucidation of the philosophy behind the introduction of the standardized measure.
As a responsible government, we have given ample room for all stakeholders to be sufficiently prepared for effective take off and full implementation of this scale and measure policy.
It is therefore a surprise that attempts by officials who sought enforcement of the use of the scale and measures in some markets on Tuesday and Wednesday were resisted by some.
We have assured all, including the women who protested today, that the government means well and should there still be a few who are not at home with this new culture we are trying to encourage and enforce, the government will stop at nothing at ensuring that every stakeholder is made to buy into this noble culture.

Semiu Okanlawon
Director,
Bureau of Communication & Strategy
Office of the Governor
Osogbo

For those who care to know, there is more to this protest than meet the eye. The Osuwon Omoluabi was first introduced in 2014 and 30 LG Iyalojas lauded the initiative but I am surprise now why some members of the trader unions would thronged to the street to protest what they initially supported. Hence, Osun West Senatorial election is fast approaching and politicians will do anything possible to instigate for political gain. Just imagine why not protest last year or weeks ago?

The government is being responsible to reduce chap practices by some traders who usually shortchanged buyers through their measurement bowls. It is hard for typical Nigerian to embrace change particularly when it will benefit majority rather than few individuals.

A section of women at Igbona Market in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun state, on Thursday, staged a peaceful demonstration to protest against the ultimatum given by the Osun state government over the use of weighing scale known as ‘Osuwon Omoluabi’.

The less than 100 women under the aegis of Igbona Market Women Petty Traders Association, closed their shops and stormed the Government Secretariat, Abere armed with their measuring bowls.

Recall that in a bit to standardize trade activities in the state, the state government of Osun had introduced weighing scale and encouraged all market in the state to align with this policy.

The policy which was introduced about a year ago with the support of various market leaders across the state when operational, will end the imbalance in the measurement of goods in the markets.

Though the government through representative of market associations had agreed to allow timeline frame of one year for the policy to take effect on their members, the market women had pleaded with government to extend the enforcement. The government had subsidized the scaling for the market women, a development that caused the government to bear the larger burden. Addressing the protesters, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Hon. Simeon Olufemi Popoola, noted that the government will look into the pleadings of the traders. Nigeria is the only country amongst its neighbours without standardized measuring scales for its trading activities.

Undoubtedly, these enormous programmes cannot be sustained without the payment of taxes.
Tax is important in Osun as to every government; the issue of Tax is something that cannot be toyed with. Kudos to a great achiever!

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration places high premium on providing the key infrastructure such as Bridges, roads, schools, ambulance services for emergencies, environment sanitation which Tax serves.

It is imperative for all in Osun to fulfill their obligation to government by remitting their taxes to its coffers, either by paying through banks or points where the government has designated.

Together let's make Osun viable through the payment of taxes.
Osun toti ndara konii B'aje ooooooo

The truth of the matter is that government will surely compensate the community if truly their claims are in line with the Land Used Act and the usual practice by Aregbesola-led administration is paying compensation that is due to community/individual land owners whenever the need arise. The instances are many, compensation were paid to community around Ibu Aje market, same to the house owners around East Bye-Pass Road. I must also say that the way and manner the protesters went about this, shows that there is political undertone to their action because the Bar Kanmi Ajibola they engaged as lawyer is a card carrying member of PDP in Osun.

The truth of the matter is that government will surely compensate the community if truly their claims are in line with the Land Used Act and the usual practice by Aregbesola-led administration is paying compensation that is due to community/individual land owners whenever the need arise. The instances are many, compensation were paid to community around Ibu Aje market, same to the house owners around East Bye-Pass Road. I must also say that the way and manner the protesters went about this shows that there is political undertone to their action because the Bar Kanmi Ajibola they engaged is a PDP card carrying member in Osun.