https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2024/07/17/sahara-reporters-goofed-oyetola-complied-with-procurement-laws/

Sahara Reporters goofed: Oyetola complied with procurement laws

By Emmanuel Adedeji

According to Yul Han, every journalist must "ensure that every news and reports that will be disseminated to the public is done in fairness and is unbiased."

This cardinal principle of ethical journalism was what the hitherto credible news outlet, Sahara Reporters, recently threw to the dogs when, carrying out a hatchet job to smear the good name of the ex-governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, they failed to cross-check their information from all important stakeholders before going to press.

Oyetola, now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was accused by the news medium of violating the 2015 procurement law of the state when, according to the report, his government awarded one contract three times.

Two critical issues were raised in the report: one, that the government of Oyetola did not advertise or allow for open bidding when it awarded a contract by Direct Labour under the Ministry of Works. Two, that one contract was split into three to beat procurement laws. I will endeavour to address the two issues in my article.

[b]According to Section 59 of the Procurement Law of Osun State 2015, a procuring entity may by reasons of economy, efficiency, etc, initiate procurement by means of restricted procurement. Direct contracting (otherwise known as Direct Labour), which comes under this category, is not subjected to open or competitive bidding as erroneously canvassed in the Sahara Reporters' publication. [/b]Therefore the decision of the state government of Osun under the headship of Oyetola did not flout the known procurement laws of the state when it awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of GOF junction-Florentino School junction along Ori-Oke Oloruntosin, Ilupeju, by way of direct labour.

Similarly, the claim, that the government of Oyetola awarded three contracts for the same "rehabilitation of GOF junction-Florentino School junction along Ori-Oke Oloruntosin, Ilupeju, between July 2020 and April 2021, totalling N700m" was a misrepresentation of facts as nothing like that happened.

The said project was only awarded once, and not multiple times as advanced in the malicious report published by the Sahara Reporters. The state government of Osun is put to test to publish details of multiple disbursements of fund if the sponsored report by the Sahara Reporters is truthful and credible.

It is absurd that the Sahara Reporters would publish a disparaging report on procurement process under Oyetola when the government's accountability in that regard was even nobly acknowledged as one of the best and rewarded with hefty grant by the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS), a World Bank initiative, the sum which was accessed by the current government of Adeleke.

To earn the SFTAS grant, a state must be accountable and transparent in all the procurement processes. And this was the government of Oyetola believed in and signed on to without reservation. One of the things put in place by then government was an open contract portal which allowed internet surfer from any part of the world to have an unfettered access to the details of the contracts undergone by the government. For the efficiency of this process, the state government earned further grant from SFTAS. Those familiar with the SFTAS scheme then would confirm how independent verification agents were fastidious about the scheme's eligibility criteria. They ensured every Kobo that went into procurement was accounted for in practical terms.

A website, www.ocdsosun.org.ng, was created in 2021 for this purpose. The website, up till this moment still hosts details of the contracts awarded and procurement processes undertook during the tenure of ex-Governor Oyetola.

Again, in December 2021, a dedicated e-procurement platform was launched. It is also a dedicated end-to-end procurement software which became operational in January 2022, but because the government of Oyetola exited shortly after the launch of the website, the website could not be used much. But despite, no fewer than 118 contracts awarded in the life of the government of Oyetola were uploaded for the perusal of the public. In sharp contrast, only 10 of the contracts awarded by the current government have been uploaded for the use of public in almost the 24 months of the administration.

Here is how SFTAS in its 2021 Assessment Report described the openess of the Oyetola government in relation to procurement: "IVA ( Independent Verification Agents) confirmed that the data published were in line with the OCDS. The ( website) yields a list of 60 contracts awarded in 2021 with a total value of N1.7bn are above the threshold of N10m stated in the findings and the remainder are less than the threshold and include several contracts as low as N1m. This indicates that the State published all contracts rather than contracts above a 10-million naira threshold."

According to BudgIT, a notable transparency advocacy group, Osun State did not fare well in fiscal transparency in the first quarter of 2024:

1. Its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework document was not scored because it didn't meet the group's metrics.
2. The citizens' budget was not timely published.
3. The proposed budget was not found online.
4. Budget Implementation Report was not comprehensive.
5. The e-procurement portal lacked up to date documents.

What this means is that the current government of Osun is being run like a secret cult, a departure from the rested government of Oyetola. So the public can see for themselves the administration hostile to transparency and accountability.

When the Adeleke government debuted, the website www.ocdsosun.org.ng was handed to them as an independent website so also the e-procurement portal as an independent software suite. However, for reasons best known to the morally wrecked handlers of the current government, the two inherited websites were married together in a dodgy manner with the government website to have www.egp.osunstate.gov.ng. To achieve this, they had to migrate all the data from the inherited portals to the current government website which was what the Sahara Reporters quoted in their poisonous report.

Because the handlers of the government probably tampered with the parameters installed on the inherited portal to mitigate against duplication of data, and also failed to carry out the needed clean-up and due diligence, there are instances of duplication of contracts on the new website. A careful look at the two comparing portals ( inherited and new) will highlight the inconsistencies in the data provided in the new portal accessed by the Sahara Reporters. Whereas the GOF junction-Florentino School junction project is published on the inherited portal ( ocdsosun.org.ng) once under number 110, in the new portal created by the present government, it appears more than once with contract award date of April 2021 and different description like "Supply of AGO" under the Tender Description. What is the nexus between road construction and supply of AGO?

One would reason why data not existing on the two inherited portals would find their way in the new portal. Perhaps because the fall-out of the costly error of the careless current government officials is capable of embarrassing Oyetola and enhance the evil narrative against the former government, it was allowed to slide.

The petty government of Adeleke, which for more than one year did not find anything incriminating against the government of Oyetola in the area of contract award, despite their desperation to hurl anything to implicate the ex-governor, are now jumping over themselves to latch on error created by their negligence.

Even if someone must steal, it is doubtful if any sensible person would be so reckless to repeat same transaction three times. Same contract heading. Same amount. And yet would be bold enough to publish it for the whole world to see. Ridiculous!

[b]Again, why should Oyetola split contract of N700m when as a privilege he had authority to approve above the sum without recourse to the state executive counci[/b]l? No doubt, the characters behind the foolish report failed to put to use their "common sense" thus exposing themselves to avoidable ridicule.

While it is difficult for journalists to guarantee truth at all times, it is imperative they strive for accuracy by getting their facts straight and getting all relevant sides to a story. In this case, the position of the ex-Governor was not sought, neither was any of his lieutenants contacted for clarification, before they rushed to press to project him in a negative light. Whereas two cabinet members in the Adeleke government, Rasheed Olawale and Kolapo Alimi, were contacted for their input. That was professionally inappropriate. You do not shave someone's head in his absence.

In clear terms, what the Sahara Reporters published as a violation of procurement law under the government of Oyetola is a mere data migration issue caused by the handlers of the current government. And It is hoped that the government of Osun would be honourable enough to make the necessary clarification in other to set the record straight.

In the same breath, the Sahara Reporters should expunge the provocative and spiteful report on their website and show courage to apologize to the ex-governor whose name has been tarnished by their irresponsible publication. That is the decent and humane thing to do in this circumstance.

@frontoage
@barcanista
@seun
@

The senator is always controversial.

Osun recorded woeful budget performance in 2024 -Reports

https://www.kakakioodua.com/2024/06/budget-tracking-osun-recorded-woeful.html?m=1

https://www.osunstate.gov.ng/resources/budget-documents/budget-performance/

• Youth affairs 0.3%, Agric 4.3%, Amotekun 6.4%, education 16%, health 13%, sports 11%

• Only Youth feeding, entertainment, office recorded 40%

By Adebayo Adedeji

The budget performance report of the Osun State government for the first quarter of 2024 published May 7, 2024, has revealed that priority was given to the welfare of the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as only budget to the office of the governor recorded 40% performance.

Key sectors like health, agriculture, education, youth affairs, sports and special needs received miserable allocations ranging from 0.3% to 16% against the original budget for the year.

For instance, the education sector which was billed to receive N37.6bn for the year received paltry N6bn in the first quarter, representing 16.7% of the budget for the year.

As[b] if that was the worst, the ministry of agriculture and food security projected to receive N3.7bn for the year was only able to access N164.9m, representing 4.3% of the total forecast for the year.
[/b]
The youth affairs sector only received N12m, constituting 0.3%, of the N4.3bn earmarked for it in the 2024 budget.

In the health sector, only N3.4bn, 13.9% of the N24bn estimated for it in the 2024 budget, was released. In fact, N35m, 2.2% of the N1.6bn planned for the Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, was released to it.

Other sectors which received pittance in the first quarter of the year include ministry of sports and special needs ( received N246m, 11.9% of N2bn budget), water resources received N211m ( 2.6%), rural development and community affairs received N167m ( 2.2%), industry and commerce N93m( 4.3%) while women affairs, children and social affairs got N4m (1.6%) of the budget meant for it.

Social Contribution ( i.e NHIS contribution, contribution to pension, group life assurance to workers) got 8.2%, meaning N1.4bn of the N17.4bn budgeted for the year was received.

Similarly, in the first three months of 2024, the government of Osun paid 8.2%, meaning N1.4bn of the N17.4bn budgeted for the year, for Social Contribution ( i.e NHIS contribution, contribution to pension, group life assurance to workers), whereas N1.5bn, representing 7.6% of the N20.5bn budget, was paid to settle Social Benefits (i.e gratuity, pension, gratuity arrears, pension arrears, etc).

Further breakdown of allocation for Social Benefits indicates no money was released in the first quarter to settle N11.4bn gratuity and pension arrears budget for the year.

Meanwhile, the Government House, which has, in its budget head, few agencies and units such as the Osun State Agency for Control of Aids, Ministry of Federal Affairs, Osun State Security Network and Amotekun Agency, Public Procurement Agency and Osun State Emergency Management Agency, is to receive N15bn in the 2024 budget. Of this sum, N13bn is to go to the Office of the Governor, for the entertainment, refreshment and allowances of the governor and few acolytes.

Strangely, of the total budget for the governor's office for the year, N5.2bn representing 40.3 % of the total budget earmarked for the office, had already been disbursed. Of this, only measly N400m was spent on personnel/workers.

While the office of the governor, which generated paltry N17m as revenue in the first quarter, received the lion's share of N5.2bn, important agencies in the Government House like Amotekun and Osun Emergency Management Agency received sorrowful N73m and N15m, representing 6.4% and 13% respectively, of the money voted for them in the 2024 budget.

A quarter is 25% of the year.

Frontage

Lalasticlala
Mynd44

F

https://naijinfo.com/2024/06/04/marine-and-blue-economy-how-oyetola-fared-in-9-months-by-adebayo-adedeji/
Marine and Blue Economy: How Oyetola fared in 9 months

Marine and Blue Economy: How Oyetola fared in 9 months

By Adebayo Adedeji

When President Bola Tinubu, in August 2023, appointed the former governor of Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, as the pioneer head of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the tasks ahead seemed daunting, but 9 months after, Oyetola has ignited the hope of many Nigerians as he has positioned marine and blue economy for productivity and economic prosperity.

On assumption of office, one of the very first decisions taken by the minister was to develop a comprehensive 4-year plan to address crucial deliverables of his portfolio, including port rehabilitation, efficiency enhancement and maritime safety and compliance to global acceptable practices.

The audience at the Radio House, Abuja, venue of the Sectoral Briefing on the achievement of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, was stunned when ex-Governor Oyetola rolled out his account of stewardship in celebration of the first anniversary of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

He noted that within the 9 months at the helms of affairs, his ministry had contributed remarkably to the country's GDP. The ministry, according to him, reported an increase in revenue for the first quarter of 2024, with N242 billion compared to N126 billion recorded in the same period in 2023, indicating an increase of 92 per cent. This exceptional feat, he stressed, was made possible by blocking revenue leakages, enhancing revenue generations from established sources and identifying and rolling new revenue sources through investment promotion campaigns targeting both domestic and international investments in marine and blue economy. He informed that the projection was to generate N2trillion annually by 2027.

On the ministry's drive to upgrade infrastructure at our ports, he disclosed that funds were sourced for the modernisation and reconstruction of Tin Can Island, Apapa Port Complex and other ports, a development expected to double the revenue due to the country and generate no fewer than 20,000 jobs.

Part of the activities regarding the port modernisation, it was learnt, is the recent acquisition of additional two units of tugboats to address the rising traffic in the Lekki Deep Sea Port and boost the port authority's success in the axis. These purchases are different from the first-of-its-kind-in-Africa Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) 8213 model 80 Ton Bollard Pull Tugboats, acquired last year to enable easy berthing of expansive vessels of 300 metres LOA ( length overall) and above.

Under the leadership of Oyetola, the ministry is promoting the development of Inland dry ports in strategic locations across Nigeria with combined capacity of 165,000 TEUs. The Funtua Dry port, with 5,000 (TEUs), was completed and commissioned for use on 9th May 2024. The Heipang Dry Port at Jos, Plateau, with 20,000 TEUs, has reached 48% completion while construction of those of Erunmu in Ibadan, with 50,000 TEUs, Isiala in Abia ( another 50,000 capacity ) and Jauri in Maiduguri ( 10,000 TEUs), are ongoing.

The rise in number of movement of cargo by barge, from 80,244 TEUs in 2022 to 118,046 TEUs in 2023, is a testament that port-hitherland connectivity has improved significantly under the stewardship of the minister.

Again, the number of Nigerian export laden containers has increased considerably, from 156,790 TEUs in 2022 to 226,456 TEUs in 2023. The number of ship calls equally grew from 1,997 vessels in 2022 to about 2,200 vessels by the end of 2023.

Another sub-sectoral arm which is gaining attention of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is that of fisheries and aquaculture. It is gladdening to report that a Satellite Based Vessel Monitoring System has been installed through a public private partnership ( PPP) to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated ( IUU) fishing in the country's territorial waters.

The ministry is also collaborating with private investors to reestablish Nigeria's fish harbours and terminals with an investment to the tune of $70m.

With the support of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), headquartered in the USA and the World Fish Institute, the ministry is putting up a fisheries policy framework designed to signpost the nation to harness export-oriented revenues exceeding $5 billion in trawling and sea farming.

In the last 9 months also, the ministry has deployed new strategies to make port operations more efficient. Part of the action plan in realizing the lofty goal are implementing community automated system, rapid deployment of scanners at all ports, managing bureaucratic bottlenecks by reducing the number of agencies at the seaports to a maximum of seven (7), ensuring the full activation of the National Single Window Initiative for efficient trade processing at ports and increasing cargo examination from 120 to average of 230 boxes daily.

On the safer waterways campaign, the ministry, through one of its agencies, the National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), is making the dream actionable. The agency is currently carrying out underwater activities to remove 27 previously identified wrecks. The Managing Director of NIWA, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, revealed that the action was imperative to forestall navigation obstruction with its attendant boat mishaps. He added that the agency planned to extend navigable inland waterways to 5,000km from 3,000km[url][/url].

The agency also gazetted the Inland Water Transportation Safety Code to guide boat operators, regulate conduct of passengers and provide framework for investment. It has similarly mobilized no fewer than 80 Water Marshals across selected jetties to enforce inland water safety rules. This is just as it emplaced 3 water ambulances for prompt search and rescue operation on the inland waterways.

In equal breath, NIWA has facilitated 3 PC W23 boat with 150 HO each for surveillance activities and 5 PC W23 boats with double 75HP each for enforcement activities.

In addition to the boat acquisition, NIWA has also procured one 62-seater and one 32-seater passenger boats to pilot the modernisation drive.

No doubt, the 9-month stint of Mr Oyetola as marine and blue economy minister has been eventful, as he is laying solid foundation for the country in the sector, it is only hoped that more efforts would be made in enhancing port infrastructure, deploying cutting-edged technologies to drive revenue generation, ensuring security on our nautical space, etc, so as to harness the country's potential in blue economy for national development.

https://dailypost.ng/2024/05/28/tinubus-anniversary-revenue-generation-in-nigerias-blue-economy-surged-by-92-to-n242bn-oyetola/



Tinubu’s anniversary: Revenue generation in Nigeria’s blue economy surged by 92% to N242bn – Oyetola

Published on May 28, 2024
By Ogaga Ariemu


Gboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has said revenue generation in his Ministry surged by 92 per cent to N242 billion in the first quarter of 2024 compared to Q1 2023.


Oyetola disclosed this on Tuesday at a sectoral briefing to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anniversary in Abuja.

He explained that the ministry designed 18-program strategies to achieve the revenue target across its agencies.


According to him, revenue generation in agencies, which includes Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, Nigerian Port Authority, National Inland Waterways, Shippers Council and others recorded increase in the period under review.

“Currently implementation 18-program strategies focused on blocking revenue linkages, boost revenue generation and identify new revenue sources.

“We have ramped up revenue of government across agencies in the last one year in comparison with Quarter 1 2023 and 2024.


“Revenue performance across the ministry’s agencies increased by 92 per cent.

“We have increased revenue in the period from N126 billion to N242 billion”, he stated.

@barcanista
@admin
@frontpage

weyreypey:

How much were you paid?

Same amount you were paid to spew trash.

rertylentl:
Nigeria minister of blue economy is budgeting 3 billions naira to rear cat fish fingerlings blue economy and catfish?

You actually need to pay attention to details, please. The initiative will generate 3 billion fingerlings, not that N3billion has been budgeted to rear cat fish.

Policies are announced when Ts have been crossed and I's dotted. A serious Minister does not just talk because he wants to embrace the media. A minister talks when there is important information to share.

Information about $1.1bn port reinvestment has been in the news for some months now. That update, of over N1trillion investment in the country's ports, is a serious and ambitious stride too.

In few months' time, that reinvestment deal will be completed and our country will have every reason to smile.

helinues:


Ambitious?

Such initiative should have been priorities, don't you think

Kindly read the article and see the profound job the minister is doing in the new Ministry. Meanwhile, the Ministry itself is less than one year. Lol.

helinues:
Sponsored article

Still ambitious about the initiative after one year, what then has he been doing?

https://thenationonlineng.net/oyetolas-ambitious-fish-production-initiative-and-other-matters/

Oyetola's ambitious fish production initiative and other matters

By Ismail Omipidan

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not mince words when he declared upon assumption of office in May 2023 that transformation of the economy was central to his agenda.

To ensure the realisation of the agenda, the President set out by unbundling some of the ministries to give room for robust engagements and promote friendly economic environment to foster rapid growth.

Incidentally, one of the new ministries established is the Marine and Blue Economy and to pilot the ministry is someone who is vast in private and public sectors operations, in person of former Governor of Osun state, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Realising that there is no time to waste, the minister hit the ground running by meeting with stakeholders in the new ministry, which is expected to generate revenue for government and entrench a culture of global best practices in the maritime domain.

The minister declared from day one that the ministry would embrace the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to transform the sector. He assured the indigenous ship owners that the PPP initiative would not in anyway impede the growth of local players, but would rather provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs.

At the first Stakeholders' Roundtable Engagement on Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria's Marine and Blue Economy sector, convened to bring together players in the sector to discuss and chart a roadmap/direction that will advance the industry's potential, promote sustainable Blue Economy investments and ensure global competitiveness within the sector, the minister noted that the PPP model, a collaborative synergy between the private sector's efficiency and the public sector's oversight, would bring about transformative impact on the marine and blue economy as well as boost the creation of substantial job opportunities and the facilitation of increased trade and investment in the nation.

As part of efforts to walk his talk, the minister, last week, met with an indigenous Delta Systematics Group, led by Professor John Onwuteaka, to X-ray a Strategic Plan for enhanced fish production to position Nigeria as a global leader in fisheries.

The comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Enhancement of Fish Production, the minister noted, aims at transforming the marine and freshwater fish production in Nigeria with the aim of reducing the country's dependency on imports, increase domestic production, and establish Nigeria as a net exporter of fish.

The initiative, led by the minister, is divided into short-term, medium-term, and long-term programmes.

Each of the programmes, it was noted, has specific goals within a structured timeline. The short-term programme has the innovative GIFT Tilapia programme.

The programme is expected to produce over 3 billion fingerlings to adult fish within four years, generate over 2 million jobs across related sectors, and contribute over 4 trillion Naira to Nigeria's GDP.

In the medium- and long-terms, the focus would be on addressing the crucial challenges of insufficient fish meal production for feed and enhancing artisanal fisheries.

Also, the strategic exploitation of Nigeria's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is anticipated to produce trawling and sea farming export-oriented revenues exceeding $5 billion. This, would no doubt further secure Nigeria's position as a formidable player in the global fisheries and aquaculture market.

The strategic initiatives that were X-rayed for the enhancement of Nigeria's fisheries sector include several key projects, all of which are aimed at modernising and expanding the industry's infrastructure and capabilities.

To drive home the plan, the meeting recognised the urgent need to resuscitate and modernise existing storage and processing facilities. It also emphasized that the effort would be complemented by the strict implementation of biosecurity and traceability infrastructure, which is critical for maintaining the health of aquatic stocks and ensuring the safety and traceability of seafood products from "catch to consumer."

Similarly, a comprehensive digital infrastructure would be implemented for managing fisheries data in an integrated manner. The platform, it was noted, would provide a cohesive framework for managing aquacultural and artisanal fisheries data, facilitating decision-making and ensuring regulatory compliance. The plan also includes the establishment of fishing harbours and terminals in both coastal and inland areas, alongside the formation of fisherfolk cooperatives. These facilities and organisations aim to support the livelihoods of local fishermen, while simultaneously promoting sustainable and profitable fishing practices and inducing tourism.

The plan would also develop national pond and cage aquaculture clusters accompanied by associated farming cooperatives. This initiative aims to increase and double domestic fish production; reduce reliance on imports; and secure the supply chain, contributing significantly to national food security and economic growth.

Interestingly, the indigenous Delta Systematics Group, is peopled by prominent Nigerians who are experts and critical stakeholders in the industry. The team of experts, it was further gathered would be instrumental to integrating essential public and private initiatives into the heart of Nigeria's fisheries enhancement strategies.

"This strategic plan not only aims to revitalise our fish production sector but also to ensure long-term sustainability and food security," Oyetola added.

Apart from the ambitious fish production initiative, Oyetola since assumption of office has carried out several activities, including ports inspections and quality assurance exercises, and meeting with the Customs' headship on the imperative of deploying scanners at the country's sea ports to enhance the ease of doing business.


As part of port efficiency across all the country's ports, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), in conjunction with Port Community System Association, helped to develop the PORT Community System framework report, which was handed over to the minister recently. The ministry has since initiated contractual bidding processes for the implementation of the Port Community System across Nigerian ports, just as work on the development of Marine and Blue Economy Policy document has reached an advanced stage.

Additionally, the minister has completed some of the projects he inherited. Some of these projects are: the Funtua Dry Port, Port Access Roads in Onne and the rehabilitation of some access roads in Tin Can and Apapa ports.

One of the landmark breakthroughs of the minister in the last eight months of being in the saddle as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, is putting an end to the multi-billion naira yearly loss to Lagos ports traffic gridlock.

The minister had, in December 2023, held a stakeholders’ engagement, to examine the challenge of extortion and illegal checkpoints on the port access roads. After blaming the enumerated illegalities for traffic congestion along the port access roads, he promised to eliminate extortions of truck drivers, illegal checkpoints, and unapproved parking of trucks along the port access road within one week.

According to the minister, the maritime industry is germane to the development of the economy and the goal is to ensure that players in the industry do not lose money due to congestions and traffic gridlock. To the amazement of the stakeholders, today, sanity has returned to the Tin-Can Island Port corridor as the perennial traffic gridlock on the Mile 2 and Tin-Can in Lagos has since given way, following a recent clearance operation.

For close to a decade, the Apapa gridlock had been a pain in the neck of federal
and state law officers, with the persistent gridlock defying all known solutions.

Oyetola's efforts at changing the narrative in the Marine and Blue Economy is gradually yielding results. Although it is not about brick and mortar, the minister is determined to position Nigeria as a premier maritime nation by utilising the potential of its blue economy to diversify revenue, assure sustainable development, and cultivate environmental stewardship.

@barcanista

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/04/breaking-jamb-releases-2024-utme-results/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1D0VVfm3Z8h01VBxXu46nZ9PJvhGjb1_FxDGeUmcsN-zWs_daktgA2LjM_aem_ATZxPEl7UWipif6WsKy7ZqKdWgQxr68tfQIKJsMy0YilcWGIAZg6GBFYyKmT8yiCLA1ZDT9z6t3Wai6RoxJGXPIR


VANGUARD NEWS


Breaking: JAMB releases 2024 UTME results


By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has released the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME results.


Over 1.94 million candidates registered and sat the examination in 118 towns and over 700 centres across the country.



The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede announced the release of the results at a press conference held at the board’s headquarters, Bwari, in Abuja on Monday.


The examination which began on Friday, 19th April ended on Monday, 29th April 2024.

The press conference is ongoing.

Details coming..

https://www.arewareportersng.com/re-disquiet-in-the-ministry-of-marine-and-blue-economy-our-error/

Arewa Reporters
Home News


Re: Disquiet In The Ministry Of Marine And Blue Economy – OUR ERROR
Desgud by Desgud April


We have since discovered the facts in the above publication and came to the conclusion that we at the editorial team of Arewa Reporters, was misled into publishing a false information.

To this end, we tender an unreserved apology to the Hon. Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola and his son, Femi Oyetola.

We regret any embarrassment the said publication may have caused the minister and his son.

It is our tradition that before any publication, the facts of the matter must be thoroughly examined before going to the press.

However, in this particular news item, the editor having instructed that the story be fact-checked, the uploader did not bother to get clearance before proceeding with the publication.

In this light , the medium sees the need to issue this apology to show that as an organisation we have nothing personal against either the minister or the son.

We were misled, hence, this apology. The right measures have been taken against those responsible for this embarrassment and we shall guide against future occurrence.

Moreso, very strict internal measures have been put in place to avoid embarrassment.

Kindly accept this as our unreserved and sincere apology.

Be rest assured of our warmest regards.

Aregbesola, not Oyetola, sold Osun shares in Omoluabi Bank

By Adebayo Adedeji

Contrary to the claim of the talk-then-think chairman of the Osun PDP, Mr Sunday Bisi, that ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola sold Omoluabi Mortgage Bank to Citi Trust Limited, the fact of the matter is that the said stake was actually sold by the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at a time Dr Wale Bolorunduro, who was recently nominated as Chairman of the bank by Governor Adeleke, was the Commissioner of Finance in the state.

In 2013, the government of Aregbesola went to the Nigerian Stock Exchange in order to increase the company's share capital by N1.65bn so as to be above the N2.5bn minimum capital requirement set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for mortgage banks in the country.

Bolorunduro said in an interview, "Why Omoluabi Public Offering Opens, Closes Same Day" granted Daily News Watch but published on the website of the Osun State Government on 31st December, 2013, that " The Capital Market we could say was sleeping and Osun has to wake it up and we believe that come 27th December, 2013, Omoluabi Savings and Loans Limited would have been able to raise N1.65bn and the share would be public. The law of the country does not allow us to restrict it to only Osun citizens."

After the Privatisation, the bank was listed on the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2014.

The Osun State Government and its 30 local government councils were left with 39.9% while Morgan Capital Securities Limited became the major shareholder with 38.96% while UniCapital Limited obtained 21% equity stake in the company.

By 2018 when the government of Aregbesola eclipsed, the equity of Morgan Capital, as referenced on page 7 of the 2018 Annual Report and Financials of Omoluabi Mortgage Bank, had increased to 43% with 2,196,031,423 shareholding while that of Uni Capital Plc was reduced to 14.1% with 705,170,000 share holding. Both the state government of Osun and the 30LGAs retained their 40% stake. The shareholding structure of 40% for the state government and the local government councils was retained and untouched throughout the tenure of Oyetola. So from where did the lie of Oyetola selling Osun shares to private investors come? The later divestment of shares to Citi Trust was an internal arrangement among investors within the company which had no link or connection with the state government. No share of the Osun people in the LIVINGTRUST Bank was sold under the administration of Oyetola.

Find below the Ownership Structure of the bank as at 2018:

1. Morgan Capital Securities Ltd - Holding 43.9%, No of Share Holding -2,196,031,423
2. *Osun State Govt - Holding 18.2%* , No of Share Holding 909,706,292
3. UniCapital Plc- 14.1%, No of Share Holding 705,170,000
4. *Osun State Local Govts - 21.8%* , No of Share Holding 1,090, 133,708
5. Other Retails - 2.0%, 98,958,577

It is gladdening that the story of Omoluabi Mortgage Bank ( now LIVINGTRUST Mortgage Limited) is coming at this period. For it will afford the people of Osun a great opportunity to confront both Rauf Aregbesola and his protégé, Wale Bolorunduro, with questions of how our commonwealth was brazenly mismanaged by them. But while this is going on, the loquacious PDP Chairman in Osun, Sunday Bisi, should be advised to hold his peace for the discussion is above his knowledge and pay grade.

Meanwhile, the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke should note that it is now an offence, going by the CBN's 2023 Corporate Governance Guidelines for Commercial, Merchant, Non-Interest, Payment Service Banks in Nigeria, for a government to own more than 10 per cent stake in a bank. The Regulation states, in Section 20, that "Government's direct and indirect equity holding in a bank shall not be more than ten per cent (10%), which shall be divested to private investors within a maximum period of five years from the date of investment."

Let's see what would become of the 40% shares of the state government and its local governments in the bank in the years to come.

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2024/04/16/group-drags-osun-govt-to-efcc-for-awarding-road-contracts-to-estate-agents-fertilizer-distributors-cyber-cafe-operatorsseeks-investigation-of-deputy-speaker-5-contractors/

Group Drags Osun Govt to EFCC For Awarding Road Contracts To Estate Agents, Fertilizer Distributors, Cyber-cafe Operators

• Seeks Investigation of Deputy Speaker, 5 Contractors

A Non-Governmental Organisation, "League of Peace Ambassadors, Humanity and Human Rights Advocates," has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the procurement processes leading to awards of the recent road contracts in Osun State.

In the Petition sighted by this medium, the group wants the EFCC to specifically investigate why Raregeode Company Limited and Acumen Forte Limited, two companies allegedly owned by the current Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi, were awarded contracts worth N10bn in violation of Sections 17 and 25 of the state Public Procurement law of 2015.

The group equally wants the anti-graft agency to investigate the awards of contracts to A'scorj Integrated Nigeria Limited, Great Enyork Technology Limited and Enginec Engineering Limited.

The Petition which was accompanied by relevant documents obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission, reads in part, " This petition is brought for investigation into how the Osun State Public Procurement Agency brazenly violated the 2015 Procurement Law of the state in award of contracts worth about Fifty Billion Naira (N50b) to entities with no professional and technical competence."

The group affirms that by virtue of the PPA Law of 2015, the Osun State Assembly is part of the public procurement processes.

It adds that besides being the financial approving authority for all the public contracts in the state, the state assembly carries out oversight function on the agency and public procurement processes.

"It therefore amounts to unholy Conflict of Interest that a leader of the state assembly will through the backdoor use two companies founded by him, where he is still a shareholder and where members of his family are still holding principal directing positions, to bid for public contracts," the group submits.

On the Raregeode Company Limited linked to the Deputy Speaker, the group states that "according to Section 23 (5) of the Public Procurement Law 2015, all bidders shall possess the following: (a) Professional and technical qualification to carry out particular procurement. (b) Have fulfilled all its obligations to pay taxes, pensions and social security contributions."

The group maintains that there is no evidence to suggest Raregeode, which was contracted to construct 4 span bridge across Osun River and dual-span bridge across Erinle River for N3,937,072,827.00, has competence and professional expertise to execute the project awarded to it. The only business traceable to the company is distribution of fertilizers and allied agricultural items.

"Again, as at the period the company obtained the contract," the petition reads further, "it did not satisfy the requirement of the law in relation to tax payment as its record on the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission shows 'inactive' indicating that the company was in arrears regarding payment of due taxes, charges, pension and social insurance contribution, in clear violation of Section 23 (7d) of the Public Procurement Law (2015) of Osun State.

Similarly, the group alleges that Acumen Forte Limited, awarded the Dualisation of 2.2km Old Garage-Okefia-Lameco Junction worth N5,822,105,829, has no professional and technical competence just as it did not possess the legal capacity to enter into procurement contract as provided in Section 23 of the state procurement law as it did not fulfil all its tax obligations.

The group is astonished as well that the state government awarded the contract for construction of 7 span bridge at Okefia Intersection, Osogbo, valued at N10b, to A'scorj Limited, a company which was registered as a real estate agency. It holds that the company has no requisite experience to undertake such a road project just as it did not fulfil the tax clearance requirement stipulated in Section 23 (5) of the Osun State Public Procurement Law (2015).

The group, in equal breath, discloses that both Great Enyork Technology Limited (RC 662293) and Enginec Engineering (RC 1181360) located in Lagos, and given combined contracts worth of N23b, have no relevant experience in road construction.

While Great Enyork, according to the petitioner, was registered as a business centre and cyber cafe operator, Enginec Engineering Limited is a purely electrical engineering company.

It concludes that "given the opaque procurement bidding process which birthed the above mentioned contracts and the obviously inflated contract sum, it is tempting to presume that an economic or financial crime has occured," particularly when the section 23(f), which provides that Procurement process should be conducted in a such a manner that members of the public are carried along and given opportunity to monitor the process, was abysmally abused.

The group, in clear terms, accuses the Osun procurement agency of failing to invite as observer at least a non-governmental organisation working in transparency and anti-corruption areas, as enshrined in Section 29 of the state law.

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2024/03/29/technical-colleges-stop-your-obsession-with-anything-oyetola-omipidan-tells-adeleke-aregbesola-osun-defender/

Technical colleges: 'Stop your obsession with anything Oyetola', Omipidan tells Adeleke, Aregbesola, Osun Defender

...says his Principal never abandoned any project


Spokesman to the immediate past Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the chief promoter of Osun Defender, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to stop their unnecessary fixation on Oyetola, cautioning them to always cross check their facts even if they are bent on painting the former governor black.

Omipidan noted that he had observed a trend in recent times where either the state government or its affiliates would spin lies against the former governor, while Osun Defender elevates the lies and misinformation simply because Oyetola is involved.

He urged for a more responsible approach to public discourse, devoid of personal agendas or vendettas.

Omipidan was reacting to the latest misinformation by Governor Adeleke over the state of technical colleges in Osun, a lie elevated by Osun Defender in their usual destructive manner.

The spokesman to Oyetola noted that in the first instance, the technical colleges project, popularly known as the skill G project, was never initiated by Aregbesola as claimed by Osun Defender and Governor Ademola Adeleke, adding that "if Aregbesola had put in the type of energy my principal exerted on that project, the project would have since been completed."

He further said "for the avoidance of doubt, the project was started by Governor Oyinlola who had paid part of the project sum before he left government.

"Contrary to the narrative by Governor Ademola Adeleke and Osun Defender, it was Governor Aregbesola that abandoned the project because of the mutual hatred that existed between him and Oyinlola at the time.

"As a matter of fact, several stakeholders pleaded with Aregbesola to continue the project but he refused. It was only at the tail end of his eight years administration, when it was impossible for him to do much, that he made attempt to revive the project.

"So, when my Principal came on board, he met Mr. Dagan and his team in Skill G severally in a bid to revive the project.

"Skill G revised the project cost upward by about 2 billion naira citing inflation as their reason. It was also agreed that government should pay them a substantial sum to begin with and as a mark of government seriousness to revive the project. That was done.

"After they were paid, Skill G arranged to bring their Isreali experts into the country to finish the project. But unfortunately after they had committed resources and finalised all their arrangements, COVID-19 broke out and the whole world, including Israel and Nigeria, went into a lockdown.

"After COVID, another effort was made by my Principal to revive the project through series of meetings involving him, Prof. Olu Aina ( a voluntary adviser to the state on technical education/skill G project) and Mr Dagan and his team. It was at one of such meetings that it was agreed that the outstanding on the project should be paid in six equal installments to enable Skill G to restart the whole project and that the project too should be delivered in installments beginning with Osogbo and Ife technical colleges. And my principal started the payment by instalment. So, how can a man who came this far with the project be accused of abandoning the same project?

"Let me add that Oyetola has since moved on. Therefore, those obsessed with the hearing of his name will continue to be tormented by the strides being recorded by him," Omipidan added.

Osun Teachers' Recruitments and Matters Arising

By Adebayo Adedeji

Is it true that Governor Ademola Adeleke has secretly re-absorbed some of the 1,500 teachers employed by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, but dismissed through his draconian Executive Order in November 2022? Is it true the current teachers' recruitment is to compensate the PDP leaders and friends of the government? I will return to these questions later.

At his inauguration on 27 November 2022, Governor Ademola Adeleke, like a bull in a china shop, had announced the dismissal of 1,500 school teachers employed by the preceding administration, claiming that the employment process was illegal and was a landmine created to destabilise his government.


The teachers were bonafide Osun indigenes who did not only pass the written examination set by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, ( the technical experts engaged for the recruitment), but also scaled the series of rigorous oral interview sessions designed to confirm their suitability for the teaching role.

All entreaties to Governor Adeleke to reinstate the embattled teachers fell on deaf ears, even when it was reported that no fewer than four of the concerned teachers had died, barely two months after the sadistic review of the governor, on account of complications arising from depression

Reacting to the plights of the distraught teachers, the Special Assistant on Community Communications to the governor, Tunde Busari, in Jan. 2023, said there was no going back on the demonic sack of the teachers.

In fact he said those engaging in demonstrations, to press home their appeal, were APC members smuggled into the state payroll by former Governor Oyetola.

According to him, "Those APC members are now playing the script. They have failed from the beginning as this administration will not bow to unjustified demands from those who collaborated to deepen Osun financial woes.

He added that no amount of demonstration and blackmail could change the reality that those teachers had been dismissed.

But alas, there is a credible information indicating that some PDP affiliates who were part of the 1,500 sacked teachers have been secretly reabsorbed and posted to schools to teach.

This is coming at a time the state government is claiming to be conducting fresh teachers' recruitment.


The new recruitment process, which has been strongly criticized by job applicants for its shoddiness, is touted to employ 5,000 teachers. However, many have expressed their lack of confidence in the whole process, adding that it is a smokescreen aimed at rewarding politicians.

According to them, there is every reason to believe that the recruitment is fashioned to favour family members, political cronies and children of politicians, reason the aptitude tests conducted by the state government on 27 and 28 March were poorly organised.

In the words of one of the job applicants, "It is strange that the state government, after obtaining N2,500 job application fee, and in many cases, additional N10,000 for State of Origin Certificate, from poor and struggling job seekers, they could not conduct decent aptitude test. It is shameful. This recruitment exercise (examination) is rubbish and arrant nonsense.

"I participated in the 2021 recruitment process though I didn't make the final list. It was well scheduled, prepared and organised, unlike this one we experienced yesterday at UNIOSUN. Exams, scheduled to start by 8am, didn't start until 5pm in many centres. Again, the questions were sub-standard: as if they were not vetted by test measurement experts. The government should not have wasted our time when they knew slots had been handed to their cronies and party members," the applicant recounted her awful experience and disappointment.

1. Were the tests ill-fated, as being rumoured, to serve the selfish interest of the people in government?


2. Is it true that the state government has reabsorbed some of the 1,500 teachers earlier sacked?

3. If yes, how many of them were reabsorbed?

4. How many candidates applied for the current teachers' recruitment?

5. What is the fate of the unlucky applicants who could not be enrolled for the test or whose tests were either cancelled or postponed indefinitely owing to the organisational incompetence of the government handlers saddled with the process?


The government must address the foregoing questions in order to demonstrate to the worried job seekers that it is committed to a transparent and fair recruitment process. This is the responsible thing the state government should do, and urgently, in this situation.

Blocking leakages at NIMASA: Oyetola meets Mainbridge, Abu Dhabi investment group

As part of efforts to revolutionise the Nigeria's Maritime sector, the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, today, met with Mainbridge and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

The meeting centred on the proposed Digital Marine Project, with focus on the Electronic Maritime Administration and Revenue Assurance Project (EMARAP). The team was led by the Group CEO of Mainbridge, Bola Adefehinti.

Mainbridge is an investment firm with a focus on Africa's infrastructure development, while Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is a global investment company managing a diversified portfolio worldwide, including Africa.

EMARAP, according to the proponents, is, when deployed, expected to address maritime challenges in Nigeria, from piracy to revenue leakages, utilising advanced technology to enhancing NIMASA's capabilities.

Mainbridge and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority identified key areas like port management and fisheries for development.

Responding, the minister expressed the ministry's readiness to partner with the group, saying the contents of the project marked a promising future for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Among those who attended the meeting are: Dr. Dayo Mobereola, DG, NIMASA; Dr. Charles Akinola and Prof. Busayo Fakinlede.

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2024/03/19/osun-apc-faults-adeleke-for-awarding-billion-naira-road-contracts-to-brother-deji-adeleke-nephew-davido-others/


*Osun APC faults Adeleke for awarding billion naira road contracts to brother, Deji Adeleke, nephew, Davido, others*

*...urges anti-graft agencies to wade in*

Following the alleged nepotism in the award of public contracts in Osun by the Governor Ademola Adeleke led-government, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has berated the Governor for awarding multibillion naira infrastructural projects to his elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke; his son, David Adeleke popularly known as 'Davido; Deputy Speaker, Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi among others.

The opposition party in the state scolded the governor for continuously running the affairs of the state as private enterprise of Adeleke's dynasty, decrying the gross violation of the 2015 Public Procurement Law of the state in the award of the contracts worth about N50bn to entities with no professional and technical competence.

This is even as the party called on the anti-graft agencies, particularly Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to come to the aid of the state.

The APC raised the allegations on Tuesday at a Press Conference addressed by its Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, held at Tinubu/ Shettima campaign office, Osogbo.

Lawal accused Adeleke of flagrant disobedience of extant laws and gross violation of the 2015 Public Procurement Law of the state in the award of the contracts to entities with no background in road construction.

According to him, the financial injection through the supposed infrastructure is being circumvented and cornered by the Adeleke family using business names of Dr. Deji Adeleke and lawmaker from Ife North State constituency of Osun State, Hon. Akinyode Abidemi Oyewumi.

"Tongues are currently wagging in Osun State that the billionaire brother of Governor Adeleke, Dr Deji Adeleke and his son, Mr David Adeleke a.k.a. 'Davido' are interested parties in the touted multi-billion naira road and flyover projects using inactive and inexperienced companies to front for them.

"It is bizarre that two companies founded by the incumbent Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi, were recently awarded road construction contracts by the Government of Osun State.

"The Osun State Deputy Speaker is the founder of Raregeode Company Limited and Acumen Forte Limited, two companies awarded road projects by Governor Adeleke to the tune of N9 billion and was a shareholder in the two companies as at the time the contracts were awarded; while members of his family were also Person(s) with Significant Interest in the two companies, which is contrary to the public procurement law of Osun State.

"By virtue of the PPA Law of 2015, it amounts to unholy conflict of interest that a leader of the state House of Assembly will, through the back door, use two companies founded by him and where he is still a shareholder and members of his family are still holding principal directing positions, to bid for public contracts.

"For the fact that this seemingly unpatriotic action of Mr Oyewusi grossly violates provisions of the state's procurement law, he should resign his membership of the state House of Assembly outright and hand himself over to the anti-graft agency for prosecution.

"Again, it is strange that the Ademola Adeleke Government awarded public contracts to companies with no history of road construction. There is no verifiable evidence that Raregeode Company Limited, Acumen Forte Limited and the three companies engaged for the road construction, namely: Ascorj Integrated Nigeria Ltd, Great Enyork Technology Limited and Enginec Engineering Limited, have the capacity and experience for such whooping contracts. The contracts were not only gifted to mushroom companies, they were gifted at insane costs. Even in the Niger Delta states where topology is unfriendly, contracts are not awarded at N2.5bn per kilometer as Governor Adeleke has done in the instance of Osun.

"We want to use this medium to call on the anti-graft agencies, especially the ICPC and EFCC, to immediately move in their men to Osun State in order to halt the reckless mismanagement of public fund which is now endemic under the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke", Lawal asserted.

The APC frayed the Adeleke's style of governance which it described as anti-masses saying "while Governor Adeleke and members of his family are lining their pockets with public fund, the people of Osun State suffer untold hardship on account of lack of palliative and welfare programmes from the government of the state".

The party inferred that it is paradoxical that despite the fact that the monthly allocations from the federation account since May last year have doubled, Osun State Government under the leadership of Governor Adeleke has flagrantly refused to complement the palliatives provided by the Federal Government to cushion the debilitating effects of the removal of the oil subsidy.

"Under Governor Adeleke, the state is now described in the media as the Poverty Headquarters of Yorubaland as all micro-economic indices have isolated Osun State in the South-West as the poorest. Ever since the current socio-economic challenges erupted, the Adeleke hegemony has never directly intervened to ease the global and national trauma", the party stated.

Lawal also debunked the PDP's allegations against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, of using his position and closeness to the President to destabilize the state saying the false alarm confirmed the palpable ineptness in the Adeleke's government.

"Rather than facing governance and providing solution to the problems bedeviling the state, the government of Osun State is busy playing petty politics, manufacturing lies to tarnish the enviable image of our party leaders. You will recall that the leadership of the PDP in the state led by one political mascot in a statement accused Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, of using his closeness to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to destabilize the state.

"We want to state pointedly here as a party that there is no basis for such accusation as it was not only misplaced but unfounded as the peace-loving marine minister is preoccupied with how to complement the efforts of President Tinubu in the realization of his Renewed Hope Agenda in the interest of the generality of the people of this nation", the party added.

press9jatv:
Haaa, this one won’t last on the throne

Lol

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2024/03/08/breaking-commotion-in-iree-community-as-adelekes-appointed-monarch-breaks-into-seclusion-shrine/

Breaking : Commotion in Iree Community As Adeleke's Appointed Monarch Breaks Into Seclusion Shrine

...When Traditional Chiefs Boycott Rites

The newly appointed Aare of Iree, Mr Muritala Oyelakin, on Friday, invaded the Odofin's compound in Iree and broke the door leading to king's seclusion shrine to forcefully gain entrance for the traditional rites.

He invaded the shrine with some suspected hoodlums and unknown local hunters from outside the town, shooting sporadically in the air before they left abruptly without performing any rites.

According to tradition of Iree community, a new king is mandated to stay in the Odofin's compound for three days for seclusion (Ipebi) before moving to the palace.

It was gathered that the controversial Muritala Oyelakin will be the first Aare who did not undergo the seclusion at the Odofin's compund.

It was learnt that the new king had shunned the rites when traditional chiefs in-charge of the process refused to turn up, claiming that the same had been performed on Oba Rapheal Ademola Oluponnle, and repeating it for Oyelakin would be sacrilegious and manipulative.

The chiefs, namely Asalu, Odofin and Oluode, insisted that until Oba Oluponnle ages and joins his forefathers, the items being used to perform such traditional rites would not be retrieved and applied on any other person.

Pa Bolanle Ojo, the head of Odofin compound said, "It is practically impossible for us to accept another person into seclusion. Everything necessary traditionally was done and handed over to Oba Oluponnle, and we can't retrieve it.

"We have never heard it in history that such rites were performed for two Obas at the same time in Iree and if we should allow it, it is an invitation to doom, which we have always been praying against.

Also, the Asalu of Iree, High Chief Taiwo Mariana said, "I am the head of all deities in Iree. We conducted the necessary rites for Oba Oluponnle and it cannot be done twice; the government should please tread with caution by not using the Obaship matter to create confusion in Iree.

"All the stakeholders should please allow peace to reign. We have done the needful for Oba Oluponnle and we can not invite the wrath of our ancestors by engaging in sacrilegious act meant to serve personal interest of some people.

Also, the Security head in the community, Oluode of Iree, Ayodeji Oguniyi said all the hunters were fully involved in the selection process, installation as well as every aspect of the tradition leading to Obs Oluponnle's enthronement.

He stressed that it is a taboo for traditional rites chiefs to make the same sacrifice for another king while the occupant of the position is still alive, appealing to the state government to allow peace and tranquility reign in the community.

However, Oba Oluponnle insisted that he remains the Aree of Iree, as the certificate of his appointment and staff office are still in his custody, saying, no court of competent jurisdiction has spoken otherwise.

"As far as I am concerned, I remain the Aree of Iree because as we speak, the case instituted against my appointment as Aree is still before a state High Court. Hearing had been conducted and we are expecting the judgement.

Significantly, the so-called White Paper released by the Governor Adeleke stated that the Kingmaker who are challenging my emergence should withdraw their suit before starting another process, but between the time that the said paper was released and the time they approved the appointment of another person, the judiciary workers were on strike. They just announced their resumption and they will resume on Monday next week.

"The question now is that when and where was the case withdrawn, meaning that the government has again violated its directive in the white paper. So, the government lacks respect for the court and lack respect for itself by dishonoring the contents of its directives."

However, Oba Oluponle appealed to the people of the town to keep calm and allow the law to take its course.

Meanwhile, when the appointed king was out on Friday for the rites, all the traditional centres in the domains of Asalu, Odofin and Oluode, that are associated to the throne, were under lock and key.

Recall that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun recently ordered the removal of Oba Oluponnle through a government White Paper and ordered that a new process should be commenced, even without recourse to the ongoing litigation on the Obaship appointment.

The contents of the White Paper directed the Kingmakers who are challenging the appointment of Oba Oluponnle to withdraw their case before a new process could commence.

Whereas the suit could not be withdrawn owing to the protracted strike embarked upon by the judiciary workers in the state, yet some pliable kingmakers selected by the state government went ahead with the shoddy selection process which was later ratified by the state executive council led by Governor Adeleke.

Oba Oluponnle was one of the Obas appointed by the administration of the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy,

https://twitter.com/_chiefagbabiaka/status/1765838167796531213?t=M_fUDjBkKTJNEwt9jhFr7Q&s=19

States don't have capacity to pay National Minimum Wage - Gov. Adeleke

By Adekunle Alao

Indications have emerged that the Osun State Government may not be committed to paying the new National Minimum Wage being proposed for workers across the country.

This position was disclosed by the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, after today's zonal hearing on the national minimum wage held in Lagos.

Governor Adeleke, in a news release by his spokesperson, said a uniform wage is not possible in the country given the current national economy and tilted revenue sharing formula.

According to him, unless the solid minerals are removed from the exclusive list and revenue sharing formula reviewed to favour the sub-nationals, many states would find it difficult to implement the new minimum wage.

"It would amount to self deceit to assume that states have equal ability to pay," Governor Adeleke posited in the press statement.

He concluded that individual states would have to negotiate with their workers and agree to a realistic and sustainable wage in line with the available resources.

Commenting on the development, an Osogbo-based human rights activist, Comrade Josiah Adelodun, berated the state governor for what he described as the governor's undignified stance, noting that such a position is like shifting the goal post in the middle of a football match.

Adelodun said, "The statement coming from the Osun state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, is uncharitable. It should be condemned by all lovers of good governance and decency."

He added, "The governor was selected by his colleagues in the South-west to represent them at the negotiation table. And the tripartite committee has been meeting since January. It is disturbing that the Governor is now shifting the goal post at the point the committee is about to send its recommendation to the President for approval.

The activist said the statement credited to Osun governor, that states would not be able to pay the agreed national minimum wage and therefore are at liberty to begin a new round of negotiation with labour leaders, is wicked and unpatriotic.

He said the governor and other state governors who are devising excuses not to pay the proposed wage should be told in clear term that the National Minimum Wage is a constitutional matter and they are obligated to comply with it.

Governor Adeleke is the representative of the South-west governors in the 37-member tripartite committee tasked with the responsibility of recommending a fair and sustainable national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

https://citypressng.com/2024/03/06/inside-osun-general-hospital-where-insects-compete-with-patients/

Inside Osun General Hospital Where Insects Compete With Patients

By Adebayo Adedeji & Oke Shuaibu Wazobia

A recent report on the Comprehensive Healthcare Centre, Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, by Insight Media TV has confirmed once again that the current government in the state is a fantastic failure. It reveals the rot in the health sector under Governor Adémọlá Adélékè despite huge allocation that accrued to the state in the last 15 months. In 2023, the state earned N39.5bn in IGR. And in federal allocation, more than N180bn has been earned since inauguration of the brand eroder in Abere. Yet there is nothing to show for it.

Rather than owning up to his failure and buckle down to work, the mediocre governor and his loquacious health adviser from Ondo State, Akindele Adekunle, continue to dish out face-saving lies to the public.

Governor Adeleke is in his second year as governor, yet continues to hold his predecessors responsible for his utter lack of capacity to renovate healthcare centres as Oyetola did in his first 365 days in office.

Available data confirms that there are about 876 publicly-owned primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the state.

Within the first 100 days in office of ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, a committee had been set up to see to rehabilitation of some of the facilities in shambles. Precisely on February 22, 2019, just three months after its inauguration, the government of Oyetola kicked off the repair of the General Hospital in Ejigbo with N300million. It did similarly for many general hospitals in the state.

By the time the former governor celebrated his one year in office, no fewer than 100 of those dilapidated facilities had been brought back to life. And before the government eclipsed in November 26, 2022, at least a primary healthcare centre had been renovated in each of the 332 political wards in the state.

Contrary to the model sustained by Oyetola, the colorless government of Adeleke busies itself and fools around with unambitious itinerary medicare, a low-level healthcare arrangement, which is the forte of NGOs and private individuals.

It is disheartening that a boastful governor who, during electioneering, promised the electorate world-class hospitals, is the one dabbling into road-side surgery experiment, elevating and undertaking projects meant for ward councillors and local government chairmen.

Governor Adeleke has failed the Osun people who thrusted their affairs in his care. He should acknowledge this fact, apologize to the teeming citizens who his rudderless administration has disappointed and, most importantly, salvage the situation. Trying to shore up his failure by repainting some of the healthcare centres renovated by his immediate predecessor, as he has planned, when many decrepit facilities are awaiting his attention, will further taint his badly damaged public profile.

Our hospitals cry for attention! Adeleke should fulfil his electoral promise now that the falcons can still hear the falconers or he is served the distasteful bitter pill when he needs the people most.

yarimo:
Ododo just came in as governor and yet he is doing great far more than ALEX OTTI of ABIA STATE without any excuse

It is not about how long, but how well.

Ododo, the Kogi flower blossoming before November

By Ismail Omipidan

There is the general belief among most Africans that the name a person bears, most times, says a lot about the person and his character. And that there is a way the meaning of such names, especially in Nigeria, becomes a factor in the life of the bearer.

This notion prompted me to consult the archives when I read that the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, who was sworn in on January 27, 2024, flagged off the distribution of palliatives to Kogi people on February 20, 2024, barely one month after being sworn in. What I found out about the name, Ododo, was for me reassuring.

First, in the Ebira Language, Ododo means flower. According to experts, flowers serve as "powerful symbols of love, faith, hope, purity, and growth, among other significant themes." By the time I dug further, I realised that "Ododo," in the Ebira calendar, means November. But the Kogi Governor did not wait till November to extend love and instil hope in the people of Kogi. Instead, in February, he promptly initiated the distribution of palliatives to the people of the state.

For me, that was laudable. It validated the popular Hausa saying that a good Friday is recognised from the Wednesday preceding it. As someone who canvassed support for the governor during the electioneering, I am impressed by his decision to flag off the palliatives distribution. This is so because I know of a governor, who got to office in 2022, received palliatives from the Federal Government in August, 2023 but only began the implementation in January, 2024.

Flagging off the distribution of bags of rice to vulnerable citizens of Kogi state to cushion the effects of current economic hardship, Ododo warned those saddled with the responsibility of distributing the palliative not to hoard or sell what the government has provided for the vulnerable persons in the State, just as he said he would personally oversee the distribution process to guarantee that the intended recipients, that is the most vulnerable, get the relief materials.

He equally noted that the palliatives would not be distributed along party, ethnic or religious lines, insisting that the targeted beneficiaries are the poorest of the poor in Kogi State.

Hear him “My administration will not allow any unpatriotic element to cheat the people. The government has put mechanisms in place to track and apprehend those who plan to hoard the distribution of these food items.

“The palliative is not for APC alone, there is no religious or ethnic agenda. It is for the people of Kogi State.

“I want to beg all of us to allow the poor breath. I am part of them. I was raised from them. I am committed to serve them, not as a leader but as their servant,” Ododo said.

He also has kind words for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and thanked him for his quick intervention in reducing hardship in the country. He assured the President of his commitment to serve the people of Kogi State as their servant.

He also appealed to the people of the state to be vigilant and report any breach of the procedure for distribution of the palliatives to the state ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for immediate intervention.

Ododo assured the people of Kogi State that the Intervention would not be a one-off exercise, but one that would be sustained and delivered to the people on a quarterly basis in line with his campaign promise to the people of Kogi State.

As this Kogi flower blossom, may Allah provide the Governor with the wisdom and courage required to live up to his other name, Usman, "the chosen one amongst a tribe of noble and brave people."

When next you are giving your child a name, research the meaning well and teach them as they are growing up to live up to the meaning of the name. I say so because I know of a leader, who Christened himself "Imole (light)" but who has plunged the streets of his state into total darkness.

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2023/10/11/opinion-gboyega-oyetola-pioneering-leadership-in-the-ministry-of-marine-and-blue-economy-by-adebayo-adedeji/

Gboyega Oyetola: Pioneering Leadership in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy

By Adebayo Adedeji

Since August 21 when Mr Adegboyega Oyetola was inaugurated as Minister of the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, he has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives and signposted plan to implement progresives policies that would harness the potential of the vast marine resources and coastal areas in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Recognising the importance of team work, the new minister, going by the record of his activities in the media, advented his journey into the ministry by receiving briefs from all the heads of parastatals and agencies under his stewardship. The former governor of Osun state took his time to listen to chief executives of key agencies outline their future to diversify the economy and make blue economy the best alternative to oil and gas. The high-profile agencies which interacted with the minister include, the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, and the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding of Nigeria (CRFFN).

In his remarks, the Minister said the oceans are key to sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, technology and innovation. He shared with the senior civil servants in attendance his thoughts on how to leverage his strong private sector experience to drive the ministry so our country can benefit immensely from the ocean economy, which according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, contributed $1.5tn to the global economy in 2010, and is projected to double in the next 7 years.

Given the huge size of Nigeria's coastline, which stretches for 420 nautical miles and its maritime interests which span the Gulf of Guinea, covering almost 574,800 square nautical miles, Oyetola explained that the ministry would tap the country's rich marine resources as part of the national economic framework by benchmarking a country like Norway which has successfully transitioned from an oil-based economy to a truly thriving and eco-system friendly blue economy.

Oyetola equally hinted that his vision is to ensure practical utilisation of inland rivers, lakes and waterways for cargo shipment and passenger transportation.

As the saying goes: seeing is believing, no sooner had Oyetola received the briefs from key agencies in his ministry than he visited some of the maritime assets located in Lagos, to properly appraise the situation of things with a view to taking practical steps to address them. On Monday, September 4, the Minister was at the popular Apapa and TinCan ports in Lagos for an inspection tour. He also visited the Lekki Deep Sea Port for a similar purpose.

Oyetola bemoaned the poor critical infrastructure at the ports, particularly the collapsed quays, noting that there was an urgent need for rehabilitation of such infrastructure.

While encouraging terminal operators to collaborate with government for the rehabilitation, the Minister promised to further engage the Ministers of Works and Transportation to intervene to bring back to life the deplorable access roads in the ports.

Parts of the promises made by Oyetola to stakeholders during the visitation include implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note and Single Window Project to enhance the efficiency of business operations at the ports; interfacing with the leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service over abandoment of 6,000 containers at Apapa and TinCan Island ports; tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and harnessing marine tourism, safety and security.

Oyetola is also establishing strategic partnerships with international organisations and stakeholders in the maritime industry to strengthen the ministry's ability to address challenges and seize opportunities in this rapidly evolving sectors. Addressing the representatives of the British and the United States governments during their separate meetings with him in his office in Abuja, Oyetola emphasized the resolve of the Nigeria's government to create a conducive environment for business to boom. The envoys expressed the willingness of their individual countries to offer technical assistance to Nigeria to combat illegal fishing in the country's waters and the dreaded sea pirates.

Still on the activities designed to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to deliver on its mandate, Mr Oyetola also held strategic meetings with critical stakeholders and industry experts such as Prof. Gunter Pauli, notable for his works on Blue Economy and advocacy for Sustainable Development; Dr Akinwumi Adesina ( President of the African Development Bank), consultants from KPMG and Nigeria's leading private sector think-tank, Nigeria Economic Summit Group led by its CEO-Designate, Dr Tayo Aduloju and the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, who he met on the margins of the 78th General Assembly of the United States hosted by the USA.

The Minister also used his participation at this year's council of ministers' meeting held in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, to advance his call for full ratification and domestication of all relevant maritime laws.

No doubt, Mr Oyetola has demonstrated exceptional leadership competence to manage a strategic government business. It is only hoped the spirit and energy invested thus far will be sustained to deliver cutting-edge solutions as envisaged by President Tinubu.

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2023/07/11/christians-were-appointed-as-commissioners-because-of-their-competence-osun-govt-replies-muslim-group/


Christians Were Appointed As Commissioners Because Of Their Competence - Osun Govt Replies Muslims

The government of Osun State has defended its decision to appoint more christians and muslims as commissioners to the cabinet of Governor Ademola Adeleke, stressing that more christians were found more worthy and competent than their muslim counterparts when decision to appoint commissioners were made.

In a press news signed by the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, in reaction to the protest statement of the Muslim Rights Concern led by Professor Ishaq Akintola, protesting the marginalisation of muslims in the commissioner nomination list sent to the Osun State House of Assembly last Friday for screening and approval, Olawale said muslims questioning the decision of the governor are religious bigots, ethnic partisans and agents of destabilisation with mere nuisance value.

Recall that MURIC in its protest statement had chided Governor Adeleke for choosing 17 christians to serve in his cabinet while merely 7 slots were reserved for muslims.

According to the group, “By deceiving Muslims in the state and engaging in spiritual hide and seek, Governor Adeleke has exhibited qualities short in honour and dignity but egregiously long in infamy and bohemianism."

However, in his response today, Mallam Olawale Rasheed said Governor Adeleke's appointments had always been on merit and competency, and not religion.

In his words, "The Governor has formed the habit of scouting for the best among indigenes," Olawale said.

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2023/07/07/adeleke-rewards-aregbesola-camp-with-commissioners/

Adeleke Rewards Aregbesola Camp with Commissioners

- Appoints Late Brother's Wife As One of Two Female Representatives

Two strong members of the defunct "The Osun Progressive" (TOP) Comrade Biyi Odunlade and Hon. Kolapo Alimi were two of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola's lieutenants whose names were among the 25 Commissioner/Special Adviser-designates list forwarded to Osun State House of Assembly on Friday by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Alimi and Odunlade incidentally served in the cabinet of Ogbeni Aregbesola when he was Osun governor.

While Alimi decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party before the 2022 governorship election, Odunlade, in his own case, was among members of All Progressive Congress (APC) that were alleged to have involved in anti party activities during the 2022 Governorship and 2023 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

Recall Governor Adeleke in one of his public engagements confirmed that Aregbesola-led TOP collaborated with his party, PDP, during the last governorship election.

It has earlier been speculated that the TOP leadership and Aregbesola forwarded five nominees to Governor Ademola Adeleke which include Alhaji Rasak Salansile, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, Hon Adebayo Wasiu, Kolapo Alimi and Comrade Biyi Odunlade; but with the list released this morning, only Odunlade and Alimi were considered.

It was equally speculated that Aregbesola and TOP leaders cemented a deal with Adeleke to also appoint Temilade Olokungboye, Ademola Owoade, among others, as Local Government Chairmen, in additions
to various board appointments reserved for them; however, it is not certain if the governor will honour the agreement considering the recent rancorous development in PDP.

Aregbesola and his allies have been at loggerheads with the state former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and APC leadership in the state. Since 2019, the ex-minister has led his supporters to wage political war against the party in the state by working for opposition in every election in the state.

Meanwhile, it has again been confirmed that the wife of the former governor of the state, who is also the Governor's late elder brother, Senator Adetunji Adeleke, Adenike Adeleke, made the list.

Adenike and Mrs Ayo Awolowo were the two female representatives in the 25-nominee list. Awolowo is a blood relation of the current senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Ajagunla).

Here is the full list of the Nominees:

1. Barr. Oladosu Babatunde
2.Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe
3. Mr Sesan Epharaim Oyedele
4. Barr. Kolapo Alimi
5. Mr Soji Ajeigbe
6. Mr Moshood Olalekan Olagunju
7. Hon. George Alabi
8. Hon. Sunday Olufemi Oroniyi
9. Mr. Abiodun Bankole Ojo
10. Dr. Basiru Tokunbo Salami
11. Mr Morufu Ayofe
12. Mr Sola Ogungbile
13. Rev. Bunmi Jenyo
14. Mrs Ayo Awolowo
15. Barr. Wole Jimi Bada
16. Hon. Dipo Eluwole
17. Alh. Rasheed Aderibigbe
18. Prof. Morufu Ademola Adeleke
19. Mr Adeyemo Festus Ademola
20. Mr Olabiyi Anthony Odunlade
21. Barr. Jola Akintola
22. Hon. Mayowa Adejorin
23. Mrs Adenike Folashade Adeleke
24. Mr Tola Faseru
25. Alh. Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2023/06/18/is-adeleke-planning-to-join-apc/

Is Adeleke planning to join APC?

By Adebayo Adedeji

Having bungled the somewhat goodwill that brought him to office as the 6th executive governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, no doubt, has realised that dancing around the state alone can't fetch him the needed second term in 2026. Just seven months in the saddles, he has lost the grip of governance. He now struggles to pay pension and salary, couldn't fulfil his pre-election social contract of offsetting salary arrears before 100 days in office and social contract of transforming the State of the Living Spring to a mini London. His only achievements thus far are an installation of few poorly built pit-latrines and a construction of substandard roads, 1km in all, across the state! He has realised that his fans are deeply disappointed in him, despite the huge allocation, close to N100billion, accrued to the state since his inauguration last November.

Therefore, given his uninspiring performance, the prevailing local and national politics, the dancing governor might have been informed that the most desirable option available to him is rejoining the All Progressives Congress so as to protect his mandate and the business interest of his elder brother and sponsor, Dr Deji Adeleke.

The senior Adeleke, father of the ace singer, Davido, is known for his involvement in the energy/power sector in the country. His Pacific Energy Limited operates the Olorunsogo Power Company located in Ogun State and Omotosho Power Company located in Ondo State.

Since 2006 when the company acquired the two power plants (partly though), it has made significant exploits that now demand it gives more push for it to have a better hold in the industry. To fulfil its vision, the company in 2021 expressed its interest to invest in some plants put up for sale by the Bureau of Public Enterprises ( BPE). The five plants affected are in Geregu, Omotosho, Olorunsogo, Calabar and Benin-Ihovbor. The plants are 100 per cent for sale, in line with the policy of divesting government shares from thermal generating plants.

Of the 36 firms which submitted EOIs (Expression of Interests) for the power privatisation, 16 firms were shortlisted July 2022, including Deji Adeleke's Pacific Energy. But the process to land the deal is not a child's play. It involves many behind-the-scenes.

Can a sensible government allow an unfriendly investor control its power sector? The Adelekes know the answer, reason they have literally relocated to Aso Villa, running kitikiti to be in the good book of the new president. Or how many times, since emergence of Asiwaju Tinubu as country's president, have you seen the big mannequin in Abere issue his usual kindergatten press statements to deride Jagaban or his blood, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State?

The Adelekes know they must shed their combative posturing... and better behave themselves, else their life-time ambition would suffer an eternal damnation. Because Tinubu won't stay akimbo while his party members in Osun are taken to Golgotha to be bludgeoned to death with reckless abandon, as it was the case in recent elections where close to thirty (30) APC members were gruesomely killed for the governing party in the state to earn their pyrrhic victories.

They know Tinubu won't subscribe to any election short of decency. And poignantly, they know it is a tall order for them to win a free-and-fair election under the unpopular, tattered and accursed umbrella. Reason the speculated migration back to APC is possibly number one on their wish-list.

A Twitter space discussion was held yesterday, 11 June, 2023 to analyse the stewardship of the former minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who clocked 66 years a couple of days ago.

Most of the discussants had scathing remarks for Aregbesola for the awful manner he managed the Ministry of Interior.

According to many of them, under the political headship of Aregbesola, no fewer than 19 jailbreaks, where over 5,000 prisoners are still at large, were recorded.

In equal breath, they rated him lowly for his poor attitude in managing the affairs of the Nigerian Immigration, Nigerian Civil Defence, Nigerian fire service, and other agencies under his supervision.

Click the link to listen to the playback of the discussion.

https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1rmxPkAzNrLJN

https://naijinfo.com/2023/05/24/aregbesola-one-finger-of-a-leprous-hand-by-adebayo-adedeji/

Aregbesola: One finger of a leprous hand

By Adebayo Adedeji

As the Federal Executive Council rounds off its activities, it is important we review the trajectory of some of the cabinet members in order to forecast the political future of these privileged Nigerians.

We review, first, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Interior Minister who defiled the family purity because of his greed, prejudice and excessive arrogance. Aregbesola is a classic case of falling from grace to grass.

The Minister can't stay back in Abuja because, given his disastrous antecedent, there is no future for him in the incoming government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his hitherto goodwill in Osun state, where he served as governor for eight years, is in shambles, hence is not welcome home. He is therefore confronted with two monstrous options.

His tenure as governor ended in ignominy for he left the state in debt of close to N400 billion, according to his state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

At the time, a civic advocacy organisation, BudgIT, grouped Osun alongside few states that exceeded their debts to net revenues by more than 650 per cent, in a clear violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (2007) which states that loans shall not exceed 50 per cent of the revenue.

He borrowed for every little thing, including borrowing N16.5 billion to build 13 secondary schools, many of which almost collapsed before they were even inaugurated, on account of poor building materials supplied by his blood brother, one of the contractors.

What of the N8 billion impulsive Opon Imo project, which he and his son mismanaged? Of 40,000 tablets touted to have been procured, barely 5,000 were available when he left government.

Rauf's record in education, like in many departments, is uninspiring, despite enormous resources poured into that sector. Of the 36,171 students that enrolled for WAEC in 2018, students numbering 21,395 failed the examination.

In his time, Osun also became the corporate headquarters of impotent MoU ( Memoranda of Understanding). No fewer than eight of these documents died a natural death. The partnership with a chocolate manufacturing company in Malaysia, Asa Palmilk, for instance, gulped N300 million of taxpayers' money, but no chocolate was ever produced in Osun as planned!

In the case of the International Breweries Ilesa, what was due to Osun was lost as a result of Aregbesola's long-throat and indiscretion. The story goes thus: after signing an MoU with the company, Aregbesola heckled them with taxes and failed to provide land for their expansion policy, thus frustrating the company to move to Sagamu where they built their $250 million factory.

Since his appointment as minister, Rauf has repackaged his deep-seated incompetence and made it a national embarrassment. Under his headship as the minister of interior, supervising correctional centres in the country, there have been no fewer than 16 incidents of jailbreaks across the country where more than 5,000 escaped inmates have not been found till date. The impact of the jailbreak is that more criminals are now out of custody to perpetrate heinous crimes.

His ineptitude knows no bound. Even in the immigration service, his tenure is unarguably the worst. The more Nigerians complain of hardship in acquiring their travel passports, the more he and other incompetent officials in the ministry shop for justification to shield their uselessness.

Besides his fantastically poor record in public administration, Aregbesola is also a political infidel who uses his clout to undermine the interest of Asiwaju, the man God almighty used to deliver him from Alimosho gutter. Not only did Aregbe support Abubakar Atiku in the last presidential election, he also mobilised his political devotees to work for PDP candidates in all elections in Osun State, thus fuelling crisis in the party that offered him a platform to thrive.

Despite this abhorent conduct of his, the _enfant terrible_ is everywhere whipping up sentiment to earn a leverage. But in truth, Aregbesola is now an irritant that everyone avoids like plague. No one wants to identify with the charlatan he has become. And the handful, like the big mannequin in the seat of power in Abere, who court him, do so for his nuisance value. No one, who is intentional about success, needs such a calamity in his or her life. His is a finger in a hand infected by leprosy: all associated fingers risked damnation.

The arrest was based on trumped charges. He has won his supplementary election after that time.

Okwyjesus:
One of the finest from the North and very experience

But no be him attach opponent with weapon and was arrested. When did he clear himself?