Residents of Ede Road and its adjourning areas of Ile-Ife in Osun State are now heaving a sigh of relief as the federal government hands over the channelization of the Agbara Canal project to the people, following its completion.
The project was handed over to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha at a ceremony in Ile-Ife from where Radio Nigeria’s correspondent, Adenitan Akinola files in the story.
Adenitan Akinola
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has donated relief items to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Osun State.
The displaced persons which caught across local government areas of the state were given food items, mattresses, sanitary pads amongst others.
The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh while handing over the relief materials to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, explained that the beneficiaries were those affected by flood, banditry and COVID-19.
Dr. Jamoh who was represented by the agency’s deputy director, Dr. Odunayo Ani said the number of beneficiaries were those given to NIMASA by the Osun State Emergency Agency, OSEMA.
He informed that tools including sewing machines, grinding machines and motorcycles were procured for the IDPs for economic development.
In his address, Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, expressed delight over the donation of relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons in the state.
The governor reiterated the commitment of the administration to effective and efficient disaster management through public enlightenment campaign, disaster risk reduction workshops and transmission of jingles on electronic media, and updating of the contingency response plan.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Olusola Ayowole commended the agency for the gesture towards the internally displaced persons in the state.
Adenitan Akinola
It was a convergence of traditional rulers, chiefs and various echelons of the society on Iloko Ijesa, Osun State on Saturday as the state governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola presented the staff of office and instrument of authority to the new Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Oba Akeem Ogungbange.
Presenting the staff office to the Ajagbusi Ekun the sixth, the governor tasked Oba Ogungbangbe to work with all others in the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers to further project the good image of the state as a peaceful haven providing conducive environment for investment.
Governor Oyetola said that holding a traditional title was a sacred task that usually comes with great responsibility urging the Owaloko to exercise authority without fear or favor.
In his acceptance speech, the Owaloko, Oba Ogungbangbe assured of his commitment to the realisation of the aspirations of his predecessors whom he said had laid a good foundation for the new Iloko ijesa in terms of economic and social development.
He reaffirmed his unalloyed support to the state government in the implementation of its people-oriented policies.
Earlier, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran had sued for sustenance of the unity and peace in Ìjẹ̀sà land, urging other traditional rulers in the land to rally round the Owaloko to have a peaceful reign.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi in a remark, expressed joy over the crop of young and vibrant traditional rulers in Yoruba land, praying that God will bless the Owaloko with longevity of life.
Highlight of the event was conferment of the title of the Babaoba on the former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande by Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe.
Isaac Haastrup
Members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, in Osun State has lauded the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for taking their welfare and well-being as a priority.
The retirees in the state also showered encomiums on the governor for counting them worthy of benefiting from the rice component donated to the state by the Private Sector Coalition Against Covid-19 (CA-COVID).
About 4, 000 pensioners in the Osun State received CA-COVID 10kg bags of rice donated to the state to cushion the adverse effects of the global Coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the retirees who addressed the journalists during the distribution at the Osun State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, applauded the distribution strategy adopted by the state government to ensure equitable distribution of the palliatives.
A retiree, Mr Alabi Rafiu, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Oyetola for taking the general welfare of the citizens, particularly pensioners, as a priority.
Mr Rafiu who represented Local Governments and Primary Schools retirees, attributed the gesture to the love that the government had for senior citizens, particularly the retirees and the vulnerable.
Another pensioner, Mr Gbadebo Adegboye, appreciated the kind gesture of the Osun State government over the palliatives.
Mr Adegboye who spoke on behalf of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and Secondary Schools pensioners, maintained that the gesture was a reflection of the passion which the government had for the retirees.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Dr Bode Olaonipekun, disclosed that the state had distributed over 30,000 out of the expected 40,000 10kg bags of the CA-COVID rice so far.
He said the state would not rest on its oars to ensure adequate distribution of the rest of the rice upon receipt, adding that the state was committed to continually upholding and guaranteeing the general welfare and well-being of the citizens.
Adenitan Akinola
Some elders in Osun State have condemned the wanton destruction and looting of government and private property across the state by hoodlums under the guise of the #EndSARS protest.
The elders, led by a former State Governor and the Pioneer Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande, who were on a solidarity visit to the governor, at the Government House, Osogbo, described the attacks as unfortunate and unwarranted.
Chief Akande warned the miscreants and those who have participated in the breakdown of law and order across the state to refrain from such acts.
He acknowledged the governor for systematically addressing the demands of the protesters in spite of the mayhem unleashed on him and his entourage.
In his remarks, Osun state governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, appreciated the eminent citizens for their solidarity visit, describing it as an encouragement for him to be more dedicated and committed to governance.
Governor Oyetola condemned the attack, which he described as a pre-planned attempt to get rid of him, saying the lesson he learnt from the incident was that, there was no security but God.
Wasiu Ajadosu
Osun State government is to embark on house to house search to retrieve looted items following the expiration of the 72 hours amnesty granted the looters by the governor.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola gave the information while inspecting some of the items voluntarily returned by some of the looters in the Government House Osogbo.
Correspondent, Adenitan Akinola was there for Radio Nigeria.
Adenitan Akinola
The Osun State governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has appealed to citizens of the state to exercise restraints in the face of the protests against police brutality in the country.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, the governor said government was already responding to the people’s outcry.
He advised citizens not to take laws into their hands considering that Osun is a peaceful state, and that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised reforms in the Police Force and had given directives to the Inspector-General of Police to wade into the situation immediately.
Mr Oyetola appealed for calm and urged citizens to continue to uphold the peaceful profile of the state by not taking laws into their hands to attack public properties and facilities which took the government and taxpayers many years of sacrifice and struggles to build.
The governor reminded the people of Osun State of the patriotism of the vast majority of police officers in the country, men and women who had been committed to protecting the lives and properties of citizens over the years, where a lot of them have died in the course of doing their duties.
Governor Oyetola cautioned against taken anger against a reckless few on the entire force, which is working day and night to ensure the society’s safety.
Adenitan Akinola
The Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye says the 7th assembly is committed towards the success of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola administration.
Mr. Owoeye stated this while declaring open a three-day joint committees on public account to audit Ministries and Agencies of government.
He said the exercise was not aimed at intimidating or witch-hunting any official but to carry out statutory duties of the legislative arm.
The Speaker commended Governor Adegboyega Oyetola administration towards effective and judicious use of state resources
He appealed to MDAs to ensure total cooperation and good conduct during a three day exercise.
Funmi Adekoya
A bill seeking to amend the Osun State 2020 Appropriation Bill has passed its second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
This was contained in a letter written by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola which was read by House Speaker of the House, Mr. Timothy Owoeye.
Tagged Osun State Appropriation Amendment Bill 2020, the bill is seeking the consent of lawmakers to revise the state’s budget from 119.5 billion naira to 82.2 billion naira.
Mr. Timothy Owoeye, informed the House that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration was seeking to effect a 35 percent reduction of the 2020 budget from 119.5 billion naira to 82. 2 billion naira, a difference of 37.3 billion naira.
The Governor, in his letter, said the change was occasioned by the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on global economy as well as that of the state and Nigeria.
The 2020 budget passed on 24th December 2019 and signed into law on December 30th 2020, was initially pegged at 119, 550, 401, 040 naira but had now been revised down to 82, 229, 070, 760 naira.
The amended budget would be financed chiefly by recurrent revenue including Federal allocation totaling, generated revenue and capital receipt.
Consequently, lawmakers including Majority Leader, Maruf Olanrewaju and Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Adebayo Olodo, called for an accelerated passage of the bill.
The appropriation amendment bill earmarks over nine billion naira, which is 11.5 percent of the budget for fighting covid-19 and post covid recovery.
The Speaker, Mr. Owoeye, remarked that the revised budget size reflects current economic realities, noting that parliament will duly consider it for passage.
The House later adjourned until tomorrow for a report on the amendment by the committee on Finance and Appropriation after which it is expected to scale through its third reading.
Funmi Adekoya
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has called for more collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive arm of government in Osun State.
Governor Oyetola made the call at a special prayer session to mark the one year anniversary of Legislators in the Osun House of Assembly.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr. Adegboyega Alabi said development of the state was as a result of peaceful governance of the Legislature and Executive.
He commended the Lawmakers for making good legislation that affects the people of the state, especially in the area of ensuring security of lives and property.
In his remark, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye said God had been faithful to members of the Assembly in the last one year as no rancour was recorded among them.
Mr. Owoeye appreciated his colleagues for their support and resilience to make laws for the benefit of the people, urging them not to relent in the remaining years of their tenure.
Earlier in a message, the Secretary, United Imams, Abdullahi Olorunlomoerue, urged the Lawmakers not to forget the promises made to the electorate and to abide by the laws they were passing in the Assembly.
Also, Minister in charge of Sacred, C&S Church, Oke-Iro, Ilesha, Prophet Oluwawemimo Roberts, in a short exhortation, advised the Lawmakers to be exemplary leaders and work for the good of the people they are representing.
Prayers were offered for Osun State, the Government and the House of Assembly.
It would be recalled that the seventh Assembly of the Osun House of Assembly was inaugurated on 6th June 2019.
Funmi Adekoya
