Security

Osun Govt Reacts to Attack on LP Guber Candidate

By Web News 726

Osun State Government has insisted that it will not compromise its responsibility to protect the lives and property of citizens at all times.

Reacting to the attack on the residence of the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Labour Party candidate in the Saturday’s governorship Election, Mr Lasun Yusuf, the government said the state remains one of the safest in Nigeria.

Addressing Newsmen in Osogbo, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan noted that pointing accusing fingers to supporters of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, the APC candidate was bad politics taken too far.

Mr Omipidan argued that Mr Lasun Yusuf was only painting a picture to draw political sympathy, adding that he is not a threat to the APC candidate that could warrant anyone mentioning him.

He described Governor Oyetola as a peaceful man who will not be part of anything lawless, talkless of attacking a citizen.

Meanwhile, attempt to speak with Mr Lasun Yusuf failed as the press conference earlier scheduled for 1pm was suspended on the ground that he had spoken with many people on phone.

Recall that the residence of the Labour Party’s candidate, Mr Lasun Yusuf in Ilobu, Irepoodun Local Government was allegedly attacked by unknown Gunmen about 2am on Monday.

The Labour Party’s candidate had earlier in May this year reported that there was attack on his campaign office in Osogbo.

The Police however confirmed in Osogbo that gunmen attacked the residence of Mr Lasun Yusuf, Labour Party’s (LP) candidate for the July 16 governorship election in the state.

Police Spokesperson, Mrs Yemisi Opalola in Osun said unspecified number of gunmen attacked the residence in the early hours of Monday.

Mrs Opalola said the assailants shot at Lasun’s building, but could not gain access before security operatives attached to the candidate chased them away.

She added that the attack was reported at the Ilobu Police Station and the Divisional Police Officer was at the scene of the attack to assess the situation.

Adenitan Akinola

Politics

Osun Govt. Condemns Reaction against Road Project

By Web News 537

Osun state government says it takes over the reconstruction of the Osogbo-Okinni-Ilobu federal roads to alleviate the hardship road users face while plying the road.

One of the opposition parties in Osun state, the Accord Party had in a statement accused the State Government of taking over a road project that had already been awarded by the Federal Government.

Reacting in a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to the Osun state Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan described the party’s claims as unfortunate, lame and illogical.

Mr Omipidan noted the road had been in a deplorable condition for so long and government could not afford to allow citizens continue to suffer on the road, saying the government followed due process in taking over the project.

He said while the contract for the rehabilitation of the road had been truly awarded by the federal government on two different occasions since 2012, no concrete work had been done on the project, a development he said forced the State government to take over the project.

“The contract for rehabilitating the road was first awarded by the federal government 10 years ago, but since then, no significant work has been done on the project that has caused so much hardship for our people who use the road.

“It was for this reason that the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led administration decided to take over the project to address the needless sufferings and loss of man-hours on the facility,” Omipidan explained.

He further noted that Accord party should be more concerned on how to sell its candidate to the people of Osun rather than engaging in a futile exercise.

 “The party’s comments on the take-over of the road project by the State government are lame and illogical,” he added.

Omipidan further said: “Accord Party should simply bury its head in shame. Are they saying we should continue to allow the people of Osun to suffer under our administration simply because the road belongs to the federal government?

“If they were discerning enough and if they had listened to Mr. Governor’s speech on the day we flagged off the reconstruction of that road, I am sure they would not bother themselves issuing a statement that lacks substance.

“Mr. Governor said it clearly in his speech that the road contract was awarded about 10 years ago and that as a state government, even though it is a federal government project, we did everything possible to support all the contractors that have had cause to work on that road. But there was no positive result.

“The argument on the timing of the award of the project is preposterous and ill-judged. A government can award a project contract even a week to its expiration, as long as it is in the overall interest of the State and its people.

“During the Governor’s January broadcast, he stated it clearly that though 2022 is going to be an election year but as a responsible governor, he will not allow politics to over shadow governance, so if anything, the Governor should be commended for walking his talk.’

 Mr Omipidan advised Accord party to be more concerned on how to sell its candidate to the people instead of attacking the governor.

Abiodun Adeoye

Education

OAU VC: Give peace a chance – Oyetola

By Web News 434

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun state has appealed to citizens of Ile-Ife who are protesting the choice of the new Vice Chancellor for the Obafemi Awolowo University to give peace a chance and stop the protest forthwith.

The appeal is contained in a statement issued Tuesday evening by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan.

Governor Oyetola stressed that though the state has no role in the choice of who becomes the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, being a federal institution, but has responsibility for the safety and security of the institution and its workers as the host governor.

He, therefore, urged all protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow peace to reign.
It would be recalled that a series of demonstrations were embarked upon by aggrieved indigenes of Ile-Ife over the appointment of a non-indigene of the town, Professor Adebayo Bamire as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

The protesters threatened to continue their demonstration until an indigene of the university host community is announced as the Vice-Chancellor.

Abiodun Adeoye

Politics

Osun APC Primaries: I bear no grudges against anyone – Governor Oyetola

By Web News 528

Osun State governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola says he bears no grudge against those who contested against him in last Saturday’s All Progressives Congress, APC Governorship primary election.

Governor Oyetola who stated this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Mr Ismail Omipidan, noted that joining him to contest for the party ticket was an expression of their democratic rights.

He thanked party leaders, supporters, loyalists and critical stakeholders for the huge support they gave him, including trooping out en masse during the primary election.

The governor thanked members of the National and State Assemblies and the cabinet members for standing by him.

Abiodun Adeoye

Politics

My Govt. Remains Committed to its Campaign Promises- Oyetola

By Web News 635

Osun state Government says it will remain committed to delivering on its campaign promises and nothing will make it abandon that responsibility. 

This is contained in a statement signed by chief press secretary to governor Oyetola, Mr Ismail Omipidan.

The statement alerts the public against plots by some persons to discredit government’s achievements in Osun by embarking on campaign of calumny against the Government and the person of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

The statement explains that the alarm is necessary as an early warning sign of the clandestine schemes being put together to tarnish the image and reputation of the Governor and his Government thereby causing distractions.

It advises the public to ignore such stories whenever they are out, as they are nothing but outright lies aimed at confusing and misinforming the public. 

Abiodun Adeoye 

Politics

Alao-Akala was a good friend of Osun State – Gov. Oyetola

By Web News 906

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State has described the death of a former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, as a rude shock.

This is contained in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ismail Omipidan.

Governor Oyetola said he was pained and saddened by the sudden demise of the Oyo political leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC. 

He said Alao-Akala’s death was a personal loss because the deceased was “a good friend of Osun State who was always ready to identify with his government and celebrate its humble accomplishments and achievements.”

He recalled the laudable role Otunba Alao-Akala played during the resolution of the age-long crisis between Oyo and Osun states over the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and gracing the state’s 30th-anniversary banquet and awards last year. 

The governor commiserated with his Oyo State counterpart, Engineer Seyi Makinde, over the demise of his predecessor.

He also condoled with Chief Akala’s family, his political associates, government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident. 

Otunba Alao-Akala who served as the governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011 died this morning at his country home of Ogbomoso. Abiodun Adeoye

Lifestyle

Oyetola Commiserates With Osun NUJ Chairman Over Death Of Mother

By Web News 925

Osun State governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has consoled the Osun State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, over the death of his mother, Madam Rafatu Ajikeola Ajadosu, who died on Wednesday, at the age of 91.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan in Osogbo, described her death as a painful loss, saying that no matter how old our parents are, their departure is always keenly felt.

Governor Oyetola who also extended his condolences to the entire family of Ajadosu of Ile Esa Oni Ayowo compound, Obaagun area of the state urged them to take heart and be comforted in the fact that Mama was blessed with old age and lived a fulfilled life, in devotion to Allah and service to humanity.

He added that the care and wise counsel of the matriarch would be greatly missed by those she left behind.

Wasiu Ajadosu

Health

COVID-19: Osun Govt. Bans Large Gatherings, Advises Social Distancing

By Web News 766

The Government of the State of Osun has placed a ban on all gatherings that would bring together fifty or more persons in the same place.

The measure which takes immediate effect and will be in place until further notice is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan.

The ban will affect all schools in Osun State, Churches, Mosques, Night Clubs and Sports arenas among others.

The government, which advised the citizenry not to panic as no case has been recorded in the state so far, said it arrived at the decision it took after wide consultations with health professionals and stakeholders in the health sector over the COVID-19 pandemic.

It further states that the ban became necessary following the Federal Government’s directive to ensure precautionary measures are taken to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Besides, the government noted that the mere fact that few cases have been reported in its neighbouring states makes it imperative to act.

The Osun State government also urge residents to observe the precautionary protocols of thorough washing of hands with soap and clean water and the use of hand sanitiser; observing social distance and avoiding large gatherings, and alerting the authority of any suspected case. 

It adds that the Technical Action Committee is working round the clock to beef up the state’s capacity for epidemiological control and management.

Adenitan Akinola

Politics

Gov. Oyetola Appoints Former Police Commissioner as SA Security Matters

By Web News 1602

Osun State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, has appointed a former Commissioner of Police in the State, Mrs Abiodun Adebola Ige as his Special Adviser on Security Matters.  

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan, who announced this in a statement on Tuesday, said the appointment took immediate effect. 

He further noted that Mrs Ige’s appointment was in line with the commitment of Governor Oyetola to the security of the State. 

Mrs Abiodun Adebola Ige, who was the immediate past Commissioner of Police of Osun State Police Command from where she retired successfully on the 1st of January this after years of service is expected to bring her wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her new responsibility.

The retired police officer who was born on the 1st of January 1960 attended the University of Ibadan where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics/Classical Studies.

She enrolled into the Nigeria Police Force on 1st of February, 1986 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police, rose through the ranks and served the Force in various capacities.

She served as Divisional Crime Officer, Divisional Police Officer, Area Commander Iyaganku, Ibadan, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Welfare Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Mrs Ige also served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Finance and Administrations, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Finance and Administrations, Ondo State Command Headquarters, Commissioner of Police, Police Cooperative Society, Ikeja, Lagos and Commissioner of Police, Department of Information and Communication Technology and Force Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Mrs Abiodun Ige also served in a peace-keeping mission in Bosnia/Herzegovina, Kosovo and Timor-Leste.

Adenitan Akinola