Politics

Osun Commences Audit of MDAs

By Web News 680

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

News

Osun 2020 Appropriation Amendment Bill Passes Second Reading

By Web News 794

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

Politics

OSHA Passes Amendment Bill on Impeachment of LG Chairmen

By Web News 746

The Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, has passed the Osun Local Government Areas Creation and Administration Amendment No 4 Bill 2020.

The bill was passed during plenary at the floor of the House of Assembly Complex, Osogbo after a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr. Maruf Olanrewaju and seconded by member representing Atakumosa East and West, Mr. Babtunde Komolafe.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Timothy Owoeye in his remarks said the bill would put an end to illegal impeachment of Chairman in various Local Government area of the state.

The Speaker noted that no parliamentarian has power to remove any council Chairman without petition to the State House of Assembly.

He urged the executive to urgently assent into the bill for the benefit of the people and entire state.

It would be recalled that the Clause 4 of the Osun Local Government Areas Creation and Administration Amendment Law had empowered the parliamentarians in the council to impeach a Chairman for misconduct which had led to impeachment of some council chairmen before the intervention of the House of Assembly.

Funmi Adekoya

Health

COVID 19: Osun Ministry Distribute Sanitizers to Institutions

By Web News 779

The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Mr. Timothy Owoeye, has called on the state Ministry of Health to intensify efforts in providing sanitizers at Public Institutions across the State as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the State.

Mr. Owoeye made the call during the plenary session of the Assembly, on the backdrop of the third case of COVID-19 recorded in Lagos.

The speaker said with the recorded third case of the COVID-19, the State cannot shy away from the fact that the virus is here in Nigeria.

He however called on the State Ministry of Health to intensify their sanitation programme as well making provisions for sanitizers and hand washing materials in all the institutions and public schools across the State.

He advised people of the State to embrace and improve on their personal hygiene, saying people should not sneeze or cough carelessly into the air but make use of tissue papers when sneezing or coughing.

Mr. Owoeye also suggested handshaking and hugging during greetings should be suspended or avoided, adding that gathering of 50 to 100 People should equally be avoided as precautionary measures.

The House, thereafter, dissolved into Committee of the Whole to deliberate on the “Ilesha College of Health Technology Establishment Bill 2020” pending before it.

Funmi  Adekoya

Politics

OSHA Passes Anti-Kidnapping Bill

By Web News 815

Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, has passed into law a bill for the prohibition of kidnapping, abduction of persons and other related crimes.

This follows the motion moved by Majority Leader of the House, Mr Maruf Olanrewaju for the third reading of the bill and seconded by member representing Ife North, Mr Tunde Olatunji.

The House recommended the death penalty for those found guilty of kidnapping and ritual killing, while those aiding and abetting the crime are to face life imprisonment.

In his remark, the Speaker, Mr Timothy Owoeye, said it now a crime to find human parts with anybody or engaging in kidnapping and abduction.

Mr Owoeye who noted that kidnapping and ritual killing have become issues of concern in the state said the signing of the bill into law would put an end to kidnapping, banditry and ritual killing.

While the commending his colleagues for their contribution to the passage of the bill, the Speaker said when the bill is signed by the governor, the punishment would serve as a deterrent to perpetrators and others.

Funmi Adekoya

Politics

Amotekun Bill Passes 1st Reading at OSHA

By Web News 718

The “Osun Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Bill 2020” has passed through the first reading on the floor of the Osun House of Assembly, OSHA, after it was presented by the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye.

Presenting the bill before the House, Mr. Owoeye said a letter and 40 copies of the draft Bill on the establishment of the Amotekun Security Network was forwarded to his office by Governor Gboyega Oyetola with the Governor requesting speedy passage of the bill.

The speaker said the bill emanated from the forum of Southwest governors in order to address the state of insecurity in the region and the country as a whole.

He said the conference of speakers in the Southwest had met on Friday alongside majority leaders and clerks in the region, to consider and see how to go about the bill.

Mr. Owoeye said they all agreed that all the Southwest Assemblies should conduct a public hearing and that Monday, February 24 had been designated for a public hearing on the bill so stakeholders would have a say and make a contribution.

He said after the public hearing on the bill, the conference of Southwest Speakers will meet again on Wednesday, February 26 with the Attorney Generals in the region to look at the inputs and contributions of stakeholders as far as the bill is concerned.

Copies of the draft bill were distributed to other lawmakers after the motion for the first reading was moved by the majority leader, Mr. Maruf Olanrewaju and seconded by member representing Egbedore State Constituency, Mr. Babatunde Ibirogba.

Funmi Adekoya

Crime

Fire Disaster: OSHA Speaker Urges Residents to Take Preventive Measures

By Web News 811

As victims of the fire outbreak that wreaked havoc at Atakumosa Market, Ilesa continue to count their losses, the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Mr. Timothy Owoeye wants residents to always take preventive measures to forestall a recurrence.

Mr. Owoeye gave the advice during an on the spot assessment of the damage caused by the fire incident.

Our correspondent Isaac Haastrup completes the story.

Isaac Haastrup

Politics

OSHA Begins New Year with Prayers

By Web News 641

The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Mr. Timothy Owoeye has assured staff of the Assembly of good welfare and conducive working environment.

The Speaker, gave the assurance at the special prayer session to herald working activities in the Assembly in year 2020.

Mr. Owoeye who commended the staff for their commitment to duty last year advised them not to relent in giving their best in the discharge of their duties.

He noted that the state government is taking all measures to ensure prompt payment of salary and other allowances to the workforce, therefore, they should support all government policies towards developing the State.

Earlier, in a short exhortation, the Assembly Chaplain, Pastor Muyiwa Ayeni had admonished the staff to discharge their duty in the fear of God so they can excel in their various endeavours.

Also, the Imam of the Assembly Mosque, Alhaji Abdulfatai Adebisi in his message, called for love, tolerance and unity among the lawmakers and other staff for development and progress in the Assembly.

Prayers were offered to God for the staff, Lawmakers, House of Assembly, Osun State and Nigeria for peace, stability and progress.

Funmi Adekoya

Politics

OSHA Orders Parliamentarians Out of LCDA Pending Investigation

By Web News 702

The Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, has directed the parliamentarians of Osogbo South Local Council Development Areas to vacate their offices pending the outcome of the investigation of the Assembly.

The speaker, Mr. Timothy Owoeye at plenary held that sequel to the presentations of the Majority and Minority Leaders on the need to reconvene for the House to deliberate on matter of public interest, on the purported impeachment of Osogbo South LCDA Chairman.

Mr. Owoeye noted that the House after deliberations resolved that for peace to reign while it is carrying out its assignment on the impasse, the Council Manager of the affected LCDA should take over the affairs of the council.

He also urged that relevant security agencies should take note of the order of the assembly that the parliamentarians should not parade themselves within the premises of the Council, ensuring that peace of the public is guaranteed.

The House also resolved that the notification sent to the House by Osogbo South LCDA and that of Olorunda be committed to the House Committee on Local Government and Public petition to present their report within the stipulated time required by the law.

The speaker emphasised that the Local Government Creation and Administration Law of Osun 2015 section 19 (C) gives the assembly 7 days to look into the matter, stating that the House will work within the 7 working days stipulated by the law.

Funmi Adekoya

Politics

OSHA Speaker Charges SA, Commissioner Nominees on People-Friendly Policies

By Web News 795

Commissioner and Special Adviser nominees have been advised not to see their position as a means to enrich themselves.

The Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, Mr. Timothy Owoeye gave the advice during the screening of Commissioners and Special Advisers by the Assembly in Osogbo, Osun State.

Mr. Owoeye said the nominees to the cabinet should work with the Governor to create policies that would enhance the living standard of the people of the state.

He urged them to use their wealth of experience in their various fields for the development of Osun State.

The Speaker maintained that the Assembly would not condone anybody that wants to undermine its constitutional right especially in its monitoring and oversight function of ministries’ activities.

The House at its plenary session screened ten nominees including Mr. Femi Akande, son of APC stalwart, Chief Bisi Akande and Mr. Adedayo Adewole, son of former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole.

Funmi Adekoya

Health

Take good care of government installations in your areas – Gov Oyetola

By Web News 711

People of Osun state have been urged to have maintenance culture so as to enjoy basic infrastructures provided by government.

Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola made the call at the commissioning of Alajue-Oja Primary Health Center, Alajue-Ede, Ede South Local Government.

Represented by the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Timothy Owoeye, the governor noted that the provision of the facility would enhance healthy living of residents of the state.

The governor noted that the revitalisation of Primary Health Centres was part of the administration’s programme geared towards delivering quality, adequate and affordable healthcare service for the people.

He advised the people to take their health seriously and patronise the hospitals and health centers for their own good.

Governor Oyetola said out of 332 health centers marked for renovation, upgrading and revitalisation, 100 have been completed for the use of residents at the grassroots areas. Fummi Adekoya