Agriculture

We will continue to improve on people’s comfort – Gov. Adeleke

By Web News 445

By Funmi Ojo

The Osun State Executive Council has  reviewed key government policies and issued new directives to ministries, departments, and agencies, MDAs. 

The meeting, presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke lasted late into the night, provided a sector-by-sector appraisal of government activities and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to delivering democratic dividends despite prevailing challenges.

Addressing cabinet members, Governor Adeleke expressed satisfaction with the widespread endorsements and commendations his government has received from different groups across the state.

He described the positive ratings as a validation of his administration’s performance, while charging his team not to relent.

“Despite the challenges facing us, we are fulfilling our obligations especially in critical areas of governance,” the Governor said.

On infrastructure, the Governor noted that the Ministry of Works is making steady progress on major road and flyover projects across the state.

He specifically mentioned the Ilesa dualisation, the Ile-Ife flyover, the Oke Fia/Lameco flyovers, and the Iwo dualisation, stressing that timelines for delivery must be met.

In the power sector, Governor Adeleke directed the Commissioner for Energy to immediately develop an implementation plan for the newly passed State Electricity Market law, with support from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

He tasked the Ministry of Science and Innovation with fast-tracking the rollout of the State ICT Policy and the State Tech Innovation Policy, instructing the ministry to design a roadmap for the application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, while commending the Imole Wi-Fi initiative recently unveiled in parts of the state.

On agriculture, the Governor Adeleke ordered the immediate revival and expansion of the Statewide Youth Agropreneurship Project, urging the Ministry of Agriculture to commence full implementation across all local government areas.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Governor’s as council resolutions while a high-powered committee was set up to address manpower shortages in the health and education sectors.

The council approved the elevation of several minor chiefs, in a key traditional decision, Prince Adeleke Saheed Adeyemi was confirmed as the new Olokusa of Okusa in Egbedore Local Government.

News

Gov. Adeleke Vows to Protect State’s Mining Sector

By Web News 263

By Funmi Ojo

Osun State Governor says it will not tolerate attempt to deny the state and its people their rightful share in the mining sector.

Governor Adeleke stated this at the Solid Minerals Stakeholders, workshop with the theme, Enhanced Internally Generated Revenue and Sustainable Environmental, Friendly Mining in Osun State, at Aisu Ede, Osun State.

The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye said his government’s mining reforms are not about targeting any particular group but ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders, including businesses, host communities, and the state government are respected.

“Our main preoccupation is to block any exploitation and cheating of our people,” he said. We desire that our people and state should feel the impact of their God-given resources.”

While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring fair practices in the state’s mining sector, Governor Adeleke emphasized the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal responsibilities to address complications in the sector just as he commends the regulatory coordination by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals.

In a paper presentation on “Devastating Effects of Illegal Mining” a Professor of Geology, University of Ibadan, Adeniyi Gbadegesin explained that though mining of mineral resources has contributed to National GDP, however, it has led to deforestation, contaminated water and environment which affects human and animal habitat.

Professor Gbadegesin urged the federal government to make policies to regulate mining activities especially by the illegal Miners.

In his remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Mining and Mineral Matters, Professor Lukman Adekilekun-Jimoda explained that the workshop aims to form a synergy between state government and stakeholders in the mining in order to increase the state Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and ensure Sustainable Environment.

Professor Adekilekun-Jimoda said the government has taken proactive steps to strengthen Osun’s position within mining sector through hard but equitable policy actions.

Environment

Rainstorm Renders Many People Homeless In Ayegbaju Ekiti

By Web News 1101

Many people have been rendered homeless in Ayegbaju Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state.

This was as a result of Thursday night’s heavy rain accompanied by a storm that destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

Buildings affected by the rainstorm at the Ayegbaju area of Ekiti.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, some of the residents, including the Olomo, of Ayegbaju Ekiti, High Chief Joseph Oluwafemi, Mr Joseph Ogunrinde and Mr Ezekiel Aje said most of the houses had their roofs completely blown off while electric poles were not left out.

Also, two missions of the Emmanuel African Church were affected by the storm.

High Chief Olomo, Mr Ogunrinde and Mr Aje however thanked God that no life was lost to the rainstorm.

They appealed to the concerned authorities particularly, Ekiti state Emergency Management Agency, SEMA and officials of the Oye Local Government to come and assess the level of destruction with a view to assisting the victims.

Similar incidents were also recorded in some parts of Ado Ekiti as both the concrete and wooden poles were damaged by the storm in the state capital.

Radio Nigeria observed that drainages were blocked with empty bottles of water, thereby making some areas to be flooded.

Amos Ogunrinde