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Tag: aregbesola

  • UNIOSUN student murder: Aregbesola vows to prosecute, punish killer cleric

    UNIOSUN student murder: Aregbesola vows to prosecute, punish killer cleric

    …appeals to students to keep calm

    The Osun State Government has condemned the murder of Timilehin Sonibare, a final year student of Osun State University who was allegedly killed by a Muslim cleric and three others.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Police in Osun on Tuesday paraded a cleric, Sakariyau Abdulrofiu, and his suspected accomplices, Ibrahim Ayuba and Yusuf Aliu, over the death of Shonibare who was declared missing earlier in June.

    The government promised to punish the offenders once convicted by appropriate courts.

    It also condoled with Timilehin’s parents and family.

    Investigations revealed that the 400 Level student of Microbiology Department was called out by a neighbour, Sakariyau Abdulrofiu, 10 days ago; but his decomposing remains were found at the back of an Alfa’s house on Tuesday.

    The police have arrested three persons in connection with the crime.

    Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, in a statement on Wednesday, described Sonibare’s killing as “callous, painful and disheartening,” vowing that the perpetrators would be adequately punished.

    The government also commiserates with students populace in particular and the entire UNIOSUN community.

    Baderinwa noted that Sonibare’s cruel killing was a blight on the state, which had been in a celebratory mood after one of its students performed spectacularly in a Ukraine medical college.

    He said, “We condemn in strong terms the wicked and conscienceless manner in which the death of Timilehin was perpetrated.

    “It is most callous, painful and disheartening that fellow humans could plan and execute the elimination of another for self-aggrandizement.

    “We note with sadness that it is one of the unfortunate degeneration of values in our society whereby people want to be rich without work.

    “Government feels the pain of Timilehin’s death the more in view of the fact that it came when UNIOSUN is celebrating its winning in the world by the spectacular performance of one of its own in far away Ukraine.

    “Government takes solace in the fact that the security agencies have got hold of some of those who committed the heinous crime.

    “It is the determination of the government to collaborate effectively with the security agents to see to it that the offenders are adequately punished.

    “Government makes a passionate appeal to the students populace to keep calm and peaceful while they rightfully mourn their colleague and allow the killers to be dealt with.”

  • Osun West bye-election: Security beefed up as APC, PDP hold primaries

    Osun West bye-election: Security beefed up as APC, PDP hold primaries

    Security was beefed up in Osogbo, the Osun capital, and Iwo Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic (PDP) primaries for Osun-West Senatorial District bye-election got underway.

    While APC was holding its primary in Osogbo, PDP convened its own in Iwo Local Government Area of the state.

    Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who are at the venues of the primaries, report that there was heavy presence of mobile and regular policemen as well as officers of the Department of State Security Service and NSCDC.

    NAN also reports that Demola Adeleke, the younger brother of late Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, who had been cleared to contest for the primary on the platform of APC, defected to the PDP on Tuesday evening.

    Sen. Mudashiru Hussein, who was earlier disqualified but later cleared by the APC National Working Committee, would now contest the primary unopposed.

    Adeleke would also contest the bye-election unopposed as the other aspirants on the platform of PDP all agreed to step down for him.

    Both primaries had commenced, with APC and PDP delegates already at the venues of both primaries.

    NAN recalls that the Screening Committee of the APC headed by Zamfara House of Assembly Speaker, Sanusi Rikiji , had on Sunday disqualified Hussein for remaining in active public service against the stipulated party’s guideline.

    According to Rikiji, the party’s guideline stipulates that any aspirant that wants to contest an elective office is expected to have resigned from public service 30 days before the primaries.

    The disqualification was upheld by the Appeal Committee of the party headed by Abdulahi Bello.

    Hussein, a two-term House of Representatives member and a one-term senator, took oath of allegiance as commissioner on May 30 and was given Cabinet Matters portfolio.

    The former lawmaker, however, rejected the claim of the committee that he had not resigned, saying “I have resigned my position to contest again for the senatorial seat.”

    The APC NWC in Abuja, however, cleared Hussein for the primary.

    The primary was scheduled to hold on Monday but was shifted till Tuesday to enable the party’s NWC to study the Screening Committee’s report.

    It was again shifted to Wednesday.

    NAN also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed July 8 for the bye-election to fill the vacuum created by the death of Adeleke on April 23.

  • By-election primary: APC clears Adeleke’s brother, disqualifies Aregbesola’s aide

    The All Progressives Congress Screening Committee has cleared the younger brother of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Ademola to participate in the party’s senatorial primary scheduled to hold on Monday (today) to pick the party’s flag bearer in the by-election to fill the Osun-West senatorial district seat at the Senate.

    The party however disqualified the Osun State Commissioner for Cabinet Matters, Senator Mudashiru Hussein from participating in the primary.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the seat became vacant following the death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke on April 23 and the Independence National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed July 8 for the by-election.

    The committee communicated the disqualification to Hussein in a letter signed by its chairman, who is Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker, Sanusi Rikiji, and secretary, Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd.).

    The letter was given to Hussein on Sunday.

    The committee, however, cleared Adeleke’s younger brother, Ademola, for the primary election but told Hussein that he could appeal his disqualification.

    Except the disqualification verdict is overturned by the appeal committee, Adeleke’s brother may pick the APC ticket unopposed because other aspirants stepped down for Hussein and him shortly before the screening started on Saturday.

    The letter of disqualification read, “The committee wishes to refer you to the All Progressives Congress 2014 guidelines for the nomination of candidates for public office. Minimum requirement at page two states inter alia, ‘In conformity with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, qualification for aspirants to respective offices in state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives; Senate; Governorship and the Presidency, prescribes that aspirants seeking public office on its platform shall not have remained as an employee of the public service within 30 days preceding the date of an election.”

  • Aregbesola inaugurates cabinet 3 years after re-election

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Tuesday inaugurated his cabinet, urging the members to work for the development and progress of the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the governor had been without cabinet members since his inauguration for second term on Nov. 27, 2014.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Aregbesola, on April 11, 2017, had, however, sent 39 names of nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

    In his remarks at the ceremony, Aregbesola said the inauguration of his cabinet members was long overdue.

    “I congratulate all the appointees for being considered worthy of service to our dear state and for scaling the hurdle of screening.

    “Many of you served in the first term; the rest are fresh hands.

    ” Of course, this is long overdue. It should have come up immediately after my inauguration on November 27, 2014.

    ” As you all know, we were hamstrung by dire financial constraint.

    “Our second term coincided with the onset of a national economic disaster,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of newly sworn-in cabinet members, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Bashir Ajibola, assured the people of the state of their readiness to consolidate on the legacies built by the Aregbesola-led administration in the last six years.

    The new cabinet members are: Ismail Jayeoba Alagbada, Commerce, Co-operatives, Industries and Empowerment; Miss Mobolaji Akande, Human Resources and Capacity Building; Kolapo Alimi, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Mrs Mofolake Adetohun Adegboyega, Empowerment and Youths Development; Mr. Emmanuel Kunle Ige, Agriculture, Food Security and Youths Engagement

    Others are: Dr. Surajudeen Bashir Ajibola, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Mr. Bola Ilori, Regional Integration; Mrs Idiat Babalola, Commissioner for Federal Matters; Mr Biyi Odunlade, Social Affairs Special Needs; Wasiu Kolawole Omotunde-Young, Education; Mudasiru Hussain, Cabinet Matters; Oguntola Mudasir Toogun, Special Duties; Idowu Michael Korede, Environment and Sanitation

    Also included in the cabinet are : Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, Finance; Mr Adelani Baderinwa, Information and Strategy; Mrs Latifat Giwa, Women Affairs; Mr Remi Omowaiye, Innovation and Technology; Dr. Rafiu Kusamotu, Health; Mr Kazeem Aderemi Salami, Works and Transport; Dr Dauda Yinusa, Economic Planning and Budget; Dauda Adebiyi, Home Affairs; and Akintunde Akinajo, Lands and Physical Planning.

    Those that were appointed as special advisers are: Mr Samuel Adebisi, Special Adviser to the Governor Local Government and Chieftain Affairs; Barr. Mikail Adejare Adebisi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Office of the Governor; Barrister Gbenga Akano, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax Matters; Mr Ipoola Binuyo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters; Gbenga Oyinlola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters.

    Others are: Mr. Ayinde Olateju, Special Adviser to the Governor on Science and Technology; Mr Ismail Adetoyese, Special Aviser to the Governor on Wealth Creation; Simeon Popoola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce; Olajide Opatola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation; Tunde Ajilore, Special Adviser to the Governor on Natural, Mineral Resources; Claudius Kolajo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement

    Also appointed are Mr Ademola Adeyinka, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Production and Efficiency; Grace Oluyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education Bursary of Schools; Mrs Taiwo Oluga, Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism; Olugebenga Awosode, Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperative; and John Ibirogba, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Community Affairs.

     

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Osun 2018: I have not endorsed anyone as successor – Aregbesola

    Osun 2018: I have not endorsed anyone as successor – Aregbesola

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has said he has not endorsed anyone as a choice candidate in next year’s (2018) gubernatorial election in the state.

    The governor made the declaration in an all-night interactive programme tagged: ‘Ogbeni Till Daybreak’ on Saturday in Osogbo.

    Aregbesola, said it was not true that effort to choose who would succeed him in 2018 was threatening his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    The governor said APC in the state was as solid, strong and effective as any party could be.

    “There is no any aspect of our party’s organisation and management that have suffered in any form in respect of who will be my successor.

    “We are united, connected and working so well for the progress of the party. We are the most cohesive political party in the state,” he said.

    The governor, however, said that no opposition party in the state could withstand APC in 2018 governorship election.

    “If the only opposition party we have in the state is disorganised, dismembered, then where is the fear for 2018 election? the governor asked.

    On the speculation that the governor was planning to contest for Lagos West Senatorial election in 2019, Aregbesola said there was no such dream yet.

    The APC Chairman in the State, Mr Gboyega Famodun, who the governor also asked to speak on 2018 election in the state, said that the party had not chosen anyone as its candidate.

    “There is no governorship aspirant in the party as far as I know.

    “The insubordination of few members of the party does not mean that the party is being threatened ahead of 2018 governorship election.

    “We have a very strong structure in the state,” he said.

    Famodun said that there was no timetable yet from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the 2018 election in the state.

     

     

    NAN

  • Adeleke’s death: Aregbesola signs executive order on inquest

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday signed an executive order setting up a coroner inquest into the death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke.

    The governor, while signing the executive order in Osogbo, also appointed Mr Olusegun Ayodele, a Magistrate, as the head of the inquest.

    Aregbesola, also directed that the inquest be carried out in Osogbo within three weeks.

    The governor, said inquest became necessary because of the suddenness and the circumstances surrounding the death of the Senator.

    According to him, a coroner inquest is a long established procedure, dating back to the eighth century and is generally applied in the interest of the community to investigate sudden and unexplained death of a person.

    “A sudden and an unexplained death of a person of high status must be investigated and documented.

    “Therefore, the status of our brother, late Isiaka Adeleke, the suddenness and the circumstances of his death will propel a responsible government to set up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of his death.

    “History will not be kind to us as a government if we fail to do the inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death.

    “We must do this for historical purposes because it is in the general interest of the community and state to investigate any sudden or unnatural death of this nature,” Aregbesola said.

    Earlier in his speech, the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Abiola Adewemimo, noted that the circumstances and the suddenness of Adeleke’s death necessitated the setting up of the Coroner inquest by the governor.

    She added that the inquest would ascertain the cause of death of the deceased, adding that the governor by virtue of the Coroner Law is empowered to order such inquest in this present circumstance.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Adeleke, who was the first civilian governor in the state, died on April 23 and was buried on April 24.

    Before his death he was representing Osun West Senatorial District at the Senate under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

     

  • Adeleke played prominent role in my re-election – Aregbesola

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has said the late first civilian governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke who passed away suddenly on Sunday was a personal friend and one who committed his entire being to his (Aregbesola) re-election in 2014.

    aregbesola said this in a statement while reacting to the shocking death of the senator.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Adeleke died on Sunday and was buried on Monday according to Islamic rites.

    Aregbesola noted that Adeleke as governor laid the foundation for the modernization of Osun State.

    His statement reads in full: “I received with deep shock but submission to the will of Allah (SWT) the news of the death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke early this morning. He was 62 years. Senator Adeleke was the first civilian governor of the State of Osun elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the aborted Third Republic. He was in office between January 1992 and November 1993.

    “At the return of civil democratic rule, he was elected as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Osun West in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2007 to 2011. Senator Adeleke came from the illustrious Adeleke family of Ede.

    “His father, Senator Ayoola Adeleke, was a progressive politician, an ally of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a staunch member of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), under which banner he was elected to the Nigerian Senate in the Second Republic.

    “It is not surprising therefore that Senator Adeleke returned to the progressives fold in 2014 when he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). He returned to the Senate in 2015, having contested the Osun West Senatorial seat in the general election and won as the candidate of the APC.

    “Senator Adeleke became the first civilian governor of Osun at the age of 37, barely a year after the creation of the state, at a period he was most energetic. He therefore laboured hard, giving his best, to lay a good foundation for the then young state, the impact of which we still feel today, even though he was in office for less than two years.

    “He was a charismatic politician and political leader with panache, passion and fervour that traversed the political spectrum, appealing to all social strata. He was at home with the grassroots as he was with the elite.

    “Senator Adeleke was a very generous man who gave his all to the needy, friends and constituents, without favour to ethnicity, religion and background. Thousands benefitted from his scholarship scheme and social empowerment programmes.

    “He was a loyal party member and a team player who was determined to help realise the progressive agenda of the party, through legislation, not just in the whole country but in the State of Osun and Osun West Senatorial District as well.

    “Senator Adeleke was a personal friend who was committed to my re-election with his entire being. He was unflinching in his support and commitment, even when the security agencies laid a siege to his residence on the eve of the August 9, 2014 governorship election.

    “His death is very painful and a blow to us all. He is leaving a void in us, the Senate of the Federal Republic, Osun politics and his community in Ede that will be hard to fill. We give thanks to the Almighty God for the fruitful and exemplary life that Senator Adeleke lived. All mortal come from him and to him shall they return.

    “On behalf of the government, the good people of Osun and my family, I offer sincere condolences to his wife and children, the Adeleke Family of Ede, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the APC national and in the State of Osun, the good people of Ede and the progressives family at large.

    “May God grant him eternal repose and Aljanna Fidaus.”

     

  • 3years after re-election, Aregbesola sends names of Commissioners, others to Assembly

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Tuesday forwarded names of his proposed cabinent members to the State Assembly for approval three years after winning re-election.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that Aregbesola was re-elected as governor of the state in 2014.

    The State Assembly confirmed a receipt of 39 nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers from Aregbesola.

    Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, read the letter from the governor at the plenary session.

    The letter reads in part: “Pursuant to Sections 192 (2) and 196 (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I have the honour to forward the list of nominees for consideration and confirmation by the house of assembly as Commissioners and Special Advisers”.

    Among the nominees are Mr Kolapo Alimi, former commissioner, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Mr Bashiru Ajibola, a former adviser, Special Duties.

    Sen. Hussein Mudasiru, who represented Osun West Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, also made the list.

    Other former commissioners on the list include Ms Mobolaji Akande, Human Resources and Capacity Building; Mrs Toun Adegboyega, Women and Children Affairs and Mr Ismail Jaiyeoba, Commerce, Cooperatives, Industry and Empowerment.

    Former special advisers on the list include Kunle Ige, Community Development and Rural Affairs; Mr Bola Ilori, Environment; Mrs Latifat Giwa, Education and Dr Rafiu Isamotu, Health.

    Others former special advisers are Mr Biyi Odunlade, Youths, Sports and Special Needs; Mr Bisi Odewumi, Local Government and Dr Olalekan Yinusa, Commerce and Cooperatives.

    A former Chief Whip of the house of assembly, Mr Binuyo Ipoola and Assistant Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr Mudasiru Toogun, also made the list.

    Similarly, Osun Assembly, also on Tuesday, screened 22 nominees for the Caretaker Committee Management for the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 31 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

    Salaam, had before commencement, warned that any nominee who has yet to pay his or her tax to date would not be screened.

    Further screening will continue on Wednesday (today).

  • Aregbesola pledges support for Police in Osun

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun says his administration will continue to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the state in enhancing peace and security.

    The governor made the remarks while receiving Mr Paul Okafor, the new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, in Osogbo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zone 11 comprises of Osun, Ondo and Oyo state police commands.

    According to Aregbesola, the present administration in the state will continue to support the police because of their roles in ensuring that the state remains the safest in the country.

    “In our state, we have been having a wonderful experience of a police force that have been quite efficient and effective in the job of building a safe and secured environment.

    “All the officers of the force that have worked in the state of Osun have been men of great integrity and have been very cooperative.

    “We will do our best to continue to assist the police in our state because we know that we are partners in the move to keep our state secured.

    “It is only after guaranteed secure environment that any form of development can take place.

    “Despite the fact that there is still a lot of room for improvement, the police have shown a lot of efficiency in the discharge of their duties.

    “The Nigerian police have to a great extent helped to reduce tension to the nearest minimum, even in the face of the economic recession hitting the country.”

    Earlier in his remarks, AIG Okafor, said that the Osun Police Command would continue to ensure the security of the state.

    “I will do my best to ensure that Osun and its environs continue to remain peaceful and secure, by the grace of God we will not fail.

    “Being the headquarters of the zone, if we succeed in keeping Osun secured, it means we have succeeded in the zone as a whole,” the AIG said.

  • Aregbesola begs NMA to minimise strikes

    Aregbesola begs NMA to minimise strikes

    Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has appealed to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to minimise the rate of industrial action by its members.

    Aregbesola made the appeal while receiving the national officials of the association led by its President, Dr Mike Ogirima, on Friday in Osogbo.

    He said in as much as medical practitioners would like to press home their demands, they were expected to hold the good health of the people in the society above all other things.

    “It is unfortunate that our society has deteriorated. We have lost values in virtually everything especially on the need to prioritise our well-being.

    “Doctors and other healthcare professionals are expected to be at the vanguards of saving of lives.

    “They are not expected to withdraw their services to the people not to talk of embarking on strikes.

    “They are expected to be more concerned about the people’s health than pursuing the welfare of their members.

    “Not until this is championed by all medical practitioners, our society remains unsafe,” Aregbesola said.

    Recounting his administration’s interventions in delivering quality healthcare services to the people, he said outside Lagos, Osun remained the only state in Nigeria running all round 24 hours ambulance services.

    Earlier, the NMA President commended Aregbesola’s humility and high sense of commitment to human and capital development.

    Ogirima said the association would continue to support the state in its healthcare delivery programmes and urged government not to relent in improving the welfare of its members in the state.