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Tag: Osun State

  • What Gov Adeleke told President Buhari about new Electoral Act

    What Gov Adeleke told President Buhari about new Electoral Act

    President Muhammadu Buhari hosted Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was at State House, Abuja on Friday on a thank you visit.​

    Governor Adeleke, elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said he was at the State House to appreciate the President for providing a level playing field in the election that held in July last year.​

    He said: “I had waited patiently for this appointment, and was praying fervently for it to happen. It’s a dream come true for me to see you, and have a handshake.

    “I am a beneficiary of the new Electoral Law you signed, as it paved the way for free and fair elections, ruling out ballot box snatching and stuffing.​

    “The security agencies followed your instruction to be fair and firm, and I am so proud of you. You are a true father, regardless of political party differences.”​

    The governor believed that free and fair elections would be one of the greatest legacies President Buhari would bequeath to the country, as the development was already being applauded home and abroad.​

    He gave his priorities in the State as development of agriculture, education, and investment drive.​

    Among requests Adeleke made were; support on infrastructure development, a proposed new economic city and free trade zone, tax credit, and other Federal facilities in Osun.

    The governor, who later spoke to State House correspondents,  lauded President Buahri for giving his assent to the new Electoral Act, which he said paved the way for a free and fair elections in the country.

    Adeleke, who was at the State House for the first time since assuming office in November last year, believed that the adoption of the new electoral law led to his election as Governor of Osun.

    According to him, the introduction of the new Electoral Act has changed the global perspective about Nigeria.

    He said: “I am happy to tell you that I just saw our President, looking so well, looking so good and I’m happy about that.

    ”Since my election, I feel like I should come and say hello to Mr President and thank him for signing that Electoral Act because I benefited from it.

    “That paved way for free and fair elections and the international community is applauding Nigeria that Nigeria is set for democracy.

    ”So that is why I’m here today; to see him, thank him and wish him well in his remaining time in office.”

    He said Osun was expecting support from the federal government, following his visit to the seat of power.

    “We discussed nothing much, that’s the main reason. We just greeted some of the other things I already submitted and I will see the Chief of Staff for us to discuss on the way forward for the federal government to assist Osun State,”  he added.

  • 17 passengers escape death in Osun accident

    17 passengers escape death in Osun accident

    The Federal Road Safety Corps( FRSC) in Osun, said 17 passengers escaped death in an accident on Ilesa-Ipetu highway.

    The Osun Sector Commander, Mr Paul Okpe, disclosed this in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi, on Friday in Osogbo.

    Okpe said the accident happened at about 11:10 a.m. around Km 3 Omo Ijesa Bend area after two vehicles collided.

    ”We received a distress call at about 11:13 a.m of an accident that occurred on Ilesa – Ipetu highway.

    ”A green Nissan pick-up with number plate FG 154 K20 had head-on collision with a white Vannet Nissan with number plate KSF 143 DE.

    ”The accident was severe but we have been able to clear all gridlock to avoid any inconvenience.

    He said that 12 males and five female adults were invovled in the crash, leading to three injured victims .

    ”Two male adults and one female got injured and were taken to Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa for further treatment.

    ”The accident happened due to wrongful overtaking and heavy speeding,” Okpe said.

    According to him, the command will not hesitate to punish any road traffic violator that goes against the road traffic regulations.

  • College confirms attack on Rector

    College confirms attack on Rector

    Osun State College of Technology has confirmed the attack on its Rector, Dr Samson Adegoke by gunmen on Monday.

    Spokesman of the college, Dr Wale Oyekanmi, said in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo that the rector was attacked barely 10 minutes after he left his office at about 3:20 pm on Monday.

    Oyekanmi said the attackers fired at the car around Eti-Ooni area after their attempt to block the Rector’s car was interrupted by a truck conveying sand.

    “Luckily, neither the rector nor his driver were hurt during the attack. The rector is safe and the matter has been reported to the police,” he said.

    When contacted, the Osun Police Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, about the incident, he said investigation was ongoing.

  • 2023: Former Osun governor, Oyetola promises to deliver 1.5 million votes to Tinubu

    2023: Former Osun governor, Oyetola promises to deliver 1.5 million votes to Tinubu

    The immediate past Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola has promised to deliver over 1.5 million votes from the state for the presidential candidate of the  All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the forthcoming general elections in the state.

    The former governor made this statement at the inauguration of the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign council in Osogbo, the state capital.

    Oyetola, who is the State Coordinator, Tinubu/Shettima PCC, also tasked the newly-inaugurated members to intensify efforts towards ensuring all round victory for the APC presidential candidate and his running mate and all the party candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    He said “No stone would be left unturned to ensure the emergence of Tinubu and Shettima, as well as all the candidates of the party in the National and State assemblies elections.

    “No stone would be left unturned to ensure the emergence of Tinubu and Shettima, as well as all the candidates of the party in the National and State assemblies elections.

     

    “The country is in dire need of a competent individual like Tinubu to build on the gains of the incumbent administration and drive the nation’s potential for socio-economic growth and development of the country.

    “There is no room for experiment on the choice of next president at this critical time in the history of Nigeria, hence the need to elect Tinubu whose political pedigree, good, responsible and responsive governance antecedents are second to none.

    “Tinubu/Shettima ticket is divine and it is worthy of note that the team is powered by tested and trusted hands as it offers a renewed hope in all sectors.”

    Meanwhile, the speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye affirmed that Oyetola  will return to state house in the state soon, adding that Tinubu will also emerge the country’s next president.

    He described the outcome of the July 16, 2022 Osun gubernatorial election as a temporary setback.

    Reacting, the Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described statements credited to Oyetola and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly as hallucinations.

     

     

  • Oyetola returns to Osun weeks after Gov Adeleke’s inauguration

    Oyetola returns to Osun weeks after Gov Adeleke’s inauguration

    Former Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday, returned to the state capital, Osogbo, amid cheers from his supporters, All Progressive Congress (APC) party members and his former cabinet members.

    Oyetola left the state, two days after the swearing-in of his successor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke on Nov. 27, 2022.

    The former governor was welcomed to the state by his party members and loyalists at the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Office in Osogbo.

    Addressing his supporters, Oyetola said he was pleasantly surprised with the kind of welcome he received, saying that he left the state to have some rest, but was back to campaign for his party’s victory at the forthcoming polls.

    “I am very happy to return home. I can see you have been longing to see me. I had wanted to enter the state quietly but was surprised with this rousing welcome.

    “I did not tell anybody that I was returning to the state early this morning and I am surprised to be welcomed by this massive crowd. Thank you very much.

    “This year will be a great year for us all; our clerics have urged us not to doubt God over our prayers. The promise of God will come to pass.

    “God has told me that He will do two things for us this year; we are going to retrieve our mandate (in Osun) and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will become the president of Nigeria.” he said.

    Explaining his absence from the state, Oyetola said, “I only went to rest. You can see how fresh I am looking now. I served Osun wholeheartedly for four years without resting and God intentionally orchestrated my rest for a while.

    “I wake up every day; I eat, sleep and watch television. I have time to receive my children and grandchildren.

    “I later went to Umurah (lesser hajj) with my wife to give thanks to God,” he said.

    Oyetola encouraged his supporters to put their minds at rest, saying that nobody can scare them away from the state.

    He also urged them to work for the success of APC at the forthcoming elections.

    “I want to implore us that we should work hard for the forthcoming elections. It is very important to us. Continue to hold your meeting; don’t be distracted,” he said.

    He, however, expressed fears over the number of uncollected permanent voter cards (PVCs) in the state, urging those who had not collected theirs to do so.

    “I am scared that Osun has about one million voter cards uncollected. Please go and collect your PVCs and let us deliver one million votes for Tinubu and Shettima.

    “We are going to inaugurate PCC in the next few days; let campaign continue. Let all aggrieved members be at peace with one other.

    “Our motive must gear toward retrieving our mandate and the forthcoming general elections,” he said.

  • Osun govt. directs Gboyega, wife, others to return official cars

    Osun govt. directs Gboyega, wife, others to return official cars

    Former governor of Osun state, Gboyega Oyetola and his wife Sherifat have been directed by the Osun state government to return all official vehicles belonging to the state government in their possession.

    The government also gave same directives to other former appointees of the state.

    This was contained in a statement released by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s media aide, Olawale Rasheed on Friday.

    The statement read; “The Assets Recovery Panel of the Osun State Government has directed former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, his wife, Hajia Kafayat Oyetola, and other former appointees to immediately return assorted vehicles valued at N2.9 billion presently illegally in their possession.

    “Due diligence has been conducted and the committee has concluded that the affected past officials should return government vehicles in their possession.

    “This is the first batch of vehicles to be retrieved. We will soon come up with the second batch.

    “All affected officials should return the vehicles in their possession immediately to avoid coercive procedures for recovery of state assets.

    “In the list of affected officials, Governor Oyetola alone has 11 vehicles ranging from Lexus Jeep, Toyota Prado jeeps and assorted models of costly vehicles. The wife, Mrs Kafayat, also has in her possession several brands of government vehicles which were taken away against provisions of the law.”

    “The former Deputy Governor has more than seven government vehicles in his custody contrary to the provisions of the law.

    “A serving Senator, Oriolowo, is also directed to return to the Osun State Agricultural Development Programme five machines, namely a motor grader, bulldozer, soil compactor machine, among others.

    “All affected ex-officials are to urgently comply with the above request or risk enforcement procedures.”

    Other politicians accused of keeping government properties include; Charles Akinola, former chief of staff; and Abdullahi Binuyo, former deputy chief of staff.

    Those who served as special advisers, local government caretakers, board chairpersons, commissioners, and secretary to the state government were also accused of keeping state vehicles.

  • 2023: Atiku as president will unsettle evil in Nigeria – Gov Adeleke

    2023: Atiku as president will unsettle evil in Nigeria – Gov Adeleke

    Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has described Atiku Abubakar as “a man with enormous experience to turn around the fortune of Nigeria’s economy, having served as Vice President and taken charge of the economy”.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Adeleke stated this on Wednesday during the presidential election campaign held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, stressing that the experience of Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is enormous.

    “When he was the Vice President, he was in charge of the economy. The economy was booming before the PDP left power. Nigeria was the largest economy.

    “When elected, Nigeria will grow from strength to strength. The emergence of Atiku will unsettle evil in this country because he has the fear of God.

    “He will govern Nigeria with Rule of Law and due process. I have been speaking with him on the issue of security and he promised to find a lasting solution to the challenges. He will also end kidnapping,” Adeleke said.

    Speaking at the campaign, Atiku urged the people of Osun to vote en masse for his party to win the 2023 presidential elections, as they did during the July 16 Osun Governorship election.

    “I believe by returning PDP into power at the federal level, you will strengthen this authority, because a Federal Government controlled by PDP and state government controlled by PDP in Osun is to the greater good of you all.

    “Our only objective is to make sure that the current challenges of insecurity, disunity, economic deprivation, lack of jobs to our youths and the future of this country through restructuring, can be achieved.

    “These I promise you. I am going to start doing them from day one in office. I appeal to you to come in greater number than you did in the last state election to vote PDP in the next general election, that is the only way you can secure your future and the future of your children.

    “We promise you, we will not fail you. We are not like other parties, because we have done it before.

    “We have got the experience,  people who have the capacity to bring about changes. We are not new as far as governance is concerned in Nigeria.” Atiku said

    Also, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate, thanked the people of Osun for voting PDP at the last state governorship election, urging them to vote for Atiku to rescue Nigeria.

    Okowa said the experience of Atiku was needed to rescue Nigeria. He urged the party supporters and members to go back to their communities and campaign for the victory of the party in the 2023 election.

    In his remarks, Mr Iyorchia Ayu, the National Chairman of PDP, thanked the people for helping him to produce the first state governor as the Chairman of the party.

    Ayu called on Nigerians to work and vote for PDP so as to have control from the local government to the Federal level, saying that the PDP was established to give governance to the people.

    He welcomed Rep. Lasun Yussuf, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Labour Party (LP) Governorship candidate at the Osun 2022 governorship election, back to PDP.

    Ayu, also appealed to members of the party to forget what had happened in the past, saying he was happy that those that left the party for one reason or another were returning to the party.

  • Gov Adeleke denies withdrawing N5bn from Osun accounts

    Gov Adeleke denies withdrawing N5bn from Osun accounts

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has denied withdrawing N5 billion from the state’s  accounts as well as awarding the reconstruction of the road leading to the Adeleke University in Ede.

    In a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday, he said the allegations being peddled on social media is a lie from demented minds.

    “The public will recall that Adeleke had, during his inauguration, announced the freezing of all state and local government area  accounts.

    “That was done right at the venue of inauguration before he had any access to government’s records and finances.

    “How can such amount be withdrawn from state account on the day of inauguration when the new leader had no access to state accounts ?” he asked

    He appealed to members of the public to ignore the rumour.

    Similarly,  he said the attention of the state government had also been drawn to a report of award of contract by  Adeleke for the reconstruction of the road leading to the Adeleke University, Ede.

    He said the story is a complete falsehood and product of malicious misinformation.

    “The new government is still settling down and has not awarded any contract.

    “The reconstruction of the said road is a project of the Federal Government to service the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. It has been ongoing since the time of Oyetola administration.

    “We urge the public to disregard the report as it is a failed attempt to undermine the integrity of the state governor and that of the administration.

    “We repeat, for the sake of emphasis, that Adeleke has not awarded any contract since assumption of office on Nov. 27.”

  • Osun community appeals to government over minning activities

    Osun community appeals to government over minning activities

    Awolumate Zone 3 Community in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has raised concern over the activities of some expatriate miners, alleged to be Chinese.

    They appealed to security agencies and the state government to come to their aid.

    A large portion of land close to residential buildings had been dug out by miners, in the affected community, putting over 20 houses at risk due to their activities.

    The chairman of the community, Abimbola Olafare, called on the relevant organs of government and security agents to come to their aid, and stop mining activities in the area.

    Speaking on the matter, Olafare said, “As many as 20 houses have been affected by the activities of these miners. There was no agreement signed with them before they commenced work in the area.

    “We have to rescue people whose houses are close to the river. An old woman fled from home because of the activities of these miners. We never consented to them working in our community. Security agents and government should come to our aid.”

  • Adeleke, Oyetola bicker over Osun state debt profile, IGR

    Adeleke, Oyetola bicker over Osun state debt profile, IGR

    The Osun State Government has released a statement denying that the immediate past governor of the state cleared all debts, and backlog of salaries, but said that they left a debt portfolio of N76bn in unpaid salaries, pensions, and insurance commitments for the present administrators.

    This statement was signed and released by Governor Adeleke’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed in Osogbo on Thursday and said the figure was given by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Bimpe Ogunlumade, while briefing officials of the new administration on the financial status of the state.

    The statement read in part, “The breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities as disclosed by the permanent secretary are as follows: Salary: N29,875,191,128.64; Pension Arrears: N45,375,237,693.40; and Group Life Assurance Scheme: N554,644,028.97; giving a total of N75,805,072,851.01.”

    It further said the disclosure was contrary to the claim by the ex-governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, that he left a sum of N14bn in cash for the new government.

    The government also added that the figure already released is not the total debt incurred by the past government as they are still working on other areas where they also became indebted.

    Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered the submission of a salary schedule to the relevant office within the next 24 hours.

    A statement by his spokesperson, Rasheed, stated that Adeleke issued the directive after taking a briefing from the state Ministry of Finance.

    “Top officials of the ministry had attributed the delay in salary payment to the failure of some agencies to submit their salary schedules on time.

    “Governor Adeleke consequently directed the immediate conclusion of the processes, affirming that his administration is averse to the inconveniences the delay has forced on the state work force,” the statement added.

    However, while reacting, Ismail Omipidan, the media aide to the former governor said the administration did not owe salaries.

    Omipidan said, “For the umpteenth time, let me place it on record that for four years, we did not owe a dime in salary payments, while we made conscious efforts to reduce the backlog of pensions and gratuities we inherited.

    “This also explains why there hasn’t been a strike in four years. According to their calculations, we owed salaries for nearly a year. Is that possible? The labour union can also attest that we never left any salary unpaid during our tenure, and we did not take out any bank loans for four years.”