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Tag: Osun State

  • Oyetola left huge debt behind – Gov Adeleke

    Oyetola left huge debt behind – Gov Adeleke

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the administration of Gboyega Oyetola of accruing debts in pensions and salaries to the tune of N76 billion.

    The spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed quoted the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bimpe Ogunlumade to have made the claim while briefing officials of the new administration on the financial status of the state yesterday.

    “The Osun state government has uncovered a monumental debt in salaries, pensions, and insurance commitments incurred by the administration of Mr. Gboyega Oyetola amounting to N76 billion,” Olawale said in a statement he issued on Thursday.

    “The disclosure was contrary to the claim by the former Governor that he left N14bn in cash for the new government among other bogus claims that have now been found to be an outright falsehood,” the statement added.

    The breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities as disclosed by the Permanent Secretary are as follows:

    (I) Salary: N29,875,191,128.64
    (II) Pension Arrears: N45,375,237,693.40
    (III) Group Life Assurance Scheme: N554,644,028.97

    Total: N75,805,072,851.01

    “The public is advised that this is not the total debt left by the past administration as briefings on other sources of liabilities continue tomorrow,” the government added.

  • Obaship Tussle: Youths stormed Aree of Iree’s palace, set bonfire in Osun

    Obaship Tussle: Youths stormed Aree of Iree’s palace, set bonfire in Osun

    Some youths in Osun state stormed the palace of the Aree of Iree and set bonfires on the road leading to the palace as a form of protest against the choice of the newly installed king.

    The action of the rampaging youths caused Chaos in Iree town as residents scampered for safety while traders and shop owners hurriedly shut their businesses and closed for the day.

    The cause of the action of the youth was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing in this report, but a source said trouble started when some security operatives reportedly arrested the head of kingmakers in the town, Aogun of Iree, Chief Soliu Atoyebi.

    Meanwhile, in an interview with the journalists, the Odoka of Iree, Chief Kayode Abiola, explained that the some security operatives arrested Chief Atoyebi when they discovered that kingmakers were about to make some pronouncements on Friday.

    Chief Abiola said: “I think they acted on a tip-off, but that will not help the situation because the people of the town are peace-loving.”
    He, however, said he learnt the security operatives had already released the head of the kingmakers after he was with them in Osogbo for about three hours.

    A security operative who preferred anonymity confirmed that the youths made bonfire in the town.

  • Gov. Adeleke tasks panels to recover ”looted” state assets

    Gov. Adeleke tasks panels to recover ”looted” state assets

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has tasked the members of the panels and committees to track all looted public assets belonging to the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Adeleke’s Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday.

    The governor gave the charge after inaugurating four panels in Osogbo to also review all appointments made after July 17 by the last administration.

    Adeleke, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kola Adewusi, decried the widespread ”pillaging” of government assets.

    ”You must right the wrongs and discharge your mandates with sense of urgency.

    ”We assure the people that we will not back down on our resolve to stop all post July 17 illegalities,” he said, assuring that the state payroll pre-July 17 remains intact.

    Adeleke said the state government has not sacked any worker on the Osun payroll.

    ”Those with issues to explain are those who entered the payroll after July 17,” he said.

    The review panels inaugurated by the governor include the Staff Audit/Appointments/Promotion Review Committee (Chaired by Dr Muyiwa Oladimeji), State Assests Inventory and Revovery Committee (Chaired by B. T. Salam).

    Others are the Contracts/MoU/Agreements Review Committee (Chaired by Mr Niyi Owolade) and Chieftency Affairs Review Committee (Chaired by Bunmi Jenyo)

  • Gov Adeleke makes peace with Osun State legislators

    Gov Adeleke makes peace with Osun State legislators

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Tuesday said he was ready to work closely with the State legislature to deliver on his administration’s five points agenda.

    According to a statement by his Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke made this promise while receiving Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, in his county home at Ede.

    The governor, describing himself as a man with passion for the legislature, restated his readiness to work with the lawmakers.

    He said that this would enable him to deliver on the five points agenda of his administration and take Osun to a greater height.

    Adeleke, however, commended the excellent partnership between the two arms of government in the state.

    At the meeting, the governor described the legislature as a critical arm of government, which plays important role in the efforts to deliver on good governance, accountability and leadership transparency.

    The meeting was held with top leaders on both sides of the government arms in attendance.

    In his remarks, the speaker assured the governor of the readiness of the legislature to support his administration to deliver on its promises to the people of the state.

    Recall that Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was on Sunday sworn in as the sixth Executive Governor of Osun, along with his Deputy, Kola Adewusi.

  • Gov Adeleke dissolves all non-statutory boards in Osun

    Gov Adeleke dissolves all non-statutory boards in Osun

    Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Tuesday ordered the immediate dissolution of all non-statutory boards in the state.

    Adeleke’s Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, said in a statement, that the directive was conveyed to Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies by Mr Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government.

    “As a follow-up to the pronouncement by Gov. Ademola Adeleke on Nov. 27, 2022, all non-statutory Boards, Commissions and Parastatals, including those of Tertiary Institutions (with exception of UNIOSUN), are hereby dissolved in the state forthwith.

    “Consequently, all Accounting Officers of such Boards, Parastatals and Commissions are to take charge with immediate effect,” Rasheed said.

  • Osun Assembly dismisses Gov. Adeleke’s reversal of name, anthem, flag

    Osun Assembly dismisses Gov. Adeleke’s reversal of name, anthem, flag

    The Osun House of Assembly has dismissed the order of Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun reversing the state’s name to the constitutionally recognised one.

    The legislative insisted that the state anthem, crest and flag are an enactments of law and therefore could not be changed, but by process of law.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Osogbo by the Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Media and Publicity, Mr Moshood Akande, who reacted to the new governor’s order.

    “Having reviewed the inaugural speech of the governor and the activities of the inauguration, the legislature hereby resolves as follows;

    “The usage of the state anthem, crest and flag is an enactment of law and as such, its usage is a matter of law and not choice.

    “The enactment “State of Osun Anthem, Crest and Flag Law, 2012” assented to on Dec.18,  2012 contained in Schedule (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), which carefully details every component of this law is not in ambiguity.

    “Schedule (1) is the State Anthem, Schedule (2) has to do with the State Crest, Schedule (3) is the symbolic significance of the elements in the flag.

    “Lastly, while we are aware of a court judgment in effect recognising “Osun State”, the Assembly, pending the determination and exhaustion of all legal means would not be drawn into this matter.

    “However, the state shall and will continue to be described as the State of the Virtuous (Ipinle Omoluabi).” the statement reads

    Recall that during the inaugural speech of Gov. Ademola Adeleke on Sunday, he directed the immediate reversal to the constitutionally recognised name of Osun.

    He also directed that all government insignia, correspondences and signages should henceforth reflect Osun State rather than State of Osun which is unknown to the Nigerian constitution.

  • Gov Adeleke issues orders reversing appointments made by Oyetola

    Gov Adeleke issues orders reversing appointments made by Oyetola

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, on Monday, issued six executive orders reversing appointments made by former governor Gboyega Oyetola, including appointments of workers and installation of traditional rulers.

    This is contained in a statement by his Spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed.

    The governor signed the executive orders on Monday, including an order freezing all the State Government accounts in all banks and other financial institutions.

    “The six executive orders to take immediate effect. The orders cover chieftaincy matters, appointments issues, setting up of review panel, staff audit and employment matters,” he said.

    Others he said are for the immediate freezing of all the state government accounts in all banks and other financial institutions, order on Staff Audit – All Heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals of Osun State Government are directed to carry out immediate staff audit of the actual number of workers in their establishments as at July 17, 2022.

    The governor said all heads of agencies and parastatals are to file a report to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor stating the full details and position/designation of each of the staff on the forwarded list, within seven working days from the date of the Executive order, using the Oath of Fidelity Template.

    The governor also nullified all employments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions , Boards and Parastatals after July 17.

    The governor also said all appointments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after July 17, 2022 be and are reversed.

    The governor further said all appointments of traditional rulers made by Osun State Government after July 17, 2022, to be reviewed to ensure there was strict compliance with due process of chieftaincy declarations and native law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies.

    “In the case of Ikirun, Iree and Igbajo, to avoid further breakdown of law and order, the appointments of Akinrun of Ikinrun, Aree of Ire and Owa of Igbajo are hereby put on hold pending review.

    “Subsequently, the palaces of Akinrun of Ikirun, Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo should remain unoccupied, while security agencies are hereby ordered to take charge.” he said.

    The governor said in line with the executive orders  two, three, four and five, the state government has ordered the setting-up of review committees on Staff audit/appointments/promotions, State assets inventory and recovery, Contractors/MoUs/agreements and d. Chieftaincy matters/appointments of traditional rulers.

  • Osun workers give Gov Adeleke rousing welcome to office

    Osun workers give Gov Adeleke rousing welcome to office

    Osun State civil servants working at the State Secretariat in Abere, Osogbo, on Monday received the newly sworn in Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, to his office amidst pomp and pageantry.

    The workers who had been waiting at the entrance of the State Secretariat since 8.00 a.m. were seen singing and dancing in anticipation of the governor’s arrival.

    It was observed that security personnel were stationed with the workers, while members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) joined the workers to welcome Adeleke.

    The governor, who later arrived at the Secretariat at about 12.30 p.m., after attending to some party activities at his campaign office on Osogbo-Gbongan Expressway, was seen waving at the crowd from his car.

    The crowd of civil servants at the main entrance to the Secretariat, however, caused traffic gridlock on the highway for both motorists and commuters.

    Adeleke and his Deputy, Kola Adewusi, were both sworn in as the sixth Executive Governor and Deputy Governor of Osun State on Sunday by the state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo.

    Adeleke was administered with Oath and Allegiance of Office by the state Chief Judge at exactly 11.47 a.m, while that of his Deputy was done earlier at 11.36 a.m, at a colourful ceremony held at Osogbo City Stadium.

    Adeleke had defeated Adeboyega Oyetola, then the sitting Governor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the governorship election held on July 16.

  • Senator Adeleke makes first appointments as Governor

    Senator Adeleke makes first appointments as Governor

    Senator Ademola Adeleke has made his first set of appointments as the Governor of Osun State after he was sworn in on Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the first appointments made by Senator Adeleke as Governor are Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief Press Secretary (CPS)

    Adeleke, in a statement on Sunday in Osogbo, appointed a former chairman of Osogbo Local Government Council, Mr Kassim Akinleye, as the Chief of Staff.

    He also approved the appointment of Mr Teslim Igbalaye as Secretary to the State Government while Mr Olawale Rasheed is Chief Press Secretary.

    All appointments, announced a few hours after he was sworn in as Governor, take immediate effect, according to the statement.

    TNG reports that Adeleke was sworn in as the sixth executive Governor of Osun on Sunday. The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adepele Ojo, administered the oath.

  • “I left N14bn for my successor,” – Osun’s outgoing Gov. Oyetola

    “I left N14bn for my successor,” – Osun’s outgoing Gov. Oyetola

    Outgoing Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, says he left N14 billion in the state’s coffers for his successor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.

    In his farewell message, released in Osogbo on Sunday by Mr Ismaila Omipidan, his media aide, Oyetola stated that his administration paid N97 billion of the debt it inherited in 2018, when he assumed office.

    Oyetola declared that his administration did not borrow any money from anywhere to finance the state’s economy, stressing that he kept faith and maintained fidelity with his electoral promises throughout his tenure.

    “We are leaving behind cash balance of more than N14 billion.

    “In addition to the N14 billion cash, another N8 billion is being expected between December and January 2023 from our performance in States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme (SFTAS) and from Internally Generated Revenue.

    SFTAS is a government programme designed to advance fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability of states of the federation.

    “For four years, we did not take any bank loan.

    “We benefitted from the N3 billion monthly interventions by the Federal Government to all the states for six months to cushion the effect of deductions of budget support facility and salary bailouts taken by the previous administration.

    “We paid N97 billion from the total debt we inherited in 2018,’’ he stated.

    The out-going governor added that the state was also expecting 72 million dollars from other programmes and from the NG-CARES programme of the Federal Government, among others.

    “These are earned, based on performance. And we have indeed performed to earn them,’’ he stressed.

    Oyetola stated also that his administration put the state’s economy on a surer footing through its myriad people-centred and masses-focused projects, promptly executed to make life worthwhile for the people.

    He stressed that Osun’s economy stabilised during his tenure as manifested in the astronomical increment in the GDP of the state.

    He affirmed that Osun was more stable economically than he met it in 2018 in spite of all the visible socio-economic challenges that confronted the state.

    He stated that he contained the fears and evils of fiscal indiscipline and lack of implementation which hampered the execution of projects and delivery of services.

    “As I step aside today following the conclusion of the four-year tenure you freely gave me, I thank God and I thank the people of Osun for your support, cooperation and prayers over the years.

    “I recall how the journey began four years ago; how by your belief in me and your conviction in the plans and programmes of our party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), you exercised your right to vote for me.

    “As we draw the curtains on this first tenure, we are convinced that we neither reneged on our promise nor disappointed you.

    “We kept faith with you and maintained fidelity with our electoral promises,’’ Oyetola stated.

    He said he wished to continue to serve the people of Osun, but was constrained by the outcomes of the July 16 governorship election, which, he said he was already challenging in court.

    “As a law-abiding citizen and government, we are stepping aside to allow the law to take its course.

    “We look forward to continue to serve you in no distant future.

    “We have absolute trust in God that we shall be back soon as we have implicit trust and confidence in the Judiciary to do justice in the case before it,’’ he stated

    Oyetola stated also that he was confident that this period of temporary political eclipse would pass.

    “The sun shall shine again, brighter and warmer and the sustainable development and participatory governance that we enthroned, which were applauded by local and international organisations, shall be restored and put on a surer and better footing.

    “There can be no substitute to people-oriented and development-savvy governance in a democracy.

    “The taproots of the unprecedented good governance, inclusive and participatory governance that we introduced, which delivered massive equitable projects and programmes, are too strong to be uprooted.

    “As we end our first term, rest assured that Osun is more stable economically than we met it in 2018 and it remained the most peaceful state in the country under our leadership,’’ he stated.

    Oyetola stressed that he went through stewardship to let the people know that Osun was sustainable and that he did it through fiscal discipline and personal sacrifices.

    “On behalf of our team, I appeal to you all to continue to be law-abiding and to work assiduously to build the Osun of our dreams.

    “Together, we shall continue to mend the broken walls of our dear state and restore her glory for our collective good and that of posterity,’’ he stated.