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Tag: Osun State

  • Osun announces take off date for payment of new minimum wage

    Osun announces take off date for payment of new minimum wage

    The Osun State Government and labour leaders in the state have agreed for the new minimum wage of N75,554 to officially take effect from Dec. 1.

    The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, made this known in a statement on Friday.

    Alimi said the implementation date was agreed to after an extensive and exhaustive negotiations between the state government team and members of organised labour.

    He said that the New National Minimum Wage of N75,554.28 was for all categories of workers in the service of the state including local government employees.

    The commissioner said that the governor had equally approved an improved pension package of N25,000, across board, for all pensioners in the state; in consideration of the plight of the senior citizens.

    The gestures to both public service workers and pensioners in the state, the commissioner said, was a testament to the priority accorded workers and pensioners in the Five Point Agenda of the Adeleke-led administration.

    “The Adeleke administration is geared towards ensuring a productive and public service that will ultimately bring about effective and efficient service delivery .

    “It is to be noted that, the implementation of the New Minimum Wage is in line with the table arrived at, following extensive and exhaustive deliberations between the state government team and labour leaders.

    “Among the parameters taken into consideration included, but are not limited to; the availability of revenue; possible revenue forecast; existing debt burdens as well as sustainability and continued growth and development of Osun State.

    “The effective date of the commencement of the New National Minimum Wage in Osun State is Dec. 1, 2024; while one month arrears shall also be paid accordingly.

    “It is also to be noted that other salary structures within the public service system would be attended to as appropriate,” Alimi said.

    The commissioner, however, enjoined all public servants in the state to reciprocate the kind gesture of the governor, with renewed vigour and commitment to their duties.

  • Osun: FG flags-off N12bn road construction after 40 years

    Osun: FG flags-off N12bn road construction after 40 years

    The Federal Government on Wednesday flagged-off a N12 billion road construction in Eti-Oni, Atakumosa East Local Government Area of Osun after 40 years.

    The construction of the 56 kilometre road, which was to be supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works, was greeted with jubilation by residents of the town.

    Mr David Umah, the Minister of Works, said that the roads were three in number and would be executed in phases to ensure early completion within 12 months.

    The minister was represented by Mr Oluseyi Adedipe, the Acting Controller of Works, Osun field office.

    Umahi said the road project, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, would open up economically viable regions to enable communities to move their farm produce with ease to commercial centres.

    The minister said that the road, after completion, would boost the economy of Eti-Oni town, which was a major cocoa producer in the state.

    He, however, urged the contractors to follow the ministry’s standard and specification in the construction of the roads.

    Umahi said that this was necessary to ensure that there was value for taxpayers’ money spent on the road projects.

    Also, Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni, said that the road, which had been abandoned for 40 years, had been a source of worry for the residents.

    Thompson, who could not hide his joy,  said after completion, the road would open up the town and showcase the cocoa production and other agricultural produce of the town.

    “The joy, the happiness is tremendous and we cannot explain it because this road has been neglected for more than 40 years.

    “When you have a fertile land but without access, it is like a cemetery and that is how this place looks like before, but it is coming back to life.

    “What we are witnessing today is a renewed hope for the future generations and I believe with this happening now, many youths will be incentivised to be able to come into agriculture”, he said.

    Thompson appreciated Tinubu for approving the construction of the road, adding that it was a perfect gift for the town as it celebrates its cocoa festival

    “We are grateful to Mr President for this gesture. It is not only a gesture but also a gift to us, people of Atakumosa East, Eti-Oni and the entire Osun state.

    “If the president can remember this community, which is very rural, it means that other areas that are even more in the open will benefit more in this renewed hope season,” he said.

    A resident of the town, Chief Musibau Gbadamosi, said that the community was blessed with cocoa and other agricultural produce, and the road would boost the economic activities in the town.

    He appreciated the president for the gesture, adding that they would continue to support his administration.

  • Redeemer’s University makes history as 86 students graduate with first class

    Redeemer’s University makes history as 86 students graduate with first class

    Prof. Shadrach Akindele, the Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, in Osun, says that 86 of its graduating students bagged first-class degree.

    Akindele disclosed this on Monday in Ede at a press conference to herald the 16th convocation ceremony of the university.

    The VC said that another set of 435 students would be awarded with second class (upper division), 319 with second class (lower division), 86 with third class and 13 with a pass degree.

    According to him, in the nursing and physiotherapy programmes, three students will be graduating ”pass with distinction”; 69 with “pass with credit” and 25 with “pass”.

    The VC also said that in the diploma category, three students would be graduating with distinction, 14 in the upper credit division and five in the lower credit division.

    ”In all, a total of 1,055 undergraduate students will be graduating at the convocation. At the postgraduate level, 33 will graduate at PhD level, three at MPhil, 215 at Masters level and 137 at postgraduate level.

    “A total of 387 postgraduates students will be graduating during the convocation slated for Oct. 10. Two students will be graduating as the best graduating students with the same Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96,” he said.

    He also said that for the first time in history, the university would be graduating students in Architecture, Electrical/Electronics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

    According to Akindele, the university will award honorary degrees to two serving Nigerians who have made significant impact in the university.

    ”Our university’s mission is to produce graduates who are not only skilled in their respective fields, but also possess the character and moral fortitude to lead with integrity and humility.

    ”This set of graduands known as ”More Than Conqueror set” represents resilience, determination, and faith, having journeyed through academic challenges, personal growth, and spiritual development to reach this significant milestone “, he said.

    Akindele also said that scientists at the university’s African Centre of excellence in Genomics of infectious Diseases (ACEGID), under the leadership of Prof. Christian Happi, had won more grants to carry out research on human and zoonotic genomics.

  • Osun, Kwara declare public holiday for teachers

    Osun, Kwara declare public holiday for teachers

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has declared Monday, Oct. 7 a public holiday for public and private school teachers in the state, to commemorate World Teachers Day.

    This is contained in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi.

    The statement quoted Adeleke as saying that the holiday was to acknowledge the teachers’ invaluable contributions to the growth of the education sector, not only in the state and Nigeria, but the world at large

    “I heartily congratulate all teachers worldwide and, in particular, in my dear state, Osun, on the celebration of the annual World Teachers’ Day,  marked on Oct. 5.

    “While it gladdens my heart and that of my administration to declare a public holiday throughout the state, I admonish all teachers to use the one-day public holiday to review the past and present of the state and envision the future development of the education sector in the area.

    “I am using this opportunity for the umpteenth time to assure you that my administration will continue to do everything morally and officially possible to put smiles on your faces to make you happy and fulfilled as purveyors of knowledge in the state,” the governor said.

    Similarly, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has declared Monday, 7 October, a public holiday to commemorate the 2024 World Teachers’ Day.

    This is contained in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu.

    She said the gesture was a mark of appreciation for the state’s teachers, recognising their vital contributions to advancing human progress through quality teaching and nurturing young minds.

    According to Modibbo-Kawu, the holiday is intended for teachers in both the public and private sectors.

    “The Governor expressed his commendation for the teachers’ dedication and wished them a blessed holiday.

    “This move demonstrates the Kwara State Government’s commitment to valuing its educators and acknowledging their impact on the community.

    “By declaring a public holiday, the Governor aims to show appreciation for the teachers’ hard work and dedication to shaping the state’s future generations.”

  • Why Osun debt service rate is high – Govt

    Why Osun debt service rate is high – Govt

    The Osun State Government says the devaluation of the Naira is responsible for the state’s high debt service payment. Mr Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo, said that the clarification became necessary due to the report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) listing Osun as number ten among states with high debt service payments.

    Alimi said that the apparent rise in the monthly loan repayment on the state’s foreign loan was not as a result of any new borrowing but a consequence of the nation’s weak currency following the devaluation of the Naira. The commissioner noted that the repayment on foreign loans was usually done based on the prevailing exchange rate of the local currency, that is Naira to the United States dollar.

    “It is also important to put on record that Osun state was plunged into high local and foreign indebtedness in the 12 years of the last administration in the state. As the repayment is done in line with prevailing rate, there is an increase in the Naira value of monthly loan repayment on foreign loans portfolio of all the states of the federation.

    “The inevitable increase, therefore, is not only peculiar to Osun, rather, it is applicable to all the states and the Federal Government. The public is assured that the state financial management is responsible and sustainable without any new indebtedness,” he said.

  • Religious crisis brews in Osun over N16.5bn road project

    Religious crisis brews in Osun over N16.5bn road project

    Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, has cautioned contractors handling the N16.5 billion road project in Ilesa against what could lead to religious crisis during the demolition of buildings.

    This is coming after Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on April 30 awarded the construction of the 6.2-kilometre Ereja Square-Brewery, Ilesa dual carriageway at the cost of N16.5 billion.

    The traditional ruler, who gave the warning while addressing newsmen at the end of a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday in Ilesa, said there had been series of complaints of bias against the contractor by some religious groups in the town.

    Oba Aromolaran said that he had received complaint that some worship centres were demolished to give way for the road construction, while some were spared without any explanation.

    The traditional ruler who was represented by High Chief Ibitoye Akanbi, the Obaala of Ijesaland, said that such action could cause religious crisis in the town.

    Oba Aromolaran appealed to the contractor to carry out his job without any fear or favour, stressing that all the buildings approved for demolition should be demolished within the approved limits.

    “This project belongs to all of us and all what we want is peace. We do not want any religious crisis in the town. We are not ready for riot.

    “Any building marked for demolition should be demolished without any form of bias and this should be done within the approved limits.

    “In a situation where some religious building marked for demolition will be demolished and others will be spared can cause religious disharmony, and we don’t want that to happen.

    “The project should be done according to the approved specification. We want peace. We don’t want religious crisis,” he said.

    The traditional ruler, who frowned at the absence of the contractor at the meeting, said the invitation extended to him was not to intimidate him but to have a robust discussion with him on the progress of the project.

    He said that another invitation would be extended to the contractor at a later date.

    Oba Aromolaran also raised concern over the timely completion of the project, adding out of the nine months planned for the completion of the road, four months had gone without any tangible work done.

    The traditional ruler appealed to the contractor to speed up work on the project to meet the time scheduled.

    He also appealed to residents maintain peace and avoid any issue that could lead to break down of law and order.

    Oba Aromolaran also appealed to the state government to ensure that the contractor deliver the road project as scheduled.

    Also speaking, High Chief Adesoji Adeniji, the Alagbeda of Agbeda of Ijesa, said that the invitation extended to the contractor was for him to explain how far he has gone with the project.

    “The invitation extended to the contract is not to intimidate him but rather is to give Kabieesi an update on the project .

    “Oba Aromolaran is solidly behind the contractor for the successful completion of the project and that is why he set up a committee to liaise with the contractor for the smooth completion of the project,” he said.

  • Osun govt refutes claims of new Mpox cases

    Osun govt refutes claims of new Mpox cases

    Dr Akeem Bello, Director of Public Health in Osun, has dismissed reports of new monkeypox (M-pox) cases resurfacing in Ilesa, Osun. In a telephone interview on Monday in Osogbo, Bello stated that only two cases had been recorded since January.

    “We have had only two cases this year, one in March and the latest in the last week of August. The new case was in Ilesa, and we promptly conducted contact tracing to determine if others had contracted the disease,” Bello explained.

    He confirmed that the August patient was stable and emphasised that the state government had activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for M-pox. He added that staff members were undergoing training and retraining to improve their ability to identify and manage the spread of M-pox.

    Bello added that weekly meetings would be held to review events, and the government was fully informed. He also said surveillance activities had been intensified, and research was being conducted.
    Bello further said that the residents were advised to prioritise personal hygiene, as the disease was preventable.

    “Although the M-pox vaccine is not readily available in Nigeria, the government has assured residents that they will receive it when it becomes available,” Bello said, while reassuring the public that the situation was under control and there was no cause for alarm.

    In a separate statement, Osun Commissioner for Health, Mr Jola Akintola, held a meeting of the Monkeypox Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at the Ministry of Health in Osogbo. He urged residents not to panic and assured them that the state government was actively managing the situation.

    Akintola emphasised that M-pox was a preventable disease and commended Gov, Ademola Adeleke for his proactive leadership and dedication to public health.

  • Tragedy strikes as truck crushes motorcyclist to death In Osun

    Tragedy strikes as truck crushes motorcyclist to death In Osun

    A tragic incident occurred Tuesday morning in Osun as a truck loaded with sharp sand crushed a   commercial motorcyclist to death.

    The spokesperson of Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident that occurred along East By-Pass via Fountain University.

    According to Opalola, “One life was lost,”  she also added that an NSCDC officer involved in the accident was taken to hospital.

    It was gathered that the truck was attempting to join another lane, when it jammed the motorcyclist who was conveying a security operative.

    An eyewitness called Samuel explained that “the bike man who was carrying an operative of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was coming from Africa area going toward Ilesa garage and the truck was coming from Ilesa garage area lane.

    “The truck wanted to join the lane going toward Ilesa garage, that was when the driver crushed the motorcyclist. It was like a head-on collision.”

    He continued, “The commercial motorcyclist died immediately and the NSCDC man was injured.”

  • Osun gets new FRSC sector commander

    Osun gets new FRSC sector commander

    Mr Taofeeq Sokunbi has been appointed as the new Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Osun State.

    This is contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi, on Thursday in Osogbo.

    Sokunbi, who had assumed office, replaced Mr Inyang Umoh, who had been deployed to Rivers as the sector commander.

    Ogungbemi said Sokunbi was enlisted into FRSC in 1996 as an Assistant Route Commander and was posted to Ogoja Unit Command as the unit public enlightenment officer and also a patrol officer.

    She said the new sector commander was later posted to Jigawa Command from 1997 to 2004 and served as SPEO and duty room officer.

    Ogungbemi described the new sector commander as a seasoned administrator who had served the FRSC in various capacities.

    She urged FRSC personnel in the state to support the new sector commander toward achieving set objectives.

  • Osun govt shut all schools ahead of hunger protest

    Osun govt shut all schools ahead of hunger protest

    The Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration has closed all schools and academic activities in the state ahead of the hunger protest slated to begin in August.

    The state’s Ministry of Education, signed by the permanent secretary, MK Jimoh, on Monday, announced the development, disclosing the action as a security measure.

    The memo, while directing parents, guardians, and school owners to stop all academic activities for children in the state until the third term, reassured them that this was a temporary measure.

    Jimoh said the decision was essential to ensure the safety of the state’s students, teachers and public infrastructures from being targets of hoodlums.

    “This is to inform the general public, particularly parents, guardians, and heads of both public and private schools in the state that due to the planned nationwide protest, all schools are directed to proceed on the third-term vacation from Wednesday, 31st July 2024,” the memo read.