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  • Adeleke tasks cabinet members on budget defence, lists 3 executive bills

    Adeleke tasks cabinet members on budget defence, lists 3 executive bills

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has tasked members of his cabinet to prepare for a detailed budget defence at the Osun House of Assembly.

    The governor also advised his aides to ensure that drafted executive bills were forwarded to the legislature timely.

    Adeleke said this in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday in Osogbo.

    He said that full cooperation was paramount with the legislature, to speed up budget processing in line with the assembly’s timetable.

    ”We have a state to govern. We have a five point agenda to deliver. There is no room for distractions. All cabinet members must get their work together by ensuring successful budget hearings at the assembly.

    ”Also, let the relevant house committees have all required information to vet and approve your proposals.

    “I have full confidence that the legislature will understand the fiscal and economic considerations behind the 2024 budgetary proposals.

    According to him, his administration is aware of innovative ideas being introduced that may necessitate new laws or amendments of existing ones.

    ”Let me on this note direct our MDAs with planned executive bills to speed up the internal processes.

    “Three of such bills are very dear to the goodness of our state. The bill to domesticate the Nigerian Startup Act should be forwarded to the assembly without further delay. That bill holds the key to boosting and diversifying our state economy.

    He said that Osun electricity market bill was important to the state with a resolution reached to move faster to get the bill passed into law without delay.

    ”Also, of similar importance is the bill to harmonise the state tax system. Our government wants to put an end to multiple taxation and expand the tax base with a lower tax rate.

    Adeleke, however,  directed the Justice Ministry and all affected MDAs to work closely to ensure bills get to the State Assembly for early passage.

  • We’ll not recognise Osun Acting CJ – NBA tells Adeleke

    We’ll not recognise Osun Acting CJ – NBA tells Adeleke

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has condemned the removal of the Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, by Gov. Ademola Adeleke.

    The NBA said in a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Akorede Lawal, that it will not recognise Justice Olayinka Afolabi, the Acting Chief Judge appointed by the governor.

    Lawal said that the NBA’s position was anchored on the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.

    “The tenure of a judicial officer cannot and should not be subject to the mood of politicians,” he added.

    The National Publicity Secretary said that the action of the governor has not only negated the principle of separation of powers but was also a clear disregard to a court order.

    Lawal said the association unequivocally condemned the  “unlawful” actions, adding that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution are not ambiguous as to the way and manner a Chief Judge of a state could be removed from office.

    “The law has since been settled in Nganjiwa v FRN (2017) LPELR-43391 (CA) that any misconduct attached to the office and functions of a judicial officer must first be reported to and determined by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    “The Supreme Court in Elelu-Habeeb & Anor v AG Federation & Ors (2012) 12 NWLR (Pt 1318) 423 has clearly stated that the Chief Judge of a State cannot be removed under any guise including the infamous “step aside style” without recourse to the NJC,” Lawal said.

    According to him, NBA is troubled that in going about its actions, Osun Government chose to ignore the lawful order of interim injunction granted by the National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan.

    “The interim injuction restrained the Governor of Osun  from interfering with the office of the Chief Judge of Osun State.

    “All decisions of court must be obeyed and complied with until they are set aside by a superior court of competent jurisdiction,” the NBA spokesman added.

    Lawal, therefore, said that the NBA would not recognise Justice Afolabi as acting Chief Judge of Osun.

    The substantive Chief Judge was removed by Gov. Adeleke over allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, and disregard for rule of law.

  • Abiodun seeks joint Ogun/Osun cultural festival, as Adeleke visits

    Abiodun seeks joint Ogun/Osun cultural festival, as Adeleke visits

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has called for a joint cultural festival between Ogun and Osun as part of measures to revive culture and tourism in the two states.

    Abiodun spoke when he received his Osun counterpart, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Friday night.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Abiodun, Lekan Adeniran, made the information known in a statement in Abeokuta on Saturday.

    Abiodun said that both states share many things in common, hence the need to explore their rich cultural affinity for the benefit of their people.

    The governor noted that such a festival, if planned together would help in deepening the relationship between both states.

    “I am happy that you suggested that we should collaborate in the area of culture and tourism.

    ” We may have an adire festival in your state this year and then come back to Ogun the following year and I am sure this will deepen our culture.

    “As a matter of fact, we are planning a Cultural Festival in collaboration with people from the Caribbean and Brazil and I think this is something we can do together.

    ” We can put together a culture and tourism team to work together so that we have an Ogun/Osun Cultural Revival. This can attract foreign tourists to both states,” Abiodun said.

    Abiodun commended Adeleke for his good work in his state and for being a focused and diligent person, even as he recalled the long-existing relationship between them.

    He noted that being in different political parties does not matter, saying politics is just a platform meant to achieve objectives.

    Abiodun said his administration is in talks with the Federal Ministry of Works about some roads that are of importance to both states.

    ” One of which is a road that allows people to travel to Osun State without passing through Ibadan.

    “The decision to add the road to the list of roads that are of importance to this administration is in continuation of our administration’s plan to make connectivity with border states easy.

    “I also want us to look at other areas that we can cooperate and collaborate for the benefit of our people,” Abiodun said.

    Speaking earlier, Adeleke expressed delight with the cordial relations between indigenes of both states, stressing the need to explore and exploit the cultural affinity for the good of the people.

    He emphasised the need to promote unity at all times, saying the people of both states remain one, hence politics of bitterness should not be used as a means of separation.

    The governor stated that his administration is ready to work with the Ogun government in the area of cultural reawakening and promotion.

  • Communal Clash: Osun Govt Imposes 24-hour curfew on 2 LGAs

    Communal Clash: Osun Govt Imposes 24-hour curfew on 2 LGAs

    The Osun Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Ifon and Ilobu, in Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas of the state respectively over the ongoing communal clash in the area.

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

    According to reports, both communities in the two local government areas have been clashing over a parcel of land.

    Alimi said that the curfew was to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the hitherto two peaceful and law-abiding communities.

    He said that Gov. Ademola Adeleke directed that the 24-hour curfew on the communities should take immediate effect.

    “To maintain a lasting peace and order, pending when the issues at hand will be amicably resolved, Gov. Adeleke, in his executive capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, has ordered the immediate takeover of the disputed lands/areas by his administration.

    “In the same vein, government has ordered that anyone or group of persons found or seen doing one thing or the other on the disputed lands/areas will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    “Therefore, in strict compliance with the 24-hour curfew now imposed, there will be strict restriction of both human and vehicular movements in the affected areas and communities until otherwise directed by the governor,” he said.

    The commissioner also said that officers of the Joint Security Task Force, comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, have been directed to be on a 24-hour surveillance on the communities with a view to ensuring lasting peace.

    “As a government, the present administration has the obligation as conferred on it by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to protect the lives and property of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state.

    “The present administration will not in any way be a party to compromising any action or utterances that will mortgage the peace and order currently holding sway in the state.

    “While commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis, the present administration is still reiterating the need for peace and order to be restored in the two concerned local governments.

    “Maintaining peace and order is our collective responsibility in Osun state,” he added.

    The state government had earlier on Sept. 17 imposed an indefinite dusk-to-dawn curfew on both communities.

    The measure came in the wake of a communal clash between the two communities, resulting in a total breakdown of law and order.

  • Tribunal sacks Osun PDP lawmaker, orders election re-run

    Tribunal sacks Osun PDP lawmaker, orders election re-run

    The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting at Osogbo on Saturday nullified the election of Mr Awoyeye Jeremiah (PDP- Ife Central).

    The nullification followed a petition filed by Mr Adejobi Johnson of the All Progressive Congress (APC) challenging INEC’s declaration of Jeremiah as duly elected on March 18.

    Johnson prayed the court to nullify the election citing failure on the part of INEC to apply the principle of margin of lead in declaring a winner at election

    Having sacked Jeremiah, the tribunal ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in 26 polling units in the constituency.

    In the unanimous judgment of the three-man tribunal, led by Justice .V. Eboreime, it ruled that Johnson proved that INEC did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act (2022).

    Eboreime said the manual for election used to declare Jeremiah as the winner was questionable.

    Speaking after the judgment, INEC’s counsel Mr Vilba Kintai, and Mr Nurudeen Kareem counsel to Jeremiah, said they would appeal against the judgment.

  • APC, PDP in war of words over state executive council meeting in Osun

    APC, PDP in war of words over state executive council meeting in Osun

    The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engaged in a war of words on Monday over the convening of a cabinet meeting.

    The APC argued that the inability of Gov. Ademola Adeleke to hold a state executive council meeting after 54 days of its inauguration was not good for democratic development the state.

    The PDP countered, however, that it took the immediate past Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of the APC almost a year to hold such meeting after the 2018 governorship election.

    Chairman of the APC in Osun, Mr Tajudeen Lawal, stated that the inability of Gov. Adeleke to convey state executive meeting confirmed that he only sought the glamour of office.

    He stressed that the governor had no tangible programme for the development of Osun.

    He added that it was worrisome that the governor had been appropriating funds for the running of the state without holding state executive meetings.

    “Since Gov. Adeleke inaugurated his cabinet with fanfare on July 19, his attempt at a first state executive meeting was cancelled because of some reasons adduced by the governor.

    “Stakeholders in the state should not treat the issue at hand with levity as it is strange for a democratic government to refuse to hold executive meetings for about two months,’’ Lawal stated.

    Malam Olawale Rasheed, media aide to Gov. Adeleke, promptly reacted to Lawal’s statement.

    He stated that the APC should be reminded that former Gov. Oyetola held his maiden state executive council meeting on Nov. 4, 2019, almost a year after the 2018 governorship election.

    He added that the APC did not have any moral justification to accuse the current administration of either not holding or not announcing to the public the meetings of the state executive council.

    “As much as we are not using the abysmal record of the previous government as a yardstick, we must point at the obvious deceit of the badly-split state APC in Osun.

    “Members of the public are assured that their governor and his cabinet are working round-the-clock to expand delivery of democratic dividends and correct the big mess of the recent past,’’ Rasheed stated.

  • Alleged fraud: Osun Govt shuts state-owned poly, as suspended rector resumes

    Alleged fraud: Osun Govt shuts state-owned poly, as suspended rector resumes

    The Osun State Government has directed staff and students of the State Polytechnic in  Iree, to proceed on a two-week break, citing the resumption of the suspended Rector, Dr Tajudeen Odetayo, as the reason for its action.

    Odetayo was suspended in July by the State Government on account of alleged financial recklessness and abuse of office and was subsequently replaced with Mr Kehinde Adeyemi in an Acting capacity, while a committee was constituted to investigate allegations against him

    Announcing the closure in a statement, the state Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, said, “This is to inform the general public, particularly members of staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on two weeks break with immediate effect.

    “The immediate break is a necessary action to maintain peace in the institution following the forceful return of the suspended Rector, Dr Odetayo.

    “The general public should also note that school accounts have been frozen with immediate effect, and it is imperative that everyone cooperates fully and adheres to these directives.”

    It was learnt that his return followed the ruling of the Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which granted an interim order restraining Gov. Ademola Adeleke, and 14 others from appointing a rector for the institution.

    Odetayo was led into the premises of the school by armed operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) was also accompanied to his office by some associates and staff of the polytechnic.

    While addressing those who received him, Odetayo expressed surprise that he was suspended without being queried.

    He said he returned to the school having secured order of court which had restrained the governor from appointing another rector.

    “I was really surprised when my suspension letter came in because, prior to that, I didn’t receive any query or called for any meeting.

    “I am resuming back to office because the court has given an injunction on the matter and there is a stay of execution.

    “I know our governor is a listening person and I want to appreciate him for allowing the rule of law take its course.

    “I am back to continue working towards moving the polytechnic forward.” Odetayo said

    In reaction to the development, the acting rector, Adeyemi, in a statement called for calm, describing Odetayo’s return as “forceful invasion”.

    Adeyemi said,  “Following the forceful invasion of the office of the Osun State Polytechnic Iree’s Rector, by the suspended Rector of the institution, as the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, I appeal to members of the Polytechnic Community to remain calm.

    “I urge you to remain calm and go about your normal duties without any protest.

    “The government has taken steps to ensure that normalcy returns.”

    Meanwhile, the state government has announced the immediate closure of the institution for two weeks.

    The state government suspended Odetayo through a letter dated July 11, citing financial recklessness and abuse of office.

    The  government subsequently appointed Adeyemi as acting rector, while a committee was constituted to investigate allegations against the suspended Rector

  • Osun at 32: We must leave legacy of prosperity for generations to come – Adeleke

    Osun at 32: We must leave legacy of prosperity for generations to come – Adeleke

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has said that the people of the state must remain steadfast in their resolve to leave legacy of prosperity for the next generation.

    Adeleke stated this in his broadcast on the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the state on Sunday in Osogbo.

    The governor said that the creation of the state was the outcome of the struggle of the founding fathers, who worked hard to realise the vision.

    “Today marks a significant milestone in the history of our great state.

    “As we reflect upon the journey, let us acknowledge what shaped our state and chart a course for a brighter and more prosperous future.

    “The struggle started as early as 1950s with a series of commissions of inquiry in the old Oyo State.

    “The doggedness of the founding fathers was rewarded on August 27th, 1991, when General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida created nine states, including Osun State, with Osogbo as the capital.

    “As we embark on this journey, let us remain unwavering in our resolve to leave a legacy of prosperity for generations to come,” he said.

    The governor also said that the creation of the state was a collective determination to achieve self-governance and development.

    Adeleke, who noted that the state in the last three decades had demonstrated its strength in various fields, said his administration had achieved a lot under its five-point agenda.

    The governor said he had given priority to workers’ welfare, gratuities and pension, education, affordable health care, social security and human capital development.

    He said this had yielded a skilled workforce that contributed significantly to the growth of the state and the nation.

    The governor said that the anniversary was a clarion call to people of the state toward sustained economic growth.

    He said the state was focusing on key strategic areas such as strengthening transportation networks, modernising agriculture practices, providing financial incentives, technical assistance and access to markets by small and medium enterprises(SMEs) among others.

    “By working together with determination and unity, we can build an Osun State that thrives economically, socially and culturally,” the governor said.

    Osun State was carved out of the old Oyo State on Aug. 27, 1991, by the then Military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

  • Police to discipline officers caught extorting commuters in Osun

    Police to discipline officers caught extorting commuters in Osun

    The Nigeria Police, Osun Command, on Friday, said police operatives caught extorting money from commuters along the Ile-Ogbo/Iwo Road, had been detained and would be made to face disciplinary action.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Yemisi Opalola, who said this in a statement in Osogbo, confirmed that the affected officers had been arrested over their unprofessional and unethical conduct.

    Opalola, who described their conduct as despicable, added that the command totally frowned and condemned the act of the officers.

    “This is to inform the general public that the Osun State Police Command is aware of the viral video trending on social media showing some policemen extorting commuters along Ile-Ogbo/Iwo axis.

    “The Police officers involved in this unprofessional and unethical behaviour have been identified, arrested and detained.

    “The command frowned and condemned the act in totality as the erring police officers are currently in detention since Thursday, 10 Aug., 2023.

    “They are undergoing investigation and eventual disciplinary procedure of orderly room trial for their unprofessional conduct while the senior officer among them have been queried accordingly.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Kehinde Longe, wishes to appraise the general public, especially the good people of Osun State, on this matter.

    “He said he will never condone any act of indiscipline and unprofessional conduct exhibited by any member of the Nigeria Police under his watch,” the statement indicated.

    Recalled that Osun State House of Assembly Speaker,  Adewale Egbedun, in company of some lawmakers, on Thursday, reprimanded some police officers caught extorting money from commuters on the Iwo/Osogbo Road.

    The speaker’s vehicle was stopped by some residents to complain of the illicit activities of the men of the police force on the axis, forcing the speaker to intervene.

    Three commuters going to Osogbo for the Osun-Osogbo Festival, were reported to have been pulled out from a commercial bus and were each forced to transfer the sum of N25,000 to the account of the police officers.

  • Osun govt. speaks on new salary scale for workers

    Osun govt. speaks on new salary scale for workers

    The Osun government says it is not the author of the purported new salary scale in circulation for workers.

    Malam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Gov. Ademola Adeleke, said this in a statement on Monday in Osogbo.

    According to him, the viral post of the new salary scale is not only false, but also misleading as every content in it did not emanate from the state government.

    Rasheed said the governor had demonstrated committed to the welfare of workers since assumption of office, adding that at the appropriate time,  he would unveil measures to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on civil servants and the larger public.

    “It is therefore advised that civil servants discountenance the purported new salary structure being conveyed in the viral post.

    “It is the work of mischief makers trying to unnecessary arose expectations of workers and trigger disaffection.

    “The civil servants are assured of the commitment of Gov. Adeleke to their welfare in line with the economic reality of the state.

    “Civil servants and the general public should know that Gov. Adeleke’s administration is already working on palliatives measures and will soon be put into effect to support them in this trying period,” he said.