Leadership crisis among Okada operators in Osun laid to rest as Oyetola intervenes

Leadership crisis among Okada operators in Osun laid to rest as Oyetola intervenes.

The leadership crisis  among the commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada riders in Osun has finally been put to rest as Governor Gboyega Oyetola intervened in the matter.

This was as a result of a serious concerns shown to the crisis by Governor Oyetola which informed a dialogue between the government and the leadership of Okada operators.

Part of the final resolutions at the end of a peace meeting held on Monday with leaders and Representatives of all the six factional groups of Okada operators was harmonisation of all the group to form a single union under an umbrella to be called Osun State Commercial Motorcycle Riders and Owners Union in Nigeria (OSCMOROUN).

This was unanimously agreed upon by all the six factional groups namely, Amagameted Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (ACCOMORAN), Motorcycle Transport Association of Nigeria (MTUN)  All Nigerian Auto-Bike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA), Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators Association of Nigeria (MOTOAN), Hola Union of Public Transporter (HOLA) and Nigerian Okada Express.

On the side of government at the peace meeting on Monday which lasted over four hours  was Governor Gboyega Oyetola represented by his deputy Mr Benedict Alabi who presided over the dialogue alongside the secretary to the state government Prince wole Oyebamiji, the Chief of staff to the Governor Dr Charles Akinola, the head of Service Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade and the Executive Secretary Office of Transport Engineer Eluwole.

While on the side of the security agencies were the State Commissioner of Police Mrs Abiodun Ige and Director of Department of State Security Service Mr Ibrahim Aliu.

It would be recalled that the leadership tussle was the major cause of disturbances and obstruction of free flow of traffic recorded in Osogbo the state capital over a week ago as a result of protest embarked upon by a section of commercial motorcycle operators which the government described as unfortunate.

A peace meeting was called immediate on last Wednesday  by Governor Gboyega Oyetola to amicably resolve the matter in the interest of peace as part of commitment of his administration to guarantee peace at all time and the peace meeting could not be concluded until Monday.

It was at the peace parley that all the leaders and Representatives of Okada operators in the state unanimously endorsed the nomination of one Mr Ismaila Tiamiyu from ACCOMORAN as  Chairman with chairmen of all other five factional groups as Vice Chairmen to oversee the harmonised union OSCMOROUN.

However, the new leadership has been given up till next Monday to come up with nomination of other executive members among the leaders of the various factional groups.

Addressing the union after the resolution, Governor Gboyega Oyetola represented by his deputy Mr Benedict Alabi said the outcome of the dialogue shows that every challenge can be overcome with love, unity, cooperation and understanding.

He commended the headships of Okada operators in the state for the show of love and understanding and for the display of Omoluabi ethos in the process of the dialogue.

Mr Oyetola reiterated that the commitment of his administration is to ensure that there is peace and progress in the state at all time.

Speaking with newsmen at the end of the peace meeting, the Chairman of the harmonised union OSCMOROUN  Mr. Ismaila Tiamiyu thanked Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the heads of security agencies for the intervention saying the resolution has finally brought an end to the leadership crisis in Okada operations in Osun.

He assured the state government of continued support and cooperation by Okada operators towards moving the state to the next level.

Aregbesola advocates for birth control to reduce poverty

Aregbesola advocates for birth control to reduce poverty

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The immediate past governor of the state and celebrant Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has strongly made a case for the nation to cut down on its population.

Speaking at the birthday colloquium organised by Friends of Rauf in Osogbo, Ogbeni Aregbesola hinted that Nigerians need to realise that the nation is poor and they should reduce population and live prosperously.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to mobilize themselves to work and stop thinking that the country is still rich.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola reminded the FG that the nation still needs proper identity management system to be able to harness and rally resources that are dwindling.

He thanked Governor Gboyega Oyetola and his wife Mrs Kafayat Oyetola for being faithful to the continuity agenda.

The immediate past governor paid tributes to his mentors Chief Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for mentoring him, clarifying that both constructive criticism and the pull-him-down-syndrome had made him what he is.

Lagos Dep.Gov elect and APC leaders express confidence in Oyetola as his predecessor Aregbesola clocks 62

Lagos Dep.Gov elect and APC leaders express confidence in Oyetola as his predecessor Aregbesola clocks 62

The deputy governor elect of Lagos state Dr Femi Hamzat has expressed confidence that Governor Gboyega Oyetola will sustain the achievements of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and even surpass it.

Dr. Hamzat made the assertion on Saturday in Osogbo at the 4th annual birthday colloquium in honour of the 62nd birthday of Rauf Aregbesola.

The Lagos state deputy governor-elect informed that efforts of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola have given Osun the 2nd highest development index, made Osun the second largest economy in Nigeria,the second largest school attendance state and of course the third poverty reduced rate in the country, according to a World Bank report.

Dr Hamzat stressed that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has transformed Osun thus making agriculture attractive.

He lauded the National leader of the APC Senator Bola Tinubu and the pioneer interim National Chairman of the party Chief Bisi Akande for mentoring, nurturing and supporting Aregbesola for the State.

In his submission, the second speaker Professor Alao of OAU Ile-Ife observed that sustainable development is only guaranteed when progressive ideas are formulated by progressive minded people, executed by another progressive and maintained by another group of progressive minded individuals.

He attributed the vast and fast development Lagos is witnessing to continuity in government of the progressives.

Professor Alao described Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the architect of modern Osun, thanking Ogbeni for bequeathing Governor Gboyega Oyetola for the state.

Chairman of the occasion and former vice chairman of APC in the Southwest Chief Pius Akinyelure described Aregbesola's policies as laying the foundation for modern Osun.

Chief Akinyelure pointed to the recent success of a public student in Osun in the unified tertiary matriculation examination as one of the fruits of Aregbesola's administration.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola and his Deputy Mr Benedict Alabi also used the occasion to showered praises and encomiums on the birthday day celebrant Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and equally thanked him for what God has used him to do for the state in terms of development and transformation he has brought and for giving the state continuity of good governance with leadership position entrust in them.

Present at the event were the wife of the Governor Mrs Kafayat Oyetola  two former deputies Governor of the state Chief Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin and Otunba Grace Titi Laoye Tomori, members of the state House of assembly, senators and House of representatives members elect.

Others were the Secretary to the state government Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the Chief of staff to the governor Dr Charles Akinola, the deputy chief of staff  Hon Abdullah Binuyo, APC stalwarts led by Price Gboyega Famodun, the Ooni of Ife, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland and the Ataoja of Osogbo  were among an array of monarchs present as well as members of the state steering committee and service chiefs.

Senator Bola Tinubu who is in Saudi Arabia was represented by Alhaji Mutiu Aare.

62TH BIRTHDAY: AREGBESOLA IS A TRUE DESCENDANT OF ODUDUWA~ Benedict Alabi

62TH BIRTHDAY: AREGBESOLA IS  A TRUE DESCENDANT OF ODUDUWA~ Benedict Alabi

The Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mr Benedict Alabi has described former Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as a great descendant  of Oduduwa, who dedicated his life to emancipation of the oppressed.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sunkanmi Ajiboye said, analyzing Aregbesola’s involvements in several struggles, right from his days as student, his being steadfast in the struggles for human emancipation revealed that he’s highly committed to making life easy for humanity.

The Deputy Governor subsequently concluded that the former governor has been “an Omoluabi per excellence, an exceptionally​ virtuous personality characterized by exemplary leadership that has colossally​ become a blessing to mankind especially in our dear State of Osun and Nigeria in general.”

The statement reads: “In his​ school days, he stood firmly with the students against all oppressions​ as a student union activist. As a worker and employee, he stood solidly behind the Nigerian workers as an activist.

“As a lover of the masses he, through the civil society, partook in various struggles for the socio–economic emancipation of the​ people.

“When democracy was in bondage, he was one of the pro-democracy activists across the nation.

“As a Commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Works & Infrastructures in Lagos between 1999 and 2007, the achievements of his “smart” ministry was highly acknowledged by the then administration of our political leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” The Deputy Governor said

On his achievements as governor, the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun said during his reigns in government, Governor Aregbesola broke barriers unimaginably. The state has not only witnessed massive road constructions​ both in urban and rural areas, but has also turned Osun to ‘flyovers state’ with newly constructed flyover bridges.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s swift response to security challenges, according to the Deputy Governor, has not gone unnoticed and commendable for providing Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) permanently stationed in all local government areas of the state as part of measures to ensure security.

The structures and facilities of the schools built across the State by his administration can strongly rival the facilities of any world standard school and even some higher institutions.

“As a great descendant of Oduduwa, he has always loved, respected​ and promoted Yoruba’ culture and traditions with an incorruptible conscience.

“The spirit of Oranmiyanism that drives his political movement, leadership sagacity and public administration acumen has truly been instrumental to his success, for Oranmiyan was a great leader while on earth,” the Deputy Governor concluded.

Issues at the Osun Government’s security sensitization meeting with stakeholders in Ife/Ijesa zone on May 21

Issues at the Osun Government’s security sensitization meeting with stakeholders in Ife/Ijesa zone on May 21

By ADENIYI ADESINA

The security sensitization meeting with stakeholders in Ife/Ijesa zone on May 21 was a follow-up to the state-wide parley held on April 18 in Osogbo, the state capital.

It was meant to rouse the communities from slumber to vigilance.

The objectives of the meeting were clear: to sensitise the people on the rising crime rate in the mining communities and to check criminals operating under the cloak of miners.

It was also to get traditional rulers, community leaders and others to sit together to share experiences and make suggestions on the way forward.

The government also recognizes the huge environmental challenge arising from increased mining activities. That is a matter planned for another day to be anchored by environmental experts.

The engagement on mining is ongoing and continuous to tackle the myriad of issues in that sector. It is not a one-off affair.

What transpired at the Ilesa meeting reflected the objectives set for it.

It is not for anybody or a group of persons to set objectives for a meeting they did not call and then begin to pontificate on what ought to be its outcome.

The government is discussing with well-meaning development partners to boost economic development and therefore has to streamline the activities of artisanal miners for the benefit of the people, the environment, the communities and the government, in a win-win situation.

The open meeting was not meant to discuss security strategies and how to combat kidnapping. Such a meeting takes place in camera. The government and top security chiefs are regularly taking crucial decisions.

The outcome of such meetings is not meant for public consumption and the many serious security threats daily nipped in the bud are never exposed to the public.

The recent upsurge in criminality is a national phenomenon. Osun is part of Nigeria and cannot be immune from it. That is why there is a rise in insecurity within its territory, yet the state retains its status as the safest in the country.

The security architecture which has kept the state as a safe haven remains in active mode. This is not to be debated in public.

At the meeting in Ilesa, a former Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Mudashiru Togun, who is a consultant to the government, spoke on the infiltration by criminal elements into the State of Osun from neighbouring states.

He should know this because he has been handling the delicate issue of herdsmen and farmers in the state, and recording appreciable success, to the extent that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has recommended the Osun template to states reeling under the herdsmen/ farmers battle with its untoward outcome.

Mr. Togun explained that plans had been finalized to engage with governments and communities in all the states that border Osun – Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara - to prevent the influx of criminals.

At the meeting, landlords were educated on the need to be careful in renting out their property without doing background check on tenants. They were warned of the likelihood of vicarious liability.

To prevent criminals from infiltrating into the state, inward-bound miners are now mandated to register and their biometrics obtained by agents of the government of the state.

Two of the frontline traditional rulers in Yorubaland –The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, attended and participated fully in the open meeting.

The traditional rulers made the point that they should be empowered by the government to oversee security in their communities and work with the police.

They maintain this claim because they truly are the closest to the people and in the position to know, even before security agents, when strangers enter into their midst.

The Adegboyega Oyetola Government is definitely living up to its responsibilities. It remains focused, undeterred and aiming at the goal of caring for the people by serving them.

*Adesina is Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola

People's welfare is the center of our activities. Says Oyetola.

People's welfare is the center of our activities. Says Oyetola.

Governor, State of Osun Mr Gboyega Oyetola has said he is fully determined to ensure that people centered policies remain the core objective of his Government.

Governor Oyetola stated this on Thursday while receiving in audience the leadership of the African Church in Nigeria led by the Church Primate elect, his eminence most Reverend Julius Abbe.

On ground to receive the visiting leadership of the African Church alongside the Governor who was represented by his deputy Mr Benedict Alabi were the Secretary to the state government Prince Wole Oyebamiji and the Chief of Staff to the Governor Dr Charles Niji Akinola.

Addressing the visitors through his deputy, Governor Gboyega Oyetola  acknowledged the spiritual role of the Church in the survival of the society.

Mr Oyetola who attributed his victory in the last election to the grace of God maintained  that the welfare of people would continue to be the focal point of his administration saying that is the purpose of governance.

He used the forum to highlight the policy objectives of his Government especially in the areas of health, security, education and agriculture among others saying government is conscious of the need to diversify the economy and engage the youths meaningfully.

Mr Oyetola who responded to a remark on the security maintained that Osun has continued to be adjudged the safest state in the country.

He assured that government is proactive in taking measures to sustain peace in the state.

The Primate elect of the African Church of Nigeria his eminence Most Reverend Julius Abbe had earlier in his remarks acknowledged the giant strides of Governor Gboyega Oyetola within the last six months of his assumption of office in all sectors especially on workers salaries, people's welfare, health and security.

The African Church Primate elect who was accompanied by Diocesan Bishops of the Church across the state appreciated God for what he has been doing for the state through the APC led Government.

He assured that the Church of God would continue to support  Governor Oyetola's administration through prayers.