GOODWILL MESSAGE BY THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE OF OSUN, MR. ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA, AT THE LAUNCH OF AMOTEKUN IN IBADAN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

GOODWILL MESSAGE  BY THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE OF OSUN, MR. ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA, AT THE LAUNCH OF AMOTEKUN IN IBADAN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

PROTOCOLS:


I heartily welcome you all to the official launch here in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, of the South West joint security outfit codenamed Amotekun.


This joint security outfit is a further fulfillment of the constitutional responsibility of government as the custodian of the security and welfare of the people.


This constitutional role is a parameter for measuring the degree of responsibility and efficiency of government. The swift and prompt manner we the South West Governors have responded to the security challenges ravaging the region, which are offshoots of the nation’s ongoing security challenges is proof that the security and welfare of the people are of prime importance to us.


In the thick of security challenges which were grossly unknown to the South West before last year, we the Governors of the region brainstormed on the way to safeguard and secure the region. We contacted the leaderships of the military and other security outfits. The leaderships of the security agencies immediately deployed their men to the region and the rate of kidnapping, ritual killing and robbery abated.


This collaboration later gave birth to Amotekun, a joint security outfit of five Services, which we are launching today.


I would like to express deep appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Gabriel Olonisakin; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. GeneralTukur Yusuf Buratai; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi; and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Abdullahi Muhammadu, for their prompt response to the request of the Governors of the South West during the period of security challenges in the Zone and for releasing their officials for this assignment.


I thank them for demonstrating leadership and acute patriotism which are impacting on the people who they swore to serve.


Amotekun is a tacit confirmation of the unity among the military, the Police and the other security agencies. Sectorial collaboration such as this engenders the trust and confidence of the people and gives them the unfettered assurance that they are safe in the hands of the security agencies.


This joint security service is in the interest of the people of the South West and humanity as a whole. It is designed to protect their lives, their property and development and they will forever lay it to heart.


Amotekun is about protecting everything the South West stands for, chief among which are its security, development and the rights of the people and these three elements are intertwined. 


The manner of prosecution of the Amotekun initiative will therefore have implications and impact on the security, development and the rights of the people. We appeal to the officials of Amotekun to adopt best practices in their operations by protecting the people, their property/infrastructure and their dignity with integrity, professionalism and ethical standards.


The six States of the South West are irrevocably committed to the success of Amotekun and will collaborate with the five services to make it a huge success.


The Olajokun Park situated along Ibadan-Ife expressway, Gbongan, has been designated as the operational base for Amotekun and it has been renovated and equipped.


We would like to use this medium to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern for the security of the region.


We urge our people to cooperate with the officials of the security outfit and to provide intelligence for the successful execution of their assignments.


Thank you all and may God continue to bless and secure the South West and The Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Armed Forces Emblem Launch: Be patriotic, embrace peace, Oyetola charges Nigerians

Armed Forces Emblem Launch: Be patriotic, embrace peace, Oyetola charges Nigerians

Your support for us unprecedented- Legion

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has charged Nigerians to be patriotic and eschew anything capable of undermining the peaceful coexistence, national integration and territorial integrity of the country.

He implored the citizens to eschew their differences and embrace the shared values, beliefs that define our corporate existence as a nation.

Governor Oyetola spoke on Tuesday at the official launch of the Year 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Emblem and Appeal Fund, held at Government House, Osogbo.

This is even as the chairman, Osun State Chapter, Nigerian Legion, Comrade Oladimeji Olalere, commended the administration for being supportive to the State chapter of the Nigerian Legion, describing the gesture as unprecedented in the history of the state.

Governor Oyetola  further said that keeping Nigeria as one indissoluble and indivisible  entity remains the only way to appreciate the selfless sacrifices and efforts of the veterans and fallen heroes that fought and sacrificed their lives for the peace, unity and oneness of the country.

Oyetola who urged the citizens to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and nationalism, said the celebration of the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day must reflect the need to strengthen the bond of unity and togetherness among the citizenry.

He maintained that the commemoration must also motivate and prod the citizens to collectively stand against insurgency in the country.

The Governor reiterated his administration's commitment to maintaining the peace, unity and stability of the State of Osun, adding that the state was irrevocably committed to the Armed Forces and Appeal Fund initiative as a way of expressing its avowed commitment to the welfare and well being of the families of the fallen heroes and veterans.

He said the administration has made the welfare of veterans a collective responsibility, saying "we shall not relent in our efforts to remember our veterans and fallen heroes by taking care of their interests and rallying support for them from time to time as our appreciation for their sacrifice".

Oyetola added: "This historic event is in appreciation of the efforts of our gallant soldiers who sacrificed their lives, comfort, family and freedom so that we can enjoy our own lives, families and peace.

”They are distinguished patriots who fought for national and international ideals to keep humanity together and for whom service in the interest of the nation and the world is enough gratification.

"We believe as a government that maintaining the peace that our veterans fought and died for and taking care of their welfare and those of their loved ones are the minimum we can do to reciprocate their patriotism and supreme sacrifices of our fallen heroes.

"On behalf of the Government and people of the state of Osun, I deeply appreciate the Federal Government for coming up with this Armed Forces Emblem and Appeal Fund initiative and for working relentlessly to deliver peace to the nation.

"The State of Osun is irrevocably committed to the Armed Forces Emblem and Appeal Fund initiative. As a way of expressing our avowed commitment, we have always donated generously to the Appeal Fund. We did it last year; we will do it again today.

"Our Administration has made the welfare of veterans a collective responsibility. We will never falter in that regard.

"I, therefore, appeal to all the corporate organisations in the state and all well-meaning Osun indigenes and residents to contribute generously to today's launch of Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund.

"We believe that the quality of our appreciation of their sacrifice and our commitment to their welfare define the value we attach to our national ideals and integration and that today's launch will serve as an encouragement for our gallant soldiers who are presently fighting to wipe out insurgency from the country.

"A state which values peace should be at the forefront of the commemoration and appreciation of those who fought wars and laid their lives to achieve it. As the most peaceful state in the country, we are committed to demonstrating our appreciation to the selflessness of our fallen heroes and veterans," the governor added.

Earlier, the Chairman, Osun State Chapter, Nigerian Legion, Comrade Oladimeji Olalere, commended the administration of Governor Oyetola for being supportive to the State chapter of the Nigerian Legion, describing the gesture as unprecedented.

He also lauded the governor for the adminstration's commitment to good governance just as he maintained that Oyetola ”is running a government that respects the will of the people”, adding that any government that does that would be more prosperous, more stable and more successful.

"This administration under the able leadership of Governor Oyetola generally started well and it is our prayer that it would continue to be successful in its endeavours as he is running a government that respects the will of the people.


"The donation made by the state government during 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, the first since I became chairman in 2017, came at the right time," Comrade Olalere added.

Osun Govt approves permanent site for NSCDC headquarters to improve security.

Osun Govt approves permanent site for NSCDC headquarters to improve security.

Governor State of Osun Mr Gboyega Oyetola says the approval of the permanent site to build the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, Osun State command depicts his commitment to security provisions for the citizens and enhancing commercial activities.

He stated this while playing host to the headship of the NSCDC led by the state commandant Mr Adeyinka Oguntuase at the government house Osogbo.

According to the Governor, it gladdens his heart that the NSCDC deemed it fit to build its headquarters in the state in a bid to further curb crimes.

The Governor who spoke through his Deputy Mr. Benedict Alabi said that the provision of adequate security is a collective responsibility saying his administration gave the approval having considered its commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for people of the state to continue to live in a peaceful atmosphere.

He assured the State NSCDC command that government would review its request for issuance of certificate of Occupancy and building of perimeter fence around the permanent site.

Governor Oyetola stated that the comfort and successful operation of the security agencies in the state are Paramount to his administration.

"Security is number one in creating an enabling environment for business to thrive.

" What we are doing  for you is part of our responsibility to ensure that there is adequate security for our people.

" This is an investment and the show of commitment to support your Command," The Governor stated.

The state commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp Mr Oguntuase Adeyinka while appreciating the government for the gesture lauded the state government for extending the hands of fellowship to the NSCDC command.

He stated that the initiative to have a permanent site for the Headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp was conceived in the year 2016.

He pledged the continued commitment of the NSCDC to the security of lives and property of the residents and people of Osun.

Gov Oyetola lauds workers for prayers, support

Gov Oyetola lauds workers for prayers,  support

.As Head of Service  says Govt paid December salary without Federal allocation

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has lauded the workers and the people of the State for supporting the administration with consistent  prayers, which he said was instrumental to the unprecedented milestones his Administration recorded since it came into power over a year ago.

This is even as the Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade, commended the administration for keeping to its promise to always  put smiles on the faces of workers by paying the December salaries without the month's Federal Allocation.

The duo spoke on Thursday  during the inter-religious prayer  session  organised by workers to herald Year 2020.

Speaking further,  Governor Oyetola  said, "Your collective and individual prayers and support were the groundwork for the victories and milestones we recorded last year. I recognise and appreciate the impact of your prayers and support on our victory at the court and on our efforts to commence the delivery of our Development Agenda in all the sectors.

"It is on this basis that I appreciate you all for standing firm and true in the interest of your State and your people. Workers are the engine room of government and the link between the government and the people. You are our right arm in the delivery of our services to the people. You were there for us last year when we laid the foundation for appreciable services for the people.

"I must say that I am blessed to have workers who willingly and conscientiously give me the three things that define the success of an administration: service, prayers and support," Oyetola stated.

He urged the workers not to give up on their prayers for the government, assuring that the administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and that of the entire citizens of the State.

Oyetola also thanked all the Christian and Islamic religious leaders present on the occasion and urged them to pray for sustainable success of the current administration, saying "Putting God first every year and coming together as His people in love, unity and peace are no doubt the secret behind our achievements and distinction and, indeed, our ranking as an award-winning State."

The Governor enumerated part of the achievements of the administration to include economic transformation of the State through the convocation of the Osun Economic and Investment Summit and the establishment of the Osun Investment promotion Agency, saying  that there would be improved services across all sectors "by the time these two initiatives start to bear dividends this year".

He said a government-labour committee to work out modalities for the implementation of the minimum wage for all workers had already been inaugurated.

The Governor said all hands must be on deck to double the State's IGR, emphasising that "It is very important to collectively drive the IGR because it is the only source for payment of the minimum wage."

The Head of Service, The State of Osun, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade, commended the Oyetola Administration for keeping to its promise to always  put smiles on the faces of workers.

He said that the December salaries of workers in the State were paid without the federal allocation for that month from the Federation Account,  noting that the gesture was a further confirmation of the Governor's commitment to the welfare of workers in the State.

He assured the government of the  continued support and cooperation of the workforce in the State just as he prayed that God should grant the State more resources to enable the administration complete the good works it was doing. 

The occasion was graced by top government functionaries, including Permanent Secretaries, other workers, Christian and Islamic religious leaders and royal fathers in the State.

Minimum Wage: 'We're willing to pay'- Oyetola

Minimum Wage: 'We're willing to pay'- Oyetola

Osun state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has assured workers in the state of  government's readiness to pay the new National Minimum Wage of N30,000 approved by the federal government. He said the state will double down on the drive to increase its internally generated revenue so the new wage regime can become reality.

Oyetola said the administration would  continue to ensure  improved welfare packages for the workers in the state.

He said the administration was also poised to prioritise things capable of turning around the lives of the citizens particularly government employees.

Oyetola added that the the state was committed to sustain the full salary payment across all  categories of the workforce in the state.

Governor Oyetola disclosed all these on Tuesday in his office, while inaugurating a 24- member Committee on the new National Minimum Wage.

Oyetola who described taxation as a 'driven force to sustainable economy', called on the citizens to pay their taxes regularly and join hands with government in raising the revenue base.

He pledged his administration's resolve to improve on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as panacea to meet the statutory obligations to the people.

While commending the civil servants in the state for their high sense of understanding, diligence and perseverance, the governor reiterated the administration's resolve to maintain the existing cordiality.

Earlier in his remarks, the Head of Sendrvice, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade, commended the governor for sustaining the payment of full salaries since inception.

Also, Chairman,  Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Bayo Adejumo who led the team of labour leaders in Osun described Mr Oyetola as a listening and labour- friendly governor who is always available for negotiation with the labour leadership.

He assured the governor of peaceful negotiation.