OSUN GOVERNMENT, SMART CITY PLC IN PARTNERSHIP TO FOSTER INVESTMENT, CITIZENS’ IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE
The Osun State Government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke and Smart City Plc have, on 28th May 2025, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) primarily to foster innovation, economic development and improved quality of life for the people.
This is in consonance with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s industrialization drive, such as investment in Infrastructure, Technology Ecosystem, Health, Education, Agriculture and Commerce & Industry, bringing economic stability and development for all the citizens.
Smart City Plc, established in 2017 and headquartered in Ikoyi Lagos, is a Nigerian Investment and Infrastructure Company, specializing in Real Estate development, Smart Urban Planning and emerging technologies.
The execution is a Public Private Partnership (PPP)-driven model with policy backing from the Osun State government and private sector, led by Smart City Plc.
Signing the MOU, on behalf of the State government, the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo expressed satisfaction that such a lofty dream comes to fruition. He appreciated all government agencies who joined hands to materialize the project.
The Chairman, Board of Directors, Smart City Plc, Sir Demola Aladekomo who personally signed on behalf of the Smart City Plc asserted that the time is ripe to turn the lofty idea to reality.
Meanwhile, the project in a structured environment, located at the Living Spring Free Trade Zone will create an affordable housing scheme for salary earners and over 100,000 direct employment opportunities for job-seekers.
Apart from revenue generation, the arrangement will also put Osun State on a global map, which will further facilitate World Foreign Direct Investment into the State.
Recall that this is one out of many investors, who have approached the State Government for investment opportunities during 2024 industrial investment summit in the State.
Signed: Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Osun State. 2nd June, 2025.
GOVERNOR ADELEKE’S ACHIEVEMENTS ARE IMPACTFUL, VERIFIABLE – REV. BUNMI JENYO
The giant strides and countless achievements of the Executive Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke in health, education, agriculture, commerce, infrastructure and others are verifiable and directly impactful on the citizens.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo made the clarification in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Friday, after featuring on programmes of some broadcast stations in Lagos State.
The Commissioner, while explaining the schedule of the Imole Free Train Service for the forthcoming Eid-El Kabir (Ileya) celebrations, disclosed that all the programmes, policies and giant strides of Governor Adeleke are designed to ease the affairs of the masses.
According to the Commissioner, the Imole Free Train ride which is to convey passengers to Osogbo, will depart Iddo Terminus, Lagos on Thursday 5th June at exactly 10:00am prompt with stop-overs at Agege, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Ibadan in Oyo State.
The Commissioner who enjoined holidaymakers to use the opportunity, maintained that the feedback from previous services has shown that the gesture is getting a desired result as it is designed by the current administration to make life easier for the citizens, both within and outside Osun State.
“It is also an opportunity to visit the State, so that they can feel, see and touch the tangible achievements and giant strides of Mr. Governor as against the lies, propaganda and deceptive distraction that are obtainable on the Social Media handles”, Rev. Jenyo said.
“His Excellency is leaving no stone unturned in fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of Osun State. He is also prepared to do so much more in putting smiles on the cheeks of everyone in every nook and cranny of Osun State” the Commissioner said.
The return trip of the Imole Free Train ride, from the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo is on Tuesday, 10th June 2025 at 10:am prompt.
Signed: Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Osun State. 30th May, 2025.
Parents under the aegis of the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has condemned the poor conduct of the English Language examination in the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
To this end, the parents called on WAEC to cancel the examination conducted on Wednesday following the poor outing of WAEC and subsequently reschedule the examination at a proper time and date which will be devoid of the anomalies witnessed when the examination was held on Wednesday.
The National Publicity Secretary of NAPTAN, Dr Ademola Ekundayo in a statement made available to newsmen on the poor conduct of the exam, bemoaned the organizers of the examination and lamented the hardship the students went through, adding that parents were also put in serious turmoil as the whereabout of their children and ward could not be ascertained on time.
The examination which was scheduled for 4.00pm according to the time table released by WAEC did not start in all the examination centres across many states of the country until 8.00pm making it difficult for the candidates sitting for the exams to see clearly.
In many of the examination centres, telephones were used as the source of illumination, just as many candidates that sat for the examination were in darkness all through the period of the examination.
Dr Ekundayo who condemned WAEC, called for outright cancellation of the English Language examination held on Wednesday, as according to him no reasonable results can come out of the examination.
He also called on the examination body to apologize to the candidates who sat for the examination, lamenting that many of the candidates were subjected to hazards in the process of writing the exam, just as the parents were put into serious anxiety regarding the safety of their children and wards.
“This terrible situation is unexpected and it is not acceptable by the parents. The National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria condemn this in strong term and call for immediate cancellation of the charade refered to as examination. This was not an examination but a mere jamboree and we, as parents will not accept that,” he stated.
He called on the Federal Ministry of Education to intervene in the matter, threatening that parents all over the country will troop to the streets to demand for justice on behalf of the students who sat for the exam if justice is not done.
ADDING VALUES TO NIGERIA’S RAW MATERIALS IS BEDROCK OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – REV. BUNMI JENYO
The Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Osun State, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo has admonished all and sundry to join hands in adding values to raw materials in Nigeria and Africa, to maximize profits and sustainable economic development.
The Commissioner disclosed this at the Africa Raw Materials Summit 2025, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Federal Capital Territory, between 20th to 22nd May, 2025.
The Africa Raw Materials Summit is a dynamic gathering designed to unite researchers, industrial leaders, policymakers, investors and key stakeholders across the continent of Africa. It also aimed at sparking innovative ideas, foster valuable partnership and explore strategies for transforming Africa’s Raw Materials into key drivers of industrial growth and sustainable economic development.
The Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction about tonnes of Cocoa beans that are exported annually out of Nigeria, and returned at exorbitant rates after values are added, which could be transformed to Cocoa Chocolate, if value is added to it in Nigeria.
The Commissioner also asserted that irrigation is key for all-season production of raw materials, to further broaden the industrialization tendencies.
He cited the Israel Irrigation System which enabled the country to produce fruits and vegetables for World consumption at all seasons. “Today, Israel ceaselessly supplies the whole world’s fruits and vegetables in all seasons”, the Commissioner said.
In his welcome address, the Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, said the Summit is a “Clarion call to shape our fate with our own hands”.
According to him, “value addition is our liberation. It is the bridge between resource abundance and people-centred wealth. It is the lever through which we will, build globally competitive African brands rooted in our soil and sweat”.
“It will also deepen regional value chains and ignite intra-African trade in intermediate and finished goods. Most crucially, it will keep the wealth of Africa within Africa, for Africans, now and for generations unborn”, he said.
“At RMRDC, we are not waiting for miracles. We are building Models. Our Data-Driven Raw Materials Information System (DARMIS), the first in Nigeria, is a digital transformation engine”.
“To all Africans, we say: this is a replicable revolution.Adopt it. Adapt it. Advance it. Let us build a raw materials data-smart, production-driven and proudly self-reliant continent”, he said.
YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB – GBAJABIAMILA LAUDS GOV. ADELEKE
●AS GOVERNOR ADELEKE APPRECIATES PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR NELFUND
OSOGBO- 20/05/2025 – Osunstate.gov.ng
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has commended Governor Ademola Adeleke and his team members for doing a phenomenal job.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives gave this commendation while speaking at the Government House in Osogbo before he delivered the first annual lecture of the Osun State University.
He said the Governor has prioritized governance over politics in his dealings with the Federal Government.
“I must say that you and members of your team are doing a phenomenal job in the state and on the national pedestal” Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila stated.
He said the state has pushed forward some of her finest members to the National Assembly, noting that the good job being done by Hon. Bamidele Salam as the chairman of the House Committee on Public Account has enabled the APC Federal Government to plug some holes that serves as conduit pipes for corruption.
While noting that he was in Osun State to deliver a Lecture on funding for education at the maiden edition of UNIOSUN Annual Lecture, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila appreciated the Governor for a warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
While stressing the need for the Federal Government and Osun State to work together for good governance, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila said “it is important that the two work together for the betterment of the good people that we represent”.
“Most people do not know that the Governor and I are together. I’ve known him for quite a long time. When he sees good things, he acknowledges it.
“It is difficult for some people to separate governance from politics. This administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to transforming Nigeria”.
Welcoming the Chief of Staff to Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke said he was happy to receive the ex-Speaker in the State, describing him as brother and partner in progress who is doing wonderful jobs in ensuring the success of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Senator Adeleke commended President Bola Tinubu for steering the affairs of Nigeria back to the path of greatness in the committee of nations.
“With him in the presidential villa as the Chief of Staff, a lot of things have changed for the better,” Governor Adeleke said, adding that “Hon. Gbajabiamila has been working on how to make things better for Nigeria and Nigerians since the days of former president Muhammadu Buhari and he is not stopping even now”, the Governor said
Governor Adeleke described the introduction of student loan funds (NELFUND) as a mean to ensure that Nigerians have unbroken access to quality tertiary education.
He said the Osun State Government is working in synergy to complement the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu by vigorously pursuing his 5 point agenda which has continued to put the state on a sound footing for economic prosperity.
“We must continue to rally support for our President as he strives daily to right the wrongs of the past that had caused hunger and poverty for the country’, Governor Adeleke said
He assured the Chief of Staff to the President that the government and people of Osun State are solidly behind the president, praying that “God will grant him success”.
While calling on Governors in the Southwest to keep supporting the laudable initiative of the administration of President Tinubu, Governor Adeleke stressed the need for the Yoruba race to key-in into the NELFUND and ensure that students from the zone maximize the opportunity accruable from the policy.
Signed: Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Spokesperson to the State Governor
ADIGUN AT 60: CELEBRATING AN EXCELLENT CIVIL SERVANT IN RETIREMENT
A heartwarming celebration to a responsible, responsive and dependable team player, Mr. Tajudeen Oluseyi Adigun on this auspicious occasion of his 60th birthday anniversary.
Your unflinching support, loyalty, efficiency and integrity are a few of the key factors that distinguish you, as a man of reckoning, a reference point for excellence and a reliable hand for achieving success and greatness.
Your birthday today, which coincides with your last day at the Osun State Civil Service, is a pointer to the celebration of a workaholic, a man with great wisdom and native intelligence, a solution provider and a God-fearing family man.
As the Most Senior Civil Servant in the Department of Industry, who rose to the position of the acting Permanent Secretary, your impeccable character and pursuit for excellence is not unnoticed and your rewards are unquantifiable.
I celebrate today, as always, the faithfulness of GOD in your life and destiny. I pray that you go from strength to strength, as you continue the journey of life in continued blessings of the Almighty GOD.
I wish you renewed health, energy and ceaseless favour in happiness and fulfilment in all ramifications, AMEN.
Once again, congratulations Mr. Adigun!
Signed: Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Osun State. 19th May, 2025.
The Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Osun State, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo has felicitated with the man of the moment, Chief Dele Momodu on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner, which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Friday.
Aare Dele Momodu whose relationship with the Honourable Commissioner spanned from the days of MKO Abiola-For-President and NADECO struggle was described as a man of vision whose resilience, dedication and inspiring pursuit for excellence cannot be underestimated.
The two jolly good fellows were friends in the United Kingdom (UK) where the Commissioner was a figure in the UK Ovation Magazine set-up and promoter, back in the days.
Rev. Jenyo as the Former South West PDP Zonal Secretary, was Chief Momodu’s main man during his 2023 PDP Presidency ambition who organized an enabling environment at the National Secretariat, Wadatta Plaza, Abuja to get recognition by the then leadership of the PDP.
A personal friend to the Osun State Governor, Chief Momodu, popularly known as “Bob Dee” is an amazing, inspiring and pleasant personality that anyone can be happy to be with.
According to the Commissioner, “he was part of my successful UK project for African Businesses and event tagged “Africa Business Partners Dinner’ supported by one of the biggest Banks in UK, NATWEST Bank and Western Union Money Transfer Company in the 1990s”.
“I pray that he continues to enjoy the favour of the Almighty GOD for more positive impact and greater attainment in life, AMEN. Congratulations my darling friend and brother!!!
Signed: Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Osun State. 16th May, 2025.
BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO A TRANSFORMATIVE LEADER AND RESTORER OF HOPE: HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR ADEMOLA JACKSON NURUDEEN ADELEKE
On this joyous occasion of your 65th birthday, I, Hon. Felix Olatunji, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, join millions of well-meaning Nigerians to heartily congratulate you—His Excellency, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
Your Excellency, your leadership has rekindled hope, restored dignity, and inspired pride in the hearts of Osun’s people. You are not merely a political leader but a true emblem of service, humility, and compassion. Your unwavering commitment to people-oriented governance and grassroots development has redefined leadership in Osun State and beyond.
Under your visionary guidance, Osun has experienced unprecedented progress across all sectors—education, infrastructure, healthcare, civil service reforms, and digital innovation. You have transformed promises into tangible achievements, silencing cynics and rekindling the faith of the people.
We remember the days of despair before your emergence. When hope seemed lost, God raised you as a vessel of restoration. You delivered Osun from the grip of political stagnation and ushered in a new era of transparency, equity, and inclusive development. Today, your name resonates with honour, not just in Osun, but across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
As you celebrate another year of purposeful life, I pray for your continued strength, wisdom, and divine guidance. Osun celebrates you today, tomorrow, and always.
Happy Birthday to the People’s Governor, the Dancing Leader, and the Restorer of Hope.
Signed: Hon. Felix Olatunji Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment
BIRTHDAY: REV. BUNMI JENYO CELEBRATES GOVERNOR ADELEKE, POURS ENCOMIUM ON ASIWAJU OF EDELAND
The Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo has celebrated the Executive Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.
In an outpouring of encomium and goodwill message, personally signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Tuesday, Rev. Jenyo described the Asiwaju of Edeland as “a destiny child”.
According to the Commissioner, the performing Governor is a boss like no other, a true friend and a brother with a heart of gold, whose generosity per excellence cannot be underestimated.
The Commissioner particularly saluted the Governor’s resilience, passion and unquenchable commitment towards the peace, progress and development of Osun State and her citizens.
Pointing to being GOD’s special creature, Rev. Jenyo described the Asiwaju of Edeland as an unstoppable achiever, who continues to triumph over adversities, challenges and uncertainties, from birth till date.
“A man with a unique grace, GOD’s favour and unmatchable strength for exploits, our amiable Governor has, within the past few years, been able to transform countless lives from suffering and obscurity to enduring limelight for hope, greatness and prosperity”, the Commissioner enthused.
“A visionary, passionate, dogged, focussed and committed liberator with divine direction, Governor Adeleke was raised by the Almighty GOD to salvage his generation from the sinking ship of clueless leaders, whose interest was to cart away masses resources for personal aggrandizement”.
“Your Excellency, blessed is indeed your birthday for all who are discerning enough to know and use the marvelous light of the Most High in your life and destiny, towards achieving lives’ goals, visions and dreams”, the Commissioner said.
“Happy birthday to a listening, passionate and excellent performer, the Asiwaju of Edeland, on this day as always, GOD will continue to empower you to do more for your people”. I celebrate you Your Excellency, Congratulations Sir”.
Signed: Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Osun State. 13th May, 2025.
SOUTH WEST PHILANTHROPY SUMMIT ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS, PARTICIPANTS TO TRANSFORM NIGERIA’S ECONOMY
The first South West Philanthropy Summit, held on Friday at Lagos Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, has sought to gainfully engage relevant stakeholders, to transform Nigeria’s economy, especially in the area of job creation.
In an address by Mrs. Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke of the Nigeria office for Philanthropy and Impact Investing (NPO), it was revealed that that strategic Philanthropy will be a $1Trillion sector by 2030.
The Nigeria Office for NPO was inaugurated by His Excellency, The Vice President of Nigeria on 12th January 2024.
Since then, the Office has made a lot of strides, including signing 8 MOUs, securing grants for start ups and developing the first web-based platform for Diasporan living in Nigeria.
According to her, “Philanthropy has emerged as a powerful tool for driving social change and development globally. In Nigeria, the role of philanthropy in addressing social issues, including unemployment, is under-explored and under-utilised”.
“Philanthropic organizations and individuals have the resources and influence to initiate and support job creation projects that can make a significant impact”.
The Southwest Philanthropy Summit organised in collaboration with Odu’a Investments is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“It is an opportunity to create an ecosystem for strategic philanthropy to address pressing social needs in the country. Strategic Philanthropy is not charity, it involves financial returns”, she said.
“Through this summit, we are hoping that State governments begin to take strategic philanthropy seriously and create formal structures to channel philanthropic investments to the right places”.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Group Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited who doubled as the Summit Chairman, Otunba (Dr.) Bimbo Ashiru said the NPO’s mandate is to provide catalytic support for philanthropic efforts aimed at MSMEs in targeted sectors with high job creation potential.
According to the Summit Chairman, “given the role of MSMEs in any economy, this mandate presents a remarkable opportunity to effect economic change across the country. Odu’a Investment Company Limited is an investment holding company with footprints across multiple sectors including real estate, agriculture, hospitality, financial services amongst others”
“It established Odu’a Investment Foundation (OIF), a foundation focused on youth empowerment, healthcare and educationto give back to society in a direct and tangible way”.
“It was therefore very clear to us when we started engaging NPO that there are significant shared interests between both entities and that we share a common mission to deliver economic growth. In the year 2024, We therefore entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote philanthropic efforts in Nigeria, especially in the Southwest Region”.
“This Summit was born out of this partnership. The idea behind the Summit is to provide an opportunity to beam the searchlight on philanthropy and its expanding role in transforming lives. The South West Philanthropy Summit aims to provide a platform to discuss ideas with the potential to contribute exponentially to philanthropy especially in ways that can help address the problem of unemployment in the region”, he said .
“Some of the thematic areas we will focus on include partnerships especially between public and private sector actors, innovative job creation strategies, social and impact investing, and local and international collaborations”.
According to Otunba Ashiru, “the Southwest Region, is one that has the capacity to serve as a catalyst for the rest of the country in the area of economic growth and social models for job creation. If we can develop models that promote the development of MSME capacity and growth through philanthropy, social and impact investing, and other innovative solutions that deliver significant impact in the Southwest, we can easily replicate these across the rest of the country”, he said.
Investors from all walks of life were invited from the United States of America (USA) and Britain to see the investment potential of South Western States and Nigeria as a whole.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation, Mr. Tola Adekunle Johnson who brought the goodwill of the Presidency, assured the Summit that Nigeria’s Federal Government is willing to support the organization to succeed in its lofty dream.
Dignitaries across the country who participated in the Summit included but were not limited to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin and the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Osun State, Rev. ‘Bunmi Jenyo.
Also at the occasion was the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike-Dabiri and the Chairman, Airtel Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya.
Others are Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investments, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medeben, Ekiti State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and investments, Mrs Omotayo Adeola and the Ogun State Special Adviser on Commerce and investments, Ms. Arobieke.
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