SUNDAY BISI: THE MAGIC WAND OF OSUN PDP

By Olu Abiola, PhD.

Since the coming on board of the Senator Ademola Adeleke-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Osun State, in spite of the usual bickering that characterizes politics, particularly among the ruling and opposition parties, in Nigeria, there has been relative peace of mind in the state.
While many have argued that the governor had a water-tight plan of his, close to his chest before coming for the governorship position, there is no doubt that Governor Adeleke has surrounded himself with the very best of brains Osun State can boast of, in the onerous task of putting the state on the pedestal of verifiable development. One of such brains is Honourable Sunday Bisi.
It is arguable that the state chairman of the PDP, Honourabe Sunday Bisi, a politician of note, who cut his teeth in political tutelage under the former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as the Special Adviser on Environment is undoubtedly an icon in the development in the PDP-led government in the State of the Living Spring.
Honourable Bisi is regarded by many as a political wizard in Ijesaland; he is endowed with political skills he usually deploys for use when it comes to uniting members of his political party. He is frank and unbiased, courteous, humane and civil.
Recall that when he returned as the chairman of the party at its congress held at the Osogbo township stadium, the crux of his speech was on the ways to reunite the party and make it more virile than ever which he prompt accomplished and created a benevolence atmosphere in the party to enable the governor to administer the State.
“When you have a united party, then, the governor will be able to concentrate; and there won’t be distractions. I will ensure that; and I will bring everybody into the party, so that we will be able to move the state forward.
“We know those that are behind our woes; those that are in court against this congress. I will only appeal to them to sheathe their swords and come back to join us to move Osun State forward. Those that went to court are not part of the success story of today.
“We had governorship, presidential and state Houses of Assembly elections; they did not participate. They are being used to draw us back. I appeal to them to join hands with us.
“I know what it takes to lead a party into government. I have done it before and I will do it again, by the grace of God. I am going to unite the party more; everybody will be on the same page under my leadership.
“People are happy in Osun State with what our governor is doing to the state. In less than four months, they have seen changes; salaries and arrears have been paid. And workers have been promoted. Infrastructure development is ongoing.
“We had Workers’ Day here a few days ago. I have been in Osun for several years. I have not seen this kind of turnout before, because they trooped out en masse,” he had said then.
His performance in office since then has lent credence to this statement and had made him fulfilled in administration of the party and recommendations of political nominees for various offices at the State and local government levels.
Following his trajectory since his sojourn in the PDP, many analysts have described the Osun PDP helmsman as a very dogged strategist when faced with achieving set objectives.
Besides, he is very loyal and honest to any cause he believes in as well as have the quality of being committed to service to humanity.
Apart from this, Bisi is held in many quarters as an incorruptible politician; he is not influenced by anything and he cannot be bought by whoever he thinks would not do the bidding of the masses of Osun State; he is always bothered by what has not been done to improve the lives of individuals. He is a thorough Ijesa man who shares the same spirit with the Ibokun born-Prince, Diran Odeyemi and the acolyte of Ijesa North politician, Right Honourable Oluwole Oke, service to humanity and community development are his watchwords.
Those who are close to the PDP helmsman have also said that he is highly endowed with uncommon intelligence to resolve issues that could metamorphose into crisis or which could destabilise the state.
It is common knowledge now that during the stormy period in the PDP in Osun State, Honourable Bisi had remained resolute and stood by the state governor, just in his characteristic manner. This is why he had refused to succumb to intimidations, embarrassments, persecutions and legal threats.
Just like Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff to the Governor stands as the Brain Box of the State of the Living Spring, Sunday Bisi is the mastermind and principal strategist for the peaceful administration of the governor under the party, the PDP. He always ensures that the string of unity and love in the party is not broken.
It is noteworthy that the pivot of his magic wand is humility, obedience and respect for leadership and humanity.
As a visionary leader, Honourable Bisi runs the party leadership with the spirit of egalitarianism.
With the Ilesa-born political juggernaut, it is evident that the PDP will continue to thrive in Osun State with tremendous achievements under the Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke’s governance.

*Dr. Abiola, a Journalism Teacher and Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Osun State.

OSUN BEGINS SECOND FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Wednesday launched the second edition of the free medical outreach tagged Imole medical and surgical outreach.

The programme which was launched in Ilesa drew medical experts from different health institutions including the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, and others.

The Governor had earlier launched similar outreach in Iwo during the first edition of the exercise where thousands of beneficiaries enjoyed free medical care and surgeries.

Speaking at the launch of the outreach, Governor Adeleke urged the people of the state to support his administration for the overall development of the state.

The Governor recalled that the first phase of Imole Medical Outreach was held between February and April 2023 with about 22,000 citizens of the State benefitting from Surgeries, eye and medical care.

He said “we believe in a philosophy that it takes a healthy nation to build a wealthy nation.
We will therefore continue to invest the state’s resources to improve the health status of our people.

“Today, we have come again, as a government that understands the need of its people to reach out to our citizens in order to alleviate their medical challenges. We have again made provisions to take care of various medical cases. The Government has provided adequate medications for this exercise and shall provide reading glasses for those that may require them.

“The current outreach programme will take place in six centres with two from each senatorial districts. We believe this will in no small measure reduce the current economic burden our people have had to bear.

“I take this opportunity to direct the Commissioner for Health to work out a plan to make this outreach a regular feature of this administration.

“The Ministry should create a holistic agenda in this respect. The programme should be mainstreamed across State health institutions.

“The implementation of the above directive will make the outreach more sustainable, more inclusive and expand the scope of benefit,” he added.

NORMALCY RETURNS AS OSUN GOVERNMENT REOPENS KAJOLA MARKET

Following the reopening of Kajola market in Atakumosa West Local Government, by Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke of Osun State, normalcy has returned to the entire area as people go about their daily activities peacefully.

Recall that the market was closed down on Friday August 3, to forestall total breakdown of law and order in the town.

The decision to reopen the market by the State Government was taken after a mediation meeting, anchored by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo at the conference hall of the Ministry on Tuesday.

Since its reopening on Saturday August 12, sellers and buyers who transact varying businesses in the market were seen pursuing their activities in a peaceful manner without interference or violence.

During the official visit of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market women, Mrs Eniola Omotosho on Saturday, marketwomen and men expressed happiness and satisfaction about the reopening of the market.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers who brought their produce to the market, Mr. Ilori Olatunji, visibly excited, appreciated the Osun State Governor for coming to their rescue from the grip of few dissidents who wanted to truncate the peace of the market, simply because of their selfish and personal gains.

Marketers of different items, such as tomatoes, peppers, snails, plantains, yam, onions, oil, rice, beans, cocoa, colanut etc and other commodities were happy because their products were no longer wasted, the market was full to capacity as traders from within and outside Osun State thronged the marketplace for undisturbed transactions.

OSOGBO GRAMMAR SCHOOL OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION CALLS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ALMAMATA

The Global and National President of the Osogbo Grammar School Old Students Association, Prof. Solomon Femi Fadiora has called on all well meaning old students of the school to team up with the association to develop their alma matter.

Prof Fadiora spoke at a programme organized by the association to mark the 73rd Founders day’s anniversary of the school held at the school mega hall on Thursday.

He identified many projects already embarked upon by the association which include payment of Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) for some selected students of the school, provision of exercise books for students of the school, renovation of some school buildings and provision of various educational and instructional materials for the use of the students.

He disclosed that the association will also embark on some other projects, especially the perimeter fencing of the school land to prevent further encroachment of the school land.

Fadiora hinted that some alumni of the school and some sets of the old students association are of tremendous contributions to the success recorded so far by the association under his leadership.

While appreciating those who had contributed to the progress and development of the association, especially in the area of projects execution, Fadiora called on all well meaning products of the school to join hands to ensure the development of the school which he said has produced many icons and giants in various disciplines.

Delivering the 73rd anniversary lecture of the school entitled “Security situation in Nigeria and the way out” Igeleke Isaac stressed the significance of education as a way to prevent insecurity in the country.

He charged parents to give quality education to their children, just as he stressed the need for parents to monitor the activities of their children closely.

Also, Igeleke called on the government to engage the youths, especially graduates by providing job opportunities for them.

The two Principals of the school, Mrs F.O Olatunji and Mrs F.A Daodu highlighted the achievements of the Prof Fadiora led executive of the Osogbo Grammar School Old Students Association and appreciated the efforts made at progressing the citadel of learning.

The two Principals hailed the Old Students Association and called for more collaboration between the school and the association for efficient growth and development of the school.

GOVERNOR ADELEKE ORDERS REOPENING OF KAJOLA MARKET, SUES FOR PEACE AMONG STAKEHOLDERS

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has ordered the reopening of Kajola Market in Atakumosa West Local Government of the State.

The Governor also warned stakeholders at the market to desist from unlawful acts that could disrupt the peace of the town.

This was contained in a Press Release signed by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, obtained by Nigerian Platform on Wednesday.

The Governor’s decision was made after the presentation of reports of the lingering crisis and the outcome of the mediation meeting anchored by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo at the conference hall of the ministry on Tuesday.

Recall that the Governor, last week, had directed the Commissioner to wade in and resolve issues from warring factions in the interest of peace in the area.

The Governor also instructed that Adegbokun Iyabo and Simbiat Adebisi, and other market chiefs from both factions, to immediately stop parading themselves as the Iyaloja of the market. This is to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area.

“The two persons parading themselves as the authentic Iyaloja of the market should stay away from market activities, to give peace a chance, pending the reports of the ongoing investigation by the State Government”.

‘The Governor is a man of peace and would ensure there is adequate security for the lives and properties of the people, not only in Kajola-Ijesha but also across every nook and cranny of Osun State”.

“It is the high time you all stopped hostilities among yourselves and settle for peace. We will not condone indiscipline. Anyone caught beating the drum of violence will be made to face the full wrath of the law”.

“The market is hereby reopened on Saturday, 12th August 2023, without delay to safeguard the livelihood of citizens, who earn their living in transacting their varying businesses in Kajola market”.

COURT DENIES KENNETH UDEZE’S CLAIM ON SUIT AGAINST INEC

Justice E Enenche of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has chastised one Mr Kenneth Udeze for claiming to have obtained form 48 from the court when he did not.

Udeze had fraudulently claimed that he had obtained from 48 against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mohamud Yakubu and some principal officers of the commission, including two Directors.

Also, Udeze who had been suspended and subsequently expelled from the Action Alliance (AA) threatened to institute a legal action against INEC for allegedly disobeying court orders.

It was however discovered that the form allegedly obtained by Udeze was not signed by the Registrar of the court.

Apparently responding to Udeze’s false claim in his (Udeze) purported suit marked FCT/HC/CV/174/2022, Justice Enenche said the court was not aware of such suit.

A memo signed by the Principal Registrar of the court, Sheu Suleiman indicated that the court did not issue any form for Udeze and the form he (Udeze) purportedly obtained was not authentic as it did not bear any signature.

He insisted that the Form 48 which Udeze laid claim to did not emanate from his court contrary to claims by Udeze.

He said “no request, letter or order in respect of this suit with Appeal number CA/ABJ/526/2022 shall be treated as authentic except from the order of the the Court of Appeal or otherwise by the Registrar of the court.

KENNETH UDEZE DRAGS INEC CHAIRMAN, DIRECTORS TO COURT

A former member of the Action Alliance, Mr Kenneth Udeze has dragged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu before a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

Udeze had approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to obtain form 48 against INEc and its chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu.

Udeze also joined the INEC Director in charge of Political party monitoring and Liaison, Mr Aminu Idris and the Director in charge of Litigation and Prosecution, Dr Tanimu Mohammed in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/174/2022.

The form 48 obtained by Udeze, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent reads “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison for contempt of court”

Udeze who claimed to be the national chairman of the Action Alliance (AA) had since been suspended and subsequently expelled from the party by the National Think Thank Committee of the party for various offences.

In different courts of competent jurisdictions, including the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, Udeze had lost legal battles to return to the party.

INEC had recently given recognition to Dr Adekunle Rufai Omoaje as the authentic national chairman of the Action Alliance and also insert his name on the commission’s website.

GOVERNOR ADELEKE KICKSTARTS OSUN BUSINESS GROWTH INITIATIVE, SETS FOR NEW MOUs WITH SMEDAN, NEPZA

Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has kickstarted the Osun State Business Growth Initiative through strategic partnership with federal and international organisations and agencies.

In line with his commitment to transform Osun from a civil service state to a business and industrial state, the Governor in Abuja in the last two days, has directed the hosting of two top flight meetings to address business growth and industrial foundation for Osun State.

This was contained in a statement by the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, obtained by Nigerian Platform on Saturday.

While a delegation had far reaching discussions with the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority on reviving Osun free trade zone and kickstarting the agricultural processing zones, another team was at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to develop a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen SME growth in the state.

The team that met the SMEDAN management led by Senator Akogun Lere Oyewumi had the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye and other top government officials in attendance. Organized by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev Bunmi Jenyo, the meeting had the full presence of directors and top management of the agency.

Senator Oyewumi who spoke on behalf of the state delegation informed SMEDAN management of the state’s readiness to tap into all the programmes of the agency to develop Osun businesses.

“You can see our delegation is strong and this demonstrates our readiness to grow the Osun business potentials. We seek revival of previous agreements and the creation of new ones. Our government is business friendly”, Oyewumi said.

The Director General of SMEDAN, Olawale Fasanya told the delegation that Osun is receiving full attention of the agency, citing various initiatives such as the proposed training facility within the Industrial Development Centre, Osogbo, ongoing identification for development of small cluster business zones, matching fund programme advertisements and the conditional grant scheme.

“We have had several MOUs with previous Osun state governments. Now is the time to build up a new one that will be very comprehensive”, the SMEDAN boss noted.

At NEPZA, both parties agreed to accelerate the revival of the Living Spring Free Trade Zone which has been moribund for years.

The Osun Government team led by the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and the NEPZA team led by the agency Managing Director, Prince Adesoji Adesugba agreed on the following; resuscitation of the Livingspring free trade zone, partnership on the development of the Special Agriculture processing Zone and development of the state investment promotion agency.

Speaking on the ongoing partnership deals which cover the United Nations Training agency, Governor Adeleke noted as follows : “Our administration is working hard to develop the state business sectors, we need new partnerships with several federal and international agencies.

“I have the sense of urgency to change this label of civil service state. We want our industrial sector to grow. Therefore, we have to develop the abandoned free trade zone, this will drive inflow of investment. We hope to get the SME industrial clusters off the ground, need mini-industrial parks all over the Senatorial districts. We are reviewing the Omoluabi economic zone to make it truly functional.

“With the state cabinet in place, I seek to quicken the pace of our delivery. That is why we are hosting several delegations locally and internationally. That is why we are targeting national and global agencies. As a businessman before now, I am convinced that developing our business is the best way to grow the state”, Governor Adeleke affirmed.

Governor Adeleke intervenes in Kajola Market Criss, Appeals for Calm

Osun State Governor, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has called on warring factions at Kajola town to stop feud and confrontations to allow mediatory intervention by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo.

In a statement issued by the Spokesman to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Friday, the market leaders were called upon to remain calm as the Governor has directed the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry to wade into the matter with immediate effect.

“Mr Governor has instructed the commissioner to wade into the matter and ensure that all points of disagreements among the factions are resolved. This intervention is to allow for the reopening of the market to protect the livelihood of stakeholders.

“All factions are enjoined to stop hostilities pending the outcome.of the mediation. Nobody should take law into their hands. The Honourable Commissioner has already stepped into the matter as directed”, the statement noted.

NEPZA, OSUN GOVT IN PARTNERSHIP TO REVAMP LIVING SPRING FTZ, PROCESSING ZONES

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority’s commitment to lure more sub-national governments to key into the Free Trade Zone scheme is yielding the required result with the Osun State Government as the latest seeking the Authority’s intervention to resuscitate its moribund Living Spring Free Trade Zone.

Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, the Osun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry had led a team to visit the Authority to discuss the modalities on the revitalization process on Thursday in Abuja.

This was disclosed in a Press Release by the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, which was obtained by Nigerian Platform on Thursday.

Jenyo stated that His Excellency, Gov Ademola Adeleke ‘s administration had prepared the business environment in the state to support the re-activation of the state-owned Free Trade located in Abere.

The commissioner explained that the governor was eager to reverse and nurture all positive economic policies of past administrations to reposition the state for economic greatness.

“His Excellency, has keenly watched with admiration the positive impact of the country’s Free Trade Zone scheme on the economy under the management of Prof. Adesoji Adesugba. He hopes to cash-in on this development and make Osun viable for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

“The governor has asked me to come ahead of him and prepare the grounds for a formal visit to strike this deal. The state is more than ever before ready to use the free zone to drive its economy,’’ Jenyo said.

“Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, MD/CEO of NEPZA expressed delight that more state governments were beginning to embrace the free zone scheme, adding that the Federal Government’s intention to site the scheme in all the 774 Local Governments remained intact.

“Adesugba further said that the success of the scheme largely rested with its acceptance by the state governments, pointing that there was a huge knowledge gap across the country on the essence of the scheme.

“Since my assumption of office in 2020, we have committed huge energy and resources in sensitizing policy-makers, State Governors, industry players, and relevant Agencies of government on the law and global rules guiding the operation of the scheme.

“I am happy, that the effort is paying off. We can only hope that all the state governments can leverage on this free gift to stimulate productions in their various catchment areas. NEPZA is, however always prepared to provide expertise and also assist in attracting both local and foreign investments to zones under its care and management.

“Extend my regards to His Excellency, the Governor, and inform him that we are counting on the state’s resolve to revamp the Living Spring Free Trade Zone which is completely moribund. The earlier this is done, the better for all of us,’’ Adesugba said.