IFA ORACLE CONSULTED BEFORE SELECTING KADRI AS AKINRUN-ELECT – KINGMAKER

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte

Fresh facts have emerged on how Prince Yunus Olalekan Kadri emerged the Akinrun elect in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State

The Elemo Aga of Ikirun who is one of the kingmakers in the town, High Chief Bamidele Onifade revealed that the selection of Kadri was done after due consultation with the Ifa Oracle.

He said “As Yoruba people and in line with our culture and established chieftaincy declaration in Ikirun, consultation of Ifa Oracle is a condition precedent in the selection of an Akinrun of Ikirun.”

“We the kingmakers consulted Ifa Oracle and the name of Prince Yunus Olalekan Kadri kept coming out everywhere we went,” he stated.

Besides, the traditional Chief hinted that the selection process was in line with the chiefs law of the state, adding that the processes of selecting the Akinrun-elect followed due process.

He added that the selection Kadri who hails from Obaara ruling house of Ikirun was as a result of the judgment of an Osun State High Court delivered by Justice Jide Falola which ordered the kingmakers to select a new traditional ruler from the ruling house next to the Gboleru ruling house following the inability of the Gboleru ruling house to present candidate for the vacant stool or Akinrun of Ikirun.

He said “out of the seven kingmakers in the town, six voted for Kadri, while one person voted for another candidate who was also from the Obaara ruling house.”

Contrary to insinuation that the selection of Kadri caused crisis in the town, Onifade said the people of the town welcome the development with joy and they have continued to troop to the residence of the monarch-elect to rejoice with him.

He said one of the traditional chiefs of the town was behind the rumoured crisis due to his interest in one of the candidates that contested for the vacant stool but failed to be chosen.

He appealed to the state government to expedite actions on the installation of the new traditional ruler for the town in the interest of peace and development of the town.

WOMEN WING OF CEDO 4GYB2PYB SOLIDLY BEHIND YAHAYA BELLO FOR PRESIDENT

The women wing of Chief Edward David Onoja (CEDO4GYB2PYB) has thrown it’s weight behind the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello to become Nigeria’s President come 2023.

This was contained in a statement by the Osun State Coordinator of the forum, Mrs Taiwo Akande and which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo in the weekend.

According to the statement, the giant strides and crucial gestures of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in the area of Women and Youth inclusiveness and empowerment in Kogi State must not be limited to just Kogi state.

“Such lofty ideals, policies, and programs of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in Kogi State, especially in the areas of Youths and women should be extended to all in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, beginning from 2023, the statement reads in part.

According to her, Governor Bello has in the last six years, made a tremendous impact and unprecedented breakthroughs in human development and making life meaningful for youths and women. Hence, he should extend the magnanimity and gesture to the people of Nigeria.

“This kind of mind-blowing gestures should be extended to all in Nigeria, and must not be confined in Kogi State alone. Our people have challenged us to ensure that Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello of Kogi State be supported to emerge as Nigeria’s President in 2023”, she added.

Recall that part of the achievements of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in the areas of Youths and Women include’s appointment of Youths as members of the State Executive Committee, the reservation of Vice Chairmanship slots of the 21 Local Governments for women only and 40% affirmative action for Women and Youths in governance.

Others are the appointment of a woman as Governor Bello’s ADC, a female Secretary to Kogi State government, a female head of service ,automatic appointment of four Councillorship Slots for women in each of the 21 Local Governments and elected Women Councillors as Council leaders across all Local Governments in Kogi State.

OSUN APC STATE CONGRESS: APPEAL COMMITTEE UPHOLDS VICTORY OF FAMODUN’S LED EXCO

… SAYS DECISION TAKEN IN ABSENCE OF ANY PETITION, APPEAL

The All Progressives Congress, APC State Congress Appeal Committee for Osun has upheld the election and victory of Prince Gboyega Famodun as the authentic Chairman of the party in the State.

The five-man Appeal Panel that was constituted by the National Secretariat of the APC also affirmed the victory of other State Officers elected at the Congress which held in Osogbo on Saturday, 16 October, 2021.

Chairman of the Appeal Committee, Ambassador Obed Wadzani disclosed this while addressing a press briefing at the Osun APC Secretariat on Sunday.

He revealed that despite report of parallel State Congress held in Osun, the Panel did not receive any petition or appeal since its inauguration on October 21 by the leadership of the party at the National Secretariat, Abuja.

Wadzani explained that the decision of the Panel to affirm the results of the State Congress conducted and supervised by the Gbenga Elegbeleye-led State Congress Committee was therefore taken in the absence of any petition or appeal.

Speaking further, the Appeal Committee Chairman said the Committee came to Osun on the mandate of the national leadership of the party to look into any petition arising from the State Congress.

“We are here on the mandate of the national leadership of the party in Abuja, and this press briefing is to inform you on the purpose why we are here.

“If you recall, on the 21st of October, this Committee was inaugurated in Abuja, within the mechanism and power of the party, to see if there is any issue of appeal emanating from the State Congress that was held on the 16th of October by the State Congress Committee, led by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.

“We are here as the members of the Appeal Committee from the national level and I can tell you that there is no appeal or petition whatsoever since the inauguration of the Panel.

“And all the members of the Committee that was inaugurated on the 21st of October were directed to go to the State and meet with the party at the State level if there is any petition to be addressed and I am happy to report that we have been here since yesterday and we are here to address you that we have found none in the state.

“This is the only mechanism that the party leadership had provided for anyone that is aggrieved to seek redress and since there is no petition, the report will be made from what we have recorded.

“We owe it a duty to make report back to the National Secretariat of our party in line with the purpose to which we have been mandated to come. I have with me the list of the newly elected officers of the party and this will be part of the report of the Appeal Committee that will be submitted to the National Secretariat, Abuja.

“Therefore, I will like to take this opportunity to congratulate the State Chairman-elect and all his team for this wonderful work they have been doing. They have done excellently well.

“You have been doing well and there is still work ahead. This is a family affair. In APC, we know ourselves.

“My appeal to the members of the media is to continue to give wide coverage to the activities of the party as you have been doing, particularly on the good and excellent works the Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has been doing in terms of dividends of democracy to the people of Osun,” Wadzani said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the APC State Chairman-elect, Prince Gboyega Famodun, promised to put in place workable mechanism that would strengthen the unity and togetherness among members and loyalists of the party.

Famodun who expressed his readiness to embark on immediate reconciliatory process to reunite aggrieved members of the party, said no effort would be spared to collectively return Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for second term.

Asked on the moves the party will take to reach out to aggrieved members, Famodun said “the perceived aggrieved members of the party are a pressure group who wants one thing or the other but with the steps that would be taken, they will come back and we will remain one family.”

PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION: PROF . WALE OLADIIPO CLEARS AIR ON HIS PRESUMED DISQUALIFICATION

By Sunday Oguntuyi Osogbo

The erstwhile National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Professor Wale Oladiipo has said, he received with shock, the news that he had not been cleared to participate in the convention of the party as the Deputy National Chairman (south) by the Screening Committee due to the observable shenanigans by some “interested powers” that were afraid of his electoral value at the National Convention.

Oladipo said, the powerful forces caused a frivolous petition to be written and submitted concerning his activities during the unfortunate crisis that engulfed the party more than 5 years ago.

He said, the content of the hatchet job remains hazy but the little the people know purportedly hinges on the past crisis that the party passed through then. He further said “it is funny and extremely absurd that 3 petitions can be written by the same person, using the same address and same word processing machine on 3 different aspirants from Osun, Ondo and Anambra States!!! What a tragic comedy!!! The petition was not made available to me before decision was taken”.

” However, throughout the duration of the avoidable crises , l served our Party with dignity and kept my mind fixated on how the party will progress therefrom”

“When the final decision was made, l abided by it and stayed by the party which consequently made us deliver on our mandate”

“At this juncture, it is expediently necessary to reiterate the following facts in sequence order to refresh your memory regarding my activities this far thus:

(1) That when l was the National Secretary, l was never found wanting, but rather performed my duties without blemish up to the point of my exit.

(2) That l have thereafter been performing my roles in terms of responsibilities and privileges.

I have diligently been discharging my responsibilities as a member of NEC of our great party and BoT. I am also a proud member of both the Convention Committee and the PDP e-registration Committee.

(3) That l am also pleased to say that l have been delivering my constituencies constantly to the party.
I have never decamped to any other party or sabotage the interests of the party in any form.

(4) That l have never left the party.
It is therefore funny that those who walked out of convention when we had a sitting President are cleared to contest. To me, this is most abnormal and unfair”

” Even then, every power is temporary.
Those who have power today should be conscious of the fact that some people had it yesterday while some other people will still have that power tomorrow.
Power is transient like the effervescence of soda.”

” Having the conviction that there will always be a tomorrow, l am not going to bother myself to push this case further beyond this point because l believe in our own course which is first and foremost, to deliver Osun State to PDP and from there to move on as a committed party faithful”

“Though I have a right of appeal, and to seek redress within the confines of the internal mechanism of the party’s constitution, but l am not a desperate politician to go that route since the “power that be today” have apparently decided of what to achieve at the convention, l have no choice than to move on to concentrate on delivering Osun State to PDP in 2022″

” We have delivered in the past and we shall continue to deliver.
By the special grace of God, after delivering Osun State to PDP, we will be back stronger and higher”

The member of Board of Trustee of PDP however urged the people to be cool and calm and not be discouraged or distracted from the task of delivering Osun for PDP in all our future elections beginning from the 2022 governorship election

OSUN APC STATE CONGRESS : ‘ANY CONGRESS OUTSIDE ONE CONDUCTED, SUPERVISED BY PARTY COMMITTEE IS POLITICAL CHARADE’ –COMMITTEE

… SAYS CONGRESS HELD IN ACCORDANCE TO PARTY CONSTITUTION

The members of the National Committee on Osun State Congress of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), on Sunday described as political charade and a fruitless effort any Congress purportedly held outside one they conducted and supervised.

The Committee noted that it was not aware of any parallel Congress as being speculated, noting that if such happened at all, it was just a waste of time as the committee remained the legitimate body saddled with the responsibility to conduct the State Congress.

Recall that the 7-member of the Committee on Saturday conducted the State Congress at the Osogbo City Stadium where the former Chairman of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun, was re-elected just as other State Executives emerged.

Addressing the journalists at the State Party Secretary, Osogbo, the Chairman of the Congress Committee, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, said there was no other Congress except the one his colleagues conducted and supervised, which was done in line with the party’s constitution, electoral principles and guidelines.

Elegbeleye, who described the insinuations of parallel Congress in the State as a fallacy, said on no account can Congress hold outside the knowledge of the Committee as prescribed by the party’s principles and guidelines.

“As far as we are concerned, there was no Congress anywhere else except the one we conducted and supervised.

“We came here on Friday to address a Stakeholder’s meeting where we announced the venue of the Congress and this was done in the presence of the media.

“As you all know, we were saddled by the leadership of the party at the National Secretariat to conduct Osun APC Congress and when we arrived, we announced the venue of the Congress. So, if anybody goes to the shrine to do another thing, that may probably be a marriage ceremony, not a Congress.

“The Congress we did was the Congress that the party recognised and we cannot assume there was a Congress elsewhere”, he said.

Elegbeleye who expressed satisfaction at the entire process, said it was a good thing for the Committee that all the candidates that met the constitutional requirements and satisfied the party’s principles and guidelines won the seats and were consequently declared winners of the Congress by the Committee.

He said the Committee had done the needful as expected, having performed the task in the presence of the required electoral empire and other relevant agencies.

“The Congress was successful, hitch-free, fair and credible as envisaged and it was conducted in accordance with the Constitution, principles and guidelines of the party as enshrined in Article 20 as read out yesterday.

“We have had the Wards and Local Government Congresses before the State and we thank God that everything went smoothly without rancour as our members comported themselves and demonstrated the much-expected Omoluabi ethos.

“As we all know, the screening of the delegates was done normally and it was a 99 percent success. We have done the needful. The winners had met the constitutional requirements and they have been returned elected,” he added.

Earlier, the APC State Chairman-elect, Hon. Gboyega Famodun, lauded the Committee for being transparent, accountable and for ensuring that the entire process ended well.

Famodun who expressed profound gratitude to the loyalists of the party for re-electing him promised not to let them down.

“I thank the Committee for a job well done and for giving us a wonderful executive through the Congress conducted. I want to assure you all on behalf of my team that we will put in our best.

“I commend the Press for doing us proud and for ensuring effective coverage.

“I commend those that contributed to the success of the Congress, particularly the Governor who has been so supportive. I extend tremendous appreciation to Chief Adebisi Akande who has been superintending the whole thing.

“I am happy, glad and overwhelmed for what we did yesterday. By the grace of God, we will not disappoint you all,” he added.

AKINLEYE SALUTES B.T SALAM AT 61, DESCRIBES HIM AS CONSISTENT POLITICIAN

By Sunday Oguntuyi Osogbo

A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Osun state, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye has described Dr. Bashir Tokubo Salam as a consistent politician who work assiduously to the success of any course he believes in, just as he congratulate him on his 61st birthday anniversary.

Akinleye in a congratulatory message issued and personally signed, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday saluted the doggedness of the astute politician in the area of community development.

The erstwhile Chairman of Ede North local government described BT Salam who is also formal chairman of Ede South as grassroot mobiliser who has impacted positively on the people of his area and state at large.

” On this occasion of your birthday today, I sincerely appreciate God on your behalf for the spirit of selfless service bestowed unto you, I fervently prayed that, God, the giver of wisdom will shower you more and spare your life to witness many birthday on the land of living, congratulations “, Alhaji Akinleye said.

OSUN APC CONGRESS : DELEGATES UNANIMOUSLY RETURN FAMODUN, OTHER NEW OFFICERS EMERGE

… AS OYETOLA CHARGES new EXECUTIVES ON RECONCILIATORY PROCESS

Delegates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State on Saturday returned Prince Gboyega Famodun as the Chairman of the Party in the State for another term of four years.

Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, emerged as the Party’s Deputy Chairman, while Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde returned as the leader of the Women Wing.

Also 35-year old Akinwemimo Adegoke emerged as the Youth Leader of the party just as Mr. Alao Kamar Olabisi emerged as the secretary.

This is as Governor Adegboyega Oyetola charged the Party executives in the State to ensure a reconciliatory process that will guarantee the unity and strength that the Party is known for.

Announcing the results of the Congress, the Chairman of the National Committee on the Osun State Congress, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the Congress was done in line with the principles and guidelines of the Party.

He appealed to sympathisers who were not allowed into the venue of the Congress to demonstrate understanding, explaining that only delegates were allowed in the venue because the event was a Congress and not a rally.

Elegbeleye, who read out Article 20 of the Party’s Constitution to the delegates, also announced that voice vote was adopted because of the population of the accredited delegates, which totalled 1,840.

“I wish to start by referring our delegates and party leaders to Article 20 (Elections and Appointment) of the APC Constitution. I want to read it out: ‘All party posts prescribed or implied by this Constitution shall be filled by democratically conducted elections at the respective National Convention or Congress, subject, where possible, to Concensus, provided that where a candidate has emerged by concensus for an elective position, a vote of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ by ballot or voice shall be called, to ensure that it was not an imposition which could breed discontent or crisis”, Elegbeleye read.

Oyetola, while addressing Party Delegates after the Congress, reiterated his commitment to a vibrant and rock-solid All Progressives Congress in Osun, calling on all stakeholders to follow suit.

He congratulated the new executives, charging them to rise to the occasion by promptly mending broken walls and building collapsed bridges for the greater good of the Party and, by extension, the State.

“I congratulate the newly- elected executives of our Party. I urge you to discharge your responsibility with the fear of God and ensure you carry everyone along in the running of the affairs of the party. Let us have a vibrant party that can compete anywhere in the country.

“I thank the team from Abuja for accepting to serve the Party by coming down to Osun to conduct, monitor and supervise the State Congress.

“I thank party leaders and stakeholders for their support and understanding so far and for contributing to the hitch-free exercise.

“I thank members for your understanding and cooperation with the Government. I appeal to you to extend same to the newly-elected party officials. I appeal to those who lost out not to lose hope. I assure you all of a better tomorrow.

“The All Progressives Congress emerged on the strength of unity and progressive ideals. We are still committed to these ideals regardless of some of narratives making the rounds out there.

“I urge the newly-elected executives to ensure reconciliatory process. We cannot rule out the fact that some members are aggrieved for one or more reasons, but this is nothing out of proportion. We remain one united family, and we remain focused on delivering unprecedented progress and development to Osun”, Oyetola said.

In his acceptance remark, the State Party Chairman-elect, Prince Gboyega Famodun, lauded the Congress as impressive, well-organised and peaceful.

He called on Party members and stakeholders to channel the same energy and unity towards the primaries in February 2022 and the governorship election scheduled for July 2022.

“We trust God that this Party will remain strong and indivisible. We appeal to our family members who are aggrieved and out there to return home. The Governor has extended the olive branch.

“It is on this basis that I also extend an olive branch to the members of our political family who are disenchanted to bury the hatchet in order to collectively work for the re-election of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola during next year’s governorship election. Let’s join hands together and perform our usual political feat of ensuring the continuity of the ruling government. Time is not on our side. Let’s work for the perpetuation of our government in Osun State through all- known legitimate means”, Famodun said.

OSUN APC STATE CONGRESS: COMMITTEE MEMBERS HOLD STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING, HARP ON GOOD CONDUCT, OMOLUABI ETHOS

… PLEDGE FREE, FAIR, CREDIBLE EXERCISE

… AS OYETOLA URGES DELEGATES TO ESCHEW VIOLENCE, ELECTORAL MISCONDUCTS

The members of the Committee of the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Party, APC, for Osun State Congress, on Friday harped on good conduct and Omoluabi ethos during the party’s State congress which is scheduled for tomorrow.

The exercise will hold nationwide.

The Committee members pledged free, fair, credible and acceptable polls, noting that all the participants would be given equal opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights of electing new officers of the party at the State level.

This is even as the Governor urged the party loyalists and members, particularly the delegates, to eschew violence and all forms of irregularities and misconduct capable of marring the exercise.

Speaking during the stakeholders’ meeting and press briefing precedent to tomorrow’s exercise, the Chairman of the National Congress Committee to Osun, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the Committee would do all within the prescription of the law to ensure peaceful conduct.

He said the Committee had been armed with necessary materials to ensure a transparent and open exercise that would be accepted by all.

Elegbeleye, who applauded the people of the State, particularly the members of the party for their resilience, peaceful conduct and Omoluabi ethos, expressed the hope that the election would be held without any form of rancour.

“Tomorrow is the State Congress. We are happy to be here again, having conducted the last wards and local government congresses which were held in a total atmosphere of peace.

“We want all the aspirants to come in time so that we can begin the process in earnest and without further delay. We are determined to ensure a free, fair, credible and acceptable exercise.

“Osun people have demonstrated this before and I am very confident that this will be replicated in tomorrow’s Congress.

“Though the process is going to be a consensus, it is voting congress, we are in no doubt that the entire process will be peaceful.

“We have seen the Omoluabi ethos in the conduct of our people, particularly the Governor himself. We believe that those that will be elected tomorrow will be good enough to pilot the affairs of the party,” he added.

Earlier, the Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, sued for peace before, during and after the Congress exercise.

He appealed to all the members of the party, particularly those that would be participating in the Congress to cultivate the Omoluabi ethos which the State is known for.

Governor Oyetola who reassured the people of the State of adequate security, noted that no stone would be left unturned to ensure peace and harmony throughout the entire process.

He commended members of the Committee for being diligent and faithful as demonstrated in the outcomes of the last wards and local government congresses held in the State, just as he expressed hope in their capacity and ability to replicate such gesture in tomorrow’s Congress.

The Governor used the occasion to appeal to those that would be participating in the State Congress to comply with Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

“I welcome the members of the Committee from the National Secretariat, Abuja, led by Hon. Elegbeleye, for their commitment and diligence in the last congresses.

“I thank the party leaders and stakeholders for their support and understanding. As we prepare to hold the State Congress of our great party tomorrow, I urge all delegates to come out en masse to elect new State Officers for the party.

“It is important we conduct ourselves peacefully and ensure we have a hitch-free exercise that we can all be proud of as a party. It is a family affair and should therefore not be seen as a do-or-die exercise. I have no doubt in my mind that tomorrow will be very peaceful. There shouldn’t be any acrimony. It is a way of demonstrating our capacity of electing those that will represent us to pilot the affairs of the party.

“The exercise shouldn’t create any problem at all. I wish the outgoing excos success in their future endeavours and I believe by the Grace of God, a new executive will emerge tomorrow. For those of you that will win tomorrow, I congratulate you, and for those that will not make it tomorrow, please don’t lose hope,” Oyetola said.

Speaking in turns, the Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; a former Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titilayo-Laoye Ponle; and a former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Olubunmi Etteh, urged the participants, particularly the delegates to do away with anything capable of undermining the electoral process and the party’s principles.

ECONOMY: OSUN GOVT BEGINS DISBURSEMENT OF N636M CBN-SUPPORTED MSMEs SOFT LOANS TO RESIDENTS

… WE’RE COMMITTED TO STIMULATING OSUN ECONOMY — OYETOLA

… AS OVER 2000 BENEFICIARIES SHOWER ENCOMIUMS ON GOVT

The Government of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday commenced the disbursement of Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand Naira (N636.195,000.00) as soft loans to the citizens and residents of the State.

The initiative, which was actualised through collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria-supported Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, was aimed at expanding the scope of businesses, trades, investments stimulating the economy and reducing the scourge of unemployment in the State.

This is even as the over 2, 000 beneficiaries of the loan facility showered encomiums on the State Government for the kind gesture.

The soft loans were disbursed through Osun Micro Credit Agency as part of efforts to ensure proper coordination.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola said the gesture was in furtherance of the Administration’s resolve to build a virile and healthy economy.

He said the initiative stemmed from the Administration’s Development Agenda that is focused on revitalising the economy for improved performance, noting that by their enormous productivity and capacity for value and job-creation, MSMEs constitute a critical part of government’s diversification agenda.

Oyetola reiterated his Administration’s commitment to scaling up the ease-of-doing business in the State. He said the initiative would go a long way to resuscitate moribund businesses and investments in the State.

Governor Oyetola disclosed that over Six Billion and Five Hundred Million Naira (N6.5 billion) of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Osun intervention funds has been disbursed to 31,888 beneficiaries in different categories.

He said the State had invested hugely in the economy as evidenced in the successes recorded so far.

“To actualise seamless cash flow among citizens, we have intervened in the issue surrounding business support funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria and facilitated timely release of the sum of Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand (N636.195,000.00) to the State through Osun Micro Credit Agency in collaboration with Participating Financial Institutions in the State for disbursement to selected beneficiaries as approved by the CBN.

“Other citizens who fall within the classification of Small and Medium Enterprise Businesses who are interested in the fund should approach Osun Micro Credit Agency for possible enrolment in the next tranche of MSMEDF.

“This exercise is another effort by our Administration to strengthen our economy through the provision of supports for our Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

“I wish to note that with this disbursement flag- off, the total number of beneficiaries of the CBN and Osun Government intervention funds is 31, 888 and the total amount disbursed from the fund for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development in the State so far stands at Six Billion and Five Hundred Million Naira (N6.5 billion).

“I would like to express my appreciation to our partners, the Central Bank of Nigeria, for their sustained partnership that has made it possible to empower our business owners.

“This exercise stems from our Administration’s Development Agenda that is focused on revitalising our economy for much improved performance. The MSMEs, owing to their enormous productivity and capacity for value and job-creation, constitute a critical part of our diversification agenda.

“Since assumption of office, we have, in addition to our strategic investment in transforming the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining Sectors, focused attention on improving the performances of our MSMEs. This is because we believe that a virile MSMEs space holds limitless opportunities for our State.

“We are convinced that when there is greater accessibility to funding, requisite infrastructure, an enabling environment devoid of common limitations and a political will to drive the requisite policies, our MSMEs would be empowered to spread their wings and fly. All these we have passionately put to work since we assumed office,” he added.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Empowerment, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, lauded Governor Oyetola for being supportive of the growth and development of businesses in the State.

“What we are witnessing today is a journey of over two years coming to fruition. Governor Oyetola has made it come to pass and our hope is that this gesture would expand the scope of business in the state as over two thousand beneficiaries will be empowered and this will boost Osun economy,” he added.

Also speaking, the acting General Manager, Osun Micro Credit Agency, Mr. Sanya Olopade appreciated the timely and prompt intervention of the government which has been helping the agency to soar higher.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and apply it for the purpose it was meant for, just as he appealed to them to refund the loan within the record time so as to give others same opportunity.

In their separate remarks, some of the beneficiaries praised the government for meeting them at the points of needs.

Mrs. Oduyemi Mary, Alhaji Azeez Rasak, Alhaji Afolabi Yusuf Adekunle, Mrs. Oladoye Olayemi Kehinde, Engr. Salami Rasheed and Mrs. Motunrayo Abiola extolled the initiative and promised to use the funds judiciously.

OONI DEBUNKS RUMOUR OVER SEN. ADELEKE’S PROMISE ON JET PROCUREMENT, IF ELECTED

By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo

The Yoruba Paramount ruler and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan has refuted the rumor about a report going viral, on a promise of making available a jet for the Royal Father, if elected, saying, the palace did not issue any official statement on the said report.

Oba Adeyeye in a release issued by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Moses Olafare said that, the statement reportedly quoted as stating that a gubernatorial aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, during a courtesy visit on Wednesday promised to procure an aircraft for the Ooni did not emanate from the palace.

“To set the record straight, no such report was issued from the palace despite the fact that the politician’s speech was twisted by some writers with hidden intentions including to drag the respected stool of the Ooni in the mud”

He said, “while further clarifications could be sought from videos that emanated from the visit, the Ooni’s singular request was for a credible election devoid of crisis for the betterment of all, which the PDP chieftain agreed to”

“‘& It is a statement of fact that, in the usual character of all political aspirants and party’s candidates without exception, the visiting Senator Adeleke made several promises including the reconstruction of roads in Ile-Ife and completion of the Osun State Airport project at Ido-Osun among others. Sadly, these developmental bullet points were mischievously ignored in the viral news reports”

On the controversial, Olafare said, “Private Jet” it is a common knowledge that the Adeleke family has a fleet of private aircrafts which could have been the basis for the governorship hopeful to have lightly said, “Baba Private Jet tee ma gun Gan n be n’le. BABA, PRIVATE JETS YOU MAY NEED FOR YOUR TRIPS ARE READILY AVAILABLE”.

“While it is ridiculous to see such misinformation trend on supposed credible news platforms including national dailies, the palace of the Ooni wishes to caution the general public from erroneously believing the false report as it is a lie from the pit of hell”

“Adeleke’s visit was not the first and would never be the last political visit to the Ooni and other traditional rulers in the state as we are already approaching the election year in the state of Osun while other aspirants including the incumbent governor are still coming to make their promises as usual. Why the hullabaloo?”

He however advised those peddling the rumor to desist from it and take caution not to drag the name of the revered monarch into the dirty water of politics.