R- Connect Congratulates Dr.Kayode Fayemi as Ekiti People Repose Confidence In Him

We, the leadership and entire members of Regional Connect congratulate the governorship candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi as he was reelected as the Governor of the Fountain of Knowledge.

Based on the result released by Independent National Electoral Commissioned (INEC), Dr Fayemi polled One Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty Nine Votes (197,459) while his closest rival, the candidate of PDP Prof. Eleka polled One Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand One Hundred and Fourteen Votes (178,114).

As a group, we want to charge the Governor Elect to greatly learn from the mistakes of the past and use the mandate to reset Ekiti on the path of development again.

Equally, we congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed for their tireless efforts towards ensuing that APC came victorious in the just concluded election in Ekiti State. This is an indication and testimony that victory is assured in future elections because we now have a better, stronger and very organized party leaders and organs.

Osun Government Launches Ijinle To Preserve Heritage - RCONNECT

The Government of the State of Osun, today launched a project tagged, #Ijinle. Ijinle is a social enterprise project geared towards preserving vintage Yoruba Tailoring.

Ijinle is the brainchild of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Sir. Wale Adeeyo of the Federal Mortgage Bank to preserve the fast eroding craft of vintage Yoruba tailoring.

On the 20th of June, 15 pre-qualified trainees who are graduates of the OYES (Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme) Programme arrived Lagos to undergo an orientation exercise and begin training classes under the #Ijinle Project.

The Ijinle Project will empower indigenes of State of Osun with a lucrative craft which provides economic empowerment for the beneficiaries in a sustainable manner.

Beneficiaries of this programme will be carefully tutored to master the craft by Mr. Kabir Durojaiye, a veteran who has mastered the craft of bespoke vintage wears for over 30 years and whose clients are the crème-de-la-crème of Yoruba elites all over Nigeria.

Mr. Kabir Durojaiye has found it hard passing the skills to of Bespoke Vintage Yoruba Tailoring to the new generation. The Master craftsmen and women will learn how to produce the fast-dying vintage Yoruba pieces like the Traditional Agbada, Kembe, Agadashi, Danshiki among other conventional Yoruba wears.

Successful trainees in the #Ijinle project will join other creative fashion entrepreneurs at a Fashion Exhibition after which they will be settled in a production cluster in Osun with a business development presence in Lagos.‏

These are the beneficiaries of the #Ijinle Project. They were selected from the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme.

The primary internship facilitator of #Ijinle Project is Mr. Kabiru Durojaye, a 56-year-old veteran tailor and custodian of authentic Yoruba wears craftsmanship for over 30 years. He is known to have perfected the craft of making vintage bespoke Yoruba outfits. The project at completion will revive hope and reward veterans like Mr. Kabir Durojaye whose efforts of many years will live on after many failed attempts to successfully train and retain youths along his line of craft.

Ijinle Project has now been officially launched by a rep of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola. Hon. Demola Akintoyese, SA Enterprise and Wealth Creation. The 15 OYES beneficiaries/trainees will be housed and fed whilst the training last in their hostel for a duration of 5 months in Lagos.

Mr. Akintoyese said that all successful trainees will be settled in a production cluster in Osun with a business development presence in Lagos and the training will last for 5months

In attendance is the personal tailor to Mr. Governor who is also an instructor, Mr. Ademola Adetoyese, special adviser to Osun State Governor on wealth creation and enterprise represent Governor Rauf Aregbesola Mr kabiru durojaye, the head of Strategic Unit Office of the Governor Mr. Ileowo kikiowo, Rtrd col. Eniibukun Oyewole Commandanté OYES, and miss Muinat Atunise the coordinator of the Ijinle project.

More Photographs from the event through the lenses of Ibrahim Jamiu Omookose

OSHA 2019

MY PACT WITH OLORUNDA CONSTITUENTS.

INTENTION TO REPRESENT OLORUNDA STATE CONSTITUENCY AT THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

I, Muftau Abiodun Adediran Esq., a member of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ward 05, Olorunda Local Government, Osogbo, State of Osun hereby offer myself to represent our Olorunda State Constituency at the Osun State House of Assembly in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

I understand that proper constitutional roles of the legislature in the promotion of democratic governance in Nigeria remain paramount in legislative discourse, as democratic culture cannot be sustained without qualitative legislation for good governance.

In this my wish to contribute towards a sustainable democratic governance, I undertake to be committed to the following when granted the opportunity to represent the good people of Olorunda Local Government:

1). I will dutifully observe legislative-executive harmonious working relationship to meet the needs and yearnings of our people in terms of development and standard of living.

2). I will contribute towards institutionalizing procedures for guaranteeing and protecting the rights of the citizens at all times within the constitutional framework.

3). I will contribute towards the promotion of self actualization for the electorates and alleviation of poverty among our people.

4). I will ensure I work towards continuous improvement in qualitative education, good healthcare facilities, potable water, sanitation, security and other life-enhancing deliverables, as abundantly provided for in our laws.

5). Special recognition and periodic empowerment I will give to the "live wires" of the party i.e Elders,Excos, Women & Youth with adequate feedback.

6). Scholarship will be given to students of tertiary institutions and artisans of Olorunda state constituency extraction.

The above and many more are my plans towards providing adequate representation for the good people of the Olorunda State Constituency in the State Assembly, should I earn my people's mandate to be their voice in the State Parliament.

I hereby crave your support towards realising this dream.

Thanks for your support.

ILERI MI PELU AWON EEYAN EKU IDIBO OLORUNDA.

ERONGBA LATI SOJU EKU IDIBO OLORUNDA NI ILE IGBIMO ASOFIN IPINLE OSUN.

EMI MUFTAU ABIODUN ADEDIRAN Esq. okan pataki nin u omo egbe ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) woodu Karun ni Ijoba Ibile Olorunda, Osogbo, Ipinle Osun n fi asiko yi fa ara mi kale lati soju eku idibo Olorunda ninu ile Igbimo Asofin Ipinle Osun nibi eto idibo apapo odun 2019.
Mo mo amodaju wi pe ojuse asofin ninu igbega eto ijoba tiwa-n-tiwa lorilede yii kuro ni afoworo-seyin labe ohun to niise pelu eto isofin, gege beto iselu ko se le fidimule lai si eto isofin to muna doko fun agbekale ijoba rere.
Nipa bayii, erongba mi lati kopa ninu ifesemule isejoba tiwa-n-tiwa, Mo n se ileri lati fi ara mi jin fun awon nnkan wonyi ti mo ba le ni anfaani lati soju awon eniyan mi nijoba ibile Olorunda.
1.) Maa mojuto ajosepo to dan monran laarin igbimo alase ati Asofin lati le se amuse ife ati ireti awon eniyan wa nipa idagbasoke ati igbe aye to dara.
2.) Maa sojuse nipa agbekale igbese fun ifidimule ati idaabo bo eto awon eeyan nigbogbo igba labe alakale iwe abena ofin.
3.) Maa sojuse nipa agbega imuse ala fun awon oludibo ati mimu adinku ba ise ohun osi lawujo wa.
4.) Maa ri-i daju pe Mo sise fun itesiwaju agbende ojulowo eto eko, ibudo ilera to bojumu, omi-ero, imototo ayika, aabo ati awon ohun amayederun miiran, gege bi ofin ile wa se la-a kale lekun-unrere.
5.) Ibolafun ati Irolagbara loorekoore ni maa maa fun awon "emi" egbe i.e awon agbaagba, awon Oloye, awon Obinrin ati awon Odo pelu jije abo to peye funwon.
6.) Ebun iranlowo- eto eko yoo maa di fifun awon akekoo to wa nile eko giga ati awon to n kose-owo lagbegbe eku idibo Olorunda.
Iwonyi ati opolopo miran lati je ki eto sisoju awon eeyan leku idibo Olorunda peye nile Igbimo Asofin Ipinle yii lo wa ni okan mi ti mo ba ri iyo-n-da awon eniyan mi pe ki n lo je agbenuso won nile Igbimo Asofin Ipinle yii.
Mo fi asiko yi beere fun atileyin yin lori amuse ala yii.
Mo dupe fun atileyin yin.

Bola Oyebamiji Congratulates Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Charges him to restore Confidence in the Party

A leading gubernatorial aspirant in the State of Osun and chieftain of All Progressives Congress who is also the Honourable Commissioner of Finance in the State, Alh Bola Oyebamiji has congratulated the newly elected National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and other national officers of the party on their emergence in the recently concluded national convention of the party.

In a press statement personally signed by him, Oyebamiji charged Comrade Adams Oshiomole to use all his experience as a foremost labour leader, a former governor of excellent performance and his exposure among others to restore the lost confidence of party members in the leadership of the party.

The governorship aspirant also lauds President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who took the bold decision to ensure that the constitution of the party was followed despite strong opposition by some forces within the party to do otherwise.

Oyebamiji however enjoined all party members and leaders to work in unison with the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomole for the 2019 eminent challenges.

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE SIGNING INTO LAW, THE 2018 APPROPRIATION BILL, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20TH, 2018
PROTOCOLS
I would like to thank the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as all the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members, for passing the 2018 Appropriation Bill, after seven months.
2. When I submitted the 2018 Budget proposals to the National Assembly on 7th November 2017, I had hoped that the usual legislative review process would be quick, so as to move Nigeria towards a predictable January-December financial year. The importance of this predictability cannot be overemphasized.
3. While the Federal Government’s budget represents less than 10% of aggregate yearly expenditures in the economy, it has a very significant accelerator effect on the financial plans of other tiers of government, and even more importantly, the private sector, which mostly operates on a January-December financial year.
4. Notwithstanding the delay this year, I am determined to continue to work with the National Assembly towards improving the budgeting process and restoring our country to the January-December fiscal cycle.
5. I note, with pleasure, that the National Assembly is working on the enactment of an Organic Budget Law, so as to improve the efficiency of the nation’s budgetary process.
6. As I mentioned during the presentation of the 2018 Appropriation Bill, we intend to use the 2018 Budget to consolidate the achievements of previous budgets and deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.
7. It is in this regard that I am concerned about some of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the budget proposals that I presented. The logic behind the Constitutional direction that budgets should be proposed by the Executive is that, it is the Executive that knows and defines its policies and projects.
8. Unfortunately, that has not been given much regard in what has been sent to me. The National Assembly made cuts amounting to 347 billion Naira in the allocations to 4,700 projects submitted to them for consideration and introduced 6,403 projects of their own amounting to 578 billion Naira.
9. Many of the projects cut are critical and may be difficult, if not impossible, to implement with the reduced allocation. Some of the new projects inserted by the National Assembly have not been properly conceptualized, designed and costed and will therefore be difficult to execute.
10. Furthermore, many of these new projects introduced by the National Assembly have been added to the budgets of most MDAs with no consideration for institutional capacity to execute them or the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required.
11. As it is, some of these projects relate to matters that are the responsibility of the States and Local Governments, and for which the Federal Government should therefore not be unduly burdened.
12. Such examples of projects from which cuts were made are as follows:
The provisions for some nationally/
regionally strategic infrastructure projects such as Counter-part funding for the Mambilla Power Plant, Second Niger Bridge/ancillary roads, the East-West Road, Bonny-Bodo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Itakpe-Ajaokuta Rail Project were cut by an aggregate of 11.5 billion Naira.
Similarly, provisions for some ongoing critical infrastructure projects in the FCT, Abuja especially major arterial roads and the mass transit rail project, were cut by a total of 7.5 billion Naira.
The provision for Rehabilitation and Additional Security Measures for the United Nations Building by the FCT, Abuja was cut by 3.9 billion Naira from 4 billion Naira to 100 million Naira; this will make it impossible for the Federal Government of Nigeria to fulfill its commitment to the United Nations on this project.
The provisions for various Strategic Interventions in the health sector such as the upgrade of some tertiary health institutions, transport and storage of vaccines through the cold chain supply system, provision of anti-retroviral drugs for persons on treatment, establishment of chemotherapy centres and procurement of dialysis consumables were cut by an aggregate amount of 7.45 billion Naira.
The provision for security infrastructure in the 104 Unity Schools across the country were cut by 3 billion Naira at a time when securing our students against acts of terrorism ought to be a major concern of government.
The provision for the Federal Government’s National Housing Programme was cut by 8.7 billion Naira.
At a time when we are working with Labour to address compensation-related issues, a total of 5 billion Naira was cut from the provisions for Pension Redemption Fund and Public Service Wage Adjustment.
The provisions for Export Expansion Grant (EEG) and Special Economic Zones/
Industrial Parks, which are key industrialization initiatives of this Administration, were cut by a total of 14.5 billion Naira.
The provision for Construction of the Terminal Building at Enugu Airport was cut from 2 billion Naira to 500 million Naira which will further delay the completion of this critical project.
The Take-off Grant for the Maritime University in Delta State, a key strategic initiative of the Federal Government, was cut from 5 billion Naira to 3.4 billion Naira.
About seventy (70) new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the Ministry’s vote. Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.
13. Another area of concern is the increase by the National Assembly of the provisions for Statutory Transfers by an aggregate of 73.96 billion Naira. Most of these increases are for recurrent expenditure at a time we are trying to keep down the cost of governance.
14. An example of this increase is the budget of the National Assembly itself which has increased by 14.5 billion Naira, from 125 billion Naira to 139.5 billion Naira without any discussion with the Executive.
15. Notwithstanding the above stated observations, I have decided to sign the 2018 Budget in order not to further slowdown the pace of recovery of our economy, which has doubtlessly been affected by the delay in passing the budget.
16. However, it is my intention to seek to remedy some of the most critical of these issues through a supplementary and/or amendment budget which I hope the National Assembly will be able to expeditiously consider.
17. I am pleased with the success recorded in the implementation of the 2017 Budget. A total sum of 1.5 trillion Naira has been released for the implementation of capital projects during the 2017 fiscal year. In response to this and other policy measures implemented, we have observed significant improvement in the performance of the Nigerian economy.
18. To achieve the laudable objectives of the 2018 Budget, we will work very hard to generate the revenues required to finance our projects and programmes. The positive global oil market outlook, as well as continuing improvement in non-oil revenues, make us optimistic about our ability to finance the budget.
19. However, being a deficit budget, the Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly. I crave the indulgence of the National Assembly for a speedy consideration and approval of the Plan.
20. The 2018 Budget I have just signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of 9.12 trillion Naira, which is 22.6% higher than the 2017 Appropriation. Further details of the approved budget will be provided by the Minister of Budget and National Planning.
21. I thank the Ministers of Budget and National Planning, the Budget Office of the Federation, and everyone who worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to bring us to this day. However, the job is only partly done.
22. I am sure you will remain committed to advancing our Change Agenda, not only in the preparation of the national budget, but also in ensuring its effective implementation.
I thank you and may God bless Nigeria.

Team R-CONNECT Felicitates With Muslims, Enjoins Them To Sustain Ways of Living During Ramadan

R-CONNECT has urged Muslim faithful not to allow the end of the Holy month of Ramadan deter them from doing good.


In a statement released by the Director General of the team, Mr Ajiboye Maroof Akinlabi, noted that Ramadan teaches abstinence, not only from food and drinks but also from wilful commission of sins.

According to him, in the month of Ramadan, people tend to share and care more for one another.

“Good works should not begin and end in the holy month of Ramadan. It should be an everyday affair,” he said.


The Director general on behalf of the team praised non-Muslims for supporting and sponsoring Ramadan programme out of respect for their Muslim brothers, noting “such gesture must not go unmentioned in our determination to curb religious extremism.”


He appealed to our dear people in the state of Osun to celebrate in peace and live in harmony.


The DG prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and leaders at various levels of government most especially in the All Progressive Congress party for their commitment towards ensuring better Nigeria, he concluded.

EniIbukun Charges OYES instructors To Be Proactive On Duty

The OYES COMMANDANTE
Col. EniIbukun OYEWOLE (rtd) in the early hours of Wednesday 13th of June, 2018 met with the drill instructors from the Nigerian Legion, Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, Man o War and Physical Exercise Instructor in preparation of the Fourth Batch of the Intake into the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES).

Col Oyewole (rtd) charged the compedium of hardworking individuals who were engaged as instructors for the recruitment of prospective applicants of 'OYES' to be very confident in themselves as he encouraged them not to take their assignment with levity.

Buhari President signs Bill that forbids VPs from serving more than single term.

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a constitutional amendment that stops a vice president who completes the term of a president from contesting for the office of the President more than once.
This is also the same for a deputy governor who completes the term of a state governor.

Buhari signed the amendment on Friday, June 8, 2018.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.

A president or a governor's term can be aborted by virtue of death, resignation or removal, thereby paving the way for the Vice President or deputy governor to take over.

The effect of the new law, however, is that having taken the oath of President or governor once, the affected person can only contest one more time and no more.

President Goodluck Jonathan would not have qualified to contest the 2015 presidential elections if the new law had been in place. He had completed the tenure of late President Umar Yar’Adua after his death.

According to Enang, Buhari also signed an amendment to the constitution that grants autonomy to state judiciary and state Houses of Assembly.

The new law means that funds meant for state judiciary and state Houses of Assembly will now be going directly to them and not through state governors again.

The President also signed an amendment that reduced the duration for determining pre-election matters in courts to ensure that such matters do not get into the time of the elections and do not linger thereafter.

Enang said, "I just want to inform you that His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari today (Friday) assented to the Constitution Fourth Alteration Bill which grants financial autonomy and independence to the Houses of Assembly of the respective states and to the Judiciary of the respective states.

"Therefore, upon this signature, the amounts standing to the credit of the judiciary are to now be paid directly to the judiciary of those states and no more through the governors and from the governors.

"And then the amounts standing to the credit of the Houses of Assembly of the respective states are now to be paid directly to the Houses of Assembly of that state for the benefit of the legislators and the management of the state Houses of Assembly of that state. This grants full autonomy now to the Houses of Assembly and judiciary of states.

"Another Act which has come into force today is Constitution Amendment 21 which relates to the determination of pre-elections matters. It has reduced the date and time of determining pre-election matters to ensure that the pre-election matters in court do not get into the time of the elections and do not linger thereafter.

"The relevant section of the Constitution has also been amended by this Act, therefore amending the constitution.

"The other one is Bill 16 which is now an Act. The intent of that Act is to ensure that where a Vice President succeeds the President and where a deputy governor succeeds a governor, he can no more contest for that office more than one more time.

"The effect is that having taken the oath of President once, he can only contest one more time and no more. That is the intent of this amendment.

"The other amendment is Bill 9 now an Act which gives the Independent National Electoral Commission sufficient time to conduct by-election. It has increased the time from seven to 21 days and generally widen the latitude of the INEC to handle election matters upon vacancy.

"These four bills, added to the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act, have now been assented to by the President and have now become laws.

"The Constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended is hereby further amended by the assent of the President to these bills today."

BREAKING: Abiola’s family writes Buhari over GCFR award, June 12


MKO Abiola
Related News
June 12: PDP, activists react to Buhari honouring Abiola
Recognise Abiola as a former president, group tells Buhari
June 12: Buhari's decision has ended Obasanjo regime's 'hypocrisy' -- Falana
Buhari declares June 12 Democracy Day to honour Abiola
Reps in rowdy session over June 12 Democracy Day declaration
The Abiola family has written to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for awarding the nation’s highest honour to their patriarch, MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 June 12 presidential election.
Mr Buhari announced the award on Wednesday and also declared June 12 as democracy day starting from 2019, shifting the date from May 29.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians. Mr Buhari also honoured late activist, Gani Fawehinmi, and Mr Abiola’s vice presidential candidate, Babagana Kingibe.
In a letter to the president, dated June 6, 2018, Mr Abiola’s son, Kola, said he was appreciating the decision on behalf of the family.
“Your Excellency, as I wrote in my letter to you on June 12, 2016, in our minds, the award was the only befitting recognition of the importance of Chief Abiola’s fight for democracy for Nigeria which culminated in 4 years incarceration/solitary confinement and decimation of his business and financial interests, before the ultimate sacrifice, being his life on July 7, 1998 at the age of 60,” he wrote.
“Your Excellency, your decision to also designate June 12 as Democracy Day rights the wrongs done to all the nation-builders and heroes that produced that produced the democratic credentials on which the Nigerian polity now thrives. We are profoundly grateful to the people from all corners of Nigeria that worked tirelessly to ensure the most free and fair elections in our nation’s history in 1993, fought valiantly for the Hope ’93 mandate given to Bashorun Abiola by the Nigerian people and died trying to protect the mandate.”
“Mr President, I thank you earnestly for heeding our plea where others before you did not, whilst conveying the assurances of my highest esteem.”

Buhari declares June 12 Democracy Day to honour Abiola

President Muhammadu Buhari talking
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that effective 2019 Nigeria’s Democracy Day, marked every May 29 for the past 18 years, be shifted to June 12 to honour Moshood Abiola, the winner of the 1993 presidential election.
Election data showed Mr Abiola won the polls but he was never formally declared winner and was not sworn into office by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.
Mr Abiola was later imprisoned by the Sani Abacha’s military regime as he struggled to actualise his mandate. He died in prison in 1998.
Successive governments have brushed aside calls for Mr Abiola to be honoured and for the federal government to recognise June 12 as democracy day.
The Buhari government said Mr Abiola will now be conferred with nation’s highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR. The honour is exclusively conferred only on presidents and former presidents.
The government also said Mr Abiola’s running mate in that election, Babagana Kingibe, is to be conferred with the second highest honour of the Grand Commander of the Niger, GCON.
Also to receive a GCON is the late Nigeria’s foremost pro-democracy activist, Gani Fawehinmi.
“For the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29th, as Democracy Day. That was the date when for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government. The first time this happened was on October 21st, 1979. But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12th, 1993, was far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29th or even the October 1st,” a statement by the presidency said Wednesday.
Moshood Abiola
“June 12th, 1993 was the day when Nigerians in millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our Independence. The fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military Government does not distract from the democratic credentials of that process.
“Accordingly, after due consultations, the Federal government has decided that henceforth, June 12th will be celebrated as Democracy Day. Therefore, Government has decided to award posthumously the highest honour of the land, GCFR, to late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12th 1993 cancelled elections. His running mate as Vice President, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be invested with a GCON. Furthermore, the tireless fighter for human rights and the actualization of the June 12th elections and indeed for Democracy in general, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN is to be awarded the GCON.
“The investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12th, 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29th as a National Public Holiday in celebration of Nigeria Democracy Day.

Osun 2018: I’m not Aregbesola’s anointed candidate– Aide

Contrary to speculations, Gboyega Oyetola, the Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, says he is not the governor’s anointed candidate in the September 22 governorship election in the state.

Mr Oyetola, who is one of the aspirants in the governorship election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), said this at a press conference on Tuesday in Osogbo, the state capital.

He said rather than waiting for the governor’s endorsement, he would fight for the party’s ticket.

“If truly I have received the governor’s endorsement, I will not be doing what I am doing; campaigning.

“I will not like to be endorsed, but I will like to be treated on my own merit,’’ he said.

On the clamour for the zoning of the party’s ticket to the West Senatorial District of the state, Mr Oyetola said that there was no such arrangement in the party’s constitution.

Mr Oyetola also said the reason he was vying for the governorship position was to ensure continuity of the Aregbesola government’s policies.

“We cannot afford to retrogress. Not anymore. The job at hand is too urgent to be left to just anyone unprepared.

“I believe I am the man for such a moment as this. I have this experience and the pedigree. I am dependable and accessible,’’ Mr Oyetola said.

The aspirant pledged to make the welfare of workers top priority, provide quality education, minimise unemployment and secure lives and property.



“My goal is to make Osun to be known as the destination for employment and jobs in the country,” he said.

Mr Oyetola also dismissed the allegation that some cabinet members were made to swear to an oath to support his governorship ambition.

(NAN)

Osun2018: Our Position-R-Connect

The leadership and members of R-Connect has carefully studied the tread of events in relations to the forthcoming gubernatorial election in our dear state of Osun most especially the primary election processes in arriving at the flag-bearer of our great party in the September 22nd election.

As a group of individuals with different backgrounds, ideologies, orientations and worldview, having full understanding of our oneness and sincerity of purpose of the core mandate of the group which is to project the people and governments of the Southwestern states in the best possible manner - a challenge we have tackled head-on.

Before now, as a group of like-minds, we have unanimously agreed that our individual should identify with and work for any aspirant of choice under the platform of APC in order to be fair to aspirants who may have interest in the service of any of our members until the outcome of the primary election when the flag-bearer would have emerged and all members will then drop whatever interest(s) and realign to work for the emergence of the party's candidate.

We have guided this mutual understanding and we would like to reemphasize it again that R-Connect as a group does not have any aspirant as her choice until the party picks the gubernatorial candidate.

Our sole responsibility as a collective is to continue to project the image of the government of our principal, ensure the continuity of progressive government in Osun and southwest generally.

Thank you.
Signed:
D.G
R-Connect

REMARKS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE SIGNING OF THE NOT-TOO-YOUNG-TO-RUN BILL, 31ST MAY, 2018, STATE HOUSE, ABUJA

1. First, I would like to welcome you all to the State House. Today is a significant day for all of us in Nigeria, and most especially our young people – and the role they play in our democracy, politics and national life.

2. We are gathered here for the signing of the “Not Too Young To Run Bill”, a landmark piece of legislation that was conceived, championed and accomplished by young Nigerians.

3. The coordinators of the Not Too Young To Run movement have now established a formidable legacy – which is that, in our maturing democracy, if you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat.

4. These efforts have resulted in the heroic task of enshrining in law, a reduction of the minimum ages for elective office in Nigeria.

5. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the State Houses of Assembly will be reduced from 30 to 25 years;

6. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the Federal House of Representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; and

7. Eligible age for aspirants for Office of the President, will be lowered from 40 to 35 years.

8. Surprisingly, the age limits for Senators and Governors was not reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this Bill. This is an issue that may need to be addressed going forward.

9. Nevertheless, your focus and contributions have now successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy and expanded the playing field for youth participation in politics.

10. You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your mark on the political space, just as you have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment, technology, and several other fields.

11. You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone.

12. This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this Administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work for you.

13. You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes an Act of the National Assembly.

14. Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment but also through Nigeria’s boundless prospects.

15. You should inculcate the spirit of self-help. Those who complete their training should not just sit down and wait for government or private sector to employ them. You should be innovative and turn your hands to any legitimate work that will enable you to sustain yourself.

16. You may have noticed already that every one of you represents one of our 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. This is because today is about preparing for the bright future of our country.

17. I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise, economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your States or at Federal levels, or as State Governors – and even someday, as President. Why not?
But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections!

15. Finally, let me say how proud I am, and how proud the entire country is, of what you have accomplished. Congratulations and best of luck with continuing to work to make Nigeria a greater country for us and future generations of Nigerians.

16. God bless all the young people of Nigeria and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

SENATOR DINO MELAYE AGAIN!

Dino Melaye Resumes Plenary, opts to sit with PDP Members!!! After weeks of being away from the Senate Chambers, the Senator representing the Kogi West Senatorial Constituency, Senator Dino Melaye has resumed plenary. Senator Melaye resumed plenary on Wednesday and asked to be moved from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) side of the chamber to the Opposition.The Senator who resumed plenary after battling with the police and being on admission in the hospital for a while asked Senate President Bukola Saraki for permission to leave his allotted seat and move to the opposite side of the Senate chamber.He specifically asked that he wants to sit beside the former Senate President, David Mark.
According to Senator Melaye, his reason for wanting a change of seat is because his present seat is no longer comfortable after his ordeal with the police and his health issues.
But the lawmakers from the ruling APC kicked against the move by Senator Melaye arguing that it is against the constitution.Meanwhile, the opposition lawmakers welcome the change of seat by Senator Dino Melaye. Dino is yet to officially write to defect to PDP. Dino was seen with a neck support and a walking stick.

14 states ‘to adopt’ Osun social protection model

At least 14 states in Nigeria have demonstrated their willingness to imbibe the model used by Osun state government in its social protection programmes.

The states are Bayelsa, Bauchi, Enugu, Lagos, Katsina, Ondo, Sokoto, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Anambra, Benue, Delta and Zamfara.

Top officials from these states attended the study tour of social protection programmes of Osun and commended Rauf Aregbesola, governor of the state, for affecting the lives of the downtrodden.

The study tour, which was organised by the United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF), provided the opportunity for commissioners, permanent secretaries, heads of service and other bureaucrats from the 14 states to study the model used by the Aregbesola administration.

After the study, Abubakar Idris, Kebbi state head of service; Shehu Kakale, commissioner for health, Sokoto state; Moukhtar Lugga, Zamfara state commissioner for education, and James Agbo, Benue state permanent secretary for planning commission, lauded the Osun government.

Addressing the participants, Charles Akinola, director-general of the office of economic development and partnership in Osun, explained that the social protection programmes of the state had helped to ameliorate poverty and improve the well-being of the citizens.

“About two years ago, Osun government had collaboration with UNICEF on the need to strengthen the state’s social protection programme,” he said.

“Today, the visit of the leadership of the UNICEF to Osun is a demonstration of the robust relationship, between the organisation and the state. The idea behind this partnership is to consolidate on the Osun’s social protection programmes, which has been the central concern of this administration.

“Thirteen of these projects would be discussed and shared with the visiting team from the states. We have been encouraged with what UNICEF had done in ensuring a mutually-beneficial partnership.”

Annefrida Kisessa-Mkusa, chief of field services and operations, rated Osun social protection programmes among the best in the country.

“I have visited about 15 to 20 states in Nigeria and since I have been visiting, I have not seen a leader like Aregbesola with rare passion for people’s welfare,” she said.

“I have seen your passion to banish poverty, banish hunger, restore healthy living, and promote functional and quality education for your people among others. I have seen your passion to develop your people and your state. I am really proud of your achievements because I have seen your indelible legacies in all sectors.

“With what I have seen, it is clear that Osun has shown that education is the key to development. Your programmes are no doubt centred on the people as your social protection projects are designed to better the lives of your people, especially the less privileged, vulnerable and downtrodden.

“All these have direct impact and reflection of your initiatives like O’MEAL, O’YES, O’HUB, O’REAP, O’AMBULANCE, among others as we all attested to during the course of this visit. I am also happy because all the achievements of this state are properly and accurately documented. I have seen that Osun has genuine statistics and data base for all its programmes.

“I have seen rare difference in governance in the case of Osun because, since I have been visiting states, Osun is the only state where sanitation takes precedence in the activities of the government as everywhere I have visited was clean and streets tidy even more than some of Abuja streets.

“Osun is a place I will like to be. I am very impressed with the quality of Osun Social Protection Programme. This shows the quality of Aregbesola’s leadership. It shows that Aregbesola is a very good leader and a symbol of service to humanity. I have come, I have seen and I have many memories to talk about.”

Credit: The Cable

AREGBESOLA: Keep Quiet – Famodun Blasts APC Critics
Category : NIGERIAN NEWS

FacebookPinterestShare
R-Connect News

The Chairman of All Approgressives Congress in the State of Osun, Prince Gboyega Famodun has concluded that a thorough overview of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration in the State of Osun will reveal that his government has raised the bar of governance in virtually all areas of human endeavour in the State.

Prince Gboyega Famodun dropped this hint while addressing friends of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and people from all walks of life at the third edition of RAUFNOMICS, an interactive colloquium organised by the friends of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in commemoration of the 61st birthday of the Governor held on Sunday at the magnificent Aurora Event Center, Ring Road, Oshogbo.

The State APC Party Chairman said irrespective of the person that succeeds the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, that government will be forced to work because Osun citizens had tasted what good governance means.

“As it stands; people now familiar with effective waste management, they know there must be ambulance for rescue purpose, drainage should be constructed with concrete instead of the conservative blocks among other beautiful projects of this government. So, if all these initiatives are not provided by the subsequent government, there is tendency for people to revolt against such government.”

He warned enemies of state parading themselves as opposition to keep mute since they have no better things to offer than negatively running their mouths to tarnish the achievement of APC government.

Prince Famodun used the opportunity on the podium as the chairman of the occasion to welcome all invitees to the colloquium as he wishes the governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola more prosperous years in sound health as he turns 61 on earth

R-Connect Felicitates With Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at 61

Team R-Connect has felicitated with the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the occasion of his 61st birthday.

In a congratulatory message sent to the governor, the team pray to God for his continued protection over Ogbeni Aregbesola.

"All of us at R-Connect felicitate with His Excellency today on the occasion of his 61st birthday. We take pride in his leadership and salute his relentless pursuit for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the State of Osun."

"Ogbeni Aregbesola is a worthy patriot and an exceptional leader who through the years have remained resolute in his quest to ensure that the responsibility we have to one another is greater than the pursuit of any personal, religious or sectional interest."

"We pray for God’s continued protection, guidance, divine health and long life for him this day and we wish our leader continued public support, unwavering enthusiasm and unrelenting drive to work for the good and strength of the State of Osun and the Country at large."

"Many Hearty Cheers."

Democracy Day: FG declares four days for celebration


POSTED BY: PRIMUS MAY 24, 2018


The Federal Government has highlighted a four-day activities to mark the 2018 Democracy Day, from May 25 to May 29.

Mr Lawrence Ojabo, Director Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) made the announcement in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the celebration would begin with the Friday (Juma’at) Prayers at the National Mosque, Central Business District, Abuja, on May 25.
He noted that the theme for this year’s celebration is: “Peace Building and Good Governance for Sustainable Development.”

“Prayers will be offered for the nation and its leadership at various levels tomorrow (Friday) at the National Mosque.

“Similar prayers are to hold at the National Worship (Ecumenical) Centre, Central Business District, Abuja, on Sunday, May 27.

“Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega will be the Guest Lecturer at this year’s Democracy Day Lecture on Monday, May 28 at 10:00a.m at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.”

Ojabo said all the events are expected to draw participation from all arms and tiers of government, including past Presidents, Heads of State and traditional rulers.

Others are the Diplomatic Community and Non-State Actors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies of Government, Captains of Industries, and the General Public.

He noted that the Nigeria’s Democracy Day held on May 29 every year to commemorate the return of democratic governance in 1999 after long years of military rule in Nigeria.

He added that the day offers a unique opportunity to celebrate our giant strides as a nation as well as our abilities as a people to triumph over daunting challenges in our journey in nation building.

“It also presents an auspicious opportunity to celebrate the return and observance of fundamental human rights.

“With the citizens having the sole responsibility of electing their leaders through democratic processes at all tiers of government.

“On democracy day, Nigerians celebrate freedom, leadership based on the will of the people, fundamental human rights and accelerated development”, he said.

FG Approves 22 Firms To Takeover Meter Distribution From Discos

Among the approved firms are Huawei Technology Company Nigeria Ltd, Bilview Energy Ltd, Chintech Electro Nigeria Ltd, Holley Metering Ltd, MEMCOL, and Meron Nigeria Ltd.

Others include Integrated Power, MBH Power, Trimani Engineering, Sapropel Energy Resources, Megawatt Distribution International, and Unistar Hi-Tech Systems.

Still in the list are Imperial Infrastructure Development Company, Ratio Consulting, Protogy Global Services, Paktim Metering, Sabrud Consortium, Tinuten, Kayz Consortium, BTS Power, CIG Metering Assets, and Cresthill Energy.

N.B: Before now, there was no government.

#SWA

Ekiti APC primary: Southwest leaders raise observer team

Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders yesterday unfolded plans to raise an observer team to monitor the governorship primary in Ekiti State and ensure a credible exercise.

The leaders-Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Chief Bisi Akande-met with the aspirants at the Old Lagos State House, Marina, Onikan, where they urged them to avoid any activity capable of generating tension and creating disunity in the chapter.
27 of the 33 contenders attended the meeting and pledged to work with the candidate that will emerge at the shadow poll billed for May 5.
Akande and his compatriots assured the aspirants of their commitment and readiness to collaborate with the APC National Working Committee (NWC) in organising a free, fair and transparent primary.

They also resolved to cooperate with the NWC as they participate in the assignment as observers during the primary.
Also at the meeting were the National Vice-Chairman (South-West), Chief Pius Akinyelure; former Ekiti State counterpart, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Ekiti State APC Chairman, Chief Jide Awe; and Secretary, Paul Omotoso.

The Southwest leaders urged the NWC to send credible people from Abuja to conduct the primary.
They promised to call a meeting after the primary to unite the winner with his colleagues and make the candidate to pledge an all-inclusive government, if the APC wins the governorship poll.

They also called on aspirants to make their campaigns issued-based and refrain from tarnishing the image of one another and the party.

The leaders noted the fears by some aspirants over the alleged partisanship on the part of APC chieftains who constitute the Ekiti State Governorship Primary Panel.
Aggrieved aspirants cited the last governorship primary in Anambra State which was trailed by allegations of fraud and corruption. According to them, members of the Electoral Panel were alleged to have engaged in sharp practices because they were not financially empowered for the exercise.
Asiwaju Tinubu said the Southwest leadership called the meeting to assure the aspirants that the zonal leadership would maintain a principled stand on non-partisanship and non-alignment to underscore its neutrality and fairness.
He said:” What I admire about them is that we called them and they answered our call. They all asked for a free, fair and transparent process and that is what we are committed to doing.
“The leadership is determined to respect that wish. There would be no interference, no collusion with any of them. But, we told them they must all maintain the peace. And once we all recognise our roles and play the roles, we will all move forward.”
Akande said: “We are non-partisan; we are out to create a level-playing field. Whoever emerges at the end of the day is our candidate”.
A governorship aspirant, Chief Dele Okeya, who was mandated to speak on behalf of his colleagues, described the meeting as fruitful. He also thanked the leaders for their intervention.
Okeya said: “We all resolved that the primary election in Ekiti would be credible, fair and transparent.
“We are happy our leaders gave the undertaking that the primary would be transparent. The leaders pledged to come to Ekiti to ensure that the process is transparent and hitch-free. They also resolved to come after the primary to ensure we remain cohesive and we have an all-inclusive APC going into the governorship election”.
Aspirants at the meeting included Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, Hon. Femi Bamisile, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi, Hon. Bayo Idowu, Chief Sesan Fatoba, Chief Bisi Aloba, Dr. Adebayo Orire, Dr. Femi Thomas and Dr. Wole Oluyede.
Chief Segun Oni and Senator Ayo Arise arrived shortly after the meeting had ended, owing to flight delay from Abuja. They said they agreed with the resolutions reached at the meeting.

AREGBESOLA, the State of Osun version of George Washington by Hon Wale Alabi SSA to Governor Of the state of osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Regional Integration.

His vision is neither to drink palmwine around the streets nor rendezvous with bush meat hawkers to deceive his people like his counterpart from a neighbouring state.

Rauf, the trail blazer. A governor that determined to give his State what the coming generations would be proud of.

Enemies and scaremongers may continue to give garbled account of happenings in Osun. But, believe me sincerely, one time at a point in the nearest future, Aregbesola shall be remembered as Osun version of George Washington.

He shall be remembered as the father of modern Osun who expands the scope of good governance and resets the state aspirations for economic prosperity.

Passionately, Rauf continues to transform the state, leading her to where she should be, but not where pessimists and political chicaneries wanted her to be.

You can only marry Aregbesola’s passion for his people and to that of an America father, George Washington.

Just like Rauf, George Washington took several insults from Americans because he refused to comply with the conventional projection as he could see ahead what others in his lifetime were unable to see.

Washington was labelled a traitor and enemy of his people. However, it wasn’t long enough before Americans discovered Washington was a rare gift and blessing to them.

While his antagonists had been thrown to the dustbin of history. Washington lives forever in America and minds of Americans centuries after his death.

In my flashforward, I see Osun ranks with top states of the world through the master plan which Aregbesola is laying its foundation today amid insults and interminable pillories.

If you don't appreciate him today, you will do so tomorrow when the coming generations start asking leaders of other states what they were doing while Osun was building her own future against all odds.

God bless our own Washington, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Amen!

Aregbesola’s work has spoken for him, Oba Aromolaran…

Aregbesola’s work has spoken for him, Oba Aromolaran… as governor visits Ijesa South

The Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran has said that the huge infrastructure development of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in Osun has spoken for him and will continue to. He said if the All Progressives Congress (APC) plays by the rules and listens to elders advise on the way forward, victory in the coming poll‎ is guaranteed.

Aromolaran emphasised that it is only God who has the final say in who becomes the Governor of the state at the expiration of Aregbesola’s tenure, but with prayers anything can happen.

The Monarch stated this when Governor Aregbesola paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Adimula before the commencement of the ‎goodwill visit to members of APC by the governor to Ijesa South Federal Constituency

The royal father urged politicians ahead the coming election to stop maligning themselves for a better Osun and Nigeria to be achievable, saying that the winner of the forthcoming election is only known to God and can be unlocked through prayers. ‎

He commended Aregbesola for the infrastructure development that has happened in the state but asked that government should ensure that more is done in Ijesaland.

“Aregbesola has done so well for Osun and deserves commendation from all angles, especially on roads and school infrastructure.

“His works have always spoken for him and I am sure it will continue to. As for the coming gubernatorial elections on September 22, I want us all to understand that it is God that chooses a leader but with prayers our heart desires will be granted.

“Myself and the whole of Ijesaland including the chiefs will continue to hail Aregbesola for his achievements, but I want to use this medium to appeal to the administration to do more for Ijeshaland.

“As we are pledging our unflinching support to the governor, I want to urge politicians in Osun and Nigeria at large to eschew politics of bitterness for the benefit of the state and the country at large.

The Governor at the goodwill visits stated that the team came to sensitise members of the party on the forthcoming election in September this year‎.

He urged the people of the state to learn from Lagos who had enjoyed unprecedented development due to the fact that the state is enjoying unbroken regime of the progressive party.

Aregbesola stated that ever since the creation of Nigeria when Osun was a division of the Western Region and now a state, no government has ever achieved his administration’s feat in terms of infrastructural development.

He explained further that the essence of allowing continuity in government in Osun is not for himself alone but for the benefit of the entire state as the spate of development being experienced will definitely continue under the APC‎ government.

While thanking God for liberating the state through the APC government, Aregbesola stressed that residents of the state should be careful not to allow the opposition take over the state ever again.

He said, “I want us to be very careful not to lose what we have; what we have is unparalleled ‎development which have never been experienced in the state since its creation.

“The state is going through a developmental phase and we must be careful not to halt the steady wind of positive change that is blowing across the state.

“Lagos state is the most developed state in the country today simply because no other party has, apart from the APC, ruled the state. It is the continuity in the governance of Lagos that has enabled it to develop in that manner.

“I thank God for liberating Osun through our party and I urge us seriously to guide the state from being taken over by the opposition again”. The governor stated.

APC chairmanship: Buhari meets APC governors in Aso Rock, rallies support for Oshiomhole
April 24, 2018

R-CONNECT News

President Muhammadu Buhari in a meeting with state governors in Aso Rock, on Thursday, January 25, 2018
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met with governors elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential villa, Abuja, prevailing on them to support former Edo state governor, Adam Oshiomhole, for the post of the national chairman of the party.

The party has scheduled its national convention for May 14 in Abuja where it is expected to elect its new National Working Committee (NWC) members.

The incumbent party boss, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who is also from Edo state, is thought to be interested in retaining the seat.

But a top Presidency revealed on Tuesday night that the sole item on the agenda of the meeting was to get the governors to work towards the emergence of Oshiomhole, as the party National Chairman.

The APC had decided to retain the current zoning formula for its national offices which ceded the post to the south-south.

The source said: “The President called this meeting with the progressive governors to ask them to back Oshiomhole’s candidature. That’s the purpose of the meeting administration that is the President’s position.”

In attendance also are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha at the First Lady’s conference room at the villa.
The Governors in attendance are Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Simon Lalung (Plateau), Jubrila Bindow (Adamawa), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdulahi Ganduje (Kano), Kassim Shetima (Borno), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Tanko Almakura (Nassarawa) Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Abubakar Bagudu (Jigawa).

Police speak on Dino Melaye’s ‘escape’, pending trial in Kogi
April 24, 2018Samuel Ogundipe

The police have provided details of how Dino Melaye escaped from their custody earlier today and insisted that the senator would be taken to Lokoja to stand trial in a murder case.
The senator was taken to a hospital in Abuja this afternoon after breaking his leg during his attempted escape from custody.
Mr Melaye has maintained that he should not be taken to Lokoja for arraignment, saying his security cannot be guaranteed there and prevailing on the police to transfer his case to Abuja.
Mr Melaye has a longstanding political feud with Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
On Monday night, police spokesperson Jimoh Moshood released a statement saying Mr Melaye had been re-arrested and would be transported to Lokoja to face trial.
The police had previously arrested some suspects who allegedly confessed to being armed and financed by Mr Melaye, although the senator strongly denied any links to the suspects or the murder case at the heart of his ordeal.
Read Mr Moshood’s full statement below:
PRESS RELEASE
ESCAPE FROM LAWFUL CUSTODY AND
RE-ARREST OF SEN. DINO MELAYE.


At about 1200Hrs of today Sen. Dino Melaye while in lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force and being taken for arraignment in Federal High Court, Lokoja from Abuja, escaped from lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in Two (2) Toyota Hilux Vehicles blocked the Police vehicle conveying Senator Dino Melaye around Area 1 Round About, Abuja and in the process the Senator jumped out of the Police vehicle through the window and was rescued from the Police men by hoodlums and miscreants to an unknown destination.
2. The Police team re-enforced and trailed Senator Dino Melaye to Zankli Hospital, Abuja where he was re-arrested. The Senator would be arraigned in court without further delay.
3. Meanwhile, one of the Toyota Hilux vehicles used by the hoodlums and miscreants in aiding the escape of the Senator has been recovered by the Police investigation team.
4. The Inspector General of Police has therefore directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the rescue and escape of Senator Dino Melaye from lawful custody.
ACP JIMOH MOSHOOD
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Breaking: SARS Operatives Arrest Dino Melaye
by webmaster

Operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad Tuesday morning arrested embattled lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West senatorial district.

Dino Melaye
Dino Melaye
The lawmaker, according to reliable sources, was arrested by the SARS and subsequently detained in a facility located opposite the old CBN junction along the Area 1 Expressway.

The SARS detention facility is known for imprisoning hardened criminals arrested for theft, murder, cultism and other criminal acts.

When the fiery lawmaker was contacted on phone by DAILY POST, he sounded rattled, as background conversation suggested a struggle between himself and some of the operatives, after which his mobile lines were switched off.

It would be recalled that initial attempts were made by the police to arrest Senator Melaye after immigration officials disembarked him from a flight to Morocco on Monday morning.

Following his release after three hours detention at the immigration office at the airport, the lawmaker’s house was besieged by over 80 armed policemen from yesterday until the early hours of Tuesday. Daily Post

FG Injects Over 1 Billion Naira To Osun Economy Through SIP
Category : NIGERIAN NEWS

FacebookPinterestShare
R-Connect News

The Federal Government of Nigeria has injected over a billion naira into Osun economy through its Conditional Cash Transfer for Vulnerable Scheme of Buhari administration’s Social Investment Programme.

Information has revealed that more than 13,800 beneficiaries in 18 Local Government Areas of Osun were selected and currently benefiting from the Federal Government SIP scheme.

The scheme which was kick-started in December 2016 with 12 Local Government Areas has been extended to 18 of the State of Osun Local Government Areas with a target to cover the remaining 12 council areas soonest.

According to the authority in-charge, Conditional Cash Transfer for Vulnerable Scheme is a Federal Government Social Investment Programme that was designed to aid the living condition of poor, vulnerable and aged people.

Beneficiaries of the scheme were identified and nominated by community elders and selected through due process at the State of Osun Ministry of Federal Matters. These beneficiaries were selected across board without party affiliation.

The Focal Person of SIP in Osun who doubled as the State Commissioner for Federal Matters, Hon. Idiat Babalola and represented the Governor of Osun during the event organised for the disbursement of stipends to beneficiaries in Olorunda Local Government warmly welcomed and greeted the gathering as she delivers government’s goodwill message.

Hon Babalola in her remarks said the programme is a Federal Government scheme which was extracted from one of the initiatives of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of Osun.

“You will remember that a similar project was started by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and was tagged ‘Agba Osun’. Then, the Federal Government understudied the initiative, saw the beauty in it and decided to subscribe to it.”

“I urged all of you to develop the habit of saving not minding that the amount is small. Try to save a little even if it is a N1000 in a month which after 3 years will amount to N36,000 which also can be used to strenghten your business” she submitted.

The SSA to the Governor of Osun on Federal Matters, Mallam Lukman Bello urged beneficiaries to continue to pray for President Muhammad Buhari for counting them worthy to be partakers of his campaign promise, reminded them of the contents of his campaign in 2015.

Mallam Bello advised the gathering to always turn deaf ears to all lies from the table of rumourmongers against the administration of President Buhari as he urged them to continue to be of good conduct and character like the Governor.

“This scheme targets the aged/elders, you should also remember that our children are benefiting one meal per day in their respective elementary schools while the youths are immensely benefiting through N-Power scheme that puts N30,000 into their account on monthly basis.” He relayed.

The scheme has so far recorded 475 beneficiaries in Olorunda Local Government Area, spread across 30 communities.

Osun Workers Declare Support For Aregbesola
Civil servants in Osun Workers have declared their supports for the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, commending him for his commitment to the welfare of the civil servants.


The workers who spoke through the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), among others lauded the governor for acceding to the demands of the workers without stress.

Led by Chairman of the JNC, Comrade Bayo Adejumo and TUC Chairman, Comrade Adebowale Adekola, the workers said they understood and felt the pains of the governor on his inability to pay full salary owing to the financial predicament of the state.

The labour leaders spoke at the Interdenominational Prayer organized by the state government for year 2018.

According to the workers, the recent industrial dispute in the state was not as a result of opposition to the Aregbesola’s administration but to ensure that the workers’ interest was protected and secured before and after the governor’s tenure.

The workers stated that Aregbesola has demonstrated good gesture as a workers friendly governor with some of his welfare packages for the workers, recalling that he was the first governor to pay 13 month salary to the workers in the state.

The labour leaders said: “We want to commend Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the harmonious relationship between the labour and the state government.

“Aregbesola is the first governor in the history of the state to pay 13 month salary to workers when the state was financially okay. He increased the workers car loan, without demand, from N250, 000 to about N1million. There are many good packages the governor provided for the workers without asking.

Before the state ran into financial problem, he paid salary on or before 24 of every month. We understood the governor’s predicament, and we are in support of his government. The last labour dispute was not because we want to fight the governor but just to secure the interest of the workers.

“The industrial dispute is because of what happened in Ondo State where Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said he did not owe the workers who were owed several months salary by previous administration. We don’t want our case to be like that in Osun; that is why put up our demands.

“We commend the governor for granting the request of the workers in the shortest time, despite the financial quagmire of the state.”

Responding, Aregbesola commended the workers for their supports, sacrifice and understanding, saying that he was unhappy not being able to pay salary regularly.

Aregbesola urged the workers not to abuse the right to protest by forcing other workers who are not being owed and those that are not supposed to go on strike out of their offices.

He maintained that the financial crisis was responsible for the inability of the government to buy official vehicles for the Commissioners, Special Advisers and members of the House of Assembly.

The governor said there was end in sight for the paucity of fund in the state, describing 2018 as a year of breakthrough.

APC’s three years better than PDP’s 16 years, says Tinubu

R-ConnectNews

The All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government has done better in the last three years than the 16 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said yesterday.

Tinubu spoke yesterday in Kano as a special guest of honour at the 35th Aminu Kano Annual Memorial Symposium organised by Mambayya House, Aminu Kano Centre for Research and Training, Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

The theme was: “Democratic governance and the imperatives of party ideology and supremacy.”

It was to honour Kano’s most influential politician of all times and the revered leader of the talakawa, the late Mallam Aminu Kano.

Speakers included former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former governor of old Kaduna State Balarabe Musa, APC chief Usman Bugaje, eminent journalist Dapo Olorunyomi and Dr. Auwal Anwar. BUK Vice Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Sagir Abbas. The ceremony was chaired by Malam Mahmud Othman.

The former Lagos State governor, who was represented by Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said: “When someone can do for you in three years what another did not even try in 16 years, any person with an open eye can see the difference between giver and taker, between friend and thief.”

He added: “The Buhari government has spent inordinate time cleaning the rot and plugging the holes in the corrupt system the others had institutionalised as their strategic policy and national direction.”

According to him, “the APC has been working to steer our national ship from this awful direction in order that we may bring the people and their welfare into safe harbour.

Tinubu explained that, “had the billions of dollars and trillions of naira that were stolen by past governments been used for the people, the nation would have been able to acquire the infrastructure and implement the programmes that bring greater development and economic justice to all

“Instead, the select few ate more than their bellies could contain. Distorting the course of justice and hijacking the means of national welfare, they wildly enriched themselves and left the average Nigerian to dine on the passing wind.”

He said more needed to be done. “I envision a time of even bolder action that modernises national infrastructure, implements an industrial plan that revives the textile sector and builds new industries, agricultural reform that provides farmers minimum incomes and greater access to credit.

“Mortgage reform that opens the door to affordable housing for millions of families, pension reform that insulates our aged from poverty and an expansion of the school feeding into every state and local government.”

Speaking on party ideology, Tinubu said ideology and principle must hold supremacy, adding that, “calling for party supremacy by and for its own sake is nothing but an invitation for people to install and then perpetuate themselves in positions of authority in the party.”

Tinubu described Malam Aminu Kano as a leader with high moral conduct, pointing out that, “this great man could have lived an easy life by exploiting for selfish objectives all the opportunities opened to a man of his great ability and social station.

“Instead, he devoted himself to the welfare of the people. He took the harder path because it was the true and correct one. As Aminu Kano did, we must do.”

Bauchi state Governor Mohammed Abubakar who was the Guest of Honour, noted that the questions raised at the symposium could best be answered by studying the life and times of Malam Aminu Kano who he described as upright and down-to-earth.

The Chief Host and Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Usman Alhaji Usman, urged politicians to aspire to follow the footsteps of Aminu Kano who he described as a man of integrity, honesty, simplicity and transparency.

In his paper Bugaje raised a few posers such as the difference between power and authority, legality and legitimacy, as well as eligibility and sustainability.

He argued that it was possible to have power without having authority, adding that it was also possible to be eligible, but not suitable for a given position or office.

In order to succeed, he said a leader must be knowledgeable, courageous and selfless; while adding that a leader must be like a shepherd who leads his cattle to a place of pasture and a good place where they can graze.

Olorunyomi said the need for the country to be in accord and be united in purpose.

In spite of the challenges that Rwanda recently went through, he said the country was able to bounce back into a unified entity where law and order reigned because of unity of purpose.

"Bear in mind three essential qualities in all games of intellect:– Never to show selfishness or to wound the feelings of your adversary. To be modest with a good game. To lose without ill-temper, and to win without bragging".

Governor Rauf Aregbesola (in white attire), , Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (left), Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Adegboyega Famodu (brown cap), chairman APC, state of Osun, Alhaji Moshoud Adeoti (yellow striped cap), Secrerary to the state governmnet, playing draughts game at the newly commissioned Olufunke Oluwakemi Kolawole Lakeside Resort Restaurant, Osogbo.

The facility, situated within the State Secretariat, and originally for the benefits of workers, is dedicated to Mrs Kolawole, a Permanent Secretary who was slewed in Kogi state enroute Abuja last year.

Copied Adebayo Rasheed Mabayoje

VOTERS REGISTRATION; EDE NORTH AREA COUNCIL BOSS TOUR WARDS.

The Executive Secretary of Ede North Area Council, Hon. Mukaila Uthman (Beile) today visits the people of Alusekere, Olusokun and Ologun Agbaakin all under the umbrella of Ede North Area Council and commends their massive turn out for the voters registration.

Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC) has commenced the voters registration across the state two days ago and the process has being yielding desired result.

Applauding those at Alusekere ward 5 for their voters card registration, the chairman appreciate the people of the community for having the believe that their vote is their power to decide whom to rule them. He urged them to ensure that they don't end it by register alone but they should all make use of their card to vote in this forthcoming election.

Appreciating the INEC officials, here in our Local Government, we do not tolerate any illegal activities and we thereby urge you to please give no room for underage registration. Anybody below the age of 18 years should not be allow to register as this is againt the law meant for the process. He added.

He then charged the people of Alusekere community not to allow any politician to buy their voters card rather they should use it wisely.

Osun Govt Releases Another N1.8bn Bond for Pensioners on CPS
The state Government of Osun has released a sum of N1.8bn bond to retired workers under the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.

No fewer than 210 civil servants would receive their bond certificates which would be presented to them on Tuesday at the state Secretariat, Abere.

A press release from the Office of the Head of Service, Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade, on Friday explained that 171 retired officers and 39 retired workers from the local government would received their bond certificates totaling N1.6bn and N200m respectively.

According to the release, the money has already been deposited with the Central Bank and the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for immediate payment.

Similarly, the government has also released part payment of gratuities to 720 retired public servants under the old scheme.

It would be recalled that the state government had few weeks ago released a sum of N40 million for fresh set of 400 pensioners in the state.

The sum was meant for the payment of pension of 148 retired secondary school teachers, 250 retired civil servants and 2 retired parastatals workers.

Of the money, a sum of N25m, N14.8m and N200, 000 were to be paid to the retired civil servants, teachers and parastatals workers respectively.

The beneficiaries of the money were the 3rd batch pensioners.

GO AND REGISTER FOR PERMANENT VOTERS CARD, HON OWONIKOKO CHARGES PEOPLE OF OLORUNDA NORTH LCDA

The Chairman Olorunda North LCDA, Hon Owonikoko Quadiri Ademolai who was escorted by the Vice Chairman, Hon Abiodun Musbau Ajisebiyawo, Deputy Leader Hon Adeoye Shakirat, Hon Rachael Babatunde, Hon Olawale John Akinjide, Hon Olayinka Ismaila Kayode and Hon Lawal Olalekan visited Ward 1 collation center at Agowande Ward 8 collation center at Ayetoro today to rally support for the continuous exercise of voters registration.

Delivering his speech Hon Owonikoko emphasized that voting is one of every citizen's civic responsibilities that should be held as priority. He explained that voters card could also serve as valid means of identification which is generally accepted anywhere in the country.

The INEC officials at Ward 1 collation center acknowledged that the turnout was impressive but there's slow pace in the registration process due to the use of one capturing machine in each ward. He added that Residents were appealing for additional registration point and machine in order to save time.

The Chairman said, he will contact INEC office to look into their request in order to speed up the process in the remaining days of the exercise.