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Aregbesola’s kinsmen honour Oyetola, ex-speaker Owoeye, others

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It was a glowing moment yesterday at the Oba Aromolaran Civic Centre in Ilesa, when the All Progressives Congress Reformation Forum in Ijesa south federal constituency welcomed and honoured seven of their distinguished sons who served in the national assembly, state assembly and cabinet of the former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, between 2019-2023.

A special recognition award was equally given to Oyetola in appreciation of his developmental strides in Ijesaland, particularly in the establishment of University of Ilesa, abolition of single-sex schools and reversal of other clumsy educational policy bequeathed to him by his predecessor.

The event, first of its kind in the area after the 2023 general elections, was a rendezvous where the future of the APC was charted dispassionately by leaders of thoughts across the federal constituency and beyond, including the apex leader of the party in the federal constituency, Chief Kunle Odeyemi.

In his address, the Osun State chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, did not withhold his admiration for all the members of the party who stood by it against all odds in recent elections.

On the question bordering on gross-misconduct of some identified leaders of the party, Lawal said no member of the party involved in anti-party during the last governorship and general elections would be spared.

Lawal also urged genuine members of APC not to lose hope, noting that with hard work and commitment, the party would return to Abere, the seat of power, in 2026.

However, on a statement credited to the elders’ caucus of the party that the immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, should seek genuine forgiveness to find way back into the party, the state chairman said such an unsolicited counsel was not the position of APC in the state.

In his words, “I read what the Igbimo Agba of our party said but they are in the advisory role of the party. The party in no distant time will state its position on it.

“Meanwhile we must be clear about this: we are not restructuring the party. The party is intact in Osun under Baba Bisi Akande and Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.”

In his reaction, the immediate past Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, who was also one of the distinguished awardees, the Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, appreciated the organisers of the programme.

Owoeye used the occasion to sue for peace within the party, saying it would be easy for them to get back to power in Osun when there is unity.

Another awardee, who is the former Commissioner for Works and Transport in the state, Engineer Remi Omowaiye, said though politics is a game of number, so there is a need to bring all and sundry on board; he maintained that those involved in anti-party activities should be punished before they are reintegrated into their fold.

“We must not condone indiscipline. I am an advocate of ‘the more the merrier’, but it is important we send a message to the people so that next time, another set of people won’t engage in anti-party,” Omowaiye submitted.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the occasion, Hon. Lukman Abubakre shared the opinion of Omowaiye on why promoters of anti-party tendencies in the party should be punished to serve as deterent to others who might want to exercise such indiscretion in future.

Abubakre, who is also Chairman of Local Government Education Authority in Atakumosa East, counselled that a similar home-coming programme should be organised in other federal constituencies in the state to reward steadfastness of committed members of the party who served meritoriously.

According to him, “All the awardees were selected based on merit. We considered for awards all key elective and appointive political office holders from Ijesa south who served between 2019-2023. Only those with controversial record and those facing charges of anti-party activities were left out.”

The awardees include, the former federal lawmaker, Lawrence Ayeni and former SUBEB chairman in the state, Ajibola Famurewa.

Ex-chief of staff, Dr Charles Akinola, former House of Assembly member, Babatunde Komolafe and former commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Adedayo Adewole, were also honoured at the event.

Only former minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Taiwo Akeju ( former commissioner for political affairs), Segun Olanibi ( former commissioner for rural development) and Wale Adedoyin ( former house of assembly member for Ilesa West) were political office holders who served between 2019-2023 who did not make the honour list.

General

Osun Pensioners: Governor Adeleke is Committed to Payment of Pensions, Entitlements

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The government of Governor Ademola Adeleke has reacted to the rumor of accrued pensions not paid by his government as alleged by opposition in the state, upon which some unscrupulous elements are allegedly planning a protest march.

We want the public to note that the current government has been consistent in paying some of the accrued pensions, owed by previous governments, from inception of his administration

While we have ascertained and confirmed that the rumour of a planned protest is not true,we alert the public to the spreading of the fake news designed to offend and confuse the contributory pensioners who are strong supporters of Governor Adeleke.

We assert that the pensioners and other stakeholders are aware of sustained efforts of the current government to pay up the inherited pensions.

It may also interest stakeholders to note that the Governor has 48 hours ago directed the hosting of an emergency consultative meeting with contributory pensioners to table full data before them and agree on a path to further payments.

Details of the meeting are to be communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Ahead of the meeting, we take liberty to release part of the records with renewed commitment of the administration to accelerate the payment process.

The records according to the Local Government Staff Pension Bureau in the state, shows that the government of Ademola Adeleke has made payment to both the contributory pensioners and old pensioners in the state, with effect from 28th November, 2022 till date.

The breakdown is as follows:

MONTHLY PENSION (Old Pension Scheme) – Three billion naira (N3 billion).

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Two billion, nine hundred and sixteen million, two hundred and twenty-four thousand, three hundred and forty-one naira and thirty kobo (N2,916,224,341: 30).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – One billion, Sixty-two million, Four Hundred and Sixty-nine thousand, Seven hundred and Forty-three naira, Eighty-six Kobo (N1,062,469,743 : 86).

Regarding Death Benefits:

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Three hundred and Twenty-four million, Two hundred and Eighty-nine thousand, Five hundred and Ninety naira, Sixty-two Kobo (N324,289,590: 62).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – Nine-six million, One hundred and Eighty-one thousand, Thirty-two naira, Ninety-two Kobo (N96,181,032: 92).

MONTHLY PENSION (Contributory Pension) Remittances:

PRIMARY SCHOOL – One billion, Eighty-three million,One hundred and Ninety-seven thousand,two hundred and Sixty-five naira, Thirty-six Kobo (N1,083,197,265:36).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – Six hundred and One million, Seven hundred and Seventy-four thousand, Thirty-two naira, Thirty-two kobo (N601,774,032:32).

PRESENTATION OF BOND CERTIFICATES:

PRIMARY SCHOOL – One billion, Nine hundred and Eleven million, Three hundred and Seventy thousand, Two hundred and Eleven naira, Forty-four Kobo (N1,911,370,211:44).

LOCAL GOVT STAFF PENSIONERS – Seven hundred and Eight million, Forty-one thousand, Three hundred and Seventy-eight naira, Ninety-seven Kobo (N708,041,378:97).

The government appreciates the Pensioners and especially the contributory pensioners for their understanding, resilience and appreciation of the high level of commitment already shown by the government and urge them to distance themselves from evil operatives of the previous regime who were responsible for the pension debt in the first place.

As we remind the public and pensioners that Governor Adeleke has workers welfare as a number on his agenda, we affirm that the Governor has the best interest of workers, pensioners and the public at heart and his government will therefore not under any circumstances deny retirees their due rights and privileges.

The government reiterates its commitment to the good people of Osun state, and asked that the lying opposition party be shunned, as they are mischief makers.

Signed:

Oluomo Kolapo Alimi

Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

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Mohbad: I Disguised To Candlelight, Shameful Things People Did – FPRO

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The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said that he was one of those who attended the candlelight and night of tribe held for Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, in Lagos.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, however, said the conduct of some of those there did not serve the purpose.

In a tweet on his X handle, Adejobi said inasmuch as candlelight processions are a right, it should be done with decorum.

He tweeted: “None could recognise me, I disguised.

“But I intentionally attended to see things for myself and have an opinion about the whole thing.

“I gathered some intelligence there yesterday.

“Sincerely, many guys are our problem.

“You dey mourn, u con dey smoke, dey hit or attack people, dey drive reckless, etc.

“May his soul rest in peace.

“While I commend the organisers of the lagos procession for their steadfastness and understanding.

“I hope others will emulate them.

“It’s reasonable to end all processions at the latest 7pm.

“Candle light procession is a rite and must be purposeful.”

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Football

Ramsdale’s Time At Arsenal Coming To An End —Premier League Legend

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Premier League legendary American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has said he is certain that Aaron Ramsdale’s time at Arsenal is coming to an end.

Ramsdale has been overlooked for selection in past two games, with summer signing David Raya getting the nod.

The Spanish goalkeeper joined Arsenal from Brentford on a £3million loan deal with a purchase option of £27m.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has insisted to the media that he will pick his goalkeeper based on tactical reasons.

But the fact that Raya has started in both the Premier League and now Champions League has many questioning his statements.

One of those is Friedel, who has the third-most appearances of any goalkeeper in Premier League history.

When asked if it’s over for Ramsdale if Raya starts this weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham, the American replied on talkSPORT: “Absolutely.”

“I thought from the second they signed him they signed him to be the new no.1, I don’t think you pay that much money for someone with one year left on their contract, I know he signed an extra contract and went on loan, but that was for other reasons.

“I think they really liked Raya so when he became available they pushed for him.”

“It’s very harsh on Ramsdale but it’s the coach’s decision,” the former Liverpool and Tottenham keeper said.

“I’m assuming Ramsdale at the end of this season will end up having to do what Matt Turner did at the end of the previous season and find another place to play.

“I know it’s early and people will say you have to see what he does, but I think Raya was brought in as the no.1, you thought maybe they could be swapping if they’d played Ramsdale in the Champions League, but that didn’t happen.

“I think we’ll see Raya in goal and he’ll be the incumbent no.1 this season.”

Ramsdale joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021, leaving Sheffield United in a £30m deal.

Last season the 25-year-old almost helped the Gunners to a first league title in almost two decades, which Friedel thinks will see him join another top club where he can play every match

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