Gov. Rauf Aregbesola
The Government of Osun on Sunday described as uncalled for, insinuations that the state would not pay salaries of its workers in March as a result of the N6 million federal allocation that accrued to it for the month of February.
The Government assured its workers that just as the Rauf Aregbesola administration had weathered the storm to pay salaries up to December, the government is executing with the support of all stakeholders, including the workers, a well-mapped out strategy for ensuring that workers are not made to pay more price for the dwindling allocation than they have done.
A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, which was signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, explained that the considerably reduced FAAC allocation is no more news to the State.
The state received less than N150 million from October till date, due the the repayment obligations for the Infrastructure Programs it has been prosecuting. In spite of the heavy obligations, Osun has paid more than N5billion in salaries between the same period.
FAAC is not only source of revenue to the State, and the commendable support of workers has allowed us to stretch our reserves and other sources to pay workers on mutually agreed terms as well as fulfill our development promises to the majority of the people
“As at today, the process for the payment of January salaries is at the final stages. Osun workers will receive their Salaries from this week in preparation for Easter holidays.
The State’s today remains a major projects site employing thousands of our people in simultaneous the construction of major roads, models Schools and other infrastructure mostly to be completed before the end of the year. Osun is therefore fulfilling it’s obligations to the people and running government. The State’s call all that care to come to visit Osun to see for themselves the moods in the state rather than pander to rumours, conjectures and lies.
The statement added that Osun, by virtue of its poor allocation, has never had the opportunity of ample resources that are commensurate to the humongous responsibilities of payment of salaries, payment of pensions and gratuities, and implementation of capital projects.
“But due to prudent management of resources, creative infrastructure financing, this government has been able to fulfill its obligations in all these critical areas of governance.
The fact remains that Osun, under Aregbesola did not have to wait for the day the state would get N6million as allocation before proffering solutions towards sustainable economic self-reliance.
“This is why Osun has reduced the cost of governance, moved aggressively to increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), sought to attract investments into the State through provision of hitherto non-existent infrastructure and enabling environment and instituted performance-driven governance.
“It must be noted that all hands are on deck towards more convenient repayment schedule of existing loans as part of plans to free the state’s resources for critical needs of governance. This is in addition to the drive for internally generated revenues the performance of which is very encouraging,” the statement added.
The Bureau therefore called on some critics of the government who are capitalising on the last allocation to make unguarded statements noting that Osun’s resources could not have been better utilized than what the Aregbesola had done in the last five years.
“We are aware of those whose job it is to confuse unsuspecting members of the public through their mischievous statements. The question these self-appointed critics of the Aregbesola administration should be asked is: if they demand that further funds should not be released to this government, what has happened to all the loads of lies-laden petitions they had sent to the Federal Government?,” it added
Saying that the ordinary people of Osun recognize the people-oriented programs of the administration, the statement added, “We are consoled by the fact that the ordinary people -the focus of this administration- appreciate the enormous work this government has done.
“This government set out an an ambitious and radical agenda to reposition our people for productivity which entailed prosecuting and funding a major human and Physical Infrastructure Revamp. It has delivered 200km of rural roads in partnership with the World Bank. It delivered over 300Km of roads across all Local Governments, over 70 model schools across the state so far. It all delivered major Human Development Programs that now places the State’s among those with the Highest Human Development Index in the Country.
“The global crisis of 2013 led to a reduction of 40% in receivables and the unilateral national minimum wages foisted on states increased expenditure by average of 70%. These unforeseen challenges slowed this government development agenda and has forced government to restructure. We are prosecuting this course carefully.
“Our commitment to the delivery of development to the people remains non-negotiable. Osun will fulfil, by the Grace of God, it’s promise to the people. The current situation is akin to squeezing water out of stone, difficult but not Impossible.”
The Governor on Thursday, reiterated that the goal of his administration’s education reform is to develop the new man in students that are intellectually, socially and morally sound for the growth of the state.
Aregbesola also announced that the Gbogan-Ode-omu road will be completed by the end of this year, promising that by the next 180 days, the road will be a reference point in road construction in the country.
The Governor stated these at the commissioning of King’s University, Ode-omu, investiture of the Chancellor, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, and the first matriculation ceremony at the University’s campus.
Aregbesola noted that the new man is placed in the centre of society who views his own development as part of and for the development of society.
He stressed that such students groomed from schools in Osun will be a non-parasitic and non-oppressive man who views his existence in light of the growth of others, saying such creation will see whatever he acquires as what should be used in the overall interest of others.
The Governor noted that the Omoluabi essence should be the goal of all education endeavour and that all higher school graduates must be worthy in learning and character thus contributing to the growth of the country.
He said, “It is hoped that this university will be able to provide moral instructions to their students by ministering to their souls. Indeed, a graduate worthy in learning and character is an invaluable addition to the nation’s social capital.
“A well-educated citizen who is morally upright cannot be quantified. This is also the philosophical underpinning of the reforms we have carried out in education in the state of Osun. Our goal is to develop the new man intellectually, socially and morally.
“This new man is placed in the centre of society who views his own development as part of and for the development of society. This is a non-parasitic and non-oppressive man who views his existence in light of the growth of others; he views whatever he acquired to be subsumed in the overall interest of other”. The Governor pointed out.
Aregbesola who chided how most universities are all striving to be generalists, held that each university, especially private ought to carve a niche for itself in area of relevance that reflects national or human need.
He charged Kings University to resist the temptation of being a generalist but rather concentrate on an area of need and become a specialist in it.
According to the Governor, “Every must equip every one of its graduate with a specific life-sustaining skill. Every graduate must be in a position to survive on his or her own, without necessarily looking for non-existent jobs.
“This is the challenge of the university in the 21st Century, and not seeking knowledge for knowledge sake as in the days of Aristotle”. He emphasised.
The Governor noted that the coming of private universities was at a period when there had been noticeable decline in university education, adding that the existing universities were plagued by poor quality graduate turnout occasioned by the proliferation of murderous gangsters, prostitution, examination racketeering among other vices.
He stressed that the coming of private universities gave hope for those who could not afford to send their children to universities abroad, advising that Kings university should be able to provide moral instructions to their students by ministering to their souls.
Earlier, the Proprietor and Chancellor of Kings University, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo stated that the University is established to complement other universities to absorb numerous applicants who could not be admitted because of limited spaces in the existing universities.
The clergyman enumerated quartet visions guiding the establishment of Kings University as leadership, information technology, entrepreneurship and excellence.
He stated that the university is established to raise leaders, kings, entrepreneurs and men whose minds are transformed and who will transform not only this community, state, Nigeria and the African continent.
Ashimolowo noted that the primary vision of establishment of the university is therefore to raise leaders with quality and outstanding character.
The Chancellor averred that the institution has come to change the mindset of the people from thinking locally to thinking globally.
He said: “Our vision for this university is to raise leaders with quality leadership. We want to raise leaders and kings whose minds are transformed; men who are going to be quoted; make our young people think bigger than their immediate surroundings.
“We want to transform one mind at a time; men who will stop thinking local but global; men who will not only change our community but also our state, country and the African continent.
“We’ve raise generation of graduates who are job seekers. Now, Kings University will raise graduates equipped with entrepreneurial skills so as for them to be job creators.”
The founder also disclosed that all the pioneer students of the universities were admitted on full scholarship
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