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Groups Differ Over Osun Finances, Aregbesola’s Probe

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A group, The Osun Masterminds, has asked for a probe into the finances of Osun State during the tenure of Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the governor of the state.

The group also called on the state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to speak about the state of the government that he inherited, saying the people deserve to know.

Speaking against the backdrop of a sharp drop in the monthly allocation accruable to the state, TOM’s Executive Director, Dr. Wasiu Alli-Oyeniyi, in a statement in Osogbo on Tuesday, expressed concern over deficit of N375 million that the state got from the Federation Account in February 2022.

He said, “In the month ended February 2022, Osun State Government received a negative allocation of N-375million from the FAAC, out of a possible N1.45bn. The implication of this is that the state will be paying back an extra sum of N375million from next month’s allocation, plus the deductions already waiting in that month.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: One Injured As Suspected Thugs Attack Osun Govt Bus

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“The governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, must as a matter of importance and the very near future, speak about the state of the government he inherited. The state’s people deserve to know why their state is in the state of affliction that it presently is. When the people can rightly appropriate blame, working together to get out of the quagmire becomes easier.

“The state government needs to, as a matter of urgency, conduct a financial sustainability exercise that will look into the core areas of finances of the state, the capacity it has for survival and the steps it needs to take to correct past errors.

“Such exercise may necessarily include a probe of the past administration’s financial actions, with a view to issuing necessary white papers where necessary, to reprimand persons found guilty of poor actions.”

But reacting, another group, Progressives Minded Forum, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Sunday Oriowo, accused the state government of sponsoring The Osun Masterminds to discredit Aregbesola.

The PMF, however, supported the call asking Oyetola to tell the people of the state the actual debt profile when he took over power in 2018, the repayment method and projects that the loans were expended on.

The group also challenged Oyetola to disclose deductions which made the state to receive negative allocation from FAAC and the actual amount being generated as Internally Generated Revenue.

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Mr Governor sir, members of the public would like to know ‘other deductions’ which put the state into negative in the February allocation. The people will also like to know how you have been funding the little projects you have embarked upon since all your claim is ‘there is no money in the state.’

“Besides, it is pathetic that a supposed objective group would close its eyes to the non-disclosure of N11.9bn refund to the Osun State government on Federal Government projects executed by Aregbesola, but rather continue to blame the former governor for the debt,” Oriowo said.

READ ALSO: Osun 2022: Oyetola Was Installed By ’Emperor’ – Adeoti

Reacting, the state Commissioner for Information, Funke Egbemode, said Oyetola’s government did not sponsor any group to attack or demand Aregbesola’s probe.

She said, “The Osun Masterminds is not an agency of government in Osun. We didn’t sponsor anybody.

“If people are saying the truth, say they are saying the truth. If they lie against you, defend yourself. Don’t leave the message and the messenger and be chasing shadows.”

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Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, 29th March and Monday, 1st April 2024 as public holidays to mark the 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said the Minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

READ ALSO: NAF Destroys Several Illegal Refining Sites, Berges In Rivers

“He calls on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

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“He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

“This, he said, is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all”, the statement added.

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PHOTOS: Tinubu, Governors Pay Last Respects At burial Of 17 Slain Soldiers

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The remains of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers, 13 soldiers, slain by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30 p.m., were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.

In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are also present.

READ ALSO: Labour Party Reserves 2027 Presidential Ticket For Peter Obi

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Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) also attended the ceremony.

President Bola Tinubu joined the solemn assembly at exactly 04:10p.m.

Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel, as well as those of other military officers, are also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.

Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.

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Abure Re-elected Labour Party National Chairman; NLC Kicks

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The embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Julius Abure has been re-elected for a second term by a unanimous affirmation of delegates despite the protests by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the party’s national convention that held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Other serving officers of the party were also returned.

READ ALSO: Why Bobrisky Was Awarded Best Dressed Female – Nigerian Actress

Recall that the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organize a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.

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Meanwhile, a factional chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, Mr Peter Okoye has boasted that the Nnewi national convention will not stand.

Describing the convention as a sham, Okoye said: “This is not a convention. We are on top of the matter. It’s purely illegal.

“There was no ward congress, no local government congress, no state congress, and now who and who are the elected the delegates that are electing the National Working Committee, NWC, members?

“The NLC was not there, TUC was not there, the owners of the party and members of the NEC and BOT members were not there too. So, who is holding the convention?”

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