In his bid to promote communal peace and progress, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday pledged that his administration would continue to respect and promote the existing peace and religious harmony enjoyed by the people of the state.

The Governor stated this while giving his remarks at the 1437 Hijrah, the New Year Calendar celebration of Muslims at the Oke-Baale Eid praying ground, Osogbo.



Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has condemned an alleged inhumane treatment of its protesting members in Osogbo by the police

A statement by the NANS Vice President (National Affairs), Mr Gbenga Ayenuro said, “We hereby condemn in its entirety and totality the brutalisation, molestation, maltreatment, oppression, victimization and intermittent shooting of guns at students in Osun State by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF)”.

Students of tertiary institutions in the state had taken to the streets on Monday demanding the reopening of their institutions.

The students body added that that non-payment of workers’ salary and the incessant industrial action in the state, which have paralysed the economic and academic activities in the state for over six months, are having hard tolls on the students

Aregbesola who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola said Ijrah celebration was very significant to Muslims and that any serious government conscious of good governance, would see the need for the promotion of neutrality and balance among all the existing religions.


He urged the citizens to support his government by paying their taxes regularly, saying the nation has reached a stage where nothing works without taxes as the allocation to the state remains insufficient to cater for the numerous government obligations.



“The celebration of this year 1437 Ijrah is full of praises and thanksgiving to Almighty Allah who has been the brain behind our successes most especially the victory recorded during the governorship and general elections.



“Though our government has been able to pilot the affairs of this state as expected despite the financial hiccups experienced in the past, but we cannot remain over-dependent on federal allocation as there is an urgent need for us to be independent as an autonomous state.



“Payment of tax is a civic responsibility of all adults. We enjoin our people to see reasons in our agitation as we promise that their tax will continue to work for them”.  Aregbesola stressed.



Earlier, the Mufasir of Osogboland, Alhaji Maru’f Ishola charged Nigerians to complement government efforts through the prompt payment of tax.

The Islamic scholar described regular tax payment as the only panacea that can cushion the current economic mess, which according to him has impeded the growth and development of the nation.