*Hails expansion in cocoa, oil, palm planting
*Hints state tapping into $2trn creative industry
Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, weekend, approved the implementation of the 2025 agreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government at the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), with payment of arrears to commence January 2026.
The development has been widely welcomed within the academic community.
In a statement by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the implementation covered major components of the agreement, including the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA), the newly introduced tax-free Consolidated Tools Allowance (CATA), and Professorial Allowances.
According to the statement, the initiative was expected to significantly enhance staff welfare, strengthen institutional stability, and promote industrial harmony within the University.
Chairman of ASUU, UNIOSUN Chapter, Dr Wende Olaosebikan, described the approval as timely and impactful.
“On behalf of Congress and the entire ASUU-UNIOSUN, we sincerely appreciate His Excellency for this life-impacting decision. This is a clear demonstration of responsive leadership and commitment to workers’ welfare,” he said.
Olaosebikan also commended the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Wale Oladipo, as well as members of the University Council, for their roles in facilitating the implementation.
The Ibadan Zone of ASUU, in its reaction, described the development as a “triumph of dialogue and justice” in university labour relations, emphasising the importance of sustained engagement between government and labour unions.
Adeleke Praises Expansion in Cocoa, Cashew and Oil Palm Planting
Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed happiness at the various successes recorded under the agricultural sector in the last three years, reeling out statistics on planting expansion in cocoa, oil palm and cashew sectors.
The governor, who continued the sectoral review of Osun governance starting from 2023 had in the previous two weeks appraised his administration’s achievements recorded in road and sports infrastructure.
Speaking after receiving the agro-sector report, he said his administration’s cocoa expansion initiative received a boost with 400,000 cocoa seedlings planted from 2023 till date.
The governor, who announced the cocoa expansion initiative early in the life of the administration noted that cocoa seedlings were generously extended to farmers at a very subsidised rate, expressing happiness that “Osun is on the road to reclaiming frontline position ahead of Ondo and Cross River states.
Adeleke: Osun State is Tapping into $2 Trillion Global Creative Industry Economy
The creative industry is globally a two trillion dollar economy and Osun State has begun to tap into the sector to create community prosperity and productive engagement for the youths.
Governor Adeleke made the assertion after the massively attended concert organised by his son, B-Red and other music stars at the weekend in Osogbo.
“The creative sector is a gold mine. It is an area I know holds huge potentials for our youth and that is why I personally attended the free concert. I choose to boost the entertainment sector using my family brand which is very big in the Nigerian and global music industry.
“Osun is destined to be the hub of global entertainment. We have all the big stars and the network. An annual concert in Osun will boost local commerce and provide upward movement for local artistes.
“I expect the organisers to build on the successes recorded today. By 2027, similar concert in expanded format should hold. Osun should become the rallying point of creative industry, not only in Osun State but across Nigeria,” the governor posited.
