Some of these projects are the ultra-modern Osogbo High School and the launch of the national School Feeding Programme.
President Buhari is not witnessing the celebration due to his international engagement but will be in the State next week Thursday for the launching.
Osun is the only state in the Federation that provides free lunch for primary school pupils through its programme called O’Meal.
The Nigerian Government is adopting the free lunch school feeding as a national programme to be implemented in all the public primary schools.
There are aerobics displays by the secondary school students to entertain the guests.
“There shall be no merry making for the celebration…The only feasible expenses is the payment of stipends to the pupils that participated in calisthenics display during the celebration,” the Chairman, Organising Committee, Dr. Charles Akinola said.
‘The youth in focus’
According to him, “this year’s celebration will focus on the youths, because the state would be in a big mess if it ignores the challenges facing the youths.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has described as mischievous, an allegation that it is spending a whopping N140m million on the Saturday’ anniversary.
A group, Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State had made an unsubstantiated allegation, describing the move as ill-conceived as the government was still owing workers and pensioners salaries and gratuities.
A former Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Dr Basiru Ajibola urged the people of the state to disregard the rumour, saying “the allegation did not come from a credible source.”
Zero budgeting
Dr Ajibola said in the spirit of zero budgeting, no particular amount was earmarked for the celebration, stressing that only necessary things were done.
“Earmarking is rooted in corruption. The idea of earmarking money to carryout activities was the basis for corruption. The state government did not earmark money for the events. When you earmark money, there is a tendency to spend recklessly, even when there is no need for such expenses, we only spend on essential things,” he explained.
Dr Ajibola challenged the opposition to come up with substantial alternative to Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s policies, rather than engage in baseless criticisms.
VON
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