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Osun State

Osun State is located in the South-Western part of Nigeria. It covers an area of approximately 14,875 square kilometers, lies between longitude 04 00E and latitude 05 558”, and is bounded by Ogun, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo States in the South, North, West and East respectively.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The indigenes of the State belong to the Yoruba tribe and are composed of the Ifes, Ijeshas and Osun. However, non-indigenes from all parts of Nigeria and foreigners reside in the State, living together in harmony. Yoruba and English are the languages of the people for official and business transactions. The State is blessed with a highly literate and articulate populace who constitute a virile and productive workforce. Traditionally, the people engage in agriculture and produce sufficient food and cash crops for domestic consumption and as inputs for agro allied industries and for export. A reasonable segment of the populace comprises traders and artisans. Other occupations of the people include hand-weaving, mat-making, dying, soap making, wood carving, among many others.

The people have a rich cultural heritage which is eloquently demonstrated in all areas of their lives. Their culture finds expression in their arts, Literature, music and other social activities. It is marvelous being among the people savouring the beauty of their well acclaimed cultural inheritance.

TOURISM

Tourist centres abound across the State. Some of the popular ones are the Oranmiyan Staff, Ife Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University Zoological gardens, Ile-Ase, Yeyemolu and Oduduwa Shrines and groove, all at Ile-Ife. Others include Osun Osogbo shrine which is the venue of the internationally recognized Osun Osogbo festival, the Mbari-Mbayo cultural Heritage, Idi-Baba Cultural Centre, Adunni Susuan Wengers Centre and Nike Arts Gallery, all based in Osogbo. There are also the Olumirin Water-Falls at Erin-Ijesa, Igbo-Sango at Ede and the Ayikunugba Water-Falls at Oke-Ila.

Tourists in Osun State are guaranteed maximum hospitality as there are standard hotels in all the major towns in the State which cater for their basic needs. They provide suitable accommodation and render other hotel/catering services at moderate charges. An ultra modern, State-owned Five Star Hotel is under construction in the State Capital.

The State also boasts of the existence of a modern golf course at the Mic-Com Golf and Holiday Resort, a serene settlement on the outskirts of Osogbo.

The State government accords great importance to tourism. All issues pertaining to tourism are handled by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and its parastatals. The Ministry is charged with the responsibility of modernizing and developing tourism in the State.

POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

Efficient postal services are rendered in the State by the Nigeria Postal Services Limited, a Federal government parastatal and private courier companies. In the same vein, telephone, E-mail, fax and internet facilities are available. With the take off of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) in Nigeria, high rate of mobile telephony penetration and increased volume of business transactions in Osun State are assured.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Osun State enjoys a heavy presence of Commercial, Development, Merchant, Mortgage and Community Banks. Branches of these financial institutions are in the State Capital, Zonal and Local Government Headquarters as well as other major towns in the State. These institutions render local and international services.

MASS MEDIA

Both the electronic and print media are well-represented in the State. The State Broadcasting Corporation operates a radio and a television station both of which are clearly received within and outside the State. In addition, two television stations of the Nigeria Television Authority are located in Osogbo and Ile-Ife respectively.

All national newspapers have their correspondents’ offices in the state capital and some of the major towns. This has made media coverage of social and economic activities in the state very effective.

EDUCATION

Convinced that education is the key to complete human emancipation, the State Government has restructured and committed enormous resources to the education sector. The Government operates free and qualitative education at all levels. It also operates an economic policy of a private sector driven approach.

There are 1,460 primary and 330 secondary schools in the State. There are 24 State-owned Technical Colleges of Two Colleges of Education, a Polytechnic and a College of Technology which are also run by the State while a Federal Polytechnic is also located in the State. The State is a joint-owner of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho with Oyo State. The College of Medicine of the University is located in Osogbo. Bowen University, Iwo, owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention operates in Osun State while the permanent site of Redeemed University is located in Ede, also in Osun State. In addition, the site of the proposed Hijirah University is located in Ede, Osun State. The State Government has established the Osun State University as a model.

Since the inception of the Oyinlola administration in May, 2003, an appreciable amount has been committed to Education and the Government is determined to continue to accord the sector priority.

ADMINISTRATIVE SET-UP

The State is divided into three senatorial districts namely, Osun I, Osun II and Ife/Ijesa. Each of these districts is further divided into two zones. Osun II consists of Osogbo and Ikirun Zones while Osun I is made up of Ede and Iwo Zones. Ife and Ilesha Zones are the constituents of Ife/Ijesa district. In all, the State is divided into six zones. The State is made up of thirty Local Government Areas and the Ife East Area Council.

The Local Governments and their headquarters are:

Atakumosa East - Iperindo
Atakumosa West - Osu
Ayedaade - Gbongan
Ayedire - Ile-Ogbo
Boluwaduro - Otan-Ayegbaju
Boripe - Iragbiji
Ede North - Oja Timi
Ede South - Ede
Egbedore - Awo
Ejigbo - Ejigbo
Ife Central - Ile-Ife
Ife East - Oke-Ogbo
Ife North - Ipetumodu
Ife South - Ifetedo
Ifedayo - Oke-Ila
Ifelodun - Ikirun
Ila - Ila-Orangun
Ilesa East - Iyemogun
Ilesa West - Ereja Square
Irepodun - Ilobu
Irewole - Ikire
Isokan - Apomu
Iwo - Iwo
Obokun - Ibokun
Odo-Otin - Okuku
Ola-Oluwa - Bode-Osi
Olorunda - Igbona
Oriade - Ijebu-Jesa
Orolu - Ifon-Osun
Osogbo - Osogbo

Osogbo is the state capital, it is very rich in arts and crafts. It is about six hours drive from Abuja, the Federal Capital and 232 kilometers from Lagos, Nigeria’s most prominent port city and commercial/industrial nerve-centre. Ibadan, the most populous city in West Africa is about 88 kilometers from Osogbo. Federal Government Agencies in the State Capital include the Nigeria Machine Tools, Osogbo Steel Rolling Company and the Industrial Development Centre. Others are the Federal Department of Solid Minerals, the Liaison Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, National Directorate of Employment, National Examinations Council and the West African Examinations Council.

The state capital also houses a National grid of the National Power Holding Holding Company of Nigeria. It is linked by a good network of roads with other parts of the country and it is also connected by a rail line for passengers. The Ofatedo aerodrome, near the state capital, is being upgraded to an international Airport.

The state Government operates from an ultra-modern Secretariat complex in the State Capital. The legislative and judicial arms of government are independent and work harmoniously with the executive arm to move the State forward.

Local Government administration in the State, as in other states of the Federation, is operated under a two-tier system made up of the executive and legislature. Developmental activities in the Local Government areas complement the efforts of the State Government in making the State truly investment-friendly.