April 20, 2018 Osun Defender Online Version

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Osun Assembly Osun 2018: PDP Passes N179.2 billion Denies Conceding Ticket To Adeleke 2018 Budget PAGE 3

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VOL. 013. NO.15

Sealed!

Omisore To Contest Under SDP

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Sealed! Omisore To Contest Under SDP

By Kazeem Mohammed It seems that the door for reconciliation in the Osun chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally been shut, as it has now been concluded and sealed that the former deputy governor of the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore would prosecute his governorship ambition under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The embattled Bayo Faforiji confirmed Chairman of the Omisore this during a telephone with faction of the PDP, Dr conversation

OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper on Wednesday.

Upon enquiry, Faforiji said, “Yes, it is true, we are moving to the SDP and that is the platform Senator Omisore will use to prosecute his governorship ambition come September 22. We will contest on that

platform.

On whether Omisore is a sellable candidate in the state, he said, it is only the people of the state that can decide that, saying Omisore is a household name in the state and well rooted politically at the grassroot.

According to him, even if the SDP does not have

handling the exercise was going to be translated during the Gubernatorial and General Election in 2018 and 2019.

Even as the exercise came to a close at the end of the day, mixed

reactions however followed it as many residents in the state complained that there were not enough centres in their vicinity and thereby demanding for centres to be located in each ward during future

the structure on ground before now, Omisore’s name, as a grassroot politician and his followers across all the polling units, wards and local governments would take care of the situation by using their political mobilization strategy and structures already on ground.

CVR: Osun Residents Express Mixed Reactions, Calls For More Centres

By Francis Ezediuno

exercises while others expressed satisfaction at Even as the State Government of Osun declared the opportunity given Monday April 16, 2018 as public holiday so that for them to have a work eligible voters could register in the ongoing free day in order to take Continuous Voters Registration [CVR], complaints part in the continous and commendations have continued to trail the voter registration exercise. exercise.

For those who electorates have been complained, their grouse was that they were being disenfranchised because there were not enough voter registration centres and where such existed, they had to travel long distances to get themselves ready in order to exercise their civic duties.

They revealed that because of the lack of enough centres, mammoth crowds turned up at the available centres and they could not be attended to until late in the afternoon.

According to a voter residing in Esa-Oke, Mr. Gbenga Adeola, “I was at the centre this morning to register for the new voters’ card with my wife but could not be •Electorates queing up to be registered at a registration centre in Ikirun, during the recently concluded Continuous attended to due to large Voters’ Registration exercise in Osun State. turnout of people for the exercise.

“This afternoon, I repeated my visit only to and Oke-Fia, the people register for their discover that those who

By Israel Afolabi yearned for more permanent voters’ card in have been coming for the One of the Independent National Electoral extension of the the unit was impressive. past three days are yet to Commission (INEC) accredited Observers in the registration exercise.

Another INEC register”. state of Osun, Comrade Omirinde Gboyega of Good A community leader in officer, He said that with this Governance Concerned, has implored the Oke-Fia, PA Isaac Ayoola registration Azeez Ayoade want situation, about 70% of Commission to extend the date for the continuous observed that the INEC to give more time residents of the town voter registration to capture more electorates. electorate came out in to attend to electorate have been technically number for who wanted to register Comrade Omirinde would be helpful, if the large disenfranchised. made the appeal during exercise is extended for registration in the area. for their permanent An INEC registration voters’ cards across the C o r r o b o r a t i n g , the OSUN DEFENDER more days by INEC to Abodunde Olaniyi visit to some registration capture more electorate. officer at Alekuwodo Mr. state to enable them At the various places Ademola Olusola noted participate in the future stated that majority of centres in Osogbo and its the people could not environs to witness the visited in Alekuwodo that peoples’ turnout to elections. just concluded register because of the unavailability of registration exercise.

He noted that the registration centres electorate few weeks ago released a

By Ismaeel Uthman trooped out while others complained enmasse to participate in The state Government of Osun has released a sum sum of N40 million for that in towns like Iloko- the registration. of N1.8bn bond to retired workers under the fresh set of 400 pensioners Ijesa, there is no CVR According to him, “the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state. in the state. centre at all. huge turnout of The sum was meant for No fewer than 210 civil According to the Meanwhile, some electorate at the wards servants received their release, the money has the payment of pension of visited was a strong residents of Osogbo and 148 retired secondary for the bond certificates on already been deposited school teachers, 250 retired Olorunda local reason Tuesday at the state with the Central Bank and governments who Independent National Secretariat, Abere. the Pension Fund civil servants and 2 retired turned up at the CVR Electoral Commission to A press release from the Administrators (PFAs) for parastatals workers. extend the exercise by Out of the money, a sum centres expressed their few days”.

Office of the Head of immediate payment. satisfaction with the Similarly, the of N25m, N14.8m and The observer noted Service, Dr Olowogboyega N200, 000 were to be paid exercise and praised the that since the Oyebade, explained that government has also state government for commencement of the 171 retired officers and 39 released part payment of to the retired civil servants, giving the exercise the exercise on April 11th, to retired workers from the gratuities to 720 retired teachers and parastatals needed publicity and the last day, he was local government would public servants under the workers respectively.

The beneficiaries of the prayed that the maturity impressed with the large received their bond old scheme. certificates totaling N1.6bn It would be recalled that money are the 3rd batch with which the turnout.

He also added that it and N200m respectively. the state government had pensioners.

...Observers Urge INEC To Extend Registration

Osun Govt Releases Another N1.8bn Bond For Pensioners On CPS

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“We have the structures to prosecute the ambition. Go to any unit and ward in this state and ask for Omisore followers who were formally in PDP and that will answer the question of structure.

“If the SDP does not have structure on ground, we, that are going there have the structure in every unit, every ward and every local government.

“Whether Omisore is sellable to the people of Osun or not, let the electorate decide that.

The 250,000 votes that we got in the 2014 governorship election, were they not members of the electorate, are they not there again?

“Whoever is saying that he is not sellable, let them pick their own candidate and let the people decide. By the grace of God, we are convinced that Senator Omisore will emerge as the governor of Osun”.

Faforiji said that there will be formal declaration for the SDP soon, saying, “may be by next week or I should just say before the end of the month”.

It would be recalled that the insistence of the former deputy governor to contest for the governorship seat again has tore his former party, PDP apart, as a faction of the party which claimed to have the majority insisted that he is not a sellable candidate.

Recently the followers of Omisore tore the party flag of the PDP at the factional secretariat of the party at Ogo-Oluwa, a situation that triggered rumour that he has pitched his tent with the Accord Party.

Some former political office holders in the state, who are members of the PDP had subsequently berated Omisore for the action, demanding that he must be punished for his misdeeds.

They said that with or without Omisore, the PDP would produce the next governor of the state.

Reacting on the rumour of defection or suspension of Senator Omisore from the party, the state PDP Chairman, Honourable Soji Adagunodo said: “As I speak, Otunba Iyiola Omisore is one of our revered leaders and the party is in the process of reconciliation.

“We cannot be thinking of reconciliation and at the same time thinking of suspension of some people. We hope he reasons along with the leadership and join hands with us to move the party forward.”

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Osun 2018: PDP Denies Conceding Ticket To Adeleke

By Ismaeel Uthman The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, Hon Soji Adagunodo has denied the allegation that he has conceded the governorship ticket of the party to Senator Ademola Adeleke who is representing Osun West Senatorial District at the Senate.

Adagunodo said the unfounded and far from allegation was the truth, saying that the

process for the gubernatorial primaries of the PDP has not started.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in a telephone interview on Wednesday, Adagunodo said it was unreasonable for anybody to allege or

conclude that he wanted to manipulate the primary process in favour of a particular aspirant when the process was yet to start.

“How possible is that allegation when the process has not yet started. We have our

party constitution and guidelines which we are yet to start implementing.

Senator Ademola Adeleke just dropped his letter of intent on Tuesday. That allegation is unfounded”, he said.

He maintained that the PDP would follow the

Aregbesola Charges NUJ On Quackery

By Shina Abubabakar Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has admonished the leadership of media to evolve measures and means of quality control and cultivate the habit of weeding out unprofessionals and unprofessional conduct from the media profession.

He said it was the appropriate time for the leadership of the media profession to do what is needful for growth and development of democracy.

The governor made the remarks while declaring open the ‘2018 Press Week’ of the Osun Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osogbo.

Aregbesola who was represented by Mr. Yomi Obaditan, his Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Media, said there had been many unsavoury developments in the media sector.

He said extortion, blackmail, rumour mongering and falsehood promotion by unprofessional and rogue who present themselves as journalists were taking prominence in the media profession.

He said the practice of hearsay, innuendoes, insinuations and uninvestigated claims being published and reported under the guise of ‘allegedly’ is unprofessional and has brought more harm to reputations, the professionalism and integrity of media organisations and journalists.

He said journalists and media practitioners round the globe are vibrant opinion-molders and change-agents, who raise the consciousness of the people to issues of their welfare, development and security.

He said if the society would survive and overcome its challenges, the media must play a leading role and therefore every media claim or report must be thoroughly investigated and only the truth should always be published.

Lekan Alabi, Chairman of the occasion and Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, said that media practitioners deserve to be part of budget planning and not implementation alone.

Alabi, who is also the

Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadan land said that the roles of the media should not be on budget implementation but must also be involved

implanting of the financial estimates.

Alabi said several opportunities are open to journalists and that they ought to make inputs into budget planning at the local, state and federal levels.

He said media practitioners must however learn the rudiments of accounting and auditing.

He said the essential tools for journalists to make good impact or contributions to national development are to be qualified, creative and stable men and women behind pens, computers, microphones and the cameras.

Mr Biodun Olalere, the state Chairman of NUJ in his own remarks welcomed the guests to

the programme, and stated the importance of journalists’ involvement in budget implementation.

Olalere said it is important for journalists to hold the government accountable for budgets presented and their implementations as well as also investigating how such budgets are expended.

•Members of Osun NUJ during a physical fitness walk as part of the activities marking the 2018 Press Week of the union in Osogbo, on Wednesday.

party’s constitution and guidelines for the conduct of the gubernatorial primaries, promising that all the governorship aspirants would be given a level playing ground.

Adagunodo also dismissed the insinuation that the PDP, Senator Adeleke and his brother Dr Deji Adeleke have penciled down the former commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Mr Sunday Akere as deputy governorship candidate of the party.

There were insinuations that the Adeleke family, PDP and a section of the aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had entered into an agreement to use Akere as a running mate to Senator Adeleke who is supposed to be the PDP flag bearer.

The PDP chairman while reacting to the matter said: “We would be happy to have as many as possible members of other parties to join us and some to collaborate with us to deliver Osun and send the APC packing in the state.

“But as I speak with you, Sunday Akere has not open discussion about him joining our party with me, not to talk of negotiating position with him.

“Please let me make it clear that what is paramount to us as a party now is to have an acceptable candidate as our flag bearer”.

Osun Assembly Passes N179.2 billion 2018 Budget

By Israel Afolabi Osun House of Assembly has passed the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N179.2 billion.

The passage of the Explaining the reason budget followed a for the delay in the motion moved by the passage of the budget, leader of the house, the Speaker of the house, Honourable Timothy Honourable Najeem Owoeye and seconded by the House Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Kamil Oyedele, at the plenary on Wednesday in Osogbo.

The budget, as approved has N92.6 billion as capital expenditure, which represents 51.2 per cent and N86.6 billion as recurrent expenditure, which represents 48.9 per cent.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola had on Dec. 28, 2017 presented a budget of N173.9 billion to the assembly.

The budget was jacked up by the parliament in the course of its consideration •SALAAM

Salaam, said the lawmaker were being careful to present a budget that would be acceptable to the people.

Salaam urged the state governor to release the approved budget to

Ministries, Department and Agencies of g o v e r n m e n t immediately funds are available for proper implementation.

He said this would allow the MDAs to function effectively.

The speaker also urged revenue generating agencies to improve on the internally generated revenue drive to complement what the state was getting from the Federal allocation.

Speaking with newsmen after the passage of the bill, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said that the budget was increased by N5.2 billion by the assembly.

Oyintiloye said the increment represents 3.03 per cent of the original budget presented to the

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assembly by the governor, saying that the increment was necessitated by the finding of the parliament which unveiled some of the needs of the state that were not originally captured.

The lawmaker said that he was satisfied with the approved budget christened ’ budget of enduring legacy’.

“It is a budget of hope with capital expenditure higher than the recurrent expenditure.

“With the sectoral allocation, I believe it is a budget for the common man, which is promising and achievable, if all involve in the implementation play their role”, Oyintiloye said.

The lawmaker said that the assembly, through its standing committees would ensure proper implementation of the budget and its performance.

PAGE

4 The statement coming from a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, last week that it will be difficult for his party to win this year’s Osun gubernatorial election, is a statement of fact that deserves to be commended by all and sundry irrespective of political affiliation or partisan interest.

Babatope had based his political prophecy on the stellar performance of Ogbeni Aregbesola in the state. To quote him; “Aregbesola has done well. He is a performer. In everything he has done, he has done well. Even if I am opposed to the APC and what Buhari’s federal government has done, I can never discredit Aregbesola and his government. He has done well”.

Babatope’s statement reminds us of the famous quote of that

We Salute Babatope's Courage Of course it takes courage to be able to speak truth to power these days especially in our own clime here where the opposition hardly sees anything good in the performance of the government in power, no matter how well the latter does.

‘

American writer, William Faulkner: ”Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice, lying and greed. If people all over the world do this, it would change the earth”. Of course it takes courage to be able to speak truth to power these days especially in our own clime

’

here where the opposition hardly sees anything good in the performance of the government in power, no matter how well the latter does.

It is within the context of the above therefore that we find Mr. Babatope’s comment on Aregbesola’s administration very

'Confusion Break Bone' Give it to the indomitable Fela Anikulapo Kuti, he will always be remembered as more than a music maestro, he was in addition a very astute observer of the social phenomena. His prophecies always come back to haunt.

In the State of Osun as of now, we are in interesting times. The incumbent government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola across the partisan divide has been acknowledged for having putting in a stellar shift. The key as issue to be, is how do you sustain such a superb performance?

Our own position has been that continuity of the present trajectory is mandatory. For a start, we have seen how continuity of a progressive stream has made a difference in Lagos state. It is also desirable here.

We, of course, stand to be controverted, this will be helpful since we are not the fountain of all knowledge It is unfortunately getting difficult though to be controverted. Sadly, for a democracy, the PDP which should be the alternative to Ogbeni

Granted that the PDP does not have a programme for Osun State, it will however help if they can somehow show a seriousness of intent and comportment.

Aregbesola’s continuity agenda is in a state of disarray. They have never portrayed themselves as a potential government –in-waiting anyway, which in itself is an indictment of their inadequacy of preparation and bad for democracy which rests on a plurality of thoughts and ideas. The recent factionalisation, the comings and goings in the main opposition party the PDP in Osun State is a wonder to behold. It has gone from tragedy into

farce. With elections just 155 days away, a pivotal figure within the PDP, former Senator Iyiola Omisore obviously can’t work out whether he is in PDP, Accord or SDP. Nobody has an idea either.

Granted that the PDP does not have a programme for Osun State, it will however help if they can somehow show a seriousness of intent and comportment. As the PDP gets even more confused, they have brought out their ace card; this is presented in the form of the dancing senator from Osun West. Here, we are descending again from tragedy into farce. Osun State needs a competent governor to build upon the trajectory of the construction of a new social and economic framework which Ogbeni Aregbesola and his team have put in place, this is non-negotiable. The state Publisher certainly does not need an entertainer. If it is to play its role in a plural society Acting Editor the Osun State PDP should begin to show Lagos Editor some seriousness.

OSUN DEFENDER

Funding Terrorism In Nigeria Terrorism has been one of the major mayhem in our country called Federal Republic of Nigeria since the last 20 years. The appearances of Niger/ Delta Militants, BokoHaram to Herdsmen calamity have subjected the security of Nigeria to threat.

The activities of these groups have caused insecurity within the country, which is not going down well with citizens at all.

President Muhammadu Buhari may have put his fingers exactly on the solution to terrorism in the African continent when he urged his fellow leaders to collaborate to stop ransom payments and all forms of financing for terrorism networks.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari said in one of his key note

addresses at African Union Summit that the creation of continental database on terrorist groups and a halt to all flows of funds to them ought to be part of a comprehensive approach to fighting the threat. It is a surprise that this idea is just occurring to Nigerians and African leaders even as terrorists attempt to overrun the country.

So, if the idea is adopted and implemented, it will go a long was in checking the atrocity those gangs of criminals constitute which is also standing in the way

of meaningful development in a country.

For instance, terrorist groups both in the North and South of the country have consistently constituted themselves to be a threat to the corporate existence of the country through insurrection, agitation, militancy and kidnapping. They have almost turned those reprehensible activities

into an industry through demands for ransom when they kidnap or abduct innocent citizens like Chibok and Dapchi school girls.

Meanwhile, all these

apt and highly commendable. The axiomatic expression; “Only the deep can call the deep” comes to play once again as a key figure of the main opposition party in the land is coming out to testify to the veracity of the reality on ground in the state as it concerns the laudable performance of the Aregbesola administration.

As an Osun based media outfit that can see for ourselves the concrete achievements of Ogbeni Aregbesola, we do not in all intellectual honesty see anything new in Chief Babatope’s statement.

For the elder-statesman has only stated the obvious. What is new, however, is the quarter it came from. That a leading member of the opposition made such a positive comment, is the news about it. And what that simply tells us is that politicians who believe that honesty is the best policy can still be found within the polity even in spite of the fact that majority of our politicians are integrity deficient.

We like to admonish Nigerian politicians - especially in Osun here - to take a cue from Chief Babatope by learning to call a spade its name rather than rubbishing the good work of the government in power.

We must all learn how to give kudos where necessary. Being in opposition doesn’t mean we should criticise blindly. Constructive criticism is what democracy requires to grow and what a nation needs to develop. Nothing exalts a nation but truth.

terrorist groups have raised millions of dollars from ransom payments for their various activities. It is critical to note that ransoms are just a part of how these criminals raise funds they use in their operations. Donations from charities are some of the sources of terrorist funding that are coming mostly from wealthy individuals.

Ironically, these terrorist groups use Hilux jeep and other expensive cars in their operations. The simple question is that how are they getting supports?

Many terrorist groups have supported themselves through other illegal commerce as well.

Therefore, there must be collective efforts in fighting this menace.

•IFEOLUWA AFOLABI, Oyan, Odo Otin North LCDA, State of Osun.

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MAGAZINE FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

Executing Osun Budget Of Enduring Legacy The last budget of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration in Osun was passed by the state parliament on Wednesday, leaving the executive to begin the implementation after the assent of the governor. The budget as passed, is N179.2 billion as against N174 billion presented by the governor.

ISRAEL AFOLABI writes on the procedure that led to the passage of the budget.

On Thursday December 28, 2017, the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola laid the last budget of his administration before the State House of Assembly. It is the 2018 budget estimate of N173,980,083,007 for considerations and approval by the parliament.

The estimate has recurrent expenditure of N85,105,590,726 representing 29 per cent and capital expenditure of N88,874,492,281 representing 51 per cent of the total budget.

The exercise by Ogbeni Aregbesola was in line with the provision of the constitution, which mandate the governor to present the budget for the following year before the end of the current fiscal year.

The budget tagged, “Budget of Enduring Legacy’ which was presented by the Governor of the state Ogbeni Aregbesola, apportioned to the economic sector N60,362,255,770 (67.92%), administrative sector N10,298,104,640 (11.59%), Law and Justice sector N902,9393,500 (1.20%), regional sector N15,000,000 (0.11%) and social sector N17,211,192,371 (19.37%).

However, based on functions, the general public services will gulp N24,481,246,820 (27.55%), public order and safety N1,334,191,720 (1.50%), economic affairs N35,724,119,520 (40.20%), environmental protection N969,737,950;00 (1.09%), housing and community amen ties N9,854,451,660 (11,09%), health N2,611,873,680 (2.94%), recreation, culture and religion N302,498,830 (0.34%), education N12,504,590,629 (11,07%) and social protection N1,091,781,472 (1.23%) The analysis of the budget has shown that the government is more committed to the economic sector as the estimated budget projects the government readiness to embark on policies and programmes that would revamp the economy and in return banish poverty, unemployment, hunger and illiteracy among the people of the state.

However, it would be recalled that the 2017 budget of N146,632,746,980 was targeted at achieving a similar purpose to enable government execute certain vital projects and programmes that could improve the well being of

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola, while presenting the budget.

There is an urgent need to depend less on allocations from Federation Account and concentrate efforts on how to grow the IGR. the people.

According to the governor while presenting the 2018 estimates said “arising from the volatile nature of the international oil market which has resulted in the low price of crude oil, dwindling revenue of the state and limitation in the capacity of the state government to obtain internal and external facilities as a result of the stringent Federal Government of Nigeria/Central Bank of Nigeria regulations, and the unimpressive performance of the state Internally Generated Revenue, the government intention to achieve 100 per cent implementation of the 2017 budget

was greatly hampered”.

“Therefore, this development makes it inevitable that there is an urgent need to depend less on allocations from Federation Accounts and concentrate efforts on how to grow the IGR. At this juncture, I need to solicit the support and cooperation of all the good people of the state to ensure that they fulfill their civic responsibilities by way of payment of all taxes and levies due to the state government. This is of absolute importance if we are to implement our budget”, Aregbesola added.

Going by the allocation to the various sector and sub sectors of the

economy, the budget is targeted toward ensuring the completion of all the ongoing projects and with a view to bringing about continuous improvement in the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Osun.

The economic sector takes the largest part of the capital budget with 67.92 per cent, followed by the social sector with 19.37 per cent and this perhaps was in line with the determination of the state government to reshape its economy in the face of the present economic reality that has hit the country.

Other of sectors that seem to have caught the attention of the government in the budget estimate was the industrialization, finance, industry, commerce and cooperative sectors.

These sectors have been projected to gulp N60,238,255,770 billion of the budget.

Perhaps, learning from the past experiences, the government will also ensure blockage of leakages in revenue collection through effective monitoring by all officials in charge of such collections.

•Continued on page 6

6

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FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

Executing Osun Budget Of Enduring Legacy

•Continued from page 5 Therefore to block the leakages in the revenue of the state, all agencies of government were mandated to always pay all revenue collected into a single account of the state, using the appropriate heads and sub-heads of revenue, while the Treasury Receipts of such payment should accompany returns to the office of Accountant General.

Meanwhile, all the agencies of government were mandated to evolve an internal strategies for efficiency and accountability in revenue collection and rendition. This is just as it was emphasized that the release of fund for the execution of programmes and projects would in relevant cases, be tied to the revenue performance of agencies of government. This is as just all agencies of government were mandated to start giving greater attention to revenue collection than expenditure since no expenditure dream could be actualized without adequate revenue backing.

The budget estimate remained a mere projection and its approval could only be based on the conviction of the state parliament that the budget was actually implementable.

In line with the legislature responsibilities of the parliament the speaker Dr Najeem Salaam immediately referred the budget to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for the consideration of the estimate. Thus, part of mandate given to the committee, was to invite Ministries, Department and Agencies of government for the defence of their budget and convince the parliament why their estimates should be approved by the legislators.

Pursuant to this mandate, on January 30th, 2018, a circular was issued by the clerk of the House, Sheik Mudashir Oyeniran inviting the heads of MDAs to appear before the committee on Finance and appropriation and the exercise was held at the hallowed chamber of the parliament between Monday, February 5 and Tuesday February 20, 2018, during which budget estimates of each MDAs were subjected to thorough examination and scrutiny.

Declaring the budget defence exercise open, Salaam stressed the need for consolidation of the numerous gains of the present administration through effective collaboration by all and sundry as well as optimal implementation of the budget as might be approved.

According to him, I wish to state that this Honourable House will be very thorough in the consideration of this year’s budget like before and efforts will be made to prevent unnecessary increase in the size of the budget. Any expenditure that is not in tandem with the economic realities on ground will not be entertained”.

He advised ministries, departments and all agencies of government and tertiary institution particularly to improve on their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive.

He also urged all stakeholders in the revenue generation exercise to accord it the much needed attention so as to achieve the desired goal in the end.

Meanwhile, the chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Kamil Oyedele laid emphasis on the compliance with the 2018 Appropriation Law when passed and as well as other financial related law to serve as a guide in executing the budget.

He charged all the ministries,

•The completed inter-change bridge of the ongoing Gbongan-Akoda road.

The release of fund for the execution of programmes and projects would in relevant cases, be tied to the revenue performance of agencies of government. agencies and government parastatals to be committed to the exercise for the success of the budget implementation, saying, “Any ministries or agencies that fails to submit its work plan before coming for appearance in the House, its budget would not be approved”.

However, in the course of the consideration of the budget, the legislators, based on their professional acumen and determination to add value to the system, focused more on revenue generation internally, as they identified various new potentials of revenue generation for MDAs and recommended that those potentials should be pursued and tapped accordingly.

With a view to ensuring that a

•Kamil Oyedele, Chairman, House Commitee on Finance and Appropriation.

realistic and implementable budget is approved, some MDAs of government were hammered by the parliament and had their budget thrown back at them for redrafting, especially the new MDAs to reflect the ideal of the sixpoint Integral Action plan of the Aregbesola administration, after which they were made to appear before the parliament again.

Some of those agencies that fall under this category were. State Property Development Corporation, Office of Water Resources, Rural and Community Affairs, Ministry of Works and Transport. Some of the basis for the stepping down of the budget of the concerned MDAs, were failure to clearly prepare a roadmap for the laudable programmes in line with the government focus.

Other reasons for the steeping down of the budgets of other MDAs were unnecessary increase in the size of their budget.

Stating the reason for the stepping down of the estimate of some agencies, Oyedele said, it was aimed at putting the implementers of the budget on their toes to ensure that it reflect the policy thrust of the administration and to back some new agencies with constitution towards the development of the state.

He also said, the era of replication of draft estimates by MDAs without room for improvement was over and the parliament would no longer tolerate any government agency or parastatal that fails to justify its existence.

Also, in the course of budget consideration, member of the assembly expressed satisfaction on the commitment of the administration for infrastructural development across the

state.

It also provided an opportunity for the lawmakers to ask questions on the issuance of the certificate of occupancy (C of O) which they urged the executive to fast track the process.

During their appearances before the Assembly standing committee, the state-owned tertiary institutions, Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke; Osun State Polytechnic Iree; Osun State College of Education, Ilesa; Osun State College of Education Ila-Orangun; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Osun State University were mandated to develop Internal Mechanism to increase their revenue.

The Assembly also warned the management of the institutions and MDAs in the state not to spend government money without the approval of the parliament.

It noted that in line with Section 224 and 225 of the ICPC law, spending unapproved government money is a criminal act.

There were many other issues that caught the attention of the parliament in the course of budget defence, one of which was the civil servants interest that was captured in the appropriation bill.

According to Oyedele, the government would not renege on its promise to civil servants, as their various interests have been captured in the 2018 appropriation bill.

The Assembly also passed vote of confidence on the governor and the speaker for the adequate understanding between the executive and the legislative arms of governments, which has guaranteed development and peaceful coexistence in the state.

However, the parliament has passed a budget of of N179.2 billion as against N174 billion presented to them, with N92.6 billion representing 51.2 per cent, allocated to capital expenditure and N86.6 billion representing 48.9 per cent allocated to recurrent expenditure.

The challenge now is how to raise fund, particularly through IGR for the implementation of the budget as the present administartion winds up in November 26.

7

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COMMUNITY

FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

Orolu NULGE Canvasses Support For LG Autonomy The Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Orolu Local Government Chapter has appealed to members of the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to, as a matter of urgency, allow local government autonomy to have its way.

The NULGE to the unprecedented Chairman, Comrade developmental projects by his Kabiru Oyedele made the recorded appeal recently during a administration.

He thanked the get-together party organized by the NULGE governor and the local executive in Orolu local government chairman, government council Honourable Adekunle Benson for their positive Secretariat, Ifon.

He said this is a major gestures toward the local way the legislators could government employees, proof themselves to be adding that all staff selfless and show members in the council commitment towards would do everything ensuring unprecedented humanly possible to developmental in all support and cooperate the present nooks and crannies of the with administration in the country.

The NULGE Chairman local government as well also commended the as the state level.

He also charged staff state of Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola members in the council to for what he described as do their jobs diligently his unusual style of and according to the laid government which has down procedure, noting contributed immensely that, “responsible civil

•NULGE Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Oyedele addressing the gathering with the Council Chairman, Adekunle Benson sitting second left.

While speaking, the to the promised land. servants must imbibe the roaming the street, According to him, “We chairman, act of protecting and therefore, let us work council need to work assiduously safeguarding their jobs as hard as we all know that Honourable Adekunle by tapping every millions of unemployed there is a reward for Benson said for total available Internally transformation and Generated graduate are outside hardworking”.

Revenue u n p r e c e d e n t e d (IGR) potentials due to developmental projects the local government to to be experienced and complement both the witnessed in all nooks and state At Ita-Odan, Alh. speaking, eulogized the and crannies in line with federal Balogun conducted the community leaders for his administration’s plan, allocations so that we can get to the promised land inspection team round their untiring efforts particularly on good in no distant time”. the National Primary towards the roads, clean The vice Chairman, H e a l t h c a r e development of lIe-lfe, environment, standard Development Agency urging them to further market, waterways, Hon. Toyin Adeleke also stated that his hospital, abandoned support the government electricity, potable water, administration will since 2009. of Ogbeni Rauf food security, total witness standard Similarly, an e-library Aregbesola. e m p o w e r m e n t , practice, transparency project, completed and He promised to liaise Agriculture, Security, and strict accountability well equipped but not with all the necessary Health, Education, in the evolution and handed over was visited agencies and individuals Wealth creation, poverty execution of government

by Hon. Elugbaju-led involved in the ongoing alleviation and many policies and programmes inspection team, where projects with a view to more, workers to ensure good the Chairman ordered bringing dividends of cooperation and support governance, while the immediate clearing democracy to the is highly needed. assuring NULGE of bush surrounding the doorsteps of the people.

The leader of the members that the edifice to prevent been He said his council’s parliament, administration will only burnt by bush meat administration would Hon Rafiu Durodola reward hard work. the hunters.

Gift items, including continue to show reiterated The inspection train commitment to the commitment of the gas cylinders, coolers, to tray, books, food items, moved to the resident of plight of the people in administration Oba-Kole Ojutalayo, line with the mandate of maintain an open door drinks and other kitchen policy and welcome utensils were distributed Laroka the people who elected suggestions and ideas to NULGE executives of Iwanikin in them in office. that will take the council and members.

Ajebamidele where the team was shown round the flooded area as a result of fallen big trees which has been obstructing the flowing of water.

Elugbaju, while The authority of the Ife North Local Government Area of the State of Osun, led by Hon. Orosanya papa, Papa- Aderibigbe/ Taiwo has begun the massive grading of the roads Egan Alice Eleerun.

Among others are, in the council area.

According to a road, Odo-Oba street I & Asipa-Ode-Omu road, OLUGUNNA SEUN RASIDAT Bisi statement by the II new town roads, Asipa-Iwaro, That I was formerly council’s Senior Alapata Street, Obada Odewumi road, Okeknown and addressed as Information Officer, street, as well as work odo Asipa Ifelodun ALUKO RACHEAL Street and Anglican Olonade Tunde, the and relax road.

OLUWASEUN, but now wish to be known and roads currently In Yakooyo, there are, Church road. addressed as OLUGUNNA According to the undergoing grading O k e - O s i n - e x p r e s s , SEUN RASIDAT. All statement, Hon. include, Ipetumodu 1, Amule Sorafaja, former documents remain Ojude, Oruku-Apekaye Arubiewe Street, Ferni Orosanya had earlier valid. Wema Bank, G.T. Street, C.A.C. Oke-Anu Akinrinade and identified some of the Bank and General public major needs of the should take note.

FGHS Isale-Oba-Elemu, adjoining street, Alh. Maria-Isale Ola Awotidoye Street, Oloke communities in the Local Susu Line 1, Hon. street and Oju-gboro government during his familiarization tour of Akinyoola road, Paadi street. In akinlalu, there quarter area, and are, Bamigboye Surulere the Local government Oyetade Estate road, quarter and Oke-oja Area.

He said the grading of Susu Line II. road, Alanco Peleyeju Others are, Odo-Oba road, Akinlalu-Ata road, the roads was in of his Toll gate road, Alfa Ata-Itamerin Akinola, fulfillment street, Hassan Street and Oloro road-Abudoro promises to do his best in meeting the challenges Aremu Adegoke Street, Aderibigbe Abudoroof the people.

Adam road, Ogundiran

Ife Central Chair Reiterates Commitment To Community Development The Chairman, Ife Central Local Government, Hon. Elugbaju Olayera has reiterated the commitment of his administration to make life meaningful for the people of the council area.

According to a Senator Babajide statement by the Omoworare at Information Officer of Powerline unit II, old the council, Salami Ibadan road Ademola, Elugbaju Ajebamidele, as well as made this assurance at MDGs hospital at the Otun-Maye Community same area.

Development Hall, The inspection team where he was received moved to Global Estate, by the people of the Zone 3, where the community led by Elder residents appealed to the Emmanuel Akintunde council to construct a and the Ife Central Local bridge across Opa river.

Government CDC The team also visited Chairman, Alhaji Sikiru Women Development Balogun, during his and Skills acquisition inspection tour of on- centre also facilitated by going projects across the Senator Omoworare at wards within the council Ajebamidele, where area.

Hon. Elugbaju promised E l u g b a j u , to discuss the issue with accompanied by his the Senator for proper cabinet members and the handling over of the local government multi-million naira principal officers visited completed and well the site of a transformer equipped women center facilitated by the senator for the use of the representing Osun West, community.

CHANGE OF NAME/PUBLIC NOTICE OLADIPUPO JANET OLUFISAYO

That I was formerly known and addressed as O L A D I P U P O OLAYEMI, but now wish to be known and addressed as OLADIPUPO JANET OLUFISAYO. All former documents remain valid.

Eco Bank and General public should take note.

MRS. OSHILAJA BOLUWATIFE ENIOLA

That I was formerly known and addressed as MISS BELLO BOLUWATIFE ENIOLA, but now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. O S H I L A J A BOLUWATIFE ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AFOLABI ADE MUSA

That I was formerly known and addressed as AFOLABI MUSA TAJUDEEN, but now wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI ADE MUSA. All former documents remain valid.

Sky Bank and General public should take note.

Space For Sale

Ife North LG Begins Grading Of Roads

8

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THE SOCIAL REGISTER

THE SOCIAL REGISTER

FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

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9

A Cocktail Of Recent Happenings Opening Cermony Of Osun NUJ 2018 Press Week At State Council On Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Prince Ayoade Commissions Hostel, Empowers Students It was celebration galore in Ede when the Baba Kekere of Edeland, Prince Abdul Rasheed Olaolu Atanda, declared open a new hostel name

“ADEBOLA COURT” built by Prince Ayoade Opeyemi Adewopo on 30th March, 2018 at Ede. The initiator of the building, Prince Adewopo said

•(L-R) Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Lekan Alabi; Justice Moshood Adeigbe and Mrs Dupe Ajayi, the GM, Osun Signage Agency.

•(From Right) Olufon of Ifon Orolu, Oba AbdulMoroof Magbagbeola; OSBC Board Chairman, Honourable Kola Akanji and Representative of Commissioner for Finance in Osun, Dr Olawole Tijani, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Aregbesola on Finance.

Adeoti To Journalists: Mandate Media Owners To Safeguard Your Welfare, Lives

By Solomon Odeniyi

Disturbed by the spate of recurring onslaughts on media practitioners, the Secretary to the Osun state government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti has called journalists in the country to mandate all media owners to put in place insurance scheme to safeguard the welfare and lives of the practitioners.

He said this has become necessary in view of the numerous hazard faced daily in the process of getting the members of the public informed.

Adeoti made this call at a public

•The newly-commissioned hostel with insect showing the dignitaries at the commissioning exercise.

he built the hostel to express his love and passion for the general well being of the students in the state.

He further stated that he was interested in the comfort of students at any level of education who came to study in Ede and other parts of the state.

The proprietor, who has built a similar hostel in Ile-Ife, promised to build more across the state where there are higher institutions of learning.

Prince Adewopo used the medium to implore people of Osun whom God have lifted up to join him by providing good and descent accommodation for students across the state at a bearable cost.

The occasion was a gathering of distinguished personalities in the state which include, the mother of the proprietor of the hostel, Mama (Princess) Dorcas Monilola Adewopo (Nee Olaoye); Rev. B. O. Olawale, CAN President, Ede; Pa Adewale Salam, Agbaakin of Ede land; Hon. Barrister Olayiwola; Alhaji I.T. Adelabu from the Federal Polytechnics, Ede; Mr. Leke Olaleye, Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo and party stalwarts across the State.

Meanwhile, as part of his ways to contribute to human development, Adewopo has empowered some youths through scholarship and assisted widows among others.

lecture lined up as part of the event for the Osun state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists press week.

In allusion to how the late veteran Journalist, Dele Giwa was slain and how journalists of this dispensation have had their fair share of the gory tales to tell over the inhuman treatment by private individual and government, the SSG noted that the time to come together to fight and demand for an insurance policy that will benefit all is now.

•Continued on page 11

Osun NAWOJ Chairperson Bags Award Of Excellence The Chairperson, National Association Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Osun State, Mrs Motunrayo Ayegbayo has been honoured with an award of excellence by the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Ila Orangun.

Receiving the honour, Ayegbayo said the award has conferred on her

challenges of doing more in the way of the Lord and humanity in general.

She said, she would continue to do her best in ensuring that the award conferred on her is greatly justified through her action.

Presenting the award, Apostle Orisaleye said the award was a rewards of the commitment of the NUJ chairperson to the way of Lord and humanity.

•The NAWOJ Chairperson, Motunrayo Ayegbayo (left), flanked by her husband, Prince Gbolahan Ayegbayo (middle) while receiving the award.

Swearing-In Ceremony Of Newly Appointed Nine Headmasters-General/Permanent Secretaries, Three Tutors-General/PS And Distribution Of Bond Certicates To Retirees Under The Contributory Pension Scheme. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI

•Some of the beneficiaries of the Adewopo’s Scholarship programme.

•A cross section of the newly-appointed Headmasters-General and Tutors-General in Osun taking oath of office.

OUR SOCIAL REGISTER IS OPEN FOR YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO BE MADE PUBLIC

•A cross section of guests and Journalists at the event.

•Some of the elderly citizens during Adewopo’s programme for the elderly citizens.

•Adewopo (right) receiving an award at OAU.

Spaces are available for your anniversaries such as weddings, house-warming and chieftaincy title ceremonies among others for your take. To take advantage of this, you can reach out to Murtala, 08023280935, Kazeem 08062207954 and Nike on 07032594744 Let the public know what you are doing.

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org 10 POLITICS With 155 days to go into the election on September 22nd, the preliminaries and the heats for the main race, we continue our review of the purported contestants, even though only a few of them have formally declared.

FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

BOA: Bringing Private Experience To Bear A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), BENEDICT OLUGBOYEGA ALABI (BOA), born and nurtured in Ikire, Irewole Local Government, Osun State. He is from a family of nine children whose father was a reputable administrator and mother, a business woman of great repute.

Olugboyega attended Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Ikire before proceeding to Baptist Grammar School, Ikire, Osun State and Lagos African Church Grammar School, Ifako-Agege.

Thereafter, he gained admission to Ibadan Polytechnic to study Banking in 1983.

He later obtained a Bachelor Degree in Banking and Finance from Olabisi Onabanjo University Ogun State and a Masters degree in Economics (with specialization in International Development) from the University of Lagos.

For many years, Olugboyega worked in the financial sector cutting across various institutions and departments, among which are Societe Generale Bank (now Heritage Bank), Neighborhood Building Society Limited, Transnational Building Society Limited and left his last position as General Manager of Sterling Bank Plc. He later set up his own company, Eliezer Workplace Management Limited, which is into facility management. With a clear vision, he nurtured and grew the company to an award winning entity with certification in compliance from ISO 9001:2008 and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 as well as the British Safety Council.

Olugboyega has attended numerous training and conferences both home and abroad, and has been a recipient of many awards, as the Group President/CEO of Eliezer Workplace Management Limited. He has interest in other areas like agriculture and manufacturing.

Olugboyega is a man of integrity with great passion for Infrastructure and best practice.

He has served on the Technical Committee of Federal Government of Nigeria on Development of Green Building Initiative for Nigeria as well as Committee on Establishment of Building Rating System. Both Initiatives of Federal Government of Nigeria are directed towards taming building collapse in Nigeria.

Olugboyega’s hobbies include among others Squash, Golf, interacting with people and above all spending quality time with his loving family.

He is happily married with four children.

Beyond having B.Sc and Masters degree in Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University and University of Lagos respectively, Olugboyega

The Race & The Runners

further in his study both in Nigeria and abroad with professional qualifications. Through his training, experience and contributions, he holds the following certifications; Fellow of Institute for Government Research and Leadership Technology, Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Fellow of Institute of Credits Administration, Associate of Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals, Member of Environmental Society of Nigeria, International Facility Management Association (IFMA) USA, Sustainability Facility Professional.

He was the first African to be awarded Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) certification by International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Houston, United States of America (the umbrella body of all facility management practitioners worldwide) after passing the three practical modes of the study (Strategy and Alignment for Sustainable Facility Management, Managing a Sustainable Facility and Operating a Sustainable Facility).

If there is anyone who is committed to human emancipation and has dedicated his life to ensuring a better life for his people and the generality of human race through sustainable empowerments and tireless philanthropic gestures, that person is no other than Olugboyega Alabi, popularly known in the political circles as BOA. Olugboyega co-founded the Osun Ajose Foundation, a non-profit Organization that has since become a vehicle through which succor, economic freedom and emancipation from poverty have been delivered to numerous people that desire them. This is the same group that has been mobilizing support for his ambition under the APC.

DUROTOYE: From Ivory Tower To Seat Of Power

P R O F .

A D E O L U DUROTOYE is a Professor of Political Science and presently the Provost of Social and Management Sciences at Afe Babalola University where he has distinguished himself as an astute administrator and excellent manager of human and material resources.

He attended Oke Iragbiji Grammar school between 1979 and 1982 before moving to Ilobu Secondary Commercial Grammar school where he concluded his O-level certificate in 1984. He was at Osogbo Grammar school for his A-level between 1984 and 1986. He went on to study Political Science at the University of Lagos where he graduated with a 2nd Class upper in 1990.

He got his masters degree from the same university in 1992. He was a German scholar having studied at the University of Leipzig between 1997 and 2001 where he got his PhD graduating with Magna Cum Laude (DISTINCTION). He has been a journalist with the Guardian newspaper and African Concord Magazine. He equally taught politics at different times at the University of Ibadan, University of Toronto and Afe Babalola University. He is an astute administrator, public affairs analyst, motivational speaker, University teacher and provost as well as preacher.

He is the recipient of the prestigious University of Lagos distinguished Alumni award in

2005 and Meritorious Service award of the Men’s Missionary Union of Osun Baptist Conference in 2017. He is also the recipient of Utility Teacher Award of Afe Babalola University in 2017.

His impeccable organisational ability made Aare Afe Babalola appoint him as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of 2017 Afe Babalola Agric. Expo as well as Chairman Afe Babalola University Convocation Committee in quick succession.

He won the “Distinguished Academic of the year” Award of the Society for Research and Academic Excellence, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is the founder of Adeolu & Jane Durotoye Foundation which has offered scholarship, provided free eye glasses and medical examination, vocational skills training and business takeoff grants to many in the past 4 years.

He has lived in Africa, Europe and North America and has travelled wide to different parts of the world. According to him “We shall bring industry back to Osun, motivate our teachers and the entire workforce to excel, engage our youth productively, rid our roads of pot holes, and create jobs in every local government area.

Born in Ede 48 years ago, he will definitely bring his wide experience and exposure to bear in turning Osun around. His mission is to create an enabling environment for everyone to excel.

Durotoye has formally declared his intention to contest for the race under the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and has since been moving round the nook and cranny of the state to seek the support of the people for his ambition.

Hail from Osogbo in Osun Central Senatorial District, and known to be a new breed in the political circle of the state, the university don has the hurdle of the PDP primaries to cross for the actualization of his dream.

•Next week, will look at another set of contenders for the governorship race.

FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

NEWS

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11

Offa Robbery: Aregbesola Calls For Manhunt Of Perpetrators

By Ismaeel Uthman Following the armed robbery attack that claimed many lives in Offa, Kwara State, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the incident as the worst in the history of the ancient town.

“I deemed it fit to be Aregbesola called on security agencies at here in my capacity not various levels to beam only as a Governor but as their searchlights into the a brother, friend and inincident and launch law to the people of Offa thorough investigation to and Kwara State in unravel the perpetrators. general.

“It is on record that our He made the call at the weekend during a people in Osun have had robust relationship and condolence visit to the Oloffa of Offa, Oba affection with the people Mufutau Gbadamosi of Offa, prompting us to Oloyede, at his palace, in be here in large number.

“I came here with Offa.

The governor members of my cabinet to described the attack as sympathise with the barbaric in the modern good people of Offa and society, saying no effort Kwara State, particularly must be spared to the family of those that unravel the perpetrators lost their lives to the and bring them to justice. unfortunate incident.

“The incident has once ”According to him, what happened last week again challenged us on the need to tighten was very unfortunate, barbaric, saddening and internal security and I am uncalled for, it was like very sure that the what happened about perpetrators would not 132 years ago in this go unpunished.

“As Muslims, we town. believe that the incident

was a God’s will and those that lost their lives have been destined to experience such as we pray God to grant the souls of the departed the best place in paradise and give their family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, Aregbesola added.

The Governor who had earlier observed Jumat Service with Oba Muftau Gbadamosi at Offa Central Mosque, called on the people of the town to remain calm and go on their normal businesses as efforts are in top gear to forestall similar future occurrences.

He said the matter has been taken up by the appropriate security agencies, affirming that the perpetrators will soon be exposed and brought to justice in due course.

Aregbesola visited the attacked Police Divisional Headquarters, where he consoled the officers and men of Nigeria Police Force on the duty on the loss of their colleagues to the

incident.

In his remarks, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi attributed the incident to God’s will.

Olofa noted that the family of the victims and the entire people of the town have taken consolation in God, noting that the ancient

town is vastly religious.

The traditional ruler said: “What happened to us last week is considered as God’s will, that is why my subjects have been going on with their normal businesses.

“We are consoled by the fact that this incident will mark the beginning of success and blessing to

us as we have been hearing good news from government at various levels to support the town in strengthening the security.

“Investigation is ongoing and we are rest assured that the bandits will be brought to justice in no distance time.”

Safeguard Your Welfare, Lives •Continued from page 8 Communication, and Strategy, Dr. Tunde Hamzat maintained that most of the unemployed youths are products of systematic failure in the education sector which came to be as a result of deliberate state sponsored policies, describing it as an extension of elite conspiracy hypothesis which has programmed them to be either unemployed or underemployed.

He added that the major casualty of unemployment is

security, which he said, has given reign to terror, and other forms of criminal acts in the country.

Olatoye however called for the need to subject our education policy to a painstaking interrogation in order to comprehend the avoidable malady.

He urged the youths to stop agonising, rather should organise themselves to enthrone a paradigm shift in the politics of the country.

Also speaking at th gathering, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode

Oyeyosin called on media practitioners to raise against the immunity being enjoyed by the executive arm of government, stressing that it is the bedrock of corruption as President and governors are shielded from trials for their corrupt acts.

He said as long as the immunity clause is retained in the constitution, corruption would not seize in the society, saying there is need to curb the menace from the highest level of government.

ISSUES/POLICY

Analysis by Osun Defender Data Analyst, OJENIKE OLUWADILOLA, assisted by AJETUMOBI MARIAM and AMUDA ABDULLAHI.

Reenacting The Oyo Scenario?

W

ITH myriads of candidates popping up everywhere, and the scenario of crowded races in a ‘first past the post

system’ could the scenario of the Oyo State governorship election of 2015 be reenacted? In Oyo State in 2015, the incumbent state governor,

Abiola Ajimobi running against a fractitionalised “opposition” got through with 37.2% of the total votes cast. This might be more than an

Chart Showing the results of the 2015 Governorship Election in Oyo State.

An Interesting Example of Split Votes Leading To A Minority Winner

academic exercise as the scenario nationwide unveils itself via the road to 2019. Watch this space for projections, scenarios et al.

The Chart Of 27 Out Of The 33 LGAs In Oyo State 2015 Governorship Election

12

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NEWS

FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

Osun Assembly Set Up Committee For Asset Management Agency Bill stakeholders particularly

By Israel Afolabi officials of the Ministry of The state of Osun House of Assembly has set up land, physical planning ad-hoc committee to harmonise opinions on the and urban development state Asset Management Agency bill 2018 under as part of their input in the process of consideration before the legislature.

The speaker of the upon before arriving at a consideration of the bill would also be parliament, Dr. Najeem joint decision.

Salaam made this known The speaker in his considered.

Thus, the submission on Tuesday while remarks, noted that the addressing lawmakers at submission forwarded to as debated by the the plenary where further the House by the legislators generated consideration was given argument and counter to the bill at the state Assembly Complex Osogbo.

The federal Government has established a Dr. Salaam stated that the ad-hoc committee reintegration centre for migrants and internally becomes necessary so as displaced persons at Oke Bale, Osogbo in the State to enhance the speedy of Osun. passage of the Asset The centre was government and the Management Agency Bill commissioned recently representative of the 2018.

by Commissioner for presidential committee He noted that Home Affairs, Dr consistence approach Obawale Adebisi at the on flood, rehabilitation must be considered in the premises located at Oke and relief, Mr Owoicho John adequate of the aformention bill to be Bale area of the town. states commitment to effective.

Dr Obawale explained ensure that the centre is At the sitting presided that this is a result of the put to effective use. over by the speaker Dr. According to Dr Najeem Salaam, the flood that occurred in house dissolved into the 2012, which caused Obawale the state committee of the whole extensive damage in g o v e r n m e n t consequent on the motion terms of human life and would provide a fire moved by the majority property and drawn the station close to the center leader Hon. Timothy attention of the Federal in the nearest future to Owoeye and Hon. Government to the enhance the welfare of Abiodun Awolola immediate need of IDP the IDP camp and to respectively. camp in the state and ensure security of Meanwhile further others. properties therein due to scrutiny of the bill was He further disclosed entertained by the that the primary aim of any unforeseen natural legislators at the this present government disasters.

He said the centre is committee level where is to ensure the welfare equipped with state of they engaged in debates and security of the people the art facilities such as on the clauses as as part of its six points fire alarm, fire indicators contained in the bill. among others.

The areas of focus for integral actio The commissioner then After the assessment of correction by the lawmakers were assured the federal the building (Rooms, exclusively deliberated

argument with varied opinions as expressed on the subject matter.

According to him, “there is a need to set up ad-hoc committee to harmonise various submission and report back to the House”.

In another development, the speaker has disclosed

that the State Assembly would soon release guidelines for operation of parliamentary democracy at the grassroots.

Dr. Salaam made the disclosure while playing host to forum of Deputy Leaders in the council areas across the state in his office.

According to him, “the operation guidelines would spell out the job of the leadership of the parliamentary as well as the powers inherent in them”.

He also urged them to uphold the virtues of patience and perseverance in the course of their duties.

Federal Government Establishes IDP Centre In Osun store, hall, kitchens and toilets etc.... and additional facilities such as solar borehole, doors, windows, the main gate ,tested fire alarm and indicators by Director of Operation Engr Akin

government.

He then expressed gratitude to the Federal government and also gave kudos to the contractor, consultant and others stakeholders their present.

•The IDP centre in Osogbo.

Want To Be Great? Start Very Small One of the banes confronting present day youths is the scourge of being in haste. I have seen and heard youths in their engagements wanting to be an instant Aliko Dangote, Obafemi Awolowo, Michael Jackson, etc without wanting to go through all the mills in what it takes to be great.

Greatness in life requires patience, learning, education, emotional intelligence and the fear or recognition of the God factor. I have seen or heard youngsters wanting to start business on a large scale, expecting to “arrive” in a couple of years after launch. But generally, nature does not operate that way.

Years back, one of my mentors in motivational speaking and writing, Ayo Arowolo, a veteran of This Day newspaper, founder of Financial Standard newspaper and Moneywise Inc., in a chat in his large office complex in Omole Estate, Lagos, took me to the balcony. In my curiosity, he pointed to a large tree in the vicinity. Still wondering as to exactly what he meant, he said: “Ayo, look at that tree. What did you see? I’m sure you see a large structure of greenish, lush work of nature. But have you asked yourself what it took the great tree to get to where it is today?” honestly, up until that moment, I had not given it a thought.

He continued: “it took that tree a great measure of time, resilience from adverse weather, risks of being cut down at prime, “patience”, nature’s favour etc to get to where it is today. Ayo, that is how everything and every great people that you see around evolved. Doesn’t it amaze you that even God, the omnipotent, took His time to grow a common tree? Being omnipotent, He has all the power to evolve a big tree and make it to bear fruit the same day, but He wouldn’t. He has to allow the tree go through all the stages of growth from a mere seedling in the pouch of a rustic, poor farmer to a large tree bearing good fruits, adding to the economy.

He continued: in the same way, look at the development of the fetus from the mere sperm,

Adetuberu and others stakeholders their present (General Manager OSEMA, contractor, consultant...) the keys of the completed camp was properly handed over to the state

Truth Of The Matter with

AYEKOOTO ayoakinola444@gmail.com

described amazingly in the muslim holy Quran, to a congealed blood which transforms to a lump of some flesh, and the flesh wrapping up some bones, and finally, where God brought forth the eyes, nose, ear arms and legs in some particular order.

Creation, even by the creator, takes some order and evolution.

If nature takes gradual, calculated course to evolve what it will, why then are we in a haste to get to the top without wanting to follow some order? I have seen aspirants who want to govern Osun after iconic Rauf Aregbesola, but who lack any pedigree related to the post they seek. Did they stop to ask themselves how Ogbeni got to where he is today, or how the trio of Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori, Adegboyega Oyetola, Moshood Adeoti or

Before aspiring to that post, have you actually asked yourself if you have gone through the mills, gained some experience, learnt some sweet and bitter lessons from the School of Life? Which experience are you bringing to the table?

any great son and daughter of Osun got to where they are today? Yes, it is the constitutional right of anyone to aspire to any post he or she desires, but nature does not allow for instant emergence, like the instant noodle. Even the instant noodle has gone through some initial stages of rigorous mills before being packaged. Before aspiring to that post, have you actually asked yourself if you have gone through the mills, gained some experience, learnt some sweet and bitter lessons from the School of Life? Which experience are you bringing to the table? Is your campaign poster which constitute environmental nuisance not your only investment, with which you will be jeered as I Too Contested candidate? Race of leadership, especially in Osun, is not a race of comedy. You can start from somewhere, under the tutelage of some accomplished men and women, with patience and endurance in your career in business, politics, and vocation and gain leadership. To be great in any particular endeavour, you need a mentor. The mentor has gone through the mills and his or her tutelage will make your journey to rise less bumpy but not without some challenges. Don’t expect a perfect rise, because it will never happen. Thorns of life must come across your way, and they are meant to strengthen you and make you wiser.

Dear youths, do not be in a hurry to get to the top. Be ambitious but don’t be inordinately ambitious. Do not begrudge those in leadership positions because you may not know what they are going through or what they’ve gone through. It is easy to criticize your eleven players on the football pitch but you may never know the injury pains in their legs, the thirst in their throats and the mist in their eyes that make the ball pass them by.

FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

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13

Caesarian Section: Physician Counsels Against Attaching Spiritual Attacks Women who are fearful of undergoing Caesarian Section [CS] to give birth to their babies have been advised to as much as possible do away with any fears associated with the procedure, as it is perfectly normal and due to advances in medical and surgical sciences the risks associated with the procedure have been minimally cut.

Dr. Sunday Ojenuwah, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the LifeLine Specialist Hospital, Ibadan stated this during a telephone interview with this medium recently.

The physician, described CS as a medical procedure through which pregnant women who cannot give birth through the natural process of the baby passing through the birth canal are assisted to deliver through surgical procedure of opening the womb, bringing out the baby •Dr Ojenuwah and closing up the womb again.

He noted that what professionals encounter in the field has been that when expectant mothers start attending antenatal sessions in the hospital, some issues may arise which propelled that the parents are notified that there was need for a planned birth because the mother may not be able to give birth naturally.

“Many reasons may lead a physician to counsel expectant mothers on the necessity for a CS procedure.

“It may be due to the fact that, the pelvic is

With FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

too narrow, the baby is too big, the baby is a ‘precious baby’, the mother is too sickly, the mother is anaemic, obesity, as a result of unplanned emergencies, ignorance on the part of the expectant mother and so on.

“The problem here is that we attach too much spirituality to this issue. CS is such a simple procedure now that from conception to birth, the parents of the new baby can plan for the procedure and under one week after the procedure, both mother and child are out of the medical facility for good.

“Parents in our society attach evil attacks

and bad luck to this procedure which is supposed to in many ways be an elective procedure, that is parents even willingly plan for it”.

Ojenuwah also revealed that in times past, a woman was counseled to stop all pregnancies after the third CS but advances in the procedure has made it possible to carry out four CS without any complications.

He called on expectant mothers to cast away the fear and ignorance associated with CS and urged them to approach the procedure with optimism as it was one of the advances with which medical science had been able to reduce and defeat maternal and child mortality.

And as per the pain associated with surgery referred to as post operative pains, he advised that once the affected mother take all the pain medication the doctor recommends on schedule, take adequate rest and exercise appropriately, things would be in good shape.

According to him, the exercise should involve walking as soon as possible after the CS as this can prevent blood clot, speed bowel recovery and boost comfort levels.

Expert Expresses Concern Over Rate Of Male Infertility The high rate of infertility amongst men of child bearing age is becoming a major source of concern to reproductive experts.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on this issue, a Reproductive Endocrinologist at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Dr. Ayodele Caleb Onigbinde stated that the primary cause of male infertility is the lack of production of healthy sperm.

He stated that for the production of healthy sperm, it involves the growth and formation of the male reproductive organs during puberty.

“At least, one of the testicles must be functioning correctly, and the body must produce testosterone and other hormones to trigger and maintain sperm production.

“Sperm have to be carried into the semen.

Once sperm are produced in the testicles, delicate tubes transport them until they mix with semen and are ejaculated out of the penis”.

Onigbinde also hinted that there is need for

sperm to be enough in the semen.

“If the number of sperm in the semen (sperm count) is low, it decreases the odds that one of the sperm will fertilize your partner’s egg. A low sperm count is fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen or fewer than 39 million per ejaculation”.

He also added that, sperm must be functional and able to move and if the movement (motility) or function of the sperm is abnormal, the sperm may not be able to reach or penetrate the egg in a female ovum.

Other reasons for male infertility as adduced by Onigbinde include a number of health issues and medical treatments, environmental, health and lifestyle.

These according to him, include Varicocele, which is a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle and is the most common reversible cause of male infertility.

Others include infections, ejaculation issues, antibodies that attack sperm, tumors, undescended testicles, hormone imbalances, defects of tubules that transport sperm, chromosome defects, problem with sexual intercourse, celiac disease, medications, past surgeries.

Others, according to him, are industrial chemicals, heavy metal exposure, overheating the testicles (wearing of tight undergarments), illicit drug and alcoholic use, tobacco smoking, emotional stress and obesity.

14

NEWS

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FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

Osun Presents 2015/2016 Audited Accounts Osun State Government, through the office of Auditor-General has audited and presented its 2015 and 2016 audited accounts to the public.

The presentation for fiscal years, the State the two fiscal years made Auditor-General, Mr Osun the pace setter Folorunso Adesina, put among the six the total revenue for 2015 participating states in the at N85.9 billion, while the recurrent States and Local total was Governance Reform expenditure (SLOGOR) Project, which N66.9billion and total comprise of Anambra, capital expenditure was Cross River, Jigawa, put at N17.9.billion.

He added that the total Kano and Yobe States.

The programme which revenue for 2016 was was organized by the N91.5billion while the recurrent office of the Auditor- total General in the state in expenditure for the same collaboration with the year was N61.1billion total capital SLOGOR Project (EU/ and was World Bank Assisted) expenditure N 2 8 . 3 b i l l i o n was held in Osogbo.

Presenting the Audited respectively.

Adesina said the audit Accounts for the two

was conducted in accordance with international standard on auditing as applicable to the public sector and the provisions of section 125(5) of the constitution.

According to him, in compliance with the provisions of section 125(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, “I have examined the accounts and the financial statements of the state government of Osun for the year ending 31st December, 2015.

“In my opinion, projects and programmes executed were satisfactory in consideration of fund

employed, as financial statements and related schedules gave a true and fair view of the state government of Osun as at 31st December, 2015 and 31st December, 2016 respectively”.

The State Project Coordinator of SLOGOR Mr Yemi Ijidele c o m m e n d e d A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration for its accountability, prudent management of resources and for following financial best practices.

Ijidele noted that the A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration has shown to the world the extreme commitment to good governance as

being reflected in the myriads of achievements that the state has made since inception.

He described Osun as one of the few states in Nigeria where g o v e r n m e n t ’ s commitment to accountability, transparency, probity and openness in the management of the public treasury took the centre stage.

According to him, this forum is a demonstration of innovation in public financial management as the people of the state will be fully exposed to the way and manner with which their resources are managed and

Robbery Scare Halts Banks’ Operations In Osogbo

By Solomon Odeniyi There was pandemonium on Wednesday in Osogbo as customers in the banking premises scampered for safety following a reported armed robbery attack on banks at Ilesha.

The involved Banks are banks whose branches Trust Bank, First Bank, are along Fakunle-Ogo Union Bank and Skye Oluwa-Olaiya axis which Bank.

The result of the event include; the Guarantee

subsequently led to the closure of the banks for the better part of the day.

An eye witness at GTBank, who spoke in confidence, said she was on the queue waiting to be attended to when the bank’s security operatives had a brief interaction with the

cashiers asking them not to attend to anyone, before instructing everyone to leave for security reasons.

One of the security men who spoke to our correspondent admitted that customers were sent away to protect their lives in the event of an attack

•The deserted bank premise on Wednesday as captured by Shola Aderinto.

Osunwon Omoluabi Receives Traders' Supports The new measuring and weight scale introduced by the government of the State of Osun has received the support of market men and women in the state.

He said the gesture has Speaking at a them from sensitization and training saved organized by the state cheating and being Ministry of Commerce, cheated, adding that the Cooperatives and use of measuring scales Industries at the popular has been beneficial to Igbonna market in both the sellers and Osogbo, the leader of the buyers.

While assuring that the market men who is also the Babaloja of the state, market men and women prepared to Chief David Iyiola were commended the state embrace the use of government under the standard scale, Iyiola leadership of Ogbeni noted that the incessant Rauf Aregbesola for the quarrel which normally innovation through the accompany usage of old introduction of the modes of measuring standard measuring products had gone scales for use in all forever.

The Special Adviser to markets across the state.

the Governor on Commerce, Hon. Femi Popoola said there are many gains for all stakeholders in the usage of the new standard scale.

According to him, both the buyers and sellers are to benefit from the project, assuring that 48 markets had been visited by officials of the ministry to sensitise the people of its importance.

He warned against contravening the law governing the use of the new scale.

Also, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives,

Ismaila JayeobaAlagbada said that the state has recorded another achievement over the acceptance for usage of the weight and measuring scales, describing it as unquantifiable.

He assured traders from other neighbouring states to come over and patronise markets in the Osun, assuring that they would have value for their money.

Alagbada noted that the acceptability would remove misconception by some stakeholders that government will be determining the prices of goods and services for them.

on the bank.

He said: ‘’ we received an alert from one of our branches at Ilesha that armed robbers were on rampage. We were advised to close operations to avert the scene that played out in Offa where money and other people’s belongings were charted away and lives were lost. We didn’t tell them this in order not to scare them, we only told them to leave for security reasons. We were also surprised to see them taking to their feet in the manner which they did”.

He added that the police and other security agents have been alerted to provide adequate security for their staffers and the people in the area.

Meanwhile, a visit to other banks along the same express road showed that First City Monument Bank, Diamond and Fidelity Banks were going about their normal business activities.

A security man at Diamond Bank told our correspondent that they have not received any call from anyone informing them about the robbery attacks or the need to close operations.

He added that they are also concerned about the lives of their customers and would stop operations as soon as they get an order.

At fidelity Bank it was a carnival like atmosphere as people in their mid twenties, clad in a lemon green apparels were seen grooving to the music from the live band on ground.

According to one of them, the carnival-like atmosphere was simply to grab the attention of their customers and prospective customers thereby informing them about their new offers.

administered.

He said that Governor Aregbesola has continuously shown great love and passion for good governance that has accountability, transparency and probity as bedrock.

“In line with Mr. Governor’s policy of transparency, probity and accountability in governance, he gave approval for organizations in which this Audit Forum is to further promote the openness of the present administration.

“The Audit Forum is a platform whereby the Auditor-General presents the Audited Accounts of the State Government to the public for comments and observations of the people.

“It is a great thing that out of the six participating states in SLOGOR project (Anambra, Cross River, Jigawa, Kano, Yobe and Osun), it is only Osun state that has been able to organize Audit Forum to update the public on 2016 financial accounts ahead of other participating states.

“This forum will also facilitate the commitment of International Donor Agencies (IDAs) to assist the State Government in critical sectors that will impact positively on the living standard of the generality of the people”, Ijidele added.

The Chairman House Committee on Public Account in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olalekan Afolabi hailed the Aregbesola’s administration for p r i o r i t i z i n g t r a n s p a r e n c y , accountability, probity and openness in governance.

He said the House has a robust and warm relationship with the A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration due to the state’s commitment to good governance and accountability in government.

Also, the Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade, said Osun government has demonstrated the sincerity of purpose in the management of public funds.

“Through this, our state has fulfilled one of the critical steps by the Federal Government in her Fiscal Sustainability Plan as the hosting of Audit Forum is bound to spur both national and international investors to bring their capital into the state.

FRIDAY APRIL 20 - THURSDAY APRIL 26, 2018

CRIME

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15

Police Arraigns Three Men Over Alleged Possession Of Indian Hemp

By Mariam Bello The Osun State police command on, Tuesday April 17, 2018 arraigned three persons before a Magistrate Court in Osogbo over alleged possession of cannabis sativa called Indian hemp.

The suspects sativa festival which led i n c l u d e M u h a m m a d to the breach of peace Jamiu 20, Oladosu within their environs.

He said the Kehinde 19, and defendants were also Oladosu Taiwo,19.

They are facing four - paraded with stolen count charges bothering m o t o r c y c l e s v a l u e d on conspiracy, breach N75,000 each during the of peace, illicit raid.

He also stressed possession and stealing.

T h e further that the activities Prosecutor, Inspector of the accused led to disturbance Jafari Musilim, told the public court that the accused before the intervention persons committed the of the Police.

The prosecutor said offence on April 13 ,at about 9:00 am along the offence contravened Sections 516(A), 249(D), Sabo area, Osogbo.

Muslim said the 430(8) and Section 383 under defendants conspired punishable among themselves to Section 390 of the organised a cannabis criminal code cap 34

vol. 11, laws of Osun, 2003.

The accused not guilty to the count charges against them.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Okobie Najite, prayed the court to

grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr Olusegun Ayilara, granted the suspects bail in the sum N200,000 and two sureties each.

Ayilara said the sureties must reside within the court jurisdiction with evidence of tax payments and two passports sized photographs, attached

with an affidavit of means.

One of the sureties must be a landed property owner and the case was adjourned to June 1 for hearing.

39-Year-Old Man Remanded Over Alleged Contempt Of Court

By Mariam Bello A magistrate court sitting in Osogbo on has remanded a 40-year-old man, Idowu Samuel, in Ilesa prison custody over alleged contempt of court.

Samuel who is facing a Olaiwola said the count charge bothering on disrespect of court defendant refused to appear in his case in pleaded not guilty to the count charge against MOS/ 619c/2017 when it was called by the court him.

The Prosecutor, clerk.

He said the offence Inspector Rasak Olaiwola, told the court contravened section that the accused person 133(7) of the criminal committed the offence on code cap 34 vol. 11 laws April 3 at about 9:00am of Osun, 2003.

The defendant had no within the court legal representation. jurisdiction.

•Some of the alleged mastermind of Offa robbery.

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The magistrate, Mr Olusegun Ayilara, ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison due to the

magnitude of the offence committed.

The case was adjourned to April 24 for mentioned.

Sexagenerian In Prison Over Alleged N1million Fraud

By Mariam Bello An Osun State magistrate court sitting in Osogbo has on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 60-yearold man, Kasali Buremon for allegedlly defrauding one Mrs Adefolaju Mary Ajani of N1,020,000 .

Buraimo was docked According to the on a two-count charge prosecutor the offence is bothering on fraud and contrary to and stealing punishable under section The prosecutor. 1(1) section 1(3) and Inspector Oladiran section 390 (9) of the Ayodele told the court advance fee fraud and that the defendant other fraud related committed the offence on offences 2006 laws of the August 12 ,2014 at Federation of Nigeria.

The plea of the Osogbo.

Ayodele explained that defendant was not taken the defendant by the court due to the of the offence fraudulently obtained the nature committed and he was total sum of N1,020,000 represented by Barrister from Mrs Adefolaju Dada Adeyinka.

Mary Ajani with The magistrate while pretence of selling her ruling ordered that the two acres and two plots accused person be of land which was false. remanded in Ilesha He explained further prison custody. that the accused The case was converted the money into adjourned to May 5 for mentioned. his own use.

Two Men Docked For Malicious Damage The Osun State police has arraigned two suspects, Oyebode Fatai, 55, and Atoyebi Kamorudeen, 53, before an Osogbo magistrate court over alleged malicious damage.

The suspects were contravenes Sections docked on Wednesday 517, 451 and 81 of the April 18, 2018 on a three- criminal code cap 34 count charge bothering volume. 11 laws of Osun on felony, conspiracy State 2003. and malicious damages.

The two accused The prosecutor pleaded not guilty to the Inspector Rasaq Lamidi two-count Charge told the court that the against them. defendants committed Their defence counsel the offence sometimes in Mr Sunday Atofarati and February.

K. E Ngwoke urged the He said that the duo court to grant the and others at large accused bail in the most unlawfully and liberal and affordable maliciously damaged terms. erected block corner The magistrate Mr piece valued N48,000 .

Olusegen Ayilara The prosecutor said granted the duo bail in the duo forcibly entered the sum of N50,000 with into the land situated at two sureties each.

Osogbo which is in He said the sureties actual and peaceful must reside within the possession of Tajudeen court jurisdiction and Ajao. then adjourned the He stressed further matter to June 6 for that the offence hearing.

HEALTH

Expert Expresses Concern Over Rate Of Male Infertility P. 13

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ISAAC OLUSESI writes that the latest Ile-Ife Mosque is situating the worship of Allah to further the greatness and progress of Islam in the land, an act of love for the religion and mankind, with posterity entrenched in honour of the architect of the House of God.

Ile-Ife Mosque As Act Of Love I did not until now develop an enduring nostalgia towards a mosque, recently dedicated in Ile-Ife, State of Osun, Nigeria. It is not just because the mosque is a well befitting, humble place of worship where men and women of the Islamic faith could adore their Creator, Allah, Ar-Rahmoni Rohim, Most Gracious, Most Merciful in the fullness of reverence before Him. It is also because the House of God is singularly built and donated to the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) by Alhaja Rafatu Ademinure Folashade Awofisayo (Nee Ademiluyi), a quintessential grandmother who has an uncanny presence of mind, with superlative capacity that uplifts souls in despair, and penetrating helpful humour to the needy, giving handsomely to people, making friends effortlessly with complete strangers, and living her life in full tributes to her faith with uncommon passion. While her simple view of life is disarming.

Alhaja Awofisayo’s experience of ageing is strikingly benevolent. But the phenomenon of ageing generally holds out to so many people malevolent shadowy nonentities, oft-shrouded in warped, incomprehensible mysteries, a morbid fascination in bewilderment and infertile sensibility. Intuitively, everyone undergoes ageing, unheralded; but no one, not even the scientists, mystics, seers, horoscopes or any of the practitioners of the arcane sciences can lay any valid claim to a valid knowledge of ageing beyond numbers and physiology.

However, for Alhaja Awofisayo, daughter of the Late, His Imperial Majesty Ajagunlawarikan Ademiluyi I, (1910-1930) Ooni of Ife, ageing has been a blissful growth into an enchanted rosetinted world, so the writer thought; but she swiftly cautioned. “please, not fully so always.” In other words, she had travelled the road, pockmarked with pumps, pitfalls and a myriad of unseen hazards. Her ability and her frenzied efforts that made her brave adversity and survive the harshest weather have been, “by the Grace of Allah, The Sustainer,” she blurted out when asked how she overran man’s trap devices for ensnaring man, the ravenous road of life that devours very many unwary victims, sucking them down its bottomless abyss. But as

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•The mosque. destiny would have it, Princess Awofisayo survives and progresses into opulence, the very reason for the mosque at Ajebamdele, Ile-Ife, in profound appreciation of Allah, The Sufficient.

The validity of life is that a reality exists sometimes, brutally so; and sometimes, blissfully. And deliberately, to embrace the bliss and confront head on the brutality, we all elbow, jostle, gauge and scheme in this existentialist jungle, call life, to get a better and higher foothold. Inexplicably, a greater force literally moves, sweeping the bliss into a swirling void, implying that a more than cursory look at the affairs of man quickly reveals teleology. Nothing is arbitrary; nothing occurs by happen-stance. Not even the Ile-Ife mosque, the latest architectural master-piece. The mosque is teleological, a development already pre-determined, purposed and designed by its architect, Alhaja Awofisayo who gave the land free of charge to FOMWAN and sold one of her houses to build the mosque on it- the climax of her titanic charity to co-believers in her religion.

It means that only a well-ordered person has a well-ordered obligation to the society, and in Princess Awofisayo’s own case, to her religion. Such rationalization makes her worship both a duty and pleasure to further the greatness and progress of the religion of

Islam in the land. With the mosque, God’s own vineyard, what a dream come true for her, what a hope fulfilled, and what posterity entrenched? The dream is the totality of her ambition to serve Allah with all hers; the hope fulfilled is a defined worship boundary, the mosque, secured by her where men and women of all nations, tribes, social status and politics could worship Allah; and the posterity entrenched is the recompense that history will remember Princess Awofisayo and tomorrow will honour her in gratitude. The mosque will survive her longevity, and will be maintained, furthering Islam in peace and expanding its coast in affirmative terms.

The expansive surroundings of the fully completed mosque were spuced up for dedication, with other preparations, ship-shaped. All the guests including NASFAT, FOMWAN, Ansar-Udeen Society of Nigeria and several other Islamic societies showed up; no guest was unwanted, even the lame, dumb and deaf, all stormed the arena and everybody had a full stomach. No one fumed, no one cursed. The event, well attended was a celebration of Alhaja Awofisayo’s act of love for her religion and mankind generally. At the dedication, the Muslim clergy appraised her religious stamina and sure footedness in Islam, and applauded her integrity, dignity and reliability. And mama stood tall as the clerics upbraided,

BY ISAAC OLUSESI denounced debauchery, perfidy, opportunism and valiancy as heroism in the society; and they thoughtprovokingly chorused: “We can proudly hold up our own Alhaja Awofisayo as a specimen of how the affluent should be the society asset.”

And indeed, the mosque she donated to FOMWAN in Ife Central Local Government Council Area of Osun is a common good above parochial, narrow and selfish preferment. The crossopinion of the guests including the royalties present is that mama is a model of saintliness, one whose actions are as good as her words, with every pore in her skin oozing clean, unimpeachable intentions. She is reportedly, a do-gooder who does everything she does for just one reason. Love. And really, showing love and doing good to those who are either starting life, or are cheated by the game of life and those being crushed by the difficulties of life and living is mama’s business.

And Princess Awofisayo, holder of several titles in Islam and Matron, FOMWAN could achieve all that feats while conveying the impression of ordinariness, showing that her personality captures an essential of the English national character: a tremendous ability to conceal ability. The trait underlies the elitist world view of her son, Prince Felix Awofisayo, a successful Pharmacist-son and Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (Osun SUBEB). The son, who hates feudal pretentions, detests privileges based on the circumstances of birth and position, and absolutely contemptuous of arrogance of office, spoke of his mother as someone who knows how to cultivate the right principles and stay by them. He added that, “ when I was very much young, my mother was very ersatile, prodigiously talented and workaholic but she never compromised her integrity and love for fellow human beings,” revealing Princess Awofisayo’s rich, exciting life.

It is wished that the nonagerian grandma lives longer in continued good health, while the Ile-Ife Mosque continues to serve Allah, The Hereafter, and mankind.

•OLUSESI is Assistant Director, Directorate of Publicity, Research & Strategy, All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun

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All correspondence to the Acting Editor, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, Telephone: 0806-220-7954, kazeemayofe26@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org., E-mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com,