Osun Defender Online Version of December 11, 2020

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

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INSIDE OSUN PDP’S WAR OF ATTRITION Adagunodo, Others May Be Expelled, Suspended From Party

Adagunodo

Relocation Of Party Secretariat Raises Fresh Controversies

By Ismaeel Uthman

T

HE war of attrition within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun continues unabated.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed that the legal redress of perceived injustice meted on the embattled Chairman of the PDP, Hon Soji Adagunodo, has further

heightened the internal crisis rocking the party.

There is an ongoing plot by some unnamed chieftains of the PDP to influence the National Working Committee of the party to expel Adagunodo and suspend some of his loyalists and supporters from the party, it was learnt.

The basis for their planned expulsion and suspension would be hinged on Adagunodo’s

Yuletide: Aregbesola Urges Nigerians To Celebrate With Caution Amidst COVID-19 Page 4

resort to court process against the party and antiparty activities, said credible sources in the PDP. Some of the PDP chieftains on the expulsion list, according to sources, include the 2018 governorship aspirant, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Adagunodo while the Assistant Secretary of the party, Hon. Yemi Adepoju.

Others on the suspension list include the Senatorial Leader of the PDP

in Osun East Senatorial District, Barr Wale Ojo, State Youth Leader of the party, Mr Seyi Bamidele, former Assistant Organising Secretary of the party, Mr Funmiso Babarinde and fomer Leader of the Ife Area Office Council, Modakeke, Hon Gbemi Olufiade who was Adeleke’s agent during the 2018 governorship primaries of the party.

Continued on page 2

Mistress Remanded For Touching Boarding-House Students’ Private Parts Page 6

Atidade

Osun United Players Boycott Training Over Unpaid Salaries

Page 7 Osun Moves To Reduce Child, Maternal Mortality Page 2

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2020

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News

Inside Osun PDP’s War Of Attrition •

Adagunodo, Others May Be Expelled, Suspended From Party •

Relocation Of Party Secretariat Raises Fresh Controversies

destabilise the party.”

Relocation Of Party Secretariat Raises Fresh Controversies The Secretariat of the PDP has been relocated to King’s Square, Opposite Biket Junction, No. 9, Ikirun Road Osogbo.

The former PDP secre-

tariat building was sold to Adeleke University.

But the relocation of the secretariat has sparked controversies.

According to the resolution of the State Working Committee and State Officers’ meeting, the new secretariat was rented and

secured during the tenure of Elder Sunday Atidade as Acting Chairman.

However, Atidade has denied securing any apartment for the party, saying that there was no need to secure a new apartment to be used as secretariat of the party during his acting chairmanship regime.

Atidade, in a press release issued on Wednesday said: “My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued by a dissident group within the party led by one Mr. Soji Adagunodo, insinuating my awareness of any transaction he and other traders in the party made to acquire another apartment as secretariat of our party during my time as chairman of the party.

“That, at no time, either personally or officially in my capacity as the state Chairman, did I get involved with anyone on any negotiation for property or apartment with a view to acquiring same for the purpose of housing the party secretariat activities.

“As the Chairman of the party during the period in question, there was no cause for me and other faithful members

and children, who are in need of medical care services and refer them to Primary Health Care facilities for adequate attention.

He further said that the initiative would accommodate and provide

basic services to children under the age of five, and as well as enhancing community participation to guarantee maternal and child health as part of intervention of his administration in the health sector.

The governor, while highlighting the rationale behind efforts to strengthen the PHC in the state, said the major focus of such intervention was to tackle child and maternal deaths headlong.

Oyetola added that

Some players of Osun United protesting non-payment of their salaries at the State of Osun House of Assembly, Osogbo yesterday.Read story on page 7.

Continued from page 1 According to sources at our disposal, the planned expulsion and suspension of the PDP stalwarts is to pave way for the smooth emergence of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the flag bearer of the party in the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Adagunodo confirmed the plot to expel him from the party, saying that he was aware of the move by a group of people pursuing the expulsion plot against him and suspension of some party members alongside.

The PDP chairman made the confirmation in a resolution of the State Working Committee and State Officers’ meeting on Monday.

The resolution jointly signed by Adagunodo and Adepoju and obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads in part: “We are for the umpteenth time again appealing to those who are desperately fanning embers of discord and encouraging division to desist forthwith.

“We have been reliably informed that some groups of people are pursuing the agenda of suspending and expelling some members of the party, especially the State Chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodo, even when they know what their planning runs contrary to court process, order and even the constitution of the party which doesn’t give them the authority and jurisdiction or power to do such.

“They are warned to desist, because it is obvious that this will further

greatly affect, decimate the fortunes of the party in 2022 and polarise the party the more. The National Chairman and NWC members of the party should be wary of these sets of people who are vehement in their clandestine moves and arrangements only to

of our party to burn calories and resources looking elsewhere for a new secretariat as we were and still are fully at peace with the present and only known and registered secretariat of the party in the state at the National Office of the party in Abuja.”

It was also resolved at the meeting that the duty of the Secretary of the party, Prince Bola Ajao be assigned to his assistant, Mr. Yemi Adepoju, because the latter had allegedly refused to obey lawful instruction and order.

The resolution reads further: “Due to the fact that the Secretary of the party, Prince Bola Ajao, has refused to obey a lawful instruction and order to send notices of meetings of the State Working Committee and State Executive Committee meetings, the assistant Secretary of the Party, Hon. Yemi Adepoju will henceforth be saddled with the responsibility of sending notices of meetings to all members concerned and adequate information will be given to all members in respect of such meetings through him.”

Osun Moves To Reduce Child, Maternal Mortality

By Solomon Odeniyi

T

HE State Government of Osun has restated its commitment to end child and maternal mortality in the state.

To achieve this, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Tuesday inaugurated the State Emergency Maternal and Child Intervention Centre (SEMCHIC) and the Community Health Influencers Promoters and Services (CHIPS) Programmes.

Oyetola said the move was to reduce the menace of child and maternal mortality in the state.

In supporting the move, 315 Solar Direct Drive (SDD) Refrigerators were donated to the state by the National Health Care Development Agency, Global Alliance Vaccine Initiative, UNICEF, among others, for the preservation of immunized drugs against diseases.

The Governor, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi, explained that the inaugurated CHIPS agents were saddled with the responsibility of identifying pregnant women

Symbol’s Quote

“Love is the foundation of faith & hope of salvation. This love is indiscriminatory, let us therefore live this precept of faith in all ramifications.

Our nation requires our love, so do the people from our communities, to the states, regions and nation.” —Ogbeni

the state had been able to put the health sector in the right footing through the renovation and equipping of 332 PHCs across the state, as well as adequate motivation of health personnel for greater productivity.

He said: “With these efforts, the hitherto decadence in the health sector across the state is speedily becoming a thing of the past.

“Our government is restoring the lost confidence in Primary Health Care system by the general populace, as 332 PHCs have been renovated by our administration and they are currently in use at the various LGAs. “The speed at which the works were completed is a proof that our administration is goal-oriented and truly means well to deliver the dividends of democracy to all and sundry.”

The Governor, however, emphasised the need to galvanise and coordinate the efforts of the government, in order to ensure efficient utilisation of resources and maximise coverage with high impact intervention.

PEOPLE FIRST

3 By Ademola Yaya Curbing Incessant Fire Outbreaks

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HE pathetic recurrent fire outbreaks in Nigeria have become unacceptable. Repeatedly, we wake up to disheartening stories of havocs wreaked by infernos. These do not spare residences, business complexes, worship centres, markets, etcetera, with humongous resources in ruins and precious lives lost. Fire incidents induced by fuel tanker mishaps, pipeline explosion and nefarious activities of vandals stink to high heavens!

Pundits have pondered over possible root causes of these disasters, with a bid to nip them in the bud. Unfortunately, they are in the upsurge, often with reoccurrences in specific places. A case in hand is the recent razing of Oja Tuntun in Ile-Ife, State of Osun, for the second time this year.

Most often, government (at all tiers) is apportioned blames, mostly for what it is clearly noted not to have done, more than praising it for the good it has done. After all, it doesn’t sound reasonable that any government worth its salt will take least interest in massive destruction of lives and property.

Recent efforts by government at investing heavily in curbing fire outbreaks are laudable. Virtually every state of the federation has received firefighting equipment, while fire stations have multiplied. The icing on the cake from the Federal Government is the recruitment of fresh firefighters and in-service training for ex“We all need to learn the safety tant ones. State governments precaution and expediency of have also been collaborative, switching off lights and sock- with gestures as gracious and ets in our residences and other stupendous as augmenting places of interest, especially, these facilities within their redomains. while we will not be around ” spective Sealing the deal to rid our communities of fire disasters completely will involve collective responsibility by all.

Smokers and users of fire-lighting items for domestic/industrial ends are cautioned to always ensure stubs and fireworks are totally quenched. Fireworks should be abhorred, especially during the fast-approaching Yuletide.

We all need to learn the safety precaution and expediency of switching off lights and sockets in our residences and other places of interest, especially, while we will not be around.

Our law enforcement agencies and firefighters should be fortified with voluntary timely tip-offs. This era impresses our government to legislate with strict enforcement, transportation of petroleum resources via pipelines and the rail.

Forestalling fire incidences is a collective responsibility. We must take precautions and be vigilant.

Tackling Maternal Mortality

D

ear Sir, It is disgraceful that after earning tens of billions from crude oil sales, Nigeria as a country still or should have the scourge of maternal mortality on the front burner. This is unacceptable and indeed cruel.

I am therefore, heartily saluting the state government of Osun for the commendable inauguration of the state’s Emergency Maternal And Child Intervention Center (SEMCHIC) as well as the Community

Health Influencers Services (CHIPS).

As the state Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola has pointed out, “This is a veritable way of identifying pregnant women and children in need of middle care services and refer them to primary health care facilities for adequate

attention. This guarantees participation.”

Community participation is crucial and should be at the heart of this worthwhile initiative.

I give hearty kudos for this important thrust in social development that shows a fundamental commitment towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Yours faithfully, Aisha Olayinka writes from Osogbo

Politics Of Population Census

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OPULATION census is not limited to headcount of the people of a particular country alone. According to United Nations Population and Housing Census 1992 Handbook, “A population census is the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and publishing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country.”

It also defines it as a “process of collection, reception, assessment, analysis, publication and distribution of demographic economic and social data, which relate, at a given moment in time, to all residents of a country or of a well-defined partial geographic area.”

Population census is an expensive exercise taken every 10 years. Although, some countries like Japan, Austria and Canada hold it every 5 years. The first national census conducted in Nigeria was in 1952/53 which put our population at 31.6 million people; while the last was conducted in 2006 by the National Population Commission (NPC), putting our population at 140.43 million people. NPC was established in 1988 by the Federal Government to collect, analyse and disseminate demographic data in the country. It also has the mandate to undertake demographic sample survey, compile, collate and publish migration and civil registration statistics as well as monitor the country’s population policy.

We were supposed to be due for another census in 2016. Perhaps, for the new government, which was yet to settle down and paucity of funds as a result of inherited economic recession, it was not conducted.

In the proposed 2021 budget, pending for consideration before the National Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N14.5 billion with immediate release of N10 billion in this 2020 and N4.5 billion in 2021 to the NPC for the conclusion of EAD in preparation for the next census.

EAD means Enumeration Area Demarcation. It is a process of delineating the country into small geographical and demographic units in lieu of actual census. It is after the successful conclusion of EAD that the time

of the next census will be announced.

A sincerely conducted census of general household survey will provide information needed by government to determine effectiveness of its policies and interventions. It will be a useful tool for improved and effective policy making. It will be a pointer to monitoring the performance of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) indicators and consequently assist MDG achieve its targets and provide database for social research.

Its advantages are not limited to these. A genuinely conducted census is used to providing indicators for monitoring and evaluation of socio-demographic characteristics; household conditions; employment; health; household enterprise; child nutrition/breast feeding; income and expenditure, among others too numerous to be listed. Hence, no country can properly plan for its growth and development without census.

In our own case however, it is a different ball game entirely. The results of the census are always tied to what a State gets. For instance, the result of the population census determines how much each State and Local Government gets from the Consolidated Revenue Fund/FAAC. It is 30% of the horizontal allocation formula for states and local governments. The population figure determines how many seats a state has in the House of Representatives. Other criteria are basic equity of State 40%, Landmass and Terrain 10%, Internal Revenue effort 10%, Education 4%, Rural potable water 3%.

As a result of this arrangement, every census conducted in Nigeria from 1953 by the British colonial power to the last done in 2006 had ended in controversies, as political interference had always been suspected.

There had always been politics of inflated and deflated figures.In 2006 census for instance, Kano State was said to be 9.4 million people while Lagos State was said to be 9 million people. Lagos however rejected the results and conducted its own census and arrived at 17.5 million – almost twice of the census figure NPC declared!

The ruling elite of a particular region or state, as the case may be, try to outsmart themselves in inflating and deflating headcount figures in their favour because of numerous entitlements attached. Therefore, for the forthcoming population census, there is an urgent need for legislation from the National Assembly to remove every entitlement tied to the headcount figures as highlighted above.

We cannot continue to be doing the same thing the same way all the time and expect different results.

Otherwise, we shall continue to deceive ourselves and be wasting away humongous resources that could have been used for some other meaningful enterprise to a deceptive census conduct.

OSUN DEFENDER IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE OR ANY PUBLICATION WHATSOEVER Continued on page 7

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2020

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News

LAUTECH Staff, Students In Osogbo Grumble As Mgt Transfers Them To Ogbomoso

By Yusuf Oketola

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TUDENTS and staff of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), who are in the College of Health Sciences, Osogbo, State of Osun have been asked to return to the main campus in Ogbomoso.

The staff and students were asked to report to LAUTECH, Ogbomoso on Monday, as contained in an

Internal Memo dated December 2, 2020 and signed by one A.J. Ogunkunle.

The College of Health Sciences is made up of various departments, staff and students in the field of Medicine and Surgery, Medical Laboratory Technology and Nursing Sciences.

But the directive did not go down well with some of the staff and students, as they complained

about the suddenness of the action ordered by the management and its consequent attendant inconveniences.

The directive is part of the aftermath effects of the dissolution of joint ownership of the university by the two owner states of Osun and Oyo. Oyo State has successfully taken sole ownership of LAUTECH, which necessitated some restruc-

turing.

Reacting to the directive of the university’s management, some of the students who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condition of anonymity said the restructuring of academic and non-academic programmes of the institution should be a gradual process.

The students said the relocation directive was too early, rash and incon-

siderate, calling on the management to give them some time before reporting to Ogbomoso.

According to the students, the management should have allowed them to conclude their academic programmes in Osogbo before transferring them to Ogbomoso.

One of the students who gave her name as Tosin Ajakaye, a Nursing student said: “We had

Yuletide: Aregbesola Urges Nigerians To Celebrate With Caution Amidst COVID-19

By Odunola Akinbode

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HE Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to go about the festive period with caution, saying that Coronavirus pandemic is still very much on.

Aregbesola said that Nigeria could not afford to return to the peak of the COVID-19, urging Nigerians not to lower their guards as index cases are being recorded on daily basis.

He spoke at the commissioning of a Symbolic Mosque built by Ta’Awunu Islamic group in Iwo, State of Osun last Saturday.

The former governor of the state urged Nigerians to adhere to the Holy Prophet’s teachings which states that when there is an outbreak of epidemic in a particular place, nobody should go there and the people in the affected place should not also go out until the epidemic subsides.

He said: “My reasons for coming to the state is in two folds: #EndSARS and to remind us that Coronavirus is still very much with us. We can’t afford to return to when the virus was at its peak in the country. That is why we must observe social distance and we use our face masks always.

“Cases are still being recorded every day. During this festive period, we must be cautioned.

We should obey the Holy Prophet teachings that says when there is an outbreak of epidemic somewhere, we should not leave there and those outside should not go to the place until the epidemic is over. We must take responsibilities for our lives.”

Aregbesola also said the President was aware of the hardship facing the people, which was occasioned by the pandemic and the widespread #EndSARS protests, assuring the people that life will be more abundant for

them in no distant time.

“The President is aware of the hardship facing the citizens of the country. This was caused by the pandemic and the #EndSARS protests which erupted in many states of the federation. The President is doing all his best and I can assure you that very soon all will be well and we will be happy again”, he said.

Aregbesola was also presented with an Award of Excellence from Ta’Awunu Islamic Group.

(L-R) Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Sheikh Muideen Bello and Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, during the official commissioning of Iwo Symbol of Islam Mosque, built by the Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen recently.

Group Seeks End To Discrimination Against Women During Menstruation

By Solomon Odeniyi

A

Non-Governmental Organization promoting menstrual health, Jesutofunmi Fayemi Foundation, has lamented the continued stigmatisation against women during their menstrual period.

According to the convener, Ms Jesutofunmi Fayemi, some cultural and religious beliefs have contributed to the stigmatisation in many parts of the country.

Fayemi spoke during Menstrual Health and Hygiene Programme, held at the School for Persons With Special Needs in Osogbo, State of Osun on Sunday.

According to her, while some cultural practices are giving way to modernity, the discrimination against women during their menstrual period should also make way.

She stated that the experience of teenagers who have fallen victims of stigmatization was the reason they were seeking an end to such practice.

Fayemi said: “The girl child is so important in the society and we want to ensure that they get proper education in all the areas of their lives that matter the most. One of such areas is menstruation. We understand the stigmatisation against the girl child while on their menstrual flow. A

lot of them have been narrating their experiences to us, which have not been palatable. It is because of the experiences we seek an end to it.

“Cultural and religious beliefs have also contributed to this. In some places when you are menstruating, you can’t attend church services. Also in some cultures, you are expected to stay indoors; you are

restricted from cooking or touching your husband’s clothes.

“People are still having this mentality about menstruation, whereas menstruation is just a normal thing that happens to females, a lot should be put in place to help female menstruating.

“Menstruation is a normal part of the female body system and if you don’t menstruate as a lady, you

Oluwo Installs Otunba Of Iwoland

A

Lagos-based business mogul, Alhaji Sikiru Wahab Atanda, has been installed the Otunba of Iwoland.

Atanda, who is a prominent indigene of Iwo, was installed alongside his wife, Alhaja Aishat Wahab, as Yeye Otunba of Iwoland.

Barrister Basiru Quadri was also installed the Ekaarun of Iwoland.

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, enjoined recipients of the titles to channel their respective offices in complementing the efforts of the palace in facilitating anticipated developments to Iwoland.

Addressing the populace in his palace at the installation ceremony, Oba Akanbi stated that Iwo honorary titles are exclusive for people of modest character, saying the ante-

cedents of recipients and prospective expectations from their pedigree earned them the title.

He charged the recipients to protect Iwo’s interest at all costs and device the privilege in attracting investors to Iwo and improving the standard of living of the people of the town.

The monarch expressed hope of maximum performance of the recipients in promoting Iwoland and her people, just as he cautioned them against betraying the palace.

In his remarks, the new Otunba of Iwoland, Chief Atanda, expressed gratitude to Oluwo for honouring him with the title.

Atanda assured Oluwo of his loyalty, promising to complement his aspiration to attaining a developed Iwo.

can’t give birth. No one came to this world without his/her passing through the stage of menstruation; hence, I see no need for the stigmatization.”

She also called on the government to pay attention to the protection and promotion of menstrual hygiene among women.

thought that the management would allow us to complete our academic activities here in Osogbo after the dissolution of the joint ownership.

“But the management has suddenly asked us to move to Ogbomoso, where we didn’t have any accommodation. How does the management want us to cope? The management should have considered the inconveniences this relocation would inflict on us.

“We understand that things have changed, but the management should consider us. The economy is hard and everybody is struggling to eat and survive. The management should please be kind to us.”

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in several interviews, some staff members of the institution complained bitterly against the inconvenience unleashed on them through the sudden relocation directives, cautioning management to make the take-over processes a gradual affair.

However, the government of the state of Osun has assured indigenes of the state who are working in LAUTECH of job security and good welfare package.

The government, in a public service announcement, said it had no reason to doubt the fact that Oyo State Government would continue to honour the Memorandum of Understanding entered on the dissolution of the LAUTECH joint ownership.

CHANGE OF NAME SHITTU TAIWO HASSAN

ABDULAZEEZ AISHA ADEOLA

That I was formerly known and addressed as AYOFE TAIWO HASSAN now wish to be

That I was formerly known and addressed as AFOLABI AISHAT ADEFUNKE now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULAZEEZ AISHA ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

known and addressed as

SHITTU TAIWO HASSAN.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as ADEKUNLE SOFIAT ABIDEMI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ODEWALE SOFIAT ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

APANISILE YETUNDE OLAWANDE That I was formerly known and addressed as APANISILE HELEN now wish to be known and addressed as APANISILE YETUNDE OLAWANDE. All former documents remain valid.

Union Bank General public should take note.

LAWAL GANIYU AKANJI

ABDULGAFARI ASIAT OYENIKE

That I was formerly known and addressed as GANIYU LAWAL now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL GANIYU AKANJI. All former documents remain valid.

Access Bank and General public should take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as OYETUNJI ASIAT OYENIKE AJOKE now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULGAFARI ASIAT OYENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MRS. ODEWALE SOFIAT ABIDEMI

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2020

Feature

5

Osun And The 10 Historic Years Of Progressive Govt

By Ismaeel Uthman

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OVEMBER 27, 2020 marked 10 years that the then formidable opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, came into power, thereby becoming the ruling party in the State of Osun, following the judgment of the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State that declared Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola winner of the April 14, 2007 election. November 27 is a date with history. And history is an event happening now that will be remembered in the future, owing to its importance and significance. The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt Jr, who ruled from 1901 to 1909, said: “The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”

The course of history was altered in Osun, a State in the South-Western part of Nigeria, on November 27, 2010. A slender frame of determined, focused, plucky and progressive spirit of Rauf Aregbesola, the former Commissioner for Works in Lagos State, with the tireless, unwavering, undaunted and ever-militant members of the Action Congress (AC), as the party then was, led the movement for the alteration of history in Osun.

Aregbesola and the AC members did not set out to alter history in the real sense of it, rather than taking over government of the state from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007.

The intent was to win the April 14, 2007 governorship election as the flag-bearer of the AC and administer the state in line with their manifestoes. Nothing more! Aregbesola was oblivious of the fact that the master of fate wanted more than just a victory for him – He wanted to reshape history for his cause.

Aregbesola was contesting against a retired general, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the PDP candidate who was seeking a second term in office. Earlier before the elections, the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, had on Saturday, February 10, 2007 declared that year’s general election a do-or-die affair. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had a compromised willing political tool as its head. All the state machineries were not in favour of Aregbesola. What the AC candidate had was just ‘the people’ who were more than willing to vote out the PDP government. The people actually voted for Aregbesola on the war-like Election Day, but their votes were not counted, neither did it count, as INEC declared Oyinlola as the winner of the election.

On the Election Day, AC party agent in Igbajo, Ayobami Oni, popularly called Ayo Kemba, was gunned down. Samson Olanrewaju was shot dead in Ile-Ife. Saheed Adebiyi was also killed at Okeroko polling unit in Ikirun, among other people who were killed.

The outcome of the election was rejected by the people: protest engulfed almost every town and city in the state, which then became unsettled for weeks. PDP instigated the police to clamp down on the protesters. Aregbesola was arbitrarily declared wanted by the police. In a secret video recorded by an unknown person, Oyinlola was seen directing the military and police in Ilesa to declare Aregbesola wanted and hold him responsible for the violent protests after the governorship election.

According to the Chairman of Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), Comrade Rufus Olusesan, at a press conference on May 9, 2007, the police charged over 400 persons to court for politically related offences at the instance of the PDP-controlled government within a week.

After the governorship election, Aregbesola approached the Osun Election Petitions Tribunal to prosecute the reclamation of his stolen mandate.

His ground of petition was that the governorship election was rigged in 10 local government areas of the state - Atakunmosa West, Ayedaade, Boluwaduro, Boripe, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ife East, Ife South, Isokan and Odo-Otin. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had recorded 253,789 votes for Oyinola, in the 10 affected councils, while it recorded 41, 923 votes for Aregbesola. He asked the court to declare him

as the validly elected governor of Osun State.

Few months into the legal battle, scandal rocked the election petitions tribunal, led by Justice Thomas Naron.

The tribunal was alleged to have been compromised by Oyinlola’s lawyer, Mr. Kunle Kalejaiye, SAN. Both Naron and Kalejaiye were exchanging phone calls and text messages, through which they plotted to ensure victory for Oyinlola at the expense of Aregbesola. The popular ‘call log’ saga and unprofessional conducts of the duo were published by a newsmagazine ‘The News’ in July 2008.

Following the publication of the The News magazine, a group of civil rights activists under the umbrella of Campaign Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) wrote a petition in which they demanded the disbandment of the Justice Thomas Naron tribunal. The activists, led by Comrades Debo Adeniran and Waheed Lawal trooped out in large number to submit the petition to the Registrar of the Osun High Court, Mrs. Oloyede Folaranmi.

After submitting the petition, a team of armed policemen, led by Mr. Johnson Moronike, the then Commissioner of Police stormed the court and arrested 24 of the civil rights activists. They were detained for a week at the State Criminal Investigation Department before they

were charged to court. Justice Jide Falola of Osun Magistrate’s Court, remanded them in prison for a total of five weeks.

As envisaged (based on the established compromise), the Justice Naron-led tribunal threw out Aregbesola’s petition and controversially affirmed Oyinlola as the winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election in 2009. The judgment left the entire people of Osun in a very gloomy mode. “It was a miscarriage of justice”, said Aregbesola.

Aregbesola and his party rejected the verdict of the tribunal and approached the Appeal Court for redress.

After months of legal battle, the Appeal Court on March 30, 2009 in a unanimous decision, ordered the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, as then was, to constitute a fresh election petitions panel to re-try Aregbesola’s Petition, just as it chided initial tribunal for not giving Aregbesola fair hearing.

The petition was retried by a five-man panel that included Justices Ali Garba, Benedict E. Agbattah, Ismaila H. Bashir, Muhammad T.M. Aliyu and Abimbola O. Obaseki. The retrial panel in its judgment on May 28, 2010 said it found no merit in the petition and accordingly dismissed it again.

Being dissatisfied and aggrieved, Aregbesola and the AC filed an appeal against the decision of the second tribunal. Their Notice of Appeal dated June 14, 2010 was filed on June 16, 2010. This notice of Appeal is at pages 546-601 of volume 7 of the Record of Appeal. On November 26, 2010, the Appeal Court in a verdict read for about five hours, declared Aregbesola the winner of the April 14, 2007 governorship election and ordered that he should be sworn in immediately.

As directed by the court, Aregbesola was sworn in as the fourth Executive Governor of the state on November 27, 2010 at the Technical School playing ground. The venue was filled to capacity and the air became thicker for breathing.

While fighting to regain his mandate, Aregbesola was

incessantly harassed. He was once detained and charged to court on frivolous petition. His supporters were equally hounded, arrested and detained on trumped-up charges, the most remarkable of which was on the fictitious car bomb said to have occurred in a Peugeot 505 car that exploded at the Ministry of Water Resources on June 14, 2007.

The Chairman of the defunct AC, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; AC Secretary, Prince Gboyega Famodun, AC Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Sunday Akere; Elder Sunday Laoye and the Spokesperson of Oranmiyan, a socio-political group, Mr. Gbenga Fayemiwo, were arrested, arraigned and remanded in prison over the bomb blast.

The protracted legal battle was a long walk to freedom, but it opened a new clean chapter in Osun politics and government. Aregbesola would have been sworn in on May 29, 2007 if the election was not rigged. He would not have had a date to himself in history. Aregbesola made another history by handing over to a successor of the same progressive fold, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, on November 27, 2018.

Governor Oyetola is celebrating his exact second year as the governor of the state with laudable achievements which include construction and rehabilitation of roads and hospitals.

Cumulatively, the progressive government is 10 years old in the State of Osun. The proposed celebration of the 10th anniversary by Osun APC caucus in the National Assembly generated controversies in the state and it was halted after the intention was misconstrued, to allow peace to reign.

However, it is noteworthy to reiterate that the Oyetola administration has its root from the restoration of Aregbesola’s mandate, handed over to him a decade ago. Without Aregbesola, there could not have been an Oyetola. Secondly, Oyetola cut his political teeth and horned his political skills under Aregbesola, under whom he served as Chief of Staff for eight years. So it is 10 unbroken years that began with Aregbesola and has continued with Oyetola. The 10th anniversary therefore could not be celebrated without adequate mentioning of the two years of Oyetola’s administration been celebrated with numerous achievements.

Tracing the historical presence of progressive government in Osun, Aregbesola is not the first progressive governor. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose name has become a brand for politicians, is the pioneer of progressive politics. He ruled the old Western Region as Premier. Late Bola Ige, the Cicero, inherited Awolowo’s progressive legacy. He was a governor of old Oyo State, where Osun was carved out. Ige was an indigene of Esa-Oke, in Obokun Local Government Area of the State of Osun. As a state on its own, Osun had Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke as its first governor. Adeleke won the election on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, which had a semblance of progressive, in December 1991. Chief Adebisi Akande won the 1999 governorship election under the progressive platform of Alliance for Democracy in Osun State. He governed the state successfully with strong legacy. Baba Akande’s second term bid was crushed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which manipulated elections and lorded a retired Army General, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on the people of the state. The declaration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as governor in 2010 restored the reign of progressive government to Osun. Aregbesola won his second term election with landslide victory on August 9, 2014 governorship election. Against all odds, Aregbesola was able to successfully hand over the progressive government to Oyetola of the same political tendency in 2018.

Speaking on the 10 years of progressive government in Osun, Adeoti, a former SGG under the Aregbesola administration said: “The 10 years of progressive government in Osun is nothing but a blessing to the people of the state. We have changed and raised the bar of governance in the state even after Aregbesola left. The development has been in leaps and bounds under Governor Oyetola. What we are praying and hoping is that after Oyetola might have completed his tenure, we will be able to win again so that the good work could continue.”

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2020

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Religion

HE holy Prophet Muhammad was sent by Allah to mankind as a harbinger of good tidings and a Warner. A harbinger of good tidings as regards the allure of Aljanat and escaping the malevolence and malediction of the grave for those who wish to follow Allah, through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The almighty Allah did not just send him in the blank and vacuum , He gave Muhammad the holy Qur’an, the explanation of which are contained in the very many sayings of the prophet. The sayings are called Ahaadeeth.

JUMAT SERMON By Imam Toyin Yusuf

Prophet Muhammad was also sent as a Warner to anybody who chooses to follow shaytaan(devil) or their own whims, away from what Allah instructs, advises or enjoins. The prophet spent the last twenty three years (Prophethood ) of his life teaching, preaching and warning.

In one of the Ahaadeeth, Muhammad prods Muslims to keep watch on and utilize five qualities before they are rendered ineffective.

First, the Holy prophet Muhammad is reported to have enjoined Muslims to utilize their youthful years before old age sets in. History of Arabs shows that Muhammad had spent his youthful years in the communal service of Arabs and Makkah at a time his colleagues were driven by youthful exuberance into drinking, sex escapades, gambling and other vices. The virtuous disposition of Muhammad to his people made them give him another name Al-Ameen, the trustworthy.

In another of his sayings, the prophet gave seven categories of people who will be accommodated in the shade of Allah on the day of reckoning. The second in the category is a young person who grew up to adulthood in the service of Allah.

The import of the first five is that man should always know that death is inevitable and no one knows their own appointed time. Death can come at any time as said by Allah in the Quran: “For every man is an appointed time and when the time chimes (to die), it would neither be shortened or postponed by a fleeting second.”

Because no one knows when death will come calling, prophet Muhammad enjoined us to dedicate the youthful years of our existence to serving Allah and being kind to fellow humans. The years we have the energy to pray five times daily and to do ad-

Utilize The Five Before The Five ditional prayers at night/midnight, the energy to fast Ramadan and sundry fast as recommended by the prophet, the energy to perform Hajj, if we are endowed, the energy to contribute physically to building of mosques and Madrasat as well as Masbarah (Muslim cemetery) in our community, the years we have the energy to engage in communal road construction, canalisation of rivers and so forth.

SECOND, the prophet enjoined us to utilize the sound health we have now before debilitating and life threatening infections affect our system. We should eat, drink and sleep according to sunnah. We should approach or wives as expatiates on by Muhammad. A Muslim should keep clear of smoking and alcohol as well as fornication and adultery in order not to contract diseases that will drain our energy to serve Allah, ourselves and the Ummah. When we live in accordance with sunnah, we enjoy the best of health.

THIRD is for us to spend our wealth before Allah takes them away. Allah did not use death to take away everything prophet Ayub (Job) had. That is an example for us. We have heard and read stories of those who were wealthy and died in penury.

Prophet Muhammad encouraged Muslims to spend their God given wealth in the course of Allah. Wealthy Muslims and of course, however little we may have should spend on charity.

We should join hands to build mosques, Islamic centres, Muslim hospitals and orphanages. The first and the third Khalee-

fah, Abubakri and Uthman, greatly assisted the course of Islam through their wealth in Madeenah. We should remember the saying of Allah in the Quran about “A day (Day of Reckoning) when wealth and children will serve no purpose or prevent one from the great punishment of Hell fire , except those who die in service to Allah and meet him unblemished.”

We don’t have to become a Dangote before spending from what we have. We can take up payment of electric bills of our mosque. We can dig a borehole for our community and sundry other rewarding engagements to seek the favor of Allah.

FOURTH is the time and pleasure we have before the time comes when we claim to be more occupied. When we have the time to pray, fast, do good deeds we should not postpone such.

The next moment, we might not enjoy the freedom. This is the very reason Muslims should not delay solaat (daily prayers).

Observe the solaat at the appointed time for you don’t know what the next moment might look like.

The time we have to serve Allah and humanity, we should do such without waivering or hesitating. Only Allah knows what a man will do the next moment: A no man knows what he shall do the next moment.

And finally, the FIFTH is our life before death comes knocking. Allah says he created man and Jinn but to serve him. The essence of the existence of a Muslim is to serve Allah. When we serve Allah, we leave our affairs in his Hands. To serve Allah is to follow his dictates as contained in the Quran and explained by the prophet. Invariably, the life of a Muslim is expected to be led and guided by the Quran and the traditions of prophet Muhammad. Our wealth, health, possessions and family should be seen as being held in trust for Allah, who can withdraw any or all of them at any time. When we bear this in mind, we live, acquire and life for Allah. He says again in the Quran: “Whoever strives to inherit from what Allah has provided in Aljanat, We (Allah)will add extra to it. But whoever strives for mundane possessions, We (Allah) will give him a pain-head of such, and will get no inheritance in Aljanat.

Wassalamalaykum, war’ra’amatullaah, wabarkaatu’u.

• Oluwatoyin Yusuf is the Chief Imam Of Prince Hamzat Ajani Memorial Mosque and Islamic Centre, Osogbo.

Crime

House Burnt, 4 Arrested As Police Exhume Remains Of Missing Persons In Iwo

By Yusuf Oketola

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house being used as ritualists’ den at Yemoja area of Iwo, State of Osun, has been set ablaze by irate residents of the area.

The police uncovered the ritualists’ den,

allegedly operated by two siblings identified as Monsuru and Lawal Tajudeen on Monday, following investigations into the disappearance of two people in Iwo. The remains of the two missing people were exhumed at the den by

the police.

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the discovery of the den and murder of the two people whose corpses had been discovered.

The exhumed corpses were said to be that of

Adeolu Akanbi, a son of a prominent politician in Olaoluwa Local Government and Mutiyat Alani, a housewife in Iwo, who had both been declared missing three weeks ago.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the police, while investi-

gating the disappearance of Alani, tracked her mobile phone, which led to the arrest of a vulcaniser simply identified as Alamu.

Alamu reportedly told the police that he got the phone from one of the siblings and led

Mistress Remanded For Touching Boarding- Man Bags 10-Yr Jail Term For Raping, Impregnating Minor House Students’ Private Parts

By Yusuf Oketola boyinbo Abiodun, got pregBy Yusuf Oketola

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37-year-old house mistress, Christiana Ayeni, has been remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre for unlawfully and indecently assaulting four students of San Francesco Catholic College, Ejigbo, State of Osun by touching their private parts.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, Ayeni unlawfully and indecently assaulted a set of students: Mariam Ismael (18), Martha Alfa (15), Adefehintoluwa Ademuleyo (15) and Raphael Olamide (14) by touching their private parts.

Ayeni allegedly committed the offence on March 21, 2018 at within the hostel vicinity at the college.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun said the alleged offence contravened Section 360 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But Ayeni pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.

Defence counsel, Mr. Oladipupo Olatubosun pleaded with the court to release the suspect on bail.

The bail application was opposed by Olusegun on the ground that the suspects might jump

bail.

The Magistrate, Modupe Awodele, ordered that the suspect be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.

Awodele thereafter transferred the case to Ejigbo Chief Magistrate’s Court, to be mentioned on December 21, 2020.

F

OR raping and impregnating a minor, a 35-year-old man, Tunde Oyedokun, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by an Osogbo magistrate’s court.

Oyedokun had earlier pleaded not guilty to the offence when he was first arraigned before a magistrate’s court in Osogbo on June 25, 2019.

But when he was brought to court on Tuesday, Oyedokun changed his plea, admitting that he committed the crime.

The convict was said to have raped a 13-year-old Stella Akinloye of No.5, Balogun Street, Omigade area of Osogbo sometime in April 2019.

Akinloye, according to the Police Prosecutor, Fag-

nant as a result of the illicit sexual intercourse and later gave birth.

Abiodun said the teenager lost the child during labour.

The prosecutor stated that the accused person also unlawfully and indecently assaulted the girl during the rape process, maintaining that the offences contravened Sections 218 and 222 of Criminal Code, Cap 34.

Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

However, Oyedokun pleaded guilty to the allegations and he was subsequently convicted by the Magistrate, Mrs. Modupe Awodele.

Awodele sentenced the accused person to 10 years imprisonment for rape and two years on assault, which should to run concurrently.

the police to the house of the ritualists, where they were arrested.

Also, a witch-doctor known as Abere-Ifa at Ajagba in Olaoluwa Local Government has been arrested.

Abere-Ifa was alleged of buying human parts from the ritualists.

Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola confirmed the reports, saying that investigations were still ongoing on the matter.

Opalola said: “We arrested two ritual killers: Tajudeen Monsuru and Tajudeen Lawal. A woman identified as Mutiat Alani was reported missing. We commenced an investigation. The telephone of the missing woman was found with Monsuru.

“The police went to the house and recovered two mutilated corpses. They discovered decomposing bodies. They confessed that they killed many people but only two corpses were recovered. They killed for rituals to help those that patronise them.”

Some irate youths have, on Monday night, burnt down the house being used as abode by the ritualists.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 17, 2020

7

Sports

Osun United Players Boycott Training Over Unpaid Salaries

By Solomon Odeniyi

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LAYERS and some staff members of Osun United Football Club have not been paid salaries for the past two months by the state government, findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed.

The players have boycotted trainings on several occasions in protest against the nonpayment of their salaries.

According to one of the players who prayed not to be named, the situation had demoralised many of them, as they prepare for the new season billed to commence January next year.

He said many of them were finding it difficult to meet their responsibilities to their families.

The player said “In October, we were told that there was paucity of fund due to the #EndSARS protests. Now they said we need to do capturing and we will only be paid when that is

completed. This is unfair; we have families who are dependent on us.”

OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the players have reported the issue to the State of Osun House of Assembly.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye held a stakeholders’ meeting with the players and management of Osun United and officials of the Ministry of Youths and Sports yesterday.

The outcome of the meeting was not yet known as at the time of filing this report.

Findings by this medium also revealed that Osun United has received eviction notice from the players’ camp/ accommodation as they owed rent.

Reacting, the Vice President of the team, Vincent Akinbami said the newly introduced system of payment was responsible for the delay.

Akinbami said: “What actually happened was

that they (government) didn’t pass information on time and we submitted the lists late as a result. This is because of the capturing issue the government has imposed on us now.

“They want to make sure everybody is paid at once. Right now, the list has been submitted, hopefully capturing will soon take place and payment will be made.

“There should be no cause for alarm with the capturing. It is simple, once a player moves, we write a letter and the name of the player that has moved, his licence and account number are presented to the people in charge, we replace him with a new player.”

On issue of the rent, Vincent said: “We just submitted the letter today, I will get money to go and pay for the players’ rent. We just listed down the things we need to buy. We are also working on the club to make sure things are well in

place.

“We are also planning a friendly match on Sunday and Monday. We are resuming training on Friday and everything has been put in place.

The Osun United Club will be more united this time around than ever before, so we can achieve our goal of attaining promotion, possibly and of course we are winning the cup because we are also thinking of going continental by the grace of God. Meanwhile, sports

athletes staged a protest at the house of assembly complex yesterday where they demanded the immediate removal of the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Yemi Lawal.

They accused Lawal of shortchanging and denying them their entitlements.

Another allegation raised by the athletes was the missing €10,000 share of Osun United from the proceeds from Ighalo’s transfer from Shanghai Shenhua to Manchester

Ighalo

United.

Some of the placards read: “Yemi Lawal has stopped our salaries.”

“There is corruption in the Sports Ministry.”

“We Want the removal of Yemi Lawal.”

Another Tranche Of Ighalo’s Transfer Fee Paid To Osun

Another tranche of the proceeds from Man Utd’s striker, Odion Ighalo’s transfer fee has been paid in November.

It was learnt that Osun United received about £12,600, which had been spent.

Out the £12,600, a sum of N250, 000 is remaining as balance.

The money was shared with the knowledge of Osun United Board, it was learnt.

Akinbami said: “Ighalo’s money has come in and we have also gotten a list of needs to acquire; and of course we are making judicious use of it. A lot still need to be done.”

Entertainment

Wizkid, Burna Boy Win Big At Mobo Awards 2020

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IGERIAN superstars, Wizkid and Burna Boy won big at the MOBO Awards event held early hours of yesterday.

MOBO Awards returned after a three-year hiatu.

Wizkid was named the Best African Act while Burna Boy was named the Best International Act. The nominations for the 2020 Music of Black Origin Awards had been announced on November 24, 2020.

At the event, Nigerian stars, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Fireboy, Adekunle Gold and Tiwa Savage got nods for the event which honours black music from all corners of the world.

Burna Boy and Rema were nominated in the Best International Act category alongside Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, the late Pop Smoke, Lil Baby and more.

In the best African act category, Burna Boy and Rema were joined by Wizkid, Davido, Fireboy, Adekunle

Gold and Tiwa Savage.

Ghanaian stars, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy also got nods alongside, Ivorian, Afro B, South African, Master KG and NSG. Popular Nigerian hiphop artistes, Davido and Tiwa Savage also performed at the event.

Burnaboy

Politics Of Population Census Continued from page 3 If the ruling elite are sincere in the development of the country as they usually claim, they should not interfere in the process this time.

As they specialise in rigging elections, so they are in census figure manipulation.

But they cannot do it alone.

They will need the support of the poor people who are

so naive to comprehend the repercussions. Moreover, the poor working people comprising workers, farmers, market men and women, artisans, unemployed, students should not allow themselves to be used to manipulate the figures. Manipulated census figure is a precursor to haphazard planning that will never result to any meaningful development. It is

impossible to plan properly and know how many people live and earn in the country when the population census figure is adulterated. In the long run, adulterated census figure as a result of political interference is not in the interest of the country as it is one of the harbingers of underdevelopment and ultimately, it is the poor people that will suffer most.

I’m Crazy For Tall Guys, Says Asa

By Solomon Odeniyi

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WARD-WINNING singer and songwriter, Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa, has said that she will like to marry a tall guy if she ever gets married.

Asa said she is crazy for tall guy because she didn’t like the fact that her parents were short.

The international music star said this in a recent interview with Bolanle Olukanni for Ndani TV’s show, The Juice.

She said, “I am crazy for tall guys. They could be dark. If you are dark, be very dark. Then, it takes me time to think, ‘Does he have a brain?’ If my future man is short, if I ever get married, I won’t complain. I do hope he is not short, because my parents were short and I wasn’t happy about that.”

She also said she was wary of her voice when she started her music career, adding that when she dropped her first album, she didn’t know it would be that big.

The award-winning singer said: “I just never trusted people; maybe it was (because) my father told me all the time that

‘you can’t trust people’.

I think people just didn’t get me. When I started performing publicly, I didn’t come out as a singer. I came out as a dancer.

That thing was inside me saying, ‘Why is your voice like this? Why do you sound like this? Why do you walk like this? Who do you think you are’?

“So, I just went into my world and performed to an imaginary audience. When my first album came out, I did not expect it was going to be

that big. I was shy and slightly embarrassed. I thought I was not ready and still needed to do more work.”

Iwo Residents Burnt 2 Suspected Kidnappers Alive

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WO women suspected to be kidnappers were yesterday nabbed by some residents of Iwo, State of Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the women were caught at Ori-Eru, when they allegedly attempted to kidnap a victim.

The suspects were reportedly taken to the Oluwo’s Palace, where those that apprehended

them were directed to take them to police station.

Instead of taking them to police station, the suspects were beaten blue-black before they were set on fire alive at the junction adjacent to the former branch office of Wema Bank along Oja Ale in Iwo. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola confirmed the report.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 VOL. 15 NO 50 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

R

ECENTLY in a very perspective analysis in his column on the back page of The Nigerian Tribune, the noted columnist, Obadiah Mailafa pointed out that, “our own Yoruba people, Muslims and Christians live together in the same households. We are not enemies; we are brothers”. This in the present firmament should not be dismissed as a statement of the obvious. Mailafa obviously felt he had a compelling reason to emphasise this point in this our season of discontent. And sensibly so, for in a republic enfeebled with crisis on numerous fronts, there is every reason to be fearful about adding Lebanon-type religious fault lines into the mix. Such a reality will be combustible.

In spite of the commercialisation of religion on all fronts, religion still matters. It is an essential ingredient in the human composition. It always will. From this perspective, let us recall a really outstanding dissection of Twentieth Century political economy, which has become a classic, R.H. Tawney’s “Religion And The Rise Of Capitalism”. Tawney was both unusually a Marxist as well as a practising Christian. He seminally addressed the question of how religion has affected social and economic practices largely for the good. The conflict entrepreneurs’ hand- in-glove with the peddlers of Snake oil solutions as ‘religion’ should therefore not put us from looking at the positive effect.

The Interior Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola bears a reflection to Tawney. He is a social democrat who also practises and has a deeply-rooted and abiding faith in Islam.

Like Tawney, he has demonstrated in practice that the teachings of a faith can and indeed should be a trigger for progressive change. Last week, the former governor of Osun, who is widely credited with putting

“

The Interior Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola bears a reflection to Tawney.

He is a social democrat who also practises and has a deeply-rooted and abiding faith in Islam.

Like Tawney, he has demonstrated in practice that the teachings of a faith can and indeed should be a trigger for progressive change.

“

House Burnt, 4 Arrested As Police Exhume Remains Of Missing Persons In IwoPage 6

By Kanmi Ademiluyi

Making Religion A Positive Force In The Present Firmament social intervention thrusts into the heart of the discourse on political economy was in his element straddling two events in the State of Osun, put together by the Christian and Islamic communities.

At both events, he used the opportunity to explain the interwoven relationship linking faith and a progressive thrust for inclusiveness leading to a better society. Conferred with the “Episcopal Ecumenical Award” by the Diocese of Ijesa North, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the minister conveyed a clear understanding of the social disconnect and the issues of inequities underpinning the recent #EndSARS protests. He portrayed empathy in pointing out that, “The

STRIKER

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youths must be commended for organising a protest that awakened the nation from its lethargy and aroused our consciousness to the state where we found ourselves.

We must commend the government for its prompt action in addressing the demands of the youths. These are a blessing to any society,....Today’s youths are a peculiar breed, a generation of the social media and hub of ideas and internet; they appear more intelligent and far more enterprising than the previous generation.”.

A Christian Social Democrat would have used the same adaptation of the key underpinning of the Bible to understand and explain the social disconnect which triggered

off the crisis and find solutions.

Presented with an award of excellence from Ta’ Awunu Islamic Group two days later in Iwo, the minister, who commissioned a Symbolic Mosque built by the group again used the bully pulpit to link the testament of faith as derived in the holy book to burning contemporary issues. The former governor urged Nigerians to adhere to the Holy Prophet’s teachings that state that when there is an outbreak of epidemic in a particular place, nobody should go there and the people in the affected place should also not go out until the epidemic subsides.

The position here is within the principles of the Ummah and the ethical intent of the Quran. This is a helpful way in which the position should have been presented from the start in a society in which people wear their religion on their sleeves.

The application of the central thrust of religion should be made more central by the political establishment if they really want to convey a position as Aregbesola is doing: that in spite of the hardships and temporary setbacks, life can still be made more abundant and the purpose of government should be for the benefit of the overwhelming majority and not a few. A good example has been set here. It should be imitated. There is everything to be said for a bully pulpit used as a trajectory to promote positive change.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

HERE is a popular saying that captures the heart of infidelity with respect to the relations between human words and actions, “do as I say but not as I do.” Once you come to terms with that statement, you are no longer likely to be perplexed that majority of mankind find it difficult, if not almost impossible, to match their actions with their words, and they have unlimited lame excuses for that infidelity.

We will skip infidelity at family and friendship levels, bearing in mind that those are the theatres where infidelity is cultivated and takes root. Let us go straight to government, simply because its infidelity has overriding consequences that deepens infidelity everywhere!

In order for a political party to get into government, its candidates must be elected as decided by a majority of the electorate. One major characteristic of elections is political debates amongst contesting candidates and campaign rallies for the candidates by their parties. It is during these events that promises are made concerning the aspirations of the people. What aspirations do the people have? Simply, to be happy. What are those things that will make them happy? Food on their tables, decent clothing and affordable accommodations, functional education for their children, functional transportation means, affordable access to stable power, water supplies and health services, jobs that will pay their bills and allow a little fun and holidays, security to lives and properties

Walk Your Talk that gives peace of mind, freedom of conscience, liberty and justice equally for all, and so on.

With the debates, rallies and elections over, every candidate of every political party having promised all these, governments are formed. James Madison said “a good government implies two things: first, fidelity to the object of government, which is the happiness of the people; secondly, knowledge of the means by which that object can best be attained.” It is given then that the people, when voting, believed that the parties and candidates that get their majority votes have these two qualities. So, what usually happens that society ends up where it does, with the majority of political parties and their constituted government, with few exceptions, failing to walk their talks?

Is it simply impossible for parties and governments to do as they say? No, we have a few contrary examples. Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Action Group, Unity Party of Nigeria come to mind, as well to a great degree, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alliance for Democracy in Lagos specifically. However, a simple inventory, generally, will dishearten any good heart! Put all political parties that ever got into government in Nigeria on one side and their many promises next to it, alongside the realities during their tenure. Each of the 36 states

and the FCT can examine themselves for various periods but we can check out the Federal Governments by ourselves, especially the last few ones. The table, as everyone can take time to find out, is simply not delightful. Solving only ten of a hundred problems, while creating fifty new problems in the process does not speak well for “good government” as defined by James Madison.

If we are to get out of the sad and ugly experiences occasioned by failed government promises accompanied with lame excuses, we all have a role to play at the formative stages. As adults, if our fishes are too dried up to bend, we can at least work on the coming generation. Vince Lombardi, the great gogetting American Football Coach said “watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.”

One of the best characters we can begin to cultivate is to always do as we say, to always walk our talks. Let us stop saying “it is easier said than done.” Lombardi said “perfection is not attainable,” as we all accept, “but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” A majority with excellent character can surely, one day soon, install a government excellent in character, putting an end to the ages of governments across all political parties that are incapable of walking their talk, solving 10 out of 100 societal problems, while creating 50 new problems as legacy.

Osun DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarnaty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.

Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefemder@yahoo.com