Osun Defender Online Version of December 25, 2020

The Passage Of A Aregbesola: Renewing A Lifelong Core Progressive, Bond With Osun People Bayonile Ademodi Page 4

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

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Armed Robbers Kill Corps Member After Leaving NYSC Camp In Ede

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Bleak Christmas In Osun e g a P

Osun Govt Cancels 2020-2021 Countdown Youth Carnivals, New Year Festive Activities Banned

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News

Bleak Christmas In Osun

By Solomon Odeniyi

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HIS year’s celebration of Christmas is devoid of the usual funfair and pomp associated with the celebration yearly.

This is not unconnected with the economic downturn and safety protocols brought about by the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic and the #EndSARS protests which snowballed into wanton destruction and looting of government and private properties in the state.

Besides, OSUN DEFENDER observed that there is apprehension among the people of the state over the second wave of COVID-19, which had necessitated the closure of schools in the state.

Also, prices of essential commodities being used for the Christmas celebration have skyrocketed during the festive season reflective of the prevailing harsh economy.

A market survey conducted by the medium revealed that the prices of some commodities were more than double.

Last minute Christmas rush, as people jostled for chicken at Igbona Market yesterday. Photo: OLUSHOLA ADERINTO

For instance, a broiler chicken was sold between N2,000 and N4,000 during last year’s festival, are now being sold between the range of N4,000, N5000, N600, N7000 and even as high as N8,000, depending on their sizes. Breeds also determine prices, as layers are relatively cheaper.

On the whole, all prices are on the high side, com-

pared with what obtained before.

A bag of rice now costs between N23, 000 and N24, 000. A carton of 5-litrre groundnut oil sells for N16, 100, while the 3.5-litre carton goes for N13, 000.

With many residents unable to afford them, traders who spoke with this medium also lamented low sales.

Mr. Moses Adepoju, who operates a rental service business, said he had been adversely affected by the pandemic, as a result of which he is left with low financial strength to celebrate the Christmas with funfair.

He said: “This year’s celebration will be the worst, but in all, I thank God; I didn’t lose my fam-

ily members to either the Coronavirus or the #EndSARS protests. It is really a tough year for me financially. The lockdown and restriction of movements and gatherings across the states in a bid to curb the spread of the disease affected my rental business.

We hope next year would be better.”

Another resident of the

Christmas: Oyetola Urges Nigerians To Shun Religious Sentiment

By Ismaeel Uthman

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OVERNOR Adegboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun has congratulated Christians in the state and across the country for witnessing yet another Christmas celebration.

He also urged Nigerians to embrace love, tolerance, generousity and peaceful co-existence, which Jesus Christ exemplified and stands for.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said the celebration offered Nigerians the opportunity to reflect on God’s love and compassion for man, as epitomised in the gift of Christ to the world.

Oyetola, who particularly enjoined Christians in the State of Osun to use the Christmas period to reflect on their relationship with one another and show love to their neighbours, also urged the people to shun religious sentiments and work together for the progress of the State.

This was just as he called on Osun residents and citizens in particular and Nigerians in general to ensure that all celebrations are observed in moderation and in adherence to all COVID-19 protocols to limit spread

of the disease.

Furthermore, Oyetola urged Christians to use the occasion to pray to God to intervene so as to flatten the curve of the Coronavirus.

He said, “Christmas is a time for friends, for

family and for giving and sharing. This year’s celebration has presented us an opportunity to once more show love and share.

“Also, Christmas symbolises hope, as it marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of

Symbol’s Quote

“There should be no crisis among Muslims and Christians as they worship the same God. All religions preach good deeds, good character and good neighbourliness.”

peace. I, therefore, urge all Nigerians to use this period to pray for peace, unity and prosperity in the country.

“While this is traditionally a time for joy and celebration, I urge us all to do so in moderation. This period actually calls for introspection and continued prayers for our dear state and nation, taking into consideration the continued rise in cases of COVID-19.

“We must ensure we be our brothers’ keepers by adhering to all COVID-19 protocols.

“Let me reiterate that all youth carnivals, countdown to New Year ceremonies have been banned.

“Let us use this season to increase our acts of kindness and touch the less-privileged in our society. We are now not just responsible for securing each other’s health, but for helping to secure each others’ livelihood.

I urge us all to keep our hopes alive despite the challenges facing the nation and the world at large.”

state, Mr. Shina Oluwadare who resides in Osogbo said the high price of essential commodities, coupled with harsh economy denied him an elaborate celebration he had been used to.

Oluwadare said: “No one can go to the market and be happy with the prices of foodstuffs. I went and could not buy something substantial. In past Christmases, I did slaughter a goat on yearly basis.

All my family members and neighbors would come to my house to celebrate and share the joy of the season with me. But now, the harsh economy has denied me that. I can only afford chicken which price is also on the high side for my family alone.”

Speaking on the reason behind the spike in price of commodities, a trader at Igbonna market, Osogbo who gave her name simply as Iya Labake said the blame should not heaped on traders.

She added that the hike was not only peculiar to the state, adding that the pandemic, protests and the recent hike in the price of petrol was responsible for the increment in the prices of commodity.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and #Endsars protests really affected most of the things we buy and sell. We are only selling what we buy. If we buy at high rate, you don’t expect us to sell at a low price.

“The high exchange rate, costs of transportation, and insecurity in many parts of the country is the reason prices of commodities are going up”, she said.

OSUN DEFENDER noticed that aside the decoration of few places by the State Government for Christmas, only a few churches and business places were seen with decorations.

Some of the programmes that usually herald the Christmas celebration in schools and church did not hold, while those that were held were done with caution in line with the COVID-19 guidelines.

It was also observed that markets that were usually overcrowded by people during the Christmas period were experiencing low patronage as the economy is not friendly to a large number of people.

PEOPLE FIRST

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By Sola Fasure When Festus Adedayo And A Demanding Year Ahead Others Killed Tolerance

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HE newspaper that always puts the people first wishes our teeming readers, patrons and advertisers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance. We will always strive to serve you better in the years ahead.

The country has just sur- “2021 will be a difficult year but vived a tumultuous year of we believe that a much needed the unexpected. Governments at all levels admirably rose to consensus can be achieved to the occasion. Special mention weather the storm and show that must be made of the people we are and should be stronger toon the front line of the unexpected pandemic who bore gether” the highest burden and took the risks on our behalf. If there is any special prize this year, they have deserved and thoroughly earned it. Governments at all levels must always prioritise their welfare, training and retraining. There is no alternative duty with respect to the second wave of the novel Coronavirus other than adherence to its containment protocols such as social distancing, washing of hands regularly, avoiding crowded environment amongst others. To make these effective, government must design and be strict with their enforcement procedures especially on the use of facemasks for everyone on the street, particularly at this period of festivities when mass majority of the people

Our Magnificient Healthworkers - the front line defence in a momentous year. are of the opinion that the dreaded virus is gone. Of utmost importance is regular random test by the government, effective contact tracing, isolation and treatment of all identified cases, and renewed publicity on what to do to prevent contracting it.

This is very crucial as our economy which has already slided into recession cannot afford another shutdown as there are no fiscal buffers to survive it. Even more advanced economies are alarmed at the very idea of another total lockdown.

To survive, 2021 must see us walking the talk on containing and slimming down on the costs of the machinery of the government and diversification of the economy. None implementation of at least parts of the recommendations of the Oronsaye report on the costs of the machinery of the government is like postponing a disaster without attempting to addressing it. Saved funds from it should be redirected to the health sector and internal security while more should be voted to the social intervention programs that must be transparently managed. 2021 will be a difficult year but we believe that a much needed consensus can be achieved to weather the storm and show that we are and should be stronger together. 2021 should be a new opportunity for progress in the face of enormous challenges. Once again, Happy New Year in advance.

F

ESTUS Adedayo did not disappoint in his ‘Flickers’ column in the Tribune on Sunday titled ‘The Averted Bloodshed In Osun’. Dr. Adedayo went full-blast in his characteristic style – a collection of outright lies, inverted logic and seething hatred, brewed and served in the foulest and most intemperate language.

The summary of his argument is that if the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had honoured the invitation to attend a public lecture on the 10th anniversary of his wresting power from the PDP in Osun, there would have been bloodshed; that he rescinded his decision based on the gratuitous counsel of the former governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, whom he defeated to become the governor on November 27, 2010; and that Oyinlola is being vilified, instead of being commended for this selfless and patriotic act.

He began his piece with a short analysis of the recent godfather-godson imbroglio in the polity. It is a clever sleight of hand to evoke the memory of the recent spat between former APC chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki in Edo, in which the former got worsted. He exploited this sentiment by casting Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the mould of the underdog godson who is under the siege of his overbearing godfather.

The idea is to portray Aregbesola as an overbearing godfather and set him up for roasting in the court of public opinion.

This portrayal of Aregbesola as a godfather is deliberately false and misleading.

Governor Oyetola is not Aregbesola’s godson by any stretch of the imagination. Indeed, he will feel insulted to be so categorised. The relationship between them in the eight years they served together was of mutual respect, though Aregbesola indisputably was the governor and chief executive.

Any player in the Aregbesola administration or even Oyetola’s current administration will attest to this. Though there were mem-

bers of cabinet that would fit the bill of a godson to Aregbesola then – and now – but certainly Oyetola was (and is) not one of them. If Governor Oyetola has any godfather at all, it should be Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the overall head of their political tendency.

When Dr. Adedayo wrote that he has interest in Osun, I was hoping he would mention family members, relations, property or investments. But this ‘interest’ was the fact that he lived in Osun in the 1970s and this makes him more concerned than indigenes and residents of Osun, who for seven and a half years, were practically put under siege by his client.

I noticed the revival of what I called ‘PDP machine’. This machine includes, but is not limited to, a coterie of 2012 pensioners in the state, led by Baba Omoniyi Ilesanmi; fictive report by an adversarial section of the local correspondents: and a rash of hack writers circulating the same line of attacks against Aregbesola from a dossier handed to them.

This haunch has now been confirmed with Dr. Adedayo’s piece pretending to be backing Governor Oyetola against Ogbeni Aregbesola. This machine used to be deployed anytime there was election in the state or Aregbesola was riding high or being honoured for an achievement. They act as subtle pressure on the electorate by trying to poison their mind against APC or impose a narrative of suffering in the state, for which APC deserves no victory at the polls or that Aregbesola should not be celebrated. Not that they ever succeeded.

But the question now is: since there is no election at present and Aregbesola is no longer the governor, at whose behest are they now acting? But the answer, as Bob Dylan wrote, is blowing in the wind.

Dr. Adedayo’s magisterial assertion that the programme was suspended because of Oyinlola’s chastisement is laughable and he will now be held in derision in the circles of those who know the how and why and were instrumental to the suspension.

Oyinlola’s advice, as I wrote earlier, is gratuitous and he could not have meant well. It was not meant to heal or bring peace to the state. Indeed, all the outsiders pretending to be siding with the state governor are doing so for a purpose. They are driving further wedge into the APC because they are waiting to be sure beneficiaries in the hope that APC implodes. So, their support is a Greek gift. After all, when you want to burn down your father’s house, his enemies will be too glad to provide you with petrol and light the matchstick for you. When you see the circling of the vultures, be sure they are waiting for a carcass to fall to the earth for OSUN DEFENDER IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER NEWSPAPER, devouring.

MAGAZINE OR ANY PUBLICATION WHATSOEVER Continued on page 7

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Feature

Aregbesola: Renewing A Lifelong Bond With Osun People

By Sodiq Yusuf “Awa Kiise olódì won, àgùntàn o ni olodi l’ọja, ewúrẹ ololodi lóde, awa lamugboro dun, lode awalamugboro dun, k’awọn to nbinu maabinu...”

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his part of a song by the late Apala icon, Ayinla Omowura, whenever played at any political function in the State of Osun in the last decade symbolised the recognition of a man that is described as the “Architect of Modern Osun”, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Throughout his eight-year tenure as the governor of the state, government functions, public occasions and even a sight of his convoy by the people were never a dull moment. All events and moments with “Omo-iyaolobi” were always carnival-like as people always jubilated and identified with their Symbol of progressive government in the state.

The story has not changed.

Even with his exit from office as governor, the atmosphere has not for once ceased to follow the trend he enjoyed as the Number One Citizen of the State of the Virtuous.

Aregbesola was in Osun few days ago in compliance with the presidential directive to all ministers to return to their states for Stakeholders’ Engagement as a result of the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests that ravaged the country in October. The visit saw the display and the outpour of the uncommon love the people of Osun have for the Minister, especially from residents of Osogbo, Iwo and Ijebu-Ijesa, who received Aregbesola with pomp.

The situation was indifferent on Saturday, December 19, 2020 when Aregbesola attended the empowerment programme

Aregbesola responding to jubilant crowd of admirers on arrival at the event. organised by the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District at the Senate, Dr. Ajibola Basiru in Osogbo, in conclusion of his Stakeholders’ Engagement with the people of the state.

At the event, there was massive turnout of lovers, political associates, youths, women organisations among others who came to receive the august visitor. Aregbesola, who entered the Adenle Primary School, Osogbo, venue of the programme through Sabo route, pulled his crowd as usual, as passersby and commuters followed him to the programme.

When it was his turn to speak, the various musical interludes that permeated his speeches when he was governor returned and the people danced in admiration, returning them to the po-

litical mood they had missed over time.

Addressing the issues raised by speakers who took turns to make comments at the occasion, Aregbesola restated that there is no rancour between him and the incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, noting that all efforts are geared to consolidate on the gains of his eight-year rule in the state.

The minister also urged the people not to be swayed by the antics of the opposition, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) is committed to the continued progress and development of the State of Osun.

He also had something to say to those comparing him with Governor Oyetola: “I told the people of Osun that I handed

over to a gentle person. Stop comparing me with him. I came from the streets to politics.

“You can’t compare broiler chicken with local chicken, they are different totally. A broiler is beautiful but lacks action but local chicken has the charisma to combine the two at all times.

“There is no division in our party, what we must ensure is that our party should not be voted out of government. Let it be clear to all of us that our oppositions are working tirelessly. We are in the consolidation period, anything contrary is mere speculation. I, Rauf Aregbesola is not fighting anybody. I will be coming to this state regularly from now.

“I was here on July 6, 2019, a day after the Supreme Court affirmed our 2018 electoral vic-

tory. That was when I appreciated the people for standing by us. I restated that God is with us.

It is with that I said we are in the consolidation era. Our people should continue their support.

By God’s grace, we would not let you down.”

As he was returning to Ilesa, Aregbesola’s convoy was cheered on the expressway. From Ayetoro to Oja-Oba, Ilesa Garage, Owode to his destination, the people thronged out to salute their Symbol of good governance.

On the roads leading to the Minister’s hometown, especially within Osogbo metropolis, scores of residents were out in their numbers to catch a glimpse of the progressive icon. Chants like “Rauf” “Aregbe tiwa” “Omo Iya Olobi” rented the air.

At the Ilesa Garage roundabout in the state capital, a visibly elated resident said “Aregbe, a ti miss re l’Osun”: meaning “Aregbesola, we have missed you in Osun.” Statements like this among others have been recurring anytime the immediate past governor of the state visits.

Upon his entry into Ilesa, market men and women, traders, artisans, youths also received him with their outpour of love and solidarity. Expectedly, the man of the moment raised two fingers in his usual way of acknowledging the show of support. The crowd also featured admirers from the IleriOluwa movement who joined members of the public to salute the visitor.

Indeed, last Saturday remains another moment where “Oranmiyan” renewed his age-long bond with the people of the State of Osun, showing that they are fully behind their man. It further re-echoes a fact that nothing can change a people’s love for a man who strived to reposition and place Osun on the map of modernity with enduring legacies.

Tribute

The Passage Of A Core Progressive, Bayonile Ademodi The life of Bayonile Ademodi represents a fascinating excursion into Nigeria’s contemporary political history.

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HE passing of Bayonile Ademodi, the erstwhile Ondo State Commissioner for Regional Integration came to us as a shock and a surprise, more so when he lost his brother, residing in the State of Michigan, United States to the cold hand of death only a couple of weeks ago.

We are using this medium to sympathize with his immediate and extended families and friends across the political spectrum.

Bayonile Ademodi and his dear friend, late Segun Adewoye, both of whom can be characterised as “two of a kind” knew, at a very young age, in their mid-twenties, as lecturers at the University of Ife, that their academic careers meant nothing if it was separated from the existential imperatives of first, the Yoruba People and by extension humanity at large.

This was manifested in their active participation in emancipation politics, first,

Ademodi through the “Wednesday Klub” of the University of Ife. This was a “klub” which provided the avenue for the dissemination of progressive and radical theory and practice for the various student groups and move-

ments, quite a few of which were influential in the Nigerian Student Movement of the late seventies and eighties, particularly through the Patriotic Youth Movement of Nigeria (PYMN), a decidedly progressive bloc within the National Association of Nigerian Students.

This was the background to his eventual post-University activism which led him into becoming part of the “Action Group”, under the chairmanship of Pa James Aluko, the celebrated “accused Number 31” during the 1962 Treasonable Felony Trial who was never found, due to his having been officially sent to Ghana where he continued to coordinate the party, manifesting the dictum, to wit: “gbogbo igba, e stand by”.

Pa Aluko’s chairmanship emboldened the new formation, giving access to information as to the 1962 crisis and which further established the new formation as the ideological reminder of the First Republic party, and a historical necessity as a defiance and rejection of the May 1966 Ironsiled military “dissolution” of political par-

ties.

During the NADECO days, when certain members of the “old” Action Group came to the realisation of the existence of the new group, their question was: “is this our own Action Group”?

The resounding answer, of course, was “YES”. And they nodded in appreciation.

Moreover, the formation of the “Action Group” was also a rejection of the “a little to the right and a little to the left” mantra of the Nigerian Post-Colonial State, anchored

by Ibrahim Babangida.

Upon the passing of Pa Aluko, Bayonile Ademodi became the Chairman of the Action Group.

During the early stages of the return to civil rule in 1999, a coalition known as “ALAJOBI” emerged, from six organisations with different backgrounds in both the anti-Abacha (June 12) struggles as well as the earlier pursuit of social justice and the resolution of the National Question in Nigeria, predating the anti-Abacha era.

Continued on page 6

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Interview 5 What Christians Should Do During Christmas - Pastor Oladoye Dr. Jide Oladoye is the Pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Osun Province 6. In this interview with SOLOMON ODENIYI, he speaks on the importance of Christmas and how it should be celebrated.

Excerpts:

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HAT is the essence of Christmas?

Christmas is a season when we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Although some people have argued that Jesus was not born in December, some say he was born in January, others say October. But aspect of agreement: that Christ was born. The time of his birth may not be important; but he came to this world and what should be our utmost concern is why he came and like the Bible puts it in Matthew 1:21: the reason is that he came to save us from our sins and their consequences. What would have happened if some of us had not been saved from our sins? The issue of sin is something we should pay attention to because sins open the door to the devil, and the devil according to John chapter 10 exists to steal, kill and destroy. Also, Ecclesiastes 10:8 tells us that if we clear the edge, the serpent will bite. If you also read Job 1:10, you will find out that God surrounds his people with an edge, but when that is broken as mentioned earlier, the serpent will bite. When anyone dabbles into sin, the person creates crack in his/her wall and the serpent which is the devil will bite. That is the major reason Jesus Christ came. He came to save humankind from their sins. Like David said in Psalm 51: 12, we were conceived in sin.

Some people go about claiming they have been born again since their childhood; that is a lie, there must be a stage in somebody’s life when you come to the realisation that you are a sinner and you need salvation which only God gives to man through Jesus. There are a lot of consequences of sin which include sickness. Remember the story of the man who was healed in John 5:2 through 9, the bible says after he was healed, Jesus told him to go and sin no more. Jesus also came according to Isaiah 61:3 to heal the brokenhearted, set captives free to preach the good news. You will also find the same thing in Luke 4:18. Anybody not born again may not appreciate this but for those of us who are, it means a lot.

Some people argued that celebrating Christmas is not Biblical, what is your take on this?

You may not find the word Christmas in the Bible but everybody who is a believer should recognise the fact that Jesus was born and the reason is to reconcile us with God. This gave to us direct access to him and that is because he came. For instance in the Old Testament, it is only the high priests that went into the Holy of Holies but now that Jesus Christ came and shed his blood, you and I and as many that are born again don’t need the high priests, we can communicate with God. But if anybody says he does not believe in Christmas, that’s left to him. For example, we human beings celebrate our birthdays and rejoice with our friends. I do not think it is out of order to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and I am yet to read it in the Bible that it is a sin to do that.

How should Christians celebrate Christmas?

I don’t think it is a time meant for eating and drinking alone. It is meant to preach the gospel and tell the world about the saving knowledge of God. That is why God sent Jesus to the world to save us from our sins and that is what we do at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Daddy G.O in a couple of days would be in Modakeke for our ‘Let’s Go a-Fishing’ Programme. I used to also believe in the feasting when I was not a born again, in fact I was in charge of the whole thing

“You may not find the word Christmas in the Bible but everybody who is a believer should recognise the fact that Jesus was born and the reason is to reconcile us with God”

Oladoye as the first child in my family. But all that is gone since thirty years ago when I became a worker in RCCG. I am not saying it is a sin to feast, but Christmas is a time to share the gospel with others.

What should be the response of Christians in this turbulent period of COVID-19 and other challenges?

This is the time to hold on to God. We shouldn’t forget Jesus Christ predicted it in John 16:33. God knows that time of trouble would come, that was why he said in Psalms 50:15 where he told us to call on him on the day of trouble and that he would answer and deliver us.

I used to be a local pastor but during the lockdown, I became an international pastor through the use of internet preaching and we got feedbacks. Some people have been blessed in this particular period; I have been dedicating cars and houses. That is for those who have held on to God amidst all these troubles. Isaiah 43: 2 says when we pass through water he won’t allow us to be drowned by it and the fire will not consume us when we also pass through it. God is with his children at all times.

On the issues of insecurity, we would overcome.

This and other problems facing the country are consequences of sins, so many evil going on in the country and until we go back to God, we may not have these problems solved. I read a book which states that in 1837, America realised that God was angry with them.

Abraham Lincoln was said to be the President at the time. Before that time, God had been good to them, but things started getting worse and it was said the Senate asked the President to declare a day of compulsory fasting and prayer. They stood on I Chronicles, Chapter 14 which states that: “if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves before me… I will heal their land.” They did and God healed their land. I don’t know if Nigeria can also do that with all sincerity, but if we can, God will look down from heaven and heal us.

We are in the second wave of the virus and from all indications the government might go by the way of lockdown again, doesn’t this portend a serious chal-

“This is the time to hold on to God. We shouldn’t forget Jesus Christ predicted it in John 16:33. God knows that time of trouble would come, that was why he said in Psalms 50:15 where he told us to call on him on the day of trouble and that he would answer and deliver us. “ lenge to the Christian activities?

We cannot run away from the reality. We cannot deny the fact that Coronavirus is real and the Bible says in Romans Chapter 13 that we should obey the law of the land and subject ourselves to the leadership of those God has ordained. So if the government asks us to stay at home again, we should obey; like the Bible says all things work together for good. I personally will obey.

If the government is sincere about it or not, the people in authority have the power over us, but one thing is sure, they will surely give account on the judgment day. Anyone with that understanding will not mess up the lives of others.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

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Religion

N the Name of Allah, the Entirely-Merciful, The Especially-Merciful. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon the Noble Prophet, who had prophesied many centuries ago in one of his sayings that: “(The teachings of) Islam (initially) started as a strange entity and would (once again) revert back to its early status as a strange thing just like how it started. Blessed are those who maintain their standing as strangers; (those who refused to change with the change of things)”. Before we move further in this discussion, let us have a look at the following reoccurring questions: Firstly, was Islam an innovation, as was initially branded by the Arabian tribes

JUMAT SERMON By Imam Ibrahim Oladejo Raji

who happened to be the pioneer addressees of its message? Secondly, did Islam spread under the influence of the sword as some, especially in the Western world, till today perceive it to be? And thirdly, does Islam condone violence, intolerance and terrorism, as it is seen by yet others today?

First and foremost, Islam is a continuation of a long existing divine system on the earth, which was revived though, in an entirely new environment, that is, Arabian Peninsula, inhabited by unlettered nomadic tribes. It came as a moderator to curb the excesses of the tyrants among them, restore all the virtues of the ancient time, as well as protect the interests of the lessprivileged ones, grant equal rights to all and sundry, in order to make the surface of the land habitable for them and by extension for the mankind at large. On top of that, Islam came to liberate mankind from worshipping the creatures, and to guide them towards worshipping only the creator, Allah the Lord of the world. Going back to the early history of Islam, the Arabian Desert dwellers, from among whom the Prophet of Islam emerged, were popularly known to be idolaters, though they did not see themselves as such. They were so proud of being a very religious people, to the extent of boasting that, they were the custodians of the ancient religion of their ancestors, who in turn inherited the faith of Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS); the renowned Messenger of Allah, who was ordered, alongside his son Ismael, to build the Ka’bah in Mecca and keep it properly maintained as a place of worship for the coming generations. This fact was corroborated by the Qur’an thus: “And we commanded Ibrahim and Ismael that they should purify My House for those who will circumambulate it, or (briefly) stay (there in) for (I’tikaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there in prayer). Q: 2: 125. But as time went by, the Meccans, long after Prophet Ibrahim distorted his religion, turned away from monotheism and adopted polytheism hence, filled up the holy sanctuary with all sorts of idols which they carved with their own hands and worshipped them assiduously. Despite that, they still had the belief that they were godly, the idols they were worshipping were merely intermediaries between them and God, The Supreme Being whom they affirmed was the creator of the heavens

Al-Islaam: The Misunderstood Religion (Part One) and the earth. The Holy Qur’an did confirm the level of their belief thus: “If you (Muhammad) were to ask them (the idolaters):“Who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon? “They will surely reply: “Allah.” How then are they deviating (as polytheists and disbelievers)? Quran.29:61. Meanwhile, the core message of Islam, which was the same as all the messages delivered by the previous Messengers, was vehemently opposed by these people. “LAA ILAAHA ILLA LLAH”.

(Meaning there is no deity worthy of worship save Allah). It sounded so odd to them that their immediate reaction was: has He (Muhammad) made the aliha (gods) (all) into (only) one Ilah(God)? Verily, this is a thing (very) unfamiliar!” Quran 35:5. One aspect here, on which light must be shed is that, in the Islamic point of view, merely proclaiming that God exists is not enough to call such person a believer as most people, including some Muslims assume. Otherwise the infidels of the Arabian Peninsula in those days, had an unshakable belief that God did exist, but what they found difficult to comprehend then, was the idea of unification of the worship, otherwise known as monotheism reintroduced by Muhammad (SAW). Many people today go about with hollow beliefs, assuming they are Muslims simply because they believe that God exists. But they can easily dole out their worship, which is the exclusive right of The Lord The Creator, to anything worship-able. A true believer is expected to be in possession of a creed that will guide him to absolutely obey Allah by carrying out His commandments as much as he can, refrain from His prohibitions, and worship Him alone in accordance to the teachings of His Prophet (SAW). That is the practical aspect of LAA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH. Allah says: “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing part-

ners to Him), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat; and that is the right religion”. Quran 98:5. As for those who claimed that Muhammad used force to spread Islam, let us examine the way they portrayed the action of the Prophet (SAW) in doing that. They claimed that he carried a sword in one of his hands and the Qur`an in the other one and threatened whoever came his way thus: ‘you either accept this i.e. the Qur’an or else you get yourself beheaded.’ We need to tell the world that such ‘misinformation’ is falsehood in its entire ramifications. Firstly, the compilation of the Qur’an in form of a book did not take place during the lifetime of the Prophet (SAW). Though, parts of it were written on the skins and flat bones of animals, etc, for individual references, while the whole book was committed to memory by the Prophet and some of his companions, as is the case today. Even the first compilation that took place during the reign of Abu Baker, the first Caliph (successor) was so voluminous, because of the available materials then for recording that the whole book could fill up a small room. The copies of the Qur’an that are handy enough to be carried about did not surface until after the invention of printing machines. And that was long after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). From where then, did they find the copy of the Qur’an they claimed Muhammad carried and used to terrorise people? That imaginary copy of the Qur’an exists only, in the filth imagination of the fabricators of such misleading story. As for the sword, the simple answer to that is: in Islam any action performed under duress is considered invalid. In other words, any good or evil deed you are lured or forced to perform will never be recorded for you or against you. One of the core teachings of Islam is that for you to deserve a reward or punishment for any good or evil deed, no matter how huge or minute, it has to be done out of conviction and should be preceded by intention. Allah says: “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut (false gods) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, AllKnower”. Quan 2: 256. Another question that might arise here is: “If there is no compulsion in religion, why did Islam introduce Jihad”? In response to that, we say: had it been that Islam was designed to be spread by the sword; that would have been the integral part of the Da’wah (preaching) right from the onset. But throughout the first decade of the Prophetic mission in Arabia, no mention of any war was recorded in Islamic history, despite all the various persecutions meted out to the Prophet and his early followers for thirteen good years, in the holy city of Mecca.

• Sheikh Ibrahim Oladejo Raji, Imaam Kosemani Jum’ah Mosque, off Iwo Ibadan Road, by Adetoro Shopping Complex, Mercyland Area, Dada Estate Osogbo, Osun State. irajoladejo1951@gmail.com

Crime The Passage Of A Core Progressive Suspected Cultist Allegedly Attempts To Kill Friend Over Farm Dispute Continued from page 4 At formation, “ALAJOBI” was immediately confronted with the necessity of establishing its raison d’etre.

The “Action Group” was one of the six; the others being “Heritage”, “New Generation”, “Idile”, “Oodua Liberation Movement” and “Oodua Youth Movement”.

The “Action Group”, manifesting the dictum as to the validity of a quest being subject to its ability to devise a means of actualization, produced a paper, titled “Achieving Self-Determination for the Yoruba Nation” advocating the convening a Yoruba Constituent Assembly to ratify the Yoruba Constitution. The paper was accepted as ALAJOBI’s working paper, and with the collaboration of and consultations with other individuals and organisations, a Draft Yoruba Constitution was produced and ratified under the Chairmanship of Retired Bishop E.B. Gbonigi.

From which another problematic arose, to wit: what next?

By this time, the political atmosphere had changed, ALAJOBI went into the doldrums and each component of the coalition found other ways to advance its objectives.

The answer to the “what next” question, the YORUBA REFERENDUM, now championed by successor organizations to “Alajobi and the “Action Group” itself, from which “Egbe

Omo Oduduwa” emerged, again, in continuation of the rejection and defiance of its May 1966 “dissolution” by the Nigerian Post-Colonial State as well as the recognition of the pivotal role played by the Egbe in the course of Yoruba Self-Determination.

Bayonile Ademodi did not waver in his commitment, despite the transformation as he was always on hand to provide his intellectual appreciation of any issue that needs a resolution.

He was a delight in intellectual and political discourses.

That the “new” Action Group ignored its historicity is not due to any ideological or philosophical deviation but simply a response to the then emerging political scenario, which also saw to the dissonance within Afenifere and the multiplicity of organizational paradigms, all in the quest for Yoruba Self-Determination.

Bayonile Ademodi found fulfillment in active participation in quite a few of these organizations, making his intellectual depth and practical application of theory felt under all circumstances.

Adieu, our friend.

Rest in Peace.

Shenge Akanbi Rahman, Femi Odedeyi For and on behalf of Egbe Omo Oduduwa e-mail: egbeomooduduwa1945@gmail.com

By Yusuf Oketola

A

suspected member of Eiye Confraternity, Taofeeq Babalola (43) has been accused of attempting to kill his friend, Maroof Afolabi over a dispute that ensued on a farmland.

Babalola allegedly violently attacked Afolabi by unleashing machete cuts on him, after hitting him with clubs and stones on November 28, 2020 at about 11:00am at Mokore farm settlement, Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government Council Area of the state.

Afolabi was unconscious for hours as a result of the attack, according to the charge sheet with which Babalola was arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate’s court on Tuesday.

Babalola was arraigned on six-count charge of conspiracy, assault, unlawful society and unlawful possession of arms, attempted murder and breach of public peace.

The suspect, according to the charge sheet, conspired with other suspects at large to commit the offence.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun stated that the accused persons did engage themselves in unlawful society known as Eiye Confraternity and also conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace.

Olusegun said the alleged offence contravened Sections 516, 320, 355, 64, 80 and 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol II, Laws of Osun State 2002.

But, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against

him.

Defense counsel, Luqman Adeniji prayed the court to admit the accused person to bail in a liberal term, noting that

he was presumed innocent until the contrary is proven in court.

Objecting the bail application, Olusegun, the prosecutor said cult-related attacks were rampant in the society, stating that admitting the suspect to bail could further bring chaos to the society.

However, Magistrate Modupe Awodele admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties.

The case was adjourned till January 18, 2021 for mention.

Popular OPC Member, Oriade Remanded For Alleged Murder

By Yusuf Oketola

A

35-year-old member of the Oodu’a People’s Congress (OPC) in Ede, State of Osun, Mr. Kazeem Oriade has been remanded in Correctional Centre for allegedly killing three people.

Oriade, according to the charge sheet made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, killed Gafar Oyebamiji, Hammed Sulaimon and Sefiu Quadri in a recent cult clash in Ede.

He was arraigned at a magistrate’s court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, breach of public peace and murder.

The suspect and others at large committed the alleged offence on December 4, 2020 at about 2:00pm in Ede. Police prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun said the alleged offence contravened Sections 324 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State,

2002.

The plea of the accused person was not taken because the magistrate’s court lacks jurisdiction to entertain murder case.

However, the presiding magistrate, Mrs. Modupe Awodele ordered that the suspect be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre.

Awodele thereafter adjourned the case till February 2, 2021 for mention.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021

7

News

Armed Robbers Kill Corps Member After Leaving NYSC Camp In Ede

By Ismaeel Uthman

A

member of the National Youth Service Corps, Bomoi Suleiman Yusuf has been killed by armed robbers.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Yusuf completed his 2020 Batch “B” Stream 1B Orientation programme at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, State of Osun, on Tuesday, 22nd December 2020.

He was however, attacked by armed robbers along with 16 other members of the scheme who boarded vehicles heading towards the Northern part of the country.

According to a statement by the Director, NYSC Southwest Area Office, Mr. Emmanuel Attah, the 17 corps members were accosted by a gang of armed robbers whose sporadic gunshots killed Yusuf abducted along Jere -Abuja Expressway on Tuesday.

Attah, however, refuted the claim that 16 corps members returning home from its camp in Ede, were abducted along Jere--Abuja Expressway on Tuesday.

The statement made

available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads in part: “It is imperative to state that the 16 other corps members were never abducted.

The death of any corps member is a big loss, not just to his family, but to the scheme and the entire nation at large.

“Sadly, it is always

Yusuf and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

“We wish to admonish all corps members to at all times adhere strictly to the safety

guidelines issued to them from time to time, which particularly frowns at night travels.

May the soul of Bomoi Suleiman Yusuf rest in peace. He ended.

Owoeye Cautions Nigerians On Second Wave Of COVID-19 During Christmas

By Yusuf Oketola

T

HE Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye has charged Christians and Nigerians to be more cautious of the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic, especially as they celebrate the Yuletide.

Owoeye noted that the times we are in call for a situation where individuals and stakeholders in the health sector coordinate an early response system to the Coronavirus.

The Speaker, in a Christmas message by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Alabi, stated that all hands must be on deck to stem the devastation that may want to arise

from the second wave of the Coronavirus.

He encouraged residents to begin to take necessary precautions to prevent community transmission of the disease as they celebrate the commemoration of the birth of Christ.

Owoeye said: “I am also charging the State Government and relevant health stakeholders to coordinate an early response system to this second wave, we did it during the first wave and we’re confident we can overcome any wave.”

“We must develop and activate a working system that will safeguard our people during this pandemic period.

“People must ensure that all COVID-19 precautionary measures by gov-

ernments are observed.

“We must avoid long trips to family members and physical contact should be avoided as much as possible, we should take advantage of technology by connecting to Christmas party via telephone or video conferencing to about physical contact.

“Keeping distance from each other, wearing mouth and nose protection at public places and disinfect hands regularly prevents the spread of Coronavirus”.

The Speaker urged well-meaning Nigerians to help the needy during the Yuletide period, stating that sharing of love and food will go a long way in cushioning the effect Coronavirus on the masses.

Residents Raise Alarm Over Influx Of Northerners In Osun

By Sodiq Yusuf

Suleimon

When Festus Adedayo And Others...

Continued from page 3

the darkest moment in the life of the scheme.

The management wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family of late corps member

of the narrative that a public lecture will irreversibly lead to bloodshed, in a democratic milieu and therefore should not hold.

Oh, but I remember that he now plays in the big league of CNN, Amnesty International, DJ Switch and other practitioners of what the cerebral The Nation columnist, Kunle Abimbola, referred to as ‘e-massacre’ in which you establish through repetition a narrative of massacre in which the number of the victims keeps changing. You don’t need real body evidence, names of victims etc., just keep ramming it down their throat and the public will eventually swallow it and will soon be baying for blood, and then unleash anarchy on the streets.

What I even found more perplexing is Festus Adedayo, PhD Political Science, Brig. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former democratic governor and a section of the media foreswearing debate and public lecture organised by a supposed opponent. How democratic is this idea and how does a PhD Political Science got entangled in this totalitarian intolerance of free speech web?

This is naked intolerance being celebrated by those who should ordinarily be alarmed, being guardians of tolerance. But Karl Popper warned us of the danger of intolerance, that we should be intolerant of the intolerant in order to maintain a tolerant society, or else, tolerance will be destroyed and society along with it.

It is interesting to note that Adedayo, who had deployed the foulest language to attack the candidature of Oyetola, has had a dramatic encounter on the way to Damascus, and is now waxing lyrical in his support for him against Aregbesola. Could this have been out of sincerity? It’s what Prof Soyinka calls ‘transparent subterfuge’.

Actually, the strategy is to pretend to be friends with the governor and then alienate him from his strongest allies; and having isolated him, they can have him for lunch. It is pure Machiavellian. These are elements well versed in the art of war and violence, using guile and deception. So, our columnist could only have been a bit part player in a bigger plot.

Dr. Adedayo alleges that if Aregbesola had attended the public lecture, there would have been bloodshed in Osun. He didn’t explain how this would happen i.e. people coming to public lecture with guns, machetes, bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, which are assured to be freely used any time before, during and after the lecture. This is the specious logic that informed Oyinlola’s counsel and on which media narrative had been built.

This is the narrative some people want to sustain in order to keep Ogbeni Aregbesola from coming to the state. I don’t know for how long this can be sustained, except you literally banish him from the state. Our columnist is so enamoured of this lecture-to-bloodshed nexus • Fasure is the Media Adviser to the that it became the title of his column. I cannot even begin to contemplate how Festus Ade- Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesodayo, PhD Political Science, became the avatar la

T

HERE has been a persistent influx of Northern youths into the State of Osun, investigations have revealed.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER indicated that the influx, which has lingered since the commencement of the total lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic in April this year has continued unabated, despite several alarms raised by members of the public.

The Northerners, according to reports, have their contact persons who received them into the state in Erin-Osun, Osogbo, Ibodi, Ilesa and Ife especially.

They are usually conveyed into the state in trucks loaded with yam, onions, beans and vegetables, it was learnt.

The medium observed that in the last few months, the Northern immigrant youths have delved into illegal mining operations in the Ijesa axis of the state, while some of them have gone into commercial transportation with motorcycles in Osogbo, the state capital.

According to reports, areas where mining activities are taking place such as Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ibodi, Itagunmodi, Ibokun, among others have heavy presence of the Northern youths.

Residents of the state have been expressing concerns over the rise in the mass movement of the Northern youths into the state.

The residents, who shared their encounters with this medium called on the security agents and members of the public to be vigilant, saying that the mass presence of the Northerners could constitute serious security threats.

They stated that they have boarded motorcycle being ridden by the Northern immigrants in Osogbo and discovered that they have little or no knowledge of areas and locations in the state capital, as they (passengers) were the one giving them directions.

According to them, operating a commercial motorcycle without being conversant with the environment raises grave concerns, as it could be a ploy to get them (the Northern immigrants) acquainted with the nooks and crannies of the state for hidden agenda.

A chat with one of the Northern immigrant motorcyclists on Monday in Osogbo revealed that the individuals are encouraged to come by their kinsmen who have been in the state earlier.

The motorcyclist, who identified himself as Bulyamin, told OSUN DEFENDER: “I came here five days ago. I barely know anywhere here, so I rely on my passengers to direct me to wherever they are going. I am from Niger State.

A friend of mine and I came to Osun through Erin-Osun. That is where we live.

“I have been into this business in Niger State, so I decided to change environment. We were encouraged to come to

Osun by our people who had been here before. I hope to make fortunes here.”

A resident of Ilesa, Pastor Samuel Johnson, urged the state government to be on red alert, as the unchecked migration of people from different parts of the country might increase the rate of crime and criminal activities once they are fully settled.

Johnson charged the state government to up its game on data capturing of residents of the state for proper identification, just as he called on the security agents to put the immigrants on security check to avert any breakdown of law and order as experienced in other parts of the country.

CHANGE OF NAME ADEDIRE OLUWASEUN DEBORA That I was formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMO

ADEBIMPE KEHINDE now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDIRE OLUWASEUN DEBORA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SADIQ OLAJIDE MORUF

That I was formerly known and addressed as SADIQ MORUF OLAJIDE now wish to be known and addressed as SADIQ OLAJIDE MORUF. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 VOL. 15 NO 51 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

Popular OPC Member, Oriade Remanded For Alleged Murder Page 6

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HE adage - you are what you eat - was first used by a French lawyer, Anthelme Brillat, in 1826 when he said, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.” Decades after its use, it crept into the English Language lexicon. The adage is targeted at demonstrating the fact that what we consume is what our body system will process in the construction and repairs of its cells, hormones and neurotransmitters.

Just like its identical twin – health is wealth – this popular saying gives credence to health as the most important thing for every individual.

A good health is connected to physical appearance, mental balance, attitude and perhaps, spiritual wellbeing. We cannot, therefore, afford to take our health for granted as it requires servicing for maintenance via what we eat. A healthy person is a happy man/woman who is built to face any challenges of life. An unhealthy person cannot be wealthy because he/she requires a good health to acquire wealth in the first instance.

Assuming he/she inherits wealth, he/she will not enjoy it without a good health. The wealth inherited may all be drained into the struggle for good health. Again, an unhealthy man/woman cannot attain the peak in life.

As a result of neo-liberal policies and several severe attacks on the living standard of the mass majority of the people, in the process of our daily struggle to eke out a living, we seem to have relegated to the background the quality of what we eat, which has consequently poorly affected our health, resulting into preventable terminal ailments and sudden deaths in some cases. We should not wait to be told by the doctor of specific foods to eat and not to eat. Lackadaisical attitude to our health is a tactical suicide mission. Conscious alert to our health via what we consume is desirable and worthwhile. An evaporated wealth could be recovered overtime through hard work but a lost health may never be regained.

Many valuable and irreplaceable people have been lost to ailments that could be prevented, healed and managed if they had been conscious of what they consumed. As foods and all necessities of life are becoming increasingly prohibitive for the mass majority of the people, one thing is certain - we do eat one thing or the other - and this is the crux of the matter. Within the context of what we eat, we should be conscious of what we consume. I strongly believe that a better Nigeria where decent working and living condition for mass majority of the people is possible.

Foot drag on socio-economic development will not endure forever. To attain a nation of prosperity, there is need for us to struggle together for that better Nigeria and partake

“Many valuable and irreplaceable people have been lost to ailments that could be prevented, healed and managed if they had been conscious of what they consumed.”

You Are What You Eat in benefitting from its fruit having yielded.

Hence, a quality health must be guaranteed first and foremost.

I have some associates whose only time they consume fruits is during Ramadan. After that 29 or 30 days, it is bye-bye to fruits until the next Ramadan. I also have nonMuslims who don’t bother to eat fruits at all.

In fact, some do openly express their contempt for fruit! It is as bad; and interestingly, when they eat, its pounded yam with bush meat and constant visitation to eat junk at eatery. They consume expensive foods that are not necessarily beneficial to their system. Meanwhile, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that our body system requires for healthy living are not necessarily more expensive than other foods they consume. In fact, in most cases, they are cheaper. Therefore, what we have is attitudinal problem rooted in poor education.

Ila-alasepo - okro - also known as ladies’ finger is a good vegetable that is very rich in minerals, vitamin k, calcium, iron, niacin,

STRIKER

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copper, phosphorus, antioxidants and fibre among others. Research has it that lectin from okro is used to treat human breast cancer. It also reduces cancer cell growth by 63% and kills 72% cancer cells. Again, constant consumption of okro has capacity to lower blood sugar for those with diabetes. Interestingly however, consumption of this fantabulous vegetable which flows with amala, fufu, eba and the likes is seen as poor people’s food as it is relatively cheap!

Living healthily has no fundamental link with the soap one uses to bathe or the cream one applies on the skin, it is the quantum of fruits, vegetables and clean water one takes at the right time that matters. In addition, some forms of exercises are required for fitness but it depends on each person’s capacity, each person needs to consult his/ her doctor accordingly. We also need to get immunised against some killer ailments like Hepatitis B, yellow fever and co, which are readily available in virtually all General and Teaching hospitals.

A serviced car does not malfunction on the road; a serviced aircraft does not misbehave in the air; a serviced man/woman does not die unnoticed. How do we service ourselves? Eat correct meals, fruits and vegetables, and drink clean warm water or water at room temperature (never cold water) at appropriate times. Have medical check-up once in a while, if not regularly. Get all necessary vaccines on killer ailments and consult your doctor anytime there is a problem. Doctors are human beings’ mechanics. Regular check-ups to assess our health situation matters as ailments discovered on time could be nipped in the bud and be better managed.

Most people who had activities yesterday and suddenly die today had one sickness or the other which they didn’t know about because they didn’t consult to know as there was no check-up to alert them.

Adherence to these protocols is not easy but it will boost our immunity to the extent that no ailment finds place of abode in our system if eventually religiously followed.

Ailments do not like to visit anyone who eats fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and legumes among others like recommended drugs. No! They seek refuge in the system of those who violate these recommendations. As every secret of life is in the book (Google, these days), so does secret of healthy living in consumption of fruits and vegetables. Most drugs are extracts from them.

Yes, things are rough for the mass majority of the people. However, the burst will not last forever as bubble comes not necessarily tomorrow but later today. We cannot afford to eat just anything all the time. If we eat our vegetables and fruits like recommended drugs, we will pay none or less courtesy visits to the hospitals and live healthy, long life.

This should be taken as a New Year resolution.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Politics Without Bitterness

ITHIN two decades, Borno has transformed into a State of pains, tribulations and misery but it had not always been so. It used to host one of the best University Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria and, in ancient times, one of the grandest African civilisations in the Kanem-Borno Empire. Its biggest bequest to contemporary Nigerian politics, perhaps, is not the most disturbing Boko Haram experience but “politics without bitterness” exemplified by the great Kanuri, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim; founder and leader of one of the political parties that participated in the 1979 Presidential Election - the Great Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP), a new party then that did not metamorphose from any that existed in the First Republic.

Any set of activities that is targeted at decision-making and invariably determines resource allocation, status, power-relations and so on in any given group or community is nothing other than politics. This takes place right from the smallest human unit, the family, up till the nation and the world community as a whole, which is why - believe it or not, like it or not - every man or woman is a political animal except he/she is an outcast, as explicitly stated by Aristotle.

Democracy in general, especially in Nigeria, involves political activities that lead to constitution of government: political party formation, registration, internal elections, election of candidates and contest against candidates of other political parties in general elections at

the three tiers of government - Local, State and Federal. Ordinarily, the ultimate end of these activities should be the common good - services rendered by those elected (and appointed) that lead to the betterment of the society, at whatever sacrifices of self demanded. The passion and desire to serve the people should, therefore, never become a do-or-die affair, and is not something that can only be done when in government. Being in government, for men and women of exceptional ideas and capacities only makes them serve better.

In Nigeria, a multitude of aberrations in the last six decades have largely turned the concept of public service upside down, exactly to its opposite – self service at the ruinous expense of society: the most culpable of which is long years of military rule that completely ended our being a republic and a federation. It gave birth to military mentality, arbitrariness, nepotism and corruption, while promoting foreign culture, religions, economic and political models and lack of self-esteem, value and beliefs.

In that climate of concentrated (unitary) power, considerations for fellow humans is lost, much else service to community and society. Service became mere lip-service, a cosmetic façade for attaining public positions for selfinterest. How then will the struggle for good political location not become cutthroat?

The greatness of Waziri Ibrahim and a few exceptional politicians like him was their commitment and powerful examples to returning

politics to its original objective - service to the people. If the primary motivation for political engagement is genuine interest to serve the community, oppositions are not enemies but simply fellow competitors in the quest to serve, whosoever’s ideas, programmes, articulation and charisma catches the people’s fancies the most wins the most votes (even if he/she is not the best), and begins to serve, while being monitored, criticised and challenged by the opposition - in view of the public interest and the next election contest. It is an Olympic in which participation is what is vital, and sportsmanship the glory.

Let us not accept that “gone are those days,” just as we should not accept that in Nigeria, there are many times more people outside waiting their turn to steal than the people currently stealing, fainting, and offing the mic.

The contemporary “soro-soke” and “not-tooyoung-to-run” generation, if sincere and not just a smokescreen for freedom of fraud and violent crime, must reenergise themselves with the best examples of political engagements from our local history, and from global best experience and realise that there is no escaping politics as the ultimate engagement for social transformation - be it an end to police brutality, reform of the Police or #EndEveryBadThingInNigeria. A new year is around the corner.

There is no better time to begin any good thing than right away and as they say “the sooner begun, the sooner done.”

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