Osun Defender Online Version Of April 14, 2023

2 News NASS, OSHA Elections: APC Admits Defeat, Refuses To Challenge Results At Tribunal

•Continued from Page 1

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the tribunal had received a total of 38 pe ons for the Na onal Assembly and State House of Assem-

bly elec ons.

Of the pe ons, Acon Alliance (AA) filed 36 to challenge the three senatorial districts, nine House of Representa ves and 24

State House of Assembly elec ons results.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is also challenging the declara on of Hon. Bamidele Salam as the

winner of Ede North/ Ede South/Egbedore/ Ejigbo Federal cons tuency elec on.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the Secretary of the

tribunal, Muhammad Mogaji, said the panel was not expec ng any pe on again, sta ng that the me for the submission of pe ons for both Na onal As-

We Need Your Support - Osun Nigerian Law School Students Beg Adeleke

Yusuf Oketola

SOME indigenes of the State of Osun in the Nigerian Law School have called for the interven on of Governor Ademola Adeleke over their inability to pay school fees.

The students stated this in a le er sent to Adeleke, lamen ng how lack of scholarships from the state government had forced their parents, who are mostly civil servants, to engage in unfi ng ac vi es in order to see them through their studies.

Despite these parental efforts, the students said many of them s ll found it difficult to pay their school fees, which range from N296,000 to N500,000.

One of the students, Azeez Ridwan, said they are requesting for bursary provision from Adeleke’s administra on.

Ridwan, in a statement tled, “Osun

State Students of the Nigerian Law School

Write Governor Adeleke, Request for Bursary”, said government’s interven on will ameliorate the financial challenges he and other students were are facing at the law schools.

He said, “A coalion of Indigenous Students of Osun State in the Nigerian Law School which cut across the seven campuses of the Nigerian Law School has wri en the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, requesting the support of the State Government for indigent students of the State in the Nigerian Law School Campuses na onwide.

“In the one-page le er signed by the representa ves of the Student coali on group from Abuja Campus, Murtala Saheed Olawale and Lagos Campus Abodunde Toyyib Ololade, requested Bursary for Osun State Students

in the Nigerian Law School as a pavement to cushion the effect of financial challenges facing them at Nigerians Law School Campuses na onwide.

“As a government with commendable interest in educa on,

we also look forward to enjoying from the benefits of your good governance and the new dawn that is shining on the people of Osun State.

“There are lots of indigent students who are brilliant, for-

ward-thinking and industrious at the Nigerian Law School. We seek your financial rescue to the indigenes of Osun State who are focused on making the state and the na on proud.”

sembly and State House of Assembly elec ons has closed.

Mogaji confirmed that the tribunal has received pe ons from par es that are dissatisfied with the conduct of the elec ons in the state.

He disclosed that three different panels are likely to sit on the pe ons, explaining that the pe ons are too much for a panel to handle.

He said: “We have received a total of 38 pe ons from par es that are dissa sfied with the conduct of the elec ons in the state, and we are not expecting any pe on again. As a ma er of fact, the meline for the submission of pe on has closed.

“As it is, three panels are likely to sit on the pe ons; we are already looking for addional courtrooms. Two panels have already been cons tuted and the other one is likely to be cons tuted anyme. The pe ons are too much for a panel to handle.

“Some of the respondents have been served while some are yet to be served. Only INEC has filed responses to the pe ons. The respondents also have 21 days to respond. Proper si ng of the panels will begin when all processes have been filed.

NUJ Inaugurates OSUN DEFENDER Chapel’s New Excos

Ayomide Adeyemo

THE Nigeria Union of Journalists, State of Osun Council, on Wednesday, inaugurated new execu ves of Osun Defender Chapel of the union.

The inaugura on took place a er an elecon that produced Yusuf Oketola as Chairman, Kazeem Badmus as Secretary, Sodiq Yusuf as Vice Chairman and Zainab Olalere as Treasurer.

In his speech, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, admonished the new execu ves to consider their emergence as a call to duty, calling on them to work towards the unity of the chapel.

Ajadosu appealed to the execu ves and other members of Osun Defender chapel to always par cipate in the ac vies of the union, saying

it is important for the progress of the union.

According to Ajadosu, payment of dues and a ending congresses is very important for the

new execu ves, admonishing them to contribute to the development of the union.

He said, “I want to admonish the new ex-

ecu ves to be up and doing. There is a lot to do and I believe you are capable.

“It is very important for you to par cipate in

all NUJ ac vi es. Payment of dues and attending congresses is very important. We must work together to move the council forward”.

Administering the oath of office for the new execu ves, the State NUJ Secretary, Adeyemi Aboderin, urged the newly inaugurated Osun Defender’s chapel officers to abide by the laws governing the union.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Editor of OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper, Mr Ismaeel Uthman, appreciated the NUJ execu ves for their friendly rela onship with the chapel, promising that the new execu ve will live up to expecta on.

In his remarks, the newly Chairman, Mr Yusuf Oketola, appreciated members of the Osun Defender chapel for coun ng him worthy of leading them.

He assured the state NUJ execu ve of ac ve par cipa ons of the chapel members.

•Osun NUJ State Executives led by the Chairman, Com. Wasiu Ajadosu in a group photograph with the newly inaugurated OSUN DEFENDER Chapel Executives

•The commissioning of 64 lockup shops, Solar powered-Atakunmosa Ultra Modern Market, Ilesa, by the Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Prince Kola Adewusi on Tuesday

IT is not only in Nigeria that the health sector is in dishevelment.

In many countries, finding a sustainable health system is now the issue of the moment. This week for example has seen crippling strikes in the United Kingdom’s widely admired Na onal Health Service (NHS) which is correctly the pride of that country. It is the biggest disrup on since the NHS was created in nineteen-fortyseven. Ironically, the Bri sh Government in the same week issued a statement that it will no longer encourage Nigerian doctors from coming to the UK. The sincerity of this declara on will be tested in the months ahead.

The issues in Nigeria and the UK bear similari es and could be interwoven. The key issue is funding as well as the sustainability of the model. It takes commitment and poli cal will to get to the root cause of the crises.

The response ma ers. In Nigeria, the A’s of now a parliamentary response is muddled up and, on the surface, it appears to be conten ous. As of now, there is a bill working its way through the na onal bill aimed at stemming the ou low of medical doctors. If the bill becomes law, new medical doctors will not get their final

Tumult On The Health Front

ian state of yore when “exit visas” were used to prevent an ou low of skilled workers and poli cal dissidents. It was very difficult to enforce incurring administra ve costs and was a We Logis cs nightmare. We should learn from the debacle. Furthermore, where will it stop? Every skill counts, how about extending it to their areas such as informa on technology where “japa” is now a serious problem affec ng electronic transfers if funds.

cer fica on to prac ce un l they have done five years of service to reimburse the state for underwri ng their educaon in the public sector universi es.

The bill connotes the authoritar-

Brains drain to places where they are nurtured. The na onal assembly needs deep introspec on to answer the queson - “Are brains being nurtured here?”.

The answer is incontrover ble, they are not and it is natural that those seeking self-actualisa on will want out. Try to drop them and imagina ve ways will be found to circumvent it.

The health sector in Nigeria is grotesquely underfunded. The funding at all levels is underfunded both in terms of personal remunera on as well as investments in retraining and acquision and upda ng of equipment and the immersion of informa on technologies into the system. For example, compared to some other African coun es such as Kenya, Rwanda and the Republic of South Africa, Nigeria has not even started developing vitally needed game-changing Telemedicine.

The bill inadvertently is seeking to legi mise a two systems policy in one country whereby the elite can go at will to get medical treatment abroad, a right denied the overwhelming majority and their families. The bill is not well thought out at all.

The health crises in Nigeria is caused by underfunding, right now, junior doctors are once again threatening to go on strike for the umpteenth me. The me is overdue to summon the poli cal crises and stop bea ng about the bush; lives are at stake!

The Discourse Senate President: Ndoma-Egba’s Unreasonable Reasoning

ba said, “But for the senate president, I am very clear in my mind that it should go to the south-east” as this “will ensure that the geographical zones were well represented.”

As if to reassure and convince himself further, Sen. Ndoma-Egba added that “from what we have heard so far, history, precedents, equity, and fairness are on the side of the south-east.” How so?

The senator’s predica on of the Southeast geopoli cal region to produce the next Senate President on “history, precedents, equity, and fairness” are paradoxically the same reasons why the Senate President cannot, and should not, come from the Southeast region.

“Ceding the Senate President by the All Pro gressives Congress (APC) to the South South geopolitical region is not only the right thing to do but it would also be seen that the right was being done. Ndoma Egba’s reasons for looking in the direction of the Southeast for the Senate President to emerge smacks of unreasonable reasoning.”

NOT wan ng to be le out of what shape, color, texture, content, and context should dominate in the the10th Na onal Assembly, perhaps in his capacity as a prominent poli cal elite and a former principal officer of the Na onal Assembly to boot, the former senator from Cross River State Mr. Victor Ndoma-Egba decided to weigh in on which of the country’s geopoli cal region should produce the next Senate President during a television interview a few days ago. Without any equivoca on, Sen. Ndoma-Egba pitched his tent with the Southeast region.

It was fair enough as the former senator have the inalienable right to not only endorse the region whence the next Senate President should be issued, but he can also suggest a par cular senatorelect from the southeast that suits his fancy to become the next Senate President. He fell short of doing that, thanks for li le mercies.

Hois ng the southeastern flag for the Number 3 posi on in the country’s democra c arrangement Senator Ndoma-Eg-

The historical antecedent as a basis for the emergence of the Senate President advanced by Sen. Ndoma-Egba in the interview has been one of the tragedies of this poli cal dispensa on which has exacerbated the country’s fault lines, especially in the be er-forgo en Obasanjo era that reeked of reckless impunity as it was also devoid of democra c ethos. It is a history that should not repeat itself otherwise it becomes a farce.

The country would do well to forget the unilateralism and despo c predilecon that characterized the emergence of Senate Presidents under former president Olusegun Obasanjo which Mr. Ndoma-Egba is now trying to pass down to us as history. It should be resisted.

In the same vein, there’s absolutely nothing ennobling or to be proud of in a one-legged precedent that completely shut out the South-South geopoli cal zone of the Senate Presidency since the beginning of this dispensa on which the former senator now wants the Nigerian people to embrace. Again, these convoluted and hollow precedents should have a permanent place in the refuse dump.

It’s o en said that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands. We make bold to say that it’s never in the character of the Southeast to embrace equity in ma ers of shared interests. A er all, where was the equity when, in the last 24 years when the fourth repub-

lic began, at no me, not even for a day, did the South-South have the privilege of si ng on the Number 3 seat?

Whereas five senators from the Southeast extrac on had been Senate Presidents including the Jonathan era when they also laid the claim that the former president is Igbo because his name is “Ebele” with whom they were well pleased. The Southeast should not feature in the equa on for the next Senate President, lest they begin to feel that the exalted seat is their exclusive preserve.

If, according to Harold Dwight Lasswell, poli cs is all about who gets what, when, and how much, then the true meaning of fairness would be lost if the South-South is denied the privilege, once again, to produce the next Senate President based not on emo on, but the superla ve votes they contributed to the victory of the presidentelect and the APC party that dwarfed the votes from the southeast region a hundredfold.

e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com

All correspondence to the above email addresses.

Therefore, ceding the Senate President by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the South-South geopoli cal region is not only the right thing to do but it would also be seen that the right was being done. Ndoma-Egba’s reasons for looking in the direc on of the Southeast for the Senate President to emerge smacks of unreasonable reasoning.

•FEMI ODERE is a pulicy analyst.

“The health crises in Nigeria is caused by underfunding, right now junior doc tors are once again threatening to go on strike for the ump teenth time”

•A brain drains to where it is nurtured

Femi Odere

How Traditional ‘Maximum Shishi’, Confinement Led To Asthmatic OAU Student’s Death

Ismaeel Uthman

SOME students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have revealed how a tradi on of AWO hostel, led to the death of a final year student of the ins tu on, Okoli Chizoputam.

Chizoputam died on Tuesday a er he was reportedly beaten by students for allegedly stealing a mobile telephone.

The deceased who was a student of civil engineering was serving an extra year for his course.

According to the students, Chizoputam, an indigene of Anambra, had stolen a phone on Monday at the Awo hall and was caught, leading to the assault on him.

One of the students who iden fied himself as Yetunde told OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday that Chizoputam did not die while he was being beaten.

The student said: “It is not true that Chizoputam died when he was being beaten. He died on Tuesday on the way to hospital.”

Narra ng how the incident happened, Yetunde said: “The deceased, Okoli Chizoputam, allegedly stole a phone at his hall, Awo on Monday, and he was caught. It is the tradi on of Awo hall that anybody caught stealing will be subjected to ‘maximum shishi’, and that was carried out on the deceased. He was beaten by the students and the exco of the hall later took him to the Student Union Government.

“He was at the student union building overnight. We did not know what happened overnight at the SUB,

•Police Arrest Hostel Executives, Vow To Prosecute Perpetrators

but Chizoputam was rushed to hospital in the morning. Unfortunately, he died before ge ng to the hospital.

“I was told the deceased was an asthma pa ent; may be he had an a ack overnight where he was detained at the SUB, we don’t know.”

Police Arrest Hostel Execu ves, Vow To Prosecute Perpetrators

Two members of the Awo Hall execu ves who are undergraduate students have been arrested by the police in connec on with Chizoputam’s death.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Chairman and another student from security unit were arrested on Wednesday.

The names of the students were not disclosed by the school management and the police.

Confirming the arrest, Osun Police Public Rela ons Officer, Yemisi Opalola said, “It was revealed that the deceased was alleged to have stolen a phone at Awo Hall of the ins tuon on 10/4/2023 and beaten to coma by some of the fellow students which eventually led to his death.

“Meanwhile, two suspects have been arrested in connec on with the case and discreet invesga on is ongoing.

“The police command, saddened by this unwarranted ac on, sternly warned members of the public, especially students, to desist from any act of jungle jus ce or taking laws into their hands and follow the

rules of the law by repor ng any criminal acvi es or behaviours to the police or other relevant authori es.

Earlier, the President of Great Ife Students’ Union, Folahan Olayiwole, had described the assault on Chizoputam as inhumane, pledging that the union will ensure jus ce on the matter.

He said: “Our Union

does not support mob ac ons and jus ce must be served in this incident. What has is most inhumane. Jus ce must be served accordingly irrespec ve of who is involved. Mob ac ons are banned and not allowed on the OAU campus!”

The OAU management, in a press statement by the Public Rela ons Officer of the University, Abio-

dun Olarewaju, also condemned the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.

According to Olarewaju, the Vice Chancellor of the ins tu on, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE, has set up a commi ee to unravel the circumstances that led to this incident.

He said the mob ac on, is a viola on of the law of the country and of the University regula ons.

Roadside Trading: Group, Motorists Urge Adeleke To Prevail On Igbona Market Traders

administra on should have seen through the process and the new government sustaining it.

He warned the government that allowing traders to return to the roadside and walkways may lead to impending doom.

He said: “These traders do not think about their lives the moment they display their goods on the road. The only thing they care about at that moment is how to make money.

“It is the responsibility of a responsible government to make sure that traders are taken off the road and I want to urge the governor to as a ma er of urgency, wade into this and restore sanity to the market.

Acivil society group, Centre for Social Jusce and Public Protecon (CSJPP), has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to wade in and cau on traders at the popular Igbona market on what it described as reckless trading and display of commodi es.

According to the group,

traders at the market have turned the roadside and walkways to their selling points.

The group, in a press statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Naheem Olaore, said it is necessary for the governor to, as a matter of urgency, find a solu on before the situa on leads to accidents and casual es.

It would be recalled that

Why Osun Residents Need Ipade Imole By Adeleke’s Aide

THE proposed townhall mee ngs by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the State of Osun is a project aimed at enhancing good governance and transparency, said the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mallam Rasheed Olawale.

According to Olawale, residents of the state needs the townhall meetings tagged Ipade Imole to have access to informa on on government finances, projects and programme for them to be able to hold the government accountable.

Olawale in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yes-

terday explained that the forum will be held quarterly with a focus on detailed reports of government finances, revenue inflows, expenditure and ongoing and completed projects.

He said: “‘Ipade Imole’ will involve relevant government agencies delivering reports of ac vi es from the Ministry of Works, to water resources, among others. The details of ongoing projects, how much they cost, stages of compleon and other contractual details will be issued to the public through the forum.

“For those seeking details about boreholes, schools and health-related

projects, documentary details will be provided on the cost of projects, the direct labour nature of projects, stages of comple on, and loca on of projects among others.

“Interested members of the public, media and civil society will also have the opportunity to visit project sites and assess stages and quality of work done.

“Aside from being a forum for accountability on the side of the government, it would also provide an avenue for policy ideas from the civil socie es, media and the public into the government policy processes.

“At each Ipade Imole, the general public will be opportune to suggest ideas to the government.

“The quarterly forum will involve par cipants from various sectors of society. Each relevant group will have delegated representa on to ensure a coordinated approach. We will partner with media organisa ons in Osun State for full coverage of each session”.

“I assure the good people of Osun that each forum will equip the cizenry with publica ons on government ac vi es and also avail them the space to ques on and interface with relevant agencies and officials.

“’pade imole’ will be a genuine accountability forum to be conducted in both Yoruba and English languages”.

the immediate past administra on of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on August 23, announced the ban on roadside and walkway trading.

The administra on also set up task force to stop the trend and arrest violators, adding that the ban became necessary due to the growing traffic snarl and danger to everybody using the markets.

However, the traders who had complied with the direc ves have moved back to roadsides and walkways a er some months, while the security opera ves saddled with the responsibility of compliance have also withdrawn.

OSUN DEFENDER reporter went to Igbona market on Tuesday and it took him more than 30 minutes to get to the market from the Old Garage area of the state capital due to the traffic snarls caused by the traders who had occupied the road.

Olaore bemoaned the situa on, urging the governor to send the traders off the road.

According to Olaore, governments are fond of je soning processes once there is immediate compliance, adding that the past

“It is so unfortunate that we are in a country where the government doesn’t follow through with processes to the end. Government only make laws and je soned them whenever there is immediate compliance.

“Banning roadside trading was a good and welcome development but we can see what is happening now and gradually. We have forgo en about it and people have resumed their normal ways of doing things”.

A motorist who idenfied himself as Olanrewaju Ademola told the medium that traffic around the Igbona area, especially on Tuesdays, was always heavy because traders would have occupied half of the road.

Ademola revealed that traders have the courage to occupy the road because some people ‘gave them the go ahead to do so a er collec ng money from them’.

He said: “All the traders selling by the roadside have paid some amount before doing so. Those collec ng money from the traders do not worry about their safety and that of others. They only care about the money they will make.

“Half of the road has been occupied by the traders and the worst part is that the traders will s ll be dragging the road with us, the drivers. The governor and those in charge should quickly do something about it.”

Kazeem Badmus

Kazeem Badmus

•Traders ot Igbonna market occupying a section of the road

•Okoli Chizoputam

Osun Communities Seek Govt. Intervention On Roads

RESIDENTS of Ifesowopo and Irepodun communies in Atakunmosa West and Osogbo local governments of the State of Osun respec vely have appealed to the state government to extend the dividend of democracy to their communi es.

The residents of the two communi es said they are suffering from poor road network as a result of dilapidated condi ons of their roads.

Ifesowopo is in Kajola, along Ilesa road, while Irepodun is at Oke Ibuaje, Oke-Osun, Osogbo local government.

A resident of Irepodun, Mr. Micheal Adeniran who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER said the community road has been in its poor condi on for a long me, saying successive governments failed to rehabilitate the road in spite of several requests.

Adeniran said road us-

ers and pedestrians in the community always face difficul es in going out and coming into the community whenever it rains due to the condi on of

the road.

According to Adeniran, the road links communies like Oloja Ibala, Osun Omi and Irepodun.

He urged Adeleke to

see to the construc on of roads and culvert in the community to pave way for erosion.

“This road links other communi es and if it is

Osun Workers Entered One Chance, Says APC

Yusuf Oketola

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun have said that workers in the state have entered a proverbial one chance vehicle over the inability of Governor Ademola Adeleke to implement the cashback of their promo on and arrears.

APC berated the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) and Adeleke over the delay in the payment of March salaries to workers in the state.

According to the Acting Chairman of the party, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, what is currently going on in the state is a pointer to the fact that the workers appears to have been ‘unwi ngly sweet-talked’ by Adeleke into believing in his leadership.

Lawal, in a press statement issued by the Director of Media and Informaon, Chief Kola Olabisi, on Wednesday, accused Adeleke of financial recklessness, saying he has lavished the fund bequeathed on him.

The Chairman said: “As a responsible and responsive opposi on party, we make bold to say that it was not true that there were miscalcula ons by salary officers.

“The fact remains that the administra on of Adeleke has exhausted everything in the ki y. The workers have entered a proverbial one chance vehicle.

“It was reliably gathered that the computa on was done and correctly done. When it was collated with

the March salaries, the governor discovered that they had less fund to underwrite it.

“Hence, Adeleke directed that it should be put on hold ll the next alloca on. In order to cover the shame, the

bureaucrats were asked to divert the a en on of the public by pu ng the blame of commission of errors in computa on on salary officers. That was not the truth. It was a diversion.

“It is saddening that

the Adeleke administra on could be fabrica ng lies about the livelihood of the people in the month of Ramadan and Lenten season without any iota of sympathy for the expectant workers.

Armed Robbery Taking Place On Nov. 27 Bridge In Osogbo, Residents Alert Police

Ismaeel Uthman

THERE have been two reported armed robbery incidents on the Oba Adesoji Aderemi East bypass road in Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun.

According to sources who were privy to the robbery cases, the two incidents happened around 8pm at November 27 bridge.

The sources told OSUN DEFENDER that the men of the underworld carrying out the dastard acts are young guys armed with pump acons and other weapons.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that Ataoja Police Division is less than 5 buildings to the robbery scene.

One of the vic ms of the armed robbers told the medium yesterday that she was robbed of an undisclosed amount in cash and electronic transfer.

The vic m who was reluctant to speak with press said the armed robbers were carrying an electronic configured machine different from Point of Sales (POS) with which they withdrew money from her account.

She said: “I was coming from Owode-Ede and I climbed the November 27 bridge; I no ced vehicles were parked by the roadside a er the bridge and I slowed down. I saw a woman running towards me and I asked what was wrong, before I knew it, one young guy with gun approached and asked me to surrender everything with me. He collected the cash with me and my ATM. He asked for the pin of the ATM and I told him. I no ced he did not insert the ATM into the machine with him; he just swiped it and le .”

“Those guys (armed robbers) are young and they speak good English. The guns with them are long.”

Another vic m, who prayed not to be named said she was robbed on Wednesday under the November 27 bridge at about 8pm.

She said the armed robbers collected her phones, cash and jewelries, adding that her ATM card was also collected.

According to her, the armed robbers therea er witdrew an undisclosed amount of money through a POS machine with them.

When contacted, the

Ac ng Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Theophilus Adekola, said he was not aware of the incidents, promising to find out and get back to the medium.

rehabilitated, you can go from here to Ede. The major occupa on of people here is farming.

“We urge the state government to help us. There

are big farms here, if this road is reconstructed, it will alleviate the suffering of the people and boost the economy of this area. The government should help us with bridge and drainages”, he said.

Also, a resident of Ifesowopo community in Atakunmosa, Mr. Nurudeen Sunnonu, stated that it has become a difficult task for vehicles to go out or come into the community whenever it rained.

He said: “Any me it rained, no vehicle can come in or go out of this community. We appeal to the state government to please come to our aid especially to construct a bridge to allow free flow of water”.

“We are aware of the road construc on approvals by Governor Adeleke, he should also remember us in this community. The condi on is ge ng worse as we are fully entering the raining season”.

Vehicle Stolen In Anambra Recovered In Osun

Ali Ibrahim

Ablack lexus 330 Jeep which was reportedly stolen at Obosi in Idenmiri South Local Government Area of Anambra State has been recovered in Osun by the police.

The vehicle was re-

32-Yr-Old Remanded For Stealing Alcohol, Cigarette In Osogbo

Kazeem Badmus

A32-year-old man, Tunde Isiaka, has been remanded in Correc onal Centre for allegedly stealing three small plas cs container of alcohol and six s cks of cigare e in Osogbo, State of Osun.

Isiaka was said to have stolen the items with a cash sum of N4,500 belonging to one Iyabo Akinyele.

He was also accused of stealing an iphone 6 handset value N45,000 from one Azeez Taofeeq.

The accused person also allegedly obtained a sum of N800 from Taofeeq on the presence of selling rice and vegetable oil to him.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednes-

day, the accused person commi ed the offence between January 30 and March 10, 2023 at Tes ng Ground and Omo West areas of Osogbo.

The alleged offence, according to police, contravened Sec ons 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol.II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But the accused person pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge bordering on stealing and fraud levelled against him, even as he had no legal representa on.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, Adekanmi Adeyeba, ordered that the accused person be remanded in Ilesa Correconal Centre.

The case was adjourned ll April 18, 2023 for ruling on bail.

covered while the police also arrested a 40-yearold man, Oladipupo Maruf who allegedly stole the vehicle from one Igwe Odinaka.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Kehinde Longe confirmed that the suspect was arrested with the car in Ilesa.

Longe, according to a press statement by the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, said the owner of the vehicle was shot in the stomach when his car was stolen from him.

He said the suspect was apprehended when the police received credible intelligence that the vehicle was seen along Ijebu-Jesa road.

“The policemen attached to ‘A’ Division, Ilesa on patrol intercepted the vehicle driven by Oladipupo.

“The suspect was arrested and the vehicle recovered to the sta on for further inves ga on. The suspects will be charged to court immediately the inves ga on is completed”, said the police boss.

Yusuf Oketola

•Scene of a vehicle that stuck on Irepodun community road

ALL praise is due to Allaah, and may His peace and blessings be upon the final Messenger, His pure family, noble companions, and all those who follow them with righteousness until the day of Judgment.

Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.

In the Holy Qur’an (97:1-5), Allah says: “Indeed, We revealed (the Qur’an) during the Night of Decree. And what can make

Qadr, what should I say during it?”

And he instructed her to say:

By Imaam Muhammad Abdulalimi

By Muhammad Abdulalimi

You are Most Forgiving, and you love to forgive. So forgive me.

If one cannot pray whole night

Laylatul Qadr: Significance & Virtues Of The Most Important Night Of The Year

you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”

Previous sins will be forgiven

One who spends the night in prayer, his previous sins will be forgiven. Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadhaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.”

“If anyone cannot spend all the odd nights of last ten days of Ramadhaan and is not able to pray the whole night he should at least pray Isha and Fajr in congregation on that night. It would be enough to fillitsscalesInShaAllah.TheProphetsaid:“Whoever attends Isha prayer in congregation, then he has the reward as if he had stood half of the night. And whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation, then he has the reward as if he had spent the entire night standing in prayer”

ENGR. CHIEF EZEKIEL IYIOLA OMISORE, C,Eng, FNSE, PPNIStruct.E

•Chief Ezekiel Omisore, a prominent son of the source passed on at the ripe old age of 96 and will be buried in Ile-Ife next week.

ENGR. (Chief) Ezekiel Iyiola Omisore was born in Ile-Ife to the family of the Great Omisore Dynasty 96 years ago. He a ended Aiyetoro Elementary School and later to the pres gious Oduduwa College in 1943. He finished his secondary school educaon in 1948 with a GRADE 1 result in Senior Cambridge Cer ficate. Therea er, he moved to Lagos to work and rise to the level of a Produce Inspector with the likes of Mr. Tunde Johnson and Chief Kola Daisi.

He travelled to England to study Structural Engineering at the Hammersmith School of Building in 1953. As an astonishing student of Structural Engineering, He won the BEST STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD in 1954 when He received the sum of FIVE

GUINEAS from the Mayor of Hammersmith at a Civic Recep on.

He was married to Tokunbo’s mum Late Oyinkansola Omisore (nee Alakija) in 1953, which was later blessed with two children before their return to Nigeria in 1959.

He got employed by the then Western Region Government in the Ministry of Works as the First Nigerian Structural Engineer, but later le the Ministry to start the Engineering Sec on of Design Group as an Associate Partner in 1961.

To project his ability as a Nigerian Engineer, he resigned to start his own Consultancy Firm in 1962 by registering IYI OMISORE & PARTNERS. In 1963, He invited his friend Late Engr. S.A. Afolabi to form OMISORE, AFOLABI & PART-

Deprived is truly unfortunate: One who is deprived of Laylatul Qadr is truly unfortunate:

The companion Anas ibn Malik reported: “Ramadhaan approached, so the Messenger of Allah said: ‘This month has come to you, and in it there is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and no one is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived.”

When It Occurs?

The majority of scholars are of the opinion that Laylatul-Qadr may occur on any of the odd nights in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan.

The Prophet Muhammad said: “Search for Laylatul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhaan.”

What to do?

If one finds Laylatul Qadr, he should seek forgiveness from Allah.

A’isha asked the Prophet, “O Messenger of Allaah! If I knew which night is Laylatul-

If anyone cannot spend all the odd nights of last ten days of Ramadhaan and is not able to pray the whole night he should at least pray Isha and Fajr in con-

gregation on that night. It would be enough to fill its scales In Sha Allah. The Prophet said: “Whoever attends Isha prayer in congregation, then he has the reward as if he had stood half of the night. And whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation, then he has the reward as if he had spent the entire night standing in prayer.”

Imam Malik (d. 179 H) narrated that he had heard that Saheed ibn al-Musayyab (d. 94 H) used to say, “Whoever is present at Isha on Laylatul-Qadr has taken his portion from it.”

May Allah count us among those who will witness laylatul Qadr, Eid, and grant us acceptance of fasting, prayer, charity and alms giving.

May Allah make this sermon a beneficial one for me, the writer, the readers, and the entire Muslims. And our last prayer, is praise be to Allaah Almighty, Lord of the worlds.

Nigeria Police Staff College, Kuru, Jos. (1980)

The firm later changed its name back to IYI OMISORE & PARTNERS a er the death of Engr. S.A. Afolabi in 1979.

Some of the notable works further handled are:

•Methodist Cathedral, Ita Elewa, Ikorodu – 1980

•Na onal Bank Headquarters, Broad Street, Lagos -1981

•Great Nigeria Insurance Building, Joseph Street, Lagos - 1982

•Abebe Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. – 1983

•Eleganza Office Building, Joseph Street, Lagos –1989

•Rehabilita on of Cocoa House, Ibadan. – 1994

(1984), Fellow of The Nigeria Society of Engineers, Member, Associa on of Consul ng Engineers of Nigeria, and Former Examiner of Conference of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN), is the 3rd Nigerian to become an Engineer.

Recently, he was honoured at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, with the pres gious “Engineering Life me” Awards. The nonagenarian has been so honoured as a founding member and the only surviving member, of the five (5) founders of the famous Engineering Consul ng Associa on.

NERS. This firm of Engineers has as under listed some notable works to their credit among others:

Central Mosque, OjaOba, Ibadan (1963)

Nigerian Ins tute of Internal Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos - Phase 1 (1964)

Department of Social Science Building/The Main Cafeteria/Student Union Complex, The University of Ibadan. (1964-1968)

Moremi Hall of Residence/The main cafeteria/ The Pharmacy Building. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. (19691975)

The Department of Art Building/the Vice Chancellor’s Quarters/the Registrar’s Quarters.

The University of Lagos. (1976-1979)

Jos Airport (Unbuilt), Kaduna Airport (Unbuilt) & Ibadan Airport (Unbuilt). (1976-1980)

•RAO Proper es Office Complex, Victoria Island, Lagos - 1994

•Nichemtex Factory Complex - 1998

•Bri sh Council, Abuja - 2002

HONOUR TO WHOM

IT’S DUE!

Pa Engr. Iyiola Omisore, a Chartered Member of The Ins tute of Structural Engineers (1957), Past President, Nigeria Ins tu on of Structural Engineers,

He became the GBOBANIYI OF ILE-IFE in 1980, The ALATUNSE of The Cathedral church of Anglican, Ayetoro, Ile-Ife in 1986 and The ASIWAJU OKUNRIN Isokan Onigbagbo Chris an Associa on of Nig. (CAN), Ife East Central Local Government in 2005.

Un l his demise, he was a member of Lagos Island Club, Lagos Metropolitan Club and Yoruba Tennis Club.

Chief (Engr.) Ezekiel Iyiola Omisore was married with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

•Sheik Muhammad Abdulalimi, is the Mudiru Ad-Da’wah Wal-Irshad, Obaagun, State of Osun.

7 Police Officers Promoted, Decorated With New Ranks In Osun

Yusuf Oketola

NO fewer than seven police officers have been promoted and decorated with their new ranks by Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police, Zone 11, Sikiru Akande.

Among those decorated are ACP Ogbonu Taiwo Popoola, ACP Akinsanya Babajide and ACP Mar ns Olaleye Bamigboye, who elevated from Chief Superintendent to Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Those elevated from the rank of Superintendent of Police to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) are CSP Omomukuyo Tawakatu Abiola, CSP Yinka Kuku, CSP Israel Obadofin, CSP Akanbi Tawakatu Bolanle and CSP Janet Awotuyi.

Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday, Akande charged the newly-promoted of-

ficers to braze up to the challenges ahead of them, just as he enjoined them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their new posi ons.

He said: “In the Nigeria Police Force, we value promo ons very much. Promo on is also a way of telling you to work harder; it is an added responsibility to all the responsibili es that you have been doing before your elevaon.

“We are to work hard to see that we maintain a low level of insecurity in our zone.

“The vision of the police force, especially under the present Inspector General of Police, is to priori se the welfare of personnel and reward hard work with promo ons.” He said.

The AIG charged them to reciprocate the gesture by exhibiting high level of pro-

Adeleke Appoints Principal Officers For University Of Ilesa

Adedolapo Bamisedun

GOVERNOR

Ademola

Adeleke of the State of Osun has approved the appointment of principal officers for the University of Ilesa.

Adeleke appointed Prof. Taiwo Asaolu as Vice Chancellor, Mr. Funso Ojo as Registrar, Dr. Mukaila Oyekanmi as Bursar and Mr. Adewale Ogunsipe as Librarian.

Asaolu was the Chairman of the University of Ilesa Review Commi ee which was set up by Governor Adeleke to address all outstanding issues for the eventual take off of the University.

He is also a Nigerian professor of accounting and finance. He is also a Fellow (FCA) of the Ins tute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is the former Dean, faculty of administra on, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, issued le ers of ap-

pointments to the principal officers yesterday

Igbalaye who hosted the appointees in his office charged them to uphold virtue of professionalism and integrity which he said endeared them to the Governor and recommended them for the appointments.

fessionalism, civility to members of the public and respect for human rights.

He urged the offic-

ers to jus fy their promo ons so as to earn higher posi ons in the future.

In his own

speech, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Kehinde Longe, congratulated the of-

ficers and advised them to be more dedicated and commi ed to their du es.

Gunmen Invade Osun Community, Abduct Fulani Herdsman

Kazeem Badmus

ABOUT eight gunmen, on Wednesday, invaded a Fulani settlement, Ago Igbira in Ila Orangun, State of Osun, abduc ng a 30year-old Muhammed Jibril.

It was gathered that the gunmen, who were suspected to be Fulani-Bororo attacked the se lement in the early hours of Wednesday.

Speaking on the incident, the Serikin Fulani of the se lement, Muhammed Kajibo, disclosed that the gunmen shot sporadically into the air to scare the se lers who were predominantly Fulani herdsmen.

He stated that one of them was abducted by the gunmen.

Kajibo said the sound of the gun alerted close-by settlement and quickly

called security operaves.

According to him, the prompt arrival of vigilante guards, local hunters and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) security squad unse led the kidnappers and forcefully took away the vic m.

Confirming the incident, Osun Police Command spokesperson, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, said a joint team of police and lo-

cal security opera ves combed the nearby bush and recovered three expended shells of AK 47 rifles and cartridges.

She said, “During a shootout with police, one Hassan Jubril was injured and was taken to hospital for treatment. Presently, the combined team is on a search and rescue mission in the area and trying to arrest the perpetrators”.

Nursing Mother, Husband, One Other Arraigned Over Assault On Police Officers, IBEDC Staff

Kazeem Badmus

A28-year-old nursing mother, Divine Adegoke and her husband, Adeyemi Adegoke (39) were on Thursday arraigned before a an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly assaul ng police officers and staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribu on Company (IBEDC).

The couples were arraigned alongside their neighbour Ajayi Deji (32).

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, the trio allegedly assaulted one Owaniyi Sayo and Adetunji Adetona who are IBEDC staff of Osogbo Branch and also Inspec-

tor Ariyo Oyeleke, Inspector Muritala Kazeem and Adisa Femi while performing their duty.

The accused persons allegedly commi ed the offence on March 31, 2023 at No. 93, Ayelaka Area, Dada Estate, Osogbo.

The charge reads in parts, “That you Adegoke Divine, Adegoke Adeyemi and Ajayi Deji on the 31st day of March, 2023 in the morning at No. 93, Ayelaka Area, Dada Estate, Osogbo in the Osogbo Magisterial District, did conspire together to commit felony to wit serious assault, assault and threat to life of one Owaniyi Sayo and Adetunji Adetona of IBEDC

Osogbo and Police Officers and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sec on 516 of the criminal code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

“That you Adegoke Divine, Adegoke Adeyemi and Ajayi Deji on the same date and place at the aforemen oned Magisterial District did seriously assaulted one Owaniyi Sayo and Adetunji Adetona who are IBEDC staff of Osogbo Branch and also Inspector Ariyo Oyeleke, Inspector Muritala Kazeem and Pc. Adisa Femi while performing their duty by bea ng and stoning them and thereby commi ed

an offence contrary to sec on 383 and punishable under sec on 356 of the criminal code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.

“That you Ajayi Deji on the same date and place at the aforemen oned Magisterial District did a empt to kill one Owaniyi Sayo and Adetunji Adetona with dog and thereby commi ed an offence contrary to secon 383 and punishable under sec on 320 of the criminal code Cap 34 Vol. II Lawas of Osun State of Nigeria 2002”.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the three counts of assault and a empt murder.

In his ruling, Magis-

trate Dr. Olusegun Ayilara granted bail to the nursing mother in the sum of N200,000 with one surety.

Ayilara admi ed other accused persons to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sure es each.

The case was adjourned ll June 15, 2023 for hearing.

KOLAWOLE OLUWAKEMI DORCA

That I was formerly known and addressed as KOLAWOLE OLUWAKEMI, with old date of birth 03/10/1983 now wish to be known and addressed as KOLAWOLE OLUWAKEMI DORCA, with new date of birth 01/09/1980. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

•Osun Traffic Marshals arresting a traffic offender at Olaiya bridge, Osogbo, yesterday

Photo Shola Aderinto

SOMEDAY in the last quarter of 2022, I stumbled at this audio-visual adver sement on the social media, “Do you know that Nigerian Immigraon Service has simplified the process of applying and processing the Nigerian Passport? All you need to do is apply online through h ps:passpor mmigra on.gov.ng. Choose your passport office for enrolment, make payment online, do not pay cash to anyone as NIS does not accept cash payment and ensure that you have Na onal Idenfica on Number (NIN) because it is mandatory for processing the enhanced e-passport. Secure your appointment day and print the appointment slip and visit your selected passport office only on appointment date. Take along your payment and appointment slips as well as other required documents specified on the website. Please note that the meline for processing fresh and re-issued passport is 6 weeks and 3 weeks respec vely a er successful enrolment process. For further enquiries, you can visit www.immigra on.gov.ng or chart our customer care representa ves by the chart room on the passport porter or be er s ll, call +2348021819988. Our social media handles are twi er: @ nigimmigra on,facebook: @nigimmigra on, Youtube: @ingimmigraonpro, instagram:Nigeria.immigra on. This message is brought to you by the Public Rela ons Department of Nigeria Immigra on Service”.

Ordinarily, I would have merely looked, listened and moved away. Why? Most adver sements are specially packaged by adver sing agencies which, most o en, may not necessarily reflect reali es on ground. So, why should this be different? But my passport had expired and needed to be renewed. “If this advert is a true reflec on of what is on ground, I may need to renew it immediately”, I was speaking to myself. Accordingly, I searched further to know the cost of procurement and this I found, “The New Enhanced e-Passport (Validity and Cost): 32 pages valid five years is

Passport Issuance Made Easy

N26,000; 64 pages valid five years is N35,000; 64 pages valid 10 years is N70,000. NOTE: These prices only for three states: Lagos, Abuja and Rivers and all ages will pay same price for only these three loca ons. For the rest of the 33 states, price is as follows: 32 pages valid for five years N17, 800; 64 pages valid for five years N12,000. Also, be aware you will be paying online, not like before that you pay exorbitant amount on counter based on who you know. If you are applying in Nigeria, you don’t need any immigra on officer to help you. Pay online, print your receipts and forms online and go with all your documents to their office. Any documentary requirements that will be asked are specifically stated on the portal below: h ps://immigra on. gov.ng/standard-passport. Then, when you want to apply online, click on fresh passport, if you have never had a passport. If you had a passport, click on renewal. h ps:// portal.immigras on.gov.ng/pages/ welcome. MAY NIGERIA SUCCEED.”

Having read all these, I was overwhelmed. However, I s ll felt reluctant. “Let me find out first from my immediate neighbour whose son just ‘japa’ under the guise of “schooling abroad,” I further spoke to myself. In a jiffy, I was at his gate, banging it. My Neighbour: “Yes, who’s there?” Me: “It’s me, neighbour. Good morning o.” Neighbour: “Ah, good morning Daddy Arike. Just give me a minute. I’m coming, please.” He was talking through the window. Within some seconds, he

“Once your NIN is okay and you pay online, you don’t need to know anybody at immigration office to procure your passport with ease. With the inauguration of a new passport Production hub in Ilesa last month, it is safe to state that the timeline for processing fresh and re-issued passport of six weeks and three weeks respectively after successful enrolment process will minimise”

had appeared to usher me in with exchanged pleasantries as usual. Me: “My Interna onal passport has expired and I want to renew it. I have gone online to search and I found out that it is N17,800 for 32 pages of five years validity. Since your son just travelled last month, you should know be er. Hence, my visit this morning.” Having heard me, he burst into laughter and said, “Daddy Arike! You with your alakowe behaviour. Have you forgo en that you’re not in Ilu Oyinbo; you’re in Nigeria? Which online payment and processes can be trusted in this country? Anyway, if you’re serious in ge ng your passport renewed within four weeks or at most six weeks, it is N65,000. I have a contact who I can call immediately now. He is very trustworthy as he delivers at appointed date. He did Junior’s own.” Me: “Since I have an idea now, I will prepare the fund and get back to you when I’m ready. Thank you so much. I’m very grateful, Sir.” Neighbour: “You’re always welcome. My regards to madam and the children.”

When I returned home, I did my calcula on and realised that I could procure three passports with N65,000 and s ll have extra. Without much ado, I went online via my phone and followed the processes and paid. However, the N17,800 fee didn’t go. I, therefore, paid N25,000 and N1,000 charge, totalling N26,000 only. Appointment for capturing was not available un l 18 days a er which I booked. I was asked to choose between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm and I chose the earlier.

On the appointed day for capturing, I headed to immigra on office behind Department of State Security (DSS) office along Osogbo/ Gbongan road, Osogbo, with my Naonal Iden fica on Number (NIN) slip, expired passport booklet, evidence of payment and applica on form and appointment date printouts. On ge ng there, I was scared by the crowd of people seated. This was 11:00 am as my appointment me was 12:00 noon. I be-

came more uncomfortable when I wanted to write down my name on the list of those who came for capturing. I was number 288! Having seated for 30 minutes, I was very sure that it could not get to my turn un l mid-night. I just stood up and went to one of the offices labelled ‘Desk Office.’ Having explained myself to one of the officers, she said she had just le the hall where I claimed to be seated and had called for people who paid online to come for capturing without any response. Anyway, she asked me to sit down and a ended to me. I was asked to supply two passport photograph and a file jacket which I got with ease at a corner business centre very close to the entrance gate. Back to their office, I handed over the materials to the officer in charge. A er about 30 minutes of working on my file, I was told that I could not be captured! “Why?” I asked. I was told that there’s a varia on in my names as wri en in NIN and my expired passport. Let me make it clear. My old passport has my surname, last name and middle name while my NIN has only surname and last name. I was, therefore, advised to go back to NIN office to make correc on to align the names. “Ok, I will be right back”, I said. I thought it was a slender matter. Having made correc on at NIN office, it took two and a half months for it to come out. Not just coming out and printed, the corrected version must be dropped at immigraon porter for further processes. Having done this, I went back to immigra on office and was asked to go and that I would be called on when to come for capturing. So, I le , almost frustrated. The following day, I received a call, asking me to come for capturing and didn’t spend 20 minutes on seat when it was my turn for capturing.

Assuming I didn’t have any issue with my NIN, everything would have gone smoothly as adver sed. The lesson for those intending to procure new passport or renew the old is to ensure that there’s no varia on in your NIN in terms of full names, date of birth and other biodata. Otherwise, you can’t process passport at any of the Nigeria Immigra on Offices. Once your NIN is okay and you pay online, you don’t need to know anybody at immigraon office to procure your passport with ease. With the inaugura on of a new passport Produc on hub in Ilesa last month, it is safe to state that the meline for processing fresh and re-issued passport of six weeks and three weeks respec vely a er successful enrolment process will minimise. This is a great stride that other agencies should emulate at this age of digitalisa on.