Osun Defender Online Version of April 28, 2023

APC Stalwart, Group Renew Commitment To Aregbesola’s Political Ideals

Ismaeel Uthman

Astalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the State of Osun Prince Jide Zubair and a socio-poli cal group in the party, G-21, have renewed their loyalty and commitment to the poli cal ideals of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Both Zubair and G-21 stated that Aregbesola remains the only true leader in the APC that liberated members of the party, transformed the state and committed to the progress and development of the progressive pla orm.

Zubair described Aregbesola as the only genuine follower of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s pollical ideology, no ng that the minister has over the years been commi ed to ensuring life more abundant for the people.

The APC stalwart stated this at the weekend while receiving Special Cer ficate of Loyalty and Patronship from G-21, in Osogbo, capital of the state of Osun.

According to Zubair, it is sinful for any member of the APC to either demonise Aregbesola or be ungrateful to him, saying he is responsible for the restora on of progressive party, as well as good governance in the state.

He said: “We are core progressives, and we are commi ed to his (Aregbesola’s) ideals and ideology as the leader of the APC in Osun. We will con nue to support him and whatever he stands for.

“It is unfortunate that APC in the State of Osun finds itself in this unfortunate state. And it is because some people wanted to rewrite history and, in the process, they destroyed the party.

“Aregbesola is the only remaining genuine follower of Awolowo’s poli cal ideology and the only leader that wish well for the party.”

Zubair said he is endeared to G-21 because of Aregbesola’s recommenda on, disclosing that the minister holds the group in high esteem.

Explaining while he was honoured with Special Cer ficate of Loyalty and Patronship, G-21 President, Mr. Yus-

suf Tajudeen, said Zubair was appreciated for his love for the APC and loyalty for Aregbesola.

Tajudeen said the cer ficate was given to reward Zubair’s unbridled loyalty to Areg-

besola and his support for the progressive family.

The Public Rela ons

Officer of the group, Comrade Femi Siyanbola, explained that G-21 is a group of commi ed APC members who are striving to restructure the party and reposion for victory in future elec ons.

Siyanbola said members of the APC at the grassroots are joining the group in drove because of their believe that G-21 is a purposeful APC wining group.

He said: “The frequency with which the APC volunteer grassroots members are being inducted into the fold of G 21 (Osun Network) has taken a new dimension as inductees are now trouping out in droves to be iden fied with a purposeful APC winning group.

“This has been basically because of the

fallout occasioned by a tsunami of unprecedented elec on loss recently experienced in Osun by the IleriOluwa group which went into all of those elec ons with only one leg of an APC tripod stand.

“These miscalculaons have prompted one of the Osun Sociopoli cal and resourceful groups, G 21, to come up with this panacea to rescue the Osun APC from this quagmire and undue embarrassment.

“The weaponizaon of prejudices that violently damaged the cohabita on or companionship protocol of the warring or polarised party of Osun APC, before the elec on was beyond redempon, and it was the last “straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Osun Govt To Revive Moribund Industries, Partners FG

Yusuf Oketola

THE Governor of the State of Osun, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has disclosed that his administra on is partnering with the Federal Government to establish Special Economic Zone in the State.

Adeleke disclosed this on Tuesday at the gradua on of 1,200 Osun residents who par cipated in the Skills Upgrade and Entrepreneurship Development organised by the State Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Coopera ves and Empowerment in conjunc on with the Bank of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Adeleke who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, said the State Government is working assiduously in making sure Osun is rightly posi oned economically, sta ng that all moribund industries in the state will be revived.

Adeleke opined that if the state must move forward, the economic base must be strong and working.

He, however, maintained that the economy of the state must be rescued from overdependence on federal allocaon, no ng that, that can only be achieved through diversifica on.

The Governor de-

clared that his administra on was working on how to revamp and revive some moribund industries in the state, saying that will make unemployed youths in

the state to be gainfully employed and in return boost the economy of the state.

He said: “Government is working on several other programmes

through which people would be meaningfully and profitably engaged such as revival of moribund industries in the State; establishment of Special Agro Process-

ing Centre at Erin-Osun, establishment of Osun Special Economic Zone at Egbedi through facilita on by the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

Osun NNPP Dissolves LG Excos

Kazeem Badmus

THE New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), State of Osun chapter, has announced the dissolu on of its execu ves at Local Government levels in the state.

This was made known in a release by the Chairman and Secretary of the party, Dr Tosin Odeyemi and Comrade Adewumi

Adegboyega respec vely.

According to the release which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Wednesday, the dissolu on became necessary in order to re-invigorate and make the party stronger in the state.

“There was the need to put people with fresh ideas at the helm of affairs of the party at local levels”, said the release.

The release reads in part: “Elec ons have come and gone, before we know it, another four years is around the corner, therefore, we need to start pu ng our efforts together in making our party becomes stronger.

“Aside that, one of our responsibili es is to put the present government in the state on its toes as a responsible opposi on and we can’t do this if we

are not fully on ground.

“Therefore, we need to get things right on me, we want Osun people to see us as a party they can trust with power.

“As we dissolve our execu ves at the local governments, we are also set to swear in caretaker commi ee to run the affairs of the party, as there should not be any vacuum.”

•Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Kola Adewusi, presenting certificate of participation to one of graduants of the Program, at Abere on Tuesday

IT can be interpreted that the terrorists took a sabba cal during the elecon cycle and are now back in full force, unleashing carnage with no ceable rage in Southern Kaduna State, Benue, Plateau, amongst other places. The nightmare is back with a vengeance.

The incoming government has its work out. It starts with a strategic review of the war against the barbarians. Gains have been made but it is a long way from achieving the decisive lethal blow vitally required.

The issue of ungoverned spaces and what to do about them in flushing out the marauders is now of crical importance. The spaces without formal state presence are vast. O en cited is the Sambisa forest which is the size of a sovereign state - Belgium. It is the largest of many ungoverned spaces indica ng the magnitude of

Need For Forest Rangers

“Forest Rangers to state the obvious know the terrain and will be of crucial importance in reconnaissance, offense and defence. They will work hand - in - glove with the regional security outfits such as Amotekun and the governors of the states must be involved in operational decisions and control. We have to accept that unconventional warfare has it’s own modus operandi.”

the problem. Unfortunately, no amount of aerial a acks alone can do the job, we have to bring in specialised forces.

Key here will be Forest Rangers. That we are actually

talking about Forest Rangers at this stage says a lot about the structural dysfunc on of the country. This is a fall out of the abroga on of the federalist cons tu onal arrangement we once had. There is no other federal set up in which large spaces become unaccounted for by the State; the sub-na onals should have their forest patrols in charge. This is the reality in Canada which has its famous coun es on patrol, Australia, Brazil, the United States of America and so forth. We had them

The Discourse

established and demonstrably effec ve when we had the regional governments.

They must be reac vated as part of special forces needed to flush out the terrorists. There is no alterna ve! Forest Rangers to state the obvious know the terrain and will be of crucial importance in reconnaissance, offence and defence. They will work hand-in-glove with the regional security ou its such as Amotekun and the governors of the states must be involved in opera onal decisions and control. We have to accept that unconven onal warfare has its own modus operandi.

With increased spending on defence amidst what is looking like technically insolvency, the war on terror must now be won with new cost effec ve strategies.

The Forrest Rangers have to be rebuilt, trained and brought into play, there is no alterna ve.

May 29th: Beyond Fallacies And Wishful Thinking -The Million Little Pieces Together

which makes it possible for them to partake in the process. At different instances, PVCs were found in far places from where they ought to be; Lagos PVCs found in Abuja, not in INEC office but on the streets dumped. With high hopes on the technology deployed to register the results as it were people s ll went into the elec on. The technology deployed failed to deliver as promised. That is a ma er for historians to deal with. Done and dusted leaving all else to the courts. The Courts.

back. Come let us anew”

JAMES Frey at 23 realized he had destroyed his body and mind almost beyond repairs so much so he appeared soulless. He self-submi ed himself to a rehabilita on center to try to reclaim his life, to make something tangible out of the thoroughly messed up life of his. He had to fight to determine the future if he has any.

Like Frey, May 29th presents our country another chance to reset. Reset, because more than ever before, trust has been broken into a million li le pieces here. In the en re ecology of our na onal life, every hope seems to have been eroded by doubts. Like Tai Solarin opined long ago in one of his ar cles, come let us anew.

With high hopes, everyone is looking forward to the miraculous turning point for Nigeria. A lot of Nigerians thought the 2023 elec ons would have done that for us. But that was never to happen.

A build up to the 2023 elec ons, there were a lot of hues and cries that people felt they were deliberately being disenfranchised. That it was herculean ge ng the Permanent Voter Card (PVC)

May 29 is just around the corner and we need to see beyond that calendar date. What does it portend for the Naon Nigeria, the na onali es and the various blocks. Nigeria is on the precipice. Truth be told. We have to really speak to the ques on of how we wish to move on. A lot of pundits have considered the bungling or unbundling the cons tu on presently opera onal in the na on. There is an imbalance according to some sec ons and the same appears inconsequen al. The la er group believe the cons tu on is best as it were. Some are of the view that the na on needs to be restructured and resource control is on the front burner for others. How ready are we going into the new regimen with all of these kaleidoscopic encumbrances?

The umpire announced that Asiwaju Tinubu won the elec on. The other pares were told to go to court and they have approached the courts. When the courts will open the cases is an exclusive preserve of the courts.

The winner, to many, should make an effort at establishing a greater than us kind of working rela onship with the other key candidates in the elec on that is flawed because of unkept promises

that people are wai ng for the courts to speak to.

At mes like this, people are always looking for answers. To some people, our poli cal leaders have Machiavelli mindset which makes their quest for power structured, planned and always about themselves. In such instances, the people

are at a loss confused by the disconnect. Nigeria’s president in wai ng is not very visible. Taking a cue from Davido’s song, Unavailable, Asiwaju is not available because he is res ng somewhere. However, to those who have read the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, Law 16 is at play here. Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honour. Too much circula on makes the price go down. The more you are seen and heard from, the more common you appear. Create value through scarcity. Law 17 says, keep others in suspended terror. Which way forward? Do you shave a man’s head behind his back? The main protagonist in a drama is within the theatre but not on stage, crea ng a semblance of the theatre of the absurd.

Pointedly, we must keep projec ng whether the main man is available or unavailable.

Uthman

Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa

Reporter – Yusuf Oketola

Reporter – Kazeem Badmus

Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto

Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, State of Osun

ISSN : 0794-8050

Telephone : 0809-301-9152

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php

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

All correspondence to the above email addresses.

On the 29th of May, Nigerians are looking forward to a new horizon, wai ng for the li ing speech from Asiwaju Tinubu. The people are wai ng for him to make the seeming semblance of the Abeokuta declara ons about the lack lustre policies on cash, on elec on and emilokan. Chief of the desires of the people will be an apology for the broken promises, the failed a empts to reflate the economy, the insecurity across the land and the inability of the APC administra on before his to meet up.

The people expect declara ons about wage in-

Lanre Fadahunsi

“Our million little pieces can be brought together as a formidable whole. We have seen these happen in the eyes of the Nigerian youths who have shown their thirst for a workable new Nigeria. This is the dream of most Nigerians going forward. We need our lives

Chieftaincy Review C’ttee Recommends Fresh Process For Akinrun, Aree Stools

•Continued from front page

According to the sources, the recommenda ons of the commi ee will be considered any me from June.

However, the medium spoke with a member of the commi ee to confirm the recommenda on on Akinrun and Aree stools.

The member confirmed that the appointment of Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo was retained while fresh process was recommended for the selec on of new Aree of Iree.

The commi ee member refused to comment on Akinrun stool.

Another member of the commi ee told OSUN DEFENDER that the commi ee was very fair and objec ve in the review exercise.

He disclosed that the commi ee members rejected inducement from some people who were par es to the cases being reviewed.

He said: “Our commi ee was sincere and had no bias in our report. No one influenced what we did and our submissions in the report. All the decisions we reached were unanimous. Members of the public will be very happy with the report when it is released. It carefully punctured the sides of fault for those who were at fault and the right things for those who did things the right way.

“We were not biased and we did not use the process of government to threaten anyone. Whoever has a clear cut process will retain his seat while those who run afoul of the law may be asked to restart the process all over again.

“I cannot say what our verdict is on Ikirun, Igbajo and Iree kingships. What I can tell you is that nobody influenced our decisions. The report has been submitted to the government.

“No member took a dime from anybody; of course people made offer to us, they brought money but we did not accept it. We were very fair to everybody. Nobody was witch-hunted in the report. Everything that transpired on the whole issue was taken note of and was considered in the prepara on of the report of the commi ee.

“If the affected kings know that what former governor Adegboyega Oyetola did was normal, they do not have reasons to fear at all. It is only those whose appointments did not follow due process that the commi ee recommend fresh process to the Governor. However, the government reserves the right to make a final decision on it.

“We followed the scope and terms of reference which asked us to only review what was done a er

July 16, 2022 governorship elec on. We did not touch decisions made before July 16. We only did what the Governor told us to do.”

It would be recalled that the commi ee had on January 3, 2023 submi ed its report to Adeleke.

Chairman of the committee, Revd. Bunmi Jenyo, said over 1,000 pe ons were received from aggrieved individuals on chie aincy matters in the state.

Crises had engulfed some towns following the alleged imposi on of monarchs by Oyetola a er he lost his second term elec on.

However, Adeleke set up the Chie aincy Affairs Review Commi ee to inves gate controversies surrounding kingship appointments made a er the July 16 governorship elec on.

The Governor assured that his administra on would study the report and the recommenda ons, promising that no one would be witch-hunted.

He said rule of law and due process would be applied in se ling controversy surrounding the selec on and approval of tradi onal rulers during the immediate past administra on.

Gboleru Ruling House Calls For Release of White Paper

This is just as the Gboleru ruling house in Ikirun

•Retains Famodun’s Selection Process

urged Governor Adeleke to release white paper on the recommenda ons of the Chie aincy Affairs Review Commi ee.

The ruling house said it was important for Adeleke to release the white paper on me to guide against misrepresenta on of fact and manipula on.

Prince Kayode Oyetunji, who spoke on behalf of the ruling house, commended Adeleke for his efforts at righ ng the wrongs on chieftaincy ma ers in the state, just as he charged the Governor not to entertain any misinforma on on Akinrun’s stool.

Recoun ng what led to

controversies on the Akinrun’s stool, Oyetunji said: “Gboleru Ruling House was never invited or contacted by the state or Ifelodun local government either orally or in wri ng to submit candidate or candidates to fill the stool of Akirun of Ikirun.

“There wasn’t any internal crisis within Gboleru

My Life Under Threat, Osun Monarch Cries Out

•As Police Arrest 4 Over Attack

Kazeem Badmus

THE Onisaara of Feesu in Iwo Local Government area of the State of Osun, Oba Moshood Alamu Oparonke, has cried out, saying that his life was under threat over the Agbowo kingship tussle.

Oba Oparonke called on the Inspector General of Police to come to his aid, saying some people were a er his life.

There have been controversies since the state government announced the eleva on of the Baale of Agbowo to a king status.

Onisaara, according to report, is the tradi onally cons tuted authority over Agbowo town.

The monarch appointed district heads to be in charge of towns under him for administra ve convenience, among which is Agbowo.

One of his district heads, Musibau AkandeGbenusola, was recently elevated to the Olu of Agbowo.

The development, OSUN DEFENDER gathered, was rejected by some indigene of Iwo who considered it an affront to the authority of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi.

It was gathered that some youths a acked the Onisaara’s palace on Sunday in protest against Agbowo’s elevaon.

Speaking with newsmen, Oba Oparonke said: “They a acked me. In fact, they wanted to kill me. They thought I was the one who promoted Akande-Gbenusola to the oba status. I told them it is the state government. But they didn’t listen.

“They are a er my life. And these people are very dangerous. I call on the state government and the Inspector General of Police to come to my aid and protect me”.

Four persons are said to have been arrested by the police in connecon with the a ack on the tradi onal ruler.

The medium had in its last week edi on reported that an organisa on, Ta’awunu Human Rights Ini a ve (THURIST) cau oned Governor Ademola Adeleke over the plan to install Prince Musibau Akand-Gbenusola, as the Olu of Agbowo.

The group, in a press statement signed by its Director General, Barr. Sulaymon A Tadese, said installing AkandeGbenusola is an a empt

to undermine the sovereignty of Oluwo.

It claimed that Gbenusola is not an indigene of the town, calling on the state government to refrain from installing him to forestall impending catastrophe.

The group further stated that the proposed installa on is an a empt by the government to set the peaceful Iwo town at serious communal crisis and upheaval.

ruling house filed before any court of law contrary to pervasive posi on of Jus ce of Osun State High Court who, in his crea vity, not only erred in law but instrumental to injus ce done to Gboleru ruling house, leading the government to jump Gboleru and ask next ruling house, Oba Ara, to produce candidate or candidates for the royal stool.

“Upon the pervasive decision of the said High Court, Gboleru Ruling House within two weeks of the decision swi ly approached the Appeal Court, Akurẹ, and as at November 17, 2021 served court paper and no ficaons to all par es, including the state government; the Governor, Commissioners for Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs and that of Jus ce Ministry, along with the Ikirun kingmakers.

“Sadly, and contrary to the rule of law, the state government, claiming to be following the judgement of the State High Court, ini ated and organised selec on of candidate for the royal stool through Ifelodun local government on November 19, 2021 which was two days a er they had all received the court papers. The illegal process produced a winner with six votes while distant second got one vote.

“The ac on of the state government to carry out selec on of a candidate for the vacant stool of Akinrun while the case has been ins tuted at the Appeal Court, was an unfortunately flagrant violaon of the rule of law, which totally negates democra c dividends and norms.

“It must be stated unambiguously clear that between November 17, 2021

•Continued on Page 6

•General Overseer of The Reedmed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye with the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke during the commissioning of Jennifer Etuh Medical Centre,Ifewara.

Oba Onisaara

Adeleke Promises Infrastructural Devt. In Rural Areas

GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke has declared that his administra on would focus on infrastructural development across the nooks and crannies of the State of Osun.

Adeleke paid a familiarisa on visit to the state Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Old Government Press Building, Aderin, Osogbo on Tuesday, where he promised his unflinching support and commitment to infrastructural development in the rural areas of the state.

The Governor who was represented by the Supervisor on Infrastructural Development, Dr. Bashir Salami, noted that all necessary requisite would be put in place to achieve his aim.

He stated that his administra on knows the importance and relevance of RAAMP project being an externally funded scheme working assiduously for the emancipa on of the grassroots people and eleva on of value-added chain through the rehabilita on and construcon of access roads as well as the construc on

of Agro Logis c Centre.

“The present administra on would provide an atmosphere for the project to achieve its mandate”, he declared.

The Governor said:

“I appreciate the roles that the project is playing in the development of the rural areas on one part, and that of the development partners on the other hand. This administra on would do everything possible within its power to achieve the best

for the state, so that our people would enjoy the dividend of democracy.”

Earlier, the Project Coordinator, Popoola Okediya, had explained that the excellent performance of the project under RAMP-2 qualified the state to par cipate in RAAMP.

Okediya stressed that the project, among other things, “would upgrade 160km rural roads; spot improvement would be done on 400km, as well as backlog maintenance and rehabilita on on

450km rural roads and rou ne maintenance.

“In addi on to the previous project, another component-agricultural marke ngwould focus on the construc on of AgroLogis c Centres in strategic loca ons, using the mul -dimensional indicators as laid down by the donor partners”.

He appreciated the support and cooperaon enjoyed from the state government for providing conducive and enabling environment for the project to operate.

Why 11 Osun Communities Are In Darkness — IBEDC

THE Ibadan Electricity Distribuon Company (IBEDC) has explained why 11 communi es in the State of Osun were experiencing power outage.

IBEDC said the affected communi es were without electricity supply due to technical faults, one of which was caused by vehicular accident.

21,834 Osun Indigenes Benefit From Adeleke’s Free Health Programme

Yusuf Oketola

NO fewer than 21,834 residents of the State of Osun have benefited from the free medical services organised by the state government to mark the 100 days in office of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Residents of the state had between February and April showed up at various designated centres across the state to benefit from the free medical services tagged “Imole Free Medical and Surgical Treatment’.

Adeleke had constuted a 10-member commi ee of health workers, chaired by the Chief Medical Director of Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Peter Olaitan.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo on Tuesday to mark the end of the free medical outreach, Olaitan said the commi ee gathered no fewer than 200 health workers from both the secondary and

ter ary health ins tu ons to work on the project.

Olaitan disclosed that the medical team engaged in intensive medical care throughout the period of the exercise, sta ng that ailments of various kinds were treated while different surgeries were done on pa ents.

While the flag-off was held in Iwo on February 15, 2023, Olaitan disclosed that the team visited all the nine federal cons tuencies of the state providing medical care, general and eye surgical procedures for the people.

He said: “a total of 21,834 ci zens of the state benefited from the program, while 10,543 benefited from medical, 9,133 benefited in the free eye care and 1,453 people benefited from general surgical care.

“Of the pa ents with eye care, 705 of them had eye surgery, while 2,415 were given free eyeglasses.”

The company in a no ce of power outage issued on Monday, said: “Dear esteemed customer, kindly note that due to a technical fault on the Ile-Ife TCN Sekona 33KV feeder, customers in the following communi es: Eleweeran, Ayepe, Moro, Edunabon, Ipetumodu, Yakoyo, Asipa, Akinlalu, Sekona, Odeomu and environs are experiencing power outage.

“Our technical team is working with TCN to ensure power supply is restored.”

Also, the distribuon company disclosed that its customers in Efon Alaye were also without power supply.

“Due to a vehicular accident which affected the Efon/Osu 33KV feeder, customers in Efon Alaye and environs are experiencing power outage. Our technical team is working to ensure power supply is restored.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” IBEDC stated.

Land Tussle: Community Tells Ekiti Govt. To Evacuate Citizens From Osun

Yusuf Oketola

INDIGENES of Ila-Orangun, Ila local government area of the State of Osun, have called on the Eki State government to evacuate ci zens of the state from Ila over a land dispute in the area.

The Ila indigenes said they would no longer tolerate alleged inten onal encroachment of Ila-Orangun land by some OkeImesi farmers.

Calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke and his counterpart from Eki State, Abiodun Oyebanji, to as a ma er of urgency intervene in the land tussle between Ila and OkeImesi farmers, the Ila indigenes said Eki farmers would be forced out of the land if no ac on is taken urgently.

The indigenes, at a mee ng a ended by all the tradi onal chiefs, religious leaders and sociocultural groups at Orangun’s palace on Monday, said the Supreme Court

of Nigeria had in a suit No SC. 411/64 ruled that Orangun of Ila is the original owner of that land, while Oke Imesi people are tenants in their present farming loca on.

The land in ques on according to the Obanla of Ila-Orangun, His Highness, Oba Samuel Otoola is between Orangun and Oke-Imesi at a place where Osun River joins with Oruro river.

O toola accused some farmers of Oke-Imesi of disobeying the court order by inten onally encroaching the land.

Also speaking, the Baamofin of Ila-Orangun, Dr. Olusegun Durotolu, emphasised that the Supreme Court had stated it clearly that Oke-Imesi people were tenants of Orangun in their present farming loca on.

Durotolu added that evidences of payment of Isakole to Orangun of Ila by Oke-Imesi people were contained in Archive Evidence, in File No 1131,

Volume II.

He explained further that in 1978 the matter was resolved by the Military Government and there was a mee ng between Ila Orangun and Oke-Imesi people where the land in ques on was finally returned to Ila Orangun people.

He said: “Past efforts to resolving this lingering boundary issue are yet to yield frui ul results and we therefore appeal to the Eki State government to evacuate their

people from Orangun’s land in Osun State, otherwise, our community would force them out of our land, except they are willing to recognise the over lordship of the Orangun of Ila and are willing to pay all the arrears of Isakole owing the Ila community.”

However, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Kayode Oyedotun and Orangun in Council resolvef to ensure that the ma er is handled peacefully for amicable resolu on.

Yusuf Oketola Yusuf Oketola

asphaltic overlay of Alajue/Adelebare, Lapeleke/Agate/Alusekere/old

by Hon. Bamidele Salam.

•Oyebanji, Ekiti State Governor

Ooni Of Ife Renames Americans With Ile-Ife Origin

THE Ooni of IleIfe, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has played host to some persons of American ci zens who traced their roots to the kingdom of Ife.

During the visit of the Americans to the ancient Ile Oodua Palace on Tuesday, Ooni Ogunwusi explained that the greatest joy was that of originaon.

“If you take a closer look at yourselves in comparison to your kinsmen and women here, you will agree with me that there is no difference between us. The only difference is that my own forefathers missed the boat that yours caught up with.

“So my dear children, you are wel-

come home and I pray that the meaningful names you are being bestowed with today will manifest in

all your endeavours.

“Luckily for you, your source (Ile-Ife) which is within the Federal Republic of Nigeria is filled with

lovely people and a very safe environment.

“So, I urge you to feel free and also in-

crease your economic presence in Ile-Ife as there are opportuni es for you all to reside and invest here.” The Ooni said.

World Malaria Day: Disease Still At Elimination Stage In Osun - Expert

THE Programme Manager, Malaria

Elimina on Control in the State of Osun, Dr. Olufemi Oroge, has asserted that the disease remains a public health concern, saying the fight against it is s ll at the elimina on stage.

Oroge stated that the state is making progress in the fight against malaria but not at the intended rate, no ng that Nigeria is contribu ng 31.3 per cent of global malaria deaths and leading with 27 per cent of the global malaria cases. He made this known on Tuesday during a radio programme held to commemorate World Malaria Day in Osun.

Oroge said: “Malaria preven on in Osun is s ll at the elimina on stage, it means that the disease is s ll of public health concern, and the state is ensuring that this is not so anymore.

“Osun has been making progress in this regard but not at the intended rate.”

The medical expert said there has been steady improvement, though Nigeria is not mee ng the target of the global strategy.

“The prevalence for Nigeria in 2018 was 23% and at that me in Osun State, it was 27.7, so we

were higher than the naonal average.

“However, in 2021, by the me the result of

the 2021 Malaria Indicator Survey came, Nigeria marginally improved, going from 23% to 22%.

“Osun State did a lot be er, going from 27.7% to 19.3%. The average for Osun is be er than the na onal average, but it shows we s ll have a long way to go”, Oroge said.

He advised that the best malaria control s ll remained the use of mosquito-treated nets and communal efforts and ge ng tested for malaria.

Chieftaincy Review C’ttee Recommends Fresh Process For Akinrun, Aree...

•Continued from page 4

when court papers and nofica ons were served and October 25, 2022, the state legal team presented their defence to the appeal court, Akurẹ, and despite the exis ng legal encumbrances, the state government was misdirected into appoin ng the winner of illegal selecon process as the Akirun of Ikirun in October 2022, just a day before hearing of the Gboleru Ruling House appeal case, in Akure.

“All government’s administra ve ac ons of selec on of a candidate and appointment of the candidate as Akirun of Ikirun were post-commencement of the appeal case.

“Gboleru Ruling House is therefore calling on the Osun State Government to reverse all the administra ve ac ons of the state government which are not known to Appeal Court as they were done a er we have commenced li ga on.

“The reversal to the posi on all par es were as at November 17, 2021 will demonstrate our firmed commitment to the rule of law, and further ensures promo on of democra c process.

“We, the Gboleru ruling

house, is therefore appealing to all lovers of jus ce, equity and peace, and all those who really and truly believe that all power belongs to merciful God to intervene with the fear of the

Creator who we will all give account of our stewardship to one day, to intervene in a way to ensure jus ce is done. We further appeal to Governor Adeleke to re-

lease white paper based on a good job we are believing the commi ee set up to look into the chie aincy ma ers, par cularly as it affects royal stool of Akirun of Ikirun.”

Earlier, Ambassador Dotun Taylor who led the Americans to the palace, explained that the visitors were convinced that they were of African origin a er a scien fic test popularly known as “Ancestral DNA” confirmed that they had a high concentra on of the African gene.

“This is the commencement of a process that will lead to the naturalisa on of foreigners who are of black origin to becoming Nigerians and par cularly Yoruba sons and daughters.

“We are working with all needed authori es in this regard, including the Ministry of Interior and the tradi onal ins tu on under the leadership of our father, the Ooni.” Taylor said.

Speaking on behalf of the Americans, Mrs. Delzora Dotson, who is now to be addressed as Mrs. Delzora Omolewa Dotson, described the experience as worthwhile, explaining that she could not wait to tell her friends and family members about her discovery.

“Right now, I am feeling the connecon of origina on and I am happy to be back home.” She said.

Osun Govt Bans Trading At Civil Service Commission

THE Government of the State of Osun has banned buying and selling by civil servants at the State Civil Service Commission, Osogbo.

In a statement signed by the Coordina ng Director, Osun State Civil Service Commission, Mr Marouf Olawale, the civil servants were warned to desist from turning the premises of the commission into a hawking center.

According to Olawale, any visit to the commission by any civil servant should henceforth be strictly for official reasons, to allow members of staff to perform their du es effec vely without any

hindrance.

The statement reads in part: “It has been observed, with dismay, that the Civil Service Commission, which under normal circumstances, should be a sacred place, has been turned

to something else.

“Henceforth, all unofficial ac vi es which include buying and selling and indiscriminate visits to members of staff and the likes are also considered inappropriate and hereby

prohibited”.

Olawale explained that the commission is a body that is charged by law to handle sensi ve issues such as appointment of senior officers, promo on of Civil Servants, taking disciplinary ac ons on erring officers among other official ma ers.

He noted that the premises of the commission is not a place to trade and pay undue visita on, adding that all official ma ers to the commission should be channeled formally through appropriate agencies of government.

“No civil cervant should visit the commission personally for his/her official ma er”, said Olawale.

•Adeleke

Yusuf Oketola

Kazeem Badmus

Yusuf Oketola

•The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi presenting certificate of Origin to Americans who traced their root to Yoruba race in his palace recently.

HIV/AID: We Are Alive To Our Responsibilities - OSACA

Kazeem Badmus

THE Osun State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS has said it is alive to its responsibili es of preven ng the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the state, contrary to the report that it is not func oning as expected.

In a statement signed by its Project Manager, Dr Akin Oyebade, the agency said it has been going through the nook and crannies of the state to engage in Community HIV tes ng in order to iden fy every person living with HIV and enroll them for treatment.

According to Oyebade, there is no shortage of condoms and HIV tes ng kits in the state, no ng that there is a procedure to get the commodi es by relevant stakeholders.

He stated that the focus of the State Government and OSACA is to achieve the goal of the SPEED project and SURGE strategy of achieving 100% satura on before the end of 2024.

Oyebade said the state has been able to place 16,256 persons living with HIV on treatment out of the 29,936 people with the virus.

The project manager added that OSACA alongside

other stakeholders conducted quarterly Joint Suppor ve Supervisory Visits (JSSV) to HIV Service Delivery Points to offer technical support to HIV service providers.

He said: “The State cur-

rently has 16,256 persons living with HIV on treatment out of 29.936 es mated number of people living with HIV. This means that about 54% of people living with HIV have been successfully placed on treat-

ment as against the target of 95%. The goal of the SURGE strategy is to ensure that the State scale-up from 54% to 80% before the end of September 2023, meaning that it is likely Osun State will achieve

100% satura on before the end of 2024, even surpassing 95%.

“The SURGE strategy has been u lised in several states in Nigeria to achieve 100% satura on within the shortest

9,484 Drivers Licences Yet To Be Collected In Osun, Two Other States – FRSC

Yusuf Oketola

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zone 11, comprising Osun, Oyo and Ondo states has said about 9,484 drivers licenses were yet to be collected in the zone.

This was disclosed by the Zonal Commanding Officer of the Zone, Assistant Corps Marshall Meshach Jatau in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Jatau noted that FRSC will soon commence a special opera on tagged “Show Your License” to address the situa on.

The Zonal Commander said the special opera on to be embarked upon would enable only licensed and authorised drivers/riders on roads in the SouthWest.

Speaking further, Jatau disclosed that the agency recorded decrease in road ac-

To Begin Operation Show Your License

cidents in the zone during the last eidel-fitr celebra on, sta ng that there has been improvement in motorists’ driving habit.

He said: “We noce a dras c reducon of accidents with only 30 road accidents in the zone involving 206 persons and 13 deaths while our men rescued 101 others.

“The deaths occurred in six routes within the zone in which motorcycle riders were predominantly in the fatality.”

He said that the leverage provided by accredited driving schools to undertake 15 session training programme for all motorcycle and tricycle riders would enable them to be licensed.

“The training will further expose motorcycle and tricycle

riders to the rudiments of safe riding habits, which would further reduce the

frequency of occurrences of accidents.

“It will give them insights on the need

to comply with road traffic laws and also improve safety pracces on our roads.”

possible me and Osun State will not be an excep on.

“This is the reason for the SURGE launched in the first place and why currently in every nook, cranny and hard to reach areas of Osun State, community testers have been deployed to iden fy every person living with HIV and link them to treatment. Placing people living with HIV on treatment, helps them to achieve viral load suppression, which leads to a reducon in the transmission of HIV and the control of the HIV epidemic.

“If there was a lackadaisical a tude to the control of the spread of HIV/AIDS by the State Government as erroneously stated, then Mr Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, would not have launched the SURGE strategy on the 16th March, 2023.

“The SURGE strategy has the capacity to ensure that Osun State achieves the 95-95-95 treatment target, 100% treatment satura on, elimina on of the transmission of HIV, control of the HIV epidemic and realisa on of the Sustainable Development Goal to end AIDS as a public health threat in Osun State by 2030.

“The focus of the State Government and O-SACA currently is to achieve the goal of the SPEED project and SURGE strategy which is to iden fy every person living with HIV through majorly the ac vi es of community testers to idenfy and link them to treatment to achieve 100% treatment satura on.”

May 29th: Beyond Fallacies And Wishful Thinking...

•Continued from Page 3

crease because the level of infla on in the last eight years has made nonsense of the N30,000 minimum wage of over a decade.

The people expect a declara on of restructuring, so that people of different zones will be allowed to operate at their own pace, have access to their resources and its management. The people want to know if in the signs of the mes the leadership feels that the economy of Nigeria can sustain the lavish lifestyle of the policians as it stands. Our country was run for years without a na onal carrier yet individuals fly private jets to socials to show strength, wealth and opulence. Laced with power. More ques ons are begging for answers and we are wai ng in earnest for the answers.

The new administraon is coming to meet a dead broke na on, not only broke but hugely indebted to other na ons. We need to come to an agreement going forward, that Nigeria is unable to

create another set of instant mul millionaires by reason of their elec on into the Na onal Assembly, as Governors, among others.

Chief Afe Babalola, while opining for an Interim Government, said he wished we had a partme legislature paid sitng allowances elected for service to the people. To him, discussion of the cons tu on, going forward, remains sacrosanct.

Let’s have a great desire to look ahead and get back to the basics. Public ins tu ons must be made to work for public good. Educa on of the ci zens to become a great value for the future growth of Nigeria. The economy of Nigeria should work for all Nigerians and not just a few. We need to declare an emergency in oil and gas sector to ensure that within the earliest possible me, we set up modular refineries around all oil wells. Let’s be sure we regulate the private refinery to be a great asset to the na on and not a burden to the people. Oil

should be given to Dangote refinery such that the price will not be beyond normal. We cannot start well if we don’t plan well. Oil is well if holis c approach is engaged.

There is a wrong noon about religious alliances and differences. There are lessons to be learnt from the EndSARS protests in Lagos. The Muslims wanted to pray and the others formed a wall around the Muslims. Jumat was held and Allah listened. On Sunday morning, the love was reciprocated. The Muslims also came. To this end, we know that there are problems that tend to divide us and there are problems that unite us. A hungry Funtua Muslim is faced with the same problem as the hungry Abeokuta Chris an. The unifying factor is hunger. Solve the problem of hunger and you have solved the problem of ethnic and religious differences in one full swoop.

Same thing applies to Unemployment, Educaon, Economy, among

others. The new administra on must ask all groups to come into an alliance with the government to chart a way forward. There must be concerted effort to address all burning issues. The Niger Delta issues, the Boko Haram, ISIS and bandits issues and the herdsmen and the Yoruba Na on agitaons. Pretence solves no problem. These are pulsa ng issues that we cannot wish away. Nigeria and Nigerians must chart a new way forward. We cannot con nue like this. We need to agree.

There is great hope ahead of us. The l ng Ship of State can now be consciously be stabilised with the joint efforts of all.

Our million li le pieces can be brought together as a formidable whole. We have seen these happen in the eyes of the Nigerian youths who have shown their thirst for a workable new Nigeria. This is the dream of most Nigerians going forward. We need our lives back. Come let us anew.

•The Democrat from ten (10) local governments across Osun State represents other coordinators present roll-up banner as birthday’s presentation to Honourable Rasaq Salinsile at his residence recently

“

ON the march again; looking for Mr. President; M.K.O is our man o!” That was the popular jingle of Chief M.K.O Abiola towards the June 12, 1993 general elec ons which he won under the pla orm of Social Democra c Party (SDP), but was annulled by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida military junta. Mr. Abiola was a successful business man and a philanthropist. He was seen by the majority of Nigerians as the messiah who would turn things around for be er, using his business acumen and interna onal connec on. Although he was from South-West, he garnered stupendous votes across the land, defea ng his rival candidate, Alhaji Bashir Tofa who contested under the pla orm of Na onal Republican Conven on (NRC) in his polling unit, ward and local government. That elec on was adjudged the freest and fairest by local and interna onal observers. MKO was a President that never ruled. I will, however, leave the rest for history.

February 25, 2023 Presiden al and Naonal Assembly elec ons have come and gone like the March 18 Governorship and States Assembly elec ons. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been declared by Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) as the President-elect and he is to be sworn-in on May 29 as the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces. Tinubu ardent followers believe that he has capacity to assemble best brains, round pegs in round holes that would work with him as a team that will bail Nigeria out, especially from its perpetual insecurity, corrup on and ailing economy. This belief is backed up by assemblage of his team between 1999 and 2007 when he held sway in Lagos State as the governor. His capacity to assemble most qualita ve people for the job made him not only perform but relevant ll date and in fact, contributed immensely to his emergence as the President among other factors. Immediately having taken the oath of office on May 29, President Tinubu must name his cabinet within 60 days and transmit it to Senate for confirma on.

Although there are 36 states’ Governors, Na onal and State Assembly members with their various roles, the balkanised federalism Nigeria operates relegates to the background other ruling structures but makes the President almighty and real custodian of oil money.

For a country with cultural, ethnic and religion diversity, federalism is a be er rec-

Beyond May 29, 2023

ommenda on as it will allow each region or state determine its priori es, policies, tradi on and internal security; it will ensure peace, stability and mutual accommoda on; it will improve service delivery, democracy entrenchment, guide against over concentra on of power and resources and ensure wider opportuni es for democra c par cipa on. In the circumstance, the states will maintain independence from the centre without undermining the integrity and sovereignty of the federa on. This is not just a theore cal postula on, it had been prac ced in Nigeria between 1954 and 1966 a er which the military forced themselves into poli cs, suspended the Federal Cons tu on and enthroned a military government which relied on obnoxious decrees for its central authority

and command. Con nuous military incursion into polics technically transformed our federalism to unitary system while we decep vely call it Federal Republic of Nigeria. Researches and evidences have shown that we were be er off in all ramifica ons during federalism than a er it was kicked out. Although the out-going President Buhari has signed 16 cons tu onal amendment bills that seek to remove some items like railway, prison and electricity from the exclusive list to concurrent list into law, it is s ll a mere scratch on the surface as far as federalism is concerned. There is need for devolu on of more responsibili es and revenues to the states. The revenue alloca on of 52.68%, 26.72% and 20.60% to federal, states and local governments respec vely is no longer

sustainable. It needs urgent restructuring via amendment to Sec on 162 of the 1999 Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Interes ngly, the Presidentelect seems to be an apostle of federalism as he prac cally demonstrated it in 2003 when he created 37 new local government areas (LGA) in addi on to the 20 local governments in Lagos State a er conduc ng referendum and ge ng the endorsement of the House of Assembly which signed it into law. Apart from the fact that these LGAs were not eventually listed in the Nigeria Cons tu on and se led inevitably as Local Council Development Areas (within their respec ve LGAs), President Olusegun Obasanjo illegally withheld over N10billion fund meant for Lagos local government as a punishment for daring almighty President.

Tinubu has a God given opportunity to make a cri cal change to deliver development; ini ate and follow through policies that can make Nigeria thrive; reconcile postelec ons widespread animosity across religious and ethnic lines. He must assemble the best team that will give competent and patrio c leadership especially in insecurity, corrup on and economy. Except there is poli cal will to rese ng and restructuring the present patching arrangement with quality leadership, four years will soon be over with our economic and security agenda remaining pipedream, making us to be scou ng once again for a Messiah, having been pushed further into the brink and overwhelmed more than ever with socioeconomic misfortunes.

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

THE progressives are generally defined as those favouring social reforms. Differing from conserva ves and tradi onists who are content with the status quo, the progressives aim at policies that will take society to new developmental level that guarantees, more and more, the welfare and prosperity of the majority of ci zens.

The common saying is that “birds of the same feather flock together.” Accordingly, be it poli cs or other social organisa ons, progressives come together on the basis of likeness of mind and interest to advance humanity to the next level, while conserva ves, reac onaries, radicals, revolu onaries, and centrist do likewise, for their various interests and agenda. It is expected that you will never find a reformist in a neo-Nazi movement. However, whereas flocking together on the basis of breed s ll obtains largely in the avian and animal world, humans seem to have moved on to a new perplexing level of breed-dilu on when it comes to bedfellow on ideas and interests!

Depending on the historical challenges of any specific country, one can plainly tell what the posi ons of the progressives are. That used to be the case in mes past in Africa, Nigeria not exempted. In Nigeria for instance, when Awolowo, Aminu Kano or Balarabe Musa speak, you know from which point of view and in whose overall interests; same for Ahmadu Bello, Adisa Akinloye or Umaru Dikko.

Things have changed dras cally and nas ly, especially since 1999. Today, either in poli cs or within various social organisa on, ideas, manifestoes and programmes have been relegated to the

The Progressives Dilemma

shadows. Congrega ons are no longer based on promo on of any ar culated social interests rooted in any lo y concep on. All that exist are various gangs promo ng private and clique interest basically deleterious to the common good. In poli cs, the major poli cal assemblies are as patently different from one another as six is from half a dozen!

Progressive minded ac vists and policians s ll abound in the land even as they are becoming an endangered species in an age when “the best are full of doubts and the worst are full of passionate intensity.” However, number has never been a disadvantage to votaries of good causes; their handicap has always been waned zeal to dis llate themselves as wheat away from chaff, then organise with passionate intensity.

Today, progressives, with very few excep ons, are sandwiched in a variety of reac onary and an -people assemblies, fearful for personal fortune and thereby silenced in words and ac on. With Nigeria trauma sed and endangered as it is, there is no graver me in its history demanding crystallisa on of progressive thoughts and ac ons in a purified and outstanding assembly.

The most cri cal ques on on front burner of the na on is the very one conserva ve and reac onaries do not want raised and progressive are fearful to proclaim and demand answers to: the queson of the structure of a na on that is named “FEDERAL REPUBLIC of Nigeria.” Any progressive minded patriot that has

not lost his/her progressive mind must know that the infidelity to that very name is the root cause of all trials and tribulaon the country faces, from me, and ll date – which is threatening to consume it. He/she must know that a thousand more general elec ons, however free and fair, can never produce persons that will right that wrong, having been premised on poli cs, poli cal par es, poli cal proceedings that are offspring of a deformed system and structure. Indeed, it is amazing grace that Nigeria is s ll standing; and perplexing that true progressives can claim that status in their invisible, ineffectual state wherever they are. One clear fact is that the me always propels a solu on from the belly of its problem.

With the outcome of the recent elecons, the upcoming inaugura on of a President, Governors and legislatures in many states as well as at the na onal level, the challenge is not purely that of administra on and policies to solve disparate economic, security and social problems. While not abandoning those, the main tasks remains to re-founda on Nigeria on a genuine Federal Structure and reconfigure its poli cs on clearly dis nguishable poli cal tendencies with poli cians that are truly commi ed to whatever they profess; and the execu on of elec ons on clearly defined and accepted format by INEC. If those are what we achieve in four years, it would have been enough. If not achieved, even the security, economic and social achievements will be a mirage.

“Tinubu has a God given opportunity to make a critical change to deliver development; initiate and follow through policies that can make Nigeria thrive; reconcile post-elections widespread animosity across religious and ethnic lines”