Osun Defender Online Version of December 09, 2022

THE press conference held by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osogbo, on Tuesday, must provide the founda on upon which to reconstruct the progressive movement which has been so beneficial for the people of the State of Osun.

The rebirth of the progressive move-

“This is our tradition, the tradition that brought us to power in 1999, returned us to power again in 2010 and kept us in power for three terms. Progressive governance in Osun, headed by our leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, gave the state its biggest development fillip in all ramifications”

ment must be undertaken with “the fierce urgency of now”. In his excellent address on

behalf of APC leaders, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam correctly reflected the urgency as well as its moral and poli cal impera ve.

The former Speaker of the State House of Assembly traced the antecedent of today’s progressive movement way back to the advent and the posi ve impact of the Ac•To be Concluded on Page 3

Osun APC Set For Reconciliation

THERE is a new hope in the State of Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The fac onal crisis which had eaten deep into the fabric of the party appears to be going into ex nc on, following the cessa on of hos lies and call for genuine reconcilia on from members of the party who are followers of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

APC had been fac onalised along two parallel camps of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led IleriOluwa and The Osun Progressives (TOP), who are Aregbesola’s loyalists.

The fac onal crisis robbed the APC of victory at the July 16 governorship elec on.

However, members of the party have resolved to sheath their sword and settle their poli cal differences which has lingered for over three years.

To achieve a united party, the APC members led by former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, on Tuesday announced the dissolu on of all fac ons and the popular caucus of the party, TOP.

This is just as the State Ac ng Chairman of the party, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, welcomed the decision of

the party members, saying the party is not opposed to genuine reconcilia on.

Lawal said he is happy that members of the party are toeing the line of peace which has no alterna ve for poli cal stability, tranquility and improved fortune for the APC.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, Salaam who led other APC members, described the loss of the July 16 governorship elec on to the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), as painful and a mere distrac on.

Salaam declared a cessa on of hos li es within

the APC, just as he invited other progressives in other caucuses in the party and like minds across the state to join them in the new project of reuni ng members of the party.

He assured the people of the state that the progressive party that promotes

Aree Stool: Community Leaders Submit Memorandum To Chieftaincy Affairs Committee

SOME community leaders in Iree, Boripe North Local Council Development Area of the State of Osun, have submi ed memorandum to challenge the installa on of Prince Raphael Oluponle as the new Aree before the Chie aincy Affairs Review Commi ee cons tuted by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The community leaders who spoke through the leadership of Iree Council of Elders in collabora on with Iree Progressive Associa on at a mee ng held with stakeholders of the community on Tuesday, demanded a reversal of the appointment of Oluponle as the town’s tradi onal ruler.

They commended Governor Adeleke for se ng up a review panel on all appointments of tradi onal rulers at the twilight of the immediate past administra on.

Speaking with newsmen shortly a er the

mee ng, the Asiwaju of Ireeland, Engr. Adenrele Afolabí, described the selec on process of Oluponle as fraudulent, saying it is against the tradi on of the town.

Afolabi said: “You would all recall that a similar press briefing was held on Monday, 7th November, 2022 when Boripe North Local Government Development Area unilaterally appointed one Prince

Oluponle, Raphael without allowing the Iwarefa Mefa (the kingmakers) to discharge their primary func on of screening the princes who had expressed their interest to fill the vacant stool.

“It was boldly stated that the en re Iree Community, through AreeIn-Council, Iree Council of Elders and Iree Progressive Associa on (IPA) bluntly rejected

the adop on of Warrant Chiefs in appoin ng Ademola as such method is alien to the culture and tradi ons of Iree.

“The en re Iree Community is highly delighted at the prompt response of the new administra on in righ ng the wrong done to Iree people by the government of yesterday. We, therefore, appreciate the steps so far taken by this administra on.”

their interest, protects their values and guarantees their rights is alive and ready to champion their cause once again.

The former speaker of the State Assembly said APC is the pla orm for Omoluabi (virtuous) poli cians and not the theatre of absurdity for all comers, regardless of character.

Salaam thanked leaders of the party for their belief in salvaging “their heritage regardless of the circumstances of the prevailing misunderstandings.”

He said: “We are gathered here today, given the trajectory of our party and the electoral misfortune we suffered in the governorship elec on of July 16, 2022, leading to our painful loss, to espouse our resolve and the way forward.

“We are here to inform the generality of our members and admirers that the progressive party that promotes their interest, pro-

Looting: Group Urges Adeleke To Recover Stolen Properties

Acivil society group, Center for Social Jus ce and Public Protec on (CSJPP), has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke of the State of Osun to recover all government property allegedly taken away by some officials and poli cal appointees of the immediate past Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on.

The group, in a statement by its Coordina-

tor, Akin Akanji, said it is uncivilized for ‘expired government officials’ to cart away proper es bought with taxpayers money.

According to the group, the reported loo ng of the government’s proper es speaks volume of the quality of people that perpetrated the alleged act.

Describing the act as an a empt to plunge the state into avoidable financial expenses, the group said that the

new administra on will have to spend another huge amount of money to furnish the Government House and other official quarters allegedly looted.

The statement reads in parts; “As a civil society group, we received with utmost sadness, the report of loo ng of the government house by the immediate past administra on.

“Although, it is s ll an allega on, we urged the state government to without being vindic ve,

thoroughly inves gate it and make sure that those found culpable return the property.

“It is saddening that a er collec ng juicy salaries, people s ll loot government property acquired with taxpayers’ money.

“Osun state as we all know is not financially buoyant and if the stolen property were not returned, the government will have to purchase new ones and the repelling effect will be on the already drained taxpayers”.

tects their values and guarantees their rights is alive and ready to champion their cause once again.

“Our party has a tradi on of progressivism da ng back to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Ac on Group in the First Republic.

“The progressive government of Awolowo’s AG provided free educa on, integrated rural development, quality healthcare delivery, enhancement of agriculture and industrialisa on which boosted the living standard of the people and created a 50-year development gap between the South-West and other regions.

“This is our tradi on, the tradi on that brought us to power in 1999, returned us to power again in 2010 and kept us in power for three terms. Progressive governance in Osun, headed by our leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, gave the state its biggest development fillip in all ramifica ons. We are going back to our roots. The present setback is a mere distrac on.

“Therefore, I, Right Honourable Najeem Folasayo Salaam, conscious of the huge responsibility of history and the support of our sincere and commi ed progressive leaders and members in the State of Osun, declare cessaon of hos li es and invite all genuine progressive to an all-inclusive mee ng for the rebuilding of our party within the next one week.

“We are therefore extending our hand of fellowship to everyone who is a progressive at heart and loves good governance in our party, in the other pares and independents who are hitherto not aligned to any party.

“This is a call for unity of purpose in our party and beyond. It is a call for burying the hatchet and work for the greater good and service to humanity through progressive governance.

“With the sole objec ve of ensuring ‘freedom for all and life more abundant’ for the people. Our party is the pla orm for Omoluabi poli cians not the theatre of absurdity for all comers, regardless of character.

“I am here to announce the dissolu on of fac onal tendencies of all shades in the party with the sole objec ve of harmonising all core Omoluabi progressives on a rebuilding mission that will bring us back to the leadership of our State and people.

“We are hereby dissolving The Osun Progressives (TOP) and the fac on of the party associated with

•From Left - Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, Former Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam (middle), and Revd. Lowo Adebiyi, Chairman of the defunct The Osun Progressives (TOP) (right), at the press conference announcing the dissolution of factions within the Osun APC, on Tuesday

Kazeem Badmus

Yusuf Oketola

Ismaeel Uthman

•

from Page 1 on Group in the early nineteen – fi ies. He sensibly pointed out that, the quest to make life more abundant remains the reason for the progressive movement.

The progressive government of Awolowo’s AG provided free educa on, integrated rural development, quality healthcare delivery, enhancement of agriculture and industrialisa on which boosted the living standard of the people and created a 50-year development gap between the South-West and other regions.

This is the tradi on of the progressives; the the one that brought it to power in 1999, returned it to power again in 2010 and kept it in power for 12 years in Osun. Progressive governance in Osun, headed by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, gave the state its biggest development fillip in all ramifica ons.

“We are going back to our roots. The present setback is a mere distrac on”, declared Salaam.

Seminally outlined by Salaam as a setback and a distrac on, we can also see wherein the crisis which is now being resolved

Resolution, Consolidation And Rebirth

by the path-breaking innova ve government of the symbol of the modern progressive movement, Rauf Aregbesola, resulted in the current debacle in reconstruc ng the Aregbesola tendency must be engaged as the trajectory, the engine room.

The lesson is that a movement united can never be defeated. The sage like admoni on of Najeem Salaam calling for unity must be heeded, swords must be sheathed. Fac ons are a distrac on and they have now been sensibly disbanded.

We restate here as progressives the wise counsel of Najeem Salaam, that “This is a call for unity of purpose in our party and beyond. It is a call for burying the hatchet and work for the greater good and service to humanity through progressive governance.

lies. The crisis lies in (to reflect the spirit of give and take as outlined by the former speaker) a misinterpreta on of the very essence of progressive ac vism and governance. This must now be redefined back to its original intent as outlined through

the pioneering work of Obafemi Awolowo and his helmsmen as “ the tradi ons, the norms of the preceding genera on weighs like a nightmare on the souls of the living”.

The a empt to repudiate the progressive thrust exemplified

THE DISCOURSES Interpreting The Big Tent

In 1979, in his address at NTA Ibadan, on the 12th of February titled ,”Light Over Nigeria “ Chief Obafemi Awolowo spoke on behalf of the masses, saying how good leaders should behave: “For too long, have the good people of this country been taken for a ride by some political leaders who, shamelessly, propound the false doctrine that politics is a power game. As far as I am concerned, politics is the art of selfless service to our fellowmen. Let me assure you that I can never and will never play pranks with the suffering masses of our country. To do so, as some others had done and are still doing, would be despicable and damnable.” A true description of what the Big Tent is all about. Away from the despicable and damnable treatment of the Nigerian people. KAZEEM BADMUS discussed with Comrade

WHAT Does Big Tent Stands For?

The Big Tent is an amalgama on of groups and people of like minds who believe that the way Nigeria has been going in terms of governance and administra on is not right. It is a group of people who believe Nigerians deserve be er irrespec ve of ethnicity, religion, or tribe.

We can not thrive and succeed in other na ons of the world and back home, we keep failing. Is it not the same set of Nigerians that go abroad? They trained here and they get abroad and become the best. The Big Tent wants to free Nigeria from that shackle of backwardness.

What Peter Obi was saying and why he le the PDP is what people of like mind resonate it. Why should I use State money to entertain my friends? Why should I be given a plot of land because I’m a governor in a chosen area? He excused himself from receiving pensions as governor.

These are some of the things that our leaders are looking at.

Now as it is, the Big Tent is looking at Peter Obi as the third force. The third force in the sense that the other forces are spent forces. We’ve seen right and le and we see there is no difference between 6 and half a dozen.

What has been the response from the Southwest?

The response in the southwest has been magnificent. The likes of Pa Ayo Adebanjo are suppor ng us. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has not hidden the fact that he is under the Big Tent and that Tent idenfies Peter Obi as si ng in the driver’s seat because of his lifestyle. It is not about poli cal par es but a person we think can drive that change.

Do You Think Obi Stand A Chance Given that the Majority Of The Votes Will Come From The North?

Since everybody has been speaking

“With the sole objec ve of ensuring ‘FREEDOM FOR ALL AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANT’ for the people. Our party is the pla orm for OMOLUABI poli cians not the theatre of absurdity for all comers, regardless of character.

“I am here to announce the dissolu on of fac onal tendencies of all shades in the party with the sole objec ve of harmonising all core OMOLUABI PROGRESSIVES on a rebuilding mission that will bring us back to the leadership of our State and people.

“We are hereby dissolving The Osun Progressives (TOP) and the fac on of party associated with it to facilitate the unity of purpose that this me requires. For effecve closure, we will have a truth and reconcilia on forum within the party when fully restructured with a sole purpose of preven ng any recurrence of the ugly past.

“With this hand of fellowship and the olive branch, it is my belief that a new vista of hope, vision, passion and ac on will emerge in our Party. “.

Truer words never spoken, all true progressives must rally around the wise admoni on and let the rebuilding commence.

•Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola: Institutional memory of the progressive tendency.

Lanre Fadahunsi, South-West Coordinator, The Big Tent Independent Obi Datti Campaign Council.

We Are Just Victims Of Circumstance, Newly Recruited Teachers Beg Adeleke

THE teachers recruited by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on in the State of Osun, have urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to review the process of their employment instead of discarding them, no ng that they are just vic ms of circumstance.

The teachers, in an open le er to the Governor, highlighted six reasons why their appointments should not be nullified by the new administra on.

A copy of the le er dated December 2, 2022 and made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads in part: “With due respect sir, we are pleading to you on one of your orders parcularly, order No 3 which nullified the employment made by the past administra on a er the gubernatorial elec on dated 17th July, 2022.

“We want to plead to you to please review this process for the benefit of Osun State people, especially the newly recruited teachers.

“Meanwhile, the below reasons are enough in considering the newly recruited teacher as they are coincidentally the vic ms of the circumstance sir.

“In retrospect, the recruitment of 2,500 teachers started with wider adver sement in 2020 both in print and broadcast media.

“The prospec ve teachers applied for the work around February to March in 2020 with the payment of N3000.00 to purchase registra on PIN.

“We wrote exams around February in 2021; the delay they said was due to COVID-19 pandemic and EndSARS protest.

“We were screened and interviewed around MAY/JUNE 2021; the first batch of 1000 successful applicants got their appointment le ers in March 2022 as it was designed in batches.

“Subsequently was the selec on of second batch which was the last batch of 1,500 and they were issued appointment le ers in September, 2022.

“All the previous processes except the collec on of appointment le er were prior to the elec on.

“So, with the above listed points, it will be well appreciated and sincerely acknowledged if the new teachers are considered and allowed to con nue their roles, as most of us have been ac vely contribu ng to the development of our respec ve schools.”

Suspected Cultist Remanded In Prison Over Attempt To Kill Policemen

27-year-old suspected cultist, Temitope Balogun, has been ordered to be remanded in Correc onal Centre by an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly a emp ng

AYusuf Oketola to kill some policemen who were on patrol in Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun.

Balogun was said to have a empted to kill the policemen led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police,

Samuel Aruwa, when he allegedly fired gun at them while they were performing their lawful du es .

The suspect was arraigned on a fivecount charge bordering on conspiracy, possession of danger-

Ooni Warns Against Discouraging Women From Participating In 2023 Elections

TKazeem Badmus that a special space must be reserved for women in leadership for the world to be a be er place for all, no ng that government must do more to protect women from desperate poli cians who o en frustrate their interest in aspiring to lead.

HE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has warned poli cal gladiators against any a empt to discourage women from par cipa ng in the 2023 general elec ons in Nigeria.

Oba Ogunwusi stressed

He stated this at the grand finale of the annual

Queen Moremi Ajansoro Pageant at the Ojaja Arena, Ife Grand Resort, IleIfe, on Tuesday.

Ooni said: “We use this as a point of call to remind the world that a special space must be reserved for women in leadership for the world to be a better place for all. They own the home where all of us

belong, so they must be directly involved in governance.

“The government must do more to protect women from desperate poli cians, who o en frustrate their interest in aspiring to lead.”

Addressing newsmen ahead of the event, Oba Ogunwusi explained that

Queen Moremi Ajansoro annual pageant is that of leadership, culture and character.

In the same vein, the Moremi Ajansoro Global Ambassador, Chief (Mrs.) Olufunsho Amosun, explained that the ini a ve has achieved so greatly in mentoring young women and girls through the quali es of the legendary Moremi Ajansoro.

She said: “To us, all par cipants are winners because we groom them with the right knowledge, character and a ributes to face and conquer life challenges, so it is not only about the grand prize. We look forward to a very entertaining event here tonight.”

The facilitator of the programme, Olori Aderonke AdemiluyiOgunwusi, revealed that over 200 young women applied and went through several stages of screening for a winner to emerge.

At the end of the event, Miss Adediran Ayomide emerged winner of the pageantry who bagged cash prizes and a brand-new car courtesy of the Ooni of Ife, Amosun and other sponsors.

ous weapons, membership of unlawful society and a empted murder.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the defendant and others at large committed the offence on December 1, 2022 at Osun groove area of Isale- Osun in Osogbo.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Rasak Olayiwola, told the court that the accused person and three other suspects a acked the policemen.

Olayiwola said three of the suspects escaped during a gun duel between them and the police while Balogun was apprehended.

The offence, according to police Olayiwola, contravened Sec ons 516, 80, 82, 320(1) 86, and 62A of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2022.

But the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate. Mr. Adekanmi Adeyeba ordered that the suspect be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre.

The case was adjourned ll January 20, 2023 for ruling on bail.

•Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, addressing a parliamentary summit of Political Science Students, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, recently

•Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, flanked by dignitaries, with the winner of the contest at the event

Yusuf Oketola

Vox Pop Vox

Our Expectations From Gov. Adeleke’s Administration By Stakeholders

Optimal Utilisation Of The State’s Resources

WE first expect the Governor to be prudent, block all financial leakages and ensure op mal u lisa on of the State’s resources. A er ensuring fiscal discipline, the Governor must also find crea ve ways to rapidly boost revenue through exploita on of the State’s almost limitless agriculture and tourism poten als. He must also exploit the State’s strategic geographical loca on in rela on with other states in the South-West, to develop the State’s trade poten als.

We understand that expecta ons are very high, but the Governor must ensure that he manages expecta ons with exis ng reali es, to achieve results that are both good for the State’s survival and necessary for the restora on of public trust in government. He must dialogue with people every step of the way and ensure the openness of his government to the people it will serve.

It also must be stated that the Governor must seek to surround himself with only people who have proven records of professional accomplishments and are willing to truly serve the State. This is not a me to spend State’s resources on “job for the boys”. Osun presently requires the touch of seasoned administrators who can take the State from here to the point of bliss it should be.

We also advise the Governor to ensure that he builds a smooth working rela onship with the APC-dominated State House of Assembly that he inherits. The Governor must coexist peacefully with the State Assembly to achieve good results.

We Require Peace Building, Education Reform and Revival Of LG System

THE first task before the Governor is restoring peace in troubled areas. I see him toeing this path with his direc ve on the review of some appointments in the tradi onal ins tu on. Imposi on of candidate on the Akinrun stool resulted to loss of lives and property, with arbitrary arrest of our youths. The Governor should avoid further bloodshed in the state. He should ensure that peace reigns in every part of the state. He can achieve this by being just and promo ng jus ce. Social jus ce prevents crime and unrest.

I also want him to look cri cally into the educa on sector. Our educa on sector is suffering and the curriculum needs to be looked into. The public schools are in shambles; they are not maintained. I belong to many PTA associa ons and I am the Chairman of one, we contribute money to maintain the school. We have been maintaining the school by ourselves. The government was not forthcoming on the maintenance of the school. The curriculum should also be reviewed. Our own language, Yoruba, should be given priority as well.

Also, there is need to boost our security system very well. There will be no development in an insecure atmosphere. We look forward

to having a secured state where everybody will go about his or her business with peace of mind.

Payment of workers salary and pensioners’ en tlement is another area that the new Governor must focus on. It is disheartening that pensioners are being denied their en tlement a er long years of service. The new Governor should see to proper payment of pensioners’ en tlement.

Local government system is a dead project in Osun. Nothing is working at the local governments. It is a good thing that the recent local government elec on was nullified because there was no input from the grassroots people. It was just a kangaroo elec on where they manipulated everything and lavished our money with impunity. There should be a resurrec on of the local government system if the governor wants to succeed on his own work.

He should also be sincere about the tradi onal ins tu on. People have turned it into poli cal appointment and not tradi onal appointment again.

Above all, the Governor should govern with the fear of Almighty God.

Security of Lives and Property A Priority

WE welcome the Governor with prayer. The first area of focus of the new administra on should be security. We expect provision of strong and reliable security for lives and property of the people of the state. There should be no payment of lip services to ensuring security in the State

The new administra on should be consistent and obedience in upholding rule of law and maintenance of jus ce in the State. The welfare of the ci zens of the state must also be prio sed with regular payment of workers’ salary as and when due. We equally want the new Governor to pay a en on to regular payment of gratuity and pension to re rees and pensioners in the state.

Job crea on and employment opportunity is also important. The Governor should see to crea on of jobs and youth empowerment in the State without favouri sm, tribalism, religious or poli cal sen ment. We expect him to make provision for equal and enabling environment for all religions to operate in the State. No religion should be place over and above the other

The people of the state desire regular provision of social ameni es. We expect good governance and accountability and equally shared dividend of democracy in the State. The Governor should fulfil his party’s manifestos and all promises made before elec on.

The people of the state require programmes and projects that will make Osun more a racve through good architecture and aesthe c

Respect For Rule Of Law, Due Process And Accountability

THE Osun Civil Socie es Coali on welcomes the new Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to the state. The bedrock of any good governance process is respect for rule of law coupled with transparency and accountability. We enjoin Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administra on to have maximum respect for rule of law. He should always follow due process in administering the state; this will save him from controversies. The me for poli cs and campaign is gone, it is now me for governance, and governance requires following the established rules and regula ons.

We will like the governor to be hos le to poli cal brigandage, thuggery and impunity. The peace of the state should be of utmost paramount to him. Security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of every government. This is followed by the welfare of the people. The Governor should review security architecture of the state and ensure adequate security for the people of the state.

Governor Adeleke should cri cally look into

educa on, agriculture, tourism and mining sectors. Our educa on system should be improved upon to return Osun to the top of the table among the states with excellent educa on performance. Agriculture, tourism and mining sectors are jackpots which should liberate the state from dependency on federal alloca on. Unfortunately, these sectors have con nuously been begging for a en on. The new government should explore their poten als for the overall development of the state.

Road infrastructure and water provision are another key areas needing urgent a en on. We would like to urged Governor Adeleke not to abandon the road construc ons embarked upon by his predecessor. This is to avoid wastage of tax payers money and record of abandoned projects. We note, we every sense of responsibility that comple ng the ongoing project will speak well for Governor Adeleke’s administra on and register him as a civilize governor in the minds of the people of the state.

•Rt. Rev. AmosChairmanOgunrinde, Christian Association of Ni- geria,

State of Osun

designs, and improvement of our tourist centres/places.

Importantly, we expect immediate cons tu on and inaugura on of Nigerian Inter Religious Council (NIREC) to further enhance peaceful co-existence among Chrisans and Muslims in the State Government’s doors should be le opened to all stakeholders without any sen ment or religious affilia on for posive and progressive dialogue. Above all, the Chris an community in Osun expects the new government to return all mission schools to the original owners for high moral standard and proper management with annual grant to the schools just as it is being done in some other states.

•Ayo

Ologun

Spokesperson Transparency and Accountability Group

•Alh. Mustafa Olawuyi Chairman Osun State Muslim Community

Stakeholders in the State of Osun have begun to set agenda for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. ISMAEEL UTHMAN presents the direction which the stakeholders want the new government to go.

•Com. Waheed Lawal Chairman Osun Civil Societies Coalition

Religion

AHUUDHU

Billahi

In the name of Allah, We thank Him, we appreciate Him, we seek from Him strength of faith. Whoever Allah guides is in the path to true guidance. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the soul of Prophet Muhammad.

Almighty Allah says in the Quraan: Hold unto the path of Allah, and do not segregate

JUMAT SERMON JUMAT SERMON

By Imaam Oluwatoyin Yusuf

The Prophet also underscores the beauty of this Islamic unity when he says: “A Muslim in a good relationship with a fellow Muslim is the similitude of layers of bricks, one strengthening the other.

Having nomenclature for the purpose of identification is not new in Islam. It started with Muhaajiruun, those who migrated with the Prophet from Makkah to Madeenah, and Al Ansaar, those who received the migrants in Madeenah and accepted Islam. The unity between the Muhaajruun and the Ansaariy pointed and still points to the fact that unity epitomizes strength. They accommodated each other, they married from among each other, they prayed and worked together despite the fact that they were from very different backgrounds. Makkah from which Muhaajiruun came was populated by pagans while Madeenah where AnsaarIy lived was inhabited majorly by Jews and Christians. Yet, the unity of worship and purpose in Islam brought them together.

When we were growing up, we knew societies such as Ansarudeen, Nawairudeen, Anwaarul Islaam, Ahmadiyyah and much later, Mubaarakah. Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria activities were restricted to institutions of higher education, where members did a lot to change the plight and status of Muslims from that of second-class undergraduates to the same level with their non Muslim counterparts.

Children from Ansarudeen or Nawairudeen homes would attend Arabic schools founded and funded by Islahudeen for instance, and there were no grudges. Mosques were for Muslims not for members of a particular society. For several years, I observed Jum’at services at Ansaarudeen Mosque while I belong to Mubaarakah. Nobody scolded me for that, not even in the least, my Mallams.

Today, however, we have Muslims only when we complete forms or we are in the midst of non-Muslims. When Muslims come together these days, they do not see one another as brothers. They are not Muslims or they do not refer to each other as Muslims. Today, our brothers no longer hold fast unto the faith or five pillars of Islam, rather we hold unto sects: Tableeghi, Salafy, Soofiy, Ahlu Sunnah, MSSN, etc. Surprisingly, the societies of old, the Ansarudeen, Nawairudeen etc still maintain sanctity of Islam and sanity thereto

Whither Unity Among Contemporary Muslims?

attached.

Members of different sects are hoisting high the banners of their founders and leaders and folding those of Islam. We now separate mosques, we choose which Imam to follow. We see the path to Aljanat from the perspective of the leaders of our sect or the book they have written and not by the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet.

Once, an Arab went to the Prophet Muhammad and asked him: “Oh! Messenger of Allah, if I complete my daily prayers and I fast in Ramadan and steer clear of what has been prohibited and stick to that which has been sanctioned, will I make it to Aljanah?” The Prophet said, “Yes”.

This hadeeth no longer seems to have any relevance. Muslims now refer to one another as Kuffaar (non-believers) because they belong to different sects. To these brothers and sisters, the length of our beards and trousers, the colour, length and thickness of our women’s veils, the cap we don, the length of our rosary, the hours we spend at ‘ Saawi’, the length and firmness of our turban now determine who will make it to Aljanah.

An Egyptian academic observes, “We hold unto beards and veils. We have forgotten the Prophet’s large-heartedness, sense of forgiveness, and strength of character.”

The Prophet is reported to have said that whoever refers to a fellow as a Kaafir without any proof of Kufr, such a statement returns to him. Even when Allah is clear about some issues, we still have “scholars who dig and research further” to give their own opinions to their adherents. This is in sharp contrast to what the Prophet has said:

Interpreting The Big Tent

•Continued from Page 3

about BIVAS, no member of the Labour party has complained about it. I was a newscaster for AIT Osogbo when the 2018 elec ons were held and boys of 7,8,9 years old were on the line with PVCs. These are the things that would not be part of the 2023 elec ons because of the BIVAS.

The kind of what has been happening before is not going to happen in this elec on. People, for the first me in a long me, want to be loved and served by the na on. The government is supposed to be a service to the people. The first place where we missed it as a na on is that we elect those who don’t have a second address as our leaders.

During the olden day, you are elected based on your commitment and contribu ons to your society but now, one godfather will seat down somewhere, look for a stooge and put him in a place where he will be controlling him. We can’t get people to be served that way. For once in a long me, let’s get it right. Boys of 20 to 25 years have not seen anything good about Nigeria.

The majority of our groups that went to school back then and enjoy free educa on are the ones throwing around stupid policies against the populace. They closed the university for 8 months here and attended their children’s gradua ons abroad.

Youths Form The Core of Peter Obi’s Followers. What Are You Doing to Ensure These Youths Come Out To Vote On Elec on Day?

INEC has come out to say it’s going to give Africa the best and most credible elec on in 2023. INEC said they were shocked that the number of people who registered is more than 9 million young people. That is a signal. Some people are fed up. They never enjoy life as Nigerian and they want a new government.

The youths resonate with Obi because they realize he speaks their minds. The youth popula on of Nigeria is a structure on its own and I’m sure they will come out to vote for Obi next year. Nigerians deserve be er and the youth are ready to take the bull by the horn.

What Will Be Your Message Going Forward?

The number one message to people is that they

•Fadahunsi

should allow for a seamless transi on. People should not violently want to force their wishes on others. There should be coopera on so that we can have a free, fair and credible elec on. If that is done, I think we’ve solved the problem of Nigeria by half. If people s ll believe that they want to write the results of elecons and use the judiciary to subvert the will of the people, they cannot.

I also want to urge the youth not to allow the policians to use them to cause mayhem because I’ve not seen any poli cian push his children forward to cause chaos. We should just allow things to go the way they should.

Nigeria and Nigerians can not breathe as it is and so, we should allow them to breathe.

“Verily, Allah has decreed certain things as obligatory, do not hesitate to do them, and has set limits to certain things, do not exceed the limits, and has prohibited certain things, steer clear of them, and has kept quiet about certain things not that Allah has forgotten, but has made such merciful for you, so, don’t research into them.”

When we have left what Allah has made clear about Islam and we decide to follow leaders of sects or sundry scholars, we welcome disunity and infighting gains momentum. The Almighty has warned elsewhere in the Quraan: “This is My Path (Islam), hold unto it, do not hold unto sects lest you disintegrate...”

Muslims are fast falling apart. Those who know, those who are seen as scholarly are harsh in their approaches to Da’wah and correcting people. Instead of using soft appeal, they rain curses and abuses on fellow Muslims because of ideological differences; ideologies outside the five pillars of Islam and the Articles of Faith.

How do you call a man who prays regularly and fasts Ramadhan, a Kaafir, simply because he barely puts a cap? How do you refer to a fellow Muslim as an extremist simply because he keeps beards? How do you refer to a fellow Muslim a mushrik because he bends to respect elders? And how do you call a Muslim a fundamentalist because he keeps his trousers above the ankles? Are we turning ourselves to Secretary of Allah when He doesn’t deserve any?

What does it take from us or cost us to hold unto what Allah has made clear about Islam to unite clear and steer clear of divisive tendencies and elements? Islam is a beautiful religion and its beauty lies in the unity of Muslims, which gives them strength. As long as we pray regularly together, fast during the month of Ramadan and distance ourselves from Allah’s prohibitions, we are brothers. We don’t have to probe into each other’s covert doings. Doing so will result in saying what we do not know about the person, and consequently fall into backbiting, which Allah has likened to cannibalism:

“ ...stay clear of shrouded issues for part of it is a sin, do not backbite and do not probe into each other’s doing as to give false information, Or who among you would consume the flesh of their dead brother?...”

May Allah accept our ibaadah. May He make us firm in His path.

Wa sola Allaah ala sayyidna Muhammad, wa ala Ahalihi,wa as’haabihi aj’maiin.Subhaana robbie,robbil izzati amma yaifuun.

•Oluwatoyin Yusuf Imaam, OSBC Muslim Community.

Sports

NSF 2022: Islamiyah, Kayode Bag Gold As Osun Rake-In 23 Medals

2Ali Ibrahim the trio of Odesanmi Kayode, Oyegbade Ayomide and Francis Okwu had won Gold medals in Swimming and Team Shoo ng Games respecvely, on Tuesday.

022 Commonwealth Bronze Medalist, Islamiyat Yusuf and a young Shoo ng expert, Odesanmi Kayode, have raked in two more Gold medals for Osun in the ongoing Na onal Sports Fes val in Asaba, Delta State.

While Islamiyat clinched Gold medal in the female Weightli ing 64kg, Odesanmi won a Gold medal in the Male Shoo ng Game to increase the tally of Osun Gold medals to four.

It will be recall that Ti layo Badmus and

Islamiyat similarly clinched a Silver and Bronze medal each in 64kg Weightli ing to make it three medalhaul by her.

Also on Wednesday, Yusuf Rasheed Olatunji won a Bronze medal at the Decathlon while Tilayo Badmus took home another two Bronze medals in Swimming a er Julius Grace had bagged silver in Female Shoo ng Game.

In total, Osun have won 23 medals i.e four Gold, eight Silver and 11 Bronze and are also expec ng more from the remaining games

The 21st edion of the Na onal Sports Fes val will climax Saturday.

mina Shaytooni Rrojeem, Bismillaahi Rrahmaani Rraheem

Imaam Oluwatoyin Yusuf

Osun Labour Party Raises The Alarm Over Incessant Attack On Members

Adedolapo Bamisedun

THE Chairman of Labour Party in the State of Osun, Comrade Bello Adebayo, has said members of the party in some communi es in Ijesaland were endangered species because of the constant threats to their lives.

Adebayo said members of the party have fled their various communi es due to incessant a ack on them, calling on the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Patrick Kehinde Longe, to arrest the situa on before it results to loss of life.

According to Adebayo, members of the party were a acked last week Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Owode, Igangan and Olopon communi es in Ijesaland.

One of the vic ms of the a acks, Rabiu Ismaila, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER at the weekend at Wesley Guild hospital, Ilesa where he was being treated, said he was a acked by the hoodlums because he pasted LP candidate’s posters.

Ismaila who was on admission bed said: “I was at the commercial motorcycle park at Owode on Wednesday, November 30 when these guys called me. They were about five or six. Those guys are from Iwara. As I was going to

them, one of them suddenly unleashed machete cut on my head. Everybody there was afraid because nobody dare confront those guys whenever they start making trouble.

“All of them sorrunded me and forced me on an awai ng bike. I was taken to a place a er Olopon. Immediately they got to that place, they started mache ng me. They were all armed with guns, cutlasses, axes and other weapons.

“I was a acked to the extent that I couldn’t talk or move again. I faintly heard one of them saying “this guy is about to die. let’s leave him”.

“A commercial motorcyclist who saw me on the ground rushed to our community to inform the people that I have been killed. They came and carried me to Wesley Guild hospital in Ilesa here. I regained my consciousness a er three hours.

“I know all those guys. They are working for PDP. I was a acked because I pasted the posters of Labour Party House of Representa ves candidate, Kunle Gideon, popularly known as Aloba. That is my only offence. We are living in fear in that area.”

Another vic ms of the a acks who craved anonymity said the same hoodlums that a acked Ismaila came to a ack

other members of the party late Thursday.

He said: “Around 11pm on Thursday, some thugs came to our village, Olopon Ajegunle and started a acking members of the Labour Party. They came to my house; forced their way inside and started destroying my property. Thank God we were able to escape.

“They were shou ng on top of their voices that they don’t want any other party than PDP. They said our area is owned by PDP and that we must all vote for the same party.

“All the Labour party members in that community slept in the bush that night. Our lives is in danger. These guys had earlier a acked one of our strong members on Wednesday. It is God that saved his life. He was attacked for pas ng Labour Party posters.”

Asked if he knows any of the a ackers, the Labour Party members said: “We know these guys but all of us are afraid of men oning their names, because if you men on their names, they will come back to a ack, even kill you. It has happened before. They had killed the person that menoned their names to the police before.

“One of the persons that came to a ack us is Tayo, notoriously known as Ijoba. The policemen in our area are not capable of handling these guys.”

Osogbo Being A City With No Street Lights Embarrassing - Adeleke Osun

THE Governor of the State of Osun, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has said that it is embarrassing that Osogbo, the state capital, is without no func oning streetlights.

Adeleke stated this while addressing party members and supporters during the presidenal campaign rally held by the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) at the Freedom Park, Osogbo on Wednesday.

He stated that he found himself in an embarrassing situa on when the PDP presiden al candidate, Alhaji A ku Abubakar, himself and other dignitaries moved around the state capital on Tuesday night and discovered that the whole city was without light.

The governor therefore promised to lit up the state capital.

He said: “I told our

incoming president that sorry, this is what we met on ground, but I can assure you that by the me you will be coming to visit us as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there will be light everywhere”.

Adeleke, who thanked the people of the state for supporting him and ge ng him elected as Governor, asserted that Osun had always been a PDP

stronghold, submi ng that they had earlier supported him in 2018 but he was denied the mandate.

He accused the APC of seeking to get things done through the backdoor.

No ng that it is a new dawn in the state, Adeleke promised to improve the economy of the state, ensure security of lives and property and priori se agriculture and educa on.

The Governor urged all Nigerians to vote for A ku, calling him a detribalised Nigerian, who is also the most experienced among all the presiden al candidates.

Describing A ku as a God- fearing person, Adeleke also submitted that Nigeria will grow from strength to strength under the Waziri of Adamawa as president, adding that he will also promote rule of law and due process.

APC Set For Reconciliation

•Continued on Page 2

it to facilitate the unity of purpose that this me requires. For effec ve closure, we will have a truth and reconcilia on forum within the party when fully restructured with a sole purpose of preven ng any recurrence of the ugly past.

“With this hand of fellowship and the olive branch, it is my belief that a new vista of hope, vision, passion and ac on will emerge in our party.

“We are Omoluabi in poli cs and everything we do. Omoluabi is the Yoruba encapsula on of the total person. An Omoluabi is a person of honour and integrity. An Omoluabi is chivalrous, enlightened, spiritual, kind-hearted and public spirited. An Omoluabi is not greedy, vicious, selfish or self-serving. Omoluabi personifies the very best of virtues,” Salaam

stressed.

Reac ng to the development, Lawal the State Ac ng Chairman of APC, appreciated the party members for giving peace a chance and ready to work for the unity of the party.

Lawal, in a press statement signed by the party’s State Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, said: “The state leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun received the news of the decision by ‘The Osun Progressives (TOP)’ to formally disband the group and the fac onal execu ves at all levels of the party in the state with an open arm which, it is believed, would translate to the reinvigora on of the party in all ramificaons.

“The decision of TOP to toe the path of working with the mainstream is a welcome develop-

ment as our leader, the immediate-past Governor Gboyega Oyetola, is also favourably disposed to any genuine and authen c reconcilia on.

“Therefore, we call on all members of the now disbanded group to reintegrate with the party at their respec ve wards and local government and join in the party’s acvi es towards the 2023 General Elec ons in respect of the Presiden al, Na onal and State Assemblies Elec on.

“On behalf of the state leadership of our party, current state execu ve commi ee of our party and the en re leaders and members of our party across the state, I hereby state that we are not opposed to a genuine reconcilia on.

“If one does not forget the injus ces of yesterday, it will be pre y difficult to have playmates.”

•Rev’d Caleb Adebanjo Ogunleye (right) receiving his Doctorate degree in Divinity from Christ-Pattern Theological Seminary, Ilesa, recently

•Adeleke

Yusuf Oketola

Osogbo Being A City With No Street Lights Embarrassing - Adeleke

AT the beginning of this expiring year 2022, the Federal Government had contemplated removing oil subsidy by July, for the blind market forces to determine how much we would be paying for fuel per liter but for Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Civil Society Coali ons threat to mobilise people for rallies and mass protests that were to commence January 27, 2022 against the satanic decision, the removal was temporarily suspended. Speaking via the Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, in January 2022, the FG said it would hold the fuel subsidy removal indefinitely and work on 2022 budget to provide fund for that purpose, having realized that the “ ming of subsidy removal” would worsen the suffering of the people, especially the poor.

In addi on, the FG said it was coun ng on the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote oil refinery was expected to be producing by the last quarter of 2022. Again, FG was having a plan to rehabilitate the four moribund na onal refineries with the expecta on that their resuscita on would save the situa on. It is instruc ve to note that Zainab Ahmed had said the FG only made provisions for subsidy in the 2022 budget from January to June, 2022. This simply means that fuel price could start increasing from July.

Subsidy is a benefit given to an individual, business or ins tu on, usually by government. It is given to remove some burden in the overall interest of the public to promo ng social good or economic policy. It is a direct or indirect payment, economic concession by government to private firms, households to promote a public objec ve. Fuel subsidy was first introduced in Nigeria in the 1970s as an absorber to 1973 oil price shock. The Arab oil-producing countries known as Organisa on of the Petroleum Expor ng Countries (OPEC) had launched an embargo on sales of crude oil to the US to protest its support to Israel in 1973 Yom Kippur War – the Fourth Arab-Israeli War from 6th to 25 October 1973 – between a coalion of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria against Israel.

The FG argument for outright removal of fuel subsidy, like its predecessors, that money saved from subsidy removal could be better invested on reviving and building more refineries, roads and major infrastructures which would result to sustainable atmosphere for business growth and development that would translate to wealth crea on and rapid socio-economic development could only be accepted by the marines.

Yes, compared to the previous governments, President Muhammadu Buhari led administra on has done more social investment programmes from 2015 ll date, despite economic challenges associated with insecurity, COVID-19, etc. There is school feeding for primary school children; there is condi onal cash transfer payment to the poor and most vulnerable, N-Power where

“Removal of fuel subsidy as being contemplated by the FG will not only add to the pain, groan and poverty index, it will literally snuff live out of the poor people who are already in a living hell. ”

Removal Of Fuel Subsidy Is Unacceptable

N30,000 monthly is paid to 200,000 youth among others. But where are these resources going as they don’t reflect be er life for the people? In 2019, the Na onal Bureau of Sta s cs stated in its reports that 40.1 % Nigerians were poor, an average of four out of 10 individuals who had real per capital expenditure below N137,430 per year which translated to 82.9 million Nigerians. However, its 2022 last quarter report is very alarming as it has jumped from 40.1% to 63% which translates to 133 million muldimensionally poor people in Nigeria.

Just last year, 2021, President Buhari had set up Na onal Steering Commi ee to oversee the development of the Nigeria agenda 2050 and Medium-Term Na onal Development to succeed Vision:20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to pull 100 million people out of poverty by 2030. But all this seems to be theore cal as hunger, misery and poverty in the land combined with

NBS facts suggest that resources allo ed did not get down to the targeted poor people. Perhaps, this explains why President Buhari via the Minister of State for Budget and Naonal Planning, Clement Agba, had accused the State Governors of being responsible for increase in poverty index in the country. In a swi reac on, the Governors under the pla orm of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) accused FG of irresponsibility in addressing security challenges - bandits, insurgents, kidnappers -which have technically crippled commerce and economic ac vi es. According to the Governors, since FG could not ensure security of lives, nothing can be built on nothing, as all their efforts to upli the lives of their people were rendered useless.

If the truth must be stated, those who are in charge of pilo ng Nigeria affair-the poli cians - are so corrupt that any resource allocated for developmental projects, in most cases, ends up in their private pockets

at the expense of the welfare of the people. Although, most of the past poli cians who held public offices lived modest lives, the present crop of poli cians with very few excep ons live flamboyantly, stealing and crudely accumula ng resources in their care meant for societal development. EFCC and ICPC are overwhelmed with litany of corrupon cases by these poli cians with their civil servants accomplices.

As presently cons tuted, Nigerian ruling elite have no capacity or will power to steer Nigeria ship to the direc on of progress and development. Buck passing between the President and Governors over who is responsible for astronomical increase in poverty is an admi ance of their collec ve failure. Apart from their nomenclatures, there is no fundamental difference in their par es programmes and policies. The only difference is that one could go more extreme than the other in the use of thugs to a ack perceived opposi on. Their fundamental difference, especially the inseparable twins - APC and PDP- is that between six and half a dozen.

Removal of fuel subsidy as being contemplated by the FG will not only add to the pain, groan and poverty index, it will literally snuff live out of the poor people who are already in a living hell. The poor people, therefore, with their allied unions - NLC and TUC - in collabora on with civil society coalions, must stand up in unison to resist an attempt by the ruling elite to kill them via fuel subsidy removal. Whereas subsidy cannot be sustained forever, there is a clear solu on - refine our crude oil locally for all the products we need. Simple! So long as successive governments across par es refuse to do exactly that for insane reasons best known to them, the subsidy must stay.

A Nation Where Aberrations Reign

“ THE Nigerian Factor,” is a phrase that almost all of us are familiar with. As

“Opposite Peoples,” apologies to Fela Anikulapo Ku , we have moved from small blemishes condoned to life in a galaxy of psychosis. We were well warned of the impending doom that tolerance of a wayward life can lead us to as a people but we were too carried away to listen. Quiet apart from auguries in popular music, especially by Fela Anikulapo, we have the Avatar himself, Chief Obafemi Awolowo on record saying in 1986, “As long as Nigerians remain what they are, nothing clean, principled or ethical and idealis c can work with them. And Nigerians will remain what they are, unless the evils which now dominate their hearts, at all levels and in all sectors of our poli cs, business and governmental ac vi es are exorcised. But I venture to say that they will not be exorcised, and indeed they will be firmly entrenched, unless God Himself imbues a vast majority of us with a revolu onary change of a tude to life and poli cs or, unless the dialec c processes which have been at work for some twenty years now, perforce, make us perceive the abominable filth that abound in our society, to the end that an inexorable abhorrence of it will be quickened in our hearts and impel us to make dras c changes for the be er.”

Everywhere you look, within communies, social groups, professional associa ons, etc, what you see are errors, errors, errors, in the way things are done, with calamitous

consequences that push society further into the black hole of doom. Talk of trade unionism, students’ unionism, the Ivory Towers, the civil service, the Holy (religious) places, the Palaces of tradi ons, e.t.c, it is same of the same rot; we should not ever go to administra on at motor parks!

However, since poli cs determines everything else, let us limit our short examina ons to the hygiene (or lack of it) in the poli cal space for reasons of space. Poli cs, which is supposed to be “ac vi es associated with governance of a country or area” for the guarantee of rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” of the people has in Nigeria become the quickest avenue to personal enrichment. Poli cal par es have become the vehicles for moneybags to conspire to grab power in a do-or-die exercise. Mere councillorship aspira on to “represent” the best interests of the people of a Ward has become a mul million naira endeavour.

Dwight Eisenhower said, “If a poli cal party does not have its founda on in the determina on to advance a cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a poli cal party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power.” That concisely captures the state of poli cal par es in Nigeria - no ideology, no manifestoes, and no internal democracy.

Since poli cs determines all other aspects of life, it is no wonder then that the governance, the economy and social life consequent upon a poli cs not rooted in

any determina on to advance a cause that is right or moral, has propelled Nigeria to the edge of the precipice.

However, it is the people, the majority, that have a case to answer as to how their poli cs has wandered into the wilderness of self-service at the detriment of public good. Poverty and widespread ignorance are enemies of common sense. Nevertheless, enlightened self interest should sufficiently prevail amongst the majority to make them rethink a poli cal system heavily rigged against “life more abundant for the majority.” If for 23 years since 1999 they have tasted the bi erness of tribula on in the hands of the major poli cal par es and their henchmen, who crisscross the par es at will, then it must occur to the majority to interrogate the en re process beyond being made pawns in repeated elec ons that merely change government officials.

More fundamentally, the people, the majority must interrogate their moral standing; social commitment versus selfish interest; sense of duty and sacrifice; patrio sm; then if the score is low, the soul-searching must lead into individual redemp ve changes that can then be marshalled within their social organisa ons (Students, Labour, CSOs, Cultural, Social, Community, Trade associa ons, etc) for mighty opposi on to all exploita ve and oppressive systems pushing their country towards Armageddon. The earlier we all realise that self-help, indifference, capitulaon, or Japa is no solu on, the be er.

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above