Osun Defender Online Version Of December 22, 2023

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024 VOL 18 NO 49

Christmas: Nigerians Back Pg. 7 To Emefiele’s Era •Cash Scarcity, High Cost Of Commodities May Hinder Blissful Celebration Why We Reviewed Lease On NNPC Mega Station At Abere – OSICOL

•Says Contractual Agreement Unfavourable To State Pg. 6

•Development: The popular Oke-Fia roundabout in Osogbo, giving way as part of the ongoing dualisation of Lameco-Old garage road by the State Government.

N482m Constituency Project Funds Diverted In Osun Yusuf Oketola

C

ONTROVER SIES have surrounded the abandonment of four different projects in Ejigbo, Ede-North, Egbedore and Ife Central local governments of Osun State.

The projects, which included road rehabilita on, provision of motorized borehole, erosion control and construc on of civic centre which were

•Projects Remain Unexecuted After Payment To Contractors captured in the 2022 and 2023 budget of the Federal Government, have remained unexecuted, months a er payments were made for some.

A report by Tracka, a project of a nongovernmental organisa on, Budgit, indicated that the projects

were approved and funded by former President Buhari’s administra on.

According to Tracka, a sum of N413.6m was paid to First Broad Interna onal Ltd for the rehabilita on of Awo internal roads in Egbedore local government.

But the project has not been executed as of the me of filing this report.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that a sum of N4.3m was earmarked for the provision of motorised borehole at Ejigbo town.

However, the report

by Tracka revealed

that the project has not been done, just as it called on Niger Delta RBDA, the implemen ng agency of the project, to provide the public with report of the project and facilitate its execu on.

Tracka also claimed that a sum of N30m was allocated for the construc on of a Community Civil Centre in

Ara, Egbedore local government of Osun state, but the project has not been executed.

The project was reportedly handled by Cocoa Research Ins tute Ibadan, according to Tracka.

The sum of N30m was budgeted for Erosion Control at Modupeolu Avenue, Olorunsogo Community, Oke-Awere, OwContinued on page 2

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE TO OUR READERS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

2

News

N482m Constituency Projects Fund Diverted In Osun

•Projects Remain Unexecuted After Payment To Contractors

•A cross-section of intending retirees in the Osun State Civil service at a pre-retirment workshop held at the Local Government Service Commission Hall, Abere yesterday.

•Continued from front page

ode-Ede. As of the me of filing this report, nothing has been done on the project.

Tracka challenged the Federal Ministry of Environment to provide the public with details of the project and facilitate its execu on without delay.

Awo, Ara, Ejigbo and Owode-Ede are in Ede North/Ede South/ Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Cons tuency with Hon. Bamidele Salam as representa ve.

In Ile-Ife, a sum of N4.1m was allocated for the rehabilita on of Itayemoo Foundary Museum in the 2023 federal government budget.

Just like others men oned, the project was yet to be executed by the contractor, Nigerian Museums.

However, the abandoned projects have been genera ng controversies on social media in the state.

The Spokesperson of a civil society organisa on, Transparency and Accountability Group (TAG), Comrade Ayo Ologun, had taken to his facebook account to challenge Salam to provide details of the project fund.

Ologun submi ed that it’s me to call the a en on of the Federal Ministry of Works, Independent Corrupt Prac ces and Other Related Offenc-

es Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-

sion (EFCC) and other an -corrup on agencies to the projects.

He wrote: “Reports indicate that in October 2022, the

sum of N413.6m was paid to First Broad Interna onal Ltd for the Rehabilita on of Awo Internal Road in Egbedore, Osun State.

“This road is in Ede North/Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo federal cons tuency been represented by Hon. Bamidele Salam.

“Available report shows that this project has not been done.

The ques on now is, where is the over 400 million naira paid on this job.

“Time to call the a en on of the Federal Ministry of works, ICPC, EFCC and other an -corrup on agencies.”

However, in a swi response as a comment on Ologun’s post, Salam challenged

Osun Second In Indian Hemp Cultivation In South-West - NDLEA Kazeem Badmus

T

HE Na onal Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun State Command, has disclosed that the state currently ranks second in the cul vaon of Cannabis Sa va popularly known as Indian hemp in the SouthWest.

NDLEA’s Assistant State Commander, Administra on and Logiscs, Mr Ganiyu Adeloye, disclosed this on Monday while addressing members of the state command of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, in Osogbo.

Adeloye, who lamented that there are places in Ilesa that have been made inaccessible by those cul va ng indian hemp, charged the hunters to support the agency in ridding the state of illicit drug cul va on.

This is just as he appealed to residents of the state to collaborate with the agency in its bid to stop the use of illicit drugs.

The NDLEA boss also called for the support of hunters in the area of intelligence that could lead to the arrest and seizure of illicit drugs.

According to him, good knowledge of various hidden routes and almost ubiquitous presence of hunters across the state have made

members of the group worthy partners for the NDLEA, urging them to be good examples to residents by refraining from the use of illicit drug.

He said: “If we give no room for people to take hard drugs, there will be a dras c reducon in criminal ac vies and other vices in our society.

“That is why we implore the hunters to always report criminal acvi es to us since they are always privy to informa on in their various locali es and they also know all the nooks and crannies of various communi es than the NDLEA officers.

“Hunters have access to informa on in minutes, what we cannot see in three or four years. It is sad to announce to you that Osun State has been ranked second among states that cul vate Indian hemp in the SouthWest.

“It is a sad thing because nearly all states in Nigeria have airports but Osun cannot boast of its airport, but was ranked second in hemp cul va on and I know our mothers and fathers in the communi es are aware of this development because they are the ones giving them land on which they culvate it.

“You lease your farmland to the highest

bidder because they offer the highest amount compared to someone who wants to cul vate food crops. The money offered to you would not allow you to ask for what they want to cul vate. I heard some people are even providing security for Indian hemp farms.

“You may not know this, but I tell you, farmland that has been used to cul vate Indian hemp can’t be good for any other crop again un l a er 15 years. Anything planted on such land before 15 years will not return good yield. The perpetrators would have harvested their produce and used the proceeds to be er their lives and that of their community while they would have desecrated our land.”

Adeloye stated further: “This is a challenge to us. I am happy to hear from our representa ve from Ila Orangun that people no longer culvate Indian hemp in the community. If it is so, then I congratulate the people of Ila. But I know some people plant hemp inside yam and okro farms, we urge our fathers not to overlook such.

“That is not all, the Cons tu on of the country allows an individual who can arrest anyone engaging in criminal ac vi es, even if you are not a hunter because it is not every

me you report to security. If you want to report, the suspects may have escaped before you come back. But if you have the capacity to do so, hand them over to the security agents, the law allows it.

“At the same me, the law gives hunters the upper hand to arrest criminals whether on the highway, in the bush or wherever. What the law frowns upon is jungle jus ce. You can only arrest criminals a er which you hand them over to security agencies.”

In his welcome address, the Osun State Commander of NHFSS, Mr Nureni Ahmed, said the group organised the workshop to discuss areas of collabora on between the two organisaons due to rising crime rates across the state.

Ahmed, who was flanked by the Assistant Commander, Mr. Bayo Oyekanmi, expressed the readiness of NHFSS to support NDLEA in its fight against illicit drug business in the state.

He said: “We are ready to support NDLEA in its fight against illicit drug cul va on and use in Osun. We have our men all over the state and we can assist the agency. We organise this workshop for our men to get more informed about NDLEA’s ac vi es and see how we can support the organiza on.”

the ac vists to submit a pe on to the menoned agencies in furtherance of his interest in the ma er.

The lawmaker wrote: “Let Ologun Ayodeji submit a pe on to the men oned agencies in furtherance to his interest in this ma er. That will be a be er, sensible and more credible way to answer your ques on.

“You have taken on the wrong guy with this strategy of yours. That last paragraph has all that you need to answer your ques ons.

So please you and him should just approach the Federal ministry of works, ICPC and EFCC as he suggested. I only hope you guys will be honourable enough to come back here to report your “findings.

“Ayo, this man called Bamidele is beyond your extoronist tricks and I am very sure you should know.

Those you blackmailed and got money from probably had skeletons in their cupboard. Me, I dey kampe for you and your likes, walahi.”

Effort to get a direct reac on from Salam proved abor ve as he did not answer his phone number, nor reply the messages sent to him.

Meanwhile, during the 2023 Interna onal An -Corrup on day in Osun on December 8, the Osun State Resident An -Corrup on Commissioner, Mr. Demola Bakare, said the Phase 5 of the commission’s tracking ini a ve carried out focused on Zonal Interven on Projects (ZIP).

Bakare noted that of the 703 projects tracked na onally, South-West had 115 (amoun ng to N30.9bn).

He disclosed that in Osun State, the commission tracked 28 of the projects worth N851,613,219.48.

The commissioner said five contractors and 18 companies were asked to return to sites for projects valued at N403,895,416.39.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

3

“We hope to see more of pro-people policies such as this in the year ahead. The economy must be stimulated and production increased to generate more employment as well as greater revenues leading to shared prosperity”

T

HE ini a ve of the Federal Government to slash transport fares for users of inter-state travel and make the rail free during this yule de is welcome. It echoes the ini a ve of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who pioneered a path-breaking on the same lines during his tenure as the governor of the State of Osun. It was a big hit and very well received.

The scheme reflects a commitment to the social contract which binds the government with those they govern.

The social contract which is now distorted as the “dividends of democracy “ ought to be.

The Social contract is the driving force of a democracy and we are happy that it is back in vogue. Contextually, this ini a ve is more than a yule de seasonal goodwill to all, it is a necessary economic s mulus. Purchasing power

A Worthwhile Thrust of workers and help hard-

has been eroded because of government picking up part the devalua on of the Naira of transporta on costs for an and the ongoing effort to admi edly limited amount eliminate subsidies. There- of me will allow the funds saved to fore, any be directshoring ed elseup or exwhere. pansion This is a of purvery good chasing move for power greater is very spending m u c h will limit welcome.

•Christmass past- yelutide free train ride pionered by the adT h e ministration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the State of Osun l a y o f f s

pressed manufacturers to survive.

We hope to see more of pro-people policies such as this in the year ahead. The economy must be s mulated and produc on increased to generate more employment as well as greater revenues leading to shared prosperity.

We wish our readers a merry Christmas and a great new year ahead in good health and ever increasing prosperity.

The Discourse Disturbing Yet Familiar Developments In Rivers State

A

few days ago, I engaged in an intriguing discussion with my esteemed brother, Yaya Ademola.

Our focus was on Rivers State – the clash between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State. Although I sensed that Wike’s grip on Rivers was diminishing and Fubara would challenge him, the shocking demoli on of the State House of Assembly took me by surprise.

Amid rumours of an impending impeachment procedure against Fubara on the night of October 29 this year, news broke that fire had engulfed the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex. Ini ally, it was unclear if the fire was linked to the poli cal turmoil, but preceding events indicated that the mul -billion-dollar Rivers Assembly, built during the Peter Odili administra on and arguably the most aesthe cally appealing legisla ve complex in the country, had become a ba leground for Wike and Fubara.

As the saying goes, “When two elephants fight, it is the grass underneath that suffers.” Things took a turn for the worse on December 13 when, on the Governor’s order, the Assembly Complex was finally demolished, citing structural defects resul ng from the recent explosion and fire incident.

This isn’t the first me the Assembly Complex has become a ba leground for poli cal gladiators. In September 2010, the former Governor of Ogun State closed the gate of the State House of Assembly for nine months, reopening it only upon his exit as Governor on May 31, 2011. The Assembly couldn’t convene for nine months, all in the name of poli cal expediency.

Regre ably, poli cians are consuming the State House of Assembly in the heat of their rivalry, highligh ng the eleva on of individuals over ins tu ons in Nigeria. The State Assembly should be

Oluwaseun Abosede independent of poli cal shenanigans.

In saner climes, the House wouldn’t come under any form of a ack during an execu ve impeachment ba le.

Wike should realize that he is reaching the end of the road in this Rivers State saga; one cannot have it both ways. While there is a right to a poli cal movement, one cannot be an apostle on the APC ministerial table of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and s ll lord over Rivers PDP. Fubara may have been a pet project, but it is beyond him now; the PDP as a party is figh ng back.

As it was in the beginning, so it is now.

The ongoing ba le between the poli cal father and son is a familiar spirit in Rivers territory that is difficult to cast out.

Peter Odili became the Governor of Rivers State in 1999 against the wishes of his former boss, Rufus Ada-George, whom Odili served as the Deputy Governor during the NRC era. Their oneyear reign was cut short by the military; when democracy was restored in 1999, Ada George endorsed someone else to succeed him, but fate had a different plan. As outgoing Governor, Ro mi Chibueke Amaechi outsmarted his former employer Odili, whom he once

ed his eight years in office; Chibuike, forge ng how he rebelliously came to power, sought to plant his successor in the person of Dakuku Peterside. Nyesom Wike, his Chief of Staff, with the backing of Dame Pa ence Jonathan, took over the mantle of government.

Wike succeeded where his predecessors failed. He successfully planted his successor, the seemingly quiet Fubara, expected to be docile enough to be easily steered. Unfortunately, power has the capacity to turn boys into men. Fubara, though appearing quiet, is loud enough to nullify his successor’s poli cal wits, as events unfold.

Five months is all it takes for the familiar demon of Rivers to rear its head.

Currently, Rivers State is tense, and change is impera ve. My advice to Fuserved as a Special Assistant before becoming the Speaker of the Rivers State. bara is not to endorse any successor; Governor Odili and then Nigerian Presi- perhaps, he might enjoy a peaceful dent Obasanjo had endorsed Omehia as re rement. However, given the curOdili’s replacement. Amaechi complet- rent circumstances, tomorrow is uncertain. If you think Mr. “talk and do” Wike will let the sleeping dog lie, you are mistaken. Op ons are limited, though. The Supreme Publisher – Moremi Publishing Court judgment, along House Ltd. with Tribunal and Appeal Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman Court judgments, is the only legal ground. Should Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa Wike pursue that route, Reporter – Yusuf Oketola he may inadvertently Reporter – Kazeem Badmus return Ro mi Amaechi Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto to power as his godson, Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere Cole of the APC, becomes OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing the beneficiary. Clearly, House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite there is no impeachment Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, threat on Fubara; he State of Osun would rather bring down ISSN : 0794-8050 the en re Rivers State Telephone : 0809-301-9152 than let that happen.

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php •Comrade ABOSEDE e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com OLUWASEUN “Safety” , osundefenderbank@gmail.com is a Unionist, a right activAll correspondence to the above email addresses. ist and a Social Crusader.

“Rivers State is tense, and change is imperative.

My advice to Fubara is not to endorse any suc cessor; perhaps, he might enjoy a peaceful retire ment. However, given the current circumstances, tomorrow is uncertain. If you think Mr. “talk and do” Wike will let the sleeping dog lie, you are mis taken. Options are limited, though. The Supreme Court judgment, along with Tribunal and Appeal Court judgments, is the only legal ground. Should Wike pursue that route, he may inadvertently return Rotimi Amaechi to power as his godson, Cole of the APC, becomes the beneficiary”

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

4

News

IPAC Seeks Presidential Assent To Federal Medical Centre Osogbo Bill Ismaeel Uthman

T

HE Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently

assent to the Federal Medical centre, Osogbo bill passed by 9th assembly.

IPAC urged Tinubu to take an immediate ac on on the Federal

Medical Centre bill Osogbo, Osun State, which was sponsored

by Senator Ajibola Bashiru in the 9th Assembly.

The Chairman of

the Council, Mr Wale Adebayo, in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo, on Tuesday, said the absence of a federal medical centre

has deprived the state of first class health care center.

He said: “The Federal Medical Centres (FMCs), were established na onwide in states that do not have Federal University Teaching Hospitals, and the essence is to provide quality, cost effec ve ter ary health care, mely clinical and other suppor ve services to pa ents within the jurisdic on in a milieu of qualita ve research and training ac vi es.

“Truth be told, the state is in desperate need of a medical centre to cater for the health of

our people at a reasonable price. Our people are at the receiving end of outrageous fees charged by proprietors of private hospitals in the state.”

Adebayo added that Osun is the only state in the South-West without a federal medical centre, saying it behoves on the Tinubu administraon ‘to right the wrong’, considering the throngs of pa ents seeking medical a en on in the State.

“We passionately appeal to the Federal government to assent to the bill, and give Osun a sense of belonging in the comity of states”, he stated.

OOPA Honour Akande, Aregbesola’s Spokespersons •(L-R) Mr Ezekiel Oyelami, Mrs Mary Olaleye , Mrs Oluwatoyin Obalade and Mrs Adeola Okeyode after receiving an award of Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria held recently.

Osun Tennis Coach Involved In Alleged Sex According to findScandal Lands In Police Cell ings, the 14-year-old trainee was confirmed

Yusuf Oketola Lawn Tennis coach in Osun State, Mr. Yinka Akinrinade, who is allegedly involved in a sex scandal, has been arrested by the police, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.

OSUN DEFENDER

A

had in its last edi on reported that Akinrinade allegedly had the carnal knowledge of a 13 and 14 years old female trainees under him during a compe on in Lagos.

The coach who claimed he was unconscious during the al-

leged act, said he met himself naked inside the girls’ hotel room a er drinking alcoholic herb, sta ng that he didn’t know how he got to their room.

However, Akinrinade did not deny nor confirm raping the young girls.

Lafogido Ruling House Facilitates Reconstruction Of Over 30-Yr Abandoned Road In Ife Yusuf Oketola HE Lafogido Ruling House of Ile-Ife, Osun State, has facilitated the reconstruc on of ItaOtutu road in the ancient city with the assistance of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

This was disclosed by Prince Adeyemi Ademiluyi, the Chairman Fes val Planning Commi ee of the inaugural Lafogido Heritage Fes val at a press conference in Osogbo, yesterday.

According to Ademiluyi, the fes val is in commemora on of the 30th memory of one of their forefathers, Late Prince Ademakinwa Ademiluyi (Mackay).

He said Lafogido Heritage Founda on has also provided solar panel streetlights, refurbished a borehole for good water, provided school uniforms for private and public schools, renovated school class-

T

rooms in Ile-Ife, among other humanitarian services.

The fes val is targeted towards showcasing the ruling house and Ile-Ife community to the world, he added.

Ademiluyi said: “We plan to showcase the Lafogido Family and the IleIfe community to the world by holding the inaugural Lafogido Heritage Fes val 2023, an Exhibi on of Arts and Tradi onal Food, in Ile-Ife on Friday, 29th and Saturday, 30th December 2023.

“The exhibi on will feature works of art, ranging from pain ngs to sculptures, depic ng the cultural heritage of the Lafogido Ruling House. There would also be an arts compe on among students in a endance.

“The 29th of December will showcase the food compe on where there

will be a food display to ensure patronage and eating of tradi onal meals and drinks by our guests, reminding us of our forefathers’ love for culture, and how they made us appreciate and value our heritage.

We are already expec ng guests from all over Nigeria and the Diaspora to show to all, the rich culture and tradi on.

“The 30th of December will be the day to showcase the arts exhibi on and hand off gi s and prizes to the various winners.

“The fes val would also serve as the pla orm to officially launch the Lafogido Heritage Founda on, which focuses on developing young minds and the community.

“The Founda on has already hit the ground running in terms of giving back to the community by reconstruc ng the Ita Otutu road with the assistance of the Osun State Government.”

pregnant a month after the incident.

OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the coach was arrested at the weekend and detained at Dada Estate Police Sta on, Osogbo.

The parents of the vic m were also invited by the police on Tuesday’s night to write a statement.

The medium also learnt that Akinriande had replied to a query issued to him by the Osun State Sports Council and his suspension le er is also ready.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the father of the pregnant teenage girl, Mr. Muniru Iwalewa, said about eight of Akinrinade’s family members besieged his house in the early hour of Wednesday to plead on behalf of the suspect.

Iwalewa said: “Yes, the coach has been arrested and detained at the Police sta on in Dada Estate. Some of his family members just le my place this morning to plead on his behalf. But I told them the ma er is now with the state government.”

Abdullateef Oyediran Latifat Bello HE Osun Online Publishers Associa on (OOPA), on Wednesday, honoured Mr Adelani Baderinwa, the Spokesperson to the first Na onal Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Chief Bisi Akande.

OOPA also celebrated Mr Sola Fasure, the Media Adviser to the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Both Baderinwa and Fasure won Award of Excellence while the associa on also conferred on individual of them “OOPA Man of Valour”.

Speaking a er receiving the award, Fasure appreciated the OOPA gestured, commending members of the associa on for their commitment to journalism.

T

Fasure charged the online publishers to strive to a ain a standard where readers would be forced to subscribe to their individual’s blogs.

He promised his support for the associa on, sta ng that he would be available for professional service.

In his address, Baderinwa, a former Commissioner for Informa on and Strategy in Osun State, commended OOPA for keeping members of the public informed; just as he charged them on the need to put more effort in fact checking and ge ng quality content.

Baderinwa who was represented by the Deputy Editor of OSUN DEFEND ER Newspaper, Mr Ismaeel Uthman, thanked the associaon for the award.

•Fasure receiving the award

News

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

5

Residents, CSO Alert Govt, Security Agencies To Unregistered Mini-Buses Plying Osogbo Roads Kazeem Badmus ESIDENTS of Osogbo, Osun State capital, have called the a en on of the state government and security agencies to some commercial minibuses (Korope) operating in the town without number plate.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that majority of the unregistered buses were given out as empowerment by Yeye Dupe Adeleke-Sanni founda on.

The medium noted that the drivers of the buses daily navigate security checkpoints without being challenged or sanc oned by the police.

However, a civil society group, Centre for Social Jus ce and Public Protec on (CSJPP), frowned at the situaon, saying the drivers of the mini-buses were taking undue advantage of the donour of the buses.

This is just as some residents of Osogbo who spoke with the medium, described the refusal of the drivers of the buses as unideal, calling for an urgent correc on, especially, from the security agencies.

Speaking with the medium, a resident of Ayetoro in Olorunda local government of the state, Ganiyu Abbass, said the drivers failed to secure the number plate because of the influence of the person who donated the buses to them.

Abbass accused the police of not doing a good job by not acting on the unregistered buses.

He said: “It is very barbaric. How can a bus be plying our road without a number plate and the police would not do anything about it?

“It is not as if they are not seeing what is happening. They decided to let it go because of the person who gave them the buses and the money they want to collect from the drivers.

The drivers are also taking advantage of that.”

A trader at Ajegunle market, Victor Olamiju, noted that refusing to register the buses is a security threat, saying that the vehicle might not be easy to trace if any incident happened.

Olamiju also noted that criminals can also brand different vehicles with the name of the

R

donour of the buses to perpetrate evil, knowing fully well that they can operate without any disturbance.

He called on the state government to as a ma er of urgency direct those using the buses to register them for proper iden fica on.

He said: “What it means is that if any-

thing happens, it will be difficult to trace the bus and this can lead to a security crisis.

“Also, criminals can take advantage of the situa on by branding different vehicles with the name of the donour since they know they won’t have a problem.

The state government needs to act on this.”

Meanwhile, CSJPP Coordinator, Akin Akanji, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER, accused the state government and security agencies of playing with the intelligence of residents of the state.

Akanji said the Nigeria Police Force Public Rela ons Officer (FPRO), Muyiwa Adejo-

bi, recently announced that it is important and compulsory for all vehicles to be duly registered and their registraon numbers visible at all mes.

He added that the police cannot vein ignorance, adding that those in charge of transporta on in the state also know that refusing

•One of the unregistered buses as captured by OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo yesterday

to register a vehicle is wrong.

Akanji advised residents of the state to be alert and wary of the unregistered buses, while calling on the police to do the needful.

He said: “The state government and security agencies cannot claim ignorance on the ma er. The buses are plying our roads every day and it is very risky.

“I can just appeal to the residents to be at alert whenever they are taking these buses. The security situa on in the country is not too good at the moment and these are the kind of things that leave a gap for security breaches.

“The state government and the police need to absolve themselves by doing the needful. We can’t be punishing some sec ons while others would go freely because of their connec ons.”

When contacted, the Public Rela ons Officer for Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Osun sector command, Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi in a terse message said, “We shall look into what you said.”

NBC Visits Osun Over Boundary Dispute Reported By OSUN DEFENDER Ismaeel Uthman HE Na onal Boundary Commission (NBC) has sent a team to inves gate the boundary dispute between some communies in Iwo local government of Osun State and neighbouring Offa-Igbo village in Lagelu local government of Oyo State.

OSUN DEFENDER had in its October 8, 2023 edi on reported the imminent bloody clash between residents of the Osun villages and those of Offa-Igbo of Oyo, due to the boundary dispute.

The villages affected in Iwo local government of Osun are Ogunajo, Paku, Ejemu, Eleye, Oloya and Ojisun.

Leaders of the six villages accused the tradional ruler of Offa-Igbo, Oba Adeboye Salako, and his son, Akeem Adeboye of terrorising them over a land measuring 3000 hectares.

They alleged the tradional ruler and his son of using fake police to terrorise their people and destroying their properes.

Ac ng on the report, some NBC officials ar-

T

rived Osun on Wednesday and paid a courtesy visit to Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Receiving the official who were led by Mr Oluwafemi Oshinnaike, Adeleke said efforts have been put in place to avert any bloodshed on the

boundary dispute.

Adeleke who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, harped on the importance of embracing peace in any disputed land pending an amicable resolu on of the conten on.

The Governor, accord-

ing to a report by the Informa on Officer at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Abdulwasiu Babalola, berated the reported a empt by some individuals to alter the already established facts on the Oyo/Osun boundary.

Sheik Abdulwahab Banni Afonta: A Consummate Islamic Scholar And Preacher

I

join the family, students, friends, followers, admirers and the Muslim Ummah in Osogbo and South West to mourn the transion of Sheik Abdulwahab Banni Afonta.

Sheik Afonta was a consummate Islamic scholar and preacher. He was also a consummate social jus ce advocate and ethical and morality promoter.

He was an early ally of our Osun Renaissance movement. He was steadfast with us ll his transla on.

Departures and losses are usually painful. Nevertheless, they fill us with nostalgia about their person and character. But arrivals and recoveries are joyous and exhilara ng. That is life on this realm.

The Sheik has le our realm to the higher sta on

and the unending paradox of life prevails.

As we deeply mourn the transla on of Sheik Abdulwahab Banni Afonta, we must pray for the highest sta on for him in Jannah,

•Afonta

strength for the family to bear his departure and capacity to advance his works and legacy.

Inna Lilahi Wa Hinna Illahi Rajiun •Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

He appreciated the NBC’s visit, describing it as mely and commendable.

Adeleke said: “My administra on is committed to addressing the development and in doing so, we will not leave any stone unturned.

“All necessary arrangements are on a daily basis being put in place to checkmate what could have led to lawlessness leading to the breakdown of law and order.”

In his address, Oshinaike, the leader of the NBC team, stated that the NBC was commi ed to finding las ng solu ons to all boundary disputes in every community.

The NBC team also visited the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi.

Oba Akanbi acknowledged the efforts put in place by the Adeleke administra on to reduce tension that would have led to crisis on the boundary dispute.

Oluwo called on NBC to put in place measures at ensuring las ng peace to compliment Adeleke administra on effort on the ma er.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

6

News

Why We Reviewed Lease On NNPC Mega Station At Abere – OSICOL Kazeem Badmus

T

HE Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL) has explained the ra onale behind the review of contractual agreement between it and the Nigerian Na onal Petroleum Corporaon (NNPC) on the leasing of the Mega petrol sta on at Abere.

The Managing Director of OSICOL, Mr. Taofik Alimi, explained that the contractual agreement was not favourable to the company and the state government.

According to Alimi in a press statement on Wednesday, there was lopsidedness in the leasing agreement signed by the past administra on of the state with the management of NNPCL. Alimi disclosed that the 10-year leas-

ing agreement was signed in 2018 for the running of the company’s Mega Sta on at Abere a er it was built.

He however claimed that the leasing contractual agreements were lopsided in favour of the NNPC, adding that OSICOL was at a financial disadvantage due to the contract.

Alimi noted the agreement was not in the interest of either OSICOL, Osun State or her ci zens.

He said: “It has come to our no ce some mischievous informa on being peddled on social media concerning the planned termina on of the lease agreement between our company, Osun State Investment Company Limited, the owner of the Mega Sta on at Abere, Osun State and NNPCL.

•Says Contractual Agreement Unfavourable To State

•Alimi

“Osun State Investment Company Limited, a limited liability company set up under the Company and Allied Ma ers Act entered into a 10-year leasing agreement with NNPCL in 2018 for the running of the company’s newly built Mega Sta on at Abere.

“The new management of the company, in line with best pracces did a general review of the businesses and all contractual agreements considering the poor state of the business and to shore up the revenue base.

“This is how we discovered to our dismay

that the leasing contractual agreements done was lopsided in favour of the Lesee and our company at a financial disadvantage. It’s like the notorious P&ID contract.

Those that did the agreement from our side must have agreed to the poor terms for reasons best known to them but definitely not in the interest of either the company, state or the ci zens.

“Very ridiculous money was paid for the ten years’ leasing, with NOTHING coming to the company either monthly or annually. And out of this paltry sum, OSICOL is s ll the one paying the annual insurance on the property.

“The mega sta on is also poorly operated as they hardly have petrol to sell

to the people. Most mes, sales are done through one pump with long queues of buyers.

“A er our le er, as expected, the local management of NNPC had a mee ng with us and promised to have a second look at the agreement and come up with favorable terms that would ensure a win-win situaon between the two organisa ons.

“So, the issue of selling is in the figment of the imagina on of the social media servants of those that have been exploi ng our organisa on in the past five years.

“Those that benefited from the previous terms are the ones that are ji ery and paying for this campaign of calumny.”

Integrity And Authenticity Of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove

O

SUN OSOGBO Sacred Grove is an organically evolved cultural heritage landscape related to the Yoruba Culture by natural place, and evolved over me. Like in many ancient proper es, there are different strata of tangible traces that illustrate the successful periods and the fact of the overall significance of the grove that need to be taken into func on.

There are some traces of the early occupa on of the grove that are sufficient to the oral history which reckons two successful settlements before the community migrated out of the grove as a result of limited space.

Evolu on of the loca on of the se lement fundamental to the significance of the site and is very well illustrated in the current loca on of the city of Osogbo and the one of the sacred grove.

The grove has retained all its significant values as having been the system from which the Osogbo community has been able to develop. The role of the grove in the historical development of the community that is s ll strongly acknowledged during the Osun Osogbo fes val. Even it replicates within the settlement at Osogbo town, the ancient ones within the grove remain patronized, and retaining age-long tradi on and their importance and significance.

Furthermore, with the

periods of occupa on and oral tradi ons with the current prac ces, one can easily affirm that all the objects, places of worship are very located in the grove, within the protected area.

It can be said that the property is fully authen c from the point of view of spirit, se ng and significance.

It should be noted that by that me; the grove was beginning to lose importance and could have easily disappeared under pressures from the colonial government and religious and with the support of the “ATAOJA” of Osogbo and some tradi onal artists who started to decorated the walls around the Shrines and remains of the Palaces.

The Artworks were done

in respect of the specific significance of each place and ge ng inspira on from the Yoruba Mythology, and decisions taken a er consulta on with the gods, as it has always been done in tradi onal compliance.

Any ar st created work outside the prescrip on of the deity will be rejected in the spiritual realm, and the anger of the god would be vested on the ar st in the form of disease, so that this would be known.

Orienta on would be given through the reading of the oracle for the reason a ached to their specificity, some gods never accepted any sculptural work and their shrines remain natural spaces with natural objects ll this day.

Instead of the ancient

wooden sculptures that could have easily be stolen, some of the materials used

as heavy as possible (mud, iron, cement).

The added dimension revitalized the grove and the tradi onal prac ces to it. The eleva on of the grove from a local significance to UNESCO standard is a major achievement.

And the grove is now a symbol of iden ty for all Yoruba people and other tradi onal devotees in the region who kept their tradi on of consul ng god through the divina on alive today.

Ar s c works have been developed in the grove over the past 50 years. The works are not just a masterpiece of modern art, but also an authen c illustra on of the myths a ached to the grove. And more this has saved the grove from vanishing; and the history and nature of this structures are properly explained at the

heritage site to avoid misinterpreta on with ancient carving prac ces or local architecture.

The annual pilgrimage to Osogbo is also undertaken by people in the Diaspora where families cherish their tradi on but did not have the opportunity to experience it out of their spiritual homes. This has also recognized the values of tradi onal cra smanship and indigenous knowledge and system that were going into the oblivion.

Osun Grove is the largest remaining grove of its size and diversity in West Africa and has kept all tradi onal prac ces as tes monies to Yoruba iden ty and history and cultural tradi ons.

•Oyekale Oyeleke Joel Principal Assistant Museum Education Officer 1 National Museum Osogbo

News

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

7

Christmas: Nigerians Back To Emefiele’s Era

Kazeem Badmus IGERIANS and residents of Osun in par cular are currently experiencing shortage of cash as witnessed during the era of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele in February 2023.

This is just as Nigerians are also ba ling with double digit infla on which has resulted into high cost of commodi es.

The astronomical increase in the price of foodstuffs, livestock and other commodi es as well as the scarcity of naira may hinder a blissful celebra on of Christmas this year.

Already, traders, especially those who sell cloth, foodstuffs and livestock, have been complaining of low patronage few days to the Christmas.

OSUN DEFENDER visited some markets in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Thursday to observe fes ve mood and it was noted that most of the markets were not as bubbling as they used to be.

There was a sharp decrease in the number of people buying items in prepara on for the fes val.

N

According to traders, the current scarcity of naira being witnessed in the state was also a factor contribu ng to the dull fes ve mood.

Some of the traders, according to findings, were rejec ng electronic payment (transfer) from unknown buyers for the fear of being duped.

Prices of rice, turkey, chicken, pepper and ingredients have gone up, a situa on that may lead to

low-key celebra on.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that a bag of rice was being sold between N54,000 and N56,000. A big turkey in the market was sold between N40,000 and N50,0000 while chicken prices were also on the rise.

Equally, the price of pepper has gone up compared to last year, with traders a ribu ng the increment to high cost of Premium Motor Spirit

•Cash Scarcity, High Cost Of Commodities May Hinder Blissful Celebration

(petrol).

Speaking with the medium, a foodstuff seller who iden fied himself as Bolanle Oluwaro mi at Akindeko market, said the market was dull which was not supposed to be considering the fact that Christmas is few days away.

Oluwaro mi noted that the purchasing power of the people have reduced

as a result of devalua on of naira, infla on and high cost of petrol.

She said: “We thought the rate at which things went up last year was high but this year is worse. The removal of fuel subsidy, devalua on of naira, infla on and others have caused the prices of foodstuffs and commodi es to go up and not all people

•Representatives of Lafogido ruling house during a press conference ahead of Lafogido Heritage Festival

Students Call For Maximum Security On Campuses, Host Communities In Osun

Yusuf Oketola TUDENTS in Osun State have called on security agencies especially police to ensure adequate security in all ter ary ins tu ons and their host

S

communi es across the state.

The students, under the aegis of Na onal Associa on of Nigerian Students (NANS)made the call during their visit to the state Commis-

•The student leaders and Commissioner of Police

sioner of Police, Isyaku Mohammed, at the state police command, Osogbo, yesterday.

The students, in a statement by the Public Rela ons Officer of NANS ZONE D, Oluwadamilola Bamigboye, noted that the mee ng

with the Commissioner of Police was centred at ensuring their safety and well-being.

According to the statement, the commissioner of police, in his address, assured the students representaves of the police’s ef-

forts to enhance security measures in and around campuses in the state, urging the students to report any security threats in their domains.

The statement reads: “A significant step towards enhancing the security of campuses and the host community in Osun State was taken today as representa ves from various student bodies engaged in a produc ve dialogue with the Commissioner of Police.

“The commissioner assured the student representa ves that efforts would be made to enhance security measures in and around campuses. He expressed the importance of a collabora ve approach, urging students to report any security concerns promptly.

“As advocates for the rights and welfare of students, we will connue to monitor the implementa on of these commitments and collaborate with relevant authori es to ensure the security and well-being of Nigerian students in Osun State.”

can afford to buy the highprice goods.

“They don’t have the financial strength to buy things as they did last year.

People that bought one bag of rice last year are going for half a bag this year.

Also, the cash crunch is affec ng us, the traders.”

A livestock seller at Oluode market, Osogbo, Abayomi Alowonle, said the high cost of feeding the livestock was responsible for increment in their price.

He said: “Feeding the chicken and turkey is too costly now. A kilogram of feed for chicken last year was sold for N300 but it is now being sold for N600.

“We poultry farmers are just trying to survive because no ma er the amount we sell the livestock, to make profit is difficult.”

Popular Igbona market was not as crowded as it used to be, with traders lamen ng low patronage.

Mrs Ebunoluwa Babatunde, a fabrics vendor at the market, said cash crunch is the major issue that affected her this year.

She noted that some people had duped her through fake transfers, saying that she was no longer accep ng electronic payment from her customers.

“Things are very high this me around. Most customers are complaining about the prices of cloth and it is not our fault. We sell what we buy.

“The economic hardship in the country is also hindering smooth sale.

People have now turned to dupers. They will lie that they don’t have cash and prefer to do transfer.

Unfortunately, they are duping us with that.

“I have received more than four fake alerts and that’s why I stopped accep ng transfers. There is no cash in town and we don’t know who to trust with the online transfer.

I urged our government to find something to do about this economy.”

PUBLICATION JIMOH LUKMAN ABAYOMI

That I was formerly known and addressed as JIMOH LUKMAN, with former Date of Birth 0903-1984 now wished to be known and addressed as JIMOH LUKMAN ABAYOMI, with New Date of Birth 03-03-2004. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

News

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2023 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024 VOL. 18 NO 49 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

NBC Visits Osun Over Boundary Dispute Reported

By OSUN DEFENDER

T

HE new Ilesa Water Supply Scheme was the original idea of Uncle Bola Ige’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) of old Oyo State. This became inevitable when the old Ilesa Water Supply Scheme, commissioned in 1952, which used to supply 2,700 cubic meters per day completely shut down in the mid-eigh es, making access to portable water for ever increasing Ilesa popula on impossible. Aside old age of the facility, by the mid-eigh es, as a result of road expansion works on EfonAlaye roads, the 22km Efon-Alaye raw water Asbestos Cement Transmission became deplorable and unserviceable as the intake, now in Eki State, was frequently filled with silt as every effort to de-silt proved fu le.

In 1983, having sought Federal Government guarantee, Oyo State Government under Chief Bola Ige awarded this new water scheme to Messrs Johnson Brothers Interna onal (Nig.) Ltd at $65m sourced from a $70m loan obtained from Exim Bank in the United States. Some materials and equipment like generators, pump-sets, electrical items, large diameter pipes, among others were procured from this loan and stored at Asejire Waterworks; and works began in August 1983, having paid a sum of N7.2m and $11.6m, based on the contract agreement, to Messrs Johnson Brothers Interna onal (Nig.) by the government.

On 31st December of same year - 1983 -the military struck and took over power! Along the line, there were some complica ons which stalled the project ac vi es by the contractors and their foreign partners which led to eventual termina on of the contract by Oyo State military government in July 1985 with the hope of re-awarding the contract to Nigeria Water Resources and Development Ltd and Messrs Taylor Woodrow in the United Kingdom.

By February 1987, a memo from General Staff Headquarters in Dodan Barracks through a le er number GHQ/ CGS/322 directed the Oyo State Government to revert to Messrs Johnson Brothers Interna onal (Nig.) to connue with the project based on huge sum already commi ed to it, but the contractor could not access the Exim Bank loan to execute the project as the Federal military government could not guarantee the loan. With the creaon of Osun State in 1991, the project was naturally inherited by the state;

“Having assessed the abandoned work and what was to be done, Aregbesola wrote the Federal Government to assist him deal with the challenges of funding the water treatment plants, transmission and distribution networks to deliver water to the consumers in the six local government areas of the state.

But over $100m will be required to get this done”

Ilesa Water Scheme Bottomline

•Bola Ige •Aregbesola

•Oyetola and the first Military Administrator of the state was Col. Leo Segun Ajiborisa who ruled from August 1991 to January 1992 when he handed over to democra cally elected governor Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke who governed from 1992 to November 1993. It was governor Isiaka Adeleke that disengaged Messrs Johnson Brothers Interna onal (Nig.) and what became of $70m contract sum could not be traced as military struck once again to take power while diameter pipes, water pumps and other accessories procured disappeared from the site. Because military government is shrouded with secrecy, there is no visible record of any effort on the project to any of the administrators - Col. Anthony Udofia (December 1993 – August 1996), Col. Anthony Obi (August 1996 – August 1998) and Col. Theophilus Bamgboye (August 1998 –May 1999).

On return to civil rule in 1999 and perhaps because of frosty rela onship between the progressives and conserva ves, Vice President A ku Abubakar accused governor Abdulkareem Adebisi Akande of refusal to send relevant papers of the water projects to Abuja when he was asked ques on in

•Adeleke rela ons to the project. Although there was FG project for construc on of weir on Osun river and intake in Kajola between 2006 and 2009 during Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola PDP government that succeeded Akande, it was abandoned and incomplete with no transmission and distribu on networks to deliver a single drop of water to Ijesa people.

As Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola reclaimed his mandate on 27th November 2010 to become the Osun governor, it was a great relieve for Ijesa people. On the 2012 Iwude Ijesa Day, His Imperial Majesty, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Dr. Adekunle Aromolaran, publicly lamented the cries and agonies of Ijesa people of their inability to access portable water for 30years. He asked governor Agbesola to revive the water project towards permanent resolu on to the water problem. Having assessed the abandoned work and what was to be done, Aregbesola wrote the Federal Government to assist him deal with the challenges of funding the water treatment plants, transmission and distribuon networks to deliver water to the consumers in the six local government areas of the state. But over $100m will

Pg. 5

“Since 1983 that Chief Bola Ige conceived the project (40 years) and all efforts made by subsequent successors, especially Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, coupled with unending 40 years suffering of lack of safe drinking water by Ijesa people, the incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke should not play politics with Ijesa people’s suffering but take appropriate bold steps to make Ijesa people tap run 60m litres of portable water everyday in no distance time” be required to get this done. This was huge; it was about half of the state annual income. To source external loan for this project, Federal Government must guarantee it but it was a People Democra c Party led FG. First thing first. Aregbesola, with his team, ran to World Bank only to meet a brick wall but he didn’t give up. He ran to Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah which granted $65m loan for the project and wrote the Federal Government on 7th February, 2018 for $41.9m support to complete the project which President Muhammadu Buhari approved on 30th April, the biggest grant the state ever a racted from FG since its crea on, totalling $106.9m. Aregbesola officially flagged off the project on December 18, 2017, less than one year to complete his maximum second term in office. The project, which was to deliver 60m litres of water to consumers every day, was designed to be completed in 24 months. Aregbesola had hoped that his successor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola would conveniently complete it within one year in office. When the Senior Consultant, Mrs. Tawakalitu Williams, couldn’t deliver in 2019, explaining that logis cs challenges had been responsible, but promised to deliver by 2020, she alleged that the House of Assembly Commi ee on Water had requested a $5million bribe from her.

This has however been refuted. As Aregbesola’s successor – Oyetola sacked contractor handling the water treatment for alleged false documenta ons amongst others, the incumbent Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has also sacked overall consultant based on interim reports of the Assets Recovery Commi ee he set up which revealed mismanagement of loan procured for the project.

Since 1983 that Chief Bola Ige conceived the project (40 years) and all efforts made by subsequent successors, especially Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, coupled with unending 40 years suffering of lack of safe drinking water by Ijesa people, the incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke should not play poli cs with Ijesa people’s suffering but take appropriate bold steps to make Ijesa people tap run 60m litres of portable water everyday in no distance me. If he could deliver this, Osun founding fathers; dead and alive, and ordinary people will surely be happy with him.

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

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050.

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