OsunDefender Online Version Of January 24th, 2020

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VOL. 015. NO.4

N100

ISSN: 0794-8050

INSIDE

Division In Osun Over Operation Amotekun Pg 3. Excitment Over Board Appointments Pg. 2 Osun Govt. Alerts Residents As Lassa Fever Kills 19 In Ondo, Kano Pg. 11 F.C.E.: Osun Community Goes Spiritual Pg. 12 Protests Hit Ara Community Over Installation of New Monarch Pg. 2 Osun Internal Revenue Service Worker Alledgedly Steals N.6m Pg. 14

SARS Officers Chas-

ing Yahoo Boys Killed My Husband Widow Alleges A

POLICE

widow, Mrs. A j i m o h Omokanye has alleged that some officers of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) killed her husband, Najeem Omokanye.

Our SARS Has Been Restructured, Officers Don’t Use Korope For Operations

According to the widow, her husband was crushed on his bike by a team of SARS officers who were chasing some yahoo boys with the mini commercial transport bus known as korope at Olonkoro area of Osogbo on Sunday, December 29, 2019.

Omokanye who stated that she was called on phone that her husband had an accident, said some people who witnessed the incident claimed that the mini bus that crushed her husband was filled with

policemen who were chasing the suspected internet fraudsters.

She alleged that the police hit her husband on his Bajaj motorcycle and ran away.

The widow stated that her husband was rushed to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, where he later died.

Ask if she reported the case to the police, the widow said she did not

report because there was nobody to help the family.

She said: “My husband left home in the morning of Sunday, December 29, 2019. He said I should prepare food for him that he would not stay long.

Around 1 pm after Olorunda Local Government Secretariat, a SARS vehicle chasing Yahoo boys crushed him on bike.

Nobody came to his aid.

Around 1:30pm, two alfas came to our house to inform me that my husband

had an accident. I hurriedly left for the scene of the accident. We called the ambulance service and carried him to LAUTECH where he was receiving treatment before he died around 7pm that day. He was an electrical engineer.

“He left behind a daughter, Rasidat The people that witnessed the accident said my husband was hit by a bus carrying SARS who were chasing Yahoo boys. They said they could not stop the SARS officers because they were afraid of being shot. I am now suffering; it is difficult for me to eat and pay my child’s school fees.”

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on phone, one of the people who rescued the deceased, Alhaji Abduljelil Abdulroheem corroborated Omokanye's claim, saying that they were told that some policemen chasing Yahoo boys crushed late Omokanye.

Abdulroheem said he

•Mrs. Ajimoh, The Widow In Distress was on bike when he saw late Omokanye's body on the ground after being crushed by the bus, saying that he alighted on the bike to rescue the deceased.

When contacted, the matron of O' Ambulance, Mrs Rashidat Alao

confirmed that the late Omokanye was carried with one of the vehicles of the Agency to LAUTECH. But the Police Public Relations Officers, Osun Command, Mrs Folasade Odoro said Osun SARS •Continued on Page 2

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SARS Officers Chasing 'Yahoo Boys' Killed My Husband •Continued from page 1 officers do not go out in mini buses as alleged by the widow, calling on members of the public who can identify any of the policemen in the vehicle that crushed the deceased to report to the police.

According to Odoro, the SARS in Osun has been structured and positioned

to the extent that they could not just go out for operation except there is distress call, insisting that the operatives could not make use of the mini bus for any operation.

Odoro who sympathized with the widow and the family of the deceased charged members of the public to always be

•The Deceased

•Kokumo

sensitive and courageous to note the registration

number of vehicle that is involved in such incident,

•Pro-Amontekun Rally in Osogbo on Tueday.

stating that police authorities in the state do

not shield its officers found culpable in any misconduct.

Photo: OLUSHOLA ADERINTO

Excitement Over Board Applaud As Oyetola Reconciles 3-Year-Old APC Factions in Ikirun Appointments in Osun T commissioners and special advisers in the second term of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

But the crisis came to an end on Sunday when Governor Oyetola and State Chairman of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun met with the two party leaders and resolved the matter.

It was agreed in the resolution reached at the peace meeting that Pa Lawal is the ultimate leader of the party and will be presiding over elders/ stakeholders meetings and

seeing to resolution of all crises and misunderstandings among members of the party.

It was also resolved that Pa Bello is the Chairman of Joint Local Governments and general meetings holding every Sunday.

Members of the APC who came out in large number to welcome Oyetola, applauded the Governor for uniting the factions in the party.

Speaking, Oyetola appealed to the APC members to remain united and indivisible, and work in unison for the development of the party and the success of the government.

Oyetola, who was given a rousing welcome by the ecstatic APC loyalists and

entire Omo mojo (all the Ruling Houses of Ara) in the selection processes of the new Alara.

Ilufoye said: "We make bold to say that One Dr. Iwindapo Olubayo who is still parading himself as Alara of Ara is a foreigner in Ara. He is not a member of Ajadi Ruling House of Ara. He is from Lalupon, Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.

"It should also be stated clearly that only three candidates who are Prince Gideon Olufemi Adegboye, Prince Samson Oladunmoye Ilufoye and Prince V ictor Oyekanmi Adegboye purchased expression of interest form legally and have them endorsed by the Family Head.

"The said Dr. Iwindapo Olubayo who purchased his own form through the backdoor did not present his own form to the Head of the Family for endorsement.

"We also wish to restate here that the customary law guiding the selection of anyone to fill the vacant stool of Ara whenever same occurs is the registered Alara of Ara Chieftaincy Declaration of 1979 which is not only the Statutory Provisions governing the conduct and the filling of the vacant stool of Ara, but the grand norm to be strictly observed on the issue of Alara Chieftaincy even in any chieftaincy matters.

"Unfortunately, this customary law which is the major instrument in a registered Chieftaincy was also ignored in the process of nomination/ selection of Alara.

"It also becomes necessary to inform Mr Governor that several necessary legally allowable steps were taken, including issuance of several correspondences to the Governor's Office and other concerned Government

By Kehinde Ayantunji

T

here indications that the State Government of Osun is in the process of making appointments into some boards of government agencies and parastatals.

The indication emerged on Monday following the reported directive of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the party at the local government should submit three names of its members for possible board appointment.

A source closed to the APC state Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun confirmed the directive, disclosing that the three names in each of the local government were expected to be submitted between Monday, January 20 and Friday, January 31, 2020.

According to the source, the appointment of board appointment is similar to that of the commissioners and special advisers which the party nominated 70 per cent of the appointed cabinet members.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed that members of the party have begun to lobby their leaders and political office holders in their bid to be considered for the board appointment.

It was gathered that some of the APC members were targeting juicy boards and as a result running helter-skelter to ensure that they made the appointment at their various local governments.

Famodun had in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER few months ago hinted that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola would soon commence appointment into the boards of government’s, agencies and parastatals.

The board appointment

had been generating issues among the ruling APC members as they had expected that Oyetola would make the appointment immediately his cabinet was inaugurated.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that chairmanship of Governing Council of each of the tertiary institutions in the state might have been exclusively reserved for some leaders of the APC for some leaders of the APC.

he three-year-old factions that almost crippled the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government of the State of Osun have been reconciled by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Members of the APC in Ikirun had formed themselves into two factions since about three years ago.

Former Senatorial Leader of the party, Alhaji Gbadamosi Lawal and a leader of the party in Ikirun, Pa B.F Bello were leading different factions while some other members of the party were loyal to the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Olawale Adedeji.

The factional crisis hit the Ifelodun APC prior to the appointment of

supporters at the party’s secretariat, reiterated g o v e r n m e n t ’ s commitment to ensuring even and equitable distribution of resources.

The Governor charged the leadership of the party in the state to speak with one voice and close ranks in the interest of the party.

Earlier in their separate remarks, Pa Lawal and Bello promised to work together for the success of the party.

Lawal and Bello implored members of the APC to renew their commitment to the development of the party by giving their unflinching support to the administration of Governor Oyetola.

Protests Hit Ara Community Over Installation of New Monarch agencies on the need to

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he installation of the new Alara of Ara, Oba Olubayo Iwindapo has continued to generate controversies in the normally calm Ara community in Egbedore Local Government of the State

of Osun.

Since Iwindapo was installed and presented with Certificate of Office on January 28, 2019 by the State Government, there have been series of protests alongside litigations against his installation by ruling houses in Ara. Members of all the five ruling houses in Ara have rejected Iwindapo who, according to them, does not belong to any of the ruling houses.

In a protest staged in Ara on Wednesday, members of the Ajadi, Adedijo, Odusina, Laagbo and Adumori ruling houses claimed that Iwindapo is not entitled to the Alara throne because he is not from any of the Alara of Ara lineages.

Some of the placard carried by the protesters read: "Approval of

Iwindapo as Ara King is a daylight robbery, Iwindapo is not from Ara, he is from Lalupon in Lagelu Local Government Council of Oyo State, don't impose him as Alara, Iwindapo approval is against the pending case.

Don't disobey court injunctions on Ara Chieftaincy Title. Don't disrupt our tradition and heritage."

They noted that the chieftaincy title of Ara Community is already before the court, appealing to all stakeholders in the case to comply with the court directive in the interest of peace.

Speaking with newsmen on behalf of the five ruling houses, Prince Emmanuel Ilufoye from Ajadi ruling house stated that untold injustice was melted against Ajadi Ruling House and the

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comply strictly with the 1979 Alara of Ara Chieftaincy Declaration, all to not avail.

"Having discovered that the due process was being crippled, the Head and eligiblemale line contestants from Ajadi Ruling House approached Osun State High Court, Ejigbo Judicial Division in order to correct the anomaly and file Suit No. HEJ/09/2019: PRINCE EMMANUEL O. ILUFOYE & ORS VS THE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE & ORS and the case is still pending at the court as we are here today.

"We strongly believe that this is the only civilized way to handle the matter and we also state that our lawabiding position is borne out of civilization, wisdom, maturity and neither due to our weakness nor cowardice.

"Based on the said suit, a court injunction was granted by the High •Continued on Ejigbo page 13

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Division in Osun Over Operation Amotekun Afenifere Lauds Initiative As Muslim Community Kicks

By Solomon Odeniyi the South-West for the Nigeria is unacceptable by smooth implementation of the OSMC as highlighted in he controversies on the Western Nigeria Security operation Amotekun, Network known as operation Amotekun might be stressing that this would its nomenclature.

“Osun State Muslim far from over as individuals and groups have been help complement the Community is in full expressing divergence view on the initiative. efforts of the FG at enabling support of the existing outfit for While some have openly initiative unfounded and the security of lives and security protection of life and lauded the security we appeal to South-West properties in the region.

On its part, the OSMC in property of Nigerians programme, some other governors and leaders to to work a communiqué made provided by the Nigeria groups and individuals have continue to OSUN constitution and the laws of also rejected it, canvassing assiduously with all available reasons in support of and relevant stakeholders DEFENDER in Osogbo on the Federal Republic of leaving no stone unturned Monday and jointly signed Nigeria”. against it.

It stated, “The Amotekun A Yoruba socio-political to resolve all issues by its President, Alhaji group, Afenifere has standing in the way of Mustafa Olawuyi and charter titled Amotekun thrown its weight behind peaceful and harmonious Secretary, Alhaji Hashim Golden Rule contravenes the formation of the actualization of the Olapade, frowned at the the spirit of Nigeria Amotekun initiative. circumstances surrounding c o n s t i t u t i o n , Operation Amotekun.

“This must be done in a the establishment of confrontational and This was against the sectional,adding, “OSMC backdrop of the Attorney- manner consistent with the Amotekun.

South-West tradition of The OSMC argued that shall not be disposed to General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami’s mutual respect, calmness, operation Amotekun was support any organization declaration of the outfit as decorum, wisdom, focus “one-sided security outfit” on tribal sentiments. and perseverance in and that “it shall not be “The establishment of illegal.

The Osun State Muslim handling of issues no disposed to support any Operation Amotekun is organization on tribal shrouded in secrecy and Community (OSMC) has matter how delicate.”

The group also appealed sentiments.” hidden agenda inimical to also described the security The group said: “The security of lives and outfit by the South-West to the Federal Government and other relevant agencies composition and properties and the progress Governors as confrontational and to cooperate with the state establishment of Amotekun of the nation; therefore, it be sectional which governments and people of in the South-West of should contravened the spirit of the Nigerian constitution.

Afenifere in a communiqué issued after the end of its meeting held at the Osogbo residence of its National Leader, Pa Ayo Fasanmi commended the South-West Governors for the establishment of the security outfit.

Signed by the National Secretary of the group, Chief Bayo Aina, the communiqué contained the resolutions of the group on some other national issues.

The group described the Malami’s declaration as a discouraging legal opinion, urging the South-West Governors and leaders to leave no stone unturned for the security to come alive. •Members Of Afenifere In Group Photograph, After The Meeting Held At Pa. Ayo The communiqué reads Fasanmi’s Residents In Osogbo On Tuesday. in part, “Egbe Ilosiwaju commended the governors of the South-West and the security agencies for the he Director-General of the Development Agenda According to Oyeleye, noticeable decline in the of the for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Mr Seye irrespective incidence of kidnappings , Oyeleye has disclosed that personnel engaged in challenges, it is unwise for highway banditry and other the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed anybody or government to security heinous crimes that Operation Amotekun would not earn less than the N30, compromise system, maintaining that all threatened the law and 000 minimum wage. that the people need is to order and security situation Oyeleye described as argument is weak and and do their in the South-West during erroneous the impression could not stand legal travel businesses without any fear the first and second by some people that scrutiny, saying that of being attacked by quarters of 2019. operation Amotekun is eminent lawyers like Chief bandits.

“Eternal vigilance is the targeted at a particular Afe Babalola and Femi He submitted that “the price of liberty and safety. ethic group, saying that the Falana both SANs and Jiti people of the South-West We commend without any security initiative is Ogunye have faulted the are united in saying that we reservation all the South- objectively to address the Attorney-General’s claims want to protect our lives West Governors for the scourge of insecurity in the because it does not stand and properties as long as part of the country. on firm ground. you live within the brilliant and creative western Urging members of the Speaking on a radio initiative that led to the programme in Osogbo on public not to believe geographical space. So, whether you are Hausa, birth of Amotekun, the Wednesday, Oyeleye entirely what they read on Igala or whatever you regional / zonal dismissed the insinuation social media about Igbo, are, as long as you live in cooperation vehicle that the security outfit is Operation Amotekun, the region, we want to designed to address our set up to pursue the 2023 Oyeleye said some of the make sure that your life and common security presidential ambition of reports on the social media property are safe. A society challenges in a manner that the region, adding that it is do not represent the facts that cannot provide will strengthen the existing not also an arm of the and position of the security is knocking on the security architecture of the Oodua People’s Congress initiative. door of hunger.”

The DAWN commission Oyeleye disclosed that South-West as well as that (OPC).

DG recalled how safe and Oyeleye faulted the operation Amotekun would of the Federal Republic of secured the western position of the Attorneybe funded through the Nigeria in a mutually General and Minister of Nigeria was in the past, Security Trust Fund of each rewarding relationship.

Justice of the Federation, saying that the commission of the six state “The recent discouraging Mr Abubakar Malami on wants to restore the in the region, legal opinion of the Operation Amotekun, adequate security of lives governments adding that recruitment Attorney General of the describing is as unfounded. and properties and into the security outfit federation on this highly According to Oyeleye, businesses in the region as would be very thorough to desirable region security Malami’s ‘point-of-law’ it was in the olden days. avoid infiltration by criminals.

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Operation Amotekun Personnel Won't Earn Less Than Minimum Wage - DAWN DG

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discountenanced.

“We unequivocally condemn issuance of certificate of birth, letters of recommendation from the Church, while deliberately silent about other religions.”

Emphasizing that “OSMC can never support onesided security outfit which may later on prove to be insecure for the general populace”, the Muslim body demanded full details of the composition of Amotekun.

“OSMC hereby awaits full details of the composition of the security outfit which should be fully endorsed by all the state Houses of Assembly in the SouthWest”, it added.

In a related development, the Yoruba World Congress, Osun State Chapter, staged a peaceful rally to back the establishment of Operation Amotekun.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Dr Akin Adejuwon, said the rally was aimed at informing the people of the region that Amotekun has come to stay.

He said: ”It is not a protest but a walk of mobilization and awareness and sensitization of people to the fact that Amotekun is being deployed on their behalf. Amotekun is the instantaneous response to a very serious problem that is very typical in the SouthWestern part of Nigeria.

“The Southwestern part has been known to be the most peaceful part of Nigeria for generations and we have discovered that, that peace is being cut short by some calculated efforts by brigands and all sort of negative powers. So that’s why we have to bring all that to a stop.”

Adejuwon said the awareness is for Governors to know that for another time, they have proved to be real omoluabis.

“The essence of Omoluabi is to respond to the need of your people and that is what they have just done.

“They know that we are with them and we are coming here today (Tuesday) to tell them that anybody that is not with them is on their own.”

Also speaking, a stakeholder in the movement, Engr Sola Fatokun stressed that the long and protracted agitation for state police is now inevitable.

He stated: “Someone cannot sit down in Abuja and be monitoring and supervising what is happening in Osogbo.

“If government can issue firearms to individuals, what prevents Southwest Governors from having their own security outfit?

He advised the Federal Government to consult SouthWest Governors so that things will go the way it supposed to be

Oyetola: Politicising Operation Amotekun Dangerous, Counterproductive

By Kehinde Ayantunji

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun has said that it will be unhealthy, dangerous and counterproductive to politicise the South West Security Network known as operation Amotekun.

Oyetola in a press in our dear State of Osun. statement issued by his So, rather than constitute Chief Press Secretary, Mr ourselves into opposing a Ismail Omipidan on project we all clamoured for Wednesday dismissed the in response to existential claim that the SWSN is an threats for which some of agenda against a particular the governors in the region faith or adherents of a have been called out and particular religion, vilified in the past, we describing it as should rally support for preposterous and in bad Amotekun by coming up taste. with strategies to fine-tune The Governor, who it with a view to bridging welcomed the raging any communication gap debate on operation between the Federal Amotekun, said it was Government and the wrong for anybody to South-West Governors over attack the security outfit on it. the altar of religion and “Section 14 (2) (b) of the ethnicity.

1999 Constitution (as The statement reads: amended) is clear that the “Amotekun is a collective security of life and property response by the South- of citizens as well as their West region to the spate of welfare is the primary armed banditry, rape, purpose and responsibility kidnapping, and other of government, be it state violent crimes that or federal. suddenly became a pastime “The State of Osun is in the South-West. committed to protecting its “Kidnapping, Rape and citizens; and every Armed Banditry have no reasonable and responsible religion and know no tribe Osun indigene must join or ethnicity. our collective resolve as a “For the records, no government to protect our recruitment has been citizens and their property.” carried out so far, especially

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FGN’s Rejection Of Amotekun And The

By Yomi Obaditan Mantra Of One Nigeria

“

Osun Thriving

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he very fruitful Economic Summit sponsored by the State Government of Osun in November was invigorating and path-breaking. The anticipated investments from this event will soon begin to show in due course; as will the fruits of the Executive Order signed by the businessminded State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola establishing the State Investment and Promotion Agency.

This newspaper will however continue to focus on the lower end of investments, the small- and medium-scale sector which always provides the bulk of employment generation. In this sector, the State of Osun is clearly leveraging on its competitive advantages.

The state has the National Transmission Centre located in the state capital, Osogbo. This gives it leverage in terms of electricity

distribution. It is also one of the safest and most rancour free environment in the federation.

We have highlighted thriving SMEs in this issue to emphasise the need to focus more on this area.

We have highlighted the Alhaja restaurant, a popular amala joint in Osogbo, and an emerging furniture business also located in Osogbo.

They are both thriving and not flukes.

Across the state SME’s are thriving, reflecting the can-do mien of the private-sector-oriented Governor Gboyega Oyetola There is a lot to be done here in terms of direction of low-interest credits and raving up the ease of doing business in the state.

With its positive Human Development Index, the State has a lot to leverage on. Good to see the State of Osun thriving with a confident, positive outlook.

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

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he State of Osun has always being regarded as an oasis of tranquility in a turbulent landscape. The recent peace initiatives all over the state reinforces this. The State Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola has deservedly received much kudos for brokering an enduring peace deal between hitherto bickering parties in the strategic enclave of Iwo. This is

highly commendable.

Not surprising though, the businessoriented Governor is always mindful of the synergy between a peaceful atmosphere and a thriving business environment.

The peace initiatives in places like Ikirun are also worthy of note. Great kudos to all the peacemakers in the State of Osun!

We Need to Put a Stop to Child Abuse

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wish to commend and appreciate this medium for the opportunity it affords members of general public to access quality objective and unbiased news, hot and fresh.

Of particular note is the privilege given to air our opinions from time to time through avenues of letter publication and public opinions.

It is this regard that I wish to comment on the evil of child abuse in our society.

Child abuse or child maltreatment is physical, sexual, and/or p s yc h o l o g i c a l maltreatment or neglect of a child or children, especially by a parent/guardian; and it may result in actual or potential harm to a child. Child abuse can occur in a child’s home, or in the organisations, schools or communities the child interacts with.

The World Health Organisation distinguishes four types of child maltreatment: physical abuse; sexual abuse; emotional (or psychological) abuse; and neglect.

Child abuse is also deliberate infliction of serious injuries, or actions that place the child at obvious risk of serious injury or death. For example so many parents/ guardians don’t care about the wellbeing

of their children/wards. You will see underage children selling and hawking on the streets and worse enough on the highways, during school hours not even

There is nothing more powerful than 14 with this, the present-day states in old Western Region are an idea whose time has come”- (defunct) constitutionally right to have set up the Victor Hugo Chief Obafemi Awolowo described Operation Amotekun.

The Attorney-General of the Federation Nigeria as a mere geographical expression and not a nation. The Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami’s wrong interpretation of and Attorney General of the Federation, the Constitution has been corrected by Abubakar Malami’s outburst exposed the eminent legal luminaries like: Femi Falana, hypocrisy of Nigerian leaders. It also Olisa Agbakoba, Chief Afe Babalola and a confirmed the Afenifere’s fear that the Professor of law Itse Sagay who is propresent Federal Government pays mere lip- Buhari and a die-hard APC member.

A large number of people agree that service to insecurity in Western Nigeria.

It also brought back to memory, the Operation Amotekun is a response to attitude of the late Prime Minister, Sir community policing, so much that even Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who aligned with President Muhammadu Buhari once a side in the Western Nigeria political crisis declared that the reality of security against all the facts available to him but situation in Nigeria is calling for state police preferred that the Wild, Wild West go and many newspapers reported it and we down in “wetie” sending Awolowo to jail were waiting when the Constitution will be with 37 others. But in the long run, Nigeria amended to accommodate the state police.

It must be noted that the Amotekun will went up in flames of civil war and major be headed by an officer drawn from the political actors died in the process.

Shall we say that Hisbah, Sharia Police Police; and as long as such serving police is and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF ) in involved, the Federal Government needs Borno, Yobe, Kaduna Katsina etc are not to fear act of rebellions against the different from what Amotekun is set up to state. What we must caution the outfit to avoid is becoming a tool of political accomplish?

Section 10 (e) of the Kano State Hisbah repression by state governors against their perceived political opponents. After all, the Board Law 2003 provides that any Hisbah personnel can invite, arrest or detain any conventional security apparatuses have person suspected to have committed an been used in similar ways by government offence, and within reasonable time, at the centre in Nigeria time without report to the appropriate authorities, number.

We must therefore, welcome Amotekun while Section 10(1) empowers them to in the Western part of Nigeria, while urging carry non-offensive weapons. other security agents to collaborate efforts Amotekun is legal, constitutional, and in reducing insecurity in our midst. If needful.

The problem lies in failure to adhere o Civilian Joint Task Force can carry gun in the Biblical injunction which states that: the North East of Nigeria and they “the king that sitteth in the throne of performed gallantly, we believe that given judgment scattereth away all evil with his the opportunity, the Amotekun outfit will eyes”, Proverb 20 v 8. Our political leaders measure up in merit, if not even perform must allow law and order to prevail all over better.

We the Yorubas must not be offended Nigeria, if evil must be eradicated.

But what Malami is saying is “omo eni ki over oppositions to operation Amotekun. i buru k’a fi f’ekun pa je”. Miyetti Allah This is because it is not only one ethnic group is now a voice against the peace of group that lives in this part of Nigeria. The an entire race. Yet they want to bottle the commercial and economic headquarters is in Lagos. Whatever insecurity situation that leopard: “ko le work!”

International Law, since jurists from affects Lagos will and can touch virtually Bartolome de las Casas, Francisco de all tribes in Nigeria.

No matter our political differences, when V itoria and Hugo Grotius to Alberico Gentili and Emerich de Vattel till date, there is death and kidnapping here and there, teaches us that communities that face no one can claim he is sure of his or her safety. existential threat to their survival reserve That explains why from street to street; village to village; we easily find and use local vigilante a right and duty to defend themselves”.

Amotekun is not a secessionist agenda. as night guards and watch over our properties Its targets are: hoodlums, marauding and lives. This being so, let us whole-heartedly herdsmen, kidnappers, ritualists and other welcomes Operation Amotekun without any bias against its good intentions and purposes. criminals.

Conclusively, Amotekun is legal, What is operation Amotekun all about?

1. A regional security outfit designed to constitutional and a necessary intervention.

As such, it is useful. Those who are of contrary complement the conventional security view are free to go to court. Security is a apparatus; 2. It is to be headed by Security Advisers collective responsibility and we must ensure all hands are on desk to shore up the to the Governors; 3. Training will be done by established standards of security of lives and properties security agencies like the Police and the in our communities and in our society in general.

Army; •Yomi Obaditan, A Legal 4. They are to use dane guns; Practitioner Writes From 5. They will gather intelligence and make Osogbo them available to the Police.

“Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its missions, fulfill it or betray it “, said Franz Fanon.

Publisher – Moremi Publishing Amotekun is not for House Ltd. secessionists: Seyi Makinde the Governor of Oyo State is Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman of the People’s Democratic (0805-121-2204) Party (PDP). Will Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who Ass. Deputy Editor _ Kehinde Ayantunji belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC) plan secession Production Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa with him? Never! The issue at hand is about the security of Reporter – Solomon Odeniyi lives and properties. It is in Reporter – Yussuf Sodiq that vein that Section 14 (2) of 1999 Constitution compels – Olushola Aderinto governments to accord Photographer priority attention to security.

The three tiers of government: Computer Graphics - Zainab Olalere federal, state and local, are DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limconstitutionally required to OSUN ited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, give security of lives and Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

All correspondence to the above mail address. properties as well as the 0794-8050 welfare of the people an ISSN: Telephone: 0805-121-2204 overriding priority.

Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php Section 176 (2) states: “The e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com, osundefenderbank@gmail.com Governor of a State shall be the Chief Executive of that state.” If we combine Section

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weekends. Go to Ikire underbridge; and see how children are at risk of losing their lives all in the name of making money. I witnessed an accident at the Ikire underbridge when a boy of 15 years old was crushed to death by a trailer when selling “Dodo Ikire”, being the only child of his parents. And so many more cases like that. Similarly, at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo, the state capital, where underaged kids are usually found running after moving vehicles in the traffic to sell their wares.

It is my considered opinion that it is high time the government did something about this and to make sure they curb this in our communities.

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

BUSINESS

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.com

5

Furniture, Interior Decoration: The Emerging Business In Osun

By Sodiq Yusuf

C

arpentry is a renowned vocation, a specialised branch of which is known as furniture making, is one of those enterprises that have yielded numerous gains, profits and helped to provide the much-needed livelihood for families and generations.

Of a Truth is the fact that breadwinners of some families are carpenters or furniture makers as the case may be.

However, the business of furniture, just like sundry business, is evolving; has developed to the making of other sundry valuable household interior items.

Furniture showrooms are springing up in Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun, Agunbelewo and other neighbouring areas of the state capital.

The business began to boost about six years ago when the state was undergoing transformation during the administration of former governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbsola.

Some of the popular showrooms are: Artdeco, Laddan, Afole, Bato’ Palace, Malam Tope furniture, among others.

Our business news reporter caught up with Mrs Adijat Bola-Ifaloye, the CEO of Bato’s Palace, Agunbelewo, Osogbo.

With over six years experience in the business, Ifaloye is of the opinion that the emerging aspect of the furniture business is a lucrative one but hampered by the economic challenges facing the country.

“The business is profitable but it is currently dull due to the present economic situation”, she said.

The furniture business is now competitive, creating a considerable market space for buyers to explore.

•A Set Of Furnitures At Batos Palace Speaking on the competitiveness of the market, Ifaloye said: “I don’t feel threatened by the market competitors.

It is a welcome development because if there are several entrepreneurs in a business, it gives room for customers to select what they feel is the best from a wide range of choices.”

Assessing the business climate of the state with the springing up of such investments, the CEO of Bato’s place noted that “The business has grown and is more evident in the state because it has caught the attention of many people.”

On where she gets her furniture goods, she said: “Most of my products are imported while there are some made by local manufacturers. The world of furniture business is wide as it has a

•Another Set Of Furnitures At Batos Palace

variety of designs. Most foreign products come in from China, Italy and so on. The minimum capital base for a startup of a business like this depends on the capital available.”

The entrepreneur also sought the support of government in patronage as well as providing the needed atmosphere for their business to thrive.

She said: “Government should help us by buying from us. They should patronize us for we are the ones here. With the situation of the economy, most individuals might not be interested in patronizing us. But if government buys from us, it would enable us make more profit and assist them too in the other way round.”

•Mrs Adijat Bola-Ifaloye, CEO, Batos Palace

A Visit to Alhaja Resturant, Popular Amala Joint In Osogbo

By Kazeem Mohammed

U

ndoubtedly, the business of selling food or having a restaurant is as old as human being. The practice has continued to grow with far-reaching new ideas and inventions as to its packaging and conformity with the standards all over the world.

One of the most cherished aspects of a people’s culture is their food. It is one that people find easy attachment to because of the need for food by human as a source of sustenance and strength to keep them going.

Perhaps, the reason why they say a hungry man is an angry man. Osun, as one of the Yoruba-speaking states in Nigeria has embedded its rich culture in the numerous food varieties it presents.

The state also boasts of varying restaurants where people from diverse parts of the world can get to quench their hunger and thirst for a good meal; especially major Yoruba dishes such as Amala, Pounded Yam, Eba, Fufu and so on.

With the takeover of the scene by typical modern restaurants, the patronage seems to be going on the lowest ebb for local food joints especially in Osogbo metropolis.

OSUN DEFENDER’s business crew visited one the most popular restaurant in Osogbo, the capital of the state of Osun, Alhaja Olanrewaju Amala spot in

Odi-Olowo Osogbo.

‘Alhaja’s amala has cut a niche for itself in Osogbo because of its richness and local way of serving it. ‘Alhaja’ has consistently remained the first restaurant to recommend for any visitor who wants to eat local delicacy in the state.

The restaurant is operating on the ground floor of a storey building and two

different sheds that can accommodate 50 people at a go within the premises as overflow.

In a chat with the medium, Alhaja Abolore Akinbade who supervises the restaurant noted that the food selling business has continued to emerge with local food vendors working hard to meet the best standard practices.

Akinbade, however, noted the

•A Server Attending To Customer At Alhaja’s Restaurant, Odiolowo, Osogbo.

competition in the sector which, according to her, is necessary for the continuous upgrade of the quality of services provided to customers.

She said: “Restaurant business in Osogbo is lucrative. There is always the competition from our colleagues in the same business. We record at least about 250 customers daily with daily sales of reasonable amount of money.”

On the popular insinuations that owners of restaurants and food vendors are always fetish to attract people to their delicacies and continue to dominate the news space daily, this reporter inquired from Alhaja Abolore and she had this to say: “We don’t do that here. The practice is a bad idea. The quality of food and service rendered in a restaurant is enough to attract patronage. We relied on God and prepare our food to the best standard, that is what we believe will bring patronage to us.”

OSUN DEFENDER spent about 40 minutes and observed the influx to the restaurant. It noted that the menu, popularly codenamed ‘Amala Alhaja’ is not a respecter of class as the low, middle and high class people were seen queuing to get their food.

Adjoining from investigations, the influx of modern food restaurants has not disturbed the operations of local food vendors in Osogbo and they have continued to enjoy patronage from all classes of people; even the high class in the society as they are spotted in different locations across the state savouring local dishes.

MAGAZINE 6

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

Taking Osun To Greater Heights In the New Decade The new decade has started well and on a good note for the State of Osun. The immediate past decade ended on three remarkable notes, in succession: the documentation of a 10Year Development Plan for the state by the Aregbesola administration; the change of baton of leadership by that administration to a legacy successor; and the articulation of an economic and investment summit for the state by the new Gboyega Oyetola administration. NIYI OLASINDE weighs the overall contribution of these three epochal landmarks, vis-à-vis the promise they wield for a better and more prosperous state in the next time space, spanning ten solid years.

P

LANS are tools of taking purposeful flights and adventures into the future. They are an important tool in management through which meticulous programmes of activities are schemed and stretched for a future time, taking due cognizance of components of time, available resources of all kinds and the probability of increases in resource base; such that there will be greater strength and ability to pursue greater and wider varieties of livelihood for the concerned individual(s), organization, society or government.

Plans have become so crucial in recent times that nobody, corporate outfit, government or society dare operate without working with them and dwelling within their ambits. As such, no one person or organization ever risks operating in a planless void. It is crystal clear that without preparing to embrace the future with a workable definitive plan, such individual or group under reference should be preparing, not only for a fail, but also for a fall; and a great fall at that! Aside the fact that planning helps in prioritizing and allocating scarce resources among varied and divergent alternative uses; it also aids rapid development in all facets as well as maximizes all-round welfare. Other benefits of planning include: maximization of life abundant, minimization of wastages and leakages as well as assuring the provision and availability of the largest possible chunk of dividends of democracy to the largest cross section of citizens in the society.

This is doubtless what the Government of the State of Osun has realized that made it to embrace and accord due recognition and do due diligence to planning. As such, the government has given anchorage to planning, its trappings and underpinnings.

Considering plans and action plans for a state like Osun, one will be concerned with plans with time stretches spanning between one year (for budgets); two years, cutting through five, ten and twenty years; and running to fifty years. Whatever the duration, no length of time is too short, considering the ephemeral nature of man’s sojourn on the planet-earth and the frailty of time and tide, evident in short periods available to each administration of government in office. Whatever kind of plan is embraced and whichever length of time is involved, what remains sacrosanct is the fact that the planner requires to get

all productive and economic agents at his / its disposal to devote and concentrate all within their affordable reach to the actualization of the plan such that it yields the maximum benefits possible to the generality of the people. All hands also need to be on deck to assure goal attainment within minimum deadline / ultimatum possible within the stipulated timeframe. Also, effectiveness and efficiency must be ensured such that we have the best results from the least possible resource combination, while waste is minimized to the barest possible

Naira Only is so sized to reflect the exact needs and necessities required for the people, based on findings that are hinged on a time-tested plan. The budget for the immediate past year, 2019, sized N154 billion (One-Hundred and Fifty-Four Billion Naira Only) is higher with slightly above N35 billion must have been so sized in anticipation of likely economic relief following recovery from recession and meltdown which the global economy had hitherto been plagued with. The reduction of 22.33 per cent in the budget size must have been reflection of reality of recession

its twenty-seventh year of existence. We are in no way undermining or running maligning commentary on previous administrations and governments. What we are bringing to fore is the timeliness and thoughtfulness of instituting such a plan at such a time that Ogbeni Aregbesola brought it out. That was intended to be one of the main legacies to be bequeathed to his successor in office by his two-term eventful and highly successful administration, which lasted for eight solid years.

The retreat leading to the production of the ten-year development plan, which came in the twilight of the Aregbesola administration could not have come up at a better and more opportuned time. The symbolism, relevance and timing is such that it is not mere coincidence that the ensuing document is up for implementation at such a time as now, when the state is on the eve of the thirtieth anniversary of its creation.

E are not unmindful of the fact that the creation of the State of Osun had a long-drawn antecedent, filled with dreams and aspiration of tall ambitions and lofty economic yearnings of the illustrious founding fathers. Since the realization of the creation of the state in 1991, the state and her people had continuously been in want of the right mechanism to drive its development. While it is notable and remarkable to mention that since its creation, the state has gone through different phases of development, however, hardly had the people sat together to brainstorm and design a new direction of development in line with new global realities.

The new global finance partnership system also requests a new development plan to foster the achievement of developmental vision to bring a greater portion of the members of its populace out of poverty. Hence, the need for collaboration among all the stakeholders in the state to brainstorm and design a path for the future beyond their generation.

Such was the positivist climate that gave birth to the retreat which produced for the state its first-ever working document that embodies the Ten-Year Development Plan.

On this eve to the thirtieth anniversary of its statehood, the State of Osun is on the verge of being the clear model and reference point to be coveted by sister

W

•Primary Health Centre, Isale Agbara, Osogbo. limits. With the commencement of the Year 2020, the ball is set rolling for the outset of yet another decade, spanning 2020 to 2029. Casting a cursory look at events predating this epochal turn of the decade, the budget 2020 and other developments aimed at making the decade offer the very best to Osun, its teeming populace of residents and citizens will not be a step taken in excess of necessity. Considering with particular focus the budget for the Year 2020, styled “Budget of Restoration”, which is sized N119.5 billion (One-Hundred and Nineteen Billion, Five-Hundred Million

and meltdown. This in itself gives credence to the prolific power of planning and it holds high promise of greater performance for the Budget 2020: a clear indication to it that the budget will answer consummately to its sobriquet: “Budget of Restoration”.

Prior to Year 2018, when the need was felt for articulating one workable action plan, in the semblance of development plan for the State of Osun, no such plan had ever been put in place by succeeding administrations that had taken turns to govern the state. The state, created on Tuesday, August 27, 1991 had operated with no clear-cut development plan up till

•Continued on page 7

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MAGAZINE

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

Taking Osun To Greater Heights •Continued fron page 6 states, not only within its South-West geopolitical zone but among the comity of states in the entire Nigerian federation.

One area of positive peculiarity, which sets the document aside as first of its kind is that unlike in the previous time when developmental plans were handled by government alone or sometimes individuals, thereby the people who are the focus of such document are ostracized in the process which eventually render it redundant; the Osun Development Plan has the people as fulcrum of the plan, as its content is a product of engagement and robust debates among the stakeholders, while the final stage was handled by technocrats who were eventually billed to be at the helm of its implementation.

Among the pool of stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of brainstorming to produce a development plan for the state include civil society organizations, the NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs), market men and women associations, members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), National Conscience Party (NCP), Accord Party (AP), all ministry and parastatals of Government i.e. all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), Traditional Rulers Council of the state, members of the private sector in the state, the media groups. With the large and wide participation, it is envisaged that the process that produced the document would not only be allencompassing; but also society-driven and acceptable to everyone irrespective of their political or religious ideologies.

There are specific characteristics and intrinsic qualities of the processes of producing the development plan which made hopes of optimists to rise towards its offering the best to the state within the next ten-year period.

One, is the fact that the stakeholders at the brainstormed on what in their belief was the most appropriate development plan for the state to pursue in the next ten years, that is from 2018 to 2028; their discussions centred around developing mission and vision for the state for the period under review.

This, in plain terms, include setting the overall direction of the plan; providing the policy context; drawing core values that guide staff behaviours and interactions with stakeholders.

Also identified were the State Development Plan pillars, which includes the constituent sectors and strategic issues identification; the pillars provide more specific direction; and the constituent sectors indicate the sectors responsible for delivering each SDP pillar. These strategic issues facilitate goals and strategies for development.

Also, the stakeholders rubbed minds over the state’s goals, which will provide specific direction concerning the desired results and outcomes which the society would derive from achieving such goals.

Besides, it also derived strategies on how the goals will be achieved and these strategies are at the high-level in the SDP because the detailed strategies will be in the Mid-Term Sector Strategy.

Apart from identifying the needful plans for the development of the state for the proposed period, the SDP was also intended to fashion out a means of financing the process, prioritize projects and funds, as well as ensuring the implementation of the identified plans. The plan seeks out how to find resources to execute the plan like; how much will come from the State Government?

What level of resources from nongovernment quarters (private sector, development partners, etc.)?

What strategy should be employed to attract the needed resources (e.g. IGR

•Oyetola’s Light up Osun Project.

“The SPT that authored the MTSS is part of the core element of the SDP, which is very germane to the achievement of the long term goal of the SDP without jeopardizing its core policies. The concept is very significant because it provides a three to five years’ pathway to achieving the SDP and would provide a mid-term result on the success or failure of the SDP.” development, tax reform, private sector incentives, etc.)?

The Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) represents a process through which strategic policy priorities are determined and aligned with resource allocation, within the context of forecast information on the State’s macroeconomic and financial outlook. It represents medium-term expenditure estimates that are linked to clearly define sector objectives that are derived from the overall state’s goals. It is aimed at allocating resources towards strategic State goals and programmes within the constraints implied by the overall fiscal targets over a three-year period. The concept involves an application of activities of budgeting, with a view to improving strategic prioritization and the efficiency of public expenditures.

The Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) ensures a link between government expenditures and State goals and programmes articulated in the State Development Plan (SDP).

The Osun State Development Plan contains broad goals, outcomes and targets. It then became clear that it was almost impossible to implement the SDP without Medium Term Sectors’ Strategies (MTSS’S), hence, the need to embark on MTSS’S development. The MTSS document was authored by the career officers who manned government institutions wo were to ensure the success of the SDP. The Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government were put into twelve sectors referred to as the MTSS, and these will identify projects, plan and prioritize same for execution. All the agencies of government were represented because it is the macro-unit through which service delivery was to be achieved The MTSS is the actualization of the agreed high level policies of government as encapsulated by various policy documents such as SDGs, NEPAD, ERGP, SODP, and relevant sector documents.

Ministries, departments and agencies’ Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) must also be aligned with any other policy-work that the sector has engaged in previously, in other words, the MTSS process must increase rather than reduce focus in Government planning.

The MTSS is to review high level policy with focus on rejigging it to fit into present realities, to this end, the MTSS would review: relevant elements of the SDGs (i.e.

documents that are specific to each sector; e.g. gazette specifying the mandates, strategy document, documented functions, etc. (Other long-term strategies developed with partners agencies). It would also review function and Staffing Reviews, providing insight into; staffing requirements of each sector, functions that may no longer be required, new functions to be created and mergers of existing functions.

The review by the SPT is to focus on Sector overviews, which includes the challenges and constraints to the sector and specifically, to each sector (sector statistics will be valuable), mandates, mission, vision and core values of each Sector, policy thrusts (set goals, objectives, programmes, outcomes, and targets to be achieved) and projects to be executed for achieving the objectives, programmes, outcomes and targets.

It would also look at high level functions of the Sector (any duplications, any one to outsource, any one to drop, any new functions to introduce and why?), organizational structure of the Sector (is it appropriate for delivering the mission and vision, mandates, goals, programmes, outcomes and statutory functions of each Sector?), as well as manning levels of the sector whether it is adequate in terms of number, quality, age composition and gender composition?

The SPT that authored the MTSS is part of the core element of the SDP, which is very germane to the achievement of the long term goal of the SDP without jeopardizing its core policies. The concept is very significant because it provides a three to five years’ pathway to achieving the SDP and would provide a mid-term result on the success or failure of the SDP. The MTSS is very relevant because it provides a linkage between the SDP, budget and policy implementation. It is the fulcrum upon which the success or otherwise of the SDP relied upon, hence, the SPT and other stakeholders are exposed to regular and constant capacity building so that the civil servant do not only feel a sense of belonging but would possess a sense of ownership of the process.

The foregoing conveys the 10-year development plan of the state as no mere lip-service, a mere document for its sake

•Construction Of Ikirun-Iragbiji- Ororuwo-Ada Road. goals and targets that concern each Sector), relevant sections of NEPAD, ERGP, SODP as it affects the MDAs, as well as sector’s situation analysis.

Part of the MTSS focus is the policy

or just a view; but a systematic plan drawn to outlive individuals and to be championed by the institutions of government.

This gave birth to the Medium Term Sector Strategy.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

A Cocktail Of Rece JABU HONOURS GOVERNOR OYETOLA WITH DOCTORATE DEGREE

81ST BIRTHDAY OF CHIEF BISI AKANDE OF OSUN, HELD ON JANUARY 16, 2020

•The Conferment Of Honorary Doctorate Degree In Public Administration On Governor Gboyega Oyetola Of The State Of Osun At The 10th Convocation Ceremony Of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-arakeji, Oriade Local Government Area Of The State.

•From Right: Former Commissioner For Youth And Sports, Hon. Biyi Odunlade, Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, The Celebrants, Chief Bisi Akande, Hon. Minister For Information And Culture, Hon. Lai Muhammed, Anthony General Of The State Of Osun, Barr. Femi Akande And Barr. Gbenga Akano.

Send Forth For Retired Council Man ment Service Commission Hall, Aber Photo: OLUSHOLA ADERINTO

•Cross Section Of Inited Guests At The Event.

•Another Cross Section Of Inited Guests At The Event.

•Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Elder Tunde Adedeji presenting gift to one of the retiree, Mr. Israel Olabisi.

SOCIAL REGISTER

OSUNDEFENDER

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Recent Happenings

F BISI AKANDE, FORMER GOVERNOR OF THE STATE 2020 Ataoja High School, Osogbo Inter-House Sports Competition, Held At The School Playing Ground On Wednesday UARY 16, 2020 IN HIS COUNTRY HOME ILA.

, Hon. Biyi Odunlade, Mints, Chief Bisi Akande, Hon. med, Anthony General Of Akano.

•(R-L) Osogbo West LCDA Chairperson, Alhaja Temilade Olokungboye, Hon. Olalekan Olatunji and Commissioner for Education in the state of Osun Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin.

•From Right: Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mr. Benedict Alabi, The Celebrant, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola And APC Party Chairman In The State, Prince Gboyega Famodun,

Council Managers, Held At The Local Governon Hall, Abere, State Of Osun, Recently.

SHOLA ADERINTO

er Tunde Adedeji presenting

•Temilade Sekinat Olokungboye (T.S.O) House In The Group Photograph After The Competition.

OUR SOCIAL REGISTER IS OPEN FOR YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO BE MADE PUBLIC

•Retired Council Managers in a group photograph with representative of Head of service and Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Elder Tunde Adedeji after the programme.

Spaces are available for your anniversaries such as weddings, housewarming and chieftaincy title ceremonies among others for your take.

To take advantage of this, you can reach out to Ismaeel on 08051212204, Shola on 08034454006 Let the public know what you are doing.

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

INTERVIEW

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.com

10

Money Politics A Generational Problem - Akande Former governor of the state of Osun and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande celebrated his 81st birthday last Thursday, January 16, 2020. Part of the activities for the celebration was a media chat with about 50 newsmen where the celebrator spoke extensively on national and state issues. OSUN DEFENDER was there and presents A-Z of the media chat.

A

t 81, you look so agile and full of strength, what is your secret?

There have been calls for the 2023 presidency to be ceded to the Southwest and some persons have tipped Bola Ahmed Tinubu to get the ticket, how do you think this should be handled to avoid friction in the region?

The first secret is the grace of God which is beyond man’s understanding. When I was younger, I ate big and I was drinking volumes. But as I was growing old and up till this moment, I eat and drink less. Also, anytime I wake up, I think about others rather than thinking about myself because when they are happy, I am happy too, and you will live long if you are always happy.

Bola Tinubu had answered that recently.

He said you cannot spend 300 days out of 365 doing politics. We had just concluded an election, the government is yet to fulfill its promise to the people and you are talking about who will be another president. It means, to those asking the question, that there will be no service to the people and everyday will be for campaign. In other words, he does not want to talk politics until the time is right.

Tinubu did not want to distract the government and as well heat up the polity.

What he said that I heard is that he is not ready to jump into the ring. I leave you with that.

As the former chief security officer of the State of Osun, how logical, legal is it for the people of a geographical location to defend their territory?

Self defense is the best form of defense.

Your house is the only portion you have and need to defend against any intruder. Any intruder should be dealt with when you are in your house. But when it involves other people, you have to do it with regards to the culture and law of the land. The politics and law of security when I was a governor 17 years ago may have changed. So, if you ask me anything about security today, I may not be able to answer you.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation had declared the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ as illegal, how would you react to this?

Operation Amotekun is a Yoruba affair and because of that I do not discuss it with the media; I talk to the Yoruba elders and consultations are ongoing. But when you talk about the Attorney General’s position on the matter, it has to do with the law of the land. It is unfortunate that I am not a lawyer and I do not know much about law.

I don’t want to comment on something I don’t have knowledge of.

There have been lingering crisis in the APC in Edo and Osun states, what are you doing to broker peace among the warring political gladiators?

Nobody retires from politics, you die in it. But you allow the young ones to take over when you are getting old. I am neither the chairman nor the governor, nor part of the leadership of APC in Osun and Edo states. But I know the leaders are very competent to handle the grumblings in the party. I don’t think there is much problem in Osun State. I have tried to investigate myself, there could be disagreements, or little misrepresentation of facts and of course rumours. I can tell you it is more of a grumbling than crisis. From the appearances of what you might have been seeing from the beginning of the year, you will know that the grumblings have gone down and the leadership have been on top of the situations. In the case of Edo State, it is very far away from me. I read in the newspapers like everyone, and I would not like to pretend that there is no crisis. I am sure that the leadership of the party is doing a lot to make sure it settles whatever the differences and ensure that APC wins the coming governorship election in the state.

The Federal Government has increased VAT to 7.5 % and there are also plans to review upward the electricity tariff in spite

•Chief Bisi Akande.

I don’t think there is much problem in Osun State. I have tried to investigate myself, there could be disagreements, or little misrepresentation of facts and of course rumours. I can tell you it is more of a grumbling than crisis. From the appearances of what you might have been seeing from the beginning of the year, you will know that the grumblings have gone down and the leadership have been on top of the situations. of the current economic hardship, what does this portend for your party in 2023?

to reduce the pay earned by political office holders, do you support this?

The Finance Bill was signed into law two weeks ago and as a result we must leave it for those we put in power to implement; whether the executive, legislature or judiciary. And during this stage, a lot of consideration would be put in place to address the fears of Nigerians. A lot must have been done during the drafting of the bill, to the first and second reading at the National Assembly till when it was eventually sent to the president for his assent. Although, I was not part of the process but I am sure they took cognizance of several things. You rule for the welfare of the people.

This is a generational problem. There was no money in politics when I started. I was councillor in Ila for 11 years during which I was living in Lagos. I do come from Lagos to attend council meetings weekly and there was no financial benefit attached to that. The purpose was to serve your people and the progress of our community, and the members of the community were praying for us and they were potent. But in this generation, it is money or nothing.

Some of the politicians even take the money without service. My generation is different from the current generation; perhaps someone from this generation will answer the question. In my generation, you could not join politics if you have no source of livelihood. Politics was no job in my time.

I was a trained accountant and I was a manager at the British Petroleum when I became a councillor. In our days, no matter how much we had, we were happy to be councillor. If anyone wants to be successful in politics, he must be established in a job of his own and must take money from his earnings to participate in politics; such a person will enjoy politics and would last long. But if you sell your father’s house and joined politics, either you win or you lose, you are not going to last in politics. So, the politics in my days is not the politics of today.

As an 81 year-old man and a widower, how have you been coping with life?

I am thinner because I am always hungry now. I ate well and on time when my wife was alive. But since she left me, emotional problems have set in. As a result, I do not eat regularly, even when the food is good, I might not be able to eat because of the thought of my wife. That is why you see me emaciating but with your prayers and the grace of God, I have been coping.

Recently, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye made allusion to the need

You described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a kindergarten president when he was ruling the country, how would you describe President Muhammadu Buhari with the allegations that he has not been respecting the rule of law and his lopsided appointments?

I do not judge presidency or governance on where the appointments were made. I judge by results. I called Jonathan a kindergarten president because of the way he was behaving while in power. An example is when he went to the Central Bank of Nigeria to withdraw $2.1 billion for campaign and called it money to fight insurgency. Does he look like someone who was serious about the welfare of his people? That was one of the reasons; I saw so many things in that administration that I think normal people should not do. Under Buhari, he is talking about three things: security, fight against corruption and economy. He has degraded quite considerably the Boko Haram sect and other negative security situations he inherited. He has been fighting corruption.

Maybe he did not know the challenges he would be facing when he started but now, I know he is perspiring under the burden of corruption. Nearly everybody put in the position of power in Nigeria is tempted to be a thief and when you lead such a community, you will perspire every morning. And when corruption fights back, if you are not careful, you will be drowned.

If Buhari is having any problem, it is because corruption is fighting back. You can imagine the enormity of the different kinds of corruption we have in this country. Let us even forget the corruption of our rulers; what about those who do not work but earn, is that not corruption? Many of us receive bribes, are we not corrupt? So in a community where almost everyone is corrupt and someone wants to fight corruption, he is putting a heavy load on his head. The third is that he was going to grow the economy and if you look at it and with the statistics from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, you will know that the economy is growing, although at a slow pace. Yes, there was recession but the World Bank is talking about growth at about two percent. Buhari is growing the economy and he is a different kind of president from Jonathan.

•Continued on page 13

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FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

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Your Genotype; Your Future

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enotype remains one of the most controversial health issues widely discussed among people, especially partners considering marriage and reproduction. The reason for this cannot be overemphasized as incompatible genotype union comes with mental and financial stress.

Before I continue with this discourse, what’s your genotype? Do you know your partner’s genotype?

Have you taken your time to read about genotype compatibility and how you can avoid risking the lives of your unborn children? Do you know that the combination between your genotype and your spouse’s determines that of the child? Are you mindful of the implications of incompatible genotype between two lovers? Let’s talk about these questions one after the other, but I will advise that we add the “What is your genotype” question to our first-date questions.

Genotype, according to research, is an individual’s collection of genes. The term also can refer to the two alleles inherited for a particular gene. The genotype is expressed when the information encoded in the genes’ DNA is used to make protein and RNA molecules. The expression of the genotype contributes to the individual’s observable traits, called the phenotype. Simply put, genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Genotype is different from your phenotype which is a description of your actual physical characteristics such as your eye and hair color, the history of diseases and character traits. It is very important you know your genotypes before you say yes to your partner, because your yes means that you are ready to spend forever with such person, and forever is a very long time to be miserable. The main thing to look out for in a genotype compatibility test for intending couples is the sickle cell disease (a recessive disorder). It is a very serious and critical medical condition with high prevalence rate in Africa South of the Sahara.

Types of genotypes present in humans are AA, AS, AC, SS. These types of genotypes refer to the hemoglobin gene constituents on the red blood cells. Genotype AA and AS are both normal and common. Genotype AC is considered abnormal and rare; while SS is abnormal and common. Genetic specialists refer to them as sickle cells. The genotype of a child is determined by the combination of the genotypes of the parents.

Mostly, children born of same parents have different genotype exceptions can be twins,

triplets, or multiples that were in the same womb.

A l s o , genotype is commonly referred to as blood group, which is totally w r o n g .

Genotype and blood group are entirely different from one another. Blood group or blood type is a classification of blood based on the presence and absence of antibodies and inherited antigenic substances on the surface of the red blood cells (RBCs). The antigens may be p ro te i n s , carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids, depending on the blood group system. There are four main types of blood groups A, B, AB, and O. Each person’s blood group is determined by the genes they inherited from their parents.

The major similarity between blood group and genotype is that they are both determined by parents.

Genotype and the carrier “SS” are concepts I got familiar with as early as age 13. We shared flats with some middle aged couple who always had reasons to visit the hospital because they had a daughter who was SS whom we will be referring to as F. It is suffice to note that there was a twin before F but one of them died at birth and the other, a few days after her 5th birthday.

After F was born an SS, her chances of surviving were slim to everyone and the reason for this cannot be far-fetched. This was evident in people’s relationship with her as no one wanted to be a victim of her death. Teachers in our school never chastised her even when necessary.

Having grown up in a polygamous home, my father was an AS and my stepmother was an AS too... They had 2 carrier children, one of who died at birth and the second child died few days after her 5th birthday! A 5-yearold looking like a toddler all

through her life, her eyes were always deep yellow that at a sight of her eye, you’d have reason to question God “why”.

It was very difficult for everyone in the house to fully concentrate on whatever they were doing

each time she was around because you’d have to keep an eye on her to know if she was breathing or was fine.

She experienced different bouts of pain; many of which we didn’t understand. She received numerous rounds of blood

By Maryam Adegoke transfusion. Today, she got blood, tomorrow she is getting another again. She

•A Cross-Section Of Participants At The Retreat

Osun Govt Alerts Residents As Lassa Fever Kills

By Ismaeel Uthman

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overnment of the state of Osun has alerted residents of the state on the outbreak of Lassa fever in the neighbouring Ondo state, urging them to keep their environment clean to prevent the spread of the virus to the state.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Rafiu Isamotu in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday said the state government has begun move to prevent the Lassa fever outbreak in Osun, saying that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration is intensifying efforts to avert outbreak of the disease in the state.

Ismaotu explained that Lassa fever is an acute infection caused by Lassa fever virus with incubation period between 3 and 21 days, adding that the symptoms of the fever in its victim include blood stools, blood in vomit, bleeding from gums, nose, virginal, skin and eyes.

He disclosed that the fever could be contacted if a person comes in contact

with a confirmed case of Lassa fever either through urine, blood, stool, and infection from rat through contaminated food stuffs with rat faeces and or urine.

According to Isamotu, the state government has begun massive surveillance and intensive enlightenment campaign on the lassa fever disease, calling on residents of the state to do away with any practice that could attract rats to their homes.

No fewer than 16 people had been confirmed dead in Ondo while two medical doctors and a pregnant woman at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano state have also died as a result of Lassa Fever outbreak in Kano state.

Ondo state Chief

Epidemiologist, Dr Steven Fagbemi, who confirmed the Lassa fever outbreak revealed that 84 cases have been reported so far in the state since January 1, 2020, noting that 16 of the patients have passed on as their cases had reached the advanced stage before they were taken to the hospital.

According to Fagbemi while briefing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday, 47 patients on admission were responding to treatment, while 21 others had already been treated and discharged.

The outbreak is said to have affected Owo, Akoko South-West, Akure South, and Ondo West Local Government Areas of the state.

In Kano state, the doctors, a consultant Anesthesia and House Officer were reported dead days after operating a pregnant woman, who was suspected to be a primary carrier of the disease at AKTH.

was always in and out of the hospital. When she was 3 years old, she had a terrible pain crisis. She was given medication but she wasn’t responding. Each time her pain and health continued to worsen, she was rushed to the emergency unit of the hospital.

The list is endless of how the lackluster attitude of people to having p r o p e r acquaintance with the understanding of the essence of knowing their partner ’s genotype before getting to start the life contract called marriage.

It is a situation of “one death too many”, which has continued to rear its ugly head for decades. In fact, the peculiarities of spending so much more in terms of monetary value and other sundry challenges which plague the sojourn of a sickler on earth makes it imperative to follow the necessary steps to avoiding the possibility of other stories that touch.

For intending couples, it is non-negotiable for the duo of partners to do routine medical checkups especially as it relates to Genotype. Many have resorted to blame games as to the causative effects of deaths as a result of nonadherence to medical prescriptions during the process of the relationship.

Married couples who lack awareness of genotype should be encouraged to know it conduct the investigation to further safeguard the society.

Those who are living currently with sickle cell should be always show support to helping them navigate through the hard times. Good news: there are some survivors today!

Everyone should be alive to the awareness.

Genotype is as important as that Aso Ebi, Jollof rice and the other paparazzi of marriage. It is even of far greater importance than all the meriments associated with societal weddings.

Play your part. Let the reason for love be worth it at the end!

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FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

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FCE: Osun Community Goes Spiritual •Stories By Yusuf Oketola

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he agitation for the proposed Federal College of Education to be sited in particular community in the state of Osun has taken a new dimension as some towns have resorted to get the institution sited to them through spiritual means. institution Some of the federal communities that are considering its location as a on the lobbying for the FCE is community Gbongan, the Headquarters of Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state.

The people of Gbongan have gone spiritual in order to secure the favour of Federal Government to site the FCE in their town.

The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi has directed the people of the town to embark on fasting and prayer to seek the face of God on their agitation on the FCE. According Oba Oyeniyi, Gbongan is the most •Oba Oyeniyi suitable town to host the

expressway.

The monarch said Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency which Gbongan is part of is the only federal constituency in the state that has no federal presence, especially education institutions.”

He stressed that the

community would continue with the fasting and praying until the Federal Government approves that the institution to be sited in the town.

The lawmaker representing Ayedaade/ Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Taiwo Oluga said her predecessor in office; Mrs Ayo Omidiran moved the motion for the establishment of the institution in the state.

Oluga said Omidiran made frantic efforts on the floor of the House of Representatives before the bill for the establishment of the college was passed into law by the lawmakers, pleading with the FG to consider Gbongan, her hometown, for the location of the proposed institution.

OAU Management Denies Arresting Man For Killing Bat

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ontrary to reports that a middle-aged man, Femi Afolabi was arrested and remanded in prison for allegedly killing bats on the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the management of the institution has said that Afolabi was arrested for vandalism and not killing of bats.

The online media had last week reported that Afolabi was arrested, arraigned in court and remanded in prison on the order of the OAU management for allegedly killing bats on campus.

The report generated controversies as some members of the public chided the OAU

management for arresting Afolabi because of killing bats.

But the Chief Security Officer of the institution, Mr Babatunde Oyatokun said Afolabi was arrested and arraigned in court for allegedly damaging the windscreen of some vehicles while hunting for bats.

According to Oyatokun, the arrest was necessitated by the continuous damage of the university stakeholders’ properties by the culprit, all in an attempt to hunt for bats.

Oyatokun said: “We have on record with case files, more than 26 windscreens which were broken due to this same purpose of bat hunting with catapults.”

He disclosed that Afolabi had violated the

undertaking he had with the OAU management.

Speaking further on the matter, the Public Relation Officer of the institution, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju debunked the report circulating on the social media on the arrest of Afolabi was describing a rumour.

Olanrewaju said the man was taken to court for destroying people’s property, especially cars windscreens, in the course of killing bats.

OAU Management Cuts Lecturer's Salary Over Sexual Harassment Allegation

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he Management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has said that it has cut the monthly salary of a lecturer in the institution, Prof.

Olabisi Olaleye, who was accused of sexual harassment by a student, Motunrayo Afolayan.

According to the OAU condone any act of sexual sexual management, Olaleye has harassment, been placed on half salary intimidation or any other pending the outcome of the form of intimidation or investigation by a panel set sexual assault. up by the university.

“That was why when she Briefing journalist on (the student) lodged Wednesday, the Public complained with the Relations Officer of the authority, irrespective of university, Mr Abiodun the fact that her result had Olarewaju, said OAU been released, the management had set up a university still set up the committee to investigate panel to investigate the the allegation immediately matter.” it was reported, saying that Afolayan, a 400 level the report of the panel was student in the Department still being expected. of International Relations in He said: “The lecturer has the Faculty of appeared before a panel, Administration of the headed by Prof Yetunde university had accused Ajibade, the provost of Post Olaleye of intimidation Graduate College. The because she refused his student also appeared sexual advances. before the panel.

Afolayan, who lodged a “The panel has not complaint at the concluded its findings but university ’s Centre for the lecturer has been Gender and Social Policy placed on half salary Studies, alleged that pending the submission of Olaleye failed her in the report of the panel.

‘Diplomacy,’ course code “This is a clear signal that IRS 305.

OAU management will not

Ex-FCSC Boss Identifies Challenges In Tertiary Education

By Kehinde Ayantunji

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nconsistent policies, inadequate funding and unrealistic demands by academic staff and other unions in the university have been identified as some of the challenges affecting higher education in Nigeria.

A former Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Joan Ayo, disclosed this while speaking on the topic, ‘Higher Education in Nigeria’ at the 13th Commencement Lecture of the Bowen University, Iwo, State of Osun.

Ayo also listed lack of research grant, obsolete equipments and textbooks as other factors affecting higher education in the country.

The former FCSC chairman, according to a statement by the BOWEN’s Head of Public Relations, Toba Adaramola, on Wednesday, stated that higher education should be sought for right reasons by the students.

She said most Nigerian youths still live with the colonial mentality of seeking higher education mainly to secure whitecollar jobs.

Ayo, therefore, urged

students to have good dreams and work hard

towards realising that education is more than acquiring knowledge on a particular field of study for job.

According to her, “Why do you desire or want university education? To most Nigerian youths, a

university degree is the sure gateway to acquiring job, particularly a white-collar job.

“That is our colonial mentality, colonial heritage.

Some desire higher educational qualifications for political power or

military honours, while some hang around the university because their parents force them to go and add to family honor and class.”

Advising students on the right approach to life, Ayo urged them to be focused

on their pursuits, avoid pleasurable distractions, and work very hard to achieve success.

In his remark, the ViceChancellor of the university, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, urged government to create an enabling environment for education to thrive in the country.

Students Threaten Mass Action Over Harassment Of OAU Campus Journalist

By Solomon Odeniyi

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tudents under the umbrella body of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution his Special Adviser on Finance and Economy, Sarah Alade on the alleged harassment and intimidation of two young journalists, Alfred Olufemi and Gidado Yushau.

Olufemi had authored an investigative report on hemp smoking published in NewsDigest, an Abujabased online newspaper, on May 19, 2018 when he was campus journalist as student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The report titled: “Inside Kwara factory where Indian hemp smoking is legalized,” was published by Yushau, the Editor of the NewsDigest.

According to the report, Hillcrest Agro-Allied

Industry, one of the groups of companies owned by Alade, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, tolerated the smoking of cigarettes as well as Indian hemp by workers within its vicinity.

The report also stated that the industry refused to respond to Olufemi’s inquiry on the disturbing situation after he had put several calls and text messages to the industry’s hotlines.

Angered by the reports, Alade got both Olufemi and

Yushau arrested and both were arraigned at an Ilorin Magistrate’s Court for alleged conspiracy and defamation, even as the duo pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

The young journalists were however, released on bail on recognition grounds by Magistrate A.O. Muhammed who adjourned the case till January 13, 2020 for hearing.

When the case came up on Monday the prosecutor could not provide his witness and the magistrate further adjourned the case till January 28.

After the adjournment on Monday, the two journalists were served with writ of summons by the legal practitioner of

Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industries Limited, demanding a sum of N500 million from both Olufemi and Yushau.

They also sought an order compelling the defendants to retract and delete the links of the report from their platform and ensure the deletion of same from all platforms on the internet that have copied it.

Besides, Hillcrest is asking for an apology on their online news platform and two national dailies.

Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officers of NANS, Zone D, Comrade Nurudeen Olatunji, said the action of the Presidential Adviser to Buhari is inimical to the growth of young Nigerians who have passion for Nigeria to become a sane country.

Olatunji in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, accused Alade, Buhari’s adviser of intimidating and harassing the young journalists on the trumped-up charges and unnecessary legal suit.

He called on President Buhari to call Alade to order on her alleged move to kill the morale of the young journalists, threatening that the students would be forced to embarked on mass action if Alade continues to intimidate the students.

CHANGE OF NAME That I formerly known as GANIYU-MURITALA M O N S U R A T OLOLADE, now wish to be known and addressed as OYEDEJI MONSURAT OLOLADE. All former documents remain valid.

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FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

NEWS

Osogbo Catholic Diocese to Plant 50,000 Trees

By Solomon Odeniyi sogbo Diocese of the Catholic Church has said that it would plant 50,000 trees across the state of Osun in commemoration of its 25th anniversary celebration.

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Speaking at the take off of its sanitation programme which was part of activities marking the Silver Jubilee of the diocese, Most Reverend John Oyejola, who spoke through the diocese Vicar General, Rev. Father Thaddeus Ajayi said the church’s aim was to protect the environment from degradation.

Oyejola said the Church would plant the trees across the state where Catholic churches exist,

saying it is the church’s contribution to addressing climate change and make the environment habitable for everyone.

He said different human activities are distorting the climate and its consequences would be grave for all living creatures, hence, the decision of the church to embark on preserving the environment and encourage others to do same.

The Reverend said: “As

Protest Hits AraFriday Community October 25th, 2019,

•Continued From page 10

Court on the 3rd of October, 2019, ordering all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the case is determined. The court injunction was thus served on all parties on the 4th of October, 2019. V iz:- The Governor's Office, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Ministry of Justice; Egbedore Local Government and Published in Daily Independent of

page 18.

"We are, therefore, using this medium to once again appeal to our amiable Governor who we strongly believe is not in the true picture of the undue processes that have ravaged the selection procedures of Alara of Ara. "We urge Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to prevail on the concerned agencies to right the wrongs and allow the court order to stand by maintaining status-quo-

Christians, we must approach issues of environment preservation radically because a lot of injustice is unleashed on the environment regularly which is also responsible for different types of sicknesses and diseases globally.

“During the rainy season, we plan to plant 50,000 trees across the state where Catholic churches exist, ornamental and fruit trees, this would help control environment and beautify it.

“As human, instead of nurturing the environment, we are preying on it. As a church, we encourage everyone to be involved in cleaning and preserving the

environment. We don’t have to wait until government declares environmental days, we need to take care of our surrounding every time.

“Government should also make provision for proper waste management policies to keep the environment safe and hygienic. We are not doing enough to protect the environment against degradation and it is a task we all must be involved in.”

Speaking on some religious leaders involved in rituals and other crimes, Oyejola stated that the crave for materialism is pushing religious leaders to crime.

ante till the court determines the genuineness of all the candidates as contained in the 1979 Alara Chieftaincy Declaration.

"We hereby vehemently oppose the imposition of an indigene of Oyo on Ara people. We equally reject a daylight robbery of our heritage and tradition perversion. We love and count on our dear Governor as we believe that he will rescue us from the present quagmire in Ara." Reacting, the new Alara of Ara, Oba Iwindapo said he hails from one of the

ruling houses in the town, saying he is not a foreigner.

He described the claims of other aggrieved members of the ruling houses as baseless and unfounded, adding that if they knew they have genuine case to pursue in court, they wouldn't have called on anybody to come to their aid.

Oba Iwindapo said, "Is it not prejudicial on their part to come to you media and report to you? If they believe in court, they don't have to call anybody. If I am stranger to them, I am from a ruling house and

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He said those with Islamic and Christian background are major perpetrators of heinous crimes in the country, nothing that churches are now established as moneymaking ventures.

Oyejola wondered why church or any religious centre would be involved in ritual activities, saying man needs to reconcile with genuine love of God to ensure that peace reigns in the universe.

“A big question Jesus left to his disciples and is still unanswered till today is: will there be faith when I come back? The church is saying there would be faith.

But those who believe in God, either Christians or Muslims should wake up to their faith. The urge for

money, cars and big houses is pushing even religious leaders to crime; churches are now established to make money.

“How could a church be involved in ritual killing and still claim to be of Christian faith? Most of those committing crimes in Nigeria are either Christians or Muslims. We need to reconcile with genuine love of God”, he added.

members of the ruling house who don't believe in me have gone to court. Why don't they leave them to sort themselves out?

The ruling houses are just five in Ara while kingmakers are from 18 different compounds. I am from one of the five ruling houses.

They are confused."

"There is no edict that says molebis have anything to do with the appointment of Alara. They have no business whatsoever. They are hungry people. The kingmakers are the ones that are recognised.

"And there are 18 kingmakers; seven of them are the authentic ones and 11 others are the warrant chiefs. Out of 18 of them, none thinks I am a stranger.

CHANGE OF NAME That OYEDEMI DUPE ABIDEMI AND FASORO DUPE ABIDEMI are the same person, but now wish to be known and addressed as FASORO DUPE ABIDEMI . All former documents remain valid.

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CHANGE OF NAME That I formerly known as ITIAJU COMFORT, now wish to be known and addressed as ITIAJU COMFORT JOY. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

INTERVIEW

A Politician Without Job Won’t Last Arrant Innonsense!

Politics In federalism, do you

•Continued From page 10 The APC enjoined stability when you were the Interim National Chairman, how were you able to manage the party and what was the challenge you faced?

You were a strong advocate for fiscal federalism and now that the issue of minimum wage is on the front burner, how will you advice the government at the various tiers?

that we will have a uniformed salary structure. Salaries are paid according to your strength. If you see any industry owned by government or individual who earning N100 and paying salaries of N200, it will fold up very quickly. The same way goes to a state that make N100m and you service salaries with N200m; such state should start looking towards having a merger with a neighboring state. The argument on the minimum wage is in the structure and every state will have to negotiate with the labour leaders, according to the possibility and ability to pay. If they d o anything aside from this, that state will apply for a merger.

A s regards t r u e federalism, I am still on that.

But I cannot h o l d anybody responsible other than m y legislators.

It is only t h e legislative arm of government •Chief Bisi Akande that can amend the constitution to conform to my view on true federalism. Until they agree to restructure, we will all continue to shout for nothing.

Thank God every geographical location in the country has a legislator. Who are you blaming? Ask your legislators.

There has been no difference of opinions about minimum wage. Where there is argument is the structure between the minimum and the maximum wage. And it is only in a country that will not last long

When Bola Ige was murdered there were voices everywhere demanding to know those behind his death but now those voices have gone down, are you no longer interested in knowing who killed

I administered the party’s affairs with the use of computer. I registered over twelve million members within nine months of my chairmanship. I published the list of the registered party members voting unit by voting unit all over the country. In that list, the telephone numbers of all the members and their voter card numbers were there.

It made it very easy to identify your followers and I used that register to conduct all congresses from ward to local government and state level. I don’t know what is happening now because I am a bit far away from the party. I had no challenge because everybody cooperated and was happy with me. When I registered the members of the party, Atiku Abubakar stood and led others to applaud me. He said PDP had tried to do it five times in fifteen years but failed. I also listened to all members on the methods we used to capture their data. At a point, we adjourned meetings more than ten times because I wanted us to have a consensus and until we had one, I never did anything.

Where do you think the successive APC leadership got it wrong?

I do not think they got it wrong. Five years ago, we won the presidential election and we won another in the last year general election. We won elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states few months ago. In human organizations, there will be arguments; crisis! But we never had it wrong, by the time we start having it wrong, we will start losing election.

him?

We all know and I was never in doubt that the federal government of that time killed the late chief Bola Ige. But the person the Federal Government used to pull that trigger which killed Bola Ige what I do not know; only the police can tell. I said it loud and clear then and I have never changed my position.

How would you rate the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola?

Honestly, I have not had time to look at the effect of Governor Oyetola but I believe he should be able to perform better than I did because he is a more s o b e r personality than I am.

This should help him to think, plan and manage better than I d i d , considering his financial background.

If you are to advice the young politicians, from your experience, what will it be?

They should have good job before venturing into politics to ensure they have something to fall back on when they are out of office. If they do not have a job, they should never go into politics, if they do, they will come back to nothing.

What is your take on local government autonomy?

have three tiers of government? There is one federalism in the world and it only has two tiers of government which comprises of the government at centre and the federating units. When you talk about the local government autonomy, then you are talking about three tiers and one must be abolished and it is either you abolish the state or the federal, that is what the concept of federalism is all about. There must be a central government and federating units that makes it two tiers. If you keep the three, you are running a unitary system of government. Those agitating for local government autonomy don’t know what they are doing; they should go and read more about federalism.

How is Pa Ayo Fasanmi to you?

He is my Political Godfather. When I was here in Ila, I did not know I was a politician.

I was just anxious to see my place developed then I was elected into the constituent assembly. It was Baba Fasanmi who held my hands and took me to the constituent assembly committee of friends and then to Chief Obafemi Awolowo as someone who is capable to make mark in politics. I have become a politician since that time.

You were critical of the military regime of Buhari who you are now friend with, how will you assess Buhari as a military and civilian ruler?

When you put an iron in the fire, it becomes flexible and when you bring it out and put it in water forcefully it will go back to its original colour and it will be stronger.

Buhari was trained a soldier and not a politician. He was a rebellion coup plotter who succeeded in overthrowing a government with the power of the gun and he made a mess of it. But after going through politics and contested elections severally before he won. Now, he hardly does anything without seeking people’s opinion. As military leader, he was obeying and giving orders but as a democratically elected leader, he is now being shown the way to do it right through discussions, debates among others. This is a different Buhari from the one that sent me to prison.

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CRIME

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

Osun I.R.S Worker Alledgedly Steals N.6m

By Kehinde Ayantunji

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staff member of the Osun Internal Revenue Service, Mr Dare Ogunrinde has been arraigned before a Magistrate’s court, sitting in Osogbo, for allegedly stealing a sum of N665, 712, 95.

The 45-year-old Wednesday, allegedly Ogunrinde who was cornered the N665, 712, 95 arraigned on a two count- being the tax paid by charge of stealing and Orbitwood and Allied breach of peace on Company.

According to the charge sheet, the accused person conducted himself in a manner that was likely to cause breach of peace when he refused to issue tax receipt to the Orbitwood and Allied Company for the said amount it paid as tax.

The alleged offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 249(d) of Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

Ogunrinde allegedly committed the offence between January to July 2019 at Osun Internal

Revenue Service office in Osogbo.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the allegations preferred against him.

Defence counsel, Musa Abdullahi prayed the court to release the accused person on bail in the most

liberal term.

The bail application was opposed by the prosecutor, ASP Fagboyinbo Abiodun.

Ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, Dr O.A Ayilara granted bail to the accused person in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties.

Police Arrest Hunter Who Killed Colleague In Hunting Expedition Court Sentences Two

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olice authorities in the state of Osun have arrested a hunter identified as Kehinde Adepoju, who Edward was shot dead in allegedly shot dead his colleague, Kehinde the head with a dane gun Edward during hunting expedition at Ere Ijesa forest mine by one Kehinde Adepoju while on hunting in the state.

She said: “We received expedition with other Adepoju, it was information that on hunters at Ere Ijesa forest gathered, claimed to have Saturday, one Kehinde mine. mistaken Edward for an animal and pulled the trigger which hit Edward on his head and died on the spot.

The event according to some residents happened last Saturday around 6:30pm.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mrs Folasade Odoro said the suspect has been arrested.

She added that the remains of the hunter have been deposited at the Wesley Guild Hospital morgue.

•Osun Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo

Court Sentences 38-Year-Old Man to 10 Months Imprisonment for Stealing

By Yusuf Oketola

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Defence counsel, Mr K.C Abioye appealed to the court to be lenient on the accused person, saying that the suspect had been remorseful and would never commit such crime again.

The magistrate, Mrs M A Awodele sentenced the accused persons to four and six calendar months on the first and second charges of burglary and stealing respectively.

Magistrate’s court sitting in Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun has sentenced a 38-yearold man, Olaluwoye Akintayo to correctional facility for stealing electrical materials worth N750, 000.

Akintayo was arraigned proffered against him. on a two-count charge of The prosecutor, burglary and stealing.

Sergeant Shoyemi Bose The charge sheet read in said the stolen items were court on Tuesday indicated recovered from the that Akintayo broke into accused person at the the house one Alhaji scene of the incident.

Oyelakni Isiaka where he allegedly stole the items.

Some of the materials allegedly stolen by Akintayo were 13 pieces of

By Yusuf Oketola 2.5mm cable wires, 12 pieces of 1.5mm cable or allegedly attacking a middle-aged man, wires, 8 cut out fuses of Adetunji Olatona, two suspects have been various sizes, 2 single ordered to be remanded at Ilesa Correctional phases change -over facility by an Osogbo Magistrate’s court. switches, a distribution The suspects, Kehinde to have been found in box cover and a sack bag containing one shifting Oladosu (20) and Suraju Adebayo’s possession.

The accused persons Adebayo (34) were accused spanner, a pair pliers, of attacking Olatona with pleaded not guilty to the rubber gloves and a lighter. sword on January 12, 2020, charges.

The accused person was at about 9:00am at Oluode Defence counsel, A. S Olaniyi told the court that said to have committed Area of Osogbo.

According to the charge he and some other people the offence on January 15, 2020 at Iyalode sheet made available to have been making move to DEFENDER on settle the matter between community area, Ayekale, OSUN Tuesday, the accused the complainant and the Osogbo. persons used the sword to accused persons.

The alleged offences attack their victim who Olaniyi said the court were contrary to and sustained injury on his head should allow them to go ahead and settle the matter punishable under Sections in the process.

The duo was arraigned amicably with the two 410 and 390 of the parties. on a four-count charge of Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol felony, assault, breach of Presiding Magistrate, II Laws of Osun State of peace and unlawful Mrs Adijat Awodele Nigeria, 2003. remanded the accused possession of a sword.

The accused person at Ilesa The sword with which persons pleaded guilty to the the suspects allegedly Correctional facility, just as he adjourned the case till attacked Olatona was said three-count charge

“The corpse has been recovered and deposited at Wesley Guild hospital mortuary, Ilesa and the suspect has been arrested and has made useful statement. Exhibit has also been recovered. The Commissioner of Police has directed thorough investigations into the matter.

to Death for Murder

By Yusuf Oketola

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wo accused persons, Orisakunle Abiodun and Opadokun Olayinka have been sentenced to death by hanging by a State of Osun High Court, sitting in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government of the state.

Abiodun and Olayinka respectively were arraigned were convicted and on January 22, 2018 on sentenced to death by two-count charge of Justice Jide Falola for killing conspiracy and murder.

The offences preferred one Adeoye Matthew.

The convicts who were against the convicts, 21 and 29-year old according to the charge sheet, contravened the provisions of Sections 324 and 316(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

The victim of the convicts, late Adeoye Matthew, was said to be returning from work alongside his friend, Oladipupo Damilare, on 9th

By Yusuf Oketola March, 2017 around Babjo -23-year-old Akeem Ali has been sentenced to Secondary School, Idi- Iroko Area, Ikirun, when the duo three months imprisonment by an Osogbo of the convicts killed him.

Magistrate’s Court for stealing recharge cards Prosecution counsel from State Ministry of Justice, Philips Afolayan, and engine oil worth a and punishable under had called three witnesses Section 390 (8)(b) of the in the hearing of the case. sum of N330, 000.

Ali was arraigned on a Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol After the hearing and one-count charge of II Laws Of Osun State Of final submissions of the counsels, Justice Falola held stealing the recharge cards Nigeria, 2002. the prosecution The accused person that and engine oil which counsel had proved the belonged to one Olaide pleaded guilty to the one case beyond reasonable count charge leveled doubts and established a Okunola. case of murder and According to the charge against him.

Some of the stolen items conspiracy against the sheet made available to accused person.

OSUN DEFENDER on were presented before the Justice Falola Tuesday, Ali allegedly court as an exhibit against subsequently convicted Abiodun and Olayinka on committed the offence on the accused person.

The suspect, who had no the conspiracy and murder January 12, 2020 at about allegations.

2:30am at Okefia area, counsel pleaded with the Defence counsel, Mr. L. S. court to temper justice Bello, prayed the court to Osogbo.

The offence was said to with mercy on him. temper justice with mercy Delivering his judgment, in sentencing the convicts. be contrary to Section 383 However, Justice Falola the Magistrate, Mrs M A the convicts to Awodele sentenced the sentenced five years imprisonment for suspects to three months conspiracy and pronounced January 27, 2020 for report imprisonment with hard death by hanging for them on the murder charge. labour. of settlement.

23-years-old Bags 3-month Jail Term For Stealing Recharge Cards, Engine Oil

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Two Suspects Remanded For Assault

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Abducted Travelers Regain Freedom In Osun made the kidnappers to he police authority in the state of Osun have said abandon the abducted that the two travelers who were abducted last victims. No ransom was week in Alamo village on the Iwo/Ibadan Road have paid. Police personnel were regained their freedom. in the bush combing the She said: “Sustained entire place until the victims The travelers, whose pressure from the police were rescued unhurt.” identities were not revealed, were heading for Iwo from Ibadan in Oyo State when they were abducted by A Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo, the capital of the some gunmen in Alamo last state of Osun, has found a 21-year-old Internet fraudster, week Monday.

Arowolo Ariremako, guilty of $200 fraud.

Police Public Relations Ariremako, who appeared email account and posed as Officer in the state, Mrs before the court on a woman to defraud his Folasade Odoro said on Wednesday admitted to victim.

Wednesday that the victims defrauding an American, Defence Counsel, have regained their freedom identified simply as Gray of Abayomi Alawode, urged the after spending a week in the the sum of $200. court to be lenient with his den of their abductors.

The accused person was client, saying Ariremako Odoro, who spoke on arraigned in the court by the could still be useful to the behalf of the state’s Economic and Financial nation.

Commissioner of Police, Mr Crimes Commission.

Justice Peter Lifu found guilty of fraud and Johnson Kokumo said the The EFCC prosecutor, Ariremako adjourned the matter to travelers were rescued Oluwatoyin Owodunni, said January 31, 2020, for without ransom payment.

Ariremako opened a fake sentencing.

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Court Finds 21-Year-Old Internet Fraudster Guilty of $200 Fraud

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

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OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.com

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Zidane, Lampard Top List Of Former Players Currently Managing Their Clubs

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ost of the major clubs in Europe and beyond are currently engaging the services of their former players. Although, the argument on their performance is a question for another day; averagely, most of them have been doing quite well.

Here’s a look at 15 clubs that are being managed by their former players:

Zinedine Zidane – Real Madrid Years Playing: 2001-2006 Years Managing: 2016-18, 2019Present According to several reports Zidane remains one of the most successful players currently handling his fomer team. Zidane had a stellar playing career at Los Blancos, winning the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League and the 2002/03 La Liga.

As a manager, Z idane has continued this unrelenting success, which includes winning the UEFA Champions League three times in two-and-a-half seasons with Real Madrid, as well as the 2016/17 La Liga.

Diego Simeone – Atlético Madrid Years Playing: 1994-1997 Years Managing: 2011-Present Sticking in the Spanish capital, Diego Simeone is the heart and soul of this Atlético side. The combative Argentine completed the league and cup double in the 1995/96 season with Los Rojiblancos before sealing a move to Inter. As a manager, Simeone has continued to demand the very best from his players, which culminated in the 2013/14 La Liga title, pipping Barcelona to the crown. The former midfielder has also won the UEFA Europa League on two occasions (2011/12, 2017/18).

Frank Lampard – Chelsea Years Playing: 2001-2014 Years Managing: 2019-Present Chelsea’s finest ever player, Frank Lampard won it all with the west London Club, including the Premier League (2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10), FA Cup (2006/07, 2008/ 09, 2009/10, 2001/12) and UEFA Champions League in 2011/12. His career as a manager has just begun, however, the former West Ham Academy graduate did guide Derby County to the playoffs last season before taking over at Chelsea. Perhaps his greatest achievement, to date, is winning the Premier League Manager of the Month Award for October 2019.

Mikel Arteta – Arsenal Years Playing: 2011-2016 Years Managing: 2019-Present Another young manager who has taken charge of his former club is Mikel Arteta. The Basque midfielder won the 2013/14 and 2014/15 FA Cup with Arsenal as well as the 2014 and 2015 Community Shield. Having only just being given the managerial reins, Arteta is yet to win any silverware, however his improvements of Arsenal’s style of play can be seen already, with the Gunners churning out impressive performances since his takeover.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær – Man United Years Playing: 1996-2007 Years Managing: 2018-Present Perhaps one of the most decorated players on this list, Ole Gunnar Solskjær enjoyed a hugely successful career at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League on six occasions, the FA Cup twice and the 1999 UEFA Champions League. As a manager, things haven’t gone so smoothly for the Norwegian as Manchester United have endured a poor first-half of the season by their own high standards.

Chris Wilder – Sheffield United Years Playing: 1986-1992; 1998-1999 Years Managing: 2016-Present The man, the myth, the legend, Chris Wilder had a nomadic career in which he played for no less than 11 clubs. As a manager, however, Wilder has achieved a lot as manager of Sheffield United, guiding the Blades to promotion from League One as champions in the 2016/17 season, and then from the Championship into the Premier League as runners up in the 2018/19 campaign.

Eddie Howe – Bournemouth Years Playing: 1994-2002, 20042007 Years Managing: 2008-2011; 2012 - Present The only other manager in this list to rival the achievements of the aforementioned Chris Wilder is Eddie Howe. Forced to retire due to ongoing knee injuries, perhaps Howe didn’t enjoy his playing career as much as he’d hoped to.

Howe has certainly made up for it as a manager, though, guiding the Cherries to the Premier League in 2015 via League Two (2009/10), League One (2012/13) and the Championship (2014/15).

Simone Inzaghi – Lazio Years Playing: 1999-2010 Years Managing: 2016 - Present Not quite as good as his older brother Filippo, Simone Inzaghi still enjoyed relative success as a player with Lazio, winning the 1999/00 Serie A title. The Italian would add three Coppa Italia, two Supercoppa Italiana and one UEFA Supercup to his trophy cabinet in the following years. Inzaghi’s love for the Coppa Italia continued as a manager as he won the 2018/19 edition of the competition as a manager, as well as the Supercoppa Italiana in 2017 and 2019. Hans-Dieter Flick – Bayern Münich Years Playing: 1985-1990 Years Managing: 2019Present Moving onto the Bundesliga now, and onto former Bayern Münich midfielder, who won the Bundesliga title on four occasions (1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90) and the DFB-Pokal in the 1985/86 season, Hans-Dieter Flick.

With his tenure at the Allianz Arena still in its early stages, Flick has yet to win a trophy with Die Roten, however, don’t rule out a debut Bundesliga title in the very, very near future.

Marcelo Gallardo – River Plate

Years Playing: 1993 - 1999, 2003 - 2006, 2009 - 2010 Years Managing: 2014 - Present Arguably River Plate’s finest ever manager, Marcelo Gallardo has engraved himself in Argentinian folklore. The former playmaker won the Argentine Primera División on six occasions, the 1996 Copa Libertadores and the 1997 Supercopa Sudamericana. As manager of River Plate, Gallardo has won it all. The Copa Sudamericana in 2014, the Recopa Sudamericana in 2015, 2016 and 2019, the Copa Libertadores in 2015 and 2018, the Suruga Bank Championship in 2015, the Copa Argentina in 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2018/19 as well as the Supercopa Argentina in 2017.

Dejan Stankoviæ – Red Star Belgrade Years Playing: 1995-1998 Years Managing: 2019-Present One of the most talented players on this list, Dejan Stankoviæ had an incredible work ethic and possessed one of the finest long-range shots in Serie A. As a player, the Serbian won the Yugoslav First League in the 1994/ 95 season, as well as the Yugoslav Cup on three occasions (1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97), before enjoying a decorated career in Italy. As Stankoviæ was only just appointed as Red Star Belgrade’s new manager in December 2019, he is yet to win his first title as a manager.

However, with Crveno-Beli are currently 11 points clear at the top of the Serbian SuperLiga with 17 games left, he may not have to wait long.

Xavi Hernández – Al Sadd Years Playing: 2015 - 2019 Years Managing: 2019 - Present As everyone and their mother know by now, Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders to ever step foot on a football pitch. His achievements with Barcelona are legendary and yet, he finds himself managing in the Qatari Stars League with Al Sadd. With the Doha-based club, Xavi won the 2018/19 Qatari Stars League, the Emir of Qatar Cup in 2017, the Qatar Cup in 2017 and the Qatari Super Cup in 2017. Despite only becoming manager of Al Sadd in 2019, Xavi has already won the 2019 edition of the Qatari Super Cup and, with Al Sadd residing in third place in the league, he may well add his first domestic league trophy as a manager to his extremely full cabinet.

Michel Der Zakarian – Montpellier Years Playing: 1988 - 1998 Years Managing: 2017 - Present One of the more obscure inclusions, Michel Der Zakarian enjoyed a long tenure at Montpellier as a player, winning the Coupe de France in 1990 and the Coupe de la Ligue in 1992. Due to Montpellier’s recent fall from grace, Zakarian is yet to win a title with La Paillade, and with the dominance of PSG, his first triumph is unlikely to come any time soon.

Neil Lennon – Celtic Years Playing: 2000 - 2007 Years Managing: 2010 - 2014, 2019 - Present One of the most decorated midfielders of his generation in the SPFL, Neil Lennon won it all with Celtic, both as a player and as a manager. Lennon won the Scottish Premier League five times, the Scottish Cup four times and the Scottish League Cup twice. As a manager, Lennon has won the Scottish Premier League four times, the Scottish Cup three times and the Scottish League Cup once. Sérgio Conceição – FC Porto Years Playing: 1996-1998, 2004 Years Managing: 2017-Present Heading to Portugal and Liga NOS, Sérgio Conceição won the Primeira Liga on three occasions with FC Porto (1996/97, 1997/98, 2003/04), the Taça de Portugal in 1997/98 and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in 1996. As a manager, Conceição has won the Primeira Liga in 2017/18 and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in 2018.

Africa’s World Cup Qualifier Groups Group A: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Djibouti Group B: Tunisia, Zambia, Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea Group C: Nigeria, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Liberia Group D: Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Malawi Group E: Mali, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda Group F: Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Angola Group G: Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia Group H: Senegal, Congo, Namibia, Togo Group I: Morocco, Guinea, GuineaBissau, Sudan Group J: DR Congo, Benin, Madagascar, Tanzania

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Police Arrest Hunter Who Killed Colleague In Hunting Page 14 Expedition

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 - THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2020

B - A - C - K - S - T - O - R - Y Upcoming Project

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Specialised FG Agricultural International Market Coming To Osun

he Federal Government of Nigeria has cited a specialised Agricultural produce and fish International market at Ijebu-Jesa in Oriade Local Government of State of Osun. The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Adedayo Adewole who broke the good news, during the project implementation committee meeting in Osogbo, observed that the project was sequel to the Economic and Investment Summit organised by the State Government towards the end of the previous year.

In an address presented on behalf of the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) by Dr. Joseph Okeke National President, Agricultural Traders Welfare Association (ATWA) on the occasion of formal meeting of the PIC with State Governor of Osun on January 15, 2020 stated the economic trajectory of the project.

“TARGET PARTNERSHIP”

OF

i.

Agro-international market ii.

Fish production outlets-training of our youths on fish production iii.

Fish processing industry for export iv.

Warehouses v.

Office blocks vi.

Shops vii. Security house viii. Bank ix.

Hotel x.

Indoor and outdoor recreation centres, etc.”

He said their belief is that when these facilities are put in place, it will add value to the Governor’s chain of achievements in the State of Osun. Also, the Federal Government of Nigeria led by His Excellency, Muhammad

THIS

1.

Transforming Nigeria into Agro-based industrial nation by the year 2030 by establishing agro processing industries and international markets in the 36 States of Nigeria including the FCT. 2.

To shift our attention from depending solely on oil and gas as major source of revenue generation. It is true that Nigeria is naturally endowed with attractive crude oil deposit but record has it that many oil wells in the world have dried up. So, it becomes imperative for an alternative income generating source to be explored and exploited.

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BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT TO STATE OF OSUN 1.

Provision of Jobs for State of Osun teeming youths. We target that over thirty thousand (30,000) direct and indirect jobs will be created for people of the State of Osun.

2.

Revenue generation for the State: billions of naira will be generated by the State Government of Osun from this project.

3.

Availability of market for locally produced agro-products.

4.

Export opportunities for local agro-produce produce e.g fish.

5.

Storage facilities for preserving local agro produce.

6.

Reduction of crime level with the provision jobs for the youths.

He reiterated that other facilities expected to be put in place in this project in the State of Osun also include but not limited to the following:

ownership, such as Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) 3.

Clearing the land of trees and grasses.

4.

Creating access roads to the land.

5.

Providing security for the project.”

The president further said, the second phase of the project will attract establishment of an Agro-Polytechnic with College for Technical and Managerial disciplines that pertains to Agriculture and its related studies in each of the geo-political zones. He said the size of the land released for the project would enhance the sitting of the South-West Polytechnic in State of Osun.

ON INVESTORS AND FINANCIERS The door is open to welcome and discuss with intending financiers and investors within State of Osun and Nigeria in general to actualise the dream.

The partnership empowers ATWA to utilize every available funding windows to raise money including but not limited to Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

He said the MoU between the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Agricultural Traders Welfare Association (ATWA) is enclosed.

He also acknowledged the efforts and contributions of the National President of National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN), in person of Otunba (Dr.) Gabriel Emiola Ogunsanya (FEG) for his untiring efforts in facilitating the project to the State of Osun and making Osun a pacesetter.

Buhari is grateful to Governor Gboyega Oyetola for hosting them in a bid to bringing the dream into reality in the State.

“PIC REQUESTS FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF OSUN” 1.

A space of land (sizeable enough) to build the model market, shops, processing industry, office blocks, hotel and recreational facilities, banks, etc.

2.

Giving the access to the land and right of

The second phase of the project will a t t r a c t establishment of an AgroPolytechnic with College for Technical and Managerial disciplines that pertains to Agriculture and its related studies in each of the geo-political zones.

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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: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.com., E-mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefender@yahoo.com