Osun Defender Online Version of January 13, 2022

2022: Osun Recorded Highest Political Violence Cases In Nigeria

ELECTION related violence cases that occurred in the State of Osun in 2022 have negavely posi oned her as the state with the highest poli cal violence rate in Nigeria.

A report by a research organisa on, SBM Intelligence, said Osun had the highest number of elec on related violence cases in 2022.

According to the report, a total of five people were killed in 11 poli cal violent a acks.

SBM, in the report published on Tuesday, said the elec on related violence included the a ack on Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) facili es.

The footprints of the poli cal a acks is visible on the Oranmiyan House, the poli cal office of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in Osogbo.

It would be recalled that Osun had her governorship elec on on July 16, 2022, an exercise preceded by

primaries and other ac vies in 15 poli cal par es.

“Between January and December 2022, there have been at least 57 incidents of poli cally-mo vated violence in the country that have le about 27 people dead”, the report said.

Imo State followed Osun with five deaths, four poli cal violent incidences and one kidnapping case.

Akwa Ibom also recorded four deaths in four elec on related violent incidences.

The organisa on was worried that the present security landscape in Nigeria presents worrying challenges to the poli cal stakeholders and the en re country.

“Under the present circumstances, it is nearly impossible to conduct a hitchfree elec on in every part of the country”, it noted.

Reac ng to the report, the Spokesperson of Transparency Accountability Group, Comrade Ayo Ologun, said poli cal gladiators were responsible for the spate of violence in the state.

Ologun, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said: “There are very strong indica ons that the forthcoming elecon in Osun State may not be peaceful going by the

“By the released data, one can conveniently say that the spate of violence in recent me in the state is such that was brought

about by the poli cal gladiators irrespec ve of party affilia on.

“While some seek to settle long me score of animosity, some wants to show the power of incumbency and

Allow University Of Ilesa To Take-Off In Two Weeks, Stakeholders Urge Adeleke

Sodiq Yusuf

STAKEHOLDERS in Ijesaland have appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administra on to expedite ac on on the review of the processes leading to the establishment of the University of Ilesa, and ensure its full take-off in the next two weeks.

They noted that the tripar te issues of the committee have long been resolved by the implementa on panel setup by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola which presented its report on November 21, 2022.

Leading the stakeholders in an open le er to Adeleke, the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Yinka Fasuyi, noted that in line with the report of the ini al panel, the people of Ijesaland had agreed to jointly take up the financial burden of running the ivory tower as well as other posers raised by the incumbent administra on.

The Governor had on Tuesday inaugurated an 11man ad-hoc review commi ee chaired by Professor Taiwo Ashaolu of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Other members of the commi ee are Prof. Oyesoji Aremu, Prof. Lukman Jumoda, Prof. David Oladeji, Prof. Dayo Akintayo, Prof. (Mrs) Adefunke, Dr. Mutalib Akanmu and Hon Bamidele Salam.

The Permanent Secre-

tary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Educa on as well as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Jus ce are also members of the review commi ee, which has a six weeks mandate.

Inaugura ng the commi ee, Adeleke said: “The last administra on avoided due diligence and comprehensive project report. Instead, it opted for poli cal ac on on a subject that demands thorough planning, covering financial and academic forecast and provision.”

The governor mandated the ad-hoc panel to: “review and assess funding requirements for both capital and recurrent expenditures for the eventual take off of the university, review and assess the sources of funds for both capital and recurrent expenditure for the eventual take off of the University, generally review the implementa on guidelines proposed by the Implementa on Commi ee; engage all relevant stakeholders including the host community, trade Unions, Alumni associa on of the College, the student body, etc. with a view to harmonize the posi on for the way forward.”

The team is also to “iden fy the gaps within the UNILESA Establishment Law and make appropriate recommenda ons towards its amendment to ensure adequate coverage of relevant interests for the even-

tual takeoff of the University, propose modali es for phased implementa on of the University such that facul es and courses of study are matched with funding requirement of each phase of the implementa on and evaluate and draw appropriate policy recommendaons towards the execu on of the exis ng obliga ons, assets and liabili es of the College of Educa on, Ilesa with a view to removing all impediments for the eventual take off of the University.”

But in an open le er on Tuesday in response to the government’s ac on, Fasuyi stressed that the crea on of the varsity a er a over 40-year wait is in line with due processes, calling on the present administra on to be apoli cal in its ac ons on the ins tu on.

The Asiwaju of Ijesaland said his people are worried about the development, as it may not enable the University be eligible to take candidates for the 2023/2024 academic session, if issues related to its opera on and takeoff are not resolved.

He urged Adeleke to reduce the me frame for the review commi ee’s assignment to two weeks from six weeks, saying that most of the issues in its term of reference have been resolved.

He stated that: “One, the summarised Term of Reference number one in respect of iden fying financial needs of the University

and how to source for same has been painstakingly worked upon by the University Project Consulta ve Commi ee (UPCC). The details of this is contained in the University Sustainability Plan which we produced and gave to the administraon of Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola on Friday, 6th August 2021.

“A major highlight in the University Sustainability Plan is the empha c statement that Osun State Government shall not need to add any extra kobo to what it currently appropriates to the erstwhile College of Educa on to what it will providing to the new University as alterna ve sources of funding have been carefully strategised upon to take care of all other extra financial needs.

“The combina on of the an cipated support from the Osun State House of Assembly and the love and affec on the Governor, His Excellency Ademola Adeleke has for the people of Ijesaland could yield the result of producing a fully amended University Establishment Law (Amended) within one week and thereby make jus fica on for reducing the me frame given to the university review commi ee from six weeks to two weeks.

“In similar vein, the strategy for the phasing of Facul es and Courses are all already professionally done and submi ed to the previous administra on and representa ves of the

incumbent ruling party in the State. The phasing of Facul es and Courses have been painstakingly worked out in accordance with the University Financial Sustainability Plan submi ed to the State Government.

“The leadership of the various Academic, Non-Academic, and Others can be fully invited and engaged by the State Government and resolve all pending ma ers within a maximum of two to three intensive days and get a clear and sustainable result. A er all, it is the same Osun State Government that owns both erstwhile College of Educa on and the new University.

“The erstwhile College of Educa on, Ilesa was covered in this State-wide exercise hence, there will not be a need to start another fresh review again. We are also aware that the State Commi ee on Assets and Liabili es has completed its assignment and we therefore plead with the State Government to make use of the outputs of this commi ee as it relates to the former College of Educa on for the new University of Ilesa, since nothing would have changed in the status between when the Commi ee completes its work and now and therefore substan ally reduce the workload of the University of Ilesa review commi ee and therefore jus fy the reduc on of the me frame given to the university of Ilesa review commi ee from six weeks to two weeks.”

hence an a empt to balance terror which o en lead to casual es not involved in the scores been se led.

“If Osun, a once ranked most peaceful state in the country can all of a sudden bear the image of the state with highest record of violence in 2022, it simply means that we cannot go to sleep un l normalcy return to the state and that is only possible by collabora on and doggedness of the security agencies and the synergy of the government to apporon consequences to ac on and not use the power of the state to protect any none state actors.”

But the Osun State Police Command has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during and a er the general elec ons.

Spokesperson of the command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola said the police have put in place strategies to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the state, promising that the elec on will be peaceful.

She disclosed that the police made arrest of some of the suspects involved in poli cal violence in 2022, adding that the suspects were currently facing trial at different courts in the state.

Opalola said: “The police did everything possible to secure the state last year and we recorded success in our efforts. Many of the suspects that par cipated in one crime or the other were arrested and are currently facing trial in different courts in the state.

“As regards the forthcoming general elec ons, the Osun State police command wants to assure the residents that they have nothing to fear; the elec on is going to be peaceful. We have put strategy in place to forestall breakdown of law and order.”

present trajectory of events in the state.

Ismaeel Uthman

•Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, exchanging pleasantries with Actor, Hafeez Oyetoro (Saka) while Comrade Ayo Ologun watches during a programme tagged “The Art Meets Royalty,” on Wednesday

AFTER our short break, we are back refreshed and in fine me le, we take this opportunity to wish our readers a prosperous new year.

For Nigeria, it will be a momentous year. As a newspaper founded on the principle of pu ng the people first, we will be fully involved in shaping and direc ng the discourse.

It is a decisive year for our country and people should be though ul in making their choice.

We believe that in this year, the progressive cause must be reinvigorated and focused on the united pursuit of pu ng the people first as well as the readiness to banish hunger

Of The New Year

and poverty. One-hundredand-thirty-three million people in mul dimensional poverty indicates that there will be a long journey ahead. We as progressives must rise up to the occasion.

To do otherwise puts the polity and the country in grave danger.

Finally, the cut and thrust of the Jus n’s should not distract governments at all levels from con nuing to govern. For example, a response must be coordinated at all levels to the resurgence of COVID-19. Other African countries are taking more proac ve strategies and we have to up the ante on this and so many other fronts. Wishing us all a happy new year.

The Resurgence Of COVID-19

WE have stated above that the resurgence of and the new variant of COVID19 must be treated as more than a public health issue. It is looking like a na onal emergency with many dimensions.

For a start, a public health crisis on the eve of a general elec on is fraught with great dangers. It is bad enough to have flashpoints of places threatening the generality of the elecons holding na onwide, a public health crisis will overwhelm all emergency responses. We must heed the warnings of people like the highly respected virologist, Prof Tomori that coordinated scenario planning must be done now.

The strategic imperave is to start the response

from all points of entry into the country. It is looking late already. Ghana, Morocco amongst other countries have already started implemen ng proac ve responses. Truth be told, the public health infrastructure in Nigeria is too weak and undermanned not to have a well-planned coordinated strategic management at all the three ers of government. Our response in the past was sensible and effec ve, we must not be found wan ng now. Public enlightenment must be reinvigorated and people must be enlightened as to the efficacy of vaccines and where appropriate booster jabs.

We are in an emergency which must be taking very seriously with the “fierce urgency if now!”.

Review & Outlook

B Y BY

L A N R E

LANRE

FA D A H U N S I

FADAHUNSI

Nigeria Elections 2023- Molue In The Air-Naija Lives Should Matter

IN the interest of the na on, nay, in the interest of the new Nigeria we must decide to get things right this me.

Our people over me have le to chance the posi ve growth and development of the Na on. We have been despondent and resigned to fate that ‘if you can’t beat them you join them.’ How unfortunate!

Would it not give reason to worry if the agency saddled with the unbiased func on of superintending the forthcoming elec on is itself saying that elec ons may be cancelled or postponed. The reason need not be farfetched. Insecurity. We may be wondering what is so strange about that as if we don’t know. However, it is very strange if the CIC, Commander-inChief is chest bea ng that the administra on has decimated Boko Haram. That it delivered on promises made to Nigerians. With bated breath and trepida on, I begin to ques on myself. Though, there are more ques ons than answers.

While some for obvious poli cal patronage cas gate INEC for such statements, those who saw what had transpired in the past in terms of violence during elec on would understand where INEC was coming from. Not one to bring back horrid memories of our recent past. It quickly comes to mind the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s posi on that his ambi on is not worth the shedding of the blood of a single Nigerian. INEC indeed should worry. Una-

bated spate of a acks on its facilies is real cause for worry. Dr Agboke, the wonderful Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner had said that nothing is poin ng towards not holding elec on from its own side because security was not part of the func ons of INEC.

However, we need to ask a germane ques on, what is the average value of the live of a Nigerian? NAIJA lives ma er and it should. Successive administra on in the land has le li le capital a ached to a Nigerian life. Body bags during elec on is a sad accident in our historical essence. An American life is valued at between 1-10 million dollars. Hence, to take its ci zen, one ci zen from danger, America will deploy a troop, an aircra or a prisoner swap to save one American life. Here we are, Chibok, Dapchi and Leah Sharibu, Kaduna train a ack and we are s ll coun ng. If insecurity persists, the Naija Lives should ma er like an American life. The lives of INEC officials should ma er enough to Mr. President, INEC Chairman and the na on. If insecurity persists, elec on should be postponed and not place the na on on autopilot. All those insis ng that the fears of INEC is uncalled for should be patrio c enough by giving the matter a fair judgement.

In the quest to pursue the goal of rewri ng the story of Nigeria, people take risks from me to me.

Fear and despair were intertwined when people going on a quick flight were asked “which flight are you joining on the trip? “To join others in correc ng the flaws of the Na on, once the answer was given the response from the other end was blood cuddling. Haa! Why boarding Molue in the air? One begins to wander. Is it the fault of the Airborne Molue owner who s ll wants to keep afloat or the fault of the regulators whose duty of care it is to ground Molue from flying?

Violence: Conducting Election May Be Difficult In Ijesaland - Lawmaker

THE lawmaker represen ng Ijesa South Federal Cons tuency at the House of Representaves, Hon. Babatunde Ayeni, has raised the alarm over the spate of poli cal violence in Ijesaland, no ng that conduc ng elec on in the part of the state might be difficult if the trend is not checked.

Ayeni who called on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to wade in on the recent a ack on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijesaland, said the poli cal violence in the area was becoming worrisome and needed urgent security a enon.

The lawmaker who spoke with newsmen in Ilesa during the commissioning of a modern police sta on at ACAD area, Ilesa, recently,

said the incessant political violence was snowballing into another security threat, adding that people of the area do no longer sleep with

their two eyes closed.

He said; “Poli cal violence in Ijesaland is becoming worrisome. We cannot even sleep with our two eyes

closed again. “I am represen ng four local governments but my people in two of the local governments have witnessed

series of a ack. There have been series of harassment and in mida on and the elec on is coming in less than two months.

“I want to use this occasion to call the atten on of the Inspector General of Police to the nefarious ac vies of notorious cul st groups who have been launching a acks on innocent ci zens across Ijesa land.

“If le unchecked and allowed to go on like this especially by the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, conduc ng elecon in this area may be difficult.

“It will not only affect the 2023 general elec on, but snowball into another security threat to the businesses and well-being of the peace-loving Ijesa people.

“I want to appeal to you to ensure that adequate security measures are put in place to ensure the security of lives and development of manpower for the purpose of restoring peace to our community”.

Attacks: We’ve Beefed Up Security In INEC Offices

Kazeem Badmus

THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), State of Osun Command, have said they have beefed up security at the offices of Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) across the state to ensure the facili es are not further a acked by criminally minded people.

This is just as the NSCDC reiterated its determinaon to maintain law and order at all mes, assuring residents of the state of a peaceful general elec on.

State Commandant of the NSCDC, Sunday Agboola, gave the assurance while briefing the Corps Management, Area Commanders and Divisional Officers across the state, where he spoke on the preparedness of the Corps for the forth-

- Osun NSCDC

coming general elec ons in the country.

In a press statement by the Command’s Ac ng Spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, Agboola charged the NSCDC officers to do their best at ensuring a peaceful poll.

The NSCDC boss hinted that the electoral code of conduct for security personnel empowers officers on elec on duty to arrest and inves gate whoever disrupts the electoral process and such offenders would be handed over to INEC for prosecu on.

He, therefore, warned anybody planning to disrupt the forthcoming general elec ons to have a change of mind, or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

Agboola also revealed that personnel of the corps were undergoing series of training and retraining to

discharge their electoral du es with a high sense of professionalism.

He charged the Area Commanders and Divisional officers to strengthen their opera onal capabilies, emphasizing the need for ac onable intelligence and massive deployment of personnel for the elec ons.

According to him, “All heads of security agencies in the state have had series of mee ngs. We have been able to map out strategies for the success of the forthcoming general elec ons.

“Our collabora on is strong and Osun residents would perform their civic responsibili es in a peaceful atmosphere without being harassed.”

He, therefore, called for the support of all and sundry, no ng that everyone must work towards the success of the elec ons.

Osun Tribunal Receives Final Written Addresses Today

Sodiq Yusuf

THE Elec on Pe on Tribunal on the July 16, 2022 governorship elec on in the State of Osun will today (Friday) receive the final wri en addresses of all the par es in the suit.

The panel, led by Jus ce Terstea Kume had adjourned ll today, January 13, 2023, for the adop on of the written addresses, following the conclusion of the cases of the pe oners, former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents, the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC), Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) and Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Oyetola and the APC are challenging Adeleke’s victory by alleging, among others, that he submi ed forged educa onal cer ficates to

Police Arraign Nursing Mother Over Visa Scam In Osun

A26-year-old woman, Oluwafunmilayo Oloyede, has been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly involving in a visa scam.

Oloyede, a nursing mother, was alleged of conspiring with one Sikiru Adeo to receive a sum of N1,500,000 from one Ridwan Olanrewaju

on the pretence of getng him a visa to travel out of the country.

The accused person was arraigned on a three-count charge of stealing, fraud and conspiracy.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the defendant commi ed the offence in the month of

September 2022 in Osogbo.

The alleged offence contravened Sec ons 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol.II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defence counsel, Kehinde Adepoju, prayed the court to admit the

defendant to bail on liberal term, no ng that she was a nursing mother and would provide reliable sure es.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, A.O Daramola admi ed the defendant to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sure es.

The case was adjourned ll February 24, 2023 for hearing.

INEC and that votes were inflated in 10 local government areas where he won.

The pe oners presented two witnesses, Mr. Isiaka Olanrewaju and Mr. Rasak Adeosun, who held that there were irregularies in the elec on results in 749 polling units in 10 local governments and also that Adeleke’s academic records with INEC are fraught with discrepancies.

A forensic expert, Samuel Oduntan who appeared in defence of Adeleke said he examined BVAS machines obtained from INEC, CTC of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C & EC8D, CTC of Forms EC40G, INEC Osun State Directory of Polling Units, 2022; BVAS Authen ca on Report and BVAS Machines among other documents used for the elec on.

Oduntan noted that in line with his findings, Adeleke won the elec on convincingly.

The Independent Naonal Electoral Commission (INEC) which also presented a witness at the tribunal explained why there was “seemingly over-vo ng” in some polling units during the July 16, 2022 governorship elec on.

Tes fying before the elec on pe ons tribunal, Abimbola Oladunjoye, Deputy Director in the ICT department of the commission, cited some figures that contradict the recorded numbers of accredited

voters in the BVAS report in possession of the pe oners.

Explaining why the term “seemingly over-vo ng” was used, the INEC official said data from the BVAS machines had not been synchronised when the peoners asked INEC for the BVAS accredita on data.

“We got a le er from a law firm, I cannot remember the name of the law firm. The firm was requesting BVAS accredita on data and because we had a limited me to issue the le er and also FOI Act was binding on us and also the electoral law sta ng that we must release data between 10 days, we had to issue what we had as of that me. That was what we had at the back end.

“The report was issued on 27th of August when synchronisa on was ongoing. According to guidelines, the total accredita on figure is taken from the physical BVAS machine and wri en on the EC8A. Why I used the word seemingly over-vo ng is because any comparison that should take place should be between the EC8A and the physical BVAS machine.”

In an cipa on of today’s si ng, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in Osun have taken to the social media, jeering their followers, assuring them of victory in the suit.

Kazeem Badmus

•Comrade Semiu Abiodun Tiamiyu, the Director of Protocol to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, marked his golden jubilee on Sunday, January 1st. With him are his wives, Alhaja Toheerat Olukemi (in White) and Mrs. Halimat Olushola.

Suliyat Mustapha Ayomide Ibrahim

Interview

Nigerian Youths Need To Dare Older Politicians, Seek Position Of Power – Adebayo

Mr. Adewale Adebayo is a young businessman, politician and Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council in the State of Osun. He is hoping to pull a surprise spring in the February 25, 2023 National Assembly election in Osun Central Senatorial District, as he contests under the Allied Peoples Movement’s (APM) platform. In this interview with OSUN DEFENDER, he encourages the youths to go into active politics to have new leadership system in Nigeria. Excerpts:

THERE have been calls for youths to take up the challenge of leadership in Nigeria. How do you find the a tude of youths to poli cs, governance and leadership in Nigeria?

I am glad there is a rude awakening of the youths to the need to have them at the center of poli cs, governance and leadership in Nigeria. But the youths need to understand the ropes of these things. First, they have to join a poli cal party which is a pla orm to launch into mainstream poli cs. You cannot be expec ng change in our poli cal systems and governance and not join a poli cal party. If joining a party seems a no-go area for some, then youths already in mainstream poli cs can be supported to a ain leadership roles. In all of these, it is important to s ll have our fathers and mothers around as their experience is very much needed. Notably, the youths have been contribu ng to na onal development and advancement of democracy and good governance through their comments in their various social media handles. They had also demonstrated their strength in 2020; but the proper channel to venlate their anger, to demand a new order in Nigeria’s leadership system, to bring about a desire change is through the ballot and poli cal party par cipa on. Elec ons are not won on social media. The energy the youths are dissipa ng on social media should be channeled to real life voters mobiliza on for the forthcoming elec on. It is clear that Nigerian youths now have a posi ve and ac ve a tude to poli cs, governance and leadership now, unlike like their ‘I don’t care a tude’ in the recent past.

Do you think the poli cal and economic system supports the youths to wrestle power from the current leaders of the country?

Absolutely yes; but the ques on that should have been added to that is: “is the method they are adop ng going to work?” absolutely NO. Going through my poli cal journey, I have realized that the strength of character has to be built and this takes a couple of years to build, so as to gain trust and followership. Also, the system has been cash built over decades. Are the youths buoyant enough? NO. This is the reason we youths have to gain the character and the financial muscle to change the status quo and this has to be done at every strata of government. To execute an elec on in the country is super expensive. However, nothing comes easily. Even in Freetown, freedom is not free. We cannot abandon our heritage because of the current challenge. We will con nue to par cipate and hopefully, things we go our way, one day. A li le drop of water makes and ocean.

What can the Nigerian youths do to get to power in the current poli cal dispensa on? Are they really prepared for the task ahead?

Like I have said earlier, the youths need to build a poli cal structure that will transverse all the states, Local governments, wards and polling units. Whoever says structure is not needed is not ready for the task ahead. This is how the democra c system has been built. A government of the people, for the people and by the people will have to be built by PEOPLE from the very minutest unit which is the polling unit. Like the saying in the bible in Ma hew 26:41 “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. The youths need to wake up, leave poli cs of social media and ran ng behind the keypads. Though important too, they have to get involved in the physical execu on of the poli cal vision. Your strength on the media isn’t going to translate into electoral sagacity and ul mately votes. The real poli cs is at the grassroots.

What informed your decision to contest for the senatorial seat?

Simply the urge to impact posi vely on the people of my senatorial district and Osun State at large

•Adebayo

through effec ve representa on at the Na onal Assembly. I want to get the people fully represented at the Na onal Assembly to ensure par cipa ng development.

You are rela vely young in poli cs considering the socio-poli cal system of Nigeria. Are you sure you are not being too ambi ous on your senatorial aim?

Not at all. I want you to read the book “Think Big by Ben Carson and Cecil Murphy and also The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama”. I was a legisla ve aide, I am the Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council in Osun State for two terms running. I am also currently the IPAC Coordinator in the South-West. I am not too ambi ous; I have gathered the experience over the years. We need more youths to dare these poli cal waters, many will excel.

Poli cal structure is very important in winning an elec on; and your party seems not to be well known to the people of Osun Central, how do you want to convince the electorates to vote for you?

I really don’t understand why people think our party isn’t well known. This would have been a valid asser on during the July gubernatorial elec ons but not in this one. We have gone the length and breadth of this senatorial district bringing a message of renew-

“The youths need to wake up, leave politics of social media and ranting behind the keypads. Though important too, they have to get involved in the physical execution of the political vision. Your strength on the media isn’t going to translate into electoral sagacity and ultimately votes. The real politics is at the grassroots”

“BVAS is a good innovation that can be improved on. There is no system that is devoid of manipulation, hence INEC should on a daily basis reduce the occurrence of manipulations to the barest minimum. BVAS is not enough to curb election malpractices, it is to curb over voting which is just an aspect of electoral malpractices. I believe as we grow in this democracy there would be a time that the people will triumph. We will get there sooner than many expect.”

al and signing a bond with the electorate who really vote. Also, this elec on is taking us to a point of aligning behind personality not party which ul mately in the future will herald independent candidacy. Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is a giant in Osun Central Senatorial District and the state at large.

Vote buying is a new electoral manipula on in Nigeria; how do you think that can be curbed?

There has to be a na onal re-orienta on. Someone brings money to buy votes but doesn’t know who you voted for right? If they bring their money, you can reject it as you are not under compulsion to take it. However, our security agents also need to see to sincerely help our electoral system. The vote buyers and sellers are not ghosts, they are Nigerians that are willingly flou ng the law. So, the security agents, par cularly the police to arrest and prosecute them. If I may ask, what happened to the people arrested in Eki and Osun during the governorship elec ons over vote buying? The judiciary should also support the security agents by dispensing jus ce on electoral ma er on me.

The introduc on of the Bi-modal voters accreditaon system (BVAS) has been applauded by stakeholders, especially those of you in the opposi on par es, do you think the machine is enough to resolve issues of Electoral malprac ces in Nigeria?

BVAS is a good innova on that can be improved on. There is no system that is devoid of manipula on, hence INEC should on a daily basis reduce the occurrence of manipula ons to the barest minimum. BVAS is not enough to curb elec on malprac ces, it is to curb over vo ng which is just an aspect of electoral malprac ces. I believe as we grow in this democracy there would be a me that the people will triumph. We will get there sooner than many expect. We all acknowledge the improvement in our electoral system; the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elec ons could not be compared to the 2015 and 2019 general elec ons. And I belief the forthcoming 2023 elec on will be far be er.

Religion

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

JUMAT

SERMON

JUMAT SERMON

Islaam is a complete code of life, each and every aspect of the religion is designed by our Creator to have happy and healthy communies by easing the path to eternal happiness in Paradise forever. In religion, Islaam, Qur’an and Sunnah have laid down some principles regarding the dress code of both males and females. A Muslim and a Muslimah are both required to observe the Islamic teachings both internally and externally. Allaah Almighty says: “And abstain from all sins, internal or external.” Quran 6:120.

By Muhammad Makanjuola By Muhammad Makanjuola

Islam And Dress Codes

Nowadays, modesty seems to be a sign of weakness or insecurity in other religions but not the case in Islaam. In Islaam, modesty is seen as a sign of respect for oneself and others. Islaam defines a dress code for both men and women, purpose of defining dress code is to protect the society and promote modest dressing and behaviour. Dress code defined by Allaah Almighty allows Muslims to conduct their lives with respect, dignity, and modesty.

Regarding dressing, Allaah “O children of Adam! Surely, we have bestowed upon you a garment to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you, and the garment of piety is the best”. Qur’an 7:26. From this verse, we came to know that dressing with modesty is very important for all of us. Allah has allowed people to wear nice clothes and put on a good appearance, as doing so is one aspect of remembering Allah’s blessings upon them. Noble Qur’an states about wearing clothes in these words: “Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah, which He has brought forth for His servants and the good things, clean

and pure, which Allaah has provided for them?’ Say, ‘They are [lawful] for the believers in the present life but they shall be exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrec on.’ Thus We explain Our signs for a people who understand.” (Quran, 7:32)

Allaah has men oned reasons for clothing: to cover the body and cover up what should not be revealed in public, to beau fy the body so the person looks be er. Islamic clothing is known for its modesty. A Muslim is al-

lowed to wear whatever clothes he/she wishes so long as they are modest and must meet the commandments of Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad.

Both men and women should show modesty in the clothes they wear. Women should wear a dress in a way that shows they are Muslim women. The Qur’an instructs the Prophet about women dressing in the way: “Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to wrap their outer garments around themselves. That is more suitable so that they will be known as pious women, and not be harassed.” Qur’an, 33:59.

The basics concerning men’s dressing is that they should wear what is halaal and permissible, anything outside that is haraam, such as silk for males; because the Prophet said: “These two [gold and silk] are forbidden for the males of my ummah and permissible for the females” (Ibn Majah). Any dressing which creates pride and arrogance in the heart must be avoided. In an hadith, the Messenger of Allah said: “Whosoever dresses himself out of pride in this world, Allaah will dress him/her with the same clothing on the day of Qiyamah and he/she will be entered into Hell.” (Ibn Majah)

In short, we should dress properly with dignity, respect, and modesty. May Allaah guide us to dress properly according to the teachings of Islam!

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

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

Preface

The Man With An Extraordinary Large Heart

Being the preface to the autobiography of Hon. Idowu Korede, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and strong ally of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to commemorate his 60th birthday on August 14, 2021.

Ithink it was Euripides, the Greek tragedian, that wrote that a loyal friend is worth ten thousand rela ves. This will truly reflect who Idowu Korede has been to me since our paths crossed in 2003.

I consider it a great privilege therefore to write the preface to his autobiography commemora ng his 60th birthday.

Korede’s story and the trajectory of his life are remarkable. He was born in Northern Nigeria to Ijesa parents and grew up there. His parents, fearing

he might be lost in that culture, sent him to live with his aunt in Ilorin. From Ilorin he came to live in Ilesa, his home town, and was sent out of Ilesa Grammar School for rascally behaviour and had to go to three different secondary schools to complete is secondary educa on.

A er his secondary educa on, fate took him to School of Health Technology, in Ilesa and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he qualified as a Public Health Superintendent and Officer, respec vely.

PUBLICATION

PUBLIC APOLOGY

I, OLASIYAN

VICTOR, of Oladosu Street, Ogberin Area, Ede, Osun State of Nigeria, hereby tender public apology for slandering AKO-REDE BADRU ADEBAYO on Facebook. I had no right to say that you are a scammer, a debtor or either a ripper. The claim was unjustified and unsubstantiated.

That I understand that this qualifies as defamation of character and libel, but I would like you to know that I simply got caught up in the moment and I deeply regret it.

That i hope that you can find a way to forgive me for my momentary lapse in judgement. I promise to make amends in order to make it clear that my comments were unwarranted and untrue.

He had a stellar career as public health officer and re red to private prac ce and ac ve poli cal life.

His poli cal sojourn, like life itself, has been with ups and downs but the ups trump the downs. He began his poli cal career during the democra c transi on programme of the Sani Abacha era and established himself as a grassroots poli cian, but he could not make much of it in spite of his popularity and efforts.

He was a founda on member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the founda on party of ACN; which is one of the legacy par es

PUBLICATION

That I was formerly known and addressed as LUKMAN-BELLO ASMAH AYOOLA now wish to be known and addressed as LUKMAN-BELLO ASMAH OLAWUNMI

All former documents remain valid. First Bank & General public should take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as OYEDEMI TOSIN now wish to be known and addressed as OYEDEMI TOSIN ADEMOLA All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

and our own tendency, that metamorphosed into the All Progressives Congress (APC), making him a core progressive.

The poli cs of the Fourth Republic is not in vacuo. It actually had its fountainhead in the aborted Third Republic which was truncated with the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presiden al Elec on won by Chief Moshood Abiola. Not only was the elec on annulled, Chief Abiola was arrested and put in illegal deten on where he died on July 7, 1998.

But the death of Abiola in custody looks every inch an inequitable and bizarre balancing with that of General Sani Abacha, the usurper of Abiola’s mandate and his gaoler, who had earlier died on June 8, 1998, just one month apart.

Abacha’s successor, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, hurriedly put up a transi on programme in which the mainstream Yoruba progressives par cipated under the AD. The bulk of the AD had trenchantly but courageously opposed the military and called for among others, the release of Abiola, the actualisa on of June 12 mandate and uncondi onal military disengagement from government. For this,

they were either driven to exile or held in deten on.

Therefore, these valiant warriors were the flagbearers of the party in virtually all elec ve posts, making it difficult for starters but promising poli cians like Korede to make much inroads at the me. Rather than being discouraged, he has remained steadfast and has steadied the course.

Tragically, that 1999 progressive wave soon fizzled out as the AD was routed in the next elec on cycle in 2003, with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos being the last and lone man standing. The retreat of progressivism in the West could be a ributed to the murder of Chief Bola Ige and the grand scheme of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) to subvert democracy and foist a totalitarian regime on the country, among others.

It was while emerging from the ashes of the near wipe out, a er the 2003 elec on, that I met Korede in Ilesa. The PDP had come to power in Osun then and they were preparing for local government elec on in which Korede was the charisma c candidate of the AD in Ilesa East.

We came to Osun from Lagos, in company of Asiwaju Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, to campaign for the party’s candidates in

the elec on and we hit it off. Though reports claim he was the voters favourite but he was robbed and the victory given to the candidate of the PDP. We have been together since.

When I signified my inten on to contest the 2007 governorship elecon, he was nominated by the Ijesa South poli cal family to represent them in my team. He has remained loyal and commi ed not just to the two elec ons I contested and won, but to my administra on and person ll now.

He is also a man lavish in his considera on for others. It stands to his credit that virtually all the players in my team from his cons tuency were recommended by him. Regre ably, he didn’t get similar returns from those he recommended. He is extraordinary in his largeness of heart but he never got a bit of that in return from them.

It pleases me so well therefore to pen these few lines for a brother and friend who has shown me so much loyalty and love. His unfeigned loyalty and faithfulness adequately compensate for whatever treachery I might have suffered from others.

I pray and have no doubt that his stocks will con nue to rise in poli cs and his other endeavours in life.

OYEDEMI TOSIN ADEMOLA

LUKMAN-BELLO ASMAH OLAWUNMI

“These two [gold and silk] are forbidden for the males of my ummah and permissible for the females” (Ibn Majah). Any dressing which creates pride and arrogance in the heart must be avoided”

FG Votes N3.2bn For Industrial Parks In Osun, Two Other States

the commitment and interest to the project.

THE Execu ve Vice Chairman and Chief Execu ve of the Naonal Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, has hinted plans by the Federal Government to establish three industrial parks in Nigeria.

Haruna said about N3.250 billion had been earmarked for the first phase of the parks which will be located in Osogbo, Capital of the State of Osun, Nnewi (Anambra State) and Igabi (Kaduna State).

He also said the centre of NASENI Helicopter project of assembly and first made in Nigeria helicopter is being relocated to Aeronau cs and Air Vehicle Development Instute (AAVDI) in Kaduna.

Haruna made the disclosures when he paid a courtesy call on the Commandant of the Nigerian Air Force Ins tute of Technology, Kaduna on Monday.

He said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has planned to develop industrial parks for the automo ve sectors in three zones of the country: Nnewi (Anambra State) Osogbo (Osun State) and Igabi (Kaduna State).

“Once fully taken up and equipped, the automo ve park will be selfsustaining and a government revenue source.

“In the first phase of the project, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Na onal Planning has earmarked N3,250,000,000 for takeoff and we appreciate the honourable minister for

“We are equally grateful to Malam Nasir ElRufai, the Execu ve Governor of Kaduna State for the alloca on of 50 Hectares of land and his Excellency’s magnanimity for gran ng waivers of all statutory fees for the tle of the land.”

The execu ve Vice Chairman explained in detail the objec ves behind the industrial parks, saying: “The project ini a ve is in line with the concept of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment which ini ally proposed establishing the Automo ve Supplier Industrial Park (ASIP) in these three loca ons in the country for technology evolu on in the automo ve sector.

“This is in line with the mandate of NASENI for provision and development of primary and intermediate capital projects required for machine and equipment design, fabrica on, and mass producon, in order to provide the enabling environment for sustainable industrializa on of the country.

“The project is being supervised for NASENI by the Hydraulic Equipment Development Ins tute (HEDI) Kano, an ins tute of NASENI for the Agency.

“The project is intended to unlock the opportuni es in the auto sector as well as poten als in the manufacturing industry with a view of creating employment, skilled labour in this region and sub-Saharan Africa. It will earn foreign exchange for the country and stop importa on of vehicle spare

parts.

“Major vehicle manufacturers from different countries have indicated interest to operate from this facility. It is also intended to provide the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company with the necessary support in the produc on of armoured vehicles.

“Work in the phase one of the project comprising perimeter fencing, construc on of informaon and communica on

building, construc on of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) workshop, construc on of Automo ve Spare Parts, sales and services outlet are all above eighty-five percent (85%).

“Comple on of phase one of the project within the next few weeks will enable commissioning and commencement of opera on which can run concurrently with development works in phase two of the project.”

Osun Has Over 2m Registered Voters - REC

By Kazeem Badmus

THE Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC), in the State of Osun Dr. Mu u Agboke, on Tuesday, said the state has over 2 million registered voters.

Of the 2million registered voters, Agboke said a total of 402, 763 Permanent Voters Cards were yet to be collected in the state.

According to Agboke, the commission is doing everything possible to make sure that the people who are yet to collect their PVCs do so before the elecon.

He added that the commission had already taken the PVCs closer to the residents, urging those who are yet to collect their voter’s card to visit their registraon area to collect it.

The REC said: “In Osun State, a lot of people have collected their Permanent Voters Card, a lot are s ll collec ng, while more people are yet to collect. We

have over 400,000 PVCs yet to be collected in this state.

“INEC is trying to bring it closer to the people and that is why we have moved to the registra on area and ward level and more people are coming out to collect. The fact that they know their votes will count, they are interested in collec ng the PVC.

“The total number of uncollected PVCs as of this morning is 402,763 and that is to tell you that it is reducing gradually. We have over 2million registered voters in Osun State.

“INEC has done very well in Osun State because if you remove the number of those who have collected from the total number, you will see that the gap is wide but for us, that 400,000 is s ll huge.

“We are engaging the stakeholders to encourage our people to come and collect their PVC and I am very op mis c that the number will reduce before the elec on.

8-Month Blackout Induced Migration Of Residents, Business Owners In Osun Community

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RESIDENTS and Business owners at Gbongan-Alamo community in Ayedaade local government area of the State of Osun are now moving out of the area over persistent power failure, inves gaon has revealed.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the community has been in blackout for over eight months as a result of the breakdown of the 500kv transformer supplying electricity to the community.

The transformer, it was gathered, is 15year-old, and was donated to the community during the second term of former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 2008.

Residents of Gbongan-Alamo community told OSUN DEFENDER that some unscrupulous elements have been taking the advantage of the blackout to perpetrate evils at night.

Speaking with the medium, the Youth Coordinator of Alamo Community, Yinka Oloyede, said the community have been managing and repairing the transformer three years a er it was donated to the town, un l it could no longer be repaired.

He said: “The transformer was donated to the community during the second tenure of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and it started developing fault three years a er.

“The community have been managing it and taking responsibility for the repair cost. We contributed to pay IBEDC workers whenever they come for the repair.

“But in the last eight months now, it has been total blackout in the area, the transformer has packed off. It is no more working. Immediately the transformer stopped working, we nofied the IBEDC to stop bringing bills to the community which they have already complied with because no one is ready to pay.

“The Gbongan office of the IBEDC has also

In the bid to restore electricity back to the community, the youth coordinator said the community leadership had met with the member represen ng Ayedaade/ Irewole/Isokan Federal Cons tuency at the Naonal Assembly, Hon. Taiwo Oluga to seek her interven on.

He said: “We have gone to our House of Representa ves member from this cons tuency, Hon. Taiwo Oluga, she told us she is already working on it and that all le ers have reached the necessary offices and that another transformer will be given to us very soon”.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that economic ac vi es of the community has paralysed as ar sans and other business owners who needs electricity to run their ac vi es now gets premium motor spirit (petrol) between the rate of N280 to N300 per litre at Ode-omu and Gbongan to keep their business moving

Also, residents who rent apartment are now reloca ng from the area to another community due to the black out.

“All residents of the community were just managing due to the total blackout. Business ac vi es has been paralyzed. sales is not the way it used to be even, some business owners are already reloca ng to another community. They cannot endure the blackout anymore.

“Only those who are house owners are le here because there is nowhere to go for them. The blackout has also made it easy for unscrupulous element to perpetrate evils at night.

“We are urging the state government and our representave from Ayedire local government to please come to our aid. We need a new transformer. The size of the faulty one is 500kv”, Oloyede added.

Yusuf Oketola

Yusuf Oketola

•Justice Isiaka Adeleke in a group photograph with family members at a special prayer organised to celebrate his son, Habeeb Adeleke’s Call to Bar.

en a le er to Ife office, no fying them about the blackout and the le er has been approved”.

Osun Has Over 2m Registered Voters - Rec

By Rauf Aregbesola

LAST year, 2022, terminated for me with a drama c denouement.

I had returned to Lagos from Abuja on Friday, December 30, worn out and listless for no reason at all.

By the way, Idowu KOREDE, my IJESA poli cal anchor-man, was billed for a major surgery at a reputable private hospital in Lagos for Wednesday, December 28, 2022. The surgery was successful, so said the team of surgeons that managed the process. Nevertheless, my mood was sour inexplicably.

On Saturday, December 31, 2022, while complaining to my family physician who coordinated the arrangements for the surgery of Korede and handled all pre-surgical medical management and procedures – the transfer from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Eki , Krown Hospital, Alimosho Lagos and Saint Nicholas Hospital, Lagos – about my depressed mood, he calmly dropped the bombshell of the tragic death of Michael Idowu Korede. He said he had died that morning of embolism a er surviving the surgery and was on a rou ne ac vity.

I was stunned and numbed. How could this happen to a man who was an epitome of valour, virtue and honour? It was a huge blow. KOREDE represented the best in all of us: kindhearted, large-hearted, bold, faithful and loyal. His simplicity was disarming.

He effec vely discharged his responsibility to me and the cause since 2004, from the days of the struggle to rebuild our party, reclaim the state from the PDP, prepare for the 2007 gubernatorial elec on, defend our victory, pursue a tanic legal tussle for 42 months, winning the legal battle and ge ng the mandate to return the progressives back to the poli cal leadership of Osun and running an eight-year unparalleled people-oriented administra on in Osun. He was in the vanguard of all these efforts.

KOREDE was at the head of the

“He effectively discharged his responsibility to me and the cause since 2004, from the days of the struggle to rebuild our party, reclaim the state from the PDP, prepare for the 2007 gubernatorial election, defend our victory, pursue a titanic legal tussle for 42 months, winning the legal battle and getting the mandate to return the progressives back to the political leadership of Osun and running an eight-year unparalleled people-oriented administration in Osun. He was in the vanguard of all these efforts”

efforts in Ijesaland to install my successor; Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, in the last quarter of 2016, when at my promp ng he formed the LEGACY GROUP to cham-

Korede Was A Man Year Out, Year In

AT an average distance of about 150m Km from the Sun, the Earth completes a round trip around it in 365 days, 5 hours, 59 minutes and 16 seconds: that is one year. For convenience we leave it at 365 days yearly and add the extra quarter of a day up every four years – to the month of February, which becomes 29 days instead of 28 – and then call the 366 days a leap year. The next leap year is just next year, 2024 AD.

Although a Nazi rocket had captured the first image of Earth from space on October 24, 1946, the first ever photograph of Earth as a whole – The Blue Marble – was taken on December 7, 1972 by scien st-astronaut Harrison H. Schmi as a crew member of the Apollo 17 mission on their way to the last landing on the moon. That iconic picture was taken from a distance of about 29,000 Kilometres away from Earth and no man has gone so far since then to take another, although pictures of the full earth abound from unmanned satellites, the most famous being “The Pale Blue Dot” taken by the Voyager 1 Space Probe as it turned around to have a last look at the Earth from a record distance of about 6 billion Kilometres away as it was about to leave our Solar System and con nue its explora on into Space; that was on February 14, 1990.

From 29,000 Kilometres away, the Earth looks wonderful, beau ful and at peace with itself. As Be e Midler said in her classic soulful song “From A Distance,” “...there is

pion the aspira on. This was known to the aspirant whom he personally met on December 26, 2016 in his official quarter at Oke-Fia. This clearly belied the deliberate falsehood of Ogbeni’s

opposi on to this cket. But I digress.

Unlike others who could not standup to their convic ons in the face of tempta ons, Korede refused to demure in the face of a huge pressure to rewrite the history of the struggle for progressive governance in Osun and its con nuity.

The few trappings of development that Ijesaland has had from the Federal Government so far – employment of the youth, empowerment of women and other vulnerable people and si ng of landmark projects like the Federal Fire Service Regional Training School, Ilesa, the 3,000 capacity Custodial Centre in Iloba, Na onal Instute of Domes c Security, Urogbo and Nigeria Immigra on Service Passport Office, Ilesa – all have the imprimatur of KOREDE. He chivalrously coordinated the successful delivery of these programmes and projects for my office.

As mortals, we are bound to accept death as the ul mate end of life. It will come at its me. We are therefore totally submi ed to the will of God on the transla on of our dear brother, ally, friend and confidant, Michael Idowu KOREDE, as painful as this might have been. We pray for the repose of his soul, divine peace and protec on for his family and an everlas ng good memory of his life and me.

KOREDE WAS A MAN May he wake up to joyful ac vi es on the other side. Aamin.

harmony, and it echoes through the land... From a distance, we all have enough and no one is in need; and there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease; no hungry mouth to feed... From a distance, I just cannot comprehend what all this figh ng’s for... And God is watching us.”

Down to earth from that distance, through the stormy atmosphere, you land squarely in the midst of unlimited, mul plicity of conflicts almost world over: except humans are not living there! Only few human socie es, at the lead of which are the Scandinavian countries, know the semblance of order expected of communi es populated by “man, the wise.” Among those almost completely lost in disorder, Nigeria - with all its abundant natural endowments - is now being unfortunately counted. Why?

Advances in science and technology, over the decade, today guarantees that life more abundant for majority of human being on earth is possible. It should, however, not perplex any discerning mind why majority of humanity live in poverty while an insignificant minority each has more than is needed by a million people to live well. Any producon and social system that jus fies and sustains this kind of inequality cannot but build a world of misery, chaos, violence, crime and strife. Governments are ins tuted amongst men simply to guarantee their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Complete equality of good fortune is never

achievable anywhere, any me. However, an elite system of government, predominant in the world today, which is against egalitarianism but keen in keeping the majority toiling in ignorance and poverty and divided by religion, colour and tribe as to make their con nued, relentless exploita on and oppression possible, is not only outdated, unjust and unsustainable but a harbinger for all kinds of resistance - sensible and senseless, organised and disorganised.

From me immemorial, in every human society, the advancement made in improving knowledge and human rela ons has always been credited to the efforts, selfless sacrifices and commitment of the patriots of that society; their enterprise and struggles. In our own small corner of the world called Nigeria, they have our saluta ons and best wishes as the earth commences another year journey around the sun. They have our admoni on not to get red but renew their strength in the struggle for a just world order.

The Earth con nues its journey in space and me around the Sun, quite mindful and adjus ng as it does to the calami es wrecked to its environment by Homo sapiens, “man, the wise.” Hopefully, this year will count more in favour of reason, against absurdi es, locally and globally. We all must determinedly contribute to making it so. May it end on a fulfilling note for us all by December 31, 2023.

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Osun DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarnaty 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 Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefemder@yahoo.com