Osun Defender Online Version of January 17, 2025

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Nine Days After Nine Days After Adeleke’s Pardon

Adeleke’s Inaction Fueling

Fueling Ifon, Ilobu Crisis

Group Crisis

Group

•As Two Shot In Continued Deadly Communal Clash

•Former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Zamfara State, Sen. Hameed Yerima, and former deputy speaker of the, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Lasun Yussuff, during the Conferment of Honorary Chieftaincy Title of Barrister Mamud Adesina as the 1st Wazeerul-Muslimeen of Ifon Orolu Kingdom Osun State, recently

Adeleke’s Inaction Fueling Ifon, Ilobu Crisis - Group

ACivil Society group in Osun State, Centre for Social Jus ce and Public Protec on (CSJPP), has called out the state government over the renewed hos li es between Ifon and Ilobu town.

The group said the con nued inac on of the state government should be blamed for the ongoing deadly clash between the two communi es.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that Ilobu and Ifon have been embroiled in communal clashes which centers on unresolved boundary disputes for years.

However, the issue climaxed in October 2023, when the clash between the two communi es over a disputed parcel of land in the Opapa area led to the death of no fewer than 11 people and millions of property destroyed.

A er the deadly clash, the state government, through the Commissioner for Informa on and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, imposed a 24-hour curfew on the communi es.

The government also declared the area where the disputed land is located as buffer zones, warning the two communi es not to go there.

Also, a commi ee was set up by the state government to look into the issue with the aim of brokering peace with warring communi es.

However, 14 months a er the deadly clash, the state government has yet to come up with a template on how to resolve the issue permanently.

The failure of the government to find a las ng solu on has led to the connued hos lity between the two communi es.

There were reported cases of clashes between the two communi es in 2024 with stakeholders from both communi es accusing each other of sponsored a acks.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that despite calls from various quarters to find a las ng solu on, the state government has not done much on the ma er, with the Commissioner for Informa on sta ng that the government is working on resolving the issue.

Meanwhile, the two communi es, again, on Tuesday, engaged themselves, with two persons allegedly shot.

The Ifon Progressive Union, an umbrella body for the indigenes of Ifon-Orolu in Osun State, alleged that two people were injured in a shoo ng incident in the Apiponroro area, purportedly carried out by individuals from the neighbouring

•As Two Shot In Continued Deadly Communal Clash

Ilobu community.

The Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union’s Board of Trustees, Jide Akinyooye, disclosed that the violence erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

“Gunshots were heard in Odoje and Golden Gate areas of Ifon, leading to the displacement of several residents. Two individuals sustained gunshot injuries as of the me of issuing this statement,” Akinyooye said.

He accused the Ilobu community of escala ng the crisis despite ongoing government efforts to resolve the boundary dispute in the Opapa buffer zone.

“This brazen disregard for human life is unacceptable. The Ilobu community has con nued to engage in violent clashes, endangering innocent lives,” he said.

Akinyooye called on the state government to take decisive ac on against those responsible for the violence.

However, Ilobu leaders have countered the allegaons. The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, accused gunmen from Ifon of a acking Ilobu residents in the early hours of Tuesday.

“Our people living in Ganga and Apiponroro called to report that gunmen from Ifon had laid siege to the area. Those attacked had no choice but to defend themselves. At a mee ng held on Monday, the Olufon issued threats against us,” Ogunsola claimed.

He appealed to the government to intervene and protect Ilobu residents, insis ng that his community has always been peaceloving.

“We urge the state gov-

ernment to act decisively and protect us from these repeated a acks,” he said.

Reac ng to the latest incident, the Coordinator of CSJPP, Akin Akanji, in an

interview with OSUN DEFENDER, berated the state government for not living up to its responsibility. Akanji said the ma er should have been put to

rest if the government is serious, adding the failure of the government to do something meaningful will lead to more casual es.

The statement read in

in Ilesa.

part, “The con nuous clash between Ilobu and Ifon is the irresponsibility of the state government. It is very unfortunate that things like this are going on, and there seems to be no end to it.

“Since 2023 when we had the deadly clash which claimed a lot of lives, the state government has yet to come up with a las ng soluon to the issue. How can it take a responsible government more than a year to call the two communi es and se le the ma er?

“It seems Governor Ademola Adeleke and his cabinet are too preoccupied with other things than what is happening in Ifon and Ilobu. Is it un l the two communi es are burnt to ashes before Adeleke performs one of his core responsibilies which is the security of lives and proper es?

“As a group, we want to call on the state government to find a las ng solu on to the problem on ground. This ma er needs urgent a en on from all concerned stakeholders. We can’t afford to con nue losing our loved ones because of land issues.”

Two Nigerians Linked To Moroccan Terrorists Arrested In Osun

Yusuf Oketola

TWO Nigerians allegedly linked to Moroccan terrorists have been arrested in Osun State.

The suspects, Ayomide Akintunde (F) and Nurudeen Adesiyan (M) were arrested and detained by the State Security Service (SSS).

On Friday, the SSS secured a court order to detain the man and the woman for 60 days.

The Federal High Court in Abuja granted the SSS the order pending the conclusion of the agency’s invesga on into their alleged es to Moroccan terrorists.

Jus ce Emeka Nwite granted the order in a ruling on an ‘ex-parte’ mo on moved by the counsel to the SSS, Y.I. Umar.

An ex-parte mo on is one filed and decided upon in the absence of counsel for the other party. In this case, counsel for the two suspects.

In its applica on, the SSS argued that releasing the suspects would impede its inves ga on and possibly endanger the Nigerian public.

The agency said the suspects are coopera ng and providing crucial informa on that could lead to the apprehension of other members of their network.

The ma er was adjourned un l March 3, 2025 for men on.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the Service Tac-

cal Team of the SSS arrested Ms Akintunde and Mr Adesiyan on December 19, 2024, at Ajape Lane 3, Modakeke, Ife East LGA in Osun State.

A Morocan terrorist in Spanish custody was in communica on with the suspects, according to inial findings by the security agency.

“Preliminary inves gaon and intelligence report revealed that a Moroccan terrorist currently in custody of the Spanish Na onal Police Service communicated with Ayomide AKINTUNDE (F) and Nurudeen ADESIYAN on GSM numbers: 08168359934 and 08168542908, respec vely.

“That the Moroccan terrorist is being inves gated for making jihadist publicaons and for acquisi on of firearms with the intent of conduc ng terrorist a acks against iden fied targets in Nigeria,” it said.

The agency said the suspects admi ed to owning the phone numbers which they had used for over 10 months.

Also, no fewer than 100 foreigners suspected to be ISWAP members who invaded Osun state for alleged bomb making training have been arrested by opera ves of the Nigerian Immigra on Service.

The suspects, who were accused of entering the country without traveling documents, were arrested

Security sources said the suspect were arrested and taken away by immigra on officers.

The Commissioner for Informa on and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the suspects have been arrested over a week and the government has taken normal steps on the ma er.

He said the issue was not disclosed because the government in the state has been proac ve in the arrest of suspected terrorists in Ilesa.

He said: “100 foreigners were arrested weeks ago before the arrest of suspected members of ISWAP in Ilesa. We are on top of security situa on, our residents should not panic.

“The governor, including our service chiefs, are on top of security situa ons in the state. We are equally re jigging the Amotekun Security ou it to be more effec ve,” Alimi said.

Recall that the Amotekun Commander in

Osun State, Mr Adekunle Omoyele, said the security ou it is intensifying efforts to make intelligence gathering a major aspect of its opera on.

The Corps Commander also disclosed that it is working with other local security ou its to ensure that illegal ac vi es like kidnapping and terrorism are curbed in the state.

Omoyele said: “We are ensuring that criminal ac vi es, including kidnappings, have no place to thrive. With a focus on bolstering security across the state, the Corps has ramped up efforts to safeguard vulnerable areas and other strategic loca ons.

“There is strong collabora on with Amotekun units from other states to safeguard our territory from bandits and other criminal ac vi es.

“The Amotekun Commanders meet monthly to discuss security issues affec ng our region, working together to achieve our shared goals.”

Kazeem Badmus
•Governor Ademola Adeleke laying wreaths in honour of fallen heroes at the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, on Wednesday

Issues & Policy

The Unfinished Battle: Gender Equality And Equal Pay In The Shadow Of SDG 5

G“The issues outlined must now be at the heart of project conception, evaluation and monitoring. In addition disruptions to cables must be immediately rectified”

ONgoing infrastructure upgrades should be supported . However they should be done within clear guidelines encompassing consumer protec on as well as environmental considera on. There are dire consequences if they ate ignored. As a result of ongoing road projects a lot of fibre op cs have been dug up disrupting internet services to consumers. This is ruinous to businesses across the board. Most processes are now reliant on data for compe veness as well as marke ng and customer rela onships and client sa sfac on, it will be catastrophic to undermine

Protecting The Infrastructure Biden Takes A Bow

Alast major speech by the outgoing President of the United States is of importance to us in Africa. The speech two days ago mirrors the final speech of President Dwight Eisenhower who in 1959 warned about the entrenchments of a military - industrial complex. The United States and the world did not heed Eisenhower’s wise counsel with tragic and ongoing consequences.

Similarly Biden is now warning about Tech oligarchs scheming to control the government. Within

this framework as it will be detrimental to growth and the overall na onal output . The issues outlined must now be at the heart of project concep on, evalua on and monitoring. In addi on disrup ons to cables must be immediately rec fied. Unfortunately there is no alterna ve. Within the framework of the legal system in Nigeria the consumer faces a daun ng task in launching a class ac on suit in order tp protect themselves. The costs will be prohibi ve and it will take forever. Governments at all levels must now take a new approach to project coordina on and management.

ENDER equality and equal pay remain pressing issues globally. Despite significant progress in various domains, disparies in wages and representa on in leadership posi ons persist. Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of a just and equitable society.

It’s also a cri cal factor for economic growth and social development. Despite significant progress in recent decades, gender inequali es persist in many areas, including the workplace. Two key issues that highlight these inequali es are the lack of gender equality and the persistent gender pay gap.

Understanding Gender Equality

Gender equality encompasses the equal rights, opportuni es, and treatment of all genders. It’s about crea ng a society where everyone, regardless of their gender, has the same chances to succeed and reach their full potenal. In the workplace, gender equality is crucial for crea ng an inclusive and produc ve environment where everyone can thrive. This includes:

Equal pay for work of equal value.

Equal access to opportuni es for promo on and leadership.

Equal representa on at all levels of the workforce.

Freedom from discrimina on and harassment.

Work-life balance and support for family responsibili es

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Na ons Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into 1 the future, At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

3.which recognize that ending poverty and other depriva ons must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and educa on, reduce inequality, and spur economic.

4. growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.56

“Gender

equality encompasses the equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of all genders. It’s about creating a society where everyone, regardless of their gender, has the same chances to succeed and reach their full potential”

seated inequali es con nue to hinder the full realiza on of SDG 5.

The World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Gender Gap Report es mates that it will take 132 years to close the global gender gap, a stark reminder of the urgent need for accelerated acon.

A 2022 report examining 119 countries found that 45% had no legal mandate for equal pay for work of equal value.

2. This translates to millions of women across the globe systema cally receiving less pay than their male counterparts for the same work.

3. This injus ce not only undermines the economic security of women and their families, but also perpetuates harmful gender norms and power imbalances.

The roots of this inequality are complex and deeply ingrained. Occupa onal segrega on, where women are dispropor onately represented in lower-paying sectors, plays a significant role.

4. Furthermore, unconscious bias and discriminatory hiring and promo on prac ces further hinder women’s advancement in the workplace.

the context of the advent of Ar ficial Intelligence the foreboding is profoundly disturbing. What is happening is that the oligarchs want the government to stop ac ng as regulators and arbiters, this must be resisted.

A resistance is impera ve because a refusal to do so will undermine democracy. The age of the technologies pose great dangers to the very defini on of democra c government and there must be eternal vigilance. We wish the outgoing president a produc ve re rement.

SDG 5, focused on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary founda on for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.7

Despite 8 decades of ac vism and progress in certain areas, the UN’s own data paints a sobering picture of the deep-seated inequalies that persist globally.

The global pursuit of gender equality is characterised by a complex interplay of progress and persistent challenges. While significant strides have been made in areas such as girls’ educa on and women’s poli cal representa on, deep-

5. The burden of unpaid care work, which falls dispropor onately on women’s shoulders, also limits their ability to par cipate fully in the paid workforce and nego ate for be er wages.

OSUN DEFENDER

Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.

Asst. News Editor – Yusuf Oketola

Asst. Features Editor – Kazeem Badmus

Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto

Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere

Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa

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

ISSN : 0794-8050

Telephone : 0809-301-9152

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com All correspondence to the above email addresses.

6. One of the most pervasive manifesta ons of gender inequality is the persistent gender pay gap. The Internaonal Labour Organizaon (ILO) es mates that women globally earn on average 20% less than men, a disparity that is further exacerbated in developing countries and for women facing intersec ng forms of discrimina on. This wage gap not only undermines the economic security of women and their families but also perpetuates harmful gender norms and power imbalances.

How Bobrisky Promised To Help Me While In Prison - Segun Olowookere

SEGUN Olowookere, the young man who was recently pardoned by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State a er 14 years on death row in prison custody for stealing fowl and eggs has made another revela on.

But Olowookere, a er his release, denied his involvement

Osun PDP Mourns As Councillorship Candidate Dies Weeks Before Election

THE Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democra c Party has been thrown into mourning following the death of its councillorship candidate for Ward 01, Oloba/Atapara, Ede North, Dauda Nurein.

Nurein, who was set to contest in the February 22 local government elec on, passed away on Tuesday a er a brief illness.

His death was announced in a Facebook post by the Senior Special Assistant to the Osun Governor, Bureau of Social Services, Akintunde Bello Sheriff

In his tribute, Sher-

iff expressed shock and sorrow over Nurein’s passing.

He said, “The Councillor waiting to be elected in my Ward bided the world a farewell this a ernoon (Tuesday) a er a very brief illness.

“We grew up together in the neighbourhood but Nureni is now gone. We were all assembled last at the house of our Brother Olugbenga Akanfe during the new year for fes vies and it didn’t occur that Nurein’s me was winding down on earth.

“This is devastat-

ing news for the PDP Family of Ede North. May God preserve the

rest of us. Goodnight forever Olobe Dauda Nurein. May Allah be

pleased with your soul.”

The PDP spokesperson in Osun, Oladele Bamiji, also mourned Nurein’s demise.

Bamiji said, “The man is well loved. We can all see that with the outpouring of emo ons by his loved ones. May God grant him eternal rest and be with the family he le behind.

The PDP family mourns him.”

Osun SUBEB Encourages Farming In Basic Schools

OSUN State Universal Basic Educa on Board (SUBEB) has inaugurated the Young Farmer’s Club in basic schools as means of encouraging farming among young learners. The program was put together by Osun SUBEB and Universal Basic Educa on Commission, UBEC, under the 2022 Agricultural Educa on Training program (AETP) UBE Interven on for selected primary and Junior Secondary Schools across the three Senatorial Districts of Osun State.

Speaking while performing the inaugura on, the Execu ve Secretary, SUBEB, Mr

Yahaya Bakare, encouraged young learners to develop interest in farming and other ac vi es rela ng to agriculture at an early

stage.

Bakare expressed gra tude and commended UBEC and Governor Ademola Adeleke’s led Admin-

istra on on their support on provision of Agricultural materials and crea ng enabling environment to making agricultural

prac ces strive in basic schools across the State for food sufficiency.

He implored both learners and Agric teachers to embrace the program with love and take it seriously, saying that farming has become a source of income and employment.

He therefore urged the par cipants and other Nigerians to make use of the rare opportuni es that God has blessed the na on with.

In his address, the representa ve of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Educa on, Mr Murtala Jimoh, who was represented by the Director of Basic Schools, Mr Oyetunji Mayowa, stressed on the advantages of inves ng in agriculture.

in the crime, saying he was framed by the police.

He was among other 53 inmates granted amnesty across Nigerian prisons in December 26, 2024.

According to him, several individuals promised to help him on his freedom during his me on death row at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos State.

Among the individuals is the controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

Recall that Bobrisky was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in April 2024 over currency mu la on and abuse of naira notes.

A er pleading guilty of the offence, he was sentenced to six months in prison without an op on of fine, though he was said to have been let out of the correc onal centre where he was serving his jail term by some personnel.

But Olowookere, while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, said he was always with Bobrisky while in the prison alongside other inmates.

He said: “Bobrisky was in Kirikiri Maximum Prison for his six months jail term. We always sit together and discussed. He promised to help me on my case when he completed serving his jail term.

“Even most of his friends that are celebri es do come to see him. Eniola Ajao, Laide Bakare and others. Both of them also promised me that they would work on my case but they didn’t before I was eventually released by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“Laide Bakare was surprised to see me at the 2025 crossover night organised by the state government at Freedom Park.”

Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
•Late Nureni
•The Co-Chairman, Presidential Livestock Reforms Initiative Committee, Professor Attaihru Jega during a courtesy visit to Governor Ademola Adeleke in his office, yesterday

Yoruba Monarchs Don’t Have A Religion - Aregbesola

Kazeem Badmus

THE immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that monarchs in Yorubaland cannot promote one religion against the others.

Aregbesola, a former two-term governor of Osun State, noted that Yoruba tradi onal rulers must par cipate in all religious ac vi es in their domain, adding that doing otherwise does not portray that monarch as a Yoruba king.

The former governor stated this at the Weekend in Ifon, headquarters of Orolu Local Government, at the turbaning of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Alhaji Mahmud Adesina, as the Wazeerul Muslimeen of Ifon-Osun.

According to Aregbesola, “Kings in Yorubaland don’t have a religion. There is no king in Yoruba land that can be a Muslim. Our kings know that. No monarch in Yorubaland can lay claim to one religion. Unless the monarch is not from Yorubaland.

“A Yoruba monarch must par cipate in all religions. When they are

celebra ng the Egugun fes val, you will parcipate with them. You don’t have the power to deny them. That is how Almighty God created Yoruba. I want to appreciate the monarchs who are present here today. This is how a Yoruba monarch should behave. Whatever they are doing whether Islam, Chrisanity or tradi onal religion, a Yoruba monarch should par cipate in it.”

Aregbesola urged the new Wazeerul of Ifon to embrace his new role with all sincerity.

Corrobora ng the former governor, the Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Akinyooye, said as custodians of tradi ons, monarchs are fathers of all religions.

Oba Akinyooye noted that irrespec ve of a monarch’s religion, he should embrace other religions and see him-

Entertainment

self as a father to all.

He said, “Our former governor has said it and it is the truth. Kings don’t have a religion. Almighty God is the one overseeing the affairs of the world and he knows be er than us. I also study Arabic and I know that I’m the king for everyone.”

The monarch advised the new Wazeerul to be careful in his new role, saying, “I want to urge

Banky W Told Me Proclaiming Christ Affected His Career – Spyro

AFROBEATS singer, Spyro, has claimed that publicly proclaiming Jesus Christ in the Nigerian music industry comes with challenges.

In a recent chat with Echo Room, Spyro shared a personal experience popular R&B star-turned-pastor, Banky W narrated to him.

According to him, Banky W stated that his problem in the music industry began a er he publicly proclaimed Christ.

Spyro stated that being a “Jesus boy” has led people to deny him goodwill and support in the music industry.

“My biggest challenge in the music industry right now is discriminaon. I came out with the ‘Jesus boy’ brand and I’ve received the biggest cricisms,” he said.

“If you want to be truthful to yourself, how many media moguls support or post me when I drop songs? You see them posting other ar sts but outside from the blogs that I paid to post me, how many media moguls post me?

“Do you see these guys post me? Some mes, I ask myself why because people

who are not doing as well as I am, they post them. The answer is simple; once you come out and declare Christ publicly, you enter a war.

“It’s like the whole system is designed to pull you down. Banky W told me that his problem started in the industry the moment he proclaimed Christ.

“He told me to be sure that I am ready for this. He said when he was a ‘bad boy’, everything was going well but immediately he decided to do it in godly way, war started.”

I’m Against Colonialism, Not European People

CONTRARY to the public beliefs, popular Nigerian musi-

cian, Seun Ku has stated that he is against European colonialism, and not the people.

The singer, who is known for his strong stance against imperialism and corrup on, explained that his stance is not directed at the European people.

Speaking in a post on his Instagram page, Seun Ku emphasised the need for a fairer world.

He noted that his crique of European coloniza on shouldn’t be mis-

interpreted as hatred for European people.

“I’m against European colonisa on and imperialism but that does not mean that I’m against European people. Many Europeans have been our allies in the fight against greed and unfair systems, to make the world a fairer place for everyone.

“Being against colonisa on does not mean being against Europeans, many have stood with us in the fight for jus ce and fairness.”

in Ilesa you to be very careful in your new role. My prayer for you is that Almighty God will guide you in this new role.”

The newly turbaned Waziri, while speaking with newsmen, advocated for the establishment of Sharia Appeal Court in Nigeria.

“What we should agitate for is Sharia Court of Appeal in compliance totally with the provisions from sec ons 275, 276, and 277 of the cons tu on. The cons tuon has made provision for us to have a Sharia Court of Appeal in every state that requires it. The word ‘shall’ was used.

“Some states have Sharia panels, but this is just a place to settle some dispute within ourselves as Muslims, but there is no enforcement. The enforcement can only come through the establishment of the Sharia Court of Appeal as we have it already in our cons tu on,” he said.

APC Desperate To Stop LG Elections - Osun PDP

THE ruling Peoples Democra c Party in Osun State has disclosed that the opposi on All Progressives Congress is desperate to stop the forthcoming local government elec on in the state.

The state PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, who stated this in a statement on Tuesday, however, assured residents of the state that the elec on will hold.

Bisi said the elecon will consolidate the progress already recorded in the state by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administraon, advising members of the public to leave Apc to its troubles and never allow the “evidently drowning opposi on derail the current wheel of progress as desperate survival straw for their fragmented party.”

According to the PDP chairman, “the APC has never been home with the truth in all encounters, either on the poli cal turf where concurrent defeats stare them in the face as sure as death or court cases where they stand no chance. Those are not the class of human beings deserving of any serious a en on from all of us given to renewed mission of reshaping the

state from their ruinous reign of financial gangsterism.

“We want to assure the people of the state that the local government elec on the APC is desperately plo ng to stop will hold. It will hold because having elected representaves of the people at that er of government will in no small measure, complement the fantas c efforts of the people’s Governor, Asiwaju Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke

“We also assure that the democra c local government administra on in the state will be a 360° departure from the conduit pipes of corrupon with which APC administered the local governments. It is our belief that whoever wins in the forthcoming local government elec on will be adequately compelled to act on the side of the people as against the rudderlessness of the angry opposi on.”

Kazeem Badmus
•The founder and Chairman, Agboluaje Kajola Foundation, Dr. Kayode Adegbulugbe, grand patron of the foundation, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presenting interest free loan cheque to one of the beneficiaries at the weekend

JANUARY 17, 2025 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025

Retired Civil Servants Urge Adeleke To Look Into Poor Remuneration

THE forum of re red Chief Execu ves of Parastatals in Osun State has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to look into the issue of remunera on of some categories of re rees.

The President of the forum, Evangelist Isaac Adeleke, made the call on Tuesday during the annual get-together party of the re red civil servants.

Evangelist Adeleke said some civil servants who re red decades ago as Head of Parastatals, Boards, and Corpora ons earned low pensions, which is not enough, considering the economic situa on of the country.

Evangelist Adeleke also appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of the current na onal and global challenges. He said, “I want to praise the government of the state for not trea ng issues concerning pensioners with levity, while prompt a en on is paid to issues raised and soluons found.

“Even then, the issue of remunera on to some category of re rees needs to be looked into. This is the area of those who re red almost a decade again as Heads of Parastatals, Boards, and Corpora ons who earn very low pensions.”

In his le er tled, ‘Nigeria’s Democra zaon Project:Bumper Harvest without Injuring The Tree?’, a former na onal commissioner of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission, Prof. Lai Olurode, disclosed that elites in Nigeria are part of the democra zaon problem in the country.

Olurode noted that Nigeria’s democracy is not going on par with the indicators of democra c governance, adding that countries like Ghana and South Africa have now become models for Nigeria in terms of key development indicators.

The re red professor of Sociology said Nigerians are not ready to invest heavily in the country’s democra za on project but are expec ng a bumper harvest.

Olurode added that Nigerian poli cians were living large while the country is going backward.

The professor urged the elite to be part of the country’s democra za on project, adding that they had no right to complain if they failed to do so.

He said, “Countries like Ghana have become a model for Nigeria in considering where they are today in terms of health,

educa on, and other key development indicators, but our poli cians are coming off be er, living in large.

“In the 1970s, Nigeria was the des na on of most Ghanaians. They came here for their educa on, and we have them

as teachers and doctors, but all of a sudden, Ghanaians disappeared from the surface of Nigeria. Today, while most Ghana-

•A cart pusher hustling on the street of Osogbo

Strange But True: Osun Ex-convict Commits Fresh Crime Nine Days After Adeleke’s Pardon

the

BARELY two weeks a er he was granted pardon by the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, an ex-convict in the state, Sunday Omisakin has allegedly commi ed a fresh crime.

Omisakin was among the 53 inmates granted amnesty across different prisons in Nigeria by Adeleke on December 26, 2024. He was recommended for outright release for previously commitng a simple offence.

Omisakin was said to have again burgled into the house of one Shi u Damilare on January 3, 2025 at about 12:pm at

Al-medinat area, Iludun, Osogbo and stole one Plasma TV valued sum of N600,000.

The ex-convict was arraigned before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court, si ng in Osogbo on January 7, 2025 on two counts of burglary and stealing.

He was ordered to be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre by the presiding Magistrate, Adekanmi Adeyeba a er he was denied bail.

Earlier, the Defence Counsel, Okobe Nagite prayed the court to admit him to bail, saying he is presumed innocent un l the contrary is proven.

But the oral bail applica on was objected

prosecutor,

on the ground that he was an ex-convict on the same offense.

Adeoye noted that Omisakin was earlier sentenced to five years imprisonment for similar

offence by a Chief Magistrate, Dr Olusegun Ayilara, adding that he was recently granted pardon by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The case was adjourned un l February 7, 2025 for hearing

ians are in Ghana, most Nigerians have traveled to be er countries.

“Looking at the budget of Nigeria in terms of educa on and health from 2020 to 2024 compared to that of Ghana and South Africa, we can see that the two countries be ered Nigeria and this is not good for our democracy.

“What we can say is that our democracy is not going at par with the indicators of democra c governance. The number of years of democra za on is not suppor ng the provision of the basic needs of the people.

“Nigerians are not yet ready to invest heavily in Nigeria’s democra zaon project, yet they are expec ng a bumper harvest, especially the elites in Nigeria.

“The pampered elites love to complain and lament in the comfort of their si ng room while the ordinary people for whom poli cs is not a dirty game are arguing it out at the polling units. The elites have to be part of the democra za on project. Otherwise, they have no locus standing to complain with the way things are going.”

Police Arrest Friends For

Buying

Rice With Fake Alert In Osun

OSUN State Police Command, on Wednesday, paraded two friends, Olalere Gbenga (54) and Mu au Balogun (37), who allegedly went to buy rice with fake alert a er leaving court where they were standing trial.

The spokesperson of the police in Osun, Yemisi Opalola, who paraded the suspects, Wednesday, explained that the suspects were arrested on 6th January, 2025 at about 6:45pm, upon informa on received from members of Local Hunters Group, Osogbo.

The suspects who were allegedly arrested with three bags of rice, were said to have been arrested by the Police opera ve from Ata-Oja division in September, 2024 on similar offence reported by about 24 complainants.

“The suspects were charged to court and remanded at the Ilesa Correc onal Centre for two months-September to November, 2024 but unfortunately, the very day they were granted

bail at the court, they went and commi ed the same offence of purchasing rice/vegetable oil with fake transfer alerts where nemesis caught up with them,” the police said.

Speaking with newsmen, the suspects admi ed that they have been remanded in prison for similar offence and came out to connue, even while their ma er is s ll in court.

“We were remanded for two months before they granted us bail. We were returning from the court on that day when Gbenga said we should go and buy rice with fake alert and they arrested us a er buying three bags of rice,” Balogun said.

Gbenga who claimed to have been dismissed from Ministry of Finance in Oyo state, said he met Balogun in the street and took him as his friend.

Photo: Shola Aderinto
Kazeem Badmus
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
by
police
Adeoye Kayode
•Osun CP, Umar

CHAN: Nigeria Face Senegal, Congo, Sudan In Group D

Nhas been drawn against Senegal, Sudan and the Republic of Congo in group D of the 8th African Na ons Championship, which has now been moved

to August 2025, but with Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda s ll to jointly host.

At the draw held inside the famous Kenya a Internaonal Conven on Centre in Nairobi on

Adeleke

GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has refuted the rumour peddled by the members of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state that he’s planning to join the party.

Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, described the claim that the governor has made several attempts to join the ruling party at the federal level as “fake news from the pit of hell” .

He said it was “a delusionary report which is a product of troubled opposi on that has a challenge of who to field against the governor in 2026.

“The report reflects the depth of unelectability of the APC in the 2026 guber elec on, as the opposi on is at a crossroads over acute short supply of electable aspirants. The opposi on has no ced the fu lity of fielding the former governor, confused over the cantankerous nature of Senator Ajibola Bashiru.

“By the fake reports, the opposi on is indirectly preparing for the possibility and eventual-

Wednesday evening, joint-hosts Kenya head group A that also includes Morocco, Angola, Democra c Republic of Congo and Zambia.

Kenya and 2018 winners Morocco will clash in the opening match of the tournament.

Tanzania, another joint-hosts, head group B, and will confront Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic – conquerors of Cameroon. All five will fight for two slots in the knockout rounds.

Uganda, the third joint-hosts, will battle Niger Republic, Guinea and two wild card holders to be determined by the Confedera on of African Football, in group C.

Chelsea Recall Chalobah From Crystal Palace Loan

AMIDST the injuries in defence, Chelsea have recalled Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, ac va ng a clause in his contract.

His recalled followed the recent injuries to defenders Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana.

With Fofana’s return expected to be delayed, Chelsea have opted to bring Chalobah back to Stamford Bridge to strengthen their defensive op ons.

Chalobah, a product of Chelsea’s academy, had been le out of the first-team plans last summer, having been informed that he was not part of the club’s longterm future.

As a result, he joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan, where he quickly adapted and earned regular playing me. Sources suggest that Chalobah was content at Palace, where he had se led well into the

team’s defensive setup. However, Chelsea’s recent struggles, with no wins in their last five Premier League matches, have led manager Enzo Maresca to re-evaluate his squad. With both Fofana and Badiashile sidelined due to hamstring injuries, Chelsea are looking to Chalobah as a viable op on.

The 24-year-old can operate both as a centre-back and right-back, offering flexibility in Maresca’s system, which emphasizes possession-

based football. In addi on to Chalobah’s return, Chelsea have recalled Aaron Anselmino from his loan at Boca Juniors to further reinforce their defense.

Chelsea had also considered making a move for former player Marc Guéhi, now at Palace, but bringing Chalobah back is seen as a more straigh orward soluon. In turn, Crystal Palace will now look to fill the gap in their defense with Chris Richards and Chadi Riad.

Has No Plan To Join APC - Aide

ity of a second term win for the state governor.

The ‘Imole’ winning signal must have become so clear that the state APC is surrendering to the reality that God, the people and even federal authories have affirmed the reelec on of Mr Governor, even before 2026.

“I will put on record that Governor Adeleke has never at any me hosted any mee ng on defec on either within or outside the country.

“Mr Governor enjoys the confidence of the presidency and top federal officials because he concentrates on good governance delivery and patrio c collabora on with the Federal Government on federal- na onal programmes. As a state governor, he priori ses posi ve partnership for service delivery instead of poli cal bickering which retards rather than advance development.

“Mr. Governor is also a passionate believer that President Bola Tinubu must succeed in his efforts to reform the naonal economy for several reasons. We all know that the success of President Tinubu is the success of all Yoruba sons

and daughters as well as of all patrio c Nigerians. So, suppor ng the president is a na onal duty as far as Governor Adeleke is concerned. There is however no plan whatsoever by the governor to defect to the APC,” Rasheed stressed.

Earlier, a chie ain of the APC and former Commissioner for Informaon in the state, Sunday Akere, said a empts have been made by Adeleke to join APC so as to have automa c return cket, but all to no avail.

Akere said the condion for nego a on could not be met because Governor Adeleke cannot get an automa c cket of the APC. He stressed that Adeleke would be allowed to join the APC if he is not giving condi on of having the party’s automa c cket.

“Membership of a poli cal party is free entry and free exit. It is for anybody that wants to join. APC is an open party. If he wants to join, he’s free but the only thing is that our governorship cket is not available for take. If he’s joining, he will join as a member, not negoa ng to pick our cket. Every other person that

has joined at the na onal level, they have been accommoda ng them.

“If the governor wants to join today, we would accommodate him but

our cket is not available for anybody to pick up.

“He has made more than three efforts to see the president but the condi on is that he’s free to join but the cket is not available for nego a on. They have been making efforts for more than one year but the presidency has said the cket cannot be used for nego a on,” Akere said.

500 Workers Sue OAUTHC Management For Unlawful Disengagement

MORE than 500 disengaged workers of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, have sued the hospital management over alleged unlawful termina on of their services.

The claimants, through their counsel, Sola Ojutalayo, prayed for an order of the Naonal Industrial Court, Ibadan, for their reinstatement and payment of all en tlements.

According to the workers’ statement of claims, they were employed between October and December 2022 and allegedly disengaged unlawfully on January 31, 2024, without any reason from the hospital management.

At Tuesday’s hear-

ing, four exhibits were admi ed when Mr Ojutalayo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), led in evidence one of the claimants, Samson Ogunleye, as a witness.

However, the respondent’s counsel, Ejike Orji, objected to the admissibility of two of the four exhibits on the grounds that they were not signed.

Responding, Mr Ojutalayo argued that Mr Orji only looked at the first pages of the two objected exhibits without checking other pages.

He said if Mr Orji had checked other pages of the exhibits, he would have discovered they were duly signed and thus admissible in law and relevant to the case.

Ruling on the exhibits’ admissibility, Jus ce

John Peters held that the exhibits containing the claimants’ various dates of employment and salaries to be paid were signed by all the claimants.

The witness, now being cross-examined by the respondent’s counsel, said he was not appointed on proba on and was unaware the head of service granted waiver to some employed workers.

He said the hospital management did not state any reason for his termina on and that he never received a salary since he was employed ll the disengagement date.

The judge adjourned the case un l February 11 for the hearing to con nue.

The claimants are Samson Awosope, Olufemi Falope, Omowumi Fayemi, and 509 others.

IGERIA
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2025 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025

IN 2013, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State introduced Sukuk to Nigeria as a tool for Na onal economic development, and it has since been embraced by Nigerians. Aregbesola deserves na onal recogni on for pioneering this innova ve financing instrument in the country.

The issuance of Sukuk a racts domesc investment capital, which is deployed in compliance with Islamic principles. Sukuk ensures that every financial ac vity is backed by real economic ac vity, thereby promo ng financial stability and sustainable economic development.

The Securi es and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently disclosed that the Federal Government has issued six Sovereign Sukuk worth ₦1.1 trillion ($657.6M) to finance 124 federal road projects spanning over 5,820 kilometres across Nigeria’s six geopoli cal zones. SEC’s Director General, Dr. Emomomi Agama, made this announcement during the 2nd Interna onal Islamic Capital Market Conference in Karachi, Pakistan.

A statement from the SEC highlighted that the success of Sukuk underscores its resilience and innova on as a tool for mobilising resources. Dr. Agama described the issuance of sovereign Sukuk since 2017 as a cornerstone for the growth of the Islamic Capital Market (ICM) in Nigeria, with oversubscrip on rates as high as 441 percent.

The Role Of Sub-Na onal And Corporate Sukuk Sukuk issuance has extended beyond federal projects to subna onal and corporate levels in Nigeria. Examples include Sukuk bonds issued by Osun and Lagos States, Family Homes Ltd, and TAJ Bank Plc, as well as private Sukuk issuances by other en es. These bonds have funded school infrastructure, housing projects, and even er-1 capital for banks, showcasing Sukuk’s versa lity as a financing tool.

Cri cs of Sukuk, including the Chris an Associa on of Nigeria, ini ally expressed concerns that its introduc on in Osun State was part of an alleged agenda to Islamise the state. However, the success of Sukuk projects across the country has dispelled these fears. Osun State u lised Sukuk funds to build two structural steel and nine high schools, which included 216 classrooms, three ICT halls, 18 laboratories, and addi onal facili es capable of enduring harsh condi ons.

It is now evident that Sukuk is an alternave means of raising funds for infrastructural mmprojects. Former Governor Aregbesola has been vindicated, as subsequent administra ons, including those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have embraced Sukuk.

A Global Perspec ve On Sukuk

The dynamism of the Sukuk market contributes to financial stability and facilitates inter-regional investment flows. As Islamic finance con nues to interna onalise, it plays a significant role in global financial integra on, fostering growth and stability.

The Federal Government’s use of pro-

“Sukuk has gained international acclaim, enhancing its integrity and attracting foreign direct investment. With the right team of professional advisers, Nigeria can leverage Islamic finance products to accelerate economic growth and infrastructural development”

Police Arrest Friends For Buying Rice With Fake Alert In Osun

Sukuk As An Instrument Of Economic Development By Inwalomeh Donald PERSPECTIVE

ceeds from the first ₦100 billion Sukuk bond to fund 25 key economic road projects exemplifies this poten al. The then Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, handed over the funds to the then Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. The bond, issued in September 2018, was oversubscribed at ₦105.87 billion, reflec ng confidence in Nigeria’s economy and leadership.

Mrs. Adeosun highlighted that the Sukuk proceeds were allocated to cri cal infrastruc-

Iture projects, including the construc on and rehabilita on of 25 federal roads across all six geopoli cal zones. Each zone received ₦16.67 billion, with projects like the LokojaBenin Road, Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Road, and the Oju-Loko-Oweto Bridge benefi ng from these funds.

Addressing Misconcep ons About Sukuk Concerns that Islamic financial ins tuons would own completed infrastructure

projects have been debunked. The Federal Government’s Sukuk issuance is aimed at fostering financial inclusion and addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit. Cri cs are encouraged to visit Sukuk-funded projects to witness their transforma ve impact.

For example, the Northeast region benefited from projects such as the dualisa on of the Kano-Maiduguri Road and the construc on of the Kaduna Eastern Bypass. Similarly, in the Southeast, the rehabilita on of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway and Onitsha-Enugu Motorway were funded through Sukuk. These projects demonstrate the equitable distribu on of funds across the na on.

The Case For Expanding Sukuk

Given Nigeria’s significant infrastructure deficit and declining oil revenues, alterna ve financing techniques like Sukuk are essen al. Sukuk offers immense poten al for raising capital and addressing infrastructure needs, as demonstrated by the issuance of the first state Sukuk by Osun Sukuk Company Plc. Sukuk has gained interna onal acclaim, enhancing its integrity and a rac ng foreign direct investment. With the right team of professional advisers, Nigeria can leverage Islamic finance products to accelerate economic growth and infrastructural development.

Sukuk is a proven tool for fostering economic development and financial inclusion. Its adop on has facilitated lifechanging projects across Nigeria, from roads and schools to housing and ICT facili es. Former Governor Rauf Aregbesola deserves commenda on for his foresight in introducing Sukuk to Nigeria, se ng the stage for its acceptance at both state and federal levels.

Nigeria must con nue to explore the opportuni es presented by Islamic finance, ensuring that Sukuk remains a cornerstone of its development strategy. With the right policies and professional guidance, Sukuk can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s rapid economic transforma on.

Inwalomhe Donald writes via inwalomhe.donald@yahoo.com

Start With The Constitution

F you can read and write, be thankful. For those who cannot, let those of us who can read endeavour to help through discussions and organisa on at various talk shops. Whereas there are countries, like Britain, that operate based on rules that are not wri en, Nigeria operates based on rules that are clearly wri en down – The Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. Majority of ci zens go through life without ever going through the Cons tu on. Interestingly, even majority of persons who hold public offices and make decision for us never go through it, some merely glancing through. It is not a crime, and it might not ma er, only lawyers and judicial leaders cannot afford not to. However, if you don’t just want to go through life lamen ng about what is done right or wrong in your country, the first thing you should do as star ng point is to get a copy of your country’s Cons tu on and go through thoroughly. Whatever you don’t understand there, ask those you think can explain be er.

As for the history of our Cons tu on the way it has been changing since, here is a quick summary: Before Independence in 1960, there were 5 Cons tu ons: 1913 Cons tu on, which came into effect on January 1, 1914; and the 1922, 1946 (Richards), 1951 (Macpherson) and 1954 (Ly leton) Cons tu ons; each with

its own history, reasons why, and what it was meant to achieve. From Independence ll now, there were another 5 Cons tu ons: the 1960 Independence Cons tu on; 1963 Republic Cons tu on; 1979 Second Republic Cons tu on; 1993 Third Republic Cons tu on; 1999 Presiden al Fourth Republic Cons tu on; all similarly with their history and what was amiss that they sought to correct. From 1979 onwards, our cons tu ons were modelled a er the American Presiden al system, with minor differences.

The beginning of taking an interest in how your society operates is a good study of the cons tu on. Your rights and obliga ons are contained there; the dos and don’ts are contained there. The same for how businesses, par es, public administra on and government in general must run. It is the Cons tu on that grants the power that sets up every other authority, sta ng their func ons, rules and limits: be it the Police, the Armed forces, the security agencies, EFCC, ICPC, INEC, the Na onal and State Assemblies, The State Execu ves, The Presidency and co, and their own li le rule books that must not go against the spirit and le ers of the main Cons tu on that allowed their existence.

The Cons tu on determines the content of all other rule books and the opera ons of every ins tu on that have power to regulate all sectors of public life; from agriculture to com-

munica on, from commerce to housing, from industry to trade and students unionism.

Whether you intend to follow the rules strictly, follow it only a li le, or play outside the rules, which is not advised, it is in your best interest to know the rules first; otherwise, you are playing blindly and it becomes at best a risky gamble.

You don’t need to go searching around bookshops for a copy of the Cons tu on and all the other Rule books these modern days, everything is available on several pla orms Online.

In conclusion, we are much given to agonising, and to rash ac ons even when we have legi mate grouse, rather than informed opinions and legal ac ons for seeking redress. That is simply not good enough, nor produc ve or progressive in the end. The beginning of a well informed ci zen opinion and ac on is a good understanding of the Cons tu on and all our other Rules books. If you can read and understand this piece, then you can surely read and understand the Cons tu on and its amendments. The Legal jargons are detailed elsewhere, which you may not need, and can always engage lawyers to handle. The Cons tu on on the other hand is simply wri en and clear. Striker enjoins its readers to begin redefining their ci zenship and start living up to their civic responsibili es by reading it.

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Asst. News Editor, YUSUF OKETOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

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