Osun Defender Online Version of March 25, 2022

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022 VOL 17 NO 12

O’Rehab Centre In Disuse, Dilapidating – Investigations

Aragbiji Accuses Police Of Shielding Killer Of Cousin P. 6

P. 7

Peace Returns To OAU As Reactions Trail Protest On VC’s Appointment

N5000 Allowance: Osun Govt Rejects Corps Members Over Increasing Wage

P. 4

World Water Day:

Residents, NGO Decry Poor Water Supply In Osun P. 2

P. 5

Teenager Flees Home Over Father’s Sexual Advances

•Condemns Pollution Of Osun, Oora Rivers •Water Supply Improving Under Oyetola - Govt.

P. 7

Female Undergraduate Allegedly Assault Mother, Arraigned In Court

Page 7

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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News

World Water Day: Residents, NGO Decry Poor Water Supply In Osun Ismaeel Uthman

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esidents of the State of Osun have decried what they described as poor water supply in the state, lamen ng that they have not been enjoying adequate water provision.

This is just as a Non Governmental Organisaon, Urban Alert, scored the state government low in the provision of water supply, saying that the government appeared incapacitated to ensure adequacy in water supply.

Inves ga ons by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that about 14 local governments, among which are Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ayedaade, Ifelodun, Ejigbo, Odo-O n, are benefi ng from the state’s water supply.

However, some residents of the benefi ng local governments who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER, lamented that there might not be water supply for two weeks and more.

Speaking on the commemora on of World Water Day on Tuesday, the residents called on the state government to improve on water supply, saying there is a sharp retrogression in water distribu on in the state.

A resident of Inisa, OdoO n, Local Government, Mr. Waheed Afolabi, said none of the communi es in the local government have received water supply since year 2014.

According to some residents of Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government, the last me they received water supply was in January this year.

However, residents of Ede, Ofatedo, Ido-Osun, Osogbo, Sekona said they always receive water supply once or twice in a week or in two weeks some mes.

They claimed that the water supply was no longer regular like in the past.

Commen ng on water provision in the state, the Execu ve Director, Urban Alert, Mr. Anthony Adejuwon said: “It is unfortunate that ci zens are le to their fate to get water and this should be one of the key responsibili es of the government - to provide portable and accessible water to the ci zen.

“Unfortunately, that is not the case. It is a fact that many water bodies in Osun State are polluted and highly contaminated through illegal mining ac vi es currently being carried out by over 100 gold miners in the state.

“We have Oora and Osun Rivers that serve over 40 communi es within Osun.

Oora river is in Ilesa and it connects with Osun river.

•L-R CEO, Bisi Olatilo Show, Chief Bisi Olatilo, CEO, CMC Connect, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, CEO, Proumou Media Consulting, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon at the unveiling of books by Publisher of Yes International Magazine, Azuh Arinze at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

Aside from this, even the waterworks owned by the Osun Government, many of them are moribund. Currently, the water dam in Ede is not really working. The equipment there are more or less medieval equipment, very old, they are not really func oning even the one that are func oning, there is no power to pump the water and distribute to the people.

The pumps are also ro en and the government seems not ready or incapacitated to change these things.

“The same thing with Ekoende water dam and many of them which usu-

ally provide quality water to millions of residents of Osun state. The people are le to work hard to either drill borehole and well water or rely on high contaminated rivers in the state.

“It is disheartening and it shows residents of the state are exposed to terrible water borne diseases.

Annually in Nigeria, almost 60,000 children died as a result of water related diseases. This shows the risk is high in Osun. People are le on their own to look for water.

“I advise the government to sit ght. It is not

about being flamboyant, it is about doing what is right for the people. People are suffering and the government should rise up now and help the people, provide quality water for the ci zen. That will help the health status of the people of the state.

“If there is quality water, the government will spend less on health and even the people will be more producve. The economy will get be er. People will not be using the scarce resources to sink boreholes and wells.”

When asked about the adequacy of the government’s budget for water

provision in the state, Adejumo said: “When it come to the budget of Osun, the government has not been making the details public. It is very difficult to comment on the budget for water provision, and that shows the level of transparency within the state and that is pu ng the people of the state in darkness when it comes to budget and what is available for the people.”

Commen ng on the pollu on of Osun river, he said: “It is so unfortunate that the government elected to protect the lives and property of the people

Senate Approves ICT Institute In Osun Yusuf Oketola

A

bill for the establishment of the Ins tute of Informa on and Communica on Technology, State of Osun, has been approved by the Nigerian Senate.

The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Adelere Oriolowo of Osun-west Senatorial District, was passed for first and second readings

on July 22, 2020 and July 7, 2021 respec vely before a public hearing was held on December 16, 2021 as mandated by the Nigerian Senate to the Commi ee on ICT. The endorsement came following the presenta on and considera on of a report on a bill to establish the Ins tute by the Commi ee on ICT and Cyber Security.

Chairman of the Com-

mi ee, Senator Oseni Yakubu (Kogi Central) while laying the report before the senate last week Tuesday, said the bill which consists of 25 Clauses and 1 Schedule, seeks to establish the Ins tute to provide full- me and part- me courses of instruc on and training in Informa on and Communicaon Technology and other related fields of study, and to make provisions for the

•Senator Oriolowo presenting the report on the establishment of the ICT Institute to Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, recently.

general administra on of the Ins tute.

According to Yakubu, “while the Na onal Informa on Technology Development Agency (NITDA) vehemently opposed the bill, the Ministry of Communica ons and Digital Economy opposed it on one hand, but conceded that should the bill be passed and assented to, the ins tute should be domiciled under its supervisory authority.”

“However, all other stakeholders supported the bill, opining that the establishment of the ins tute would not only be of immense economic advantage to Nigeria, but also alleviate the challenge of inadequate manpower in the ICT sector, and thereby make room for improved job opportuni es and employment genera on.”

The bill was therea er passed a er considera on by the Commi ee of the Whole.

has refused to act on the pollu on of Osun river by remaining silent on something that put the lives of over two million people in jeopardy. It is so unfortunate that the state government has not altered any word in respect to that.

“Don’t forget that in December, an official letter was sent to the governor of Osun, informing him formally on the pollu on of the river, there is no response ll date.

“The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development was also informed, but there is no response.

Although the NISRAL has done something good by crea ng a special unit to handle the issue of mining pollu on within Osun state which is a good development.

“But the government of Osun state and the federal government, especially the ministries under which the rivers are being polluted, have remained silent without doing anything ll date.

It is saddening and that shows the level of seriousness of the government to the plight of the people.”

Speaking on the effort of Governor Oyetola’s administra on on water supply, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Mr. Amidu Tadese, scored the government high on water provision.

According to Tadese, there have been an improvement in water supply to residents of the state, saying areas where there was no water supply for many years are now enjoying adequate water.

Tadese in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday said: “The present administra on has performed tremendously well in the area of potable water supply by improving and expanding access to potable water.

“Many areas that had been without water supply for so many years now enjoy adequate water supply.

“There is an ongoing Ilesa water supply and sanita on project, financed through loan obtained from Islamic Development Bank and a grant from the Federal Government of Nigeria. The project is planned to cover about five local government areas of Ijesa land.

“Presently 15 local government areas covered by urban water supply schemes get water supply.”

However, the Commissioner said inadequate power supply has been affec ng water distribu on in the state.

He advised the people of the state to conserve water and use it wisely.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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Review & Outlook

BY WALE BOLORUNDURO The Universal In The University

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HE tragic-comedy ongoing at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, a very fine and highly respected ins tu on is unfortunate. The absurdity is a clear tes mony to the corrosion of both ethos and morality in the general body poli c.

For those not in the know or who pretend not to know, the ground norm of a university is based on the concept of universality. A university not based on universality is a contradic on-in-terms. The idea of the university in Nigeria has being sadly eroded for decades. The nega on started with the je soning of the very sensible recommenda ons of the Ashby Commission into the future of Nigeria’s university. With this, the country lost an excellent roadmap which should have been con nuously finetuned since the publicaon of the report in 1962.

In addi on, the con nuous deprecia on of the na on’s currency since 1986 has also had a nega ve effect on the idea of the university and the universality which should be its bedrock. It has been downhill all the way since.

The stage-managed “protests” in Ile-Ife is an unnecessary distrac on from the real issues of rebuilding a broken down and increasingly uncompe ve public sector university system. This diversion takes a en on away from underfunding as well as the cri cal issues which have to

“The protests are counterproductive for a university cannot be universal and operate on parochial sentiments at the same time. The sideshow must end. It has nothing to do with the indigenous population of the town who like their counterparts elsewhere are grappling with existential issues such as obtaining fuel for transportation and powering of generators, erosion of purchasing power as well as a myriad of issues” be sorted out in reboo ng a broken down and increasingly uncompe ve system.

The protests are counterproduc ve for a university cannot be universal and operate on parochial sen ments at the same me. The sideshow must end. It has nothing to do with the indigenous popula on of the town who like their counterparts elsewhere are grappling with existen al issues such as obtaining fuel for transporta on and powering of generators, erosion of purchasing power as well as a myriad of issues. They should not be used as ba ering rams by self-serving vested interests, individuals and mischief makers.

We should end this sideshow and face the consequences of the ASUU strike which includes collateral damage on the ecosystem of every town in which a university is located and embark upon the urgent rebuilding of the university system.

Stop Criminalising Aregbesola With Debt, Declare Inherited Assets

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HAT an administra on is s ll agonizing over its ill-perceived challenges le by his predecessor a er three and half years in government is a clear testament that such administra on is not fit to govern the state.

Aregbesola definitely met mul ple of humongous problems and challenges when he became governor of Osun on November 27, 2010, and was joined by Chief Gboyega Oyetola on the 7th January, 2011, as the “Governor-in-wai ng”. He later stayed on for eight years as the Chief of Staff and if Oyetola was compelled by his brother, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to join in the first instance, then the followings must have kept him during the second term; the benefit of succeeding Aregbesola, the frills of the office and the crea on of the assets, which are being dubbed challenges now

by Oyetola and being used as excuses to abandon projects and programs that have endeared Ogbeni to the people of Osun.

I have no beef with the abandonment of projects by the current governor of Osun or his “lack of skin” in the inherited projects. It is his choice and he is entled to it, but using the debt that he can refinance or restructure as an excuse for his choice, is a sacrilege for a government, headed by a man, who was the Chairman of the governing board of the Osun Debt Management Office and the “Chief Host” of the State Tender Board, during Aregbesola’s first term. I never heard him complain or nudge anybody in the administra on of any misgiving or reserva on in whatever form on the debt financing strategy or the choice of assets.

Debt financing is never a disadvantage to any administra on, especially when it has been used for the transforma on of the state, for the roads’ renewals of highly populated towns and for the development of the state capital, Osogbo, that was previously, a glorified local government headquarter. The fact is that the assets behind those debt now, at current or prevailing prices worth much more than the value of the debt because of infla on and exchange rate effects on goods and services in Nigeria. Aregbesola definitely, met the lowest Internally Generated Revenue in the last decade and worse condi ons of infrastructures than Aregbesola subsequently met. And Aregbesola had to make a choice to solve the problems and it is high me, Aregbesola stopped making it looks like a crime for Aregbesola to have done so.

Also, the richest country in the world, United

“For Governor Gboyega Oyetola to sleekly allege that his predecessor has bequeathed debt to him, without letting people know the assets behind the debt and what the debt was used for is tantamount to cheap vilification of his predecessor”

States of America, uses debt to finance its infrastructures and to s mulate its economy. Some few months ago, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State announced that he had obtained an approval from his State Assembly to borrow to clear N32bn outstanding pension, gratui es and arrears. Similarly, Osun being a legacy state from old western state and old Oyo state had arrears of pensions and gratui es due to be paid to about 10,000 state and LG re rees, who had been re ring from the state services since 1991 and the rerees of the old Oyo State that were deported to Osun in 1991. When Aregbesola came in, the workers were threatening previous administra on with a strike because of outstanding minimum wage and salary adjustments, which had not been done in the previous seven years. The backlog of arrears was compounded by the military and successive administrators, who also le humongous gratui es and pension arrears of state and LG re rees. Aregbesola made a choice to borrow and to clear them as well as to fund the salary increases that were implemented thrice between 2011 and 2014. The sum required, totaling N35.50bn was part of the state’s N86.7bn that was restructured and refinanced by FGN bond in August 2015.

Other items in the FGN restructured bond included N8.2bn on LG projects (10 km roads in each of the 30 LG and LG sanita on projects) part financed and rolled into the FGN bond. Very soon, we will be lis ng other capital projects and developmental programs, which were included and rolled into the FGN restructured bond, totaling N43bn. In the interim, the items in the FGN bonds include balances from (1) Ini al partfinancing of Adesoji Aderemi (circular road) with four (4) flyovers/bridges/underpass in Osogbo to the tune of N8.6bn at ini al drawdown (2) Osogbo Old GarageIkirun-Ila-Odo- Kwara Boundary Dual Carriage N6.25bn at ini al drawdown (3) MKO Abiola Airport N2.6bn part funding at ini al stage, out of N3.6bn comple on cer ficates approved by Ministry of Works (4) Opon Imo Publisher – Moremi Publishing (Tablet of Knowledge) project, partHouse Ltd. financed to the tune of N1.0bn (5) Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman 20 units of armored personnel car(0805-121-2204) riers, part-financed to the tune of Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa N1.56bn. These five (5) items were Reporter – Yusuf Oketola extracted and summarised from Reporter – Kazeem Badmus the list of about 48 payment items that will be presented in the next Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto publica on and if space permits, Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere the contracts and names of the OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing contractors will be listed too.

House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, Read full article on State of Osun www.osundefender.com ISSN : 0794-8050 •Wale Bolorunduro, PhD, Telephone : 0805-121-2204 Former Commissioner of Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php Finance, Economic Planning e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com and Budget writes from 6B Lase osundefenderbank@gmail.com Ogunleye Street, off Fadahunsi All correspondence to the above email addresses.

Avenue, Ilesa, State of Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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News

Stakeholders Calls For Resuscitation Of Reality TV/Radio Station Yusuf Oketola

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TAKEHOLDERS in Iwo have called on the State Government of Osun to resuscitate the Reality Television and Radio sta on in the town.

The stakeholders described the present condion of RRS as disheartening, lamen ng that some public assets and inherited heritage in the state were becoming moribund due to lack of proper a en on from successive governments in the state.

According to the stakeholders, giving life back to the RRS will bring about economic prospect and other monumental development to the town.

The Reality TV and Radio sta on was constructed by the administra on of the late Sage, Chief Bola Ige, former governor of the Old Oyo state.

The mission of founding fathers on the sta on which occupies seven acres of land, according to invesga on by OSUN DEFENDER, was to be used as the South-West hub of informaon dissemina on due to its central loca on for the intended project.

It was noted that the transmission pinacle of both the Radio and Television staon was designed for about 700-800 meters in height so as to enable it serve the intended purposes.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on the condi ons of the RRS, an indigene of Iwo, Mr Semiu Musbau, called on Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and lawmaker represen ng the cons tuency to resuscitate the moribund sta on for the benefits of the young one and the unborn genera on.

Musbau noted that efforts were made in bringing the project back to life by the administra on of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, disclosing that the indigenous contractors given the job said all the installed gadgets were engulfed by ‘magnanimous conflagra on’.

It was gathered that the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola brought the project back to life as an educa onal promo on radio and television sta on with adequate funding as done to Osun State Broadcas ng Corpora on (OSBC).

Another resident of Iwo, Habib Rahman, said: “It is very unfortunate that humongous amount of money was expended on the project and none of our poli cal gladiators deemed it fit to look into its resuscita on.

“This gigan c project could add to the economic value chain of our beleaguered economy and unem-

ployment. It is so sad that our people prefer s pend as opposed to economic development and this is a call to who is who that ma ers in the poli cal dynamics of the state to use their connec ons to resuscitate this moribund project. Where is Osun State Agriculture Development Programme (OS-

SADEP)? It is gone!”

In an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the Chairman of Concerned Ci zens of Iwo Federal Cons tuency, Mr. Ajibade Tijani, noted that successive governments in the state have not been fair to the people of the cons tuency, claiming that there are lot of

abandoned projects in the town.

Tijani stressed that the Reality Television and Radio Sta on would have been an informa on hub for the whole South-West ever before the private sectors dabbled into the media industry.

He said: “Reality Tel-

evision and Radio Sta on would have been an informa on hub for the whole South-West ever before the private sector dabbled into Radio Sta on and Television Establishment. Lots of people would have being gainfully employed, lots of money-spinning programs such as trade fairs, music

•The RRS building

concerts, tradomedical fairs where economic ac vi es would have flowed freely.

“Also, magnificent houses, shopping complexes and other business auxiliary services would have sprung up. But for lackadaisical attude of the successive government from me immemorial, coupled with self-centeredness of our poli cal leaders and gullible followership of our youths, we would have moved Iwo to the next level. All we want without compromise is the Development of Iwoland, poli cally, socially, economically and infrastructurally.

“I am not aware of any efforts made by the stakeholders from Iwoland. The poli cians are more interested in their purse and not the developmental indices the Radio and Television Sta on will be bringing to Iwoland. They are not even patronising the Radio and Television Sta on.

All effort to get reacon of the state government proof abor ve as the Commissioner for Informaon, Mrs. Funke Egbemode failed to reply text message sent to her.

N5000 Allowance: Osun Govt Rejects Corps Members Over Increasing Wage Kazeem Badmus

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HE State Government of Osun has asked Ministries, Departments and Agencies to stop receiving members of the Na onal Youths Service Corps (NYSC).

According to a circular issued from the office of the Head of Service and signed by S. A. Aina, corps members are to be posted to schools henceforth, ad-

vising the MDAs to comply with the direc ves with immediate effect.

Each of the corps members posted to the MDAs are being paid a sum of N5000 monthly allowance by the state government.

The government said the needless engagement of corps members had resulted into an increase in monthly figures of corps members with an a endant increase in the monthly

wage bill.

Titled “Engagement and Deployment of Corps Members Across Ministries, Departments and Agencies” (MDAs), the circular was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners & Special Advisers, Chairmen of Boards & Statutory Commissions, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Non-Ministerial Departments, General Managers

and Execu ve Secretaries.

It reads: “it has been observed with dismay that Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government have been engaging corps members without serious assignment for them.

This needless engagement of corps members has resulted in the ever-growing monthly figures of corps members with the a endant increase in monthly wage bill.

Aderolayo Olowodola: Compassionate Teenager Who Serves By Giving

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EOPLE with large hearts are known for charitable giving to impact the lives of people around them posively. In fact, the benefits of philanthropy to the socio-economic development of countries, including Nigeria, cannot be overemphasised.

In Nigeria, people like, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia and Femi Otedola have con nued to extend their goodwill to their fellow human beings through their foundaons.

It is uncommon to see a teenager save up his pocket money or engage in some menial jobs like picking and selling of plas c waste in order to donate to the less privileged.

Fi een-year-old Aderolayo Olowodola, a Year II student of Corona Secondary School, Agbara in Ogun State, recently donated school shoes and staoneries to pupils of Community Primary School, Igbo-Adi-

gun, Idiroko in Ogun state.

Olowodola had ini ated the “Can-Can Project” in 2019 when his school encouraged students to partake in community service projects.

He explained that Can-Can was borne out of the idea of scavengers searching bins for valuable items to sell, hence he also decided to collect biodegradable items to sell and give back to communi es by helping the less privileged.

Explaining how it works, the young philanthropist said he collected empty bo les, cans, ns, among others, and sold them to recyclers who bought a ton for N40,000.

When Mr. Bello, a Civics Educa on teacher at Corona Secondary School Agbara, had come to class to teach students about Community Service and Philanthropy, he had men oned a school whereby pupils lacked school sandals. A er the class, Aderolayo told Bello how inter-

ested he was to help these children. He also men oned that if they lacked school shoes, they definitely would lack school staoneries.

Hence, on the 17th of March 2022, Aderolayo’s desire was realised. He visited the school with the support from Mr. Bello, Mrs. Sonuga (Head of Co-curricular ac vi es at Corona Secondary school), his mother and sister.

He was given a heroic welcome at the school. He addressed the pupils about thriving to be the best they can be for themselves. He gave them

hope and represents the change that will come. The headmistress of the school, Mrs. Miracle was moved to tears. Aderolayo put smiles on the faces of everyone as he le back to his school.

Aderolayo had last year sponsored the educa on of 20 pupils of Morit Interna onal School, Lagos located on Iyalode Street at Ajegunle, for a term through his Can-Can Inia ve.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to imbibe the habit of recycling waste.

“Worst s ll, the irrelevance of the disciplines of the majority of these corps members to such MDAs make them redundant for a be er part of their service year.

“Arising from the above, and in line with the circular from the Ministry of Finance Ref. No.143/1 dated 31st January, 2022, it is now impera ve to note that regulatory measure on engagement and deployment of corps members is s ll in force.

“It is equally mandatory for all MDAs in dire need of corps members to complement their staff in cri cal areas to henceforth channel such requests, prior to their mobiliza on at NYSC Camp, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, jus fying and indica ng areas of specialisa on and the number required.

“Any MDA that violates this direc ve will not have such corps members payrolled.

“It is also to be noted that, henceforth, corps members are no longer to be posted to government MDAs but schools, so as to fully engage them and reduce the tendency of redundancy and truancy among them.

“All Accoun ng Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government are hereby requested to note the foregoing for strict compliance.”

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

5

News

Peace Returns To OAU As Reactions Trail Protest On VC’s Appointment

Ismaeel Uthman Kazeem Bademus EACE has returned to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, following a fourday protest by indigenes of the community over the appointment of the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Adebayo Bamire.

Bamire’s appointment was announced last week Thursday and his choice did not go down well with some Ile-Ife indigenes.

The indigenes were expec ng their kinsman, Prof. Rufus Adedoyin to be appointed as the VC. Adedoyin, who reportedly came ninth posi on in the VC’s candidates examina on, pe oned the university’s Governing Council over the announcement of Bamire, arguing that he was more a qualified candidate as of the me of the VC selecon.

Apparently figh ng Adedoyin’s cause, the IleIfe indigenes occupied the entrance gate of the OAU campus on Thursday and Friday of last week.

They also resumed to the protest on Monday as tradi onalists performed rituals inside the university’s campus with masquerades reining curses on supposed enemies of Ile-Ife. Several Ife indigenes invaded the varsity’s campus carrying charms and other fe sh objects to protest the appointment of new OAU VC who is not a na ve of the town.

The protest was suspended on Tuesday following the interven on of the state government, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, security agents and other stakeholders.

Speaking on a Rave FM radio’s Frank Talk Programme in Osogbo, on Wednesday, the Global President, Great Ife Alum-

P

•Banire

ni Associa on, Engr. Wale Olaleye, said: “We have been following and monitoring the event since Thursday when the announcement was made.

“We have been calling on the people in Ife and other places to reason with us to at least, maintain a peaceful protest and let us channel our grievances to the appropriate channel so that our revered ins tu on that we are all proud of will not be turned into a theater of war.

“If there are grievances, there are ways to sort it out. If the protesters have put in their pe ons, I believe the authori es will look at it and address it appropriately and I believe at the end of the day, this ma er will be resolved.

Asked if the Alumni was sa sfied with the processes that brought Bamire into place, Olaleye said: “In any process, when you are going for a compe on, it is two ways. We had 20 contestants that vied for this posi on and 16 were screened. All of them are qualified to be the VC but at the end of the day, only one person can emerge.

“When everyone has the requirements, there must also be other condions which the interview panel must have looked into. That is why I am saying if there are processes to see whether this process is transparent, straightforward and follow due process, that is another thing for us to check.

“As far as I am concerned, based on the informa on available, I believe they have done their best but definitely if you are not sa sfied, you have the right to express your mind the way it is being done now.”

Process Not Transparent – Ife Development Council Chair

invasion of the campus by some Ife indigenes and tradi onalists, allegedly, to protest the failure by the authori es to appoint ‘an Ife indigene’, showcases the extent to which the system has sunk, almost irretrievably.

“This latest assault on the intellectual by elements who, ordinarily, should not have any business with that ambience is unse ling.

“The silence of the intellectuals in that University suggests complicity and connivance.”

Ooni Assures Con nuous Good Rela onship with OAU

•The protesting traditionalist.

Explaining why the Ile-Ife indigenes were protes ng the appointment of Bamire, the Chairman, Ife Development Council, Mr. Lawrence Awowoyin said: “University of Ife is located in Ile-Ife. The first beneficiary of that kind of ins tu on is Ile-Ife itself, economically, educa onally and all sorts. So, Ife and its ci zens cannot and will never work against the progress and development of the university because they know its importance.

“Also, it is important to know that naturally, Ife community must also have what we called the oversight func on of any ins tu on in their domain to make sure that ins tuon is working effec vely and to the benefit of all.

So, with those two things, there is no way the community will work against the University.

“Let me say that the process of appoin ng Vice Chancellor is not all that shrouded in secrecy. It is something that supposed to be open and transparent, so that everybody will know they have done jus ce. But we all know that in every board appointment, interac ons and proceedings, there is always the board poli cs and the board poli cs surround the management of that par cular ins tu on.

“The person that has caused this problem is the outgoing Vice Chancellor, because we believe that he is hos le and he has seen himself as the enemy of the community, and we believe that he must have poison or probably persuaded the mind of the governing council against the community and that is why we believe the whole process was done in secre-

cy and not transparent.

“All Ife community want is for independent body to review the process. Once the process is found to be very fair and transparent, we will be happy. But the community will not be happy if the process is not transparent, not because it affects its candidate but it can also affect other candidates if they have not done the process properly to meet the interna onal standard.

“We have received most of the report that happened within that parcular period. The scoring, the secrecy in individual’s alloca on of marks, the marks not even known to the en re council members un l a er the announcement of the collaon of the results. That is not the proper way to do things. Every member of the Council must be aware of who scored what. It shouldn’t be a secret.

“We strongly believe that the process is not transparent. We have evidence to that effect. The statement from the school management is just to defend themselves. This is not because it affects our own candidate, it can affect any other candidate as well.

“Anything that is not done in the proper way, people should cry out.

That is the begining of corrup on and fraud. We are not saying that professor Adedoyin must be the VC at all cost, but what we are calling for is to allow the visitor do the review of the process and if they are sa sfied with it, we will congratulate whoever emerges.

“We don’t have anything against Prof. Bamire, all we want is a just and

transparent process”

Appointment Followed Due Process – OAU Mgt. But the OAU management insisted that the processes that brought Bamire into place were fair and transparent.

In a press release signed by the Public Relaons Officer of the university, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, the management reaffirmed that due processes were followed and merit was the basis for the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor The management stated that during the selecon process of the VC, no member of the Board had foreknowledge of each candidate’s score before the final colla on at the end of the interac on, maintaining that the university was aware of the false presenta on of the alphabe cal arrangement of the applicants.

The University management alleged that the indigenes carried out the protest in their bid to forcefully install their kinsman as the next Vice Chancellor.

Akeredolu Condemns Protest Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Ro mi Akeredolu, who is an alumnus of OAU, has condemned the protest on Bamire’s appointment, describing it as nauseating and assault on intellectuals.

The protest, according to Akeredolu, is sickening and a display of an a tude alien to academia that must be completely condemned.

Akeredolu, in a press statement he personally signed on Monday said: “ The latest news on the

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has assured that the good rela onship between the town and OAU would remain as strong as ever, saying “OAU is Ife, Ife is OAU and we shall con nue to cohabit in peace for progress.”

Oba Adeyeye who cauoned indigenes and residents of the town who are aggrieved by the process that led to the selec on of Bamire not to take laws into their hands, assured workers and students of the ins tu on of their safety, as well as their property.

Ooni, in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, on Wednesday said protests are legi mate rights and ways to pass messages of dissa sfacon across to the relevant authori es but must not jeopardize peace and security in the society.

While suing for calm and direc ng all law-abiding ci zens to go about their normal businesses without fear, Ooni noted that he had rallied major stakeholders to address the issue at hand.

He said: “Protest is everybody’s right to make his or her unheard voice to be heard. This is always adopted by professional and academic stakeholders/trade unions, ASUU, NASU, NBA, NANS, religious bodies, poli cal pares and even concerned individuals but it must be done peacefully.

“Over the years, the good people of Ife have been a superb host to the University, even as they enrol their children and equally join qualified hands (regardless of background) to work in the citadel of learning.

“The Ife community is proud to have partnered and s ll partnering the ins tu on through the House of Oduduwa on viable programmes and projects capable of projec ng Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.”

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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Religion

LL praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the universe, the Sustainer, and the Cherisher of our lives. He whom Allah guides is rightly guided, but he whom He sends astray, for him he would find no guiding friend (Waliyy) to lead him (to the right path). I tes fy that there is no deity worthy of worship By except Him and I also bear witness that Prophet MuImaam Raji hammad is His servant and His Messenger. May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon his soul, members Musa Oladapo of his household, his companions and those who follow him ll the day of accountability.

“In the name of Allah, most Gracious most Merciful, and strive hard in Allah’s cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior).

He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islam monotheism to mankind), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship….”, from other days. Qur’an 2:184.

Qur’an 22:77.

It must be on record that Muslims fast only when some condiWhat is fas ng (sawm)?It is total abs nence from ea ng, drinkons are met: (1) We fast when the crescent of Ramadan is sighted ing, sexual intercourse and every other thing capable of rendering and If the crescent is not visible, we should count 30 days for the one’s fas ng invalid such as: telling lies, backbi ng, tale-bearing, previous month, and then fast. The Prophet says; “Fast upon the chea ng, deceit, nonsense, etc. sigh ng of the crescent and break the fast upon the sigh ng of the WHY DO WE FAST AS MUSLIMS? The answer to this ques on is crescent”. (2) A fas ng believer must form an inten on of fas ng found in the Qur’an where Allah says “O you who believe! Observ- for his fast to be valid. This must be done individually and not the ing As-sawn (the fast) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for tradi onal chorus way of doing it. Because the Prophet says, “Acthose before you, that you may become Al-Mu aqun (the pious)”, ons are judged according to the inten on”. (3) A fas ng believer Qur’an 2:183. To fast therefore, is a direc ve from our creator, the should not fast on the day of doubt; if he does, his fast would not Most High. The verse also informs us that the same direc ve had be counted. been given to those before us. Not only that, the purpose of the fast HOW DO WE FAST? A fas ng Muslim must abstain from everyis equally stated, i.e. God’s consciousness. thing capable of rendering his/her fast invalid between the dawn Apart from the above-quoted verse, the Prophet (SAW) made and the dusk. Allah says “….and eat and drink un l the white thread the fast as the Fourth Pillar of Islam. His tradi on says that Jibril (light) of dawn appears to you dis nct from the black thread (dark(AS) appeared to him and demanded thus: What is Islam? He (the ness of night) then complete your sawm (fast) ll the nigh all…

Prophet) said “Islam is that thou shall worship Allah and not associ- ”Qur’an 2:187. This verse sounds rhetorical by comparing the night ate (anything) with Him and (that) thou keep up prayer and pay the with a black thread and the broad day with white thread. The intenprescribed poor rate (zakat) and fast in Ramadan….” on is just to determine the period of fas ng in a concise manner, In order not to be handled with levity or hide under a flimsy ex- so that a fas ng person would not eat his/her sahur dawn meal in cuse, fast must be repaid back by those who have legal reasons to the midnight and break his fast very too late in the night. While a leave it during the Ramadan. Some of these reasons are men oned Muslim is fas ng, he should shun vulgar talks, false witnesses and in the Qur’an thus; “But if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same all evils deeds because the aim of fas ng is to a ain God’s connumber (should be made up) from other days”, Quran 2:184. sciousness. The Prophet (SAW) was reported to have said thus; “If WHEN DO WE FAST? We fast for the en re month of Ramadan, a Muslim does not refrain from lying and indecent ac vi es, Allah which is the ninth month of lunar calendar. Allah says; “Observing does not want that he should abstain from ea ng and drinking.” The sawm (fast) for a fixed number of days (29 or 30 days).But if any of aim of fas ng, therefore, is to sani ze the society from all evils. you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) Whenever the fas ng was approaching like this in the past, the

JUMAT SERMON

Preparations For Ramadan

companions of the Prophet (SAW) used to share good ding of it among themselves. Ramadan period is considered to be a period of bumper harvest because of various acts of Ibaadat therein. We should therefore emulate them. The Prophet was quoted as saying: “O believers, take advantage of this great month and magnify it. Allah has blessed you therein with various acts of Ibaadat and other means of nearness to Him. Strive therein and follow Allah’s way for it is a great month. Allah has made it an arena for his servants so they can compete in goodness towards Allah.

Therefore, establish prayers (obligatory and non-obligatory) therein, give charity therein, read the Quran therein, be kind to the poor, the needy and the orphans therein and above all, guard your fast jealously against all evil acts. Islam teaches that when anyone of you is fas ng, he should abstain from loose talks and the noisy exchange of words. If someone starts cursing him or picks up a quarrel with him, he should tell him: “I am fas ng”.

HOW DO WE USHER IN THE RAMADAN? It must be ushered in with pure heart, good inten on and high spirit of preparedness to harvest its goodies. Upon arrival of Ramadan, the Prophet said, “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which has enjoined you to fast during which the gates of heavens are opened and gates of hell are closed and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is far be er than a thousand months and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.

Because of all the above inspiring words, the companions used to pray fervently to Allah to spare their lives in order to take part in it. The object of their inten on is to carry out acts of Ibaadat therein and not to stock food items in their house. Muslims are therefore enjoined to prepare well for the forthcoming Ramadan with a view at maximizing the derivable benefit therein through various recommended acts of ibaadat, because Allah Himself is in charge of its reward. Allah says, “Fas ng is Mine and it is I who give reward for it”, (a man) gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake. Fas ng is like a shield and he who fasts has two joys; a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord.

In conclusion, I pray Almighty Allah to count us among those that will partake in it and those that will secure His forgiveness, and above all, count us among the dwellers of Paradise. I seek forgiveness of my sins and yours from Allah The Most Merciful. The ever-Forgiving.

•Friday sermon prepared and delivered by Imaam Raji Musa Oladapo, the Chief Imaam of Telemuland, Telemu, State of Osun.

News

Aragbiji Accuses Police Of Shielding Killer Of Cousin Kazeem Badmus

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HE Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba AbdurRasheed Olabomi has accused the Commission of Police in the state of Osun, Mr. Olawale Olokode, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone XI, Mr. Mukan Joseph Gobum and Commandant, Mopol 39, Mr. Sebas an Moorkwap of shielding police officers involved in the killing of an indigene of the town, Mr. Saheed Olabomi.

Olabomi, a cousin of the monarch, was reportedly shot by Sergeant Adamu Garba with force number 467549 on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in traffic allegedly caused by a truck driver.

The deceased was shot by the policeman following a disagreement between the police patrol team and the truck driver.

He died two days a er at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at his palace, Aragbiji said the suspects had been absent from court in spite of the court order to the police to produce them.

The monarch added that even though family and members of the pub-

lic were made to believe that the police officers had been dismissed and that he would be prosecuted, efforts at achieving that have proved abor ve, saying the command was protec ng the accused persons.

He said: “I represent the OLABOMI dynasty of the Ajibode Ruling House Iragbiji whose son was brutally murdered by a team of policemen led

by Sgt. Adamu Garuba “M” aged 39 years and his other accomplices Sgt. Ajibola Dupe “F” aged 37 years, Sgt. A ghir Lawrence “M” aged 40 years and Sgt. John Yilkur “M” aged 38years on July 27, 2021 at about 5:00pm at Oke Oni i area, Osogbo.

“The said Sgt. Adamu Garuba was said to have pulled the trigger that sent our son, a harmless Saheed Ajibola Olabomi to his un mely death without any iota of provoca on.

“Since the incidence, the Nigeria Police Force, Osun State Command, led

by Mr. Olawale Olokode, the Commandant Mopol 39, Mr. Sebas an Moorkwap whose aids are the personnel who commi ed the act and especially the Assistant Inspector Gen-

•Aragbiji eral of Police (AIG) Zone XI, Mr. Mukan Joseph Gobum, have conspired to sweep the ignoble act of criminality of the personnel under the carpet.

“Good enough, the family insisted that our son be taken to the hospital and autopsy was conducted by the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo which established the fact that Mr. Saheed Olabomi was killed as a result of the injuries he received from the shot fired by Garuba Adamu.

“All efforts at ensuring that Adamu Garuba and others were tried by

•CP Olokode the police (orderly Room Trial) failed even though our family and members of the public were made to believe that the police officer had been dismissed and that he would be prosecuted.

“For more than six months, the suspects were not arraigned. Our family had to seek the taken-over of the ma er by the state. Yet, it took several months before the file could be released to the Ministry.

“Even a er the release of the file, we have been in court twice, the police personnel were

not brought to court despite the service of court order to produce the suspects on the Commissioner of Police.

“On inquiry, it was discovered that Aig Mr. Mukan, Joseph Gobum was said to have been pressured by the Commandant Mopol 39 Mr. Moorkwap to subvert jus ce and exonerate a murder suspect in a celebrated murder case”.

The monarch called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, to direct the AIG Zone XI and those involved to revisit the

ma er and allow jus ce to take its full course on the culprits.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, the elder brother of the decease, Tajudeen Olabomi, said the police authority has not visited the vic m family since the incident, adding that family members are now shouldering the responsibili es of the late Olabomi.

“Since the sad incident happened and ll this moment, there has not been any form of contact from the police force and it shows they don’t care about the dead.

“Since we have been going to the court, the suspects have never shown up in the court and what we are hearing is that Sergeant Garba has been exonerated which means there may not be jus ce in this case.

“The family members have been the one catering for the immediate family of the deceased and it has not been easy.

“What the family members want is for the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the culprits appear before the court so that jus ce will be served” he said.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

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News

O’Rehab Centre In Disuse, Dilapidating – Investigations Yusuf Oketola

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HE Omoluabi Rehabilita on Centre located in Ilobu, Irepodun local government area of the State of Osun, is now a shadow of itself, inves ga on has revealed.

Established in the year 2012 by the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the program was targeted towards rehabilita ng and catering for persons with mental challenge, des tute and those who are homeless.

The rehabilita on centre, according to findings by OSUN DEFENDER, served as a temporary shelter for des tute transferred from another states for reintegra on with their family.

OSUN DEFENDER visited the O’Rehab centre in Ilobu on Wednesday and no ced the place was under lock and key and there was no sign of being used again.

Inves ga on also revealed that the O’Rehab served as a skill acquisi on centre for those who have been fully treated of their health challenges.

Des tutes and those with mental health chal-

•Omoluabi Rehabilitation Centre, Ilobu. lenges were being taught different skills, coupled with empowerment programmes before reuni ng them with their family so as to make them financially independent.

The programme lasted for eight years of Aregbesola’s administra on.

The last set of people who were treated in the place were said to have been reunited with their fam-

ily in the year 2019 during the early stage of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on.

However, the place has been shut down since then, as the Oyetola’s administra on has failed to con nue the programme.

In an exclusive interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, a former Special Adviser to Governor Aregbesola on Youth,

Sports and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade noted that the strategy and approach of Oyetola’s administra on to social welfare issues is an aberraon and against all logic of social programmes.

Odunlade stressed that the Oyetola’s administra on has abandoned all laudable projects embarked upon by the previous administra on, adding

Teenager Flees Home Over Father’s Sexual Advances Yusuf Oketola

A

N 18-year-old girl, Tolulope Akinola, has said that she fled her Egbeda resident in Lagos state to Osogbo, the capital of State of Osun over alleged sexual advances from her biological father.

Akinola, a na ve of Oyan, said she was living with her father since the demise of her mother

•Tolulope

•Claims She Was Rejected For Treatment At State Hospital eight years ago.

She alleged that her father who did not remarry since the death of her mother would always want to sexually exploit her any me he drinks to stupor.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on Monday, Akinola said she le Lagos for Osogbo in Feb-

ruary, 2022 in search of one of her aunt, Funke Oladiran, in order to stay away from her father.

The aunt, according to her, is a fashion designer who own a shop around Ilesa garage, but on ge ng there, she no ced the aunt has already vacated the shop without a traceable address.

She said she engaged herself in a labourer job since she came to Osogbo a month ago as a means of survival.

According to her, she fell sick while working at a site which led her to the state hospital, Asubiaro for treatment.

She claimed she was not a ended to by doctor on duty, as she could not afford the payment for treatment.

Akinola said a female corps of the Southwest Security Network (Amotekun) known as Nana Fa ma came to her aide by contac ng the Founder/Coordinator of Monsurat Ajoke Foundaon (MAF), Ms. Monsurat Ibrahim, to come to a end to her.

Ibrahim took the helpless girl to another

hospital where she was treated of Malaria.

According to MAF Coordinator, the girl has been in the custody of the Founda on for maximum care and rehabilita on.

that all social programs in the state are now a story of the past.

He said: “The Omoluabi rehabilita on centre at Ilobu was established in the year 2012 by the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

“The Des tute Rehabilita on was total a rehabilita on centre established

by Aregbesola’s administra on for the purpose of temporarily shelter for des tutes transferred from other state for reintegraon with their family.

“It was also used as a transi on place for person with mental imbalance that were picked of the street.

While processing them for hospital, they are temporarily put there and a er they were discharge from the hospital and awaiting to reunite with their family, they will be there

Female Undergraduate Allegedly Assault Mother, Arraigned In Court Bolanle Lasisi

A

300 level student of Tai Solarin University of Educaon, Ijagun, Ogun state, Bola Arogundade, has been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly assaul ng her mother.

Arogundade was said to have a acked and inflicted injury on the le eye of her mother, Funmilayo Arogundade, following a disagreement that ensued between them.

According to the charge sheet obtained

by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the defendant commi ed the offence

on March 23, 2022 at Olonkoro area, Osogbo.

The alleged offence, according to the police, contravened Sec on 355 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol.ll, Laws Osun State, 2002.

But the defendant pleaded not guilty to a count charge of assault levelled against her, even as she had no legal representa on.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, O.A Daramola, admi ed the defendant to bail in a sum of N200,000 with two sure es.

The case was adjourned ll April 4, 2022 for men on.

un l their family comes.

And for those who do not have families, they will be taken care of ll solu on is go en regarding their reloca on as to whether to get them a place to live.

“On regular basis, that place was also serving as a skill acquisi on centre for person’s with disabili es, persons with mental challenge a er their rehabilita on. Generally, persons who need skill acquisi on and empowerment are gathered there and are trained in different trade before they are being returned to where they will be joined with their families so that they will not to be dependent on anybody.

“The impact of the program on the society was very huge. The program started in 2012 and it con nued ll 2018 and since the present government did not put in any premium in rehabilita on of des tute, the place has been abandoned.

“Let me tell you this, the strategy and approach of the present administraon to social welfare issues is an aberra on. It’s against all logic of social programs. The present administra on of Governor Oyetola has abandoned all laudable projects embark upon by the previous administra on.

All effort to get reacon of the state government proof abor ve as the Commissioner for Women, and Children Affairs, Olubukola Olaboopo failed to pick calls nor reply text message sent to her as at the me of filling this report.

PUBLICATION FAMUYIDE TAJUDEEN OLUWASEUN That I was formerly known and addressed as FAMUYIDE TAJUDEEN now wish to be known and addressed as FAMUYIDE TAJUDEEN OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AMINU JUMOKE LYDIA That I was formerly known and addressed as JONAH LYDIA now wish to be known and addressed as AMINU JUMOKE LYDIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MRS. OLA LATIFAT ABEKE That I was formerly known and addressed as MISS HASSAN LATIFAT ABEKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OLA LATIFAT ABEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

News

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022 VOL. 17 NO 12 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

PERSPECTIVE

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VERYWHERE you go, words on the lips of Nigerians are: “things are very hard”, “this inflaon is spiraling out of control”, “our leaders are not concerned about our condi ons”, et al. And these are genuine complaints from the masses, and this is the real situa ons on ground. As a ma er of fact, the aggregate condi ons of economic deteriora on have compelled the adult into sickness, the youth into crime and the poor into ritual. In situa on like this, there can be only two vents for the people craving for genuine changes to their socio-poli cal order: recruitment of a visionary leaders who can get things done aside from sweet rhetorics, and the collec ve resolve of the people who are hellbent in doing things differently or what can be simply called “change of mindset of the populace”.

However, it is belabouring the obvious to say that, Nigerians are only fond of whining over their socio-economic disorder, but when the me for the recruitment of leadership comes, they would offer their God-given right to vote for paltry sum, they would collect money before they vote; only to be whining a ermath. It is a sorry case, because that has become a perennial a tudinal disposi on of the people to the poli cal system, and it is se led that in a civil rule, poli cal system is the matrix that asserts influence on all other spheres of influence in the body poli c.

Let it be known that I am not out to place blame on the poli cal class alone, but to appeal to the soul of the people who keep on doing the same thing, but are yearning for different results. It is convenient to hold the feet of poli cians to the fire for the socioeconomic topsy-turvy, but the high road suggests I should check on all edges, because there is enough blame to go round. So, let’s skip the blame game in order to address the elephant in the room.

On the issue of na onal interest, it is noteworthy that it took President Muhammadu Buhari close to a year to assemble his lieutenants who would help him with decision to change the mess he met on ground, and that implied that his leadership did not hit the ground running, but can we blame the then new President for taking his me to select the best hands to work with him? Yes, because he had all the me to select his team while wai ng for the inaugura on.

No, because in a country where we have a short supply of men of integrity, li le me could not be enough for ve ng. However, it was quite disappoin ng that the men that were eventually selected turned out to be the old guards in their various states. Can there be be er human resources to use? Yes, because this country called Nigeria is blessed with abundant human resources full of talents and poten als.

In another view, can the President select fresh people who have the wherewithal? Yes, he is not restrained by the cons tu on, but if the nature of Nigerian poli cs does not accommodate decent, talented and highly resourceful people, the President is technically, not morally, constraint to select from his party men who worked for his victory, and that tells us how the poli cal result would be skewed now and in the future. In one place, it appears that good and decent men had abandoned poli cs, and the resultant effects are upon us all.

Meanwhile, it should be given to President Buhari that he performs averagely on the delivery of infrastructure, at least, be er than any administra on and regimes that had reigned on this na on for over three decades. Though cri cs may be arguing about the accumula on of public debt, the fact is that debt incurred for infrastructural development is a good debt. A er all, we were here when the previous administra ons took loans in the name of infrastructure, but the funds later disappeared into the wallets of individuals in government. And some of the guys who were caught red-handed were given a slap in the wrist. So, in my opinion, Buhari has made a difference, the fecundity of its significance is a subject of debate in the future.

However, there are s ll a lot of issues to be resolved by this administra on, and the economic team seems to be losing the grip, because people are

Senate Approves ICT Institute In Osun Page 2

BY GOKE BUTIKA

Would There Be A Change In Nigeria? I Doubt It! suffering, and microeconomic and macroeconomic dynamics appear to have pushed the infla on to all me high. Though the economic uncertainty seems global, na ons of single export would feel the impact deeper and painful. It is a legi mate demand to call for an unusual approach to alleviate the suffering of the masses, if not, the gains of Buhari’s administraon would be eroded on the narra ve of hardship and untold recession.

Poli cs at the local level, now is the me of poli cal carnival, because some states are preparing to have leadership change, and the poli cal par es are gearing towards the presiden al elec on next year.

So, poli cians have started their schemes, some of their strategists have started pushing out narra ves on how their candidates will fit into acceptability. In all, the ball would be in the net of the common voters who would be manipulated or blindfolded to vote for the poli cians who have no plan except to acquire fancy tles and access public funds for their private use.

STRIKER

In Osun state, par es had conducted primaries, but the two major poli cal par es are nothing but a joke. In the sight of everyone, par es primaries were manipulated to showcase predetermined results, and in the cause of fostering rigmarole, one of the par es came up with two candidates, while the other party’s candidate is being threatened by suit. In a saner clime, that is enough to reject the two par es, because it shows that those poli cal par es are behaving like drunken sailors, but because people have been seriously impoverished, they would s ll have to choose between two devils. In July, money would be given to the voters by the two par es, and people would certainly sell their rights; the same mistake would be made, and the same result would be recorded in the long run.

Juxtapose it to the na onal elec ons, the ruling All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democra c Party would again square up, dark money would be flowing around like rain, the compe on for the soul of the country would begin in earnest, and the

“If there would be a change with some of the politicians who are showcasing their ambitions to contest for offices in this country, I will tell you that the country is in dire straits. But genuine people must continue with the struggle, because doing nothing is the worst answer anyone could get” highest bidder would likely emerge, and the result would be the con nua on of suffering, because those who mismanaged the country would be recycled, and the ruin of a na on would be magnified. Is there any way out of this vicious cycle? Yes, people should be organised and sensi sed on the implicaons of the sales of vote, but who would do that?

In a saner clime, that is the job of civil socie es and community organisers. But in Nigeria, the so called civil socie es are byproduct of corrupt poli cians who just want to jus fy their iniqui es. Besides, the so called ac vists of nowadays are a group of jobbers who are in ac vism for personal gain, not selfless service. That is the bane of development, and the country is ge ng worse for it.

If you ask me, if there would be a change with some of the poli cians who are showcasing their ambi ons to contest for offices in this country, I will tell you that the country is in dire straits. But genuine people must con nue with the struggle, because doing nothing is the worst answer anyone could get.

Ire O!

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

For A Democratic World Order

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EMOCRACY is everywhere desirable: within families, organisa ons, poli cal par es, na ons and interna onal relaons. Democracy is universally embraced such that the age of ‘Might is Right’ may be consigned to the dustbin of history. However, the travails of democracy everywhere, in prac ce, are many; as with underdeveloped countries fancifully labelled “developing countries,” so with advanced countries and with interna onal rela ons: ‘Might is Right’ is far from being consigned to history’s dust bin! The “advanced” countries only being decent with their crudity while the “third world” poli cal elites are simply being their crude, feudalis c selves; everything crudely playing out on the interna onal arena as a theatre of “beasts of no na on.”

Humanity everywhere struggling for a just, democra c World Order has a new impetus to renew their struggles in the Russia-Ukraine war that clearly exposes the tyranny of might over right and reason; and the suppression of the wishes of the majority by the inordinate and insa able greed of the few for worldly vanies. Russia erring on the part of its safety s ll errs but it brings out in naked and bold relief the injus ce and double standard of western poli cs and (im)morality: obvious all along to the learned; to be doubted or denied by the ignorant, the mischievous, and those with vested interests.

The “solidarity” of western media and sporting organisa ons becomes more depressing and disgus ng when one remembers their responses (or lack of it in criminal silence) to more inhuman atroci es commi ed by the west all over

the world. Lengthy is the list of assassina ons, invasions, sponsored coups, et cetera, by United States of America and its Western NATO allies, to terminate progressive lives and development processes all over the “third world,” not to menon violent conquests, enslavement and colonisa on. Apart from Apartheid in America, Europe and South Africa, in order to even occupy the present-day geographical space called America a er its “discovery” by Christopher Columbus in 1492, millions of American Indians were wiped out without remorse by European invaders, and ll today without apologies or repara ons, only to immorally put it in movies as “Cowboys and Indians.” Wikipedia says “Indigenous people north and south were displaced, died of disease and were killed by Europeans through slavery, rape and war. In 1491, about 145 million people lived in the western hemisphere. By 1691, the popula on of indigenous Americans had declined by 90-95 percent, or by around 130 million people.” That is 130 million people wiped out by Europeans just to own their land!

The world forgets easily that black people, Africans, could not vote or even sit in the same place with white people in the USA un l a er 1960 (that is a er Nigeria’s Independence); for the eventual a ainment of which goal Malcolm X and Mar n Luther King were both cruelly assassinated. A na on going around the world as champion of human rights and democracy has cops killing black people without reason, not only ll Floyd George and today but ll tomorrow and ll Africa rises again! The ordeal of hundreds of years of slavery is only be er forgiven but never forgo en, even as it is un-

mi gated and systema cally sustained ll date; ahead of every Premier League fixture, players and coaches s ll take the knee today!

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and all wars in general are regre able and should be avoided at all cost. The inevitability of most wars are due to intolerance for democracy; an -democra c acts and double standards, by hegemonic elites across the world and at the so-called “interna onal community” and the United Na ons, which Fela Anikulapo Ku labelled “Egbekegbe - Bad Society” run by elites he labelled “Beasts of No Na on” in his meless 1989 album of that name.

While appealing to popular organisa ons, once again, to rise from their slumber and live up to their billings in the struggle for genuine government of the people by the people and for the people in form and content, let them locate the Russia-Ukraine war in proper historical context, call for peace and genuine democracy in the world, and an end to a NATO-inspired American world (dis)order from which none profits, not even Europe as a region, nor ordinary Europeans, except of course warmongers, dogs of war and the military-industrial business magnates.

Democracy is for real only when it is a system where every man and woman reaps what he/she sows and everyone is his/her brother’s and sister’s keeper, guaranteed by governments and states enthroned by the majority. Only then can we have a genuine interna onal community of na ons and an end to “United” Na ons where “one veto vote is equal to 92 or more!”

“What kind of sense is that? Na animal sense.”

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

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