Osun Defender Online Version of May 19, 2023

2 News High Cost Of Food Items Inevitable – AFAN •

Irregular Rainfall: Food Crisis Looms Over Stunted Growth In Crops

Yusuf Oketola

FARMERS in the State of Osun have raised the alarm over irregular rainfall, saying it may affect food produc on that will result to food crisis in the State.

According to the farmers, there has been irregular rainfall since the beginning of the wet season in 2023, lamen ng that cash crops were not having their proper growth as a result of dearth of water.

The farmers, in different interviews with OSUN DEFENDER on Monday, stated that the shortage of rainfall brought about harsh weather which resulted in the stunted growth in plants.

The farmers stated that if the prevailing situa on of shortage of rainfall cut s across Nigeria, it would exacerbate food crisis in the country, par cularly in the state.

Specifically, farmers in Ola-Olaluwa, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ayedire, Ayedaada and Egbedore local governments of the State, have begun to count their losses as their crops such as maize, tomatoes, pepper, jute leaves (Ewedu) and okro were affected by stunted growth as a result of shortage of rainfall.

According to some farmers in Olaoluwa local government, the area which is regarded as “the food basket of the State of Osun” was badly hit by the harsh weather and may experience low harvest.

They stated that the irregular rainfall affected the growth of the crops and reduc on in their yields since the incep on of this year farming season.

Chief Wale Mayegun and Mr Akeem Olubori, who are farmers in the local government, said they had cul vated acres of land with the expecta on of having boun ful harvests three mes in the year.

However, they said their expecta on was dashed as a result of the irregular rainfall which resulted into stunted growth for the planted crops.

Narra ng his ordeal, Olubori stated he had planted maize and okra on about 20 acres of land at Idi-Oro and Olupo at the beginning of the farming season.

The father of three told OSUN DEFENDER that the maize crops he planted in late February had a lifespan of three months but an unexpected dry weather set in and stunted the growth of the plants.

Olubori said: “My en re farmland for maize and okra is about 20 acres. I planted maize largely in Febru-

ary. I had an expecta on of a great harvest in three months. Unfortunately, the weather has been dry. Rain has not fallen more than three mes since I planted this. The temperature has been very high.

have steady contract farm workers whom I must pay at the end of the year. I should have been preparing to harvest at least 10 pickup loads of maize now. With this now, I am considering clearing these maize plants and plan ng another in the June/July growing season.”

This is just as Mayegun also lamented the shortage of rainfall leading to huge economic losses for the farmers.

“Rainfall has been inconsistent in the State since the beginning of the year”, he declared.

Iwara community, explained that he had cul vated 45 acres of maize farm with the hope of reaping 40 pickup loads harvests in May.

Mayegun said the prevailing situa on would exacerbate food crisis, parcularly in Nigeria.

According to him, reduc on in crop outputs means the basic food would be scarce.

He said: “Without being a doomsayer, food crisis is not ending soon. The size of my maize farm is 45 acres. Normally, I should harvest nothing less than 40 pickup loads. But look at what dry weather has done to my farm.”

“The direct consequence of this is that the farm produce will not be enough to go round, and the popula on will struggle to get what is available in the market. Prices would go up and the poor who cannot afford them will go hungry.”

According to a publicaon, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had predicted that a dry spell would occur in some parts of the south, including State of Osun, in April 2023.

Mayegun, who farms at

But the unexpected shortage of rainfall has dras cally reduced the realisa on of his hope, he lamented.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that a small basket of okra is being sold for N5,000, against N1,500 in 2022 at Odo-Ori market in Iwo.

Poor Stress Management Kills Journalists Silently - Psychiatrist

Kazeem Badmus

Aconsultant psychiatrist with Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Adeoye Oyewole, has said lack of proper stress management kills journalists discreetly.

Oyewole said Nigerian

journalists carry Nigeria on their shoulders at a mental cost and struggle daily to gather informaon despite humilia ng cultural and bureaucra c bo lenecks.

According to him, the physical and mental stress journalists are exposed to daily created

a mental disequilibrium which manifests psychologically and physically which, if not managed properly, could lead to a mental shutdown.

He disclosed this on Monday in Osogbo at a seminar organised by Fountain University for prac sing journalists and

Osun Hunters Seek Adeleke’s Support In Securing Forests

Kazeem Badmus

MEMBERS of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service in the State of Osun, have declared their readiness to work with Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administra on to curb criminal ac vi es in the state’s forests.

State Chairman of the group, Ahmed Nureni, in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo yesterday, said once the Governor is ready to work with the group, they will do everything possible to secure the forests.

Felicita ng with the Governor on his 63rd birthday, Nureni maintained that with government support, criminals planning to move into Osun forests from neighbouring states will be restricted.

He added that measures have been put in place in fishing out criminals in Osun forests, saying members of the group only need government support and mova on to con nue their work.

“As a group saddled with the security of our forests, we are ready to

work together with the incumbent administraon and con nue the good work.

“With the support of the government, we are very sure of ending all criminal ac vi es in our forests and make sure criminal elements from neighbouring states do not enter our forest.”

final year Mass Communica on students of the ins tu on.

Oyewole added that journalists need not just rela onship support to overcome stress, but financial support to manage the stress that accompanies the calling.

He said: “There is a need for journalists to be proac ve in managing me, value rela onships and possess the will to break through barriers to achieve daily goals.

“Financial freedom is also essen al. No journalists should be underpaid in discharging his or her responsibility as a professional to meet the daily demands both personally and as a family. A journalist must be able to meet his daily diet and supplement demand to be physically and mentally ready for the rigours of the job.”

“I have spent more than N500,000 on the farm. I Continued on Page 7

Speaking at the event, former Managing Director of Monitor Newspaper, Dr Liad Tella, said what complicated the stress of professional journalists is non-commensurate pay for work done, saying reducing journalism to struggling for a brown envelope at an event could be mentally depressing.

Similarly, a price of a pickup load of maize now is between N150,000 and N180,000.

Commen ng on the insufficient rainfall, Chairman of All Farmers Associa on of Nigeria in the state, Mr Kayode Afolabi, said the situa on will invariably orchestrate high cost of food items in the market.

Afolabi opined that the shortage of rainfall has discouraged many farmers in the state to go to farm.

“Lack of rain at the beginning of this year farming season will invariably orchestrate high cost of food items in the market. People are also discouraged to go to farm because of the erra c rainfall.

“The solu on to this is for government to involve more in irriga on. We are talking about irriga on to all our agricultural endeavours. By the me we apply irriga on to it, we will not rely on rain again. It will enable us to carry out farming ac vi es with ease”, He stated.

The AFAN Chairman stressed that the quanty of maize planted in the state this year has not been encouraging as a result of the current weather condion.

Afolabi however appeal to the state government to invest more in pu ng in place storage facili es for future purpose.

He said: “The quan ty

•Participants at the Osun PR Challenge, organised by the State chapter of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), for University Students.

Photo Shola Aderinto •Gov. Adeleke

THE incoming administra on must challenge indeed debunk the myth that the current spoke in infla on is a bye-product of the mercifully now demonstrated COVID-19 pandemic or carried too far perhaps a natural disaster.

It is no such thing. Such muddled-up thinking should have been laid to rest a long me ago. Reminiscent of previously discredited fairy tales about famine. Unlike the fables of yore, the work of economic anthropologists and economic historians has now shown that famines and pes lences are not the vengeances of offended dei es but man-made.

It is of relevance to recall that the great famine which led to the deaths of two million people in Ethiopia in the seven es actually occurred at a me of surplus food supply. This mo vated the Ethiopian-

The Inflation Dispute

born Swiss economist, Elaine Gabre, to set up the widely admired Ethiopia Commodi es Exchange.

The incoming government must tackle the root cause of the great inflaon which is at the highest level in seventeen years!

There was pre-exis ng dysfunc on in the system long before COVID. The distor ons include the inability of the Central Bank of Nigeria to focus on its core mandate of ensuring price stability. The incoming government must insist on this. For price stability is

the way to a ain social jusce and shared prosperity.

As far as food price inflaon is concerned, it must

The Discourse

be noted that for decades the President-elect has consistently advocated the establishment of commodi es exchanges as a price modula ng mechanism which also side and increases produc on, Elaine Gabre once delivered a paper at one of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu colloquia. This is in the right direc on: for the ill-thought destruc on of the erstwhile Commodi es Board during the Structural Adjustment Program connues to have a nega ve effect on food security. Furthermore, the sub-naonal governments must be encouraged to concentrate on the construc on of rural roads as opposed to misalloca ng scarce funds on vanity projects.

Achieving price stability tops the list of priori es for the new government for it is interwoven with everything else including security.

Buhari’s Huge Parting Debt Profile

Enric Teniola

THE outgoing President, Muhammadu

Buhari has made sure he is leaving a huge debt profile of eighty trillion naira when he leaves THE VILLA on Monday, May 29. Well, well, well. By popular demand, I want to republish an ar cle I wrote that was published on 21 January, 2021.

In June 2005 we were so ecsta c in celebra ng the debt relief offered us, a relief of over $20billion dollars, which was beyond the total revenue of Nigeria for one year. So happy were we that President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, had to make a broadcast to the na on on June 30, 2005. He followed the broadcast by appearing before the joint si ng of the Na onal Assembly on July 26, 2005 to speak on the issue. In the broadcast, he declared, “How did we work to get out of this debt quagmire? We did it by resolving and working hard to break with the past; by iden fying new voices and new leaders; and by rejec ng business as usual and vo ng for new values of accountability, transparency, fair compe on, social jus ce, and the upli ment of the living standards of Nigerians. We revamped our ins tu ons and put in place an economic agenda that reduced the role of the state in the economy while strengthening the place and role private investors. We mounted a vigorous global campaign to make a good case for debt relief”. He commended the economic management team and assured that Nigeria will never fall into such trap again.

“How about the future? We must learn from the past. We must all show collec ve responsibility to prevent a return to the past. We must all commit ourselves to pro-

tec ng, rather than squandering the future of our children. We must all agree not to remove the solid blocks on which our na on stands by accumula ng debts that we cannot repay. May God never let us go through this painful path again”, he declared. We were all so happy at that me. Several people commended the government for the ac on including Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie and General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), GCFR.

To me the comment of General Yakubu Gowon (85),GCFR, was most meaningful. He was in power for nine uninterrupted years and throughout his tenure, 1966 to 1975, Nigeria did not borrow a kobo.

General Gowon said at that me “Let’s hope that no government will ever again commit the future genera on to such a heavy burden of debt”.

In July 2005, the Federal Ministry of Informa on celebrated the debt relief by publishing a pamphlet tled “BROKEN CHAINS”

Now sixteen years a er, we are back to square one. Sixteen years a er we are back to the UNBROKEN CHAINS. I do not know what will happen now, but certainly we

have messed up. In terms of the management of our economy, we have missed our way. We are back to recession again. And in spite of the op mism being expressed by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, we do not know how to get out of the recession and when we are going to get out of it. Between 2005 and now, we cannot point to anything substan ve we have done with the money we borrowed.

According to a report by Premium Times, Nigeria’s total public debt stock increased by about N2.38 trillion, or $6.593billion, as of June 30 last year. The Premium Times quoted the Debt Management Office (DMO) that the country’s total debt por olio grew from about N28.628 trillion, or $79.303 billion, as of March 31 to over N31.009 trillion,

or $85.897 billion, in the period under review.

Details of the increment, the DMO said, showed about $3.36 billion came from Budget Support Loan from the Interna onal Monetary Fund (IMF), while the balance are new domes c borrowings to finance the revised 2020 Appropria on Act. The new domes c borrowings include a N162.557 billion Sukuk and promissory notes issued to se le claims of exporters.

The data showed the new debt figure comprised the debt stock of the federal government, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory.

DEFENDER

Zainab Olalere

The total external debt stands at about N11.363 trillion, or $31.477 billion, about 35.65 per cent of the overall outlay, against total domes c debt of about N19.945 trillion, or $54.419 billion, about 63.35 per cent of the total por olio. Of the total external debt stock, the federal government accounted for N9.824 trillion, or $27.214 billion (about 31.6 per cent) of external debts; and N15.456 trillion, or $42.814 billion (about 49.84 per cent) of the domes c debts.

OSUN

Telephone : 0809-301-9152

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php

e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com

All

The states and the FCT owe about N1.539 trillion, or $4.263 billion (about 4.96 per cent) of the total external debt figure, and about N4.190 trillion, or $11.606 billion, (13.51 per cent) of the total domes c debt figure.

“As far as food price inflation is concerned it must be noted that for decades the presidentelect has consistently advocated the establishment of Commodities exchanges as a price modulating mechanism which also side and increases production”

“We are being told that Nigeria total debt profile will hit N33 trillion this year. The rate at which we are going, in terms of our debt profile, may lead to Nigeria being put up for sale”

APC Kicks As Osun Govt. Plans To Pay Outstanding Allowance To Sacked Political Office Holders

Kazeem Badmus

CONTROVERSIES have been trailing a leaked memo from the Ministry of Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs, which indicated that the State Government of Osun might be planning to pay severance of poli cal office holders who served between 2008 and 2010 at each of the local governments in the state.

The memo which was dated May 11, 2023 and signed by Mr Tajudeen Adelabu on behalf of the Coordina ng Director of the ministry directed all heads of local government administra on and Area Office to forward all outstanding allowances the state is purportedly owing the said former poli cal office holders.

A copy of the memo sighted by OSUN DFENDER reads ‘Re: Payment Of All Outstanding Severance Allowances To The Former Poli cal Holders In The Local Governments (From 2008-2010)’ the heads of local governments were urged to treat it as a matter of urgency and forward their returns on or before today (Friday).

“I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and request you to forward to this office all outstanding allowances owed the former polical officer holders who served between 20082010.

“This Ministry wishes to establish the amount of indebtedness and the individuals involved to be able to advise the Government suitably on the ma er.

“Please treat as very urgent and forward your returns on or before Friday, 19th May, 2023.”

However, findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the said poli cal office holders were those who benefi ed from the December 15, 2007 local government elec on which was later nullified by the Supreme Court.

It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had on Friday, December 17, 2010, nullified the local government elec on on the ground that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2006.

In a lead judgment delivered by Jus ce Mukthar Coomasie, the apex court upheld the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal which declared the elec on conducted by OSIEC as illegal.

APC Carpets Adeleke, Accuses Him Of Impunity

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the

state has kicked against the plan to pay the said poli cal office holders,

describing the move as an act of impunity by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

APC which carpeted Adeleke over the plan, stated that any a empt to pay the sacked local government poli cal func onaries is an affront on the apex court that dissolved them.

The Ac ng State Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Informa on, Chief Kola Olabisi, in Osogbo, on Tuesday, implored Adeleke not to engage in impunity under the cover of immunity.

According to Lawal: “As a party and patriots, we are duty-bound to keep Governor Adeleke informed that it is a height of illegality paying such severance package to persons not known to law.

“If not now, such a flagrant disregard to the law of the land will hunt and haunt violators of such provisions. Immunity isn’t eternal. Immunity isn’t perpetual. It has a moment of expira on.”

NGO Expresses Worries Over Cases Of Sexual Abuse in Osun

Anon-profit making organisa on, Centre For Women’s Health And Informa on (CEWHIN), has expressed worry over cases of sexual abuse and violence against women and girls happening in the State of Osun

The NGO said cases of sexual abuse and violence against women and girls in the state were disturbing and required urgent a en on.

Director of the organisa on, Mrs A nuke Odukoya, stated this during the Close Out/ Accountability Forum on Strengthening Access To Community Based Psychosocial Support System For Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls, held at NUJ Press Centre, Osogbo, on Tuesday.

Odukoya urged religious leaders to speak out against the trend, adding that there was a need for them to understand that they are the custodian of culture.

According to her, over 150 people including religious groups and Community Psychosocial First Aiders (PFA’s) who were first responders to vic ms of sexual abuse have been trained in the state on how to help the vic ms and put a stop to it.

She said: “The issue of sexual abuse whether in the community or place

of worship is a lot and It is very disturbing. Everybody is trying to cover it for some reasons. It is a lot.

“It requires awareness raising for preven on purposes. It is be er for us not to have children that are raped or defiled. One of the core purposes of this program is for us to get people that can help vic ms with mental health support.

“We want them to have access to Psychosocial First Aid who can point them discreetly to a psychologist or psychotherapist so that they can

have the trauma support that is required.

“We need to put a stop to the ‘third party embarrassment and shame’. People need to know that they have to speak up. Some people keep silent because they felt that repor ng will break the home offender.

“Religious and community leaders need to understand that they are supposed to be custodians of culture. Osun State is known as ‘Ipinle Omoluabi’ and a real ‘Omoluabi’ will not rape and defile people.”

AMagistrate Court, si ng in Iragbiji, has remanded an herdsman, Umoru Baba and a driver, Babatunde Afeez in Correc onal Centre for allegedly causing the death of a family of three.

Baba (20) and Afeez (26) were arraigned before the court on a seven-count charge bordering on dangerous driving and manslaughter.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Jacob Akin-

I’m Still Iyaloja General Of Osun, Asindemade Insists

Ismaeel Uthman

CRISIS is imminent among market women in the State of Osun, following the appointment of a new Iyaloja General, Aderonke Oyebode, by Governor Ademola Adeleke, yesterday.

The incumbent state head of the market women associa on, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, rejected the move, describing Oyebode’s appointment as illegal.

Asindemade insisted that she remains the Iyaloja General of the State, maintaining that Adeleke does not have the authority to appoint a new head for the market women associa on being a non-governmental organisa on.

Adeleke, in a statement

by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, had noted that Oyebode has contributed immensely to the growth and development of commerce in the state, describing her as “a strong leader of businesswomen in the state.

He said: “We approved her (Oyebode) appointment with all sense of responsibility and confidence in her ability to pilot the affairs of women in commerce for the collec ve prosperity of Osun state.”

The inaugura on for the new Iyaloja General according to the statement will be held next week.

Kicking against the appointment, Asindemade, in a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday said: “He (Adeleke) appoint-

ed a new Iyaloja General for his party, not for Osun State.

I am s ll the Iyaloja General of Osun. I am undaunted with their current step.

“We are an NGO, the Governor does not have the authority to appoint a new Iyaloja General. It is not a poli cal office. It was not the government that inaugurated us when we formed the market women associaon back then. We invited the wife of former military administrator of the State, Anthony Udofia, for our inaugura on during the military regime.

“I’m the founder of market women associa on in the state.

“All market women in the state are with me. We market women are not parsan; we support any government in power.”

tunde, told the court that the herdsman reared cows on a public highway, which caused an accident that caused the death of Saheed Oladapo (Father) Kafayat Oladapo (Mother) and Wariz Oladapo (son) of Idi-Ogun compound, Iragbiji.

The deceased were said to be riding on a motorcycle when the incident happened.

Afeez was said to have suddenly rammed into a herd of cows, which were being grazed by Baba before losing control and crushing the deceased to death.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the duo commi ed the offence on May 2, 2023 at about 20:55 at Idi Ogungun, Oni village, Iragbiji.

The alleged offence, according to the police, contravened Sec on 27 of the RTA, Cap 548, Laws of Nigeria and Secon 18, Cap 146, Vol. II, Laws of Osun, 2002.

But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.

The presiding Magistrate, D. O. Ajiboye, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre pending their formal bail applica on.

•Management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the State of Osun presenting a photo frame to Governor Ademola Adeleke on his 63rd Birthday, at his residence in Ede, recently.

Kazeem Badmus Yusuf Oketola

Woman Brutalised By Police In Osun Says She’s Yet To Be Compensated 2-Yr After

Yusuf Oketola

Aresident of Iwo, State of Osun, Mrs. Tola Azeez, who was assaulted and brutalised by some policemen during the na onwide COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 said the police authority has not compensated her for the injus ce meted out on her.

According to Azeez, the police have con nued to disobey the ruling of a Federal High Court that ordered it to pay a sum of N5m as compensa on for the inhumane treatment.

The vic m took to her twi er handle @fabhally to announce that ll date, the Nigeria Police Force has refused to obey the court judgement a er some of its officers brutalised her for commitng no crime.

It would be recalled that in February 2021, a Federal High Court, sitng in Osogbo ruled in Azeez’s favour and directed the police to pay

her N5m.

The woman noted that more than two years a er the ruling, she has not go en a dime as compensa on, while the police have not deemed fit to tender an apology.

According to her, one of the officers who perpetrated the act is s ll reportedly working with the police contrary to the claim that he has been dismissed from service.

She wrote: “This is me, you said dealt with?

When one of the police officers involved s ll works as Nigerian police?

When the awarded damage is yet to be paid?

When I am s ll here suffering from the outcome of that incident? No, I don’t think so……un l the full execu on of the judgement.

“This is me. Nigerians you raised your voice for me then. Till now, I didn’t get a dime from the Nigerian police.

“The (sic) refused to obey the rule of law. Even a er the court pro-

nounced it in judgement that they should pay me damages worth of 5million naira, they have refused.”

Azeez further added, “I believed they were dis-

missed as I a ended the process un l this morning when I heard one of them s ll works for @ PoliceNG.”

The 2020 video of her brutaliza on resur-

faced on social media pla orms amidst the trial of Nigerian ar ste, Seun Ku , who is being prosecuted for allegedly slapping a police officer on uniform.

Nigerians have been calling out the police authority to rise to the persistent inhuman treatment being meted out on innocent ci zens by the police.

Obituary Biography Of Pa. G. O Abe

class cer ficate in Higher Teacher Training course.

In 1945, he wrote the London Matricula on Examina on and came tops with 1st class. In 1955, he went to Coopera ve College in UK where he also came out with 1st class. During this me, he had the privilege of checking and confirming his London Matric result.

In 1965, Pa Abe moved on to undertake an Administrave Course at Cambridge University, UK.

While in school, his mates included Gabriel Adeyemi (alias ORIKOGBO), Ezekiel Jacobs, J.W. Olatunbosun, Dokun Haastrup, D.O. Agbeja, A.O. Falode to men on a few ... all of blessed memory.

His best subjects were English, Mathema cs and La n.

WORK EXPERIENCE

ern Region Government as a Coopera ve Inspector and served in different capaci es and in various towns of the Old Western Region. He rose to become an Assistant Registrar of Co-op Socie es.

In June 1962, he was absorbed into the Administra ve Cadre of the same Western Region Government where he rose to the posi on of Permanent Secretary in 1976. At various periods between 1977 and 1978, he acted as Secretary to the Government and Head of Service.

During the period of Miltary era, he served as Administrator in the following Districts: i. 1966 - 1967 in Ife/ ljesa District

In September 1950, Pa Abe got married to his heartthrob, Princess Bernice Adefisayo Aromolaran who was working then as a Nurse in Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan. It was a tradi onal marriage a er a 3-year courtship. A er their marriage in Ilesa, they moved to Ado Eki , later to Owo, Ondo, and Akure as duty demanded of him before he le for higher studies in England in 1955.

Their union has children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to show for it and, they are celebra ng with great joy today The Life and Times of their Patriarch.

days. He developed interest in playing on the organ and at some me he was a church organist. At old age, he started enjoying the company of friends, most of whom are no more.

His community life was generally one of SERVICE ... from his tennant days up ll his landlord status at Olanipekun Street where Pa Abe had been a rallying force and father figure. Un l recently, he was the Chairman of the Residents Associa on of Olanipekun Street, Oke-Ado where he championed the social and security welfare of the neighbourhood.

PAGabriel Olanipekun

ABE was born in July

1921 according to his father (Samuel Ogunluyi ABE SALORO) and to be exact, 7th. July according to his mother (Abigail Dada ABE).

His birth was spectacular as he came a er repeated infan le deaths. So his father’s maternal aunt from ALOYA royal family in Ilesa took over his medica on with herbal medicine. He survived to the glory of God.

His childhood started in far-off towns and villages in Ibadan and Ilorin areas where his father traded as OSOMAALO.

In 1923, the family relocated to Ilesa a er his father built his house and there he lived with his siblings ... Mrs. Ogunjobi, Adebisi Abe, Joshua Abe (his maternal brother),

Idowu Komolafe (his maternal sister), Olawole Abe and several others - all of blessed memory.

Dad’s childhood friends included Dele Ogunbiyi, Abudu Famurewa, Isaac Daramola, J.W. Olatunbosun, Dokun Haastrup and several others.

EDUCATION

Pa Abe started his educaon at Isona Anglican Primary School where he read up to Standard III in 1934. Since Isona school did not have the higher classes, he had to move to Otapete Methodist School in 1935 and read up to Standard Six thus comple ng his primary educa on with DISTINCTION.

Moving on to higher educa on, Papa Abe a ended Wesley College, Elekuro in Ibadan between 1939 and 1942, gradua ng with 1st.

a) As a Teacher,

Pa G.O. ABE’s work experience started in 1938 as a Pupil Teacher at Ilare from where he gained admission to Wesley College, Ibadan in 1939 for HIGHER TEACHER TRAINING.

A er gradua ng from Wesley College, the Methodist Mission transfered him as a Trained Teacher, first to Osogbo in Ilesa Circuit (Jan.1943 to March 1944) and then to Ilesa (April 1944 to December 1945).

Pa Abe resigned from the Methodist Mission and proceeded to Ibadan Boys High School, Ibadan where he taught from January 1946 to May 1946.

b) In Civil Service

In June 1946, Dad got employed by the Cooperave Department of the West-

ii. 1970 - 1973 in Egba (Abeokuta) District iii. 19741975 in Ibadan Municipal (Mapo) As Administrator/ District Officer, he had monumental contact and experience with Local Government and Chiefaincy ma ers which gave him a lot of reputa onofficial and personal.

At the end of July 1978, Pa Abe re red from ac ve government service.

Re red but not red, he served as Chairman/ Board Member in Government Board and Agencies such as:

i) Western Hotels Ltd. under the aegis of O’dua Investment Co. Ltd. (1980)

ii) Oyo State College of Educa on, Ilesa (1981-1983)

iii) Oyo State Investment & Credit Corpora on (19841986)

Therea er he moved into private business and enjoyed his family and friends.

FAMILY LIFE

Pa G.O. Abe was loving as a father to his children and to all other dependants. He was a strict disciplinarian who never tolerated being slothful. Growing up, we his children experienced the “teacher” in him as he took me to teach us English and Mathema cs.

RELIGIOUS BELIEF

Pa Abe’s religious belief was none other than CHRISTIANITY. He started as an Anglican but later a Methodist ll his passing.

According to him, he came to learn that “SERVING GOD IN SPIRIT AND ACTION IS BETTER THAN BRAZEN CEREMONY”. Many seated here today can tes fy that he truly served God in spirit and ac on.

LIFESTYLE & HOBBIES

Pa Abe as a young man had his interest in Sports and Musical Entertainment. Li le wonder he got attracted to his wife who was also athle c in her youthful

He was an ac ve member of the Ijesa Union, Ibadan.

OUR THOUGHTS

We, the children of Pa. Abe rejoice at his legacy of HONESTY, HARD-WORK, CONTENTMENT, PERSEVERANCE, SELFLESSNESS, CHARITY and HUMILITY which he bequeathed to us and is a pedigree trait in all of us. He would want to be remembered especially for CHARITY - both at work and at home.

We will all miss his “envelopes”, the signature of his Life of charity.

“MORE HASTE LESS SPEED” Dad penned down.

MAY HIS BEAUTIFUL SOUL CONTINUE TO REST IN PERFECT PEACE IN THE BOSOM OF HIS MAKER, who blessed him with long life.

We Love You Dad, Grandad & Great Grandad.

We Miss You Greatly.

•Mrs. Azeez

May 29: NOA Advocates Peace, Tranquility

Yusuf Oketola

THE Director of Na onal Orienta on Agency in the State of Osun, Mrs. Kikelomo Ahmed, has stressed the need for Nigerians to sustain peace and tranquility in the na on irrespecve of religion, tribe and poli cal affilia on to achieve a smooth transi on process.

Ahmed stated this on Monday during an advocacy visit on peace building to foster stabilisa on to some tradi onal and religious leaders in the state, ahead of the May 29 transi on of power from President Muhammadu Buhari to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the President-elect.

The Director who represented the Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, described the current poli cal period as a crucial one for the na on, hence the need to sustain the exis ng peace to a ain improved growth and development.

She stressed that the role of tradi onal and religious leaders in maintaining peace in society could not be overemphasised.

Ahmed explained that the cons tu on of the country gives room for any aggrieved individual or group of persons to seek redress in court as regards the outcome of the 2023

general elec ons rather than embarking on act that could jeopardise the na on’s democracy. Calling on stakeholders to encourage

their followers on the need for the na on to remain a single unified en ty, Ahmed emphasised that ethnic groups across the country were intercon-

nected.

In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who was represented by the Obalufe of Ileife, Oba Idowu Adedi-

wura said tradi onal rulers would not relent at ensuring the sustainability of peace in Ife and Nigeria as a whole.

Oba Ogunwusi who

noted that government should priori se the welfare of tradi onal rulers commended the Na onal Orienta on Agency on its efforts at promo ng peaceful coexistence among the ci zens.

The Grand Imam of the State, Sheik Musa Animashahun, who was represented by Grand Mufasheer of Osun State, Imam Abdulateef Abajaoro, expressed the readiness of the Muslim leaders to support those in posi on of authority with prayers.

This is just as the Chairman, Chris an Associa on of Nigeria, Osun branch, Revd. John Adeleke, encouraged Nigerians to maintain peace and shun all forms of violence.

Urging Nigerians to support public office holders, Adeleke appealed to poli cal office holders to serve the people genuinely rather than gathering wealth for unproducve purposes.

Stop Treating Us Like Destitutes - Osun PWDs Warn Public

Kazeem Badmus

PERSONS With Disabili es in the State of Osun have decried what they described as nega ve atude of able-bodied people towards them.

According to the PWDs, some members of the public are in the hab-

it of s gma zing them, saying the experience is disheartening.

They also lamented the delay in the domesca on of Discrimina on Against Persons With Disability Provision Act in the state.

The PWDs stated this in Osogbo during a twoday capacity building

training for Organisa ons of Persons With Disabilies in the state on Rights Based Advocacy and Strategies, organised by Festus Fajemilo Foundaon.

According to them, it is saddening that discrimina on and s gmasa on of PWDs is s ll happening in the society,

How Adeleke Prevented Osun Resident Doctors From Going On Strike

Kazeem Badmus

RESIDENT medical doctors of Osun University Teaching Hospital have shunned their decision to join the ongoing na onal strike ac on declared by the Nigeria Associa on of Resident Doctors.

The resident doctors

shelved the industrial acon plan following the approval of their 12 year demands by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Adeleke held a closed door mee ng with the residents doctors on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Gover-

nor, Mallam Rasheed Olawale.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Associa on of Resident Doctors has embarked on a five-day warning strike following the failure of the Federal Government to meet its demands.

The resident doctors

commenced the strike at 8 am on Wednesday, May 17, and will end Monday, May 22, at 8 am.

According to Olawale, Adeleke approved with immediate effect, the payment of hazard allowance for clinical and non-clinical workers in the service of the teaching hospital.

Olawale added that the Governor also approved payment of a percentage of residency training allowance for residency doctors for the same hospital on an annual basis.

He further stated that the Governor directed that all other opera onal issues raised by the union during the mee ng should be looked into with immediate effect.

Adeleke, according to Olawale, charged the medical workers to reciprocate the gesture of the state government by re-dedicating themselves to service delivery.

calling on people to stop trea ng them differently.

Speaking with newsmen, the State Chairman of the Joint Na onal Associa on of Persons With Disabili es (JONAPWD), Mr Stephen Idowu, said some people in the society do not want to associate with them due to their condi ons.

Idowu added that the PWDs needed help, especially in public places to perform and express themselves effec vely.

He said: “People’s attudes towards persons with disability is very deroga ng. The languages people used to qualify us are very bad.

“Landlords do not want to give us apartments because of our condi ons and it makes it very difficult for us to secure accommoda on. Securing employment is another issue. People are not ready to give our members job.

“Accessibility to public buildings is very important for our members to be able to reach anywhere in the public space”.

In his speech, the cofounder of the foundaon, Afolabi Fajemilo, said domes ca on of discrimina on against persons with disabili es provision act will ensure

a good life for the PWDs in the state.

Fajemilo said PWDs have poten als that can be beneficial to the society if tapped into, adding that all the founda on was asking for was an equal and inclusive society.

“The founda on has commenced a policy advocacy project in Osun since 2021. We have been suppor ng the mobilisa on of persons with disability to be able to ac vely engaged stakeholders, most especially, duty bearers on the push for the domes ca on of Discrimina on Against Persons with Disability Provision Act which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

“It is this law that will ensure a good life for persons with disability. It will push away discrimina on and s gma saon of persons with disability.

“These people have poten als that the society can benefit from but unfortunately, the society is losing a lot because we are not tapping into it.

“All we are asking for is an equal and inclusive society where everybody can thrive and with that, the society stands a lot to benefit.”

•(3rd left) Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinbi RTD, Commander Osun Amotekun Corp, Field Commander, Cap. Soji Akanni, Secretary, Osun Amotekun Board, Barr Hassan Agbelekale, Comrade Waheed Lawal Chairman Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), and others after a meeting on Monday in Osogbo.

World Hypertension Day: Engage In Physical Activities: Cardiologist Warns Patients

Yusuf Oketola

Aprofessor of Cardiology and Internal Medicine of the Osun State University, Professor Olayinka Akinwusi, has advocated for more engagement in physical ac vi es and lifestyle changes as a way to manage hypertension.

Akinwusi also advised people to go for proper medical checkup, just as he warned them against usage of unprescribed drugs.

She gave the advice on Wednesday while featuring on a radio programme in Osogbo to mark the annual May 17 World Hypertension Day.

The theme of this year’s World Hypertension Day is: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.

Akinwusi, who revealed that there are two types of hypertension- primary and secondary hypertension, added that people should watch out for some risk factors.

“Increased salt intake,

excessive salt leads to hypertension. This has been confirmed by scien fic and medical studies.

“Everybody should re-

duce their salt intake. Local seasoning is an op on to be explored.

“High salt intake has encouraged the epidemic

of hypertension which we are now ba ling with,” she said.

She also listed obesity, chronic alcoholism, tobacco

intake, stress, sedentary lifestyle, use of unprescribed drugs, inges on of Indian hemp and cocaine, abuse of drinks and different types

of teas, poor sleep hygiene and old age as other risk factors that predisposes one to hypertension.

Akinwusi explained that hypertension was a silent killer and if le unmanaged could lead to stroke, heart diseases, heart a ack, chronic renal failure and even blindness.

The Professor of Cardiology said: “Complicaons from hypertension are stroke presen ng with paralysis, twisted face and affec ng speech and facial muscles.

“Transient ischemic attacks, otherwise known as minor strokes, can develop. It is a danger signal that a major stroke is on the way and medical a en on is needed.

“Heart failure affec ng heart vessels, heart a ack, chronic renal failure, affects the eyes leading to blindness.

“It is a mul -systemic disease which affects the whole body. We need to be careful so that we can live long,” she added.

N100m TETFUND Grants: Osun College Exonerates Staff From Financial Impropriety

Yusuf Oketola

THE management of Osun State College of Educa on, Ila has denied the allega on that some of the staff of the ins tu on were involved in the mismanagement of N100m TETFUND project grants released to the school.

In a statement signed by the school Provost, Prof. Jimoh Afolabi, the management said there was nowhere the Bursar of the college, Mr. Oyedeji Olanrewaju, told journalists that some staff of the instu on were involved in the mismanagement of the amphitheater fund as it was being reported around on social media.

The management noted that it holds both teaching and nonteaching staff of the school and their unions in high esteem while, challenging anyone who has evidence of financial impropriety against its staff to bring it forward. Made

available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the statement reads: “The a en on of the Osun State College of Educaon has been drawn to a publica on in some media, par cularly the social media pla orms with respect to an interview credited to the Bursar of the College on the issue of the amphitheater.

“The Bursar truly granted an interview to a group of selected journalists during their visits to the school, but nowhere was it men oned in the conversa on, that staff of the ins tu on were involved in any financial impropriety in connec on with the project.

“For the record, what the Bursar said in that regards is quoted below;

“TETFUND had blacklisted our school based on the issue of construcon of the amphitheater. Upon assump on of office, we met the TETFUND officials and pleaded they reconsider our ins tu on based on the management integrity and luckily they agreed with us”.

“At no stage in the interview did the Bursar men on the indictment of any staff, either academic or noncademic. We challenge anyone with such evidence to bring it forward.

“However, the bursar, di o the management as a body, hold the staff, both teaching and nonteaching and their unions in high esteem and would not do anything to embarrass them.”

Residents Rendered Homeless As Rainstorm Wreacks Havoc In Ede

SOME residents of Ede, State of Osun, have been rendered homeless as a result of a heavy rainstorm that occurred in the town last Saturday.

The rainstorm was reported to have fell a big tree into a building, located at Oluobinu compound of Ede and le the occupants homeless and with no property to lay claim to as it destroyed every of their belonging.

The occupants of the house said they were just lucky that it happened during the day, otherwise lives would have been lost.

Informed about the incident, the Governor of the state, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, sympathised with the vic ms, saying he had set machinery in mo on to rese le them.

Adeleke raised a combined delega on of the Ministry of Works and Transport led by the Coordina ng Director, Engr. Olusola Ajao, as well as the Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) led by its General Manager, Mr Amos Adejinle, to visit the collapsed building on Wednesday to ascertain

the level of destruc on.

The occupants of the building thanked Adeleke for showing empathy, saying his move touched their heart.

Speaking with news-

men, 90-year-old Alhaji Saka Oluobinu, the family head, thanked God that the incident claimed no life, saying that it has however le them homeless with no property to lay claim to.

Shortage Of Rainfall: Food Crisis Looms...

•Continued from front page

of maize planted so far in the state is not enough for now considering the weather. We all know the government in the state is s ll new but we are trying to appeal to them in all corners to do their best in pu ng more storage facili es in place to increase food produc on in the state.”

However, an aged farmer, Pa Kazeem Adewole, who spoke with the medium, opined that the climate variability was God’s punishment against man because of sins.

“Too much of sins is the cause of this. I

came to check my okra farm today because my people informed me over the phone that the leaves had turned yellow from green. When I saw it, I was sad. This is God’s punishment,” Adewole said.

SALAUDEEN HASSAN ALOLA

That I was formerly known and addressed as SALAUDEEN HASSAN, with former date of birth 06/10/1976, now wish to be known and addressed as SALAUDEEN HASSAN ALOLA, with correct date of birth 10/06/1976. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

•Chairman of Osun Chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers NIESV, ESV Adekunle Adedoye and members of the institution in a photograph celebrating 2023 VALUATION DAY.

Photo Shola Aderinto

Yusuf Oketola

THE dishevelment of the post-colonial state is never ending, it goes on eternal. Decades a er what can now be best described as “flag independence” nothing irks the poli cal elite of the post-colony more than the prospect of being caged in into their own country.

In the case of Nigeria’s poli cal establishment in the light of recent events, it can be depicted as poe c jus ce. A few weeks ago, a bill was proposed which in effect will cage in medical doctors who were trained in Nigerian publicly funded universi es for five years. This is reminiscent of the exit visas used by the authoritarian regimes of yore to prevent an exodus of skilled workers and prevent poli cal dissidents from migra ng. Obviously, what is good for the goose is now problema c for the gander. The Nigerian elite do not want to be caged in deprived of the pleasures of “the abroad”.

This is why the colonial mindset has been disturbed by the decision of the American authories to place a visa ban on those deemed to have had a nega ve or disrup ve effect on the electoral process.

In a statement on the US State Department website, Secretary of State Antony Binken said “the United States is commi ed to suppor ng and advancing democracy in Nigeria and around the world. Today, I am announcing that we have taken steps to impose visa restric ons on specific individuals in Nigeria for undermining the democra c process during Nigeria’s 2023 elec ons cycle.”

He clarified that the visa ban is specific to certain individuals and is not directed at the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole.

According to the statement, these individuals, under US Immigra on and Na onality Act, will be subject to restric ons on visas to the United States under a policy covering those believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy.

The methodology to be used to cage in the miscreants is not clear, nevertheless it has put some people in a pickle.

The visa ban as a moral sancon is not out of order and should not be interpreted in a self-serving way as an a ack on the sovereignty of the state.

It is a response to the inability of the Nigerian state to muster the poli cal will to do the needful. And there were a lot of trans-

Visa Bans And Sovereignty

was a key ba leground state during the elec on. The elec on peon tribunal has its work cut out to verify, however it means that the Nigerian State must answer inconvenient ques ons. Key here is the inability to set up an electoral offences tribunal. Not setng up the tribunal indicates an absence of deterrence. It means that every electoral cycle will be accomplished by mayhem, fear, loathing and gnashing of teeth. No state should accept this sort of framework.

The Americans are now doing what the Nigerian state ought to have done which is a crying shame! Furthermore, this is just another example of a process been run without established consequences for misdeeds. This is why we have not passed a much needed “Unexplained Sources of Wealth Act”. Without such a mechanism, the elusive search of the EFCC will always be a classic case of bol ng the stable doors a er the horse has fled.

No point in blaming the Americans, the fault lies in ourselves. Apart from the poli cal sphere we have constructed a very uncompe ve state which is fast becoming irrelevant. This is regre able.

STRANGELY, rather than team up and passionately apply themselves to the thorough implementa on of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), the six Yoruba State Governments are rigmarolling around in the bid to retain Yoruba ascendancy in Nigeria and guarantee socio-poli cal and economic pre-eminence and sustainability. In the wake of the outcome of the recent Presiden al elec on in Lagos, there was a jol ng; to a reality that has been in the making for decades: that truly, Yoruba is surrounded by those who covet their land and want it - either by force or by electoral guile. We are clear about the bandits. As for poli cal guile; a majority must be a valuable majority - otherwise, an enterprising and poli cally smart minority can reach alliances that will deliver them majority votes. It is always the consequences of poli cs and governance that has lost sight of its lo y spring and missed its development goals.

Democracy will ever remain a game of numbers. It is the intent of the democra c order that the majority, in any poli cal space, should determine who governs them. One man (woman), one vote is sacrosanct, and the more the power elites try to manipulate the proceedings away from this rule, the less credible the elec on outcome will be. The earlier we realise that there are factors that endow superiority and poli cal ascendancy other than crude an -democra c electoral manipula ons, the be er for Yoruba tomorrow.

In any case, why were Yoruba, unl recently, the leading light of not only Nigeria but Africa (as always rendered in the Yoruba Na on anthem, adopted from the anthem of the Unity Party of Nigeria under the Sage, Obafemi Awolowo)? The

The Yoruba Challenge

answer is simple and incontestable: Educa on, Human Capital Development and Character (Omoluabi Ethos). By educaon, we do not mean just schooling; we mean educa on (knowledge, character and skill acquisi on) in the fullest breath, as best defined by all pedagogy.

The patent truth is that ennobling and upli ing goal has been systema cally abandoned since the end of the UPN era. Decades of eleva on of wealth from odious source, glorifying unearned income, promo ng area-boyism, “omo-onile,” and youth hooliganism (now joined by alarming hard drug use), pu ng money over believe in people in poli cs, devalua on of even common schooling and trades appren ceship, all have caught up with us, as our Nigerian neighbours who hitherto placed no premium on educaon or character but who are masters of all those other base engagements (and are be er than us in them), took me to overtake us.

There was one “unusual” interven on in contemporary mes though. Upon assump on of office as Governor of the Osun State in November, 2010, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, right from the inaugura on podium, sent a powerful message that was a clarion call to all Yoruba people and governments. He assumed the plain tle of Ogbeni (dropping both Engr and His Excellency); he proclaimed that he was going to run an unusual government and amongst his very first acts in office were two ini a ves that should have been seen as a powerful example where tradi on is dying: he rebranded Osun State and set up an Educa on Summit Chaired by Nigeria’s one and only No-

bel Laureate. The details and outcome of those two ini a ves have deep meanings for Yoruba future that s ll have neither been rigorously studied nor embraced. He eventually was the first to create a Ministry for Regional Integra on and appointed a Commissioner for it, as one of the pioneers of DAWN.

How long shall we now con nue to arm-twist or railroad those who want what we have to vote our way, or prevent them from vo ng: they, being now even more enterprising than our own common people, who we have disempowered and seek to puni vely tax to death under all kinds of pretext? We reduce governance to raising IGR through taxing longsuffering people rendered unproduc ve and near mentally unbalanced! Then we focus on erec ng certain grandiose and sparkling infrastructure, forge ng that not all that gli er is gold, and the most precious possession of any na on or state is the quality of its people. When we build a na on where when we pave all the streets with gold, the people excavate and sell it as sawdust, we will eventually realise that it is be er to solidly and beau fully invest to building the people, and they will eventually build the road how beau fully they want.

In UK, “foreigners” do become Prime Minister and neither the departed Queen nor the New King is ever afraid that “naves” are thereby doomed; so it is in America and all democracies. What those “indigenes” have that gives them such confidence is what Yoruba Governments need to reinvent rather than preoccupaon with goals, strategies and tac cs that are doomed on the long run.

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

“The visa ban as a moral sanction is not out of order and should not be interpreted in a self-serving way as an attack on the sovereignty of the state”

gressions. Reports from Premium Times and in the past few days from the Bri sh Broadcas ng

Corpora on (BBC) have produced startling evidence of all manner of malfeasance in Rivers State which

•Antony Binken

•Mahmud Yaqub