Osun Defender Online Version of November 5, 2021

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021 VOL 16 NO 43

APC, PDP Trade Words, As NURTW Endorses Oyetola For 2nd Term Page 5

Palace, 52 Houses, 21 Shops, 3 Churches Destroyed

By Rainstorm In Erinmo Ijesa Page 5 Page 4

Page 5

Page 6 Aregbesola Charges Nigeria Security On Combating Terrorism Funding, Money Laundering

OSUN TEACHERS’ RECRUITMENT: HOPE RISES AS GOVT CONTACTS APPLICANTS T

SDP Moves Secretariat From Omisore’s House Ismaeel Uthman

HE Social Democra c Party (SDP) in the State of Osun has moved its secretariat away from Senator Iyiola Omisore’s House, 7up area, Osogbo.

According to findings, members of the SDP, led by Arch. Goke Omigbodun, the Deputy Chairman of the party in the state, decided to have an independent Secretariat, following Omisore’s defec on to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the monthly mee ng of the party was held at a building opposite Anthony Udofia Elementary School, Technical Area, Osogbo, on Wednesday, October 27.

Omigbodun, in a telephone interview with the medium on Wednesday, confirmed the reloca on of the SDP Secretariat, saying

Yusuf Oketola

T

HE 2020/2021 teachers’ recruitment exercise of the State Government of Osun, is ge ng towards a final stage.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that successful applicants might be recruited into the state’s civil service any moment from now.

It was gathered that some of the applicants who par cipated in the second leg of the recruitment process, have been contacted by the State Government.

According to findings, officials from the Ministry of Educa on have been contac ng some of the applicants through phone calls.

The phone calls, it was gathered, started last week a er the appearance of the Commissioner for Educaon, Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin before the •Continued on page 2

•Some of the Osun Delegates to National Youth Conference with the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare at the end of the programme on Wednesday in Abuja.

•Continued on page 2

Police Investigate Death Of OSPOLY Student, Arrest Boyfriend

Page 7

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

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News

Osun Teachers’ Recruitment: Hope Rises As Govt Contacts Applicants •Continued from page 1 House of Assembly to defend the ministry’s budget for the 2022 fiscal year.

Oladoyin had told the lawmakers that the state government was commi ed to recruiting teachers in public schools, assuring that names of successful candidates in the teacher’s recruitment exercise will be published and mobilised to classroom by November this year.

The commissioner was responding to a comment by the Minority Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Babajide Adewunmi, who lamented that there are no enough teachers in Osun public schools, asking why

•Students of Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo during their Money Week Savings and Investment programme, yesterday the state government was yet to employ new set of teachers.

However, OSUN

DEFENDER gathered that some of the applicants across the state have been re-

ceiving phone calls from officials of the Ministry of Educaon from last Week

Wednesday.

One of the applicants who spoke to the medium in Os-

Osun Residents Call For Enlightenment Of Herders On Anti-Open Grazing Law Ismaeel Uthman

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ESIDENTS of the State of Osun have called on the government and stakeholders to adequately inform and enlighten herders in the state on the recently enacted An -Open Grazing Law. In spite of the law, herders, par cularly children herders, were s ll grazing their ca le openly in many parts of the state, the residents observed.

According to the law, “A minor is prohibited from grazing, rearing or herding of livestock, except under the supervision of an adult.

“A minor who contravenes the provision of Secon 3 (4) commi ed an offence, and the guardian or parent of the minor or owner of the livestock as the case may be, shall be vicariously liable on convicon to a fine of N300,000.

“Any herdsman or pastoralist who a acks or threatens to track any farmer, person or commuter whether or not injury is occasioned by the a ack shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon convic on to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year without an op on of fine.

“Conveyance of livestock on foot from one desna on to another in the state is prohibited, except

such movement is by rail wagon or truck or pick-up wagon and is within 7am and 6pm.”

However, residents of the state said the herders are s ll not complying with the law.

The State Government had in September held a mee ng with Fulani, Bororo and herders to enlighten them on the An -Open Grazing Law. At the mee ng, the herders said they were ready to abide by the An Open Grazing Law.

The herders who spoke through the Seriki Fulani and their Secretary in the State, Ibrahim Babatunde and Oluwatoyin Yusuf said they were scared of the law but upon adequate explana on, they were ready to cooperate with the government to ensure proper implementa on.

However, a resident of Ikire, Mr. Taofeek Jayeola, said the herders were yet to drop open grazing in the area.

Jayeola said: “The herders s ll move ca le around in Ikire. The ca le

were always led to cross the expressway on daily basis. They also come into the UNIOSUN campus for greener pastures.”

Mrs. Folashade Adebayo, a resident of Osogbo said, “The herdsmen do come with their animals into the compound of Muslim Grammar School, Isale Osun, Osogbo which also applied to some other areas in the state capital such as, Oke-Baale, Mallam Tope area in Osogbo. It is also common around Aisu area in Ede.”

Symbol’s Quote

“Any security agency operating within a national space that disregards the support of the people is simply doomed in its mission of defence and security.”

In his account, a resident of Iree, Mr. Joshua Afolabi, said he s ll no ces the movement of herders with their animals, saying they usually move into a nearby bush close to the Osun state Polytechnic, Iree campus as well as Igbajo in Boluwaduro local Government.

According to an eyewitness, about two weeks ago, the movement of herders was also discovered at the popular Owode-Ede market with their ca le which halted vehicular movement for a while.

ogbo, yesterday, said he received a call from a person who said he was calling from the Ministry of educa on on Monday.

According to the applicant, the caller asked about his discipline, year of gradua on and date of birth.

Another applicant confirmed the phone call from the ministry official, saying she was asked few things about her educa on background.

“Probably, the ministry might want to confirm our details for the compila on of final list”, said the applicant.

OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday visited the Ministry of Educa on to find out if actually the calls were from its officials.

Oladoyin, was said to be on an official assignment.

He did not also answer the phone call put across to him on Wednesday.

However, an official from the Examina on Department of the ministry, who spoke under condi on of anonymity, confirmed the development.

According to the official, the ministry was getng in touch with some of the applicants who scaled through the pass grade but did not include their discipline in the recruitment form during the course of registra on.

SDP Moves Secretariat ...

•Continued from page 1 that the decision was taken by all the party members.

He said: “What is happening is not a crisis in the party. There is no crisis at all. The truth of the ma er is, we all went into coalion with the APC in 2018. Eventually, some people declared completely for APC. In fact, among the people that declared for APC, Mr. Akeem Bello, is now the Organising Secretary of the party now.

He was the Secretary of the SDP before defec ng to APC. “Those of us who are

s ll in the party (SDP) want to restructure the party. Omisore did not evict us from his building but we thought it is not proper to con nue using that place since the person who owns it has already joined the APC. That is the reason why we le the Secretariat.

“The Chairman of SDP is in absolute support of everything we are doing. There is no single decision that we have taken behind Sola Oladehinde.”

When contacted, the Chairman of the SDP in Osun, Mr Sola Oladehinde, said there is no crisis in the party.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

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Review & Outlook BY OLOWOGBOYEGA OYEBADE Shot Fiscal Policies And Building Structures Take The Game Winning “Health is wealth and

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UR condolences go to the families of all those who had their lives prematurely cut short as a result of the building collapse at Gerard road, Ikoyi, Lagos. It is harrowing to watch the mother of an industrial training student at the gate of the collapsed building s ll hoping against hope about the survival of her daughter.

We also commiserate with the State Government of Lagos which has coped admirably well under the stress of the unexpected.

Accidents do happen and we must not preempt the results of the independent enquiry made up of technical experts which the Lagos state government will put into moon. Nevertheless, ques ons must be asked about the efficacy, as well as the technical competence of the regulatory agencies involved in a supervisory role; there is clearly something amiss. There are already whispers about the func onal independence of these ins tu ons and as to their freedom of operaons from outside interference. All of the issues must be treated at the enquiry in full public glare.

Alarming is the fact pointed out by a leading architect, David Majekodunmi, that the Na onal Assembly has not passed a na onal building code bill a er twenty one years. This is totally unacceptable and regre able. Nigeria must be one of a handful of countries without one.

Luckily, the Speaker of the Federal House of Representa ves,

“We must definitely use this tragedy to understand the linkages of price instability across every sector and the destructive effects it can have”

Femi Gbajabiamila, comes from Lagos; he must now ensure speedy passage of the vitally needed legisla on.

Finally, the tragedy highlights the importance of the core mandate of any Central Bank which is to ensure price stability. Without macroeconomic stability, the tempta on by hard pressed contractors to obtain a projected rate of returns on projects, with a perennially deprecia ng currency and high interest rates the tempta on is high.

This is not to plead in mi ga on but to highlight a problem which is interwoven with defec ve regulatory agencies. For example during the currency crisis in Thailand, the government had to freeze some major construc on projects in case the contractors started to succumb to tempta on and start cu ng corners and using substandard materials.

We must definitely use this tragedy to understand the linkages of price instability across every sector and the destruc ve effects it can have.

May the souls of those who have departed rest in peace!

Farewell To A Renaissance Man

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R Adewale Adesoji Adeeyo who recently transited into glory was a modern renaissance personality. In an edifying earthly exis ng, he achieved a lot straddling and making worthwhile contribu ons across diverse areas of interests and human endeavors.

The immediate past Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank was associated with the revival of the Cocoa Processing Industry located in his hometown of Ede. A savvy astute entrepreneur, he was also a man of ideas. He was publisher of the path breaking Anchor

Newspaper, now defunct.

His intellectual curiosity led him to be the prime mover and financier of an excellent input into elec on studies “ Make or Break: A Handbook for the April 2011 Elec ons in Nigeria”. In the collec on of dispassionate, though ul advocacy for a be er way of conduc ng elec ons, Adeeyo assembled some of the best and the brightest minds in the country. The work will always be a reference point for decades to come.

Although deep in his religious commitment as a prac cing Muslim, Adeeyo was also socially an endearing person to

be with. Like scores of afficcionados Olakunle Abimbola, member of the editorial board of The Naon Newspapers recalled with keen nostalgia in his column this week “the memorable Sallah Soirées at his Ikeja GRA home”, he really did know how to make people feel at home because he had ins ncvely deep human empathy.

We wish an outstanding son of Ede and the State of Osun well as he takes that inevitable last journey back home after a worthwhile earthly sojourn. We pray that Almighty Allah overlook his shortcomings and grant him Al-Janat Fridaus.

A

RE you trying to be a star where you are? Are you attemp ng to take the game winning shot? Do you know stardom is not only within the ecosystem of the field of play? Can you see the stardom of a trained journalist becoming the Na onal President of all Poultry Farmers in Nigeria and becoming a mul -billionaire from his investments in agriculture in Osogbo? Have you checked out our exemplary Asiwaju Tunde Badmus?

Do you know the issue is: are you prepared to take the winning shot?

Can you recall Late Durodola, Papa Warrior of the OSBC fame? Can you recall how he promoted ‘Regal Gin’ in life and in death and elevated it to a spirit worshipped by millions of our youth today? Do you know in herea er, Papa Warrior would have been honoured by Bachus, gods of wine for the iconic promo on he le behind by his brand of broadcas ng?

Do you know the brand of broadcasting of Smolle e Alamu elevates epic narra on of events and people and gives life to what had been long dead or forgo en? What of Late Abiodun Abe of ‘Hinpele O’ genre, a brand of broadcas ng which elevated a local dialect, moral codes and local customs to weekly programmes of amusement to breeze pride, beauty and culture? What of Sola Ajala, ‘the big boy of the radio’, a born-broadcast journalist who has elevated teaching of English Language? What of Dele Tomori, a broadcast journalist with rich knowledge in Yoruba Philosophy, music and culture? What of Oyesiku Adelu, a journalist, publicist, lawyer and iconic master of ceremony, who has elevated public-speaking to a science? What of Asumo of the Osun

nothing can be achieved by an ill man; we need public policies that can stop the brain drain in the sector”

State Cultural Troupe and his IjalaEegun? Have you watched Femi Adefila speak? Do you know by his quixo c spirit of exploring new grounds, he cannot be less than the star he is?

What of Pastor Akinsola, the former NUJ State Chairman, a man who combines integrity-laden professionalism with sublime faith in God that make him a poster-boy of honourable men in our midst? Do you know these people were once public officers? Can you see these characters were no football legends, yet they are stars in our world by taking the game winning shot? Are you aware that on 26th October, 2021, eight outstanding Nigerians in the UK, who have “broken the glass ceiling’’ were honoured by the Nigerian-Bri sh Business Forum at a high profile event in London for making impacts in their professions and for pu ng Nigeria on the global map of excellence? Do you know these men of excellence would con nue to command value from humanity?

As a member of service, do you see your name missing in a list of promo on or honour? Do you know you have to con nue to take the winning shot? Do you shine more than others? Do you know you will draw envy and troubles from colleagues? Do you know when Jordan was ge ng a lot of a en on, becoming a poster boy on magazines with inscrip on: “A Star is Born”, a few NBA veterans decided to execute a “freeze out” of Jordan during the All-Star game where they simply Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd. would not pass him the Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman ball to score? Are you (0805-121-2204) having a ‘freeze out’ in Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa your office, marriage or Reporter – Yusuf Oketola personal life? Do you Reporter – Kazeem Badmus know you have to play Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto on? Do you know you Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere have to figure out how OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing to respond to failure as House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Jordan was not always a Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, winner? Like Jordan, do State of Osun you know Nigeria will ISSN : 0794-8050 succeed from failure?

Telephone : 0805-121-2204 How? Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com •Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade osundefenderbank@gmail.com is the Head of Service, State All correspondence to the above email addresses. of Osun

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

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News

Aregbesola Charges Nigeria Security On Combating Terrorism Funding, Money Laundering Sodiq Yusuf

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FFICERS of the Nigeria Immigraon Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and the Nigeria Correc onal Service have been tasked to brace up in tackling issues of money laundering and terrorism financing in Nigeria.

Achieving this, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, believes is needed to combat the raging trend of interna onally organised crime, especially in the most populous black na on.

Aregbesola spoke on Tuesday while declaring open a 3-day Capacity Building Workshop in Abuja which was coordinated by the Ministry of Interior for the three services under its supervision, in conjunc on with the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

The Minister stated that that the workshop was organised to develop and enhance collec ve capabili es of the security agencies to effec vely tackle money laundering, terrorism and financial crimes in the country.

He charged officers and par cipants on the need to take necessary measures to respond more effec vely to An Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism in the country.

Aregbesola said criminals used various techniques and mechanisms to obscure the ownership of illegally acquired assets and introducing ille-

•Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in a group photograph with participants of the 3-Day Capacity Building Workshop. gally obtained funds into the stream of legi mate commerce, which will allow them to profit from their illegal ac vi es which nts the financial system and creates public distrust in the integrity of the system.

The former governor of the State of Osun added that the funds are also used to undermine economic, social and poli cal stability through funding terrorism and terrorist related ac vies such as terrorism, kidnapping and banditry with other serious crimes across borders.

He submi ed that Law Enforcement Agencies and Regulators must work together to prevent, iden fy, punish and deter financial crimes for a stable economy and be er country.

The Director Legal,

Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy Agba, who represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, in her welcome address described money laundering and financial crime as a devasta ng

monster that has destroyed the economy and poli cal stability of many na ons.

She commended Aregbesola for his ini a ve for the workshop which is geared towards developing the capacity of

Osun SSG Donates Transformer To Ekuro Community Kazeem Badmus

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HE Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Prince Oluwole Oye-

bamiji, on Wednesday, donated a 100KV electric transformer to the people of Ekuro community in Egbedore Lo-

Palace, 52 Houses, 21 Shops, 3 Churches Destroyed By Rainstorm In Erinmo Ijesa Ismaeel Uthman

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O fewer than 52 houses and 21 shops were reportedly destroyed by rainstorm in Erinmo-Ijesa, a community in Oriade Local Government of the State of Osun.

The perimeter fence of the Elerinmo Palace, Erinmo Civic Centre and three church buildings were also destroyed by the rainstorm that lasted an hour on Monday.

Also destroyed in the community were electricity poles and cables, billboards and household consumables, according to a report

by Mr. Isaac Haastrup, a journalist in Ilesa.

The Elerinmo of Erin-

mo-Ijesa, Oba Michael Odunayo-Ajayi, said the incident has rendered many residents of the community homeless, saying that roofs and walls of buildings were blown off and pulled down by the rainstorm.

security agencies under the ministry.

The Ac ng Comptroller General of the NIS, Idris Isa Jere, in his goodwill message, sought more technological equipment to enhance the capacity of the services to improve on their mandate.

The Controller General of the NCOs, Haliru Na’Baba on his part, said the seminar would help their mandate to combat terrorism and boost the country’s economy.

In the same vein, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, mni, said that the Crime Repor ng and Inves ga on Management System (CRIMS) developed

by NFIU is an electronic means of transmi ng intelligence to the NIFU and ge ng feedback through the same medium.

He said the technology is already in use and it is very effec ve and successful in repor ng financial crimes.

Earlier, the Director/ CEO of the NFIU, Mr Modibbo Hamman Tukur, said the workshop was mely and the synergy of the Ministry of Interior and its agencies is relevant to the success of any an -money laundering and comba ng the financing of terrorism in Nigeria.

Oba Ajayi called on the State Government and the State Emergency Management Agency, as well as the Na onal Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to come to the rescue of the affected residents.

The Chairman of the

•One of the affected houses.

Local Government Area, Mr. Olubunmi Obeisun and the Special Assistant to Governor On Bureau Of Social Services, (BOSS), Mr. Abolade Ajakaye during a visit to the affected town, promised government’s urgent interven on.

•Oyebamiji cal Government area of the state.

The community, situated along Iwo/ Osogbo road, had been in complete darkness for over a year.

The Councillor for Ward 7 in Egbedore Local Government, Hon. Sulaimon Tokunbo, who spoke on behalf of the SSG at the event, explained that the welfare of every ci zen and communi es in Osun is

paramount to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

Tokunbo held that availability of light, which adds value to human life, necessitated the rural electrifica on project embarked upon by the current administra on.

He however, appealed to the people of the area to support Oyetola’s re-elec on bid as more dividends of democracy will be extended to the area.

Reac ng to the development, the Elekuro of Ekuro, Oba Babalola Azeez, who expressed happiness on ge ng the new transformer, explained that nonavailability of light since over a year ago has crippled the economic ac vi es in the community.

Oba Azeez described Prince Oyebamiji as a blessing to Egbedore Local Government area with all the developmental strides he has facilitated to the area.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

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News

APC, PDP Trade Words, As NURTW Endorses Oyetola for 2nd Term Kazeem Badmus

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HE State of Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) counterpart have been trading words over the second term endorsement of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by the Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the State.

Members of the NURTW had on Wednesday threw their weight behind the governor, promising to work for his return to office in next year gubernatorial elec on.

The Chairman of Osun NURTW, Comrade Olalekan Folorunso said the union decided to endorse Oyetola a er assessing his remarkable and unprecedented achievements in the last three years.

Folorunso who doubles as the Zone 2 Council Chairman (NURTW SouthWest), described Oyetola as a man of outstanding leadership traits and professional know-how, adding that the union in par cular and the state in

general have benefi ed from those quali es in no small measure.

He said: “The union, at its monthly mee ng, highlighted the performance of His Excellency, despite the li le resources available to the state, hence our resolve to support our Governor to lead the state for another term of four years.

“This is a bold statement from the Osun State Council of NURTW to always support your programmes and ideas that would bring the state to a ain its goals.

“We also express gra tude to the government of Governor Oyetola, for the necessary recogni on accorded to our union as major stakeholders in the Osun project. This is another reason why we are also assuring him of our support.”

Endorsements Can’t Save Oyetola From From Losing Next Year Elec on PDP Reac ng to the endorsement, the opposi on Peoples Democra c Party PDP, in the state, said no

•Struggle to survive amount of endorsement can save Oyetola from losing next year’s gubernatorial elec on.

PDP in a statement by the Head of its Directorate of Media, Mr. Oladele Bamiji, accused the Governor of was ng the state scarce resources in his quest to get endorsement from various bodies.

...captured by Olushola Aderinto The statement reads: “The latest on the radar of Mr. Oyetola’s shopped endorsements is the direc ve handed the State chapter of the Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for another make-believe endorsement jamboree slated for Wednesday.

“Our concern on this

waste of me calisthenics by Mr. Oyetola and his confused endorsement shoppers is the unnecessary waste of state funds as report reaching us confirmed the governor as usual, has earmarked several millions of naira from Osun State scarce resources for the new past me of op cal illusion by

Entertainment

No vacancy in Bola Ige House - APC

Singer, Brymo Part Ways With Manager After 8 Years

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ward winning singer, Brymo has cut es with his manager, Lanre Lawal.

In a post on Instagram yesterday, Lawal, the owner of Management Company, Bail Music Company wrote that, “The last 8 years, working with the “most powerful ar st in the world” was challenging and so far, the most fulfilling years of my professional life. I am moving on now and ready to take on more challenges and break new grounds.

“Thank you to everyone who’s supported us one way or another, thank

you @Brymolawale for your friendship and for trusting me and the team with the work. I never take it for granted. Thank you most especially to the fans for their belief & unwavering support.

“Love.”

Over the course of his career, Lawal has risen from Efe Omoregbe’s Now Muzik into one of Nigeria’s most cool-headed and dependable managers around.

He met Brymo in 2007 when he started working at Now Muzik. Their rela onship blossomed into one of trust and longevity.

BBNaija Star, Cross Reveals Crush For Ex-Housemate, Tacha

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IG Brother Naija star, Tacha, has found a new crush in Shine Ya Eye star, Cross, who is one of the most loved housemates of 2021.

In a video sighted on Instagram, the young man was seen on an Instagram live with his colleague, Liquorose.

The moment the dancer

announced that Tacha joined the live sec on, Cross immediately gushed over her and said that he is a huge fan.

He also went on to confess that even though he has never said it, he has a crush on Tacha, a statement that made Liquorose remind him of how he has a crush on different women.

the governor and his gang of poli cal nomads.

“The Governor can connue to shop around for endorsements in his inordinate despera on which to us underscores his increasing realiza on of his dead end ambi on, but we urge our people to remain steadfastly courageous in their resolve to enthrone a government of their own through the people oriented pla orm of the PDP.”

Tacha simply found Cross’ confession funny as she took to her Instagram story channel to have a good laugh.

Fans who commented on the live video re-echoed Liquorose’s stand, no ng that Cross was fast becoming a playboy as he had crushes on different women.

Meanwhile, All Progressives Congress (APC) has cau oned PDP to stop assaul ng the sensibili es of the good people of the state by thinking that the obviously disintegrated party can be trusted with power in the state.

Chairman of the APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun, in a press statement by his Media Aide, Mr. Kola Olabisi, said no amount of poli cal backstabbing could secure the tenancy of Bola Ige House for the PDP in 2022 as people are now wiser.

Famodun who is of the IleriOluwa fac on of the Osun APC, said: “The people of Osun State are not robots which are not capable of dis nguishing a performing administraon from a set of poli cal gangsters which is only interested in the allure of power not for real service but as a conduit pipe for milking the patrimony of the people of the state.

“There is no amount of poli cal backstabbing that could secure the tenancy of Bola Ige House for the PDP in 2022 as people are now wiser”.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

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Religion

I

seek refuge in Allah from the devil the accursed and I start in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.

I also testify that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His Messenger. May the benediction be upon His By soul, members of His household, his companions and those who follow his ways till the last day.

Sheikh Imam This sermon is written to disabuse the minds of many people in various quarters, who errone- Zakariyau Sarumi ously believe that Islam encourages beggary as a profession. Islam, rather, holds dignity of labour in high esteem. The Qur’an which is the primary source of adherents of Islam and others, as well as the Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) are in a serious agreement with the dignity of labour provided the work is not forbidden (haram). No matter how petty the that “every one of you should catch hold of his rope, go to the job may look like, it is still considered to be self-respectful for mountain, collect, carry a load of fire wood on his back, sell it (for his living) and thereby make his face secure against the whoever is involved.

The Prophet (SAW) in is usual manners to either approve chastisement of Allah (on the day of judgment) This would be an act or frown at it demonstrated various means to condemn better for him than requesting people, whether they give him or refuse. the act under discussion.

In another tradition, on the authority of Abu Hurairah Allah enjoins his servants to earn by their efforts. At a particular place in the Qur’an, He told us how important we are (AAA) relates that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said that; “It is beton the earth because, according to this verse, He vested the au- ter for any one of you to carry a load of fire wood on his back thority of the earth on us as well as the free night to the provi- than asking (begging) from someone whether he gives him sions therein. He says; “And surely, We gave you authority on refuse. Bukhar/Muslim.

Looking at the traditions above, selling of firewood is menthe earth and appointed for you therein provisions (for your tioned in the two. To an average Muslim in this part of the life). Little thanks do you give.” Qur’an 7:10. world, it may sound so ridiculous and petty but it adds more In another place He says; “He, it is, who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e easy for you to work, to live and to do respect to whomever chooses it as his/her profession.

To impress dignity of labour upon his followers furtheragriculture on it), so walk on the paths thereof and eat of his more, the Prophet (SAW) went empirical on the same matter in provision and to Him will be the Resurrection.” Qur’an 67:15 In the two quoted verses above, Allah (SW) orientates his an Hadith from Abu Daud that a man of Madina came to the servants on the importance of the earth with a view at letting Prophet begging. The Prophet asked him; “Have you nothing them know the exact place to look for the provisions of their in your house? He replied; yes, I have a woolen carpet; with nourishment and sustainability. In another place, He directs us part of which we cover ourselves and spread the rest. And I to work hard and earn for our livelihood. He says; “then when have a cup with which we drink water”.

The Prophet (SAW) thereafter, asked him to bring the two. the (salat) prayer is ended you may disperse through the land The man truly came to Him (SAW) with both; and the Prophet and seek the bounty of Allah (by working, etc.)….”

(SAW) took them in his hand and said; “who will buy these Islam teaches that any Muslim that is old enough and healthy should find work to support himself, because idle- two? A man said I will take them for one silver coin. This he ness is vehemently repugnant. The Prophet said; “Never has repeated several times.

Another man said; “I will take them for two silver coins. anyone eaten a better thing than what he eats from the work of his hand”. Bukhar. He was reported to have also said that Then the Prophet (SAW) gave them to him and took two silver “whoever has food for a day and a night, it is forbidden for coins and gave them to the former owner and said; “Buy food with one of these for your family and buy an axe with the other him to beg.

For example in this popular tradition, Abu Abdullah, Zu- and come to me with it.

When he did so, the Prophet (SAW) fixed a handle to the bair Bin Awwan (RAA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) said

JUMAT SERMON

Islam Abhors Beggary

axe with his own hands and then said; “Go, cut wood, and sell it and do not let me see you for fifteen days”.

The man did as he was told. When he came back to the Prophet (SAW) he had already earned ten silver coins; and he bought some clothes with some of it, and also foods.

Then the Prophet said; “this is better for you than that you come on the day of resurrection with black marks on your face.

From the above Hadith, we are able to deduce that (i) the Prophet (SAW) did not approve begging as a way of life for anyone. (ii) He practically guided and helped the man on the best way to abandon begging and (iii) we were informed through the Hadith that signs of begging will appear like scars on the face of the beggar on the Day of Judgment.

Aside from the practical demonstration from the Prophet (SAW), reference was also made by him (SAW) to some Prophets (AS) who earned their living through their handwork. They are Daaud and Zakariayh.

On them He said; “Prophet Daaud (David) (earned his living and) ate only from his earnings through his labour and nothing else; He was a blacksmith by profession). “Prophet Zakariyah was a Carpenter by profession. (i.e he earned his living through carpentry; The two traditions were reported by Bukhar, and Muslim respectively.

The Prophet himself ever before his mission as a Prophet learned the work of the trading caravans from His uncle Abu Talib before he took the same job with the trading caravans of the rich and respected widow named Khadijah.

With the above analysis on the subject matter, one would be able to perceive clearly that beggary is not part of the teachings of Islam.

Though, Islam encourages kindness to the weak and the poor but when it comes to the level of turning beggary into profession as being done today, especially our brother/sisters from the North, whether physically challenged or not, Islam vehemently abhours it. We also see here and there able bodied people engaging in begging. It is branded with different names,such as decent, fine or alright sir. This act is condemned in Islam as it amounts to deceit and cheating on the part of the public. I therefore call on those charged with the administration of the country at all levels to tackle the menace of unemployment, do the needful by providing jobs for the idle hands and the miscreant in our society. The close of our prayer is al hamduliLlahiRabbil aalamiin.

• Imaam Musa Oladapo Raji, The Chief Imaam of Telemu Land Ola Oluwa LGA, Osun State.

Tribute

Good Night, Adewale Adeeyo: An Intellectual Giant Olumide Lawal O those who are immediate and extended family members, as well as close associates of Dr. Adewale Adesoji Adeeyo (Officer Order of the Niger), an illustrious son of Edeland and a global phenomenon, our world stood s ll, when we learnt of his transi on to glory on October 15, 2021. We were speechless.

But God knows best to have called Dr. Adeeyo, fondly called SIR EYO by his close friends’ home at the appointed me. Adeeyo, you were an eagle that flew home in a blaze of glory, though painfully, but with total submission to the will of the Almighty God, the Author and finisher of our faiths. Adeeyo earthly journey came to an end at the age of 73 and we give the Almighty God all the adula on for the purposeful, deligh ul, impac ul and sweet life of Dr. Adeeyo, an intellectual giant, who traversed the world very gingerly like a colossus.

Kudos to late Papa Aminu Adeeyo of blessed memory for giving you the best educa on, that money could buy during me You were at the pres gious your me.

Children Home School, Molete, OLU-IWA COLLEGE (now Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode, and Ibadan Grammar School, before you proceeded to New York City, USA for further educa on, where you excelled.

It is s ll like a dream to us all. Edeland has lost one of its very best. An amiable personality of Mapo Arogun extrac on, that truly, but silently iden fied with its yearnings and aspira ons commi edly.

How are the mighty fallen!!!

The world lost an effervescent board

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•Adeeyo room Guru, a corporate colossus, an administrator par excellence. An educa onist of no mean order. That was Dr. Adeeyo of OLODOOBA and ALUSEKERE clans in Ede Timi Agbale. The late Publisher of defunct ANCHOR newspaper tles situated at Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, came, saw and touched many lives, inclusive of scholarship to many students of Adeleke University, Ede among other places. It has been posi ve tes monies galore to his sweet memory since October 15, 2021 when you transi oned to glory and interred at ETERNAL HOME CEMENTRY, Kilometer 30, Ibadan-Oyo Express Way, for eternal rest with your Creator in Aljanat Fridaus.

Dr. Adeeyo showed tremendous dexterity and drive in the management of human and material resources in all the

places, that he was opportuned to serve.

His academic prowess was readily made available to Adeleke University Ede, where he was a leading light of its Governing Council. The dis nguished son of Edeland, that Adeeyo was, became an encyclopedia of knowledge from whom, high intelligent quo ent and na ve wisdom were tapped.

The immediate past Chairman of Federal Mortgage Bank was an unquenchable Fountain of Knowledge. Sir Adeeyo was a detribalized Nigeria ci zen, who saw every parts of Nigeria as his home. Always impeccably dressed and elegant in his carriage.

A good mixer. A wi y debater and prolific writer on any subject. Dr. Adeeyo commencement speech at the maiden convocaon of Adeleke University in 2015 with the tle: ENCHANTING REAL WORLD, remains a reference point on how students should live a er their gradua on from the Ivory Tower. In that literary endeavor, Dr. Adeeyo said and I quote: “my dear graduates, you morally have no choice but to cede compassion and benevolence to whomever, that you may encounter in your life trek, so that none shall be the weakest link”. That was vintage Adeeyo, the intellectual giant.

On power and its use; late Adeeyo told an impressive gathering in August, 2007 in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja at the occasion of the valedictory ceremony for a re red Chief Jus ce of Nigeria, Jus ce Salihu Modibo Alfa Belgore, that power should be dignifiedly applied. Again I quote him: “True men of power do not pace the earth wildly nor trudge any path clumsily. So deep and mysterious is the nature of power, that we may never grasp its staggering complexity.

Real men of power, never yield to blind ar-

rogance and delusional self-importance.

And they always recognize; that the source of their capricious influence, can only be ra fied by God’s mercy”. An orator of the finest order. These are literature pamphlets for every library. His intellectual jobs should be well preserved for generaon yet unborn.

Dr Adeeyo made the Almighty God his pillar of strength. He maintained a weekly strip column (Barka Jumat) in the Vanguard newspaper for so many years, from which he served spiritual diet to the Muslim Ummahs. That column was availed numerous people including nonmuslims with its sharing on the What’s app. Human race, would say of you, Dr. Adeeyo, that you mastered your moment. You were an invaluable asset to na onal growth, as evidenced in your ar cle on statecra , tled: BUHARI AND GAMBARI SIGNPOST A NEW DIRECTION, which was widely published in many naonal newspapers on October 1, 2020 to commemorate the 60th Independence anniversary of our great na on. Another selfless service from a man of nobility, that Dr Adeeyo was. A brain-box on any issue under the sun. A rare gi to humanity. Our own Barrack Obama. Dr. Adeeyo, your life achieved a glorious accomplishment that assembled all the goodness of your life into a feast of triumph and happiness that is immersed in God’s boundless powers of love for all that came your way.

Wishing you eternal blissful eternal life in Aljanat Fridaus.

•Olumide Lawal, wrote from Ede State of Osun.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

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News

Police Investigate Death Of OSPOLY Student, Arrest Boyfriend UNIOSUN Gets Acting VC Ajayi Folaranmi

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HE State of Osun Police command has begun inves ga ons on the death of a Na onal Diploma I student of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Omowumi Afolabi.

Afolabi, a student of Mass Communica on Department, died on October 30, 2021 a er visi ng her boyfriend, Adebayo Adeyemi, popularly known as Randy.

Residents especially students of the ter ary ins tu on were thrown into shock as news filtered last Sunday over Afolabi’s death.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Afolabi had stayed with Adeyemi in his residence at Gaa area, Iree for about a week ll the day she died.

Student sources in Iree told the medium that Adeyemi rushed his girlfriend to hospital when she suddenly developed sickness.

She was said to have been rejected in the first hospital she was taken to

before she was cer fied ‘brought-in-dead’ at the second hospital.

The student’s death has been genera ng controversies on the campus and Iree community, as some people alleged Adeyemi of using late Afolabi for ritual.

One of Afolabi’s friends spoke with OSUN DEFENDER on condi on of anonymity on Wednesday.

She said: “Wunmi went to her boyfriend’s place since last Saturday. She came home and I told her I dreamt that something was about to happen. I told my

dad the dream and he told us to be careful of guys. My mum also said that.

“But by the me they told me that she is not at home, I tried her number but it was not going through. My message to her WhatsApp was not also dropping. She had been at her boyfriend’s place since last Saturday. She came back home on Sunday, carried her bag and went back to him again.

“All of a sudden, they just called me that Wunmi is in the hospital that I should be coming. By the me I got there, she has

been foaming. Her body was also emi ng bloods.”

However, the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, said autopsy would reveal the real cause of her death.

Opalola, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said the police have arrested Afolabi’s lover, Adeyemi who was cooling his feet at the State Criminal Inves ga on Department, Osogbo.

Opalola hinted that the Police was scaling up inves ga ons on the matter.

Kazeem Badmus

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professor of G e o te c h n i ca l Engineering, Adefemi Afeez Bello, has been appointed Ac ng Vice Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN).

Bello was appointed by the Management Council of the university, following the expira on of the tenure of Prof. Labode Popoola yesterday.

Chairman of the council, Malam Yusuf Ali, SAN announced the appointment at a press conference, disclosing that it was made a er the recommenda on of a three-man commi ee, chaired by Professor Solomon Akinboye.

According to Ali, the commi ee had earlier recommended Professor Anthony Kola-Olusanya, Deputy ViceChancellor, Academic, Research, Innova on and Partnership (ARIP)

•Prof. Bello who rejected the posion based on personal reasons.

Ali said the council then appointed Professor Bello as the Ac ng Vice-Chancellor of the University, effec ve from today, November 05, 2021.

The council chairman stated the reason for the delay in the appointment of a ViceChancellor for the ins tu on was due to an injunc on from a State High Court.

Crime

Osogbo Community Head Arraigned Over Land Tussle Yusuf Oketola

ing that he is a Baale recognised by the Ataoja of Osogbo.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Olufemi Olanibi opposed the bail applica on, no ng that the

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HE police have arraigned a 66-yearold man, Mudasiru Oladepo before an Osogbo Magistrate Court over land dispute in Osogbo.

Oladepo, who is a Baale of Olu mehin community in Osogbo, was accused of forcibly entering a land in possession of Alhaji Waheed Abebiyi, Abass Akanmu and Mrs. Nusi Alegbe.

He allegedly maliciously damaged corner pieces, pillars and erected founda on of the land valued N1,000,000.

According to the charge sheet, the accused persons and others at large commi ed the alleged offence some mes in the month of January, 2021 at Agric Area, Adeeke, Alapata, Osogbo.

The charge sheet stated that Oladepo and others at large armed themselves with dangerous weapons such as guns, cutlasses and charms, and also incited hoodlums against the complainants.

Oladepo was also said to have maliciously damaged the speedometer and fuel tanks of a motor-

case against Oladepo is a criminal one and nothing shows that the accused person is a chief.

Ruling on the bail applica on, the presiding Magistrate, A.O Daramola

admi ed the accused person to bail in a sum of N100,000 with a surety.

The case was adjourned ll January 11, 2022 for hearing.

Spare Part Dealer Remanded Over Motor Parts Theft Folashade Ariyo

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cycle valued about N30, 000, property of one Bisi Odedele.

Defence counsel,

Tiamiyu Adegboyega, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail on self recognizance, claim-

31-year-old spare parts dealer, Uchena Nwankwo, has been remanded in Ilesa Correconal Centre by an Osogbo Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing motor parts from three different vehicles.

Nwankwo was alleged to

Septuagenarian Arraigned For Alleged Okobe Nagite prayed the N295,000 Fraud court to admit the acAyomide Akano

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73-year-old man, Jonathan Oladokun, has been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court over an alleged N295,000 fraud.

Oladokun was accused of collec ng the sum of N295,000 from one Gbadamosi Kasali under the pretence of renova ng his

family house.

The accused person, according to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, commi ed the alleged offence on March 20, 2021 at No. 41, Ibokun road, Osogbo.

But Oladokun pleaded not guilty to the allegaon.

Defence counsel,

cused person to bail in the most liberal term, noting that the defendant is presumed innocent un l proven guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, A.O Ajanaku admitted the accused person to bail in sum of N100,000 with a surety.

Ajanaku adjourned the case ll November 30, 2021 for hearing.

have stolen two Toyota Corolla Tapping Bu ons, Brain Box, Lexus ES350 Car Stereo belonging to one Egunjobi Olawunmi, Temitope David and Maruf Adewale all valued the sum of N542,000.

He was also accused of unlawfully damaging the side glass of the two Corolla Cars and the Lexus ES350 in an attempt to enter the vehicles by force.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the accused persons and others at large commi ed the offence between October 22 and 23, 2021 at about 10:00pm at Adetunji Estate, Osogbo.

But Nwankwo pleaded not guilty to a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage and stealing levelled against him.

Defence counsel, Tunbosun Oladipupo, applied for

the bail of the accused persons in the most liberal term, promising that he will not jump bail and would provide reliable surety.

However, Magistrate Dr. Olusegun Ayilara requested for a formal bail applica on from the defence counsel, just as he ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre.

The case was adjourned ll November 5, 2021 for ruling on bail.

CHANGE OF NAME

AYANSUPO MUSA AYOMIDE That I was formerly known and addressed as UNDUALA PETER. With former Date of Birth 09/02/1976.

Now wish to be known and addressed as AYANSUPO MUSA With the CorAYOMIDE. rect Date of Birth 12/02/2001.

All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public should take note.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

Crime

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 43 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

Osogbo Community Head Arraigned Over Land Tussle Page 7

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T the end of its Na onal Conven on where Senator Iyiocha Ayu emerged the Na onal Chairman of Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) held in Abuja on Saturday, 30th October, 2021, Iyiocha Ayu was quoted, in screaming headlines, “PDP’s back to rescue Nigeria,” “We’re On Rescue Mission to Unite Nigeria,” “Our party’s Successful Conven on, Quit No ce to APC,” etc. If All Progressive Congress (APC) should go, PDP must never come back as decapita on can never be solu on to headache. If we trusted APC and we’re let down, especially on security of lives and property, what sense does it make to trust PDP, the architect of the problems, in the first instance? Could PDP have become ‘born again’? While it is not an excuse for APC not to have corrected the past wrongs, it can’t be an opportunity for PDP to stage a ‘come back’.

If the truth must be said, there’s no government that has made Na onal Social Investment Programmes as Buhari APC government.

These are social welfare ini a ves since 2015 supervised by Na onal Social Investment Office like N-Power which provides young Nigerians with job training and educa on with a monthly s pend of N30,000; Condi onal Cash Transfer Program, which is a direct cash support for the most vulnerable, helping to reduce poverty; Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program, a micro-lending investment program for entrepreneurs with target on young people and women with loans to start-up business; School Feeding Program, a bait to increase school enrolment and providing meals to school children especially the poor which provides automa c market to farmers and empowerment to women as cooks. However, only the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, could defend over N500 million claimed to have been spent to feed school children in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States during COVID-19 lockdown in their houses.

Again, the collapsed rail transport system has been revived with modern train services while Second Niger Bridge and Lagos/Ibadan Expressway will be completed by 2022 aside various roads projects done by the administra on. If those who want to kick APC out of government are the ones behind insecurity, they have been very successful as it is the most important area APC has failed Nigerians. Bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and ca le rustlers have taken over everywhere.

Farmers have been kicked out of their farms, which has a lot of implica ons on the prices of foods and livestock as produc ons have

“Labour, prodemocracy groups, pro-labour organisations, etc should jettison their differences and break the ice in forming such a party instead of flashing us option between Satan and Lucifer”

Rescuing The Soul Of Osun APC

Competition Between Satan And Lucifer stopped while ever growing popula on must eat. Hence, con nuous prohibi ve increase in the price of foods which put pressure on Naira as only produc on and produc vity could strengthen it.Up ll now; APC government has found it difficult to brand bandits as terrorists. Another APC failure is the increase in the price of petroleum products and electricity tariff. All these have added to cost of produc on that will be passed to the final consumers and eventual increase in the prices of goods and services that have made lives unbearable for the vast majority of the populace.

But, wait a minute! If raccoon is feverish, chicken should not be the announcer. We shall never allow PDP to use its bread mop up our stew again. Although corrup on s ll thrives everywhere – in the government, private sectors, par es, organisa ons etc,

STRIKER

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we should not revert to an era of ‘stealing is not corrup on’; where public ins tu ons were deliberately weakened and compromised; subs tu ng competence for poli cal patronage; corrup on with impunity. Dasukigate is s ll very fresh in our memory where $2.1billion meant for procurement of military equipment to fight Boko Haram insurgents were diverted for re-elec on of President Goodluck Jonathan. We cannot quickly forget 2009 when the military captured Mohammed Yusuf, the founder of Boko Haram and handed it over to the police who summarily executed him outside the police headquarters in Maiduguri under the guise of ‘he tried to escape’- the mismanagement that set a stage for a full blown insurgency. How do we forget so soon constant daily stealing of our crude oil and price hike and queue at the fuelling sta ons, especially during fes-

ve periods under the watch of Diezani Alison Madueke – the diva with million dollars bras?

If APC is a disappointment (as per internal democracy, fidelity to manifesto of promised good governance, e.t.c) and connues to live in denial rather than making res tu on and reorganisa on, PDP is not an alterna ve. That brings to the front burner the need for a third force with pro-masses ideology, programmes and policies that can rally round the poor who are the majority.

With the massive support of the poor people, such a party will be viable enough to wrest power from both APC and PDP that have ruled and ruined us. Nature has been so favourable to us. Rain falls at its own me; sun rises and sets at its own me. We are blessed with vast fer le land that can grow cash and arable crops all the year round. We are blessed with numerous natural endowments that we don’t know what to do with them and blessed with fantas c popula on that can work and consume whatever we produce with virtually no natural disaster except the ones we manufacture by ourselves like floods and building collapse, among others. What is required is a clear headed leadership with correct principle and egalitarian ideology to drive the people in harnessing all these resources and poten als for development and prosperity of Nigeria for Nigerians, where majority will have be er life and live a fulfilled life, where hunger, misery and penury will evaporate. Labour, pro-democracy groups, pro-labour organisa ons, etc should je son their differences and break the ice in forming such a party instead of flashing us op on between Satan and Lucifer.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Superb Processes Help... But

T is a basic fact that democracy is not only about elec ons. However, without elec ons into government offices, there can be no democracy in the first place, underlining the primal importance of elecons and electoral regula ons as take-off points for building a democra c society.

In a previous edi on of Striker, it was wri en here that as far as electoral guidelines and processes go, “we have come a long way from the we e elec on characteris cs of the 1960s, which were provocave ingredients for coup d’états and civil wars, to the characteris cs of the March 2015 elec on that made displacement of an incumbent president by an opposi on candidate possible. Yet, we have a long way to go in order to purify the electoral processes to an acceptable level of credibility.

The big worry today is the iner a, if not resentment, of the biggest beneficiaries of the current level of purifica on achieved through hard struggles: the ruling party, government and the Na onal Assembly.”

The half-hearted implementa on of the Late Umaru MusaYar’Adua inaugurated Jus ce Mohammed Lawal Uwais Electoral Reform Panel report by the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administra on and the further pursuit of it under the Muhammadu Buhari regime by Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC), despite the lethargy of the Na onal Assembly have led today to a far cleaner procedure aspiring strongly to deliver free, fair and credible elec ons - be-

ginning with the Anambra big test, shortly ahead of us.

However, nothing uncovers the limitaon of beau ful laws, rules and regulaons in the face of overwhelming social dissonance as the likes of the upcoming Anambra elec ons. As good as any rule and regula ons might be; the people must equally be as good and at peace with the society and the government, if the rules and regula ons are to have any meaning in social proceedings. Failing to resolve the fundamental, almost existen al, issues that cons tute ma ers arisen in any social space does not make the implementa on and delivery of democracy, which starts with elec ons, any easy.

Today, INEC - its assets, personali es and all - are in the middle in Anambra. INEC is to test run a beau ful guideline and elecon process, its new level to which it has taken electronic vo ng in Nigeria inclusive, in this weekend elec on at a theatre that is no less equivalent to a war front! Despite all that has been said by so many well meaning Nigerians on what needed to be done ahead of the Anambra and all upcoming elec ons ll 2023, which are majorly ignored by a hard hearted ruling elite and the powers-that-be, we have a clear situaon now where the prayer is that “Nigeria” will happen to that Anambra elec ons -the usual case of divine interven on to obtain some okay-ending and benevolently avert well-invited disaster.

The day will come when our elites will understand that elec ons as rituals do not in themselves proof the existence of democracy, however free, fair and credible; not to men on caricature elec ons. Democracy itself is an instrument for greater goals: jus ce, equity and development.

Once any democracy runs for two decades and fails to deliver those dividends, then it is me to interrogate the social system/ structure on which it is based and operates. Con nua ons of the hollow rituals of periodic elec ons without interroga ng the nature, content and context of Nigeria as a FEDERAL REPUBLIC, is an exercise in hypocrisy; which is fast unmasking the façade of dictatorship behind which a majority of the ruling elite hide to perpetuate retrogression and clique dominance.

In this off-season, stand-alone elec on for a small State, should the security personnel and the various electoral supervisors outnumber the turned out voters now, and yet a result is concocted to mask the crises, how we get the quantum of security men and electoral officers at the general elec on in 2023 to con nue the charade remain to be seen, if we fail before then to address the na onal ques on, the genuine federa on ques on and the ques on of the nature of the Nigerian republic, which key systemic ques ons that we fail to redress are at the roots of all our insecurity and underdevelopment crises. Time will tell.

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

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.

Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefemder@yahoo.com