Osun Defender Online Version of October 1, 2021

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 01 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2021 VOL 16 NO 38

Front Page Comment

Need For A Pause At Sixty One!

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ONGRATULATIONS are in order as the na on marks sixty one years of independence. The mood however, should be one of contempla on as so many promises remain unfulfilled.

To redeem itself, Nigeria’s poli cal establishment should embark on deep introspec on about the state of the na on and the need to create a more edifying future.

A good model here is that of the architect of modern Italy Garibaldi who asked the na on to brace up to the most cri cal issue in admonishing that: “We have created a geographical expression known as Italy; how on earth do we now create the Italians?”

Reflec ons make na ons stronger. What we have to do now as we move towards a rein•Continued on Page 3

Inisa, Oyan, Ila On Alert As Armed Robbers Cripple 5 Commercial Banks

- Page 2

•Insecurity Has Returned To Osun Big Time Under Oyetola •Residents Raise Poser Over APC, Patrol Vehicle Procured By Aregbesola

•APC and patrol vehicles procured by the last administration, majority of which are no longer in operational use.

Ondo Govt. Honours Aregbesola With Cultural Award

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News

Inisa, Oyan, Ila On Alert As Armed Robbers Cripple 5 Commercial Banks Ismaeel Uthman

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OMMERCIAL banks in Inisa, Oyan and IlaOrangun should be on red alert, following the bank robberies in Okuku, Iree and Iragbiji, located in Odo-O n and Boripe Local Governments of the State of Osun.

According to security experts, commercial banks in Inisa, Oyan and Ila-Orangun might be the next target of the armed robbers, going by the sequence of their opera ons in the past six months in the state.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that Okuku, Iree, Iragbiji, Ikirun, Oyan and Inisa communi es belong to the same Ifelodun/Boripe/ Odo-O n Federal Cons tuency where banks appeared to be under siege by the armed robbers.

Of all the communi es in the federal cons tuency, it is noted that only Inisa and Oyan have func oning commercial banks.

The commercial banks in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government, Iree and Iragbiji of Boripe Local Governments and Okuku, headquarters of Odo-O n Local Government had at different mes been raided by armed robbers.

Since the First Bank, Skye Bank and Union Bank were raided on February 12, 2016, Ikirun has been le without a bank, a situa on that has put the community at serious financial and commercial disadvantage.

Though the armed robbers had successfully raided the banks, they could not escape, as they were engaged by the Police with the aid of Armoured Personnel Carriers and patrol vehicles procured by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administra on then.

Some of the armed robbers were killed, while others were arrested with their ammuni on and loot.

A er inves ga ons, the suspects on June 29, 2017, were arraigned on a 10-count charge of murder, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, stealing, conspiracy, among others, before Jus ce Jide Falola of the State High Court in Ikirun, by the Ministry of Jus ce.

Jus ce Falola sentenced the armed robbers to death by hanging.

There had not been any bank robbery since then un l March 11, 2021, when armed robbers attacked Wema Bank in Okuku, killing two people during the opera on. They later escaped through the Offa road.

A er the Okuku bank raid, another bank rob-

•Cross section of Islamic clerics praying for Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, during her 61st birthday celebration, recently in Lagos. bery took place in Ikire and Apomu simultaneously on June 2, 2021. The armed robbers a acked First Bank and Access Bank, killing four policemen and three residents of the area.

But their opera ons were not successful, as they were confronted by residents of the area, which got them distracted. They, however, escaped through Araromi-Owu road.

A er the Ikire and Apomu bank robberies was another a ack on UBA

and Access Banks in Iree on August 5, 2021. The armed robbers killed a Police constabulary, Dauda Jelili and injured four civilians in the opera on. They escaped via Ada-Igbajo route.

On Tuesday, September 28, daredevil armed robbers besieged Wema Bank, Iragbiji, the hometown of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

The armed robbers, according to the Police, started their opera ons at about 2:55pm.

The men of the underworld, who were about 20 in number, came with four vehicles and simultaneously a acked Iragbiji Divisional Police Headquarters and Wema Bank.

According to eye witnesses, the armed robbers threw explosive devices at the Police Sta on and bank to destabilise the policemen and gain entry into the banking hall.

The Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the bank was also destroyed but an

a empt to break into the bank’s strong room was foiled, according to the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola.

During the operaons, two Police inspectors, Ahmed Ogunbiyi and Ayinla Odeyemi, were shot dead. Also, two other civilians suspected to have come to the bank for financial transac on were also killed by the armed robbers.

The armed robbers re-

portedly escaped through the Ada-Igbajo road again.

Some security experts who have been following the trend of the bank robberies concluded that the armed robbers have iden fied security lapses and an escape route in Ifelodun/ Boripe/Odo-O n Federal Cons tuency.

According to the security experts, who prayed not to be named, the armed robbers have clearly isolated banks in the cons tuency as so targets based on the availability of escape route and light security presence.

One of the experts said: “If you study sequence of the bank raids, three of the four bank robberies that have happened this year are within the same environment. Okuku, Iree and Iragbiji are in the same environment, they belong to same federal cons tuency.

“If you observe too, the armed robbers that a ack banks in Iree and Iragbiji escaped through the same route of Ada-Igbajo road.

That tells you that they had iden fied the security lapses in the area. They had known there was no checkpoint on the road.

They know the roads lead to other escape routes for them.

“As a security expert, I will advise the Police and •Continued on page 7

Desist From Crime Or Face Consequences, Osun Police Warn ‘OmoOnile’ Kazeem Badmus

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HE State of Osun Command of the Ni-

geria Police Force has warned the louts parading themselves as ‘OmoOnile’ to desist

from unleashing harassment on residents of the state or face dire consequences of

Symbol’s Quote

“Any assault on officers and men in the service is an assault on Nigeria and our sovereignty.

The personnel are Nigerians with families, human rights and stake in our nation. Attack on any of them is equally an attack on a Nigerian with emotional tie with other Nigerians”

their ac ons.

According to the Public Rela ons Officer of the Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, the Police are ready to cut the wings of the louts who have so far been disturbing owners and workers of buildings at construc on sites.

Opalola gave the warning on Wednesday in Osogbo, while speaking on a private radio sta on in Osogbo, Rave FM, on its popular’Frank Talk’ programme.

She said: “We are not unaware of the menace of ‘OmoOnile’ and we have put in place some strategies to nip in the bud their nefarious acts.

We are ready to cut their wings, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Olokode, will not allow any tout to be terrorising the people of the state.

“I am using this medium to tell the OmoOnile that they should stop their acvi es. If anyone of them is caught, it is going to be disastrous for such person.”

Opalola appealed to members of the public to always inform the Police of the ac vi es of the louts any me and anywhere they are sighted in the state.

“Members of the public should not wait un l they are overwhelmed by those thugs before they inform the Police. They should call the Police immediately they hear or see anybody claiming to be ‘OmoOnile’.

“The Police Command has already set some personnel in mo on for that kind of cases. We want to arrest them. The general public should help us in arres ng them”.

PEOPLE FIRST

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Review & Outlook BY JAMES ASHIPA – Matters Arising!

Need For A Pause At Sixty One! Nigeria At Sixty One“With 2023 fast approaching,

•Continued from Page 1

vigorated union is not rocket science. For a start, the country must ensure macroeconomic stability to stem an increasing alarming rate of infla on as the first step towards the a ainment of social jus ce, especially because infla on is a punive tax on the least protected. In addi on without fiscal stability it will be well nigh impossible to protect and expand the middle class which is the tradi onal buffer and stabilizing force of a democracy.

Furthermore, we need fresh perspec ves towards retooling the strategic impera ves needed to arrest the insecuri es rampaging parts of the country. The country can also no longer shy away from the cons tu onal amendments needed for the devolu on of powers and electoral reforms, essen al to create a conducive atmosphere for the forthcoming elec ons and transi on of power. Without which urgently needed reforms the 2023 elec ons will fraught with dangers possibly leading to chaos.

Fixing the problem of electricity is crucial to sustainable development, and should be tackled under a devolved framework with power genera on, transi on and distribu on taking off the exclusive legisla ve list not just into the concurrent list but possibly into the residual. We must also achieve domes c refining of petroleum to create the condu-

“The country must ensure macroeconomic stability to stem an increasing alarming rate of inflation as the first step towards the attainment of social justice especially because inflation is a punitive tax on the least protected” cive atmosphere for industry and investment, thereby solving the conten ous “subsidy” and petrol import calami es.

Nigeria’s future in the long term is predicted on building the basic Industries such as iron and steel, machine tools, petrochemicals and so forth which should have been done in the seven es as well as unrelen ng con nuous investments in the physical and social infrastructure. The curriculum of the Educa on system must be revitalised to achieve local solu ons and to produce skills necessary in a brutally compe ve globalised environment.

This is because produc vity will be make or break in diversifying economic ac vi es in agriculture and mining. The future of the naon is en cing if we begin to create that future today.

Happy Independence Day anniversary to our esteemed readers!

Insecurity: Time To Wake Up Dear Governor, HE recent level of insecurity in the State of Osun calls for sober reflec on. As a state known to be one of the most peaceful states in the federa on, it saddens my heart that Osun is gradually turning into a crime den.

The different five recent bank robberies within the space of six months show the level of insecurity currently witnessed by residents of the state.

I urge Governor Oyetola , the Chief Security Officer of the state, who is collec ng security votes every month, to assist our security opera ves in terms of funding and other needs.

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It is high me Mr. Governor rose up and did the needful as residents of the state cannot con nue to live in fear.

Efforts should be put in place to forestall future occurrence, as we cannot afford to be losing our gallant officers and ci zens to these men of the underworld.

Lastly, families of those who lost their lives during the robberies should be taken care of by the State Government.

May the souls of those who lost their lives during the recent robberies rest in peace.

•Tunmise Oluwatosin, Owoeba, Osogbo.

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URRAY! Nigeria is 61 years old as a sovereign nation today, October 1st , 2021. The achievement of independence brought in a lot of rising expectation from Nigerians for rapid growth and development in every sector of our socio-economic and political life. After her independence, Nigeria became a Republic on October 1st 1963 and Nnamdi Azikiwe emerged as the country’s first and only Governor-General with Alhaji Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister and since then, Nigeria has experienced a period of self-rule with a mixture of both military and civilian administrations. The country has been ruled by sixteen leaders with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and President Muhammadu Buhari each ruling twice as both military and civilian leaders.

However, our existential reality today is a far cry from the expectations of Nigerians as the mood of the people is now that of rising frustration due to contending centrifugal tendencies threatening the unity and survival of the country in the form of socio-economic and political challenges such as high youth unemployment, corruption, insecurity, food crisis, infrastructural decay, poverty etc. With her huge human capital, and natural and mineral resources, it is sad that Nigeria that is considered to be the giant of Africa, given her population size, is now regarded as the “poverty capital” of the world.

It is true that Nigeria is a middle-income country with an emerging market and a mixed economy with an expanding manufacturing, service, financial, ICT, and entertainment sectors, yet the country is still grappling with several economic problems ranging from high youth unemployment, poverty, food inflation as well as an unstable exchange rate with the dollar exchanging for over N580/$1 despite several CBN interventions. There must be a strong political will to transform Nigeria into a modern economy through

the political space is inundated with activities of both state and non-state actors without consideration for the plight of the proletariat whose standard of living has deteriorated over the years”

diversification, tax reforms, infrastructural revolution and sound fiscal and monetary policies. In this global village, government at the sub-national and national levels must embark on aggressive transformational economic policies and programs for Nigeria not to remain the only villager!

With 2023 fast approaching, the political space is inundated with activities of both state and non-state actors without consideration for the plight of the proletariat whose standard of living has deteriorated over the years.

We are witnessing increase in the actions of non-state actors like IPOB enforcing a sit-at-home order in the southeast and recording some measure of success to compliance by citizens out of fear. In the South-West, the separatist group calling for a Yoruba Nation has transcended the national stage as it organized protests at the UN headquarters during the 76th UN General Assembly (UNGA 76). Also, a third force is just emerging for the sole purpose of jostling for power. On the part of state actors, the unconstitutional governors’ forum both in the north and south are heating the polity by playing intense power politics. The major political parties are not left out as they are busy going on with the permutations of where to zone the presidency to, whether north or south while our incorrigible politicians are defecting from one platform to the other.

Unfortunately, the people who ought to be the subject matter are not in their permutations. Political parties should be encouraged to practice politics of ideas and inclusion. In addition, negotiation and dialogue should be used to address issues raised by those calling for the breakup of the country.

Also, we should reduce the cost of governance and local governments made to Publisher – Moremi Publishing work more for the people.

House Ltd. With the recent ugly events Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman in Mali, Guinea and Sudan, (0805-121-2204) Nigeria has the unenviable Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa task of preventing Africa from Reporter – Yusuf Oketola sliding off the democratic map Reporter – Kazeem Badmus by ensuring good governance Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto across the continent. We must Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere stop the ongoing political OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing brinkmanship and embrace patriotic and nationalistic apHouse Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, proaches to resolve the issue of political rotation as we adState of Osun vance towards 2023.

ISSN : 0794-8050 Telephone : 0805-121-2204 •Read full article on Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php www.osundefender.com e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com •Ashipa James Olashupo, Osogbo, Osun osundefenderbank@gmail.com state. 08056002757, 08129458475 All correspondence to the above email addresses. ashipaj@gmail.com, ashipaj@yahoo.com

OSUN DEFENDER

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News

Oyetola Administration Smearing Aregbesola’s Image On Debts Repayment – Ex-Commissioner Ismaeel Uthman

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R. Wale Bolorunduro, a former Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning in the State of Osun, has again challenged Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on to make available to the public the actual amount it had expended on loans repayment.

According to Bolorunduro, the Oyetola administra on is overflogging debts repayment to smear the image of its predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Bolorunduro, in a statement on Tuesday, stated that the current administra on had been ‘hypocri cally overflogging debts repayment without men oning the refunds from the Federal Government and the assets le behind by Aregbesola.

The former commissioner was reac ng to the recently released audited accounts of the state for the 2020 Fiscal Year.

Bolorunduro said the current administra on had been giving inaccurate figures as the amount of loans repayment to create an impression of huge indebtedness allegedly caused by the Aregbesola administraon.

He maintained that Aregbesola is responsible for the transforma on and modernisaon of the state through massive infrastructure projects, arguing that not admi ng the ex-governor’s contribu ons is a deliberate a empt to undermine him and to obliterate records by the Oyetola administra on.

The statement reads in part, “Not a ribu ng the increase in the annual InternallyGenerated Revenue (IGR) to the prior infrastructural developments, implemented by the revenues and debt financing of the state under Aregbesola is a deliberate a empt to undermine Aregbesola and to obliterate his records.

“Therefore, ‘overflogging the debt repayment without repor ng the increase in economic ac vi es, the refunds from the Federal Government, realisa on of the appreciated assets and ac vi es brought about by those investments, is an a empt to stain Ogbeni and hang the burden of debts on his neck perpetually.

“The different figures on loans repayments prompted me to write emails to the current Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, to check his figures on the loans repayment of N67bn by Oyetola in 33 months (up to July 2021).

“At least, I am covered by the Freedom of Informa on Act. Previous publica ons by the sympathisers of the government put the figure as at March 2021 at N55bn, and it seems the figure is just racing towards a predetermined end to probably, prove some ulterior mo ves.”

Bolorunduro had last week

given the government same challenge, but as at the me of filing this report, the government was yet to respond to him.

The former commissioner had said: “The current administra on some mes last month first claimed that it had paid N55 billion on debts. Last week, the government also claimed to have paid a debt of N67 billion. I sent an email to the incumbent Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, where I requested him to check those figures, but he is yet to respond to my mail. A er four days, I sent another email and listed the debts por olio passed on

by Aregbesola. I will not comment now so as to allow me to get the feedback.

“When I first resumed as a commissioner, the government had already accepted an offer of N25 billion from First Bank and the person who wrote the cover le er, forwarding it to me, is the incumbent GovernorOyetola. So, if we are talking about debts, there is nobody in Aregbesola’s cabinet who can feign ignorance.

“We have external debts, which includes the one obtained by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the government of old Oyo State to do some projects back then. Also, Oyinlola collected N18.38 billion. If Aregbesola had not done anything other than to con nue with Oyinlola‘s debt and external loan, he would have s ll pay

•Don’t destroy the vehicle: An overloaded vehicle around Alekuwodo area Osogbo, on Thursday.

We all can tes fy to the fact about 70 per cent on the sec- and that have been paid off that Aregbesola is the one who ond bond before he le office. since July 2019. Oyetola paid gave the State of Osun, most At least, he repaid up to N25bn nine months out of 84 months especially Osogbo, a new look. as debts he incurred during his of the first bond.

“It shows Aregbesola has “Aregbesola paid 85 per first term. He collected a concent on the first bond and ven onal bond of N30 billion paid most of the money before he le . The second tranche was the Sukuk loan used for the construc on and furnishing of those mega schools in Osun.

The second tranche finished in Below is an opinion of a university lecturer on of insecurity in the state was under the satanic govMarch, 2020. the incessant bank raids and other criminal ac vi- ernment of Oyinlola, when we slept with the two “Aregbesola saved N15bn eyes wide open. es that are taking place in the state. for Local Government Councils When Aregbesola was governor, he procured HE news of the deadly robbery a ack in Iragand borrowed N10 billion to biji, Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s hometown, Armoured Personnel Carriers, patrol vans and moadd to it, making N25bn, which vated the security agencies. Bank robberies were is poe c in a sense. If Oyetola cannot protect was used for the construc on his hometown, how possibly can he protect the foiled and the robbers took a leave from Osun. But of 10km roads in each of the lonow they are back with full force, thanks to Oyetola state? cal governments of the state.

It is an indica on that his hubris and mediocrity and the Police commissioner.

“Before we sold all the conThe Police Commissioner has no me for secuis cos ng Osun very huge. Oyetola has no interest struc on loans, totalling N65bn in governance, as he is obsessed with his predeces- rity of lives and property, having lent himself to be to the Federal Government, used to persecute poli cal opposi on in the state. sor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Aregbesola had already paid The robbers came and a acked the Divisional In a most bizarre display of par sanship and miscarN15bn out of the money. DurPolice Headquarters, killing two Police officers and riage of jus ce, the Police Commissioner shielded ing his second term, Aregbesola also a acked a bank in a daredevil fashion. Totally the Governor’s thugs who a acked APC members repaid a total sum of N102bilunrestrained, and then vanished into thin air, as that brought their pe on to the APC appeal comlion as debts repayment. mi ee and arrested the vic ms of the a ack and usual.

“In April, 2020, the Federal Bank robberies and insecurity of lives and prop- even had the temerity to arraign them before a Government stopped deducerty have been the defining characteris cs of the judge. on of loan service from the Now his comeuppance has come. Robbers have Oyetola administra on. Deadly bank robberies in state due to the Coronavirus taken over his territory and the people are groansome parts of the state have become regular. pandemic.

The deduc on ing. There is blood, tears and Haa! N’ilu to l’oba t’oni ijoye! amounts to N400million in a sorrow in the land. He should The government has gone month but the FG granted rego. He is not capable of providto sleep, in delirious celebraliefs for the states since April ing security in the state. on of the 30th anniversary 2020. So, out of the 33 months As for Oyetola, his inglorious tenure of the crea on of the state, of Oyetola, CBN and Federal shall come to an end a er next year’s governed at present headed Ministry of Finance deferred elec on. These lines from Edward Fitby Oyetola. He paid journalists loan repayments on CBN/ zgerald, the poet who wrote in Omar to sing his praises. Where are FGN-backed facili es for 17 Khayyam, will suffice for him: Reuben Aba , Festus Adedayo months. So, those bringing out “The Moving Finger writes; and and Mar ns Oloja, the poothe figures on debts repayment having writ, dles and lickspi les of Oyetoshould remember that.

Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit la, who con nue to adorn him “The current regime is Shall lure it back to cancel half a in borrowed robes as robbers boas ng of paying full salaries Line, take over the state? Awonigi due to the fact that federal alNor all thy Tears wash out a Word da, eye fo! loca on has risen and the loan of it” This is another indica on repayments have reduced as of the squandering of the enwell as the payroll itself. Also, Dr. James Adeloye, vious and incomparable legathe IGR of the state has inObafemi Awolowo University, cies le to him by Aregbesola. creased due to the work done Ile-Ife, Osun State The last me we had this level •Oyetola

by Aregbesola.”

N21bn back in his first term on inherited loans.

“But he wanted to se le for infrastructural developments; Aregbesola also obtained loans to build some infrastructures.

Insecurity Has Returned To Osun Big-Time Under Oyetola

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News

Ondo Govt, Group Honour Aregbesola With Cultural Award •Minister Says Culture, Hallmark Of Human Existence Ismaeel Uthman

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NDO State Government yesterday honoured the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with an Award of Excellence.

This is just as Aregbesola was also awarded Yoruba Personality of the Year by Yoruba Heritage Interna onal at Ipate Asa, a programme organised by the organisa on in conjunc on with the Ondo State Government in Akure.

The award was presented to Aregbesola by Ondo State Governor, Mr. Ro mi Akeredolu, who was represented at the occasion by his Chief of Staff, Chief Gbenga Ale. Akeredolu lauded Aregbesola’s efforts at promoting the culture of the Yoruba race, especially, when he served as the Governor of the State of Osun between 2010 and 2018. He said the belief of Aregbesola in cultural renaissance and his efforts at promo ng the culture of the Yoruba race made him eminently qualified for the award.

Akeredolu, who is the Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum, said the award presented to Aregbesola is premised on the eleva on of the Yoruba anthem by Aregbesola’s administra on in Osun, promo on of the Omoluabi ethos and equal recogni on of the three major religions in the state during his administra on.

He charged the Minister not to relent in his efforts at promo ng the Yoruba cultural values, just as he assured that Ondo State will ensure that the Yoruba culture is not at the background.

Explaining the reasons for honouring Aregbesola as Yoruba Personality of the Year, the Coordinator of Yoruba Heritage Interna onal, Mr. Ayo Oloogun, said the State Anthem, created by the Aregbesola administra on in the State of Osun, is part of the factors that earned him the award.

“The State Anthem created by Aregbesola and adopted by other states, if we are talking about an Omoluabi, a virtuous man, Aregbesola is a leading one. If we are looking for a genuine human rights ac vist, Aregbesola is one.

Those are the three reasons for honouring him”, he said.

Speaking at the event, Areegbesola described culture as the hallmark of human existence, saying knowledge, virtues and produc vity clearly define culture.

The former governor of the State of Osun, who stressed the need for the development of Yoruba culture, said the Yoruba race is blessed with valuable culture and tradi ons.

He noted the high premium placed on Yoruba culture outside the shores of the country, saying that if the various cultural heritage and tourist centres in Yorubaland are well developed, they will be of tremendous economic benefits to the country.

Aregbesola, who spoke in Yoruba language at the event, made case for cultural reenactment, just as he urged the people to change their orienta on and beliefs about cultural values and beliefs.

The Minister called on Nigerians to add knowledge with God’s blessings, in order to develop the cultural values embedded in the country.

He hailed the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Ro mi Akeredolu, for his belief in Yoruba culture, which culminated in the adop on of the Yoruba anthem as the State’s Anthem.

Describing Akeredolu as a liberal person, Aregbesola said he has shown him love and enthusiasm, adding that the Governor is not antagonis c in any way.

Aregbesola said: “Governor Akeredolu is a liberal and understanding poli cian who believes in Yoruba na on. This is evident in the adop on of Yoruba anthem as the official anthem of the state. The Governor is a good ambassador of the Yoruba race.”

TOP Congratulates Aregbesola The Osun Progressives (TOP), a caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun, rejoiced with Aregbesola on the award.

According to the Chairman of the group, Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi, Aregbesola deserved the award because of his commitment to cultural growth and development.

Adebiyi, in a congratulatory message yesterday, said the award is a pres gious one in the Yoruba na on that Aregbesola is well-suited for.

He said: “We congratulate the award presenters for making the right choice in Ogbeni Aregbesola; a round peg in a round hole.

“Aregbesola has been a great contributor to the Yoruba cultural growth and development long before and since he came to stardom on the social poli cal scene of Yoruba and the enre Nigeria many years ago.

“We recall that Aregbesola had been one of the leading champions of all reasonable steps towards the upli of the Yoruba naon and its people.

“We also note that Ar-

egbesola deliberately took the Oranmiyan name for his campaign to be Governor of Osun so as to have great development strides that came to Yorubaland in the me of the Yoruba legend.

“The award gives needed tac cal support to efforts at unifying governmental developments through the forma on of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) in all the states in Yorubaland.

“It is on this note that Aregbesola made priority of crea ng a ministry of Regional Integra on in furtherance of the fulfilment of the desired unifica on of development in the whole of Yoruba na on.

“We urge the awardee to con nue on the path of iden fying with the development of Yorubaland and wish him more of such honours.”

•Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, receiving the award from the Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Gbenga Ale.

•Aregbesola displaying his cultural dancing step at the event.

Again, Osun Community Calls For Gov’t Intervention Over Life-Threatening Erosion Kazeem Badmus

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ESIDENTS of the Koju Foam area of Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun, have frowned at the effect of what they described as poor job carried out on the drainage connec ng the community to the Osogbo-Ikirun road.

According to the residents, the erosion coming from the drainage to the community is lifethreatening.

Members of the community had through a Non-Governmental Organisa on, Urban Alert, requested the State Ministry of Works and Transport and Ministry of Environment to come to their aid and direct the contractor to rehabilitate the drainage.

They complained that the contractor, in execu ng the con-

tract for the Osogbo-Ikirun road, did not properly construct the drainage; thereby diver ng erosion to their community from the road.

They also claimed that officials from the Ministry of Works had paid mul ple visits to the community, with none transla ng to any meaningful step.

But the ministry, in a le er addressed to the State Coordinator, Urban Alert, said efforts were in top gear at resolving the issue as soon as the finances of the government improve.

The le er, which was signed

by Engr. L.O. Onilearo, for the Coordina ng Director, reads in part: “I am directed to refer to your letter dated 24th May, 2021 on the above subject and to inform you that the Ministry is not unaware of the problem being faced by the KojuFoam Community and efforts

are in top gear at resolving the issue as soon as the finances of the government improve.

“I am to inform you that the Ministry Engineers had visited the community more than three mes to proffer solu ons to the issue of flooding. This is to show that the government is not abandoning the community with their problems.

“I am further directed to inform you that the Ministry frowns at substandard work and will not even allow any substandard work from any contractor. If the work was poorly constructed, it would have been washed away since, but if you are talking about inadequate capacity of the drains provided, that is understandable, please.”

Reac ng to the le er, the Associate Programme Officer of Urban Alert, Mr. Oluwatobi Ayodele, said the Ministry’s claim that the road was in no way built below

standard had been proven wrong by the collapsed drains that can be visibly seen.

Ayodele said: “The Ministry’s claim that the road was in no way built below standard has been proven wrong by the collapsed drains that can be visibly seen to have been constructed below average and its effect on the Koju Foam Access Road that has remained impassable by residents.

Hence, we stand by the fact that the job was poorly done”.

“Unfortunately, the Osun State Ministry of Works could not assure residents of Koju Foam Community of when the life-threatening situaon will be dealt with, despite the media reports that affirmed that the state had received a refund on the Osogbo-Ikirun-Kwara Boundary Road Project that led to this problem.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 01 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2021

6 I

Religion

seek refuge in Allah from the devil the accursed and I start in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. I tesfy that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. I also tes fy By that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is IMAAM RAJI, His Messenger. May the benedicMUSA OLADAPO on be upon his soul, members of MUSA his household, his companions and those who follow his ways ll the last day.

Allah says; “And men on in the Book (the Qur’an) Ibrahim (Abraham). Verily, he was a live a life free of sorrow and depriva on. There man of truth, a Prophet” Quran 19:41.

He says again; “And men on in the Book will be neither fear nor grief for his mind and (the Qur’an) Ismail (Ismael). Verily, he was true spirit will be far from vague thinking.

Second: Display of truthfulness when dealto what he promised, and he was a messenger ings with others. When a Muslim is dealing and a Prophet” Quran 19:54.

He also says; “And men onin the Book (The with his fellow being, he is expected to be Qur’an) Idris (Enoch). Verily, he was a man of plan in all his dealing. He should not cheat, he should not deceive, he should not forge and truth, (and) a Prophet” Quran 19:56. must be truthful in all circumstances.

MANIFESTATION OF TRUTHFULNESS Third: Sincerity of purpose. A sincere MusTruthfulness has some manifesta on on the lim is expected to make up his mind to do the truthful person. needful all the me. He must not look back he First: A person that tells the truth always will be respected. Because he says only what should know that Allah is there to recompense he knows, he gives account of only what he all his acts.

At this juncture, let me give an account of witnesses without hyperbole. The society will hold him in high esteem. This claim is in line two scenarios that had happened in the past. with the tradi on of the prophet that says It was reported that Hajjaj b. Yusuf delivered on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RAA) that: a very long sermon one day. One of the audi“The signs of the hypocrite are three, when he ences said loudly in protest. Prayer! The me speaks, he lies; and when he makes a prom- waited not for you and God would not take ise, he breaks it and when he is charged with a your apology. He then ordered his men to arrest him. The people of the men came to plead trust, he deceives.

Imam Ali (RAA) also stated the clear benefits on his behalf. To appease Hajjaj, they told him of truthfulness thus: “The truth teller achieves that the man was a mad man. Hajjaj thereupthree things namely trust, love and respect. on said: “If the man confirms that he is mad, There is no gainsaying therefore that a truthful he would set him free. The man then said: “It is person both verbally and prac cally will surely not permissible for me to deny bounty of Allah

which He had bestowed on me affirm madness which He made me free of.

When Hajjaj b. Yusuf heard his reac on, he immediately ordered his freedom.

Another example is that of Imaam Al Bukhar (RAA). It was reported that he set out one day wan ng to collect hadith from a man. He saw the man at a distance disguising with his cloth trying to lure his escaped horse. The horse came

JUMAT SERMON

Truthfulness 2

to him and he captured it. A er the Imaam watched the scene to the end, he approached the man and asked him thus: Was there anything with you when you were hiring it? He said no but he only deluded it. Thereupon, Imaam Al Bukhar said: “I would not collect any hadith from somebody who could delude an animal.

This is to tell you the importance people a ach to the truthfulness.

A cri cal appraisal of the above reveals that truthfulness has a very strong affinity with faith. If one professes his faith in Allah but is dubious in his character, his faith will take him to nowhere. Hear what Imaam Ali (RAA) said; “Do not be misled by their prayers and fasting, for a man can become fervently used to prayers and fas ng so that if he loses them, he would feel lonely. Rather, try them when it comes to telling the truth and fulfilling trust”.

(Usuulal’kafi. P. 450) O! Servant of Allah. Let us all be truthful in whatever situa on we find ourselves as taught

by Islam, so that our society will be free of crime and the seemingly elusive peace and tranquility will be at our hands. May God guide us all to acts that will earn us His pleasure.

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

Crime

Suspected Fraudster, Ayo Akinola, Remanded In Correctional Centre Yusuf Oketola

M

R. Ayo Akinola, the disengaged former Chief Execu ve Officer of OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper, has been remanded in Correconal Centre.

Akinola was arraigned before Jus ce Emmanuel Ayoola of the Osogbo Federal High Court 1, on Tuesday, for allegedly defrauding Moremi Publishing House Limited, publishers of OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper, a sum of N25 million.

He was also accused of stealing the N25million, which he fraudulently obtained from the Ministry of Local Government, State of Osun, by falsely presen ng himself as representa ve of the com-

pany.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admi ed to bail in the sum of N5million with a surety.

•Akinola

The surety, according to Jus ce Ayoola, must deposit a sum of N500,000 to the court in cash.

But Akinola was unable to perfect his

bail condi on, which made the court to remand him in Correconal Centre.

Akinola had earlier failed to appear in court on two different occasions.

The Police prosecutor, J.O. Famuyi, had at a me told the court that Akinola was at the isola on centre, ba ling with Coronavirus and as a result, he could not come to court, even when there was no medical record to buttress his claim.

The case was adjourned ll November 9, 2021 for hearing.

It would be recalled that Akinola was separated from OSUN DEFENDER on December 10, 2019, having been found guilty of economic sabotage, a er he diverted the sum of N25m meant for the company to his own personal account.

Islamic Preacher, One Other Arraigned For Alleged Defamation ants and others at Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Police have arraigned an Islamic preacher, Yahya Gambari, before an Osogbo magistrate’s court, on the allega on of defama on of character.

20-year-old Yahya was arraigned, alongside one AbdulMutahaly Ismail, before the court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, breach of peace and defama on of character.

The duo was accused of pos ng defamatory comments on the social media against one Engineer Azeez Ibrahim and his family.

Both Yahya and Ismail were said to have accused the plain ff and his family of planning to eliminate them through the help of hired killers.

According to the charge sheet obtained

by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the defend-

large commi ed the offence some mes in the month of September 2021 in Osogbo.

The alleged offence contravened Sec on 24(2) of the Cybercrime Act, Laws of Federa on of Nigeria 2015 and Secons 514, 375 and 249 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the allegaons against them.

Defence counsel, Ashim Abioye, prayed the court to admit the defendants to bail on a liberal term, no ng that they were ready to stand trial and provide reliable sure es.

The Magistrate, Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, admi ed the accused persons to bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety each.

The case was adjourned ll October 29, 2021.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 01 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2021

7

News Inisa, Oyan, Ila On Alert As Armed Robbers ...

•Continued from page 2 other security opera ves to be on their toes in forestalling any bank raid again, par cularly in that axis.

Banks in Inisa, Oyan and Ila-Orangun, appear to be under threat now because of the sequence of the robbery opera ons. Banks in those communi es should be on red alert.

“The Police should analyse the pa ern of the bank raids and the road networks of Inisa, Oyan and Ila-Orangun, that will tell them something.”

Another security expert in Osogbo said the Iragbiji bank robbery should not have happened, had the Police intelligence unit been proac ve.

According to the experts who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condi on of anonymity, the Police should have acted on the bank robbery in Iree, to plan ahead in preven ng similar occurrence in the area, submi ng that banks in Inisa, Oyan and Ila-Orangun are also prone to a acks.

However, the Police said it had put in place some strategies to prevent further bank robbery in any part of the state.

Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, the PPRO, said the Police had not relented and would not relent on its effort in securing the state, saying that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Olokode, is on top of his game.

According to Opalola, some suspects have been arrested in connec on with the previous bank robberies this year in the state, no ng that the Police would not make disclosure on the arrests in order not to jeopardise inves ga ons on the matter.

She enjoined the good people of the state to cooperate and collaborate with the Police by giving prompt and useful informa on to nip in the bud all criminal ac vi es, saying that preven on is be er than cure.

The incessant bank robberies have awoken the consciousness of some residents of the state, who have been expressing their worries over the trend of insecurity.

Ques oning the commitment of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to providing security for lives and property of the people of the state, the residents recalled that the security of the state was well managed during Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administraon.

Besides, some other residents of the state have

taken to social media to condemn the ‘worsening security situa on’ of the state, calling on the Governor to revive the security architecture le behind by his predecessor, Aregbesola.

During his administra on, Aregbesola purchased and distributed 125 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state and specifically provided 25 fully equipped Armoured Personnel Carriers to the State Police Command.

Each of the APCs was strategically sta oned across the state.

But some residents of the state said majority of the patrol vehicle procured have been grounded, with no effort to make them opera onal again.

One of the residents, Mr. Lanre Agboola, said: “We never thought Osun could return to this state of insecurity. What is happening? The former governor has provided some security infrastructure that was responsible for the peaceful atmosphere of the state. What has happened to the patrol vans and APCs procured by Aregbesola?

“If Governor Oyetola is figh ng Aregbesola, that should not be at the expense of security of lives and property of the people of the state. The Governor should revive the security programmes of his predecessor. The Governor also needs to tell us the whereabouts of the helicopter procured for security purpose during the CHANGE OF NAME GANIYU JAMIU ADEBAYO That I was formerly known and addressed as ADEBAYO BUSARI Now wish AJANI. to be known and addressed as GANIYU JAMIU ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ALLYSON OPEYEMI REBECCA That I was formerly known and addressed as ABIDEMI OPEYEMI REBECCA. Now wish to be known and addressed as ALLYSON OPEYEMI REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

MRS. DAIRO FOLASADE JULIANA That I was formerly known and addressed as OYATOMI FOLASADE CECILIA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DAIRO FOLASADE JULIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Independence Anniversary Calls For Sober Reflection – Activists Kazeem Badmus

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HE 61st independence anniversary of Nigeria calls for sober reflecon, going by the myriads of challenges confron ng the na on currently.

Instead of celebra on, Nigerian leaders need to use the occasion to have deep reflec on on the current state of the country and chart a new course that will stem the de of insecurity, poverty, bad economy, poor health system and other indicators of underdevelopment that have subjected Nigerians to abject poverty.

The above is the aggregate opinion of members of civil society and pressure groups in the State of Osun, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, on the 61th celebra on of the naon’s independence.

The groups decried the failure of those at the helm of affairs to tackle cri cal problems ravaging the country, saying that Nigeria had gone backward.

According to the groups, the economic situa on of the country is in comatose with insecurity and poverty becoming the order of the day.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Osun Civil Socie es Coali on, Comrade Waheed Lawal, said the mood of the country does not call for any celebra on, because of the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of poor economy, insecurity, among others.

According to Lawal, Nigerians are frustrated and suffering, no ng that the skyrocketed prices of foodstuffs and other commodies have aggravated the anger of the ci zens of the country.

He called on the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to be prac cal in addressing the sufferings of the citizens, saying ‘Nigerians are no longer interested in the speech of the President, but his ac on.’

Speaking on the anniversary, the Convener, Dialogue 365, Osogbo, Comrade Waheed Saka, called on the government to restrategise and tackle insecurity, economy, poverty and poor educa on system and other issues ravaging the country.

Saka said: “Nigeria at 61; it is me to address our structure, the me is now to address the na onality ques on, the me is now to address the pains and pangs of poverty, the me is now!

“Is it a me to celebrate?

Hell no, Nigerians are dis-

illusioned, insecurity has never been this bad since our independence, our currency value has never been this worse, economy is in comatose, the most staple food is no longer stable and almost out of reach of the people.

“Let it be said that no ma er how fast we run in a wrong direc on, it will s ll lead us to a cul-de-sac, it is me to change the course of our route.

“Nigeria, a na on of over 200million people, must not be at the mercy of inept leadership, this independence day is an opportunity to restrategise by our government on the most important issues ravaging our country; insecurity, economy, poverty, poor educa on.”

The Coordinator, Democracy Vanguard, Com. Olowu Emmanuel said Nigeria as of today has taken a backward step, saying her leaders have failed in setng it on the path of industrialisa on, research and advancement in science and technology.

Olowu said it is worrisome that at 61, Nigeria had

not been able to tap into its endowed resources to further advance the country and project it higher among comity of na on.

He said: “To pass a sincere remark on Nigeria at its 61st anniversary, without placing Nigeria advancement beside its abundant mineral resources will further hinder the prospec ve advancement that Nigeria might probably a ain in the future.

“Nigeria has been able to iden fy over 20 mineral resources across the country, the most valuable among are crude oil, natural gas, coal, n, gold and columbite. It becomes worrisome that at 61, we have not been able to tap into the minerals to further advance the country and project it higher.

In his own message, the spokesperson for Transparency and Accountability group, Mr. Ayo Oloogun, urged Nigerians to see this year’s anniversary as a reminder of the need to be truly free from all sorts of bondages, including the ones foisted on them by the poli cal class, who dai-

ly milks the na on of her commonwealth.

He said the anniversary should be an opportunity to be more determined in taking back the na on from the wolves and predators that at present hold it by the jugular, so that generaons coming behind will meet a na on where peace and jus ce truly reigns.

Oloogun said: “As Nigeria marks another anniversary of her independence, I congratulate all Nigerians for seeing yet another year in our walk to freedom in its true sense and hope that this year’s anniversary will remind us of the need to be truly free from all sorts of bondage, including the ones foisted on us by the poli cal class who daily milks the na on of her commonwealth.

“It is another opportunity for Nigerians to be more determined to take our na on back from the wolves and predators that presently hold it by the jugular, so that we can leave for our genera ons coming behind, a na on so truly called where peace and jusce reigns”.

Outrage As Osogbo West Tax Collectors Invade Osun Mall With Thugs Yusuf Oketola

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AX collectors from Osogbo West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Awosuru, Osogbo, State of Osun, allegedly led some thugs to Osun Mall on Monday to disrupt business ac vi es over a disagreement between management of the mall and the authori es of the LCDA. It was reported that the staff of the Osogbo West LCDA forcefully came into the mall with security opera ves to seal up shops in the place over tax payments disagreement.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the thugs, who were eight in number and led by one Oloke, came a er the security opera ves with the tax collectors were helpless on the ma er.

The Chief Execu ve Officer of Dessy Kitchen, Comrade Dare Eluyemi, who also doubles as the Head of Waste Management of the Osun Mall, said the Osogbo West LCDA tax collectors had few weeks ago came and went round shops in the mall to demand for tax payment without discussing anything with the management.

Eluyemi said: “Some weeks ago, some revenue collectors from Osogbo West LCDA came to the mall without mee ng with the management and started going round shops to meet shop owners on tax payment. This actually is wrong in

an organisedse ng because Osun Mall is different from a regular market place. So, the Mall is an en ty not shops.

“The Management told them that they could not just come and approach shop owners to collect tax, that all they needed to do is to write the management on it. They have never wri en any le er to us since then.

“About 15 people from the local government came around again some mes ago and threatened to seal people’s shops. Imagine that number of people at your store, your customers will be embarrassed.

So, some of the shop owners paid out of fear.

“The amazing thing about it was that they gave each shop owners at the mall a sum of N30,000 as annual tax remi ance. My ques on is that, how did they come across such uniform amount for all the shops, because some shops are bigger than others.

“They collected money from some people, while some refused to pay. I refused to pay because I told them that as a government person, I needed to advise them that if they need to collect revenue, they should write to the mall management. The same revenue that the local government wants to collect is same revenue which Ministry of Commerce came for as well that same day.

“I got a call on Monday that the tax collectors have come again and they have been seal-

ing shops. I was told the mall management tore all the seals.

The management said the tax collectors needed to inform them before doing anything in the mall.

“The tax collectors called security opera ves and when they got to the mall, they met something different from the story they were told on phone.

“When the tax collectors realised that the security opera ves could not do anything, they called some thugs led by one Oloke. The thugs came and started bea ng my workers. The thugs are about eight.

I told my staff to record them.

At the point of recording, one of the thugs collected the phone and seized it before it was later given to the security opera ves.

“The thugs came into the mall, carted away cash sum of N65,000 from the kitchen which was verified by the Police officers. They destroyed several things. Customers were here ea ng at the me they came, they told them to stand up and go without paying.

“This morning (Tuesday), I went to the Police sta on to collect the phone and insisted that I won’t pay anything in form of revenue to the local government un l they do the needful.

When contacted, the Chairman of Osogbo West LCDA, Mr.DemolaLayan, told OSUNDEFENDER that the matter had been resolved and declined further comments.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 01 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 38 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

News Suspected Fraudster, Ayo Akinola, Remanded In Correctional Centre

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HIS expression - Between the Devil and the Blue Sea – dated back to at least 1600. It has no connec on with the devil of the bible; it has to do with a seam around a ship’s hull near the water.

An a empt by a Sailor to caulk this seam in heavy seas may lead him/her falling overboard. It is an idioma c expression of quandary. This is the exact situa on Nigerian change seekers have found themselves in the hands of the two dominant par es that have been ruining Nigeria especially since 1999 when the civilian sec on of the ruling elite have held sway.

The Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) has been enmeshed with one crisis or the other, all about scheming on who gets what and controls the largesse. The party and its stalwarts are not interested in the development of the country and welfare of the people. To resolving its crises, a six-man Na onal Reconcilia on Commi ee headed by a former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was cons tuted in November 2020.

The commi ee was saddled with responsibili es to se le crises rocking the party in Nasarawa, Eki , Cross River and other states. Again, to contain the crises rocking its South-West Zone, a five-man reconcilia on commi ee for the Zone headed by former Osun Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was cons tuted and in fact, submi ed its report to Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde in July, 2021. Recently, the PDP Na onal Chairman, Uche Secondus was suspended by his ward in Ikuru town in Audoni Local Government Area for an -party ac vi es. Based on this, a River State High Court, si ng in Port Harcourt, upheld the suspension with a perpetual injunc on restraining him from parading himself as the PDP Na onal Chair. As a result, the PDP Na onal Working Commi ee had on 26th August, 2021 appointed Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, the Deputy Na onal Chairman (South) as the Ac ng Na onal Chairman of the party.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) that claimed to be a progressive alternave to the PDP rot and corrup on with impunity wrestled power from the PDP at the na onal level in 2015 having sold radical

“There is no clear difference between the two parties and there is no third force so formidable to wrest power from both parties. Hence the tumultuous struggle by the traditional progressives to contest every position in their party to save its soul”

Rescuing The Soul Of Osun APC

Between The Devil And The Blue Sea manifestoes to the electorate who were red of PDP maladministra on. Almost six years in power, we are all living witnesses to our experience under the progressive watch. Just like its PDP counterpart, APC is engulfed with crises.

It is instruc ve to state that in a truly progressive party, which APC claims to be, it is a common tradi on to have internal contests, debates, disagreements, alignment of thoughts and consensus: as its core agenda is on how to harness best policies and programmes to develop society and have be er welfare package for the mass majority of the people. This is what a progressive party stands and is renowned for. With the influx of known elements who do not subscribe to same set of values of progressiveness into APC, problem arose.

As at today, there is no clear difference

STRIKER

between the two par es and there is no third force so formidable to wrest power from both par es. Hence the tumultuous struggle by the tradi onal progressives to contest every posi on in their party to save its soul.

In Osun, for instance, the chairman of APC congress commi ee that supervised ward and local government congresses, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, was a known PDP person in flesh and soul. In fact, he was a governorship aspirant in Ondo State on the pla orm of PDP in 2016. Progressive orienta on and poli cs is alien to him.

His inequitable disposi ons and conducts in the supervision of the two congresses have polarised the party and weakened it. He is likely going to be recruited for the state congress to conclude his balkanizaon mission.

Page 6

Again, the electoral law does not recognise independent candidature as recommended by Electoral Reform Panel headed by Jus ce Mohammed Lawal Uwais, former Chief Jus ce of Supreme Court in Nigeria, as the Na onal Assembly threw into dustbin most of the vital recommenda ons of the panel. This is where the choice of the change seeking elements is narrowed between the devil and the Lucifer. Without resolving the fundamental of party iden ty in terms of programmes and policies and real progressive elements taking over their party from hijackers, the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/ Extraordinary Na onal Conven on Planning Commi ee on 14th September, 2021 announced Na onal Reconcilia on Commi ee headed by Senator Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa will amount to nothing. The core progressives within the APC must not relent in their struggle to win the soul of the party and reclaim its ownership. This becomes inevitable as there is no other opening. The condi on that must be met before INEC registers a poli cal party is very cumbersome. Only moneybag can successfully meet it before the forthcoming elec ons. The core progressives should not, therefore, leave their party to form another. The struggle must be waged within and won. He who the masquerade chases should persevere assured that as he is ge ng waned, so does the masquerader.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

In Dependence 61 Years On

I

N one of the classics early Wailing Wailers’ songs, ‘The World Is Changing,’Peter Tosh sang: “Everyone near and far is seeking! What they are looking for I don’t know but if you find it, please would you tell me...? Now, every young folk throughout the land looking for someone to understand them, while all the older ones just spread their knees, talking about THE GOOD OLD DAYS that they miss...

See how blind we’ve been, see how the world we live in is changing - all around us is prison cages, we be er wake up or soon it will be too late... I guess what they (all) want is some peace of mind, which I guess is very hard to find... But they can borrow it from a friend of mine, who said peace of mind has got to come from within.”

Rather than the usual lamenta on on the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence anniversaries, it is apt to share Peter Tosh’s deep philosophical lines to inspire readers that we are here saddled with a twin des ny: viz, the totality of our experiences anywhere we find ourselves are at the same me our own making, as they are the result of the social condi ons imposed by society. Fulfilment, contentment and peace of mind are at once personal as they are socially condi oned. Coming to terms with this posi on is at once libera ng and empowering.

In Nigeria, as in most of Africa, there have never been any GOOD OLD DAYS for as long as any discerning person can remember: things are only just ge ng worse! Before self-government, military rule and now “democracy” again, there was conquest by Europe, slavery and colonial rule for hundreds of years; and

hundreds of years of feudalism, intra and intertribal wars, na ve conquest and slavery. The period immediately a er so-called independence was suffused with crises, coup and counter-coup, civil war and military rule. All anyone needed to do was listen to the various“Fellow Nigerians..” coup announcements/speeches and the popular music of the 70s, 80s and 90s, especially the explicit music of Fela Anikulapo Ku . When not waxing praise or dance music, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade, I.K. Dairo, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Ayinla Kollington, the reggae music of the 80s, up ll Eedris Abdulkareem’s “Nigeria Jagajaga” and Falz’s recent “This Is Nigeria” all parade songs of anguish and lamenta on.

From the 70s when shoeless kids trekking to school were warned not to pick coins found on the street, else they turn to goat as machinated by money ritualists, to “S’Ogund’Ogoji” scammers hanging around streets of ci es with their fake magic machines for min ng money; it is the same sad old story only miserably raised to the powers of hundred today.

However, every individual with a correct apprecia on of philosophy in the mould of Peter Tosh’s crooning has always found some room for personal fulfilment throughout the ages, living some contented life, and leaving worthwhile legacies and examples to be followed by future genera on.

Especially since the Ibrahim Babangida years, Nigerians are exhorted to observe the Independence anniversary in SOBER REFLECTIONS as there was li le that called for celebra on by the masses. Today, there is almost nothing! It is a story of 500 years of trials and

tribula ons.

However, no bad mes last forever. There are socie es and na ons that have introduced joyful social meanings to life, which they have made lovely in abundance for the majority to the extent that only the indolent and the criminally minded would miss out on it! Our challenge in Nigeria is the quality and orienta on of our poli cal and ruling elites. Without considera on for true independence of Nigeria poli cally and economically, and without regards for federalism or an egalitarian society, even the neo-liberal free enterprise system given to them to operate by their foreign task masters is completely messed up. Rather than apply themselves to the engagement of land and labour with capital for profit’s sake, they are selfishly preoccupied with primi ve accumulaon of wealth and the resurrec on of dead and buried primordial conquest agenda! Only an insignificant minority of the elites are farsighted, modern and visionary, and they are overwhelmed by their majority venal classmates.

Gloomy as the prospects are in the midst of brilliant poten als, at 61, the future has defined itself for the people of Nigeria – they must strive to find personal fulfilment for themselves legi mately under the trauma zing circumstances while finding a formula for unity around libera ng ideas and agenda. Unity will never come from the united elites that are dividing them with primordial sen ments.

Freedom and prosperity will not come from the elites’ backwards, enslaving and impoverishing policies. The people must rally around their popular organisa ons and credible leadership to find their salva on.

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