Osun Defender Online Version of October 15, 2021

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021 VOL 16 NO 40

Famodun, Salinsile, Adesiji To Contest Osun APC Chairmanship Tomorrow Ismaeel Uthman

B

ARING last minute poli cal se lement, three prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun, would contest the chairmanship posi on of the party in tomorrow’s state congress.

Current Caretaker Chairman, Secretary and Deputy

How Aregbesola Facilitated Digital Network Centre For Osun Public School Page 4

Inisa Chief Imam Tussle: 4 Injured, Imam Stoned As Rival Groups Clash In Page 5 Mosque

Chairman of the APC in the state, Prince Gboyega Famodun, Hon. Rasaq Salinsile and Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, have reportedly obtained their nomina on forms to contest for the party chairmanship.

Famodun hails from Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government of Osun Central Senatorial District;

while Salinsile is an indigene of Iwo, the headquarters of Osun West Senatorial District. Adesiji hails from Ilesa of Osun East Senatorial District.

Famodun belongs to IleriOluwa fac on of the APC, while Salinsile and Adesiji belong to The Osun Progressives (TOP).

The IleriOluwa fac on

had insisted on consensus while TOP adopted elec ve congress, a situaon that has so far led to parallel congresses in the state.

OSUN DEFENDER observed that the State Congress of the APC scheduled to hold tomorrow might produce two different chairmen of the party.

2,517 APC Members In Court, Demand Nullification Of Ward Congress Page 2

•Pray Court To Declare Them Duly Elected Ward Officers Of The Party

Page 5

31, 888 Osun Residents To Benefit From CBN, Govt’s Intervention Funds Page 7 •Leaders of The Osun Progressives (TOP) during their weekly meeting at Oranmiyan House, Osogbo Yesterday. Photo: Olushola Aderinto

Hunters, Police Arrest Teenage Female Robbery Gang In Osun

Page 6

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

2

News

2,517 APC Members In Court, Demand Nullification Of Ward Congress Ismaeel Uthman

A

total of 2,517 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 26 local governments of the State of Osun have approached a Federal High Court, si ng in Osogbo, the state capital, to challenge the Ward Congress of the party, held on July 31, 2021 in the state.

The APC members, in a court process sighted by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, demanded for the cancellaon of the Ward Congress conducted by the party through the Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye-led commi ee.

Joined in the suit are the APC, Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Conven on Commi ee of the party, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Chairman, Ward Congress Appeal Commi ee in the state, Amb. Obed Wadzani, Elegbeleye and the State of Osun chapter of the APC respec vely.

The plain ffs claimed that they are bonafide members of the APC and aspirants in the elec ve posi ons in their various wards across the 30 local governments of the state.

They stated that they filed the suit for themselves and all other aspirants/ candidates who paid prescribed fees for procurement of nomina on forms for the

purpose of contes ng the APC elec ve posi ons during the congress which was supposed to be held on July 31, 2021.

According to the plainffs, they were wrongly excluded or prevented from par cipa ng by vo ng or being voted for in the con-

gress by the party.

They argued that the supposed congress held by the defendants was totally in conflict with the guidelines of the exercise and the spirit of jus ce and fairness expected of the conduct of such programme.

Faul ng the congress,

the plain ffs said they all came to the party secretariat to obtain the nomina on forms within the s pulated meframe, but were told that the forms were not available by administra ve staff of the APC. The plain ffs said they resorted to paying individu-

ally to the account of the party to obtain the forms when it was apparent that the team sent from the Naonal Secretariat to sell the forms to aspirants in the state was nowhere to be found.

They also stated that they repeatedly visited the

•Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in discussion with Iyalaje Oodua, Princess (Dr.) Toyin Kolade and his Press Secretary, Comrade Moses Olafare during a free healthcare services sponsored by the woman to celebrate Ooni’s birthday.

It Will Cost N90 Million To Fix Ife North Power Outage - IBEDC Kazeem Badmus

T

HE Ibadan Electricity Distribuon Company (IBEDC) on Wednesday, told the State of Osun House of Assembly that it would cost a whooping sum of N90 million to restore power supply back to communies in Ife North Local Government, which have been experiencing power outage for some months.

The Regional Head of Osun Region of the IBEDC, Mr. Akin Ogunleye, stated that the distribu on company had tried its best in resolving the power outage, thinking that the situaon is what it can handle un l it found out about the whooping sum which the company could not afford.

OSUN DEFENDER had last week reported that the House of Assembly summoned the Managing Director of the IBEDC, the Nigerian

Electricity Regula on Commission (NERC) and the Federal Compe on and Consumers Protec on Commission (FCCPC) a er a mo on

by Hon. Lekan Olatunji

over the power outage in the area.

According to Ogunleye, the best solu on to the problem is to replace the faulty transformer with a new one

but the company is faced with paucity of fund and cannot for now take the full responsibility of restoring power to the affected communi es in

Symbol’s Quote

“If you accept the call to leadership, you must be willing to be misunderstood, betrayed, criticised, opposed, accused and even rejected. GOD is sufficient for us”

the local government.

He said: “When we were contacted on the power outage, we got to work thinking that it was a minor thing that we could fix; only to find out that the coil of the transformer had gone bad.

“The bill we got for the repair of the transformer was around N28 to N35 million, experience had taught us that it is not the best to repair but replace with a new one which is in the region of N90 million, which IBEDC cannot afford now”.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, stressed that the Assembly won’t stand and watch residents of the state thrown into darkness without finding a lasting solu on to the situa on.

Owoeye adjourned the mee ng ll October 27, 2021 for IBEDC to come up with a soluon template.

party Secretariat, in an cipa on of the screening for the ward congress between July 29 and 30, 2021, but were told that there was no screening commi ee on ground.

According to them, while at the party secretariat, they read on facebook that the Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye-led Ward Congress Commi ee had arrived Osun and was addressing the press with some selected stalwarts of the party at the Government House, Osogbo.

They stated that they presented themselves at their various ward Colla on Centres on July 31, 2021 the date scheduled for the Ward Congress, with the belief that the screening and congress would go simultaneously, but neither the screening nor congress took place.

All eligible members of the APC from their respecve wards were present at the ward colla on centres, in readiness for screening and congress for elec ve posi ons of the party as early as 7am, but to their surprise, some leaders just walked into the venues of the congress and announced that the ward will have consensus candidates and they brought out lists to be read to members, said the plainffs.

The plain ffs averred that they refused to accept the consensus that the various leaders of the party sought to impose on them in their respec ve wards without the congress or complying with the cons tu on of the party.

Upon the refusal of the party and the congress commi ee to organise a congress in their respec ve wards across local governments in the state as scheduled, the plain ffs said they elected their respec ve ward officers of the party.

They said no congress was held by the defendants and neither were any meetings held to their knowledge in which the purported consensus referred to by the various ward leaders in the respec ve wards was reached.

They averred that the consensus candidates imposed on them by the defendants at their respec ve ward congresses did not make the required payment for the nomina on forms for the elec ve posi ons and hence cannot be recognised as valid candidates.

The process reads in part: “The plain ffs aver that the purported consensus that was purportedly adopted by the APC was done in flagrant viola on of Ar cle 20 of the Cons tu on of theparty, which provides for elec ons and appointments.

•Continued on page 7

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

3

Review & Outlook BY DAPO ONANUGA The Reproductive Health Indices Of Celebrating The Girl Child The Rauf Aregbesola Administration HE interna onal day of the The young lady’s app allows

T

girl child was celebrated in an understated manner last Monday, perhaps reflec ng current reali es. It should not be understated because the issues involved in fairness for the girl child will be decisive in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and will determine to a considerable extent the shape of the future.

Highligh ng the path-breaking achievement of nineteen years old South African girl Sebabatso Ncephe who developed an app

hospitals to directly communicate with pa ents; the app helps pa ents maintain privacy and dignity. This is an astonishing breakthrough. The girl child must be put at the center of policy because there are plenty more of her type across Africa. Discarding the input and talents of half of the populaon does not make sense for a con nent playing catch up.

There should therefore, be more than just observing a day, a concerted effort has to be made in every country to implement all

•Sebabatso’s breakthrough indicates the future

- Afya Yangu or “My Health” in Swahi is a posi ve way of emphasising the immense possibili es and reitera ng what is at stake.

of the interna onal protocols and agreements protec ng and enhancing the rights of the girl child thoroughly and expedi ously.

Ife North Power Outage And The Rights Of All Electricity Consumers

I

N April 2021, the World Bank reported Nigeria as the country with the least access to electricity in the world a er displacing the Democra c Republic of Congo. The lack of stable electricity has remained a major constraint for the development of our country and the wellbeing of the people and their business.

The perennial Power outage in my cons tuency and many parts of Nigeria is a gross viola on of the rights of our people to enjoy quality and regular power supply. In line with the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 that provides for the establishment of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), it is unlawful and unacceptable for IBEDC to always expect Nigerians to solve electricity challenges through self help whenever issues arise.

The electricity customer right in Nigeria clearly states that: “It is not the responsibility of electricity customer or community to buy, replace or repair electricity transformers,

poles and related equipment used in the supply of electricity.”

I insisted on the immediate resolu on of the months of power outage in my cons tuency as the only acceptable solu on and the IBEDC gave commitment to prompt resolu on and appearance before the House of Assembly on Wednesday, 27th of October, with their acon plan and meline for the final resolu on of this lingering issue.

Electricity distribu on is a private enterprise in Nigeria and our distribu on companies must be alive to their responsibili es or give way for other investors who have both the technical and financial capacity for be er services.

I want to sincerely commend all the major stakeholders in my cons tuency for their efforts, perseverance and high level of civility in the face of this viola on.

•Tunde Lekan Olatunji, Office of the Chief Whip, State of Osun House of Assembly.

•Dapo Onanuga examines the path-breaking reworking of the health system in State of Osun

“

THE truth is women use contracep on not only to prevent unintended pregnancies, but also to improve their health and the health of their families. Increased access to contracep on is directly linked to declines in maternal and infant mortality.” Felicity Huffman.

According to the Interna onal Conference on Popula on and Development (ICPD) (1994), “Reproduc ve health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all ma ers rela ng to the reproduc ve system and its processes”.

In essence, people must be informed about their right to access safe, effecve, affordable family planning of their choice, access to appropriate healthcare services (Family Planning providers, Skilled Birth A endants) that enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant. One of such pla orms is through the Antenatal Care (ANC) where the woman would be counselled on care of mother and unborn child, family planning, HIV counselling and tes ng, etc by a skilled a endant.

In Osun, the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola policy book, “My Pact with the People of Osun” on restoring healthy living emphasized the provision of effec ve health care systems that would take care of the vulnerable (mother, children and the elderly) as well as providing the right atmosphere for health workers to thrive in the area of upgrading, retraining and their welfare. The interven ons which followed would be put into perspec ve while examining data from surveys conducted through the years. For the basis of this ar cle, I shall focus on Skilled Birth a endants, Contracep ve Prevalence Rate, HIV

Counseling and Tes ng (HCT) and Antenatal care.

Nigeria has one of the highest levels of maternal mortality in the world, accoun ng for 10 per cent of maternal deaths worldwide (UNICEF, 2008).

The Mul ple indicator Cluster Survey (2011) reports that three quarters of all maternal deaths occur during delivery and the immediate post-partum period.

Therefore, the most crucial intervenon for safe motherhood is to ensure a competent birth a endant with midwifery skills – namely a doctor, nurse or midwife – is present at every birth, and transport is available to a referral facility for obstetric care in case of emergency.

According to the NNHS report of 2018 “Skilled a endance at delivery is also one of the indicators used to track progress toward the Millennium Development Goal (MDG5) target of reducing the maternal mortality ra o (MMR) by three quarters between 1990 and 2015 and achieving universal access to reproduc ve health by 2015. According to WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank es mates, Nigeria has made some progress toward MDG5, albeit too slow: in 2010, maternal mortality rate in Nigeria was es mated to be approximately 576 deaths/100,000 live births”.

The Aregbesola’s administra on embarked on a major recruitment drive in the health sector in 2012 which resulted in the high skilled birth a endant in the State as illustrated in Figure 1. The percentage of skilled a endants in the Publisher – Moremi Publishing health sector in Osun House Ltd. outnumbers that of the Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman South West average and (0805-121-2204) the na onal average. AcProduc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa cording to NNHS 2018 Reporter – Yusuf Oketola findings, the skilled birth Reporter – Kazeem Badmus a endants in the State of Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto Osun is put at 92% which Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere indicates a progression OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing from 83.9% and 85.6% for 2014 and 2015 reHouse Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, spec vely. The ability of the state government to State of Osun retain most of the health ISSN : 0794-8050 workers as of the me Telephone : 0805-121-2204 despite the plummetWebsite : www.osundefender.com/index.php ing alloca ons from the e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com Federal Government was osundefenderbank@gmail.com All correspondence to the above email addresses.

•Continued on page 5

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

4

News

TOP, IleriOluwa Members Clash In Ejigbo Over Party Secretariat Ismaeel Uthman

M

EMBERS of The Osun Progressives (TOP) and IleriOluwa fac ons of the All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun on Tuesday clashed in Ejigbo over party secretariat.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that violence erupted when members of the IleriOluwa fac on wanted to forcefully takeover the APC Secretariat, located at Oyewumi Compound, Oke Moyo, Ejigbo.

It was gathered that the IleriOluwa fac on had not been using the Secretariat since the outbreak of the internal crisis within the APC. The medium learnt that former Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam had been solely paying the rent of the party secretariat from me immemorial.

Salam, a leader of TOP in the state, had been sidelined by the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola administra on and the APC leadership in the state.

According to members of the APC, the IleriOluwa fac on decided to hold Ejigbo APC local government mee ng at the party secretariat on Tuesday to establish its authority.

The TOP members, it was gathered, had also mobilised themselves to the secretariat before the arrival of the IleriOluwa people.

All effort by the IleriOluwa fac on to enter the secretariat was resisted by the TOP members.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the development generated tension in the town, forcing the Police to intervene to forestall breakdown of law and order.

Speaking with the medium, one of the members of the IleriOluwa fac on in Ejigbo who prayed not to be named

said: “It is true that there was clash between the IleriOluwa and TOP in Ejigbo over the party secretariat.

“A er our swearingin as local government execu ves of the APC in Osogbo on Monday, we came home to hold our mee ng at the party secretariat on Tuesday. On ge ng there, we met TOP members, who insisted that we would not enter the secretariat building.

We told them that the Secretariat belongs to the party and not an individual. We were exchanging words and before you know it, they have started a acking us.

“We have reported the case to the Police and we hope to go further on it. The secretariat is not anybody’s property. It belongs to every member of the APC and we are the officially recognised party officials as far as Ejigbo is concerned.”

In his reac on, Prince Omoboyede Jayeola, a leader of TOP in Ejigbo, accused the IleriOluwa fac on of fomen ng trouble and a emp ng

•Deputy Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State of Osun, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Sola Fasure and Hon. Idowu Korede, presenting letter of nomination for the deployment of Digital Nigeria Centre to Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Irojo, Ilesa to the principal of the school, Alhaja Ilesami Ramota, last Friday. to take what does not belong to it.

Jayeola said: “The IleriOluwa group are the trouble makers. They are a emp ng to take what does not belong to them. And these people, right from Prof. Mojeed Alabi, do not always work when elec on comes. Ask around, they are not peo-

ple on ground in Ejigbo.

“Ask the IleriOluwa people if they have been using the Secretariat before now. They have not been using the secretariat; even they could not hold their congresses there.

“Why are they coming now to claim the Secretariat now? The leader

of the IleriOluwa fac on, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, has not for once paid the rent of the secretariat whenever it is due. Dr. Najeem Salam has been the only one paying the rent.

“TOP APC owns the secretariat. We will not allow the IleriOluwa to take it away from us.”

OSUN DEFENDER

gathered that the Police have invited the two faconal Chairmen of APC in Ejigbo Local Government, Alhaji Sarafa Ayankunbi (TOP) and Alhaji Adegoke known as Jusce (IleriOluwa) on the ma er.

Also, the secretariat has been sealed by the Police.

Bad Roads, Our Major Challenge In Modakeke - Ogunsua Yusuf Oketola

T

HE Ogunsua of Modakeke, His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Oladejo Ajonbadi III, has iden fied bad roads as a major challenge facing the town.

Oba Ogunsua made this known at the weekend during the presentaon of a stand-by 60KVA generator and 5 sets of split Air condi oning

Units to the palace by Engineer Kayode Sowade, to mark Governor Oyetola’s 67th birthday.

The monarch, who was represented by Chief Adeniyi Adetunji, the Moye to the Kabiyesi, said some of the major roads connec ng the town to villages are not in good shape, which needed government urgent intervenon for farmers to bring their farm produce to the

market for sale.

He said: “Our major challenge in Modakeke is bad roads across the town. All roads that connect the town to villages are not in good shape and at the end of every season; we need to bring our farm produce from villages to town for sale.

“We are suffering.

However, we are very thankful to the present administra on of Gover-

nor Adegboyega Oyetola for rehabilita ng some of the roads here, but we need him to do more.

“Some of roads that link our communi es need to be done. Road is our main problem here. I am using this medium to plead with the government to help us out on it.”

The monarch appreciated the kind gesture of Engineer Sowade for the

How Aregbesola Facilitated Digital Network Centre For Osun Public School According to a le er of Kazeem Badmus HE Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has facilitated the deployment of Digital Nigeria Centre to Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Irojo, Ilesa, State of Osun.

T

PUBLIC NOTICE IMMANUEL CHAPEL WORLDWIDE

The general public is hereby informed that the above named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (as amended).

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR ABIODUN OKE 2. PASTOR ATINUKE OKE 3. SAMUEL OLUBODE OKE 4. MERCY ABIOLA OKE 5. IDOWU ADEGOKE 6. ORESANYA JOHN OLUSEYE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Preaching the Gospel 2. Assisting the Needy 3. Winning of souls for Jesus Christ

deployment from the Ministry of Communica on and Digital Economy, which was sighted

by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the school was considered for the DNC based on the recommenda ons of Aregbesola.

The DNC is an interven on project to facilitate access to communica on network facili es and service, inclusive growth, innova on, digital literacy and skills development.

The DNC interven on includes the renova on of facility to host the centre and the provision of 40 desktop computers, internet connec vity and furniture.

Minister of Communicaon and Digital Economy, Mr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, in the le er said the DNC is to facilitate the achievements of naonal policy goals for universal access and universal service to Informa on and Communicaon Technologies (ICTs).

It is part of the Federal

Government project to improve learning and research by promo ng the connec on of government schools across the na on to broadband internet.

The le er of deployment of the DNC was presented to the Principal of Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Irojo, Ilesa last Friday by the Media Adviser to Aregbesola, Mr. Sola Fasure, former Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Idowu Korede and former Chairman of Ilesa West Local Government, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji.

Speaking at the presentaon of the le er, Fasure said the best way to appreciate the facilitators of the project is to make good use of the facility when fully provided.

He said: “I am an indigene of this town and I am so happy because the State of Osun was considered as a beneficiary of the ICT centre being established all over the country by the Ministry of Communica on and Digital Economy as facili-

tated by Ogbeni Aregbesola.

“I hope that this will help renew the development and the quest for ICT, because that is the future of the world in all aspects. Everything about life will soon be digital”.

In her own words, the Principal of the school, Alhaja Ramatalahi Ilesanmi, appreciated the Federal Government and Aregbesola for coun ng the school worthy of the DNC, promising that the school would make good use of the centre to aid learning of students.

She said: “On behalf of staff and students of Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Ilesa, I appreciate our Minister of Communica on and Digital Economy and the Minister of Interior for recognising our school as a beneficiary of ICT equipment.

“This is ICT era and there is need for all our students to have ICT knowledge. This will help us a lot in aiding knowledge and skills of our students.”

dona on of the facili es, just as he called on the government to provide adequate security to the palace.

He said: “We are using this opportunity to demand from the government to provide standby security to the palace. I want to confess to you that this palace is porous.

It is accessible to everybody. If we have security opera ves here, there would not be entry of people as they like.”

Speaking with newsmen, the donor, Sowade congratulated Oyetola on his 67th birthday and also appreciated him for all he had been doing across sectors in bringing development to the state.

He said: “This is a way of marking Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s birthday and to commend what he has done in the state and Modakeke in par cular.

“There are roads that have been abandoned for about 38 years, but the Governor has fixed it. We need to appreciate him and thank God for his life.

This is a way to say happy birthday to him.

“We look at what can be done to complement his efforts and we find the need to donate the Generator and some split Air Condi oners to the palace; just to say thank you to the Governor and for him to do more.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

News

5

Inisa Chief Imam Tussle: 4 Injured, Imam Stoned As Rival Groups Clash In Mosque Ismaeel Uthman

N

O fewer than four people reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries in a fresh clash between some Muslims figh ng on who becomes the Chief Imam of Inisa Central Mosque.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that pandemonium broke out last Friday when Sheik Abdulakeem Muhammadu-Jamiu, who is at the centre of the crisis, entered the mosque to lead the congrega on in Jumat prayers.

Muhammadu-Jamiu was led to the mosque by policemen around 1pm a er some Muslim faithful had gathered in the mosque to observe Jumat prayer.

According to sources, tension pervaded the mosque when the congregaon sighted MuhammaduJamiu entering the Chief Imam’s room, leading to the Minbar of the Inisa Central Mosque in preparatory for the delivery of his Jumat Sermon.

It was gathered that hot alterca ons ensued between supporters of MuhammaduJamiu and antagonists, who were ques oning why he would be the one to lead the prayers when the crisis on the Chief Imam had not been se led.

The alterca ons, according to eye witnesses, resulted into free for all, in which four members of the Muslim community who are opposing the choice of Muhammadu-Jamiu as the Chief Imam sustained injury.

Also, MuhammaduJamiu was reportedly stoned by one of his antagonists, leading to the breaking of decora ng glass of the Imam’s sec on of the mosque.

Findings revealed that it took the interven on of the Police to avert loss of lives in the clash.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on the hospital bed at Osogbo Muslim Hospital, Osogbo, one of the vic ms of the clash, Mr. Abdulwaheed Usamot said he was a acked inside the mosque by supporters of Muhammadu-Jamiu, with an unknown object, making him to pass away instantly.

According to Usamot, he was a acked when he quesoned why MuhammaduJamiu would be the one to lead the Jumat prayers when there had not been any agreement or discussion on stakeholders on the case.

He said: “We were in the Central Mosque last week Friday to observe our Jumat prayers as usual. We were

expec ng the Deputy Chief Imam of Ikirun, Alhaji Robiu Salaudeen, to lead us in the prayers. The League of Imams and Alfas in Osun had nominated Alhaji Salaudeen to be leading Jumat prayers for us pending the me we would se le the case on Inisa Chief Imam, and both par es agreed to it.

“Last week Friday, while we were in the mosque, we saw the Police leading Muhammadu-Jamiu to the Imam’s sec on of the Inisa Central Mosque. People started murmuring on sighting him, because we were not expec ng him, we were expec ng Deputy Chief Imam of Ikirun to lead us.

“We were ques oning why it would be Muhammadu-Jamiu that would lead the Jumat prayers and in the process, one of his sup-

porters suddenly unleashed punches on me. They later beat me with an unknown object and I fainted immediately. When I was resuscitated some minutes later, I heard my assailants saying they should take me to the Muslim cemetery for burial if I had died. Some of our people were also a acked.”

Other vic ms of the clash, Ismail Abdulazeez, Musbaudeen Kolawole and 62 years old Najeem Oyinlola, who were all admi ed to the Muslim Hospital, Osogbo between Friday, October 8, and Monday, October 11, corroborated Usamot’s claim, saying they were all a acked by supporters of Muhammadu-Jamiu.

In his account, Abdulazeez said: “I was attacked inside the Central Mosque last week Friday by

supporters of MuhammaduJamiu. I know all the people that a acked us; some of them were not even Muslims. I was rescued by the Police in the pool of my blood. It was from the Police Sta on that we came down to this hospital for treatment and we have been on admission bed since Friday ll today, Monday.

“Muhammadu-Jamiu was not supposed to lead the Jumat prayers because there is a case in court.

When contacted, Muhammadu-Jamiu, the Chief Imam, said he did not know how pandemonium broke out in the mosque, accusing Usamot and Abdulazeez of masterminding the clash in •Abdulazeez: One of the victims the mosque.

M u h a m m a d u - J a m i u sisted the a ack which led League of Imams and Alfas, which recognised me as the claimed that he was the to free for all.

He said: “Before going Chief Imam of Inisa and the first person to be stoned by one of his antagonists in the to the mosque last week court ruling that struck out mosque, no ng that mem- Friday, I went to the Police the case ins tuted against bers of the congrega on re- Sta on to show them the me by my antagonists. le er of authority from the “The Police were convinced and they followed me to the mosque. On entering the mosque, I went straight importance of birth spacing, tetanus immuniza on, to the room where Imam syphilis screening and treatment, preven on and usually sits before mounting the minbar for sermon. treatment of malaria and management of anemia.

More recently, the poten al of the antenatal pe- On sigh ng me through the riod as an entry point for HIV preven on and care – glass, one of the people befor the preven on of HIV transmission from mother ing used against me rose to child which has led to renewed interest in access up and stoned me. Go and check the mosque, the glass to and use of antenatal services. of the Imam’s sec on was sha ered.

“The Police intervened and restored peace. I later delivered my sermon and led the congrega on in prayers.

Inves ga ons by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Muhammadu-Jamiu was installed the Ajanasi of the Central Mosque in August 11, 2017.

The quick succession, occasioned by death of three Chief Imams of the Inisa Central Mosque, led to controversies on the selecon process of a new Chief The World Health Organiza on recommends a Imam.

According to Muhamminimum of four antenatal care visits during pregnancy to ensure the well-being of mothers and new- madu-Jamiu, he was next in line to be turbaned the born. At these visits, women should receive at least a new Chief Imam of Inisa basic care package, including nutri onal advice. They by virtue of the succession should also be alerted to warning signs indica ng arrangement on ground, possible problems during their pregnancy and get following the death of the support in planning a safe delivery. three Imams.

The State of Osun had over the years performed But the Muslim commuwell in the area of mothers seeking Antenatal Care nity opposed the selec on services. According to the NNHS 2015, MICS 2016/17 of Muhammadu-Jamiu as and NNHS 2018 survey, over 90% had visited the new Chief Imam of Inisa, a antenatal at least once. This was as a result of mas- situa on that had put his sive behavioral change campaign, weekly radio pro- turbanning on hold for over grammes and other interven ons ins tuted by the a year. state government like the supply of mama kit for However, findings revealed that Muhammadupregnant mothers.

Policy wise, the passing of the Primary Health Jamiu was turbaned the care Board bill and the establishment of the Osun Chief Imam of Inisa on Health Insurance Scheme brought organiza on in Thursday, September 30, the administra on of these interven ons. This de- 2021, a er the withdrawal centralized system was very effec ve in making of a suit ins tuted against health accessible and affordable most especially for him and some other people by the plain ffs. the vulnerable.

The plain ffs in the •Oladapo Onanuga is a Data Analyst, former technical suit were: Imam Mustapha assistant to the Saving One Million Lives Programme Moh’d Jamiu and Alhaji Ra(Osun), oladapoonanuga@outlook.com saki Hammed.

08108511491 •Continued on page 7

The Reproductive Health Indices Of The Rauf Aregbesola Administration •Continued from page 3 seen as novel and commendable.

The contracep ve prevalence rate (CPR) is usually defined as the percentage of married women or in a union who are currently using a method of contracep on. This indicator shows the success of family planning programmes.

The NNHS posited that contracep ve prevalence rates have a strong correla on with maternal mortality and can be used to es mate reduc ons in total fer lity rates. While there is need for improvement generally in the high fer lity rates recorded in Nigeria, the State of Osun recorded a steady progress most especially by 11.3% which is commendable and represents a milestone in approaching the 50% mark.

The ac vi es of Maristopes (a development partner) who supplied Family planning commodi es as well as training of staff complemented government efforts by increasing FP service point offerings in the State.

A UNAIDS report in 2010 es mated that 230,000 pregnant women and 360,000 children were living with HIV in Nigeria, and more than 90 percent of children new infec ons occurred through mother to child transmission (MTCT).

It was es mated that only 5 per cent of ANC facili es in Nigeria offered MTCT services, while HIV tes ng among pregnant women was as low as 14 percent. (UNICEF and WHO report, 2010). Osun has had its own fair share of facili es not having tes ng kits and other consumables which had contributed to the low percentages recorded. Despite the efforts of state government agencies such asOsun State Agency for the Control of AIDS, (OSACA)and other interven ons by the state government like provision of rapid kits and consumables, the state was able to record a 9.1% increment from MICS 2015/2016 and the NNHS 2018 survey.

Antenatal care is expected to provide mely interven ons and informa on to mothers and families about the danger signs and symptoms during pregnancy, the risks of labour and delivery without the assistance of a skilled health care provider, the

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

6

I

Religion

N the Name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful.

The Peace and Salutations of Allah Be upon Prophet Muhammad, His household, the Sahabah and those who follow His Sunnah till the last Day; the Day when Money and Children will be valueless.

Salaam Alaykum Warahmatullah, Wabarakaatuhu.

Praise to Allah (S.W.T.) Who has guided us to this felicity, never could we have found

Then Mu’adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “There is nothing that brings more salvation from the punishment of Allah than remembrance of Allah.(Jami’ Tirmidhi).

Humility Allah (S.W.T.) says: “And remember it was said to them, ‘Dwell in this town and eat therein as you wish, but say the word of humility. And enter the gate in a posture of humility. We shall forgive you your faults, We shall increase (the portion of) those who do good.”(Quran 7: 161) “Has not the

JUMAT SERMON By Sheikh Imam Zakariyau Sarumi

guidance, had it not been for the Guidance of Allah.

Ramadan has come and gone. But it is pertinent to remind ourselves that the end of Ramadan should not be the end of our service and remembrance of Almighty Allah (S.W.T.). These are part of the duties imposed on us all the time as Muslims (whether in or out of Ramadan).

Obedience To Allah Allah (S.W.T.) says in the glorious Quran: “And obey Allah and the Apostle that you may obtain mercy.” (Quran 3:132).

“All who obey Allah and the Apostle are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah, of the Prophets (who teach), the Sincere (lovers of Truth), the Witnesses (who testify), and the Righteous (who do good). Ah! What a beautiful fellowship.”(Quran 4: 69).

“So obey Allah, and obey His Apostle. But if you turn back, the duty of Our Apostle is but to proclaim (the Message) clearly and openly.” (Quran 64:12).

On this commandment of Allah (S.W.T.), the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported in the following Hadiths thus: “Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him), reported the Apostle of Allah (S.A.W.) as saying: “Listening and obedience are binding on a Muslim, whether he likes or dislikes, so long as he is not commanded for disobedience (to Allah). If he is commanded to disobedience (to Allah), no listening and obedience are binding (on him).”(Sunan Abu Dawud).

In another hadith narrated by Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him). “We used to speak while in prayer. One of us used to speak to his brother (while in prayer) about his need, till the verse was revealed - “Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle prayer and stand before Allah with obedience.” Then we were ordered not to speak while praying. (Sahih Bukhari).

Remembrance Of Allah The Worship Of Allah Allah (S.W.T.) says in the Glorious Quran, “To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him goes back every affairs (for decision). Then worship Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unmindful of aught that you do.”(Quran 11: 123) In an Hadith, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported thus: Narrated by Abdullahi (May Allah be pleased with him), “When the verse - “Those who believe and mix not their belief with wrong.” was revealed, the Muslims felt it very hard on them and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) who amongst us does not do wrong to himself?” He replied, “The Verse does not mean this. But that (wrong) means to associate others in worship to Allah. Don’t you listen to what Luqman said to his son when he was advising him?

O my son! “Join not others in worship with Allah; verily joining others in worship with Allah is a great wrong indeed.” (Sahih Bukhari).

Remembrance Of Allah Allah (S.W.T.) says, “O you who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.”(Quran 63:9).

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported by Abu Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) to have said: “Should I not inform you of the best of your deed; and the purest of them with your Master, and the highest of them in your ranks, and what is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks, and they strike your necks?” They said: “Of course.” He said: The remembrance of Allah (Most High).”

time arrived for the believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.”(Quran 57: 16).

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported by Abu Hurayrah to have said: “The parable of a Mujahid who strives in the Cause of Allah - and Allah knows best who strives in His Cause - is that of one who fast, prays Qiyam, focuses with proper humility, bows and prostrates.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).

Reminder Brethren, from the above, it is obvious that our responsibilities to Allah (S.W.T.) as His servants are not limited to the Month of Ramadan alone. Our responsibilities as Allah’s (S.W.T.) obedient servants extend beyond this month.

We are hereby reminded that for us to consolidate on the gains in Ramadan. It is necessary for us to continue the good work after Ramadan. This will no doubt improve our records before Allah (S.W.T.) and possibly put us among a higher rank. Another Ramadan is eleven months away.

Let us not unconsciously wash away the rewards we have accumulated in this Ramadan with acts inconsistent with Allah’s (S.W.T.) commands. We should remember that Shaitan, the avowed enemy of the believers, is lurking around to impede our “march” to success.

May Allah (S.W.T.) give us the Grace to worship Him at all times, and also enable us to witness next year’s Ramadan.

•Shaykh Imam Zakariyah Sarumi is the Grand Imaam of Ipetu-Ijesa.

Crime Kazeem Badmus

T

HREE female teenagers were in the wee hours of Monday arrested in Osogbo by a group of local hunters for allegedly robbing and car ng away an undisclosed sum of money belonging to an elderly woman.

The three teenagers were said to have snuck into the house of the vic m and carted away the money given to her from a party she hosted earlier on Sunday.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the suspects invaded the woman’s house immediately she returned home at Aresa area of the state capital a er the party.

According to an eye witness, Bello Adeosun, one of the girls confessed when arrested that she was outside watching guard for the other two who went inside through the window.

Corrigendum This is to correct the error in an article titled ‘Ilesa Water Supply Distribution: Restoration Of Healthy Living’ published on page 5 in our last edition where a date “18th December, 2018 was written as against 18th December, 2017”.

The correct date is 18th December, 2017.

The error is regretted.

Hunters, Police Arrest Teenage Female Robbery Gang In Osun He stated: “The girls confessed to entering the house through the window. One of them was at the party and kept surveillance on their vic m throughout the day.

She later informed the two others and they invaded the house later in the night.

“They had taken the money,but while moving out of the house, they stepped on the vic m and she alerted neighbours by con nuously shou ng ‘Thief! Thief!’.

“The hunters in the community rushed to the scene and arrested one of them around 4am. She later led the team with Police to arrest the two other suspects at Ilugun and Sasa areas respec vely. They were all teenagers around 14 and 16 years old”.

The spokesperson of the Police in the state, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident, saying that the girls were arrested through a joint opera on between the hunters and Police opera ves.

She added that they had been handed over to the An-cul sm unit of the Police for further inves ga ons.

Police Trying To Frame Me - Suspect Yusuf Oketola

A

50-year-old suspect, Umaru Mohammed, on Wednesday told an Osogbo Magistrate Court that the Police were trying to frame him on the alleged offence levelled against him.

Umaru, a night guard at Easy Garden in Ikirun, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government of State of Osun, was accused of stealing four cows, valued sum of N1.1 million, belonging to one Oseni Abdulrahman.

The accused person was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

But Umaru told the court that he is a night guard at Easy Garden in Ikirun and le his work place on Monday, October 11, 2021 for a medical checkup before he was arrested.

He said his employer was yet to be aware of his arrest, stressing that he is not the one that commi ed the alleged offence.

The complainant, Oseni Abdulrahman, told the court that the accused person is a friend to one of his employees, Abu Mohammed, also a night guard.

The plain ff noted that he had warned the duo to stop seeing each other, as he noced that they were conspiring to do bad things.

He told the court that when he could not find some of his cows, he observed that his employee, Abu Mohammed, hadalso run away, he did not hesitate to arrest Umaru, his friend.

However, the plea of the accused person was not taken by the court because, as the second defendant on the charge sheet, Abu Mohammed, was s ll at large.

The presiding magistrate,

A.A. Adebayo,ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre.

The case was transferred to the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ikirun, for men on on October 18, 2021.

Ajegunle Market Traders And Artisans Re-elect Alh. Azeez Kamorudeen As Chairman Kazeem Badmus

T

RADERS and Ar sans at the popular Ajegunle Market, Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun, have re-elected, Alh. Azeez Kamorudeen as Chairman of the market for another four years.

Speaking a er the swearing-in ceremonies of the newly-elected execu ves on Monday, Kamorudeen promised to con nue working towards the growth of the market.

He also appreciated traders and ar sans at the market for their support during his first tenure and appealed to them to con nue suppor ng him for the growth of the market.

Kamorudeen said: “I

want to thank Almighty God for the opportunity given to me to lead this people. I also appreciate traders at the market for the trust and confidence reposed in me to be their leader.

“There is also a peaceful rela onship with traders and ar sans of the market and I urge them to con nue their support as they have been doing before, for the growth and development of the market.”

In his own word, the Vice Chairman, Alh. Rasheed Adebisi, appreciated customers at the market, and appealed to them to con nue suppor ng and patronising them.

“We love our customers and we want them to love us also. We appeal to them not to take our

money to Ibadan again.

We are always ready to sa sfy them”, he said.

Adebisi commended the general coordinators of the market for conducting a peaceful elec ons.

According to him, the elec on was free and fair and devoid of any rancor; saying that every member of the market accepted the results.

“In my years of experience, I have not encountered people like those who conducted the elecons that produced the execu ves of the market.

“Even a er the elecons and swearing in, they gave room for members who had one issue or the other about those elected to come forward; but everyone said they were happy with the results”, he stated.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

7

News

31, 888 Osun Residents To Benefit From CBN, Govt’s Intervention Funds Kazeem Badmus

A

total of 31,888 beneficiaries in the State of Osun are set to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the State Government’s N6.5 billion interven on funds.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola flagged off the disbursement of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund on Wednesday in Osogbo.

According to Oyetola, the N6.5billion intervenon fund was part of his administra on’s development agenda of revitalising the state’s economy for much improved performance.

Oyetola lauded MSMEs in the state, describing them as a cri cal part of his administra on’s diversificaon agenda, owing to their enormous produc vity and capacity for value and job crea on.

He said: “Since assumpon of office, we have, in addi on to our strategic investment in transforming the agriculture, tourism and mining sectors, focused a en on on improving the performances of MSMEs. This is because we believe that a virile MSMEs space holds limitless opportunies for our state.

“We are convinced that when there is greater accessibility to funding, requisite infrastructure, an enabling environment devoid of common limita ons and a poli cal will to drive the requisite policies, our MSMEs would be empowered to spread their wings and fly. All these we have passionately put to work since we assume office.

“Other than the influx

of new businesses and the significant growth of existing ones, there is no greater comfort that affirms the remarkable progress we are recording like the phenomenal rise we have recorded in Ease of Doing Business Index.

“We are fully committed to working harder with you all in our quest to making our state an enviable business des na on.”

The Governor called on other ci zens who fall within the classifica on of Small and Medium Enterprise businesses and are interested in the fund, to approach Osun Micro-Credit Agency for possible enrolment in the next tranche of the MSMEs development funds.

•Fakunle walk way at the heart of Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun, overgrown with weeds.

2517 APC Members In Court...

•Continued from page 2 “The plain ffs further aver that the ac on of the 1st – 5th defendants amounts to imposing a consensus on them and all Wards of the State, and same is null and void for being in contravenon of the guidelines for the conduct of Ward Congress released by the 1st Defendant.

“The 4th and 5th defendants, in connivance with some other members of the 1st defendant, Osun State Chapter, par cularly Governor Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola and the Chairman Caretaker Commi ee of the Osun State Chapter of the 1st Defendant, bought all forms that were meant for the prospec ve aspirants of the elec ve posi ons of the 1st Defendant Poli cal Party.

The plain ffs plead and shall rely on UBA deposit Slip No. 608445 dated the 29th day of July, 2021.

“The name of the depositor in the said UBA deposit slip reads “Congress forms, Osun State” with Telephone number 08063440042 and the bulk purchase of the said forms was in the sum of N26,892,000.00 (Twenty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Two Naira).

“The bulk purchase of the said forms and the attempt by the officials of the 1st defendant to deny the plain ffs and other aspirants from par cipa ng in the congress, the right to buy forms and contest, to be screened are unlawful and show an ill mo ve to determine the outcome of the congress in the 1st Defendant’s Party, Osun State Chapter without complying with the provisions of the cons tu on of the 1st defendant and the guidelines for Ward Congress.

“The 1st – 5th defendants, through the various leaders of the respec ve lo-

Inisa Chief Imam...

•Continued from page 5 A er his turbaning, which was witnessed by the Chief Imams of Okuku, Oyan, Iree, Iragbiji, among others, Muhammadu-Jamiu a empted to lead the Jumat prayers on October 1, but was stopped by the Police,who asked for Order of Enrolment from court and covering le er from the League of Imams and Alfas.

However, the League of Imams and Alfas, in a letter dated October 1, 2021 and signed by its Chairman, Sheik Musa Animasahun, who is the Chief Imam of Osogbo, recognised Muhammadu-Jamiu as the Chief Imam of Inisa, saying that the Imams and Alfas in the state have appointed Muhammadu-Jamiu as the

new Chief Imam of Inisa Central Mosque.

The le er was wri en to the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Wale Olokode and other necessary authori es.

Muhammadu-Jamiu took the le er and Order of Enrolment from court to the Police before he was allowed to lead the Jumat prayers last Friday.

But some other Muslims who are opposed to Muhammadu-Jamiu’s choice as Chief Imam, described his turbanning as kangaroo, saying that it was illegally conducted.

According to them, they withdrew the case in court based on the se lement term of the League of Imams and Alfas, no ng that an-

other case was immediately ins tuted same day the first suit was withdrawn.

But MuhammaduJamiu said there was no court injunc on restraining him from being installed or parading himself as the Chief Imam of Inisa as at the me he was leading the Jumat prayers and ll the me of filing this report.

OLOWOPOROKU ABIODUN MICHEAL That I was formerly known and addressed as OLOWOPOROKU ABIODUN MICHAEL. Now wish to be known and addressed as OLOWOPOROKU ABIODUN MICHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

cal government chapters of the 1st defendant in Osun State did a bulk purchase of forms for Ward Congress and hoarded them, thereby denying the plain ffs their cons tu onal and poli cal rights to vote or be voted for in the Ward Congress.

“That the consensus candidates imposed by the 1st – 5th defendants on the plain ffs at the respec ve Ward Congresses did not purchase the nomina on forms for the elec ve posions as the said forms were purchased in bulk on the authority of the 1st – 5th Defendants and hence, the consensus candidates cannot be recognised as validly elected officials for the respec ve elec ve posi ons.”

The plain ffs are seeking a declara on that all of them and all other aspirants/candidates who individually paid the prescribed fees by the party for the procurement of nomina on forms for the ward congress are the only eligible aspirants and emerged unopposed.

They also want the court to declare that act of buying and hoarding forms by way of bulk purchase from the Na onal Secretariat of the APC and hoarding sale as to deny them the opportunity to contest for elec ve posi ons in their respec ve wards in the ward congress are illegal and ultravires.

Their further prayers are: “A declara on that the ward congress of the 1st defendants, Osun State Chapter, allegedly conducted by the ward congress committee headed by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye on the 31st day of July, 2021, was illegal, null and void and ultra vires; the powers of the 1st-5th defendants for contravening the guidelines for ward congresses, 2021 and the

cons tu on of the 1st defendant’s party.

“A declara on that the purported consensus by the 1st-5th defendants and their minions for the elec ve posi ons of the first defendant’s party in Osun State for reasons of non-compliance with the provisions of the guidelines for ward congress, 2021 and the cons tu on of the 1st defendant’s party and thus, illegal, null and void and has no effect whatsoever.

“A declara on that the 4th defendant-led commi ee’s act of allegedly conduc ng ward congress across the Osun State Chapter of the first defendant’s party on the 31st July, 2021 without complying with the Guidelines for Ward Congress, 2021 and the cons tu on of the 1st defendant

is fraudulent, ultra vires, null and void and has no effect whatsoever.

“A declara on that the report of the Ward Congress Appeal Commi ee headed by the 3rd defendant-led appeal commi ee is in gross viola on of the rights to natural jus ce and fair hearing, having collected pe ons in ward congresses in Osun State from 28 local governments but gave a report based on only 10 local governments.

“A declara on that the list of the plain ffs and all other aspirants/ candidates who paid the prescribed fees by the 1st defendant for procurement of nominaon forms for the purpose of contes ng and par cipa ng in the 1st defendant ward congress elec ve posions scheduled to hold on the 31st day of July, 2021 is the authen c list of the duly elected ward officers.”

Vacancy A reputable media organisa on based in Osun requires a Content Coordinator.

The work combines proof reading with features wri ng and edi ng.

Requirement A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in English or any media related courses. A Master’s degree will be an advantage.

-Graduates who are confident of their deep demonstra ng of English grammar and ability to correct factual mistake can also apply.

The organisa on is also interested in hiring a computer graphics who is versa le in InDesign, CorelDraw PageMaker e.t.c.

Mode of Applica on Interested candidates are to forward their CVs with applica on le er to osundefenderbank@gmail.com between today, October 15 to Friday, October 22, 2021.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

News TOP, IleriOluwa Members Clash In Ejigbo Over Party Secretariat

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 40 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

T

HE budget’s name is apt, as a budget of sustainable development. An increase of about 15 percent over 2021 budget is moderate and moderately ambi ous to pursue and to sustain, although the actual performance of 2021 budget of Osun (for nine months) is not known and not in the public domain, for someone to think on how realis c the 2022 budget is. Definitely, there is an inherent deficit in the 2022 budget, which could be in the range of N15bn to N20bn, which the state government would have to fund from capital receipts and other sources such as grants, loans, contract finance, sales of assets, realiza on of investments, miscellaneous revenues, refunds from Federal Government, prior year surpluses. These can only be ascertained from the budget breakdown, which should be on the website of the state and un l then, this assump ons could be specula ve. The deficit at N15 billion to N25 billion is definitely above the fiscal responsibility tolerance of five percent of budget. The deficit which could result from the recurrent revenue lagging behind total expenditures is however manageable and that could be the basis for the word “sustainable”.

So, why not call it Sustainable Budget.

From 2020 published account of the state, total revenues was N99 billion and IGR was N19billion; from these figures, it is doub ul if the total revenue in 2022 can be more than 115billion, leaving a deficit of about N15billion, which can be financed from capital receipts.

The ra o of capital expenditures to recurrent expenditures of 59 percent to 41 percent is laudable, a good strategy, theore cally, to target economic growth and development. The low recurrent expenditures of N53.5 billion is too op mis c when compared to the 2020 actual figure for recurrent expenditures of N46 billion. At annual infla on of 15 per cent, the recurrent expenditures of 2021 could end up being in the neighborhood of N53 billion.

Therefore, the low recurrent expenditures forecast of 2022 will definitely becomes a challenge in an infla on-

Perspective

By Wale Bolorunduro Analytical Perspective Of Osun 2022 Budget

ary environment with input cost of local produc on and transporta on cost re-priced periodically, in line with devalua on of Naira. The 2022 is also an elec on year for the incumbent governor with security challenges here and there, it will be difficult to ra onalize or realign the various costs of operaons and governance. To allay the fear of workers, the government would have to do more in filling some of the vacancies in the key public services (teaching

“To allay the fear of workers, the government would have to do more in filling some of the vacancies in the key public services (teaching and health sector) and do some promotions; all of these will increase the recurrent expenditures in 2022”

and health sector) and do some promoons; all of these will increase the recurrent expenditures in 2022.

In 2020, the actual expenditures of the state as published by the government revealed that N40 billion was spent as capital expenditures and recurrent expenditure of N46 billion such that the ra o was 46 per cent to 54 percent for capital and recurrent expenditures respec vely. This shows, historically, that the administra on does not have such a trend that favours capital expenditures over recurrent, as it projected in the 2022 budget. It is going to be daun ng to change the course of the expenditure mix in 2022.

The N76 billion proposed capital expenditures for 2022 is very moderate with the following sectorial alloca on; a total sum of N26.7 billion went to educa on; over N19 billion to infrastructure; about N16 billion to health Sector and about N7 billion to agriculture.

Only N19 billion has been allocated to infrastructures with many roads listed to be completed, which casts a doubt

Page 4

“The state had spent a lot in the hospital sector in the recent time and another N16 billion is a whopping sum for a state that needs to also focus on its key economic sector for economic growth and sustainable development. The agricultural sector, which should be a mainstay of the economy of Osun, only attracted a meagre sum of N7 billion in the 2022 budget. ” on the kilometres that can be covered among the brown field road projects that were “passed on” to the current administra on under the mantra of con nuity. The Osogbo master plan may con nue to suffer a setback and likewise other major road projects.

The N16 billion alloca on to health sector is huge and considering the explana on provided by the government to renovate all general hospitals.

The total number of general hospitals is about ten (10); it will be interes ng to know the scope of works that could a ract about N1.8 billion per hospital.

The state had spent a lot in the hospital sector in the recent me and another N16 billion is a whopping sum for a state that needs to also focus on its key economic sector for economic growth and sustainable development. The agricultural sector, which should be a mainstay of the economy of Osun, only a racted a meagre sum of N7 billion in the 2022 budget. It is not obvious what the commerce and industry sector a racted in the budget as another key economic sector of the state. From this perspec ve, it is doub ul, if this budget and the fiscal tools therein, can deliver sufficient economic ac vi es or growth that can translate to the sustainable development for the people of Osun and the state.

The Osun 2022 budget and appropria on bill are before the State House of Assembly, one could hope, the house will do proper appropria on as their primary func on and speedily pass the budget.

•Wale Bolorunduro, Ph.D Former Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, State of Osun, 2011-2014

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