Osun Defender Online Version of October 22nd, 2021

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 VOL 16 NO 41

Thugs Attack APC Women Leader, Members In Boripe LG

THE UNTOLD STORY OF APC CONGRESS IN OSUN

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• How Plot To Attack, Disrupt Parallel Congress Was Hatched In Govt House • It Is Time To Rebuild Osun APC - Salinsile Page 4 • Gunshot Victims Recount Ordeal, Name Assailants

•Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who came to partcipate and witness the State Congress of the party held at Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, last Saturday.

Ooni Bags Nigeria Ambassador Against Human Trafficking Award

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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News

We’ve Rescued Over 250 Human Trafficking Victims In The Last 3 Years - NAPTIP Kazeem Badmus

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HE Zonal Commander, Na onal Agency for the Prohibi on of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Osogbo, Mr. Saidu Mustapha has disclosed that the agency rescued over 250 human trafficking vic ms in the last three years.

Mustapha disclosed this on Monday, at an annual event organised by MakeMeeElegant founda on to empower the survivors of human trafficking.

The event which was collaborated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was held at the palace of the first class monarch on Monday.

According to Mustapha, human trafficking is bringing disrepute to the Na on and the agency is working with all relevant stakeholders to fight it.

He said: “This is an annual event that MakeMeeElegant founda on organises to empower the survivors of human trafficking and his Imperial Majesty has been the father behind this.

He has supported the programme with everything.

“In the last three years,

•Struggle to survive.

Photo: Olushola Aderinto

we have rescued nothing less than 257 vic ms. Some of them have been empowered and we have secured convic ons on some of their traffickers.

“We have been going around villages to enlighten the people about the dangers of human trafficking.

Human trafficking is bringing disrepute to the Na on

and the traffickers have their ways of doing these things. They always target their vic ms, size them up and give them the kind of lies they will fall for.

South-West Imams, Alfas Tackle Oluwo Over Plan To Appoint Grand Mufti Of Yorubaland Kazeem Badmus

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HE League of Imams and Alfas in South West, Edo and Delta on Wednesday, told the Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, to stop plans by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, to appoint a Grand Mu i of Yorubaland.

The group, led by the Chief Imam of EkiState, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere, during a visit to Oyetola at the Government House, Osogbo, accused Oba Akanbi of planning to install Sheik Daud Molaasan as the Grand Mu i of Yorubaland.

In a le er wri en by its counsel, Kazeem Odedeji and presented to the Governor, the State Commissioner of Police, Wale Olokode; and the State Director of Department of State Security, the group stated that the post of grand mu i was meant for respected Islamic scholars that must be appointed by Imams

and Alfas.

The le er reads in part: “To the amazement of our clients and every reasonable Muslim, informa on reaching our clients and which is also currently going viral is the attempt of the Oluwo of

Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi to install one Sheik Daud Imran Molaasan the Grand Mu i of Yorubaland, an ac on clearly outside the power of his office.

“It is against the above background we hereby have our clients’

instruc on to call your a en on to this bizarre ac on of Oluwo of Iwo and stop same before it snowballs into an intraci es religious breach of the peace.”

Responding, Oyetola promised to look into the issue.

Symbol’s Quote

“NAPTIP partners with all relevant stakeholders to win the fight against human trafficking and we adopt what we called 5P’s strategies to counter the

menace”.

Mustapha appealed to the general public to be wary of human traffickers and safeguard themselves from the devilish people.

Earlier in her address, the founder, MakeMeeElegant founda on, Mrs. Kehinde Adelaja commended the Ooni of Ife for his role in suppor ng and empowering the survivors for them to have a be er life.

She said: “We have tried all the possible best for us to work with some organisa ons and government but the only person that gave us a listening ear is his Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

“This is the third year we have been doing this and the only person that listens to their cries and supports them emo onally, physically and mentally is Ooni of Ife. “Like this year, we have few of the girls that came back with child and pregnancy and Baba has already adopted all the children.

Even those who are s ll pregnant, he told them that the naming ceremony will take place at his palace and he is going to support them all through.”

Vacancy CONTENT COORDINATOR A reputable media organisa on based in Osogbo, Osun State requires a Content Coordinator. The work combines proof reading with features wri ng, edi ng as well as other designated editorial func ons.

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 knowledge of English grammar and can correct factual mistakes can also apply.

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

“Love is the foundation of faith & hope of salvation. This love is indiscriminatory, let us therefore live this precept of faith in all ramifications.

Our nation requires our love, so do the people from our communities, to the states, regions and nation.” —Ogbeni

MODE OF APPLICATION Interested candidates are to forward their CVs with applica on letter to osundefenderboard@gmail.com.

Apply between today, October 22, 2021 with references and Friday, November 5, 2021.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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#EndSARS: Nothing Much Has Changed

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E should not be like the Bourbon ruling dynasty in revolu onary era France who has o en stated “learnt nothing and forgot nothing”. For the Bourbons, this head in the sand a tude came with a gory price tag; it did not end well at all!

Two days ago, all eyes including those of the interna onal community was fixated on the anniversary of #EndSARS. It is obvious that not much has changed. The absence of the poli cal will to implement the very much needed reforms in the police force predictably was on view in a graphic manner.

Unmindful of modern technologies prying eyes and recording devises, police officers were harassing the crew of a leading na onal media organisa on in a grossly impudent manner. This unprofessional conduct went viral across the globe. In Osun, a journalist with Daily Post, an online medium Sikiru Obarayese dium, Obarayese, was also harassed and hurriedly arraigned in court on frivolous charge by the police for covering the #EndSARS rally in Osogbo. The presiding Magistrate struck out the case immediately because of the frivolity of the charge. Obviously, no lesson has been learnt and nothing forgo en.

So here we go again.

Nigeria is not the only country with a problem with the police.

Almost every country has the challenge. The key issue is to solve what is now a crisis.

It is obvious that the method of recruitment and selec on is defecve. By now, we should have been half way towards achieving an all graduate force. Furthermore, the training process with dilapidated structures and processes is in itself dehumanizing. This clearly does not set the right tone for socializ-

“The policing system must transit from the colonial era propelled “force” into a service mirroring the transition from prisons to correctional service. A lot needs to be done to build a police service aligned and not working at cross purposes with the needs of a democratic state” ing into law enforcement. We are definitely also in agreement with the calls for constant psychological evalua on.

The forensic capaci es of the police force also need to be upgraded. The forensic labs are clearly not fit for purpose. They need to be upgraded. upgraded Furthermore the right recrui ng has to be made.

For example, out of ten thousand to be recruited into the force, how many have backgrounds in disciplines such as Industrial Chemistry, Biochemistry and so forth who will be trained into the forensic areas of opera ons? There is the need for a complete revalua on.

The policing system must transit from the colonial era propelled “force” into a service mirroring the transi on from prisons to correc onal service.

A lot needs to be done to build a police service aligned and not working at cross purposes with the needs of a democra c state.

The work must start immediately.

Review & Outlook BY WAHEED LAWAL A Year After #ENDSARS: Addressing The Issues, Regrets And Lessons

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HE Issues #EndSARS didn’t start trending last year or the year before, it had been an agitaon since 2011 for the banning of the dreadful Special An Robbery Squad (SARS), whose opera ves were notoriously known for flagrant abuse of human rights, in mida on and harassment of innocent ci zens and extra-judicial killing. To refresh our memory, SARS was established as a special police unit in 1992 to fight armed robberies and kidnappings. But the special force la er became an agent of oppression.

Almost every year before 2020, there would be cause for individual or group of individuals to demand for the scrapping of SARS, simply because of the uncivilised conduct of the special unit of the police. Only God knows the number of li ga ons against the Nigeria Police Force as a result of the misconducts of the SARS opera ves.

It is a known fact that many innocent people had been killed, while some had suffered varying degrees of injuries to the misconduct of the police officers. The living vic ms of the uncivilised conduct of the SARS opera ves are now in permanent pains. And in spite of the scrapping of SARS, those people s ll abhors hatred for the police.

Un l 2020, the government had been paying lip service to the restructuring of SARS in spite of the public outcry. The impunity of the SARS opera ves went on unchecked un l the people, par cularly the youths, majority of who had been vic ms of the human rights abuses of the police officers, rose up in unison across the country to say “Enough Is Enough”.

That was in October 2020.

Precisely, on the 3rd of October 2020, some SARS officers allegedly shot a young man at Wetland Hotel in Ughelli, Delta State. The video of the police brutality went viral on the social media and this resorted into public outcry that later led to na onwide protest with #EndSARS.

“The killing of innocent protesters at Lekki, Lagos State and the hijack of the #EndSARS struggle by miscreants and criminals that led to the death of many people and wanton destruction of property in almost every state that the agitation took place is the highest regret”

It was an agita on that spread across the country very fast. In Osun, the agita on came few weeks a er some officers of the Joint Task Force had chased some youths to a point of accident in which one of them lost his life. Although, at the ini al stage, the #EndSARS struggle in Osun was being led by some unknown youths whose conduct nearly rubbished the agita on. The youths, among who are suspected internet fraudsters and cul sts, had taken the advantage of the struggle, but some of us later intervene and provided leadership and direc on for the struggle. At this point, I must commend my comrades: Ayo Oloogun, Waheed Saka (Mao), Abosede Oluwaseun (Safety), Ige Ebenezer, Ismaeel Uthman, among others who par cipated in the strategic and guided interven on.

The struggle lasted for about seven days with some pleasant and unpleasant experience in Osun and other part of the country. I do not need to open a healing wound. May the souls of the innocent people who lost their lives in the #EndSARS struggle rest in peace.

In summary, the #EndSARS struggle was as a result of unchecked misconducts, abuse of human rights, extra-judicial killing by the disbanded SARS opera ves. The nonchalant a tude of the Federal Government in addressing pressing issues like Publisher – Moremi Publishing the restructuring of the SARS House Ltd. then was responsible for the Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman #EndSARS agita on. Youths (0805-121-2204) would not have occupied the Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa country had the Federal GovReporter – Yusuf Oketola ernment acted responsively.

Reporter – Kazeem Badmus The Nigerian government had Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto failed to bring perpetrators of Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere various human right abuses OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing on the side of the police to House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite jus ce, despite promises of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, police reform. This act, no State of Osun doubt, emboldened the SARS ISSN : 0794-8050 •Comrade Waheed Lawal Telephone : 0805-121-2204 Chairman, Osun Civil SoWebsite : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com cieties Coalition (OSCS) osundefenderbank@gmail.com •Read full article on All correspondence to the above email addresses. www.osundefender.com

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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News

The Untold Story Of APC State Congress In Osun Our Reporter

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State Of Osun, on Saturday, held its congress where it produced two State Chairmen, Hon. Rasaq Salinsile and Prince Gboyega Famodun.

Famodun and Salinsile had piloted the affairs of the Osun APC as Chairman and Secretary from 2014 ll Friday, January 15, 2021.

Famodun had been the Secretary of the party for eight years before he became the Chairman in 2014.

The APC held two different State congresses, a first of its kind in the history of progressive poli cs in the state.

OSUN DEFENDER had in its September 10, 2021 edi on predicted that Osun APC would eventually be fac onalised because of the unresolved differences in the party, among which the mode of conduc ng the congresses became a serious issue.

While Governor Adegboyega Oyetola led IleriOluwa fac on of the APC was insis ng on selec ng new officers of the party through consensus, The Osun Progressives (TOP), a caucus calling for the restructuring of the party, said elec on should be held to elect new party officers for transparency.

From ward to local government congresses, the IleriOluwa facon of the APC had produced its own generated list of new party officers while members of the party had always been par cipa ng in elec ve congress to choose new leaders of the party as demanded

by TOP fac on.

The party officers elected from the ward and local government congresses are substan ally the delegates to par cipate in the State Congress.

However, if the guidelines of the APC on the party’s congress is anything to go by, it is not out of place to state that the IleriOluwa fac on of the party did not have eligible delegates to par cipate in the local government and State congresses.

Inves ga ons by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that all the party members who were chosen through consensus by the fac on during the ward congress did not purchase forms as s pulated by the guideline of the exercise.

Findings revealed that forms were procured in bulk for the candidates through a single teller with the name of depositor appearing as ‘Osun APC’. A sum of N26,892,000.00 was paid as indicated on the UBA deposit slip No. 608445.

But the guideline of the congress issued by the Na onal Secretariat states: “All payments for the purchase of Nomina on Forms shall be made directly into All Progressives Congress accredited banks. The fees shall be paid by aspirants through the accredited banks and deposit tellers shall be evidence of payment required for the collec on of forms.

“All completed forms must be returned at least 3 working days before the conduct of the elec on. All aspirants with evidence of payments for Forms shall be en tled to the Forms and are eligible to par cipate in the process, subject to the provisions of these guidelines.”

On the other hand, each member of the APC who par cipated in the elec ve ward congress of the party championed by TOP procured their forms individually, giving them the legi macy to par cipate in the congress.

As foretold, parallel State Congress was held in the state last Saturday with IleriOluwa fac on holding its own at Osogbo Township Stadium, Osogbo while TOP held its own at Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo.

The congress was held with delegates who were produced from the ward and local government congresses of the party, who gave their nod for the next leadership of the party in the state through direct primaries.

•Hon. Rasaq Salinsile, newly elected APC Chairman holding the party’s flag with other executives of the party during the parallel congress.

Although the State Congress was a delegate one, party faithful in their mul tude from all the 332 wards of the state thronged the venue of the congress, an open space hectare of land, opposite Ladsol Pure Water, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, to par cipate and witness the exercise.

At the end of the day, the congress produced Hon. Rasaq Salinsile from Iwo Local Government as Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji from Ilesa West Local Government as Deputy Chairman and Hon. Adelani Baderinwa from Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government as Secretary of the party.

The event was well a ended with dignitaries including former Chairman of the APC in the state, Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi, some elders of the party like Baba Oyalakun and Baba Olaoye from Irepodun Local Government, Senator Mudasiru Hussein who brought goodwill messages from some party leaders.

Others at the congress were former cabinet members in the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administra on, Hon. Sikiru Ayedun, Barr.

Kolapo Alimi, Comrade Biyi Odunlade, Barr. Gbenga Akano, Engr. Kazeem Salami, Chairman, Governing Council, Adeyemi College of Educa on, Hon. Idiat Babalola, among other stakeholders of the party in the state.

The State Congress enjoyed the support of the immediate past Governor of Osun and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and that of the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam.

But the officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were vigilant. They directed the APC members who were behind the stage to move away to avoid being shot by the hoodlums.

The hoodlums started shoo ng in an a empt to disrupt the congress.

Two members of the APC, Adedapo Atobatele and Ismail Akinlade were directly shot by hoodlums.

Atobatele and Akinlade were shot in the leg and hand by the thugs allegedly led by a notorious leader of the Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers, Ojurin, Osogbo.

It was gathered that one Akeem Akogun from Olorunda Local Government, Ward 3 was also injured in the a ack.

However, the hoodlums were repelled by the NSCDC officers.

Members of the APC remained resolute and courageous in the face of the sporadic gunshots that lasted for about 20 minutes.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the plot to disrupt the congress was hatched at the Government House, Osogbo on Friday evening.

Some government officials led by a Commissioner, who has been the chief strategist of the Oyetola’s administra on, invited the leaders of about eight hoodlum gangs and cult groups in Osogbo to a mee ng.

According to sources, some of the invited gang leaders were Lekan from Asiri Eniba gang, Emir, Egbatedo boys, Stone, among others.

Sources in the government house disclosed to OSUN DEFENDER that each of the gangs was mobilised with a sum of N500,000 while each a endee was also given a sum of N50,000 for transporta on.

But the hoodlums were unsuccessful in their hatchet job because of the resistance from the security opera ves at the venue of the congress.

How Plan To A ack APC Members, Disrupt Congress Was Hatched At Govt House There was an a empt to disrupt the exercise by poli cal hood- It Is Time To Rebuild Osun APC - Salinsile lums allegedly hired by the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola led IleriOluwa fac on of the party.

According to eyewitnesses, the hoodlums invaded the premises of the State Congress venue with about eight vehicles. Some of them had lurked around in a street behind the venue, wai ng for the right me to strike from behind.

•Former Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon.Najeem Salam and Hon. Waseeu Adebayo paid a visit to one of the gunshot victims.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected APC Chairman, Hon. Rasaq Salinsile said the me was ripe to rebuild the party in the state for posterity.

Salinsile, who is of the TOP fac on, noted that in the last two years, the party had witnessed a reprehensible retrogression in party management, membership drive and poli cal ac vi es which the new execu ves will address in no distant me.

He added that the current crisis in the party which he said was orchestrated by the highest beneficiaries of struggle will be laid to rest in no distant me with the support of genuine leaders of the party who are commi ed to its reten on in power and con nued growth.

He said: “Our interven on has yielded posi ve results and saved the party from losing its members to another party. TOP has been able to resuscitate the consciousness of the party members and rebuild the love and confidence in the party. Without mincing words, I am happy to say that we own the party and we are the progressives.

“Dear APC members, with my elec on as the Chairman of APC in the State of Osun, I believe that we have all taken a promising and informed decision to redirect the party affairs and revive the progressive tendencies which have been bastardised by the opportunists.

“The current state of the APC in Osun is a reflec on of poor management, which we shall begin to correct with the mandate given to me henceforth. I shall work towards the actualisa on of a prosper-

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

News The Untold Story Of APC State Congress...

•Continued from page 4 ous APC and take the party to an enviable height.

“We have made sacrifices for this party and we will not allow it to sink or collapse. We will survive this current crisis, in mida on, threat and oppression by the opportunists. We have been strong, but I s ll want to urge us to be stronger in the months to come. Our victory is near.”

Forgive My Shortcomings – Famodun

The IleriOluwa fac onal chairman of the APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun, has sought forgiveness from members of the party who he might have offended while discharging his du es as the number one party man in Osun.

Famodun who spoke a er his emergence at the congress held at the Osogbo Township Stadium, said: “I am craving for forgiveness from those whom I might have knowingly or unknowingly offended while performing my legi mate du es as the state chairman of our party.

“As an offence against an individual may be symbio c, I am also categorically sta ng here that in the spirit of genuine reconcilia on, I have resolved to give an uncons tu onal forgiveness to anyone who might have similarly offended me during the course of our poli cal associa on.

“It is on this basis that I am extending an olive branch to the members of our poli cal family who are disenchanted to bury the hatchet in order to collec vely work for the re-elec on of Governor Gboyega Oyetola during the next year’s governorship elec on.

“Let us join hands together and perform our usual poli cal feat of installing the con nuity of the ruling government. The me is not on our side. Let us work for the perpetua on of our government in Osun State through all known legi mate means.”

Chairman, Secretary Posi ons Causes S r In IleriOluwa Fac on

Akinlade, one of the victims. congress two hours a er the programme had started.

She said: “I was outside the venue of the State Congress of our party at Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, having discussions with some of my people and suddenly, we started hearing gunshots. The Security opera ves and some of our party leaders told us to go inside the venue.

“I saw four vehicles coming from the Olaiya side to the venue.

The vehicles were led by a black SUV. On ge ng to the congress venue, they started shoo ng sporadically into the crowd. I was shot in the leg where I was standing. The person that shot me was si ng inside the black SUV. “There was a par cular guy I know who was si ng at the back seat of the SUV. He is popularly known as Asiri Eniba, with him there was Ojasope and one guy called Lekan. He was standing at the door of the SUV. “The second person that was shot among us was going towards the vehicle to prevent them from coming into the crowd. I was able to see those inside the black SUV because he was able to stop their vehicles from entering the venue.

•Debo Badru Un l the day of the State Congress, Alhaji Debo Badru, a stalwart of the APC in Iwo, had thought he would emerge the Secretary of the APC in the consensus arrangement of the IleriOluwa fac on.

But Badru, according to sources, was dropped because of ‘lack of trust’, according to sources in the IleriOluwa camp.

The sources informed OSUN DEFENDER that he was dropped because the Governor and some of his kitchen cabinet members did not trust him, due to his past rela onship with Aregbesola.

Badru was replaced with Alhaji Kamorudeen Alao, who is also the APC Chairman of Iwo Local Government.

Also, the chairmanship posi on generated controversies within the IleriOluwa fac on as a group wanted the Governor to drop Famodun in favour of Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal from Ile-Ife. The group reportedly canvassed for Lawal ll the eve of the congress when it was clear that Governor Oyetola was not ready to change his mind.

The dust generated by the development was however quenched with the appointment of Badru and a former Commissioner for Informa on and Strategy in the state, Mr. Sunday Akere as Special Advisers on Poli cal Ma ers to the Governor on Monday.

Ojasope, Asiri Deny Involvement In Attack

However, the two prominent people who were accused of leading the brutal a ack on the APC members (TOP fac on) at the congress ground denied their involvement in it.

In an interview with OSUN DEFENDER, Alhaji Akeem Ojasope, said: “I don’t know anything about the a ack. I am a member of the APC and I cannot contribute to anything that will further divide the party.

“Anybody that claims that I was involved in the a ack should come out with evidence. I was at the Stadium where another State Congress was being held. I am a party man, what do I want to gain from sponsoring an a ack on my people?

In his reac on, Akeem Oyewale known as Asiri Eniba said: “I don’t know anything about the a ack.”

Oyewale abruptly ended the call and never called back as promised.

Parallel Congresses, A Rejec on of Imposi on, Tyranny In APC – Social Analyst

Gunshot Vic ms Recount Ordeal, Name Assailants Two vic ms of the Saturday a ack, Mrs. Adedolapo Atobatele and Ismail Akinlade have narrated how they were shot by some hoodlums who a empted to disrupt the congress.

Atobatele is an APC member from Ward 7, Olorunda Local Government while Akinlade, is also a member of the party and Oranmiyan Worldwide.

According to Atobatele, the hoodlums came to the venue of the

5

“The SUV is a new one. They turned back when they saw that the guy was coming towards them with the civil defence officers. I don’t know maybe I was one of the targets because I was directly shot. It was Asiri that fired the shot at me. I saw him.”

However, some members of the APC who a ended the IleriOluwa fac on of the APC congress at Stadium, Osogbo, told OSUN DEFENDER that Mr. Kazeem Oyewale known as Asiri Eniba was at the programme, so he could not have come to a ack the APC members at Ogo-Oluwa.

But Atobatele insisted that she saw Oyewale and one Ojasope inside the SUV during the a ack on them.

“Immediately I was shot, people at the congress came to my rescue and gave me first aid. During that process, a par cular guy who was hooded came from nowhere and tried to force me into a vehicle in an a empt to take me away. My people did not know him. He eventually ran away because they were about to lynch him.

Narra ng his account, the second vic m, Ismail Akinlade, said: “I was si ng at the entrance of the congress venue. Suddenly, I heard a gunshot. I wanted to leave where I was si ng but some of my people told me to relax. I was forced to leave that place to see what was going on.

“When I got to the main road, the thugs started firing gunshots at me from a black SUV. I was moving closer to the vehicle. My aim at that point was to prevent them from entering the venue of the congress.

“As I moved closer to the SUV, I saw Asiri Eniba, Lekan, his personal Assistant and Ojasope inside the vehicle. But they turned back when I con nued moving closer to them. I was later shot at my hand. The person that shot me was Asiri Eniba. He shot me several mes. I was looking at him from the wheel screen.

“If I did not prevent them from entering the venue of the congress, we would have had casual es more than that. I don’t know why they came to a ack us. They were conduc ng their congress at Stadium and we were having our own at Ogo-Oluwa.

“This is not the first me the Governor’s group will launch an a ack on us. They have been persecu ng our members for reasons best known to them.

“My advice for other members of the party who do not belong to the Governor’s group is to always be very careful and vigilant because the Governor does not want us. And if we leave him to con nue direc ng the party the way he wants, the party may go into disarray. The party belongs to us and we will not open our eyes and let the party sink.

•Adedolapo, one of the victims

A social analyst, Barr. Shenge Rahman has described the parallel congresses held by APC members in Osun and other parts of the country as an indictment on the party’s na onal secretariat.

“Immediately a er the ward congresses, one expected the Na onal Secretariat of the APC to look at reality and sincerely address the grievances that were expressed by the party members”, he said.

According to Rahman, the parallel congresses in the State of Osun specifically is a rejec on of imposi on and tyranny which the na onal secretariat of the party should have addressed before now.

Rahman in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday said: “The parallel congresses is a pointer to the fact that something is amiss in the state chapter of the APC. Where people are not allowed to express themselves, where internal democracy is not allowed, you cannot but get the kind of outcome we are having.

“If people have been allowed to contest for posi ons, if opinions and tendencies are allowed to contest in a free, fair and democra c manner, there won’t be the need for parallel congresses.

“A er people were elected into power, they would simply become gods and all others must bow before them. They will want to control everything and silence people. They would not want to allow internal democracy in the party again.

“The fact that we are having a regular disagreement on how the affairs of the party are being run in both APC and the PDP speaks a lot about peoples consciousness.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 mi

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Religion

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ID el Maulud is upon us once again.

It is the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The day is marked every 12th of Rabi’ul Awwal of the Islamic calendar, which this year corresponded to yesterday, Sunday. The Federal Government has declared today, Monday as a public holiday to mark the occasion and has called on Muslims and other Nigerians to pray for peace, progress and unity of the na on.

State governors and elder statesmen have made similar calls.

The teachings of Islam are centred on belief in God, devo on and service to humanity. Quran 2:177 spells out the fundamental concept thus: the believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the revealed Books and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Allah, for the kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the freeing of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and prac ce regular charity, to fulfil the contracts made; and to be firm and paent, in pain and adversity.

Elsewhere the Quran emphasises on one’s duty to parents, regardless of their faith and du es to neighbours, rela ves, sick people, the old, and the minority groups and to promote what is good, and prevent what is wrong. No individual’s honour should be injured, and neither should a person be harmed.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported as saying, “A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.” All these virtues are exemplified by the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

In a nutshell he lived the message.

The Islamic society he built was acclaimed for its jus ce and equity such that there was nothing comparable to it throughout the ages. It was said that at its peak a woman could carry a load of gold on her

JUMAT SERMON

Meaning And Lessons Of Eid El Maulud

head and travel from Madina to Makkah, a distance of 300 miles plus, without being harassed.

This is the man who is being remembered today. But

it is heart rending to note that all the virtues that this great Prophet epitomised are in great deficit in today’s Nigeria. Today the country is ravaged by terror and general insecurity. Corrup on is rampant, promoted by the greed and dishonesty of the elite. The followership is disillusioned and angry by the lack of progress and development.

Patrio sm is, therefore, less of a priority to them as they trudge on to eke out a living by all means fair or foul. Not only in Nigeria, but the great virtues that the Holy Prophet epitomised are scarce across the world as well, where some live in opulence while others lack food and shelter, and where powerful na ons lord it over poorer ones through unfair trade prac ces and Shylock loans.

Eid el Maulud is generally not a me for merry making but a period for sober reflec on and devo on. We therefore urge not only the Muslims in Nigeria but their compatriots as well to stop and ponder deeply on the myriad of challenges confron ng this country; to retrace their steps, renew their faith in God and imbibe the true meaning of piety, sacrifice, pa ence and fellowship. Nigerians should not only embrace dialogue to se le their differences but they should reject all a empts by the selfish elite to incite them to violence which in the end is unrewarding. In this way the lesson that Eid el Maulud teaches would have served its purpose.

Above all, the greater responsibility for ensuring peace, development and progress rests with the governments at all levels. The general conduct of the government determines the wellbeing of the society. Leaders at all levels of society should therefore rise and live up to their responsibili es of building a just, fair and equitable society. Nothing short of this will do. We wish our Muslim readers Happy Eid el-Maulud.

•Culled from Daily Trust

News

Thugs Attack APC Women Leader, Members In Boripe LG Ismaeel Uthman

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EWLY elected Women Leader of the All progressives Congress (APC) in Boripe Local Government, Mrs Yemisi Asiyanbola was on Monday a acked by armed poli cal thugs.

Mr. Joseph Adegboye from Ward 5, Ada, was also a acked by the hoodlums who reportedly unleashed machet cuts on him several mes.

Another member of the party, Gbenga Oladipo from Ward 8 was also a acked the same day.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, Asiyanbola who belongs to The Osun Progressives fac on of the APC, said: “Some hoodlums had come to warn us previous Monday that we should not hold our mee ng at St Andrews, Ada again. They told us that they were sent by a Commissioner in Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s cabinet.

We did not hold a mee me ng “We last week Monday because we don’t want any problem. Despite that, the thugs came to my shop opposite YACO campaign office on Monday and chased my sales girls and appren ces away. Those girls sustained injuries. The thugs were armed with guns, cutlasses, charms. The thugs were led by a known gang leader in Aagba.

They destroyed everything in the shop. They stole clothes, sneakers and wines.

“They went to meet Mr. Joseph Adegboye and a ack him. They brutalised him with a machete. They also a ack Mr. Gbenga Oladipo from Ward 8.

“I know some of the thugs.

They said they were sent by a commissioner and caretaker chairman. They said our names and pictures have been given to them as members of The Osun Progressives and that they will kill all of us.

“We went to the Police Staon in Iree to report and when we were coming, the thugs waylaid us again at Poly Junc on and

beat Mr. Joseph Adegboye again.

They also damaged the car conveying us.

“We are living in fear now.

I could not open my shop again because of the fear of being attacked. The thugs are opera ng with an unregistered vehicle.

I have reported the case to the palace.”

Narra ng his ordeal, another vic m, Mr. Gbenga Oladipo said: “I was planning to take a shower at my house at Oke Baale, Opp. Abiona House, Ada, when I saw three vehicles parked in front of my house.

•Adegboye, one of the victims.

“The occupants of the vehicles were about 10 in number.

Some of them came through the back door while some used the front door and as soon as they enter and sighted me, they started bea ng me up

with planks.

“I was asking what my offence was and they told me that they came because I am a member of The Osun Progressive (TOP).

“A er they le , we went

to report the case at Police Sta on, Iree and surprisingly, these thugs came back and a acked me again. They hit me and broke my leg. I am in pains. I am not also safe.”

International Breweries Celebrates 2021 Sustainability Month Sodiq Yusuf

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N line with its theme, “Be er World for All”, Interna onal Breweries Plc has commemorated this year’s Sustainability Month with an array of acvi es to promote the efficient use of assets and resources to improve human welfare, maintain business profitability and preserve natural capital to ensure stakeholder value.

The giant brewers who are a proud part of AB InBev, reinforced its commitment to reducing the harmful use of alcohol in Nigeria by driving posive impact through smart drinking ini a ves and reigni ng its commitment to making every experience with beer a posi ve one during this year’s Global Smart Drinking Week.

The company embarked on a tree plan ng

project, beach clean-up and school beau fica on projects to consolidate their efforts in advancing the United Na ons Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking at the commencement of the ini a ve in Lagos, Managing Director, Interna onal Breweries Plc, Hugo Rocha, explained that in line with Interna onal Breweries vision of “Bringing People Together for a Be er World,” it was important for the company to demonstrate its unflinching commitment to managing environmental resources effec vely through volunteering.

He said: “We are determined to build a company to last, but we know we can only do that with a healthy, natural environment and thriving communi es. With our 2025 Sustainability Goals, we are proud to be contribut-

ing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the broader global sustainable development agenda while ensuring holis c environmental and social impact as well as drive transforma onal change across our en re value chain.

The Lead, Sustainability and Stakeholder Management, Interna onal Breweries Plc, Boluwa wi Omidiji, said: “As an organisa on, Interna onal Breweries is focused on engendering the values of volunteering, support, and kindness through its projects.

“We are striving to go beyond tradi onal corporate social responsibility to create shared value for businesses and communi es with the most comprehensive, technology-driven smart drinking por olio.”

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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News

Ooni Bags Nigeria Ambassador Against Human Trafficking Award Kazeem Badmus

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N recogni on of his immense contribu ons to the fight against human trafficking, the South-West Diaspora Focal Point Officers (SwDFPOs), in collaboraon with MakeMeeElegant Founda on has bestowed on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the “Nigeria Ambassador Against Human Trafficking” award.

Presen ng the award at the palace of the monarch on Monday on behalf of the SwDFPOs, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, said Oba Ogunwusi deserved the award as a result of the mul faceted roles he is playing, among which is to foster cohesion in the South-West as well as

to make Nigeria be er.

In his welcome address, Hon. Femi Odere, the Senior Special Assistant (Diaspora Affairs) to Eki State Governor, said: “The award is just our li le token that symbolizes our utmost respect and apprecia on to the monarch by the Body of Southwest Diaspora Focal Point Officers.

“Kabiyesi, you have redefined the ins tu on of monarchy in the en re South-West. You have been personally intervening on this issue of trafficking our young boys and girls into slave labour with your moral and material support.

“The fatherly role you are playing in the lives of our teeming youths and

Congress: APC LG Chairmen Congratulate Salinsile, Promise To Support Him Sodiq Yusuf

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LECTED Local Government Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun have congratulated Hon. Rasaq Salinsile on his emergence as the State Chairman of the party.

The APC local government chairmen who belong to The Osun Progressives fac on of the party, said the new state officers of the party are qualified to pilot the affairs of the progressive pla orm for desirable growth and development.

In a statement signed by all the APC chairmen, they expressed their confidence in the new leadership of the party, stressing that they are qualified to re-build and reposi on it for greatness and victory in future elec ons.

They commended APC members in Osun for standing by the truth regardless of the a acks and in mida on by forces loyal to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola led IleriOluwa facon of the party.

The party chairmen at the local government level said Salinsile’s elecon allows the party to reemerge from the doldrums it has experienced for over two years and reposi on it for future electoral challenges.

The party stakeholders wished the new state execu ves success in their new assignment, assuring them

of the support of party men and women in making the APC in the State of Osun more vibrant and retain power in the upcoming Governorship Elec on.

making their lives be er in the way you are financing the projects they bring to your a en on not to talk of the respect that the Yoruba culture and tradi on has gained around the world since your ascension to the throne in a short space of me.”

According to Odere who is also the Chairman of the States Diaspora Focal Point Officers (SDFPOs), Ooni has shown through his various ac vi es that he is concerned about the development of Nigerian youths.

Apprecia ng the organizers of the award, Oba Ogunwusi said he will not relent on his efforts in fighting human trafficking in Yorubaland and by extension the en re country.

Also honoured with an award at the event was the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa who bagged the ‘Champion of Women Empowerment and Eradicaon of Human Trafficking’ award.

•The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi with Hon. Femi Odere, Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, Ekiti State at the event.

Osun NUJ Knocks Police Over Harassment Of Member

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HE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has condemned the harassment of its member by officers of the Nigeria Police Force during the #EndSARS anniversary protests in the state.

A correspondent of Daily Post, an online medium in the state, Sikiru Obarayese was on Wednesday a acked by policemen while covering the #ENDSARS protest in Os-

ogbo.

Obarayese was also beaten, arrested and arraigned in court by the police for ‘video recording’ the clampdown on the #EndSARS protesters.

Reac ng, the NUJ in Osun demanded for apology from the Osun Police Command over the unlawful arrest and subsequent arraignment of its member.

In a statement issued by the Chairman, Comrade Wa-

siu Ajadosu and Secretary, Comrade Bukola Elufadejin, the union condemned the arrest and arraignment, describing it as an a ack on press freedom and gross viola on of the fundamental rights of the journalist.

Specifically, the union decried the a tude of the Divisional Police Officer, Dugbe Police Sta on, Osogbo, Mr Akinloye Oyegbade, for arres ng a journalist

who was performing his professional du es and the speed of the arraignment.

It called on Nigeria Police to be civil in its approach and stop exercising unnecessary force on ci zens performing legi mate du es, advising them to focus only on criminal elements, as the Union could no longer tolerate abuse and harassment of its members.

The statement urged

UNIOSUN Alumni Demands Apology From VC Over Comments Kazeem Badmus

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HE Alumni Associa on of the Osun State University has described as ridiculous, decei ul and unacceptable, the statement credited to the ViceChancellor of the ins tu on, Professor Lapode Popoola that he inherited a university where “anything goes.”

In a statement signed by the Alumni associa on President and Secretary, Kabir Oriola and Abdulbasit Abubakar, the Alumni told Popoola that the school had witnessed tremendous achievements and laurels won by ex-students before his appointment in 2016.

Popoola had in an interview said: “I didn’t inherit a university in the real sense. It should be published that the university I inherited was an ‘anything goes’ se ng. The academic culture was completely missing,

commercialisa on of everything was the norm. Corrup on was the order of the day…the students were lawless, they were involved in cul sm and they were always in the news.”

In a sharp reac on, the Alumni associa on said UNIOSUN has since 2007 been a world-class varsity, not only in Nigeria but globally.

The former students of the ins tu on stressed that Popoola, whose tenure ends in less than two weeks, should retract his statement and apologize to the founding fathers of the ins tu on who laboured hard to build the ivory tower since its incep on.

The statement tled, “Setngs The Record Straight, A Rejoinder to Professor Labode Popoola, the Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, “We wish to state that this statement is very decei ul, preposterous

and an a empt to disparage the great efforts of the founding fathers and past stakeholders of the university and as well, the quality of the alumni of the university, many of whom have disnguished themselves in their respec ve chosen career paths across the world.

“However, we wish to state categorically that as a very respectable associa on, the alumni associa on is not willing to join issue with Professor Popoola, rather, we are interested in se ng the records straight, and educa ng the general public against professor Popoola’s illconceived statement targeted at denigra ng our highly presgious Alma Mata.

“Since its establishment in 2007, Osun State University has maintained a reputa on as a world-class citadel of learning, and a mill for cu ng-edge academic research, innova on, and

knowledge produc on.

“This is not only contained in the dreams of the founding fathers but is also glaring through several academic feats, awards, and laurels achieved by the University within the first few years of its establishment.

“We also record with pride, the performance of our dis nguished alumni in the Uniosun Debate Club who par cipated in several debate compe ons in the early years of our University’s existence.

“Uniosun was an undisputed Champion of Literary and Debate compe ons during these days. In compe ons such as the All Nigeria Universi es Deba ng Compe on held in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and also the Pan-African University Deba ng Championship in Ghana, our Alma Mata returned home with medals and awards that are characteris c of a great champion.”

the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Olokode to call his men and officers to order and educate them on the place of media in the task of policing the state.

It also warned that if the command fails to cauon his men and officers against in mida on and harassment of journalists, the union might not have any other op on than to stop reportage of all ac vies of the police in Osun.

CHANGE OF NAME ALEEM ZAINAB ASAKE That I was formerly known and addressed ALEEM ODUNAYO as EWAOLUWA. Now wish to be known and addressed as ALEEM ZAINAB ASAKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OLAGUNJU SERIFAT OLANIKE That I was formerly known and addressed as OLAGUNJU SERIFAT. With former Date of Birth 07/07/1961.

Now wish to be known and addressed as OLAGUNJU SERIFAT OLANIKE. With the Correct Date of Birth 30/06/1960.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

News Congress: APC LG Chairmen Congratulate Salinsile, Promise To Support Him

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 41 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

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HAT have we not said? We established that government should give free and qualita ve educa on to every child irrespec ve of background, tribe or religion. An educated mind will become a resourceful instrument in the development of the society and himself/herself, which should be the ul mate agenda of any serious government. Instead of heeding the advice and inves ng in public educa on, the ruling elite ignored it. They technically and rapidly destroyed public educa on and established their private schools which could only be accessed by the very few rich. More o en, the elites send their sons and daughters to good schools abroad. That explains why the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and the likes in Polytechnics and Colleges of Educa on will be on strike for almost a year and the government will not be so bothered.

While millions of young men and women could not access public educa on, few that struggled for it have no job awai ng them or an enabling environment to be produc vely engaged a er schooling. It has been the compila on of an army of unemployed youth who are prepared to do anything to survive. An idle hand is said to be a devil workshop.

Meanwhile, nature has been so wonderful to us. We are blessed with vast and fer le land and clement weather to grow any crop through mechanised farming that will decently engage the youth and increase our produc vity with the capacity to feed ourselves and export the excess for foreign exchange earnings.

Mechanised farming has a chain rela onship with produc on and produc vity in packaging farm produce and other allied products for local consump on and exporta on. What have we got instead? Beau ful speeches from their speechwriters delivered by the ruling elite on the need for government to diversify the economy at public gatherings but they are never commi ed to it. All they s ck to is petro-dollar which is no more sustainable and waning interna onally.

One would have thought that the #End SARS protest would teach the ruling elite lessons by quickly implemen ng recommendaons that will make the res ve youth produc vely engaged. They foot dragged ll the present pathe c situa on surfaced – agita on for secession, a acks on police and public ins tu ons, daily kidnapping, killings, and numerous criminali es that have overwhelmed the security apparatuses.

“The ruling elite has always had and maintained their privileges in and outside the office. With jumbo salaries and allowances, they allot to themselves under the guise of serving the people, they still steal and have demonstrated zero capacity to develop with attendant oppression and harassment of the citizens on the road by blaring siren with disrespect to traffic rules”

Rescuing The Soul Of Osun APC

What Is The Big Deal?

Interes ngly, Nigeria is the largest assemblage of black people in the world with enterprising and resourceful people who have no problem living with one another. Before now, mass killings, daily kidnapping and a acks on security forma ons were aliens to Nigeria.

They were seen as foreign news that could never happen here. What is happening now is the harvest of cumula ve decades’ long negligence on the part of the ruling elite to invest in the people and infrastructure. Unlike their forebears between 1950 and 1980 who took steps to invest in the people and infrastructure, the primary target of the contemporary ruling elite is loo ng the resources meant for development at all mes! This pathe c ruling elite disposi on led to frustra on, hopelessness and self-help; hence, our present predicament.

The ul mate agenda of good governance is the security of lives and proper es, which is best enhanced through the aboli on of poverty where every man/woman will have

STRIKER

access to means of livelihood and facili es – decent job, healthcare, educa on, shelter, clothing, transporta on from one point to another without hindrance and guarantee of his/her life and what he/she lives for. This is what modern poli cal arrangement aspires to achieve. So, what is the big deal in a aining this? A er all, the ruling elite has always had and maintained their privileges in and outside the office. With jumbo salaries and allowances, they allot to themselves under the guise of serving the people, they s ll steal and have demonstrated zero capacity to develop with a endant oppression and harassment of the ci zens on the road by blaring siren with disrespect to traffic rules.

Although, I am not an advocate of a forced marriage, breaking or dividing Nigeria is not the solu on to our problems. Assuming it is divided, once jus ce and equal rights are missing in the new forma on as it exists, experiences of broken up na ons have revealed that it will end up as one step forward, many

Page 7

steps back – clamour for another breakup will ensue. The solu on lies in the unity of the common people across ethnic and religious divides, who are the majority, to enforce a change either to form or join a poli cal party that will foster their interest and wrestle power from the present vampires.

To prevent degenera on of the new ruling elite, a new cons tu on must be drawn wherein the following, among others, will be enshrined: true federalism as against the present unitary arrangement where power is concentrated in Abuja; in a true Federal Republic, everyone is equal before the law and there are no privileged persons or groups; all the federa ng units are independent and will support a Federal government for a common cause; in the new dispensa on, children of the ruling elite must a end public schools failure to adhere to this will be criminalised with jail terms and outright ban from poli cs or holding any public office; there must not be power genera ng set in Presiden al Villa, Governors’ Houses and all public officers’ official and private residences - everybody must rely on the na onal grid; every poli cal office holder should not take a wage more than average skilled worker salary, amongst others.

The new arrangement must take our young people to the land with mechanised farming that will produc vely engage them with decent remunera on and boost to our ailing and failing economy. Nigeria is a place of boun ful opportunity which has been violently violated by its thieving ruling elite.

We must rally, “reflect, rethink and act” to make it work as we have no other place to call ours.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

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T is widely acknowledged that there are three key ins tu ons that are solidly built and jealously guarded against vicissitudes by all na ons desirous of stability and prosperity: the educa on, researchand development establishments; the civil service; and the jus ce and policing system. Whatever may go wrong with society in any other sector, once these ins tu ons remain steadfast on their mandates, that society must always recover its balance and surge forward to its historic des ny.

Corrupted beyond recogni on over the course of 60 years, these ins tu ons in Nigeria are today all but gone with the winds.

In any society where that happens, the people are at the mercy of divine providence– bedevilled with poli cians, poli cs, economy and governance of such nega ve quality difficult to find adjec ves for in the dic onary. However, if the society has not en rely gone to blazes, redemp on is always possible through a combined effort of progressive patriots amongst the elites (few as they may be), and the civil society and popular organisa ons (atomised, disempowered and disoriented as they may be). Nigeria is today at that historic junc on.

They say “Rome was not built in a day.”

As the destruc on of those ins tu ons did not happen in a day, so will their rebuilding to noble and efficient heights. Without those ins tu ons func oning at their op mal and dedicated best, there can only be a republic, federa on and democracy as a lie generally agreed to, free press as a lie generally believed, and trials and tribula ons

for the majority as a way of life. Between that sta on and the Promised Land, what is to be done?

One sure thing that is inescapable and urgent for Nigeria today is poli cal concilia on on all ma ers arising! It is a sort of ceasefire to clear roadblocks to further movement, and possible disintegra on. Poli cal se lements are usually a generally accepted loll in order to give room to further mo on towards sanity and progress. Between now and the 2023 general elec ons, reinven ng and restructuring Nigeria to a genuine federa on is simply not feasible; even cons tu onal amendment for more inclusiveness and devolu on of power is fast becoming impossible me-wise. However, courage must be mustered firstly by the ruling government (propelled or compelled by the rulingparty), to engage the main opposi on party and other par es, all “enemies of the state,” and well-meaning organisa ons and leading statesmen and women, to arrive at and agree on posi ons and policies that give a sense of accommoda on to all, genuinely. Well organised and managed consulta ons can lead to its a ainment, and in good me. Without it, proceeding with the elec ons is a dangerous gambit at best or a journey into oblivion, at worst!

Once sooner achieved, three steps must speedily follow in order to guarantee a smooth transi on of power, avoid an inconclusive electoral process, a cons tu onal crisis and poten al disaster: one, passing the electoral bills amendment; two, secur-

ing a universal “gentleman” agreement among poli cians and poli cal par es to play by the rule – intra party and inter party; three and lastly, mustering poli cal will to deal decisively and ruthlessly with any state or non-state actor seeking to derailthe obtained “ceasefire”, security-wise or otherwise, whosever they may be, without fear or favour!

There are no extraordinary sugges ons in all steps itemised above as no one looses, whereas everyone gains. By poli cally settling accounts and obtaining a truce with Na onality agita ons groups and their leaders, with so-called bandits and their leaders and mentors, with state governors, trades unions, et al, the social, economic and political atmosphere conducive for the elec on is achieved, once the security organisa ons and INEC are ready to impar ally do their bit.

Since the much that needed to be done were not done for so long, while busy doing things that shouldn’t be done, the na on and its people have found self between a rock and a hard place; escaping to safety is now a singular and compelling priority.

Only a er that can we be alive to rethink and reflect on where we were coming from, how we got to the nasty place we are and re-envision where we want to go collec vely, and then commence the journey methodically. All hands must be on deck for that goal, with prayers and pressure on the men oned chief stakeholders not to abandoned their du es to the na on and the people.

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