Economic
Women
•Frame 1: Former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and others receiving membership card of Omoluabi Progressives
•Frame 2: Chairman, Omoluabi Progressives, Alh. Azeez Adesiji receiving his membership card
•Frame 3: Aregbesola presenting the card to the tendency’s Secretary, Mr. Lani Baderinwa
Aregbesola, Salaam, Adeoti, Others Get Omoluabi Progressives Membership Cards
SSodiq Yusuf
TAKEHOLDERS of Omoluabi Progressives have resolved to remain united and consolidate on their efforts at grassroots mobilisa on to brighten their chances in the next poli cal dispensaon in the state.
This is as the grand patron of the caucus, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, former SSG, Alhaji Moshood Adeo , and oth-
ers formally received their membership cards.
Speaking at the October monthly stakeholders mee ng held last weekend in Ilesa, Chairman, Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji commended members for their dedicaon and consistency.
He reiterated that the tendency is not out to serve any poli cal interests, but work hand-in-hand to collec vely reclaim the state in 2026.
Adesiji also announced
the commencement of issuance of membership cards to all registered members, urging willing members of public to be a part of the rave of the moment.
The ex-council boss said, “I cannot but appreciate every member of Omoluabi Progressives for their huge turnout and warm recep on during our last local government tour. We saw it that the people are truly with us. It was clearly evident that the people are with Omoluabi.
“We have commenced the issuance of membership cards across local government areas in the state. This means that our membership registra on is not a fluke. We have done the symbolic presenta on of membership cards to our apex leaders today and distribu on of the cards to members across the state will commence immediately.
It is important. “Let me re-echo it that our doors and channels of communica on is open. We will not impose anyone on members. The collec ve decision of members will be respected. We are not going to renege on our ideology and the promises we have made to the people,” Adesiji stressed.
gaining grounds and we are happy to have reached this level. However, we must not falter. We must connue to rally quality people into our fold.
•Health officials conducting free medical check up for residents at the Palace of Timi of Ede, on Wednesday
“If you have not registered, please visit your ward execu ves to register. Team
Join Osun’s Leading Community
Addressing the stakeholders, former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola preached unity among members of the tendency.
Aregbesola, who expressed confidence in the mobilisa on efforts of the stakeholders, urged them not to relent as Omoluabi Progressives stands a great chance to return to the governance of Osun.
He also cau oned members of the progressive fold not to waver in their sacrifice for the entrenchment of responsible leadership and good governance in the state.
His words, “We must reclaim Osun in 2026. We will produce the next government in the state by God’s Grace. Don’t listen to the naysayers.
“It is evident that we are
“Whoever is spirit inclined will know God is on our side. We owe ourselves a covenant that we must not allow anyone to divide our ranks. We must remain one to achieve our dreams. The emancipa on of Osun is very vital and important to us,” the former Governor of Osun stressed further.
In their words of admoni on, Senator Adelere Oriolowo and Hon. Segun Olanibi urged members of Omoluabi Progressives to be united in order to actualise the tendency’s vision. The duo also called for discipline among them as everyone would benefit from the dividends of joining the fold.
The mee ng also featured the grand recepon for new members of Omoliabi Progressives cutng across farmers, ethnic na onali es, ar san associa ons, from Ilesa East, Irewole Isokan, Ifedayo, Egbedore, Ife Central, Ife South and Osogbo local government areas of Osun.
Lead a dynamic team of journalists and staff to produce a weekly newspaper and occasional publica ons, covering Osun’s latest news in poli cs, business, society, and human stories.
Key Responsibili es:
• Oversee news coverage and distribu on across Osun State
• Liaise with government, corpora ons and various organisa ons and Individuals for subscrip ons and revenue genera ng ac vi es.
• Manage online presence
• Drive adver sing revenue and explore paid event coverage.
• Manage marke ng and distribu on
Photo: Shola Aderinto
A Farcical Interlude
“It is therefore the height of hypocrisy to accuse an individual or individuals of forming or promoting a faction. Although, understandably, jobbers and opportunists cannot be expected to understand what a political party entails other than in the framework of “Come and Eat.” Osun State in its present state and within the backdrop of a pronounced national economic crisis needs a clear alternative ideological perspective to navigate a progressive way forward”
Afac on of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State lacking both focus, direc on and an ideological propellant have decided to entertain themselves by ‘Suspending’ key members of the party. This game of charade has consequences. It is not surprising that there was scant regard for due process and fair play in the sanc oning of members who have been hunted. The script was preordained. Although, those who involved in the charade cannot be described as anything other than opportunists and carpetbaggers, there are implica ons for the growth of the progressive tendency in Osun State.
Modern poli cal par es are based on the organising framework of “Democra c Centralism”. This, however, accepts, indeed enshrines the forma on of tendencies and facons. Osun APC, across divides has tendencies and fac ons such as IleriOluwa, Omoluabi Progressives, Osun Posi ve Force among others. This is normal since a poli cian’s party is not made up of ZOMBIES. Indeed, it enriches the development of the party both ideologically and organisa onally. It is therefore the height of hypocrisy to accuse an individual or
individuals of forming or promo ng a fac on.
Although, understandably, jobbers and opportunists cannot be expected to understand what a poli cal party entails other than in the framework of “Come and Eat.” Osun State in its present state and within the backdrop of a pronounced na onal economic crisis needs a clear alterna ve ideological perspec ve to navigate a progressive way forward.
From his track record, the persona of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola represents a pivotal force in Osun State and beyond. The present situa on requires clear imagina ve thinking and excep onal mobilising skills coupled with organisa onal acumen. He must be compelled to lead the way forward.
Others had a chance a er his path-breaking 8 years of government to have maintained a progressive momentum. They could not, or did not have the wherewithal to maintain the momentum. They have their chance but they blew it.
Right now, amidst declining living standard and harmlessness, we call upon the real progressives to stand up, be counted and lead the way forward. They have an historical impera ve and the duty to do so.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2024 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2024
The
Discourse
The Effective Way To Fight Stereotypes And Ridicule
THERE is a Nigerian delicacy called okpa. It looks like the popular moi-moi. But while moi-moi is made from the common bean, okpa is made from Bambara nut. Okpa originated from Enugu State in Southeastern Nigeria but has spread across most parts of Nigeria in recent years.
However, okpa never used to be popular outside Enugu State. In fact, Enugu people used to be ridiculed because of okpa. It was seen as something eaten by poor and rus c people.
In the East Central State and old Anambra State, the people from Anambra and Enugu divisions gave one another tags. Enugu people called Anambra people “Agbaenu” (people without roots or founda on) and Ijekebee (I je ko ebee) {where are you going?}, while Anambra people called Enugu people “Waawa,” which was the dialec cal word for “no” in some parts of the old Enugu/ Abakaliki divisions. In addi on, Enugu people were ridiculed as people who drank tea with ọkpa. It was seen as something done by unsophis cated people. In their view, sophis cated people should drink tea with bread or biscuits.
Naturally, Anambra people did not like the Agbaenu or Ijekebee tag, while Enugu did not like the Waawa tag or to be seen publicly ea ng okpa. But people could not stop these tags. Some viewed them as light-hearted banter, while some saw them as unacceptable.
Then one day, Chief Chris an Chukuwuma Onoh, Ọkaa Omee of Ngwo (father of Bianca Ojukwu), decided to fight that stereotype about the Waawa tag and the issue of drinking tea with okpa in a special and effec ve way. The UK-trained lawyer walked around Enugu Secretariat in broad daylight, drinking tea and ea ng okpa. Even his own kinsmen and women were shocked. But he bought okpa for them and asked them to join him. Soon there was a crowd of men and women drinking tea and ea ng okpa. The news spread like wildfire. A er that incident, more people became emboldened to eat okpa publicly and to eat it with tea or hot chocolate drink.
When Onoh briefly held sway as Anambra State governor in 1983, he ensured that okpa was served in Enugu Government House and public events. During one of his birthdays, Onoh used okpa as his birthday cake.
While many people felt insulted when called a Waawa person, Onoh embraced the name fully. During the state crea on debate of 1990/91, he led the campaign for the crea on of Waawa State. In August 1991, Nigeria’s military leader, General Ibrahim Babangida eventually chose to adopt the name Enugu State instead of Waawa State. But the name Waawa did not die. It transformed from a derisive name to a name people boldly bear today.
Okpa got transformed from a food item that was eaten secretly to a delicacy that all parts of Igboland cherish. Then it went beyond Igboland and spread to other parts of Nigeria. When people travel to Enugu, one of the items their family and friends would ask them to buy is okpa.
Beyond the taste of okpa, this nutrient-dense legume is some mes called a “complete food” as a result of its balanced macronutrient composi on. The U.S. Na onal Library of Medicine notes that it contains ~64.4% carbohydrate, 23.6% protein, 6.5% fat, and 5.5% fibre and is rich in minerals. Therefore, ignorance and colonial mentality were at the root of the denigra on of okpa and its eaters.
Those who stereotype and ridicule others are bullies and sadists. Their sole purpose is to beli le others and make them sad and angry. The more you show them that you are pained by the ridicule, the happier they feel and the harder they hit you. But the moment they see that you are not bothered about it, they lose their happiness and stop.
However, it must be noted that this ac on cuts across all parts of the world. There is no single part of the world where one clan or village or town or city or state or province or region or ethnic group or race does not have stere-
“Stereotypes are not fought with lamentations or pleas or logic. Stereotyping comes from bullies. Bullies and terrorists share the same trait of not being moved by lamentations or pleas. Lamentations actually give them orgasmic pleasure, pushing them to hit you harder”
otypes about others. If you know of any, please men on it. It is in human nature to try to assert superiority or supremacy.
People naturally see the world from their prism because that is what they have known for decades. Their language or dialect is the normal one. The way they greet or dress or eat or dance or behave is usually the best. The way others do their things is usually seen as strange or ridiculous. Otherness is hard to accept by many people. Therefore, they react to such with ridicule or cri cism.
As an Nnewi man, born and bred, I am a vic m of stereotypes. I grew up being stereotyped because of my hometown for all kinds of reasons. Our dialect was mocked. We had to force ourselves to speak differently whenever we were in a mixed Igbo group outside our town. Our mannerisms were ridiculed. The wealth made by our people was demonized. But not once have I made a post or wri en an ar cle lamen ng about that. In my ar cles and posts, I celebrate Nnewi in different forms. Many Nnewi people do the same. Today, those same traits for which Nnewi was vilified are being celebrated and copied by others.
Mbaise is stereotyped among the Igbo people. When the rivalry between highlife musicians, Sir Warrior and Kabaka, raged in the 1980s, Kabaka even used it in a song in a bid to get at Sir Warrior because Warrior defeated him in a music deal. Till today, many people with inferiority complex s ll use it against Mbaise people. But you will hardly see an Mbaise person engage in a pity party about those stereotyping Mbaise. Whenever Mbaise people talk about Mbaise, they celebrate Mbaise. They speak their dialect wherever they are. They tell you who they are before you ask. Whatever you feel about them is your business. It is obvious that it is their success that brings envy.
It is the same with Ijebu people or Egba people or Urhobo or Ibibio or Benin or Igala or Kanuri and many other groups. They are not apologe c about their origin.
Stereotypes are not fought with lamenta ons or pleas or logic. Stereotyping comes from bullies. Bullies and terrorists share the same trait of not being moved by lamenta ons or pleas. Lamenta ons actually give them orgasmic pleasure, pushing them to hit you harder.
OSUN DEFENDER
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Ac ng Deputy Editor – Sodiq Yusuf
Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa
Reporter – Yusuf Oketola
Reporter – Kazeem Badmus
Photo Journalist – Shola Aderinto
Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com
I have a kinsman called Adamu today. He is a well-to-do and loved man. Most Nnewi people don’t know his real first name. He has a scar on his face. He told me that he got it as a result of figh ng with those who ridiculed him with the name Adamu while he was living in Northern Nigeria as a young man. But the more he fought, the more he was called Adamu. He just got red and stopped worrying about it. He even adopted it as his name. When people saw that he no longer felt ridiculed by the name, the taun ng stopped. The way to kill a stereotype is to either ignore it or claim it and show that you are proud of who you are. You can even create T-shirts or memes about the stereotype and flaunt your iden ty. The moment the bullies see that you don’t feel pained about it, they stop, because they don’t like to do what makes you happy. Whatever people say about you is their opinion; how you react makes the difference.
All correspondence to the above email addresses.
•(Culled from The PUNCH of Tuesday, October 30, 2024)
Azuka Onwuka
Osun Monarchs Rise Against Looming Communal Conflict
THE Council of Obas in Ejigbo Local Government area of Osun State is moving to forestall possible break down of law and order over a territory dispute involving the Olusongbe of Songbe, Oba Kamilu Ojelabi.
The council stated that Ojelabi has falsely claimed himself as the owner of Ejigboland, which may lead to communal crisis in the area, calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the calls were made during a press conference held at the Palace of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, recently.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, Olosinmo of Osinmo, Oba Ogunniyi Olayiwola urged the general public to disregard the claims of Olusongbe describing the statement as untrue and misguided.
Oba Olayiwola said all the tradi onal rulers in Ejigbo Local government area are under the Ogiyan of Ejigbo.
According to him, “We are reac ng against the announcement made by Oba Kamilu Ojelabi, Olusongbe of Songbe on this date 10th of October 2024 programme anchor by Kunle Onilewura on OSBC Radio, that:
“He is proclaiming himself as the prescribed Authority of Ejigbo Local Government Council that he owns the Ejigbo Local Government Land star ng from Songbe, Idigba, Olorin, Ibogunde, Imoru, Omolosan, Bada, Edoro and some other towns up to 40 towns and hamlets including Ejigbo as a whole. We are now seizing this opportunity to inform the general public, that, they should disregard Oba Kamilu Ojelabi (Olusongbe of Songbe) as his informa on is untrue.
“All the monarchs in Ejigbo Local Government area are under control of Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin ll, Ogiyan of Ejigbo. As you can see, over 20 monarchs are here in a endance at the Palace of Ogiyan of Ejigbo” the monarch added.
Speaking, the Alado of Ado Ori-Oke, Oba John Oyegbade urged Governor Adeleke to immediately intervene in the ma er, saying such may lead to communal
•Govt Negligence, Marginalisation Main Cause - Expert
conflict that can affect the peace of the state, if allowed to con nue.
Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin in his remarks called on Governor Adeleke to ques on the Olusongbe over his claims.
The monarch said, “Olusongbe of Songbe should be invited and ques oned on this issue, then the result should be published to the community.
“I am using this opportunity to tell the government to involve naonal agencies to let the public know that it is bad to give false informa on. It is very bad to give false informa on about what you are not, then you call yourself what you are not.
“Olusongbe of Songbe, Oba Kamilu Ojelabi, was appointed as Baale by the Ogiyan of Ejigbo in 2000 and subsequently upgraded to a Part II Oba nine years later.
Reac ng, Olusongbe said he has every right over villages in Songbe land and would not allow anyone to distort history as documents to back his claim are intact.
“The places I menoned are called Songbe territory, not Ejigboland. I counted my villages and I have the necessary documents to back it up. If they have documents to back their claims up, let them bring them. He (Ogiyan) is feeding people with lies. All the subjects in my villages came to beg for farmland, but he started appoin ng them as Baales so that they can side with him over a land that is mine” he said.
Issues regarding communal disputes have led to loss of lives and proper es in the last few years in Osun State, OSUN DEFENDER reports.
Some of the clashes include Ife/Modakeke, Ifon/Ilobu/Erin, Iwo/ Ibadan, among others.
Speaking with the medium on the root cause of territorial disputes in the state, Execu ve Director, World Ins tute For Peace, Osun State, Kamiludeen Lamina iden fied negligence on the part of the state government and marginalisa on as major problem.
Lamina maintained that the failure of the government in ensuring adequate security
and meditate disputes among different community, leading to escala ng tension. He said: “One of the major reasons for communal clashes in Osun State is the negligence of the state government in addressing the root causes of these conflicts. The government has failed to provide adequate security measures and mediate disputes between different communi es, leading to escala ng tensions and violence.
“However, some tradi onal rulers in Osun State have been accused of priori sing their own financial interests over the well-being of their subjects. According to researches, the greed for money and properes has led to disputes over land ownership and resource alloca on, fueling communal clashes and deepening divisions within the state especially among the tradi onal rulers.
“Moreover, the problem of marginaliza on
LAUTECH: Oyetola Received
of certain communi es by those in power has also played a significant role in the prevalence of communal clashes in Osun State. Communies that are marginalized and disenfranchised o en feel neglected and marginalized, leading to feelings of resentment and anger towards those communi es who have more people in power.
“In order to address the issue of communal clashes in Osun State, it is essen al that the state government takes proac-
•Admits Current Administration Got N500m
Sodiq Yusuf
OSUN State Government has refuted claims of receiving eight billion naira from the Oyo State Government as refund from the ceding of ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the previous administra on under Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola received three point five billion naira, adding that it spent almost two billion naira from the fund before leaving office.
The Governor said, “Governor Ademola Adeleke did not receive any Eight Billion Naira as LAUTEC refund from the Oyo State government. Rather, the former Governor Oyetola government actually received Three Billion, Five Hundred Million and spent almost Two Billion Naira from the fund before leaving
office.
“Contrary to the fake news, the Oyetola administra on actually got a payment of Three Billion, Five Hundred Million from the Oyo state government as part of the LAUTECH se lement payment before leaving office.
“To put it more directly, the sum of Three Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N3,500,000,000) came in during the period of the last dispensa on. The credit balance stood at One Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty Two Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand, and Four Hundred and Thirty Six Naira (N1,562,440,436.80) as at November 30th, 2022. It therefore means that the sum of N1,937,559,563.20 was expended during the last administra on.
“From November 2022 ll date, the Adeleke administra on received only Five Hundred Million Naira on the LAUTECH refund since assump on of office.
“When added to the
N3.5 Billion paid by Oyo government during the Oyetola administra on, a total of Four Billion Naira has so far been received from Oyo state government by the Osun state government.”
The governor while confirming the receipt of five hundred million naira since the incep on of his administra on, noted that he has spent part of the fund in the infrastructural development of the state.
According to him, the state spent part of the fund on ongoing in-
•Oyetola
ve measures to promote peace and reconcilia on among different communi es. This includes inves ng in conflict resolu on mechanisms, providing development projects in marginalized areas, and holding tradional rulers accountable for their ac ons. By addressing these underlying issues and promo ng social cohesion and inclusivity, Osun State can work towards building a more peaceful and harmonious society for all its residents.”
frastructure upgrade projects across the sectors of the state economy.
Adeleke while reitera ng his commitment to priori zing a transparent and accountable government, called on the public to ignore baseless report from agent of falsehoods.
He said, “As a transparent administra on, all inherited and newly generated funds are properly managed by the state financial managers while state expenditures are drawn from the state accounts as s pulated in the Appropria on Act.
“Report of an alleged Eight Billion Naira (N8B) payment on the LAUTECH se lement is therefore fake news from an opposi on that has lost all its credibility and electability.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke remains commi ed to transparency, accountability and ancorrup on prac ces in the management of state resources. We call on the public to ignore the baseless report from those merchants of falsehood.”
•Osun NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu presenting gift item to representative of OṢÙN DEFENDER Newspaper, Shola Aderinto, at the Table Tennis game to mark this year’s NUJ Press Week
Yusuf Oketola
Economic Hardship: More Osun Women Adopt Family Planning
Kazeem Badmus
The economic situaon of the country has led to an increase in married women adop ng family planning methods in Osun State, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.
It was also learnt that the rate of husbands accompanying their wives to hospitals and primary health centers to take up the method had gone up dras cally in recent months.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER also revealed that mothers are also leading their adolescent girls to medical facili es to engage in family planning as a way of preven ng unwanted pregnancies.
Confirming the trend to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, a health worker at Atelewo Primary Health Centre, Osogbo, Mrs. Aishat Olopade, said there has been a sharp increase in the prac ce this year compared to previous years.
Mrs Olopade a ributed the spike in the number of women embracing family planning to the economic situa on of the country, adding that unlike before, women are more willing to adopt birth control methods.
She said, “People are now coming out to take up family planning. The major reason is that the economy is not friendly, and people are now wiser.
“The rate at which people are turning up is unexpected. They throng our hospital en-masse daily. The level of awareness is now bigger. Wives now come with their spouses to take up a method.
“For this year alone, we have over 300 new clients, not to men on those who already did family planning. This is very high compared to last year.
“Also, mothers are now bringing their adolescent girls to take up one of the birth control methods. They prefer their children to do family planning rather than having unplanned pregnancies and a empting to terminate them, which can result in loss of lives.”
Another medical praconer at the health centre, Mrs. Taiwo Fanimokun, dispelled the misconcep on about family planning, urging those who are yet to take up a method to do so.
Fanimokun said, “We’ve not go en a situa on whereby someone will take up a method and get pregnant. That used to occur during the olden days but not now.
“Before we put any-
one on family planning, we first conduct a test and make sure the person is not pregnant, a er which we will talk to them and decide the best method to adopt.
“The state government is trying in terms of ensuring our people live a healthy life. Most of the things we need to make our work easier are provided by the state government. I just want to urge our people to come forward to take up a method.
It is free of charge.”
Giving her tes mony, a mother, Mrs Omololu Abibat, a mother of three told OSUN DEFENDER that she adopted a family planning method 11 years ago, adding that she has had two children in between.
“I started family planning a er giving birth to my first child. I told my husband then and he accepted. I didn’t feel any discomfort during that period.
“The family planning
allowed us to plan our lives. There is a reasonable gap between my children. I also enjoyed myself because it allowed me to recover well and take care of my family.
“I want to urge women out there to go for family planning. It is for our own benefit. The one I did was for five years a er which I had that of three years before I decided to have another child.
“A er eight years, I decided to have another
child, which I did. A er giving birth to my second child, I did another family planning for three years before I had my third child and I have done another one now,” she explained.
Another client, Mrs Comfort Ezekiel, said, “I adopted a family planning method six months ago a er giving birth to my child. Since I took up a method, I haven’t felt any discomfort. Everything is nothing and I’m enjoying my husband and taking
care of my family.
“Before I came for family planning, I didn’t allow my husband to have sex with me because of the fear of having another baby when the one I’m carrying is not old enough and this caused a lot of issues between us but since I took up a method, I and my husband are now enjoying ourselves.”
A public affairs analyst, Mr. Alade Mayowa commended the decision of women to embrace family planning methods.
Mayowa, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday said, “It is commendable that women are now taking family planning serious. It is very effec ve and laudable.
“Apart from the economic hardship that has made Nigerians grapple with a cost of existence crisis, it is safer and important for efforts at reducing the popula on explosion that Nigeria has ba led for years.
“I want to urge those who have not embraced the prac ce to please go for it. It is healthier, safer and much more vital minding the items we are in,” the analyst concluded.
Monarch, Chiefs To Face Trial Over Unlawful Acquisition Of Farmland Monarch, Chiefs To Face Trial Over Unlawful Of Farmland
Yusuf Oketola
AState High Court si ng in Ila, has fixed December 10, 2024, for the trial of Edigbon of Edemosi in Ila Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Sunday Olaniyan, and four others, over alleged unlawful acquisi on of farmlands.
Other defendants include three chiefs, Obalo n of Edemo-
si, Elewude Tunmise (42); Aro of Edemosi, Kazeem Adeo (52); and the Obatufe of Edemosi, Jimoh Agboola (60), and an indigene iden fied as Jamiu (32).
Earlier, the counsel to the first defendant prayed the court to grant the replacement of a surety, no ng that the ini al surety was a counsel. He pleaded that
the surety iden fied as Clement should be replaced by Segun Ajiboye.
While gran ng the prayer, the court interviewed Ajiboye, querying if he knows what he is ge ng
TKazeem Badmus
HE Commandant
General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, ‘NSCDC’, Abubakar Audi, has approved the deployment of Commandant Igbalawo So yo to Osun State Command.
This was contained in a statement by the Public Rela ons Officer of the Corps in Osun State, Kehinde Adeleke, made available to OSUN DEFENDER, yesterday.
The newly deployed Commandant succeeds Dr. Michael Adaralewa who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Commandant General, ACG.
The statement said Commandant So yo hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accoun ng and
himself into. Ajiboye, a level 14 officer at the State College of Educa on, Ila Orangun told the court of his readiness to stand as surety for the defendants. Meanwhile, the prosecutor, Akala Orobiyi, didn’t oppose the prayer, stating that he knows the surety, Ajiboye.
The magistrate adjourned the case to December 10, 2024 for the trail.
Sotiyo Takes Over From Adaralewa As Osun NSCDC Commandant
a Master Degree in Public Administra on from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. “He has a ended a remarkable array of
courses both home and abroad, establishing him as an expert in security architecture and leadership,” the statement added.
ALL praise is due to Allaah, and may His peace and blessings be upon the final Messenger, His pure family, noble companions, and all those who follow them with righteousness un l the Day of Judgment. Tawakkul in Arabic language is an Islamic concept of reliance on Allah Almighty or “trus ng in Allah’s plan”. It is seen as “perfect trust in Allaah and reliance on Him alone.” It can also be referred to as Allah-consciousness.
JUMAT SERMON JUMAT SERMON
By Imaam Muhammad Abdulalimi
By Imaam Muhammad Abdulalimi
Tawakkul is basically the “trust and reliance on Allah”, that is, accep ng the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out to be. Reliance on Allaah the Exalted is a lo y sta on that has a great effect. It is one of the most important obliga ons of faith. A Muslim considers reliance on Allah as mandatory for all his affairs, whether religious or worldly. Therefore, the religion of Islam comprises seeking the support of Allah and worshipping him: The support element is to rely on Him alone. Indeed, this is the essence of at-Tawheed and al-Islaam.
The concept of reliance on Allah is a familiar one, given its frequent men on in the Qur’an and Sunnah. We recite these verses and supplica ons ardently, yet we may not comprehend the scope of tawakkul, such that we are yet to connect our hearts fully to these consoling and empowering words from Allah.
The ques on is, “How do I live tawakkul? How do I implement it in my daily life to achieve its benefits”?
Tawakkul involves placing complete trust in Allah, above and beyond all others, including oneself. As Ibn Rajab stated, “Complete reliance on Allah is the sincere dependence of the heart on Allah in the servant’s endeavors in pursuing his interests and safeguarding himself against anything that may be harmful to his well-being both in this life and in the Aakhirah.”
However, when one’s inner voice resonates loudly and becomes further emboldened by Shaytan’s whispers, one may erroneously place one’s emo ons, logic, and that which seems immediately tangible ahead of reliance on Allah, on what is o en beyond one’s percep on and knowledge of divine wisdom and His decree. Tawakkul is a leap of faith into that very unknown. Hence, the answer to this ques on lies in the two key aspects this trust hinges on. Ask yourself:
Tawakkul
First, how well do I know Allah? Second, what is my rela onship with Him?
To know Allah is to place your trust in Him: To know Allah is to know and acknowledge His names and attributes. Pause and reflect when reci ng them and call upon Him by these names. Only then can one develop a meaningful connec on to Allah —one that will inculcate complete reliance on Him. He is Eternal (al-Ḥayy) and the Sustainer of all that exists (al-Qayyuum). His knowledge is All-Encompassing (al-ʿAleem). He is the Most Powerful (al-Qadeer), the One who is Self-Sufficient (al-Ghanee), the One who provides abundantly (al-Razzaaq), and the One who is most Noble and Generous (al-Kareem). Allah is our Guardian (al-Wakeel): “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” The greater our awareness of Allah, the greater our certainty in Him and our love for Him—and the stronger our tawakkul.
THE FRUITS OF TAWAKKUL:
Just as supplica on (duʿaa) is a means to the desired outcome, so it is with Tawakkul. Allah answers the call of those who place their trust in Him. He repeatedly commands us in the Qur’an to place our trust and reliance on Him. Hence, tawakkul is also an act of submission to the Master.
It is the founda on and perfec on of our belief and worship in the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) by not relying on anyone else: “But if they turn away, (O Muhammad), say, ‘Sufficient for me is Allah; there is no
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deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.” Quran 9:129. By submi ng one’s heart and giving complete authority to Allah, the believer gains the love of Allah: “Indeed, Allah loves those who rely (on Him).” Thus, tawakkul brings calmness to the heart, it is no longer perturbed by the tremors of life.
Tawakkul is the source of contentment, ease, and protec on Allah grants to the believers, relieving them from fear and doubt. It is a means to come closer to Allah and to raise one’s level of faith (imaan) and certainty (yaqeen). No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. “And whoever believes in Allah, He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things. And obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away, then upon Our Messenger is only (the duty of) clear no fica on. Alaah —there is no deity except Him. And upon Allah let the believers rely.” Quran 5:92.
Thus, if one is tested with hardship, should worldly provision be taken away, or if one does not see the desired or immediate outcome of a par cular duʿaa, one remains op mis c that Allah’s treasures are boundless and He will remove that hardship and replace any loss with something be er. Abuu Saheed al-Khudrii RadhiAllahu Anhu, reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “No Muslim makes supplica on—unless he is someone who has cut off his rela ves—but that he is given one of three things: either his supplica on is answered quickly, or it is stored up for him in the next world, or an evil equal to it is averted from him.” It was said: “Then many supplica ons will be made.” He replied, “Allah has more s ll to give.” Hence, perhaps the greatest fruit of tawakkul is that one is sa sfied with the outcome, regardless of its specifics, knowing that it comes from the One who loves His servants and knows what is best for them.
May Allah Almighty make this sermon a beneficial one for me, the writer, the readers, and the en re Muslims. And our last prayer, is praise be to Allah Almighty, Lord of the worlds.
•Sheik Muhammad Abdulalimi, is the Mudiru Ad-Da’wah Wal-Irshad, Obaagun, State of Osun.
115 Students Bag First Class As Bowen University Holds 19th Convocation
NO fewer than 901 graduands will be conferred with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the 19th convoca on ceremony of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, tomorrow.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Seminar Room, Timothy Olagbemiro University Library on Wednesday, Vice Chancellor of the ins tu on, Professor J. O. Babalola, disclosed that 115 students will graduate with first-class honours.
Prof. Babalola noted that the graduands are ready to contribute meaningfully to their professions and the wider community.
According to him, the addi on of the 901 graduands will raise the total number of graduates of the university to 17,686 since its first convoca on in 2006.
Giving a breakdown, Babalola said, “For Undergraduate Degrees, 115 students will graduate with First Class Honors, 323 students will graduate with a Second Class, Upper Division, 192 students will graduate with a Sec-
ond Class, Lower Division, 65 students will graduate with a Third Class, and 7 students will graduate with a Pass.
“In the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) program which is an unclassified degree, 56 students will graduate, with 4 dis nc ons awarded for outstanding performance.
“In the fields of Nursing and Physiotherapy, which are also unclassified degrees, 14 students will graduate with a Dis ncon, 90 students will graduate with a Credit, and 4 students will graduate with a Pass.
“For Postgraduate Degrees, 10 candidates will earn a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), 13 candidates will complete a Master’s Degree (M.Sc/MBA), and 12 scholars will be awarded a Doctorate (Ph.D).
“These 901 graduates are being honored at this convoca on, ready to contribute meaningfully to their professions and the wider community.”
Highligh ng some of the achievements of the ins tu on, the Vice Chancellor said the University has strengthened its in-
terna onal partnerships which has been of benefit to both the ins tu on and the students. The Vice Chancellor
noted that partnership will foster student exchange programs, facilitate faculty exchange, collabora ve research projects and joint
publica ons with other top- er universi es. He added that one of the partnerships has paved the way for the establish-
ment of the Nigerian-South African Ins tute at Bowen University, no ng that the ins tute will become opera onal soon.
LG Election: APC Working Against Osun Interest – IPAC
Yusuf Oketola
OSUN State Chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of working against the interest of people of the state for dragging the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) to court.
This is as the council appealed to the APC to withdraw its suit against the commission in order for democracy to thrive.
The Chairman of IPAC, Victor Akande in a statement in Osogbo on Wednesday, said the call became necessary in the overall interest of the people of Osun.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that APC had dragged OSSIEC and Governor Ademola Adeleke to court over the forthcoming local government elec on, ci ng removal of some of its candidates from the poll.
Akande said the electoral commission has been
doing its best to carry stakeholders along in the process with major decisions approved by poli cal par es.
According to him, “OSSIEC set up a screening commi ee whose members are experienced and non-parsan members of the public.
“A er their work, the Commi ee submi ed report to OSSIEC, and OSSIEC in turn made public the said report in which the nomina ons of some of our candidates were held to be void on account of conflict between the list submi ed by the affected polical par es and names on the nomina on forms.
“This incident didn’t go down well with us and we met with the OSSIEC Chairman for explana ons in a mee ng held at OSSIEC Conference Hall on the 8th October, 2024 during which several ques ons were asked by the chairmen of the 16 poli cal par es that were present.
“Having been sa sfied by
the explana ons offered by the OSSIEC Chairman, and having seen the sincerity, fairness, transparency and capacity of OSSIEC to conduct free and fair elec on, a communiqué was released where vote of confidence was passed on OSSIEC leadership.
“An appeal was made to the Federal Government not to stop Osun State Local Government monthly alloca on since Osun already started the process of conduc ng local government elec ons even before the Supreme Court judgment.
“The no ce given by OSSIEC was in accordance with the law and pronouncements of the courts, and more so there is no caretaker commi ee at the local government level in Osun State.
“The call was then necessary in the overall interests of the ci zens of Osun State. All Progressive Congress (APC) representa ve was on seat on that day and was ac vely
part of the communique.
“We were taken aback last week when we read in the news that one of us (APC) has gone to court reques ng for the cancellaon of the whole process.
“While any aggrieved poli cal party or candidate has the right to approach the court for any seeming wrong, we have all invested a lot of me, energy and resources into the process of local government elecons.
“We appeal to our friend (APC) to reconsider their ac on and to withdraw the case from the court because we consider such a request to be detrimental to the progress and development of democracy at the grassroot and not in the interest of the ci zens of Osun State.
“Poli cs is about interest, but we are ci zens of Osun State before we became members of different poli cal par es.”
Kazeem Badmus
After Months Of Denial, Osun APC Purportedly Suspends Aregbesola
Sodiq Yusuf
AFTER months of claims and denials, Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made official its intenon to part ways with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the immediate-past Minister of Interior.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Aregbesola, a founding member of the party, was reportedly suspended in a letter addressed to APC Na onal Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje by the state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, and his Secretary, Kamoru Alao, on Tuesday.
Osun Defender gathered that the former Governor was suspended for alleged an -party ac vi es, pending the ra fica on of a disciplinary commi ee it set up to inves gate allegaons against him.
The resolu on reads, “Following complaints of An -Party Ac vi es leveled against Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by the llesa East Local Government Execu ve Committee, the State Execu ve Commi ee (SEC), a er reviewing the allegaons and in accordance with the powers vested in it by Ar cle 21(3) (vi) (c) of the party’s Constu on, hereby suspends Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from the party pending the outcome of an inves ga on into the allega ons by a Disciplinary Commi ee.
“The State Execu ve Commi ee has cons tuted a Disciplinary Commi ee to invesgate and provide Ogbeni Aregbesola with the opportunity to respond to the allega ons of ac vies deemed to be in viola on of Ar cle 21 (2) of the party’s Cons tu on, par cularly rela ng to an -party ac vi es that undermine the collecve interests of the APC leveled against him.”
- Osun APC’s Inconsistency On Aregbesola’s Suspension
OSUN DEFENDER had earlier on Tuesday reported a statement credited to the spokesperson of Osun APC, Kola Olabisi, that the party does not need the former Governor in the 2026 governorship elecon in the state.
The party had in several statements by its key figures and leaders in the recent past had declared that Aregbesola, was no longer a member of the APC, accusing him of alleged
•Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adepele Ojo (middle) with members of Multi - Stakeholders Action Committee on Gender - Based Violence Prevention (MAPGBV), during a courtesy visit to the Osun State High Court, on Tuesday
an -party ac vi es.
Some of the leaders had also restated that the former governor, was ‘inconsequen al,’ and that his poli cal influence had ‘waned,’ stressing that the APC will win the 2026 governorship elec on in the state without him.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the comments were made months a er the APC led by Sooko Lawal, a staunch loyalist of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, suspended and expelled members of the party for their loyalty to Aregbesola.
In May 2024, Commissioner for Local Gov-
ernment and Chie aincy Affairs under Oyetola, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, said Aregbesola, was no longer a member of the All Progressives Congress.
A video clip of Adeleke’s remarks at an event in Osogbo quoted him as saying that all serious members of the party in the state were aware that Aregbesola was not currently a member of the party.
His words, “They said in our party in Osun, we have two former governors, we have Chief Bisi Akande and ex-governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
“Someone asked about ex-governor Rauf Aregbesola, and my re-
sponse is that all members of the APC know that Aregbesola presently is not a member of our party.”
Also in June 2024, APC Chairman in Osun, Lawal and Secretary, Kamoru Alao, urged members of the party to dissociate themselves from the former Governor.
“We are discouraging our members who are loyal party members not to register with Aregbesola’s group because Omoluabi as a group is not a member of our party in Osun state.
“Aregbesola, as far as we are concerned in Osun APC, he is no more a member of APC. We have taken steps three
mes to no fy the naonal secretariat of the distrac ons from Aregbesola and we expect the na onal secretariat to do the needful.”
Similarly, APC Naonal Secretary, Ajibola Basiru in June 2024 declared that the former governor is no longer a leader of the party in the state.
Basiru stated that, “Mr Aregbesola was our leader, but I don’t know which party he belongs to now. I am not abusing him. Even Asiwaju, his benefactor, he didn’t vote for him.
“Go and ask him which party he voted for in the governorship elec on, the presidenal elec on and the
UNIOSUNTH To Launch Patient Feedback System – CMD
Kazeem Badmus
OSUN State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) has announced that it will launch a paent feedback system that will enhance en-
gagement between the hospital and its clients.
The new Chief Medical Director of UNIOSUNTH, Dr. Afolabi Babatunde made the announcement yesterday, while briefing newsmen.
Babatunde noted that he aims for pa ent sa sfac on, adding that the hospital will engage more with its clients to improve produc vity.
The new CMD also said he plans to transform the Teaching Hospital into one that everyone will be proud of, disclosing that a quality improvement committee that will ensure that pa ents are properly taken care of will be inaugurated.
He listed his transforma on agenda to include “enhancing paent experience, safety, and sa sfac on, fostering a culture of con nuous quality improvement and innova on, strengthening teaching and training programmes.
Others are, “Promo ng cu ng-edge
research and collaboraons as well as streamlining processes, opmising resources and improving produc vity.”
The CMD, while apprecia ng the governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for his support for the hospital, said a comprehensive need assessment will be conducted to iden fy areas of improvement while a performance management system will be implemented to monitor progress.
Dr Babatunde promised to increase the Internally Generated Revenue of the hospital and called on staff to support him in achieving success during his tenure.
He also said staff welfare would be a priority, adding that training would be conducted to enhance staff capacity.
House of Assembly elecon.
“For the past three elec ons, we have not seen him par cipa ng in any of our party’s acvi es,” Basiru noted.
He men oned “Baba (former Governor) Bisi Akande and (former Governor) Gboyega Oyetola” as APC leaders in Osun.
In addi on, Olabisi while reac ng to a “prophecy” by Primate Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, who claimed that APC’s victory in 2026 would hinge on reconcilia on between Oyetola and Aregbesola, dismissing calls for unity.
““We reject the Primate Ayodele’s fallacious prophecy which we consider to be in the realm of a figment of the imagina on of the suspected mercan le prophet of which its predic on is aimed at causing unnecessary tension and fric on within our party in Osun State.
“We would like to impress it on Prophet Ayodele and his discreet sponsors that our party which has been working assiduously round the clock to achieve victory in the said elec ons would con nue to work for its victory without the enlistment of any metaphorical serpents who have become political pariahs and men of yesterday in the corridor of poli cal power in the state because of their evil deeds unleashed on the party in the past.”
OSUN DEFENDER recalls that the APC led by Oyetola had on August 31, 2023 suspended 26 prominent members of Omoluabi Progressives including former SSG, Alhaji Moshood Adeo , former Speaker, Dr. Najeem Salaam, former cabinet members – Adelani Baderinwa, Gbenga Akano, Adelowo Adebiyi, Sikiru Ayedun, among others, for alleged anparty ac vi es.
Also, it expelled 84 loyalists of the former Minister for the same reasons, across the local government areas of Osun including Alhaji Rasak Salinsile, former APC State Secretary, Hon. Gbenga Ogunkanmi, Hon. Segun Olanibi, and so on.
Asked for comments on the latest development, Organising and Publicity Secretary of Omoluabi Progressives, Abosede Oluwaseun, said “No comment.”
Photo: Shola Aderinto
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2024 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 07, 2024 VOL. 19 NO 40 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
ENVY and jealousy, according to psychologists, are complex emo ons that have fascinated writers, poets, and thinkers for centuries. While they are o en portrayed nega vely, they also offer insights into human nature and rela onships.
Experts say envy arises when we desire something that someone else possesses. It is a feeling of discontent or resentment triggered by another person’s success, possessions, or advantages. Unlike jealousy, which involves a fear of losing what we already have, envy focuses on what we lack. Envy can be both mo va ng (spurring us to improve) and destruc ve (leading to bi erness and hos lity).
Jealousy on the other hand emerges from a fear of losing something we value— whether it’s a rela onship, status, or possession. It o en occurs in in mate rela onships when we perceive a threat to our connec on with a partner. Jealousy can be some mes protec ve (aler ng us to potenal dangers) or possessive (leading to controlling behaviour).
Both envy and jealousy are in most parts, destruc ve. Envy can poison relaonships, erode self-esteem, and breed resentment while jealousy on the other hand can lead to suspicion, insecurity, and even violence. The two emo ons o en damage trust and create ri s between individuals.
Certainly, envy is the worse of the two emo ons and it is generally long-las ng and it shows in the behaviour, the demeanor and even the speech peculiari es of the afflicted person. Envy is a disease, an afflicon and almost incurable, simply because an enviable person is inherently not contented with his state in life.
An envious person is not happy with his or her own face, not happy with his or her body structure; height, physique, and features like legs, lips, nose, mouth, forehead, breasts and bu ocks, and may not even be happy with his home background. And because those who happen to be more blessed are always around, their mere sight is a tormen ng reminder of the envious person’s deficiencies.
Nigerian philosopher, song-writer and musician Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi put it succinctly in his celebrated song ‘The man, his son and his donkey’ where he opines with air of finality that success in one breeds envy and resentment in the other. A brilliant person who tops his class in examina ons is automa cally the subject of envy to, especially the dullards in his class or the lazy ones who never apply themselves to serious studies. The same goes to all professions; lazy lawyers who are incurably envious of their more successful colleagues and contemporaries and indolent civil servants who are forever miserable because others with proven produc vity have climbed the ladder faster.
A professor-friend’s wife, a medical doctor, affirmed several years ago that ‘it takes the special grace of God for someone to embrace the success of another person’! It may sound alarming but life experience has
“An envious person is not happy with his or her own face, not happy with his or her body structure; height, physique, and features like legs, lips, nose, mouth, forehead, breasts and buttocks, and may not even be happy with his home background. And because those who happen to be more blessed are always around, their mere sight is a tormenting reminder of the envious person’s deficiencies”
By Tola Adeniyi
Miserable Life Of Envious People
taught all successful individuals that their roaring successes have always been source of sadness to most of their friends, colleagues, associates and even rela ons who have not been as lucky or successful.
Someone [a university graduate, but out of job] was taking me to Mississauga in Canada to inspect a franchise in 1996, half way to our des na on, he stopped his car and parked by the roadside. “Egbon”, an endearing word for an elder, “I have a confession to make and I need your prayers” he said. “Go ahead, what’s it?” I was curious. “I don’t know how to say it. Do you know I always feel sad whenever a friend’s achievement is brought to my no ce? I have never a ended any house-warming ceremony. It is that bad. If I visit a friend and his furniture is be er than mine, I will not go to that friend’s house again!” he said, looking morose with wickedness wri en all over his face. “But you are a religious leader in this country”, I didn’t know what exactly to tell him. He started the engine again and his car
STRIKER
hit the road.
The malady of envious people is due to their inability to appreciate the fact that human beings are wired differently and the Creator of the universe endows his/her/its crea ons and creatures differently and appor ons luck, favour, and grace to individuals in varying degrees. Unques onably so!
Aside that, a tude and character, major ingredients in the determinant agency of success or failure are a ributes that follow individuals in their path to success or ruin in life.
Envious people are madly desirous of what others have, and because they don’t have what it takes to have that which they crazily crave, they turn their failure to anger, resentment or even cruelty and arrant unreasonableness. And this leads them to bad-mouthing and character-assassina ng the object of their paranoia. “You can’t really blame envious people. People who are envied are the beneficiaries because being envied spurs people to be er themselves.
Nobody envies failure. The more outstandingly successful you are, the more the envy and jealousy you incur”, a younger colleague and financial expert Tunji Asiwaju explained while discussing the subject of envy.
Envious people are pe y, mean, very mean, always brooding and senselessly cri cal of others, permanently sad and generally unpleasant to be with. They contrast their ugliness with the beauty of others, contrast their verbosity and incoherence with the oratory of others, contrast their awkwardness and gracelessness with the sunny nature of others, contrast their meanness of spirit with the largeness of others and generally contrast their lack of taste and heart-warming aesthe cs with others who are blessed.
With the closed and clogged mindset inherent in the envious person it is always difficult for such wretched characters in society to ever wean themselves of this terrible an -social cancer. All of us must develop a brighter and more posi ve a tude to life and recognize the fact that although we might all have been created equal because of the commonality [un l coning technology and ar ficial insemina on came in] in the process of procrea on, all other extraneous factors make us unequal and that throughout life all of our efforts are geared towards crea ng equality. Compe veness rather than envy and pulling others down is the be er way of bridging gaps.
Jealousy as bad as it is, pales into insignificance when compared with envy. Jeal-
•Read full article on www.osundefender.com
•This article, first published in the July 12, 2024 edition, is repeated, by popular demand.
•High Chief Tola Adeniyi is a Syndicated Columnist, Essayist, Author, Playwright, Poet, Dramatist, Philosopher, and Mystic.
Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above
Why We Find Simple Things Difficult
SIMPLE is as easy as finding answer to two plus two. However, when the whims and caprices of man enter the equa on two plus two can become rocket science. You will think that managing a country that is as endowed with natural and human resources like Nigeria for “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” is like taking bread with bu er; not so, when a succession of anomalies have bred in our elites such nega ve self-absorp on in governance that have now become the cross of the country.
For a good instance, what does it take to acquire and grow a cow to maturity and profitable sale in an age in which men have placed their flags on the moon? How much land space and how much feeds and care would 200 million such cows need (a figure enough for Nigerians with million extra for exports)? Some impetuous fellow have said that Sambisa forest alone is more than enough for such lucra ve enterprise, a place that is instead a dreaded base for tormen ng the na on.
For whatever sense or sensibility, let us dismiss the mean fellow and talk fact. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisa on in one of its periodic publica ons a few years back “World Ca le Inventory: Ranking of 209 Countries,” the world has about 1.468b ca le with Brazil as leader (211,764,292) followed by India, China and United States of America in that order. Nigeria is in 14th posi on with 20,000,000 ca le, with Ethiopia, Sudan and Tanzania ahead of us in Africa (54m, 41m and 24m
ca le) in 5th, 7th and 11th posi on respecvely. In none of the leading or lesser countries, Africa and beyond, is there any issue about ca le rearing leading to social crisis, much else violent crimes and human killings, except in Nigeria!
Best-prac se can be learnt just as there is what is called technology-transfer, and even technology the ! Whatever anyone does be er than you in this compe ve world, you smartly play catch-up. It is only Nigeria, thanks to its “one-of-a-kind” elites and poli cal class that chooses to remain in the past of humanity in a world where innova on, even on what seems almost perfect, is s ll ongoing at per second rate! How did Dubai grow from a fishing village and desert trading outpost to what it is today in just about the same me that we have returned to democra c rule a er Abacha? It was not the works of Angels; it was the handiwork of far-sighted elites.
Space does not permit an in-depth presenta on of how ca le produc on, an issue that became a poten al war-trigger in Nigeria, can indeed single-handedly not only earn us as much as crude oil but be a tool for ending unemployment, insecurity and underdevelopment in all aspects, especially when it is joined coopera vely with what is sadly and unimaginably its arch-rival now, crop produc ons in mechanised mode.
How then do we find ourselves periodically in dangerous and poten ally explosive moments, on account of engagements that should be blessings to all Nigerian? Simple - leadership that is inept, unimagina ve
and selfishly uncommi ed to the common good. It didn’t happen just yesterday though, which is why we all owe it a duty to gradually return leadership and followership to sanity.
Nigeria started out well enough, not perfectly but well enough. Military interven on and long years of brutal dictatorship not only changed Nigeria’s administra ve and poli cal structures nega vely and adversely but it equally nega vely affected Nigerian psyche, values and poli cal culture too. The last decades of unbroken democra c rule presented the opportunity to right all the wrongs but disappoin ngly the ruling poli cal class was even more unwilling than the ordinary people to change the paradigm. For 16 years we blamed the Conserva ve sec on of the ruling elite, now what do we have with the Progressive sec on in almost 10 years?
A stalemate inside underdevelopment and crises is not good enough for Nigeria and it is never too late. Restructuring is not rocket-science just as ca le ranching and livestock produc on is no calculus. Everything good is possible, profitably for allfor “unity and faith, peace and progress,” all that is needed is willingness in the first place not to be arrogantly obs nate and narrow-minded in leadership, all for selfish goals. For every Nigerian, let us resolve that “come what may, whatever the challenges, we will only resolve them in a democra c way, according to the rule of law” – that way, solu ons and be er days are never far away.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Acting Deputy Editor, SODIQ YUSUF, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com