May 4, 2018 Of Osun Defender Online Version

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

MILESTONE: State

Of Osun Empowers 5000 Youths Again!

See Pullout On Pages 7, 8, 9 & 10

THE SIXTH MOST VISITED WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

MAGAZINE

Osun Debt And Revenue Profile In Perspectives PAGES 5 & 6

www.osundefender.com/index.php

e-mail: osundefender.yahoo.com

VOL. 013. NO.17

ISSN: 0794-8050

N100

Imbroglio In PDP, Ede:

Fresh Tussle Looms Over Adeleke’s Ambition

e2 g Pa

NEWS

Akere Denies Defection Rumour, Says Diekola Is On His Own PAGE 3

CRIME

Police Docks Man For Crushing Teenager To Death PAGE 15

Osunwon Omoluabi: Partial Compliance In Osogbo PAGE 3

2

OSUNDEFENDER

www.osundefender.org

Imbroglio In PDP, Ede:

NEWS

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

Fresh Tussle Looms Over Adeleke’s Ambition

loyalists of some of the Adeleke, as the Adeleke was based on the defection of a chieftain of

By Kehinde Ayantunji family is seeing to have of the the All Progressive Indications have emerged that the interest of the aspirants have insisted the financial capacity to assurance chairman and the Congress (APC), Alhaji Adeleke’s family to put Senator Ademola Adeleke, that the party chairman’s prosecute the election.

Fatai Diekola’s defection handwriting on the wall body language shows representing Osun West Senatorial District forward It was gathered that it that prompted the to the PDP. in the governorship race might pitch the politicians that he is still rooting for of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) extraction who are indigenes of Edeland against themselves and on the long run create a fresh bad blood within the PDP. A source within the that not only Adeleke town said that the interest family has done well for of Adeleke has started Edeland, there are clashing with that of the individuals like Adejare former Speaker of the Bello and so many others, State House of Assembly, as well as groups who Honourable Adejare have done the same.

“When Ademola Bello, as the supporters of the latter believed that Adeleke was contesting for the seat he currently it was a display of greediness to put the occupies, Bello and many other prominent senator forward again for individuals of Ede the governorship race. supported him, and it One of the supporters will now be high level of of Bello who pleaded greediness to see that the anonymity told OSUN senator is coming up DEFENDER that though, with another ambition”, Adeleke’s family has the source stressed. impacted positively on Meanwhile, it would Edeland, but what they be recalled that it was had got in return were far recently alleged that the •(L-R) The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Oba more than what they had state PDP Chairman, of Benin, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, during a courtesy visit by Benin Traditional Council led Soji by Oba Akpolokpolo to the Governor, at the Government House, Osogbo. offered, saying, “Is it the Honourable has Adeleke’s family alone Adagunodo endorsed the that we have in Ede”.

“For instance, the candidature of Adeleke father of the present for the governorship Osun State chapter of the All Progressives laughable noises recently relieved that they are not Adeleke’s was a Senator race, and the state Congress (APC) has said it is relieved that some over the stale news of so part of our problem and chairman has of the Federal Republic of over-ambitious and self-interest people, apparently called high profile since the PDP had Nigeria; the late Senator subsequently denied the referring to Alhaji Fatai Diekola have left for the decampees from the APC decided to add that Isiaka Adeleke was a allegation, saying, all the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and added to its to the opposition party”, problem to its own big would be given governor in this state and aspirants saying it was clear that burden, it is a matter of a level playing ground at burden. he later came back to the primaries.

According to a APC, Prince Gboyega the PDP was truly out of their choice and none of become a senator for two But inspite the denial statement signed by the Famoodun, “The PDP touch, otherwise it would our business. terms.

“What’s important to of the party chairman, state chairman of the has been making some have known a year and “After the demise of half ago that its latest us are the tens of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, thousands of people in converts long ceased to his younger brother, be relevant elements Osogbo who have eyes Senator Ademola to see, faculty to The General Manager, Osun State Road advantage as the new within the APC. Adeleke took over and good According to him, part appreciate, nobody quarrel with that Maintenance Agency, ORMA, Engineer Olu approach was cost of PDP ignorance has to conscience to evaluate because his election Olowookere has lauded the state government for effective. and the character to be He explained that the do with its status as a served as compensation its commitment and support for the agency in the agency intervention had factionalised and grateful to God for the to the family for the death task of making the state roads motorable. good things Aregbesola of the late senator.

Engr Olowookere who carrying out roads helped to sustain some disoriented party that and the APC have done roads in the state with the “While we are not stated this in Osogbo rehabilitation said, hope of opening the state hardly knows the to Osogbo in particular direction it is even denying the fact that the while briefing newsmen Governor Rauf family has done so well after visitation to some Aregbesola had opened for economic prosperity. moving, so it is easy to and the rest of the state generally. These people The General Manager clutch at straws. and that the senator has roads across the state the state in term of road gave assurance that with the constitutional right to where the agency is infrastructure.

“The facts of the will never choose PDP as the passage of 2018 a substitute for APC in contest, it must be noted He explained that the budget by the house, the situation are as follows: any future elections”, he agency had received the agency would now have some over-ambitious said. nod of the governor to opportunity to carry out people who once had The party chairman ensure that all roads in reconstruction and relevance within the noted that for the

By Solomon Odeniyi the state were motorable rehabilitation on major party structure, but lost it leadership of the PDP to Government of the State of Osun has released and to ease transportation roads that needs due to unacceptable level think that the latest spent a total sum of N700 million so far on community system and open the state attention. of selfishness fell out with decampees from the development projects through the state Community for economic prosperity.

He hinted that the the APC government, APC in Osogbo can alter and Social Development Programme.

The General Manager present administration because they had The General Manager of has achieved so far, said who hinted that it was keen about road envisaged a situation that the reality on ground, the state CSDP, Mrs Funmi the organisation has met has become imperative infrastructure hence its will exclude the governor just by describing Abokede made this and advocated for the for the agency to heavy investment in the from having an input into A r e g b e s o l a - l e d government as a ‘cult’ is disclosure during an adoption of community- complement efforts of the interview in Osogbo on driven development present administration in sector, submitting that it who should succeed the most absurd.

Wednesday. approach which ensures the area of road would not rest on its oars him.

According to him, the in the task of making “When they had it PDP is no longer what it According to her, the that communities play sum was the summation of significant roles, adding infrastructure noted that major roads in the state good with the governor, used to be in Osun, as it road accessible and they were not in a cult, money released since the that it has also ensured the ongoing has lost key elements of inception of the Ogbeni ownership participation rehabilitation efforts was motorable. but when ambition put its political attractions aimed at making major Engr Olowookere Rauf Aregbesola and social inclusiveness. them on the wrong end of and can no longer administration, adding She lauded the state roads in the state called on the people of the table, they now see a recover the height of its the state to continue to that the sum was released governor for the giant motorable.

Engr Olowookere support the government cult operation within power base in those gory as government strides recorded in all government house. years when Goodluck counterpart contribution facets of life, especially in noted that the agency in its quest to make the “For them, they should Jonathan added security symbol of to CSDP projects in the the area of infrastructural was working on the new state for its emulation in terms of always be in a position to fire power to the PDP state. development as well as technology control and dictate how terrorism in the state She noted that the keying into the maintenance and road network. money has however been C o m m u n i t y - d r i v e n rehabilitation efforts to He emphasized the the government should during the 2014 spent of various Development (CDD) ensure longevity and need for all corporate run. When Governor governorship election. community development approach of the CSDP. durability of roads in the organizations and well Rauf Aregbesola would The chairman stressed interventions in line with The General Manager of state. meaning individual to have nothing of that, they that the PDP is an the Aregbesola Osun CSDP implored The ORMA boss, support government and jumped ship and now orphan, scavenging for administration’s six-point government at all levels to pointed out that the ensure prompt payment find it convenient to life and seeking props integration action plan. adopt the CDD approach adoption of the new of their dues for name government from people who have Abokede, while rolling to ensure sustainable technology would place government to carry out operation as a cult. no oxygen politically to out the feat the Osun CSDP development. the state in position of its responsibilities.

“We in the APC are keep it alive.

We're Relieved That Self-interested Individuals Left For PDP - Osun APC

ORMA Commences Major Repair On Roads In Osun

Osun CSDP Spends N700m On Community Development Projects

If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08062207954, 08061197897

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

NEWS

OSUNDEFENDER

www.osundefender.org

3

Osunwon Omoluabi: Partial Compliance In Osogbo

By Solomon Odeniyi, Mariam Ajetunmobi The government of the state of Osun introduced the standardized weighing scales popularly called Osuwon Omoluabi to eliminate cheating and other underhand practices which has become the hallmark of trading in most markets in the state.

The introduction governor was backed by according to the item 63 on the exclusive

legislative list of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

With the introduction, it was hoped that it would give rise to a chain of economic benefits which will

ensure increase in the demand for products as well as help return the state to its former position as the centre of trade in southwest.

Two years down the line the policy has

•A cross section of NUT members on the match past during the 2018 Workers Day celebration at Osogbo City Stadium on Tuesday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI

May Day: Aregbesola Approves Promotion, Confirmation, Conversion Of Workers

By Kehinde Ayantunji The Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday announced the approval of promotion, confirmation and conversion for the state workers in the state and promised the workers to produce a successor that will be workers-friendly.

Governor Aregbesola money is not available, but described Osun workers as we have to strive hard in partners in progress who fulfilling the obligation”, have sacrificed their Aregbesola said. comfort for the He added that his development of the state administration appointed and urged them to extend 9 Headmaster General in the same support to his the state and urged the successor. workers to work hard in Aregbesola made the generating surplus that declaration while would be enough to cater addressing workers for better wages. during this year May Day According to him, the Celebration held at Osogbo state government can pay city stadium N100,000 minimum wage The governor if there is means but in the commended the workers circumstances of lack of for their support and fund, it would be hardwork which assisted practically impossible, his administration in saying the only alternative achieving infrastructure to better remuneration is feats in the first two years internal revenue. of his second term when he Aregbesola also could not appoint cabinet announced that his members as a result of administration is in paucity of funds.

Aregbesola urged the support of the clamour for workers to be more a new minimum wage, that his committed to the principle adding of anonymity, impartiality administration has put machinery in place to and objectivity.

He said, “What is engage the workers on the new minimum wage. expected of you is Speaking earlier, the dedication and commitment to the State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), objective of governance; as civil servant, it is your duty Jacob Adekomi said Governor Aregbesola has to serve the people, all political appointees will be changed the architecture of leaving within a short time, the state through massive it is only the civil servants i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l that have permanent seats development.

He commended the in governance. for not “Despite the paucity of governor workers fund, we have disengaging d e m o n s t r a t e d despite the economic u n p r e c e d e n t e d recession that imposed commitment to the welfare financial burden on the of the workers. Up till government and urged the today it is Osun, Lagos, governor to double his Niger and Rivers that have efforts in improving the been sustaining insurance welfare of the policy for workers, the workers, adding that the

workers have sacrificed more than enough for the government.

Dignitaries at this year May Day programme includes the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola:

Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Head of Service Olowogboyega Oyeboade; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa among others.

witnessed partial or no compliance. A visit by our correspondents to some markets in the state capital showed that some had the scale but prefer not to use, while many do not and others have adjusted the standard measurements to their advantage.

At Akindeko market in Osogbo, only traders who sell catfish, frozen foods, meat and just few of those dealing with food stuffs like rice, beans and garri were making use of the Omoluabi scale, while traders of pepper are yet to embrace the weighing policy of the state.

When confronted, one of the defaulters declined to speak with our correspondents and efforts to get market official to comment on this proved abortive. The Iyaloja was said to be out of the state, and would not be returning anytime soon.

Also at the Orinsunbare market, though, not a market known for selling food items, the level of compliance however, was not impressive.

The Iyaloja, of the market, Latona Mojeedat, blamed it on the laggard nature of the market women in the

Akere Denies Defection Rumour, Says Diekola Is On His Own

By Solomon Odeniyi The immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State of Osun, Oluomo Sunday Akere has denied the rumour that he is defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with his friend and political ally Alh Fatai Diekola.

On the possibility of Akere in a press s t a t e m e n t o n conflict of interest and Wednesday, said, “I’m a vacuum arising between party man and a him and his long time progressive to the core, Political friend and my decision to stick to associate, Alhaji Diekola my political party is a who has now moved to personal decision and the PDP, he said he has not up for debate” always had a great adding that it is better to relationship with him fight for a course within even before their path crossed in politics, than doing it without.

He said the saying what they share is politics, clarification was beyond political necessary to allay the therefore fears of his teeming differences will never be admirers and well able to stand as a factor wishers, while shutting in separating them.

“FD’s decision still the mouth of mischief makers and busy bodies came to me as a rude up on what he called the shock, but the former reckless postulations, APC leader knows what saying, Diekola’s is best for him, and has decision still came to probably taken a step best for him, wishing him as a rude shock.

Responding to the him all the best in his trending news of his endeavour.

“I wonder why possible defection, Akere said he does not anyone would think that see that happening at all Alhaji Fatai Diekola’s and he reaffirmed his exit from APC would love and loyalty to the automatically mean my own exit from APC as progressive family.

well. As a small boy then, I set the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as my role model in politics and that has been the path I towed from UPN to SDP to UNCP to AD to AC to ACN and now APC. I have been a progressive politician all my life and remain one.

The statement stressed that “Akere has again proven that he is a solid rock in APC that does not move and cannot be moved” reiterating the fact that you don’t fight a course by running away from it.

On the preparation of his party APC for the 2018 Gubernatorial Election in Osun, Akere reaffirmed his determination to fly the banner of his party in the election and win while conforming with all the set rules and regulations of the party.

He appealed to his supporters across the state to remain steadfast in the struggle for freedom and political liberation while not succumbing to intimidation and inducement.

If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08062207954, 08061197897

state, adding that the level of compliance seen could be attributed to the tireless efforts of other market officials.

She said: “The Osunwon Omoluabi of a thing is very good, if we can just allow its use in the market. This is what has been in use in other countries of the world; it is not only peculiar to our state here. It is of benefit to all, whether you are a trader or a buyer. It helps to win the trust of customer.

However, the rigid natures of humans towards embracing innovations have dealt a huge blow to the policy.

The level of compliance so far has been as a result of our tireless efforts. We have been pleading and we won’t stop’’.

Our reporters’ effort to get to know why some of the traders at Igbona market were not using the scale led to an outburst. The group of traders said that at Ilesha where they bought their goods, the scale was not used.

They added that the government did not do well by not distributing the said scale for free, if it actually wanted full compliance.

A cross section of consumers our correspondents spoke with blamed the selfcenteredness of the traders, and the government’s inability to use force on defaulters.

Mrs Raheem Olawunmi, blamed the partial or noncompliance on the excessive profit habit of traders, urging the government and Market officials to make the rule more strict to defaulters.

She said; “I still do not know why traders have not fully complied. The use of scales is of benefit to both buyers and sellers. Buyers will see what they are buying.

Those yet to embrace this are those wanting to make excessive gains.

The government needs to be more strict with defaulters and need to introduce more punitive measures to ensure compliance”.

A woman who simply gave her name as Iya Seun said even with the scale, the purpose has not been achieved.

She said a rubber of rice was supposed to weight 1.70 but at each time she had had course to re-measure, she gets 1.65, adding that either the scale has been manipulated or the rubber used to measure.

PAGE

4 Unnecessary Legislative Brouhaha Over Withdrawal Of $496M The ongoing legislative threat to impeach Mr. President over his recent withdrawal of the sum of $496m from the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) to purchase 12 Fighter Jets for the purpose of combating the ceaseless population decimating insurgency currently ravaging the country, is what we see as absolutely unnecessary, unwarranted and uncalled for.

Since the withdrawal of that money which was done without recourse to the National Assembly due to the exigent need to do so - some members of the NA majorly lawmakers of PDP extraction have been making a mountain out of a mole hill by calling for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari for not obtaining legislative approval before withdrawing such amount of money; a move they see as a constitutional breach.

This call for the impeachment of Mr. President

At this stage, we need highly sophisticated weapons to be able to successfully fight the kind of insurgency currently facing the country. The legislators that are crying wolf know this.

questions basically determine the justification or otherwise of Mr. President’s action. If the answers are in the affirmative, then, it simply means that the withdrawal is justified and therefore the whole shout by the lawmakers calling for Mr. President’s head, is needless but just only politicallymotivated.

The two critical questions which the call for Mr. President’s impeachment demands are: ‘Was there truly urgent need for the withdrawal of that money and was the money used for the purpose for which it was meant? To each of these two questions, the incontrovertible answer is capital YES. Thus, since the answers are yes and yes then the withdrawal of the money by the executive arm of government is highly justifiable and we do not see any need for calling for the impeachment of President Buhari.

It is instructive to note that putting an end to all the senseless massacre going on in the country is the primary concern of everybody now, for everyone is weary of this wicked and unnecessary shedding of innocent people’s blood. Thus, at this stage, we need highly sophisticated weapons to be able to successfully fight the kind of insurgency currently facing the country. The legislators that are crying wolf know this. And given that the purchase of the aircrafts was time bound, there was no need for all the accompanying hue and cry from these legislators. Or, is it in their interest that the country continues to be handicapped in the face of this insurgency? If that’s their interest, that would of course be highly preposterous!

Finally, even if there was any constitutional infraction on the part of Mr. President for withdrawing that money, we sincerely hold the view that it was not enough to call for his impeachment as what he did was done in the national interest, and since there is no any proof of selfish interest on his part, this call can only be mischievous, puerile and unpatriotic. It’s nothing but a move simply calculated to score cheap political gains on the part of the PDP. It’s high time our legislators stopped playing politics with critical issues affecting Nigerians’ lives.

‘ ’ by this set of disgruntled lawmakers poses two fundamental questions and answers to these

Not Just Another Workers Day The public holiday last Tuesday was not just a deserved break, it also acknowledged the effort of workers worldwide towards increasing productivity which inevitably through a process leads to widening the revenue streams which eventually results in the elevation of living standards. ‘Workers’ here includes everybody adding value, encompassing farmers, career officers, the informal sector and so forth.

This is the last Workers Day in which the Ogbeni Governor of Osun State will be the serving head of the state government. The conventional wisdom is that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has put in a stellar performance. Within the backdrop of competing interests he has carried out an equitable balancing act.

All of these have been achieved within, as its widely acknowledged, a very difficult fiscal climate of tight revenues from the center in a stunted quasi-federalism. The workers in Osun have not at any time faced the cataclysm of other states where it is routine to owe workers up to eight months salaries and for pensioners to routinely die on the queue. This has been creatively avoided in the state of Osun.

Kudos must be given to Ogbeni, and for a critical reason. In this vein, let us recall the often quoted admonition of India’s founding primeminister Jawaharlal Pandit Nehru that, “A politician thinks about the next election, a statesman about succeeding generations”. The

easy way out for Aregbesola would have been to gain populist induced plaudits by just paying salaries, handing out ‘stomach infrastructure’ with a lavish hand and doing nothing else.

Mercifully for the future of another generation, Aregbesola is taking the road less taking and has made a success of it. By the creative, cost-efficient investments in the social and physical infrastructure, Aregbesola has constructed the foundations for sustainable development. As was said of the great British Architect Christopher Wren who imparted so positively on the development of London, “if you seek to know what he has achieved, look around you.”

Taking a bird’s eye view of the state of Osun reveals giant strides in every area of human endeavour. The trajectory for the sustainability of future generations is assured with the very much desired continuity of the present progressive thrust.

The Aregbesola path is also instructive. It is for the labour movement to learn that immediate noninflation adjusted monetary benefits are an illusion.

In the long-time it is the environment created for sustainability which in the end decisively and irreversibly breaks the shackles of poverty.

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, it is therefore not surprising that the Aregbesola example in so many areas is now being adapted and replicated. Kudos again to the workers-friendly Ogbeni governor.

It is for the labour movement to learn that immediate non-inflation adjusted monetary benefits are an illusion. In the longtime, it is the environment created for sustainability which in the end decisively and irreversibly breaks the shackles of poverty.

May Day And A Clarion Call I wish to congratulate workers in the state of Osun and Nigeria as a whole on the celebration of the 2018 Workers Day. While some opinions have said that there was nothing to celebrate, I still believe that there are lots to celebrate, with a view to reviewing the past and designing the road for a way forward.

While I particularly congratulate the workers in the service of Osun and commend them for their perseverance in the face of hard economic period, I must also charge the government to do more in taking care

of the welfare of the state workforce.

However, the government of Osun deserves commendation on the issue of the

Modulated salaries to ensure that each worker has something to take home at the time it was difficult for the government to perform its statutory obligations

due to the damage that had been done to the country’s economy.

It is a public knowledge that the state government could not be totally blamed for the

woes that hit the economy then, as it was a general situation across the country.

That does not mean that the government

should not put in extra efforts interms of revenue generation locally to ensure that it has capacity to perform its obligations, particularly salary payment, as the workers deserve their pays.

To generate revenue locally is not for politicians alone, the major part of the job must be done by the workers in various ministries and agencies of government. We must help the government to help ourselves.

•IBRAHIM BASITH, Osogbo, State of Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER Publisher

–

Acting Editor

–

Moremi Publishing House Ltd. Kazeem Mohammed (0806-220-7954)

Lagos Editor

–

Kola Odepeju

News Editor

-

Shina Abubakar

Production Editor

–

Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa

Senior Reporter

–

Sola Jacobs

Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter

– – –

Kehinde Ayantunji Ismaeel Uthman Israel Afolabi Francis Ezediuno

Acting Marketing Manager

-

Jimmy Adams

Photographer Photographer

– –

Oluwagbemiga Adeniyi Olushola Aderinto

Proof Reader

-

Tosin Oyediran

Admin. Manager

–

Murtala Agboola

Graphics Designer – Computer Operator – Computer Operator -

Lukman Ussein Mary Akintola Zainab Olalere

Advert Executive

–

Nike Adeyemi

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

All correspondence to the above mail address.

ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0806-220-7954, 08061197897 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com, osundefenderbank@gmail.com

MAGAZINE FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

Osun Debt And Revenue Profile In Perspectives Osun, under Governor Rauf Aregbesola watch, is seeing by ADEMOLA YAHAYA to have made dramatic and unprecedented progress from backwater of economic regression to the fertile place of economic abundance.

The debt profile of a state must be measured against its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) value.

GDP is a broad measurement of the state overall economic activity. It is the total value of goods and services produced by an entity in a given period of time, usually annually and quarterly.

In November 27, 2010, Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Government met a strangulating financial situation in Osun as it occupies the 34th position of 36 states in Nigeria in terms of financial muscle on the one hand and a suffocating N18.38 billion loan obtained by the immediate past PDP government on White Elephant Projects where the state had to be borrowing N1 billion monthly in order to fulfill its statutory obligations. However, with ideas, determination and some financial reengineering, Osun limitations have turned around to greatness.

Of the five states declared in 2012 by the National Bureau of Statistics with the lowest unemployment rate – Abia 11%, Oyo 9%, Lagos 8%, Kwara 7%, Osun is the lowest with 3%. What is the magic?

Within 100 days in office, Aregbesola engaged 20,000 youths in one single swoop into Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) with N10,000 allowance for the services rendered by each cadet. Two years after, another 20,000 youths were engaged. The multiplier effects of N200 million directly injected to Osun economy monthly is very stupendous. The World Bank has adopted the scheme as a template for youth empowerment in Nigeria. This has earned Nigeria $300 million grant from the bank as a support for the Federal Government to replicate nationally. The World Bank Sector Leader on Human Development and Youth Employment and Social Support Operation, Professor Foluso Okunmadewa, whose team had visited Osun severally to assess the scheme promised to empower more youths in Osun and called on other states to emulate Osun.

Presently, Osun Government, in

Osun Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has empowered 1,131 less-privileged youths as part of efforts by the bank to supporting Aregbesola’s programme to banish unemployment and poverty. collaboration with the World Bank, has empowered 1,131 lessprivileged youths as part of efforts by the bank to supporting Aregbesola’s programme to banish unemployment and poverty.

Over 253,000 Elementary School Pupils are fed nutritional meals – chicken, fish, beef, eggs and fruits at every school day. Apart from serving as a tactical weapon against

illiteracy and bait for greater enrolment of pupils which gives hopes in life to these kids, N1.5 billion spent on the meals is an incentive to farmers to produce more, as there is a guaranteed market for their produce. The scheme has also empowered 3,007 caterers. N800 million was committed to 750,000 School Uniform for the Elementary,

Middle and High School Students, which has created 3,000 jobs for Osun people at the Omoluabi Garment Factory.

Massive road networks construction and maintenance in the cities and rural areas are unprecedented in the history of the state. A 43km highway connecting Osogbo to Kwara State; Osogbo East Bypass that connects Iwo Road, and Osogbo City Stadium to Osogbo Gbogan Road and Adebisi Akande Trumpet Interchange Bridge on Ife-Ibadan expressway among others are being completed.

Workers Drive has been commissioned. Over 100km roads have been built in rural areas and 130km access roads upgraded in some rural areas especially around production cluster areas. Apart from Lagos, Osun is a permanent construction site.

Building of State-of-art Model •Continued on page 6

6

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.org

MAGAZINE

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

Osun Debt And Revenue Profile In Perspectives

•Continued from page 5

Schools across the State with all modern facilities that will make teaching and learning more conducive; renovation and upgrading of Tertiary Health Facilities with modern medical equipment; construction of various Primary Health Centres across the Local Government Areas with medical equipments; solar and new motorised powered boreholes are also there. The procurement of 49 highly mobile ambulances for a swift response to emergency which has saved 12,171 lives, including 8 pregnant accident victims rescued and gave birth inside the Ambulance while being conveyed to the hospitals are all good story to tell.

Under Governor Aregbesola’s watch, Osun is highly risky for criminals and crimes with procurement of 25 Armoured Personnel Carries (APC) with 100 Patrol Vehicle for 24-hour security cover of the state 365 days a year.

United Nations (UN) MultiDimensional Poverty Index and The Financial Derivative Company (FDC) Misery Index 2017 concluded that Osun, under Aregbesola’s administration is the Second best State in Nigeria as far as prosperity (lack of poverty) is concerned. They affirmed, “The totality of borrowing that Osun witnessed under the Aregbesola Administration has been heavily invested in infrastructure, education, social services, human capacity development and has consequently translated into an economy with underemployment, unemployment and inflation well below national average and diverse”. In several socialeconomic indexes, Osun is ranked as second wealthiest States in

•The newly-constructed Chief Bisi Akande Trumpet Bridge at Gbongan junction.

Nigeria.

Based on Debt Management Office release on 31st December, 2016 on States and Federal Governments External Debt Stock, Osun External Debt is N70,533,845.79. However, because of the recession occasioned by missing oil money, unchecked oil theft under the PDP Government which made Nigeria to be losing 400,000 barrel per day and resulted to low income to Federation Account as well as eventual crash of oil price at the international

market, virtually all states of the federation found it practically impossible to pay workers salaries, building and maintaining infrastructure and providing social amenities for the people. At a stage, the Federal Government had to be obtaining loan to pay Federal Civil Servants. This was in 2014 under President Jonathan’s PDP Government. By June 2015, 23 states, including Osun, were owing, at least, 6 months workers’ salaries. Until he could no longer borrow again, Aregbesola had to borrow to pay workers’ salaries.

Osun is populated by 4 million people. Its debt profile of N179 billion is to be repaid in 20 years, per annum, each Osun indigene is obliged to pay N2,237.5 to repay the debt. If this is divided per day, every Osun citizen will pay N6.1 (Six Naira, one kobo) daily for 20 years.

It was President Buhari APC that had to bailout the situation via N713 billion, being $2.1 billion (413 billion) from Liquified Natural Gas proceeds shared by the states and Federal Government, and Central Bank of Nigeria intervention fund between N250 and N300 billion as soft loans to enable states pay outstanding salaries with Debt Management Office (DMO) helping them to restructure and extend their loans life span. This was what brought Osun internal and external loan to N179 billion to be paid in 20 years. This is the totality of loans and other debt instruments obtained by all administrations that have ruled the state.

Osun is populated by 4 million people. Its debt profile of N179 billion is to be repaid in 20 years, per annum, each Osun indigene is obliged to pay N2,237.5 to repay the debt. If this is divided per day, every Osun citizen will pay N6.1 (Six Naira, one kobo) daily for 20 years. This amount cannot buy a sachet of water popularly called Pure Water.

Osun is a rich asset. It cannot be adjudged by its allocation from the Federation Account. It has to be visa-vis its productivity, capacity and exchange value amongst others. If I earn N100,000 salary as a University Graduate, that is not my worth. If I were to build a house and maximum loan obtainable for me is N50,000, that can’t be the kind of money required for the project.

My worth as a Graduate is between N800 million and N1 billion.

Under Governor Aregbesola watch, Osun has made dramatic and unprecedented progress from backwater of economic regression to the fertile place of economic abundance.

CULTURE

Ladunwo And The Restriction Of Tourists In Imesi-Ile

By Femi Siyanbola

It was a gathering of mammoth crowd of lovers of tourism on the April 21, 2018, as Oranmiyan Group, the political group of the Governor, State of Osun graced the crowd-pulling ‘Ladunwo’ at Gogongo Festival, ImesiIle. The spirit of ingenuity that often characterize the life and power of great ancient humans that later became deities was the same spirit that founded Ladunwo when Adegbuji Otuoko of Ile- Sango, Imesi-Ile brought Ladunwo to the town at about 300 years ago.

Ladunwo used to be a righteous masquerade which anointed Aremo who held the spiritual structure of the Alaafin, employed to entertain his reigning father Alafin while on the throne. A certain recurrent trivial controversy had existed over the wish of Otuoko that people of Imesi-Ile should help him propagate his festival which he brought from Oyo as the grandson and Aremo Alaafin Abiodun Atiba without imposing their modification on the Otuokos. The misunderstanding of this admonition is generating furore every 3 years in this activity at Imesi-Ile by diverse stakeholders.

The Obe, the Odunmorun and the Otuokos were the founder and earlier settlers at Imesi-Ile.

Apart from this, one of the ingenuities made Oranmiyan to perform miracles, and one of which was the use of his staff to perform wonders while using his staff to do so many things when he was fighting wars to create the Yoruba empire then.

The same ingenuity made Sango to ooze fire from his mouth as a symbol of power. If the ingenuity and the way the festival was coordinated should be modified, it should always be at the instance of the Otuokos.

That is what brought developmental phases and the metamorphosis of followership trend that had surfaced since then at Imesi-Ile. The Imole Ladunwo activities that were resisted first to Orikuta, Igbo igbale, gradually moved to Otapete and later to Aafin. It was getting to the point of garnering

support from the state that Otuoko house got divided, the youths in the town were adamant, as the Isese people refused vehemently that the bar that was supposed to be raised was not necessary. It was after 9 years that the Otuokos had wanted the festival to be recorded by media people, government and foreigners to take pictures but up till today the forces of unfaithfulness still reject this option which would have been in the best interest of the people.

The most significant thing is when ‘Ladunwo’ was deified, it was the only deity that was envisaged that would walk, talk and move to the astonishment of the people who often had the mindset that other deities who can never walk, move or talk can’t be compared with Ladunwo. Since the 17

The most significant thing is when ‘Ladunwo’ was deified, it was the only deity that was envisaged that would walk, talk and move to the astonishment of the people who often had the mindset that other deities who can never walk, move or talk can’t be compared with Ladunwo.

century when Imole Ladunwo, (the duo) came to Imesi - Ile, they have been walking every 3 year designated for the festive period, they have been moving and offering prayers which often bring testimonies for adherents who come from Africa and diaspora. Ladunwo crowd is huge which necessitates the need for the government to recognize and admit it into government tourism gazette.

The fear that had reared its head overtime was that, if the huge crowd that were getting uncontrollable at Imesi-Ile’s festival happened to host foreign media and they have to take photographs, and one of the foreign media personnel is killed at the scene, wouldn’t it lead to forceful submission when the inevitable investigating personnel and media will be directed to take photographs at will. I hope it should be understood therefore that if festival like this is generating huge crowd of people every other year and government should wade-in in the future, our people should cooperate and allow them to take pictures. We should not let ignorance becloud our sense of reasoning. The people’s world would have passed the Neolithic and barbaric age.

•Femi Siyanbola, SSA to the Governor State of Osun on Media, Publicity and Strategy, writes from Okerena, Imesi-Ile

7

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.org

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

8

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.org

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

9

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.org

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

10

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

COMMUNITY

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

11

Ife South LG Distributes Farm Implements, Presents Buses To Religious Bodies

The Management, Ife South Local Government, under the leadership of Hon. Mufutau Adegbite has presented buses to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the League of Imam and Alfa in the council, farm implements to farmers, as well as welfare package to Widows and Aged.

Presenting the that the distribution of materials, Adegbite said farm implements to the

farmers was aimed at enhancing food production as food is very essential to human lives, adding that the welfare package for the widows and aged among others would

eliminate poverty among the people.

The council boss also noted that the presentation of buses to the CAN and the League of Imam and Alfas was very essential

•Chairman, Ife South Local Government, Honourable Mufutau Adegbite (right); an APC leaderduring the presentation of farm implements to farmers.

Ayedaade South Embarks On Massive Rehabilitation Of Roads, Other Projects The management, Ayedaade South Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Orile-Owu, under the leadership of Honourable Quadri Azeez has embarked on series of developmental projects, including massive rehabilitation of roads across the council area.

The Council would be extended to Chairman, Hon. Quadri towns and villages in the Azeez stated this while council area, like Orilerolling out the Owu, Alabameta, achievements of his Motako, Fowosere, administration so far Mokore 1, 2 and 3, Farm during an interactive settlement, Baba Ijo, session with various Lamuyiwa, Adetunji, stakeholders at the flag Alagbede, Ajegunle, off of grading of road in Abimbola among others.

Araromi- Owu, and The chairman also foundation laying of promised to embark on office complex at the various women and council premises. youth empowerments, Stressing that majority construction of office of the people in the complex to make official LCDA are duties easier for career predominantly farmers, officers, general he said that the sanitation in the council rehabilitation of roads area, staff welfare, would guarantee easy partitioning of office for transportation of their the parliamentarians, farm produce to the opening of Housing nearest cities and Scheme for the populace markets. among others.

This according to him, He then urged the would go a long way in people of the council to motivating the residents, support his mostly farmers to put administration through more efforts in their payment of their taxes businesses, once they are and other levies rest assured of easy required of them, saying transportation of such the programmes and products to the nearest projects highlighted for towns for marketing. execution would require The council boss a lot of money. disclosed that the gesture Reacting, the Olu of

CHANGE OF NAME/PUBLIC NOTICE MRS. BELLO-ADENLE MORUFAT

That I was formerly known and addressed as MISS ADENLE MORUFAT OMOLARA, but now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BELLO-ADENLE MORUFAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

SPACE FOR SALE

Araromi-Owu, Oba Nathaniel Oyetunji, commended the C h a i r m a n , parliamentarians, and the management of the council for struggling to alleviate and eradicate the problems of the people, promising to prevail on the people to perform their obligations to the government.

Present at the programme were; the Olowu Of Orile-Owu, Oba Dauda Akinfalabi;

the leader of the council’s parliament, Hon. Ogunfolaju Olusola; Vice-Chairman, Hon. Oyeyemi Sikiru; Deputy leader, Hon. Odubiyi Lawanson; a member of the parliament, Hon. Mustapha Akeeb; traditional rulers; Council Manager, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi; heads of various departments; religious leaders among others

to give the religious group sense of belonging.

Adegbite who promised not to relent in his efforts to transform the local government, lauded all stakeholders in the system, particularly the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for giving him the required support to excel.

Speaking at the programme, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Barrister Kolapo Alimi reiterated the state government’s commitment to better the lives of the people, particular those at the grassroot.

Alimi who noted that Governor Aregbesola has performed excellently in the areas of social amenities, security, job creation among others, commended Adegbite and his team for their efforts towards bringing dividends of democracy to the grassroot.

He noted that the materials being distributed would go a long way to improve the standard of living of the people in the council area as well as enhancing food production.

The commissioner then charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items and stands with the All Progressives

Congress (APC) government for more dividends of democracy.

In their separate messages, the lawmaker representing Ife South state constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Folorunso Bamisayemi; the Chairman APC Elders Forum in the council, Elder Jonathan Ologbenla; Elder Ogunremi Oladosu and other speakers lauded the administration of Adegbite and his team for putting smile on the faces of the people.

They then enjoined the people of the council to always support APC which they referred to as a party of the masses.

Also speaking, the wife of the council chairman, Mrs Alimat Adegbite commended his husband for emulating Governor Aregbesola and his wife, Serifat’s efforts towards making lives meaningful for the people.

He assured women that he would continue to support his husband to take good care of them, thanking them for their supports so far.

The Council Manager, Prince Osuade Adebayo; Ifetedo Progressive National President, Alhaji Musediq Ojuade; Olubosin of Ifetedo in Council among others were present at the occasion.

Olorunda North Chair Assures Physically-challenged Of Proper Care The Chairman, Olorunda North Local Council Noting that everybody Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Quadri is handicapped in one Owonikoko has assured that he would make effort way or the other, either to guarantee equality, rights and dignity of the spiritually, financially or physically-challenged people as everyone else. physically, he noted that He gave the assurance the physically- the people with disability when the President of the challenged people truly should be treated the Physically-challenged face discrimination and same way able body people in the State of this restricts them from people are being treated.

Osun, Pastor Onitiju participating in various Owonikoko who noted Kehinde and the South activities in the society on that his administration West at large visited an equal basis with do not look down on the Olorunda North LCDA others.

Physically Challenged recently.

Onitiju, during the visit, had laid emphasis on the need to include the The management, Ifelodun Local Government, physically challenged Ikirun, led by Alhaji Hammed Omoloye has people in governance as embarked on the repair of an abandoned tractor in they are also human beings, regretting that the Local Government with assurance of his during election period, administration’s commitment to invest greatly in they are being given Agriculture and ensure massive food production.

A statement signed by his support to help the maximum recognition to get their votes, but when the Council’s Head of vision realised by and the elections are won, Social Development, maintaining they are left unattended Information, Youth, supervising the use of to. refurbished Sport and Cuture, Mr the Noting that the Bukola Elufadejin, said equipment. physically-challenged do the efforts of the council He later assured not need sympathy in is being targeted members of the public in any form be it in crutches, towards fighting hunger the local government wheelchair or other that the tractor is now disabled equipments, but among the people.

The Head of available for rent to rather, they need interested farmers at Agriculture department, employment and Mr Ademola Ajayi, affordable price. empowerment.

The Council Manager, to the While responding, according Owonikoko affirmed that statement has promised Alhaja Salam Mojisola

people and would never do, he said he would ensure that they enjoy same right like everyone else.

He also promised to table their issues with his colleagues during their meeting and a resolution will be taken to the ministry in order to take care of them, especially during festive seasons.

Ifelodun LG Repairs Tractor, Promises Massive Food Production expressed her satisfaction on the achievements of the Chairman in other areas such as; fencing of popular Alamisi Market, Ikirun; repair of leaking roof of the Local Government secretariat Complex; clearing and removal of refuse from illegal dumpsites along Ikirun/Osogbo road, Alamisi Market and some strategic locations within the council.

She then enjoined members of the public who may need to hire the tractor to always make proper use of it.

12

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.org

NEWS

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

With 141 days to go into the election on September 22, the preliminaries and the heats for the main race, we continue our review of the purported contestants, even though only a few of them have formally declared.

Oriolowo: A

Technocrat Joins The Race

Born on the 25th April 1956 into the family of Late Raheem Akanji and Alhaja Samirat Abidemi Oriolowo of the famous Oriolowo family, Molete, Iwo in Osun.

He attended D.C School Oke-Ifa (1962 1963) and Baptist Day School Oke-Odo, (1964 - 1970) Iwo for his primary school education. He broke his primary education between 1968 and 1969 to work as a Shop Keeper on Agboville , Ivory Coast, to gather money for his Secondary School education which he had at Baptist High School Iwo (1971- 1975).

Having spent the first eighteen years of his early life in his native land, Iwo, the young lad was enrolled at The Polytechnic Ibadan for a two-year Ordinary Diploma course in Mechanical Engineering which he completed in 1978.

From Ibadan, he became a student of the prestigious University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. In 1984, Oriolowo got BSc degree in Agricultural Engineering at Ife. After his one year service (NYSC) in 1985, Adelere Oriolowo worked briefly as a teacher at Bishop Onabanjo High School, Bodija, Ibadan and Kuta, Ile-ogbo Anglican Church Grammar School before proceeding to the enclave World Bank Assisted, Oyo North Agricultural Development Project (ONADEP) in Saki as Agric Engineer in charge of tractor hiring unit. When the enclave project (ONADEP) in the old Oyo State was expanded into State Wide Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) in 1989, Adelere, the young but promising Engineer became the organization’s Executive Agro Processor (1989 - 1991).

His job entailed sourcing for low-cost adaptable agro-processing equipment for crop processing as well as linking farmers in the project area with fabricators, Research Institutions and Organizations.

Having discharged his duties creditably to the admiration of his organization, he was appointed Principal Irrigation Engineer in charge of FADAMA I Coordination in 1991-1992.

It wasn’t long before Oriolowo got promoted into the Directorate cadre of the Public Service becoming Assistant Director in 1997, Deputy Director in 2001, Director in-charge of Engineering Services of Osun State Agricultural Development Programme (OSSADEP) in 2005.

He worked for Nigerian Bottling Company (Coca-cola) Ibadan as Mechanical Supervisor, (1978-1979) where he was able to change the Multinational Company’s production capacity from about 50% below target to over 50% above targeted production capacity in less than four months of his engagement by employing technical and managerial techniques.

Oriolowo has offered employment to many youths and women, as well as research and IT training to over 2,000 students of higher institutions across the South Western region of Nigeria. He established many agro processing factories and farms.

Engr. Oriolowo had International Development Project experiences when he served as focal point officer with the UNDP (1996 - 1999). He was Facilitator in charge of Water Control in the National Food Security Project, a Federal Government/FAO Assisted Project (2001-2006), Facilitator Agro-Processor for Root & Tuber Expansion Project, an Internation fund for Agric Development IFAD Assisted Project (2001 - 2007) and Coordinator FADAMA I, a World Bank Assisted Project (1991 - 1998).

He has his professional qualification at various places; he became a COREN registered Engineer in 2003 with registration number 9883, member of the

The Race & The Runners

Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in 1992 and member Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) in 1993. In the area of Project Management, he is a certified International Development Project Manager (IDPM) in 2011, Registered Member of Prestigeous Institute of Strategic Management in 2013, Nigeria Institute of Management in 2014, and Member of Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators in 2017.

Oriolowo is the Project Coordinator of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy affairs, Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs in the State of Osun. He is also the current Project Coordinator for World Bank /French Development Agency (AFD) assisted Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) (2007 to date), to say he has co-ordinated these effectively is to state the obvious, as the State of Osun is leading the other States in RAMP II. He was also former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs (2013 - 2016). He was the General Manager, Osun State Agricultural Development Corporation in 2007 - 2013.

Engr. Oriolowo also trained by International bodies in different areas to attain many goals in the public service, leadership to maintain and strengthen the Project and achieve changes in team management and integrity. Engr.

Oriolowo (OND Mechanical Engineering, BSc Agric Engineering, FNSE, FNIAE, IDPM, MNIM, MISM, ACArb, JP) is a practicing farmer, Agricultural Engineer, a foremost administrator, a father, creative and enterprising professional.

Engr. Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo is a widely travelled professional and administrator. He has undergone trainings in many part of the world.

He is married to Deaconess Felicia Ayanjoju Oriolowo and the union is blessed with children.

Oriolowo is currently being touted as the favourite of some powerful individuals in the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are currently mobilizing for him under a group called “GOP” to secure the party ticket.

Riding On Father's Goodwill

SuperKay:

Kayode Emmanuel Oduoye, often referred to as ‘Superkay’, is a Nigerian politician, lawyer, businessman and philanthropist. He is a member of the People’s Democratic Party and was the party’s candidate for House of Representatives in 2015.

Oduoye was born in October 6, 1970 in Ibadan to the family of Late Senator & Chief (Mrs) Simeon Olasunkanmi Oduoye of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State. The Senior Oduoye was military governor of Niger and Ebonyi States between 1996 and 1999.

He retired as an Assistant Inspector General in the Nigerian Police in 1999. He also represented Osun Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate from 2003 to 2007.

Kayode Oduoye attended INRI Experimental Nursery and Primary School, Onireke, Ibadan; St.Richard’s Catholic Primary School, Jericho, Ibadan and the famous Government College Ibadan (GCI) where he sat for his West African School Certificate Examination in 1988.

He then gained admission to study Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1989; however, because of the unrest in the institution that year, he, like many “Jambites” of that time, did not resume academic work until 1990. From OAU, he received a Second Class Upper grade in Law in 1995 and also finished as the best foreign student in the Master of Law class at the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom in 1998. He majored in International Trade and Commercial Law. Upon his return to Nigeria from his overseas studies, Kayode Oduoye set up ShalomKay Group. The Company is involved in Telecommunication, Energy, Oil and Gas.

Oduoye’s foray into politics began in 2001, but because of the circumstance of his father’s involvement in the politics as well, Kayode did not seek any political position at the period. He was actively involved in the youth mobilisation activities for his father’s successful senate bid in 2003. In 2015 however, he contested for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent the constituents of Ifelodun/Odo-Otin /Boripe Federal Constituency of Osun State. Based on the feelers from his party agents which indicated the election was skewed to favour his opponent, Oduoye was persuaded by his numerous supporters to challenge the results of the election at the Election Tribunal. On 16 December 2015, the Court of Appeal in Akure upheld the decision of the trial Tribunal led by Justice A.G. Kwajaffa and finally resolved the case against him.

Oduoye is married to the popular Nollywood actress Mosunmola Filani-Oduoye. The togetherness is blessed with children. Kayode Oduoye has attracted criticism from detractors who believe that the source of his wealth is his father’s savings. It is believed that his father who died March 21, 2014, left big wealth for him.

Oduoye has been conferred with awards by different communities, student organisations, faith-based groups, cultural and academic institutions in response to his impactful contributions to human and communal development and peaceful co-existence. He was bestowed with Doctor Honoris Causa of the Bradley University, Illinois in 2015. He was also conferred with the “Knight of the Law Society” (KLS) by the Law Students Society, OAU, IleIfe in 2015 and Exemplary Leadership Award by Rotaract Club of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree in 2016. In addition, he has, on several occasions, received awards for his noble contributions to community and national development from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS South-West), Nigerian Union of Journalists, Osun State; OAU Chapter of the National Association of Osun State Students; and 2016 LAUTECH Graduating Medical Students, among others.

Oduoye is believed by many youths within the PDP to have the capacity to flag the party ticket in September 22, 2017, by riding on the political structure of his late father, but some sections of the party have also written him off on the ground that he does not have the political capacity to flag the party’s flag at the election.

Inspite the mixed feeling about his intention to run for the governorship seat, SuperKay has begun massive mobilization for his governorship ambition across the state.

•Next week, will look at another set of contenders for the governorship race.

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

13

Bad Breath May Be Caused By Food We Eat - Dentist Bad breath or Halitosis has been explained to be a situation that can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems typically made worse by the types of food one eats or other unhealthy lifestyle.

This was made known by Dr. Victor Nwabudike, a Consultant Family Dentist who specializes in oral health recently in a chat with this medium.

The Oral Health specialist revealed that bad breath can be traced to the breakdown of food which begins from the mouth.

In his words, “Basically, all the foods we eat begin to be broken down in the mouth. If foods with strong odour such as garlic or onions are eaten, brushing and even using mouthwash merely covers up the odour temporarily. The odour will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body.

“If you do not brush your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gum and on the tongue. This causes bad breath.

“In addition, odour causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned. Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products also can cause bad breath, stain teeth, which can bring about and reduced ability to taste food and irritate the gums”.

Dr. Nwabudike also hinted that bad breath could bring about health problems which,

With FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

•Dr Nwabudike

according to him, include persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth which may be a sign of gum disease also known as periodontal disease.

This type of disease, he hinted, is caused by the buildup of plaque on the teeth and bacteria can cause the formation of toxins to form, which may irritate the gums and if the gum disease continued untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath, he added, include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infection of the mouth and dental caries or cavities.

“The medical condition of dry mouth also

Put The Pieces Of Your Life Back And Become Even Greater One of the most amazing things which mothernature has given to us is the ability to turn our disadvantages or challenges into greater advantage.

A broken pencil could instantly become multiple pencils in the hand of the owner if only he (or she) can think positively. Most of us recoil into our shells when life deals us a certain blow. We fail to see the hidden treasures in that blow. Studies of successes have shown that most good things in life come wrapped in garments of sorrow, lack, disadvantages, abuses, hatred from colleagues and family members and so on. Whenever you are faced with any of these, know very well and for certainty that your time for greatness has arrived. The most amazing thing about life, which no one has been able to unravel, is that difficulties most often herald greatness. The more difficult your situation is, the more nearer you are to your astounding success.

So, whenever life deals certain blows on you, keep calm; try not to be too ruffled (even though, this is difficult); engage yourself in self assessment of the situation; ask yourself where you’ve gone wrong and be very honest about it. Take a deep breath and try not to play the blame game either on yourself or the outside world; know that it is a passing phase of your life which will naturally disappear. Know that no one, I repeat, no one can solve your life problem except yourself and through your effort. Help may come from unexpected quarters if it will.

In your quiet moment, I’m sure you must have heard a deafening, silent voice telling you how to go about certain issues, a direction of sorts. All great achievements and inventions come from this silent, almost oft-fast-disappearing voice.

In your quiet moment, I’m sure you must have heard a deafening, silent voice telling you how to go about certain issues, a direction of sorts. All great achievements and inventions come from this silent, almost oft-fast-disappearing voice.

called Xerostomia also can be a cause of bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongues, gums and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may also be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems or continuous breathing through the mouth”.

He also disclosed that many other diseases and illnesses may be the cause of bad breath, some of which include respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnatal drips, diabetes, chronic acid reflux and liver or kidney problems.

As a way of preventing bad breath, Dr. Nwabudike suggested the following: practice of good oral hygiene which includes brushing twice in a day with fluoride toothpaste and replacing of toothbrush after 90 days.

Other measures he suggested were, seeing the dentist regularly at least twice in a year, putting a stop to smoking for smokers and also ending tobacco chewing, drinking of lots of water to keep the mouth moist and keeping logs of food eaten.

One of the means of getting rid of bad breath is through the use of antibacterial mouthwash, he added.

Truth Of The Matter with

AYEKOOTO ayoakinola444@gmail.com

So, know that you can’t make an omelet without cracking an egg, neither can a woman experience safe delivery without issues of blood. Challenges are natural arrangements necessary to shift us to the next and higher levels.

General Olusegun Obasanjo, in one of his numerous books after prison experience and having reached both pinnacle and deep valley of life, offers panacea for facing life challenges: Sleep Little: One of the causes of life failures is, not knowing that too much sleep is not a virtue, except one who is convalescing from certain ailment.

If you want to be successful in life, do not spend the

whole of the night sleeping. Get up in the middle of the night and reflect on your whole life when all are calm. It will amaze you the rewarding ideas, God, (or The Supreme Intelligence) will deposit in you to face your life challenges. For the religious, it will be time to pray and ask God for guidance. People who rule us know this for a fact and most times “sit” for ideas during the “silent hours”. Almost a decade ago, I over-heard a certain powerful commissioner in Lagos saying “Oru ni won n se’joba Eko”, literally translated, Lagos is ruled in the night. Is Lagos not great?

Eat Little: Food is good for the body because it nourishes and gives energy. But just like any other thing done in excess, too much food is dysfunctional to healthy living. As we grow older, the amount of food required by the body diminishes. I have been close to a number of great people and notice their attitude towards food. You’ll probably think they hate food. I once overheard that if you must achieve your daily task and excel, you must watch what and how you eat. Most of us can consume anything edible, not minding whether or not our system is attuned to such foods at that time. The human body is probably the most sophisticated machine ever created. For this “machine” to function optimally, you must watch what and how you feed into it. You need to understand your body and not go with the often-paraded nutritional jargons and recommendations. Know that no two human bodies are the same. But as you grow older and wiser, it often pays to reduce your food intake. For the elderly, your body machine is not that strong as it used to be. But this is not to say you shouldn’t constantly nourish your body especially with fruits and water, generally regarded as the best friend of the body.

Others are: Cultivate the habits of giving and forgiving; Laugh and smile often; Always pray and, or, have quiet moments where you can sit for ideas.

14

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.org

NEWS

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

Osun 2018: Free, Fair Primaries, The Way To APC Victory - Orangun Of Ila The Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun sensitize our party to rule the state but failed their to compare and emergence. has charged the governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf members to serious party woefully. ”We have appealed to contrast with their own.

Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress work and stimulate the “We have reminded “We are by far our people to work (APC) to ensure that the party’s candidate for the citizenry at large to the our party loyalists on the different and much more together in unison to next Governorship election emerge from a credible need to be sensitive to the fact that we have had the impactful on the lives of ensure that our party primary that will be seen to be transparent by all machinations and experience of this same our people as our remains the political party members. intrigues of the people several times performance on ground party to beat in any According to the before our emergence is incomparable with any election”, Aregbesola opposition parties who The Monarch commended Aregbesola governor, “We are here to had had the opportunity and that our records are government before our added. for providing quality e d u c a t i o n a l infrastructure among other interventions The National Institute for Policy and Strategic exercise as the institute the welfare of the needs. projects in the state.

Studies (NIPSS) has said Osun government has the think tank of citizenry.

He explained that in the Orangun admonished demonstrated strong connection with the masses in the remains the nation.

The Governor process of development, that selection of the flag implementation and execution of policies and In his remarks, the canvassed for true some Nigerians have bearer should not only be programmes.

Governor of Osun, Ogbeni federalism that will unconsciously eroded the seen as being credible, equitable way some sections of the the spate National Institute for Rauf Aregbesola called on engender but transparent enough of NIPSS lauded infrastructural Policy and Strategic the tiers of government to distribution of resources, society (farmers) make to majority of members. describing the call as a their own livelihood, prioritize the fundamental development of Osun in Studies, Galadima He posited that if the the last seven years of described the NIPSS as the principles of government necessity to end the socio- thereby trampling on the party and its leadership Governor economic challenges by being proactive rights of some people Rauf institution for avoid imposition and A r e g b e s o l a ’ s highest which in turn make them policies and strategies in towards the protection of bedeviling the country. bring forward a administration.

He called on to turn violent while the country which has the lives and property of the government at various protecting their means of candidate that will be The institute’s Director full backing of the federal citizen.

He expressed great levels to be more alive to making a living. accepted by all, victory of Research, Professor government. constitutional in the their for the progressives in the Habu Galadima gave the Aregbeola held that He said the participants displeasure state is certain. commendation during a on the tour to the state proliferation of security responsibilities, arguing Nigeria needs to develop “I must state here that courtesy call to the were drawn from different challenges in the country, the crisis between the a process that will make it Fulani impossible for herdsmen at the sectors of the economy, in saying the time has come suspected APC remains the party to Governor, House, respect of the theme of the for government at various herdsmen and farmers are to roam around with their beat in the coming Government gubernatorial elections, Osogbo and hailed the institute for each year tour levels to strengthen product of government cattles but rather apply security and improve on insensitivity to people’s modern cattle ranching. but the party must be present administration in careful in the choice of the state for bringing to the the basic candidate to be presented citizens, for elections. As long as i n f r a s t r u c t u r e requirements in all sectors. they avoid imposition in Galadima, who led the the choice of candidate delegation of the there won’t be problem Participants of the Senior for the party in the Executive Course 40, 2018 election because of the National Institute Aregbesola has done for Policy and Strategic remarkably well for the Studies to Osun, said the coast to be clear for visit of the delegation has victory in the poll. exposed the delegates to “ A r e g b e s o l a ’ s the giant strides of the contribution to the A r e b e s o l a ’ s growth and development administration.

According to him, “Just of Osun is unrivalled and we thank God for the on our arrival to Osun, we manner in which he have been able to see the steered the ship of this good works that the state especially in the present administration area of schools and other had done. We have seen i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l the rapid development in development”.

The all the nooks and crannies of the state and it is •Some members of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) delegation during their courtesy monarch stated. amazing that the Earlier, governor government has been able visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House, Osogbo.

Aregbesola charged to develop a strong party members not to connection with the allow aspirants in the masses. party to divide them, the deceased has left his visited the state governor “We have also learnt

By Israel Afolabi saying a lot of people will that the state has been able foot prints on the sand of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi where they condoled with be coming out to aspire to touch the lives of the The death of the speaker Oyo State House of time. for the post of governor. poorest by equipping Assembly, Late Rt Hon. Michael Adeyemo has created They however prayed the government and He noted that the visit them with the basic a vacuum in view of his remarkable contributions to God to give the family of people of Oyo State.

Ajimobi described the is a wake-up call to infrastructure needs. democratic sustenance in his home state, South West the deceased and the late speaker as a good the basic and the entire country at large. bereaved lawmakers the companion members of the APC in Thought and a of fortitude to bear the stabilising factor between the constituency, saying responsibility Speaker State of Osun Hon. Adeyemo prayed irreparable loss. as the September date of government is to put the executive and On the entourage of Dr legislature, stating that the the election approaches, smiles on the faces of the House of Assembly, Dr God to comfort Oyo all members of the party people and give them Najeem Salaam made the legislators over the Salaam were number of deceased has sudden death of their remark during a hope to live, this I can feel legislators from Osun distinguished himself in must rise to the challenge visit by number one lawmaker.

Assembly who on arrival his political career, and of making the party win and see that the present condolence Also, the speakers of speakers of the South the Governorship government in Osun has West to Oyo State House Ekiti and Ogun States of the Oyo State House of lived his entire life in the done. We are aware that Assembly Complex service of humanity. election. the Osun Youth of Assembly over the Houses of Assemblies in signed the Therefore, governor Aregbesola pointed Empowerment Scheme death of their counterpart their separate remarks Ibadan condolence register.

Ajimobi who betrayed his out that with all the (OYES) that was initiated which occurred recently. observed the attributes of emotion in the course of Meanwhile, in his achievements of his by the Aregbesola led Dr Salaam described the late speaker, saying response the Deputy response appreciated the administration, people of government has really the death of Late Hon Speaker of Oyo State speaker for identifying the town must ensure helped to reduce the Adeyemo not only as House of Assembly Hon with him and the people that the good work scourge of unemployment sudden, but a AbdulWasiu Musa of the state in their trying started by him must not and alleviated poverty monumental loss with a recalled the last few hours time. be left to people who will among the residents vacuum that would be In a similar vein, the of the late speaker in also paid drive the state back to the particularly the youth. difficult to fill. which he discussed with speaker condolence visit to the He noted his “To us, this is a dark ages of the Peoples some members of the State Democratic Party (PDP) programme which other contributions to the Assembly without family of late Ola Aresa of states of the federation conference of speakers in in Osun and Nigeria. premonitions that death Masifa-Ile in Ejigbo Local government Oba Mathew The governor held that really need to key into by the country and as was lurking around.

Oyekale on the recent the APC team was in Ila coming down to Osun to chairman South West He noted that no life death of the monarch. town as it has been doing understudy how it works Conference of speaker, can be lost without the He commiserated with because it will go a long adding that the deceased knowledge of God, he the family, chiefs and to other federal appreciated the quantity entire people of the town constituency, urging the way in arresting idleness would be greatly missed and quality of condolence and prayed for repose of monarch to use the among Nigerian youths”, by his colleagues. added The speaker who since the demise of his the soul of the royal father opportunity of the visit to Galadima Speaking on the roles lamented the closure of pray for the party in the and responsibilities of the and fortitude to bear the •The late Oyo Speaker, boss. the chapter for the late Honourable Adeyemo The speaker later loss. state for progress.

Osun Govt. Policies Are People-friendly - NIPPS

Oyo Speaker’s Death, A Political Vacuum - Osun Assembly Speaker

CRIME

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

15

Police Docks Man For Crushing Teenager To Death

By Mariam Bello The Osun State Police Command has arraigned a 63-year-old driver Samuel Olujimi before an Osogbo Magistrate court for allegedly crushing a 15-year-old boy, Afeez Samad to death in Osogbo.

Olujimi was docked on dangerous and reckless A two-count charge of driving on the highway

which led to the death of the teenager.

The prosecutor Inspector Oladoye Joshua told the court that the accused person committed the offence on March 12 at about 4.10

pm at Ayegbaju market, Ogo-Oluwa in Osogbo.

Joshua said the accused drove his vehicle dangerously in the public without regarding the circumstances on the

road.

He explained that the accused being the driver in charge of Honda Pilot Jeep with REG number Lagos JJJ243EF drove dangerously on the public high way leading to the death of Afeez Samad, JSS 3 student of C. A. C Middle School in Osogbo.

He said the offence is contrary to section 18(1) of RTR cap 113 vol. 5 laws of Osun State 2003 and punishable under section 27 of the RTA cap 115 vol 6 laws of Osun State 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the two count charges preferred against him.

The Defence counsel

Barrister I. O Adeniran prayed the court to grant his client bail, saying it was not intentional but as a result of brake failure.

He said the accused was brought to court to fulfill legal requirements in the case and urged the court to grant him bail on self recognition.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. A Oloyade granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties.

She said the sureties m ust be resident within the court jurisdiction, sworn to affidavit of means and provide evidence of tax payments.

The case was adjourned to May 24 for hearing.

34-Year Old Man Imprisoned Over Alleged Fraud •Scene of the accident at Ogo Oluwa area, Osogbo where the teenager Afeez Samad was crushed.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Two Suspects In Prison For Stealing Catfish Worth N4.2 Million of Nigeria 2003.

By David Adejuwon The accused persons A magistrate court sitting in Osogbo has remanded two persons in Ilesa prison for allegedly pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred stealing catfish worth N4,281,200 on Thursday. against them.

The defendants Ojo vol.11 laws of Osun state The presiding Michael, 33, and Mathew Emmanuel, 22, are facing two count charges before Magistrate A.O Ajanaku.

Police in Osogbo, Osun State on Monday Police prosecutor, arraigned a 70-year-old man, Audu Umar before a Inspector Oladoye magistrate court for allegedly aiding the escape of Joshua told the court that a suspect.

Umar was docked on escape of a suspect. He they committed the one count charge alleged offence on bothering on aiding the pleaded not guilty on the charge preferred against January 14 th 2018 at power line area Osogbo.

Inspector Joshua said the accused persons

By David Adejuwon conspired together to A 23-year-old man, Abiodun Olasunkanmi has steal and thereby committed an offence been arraigned before an Osogbo Magisterate court in Osun state over alleged theft of catfish contrary to and valued about N800,000. punishable under Olasunkanmi is facing The Prosecutor section 516 of the criminal code cap 34 a count charge bothering Inspector Fagboyinbo on theft.

Abiodun told the court

magistrate ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till June 7, 2018 for mention.

By Mariam Bello An Osun State Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo has ordered that Nurudeen Adewale, 34, be remanded in Ilesa prison custody over alleged fraud of N191,000. sometimes A d e w a l e w a s offence arraigned on a two-count between Nov. and Dec. charge bothering on 2017, at Osogbo fraud and theft pleaded metropolis. not guilty to the charges Adegoke said the preferred against him. defendant attempted to The Prosecutor, defraud by issuing Inspector Taiwo cheques of Wema Bank Adegoke, told the court and Micro Finance Bank that the accused in Osogbo. person committed the He further explained that the defendant knew he had no sufficient money in his account Assistance Inspector before he issued a cheque General of Police, Zone xi of N191,000 to Osun command Headquarters Microfinance bank.

According to the Osogbo.

According to Taiwo, prosecutor, the cheque the accused person, being numbers issued by the a surety to one Mr accused person are Taofeek Abu who is 05026154 and 05026155 alleged to have received from his Wema Bank a stolen Toyota Camry account and 035291363 of salon car with Chasis n u m b e r the Microfinance bank.

He said the defendant JT2BG22K810589517 v a l u e N 1 . 5 m i l l i o n also stole the sum of property of Mr Obasanya N291,000 belonging to Busari did conspired Micro Finance Bank with him to obstruct, before he was arrested pervert and defeat the after a tireless effort of course of justice by failing Police detectives. to reproduce him for He submitted that the investigation . offence contravenes He explained further sections 1(1)(6) of the that the offence Dishonoured cheque Act committed contravens of the section 126 of the D11,laws criminal code cap 34 vol. Federation of Nigeria II law of Osun State of and 390(9) of the criminal code cap 34 vol.11 laws of Nigeria 2003 The counsel to the Osun,2003.

The plea of the accused person , Mr Okobe Najite applied for defendant was not taken the bail of the accused as he was represented by person in most liberal Barrister Suleiman terms.

Abayomi The magistrate, Mrs. The magistrate, Mrs M. A Awodele granted Adebukola Awodele, the defendant bail in the ordered the accused sum of N200,000 with person to be remanded in two sureties.

She said one of the Ilesha prison custody due sureties must reside to the magisterate of the within the court offence committed.

The case was j u r i s d i c t i o n and adjourned the case adjourned to May 28 for till June 4 for mention. mention.

70-Year-old Man Docked Over Alleged Escape Of Suspect him.

The prosecutor, inspector Adegoke Taiwo told the court that the suspect committed the offence on April 7, 2018 at the office of the

Man In Court For Stealing

VACANCY There is vacancy in a reputable media organisation in Osogbo for experienced Advert Canvassers.

Remuneration is performance-based and one of the best in the industry.

Candidate must be resident in Osogbo.

For enquiries: Please Contact Mr. Agboola on 08061197897, 07032594744 and 08038144394.

that the accused committed the offence on April 25, 2018 at about 5:30am at Rinsayo Area Osogbo.

Inspector Fagboyinbo said the defendant who is a worker at the fish pond stole large quantity of the catfish from the fish pond valued at (N800,000) property of One Mrs. Akinola Olubunmi.

He further said that the offence committed is contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390(a) of criminal code CAP 34 vol. II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the count charge against him.

The presiding magistrate, A.O. Oloyede granted the accused bail in the sum N500,000 with two sureties in the same sum.

HEALTH

Bad Breath May Be Caused By Food We Eat - Dentist .

.

THE SIXTH MOST VISITED WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

.

P. 13

.

FRIDAY MAY 4 - THURSDAY MAY 10, 2018

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.com

Workers Like No Other Issues & Policy

It gives me great pleasure to be at this unique occasion, a special event on a special day to celebrate and honour workers.

Today’s event is more special in that it will be the last our administration will be celebrating with the workers in the state.

However, goodbye is a hated word. Where we are stopping, our successor, who, we pray, will also come from among us, will continue to relate well with workers, by the grace of God. Going down memory lane, May 1 of every year is an important day set aside to commemorate the Chicago incident of May 4, 1886. That was the horrible day law enforcement agents attempted to violently put down a protest by workers demanding for an eight-hour working day which led to a rowdy situation during which a bomb was hauled at the police. Eight people lost their lives with many injured at the Haymarket Park venue of the rally. Seven radical Labour activists were later sentenced to death with four executed, one committed suicide and the rest served various terms in prison. It was in commemoration of this very ugly incident that international Labour movement set aside this day to celebrate WORKERS worldwide.

In many parts of the world, industrial relations is still far from being cordial as workers still experience one form of injustice or another. You will agree with me, however, that workers have since gone past the Industrial Revolution era characterisation as providers of labour who rely on their brawn in the enterprise equation. Today, the concept that everybody is trying to adapt to is the worker as ‘stakeholder and joint owner’ in any enterprise or organisation.

Indeed, that is what it should be.

Without workers, there can be no government. While it is possible in an efficient and well primed system for the government to function without the political functionaries, it is inconceivable that any government can function without workers. You will recall that for more than two years, due to dire financial constraints, I could not form my cabinet, but the government ran smoothly, because the civil service was capable and efficient.

Indeed, workers are the greatest asset of any people. Incontrovertible is the fact that workers are the most viable instrument for ensuring a successful execution of government’s policies and programmes on security, education, environment, health, transport, agriculture, and employment generation, among many others. For this and many more, we appreciate our workers.

BY RAUF AREGBESOLA

We have committed more than 80 per cent of the resources of the state to paying salaries, pensions, gratuities and other emoluments of workers.

•Governor Aregbesola I will therefore like to thank all the workers in Osun for their support, steadfastness, sacrifice and unwavering loyalty these past seven years. The workers have been our cutting edge instrument of governance and service delivery. Our infrastructure and human development programmes have been hugely successful because of the workers through their sacrifice, endurance and commitment.

I implore you also to extend the same courtesy to our successor. The saying is apt here that government goes and comes but the civil service remains. The only permanent government structure is the civil service that enjoys a permanent tenure.

I urge you therefore to support the government, but more importantly, be committed to the principles of anonymity, impartiality and patriotism. Let honesty, dedication and commitment to the objectives of governance be your watchword. You are civil servants which means your duty is to serve the people.

As we all know, the tragedy of financial tsunami that befell our nation hampered us from doing as much as we would have loved for our workers. We however did our best, as the situation will permit.

As you are all aware, we have committed more than 80 per cent of the resources of the state to paying salaries, pensions, gratuities and other emoluments of workers. When we came, the monthly wage bill in the state was N1.3billion, but by the time we embarked on modulated salaries, it had risen to N3.6 billion, largely on account of the doubling of minimum wage

from N9,000 to N18,000. Monthly pension payment also increased from N250 million to N500 million. Quite paradoxically, our monthly revenue fell from the peak of N5 billion to less than N1 billion and even negative allocation in some months.

But we have exerted ourselves to satisfy workers and ensure every worker gets something at the end of the month. This informed our painful decision to pay modulated salaries to the top echelon of the civil service and political appointees.

Nevertheless, we have recorded many milestones this year. First, we commissioned the ultra modern, newly constructed road from Orita Olaiya to Ita Olokan and named it Workers Drive to honour, to appreciate and celebrate our hard working workers.

Our administration has also lifted the cap on career progression for all workers in the state, especially teachers, who now have opportunity to rise to the apex of service. Consequently, we have appointed nine teachers as Headmasters-General to oversee the Elementary and Middle Schools in each of the nine Federal Constituencies in the state, just as we appointed three Tutors- General to superintend the High Schools in the three Senatorial Districts in Osun.

We have also commissioned a lake resort at the Osogbo secretariat, named after Mrs Oluwakemi Olufunke Kolawole, who was slain last year on her way to Abuja. This is to immortalise her and honour her good memory as a dutiful, dedicated, efficient and loyal public servant.

The brakes have now been lifted from

See Editorial On Page 4

promotion and career progression as we speak. Workers will now be confirmed, converted, promoted and moved to the next level as and when due.

We have also made huge sums available to pay the gratuities of workers, including those on contributory pension scheme, many of whom have since obtained their bond certificate.

The agitation has been rife to increase the minimum wage of workers and negotiation is ongoing in determining what should be the benchmark. I support the demand of workers for good condition of service and improvement in their living condition.

However, the solution lies in improved productivity and wealth creation, not just in asking for and getting any amount we want, using the power of collective bargaining and industrial action. The only way we can sustain the government, pay workers and satisfy the larger population is by being productive. Each person must have a surplus from his or her productive effort over consumption. Part of this surplus must go to the government as taxes, levies and rates. The entire workforce of the government must be run as a successful business enterprise in which income is more than expenditure.

No amount should be considered too much to pay if the system can generate it.

If we are making enough money to pay workers N100,000 minimum wage, so be it. But we must first be in a position to make the money and have more income than expenditure. This requires that we ask for a realistic amount that our current effort can sustain and then strive to generate the money before we can spend it.

What we have been doing in the past is to spend money we did not earn. We receive money from Abuja every month that we don’t know where it comes from.

We spend money because it available, not because we have the capacity to work for it. Nowhere is this ever done without dire consequences.

Now that the bubble has burst and the free money is no longer available, it has been very difficult to pay. It is of utmost importance therefore that we look inwards, use our talents and creativity to improve our revenue base. It is only the money that is available that can be spent. Our nation has the least GDP to internally generated revenue ratio in the world. This must change in our bid to create wealth and improve the living condition of our people.

•Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun Governor, gave this remarks in Osogbo at the 2018 Workers’ Day

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 Acting Editor, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, Telephone: 0806-220-7954, kazeemayofe26@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org., E-mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com,