Osun Defender Online Version of October 30, 2020

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola inspecting some of the recovered looted items deposited at the Government House, Osogbo, after the expiration of the 72hour amnesty given to looters on Wednesday.

Suspected looters paraded by the police in Osogbo on Tuesday

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2020 www.osundefender.com e-mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com VOL. 15 NO 44 ISSN: 0794-8050

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Akire Stool: Scores Dead, Houses, Cars Burnt As Thugs Attack Soldiers

- Stolen Soldiers’ Guns Recovered - Akintula Ruling House Denies Complicity

Gory sight of destroyed properties, aftermath of Ikire royal rumble and one of the injured chiefs who fell victim in the attack.

Ilesa Residents Bemoan Military Brutality During Curfew P5

#EndSARS: Osun Panel Decomposing Corpse Of Monarch’s Wife Of Inquiry Calls For Found After Missing Memoranda, Gives For 14 Days In Ilesa Ultimatum P2

P6

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2020

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News

How Security Agencies Restored Peace In Osun

By Ismaeel Uthman

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ORMALCY has returned to the State of Osun, after declaration of an indefinite 24-hour curfew, imposed by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, following wanton looting and damages of both public and private properties by hoodlums and some other residents of the state, last Saturday.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that the intervention of men of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Service and Mobile police who were deployed to implement the curfew, forestalled further breakdown of law and order in the state.

Unlike the previous curfew during which ‘Street Boys’ effected the compliance with stayat-home order, as a result of scanty security agents, residents of the state complied with the curfew, which has been relaxed late Wednesday.

All the major and networking roads in Osogbo, the state capital and Ilesa were deserted by the people, who did not want to be punished by the security agents manning the roads.

But there was no compliance with the curfew in Iwo, Ila-Orangun, Ile-Ife, Ejigbo and some other parts of the state, as the people continued with their normal daily activities in those areas.

There was no special deployment of security agents whatsoever to the mentioned areas for the curfew and there was no recorded violence.

On the first day of the curfew, soldiers dispersed every gathering of people by shooting into the air, chasing and beating people caught outside, after the expiration of the two hours’ grace given to the residents to return to their various homes before the commencement of the curfew.

The medium also observed that the soldiers and other security agents specifically went after the hoodlums who led the vandalisation and looting of government and private properties.

OSUN DEFENDER reporters, who have been monitoring compliance with the curfew, noted that a combined security team comprising soldiers, DSS officers, mobile policemen and armed personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corpse (NSCDC), was at some strategic areas to enforce strict compliance

with the curfew.

In Osogbo the security teams manned Abere, the location of the State Government Secretariat, November 27 bridge, Aregbe area, Ola-Iya, OldGarage, Stadium, Power Line, Ota-Efun, Still Rolling, Oke-Baale, Oke-Fia, Lameco, Dele Yes Sir, Odi-Olowo, Isale Osun, Oke-Onitea, among others.

The soldiers also mounted barricades at Oke Omiru junction, Wesley Guild Hospital, Ogedengbe School of Science at Isale General, Roundabout, Ita Balogun, Akewusola, all in Ilesa and Sabo market and other areas in Ile-Ife. Some of the erring members of the public in both Osogbo and Ilesa were subjected to punishments by the soldiers.

OSUN DEFENDER saw some young men who were asked to ‘pin down’ their heads, look the sun, kneel down, sit on and roll down the roads by the soldiers at Aregbe, Odiolowo and Ota-Efun areas of the state capital.

The fear of being punished by the soldiers put away majority residents from the streets.

It was noted that some other soldiers were patrolling the state capital and Ilesa.

However, there were skeletal business activities at Ojo-Oba, Ota-Efun and Sasa markets in Osogbo.

Some commercial

R –L: Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his Deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles Akinola, during an on-the-spot assessment tour of the looted and vandalised Constituency Office of Senator Ajibola Basiru in Osogbo, on Wednesday. motorcycle operators were also seen carrying passengers, while they tried to bypass the areas where security agents were stationed.

Speaking on the curfew, a public analyst, Arch. Goke Omigbodun said it was needed to maintain peace and or-

der and to track the people that had engaged in looting private and public properties.

Omigbodun said: “We need the curfew that is in place now for the time being. When the first curfew was eased, the people abused it as they went into public

and private warehouses to loot items. And most of the items looted were not related to COVID-19 palliatives.

“I am not sure there was any COVID-19 palliative at Orisunbare market, where private individuals sustained a lot of losses. I don’t think

there was any COVID-19 palliative at Osun Mall where a lot of telephones were carted away. I don’t think there was any COVID-19 palliative at TUNS Farms, where a young boy was killed.

I am not sure there was COVID-19 palliative in the homes of few people.

Mrs. Titi-Laoye Ponle did not have any palliative at home, yet her house was looted.

“So, if these looters are to be tracked and if they enjoy the amnesty the government has extended to return the looted items, then we need this curfew. If there is going to be any movement at all, it should be for some serious purposes, among which is returning the looted items.

“For those who will not return the items, the security personnel need to go after them, such can only be done at best when everybody is indoor. The curfew can now be eased after sometime. For now, we need the curfew so that more peace will be restored.”

#EndSARS: Osun Panel Of Inquiry Calls For Memoranda, bers, Finance Building, memorandum may be Gives Ultimatum State Secretariat, Osog- required to personally

By Sodiq Yusuf

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HE Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, inaugurated by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola last week, has called for petitions and memoranda from members of the public and relevant government agencies on

alleged human rights violation by members of the defunct Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), among other sundry issues.

The panel, given a mandate of six months, in line with the approval of the National Economic Council, is sitting at the Council of Obas Cham-

Symbol’s Quote

“Any security agency operating within a national space that disregards the support of the people is simply doomed in its mission of defence and security.”

bo.

Secretary of the Panel, Mrs Adekemi Bello, in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said complaints are limited to those that happened between May 29, 1999 and November 25, 2020.

According to Bello, the petition should be submitted to the Secretary, Osun State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Department of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Abere.

Bello added that memoranda can also be submitted on behalf of dead persons and those who were direct victims of either police brutality or other forms of abuses by government agencies.

The statement reads: “Osun State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality wishes to inform the general public that, any person or persons who have been victims of police brutality under the defunct Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police, any other police department or any other government department, including the two alleged incidents of death recently at Osogbo, which led to the attack on the Governor ‘s convoy at Olaiya Junction Osogbo may submit memoranda/petitions to the Panel.

“Any person submitting

give oral testimonies and tender other pieces of evidence at the hearing of his/her petition. Such petitioners may engage the services of lawyers of their choice (only if they so wish).

“All memoranda/petitions shall be clearly typed and submitted to the Panel by hand or sent to the e-mail: osunjudicialpanelofinquiry@ gmail.com or WhatsApp number - 0807 983 9799 of the Panel. The typeset which shall not be more than five (5) pages, shall be in Times New Roman of 14 font size, with at least single spaces in-between the lines.

“All memoranda/petitions shall be perfected in the following style; Introduction - which must state the full:- names; phone numbers/e-mail address/ WhatsApp number of the petitioner; name and address of the victim/victims; name/ names of the alleged assailant/police man/officer and his/her office address (if known) or police station to which he/she is/was attached; names, phone numbers and addresses of witnesses, if had/known; dates, time, venue/location of the incidence (where the alleged assault took place); any other piece of information or facts that will assist the panel to do justice.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2020

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ISSUES/POLICY

By Ademola Yaya

Established 2005

Editorial

Of Looters, Arsonists What A Cashless Policy!

And Other Deviants

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IEWED beyond the smokescreen and hazy dust raised by the tumults of past few weeks, Nigeria has a very long way to go. Notwithstanding the pains, challenges and storms they have to weather through, Nigerians have myriads of lessons to learn.

In the aphorism of sages, he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. Again, spoilers of a beautiful rhythm will never make the refrain a beautiful chant. This shows why it would have been more expeditious on the part of the segment of the youth, branded as ‘genuine demonstrators’ to have left the stage when the ovation was loudest. If this had happened, opportunists and miscreants would not have found an inlet into the soul of the protests.

The orgy of violence, looting and robbery last week shows the degree of rot and despicable act into which the nation has degenerated.

Both public and private establishments were vandalised and looted by the young, old, male, female, informed, nottoo-well-informed, religious, not-tooreligious. It was simply a shameful spree of looting and brazen daylight robbery.

In bringing back sanity, there is a need for us to review these sad developments and providing explanations to how we got to this sad juncture with the view to correcting it.

The #EndSARS protests have certainly exposed other dire challenges that must be attended to. Responding to them promptly is a joint responsibility of all. Government alone cannot do all.

God bless our nation.

“The #EndSARS protests have certainly exposed other dire challenges that must be attended to. Responding to them promptly is a joint responsibility of all”

Peace And The Orgy Of Violence In Lagos

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HAT Lagos, a state in South-West Nigeria, is one of the 10 top economies in Africa (bigger than the economy of so many African countries) and the economic nerve centre of Nigeria is a thing of pride and a testament to our industry.

Lagos is not just South-West’s economic backbone; it is the heartbeat of our socioeconomic renaissance and an integral part of our collective pride and heritage as a people.

The destruction and orgy of violence largely recorded in Lagos and

other parts of SouthWest is a destruction of our economy and the desecration of our land.

It is an onslaught on our collective patrimony and pride.

When the crisis is over, it is our people that will live with the damaging consequences and it is our land that will bear the scars.

No responsible person will be against peaceful protests and demand for a better Nigeria by

the youths and genuine protesters; but not the violence, looting and destruction of Lagos or any part of our land.

We are known to be peace-loving people.

We are people of great values.

Please, let’s think deeply and apply wisdom.

Let’s shun violence and unite to restore peace.

May God bless and heal our land.

- Tunde Olatunji, Office of the Chief Whip, Osun State House of Assembly

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N the year 2010, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) proposed an introduction of cashless policy in line with the Nigeria Vision 2020 to be one of the top 20 economies of the world. The policy was expected to drive development and moder nise of our payment system.

The main objective of the policy is to reduce some of the negative consequences associated with physical use of cash in the economy, like robberies, costs of cash volume handling, amongst others. It kick-started in Lagos State on January 1st, 2012 and extended to the following states on October 1st, 2013: Abia.

Anambra, Ogun, Kano, Rivers and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It was eventually but gradually implemented nationwide by July 1st, 2014.

If implemented accordingly, the policy would have brought forth an efficient and modern payment system that could be a catalyst to economic growth and development. It has capacity to improve the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth.

Moreover, it has a lot of advantages: It is con-

venient; it reduces risk of cash-related crime; it reduces cash handling cost, amongst others.

This is the tail end of the last quarter of the year 2020, which the cashless policy targeted. How have we fared? Instead of succour, the policy has brought nightmare, tears and sorrow. Apart from the fact that Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) that are supposed to be in every nook and cranny are not available, where they are available, mostly in the banking areas and some selected eateries, malls and hotels, they are either not working or the service is slow with attendant very long queue. Some banks do have four ATMs but only one works! Some have four but none has service or is unable to dispense cash.

The terrible experience is that one could be debited without cash being dispensed and may take days, at times, 2 weeks to reverse the debt; having gone to the bank to fill a complaints form. It could be more traumatic during public holidays, especially, at festive periods. It could be much more frustrating if one is debited without dispensing cash and it is the last money in the account. Imagine if this happens after banking hour only to listen to the news that there is a curfew or lockdown by the Government over one issue/crisis or the other. That is enough to make one to go completely gaga! Another is to transfer to the other party, having had transaction only to be told of network busy and failure. One has to stay back until the transaction is confirmed. In an actual fact, most business people are always reluctant to accept electronic transactions, as there have been some reported cases of fake money transfers.

In 2017, I drove from Osogbo to Bookseller, a leading bookstore in Ibadan, to buy some books. Having spent 2 hours to assemble the books, there was a problem at the payment counter - I was debited by the Bookseller POS but the transaction was incomplete as the payment was not delivered to Bookseller. Hence, I could not go with the books. I had to travel back to Osogbo without the books. Of course, the transaction was reversed overnight but it was frustrating. I had to go to the bank the following day to collect cash and travel again to Ibadan to pick the books. What a cashless policy! I wasted my valuable time to travel twice instead of once, risked my life on the bad road, and wasted expensive fuel just for the so-called cashless policy.

In 2002, one decade before our cashless misery, I was in some Schengen countries – Germany, Belgium and France. There was ATM at every corner, including agricultural areas, with no queue and very fast in dispensing coins and paper money. I read all Nigerian newspapers everyday in those countries because their network is supersonic fast and almost free. I could, however, not read those newspapers in my fatherland for poor network.

Their public transport is superb. Once you get to the bus stop, press a button and timing of incoming buses to various destinations will display.

Continued on page 7

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News

Akire Stool: Scores Dead, House, Cars Burnt As Thugs Attack Soldiers

By Ismaeel Uthman

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HE battle for the removal of Akire of Ikire, Oba OlatundeFalabi, by a prince from the Akintula ruling house, Mr.TajudeenAkintula, took a new dimension on Sunday as hoodlums laid siege on the palace in an attempt to attack the traditional ruler.

Oba Falabi, according to sources in Ikire was whisked away by his personal security agents, while some of his chiefs were unlucky as they were reportedly attacked.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that soldiers, who were deployed to Ikire for the enforcement of the curfew imposed by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, intervened in a bid to avoid breakdown of law and order.

But the soldiers, who were about six in number, were attacked by the hoodlums, according to credible sources.

The sources informed the medium that two of the soldiers were disarmed by the thugs, while their patrol vehicles were also vandalised at Idi-Adie area of Ikire.

According to the sources, the hoodlums went away with the soldiers’ guns before they were returned on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the soldiers beat a retreat and returned to their barrack in Ede. The medium gathered that the soldiers went back with reinforcement on Tuesday and launched attack on their suspected

assailants, a development that threw the community into confusion.

Sources in the community confided in OSUN DEFENDER that scores of people were killed in the attack, while some corpses were reportedly taken away by the soldiers.

Different figures of deaths recorded in the attack were being spread, but the most consistent is that not fewer than 15 people lost their lives.

A prominent indigene of Ikire, who craved anonymity, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said: “What happened in Ikire has nothing at all to do with EndSARS protests, but the people that instigated the crisis hid behind the protests as an opportunity to launch attack and forcefully take over the palace.

“The Prince, who hails from Akintula ruling house, and who recently secured a court judgment purportedly ousting the current Akire, mobilised his loyalists and supporters to the palace on Monday, and violence erupted.

“The soldiers in Ikire intervened to curtail the violence but the hoodlums attacked the soldiers, disarming two of them and took their guns away. Their vehicle was also vandalised at IdiAdie area of Ikire. But the two guns have been recovered on Tuesday.

“The soldiers had to escape from the scene by hijacking motorcycles to flee. The soldiers came back for reprisal attack

Oba Falabi and to retrieve their guns on Tuesday. In that process, the soldiers were shooting sporadically and some people were killed by stray bullets. As a matter of fact, no fewer than 15 people, including the miscreants, lost their lives in the ensuing crisis.

“The house of a person acting like Prince Akintula’s godfather was burnt. The said godfather is the disrobed Apena of Ikireland, Chief Ologbojo. The soldiers believed that he was the one coordinating the thugs who attacked them. The soldiers also burnt down the hideouts of the thugs, just as they were going to the houses of all the people suspected to be involved in the attack one after the other.

“The soldiers were able to retrieve their guns on Tuesday. The said Prince Akintula is nowhere to be found.

The Akire is yet to return to the palace. The palace itself is under lock. Peace is gradually returning to Ikire.”

In another account, a resident of Ikire, who claimed to have witnessed the crisis, said Prince Akintula’s supporters stormed the Akire palace on Monday morning in a bid to overthrow the Akire of Ikire.

The Falabi family, who produced the current Akire mobilised soldiers against the thugs that were attacking the palace.

“The thugs confronted the soldiers, attacked them and took away two guns. The vehicle of the soldiers was also damaged. The soldiers reinforced and came back to Ikire with full-scale reprisal attacks on their suspected assailants.

“The Ikire Progressive

Union intervened and the guns of the soldiers have been retrieved and that is why peace is returning to the community now.”

In a press statement, the Akire chiefs under the auspices of Akire-inCouncil, alleged Akintula of being behind the civil unrest in Ikire.

Signed by the Secretary of the Council, Chief Muritala Falana, the Aare Omooba of Ikireland, the press statement reads: “The Akire-in-Council was in the course of its usual Monday meeting at 9am, when suddenly some hoodlums, with canes, cutlasses and guns in hand, forced their way into the Palace gate and then into the Hall.

“They were engaged by the chiefs and it was learnt in the process that they were sent by Mr. Taju Akintula, a contestant to the throne of Akire, which case is still in the appeal court. All appeals to them to maintain peace fell on deaf ears, as they started beating the chiefs and in the process inflicted bodily harms on many; and His Royal Majesty, Oba Olatunde Falabi himself was roughly handled before he was rescued by his personal aides.

“It was later learnt that the Army team on Patrol, due to the already existing security situation in Osun State, was attacked at Oke-Ola, Ikire, dispossessed of their guns, manhandled and their vehicles destroyed.

“With the continuous aggravation of the crisis and amidst the chaos, Kabiyesi and his immediate family had to be whisked away from the Palace by his aides, and of course since that was the intention of the sponsors, the vehicles were destroyed in the process but he was

successfully taken to a safe haven.

“Subsequently, the dispatch of reinforcements from Ede to recover the guns snatched from the army and the concerted efforts of noble elders of our town helped in restoring relative peace to our dear town. However, through it all, many were inflicted with various degrees of injuries, properties were damaged and lives were lost.

“To forestall future occurrence of such unfortunate situation, we, the Akire-in-Council and other noble sons and daughters of Ikireland, call for further investigations of this matter by appropriate government institutions and demand that everyone found culpable for the sponsoring of the hoodlums who caused the disturbance which led to the loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties should be brought to face the music, with justice given to the departed souls.”

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER newspaper, Prince Yaya Adesoye Isola, who spoke on behalf of the Akintula ruling house, said his brother, Tajudeen, knew nothing about the attack on the Akire, chiefs and the soldiers on peace-keeping mission.

According to Isola, Ikire youths were the ones that protested against Oba Falabi, who refused to vacate the stool in spite of the Supreme Court judgment and recent High Court verdict that had dethroned him.

Isola said: “What happened on Monday has no connection with Tajudeen or the Akintula family. The youths

of Ikire town, who the political gladiators have been suppressing, revolted. A judgment was given in 2014 and set aside whatever Falabi has, to be installed a king. He instituted a case against the Osun government and the court also ruled against him on the matter on June 29, 2020.

“The court said he must not continue to be the Akire of Ikire. How can number 3 be number 1? The whole town heard about it, 99 percent of the people - young and old were not happy and the youths revolted. Nobody sent them. We just woke up and heard the news.

“You can go to the town to know what is happening. For anyone to have accused Tajudeen of being behind the attack is fallacious. They should come and prove if he was seen doing that.

I can’t put figures to the death recorded but the news that got to us was that people were killed.”

In her reaction, Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, said she could not put a figure to the number of deaths recorded in the crisis.

According to Opalola, it is true that some people were killed, but the police could not ascertain the number of persons that lost their lives.

Opalola said Oba Falabi was safe and that normalcy has returned to Ikire.

Oba Olatunde Falabi, Lambeloye III ascended the Akire royal throne about 33 years ago, after a long succession dispute, following the demise of Oba Oseni Boladale Oyegunle, the previous Akire of Ikireland.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2020

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News

Ilesa Residents Bemoan Military Brutality During Curfew

By Solomon Odeniyi

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OME residents of Ilesa have expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of the officers of Nigerian Army, who were enforcing the 24hour curfew imposed by the State Government of Osun.

They accused military officials of harassing and beating some of them up during the period.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had last Saturday imposed the 24- hour curfew to restore peace and order, following the massive looting of public and private properties by some people across many parts of the state.

However, the military personnel enforcing the curfew were said to have been punishing erring residents of Ilesa, by asking them to swim inside the mud, lie face-down and face the sun, kneel down, while some others were beaten.

Many of the victims, who for the fear of being reprimanded did not give their names, accused the

Violators of curfew being punished by military personnel at Oke Omiru, Ilesa. military men of highhandedness.

They said the soldiers beat and subjected them to various unpleasant punitive treatments.

One of them, a resident of Oke Omiru, said he had harrowing experience while he was held by soldiers.

He said: “Soldiers were

Places Vandalised And Looted In Osun 1. Osun Mall, Osogbo 2. Government Grains Reserve, GMT Area, Osogbo 3. OSADEP, Osogbo 4. Osun Central Store, Osogbo 5. Olorunda Local Government Secretariat, Osogbo 6. APC Secretariat, Osogbo , 7. Sen. Ajibola Bashiru’s Quarters , GRA, Osogbo 8. Hon Lasun Yusuf’s Campaign Office, Osogbo 9. Hon Bukola Oyewo’s Campaign Office, Osogbo 10. IleriOluwa Campaign Office, Osogbo 11. Mrs. Grace Titi-Laoye Ponle’s Residence, GRA, Osogbo 12. TUNS Farms, Osogbo 13. Osun Insurance Company, Ikirun 14. Akirun of Ikirun Palace, Ikirun 15. Akinrun of Ikirun Personal Residence, Ikirun 16. Hon Lekan Afolabi’s Store, Ikirun 17. Irepodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun 18. Federal Silo Grain Reserve, Ilesa 19. Senator Adelere Oriolowo’s House and Farm, Iwo 20. Hon Gafar Amere’s Campaign Office, Iwo 21. Iwo Local Government Secretariat, Iwo 22. Ede-South Local Government Secretariat, Ede 23. Cocoa Processing Factory, Ede 24. Omoluabi Garments Factory, Abere 25. Oriade Local Government Secretariat, IpetuIjesa 26. Alh Babatunde Nasirudeen Olateju’s House, Ilobu 27. Orolu Local Government Secretariat, Ifon 28. Orolu Administrative Office, Disu-Ayekale, Ifon 29. Hon Kamil Oyedele, Ifon 30. Com. Ige Ebenezer House (Ebby), Oroki Estate Osogbo 31. Alhaja Awawu Oyebamiji Asindemade’s (Iyaloja General, State of Osun) House

beating up people and many of us are still nursing the injuries days after the beating. The short time I spent with the soldiers is not a good experience. I was beaten and later made to keep vigil with them.”

Similarly, the men of the Nigerian Air Force, in videos obtained by

OSUN DEFENDER, were seen flogging some residents of the area for allegedly violating the imposed curfew.

The curfew defaulters were made to roll inside mud, while the beating lasted.

However, the Nigerian Air Force on Wednesday said it had identified and

arrested officials caught on tape flogging the erring Ilesa residents.

In a series of tweets titled, ‘Alleged flogging of curfew defaulters in Ilesa, Osun State’, NAF stated that appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken on the officers, if found culpable after investigations.

Akiriboto Town Gets New Traditional Ruler

A

new king has been crowned in Akiriboto, a community in Ayedaade Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun.

The new Ogboru of Akiriboto, Oba Adekanmi Adewale, was crowned by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Saturday, October 24.

According to the Asalu of Akiriboto, Chief Mutaliu Adelami, the Community Leader, Chief Adebayo Oyewo, and the Regent, Princess Omolara Oyinade Oyewo, in a press statement, the emergence of the new king signalled a new development in the town.

Prominent indigenes of Akiriboto enjoined the people of the town to continue to demonstrate their unflinching support and cooperation to the newly installed Oba Adewale.

According to the statement, “Oba Adekanmi Adewale, who was duly installed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II on Saturday, is ready to turn around the fortunes of the entire community.

“Part of his efforts is to correct some wrongs in the community, like setting up a new (set of)

kingmakers, which had not been existing for long, while the development of the entire Akiriboto would be his top priority and to ensure total peace

among the residents.”

They urged residents of the community to be law abiding, as the ancient Akiriboto is known for peace and tranquility.

NAF tweeted: “The attention of @NigAirForce has been drawn to a video showing some personnel flogging/meting out corporal punishments on suspected hoodlums involved in criminal activities during the imposed curfew in Ilesa.

“We wish to inform the general public that @ NigAirForce has identified all the personnel involved in the incident & placed them on close arrest, while investigations to determine their level of culpability have commenced, after which appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken. “@NigAirForce, as a professional and disciplined force, does not condone such irresponsible acts & has zero tolerance for human rights violations, in whatever guise, even against suspected criminals; as all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

“The acts depicted in the video are at variance with our core values, as we place high premium on the rights of citizens.

We wish to reassure that our personnel have been directed on professional conduct to ensure security, whilst remaining accountable to the Nigerian people.”

Iwo Chief Chides Ogundokun, Accuses Him Of Orchestrating Oluwo’s Removal

By Solomon Odeniyi

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HE Asiwaju Musulumi of Iwo, Alhaji Liadi Tella, has accused High Chief Abiola Ogundokun of orchestrating moves to remove the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi.

Tella, a veteran media practitioner also alleged Ogundokun of causing mayhem in Iwo, having failed in his several attempts to remove Oba Akanbi.

He declared that Ogundokun would not succeed in his alleged bid to dethrone Oluwo.

The former DirectorGeneral of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), who spoke in a chat with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday in Osogbo, stated that rather than plotting to remove Oba Akanbi, Ogundokun should look for means of

settling whatever he has against the monarch.

Tella also said Iwo elites were not in support of Ogundokun, because he failed to use his influence to bring development to the town.

He said: “Ogundokun wants to pull down Oluwo at all costs. Ogundokun is not God and he cannot speak for Iwo elites. He is a destroyer of Iwo elites.

“He has been on the neck of Oluwo, orchestrating moves to remove him for personal reasons.

“If he has personal scores to settle with Oluwo, let him proceed and settle it. He should stop the blackmail, the lietelling and the antagonism against the Oluwo.

He should be aware that God enthrones kings and only He can remove them and I wonder why he has been making moves to

have him removed. He has been causing mayhem in Iwo; having failed in his several attempts to remove Oluwo.

“He had the opportunity to the lead and develop Iwo, but he never did. He was the closest to the former Head of State, General Sani Abacha in Yorubaland. When local governments were being created, Ede that has less than the population of Iwo was given two additional local governments. Iwo did not get anything.

“Iwo till date remains the largest local government in the state, I want Ogundokun to point to one good thing he did for Iwo. I categorise him as the destroyer of Iwo progress. He should leave Oluwo alone, himself and his cohorts. No matter what he does on Oluwo, he will never succeed.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2020

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I

Religion

N the name of Allah, The EntirelyMerciful The Especially-Merciful.

May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His noble Prophet, Muhammad the seal of the Messengers; and upon his household. Brethren!

The Glorious Quran, without doubt, By contains numerous divine promises. Out Sheikh Ibrahim of the whole lots, four of them are conspicuously outstanding. That, probably, Raji is because they are promises made by Allah, to be fulfilled right in this world prior to the greatest reward awaiting all adherents in the hereafter. The said promises are found in various verses within different chapters of the holy book.

Merely Pondering upon the meanings of the verses, while studying the Holy Book brings an unimaginable tranquility to the mind.

Firstly, Allah The Most High said in Quran 14:7: “And remember (that)! Your Lord caused (it) to be the five daily prayers (Salawaatul khamsah), giving declared (publicly that): If you are grateful, I surely out alms (Zakaat) to the poor persons, fasting during will increase my favour on to you”. What a wonder- the month of Ramadan and going on pilgrimage to ful promise by He who never fails in fulfilling His the holy land (Hajj); each of them has a particular promises! Hence we need to be continuously show- format as well as being designated to be performed ing and expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah in a particular place at a specific time or times. Unfor His bountiful favours on us. More so, Allah has like (Dhikr), it is neither fixed to a particular time made us realized that His graces on us are uncount- nor bound with a specific number. Allah said: “O able as stated in Quran 14:34: “And He (Allah) gave you who believe! Remember Allah with much reyou of all that you asked for, and if you count the membrance. And glorify His Praises morning and blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count evening.”- Quran 33:41-42. The Muslim scholars did them. Verily! Man is indeed an extreme wrong doer, classify (Dhikr) into categories i.e., hearty remembrance, verbal remembrance and practical remem-a disbeliever.”

Secondly, Allah commands those who care, among brance. The hearty remembrance of Allah means mankind to be conscious of Him. This is known as constantly being conscious of Him, while the prac(Dhikr) i.e. remembrance of Allah; and He instantly tical remembrance is carrying out all the religious followed that command with an emphatic promise obligations promptly and accurately. The verbal rethat He also shall keep in mind those who obey His membrance of Allah ranges from simply uttering a orders. When He said: “Therefore, remember Me particular word, phrase, a sentence or sentences etc, (Allah) I (too) will remember you.” And be grateful picked from the Glorious Qur’an or the tradition of to Me and never be ingrates”, Quran 2:152. This is a the Prophet (SAW). For example, the Messenger of rare honour to the believers, for being among those Allah said: “There are two sentences which are very whom Allah accords His recognition in return for be- light on the tongue (i.e. easy to pronounce), lovable to ing mindful of Him. Meanwhile, each of the acts of The Most Beneficent, weighty on the scale (i.e. attract Worship in Islam has a specific design. For instance, sizable reward from Allah) they are: “SUBHAANAL-

JUMAT SERMON

The Divine Promises In The Glorious Quran

LAHI WA BIHAMDIHI SUBHAANALLAHIL ADHEEM”. Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that the Apostle of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever says: “LAAILAAH ILLALLAHU WAHDAHU LAA SHAREEKA LAHU LAHUL MULKU WALAHUL HAMDU WA HUWA ALAA KULLI SHAYIN QADEER” one hundred times will be granted same reward as he who has freed 10 slaves; and the reward of 100 good deeds will be credited into his account while 100 of his sins will be wiped out, he will also be protected from being harmed by shaytan (satan) throughout that day. The third promise of Allah is a reward for supplications (Dua’a). Allah so much loves those who constantly call on Him and likewise hates those who ignore Him that, He even declared His anger on them, for that is the sign of arrogance. Allah said: “And your Lord said: ask Me( for anything) I will respond to your invocation. Verily those who scorn My worship {i.e. do not invoke Me}, they will surely enter hell in humiliation.” Hence calling on Allah is regarded as a very important aspect of worship. Apart from the assurance given by Allah that He will answer the prayer of the caller, He still reserves a big reward for he or she who calls upon Him. It is important to establish here that, there are etiquettes of Dua’a that must be duly observed before, during and after supplication.

Prior to embarking on prayer, don’t forget that you are just a tiny creature of the Almighty, the controller of the universe; the omnipotent, the omniscience and that He is powerful over all things, so be rest assured that He can grant your request no matter how huge or complicated. You should also realize that Dua’a (supplication) is a tete-a-tete between you and your Mighty Lord Who is closer to you than you can imagine, indeed He is closer to you than your jugular vein; so be humble while calling Him and never shout on Him as if you are calling a deaf .

Read full article on www.osundefender.com Written by Sheikh Ibrahim Oladejo Raji, Imam Kosemani Jum’ah Mosque, off Iwo/Ibadan road, by Adetoro shopping complex Mercyland area, Dada Estate Osogbo, Osun State. Irajoladejo1951@gmail.com

Crime Wife ‘I Took Part In Looting To Get Money’ – Bricklayer

Decomposing Corpse Of Monarch’s Found After Missing For 14 Days In Ilesa

By Ismaeel Uthman

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52-year-old health practitioner, Mrs. Abosede Odunayo Jegede, has been found dead after missing for 14 days in Ilesa, State of Osun.

Jegede, who is the wife of the Asereyun of Isereyun, Oba Peter Adebangbe Atayero, was declared missing on Thursday, October 8 and her lifeless body was found last Thursday, October 22.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Jegede’s corpse was found in her car inside a river at Iwoye, near Esa-Odo. Her corpse was not allowed to be taken to Ilesa by the Esa-Odo community, because of some traditional rites and beliefs, it was learnt.

Consequently, Jegede was buried at the river bank.

Her husband, Oba Atayero, confirmed the development, saying that it was shocking to discover his wife’s corpse inside a river after so many days of serious search for her.

According to Oba

Aseyerun, Jegede was obviously killed and put in the boot of her car by her killers who pushed the car into the water to cover their tracks.

The monarch, who spoke with sorrow-laden voice with OSUN DEFENDER on phone yesterday, called on the police to investigate, arrest and prosecute anybody found culpable in the death of his wife.

Also, Miss. Tolulope Agbeleye, one of the children of the deceased, confirmed that her mother’s corpse was found in the boot of her car inside the river.

Agbeleye said: “It is to our surprise that my mother’s corpse was found in her car. She was killed and put inside the boot of her car. The people that killed her pushed the car inside the water.

“She did not have an accident because if it was an accident, it is either she was on the driver’s seat or out of the car.

But we found her inside the boot of the car in the river. How would a person that had accident be found inside the boot?

“We had driven over

the bridge of the said water more than 15 times since she was missing.

We want the security agencies to arrest her killers.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Police in the State of Osun, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident, saying that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Undie Adie had directed thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jegede’s death.

Opalola appealed to members of the pubic who have useful information on the matter to share it with the police.

Mrs. Jegede Jegede Mrs.

By Solomon Odeniyi

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19-year-old bricklayer, Olatunde Ogun, has confessed to have participated in the recent looting of Secretariat of the Ede South Local Government Area of the State of Osun.

According to Ogun, some people attacked the secretariat and carted away properties on Saturday, October 24.

He said he joined some persons that had already stolen a brand new generator to carry it to Cottage area of Ede,

where it was sold for N50, 000.

Ogun said he was given N7, 000, which he used to stock his house with provisions and foodstuffs.

The teenager said: “I was at the secretariat, when I saw people rushing in and carting away valuables. I saw some ladies too; they were struggling with the generating set they took. I assisted them to move it to Cottage. There, we met someone who was waiting to buy the generating set. It was sold for 50,000.

Since I was not part of them initially, I was given N7, 000 as my share.

“I felt joining the looting of the secretariat would fetch me money to take care of myself.

I bought provision and foodstuffs with my share of N7, 000 given to me and I was arrested on Saturday.

Addressing newsmen during the parade at the Osun State Police Command on Tuesday, the Deputy Commissioner

of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Ajibola Hamzat, said the state had its fair share of the destruction of public and private properties and looting witnessed in many parts of the country.

Hamzat said a total of 87 suspects were arrested and some of the looted items are being recovered.

He said investigation was ongoing to establish their culpability and suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of preliminary investigations.

The police boss stated that those found with looted items after the expiration of the amnesty period given by the state government would be arrested and charged with armed robbery, conspiracy, brigandage, murder, house breaking, stealing, receiving stolen properties and other sundry offences.

He said people could go about their lawful business without fear, assuring them of adequate police protection.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2020

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Sports

Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Niger Tornadoes, Others For 2020 Ogunjobi Cup CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup sides, Enyimba and Kano Pillars with defending champions, Niger Tornadoes, Lobi Stars, are teams participating in this year’s edition of the Ogunjobi gold cup.

Other participating teams include: Kwara United, Remo Stars, ABS FC, FC Ebedei, Sokoto United and debutants Ekiti Unit-

ed.

According to the Organisers, the pre-season tourney will now kick off on Wednesday, November 11 through Friday November 20, 2020 after the Kwara State Government relaxed the 24hours curfew declared in Ilorin Metropolis.

General Coordinator of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup, Tunde Shamsudeen said

Uzoho Happy To Return From Injury After 380 Days Layoff

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UPER Eagles Goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho has expressed his delight to be back in action after spending over a year on the sidelines due to injury.

Uzoho sustained the injury while playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a friendly with the Selecao of Brazil in October 2019. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Nigeria international made his first appearance of the season as APOEL defeated PAEEK 4-0 in a Cypriot Cup game on Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old took to the social media to celebrate the important victory and his return to action.

“After 380 days here I’m back stronger IN CHRIST

ALONE,” Uzoho will look to make his league debut for APOEL against Apollon on Saturday.

the tourney was scheduled to kick off on Thursday October 29, at the Kwara State Sports Complex, Ilorin but was shifted owing to the spate of violence and criminality which trailed the EndSARS protests in the state capital.

Shamsudeen said all was set to have a successful of tournament, adding that the COVID-19 guidelines

would be strictly adhered to.

He said: “We are glad the Ilorin Metropolis is now calm, as we thank the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for relaxing the 24 hours curfew after he held a security council meeting with heads of the security agencies in the state.

“The November 11 new

Flying Eagles Set For WAFU Cup

T

HE Flying Eagles have commenced preparations for the WAFU UFOA B zonal qualification tournament on Wednesday in Abuja.

The team was earlier expected to kick-start preparations for the competition last weekend but it was postponed to this week following the EndSARS protests in some parts of the country.

Head coach of the team, Ladan Bosso took charge of the training session along with his assistants.

The Flying Eagles will face eternal rivals Ghana and the Petite El-

ephants of Cote D’l voire in Group B Host nation Togo, Niger, Benin Republic and Burkina Faso will compete in Group A. The competition will start on November 14 in Lome.

The top two teams (finalists) in each qualification zone will qualify for the main tournament which has now been expanded to twelve teams, in Mauritania next year.

You only need to press on the button of the bus you intend to board and it gets there at almost exact time displayed and off you go.

This frustrating network, combined with non-availability of ATM, except in business districts, has given birth to a new business for Point-of-Sale Machine (POS) owners. Depending on the area, for every transaction between N1, 000 and N5, 000, between N100 and N200 is surcharged and for above N5, 000 to N10, 000 between N200 and N400 is surcharged for services rendered. Although, same network frustration subsists, the POS owners do find ways and means to deliver.

However, CBN cannot be blamed for all the shortcomings. It cannot give what it doesn’t have. In the contemporary world, development is measured by how fast one can get things done better.

Service providers cannot guarantee functional network in a society where there is almost no electricity supply to power their equipment; where diesel to power electricity generator is very expensive.

In the European societies mentioned above, electricity supply is taken for granted. It is guaranteed like day and night; ditto to Libya, under the leader-

ship of Muammar Gaddafi before the imperialists ganged up against him and his eventual murder. Not-faraway Ghana gives constant electricity supply to its people. Most companies in Nigeria have relocated to Ghana as the cost of generating electricity makes their products prohibitive, having added it to the cost of production.

How do we get out of the woods? We cannot continue running away from our shadow. Government must first guarantee constant electricity supply for its over 200 million population. Energy is fundamental and in fact, a foundation to any projected development in every area of life.

Having guaranteed power, Huawei Technologies Company, a Chinese multinational technological company that has the capacity to resolving all the so-called network palaver in the banking industry vis-a-vis cashless policy, difficult communication on phones, etcetera, is readily available on the ground in Nigeria. In fact, the slogan, “slow network” is an indicator of backwardness and underdevelopment. For how long shall we continue to swim in the ocean of frustration and backwardness when our counterparts in other climes are having Bird of Paradise?

overwhelming, so we’re good to go.

“We also want to remind Ilorin fans that the protocols set by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic are still much in place, so no fan would be allowed into the Kwara State Sports Complex Main Bowl during the 10-day football fiesta.

“We also appeal to adherent followers of the Ogunjobi Gold Cup both in Ilorin and outside the shores of Nigeria to remain calm as all matches on the preseason tournament will be streamed live.”

Security Agents To Commence Door-ToDoor Search For Looted Items- Oyetola

T What A Cashless Policy!

Continued from page 3

kickoff date was chosen after due consultations with the Executive Board of Kwara State Football Association, led

by Malam Idris Musa Abdullahi (Thuraya), Secretary Club Owners Association of Nigeria, Secretary, Alloy Chukwuemeka and other football stakeholders in the state.

“Though movement within the metropolis by residents is from between 8 AM to 6PM daily, which means we can hold all our matches.

“A correspondence has also been sent to the participating teams on the new developments and their response has been

HE Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has said law enforcement officers in the state would engage in door-to-door search for the looted items after the expiration of the 72-hour amnesty given to the looters.

This, he said, would form part of efforts to enforce the law on those who refused to take advantage of the period of grace granted to them to return the looted items.

Oyetola stated that with the video clips of the looting, there was no hiding place for anyone who took part in the heinous crime.

It would be recalled that some miscreants went on rampage on Saturday and took the advantage of the EndSARS protests to burgle and loot both public and private properties in the state.

This development prompted the Governor to declare 72-hour amnesty period for the looters to return the looted items.

Items worth millions of naira have so far been recovered by the security agents in Osogbo and other towns in the state.

Commending the suspected looters that returned the sundry items, Oyetola stressed that those who refused to honour the amnesty would be subjected to wrath of the law.

He said: “I am happy that some of the looters decided to heed the call within the amnesty time to voluntarily return the loots and items that had been stolen.

“As you are all aware, I gave those who participated in the looting 72hours to return all they have stolen, and this is about 48 hours after the declaration so, they still have 24 more hours to return all they have looted.

“For us, this voluntary return of the loots is a welcome development.

The intention is to assist the various owners of these items to have the opportunity of getting their properties and belongings, because we believe strongly that it is

going to be a big setback for them to have all these properties lost.

“Other people who have not returned what they looted still have the opportunity under 24 hours to return those things they have looted, because after the expiration of the remaining 24 hours, the government will step in to enforce the law.

“What they should realise is that, there are a lot of video clips and video coverage for all the looting that took place in the State. The implication of this is that there is no hidden place for anybody that looted anything in Osun.

“So, it is in their interest to voluntarily return all the items or face the wrath of the law after the expiration of the 72 hours. We are not going back after this period.

We are going to go from house to house to retrieve the looted items.

“So, I am telling whoever that participated in this exercise of looting to take the opportunity of this amnesty and return the loot.”

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 www.osundefer.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com ISSN: 0794-8050

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VEN before Vladimir Illich Lenin published his provocative pamphlet in 1902, this question has also popped up at critical moments at a crucial intersection.

After two pulsating weeks in which the republic traversed from the sublime to the destructive, a response to the enquiry is urgently needed.

The Italian philosopher, Antonio Gramsci who reached his apogee in the 1920’s very much tried to decipher the stumbling blocks at a time when much of society was in a state of flux.

The crisis, Gramsci pointed out, “lies in an old order that refuses to go away, and a new one which cannot be born, in the interregnum, all manner of morbid forces reveal themselves”. In Nigeria today, the morbid symptoms are in full glare as the old order refuses to go away. Morbid symptoms are most pronounced in the absurdity of mindless mass destruction and looting of property. Nothing for example can be more asinine than inflicting pain on the dispossessed by the horrendous destruction of BRT public transportation vehicles in Lagos State. The vulnerable will now have to pay horrendous prices as demand outstrips supply in geometric proportions.

It has for long looked as if the state in Nigeria as presently constituted has exhausted the limits of its possibilities. Recent events confirm this.

The fault lines are clear. A consumption fuelled rentier state as opposed to much needed capital building and production. This is alarming, in view of the stark reality of 4.5% population growth rates placed alongside 2%(on a wing and a prayer) economic growth rates much of which is “ growth without development “.

A fundamental reordering of fiscal priorities is urgently needed as well as a reconstruction of the dynamics of social and economic relationships. A key factor of the recent events is the reassertion of the rights of civil society over a lackluster political society which is actually a restate-

find its soul and “ Toavoid a war of

attrition, the country must seek the progressive core upon which independence was negotiated.

Government must be reinstated as catering to the needs of the overwhelming majority and not just a pampered largely unproductive elite.

Iwo Chief Chides Ogundokun, Accuses Him Of Orchestrating Oluwo’s P5 Removal

By Adekanmi Ademiluyi

What Is To Be Done? ment of the real ethos of democracy.

It is difficult to see how production can be placed back on the front burner without acknowledging the tenor

of the 1963 Republican Constitution which was endorsed by an overwhelming majority in a plebiscite. A good example is the vital electricity sector. In

Peas from a Progressive Pod Obafemi Awolowo and Ignacio Lula da Silva united in the belief to make life more abundant.

Striker

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this area, it is difficult to work out how demand can be met unless the sector is taking out of the exclusive legislative list and into the residual. And it is not just one sector that needs rebooting in order to allow “a thousand flowers to blossom”. This will require great political skills and tactical ingenuity. For even in the face of fear and loathing on the streets, the old order stubbornly resists change, depicting the raging fury on the streets as temporary hiccups.

To find its soul and avoid a war of attrition, the country must seek the progressive core upon which independence was negotiated. Government must be reinstated as catering to the needs of the overwhelming majority and not just a pampered largely unproductive elite. This crisis has to be turned into an opportunity for a forward thrust. It is better not to think of the consequences of not doing so. The republic itself has been put on notice.

It is a clear indictment of the lack of imagination of our political establishment that the first address of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as president of the Action Group on the 28th Of April 1951 is still relevant. In “life more abundant freedom for all”, there was a restatement of the need to obtain freedom from ignorance, freedom from disease and freedom from want. This position is as relevant today as ever, they represent the central thrust through which for example, the government led Ignacio Lula da Silva pulled out forty million people out of poverty in Brazil in just eight years. At this critical juncture, it should still be at the heart of a program of reconstruction.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

ERMIT Striker to pose a simple question: what do you make of a man or woman who is still experimenting with how to make Eba with hot water and Gari after 20 years?

Give that assignment to even a nonNigerian, with adequate instruction, and you can bet that if he/she is not a dullard he/she will give you a solid Gari within a week! In like manner, Democracy is a clear and noble assignment given to society and its elites to build a government of the people, for the people, by the people - for the peace and prosperity of the society.That is no rocket science.

Democracy is practised uniquely everywhere; differently in United Kingdom, differently in United States of America. What qualify it as democracy are 2 major indices: involvement of the people and benefits to the people. It fails, and may collapse, to the extent to which the people are excluded and short-changed. No nation can lay claim to a score of 100% for always but if a country scores what Nigerian calls F9 over a period of 60 years, let us even concede to a period of 20 years, then there is serious cause for concern!

Election is not the beginning of democratic inclusion. Perhaps that is where we never got it right. Democracy must begin by building understanding of democracy and commitment to it in the minds and actions of the people, the majority, especially its elites (the most enlightened, skilful and successful citi-

Developing A Democracy zens). Democracy cannot be built in a society where elites carry on as demigods and emperors amidst a servile, shallow thinking majority. The majority does not have to be scholars or fluent in English language. All needed is a high degree of common sense, commitment to social goals and basic tenets of democracy.

What are these tenets? Political parties with clear manifestoes to achieve the greatest good for the greatest majority; candidates in those parties capable of delivering on the manifestoes; and a fair and credible electoral system. After electoral victory, the composition of an inclusive government that will put in place strong institutions for the attainment of the agenda in the manifestoes for the delivery of the greatest programmes to the greatest majority with all structures of democracy in place - a justice system (for the rule of law), separation of powers (checks and balances between judiciary, legislature and the executive), vibrant civil society (for popular participation, fundamental human rights, free press and various civic interventions).

Experimenting cannot be endless as there is no need for reinventing democracy. How long, for instance, does it take for a Chief Executive to learn how to obey court orders? How long does it take lawmakers to realise they cannot

keep earning a dozen times more than professors, and a hundred times more than senior bureaucrats, senior law enforcement officers, and senior security commanders who are to protect them and society from crime and external invasion? Does it take decades of experimentation and growth of democracy to realise that the results of elections cannot be written in one corner of an air-conditioned room, while the people sweat out in queues come rain, come shine, facing assaults from unleashed thugs?

When democracy is failing, it is simply because “the people” are being removed from its definition and practise, right from party formation and intraparty affairs all the way to government and governance. The unpleasant consequences are usually the widespread resort to self-help, short-cuts and undemocratic, anti-democratic means and actions: such elites in charge being themselves the anti-democrats in chief.

The events of October, 2020, are a wakeup call for us to move far away from Fela’s “demonstration-of-craze” and return to genuine democracy, which in no uncertain terms begin with real and sincere inclusion of “the people”, the majority. Without it, every other step will be an exercise in futility in the long run. “The People” are mentioned three times, and for good reasons, in the popular definition of democracy. Time is right and ripe for us to restructure and do the right things for a truly Democratic Federal Republic of Nigeria as it is our sure bet road to peace and prosperity.

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

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.

Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefemder@yahoo.com