Osun Defender Online Version of May 7, 2021

FRIDAY, MAY 07 - THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 VOL 16 NO 17

JUSUN Strike: Security Threat: Oranmiyan Postpones Ramadan Lecture Law Offices May Downsize, Suspend Salary Payment In Osun

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Osun To Have 753 Additional Polling Units - REC

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Community Policing: Osun Receives 480 Constabulary Officers Page 5

•Labourers on duty at a construction site in Osogbo.

Photo: Olushola Aderinto

Outrage Over Menace Of ‘Omo Oniles’ In Osogbo Page 2

NYSC Denies Mandating Corps Members To Take COVID-19 Vaccine In Osun Page 4

FRIDAY, MAY 07 - THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

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News

Outrage Over Menace Of ‘Omo Oniles’ In Osogbo

By Yusuf Oketola & Kazeem Badmus

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ESIDENTS of the State of Osun have called on Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the Police to stop the violent activities of touts marauding as ‘Omo-Oniles’ who have been terrorising workers at various construction sites in Osogbo, the state capital.

According to the concerned residents, it is high time the governor and the Police started treating the issue of the touts with seriousness, saying that they have grown to become nightmare for every body building or wanting to build houses or erect structures in any part of the state capital.

The residents said the ‘Omo-Onile’ matter has become a menace in the state, while the government and the security agents pay little or no attention to it.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the touts who started by requesting for money from owners of buildings under construction at various sites in Osogbo have now graduated to threatening, attacking and injuring workers and even the building owners who refuse to give them money.

The touts, who usually move on motorcycles to different developing areas where new structures are being built, are always armed with guns, cutlasses, axes and other weapons to instill fear into and even to attack their victims.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that a 23-yearold carpenter, Abdullah Akeem, was last week Saturday, attacked by ‘OmoOniles’ around Agunbelewo area of Osogbo, the state capital for reportedly ‘failing to pay (settle) them before roofing the building’ project he was handling.

Akeem, a resident of Kobongbogboe area, Osogbo, while narrating how the incident happened to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, explained that the hoodlums came on bike and demanded money before they could start work on site.

He said, “I went with three of my colleagues to roof a house at Agunbelewo area, Osogbo. We got there around 9:00am and started work immediately.

“Two of my colleagues who are Christians went to find a food vendor from who they could have their breakfast before they started work and I can say that is what saved them

•Fierce duel between two commercial transport operators at Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, yesterday. Photo: Olushola Aderinto that day.

“After they left, Sheriff and I began to arrange the planks we were going to use. Around 9:30am, two guys came to meet us and they introduced themselves as ‘Omo-Onile’ and demanded for money be-

fore we could start any work.

“Though I had heard about these people, I never experienced their terror. I tried to joke with them by saying ‘Oluwa l’o ni ile ati ekun re’, meaning God owns the land and

everything on it. But to my greatest surprise, one of the guys came near and gave me a slap. That was when we knew what we were into.

“Sheriff, who was watching the unfolding scene from a distance took

to his heels, leaving only me behind. I had no choice then than to go on my knees and started begging them to pardon me for the way I replied them.

“By this time, the two guys are in full rage and they were threatening to

ACADIP’s Fortress University In Osun

By Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Academy of Islamic Propagation, ACADIP has urged Nigerians to see dialogue as a way of resolving conflict, saying that Nigeria cannot afford to go to war because of cultural or religious differences.

ACADIP stated this just as it promised to make its Proposed Fortress University a conventional one where all fields of human endeavour will be taught.

The Chief Information Officer of ACADIP, Mubarak Adepoju stated this yesterday in Osogbo, capital of the State

of Osun during a press conference to mark the foundation laying of the proposed Fortress University, Iwo. According to Adepoju, the most important thing in the world today is peace, urging that interfaith dialogue should be used to resolve any conflict.

Symbol’s Quote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

He said: “The most important thing in the world today is peace because we are now in a world that has what it takes to put an end to the existence of human race. World super powers today have weapons of mass destruction.

“What this means is that we can’t afford any war based on any differences, be it race, culture, religion or whatever; dialogue must always be on the table.

“Also, there is a saying that Islam is the most misunderstood religion, but at ACADIP, we have already taken up this task of public enlightenment on what Islam truly is. We have engaged in several interfaith dialogue, home and abroad and the records are clear that our style of Islamic propagation has attracted thousands of nonMuslims to Islam.

“So, the world will need interfaith dialogue experts and conflict resolution consultants, which is why Fortress University will be focusing on producing graduates in this area.

“Academy of Islamic Propagation has been in existence for over 26 years, enlightening the public on what Islam is and what Islam is not, within Nigeria and beyond.

We have been actively engaging in interfaith dialogue, fostering peaceful coexistence among people of diverse faiths and tribes.”

kill me without anyone to query them. I knew I had to do something at that stage before it boomeranged because one of the guys had already called someone on the phone to come with others as reinforcement.

“I begged them to allow me call the house owner who is supposed to pay them but they declined my request, saying they must kill me for the others to learn. At this point, all I had to do was to start praying to Almighty Allah for a miracle to happen.

“After about 10 minutes, two motorbikes came in with four guys armed with dangerous weapons. I concluded that this might be the end and started praying for afterlife.

But one of the four guys that came in happened to be someone I knew during my apprenticeship days. He was the one who pleaded on my behalf and they obliged but not without collecting the N7, 000 cash I had on me. They left after that and I took to my heels without remembering to take my shoes.

“Though the owner of the house refunded my money and bought some drugs and beverages for me, I have ceased to go and work around that area and I have been extra careful.”

Narrating his experience in the hand of the ‘Omo-Oniles’, Mr. Sunday Alo, a borehole driller, said, “The hoodlums usually come in their numbers to disturb us whenever we are at work sites. When these touts come around; they do not want to listen to us, they will just order us to stop working and settle them.

“They will even demand for some certain amounts of money which are between the range of N50,000 and N150,000, depending on the site involved. And if you fail to give them, they will begin to destroy our tools and machines or fight the workers at site.

“There was a time they machete one of our boys in the head. We had to rush him down to the hospital. The touts are growing wings and they have become a threat to us. The Police should do something about it.

Another victim of the ‘Omo-Oniles’ attack, Mr. Femi Aderibigbe, a resident of Igbonna area of Osogbo, called on the Police and the State Government to checkmate the activities of the hoodlums, •Continued on page 7

PEOPLE FIRST

Ananwureyi Ohine Joy

FRIDAY, MAY 07 - THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

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BY OLOWOGBOYEGA OYEBADE

Why Change Is Necessary Not Only The Dead Are Casualties IN this season of discontent with existential threats on a myriad of fronts, our society has to reinvent itself. In the context of a social contract binding the people with the government, the imperative of change must begin with our attitude as individuals before extending to the community.

In spite of the proliferation of religious houses, much of behaviour today falls below acceptable standards. Examples abound in larger numbers than we are reluctant to admit as we all cheat the system wherever we are privileged to find ourselves and cheat one another. Even the religious houses or leaders are not exempted, neither are our practices in the market place.

Those who were relieved of their duties for possessing forged credentials are still up till today blaming those who caught them rather than their fraudulent actions.Those who are saddled with employment of teachers may still be trying to buckle the system to favour their own, using other considerations instead of merit, without any care for the pupils that will be the immediate victims of incompetent hired teachers and the society ultimately in the long run.

We are today trapped in an existential crisis which requires an adaptation, lest we suffer great unintended consequences. Individually, Nigerians must begin to accept that individuals have a responsibility to set the standards for society. We must repudiate the self serving notion of Nigeria’s exceptionalism

“In spite of the proliferation of religious houses, much of behaviour today falls below acceptable standards” centered on the hideous notion of “the Nigerian factor.”

This worn-out umbrella where we all hibernate does not add up in a brutally competitive global economy. We cannot complain about Twitter berthing in Ghana instead of Nigeria without asking soul searching questions about our ease of doing business, state of insecurity and our competitive advantage.

The Devil’s Advocate can actually argue that it is precisely the Nigerian factor that has become a hindrance to attracting much needed investments. After all, a risk analyst does not make assessments based on sentiments but on hardnosed realities.

The post COVID-19 reality means that as individuals and then collectively, we must up the ante, redefine and set far higher standards. This is urgent as the effects of the erosion of the country’s fiscal base will become more pronounced in the months ahead when very painful decisions will have to be made. In the period of readjustment to the new realities, we must accept that the new order begins withan individual as we must all change positively to build a better society.

Media Awareness On New Polling Units In Osun Dear Editor, HE Independent National Electoral Commission of recent made an announcement to create additional polling units. This is a move to decongest our polling centres and address voters’ apathy during election period in Nigeria.

This exercise, according to INEC, was said to be done through the conversion of existing polling points into polling units throughout the federation.

In the State of Osun here,

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we have 3,010 existing polling units and 753 voting points. When this 753 voting points are converted to polling units, we will have 3, 763 polling units in total.

In view of this, a lot of people that do not know about the new polling units may find it difficult to locate where to exercise their civic rights in

the coming elections in the state, especially the people in the rural areas, due to lack of proper orientation and awareness from the media.

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun should take the responsibility of liaising with all media outfits in the state, both new and traditional for proper orientation and awareness for our people about this new development in the state.

•Idowu Idris, from Osogbo

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RE you aware that in Nigeria, the strike with a street procession at the May Day as a public holiday was Haymarket in Chicago? Expectedly, can first declared by Governor Abu- you believe that the employers unchained bakar Rimi of the People Redemption their thugs in police uniforms to disperse Party (PRP) government of Kano State in the genuine workers’ procession? And 1980, a party under the chairmanship of what happened? Do you know that was Malam Aminu Kano and it became a na- how the workers’ riot of 1886 began? And tional holiday on 1st May, 1981 under the what next? Do you know that the emPresidency of Hassan Sumonu-led NLC? ployers’ association officially proscribed Do you know that this international holi- the eight-hour workday, the eight-hour day is observed on May 1st to commem- workday you now enjoy today as civil orate the achievements of the labour and public servants? movement over unfair labour practices, Do you know that the official proa day that is marked as a public holiday scription of the demand for eight-hour in over 80 countries? Do you know that workday was not allowed to go unchalthe first May Day celebration took place lenged by the workers? What did they on 1st May, 1890 after its proclamation do? Do you know that different workby the first International Congress of ers’ associations were showing their disSocialist Parties in Europe on 14th July, pleasures in various forms in 1887, 1888, 1889 in Paris, France, to dedicate May 1889 and 1890 just to impeach all obsta1st every year as the “Workers Day of cles against the eight-hour workday?

International Unity and Solidarity”? Do And what happened? Can you believe you know that the date was chosen due that at a protest rally on 4th of May, 1890, to unusual events in Labour Relations one over-zealous but innocuous worker which took place in threw a petrol bomb the United States of “Do you know that the em- at the police as they America? What were tried to disperse the these events? Come ployers’ association official- crowds, resulting in along! ly proscribed the eight-hour the deaths of several Are you aware that workday, the eight-hour work- police officers and in 1884 the Amerisome civilians? And can Federation of Or- day you now enjoy today as what next? Do you ganized Trades and civil and public servants? ” know that the leadLabour Unions deers of the workers, manded an eight-hour including those ones workday, to come to effect on 1st May, not even at the rally, were arrested? Do 1886? Do you know that the employers you know that they were tried and sensaw this accomplishment as a threat to tenced to die by hanging? Do you know higher profits, a metaphor to a dagger that some of them were eventually senpointed to the protruded belly of a preg- tenced to the gallow and hanged? Only nant woman at the third trimester? And for us to enjoy what we enjoy today? what happened? Do you know that to Do you know that though, the eightback up their resolute demand, the work- hour workday was not fully adopted ers organized and embarked on a general across America until the 20th century, strike? To celebrate the temporary relief the events in Chicago inspired similar the mood of the strike afforded the over- protests across Europe, establishing 1st stressed workers and the camaraderie of May as the day to recognise the rights of comradeship the events demanded, do workers across the world? Do you know you know that the workers sign-posted that in the 20th century, the holiday received the official endorsement of the Soviet Union, (Russia) and it is also celebrated as the Day of the International SoliPublisher – Moremi Publishing darity of Workers, espeHouse Ltd. cially in some Communist Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman states? Do you know that (0805-121-2204) Canada, Australia, New Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa Zealand, and the NetherReporter – Yusuf Oketola lands celebrate Labour Reporter – Kazeem Badmus Day on different dates a Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto fact that has to do with Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere how the holiday originatOSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing ed in those countries? Do you know that we need to House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, work and pray for conducive Operational EnvironState of Osun ment for all workers in ISSN : 0794 – 8050 the country? What is OpTelephone : 0805-121-2204 erational Environment?

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php You care? Come along! e–mail : osundefender@yahoo.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com •Read full article on All Correspondence to the above email Addresses. www.osundefender.com OSUN DEFENDER IS NOT AFFLIATED WITH ANY OTHER NEWSPAPER, •Ananwureyi Ohine Joy is a MAGAZINE OR ANY PUBLICATION WHATSOVER Bachelor of Law graduate

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, MAY 07 - THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

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News

Osun To Have 753 Additional Polling Units - REC

By Ismaeel Uthman

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total of 753 polling units will be created across the State of Osun by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This is in addition to the 3,010 existing polling units that are spread across all the local governments in the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr.

Segun Agbaje stated this yesterday in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER at the INEC Office, Osogbo, capital of the state.

According to Agbaje, Osun is expected to have a total of 3,763 polling units after the proposed creation of additional polling units in the state.

He explained that the need to bring polling units closer to the electorate and reduce voters’ apathy on Elec-

Upcoming Event

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HE Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will celebrate his 64th birthday on May 25, 2021. Themed ‘Aregbesola Revisited: The Future of Progressive Politics’, OSUN DEFENDER is preparing a collector’s items for the special event. Advertisers and well-wishers should call the following phone numbers for booking of adverts: 08051212204, 09098077957, 08030417786

•Sheik Idrees Akintoye, presenting Award of Recognition on Dynamic Contributions in Islam to Comrade Adabanija Qomarudeen during the Annual Ramadan Lecture and award presentation. tion Day is responsible for the creation of additional polling units.

Agbaje said: “One of the reasons why voters do not come out to vote on Election Day is because the polling unit is very far to them. Therefore, we decide to take the polling unit closer to them, to attract them to come out and cast their votes on the Election Day. “We also want to minimise the issue of violence and destructive activities during elections. Instead of having three-four-five polling units in the same environment, we now move them to separate areas. Therefore, it will reduce

such problems coming up during elections.”

Asked if the additional polling units will not lead to electoral fraud, Agbaje said: “The polling units are not even enough for Nigerians now.

We are over200 million in population. We are just adding about 57,000 polling units across Nigeria and in Osun here, we have just 753 additional polling units to what we have.

“We are converting the voting points we have now to polling units and by the time we move them to different areas and locations where we believed the people

voluntary and therefore, only corps members and members of staff who are interested were administered the vaccine during the 2021 Batch A orientation course and now.

“It should also be noted that out of over 4,000 corps members in the state,only a few hundreds have been vaccinated so far. The State Coordinator, having been vaccinated along with the management and some members of staff had encouraged corps members and other members of staff to leverage on the

opportunity provided by the scheme in order to be safe.

“The kind gesture of the Director-General in liaising with the appropriate bodies to ensure the vaccine is made available to corps members nationwide is proof of his deep commitment to the welfare and safety of the NYSC members but at no point in time did the scheme at all levels ever compel nor attach its statutory duties to the corps members to the administration of the Coronavirus vaccine”.

NYSC Denies Mandating Corps Members To Take COVID-19 Vaccine In Osun

By Kazeem Badmus

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HE Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the State of Osun has debunked the rumour filtering round the state that corps members were being forced to take COVID-19 vaccines before they were allowed to take their monthly biometric clearance.

The State Coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Adewale Adegoke, in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, refuted the

claim of compulsory vaccination of corps members.

Some corps members had taken to the social media that they were being forced to take COVID-19 vaccines before they could be allowed to enrol for monthly clearance.

But Adegoke said no corps member in the state is forced to take the vaccine nor is the vaccine administration attached to the monthly biometrics.

He said: “The vaccine administration is

are coming from, then they will become polling units automatically, once our final report has been approved by the National headquarters of the commission.

“There is difference between polling unit and voting point. Polling unit is the modern polling unit where people vote. Since 2011, when the commission found it difficult to create additional polling units, in the area where we have bigger population of voters, we created voting points.

“For instance, if a polling unit threshold is between 500 and 750, and we have 1,000 people in a polling unit, we divided it into two. At times, where we have abou t2,000 voters, you even have about two voting points, making three and they will be in the same vicinity.

“But we say no now. Some people registered at this polling unit, they are from a particular zone. Therefore, we will now convert these voting points to polling units and take it closer to those people, so that people in that neighborhood will come out and cast their votes without having to trek

long distances that will discourage them.

“We have also addressed the issue of congesting of the polling unit which can also lead to violence on Election Day. We also do it to break the jinx of inability to create polling units since 25 years ago.”

Asked how the electorate will know their new polling units, Agbaje said: “They will know because we are going to put the new list at these new various polling units across the state at the appropriate time.

“At present, we have 3,010 polling units in the State of Osun, but after the exercise, 753 additional units will be added.

We are finishing this thing by this weekend.

After the stakeholders’ meeting yesterday, we will start writing our report which will be submitted by Monday to the headquarters.

“The headquarters will receive from all the states and FCT, sit down and consider it maybe before or immediately after the public holiday for the Eid-el Fitri festival and after that, the commission will announce publicly what we now have as our authentic polling units in Nigeria.”

FRIDAY, MAY 07 - THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

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News

COVID-19 Vaccine: Stakeholders Berate Low Turnout Of Frontline Workers In Osun

By Niyi Olasinde

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TAKEHOLDERS in the health sector in the State of Osun have berated low turnout of frontline workers in the vaccination against Coronavirus pandemic during the first phase of the exercise in the state.

This is just as the stakeholders were also charged to proffer solutions that will aid the local, state and federal governments in formulating favourable policies that will aid a successful second round COVID-19 vaccination in the state.

State of Osun representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Modupe Oyesiji, said there is a need to tackle the low coverage by majority of the frontline workers to get the COVID-19 vaccination despite government’s efforts.

Oyesiji stated this during the stakeholders’ dialogue on emergency issues on COVID-19 vaccination and COVAX vaccine hesitancy in Osun, in Os-

ogbo, on Tuesday.

According to Oyesiji, the problem of low coverage during the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise experienced in some local governments in the state had made the fight to contain the pandemic not to be rated high.

While hinting that there have been some good news documented

with the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination, Oyesiji advocated for more research into the vaccine, saying she was convinced that the chemical components of the vaccine contained more pharmaceutical properties that earlier discovered.

She added that international politics on the part of the advanced

countries had been a problem of vaccine production, especially with regards to AstraZeneca.

Oyesiji maintained that the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination was mainly for frontline workers and the efficacy would last till July, 2021.

Earlier in her welcome address, the State

Epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Adeagbo Omolola stressed that COVID19, lamenting that despite all efforts by the concerned authorities, some people still refused to get vaccinated.

Omolala stated that health practitioners and frontline workers have worked tirelessly to ensure the people get the

vaccine which has made the state government to be worried, adding that the COVAX initiative was an answer to the plea for help by the Federal Government.

She revealed that getting the COVID-19 vaccine does not prevent being infected with the virus but it reduces the chances of infection.

Osun Monarch Suspends High Chief Over Insubordination

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HE Oniwoye of Iwoye-Ijesa, Oba Ogidiolu Amos Adewumi, has suspended High Chief Oladipo Falobi as the Odofin of the community with immediate effect.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the suspension was as a result of alleged insubordination to Oba Adewumi

by Falobi, who allegedly conducted himself in a manner that was disrespectful to the Oniwoye throne and authority, and the people of the community.

Chief Oladipo was

alleged of disobeying the monarch by engaging in oath-taking for

the installation of Chief Akinyele Okundare as the Aro of Iwoye-Ijesa

on April 17, 2021 without the express approval of Oba Adewumi.

This suspension was contained in a letter signed by the traditional ruler and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.

The letter reads: “I, HRM Ogidiolu Amos Adewumi, the Oniwoye of Iwoye-Ijesa by virtue of the powers conferred on me as authority over IwoyeIjesa kingdom and in line with provisions of Section 26(1) of the Chief’s Law of Osun State, Cap25, hereby suspend High Chief Oladipo Victor Falobi,

as the Odofin of IwoyeIjesa with immediate effect.

“You have exhibited yourself in a manner disrespectful to the throne authority of HRM Ogidiolu Amos Adewumi and to the people of Iwoye-Ijesa community by flagrantly disobeying my direct order not to engage in oath-taking at Risa Iwoye cottage for High Chief Akinyele Okundare-Oluwadare; Aro of Iwoye-Ijesa before, during or after his installation on the 17th of April, 2021 without my express approval.

•Continued on page 7

Community Policing: Osun Receives 480 of Police to provide information Constabulary Officers Commissioner in the state, Mr. Olawale and that is why we are

•Gov. Oyetola

By Kazeem Badmus

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HE State Government of Osun has received a total of 480 constabulary officers for community policing in the state.

Receiving the officers at the State of Osun Police Command, Osogbo, on Wednesday, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary

to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, tasked them on professionalism and civility.

Oyetola congratulated them for successfully passing out at the Police Training School, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State where they were trained on community policing.

According to Oyetola, the State Government has consistently

been giving the security and safety of the people of the state the deserved prime of place and always supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to enable them to perform their duties effectively.

He said: “The Police and other security agencies in the state have carried out their responsibilities with the utmost professionalism to the admiration of the state and the people.

“I, therefore, urge you to put the training you acquired at the training school to good use as you are posted to your respective duty posts.

“As you assume duty today, I charge you to always fly the Omoluabi flag that has earned Osun awards and marked its citizens out for distinction in their fields of human endeavour. You must approach your

duties with the highest level of professionalism, integrity, loyalty, dedication and character while eschewing the vices that may give the Force a bad name” In his remarks, the

Olokode said the constabulary officers are expected to work directly with the police.

Olokode said: “They are expected to work directly with the police, their major function is

sending them back to their local governments; so that they will be in a position to resolve minor cases in their localities in conjunction with Community Policing Committee members.”

Prophet Ezekiel Omojaro Laid To Rest

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HE remains of Prophet Ezekiel Folorunsho Omojaro, who died on Sunday, December 20, 2020 will be buried at his hometown, Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the State of Osun tomorrow.

There will be Christian wakekeep at his residence, Lokiran Compound, Igbajo, today by 5.00pm. Funeral service will take place at his house by 9.00am tomorrow, while Thanksgiving service will follow at Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Oke Isao Area, Igbajo by 11.00am.

Late Omojaro was born into the family of the Chief Joseph Afolabi Osunseni Omojaro in Loogun Lokiran’s Compound, Igbajo in the year 1915. He was married to late Madam Alice Oluwafunmilayo Dada

•Late Omojaro and Madam Orelayo.

He was a successful farmer and a prophet. He was ordained in 1962 at St. Moses Orimolade C&S Conference, Ikirun.

He held several prophetic offices of the Council

of Prophets and Prophetesses for several years and received many awards before his demise.

He is survived by wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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•To be concluded next week

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ASTLY Abu Hurayrah (RAA) says that the Holy Prophet (SAW) retired to the mosque for ten days every year in the month of Ramadan, but in the last year of his life he retire to the mosque for twenty days. Bukhari.

Whenever the Prophet (SAW) exemplified an act like this, it served as

Religion be there.

What marks the end of it all is Salatul I’dul Fitr. This festival is an established Sunnah. The Imam and Muslims Faithful (male and female) would leave for a praying ground earmarked for such, just after sunrise to observe a two Raka’at.

The Imam is expected to recite Suratul Fatihah and other chapter aloud. After the prayer, he is expected to deliver a sound and meaningful sermon.

RAMADAN SERMON By Imaam Musa Oladapo Raji

an impetus for his companions to follow suit.

Apart from the fact that He (SAW) persuaded us of doing it because of the derivable benefits and spiritual growth therein.

Aishah(RAA), His (SAW) wife says that the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to endeavour (in worshipping) during the month of Ramadan more than He strove in any other month, and He prayed harder and more earnestly in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan more than He did in the first twenty days of this month.

Aishah (RAA) says further that she asked the Holy Prophet (SAW): “O Messenger of Allah, if I come to locate the Blessed Night, then how should I pray in this night? The Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “ALLAHUMA INNAKA ‘AFUWWUN TUHIBUL ‘AFWA FA’AF’ANNI” (Allah thous art Most Forgiving and Lovett forgiveness then do thou forgive me).

With all these explanatory quotations above, it suffices to say that it is part of religion to embark on ‘I’tikaf during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. However, there are conditions that govern this act of Ibaadah, parts of them are as follows: (i) Retreat with fasting; Retreat does not count without fasting. (ii) It must be done in a mosque where five daily obligatory prayers and Jum’ah are observed.

Allah says: “And do not have sexual relations with your wives while you are in ‘I’tikaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques. (iii) If a person gets sick during the period, he should go home and when he gets well, he should take up where he left off.

Laylatul Qadr, I’tikaaf And ‘I’dul Fitr The same holds for a woman who menstruates while she is on retreat. (iv) A willing Muslim should enter his place of retreat before sunset of the night he wishes to begin his retreat.

(During the period) He should not go out to visit the sick, to do Salat over the dead, or to trade. Someone on retreat should not leave the mosque except to take care of nature where the facilities are not. (v) Someone on retreat till the last day of Ramadan should not return home until he spends the night before the eid in the mosque then he leaves in the morning for the Salat praying ground.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to state here that Zakatul Fitr (otherwise known as JAKA) is paid before going to the praying ground. It is an established Sunnah, prescribed by the Prophet (SAW) for every Muslims, young or old, male or female, free or slave. Each person must give a SA’I (or 12 tins of milk) as the standard of the Prophet (SAW) of the most common staple foods of the people. Head of the household pays for himself and for all his dependents and make sure that the food items reach the beneficiaries before they leave for the praying ground.

Because the main aim of the act is for the poor and the needy to have sense of belonging. If it is not done that way, the reward may no longer

The feast has a member of etiquettes. They are so numerous that this piece can’t take them all. But let us look at few of them.(1) It is Sunnah to eat before going to the eid (Ramadan feast only). (2) Glorification of Allah while going to the eid. (3) Taking bath before going to the eid. (4) Wearing of one’s best cloth. (5) Application of scent on one’s cloth (men only). (6) Congratulating one another on e‘id. by saying; “TaqabalaIlahu mina waminkum” i.e. May Allah accept it from us and from you.

Finally the Prophet (SAW) recommends that after the feast of eidul fitr we should endeavor to fast for six days during the month of Shawwal. (tenth month of lunar calendar).

As narrated by Abu Ayub (RAA), the Prophet (SAW) said: “One who observes this fast throughout the month of Ramadan then followed by fasting six days in shawwal, is as good as if he observed the fast throughout the year. (Muslim) My esteemed readers, I enjoin you all to take solace in doing all the recommended acts of Ibaadah during all the last lap of this glorious moment: one for our spiritual growth and two for the betterment of the society because if we (all of us) take its advantage to repent sincerely and turn to Him (The Most High) for assistance, Allah is ever ready to come to our rescue. He is our Waliy (protector). I say all that you are listening to and I seek forgiveness of Allah from my sins and yours.

•Imaam Musa Oladapo Raji is the Chief Imaam of Telemu, Ola-Oluwa LGA, State of Osun.

News

Security Threat: Oranmiyan Postpones Ramadan Lecture

By Ismaeel Uthman

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HE fifth Ramadan Lecture of the sociocultural group, Oranmiyan, has been put on hold.

The programme, which was supposed to hold tomorrow, Saturday May 8, was postponed by the organisers because of ‘security reason’.

This is contained in a press statement signed by the Director-General of the group, Mr. Sadiq Olajide, which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday.

Sadiq said: “We write to inform the general public, particularly members, supporters and admirers of Oranmiyan Worldwide and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun that the 5th

Ramadan Lecture of this noble socio-cultural group has been postponed.

“The postponement became necessary mainly for security reasons. The 5th Ramadan Lecture was to hold on Saturday, May 8, but will no longer hold.

“We appreciate members of the Oranmiyan group and

our lovers across the length and breadth of the State of Osun who had been committed to the date of the programme and making efforts to ensure that it was successful.

“We pray God to take perfect control of our security system in Nigeria and in our dear State of Osun.”

By Yusuf Oketola

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RS. Idiat Babalola, former Commissioner for Federal Matters in the State of Osun, has resumed duty as the Chairman of the Governing Council, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State.

Babalola and other members of the council held their inaugural meeting on Wednesday at the school campus.

The Governing Council Chairman and members were wel-

Babalola Resumes Duty At Adeyemi College of Education comed by management of the institution with all the needed protocols and courtesies.

Babalola led the council members to pay a courtesy call on the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu in Akure, where she expressed her readiness to deploy her wealth of experience and all within her capacity for the betterment of the

Osun Monarch Suspends High Chief...

•Continued on page 7 “You did not only fail to abide by this directive but also ridiculed me and other royalties/dignitaries present, by leading High Chief Sunday Gabriel Abiodun Olowe, Chief Baderinwa Agunbiade and Chief Jide Ayoade to take an oath during the Iwuye ceremony before you were intercepted, thereby disrupting the Iwuye ceremony

which caused disgrace to me in the presence of guests present, as well as community at large.

“This act of yours, if condoned, will affect peace, order and good governance inIwoyeIjesa. Premised on the above, I therefore declare as follow: “That with immediate effect, you stand suspended as the Odofin Iwoye-Ijesa until a period of time when it

is established that you have purged yourself of this dastardly act.

“During the period of suspension, you are barred from accessing all benefits attached to Odofin Iwoye-Ijesa title which includes and not limited to the communal chieftaincy land and all other community property entrusted with you.

“You are barred from attending meetings of the Oniwoye-

In-Council, Agba Ilu meetings during the period of your suspension. You shall cease to parade yourself as the Odofin of Iwoye-Ijesa during the pendency of your suspension.

“Note that if you fail to comply with any of the above directives, the law shall be set in motion against you, for you to be punished in accordance with Section 26(4) of the Chief’s Law of Osun State, Cap 25.”

institution.

In her company was the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, who represented the alumni of the institution on the council and the school management led by the Provost, Dr. Samuel Akintunde.

CHANGE OF NAME ADEYEMI MODINAT TITILAYO That I was formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMI MODINAT now MOTUNRAYO wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI MODINAT TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

TAJUDEEN MAROOF GBEMIGA That I was formerly known and addressed as TAJUDEEN MORUFU GBOYEGA now wish to be known and addressed as TAJUDEEN MAROOF GBEMIGA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

PEOPLE FIRST

Sports

FRIDAY, MAY 07 - THURSDAY, MAY 13 , 2021

7

Champions’ League Final To Take Place In Istanbul Yusuf Oketola

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HE Champions’ League final will take place in Istanbul, Turkey despite current lockdown restrictions, UEFA has confirmed.

Manchester City will face Premier League rivals Chelsea on May 29.

It was suggested Wembley could have been a potential destination for an all-English final but the stadium is already committed to hosting the Championship play-off final on that date.

Sky Sports News can confirm UEFA hopes to secure at least 4,000 tickets for supporters of each of the Champions League final-

ists.

“The UEFA Champions League final will take place in Istanbul on May 29 with a limited number of spectators and we are assured the temporary lockdown which is in force until May 17 should

not have any impact on the match,” a UEFA statement reads.

“UEFA continues to work closely with the Turkish Football Federation and the local and national authorities to stage the match safely.

“Detailed information regarding the capacity for the match, travel and ticketing details will be communicated publicly by the end of the week.”

The aim was to fill 50 per cent of the Ataturk

Stadium’s capacity (75,000) but the current lockdown measures in Turkey mean it could be less.

Talks are ongoing before a UEFA announcement, which is expected on Thursday or Friday.

‘Napoli Forced To Pay More For Victor Osimhen’

N

APOLI President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, was forced to pay more than expected for the services of Victor Osimhen when Arsenal and Manchester United joined the race for the Nigerian forward.

Osimhen was the most expensive signing in Napoli’s history following the decision of the Partenopei to pay Lille as much as 80 million Euros for

the striker in the summer transfer window.

Ciro Venerato, RAI journalist, revealed this about the Super Eagles’ attacker during the interview he had on a radio programme, Goal Show: “Napoli was forced to pay the Nigerian striker more.

“The Azzurri had closed the purchase of the attacker in March but Manchester United and Arsenal entered the nego-

tiations.

“The Azzurri Club had to review the price of the card and the salary to be paid to the player.”

Venerato then added: “Aurelio De Laurentiis, I say this as a transfer market expert in the face of such scenarios almost always blows up negotiations.

“He can’t stand those who suddenly change the cards on the table.

But in the case of Victor Osimhen, he didn’t want to hear reasons and he closed the deal by also agreeing to pay the player more.

“The entrepreneur is certainly not stupid or naïve, he knows he would have bought a great player in perspective.” Osimhen has started justifying his huge fee after scoring six goals in his last ten Serie A appearances.”

News

JUSUN Strike: Law Offices May Downsize, Suspend Salary Payment In Osun Ismaeel Uthman

T

HERE are indications that legal practitioners who have chambers in the State of Osun might lay off their workers or suspend payment of their salaries if the strike action embarked upon by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) continues for long.

Lawyers in the state have expressed the possibility that if the court is not reopened soonest, workers and some of their colleagues on the payroll of chambers might not be paid again.

According to the lawyers, chambers earn their money through litigations and other legal services which revolve around court, saying that since the court is closed, there is a sharp shortfall in the revenue of the chambers, which might lead to suspension of salary payment for their workers.

Answering questions from OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, a senior legal practitioner in the state, Mr. Tiamiyu Adegboyega, said it is very obvious that the legal practitioners in private practice are directly affected by the strike.

Adegboyega said: “It is very obvious that the legal practitioners in private practice are directly linked to the litigant. When the case of the litigant is not presented, lawyers will

not have a pay. In summary, lawyers in private practice are direct victims of this JUSUN strike.

“The workers will be remunerated at the end of the month, strike or no strike, and many others that are directly connected will equally get paid.

The government cannot say because JUSUN is on strike that the judges and magistrates will not be paid. They are entitled to their pay.

“But who will pay the lawyers in practice? The answer is simply the litigant that we are directly responsible to. But if you don’t do their work, they will not pay you. And it is when the court is open that lawyers in private practice will be able to do the work of the litigant.

“Unfortunately, lawyers cannot go to farm by now because it is only farming that is compatible with the profession. But we cannot just go to farm now.

Asked whether the chambers will downsize or slash workers’ salaries, Adegboyega said: “Interestingly, the lawyers are matured individuals. They will know that the circumstances on ground dictate the pace.

“So, we will be making whatever little things we have available to the junior lawyers, while the senior ones will dip their hands into the pool they

already amassed before the strike.”

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in a telephone interview, a legal practitioner, Mr. Johnson Amusan said the ‘suspension of payment of salaries, allowances or stipends to lawyers is imminent because of the JUSUN strike.

Amusan said: “Most lawyers engage in litigations. Some lawyers survive on litigations only.

And considering the economic situation of Osun, most people are not willing to patronise lawyers in

other areas of law. Apart from that, most people who have cases in courts will not pay lawyers now because the courts are not open. The cases are being delayed and that means justice is being delayed.

“Some people are in detention now, and they will remain there till the strike is over when their lawyers will approach court. The essence of our profession as lawyers is to ensure that justice is done.

“It is not impossible for chambers to downsize because money is not com-

ing in. Our workplace is the court which has been shut. In fact, some chambers are already downsizing, in spite of the fact that what some of them are paying to the lawyers is not something to write home about.

“Everything boils down to the fact that Nigeria’s economy is in poor state. Most lawyers who have chambers are incapacitated. They are also struggling to survive and it is difficult for them to pay salaries to their junior colleagues. And now that

Outrage Over ‘Omo-Oniles’...

•Continued from page 2 saying that they had become serious threat to labourers and artisans at various construction sites in Osogbo.

Sharing his experience, Aderibigbe said: “About three weeks ago at Igbonna where construction of a shopping complex was going on, suddenly, we just saw the hoodlums in their large numbers. They came to disturb the workers on site.

“They stopped them from working. The engineer handling the work had to settle them before they left the scene. This is rampant in Osogbo. Government has to rise up and address the issue before it gets out of hand.

“A lot of people who are managing to build two-bedroom flat on their land have to pay huge amounts of money to settle these people before they could do anything.”

A bricklayer, Busola Aderibigbe, lamented the growing rate of the ‘OmoOnile’ criminal conducts and activities; noting that they are gradually turning the peaceful atmosphere Osogbo is reputed for to ‘another thing’.

Aderibigbe stated that he and some other artisans do no ttake up jobs in some areas in Osogbo unless the owners of such projects agree to settle the ‘Omo-Oniles’ when they come around.

He said: “There are some areas we refuse to

go to work unless we negotiate with the owners of such projects to take the responsibility of settling the hoodlums when they come around.

“Some of these areas where these activities of ‘Omo-oniles’ are rampant include Oke-Baale, Ayekale, Ota-Efun, Stadium, Agunbelewo, among others.

“Most of these boys involved are cultists.

If we call the Police or threaten them with arrest, the Police will not even respond to our calls and those boys as well do not fear the Police. The only security outfit that most times come to our rescue are the Department of State Services (DSS).”

the courts are closed, how would they get money to pay?

“If the strike continues, some of the chambers that are struggling to pay their workers may possibly downsize.”

Barr. Kayode Afolabi, who owns a chamber in Osogbo, said the income of the law offices across the state has been suspended because of the JUSUN strike.

According to him, if the chambers did not sack lawyers and other workers under it, they might not be able to receive their salaries as and when due because the courts which are their work place have been shut.

He said: “In his view, a lawyer, it is going to affect their income because they will not be able to file anything in court.

And when the courts are not opened, the clients will not pay you. Most of our people are litigation lawyers. Only few are into property law because of the nature of the state.

“If the strike continues, the chambers will find it difficult to pay the lawyers and other workers they engaged. And if it is difficult to sack the workers, they might fall victims of non-payment of salaries for months because the chambers are not making money.”

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

FRIDAY, MAY 07 - THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021

VOL. 16 NO 17 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.

Upcoming Event Aregbesola’s 64th Birthday On May 25, 2021

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AMADAN is a holy month with which Muslims believe Quran began to be revealed to Abu alQasimMuhammad ibn, the Prophet, messenger, servant of God and bearer of good tidings; it is the holy month of worship, study of Quran, prayer and fasting. It is a month when giving Zakah is so important. Zakahis, an obligatory charity from the rich that has potential to ease suffering of poor people, is one of the pillars of Islam. In Islamic culture, Ramadan is the most sacred month.

Ramadan originated from the Arabic root “ar-ramad”, which means scorching heat. It is believed that in the 610 AD, Angel Gabriel appeared to Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the Quran, Islamic Holy Book.

It is, therefore, a period to commemorate the revelation of Quran to Prophet; a period of spiritual reflection and growth; time to support those in need; time to deny oneself by fasting during daylight for the entire month of Ramadan. The fasting is done between sunrise and sunset. Muslims will wake up before dawn to eat light meal known as Suhoor and drink plenty water that will see them throughout the day and break with water and fruits after the sun fully sets with prayers and a communal meal known as Ifta usually with family and friends.

The beginning of Ramadan is based on Islamic Lunar Calendar and moon cycles and determined by sighting of the new crescent moon by religious leaders which is always held on the 9th month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Since the calendar depends on the moon cycle, Ramadan falls about 11 days earlier each year. Although, Ramadan period could be estimated as it is on the calendar in our phones, appearance of the moon determines the first day of Ramadan which lasts between 29 to 30 days and followed by Eid al-Fitr celebration.

Except for those who are sick, menstruating, pregnant, lactating, travelling, very elderly, all Muslims fast during Ramadan; it is a period they get themselves close to Allah and pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca. At Ramadan, Muslims abstain from sinful acts and do good deeds like charity among others; it is a month of selfreflection and a way for Muslims to develop good habits with the target to continue after the holly month. Eid is the social event celebrated by Muslims after Ramadan with large feast with family, friends, and neighbours with new cloths especially for children and elderly receiving gifts or money. It is a time when Muslims seek forgiveness from each other.

At every Ramadan, hospitality business suffers patronage. Hospitality industry is a broad service business that includes lodging, food, and drink services such as it is done in hotels, restaurants and bars. Some businesses under the umbrella of hospitality include hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, parks, etc. At Ramadan period, hospitality business workers literarily go on leave and holiday and resume immediately it is over. If fact, they

Ramadan And Hospitality Industry resume a day to Eid as they expect resumption of patronage from Eid. Although, COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in 2020 resulted to economic downturn, low purchasing power and harsh economic realities, which badly affected hospitality business like other businesses, relaxation of the stiff measure of lockdown but with strict adherence to COVID19 protocols vis-a-vis limited number of people that could gather for social events, use of facemask and sanitiz-

ers among others,

affected hos“A Muslim can hard- have pitality industry in no small way. Apart ly be found around from this excepsituation, Rahospitality industry tional madan has always exercised enormous even if he/she is not constraint on the capacity of the hosbusiness to fasting; it is a sacri- pitality operate optimally.

Another exception lege” is our present pa-

STRIKER

T

thetic worsening state of insecurity and siege. At normal period, levels of crimes and criminality have always gone down during Ramadan.According to 2018 Survey data estimate in the World Factbook

by CIA, Nigeria population has 53.5% Muslim; 45.9% Christian and 0.6% as other. Although, Muslims are said to be more than Christians by 7.6% by this statistics, the big stick Ramadan wields on hospitality industry in relations to Lent is not proportional. In fact, it is overwhelming. The question begging for answer is why this scenario, especially when Christians 40 days lent and prayers do not threaten hospitality industry?

My independent research shows that religion culture is a major factor. At Ramadan, a Muslim can hardly be found around hospitality industry even if he/ she is not fasting; it is a sacrilege. At Ramadan, every member of the society including Christians, Atheistsand Traditionalists refrain from scheduling social activities and ceremonies like marriage, burial, House warming, Chieftaincy, etc. to clash with the holy month. Although, this is arguable, Islam makes men relatively independent and superior to their wives unlike the Christian counterparts who are hounded together by a ring and see each other as equal partners. It is revealed that people of other religions adduce the influence of their Muslim friends for some of their “behaviours,” which could not be sustained in Ramadan; hence, the solidarity with their comrades during Ramadan. Overall, at least based on the practises to which Nigerians put their hospitality institutions today, Ramadan and hospitality industry appear inverse to each other as the latter apparently gives way for the former at all times. Ramadan Kareem!

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

The Bandwagon Mentality

HE list of things not going well for Nigeria as well as recommendations for putting them right are innumerable; right from child upbringing issues in the family, party politics, the very structure of Nigeria up to the running of the Presidency. The thousand miles journey to redemption though, like every other journey, can only begin with a single step and then gain pace.

The front burner issue of existential dimension today is the very survival of Nigeria.

Nevertheless, as a lesson for today and tomorrow, we need to comprehend and factor in the bandwagon frame of mind of the majority of Nigerians. In Nigeria, once anything comes into fashion, the cascade begins! Let us take just 3 examples: advance fee fraud/internet scam, ritual moneys and banditry.

Every deadly menace starts small, and then festers when unchecked. The base of crime and punishment is the rule of law: instituting clear deterrence and enforcing them without fear or favour. The problem in Nigeria is that fears and favours have become weaponised elite strategies that pervert the administration of justice and weaken the policing and judicial systems- two great institutions responsible for ensuring law and order.

Although when Olu Maintain sang “Yahooze” produced by Puffy Tee and officially released on October 27, 2007, the Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code on Advanced Fee Fraud has been in place for years, it nevertheless highlighted the arrival of a new generation of in famous scammers birthed by the

internet age. Despite existing laws and clearly stipulated punishments, fear and favours and the weakness of the penal system allow it to grow in leaps and bounds until nowadays desperado, decadent parents even procure laptops for and enrol their kids as “yahoo yahoo” apprentices in a bid not to be left out of scam money. Basic school kids will answer “yahoo boy” when asked what they expect to grow up and be! That is the bandwagon effect. It was eventually to infest and derange the SARS Structure and instigate the caustic #EndSARS phenomena.

The onslaught against internet fraud in an age of youngsters imbued with quick, freemoney mentality led to the so-called “yahooplus” rendezvous: seeking to supplement online scam with violent crime and ritual money engagements. Laws abound to deal with them all. However, till date, not only did it not abate but wax stronger, and only recently the craze search for female underwear spread like wildfire - the bandwagon effect! People arrested in possession of fresh human body parts still make news daily as our compromised policing and justice system remain crippled by fear and favours.

As par violent crimes, we mainly worried about Boko Haram throughout the Jonathan Administration but in its womb were already developing other nefarious “businesses,” which have little to do with extremist ideology: cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry.

All born of terror and insecurity, they are nevertheless distinct acts of criminality; this time

mainly for the money-making - for whatever purpose. A little way back, the arrest of alleged Kidnap Kingpin, Evans (Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike), made the headlines and jolted the national consciousness to the new-fangled crime, the policing and judicial system, corrupt and prostrate through fears and favours, could not then make a scapegoat of him and a patent statement thereby that kidnapping and consequent acts of banditry will not be allowed in this nation! The opportunity was thrown away and till date, the case remains a mess-in-progress, unresolved, and kidnapping and banditry, on the bandwagon, have become a daily nightmarish occurrence.

When crimes committed are not swiftly and spectacularly dealt with, with the full wrath of the law, the consequences are dare indeed – it results into the escalation of such crimes, no thanks to the bandwagon mentality on whatever ill comes into fashion. The harvest is self help by opportunists and victims alike and that is why we are where we are today.

Nigerians hardly go bandwagon on great feats and achievement by Nigerians, home and abroad, examples of which are many; wrong being sweeter and easier to emulate than right. It is left to the elites and the government to redeem themselves from philosophical and ethical bankruptcy to regain the moral heights needed to dispense justice without fears or favours, without which laws and order can never be restored, much else sustainably instituted.

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

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.

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