Osun defender, september 21, 2016 edition

www.osundefender.org WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

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Front Page Comment

VOL. 11. NO.088

N100

Sack Of Corrupt Judges: A Welcome Development

The recommendation made recently by the National Justice Council (NJC) for the sack of two Judges; Justice Muhammed Nasiru Yunusa of the federal high court, Lagos division

and Justice Olamide Oloyede of the Osun State high court, is a most welcome and indeed commendable development.

The duo unfortunately, had gone fishing

in turbulent waters. It will be recalled that Justice Oloyede made an unsubstantiated allegation against the Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The fact

that she could not substantiate her claims when invited by the state House of Assembly shows that the allegations were politically motivated. For a

Judge this is not only a contradiction in terms, but constitutes a violation of judicial code of conduct.

In the case of Justice Muhammed

Yunusa, he was fond of granting frivolous injunctions in favour of looters of the treasury with a view to pervert the course of justice.

Continued on Page 4

Unfair Comment On Osun Flood Disaster:

PDP Is Callous, Spiritually, Physically Filthy, Says APC - See Story On Page 2

•A cross section of passengers boarding free train ride provided by the State of Osun Government from Osogbo to Lagos after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration at Railway Station, Osogbo, last Saturday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

NEWS

2

PDP Is Callous, Spiritually, Physically Filthy, Says APC

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun has described a faction of the PDP in the state as “callous” because its leadership gleefully capitalised on people’s misfortunes “to promote their selfish political interests”.

Reacting to PDP opposition’s claim that statement on the flood the death occurred due to alleged disaster that took a life in APC Osogbo last Tuesday, the “mismanagement” of APC also described as ecological funds it “irresponsible and received from the Federal absolutely false” the Government.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, the APC stated categorically that “PDP told a bare-faced and wicked lie that Osun got any ecological fund from Abuja.”

The APC claimed that from 2011 to May 2015, not a single kobo was

given to Osun by the disastrous PDP government of Goodluck Jonathan from the ecological fund.

The APC further claimed that Osun has been using its own funds from various sources to keep its environment clean and ensure the waterways are running to

•Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, stopped his convoy to buy roasted corn and pear from a street trader in Owerri recently.

prevent flooding.

According to the party, since 2011, there had not been a single incident of death from flooding in the state until the unfortunate event last Tuesday, which was due in part to the current economic downturn, and the inappropriate public conduct of dumping of refuse into drains and channels.

The APC also recalled that when Ogbeni took office in 2010, he immediately declared a 90-day state of emergency on the environment during which drainage and refuse dumps were cleared out, to the surprise and delight of citizens.

“Not only was PDP negligent, the party promoted filth throughout the state during its administration.

“For this same spiritually and physically filthy party to now turn around and accuse Governor Rauf Aregbesola of not doing enough or “swindling” the state on the environment, is the height of evil from the pits of hell,” the APC argued.

Robbery Attack: Armoured Vehicle Deployed To Ibokun

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED ESPITE appeared to have come the way of the people of Ibokun, Obokun Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun on Friday, following the deployment of an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to the town.

The deployment of the responsibility of vehicle followed its renovating the vehicle facilitation and from his personal saving renovation by the House was borne out of his of Assembly member commitment to relieve the representing Obokun stress being experienced State Constituency, by the people for banking Honourable Olatunbosun transactions and Oyintiloye. ensuring their security.

It would be recalled Handing over the that there was an armed armoured vehicle to the robbery attack on Wema DPO in-charge of the Bank, Ibokun, the only town, Mr Durodola bank in the area, on Taofeeq, he said, the December 15, 2015, reopening of the bank leaving two persons dead, would revive the others injured and large commercial and economic sum of money carted activities of the town. away; an incident that has Oyintiloye who left the bank commended the unoperational since. administration of Part of the conditions Governor Rauf listed for the bank to Aregbesola for providing resume operation was the an enabling environment provision of an armoured for every business to vehicle to guarantee the thrive, said the efforts of security of its businesses, the government has made a situation that propelled the state to remain the lawmaker to facilitate peaceful over the years. and finance the While calling on the renovation of the vehicle. affected bank and other However, there was business institutions to jubilation in the ancient quickly resume town, as residents businesses in the town, trooped out to receive the the lawmaker charged vehicle, which was led to youths to always be Ibokun by the lawmaker vigilant and be securityand security operatives. conscious in their areas.

Oyintiloye said his Oba’bokun of decision to take up the Ibokunland, Oba Festus

R

Awogboro, commended the efforts of the state government and the lawmaker towards ensuring security of lives and property.

He lamented that the residents of Ibokun and its environs have been experiencing hardship in banking transactions since the armed robbery attack, saying the provision of the armoured vehicle has brought succour.

The Yeye Mojumu of Ibokun, Chief (Mrs) Adenike Dunsin, and the Iyaloja of Ibokun, Chief (Mrs) Adeyemo Ramat, said the provision of the armoured vehicle was the exact need of the people of the area for their economic development.

They commended the state government and the lawmaker for responding to their yearnings and demands, saying the gesture has brought succour to the people.

One of the youth leaders of the community, Olojede Adebowale, opined that since the closing down of the bank, he has been running errand for many elderly people by travelling far on their behalf for banking transactions.

He said apart from the security of lives and

property, the gesture would erase the stress being experienced by the community residents for

banking transactions, therefore, commending the state and the lawmaker for their efforts.

Odun Ade Cultural Festival:

Bags Chieftaintcy Title T

HE annual Odun Ade Orolu Cultural Festival has reached climax with the showcasing of Ade Sese Efun Cultural performance and conferment of the chieftaincy titles on prominent Nigerians.

Speaking at the Ifon-Orolu Kingdom, event, the lawmaker Oba Al-Maroof r e p r e s e n t i n g A d e k u n l e Irepodun/Orolu State Magbagbeola, chiefs, Constituency, who is sons and daughters of Chairman, House Ifon-Orolu Kingdom Committee on for the honour done to A p p r o p r i a t i o n , him.

Honourable Kamil The Akile of IfonOyedele, urged the Orolu therefore, younger ones to take promised to do advantage of potentials everything within his in Yoruba culture as an capacity for the alternative of development of Ifonengagement and means Orolu Kingdom, as he of livelihood. sees himself as part and Oyedele also parcel of the charged the awardees community. to see the award as a In their separate call to collectively speeches, Chairman of develop Ifon Orolu the occasion, Alhaji Kingdom and State of Asifat Okikiola, and Osun at large.

National President of In his acceptance Ifon Progressive speech, Minister of Union, Dr Oluwasegun Science and Oyewo, challenged the Technology, Dr awardees to see their Ogbonaya Onu, who awards as a call to was conferred with the jointly develop Ifontitle of Akile of Ifon- Orolu Kingdom.

Orolu Kingdom, Earlier, the thanked the Olufon of paramount ruler of the

The party further reminded the people of Osun how through negligence, incompetence and corruption, the PDP took lightly several incidents of flooding that killed dozens of citizens in the over seven years that it was in power.

“A party with such awful record of criminal negligence has no moral authority to gloat over this one tragedy in six years, which resulted from circumstances created by the PDP itself through looting of the national treasury that collapsed the economy and affected the state’s development,” the APC declared.

The ruling party went further to claim that the PDP appeared to give the impression that it had lost all compassion and morality to now degenerate into using human tragedy to further its political ends.

However, the APC is confident that no matter what the PDP did or said of Aregbesola and the APC government, history will vindicate the Aregbesola administration for doing more than the governments before it, to make Osun great.

The APC therefore, urged the people of Osun to play their part by helping the government to keep Osun clean, peaceful and progressive.

Ogbonaya

kingdom, Oba M a g b a g b e o l a , Olumoyero ll, said the essence of the annual Odun Ade Cultural Festival is to make the link between the past and present in order to prepare for the future.

The traditional ruler therefore, charged the awardees to see themselves as true sons and daughters of IfonOrolu Kingdom by bringing development to the town.

Highlights of the event were cultural performances and awards of chieftaincy titles on prominent Nigerians.

Present on the occasion were top g o v e r n m e n t functionaries, including Chairman, Committee on Peaceful Coexistence between Fulani Bororo and Crop Farmers, Honourable Mudashiru Toogun, directors and staff from Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, royal fathers and sons and daughters of Ifon-Orolu Kingdom from home and in diaspora.

NEWS

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Ooni Commissions Multi-million Naira Environmental Sanitation To Clean Ife I carried out in all the nooks and crannies of Ile-Ife and its environs, Oba Ogunwusi charged all the residents to ensure that Ife City becomes the cleanest

city in Nigeria.

He said that the programme begins from each household.

“It is the women that ensure cleanliness of the home, therefore, all

the women in Ile-Ife and environs should give priority to environmental sanitation and cleanliness,” the monarch quipped.

environment clean, neat

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN and healthy.

N his bid to make Ile-Ife an enticing and “It is part of Ife attractive tourist destination in Nigeria, the anthem to uplift Ile-Ife. Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, It is when we uplift our has commissioned a multi-million Naira community that environmental sanitation programme tagged: government would be ‘Gba’femo’ (clean Ife) to clean up the ancient encouraged and give According to Oba city. necessary assistance to The programme was Ogunwusi, about 200 our community. youths have been launched at Enuwa ”The event of today Square, Ile-Ife, with selected and enlisted is a great one before two new Leyland for the take-off of the our creator. This is in trucks and waste programme collaboration with the because God dwells in disposal bins. government cleanliness. This is why Anchored by local the event is special to Gba’femo Motherland, council authorities.

He also called on the me.” the programme Declaring that includes a multi-million women and elders in h e n c e f o r t h , Naira cleaning Ile-Ife to co-operate e n v i r o n m e n t a l competition among all with the youths in sanitation and •Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode (2nd left), donated N5 million to two students the streets in Ile-Ife and order to make the cleanliness in all of Lagos State College of Health Technology, who designed new ways of generating its environs every project successful. ramifications should be biogas through the treatment of animal waste recently.

Giving further month. into the properly observed and The first winner of insight the Ile-Ife history programme, he said: competition would “We should not leave receive an award of every responsibility to government alone. We university. by chronic underN100, 000 LAUTECH ASUU funding for which Speaking at the are the ones that voted Chairman, Dr Biodun neither Oyo nor Osun programme, Oba for those in positions of Ogunwusi, who was authority. Thus, we are could be HE Academic Staff Union of Universities Olaniran, described as State and exonerated.” accompanied by his also part of the (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of misplaced g o v e r n m e n t . unacceptable, the call queen, Olori Wuraola, Olaniyan therefore, Technology (LAUTECH) chapter, has declared that Therefore, we need to rejected the call for the expulsion of all the State for the expulsion of the stressed that the “ e n v i r o n m e n t a l support governments of Osun indigenes who are workers in the Osun indigenes. solution to the problem Olaniran stated this, facing LAUTECH is for sanitation or cleanliness at all times to make our is crucial in the drive to just as he directed all the government of Oyo make Ile-Ife a tourist members of the union and Osun states to live destination. to embark on an up to their social The frontline from the present industrial strike action responsibility, by traditional ruler economic crisis, while as from this week over properly funding for further explained that praying for the non-payment of their the institution, as it the ancient town has to rebound of the nation’s five-months salaries should be and not the

By SHINAABUBAKAR be prepared ahead for and 23-months call for expulsion of all HE immediate-past Commissioner for economic glory. the millions of tourists He also prayed for subvention by the Oyo Osun indigenes from Information and Strategy, State of Osun, expected to visit the Osun state the university. the administration in and Mr. Sunday Akere, has called on ancient historical city governments.

The ASUU Chairman Christians in the country to pray for the timely the State of Osun that from next year.

Speaking in an recovery of the nation’s economy and peace God should guide the interview with OSUN disclosed that the union leadership right and had at its congress held across the federation. on last Thursday directed bless it with the DEFENDER He stated this while wisdom to pilot the Monday, Olaniran said: all its members to delivering a goodwill affairs of the state to “ASUU is against the embark on a strike message on behalf of the promised land. call to expel staff that action from this week, Governor Rauf In his convention are of the State of Osun saying it was sad that 21-year-old man, Abiodun Olalekan, has been Aregbesola at the 2016 message, Bishop origin. The university ASUU members in the sentenced to two months’ imprisonment by a World Convention of Oyonnube Kure does not operate on University had been the Victory Life Chapel, magistrate court sitting in Ile-Ife, for stealing declared that the nation statism but tax payers’ attending to their held at the Victory Life a mobile phone belonging to an undergraduate of is going to scale its money. The present students and engaged the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Miss Camp, Off Ilesa-Akure present difficult state of affairs in the in supervision, while Expressway, Ilesa.

Nwabueze Oyinyechi. barriers to new height institution was created enduring the hardship.

According to him, of prosperity and Olalekan, who was stealing her ITEL 1503 arraigned before the court mobile phone valued at the current travail the abundance. on Thursday, was N15,000. nation is going through He therefore tasked convicted on a two-count The victim raised an is a trial from God and charge of attempted alarm, which attracted the country would soon Christians in the state felony and stealing other residents of the area emerge stronger from and the country in general to put their brought against him by to her apartment. the present crisis with trust in God and pray HE final burial of a community leader and the police.

Olalekan was then the understanding and fervently business tycoon, the late Prince Musitafa for the The accused person, nabbed and mobbed support of the success of political Oyekola Farinu, has been slated for Sepwho had no lawyer, before he was handed citizenry.

Toibat Siyanbola, leadership in the tember 24, 2016. pleaded guilty to the over to the police.

Akere disclosed country as an avenue The late Oyekola, Prince Mufutau charges and begged the According to the further that the present who was the Mogaji of Oyekola, Prince for the citizens to court for leniency in prosecutor, Olalekan Lajomo Ruling House, administration in the Mukaila Oyekola and benefit from the muchsentencing him. committed an offence Police prosecutor, contrary to Section 383 (1) country is committed expected dividends of Baale and Arole of Prince Sikiru Oyekola Layiokun Compound among other children, Sergeant Ona Glory, and punishable under to its pledge of change democracy. of Osogbo as at the grand children and informed the court that Sections 390 (9) and 412 and urged Christians in time of his demise, great grand children. the convict sneaked into of the Criminal Code Cap the country not just to died on September 26, the student’s room at 149, 34 Volume 11, Laws of pray for God to sustain 2015 at the age of 98. the present political Oroki Street, Modakeke, In a statement issued leadership in the State of Osun, and stole Osun State, 2003.

The Magistrate, Mrs on behalf of the family country, but to also the phone.

Risikat Olayemi, then by one of the children, cooperate towards According to the Prince Mukaila prosecutor, Onyinyechi sentenced Olalekan to 30 ensuring that Nigeria is Oyekola, the burial was outside her room days’ imprisonment on on the right path of programme would brushing her teeth at each count with an option development. hold at the Governabout 06:30pm, unaware of N5, 000 fine on each of In his address, ment Technical College the counts. that the convict had Playing Ground, Dada Olayemi ruled that the Bishop Mike Bamidele, entered her abode and Estate, Osogbo. terms of the sentence the Presiding Bishop of was robbing her.

Victory Life Chapel, The statement noted Luck, however, ran out should run concurrently, disclosed that Nigeria that the deceased is surwhile the fine would be on Olalekan, when he ran would emerge stronger •AKERE vived by Princess •The late OYEKOLA. into Oyinyechi, after cumulative.

LAUTECH: ASUU Rejects Call For Expulsion

Of Osun Indigenes T

Pray For The Peace Of Nigeria, Akere Tells Christians

T

Man Jailed For Phone Theft

A

Oyekola’s Patriarch For Burial Sept 24

T

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Sack Of Corrupt Judges: A Welcome Development Continued from Page 1 This clearly constitutes an impediment towards the success of the anti-corruption war. The country today is mired in a very difficult economic crisis. This is the result of decades of braven corruption and planlessness. A vigorous fight back must be made in order to redress destruction done to the economy and rebalance it. The Judiciary is key to this. The Judiciary in a democracy is of course an independent arm of government. It is also however, a part of the economy and strategic to its economic well being and development.

A good way of looking at the central role of the Judiciary is to look at the astonishing economic success of Singapore. The country's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, himself a lawyer saw the judiciary as

a partner in development while respecting its independence. This is understandable. For to break out of the debilitating logjam of development there must be a functional, highly respected Judiciary. The courts must be speedy, independent and operate within the parameters of international best practices. This is because no sensible investor will make a serious investment in a country with a defective, corrupted or technically inefficient Judiciary. Therefore the strength of the Judiciary is a critical factor when a potential investor is making the risk analysis which is a prelude to making an investment decision.

The veritable success of Singapore in showcasing its courts as a reason to invest in the country is a key factor in the country's outstanding economic success story. Nigeria

in its quest for sustainable economic development must follow suit. We therefore thank the NJC for making it clear that the days of licentiousness and corruption is over. The potential investor will be very relieved and indeed happy and reassured to hear this. Change has come to Nigeria and the old, bad ways of doing things are yielding to better ways of doing things within international best practices.

Those who do not have the emotional comportment as well as the moral integrity to cope just have to go. After all there are other options other than being a Judge.

Time was when the Judiciary in Nigeria was ranked amongst the best in the world. The standards then were very high and universally acknowledged. So much so, that Judges from Nigeria sat on the bench of other

Free Train Ride: Kudos To Aregbesola

S

IR: It bears no restating that the hyena of Nigeria’s economic downturn is ferociously biting deeper into the financial flesh of many homes.

Prices of goods and services have increased exponentially with no commensurate rise in the earning powers of the people. Many basic needs are hardly being met and a couple of projects that would have been begun and concluded in record times are on hold; it is at this hard time that the last Eid-el-Kabir was observed. Though many could not celebrate the festival as they would have loved to, some still had some memorable experience. I am one of those who will always remember this year’s festival for good and I thank Governor Rauf Aregbesola for it.

After the last Ramadan, my wife and I decided we would observe the Sallah

celebration at our hometown, Ede, Osun State in spite of the economic situation in the country. The Aregbesolafree-train policy made it possible for us. I have heard about it before then but did not pay much attention to it. If governance is

about easing pains and making life liveable, I think that is what the Aregbesola government has just done for my family and a host of others who have been enjoying it in the last six years.

I am writing to appreciate the governor because I am one of those who share the view of that American President, J F. Kennedy that ‘we must find time to stop and thank the people who

make a difference in our lives’.

That free-train policy made a difference in my family this year. Yes, I am not unaware of the irrefutable fact that it is the duty of government at whatever level to cater to the welfare of its people

and provide social services for their wellbeing.

But when a government gets at its duty responsibly, I think it is sensib1e to commend it as a means of encouraging it.

And if that state government is in Nigeria where governments are known to shirk their duties to citizens, then it all becomes necessary to encourage a performing

one by showing appreciation for its invaluable efforts.

What I find remarkable about the free train idea is not only that it helps in making family happiness and reunion possible, but also that the Osun Government has been consistent with it.

That consistency is laudable. It shows that the idea is not meant to fool people or deceive them.

It is about service for the good of the people, regardless of their religious leanings. That is governance.

I wish to urge Ogbeni Aregbesola to spend the remaining two years of his tenure to do more great works for the good of the people of Osun. I call for more support and cooperation with the government from the people of the state, home and abroad.

•ISIAKA YUSUF, Lagos.

countries. Justice Udo Udoma for example, was at one time Chief Justice of Uganda and Justice Akinola Aguda was Chief Justice of the Gambia. We must for our own sake go back to this glorious era. Frankly, giving our present predicament there is no alternative. We welcome the new direction. It is the way to go.

•This piece, already used in one of our previous editions, is repeated due to popular demand.

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5

OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

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We are URGENTLY seeking to fill this position Job Description · Plan and organize production schedules and oversee production processes. · Maintains work flow by monitoring steps of the process; setting processing variables; observing control points and equipment. · Completes production plan by scheduling and assigning personnel; accomplishing work results; establishing priorities; monitoring progress and revising schedules. · Implementing company policies and systems on the factory-floor. · Ensures operation of equipment by scheduling maintenance; evaluating new equipment and techniques. · Manage, develop and motivate direct reporting staff. · Monitor, measure and report on production related process performance, general issues. · Monitor the work of employees, provide feedback and perform coaching or counselling. · Jointly develop HSE plan with management. · Ensure SOP is followed in all stages of processing. · Ensure safety of staff, machines and materials on the factory-floor. · Maintain discipline and hygiene on factory-floor to ensure a clean and safe workplace. · Manage the receiving, shipping, handling, distribution, and storage of all product and supplies that come in and out of the factory. · Maintain standard receiving, warehousing and distribution operations by initiating, coordinating and enforcing personnel and operational policies and procedures. · Communicate all delays or variances in inbound/outbound freight to the appropriate parties. · Maintain appropriate and complete documentation of all products in the factory · Responsible for managing third party logistics providers. · Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local warehousing, material handling, and shipping requirements by studying existing and new legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements and advising management on needed actions. · Ensure all production orders are shipped to customers in a timely manner in adherence to delivery schedules. · Maintain strict control over inventory levels in order to meet internal and external demand of product. · Conduct periodic spot-checks of inventory levels of supplies/products, identify discrepancies if any and take necessary action. · Plan warehouse layout and space requirements in order to prevent loss/theft or damage, and to achieve full warehouse optimization. · Use IT systems to manage stock levels, delivery times and transport costs.

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Business Development and Marketing Executive · Lagos, Market Related · Job Type: Permanent · Sector: Admin · Posted by 25th and Staffing on Monday, September 19, 2016 · Reference: 209773 Job Details Employer: 25th and Staffing 25th and Staffing is a global Human Resources Company; borne out of a vision to provide high value human resources and business advisory solutions to organizations. The depth of our expertise is defined by a carefully selected pool of multi-disciplinary and cultured consultants, ensures that we continue to be the firm of choice to our growing list of discerning clientele.

We are URGENTLY seeking to fill this position Job Description · Organize and attend marketing activities or events to raise brand awareness · Plan advertising and promotional campaigns for products or services on a variety of media · Liaise with stakeholders and vendors to promote success of activities and enhance the company’s presence · See all ventures through to completion and evaluate their success using various metrics · Prepare content for the publication of marketing material and oversee distribution · Conduct market research to identify opportunities for promotion and growth · Collaborate with general manager in preparing budgets and monitoring expenses · Responsibility for discovering, developing and implementing marketing strategy for the new markets segments & customers Candidate Requirements · B.Sc/BA in marketing, business administration or relevant field · Thorough knowledge & experience of Cashew Kernel Marketing in Domestic market (knowledge of international markets is an added advantage) · Proven experience in new business development & marketing/sales in a food processing company and generally in the FMCG industry · Solid knowledge of marketing techniques and principles · Good understanding of market research techniques, statistical and data analysis methods

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Food Technologist and Packaging Specialist · Lagos, Market Related · Job Type: Permanent · Sector: Admin · Posted by 25th and Staffing on Monday, September 19, 2016 · Reference: 209772 Job Details Employer: 25th and Staffing 25th and Staffing is a global Human Resources Company; borne out of a vision to provide high value human resources and business advisory solutions to organizations. The depth of our expertise is defined by a carefully selected pool of multi-disciplinary and cultured consultants, ensures that we continue to be the firm of choice to our growing list of discerning clientele.

We are URGENTLY seeking to fill this position Job Description · Maintain quality standards and recommend improvement for all stages of processing · Keep records of quality reports, statistical reviews and relevant documentation · Investigate complaints to determine causes and consult with appropriate production personnel to correct deficiencies. · Ensure compliance to standards of all incoming and outgoing materials, ingredients and packaged products · Assist in development of new products and or line extenders as required · Ensure that all food safety standard are maintained · Conduct process and factory audit · Ensure compliance with all NAFDAC, legal and government regulations · Ensure all labels, nutritional information and manufacturing data are correct Candidate Requirements · B.Sc, BTECH, HND in Food Science Technology, Biochemistry, Industrial Chemistry or any science related course. · 3 - 5 years’ proven experience as a quality assurance manager at an FMCG · Sound knowledge of food safety and food quality assurance techniques and standards · Thorough knowledge of NAFDAC food processing requirements and standards · Excellent numerical skills and understanding of data analysis/statistical methods · Good knowledge of MS Office and databases · Experience with packaging of branded products · Experience developing, testing and optimizing simple seasoning recipes · Experience handling and using laboratory equipment · Excellent organizational, communication and leadership skills · Detailed and results oriented Apply before Wednesday, October 19, 2016 - 31 Days left ………………………………..end……………………………………..

Administrative And Accounts Manager · Lagos, Market Related · Job Type: Permanent · Sector: Admin · Posted by 25th and Staffing on Monday, September 19, 2016 · Reference: 209767 Job Details Employer: 25th and Staffing 25th and Staffing is a global Human Resources Company; borne out of a vision to provide high value human resources and business advisory solutions to organizations. The depth of our expertise is defined by a carefully selected pool of multi-disciplinary and cultured consultants, ensures that we continue to be the firm of choice to our growing list of discerning clientele.

We are URGENTLY seeking to fill this position Job Description · Preparing and presenting budgets · Reconcile bank books and records · Financial statements preparation and reporting · Monitor actual overheads versus planned and review with General Manager.

Reporting monthly on actual versus planned variances · Liaising with statutory bodies and government agencies and rendition of all necessary returns · Coordinating internal and external audit and liaising with external auditors · Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements pertaining to financial statement reporting and global accounting standards. · Plan and coordinate administrative procedures and systems and devise ways to streamline processes · Assist in development and implementation of human resource policies · Undertake tasks in performance management · Gather and analyse data with useful HR metrics · Maintain employee files and records in electronic and paper form · Order and monitor inventory of office supplies within budget · Ensure operations adhere to policies and regulations · Keep abreast with all organizational changes and business developments · Developing creative options for financing venture working capital Candidate Requirements · Bachelor’s Degree or HND in accounting/finance or a numerate discipline · Professional qualification e.g. ICAN/ACCA is an added advantage · At least 3 years’ experience in accounting and financial management preferably in an FCMG · Ability to review and identify issues and opportunities in business processes · Credible commercial and business awareness with the ability to deliver within short reporting deadline · Excellent MS Office skills (advance level excel is an advantage) · Strong project management skills and understanding of business processes and operations, particularly in the FMCG industry · Ability to multitask, manage a workload and produce high quality, on-time work · Strong organizational, critical-thinking, communication, time-management and analytical skills · Experience with financial modelling is a plus Apply before Wednesday, October 19, 2016 - 31 Days left …………………………end……………………….........

You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.jobszilla.ng

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Milestone OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Reinventing Education:

Landmarks Of Excellence (V) Concluding the old series, NIYI OLASINDE hooks readers up with the remaining segments of the ongoing documentary analysis on the giant strides being currently witnessed in the state - courtesy of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

•A view of Ejigbo High School, Ejigbo, State of Osun.

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•A cross section of Government Public Schools’ pupils waving to President Muhammadu Buhari on his arrival for the commissioning of Osogbo Government High School, Osogbo, State of Osun, recently.

Landmarks Of Excellence (V)

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•Continued from last week

HE opening editions in this series turned the sod on the multifarious education innovations and the large assortment of intervention efforts endeavoured by the Aregbesola administration in the State ofOsun. Particularly, the curtains fell on the very opening edition at a point where, having underscored the most recent “timely masterstrokes” witnessed in the state’s public education terrain took toll of the election pact made by the incumbent governor, OgbeniRaufAregbesola, as he offered himself for the service of his people in years preceding 2007, the election year in the state. Most relevant to the particular angle of the discourse was the aspect touching on the overall SixPoint Integral Action Plan and the specific area which had direct bearing on the Education sub-sector of the state. For the purpose of fresheningup our memories, we draw reference to the most relevant portions here again: SIX POINT INTEGRAL ACTION PLAN · Banish Poverty · Banish Hunger · Banish Unemployment (Create Work/Wealth) · Restore Healthy Living · Promote Functional Education · Enhance Communal Peace and Progress TOURISM Vision: Tourist’s cradle in Africa The State of Osun is the cradle of Yoruba people and our rich culture.

The opportunities for wealth creation in Osun state through tourism have been underexploited. We shall:

· Develop State of Osun tourism potentials to its fullest to promote employment and wealth among people of the State of Osun. · Encourage development of Yoruba museum and world heritage centre at Ile-Ife. · Encourage programmes that nurture and promote arts and talent. · Enhance the image of traditional rulers and institutions. · Mobilize our traditional rulers to showcase the state’s tourism potentials to Yorubas in the diaspora (e.g. Brazil, Cuba and West Indies).

ROADS Vision: Roads to and in all towns and villages in Osun. Road construction and maintenance shall be used to generate employment for the indigenes of the State of Osun. · Community based road maintenance units will be established to ensure timely repairs and deduce overall maintenance costs. · Development and regular maintenance of urban and rural roads to get top priority. · Access roads to evacuate agricultural produce shall be constantly improved and expanded. · Create partnerships with the private sector on road development and provision of infrastructure.

TRANSPORTATION We shall produce a transport master plan to provide direction for development of the sector.

The safety of the lives of the indigenes of the State of Osun is of great concern to us. We shall: · Reduce to the barest minimum, road traffic accident within 6 months on all roads

starting with Federal roads. · Create a motorized division of the Osun troopers to patrol roads to prevent accidents on the highways and organize rescue and recovery operations.

INNOVATION Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and now China have made life for their people permanently comfortable through innovation, research and development, thrift and hardwork.

We Africans especially the people of the State of Osun are thrifty (a ki se oninakuna) and hardworking (atiagbe at oniseowo lo kaimelesiaidanile Yoruba) but we have been backward in looking forward.

E have not been innovative enough, we have not invested enough in research and we have not developed the fruits of innovation and research. In other words we remain backward, poor, unscientific and losers (eniigbehin) among the family of nations.

It is a matter of concern that our leaders do not car or worry enough about these issues.

I care and I’m deeply concerned. As your Governor I will do everything possible to: · Create awareness and dissatisfaction among all in the State of Osun about our position among the world’s people and the need to move up the ladder of human ascent and development away from permanent and persistent poverty. · Ensure that ideas with original creativity are tapped for the enrichment of all. · Give real importance to education with skills development so

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that we can make what we need and become more competitive in the world as a people by creating more skills development centres in the State of Osun. · In these centres we shall teach Men and Women to think with their hands, sharpen our already proven entrepreneurial skills and stop Nigeria from importing:

TOOTH PICK (IGI OPARUN FUN ITAYIN) FROM CHINA, ORANGE JUICE (OROMBO) FROM KOREA, SHOES (BATA) FROM SPAIN/ ITALY, FAN BELT/ CAR TYRES (RUBBER) FROM JAPAN AND FRANCE. When I know that these can be easily manufactured here.

I shall turn the State of Osun into a creative agro-industrial zone God willing INDUSTRIALISATION Key to banishing unemployment permanently anywhere is promoting conducive atmosphere for manufacturing and production. Our Government shall: · Develop integrated industrial estates for mini, micro and large manufacturing enterprises in the three senatorial zones of the State of Osun. · Provide the estates with infrastructural facilities that reduce the cost of setting up industries (roads, electricity, water and telecommunications). · Provide incentives targeted at attracting manufacturers/ investors. · Develop skilled personnel through our Life Academies, Universities and colleges to service specialized industrial and manufacturing needs.

•Continued on page 10

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

State Government Of Osun Provided Free Train Ride From Osogbo To Lagos, After Eid-El-Kabir Celebration At The Railway Station, Osogbo, Last Saturday.

Photo: GBENGAADENIYI.

•A cross section of passengers rushing to board the free train ride.

•Another cross section of passengers boarding the free train back to Lagos from Osogbo.

•Passengers carrying their luggages to board the train in Osogbo.

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President Muhammadu Buhari Arrived New York Ahead Of His Participation At The 71st Session Of The UN General Assembly (UNGA 71).

•President Muhammadu Buhari (left), in a handshake with Minister of Mineral Resources, Dr Kayode Fayemi, while other ministers watch.

•President Buhari (right) in a handshake with Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode, while Zamfara State Governor Abubakar Yari (middle), watches.

Funeral Service For The Late Director Of Information, State House, Abuja, Mr Justin Abuah, At Our Lady Queen Of Nigeria Catholic Church In Abuja Recently.

•(R-L) Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina; Immediate-past Special Adviser on Media to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Reuben Abati and former Special Adviser on Media to the late President Musa Yar’Adua, Mr Segun Adeniyi, at the service.

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Landmarks Of Excellence (V)

•Another cross section of pupils displaying ‘PEACE AND PROGRESS’ through calisthenic display in Osogbo.

RESTORE HEALTHY LIVING Vision: To work to save our people from all avoidable deaths due to accidents, emergencies, poverty and inadequate health facilities.

To achieve this for all and particularly our children and senior citizens, we shall: · Provide effective and available healthcare for all. · Provide efficient accident and emergency ambulance service. · Provide primary health clinics within 10 kilometre radius of every Osun town, with special attention to the needs of children, women and the elderly. · Provide functional General hospitals within 20 kilometre radius of human habitation. · Provide referral hospitals within 30 kilometre radius of human settlement. · Establish free blood pressure checks in conjunction with private organizations at every local government office. · Undertake special programmes for the upgrading, retraining and working comforts of all health personnel. · Encourage and nurture alternative medical therapy. · Free treatment for malaria to children below age 18 and senior citizens (60+).

ENVIRONMENT Vision: To embrace current scientific methods in controlling the generation of waste and the conversion of waste to wealth.

The state of the environment, especially waste generation, management and the embarrassing filth in our communities demand special attention. The CAN government shall: · Encourage all houses in the State of Osun to have a modern and affordable toilet facility through a special scheme. · Provide private sector driven waste management and beautification schemes to rid our communities of filth which threaten public health. · Beautification of town centres as a starting point of general urban renewal.

· Work with the private sector to establish appropriate waste-to-wealth projects under a composite waste management policy.

WATER Vision: Water for all in the state of the living spring.

It is a painful regret that most cities in Osun do not have potable water running at any time and Osun is the state of the living spring!!!

Our Government will do everything possible to bring potable water to all parts of the State of Osun and correct this anomaly.

All abandoned water schemes shall be reactivated and speedily completed.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING Our ACN Government shall: · Help Osun indigenes realize their dreams of house ownership or rehabilitation of failing structures through deliberate programmes that improve their income earning capacity. · Support mortgage schemes that make house ownership pocket friendly. · Actively support research and development on the use of local materials to force down building costs.

ELECTRICITY LECTRICITY for all shall be the creed of ACN Government in Osun. We shall: · Ensure that electric energy is available in the state for domestic, commercial and industrial activities. · We shall endeavour to provide electricity to all villages, hamlets and farm settlements in the state. · Private sector-led power agencies shall be encouraged to set up energy stations in the state.

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SECURITY Security of lives and properties are of paramount importance to us. Our Government shall: · Have special programmes for the police and neighbourhood security outfits. · Provide special allowance to all security

agents deployed to Osun State and enhance their operational facilities for efficiency. · Respond to the operational needs of security agents through provision of mobility, communication gadgets, protective gears and conducive working environment.

FIRE SERVICES We shall improve capacity of fire services to respond to emergencies.

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING Our Government will promote physical exercises as a deliberate policy which will form a crucial aspect of our healthy-living programme. This is in keeping with the adage that a sound mind only resides in a sound body.

PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION Vision: Eradicate the frustration of youths caused by education that does not lead to employment.

To achieve this, the government of AC under RaufAregbesola shall: · Provide free education at all levels in Osun State. Focus on functional education.

Education that makes one useful to himself and society. · Improve incentives to teachers and work with the NUT to restore the dignity of the teaching profession. · Restructure administration of school management and create Tutors-General (Permanent Secretary Cadre) from among Head Teachers in three Educational Districts which we will establish. · Fix all collapsed educational infrastructures in all the schools. · Support with modern teaching aids and well-stocked libraries. · Ensure cooperation with parents and teachers to improve discipline and morality. · Introduce non-partisan community-based governing boards for all schools. · Reduce number of students per classroom immediately. · Introduce home development plans for

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Landmarks Of Excellence (V) Continued from page 10

teachers who wish to build houses in their home towns, through access to special mortgage packages. · Promote mass adult literacy and numeracy programmes. · Promote and support Special programmes that give special attention to education of girls and women. · Establish institutions that impart lifelong skills for all, in and out of formal schooling.

ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY · I am committed to ensuring that an Osun State University takes off on a sound footing and becomes a first-class institution with linkages to renowned universities in the developed world. · I will make every tertiary institution in Osun State an independent degree-awarding one. · Encourage use of services of retired, but not tired dons and administrators, from reputable institutions.

ENHANCE COMMUNAL PEACE AND PROGRESS Vision: To restore the bond of trust between the Governor and the governed.

VER time, people have disconnected from government because those in authority have not shown enough concern about their welfare or actively engaged them in formulating policies that affect them.

Our Government shall restore partnership between government and people through: SAGES COUNCILS (EGBE AGBA) Our state is blessed with a large pool of elderly folks who are invariably well educated, have enjoyed successful careers, travelled widely in the world, but are currently reduced to irrelevance in the society.

Our Government will support the formation of non partisan community based sages councils, capable of providing guidance in management, moral and ethical development in our society.

Our Government will seek elderly guidance and advice as inputs to our policy formation and

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•A laboratory at Ataoja High School, Osogbo.

implementation.

Government will support the senior citizens and help in their management of socio-economic problems peculiar to the group (pension, health and education).

YOUTHS COUNCIL (EGBE ODO) People age 30 and below constitute the majority of our population but unfortunately are often frustrated and unfulfilled as a consequence of intolerable social and economic policies.

UR CAN Government shall support the creation of non partisan community based youth councils to provide a platform for them to articulate and work out solutions to various problems confronting them.

Our Government will encourage cross fertilization of ideas between the Sages and Youth Councils through which public policies would be influenced.

Government will promote sporting activities and creation of physical facilities forb sporting and related activities.

We shall reinstate the abandoned ‘boys’ and girls’ clubs’ and name them Omoluabi Boys’ and Girls’ club to perform the roles similar to boys’ and girls’ scouts, boys brigade and more.

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JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS An attribute of good governance is to promote justice, equity and fair play amongst citizens of the state.

Government of ACN will e3nsure speedy access to justice try all individuals in Osun State, by reforming the courts system and procedural rules, introducing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and fee legal services.

To complement these, ACN government shall improve welfare packages of Judicial Officers and upgrade courts with modern IT and communications facilities.

COMMUNICATION Our Government will restructure OSBC to: Ensure its professional are motivated and continuously trained for competency Provide digital equipment and infrastructure

upgrade to conform to international best practices in broadcasting.

Exploit its tourism promotional capacity and capability.

CONSUMER PROTECTION Consumers deserve to have the best goods and services at the best price and not have to pay more for goods and servi9ces than their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Our government shall support the establishment of a consumer watch agency and also cooperate with organizations that have similar objective of protecting our people from unfair business practices.

In all the above and above all these I intend to run a people-friendly government – a Government of the people, by the people, FOR THE PEOPLE. A GOVERNMENT UNUSUAL in this land.

Infrastructures and facilities for reaching, advising, guiding, warning me will be given constant nurture.

UTSIDE these I have no rigging machinery and will strongly appeal to you all Osun voters to fight and defend your votes.

Do not sell your vote and our future to a moneybag or vote people who do not care enough about our future as I passionately do.

I am entering into a pact with each and all of you as you read this that I and my colleagues shall work in all honesty, tirelessly to bring marked improvements to your life.

Apart of this pact you will be able to see that your children are better educated and have jobs; farmers, artisan, traders are more prosperous, general quality of health has improved and you are no longer afraid to go to the hospital.

Osun will again be producing food enough for its people.

Through my Government Unusual, I shall work with and for you to create wealth through our toil as our fathers and mothers did to make us prosperous until 1962.

Only you and I can bring change but through new ideas and work.

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Landmarks Of Excellence (V)

•Frontage of Ataoja High School, Osogbo.

Continued from page 11

OluwaOlorun a tiwal’ehin.

Oodua a fun wa se E je k’a le isewo’gbo K’a le osisonu K’ayedara fun wat’omot’omo.

This is my pledge; my PACT with you people of Osun State.

As I ruminated over the recent waves of changes that rocked the education sub-sector in the state; alongside those witnessed through the local government reforms, my mind pondered over what the topic of the next series of edition could aptly be. Solutions to my mind-boggling puzzle came with a brother’s comment in response to the breaking news I sent on whatsApp. The brother, apolitical juggernaut and highly ideological figure worthy of emulation has been for decades a shining light, whose viewpoints I so much respect in all fields of endeavor; political landscape in particular.

As soon as the message got to him, the response filtered back, as if this particular receiver had been long-prepared for the news. Permit me to add in passing that two days or so earlier than the change in nomenclature of institutions of higher learning owned by the State of Osun, the governor, in a live state-wide broadcast, announced the ontake of a local government reform, which had been in the offing since year 2012; and which many had considered moribund and comatose. Apprehensive pessimists in particular had thought that due particularly to economic meltdown that gripped the nation, events had overtaken the reforms, so, the idea had gone completely extinct. However, the reforms, having successfully scaled through successive readings and deliberations by the State of Osun House of Assembly saw the light of day on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. The point of reference here is how two days after my erudition on the waves of change witnessed by our state-owned higher institutions; similar breaking news had been sent to my worthy contacts. On account of the foregoing, my brother responded to both messages with a single chat. The chat came in a fell swoop and reads as follows: “New local government creations and naming of tertiary institutions after late (and living) political leaders are timely populist

masterstrokes!”

This contribution, like its contents read, provided timely masterstrokes to the puzzle which I was passing through. I instantly took my cues from the dictions which I fell in love with.

Well, no single idea or development goes down well with all individuals. In other words, people are bound to differ in their reasoning and perception, concerning any occurrence or development. In the light of this, another respondent in the chat contributed as follows: “The others (apart from the one named after late Chief Bola Ige), the other ones may not be necessary, sha”.

Another respondent chipped in the following comments about one of the renamed institutions.

The particular institution in question is withheld on the grounds of professional confidentiality: “On what merit?”

HAT was that about some recorded responses trailing the change in nomenclature in tertiary institutions owned by then Government of the State of Osun.

However, it was placed on record in our last OSUN DEFENDER Magazine edition, the events at the occasion that brought to birth the changes in the names of the institutions. The event was the combined convocation ceremonies for two subsequent sets of graduates, i.e. 2013 / 2014and 2014 / 2015 sets of the institution, held at the main campus of the institution on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 March, 2016.

In the said edition, it was placed on record how the entire Osun State University got its name changed into BlaIge University, Osogbo; and how its campuses / colleges got changed respectively into Okuku (OlagunsoyeOyinlola); Ejigbo (IsiakaAdeleke);Ipetu-Ijesa (Hezekiah Oluwasanmi); Ifetedo (KayodeEso); and Ikire (EniolaAtanda).

The Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH), Esa-Oke got renamed as AdebisiAkande College of Technology, Esa-Oke; while the Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree got renamed as Sunday Michael Afolabi Polytechnic Iree.

The two state-owned colleges of education at Ilesa and Ila-Orangun got renamed as Lawrence Omole and AdeyemiOyedotun colleges of education respectively.

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Below is the full, comprehensive report of events which played out at the occasion: ISTORY was made on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 as Governor of the State ofOsun,OgbeniRaufAregbesola switched overboard the old traditions, as he took the bull by its horns when he renamed all the state-owned tertiary institutions after present and past heroes of the state’s extraction.

Justifying the change, the governor hammered on the essence of according a pride of place in history to movers and shakers in the state’s socioeconomic, political and educational history, through efforts made at immortalizing their giant strides and memories.

In pursuance of the agenda set above, OgbeniAregbesolaannouncedd the renaming of Osun State University after the one-time governor of the old Oyo State and former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige who was assassinated in December 2001; while theOsun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, was named after the erstwhile Deputy Governor of the old Oyo State and former Minister of Internal Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Sunday Michael Afolabi.

Other institutions renamed were: Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke as BisiAkande College of Technology; College Of Education, IlaOrangun now AdeyemiOyedotun College of Education and the College of Education Ilesa which will now be Lawrence Omole College of Education.

The governor also named the Osun State University(UNIOSUN)Cýollege of Law, Ifetedo, as KayodeEso College of Law;ý College of Social Sciences and Management,Okuku, now OlagunsoyeOyinlola College of Social Sciences, Okuku; Cýollege of Agriculture Ejigbo, now IsiakaAdeleke College of Agriculture, Ejigbo; ýCollege of Education IpetuIjesa, now Hezekiah Oluwasanmi College of Education and Cýollege of Humanities and Culture, Ikire, now EniolaAtanda College of Humanities and Culture.ý The grand point of the occasion was the investiture of the first-ever female chancellor of a public university in Nigeria; cum the conferment on same with a doctorate degree,

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Landmarks Of Excellence (V) Continued from page 12

honouriscausa.This was as the governor also installed Dr.(Mrs.)FolorunshoAlakija as the Chancellor of the of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN).

In his words of admonition at the occasion, Governor Aregbesola said one of the best ways to promote and reward hardwork is to honor those who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in governance and public life with a view to serving as a model for the incoming generation.

Justifying the rebranding exercise done to all state-owned tertiary institutions, the helmsman of the state said recognition of the past leaders will definitely motivate the present leaders to commit themselves to public service and gear up current and intending leaders to serve meritoriously.

The governor, who doubles as visitor of the institution urged the university to improve on research and skills that address major problems facing Nigeria and African continent; in order to justify its existence and in its pursuits of achieving the lofty groundsenvisioned by the founding fathers of the ivory-tower citadel.

Aregbesola said: “I therefore want this university at three levels to affect our society. The first is at the level of teaching which should prepare the students for post-graduate life by equipping them with lifesustenance skills, especially technical and entrepreneurial education.

“Secondly, the university should tailor its researches towards immediate and prospective challenges of mankind in health, food, housing, infrastructure, societal organization and the seemingly unknown aspects on nature and so on.

“The essence of the education enterprise is for man to be able to conquer nature and dominate the environment. This should translate into better life for all. An end should come to the idea of research for getting promotion which then gathers dust in a shelf somewhere.

“Thirdly, the universities should also be engaged in society through public service, by bringing their knowledge and research findings to bear directly on needed areas as their counterparts in other parts of the world are wont to do”.

•A calisthenics display on the occasion.

The visitor, who graduated his written speech intermittently with post-extante insertions, advised the university to re-programme itself to be able to raise funds without burdening government and its students. He stressed ýthat there are lots of firms and individuals who will like to endow chairs, courses, programmes and projects willing to pay any amount to have themselves immortalized in a place like a university, saying not all of them merit it, but people deserving them must be reach out to.

N his profound words of commendation for the newly-installed Chancellor, Aregbesola adored Dr. (Mrs.)Alakija, who with her investiture becomes the first female Chancellor in any public university in Nigeria, for counting the University worthy and accepting to serve as Chancellor when she could have easily turned down top universities in Europe and America with the same request.

He went further to enjoin Dr. Alakija to join the state in the desire for an institution that exists for the society and advancement of mankind, saying most Nigerian universities are too withdrawn and unconcerned from the society and its problems.

Speaking earlier during the moments for her acceptance speech, the new Chancellor, Alakija, who also bagged the award of honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration (Doctor of Business Administration, HonourisCausa), described the appointment as another glass ceiling broken by womanhood.

She described education as central empowerment that can guarantee economic growth among the people of the country.

According to Mrs.Alakija education cannot and can never be over-emphasized because the lack of it could only bring poverty of body, mind and of living. The Chancellor said being educated would give anyone the opportunity to play significant role and articulate his or her own agenda for change within space such individual occupies.

She called on all stakeholders involved in politics to wake up to give deserved attention and priority to education, as true liberator of human minds and society at large.

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In her message to woman folk, the female icon charged members of her gender to rise up to claim responsibilities m gaining much of grounds considered to be lost to women. In her admonition, Alakija challenged women to break forth through all barriers of limitations and do valiantly for their gender to be accorded its deserved recognition and regard in the present world order.

It is most notable and impressive to place on record that about fifty-one (51) of the graduands at the epoch-making occasion bagged First Class degree Honours in their respective fields.

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HE last edition ended at the point of wondering why and how the changes brought about by those proclamations by the Governor of the State of Osun, who doubles as Visitor to the various institutions concerned, OgbeniRaufAdesojiAregbesola are becoming slow to take full operation. We expressed wonders in that edition why references made to those institutions in recent times in the media (print, electronic and even social media) are yet to reflect these changes. In that edition, it was made known in a copious manner that changes generally, especially those of the sorts under consideration hardly go down well with all concerned people – either stakeholders, bystanders, onlookers, passers-by or other observers called by whatever name. The time is yet to arrive when changes of this manner will go down absolutely well with all concerned.

However, since those changes were effected through the appropriate Acts of Parliament, they are expected to have behind them the full force of law; so they ought to be accorded full recognition, respect and adherence by all concerned.

But the foregoing does not stand to reason that those who have some sorts of opposing views to the changes should have no say. Within the ambits of the law, and in tandem with democratic ideals, those who feel strongly opposed to changes like this have the legitimate paths of law to thread; as they are at liberty to approach the courts of competent jurisdiction to seek redress.

In spite of differences in leanings, according to Continued on page 14

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OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Landmarks Of Excellence (V)

•Calisthenics Displays commemorating 25th Anniversary celebration of the creation of Osun with 4,000 pupils making the above formations (‘AKU ODUN’ and ‘OSUN AT 25’), at Osogbo, City Stadium, Osogbo, recently.

political, socio-economic, religious and other strata, it is important, first and foremost, that we must objectively weigh the merit of the changes and consider in all honesty the merit of the names and namings.

While we have no business questioning anyone’s grouse against the naming exercise; we also have no right to challenge anyone’s opposition to the changes. Yet we owe it a duty to discuss and argue the merit or otherwise of the names involved, vis-à-vis the personalities of the bearers of those names, dead or alive.

While they were alive, Chief James AjibolaIge and Chief Sunday Michael Afolabi were almost deified into household names; as they bestrode the socio-political terrains of our state and even those of the other parts of the old Oyo State like Colossus.

Needless to say, the duo was governor and deputy-governor respectively of the old Oyo State for the greater part of the Second Republic. It was through the instrumentality of their Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)-led administration that the reputable Polytechnic Ibadan of old got proliferated into satellite campuses, which gave it the desired spread across the nooks and crannies of the then expansive state called Oyo. Let us remind readers that those satellite campuses of those times were situated in Saki, Eruwa, Esa-Oke and Iree.

Not to weigh readers down with boredom of history, it is noteworthy that upon the creation of Osun State out of the old Oyo State in 1991, two out of the institutions, known then as satellite campuses fell on the soils of the emerging Osun

State. Not only that, in 1992, those two institutions became; through Acts of Parliament, autonomous and full-fledged polytechnic / college of technology for the new state. Thus, we had up till early this year the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke and the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.

Now, considering not only the fact that these two institutions provided formidable pioneering bases for polytechnic tertiary education for the new state; but also the fact that they have since impacted positively the lives of teeming youths who had the privilege to pass through them; visà-vis transformed the socioeconomic lives of their host communities and that of the entire state; is it then too much or overrewarding to name institutions after those pioneering fathers who labored so selflessly for this state during their march through life?

SUN DEFENDER Magazine views it that naming the state university at Osogbo after late Chief Bola Ige and the state polytechnic at Iree after late Chef Sunday Michael Afolabi is a step that constitutes not just a timely masterstroke, but a rightful step that had been long overdue! Political sentiments aside, the duo of Bola Ige and S.M. Afolabi was a bunch of true patriots who never narrowed their vision down to the exigencies of their time; but who saw far into the future; hence, what the seeds they sowed have germinated into today. Yours sincerely, no good administration can do anything better than to immortalize these legends. They impacted so well that we never dare inter their good deeds with their

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bones!

Concerning the institutions named after living former governors of the state; Chief AbdulkareemBamideleAdebisiAkande and Prince OlagunsoyeOladapoOyinlola; ears are filled with so much talk in antagonism to the step. The criticism is rife, most particularly because those two personalities are still very much alive and active in politics.

Because of those selfsame facts and numerous others, OSUN DEFENDER Magazinehas little to comment on their case. For all we know, the two personalities took turns to be civilian governors of the state between 1999 and 2010. They did well for the state, so they so much deserve the honour.

The honour done AlhajiIsiakaAdetunjiAdeleke is singled out for discussion from those other two living personalities who had been civilian governors of the state. The reasons are many; but we shall mention just few. Adeleke is a politician who has maintained his relevance and acceptance across republics. He stands as a politician who, God willing can still have people’s massive acceptance and endorsement as governor of the state all over again! Adeleke is reputed by all as one who knows well and understands his people and wields the diagnostic magical wand as to where the shoe pinches them. Not only that, he knows well the prognosis of applying soothing and healing balm. Sincerely, his is an enviable successful exploit in politics!

For the trio who was once civilian governors of the state, the government of the day used them to

illustrate a lesson which many motivational speakers find fanciful to preach, especially at birthday and funeral occasions: “the essence of honouring our icons whilst still living”. As a matter of fact, we should not wait till our prominent sons and daughters have answered the supreme call before according them due recognition and honour.

For economy of space,OSUN DEFENDER Magazine defers discussions on other awardees till subsequent editions.

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HE second significant event put on record for the week under reference is the creation of thirty-one (31) additional local council development authorities (LCDAs), area councils and administrative offices. The event of this creation was greeted by loud applause from many quarters; even from a cross section of pessimists, who had already considered the idea of this creation comatose, moribund and absolutely impossible. Due to later amendments to the created area councils and administrative offices, their numbers shall be revealed in the appropriate edition.

In a live state-wide broadcast to the people of the state, transmitted live on all state-owned media avenues on the morning of Tuesday, March 8, 2016, the governor of the State of Osun, OgbeniRaufAdesojiAregbesola announced the massive reforms in local government administration across the state.

•Concluded

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FOR THE RECORD

OSUN DEFENDER Wednesday, September 21, 2016

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO’S LETTER FROM PRISON TO MAJOR GENERAL AGUIYI IRONSI, PRESSING FOR HIS RELEASE AND THAT OF HIS COLLEAGUES (DATED 28TH MARCH 1966) CONFIDENTIAL 28th March, 1966 The Supreme Commander and Head of the Federal Military Government, Lagos.

Thro: The Director of Prisons, Prisons Headquarters Office, Private Mail Bag 12522, Lagos.

Sir:

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REROGATIVE OF MERCY: SECTION 101 (1) (a) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERATION ACT 1963 1. I am writing this petition for FREE PARDON under Section 101 (1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federation Act 1963, on behalf of myself and some of my colleagues, whose names are set out in the Annexe hereto.

2. Before I go further, I would like to stress that the reasons which I advance in support of this petition, in my own behalf, basically hold good for my said colleagues. For they share the same political beliefs with me, and have intense and unquenchable loyalty for the ideals espoused by the party, which I have the honour to lead.

3. There are many grounds which could be submitted for your consideration in support of this petition.

But I venture to think that SEVEN of them are enough and it is to these that I confine myself.

(1) In the course of my evidence during my trial, I stated that my party favoured and was actively working for alliance with the N.C.N.C. as a means, among other things, of solving what I described as ‘the problem of Nigeria’, and strengthening the unity of the Federation. In October 1963 (that is about a month after my conviction and while my appeal to the Supreme Court was still pending), a Peace Committee headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, made overtures to me through my friend, Alhaji W. A. Elias, to the effect that if I abandoned my intention to enter into alliance with the N.C.N.C. which, according to the Committee, was an Ibo organisation, and agreed to dissolve the Action Group and, in co-operation with Chief Akintola (now deceased), form an all-embracing Yoruba political party, which I would lead and which would go into alliance with the N.P.C., I would be released from prison before the end of that year. I turned down these terms because I was of the considered opinion that their acceptance would further widen and exacerbate inter-tribal differences, and gravely undermine the unity of the Federation.

Today, the military government, of which you are the head, leaves no one in any doubt that it stands for Nigerian unity. But it must be emphasised, in this connection, that if I had prized my personal freedom above the unity of Nigeria, I would have been set free in 1963. In that event, this petition would not have been necessary, and the work of consolidating the unity of the country to which you and your colleagues now set your hands might have been made extremely more intractable and irksome.

As recently as 20th December, 1965, identical peace terms (the only variant being that the alliance with the N.C.N.C. which was now a reality should be broken) were made to me here, in Calabar Prison, by a delegation representing another Peace Committee headed by the self-same Chief Justice of the Federation and purporting to have the blessing of the Prime Minister, with the unequivocal promise that if I accepted the terms, my release would follow almost immediately. I rejected the terms for the reasons which I have outlined above.

(2) One of the monsters which menaced the public life of this country up to 14th January, this year is Opportunism with its attendant evils of jobbery, venality, corruption, and

•AWOLOWO unabashed self-interest. From all accounts, you are inflexibly resolved to destroy this monster. That was precisely what my colleagues and I had tried to do before we were rendered hors de combat since 29th May, 1962.

On two different occasions I was offered, first, the post of Deputy Prime Minister (before May 1962), and second that of Deputy Governor-General (in August 1962), if I would agree to fold up the opposition and join in a national government. I declined the two offers because they were designed exclusively to gratify my self-interest, with no thought of fostering any political moral principle, which could benefit the people of Nigeria. The learned Judge, who presided over the treasonable felony trial, commented unfavourably on my non-acceptance of one of these posts and held that my action lent weight to the case of the prosecution against me. I must say, however, that in all conscience, I felt and still feel that a truly public-spirited person should accept public office, not for what he can get for himself; such as the profit and glamour of office, but for the opportunity which it offers him of serving his people to the best of his ability, by promoting their welfare and happiness. To me, the two aforementioned posts were sinecures, and were intended to immobilise my talents and stultify the role of watch-dog, which the people of Nigeria looked upon me to play on their behalf, at that juncture in our political evolution.

(3) This leads me to the third ground.

From newspaper reports, it would appear that you and your colleagues; like all well-meaning Nigerians, are anxious that on the termination of the present military rule, Nigeria should become a flourishing democracy. Now, democracy is a political doctrine, which is very intimately dear to my heart. It was to the end that it might be accepted as a way of life in all parts of the Federation that I campaigned most vigorously and relentlessly in the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, from 1957 to 1962, to the implacable annoyance of some of my political adversaries. It was to the end that this doctrine might survive the severe onslaught of opportunist and mercenary politics that I refused to succumb to the temptation of the National Government.

Many views; some of them wellconsidered and respectable, have been expressed about the value or disvalue of opposition as a feature of public life in a newly-emergent African State.

Speaking for my party, I submit that the opposition which I led did, to all intents and purposes, justify its existence and was acclaimed by the masses of our people as essential and indispensable to rapid national growth. This was so, because it was unexceptionably

constructive. The abrogation of the Anglo-Nigeria Defence Pact was one of the feathers in its cap. Some of the policies which the government of the day later adopted; such as the creation of a Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the introduction of drastic measures to correct our balance of payments deficit, were among those persistently and constructively urged by the opposition inside and outside parliament.

The point I wish to emphasise here is that it was not out of spite or hatred for any one that I chose to remain in opposition instead of joining the muchtalked-of National Government. I did so in order to serve our people to the best of my ability in the position in which their votes had placed my party, and to ensure that the young plant of democracy grows into a sturdy flourishing tree in Nigeria.

(4) Since the declaration of emergency in the Western Region on 29th May, 1962, political tension has existed in Western Nigeria. My conviction on 11th September, 1963, together with the surrounding bizarre circumstances, has led not only to the heightening of that tension in Western Nigeria but also to its profuse and irrepressible percolation to the other parts of the Federation. The result is that it can be said, without much fear of contradiction, that today, the majority of our people are passionately concerned about and fervently solicitous for the release of myself and my colleagues.

The work of reconstruction, on which you and your colleagues have embarked, demands that all the citizens of Nigeria in their respective callings should give of their maximum best. A state of psychological tension, however much it may be brought under control or repressed, does not and cannot conduce to maximum efficiency. In spite of themselves, people labouring under emotions, which this kind of tension automatically generates, are bound to make avoidable mistakes, which in their turn have adverse effects on national progress.

T is, therefore, in the national interest that this tension should be relaxed, if possible, without further delay.

(5) A petition of this kind is, by its very nature, bound to be replete with selfadulation. I hope and trust that, in the circumstances, this is excusable. It is in this hope and trust that I assert that my colleagues and I have the qualifications and capacity to render invaluable services to our people and fatherland.

Every day that we spend in prison, therefore, must be regarded as twentyfour unforgiving hours of truly valuable services lost to our young country. Even my most inveterate enemies have given the following testimony about me: ‘Awolowo has still a great deal to give to this country.’

No country, however advanced and civilised, can afford to waste any of its talents, be they ever so small. Nigeria is too young to bury some of her talents, as she was compelled to do under the old regime.

It is within your power to restore my colleagues and me to a position, where our fatherland can again rejoice at the contributions, which we are capable of making to its progress, welfare and happiness.

(6) Nigeria is now sixty-six months old as an independent state. The final phase in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence was initiated by my party in the historic Self-Government Motion moved by Chief Anthony Enahoro and supported by me on 31st March, 1953. It should be regarded as more than ironical, and as palpably tragic, that two of the architects of that independence and, indeed, the pace-setters and accelerators of its final phase should be unfree in a free Nigeria.

In precise terms, I have spent fortysix out of the sixty-six months of

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independence in one form of confinement or another. I happened to know that the leaders of the old civilian regime, in spite of themselves, did not feel quite easy in their conscience about the plight into which they had manoeuvred me in the scheme of things; and I dare to express the hope and belief that you, personally view my present confinement with concern and disapproval.

(7) It is usual; almost invariably the case, on the accession of a revolutionary regime, for political prisoners and, indeed, other prisoners of some note, to be released as a mark of disapproval of some of the doings of the old regime, or in token of the new dawn of freedom which comes in the wake of the new regime.

It would be invidious to quote unspecific instances. But in the case of my colleagues and myself, by courageously and adamantly opposing the evils which your regime now denounces in the former civilian administration, I think we are perfectly justified if we expect you to regard us as being in tune with your yearnings and aspirations for Nigeria, and therefore entitled to our personal freedoms under your dispensation.

4. In view of the foregoing reasons which clearly demonstrate (i) That I have always and, under trying circumstances, steadfastly and unyieldingly (a) Stood for the unity of Nigeria, (b) Been opposed to political opportunism with its attendant evils, (c) fostered the growth of democracy in Nigeria; (ii) that my incarceration: (a) has led to the heightening of political tension among Nigerians, which tension can only be relaxed by my release, (b) has deprived our fatherland of invaluable services such as we have rendered before, and can still render now and in future, in greater measure; and (iii) that the evils which my colleagues and I condemned and valiantly refused to compromise within the old civilian government are what you now quite rightly denounce, and are taking active steps to remove in order to pave the way for national and beneficial reconstruction, most sincerely appeal to you to be good enough to exercise, in favour of myself and my colleagues, the prerogative of mercy vested in you by Section 10 (I) (i) (a) of the Constitution of the Federation Act 1963, by granting me, as well as each of my colleagues, A FREE PARDON. If you do, your action will be most warmly, heartily, and popularly applauded at home and abroad, and you will go down to history as soldier, statesmen, and humanitarian.

Yours truly, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO A. THOSE CONVICTED FOR TREASONABLE FELONY 1. THOSE STILL SERVING THEIR TERMS 1. Chief Obafemi Awolowo 2. Chief Anthony Enahoro 3. Mr. Lateef K. Jakande 4. Mr. Dapo Omisade 5. Mr. S.A. Onitiri 6. Mr. Gabby Sasore 7. Mr. Sunday Ebietoma 8. Mr. U.I. Nwaobiala 2. THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SERVED THEIR TERMS 1. Mr. S.A. Otubanjo 2. Mr. S.J. Umoren 3. Mr. S. Oyesile B. THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN TRIED 1. Mr. S.G. Ikoku 2. Mr. Ayo Adebanjo 3. Mr. James Aluko — with Dr.Chukwuma Christopher Osaji, Taiwo Osunsanya, Bello Isiaka and 59 others.

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feel called upon to make my own contribution to the dialogue on a solution to the economic recession that Nigeria is undergoing.

It is evident now that the oil price shock was the main contributing factor causing the downward spiral in the economy resulting in the present recession. In any ailing , the first step that must be taken is a diagnosis of the problem and in Nigeria’s case, I would diagnose that it is suffering from malignant metabolic economic syndrome, complicated by inflation, high interest rates, unemployment, weak infrastructure and the results of the global fall in the price of oil. It is indeed a gloomy state of affairs, which if not treated with urgency by introducing strong fiscal, trade and monetary policy could well lead to depression.

We know that Nigeria has experienced mismanagement for several decades but now is not the time to lament but to chart a clear economic policy direction that will give value to the economy. This will entail developing macro-economic models, tailored to stimulate all sectors of the economy and catapulting us out of recession. On the issue of monetary policy, there is a lot of confusion.

There is the need for harmonization between CBN policy, which is leaning towards tight liquidity, in a bid to harness inflation and the Minister of Finance’s call for increased public spending on capital projects. Note that CBN increased the MPR by 200 basis points from 12% to 14% to combat inflation and stimulate growth. The MPR is the anchor rate at which the CBN, in performing its role as lender of last resort, lends to Deposit Money Banks to boost the level of liquidity in the banking system. If the apex bank intends to increase the level of liquidity in the economy, it reduces the MPR but increases it, when it intends to tighten money supply. By increasing MPR, CBN has unfortunately tightened lending.

The banking sector requires strengthening and must be empowered to lend.

I recommend that money from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) should go back to the banks at single digit rates and that banks’ recommended lending rate should not exceed 5%. I feel that the CBN should focus on productive value of the economy and not the numerical value of the naira. The recent devaluation of the naira by the introduction of a floating naira exchange rate has not yielded positive results, as we see the naira spiraling downwards.

In fact, the new foreign exchamge regime caused a drop in the GDP from $500 billion to some $350 billion by reducing per capita income to below $600.

In proffering a solution to this, I feel that government’s monetary policy will be required to move from strict monetarism of the Milton Friedman school of thought to the Keynesian Model. Milton Friedman promoted an alternative macro-economic viewpoint known as “monetarism”, and argued that a steady, small expansion of the money supply was the preferred policy.

His ideas concerning monetary policy, taxation, privatization and deregulation influenced government policies, especially during the 1980s.

Open Letter To President Buhari: Practical Solutions To Scale Nigeria’s Recession

•AGBAKOBA His monetary theory influenced the Federal Reserve’s response to the global financial crisis of 2007–08. On the other hand, Keynesian economics advocates a mixed economy; predominantly private sector, but with a role for government intervention during recessions.

EYNESIAN economics served as the standard economic model in the developed nations during the latter part of the Great Depression, World War II, and the post-war economic expansion (1945–1973). I believe strongly that Nigeria can recover from recession and I recommend as a start the need for a Presidential Proclamation at the National Assembly, switching from Austerity Policy to Growth Policy, this will instill hope and form the basis for the way forward. I am not sure if the Economic Emergency Powers requested

by Mr. President would work.

I recall that President Shagari had them and failed; the Venezuelan model has also not worked. To boost the economy will require massive spending on infrastructure and public works, which will also require manpower resources. This is the Keynesian economic model. This way we will spend our way out of recession with the objective of reducing inflation.

The CBN should reduce the MPR to single digit of say 5% and create a framework for quantitative easing.

Further, we need to consider a National Treatment Policy that will create the environment for real sector growth. We would need to establish a Development and Guarantee Bank to provide financing for national development, which can be supported by asset securitization. Considering all solutions, I will add the need for the

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government to prepare a Public Sector Borrowing Requirement (PSBR) and borrow according to needs. It may be possible to borrow against future oil receivables as was proposed with China by the last administration.

It would also be necessary for the federal and state governments to payoff domestic debts to inject liquidity into the system, whilst retaining a clear debt ratio policy. I have always advocated the need for massive legal and institutional reform in the financial services sector, which will allow money to flow through the veins of the economy. For banking regulations, I suggest we can adopt the UK model by creating a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and a Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA).

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is a financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom, but operates independently of the UK government, and is financed by charging fees to members of the financial services industry.

HE FCA regulates financial firms providing services to consumers and maintains the integrity of UK’s financial markets. It focuses on the regulation of conduct by both retail and wholesale financial services firms whereas the Prudential Regulation Authority was created as a part of the Bank of England by the Financial Services Act (2012) and is responsible for the prudential regulation and supervision of around 1,700 banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms.

This model would limit CBN like the Bank of England to monetary policy and domicile supervisory functions in the PRA. The proposed new regulatory agencies will provide more effective supervision of the banks than is the case.

On the need for huge stimuli for business growth there will be the need to create a debt factor market to soak up nonperforming loans presently on the banks’ balance sheets now standing at about 20trillion naira. Also medium and small businesses must be encouraged and enabled to access funds to grow their businesses as these businesses represent the engine of economic growth. Access to funds should be supported by a robust private sector led mortgage market by waking up dead capital trapped in the nation’s housing stock valued at over 7 trillion naira. We will also need to urgently explore alternative income sources from Agriculture, Maritime, Aviation, Infrastructure, Mining etc.

If Government’s efficiency is enhanced and the States are required to contribute as economic enablers, then there will be less strain on the national purse and States will be forced to generate income. It will be encouraging for the government to give hope with a

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By OLISA AGBAKOBA clear vision of how to tackle recession.

For example Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ got the United States out of the Great Depression in the 1930’s. In the case of FDR’s New deal, massive public works programmes like the momentous Tennessee Valley construction were undertaken to generate employment and hope for the American people. Several important laws were enacted to support the New deal among which two in particular impacted on the economy. The Glass-Steagall Banking Act was enacted to restore confidence in the banking system after thousands of bank failures in the first years of the Depression in the U.S. This Act prohibited banks that held government deposits from speculation and trading but compelled lending to the real sector. Also, the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) was a law passed by the United States Congress in 1933 to authorize the President to regulate industry to stimulate economic recovery.

T also established a Public Works Administration to put millions back in employment by massive public infrastructure development. A more recent example in the U.S was the introduction of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, 2008 commonly referred to as an Act to bailout the U.S financial system.

This law was enacted in response to the subprime mortgage crisis. The United States Secretary of the Treasury was thereby authorized to spend $700 billion to purchase failing bank assets under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Under TARP, funds for the purchase of distressed assets were mostly re-directed to inject capital into banks and other financial institutions while the Treasury continued to examine the usefulness of targeted asset purchases.

Another innovative piece of legislation was the American Recovery and reinvestment Act signed into law

by President Obama in 2009.

This historic legislation stimulated massive job creation during challenging economic times by cutting taxes and investing billions of dollars in critical sectors such as energy, health care, infrastructure and education. I have highlighted all of these illustrations to project how other jurisdictions have dealt with economic crises. I emphasize the need for immediate economic and macroeconomic policy measures to be put in place. This will require setting up a council of economic advisers to advise Mr. President on economic policy by providing objective economic analysis and advice on the development and implementation of a wide range of domestic and international economic policy issues.

This will provide a New Economic Model that when implemented and pursued vigorously can pull us from this recession by second quarter of 2017.

However, if nothing is done the recession cycle may well extend up to Q4 2020. Thank you for this opportunity to address you directly on this very crucial topic.

Yours sincerely, •Agbakoba (SAN, OON) is a legal practitioner resident in Lagos

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

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