Osun Defender April 14, 2017

NEWS ‘Osun No Longer A Civil Servant State’

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VOL. 012. NO.08

N100

ISSN: 0794-8050

LG Elections Brew Acrimony In Osun - Page 2

MAGAZINE Ile-Ife: In Search Of Sustainable

Peace Beyond Tribal Crisis

The cause of the crisis reasonably could not in any way match the level of properties damaged and human lives lost.

‘ •(L-R) The Vice Chancellor, Osun State UNiversity (UNIOSUN), Professor Labode Popoola; Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori; the Chancellor, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN); and a former Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Sola Akinrinade during the Commissioning of the University’s new Library in Osogbo on Wednesday.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

LG Elections Brew Acrimony In Osun T

By Shina Abubakar HE non-conduct of Local Government elections in the State of Osun has generated argument between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the latter describing the situation as illegal and unacceptable.

Over times, the APC administration is ruling had attributed the no- with too much impunity conduct of the election in on the matter and it is also the local government to violating the rule of law.

According to a the dispute before the court of law about the factional chairman of the legality or otherwise of the PDP in the state, Dr Bayo dissolution of the State Faforiji, the APC must be Independent Electoral joking to have wanted to Commission (OSSIEC) set put in place another set of up by the ousted PDP caretaker committee at the government, government by the local Governor Rauf especially as the case in A r e g b e s o l a - l e d court has been dealt with.

“The case before the administration.

However, with the Supreme Court which the APC is using as an alibi recent determination of the case before the Apex not to conduct election court recently, the PDP has been dispensed off demanded that the APC- and it is expected that led administration begin OSSIEC, as it is presently the process of conducting constituted should begin election into the local the process of conduct of government across the elections by issuing notice to political parties state.

As at the time of filing in the state as required by this report, the APC was law; PDP as a party is reportedly working on a waiting for that directive list of persons to be from the body.

“It is against the law appointed into the local governments’ offices as that the government is working towards putting caretaker committee to be caretaker saddled with the another responsibilities of committee in place, overseeing the affairs of though, I am not aware of such move, but if it is true, the council areas.

This seems not to go it is best described as an down well with the illegality and strange to opposition party which the provision of the law of believed that the APC the land”, he said.

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The Governor has announced that local government poll would be conducted before the end of this year and I am sure it would happen CHANGE OF NAME O L A Y I W O L A RUKAYAT FOLASADE, is the same person as O L A Y I W O L A FOLASHADE SUSAN. That I now wish to be known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA RUKAYAT FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid.

SKYE Bank, FCMB Bank and general public should take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known as EPIH TENECE KENNETH, that I now wish to be known and addressed as EPIH KENNETH RAKHEM. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as AJIBOYE KHADIJAT ADERINSOLA, that I now wish to be known and addressed as AJIBOYE KUBURAT ADESHOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known as ILESANMI GRACE, that I now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UWAKWE GRACE FOLASHADE.All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known as KOSAMOTU KAMORU OLAYINKA, now wish to be known and addressed as KOSAMOTU KAMAL OLAYIMIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known as ADOGBAJALE ADEOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as ADOGBAJALE MARY ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public should take note.

The party chieftain, who at a time was a commissioner in the state, disclosed that as long as due process is followed, the PDP is ready for local government poll in the state, adding that the issue of constituting caretaker is no longer acceptable to the people of the state.

Reacting to the PDP’s view, the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Oluomo Sunday Akere described the PDP as a party which want to be seen to be commenting on public issues, saying it is uncivil of it to criticize ignorantly.

He disclosed that though the case has been concluded before the court, but it is not possible to just go into the process

of local government election without following due process, saying, it is mandatory for the state electoral body to issue notice, which is a minimum of 90 days.

“The Governor has

announced that local government poll would be conducted before the end of this year and I am sure it will happen; so, there is nothing wrong for the PDP to wait till that point and even prepare itself

for the poll, because as it stand, I doubt if the party is even ready, considering the crisis that besieged it at all levels.

And on the issue of caretaker committee, it is imperative to ensure that governance is ongoing at the grassroots level and •Continued on page 7

•The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun and his wife at the wedding ceremony of a daughter of ex-governor of the State of Osun, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Lagos.

Osun No Longer A Civil Servant State - GM Osun Micro Finance Agency

By Ismaeel Uthman

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people to be obtaining loan of five per cent monthly lending rate which is the order of the day.

The most popular of the micro credit agencies charging five per cent monthly interest rate is LAPO. “I want to encourage our people to stop patronizing cut throat micro credit agencies. It is counter-productive for anybody,

HE General Manager, Osun Micro Credit Agency, Mr. Dayo Babaranti has said that it is erroneous for anybody to continue describing the State of Osun as a civil servant state, saying, anybody with such impression was wrong.

Babaranti maintained are not civil servants. that the state is now “If people are collecting economically viable with money and they are the booming of trades and paying back with ease small scales enterprises and their businesses and across the state which is others are growing, even a result of economic plan when there was issue on of Governor Rauf the payment of workers’ A r e g b e s o l a salaries, then, Osun is not administartion. a civil servant state as He stated this on some people would Monday in an exclusive make us believe.” interview with OSUN H e D E F E N D E R , commended maintaining that the state Aregbesola for government, through the coming up agency has been able to with idea of cushion the effect of the t h e economic recession on the establishment people of the state. of the According to a g e n c y Babaranti, the agency, in which was line with the creation of f o r m e r l y wealth and banishing of under the poverty agenda of Ministry of •DAYO, GM, Osun Micro Credit Aregbesola, has assisted C o m m e r c e Agency. traders, individuals, Co- and Industry, operative societies and saying, the small scale enterprises in agency is now more building and promoting effective, active and their businesses. accessible to the real Babaranti said: “It is beneficiaries of microparticularly wrong for anybody to say credits. traders and small scale Osun is a civil servant Babaranti said the enterprises to go for state; Osun is now agency has disbursed financial institutions that economically viable. As fund to a total of 23, 420 charge five per cent an agency that relates beneficiaries, including monthly. They should with the people, Co-operative societies, stop working for other particular those driving entrepreneurs and people. the economy of the state, I individuals.

“Osun state can tell you that Osun has The General Manager government has made life developed economic disclosed that the agency easier to the people. Osun wise. provides cheap lending Micro Credit Agency “Every market in the rate in a bid to assist the offers annual nine per state always filled up, beneficiaries in growing cent lending rate. We even during the economic their businesses and make things easy for the recession.

The making repayment easier. people because we want beneficiaries of our credit He encouraged the to create wealth in line facilities are making people to stop with the Six Integral payment back to us patronizing ‘cut-throat’ Action Plan of regularly, at least, we are micro-credit agencies Aregbesola”, he said. having 75 per cent charging unfriendly Babaranti appealed to repayment from the lending rate, saying, it is the state government to people, and these people counter-productive for augment the capital of the

agency, saying that they need more fund to meet up with the demands of the people.

He explained that the agency had to wait for the repayment of disbursed loan before it could gather fund to pay the awaiting people seeking loan, calling on wealthy people in the society to assist the state government through the agency.

Speaking on the impacts of the agency, Babaranti said, “it has improved employment.

The SMEs we give are those that are manufacturing and or producing different type of things. As a result of increment in their capital, they have employed extra hands.

“People who have benefited from this programme are paying tax which improved the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Most of those motorcyclists have learnt one trade or the other. It was during the documentation that we discovered this. It was because of lack of capital to buy instrument and start their own businesses that turned them to street boys, okada riders and people who foment trouble. This has also led to the reduction in crime rate as we have given money to those classes of people to start their own businesses.”

Babaranti, however, commended the beneficiaries for being committed to the repayment guidelines and procedures.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

NEWS

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APC, Omisore Trade Words Over 2018 Polls O why we will not waste recalling that the PDP ambition has lived with opponents, and about time

By Kazeem Mohammed and energy chieftain was disgraced him since then till now, events or his political responding to the details SUN State chapter of the All Progressives from office, indeed and nothing significant worth, which the whole of his wishy-washy, Congress (APC) and a chieftain of the Ahmed impeached within two has changed in his of Osun also knows, has mould”, been in decline over the namby-pamby criticisms Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic years as deputy governor political of the APC government. his years.

Party (PDP) in the state, Iyiola Omisore have to Chief Bisi Akande for describing “For God’s sake, the participation in the 2014 continued to trade words over the ambition of the infidelity and sabotage of “It is the reason the PDP latter to occupy the governorship seat of the state in the same government he governorship election as chieftain can neither people of Osun know 2018. was supposed to be the particularly obscene and understand the dynamics better than Omisore characterised by violence. of governance nor the thinks and they will While Omisore said he Omisore has no practical second-in-command. experience in governance “To worsen matters, tragic consequences of the surprise him again in was determined to take The party stressed that, over from the APC to safe worthy of respect to give “Omisore’s pedigree of Omisore has no restraint economic downturn in 2018 with a painful the people of Osun, the people of the state disloyalty and inordinate in lying against his Nigeria and how it has defeat, which his lies and from what he described as impacted Osun. This is violence cannot stop”, the APC bondage, the ruling APC noted. party said, a possible transfer of power from Governor Rauf Aregbesola to Omisore in 2018 would be “similar to a total eclipse of the sun”.

By Israel Afolabi Omisore has, in 52 years-old man, Kehinde Olusegun has been reaction to an earlier sentenced to One month imprisonment by a statement by the APC that magistrate court sitting in Osogbo for ridiculing his governorship the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). ambition has become The prosecutor, delusional, said his Inspector Idoko John told that the accused personally ultimate ambition for the court that Olusegun on published defamatory seeking to govern the state the 21st of January 2014 in matters that injured the is predicated on the Osogbo, distributed fliers, reputation of the NOUN determination “to set the handbills and posters to Osogbo study centre to the state free from the •The eldest son of the late Chief Bola Ige, Architect Muyiwa Ige (middle) receiving the disorganised the Osogbo effect that it produces low economic bondage and ‘Fellowship Honoris Causa’ honour, of the Osun State College of Education, Ila study centre of the grade graduates, which contrary to section 373 and bad governance foisted Orangun, on behalf of his late father, recently. With him are the College Governing university.

Council Chairman, Mr Niyi Akande (left) and the Provost, Professor Isaac Oyewole According to the charge punishable under section on the state by the APC. sheet made available to 375 of the criminal code cap He had also stated that (right).

OSUN DEFENDER, the 34 Vol. III laws of Osun State while he would have accused person distributed of Nigeria 2003. loved to maintain his The charge sheet further fliers, handbills and poster silence and allow the before the t o disclosed that the accused

By Israel Afolabi people of the state, who, court, while disorganised person made documents according to him, have magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, the defence N O U N without the authority of the been thrown into c o u n s e l , O s o g b o NOUN which ridiculed the presided over by Magistrate F.A Sodamade hardship, abject penury study centre institution, contrary to has imposed a three years jail term on a 60 B a r r i s t e r and financial insecurity and thereby section 473 of the Criminal year-old man, Kazeem Adekitan for stealing Honda Okobe Nasite to speak for themselves, committed Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws Osogbo, Olorunda Local pleaded the his desire to stand for the Accord car. an offence of Osun State of Nigeria Kazeem Adekitan was Government Area and court for people, would not let him. contrary to 2003. charged with one count thereby committed an The accused was The PDP chief called on mercy. section offence contrary to the APC to focus on charge of stealing.

249(a) of the represented by Barrister S.P T h e According to the section 383 (i) and C r i m i n a l Ogundare, but his nongovernance by ensuring presiding Code Cap 34 guilty plea was accepted by the payment of the charge sheet, No MOS/ punishable under section magistrate in 475/C/2016, the convict 390 (a) (10A) of the Vol. II laws the court. backlog of salary arrears In his ruling by the ruling of Osun owed workers and the was said to have stolen Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. his sentenced the State of presiding Magistrate, F.A unprecedented failure of one Honda Accord Car II laws of Osun State of N i g e r i a Sodamade, Olusegun was a c c u s e d its government at the state with registration No, SX Nigeria 2002. sentenced to one month jail 2003.

The prosecutor, person to and federal levels to 95 KSF valued N250,000, It further term with option of deliver on electioneering belongs to Mr Adigun Inspector Mereti Wilson three years r e v e a l e d N20,000 fine. promises several years Lukman at Ayetoro Area also established the fact imprisonment. after people entrusted them with power.

A statement from his media office had further criminal activities.

Meanwhile, OSUN to the state command, said, “At this point, the

By Sola Jacobs A student of Obafemi D E F E N D E R while two other youths, APC should really know EACTIONS have trailed the recent killing of a Awolowo University, investigation in the who are injured were that its deception game is suspected “Yahoo Boy”, identified as Basiru Bankole Alo also said, ancient city about Sunday responding to treatment up; but since it is the Ayedun by men of Police Force in Ile-Ife on activities of the men of incidence revealed that in the hospital. season of advice, I don’t Ayedun was reportedly think it will be too much Sunday morning, as the scenario has been described Nigeria police force the officers that were as a sign of decadence, unprofessional conduct and should be check-mated, alleged to have shot the killed for protesting to advise APC to look saying, in most times, they suspected ‘Yahoo boys’ against the arrest of his elsewhere for topics to misdemeanour of uniform men.

A social critics and a of men of the Nigeria resort to extortion of were not officially on colleague who had distract Osun people from successfully duped an the reality of their lawyer, Jimi Omorin said, Police, as it further students and youths in duty. catastrophic seven years the action of the uniform attested to their the ancient town under A police source said, unsuspecting client of N8 men was misconduct reign in Osun State. and the guise of carrying out the officers have been million in the ancient city In response to u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l , unprofessional attitude. security surveillance. arrested and transferred of Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Omisore’s assertion, the misconduct and He specifically noted APC in a statement by the infringement on the right that the conduct of some Director of Publicity, of the deceased, saying, junior officers attached to Research and Strategy, even if he is alleged, he Division A, Moore and Barrister Kunle Oyatomi has not been arraigned Division V in Aganhun, said, “No matter how and prove guilty in the were questionable, as much he dreams or how law court. some of them also crafty he put a new spin He recalled that on participate and support to an old lie, Omisore many occasions, students criminal activities in the remains quintessentially as well as individuals city. a bad material for the have been harassed According to him, if the governorship of the state unlawfully and even Osun police command of Osun”. detained by men of the must checkmate the Noting that Osun Nigeria Police on activities of some of his people have become frivolous accusations. unscrupulous men, immuned to the lies of Also reacting on the massive transfer of PDP whether of Makarfi issue, Mr Opeseitan officers who have stayed or Sheriff faction, he said, Olabode said, the that has completely occurrence was just one more than five years in Division A and C in the destroyed Omisore’s out of many city would bring sanity to credibility in the state. unprofessional conduct the system and curb many •AYEDUN: Before and after his death According to Oyatomi,

Man Bags One-month Jail Term For Defamation

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Man Jailed Three Years For Stealing Car

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Reactions Trail Suspected "Yahoo Boy" Killing By Police

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THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

The Road To 2018

T is within the composition of the human condition that men and women have ambitions and have great dreams. This is also the nature of politics. It is therefore natural that there is a lot of jockeying as well as positioning in states like Anambra, Ekiti and Osun where elections for governorship will be held in 2017 and 2018. Unseemly as it looks, it can be argued that it is never too early to start even if it means jumping the gun.

There is however a common thread amid all of the manoeuvring which is profoundly disturbing; this is the glaring absence of a programme. Not just a general mission proposal or a statement of intent, but a well thought out and rigorously costed roadmap. The absence of this is unsettling. For at a time of economic disequilibrium, anyone aspiring to one of the great offices of state ought to come in very well-prepared.

The person ought to be armed with a very sensibly worked out and realistic plan of action to withstand the economic problems caused by a society in transition.

This is because in our defective quasi-federalism whoever is the helmsman of a state government will have to operate with one hand strapped to the back.

This is a difficult proposition which requires deep thinking as well as managerial sagacity. In this area of preparation, the incumbent governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has clearly set down a marker which should be established as an immutable

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EDITORIALS

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For example, the statement made a few days ago by Senator Iyiola Omisore, a perennial governorship aspirant declaring his intention to run was full of old fashioned vitriol, unfortunately nary a thought was given to a detailed and costed programme of action. This is a throwback to an unedifying past and is certainly not what is needed now.

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precedent.

Aregbesola after years of diligent preparation came into office with a well thought out programme of social and economic reforms, which has not just repositioned the state of Osun, but has rejuvenated it and breathed new life into the rural economy. The gains have been solid and institutional frameworks, as well as sustainable mechanisms have been put in place for these reforms to

China Loans For Mechanized Agric

ARLIER in the week, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Governor AbdulAziz Yari of Zamfara State met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Their mission was to update him on the outcome of their visit to China in April last year and their negotiations on a number of issues to deal with machineries for agricultural development.

“We signed an agreement which engages all the states including FCT from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for the procurement of strategic machinery for rural development and agriculture”, Ogbeh reportedly told newsmen after the meeting.

“Tractors, bulldozers, graders, irrigation pumps, tarsiers and so on from China…The Chinese were willing to supply us these things for a long term basis, 20 years credit at an interest rate of one per cent per annum. A committee has been working on the matter and we are close to sorting out all the small details and that is why we came to see the President”.

Such initiatives, understandably, at the heart of the current efforts to boost and diversify the economy, ordinarily, deserve commendation. No doubt, the state needs all the help they can get to modernise and transform their agriculture. Farmers require basic tools to reduce the drudgery of work, not just to boost their productivity, but to make it attractive for the youth. In the same vein, there can be no denying the fact that the sector needs huge investments to optimise and to unlock its vast potentials in the short,

medium and long term.

Yet, as attractive as the proposition is, this newspaper can only offer at best a qualified endorsement of the move given our experience with similar initiatives.

For a country with a flagship agricultural mechanisation centre – the National Centre for Agriculture Mechanisation (NCAM), it seems to us that what we need at this time is the strengthening of our capacity to fabricate/ manufacture agriculture equipment as against the planned dumping of foreign

Who determines the equipment to be imported? How were they arrived at? What is the role of NCAM in this? What about the hordes of agricultural universities and research institutes? Are they involved in any collaborative way – at least, in the design or modification of the equipment for the use of the local farmers? Has anyone thought of the potential loss of opportunities for these local institutes from what is clearly a planned wholesale outsourcing of the equipment supply to the Chinese?

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Labour Force And Strike

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HERE is no administration in Nigeria both military and civilian that has not encountered one problem or the other with its workforce, either through the Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers especially its Tankers Drivers arm, Nigeria Medical Association or other labour unions.

The recent one is the issue between the government and tankers drivers, as, by the calculation of the union, none of the successive administrations in this country has either met their demands or satisfied them. In reaction, what they do is to boycott

stand the test of time. When he finishes his second term even within the international and local economic difficulties, there will be long lasting and irreversible achievements to showcase.

This newspaper therefore calls on all the intending aspirants to follow suit. They must present to the electorate realistic, well thought programmes to continue from where Aregbesola would have stopped. Such a programme ideally should be within the positively acknowledged “Alternative Perspectives” within which Osun has recorded such solid, in many cases landmark path-breaking achievements. To do otherwise will be akin to raising false hopes and selling the electorate what in effect will be a false prospectus. This will be fraudulent, immoral and will ultimately backfire after a lot of damage would have been wrought.

For example, the statement made a few days ago by Senator Iyiola Omisore declaring his intention to run was full of old fashioned vitriol, unfortunately nary a thought was given to a detailed and costed programme of action. This is a throwback to an unedifying past and is certainly not what is needed now.

We therefore urge all the aspirants across partisan divides to do so within a much more serious template than is being observed at the moment. The State of Osun deserves candidates who will come in with the same seriousness of purpose that Aregbesola came in with.

This is what makes the difference.

fuel depots across the nation to press home their demands from government. The NUPENG issues have always been fight for poor salaries, poor state of Nigeria roads, poor

quarters for drivers and insecurity on the highways among others.

Unfortunately, labour unions usually result to strike as a final strategy to press home their demands because they consider it a

potent weapon to draw the attention of the Federal Government and other stakeholders to some unresolved issues bordering on the welfare of

workers.

It is unfortunate that this approach of settling dispute between governments and workers to the detriment of the masses has become the most potent way.

However, this strategy must be reviewed and the government and the entire workforces, not only the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas worker should always meet to iron out any trending issues between them.

Particularly, while government should quickly address any issue raise by its workforce, workers should also be realistic and show understanding, rather than making frivolous demands.

Nigerians expect good relationship between the government and workers because where two elephants fight, the grass suffer.

•BOLA BABATUNDE, Osogbo, State of Osun.

equipment in the guise of foreign assistance.

Moreover, never mind the so-called liberal terms – the rate of interest put at one per cent, or even the counterpart funding said to have been brought down from 25 per cent to 10 per cent - the package, as far as we can see, discloses absolutely nothing about the competitiveness of the equipment on offer; or their suitability or adaptability to the Nigerian environment.

Who determines the equipment to be imported? How were they arrived at?

What is the role of NCAM in this? What about the hordes of agricultural universities and research institutes? Are they involved in any collaborative way – at least, in the design or modification of the equipment for the use of the local farmers? Has anyone thought of the potential loss of opportunities for these local institutes from what is clearly a planned wholesale outsourcing of the equipment supply to the Chinese?

Short of being able to convince Nigerians that this is not another Greek Gift, Nigerians would rather see it as something that they would gladly do without – now.

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MAGAZINE ILE-IFE:

In Search Of Sustainable Peace Beyond Tribal Crisis A month after a bloody clash between Hausa and Yoruba Communities in Ile- Ife, Osun State and gradual return of commercial activities in Sabo area, the flash point of the mayhem in the ancient city, blame game has dominated the media regarding the real identities of the perpetrators. The questions raised by the incessant arrests, coupled with efforts to avoid a spillover of the crisis to other part of the country might be the main reason the Government of Osun constituted a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and recommend appropriately, compensations and long term prevention mechanism of such communal clash. KEHINDE AYANTUNJI in this report examines the horrendous nature of the crisis and the challenges before the commission.

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Despite the blame games, the positions of the Arewa community, the state government, Ile-Ife traditional institution and other stakeholders reflect consensus that the crisis was not an ethic crisis, rather, a minor conflict, escalated by hoodlums. They agreed that regardless of their ethnic backgrounds, people of Nigeria have no choice than to leave together as an entity and that the perpetrators of the mayhem must face the wrath of the law, no matter highly placed.

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HIS is my 30th years in Sabo with my three children. We have been living here in peace and never imagined that a day would come that the two tribes that have been enjoying harmonious relationship for over a century will use firearms against each other. I was observing morning prayer on that traumatic day, when I started hearing gunshot, I woke my two children who just returned from Kano to deliver a truck of kolanuts to one of my retailers, we ran for our lives but in less than 4 hours that we returned, all my investments worth millions of naira were in flame; it was a detachment of Nigeria Army that prevented me from committing suicide, because I zeroed my mind and concluded to jump into the fire”, Aderonke Hamsat, a kolanut wholesaler who was one of the

•Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (3rd left) and members of the Commission of Inquiry on Ile-Ife Yoruba/Hausa clash, during a visit to the Ooni’s palace.

victims of the March 8, Ife crisis lamented to journalists.

Aderonke is an indigene of Ile- Ife, from Lafogido Royal family, but married to a Hausa man, Ibraheem Hamsat from Sokoto State. Hamsat, also a kolanuts seller died in 2010 and his wife Aderonke has been living in Sabo to continue her husband business.

She explained that when her husband died, his family agreed that he should be buried in Ife, saying, “despite that we have another house in Ife town, I prefer living in Sabo; that is where my business is flourishing and safety of my life and properties is assured, but the hoodlums who perpetrated the crisis dismantled my confidence that day.

My husband was alive during IfeModakeke war, this Sabo was a safe haven for not only Hausas, but for the Ife and Modakeke indigenes”.

Aderonke testimony established high level of integration between Hausa and Yoruba community and what could have been responsible for such bloody clash is still missing.

This hidden aspect that suddenly terminated the spirit of oneness and brotherhood that has existed for over a century is expected to be unveiled by the Commission of Inquiry set up by the state government.

The account of Seriki Hausa in IleIfe, Alhaji Mammud Muhammed who could speak Ife dialect far better than many Ife indigenes was not different. He is above 60 years, and he was born in Ile-Ife. He explained that there was no period in his life time that the two tribes have engaged in such violent attack. He said most of the Ife elites are his close allies who normally troop to his residence on daily basis. It was even

rumored that his late mother was an indigene of Ile-Ife, but Sheriki Hausa was silent on this when journalists inquired.

Sabo is a major commercial hub in Ile-Ife, where you can experience 24 hours activities before the March 8 crisis. It is the major depot where farm and other produce from the North and South are being exchanged for commercial purposes and transited from.

The cause of the crisis reasonably could not in any way match the level of properties damaged and human lives lost. One Kuburat, a Yoruba trader in Sabo was allegedly assaulted by a Hausa man, Abubakar Muhammed, over the placement of goods in front of Kuburat’s shop.

The two individuals were reported to have enjoyed mutual relationship in the past. Police authority in its •Continued on page 6

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Email: drdejiesan@gmail.com.

MAGAZINE THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

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ILE-IFE:

In Search Of Sustainable Peace Beyond Tribal Crisis

•Continued from page 5

preliminary investigation claimed that Kuburat first born child is fathered by a Huasa man residing in Sabo. What could have triggered such magnitude of violence still remained a source of concern.

Amidst this concern, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), accused the Hausa community of provoking the violence by beheading a Yoruba man and placed his head on the truck, pushing it all around the market. Biodun Sowumi, a member of ARG Publicity Committee claimed during a live television programme.

This claimed was immediately refuted by the Police Force Public Relation Officer, (FPRO) Jimoh Moshood and challenged Afenifere to provide any evidence of such or bring forward any complaint as to the missing individual. He said the record before the police never proved that a Yoruba man was beheaded. That was not only the blame traded, Afenifere also accused the

“This is my 30th years in Sabo with my three children; we have been living here in peace and never imagined that a day would come that the two tribes that have been enjoying harmonious relationship for over a century will use firearms against each other”.

police of lopsided arrest, claiming that they only arrested Yoruba people including a title holder, Oba Ademiluyi and spared Hausa people that involved in the crisis. Sowumi alleged that police was shielding Abubakar who assaulted Kuburat, while Kuburat is already in custody at the police headquarter, Abuja.

FPRO Moshood also explained that 38 people were arrested and 18 of them who are Yoruba and Hausa extractions were released, while the 20 suspects who the police investigations linked with the crisis were paraded. He said the suspects include, one Oba Ademiluyi and Kuburat who were arrested at different locations within the South-West.

He alleged that some of the paraded suspects were arrested with firearms and looted items from the scene of the incident.

The police spokesman said the whereabouts of was •AFTERMATH OF ILE-IFE CLASH: Members of Afenifere group during a visit to Sabo, Abubakar unknown as at the the flash point of the mayhem in Ile-Ife. time of the interview, but he is still on the police watch list, cautioning Afenifere Ooni Ogunwusi for his

By Francis Ezediuno from making prompt intervention in inflammatory HE South-West Think Tank Group (SWTTG) ensuring that the crisis did statement that could has called for caution and thoroughness in the not go beyond control. ongoing investigation into the crisis involving trigger reprisal “We commend him for the some Ile-Ife indigenes and the Hausa community, fatherly roles he played in attacks from other with a view to securing permanent peace in the ensuring that it did not part of the country. ancient town.

He insisted that other traditional heads in escalate. He has done a commendable job and those paraded are SWTTG stated this, Yorubaland to put in therefore we should all connected with the just as it commended the place internal mechanism him for that good job.” moves made so far by the for adequate security of salute crisis and that the The group reiterated the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye their subjects as well as call for the Hausas and their case was transferred Ogunwusi towards a ensure that there were Yoruba counterparts to to the police peaceful resolution of rules guarding excesses continue to live in peace and headquarter in the crisis that engulfed in the land.

Abuja to avoid harmony. the ancient town on The group in a press undue influence in “We should learn to live March 8, 2017. release signed by its in peace and harmony with the process of Rising from its Media Director, Chief one another in Yorubaland. investigation and weekly meeting in Femi Davies, emphasized We, as a race, value ensure that innocent Lagos, the group said, that the timely harmony and this is why people are not Oba Ogunwusi has intervention of Ooni our hospitality is punished unjustly. played a commendable Ogunwusi, by acting commended across the However, despite and unbiased fatherly promptly towards globe. There is a lot to gain the blame games, the roles towards finding ensuring that the clash in living in peace and love, positions of the amicable truce to the did not go out of control, rather than in disharmony. crisis, which led to the Arewa community, should be lauded by all.

“There is no alternative to destruction of lives and The SWTTF therefore peace; we must collectively the state properties. called on residents of Ile- live in atmosphere of peace government, Ile-Ife It would be recalled Ife to continue in their for mutual prosperity which t r a d i t i o n a l that the Ife monarch had unalloyed support for the has been the long standing institution and other on the heel of the monarch, the state practice among our people. stakeholders reflect mayhem called for government and the “While we sympathise consensus that the peace, visited the scene security agencies in a bid with everyone affected by crisis was not an of the violence to to prevent future the crisis and begged those ethic crisis, rather, a commiserate with the involved to embrace one occurrences. minor conflict Hausa community, and “There is the need for another by being their escalated by distributed relief all in Ile-Ife and beyond brother’s keeper, we also call hoodlums. They materials so the victims. to join hands with the on all Kabiyesi in agreed that While the SWTTG Ooni, Osun State Yorubaland to be more proregardless of their called for an unbiased Government and the active in the area of security.

“We need to open our investigation by the ethnic background, security agencies in panel set up by ensuring that total peace eyes broader and be ahead people of Nigeria government to unravel return to our ancestral of time in checking all acts have no choice than of brigandage on our land”, the cause of the crisis, home, Ile-Ife. to leave together as

Group Demands Unbiased Investigation

T

the group cautioned

“We commend the

it added.

an entity and that the perpetrators of the mayhem must face the wrath of the law, no matter highly placed.

The statement of the Arewa Youth Forum was a clear indication that Nigerians are coming to terms that peace is essential to national development. Signed by the President, Arewa Youth Forum, Gambo Gujungu, the statement said, “AYF condemned crisis that recently engulfed Ile-Ife in Osun State”, calling it an act of lawlessness and rascality which, he said, has no place in a democracy.

“Consequently, AYF is calling on the Federal Government to immediately bring to book those responsible for this dastardly act to serve as deterrent to others who think that at every opportunity, they can resort to violence to resolve grievances. This is because crisis of this nature erode the peace initiative of AYF and other organizations that work day and night for the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigeria,” AYF said.

Also, Foundation for Peace Professionals, said the crisis has no ethnic coloration. It made the clarification through a statement signed by its President, Ambassador Abdulrazaq Hamzat, saying, what happened was a minor disagreement which was mismanaged, and not a clash between Hausa and Yoruba.

The group said any attempt to give it ethnic coloration would unnecessarily exaggerate the crisis, stressing that “for the purpose of clarity, ethnic conflict is not a conflict between two individuals of different ethnicity or groups over business or other natural conflict in human interactions.

“Ethnic conflict is a conflict between two or more contending ethnic groups. But the crisis in Ile Ife has nothing to do with ethnicity. It is merely a kind of conflict that often arises from natural human interaction.”

Despite the consensus, what could not be easily ignored were the quantum of properties damaged and the period of the crisis which, according to security investigations, lasted for less than three hours and houses were razed while the two groups engaged in serious gun battles. Another concern was that the level of the damage was not a result of the late intervention of the security agencies. In fact, all the stakeholders including the federal government commended the quick intervention and capacity of the security agents.

The state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola rightly captured the situation while hosting the Corps Marshal of the Nigeria Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi who was in the state to condole with the government and the people of the state when he said that the crisis was hijacked by hoodlums who maximized the opportunity to cause havoc in the ancient town.

According to the Governor, “the crisis was just for two hours, though that two hours was traumatic and horrible, but not as bad as the impression some section of the media are creating.

For your information, within two hours of the commencement of the incident, all the security agencies, Nigeria Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC, including security agencies that are unconnected with the crisis like FRSC, Nigeria Custom, Nigeria Immigration had mobilised to the centre of the crisis with all available gadget including not less than three armored vehicles.

“It will not be appropriate for us not to let Nigerians know that it was not lack of prompt attention that allowed that horrendous and isolated satanic incident to happen, but some miscreants within that two hours capitalised on minor conflicts between two individuals who •Continued on page 11

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

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BA Adekunle Asamu Oyeyemi is a priceless gift to the people of ObaIle and humanity in general.

Indeed, he is the proverbial cat with nine lives when viewed against the backdrop of his meteoric rise to fame and greatness as a traditional ruler.

Kabiyesi is an exemplary pathfinder, an elixir, a quintessential educationist, philanthropist, mentor, and benefactor who combineS diligence with rare ability in all he does. A bridge builder with matchless efforts for business, religion, social, political, cultural and traditional savvy for his people, his first consideration among other competing ones when situated against his inspiring and towering dream is making the town the confluence of unity, peace, progress and development.

Early Life Born on the 11th of November 1950 in Oba-Ile, Oba Oyeyemi hails from the famous Elemo Compound otherwise known as Adegun Ruling House. His predecessor, late Oba Michael Adebisi Olayinka Adeeyo, IV, hailed from Jagun’s compound otherwise known Adeeyo ruling house. The two other ruling houses are Obatiwajoye otherwise known as EsaOla ruling house and Alalas compound also known as Ikumapayi ruling house.

He had his primary education at N.U.D. Primary School, Oba-Ile between 1955/ 1960. He later went to A.U.D. Modern School, Inisa in the present day Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the State of Osun. He spent just a year as a result of his parent’s inability to shoulder the financial burden of his education. Faced with this painful, but somehow helpless situation, the young Prince Oyeyemi resigned to fate. After all, what cannot be helped must be endured. He returned to his ancestral home of Oba-Ile, where at the age of 18, he continued life as a full time farmer which his parents were.

The near endless search to better his lot in life especially for a greener pasture saw the young Prince landing in Lagos in 1968 in search of a means of livelihood. Not minding his blue blood background as a potential king by virtue of his royal background, the unassuming Oyeyemi put up with a close relation, though of EkoEnde origin, whom he served as a domestic staff in Lagos. He was into this domestic job for three years until an agreement was reached that instead of being paid the

PROFILE

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

A Houseboy Turned King The Profile of Alayeluwa, Oba Adekunle Asamu Oyeyemi (Ph.D), Tewogbade 1, The 47th Oloba-Ile of Oba-Ile Land. monthly stipend by his boss, it should be completed what ordinarily should have converted as means of aiding his been a three-year academic exercise in two years!!! To his teeming colleagues and education.

However, the dream was short-lived as friends, it was an academic feat rarely the said master of his, reneged completely achieved by anybody at that time. He on the gentleman agreement of using the became an instant academic hero and talk of the town. stipend to fund his education. Painful The technical know-how acquired and disappointing, again by him opened another window young Oyeyemi didn’t of opportunity for the young allow this to dampen and forward looking his morale of aiming Prince when he secured for greater height. a job with Nigerian He left the house Bottling Company for another as a maintenance menial job at technician.

In Apapa Wharf, between, he Lagos where enrolled for his he worked as professional a labourer studies with with a British Institute company of Technology, owned by L o n d o n . the late Eventually he business qualified as a morgul – registered S . B . engineer.

Bakare.

A journey Though of a thousand menial, this miles, as a j o b matter of fact, eventually must begin with became the a step. It will needed tonic suffice therefore to prepare •Oloba of Oba-Oke to say that having him for an qualified as a opportunity to professional go for his engineer, the young S e c o n d a r y prince forged ahead in education, which life with determination, was hitherto, stalled resilience and passionate and somehow aborted. enthusiasm. This presupposes Pronto, he got enrolled at that it is in periods of challenges that Lagos Secretariat College, Onike, a man’s natural endowments and strength Yaba, Lagos.

Indigent but extremely brilliant Prince of characters will find a veritable platform Oyeyemi while in form four had his G.C.E for his ultimate success in life. So it turned O’Level and eventually got enrolled at out to be for the mercurially forwardAbeokuta Technical College, Obantoko, looking Prince whose sole ambition at all Ogun State. With his usual shrewdness and times is to make it in life.

University of Lagos therefore beckoned academic sagacity, the Oba-Ile-born Prince,

7

to explore his vast knowledge of engineering finesse where he was employed as senior engineering technologist in the Mechanical Engineering Department between 1980 and 1990 and eventually ventured into lecturing career, which spanned ten years. Prince Oyeyemi also had a robust lecturing career as a Mechanical Engineering Instructor, at the Federal Polytechnic, Idah in the old Benue State, now Kogi.

Very versatile and resourceful Prince Oyeyemi between 1992 and 1994 became a Research Assistant cum Lecturer at University of Winconsin Stout, U.S.A. Though a turning point for his growing profile and career, he did not have it good as a family man, father and husband when he lost his darling wife, late Olori Funmilayo Gladys to the cold hands of death. A painful experience, it was, for the Prince whose love for the late Olori Oyeyemi who had three kids of 6, 5 and 2 years old can best be seen than imagined.

Never want to lose focus, Prince Oyeyemi relocated the three kids back to U.S. to give them the needed attention and education.

He was a single parent from 1988 till 2005 when he got married again to Olori Agnes Oyeyemi.

With a Masters of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from University of Wisconsin-Stout, U.S.A, Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi had a robust and fulfilled education career ending it up with a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from Madison University, U.S.A. He is a member of many national and international professional and non professional clubs and associations which has earned him fame and recognitions.

Suffice to say that he was among the six members that founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa in Minnesota, USA where he was at different times its Vice President and President respectively, Oba Oyeyemi’s philosophy in life has always been anything is possible with perseverance, determination and focus. To say the least, he is a family-oriented person who usually tailors his life towards making indelible impacts on people.

A good Christian with in-depth knowledge of the Bible, Oba Oyeyemi’s favourite colour is white. No wonder he is always looking clean and good. One thing which this highly intelligent individual detests like a plague is anybody who is not proud of his or her place of origin.

NEWS

LG Elections Brew Acrimony In Osun •Continued from page 2 the state electoral body would use the period to commence the process of the elections for the benefit of all parties involved”, Akere added.

However, a legal practitioner in the state, Barrister Bukola Onifade described the use of caretaker committee and council managers as illegal and alien to the constitution of the land.

He said the constitution solely recognized only democratically elected local government official and provide for the State House of Assembly to carry out oversight functions on the finances of the council areas to ensure transparency and accountability.

The legal practitioner hinged bulk of the blame on the door step of the State Assembly, which he said was neglecting its constitutional duties of legislating for the third tier of government, especially in the area of finances among other things.

Reacting on the issue,

the Osun State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Waseeu Adebayo said, the parliament has not given up its constitutional duties on local government in the state, but some impediments stood on its way in the past.

He added that the APC did not deliberately overlook the conduct of the election, but due to the matter in court, which was just settled three weeks ago, adding that the house could not have compelled the executive arm to conduct election because it does not have the constitutional right to do so.

According to him, hopefully, the exercise would be conducted this year as Governor Aregbesola has announced that it would be done before the end of the year, adding that the house would support the governor’s vision to make the conduct of the election realizable.

Also speaking on the state of preparedness of OSSIEC, its spokesperson, Mr. Tunde Fanawopo disclosed that the electoral body is adequately prepared to conduct free and fair election as soon as the executive arm gives the go ahead.

He stated that the body is funded by the state government and as a result it could not do anything if it is not funded, saying, now that the legal impediment on its way has been cleared, the state government

would provide fund for it to do the needful.

He also added that an important issue in the

conduct of the election is the minimum 90 days notice the commission must give to all the

stakeholders, saying, anything contrary to this would translate to the cancellation of such exercise by court of law.

•Some of the representatives of former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa during a courtesy visit to State of Osun Government on Ile-Ife Crisis in Osogbo recently.

Lasun Yusuff Empowers Youths, Farmers

By Ismaeel Uthman

N

O fewer than 500 people in the State of Osun, among which are farmers, women and youths benefited from the empowerment programme of the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Lasun Yusuff.

The empowerment nominated and chosen programme included across the local training, cash gift and governments of Osun State provision of free by the All Farmers equipment and materials Association of Nigeria to the participants in their (AFAN) and 150 youths. various areas of The 150 youths specialization. underwent 4-day ICT The beneficiaries include training and each of them 450 farmers who were was given N270,000 worth

of laptop, six-month etisalat subscription and a sum of N50, 000.

A total of 100 people were trained in mushroom plantation, preservation and marketing, 100 others were trained in fishery farm and 250 participants were lectured on plantain plantation.

About 350 beneficiaries had earlier been awarded certificate and presented gifts on Friday, February 24, at the Constituency

Office of the deputy speaker located at Oroki Estate, Osogbo.

Each of the trained fishery farmers was given a sum of N50, 000, coal and electric powered oven, fish smoken kiln and fish box while those that went for mushroom training were given a sum of N100, 000 each.

The farmers that were trained in plantain were given 20 suckers of plantains, cutlasses, wheelbiro and N75,000 cash each.

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THE SOCIAL REGISTER

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

A Cocktail Of Recen Former Governor Of The State Of Osun, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola Gave Out His Daughter In Marriage In Lagos, Last Weekend

40TH Day Fidau Prayer For Alhaji Yusuf Olad School, Igbaye, State Of Osun, Last Saturday

•State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his wife, Mrs Sherifat (2nd left); Bride Father, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (2nd right); Chief Judge of the State of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo (left) and Chief Tunde Badmus (right).

•Pharmacist Gboyega Oladele, former SSA to Osun Governor on Health Matters; Mr Fasasi Oladele and

•Senate President, Bukola Saraki (left) discussing with Honourable Oluwole Oke (right).

•A cross section of Islamic Clerics at the programme.

M

•Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and his wife (left); and Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Abioye Oluronke and his wife (right).

OUR SOCIAL REGISTER IS OPEN FOR YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO BE MADE PUBLIC Spaces are available for your anniversaries such as weddings, house-warming and chieftaincy title ceremonies among other for your take. To take advantage of this, you can reach out to Murtala, 08023280935, Kazeem 08062207954 and Nike on 07032594744 Let the public know what you are doing.

Pharmacist Buries Dad In G

USLIMS and humanity in general have been called upon to remember death always because it is the inevitable end for all living beings.

Remembrance of death, according to an Islamic cleric, will prod people to do good deeds. He quoted Quran 3: 185 which states that “Every soul shall have a taste of death” while Quran 21:35 states that unto us you shall return”.

The observation was made by Alhaji Rasaq Odewale, the Mufasir of Igbaye at the 40th day Fidau of Alhaji Yusuf Oladele aka Jogbodo at Nawar-u-deen Elementary School, Igbaye in Odo-Otin Central Local Government Council area of the State of Osun last weekend.

Alhaji Olawale popularly known as Darul-Islam enjoined muslims to note that death is the ultimate end for everybody and that all of us should prepare for the hereafter on earth because no good deeds can be done after death.

As muslims, he told the audience “we should adhere

‘ ’

Not only must we what we make and what we use but we fix our minds to m what the world val

strictly to the tenets of Islam by obs five daily prayers, fasting during giving zakat and going on pilgrimag if it is affordable and above all ha

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

THE SOCIAL REGISTER

9

Recent Happenings

haji Yusuf Oladele Jogbodo, At NUD Primary Last Saturday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Burial Service For Late Journalist, Nathaniel Abimbola, Of The Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), On Monday And Tuesday In Osogbo.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI And SHOLA ADERINTO.

•Wife of the deceased, Mrs Olufunke Abimbola (2nd right); Children, Oluwatosin (left); Ayooluwa (2nd left) and Michael (right) at the wake keep service.

•(L-R) Honourable Leke Ogunsola; Deputy Speaker State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye and Leader of the House, Honourable Timothy Owoeye at the Service.

Matters; Mr Fasasi Oladele and Mr Saliu Isiaka.

Osun Parliamentary Journalist Buried Amidst Tears

By Israel Afolabi

T

HE body of late broadcast journalist, Nathaniel Abimbola of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) was committed to mother earth on Tuesday amidst wails and tears.

Colleagues, family members and friends who gathered at the NUJ Press Center, Iwo road, Osogbo to be part of the burial service in honour of the late journalist could not help their emotions, as some bursted into tears, while some were seeing wearing sad look.

The late journalist died in a fatal auto accident on Friday, March 24, at Asejire axis of Gbongan/Ibadan expressway when the 18-seater bus he boarded ran into a stationed trunk, the accident which claimed almost ten lives and left others injured.

It was gathered that the late Nathaniel and other members of the Celestial Church of Christ [CCC] in Osogbo were travelling to Imeko, Ogun State, •Alhaja Sherifat Oladele (standing), in the midst of crowd, at the event. headquarters of CCC to attend an annual conference, when the unfortunate Almighty Allah”.

He extolled the virtues of the late Pa Oladele incident occurred.

Buries Dad In Grand Style

‘ ’

ot only must we use at we make and make at we use but we must our minds to make at the world values.

to the tenets of Islam by observing the ily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, zakat and going on pilgrimage to Mecca affordable and above all have faith in

The late journalist, as at the time of his death was the OSBC parliamentary correspondent in the Osun House of Assembly and has been there for over 10 years.

At the Osun NUJ Press Center, Osogbo, where the burial service was held in line with Christian faith, and the deceased’s house at Ota-Efun, Osogbo where he was buried, children, wife, friends and colleagues were seeing crying profusely in mourning the dead.

Earlier in his sermon, Bishop Seun Adeoye described death as a debt that every soul must pay either rich or poor, describing the late Abimbola as gentleman both in character and appearance.

Also, he Board Chairman of OSBC, Honourable Kola Akanji and the DirectorGeneral of OSBC, Mr Wale Idowu described ‘Nath’ as popularly called as a man of principle who always work diligently in the studio and on field.

Earlier on Monday, members of the state council of NUJ held a candle light procession to mourn the departed soul.

Meanwhile, the condolence register for the deceased is still left opened at the NUJ press center in honour of the departed member.

who was aged 105 years at the time of his demise.

According to Odewale, Pa Jogbodo was a devout muslim who became an Imam in the town he settled in, in Ghana.

Alhaji Jogbodo travelled to Ghana, then Gold Coast in 1949 where he was a cocoa farmer and a businessman who dealt in gold and diamond among other things.

He sojourned in Ghana for sixteen years before finally returned home to settle in Alubert, a village in Ondo State where he became a cocoa and kolanut farmer.

Pa Oladele was happily married with children some of whom are doctors, pharmacists, engineers, computer scientist among others.

He is survived by widows and sons including Mr Semiu Oladele, a pharmacist and a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on •(L-R) OSBC DG, Mr Wale Idowu (left) and Honourable Abiodun Awolola at the wake Health matters. keep service.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017 POLITICS

‘Change Begins With Me’: A Reminiscence On September 8, 2016 when the “Change Begins With Me” project was launched, it was a general belief that it would change the orientation of an ordinary Nigerian on issues relating to their lifestyle. ADEOLU GBOTEMI writes on the success or otherwise of the project.

P

EOPLE are always talking of, and clamouring for development that will bring respite, capable of assuaging harsh political and economic climates, which past insensitivity on the part of our intransigent leaders had caused the innocent masses. Sadly, these leaders seemed not to feign insincerity when canvassing for support to be people’s representatives at all levels of governance. However, the development that is so much desired has remained elusive because successive governments have continued to do things the same way, with similar results smearing people in the face.

For there to be any meaningful impact on the citizenry, the need for a shift from the usual rigmarole that pins us down perpetually at the same spot has become inevitable. Those who have ever brought about changes have always been daring; because not many people agree with change agents to move them from natural inertia that may not bring the best possible to them due to insincerity.

The prospect of bettering their lots may be lacking, yet they endlessly endure the pangs of inactivity with silent agony.

This, I think, would have prompted the idea that metamorphosed in the launching of the program ‘change begins with me’ on September 8 last year.

No change comes easy. That is why people with adequate understanding and inclination of change agents need to take a bold step to dare the consequence and take necessary risk that may sometimes take their lives.

Such leaders must look beyond self to succeed; they must be ready to nail personal ambition to the cross of resilience that will enable them fulfill their aims and missions in the face of serious intimidation and unrelenting resistance, as this remains the only option to break through barriers the world over.

We are quick to refer to the exploits of the Sage, Obafemi Awolowo (now of blessed memory) in every aspect of our national discourse. We may not be wrong to so do, if the import of our refusal to let go is so that we may bring the lessons of his distinction to bear on our day to day activities. This would have, at least, generated a paradigm shift in our skewed mindset that, over the years has lavished unbridled negativism on both our conscious and sub-conscious ids. Sadly, this is not to be; because incessant references are only done to cajole and brainwash the unsuspecting members of the public for parochial socio-political ends which enable our target to get easily inebriated and fall flat dangerously to our pranks.

We may not run afoul of much misdemeanour in choosing to make endless reference to landmark exploits made by a mere Mortal of equal frame like ours. After-all Obafemi Awolowo, while alive did not possess extraordinary physique that would have prompted an exception to products of piety and ingenuity. What we may be queried for will be our refusal to let the spirit of the innocent dead rest, through the needless agony of observed incongruence that the man in his grave is made to suffer from. The spiritual invocation is not justifiable through our perennial ambivalence and utter refusal to be decorous to allow what prompted the greatness of Awolowo to be so remarkable in our daily living. Majority of those who feign affiliation of belief to Awolowo never imbibe a life of discipline and self-denial that the man

•President BUHARI

‘

No change comes easy. That is why people with adequate understanding and inclination of change agents need to take a bold step to dare the consequence and take necessary risk that may sometimes take their lives. Such leaders must look beyond self to succeed; they must be ready to nail personal ambition to the cross of resilience that will enable them fulfill their aims and missions in the face of serious intimidation and unrelenting resistance, as this remains the only option to break through barriers the world over. was well-known for. The intention has always been to have people get carried away by rhetoric for momentary gains.

CHANGE was what made the distinction between people of virtue and the rest of the pack. That was why I got so enthralled by the pump that greeted the launching on September 8, 2016 of ‘Change Begins with Me’ in the Federal Capital territory, Abuja. It was in my perception that the captivating toga of CHANGE that prompted the change of ‘Guards’ on May 29, 2015 in our national life was about to become a reality. Accordingly, I felt that if the hilarious mood that heralded a new regime was stage-managed, the event of September 8 must kick-start a process that would generate genuine rebirth capable of turning things around in our national life. I was unable to put pen on paper then because of some changing process that this medium was equally passing through. It is however necessary now to assess how we have fared in the onerous task of national rebirth that prompted the gathering of September 8 six months after.

We may be quick to argue that a period of six months is too small for any meaningful impact to be made of a project aimed at totally reorienting the populace to begin to do things differently from the hitherto known modus operandi, the fact that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step makes this evaluation very necessary and timely.

We must be able to apply certain yardstick that will elucidate the impact (if any) that the project has had upon average Nigerians who are targeted to reap the overall benefits there from on the long run. We also must be able to look at the sincerity of the proponents; vis-à-vis compliance and persuasion on others to do same. We must also be able to measure in concrete terms, the overall impact it has generated on the progress (or retrogression if you like) of our

’

Nation. We may also look at the missing gap in the process of reorientation in order for the intended objectives to be achieved. We also need to look at the desirability of the change we are talking about.

Starting from the rear, I think we can all agree that need for change cannot be overemphasized. Everything about us require total overhaul. Attitudinal rebirth is needed now than ever before, so that we can, at least, leap forward to catch up with our erstwhile contemporaries who are now way ahead

of us. Looking at the process involved, I think our leaders need to be more aggressive about it. Our loathsomeness to any new process calls for doggedness that will even make some toes to be crushed. Critically looking at the impact so far, nothing much seems to have been achieved. The three arms of government namely: the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary must imbibe the spirit behind the project. As it is, the Executive arm appears to be the only one fighting corruption and other social maladies. A critical assessment will however show that the efforts of the Executive are laced with favouritism and lopsidedness.

To succeed, there must be no sacred cow. Wielding big stick must be ubiquitous. In the words of Prof. G.G. Darah(2012); “for a party to sustain a regime of radical changes, there is imperative need to grow a critical mass of leaders and followers who are fanatical believers in the programmes that distinguish the party from others”.

To this I agree. Unfortunately, this seems not to be the case presently. That is the reason some notable figures in the party can still be bold to flagrantly abuse the trust the general public repose in them. Resistance to change has made some legislators to engage in endless dagger-drawn battle with the president and some of his appointees.

For the desired change to be realizable, the party controlling the machinery of governance must work on her structure and ensure that majority of the members in all organs of government imbibe and propagate the ideals of her programmes, goals and objectives. No meaningful headway can be made if only a section of the party believes in her policies and programmes.

The efforts must also transcend party structure. The government of the day is believed to be voted in by the majority of Nigerian electorate; that is why the dragnet for reward and penalty for observance and flouting should be extended beyond party formations. With less than six months to a year’s evaluation, all apparatuses must be set in motion to feel the impact more than it is today.

Osun 2018: War Of Word

•Aregbesola Planning To Manipulate •PDP Is A Lazy Opposition - Gov.’s Ex-Ai

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N preparatory for the 2018 governorship election in the State of Osun, the voters’ registration exercise to be carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to update the existing voters’ register has started fuelling war of words among political gladiators in the state.

While the Peoples blackmail.

According to PDP, Democratic Party (PDP) accused Governor Rauf Aregbesola wanted to manipulate the Aregbesola of plotting to manipulate the voters’ continuous registration register of the state exercise of the INEC by ahead of the using pictures and governorship election, a biometric of secondary Chieftain of the All school students and some Progressives Congress non residents of the state (APC) and a former to create phony voting Senior Special Assistant units.

But Baderinwa said to Aregbesola on Communication and Aregbesola, is less Strategy, Mr Adelani concerned about the registration Baderinwa described voters’ the allegation as process because he does frivolous and a sheer not work with INEC and

does not have access to the materials to be used for the exercise.

According to him, “INEC is in charge of the registration process which no one knows when it will start, and the distribution of the materials for the exercise would be announced and supervised by all the political parties and security agencies in the state.

Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Soji Adagunodo in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Osogbo claimed that sources in the Aregbesola’s administration revealed that the governor has perfected plans to compromise some INEC

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

ILE-IFE:

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In Search Of Sustainable Peace Beyond Tribal Crisis

•Continued from page 6

already enjoyed mutual social relationship. “ T h e p r i m a r y cause of that clash could not in any way be linked to the quantum of damages. In my meeting with the head of security agencies, our preliminary conclusion was that miscreants capitalize on t h e opportunity of that little infraction to e n g a g e themselves from both sides, in fact, one of the security agent said, it was a degeneration of disagreement between the two individuals and street gangs’ fight that caused the mayhem.”

“Why it is necessary for us to describe this is that Ife has been living with Hausas for centuries, the

Seriki Hausa is about 65 years, he is also a chief in the palace of Ooni, Seriki of Ifeland, the two tribes have b e e n enjoying harmonious relationship f r o m inception”, Aregbesola emphasized.

T h e concern of t h e government on what could have b e e n responsible for such traumatic c r i s i s informed its decision a f t e r engaging various stakeholders including former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankaso to pacified the victims and set a Commission of Inquiry, headed by a serving judge in the state, Justice Moshood Adeigbe.

The commission last Thursday visited Ile-Ife and the place of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi was the first place to visit to brief the monarch on the intention and modus operandi of the commission.

Ogunwusi, while welcoming the committee members to his palace lauded the initiative of the state government and commended the members of the commission for their commitment and spirit of service. He specifically acknowledged the prompt response of the state governor to the violent conflict, which according to him doused tension quickly.

THE frontline monarch explained that his journey to the United Kingdom had afforded him the opportunity to meet with prominent traditional rulers in the North, including the Sultan of Sokoto and Emir of Kano to discuss on ways to

“Beyond the civil matter and compensations, for the safety of the IleIfe and its environs, the commission must dig deep on the level of firearms that were involved and the source of the ammunitions used by the two warring groups”.

•Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

•Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (left), and Governor Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left) during a visit to the Hausa Community in Ile-Ife.

me as a security expert is a sustainable peace in Ile-Ife. It is wise enough that the state government included the Commissioner of Police and the Department of the State Services (DSS) who have the capacity to determine the degree of involvement of firearms. They can use bullets samples at the scene of the crisis, arms recovered and injuries sustained to investigate that.

If you consciously review the period of the crisis which lasted for just three hours and the level of damages, as a security expert, you will be in no doubt that the two warring groups used sophisticated ammunitions to engage each other”.

Durotolu expressed fear that if such sensitive aspect is ignored by the commission and the government, IleIfe and its environs might be prone to such crisis in future, saying, “any environment where people are in custody of such sophisticated firearms regardless of the tribes, is not safe, because firearms ordinarily encourages crime especially in Nigeria where we have unemployed army of youths, hence what should be the concern of the commission and the government is the source of those firearms and how to recover them.”

He urged the police and the DSS to demonstrate professionalism by using firearms already recovered to trace the source and mob the community, saying, no individual no matter attempt to blackmail highly placed should Aregbesola and the APC, be spared in the course saying, the people of the of the investigation to state are now wiser and ensure sustainable enlightened than a peace in Ile-Ife. cheap and baseless allegation.

The APC chieftain Symposium For said, Osun people are Late Obadofin looking forward to a formidable opposition Holds Today and not the HE one year re factionalised PDP which membrance has two different symposium in leaderships, thereby honour of the late Comconfusing members of rade Rotimi Obadofin the public. would hold today, FriBaderinwa submitted day, April 7. that the PDP should A statement my the remember that APC Executive Director Olaplayed the role of Oni Center for Social opposition for close to Research Osogbo, eight years and won the Comrade Wale Adebisi hearts of the people of said the symposium the state by giving would hold at the cencredible information and ter at Coca Cola Area, critiquing the PDP’s along Gbongan/Ibadan government. road, Osogbo by 10am.

avert reprisal attacks, adding that “we have not seen reprisal attack and we pray it will never happen. It is very unfortunate that the violence happened and we want to urge your commission to be very neutral.”

“My prayers are with you. On behalf of Ooni-in-council and traditional chiefs, please be natural, so as to get to the bottom of what triggered this unfortunate occurrence. We do not pray for such a thing to happen again. It happened at the very centre of the Yoruba race” Ooni said.

The head of the commission however disclosed that the commission’s sittings would hold at Oba Okunade Sijuade Memorial Hall, Ereja Square in Ife in order to pave way for easy access by witnesses and victims of the clash.

The task before the committee is enormous but an area that should be given wrap attention, according to a security expert, Dr Sanusi Durotolu, a Doctor of Criminology is the proliferation of firearms that were involved in the crisis, saying, beyond the civil matter and compensations, for the safety of the Ile-Ife and its environs, the commission must dig deep on the level of firearms that were involved and the source of the ammunitions used by the two warring groups.

He said, “What is important to

Of Words Over Voters’ Registration

Manipulate - PDP Gov.’s Ex-Aide

officials in the state to carry out the secret registration of hundreds of thousands of non eligible voters in order to implement its rigging plans in favour of the APC. According to Adagunodo, part of the manipulation plans is to allocate fewer and/or non-functional registration machines to some local governments in order to disenfranchise voters while using more machines for the secret registration exercise in the Government House and other non approved centres.

The PDP chairman alleged that APC used similar methods with the

By Ismaeel Uthman the alleged plan of manipulating the voters’ register to shelve such plans in the interest of peace and sustenance of democratic harmony in the state.

Adagunodo also urged the Police, State Security Service (SSS) and other security agencies to be more proactive and impartial in preventing the manipulation allegation, saying, such move could truncate a peaceful transition of power in the state if not prevented.

But Baderinwa said the PDO allegation, was mischievous and baseless.

In an interview with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, he said, PDP need to learn how to be a credible opposition by

aid of the former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Rufus Akeju in the build up to the 2014 governorship elections.

Adagunodo said the PDP would resist all rigging plans with every energy at its disposal and would combat the perpetrators of electoral fraud with lawful force.

He charged the leadership of INEC at the national level to beam its searchlight on Osun state ahead of the voters’ registration exercise and other preparatory steps ahead of the 2018 governorship election in order to avoid unnecessary tension in the state.

The PDP chairman called on Aregbesola and other principal actors in

coming up with constructive criticism, instead of spreading lies.

He said PDP was only reminding members of the public on how its government at the federal and state levels used power with impunity to deny Nigerians their right to vote by either sending thugs to disrupt registration process or sponsoring ineligible voters to register.

According to Baderinwa, Osun PDP is a good example of lazy opposition that cannot think straight and come out with credible plans and strategies to first of all settle its internal crisis and rebrand the party for the people to have better taste of opposition.

He said, the PDP’s allegation is a failed

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The most radical Hall of Residence in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, ‘Awolowo Hall’ hosted ‘Ewa day’ which witnessed massive turn out of students across the university community, recently. ADEJUMO KABIR witnessed the celebration.

Awolowo Hall Hosts 'Ewa Day' Like Never Before

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HE 100 level female Hall of Residence on Campu, Mozambique Hall was in one of its storm surfaced again. It finest of mornings, fully awake, reasonably brought with it, well hustling and maximally bustling. boiled and adequately It was rejoicing in the Mozambique Hall as to spiced beans and euphoria of the sweetness what would be the fate of invitations were soon of dawn that crowned such a large bulk of beans. spread to all Mozambique memories of the passing As a result, two major Hall residents to troop out lecture-free week, urging camps were formed with bowls to get a nice a more serious within the hall. share. The boys served the preparation for the While a school of food meritoriously and exhibiting hopes of thought said the beans the female students ate general successful could be shared by Awo appreciatively. performance and results boys and kept in their The day has become a for the rain semester. cupboards for immediate historic one. Every Gracefully, the heroes, and later consumption, Mozambique Hall the giants, the elephants, another party inferred students for the 2015/ the lions and the kings of that the mass could be 2016 academic year will Awolowo Hall barged in cooked, all at once and live to remember ‘Ewa like a storm with ‘glad shared among the boys in Day’ and the thrills and tidings’ to the heroines, Awo Hall only. frills embedded in its the giantesses, the Then, suddenly, the commemoration.

•Enthusiastic students removing the chaff of the beans. lionesses and the queens.

While an effective public address system announced their arrival, their mission was pronounced from roomto-room in a very HE Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has embracing manner. It was graduated a total of 54 students with first ‘Ewa Day.’ class honours, at its 6th convocation They needed ‘wife ceremony. materials’ to help the 54 students with The Vice-chancellor first class honours separate the chaff from large quantities of beans. of the university, Prof. accounted for 4.36 per They were armed with Labode Popoola cent of the graduands, masculine gestures, so disclosed this on while 512 bagged tender, so endearing, so Saturday, while second class honours, urging, that short, tall, fat, addressing journalists upper division, which is slim, plump, fair or dark at a press briefing as 41.12 per cent. skinned occupants in Also, 589 students part of the activities for many rooms listened to graduated with second its convocation. them and offered their •Awo Hall students’ residents waiting to have a taste of the beans.

Popoola noted that class lower division, cooperation with representing 43.6 per mellifluous, tuned and cent, 139 third class heart melting happiness category, while only 2 and satisfaction. Each had pass. management of the final year students was interested room accepted The VC added that clinic of not rushing the later moved to his a medium sized bowl of those with first class students to a better home town, Odo-Oro beans for ‘cleansing’. division had been hospital on time.

By Sikiru Obarayese Ekiti, Ikole Local subjected to thorough The Residents of It was gathered that Government, Ekiti and rigorous processes Awolowo Hall who are T was tragic day in the Federal Polytechnic the school ambulance mostly referred to as Offa, last Friday when an HND 2 student of was not on ground as State for burial on last to certify their grade.

According to him, “Awo boys” are Architectural Department, Aladejoye at the time of the Saturday.

Meanwhile, there the 54 first class respecters of ‘helpers’ Omolade Martins, collapse in the examination incident, hence, he was was a new twist to the graduands were at the efforts. They were nice hall and die during the first semester being moved to the enough to give the ladies examination of his final year in the institution. state General Hospital news of Omolade’s vantage position to death in his home work in the university sufficient time to exorcise A course mate on the attitudes put on in Offa in a lecturer car town, as one man, as graduate assistants, the ‘evil chaff’ off the recounted that when by the school clinic when he died. known as Oniposi to contribute their celebrated grains before the deceased was in the staff, accusing the The remains of the reportedly confess after academic excellence to making a return call to examination the burial that he killed the growth of the ivory collect them, after which hall, he the late Omolade, the tower. they left with them. complained confession which Popoola, however, They spent the waiting o f resorted to the burning said the university had moments entertaining the s t o m a c h of his house. not recorded any on-looking female ache to The Student Union invention in the students with music and t h e Government P.R.O 1 of academic years based dance. A male student invigilator, the FEDPOffa, Afolabi on paucity of funds. who resides in Awolowo a f t e r Abiola (Paragon) in an “Inventions come Hall did the dance which he interview said, the from serious research impressively. He danced collapsed school clinic tried in the work through funding, as though, he had in the hall course of saving the society must invest in mastered the art of dance a n d late Omolade life but the University for it to since when he was in his rushed to his case was critical for reciprocate and mother’s womb. He the school the clinic to handle. develop the society in twisted, stood, turned, clinic.

“Omolade death was return,” Popoola bent, coiled and freed Students not course by school opined. himself artistically and blame the clinic, his case was Meanwhile, the dexterously to the delight death of critical and school clinic convocation ceremony of his audience. t h e don’t have equipment has been slated for Guesses rent the s t u d e n t to save him.

April 6.

•OMOLADE: Before and after his death.

UNIOSUN Graduates 54 First Class Students

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FEDPOFFA Final Year Student Slumps In Exam Hall, Dies

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THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

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HEALTH

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

Osun Speaker Tasks On Healthcare S PEAKER, Osun State House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam has charged citizens to take their healthcare serious, saying, curable ailments were killing people, because of nonchalant attitude towards proper medical checks.

He stated this while community and other addressing hundreds of progressive clubs to join beneficiaries of a medical hands with government outreach, he organised in on healthcare delivery. collaboration with Rotary Salaam said, poverty Club GRA Osogbo, in has reduced people to Ejigbo. appetitive stage, making According to him, it is the health care secondary, high time people of age noting that such trend and those approaching was a lose-lose situation maturity got to know that for everyone, as the health could not be government would be compromised for any compelled to spend more other engagement in life, on drugs and reiterating that life is infrastructure to treat sacred. critical cases, while He asserted that patients would be in government alone could permanent pains for not provide everything curable sicknesses. needed in the health He stressed that he sector, urging the chose to partner the privileged in each Rotary club, because he

With

FRANCIS EZEDIUNO Email: Franchez992002@yahoo.com

Dr Deji Esan, A Medical Practitioner, from Ilesa-East Local Government Continues his series on

Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (III)

•SALAAM was enthused by its mobile healthcare delivery it has embarked on; promising that the partnership would have the medical team to crisscross Ejigbo and Local Council Development

Authorities (LCDAs) for the benefit of the masses.

Hundreds of mosquito nets, blood pressure drugs, malaria drugs and eye glasses were distributed at the outreach.

Osun Battle Ready For Health Emergencies - Dr. Adepoju OVERNMENT of the State of Osun said, it state even now”.

On steps to be taken to was battle ready to confront any healthensure the citizens of related emergencies in the state.

Osun have safe and clean Director of Public water, Dr. Adepoju Health, Osun State advised that samples of Ministry of Health, Dr. water from boreholes and Adepoju Gbenga wells should be taken to dropped the hint in a chat the state Ministry of with OSUN DEFENDER Health or Environment in his office recently on where it will be tested. the backdrop of news of “So many diseases are resurgences of Lassa found in contaminated Fever Disease and water.

Wells can be clean Cerebro Spinal and unclean because Meningitis (CSM) in some •Akinyinka Esho, Osun PS there are rules as to where states of the federation. a well could be and could Noting that, the first on Health. step in tackling any swift emergency reaction not be located.

“A well could not be outbreak of disease was is still on ground in the through disease identification, as well as education and enlightenment of UST as the State Government of Osun has come stakeholders to sensitise out to deny the outbreak of meningitis in the state, the public, he said, the some concerned residents are apprehensive due state government has to the fact that it might be difficult for the government actively embarked of these to curtail inter-state travel amongst citizens. measures.

Speaking with our towards ensuring the Adepoju noted that it reporter in Osogbo, a healthy living of its Mr. citizens. was true that there had businessman, “When I heard the been resurgence of some Babatunde Majekodunmi stated that though there news of meningitis diseases nationwide which had claimed some were media reports outbreak in Osun, I was credited to the countless number of government that the very worried and the worry was also expressed lives, but it had not Meningitis outbreak was on the faces of many reached epidemic stage false, but nevertheless, residents but now that as relevant agencies were there was apprehension there is information that doing everything amongst residence as the news is false, I am many had started to take happy. possible to fight it.

“In times past, this According to him, CSM personal measures to was a seasonal disease ensure they are protected government has never from the infectious disappointed us in cases but in any case, the State disease. like this and I am of Osun was battle ready He stated that reports personally aware that to confront such in case coming from other states much has been put in there was an emergency. were not all too good, but place to tackle any “Look at the response of there was hope in the disease outbreak the state during the Ebola State of Osun since headlong”. government had denied Another resident, Virus Disease and Lassa Fever Disease some years reports of such outbreak Joshua Adeleye stated back. You can see the and had also assured that he was still not that swift response from the residents that it was on convinced top of the situation. meningitis was not in state government and The businessman Osun, but that it must when there were reported commended the have been taken care of cases in the state, we are government for its quick very fast. all aware of that and such intervention and efforts “I strongly believe that

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HEALTH

located near a soak away, but some distance from it so that bacteria will not slip into the water source.

“That is why we advice that samples of water from wells and boreholes should be taken to a laboratory for testing before consumption so as to prevent the spread of water borne diseases”.

He disclosed that work was on to construct a public health laboratory in the state so that samples of water meant for consumption could be taken there for testing.

I

GNORANCE: Like the popular saying, ignorance is not an excuse in law. Ignorance contributes a major factor in transmission of STI. Lack of knowledge of STI symptoms and mode of transmission must be seen as part of a wider problem, which comprises widespread lack of knowledge of all issues related to sexuality and reproduction, including normal bodily functions, how pregnancy occurs, and use of contraception, as well as STI. Alcoholism removes inhibition and encourages casual sexual relationship. Alcohol use among adolescents has also been found to be associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. In addition, alcohol use has been found to be a risk factor for HIV-related sexual behaviors among runaway youth, the mentally ill, and seronegative female partners of HIVseropositive men.

I n c r e a s e d permissiveness – where there is minimal parental/guardian

Meningitis: Residents Panic As Osun Govt Denies Outbreak

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there must have been a case of meningitis in Osun since we have many people coming and going from other states.

“Either the news was true or false, we now know that the response of the state was swift and decisive”.

There had been earlier reports from some media houses not OSUN DEFENDER that after the re-emergence of Lassa Fever and meningitis which had claimed more than 300 lives in some Northern and South-west states, meningitis had spread to Osun, but a statement credited to the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Hospital Management Board, Segun Aduroja denied the information.

According to Aduroja, no single case of meningitis has been recorded in the 57 health facilities across the state.

“The media report of outbreak of meningitis in the state is not correct. It is quite noticeable in the

North and where the weather is regularly hot.

“The disease is present in an environment where there is so much heat.

And now that rain is falling and the weather is relatively cool, meningitis cannot thrive”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health Abuja has stated that the recent epidemic was caused by the type ‘C’ strain of meningitis and not the type ‘A’ strain, which majority of the people in the affected states had hitherto developed immunity for.

•ADUROJA

•DR DEJI ESAN control of adolescents and young people, they tend to initiate sex early and engage more in casual sexual relationship.

Biological factors that contribute to the spread of STDs include vaginal douching, male penile foreskin, risky sexual practices, use of hormonal contraceptives or i n t r a u t e r i n e contraceptive devices, cervicalectopy.

Vaginal douching leads to disruption of normal vaginal flora and permit overgrowth of other pathogens resulting in endogenous RTI. Lack of circumcision increases risk for STDs because (i) the cells that line the fold of skin that is removed by circumcision are prone to trauma or infection, (ii) this fold of skin may serve as a reservoir /for pathogens, and (iii) this fold of skin may increase the likelihood that infections will go undetected.Certain sexual practices such as receptive rectal intercourse predispose to STDs. STDs such as HIV infection and hepatitis B virus infection are more easily acquired by rectal intercourse than by vaginal intercourse. This may be because the bleeding and tissue trauma that can result from rectal intercourse facilitate invasion by pathogens. Other sexual practices, such as sex during menses and “dry sex,” also predispose to acquisition of an STD. Cervical ectopy (extension of columnar epithelial cells present in the adult endocervix onto the exposed portion of the cervix within the vagina) has also been found to be a risk factor for HIV infection. Cervical ectopy was positively associated with use of oral contraceptives and it •To be continued

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017 - THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

ISSUES/POLICY

Osun Debt Profile:

By Demola Yaya

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lot of hullabaloo has been generated around Osun Debt Portfolio especially in the run-up to the 2014 gubernatorial election in the state when the incumbent Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was bidding to return for second term in office. The target of the opposition at the time was also to use this sentiment, among others, to sell its programme and get the support of the people by rubbishing all the policies and programmes of Aregbesola Government, with a view to occupying the Bola Ige house by all means.

Yes, it is an inalienable right of the citizens to know their state’s debt profile, reasons for the loan, and monitor if the loan is justifiably utilised. However, this is not the case here. The opposition was merely hell-bent on using it to score political point and probably intends to so use it in the forthcoming campaigns and elections. Hence, they brandished different figures of N413 billion, N400 billion and N360 billion etc as Osun debt profile.

This piece, is therefore, not meant for the irredeemable opposition. It targets only average and genuine Osun people who deserve to know the exact financial state of their State and whether or not their resources are judiciously and justifiably utilised.

Debt is that thing, such as money, being owed by one person to another with an obligation to pay back on agreed terms and time and usually

should put to rest various fictional and controversial figures.

The debt profile of a Country/ State, however, has to be assessed against its Gross D o m e s t i c Product (GDP) value. GDP is a b r o a d measurement of a Country/State overall economic activity. It is the total value of goods and s e r v i c e s produced by an entity in a given period of time, usually annually and quarterly.

Osun is populated by 4 million people.

Its debt profile of N162.5 billion is to be repaid in 20years as DMO

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Issues Involved

days feeding of over 253,000 elementary school with interest. In the contemporary pupils with nutritional meals – chicken, fish, world, loan taking is not a crime. It is beef, eggs and fruits; and Osun is populated by 4 million people.

Its taken to address challenges which renovation and upgrading of debt profile of N162.5 billion is to be repaid in ordinary regular income would not Tertiary Health Facilities like 20years as DMO intervened to help states do. In the case of a government, it is State Hospitals with modern extend their loans life span. This implies that usually taken for infrastructural medical equipment. each Osun indigene is obliged to pay development which requires huge Others are construction of resources that are not readily N2,031.25 per annum for a period of 20years various Primary Health Centres available, but could be gathered over across the Local Government to repay the debt. If this is divided per day, a period of time. When loan is taken Areas with medical equipment; every Osun citizen will pay N5.56 (five naira, for such a purpose, it is a positive one. solar and new motorised fifty-six kobo) daily for 20 years, which is not On the other hand, when a loan is powered boreholes; and highly enough to buy a sachet of water popularly taken for a white elephant project or mobile ambulances for a swift called Pure Water! recurrent spending, it is negative. response to emergency; various empowerment This explains why the advanced intervened to help states extend their loans life and social intervention programmes for youths, and powerful nations in the world span. This implies that each Osun indigene is the aged, the physically challenged, farmers, today are among the mostly indebted.

According to CIA Factbook - 2013 Q1 Figure obliged to pay N2,031.25 per annum for a period artisans, small and middle scale businesses to for instance, external debts of United States of of 20years to repay the debt. If this is divided business men and women, transporters America (USA); United Kingdom (UK); France; per day, every Osun citizen will pay N5.56 (five (NURTW and RTEAN) via cooperatives and Germany; Japan; and China in US$ are naira, fifty-six kobo) daily for 20 years, which many others.

17,910,859,000,000; 9,219,000,000,000; is not enough to buy a sachet of water popularly If the state debt obligation is valued via 5,750,152,000,000; 5,546,869,000,000; called Pure Water! achievements in all these areas, the debt is a Meanwhile, the debt incurred by Osun blessing, as it has enhanced the totality of our 2,861,488,000,000; and 1,680,000,000,000 Government on behalf of its people was not lives from infants to the aged. It has guaranteed respectively – trillion in dollars.

Here in Nigeria, Lagos State was recently incurred by the Aregbesola administration a better life for the urban and rural people. It declared by the United Nations Development alone. Assuming it is, what has Aregbesola has made our state attractive to various Programme (UNDP) as the 6th largest economy administration guaranteed by calling every investments and businesses. It has made Osun in Africa. Its external debt as at 2015 was $1.087 citizen to pay Pure Water Price daily for 20 to be a state to reckon with. It has made us billion and a debt profile of years? Security of lives and property as provided proud. All these within a short time!

N368,409,682,283.25. Lagos, the most in Section 14 Subsection (1b), Chapter 11 of the If the most indigent citizen of Osun is asked prosperous state in Nigeria, is Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended via procurement to conscientiously put her widow’s mite on unrivalled, most indebted state. It is followed of 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) with these massive infrastructure and facilities, the

by Kaduna with $234million external debt; 100 Patrol Vehicle for 24-hour security cover of least she will commit to put down on a daily Cross River; Edo; Ogun and Osun with the State 365 days a year. This has made the basis is N20 which is almost 4 times of what an state highly risky to criminals and crimes to the $131.469million; $123million; $109million; and $67million external debts respectively, extent that Inspector General of Police recently average citizen is obliged to pay on this debt according to Business News Report online, April proclaimed Osun as the least crime-infested state profile for 20years. Only shallow minded elements and the unreasonable opposition will in Nigeria.

13, 2015.

Based on Debt Management Office release on Today, Osogbo wears State Capital look with hold that the debt is an albatross.

Governor Aregbesola’s deep vision, solid plan 31 st December, 2016, on States and Federal parks and gardens among others, due to massive Governments External Debt Stock, Osun road networks construction and maintenance and determination to produce positive results External Debt is N70,533,845.79. As at today, unprecedented in the history of the State; have laid a solid foundation in Osun for the real totality of Osun debt – external and building of state of the art Model Schools across incoming generations to build on. Osun cannot internal - is estimated at N162.5 billion. This debt the State with all modern facilities sthat will afford to retrogress. Aregbesola achievements is to be repaid for a period of 20years. This figure make teaching and learning conducive; School must be consolidated and built upon.

HEALTH THE SIXTH MOST VISITED WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

www.osundefender.com/index.php

THE SIXTH MOST VISITED WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

e-mail: osundefender.yahoo.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 - THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2017

A lot has been achieved since the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola muted the idea of regional integration amongst the South-Western States of Nigeria. Below are the observations of ISAAC OLUSESI on the concept .

Observations ISAAC OLUSESI

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the Acting Editor, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, Telephone: 0806-220-7954, kazeemayode26@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.com., E-mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com,