Osun Defender Online Version of April 19. 2024

•We’ve Taken Proactive Steps – Govt Alert! Osogbo, Ilesa, Ife, Ikirun, Ikire May Witness Flood

Ismaeel Uthman

Kazeem Badmus

THERE are possibili es that some major towns and ci es in Osun State will experience flooding as a result of torren al rainfall that might likely begin any moment from now, findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that the topography and availability of streams and rivers in the towns and ci es makes them suscepble to flooding.

A report by the Federal Government indicated that Osun is among other states that stand the risk of flooding star ng from April ll November this year. The Minister of Water Resources, Prof Joseph Utsev, gave the indica on on Tuesday, in Abuja, during a discussion on general highlights of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook, which was prepared by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. Utsev noted that there are 148 local government areas in 31 states of the federa on that were at high risk of flooding. He disclosed that Osun, Adamawa, AkwaIbom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe are considered high floodrisk areas.

According to him, the floods are expected to occur between April and November 2024.

Addi onally, the minister stated that a por on of the 249 Local Government Areas in 36 states of the federa on and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are categorized as moderate flood risk areas.

Among the towns and ci es that might witness flooding in Osun, according to analysis by the medium are Osogbo, the state capital, Ilesa, Ife, Ikire, Ikirun and Ede.

Several areas in Osogbo have suffered severely from incessant flood occurrences. Research conducted by Adegboyega et al in 2018 (An Integrated Approach to Modelling

•FG Warns Osun, Says State Stands High Risk Of Flooding

of Flood Hazards in the Rapidly Growing City of Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria) revealed that about 48% of the landmass of Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas has high flood vulnerability.

Locali es such as Gbonmi, Oke-Baale, Obalende, Obate, OkeOni , Alekuwodo, Baruwa/Wole-Ola area, Awosuru, Oniroodunu, Omigade, Rasco, among others have always recorded flood-related menace.

Among other factors responsible for flooding in the state capital are the proximity of streams and rivers, improper planning and disregard for environmental regula ons, most especially indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and streams.

Ile-Ife is another city that is suscep ble to flooding, going by recent occurrences.

Areas like Road 7 within the campus of the Obafemi University (OAU), Parakin, Mayfair, Damico, Asherifa, Ife-Ibadan highway and Ede road have always been vulnerable to flooding.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the OAU dam which usually overflow, blockage of drainages, lack of proper channeliza on of erosion, among other factors are responsible for flood related occurrences in the ancient city.

Residents of Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun local government area of the state will have to double their efforts in preven ng flood disaster this year.

Ikirun is among other towns that have been experiencing recurrent flooding. Areas like OjaOba, Agun, Isale-Ikirun, among others are always prone to flooding.

Explaining why some areas in Ikirun are suscep ble to flooding, Researchers Mar n Gasu and Ayokunle Odusola, in their research (Assessment of Land Use Vulnerability to Flood Disaster Management; and Control in Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria) in 2021 said that 59.2% of the buildings in Ikirun were less than the standard 15m from nat-

ural drainage channels.

The researchers also iden fied anthropogenic ac vi es such as unapproved development on flood plains, residen al development, and indiscriminate waste disposal as factors responsible for flooding.

To avoid flooding,

the researchers recommended environmental educa on, proper waste disposal, channelisa on, and stronger development of control measures.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that Ilesa is another city that might likely experience the predicted high flooding.

The ancient city had for years been recording flood related menace.

Investigations showed that Oke-Osun Imo, Omi Eran A jo, Odoro, Powerline Biladu Area, Irawo Juncon, Oba Adenle Hospital Junc on and Funtua areas of Ilesa are most suscep ble to flooding.

In 2023, Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole local government of Osun state, witnessed a devasta ng flooding in July 2023.

The popular Naira and Kobo junc on along the Ife-Ibadan expressway, Oja-Ale, Atoto, Fulani, Mateba, UNIOSUN Road and Campus area of the town were sacked by flood.

OSUN DEFENDER

•Continued on Page 4

Knocks, Controversies Trail Osun New Logo

Kazeem Badmus on.

THE Social Media space was abuzz on Wednesday following the introduc on of a new insignia for Osun State.

The new logo swi ly dominated the social media space a er Governor Ademola Adeleke assented to the bill for its creaon and adop on.

Adeleke described the new symbol as a signal of new rebirth, no ng that the new logo is significant because it rhymes and meaningfully represents the state’s historic anthem, values and tradi-

The Governor said: “I am elated to sign this new Logo into law as a signal of rebirth of our dear State. The new logo is significant because it rhymes and meaningfully represents our historic anthem, our values and tradi on.

“The new logo is also an educa onal resource material for our younger genera on as it contains symbols of our landmarks, strengths, resources and history. The logo is also a tool to market the state at home and abroad.

“It is my honour and privilege to introduce the new logo as the symbol of

our state. This announcement will herald a new life of prosperity, abundance and sustainability for our people and admirers.”

Immediately the new logo filtered into the public space, ne zens took to their various social media handles to express their view on it.

While some ci zens praised the state government for the ini a ve, others condemned the new logo, describing it as far bellow standard.

A Facebook user, Laidi Akeem, described the crea on of the new logo as a conduit pipe, alleging the Adeleke’s administra on of move to loot the state treasury.

Reac ng to the logo, another facebook user, Jake Louis, said the government ought to have done a “reasonable work on the logo.”

However, a social media analyst, Sulaimon Omolaja, commended the state government for changing the logo, saying it is more likeable.

He said: “This is what we are saying. Congratula ons to the peoples governor for a job well done. IMOLE ride on.”

A civil society person,

Abayomi Adegoke Yomex, said the logo captures the virtues and uniqueness of Osun State.

He said: “It captures all our virtues and unique peculiari es as peoples and state.”

“When other are doing something tangible and great things for their state, someone is changing logo, iyen na da, the economy of the state will be boost,” said Fakunle Olutayo Mathew.

However, the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Rasheed Olawale while replying to a message on X, said the state government has not unveiled a new logo for the state.

According to Olawale, the logo in circula on was a specimen.

He noted that the 3d copy of the logo will be unveiled during the Ipade Imole holding at Ilesa on April 30th.

Olawale said, “To all who have reacted, be informed that the 3d copy of the logo for applica on across the system will be unveiled during the Ipade Imole holding at Ilesa on April 30th.

“What was posted was a specimen as indicated even on the image?”

•(R-L) Wife of the Osun State Governor, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, Dr. Funke Adejumo, Executive Director of FFA group and wife of Osun State Deputy Governor, Dcns. Sola Adewusi at the Osun Exceptional Women Conference, held in Òsogbo, recently. Photo: Shola Aderinto

Compensating For The Dislocation Review & Outlook

NIGERIA at the moment is in stagflaon, the economy and society hobbled by cost-push infla on. It is a difficult me to do business in an already tough opera ng environment. This is why traders at Oke-Fia, Lameco and Alekuwodo areas of Osogbo, Osun State, where road and flyover construc on are taking place must be given succour by the state government. This is not just on humanitarian grounds but on economic principles.

faced. This is the disrupon of commercial ac vies caused by the construc on.

Purchasing power and gainful employment is already low, we must not deepen it as we will all suffer from the fall out as well as the ripple effect.

•Oke-Fia distruption should be compensated

The construc on work is s ll ongoing. The government of Osun State deserves to be applauded for focusing on infrastructural upgrades. The government is sensibly working towards sustainable development. Unfortunately, there is a downside which must be

“There was drastic reduction in the patronage and sales. Their income has been unintentionally slashed below their imagination. Though they commended the state government on the project, they demanded compensation for the downturn in their trades and businesses as a result of the road construction”

The government must sit down with those whose businesses are affected by the road construc on and work out a compensatory scheme. Admirably, those affected are not reported as having laid off staff, kudos to them. A compensa on must be giving to help them in the period of disloca on pending the return to normalcy.

This newspaper had reported the plight of business owners in the Alekuwodo and Oke-Fia axis. They all lamented the nega ve effect of the road construc on on their businesses and trades. There was dras c reduc on in the patronage and sales.

Their income has been uninten onally slashed below their imagina on. Though they commended the state government on the project, they demanded compensa on for the downturn in their trades and businesses as a result of the road construc on. The government should look into this for both humanitarian and economic purposes.

Onitiri-Abiola’s Proclamation Saga: Under Which Influence? (Part One)

AS a student of compara ve philology, even of the consonantal principles to it, and having cri qued the April 12, 2024 take-over proclama on by a lady iden fied to be the wife of Bashorun MKO Abiola, as well as the u erances by her co-agitators, I find lurking within them two words of same world: RABBLE and RABIDITY.

It is apparent that the words employed by Mrs. Modupe Oni ri-Abiola and her so-called charm-wielding agitators are evidently and psychologically belonging to same cognate family and gravita ng between same malady.

Amid the already tainted air of struggle for survival and recogni on blowing through the household of Bashorun MKO Abiola, following the death of its breadwinner, I find myself thinking aloud and asking myself this one billion Naira queson: “Who is Oni ri Abiola trying to impress and under whose spell is she operating?

Confronted by the facts of my cosmological search on leadership and the revelations from the character studies vibrating therefrom, there are mes when one may find it difficult to blurt out the truth, especially at a me the air blowing around us is tainted.

•Who Is Onitiri-Abiola Trying To Impress?

•Colonial Era And Agitators For Nigeria’s Independence

•Penalty Of Leadership

It was in the same vein that the publisher of “India Today” newspaper, Aroon Purier, always told his reporters that: “Somewhere, someone is trying to hide the truth; find that; that is the news. All the rest is merely adver sement.”

No wonder why Guenter Wallraff, German journalist who inves gated the vicissitudes in which Turkish immigrant workers are exposed in West Germany also said: “You have to disguise yourself to unmask society.”

Before we explain the commonality between the rabble rousing embarked upon by the Yoruba agitators and the rabidity betrayed therefrom, let me first take my readers down memory lane about the nature of crudity of subversion and secession that had raged in this country beginning from the colonial era, even the Equivocation that accompanied them.

In view of the running ba le between the colonial government (through its media) and young na onalists agita ng for Nigeria’s independence from Great Britain, the duel was a fight which most mes raged to find their targets below the belt, as nothing was spared in the quest to discredit each side of the camps.

When Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and other frontliner Patriots from Nigeria, a er the death of Sir Hebert Macaulay, embarked on a mission to England in 1947 to demand independence for Nigeria, Benjamin Azikwe got the greatest insult of his life in the hand of the then Editor of the “Times of London” Julian Huxney who carried a full length photograph of Zik and beamed under it a sprawling cap on: “Ben Zik, a six feet of Stupidity comes to London to demand independence for his half-naked jungle men.”

Back home, this insult sparked up the fire of fury among Nigerian youths who since then became more res-

Osun Teachers Receive New Retirement Age With Shock – Findings

FOLLOWING the approval and immediate enforcement of full implementa on of policy guidelines for the Teachers’ Tenure Elonga on Policy by Governor Ademola Adeleke last week, some teachers who had been benefi ng from the old system have received the direc ve with shock.

Adeleke had, on Wednesday, April 3, approved the enforcement and implementa on of a new re rement age and length of service for the teaching profession in the state, in line with the policy guidelines.

Adeleke’s direc ve did not go down well with some of the people in the teaching profession in Osun State, findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed.

The approval, according to a circular issued by the State’s Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, is aimed at restoring normalcy across schools in Osun.

The circular also directed the Osun State Ministry of Finance and State Universal Basic Educa on (SUBEB) to immediately stop payment of salaries of teachers who had been enjoying the new re rement age (65year) without fulfilling the condi ons a ached.

Parts of the condi ons as contained in the guidelines for beneficiaries of the new re rement age is that they must be medically fit as ascertained by a qualified medical doctor and will be deployed to serve as teachers in schools.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the state government has begun to remove teachers’ names from the state government payroll without giving ul matum for them to decide whether they want to quit or fulfil the eligibility guideline to stay in the service for the next five years.

Reac ng to the approval of the new re rement age in a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Osun Chapter, Comrade Muritala Fatade said the Adeleke-led administraon has betrayed the trust of teachers in the state.

Fatade who expressed dissa sfac on with the immediate enforcement of the direc ve, accused Adeleke of undermining the efforts of teachers in protec ng the educa on sector in Osun.

He called on Adeleke to review the process and give those who are willing to benefit from the new re rement age me to decide.

The NUT chairman noted that there was a pend-

•Adeleke Betrayed Our Trust - NUT

ing discussion between the teachers and the government on some of the condi ons a ached to the new re rement age, saying the government went behind them to implement it without ge ng back to them.

He said: “We received the news with shock because we are s ll in dialogue with the state government.

Both the teachers union and state government were unable to shi ground on some of our resolu ons in some of our mee ngs. So, we s ll have pending discussions and they promised to invite us to conclude on some of our resolu ons.

“But there was no response from them since we adjourned the mee ng two

months ago.

“What we heard a er was that they have issued a circular on the new re rement age. They also didn’t serve us the circular before they begin to remove names of some teachers.

“We are surprised to wake up to such development since we’re s ll in dialogue, and the govern-

ment took such ac on without ge ng back to us. We will only appeal to the government to reconsider whatever decision they are taking because the decision is now having effect on the health of some teachers.

“I got report that a teacher has died in Egbedore local government as a result of the shock he received a er hearing the news while some are hospitalised.

•(R-L) Representative of Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Zone J, Commandant Ajibola Liadi, the Osun State Commandant of the Corps, Michael Adaralewa and representative of the Vice Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo, Prof. Goke Lalude, at the Stakeholders Summit on Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure organized by NSCDC in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Court Sacks Osun Monarch 3 Months After Appointment

AN Osun State High Court has sacked a tradi onal ruler, Oba Johnson Ajiboye, the Olola of Ola in the Ejigbo Local Government area of the state.

Ajiboye was appointed by Governor Ademola Adeleke on January 3, 2024.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that there was a pending suit restraining orders on the Olola stool as of the me Ajiboye was appointed.

Following the incident, the Olugbode ruling house who is laying claim to the stool approached the court with a prayer to sack Ajiboye.

Represented by David Salako and Kola Sangoniran, the ruling house filed a mo on with suit number HEJ/3/2020, seeking Ajiboye’s removal and nullifica on of his appointment by Adeleke.

The presiding Judge, Jus ce Lawrence Arojo, granted the six interlocutory injunc ons in the mo on filed by the ruling house on March 25, 2024, over alleged illegality.

Commen ng on the development, the ruling house, through its lawyer, Fa mah Adeshina, confirmed that the Olola stool has been declared vacant

by the court order.

The ruling house had also pe oned Osun Police Command, asking the security agency to prevent possible anarchy in the community.

According to the rul-

ing house in the pe on dated April 10, “the deposed king is planning to confer chie aincy tle on some people at the Olola of Ola’s palace.

“We shall be grateful if you will use your

good office to prevent the planned programme and disobedience to court orders. This is to avoid the impending breakdown of law and order, possible killing and maiming that may erupt.”

Alert! Osogbo, Ilesa, Ife, Ikirun, Ikire May...

gathered that before the 2023 flood incident, the aforemen oned areas had been grappling with flood related menace.

Following the reports of high flood risk in Osun, Ikire is considered a flash spot for possible flooding.

•Continued from Page 2 We’ve Taken Proacve Steps On Flood Control – Govt Reac ng to the alert by the Federal Government, the Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanita on, Mayowa Adejoorin, said the state government has taken proac ve measures to tackle flooding.

Though successive administra ons have been taken steps to address flooding, but the menace has refused to be tamed.

However, OSUN DEFENDER noted that only the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was able to control flooding successfully.

But Aregbesola’s interven ons, strategies and planning that reduced flooding to the barest minimum in the state did not receive much a en on from successive administraons.

Adejorin noted that dredging and expansion of major rivers in the state has started, assuring the residents that there is no cause for alarm.

He, however, urged the residents who are in the habit of dumping refuse in the river and drainages to desist, adding that anyone caught will face the law.

“While we are grateful to the state government for ongoing teachers’ recruitment and for listening to our agita ons to recruit more teachers, it’s also important to do elimina on by subs tu on.

“The elonga on of teachers re rement age is backed by law. This is not the first me for such law. It’s also within the judiciary. Other civil servants have also started the agita on for service year elonga on. Why is it that only teacher’s service year elonga on will come with condi ons?

“If we are thriving and making efforts to make sure our educa on system gets be er, it’s not to humiliate the teachers. The condi ons a ached to it is a means of humilia ng the teachers. The judiciary has elonga on of tenure without any condi ons.

“While we are working relessly to make sure we cover for the government when there was no enough teachers in our schools across Osun, it is not to humiliate us at the end. That means they didn’t appreciate what we have done for them.

“Even if they want to a ach condi ons in Osun State, they should take it easy and be diploma c about it. They ought to give teachers who are willing to benefit from the new rerement age ul matum to decide. Why is it now that they are recrui ng teachers that they want to ease them out of service?

“When the government want to introduce the contributory pension, they gave us certain months to make our decisions and for those who are not willing to contribute to tender their resigna on le ers and for those who are willing to key to the program. That’s a very good one.

“This me around, it is not just dredging. We are expanding the water flow in order to give the water more space to navigate. Apart from the exis ng waterways, we are also crea ng new ones to overcome the problem of flooding.

“The government is not paying lip service regarding this. We are taking proac ve measures and what we are doing now is not a yearly exercise but something that will be done con nuously.

“I want to appeal to our people, especially those that have formed the habit of indiscriminately dumping refuse in the river. They should stop and whoever failed to listen and is caught would face the law.”

The Commissioner said: “Our major rivers are being expanded. We have started the dredging and it starts from the Osun River and we are going to be in Ife, Iwo, Ilesa and other towns.

“But the government does not do that on the new teacher’s re rement age. The government has begun to remove people’s name from the payroll. They should take it easy and let people decide if they are going or staying.

“They should let people choose if they want to go back to the classroom or go. They should give them me to decide so it won’t come to them as a shock. They didn’t allow those who are already on old re rement age to decide whether they want to stay or go before removing their names from the vouchers.

“The government said they would need to reapply and screen them. Those who pass will now be enlisted. We are s ll appealing to them to give us a so landing and condi ons. They should allow people to decide.”

Yusuf Oketola

Yusuf Oketola

Electricity Tariff Hike Will Further Plunge Us To Hardship - Osun Residents, Artisans

The recent hike in electricity tariffs has continued to receive knocks from Nigerians who are already grappling with the effect of fuel subsidy removal. Nigerians are also doubting the sincerity of the Federal Government and the capability of the stakeholders in the power sector to improve on the worsening electricity situation with the over 300% increase. OSUN DEFENDER OSUN DEFENDER sought the opinion of artisans, traders, and residents of Osun State on the development and its effect on their businesses.

The Govt Should Not Suffocate Us

IT is a sad one for us as ar sans. We have not been enjoying a considerable power supply for a while. Instead of improving the electricity situa on of the country, the government increases the electricity tariff, asking us to pay more to buy power. We are helpless! It is praccally difficult for me to work in this situa on. How much am I even making that will guarantee me using a generator? Things are just ge ng worse and it is sad that the government wants us to pay for what we don’t use. I am urging the government not to suffocate us. May God help our country.

We Are In A Helpless Situation

WE elected the President because we believed firmly that someone from our region with his pedigree will change things for the better. There is no stable power supply, yet we are asked to pay more. Apart from the a endant effect on the health condi on of the people, especially with the heatwave, the unstable power supply has also affected the income level of some of us. We are in a helpless situa on. I can’t refrigerate my drinks and other vital commodi es people buy to quench their thirst in this harsh weather for required hours because of the high cost of electricity. The hike will further plunge us into misery. It is grossly unnecessary.

The Increment Is Unfair

IT is really funny. We do not enjoy stable electricity and s ll, the government is increasing the tariff. They are now telling us about Band A, Band B and all. The people in the so-called Band A are going to enjoy electricity and pay more at the expense of others. So, if I am a fashion designer working in a residenal area that is under Band C or Band E that enjoys less than four hours of power supply daily, I should not do my business anymore? Or do I have the resources as a small-scale business owner to buy or rent a shop in the commercial areas enjoying 20 to 24 hours electricity per day? It is just unfair on us ar sans and traders. May God save us.

Govt Insensitive To Our Plight

WHAT the present administra on has done so far is below expecta ons parcularly in the current economic situa on. At a me when Nigerians are yet to fully recover from the fuel subsidy removal, the government is bringing its insensi vity again to the plight of the people. It is undeniable that we are in hard mes. The new hike will in doubt nega vely affect us. The government should help us provide stable electricity. If the electricity is stable and expensive, we will pay for it.

The Cost Is Too Much To Bear

THE epilep c power supply situa on is a major problem and a source of concern to us and the growth of our local economy. Some of us do not have any means of livelihood than to work with electricity. The situa on is just affec ng us. Our business is no more lucra ve because the cost of diesel con nues to skyrocket day-in, day-out. The government should please find a solu on. The cost is too much to bear. They should look for ways to better our lives and not to impoverish us.

TAJUDEEN LUKMAN, A WELDER

JELILI OYEBAMIJI, ALUMINIUM FABRICATOR

BIMBO OLADAPO, TRADER

ADEMIDUN BAMIDELE, TRADER AKINTUNDE ODUNLADE, WELDER

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024

APRIL 25, 2024

UNIOSUNTH Investigates Patient’s Death In Questionable Circumstances

THE management of Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, has launched inves ga on into the death of a 45year-old pa ent under ques onable circumstances.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the deceased was in the female ward where an 89year-old grandmother died on Monday.

It was learnt that a rela ve of the nonagenarian iden fied as Adeyinka, reportedly went berserk a er being informed of the death of the grandma who had been suffering from a terminal illness.

“The rela ve (Adeyinka) went berserk over the death of the 89-year-old grandmother,” said a hospital source named Jamiu.

He said further: “Everybody was trying to calm him down, but he disrupted the female

ward. The efforts of the nurses and private security opera ves a ached to the ward to pacify him proved fu le, and the disrup on displaced a supplemental oxygen therapy being used for another 45-year-old paent, who died almost immediately.”

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Adeyinka later fainted but was revived, and was thereafter detained by the hospital management.

Confirming the development to newsmen, the Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital, Prof. Peter Olaitan, said: “There was indeed a lady who died, while a man who lost his old, sick mother started troubling the ward.

“The lady (who died) was not on life support, and he (the man who caused the disrup on) didn’t a ack the lady. Inves ga ons are ongoing to unravel what actually happened.”

FG Halts Mining Activities At OAU, Teaching Hospital Complex After Public Outcry

THE Federal Government has suspended further mining ac vi es within Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals (OAUTH) complex in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who declared the indefinite suspension of the mining ac vi es, said the order will be in place pending the conclusion of invesga ons into suspected illegal mining around the university, its teaching hospital, and environs.

OSUN DEFENDER had reported in its March 28, 2024 edi on that the miners had fled the mining site, following a

public outcry over mining ac vi es on a parcel of land belonging to the OAU.

However, Alake, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Segun Tomori, on Tuesday, said the suspension followed reports in certain sec ons of the media about ac vi es of illegal miners within the precincts of the university, adding that the ministry had immediately swung into ac on to ascertain the veracity of the allega ons.

He said: “Following the outcry generated by reports of illegal mining or suspicion of nefarious ac vi es by mining operators within OAU, we immediately deployed officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and Mines Inspectorate for on-the-

spot assessment.

“Preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some ac vi es around the premises. The ministry then stopped all ac vi es, whether legal or illegal, for further inves ga ons,” the Minister asserted.”

Speaking further, Alake revealed that “Upon summoning some operators discovered to be carrying out illegal acvi es, they presented some licences and le ers of consent which necessitated further invesga ons to ascertain its authen city, hence the impera ve of invi ng the university authori es for a parley.

“We have a had a very frui ul mee ng, and a lot of facts have come out of it. Based on the outcome of the mee ng, I announce the indefinite suspen-

sion, with immediate effect, all mining ac vi es within the premises of the University, the University teaching hospital and in fact around the area and boundaries of the university, un l the conclusion of thorough inves ga ons.”

In his response, the OAU Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Bamire, expressed gra tude to the Minister for the audience, highligh ng the capacity of the university to play an ac ve role in explora on, research, and other sectors of the mining value chain.

Bemire said: “We have some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country. We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university.

“If we are able to get that in the university, it will help us support the university community, the state, and ul mately contribute to the development of the mining sector.”

The Vice-chancellor also revealed that the university applied for an explora on licence, expressing op mism that with the an cipated approval, the University will be able to carry out explora on, discover the distribu on and quality of mineral resources within the university environs and across the country.

Osun To Automate Fixed, Mobile Assets

Titilope Adako

THE Osun State Government has renewed its commitment to protect state-owned fixed and mobile assets through the use of technologies.

Capturing all state assets with current technology will reduce abuse, misuse, and stealing of government assets, according to the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke. Adeleke spoke at the commi ee mee ng for the implementa on and kick-off of the Fixed Assets Management Informa on System (FAMIS) domiciled. The Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Assets, Mrs. Fausat Sarumi-Adebanjo, said the Osun State Assets Management Agency (O-SAMA) will be supported in its collabora on with CounterHouse Consor um, the World Bank and the European Union to strengthen its implementa on of FAMIS in the state, in a bid to protect and confirm the total worth of the assets.

Speakers at the

forum, including Mr. Bolaji Lawal of counterHouse Consorum, Lagos, Mr. Sunday Ogini of the State Integra on Financial Management System (SIFMS), Mr. Lai Busari, a chartered accountant and World Bank Consultant and the General Manager Bureau of Public Procurement, Engr. Oyetola Adesina all pointed out that the FAMIS project will ensure transparency, generate funds, enhance efficiency, reduce governance cost, and a ract grants to the state.

The Execu ve Secretary of the Osun State Assets Management Agency (O-SAMA), Mr. Oyesiku Adelu said more than ever, the state needs to automate the state Assets Register and the State Assets Management Plan to protect all assets owned by the state and enhance their values.

Adelu called on all ministries, departments, agencies of government and public ins tu ons to cooperate with the agency to give higher value to public facili es.

Yusuf Oketola

•Mr. Olugbenga Bamidele, Coordinator, Country Leads For Good Deeds, presenting certificate of gratitude to the Head of Volunteers, Professor Hanah Ajayi, at the 2024 Good Deeds Day, held at Urban Day Grammar School, Ile-Ife, recently

Photo : Shola Aderinto

Yusuf Oketola

About 2,800 Transformers In Osun Are Old, Faulty - IBEDC

Adrop in power supply to the state, recently.

The IBEDC MD also revealed that Osun requires 1,600 megawa s of electricity for stable power supply.

But the IBEDC, according to Achiefe, was currently receiving less than 400 megawa s of energy from the generaon company to be distributed to customers in Osun.

Achiefe also idenfied vandalisa on of energy installa ons and energy the through bypassing of meters as some of the challenges causing the firm to lose revenue.

and vending for energy from another state.

According to a statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor had earlier during the meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, stressed that the current epilep c power supply in Osun has been affec ng local economy and businesses badly.

fresh insight has been given into some of the factors responsible for the

•An overloaded vehicle at Igbona area of Osogbo, on Wednesday unstable power supply in Osun State. The Managing Director of Ibadan Electricity Distribu on Company (IBEDC), Mr. Kingsley

Achiefe, has disclosed that about 2,800 transformers in the state are not in good condi on, a situa on causing epilep c power supply in

the state.

Achiefe made the disclosure while responding to the complaints of Governor Ademola Adeleke on the current

He called on the state government to assist the company to stop the ugly trend of illicit and illegal meters where people buy meters from other states, bringing such surrepously into the state

Again, Court Remands CCC Prophet For Allegedly Raping Solution Seeker

Ismaeel Uthman

PROPHET Kayode Omirin of the Celes al Church of Christ, Ona Iye Parish, Ijebu-Ijesa Road, Ijeda-Ijesa, Osun State, has been ordered to be remanded in prison again for allegedly raping a 20-year-old Yemisi Ogunmodede (not her real name).

Ogunmodede, who was said to be seeking spiritual solu on at Omirin’s church, was allegedly raped on January 4, 2024 by the accused person.

Omirin had earlier been arraigned at an Ilesa Magistrates Court on March 26 for the same offence.

Presiding Magistrate A. Ayeni transferred the case to the Magistrate Court at Ijebu-Ijesa, and remanded Omirin at Ilesa Correc onal Centre.

When the case came up at the IjebuIjesa Magistrate court yesterday, the prosecutor, Inspector Kala, said the police wanted to subs tute the charges against the accused person.

Kala said the case file was with the Invesga on Police Officer (IPO) who was on his way to court, praying the magistrate to stand down the case.

However, a Chief State Counsel, Mr Muyiwa Ogunleye, informed the court that the Ministry of Jus ce desired to take over the prosecu on of the case from the police, a move that was opposed by the police prosecutor.

The Magistrate, A. Oloyade, held that the A orney General of the State is empowered by the cons tuon to take over the prosecu on of a case at any me of the proceedings before judgment.

Oloyade granted the Ministry of Jus ce the permission to take over the prosecu on of the charge and further ordered the police to handover the case file to the ministry for diligent prosecu on.

Consequently, Ogunleye applied for the plea of the accused person to be taken, and Omirin pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Defence counsel, Mr Olabode Gbadebo, applied for the bail of the accused person, praying the court to be liberal on the bail terms.

But the prosecu on counsel, Ogunleye, objected the bail applicaon, sta ng that the accused person would jump bail as the charg-

es against him carry capital punishment.

Ruling on the bail applica on, Magistrate Oloyade ordered the defence counsel to furnish the court with formal bail applicaon.

The magistrate ordered Omirin to be remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre, just as the case was adjourned ll April 23, 2024 for hearing of the bail applica on.

The statement reads partly: “Apart from the fact that power outages contribute to growing insecurity, the Governor harped on the extor on of customers through transformer procurement, es mated billing that exploits the consumers and inability of some residents of the state to buy energy due to the old metering system.

“To this effect, Senator Adeleke said Osun is already working to enact the State’s Electricity System Law that will enable it to set up a Power Sector Regulatory Agency with a view to ensuring that people of Osun State are properly served within IBEDC franchise areas.

“As a government, we are already working to enact the Osun Electricity system law. We will be se ng up a power sector regulatory agency. We will introduce off grid op ons and widen alterna ve energy sources.”

Asset Recovery: Adeleke Frees Oyetola’s

Members, Faces Other Fmr. Appointees

Kazeem Badmus

THE Asset Recovery Commi ee set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke, has said the approval granted by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola allowing members of his cabinet to go home with their official vehicles was in order.

Consequently, the commi ee will not recover the vehicles in the possession of the former commissioners and Special Advisers.

But the commi ee declared the le er of permission wri en by the immediate past Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade, directing poli cal appointees under the administraon of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola to go home with the official vehicles allocated to them as “illegal.”

The government vowed to recover all government assets, including vehicles that are hitherto in the possession of the poli cal appointees of the immediate past administra on, saying they have been illegally carted away.

According to the Chairman of the Committee who is also Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr Kehinde Adeoye, only the governor of the state has the power to allow the appointees to go home with official vehicles.

The statement reads: “That the Execu ve Governor had the prerogave power to allow any poli cal appointee go home with his/her official vehicle, having served for at least a period of two (2) years and pay-

ment of some amount of money into the coffers of the government, and if the vehicle was less than four (4) years old, the appointee would pay 10% of the residual value of such official vehicle;

“That the approval granted by the immediate past Execu ve Governor for the release and eventual ownership of the official vehicles (kia cars) allocated to members of the immediate past Osun State Execuve Council followed due process; and

“That the le er of permission wri en by the immediate past Head of Service, direc ng poli cal appointees of the immediate past administra on to go home with the official vehicles allocated to them was, however, illegal.

“Consequently, all government assets/ ve-

Cabinet

hicles that are hitherto in the possession of the poli cal appointees of the immediate past administra on, which are not captured in the express provisions of the paragraphs ii and iii above, are deemed to have been illegally carted away, and such must be returned to the Osun State Government immediately.”

Igbalaye said the commi ee is not out to witch hunt the past administraon, assuring the people of the state that the commi ee would adhere strictly to the rule of law while carrying out its mandate.

“It was impera ve for the commi ee to go through due process after the inaugura on.

“Government properes like vehicles, buildings which were illegally possessed must be returned to the Osun state Government immediately”, he stated.

Yusuf Oketola

IT is crystal clear, even to the blind, that virtually none of the exis ng poli cal par es in Nigeria today represents the interests and aspira ons of the poor people. They are all same of same but with different nomenclatures. As a ma er of fact, poli cians of different shades merely use different poli cal par es as pla orms for achieving personal poli cal ambi on with no clear-cut ideological idiosyncrasy.

Apart from All Progressives Congress (APC) with majority in both Senate and House of Representa ves, par es like Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democra c Party (SDP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young People’s Party (YPP) won seats at the Na onal Assembly. None of these opposi on par es could rock the boat vis-a-vis N160m SUV for each and everyone of them in the period of hunger and prohibi ve high cost of living in the land and none has said anything about humongous Christmas and New Year recess bonuses distributed among them last December. And that explains why no singular opposi on voice was raised from any Senator from all poli cal par es vis-a-vis Senator Abdul Ningi alleged 2024 budget padding largesse as they are all at peace with suspending him without thorough inves gaon of his allega on; it’s all business as usual.

It is instruc ve to state, however, that since 1999 this unbroken civil rule began, there had emerged some poli cal par es with clear-cut ideological lean that would have promoted and served the interest of the poor but were not embraced by the very poor people based on their low polical consciousness amongst other factors. Hence, they were deregistered by INEC as they could not win any elec ons over me and fulfil other INEC condi ons to re-

“No manner would fall from heaven; no Messiah will liberate the poor from misery and poverty in the midst of stupendous natural resources. Only the poor can help and bail out themselves by forming or joining a political party of their choice whose manifestoes are in tandem with their interests, desires and aspirations and muscle their numerical strength with sweat and blood to install their own party leadership and candidates for general elections”

Time For Poor People Party

main as poli cal par es. Some of those par es were Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Na onal Conscience Party (NCP) as at when its founder, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, was alive, Democra c Alterna ve (DA), to men on just three. There is a saying that a slave is half free the very moment he/she is conscious of his/her slavery status and is prepared to struggle for his/her emancipa on. No manner would fall from heaven; no Messiah will liberate the poor from misery and poverty in the midst of stupendous natural resources. Only the poor can help and bail out themselves by forming or joining a poli cal party of their choice whose manifestoes are in tandem with their interests, desires and aspiraons and muscle their numerical strength with sweat and blood to install their own party leadership and candidates for general elecons.

Ordinarily, the party that should have been a ready made pla orm for the poor would have been the exis ng Labour Party but it is only a Labour Party in name and concep on but not in prac se and orienta on. How do I mean? In 2002 under the reac onary Pascal Bafyau NLC leadership, Party for Social Democracy (PSD) was registered by INEC. PSD was established and championed by doyens of labour with Comrade S.O.Z Ejiofor as the pioneer Chairman of the party. PSD was built on Social Democracy ideology aimed at promo ng and defending social democra c principles for the ul mate goal of achieving social jus ce, progress and unity. It was this PSD that later transmuted to Labour Party when Ejiofor handed

“Until the poor overwhelmingly say ‘No’ to this prevailing arrangement and are prepared to take the bull by the horn in opening their eyes and aligning with a political party that can beautifully represent them and their interest, misery and poverty shall continue to be their lot”

over to Dan Anyanwu.

The reason for PSD must be put in context. Military incursion into government was a rou ne in those era; fight against military dictatorship and enthronement of civil rule were the struggles in vogue. Hence, LP was no party for poor working people and that is why somebody who had been a two-term Governor under the pla orm of PDP could overnight emerge as LP Presiden al Candidate in the last General elec ons. A real Labour Party is supposed to be a party of the poor working people. Poor working people are wage and salaries workers in public and private sectors, the ar sans, traders, market men and women, students and unemployed who collec vely are the majority in any society and dominant majority in Nigeria. As it was cons tuted in the past and now, it has nothing in tandem with the poor working people in terms of orienta on, ideology and programmes; it is only a labour party in name.

As the next circle of elec ons are approaching, especially staggered gubernatorial elec ons in some states before the general elec ons, the poor people must be prepared to come together and make sacrifices of their me and lean resources to form and build their own poli cal party in name, ideology and programmes and above all, elect or appoint candidates with unblemished profile if they are desirous to change their pathe c life of misery to a decent working and living condion. Yes, forming a poli cal party is not a child’s play as INEC criteria are very cumbersome. The poor

should shine their eyes to search for a party that has pro-poor ideals and programmes and join such, use their dominance to penetrate its structures and make people of impeccable backgrounds and characters as their leaders and candidates for elec ons. Although, there are a few shining characters among them, the poli cal leaders and gladiators in the last quarter century have been kleptomania and very corrupt with crude accumula on of public wealth for their personal aggrandisement that the few excep ons have been overwhelmed. To state the least, things had never been so degenerate! The progressive governance, socio-poli cal sagacity and wizardry of Ac on Group and Unity Party of Nigeria under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo no longer exist today. What exist are progressive pares in names but reac onaries and pro-Interna onal Monetary Fund and World Bank disposions to inflic ng neo-liberal policies of perpetual pains, hunger and starva on and expanding the fron ers of poverty. That informs why a poli cian can have his/her breakfast in PDP, his/her launch in APC and dinner in LP in the same day as morality, values and virtues are none of their business as far as poli cs is concerned. Un l the poor overwhelmingly say ‘No’ to this prevailing arrangement and are prepared to take the bull by the horn in opening their eyes and aligning with a poli cal party that can beau fully represent them and their interest, misery and poverty shall con nue to be their lot. This is not a curse but a scien fic reality.