PDF Version of Osun defender for october 27, 2017

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

UNIOSUN:

VOL. 012. NO.35

N100

ISSN: 0794-8050

Bad Blood As Council Probe N106m Alleged Fraud Against VC PAGE 3

Osun Debt Profile:

Govt Slams BudgiT Over Inaccurate Analysis - Page 2

Monkey Pox:

Osun Govt. Insists No Outbreak PAGE 13

Why I Chose Yoruba Acting Over English - Rose Odika PAGE 12 •The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran (Centre); the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi (behind Oba Aromolaran); Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (4th left); Commissioner for Education, Mr. Omotunde Young and others, during the commissioning of Ilesa Government High School, Ilesa on Tuesday.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Govt Slams BudgiT Over Inaccurate Analysis

By Kehinde Ayantunji The government of the State of Osun during the week slammed the BudgiT, for inaccurate and false presentation of the state debt profile and downplaying the government developmental project by distorting its economic and revenue prospects.

BudgiT, a budget and Generated Revenue financial non- (IGR) of the state for the g o v e r n m e n t a l smooth refund of the organisation in its recent loans. report titled “State of In a swift response to States; An Analysis on the report, the States Domestic and Commissioner for External Debt,” alleged Information and that Osun debt profile is Strategy, Mr. Adelani worrisome; adding that Baderinwa, said the the state obtained loans BudgiT report lacked the for projects that could not economic and financial improve the Internally depth expected from any

professional.

He said the report was a gross misrepresentation of facts and misconception of the economic importance of the massive infrastructural projects funded with the loans, and the laudable economic policies of the Governor Rauf A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration.

According to him BudgiT report with all economic and financial indicators was incorrect, short of expectation from a respectable and objective organisation

and total disregard to reports of other national and international organisation on the true situation of the state of Osun.

BudgiT in the report claimed that the state government received N123.59billion in bailout funds – the biggest in contemporary Nigerian history and also borrowed N30 billion at a lending rate of 14.75 per cent, for roads and w a t e r w o r k s infrastructure which generate no income and therefore cannot provide for long-term

•HEALTH DANGER: A filthy drainage in front of a food canteen captured at Gbodofon area, Osogbo.

Photo: DUPE OMOTOSHO

sustainability repayment plans.

“Another N11.4 billion was borrowed at a 14.75per cent lending rate to build schools, which would also unfortunately bring in no income into the state’s coffers. Even more debilitating to Osun’s economic prospects was that the repayments for all these debts ran concurrently, and deductions were made out of whatever revenue was to accrue to the State.

“Taking these loans which did nothing to improve Internally Generated Revenue amid large Overhead costs means the bulk of the State’s existing revenue is instead diverted into debt repayment. Total personnel costs which hitherto stood at N16.8billion in 2011 when government revenue was N54.8 billion have increased astronomically to N32.4billion, N42billion and N48billion in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively.

It stated that the state was heading towards insolvency because of the huge debt of the state amounting to N52.56 billion.

The commissioner however explained that BudgiT did not take into cognizance, the report of the National Bureau of Statistics which described Osun as the

Residents Berate IBEDC Over Blackout

By Yussuf Abdulfatai and Toyeeb Akanni Residents of Communities affected by the blackout in Olorunda and Osogbo Local Government council Areas of the State of Osun have berated the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company for paralysing commercial activities in their areas.

It would be recalled that frozen store at Oluode some communities in the market. affected local “I cannot quantify the governments including amount of loss I have Testing ground, Orita incurred since the Sabo, Aderin, Oluode, blackout even with the Ayetoro, part of Owode, fact that I operate on Iludun, Oke Odo, Kola- generator daily, I still Balogun and Atelewo record a lot of damaged have been without product. The situation is electricity supply since the just very pathetic for 5th day of September, many of us who own 2017 a situation that made businesses in the affected living difficult for them. communities”, the source According to a resident, added.

Mrs Sadiat Idowu “since A technician affected the electricity has been by the situation, Mr faulty, I cannot express Sunday Oni also stated how tough life has been that the blackout has for me, because I am rendered his business mostly surviving on redundant and has made selling cold drinks like life difficult for his family water, soft drinks and as he has been unable to since the blackout issue fend for them for three over a month now, it has weeks. been very difficult to Another resident also make ends meet”. said, “It is very Another resident who unpleasant and difficult pleaded anonymity also for me to live without condemned IBEDC, electricity because I saying it has caused his cannot be sleeping in business a lot of damage darkness and as a result being the owner of a of this, I cannot estimate

what I have spent on petrol everyday”.

The Baale of Aderin community, Alfa Waheed Salam charged the management of IBEDC to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the affected communities by speeding up work on the replacement of the damaged conductors, with a view to making life more conducive for the masses.

He added that the lack

of electricity on the transmission lines has been leading to stealing of cables in some areas which would eventually lead to other expenses if power is eventually restored to the areas.

The various residents of the affected communities also pleaded with the appropriate authorities to implore IBDEC management not to abandon the communities

in perpetual darkness for the sake of security of lives and properties in the respective communities.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

That I formerly known as ADEYEMI SAIDAT MOROMOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNTOKE SAIDAT MOROMOKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank & General public should take note of this.

That ATOYEBI ADERONKE BOLANLE, AMUSAN ADERONKE BOLANLE, and AMUSAN ADERONKE OLUWASEUN are the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as ATOYEBI ADERONKE BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and General public should take note.

That I formerly known as A D E S H I N A I B U K U N O L U WA AYOMIDE, now wish to be known and addressed as F R A N C I S I B U K U N O L U WA AYOMIDE. All former documents remain valid.

Fidelity Bank & General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

That I formerly known as MRS. ADEYANJU C O M F O R T FUNMILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as OJO COMFORT FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

Union Bank, Access Bank & General public should take note.

That ADELEKE TEMITOPE is the same person as ADELEKE T E M I T O P E OLUWATOYIN, and now wish to be known and addressed as ADELEKE T E M I T O P E OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

Diamond Bank, Access Bank & General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME That I formerly known as OLAWALE BOSE, now wish to be known and addressed as A D E D O K U N BALIKIS. All former documents remain valid.

UBA Bank, & General public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME That I formerly known as OKE OLAYEMI EUNICE, now wish to be known and addressed as O M O L A O Y E OLAYEMI EUNICE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC & General public should take note of this.

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second economic development state after Lagos in the South-West, and the markedly economic improvement differences before and during the Aregbesola’s administration.

He said, “while acknowledging that a Non-Governmental Organisation may not have access to all necessary information needed for an analysis of this nature, the public would expect that the analysts would review and consider the reports of other national and i n t e r n a t i o n a l organisations who have done a detailed review and analysis of the true situation of the State of Osun. For completeness, a visit to the State would not be out of place especially if there is a gap in the information available to the analysts.

“Early this month, The United Nations’ Global Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index ranked Osun second richest state in Nigeria. Also, the Renaissance Capital, a leading emerging market investment bank in Africa, has revealed that Osun, Ekiti, Lagos and Oyo states are the leading economies in Nigeria. It is worthy to point out that these ratings are possible because of the social and economic value of the various investments the state has made.”

“Rapid development in any economy would be extremely difficult without an infusion of debt particularly for a state that has been slow to catch up with the standard of development in the South West.

“Osun debt profile is put at 179bn by the NBS. The loan is still within the capacity of the government to access and pay back in a normal economic situation and government has indeed been servicing its debts before the Peoples Democratic Party induced economic recession. The loans obtained by the A r e g b e s o l a administration have been prudently and judiciously used for the transformative development that is evident in every part of the state. It would have been challenging to achieve this level of infrastructure development especially at this time of recession and stagflation. The current valuations of these infrastructures are far in excess of their original cost which is another testimonial of the •Continued on page 3

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Perishing For Lack Of Knowledge The Bible never fails to illuminate. A famous forewarning points out the folly of perishing for lack of knowledge. Those who, through the centuries have sensibly heeded to this injunction have kept out of harm’s way and thereby had more purposeful lives.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have regrettably not heeded this sensible admonition with their ill-thought out allegation that the floating of the Sukuk Islamic bond by the federal government is meant to Islamise the country through the back door.

CAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by its General Secretary, Rev Musa Asake, demanded the abrogation of the laws and framework behind the bond and threatened to seek legal redress if that was not done.

This ludicrous position must be repudiated by both Christians and Moslems, as it is aimed at stultifying the sustainable development of the economy. For a start, Islamic finance products have grown by leaps and bounds in the past few decades across the world.

This is because it has met a need and closed a gap in the market. A few years ago, the Bank of England, the Central Bank of United Kingdom set up a dedicated Islamic finance desk which has grown in geometrical proportions, way ahead of expectations.

Revered

international institutions such as Goldman Sachs and so forth also have fast growing dedicated Islamic finance desks. At home in Nigeria, over 73% of the customers of Jaiz bank, an Islamic institution are Igbo traders who are virtually all Christians.

This also confirms the foresight of the Governor of the State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. We may care to recall that Osun, under Aregbesola had in 2013 floated a N11.4bN Sukuk bond to fund government’s massive education infrastructure provision projects.

Modern international banking itself arose out of the Crusades and the attempts to capture Jerusalem in the middle ages. The knights Chevaliers, a Roman Catholic holy order benedicted by the Pope, created such things as letters of Credits, Bankers Acceptances and so forth as they swept across ill-defined, not yet national borders. Do we now call investment banking Roman Catholic banking which should not be used by other Christian denominations as well as Moslems, Hindus and other religious groups?

Nigeria inherited the present Anglo-Saxon banking model from British colonialism and it has largely failed to deliver the development goods. Even in the Anglo-Saxon heartlands, it has long been seen as a problem.

This also confirms the foresight of the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. We may care to recall that Osun, under Aregbesola had in 2013 floated a N11.4bN Sukuk bond to fund government’s massive education infrastructure provision projects.

For example, in 1945, a leftwing socialist government in the United Kingdom, created the World’s first Venture Capital Company – Investors In Industry, as a response to the perceived weakness of the British banking industry to bring in the necessary impetus to rebuild Brittan’s post second world war economy.

Furthermore, in a famous series of articles in the British Sunday Times in 1978, a former Financial Secretary to the British government, Harold Lever, effectively accused the British banking system of acting as a brake on the OSUN development of the Publisher prospects of British industry.

In contradistinction, Acting Editor he pointed out, the ‘Lander’ banking Lagos Editor

Blackout In Osogbo, Worrisome The state of electricity in the state capital has not been encouraging in the last 48 days now, as it has affected many areas and streets.

Many areas and streets at the state capital have been experiencing a total black out which has caused great discomfort for most of the residents of these areas.

Some of the areas affected by the total black out are Oke-Baale, Aderin, Plantation and so many other areas. It has caused pain for the residents and even business owners of these areas, as it has affected

their daily living.

It has been revealed that the 11KVA cables that transmit power in most of these areas have expired and need to be

changed as soon as possible.

The well being of the residents of these areas need to be catered for in order to make it a better place for them to live.

In order to make the streets a better place for its people to live, the issue of total black out and expired cables need quick intervention of the

government.

Kudos to the government under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the government is really

system in British industry’s great competitor, Germany, by emphasising close longterm relationships and low interest rates was taking British industry to the cleaners. The New Deal of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the more recent Obama fiscal stimulus both represented an attempt to navigate around the inadequacies of the short-termism of the Anglo-Saxon banking model.

Faced with the need to rebuild the economy, Nigeria must adapt to innovation, new ideas and try to adopt new models.

Demagoguery does not help.

If the indecorous position of CAN is to be taking seriously, Christian schools must henceforth stop teaching Algebra. As every school boy is aware, Algebra came about from the work of Islamic judges as they tried to navigate their way around the intricacies involved in solving problems arising from implementing the Islamic law of inheritance.

The times call for fresh ideas and innovation, thinking outside of the box and not childish or selfserving.

trying its best interms of infrastructural development, but there is need for the government at the federal level to pay more attention to the issue of power supply.

This issue of total black out can lead to something outrageous, many youths will want to take advantage of this situation to perpetrate evil practices.

The concerned authorities and even government agencies are hereby called to come to our aid before the situation gets out of hand.

•ABIMBOLA OYEWALE, Osogbo.

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MAGAZINE FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Blazing The Trail In Education Sector It is not an hyperbole to say the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in Osun has broken the perpetual yoke being experienced in the education sector prior to its inception. This report traces the steps that the administration has taken so far in the sector.

Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in the State of Osun took over power on November 26, 2010 from the erstwhile Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola who ruled the state for sevenand-half year.

On assumption of office, the administration summoned leading stars in the education sector, an initiative that witnessed the conveyance and presence of renowned academics, led by the African Literature Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and the host of other revered professors emeritus.

The Education Summit brought about the manifestoes and workable recommendations that helped the state to deal •The newly constructed Osogbo High School building, in Osogbo. aggressively with the cynosure of all discerning eyes came schools, Osogbo Government High palpable rot in all the economic to limelight through Osun Education School was commissioned. systems, particularly the untreated Revolution Initiative and School Prior to this, Ejigbo Government grey areas in the education sector.

Infrastructure Development Policy.

High School, located in Ejigbo It is however on record that part of However, the initiator of the township of Osun West Senatorial the recommendations given by the pacesetting ideology, Ogbeni District, had been commissioned by Summit was borne out of the well- Aregbesola on September 1st 2016 Professor Wole Soyinka to whom the thought out conceptualised ideology brought the President, Federal school was named after. that did not only address squarely the Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji In building these edifices and inefficiencies, deficiencies, Muhammadu Buhari to Osogbo, the renovating the dilapidated and insensitivity, lackadaisical and state capital where one of the gigantic weaknesses of the ousted administrations in taking the bull by the horn to redeem the lost glory in the sector.

The first step taken, brought about the reclassification and recategorization of public education sector into elementary, middle and high schools, as this gesture led to the erection of mega schools across the length and breadth of the state.

The model schools which possessed all forms of modern facilities with unarguably architectural design that has been the

‘

The Summit was borne out of the wellthought out conceptualised ideology that did not only address squarely the inefficiencies, deficiencies, insensitivity, lackadaisical and weaknesses of the ousted administrations in taking the bull by the horn to redeem the lost glory in the sector.

deplorable school buildings across the nooks and crannies of the state, one can never rule out the consciousness of equity and evenness deployed by the Aregbesola-led government at ensuring that no Federal Constituency or Senatorial District is left out from his innovative ideology that culminated into the multitude of school i n f r a s t r u c t u r e developments in the state.

The model schools were built across the nine Federal Constituencies and three Senatorial Districts made up of Osun, while other i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l developments particularly, the widely applauded Osun Social Intervention Initiative followed suit. ý Aside the fact that the largest chunk of the state’s treasury had been concentrated on reenergizing the slumbering education sector in the state, the Aregbesola’s government had in the last six years done justice to all sectors particularly education sector.

The assessment of the investment made so far to repositioning education sector in the state revealed that except Osun, no state had made such move in Nigeria as education is seen as non-negotiable priority of Aregbesola’s administration.

The available statistics revealed that eight Model Elementary schools were built and commissioned with 200 classrooms in Osun Central Senatorial District, whereas four out of these schools were built in Osogbo Local Government, one in Boripe Local Government, one in Odo-Otin Local Government, one in Irepodun Local Government and one in Orolu Local Government respectively with sum of N2billion.

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•Continued on page 6

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Blazing The Trail In Education Sector

•A line-up of Osun Scholar Buses.

•Continued from page 5

It is on records that six Model Elementary schools were built and commissioned with 150 classrooms in Osun East Senatorial District where one was built in Ife Central Local Government, two in Ilesa East Local Government, one in Ilesa West Local Government, one in Atakunmosa West Local Government and one in Ife North Local Government with sum of N1.5billion.

Record also shows that six Model Elementary schools had so far been built and commissioned with 150 classrooms in Osun West Senatorial District, where two was built Iwo Local Government, one in Ayedaade Local Government, one in Ayedire Local Government and two in Ede South Local Government at the cost of N1.5 billion.

Statistics has it that eight Model Middle schools were built and commissioned with 200 classrooms in Osun Central Senatorial District as three of them were located in Osogbo LG, one in Olorunda, one in Boripe, one in Ila, one in Ifelodun and one in Irepodun respectively with sum of N2billion.

Also, seven Model Middle schools were built and commissioned with 175 classrooms in Osun East Senatorial District with which one was built in Ife Central, one in Ife East, two in Ilesa East, one in Oriade, one in Obokun and one in Ife East Area Office (Modakeke), executed with sum of N1.8 billion.

In Osun West, also built and commissioned within the same period are seven Model Middle schools with 175 classrooms, with one in Irewole, one in Ejigbo, two in Iwo, and two in Ayedaade at the cost of N1.8 billion. ýSimilarly, seven Model High schools were built at the sum of N4.9billion in Osun Central Senatorial District as Osogbo Local Government has five, Ila has one and Ifelodun has one respectively.

Also in Osun East Senatorial District, two Model High Schools were built with which one is located in Ife Central and the other one in Ilesa East with sum of N1.4billion.

In Osun West, there are four Model High Schools built with one each in

‘

The assessment of the investment made so far to repositioning education sector in the state revealed that except Osun, no state had made such move in Nigeria as education is seen as non-negotiable priority of Aregbesola’s administration.

’

teaching and non-teaching staff were promoted from Osun East Senatorial District.

Over 2,000 Osun Youth Employment Scheme (O’YES) cadets from Osun West were deployed to different schools as teachers, while about 1, 076 regular teachers were recruited. About 900 teachers were trained in not less than 26 different training programmes and workshops organized with State resources. Also, more than 6,000 teaching and nonteaching staffers were promoted from the zone.

The amazing part of the state’s education intervention initiatives is the uncommon School Feeding Programme popularly called “OMEAL” that has become the prototype and model locally and internationally.

This innovative ideology, lifechanging and health promoting initiatives also took it impact in the Senatorial Districts, as more than 85,000 pupils gets fed daily under Osun School Feeding Programmes through which more than 1,000 cooks were employed while close to 68,000,000 plates of meals have been served to pupils in Osun Central Senatorial District since 2012 with N4.760billion.

More than 80,000 pupils gets fed daily under school feeding programmes through which 1,000 cooks were employed since 2012 and over 64,000,000 plates of meals have been served to pupils with N4,480billion in Osun East Senatorial District.

In the Osun West, more than 84,000 pupils get fed daily under the O’MEAL school feeding programme through which over 1,000 cooks were employed and about 68,000 plate of delicious meals have been served since 2012 across 500 schools at the cost of N4.8 billion.

Above all, close to 250,000 school uniforms were distributed free to students across the ten LGAs of Osun Central Senatorial District while more than 200,000 units of school uniforms have been distributed freely to students in Osun East Senatorial District, just as about 300,000 school uniforms were distributed free to students across the 10 LGAs that constitute the Osun West Senatorial District so far.

Ejigbo, Ede South, Iwo and Irewole have benefited in Osun West.

On personnel recruitment, training local governments at the whopping and promotion, it is on records that cost of N2.8 billion.

2,500 Osun Youth The Aregbesola’s administration in over conjunction with UBEC also Empowerment Scheme (OYES) renovated 606 classrooms across 87 cadets from Osun Central Senatorial Model Schools in Osun Central District were deployed to different Senatorial District while more than schools as teachers while about 1,150 605 classrooms were renovated regular teachers were recruited from across 90 Models Schools in Osun same zone as 9,200 teachers were East Senatorial District, just as more trained in 26 different training than 600 classrooms across 100 programmes and workshops. Also, models schools were renovated in more than 6,057 teaching and nonteaching staff was promoted from Osun West, Likewise, 21,048 sets furniture Osun Central Senatorial District.

Over 1,500 OYES cadets were were supplied to the schools across the ten Local Government Areas in deployed to different schools as Osun Central Senatorial District and teachers in Osun East Senatorial ý20,900 sets furniture were equally District, while 1,004 regular teachers supplied to the schools across the ten were recruited from same district and Local Government Areas of Osun 8,391 teachers were trained in 26 East Senatorial District, while 2,094 different training programmes and sets of furniture were supplied to workshops. Also, more than 5,000 schools across the local governments, local council development areas and area offices in Osun West.

Statistics further revealed that more than 55,000 students benefited from the free tablets of knowledge popularly called “Opon Imo” in Osun Central Senatorial District while over 45,000 students enjoyed similar gestures in Osun East Senatorial District, just as more than 50,000 students •Osun High School students posing with their newly received Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo).

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THE SOCIAL REGISTER

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

THE SOCIAL REGISTER

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A Cocktail Of Recent Happenings Public Presentation Of Lion Sunday Akere As 4th New Century Presi- 50th Birthday Anniversary Of Special Adviser to the Governor, Ministry of Information and dent Of Osun New Era Lions Club At Aurora Event Centre, Osogbo, State Strategy , Mr Semiu Okanlawon, At River Side Resort, Iwo on Sunday.

Of Osun On Sunday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•District Governor of the Club, Lion Asiwaju Ayobola Samuel (middle) presenting Honourable Sunday Akere as President of the club. With them is the outgoing President, Lion Abiodun Balogun (right).

ABSAR Crew Members Launching Their 2nd Audio CD Album (T) In Osogbo, State Of Osun Last Saturday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

It was a gathering of the crème de la crème in the society on Sunday , October 22, 2017 at the King’s Riverside Resorts and Hotels, Iwo in the State of Osun, as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Osun Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, celebrated his 50th birthday.

Guests at the event included Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi; the Aare Ona KakanfoDesignate, Otunba Gani Adams; Osun Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Osun •Leader of the crew, John Oluwadamilare Ayinde (John Alfa) (with mic) and his crew memAPC Secretary, Alhaji Rasaq bers performing on the stage.

Salinsile.

Others include Osun Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Ajibola Basiru; Comrade Waheed Lawal; APC Chieftain, Kunle Adegoke, State Executive members, Royal Fathers; Family members and friends.

SOK as the celebrant is fondly called was full of joy State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (left); the Are Onakakanfo Designate, witnessing the Golden Jubilee •Governor, Chief Gani Adams (2nd left);, former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Ismail Adewusi (right); Celebrant, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon and his anniversary of his birthday. wife, Ronke.

25th Anniversary Of Raodatol-Bashir Islamic Society In Osogbo.

•A cross section of Traditional Rulers at the programme.

We‘re Committed To Serving Humanity - Akere

By Toyeeb Akanni The President of Osun New Era Lions Club, Oluomo Sunday Akere has pledged the commitment of the club to improving the lot of the less privileged in the state of Osun within the period of his leadership.

He disclosed this while presenting his acceptance speech after his investiture as the 4th New Century President of the club on Sunday at the Aurora Event Centre in Osogbo.

He disclosed that the club intention for the year is to organise free eye surgery for people suffering one form of vision impairment or the other, as well as give out free eye glasses to correct those suffering from eye diseases.

Akere stressed the fact that government alone cannot solve the myriads of problems facing the society; hence, there is the need for service-oriented clubs to join government to make the society a better place for everyone to live and thrive.

He added that there is the need to reduce hunger in the society and the club intends to provide periodic food items to the needy in selected locations in the state.

“We realised that government alone cannot provide all the need of the

society and we have decided that for this lions year, apart from the free eye surgery we intend to organise and free eye glasses distribution, we have also concluded plans to provide borehole for free public schools in the state to improve hygienic practise among students in public schools.

We believe and hope that our DG would consider our public schools for renovation project of the club and also in other areas that could be of benefit to the downtrodden in our society”, the new president pleaded.

The District Governor of the club district 404 B2, Lion Ayobola Samuel disclosed that the club had been serving humanity for the past 100 years relentlessly and it is more dedicated to the cause ever than before, stressing that club area of intervention for 2017/2018 includes; vision, diabetes, relieving hunger, paediatric cancer and environmental protection.

He, then, urged the guests who are service oriented to join the club in order to serve humanity and be part of the success story of the Lions Clun International.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Investiture Committee, Lion Ayodeji Osundiran attributed the success of the club to the doggedness of its members, especially in the face of difficulties.

•(L-R) Ustaz Jundunlatu; Alhaji Hammad Abdul Salam (Founder of the Society)’ Alhaji Musa Olohunlogaju and Alhaji Yunus Mubinu at the event.

•A cross section of Muslims faithful.

Raodatul-Bashir Islamic Society recently celebrated its 27th anniversary with a public lecture titled: “Striving in the cause of humanity”. The guest speaker, Shaykh Musa Olohunlogaju stressed the need for muslims and human race generally to co-exist harmoniously, saying there is no compulsion in religion as people are free to determine their faith.

He commended the founder of the organisation, Alhaji Abdulhamid Abdulsalam for his tenacity and purposeful leadership for the past two decades.

He however emphasized the need for more soul winning evangelism, especially among the youths who have turned social vices into their ways of lives.

There is need to enjoin our youths to imbibe moral values that would help them lead a responsible life rather than spreading the message of prosperity at the expense of a peaceful and harmonious society.

•A cross section of Guests on the high table during the programme.

John Oluwadamilare Launches Second Album

By Gbenga Adeniyi

The Osogbo grammar school hall was full of important personalities on Saturday 21st October 2017 when Ayinde John Oluwadamilare (popularly know as John Alfa) a fast rising Nigeria artist who performed on both local and International stage launched his second album titled: I BELIEVE. The crew is gradually gaining global recognition with the crew founded in 2012 and had since then stayed relevant in the industry and by releasingseveral singles and two albums.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr Akande Olawale advised Oluwadamilare to continue to pray to God and worship him everyday of his life.

Oluwadamilare give thanks to Almighty God for his life and thanks all his friends, relatives and artists that performed at the event.

The Deputy State Commandant of Peace Corp on Administration Mr Olawale Akande; 2IC Operation, Farominiyi Olaitan who represented by his wife, Toyin; Corps Secretary, Osukoya David and other dignitaries were present at the occasion.

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.

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COMMUNITY

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Council Boss Inaugurates Sanitation, Other Committees' Members The Executive Secretary, Olorunda North Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Honourable Abdul-Quadri Owonikoko has inaugurated additional members of caretaker committees in the council, with a charge that they should be steadfast, persevere, dutiful and responsive in the discharge of their duties.

According to a statement by the Information Officer of the council, Oloruntoyin Adejobi, the inaugurated c o m m i t t e e memberswere; Mrs Adefunke Adebisi as Secretary for Women and Children Affairs and Abiona Wasiu as Secretary for Youth, Market and Sanitation.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Owonikoko appealed to the newly appointed Secretaries to see the position as a challenge and call to duty, urging that they should not take their followers for granted, but rather see the position as a way of extending dividends of democracy to the

grassroots.

He said the appointment was a reward for diligence and service to humanity that the appointees have demonstrated as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In his remark, the APC Chairman in the council, Alhaji Ahmed Bolarinwa appealed to the new appointees to be more loyal and not divulge the strategy of the party to outsiders.

Noting that the two appointments made were very important and

•(From left) Owonikoko, Abiona and Adefunke, during the inauguration.

critical to the development of the council, he urged them to see to the cleanliness of the council as part of their duties.

Also, the Chairman, C o m m u n i t y Development, Olorunda North LCDA, Alhaji

Muftau Oladapo implored the appointees to attend party meetings regularly, as there would be a meeting with the council executive to deliberate on their modules operandi and set agenda for them.

The Supervisory

Councillor for Social Development and Information, Shade Adebimpe enjoined the new appointees to cooperate with the Executive Secretary, whom she described as a good and hardworking leader.

Ife Central West LCDA Begins Channelisation Of Major Rivers The caretaker management team of Ife Central West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has commenced the dredging and channelisation of the two major rivers in the LCDA. The rivers are Esinminrin and Opa rivers.

Flagging off the dredging exercise, the Executive Secretary of the council, Barrister Bisi Oladosu said, the exercise was being carried out with a view to putting an end to perennial flooding which has led to loss of valuable properties and rendered many people homeless in the area.

As at the time of filing this report, work on Esinmirin River has been completed, while that of Opa River was still ongoing and would terminate inside OAU Campus.

Some of the residents of the affected area commended the council management for bringing dividend of democracy to

them, noting that the exercise would save them from loss of valuable properties they experience every year when the two rivers overflow their boundaries.

Besides, Oladosu has enjoined bricklayers and other professionals not to embark on any building construction project that does not have approved plan.

He gave the charge during a meeting with surveyors, draught men, carpenters and bricklayers in the LCDA recently, saying the council would soon embark on ‘operation show your plan’ for all the building projects going on in the area.

He warned that any building project without the approved plan by the LCDA would be made to face the wrath of the Law.

Osogbo West LCDA Commissions, Equips Health Center With Medical Equipments •Distributes Materials To Pregnant Women

By Tola Oyewale As part of the commitment to ensure effective healthcare delivery system, the Caretaker Management Committee of Osogbo West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has commissioned a new Primary Health Center at Orioke Oloruntosin Area and equipped it with drugs and other medical equipments.

This is just as the could be justified.

She added that the administration, led by Alhaja Temilade primary health centre has been well equipped with Olokungboye distributed baby materials to various equipments to pregnant women and make the health centre nursing mothers in the suitable and comfortable for the residents and the council area.

Presenting the drugs to workers.

Why urging the people the medical center during the commissioning, the to ensure effective maintenance of the health council boss said, part of the mandate of her center, she said that the administration was to proper use of the center ensure that the people of would automatically more the council live a healthy attract live through effective development to the primary healthcare community.

The council boss also system.

She said that the urged the people to caretaker management perform their civic team was determine to responsibilities through compliment the efforts of payment of their taxes the Governor Rauf and other dues.

Some of the medical A r e g b e s o l a administration in consumables purchased the council healthcare system and by were, other sector of management governance, saying it is Sphygmomanoter, Adult only when people feel the weighing scale, Hospital impact of the beds, Delivery couch, administration that the Infusion drip stand, purpose of governance Clinical thermometer,

Examination couch, Circumcision set, Cord scissors, Bed sheets, Sterilizer, Kidney dish, and Baby lot among others.

In another event, Olokungboye, while distributing baby materials and drugs to pregnant women drawn from various communities of the council at Odi-Olowo Primary Health Center in Osogbo, said, findings have shown that the economic situation has made it difficult for some of the pregnant women to meet up with the demand of pregnancy.

Olokungboye stressed that the distribution was aimed at alleviating the expenses of pregnant women, urging the beneficiaries to ensure that they take care of their health and their babies by hygienically taking care of themselves and their environment.

Some of the materials distributed at the health centre were baby pampers, sanitary pads, blood tonic which are part of the necessities nursing mothers and pregnant women need for their healthy living.

•Some of the drugs and Hospital equipment at Ori-Oke Oloruntosin Health Care Center.

•Executive Secretary Osogbo West LCDA, Alhaja Temilade Olokungboye (5th right) in a group photograph with some dignitaries after the programme. (INSET) Honourable Olokungboye (right) presenting baby materials to one of the beneficiaries.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

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ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Why I Chose Yoruba Acting Over English - Rose Odika Rose Odika is a famous actress in Nigeria movies’ world, but her love for Yoruba culture and values is unrivaled. Though, an Igbo woman, in this interview with Sola Jacobs and Olaniyi Olanrewaju, she revealed what endeared her to Yoruba culture and much more.

Osdf: Why did you go into acting?

Odika: I have fell in love with acting since my secondary school days when we used to have drama groups, friends club and events where we perform stage plays. So, one day, my vice principal then, Dr (Mrs) Ero invited me to her office and she told me that she saw a talent in me and that I can become a good actress in future if I can work towards it, but my father from onset never wanted it. Somehow, I started gradually and from that my secondary school days, I have made up my mind to be an actress and everybody used to tell me that you are good in what you are doing. Since then, I fell in love and the passion has been there from young age.

Osdf: What has been your experience in the profession?

Odika: My experience is tremendous. Firstly, it has been able to give me an image because I see myself as an image-maker, and this has claimed my ways of life. I see myself as a role model. So, it has propelled me to keep my integrity. Secondly, I’m enjoying the glamours that come with being a celebrity. Sometimes, when you go to bank, you will be queuing and people will just walk up to you and say madam just step forward. I do enjoy those types of favour.

Osdf: What informed your decision to be a Yoruba actress, despite your Igbo background?

Odika: Environment has a lot to do with children. I grew up in Ibadan all my life and we didn’t have any actor shooting English film within the vicinity at the time. No production of English film or play that comes from that end. So, I’m used to the environment of acting with Yoruba actors of the industry. I came into acting in 1989 and I came into limelight in 1993 at the same time that I was also schooling in the University. So, I only had little time during the holidays to act, and whenever I’m back to Ibadan during holidays, the only thing I do is going to the actors within the vicinity to act. After about 4 to 5 years, I then asked myself, “Do I still need the stress of going to line up for English films? This is because I have tried like one or two times to join, and they told me to go and line up and start from the beginning. So, I decide to stay in Yoruba, although I also do English film and I’m good with that. I can say that my environment has a great effect on my decision.

Osdf: As a promoter of Yoruba culture and values, how much influence has it had on you?

Odika: When people asked me that you are an Igbo woman, why are you promoting the culture of Yoruba, the responses had been that it is for two reasons. Firstly, I am going back to the society that has made me who I am. If I’ve spent virtually all my life, talking about more than 40 years in Yoruba land, if you want to show appreciation, you do so by giving back what you have and that is what I am doing.

Secondly, I have been brought up in Yoruba way and so I am enjoying the position I am today within the Yoruba race. These are the reasons I have chosen to promote Yoruba culture and her values.

•ROSE ODIKA.

Yes, we want to correct some things in our society, but not at the detriment of our own pocket. The government should put out the money and send us, “Go and talk about our culture” Osdf: Did you marry a Yoruba man?

Odika: Yes, I married a man from Kogi State, Kaba, and Yoruba speaking Okun land.

Osdf: What are the differences and similarities between your culture as Igbo and Yoruba Culture?

Odika: There are a lot of similarities and differences. Our languages are almost the same, because I come from a particular little setting that speaks like Yoruba. They are called UGBODUMI from the name of a town UGBODU. It’s like UGBO O DU MI. ‘Owo’ people in Ondo State migrated from there to settle in UGBODU. So, my dialect is almost the same thing like Yoruba. When you want to say “WA” meaning ‘come’ in my language is almost ‘WA’ in Yoruba language. So, there are some similarities but when we talk about differences, some cultures are very different. The way we get marry in our place is different from what is applicable here. Let’s assume as a woman, a Yoruba man want to marry me, the family of that man will tell my parents that they wants to marry their daughter and my family will then request for N150,000 if that lady had gone to secondary school. But if she has gone to university, they will demand for N1million and you can now from that negotiate on what they can afford. So, the Igbo culture allows this pricing which is not there in Yoruba land. Yoruba man will tell you, we don’t sell our child.

There are so many other differences like in the cases of burial rites and some others.

Osdf: How can we use theatre for restructuring in Nigeria?

Odika: Firstly, I don’t really subscribe to restructuring, but we can use theatre to fight the decadence within the society. I see theatre as an agent of change. Most times when you go out, people will tell you if not for all these actors and actress, I would have been dead, saying the recession in the country is giving them hardship, but we do use your films to relax. It shows that we are impacting in their way of life. We can use the Yoruba film to even sell the policy of the government and educate the society.

People will listen to us when an actor or actress is speaking, they will like to listen more to me than an ordinary person. The interest will be there, as they will like a celebrity talking to them. So, I see theatre as an agent of change which the government can really use to restructure the mentality of our society.

Osdf: What are your challenges in the profession?

Odika: Well, the first challenge I had was what I told you that I was just on my own before I was invited to act in a particular film, Ododo Eye to be precise. I was not part of that association in the theatre industry then, and when I was invited to take part in lead role in Ododo Eye,

members of the association were insisting that I could not because I was not part of the association. When the producer of that film, stood on his ground and insisted that I was the person she wanted, they had to succumb. I first had the issue of the association blocking me from acting in any film produced by their members.

I had to quickly go back after that production to be a member.

Secondly, when you are coming to an association where they already have an array of staff and I am just coming in, a young girl of 19, with people ahead of me, it was challenging but by God’s grace I was able to come out of it.

Osdf: It seems that the influx of Western values in our home videos has downplayed African culture. What is your take?

Odika: My answer is that there is nothing we can do about it. I’m a business woman, I want to sell a film of hundreds of millions of copies and nobody has given me money to shoot the film. There are some bodies like NGO’s and if they want us to promote the culture of Yoruba throughout the film, they should sponsor it. UNESCO will be asking us, why are you not telling us about cancer? Did they give me money to promote cancer? I’m a business woman, give me money. They should have it in mind that these people doing the film are business women and men, they want to sell and make money. Yes, we want to correct some things in our society, but not at the detriment of our own pocket. The government should put out the money and send us, “Go and talk about our culture”. Why is Bollywood selling here, are we Indian? Why are we watching them? Let’s start from there.

Many people will rather watch Indian films than watch Yoruba films. So, let us correct ourselves and our mindsets, if the market is increasing, we will go for it. If I do cultural film now and I sell more, nobody will teach me to do another cultural film again. The truth is that promotion of our culture in home videos can stop the influx of Western Values in our culture, but who will sponsor it is the problem.

Osdf: We understand that you are planning a programme, called “Ewa Asa” what is it about?

Odika: Well, I have a project called “Ewa Asa” meaning, the beauty of culture. This is the fifth edition and we are bringing it to the palace of the Ooni of Ife. It is in two to three dimensions.

The first is to relate with the younger ones from our secondary schools about the promotion of the Yoruba culture.

How many of us can speak Yoruba fluently for fifteen minutes without diluting it with English? So, we are making it a competition for all the secondary schools.

We want to also showcase all the beautiful dancings we have in Yorubaland. When we talk about “OBUTUN”, which is the dance of the virgins, how many of us have seen it?

These are part of what we want to celebrate. We also want to celebrate our local foods, like EGBO, EKURU, ABARI, and many more. We want to celebrate out clothing styles, hairstyles and many more as well.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

HEALTH

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Monkey Pox: Osun Govt. Insists No Outbreak •Immunisation Is Safe Owing to the news making the rounds early last week that the viral monkey pox disease vaccination was being administered to children in some parts of the State of Osun by men of the Nigerian Army, the State Government of Osun through the Primary Health Care Development Board has organised a state wide sensitisation rally to enlightenment the citizens.

The rally which began on behalf of the State at the main entrance to Ministry of Health. the State Secretariat saw He also stated that the members of the State people should not Mobilisation Committee, entertain any fear Officials of the State because the officials in Ministry of Health and charge of carrying out the State Primary Health vaccination exercise Care Development Board when the time come, and journalists go would have been through major parts of thoroughly trained. the state capital.

In his word, “Osun When the sensitisation health workers are rally took the team to the properly trained and the State House of Assembly, job of administering Mr. James Oloyede, the vaccines had been Director of Community entrusted to them and Health Services and currently there is no Education, Primary vaccination exercise Health Care ongoing, just as no Development Board, soldier have been stated that the whole authorised in the state to point of the rally was to carry out any vaccination inform the people of the exercise. state that there was no “Soldiers are not the case of outbreak of proper ones to monkey pox in the state. administer vaccination Oloyede debunked the because that is not part of rumour that any pupil in their job as they don’t both the state’s public or even have the training to private schools had died, do it”. saying that no health The Director officials had been maintained that since the authorised to conduct administration of Ogbeni immunisation campaign Rauf Aregbesola had

ILEGRAMMS:

With FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

•The sensitisation team at the state House of Assembly complex. determined to make provision of health care one of its cardinal responsibility to the people of the state, then government owed it a duty to ensure that children were immunised at the appropriate time to prevent deaths that might otherwise have been avoided.

On her own, Mrs. Francisca Adeosun, the State Immunisation Officer stated that Immunisation was free and without any side effects.

She also appealed to all parents to ensure that their children were immunised anytime it was due, especially as another round of the

Maternal Mother and Child Health Care Week for November was just some weeks away.

In her response, Bukola Omisakin, the representative of Alhaji Sanusi Raheem, Secretary, House Committee on Health stated that despite the absence of the principal officers of the House being unavoidably absent to receive the rally train, she would pass their message across to members of the House Committee on Health.

She maintained that she was sure that the committee members would take into account their action and necessary steps and

What Is In A Name?

In the epic play, Romeo and Juliet, Williams Shakespeare popularised the saying, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” Ayekooto was in Ilesa, on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 with the rare honour to be part of the entourage of the State Governor to commission the newly built (like others in its genre) Ilesa Government High School. The crowd was a spectacle to behold, by any standard of the word.

The coaster bus which the governor rode in, accompanied by members of the State Executive Council and others including myself, was literally mobbed such that he had to alight into the cheering crowd and hop into an open-roof SUV to acknowledge the unending cheers of his Ijesa people.

Raising his right hand’s index and midfingers to show the “V” (Victory) sign popularised by Awo (the Late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, whom he acknowledges as his hero), Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, was symbolically and innocuously telling his traducers that, at last, the battle has been fought and won.

It was indeed a triumphant entry into Ilesa. Market women and men, indigenes and visitors from near and far, school children especially those from the school itself lined up the road leading to the school from hundreds of metres away, waving national and state flags, not to talk of the traditional and cultural teams that welcomed the Governor and his entourage at the entry point of the town. All this point to one thing: the real people, whom the governor had at the

support would be given since the rally was for the good of the people of the State.

At the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the same reception was accorded the rally train.

The monarch who was overseeing a traditional court on arrival praised the entourage for their good work and promised to ensure that the message was disseminated to everybody.

The foremost traditional ruler praised the state government for its efforts as resilient in ensuring that citizens in the state were healthy.

The whole rumour about soldiers immunising children was as a result of misconception that had emanated when soldiers of 82 Division Nigerian Army who were involved in Operation ‘Egwu Eke II’ (Python Dance II) carried out free medical outreach for people within its theatre of operation.

Due to the fact that the operation was

condemned in some quarters and the bad blood it spread between the Army and the people, rumours started filtering in that during the free health and screening exercise, soldiers went about vaccinating children in the Eastern part of Nigeria with the Monkey Pox virus that had an outbreak during the period in review.

Rumours spread to neighbouring Ondo state where parents rushed to their children schools to withdraw them because they heard that some children had allegedly died as a result of vaccines administered on them by soldiers.

The rally took the participants through Gbongan-Ibadan Road, through Jaleyemi Junction, terminated at Oja’Oba. Meanwhile, according to reports, similar rallies were held simultaneously in all the local government councils, local council development areas, area councils and administrative offices.

Truth Of The Matter with

AYEKOOTO ayoakinola444@gmail.com

back of his mind in building the educational edifice, appreciate him.

Now, back to the issue in contention, which is the name change from Ilesa Grammar School to Ilesa Government High School: And who are the naysayers? A certain cohorts who, in their characteristic gatherings in elitist postures, claim to own the school just because they were opportuned to attend, like hundreds of thousands of past students, the high profile Ilesa Grammar School at one time or the other.

And who truly own a public school?

Just as the descriptive term goes, it is the public. And who are the public? The public are the people in the generality of a defined geographical or social/ political space. And in this case, the entire Ijesa people, the tax-paying masses of the people who have been shortchanged over the time, by previous governments, education-wise; the present and past students and lastly, the government which acts as the custodian of the collective will of these people.

Where does the Old Students Association come in? Whose interests

Where does the Old Students Association come in? Whose interests are they representing and who appointed them owners of this school? Which law or constitution gave them the power to lord it over others and government of the day?

are they representing and who appointed them owners of this school?

Which law or constitution gave them the power to lord it over others and government of the day? And where were they during the decadent days of our educational system? What major contributions have they made in concrete terms to give them this unusual audacity to lord it over a constituted authority, even when the olive branch was extended to them by invitation to the ceremony?

They claim intellectualistic bend, yet fail to recognise the age-old saying that change is the only constant thing in life.

Even if Nigeria, more than a century old in name, and by any trajectory revolutionary, has the necessity for a name change tomorrow, does it in any way affect our rich cultural and other heritage?

This same school, Ilesa Grammar School, was once Ijesa High School.

Have they asked themselves why it was changed to the name they are ferociously clinging on today? Why should Ilesa

Grammar School be different from others in its category like the Osogbo Government High School, Wole Soyinka Government High School, Adventist Government High School, Ataoja Government High School and Oduduwa Government High School and others whose names are slightly altered to reflect the realities of the day?

What baffles one is that these opposition group in the gab of Old Studentship have not really sat back to discuss the deep intellectual reasoning behind a government high school and the deep philosophy behind them. They refuse to give kudos to where it belongs, based on this radical but positive change in the education sector in Osun, but would rather fester on the mundane.

Most surprising is that this needless opposition is coming from unexpected quarters.

Ayekooto!

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CRIME

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

Court Remands 20-Year Old For Alleged Murder, Fraud

By Ismaeel Uthman A 20-year old suspect, Jimoh Sherif has been remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo magistrate court for alleged murder.

Sherif was remanded Taofeek (21) on the alongside other suspects, allegation of murder, fraud conspiracy on Seidu Aliu (25) and Yusuf and

Tuesday.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Elisha Olusegun told the court that the three accused and others at large allegedly killed and beheaded one Sanusi Isiaka.

Olusegun accused the

Two Remanded In Prison Over Breach Of Public Peace

The presiding

By Oluwapelumi Fasoyin magistrate, Mrs O. Two men, Suraju Adeniyi, 39, and Lateef Olaitan, Oloyade denied the 25, have been remanded at Ilesa Prison Custody by application and ordered an Osogbo Magistrate court over alleged breach of that the suspects be public peace. remanded in Ilesa Prison The charge sheet read He also disclosed that custody pending a formal in the court disclosed that the suspects have bail application. the accused persons threatened to harm She then adjourned the committed the offence at officers if they are seen matter till November 9, Asoje Area in Osogbo on around the vicinity.

2017.

October 5 2017.

It also stated that the accused persons did conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by gathering themselves at

By Damilola Olujide an India Hemp joint an offence contrary to and Seven young men have been brought before an punishable under section Osogbo Magistrate court over alleged possession 249(D) of the state of Indian hemp. criminal law.

The suspects are Oseni The suspects pleaded Segun, 22, Iliasu Garuba, 2003.

According to the not guilty to the charges 35, Morufu Iliasu, 30, charge sheet, the accused against them.

Wale Adewuyi, 35, persons unlawfully Defence counsel, Okobe Najite pleaded the Afolabi Semiu, 39, possessed some weeds court to admit the Haruna Buhari, 20, and suspected to be Indian hemp contrary to and suspects to bail in the Nurudeen Kareem 36.

The charge sheet read punishable under most liberal terms, stated that the accused section 430 of the state adding that the offence persons attempted to penal code of Osun state. was bailable.

The accused persons Police Prosecutor, steal at the area where Sergeant Ajayi Sunday they were caught committed the offence thereby committed an on October 21, 2017 at opposed the application on ground that the offence contrary to and Orita sabo, Abaku and under Ayetoro area. suspects belong to a gang punishable and have also beaten section 516 of the The accused persons some police officers who criminal code law of pleaded not guilty to the went to effect their arrest. Osun state of Nigeria three count charges

suspects of committing the crime sometimes in the month of May and September 2017 in Ifon.

The police prosecutor said the accused persons were found in possession of incriminating objects like charms and a shrine where they perpetrated their crimes.

He said the alleged

offense committed by the suspects contravened Sections 4, 213, 324, 319(1) 516, and punishable under Section 509 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume 11 Laws of Osun State 2002.

The plea of the accused persons, who were represented by their lawyer, Mr. Taiwo Awokunle, was not taken

because the magistrate court lacks jurisdiction to entertain murder case.

The presiding magistrate, Mr. Ashiru Ayeni ordered the accused to be remanded in Ilesa prison custody, just as he adjourned the case till December 21 for mention.

Man In Prison Over Stealing

By Damilola Olujide

A 23years old Ramoni Oladeyo has been remanded in Ilesa Prison custody by Fatima Sodamade of an Osogbo Magistrate court for allegedly stealing property worth N193,500.

The charge sheet read disclosed that the in the open court accused person committed the offence on July 26, 2017 at OtaEfun area of Osogbo at around 11am It disclosed that the accused person did levelled against them. break and entered the The defence counsel, dwelling house of one Mr. Okobe Najite prayed Alhaji Tijani Wasiu with the court to grant his the intent to commit clients bail in the most felony contrary to and liberal terms in line with punishable under section 36[5] of the 1999 section 411(1)(2) of the constitution of the Criminal code law of federation Osun State of Nigeria Inspector Joshua 2002.

Oladoye did not object to According to the the bail of the defence charge sheet, the accused counsel. person damage a Fatimah Sodamade, window burglary and the presiding magistrate glass valued N30,000 admitted the accused to properties of Alhaji bail in the sum of Tijani Wasiu an offence N100,000 with one contrary to and surety in the same sum. punishable under She then adjourned section 415 (6) (1) of the the case for mention till criminal code law of November 20, 2017.

Osun state Nigeria 2002.

Seven In Court Over Indian Hemp Possession

It further disclosed that the accused person stole the following items; Two Gold leather wrist watch, gold necklace, perfume, one Nokia Phone, one black handbag, Home theatre with speaker, DVD player, Jewelleries, all properties valued at N193,500, an offence contrary to section 390 (9) of the criminal code laws of Osun state of Nigeria 2002.

The accused person pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against him.

Defence counsel Adeyinka Dada admitted the change of plea of the accused and prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy.

The magistrate ordered that the suspect be remanded in Ilesa prison till the following adjourned date.

She adjourned the case till November 27, 2017 for judgement.

ISSUES/POLICY: FOR THE RECORD

Dr. Marito Garcia Of The University Of Virginia, USA Made The Following Observations On His Visit To The State Of Osun On Wednesday, October 18, 2017.

•Continued from last week 2.

Skills profiling and market scanning for jobs. I recommend that JobKred (Singapore and San Franciscobased) be explored and engaged to help the Job Center in counseling the center clients using a skills profiling algorithm, and assessing individual skills gaps, generating recommendations for eLearning courses to address gaps, and matching them to the prospective job market—all developed using artificial intelligence (AI) to check on 5,000 job-titles that that market demands.

3.

Udacity: eLearning for high IT jobs. I recommend that the State engage with Udacity platform for Osun indigenes to acquire new schools through eLearning courses. The courses are in data science, machine learning, IT, predictive analytics and the state could sponsor scholarships to participate on these platforms in order to learn from the world’s best, while living in Osun. Selected scholarships can be sponsored by the state for these young Osun residents to reach global knowledge and competence. · Teachers professional development (TPD). At the heart of the next level of

•Osun Governor, Rauf Aregbesola

•Dr. Marito Garcia

achievement for education in Osun are teachers, principals and headmasters.

My recommendation is to enable the teachers to learn from not only from their face to face inservice training, but also to embrace the use of eLearning courses to drive dramatic improvements. The State can embark on online training of teachers, and the use of a mobile-first solution using Gnowbe.com could be tried.

The Nigerian delegation who visited the Silicon Valley (including SUBEB Chair Felix Awofisayo) had been exposed

to this methodology, and a proof of concept could be implemented immediately with the UBEC funding for TPD. Additional funding could be obtained (where available) from the World Bank SEPIP or BESDA projects.

Housing Programs for Teachers. I also visited the project sites for the proposed housing projects for teachers.

This is a laudable project, and it is financially feasible given that teachers as clients have solid and secured jobs. I can link the program to international funders for the project proponents to follow up.

•SUBEB Chairman, Prince Felix Awofisayo Conclusions and Recommendations.In conclusion, I believe that what I saw in Osun is a testament to good leadership and strong implementation capacity of the government as demonstrated by the projects that I saw.

My overall recommendation is that given that Osun has been seen as amongst the best in education in the country, that it should now be benchmarking itself with the rest of the world and not only Nigeria, and achieve greater heights with the adoption of new ideas, and new technology that could propel improvements unto the next

level. What this means in practice is that: (a) Osun should take advantage of new technologies in education, such as the use of eLearning to secure world’s best education and courses to derive new knowledge and learning; (b) Osun should connect its own systems to the best in the world, through capitalizing on internet’s power, which implies funding broadband, and encouraging use of new technologies to achieve these goals; (c ) Since Osun is successfully developing the physical infrastructure, there is a need to also strategically deploy resources to result oriented programs for the excellent WAEC or NECO result the State deserves’ Thanks and gratitude.I would like to thank His Excellency Governor Aregbesola and the senior officials, especially Prince Felix Awofisayo, for the kind hospitality I received on this visit. I truly enjoyed this short trip, and I had a great time interacting with all.

I am at your service to help Osun develop its human capital, and achieve even greater heights and economic prosperity!

FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2017

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Osun And The Gospel Of By Invitation Parliamentary Democracy ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, local government elections will hold in the State of Osun on January 27, 2018. At least, 378 councillorship slots will be up for grabs in an election scheduled to be the first of its kind in the life of the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration. Not only that, it will be the first in the history of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic that parliamentary practice will be given a shot at the Local Government level. While some professional doubters may wish to liken Osun to an administrative jungle where laws are brazenly breached and, constitutionalism, flagrantly abused, Section 22 of the Local Government (Administration) Law Cap 72A, Vol. 4, Laws of Osun State 2002 as amended states as follows: “There shall be for each Local Government a Chairman and a Vice Chairman who shall be elected by the councillors of the Local Government Council from among themselves. The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall only be elected among the councillors of the political party that has majority seat in the Local Government Council”. So, why the parliamentary system in Osun?

By the way, what does Aregbesola stands to gain by daring to walk with clear conviction where even angels dare not to tread and what roles has the “inchoate” problem associated with Local Government creation in Nigeria {ref: Supreme Court’s judgement in AG Lagos v AG Federation (2004) 20 NSCQLR 99A} got to play in all of these?

Without doubt, the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), Area Councils and Administrative Offices in Osun was a political masterstroke by this government and Aregbesola deserves commendation for giving Osun a sense of direction and purpose. Lest we forget, ‘Ogbeni’, as he is fondly called, was a prominent member of the Bola Tinubu-led team that midwifed the LCDA system in Lagos State. That he is again finding a new path to rehabilitate our democracy in line with the views and positions of the people clearly attests to his valued intelligence, unquestionable optimism and endless hope for a better Nigeria. One can only pray other leaders would tap into the sheer force of his personality and the power of his ideas.

Again, why the introduction of parliamentary system in Osun and where do we go for succor, in case our cherished system becomes captivated by the culture of corruption and inefficient management system usually associated with our Nigerianness?

By design, parliamentary democracy is meant to encourage quicker legislative action, primarily because the executive branch is a product of the support of the legislative branch which in turn “includes members of the

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Again, why the introduction of parliamentary system in Osun and where do we go for succor, in case our cherished system becomes captivated by the culture of corruption and inefficient management system usually associated with our Nigerianness?

legislature.” In an environment like ours where ethnic, racial, even religious and ideological animosity has been elevated into state craft, parliamentary practice serves as an effective instrument for direct political participation and even distribution of power. Also, the likelihood of a drastic drop in the rush for; and friction at the centre under parliamentary practice is high. And, apart from its ability to carry along with it a spectacular increase in political activities across the state, Aregbesola’s innovative revolution is most likely to generate robust discourse on the way forward for a democratic Nigeria.

Quite clearly, it is because we have failed to test our laws that dysfunctional political system has made itself a popular scandal in Nigeria. Contrary to projections, parliamentary system runs the risk of becoming a mere fig leaf by which Nigerians seeks good governance and socio-economic liberation, unless the fine issues of its cumulative impacts are clearly defined.

In any case, this is where the involvement of critical stakeholders likes youths, traditional institutions and civil society groups in exploring all the opportunities that an election of this nature and timing presents comes in.

Churches and State must also collaborate in the overall interest of the

electorate in exploring the strengths and inspirations that the exercise will be throwing open. Essentially, political parties must read the signs right by going into the contest with their best, votes-worthy candidates.

Walter Bagehot famously describes ability to do “what the people say you cannot do” as “the greatest pleasure in life.”

Like a field of driven snow, Osun governorship election is less than a year away! Agreed! No two elections are the same. However, the tragedy of victory is that success at the January 2018 poll may not necessarily translate into victory on September 22, 2018 unless some purposeful political reengineering is done where necessary.

On the other hand, the fact that All Progressives Congress (APC) got it wrong on July 8, 2017 does not mean that all hope is lost for the party. All the more reason the Aregbesola-led administration must pray towards turning the counsel of the Ahithophels to nought! Truth be told: Nigerians are hungry and their quality of life has become so unimpressive that, should the opportunity present itself again, one is not in doubt of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recalibrating the illusion of ‘belonging to nobody’ and “everybody”. Sad therefore that Osun is being treated as a case in isolation!

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At a time like this, clarifying extant confusions troubling Nigeria’s Israel may tend to suffer from conceptual impressions. Petty quarrels among brothers also have the capacity to snowball into politically-motivated eruptions of cataclysmic proportions if not accorded the honour of fragility it deserves. To this end, necessary steps must be taken to urgently address all ideological disputations that may want to pitch APC members in the tents of Us versus Us. Most importantly, the salary dislocation which has so far proved to be no respecter of party, racial or gender affiliations must be courageously confronted in a way that will ultimately leave all parties convinced that the country’s present pass truly has an expiry date.

Let me by way of conclusion state that, on a good day, an election of this shape and size should afford members of the ruling party a rare opportunity of closing ranks for the purpose of retaining the state for the party in 2018.

The hope is that events as they happened in Edo State on September 28, 2016 and Ondo State on November 26, 2016 would provide lessons, sufficient enough for the ruling party to deactivate opposition’s fantasy that it is the party of choice in Osun.

•KOMOLAFE writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)

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