Osun Defender Online Version Of March 01, 2024

THERE is an ongoing plan by Governor Ademola Adeleke to extend the statutory tenure of the Accountant General of the state, Mr. Rasheed Olalere.

Olalere who was appointed by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on May 21, 2022 is due for re rement on March 24, 2024 when he will be a aining the mandatory re rement age of 60 years.

However, Adeleke has reportedly concluded plans to allow Olalere remain in the service for the next three years.

This is coming weeks a er the Governor extended the tenure of the Head of Service, Mr. Ayanleye Aina, by three years on January 24, 2024 when he clocked 60 years, and was due for re rement.

OSUN DEFENDER observed that the AG’s tenure extension plan is already genera ng ripples and causing disaffec on among the top civil servants, especially accoun ng officers in the service.

Findings revealed that the civil servants who are opposed to Olalere’s tenure extension have been going from one place to another to canvass reasons why the Governor needs to respect the public service rules on re rement and career progression.

The concerned civil servants described Adeleke’s move as an aberra on to the state civil service, sta ng that

the Governor will be setng bad precedence with such move.

According to the civil servants, Adeleke’s plan to extend Olalere’s tenure is because the Account General a ends same church with the Governor’s family, while his wife is also a staff of Adeleke University, Ede.

One of the Accountants at the Governor’s Office told OSUN DEFENDER that Adeleke has already been manipulated into extending Olalere’s tenure.

The accountant who does not want his name in print said: “Our governor has been manipulated and he has agreed to extend the AG’s tenure. Of course, that is against the civil service rule and it is inimical to the career progression of other civil servants, especially we in the accoun ng sec on that are looking forward to be in that office one day.

“You know civil servants, like other organised sector, move up when there is vacancy at the top. We wait for years; moving li le-by-li le on the ladder of promo on with the hope of ge ng to the peak of our career one day. It will be unfair for anyone, irrespec ve of the reasons, to deprive us of our final eleva on in the service.

“The Governor is setng bad precedence. He had extended the tenure of the Head of Service by three years; now he wants to extend the year of service of the Accountant General too. I can bet it that the Permanent

Secretaries who are due for re rement will also demand extension of year of service. The civil service is already bastardised.”

Your Ac on Demoralising Upcoming Officers – Workers Union

In a le er addressed to the Governor, a new labour group in the state, Osun State Workers Union, asked Adeleke to shelve the planned extension of the Accountant General’s tenure, saying such move will be demoralising to upcoming officers.

The union, in the letter dated February 28, 2024, charged the Governor to respect the Public service rules and fulfil his promise of righ ng the wrongs of previous administra ons.

A copy of the le er which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads: “Sir, you will recall that we came to Imole House in the early days of your administra on for briefing in which everybody that ma ers in your present cabinet were present.

“You vowed to right the wrongs of the previous administra on among things which included extension of service for re red officers.

“However, Your honour, without recourse to Public Service Rules Of Osun State Sec on 020810 which states that the compulsory re rement age for all grades shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier.

“No officer shall be al-

lowed to remain in Service a er a aining the rerement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier, you approved the extension of service of the Head of Service via Approved Le er from Office of Chief of Staff duly signed by your Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye dated 4th December, 2023. This gesture is not only undermining the Civil Service Ethics but demoralizing upcoming officers.

“The workers union in the public service vehemently opposed this but your excellency gave Autocra c approval against the Public Service Rules of Osun State and Nigeria Cons tu on.

“As a loyal and highly dedicated officers of Osun State Civil Service,

it is to our no ce that similar illegality is being planned for the outgoing State Accountant-General, in person of Mr. Rasheed Olalere.

“Your excellency, it will be an effrontery to the serious and highly dedicated cadre of professional accountants to extend the tenure of Accountant-General for one day when everybody in the Service are aware that his tenure and years of Service will be terminated by 14th of March, 2024.

“Your excellency, it will be a great honour and highly dis nguished to let Mr. Rasheed Olalere Alabi go and rest with his family and be a good ambassador to his community a er his service year to our dear state.”

Your Policy An Civil Servants – APC Chides Adeleke

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has also accused Adeleke of policies that are against the civil servants in the state.

APC was reac ng to the controversial extension of the statutory tenure of the Accountant General which it claimed is contrary to the service rules.

The APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, stated that it was worrisome that Adeleke has been running his administra on by impulse rather than by the provisions of the law.

Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Informa on, Chief Kola Olabisi, explained that

the aspira on of any civil servant is to get to the pinnacle of his career which the reten on of the state AccountantGeneral and the Head of Service by Adeleke has bungled.

“Are Governor Adeleke and his handlers saying that there are no other qualified officers who could replace the state Accountant-General upon his re rement?”, Lawal queried.

The statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads in part: “If not that fraudulent ac vi es in the government are the inseparable binding factors between Governor Adeleke and the embattled Accountant-General, there is no jus fiable reason under the sun why Alabi should not abide by the PSR and bow out of service honourably when he will a ain the mandatory re rement age on March 14, 2024.

“Does it not occur to Governor Adeleke that if the top is blocked, no movement of any kind can happen to the bo om and the middle?

“Those who are thinking for this government, a government that has arrested the development of the state and bringing it back by two decades, should cover their faces in shame as history, definitely, will not be kind to them.

“It would be recalled that in a similar manner recently, Governor Adeleke, against the complaints from the civil servants’ quarters and discerning minds in the society, granted an indefinite elonga on of service to the state Head of Service, Mr Leye Aina, despite the fact that the HoS had a ained the mandatory re rement age of 60 years. He was given three years extension”.

Lawal wondered why Adeleke has decided to je son the PSR 020908 which s pulates the mandatory re rement age of the civil servants at attainment of 60 years of age or 35 years in the service as the case may be with the exemp on of judicial officers and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universi es, among others.

Ismaeel Uthman Yusuf Oketola

•The newly elected Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Osun State chapter, Com. Abisola Ariwodola, taking her oath of office, yesterday, at the NUJ Press Centre, Osogbo Photo: Shola Aderinto

THE fault lines and structural dysfunc on weighed like a nightmare during the week. It however, ended in an an -climax in the characteris c of Nigeria.

We thank God for his mercies; however, the specter of dishevelment haun ng Nigeria is man made.

The industrial rela ons system in Nigeria needs to be completely overhauled so that we stop the tragic - comic cycle in which nothing of significance is achieved. The present adversarial system has to be replaced with a tripar te system of goals driven industrial rela ons centered on infla on targets, fiscal stability as the best way to achieve sustainable development. We simply cannot go on with a counterproduc ve system.

During the week, the Central Bank of Nigeria raised interest rates by an unprecedented four hundred basis points. The underlying ra onal for this is contestable. It ought to be challenged and not just as an academic exercise.

Real interest rates for commerce and industry will now be above thirty per cent! This cannot aid increased investment as well as the crea on

A Momentous Week

of much needed jobs. The key issue of cost push infla on is also le una ended. The cost of produc on is too high, with awful infrastructure and mul ple taxes. The spectre of layoffs stares us in the face. This is compounded with moun ng inventory caused by declining purchasing power. There must be a review after three months.

Is a rac ng “ hot money “ foreign por olio investments a ra onal? We think not, what is needed is the fiscal climate for long term investments of the type that leads to a produc on led sustainable development.

Alarmingly, we do not see any focus on exports. This is key! The balance of payments crisis and the turbulence of the currency leading to declining living standards can only be sorted out by going for bust on exports. However, it is contradictory to go for exports in a consump on led poli cal economy. The changes have to be made for exports to be the engine room of the intertwining of monetary and fiscal policy. The government is well intended but there is a clear need for a review.

Nigeria is at a cri cal intersecon. The President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is very well aware of this as

The Discourse

“The country’s problem is more of political economy than a microeconomy. There must be sweeping constitutional changes if we are to build an economy based on production which is the only way to move tens of people out of multidimensional poverty”

he stated once again in his discussion with the leadership of the pan Yoruba group, Afenifere a few days ago.

The country’s problem is more of poli cal economy than a microeconomy. There must be sweeping cons tu onal changes if we are to build an economy based on producon which is the only way to move tens of people out of mul -dimensional poverty.

Piecemeal changes will not do. The 1960 and 1963 cons tu ons successfully built a produc ve economy that was also export-oriented.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel. We must muster the polical will to have another look at the efficacy of those cons tu ons and the sooner the be er.

The Nigerian Story: Sapa Or

By Rvd. Father Victor Ugbor

ONE of the most underrated Nigerian musicians of all me is the legendary Sound Sultan (the Naija Ninja) – Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi. It will interest you to note with emphasis that Sound Sultan for a long me prophesied about “Sapa” and “Japa”. In fact, he prophesied about the Nigeria story. Sound Sultan was born on the 27th of November, 1976 and died on 11th July, 2021 as a result of throat cancer. According to family members, friends and colleagues of Sound Sultan, he did not smoke and drink alcohol. It could be the case that he contracted throat cancer through any other risk factor like: exposure to toxic substances, unbalanced diet, or viral infecons. Olanrewaju Fasasi was known to be a patrio c Nigerian, an advocate of peace, jus ce and love; an inspira on to so many persons (May his soul rest in peace – amen).

Sound Sultan believed so much in Nigeria and the Nigeria story. He joined the infamous #EndSARS movement even while he was down and diagnosed with throat cancer that eventually took his revolu onary life. Sound Sultan joined the #EndSARS movement which was a revolu onary movement against police brutality and killings. He marched with the protesters and he also sang some of his prophe c songs about the Nigeria story to the amazement of the protes ng youths. The present Nigeria story, pu ng into considera on the present condi on and aspira ons of many Nigerians, is hinged on two reali es: “sapa” and “japa”. Sapa in a general sense means poverty. Explicitly, “Sapa is a feeling of incapacity in financial ma ers.” It means to be very poor. Nigerians, especially young people are the ones who use this term the most. On the other hand, japa is a Yoruba word for “to run, flee, or escape.” Japa is used by many to mean leaving Nigeria for greener pastures.

Nigerians are presently emigra ng from the country in droves, in hopes of a be er future in a more secure, structured system. The present Nigeria story is such

“The Nigeria of our dream will not be imported from any foreign nation, nor will it happen in just a day. Our dream Nigeria, a well structured nation will happen with our collective efforts”

that because of Sapa, some Nigerians want to japa. It is a truism that sapa has strong nega ve economic implica ons on the lives of many Nigerians. However, Japa spells doom for the Nigerian economy – we lose both human and financial resources to other na ons. Some of our brothers, sisters, families, friends and associates have japa; some of us aspire to japa sooner or later because of sapa. Are we not running away from our common problem as a na on? If we all japa who will help us eradicate Sapa?

Sound Sultan, through some of his evergreen songs, talks to us about the Nigerian Story. Some of his prophe c tracks are: Naija Jungle (2018): Sound Sultan in this track compared Nigeria to a jungle where survival of the fi est is the order of the day. In metaphoric terms, he compared the poli cal class to wild animals like lions, cheetahs, gers, and hyenas. The poor masses he compared to the mid animal donkey. He made it clear that in Nigeria, the poor masses are the ones working to feed those in government. Love is no longer the order of the day; selfishness and parasi c a tude is predominant. Who will rescue the poor masses from the hands of lions, cheetahs, gers and hyenas? Is the present government capable enough? Let’s be hopeful that they can. Motherland (2006): Sound Sultan in this inspiring song presents to us various reasons why Nigerians Japa, and how families, friends, associates rally round to help their loved ones to Japa. According to him, Nigerians Japa primarily for greener pastures to escape from the Naija Jungle.

Some Nigerians that eventually relo-

cate to these foreign countries engage in all sorts of things (legal and illicit) to earn a living. Worth sta ng also is that some individuals and families sell proper es such as land, cars, and houses – to send their loved ones abroad. In some pi able instances he cited, some of these persons who have been helped to relocate abroad forget their families, friends, and associates. Amidst the varying reasons why Nigerians japa, Sound Sultan reminds us all that “there is no place like home”. He asserts that we are visitors in someone else’s land, and that we should always remember home. Nigerians, it is high me we became commi ed to na onal development. Fellow Nigerians let us not forget Motherland.

Ole – Bush Meat (2011): The term ole is a Yoruba word which means thief. Sound Sultan in this song in which he featured the legendary musician Innocent Idibia (2Face), narrates to us what a typical hunter goes a er in the bush – bush meat. In a reverse order, he makes it clear that a

Japa?

day will come whereby the bush meat will go a er the life of the hunter. Using these metaphoric terms, Sound Sultan refers to some Nigeria leaders as thieves – who are just a er embezzling public funds. They accumulate public funds for private use. Sound Sultan in this song makes it clear that one day, the poor masses will rise against the bad leaders. He beckons on all and sundry to call out bad leaders. Nigerians really need to speak up against bad government. Mathema cs (2000): Sound Sultan using a mathema cal term BODMAS (an acronym that tells one the order in which one can solve mathema cal problems), presents to us plausible ways we can solve the Nigeria problem, the Nigeria story. What Nigeria needs now is (B) brotherliness from everyone – leaders and masses. We need to be (O) objec ve irrespec ve of tribe, religion and language. We must prac ce true (D) democracy, and not plutocracy. (M) modifica on from every sector should be done for greater naonal development; for instance, just as how the fuel subsidy has been removed, we should also modify cost of governance. Our leaders should be (A) accountable at all mes; whoever is culpable should be held responsible and face the wrath of the law. Lastly, everyone should work in (S) solidarity – we should be united to overcome our common adversary and build a naon where everyone would have a sense of purpose.

•Read full article on www.osundefender.com

Road Diversion: Osogbo Residents Protest Dusty Environment

TIsmaeel Uthman and Igbalaye area of Alekuwodo, Osogbo, Osun State capital yesterday as some

HERE was commo on at

Peter Ajibola

armed policemen dispersed residents of the area who were protes ng dust

emana ng from the road diversion to their area as a result of the ongoing road

construc on at OkeFia.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the policemen from Dada Estate Police Sta on fired teargas at the protes ng residents who had blocked the road to prevent passage of vehicles.

The residents complained that they have been inhaling dust as the government failed to be we ng the untarred road regularly.

According to the residents, the dust emana ng from the road was affec ng their health, hence their resolve to protest.

One of the residents, Funmilayo Ade, stated the dust from the road diversion has started

Economy Leading Men To Bring Wives For Family Planning – Officials

TKazeem Badmus ing promiscuous a er taking up the method needs to be worked on.

HE current economic hardship ravaging the country has increased the number of people seeking family planning in Osun State, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.

Findings by the medium revealed that there is an upsurge in the percentage of housewives going to various health facilies across the state to take up family planning methods.

Also, more men are keying into family planning than before, as the medium noted that some husbands have recently been accompanying their spouses for the exercise.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the Osun State Family Planning Coordinator, Ololade Abatan, a ributed the surge in demand for family planning in the state to the current economic reali es.

Abatan said: “In the last one year, considering the situa on of the economy, more women are flowing to the facili es to take up family planning methods.

“We need li le effort to push them now than before due to the situa on of the country. The orienta on that some men have about women becom-

“Our men need to support our women in taking up a method. Women are not meant to be promiscuous because of family planning methods.”

On the importance

of family planning, Abatan said availability of different methods was to ensure peace, understanding and collabora on between husband and wife.

She also dismissed the impression that once a woman takes up family planning method, she may become

promiscuous. Abatan noted’ “So, it does not mean that once a woman takes up family planning method, you have given her the licence to go out and be promiscuous. We are talking about the peace and effec ve management of the home.

Widow Bags 3-Year Jail Term For Unlawful Possession Of 5.150kg Cannabis Sativa

Yusuf Oketola 2024, along GbonganIbadan road.

AFederal High Court, si ng in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Monday sentenced a 25year-old widow, Mariam Abiodun, to three years imprisonment for illegal possession of 5.150kg cannabis sa va.

According to the statement of fact, Abiodun commi ed the offence on January 5,

The offence contravened Sec on 11(b) of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federaon of Nigeria, 2004.

Abiodun had pleaded guilty to the one count charge of illegal possession of cannabis sa va pressed against her by the NDLEA.

She pleaded with the court to temper

jus ce with mercy on her case.

Her counsel, Mr. Alfred Adegoke, told the court that she had recently lost her spouse in addi on to losing her parents when she was younger.

Adegoke also informed the court that she brought her two children to the court, one of which is about six months.

The defence counsel implored the court to be lenient in sentencing the convict who he claimed to be a first offender.

In his judgement, Jus ce Mashkur Salisu who considered Sec ons 416(2) and 460(4) of the Administra on of Criminal Jusce Act (ACJA), on the need for reforma on of the criminal, sentenced the convict to three years imprisonment with an op on of N500,000 fine.

causing health issues, disclosing that some children were already vomi ng blood.

Ade said: “We appreciate the government but the way they are trea ng us is not good. We can’t open our shops again because of the dust. When you open your mouth to talk, dust will enter into your mouth and nose.

“This is the reason why people came out to protest today. We would have appreciated if the government is wetng the roads but unfortunately, they only do that once in a day.

“The police just came now and arrested innocent residents, smashed the phone of a lady who was just receiving calls and started shoo ng teargas everywhere.

“We are appealing to men to endeavour to support their wives to take up family planning method.”

Speaking with the medium during a visit to Oke Baale Primary Health Centre, Osogbo, a Service Provider, who is also the Chief Nursing Officer and Reproducve Health Coordinator for Osogbo Local Government, Suliyat Omolaja, said more men were coming with their wives to take up family planning.

The visit was part of a 3-day training on Media Advocacy for Family Planning in Osun State supported by The Challenge of Ini a ves.

Omolaja said beside housewives that were coming for family planning, more unmarried women have also been coming to seek for her services.

She said: “In the last one year, the rate of single ladies and married women accep ng family planning methods here has increased.

“Some men are coming with their spouses for family planning and we have been encouraging more men to inculcate such prac ce.

“Family planning is very important and this is what our mobilisers have been telling both men and women whenever they go out for outreach.”

“There was agreement between the residents and the state government before the diversion began that they will be we ng the road to avoid dust but it is not enough.”

Another resident, Wahab Oyegbade, urged the state government to lay asphalt temporarily on the road so as to reduce the dust disturbing the residents.

Reac ng, the state Commissioner for Informa on and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, pleaded for more understanding from the residents, promising that the state government would look into their complaints.

He said: “Now that they have protested, we will see what the government can do to alleviate their suffering. They should understand that it just a temporary thing and the road diversion is for developmental purpose and in development, we have to sacrifice”, he stated.

The Spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, said she was not aware of the protest.

•From (L-R), Dcn. V. Godwin, Pst. Mrs. Adejumo, Pastor O. Opatunji (Regional Coord), Pst. T. Olaniyan (Regional Pst., Reg 43), Pst. Apantaku (Rep. Provost), Pst. J. Ake, Pst. O. Adepeju, Pst. O. Oyewo, Pst. O. Adebayo, Pst. O. Oladiran and Pst. T. Oluwagbemi at the Joint Matriculation of the Redeemed Christian Bible College (RCBC), West 7 Region, Breakthrough Cathedral, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, last Saturday

ASenior Shepherd of a White Garment Church at Omitoto lane 2, Oke Odo in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Evangelist Olagbaju Fadehan, has been allegedly murdered by his serving assistant, Evangelist Olalekan Ogundipe.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Fadehan was brutally killed and burnt to death by Ogundipe on Monday, February 26, 2024.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about religious leadership and conflict resolu on within the congrega on.

According to eyewitnesses, there was an alterca on between Fadehan and Ogundipe which later escalated to violent confronta on a er the close of service on Monday’s evening.

The confronta on later resulted to the alleged killing of the senior Shepherd by his assistant.

Ogundipe was said to have allegedly stabbed the deceased to death and set him ablaze with his white garment on him.

The medium learnt that police authori es from ‘C’ Divisional Police sta on, Aghun Ile-Ife were alerted to the incident which led to the arrest of the junior Shepherd.

The mo ves behind the conflict remain unclear, leaving many bewildered why such incident would happen within the short the period.

However, OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the suspect has confessed to the crime, revealing that the deceased and him were having affair with same woman who is a member of the church.

Confirming the arrest in a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, the Spokesperson of the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, disclosed that the suspect has been arrested and detained at the command.

She said: “We are aware of the incident.

The suspect has been arrested and detained at the police command for thorough inves ga on”.

However, members of the church are calling for jus ce to be served swi ly and decisively on the matter.

The church members also called for measures to be implemented to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring in the future and to foster peaceful resolu on of conflicts within the congrega on.

Kazeem Badmus

THE Vice Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Clement Adebooye, on Tuesday, disclosed that the management of the University has cut down some expenses to focus on staff welfare and academic

Don’t

•Late Fadehan•The suspect

growth.

Adebooye said the university was set to implement the public service rule which states that no staff should go home with less than 33 per cent of his salary.

He maintained that the university would ensure compliance

with the rules star ng from next month.

The VC disclosed this during the maiden annual lecture of the University Bursary Department, held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium, Main Campus, Osogbo.

According to Adebooye, some staff of

the university were collec ng less than 30 per cent of their salary as take-home, adding that the ins tu on is always commi ed to staff and student welfare.

He said: “What we have been able to do is to manage our resources. We don’t do

Extend Deadline, Group Tells Adeleke

Ismaeel Uthman

Acivil society group in Osun State, Greater Osun Agenda, has warned against the poli cisa on of the ongoing teachers recruitment exercise, just as it called for the extension of the applica on deadline.

The group, which commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for the recruitment of 5,000 teachers and 250 educa on officers, said the exercise would not only add value to the educa on sector but also help to reduce unemployment in the state.

In a press statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Jolapamo Bolanle, the group urged Adeleke to extend the applica on deadline due to reported hitches on the online applica on in the first week.

According to the group, many applicants could not submit their applica on in the first week as a result of the reported technical issue.

The statement which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads: “Our organisaon is commi ed to pushing the interest of Osun state and her people to the front burner at all mes. Based on this principle, it becomes impera ve for us to express our concern about the ongoing teachers’ recruitment as it were today.

“Firstly, we commend the Osun State Government under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke for taking the bold and decisive step of massively recrui ng five thousand teachers to booster primary and secondary educa on in the state.

“On the other however, we note the delay and difficul es experienced in the first week of the two weeks period for the online applica on process by prospec ve applicants. Un l few days ago when the issue was rec fied, many

applicants were unable to submit their online applica on.

“In the light of this, we make bold to say that the two weeks applica on period is not enough for the exercise. Therefore, we appeal to the state government to extend the deadline for the online applica on by two more weeks to give room for more people to apply.

“More so, it is equally important that we pray that the government does not poli cize the recruitment process. The government should ensure that only qualified and capable hands are employed in the interest of the growth of educa on in the state.

“The state government should give atten on to recrui ng lecturers into that state ter ary ins tuons across board, understanding that many of these instu ons have more contract and partme lecturers than the permanent staff members, thereby

making these set of part- me lecturers underemployed (many of which have been working as contract/part- me lecturer for close to 10 years).”

PUBLICATION

ADEGBOYEGA RUQAYAT OLABISI

That I was formerly known and addressed as ABDULSALAM RUQAYAT OLABISI, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEGBOYEGA

RUQAYAT OLABISI

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

LAMIDI MORILAT BOLANLE

That I was formerly known and addressed as LAMIDI MORILIAT

OMOBOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as LAMIDI MORILAT

BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADEDEJI OLUWATOYIN FOLUKE

That I was formerly known and addressed as DARAMOLA OLUWATOYIN FOLUKE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEDEJI OLUWATOYIN FOLUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

things that are not important. We only focus on academic growth and development.

“We tried as much as possible to limit ourselves in order to cater for the welfare of our staff and the development and sustenance of our academic programmes.

“We also block holes. Corrup on is almost at zero level in this university. We don’t encourage it, we don’t prac ce corrup on and we don’t bring in people who will teach us.

“By the end of March, we will not allow anyone to take home less than 33 per cent of their salary because there are people that are earning far lower than 30 per cent at present.

“So, we want to ensure that they take home at least, 33 per cent of their salary from the end of March.”

The Commissioner for Finance in the state, Shola Ogungbile, who was the chairman of the occasion, reiterated the state governor’s commitment to quality educa on.

According to him, “Governor Ademola Adeleke is always in support of the terary ins tu ons in the state both financially and in other areas.

“We are all aware of the situa on in the country now but since the educa on sector is very cri cal to the Governor of the state, we are giving our support to make sure that Osun state keeps the flag flying.”

Yusuf Oketola

JUSUN Strike: Quit Vacation, Resolve Crisis — Ozekhome Tells Osun CJ

Yusuf Oketola

LEGAL luminary and Patron of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, has advised the emba led Chief Judge of Osun State, Jus ce Adepele Ojo, to resolve the ongoing judicial crisis in the state.

Speaking on Poli cs Today on Channels TV on Tuesday, Ozekhome decried the Osun judiciary for being “on strike or forced vaca on” since November 2022, calling it a “self-immola on” by the judiciary against itself.

Ozekhome said: “It such a shame that the judiciary in Osun has been on strike or forced vacaon since November 22 last year. By the way, I’m the Patron to JUSUN and because of that, I know their plight, I know their problems.

“We usually say the judiciary is being buffeted by the Execu ve or by the Legislature, but the situa on in Osun can be likened to a scenario where the judiciary is

engaging in self-destruct or self immola on. This me, it is not the other arm of government that is dealing with the judiciary, it is the judiciary itself in Osun that is dealing with itself.

“The Chief Judge of Osun state, Jus ce Oyebola Adepele Ojo, should climb down from her high-horse and attend to the burning issue at stake. She should not behave like Nero, who was playing games when Rome was on fire. She should stop going to Canada for vaca on when the judiciary she heads is at a stands ll,” he stated.

Highligh ng what led to the current impasse between the Chief Judge and the workers under her leadership, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria emphasized that judicial workers are en tled to certain prerequisite of office and benefits of service.

He gave instance of the five emba led staff of the union who were unjustly suspended from work and arraigned in the court but at the same

me, their salaries were being paid by the government but not ge ng to the emba led workers, a situa on which led the staff and union in accusing the Chief Judge of high handedness and not obeying rule of law

among other things.

Asked about the solu on to the judicial impasse, Ozekhome said:, “Based on several instances of the past, it is only the NJC that has the disciplinary power over judges and I am aware

Stop Misuse Of Firearms, Osun Police Cautions Residents, Hunters

Kazeem Badmus

THE Osun State Police Command has warned residents of the state, especially hunters against misuse of firearms during hun ng expedi ons.

According to the police, the warning was sequel to a series of reports of accidental discharge which has led to the death of many people, while several others have also been injured in many of such circumstances.

The Police Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, in a statement on Wednesday, admonished the hunters to avoid pu ng loaded guns in their homes, as children or any other person could be tempted to play with them.

Opalola said: “The Osun State Police Command is constrained to cau on/sensi se members of the public especially hunters on the use of guns for hun ng.

“The command is confronted with incessant cases of accidental discharge or misfiring of guns which on sev-

eral occasions has led to the death of human beings.

“The police command is using this medium to cau on hunters on the need to abide by the rule(s) of a hun ng expedi on. Therefore, the com-

mand advises hunters to avoid pu ng loaded guns (s) in their homes as children or any other person could be tempted to play with them or test their level of inquisi veness.

“Also, they should desist from loading

their gun(s) in inhabited areas, to reduce the hazards of accidental discharge which is very dangerous to human lives. The command further warned that such unwholesome act of negligence will not be treated with levity.”

31,000 People Living With HIV In Osun - ECEWS

Kazeem Badmus

Atotal of 31,000 people are said to be living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Osun State.

This was disclosed by Excellence Community Educa on Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), a nongovernmental organisa on that promotes access to qualita ve healthcare.

ECEWS partners with the state government to provide treatment and sensi se people on the ways to prevent the virus.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, a Senior Technical Officer of ECEWS, Mr Adebayo Akinmoladun, noted

some of the people with the virus have not come up to seek medical assistance.

Akinmoladun stated that the organisa on was working with the state government to reduce the risk of residents contac ng the virus.

He said: “According to the 2018 surveillance that was done, Osun State is 1.9 per cent and today, it translates to 31,000 people es mated to be living with HIV in Osun State. That is what sta s cs has told us.

“One of the goals of our organisa on is to ensure treatment saturaon and take treatment to all those who are infected and find those who are not yet on treat-

ment and place them on treatment.

“We also try as much as possible to ensure that those who are not infected did not contact the virus by giving packages of preven on services to the general popula on.

“As we are going to the community to test people, we also sensise people on the best prac ces to avoid the virus and by so doing, we will be able to keep the infec on at a controlled rate and eliminate HIV in Osun State.

“We work with the state ministry of health. We are suppor ng what the state is doing to help people with the virus and it has been a frui ul collabora on.”

that the NJC currently has the pe on of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Osun State Chapter, that of the House of Assembly and that of the Execuve arm on their desk, it is now le to the Chief Jus ce of Nigeria, Jusce Olukayode Ariwoola who also doubles as the Chairman of NJC to quickly meet and resolve this ma er.

“Do you know what it means to close down the judiciary arm of government for three months? When poten al investors hear such, they may run away.

“My Lord Jus ce Adepele Ojo, I pray that you please in the name of God and in the name of all that is good for Osun State and the judiciary, look at the situa on and climb down from your high-horse. This current impasse can be resolved within 24hrs even without calling the NJC to be involved, if you really want the ma er to be resolved.”

Na onal Industrial Court Hears Summon March 4

The Na onal Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), si ng in Ibadan, has scheduled March 4, 2024, to hear the Origina ng Summons of a frontline legal praconer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) concerning the strike ac on embarked upon by JUSUN.

Presiding Jus ce Dele Peters of NICN Court 1 has fixed the date a er hearing arguments from counsels to the par es in the suit marked NICN/

IB/06/2024.

Awomolo, in his origina ng summons dated January 30, 2024, is seeking a declara on that JUSUN and its leaders at the me lacked the power to declare and maintain the industrial ac on because of a combined interpreta on of Sec ons 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act 1976 read in conjunc on with Sec ons 4 and 6 of the Trade Dispute Act 1976, Sec on 31(6) of the Trade Union Act 2005 and Rule 29 (1), (II), (III) (IV) of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (Amended Cons tu on 2016).

He is also seeking a declara on that the strike was uncons tuonal, null and void.

The former Commissioner for Jus ce and Attorney General of Osun State is praying the court for an order of mandatory injunc on compelling the judiciary workers to call off the industrial acon and direct them to resume work, having paralyzed judicial acvi es in the state since November 22, 2023.

Awomolo is also praying for an order direc ng the state’s A orney General “to ensure, facilitate and maintain reopening and con nued func on of the Judiciary of Osun State by doing all that the government of Osun State is expected under the law; and an order directing the Commissioner of Police to provide security for Osun State Judiciary workers to ensure full compliance with the order and judgment of the court.”

•Ojo

•Ozekhome

Sports •As Eagles Coach Contract Ends Seven Teams Have Contacted Me, Says Peseiro

Saudi Football Body Suspends, Fines Ronaldo A

S his contract with the Nigeria Football Federa on ends yesterday, Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, says he has already had offers from about seven teams but insists he needs a break from football.

Peseiro led Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Na ons in Ivory Coast, where the Eagles lost 2-1 to the hosts in a nervy final at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium in Abidjan.

The 63-year-old Portuguese took over the Eagles job in May 2022 a er Aus n Eguavoen vacated the posi on, but despite reaching the final of the 34th edi on of the AFCON, the future of the coach remains uncertain.

He said: “My contract ends in two days (February 29). I received a lot of opons, a lot of contacts from na onal teams or clubs. I would say 5, 6 or 7,” he said in an interview with Goal. com on Tuesday.

“I let them all know that I need to rest

and that when my contract expires I will talk about it and start thinking about other projects and decide my future. For now, I need to take a break and be calm. But I listen to the proposals and projects that are offered to me. And I evaluate whether I like it or not.”

On his future with the three- me African

Osun IPAC Condoles Adeleke’s Sister Over Husband’s Death

THE Osun Chapter of the InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC) has condoled with the Adeleke dynasty on the death of Alhaji Tohir Aderemi Sanni, the husband of Yeyeluwa Modupe Adeleke Sanni, the elder sister of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In a release made available to OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo yesterday, the Osun IPAC Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, said the late patriarch of the Sanni family was a devout Muslim and a progressive father figure who represented worthy causes ll he died.

Sanni died last Sunday at the age of 74.

Akande added that Sanni was also a noble cheerleader to Governor Adeleke, one that emboldened his vision

to lead Osun, and a strong pillar of moral support for the present administraon in the state.

The body of poli cal par es urged the deceased family to take solace in the fact that Sanni led a life worthy of emulaon by all and sundry, one that would con nue to entrench his legacies in the sands of me.

Akande said: “On behalf of the en re members and execuves of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Osun State, we condole the Adeleke dynasty, par cularly its matriarch, Yeyeluwa Modupeola Adeleke Sanni on the passing of her husband.

“While we pray Allah to grant him Al-Jannah, we are consoled by the worthy life he lived. We urge the family to con nue to maintain his legacies and the sterling quali es he stood for.”

champions, Peseiro added, “All possibilies are on the table.”

He also refused to comment on the approach from the Algerian federa on.

He added, “I don’t confirm anything. On the 29th (today), I will decide on my future or start to decide. I can listen to what is offered to me of course, but I con nue to rest.

“I told everyone to come back at the end of the month. What is certain is that I want to con nue coaching and I need to choose wisely. At this moment, I repeat, all op ons remain possible.”

Since his appointment, Peseiro has taken charge of 22 games, winning 11, losing seven and recording four draws.

SAUDI Arabia’s football governing body, on Thursday, suspended Cris ano Ronaldo for one game over a gesture he made on the pitch last weekend that was judged a “provoca on”.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federa on said the Al-Nassr captain and former Spor ng Lisbon star was also fined a total of 30,000 riyals ($8,000) for the move, which broke rules against provoking the public during a match.

The decision cannot be appealed.

Video emerged a er his side’s 3-2 win against AlShabab showing Ronaldo making a repeated thrusting gesture towards his groin in response to crowds taun ng him by chan ng the name of his long me rival, Lionel Messi. The content quickly went viral and surged to the top of Saudi social media trending topics.

Sports newspaper AlRiyadiya reported Ronaldo as saying he respected all football clubs and that the gesture expressed “strength and victory” – not offence – and was considered acceptable in Europe.

The 39-year-old, a fiveme winner of the UEFA Champions League, was the first major star to move to the kingdom when he penned a deal with AlNassr in January 2023.

Saudi Pro League teams have gone on a spending spree to lure big-name players, and the country is set to host the 2034 World Cup as part of a broader move into global sport.

France’s Karim Benzema, Brazilian star Neymar and Senegalese striker Sadio Mane have also le Europe behind for bumper pay packets in the conserva ve kingdom.

But Riyadh has been accused by its cri cs of “sportswashing” by using athle cs to improve its interna onal reputa on after widespread cri cism of its human rights and environmental record.

Omoluabi Progressives Women Meet In Oyan

As part of efforts to mobilise women into the Omoluabi Progressives caucus of Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the women wing of the group on Thursday met in Oyan, Odo-O n local government of the state for their monthly mee ng.

Led by Hon. Adeoye Olusola popularly called California, the women wooed their gender in the local government to join the caucus, describing is a pla orm for genuine progressives.

The women firstly paid homage to the Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Kilani Adekeye, where they were received by Chief Adewale Adetunji, the Asoju Oba of Oyan kingdom.

Leader of the Omoluabi Progressive caucus in the local government, Prince Jide Zubair, welcomed the women policians.

Addressing hundreds of representa ves of the caucus from the 15

wards of the local government, Olusola told the women to mobilise for the group and maintain the Omoluabi ethos.

Olusola enjoined the women to embrace any individual who show interest in joining the caucus, saying “Let us also embrace the IleriOluwa members into our caucus, they are coming in large number.”

She lauded the leadership of the Omoluabi Progressives in the local government for welcoming them, just as she charged them to con nue to spread the

gospel of the caucus to the grassroots.

In his special message, Zubair described the visit of the state leadership of the women wing of the caucus as much needed to encourage other members.

He maintained that despite the shenanigans of the APC leadership, former governor Rauf Aregbesola remains his leader who he will con nue to be loyal to.

Zubair thanked all women of APC who are loyal to Aregbesola in Odo-O n local gov-

ernment, appealing to them not to stop mobilising their gender into the caucus.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the caucus in Odo-O n local government, Mrs Adesoye Aderonke, while introducing the caucus to Oba Adekeye at his palace, said the Omoluabi Progressives is a group of virtuous members of the APC in the state.

PUBLICATION

OWOLABI LUKMAN USMAN

That I was formerly known and addressed as OWOLABI MLUKEMAN OBASANJO, now wish to be known and addressed as OWOLABI LUKMAN USMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

BOLARIN MARY FUNMILAYO

That I was formerly known and addressed as AREMU MARY FUNMILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as BOLARIN MARY FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Ismaeel Uthman

Titilope Adako

WITH the excep on of the policians wielding poli cal power at all levels – Federal, States and Local Governments – the majority of Nigerians, especially the poor working people are living in a hellfire vis-àvis prohibi ve prices of foodstuffs and other consumables. By poor working people, I mean average workers, market women, traders, ar sans, students and unemployed. While their earnings have remained the same, the prices of daily necessi es of life have con nued to skyrocket beyond their reach on a daily basis to the extent that they are finding it extremely difficult to breathe. Yes, we had had economic recession in the past and survived it. What is happening now is not a recession; it is a systemic structural adjustment programme aimed at bleeding out the poor working people for the insa able greed and profligacy of the ruling elite.

Before the current hunger explosion, the state of insecurity in the land has obstructed farming ac vi es as herdsmen have con nued to invade farmlands, killing farmers on their farms, for their cows to feed which has become rou ne, with no solu on from the government, especially throughout the eight years administra on of President Muhammadu Buhari. The herdsmen saw him as their kinsman who would protect them; hence, they operated with impunity throughout. And any a empt by the farmers to resist invasion of their farmland and defend their means of livelihood has always resulted into killings and burning of their farmland. Apart from those injured and missing that cannot be accounted, over 38,000 deaths were recorded in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States as of September 2023 while several are killed in Benue State, right on their farmland by

“As he has pleaded with his fellow heads of state in ECOWAS to suspend their economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, so he needs to reverse his IMF and World Bank induced fuel subsidy removal and floating of Naira”

Breaking The Socio-economic Lockjam

herdsmen.

With the mentality of their kinsman in power, these herdsmen came down the south to unleash same terror on people’s farmland. Remember Igangan community in Ibarapa North Area of Oyo state where many farmers were killed and their farmland burnt by suspected herdsmen and what became of Sunday Igboho who was leading assault against these herdsmen and calling for their expulsion from the South-West; Ago-Owu farm se lement herdsmen a acks of farmers on their farmland, to men on but just two. These struggles led to the call for Ruga in every state by the Buhari led government, which was eventually turned down as it was seen as a grand design by the Fulani to capture the en re country under the guise of Ruga. The long and short of it is that farming ac vi es were disrupted and destroyed as farmers who were lucky to escape death abandoned farming for other engagements. With this development, one doesn’t need a seer to state that there would be repercussion on food produc on. And upon all these crises and under the guise of prin ng new naira notes, naira was made unavailable for average Nigerians to fund day-to-day ac vi es spiced with scarcity of petrol ll the 2023 general elec ons.

The poor people persevered with the expecta on that a er the elec on and enthronement of a new administraon, things would turn around for better. And the elec ons came and went, winners emerged and people were looking forward to the swearing-in of the new administra on with the mantra, ‘Renewed Hope’. To the surprise of everybody on his inaugura on day, outside his prepared official inaugural speech, President Tinubu declared, ‘oil subsidy is gone’ and subsequently

started devalua on of Naira! These twin policies are structural adjustment programmes of IMF and World Bank, ini ated right before any stakeholders’ consulta on much else cons tu ng a cabinet or holding the first Execu ve Council Mee ng!

As a governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Tinubu was said to be an achiever Governor but a Governor does not determine economic policies or declare war; a President does. A Governor could take a boald but risky ini a ve and boomerang and yet, go scot-free; a President cannot as he/she must have a thorough theore cal grasp of issues at hand especially on economy and war, weigh their interplay with local reality and likely consequences and have a plan ‘B’ should unforeseen development come up. He/she must have a broad poli cal compass and ideological lean with which he/she anchors his/ her choices. As he was casual with Breton woods socio-economic choice for Nigeria, so he almost intervened militarily against Nigerien government last year under the pla orm of ECOWAS.

As he has pleaded with his fellow heads of state in ECOWAS to suspend their economic sanc ons against Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, so he needs to reverse his IMF and World Bank induced fuel subsidy removal and floa ng of Naira. Breton woods socioeconomic pills have never yielded good fruits for underdeveloped countries like Nigeria; what they bring is sorrow, tears and blood for the mass majority of the people while an infinitesimal proporon of the popula on – the ruling elite – will be stupendously rich.

As the so-called rice pallia ves and money routed to the states via governors couldn’t make any impact in ameliora ng food scarcity and hunger in the

“The poor people have persevered enough; they have shown understanding while expressing their discomfort and pains but they cannot continue to live in hunger and starvation brought about by twin policies of fuel subsidy removal and floating of Naira. The only sure path to breaking the socio-economic lockjam is reversal to pre-May 29, 2023 fuel price of N195 per litre and immediate halt to the floating of Naira”

land, so will newly inaugurated triparte commi ee - Economic Advisory Commi ee - comprising Federal Government, Sub-na onals and Private Sector to address Nigeria economic woes be no solu on. One, it is predominantly peopled by poli cians and capitalist businessmen who have largely contributed to same woes they are expected to address. Most of its members have always profited from successive governments substandard prac ces, inflated contracts, foreign exchange alloca ons, etc; they have bought our collec ve naonal assets for their personal benefits at give away prices; and there is no singular representa ve of the poor people like organised labour, Civil Society, professionals, etc in it.

The poor people have persevered enough; they have shown understanding while expressing their discomfort and pains but they cannot con nue to live in hunger and starva on brought about by twin policies of fuel subsidy removal and floa ng of Naira. The only sure path to breaking the socio-economic lockjam is reversal to pre-May 29, 2023 fuel price of N195 per litre and immediate halt to the floa ng of Naira. Security challenges must be addressed with CBN special grants and loans with long moratorium to farmers. Whatever happens therea er should be a well-thought out, me culously planned policy, with extensive inputs from stakeholders and experts, on how to redeem the economy for the benefit of the majority. Any other exer on outside this is a mere scratch of the surface of a complex socio-economic issue.