FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
VOL 21 NO 83
•(L-R) Former Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Titilayo Laoye Ponle, whose ATUNTO INITIATIVE has collapsed former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wale Afolabi, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and others at the inauguration of Osun State Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Oasis Event Centre, Osogbo, yesterday Photo: Shola Aderinto Shola Aderinto HE inaugura on of the Osun State Presiden al Campaign Council (PCC) for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ex-
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posed deep cracks in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party split over the council coordinated by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The inaugura on, held yesterday, at the Oasis Event Centre, Osogbo, recorded par al a endance, with leaders loyal to Minister Gboyega Oyetola shun-
ning the event. Governor Adeleke, who was appointed State Coordinator for Tinubu’s re-elec on bid, had on Wednesday, through his
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spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, announced a massive bipar san council comprising leaders of the APC, PDP and Accord Party. The controversial list included APC heavyweights like former Interim Naonal Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, immediate past Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Iyiola Omisore and APC Na onal Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, without their consent, alongside all APC Naonal Assembly and House
of Assembly candidates. The arrangement collapsed on Wednesday evening when the APC leadership disowned it. In a scathing statement released on Wednesday, the Osun APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, declared that the party was never briefed and only saw the names on social media. “We Weren’t Briefed About PCC Inaugura on For Tinubu In Osun,” the party stated bluntly. The APC accused Governor Adeleke of trea ng the re-elec on of a si ng President like a ward meeting, saying less than 12 hours no ce was given for such a sensi ve na onal assignment. “We are talking about the re-elec on of the President of the na on under the largest democra c party in Sub-Sahara Africa and not the elec on of a council chairman or that of a councillor,” Lawal fired. The party alleged that the hurried lis ng of its leaders without any meeting with the party leadership was a deliberate ploy to set the Osun APC against President Tinubu. Findings by OSUN DEFENDER at Oasis yesterday confirmed the division. Those who a ended were APC leaders who were recently inaugurated as part of the Na onal PCC commi ee in Abuja. They are Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Iyiola Omisore, APC Na onal Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, former Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Ti layo Laoye Ponle and Senator Sola Adeyeye. However, the main state structure shunned •Continued on page 2
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
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2027: Osun PCC Inauguration Splits APC As Oyetola, Lawal Shun Adeleke-led Event •Continued from front page
the event. Those conspicuously absent include Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola himself, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, Senator Jide Omoworare, APC candidates for House and Na onal Assemblies and other members of the state execu ve loyal to the Oyetola fac on. Party sources said the boyco has exposed a major crack that may work against President Tinubu in 2027. According to the sources, sidelining the APC state exco led by Sooko Lawal and imposing a council from the Government House will backfire.
“You cannot win Osun for Tinubu without the APC structure. You cannot list our candidates and leaders on Facebook and expect them to show up. Adeleke is the Coordinator, but he needs the APC to win. If the structure shuns the council, the President is the loser,” a top APC chieftain told OSUN DEFENDER. While admi ng that Adeleke’s appointment could help Tinubu, the Osun APC insisted that the process is faulty and must be corrected if the President’s re-elec on project is to be taken seriously in Osun.
•Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura (right), exchanging pleasantries with the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, Commandant Toma Enya, during the CP’s unscheduled visit to the NSCDC Command Headquarters, Ido-Osun, on Tuesday
Owa Obokun Bans Land Grabbers, Ebola: Osun Residents Task Govt On Vigilance, Warns Against Oppression In Ijesaland Prevention Measures
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Shola Aderinto
HE Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, has banned the acvi es of land grabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile, and the arbitrary use of community authority to oppress residents in Ijesaland. Oba Haastrup declared that extor on, in midaon and harassment of genuine landowners and developers have no place in Ijesaland. The monarch made the declara on while inaugura ng the recons tuted 9-man Owa Commi ee on Land Ma ers and Chie aincy Affairs in his palace at Ilesa. He described land as a source of home, livelihood, iden ty and investment capable of sustaining families for genera ons, but said it becomes a source of fear when managed through in mida on and extoron. “During my coronaon, I made it clear that the throne alone is not what is paramount to me. The unity, peace, security and stability of Ijesaland are equally paramount. “The authority of this stool carries a duty to serve our people, preserve our heritage, safeguard their dignity and ensure that no person is oppressed because of status, influence, wealth, family or posi on,” Oba Haastrup said. The Paramount Ruler called on law enforcement agencies to be professional, neutral and impar al in handling land disputes. According to him, security agencies must not become instruments of one party against an-
other, especially where government-owned land and public assets are involved. He cited the recent dispute involving land associated with the Levens Founda on near Ilesa, no ng that such ma ers could threaten public peace if not handled with due process. “The proper response is not to inflame the dispute, but to establish the facts, respect lawful ownership and prevent avoidable conflict,” he added. Oba Haastrup disclosed that the committee was cons tuted a er careful considera on of character, competence and integrity, based on the report of the Nominaon Commi ee headed by former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Erelu Olusola Obada. The report, he said, was submi ed on October 10, 2026, while the membership was announced on October 12. “Since the announcement, I have received encouraging comments that the commi ee brings together individuals of character and integrity. I welcome that confidence, but I remind you that public confidence must be earned and sustained through your conduct,” he said. Charging the committee members, the monarch said their appointment should not be seen as a badge of privilege but as a serious responsibility. He stressed that all processes must be transparent, evidence-based and free from personal interest. “No member should use this assignment to advance a private interest, se le a personal score, in midate a party or confer advantage on
rela ves, friends or associates,” he warned. He added that while tradi onal tools of media on, arbitra on and reconcilia on remain valuable, they must be applied within the limits of customary law, the Land Use Act and other relevant laws. Earlier, Chairperson of the Nomina on Committee, Erelu Olusola AgbejaObada, said nomina ons were made in accordance with due process. Barrister Dupe Gbadebo Ajayi administered the oath of allegiance to eight members of the committee, while Hon. Jus ce Adedotun Onibokun, who will serve as Honorary Consultant, affirmed her allegiance to the Owa. Speaking on behalf of the commi ee, Professor Olu Obi assured the people of Ijesaland that the commi ee would uphold fairness and jus ce. The commi ee is chaired by Pa Ebenezer Ademola Adefalu. Other members are Oba Peter Adebamigbe Ataiyero, the Asiwaju of Isireyun; Reverend Samsunneo Abiodun Olugbenga Osungbohun; Mr. Isaac Orolugbagbe; Professor Olu Obi; Chief Yemisi Ariyibi; Professor Kola Kazeem; Chief Sunday Daisi Daramola, Ajiroba of Ipetu-Ijesa; and Hon. Jusce Adedotun Onibokun as Honorary Consultant. Present at the inaugura on were the Obaala of Ilesa, High Chief Adeniyi Ibitoye; Ogboni of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro; Ogboni of Ilesa, High Chief Saka Fapounda; Obaodo of Ilesa, High Chief Samuel Oginni; Odole of Ilesa, High Chief Afolabi Makanjuola; Lejoka of Ilesa, High Chief Ojo Omoniyi, and Yeyerise of Ilesa, among other chiefs.
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Israel Oladele
ESIDENTS of Osun State have urged the government to intensify public enlightenment and strengthen preven ve measures against Ebola, expressing concerns over what they described as a lack of visible preparedness in hotels, markets and schools across the state. A survey conducted by Osun Defender in Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa and Iwo revealed that normal ac-
vi es had con nued in many public places despite concerns surrounding the reported index case, with limited evidence of precauonary measures in some of the facili es visited. In Osogbo and Ile-Ife, checks across five hotels showed that none of the facili es visited had visible temperature-screening equipment or a clearly established Ebola-specific preven ve arrangement. Hotel managers and supervisors also appeared to be maintaining business as usual ahead of the week-
NANS Orders Osun Students To Stop Paying N10, 000 Tax Clearance Fee, Gives OIRS 7-Day Ultimatum
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HE Na onal Associa on of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has ordered students of Osun State-owned ter ary ins tu ons to stop paying the disputed tax clearance charges imposed by the Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS). The student body alleged that students are being forced to pay between N8,000 and N10,000 for tax clearance even when their parents have evidence of tax compliance. The direc ve was contained in a joint statement issued on Tuesday by the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Adeyemo Kayode and the Assistant General Secretary, Comrade Abubakar Musefiu. NANS said its fact-finding team confirmed complaints earlier raised in a pe on submi ed to OIRS by the NANS Joint Campus Council (JCC), Osun Chapter on October 8, 2026. According to the associaon, students whose parents already have tax clearance cer ficates are being delayed during registra on pending verifica on, while those who make fresh payments are cleared immediately.
It described the prac ce as exploita ve and capable of forcing students into double payment due to fear of missing registra on deadlines. The associa on asked the Ac ng Chairman of OIRS, Alhaji Solanke Hamzat, to publicly explain the law backing the charges, the approved rates, and why students whose parents are tax compliant are s ll asked to pay. NANS clarified that its direc ve affects only the disputed tax clearance charges and not tui on fees or other legi mate school charges. It urged managements of ter ary ins tu ons not to deny affected students registra on, admission or access to examina ons over the tax verifica on issue. The student body also directed affected students to preserve evidence including receipts, payment demands and screenshots of their registra on portals and submit them through their SUGs to the JCC for colla on. NANS gave OIRS seven days, ending October 27, 2026, to respond to its pe on in wri ng, publish the relevant revenue laws and rates, and begin resolu on of all pending complaints.
end period. Unlike during the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey did not observe widespread use of face masks among hotel workers as only one of the five hotels indicated plans to procure face masks for staff and guests. A manager who spoke on condi on of anonymity said the hotel was considering the use of face masks by its workers but had no plans to make them compulsory for guests. Similar concerns were observed at Lagere Market in Ile-Ife, where traders appeared more focused on their daily commercial ac vi es than on the poten al health threat. A empts to engage some traders on Ebola preparedness proved difficult. The atmosphere was similar in markets visited in Osogbo and Iwo, where there was li le visible indica on of coordinated public awareness or preven ve ac vi es. Schools also appeared to lack a visible, coordinated response to the reported case. A empts to obtain comments from teachers’ unions were also unsuccessful as of the me of filing this report. However, the survey observed encouraging signs of preparedness in public and private hospitals, which appeared better posi oned to respond to poten al cases. Other residents stressed that although panic should be avoided, public complacency must not be allowed to undermine preven ve efforts. They called on the government to provide clear guidance on symptoms, transmission, repor ng procedures and infec on preven on, while ensuring that relevant ins tuons and frontline workers receive appropriate informa on and support.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
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HE confirma on of an Ebola case in Nigeria should not catch the country off guard. Unlike the Scout mo o, “Be Prepared”, Nigeria has repeatedly demonstrated a troubling inability to an cipate crises, plan ahead and implement preven ve measures before emergencies spiral out of control. Following the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the more recent COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria ought to have strengthened its public health infrastructure and established effec ve systems for detec ng and containing future epidemics. Health emergencies rarely announce their arrival. Yet, despite painful lessons from previous outbreaks, our preparedness remains ques onable. Nigeria is not alone in confronting ques ons about pandemic preparedness. The United Kingdom, for instance, has faced renewed scru ny over its handling of COVID-19. The difference lies in the willingness of serious socie es to inves gate failures, demand accountability and implement reforms. Nigeria must develop the same commitment to ins tu onal learning. Sadly, our country has perfected the art of evading responsibility. Inves ga ons are abandoned, recommenda ons ignored and officials rarely held accountable for ins tu onal failures. We have ins tu ons on paper, but weak oversight and bureaucra c complacency frequently undermine their effec veness. This culture must change. The Ebola outbreak in the Democra c Republic of the Congo should have provided sufficient warning for Nigeria to strengthen surveillance, border screening and containment protocols. We must also honour Dr Stella Adadevoh, whose courage and professionalism during the 2014 outbreak helped prevent a poten ally devasta ng na onal catastrophe. Dr Adadevoh paid the ul mate price for her dedica on to duty. Nigeria owes her an enduring debt of gra tude that must go beyond annual tributes. We reiterate our call for a major na onal medical ins tu on to be established in her honour, dedicated to infec ous
“With the latest case confirmed, there is no room for complacency. Authorities must intensify surveillance, contact tracing, testing and infection prevention. Screening at airports, seaports and land borders must be strengthened, without exemptions for politically connected individuals”
lance, contact tracing, tes ng and infec on preven on. Screening at airports, seaports and land borders must be strengthened, without exemp ons for poli cally connected individuals. The ques on, “Do you know who I am?” must never override public health rules. Nigeria’s Port Health Services also require comprehensive restructuring, modern equipment, trained personnel and strict adherence to interna onal standards. Special a en on must be given to internally displaced persons’ camps, markets, schools, overcrowded se lements and other places where people congregate. The Federal Government must provide the necessary funding. Laboratories, health facili es and frontline workers need adequate resources to perform their du es. This is a na onal emergency and must be treated as a na onal security priority. Elec oneering, parsan rivalries and poli cal ambions must take a back seat. Ebola’s return must not trigger another cycle of panic, promises and forge ulness. Nigeria must contain the present threat and build a public health system that an cipates emergencies rather than merely reacts to them. We With the latest case confirmed, cannot afford to learn the same there is no room for complacency. lessons repeatedly at the expense Authori es must intensify surveil- of human lives.
Ebola Returns
disease research, emergency preparedness and the training of public health professionals.
Osun Security Investment In Drones And AI
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E welcome with relief every ini a ve that places the security, safety and well-being of Osun residents at the forefront of governance. In confron ng unconvenonal threats, technology, intelligence and specialised personnel must play central roles. It is against this background that the state government’s proposed investment in drones, ar ficial intelligence and modern surveillance systems deserves considera on. The ini a ve is mely, but its success will depend on sustainable funding, effec ve implementa on and accountability. The government should incorporate the programme into its 2027 budget proposal, subjec ng expenditure to rigorous legisla ve scruny and cost-benefit assessment. Ideally, Osun should adopt a fouryear Defence Investment Programme, providing a strategic framework for short, medium and long-term security objec ves. This would ensure predictable funding, prevent policy discon nuity and reduce the risk of abandoned projects. Recruitment into technical and opera onal posi ons must also be strictly merit-based, not a reward for poli cal loyalty or an exercise in patronage. The demands of modern security opera ons leave no room for the familiar prac ce of jobs for the boys. We further recommend three technology-driven command centres, one in each senatorial district, to facilitate
coordinated surveillance, intelligence sharing and rapid response across the state. Properly integrated, these centres would improve opera onal coverage and reduce delays in responding to emerging threats. Equally important is the development of specialised security personnel, with the Amotekun Corps serving as a key opera onal component. Subject to applicable laws and necessary federal approvals, suitably trained personnel should be equipped to complement conven onal security agencies, par cularly in forested and difficult-to-access areas. Specialised forest rangers, supported by drone surveillance, intelligence and appropriate protec ve equipment, should
form part of this strategy. Osun should also explore lawful interna onal partnerships, including technical training and capacity-building arrangements with experienced partners in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. Such coopera on could strengthen local exper se and improve opera onal standards. The government’s ini a ve is commendable, but technology alone cannot guarantee security. Its effecveness will depend on professional personnel, reliable intelligence, adequate maintenance, clear opera onal protocols and respect for human rights. The Osun State House of Assembly must therefore exercise robust oversight, ensuring transparent procureOSUN DEFENDER ment, measurable perPublisher – Moremi Publishing formance targets and House Ltd. regular public reportAc ng Deputy Editor – Sodiq Yusuf ing on expenditure and Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto results. Security is a Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere collec ve responsibilProduc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa ity, and every resident has a stake in the outOSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing come. The objec ve House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, must be a sustainable, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. accountable and techISSN : 0794-8050 nology-driven security Telephone : 0809-301-9152 architecture that proWebsite : www.osundefender.com/index.php tects lives, strengthens e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com public confidence and osundefenderbank@gmail.com safeguards Osun’s fuAll correspondence to the above email addresses. ture.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 83 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
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HERE is a common saying that “paence is a virtue.” Unfortunately, it is a virtue that seems to be disappearing from many aspects of Nigerian life. Everywhere one looks, there is a growing culture of impa ence, a relentless desire to be first, to move faster than everyone else, and to achieve results instantly. Whether at airports, on the highways, in banks, at markets, while ea ng, during a simple phone conversa on, or, I dare say, even during sexual ac vity, many Nigerians appear to be in a perpetual race against me. Ironically, much of this rushing achieves very li le. Instead, it breeds confusion, anxiety, conflict and avoidable tragedy. We have become a people in a hurry, yet our haste o en leaves us standing s ll or, worse, taking several steps backwards. One of the most striking examples can be seen at airports. The moment an aircra touches the runway, many passengers immediately unfasten their seat belts, stand up, reach for their luggage and crowd the aisle, even before the aircra has come to a complete stop. Everyone aboard will eventually disembark, yet many behave as though a few extra seconds would determine their des ny. Even more disturbing is the rush to switch on mobile phones while the aircra is s ll taxiing. Despite repeated announcements from the flight crew asking passengers to keep their devices off or in flight mode un l instructed otherwise, some hurriedly power up their phones to make calls or send messages. Even when cau oned, they ignore the crew, convinced that those few minutes cannot possibly ma er. The ques on I o en ask is simple: What exactly is so urgent? If the aircra had been delayed in the air for another fi een or twenty minutes, would anyone have died because a telephone call was delayed? Would the world have come to an end because a text message was sent half an hour later? The answer is almost always no. Yet many choose to disregard safety instrucons for the sake of a conversa on that could easily wait. Whether or not such phone use materially affects an aircra ’s systems, the deeper issue is our willingness to ignore rules designed for everyone’s safety simply because we are unwilling to wait. That a tude says much about us as a society. The same behaviour is evident on Nigerian roads. Drivers frequently overtake dangerously, ignore traffic lights, drive against the flow of traffic, refuse to yield to others and create addional lanes where none exists. They are desperate to save a few minutes. Ironically, these reckless ac ons frequently worsen traffic conges on, cause accidents and claim innocent lives. Every year, countless road crashes result not
PERSPECTIVE
BY MUIZ BANIRE
Nigeria’s Culture Of Hurry And Why We Must Learn To Wait
merely from mechanical failure but from impa ence, indiscipline and disregard for the law. Sadly, the impa ence does not end there. The culture extends into virtually every public space. In banks, hospitals, government offices, fuel sta ons and supermarkets, many people are unwilling to wait their turn. Queue-jumping has become so common that orderly lines o en dissolve into pushing, arguments and disorder. Instead of respec ng fairness, some believe aggressiveness is the quickest path to service. This same mentality is visible during elec ons. Rather than allowing ins tu ons to funcon and legal processes to run their course, many ci zens demand instant declara ons, instant judgments and instant victories. We o en mistake speed for efficiency, forgetng that jus ce, like democracy itself, requires pa ence. Even our religious life is not immune. Increasingly, many people seek miracles without sacrifice, breakthroughs without prepara on and prosperity without diligence. The culture of wealth without labour or conscience has permeated our society to the extent that people commit all manner of evils without thinking of consequences. The popularity of “instant solu ons” to life’s problems reflects the same societal impa ence that drives many to seek shortcuts instead of enduring the discipline required for las ng success. Mobile phone e que e also reveals this impa ence. Some people expect their calls to be answered immediately, regardless of whether the recipient is a ending a mee ng, driving, praying, resting, sleeping or responding to an emergency. If a call goes unanswered a er a few rings, repeated calls follow, some mes accompanied by accusa ons of being ignored. Likewise, many become anxious or offended when messages are not replied to instantly, forge ng that every individual has responsibili es, priori es and a personal schedule. Remarkably, this impa ence extends even to ea ng. Many Nigerians consume meals in great haste, swallowing food without chewing properly or taking me to enjoy it. Although the food is not going anywhere, they eat as though they were compe ng in an Olympic event, or that the food will go out of fashion. Nutri onists have repeatedly warned that hurried ea ng contributes to indigeson, overea ng, obesity and other digesve disorders. Even in something as personal and pleasurable as ea ng, we seem unable to slow down. The culture of haste is perhaps most dangerous in our pursuit of wealth and success. Increasingly, many young people desire instant prosperity without apprecia ng that genuine success is built through years of educa on, disci-
pline, sacrifice, consistency and hard work. Society glorifies sudden wealth while paying li le a en on to the long process through which honest success is achieved. Consequently, many are tempted into internet fraud, financial scams, examinaon malprac ce, corrup on, kidnapping, ritual crimes and other criminal enterprises simply because they are unwilling to wait. The obsession with “making it” at all costs has become one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s moral fabric. The entertainment industry and social media have not helped ma ers. Every day, young people scroll through carefully curated images of luxury cars, expensive holidays and extravagant lifestyles. What they rarely see are the years of struggle, failure and perseverance that genuine achievement requires. The illusion of overnight success creates unrealis c expecta ons, leading many to believe that if success does not come quickly, something must be wrong. Parents are not enrely blameless either. In some homes, children are given everything they desire immediately. They grow up without learning delayed gra fica on, resilience or selfcontrol. By adulthood, wai ng becomes almost unbearable because pa ence was never cul vated during childhood. What, then, has caused this na onal impa ence? Economic hardship undoubtedly plays a role. Infla on, unemployment, insecurity and uncertainty make people anxious about survival. Long queues, unreliable public services, heavy traffic and bureaucra c delays condi on people to believe that unless they push themselves forward, they may never be served. While these frustra ons are understandable, they do not jus fy disorderly behaviour. However understandable these pressures may be, impa ence is never the soluon. A society where everyone refuses to wait their turn gradually descends into chaos. It is, quite simply, an invita on to anarchy. Respect for rules disappears. Courtesy gives way to aggression. Trust declines. Ins tu ons weaken. Na onal produc vity suffers because energy that should be devoted to development is wasted managing needless disorder. The consequences are far-reaching. Road accidents claim thousands of lives, create widows or widowers and make children orphans. Workplace conflicts increase. Families experience unnecessary tension. Businesses lose customers because of poor service and disorder. Health problems mulply as people live under constant pressure. Corrup on flourishes because people seek shortcuts instead of due process. Above all, the na on loses the values of discipline, responsibility and mutual re-
P2 spect upon which every successful society is built. Changing this culture requires a deliberate na onal effort. Parents must teach children that pa ence is strength, not weakness. Schools should place greater emphasis on discipline, civic responsibility and character forma on alongside academic excellence. Religious ins tu ons should con nue to preach perseverance, integrity and respect for others rather than promoting the illusion of instant breakthroughs. When religious ins tu ons praise philanthropy without seeking to know the source of the wealth being lavished on them, they reduce faith in religious injunc ons of paence and wai ng on God. Government also has a cri cal responsibility. Public ins tu ons must become more efficient, transparent and predictable so that ci zens regain confidence in orderly systems. At the same me, laws must be enforced consistently and without favouri sm. Traffic regula ons, queue management, public order laws and other civic rules must apply equally to everyone, regardless of status or influence. Respect for the law is indispensable to restoring paence and order in society. The media, too, has an important role. Rather than celebra ng overnight millionaires and sensa onal success stories, it should highlight examples of perseverance, integrity and long-term achievement. Naons are built not by shortcuts but by sustained efforts. Ul mately, however, the responsibility rests with each individual Nigerian. Every one of us must recognise that not every delay is a disaster. Wai ng our turn, obeying safety instruc ons, respec ng queues, driving responsibly, ea ng calmly and allowing others the me to respond are simple habits that collec vely build a more peaceful, orderly and produc ve society. There is so much to learn from the lifestyles of the Japanese. Theirs is a society where ethics and morality have become so ins tu onalised that depar ng from them is unimaginable to many of their ci zens. Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not merely economic or poli cal; it is also behavioural. Na onal transforma on begins with personal conduct. A people who cannot wait for an aircra to park before standing, who cannot remain in a queue without pushing, who cannot obey traffic light, who cannot pa ently build success through honest efforts, or who cannot postpone immediate gra fica on for greater future rewards, will struggle to build a stable, prosperous and respected na on. Perhaps it is me for Nigerians to slow down, not because life is easy, but because wisdom o en begins where impa ence ends. Pa ence is not laziness. It is not weakness. It is disciplined self-control. It is respect for rules. It is considera on for others. It is confidence that what belongs to you will not disappear simply because you waited your turn. History teaches us that no enduring civilisa on has ever been built on haste. Great na ons are built pa ently, brick upon brick, ins tu on upon ins tu on, genera on upon genera on. If Nigeria truly desires sustainable development, na onal unity and las ng prosperity, then we must first rediscover one forgo en virtue: the pa ence to wait, the discipline to obey and the wisdom to understand that not everything worthwhile happens instantly. •Banire, an erudite lawyer and academic, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. •(Culled from The Daily Sun Newspaper of July 30, 2026)
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Acting Deputy Editor, SODIQ YUSUF, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.comAmconseq uatissim del estrud dolortie min vent dolore dit wiscips u