Osun Defender Newspaper Online Version of September 26, 2025 by Osun Defender Newspaper

In Osun, Communities Resort To Self-Help Over Lack Of Teachers

THE con nued delay in the 2024 Osun teachers’ recruitment has forced many communi es in the state to resort to self-help by taking responsibility of the government upon themselves.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that many public schools in the state lack the required numbers of teachers. This has made the host communi es engage the service of private teachers to ﬁll the gap.

Inves ga on by the medium also revealed that some tradi onal rulers and chiefs in some communi es have taken it upon themselves as a responsibility to teach in their schools.

Recently, in an interview with the Elende of Eko-Ekoende, Oba Adekunle Abdulwaheed Babatunde, the monarch asserted that he and his chiefs have been assis ng in teaching at the community school.

Oba Adekunle appealed to the state government to expedite ac on on the pending teachers’ recruitment exercise while also ci ng some of the challenges faced by Ademola Adeleke’s administra on.

He said: “When we no ced last me that the government is not recrui ng teachers, I personally and some other chiefs like Baba Oba, a re red teacher, have been assis ng in the school. One of my chiefs is taking Chemistry, Physics and Mathema cs, Islamic Studies and Chris an Religious studies. I am taking the student Financial Accoun ng.

“We are doing our best and presently we have not less than three teachers that I recruited and pay their salaries on a regular basis. We appeal to the government that they should conclude the teachers’ recruitment in no me. I also understand that there are a lot of factors causing the delay in the recruitment because I am privy to some certain things.”

Also, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some schools for persons with special needs in the state are also in dire need of teachers,

•As 5,000 Awaiting Teachers Tell Govt To Expedite Action On Recruitment Process

especially interpreters for the deaf students.

At Bap st Grammar School, Iwo, out of the six needed interpreters, two were engaged and paid by individuals.

But the government has blamed the delay in the conclusion of the recruitment exercise to the withheld local government alloca on by the Federal Government.

Some of the awaiting 5000 teachers have taken to social media to challenge the state government on why their appointment letters are taking endless

In his own comment, Aremo Ola Raphael berated the government for turning deaf ears to the cry of the successful candidates.

Rapheal wrote: “It’s not diﬃcult to pay the governor and his cabinet salaries, even the controversial local government elected personali es are getng s pends that’s far above level 12 teachers. Now 5000 able Osun indigenes are handicapped, they cannot provide for their family and le wretched even in the face of current

economic hardship for almost 2 years. These ones purchase forms, write exams and rigorous interviews.

“The ci zens on their own sent their children to a well-structured school without a teacher and called it school. Even the opposi on sees nothing wrong with it since they were equally failures. All they are dragging is their poli cal interest.

“Elec on is around the corner; they want to progress while they leave 5000 graduate retarded with their family members. They

are mortgaging people’s lives for roads and bridges. Nemesis will deﬁnitely catch up with them. Disappoin ngly, some gullible will s ll defend them here as if we’re asking them to employ from their family wealth. Thousands re red since 2013 without replacement and transfer of service is going on every day. Bunch of failures.”

According to Jesutobiloba Abiodun, the future of educa on in Osun State cannot remain on hold indeﬁnitely due to the delay in comple on of the

Osun 2026: ADC Ready To Face, Defeat Adeleke - Senator Ogunwale

Kazeem Badmus

Achie ain of the African Democratic Congress, Senator Felix Ogunwale, has said the party will defeat incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in the August 8, 2026 elec on.

This was, as he said, that Adeleke would not be allowed in the ADC because he had pledged his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu.

The former Senator who represented Osun Central Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007, said ADC is ready to face Adeleke and other contestants in the forthcoming gubernatorial elec on.

Speaking during a private radio programme in Osogbo, the former lawmaker said he le the Peoples Democra c Party because of former Vice President, A ku Abubakar.

Ogunwale said, “When rumours came out that Governor Ademola Adeleke wants to join our party, I told some people that it is not possible because Adeleke had gone to pledge his support for President Bola Tinubu and the ADC will also have its presiden al candidate.

So, how will his coming to ADC be possible?

“ADC is ready to face Governor Ademola Adeleke and other polical par es on August 08, 2026, and we are going to win that elec on.

“I le the PDP to follow A ku Abubakar to the PDP and I knew that the Osun State government might not want to decamp to the ADC. A ku is my leader and I will always respect his opinion politically on any issue before I take ac-

on.”

Answering ques ons on insinua ons that those who formed the coali on party were poli cians who have nothing to oﬀer Nigerians, Ogunwale said the ac ons of the All Progressives Congress since the coali on party was formed only showed that President Bola Tinubu’s government was ji ery.

According to him, “If the APC members really believe that we are yesterday’s poli cians, they should leave us alone. Why are they harassing our members with EFCC and security opera ves if they are not scared?”

He added that, “ADC does not need the governors to join the party. Most of these governors have performed woefully and the people are just wai ng for the elec on to send them packing. What we need are the electorates.

teachers’ recruitment exercise.

“It has been over a year since the teacher recruitment process began, yet we are s ll le in uncertainty. Many of us have waited pa ently, hopeful that the government would bring this exercise to a conclusion. Sadly, the silence has gone on for too long.

“We believe it is me to come together and peacefully make our voices heard. This is not about confrontaon, but about standing united in dignity and respect, to remind the government that our future — and the future of educa on in our state — cannot remain on hold indeﬁnitely.

“Let us gather peacefully, with one voice, carrying only our message of fairness, transparency, and jus ce. No violence, no insults — only the strength of our unity and the truth of our cause.

“Together, we can make a diﬀerence. How do they know they are successful or not and what are they going to do on the portal when the interview process has been concluded? They should wait ll the right me when the names of the successful candidates will be announced,” Abiodun wrote.

Some of the applicants also alleged that the recruitment portal has shut down. But responding to enquiry by OSUN DEFENDER, the commissioner for educa on in the state, Hon. Dipo Eluwole challenged the applicants, saying what is the essence of trying to access the portal when interviews have been conducted for successful candidates and they are awai ng appointment le ers.

“What is the essence of trying to access the portal when the interview has been conducted and how do these people who are complaining know if they are part of the 5000 shortlisted candidates. There is no point in trying to log in. When it is the me, names of those who qualiﬁed will be made public. I want to urge them to keep calm. Everything will be sorted as soon as possible. We understand their plight,” Eluwole noted.

Yusuf Oketola

•Oﬃcers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command during the International Day of Peace, on Monday Photo: Shola Aderinto

•Sen. Ogunwale

THE presenta on made on behalf of the President by the vice president of Nigeria Kazeem She ma a couple of days ago, raised issues about the pathway to relevance in the modern world of both Nigeria and the Africa con nent.

The fact is that in a highly compe ve ever-changing technology driven world of today the con nent is sliding into irrelevance. di o Nigeria as a component of a con nent, there are ﬂashes of hope here and there, in this instance the Republic of South Africa, Egypt and perhaps Morocco appear to be swimming against the de.

Vice president She ma made all the right noises, even adding sanc monious sermons.

However, we may care to recall the observa on of Italian, poet, Dante Alleghari that “The road to hell is paved with good inten ons.”

Sanc monious sermons are not going to yield the desired results unless they are batched up by a rigorously detailed roadmap. African in it’s bid to catch up must answer the ques on “what is to be done?” Unless this is done we will con nue to

After UNGA80, What Is Next For Nigeria

“In this vain the pessimistic will be be forgiven for the riding much of postindependence in Africa as a tale of not achieving the quest for development but a caricature better known as the development of underdevelopment quiet a paradox”

make high- falu ng speeches on the world stage, which nobody will take seriously. In addi on even though it is correct to do so, the demand for seat on the United Na ons security council will con nue to sound

preposterous unless it is backed by demonstrated relevance. The counter a ack must begin in the African con nent itself. The African Con nental free trade Agreement (AFCTA) Agreement must be made to war. This should be seen as a breakthrough project, a once and for all opportunity to halt a slide into irrelevance. The mul plier eﬀect of implemen ng the free trade agreement will be all encompassing. It will require a complete revamping of ins tu ons inorder to unleash hitherto Dormant forces. To achieve results, Africa must now lunch a new age in renaissance of ins tu ons and the professionaliza on of all services.

The Discourse

At the heart of it all must be a complete revamp of Educaon and the integra on of the development of human capital as the engine room for growth and sustainable development.

This mally a er the ini al euphoria which came with obtaining ﬂag Independence it has been disappoin ng all the way, this is largely because ephemeral “growth” was mistaken for real sustainable development. This was an illusion because o en doctored sta s cs did not and could not have turned into increasing standard of living not to men on mee ng a desired objec ve to make life more abundance. In this vain the pessimis c will be be forgiven for the riding much of post-independence in Africa as a tale of not achieving the quest for development but a caricature be er known as the development of underdevelopment quiet a paradox. Ends the urgent need for a reboot. We welcome the vicepresident back home, where there’s urgent work to be done in transla ng the lo y ideals contained in his speech in New York into prac ce.

Osun Environment: Scavengers, Waste And Environmental Hazzard

By Olufunmilayo Ojo PhD

INDISCRIMINATE dumping of refuse

across Osun State, as in many parts of Nigeria, con nues to pose serious environmental and public health risks.

On many major roads across Osun State, from Osogbo to Ilesa, Ede to Ikirun, piles of refuse are increasingly becoming open-air workshops.

Informal waste pickers, commonly called scavengers, rip open bags, dismantle appliances, and spread mixed waste across carriageways in search of recyclable metals, cables, plas cs, and electronics.

While this ac vity provides livelihoods for hundreds of low-income earners, its spillover eﬀects are choking drainages, degrading air quality, endangering public health, and undermining the state’s formal waste management eﬀorts.

Experts warn that improper waste management leads to air pollu on, water contamina on, soil degrada on, ﬂooding, and the spread of infec ous diseases. Blocked drainages caused by waste dumping also heighten the risk of urban ﬂooding, while unsightly refuse heaps diminish the state’s environmental outlook.

In many developing na ons, scavengers play an informal but significant role in waste management. By dismantling bagged waste to recover recyclable materials such as plascs, metals, and cartons, they help divert waste from landfills and contribute to recycling efforts.

For many, scavenging provides not only a livelihood but also a means of suppor ng recycling industries, which in turn create jobs and reduce demand for raw materials.

Interview with some scavengers in Osogbo, Olorunda and Ede areas of Osun state, revealed that poverty and economic neces-

sity remain the major drivers of their trade. For them, scavenging is a way to survive and earn a modest income from the sale of reusable materials.

A tour of major roads across Osogbo and its environs, including Alekuwodo, OgoOluwa, Okeﬁa, Igbona, Power Line, OtaEfun, Kobongbogboe, Dada Estate, Dele Yesir, Omobolanle, and Owode-Ede, showed a disturbing trend of refuse being dumped on road medians and sidewalks.

While scavengers o en pick through these waste bags, their ac vi es some mes worsen the situa on as refuse is sca ered, leaving the environment unsightly and exposing residents to pollu on.

Most scavengers operate at dawn or late evening, ming their work to coincide with when residents and shops place waste at kerbsides for municipal collec on.

They comb through refuse for high-value frac ons such as aluminium cans, iron rods, copper wires stripped from cables, plas c PET bo les, and components from broken electronics (e-waste). These are sorted into sacks and sold to middlemen and recycling yards, o en outside the immediate communi es.

In principle, recovering valuable materials extends product life and reduces landﬁll loads. But the method ma ers. On Osun’s highways, recovery frequently involves, tearing open refuse bags and leaving organics, diapers, and contaminated plas cs sca ered; smashing electronics to harvest boards and metals, releasing dust and residual chemicals; open burning of cable sheaths to extract copper, producing thick, toxic smoke and abandoning ﬁnes and residues that then wash into gu ers during rainfall.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) notes that

“There is no way we could engage with the scavengers to make them understand the dangers their actions portend for residents of the state, especially health hazards”

illegal dumping carries both short- and long-term health consequences. Short-term issues include asthma, congenital illnesses, stress, headaches, nausea, and respiratory infec ons, while long-term risks range from cancer to kidney, liver, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases.

Speaking with an Environmental worker in Osogbo, Mr. Abiona Felix Olumide, described the ac vi es of scavengers who sca ered refuse on the major roads as worrisome as all eﬀorts to curb their ac ons are yet to yield results.

He said, “most of the scavenger work in the wee hours of the morning or late night a er residents have dropped their refuse on the meridian for government sanita on workers from Osun Waste Management Agency, (OWMA), who move round major roads with Skip Bin trucks to park the refuse.

“There is no way we could engage with the scavengers to make them understand the dangers their ac ons portend for residents of the state, especially health hazards” Olumide explained that the government is intensifying eﬀorts to curb illegal dumping of refuse and improve sanita on across the state.

An Environmental expert, Henry Olufemi called on the government to formalise the role of scavengers in waste management.

Olufemi suggested measures to include registra on, training, and provision of safety equipment, which could enhance public health, reduce environmental hazards, and integrate scavengers into formal recycling systems.

Sherifat Aregbesola

THE self-eﬀac-

ing Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola will not want to be acknowledged let alone celebrated. However, we carry a milestone column which is archival and stores the instu onal memory . A du ful companero to a husband perennially in the public glare, a devoted mother and gracious grandmother as well a caring soul there is a compelling to peel off the layers of reserve. In her years as the first lady of Osun State, she added value and placed human empathy first, this is worth resis ng for the ins tu onal memory.

Born in Ijagbo town of Kwara state on this day in 1960, Sherifat is a graduate of Catering and Hotel Management from the Lagos State Polytechnic. Her professional experience spans industries including the Hospitality, Print, Avia on and Educaon sectors.

Before her emergence as the First

Lady of the State of Osun while her husband, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the current Na onal Secretary of The African Democra c Congress(ADC) and former federal minister of Interior, held sway as the Chief Execu ve of the state, Mrs Aregbesola had been a symbol of motherhood and an excep onally suppor ve wife to her husband.

Throughout the administration, Sherifat Aregbesola showcased an exemplary proﬁle of Mother to all. She was an epitome of care and love as the chief hostess in the State Government House.

Her concern for the welfare and happiness of people prompted her to establish a Founda on named Sheri Care Founda on with the acronym (SCARF), with its ac vi es revolving around care for the aged, the needy, people with physical challenges, widows and the young ones that transcended

65 Years On ....Celebrating A Caring Heart

the administra on with the last being her interven on to provide palliaves for the people of Alimosho Local Government of Lagos state, Ilesa East of the State of Osun and Ijagbo of Kwara state to cushion the eﬀect of the total lockdown declared to curb the spread of COVID-19 in May, 2020.

Because of her special interest in the issues of Environmental Conserva on especially Climate Change and Environmental Sanita on, Sherifat devoted a lot of her energy, resources and me to a statewide grassroots campaign to bring about a tudinal change among people in the area of Total Community Sanita on.

Till today she con nues to carry a caring heart always understated always there, it has become a quiet trademark.

Many Happy Returns, great decades ahead Grandma.

Emi yin ma se opolopo odun

Wisdom Sits In Silence: The Timeless Power of Listening Art/Culture

IN today’s fastpaced world, where everyone seems to be in a hurry to speak, the art of listening has become a lost virtue. We o en ﬁnd ourselves interrup ng others, eager to share our thoughts and opinions, without taking the me to truly listen. However, wisdom sits in silence, and it is in the quiet moments of reﬂec on and atten ve listening

that we can tap into the meless power of wisdom. Silence is not just the absence of noise; it is a powerful tool for introspection, self-reflection, and growth. In the s llness, we can hear our own thoughts, reﬂect on our experiences, and gain valuable insights that can inform our decisions and ac ons. Silence also allows us to listen more eﬀecvely to others,

to hear their perspec ves, and to understand their needs and concerns. By embracing silence, we can cul vate a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding. The quiet sayings of the past s ll hold power in noisy mes. Proverbs, adages, and wise sayings from our ancestors oﬀer meless wisdom that can guide us through life’s challenges. These sayings often speak to universal truths about human nature, rela onships, and the importance of living a virtuous life. By reﬂec ng

on these wisdomﬁlled sayings, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it. Listening is a powerful tool for building rela onships, resolving conﬂicts, and gaining new insights. When we listen atten vely to others, we show that we value and respect their thoughts and opinions. This, in turn, can help to build trust, foster coopera on, and create a sense of community. Listening also allows us to learn from others, to gain new perspec ves, and to expand our knowledge and

understanding of the world.

Wisdom sits in silence, and it is in the quiet moments of reﬂecon and a en ve listening that we can tap into the meless power of wisdom. By embracing silence, reﬂec ng on the wisdom of the past, and prac cing the art

of listening, we can cul vate a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding. As we navigate the complexi es of modern life, let us not forget the importance of silence and listening in our quest for wisdom and personal growth.

Our Children Can’t Go To School, Osun Community Begs Adeleke Over Collapsed Bridge

Kazeem Badmus

ESIDENTS

Rof Ifon Osun, headquarters of Orolu Local Government, have appealed to the administra on of Governor Ademola Adeleke to come to their rescue over a collapsed bridge in the town.

According to the residents, the collapsed bridge links ﬁve communi es in the town, no ng that the situa on has now become worse due to the rainy period.

The residents said the bridge links Fiwasaye, Okekere, Aseyori, Ogo-Oluwa, and Oke-Anuoluwapo communi es.

They lamented that school children who resumed on Monday were ﬁnding it diﬃcult to cross the stream, calling on the authori es to assist the community.

In a video obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, some residents of Ifon were seen passing through the stream.

One of the residents who was on a bike in the video lamented the hardship they are facing due to the situa on, calling on the state government to come to their aid.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, an indigene of Ifon, Waheed Olatunji, said the collapsed bridge has caused a lot of hardship for residents of the ﬁve communi es.

Olatunji said they have made a series of appeals to the state government on the ma er without any favourable response.

He added that motorists could no longer take their vehicles out, especially whenever it rains due to the full ﬂow of water from the stream.

He said, “The situa on is worrisome and I am appealing on behalf of Ifon Osun people to the state government to come to our rescue.

“We’ve made a series of appeals, but nothing favourable has come out of it. We are op mis c that the state government will a end

to our needs this me around.

“There was a mini bridge there but since the bridge collapsed, it has become diﬃcult for residents of the ﬁve communi es to move around. The stream is a big one and what we need is a standard bridge in that area.

“Our children could not go to school because they were unable to pass through the stream a er a heavy downpour. Also, motorists have abandoned their vehicles at home because of the situa on. Governor Ademola Adeleke should come to our rescue.”

Private Schools Defy Govt Order On Textbook Usage

Yusuf Oketola

SOME Private schools in Osun are yet to comply with the direc ve of the state government on textbook usage, OSUN DEFENDER reports.

Recall that the government, through the Ministry of Educa on, issued a circular on September 19, 2025, signed by Permanent Secretary M. A. K. Jimoh, which mandates that the ban takes immediate eﬀect.

According to the cir-

cular, the government cited concerns about the ﬁnancial burden placed on parents and the instruc onal me lost to the prepara ons and execu on of elaborate ceremonies.

The policy limits gradua on ceremonies to only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 students, thereby excluding nursery and kindergarten pupils from having such events.

On the textbook front, proprietors of faith-based

and private schools are now required to use textbooks strictly from an approved list.

The new rule demands that the textbooks be retained for a three-year period to beneﬁt siblings successively.

Workbooks embedded within textbooks are also banned under the policy, which seeks to eliminate what the government regards as commercialisa on in early childhood educa on by stopping prac ces that

may drive up costs. But ﬁndings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that some private schools are yet to abide by the order. It was learnt that a popular school in Owode-Ede, Ede North Local Government, pupils are s ll forced to work inside their textbooks.

The state commissioner for educa on, Hon. Dipo Eluwole while responding to enquiry by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday frowned at the development, no ng

Suspected Yahoo Boy Dies After Attacking Imam Inside Mosque

Yusuf Oketola

Asuspected yahoo

boy simply idenﬁed as Shuaib has reportedly died days after a acking an Imam, Mr Rasaq Tijani inside a mosque in Osun State.

The deceased was said to have a acked the Imam while he was preparing to observe his morning prayers at a mosque in Obatedo Area, Iwo Local Government Area of the state on September 15, 2025 at about 5:10am.

But according to the Osun State Police Public Rela ons Oﬃcer, Abiodun Ojelabi, Shuaib allegedly gave up the ghost due to the injury sustained while a acking the Tijani from the mob. He stated this while conﬁrming the incident to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.

“The incident was true. The deceived was said to have a acked the imam inside a mosque in Iwo. It took the interven on of

the police to rescue him. He was then released to his family for medical atten on but he later died a few days later,” Ojelabi stated.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Imam was arrested shortly a er the death of the suspect and transferred to the state police command for inves ga on but was later released.

Earlier, the Ta’awunu Human Rights Ini a ve (THURIST), Nigeria raised the alarm on the a ack on Imam Tijani.

THURIST in a statement by his Director General, Sulaimon Tadese called on to make sure the vic m gets jus ce.

A copy of the statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER reads:

“We have received reports of the incident surrounding the a empted murder of an Imam at Obatedo Area in Iwo on 15th September, 2025 at

around 5:10 AM while he was preparing to observe his Morning prayers at a Mosque in Obatedo Area of Iwo Local Government, Osun State.

“The suspect made further a empts which inves ga on revealed that he came to a mosque in Obatedo Area on the same day and me, strangulating one MR. RASAQ TIJANI while he was calling to the morning prayers in an attempt to murder his vicm and was subsequently apprehended by people in the community.

•Imam Tijani

“We have reliable reports that the suspect has been handed over to ofﬁcers of the Nigeria Police Force, Divisional Headquarters Adeeke, iwo, Osun State, and has connued to interfere with Police inves ga ons and has refused to make any statement at the Police Sta on

“We are equally aware of steps taken by some high and mighty within Iwoland who are already interfering in the ma er to pervert the course of jusce in this ma er. Thurist as an organisa on is taking every necessary step to ensure the prevalence of jus ce.

“The Ta’awunu Human Rights Ini a ve is using this medium to call for necessary steps to be taken to ensure Jus ce is served and perpetrators of this heinous crime are made to face the full wrath of the law.”

that necessary sanc on will be met on schools viola ng the government’s direc ve.

“I want to urge our people to report any school that is not complying with the government direc ve. There is a stringent punishment for anyone apprehended not complying with the order. Parents should endeavour to report such schools to the appropriate quarters and they will face necessary sanc ons,” the commissioner stated.

Also, the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Associa on, PTA, in Osun State, Moshood Fadare, while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday stated that the union will idenfy such schools going against the direc ve to the appropriate authority while calling on parents to collaborate with the PTA.

Fadare said: “We will iden fy such schools viola ng the order and report them to the appropriate authority. We will give them some weeks to see if they will comply. The direc ve by the state government is a good development and will lessen the burden on parents considering the current economic hardship in the country.

“All private schools in the state are operating under the inﬂuence of the state government because they gave them the approval to operate. Therefore, they must abide by all rules. All hands must be on deck at this par cular me to ensure the direc ve is enforced.”

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

SOME outstanding students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State have been honoured at the second edi on of the Billioncodes Inia ve Programme, BIP, held at the campus of the ins tu on.

Also, a series of lectures and talks were held to prepare students for leadership posi ons.

Speaking on the occasion, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Assistant General Secretary, NANS, Southwest, who is also the convener of BIP, said it was to celebrate and appreciate brilliant students

and build on the momentum of the ﬁrst edion held some months ago at the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa. The programme’s purpose is rooted in the belief that academic excellence should be appreciated in every way.

By celebra ng the top three students from each faculty, BIP 2.0 aimed to mo vate and inspire students to strive

for greatness. The event was a testament to the power of recogni on in shaping the future of young minds.

“The programme featured a range of engaging activities, including a thought-provoking lecture on “Empowering Academic Excellence for a Be er Tomorrow”. A panel discussion on “Ac vism with Impact: Balancing Student Advocacy and Academic Excellence.”

Initiative Honours Outstanding Osun Students News

Campus Review Campus Review

The highlight of the event was the award ceremony, where the top three students from each faculty received cash prizes. This recogni on not only acknowledged their hard work but also served as a mo va on for others to strive for excellence. The event also featured the launch of Educa onal Materials produced by BIP aimed at supporting students academically.

Oluwo Vs Ataoja: Iwo Princes Call For Peaceful Resolution

Kazeem Badmus

PRINCES from royal families on Iwo, Osun State have said the ongoing supremacy ba le between Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, over who occupies the fourth posion in the hierarchy of monarchs in the state was avoidable if necessary conﬂict resolu on mechanisms were in place.

This was as the appealed to the state government and the Osun tradi onal council to regulate social media conduct of monarchs in the state.

The princes said ﬁghts among Yoruba tradi onal rulers on social media were becoming alarming and needed to be curbed before it cause disunity in Yorubaland.

It would be recalled that the Ataoja, during a lecture at Osun State University to mark his 15th corona on anniversary, revisited the long-standing controversy by insis ng that his stool historically occupies the fourth posion in the Council—a status he alleged was wrongly ceded to the Oluwo during the reign of his predecessor, Oba Iyiola Matanmi III. Oba Oyetunji narrated how the confusion began, stressing that he was not ﬁgh ng any monarch but merely asser ng the historical rights of his stool.

But Oluwo ﬁred back through his Chief

Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, accusing Oba Oyetunji of a emp ng to distort history.

He urged Ataoja to seek accurate historical knowledge from respected elders of Osog-

bo rather than distort the hierarchy of Yoruba tradi onal stools. Addressing news-

men in Iwo on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the royal families, Prince Adedoja Os-

1,500 Residents To Benefit Free Medical Care In Ipetumodu

Yusuf Oketola

AT least 1,500 residents of Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government,Osun

State will beneﬁt from the 7th edi on of the Annual Medical Outreach by Ipetumodu Development Forum. In a statement by the General Secretary

of the Forum, Mr. Kehinde Oyetumbi, hundreds of Ipetumodu sons and daughters have beneﬁ ed immensely from the medical outreach in the last six years.

Registra on for this year’s edi on according to Oyetumbi will come up between October 1, 2025 to November 15, 2025 at Ipetumodu Town Hall from 8am to 3m daily.

The statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER reads partly: “The medical outreach has been of tremendous support to all the beneﬁciaries in the past. The exercise has

helped the downtrodden in the community and beyond have access to unaﬀordable quality medical care.

“This year’s exercise shall also include, minor surgery cases, major surgery cases, free reading glasses, eye cataract surgery, dental clinic and general consulta on. Registered beneﬁciaries shall be a ended to on Friday 5th & Saturday 6th December 2025 .

“The forum called on intended beneﬁciaries to troop out immediately before registra on begins, a er which nobody shall a end again.”

unwo, urged the Osun State tradi onal council to embrace the need for an internal mechanism for conﬂict resolu on.

Osunwo, who spoke in Yoruba language, said, “We want to urge the state government, the state tradi onal council and other relevant stakeholders in the state to put necessary machinery in moon to regulate social media conduct of our tradi onal rulers.

“The verbal a ack we are witnessing today between the two monarchs is unnecessary if necessary internal mechanisms have been put in place for conﬂict resolu on.

“If what is going on on social media regarding Oluwo and Ataoja is not curtailed, it will have a bad effect on the unity of the Yorubas. Yoruba unity is of greater importance, par cularly at this me when a Yoruba is at the helm of aﬀairs.

“The manner in which some of our tradi onal rulers go on social media is not something that should be welcomed. The outburst we have been hearing through social media is not something that we should be happy about.

“The need for an internal mechanism for conﬂict resolu on should be embraced by the Osun State tradi onal council under the leadership of Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.”

•Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Osun Chapter, Dr. Seyi Kolawole with other guests at the World Rabies Day 2025, on Wednesday

Omoluabi Progressives Celebrates Sherifat Aregbesola At 65

OMOLUABI Progres-

sives, a poli cal movement in Osun State has described the wife of the Na onal Secretary, African Democra c Congress, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, as an amazon, who is deeply devoted to both family and humanity.

The movement in a statement by its Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji to mark Mrs Aregbesola’s 65th birthday, said the celebrant is a worthy mother whose compassionate personality has touched countless lives in far and wide.

Adesiji maintained that her calm, strength coupled with an uncommon passion for the downtrodden, has deﬁned her life as one of service and relentless commitment to societal growth and development.

A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN

•Describes Her As A Firm Pillar Of Support

DEFENDER reads: “Today, we celebrate a woman of grace, strength, and quiet impact — Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, the cherished

wife of our dear leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

“From the very beginning of Ogbeni’s journey, she has stood as a ﬁrm

pillar of support — unwavering, composed, and deeply devoted to both family and humanity. Her calm strength, coupled

with an uncommon passion for the downtrodden, has deﬁned her life of service.

“Through the SheriCare Founda on (SCARF),

Afolabi Adeola, on Tuesday

Osun Monarch Empowers 50 Youths In Adire, Batik Making

ABOUT 50 youths drawn across secondary schools, higher ins tu ons as well as fresh graduates in Ido-Osun have beneﬁ ed from an empowerment programme facilitated by the Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Oba Olayinka Ishola Jokotola III.

Speaking at the gradua on ceremony a er the end of the twoweek intensive training in Adire and Ba k Making, Governor Ademola Adeleke commended the monarch for his efforts at the human capital development of his people.

Represented by the Commissioner for Government House Affairs, Hon. Soji Ajeigbe, Adeleke described the ini a ve held in partnership with Nike Art Gallery as a blend of culture and economic empowerment.

“Today is not just about celebra ng the skills acquired by our young men and women; it is also about celebrating hope, culture, creavity and the brighter future of Osun State,” he said.

“Adire is more than just a fabric. It is a story of our iden ty, an expression of our creavity and a vehicle for economic empowerment. With the skills acquired, you can transform this cra into livelihood, wealth crea on, and pride for Osun,” the Governor said.

He further encouraged the graduates to form co-opera ves, leverage technology, and explore wider markets

while assuring that the state government would con nue to support ini a ves that connect culture with innova on and enterprise.

Speaking with newsmen, Oba Ishola, who gi ed the par cipants N50,000 each as startup grants, said the programme was designed to provide youths with self-reliance and independence skills for the future.

He also called on

federal and state governments to support similar community-driven programmes by tradi onal rulers.

“The ini a ve is out of my passion to see the youths succeed and excel. I want them to key into it and make use of it to have a means of livelihood. They can have their own minds and will not depend on others for everything.

“Tradi onal rulers are closest to the peo-

ple, and the government should encourage them by giving them a cons tu onal role. By doing so, we can better address issues like school dropouts and youth unemployment,” the tradi onal ruler emphasised.

The Olojudo also disclosed that the ini a ve would not stop, as plans were underway to commence another round of training in the coming months.

she has extended her compassion far beyond her immediate circle, touching countless lives with the gi of food, hope, and dignity. This enduring commitment to the needy speaks volumes about her values and her heart.

“Even amidst poli cal turbulence, Alhaja Sherifat has remained the anchor of the Aregbesola home, oﬀering stability and love that inspires all who know her.

“On this remarkable occasion of your 65th birthday, we join your family, friends and well-wishers in celebra ng a life well-lived in service, resilience, and grace. May history and posterity be kind to you, and may your years ahead be ﬁlled with peace, health, and joy.

“Happy Birthday, our Amazon!”

Adeleke Moves To Upgrade Osun Tourist Sites

OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has approved a series of programmes and projects in line with the administra on’s tourism and crea ve industry expansion agenda. In a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on

Family Congratulates New Olu-Oke Of Oke-Ora, Oba Olufemi Olajide Omidirepo

THE family of Dr. Oluwatosin

Samuel Dada has congratulated the newly coronated Olu-Oke of Oke-Ora, Mokuro, Iranje, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Oba Olufemi Olajide Omidirepo, Owa Elusugba I. The family, in a statement, congratulated the monarch, who was crowned by the Ooni of Ife, Ọba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Saturday, 20th of September, 2025.

Dr Dada, in the statement, described the tradi onal ruler as the custodian of heritage, a uniﬁer, and the father of the people.

He added that the Olu-Oke had carried the sacred mantle of his forefathers with dignity and cultural pride throughout OkeOra, Mokuro, Iranje, Ile-Ife, and beyond. The statement

prayed for the monarch’s years on the throne to be long, prosperous, and connually guided by divine wisdom, strength, and grace.

The statement reads in part, “The crown does not render the head unworthy; it makes it glorious. (Ade kìí jẹ k’ori dì aláìmọ; Ade kìí jẹ k’ori dì asán).

“With profound joy and reverence, my family and I celebrate His Royal Majesty, Oba Olufemi Olajide Omidirepo, Owa Elusugba I, The Olu-Oke of Oke-Ora, on the glorious occasion of your crowning by HRM Ọba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II CFR - the Ooni of Ife on Saturday, 20th of September, 2025.

“Kabiyesi, you are far more than a tradional ruler - you are the custodian of our

heritage, the father of our people, and a uniﬁer across generaons. With wisdom, humility, and dignity, you carry the sacred mantle of your forefathers, inspiring peace, harmony, and cultural pride throughout Oke-Ora, Mokuro, Iranje, Ile-Ife, Osun

State, and beyond.

“Your reign is a tesmony of divine appointment - a beacon of hope for your people and a legacy desned to echo through history.

“It is my fervent prayer that your years on the throne be long, prosperous, and con nually guided by divine wisdom, strength, and grace.”

Wednesday, the target is to expand tourist inﬂow to the various cultural sites in the state by over 60 percent in the next year.

Aside from direct government interven on, the state government has also adopted a public-private partnership model to develop tourist sites such as the Erin Ijesa waterfall, among others, located in Oriade Local Government. The goal is to expand ﬁnancing and the sustainability of upgraded tourism sites.

The statement reads: “The cultural tourist sites approved for phased upgrade spread across the state with further compila on presently being anchored by the state’s ministry of arts and culture. The sites are being prepared to meet UNESCO recogni on.”

Among the ﬁrst set of approved sites include the Ifá Agbaye Temple at Ile Ife to cater to the annual global inﬂow of tourists for the annual Ifa Day celebraon. “Land alloca on has been secured and further processes are ongoing,” the governor added

“The second is the Iwude Ijesa project, which was designed to a ract tourists an a ract the atten on of UNESCO and other local and internaonal investors and donors.

“The third is the Sango Timi Shrine project, a site ﬁ ng for UNESCO recogni on. It encompasses the sacred groove itself, an auditorium, a pavilion, an art and cra workshop, a museum kitchen, among others.

Kazeem Badmus

Yusuf Oketola

•Members of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) during an advocacy visit to the oﬃce of the Chief Medical Director, Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Dr.

Photo Shola Aderinto

•Oba Omidirepo

WHEN Rauf Aregbesola ﬁrst took oﬃce as Osun State governor, many wondered if his bold vision could bring real change. Years later, as he embarks on a fresh poli cal chapter, the ques on now is how his legacy will shape the state’s future— and what new surprises this seasoned leader has in store for Osun’s governance.

Rauf Aregbesola, a towering figure in Nigeria’s poli cal landscape, is embarking on a fresh phase of his poli cal journey that invites both reflec on and an cipa on. As a former governor whose tenure reshaped the state’s governance, his latest moves carry significant weight not just for his enduring legacy but also for Osun’s poli cal future.

During his two terms as governor (2010-2018), Aregbesola championed infrastructural development, educa onal reforms such as the establishment of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), and revamped public service delivery. His governance style, o en praised for decisiveness, was not without controversies, yet it undeniably altered the trajectory of modern governance in Osun.

Now, as he steps into a new poli cal chapter, his role signals poten al shi s within the state’s power dynamics. Observers suggest his influence could steer the ruling party’s strategies and candidate selec ons in future elec ons, affec ng policy priori es and governance stability. For Osun ci zens, this means a chance to gauge how lessons from his previous administra on might inform his approach now—whether it will reinforce progress or rekindle old conflicts.

Crucially, Aregbesola’s evolving poli cal role occurs amidst a broader na onal context where experienced leaders take on mentoring posi ons that shape emerging poli cians. His involvement might bring a blend of statesmanship and poli cal savvy

“Ultimately,

Aregbesola’s latest political phase invites

citizens and leaders alike to reﬂect on the interplay between legacy, leadership, and governance”

MATT OLU OLOWOKERE

Aregbesola’s New Political Chapter: What It Means For His Legacy And Osun’s Governance

that Osun needs in a me of socio-economic challenges and poli cal realignments.

STRIKER

Yet, this new chapter also tests the resilience of his legacy. Public memory is complex; some highlight his achievements fondly, while others cri que certain policies or

governance methods. How Aregbesola navigates this percep on gap will inﬂuence his standing in history and his ongoing poli cal eﬀec veness.

For Osun itself, the implica ons are clear. The state’s governance landscape could witness renewed vigor with his exper se contribu ng to policy development—and possibly new ini a ves aimed at youth empowerment and infrastructural growth. On the ﬂip side, it also raises quesons about poli cal con nuity and inclusiveness, calling on all stakeholders to engage construc vely.

As Aregbesola steps into this new role, Osun stands at a pivotal moment—balancing the achievements of the past with fresh hopes for progress. Whether his renewed poli cal journey will deepen his legacy or rewrite it, one thing is certain: Osun’s future will be closely ed to how he navigates this exci ng chapter of leadership.

Ul mately, Aregbesola’s latest poli cal phase invites ci zens and leaders alike to reﬂect on the interplay between legacy, leadership, and governance. Osun stands at a crossroads where past experiences meet future possibili es, and how this narra ve unfolds will shape the state’s des ny for years to come.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

For A Democratic World Order

DEMOCRACY is everywhere desirable: within families, organisa ons, polical par es, na ons and interna onal rela ons. Democracy is universally embraced such that the age of ‘Might is Right’ may be consigned to the dustbin of history. However, the travails of democracy everywhere, in prac ce, are many; as with underdeveloped countries fancifully labelled “developing countries,” so with advanced countries and with interna onal rela ons: ‘Might is Right’ is far from being consigned to history’s dust bin! The “advanced” countries only being decent with their crudity while the “third world” poli cal elites are simply being their crude, feudalis c selves; everything crudely playing out on the interna onal arena as a theatre of “beasts of no na on.”

Humanity everywhere struggling for a just, democra c World Order has a new impetus to renew their struggles in the Russia-Ukraine war that clearly exposes the tyranny of might over right and reason; and the suppression of the wishes of the majority by the inordinate and insa able greed of the few for worldly vani es. Russia erring on the part of its safety s ll errs but it brings out in naked and bold relief the injus ce and double standard of western poli cs and (im)morality: obvious all along to the learned; to be doubted or denied by the ignorant, the mischievous, and those with vested interests.

The “solidarity” of western media and spor ng organisa ons becomes more de-

pressing and disgus ng when one remembers their responses (or lack of it in criminal silence) to more inhuman atroci es commi ed by the west all over the world. Lengthy is the list of assassina ons, invasions, sponsored coups, et cetera, by United States of America and its Western NATO allies, to terminate progressive lives and development processes all over the “third world,” not to men on violent conquests, enslavement and colonisa on. Apart from Apartheid in America, Europe and South Africa, in order to even occupy the presentday geographical space called America a er its “discovery” by Christopher Columbus in 1492, millions of American Indians were wiped out without remorse by European invaders, and ll today without apologies or repara ons, only to immorally put it in movies as “Cowboys and Indians.” Wikipedia says “Indigenous people north and south were displaced, died of disease and were killed by Europeans through slavery, rape and war. In 1491, about 145 million people lived in the western hemisphere. By 1691, the popula on of indigenous Americans had declined by 90-95 percent, or by around 130 million people.” That is 130 million people wiped out by Europeans just to own their land!

The world forgets easily that black people, Africans, could not vote or even sit in the same place with white people in the USA un l a er 1960 (that is a er Nigeria’s Independence); for the eventual a ainment of which goal Malcolm X and Mar-

n Luther King were both cruelly assassinated. A na on going around the world as champion of human rights and democracy has cops killing black people without reason, not only ll Floyd George and today but ll tomorrow and ll Africa rises again! The ordeal of hundreds of years of slavery is only be er forgiven but never forgo en, even as it is unmi gated and systema cally sustained ll date; ahead of every Premier League ﬁxture, players and coaches s ll take the knee today!

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and all wars in general are regre able and should be avoided at all cost. The inevitability of most wars are due to intolerance for democracy; an -democra c acts and double standards, by hegemonic elites across the world and at the so-called “interna onal community” and the United Na ons, which Fela Anikulapo Ku labelled “Egbekegbe – Bad Society” run by elites he labelled “Beasts of No Na on” in his meless 1989 album of that name.

While appealing to popular organisaons, once again, to rise from their slumber and live up to their billings in the struggle for genuine government of the people by the people and for the people in form and content, let them locate the RussiaUkraine war in proper historical context, call for peace and genuine democracy in the world, and an end to a NATO-inspired American world (dis)order from which none proﬁts, not even Europe as a region, nor ordinary Europeans, except of course

•Aregbesola