FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2026 VOL 21 NO 70
New Governance Blueprint Unveiled As ‘Ogbeni: The Osun Renaissance Years’ Launched In Abuja
Michael Bamigbola new publica on documen ng a model of subna onal development, ins tu onal reform and people-centred governance has been launched in Abuja, with policymakers, academics, civil society actors and media prac oners describing the work as a valuable resource for present and future African leaders. Titled “Ogbeni: The
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Osun Renaissance Years” and authored by Olakunle Abimbola, the book was formally presented at a public policy gathering hosted by Rovingheights in Garki, Abuja, amid discussions on how subna onal governments can achieve sustainable socio-economic transforma on despite fiscal constraints and other governance challenges. Rather than serving solely
as an administra ve memoir, the publica on presents an analy cal account of governance and development, drawing lessons from the 2010 to 2018 administra on in Osun State and documen ng praccal approaches that can poten ally be adapted by other subna onal en es across Africa. The book examines how leadership, ins tu onal innova on and strategic policy in-
terven ons can be deployed to address developmental challenges while strengthening the capacity of government to deliver meaningful outcomes to ci zens. It places par cular emphasis on the importance of preserving ins tu onal memory and documen ng governance experiences that can provide prac cal lessons for policymakers and public •Continued from Page 2
2027: Osun Accord Divided Over Choice Of candidates ●Members Accused Of Planning To Work For Candidates Of APP, APC
•Members of the Osun Election Violence Relief Commission during their swearing in ceremony at the State Ministry of Justice, Abere
Osun ADC Presents Candidates For Six Arrested In Ikirun Over Senate, House Of Representatives, Alleged Vandalisation Of P 5 Electricity Infrastructure House Of Assembly Elections P 2
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CREDICORP Empowers 300,000 Nigerians In Two Years Gives Tricycles To Ile-Ife Residents Michael Bamigbola
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HE Nigerian Consumer Credit Corpora on (CREDICORP) has empowered no fewer than 300,000 Nigerians in the last two years. The Managing Director and Chief Execu ve Officer of CREDICORP, Mr Uzoma Nwagba disclosed this at an empowerment programme organized in Ile-Ife, Osun State. He hinted that arrangements are underway to empower more Nigerians through so and revolving loans and provision of working tools among other inia ves. At the ceremony, tricycles were presented to individuals who benefited from the empowerment programme of the agency in Osun State. Speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has declared that the inten on of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end poverty in the country will soon be materialized with the various programmes and policies put in place by the Federal Government to al-
leviate poverty. The monarch said the economic policies
of the Tinubu’s administra on are already yielding good results.
He disclosed that the inten on of President Tinubu is to put an
•The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (m), Managing Director of CREDICORP, Mr. Uzoma Nwagba and the Executive Director Operation, Mrs. Olanike Kolawole at the empowerment programme organised by the agency in Ile-Ife
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na on ac vist and founder of Iru Ekun Security Network, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has declared that the onslaught against criminal elements in the South West will connue in order to ensure effec ve security of the region. He noted that the recent reduc on in cases of kidnapping, banditry and other vicious crimes in Yorubaland was as a result of the tac cal support of Iru Ekun Security Network by the Police, Nigerian Army, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies in the country. The Yoruba na on agitator made the disclosure during the launch of Iru Ekun in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Describing security as a collec ve responsibility of all regardless of poli cal, ethnic and religious divides, Igboho maintained that “our commitment is to restore confidence of our people in the South West in government’s ability to guarantee peaceful and enabling environment for healthy socioeconomic developments. His words “It is visible
by the President has revitalized the na on’s economy. Oba Ogunwusi therefore called on Nigerians to support the President’s drive to improve the economy and strengthen the na on’s industrializa on also. He assured that the policies and programmes ini ated by the current administra on are aimed at boos ng the na on’s economy, adding that Nigeria will soon grow in all areas especially economy as a result of the government’s policies. Also, the first class monarch informed that President Tinubu is determined to improve the na on’s micro economy by encouraging Small and Medium Scale Business owners through various policies and programmes.
Osun ADC Presents Candidates For Senate, House Of Representatives, House Of Assembly Elections Michael Bamigbola
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HE African Democra c Congress (ADC) in Osun State has presented candidates for the Senate, House of Representaves and all 26 State
House of Assembly cons tuencies ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elec ons. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Comrade Oluwaseun Abosede in a statement gave the
names of the candidates for the three Senatorial Districts as - Osun Central Senatorial District: Hon. Akeem Olaoye - Osun West Senatorial District: Sen.
We Won’t Back Down Against Criminal Elements In South West- Igboho Michael Bamigbola
end to poverty among Nigerians, adding that the steps taken so far
for all to see that the ignoble ac vi es of rogue herders, bandits and kidnappers, who hitherto sha ered the peace of our agrarian communi es and other communi es have subsided since Iru Ekun Security Network started opera ons and backed by the Police, military personnel, DSS opera ves. “We are not backing down or relen ng un l we make the South West forests, highways and agrarian communi es safe for all. We cannot afford to create chances for hoodlums to turn out region to their safe haven. “Everything humanly and legally possible must be done to support the administra on of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who approved the establishment of Iru Ekun to further develop the South West and other parts of Nigeria. This can only be achieved through effec ve security in our region.” While highligh ng the procedures of Iru Ekun to volunteers who joined the security ou it in Ondo, Igboho cau oned them against tackling criminals without no fying relevant security agencies in their domain. “Any me you no ce the ac vi es of bandits on
highways connec ng Ondo, Osun and Eki states, or other criminals. in your locality, you must no fy the Police and other security agencies before confront-
ing them. Be proac ve by not sparing any armed bandits because if you hesitate in taking ac on, you may be shot dead by these deadly criminals,” he added.
New Governance Blueprint Unveiled As ‘Ogbeni: The Osun Renaissance... •Continued on Page 5 sector prac oners. The publica on also examines strategies for building subna onal economic resilience in periods of economic difficulty, including approaches to internal revenue genera on, infrastructure development and social service delivery. It highlights how governments operating within constrained fiscal environments can priori se resources, strengthen ins tu ons and pursue development programmes capable of producing measurable social and economic impact. The book further explores the rela onship between effec ve public administra on and inclusive development, offering insights into how governance structures can be strengthened to respond more effecvely to the needs of ci zens. Among the specific interven ons examined in the book is a budget system designed to make it structurally
more difficult to divert public resources, emphasising ins tu onal safeguards rather than relying solely on punishment a er wrongdoing occurs. The publica on also examines the Opon Imo tablet programme, which provided digital learning tools directly to secondary school students as part of efforts to bridge educa onal gaps and expand access to learning resources. Speaking at the launch, the event host, Salamatu Sule, underscored the importance of documen ng prac cal governance experiences and making them accessible to a new genera on of public leaders. Sule said Africa’s development journey depended significantly on the ability to preserve and share tested models of subna onal administra on, describing the publica on as a useful manual for emerging leaders, policy analysts and ins tu onal reformers seeking to translate administra ve vision into tangible public impact.
Adelere Oriolowo - Osun East Senatorial District: Babatunde Olaniyi Loye For the nine Federal Cons tuencies in the House of Representaves, the candidates are: - Ifedayo/Ila/Boluwaduro: Akinlabi Olusegun - Ifelodun/Boripe/ Odo-O n: Barrister Olayinka Oyefusi - Osogbo/Olorunda/ Orolu/Irepodun: Taofeek Arogundade - Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/ Ejigbo: Hon. Tajudeen Ajagbe Iwo/Olaoluwa/ Ayedire: Hon. Gbenga Ogunkanmi Irewole/Isokan: Bolarinwa Ibraheem - Ife North/Ife East/ Ife Central/Ife South: Hon. Sikiru Ayedun Obokun/Oriade: Olowu Sunday - Ijesa South: Ajibola E. Oladimeji The party also has candidates for all 26 State House of Assembly cons tuencies in Osun State. They are: - Ifedayo: Akanbi Kehinde Joshua - Ila: Oyedotun Olalekan - Boluwaduro: Oyetola Kayode - Ifelodun: Wahab Kazeem O. - Odo-O n: Oluyemisi Ti layo A. Orolu/Irepodun: Muhammed Ismail A. - Olorunda: Lateef Mumini Abayomi - Osogbo: Tiamiyu Idris
- Ede North: Hammed Sakirat Adefunke - Ede South: Akanni Saburi A. - Egbedore: Oyewumi Naheem Alani - Ejigbo: Akinyemi Philip Iwo: Adigun Adekunle M. - Olaoluwa: Opadola Abdullahi M. - Ayedire: Ogunrinu Oguntunji A. - Ayedaade: Olaniyi Sariat Isokan/Irewole: Najeem Sunday - Ife North: Oyeniyi Isaac Kolawole - Ife East: Omisakin Mojred - Ife Central: Ayodeji Oluwaseyi E. - Ife South: Gbamilá Jacob - Ilesa West: Omole Mathew Oluseye - Ilesa East: Olayiwola Olalekan O. - Atakumosa East/ West: Olanrewaju Samuel - Oriade: Oginni Gideon - Obokun: Bakare Kayode The party urged the people of Osun State to take note of the candidates and support them in the effort to provide a brighter, more prosperous and progressive future for the state. “We express confidence that our candidates represent a new opportunity for quality representa on, purposeful leadership and a stronger democra c future for the people of Osun State,” Abosede added.
PEOPLE FIRST
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E will have to keep pointing out that efficacy in poli cs is mostly centered on the Law Of Constant Reminders . For us as a pro-people tribune, amidst a punishing cost-of existence crisis this should be the calcula on uppermost in the minds of the voters as they weigh their op ons on how to vote in the general elec ons just months ahead. The signs are ominous. Fuel prices have gone up again and there is no respite in view. The mul plier effect of fuel price increases in a country without a coherent transporta on policy is predictably devasta ng in its impact across every sector. Once again the people are collateral damage. The response from the defenders of the regime now centers around the issuing of burden, a new thread threats and bullying of previously disguised is ge ng into the public the electorate. For example, this space. This is revealed by week, a Governor of one of the Eastern the exit a few days ago States amazingly de- of the car-hailing servclared a war on peo- ice UBER. In the past ple in his state who do few years, we have not support the ruling had a host of exits mainly in the manufacparty. This shows the level turing sector such as of despera on about most notably, Procter the love of public sup- and Gamble but it’s port for an economic not only in the manupolicy which has re- facturing sector that duced most people we have had exits. This to a level of distress. thread is now spreadThe recently conclud- ing to include services ed governorship elec- and every other area on in Osun State is a of economic ac vi es. clear indica on about It’s bound to con nue which way the wind is because the so-called “gains” of the economblowing. Apart from the in- ic reform programme crease in fuel prices is propelled by “Finanand the opposi on of cialism” and it’s therethe federal govern- fore a money elusion. Ironically, in a book ment to work out sensible alterna ves and co-authored with Ryan as well as ameliora ng Browne, the present posi ons to ease the president of the Federal
Once Again: Are You Better Off?
“Apart from the increase in fuel prices and the opposition of the federal government to work out sensible alternatives and as well as ameliorating positions to ease the burden, a new thread previously disguised is getting into the public space”
toring of sta s cs and accompanying threats to the electorate can disguise the puni ve effect present pursuit of an elusion. Republic, Bola Ahmed The economic proTinubu correctly de- gramme has failed and scribed finalism as an the self- serving statea empt to drink water ment that “everything from an empty well. will be okay in the Predictably, it has long run” is a lie! As not translated into the great economist the crea on of jobs John Maynard Keynes propelled by increas- famously observed “in es in produc on and the long run, we’re all the moderniza on of dead”. Nigerians are agriculture which will now facing the dire elevate subsistence consequences of a farming into commer- misguided economic cial farming. policy not in the long No amount of docrun but right here and now. OSUN DEFENDER They now Publisher – Moremi Publishing must look for House Ltd. an alternaDeputy Editor – Michael Bamigbola Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto ve. Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere The pubProduc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa lic have to be enlightening OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing that another House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, four years of Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. this ruinous ISSN : 0794-8050 economic polTelephone : 0809-301-9152 icy will be caWebsite : www.osundefender.com/index.php lamitous and e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com have to be osundefenderbank@gmail.com avoided. All correspondence to the above email addresses.
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OGS ‘91 Set Marks 35th Anniversary With Donations, Calls For Stronger Alumni Shola Aderinto HE 1991 graduating set of Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo, has marked 35 years since gradua on with dona ons to their alma mater and a renewed call for stronger alumni engagement in school development. The two-day event held at OGS Mega Hall, Oke Fia, Ede Road, Osogbo, a racted old students from across Nigeria and the diaspora. Speaking at the anniversary on Friday, the President of the 1991 Set, _Professor Lawrence Adeyemo Olatunji_, described the reunion as an avenue for old students to reconnect and give back to the school that shaped them. “The union is the avenue where set members come together for togetherness and connec on, to remember old memories and celebrate successes,” Professor Olatunji said. “It’s heartwarming. We are gathering over thirty out of a hundred of us, 35 years a er gradua on. People came from America and different parts of the country. It’s a sign that God has helped us.” The Chairman of the Set 91 Reunion Committee, Mr. Femi Babawale Adedeji, said the set donated waste bins, exercise books, and food items for teachers to support the school. “Alumni means trying to give back to the school that molded you. Cleanliness is godliness. Even if we don’t have money to build a whole classroom, let’s do something impac ul,” Adedeji said. Both Professor Olatunji and Mr. Adedeji faulted calls to scrap alumni associa ons, saying old students’ groups remain cri cal to ins tuonal growth. “Most ins tu ons’ alumni form the major part of their development. Government should mandate every school to make their alumni func onal,” Professor Olatunji stated. “Alumni cannot be eradicated because nobody can live life alone. That is the only way we could help each other and develop the school,” Adedeji added. The two leaders also urged members yet to join the set to do so, while charging existing members to remain steadfast, commi ed,
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and to “love each other and look a er one another.” Also speaking, Mrs. Abisola Kemi Longe, the Entertainment Chairperson, charged members and those contempla ng joining Set 91 to come on board, no ng that the set is focused on the good and welfare of its members as well as the well-being of their alma mater. In a virtual address from Canada, the Global President of Osogbo Grammar School Alumni Associa on, OGSAA, Dr. David Tola Winjobi, commended Set 91 and raised concerns over decaying infrastructure at the school. “Our laboratories need to be equipped. Set 81 spent up to N1.3 million equipping them a few years ago. But there is always infrastructural deple on. They need more,” Dr. Winjobi said. He disclosed that OGSAA is currently in court over alleged “land grabbing and outright sales” of school property, and appealed for
financial support for the li ga on. He also urged alumni to par cipate in OGSAA programs such as Old Students Day and Valedictory Day. The anniversary reached a colourful cli-
max on Saturday with a grand reunion party. Members, resplendent in specially made anniversary uniforms, trooped out to celebrate 35 years of shared history.
The atmosphere was lively with music, dancing, toasts, and nostalgic rendi ons of old school songs. The highlight of the evening was the cutng of the 35th anniversary cake, followed by
individual introduc ons and tributes to departed classmates and teachers. Dignitaries described the gathering as “a testament to unity, resilience and the enduring bond of OGS ‘91.”
2027: Atiku Vows to Review NELFUND, Promises Debt Relief review, students who and believed that young The A ku camp armeet specified condi- Nigerians should not gued that reducing for Eligible Students ons could benefit from be compelled to begin energy costs would Israel Oladele
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HE presiden al candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji A ku Abubakar, has promised to overhaul the Nigerian Educa on Loan Fund (NELFUND) and introduce debt forgiveness for eligible beneficiaries if elected president in 2027. A ku’s posi on was made public by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communica on, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement issued in response to comments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the educaon loan scheme.
•Atiku
Shaibu said an A ku administra on would undertake a comprehensive review of NELFUND with the objec ve of preven ng Nigerian graduates from star ng their careers under the weight of educa on-related debts. According to him, A ku’s approach would focus primarily on tackling the rising cost of educa on rather than relying on loans as the main mechanism for helping students meet increasingly expensive school fees and living expenses. He explained that, following the proposed
debt forgiveness, allowing them to complete their educa on without being saddled with repayments for years a er gradua on. Shaibu argued that educa on policy should be assessed by how affordable schooling is for ordinary families, rather than by the amount of money made available through loan programmes. He cri cised the Federal Government for presen ng NELFUND as evidence of improved access to educa on while students and parents con nue to face higher costs in some ins tu ons. The former vice-president’s aide ques oned the logic of increasing financial pressure on families and subsequently offering loans to help them cope with the same pressure. He described such an approach as a cycle in which government creates or fails to adequately address the financial burden and then presents borrowing as the solu on. Shaibu maintained that A ku had already examined the exis ng student-loan framework
their professional lives with significant educaon debts. He also stressed the need to maintain a clear dis nc on between scholarships and loans, arguing that a scholarship provides educaonal support without crea ng a repayment obliga on, while a loan merely postpones the financial burden. According to him, the real measure of an effec ve educa on policy should be whether parents can afford to keep their children in school without having to borrow money to meet basic educa onal costs. Shaibu further accused the Tinubu’s administra on of attemp ng to create anxiety among students and workers over A ku’s proposal to reduce energy costs through an interven on involving Nigerian crude and domes c refining. He challenged the Federal Government to provide detailed figures showing how a properly budgeted and transparent energy interven on ed to locally produced crude would affect NELFUND funding or workers’ salaries.
have wider benefits for households and workers by lowering transporta on and other daily expenses. Shaibu said cheaper energy would enable workers to retain more of their earnings instead of spending a significant por on of their salaries simply commu ng to work. He maintained that the government should pursue policies capable of reducing the overall cost of living rather than increasing expenses and subsequently encouraging ci zens to borrow in order to cope. The statement added that A ku’s proposed educa on and energy policies would be designed around reducing the financial pressure on Nigerians, par cularly students, workers and low-income households. Shaibu insisted that the 2027 elec on would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to choose between policies that increase dependence on debt and those aimed at addressing the underlying causes of rising living costs.
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Six Arrested In Ikirun Over Alleged Vandalisation Of Electricity Infrastructure Shola Aderinto
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HE Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including four staff of the Ibadan Electricity Distribu on Company, IBEDC, in connec on with the alleged vandalisa on and the of electrical installa ons in Ikirun. The suspects were apprehended at about 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Eko-Ende Junc on, Ikirun, following credible intelligence received by the police. In a statement on Tuesday, the Command said operaves from the Ikirun Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, stormed the scene and met the suspects in the proc-
Adeleke, Aregbesola Reunite At Obaleye’s Burial In Ilesa Ibrahim Abdullahi FTER years on opposite sides of Osun’s poli cal divide, Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Governor Rauf Aregbesola shared a warm reunion in Ilesa on Saturday.
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The two poli cal heavyweights met at the burial ceremony of late business mogul and founder of Yinka Oba Foam, Dame Eunice Olayinka Obaleye. Adeleke and Aregbesola were seen exchanging pleasantries
and sharing light moments, with the former governor also joining the gathering in a celebratory dance. Their public reunion quickly became one of the major talking points from the burial, coming at a me when poli cal
reconcilia on has become a major issue in Osun State. The mee ng also came shortly a er Adeleke reached out to Aregbesola and other former governors as part of efforts to promote peace and bridge
poli cal divisions in the state. While the occasion was primarily to honour the late industrialist, the unexpected encounter between the two poli cians provided a powerful picture of unity.
Entertainment Egungun Lobanika Draws Crowd As Annual Festival Ends In Grand Style In Ile-Ife Ibrahim Abdullahi HE popular Egungun Lobanika came out in grand style on Sunday as the annual Egungun Fes val in Ile-Ife, Osun State, reached its colourful finale. The appearance of the revered masquerade a racted a large crowd of residents, visitors and culture enthusiasts who gathered to witness the spectacular display as the fes val drew to a close. Dressed in its elaborate tradi onal regalia, Egungun Lobanika moved through the community amid drumming, chants and other tradi onal performances, creating an atmosphere of excitement among spectators. The ou ng formed part of the annual
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celebra on of Yoruba cultural heritage, with Egungun fes vals tradi onally serving as occasions for communi es to honour ancestral tradi ons and preserve indigenous cultural prac ces. Historical accounts of Yoruba Egungun
tradi ons describe the masquerades as representa ons of ancestral presence, with different masquerades belonging to par cular families or communi es and possessing dis nct iden es and characteris cs. Lobanika is par cu-
larly well known within Yoruba masquerade tradi ons. Historical accounts from Ogbomoso, for instance, describe Lobanika as one of the prominent and energe c Egungun associated with the town’s long-standing mas-
querade culture. The 2026 appearance in Ile-Ife further added colour to the city’s growing cultural calendar, with images and videos from the event showing the masquerade surrounded by a large gathering of spectators. Beyond the entertainment that accompanies such celebra ons, tradional fes vals such as Egungun provide communi es with an opportunity to preserve indigenous prac ces and pass cultural knowledge from one genera on to another. The grand finale ended on a colourful note, leaving residents and visitors with another memorable display of Yoruba cultural heritage in the ancient city of Ile-Ife.
ess of cu ng a hightension electricity pole with a cu ng machine powered by a genera ng set. The police said the suspects are believed to be members of a syndicate responsible for the persistent vandalisa on and the of electricity cables and other power infrastructure in Ikirun and its environs, an act that has plunged the area into prolonged darkness in recent months. The suspects were iden fied as Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55; Bolaji Odusanya, 51; Alimi Akeem, 36; Balogun Kehinde, 52; Oyewo Hammed, 31; and Oladosu Hammed, 22. According to the police, the first three suspects are IBEDC staff, while Balogun is an IBEDC security personnel. Oyewo and Oladosu are welders. Items recovered from them include one cu ng machine, one genera ng plant and one welding machine, all allegedly used for the operaon. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Invesga on Department, SCID, Osogbo, for discreet inves ga on. The Command said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of inves gaons. Meanwhile, CP Zungura has warned individuals and groups involved in the vandalisa on or the of public infrastructure to desist from the act, no ng that the Command would con nue to deploy intelligence and opera onal resources to apprehend offenders. He also urged members of the public to provide credible informa on that could assist the police in preven ng and comba ng crime across the state, and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protec ng cri cal infrastructure and bringing those involved in the sabotage of public u lies to jus ce
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Redeemer’s University Records 100% Success In Physiotherapy Professional Examination Shola Aderinto
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EDEEMER’S University (RUN), Ede, Nigeria, has once again demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence and professional competence as all 89 candidates presented by the University for the 2026 Medical Rehabilita on Therapist Board of Nigeria (MRTB) Professional Examina on for Physiotherapy recorded a 100 percent pass rate. The outstanding performance, recorded by the gradua ng class of the Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, underscores the university’s growing reputa on for producing highly competent graduates equipped with the knowledge, clinical skills and professional values required to make meaningful contribu ons to healthcare delivery. Reac ng to the remarkable achievement, the Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, congratulated the department and the gradua ng students for bringing honour to the ins tuon. “I hear ly congratulate the Dean,
Adeleke Approves Two-Year Tenure Extension For UNIOSUN Vice-Chancellor Israel Oladele
the HOD, the staff, and all the gradua ng students for making the university proud,” Prof Akindele said. Providing further details on the examina on, the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Professor Rufus Adedoyin, disclosed that the professional examina on was held from August 3 to August 5, 2026, at the University of Osun (UNIOSUN) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State. According to him, the professional examina on comprised two major components: the Mul pleChoice Ques ons (MCQs) and the clinical examina on, which assessed the candidates’ compe-
tence across six major speciali es in physiotherapy prac ce. “Usually, the exam is in two parts. We have the MCQs and also the clinical part where the students get to go through six special es. They are Orthopaedics, Neurology, Pediatrics, Women’s health, Community Physiotherapy, and Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy,” he explained. “Redeemer’s University presented 89 candidates, and the department is proud to announce that all our students recorded 100% pass in the examina on,” he added. “The implica on is that they are all qualified physiotherapists now, and in a few weeks from now
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they will be formally inducted into the Physiotherapy profession with Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) degree.” The 100 percent success recorded by Redeemer’s University’s Physiotherapy graduates further reinforces RUN’s commitment to delivering quality, prac ce-oriented educa on that combines sound academic training with rigorous professional prepara on. For Redeemer’s University, the achievement is not merely a reflec on of examina on success but also a testament to the dedica on of its academic staff, the quality of its training programmes and the determina on of its students to excel.
2027: Osun Accord Divided Over Choice Of Candidates Michael Bamigbola
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HEAD of the 2027 general elec ons, the Accord Party in Osun State appears to be in disarray as some members were alleged of working for candidates of other poli cal par es. Specifically, the Accord in Ifelodun/ Boripe/Odoo n federal cons tuency of the state is said to be sharply divided following the choice of Hon Soji Adetunji as the party’s candidate for the House of Representa ves elec on. However, the party is said to be working round the clock to appeal to aggrieved members of the party
Campus Review
•Members Accused Of Planning To Work For Candidates Of APP, APC in the cons tuency and other parts of the state where similar situa on exist. Already, the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke alongside chie ains of the party in the state had met with stakeholders in the party from the cons tuency. At the mee ng held at the Government house in Osogbo and a ended by prominent members of the party, it was resolved that all members of the party should work for the victory of Adetunji in the elec on. But, Osun Defender gathered that some members of the
party especially at the grassroot level are not pleased with the plea of the Governor and not ready to oblige with the resolu ons reached at the stakeholders mee ng. Findings revealed that some members of the party are disturbed by the manner at which Adetunji emerged as the party’s flag bearer for the House of Representaves elec on, alleging that he did not emerge through primary elecon but imposed on the party. It was alleged that the aggrieved members of the party are working for Hon Dapo
Okunola a former aspirant of the Accord who eventually emerged the candidate of the Ac on People’s Party (APP) in the cons tuency. Okunola had contested for the House of Representa ves elec on under the pla orm of the Accord but was denied the party’s cket, hence his defec on to the APP where he was given the party’s cket. It was learnt that the manner at which Adetunji emerged the Accord candidate prompted the defecon of Okunola to the APP.
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SUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has approved a twoyear extension for the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Clement Adebooye. The extension was announced during the inaugura on of the newly recons tuted Governing Council of the ins tu on at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo. According to a statement issued by the university’s Public Rela ons Officer, Ademola Adesoji, Governor Adeleke explained that the decision was aimed at ensuring stability and con nuity in the administra on of the university. The Governor disclosed that Adebooye ini ally turned down the offer to remain in office but later accepted the extension. Adeleke said retaining the Vice-Chancellor would help strengthen the university’s governance system and prevent an administrave vacuum that could affect the smooth running of the ins tu on. The Governor also retained Prof. Adewale Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, no ng that his experience and familiarity with the university system would be valuable to the ins tu on. Other members of the newly inaugurated council are Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awo de, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade. Speaking to the council members, Adeleke urged them to approach their responsibili es with integrity, courage, humility and a strong sense of public service. He stressed the importance of coopera on between the Governing Council and the university management, warning against rivalry or the crea-
on of compe ng centres of authority. According to him, both the council and management must operate within the provisions of the law, respect their respec ve responsibili es and work together to advance the interests of the university. The Governor described Osun State University as a major investment of the people of the state, no ng that the ins tu on’s contribu ons to educa on, research and human capital development extend beyond Osun to Nigeria as a whole. In his remarks, the ProChancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Adewale Oladipo, expressed gra tude to the governor for renewing his appointment and allowing him to con nue serving the university. Oladipo, who also headed the previous council before its dissolu on, highlighted some of the achievements recorded during its tenure. He assured the governor that the recons tuted council would build on the exis ng successes and introduce measures capable of further improving the university’s academic and administra ve standards. Also speaking, Prof. Clement Adebooye expressed apprecia on to Governor Adeleke, members of the Osun State Execu ve Council and the newly inaugurated council for their support. The Vice-Chancellor pledged that the university’s management would maintain a strong working rela onship with the Governing Council and other stakeholders. He said the ins tu on would con nue pursuing ini a ves aimed at sustaining its development and posi oning Osun State University among respected universi es in Africa and beyond.If you want, I can also make it more newspaper-like, more concise, and punchier with a stronger headline and opening paragraph.
PEOPLE FIRST
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2026
7
Sports
Osun Sounds Warning Over Fraudsters’ Fake Sports Trust Fund Website Ibrahim Abdullahi
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HE Osun State Government has warned residents, athletes, sports stakeholders and members of the public against a fraudulent website allegedly posing as the official pla orm of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund. The warning came amid growing concerns over online fraudsters exploi ng governmentbacked ini a ves to collect personal informa on and solicit money from unsuspec ng members of the public. The state government urged residents to exercise cau on and verify any informa on concerning the Sports Trust Fund through official government channels before clicking on links, submi ng personal details or making payments. The warning is par cularly significant as the state has been working to establish sustainable funding for sports development. In February 2025, Governor Ademola Adeleke announced that the legal framework for a Sports Commission and Sports Trust Fund was being finalised, with the fund intended to provide sustainable financing for sports development in the state. A website currently presen ng itself as the Osun State Sports Trust Fund claims to support athletes, upgrade sports facili es and a ract investment into the state’s sports sector. However, residents should independently confirm its authen city with the Osun State Government before providing any sensi ve informa on or financial details. The warning also comes against the backdrop of previous scams targe ng Osun residents through fake government schemes. FactCheckAfrica had previously iden fied a purported Osun relieffund website as exhibiting phishing characteriscs, while a more recent fake ₦15,000 cash-transfer scheme circulated online a er the 2026 Osun governorship elecon. Members of the public are therefore advised not to share bank details, passwords, OTPs or other sensi ve informa on with unverified websites claiming to represent
the state government. The government is expected to provide
clarifica on through its official communica on channels on the legi -
mate pla orm and procedures rela ng to the Sports Trust Fund.
Who Are The Free Agents After Transfer Deadline Day?
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HE summer transfer window is closed but there are s ll a host of talented players without a club and therefore available to sign for free. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the biggest stars who are currently out of contract and up for grabs. Paul Pogba, 33 (Last club: Monaco) Former Manchester United midfielder Pogba has played very li le football since his 18 month doping ban ended in March 2025. The Frenchman made just six appearances for Monaco a er joining them last summer and, a er a series of injuries, the French club terminated his contract last month - one year before it was due to end. Karim Benzema, 38 (Last club: Al Hilal) French striker Benzema has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia since leaving Real Madrid in 2023, spending three years with Al I had. But just six months a er joining Al-Hilal the Ballon d’Or winner has terminated his contract. The arrival of a acking trio Crysencio Summerville, Ollie Watkins and Gabriel Mar nelli has perhaps pushed Benzema out and, despite already making three appearances for Al-Hilal this season, his contract was terminated on 31 August. Riyad Mahrez, 35 (Last club: Al Ahli) Another player to have had their contract terminated in the Saudi Pro League is five- me Premier League winner Mahrez. The Algeria winger joined Al Ahli from Manchester City in 2023, scoring 37 goals in 122 appearances in all compe ons. Re-
ports suggest he will stay in the Saudi league and is close to joining Al-Shabab. Raheem Sterling, 31 (Last club: Feyenoord) Sterling was released by Feyenoord a er just three months and eight games and is set to appear in court next month to face charges of dangerous driving a er crashing his car into motorway barriers in May. Sources told BBC Sport the former Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea winger had faced “an extremely tough couple of years”. Philippe Cou nho, 34 (Last club: Vasco da Gama) Former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Cou nho le his boyhood club Vasco de Gama in February, saying he was “ red mentally”. The Brazilian has not officially announced his re rement and has previously been linked with a move to the MLS. Jadon Sancho, 26 (Last club: Manchester United) It has been a turbulent few years for Sancho since joining United from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in 2021 and he has spent the last two and-a-half years playing elsewhere on loan, most recently at Aston Villa following a lacklustre period at Chelsea. Sancho made just 30 Premier League appearances for United but has reportedly agreed a move to Brazilian club Palmeiras. Dani Carvajal, 34 (Last club: Real Madrid) Widely regarded as one of the best right-backs of his genera on, Carvajal has been a free agent since his contract with Real Madrid ended in June. Carvajal made 451 appearances across all compe ons for
Real in 13 years and has not been linked with a new club. He has reportedly been training at the Spanish Football Federa on’s facili es over the summer with compatriot and fellow free agent Joselu. Jamie Vardy, 39 (Last club: Cremonese) Vardy spent last season with Cremonese a er 13 years with Leicester City but relega on to Serie B prompted the Italian side to let the striker go. He has been heavily linked with a move back to the English Football League with Wrexham, Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham all reportedly interested. David Alaba, 34 (Last club: Real Madrid) Experienced full-back Alaba le Real Madrid in May a er five years with the club and, for a spell this summer, Manchester United were the bookies’ favourite to sign the Austrian. The former Bayern Munich star has had a storied club career that has yielded 12 league tles and four Champions Leagues. Despite specula on of interest from a number of clubs as his Real contract came to an end, so far, Alaba has not signed for anyone. Sergio Ramos, 40 (Last club: Monterrey) Legendary Spanish defender Ramos has been without a club since December 2025 a er leaving Mexican side Monterrey. Although aged 40, he has not announced his re rement while some reports suggest he s ll feels fit enough to compete at a high level. Earlier this year he spearheaded a consorum who a empted to acquire a controlling stake in his former club Sevilla but the bid failed.
•Adewusi
Are Arsenal Taking A Risk In Not Signing A World-Class Forward?
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HAT was manager Mikel Arteta’s aim for Arsenal’s transfer dealings following their defeat by Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final in May. The Gunners won their first tle in 22 years last season by seven points and did not lose a game in the Champions League during normal me, with their only loss in the compe on coming to Luis Enrique’s side on penal es. But it was clear coming into the summer transfer window that the club were looking for a game-changing a acker to li their forward line. Viktor Gyokeres - a £64m signing last summer from Portuguese side Sporting - scored 21 goals in his first season for Arsenal but his performances s ll raised ques ons about whether he is the best fit for Arteta’s side going forward. The same debate was posed on the le wing with Leandro Trossard’s form dipping a er star ng the season well and Gabriel Mar nelli, despite scoring six goals in the Champions League campaign, scoring just once in the league. And now both of those players have le the club. But finding an a acker who could elevate a squad that almost won a domesc and European double proved difficult. Arsenal want to be one of the best clubs in the world. In an interview with the Times, chief execu ve Richard Garlick said that joining the world’s super-clubs is “the goal - that’s the ambion”. In that same interview, Garlick acknowledged that the “pool of players is smaller now than it was a few
years ago if we’re going to improve”. And unfortunately for the Gunners, they have found that out this summer. Spor ng director Andrea Berta is known for speaking to mul ple targets at once while preparing the deals simultaneously. The Gunners went into this window with interest in Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Jr. They didn’t sign any of them. Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius Jr turned public and was shaped around his contract situa on at Real Madrid. Ul mately, the Spanish club offered him a bigger package than they had done before Arsenal’s interest stepped up. But inside the club, there was a period where they thought they were going to be successful in bringing one of the best wingers in world football to north London. Ques ons will be posed as to why the club did not go big for Rogers, but Arsenal stuck to their valua on of £80m before Chelsea then paid £117m for the former Aston Villa forward. That le Julian Alvarez as the only available target in the window a er Liverpool succeeded in bringing in Bradley Barcola. Arsenal always had reserva ons about paying the fee needed to get Barcola too. It appeared Alvarez’s only way out of Atle co Madrid was Arsenal, a er Atle were adamant that they would not nego ate with Barcelona. However, Alvarez returned to training with the Spanish side and, despite Arteta’s best efforts laying out plans to the player, the deal did not come off.
ISSN : 0794 - 8050
Sport
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 70 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
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HE dense ancient forest is one of Africa’s richest fauna and flora. A last primate high forest in Southern Nigeria, the Osun grove is home to four hundred and sixty five (465) plants, diverse animal species across seventy two (72) families including seven (7) Primates and over sixty (60) Bird species. The grove houses forty (40) shrines of pris ne historical values, over one hundred (100) communal heritage marks with kindred ar s c impressions, nine (9) deeps running as arteries to the main river, a suspended bridge of tourist a rac on and different sculptures of ancient and contemporary history. Osun grove is where the beauty and essence of nature found a common ground. The historical value of Osun grove is ed to its discovery by two princes of Ipole-Omu: Laroye Gbadewolu and Olumehin in a period that has spanned more than six hundred (600) years. Olu mehin, famous for his hun ng skills, had in the course of his wandering for games stumbled on a ceaseless river flow close to his ancestral home of Ipole-Omu. He traced the river to the grove which supported a thriving human community. The migra on of Ipoles to the Grove not only opened a new page in the history of the people but also established a kingdom which evolved from a spiritual partnership between Larooye and a goddess (Mermaid) of the river. Osun, Osogbo and Atewogbeja (Ataoja) all are testaments of filial rela onship that birthed the name of a kingdom, the tle of its monarch and the year of its founda on. From a religious worship
Osun Sounds Warning Over Fraudsters’ Fake Sports Trust Fund Website
PERSPECTIVE
BY OLUSOLA AJIBOYE Osun Osogbo: A Primordial Grove On The Throes Of Extinction centre dedicated to the Yoruba goddess of fer lity, the Groove has metamorphosed into a major tourism hub, carried the badge of a World heritage Site through the instrumentality of the United Na ons Economic Scien fic and Cultural Organisa on (UNESCO) and in the process, a racts global a en on of tourists, ar sts, heritage Researchers and eco scien sts from different na ons. Every month of august, the Grove is a bee-hive of visitors across climes, thronging the Heritage site for varied purposes inclusive of supplica ons to overcome spiritual and physical challenges. In the midst of the pomp and pageantry that usually accompany the annual celebra on of the global cultural fiesta however lies hanging ques ons on the survival of the sacred Grove, reported to have confronted mul ple ac vi es of human predators for some mes. The seventy five (75) hectares primary forest is now exposed to contamina on vide: illegal mining from Osu
“Every month of august, the Grove is a bee-hive of visitors across climes, thronging the Heritage site for varied purposes inclusive of supplications to overcome spiritual and physical challenges. In the midst of the pomp and pageantry that usually accompany the annual celebration of the global cultural fiesta however lies hanging questions on the survival of the sacred Grove, reported to have confronted multiple activities of human predators for sometimes”
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and Iperindo, both adjoining towns along the Osun River Course. The led-flow from gold mining is a threat to aqua c life of the Grove including its flora and fauna. Overlapping modern pressures from rapid urbanizaon around the Grove fuelled by land speculators have laid bare, the once secluded habitat and exposed its protected wildlife to poaching and bushfire. This development is a taboo to the age-long edict against fishing and hun ng within and adjoining areas of the Grove. These ceaseless incursions by predators are worrisome to the Guardians of the sacred grove. Ar sts and tourists who visit the natural habitat are equally apprehensive of the health implica ons that contamina on of the River and its tributaries can have on worshippers. Inves ga on reveals that rapacious degrading ac vies of real estate/property developers and land grabbers among other human predators have forced UNESCO to place the Grove on danger list. What may follow is de-classifica on of the Grove from the global tourism index and ulmate withdrawal of funding grants. Osun Grove is also the bu of vandals and religious fanatics who seek to impose extraneous ideological doctrines that distort and undermine na ve beliefs which determine the survival of the Grove. The porosity of the Grove without effec ve monitoring and restric ons by government has amplified unauthorized entries by foreign religious groups who deface, mock or engage in aggressive counterrituals on the historical shrines preserved over the years by the renowned Austrian-born
archivist, Susanne Wenger at different parts of the grove. Rapid deteriora on of the Osun Grove is provoking unanswered per nent ques ons that must be urgently addressed. How does one place the construc on of a bisecting public road in the Grove which directly splits its forest eco-system, erodes its buffer zone, disrupts natural movement of its fauna, fragments the habitat and destroys its primordial flora that makes the grove a repository of medicinal herbs and unexplored na ve pharmacy? What happens if the Osun sacred Grove goes into ex ncon? Such is be er imagined than experienced. The consequences can be overwhelming. Are we talking of possible loss of over five (5) century civiliza on and heritage history, and erasure of Na ve identy which placed an ancient Yoruba Kingdom on the global tourism map? Rather than watch a significant part of Yoruba history and civiliza on disappear, relevant government agencies should take pro-ac ve measures to keep the Osun Grove alive. Making the Grove more secured, building guest chalets for Ar sts and Tourists, correc ng infrastructural deficit of the Grove, construc ng a train hanger for panoramic view of the Grove, building a herbal factory to exploit the Grove’s natural resources for treatment of various diseases, pu ng in place an archival library to preserve heritage collec ons/objects within the Grove, establishing an effecve mechanism for revenue genera on in form of Ar sts charges for movie producon and cultural exhibi on, as well as marke ng the tourism poten als of the Grove through world standard television documentaries will make Osun –Osogbo fes val and its ancient Grove, a net revenue earlier for government and a s mulus for economic ac vies of people and residents of Osun State. This writer will not de-emphasize the age long ritual importance of the Grove but cannot ignore obvious threats to its survival. Governments’ interven on is urgent. Let us note that beyond the pomp at every month of August lies a primordial Grove in the heart of Osogbo, struggling for survival. •Olusola Ajiboye is a veteran Journalist and Media Consultant based in Osogbo, South West, Nigeria.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, MICHAEL BAMIGBOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com