FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2026
VOL 21 NO 77
•Buildings taken over by flood in Osogbo
Osun Residents Groan As Water Takes Over Communities P2
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2026
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News
Shola Aderinto
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ESIDENTS living along the Osun River bank in Osogbo, the state capital, have been badly affected a er the river overflowed its banks. The incident, which occurred following four days of heavy rainfall, saw the river’s water level rise beyond its usual channel, forcing water into residen al buildings and farmlands close to the river. When OSUN DEFENDER visited some of the affected communies on Monday, several houses were observed to have been taken over by flood, with residents evacua ng their properes to safer loca ons. A resident, Mr. Saheed Akanni, said many families have temporarily relocated. “Some of us have started moving our belongings out. The water has entered our compounds and some buildings. Many families have le their houses and are staying with rela ves elsewhere while monitoring the situa on,” Akanni said. Another resident, Mrs. Adeogun, said farmers were badly affected. “Our farmlands near the river have been covered by water. All our crops are under water. If the water stays for long, we will lose everything we have invested,” she lamented. Residents appealed to the state government to dredge the Osun River and provide relief materials through the Osun State Emergency Management Agency for affected households. Similarly, two residents of Ayekale, Osogbo, Adeojo Adewale and Sukurat Taiwo, said they lost property to flooding that ravaged the area a er heavy rainfall last Friday. Sukurat, a widow, told OSUN DEFENDER on Monday that several houses were flooded, adding that she lost valuables to the incident. “I lost valuables to flooding and many houses were flooded after heavy rain in Osogbo last Friday. The water channel in our area is blocked, and just a few hours of rain caused the water to overflow its banks. We live in fear of another flooding at any moment. It has been raining in our area for the past three hours.
•Participants, stakeholders, persons with disabilities and members of the One House Development Initiative in a group photograph at the One House Nation Building Conference held at NMA House, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, on Wednesday, to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary The government needs to act quickly,” she said. Residents of Ifesowapo Community in the Ijetu area of Osogbo, near the Osun Bridge and around Ayonic Filling Sta on, have also appealed to the Osun State Government to urgently intervene over persistent flooding affec ng the community. The residents said the recurring flooding has
caused significant hardship, disrup ng movement and posing risks to homes, businesses and residents, especially during heavy rainfall. They called for immediate drainage and flood-control measures to address the situaon and prevent further damage. In Atakumosa East Local Government, residents of Ijaregbe, Ala se
and adjoining communies called on Governor Ademola Adeleke and other elected representa ves over the total collapse of the Ilesa-Ijaregbe link road. The road, which serves as a major shorter route connec ng Ilesa to Ijebu-Jesa, was completely washed off by flood on Monday, leaving a wide crater with muddy water overflow-
ing the broken culvert. The Olomu of Ijaregbe, Oba Edward Ade mo, confirmed in a telephone interview with this medium on Tuesday that the bridge linking his community to Ilesa had been damaged following the heavy downpour. A video of the road showed it has become impassable for both vehicles and motorcycles,
Israel Oladele woman and two farm workers in Oke-Oba, Iwo, Osun State, are seeking jus ce following an alleged a ack on their farmland, with the handling of the case by the police becoming a source of concern for the vic ms and a human rights organisa on. The incident reportedly occurred on August 26, 2026, when the woman and two labourers were harves ng palm fruits on a farm located near the boundary of Osun and Oyo States. According to the Osun Amotekun Corps, three men allegedly confronted the farm workers and a empted to force the woman away from the farmland. The confronta on reportedly escalated, promp ng residents in the area to raise an alarm. Two of the alleged a ackers, iden fied as 55-year-old Fatai Balogun and 52-year-old Rafiu Adesola Balogun, were subsequently arrested. The Amotekun Corps said its opera ves recovered a barrel gun
and a cutlass from the suspects before taking them to its headquarters in Osogbo. The ma er was later transferred to zone XI Police Command for further inves ga ons. The seriousness of the allega on has led the Amotekun Corps and human rights advocates to describe the incident as an alleged a empted murder, citing the reported use of weapons during the confronta on. However, the handling of the case reportedly changed a er the police took over the inves ga on. The Execu ve Director of Hope For The Common Man Foundaon, Nurudeen Ibraheem, alleged that the two suspects were released shortly a er they were taken to the Zone XI Command. Ibraheem claimed that the suspects were brought to the command on August 29 and released the same day without the alleged vicms being informed of the development. He said the vic ms subsequently made several a empts to have the suspects produced so that the inves ga on
could con nue, but their efforts did not yield the expected outcome. The ma er reportedly took another turn on Monday when the vic ms and their representa ves met the newly deployed Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Bassey S. Ewah. According to Ibraheem, the AIG directed officers at the command to produce the suspects for the par es involved. He, however, alleged that the suspects were not brought before the vic ms le the command. Ibraheem further alleged that an officer later informed the AIG
that the individuals accused of carrying out the a ack were actually the complainants in the case, while the original vic ms were being treated as respondents. The allega on has raised concerns among the vic ms and rights advocates over the direc on of the inves ga on and the circumstances surrounding the handling of the par es involved. The Zone XI Police Public Rela ons Officer, Tunji Ojedele, had earlier confirmed that the ma er was under invesga ons. Following the latest development, the AIG reportedly directed the par es involved to return to the command on Friday with a fresh order for the alleged suspects to be produced. The vic ms are expected to use the opportunity to present their account of the incident and seek clarifica on on the status of the inves ga on. For now, the allegaons concerning the suspects’ release and the subsequent handling of the par es remain subject to the outcome of the police inves ga ons.
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grounding social and economic ac vi es. Also, residents of Kunike School Road, OkeJetu, Ilesa Garage area of Osogbo lamented the deplorable condi on of the road which worsened a er heavy downpour during the week. In a video posted by *Òsogbo Update* and watched by *OSUN DEFENDER*, the road was seen completely washed out, with deep gullies and muddy por ons making it impassable. When contacted, the Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, said the state government had taken measures to mi gate the effects of flooding. Adejoorin described flooding as a seasonal occurrence associated with heavy and prolonged rainfall, saying the situa on had not degenerated to an uncontrollable level in the state. The flood incidents come amid warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, in its 2026 Seasonal Climate Predic on, of normal to above-normal rainfall and risk of flash floods in several parts of the country, including Osun State. Residents, however, recalled the August 2018 flooding incident in Osogbo, expressing fear that a similar disaster might occur if proac ve measures are not taken. When contacted, the Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin said the state government has taken measures to mi gate flooding, describing it as a seasonal occurrence associated with heavy rainfall. He said the situa on had not degenerated to an uncontrollable level, but assured that the government would treat it with urgency, while appealing to residents to desist from dumping refuse into waterways and to avoid building close to riverbanks. The flood incidents come amid warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, in its 2026 Seasonal Climate Predic on of normal to above-normal rainfall and risk of flash floods in several states, including Osun, with residents recalling the August 2018 flooding in Osogbo and expressing fear of a similar disaster if proac ve steps are not taken.
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To the president “ the road ahead demands for more sacrifice”. This is an unpalatable demand when the people are already overwhelmed with hardship and terror. We don’t expect that on a day like this the demand of the president Bola Tinubu will also be sacrifice while the Analysing What’s On The Front Burner ruling class are living in opulent. To tell the people. That it is not me to look back “ but faith to make sacrifice” . It ought to be •Obadtan a day of telling the na on HE president, Bola of achievements and what Ahmed Tinubu greet the government has put in Nigerians for witplace for more life abunnessing 66 years of our Indance. dependence. He recalled The manufacturing secthat when he came on tor is groaning over power board in 2023 poverty was and raw materials, yet the ravaging the land and the government is talking about people due to the abanfour percent growth and the donment by its previous increase in foreign reserve. leaders which led to the The federal government and dras c surgical cancerous the state governors of the opera on which has been 36 states and Abuja should painful but inevitable inbe concerned about the stead of the use of Amoxicondi on of living especially cillin. about the high infla on rate It appears that the Preswhich is not in conformity ident lacks empathy. Here with government sta s cs. was a president that was There is hunger everywhere, holidaying abroad and giving them pallia ve may dinning with President not be the way out except Macron of France when there is an enabling environabout 37 Nigerians died in ment for the people to work the cell of NSCDC in a Niand walk out of poverty. gerian state. The President in his adOne would have exdress stated “our des napected that he returned on is in sight” and I ask immediately the death how, when and where? occurred. Yet on his arThe leaders of our na on rival at the airport nothing are concerned with the next was said about the incielec on and I ask where are dent. The President failed the state-men that are conto visit the bereaved peocerned about the future of ple. Today’s Independence rians are in cap vity , cry- Nothing was said and no the youths. message also has no word ing for help from the Bola step has been taken about Conclusively, the Presiadministra on. them. for the na on over the in- Tinubu’s dent’s speech a er three The IDP camps are also in cident. and half years Similarly, over 700 Nige- many states without food OSUN DEFENDER has been futurismedicine and hope of re- Publisher – Moremi Publishing c and the peoHouse Ltd. “The President’s turning home. No promise ple are already Deputy Editor – Michael Bamigbola overwhelmed speech after three for them also. – Shola Aderinto The youths and educa- Deputy Photo Editor with pain and and half years has on were par ally touched Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere for balm been futuristic and in the speech of the presi- Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa asking to relieve them the people are al- dent but the truth of the from the pains inDEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing ready overwhelmed ma er is that as at 2023 OSUN flicted by this adHouse Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, when President Tinubu ministra on. with pain and Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. coming in, there were Give them asking for balm to was ISSN : 0794-8050 about 10 million out of dividends of derelieve them from school children in Nigeria. Telephone : 0809-301-9152 mocracy and not : www.osundefender.com/index.php the pains inflicted Three and half years later Website hope. The peoe-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com by this adminis- there are about 18 milple can no longer osundefenderbank@gmail.com lion out of school children. All correspondence to the above email addresses. wait. trations”
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President Bola Tinubu Independence Message
FRIDAY, OCTBER 02, 2026
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Michael Bamigbola
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CORES of residents of Osogbo and neighbouring communies in Osun State have been le distressed a er a company that adver sed food items at unusually low prices allegedly collected advance payments from customers and subsequently shut down its outlet. The firm, which operated under the name “Global Food Ini a ve,” reportedly commenced opera ons around the Odi-Olowo area of Osogbo, a rac ng residents with offers for food products at prices significantly lower than prevailing market rates. The company circulated fliers across parts of the state capital, invi ng members of the public to its outlet at Odi-Olowo, opposite the NEPA office, Omokayode Shopping Complex. According to the informa on contained in the flier, the business was presented as a temporary ini a ve aimed at making food more affordable for consumers. Customers were reportedly required to make payment in advance and
Israel Oladele ESIDENTS of Osun State have expressed support for the state government’s renewed efforts to improve environmental sanita on and tackle indiscriminate dumping of refuse across major towns and communi es. The development followed the inaugura on of the Osun State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitaon, chaired by the Head of Service, Samuel Ayanleye Aina. Less than 24 hours after its inaugura on, the taskforce commenced its assignment with sensi saon and advocacy visits to parts of Osogbo, the state
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News wait seven days before collec ng their orders. The company claimed the waiting period was intended to prevent overcrowding at its premises and ensure that booked items were available before customers arrived for collec on.
Among the products adver sed were bags of rice, cooking oil, noodles, semovita, spaghe , beverages and seasoning products. The flier listed a 50kg bag of rice at N27,000, five litres of Golden Terra
groundnut oil at N8,000, 25 litres of Kings Oil at N30,000 and 10kg of Golden Penny semovita at N8,000. It also adver sed a packet of Golden Penny spaghe for N10,000 and a carton of Terra Gold sea-
•Residents protesting after being defrauded by an unknown company
capital, and Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area. The team, which comprises officials and professionals drawn from various sectors, used the exercise to engage residents, market operators and other stakeholders on the need to improve sanitary pracces and maintain cleaner surroundings. During the engagement, residents appealed to the state government to reintroduce stronger measures against li ering and indiscriminate disposal of waste. They also called for sustained enforcement of environmental sanitaon regula ons in towns,
ci es and rural communies, no ng that improper waste disposal remains a challenge in some parts of the state. Responding to the concerns, the taskforce chairman said the government was considering the provision of refuse bins at strategic loca ons as part of measures to discourage indiscriminate dumping. Aina also said the taskforce would monitor the ac vi es of FSP operators to determine their effecveness in maintaining environmental cleanliness across the state. He said the taskforce would regularly visit major towns and ci es to promote improved sanitary prac ces in line with the environmental sanita on
agenda of the state government. Aina said, “This Taskforce will be going out to all major towns and ci es of the state from me to me to raise the bar on good sanitary prac ces as outlined by the governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, who, in his wisdom, set it up.” The chairman acknowledged the scale of the task before the commi ee but expressed concern over the manner in which some residents and market operators dispose of waste. He par cularly cri cised the prac ce of dumping refuse indiscriminately in public spaces, saying such ac ons undermine efforts to maintain clean and hygienic communi es. The taskforce said part of its responsibility would be to encourage a change in residents’ a tudes towards environmental hygiene while promo ng greater compliance with sanita on regula ons. It therefore appealed to residents, traders, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the government’s efforts by taking responsibility for the cleanliness of their immediate surroundings. The team also called for stronger coopera on between the government and
soning for N12,000, among other products. Two telephone numbers were included on the flier for members of the public seeking addi onal informa on or intending to make purchases. The unusually low prices reportedly a racted a large number of customers, including traders and other residents involved in the wholesale and retail sale of food products. Some customers who ini ally patronised the business were reportedly able to receive their orders a er the s pulated wai ng period. The development allegedly boosted confidence in the scheme and encouraged more residents to par cipate. According to accounts from some of the affected customers, those who had successfully received their ini al orders recommended the business to friends, rela ves and associates, leading to an increase in patronage. As more people joined the scheme, some customers reportedly paid substan al amounts upfront for different combina ons of rice, cooking oil, spaghe , semovita and other
residents, stressing that maintaining a sustainable and clean environment would require the par cipa on of all stakeholders. During the advocacy exercise, the taskforce iden fied the immediate removal of refuse heaps along major roads and road medians as one of the issues requiring urgent atten on. It also called for blocked drainage channels to be cleared to improve sanita on and reduce environmental risks associated with accumulated waste and obstructed waterways. The taskforce said it was encouraged by the response received from residents during the sensi saon exercise, no ng that many of those engaged appeared to recognise the importance of maintaining cleaner surroundings. The environmental sanita on drive is part of the Osun State Government’s ongoing efforts to address waste disposal and sanitaon challenges, par cularly in densely populated areas, major roads and markets. The state government is expected to con nue the sensi sa on exercise across other communi es as the taskforce begins the wider implementa on of its mandate.
food items. However, concerns reportedly emerged a er some customers who had completed their seven-day wai ng period were unable to reach the company or collect their orders. The affected customers subsequently went to the business premises to demand their goods or refunds, only to allegedly discover that the outlet had been vacated. The development reportedly caused distress among hundreds of customers who gathered at the loca on seeking explana ons over the disappearance of the operators. When the premises were visited on Monday, some of the affected customers were seen expressing frustra on over the situa on and demanding that the authori es intervene. Several of them claimed they had transferred or paid large sums of money for food packages, with some alleging that their individual payments ran into hundreds of thousands of naira. Collec vely, the vic ms claimed that the company may have obtained millions of naira from customers. However, the total amount allegedly collected could not be independently verified. The whereabouts of the operators also remained unclear at the me of filing the report, while the telephone numbers published by the company were reportedly unreachable. The situa on has heightened concerns among the affected customers, many of whom are demanding an inves ga on into the ac vi es of the company and the recovery of their money. Security personnel, including police officers reportedly deployed in several trucks, were present at the scene as the affected customers expressed their grievances. The presence of the security personnel was said to be aimed at maintaining order as tensions rose among the protesters. The affected residents have appealed to the police and other relevant authori es to inves gate the circumstances surrounding the closure of the business, iden fy those responsible for collec ng the payments and assist in recovering the money allegedly paid by customers. As of the me of filing the report, there was no confirmed statement from the company explaining its sudden closure or addressing the allega ons made by the affected customers.
News Stories By Shola Aderinto
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HE management of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo has declared that the priva za on policy of the hospital will not affect the workers of the hospital. Reac ng to the privasa on policy a er protes ng staff of the hospital had disrupted the Governing Board mee ng presided over by Mr Niyi Owolade over plans to priva se laboratory services. The protest, led by the Joint Ac on Commi ee (JAC) comprising NANNM, Medical Health Workers Union, NASU, Senior Staff Associa on and Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, had forced the board mee ng to end abruptly as workers chanted solidarity songs and demanded the MoU of the proposed partnership. But in its reac on contained in a comprehensive posi on paper, the hospital nanagement said the proposed arrangement is not priva sa on as being claimed by the unions. Management said the hospital will remain a public ins tu on, with its land, buildings and core assets s ll owned by government, while private par cipa on only covers provision of equipment, reagents, technology and opera onal support under a formal agreement. According to the management, the proposed Point-of-Care Laboratory will not replace the existing hospital laboratory but will add diagnos c capacity within the overall laboratory service, with
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HE Na onal Youth Service Corps(NYSC), Osun State has dismissed reports that a corps member serving in the state, Adewebi Opeoluwa, was missing. Adewebi, with state code OS/26A/5230 and serving at St. James Grammar School, Ayetoro, Olorunda Local Government Area, was reported to have been missing since September 20 in a report by an online media plat-
both facili es working collabora vely. Management explained that the need for addi onal capacity arose from systemic gaps such as equipment breakdown, irregular reagents, prolonged turnaround me and limited emergency coverage, and not as a result of staff failure. It assured that no existing staff will be displaced, adding that a staff roster and Laboratory SOP will be jointly developed by the Opera ng Partner, Laboratory Management and the Bank to clearly define roles and coverage, while generator supply will be extended to the main laboratory a er a power audit. On affordability, Management said NHIA and SHIA pa ents will be accommodated with payments made within a month a er service, while tariffs will remain transparent. It also disclosed that the bank will supply consumables for both laboratories including for training, while research and teaching mandates will be protected, with revenue from student training going into the hospital’s designated account. Management said the project will start with a three-month pilot to generate opera onal and financial data before determining the longterm structure, including equipment buy-back, and will be measured by equipment up me, turnaround me and service availability. It warned that staff will no longer be allowed
to refer pa ents outside the hospital for laboratory tests, saying violators will face sanc ons, and maintained that the PPP is one mechanism to address diagnos c gaps while protec ng public character, workforce and pa ent care. Meanwhile, the Unions under the Joint Ac on Congress, JAC, in collabora on with the Hospital Board and the financier, are currently working towards reviewing the exis ng MoU, which they said was signed without adequately involving all cri cal stakeholders. According to Mr. Samuel Ibitoye, former NASU chairman, the ongoing review is aimed at addressing concerns raised by the unions and ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders, par cularly workers and pa ents, are adequately protected, expressing op mism that a revised MoU will be ready within the next few days.
form on Thursday. But in a statement on Monday by its Public Relaons Officer, Otemuyiwa Catherine, on behalf of the State Coordinator, Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, the scheme said the corps member was neither missing nor kidnapped. According to the NYSC, Adewebi has confirmed that she is safe and accounted for, explaining that the alarm was raised a er her mother was unable to reach her for some days. The Command appreciates members of the public who showed concern and made efforts to establish her whereabouts, no ng that the ma er has now been clarified and there is no cause for alarm. Also, Adewebi, in a public no ce and retrac on dated Monday, September 28, 2026, debunked the re-
port. “I wish to state categorically that I was not missing, neither was I kidnapped. I wish to statdangere that I am safe, accounted for and not in any,” she said. She explained that her mother’s inability to reach her led to the alarm which was amplified online, adding that the ini al report was made in good faith to douse her mother’s fear. “The ini al report was made in good faith by the media outlet to appease my mother, who was so scared a er not hearing from me,” Adewebi stated. She apologised for the distress the report caused to the NYSC community in Osun State, her State Coordinator, Place of Primary Assignment, friends and colleagues.
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•Executive Director, Association For Parents of Children With Disabilities, Mr Dele Olaniru flanked by Excos and members at a one day Sensitisation programme theme GBV Against Children With Disabilities, held in Osogbo, Osun state
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HE One House Development Ini a ve has decried the neglect of children with special needs in Osun State, par cularly in the areas of educa on and health, calling for inclusive policies that leave no one behind. Speaking at the organisa on’s annual One House Na on Building Conference held on October to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, Team lead, Tubosun Olabomi, said inclusion remains one of the thema c pillars of the ini ave. Olabomi said the focus on disability this year was informed by the worsen-
ing situa on observed in schools for persons with special needs across the state. According to him, children with special needs did not resume for the new session because feeding provisions for the en re last session were not paid, a situa on that also prevented them from being represented at this year’s conference. He said the development highlights the hardship faced by the children, no ng that no child can learn effec vely without feeding, while their health needs also remain una ended. Olabomi further lamented the lack of accessibility
•₦50m Property Saved
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HERE was panic on Sunday evening as fire gu ed part of the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Okefia, Osogbo, Osun State. The fire outbreak, which occurred at about 5:53pm on Sunday, September 27, 2026, affected the roo op of a room in a storey building used as an office. The Public Rela ons Officer of the state command of the Federal Fire Service,, Ojo Omoyemi Olamide, disclosed this in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Monday. According to the statement, “the Service received a distress call from a police officer iden fied as Corporal Gbenga, promp ng the immediate deployment of firefighters to the scene. “Fire appliance FFS 142, driven by SFA Olutoye and led by DSF Oyelayo, le the sta on at 5:55pm and arrived at the scene three minutes later at 5:58pm. “On arrival, the crew discovered that the fire was confined to the roo op,
with the affected area es mated at about 100 metres by 100 metres. “The fire was brought under control using one medium jet of water from FFS 142, with support from the Osun State Fire Service, Okefia Sta on, appliance OS653-AO1 led by SFS Ajiboye. “Preliminary inves ga ons revealed that an electrical surge from an extension box may have triggered the fire. “No life was lost in the incident, while property worth about ₦2 million was destroyed. Property es mated at ₦50 million was, however, saved from the inferno. “The Service said an inspec on conducted a er the opera on confirmed that no further fire was observed at the facility,” the statement added. It urged residents to promptly report fire emergencies and adhere strictly to fire safety measures to prevent loss of lives and property.
in schools, disclosing that some of the children fall down in school due to poor infrastructure. He stressed that inclusion without accessibility defeats the purpose of inclusive educa on. He listed other challenges facing learners with disabili es to include lack of basic learning aids such as recorders, typewriters, stylus and slate, as well as braille papers for visually impaired students. Olabomi added that many caregivers, hostel fathers and hostel mothers who have served in special schools for between 5 and 20 years are yet to be given permanent employment, despite doing difficult and sensi ve jobs. He said the conference was therefore convened to deliberate on these lapses and find speedy ways forward, with focus on making all educa onal provisions available to children with disabili es without leaving able-bodied children behind. On the capacity of persons with disabili es, Olabisi expressed op mism that with the right support, they can contribute meaningfully to na onal development. He cited the example of a visually impaired speaker at the conference who spoke eloquently on IT, AI, recorders and ICT centres, as well as a deaf trainer who had trained able-bodied persons. “If we give them what they need, things will get be er for them and for the society at large. Being visually impaired or disabled in one way does not remove the fact that they are resourceful and useful to the na on,” he said. He called on government and other stakeholders to priori se feeding, learning materials, accessible facili es and welfare of caregivers in special schools to ensure inclusive quality educa on and healthcare for all.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2026
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The Race And The Runners... 2027
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ues on: Can you formally introduce yourself - your background, your community es in Ila/Ifedayo/ Boluwaduro, and your career before poli cs? : Akinlabi: HON. OLUSEGUN AKINLABI was born about 4 decades ago. An indigene of Iresi (Labo’s Compound), Ward 10, Boluwaduro Local Government, Osun State. I am a businessman based in Canada and live my life as a Philanthropist. I am very much interested in the welfare of my people. My connec on to Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro is not something that started because of poli cs. This is a cons tuency whose people, culture, challenges and aspira ons are very important to me. I understand the concerns of our communi es from our farmers and traders to our young people, women, ar sans, tradi onal ins tu ons and professionals. Before joining par san poli cs, I built my career in business and community-based services. My experience has taught me about crea ng employment, managing people, being accountable for resources and, most importantly, listening to people and finding prac cal solu ons to problems. Ques on: You are a first- me contender for the House of Representa ves posi on. What mo vates you to contest for this federal cons tuency seat? Akinlabi: I decided to contest because I believe our cons tuency can achieve much more with strong, accessible and purposeful representa on. Whenever I interact with people across my cons tuency, I hear recurring concerns: poor roads, unemployment, inadequate opportuni es for young people, challenges facing farmers and small businesses, insecurity in some communi es and insufficient federal a en on to local infrastructure. I don’t believe the roles of a member of the House of Representa ves should begin and end with a ending sitngs in Abuja. Representa on means taking the voices and problems of your people to Abuja and bringing opportunies, interven ons and results back home. I am coming into this race with the belief that public office is a responsibility, not an en tlement. Ques on: Why did you choose to contest on the platform of the African Democra c Congress (ADC) over the more established APC and PDP? Akinlabi: For me, choosing the ADC is about having a poli cal pla orm where we can present an alterna ve approach to representa on. I respect Nigerians who belong to APC, PDP, Accord and other poli cal par es. Democracy is about giving people choices, and ul mately the electorate will decide. My decision to join the ADC was based on my own poli cal convic ons and the opportunity I see to help build a stronger grassroots movement around issues that ma er to our cons tuency. I am not interested in poli cs simply because a party is considered large or established. I am interested in what we can build and what we can offer the people. Ques on: In the last Osun governorship elec on, the ADC performed woefully across the state including in your cons tuency. In your assessment, what factors were responsible for the poor ou ng? Akinlabi: I understand why someone looking only at the final numbers would describe the ADC’s performance as poor. But I believe we also have to look at the circumstances surrounding that elec on and what those numbers actually represent. The ADC received over 17,000 votes across Osun State.
“I would push for improved security presence in vulnerable border communities, better communication infrastructure, stronger cooperation between Osun and Kwara security structures, and appropriate support for community-based early-warning systems working within the law”
•Akinlabi To me, those were significant organic votes from people who genuinely believed in the party and what it represents. We also cannot discuss that elec on without talking about vote-buying. This is not simply my allega on; independent elec on observers documented widespread incidents of vote trading and voter inducement during the elec on. That should concern every one of us, regardless of our poli cal party. My concern is that elec ons should never become an auc on where the person with the deepest pocket becomes the highest bidder. Democracy should be about ideas, competence, character, service and what a candidate intends to deliver to the people. The ADC poli cs that I believe in is about service and delivery. It is about mission, vision and presen ng a clear programme of what we intend to offer the ci zens of Osun State. I also believe there is a dangerous rela onship between poverty and vote-buying. When ci zens are struggling to feed their families, pay school fees or meet their basic needs, they become more vulnerable to financial inducement during elec ons. In my view, poli cal leaders should be working to li people out of poverty, not benefi ng poli cally from their economic hardship. Ques on: Would the outcome have been different without vote-buying? Akinlabi : Nobody can state with certainty what the final result would have been. But I strongly believe the ADC and other par es would have had a much fairer opportunity to compete on their ideas, records and programmes. So, I don’t look at those 17,000-plus votes and see nothing. I see more than 17,000 people who made a poli cal choice despite the enormous pressures surrounding that elec on. That gives us something genuine to build upon. Going forward, our responsibility in the ADC is to strengthen our grassroots structures, communicate our vision more effec vely and earn the confidence of many more people. For me, this is bigger than ADC, APC, Accord or any other poli cal party. When poverty and money determine poli cal choices rather than ideas and performances, our democracy suffers. And that is something all Nigerians should be concerned about. Ques on: Given that poor performance, what has changed within the ADC that gives you confidence that the party can win Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro in 2027? Akinlabi: A governorship elec on and a House of Representa ves elec on are different contests, involving different candidates, issues and poli cal circumstances. I am therefore not taking anything for granted. My focus is on building genuine rela onship across
the three Local Government Areas and making sure that people understand who I am, what I stand for and what I intend to do if entrusted with the responsibility of represen ng them. The campaign must be community-based. It must reach wards, towns and villages. More importantly, it must be based on issues rather than simply party slogans. Ul mately, the people will make their decision, and my responsibility is to present them with a clear programme and allow them to judge me on it. Ques on: Last week, flooding ravaged several communi es in your cons tuency following torren al rainfall on September 15 and 16. What is your assessment of the government’s response, and what legisla ve interven on would you propose? Akinlabi: First, my thoughts remain with every family affected by the flooding. People suffered damage to homes, proper es and livelihoods. This should not become an annual situa on where we sympathize with vic ms and then wait for the next rainfall. My approach would be both immediate and longterm. Government at the appropriate levels should assess affected communi es, provide relief where necessary, clear and rehabilitate drainage channels and iden fy areas requiring urgent flood-control infrastructure. At the Na onal Assembly, I would advocate for federal ecological and disaster-management interven ons for vulnerable communi es in Ila, Ifedayo and Boluwaduro. I would also push for proper drainage, erosion control, environmental assessments and transparent monitoring of interven on projects. Climate resilience is becoming an infrastructure issue, and rural communi es should not be forgo en. Ques on: Residents of Ila, Ifedayo and Boluwaduro have consistently lamented the deplorable state of federal and rural roads and the lack of basic ameni es. If elected, what will be your legisla ve priori es to address infrastructure decay? Akinlabi: Infrastructure would be one of my major priori es. My first responsibility would be to develop a documented cons tuency infrastructure needs assessment covering roads, bridges, water, electricity, schools, healthcare facili es and other cri cal infrastructure. For roads, I would iden fy which roads fall under federal responsibility and consistently engage the relevant ministries and agencies through budget advocacy, moons, commi ee work and oversight. For rural and state roads, representa on also requires collabora on. I would engage state and local governments and explore available federal interven on programmes rather than simply saying, “This road does not belong to the Federal Government.” Our farmers need roads to move produce. Our businesses need electricity. Our communi es need clean water. Children need decent schools and families need accessible healthcare. These are basic necessi es, not luxuries. Ques on: Security remains a concern, par cularly in border communi es in Ifedayo and Ila Locl Government Areas that share boundaries with Kwara State. What is your blueprint for addressing cross-border banditry and kidnapping? Akinlabi: Security requires coopera on between communi es, security agencies and different levels of government. My role as a legislator would not be to replace the police or security agencies, but to advocate for the resources, coordina on and policies they require. I would push for improved security presence in vulnerable border communi es, be er communica on infrastructure, stronger coopera on between Osun and Kwara security structures, and appropriate support for community-based early-warning systems working within the law. I would also advocate for be er roads and telecommunica ons in isolated communi es because security agencies cannot respond effec vely when roads are inaccessible or communi es have poor communica on networks. •Read full article on www.osundefender.com
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2026
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Sports Compiled By Israel Oladele
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ARLOS Queiroz has le his posi on as head coach of Ghana for the second me in three months a er a difficult return to the Black Stars ended with consecuve defeats. The Portuguese tac cian and the Ghana Football Associa on have mutually agreed to terminate his contract following Ghana’s disappoin ng 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia on September 29, a result that came just days a er the Black Stars suffered a 2-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire. Queiroz’s latest departure brings an unexpectedly short second spell with the Ghana na onal team to an end. The 73-yearold ini ally stepped down from his posi on on July 5 following Ghana’s eliminaon from the World Cup campaign. However, the coach was brought back to the posion approximately nine weeks later, returning in early September with the task of rebuilding the Black Stars and steering the team through another phase of interna onal compe on. His return, however, lasted only a few weeks. The Ghana Football Associa on confirmed the
termina on in an offi cial statement, explaining that both par es had agreed that ending their professional rela onship was the most appropriate decision under the circumstances. Queiroz also addressed his departure, saying that the decision was not an easy one but that the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and the country’s football remained the priority. “This was not an easy decision, but both par es agreed that, under the present circumstances, ending our professional rela onship was the most appropriate course of acon, with the interests of Ghana, the Black Stars and
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Ghanaian football above everything else,” Queiroz said. The Portuguese coach thanked the Ghana Football Associa on and its president for the opportunity to lead the na onal team. “It has been an honour to serve Ghana and the Black Stars. I sincerely thank the Ghana Football Associa on and parcularly its president for their trust and for the opportunity to lead such a proud football na on,” he added. Queiroz said he returned to Ghana with the ambi on of helping to establish a stronger future for the na onal team while contribu ng to the development of the country’s football talent. “I came to Ghana determined to help build a stronger future for the Black Stars and support the development of the country’s talent,” he said. However, he acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the team did not develop as expected. “Despite our commitment and efforts, the nec-
essary condi ons were not fully established, and our recent performance added to the decision to bring this journey to an end,” Queiroz added. His second spell ended a er seven matches, with Ghana recording one win, two draws and two defeats during his me in charge, according to the details released around his departure. The 4-2 defeat to The Gambia proved par cularly damaging. Ghana entered the match with the advantage of playing at home and ini ally appeared to be in control a er establishing a two-goal lead. The Black Stars, however, were unable to protect their advantage as The Gambia mounted a remarkable comeback. The Gambian side scored four goals to overturn the deficit and secure a memorable victory. The result a racted further a en on because of the difference in the teams’ FIFA world rankings. Ghana were ranked 65th, while The Gambia were 116th, making the outcome a significant setback for the Black Stars. The defeat came only days a er Ghana had suffered another setback against Côte d’Ivoire, leav-
ing the na onal team under increased pressure. Queiroz’s departure also adds another chapter to a long and dis nguished managerial career that has taken him across several con nents. The Portuguese coach has managed some of the biggest names in internaonal and club football. One of his most prominent club appointments came at Real Madrid during the 2003/04 season, when he took charge of the Spanish giants a er previously working with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Queiroz had two spells as Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United. During his me at Old Trafford, the club won three Premier League tles and the UEFA Champions League in 2008. His interna onal career has also included appointments with several na onal teams. Ghana became the ninth na onal side he has managed, following previous roles with South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Egypt, Qatar and Oman. His most recent posion before returning to Ghana was with Oman, where his tenure ended in March.
Despite his extensive experience, Queiroz’s rela onship with Ghana has now come to an abrupt end for the second me in just three months. The latest departure leaves the Ghana Football Associa on facing another search for a permanent head coach at a crucial period for the Black Stars. The next appointment will inherit a team that requires stability and a clear direc on following a turbulent period that has included changes in the coaching staff and disappoin ng results. For Ghanaian football supporters, Queiroz’s second departure raises fresh ques ons about the leadership and long-term planning of the na onal team. The Ghana Football Associa on will now have to determine whether to appoint another experienced foreign coach or explore other op ons as it a empts to restore consistency and confidence within the Black Stars. For Queiroz, meanwhile, his brief second spell in Ghana ends with another early departure, bringing to a close one of the shortest chapters in his long interna onal coaching career.
tained a acking response. Nigeria struggled to create clear-cut opportuni es, while the hosts remained dangerous whenever they moved forward. Despite having experienced players in midfield and a ack, Nigeria were unable to find an equaliser before the break. Coach Eric Chelle made changes at half- me as he a empted to turn the game around, introducing Moses Usor and Moses Simon for Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi. The subs tu ons, however, did not produce the desired effect. Guinea-Bissau con nued to look more threatening a er the restart and eventually doubled their advantage in the 66th minute. Mama Baldé broke into the Nigerian penalty area before calmly finishing to make it 2–0. With Nigeria trailing
by two goals, the Super Eagles pushed forward in search of a way back into the match. They came close to reducing the deficit late in the game when George Ilenikhena was presented with an opportunity, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Djoco Embadje made an important close-range save in the 87th minute. Nigeria’s hopes of a late comeback disappeared in stoppage me when Álvaro Djaló added GuineaBissau’s third goal. Djaló moved into the penalty area before finding the net in the fi h minute of added me to complete a memorable victory for the hosts. The result gave GuineaBissau six points from their opening two matches, having previously defeated Tanzania 2–0. Nigeria, meanwhile, remained on three points a er their opening victory over Madagascar.
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HE Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a disappoin ng 3–0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday night, September 29, 2026, in their second Group L match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Na ons qualifiers. The defeat at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau dealt a major blow to Nigeria’s early progress in the qualifying campaign, coming just days a er the three- me African champions had opened their campaign with a 2–1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo. Nigeria travelled to Bissau hoping to build on that opening victory, but the Super Eagles struggled to impose themselves against a determined Guinea-Bissau side, who took control of the contest and eventually secured a convincing victory. Guinea-Bissau took the lead in the 15th minute through Franculino Djú. The forward created space around the edge of Nigeria’s penalty area before curling a well-placed effort beyond goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and into the far corner. The early goal immediately put pressure on the Super Eagles, who found it difficult to produce a sus-
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 77 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
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ECENTLY many motorists raised an alarm over a system of sharp prac ce being adopted by filling sta on owners across Nigeria these days, technically referred to as under dispensing, For a proper understanding, under dispensing of petrol is a situa on where filling sta ons digitally or mechanically rig fuel pumps to deliver less than what registers on the metre and what consumers pay for Although from me immemorial, no society is immuned to sharp pracces but it is very painful that evil thrives in Nigeria with impunity to the extent that a larger percentage compete to outsmart themselves in what we are sure would harm fellow human beings. Research shows that Nigeria ranks as the primary hub of religious adherents in Africa. The country is holding the largest total popula ons of both Chris ans and Muslims on the con nent ,but it seems we do not read or prac ce what are in our Holy Books For example, Quran Verse 1-3 says...WOE TO THE DEFRAUDERS! THOSE WHO TAKE FULL MEASURE WHEN THEY BUY FROM PEOPLE BUT GIVE LESS WHEN THEY MEASURE OR WEIGH FOR BUYERS While the Bible says in Levi cus 19: 35-36 GOD COMMANDS BELIEVERS NOT TO CHEAT ANYONE WHEN MEASURING LENGTH, WEIGHT, OR QUANTITY REQUIRING THEM TO USE HONEST SCALES AND WEIGHTS While many countries of the world are busy embarking on innova ons to improve technology, science, and what have you, we are all along looking for shortcuts in Nigeria Be that as it may, the ques on on the lips of many patrio c Nigerians is what is the essence of the establishment of The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA if not for them to regularly embark on oversight funcon in making sure that the excesses of petrol owners are curtailed It was a er a serious outcry by motorists and commuters due to untold hardship as a result of unhindered extor on that recently led to the closure of over 20 filling sta ons by the NMDPRA. What a derelic on of duty since. Besides.one wonders why a li-
PERSPECTIVE
BY OLATUNJI IDOWU Under Dispensing Of Petrol By Filling Stations
tre of petrol in Nigeria is hovering around #1300-#1500 bearing in mind that we are the 2nd largest producer of the product in Africa As a ma er of fact, countries like
Libya, Angola, Algeria, Egypt and Sudan are selling at cheaper rates. The excuse by some experts is that it was due to the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government
as well as the transi on to a fully deregulated downsream market The honest ques on we should ask ourselves is why do we embark on a policy that we know would probably pauperise the masses knowing fully well that petrol touch virtually all aspects of human livelihood Although, one is not oblivious of the introduc on of pallia ve such as the introduc on of CNG buses by the Federal government. Nigeria,s popula on is over 200 million.... how many CNG buses would mi gate the hardship commuters are facing As we speak today, countries like China, United States of America, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar,Kuwait, Iran Venezuela and Indonesia s ll retains subsidy on their petrol. Nigeria is ranked 10th largest oil producers in the world It is therefore ironical that the product is expensive which is having domino effect on every means of our livelihood. It is therefore incumbent on the appropriate authority to find soluon I am calling on leadership of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Associa on of Nigeria PETROAN, Major Energy Marketers Associa on of Nigeria MEMNM as well as Independent Petroleum Marketers Associa on IPMAN to rein on their members to stop extor ng the unsuspec ng motorists through under dispensing. •The piece is written by Olatunji Idowu
Nigeria At 66: Building A Stronger Economy, But Citizens Must Feel The Difference
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Charles Adeyemi
S Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, it is important to reflect soberly on where our na on stands, par cularly a er more than three years of the administra on of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Tinubu administra on inherited significant economic and structural challenges and has undertaken some of the most consequen al economic reforms in recent Nigerian history, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, foreignexchange reforms, tax reforms, efforts to increase domes c revenue, and investments in infrastructure, agriculture and social interven on programmes. These reforms have produced measurable changes in Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment. Economic growth has strengthened, oil produc on has improved, foreign-exchange condi ons have become more transparent, and government finances have gained some addi onal room for investment. These developments deserve recogni on. However, Independence Day is also an opportunity to listen to the experience of ordinary Nigerians. For millions of ci zens, the reality remains difficult. The cost of food, trans-
porta on, housing, electricity and other essen al goods and services remains high. Poverty and food insecurity remain significant concerns, while unemployment, underemployment and insecurity con nue to limit the opportuni es available to many young Nigerians. This is where the central ques on of the next phase of governance must lie: How do we translate macroeconomic reforms into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians? Economic growth must ul mately be measured not only by GDP figures, foreign reserves or government revenue, but also by whether families can afford nutri ous food, young people can find produc ve employment, businesses can operate compe vely, electricity is reliable, communi es are secure and ci zens can look towards the future with confidence. The reforms of the past three years should therefore not be abandoned. Rather, they should be accompanied by stronger social protec on, more effec ve implementa on, greater investment in human capital, improved security, affordable energy, support for produc ve businesses and deliberate measures to bring down the cost of living. Nigeria also needs a stronger cul-
ture of accountability. Government must con nuously demonstrate how increased public revenue is being converted into roads, healthcare, educaon, security, jobs and other measurable public benefits. As we celebrate our independence, we should recognise both the progress made and the work that remains. Nigeria is not without problems, but neither is Nigeria without possibili es. Our popula on, entrepreneurial spirit, natural resources, human capital and strategic posi on give us enormous poten al. What is required is sustained reform, competent implementa on, ins tu onal accountability and a government that ensures that economic transforma on is ul mately felt beyond government sta s cs and into Nigerian homes. On this 66th Independence Anniversary, our message should therefore be one of patrio sm without complacency, cri cism without cynicism and hope anchored in responsibility. •Read full article on www.osundefender.com •Charles Adeyemi, a Political Economist, Development Consultant, Lead Faculty, Abuja School Of Governance & Political Science (ASGPS) lives in Abuja.
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