OyetolaUnderPressure OnReleaseOfOsun LGFunds-Sources
•ADCNationalSecretary, OgbeniRauf Aregbesola (secondleft) flankedbyLabourParty governorship candidatein LagosState, GbadeboRhodes-Vivour (fourthleft), amongothers, afteraconsultativemeetingwithADC membersin Ojolocalgovernmentarea ofLagos,duringtheweek
FRIDAY,AUGUST15,2025
2 News
Yusuf Oketola to lose woefully in 2026 stateelec ons.
THE Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is reportedly under pressure to lobby the federalgovernmenttorelease thewithheldalloca onaccruingtolocalgovernment councilsinOsunState.
OSUN DEFENDER learntthatatoppresidenal aide was said to have informedtheMinisterthat the con nued seizure of council funds may further affectAPC’schancesofreclaiming the state in next year’s gubernatorial elecon.
Insiders who are privy of the development revealedthatthePresidency official directly reached out to Mr. Oyetola, to advise against the ongoing withholding of the allocaon,callingforachangeof strategy if the party is not
TYusuf Oketola
HEOsunStateSectorCommandof theFederalRoad SafetyCorps(FRSC)has confirmedthearraignmentofthreemembersoftheAlliedTruck TransportAssociaon ofNigeria(ATTAN)followingaviolentconfrontaonwithaFRSC patrolteaminOsogbo.
OSUNDEFENDER learntthattheincident occurredonSaturday, August9,2025,along theOsogbo-Sekona routenearthemain gateoftheOsunState GovernmentSecretariat,Abere. Inastatementby theCorpsCommander LeyeAdegboyega,the altercaonbeganwhen apatrolteamflagged downamini-truckwith registraonnumber APM499XAforaseatbeltviolaon.
The top official was reported to have cited many validated reports from Osun State which showed that the people believedthePDPnarra ve on the local government crisis,thatthepeopleheld that the APC is breaching the law and that federal might is being unlawfully deployed to punish Osun people and her government.
Also, reports indicated that the message to the Marine Minister followed what an insider called the reluctanceofmanyfederal officials to say the truth because of fear of offendingOyetola.
“Somebodyhasbraced theoddtosaythetruthto elderOyetola. His strategy on Osun has failed. The peoplehatethe APCmore and more especially over
Thedriver,idenfied asamemberofATTAN, refusedtoacceptthe FRSCoffencecketand allegedlycalledonhis unionmembersforsupport.Withinminutes,a groupofapproximately 50menarrivedatthe sceneinunion-branded vehicles,blockingthe road,disrupngtraffic, andthreateningpublic safety.
Despitetheescalatingtension,theFRSC patrolteamleader maintainedcomposureandcontactedthe SectorCommander, whoimmediatelyalertedtheNigeriaPolice Force,AtaojaDivision. Policeofficersarrived promptlytode-escalate thesituaonbutwere metwithresistance,as someunionmembers reportedlyaempted toaackanddisarm them.
recently
and
thiswithholdingofcouncil funds. It is ironic that it is the Adeleke government
that is s ll defending Mr President from the backlash.
TheSectorCommanderlaterarrivedat thescenetoaddress thesituaonandurged theunionleadersto seekdialoguerather thanresorttoinmidaon.Heremindedthem thattheFRSCismandatedbylawtoenforce trafficregulaonsand thatnoindividualor groupisabovethelaw.
However,theunion membersreportedly becamemoreaggressive,verballyaacking theSectorCommander andquesoningthe authorityoftheFRSC topenalisetheirmembers.Thesituaon turnedchaoc,promptingpoliceintervenon.
Threeindividualswerearrested bythepoliceatthe scene:OlatundeNasurudeenAbioye,AbdulLateefRaheemandthe AbdullazeezMudasiru
TheyweresubsequentlyarraignedbeforeSeniorMagistrate A.O.Ayilaraonathreecountchargeofconspiracy,obstruconof apublichighway,and breachofpublicpeace.
Theaccusedwere grantedbailinthesum of₦1millioneach, withsureesrequired topresentverifiable meansoflivelihood withinthejurisdicon.
ThecasehasbeenadjournedtoSeptember 25,2025fortrial.
TheFRSCexpressed appreciaontotheNi-
CYusuf Oketola
ALLSforOsun Statetoproduce thenextpresidentoftheNigerian BarAssociaon(NBA) heightensastheYoruba lawyers’group,Egbe AmofinO’odua,hasofficiallyendorsedSeniorAdvocateofNigeria (SAN),AareOlumuyiwa Akinboro,asitsconsensuscandidateforthe 2026presidenaleleconoftheunion.
Thisdecisionwasannouncedatthegroup’s 2025AnnualGeneral Meeng(AGM)heldon August7,inAbeokuta, OgunStateunderthe chairmanshipofAare IsiakaOlagunju,SAN.
TheAGMalsoreaffirmeda2019resoluontogivepreference tocandidatefromthe Oyo/Osunaxisforthe 2026NBApresidency, withparcularemphasisonOsunState,which
“The silent whispers in the state house are what have come out. Many leading officials think the President is being wrongly advisedbytheJus ceMinisterandElderOyetola.
geriaPoliceForceand thejudiciaryfortheir swianddecisivehandlingofthemaer.
TheCommandreiterateditscommitment toenforcingtrafficlaws withoutfearorfavour andurgedallroadusers andtransportunionsto actresponsibly.
“Roadsafetyiseverybody’sbusiness,”the statementread.“We callonthepublicto supportoureffortsand refrainfromactsthat endangerlivesorobstructlawfulenforcementoftrafficrules.”
hasneverproducedan NBAPresident.
Consequently,the groupappealedtootheraspirantsfromthe region,includingLateef OmoyemiAkangbe, SAN,Prof.FolukeDada-Lawanson,andMrs OyinkansolaBadejoOkusanya,FCIArb,(Mrs B),tostepdowninthe spiritofunity.
Butatthemeof filingthisreporton Wednesday,neither AkangbenorBadejoOkusanyahadrespondedtotheendorsement orthecalltowithdraw.
Theendorsement hassparkedmixedreaconsamongcrics. Somearguethatsuch endorsementhavelimitedimpactbecause NBAvotersarenotrestrictedtomembers fromanyoneregion. Theypointputthatpast presidenalelecons sawcandidatesfrom
“A er Adeleke’s endorsement of Mr President, the right thing to do is to release the LG fund and normalise the grassrootsgovernment.
“Other poten al allies areafraidofusseeinghow we are trea ng a state whereMrPresidenthailed from.
“We must face the reality of Osun poli cs. We cannothopetowinbyviola ng the law, armtwisting state government and punishing the people with fund seizure. The approach has backfired. That dancing Governor is becoming popular by the day”,a sourceprivy to the developmentconfirmed.
theSouth-Westlose duetovotespling amongmulpleaspirantsfromtheregion, weakeningtheirchances.
Otherresoluons attheAGMincluded encouraginggreater parcipaonofjudicial officersinEgbeacvies,fixingthenextannualconferenceperiod andconfirmingthatthe 2026conferencewillbe heldinOsogbo,Osun State.
•Team members
organizers of the just concluded “Battery Pack Design And Manufacturing Training, held in Osogbo
FRIDAY,AUGUST15,2025
THEinnovave governmentled byOgbeniRauf Aregbesolabrokenew groundsbyinianga HomeGrownFeeding Programmeforschool children,itismeto exploreitsfoundaonalrootsandreviveit. Therewasasimilar projectintheLagos Colonypre-independencebutitwassadly discardedaerthe demiseofthefirst Republic,Aregbesola’s intervenonwashoweverdeeper.
Deeperbecauseit wasconceivedona mul-taskinglinkage anchoredonlinkingincreasedfarm-gateproducvitywithnutrionalsocialbenefits.It wasanallencompassingtrajectoryforsustainabledevelopment anditDelivereredverifiableresultsandwas widelyimitated.
Inourpresentcrises, thelinkbetweenproducontranslanginto socialbenefitsmaers. Malnutrioninboth theurbanandruralareasisrealandwemust payaenontothe youthsaswellasthe leastprotectedsectors. Themulpliereffectof ahomegrownschool feedingishuge.Foritis interwovenwithminimumfarmgateguaranteedpricestosmulate increasedproducon aswellaspricestability,logiscs,storage andcanandindeed shouldleadtotargeted exportswhichisanadvancedforacountry
“Itisunfortunatethat successivegovernments inOsun Statedid notbuildup ontheProgramme.We mustnow reinstatethe momentum atboththe stateand thenational level”
withaBalanceOfPaymentscrises.
Connuityofthinkingandofaconmatterswhichiswhythe imperavetorevivethe Programmeisurgent. Toooenwethrowout thebabywiththebathwaterusuallybecause ofshiingpolicalalliances,thisisdestrucve.Itisunfortunate thatsuccessivegovernmentsinOsunStatedid notbuildupontheProgramme.Wemustnow reinstatethemomentumatboththestate andthenaonallevel.
TheDiscourse
ByMattOluOlowokere
INtheintricatetapestry ofOsunState’spolical landscape,fewfigures haveleasindelibleamark asOgbeniRaufAregbesola. Servingasgovernorfrom 2010to2018,Aregbesola’s tenurewascharacterized byambiousinfrastructuralprojects,educaonal reforms,andadisncve policalphilosophythat connuestoinfluencethe state’sgovernanceandpolicaldiscourse.
Aregbesola’sadministraonembarkedontransformaveiniaves,notablytheconstruconof megaschoolsacrossthe state’ssenatorialdistricts andsignificantroadand bridgeprojectsaimedat enhancingconnecvityand economicacvity.Theseeffortswerereflecveofhis commitmenttoinfrastructuraldevelopmentandeducaonaladvancement.
Beyondphysicaldevelopments,Aregbesolaculvatedapolicalidenty rootedinthe“Oranmiyan” ethos,symbolizingacallto aconandarallyingpoint forhissupporters.This identyfosteredasenseof unityandpurposeamong hispolicalbase,whichremainsacveandinfluenal inOsun’spolicalarena.
However,histenurewas notwithoutcontroversy. Cricshavepointedtothe state’sdebtprofileandal-
“Despite these criticisms,Aregbesola’s political influence endures. His recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress(ADC)and continued engagement in state politics underscore his ongoing relevance. Supporters remain loyal,ofteninvoking his legacy in politicalmobilizationand discourse”
legedmismanagementof resourcesduringhisadministraon.CurrentGovernorAdemolaAdelekehas aributedongoingfinancialchallengestothepoliciesoftheAregbesolaera, highlighngissuessuchas pensiondebtsandincompleteprojects.
Despitethesecricisms, Aregbesola’spolicalinfluenceendures.Hisrecent alignmentwiththeAfrican DemocracCongress(ADC) andconnuedengagement instatepolicsunderscore hisongoingrelevance.Supportersremainloyal,oen invokinghislegacyinpolicalmobilizaonanddiscourse.
OSUNDEFENDER
Telephone : 0809-301-9152 Website :
AsOsunapproachesfutureelecons, theshadowof Aregbesola’sgovernancelooms large.Hispolicies, policalstructures,andthedebatestheyinspire connuetoshape thestate’spolicalsoul,reflecng thelasngimpact ofhismandateon Osun’strajectory.
FRIDAY,AUGUST15,2025
NIGERIANsinger andsongwriter, TonyOkoroji,has disclosedhowindividualslikeformerVicePresidentYemiOsinbajo, formerGovernorsRauf AregbesolaandBabatundeFashola,among othershelpedAsiwaju BolaTinubutonaonal prominenceresulngin hiseventualemergence asNigeria’sPresident.
AccordingtoOkoroji,PresidentTinubu’s lifemeambionsucceededin2023,dueto thestructurebuiltby Aregbesola,Osinbajo, amongothers,stressing thattheyareTinubu’s benefactors.
HesaidAregbesola wasbehindmuchof whatTinubushowsoff ashisachievementsin Lagos. Thiswascontained inanarclebyOkoroji, tled“Itotallydisagree withMayorAkinpelu“ lastSaturday.
RecallthatAkinpelu hadinanarcleearlier ,tled“RaufAregbesola’sPerfidyaccusedthe immediatelypastministerofinteriorofbetrayingTinububyjoining thecoalionandaswell emergingastheNaonalSecretaryofAfrican DemocracCongress (ADC).
ButOkoroji,former president,Performing MusiciansAssociaon ofNigeria(IPMAN)in hispiecestalwartlydisagreewithAkinpelu’s conclusion.
Hewrote:“Mayor mayhavetoldaone-sidedstoryofBolaTinubu beingakindbenefactorofRaufAregbesola, foraltruiscreasons. MyreadingofMayor’s piecetellsmethatBola Tinubufromdayone, wasbuildingapolical machineandneeded menlikeRaufAregbesolatobuildthatmachine, notfortheirownsake, butforhisownsake.
“Inmanyways,Rauf Aregbesola,Babatunde RajiFashola,LaiMohammed,YemiOsinbajo andthemanyothersin theTinubuorbit,are reallyTinubu’sbenefactors.Theyerectedthe structurethattookTinubutothepresidency. Rauf,forinstance,was behindmuchofwhat Tinubushowsoffashis achievementsinLagos.
“Theemergingfacts suggestthatifyouenter Tinubu’sorbit,amark isplacedonyourhead. Youarenotauthorized tohaveindependent thoughtorhaveinde-
•ThenewlyinauguratedexecutivesoftheNigeriaLabourCongress(NLC)Womenwing,inÒsogbo,yesterday
pendentambion.You havebecomeaprisoner, andyourdutyistoalwaysanswer“yessir”to your“benefactor.
“Unfortunately,Mayor’s“RaufAregbesola’s
Perfidy”leavesmewith theimpressionthat leadershipandgovernanceintheBolaTinubu orbitisa“paddy-paddy” thinginwhichservitude tohimandbiologicalre-
laonshipsarefarmore importantthancompetenceandmaybe,naonalinterest.
“Mayordidnotpaint thepictureofademocratbutthatofanem-
perortowhomeverybodymustbow,or worsesll,amafialord whomeverybodymust fear.
“Hestatesthathis recolleconofRaufAr-
Art/Culture
INthefast-moving currentsoftoday’s world,wheresocial mediatrendsandinstantinformaondominateourdailylives,itis easytooverlookthequiet,steadyvoicesofour elders.Yet,inOsunState andacrossAfrica,the wisdomofourancestorsremainsaninvaluablecompassguidingus throughchallengesthat modernityalonecannot solve.
Thisancestralwisdomisnotmerely folkloreoroutdated tradion;itisaliving heritage—rootedinexperience,resilience,and deepunderstandingof humannature—that connuestoholdrelevanceincontemporary society.
Forgeneraons,the eldersinourcommunieshavebeenthe custodiansofculture,
history,andmoralvalues.Theirstories,proverbs,andteachingsare steepedinlessonsabout paence,integrity,communitysolidarity,andrespectfornature.
InOsun,whereageoldcustomsmeetthe pressuresofrapidurbanizaonandtechnological change,thevoiceofthe elderremainsabridge betweenpastandpresent,offeringgrounded truthsamidstthenoise offleengtrends.
Theeldersteachus abouttheimportance ofbalance—between ambionandhumility, progressandpreservaon.Theirinsightsremindusthatwhileinnovaondrivesgrowth,it mustbetemperedwith cauonandforesightto avoidrecklessoutcomes. Forexample,inagriculture,tradionalmethods passeddownovercentu-
riesemphasizeharmony withtheenvironment, somethingmodernpraccesareonlynowbeginningtoappreciateagain.
Thissynergyofancestralknowledgeandmoderntechnologycanlead tosustainabledevelopmentuniquetoourlocal context.
Moreover,eldersplay acricalroleinconflict resoluonandsocialcohesion.Theirpresence infamilyandcommunity disputesbringscalm,wisdom,andasenseofconnuity.
Unlikequickjudgmentsdrivenbyemoon, eldermediaonfocuses onrestoringrelaonships andupholdingcommunal values.Inaworldgrapplingwithpolarizaon andfast-pacedchange, thisapproachisavital toolforpeacebuildingin ourneighborhoodsand beyond.
However,thevalueof elders’wisdomisatrisk ofbeingsidelined,especiallyasyoungergeneraonsgrowincreasingly disconnectedfromtradionalsourcesofknowledge.
Urbanmigraon,globalizaon,andtheallure ofinstantgraficaon oenleadyouthstodismissancestralteachings
egbesola,aformer Commissionerfor WorksinLagosState, two-meGovernorof OsunState,formerMinisterofInteriorandnow, GeneralSecretaryofthe newlyformedcoalion party,AfricanDemocracCongress(ADC),is thatof“ascruffylookingman,withhis‘tebliq’ trousers.
“Headmied,however,thatAregbesola hadcapacityasasignificantgrassrootsmobilizerinAlimosho,the mostpopulatedlocal governmentinLagos Statewhichwasthe reasonwhenTinubu becamegovernor, apartfromappoinng himCommissionerfor Works,Tinubumade Aregbesolathearrowheadofanewparty structure,independent oftheAfenifereelders andmadehisofficethe vehicletocompensate partyfaithful.”
asirrelevantorbackward. Thisdisconneconthreatenstoseverthechain ofculturaltransmission, leavingavoidthatnoapp orgadgetcanfill.
Topreventthisloss,it isimperaveforcommunies,schools,andpolicymakersinOsunState toacvelyengageelders indialoguesaboutidenty,governance,anddevelopment.Encouraging intergeneraonalconversaonswillhelpyounger peopleappreciatethe depthoftheirheritage andinspirethemtointegratemelessprinciples withmodernsoluons. Programsthatdocument andcelebrateoralhistories,proverbs,andelder councilscanalsoreinforce thisculturalconnuity. Elders,ontheirpart, mustbewillingtoadapt andcommunicatetheir wisdominwaysthat resonatewithtoday’s realies.Thebeautyof ancestralwisdomisits flexibility—capableof evolvingwithoutlosing itscoretruths.Whenelderssharetheirstories
onsocialmediaplatformsorparcipatein communityforums,they extendtheirinfluence andremainrelevantina changingworld.
Intheend,thesurvivalandflourishingof oursocietydependon honoringthevoicesthat camebeforeus.When eldersspeak,theyoffermorethannostalgia;theyprovideasolid foundaonfornavigatinguncertainty.Their wisdomequipsusto facemodernchallenges withhumility,paence, andclarity.
AsOsunandNigeria atlargeconnuetheir questforprogress,let usrememberthatinnovaonandtradion arenotenemiesbut partners.Thebalefor thefuturemustinclude thevoicesofthosewho havewalkedthepaths beforeus.Whenelders speak,itisnotjustacall torememberthepast— itisaninvitaontobuild afutureanchoredinenduringvaluesandshared humanity.
Yusuf Oketola
THEIndependent NaonalElectoral Commissionin OsunStateonWednesdaydisclosedthatitwill relocateregistraon pointsfortheforthcomingConnuousVoter Registraonexercise fromlocalgovernment secretariatscurrentlyunderlock.
TheResidentElectoralCommissioner,DrMuuAgboke,disclosedthis whilespeakingduringa stakeholders’meengin Osogbo,thestatecapital.
OSUNDEFENDERreportsthatOsuncouncil secretariatshavebeen shutsinceFebruary17, 2025,duetoatusslebetweenthePeoplesDemocracPartyandtheAll ProgressivesCongress overcontrolofthelocal governments.
Thecrisis,whichled tothedeathofatleast fivepeople,including thechairmanofIrewole LocalGovernment,Remi Abass,haskeptlocalgovernmentworkersaway fromthecouncils.
Also,theFederalGovernmenthassinceFebruary,withheldthelocal governmentallocaons forthestate.
WhiletheAPCis claimingthattheFebruary10,2025,decision oftheCourtofAppeal, Akure,hadreturnedits candidateselectedinthe October15,2022,local governmentelecons, thePDPontheother handsaidtheofficials whoemergedonFebruary22,2025,aretheauthenccouncilchairmen andcouncillors.
Agboke,duringthe meeng,saidtheaffectedINECofficeshadbeen idenfiedandwouldbe movedtoalternave locaonstoensurethe CVRproceedswithout disrupon.
Agbokesaid,“The CVRwillstartonthe18th dayofAugust,2025,with onlineregistraon.
“Bythis,theprospecveregistrantwillvisit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org tosupplythenecessary informaonabouthimselforherself.
“Thereaer,heor shewillgenerateaslip totaketoINEClocalgovernmentofficewithinhis placeofresidence.
“Lateronthe25thof August2025,theregistrantwillvisitthelocal governmentofficeforhis orherbiometrics,i.ethe fingerprintandthefacial.
“INECofficeslocated insidelocalgovernment secretariatsarenotshut down.
“However,INEChas
harvestedthenumberof thoselocalgovernment offices.Wewanttobring themoutoftheLGsecretariats.Weareworking onthat.Ourheadquartershadrequestedtheir detailsandwehaveforwardedthem.”
Agbokealsoannouncedthatacvies fortheAugust8,2026, Osungovernorshipeleconhaveofficiallybegun,withnocesposted inallINECLGoffices.
Partyprimariesare scheduledbetweenNovember24andDecember15,2025,whilesubmissionofcandidates’ parcularswillrunfrom January15toFebruary9, 2026.
Hestated,“Thisis necessarytoenablepolicalparesdemocracallynominatecandidatesfortheeleconas requiredbysecon84of theElectoralAct,2022. Thesubmissionofforms EC9(personalparculars ofcandidates)andEC9B (Names/listofnominatedcandidates)onlineat thenominaonportalof
thecommissionat9am onthe15thdayofJanuary,2026,to6pmonthe 9thFebruary2026.
“Accesscodeforthe submissionofnominaonformsshallbeavail-
ableforcolleconon 15thDecember,2025, attheheadquartersof thecommission.Iimploreallthepolical paresandotherstakeholderstofollowthe
metableforthe2026 GovernorshipElecon forOsunStatewitha viewtotrackingthevariousacviescontained therein.Copiesofthe metableshallbemade
availabletothepolicalparesatthismeetinginashortwhile.The 2026Governorshipeleconshallbeconducted onthe8thdayofAugust,2026.”
•ResidentElectoralCommissionerREC,DrMutiuOlalekeAgbokeandstakeholdersduringtheexpanded StakeholdersEngagementheldatOlusegunAgbajeMediaCentre,INECofficeOsogbo
THE Nigerian Ins tute ofArchitects(NIA)has a ributed the incessant collapse of buildings inNigeriatocorrup onand the absence of qualified professionals and quality materials in the construconprocess.
The Na onal President, Nigerian Ins tute of Architects (NIA), Mobolaji Adeniyistatedthisinanexclusive interview with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday inOsogbo,OsunStatecapital.
Adeniyiwhoisthe30th president of the ins tute, noted that the issue of building collapse is mulfaceted, no ng that the government is not doing enough to arrest the situa on.
She noted that most of the materials being used for buildings in Nigeria were imported due to the highcostsofmaterialsproduced in Nigeria, adding that some of the imported materialsaresubstandard.
She said, “The problem is mul -faceted. We have problems with the building materials coming in, we have problems with the lack of use of qualified professionals, we have problems with the lack of oversight func ons of the planning approval offices, andevenat mes,wehave problems with the clients anddevelopers.Allofthese
areactuallyaffec ngtheissueofbuildingcollapse.
“But when a client wants to cut corners, he employs quacks or even some mes, as ridiculous as using our students who have no experience to do large-scale projects. A situa on like this becomes a disasterwai ngtohappen.
“The building materials that are coming into the country, why are we opening our borders to all kinds ofmaterialsandriskingthe lives of people when we know that these are substandardmaterials?”
On how to tackle the menace, Adeniyi said, the body is collabora ng with stakeholders and engaging in more advocacy so that the public will be aware of the danger of giving out contracts to unqualified professionals.
She added that the bodyhadengagedwiththe Osun State government andagreedtohaveamonitoring team which will be inspec ng projects in the statetoensurecompliance.
She said, “I think that if we really want to a ack it, we must insist on using qualified professionals for our jobs. For instance, we talked about the fact that the quality of mate-
rials could cause a building collapse. If you use a qualified architect who will ensure you use a qualified engineer, they will test the materials you will use, the design will ensure that the building can take the load thatit issupposed tocarry, and the capacityof thesoil will be tested for the founda ondesign.So,ifyouuse a thorough breed professional, you won’t have this problem.
“We do a lot of advocacybecausetheimportant thing is for the public to knowifthepersontheyare giving the job to is a qualifiedprofessionalornot.We didsaythat we have a register of licensed architects in Nigeria, but do our peopleknow?So,wearebeginningtopubliciseitmore.
“We’ve engaged with thegovernorofOsunState, and he has agreed that we willhaveamonitoringteam in the state that will be working with the government, where every project will be inspected to ensure that it is qualified professionals that are being used to ensure the safety of the project.
“We must also insist on a project signboard to be put in every site. From the project signboard, we will
see who the architect is andhisregistra onnumber must be on the signboard forproperiden fica on.”
TheNIAPresidenturged the federal government to support the building materials manufacturers by providing an enablingenvironmentforthemtowork.
“The government needstoinvestmoreinthe research and manufacturing of building materials, and tax incen ves need to be given to people in the manufacturing sector so that the overheads are not toohighandtheycanreally affordtoproducematerials that will be affordable. For now, most of the materials produced here, as good as they are, are very expensive,”Adeniyiadded.
Addressingthefearthat Ar ficial Intelligence might soontakeovertheindustry and render professionals redundant, the NIA President said Architecture is a crea ve industry which cannot be replaced by a machine.
According to her, Ar ficialIntelligencewillonlybe atooltoenhance the work of the professionals, adding that the original design concept of a construc on comesfromthemind.
Adeniyi said, “I person-
ally don’t think Ar ficial Intelligence will take over our work. Architecture is a crea ve industry and the mind of crea vity cannot be replaced by a machine or something that is not human. They can replicate buttheoriginaldesignconcept comes from a mind. Even the AI we are talking aboutisamindthatisfeedingit.Wefeedthedatathat makes it come out with whatitcomesoutwith.
“Ithinkforarchitecture, itwillcon nuetobeavery usefultoolbecausewithAI, itcanactuallyenhanceand improve our design abiliesandprovidedatainthe twinkleofan eye, and help to coordinate many things at the same me. For instance, in those days, if I neededtomakeachangein mydesigns,Iwouldneedto first erase what I’d drawn, but now, in the twinkle of an eye, I can change a wholedesign.So,it’satool and I don’t think that it is a tool that will master the master.”
Speaking on the challenges of being a female president, Adeniyi stated thatitisdifficultforwomen tonavigateinamale-dominatedprofession.
•Continuedonpage7
KazeemBadmus
KazeemBadmus
FRIDAY,AUGUST15,2025
KazeemBadmus
AstudentofObafemi AwolowoUniversity(OAU),Ile-Ife, OsunState,whosename wasgivenasIbitayoAjibola,onTuesday,reportedlycommiedsuicide forfailinginhisexaminaon.
SourceswhosaidAjibolawhowasastudent oftheFacultyofDenstry,hadbaledwith academicchallenges, notedthathereportedly commiedsuicideaer checkinghissemesterexaminaonresults.
Oneofthesources whodoesnotwanthis nameinprint,toldOSUN
DEFENDERthatthedeceasedhadrepeated Part2ofhisprogramme lastyearandfailedagain thisyear,asituaonthat, undertheuniversity’s academicregulaons, couldleadtoanautomaticwithdrawalfromthe course.
TheUniversityDentalStudents’Associaon (IFUDSA)inastatement byitspresident,Adebayo Idris,extendeditscondolencestothefamily, friends,andclassmates ofthedeceasedstudent.
“Thislossisnotjust thedepartureofapromisingyoungmind,buta painfulreminderofthe
silentbalesmanystudentsface,”thestatementnoted.
TheAssociaonurged studentstoreachoutto oneanother,offersup-
THENaonal Emergency Management AgencyNEMA,Ibadan OperaonsOffice, hascarriedoutdirect distribuonofrelief assistanceforvicms ofrainstorminfour (4)LocalGovernment AreasinOsunState.
Theaffectedcommuniesare,Obokun, Oriade,Atakumosa EastandWestofIfeijesaSenatorialDistrict.
Thedistribuon exercisewasflagged offbyDirectorGeneralofNEMA,Mrs. UmarZubaidarepresentedbyHeadof NEMAIbadanOperaonOffice,Mr.Kadiri Olanrewaju,who conveyedtheheart-
feltsympathytothe affectedperson.
Mr.Olanrewajuexpresseddeepconcern oftheAgencytoaffectedpeople,saying thereliefitemswere graciouslyapproved bytheDGtocushion theimpactofthedisasterandmakethem feeltheimpactof FederalGovernment intheirtryingme.
Theexercisewas witnessedbyrelevant stakeholdersamong whichwaschiefFadipeFemi,representingSenatorFrancis Adenigba.
Thedistribuon exercisewassuccessfulasbeneficiaries tookturnstocollect theiritemsandappreciatedNEMAfor thekindgesture.
OSUN State Government has demolished about 30 buildings constructed on waterwaysinabidtoavert flooding.
The state government revealed that the exercise targeted structureslocated inswampyareasand along riverbanks,whichhadbeen iden fied as poten al hazardsduringheavyrainfall.
The ac on is coming following alerts issued by the Nigerian MeteorologicalAgency,NiMET.
Confirming the demoli on on Sunday, the Commissioner for Environment and Sanita on, Mayowa Adejoorin, noted that it was part ofthe government’sfloodpreven on
strategyacrossthestate.
Adejoorinsaid,“In Osogbo,wehaveabout 15structuresthatweremoved,alsoinIle-Ifeabout six,Ilesasixandinother towns.Thisistoensure thesafetyoftheresidents ofthestate.”
Heexplainedthatprior tothedemolion,affected propertyownershadbeen issuedwarningsandulmatumstoremovetheillegalstructures,butsome failedtocomply.
“Wehavetakenproacvestepstoameliorate imminentfloodinginthe statefollowingtheprediconofNiMET.
“Westarteddredging ourwaterwayslastDecemberandhavecleared refusedumpedinthem
topreventblockages,”he said.
Hestressedthatsafety andpreservaonoflives remainedatoppriorityfor theadministraon.
“Wherewehaveillegal structures,wegivethem nocetoremovethemand aerthenoce,ifitisnot removed,wedemolishit,” headded.
Adejoorinexpressed confidencethatwiththe measuresinplace,Osun wouldnotexperience floodingsevereenough todisplaceresidentsthis year.
Healsourgedthepublictodesistfromdumping refuseinwaterwaysandto complywithenvironmentalregulaonstoavoidfuturesancons.
SIX suspected cultists and a thief have beenarrestedbythe Osun State Police Command during separate opera onsinOsogbo,the statecapital.
Following the development,Osun StateCommissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, has urged thevic msofphonethe during the recently concluded Osun Osogbo fesval to reach out to the Command through the PublicPoliceRela onsOfficer DSP Ojelabi Abiodun on 09060052947 to claim theirphones.
A statement released by the Police Public Relaons Officer, PPRO, on Mondaysaidthesuspects
Campus Review Campus Review
port,andseekprofessionalhelpwhenneeded.
”Mentalhealthisjust asimportantasphysicalhealth;supportyour-
selvesandseekhelp whennecessary,noone shouldeverfeelalone intheirstruggles,”the statementread.
werearrestedonThursday, August 7 and Friday, August8,2025.
Ojelabi disclosed that the suspected cul sts, believed to be members of theAiyeconfraternitywere arrested by opera ves of theAn -cul smUnitofthe Commanda ertheyinvadedtheOsunMalllocatedin theFakunleareaofOsogbo withdangerousweapons.
The statement reads, “On 7/8/2025 at about 1230hrs, informa on receivedfrommemberofthe public reveals that some hoodlums suspected to be membersofaiyeconfraternity invaded Osun Mall at Fakunle Area, Osogbo with dangerousweapons.
“Upon receipt of the informa on, Police detec-
ves from An -cul sm unit of the Command swung into ac on and apprehended six suspects namely: (1) Olaosebikan Oriyomi‘m’age32yrspopularly known as “yahoo” the leader of the group, (2) Wale Adeyeye ‘m’ age 37yrs popularly known as “mafia”, (3) Olumide Olayemi ‘m’ age 33yrs, (4) Omotayo Kehinde ‘m’ age 23yrs, (5) Ajibola Damilola ‘m’age20yrsand(6)Yinka Oladipo‘m’age18yrs.”
Gotan also advised parents and guardians to rein in theirwardstoshun any form of unlawful society that will jeopardise theirfuture.
TheCP gavetheadmo•Continuedonpage7
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
•Thedeceased
SUPEREagles star,Ademola Lookmanhas wonAfricanPlayer oftheYearatthe presgious2024 ConfederaonofAfricanFootball,CAF Awards.”
Theannouncementwasmadeduringaceremonyin Marrakech,Morocco,celebrangthe finesttalentsinAfricanfootball.
Lookmanwasinstrumentalinboth hisclub’ssuccessin SerieAandNigeria’s qualificaonforthe 2025AfricaCupof Naons.
Hisstandoutperformances,including crucialgoalsinthe UEFAEuropaLeague andconsistentbrillianceindomesc compeons,solidifiedhisposionas
oneofAfrica’sbrighteststars. Lookmanedged outfiercecompeonfromMorocco’s AchrafHakimi,Ivory Coast’sSimonAdingraandPSG’sAchraf Hakimi,GuineastrikerSerhouGuirassy, andSouthAfrica goalkeeperRonwen Williamstoclaimthe covetedaward Lookmanhas joineddisnguished listofNigerianlegendstowinthecovetedCAFAfrican Men’sPlayerofthe Yearaward
Overtheyears,Nigerianplayershave stoodtallonthis plaorm,earning recognionfortheir stellarperformances andcontribuonsto thebeaufulgame. Belowisthelistof Nigerianswhohave
wonthepresgious award:
1.RashidiYekini —1993
RashidiYekini etchedhisnamein NigerianfootballhistoryasthefirstSuper Eaglesstartowinthe CAFFootballerofthe Yearawardin1993.
2.Emmanuel Amuneke—1994
FollowingYekini’s maidentriumph, EmmanuelAmuneke ensuredNigeriaretainedtheCAFFootballeroftheYear awardayearlaterby deliveringoutstandingperformances bothdomescally andinternaonally.
3.VictorIkpeba— 1997
TheprinceofMonaco,VictorIkpeba, becamethefourth Nigeriantowinthe CAFFootballerofthe
remainsauniquefigureinNigerianfootballhistory,being theonlyNigerianto
wintheCAFFootballeroftheYearaward twice.
5.VictorOsimhen —2023
Aer24years withoutawinner, VictorOsimhen endedNigeria’slong waitforanotherCAF FootballeroftheYear whenheclinchedthe awardin2023.
6.AdemolaLookman—2024
Nigeria’sAdemola Lookmanhasdeservedlybeennamedthe 2024CAFAfricanto crownanincredible yearfortheAtalanta andSuperEaglesstar. Lookmanwasthe overwhelmingfavouriteheadinginto theawardsandwas dulycrownedthe winnerofthisyear’s awardtomakeittwo Nigerianvictorsina row.
KazeemBadmus
NIGERIA’Slargest telecomoperator, MTNhasexplained thatsponsoringOsunOsogboFesvalisnotjust forcelebraonbuttopreserveYorubaculture. MTN,whichisthecosponsoroftheOsun-Osogbofesval,notedthatit willalwayssupportevents thataimtopreserveculturalheritageforfuture generaons.
Speakingwithnewsmenatthesidelineofthe grandfinaleofthe2025 Osun-OsogboFesval,the RegionalImplementaon Manager,WestRegion, MTNNigeria,Temitope Akarah,laudedthefesvalasoneofAfrica’smost iconicculturalandspiritual gatherings. Akarahsaidco-sponsoringthefesvalallows MTNtoacvelyparcipateinpreservingandpro-
•Continuedfrompage6 ni on following the arrest of a suspect, 28 year old, Taiwo Akeem, who was apprehended by the Ancul sm Unit of the Command for stealing phones during the Osun Osogbo fes valonFriday. Exhibits recovered from the suspect includes two Samsung phones, one Infinix phone, one Vivo phone and one Tecno phone.
“Likewise,on8/8/2025, the same An -cul sm Unit
mongOsogbo’scultural heritage.
ShenotedthatMTN, duringtheprogramme,
of the Command arrested one Taiwo Akeem ‘m’ age 28yrs for stealing phones during Osun Osogbo fesvi es.
“Suspect confessed to the crime, the following exhibits were recovered fromhim:(1)TwoSamsung phones, (2) one Infinix phone, (3) one Vivo phone and(4)oneTechnophone,” thestatementadded.
Ojelabirevealedthatall suspectswillbecharged to court upon comple on of inves ga on.
empoweredsomeyouths throughprizedistribuon, appreciangOsunpeople fortheirsupportforthe brand.
Akarahsaid,“AtMTN, wearenotsponsoringthe Osun-OsogboFesvalfor celebraonsake,butto preserveourculturalheritage,whichisveryimportant.
“Weareofthebelief thatpreservingourheritageforfuturegeneraons willkeepourhistoryintact.MTNisaglobalname andwearealwaysready toidenfywithfesvals likethis.
“Osunpeoplehave beengoodtoourbrand andwealsousethefesvaltogivebacktothepeo-
plethroughprizedistribuon.
“Wewillconnueto collaboratewiththestate governmentandasa globalbrand,bringmore opportuniestoourteemingcustomersthroughthis fesvalandothers.”
OSUNDEFENDERreportsthatthefourteendayyearlyfesvaliscelebratedinthemonthof Augusttoappreciatethe goddessofferlity,Osun.
Thefesvalaracts thousandsofOsunworshippers,spectators,and touristsfromallwalksof life.
Thetwo-week-long programmekickedoffon July28,withthetradionalcleansingofOsogbo, whichiscalled‘Iwopopo’.
FollowingthecleansingofOsogbo,thenext eventisthelighngofthe 500-year-oldsixteen-point lampcalled‘InaOlojumerindinlogun’.
‘Iboriade’,ahistoric eventwherethecrownsof thepastAtaojasofOsogbo willbedisplayedforblessings,followsthelighngof the500-year-oldsixteenpointlamp.
Thefesvalreaches itsspiritualandcultural climaxonAugust8,witha sacredprocessionto Thesacredgrove whereOsunadherents, touristswitnessthefesvalatitsbest.
Duringthegrandfinale, TheAtaojaofOsogbo, ObaJimohOyetunji,led
thevotarymaid(Arugba) andacommieeofpriestesses,aswellastradional chiefs,tothesacredgrove.
However,duringthe grandfinaleofthe2025 Osun-Osogbo,therewas ahistorictwist,asamale priest(BabaOsun)carried thesymbolicwhitecalabash,‘IgbaOsun’,arole tradionallyperformedby avotarymaid. Anewvotarymaid,
•Continuedfrompage5
According to her, in the 65 years of existence of NIA, she is the second femalepresident,addingthat she got to the posi on 21 years a er the first female president of NIA, Architect Bukola Ejiwumi, who served between 2001 and 2003.
She said, “In 65 years of the existence of the Nigeria Ins tute of Architecture, we’ve had only two women as presidents. Architect Bukola Ejiwumi was the first female president from 2001 to 2003. That’s over 21 years ago. So, you can see the gap between thefirstandthesecondand I am the second. You can see that it is very difficult for women to navigate in a male-dominated profession like architecture. But to be fair, there are many more men than women in the field.
“Youknow,tradi onally, some professions like ar-
(ArugbaOsun)AlimotOsunbunmiwasselectedin MarchtoreplaceOsuntomiEwatomilolaaer12 yearsintherole. Osunbunmi,whoisa teen,wassaidnottohave thestrengthtocopewith theweightofitemsfor sacrificetotherivergoddessthatareputinthecalabash,hencethereason whytheOsunChiefPriest carriedthecalabash.
chitecture are tagged male professions but things are fastchanging.Forus,itwas challenging ge ng there becausethemenwouldnot want you to get there but I musttellyouthatwhenshe gotinthereasthetrailblazer,theysawthedifference.
“I must say even getng there, you s ll find some men get in midated and they s ll want to use the mentality of “she is a woman”in midateyoubut thankfully,wegotthesame trainingliketheydo,wedid thesamecourses,wegoto the same sites, we handle similarscaleofprojectsand wearetrainedtobeleaders becausethearchitectbeing theheadofabuildingteam, leadstheteam.
Adeniyi said her me as the president of the ins tute has been impac ul, adding that, “It’s been very interes ngandIwanttoassure you that the men will tes fy that female presidentshavedoneverywell.”
Yearawardin1997.
4.NwankwoKanu —1996,1999 NwankwoKanu
OVERandoveragain,Ihave readtheverystrongwords in“RaufAregbesola’sPerfidy”,recentlywidelypublished from‘MayorAkinpelu’sDiary’andI cannothelpbutstalwartlydisagree withMayor’sconclusions.
LetmebeclearthatwhileIhold strongviewsaboutNigeria’sleadershipcrisis,Idonotbelongtoany ofthecampsinthebierstruggletocontrolNigeria’sresources. Ihaveneverbelongedtoanypolicalpartyandnopolicianofany colorhascontractedmetospeak forhim.Certainly,notRaufAregbesola.
IbelievethatIhaveonlymetAregbesolaonce,inOsogbo,whilehe wasgovernorofOsunState.Ihad aendedaPMANDelegates’Conferenceinthestateandthegovernorcametospeakwithus.Ihave sincehadabsolutelynointeracon withhim.
Please,beforesomeonegets readytopublishanarclewiththe heading,“TonyOkorojiandMayor AkinpeluatWar!”,Iwanttostate thatIconsiderMayorAkinpeluto bemyverygoodfriend.
Letmegiveafewexamples: Threemonthsago,Mayorhad invitedmetohisflagshipevent, GlobalExcellenceRecognion Awardsceremonyin,Ikeja.Igotto thevenueearlyandaskedforMayorandIwasalarmedtohearthat hewouldnotbeaendinghisown event.Mayorwasonadmissionin ahospital!Ihadsomeideahow importanttheAwards,anedion ofwhichIhadaendedbefore, wastothegentlemanwecallLord Mayor.Hepersonallymicro-managestheshow.IcouldnotimagineasuccessfulGlobalExcellence AwardsceremonywithoutMayor.
Ihadiniallyplannedtospend about30minutesattheeventand gotoothereventsIhadbeeninvitedto,sameday.DuetoMayor’s unplannedabsenceandmywellknownexperiencewithaward events,Ihadtogobackstageand workwithMayor’steamtocoordinatetheevent.Ipersonallypresentedagoodpercentageofthe awardsthateveningandIwantto believethattheguestshadagood me.
Afewweekslater,onMay30,a
By TONY
OKOROJI
fullyrecoveredMayorwasoneof mydisnguishedguestsattheCOSONGreenBall.Iwasveryhappy toseehimlookingwell.
IfirstmetMayorwhowasa youngreporterwhileIwasayoung PresidentofPMAN.Duetothehyperacviesthatalwayswenton atPMAN,nearlyalltheshowbiz and‘celebrity’journalistsinLagosgravitatedtowardsmyNo.1 OremejiStreetIkejaoffice.Mayor’spartnersinthedefunctFame Weeklymagazine,FemiAkintunde Johnson(FAJ)andKunleBakare (KB),andtheirwives,havebeen myfriendseversince.Ibelievethat someofthediscussionsthatledto thesengupofFameWeeklytook placeinmyoffice.
MayorAkinpeluisanundoubtedlygoodjournalist.Hisaccount in‘MayorAkinpelu’sDiary’ofthe innerworkingsoftheBolaAhmed Tinubu’spolicalmachineisa scoopandoughttoformthescript ofamajordocumentary.
Unfortunately,Mayor’s“Rauf Aregbesola’sPerfidy”leavesme withtheimpressionthatleadershipandgovernanceintheBola Tinubuorbitisa“paddy-paddy” thinginwhichservitudetohim andbiologicalrelaonshipsarefar moreimportantthancompetence andmaybe,naonalinterest.Mayordidnotpaintthepictureofa democratbutthatofanemperor
towhomeverybodymustbow,or worsesll,amafialordwhomeverybodymustfear.
Hestatesthathisrecolleconof RaufAregbesola,aformer CommissionerforWorksinLagosState,two-meGovernorof OsunState,formerMinisterof Interiorandnow,GeneralSecretaryofthenewlyformedcoalion party,AfricanDemocracCongress (ADC),isthatof“ascruffylooking man,withhis‘tebliq’trousers”.
Headmied,however,that AregbesolahadcapacityasasignificantgrassrootsmobilizerinAlimosho,themostpopulatedlocal governmentinLagosStatewhich wasthereasonwhenTinububecamegovernor,apartfromappointinghimCommissionerforWorks, TinubumadeAregbesolathearrowheadofanewpartystructure, independentoftheAfenifereeldersandmadehisofficethevehicletocompensatepartyfaithful.
InMayor’sgospel,Aregbesola betrayedTinububynotonlyjoiningtheADCbutholdingaprincipalpostasSecretary-Generalofa coalionwhoseobjecveistostop Tinubufromgengasecondterm asPresident.Apartfromusing wordslike‘perfidy’and‘betrayal’ todescribeAregbola’sconduct, MayorpaintsAregbesolawith termslike‘evil’,‘traitor’,‘gang-up’, etc.Heconcludesinthefollow-
ingwords:“ThisisthesameAregbesolathatAsiwajuTinubumetas astrugglingpartymanin1999and madeacommissionerandlater governorofOsunState.Nowthat Tinubuispresident,shouldaman likeAregbesolabeinagang-up againsthisbenefactor?Aregbesola isareligiousman.Heshouldknow thatnomancanrepaygoodwith evilandgetawaywithit”.
IwantedtoignoreMayor’s “RaufAregbesola’sPerfidy”butI couldnot,becauseofthehugeunderlyinglessonsinthepiece.
Therearetwocloseassociates ofBolaAhmedTinubu,thatIwould anydayhavecomfortablycastmy voteforasPresidentoftheFederal RepublicofNigeria.Ibelievethat theyhavethecharacterandhave gainedtheexperiencetoleada complexnaonwithahugeyouth populaonlikeNigeria.OneisBabatundeRajiFashola.Theotheris YemiOsinbajo.Theywerebothcut downintheprimeoftheirpolical careers.Myunderstandingisthatif youareinAsiwaju’spolicalorbit, youarenotallowedtodreambig dreams,nomaerhowgoodyou are.
Mayormayhavetoldaone-sidedstoryofBolaTinububeingakind benefactorofRaufAregbesola,for altruiscreasons.Myreadingof Mayor’spiecetellsmethatBola Tinubufromdayone,wasbuildingapolicalmachineandneeded menlikeRaufAregbesolatobuild thatmachine,notfortheirown sake,butforhisownsake.Inmany ways,RaufAregbesola,Babatunde RajiFashola,LaiMohammed,Yemi Osinbajoandthemanyothersin theTinubuorbit,arereallyTinubu’sbenefactors.Theyerectedthe structurethattookTinubutothe presidency.Rauf,forinstance,was behindmuchofwhatTinubushows offashisachievementsinLagos.
Theemergingfactssuggestthat ifyouenterTinubu’sorbit,amark isplacedonyourhead.Youarenot authorizedtohaveindependent thoughtorhaveindependentambion.Youhavebecomeaprisoner, andyourdutyistoalwaysanswer “yessir”toyour“benefactor”.
RaufAregbesola’s“perfidy”is thathehastriedtobreakfreefrom theprisonandthinkforhimself.
AnotherthingthatgotmeconcernedisMayor’srecolleconof ameenghehadwithGovernor Tinubu.Thegovernorhadasked Aregbesola;“Rauf,haveyouever givenMayorAkinpeluacontract?” towhichAregbesolareplied,“Mayordoesnotneedacontract”and thegovernorsaid,“whatdoyou meanhedoesn’tneedacontract? Thesearetheguysyoushouldempower”.Thisconversaonisan importantrevelaonofhowthe BolaTinubupolicalmachinehas beenoiledandhoweveryclose supporterbecameacontractor.If itdoesnotbotheryou,itbothers me.Thankyou,Mayorforthegreat piece.