•A cross-section of protesters during the June 12 Democracy Day rally, held in Osogbo, last Friday
One Month After, Oyo School Children, Teachers Remain In Captivity
•As Nigerians, Civil Society Leaders Mount Pressure On Govt
•Worsening Insecurity Capable Of Affecting 2027 Polls – CSO
Our Reporter
ONE month a er gunmen stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers, the vic ms remain in cap vity, raising fresh concerns about the worsening state of insecurity in the country and the government’s capacity to protect vulnerable ci zens.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the a ack, which occurred on May 15, saw armed men invade schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communi es, killing at least one teacher and abduc ng scores of pupils and educaon workers.
Weeks later, Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed that intelligence reports indicated that the vic ms were s ll being held within
the vast Old Oyo Na onal Park, where security agencies have con nued rescue opera ons.
The prolonged cap vity of the children has triggered outrage across the country, with parents, civil society organisa ons, labour groups and educa on stakeholders demanding urgent ac on to secure their release.
It was gathered that the
incident has also revived fears that mass school abduc ons, once largely associated with northern Nigeria, are spreading to other parts of the country.
As at the me of filing this report, security agencies have arrested a number of suspects and alleged informants linked to the kidnapping network, but none of the children has been rescued, leaving af-
fected families in anguish as the days con nue to pass.
-As Nigerians, Civil Society Leaders Mount Pressure On Govt Na onwide concerns over the abduc on featured prominently during the June 12 Democracy Day protests held across parts of the country monitored by OSUN DEFENDER, where demonstrators accused government at all levels of
failing to guarantee the security of lives and property.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), who joined a coali on of civil society groups that organised the protests, said Democracy Day could not be meaningfully celebrated while ci zens lived under the constant threat of violence, kidnapping and economic hardship.
According to Falana, the con nued cap vity of schoolchildren in Oyo State and similar incidents across the country underscored the urgent need for authori es to priori se security and restore public confidence in governance.
The coali on also demanded decisive ac on against rising insecurity, unemployment and worsening living condi ons.
In Abuja, ac vist and former presiden al candidate, Omoyele Sowore, led protesters who demanded the immediate release of abducted schoolchildren and an end to what they described as government indifference to the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
The protest was later disrupted by security opera ves who fired teargas at demonstrators.
Several speakers at
•Continued on page 2
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026
Osun 2026: I Will Deliver Good Governance, Responsible Leadership – Salaam
THE governorship candidate of the African Democra c Congress (ADC) in Osun State, Dr. Najeem Salaam, has pledged to provide responsible leadership, restore public confidence in government and deliver people-centered development if elected n the forthcoming governorship elec on.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Salaam made the promise during a campaign tour of communies in Ola-Oluwa, Ayedire, Ilesa West and Ilesa East local government areas, where he met tradi onal rulers, community leaders and residents to present his vision for the state.
Addressing supporters at various campaign stops, the former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly said the state deserved a government that would place the welfare of ci zens above poli cs and ensure that public resources were deployed for the benefit of all.
According to him, the ADC administra on would focus on crea ng jobs, strengthening agriculture, improving infrastructure and providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“Osun can do much be er than where we are today. What our people need is a government that listens, a government that is accountable and a government that is genuinely commi ed to improving their lives. That is the kind of leadership we are offering through the ADC.
“Our young people should not be forced to leave the state in search of opportuni es. We must create an environment where they can succeed, innovate and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. That is the future we envision for Osun,” Salaam added.
He also appealed for peaceful conduct before, during and a er the elecon, stressing that the state’s democra c progress must not be undermined by violence, in mida on or poli cal intolerance.
“No poli cal ambi on is worth the blood of any ci zen, and no electoral victory should come at the expense of human lives.”
The ADC candidate called on poli cians, party supporters and stakeholders across all divides to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold the values of love, unity and mutual respect as the elec on draws near.
“Historically, Osun State has been at the forefront of social progress and poli cal excellence, championing the cherished
•Osun ADC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Mrs Yemisi Agiri, flanked by party leaders, addressing supporters during the party’s ongoing local government tour in Ilesa East LG, recently from these noble values.
Omoluabi ethos and promo ng a society founded on decency, morality, and mutual respect. However, recent developments reveal a disturbing devia on
“In a state long regarded as one of the most peaceful in the country, we are beginning to witness troubling incidents of po-
li cal unrest and violence. Today, some individuals are being mobilised as instruments of in mida on, vic misa on, destruc on, and chaos.
“We have witnessed a acks and counter-attacks in which several people have been brutalised, maimed, bullied, vic mised, and, in some cases,
killed. Proper es worth millions of naira have also been destroyed, all in the name of poli cal rivalry and vende a.
“This is not the kind of poli cs we should promote, nor is it the kind of society we aspire to build. Poli cs should never be viewed as a do-or-die affair. If our collec ve objecve is to serve the people and advance the development of our state, there can be no jus fica on for violence, hatred, or the destruc on of lives and property in the pursuit of electoral success,” he added.
Salaam reaffirmed his commitment to issuebased campaigning and urged all poli cal actors to priori se the peace, stability and progress of the state above par san interests.
The tradi onal rulers commended the peaceful nature of the engagement and offered prayers for the success of the democra c process, peace in the state and con nued development across their communi es.
August 15: Osun Muslim Community Urges Voters To Choose Competence Over Religion
THE Osun State Muslim Community (OSMC) has urged residents to vote for a competent candidate in the August 15 gubernatorial elec on, stressing that religion should not be used as a tool to choose the next governor.
The President of the Osun Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi, made the call on Sunday during a press conference to mark the New Islamic Year, Hijrah 1448AH.
Olawuyi said elec ons should not be a do-or-die affair but an opportunity to choose the right leader. He also urged the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure a free, fair and credible poll.
“There is no compulsion in religion. If you want to hold power in this country, the cons tu onal provision is what you follow. I have never seen in our cons tuon where it is said that if you want to vote, or you want to be a candidate, you must be a Muslim, a Chrisan or a non-believer. The most important thing for our people is that they should vote for the best candidate,” he said.
“In the Southwest and across the country, I have never seen where people are not living harmoniously with one another - Muslims, Chris ans and non-Muslims. They are all crea ons of Almighty Allah,” he added.
“The point is, no religion can subdue any other. It has been wri en. We are going to live together un l we
leave this earth. We leave judgment to the Almighty.
“The most important thing is to choose somebody who is ready to do the will of the people. Someone whose records indicate that, when entrusted with power, he will not disappoint us,” Olawuyi said.
While calling on religious leaders to preach unity, he said the Muslim Community would not allow any government to trample on the rights of Muslims in Osun State.
“Religious houses must lead by example. They should not preach what will ignite violence in society. Religious houses are places where people gather and are taught about God,” he added.
Speaking on ac vi es lined up for the new Muslim calendar year, Olawuyi said a colloquium with the theme “Poli cal Intolerance and A endant Problems” will hold on Monday, June 15, at the OSMC secretariat by 10:00 a.m.
He noted that the colloquium will be moderated by Imam Raji Musa Oladapo, while Mallam Ishaq Muhammad Jamiu, Barr. Mrs Fa mo Olayanju and representa ves of INEC will serve as discussants.
Olawuyi also said a youth forum on the topic “Youths and Nega ve Doctrine” will hold on Tuesday, June 16.
He added that the Hijrah celebra on will hold on Wednesday, June 17, at Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo,
with the theme “Islam and Poli cs: A Case Study of Umar bin Abdul Azeez — An Exemplary Character.”
The lecture will be de-
livered by the former Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, Engr. Abdul Hamid Adekunle.
Olawuyi said dignitaries expected at the event
include Governor Ademola Adeleke, members of his cabinet, lawmakers, tradi onal rulers, Islamic scholars and other Islamic organisa ons.
One Month After, Oyo School Children...
•Continued from page 1
June 12 events in Osun State also expressed concern over the deteriora ng security situa on, warning that persistent a acks on schools, farms and communi es were threatening public trust in democra c governance and weakening ci zens’ confidence in state ins tu ons.
The protesters under the umbrella of Osun Civil Socie es’ Coali on (OCSC) including Take It Back movement, Coalion against Insecurity and Bad Governance, FIWON, specifically demanded the immediate rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
Wole Oladapo of Nigerians for Good Governance and Saka Waheed of Dialogue 365 also called for urgent interven on to address insecurity in the country.
Oladapo said insecurity across the country was already affec ng economic ac vi es, adding that both federal and state governments had failed in their responsibility to protect ci zens.
Comrade Waheed Lawal, who read the protest
demands, said the march was not only about insecurity but also against worsening economic condi ons in the country.
Worsening Insecurity Capable Of Affec ng 2027 Polls – CSO
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, Spokesperson of the Centre for Social Jus ce and Public Protecon (CSJPP), Comrade Akin Akanji, described the con nued cap vity of the Oyo schoolchildren as a na onal tragedy and a damning indictment of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Akanji said, “It is unacceptable that almost one month a er these innocent pupils and their teachers were abducted, they are s ll in cap vity. Every addi onal day they spend in the hands of their captors represents a failure of the state to discharge its primary responsibility of protec ng lives and property.
“The emo onal trauma being experienced by parents and families cannot be quan fied. These are children who le home in search of educa on and have become vic ms of a security crisis that has
con nued to spread across the country.”
The ac vist warned that the growing wave of insecurity could significantly shape poli cal discourse ahead of the 2027 general elec ons if governments at all levels fail to demonstrate greater capacity to protect ci zens.
“Insecurity is no longer a regional challenge; it has become a na onal emergency. If the situaon persists, security will undoubtedly become one of the defining issues of the 2027 elec ons. Cizens are already ques oning the ability of leaders to guarantee their safety, and that concern will reflect in poli cal decisions and voter behaviour,” Akanji stated.
He called on the Federal Government, security agencies and state authori es to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers, prosecute those responsible for the crime and implement long-term measures to safeguard schools, warning that failure to do so could further undermine public confidence in democra c ins tu ons and naonal security.
THE na on owes former President Muhammadu Buhari a debt of gratude for designa ng June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. It is the most appropriate date, for the momentous events associated with that day must remain central as we strive to consolidate and deepen our democracy.
To put it in context, the freest and fairest elec on Nigeria has ever conducted should have become the founda onal block for the construc on of a new society. Crucially, that elec on slayed many demons. The pan-Nigerian mandate obtained by Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola filled a debilita ng void in our na onal life. Unlike countries such as India, Ghana and Malaysia, Nigeria never developed a natural party of the na onal ethos — a poli cal pla orm with a truly na onwide support base capable of rallying the Republic around a programme of sustainable development and fostering a genuine sense of na onhood. June 12 presented such an opportunity. It was an opportunity lost, and the na on con nues to pay an increasingly puni ve price for that loss.
President Bola Tinubu should have used his Democracy Day address last week to re-emphasise the central issue by resta ng the headline promise of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola and the Social Democra c Party’s manifesto: “A Farewell to Poverty.” Given the hardships confron ng Nigerians today, it is evident that Abiola and his party ancipated many of the challenges that now beset the naon. The implementa on of that programme could have helped avert much of the economic and social distress we currently endure. Bashorun Abiola possessed both the human empathy and managerial acumen necessary to success-
In Remembrance Of “A Farewell To Poverty”
fully implement such a transforma ve agenda.
Today, we must revive that vision. The manifesto remains a compelling response to both the causes and consequences of Nigeria’s dysfunc on.
A genuine war against poverty should not merely aim to li tens of millions of Nigerians out of depriva on; it should become the engine room for building a produc ve society capable of compe ng and thriving in an increasingly globalised world. The prevailing neoliberal policy thrust has failed to deliver the desired outcomes and should be reconsidered.
“President Bola Tinubu should have used his Democracy Day address last week to re-emphasise the central issue by restating the headline promise of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola and the Social Democratic Party’s manifesto: “A Farewell to Poverty.” Given the hardships confronting Nigerians today, it is evident that Abiola and his party anticipated many of the challenges that now beset the nation”
An effec ve an -poverty programme would also help reconstruct the Social Contract as the opera ng founda on for strengthening and deepening our democracy. Saying farewell to poverty would further accelerate the devolu on of responsibili es from an overbearing central government to communi es, where real development begins and where ci zens can be er hold leaders accountable.
Countries such as Brazil and India have demonstrated how targeted an -poverty programmes can s mulate
EXPLAINER
•Friday’s Democracy Day address should have revived the vision of A Farewell to Poverty.
•Poverty eradication must become the cornerstone of national development, driving economic productivity and rebuilding the social contract that sustains democracy.
•We salute all those who fought for democracy, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. May their souls continue to rest in peace.
produc on, expand economic par cipa on and generate sustainable revenues. Nigeria must learn from these examples.
The crisis in Nigeria has been sustained, in part, because criminal networks and terrorist groups have exploited mass poverty as a recruitment tool for their nefarious ac vi es. Breaking this vicious cycle requires confron ng poverty directly and decisively.
As we commemorate June 12, we must con nue to honour the courage and sacrifices of all those who fought for the restora on of democracy. We especially remember those who paid the ul mate price. May their souls con nue to rest in peace.
Nigeria today is poorer than it was in 1993. It is also more vulnerable and imperilled. The weaponisa on of poverty has increasingly become a tool for achieving poli cal dominance and maintaining control. This trend may stem from a misinterpreta on of the no on that revolu ons do not occur during periods of extreme depriva on, but rather during periods of rising expecta ons and rela ve prosperity. Such theories must not be taken out of context.
Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com All correspondence to the above email addresses.
The pursuit of immediate political gra fica on at the expense of long-term na onal stability is both dangerous and destruc ve. What Nigeria requires now is a return to the central vision embodied in “A Farewell to Poverty.” Revitalising that agenda would provide the founda on for the fightback that is urgently needed. It is no longer merely a poli cal aspira on; it is a necessity for our collec ve survival and na onal renewal.
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 46 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
THE modulated salary structure adopted by the State of Osun became a child of necessity in July 2015. It was a survival strategy for a state that had been long neglected in infrastructure development but took a deliberate decision to rapidly develop the state. Well, the reality of the bad economic situa on and some not well thought through policies crept in on everyone in the second half of 2015.
Prior to this period however, the administra on of Aregbesola had introduced and paid the 13th month bonus to workers for the first me in the history of the State as a gesture to mo vate the public service workers and make them partners in the development of the State.
Let us examine the facts:
1. GL 1-7 cons tutes 72% of the workforce.
2. These 72% are paid 100% of their salaries and have been paid up ll November 2017. Not a dime was owed this group which was the most vulnerable in any society.
3. GL 8-12 cons tutes 20% of the workforce.
4. These 20% are paid 75% of their salaries and have been paid up ll November 2017.
5. GL 13 and above cons tute 8% of the workforce.
6. These 8% are paid 50% of their salaries and have been paid up ll November 2017. These are the leaders in the State. Please note that in this category are ALL poli cal appointees.
It is important to highlight that 28% of the workforce account for more than 50% of the wage bill. This is however understandable when you plot that against the Pareto principle.
Modulated salary structure became a painful child of neces-
“Modulated salary saved Osun workers from mass retrenchment, a policy put together by Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a kind of rescue package. Aregbesola used modulated salary to show his commitment to his contract and the future of Osun workers”
PERSPECTIVE
BY INWALOMHE DONALD
Osun Modulated Salary Of 2015:
What Was New, What Had Changed And Why It Matters
sity in July 2015. Up un l then full salaries were paid to all categories of workers, leave bonuses were paid promptly and pensions were never delayed. Now, lets look at these figures which were captured in nearest absolute decimal numbers:
With the gale of retrenchment sweeping through the private sector, public workers were not smiling either, as they were variously owed months of salary, while others were apprehensive of the likelihood of wage cuts. Many states were facing a hard me mee ng salary obliga ons since the slide in oil prices, a development that led to about 60 per cent cut in alloca ons from the Federa on Account. It was late President Buhari that came up with financial bailout of states across Nigeria in 2015.
Osun embarked on modulated salary of 28 per cent of its workforce to prevent mass retrenchment of its workers. Modulated salary saved Osun workers from mass retrenchment, a policy put together by Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a kind of rescue package. Aregbesola used modulated salary to show his commitment to his contract and the future of Osun workers. He used modulated salary to save jobs in Osun and help the workers instead of reducing the workforce. The Osun government used modulated salary to save jobs and pay wages of workers that would have been sacked. The government used modulated salary to get a se lement and a guarantee of wages of the workforce in Osun. Modulated salary was the policy instrument that saved the workers’ jobs in Osun. Modulated salary was not half salary.
The report by some groups in Osun was a clear a empt to malign Aregbesola and paint the state
government as deliberately paying half salary. It is only a sec on of workers on grade level 13 and above that receives painfully 50 per cent of their salaries based on agreement between the government and the labour unions. Outside that category of workers on grade level 13 and above, no other receives half of his or her salaries and the workers in this category are just about 20 per cent of the state’s workforce. Workers on levels 8-12 receive 75 per cent of their salaries while officers on levels 7 and below receive their full pay.
Only 28 per cent of the state’s total workforce received modulated salary, and that the remaining 72 per cent of the workers have been earning their full salary and are not being owed any outstanding salaries. 28 per cent of Osun civil servants have endured modulated salaries. These are the 20 per cent who earn 75 per cent of their monthly pay and the eight per cent who collect 50 per cent of their salary. “The remaining 72 per cent, as you all know, have been earning their full pay and are not being owed any outstanding salaries, irrespec ve of the spin being given to this by our traducers. Even at that, we must thank everyone for the sacrifice you have all made in other areas.
28 per cent of civil servants in Osun State in the employment of the state government under the leadership of Aregbesola began to receive payment of full salary for the month of December 2017. Government workers and their dependents in the State of Osun cons tutes only three per cent of the en re popula on adding that governance should not be reduced to paying salaries. The percentage of the civil servants is 1 percent and
their dependants are two per cent of the popula on of the State. So, if you also consider the 97 per cent of the society, Aregbesola administra on has succeeded amazingly.”
The society is the totality of the people, civil servants and the large popula on. “The roads constructed by the government will be enjoyed by all, civil servants inclusive. The drainages being constructed will equally save civil servants and many from troubles, the security system we are improving upon to ensure that lives and proper es are protected will also be enjoy from it. Do not reduce governance to paying salaries.” “No reasonable government will like to make life miserable for anybody. The essence of government is compassion not for a group but for all. Government primary goal is to be concern about the well-being of the people.”
Within the seven years of the government of Aregbesola, a whopping N200 billion was spent on payments of salaries, allowances and pensions while a rela vely paltry sum of N60billion naira went into infrastructure, or what we call capital projects. This translates to 77 per cent to 23 per cent respecvely. The reverse should have been the case. No na on develops this way and it is so sad. So, when people falsely declare that Osun government is building infrastructures to the detriment of workers’ welfare, it is laughable.
Prior to November 2010 when Aregbesola became Governor, the average IGR was less than N400m. The implica on of this is that wage bill alone in the period under review cons tutes 85.85% of Gross Total Revenue.
The massive investment in infrastructure is a strategy towards jump star ng the economy of the state. There is no doubt that the workers of the State have made huge sacrifice towards the huge transforma on going on across the State. History will be kind to them. It’s been tough for the administraon of Aregbesola. He’s been able to make omele e without breaking an egg with the support of workers. It is important that this support is sustained in the interest of the State. We are almost there. The darkest part of the night is just before dawn. This is not the me for labour unrest in the State on something that is a compromise the Government had to make against the more ra onal op on of cu ng its coat according to the size of its cloth.
•TInwalomhe Donald writes via inwalomhe.donald@yahoo.com
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