Osun Defender Newspaper Online Version Of May 16, 2025
the 18th of May 2025, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup will be formally coronated as the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. To make this historic event, OSUN DEFENDER will be issuing a collectors item commemorating the event.
The special supplement will focus on the personaC of the new Owa, his lineage, contributions as well as what should be expected during his reign.
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Land Dispute: Ataoja, Osun Community Raise Alarm Over Looming Crisis
•As Omo Onile Lay Claim To UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital’s Land
•Residents Plead With Adeleke Over Court Judgement Revoking Their Lands
•Court Officials, Lawyers Attacked While Executing Judgment
•Osogbo indigenes protesting against an attempt by some miscreants (Omo Onile) to sell part of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital’s Land in Osogbo, last Friday NANS Secures Release Of Withheld Results At Osun Poly
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025 - THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025
Land Dispute: Ataoja, Osun Community Raise Alarm Over Looming Crisis
Yusuf Oketola
THE Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Laroye II, has cau oned those parading themselves as the owners of the parcel of land belonging to the University of Osun (UNIOSUN) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo to desist.
Oba Oyetunji made the warning last Friday while reac ng to the recent ac vi es of some suspected land grabbers who were accused of selling por ons of the teaching hospital’s land to unsuspec ng public.
According to the monarch, the land originally belong to the hospital, saying no other person (s) can lay claim to it. He therefore challenged those parading themselves as the righ ul owner to meet in court.
He said: “This land has been allocated to the teaching hospital for a long me and they have been making proper use of it. No crisis, no harassment and in mida on from any corner. But recently the management came to my palace to lodge complain that a group of people are making efforts to dislodge them from the land claiming it is their father’s land.
“The ques on is who their father is, they could not provide an answer to that. Now a case has been taken to court and the plainff is an unknown person. I was aggrieved upon hearing that. Why will the plain ff be unknown? Whether the person is a human being, masquerade or ghost, I want the judiciary to bring the person to life so as to face Ataoja before the court. This land is Ataoja heritage and I am ready to defend and protect it for the usage of Osogbo community as the capital of Osun state.”
Also, residents of Powerline Area, Osogbo, Osun State have appealed to the state government to urgently intervene in a looming land dispute that threatens the peace of the community.
According to them, there is an a empt to acquire their lands illegally through a court judgement obtained by one Misturah Busari.
The residents, who trooped out in their
•As Omo Onile Lay Claim To UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital’s Land •Residents Plead With Adeleke Over Court Judgement Revoking Their Lands
hundreds on Monday morning to express their grievances against the court judgement procured from a state High Court in Osogbo, said they all have documents indica ng own-
‘You’re
one can just wake up and go to court to obtain a judgement laying claim to such hectares of land. To our suprise, they have started demolishing peoples property without noce.
“We appeal to Osun government for their urgent interven on before this crisis generate into anarchy
We say no to the kangaroo judgement,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the residents had earlier allegedly launched an a ack on some court officials and lawyers while execu ng the judgement.
ership of the lands.
The medium also learnt that demolion of proper es have commenced by the claimant who mobilised security agencies to the land to enforce
the judgement.
Speaking with the medium, the Baale of Ifesowapo Community Powerline, High Chief Lasisi Aderemi bemoaned the court judgement, saying that it’s a kangaroo. Aderemi noted that such judgement cannot stand while calling on the state government to intervene.
The disputed land, located in Olorunda Local Government Area, covers areas including Steel Rolling, Power Line, Ile Dagbolu, and the Bidire Family House, as captured in survey plan number OS/1378/2024/CP001.
“I don’t understand at this century if some-
Haunted By Oyetola’s Monumental Failure’ - Adeleke Blasts Osun APC
Kazeem Badmus
GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke has blasted the opposion All Progressives Congress in Osun State, stating that the party is being hunted by the monument disaster witnessed during the tenure of ex-Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Adeleke was reac ng to a statement by the APC Director of Media and Informa on, Kola Olabisi, where the party noted that the present administra on has done nothing since assuming office in 2022.
The APC in the statement cau oned Adeleke to sit up for the delivery of qualita ve governance for the visibly deprived people of the state.
“We wonder if the ‘Birthday Boy’ is not bothered that since he assumed the leadership of the state, the proverbial birds have not been crying like birds while the plight of the rats, too, have been in a state of iner a. As a caring poli cal party which has been cons tu onally pu ng your government on its toes in the overall interest of the people of Osun State, we celebrate today’s special day with you.
“It is our hope that as you added another year to your earthly journey today, it would form the basis for you to have a rethink and redirec on of some of your policies
that have become the albatross of your administra on. We know that when you ruminate over your past records in the government since over two years ago, it will strike your mind that state governance, indeed, is not a tea party.
“As a party that is keenly interested in the development of the state, we would not hesitate to remind you that the end of your four-year tenure poli cal leadership of the state is fast approaching, which should form your guide in the remaining part of your tenure,” the statement said.
Responding, the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, said for four years, the APC tortured Osun workers and pensioners and tormented Osun people through depriva on of good governance.
He said, “From November 2022 to date, the story of Osun changed for the be er as the birthday
man, Governor Adeleke, through his five-point agenda delivered on workers’ welfare, infrastructure upgrade, sports development, health access, ci zen empowerment, debt reduc on, educa on advancement and comple on of several abandoned projects.
“From late 2022 to date, the Governor has received mul ple unsolicited awards on good governance from local and interna onal organisaons and from reputable na onal newspapers. The shame is obviously too much for the Osun APC, hence its concoc on of lies and disinforma on on the occasion of the Governor’s birthday.”
The spokesperson, while sta ng some of the achievements of the incumbent Governor, said, “The Na onal Examinaon Council recently rated Osun as number seven from its 33rd posi on under the APC government. Is that not a sign of good
governance and success story under Governor Adeleke?
“The Debt Management Office recently released a report that Osun has reduced its debt stock by 40 percent under Governor Adeleke. Is that not commendable and a marked difference from what was obtainable under the APC government?
“A top APC leader from Ijeshaland recently declared that Governor Adeleke’s performance is unprecedented in the history of Osun state. He spoke the minds of the silent majority of APC members in Osun who mostly dismissed anAdeleke press releases from equally disturbed media teams.”
“Osun pensioners now enjoy free health care access alongside billions of naira already paid for their pensions and gratuies. Half salaries are being liquidated and Osun workers now enjoy their due en tlements on promo ons and service wide training.
“Osun workers recently endorsed Mr Governor for a second term and they listed their reasons. Several segments of the Osun society streamed to the Government House with resounding tes mony of good governance. They vowed never to be taken back to the tortuous era of APC governance”, Mr Rasheed posited.
It was learnt that Jus ce R. O. Yussuf, on February 26, 1997, delivered a judgment in Suit No. HOS/71/1993, gran ng a perpetual injunc on restraining the defendant, Hephzibah Holdings Ltd, and its agents from trespassing on land belonging to Madam Sinatu Adeoye, who was the plain ff in the case.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that a er the exhaus on of all avenues for appeal, the family returned to court seeking the enforcement of the judgment. Jus ce A. O. Adebiyi subsequently granted them leave to execute the judgment on February 20, 2025.
However, when the court bailiffs, accompanied by the family’s legal representa ve, Lekan Alabi, Esq., security personnel from the Nigeria Police and Civil Defence Corps, as well as journalists, arrived at the Jaye Filling Sta on area on Friday, May 10, 2025, they were violently resisted.
According to eyewitnesses, some individuals confronted the legal team, manhandled the lawyers, hurled stones at court officials, and issued threats of violence if any structures were marked for demoli on.
It reportedly took the interven on of security opera ves to rescue the officials, as a group of hoodlums had mobilised en masse in an a empt to disrupt the execu on by force.
•Osun INEC boss, Dr Mu u Agboke received a delega on of the Na onal Orienta on Agency, NOA, Osun State Directorate led by the State Director, Stephen Adefarasin in his Office, on Tuesday
ACROSS the na on, there is persistent disaffec on with the housing situa on and what’s perceived as the greed of landlords. In a situa on of high infla on and very high cost of building materials, the landlords might have been put in a difficult situaon as to the rate of return on their investment in the property market.
Nevertheless, the consumer must be protected. There’s cri cal issue which must now be invesgated and regulated; this is that of Sherlock Estate Agents trying to increase their fees by nudging the landlords to increase rent. The profession of Estate Agents is really not properly regulated, all manner of half-baked opportunist have now entered into the framework.
The professional body must now become ac vely engage in regulatory oversight and when necessary impose sanc ons. That people especially the youth are disaffected is understandable, the majority of them are entering the rental market for the first me in a climate of economic uncertainty as well as jobless economic ‘growth’.
The assembly members have been on record as sta ng that “The Bill will address the agitaon of our people towards the excesses of some Estate Agents in Osun State.” This is most commendable which is why we advo-
Need To Implement Osun Estate Agency Act Now!!!
cate the speedy passage of the bill. We are an cipa ng robust engagement with members of the public across all stakeholders sectors to improve upon what’s on offer. The bill must redress a lot of injus ce so that peace can reign and equity achieved. It has to be stated though that government at all level have a decisive role to play in redressing the imbalance. As of today, Nigeria has a Housing deficit of es mated 30 million which could be an underes mate. This issue must be faced for their issues of social stability and the construc on of ensuring social capital involved. The most resilience democracy are based
on stakeholder equity such as the right to own property. Government interven on is very important. In the United Kingdom for example, the present Labour Government is commi ed to construc ng 1.5 million affordable housing over the cause of his five years tenure in office and this is in an advance country. Nigeria once had robust government interven on in the housing market building affordable social housing in the past. We note the commendable effort in the 1950s and 1960s of Lagos Economic Development Board (LEDB) in providing affordable house on a rent to buy basis. This not only created social
The Discourse
“We also note with commendation the valient effort of people like a former governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande whose intervention with the provision of affordable housing through schemes such as the Iponrin Housing Estate and others where a game changer in Lagos State. ”
stability as well as social mobility.
It also fundamentally helped to create a middle class. Similar effort occurred in the then Western Region in the same period. We also note with commenda on the valient effort of people like a former governor of Lagos State, Lateef Jakande whose interven on with the provision of affordable housing through schemes such as the Iponrin Housing Estate and others where a game changer in the State. There effects con nue to resonate ll today. The scheme outline should have been sustained and built upon. We urged the Osun State Government to look at this schemes and how they use of local building materials and labour can help to s mulate them. Such scheme would also be vital to impact skills to the youth in order for them to gain employment in what should become a thriving housing construc on framework.
Sexual Harassment: A Persistent Menace And Its Far-Reaching Implications
SBy Funmi Adekoya-Ojo
EXUAL harassment, an insidious blight on society, con nues to cast a shadow over workplaces, educa onal ins tu ons, and public spaces. It is a pervasive issue that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, undermining individual wellbeing, professional growth, and societal progress. The implica ons of sexual harassment are profound and mul -faceted, demanding concerted efforts to eradicate this menace from its roots.
According to report, one in five people employed have experienced violence and harassment at work whether physical, psychological or sexual.
In another data on sexual harassment by Stop Street Harassment, over 38% of women have faced unwelcome sexual advances in the workplace while trying to do their jobs. This parcular form is referred to as sexual harassment in the workplace and is a day-to-day reality for millions of workers all over the world.
In Nigeria, the numbers are much higher, according to a report by Stand To End Rape (STER), with 64% of women repor ng they had been sexually harassed in their workplace. At its core, sexual harassment infringes upon the fundamental human right to dignity and respect. Vic ms are subjected to unwelcome advances, comments, or ac ons that create an environment of fear, humilia on, and power imbalance. This not only affects their emo onal and psycho-
“Sexual harassment is a societal ill that requires unwavering commitment and collective action. Only by dismantling the power structures that enable harassment and fostering a culture of empathy and accountability can we hope to eliminate this deeply entrenched problem”
logical wellbeing but also impedes their ability to thrive personally and professionally. The psychological scars can linger long a er the harassment has occurred, leading to diminished self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression.
The implica ons of sexual harassment extend beyond individual suffering. Organisa ons grapple with reduced employee morale, decreased produc vity, and poten al legal consequences. A toxic work environment erodes teamwork and trust, hindering crea vity and innova on. Furthermore, the erosion of trust in ins tuons perpetuates a cycle of silence, allowing perpetrators to operate with impunity while discouraging vic ms from repor ng incidents. This undermines the very fabric of a just and equitable society.
Recoun ng her ordeal, a vic m of sexual harassment, Mrs. Abiola Ogunlade, said she was forced to leave her dream of working as Secretary due to sexual harassment.
“All my life, my dream was to be-
come a Secretary, I went to school to learn shorthand wri ng and other secretariat skill but my boss o en made sexual advances which made me leave the job.
“I decided to learn shoe making skill, which I am currently doing, and always proud of doing it”, she added. Educa on, another cornerstone of societal progress, also faces dire implica ons due to sexual harassment. Educa onal ins tu ons should be sanctuaries of learning and growth, but when harassment goes unchecked, it disrupts the learning experience and diminishes the poten al of young minds. Students who experience or witness harassment may become disillusioned and disengaged, hindering their academic
achievement and personal development.
In order to address the grave implica ons of sexual harassment, a mulpronged approach is impera ve. First and foremost, comprehensive awareness and preven on programs should be ins tuted at all levels of society, from schools to workplaces, fostering a culture of respect and intolerance for harassment. Repor ng mechanisms must be strengthened and supported, ensuring that vic ms feel safe and empowered to come forward without fear of retalia on.
Legal frameworks should be robust and just, providing a clear path to jusce for vic ms and appropriate consequences for perpetrators. Community support networks, counseling services, and mental health resources are crucial to help survivors heal and reclaim their lives.
Sexual harassment is a societal ill that requires unwavering commitment and collec ve ac on. Only by dismantling the power structures that enable harassment and fostering a culture of empathy and accountability can we hope to eliminate this deeply entrenched problem. The implica ons of inac on are stark, but by uni ng against sexual harassment, we pave the way for a more equitable, just, and harmonious future.
Osun Council Boss Hospitalised After
Yusuf Oketola
THE Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Osun State, Hon Ambaliyu Babajide has been hospitalised after his prolonged detenon at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility in Abuja.
This followed the demise of a member of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in Ikire, the Headquarters of Irewole Local Government, Ademola Adelugbin who died on Monday’s while in same police custody with Babaide.
Babajide was elected under the pla orm of the PDP at the February 22, 2025 LG elec on in the state.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the chairman and Adelugbin, who during his life me lived in Apomu, Isokan Local Government was one of seven individuals arrested in connec on with the February 17, 2025 local government crisis in the state.
The medium learnt that the deceased died a er he was denied medical a en on by the police while others were said to be in a cri cal condi on as at the me of filing this report yesterday.
A source who confided in the medium claimed that the individuals were arrested on the instruc on of former Osun governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
It was gathered that Babajide was the first to be arrested and detained for about a month before a court granted him bail.
However, OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Oyetola was displeased with the court’s decision. With the reported backing of the IGP, Babajide was rearrested—this me along with six others—and all were transferred to the IRT facility, where Adelugbin later died in custody.
The individuals arrested and detained were iden fied as Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide (60), Abubakar Kabiru a.k.a. Jeje (38), Ademola Adelugbin (40), Ibrahim Fatai (45), Tajudeen Opeyemi (30), Akeem Agbomojo (28), and Akintoye Olayemi (40)—all na ves of Osun State.
They were arrested in connec on with disputes surrounding the conduct of the local government elec ons.
According to sources,
late Adelugbin had been visibly ill, with severe swelling and loss of mo-
bility, but authori es allegedly dismissed his condi on as an act of
Death Of PDP Chieftain In Detention
pretence.
“These men were illegally detained by the IGP
on behalf of former Governor Oyetola at the IRT in Abuja for one month,”
a source familiar with the ma er said.
“Jooda Ambaliyu Babajide, Chairman of Irewole Local Government, was the first to be arrested and later granted bail by the court. But Oyetola was dissa sfied with the ruling. With the help of the IGP, Jooda was rearrested, and the other six, including Ademola, were picked up and taken to the IRT facility, where one of them died on Monday evening.”
“Ademola was clearly ill—he couldn’t walk, and his body was badly swollen. Yet they claimed he was pretending,” the source added.
The source also noted that the seven arrested men were mostly members of the PDP, with one belonging to the APC.
LG Crisis: Appeal Court Reserves Judgment On APC’s Application To Relist Case
THE Court of Appeal si ng in Akure, Ondo State, has adjourned its ruling on the applica on brought by the APC to relist the Appeal involving the sacked chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court adjourned the ruling a er hearing arguments from both the APC, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), and Ac on People’s Party (APP) legal representa ves.
The sacked chairmen, who were purportedly reinstated by the court, had earlier approached the appellate court, seeking to relist the case that was previously dismissed by the same court for want of diligent prosecu on.
The appellants are reques ng the court to reinstate the ma er for proper hearing and determina on.
The panel, a er hearing submissions from both sides, reserved judgment and announced an adjourn-
Lessons From The Village: Wisdom For Modern Life
•Continued from last week
Their ability to make do with what is available, to face challenges with collec ve effort, and to celebrate small victories is a testament to a resilient spirit.
This is a quality that modern individuals, especially youths grappling with economic uncertainty and social pressures, can draw inspira on from. Resilience, a er all, is the bridge be-
ment to a date yet to be disclosed.
Earlier in his submission, OSSIEC counsel, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, called the a en on of the court to the fact that the court is bound to take judicial no ce of its first judgement earlier delivered in January 2025 dismissing the appeal of the applicant He further argued that Counsel to APC cannot rightly claim that he was incommunicado with his client, no ng that there are further evidence as filed in
marked exhibits before the court, on other cases where the same counsel, Muhydeen Adeoye was filing briefs for his client in the same court, which showed that they were actually communica ng.
The 3 man panel led by Jus ce O.F Omoleye a er hearing submissions from both sides, reserved ruling and announced an adjournment to a date yet to be disclosed.
Art/Culture
tween adversity and achievement.
Finally, the spiritual dimension of life in the village offers another layer of wisdom. Whether through tradi onal worship, Chris anity, or Islam, spirituality is woven into daily existence, providing moral grounding and a sense of purpose. Rituals, prayers, and communal worship create rhythm and meaning in people’s lives.
In contrast, the secular and indi-
vidualis c nature of modern life o en leads to a sense of emp ness and disconnec on. The village reminds us that spiritual nourishment is as important as physical and material well-being.
As we stand at the crossroads of tradion and modernity, it is important that we do not discard the treasures of village wisdom in our pursuit of progress.
The lessons of community, respect, environmental stewardship, simplicity, storytelling, resilience, and spirituality are not relics of
a bygone era — they are blueprints for a balanced and fulfilling modern life.
If we can integrate these values into our ci es, schools, workplaces, and homes, we may yet create a society that is not only advanced but also compassionate, grounded, and sustainable. A er all, as
the Yoruba proverb wisely states, “Ile la n ko eso re ode” — charity and good conduct begin from home.
And our villages, with their age-old wisdom, are indeed the home from which we can draw strength for the journey ahead.
•Concluded
•Babajide•Late Adelugbin
Kazeem Badmus
Aregbesola Makes Strong Revelation Ahead Of Osun 2026
THE immediate-past
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has revealed that ‘only individuals blessed with God’s knowledge will perceive the forthcoming events of the forthcoming 2026 governorship elec on in Osun State.’
Aregbesola who expressed confidence in the ability of Omoluabi Progressives to restore Osun to true progressive leadership called for unity and renewed commitment to make the dream come to frui on.
The former governor made the disclosure at the Monthly Stakeholders mee ng of the group in Ilesa, recently.
“We are convinced to a very large extent that God
is with us. The rest of the task in realising our dream is to con nuously galvanise support and strengthen the
base so we can succeed.
“Only individuals blessed with God’s knowledge will perceive the forthcom-
ing events of Osun 2026. Almighty God has completed how Osun 2026 elec on will be and we are more
than convinced that it is in our favour by His Grace.
“Your ac ons will influence a considerable part of
Adeleke Commends Fidelity Bank CSR Project In Osun
AS part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank on Tuesday, distributed over 2,000 raw food to residents of Osogbo, Osun State.
This was as the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke commended the bank for giving back to the people of the State.
Speaking during the distribu on of the raw food at the Staff Development Centre, Abere, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Nneka OnyealiIkpe, who was represented by the Regional Bank Head, Southwest II, Morenike Olabisi, said the outreach tagged ‘Fidelity Food Bank’ project was to give back to society.
Mrs Olabisi stated that the ini a ve has been implemented across the six geo-poli cal zones of Nigeria, adding that this will be the second me Fidelity Bank will distribute raw foods to people in Osun State in 2025.
She added that the bank will not relent in giving back to society, no ng that the project is the ini a ve of Fidelity Bank Managing Director, Onyeali-Ikpe.
Mrs Olabisi also said the bank will be giving out 500 Point of Sale machines to the Ministry of Cooperaves and Empowerment, which will be distributed to residents of the state in order to boost their source of income.
According to her, “This is Fidelity Food Bank and it was an ini a ve of our Managing Director. It was founded in April 2023, and it’s basically to give back to society and ensure that where we do business, we also have impacts.
“We’ve done this in a lot of states across the six geo-
poli cal zones of Nigeria. We’ve distributed over 100 thousand of these food packs to Nigerians. This is the second me we will be doing this in Osun State in 2025.
“We have also promised to provide 500 POS machines to the Ministry of Coopera ves and Empowerment. The POS machines will be distributed and serve as a source of income for some residents of the state. I want to assure you that we will always be back as we go across the states of the federa on”.
In his address, the Commissioner for Coopera ves and Empowerment, Bayo Ogungbangbe, who represented Governor Adeleke, appreciated Fidelity Bank’s effort at giving back to society.
The governor noted that despite the economic situa on of the country, the bank con nues to take the well-being of its host communi es as a priority.
He said, “I want to commend Fidelity Bank for this laudable gesture. This is not the first me the bank is giving back to the state and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
“For the bank to deem it necessary to do this kind of outreach at this par cular me when things are a bit hard shows that the well-being of the people is a priority to them, and I want to appreciate the bank for this.”
Another 2,500 Food Packs Disturbed In Ile-Ife/ Modakeke
Meanwhile, the bank also distributed another
batch of 2,500 raw foods to residents of Ile-Ife and Modakeke on Thursday. The distribu on, which was done in partnership with Esther Adeleke Founda on, was held at Modakeke Civic Centre.
Speaking during the event, the wife of Osun State Governor, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, said her resolve to help the needy necessitated the distribu on of raw food.
She said, “I love to alleviate poverty. I like to support my husband by helping him to cater to the needs of his people. There is hardship in the country, and all I’m doing is to ensure that whatever I can do to help, I do it.
“This is the second edion of Fidelity Food Bank in collabora on with Esther
Adeleke Founda on. A er the first edi on at Asubiaro Hospital, Osogbo, the reply and enthusiasm from the beneficiaries were what inspired us to do more.
“Apart from my second with them, the bank has been sharing across the state. I want to thank the bank for this opportunity. The people of the state are grateful and I’m using this opportunity to say we will always support the bank.”
Earlier in her address, Regional Bank Head, Southwest II, Mrs Morenike Olabisi, said apart from giving back to their host communi es, the project is also aimed at helping to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of having zero hunger in Nigeria.
“Fidelity prides itself
•Continued on page 7
what will transpire. That is why you need to rededicate yourselves to this cause and be commi ed ll victory,” Aregbesola stated.
In his remarks, Chairman, Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, thanked members for their con nued perseverance and loyalty.
A statement by Abosede Oluwaseun, Organising and Publicity Secretary of the tendency, quoted Adesiji as sta ng that the tendency’s next poli cal des na on is taking shape, assuring stakeholders that efforts are in top gear to solidify it.
He stated that, “I want to assure all our members statewide that our next poli cal des na on is taking shape.
“The delay we have experienced in announcing our next poli cal move is not because we are afraid of anybody. We are not sleeping on it. Our next des na on has a na onal outlook and efforts to finalise the party component is being completed.
“In no distant me, we will announce where we have decided to pitch our tent to present a credible candidate that will lead our journey to reclaim Osun,” Adesiji stated.
Speaking at the meeting, a former Chief of Staff to the Governor in Osun, Hon. Rasaq Salinsile applauded the team spirit of members of the poli cal fold, urging them not to relent.
The mee ng featured the official admission of new members of Omoluabi Progressives from Osogbo, Obokun local governments, community groups, associa ons, among others.
You’re A Rejected Politician, Can’t Defeat Adeleke - Osun PDP To Basiru
T•As APC National Scribe Asks Gov To Prepare For Defeat In 2026
HE Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democra c Party has described the Na onal Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru as a ‘rejected’ poli cian with no electoral value.
The PDP dismissed the chances of Basiru, in the forthcoming 2026 governorship elec on, describing him as “unelectable.”
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the campaign team of the former Osun Central Senator had in a statement congratula ng the Governor on his 65th birthday, urged Adeleke to prepare for a defeat in the hands of Basiru next year.
In the statement signed by Prof. Aderemi Ajala, the team praised Adeleke but emphasised that Basiru was best posi oned to ad-
dress the state’s numerous challenges.
“We want to join the good people of Osun State to celebrate our governor and brother, His Excellency Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, as he clocked 65.
“For us, we nurse no hatred against him especially as he celebrates his birthday. So we congratulate him. The poli cs we are all involved in is because of the be erment of our state.
“Being a knowledgeable people and apart from the fact that our principal is a lawyer by profession who adheres to the tenets of democracy, we don’t see poli cs as a do-or-die affair. When Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke defeated us in the last elecon, we respected the peoples’ wish.
“While we salute him
on his birthday, we like to remind him that Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru Ph.D is contes ng to unseat him because of the obvious lapses he has no ced in the current administra on in our dear state.”
But responding, the Director of Media and Publicity for Osun PDP, Oladele Bamiji, said the former senator should first focus on securing his party’s cket before dreaming of challenging the incumbent.
Bamiji recalled how Basiru lost the 2023 Osun Central Senatorial District elec on to a PDP candidate, sta ng that pu ng him forward as APC’s governorship standard bearer would only ease Adeleke’s re-elec on.
“I hope Senator Ajibola Basiru and his subjects understand that poli cal ambi on is not just by mouth or by speaking grammar
around, it is the level and extent of acceptability of such would-be candidate or aspirant to the people,” Bamiji said.
“Basiru has had his me in public administra on. He has been a senator and if he
•Bashiru
did well, he won’t be overwhelmingly rejected as he was in his second a empt. If he could be rejected in his own senatorial district then, I don’t know how he wants to navigate through other regions/cons tuencies in Osun State.”
Describing Basiru as “an unelectable personality as far as governorship race is concerned,” Bamiji insisted that the APC na onal scribe “doesn’t have that personality to even come close to giving the incumbent governor any sort of reasonable fight.”
“Maybe by the me God will want to make it so easy for PDP to win the 2026 governorship elec on again, Basiru will be put forward as APC candidate and then he will be able to smell how bad his image is as far as Osun electorates are concerned,” he said.
Yusuf Oketola
Kazeem Badmus
Kazeem Badmus
•Aregbesola, flanked by other leaders of Omoluabi Progressives during the meeting
NANS Secures Release Of Withheld Results At Osun Poly
Yusuf Oketola
THE Na onal Associa-
on of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone has successfully engaged with the management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, over withheld results of four student leaders and the conduct of a free and fair Student Union Government (SUG) elec on.
Following a mee ng with the Rector and top management officials on May 9, 2025, NANS reported posi ve outcomes, with the management agreeing to release the withheld academic results of the affected students and conduct a democra c SUG elec on.
The current caretaker commi ee chairperson will hand over power to the duly elected student union government, with NANS ac vely involved throughout the process.
NANS commended the Rector and management team for their openness and willingness to dialogue, as well as the Chairman of the Governing Council, Honourable Diran Ayanbeku, and the Senior Special Assistant to the
Osun State Government on Students’ Affairs for their suppor ve roles.
The affected student leaders are Ashiwel Samuel Bamise, Oseni Ige Olaitan, Olutekunbi Jacob, and Adebisi Adeyemi Simeon. NANS urged students to remain calm and law-abiding while working collec vely to protect the integrity of their academic environment.
In a statement jointly signed by the coordinator NANS Southwest zone.
D Coordinator, Owolewa Taiwo, NANS Southwest General Oluwole Olutunde and Public Rela ons Officer, Kuku Eromidayo, NANS demanded for the end of caretaker leadership over the Student Union Government.
The statement reads, “The leadership of the
Na onal Associa on of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, led by Owolewa Taiwo on Friday, 9th May 2025, engaged in a cri cal interven on at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to address longstanding concerns affecting students on
“ This engagement followed an earlier open letter and demand no ce by NANS Southwest Zone,
Campus Review Campus Review
‘Our
TYusuf Oketola
HE Independent
Na onal Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr Mu u Agboke has revealed that the focus of the electoral umpire is the 2026 gubernatorial elecon in the state.
Agboke also hinted that in order for success in the polls to be achieved, there is need to reorientate the people’s percepon about what electoral ma ers.
The Osun INEC boss gave this hint as he received a delega on of the Na onal Orienta on Agency, NOA, Osun State Directorate led by the State Director, Stephen Adefarasin Adebiyi who were on a familiarisa on visit to the INEC Osun State Office, Osogbo on Tuesday.
While welcoming the delega on, Agboke, who described NOA as one of the pillars of success in elec ons conducted by INEC in the country, emphasised the importance of con nuous collaboraon ahead of future elecons, par cularly the Osun 2026 gubernatorial elec on and 2027 general elec ons.
He said, “My focus for the Osun 2026 gubernatorial elec on is that we need to reorientate the people’s percep on about what elec on is.
“NOA is one of the pillars of success of any INEC conducted elec on.
Par cularly for me, I have used NOA effec vely and our story has been very successful. In Osun State, it will not be an excepon.
“Towards the 2026 gubernatorial elec on and 2027 general elec ons, we should be able to do more than what we have done.”
Looking ahead, Agboke men oned the forthcoming gubernatorial elec on in the state and emphasised the need to uphold the agency’s mandate during elec on advocacy.
“Our focus majorly is towards the 2026 guber elec on. We are waiting for the metable and hopefully by June we hope that the Osun guber elecon metable will be out.
“In our advocacy, we must stand by our mandate and we must allow the people’s voice to be heard during the elecon,” he said.
The REC added that, “The efficacy of NOA is
about the ability of the person in charge to showcase the mandate of NOA. You are the one that has been trained for it. I want you to let us benefit from that.”
While urging the two agencies to recommit to partnership, Agboke called on the NOA in the state to ac vely engage the electorates so as to tackle elec on related violence and vote buying.
He urged the agency to spearhead grassroots mobilisa on and move beyond formal engagements.
“We need engagement to reduce violence, the tendency to be violent, and the issue of vote buying. I want people to see us,” he added.
“I want us to do something very big in order to pass the message to the electorates,” he said.
NOA State Director, Stephen Adefarasin Adebiyi, appreciated the working rela onship with INEC and lauded the posi ve changes in Osun’s electoral landscape since Dr Agboke assumed office.
Adebiyi also acknowledged the improvement in voter educa on.
He said, “Since Osun’s incep on, there was no
free and fair elec on. Good elec on results in the state started occurring in recent years. Voter educa on has been comprehensive and the state has been elevated na onally.”
He outlined the purpose of the visit as twofold and requested deeper collabora on on public sensi sa on efforts.
“Firstly, it is to familiarise with Osun INEC. Secondly, it is to request more synergy between both agencies. Please carry us along before you embark on any sensi sa on.
“Charge us, you’d see we are ready to work. Our field officers are rowdy to work with your officers at the local government level,” he said.
The NOA Director assured the REC of the agency’s readiness, adding that the DirectorGeneral of NOA had issued direc ves on reinforcing na onal consciousness.
“We will
calling for an end to the prolonged imposi on of a caretaker leadership over the Student Union Government (SUG) and demanding the release of withheld academic results of certain student ac vists.
“NANS Southwest Zone D is pleased to report that the mee ng with the Rector and top management officials of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, was construc ve and yielded posive outcomes.
“We sincerely commend the Rector and all the management team for their openness, willingness to dialogue, and swi commitment to resolving the issues raised. Their leadership and respect for student rights are deeply appreciated.
“We also extend special apprecia on to the Chairman of the Governing Council, Honourable Diran Ayanbeku, for his mely
Focus Is Osun 2026 Guber Election’ - INEC
deliver. Whatever you put in our hands, we are ready to disseminate to your sa sfac on. The NOA DG has charged the agency on the importance of na onal symbols,” he said.
He stressed the agency’s cons tu onal duty and expressed op mism about Nigeria’s democra c development.
“We need to join hands together to make things work for all of us.
On the issue of na onal project, we must maintain the rela onship between the rulers and the people through reciproca ng,” he concluded.
interven on and supportive role in this resolu on. If governing council members across Nigeria adopt such a proac ve and student-conscious approach, our ins tu ons will flourish.
“Our gra tude also goes to the Senior Special Assistant to the Osun State Government on Students’ Affairs for his concern, interven on, and consistent support throughout this process.
“We further recognize and commend the steadfast support and collabora ve efforts of the NANS Osun State Joint Campus Council (JCC) under the proac ve leadership of Comrade Abel Ayobami (AY. Aluta). His commitment to the struggle and unwavering solidarity with Zone D in the pursuit of jus ce greatly contributed to the success of this engagement.
“We hereby demand the Immediate Release of Withheld Result of the academic results of the affected student comrades: Ashiwel Samuel Bamise, Oseni Ige Olaitan, Olutekunbi Jacob, and Adebisi Adeyemi Simeon. This demonstrates a clear stance that no student should face academic vicmiza on for advoca ng for jus ce.
“The management has agreed to conduct a free, fair, and democra c Student Union Government elec on. The leadership of NANS Southwest will be ac vely involved throughout the process. It was also stated that the current caretaker commi ee chairperson will hand over power to the duly elected student union government.
•Agboke
“As we celebrate this important milestone, NANS Southwest Zone D urges all students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to remain calm, law-abiding, and commi ed to the ideals of comradeship. We encourage students to respect the ins tu on’s rules and regula ons and to work collec vely to protect the integrity of their academic environment.
“This resolu on marks a victory for student unionism and the collec ve strength of Nigerian students. NANS Southwest will con nue to monitor the implementa on of all agreements to ensure accountability and transparency.”
Osimhen Breaks 2 Records After Winning Turkish Cup With Galatasaray
SUPER Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, on Wednesday, broke two records a er helping Galatasaray to win the Turkish Cup.
The 26-year-old scored two goals as Galatasaray won 3-0 against Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup fi-
nal.
Osimhen is now the club’s all- me record highest goalscorer by a foreign football player in a season.
Osimhen achieved this feat with his 35th goal of the season for Galatasaray.
As a result, the former Lille star sur-
passed Galatasaray’s former player, Mario Jardel’s iconic tally of 34 goals during the 2000-2001 campaign.
Osimhen is also the first foreign football player to score twice for the club in the Turkish Cup final.
The Nigerian interna onal joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Serie A side Napoli FC last year.
He has a racted interest from several top European clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Juventus and Manchester United this summer.
CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s eldest son, Cris ano Ronaldo Júnior, made his first appearance for Portugal’s under15 na onal team on Tuesday, coming off the bench in a 4-1 victory against Japan.
The 14-year-old forward, who currently plays for Al Nassr’s academy, was introduced in the 54th minute with Portugal already 3-0 up, courtesy of a hat trick by Braga’s Rafael Cabral.
Following the match, his father took to social media to express his pride: “Congratula ons on your Portugal debut, son. Very proud of you.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Son Makes Portugal Debut In 4-1 Win Over Japan
The fixture marked the opening match for Portugal’s U15 side at the Vlatko Markovic interna onal tournament in Croa a.
They are sched-
uled to face Greece on Wednesday and England on Friday, before wrapping up the tournament on Sunday against an opponent yet to be confirmed.
Osun Community Tackles Monarch, Alleges Land Grabbing
Yusuf
SOME stakeholders of Orile-owu Community in Osun on Tuesday, raised the alarm over alleged illicit sale of and aliena on of communal land in the Ago Owu Farm Se lement and all neighbouring villages along Osun State boundary lines with Ogun.
The stakeholders in a press conference held in Osogbo accused the monarch of the town, Alhaji Dauda Akinfalabi, of being the brain behind the act, which they described as inhuman.
But in his swi reac on, Alhaji Akinfalabi debunked the allega on, describing it as untrue.
The monarch explained that, the land in ques on was the one given to investors who want to invest in the community to enhance
its development.
However, the stakeholders at the press conference addressed by Dr. Bola Oyemomi told newsmen that,” the sale of communal/Royal land parcels has led to the displacement of farmers with all its a endant implica ons for food security, social disloca ons, and denial of means of livelihood by se lers.
According to him,” most cri cal effect of these criminal sale of land is the poten al crea on of boundary disputes between Ogun and Osun States in the near future.All these also are in direct contraven on of the Land Use Act of 1978 which vets the ownership of land in any State on the Governor of a State.”
“We are in possession of documents on some of these illegal transac ons,
especially on one worth N350million, amongst many running into not less than a billion Naira.”
” No Oba or Baale before him, since the rese lement of the Owus in 1904 a er the fratricidal Owu War, was involved in sale of communal land for personal gains like him and his cohorts and Illegal mining ac vi es are being carried out clandesnely and surrep ously in most of the land parcels sold,” he claimed.
“A lot of money being proceeds from the criminal sale of land has been deployed to building pala al hotels and residen al buildings, Desecra on and bastardisa on of our age-long culture and tradi ons.
“The security agencies are therefore invited to inves gate at every level of the Kingdom to verify these claims and take appropriate ac ons against the Akinfalabi’s and their cohorts”, they stressed.
The community people who further claimed that, the monarch illegally occupied the throne of the town, called on the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke to intervene on the ma er and right all rights saying, the righ ul owner of the throne is Prince Adenrele who was chosen by the Kingmakers of the town and whose name was submi ed to the Government.
“Since Alhaji Dauda Akinfalabi was installed by his cohorts, there has been no peace in the Kingdom.
The situa on would have go en worse, if not for the series of interven ons by the leadership of respected community leaders, whom he later turned against and
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the aegis of the Royal Union of Owu People (RUOP). “
“In spite of these wellinten oned interven ons, he ( the king) and his cohorts have not toed the path of peace and civility,” he concluded.
Family Planning Contributes To Financial, Mental Stability - Expert
Kazeem Badmus
ANon-governmental organisa on, The Challenge Ini a ve (TCI) has intensified its campaign on the importance of family planning in Osun community.
TCI family planning mobilisers during their monthly campaign in Olosan community in Osogbo local government on Friday said that family planning is crucial for individual wellbeing, family stability, and societal progress.
Speaking during the campaign, Adewuyi Ibrahim, the Assistant Team lead of the mobilisers, said that family empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their reproduc ve health, leading to be er health outcomes for mothers and children.
Ibrahim, who noted that the efforts of TCI in the family planning campaign had been yielding posi ve results, said that many families had embraced family planning in the local government as a result of the campaign.
While educa ng women on the benefits and importance of family planning,
Ibrahim said that it contributes to economic stability, reduces poverty, and promotes gender equality.
“Family planning ensures family stability through spacing pregnancies and ensuring the well-
being of children.
“It also contributes to the financial, emoonal, and mental stability of families”, he said. Ibrahim, however, said that TCI mobilisers would con nue to educate women on the importance of family planning and its benefits.
Many of the women who shown interest, were given “TCI Gold card”, which will be taking to the nearest primary health care centre where they will be a ended to.
Adeleke Commends Fidelity Bank CSR
•Continued from front page
as a responsible organisaon, and we place a huge premium on the wellbeing of our host communi es.
This is one of the numerous Corporate Social Responsibility that we regularly exhibit.
“The Food Bank project, which was launched in 2023, was to alleviate hunger, and to
date, we have distributed more than 200,000 food packs to Nigerians across our geo-poli cal zones.
“Through the outreach, we are also helping to meet Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger in Nigeria. Today, we are delighted to host another one in Osun State,” she noted.
Oketola
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Son Makes Portugal Debut
THE road to economic development for any state is undeniably paved with robust and efficient infrastructure. In Osun State, a key challenge remains the sustainable management and maintenance of our roads, bridges, and transport systems.
However, as Nigeria grapples with the complexi es of urbaniza on and rural infrastructure challenges, there are vital lessons to be learned from neighboring Ghana, whose approach to road maintenance has proven to be both effec ve and forward-thinking.
Ghana’s Na onal Road Safety Commission (NRSC), along with the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA), have pioneered road maintenance techniques that priorize sustainability, cost-effec veness, and long-term quality control. Ghana’s road system, much like Osun’s, is a complex network of urban and rural roads, requiring ongoing investment, monitoring, and swi interven on.
One of the cri cal aspects of Ghana’s success has been its integrated approach to road asset management, which involves not only maintaining roads but also ensuring their resilience against climate condi ons.
This foresight in infrastructure planning is something Osun can consider adop ng to protect its own roads from the seasonal rainfalls and the challenges of erosion that have historically caused major damage to our transport network.
A Strategic Approach to Road Maintenance In Ghana, the use of data-driven road maintenance strategies has helped opmize resource alloca on and reduce the cost of repairs over me. The government invests in regular road condi on surveys that feed into a comprehensive database, allowing planners to schedule repairs based on priority, ensuring the most urgent fixes are tackled first. This proac ve approach prevents minor issues from escala ng into costly repairs.
Osun State could similarly benefit from a centralized road management system that tracks the condi on of roads and bridges statewide. Such a system would allow for be er planning and budge ng, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and in a mely manner.
For instance, the Osun Road Maintenance Agency (ORMA), which has historically played a role in managing road repairs, could integrate a more advanced approach to monitoring road condi ons, combining data analy cs with field inspec ons.
Inves ng in Technology for Be er Infrastructure Planning
A key lesson from Ghana is the effecve use of geographical informa on systems (GIS) in road planning and maintenance. Ghana has adopted GIS technology to map out roads, assess their condi on, and predict future maintenance needs based on traffic pa erns and weather condi ons. This data-driven method has
“Ghana
By MATT. OLU OLOWOKERE PERSPECTIVE
Smart Infrastructure Management: What Osun Can Learn From Ghana’s Road Maintenance Success
significantly improved the way Ghana handles road infrastructure projects.
For Osun, this could mean the introduc on of smart technologies that allow for be er planning of road networks, more accurate traffic management, and the integra on of modern construc on techniques.
U lizing BIM (Building Informa on Modeling) and drone surveys could enhance how we assess and build infrastructure, thereby reducing wastage of resources and ensuring the longevity of roads and other infrastructure projects.
Sustainability in Road Construc on Ghana’s road maintenance success also lies in its focus on sustainable materials for road construc on and repairs. The use of materials like rubberized asphalt and recycled aggregates not only improves the durability of roads but also contributes to reducing environmental waste.
IIn Osun State, this could be an area for innova on, as adop ng environmentally friendly materials can reduce the environmental impact of construc on while maintaining the quality of the roads.
Addi onally, Ghana has leveraged public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund major infrastructure projects, enabling the state to tap into private investment while reducing the burden on government finances.
For Osun, such partnerships could be crucial in accelera ng infrastructure development, especially with the high demand for road rehabilita on and new projects.
The Role of Governance in Infrastructure Development
Sustainable infrastructure management goes hand-in-hand with effec ve governance. Ghana has consistently maintained poli cal will, se ng clear and aconable goals for its road development
and maintenance programs. The longterm commitment from its leadership has ensured the con nuity of infrastructure projects, irrespec ve of changing poli cal cycles.
For Osun, governance should not only focus on road infrastructure but also on ins tu onal reforms that streamline opera ons, ensure transparency in procurement, and guarantee accountability. If we focus on improving the governance structures in road development, Osun can create a founda on for las ng growth and development in all sectors, not just infrastructure.
Moreover, strengthening the capacity of public ins tu ons responsible for infrastructure can ensure that technical exper se and management skills remain top-notch, as they directly influence the quality and durability of the state’s infrastructure.
Paving the Way Forward for Osun
As Osun con nues to work towards modernizing its infrastructure, it can draw from Ghana’s road maintenance success as a model for crea ng a sustainable, efficient, and forward-thinking system.
By incorpora ng modern technologies, improving road asset management, and forging partnerships that encourage innova on, Osun can set a new standard for road development across Nigeria.
The road ahead may be long and challenging, but with a clear vision and commitment to progressive governance, Osun has the poten al to become a beacon of infrastructure excellence in Nigeria. In doing so, the state can enhance its economic development, improve livelihoods, and offer its ci zens a more connected, accessible, and sustainable future.
above
Before The Truth Sets You Free
N John 8:32, the Bible (New Internaonal Version) said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” I prefer the version - on the basis of the opening word “Then.” It presumes that there are deeds to be done even before the truth is known, much ahead of it se ng anyone free. Full of grumblings about unrighteousness but not coming to equity with clean hands themselves is the stock-in-trade of majority of Nigerians. They are far from the day they will embrace the truth and thereby find self and social redemp on.
As far as peace and security, jus ce, freedom and prosperity is concerned, desiring them requires interroga ons of the Nigerian reality dispassionately to find out the truth about how and why we con nue to perambulate about in our present wilderness of a thousand tribula ons. Meanwhile, those who want to work on those goals and achieve them do not need to come in thousands, all they need is, while not being saints themselves – there are none – they must come with as clean a hand as possible: that way, they will have the support, solidarity and followership of the majority; with that, the victory of good over evil in the land is inevitable.
wayward policies, have indeed summed up the a tude and disposi on of the majority: as far as concerns their non-par san affilia on to truth, and their willingness to make sacrifices for the common good. Seeing clearly that majority of Nigerians are in huge deficit and beholden to selfdestruc ve par san “truths” and self-centred pursuits, the elites are self-sure that there is absolutely no meaningful resistance to injus ce that can be mustered by the people. Accordingly, the elites con nue to openly and brazenly showcase their unrepentant commitment to themselves at the expense of the common good.
the lie. Neil Strauss said it all, “The reason facts don’t change most people’s opinions is because most people don’t use facts to form their opinions. They use their opinions to form their “facts.”
finances”
has leveraged public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund major infrastructure projects, enabling the state to tap into private investment while reducing the burden on government
Those who are the champions of exploita on and oppression in Nigeria today and have plunged the majority into unprecedented hardship with fake promises of be er days ahead resul ng from their
The truth about how and why we are where we are not hidden at all; they are told by those s ll commi ed to telling them every day since before the independence of Nigeria: in Newspapers, in songs, in poems, in theatres and dramas, and more recently on all social media pla orms. Why then is “knowing the truth and ge ng set freed” difficult? It takes the readiness to accept the responsibility that the truth imposes to really know the truth. Even if a man or woman’s brain is cracked opened and the truth poured into it, without that readiness to follow the truth to the dark places it leads ahead of emergence into light, the truth will remain there in denial and coma, useless, as the person con nues to remain in bondage. Such a person in front of whom the truth is standing naked will con nue to have reasons to live
Truth imposes responsibility; willingness precedes readiness in the task of accep ng those responsibili es. Let the majority of Nigerians arrive at just being willing to accept that responsibility first. We will accordingly arrive at the first stage in which no government that is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people can take them for granted. Nigerians had lived under brutal military dictatorship for years and eventually summoned the willingness to throw off their tyrannical yoke. So, what changed? The value system, and its decadence, gradually, un l the man or woman saying the truth or doing right by it today is the endangered species in Nigeria - seen by majority as the fool; the majority having been dehumanised; thereby easily producing the kind of inhuman government they deserve.
There are several stories of human and societal redemp on and Nigeria is capable of wri ng one of the most upli ing and spectacular of such, and why not, if Rwanda can come from horrifying genocide to the stable, prosperous country that it is today through a leadership and followership that eventually came to reckoning with doing what is truthfully needed.
•Matt Olu OLOWOKERE (Engr) Past GM ORMA, Osun State
STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured
