Osun Defender Online Version Of December 20, 2019.

A New Economic Zone Comes To Life Exploring The Osun Mall •An Interview With The Project Manager

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VOL. 14. NO.14

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ISSN: 0794-8050

N100

Aregbesola Becomes First Amirul WaziriMuuminiina of Osun Today •Why we Honoured Him - Chief Imam of Osogbo

- See Pages 3 & 11

Minimum Wage: Interpreting The Contentious Issues In The Year Ahead - Magazine

Trump Tells Me Where I Need To Be

Osun Based Artist Speaks Exclusively To Osun Defender Page 15

Nimble Footed on the Table Tennis Court The Ooni of Ife Showing That He Is A Man Of Diverse Skills On Tuesday In His Palace OSUN DEFENDER is not affiliated with any other newspaper, magazine or any publication whatsoever.

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Oluwo's Estranged Wife Gets Away With Only Child As Four-Year-Old Marriage Crashes

By Ismaeel Uthman

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her.

"For personal irreconcilable differences, Chanel Chin ceased to be his Majesty's queen. We equally enjoin the public to disregard any business transaction or request with her using the office of his majesty".

However, Chin in a reply to the press statement on her Instagram, said she

respected the Royal stool and that was why she had been silent in the last four years.

She said: "I have kept silent for four years out of respect for the stool. Don't blame the writer of the press statement; he was simply doing what he was ordered to do. It is our responsibility to show respect to the stool".

Chin noted that the media circus was unnecessary; especially when there is an innocent child involved, insisting that she was the one that choose to 'respectively walk away' because she could not cope again.

She cautioned those who intend to be commenting on the matter should respect the stool and the

t is no longer news that the frontline traditional ruler, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi has divorced his Jamaican-Canadian wife, Chanel Chin.

"This information is The four-year-old marriage crashed as a necessary for the attention result of excessive social life of the general public to and lack of submissiveness avoid representation on allegations against Chin, proxy or accordance of investigation has revealed. respect attached to the Chin, a Canadian by birth sacred stool of Oluwo to and Jamaican by naturalization, went away with the only child she bore for Oluwo, Oduduwa Ibrahim Akanbi.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered on Tuesday that Oba Akanbi had been lately suspecting Chin on her movements before he confronted her last week.

In a statement issued by the Oluwo's Press Secretary, Alli Ibrahim, the traditional ruler said he divorced the queen because of personal irreconcilable differences.

But Chin, on her Instagram page claimed that she dumped the king and not the other way around.

Oluwo in the press statement said: "This is to inform the general public most especially friends and associates of the Oluwo of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) (R-L) Alhaja Muibat Salam, Bride's father Former Speaker Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, Abdulrosheed Adewale Governor State of Osun, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Bride Eniola Tunmise Salami, Groom Abolade Amao Salami, First Akanbi, Telu I, that Ms Lady State of Osun, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola, Speaker Osun house of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, Bride's mother Chanel Chin is an ex-queen Mrs Bimpe Salaam and Dolapo Salaam during the wedding engagement and reception ceremony at Adonai event of his majesty.

Centre Osogbo last saturday.

mother of Prince Oduduwa.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Oluwo decided to divorce Chin because of her extravagant lifestyle as he could no longer bear her high designer taste, love for shopping and excessive social life.

Oluwo and Chin had serious altercation, as the estranged queen reportedly rained abusive words on the monarch before she packed out of the palace.

She left for Lagos in one of the buses in the palace, and she is staying in a hotel as at the time of filing this report.

Besides, contrary to the impression that the Oluwo and his erstwhile queen met in Canada, investigation has revealed that they actually met at a party in Lagos on February 02, 2016.

It was gathered that Chin who had lodged at a popular hotel in Lagos, was invited to the party to celebrate Oba Akanbi's installation as the new Oluwo of Iwo. A source in Iwo informed OSUN DEFENDER that the party was organized by an indigene of the town known as Morgan, and that Oluwo fell in love with Chin after the party.

According to the source, Oluwo was encouraged by a friend then to marry Chin, since he was without a wife.

I'm Still In Shock, Says Farmer Held Hostage By Chinese Abductors

By Solomon Odeniyi

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farmer, Raphael Orodipe, who was held hostage by the gunmen who abducted two Chinese expatriates in Itagunmodi in Atakumosa East local government area of the state of Osun recently has narrated his ordeal. cording to Orodipe, he come to the farm everyday. was held hostage for about I did not kneel down until a seven hours in his farm by gun was pointed at me. I the abductors before they have never seen that type attacked the vehicle that of gun before. conveyed the Chinese “Immediately I knelt expatriates to their mining down, one of them whistled site and eventually abduct and another two joined, them. making four people on me.

Orodipe who said his They took me to another farm is next to the mining place in the bush where I site of the abducted met other members of the expatriates, narrated that gang. They were about 15 he was ambushed by two of altogether. They told me to the gunmen in his farm at lie down and face the about 9am. ground in Pidgin.

Stating that he was yet to “All of them were recover from the shock of speaking Hausa, and I the incident, Orodipe said thought they were he escaped death by the deliberating on how to kill whisker from the me. I had given up hope abductors. that I would make it out of Narrating his experience, the place alive. After their Orodipe said: “I got to my deliberation, they called on farm around 9am to work. me and asked how the Two young men showed up Chinese expatriates from nowhere and ordered acquired the land. They me to kneel down. I was did also asked about their not obey their order security details. They because I thought they threatened to kill me if I were security men working don’t tell them the truth. with the Chinese “I told them I was also a expatriates. My farm is next stranger in the community to the mining site of the and I had no business with expatriates. the foreigners despite my “The two young men farm being close to their were in mufti and they site. They said they would covered their nose and kill me and I started asking mouth with camouflage. for forgiveness from God They told me to kneel down because I thought I would the second time and said I not survive it. They called was on my farm and that I themselves together again

to hold discussions.

“Each of those people had sophisticated gun and they were smoking hemps.

They took me away from that spot to the other end

of the road and I was left in the custody of one of them who was fully armed. The rest of the abductors hung around the mining site.

They positioned themselves

well in the bush, facing the road.

“I later had the sound of gunshots at the mining site and I tried to take a look but I was cautioned by the guy

Osun Govt Trains 3100 OYES Cadets On ICT n its bid to ensure human capital development and cadets were selected in

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capacity building for the youths, the State Government of Osun has trained Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES) cadets on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as parts of the exit training programme for the cadets.

•A Cross Section of OYES cadets receiving lecture on ICT at the training in Osogbo.

Speaking at the cadets in Osun Central programme, the OYES Senatorial District was put Commandanté, Colonel in place by the state EniIbukun Oyewole (rtd), government in said with the advancement collaboration with Treasure and rapid changes in the Jars Youth Center. It was world community, held at AUD Elementary activities, jobs, skills and School, Osogbo, the state cultures have been affected capital, on Wednesday. by advancement of Oyewole maintained technology. that it is a known fact that According to Oyewole, technologies have modern there is need to be vast in e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p , computer knowledge to disclosing that the OYES handle the current trends cadets have gone through and stay relevant in the different trainings in skills labour market, hence the acquisition but need more conclusion of the state training on ICT as basic government to train the tools needed for OYES cadets on ICT. entrepreneurial activity.

The ICT training which The Commandanté was organized for OYES stated that 100 OYES

each of the 31 local governments in the state for the ICT training, which will hold for 21 working days.

He stated that the trainees were positioned to thrive in their various businesses after their exit from the two years voluntary program of OYES with the impact of ICT on their lives.

In his remark, the Technical Consultant for Treasure Jars Youth Center, Mr Osazee Isonaree stated that computer usage has spread widely in society and integrated into all aspects of life, thereby compelling the youths to have sufficient knowledge on ICT. Isonaree explained that entrepreneurship is a process of creating wealth through skills acquisition that could be expanded with profit with adequate knowledge in the use of computer for the business activities.

He stated that the OYES cadets were trained on the use of computer, overview of ICT, computer appreciation, Microsoft Office suite, graphics, Corel draw, effective use of internet, use of goggle my business, email and Facebook account, navigation, social media among others.

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who held me at gunpoint.

Not quite long, I had sound of vehicle which definitely would be that of the foreigners and there ware sporadic gunshots. The gunshot was heavy to the extent that there was smoke everywhere.

“The guy with me became unstable as he was looking around and ready to engage in gun battle.

When I noticed that his attention had shifted from me, I silently crawled out of his sight to a big Kolanut tree and then ran as long as my leg could carry me. I got to the main road and saw some guys who I suspect they are Ghanaians working on the site; they were approaching their work place and I told them to go back that some robbers had attacked the site. They sped off and never waited to carry me.

“I later met one of my fellow farmers who was hiding in his farm after hearing the sound of gunshots. He brought me home and I went to the police station to report.

“I think the abductors must have arrived the place at midnight that day because I go to my farm on a daily basis and did not see them there the previous day.

“I spent about five tormenting hours with the abductors. I am yet to recover from the shock. I am scared of going to my farm. A farmer too who was fumigating his farm was also beaten. “

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

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Revealed: Why Lightening Killed 17 Cows, 2 Sheep in Iba

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•Rotary international Oroki Osogbo honoured the Director General of Oranmiyan Worldwide, Mr. Olajide Moruf Sadiq with an Award of Excellence in Culture & Socio-Political Development on Saturday 30th November, at Adolak Hotels during the investiture ceremony of Rot. Olusegun Ojo as 19th President of the Club. igeria’s Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will today be honourned with an exalted title of Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina of the State Of Osun by the League of Imams and Alfas that fulfils promise. complete humanist. He Muuminiina title given to Speaking, the Asiwaju does not play emphasis on Aregbesola in the state. is well Zumratul religion but on humanity. deserved. He merits the Aregbesola is the first Adeen of person to be turbaned with Soliheen, Afanta, Osogbo, He does not discriminate title because his such a title in Osun, Alhaji Waheed Lawal, and he is fair to all the contribution to Islamic according to the Chief commended the League of different religious faithful. course and to humanity Imam of Osogboland, Sheik Imams and Alfa for “The Amirul Waziri- importantly is well noted.”

Musa Animasahun who is ‘carefully chosen a worthy also the chairman of Osun Muslim’ to be honoured League of Imams and Alfas. with the title.

Lawal noted that Imam Animasahun said all the Imams and Alfas in Aregbesola posses all the the state heartily agreed to qualities of a devoted he Pioneer President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sumonu has described honour Aregbesola with Muslim who in addition has the modulated salary structure, introduced to the state the title in appreciation of ‘a pure heart’ to everybody between 2015 and June 2018 as a child of necessity that his commitment to Islam, that comes his way, saved theJuly state of Osun from crisis. promotion of social justice, describing him as humane, Comrade Sumonu who was the chairman of the Revenue and Allocation Committee that salary in full. Levels 08 and service to humanity and supportive oversaw the disbursement of above were paid half of their delivery of good accommodating.

He submitted Aregbesola state funds and payment of salaries. But when the governance during his eight between the period, economic situation improved, years reign as the governor did not only deserved the salary said the modulated salary levels 08-10 were being paid title but also worthy of saved Osun from chaos. of the state.

75%.

He stated this just as the He disclosed that the celebration by other people “It was workers on level 12 of the Trade Union and above that were owed half main Osogbo Central have in one way or the Chairman Congress, Comrade Adekola their salaries till the Mosque was renovated by other benefited from his Adebowale, disclosed that the of salary terminated gestures and salary regime was a collective modulated Aregbesola alone, stating good in June 2018. The N20, 000 that the former governor’s commitment to a better idea of the government and least pensions being paid to labour leaders in the state, some pensioners per month contribution to promotion society. that it was the best was increased to N80,000 A former commissioner saying of Islam could not be option to take in the interest when the situation of things for Sports, Social Affairs and of the workers. overemphasized. improved.

The unionists spoke in a According to Special Needs, Mr Biyi “I think the criticism and separate interview with Osun attack on Aregbesola by the Animasahun, the Muslim Odunlade said: “The Amirul Defender Monday in people on the modulated group had wanted to Waziri-Muuminiina title Osogbo, the on state capital. salary structure is unfair to him appreciate Aregbesola with given to Aregbesola should Explaining the modulated and his government. In fact, the title while he was the not have gone to any other salary structure, Comrade many states came to Osun to said: “When the price learn what we did here to governor, but later person in Osun than him. If Sumonu petrol dipped, the income replicate it in their states. The concluded to wait till after you are looking for of of the governments also situation was worse in many somebody that expends his dipped to the extent that they states. he left office.

The former governor of energy, influence, money were not able to do what they “But for the deft idea of used to do. For creating our committee, this the state becomes the and other resources to normally example in this case of Osun, state would have been in th second person to be given please and assist people Aregbesola was paying 13 The creation of our such religious title in the without expecting anything month salary which was not chaos. committee led to better South-Western part of he return, Aregbesola is the requested by the labour understanding between unions.

Aregbesola gave it man. government and the workers Nigeria. as part of the as well as the trade unions. It “As a person that served then Amirul Waziribenevolence of his to transparency in Muuminiina, as interpreted under him, I know how government because the state led government and governance by an Islamic Cleric, Mr passionate he is to helping could afford it till the reverse because the government allowed us to decide what to Shakirullah Abubakr, is the the needy, the less came.

“When the reverse came, do with the revenue.”

Minister and Commander privileged and physically they were even faced with the Speaking with Osun people. challenge of how to pay Defender, in Chief of the (Muslim) challenged Adebowale Aregbesola is a person that salaries. I did not know where condemned the politicization Believers. they got the idea of setting up of the modulated salary, Abubakr noted that believes in and promotes such a committee.

I was the that the economic before a Muslim could be social justice to the extent chairman of the committee stating of the state honoured with such that; every household in while Governor Adegboyega logjam necessitated the salary religious title, he must have Osun benefits from his Oyetola, then Chief of Staff regime. was vice chairman.

We had protection Adebowale disclosed that distinguished himself as a social leaders of the labour unions the state government had paid God fearer, pious, true programmes. and permanent secretaries as some of the salary arrears of “Aregbesola is not a members of the committee. believer, right-thinker, just grade level 8 and above, just “I proposed and it was as he called for the payment person, cheerful spender, fanatic; he is rather a lover of peace and person Muslim by religion and a accepted that level 1-7 of the rest of the arrears.

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Aregbesola Becomes First Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina of Osun

Modulated Salary Was a Child of Necessity, Saved Osun From Crisis - Comrade Sumonu, TUC Chair

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workers should be paid their

he circumstances surrounding the mysterious death of 17 cows and two sheep owned by a Fulani young man in Iba, Headquarter of Ifelodun Area Office have been unraveled.

Contrary to the widespread insinuation that the thunder lightening that killed the cows and sheep previous Friday was a spiritual attack on the Fulanis, it was learnt that the incident was natural and has nothing to do with spirituality.

OSUN DEFENDER visited the Iba on Tuesday and found out that there was harmonious relationship between the Fulani community, indigenes and other residents of the town before and after the death of the cows and sheep.

The development has not created suspicions between the Yoruba and Fulani communities as they forged ahead with their normal relationships; this was gathered from responses to interviews conducted by the medium.

Speaking with Our Reporter, The Eburu of Iba, Oba Prof Adekunle Adeogun-Okunoye said he has investigated the matter and found out that it was not a spiritual attack on the Fulani has rumoured.

“When you lose something, you will feel sad, no matter how little.

Those Fulanis are not cattle rustlers, they are cattle farmers and they are part of us – they are indigenes of Iba. They are a strong pillar in the economy of Iba and they have been contributing to the development of the community. We all bear the brunt if anything bad happens to them.

“But we know what happened is an act of God and we all know that; it not a strange occurrence except we want to be deceiving ourselves. From our findings, we have known that it is not a bizarre incidence. Our investigations and research have shown that the death of the cows and sheep was natural.

“We have found that the ranch where the cows and sheep were kept was prone to thunder lightening because of the topography of the land. I was told that trees on at a hilly place are prone to thunder lightening and that was what we experienced.

“That was the circumstance that surrounded the death of the cows and sheep. They were kept under a tree in a hilly area. To avoid similar occurrence, I have advised the Fulanis not to assemble their cattle under the tree again when rain is about to fall. There is nothing like any spiritual attack.

The ranch where the cows and sheep were killed is close to a traditional mountain called Ayee, which is being worshiped by the Iba community.

By Ismaeel Uthman Rumour had it that the mountain, in the spiritual realm, could have struck and killed the cows and sheep.

Dismissing the rumour, Oba Adeogun-Okunoye said “Ayee did not do that and could not do that because we worshipped it beyond the usual this year.

This year’s Ayee festival is the best and I believe Ayee itself is happy because we had a colourful event for it.

Ayee is not a wicked deity, it is not destructive.”

“The ranch had been beside Ayee Mountain for long a very long time and nothing bad had happened to the people and the cows they keep there until the recent incident. People are just saying what they don’t know.”

Corroborating the monarch’s submission, the Eesa of Iba, Chief Gabriel Oyelade described the incident as shocking and painful, saying that it was a loss to the entire Iba community and not to the Fulanis alone.

According to Oyelade, the Fulanis in the town had been living peacefully with them and their cows have never destroyed any farm.

He said the Fulani and their cows did not enter any sacred place that might have caused their sudden death, contrary to insinuation.

Explaining how the incident happened, the Leader of the Fulanis in Iba, Mr Saliu Mustafa, said the tragedy struck late in the even after the Muslims ‘Mongrib’ prayer.

Mustafa said: “The Sky was cloudy and we thought it was about to rain. We noticed that there was constant lightening during our Mongrib prayer.

Suddenly, the thunder struck and the lightening that accompanied it was just too much.

“We heard the cows mooing and when we got there, we found 17 cows and two sheep dead without any mark. The thunder also cut part of the tree under which the cows were kept. It dug the ground and entered the root of another tree.”

The owner of the cow, 20-year old Usman Nuhu was still in grief when Our Reporter met him at the ranch which is about three kilometers to Iba town.

Nuhu, whose account of the incident was not different from that of Mustafa, said seven of the cows were heavy with pregnancy when the thunder lightening killed them.

He stated that some of the pregnant cows had forced labour at the point of death.

Nuhu appealed to the state government to come to his aid, saying that he could not bear consequence of the loss alone.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

ISSUES/POLICY

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, an Interpretation of Social Justice within Islam

Established 2005

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gbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s practical demonstration of his belief in social justice and solidarity has been accepted as a conventional wisdom.

Below, a Muslim Scholar and Chief Imam Of Kosemani Mosque, Dada Estate, Osogbo, Sheikh Ibrahim Raji evaluates what social justice means in Islam.

Recognition Well Earned

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n our considered opinion, the conferment today on the Federal Minister for the Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the title Amirul Waziri - Muuminiina is a clear testimony to the endersoment of the interpretation of faith as being anchored on the pillar of the quest for equity in human relationships. thrust Ogbeni Aregbesola central does not just live a life resonates within all based on the the major world adherence to a religions.

Aregbesola’s religion, he has demonstrated the emphasis on the social faith. His honourable intervention trajectory practical exposition of in order to achieve Islam has been based social justice has on the construction of earned him a positive a socially more just and place in history. The equitable society. This Youth Empowerment

Scheme (OYES) , O’Meal amongst others reveals a deep testament of faith. This is to be applauded and is now being recognised as deserving of a most important honorific.

We commend the good judgment of the league of Imams and Alfas of the State of Osun and wish the first Amirul Waziri Muuminiina of Osun State great purposeful decades ahead in continuing good health

A Vital Economic Trajectory

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he recent opening of the Osun Mall in managers, they are Oshogbo, is akin to an economic stimulus. risk takers and deal Those who created the enabling environmakers. They have ment including the trepreneurial zeal of added a fillip to the Aregbesola and the the project managers economy of the state Oyetola administra- is to be acknowledged. which is an advance in tions are to be com- In actual fact, Adeeyo sustainable developmended for their in- and his team were ment. It is a worthy exputs. The can-do en- more than project ample to follow.

My First Day in Osun Mall

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hen I first got to Osun, I heard people saying ‘this Rauf Aregbesola (as governor then) was a useless man, he refused to pay salaries, he was using money to construct roads and build schools, is it road that we wanted to eat?

Fakunle Grammar School was sold to Tinubu to build Shoprite; very-very bad.

The beautification of Olaiya roundabout, who is the horse carrying and to where?

But I wondered what would have become the fate of the motorists in the (Osogbo) metropolis did at the raining season this year if Aregbe had not constructed those roads and drainages.

I did not see Tinubu’s name inscribed on the shopping mall which was just commissioned about two weeks ago. What I saw at the Justrite was Osun mall. I could not imagine the joy and happiness on

the faces of the good people of Osun when the mall was commissioned; the crowd was so many that I asked the person who was with me if he knew where the people came from.

I went back there again just to see how the place was, because I was unable to gain access into some of the shops because of the crowd the first day I visited the place. This time around, I went round the mall and it was a sight to behold. I heard some people saying what else do we need in Ibadan? We can get whatever we need here in Osogbo. Another person said Osogbo is becoming a very beautiful metropolitan

city; I heard someone saying she just came for shopping from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.

Surprisingly, Who I saw in the shopping mall was one of the journalists that was always castigating Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola when the project started.

Rauf Aregbesola was a governor every state should pray to have. I am proud of you, the past governor of the State of Osun. You may have your shortcomings, but you are a true son of the state. You gave Osogbo a face-lift.

Thank you

From Oluwakemi Mojisola Aremu, Osogbo

For daring to challenge the government of the minority white apartheid and demanding for social justice for his people in South Africa, Nelson Mandela paid a very costly price by spending over a quarter of a century behind the bars. Surprisingly, the day Mandela gained back his freedom and was about to step out of jail, he made this historical remark: “As I stand before the door to my freedom, I realize that if I do not leave my pain, anger and bitterness behind me, I will still be in

uncared for regardless of their political affiliation, religion or gender.

During his first hundred days in office, he launched his laudable youth empowerment scheme which has been sustained by his successor, known as OYES. Prior to his tenure, the normal practice was to confine such an opportunity to a particular group of people based on their political affiliations and those who are outsiders should be prepared to part with certain amount of money to

prison.”

The Holy Prophet of Islam (May peace be upon him) said: “A moment of justice is better than seventy years of worship in which you keep fasts and pass the nights in offering prayers and worship to Allah”. (Jami’us Sa’adat, vol.

II, p. 223). The Holy Prophet further said: “The deed of justice performed by a leader for one day for his people is better than the deeds of the man who spends fifty or hundred years amongst his family members in the worship of Allah”.

Imam Ali in his definition of (social) justice said: “Justice is the essence of the people’s welfare as well as the adherence to the divine path. Justice is life and cruelty is the death of society”. (Qisarul Jumal).

The essence of the quotes above is to explain what social justice means in Islam, though the religion combines legal and social justice by its moral teachings and legislation. It is a guideline to assess the performance of every leader on social justice.

When Ogbeni Abdurauf Aregbesola came on board as the governor of the state of Osun after a prolonged court case which led to him retrieving his stolen mandate, many people expected him to start hunting for his enemies who went as far as attempting to lynch him at the venue of an event to which he was invited.

Despite all that, Ogbeni switched into action immediately he was sworn in as a new governor, putting behind him all that transpired before then.

Aregbe wasted no time in rolling out the blueprints of how he intended to govern the state whereby every citizen will not be left out

benefit from what is supposed to belong to all.

Ogbeni in his own case did not discriminate against anybody provided you have evidence that you are a citizen of Osun state, not minding the son of whom you are or the political party your parent belong to. One of the qualities of a good leader which Aregbe demonstrated was his ability to apply social justice whereby he stretched the hand of friendship to all and sundry. This without doubt was the secret of the peace and tranquility enjoyed and still being enjoyed by the people of the state of Osun.

In the Glorious Qur’an The Almighty Allah said and I quote: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just that is nearer to piety and fear

Allah. Verily Allah is wellAcquainted with what you do.” Q.5: 8.

Another innovation of the former governor of the state of Osun that is worth mentioning is the way he handled and distributed his network road projects throughout the state. He made sure all the local government areas of the state benefited from them, including those who perceived themselves as his enemies. This act deeply endeared him to the masses within the state and even beyond.

The series of O-projects initiated by Aregbe will never be forgotten by the masses in the State of Osun including the minors, market women, aged men and women and apprentices to mention but few. O-schools, O-meals, Othis and O-that. Indeed Ogbeni’s benevolence has made his name a household name throughout the state.

Let me conclude my write up with this brief chat between two women I encountered in a public transport. The first woman who appeared to be a wife to a chieftain in opposition party said to her friend; “Can you imagine my husband and his friends are insisting that I must vote for the candidate of their party in the upcoming election? I told them point black that I can never do that, how can I forget Aregbe who gave me a job as OYES from where I became a full class teacher. God will never forgive me if I do that.”

This made me realize more that whoever is doing good to others is actually doing it to himself and vice versa.

OSUN DEFENDER Publisher

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Moremi Publishing House Ltd.

Deputy Editor

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Ismaeel Uthman

Production Editor

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Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa

Reporter Reporter

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Solomon Odeniyi Yussuf Sodiq

Photographer

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Olushola Aderinto

(0805-121-2204)

Computer Graphics -

Zainab Olalere

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

All correspondence to the above mail address.

ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0805-121-2204 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com, osundefenderbank@gmail.com OSUN DEFENDER is not affiliated with any other newspaper, magazine or any publication whatsoever.

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OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

COMMENT

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

Give Me That Old Time Religion; It’s Good Enough For Me - Afolayan

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attended the University of Ife, now called Obafemi Awolowo University, in the 1970s. Apart from the academic rigor and architectural excellence, for both students and its staff, and as its motto suggested, it was indeed the center for learning, culture, discipline, and moral upbringing. Hardly has any week gone by in the last several months of my return to the motherland that I do not reflect on, or share one pertinent experience relating to, this campus. This experience relates to the newspaper stands. In those days, vendors brought their newspapers to the campus and laid them on the bare open field right in the heart of the busy campus. Students and staff, especially students and even visitors coming into the campus, would walk straight to those newspapers and magazines. If they had no money, they stood there, and read. Afterwards, they left the newspapers where they picked them, and walked away. Everyone knew the cost of each of the newspapers and magazines.

Some would just pick the newspapers and drop the exact change right there on the field. Some vendors would not return until a day or two after the drop-off but the money would still be there. They did not have to worry if a penny was stolen. It was NOT stolen. If it rained, someone nearby would pick up the plastic bags voluntarily and cover the papers. No instruction needed. No payment expected. No need to be noticed for doing this.

I shared that very experience with a couple that came to my office this past week, and the wife almost shed tears.

Exactly three Sundays ago, my wife and I were at our friend’s church. As we were singing and dancing, my friend whispered in the ears of my wife: “Madam, you cannot leave your purse on the seat while you are this much carried away. You hold on to it tightly.” I was flabbergasted, literally agape at what I just heard. My wife, in her characteristic way was asking why.

I grabbed the purse and launched it into her hands.

She then recalled what her father told her about one famous community in Osogbo, which is today called “Kobo-ñ-gbogbo-ê.” She learned that this community was so named because there was a famous roadside merchant who owned a variety of merchandise many years ago. It was an open shop; the merchant was hardly ever there but the sign was posted “Kobo-ñ-gbogbo-ê,” meaning “Every item is worth one penny.” Therefore, passersby would pick any item they needed and drop a penny. The merchant would return several days or weeks after, and pick up the money dropped by customers and replenish the merchandise. He never lost a penny. These were days when a single penny would purchase what a thousand unit of currency could not buy today.

One decade before my University of Ife experience, I attended an elementary school, Ajegunle Baptist Day School, Shaki, Nigeria. Our school, like many others, was famous for honesty and integrity. If you lost half a penny, which was the normal lunch money for the day for a student who could afford lunch at that time, you were 100% sure somebody would have found it and returned the money to the headmaster’s office. All you needed to do, the moment you realized your money was lost was to run to the headmaster’s office. You would be asked where you had been on that day. If your path matched where the money was found, you were given the money – no further questions asked. If the money was not found, you were told to come back in another half an hour; by then, someone would most likely have returned it. If it was lunchtime and the money had not been found, the student simply went to the lunch ladies and reported they lost their money. The lunch ladies gave them free food but if the money was found later, the student simply returned the money to the lunch ladies. Sometimes, nobody came to claim lost money; and so, at the end of the school year, the school used to have a grand, end-of-

the-year party. It was the unclaimed money that was used to purchase all ingredients to make huge amount of food, stew and meat for students, parents and teachers to eat and have fun. Growing up in the village, villagers put their produce at junctions in the bushes and put a sample of price by each of the produce. If it was worth two pennies, for example, the farmer would put two pennies next to the produce to symbolize how much to drop. Individuals that wanted to purchase them, bought those produce and

political establishments are much worse. They are populated with people with selfedification and blatant lucre. None of them knows that it is a grave offence to steal the money of the people they are being elected to serve. No one takes honesty and integrity to mean a darn thing! They fail the test of modesty, self-respect, and decorum. Here are examples of what one politician of the past put down in writing about his own past life: “I entered the employment of the Nigerian Daily Timesin September . . . as a reporter-in-training . . . I took the London Matriculation Examination in January . . . and failed . . . I never drank, and was then and still am too shy to eat in public . . . When I was in the Nigerian Daily Times, I sent many articles to other overseas newspapers through an agency, but they came back to me with the same solemn regularity as I had dispatched them —(all rejected). . . I tried my hand at short stories, but their fate was the same, save that, in this case, my agent made it clear that my technique was not quite up to the required standard.”

left the exact amount. Those were good old days!

Fast Forward . . .

Exactly three Sundays ago, my wife and I were at our friend’s church. As we were singing and dancing, my friend whispered in the ears of my wife: “Madam, you cannot leave your purse on the seat while you are this much carried away. You hold on to it tightly.” I was flabbergasted, literally agape at what I just heard. My wife, in her characteristic way was asking why. I grabbed the purse and launched it into her hands. I knew what my friend meant. The purse could be stolen – pure and simple. How did I quickly know that? Well, some three years back, I had come home from overseas and visited another friend’s church on a Christmas Day. My friend was in the choir and so I sat with unknown individuals. When those visiting for the first time were called and asked to come to the front of the church, I rose and was trying to go out when someone held the helm of my garment and pulled me close to himself with a stern warning for me to not go out without taking my bible with me because my bible looked like a wallet and someone might do away with it before I returned to my seat! “Really?” I asked myself in exasperation and trepidation. But why should I not know; just moments after the visitors’ welcome was the time to collect money and security staff closely followed the ushers in whose bowls money was being dropped. I was told the security guards followed the ushers so that no one could dip their hands in the offering plates, and they, too, could not steal or run off with some of them! Again, I asked myself, “Lord, where have we gone wrong?”

These tales of woe are not without bases. But what are they?

All around our broad universe, we have a new generation that is totally oblivious of when things used to be normal. A good friend has said two things are conspicuously missing among the youths of today: the sense of guilt and a blatant oblivion to shame. Isn’t that true? Our religious institutions – from head to toe, are packed full of wolves parading to be sheep – many in the calibers of being General Overseers, Bishops, ministers, church officials, etc., etc. They steal the monies of their congregations, parishes, etc. They enter into immoral activities with church members, church secretaries, and are involved in moral depravity even more than the secular population. The Islamic faith is not absolved of these counterintuitive deeds, either. Imams, Muezzins, and Mosque officials engage in diabolical acts. A young professional friend recently recalled his experience inside a University Mosque, where he, as a Muslim, worshipped.

Each time he went in to worship, he left his shoes outside, which was the Muslim law. By the time he came out, his shoes had always vanished; stolen by someone who must have also come to “worship.” The young man changed his tactics by putting one foot at the entry door and the other one at the distant exit door. His antics worked for a few weeks before his tormentor/s outwitted him. Whoever was helping himself with the shoes learned to pick the gentleman’s shoes at the entry and at the exit doors! Our

I deliberately took out the years the writer was referring to in his story so that no one could easily detect who this person was. It was the much revered and arguably one of Africa’s best politicians of all times, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who wrote all these in his memoir. Today, how many politicians anywhere in the world, let alone in Nigeria, would write about failures and struggles in their past lives? Instead, they lie. They exaggerate their achievements. They forge certificates and testimonials of high school and college completions and national services. They claim to be the best among their peers. They place themselves on selfimagined pinnacles of prominence and successes when indeed, they belong in the bottom of the ladder. They sit on the throne of deceit, surrounded by a bodyguard of lies! They have forgotten the old saying that “a house built on the strength of the saliva would easily be demolished by a mere sprinkle of the morning dew.”

My Point . . .

To the members of the new generation, and a critical mass thinking like them, those days of truthfulness and transparent honesty are long gone, and they are perceived as mere relics of a distant, mythical past. They are for the old time religion. But could this be true? This new generation and those in their mode of thinking, need to take lessons from the pages of the past. Truth never changes. God’s standard never changes. Honesty and integrity are still the central nerves that drive any society into a harbor of change and progress. Rather than abandoning the model of the past, dismissing it as something unrealizable, it should be embraced. It all makes the much sung chorus of the 1970s much more relevant today than it had even been: “Give me that old time religion; it’s good enough for me.”

Until next time, folks, keep fit; keep thinking!

“

Our religious institutions – from head to toe, are packed full of wolves parading to be sheep – many in the calibers of being General Overseers, Bishops, ministers, church officials, etc., etc. They steal the monies of their congregations, parishes, etc. They enter into immoral activities with church members, church secretaries, and are involved in moral depravity even more than the secular population. The Islamic faith is not absolved of these counterintuitive deeds, either. Imams, Muezzins, and Mosque officials engage in diabolical acts.

”

Michael Oladejo Afoláyan Retired Professor of Education and Linguistics Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, USA . ..

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INTERVIEW

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

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MAGAZINE FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

Minimum Wage: INTERPRETING THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES IN THE YEAR AHEAD The agitation for the implementation of N30, 000 Minimum Wage by Organised Labour Movement in Nigeria is a topical issue for the year 2019, and it is going to be a well-seasoned hot stew to serve the fresh year 2020. A face-off between the workers and state governors is imminent. ISMAEEL UTHMAN examines issues in the Minimum Wage Act, 2019.

T

he forthcoming year 2020 is likely to witness industrial dispute between labour unions and some state governments over the implementation of the New Minimum Wage. The Nigeria Labour Congress had given December 31 deadline to 32 state governors to finalise all negotiations for the commencement of the new salary regime. According to the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, only four states are currently paying the minimum wage.

The new National Minimum Wage Act came into force when President Muhammadu Buhari signed it into law on April 18, 2019. The Act raised the national minimum wage from the current N18,000 per month to N30,000.

The organized labour had in 2017 asked for N50, 000 as lowest salary to be earn by workers in Nigeria. But a presidential panel headed by former Head of the Civil Service Ms. Ama Pepple had last year recommended N30, 000 as the new wage. However, state governors insisted

they could not pay the N30, 000 amounts, a situation that compelled the Council of State to recommend N27, 000 as minimum wage back in January this year.

Based on the recommendation of the Council of State, Presidency Buhari transmitted a bill for the amended of the Minimum Wage Act to the National Assembly on January 22. During the legislation process, both the Senate and the House of Representatives raised the figure from N27, 000 to

N30,000, and passed the bill on March 19. The bill became National Minimum Wage Act, 2019 when the President signed it into law on April 18. Consequently, every worker of federal, state and local governments must earn N30,000 as minimum wage a month, in accordance with Section 3, subsection 1 of the Act. Workers of any organization that are up to 25 in number must also earn the wage.

However, there are some exceptions under the Act. The new minimum wage is not applicable to all classes of employees and employers, as there are certain employers and employees who are excused from being liable and entitled to new wage respectively. Section 4 (1) lists those exempted from the new wage to include: Establishments in which workers are employed on part-time basis, where workers are paid on commission or on piecerate, where less than 25 persons are employed; workers in seasonal employment such as agriculture; any person employed in a vessel or aircraft to which the laws regulating merchant shipping or civil aviation applies. No any other category of employer of labour is excused apart from the aforementioned.

In a situation where an

employer or establishment which is not exempted from the payment of the N30, 000 minimum wage failed to comply with the payment, Section 13 of the Act empowers an aggrieved worker by himself, Trade Unions and the Minister to enforce the National Minimum Wage. As explained by the Law Crest LLP Employment Practice Team, an aggrieved worker may take out an action at the National Industrial Court or file a formal complaint with the Minister. Trade unions may also demand for

compliance with the Act on behalf of their members provided that they shall upon receipt of the workers’ complaint take the claim to the National Industrial Court not later than 30 days of receiving such complaint.

The implementation of the minimum wage has been generating controversies on which the labour movements, politicians, opinion moulders and media practitioners feast on since it became law. The recent threat by the NLC to state Governors who were yet to implement the new salary

The implementation of the minimum wage has been generating controversies on which the labour movements, politicians, opinion moulders and media practitioners feast on since it became law.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

.Comrade Sunmonu regime has pictured the 2020 as a year for possible industrial action in some states. Among the 18 states that are yet to commence negotiation on the implementation of the new minimum wage is Osun.

Osun has for long been enjoying industrial harmony, even in the face of economic hardship that forced some of the workers to make sacrifices. The state is just recovering from ‘economic quagmire’ which necessitated payment of modulated salary structured as proposed by the Revenue Allocation Committee, chaired by the foremost labour leader, Comrade Hassan Sumonu. The modulated salary ended in June 2018 with payment of full salary to all categories of workers in the state civil service.

However, the demand for the implementation of the new minimum wage by Joint Labour Movement in the state has raised some posers. People are worried and expressing doubt on whether the financial status of the state could accommodate the new wage; and what the reaction of the labour unions would be if the government is unable to meet their demands.

The Joint Labour Movement had on November 29, 2019 written a letter to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, demanding for the commencement of negotiation of consequential adjustment of salaries arising for the new minimum wage. Negotiation on the consequential adjustment is a process for the implementation of the new minimum wage. The consequential adjustment is proposed increment on salaries of senior workers from level eight upward as a result of the minimum wage. The consequential adjustment is a clog in the wheel of the implementation of the new wage because it will raise the total wage bill of the state government beyond necessary.

The minimum wage is not primarily for senior workers, as explained by Comrade Sumonu in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER. He said: “The purpose of the minimum wage is to bridge the gap between the highest paid workers and the low income earners. Whether a Minister, Permanent Secretary, Commissioner or labourer, everybody buys from the same market. The more you have inflationary pressure and also increase in prices of commodities especially essential commodities like food and so on, the poorer the low income earners will become.

So, that is why we have minimum wage review. It is not for all cadres. Making case for all cadres from levels 01 to

.Comrade Adekola 17 to be affected by the minimum wage is making the gap to be wider which is against all the principles concerning the minimum wage. It will make the gap between the low income and high income earners to be wider which is not correct.

“I have no grouse if those not affected by the minimum wage on their own negotiate a review of their own emoluments and so on which they have a right to. I am a trade unionist; I cannot be opposed to it. But to now say they should be given certain percentage on the back of the minimum wage, I do not think it is fair, that is my candid opinion. I do not think the minimum wage should go beyond levels 07 or 08. Those other civil servants who wanted their salaries to be reviewed upward can put their demands on the table and negotiate with the appropriate quarters but to now delay the minimum wage implementation because it is unfavourable to some people, in my view, is not correct and it is unfair.

Speaking with the medium, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress in Osun, Comrade Adekola Adebowale stated that the new minimum wage has become a law which every state governor must follow. According him, the government and the labour unions in the state were yet to commence ‘official negotiation’, but they have been interacting on the implementation of the new minimum

“The minimum wage cannot lead to downsizing of workers. The amount to be paid as minimum is in the exclusive list of the constitution and it should be reviewed every five years. A reasonable government must be prepared for an increment of salary ahead and that does not mean it would sack workers. Civil servants are social services providers and they cannot be disengaged arbitrarily. It cannot also lead to rise in inflation as some people are arguing.

The increment of salary is long overdue.

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.Mr. Oyetola wage. While echoing the call for the resignation of any governor that cannot pay the N30,000 minimum wage, Adebowale expressed optimism that Governor Oyetola would meet up with the demand of the workers.

He said: “I am very sure that whenever we commence negotiation on the implementation of the minimum wage, the outcome will be positive. The reason is that Governor Oyetola is a workers’ friendly governor and he prioritise our welfare. As a government worker, I know the state is fertile to pay the new minimum wage. Though there was a time we were paying modulated salary but we have passed that stage now. The government is now paying full salary even before the end of the month, and paying the new minimum wage should not be an herculean task to the government. The government must ensure that all the leakages are blocked to guarantee a corresponding increase in Internally Generating Revenue.”

On the argument that the minimum wage may lead to downsizing, Adebowale said: “The minimum wage cannot lead to downsizing of workers. The amount to be paid as minimum is in the exclusive list of the constitution and it should be reviewed every five years. A reasonable government must be prepared for an increment of salary ahead and that does not mean it would sack workers. Civil servants are social services providers and they cannot be disengaged arbitrarily. It cannot also lead to rise in inflation as some people are arguing. The increment of salary is long overdue. The last time we had an increment in salary was when the exchange rate of a dollar to a naira was N160. Currently, the exchange rate is N360. The N30, 000 minimum wage is not even enough considering the economic situation of the company.”

Speaking from law position on the minimum wage, a legal practitioner, Mr Johnson Amusan said: “The issue of salary is constitutionally provided for. In the constitution, it is the Federal Government that has exclusive jurisdiction over salaries. The reason is that the prescription of a national minimum wage is under the Exclusive List which is provided for under Second Schedule, Part 1, of the constitution. And by our law, it is only Federal Government that can exercise powers contained therein. Therefore, any State that wants to domesticate the law must do so within the ambit of the provision of the constitution. That is, the law to be enacted or domesticated must not be inconsistent with the provisions in the federal law because of the exclusivity of the Federal Government on such.”

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

RELIGION

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Why We Honoured Aregbesola With Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina - League of Imam Chairman The Chairman, League of Imams and Alfas in the State of Osun, Sheik Musa Animasahun who is also the Chief Imam of Osogboland, in this interview with OSUN DEFENDER discloses the attributes and qualities that earn the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola the Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina of the state title. Excerpts: What informed decision of the League of Imams and Alfas in the state of Osun to honour Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with the Amirul Waziri- Muuminiina of the state?

All the Imams and Alfas in Osun were convinced to honour Aregbesola. We considered him worthy to be m a d e Amirul WaziriMuuminiina of the state of Osun because he is a Muslim, a w e l l behaved person and a man of his words.

Aregbesola is a man who fulfils promises and he gove r n ed the state very well with the support of God and t h o s e around him. He is a man that is fair to all, irrespective of your religion.

W e know for a fact that Aregbesola is a religiously firm person even when he was a governor. He believes in prayers so much and he prays fervently. When he was the governor of Osun, he always called on the League of Imams and Alfas for prayers anytime he wanted to execute any project. All these and many other considerations made us to resolve among ourselves that he is worthy to be honoured after his tenure as a governor. The honour also serves as a way of appreciating him for the development and transformation of the state under his leadership. Aregbesola’s administration recorded achievements that cannot be forgotten in the history of the state.

Can you mention some of the achievements of the Aregbesola’s administration?

Aregbesola’s achievement cut across all the sphere of life. He positively touched every household in Osun. His achievements are visible to everyone in the state. Nobody can say he did not build roads, can any? There was rapid infrastructure and socio-economic development in the state. I am sure you know about Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), O’MEAL programme that provides free lunch to elementary school pupils and engagement of over 3000 food vendors for the programme. The Agba-Osun programme that was introduced by Aregbesola was a very passionate and purposeful idea to help and enhance the living condition of the vulnerable aged. What about the modern school structures across the state? Aregbesola’s achievements are numerous.

On religion, Aregbesola was fair to all. Each religion was given due attention, without minding the fact that he is a Muslim. He did what was expected of him as a Muslim while in office. Many people will not believe to hear that as a governor, Aregbesola never joked with fasting, and he prayed a lot. He also helped in the completion of Osogbo main Central Mosque. The mosque is now an

edifice to behold.

There are some people with the impression that Aregbesola is an extremist, while some other people accused him of being an unbeliever because of relationship with other religions. What is your take on this?

Aregbesola is neither a n extremist, nor an unbeliever.

He is none of the picture t h o s e people wanted to paint him.

He is a real Muslim w h o observes a n d completes all the five pillars of Islam.

Anybody saying c o n t ra r y about him do not either know him or he or she is up t o mischief.

Would those people deny that Aregbesola believes in Allah as the only God, observes his prayers, fasting, went to Hajj, gives out from what he has? Would they deny that he is passionate about Islam, and at the same time friendly to people of other faiths? He gave the three major religions in the state sense of belonging when he was the governor.

If we must be sincere with ourselves, he was not voted into power by Muslims alone; Christians and traditional believers also voted for him. He promised to be fair to all the people of the state during his swearing-in, and that was why he needed to be fair to everyone, irrespective of their religion.

What is expected of an Amirul Waziri- Muuminiina?

Anybody conferred with a honourary title in Islam does not have any statutory duty or power; and leaders of the religion cannot take directives from him. Most of these awards are just to reward individuals and encourage them to give their best to the continued growth of the religion.

The same is applicable to the title we are giving to Aregbesola. His role with that title is merely advisory. What is expected of anybody conferred with a title in Islam is to continue promoting the religion, be of good behavior and blessing to the people around him.

How many people has the League of Imams and Alfas or any other groups installed in Osun?

Nobody has ever been conferred with such title in the history of the state. That makes the title unique and who elseother than Aregbesola should be given such title? He is a suitable person – who the cap fits. A title similar to this is the one conferred on Dr. Adekilekun in Ede, which is the Waziri of the South-West by League of Imams and Alfas in the South-West, Edo and Delta.

Some people are insinuating that your group must

have been influenced for the conferment of the title on Aregbesola. How true is this?

There is nothing of such. And I have earlier explained the reasons why we chose Aregbesola to you. It is our way of appreciating him and that is all.

Some people are of the view that religious leaders should stay clear of politics, do you support this view?

Tell me who is not involved in politics in this modern era? Whether we keep silence or active, we are in one way or the other involved in politics. No one has an escape route to this. But religious leaders should not be active politicians. Irrespective of our sentiments, we should be neutral in politicking. Ours is to give supports through to everybody through prayers and call the politicians to order when they are going astray. But if we see anyone who we find worthy and has contributed greatly to Islam in the state, we would honour him/her without recourse to his party.

As a religious leader, are you worried about the spate of societal decadence and what do you think can be done to bring sanity to the society?

There is no right-thinking person that will not be worried about the abnormality and loss of morality in the land.

Part from being a religious leader, nobody of my age or a little below would not be disturbed by what we are witnessing in the society. The increasing rate of social vices is alarming and I think it is a sign that the end time is near.

You can see that everything has turned upside down.

One disturbing fact is that the culture of morality, dignity, hard work, truth, respect and commitment to good cause has been lost. Children of nowadays do not want to work again; they just want to get rich and be living fine.

Children are no longer serving their parents as it used to be, it is the parents that are serving their children till God knows when this time around.

However, we will not relent in our sermons and preaches to imbue the fear of God in the people. Our talks and preaches should be aimed at correcting the children and setting them on the right path.

In the light of the current political situation, how would you advise politicians and public office holders?

I will advise them to always fulfill their campaign promises, be fair to everybody and fear God. When you make promises, ensure you fulfill it. Many of the politicians will swear by heaven and at the end, they have the habit of not keeping their promises. Even when people called their attention to the promise they made, they will easily ignore and pretend as if they did not say it.

But religious leaders “should not be active politicians. Irrespective of our sentiments, we should be neutral in politicking. Ours is to give supports through to everybody through prayers and call the politicians to order when they are going astray.

”

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LIFE AND STYLE

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Trump Tells Me Where I Need To Be - Osun Artist Whose Drawing Was Acknowledged

By The US President

draw. If I want to be in the white house, I will draw the white house.

Oyedele Isaac hails from Igbajo in Boloruwaduro Local Government of the state of Osun. His recent ballpoint drawing of the USA President, Donald Trump went viral on twitter and got the attention of the American president.

He speaks with SOLOMON ODENIYI about his passion for art, among other issues.

Can you give an insight into your educational background?

I went to Ebunoluwa International School, Ofatedo, Osogbo for my primary education and proceeded to Rock Eternal School also in Osogbo for my Junior Secondary education. I later went to Unity School in Ejigbo, Osun state where I got my Secondary School Leaving Certificate in 2015. Right now, I am still a school certificate holder four years after leaving secondary school; not because I have not been offered admission but for my desire to pursue my dream in drawing.

That means you have been offered admission and you turned it down?

I was offered admission at the Yaba College of Technology last year to study Urban and Regional Planning which I took after much persuasion from my mother. But I later abandoned the programme. I could not cope with the environment and I really wanted to study fine art. But being a science student O’level graduate has been working against me. My subjects combination at my O’level examination were purely science and I no longer have passion for science. Although, immediately after I finished my secondary education, I had sought admission at the Federal University of Technology in Akure to study Engineering but I did not meet up with the institution’s cutoff mark.

Latter in 2017, I chose Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and put in for fine art as my course of study, but I was denied admission because of my O’ level subjects combination. In 2018, I made a decision to sit for another O’ level exam before I was advised to try Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and I was also denied admission based on the same reason after doing well in the Post UTME exam. I have made up mind to write my O’ level next year. However, I have been making use of this period to develop skills in art.

How was growing up like for you?

I enjoyed my childhood. I could not complain because I had everything kids are meant to have. I also attended the best schools in the state. Things I was privileged to have access to as a kid also ignited the artistic passion in me. I played video games, watched and acted movies. I also drew.

What fond memories of your childhood do you recall the most?

Being a clown in the class.

How long have you started drawing?

I began drawing ever since I started walking as a child.

What inspires you about drawing?

Society and my heart desires inspire me to

Did you receive support from your parents?

I always receive support from my mum, while my dad is a typical Nigerian Father. But at the end, a child must choose and follows his own path.

What job do your parents do?

My dad operates a frozen food business at Dada estate, while my mum is the Confidential Secretary to the state’s Accountant General.

Are you a firm believer of Trump’s philosophy?

I just admire the man; he does not tolerate mediocrity and says things as it is.

What informed your decision to draw the US President and how long did it take you?

I have always admired Trump before he became the president of America. He was a successful business man before venturing into politics and I love him for that.

However, all artworks of Trump on the internet are either warped or super offensive. I wanted to show whatt he means to me with my work and when I got the inspiration, I settled down to work. It took me 70 hours spread across 10 days to complete the drawing.

How do you feel getting the attention of

one of the most powerful persons in the world?

It was last week Monday while I was at a brother’s place at Onward area in Osogbo and I saw my work gradually going viral. At that time, I had gotten over 20,000 retweets and I was happy with the fact that it has gone viral. While still on it, I saw a verified twitter account of Donald J Trump who had retweeted with a comment. I ran out of the building and I was telling everyone I came in contact with that ‘Trump has retweeted my work”. With this development, I feel so sure and confident of my skills and his comment tells me where I need to be. His comment rings in my head on a daily basis.

Do you support the regulation of social media in the country?

Regulating social media in the country will do us no good. A lot of dreams will be killed.

Many people in the country see it as the easiest route out of poverty. The social media has provided an avenue where they can channel their inspirations on what they do and share and make an instant hit out of it. Besides, most of the comedians, artists making wave now started by showcasing their talents on their social media platforms.

Where do you hope to get with your drawings?

I see myself dominating the art world, exhibiting worldwide and speaking, influencing and being a role model.

What’s your artistic style?

My artistic style is hyperrealism with a surrealist blend.

What informed your decision to adopt the style?

That Art can be as real as you want it to be.

What do you think the state government can do to encourage young artists in the state?

They have a lot to do. Many of those blazing the trail in the field of arts are from this state.

For instance, the government can organized an exhibition annually for the artists in the state, making use of the freedom park; it will encourage many that have left to come back to the state.

Many of the youths in the country say they lack the needed motivation to pursue their dream, what advice will you give?

The wise would say “you don’t find motivation, it finds you”. If you are happy and satisfied with your current situation, then don’t bother lifting an arm. I do not believe we need to preach to Nigerian youths that they need to buckle up; we are depressed and angry enough to channel it into something productive.

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

Making Osun Measles Free

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f recent, there has been vigorous campaign against the spread of measles in the country by both the Federal Government and international agencies such as World Health Organisations and United Nations Children’s Fund among others.

The country had for years Nigeria, twice as much as been bedeviled by measles last year for the same outbreak. A total of 131,732 period. Measles, according cases were recorded to reports, has been between January 2012 and attributed to the death of September 2016 as stated thousands of children by a Pan African report on annually around the globe. deceases.

The disease is also said to In the month of January, be one of the six most 2019 alone, the Nigerian deadly childhood diseases Center for Disease Control in the world. It reduces a reported about 6000 cases child’s ability to fight other of measles and 15 deaths in diseases, resulting in

frequent illness which could lead to the blindness or death of such child.

Symptoms of measles can be classified under minor and serious symptoms: the serious symptoms include; fainting, blindness and death while the minor symptoms are high fever, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, loss of appetite and rashes on face and body.

Cases of measles are reportedly high during the drying seasons, getting to epidemic state, although it

occurs all through the months of the year.

However, the disease could be prevented through a vaccination which is in two stages. The first dose of the vaccine is being administered at nine months and the recently introduced second dose could be given at fifteen months.

The State Health Education Officer, Osun State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Taiwo Adeniji in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER said the second dose of the vaccine was recently introduced in some African countries.

Adeniji said it was discovered that when the first measles vaccination is given at nine month, 80 to 85 per cent of the children would be protected, while about 15 to 20 per cent of them remain unprotected.

Adeniji added that in order to rid the state off the disease, the state government in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO held a workshop to enlighten residents of the state on the introduction of second dose of measles vaccination into Routine Immunisation (RI) She said the full implementation and intensification of the

introduction of “measles II” into Routine Immunisation began on Friday November 15, 2019 and ended on Tuesday November, 19 2019.

According to her, the training and the intensification was the first in the whole of the South West region.

Adeniji said: “Measles is a dangerous disease that spreads from one infected person to another. The only way to stop the spread of the disease is through the administration of measles vaccine.

“So, we want to protect the remaining 20 to 15 per cent, and to protect them, we have to give a second dose. This second dose is not an experiment. It is already being carried out by other climes like overseas and some other Africa countries.

“We have started the use of the second dose of measles in the state, and it is usually given around 15 months of age but any child under two years can still be given.

“The reason for the double dose is to ensure 100% full protection and resistance since the first dose ensured only 85% resistance.

“It gives you a second chance of protecting all the children from getting measles. There are health workers, going round every nook and cranny of the state to look out for every child under five years of age and to give them the second dose of the vaccine.

Parents can visit any health care facility for vaccination and it is free.”

Also, the UNICEF representative in the state, Alhaja Fatima Shittu explained that the second dose was an opportunity to address the immunisation lapses since the vaccine is free, safe and saves lives without any side effects.

Shittu disclosed that that due to failure of some children in the country to partake in the routine immunisation, the age bracket for the “measles II” has been increased from 15 to 23 months.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

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JABU To Confer Honourary Doctorate Degree OnGovernor’s Govachievements Oyetolain

By Idrees Kareem

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his Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji Arakeji, will on January 17, 2020 confer an award of Honorary Doctorate Degree (horis causa) in Public Administration on Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the state of Osun at its next convocation ceremony.

President of the Christ

Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, disclosed this on Thursday

during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the JABU management.

Akinosun who commended Oyetola for providing good leadership and governance in the state, described his administration’s performance in the last one year as superlative.

He maintained that the

the last one year traversed all the sectors of the economy, saying that was why the university counted him worthy of the honour in view of his remarkable achievements in the state.

“We are here to congratulate Mr Governor and appreciate his superlative performance in

the last one year. No doubt, his achievements cut across all the sectors of the economy, including the development of

UNIOSUN Ranks Least Corrupt State University

By Yussuf Oketola

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•Prof. Kolawole Solanke Vice Chancelor JABU

he Osun State University has been ranked as the least corrupt state University in Nigeria by a Nongovernmental and anti corruption organization, Center for Ethics and Value Orientation.

Uniosun, according to different occasions, adding the Director of the that during the process, no Organization, Musa Yakubu record of corruption was scored 79% above recorded in the institution.

He stated: “That is how cumulative on ethical assessment and came first we do send them (whistle among other 12 shortlisted blower) to any organization State Universities in Nigeria. or institution like this on Yakubu disclosed that three different occasions. whistle blowers were sent That’s the minimum times.”

Reacting, the vice to the university on a three

Chancellor of the University, Prof Labo Popoola said he was so delighted for the ranking and recognition by the center, promising that the university will continue to pursue it’s objectives and core values.

Popoola maintained that the university would ever be corruption free as the management will always be leading by example by not engaging in unethical or fraudulent act.

Clergy Charges Polytechnics on Practical Education students with meaningful country to provide enough carrier should minimize

By Ismail Kolapo

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former leader of Muslim Students Society of Nigerian, state of Osun chapter, Sheikh Olasunkanmi Bashiru has charged Polytechnics to focus on practical education to have quality graduates that can develop the country technologically.

Bashiru gave the charge Monday. at the Osun State According to Bashiru, Polytechnic Iree, MSSN Polytechnics should stop 1441/2019 Annual competing with University Orientation week on theoretical framework programme, tagged: but engaged in practical “Academy Excellence”, on education to equip the

technological education as expected of a polytechnic.

He said the polytechnics setting is to train students on practical aspect of education, saying that there would be problem whenever polytechnics set out to compete with university.

Bashiru urged government and managements of polytechnics across the

workshops for the practical, just as he implored the technician officials in the institutions to always put students on their fit.

He admonished the government to choose a polytechnics graduate to be at helm of affairs to achieve aims and objective of the creation of polytechnic.

The cleric maintained that students that choose to excel on their academy

irrelevances that have nothing to do with their studies and keep good company with those that can add value to their life and year after.

Similarly, the OSPOLY MSSN Amir, Abdulkabir Ashiru, urged the students to use the opportunity of their admission to acquire knowledge to enhance personal attributes that will help them after school life.

FedPoly, Offa gets Redeemers Varsity Students New SUG President Get Business Grants were urged to develop

By Ismail Kolapo

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22-year-old, Azeez Adigun Abiola popularly has been declared the winner of the just concluded Student Union Government election of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara state.

Adigun, a student of Food Science and Technology, Higher National Diploma II, won the electronic voting after polling 5,550 votes, against his opponent, Bello Nurudeen, who polled 2,032 vote in the election held on December 10, 2019.

The new SUG president and his crew from the Reformation Movement won all the 15 posts in the E-voting.

Adigun appreciated all the students who voted for him during the election and the management of the institution.

He promised to fulfill all his campaign promises saying: “Our campaign and manifesto promises that we will never manipulate ‘yes’ to no and no to yes is still intact. This is the time of ‘no-nonsense’ and we will never jeopardize the

interest of the entire students.”

Meanwhile, his running mate from the opposition Liberation Movement, Bello faulted the process, complaining of nontransparency in the poll .

Bello alleged that some students reported cases of illegal usage of their matriculation number and surname which is the requirement of voting in the E-voting to cast vote without their consent.

•Adigun

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edeemers University, Ede, Osun State has given seed business proposals. funds to three of its students for the “Three winners emerged implementation of their business proposals. and were presented with Each of the students was entrepreneurship, a the sum of N200,000 as presented a cheque of competition was help seed money to start or N200, 000 on Wednesday at among students of the continue to their proposed one of the events marking institution where students or existing businesses”. the Bursary Week of the university.

According to the Bursar of the university, Mrs Olutayo David, the gesture was he Provost of the College of Law, Osun State meant to encourage University, Professor Olaide Gbadamosi has entrepreneurship among his delightedness over the feat achieved students as part of the by two expressed law graduates of the university at the Law School. celebration of the Two graduates of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Labo institution’s maiden institution, Oyindamola Popoola, commitment of Bursary Week.

Fabinu and Esther Academic and NonDavid explained that the Okonkwo were among the Academic Staff, impactful 147 who made First Class in teaching, and dedication of bursary department of the the Law School in August the students and peaceful institution, having received this year. environment.

Gbadamosi advised the Speaking with OSUN business plans from many Fabinu Okonkwo and DEFENDER on Wednesday, students, reviewed the Gbadamosi said graduates other and graduates and proposals and selected the of the college had been students of the university to best three. having remarkable remain focused and parade According to her, the grant performance for three themselves as good ambassadors of the consecutive years. would be used by the According to Gbadamosi, university. beneficiaries to start their “In 2017, the UNIOSUN Speaking, Fabinu businesses, adding that the College of Law was rated attributed her success to best State University hard work and supports gesture would encourage the College of law and 3rd from her parents and the students to acquire among all Federal, State lecturers.

She said, “I achieved the skills required to develop and Private Universities in first class through the help new ventures and start-up Nigeria with two of the of God, hard-work and students making first class. innovative thinking, In the following year, 2018, determination to succeed. I business creativity, business four students made first give kudos to my parent happens to be my role planning, proposal writing, class and in 2019, two who model. I hereby charge made first class.” risk-taking abilities and students other students to be He attributed the success studious, determined to business management recorded by graduates of succeed, go for gold medals the college to full and skills. continue to build on management support and She said, “To encourage legacies in the Law exemplary leadership of the the School.”

Redeemers Varsity Students Get Business Grants

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infrastructure and human capital.

“This is why the University Council and the Board of Trustees have come to express our appreciation in concrete terms by awarding you a Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration in the coming Convocation holding in January, 2020.

“We also appreciate your support for the church and the university and wish you a successful tenure. As you enter with dignity, so shall you end with dignity.”

In his remarks, Oyetola commended the University for promoting best practices by training entrepreneurs and businessmen and women for the benefit of the nation.

Oyetola expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with the university to advance knowledge and skills acquisition in the state.

The Governor who appreciated the kind gestures extended to him for the honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration by the management said: “I am happy and honoured to receive you. I want to commend the management for running a first-class university. There is no doubt that your products are good, disciplined and committed. I am proud to have you in our state.

“We are ready to partner with the university on development. But then we have a lot of infrastructural decay to attend to. When I went round to do a thank you tour, the song in people’s mouth was request to fix the roads.

Thank you for considering me worthy of an Honorary Degree.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Pro- Chancellor of the university, Pastor Anthony Imevbore, commended the Oyetola for investing in the education sector.

Imevbore, who described the university as a major employer of labour since its establishment in 1996, declared the institution’s readiness to collaborate with the government towards the advancement and actualisation of quality and functional education in the state.

He appealed to the state government to partner with the university particularly in the area of vocational and technical education as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship skills.

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A Cocktail Of Recen TOLU PHOTO GIVES DAUGHTER OUT IN MARRIAGE, HELD AT THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INT’L., AGUNBELEWO ASSEMBLY, OSOGBO OSUN STATE.

•Brides Father, Pastor Oluwagbemiga Ajao (a.k.a.) Tolu Photo, Presents Her Daughter, TITLAYO AJAO in Holly Matrimonial Marriage to TAIWO JOSEPH and joined together by PASTOR KEHINDE OPATOLA

Ajegunle Traders Holds Prayer

•Cross Section of Regligion Clerics.

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uto dealers in Ajegunle area of Osogbo, the osun state capital recently held a special prayer to commemorate the first year anniversary of the state governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola in office.

Speaking, the Chairman of the dealers, Alhaji Azeez Kamorudeen said the prayer was organized to gather members of the market to seek God’s guidance for the governor as well ensure the successful completion of his term in office.

He added that the governor within a little time in office has achieved a lot and needed prayers to do a lot more.

The chairman assured the traders in the market he would continue to ensure they contribute their quotas to the success of the incumbent administration.

A representative of The Elder’s Forum, Adekola Mukila said traders in the market had always given their support to the government in power and would also do the same for this present administration.

Also, the vice chairman of the traders association, Alhaji Rasheed oremeji urged the governor to give the traders the audience to speak with him, adding that their efforts to do so since his emergence has proved abortive. Aside from being a trader people who know us here are aware of how we voted for him massively.

Olori Bose Adekeye, Wife of Oloyan of Oyan, Re •Bride and Groom’s Parents in group Phtograph after the engagement programme, at Brides Parents esidents, Okinni State of Osun.

By Olushola Aderinto

I

t was a day of joy within the families of Ouwagbemiga Ajao (a.k.a Tolu Photo) and Akinbolaji, when their children tied the nuptial knot last weekend.

The events kick-started with the engagement program at Ajao resident around Okini area, Egbedore local government of the state of osun.

After the engagement the Holy Matrimony commenced at The Gospel Faith Mission International, Agunbelewo Assembly, Osogbo where the couple were joined together in holy matrimony. The pastor in charge of the programme, Pastor Kehinde Opatola advised the couple to be loyal and love themselves as Jesus loved the church. He committed the marriage into the hands of God; he also charged

them to cultivate the idea of showing each other love. He advised the groom to try and make his wife happy and charged the bride never to disobey her husband whenever he needs her attention.

Bride’s parent Mr/Mrs Ajao also advised the new couple not to allow communication gap between them and committed them into the hands of God. After the events Mr. Gbenga Ajao expressed his profound gratitude to God for his mercies. He also expressed his appreciation to everyone who had contributed in one way or the other to the success of his daughter’s marriage. He was appreciative of the minister of God, the church, families and friends.

•Presenting Award to Olori Bose Adekeye, The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi, Odundun II.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

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Recent Happenings

ds Prayer For Governor Oyetola An Illuminating Couple’s Night By RCCG

•Pastor in charge of the province, Dr Jide Oladoye and his wife, Mrs. Olutosin Oladoye.

•Cross section of Executive Members and Elders Forum in Ajegunle Market during the prayer.

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he Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Osun Prov ince 6, Mega Zion, Osogbo, held it's 2019 annual Couples' Night event at Aurora Events Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo on Sunday November 17, 2019.

It was an evening of fun, inspiration and spiritual edification as spouses danced, prayed for and renewed their love for each other.

The Provincial Pastor Dr Jide Oladoye, took time to admonish Christian couples to allow the love

of Christ to dominate their relationships and then answered questions on issues that couples grapple with and how to triumph over them. His wife, Pastor Mrs Olutoyin Oladoye, admonished couples to bring the spark back into their marriage, saying that God's blessings will begin to manifest in the families when husbands and wives relate with each other the way God designs in his word. She urged wives to recognize their role and excellently serve God as helpmeet to their husbands.

Special Civic Reception In Honor Of The New Political Office Holder In Ife Central Local Government, Organized By All Progressives Congress Elders In Ife Central Held At OAU Conference Center. Photo: Olushola Aderinto.

•Another Cross Section of the traders in Ajegunle Market.

n of Oyan, Receive Meritorious Award Recently

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lori Bose Adekeye, wife of the Oloyan of Oyan, Oba K ilani Adekeye Oyedare received A MERITORIOUS AWARD from Nigeria Aid Group (NAG), Osun State Command in Osogbo for her contriubtions towards the development of the society.

The Aragbiji Congratulated Olori Adekeye for receiving the award.

He said, for her to have been

singled out among many people in the community she must have done quiet well.

The monarch urged other people not to be warry of doing what is good for greatest number of people, saying that sooner or later they will get the derserved recognition.

Olori Adekeye appreciates all members of the society for counting her worthy for this award. She promised to do more than she has done before.

OUR SOCIAL REGISTER IS OPEN FOR YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO BE MADE PUBLIC Spaces are available for your anniversaries such as weddings, house-warming and chieftaincy title ceremonies among others for your take. To take advantage of this, you can reach out to Ismaeel on 08051212204, Shola on 08034454006 Let the public know what you are doing.

•(L-R) One of the Honorees, Senator Babajide Omoworare, (SSA) to president on National Assembly matters, Chairman , All Progressives Congress (APC) Ife central Local government Elders council and another honorees Hon. Taiwo Adebusola Member Osun state house of assembly, representing Ife Central local Government, during the civic reception.

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ECONOMY AND SOCIETY

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

Aje Mart, Developing A Connection Point In Osun State

By Yusuf Oketola

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Mr jayeola reiterated that Ajemart have agents accros all the Lcda's in Osun State. He said that the company have their representatives across all the l o c a l governments because the majority of producers and sellers are equally spread across the state.

He said Ajemart is where the seller and the buyers are connected. It is a connection point for the

State of Osun just like konga, Jumia are on a broader scale. He pointed out that the government has engaged Aje people as consultants , and noted that the concept has been fully supported with funding by the S t a t e government.

"For now all the sellers and

buyers are not paying any money".

He emphasized that by special grace of God, the revenue of the state will rise as soon as the small scale businesses are being promoted and a lot of development will come to the state.

je is a mixture of a commodities exchange, ecommerce facilitator and fintech. This nimble footed company is invigorating the frame work of the commercial environment and impacting employment generation as well as increasing the prospect of the internally generated revenue base of the State of Osun. present federal government The concept of Aje In , the state government Yoruba land signifies, down to the local In his words, the Seller money, wealth and governments. That is why If "We should begin Operations Manager of Aje prosperity. The significance you are able to produce, to about how Mart,think Sola Laniyan-Bishop of the Ajemart according to the central bank of Nigeria people will prosper said the concept of Ajemart the former commissioner is ready to assist your and how Osun will as a complete value chain for industries, commerce, company". have revenue has had a positive effect. cooperatives and generated outside This is because they are empowerment in the State Osun state and being helping sellers and of Osun, Ismail Jayeolaproducers should be producer in promoting Alagbada, is that the motive encourage on how their products and linking beind Ajemart are a lot of their products will them globally. "We should industries and is that all meet market begin to think about how scale businesses in the requirements. More people will prosper and state of Osun who produce people must be how Osun will have revenue commodities and they do encouraged to generated Osun not know how to markets venture outside into state and producers should their products. The former entrepreneurship. be encourage on howwhy their commissioner who The reason products although not directly people will meet market requirements. More people involved is an enthusias of must be encouraged to the concept said that for venture into this reason a lot of people entrepreneurship. The do not know about the reason why people don't products on offer and also want to go into production that vast Lagos market and is that they are afraid of started to move their how they will sell what they products there. That is produced. Any society that exactly what the present will develop and prosper continuity government led must produce what they by the business like eat and sell what they Governor Gboyega Oyetola produce, that is what the is also emphasizing. concept of Ajemart stands According to Ismail for".

Jayeola- Alagbada , the He said that their aim is majority of the small scale to increase production in businesses and industries Osun state above 50 here in Osun are producing Not just but do not know how sell. •(L-R) Oyejola Kehinde,production of processed food in Ile-Ife, Former Commissioner for Industries, percent.

With the Aje concept they commerce, cooperatives and empowerment, Hon. Ismail Jayeoba-Alagbada, Victoria Oluwaseun, The production, but products can now have access to initiator of one community one industry,and Alawode Folashade, Adding Value to Agriculture in a group that will be sold outside the state" loans. "We have also photograph during the product presentation at their office recently. discovered that , there is no state that can develop without small scales enterprises. In this way, small scale enterprises will move to medium, from medium to large, because the majority of large scale businesses operating today started from humble beginnings. This is what we are promoting in the state of Osun. And I believe that when these people expand, they will do well and will help to generate much more employment thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in the country.

We all know it is not easy for the government to create employment. The only way to create employment is to encourage small scales businesses in Nigeria and •(L-R)Hon. Alagbada and Mr. Sola Laniyan, Seller Operations Manager of AjeMart that is the objective of the

The motive behind Ajemart is that there are a lot of industries and small scales businesses in the state of Osun who produce commodities and do not know how to market their products .

For this reason a lot of people do not know about the products on offer and also that these products are from the State of Osun.

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CROSSFIRE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

Aregbesola’s Most Precious Legacy Is Handing Over To A Suitable, Reliable Successor – Oloyan The Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Kelani Adekeye Oyedare in this interview with OSUN DEFENDER x-rayed the person of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his relationship with traditional rulers and why he is qualified to be honoured with the Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina of the State of Osun title. Excerpts: Of Osun is not out of place. It is in due recognition of his giant strides to further promote the ideals of Islam. I am not in place to give reasons on why he was chosen, but I know the Muslim group would have discussed, debated and resolved on him for cogent and convincing reasons.

The title is not a small one and the people giving him such award are not cheap, and they are not people of questionable character. If Aregbesola did not merit the honour, they would not have considered him. So, the award is befitting of a man who has contributed to the growth of Islam, state of Osun and the people, Aregbesola.

He has shown over the years that he truly merits the honour. I am sure you know that Aregbesola is not somebody who fancies titles. So, I think this title only recognizes the numerous contributions he has been able to make to the development of the Osun and the Muslim community.

What would be your advice as the former governor becomes the first Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina of the State Of Osun?

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t is over a year that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola left the governorship seat, as a traditional ruler, how will you describe his person?

The man – Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is an enigma. He is a pathfinder, a visionary and a rare breed. He is someone that combines the personality of a practical politician with that of sincere religious person. He is a devout Muslim and a progressive to the core. A man who believe and struggle to impact positively in the lives of the common people.

Words would not be enough to describe Aregbesola.

His works actually speak for him. For a man who rose through the ranks as a Student Union leader, to a Commissioner, a Governor and now a Minister, we should know that he is a special bread; we call them ‘Akanda’ in Yoruba language. He always impacts positively wherever he is called to serve. This is evident in his eight-year administration as the governor of the state. His numerous programmes impacted positively in the lives of his people.

Initiatives like Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme, OMEAL as well as other social investment projects have changed the fortunes of our state. If I start to describe and talk about the personality of the man Aregbesola, I will run out of words to describe who he really is. He means a lot of things to different people.

Would you mind expressing your impression about Aregbesola’s two-term tenure as governor of the state?

Osun as a state witnessed a turnaround. The fortunes of the state of Osun improve significantly during his reign.

From the first day in office to the last day, Aregbesola was a man of the people, a lover of the masses and a goal getter per excellence.

Reeling out his numerous developmental strides was an easy task for him because he was already prepared for governance. His preparation for the task ahead made the development of the state easy and fast. The efforts put in place by him and his team contributed in no small measure to the progress and transformation of the state.

We knew how Osun was before Aregbesola was swornin in 2010. There is arguably no sector that the former governor did not touch when he was in the saddle. He built world class schools for our children, constructed roads with massive infrastructural facelift of the state and

empowered the youths and women. Like I said earlier, he is a pathfinder in all fronts, a bridge builder and someone who understood governance and he worked tirelessly to meet the yearning and aspirations of the people.

His eight years in the saddle of governance gave birth to everlasting and enduring legacies that would for decades be built on by his successors in years to come.

His footprints are everywhere in the state and will be a source of reference in years to come. I must say that I am happy that Aregbesola was able to handover to another focus and dynamic man, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

The current Governor is a suitable and reliable successor to have in continuing and consolidating the developmental strides of the Aregbesola’s administration. So far, Oyetola has not disappoint us in terms of performance and relationship.

How well did Aregbesola’s administration involve the traditional rulers in governance in the state?

I told you the former Governor ran an all inclusive government. The inclusiveness of his administration gave recognition to traditional rulers. You can see that Ogbeni Aregbesola was always giving us due acknowledgment.

When issues come up, he always call on us for discussion.

He has his way of seeking advice and support from the traditional rulers. When he was in government, he supported our causes for the development of our communities. At every point where we sought his attention, he was ever ready to listen to us and be of help.

He was a Governor that accorded traditional rulers the respect they deserve. His humility and sense of respect for traditional institutions is second to none.

The League of Imams and Alfas has decided to confer the Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina of the State Of Osun title on Aregbesola, what do you think about the award?

It is indeed a well deserved honour. Going by his precedents, Ogbeni Rauf Aregebsola is a devout Muslim who does not forget to acknowledge being a Muslim in all ramifications. During his tenure as Governor, he was always supportive to the cause. He was not a religious bigot while in office, and he is not now. He respects every religion and gives them due recognition and respect. His installation as the Amirul Waziri-Muuminiina of the State

The new title adds to his numerous feathers; it is a title that places him in leadership position in the Muslim community in the state. That rests on his shoulders a greater responsibility. As a firm believer in the true dictates and injunctions of Islam, I am optimistic that he will do well in his new role.

I will advise him to further strengthen the bond among Muslims in the state and stand as the harbinger of religious tolerance and harmony that he has always been. He should also strive to unite the Muslim community and other religious denominations in the state. I urge him not to relent in the promotion of purposeful and progressive ideals and seeking the phase of peace and progress in the state with the conferment of the new role on him.

What is your assessment of Aregbesola on social justice?

It is a known fact that Aregbesola is man that believes in freedom for all life more abundant. With that, he ensured that his administration expended the wealth, opportunities and privileges and resources of the state on the people through his social intervention programmes. I think he did well and he was fair to all. He allowed free press, freedom of expression and ensured that the rights of every citizen were not trampled on. You would remember vividly that he created the Osun Citizens Mediation Centre O’MEDIATION; all in a bid to ensure social justice. In all, Aregbesola was a social crusader who ensured social justice and social development during the lifespan of his administration.

“

His eight years in the saddle of governance gave birth to everlasting and enduring legacies that would for decades be built on by his successors in years to come. His footprints are everywhere in the state and will be a source of reference in years to come. I must say that I am happy that Aregbesola was able to handover to another focus and dynamic man, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

”

OSUNDEFENDER

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NEWS

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

Itagunmodi Abduction: Monarch, Chinese Expatriates Flee Community

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he Chinese expatriates who were abducted and later regained their freedom at the hand of un known gunmen recently at a mining site in Itagunmodi of Atakumosa East local government area of the state of Osun, have fled the community.

The expatriates regained providing adequate security their freedom the following in the community. day when their captors According to the monwere intercepted by secu- arch, mining activities have rity agents, including local endeared criminal minds to vigilante members in the Itagunmodi, maintaining process of taking their cap- that there was need to stop tives to a faraway unknown mining activities to enable destination. the government put proper It is to be noted the tra- security measures in place. ditional ruler of the commuOba Fabadewa-Kosile disnity, Oba Michael closed that he had stopped F a b a d e w a - K o s i l e , residing in the community Asegbofawekun II had after he was kidnapped; stopped residing in the com- adding that some unknown munity since he was report- people later burgled his resiedly kidnapped on May 30, dence in August last year. last year.

The traditional ruler OSUN DEFENDER gath- stated that residents of ered that after their release, Itagunmodi community the expatriates and their were living in fear because workers have left the min- of insecurity in the commuing site located at Alaba nity. farm, Itagunmodi.

He said: "I was kidnapped All the equipment being on May 30, and my house used for the mining work was later burgled in the has been evacuated when middle of August last year. the medium visited the I was planning to return to place on Sunday.

Itagunmodi when people in Two different sheds built the community pleaded for the labourers on the with me to come back bemining site by the expatri- fore my house was burgled. ates were left open with "The burglars would have nobody occupying them. met me in the house had it Speaking with the me- been I left Ilesa to dium in a telephone inter- Itagunmodi on that day, but view on Monday, Oba I could not go because my Fabadewa-Kosile called on car was faulty. That was my the state government to saving grace. I have been livstop mining activities and ing in Ilesa since then.

When asked if he fled the community after the incidents, Oba Fabadewa-Kosile responded: "Will you continue to stay in a community where you were kidnapped and your house was burgled? Will you wait till you are killed?"

Fabadewa-Kosile who condemned the abduction of the Chinese expatriates urged the state government to nip in the bud criminal activities in the community.

He said: "I visited the community immediately I heard the Chinese expatriates have been abducted and I slept over. I was told the following day in my palace that they have been released. The Chinese expatriates have not come back to the mining site since then.

"The incident has created tension in the community.

People are living in fear. I even have my fear, not minding my status as a monarch. I only seek the protection of God. "We need full security in Itagunmodi. The government should stop mining activities in the community for now, to flush out the criminals. We need police station, and we want police to monitor mining activities in our area.

An indigene of the town, Mr Kehinde Adeagbo, described the abduction of the Chinese expatriates as ugly and inimical to the eco-

nomic development of the area.

He said: "We felt sad when we heard about the abduction of the Chinese expatriates. The abduction occurred on Alaba-Itagun road. We did not expect such thing. It was a sad event. It has created fear in the mind of the people and it will affect commercial activities here.

"Those that came to abduct the Chinese expatriates were outsiders, but they know the nook and cranny of the mining sites.

It was not unlikely that they laid ambush for them. They have been at the mining site before the arrival of the expatriates. They did not come with car.

"The abductors had held a farmer in captivity as early as 9am before the arrival of the expatriates at noon.

They carried out their devilish act late in the afternoon.

"On their way to an unknown destination with their abductors, they came in contact with another farmer whose farm is about five kilometres to where they abducted the expatriates. They beat the farmer blue-black."

Adeagbo appealed to the state government to provide adequate security for the people of the community, saying that 'though peace has returned to the

community but the shock of the incident is yet to leave us'.

OSUN DEFENDER observed that Itagunmodi is populated with Hausas who are mostly engaged in manual gold mining.

The community, as noted, is gradually becom-

ing Hausa-dominated area as the number of the Yorubas living there was minute.

On both right and left of the roadside in Itagunmodi, the Hausas were seen trooping out with their working tools to their various mining sites in the Sunday morning.

Politicians at The Receiving End Of Good Governance In Osun – Famodun

By Ismaeel Uthman

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he Chairman, All Progressives Congress in the state of Osun, Prince Gboyega Famodun has said that members of the party have been sacrificing their personal gains and comforts to support the government in the delivery of good governance.

According to Famodun, bear the brunt. He relieved the party’s leaders and them of their positions so members of the party have that he could pay salaries.

“So, we are still battling been bearing the brunt of focused and purposeful with it. The Osun House of APC government since Assembly members are the least paid in the country. inception in 2010.

Famodun stated this just Not that we hated them, as he said the party was but we don’t have money to proud of the achievements, pay. The last set of that development and commissioners Aregbesola transformation of the state Governor under the APC government. appointed did not have He spoke in an interview official cars.

“We politicians are at the with OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday in Osogbo, the receiving end and we have been sacrificing our state capital.

The APC chairman said: personal gains and comfort “Politicians in the APC are to ensure that the APC at the receiving end of good government continues to governance in Osun. deliver good governance.

Governor Aregbesola As the chairman of the started by putting party, I cannot afford to live politicians into the boards a luxury life. My colleagues but when it became in other states move in unsustainable, he called us convoys, I cannot even and said we should go and afford one.”

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20 - THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2019

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CULTURE

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The Grand Finale Of The 2019 Iwude Ijesha Festival Will Take Place Tomorrow, Saturday December 21

•A Street Scene From The Festival

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he festival will begin with a royal outing by the Owa of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, to the chieftaincy court yards, starting from Yeye rise Sawe, head of all women to Obanla, war commander and Second in Command to Owa, Lejoka to Salotun before ending at prayer podium where Owa will offer prayers for peace n progress for Ijesha land.

For the first time, all Obas chiefs and other dignitaries will be received and treated to The noted festival in sumptuous reception when Ijeshaland started last Friday, Aromolaran may have left December 13 with a Jumat for the courtyards.

Services at Ipetu-Ijesa

Central Mosque in the spirit of Ijesha unity. A church service was also held on December 15 at St. Peter Ibokun.

Iwude Ijesha unity soccer cup was hosted between Monday, December 16 and Tuesday, December 17, while Cultural Night and Traditional Ayo Games final last Thursday. An inter-school

debate was also held at Ilesa Government High School.

The festival is the mother of all festivals in ijesaland, as it brings all Ijesa people together.

It is a festival that always starts at the Owa’s palace, extends to other parts of IJESALAND such as Ipole, Ibokun and Ijebu-jesa, before ending where it starts in Ilesa.

It is a festival that always starts at the Owa’s palace, extends to other parts of IJESALAND such as Ipole, Ibokun and Ijebu-jesa, before ending where it starts in Ilesa.

OBITUARY

Ruth Monilola Abeki Bello - April, 1934 - 11th December, 2019 (Aged 85)

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he final funeral obsequious for Madam Ruth Monilola Abeki Bello, who rested in the bossom of the Lord on the 11th of December, 2019 started yesterday at her resisdence, Adetoro street, Agip Area, Ede, State of Osun at 5.00pm.

As is to be expected of an examplary character, the occasion was very well attended with an overwhelming crowd of and well wishers and sympathysers. The same enthusiastic turnout is expected today for her retirement this morning at 8.00am at her residence.

The funeral service will take place after, at the Christ Apostolic Church No. 7 OlowoBida, Agip Area, Ede, State of Pain between 10.00am - 12.00 pm.

Madam Ruth Monilola Abeki Bello

was born to Pa. Samuel Akindele and Madam Comfort Adeoti Akindele of Akinjobi Compound, Ede in the month of April, 1934.

She started her primary education at Apaso Church as the pioneer set of the School now known as Practising Primary School, Adeogbe, Ede. She started with the likes of Honorable Samson Siyanbola, a one time House of Representatives member and her younger sister, Madam Bolatito of blessed memory. The Primary education ended

abruptly at Standard five (5) when she met her late husband, Alhaji Olatoyemu Ajagbe Bello.

Thereafter she became the wife of late Alhaji Olatoyemu Ajagbe Bello. The marriage was blessed with children namely; Late Alhaji Musibau Abefe Bello, Rt. Hon. Rafiu Adejare Bello, Madam Samuratu Khalid Alidu and Madam Sakiratu Ajiboye. Late Madam Ruth Monilola Abeki Bello was assisting her husband on the farm at Alajue Village and later started her mini trading in Kolanut. She

engaged in her Kolanut business till the year 1999 when her children asked her to retire from active trading.

Madam, was in Jerusalem in 2006 for her Holy Pilgrimage and has been a dedicated and devouted christian all her life and a true lover of her children. Until her death, she was the Iya Ijo of Christ Apostolic Church No. 7, Ede Osun State. She also won numerous souls for Christ. She did very well to unite the family, despite being a christian in a Muslim polygamous family.

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CRIME

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30-Year-Old Man Arraigned in Court For Stealing Sand Philanthropist Invests in Youths to curb crime

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30-year-old man, Aliyu Muhammad has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court, sitting in Osogbo for stealing full load of tipper sand.

The accused person who have committed the offence was arraigned on a two- on December 16, 2019 at count charge of conspiracy Sasa market in Oke baale and stealing was said to area of Osogbo.

•Osun Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Ige MUHAMMED ABEEB AYOMO

PATRICK JOSHUA OGHENETEGA

That I was formerly known and Addressed as AKANMU ABEEB AYOMO, but now wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMED ABEEB AYOMO. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

That I was formerly known and Addressed as EBOH JOSHUA OGHENETEGA, but now wish to be known and addressed as PATRICK J O S H U A OGHENETEGA. All former documents remain valid. Diamond/Access Banks General public should take note.

According to the charge sheet, Muhammad and others at large conspired to steal the sand valued at N14, 000 which belongs to one Rhanatu Lawal.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 390 (9) of Criminal Code cap 34 Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

Defence counsel, Idris Shuaib appeal to the court to admit the accused person on bail.

The accused person was granted bail by the Magistrate, O.T Badmus who later adjourned the case till January 21, 2020 for hearing.

SPACE FOR SALE Place your Change of Name and other Public Notices in Osun Defender newspaper for just N3,500 per box.

- Management

Ex-Convict Remanded For Stealing Building Materials

By Yusuf Oketola

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n ex convict, Asimiyu Bakare has been remanded at Ilesha Correctional Facility Service for stealing building materials.

Bakare who was arraigned on two counts charge of stealing and

burglary was said to have broken into the shop of one Semiu Ayanrounmu

48 Years Old Man ARaigned For Alleged Fraud

By Yusuf Oketola

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48-year-old man, Aliyu Salaudeen has been arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate court for allegedly fraudulently obtaining the sum of 100,000 from one Babatunde Salam. alleged offence was According to the charge contrary to and punishable sheet made available to under Section 419 (I) of the Osun Defender on Tuesday, Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol II, the accused person Laws of Osun State of obtained the money on the Nigeria, 2002. pretence of helping Salaam He pleaded with the to purchase a fairly used court not to admit the (tokunbo) motor gear. suspect on bail, saying he But the accused person resides in Kwara State and pleaded not guilty to the could jump bail if granted. charges against him.

The magistrate, Risikat The prosecutor, Olayemi, however, granted Inspector Adeoye Kayode bail to the accused person told the court that the in the sum of N50,000 with accused committed the one surety in like sum. offence on December 12, The case was adjourned 2019. till January 17th, 2020 for Kayode stated the hearing.

Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists Found With Bullets

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olice authority in the state of Osun has arrested suspected members of Aiye Confraternity, Lawal Idris and Ogunniyi Abiodun.

The suspects, who were contrary is proved in the arrested on December 7, court.

2019 by a police team of Adeniji said reliable Anti Cultist Squad at Iree, sureties would stand for the were arraigned before an suspects if released on bail.

Osogbo magistrate court on The magistrate, O.T Tuesday.

Badmus granted bail to the According to the charge two accused persons in the sheet read in court, the sum of N500,000 with a suspects were found with surety each, just as he bullets when they were ordered that they should be arrested.

The counsel to the two remanded pending the accused persons, Mr time their bail will be Lukman Adeniji prayed the perfected.

The case was transferred court to grant bail to them on liberal terms, saying that to Iree Magistrate court for hearing on January 21, the suspects were presumed innocent until 2020.

and stole some window burglaries, one iron cutter, grinding mills and other items.

The value of the stolen materials was put at N250, 000.00.

Addressing the court, Police Prosecutor, Abiodun Fagboyinbo said the offence was committed on December 9, 2019 at Klm 4, IwoIbadan Road, Osogbo.

He said the offence was contrary to and punishable under section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34,Vol. II, Laws of Osun State Nigeria, 2002.

Counsel to the accused person, Okobe Najite pleaded to the court to release his client to bail.

Opposing the application, Fagboyinbo said the accused person was a hardened criminal who has changed his name on three different occasions because of the case and might jump bail if granted.

Fagboyinbo added that the suspect should not be given bail because he is an ex convict, disclosing that he had committed similar offence and that won’t desist from such act if he was pardoned.

The magistrate, Mr O.A Oloyade ordered that the accused person be remanded at Ilesa Correctional Facility Service and adjourned the case till February 2, 2020 for hearing.

By Yusuf Oketola

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philanthropist, Sikiru Akerele has said he has designed a programme that would ensure the

youths in the state shurn crime.

He stated that the rate at which youths turn themselves to willing tools in the hands of politicians for violence is alarming and worrisome, adding that such orientation must be changed.

According to him this would help the youths in the state to repostion themselves for the development of the state and the nation at large.

He said this could be achieved when youths engage themselves in profitable ventures that would make them self reliant which he would be doing.

He also urged the youths should to promote unity among themselves with a view to give them sense of seriousness by Nigerian leaders.

Akerele spoke in his IlaOrangun home recently during a sensitisation of some selected youths against violence.

He stated that a lot of youth empowerment programmes have been designed by him to make youth self-dependent as part of efforts to make things work better,saying

that this is one of the way development can be achieved.

He said: “Politics of bitterness and violence can not bring any development to our community, state and Nigeria as a whole, particularly among the lessprivileged.

“It is the right of every youth to participate in politics if they so wish, but it should not be allowed to get to the stage of do-or-die or allowed themselves to be used for violence.

•Akerele

“We must note that those in the position of authority relate at their level, hence, we must not allowed ourselves to be used by any politician before, during and after elections.

“There is need for us to pursue unity and peace.

When youth play their role to make this happen, it is then that they would be taken serious by those in the position of authority”, Akerele stressed.

He then insisted that for the desired development to come, every stakeholder, particularly youths must be willing to promote peace and unity.

CRIME

Oluwo's Estranged Wife Gets Away With Only Child As Four Year-Old Marriage Crashes .

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Gboyega Oyetola: A year of Impactful Achievements A

year is a short period in the life of a government that has maximum of eight (8) good years and minimum of four years, all things being equal, when it comes to performance measurement. For a government that has spent more than half of the first year on court cases to validate the mandate given to it by its people, less is expected. Nevertheless, performance measurement has many dimensions and 365 days in the life of an emerging state like Osun under a progressive governor cannot be seen as a short period especially when we recount the aspirations and expectations of the people of the state in voting in Governor Gboyega Oyetola as their governor in an election held on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Glaringly, there are series of laudable achievement since Governor Oyetola assumed the mantle of leadership in the state. The welfare of the people is a priority and his administration has continued to manage and utilise the available meager resources to the benefits of all.

These successes are not unconnected with the love, compassion and understanding of the people of the state shown since the governor took over. The governor is appreciative of this gesture by the people of the state. This support, so far, and many more to come are inspiration and a challenge to do more and deliver dividends of democracy to the virtuous people of the State of Osun. The interest shown is a sign that the people of the state are ready to be part of the success story of the state and the administration’s lofty programmes which have been designed to stimulate the economy and turn around the state’s socioeconomic, political and infrastructure fortunes for good and assuage the financial challenges facing the state.

The most important aspiration of a responsible government is acceptability. It is on record that this government enjoys a very wide acceptability amongst the people of the state. Characteristics of good governance which make acceptability possible are participation of people being governed in the day-to-day affairs of the state, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus-oriented, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, and accountability. The people are aware of the programmes of the government and have very strong believes that the government is working for their cause. They thereby score the administration high in what it has been able to achieve with the little resources available to it. This is undoubtedly a laudable achievement that cannot be refuted by anybody. There are rays of hope that the state will be great!

The governor sees salary payment as the best form of motivation to the civil servants in the state and has been paying full salaries as at when due. Some senior civil servants where recently sent to overseas for short training. To ensure prompt payment of retirees’ pensions, Governor Gboyega Oyetola presented N1.13 billion (about $3.1 million) bond certificates to 189 retirees as their retirement packages. The sum of N474, 753,130 was shared among 105 retired local government employees, while N538,696,783 was shared among 84 retired primary school teachers. This is a show of commitment of the governor to the welfare of all active and retired workers in the state and a reward for their patience and understanding since the inception of his administration. This, no doubt, is a scheme to develop trust in government.

The state remodeled the state government specialist hospital at Asubiaro, Osogbo, to

“

The State of Osun received a sum of N100 million from Badger Mines, a Canada-based mining company, as sign-on fee for exploration and development of one of the state’s mining sites. This was shortly before the three-day Economic and Investment Summit held at Aurora Event Centre in Osogbo.

OBSERVATION

BY FEMI OYEDELE

mining industry in the state to thrive.

The three-day economic and investment summit with focus on infrastructure, tourism and culture, agriculture, publicprivate partnership (PPP) and industrial development, planned by a committee chaired by Dr. Charles Akindiji Akinola, the Chief of Staff, was a success in all ramifications. It was inspiring, impressive, purposeful and well-organised. It is now achieving the desired results going by the positive response obtained so far from key players in the private sector. The government is fully prepared to give all the supports required for investment to thrive in the state particularly in PPP, mining, tourism and culture, and agriculture. Under a governor’s “executive order”, the state has set up Osun State Investment

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meet international standards. The government has constructed 120-bed ward and 30 doctors’ quarters at the state specialist hospital. In June, over 100 primary health centres (PHCs) which were renovated were commissioned. These were among the 332 primary health centres earmarked for renovation in all the local government areas in the state. The governor personally went round the State Specialist hospital at Asubiaro to assess the challenges faced by the staff. The Oyetoalled administration is committed to improving the health sector, through the deployment of technology-based approach to ensure quality and affordable health delivery.

The Federal and the Osun State Governments have commenced the rehabilitation of the 56-kilometre IwoOsogbo Road and this is scheduled to be finished before the end of December. IwoOsogbo road is a major and commercial road that serves as alternate road to Ibadan and Lagos from Osogbo, the capital of the state. When finished, the road will aid in bringing out the agricultural produce of people along this corridor. The road from Akoda junction to Oke Gada in Ede has been rehabilitated and plans are in top gear to dualise it. The road is the most important road in commerce and transportation in this community. Otan Ayegbaju to Ila road which broke down after a heavy downpour, has been fixed. The state is ridden with unprecedented lesser pot-holes than at any other time!

The State of Osun received a sum of N100 million from Badger Mines, a Canada-based mining company, as sign-on fee for exploration and development of one of the state’s mining sites. This was shortly before the three-day Economic and Investment Summit held at Aurora Event Centre in Osogbo. The government had earlier executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the mining company as part of necessary groundwork for the commencement of mining operations in the state. Mining alone can turnaround the fortune of the state as the state has a large deposit of gold in Ilesa, Osu and Ife. There are also huge deposit of lead, zinc, quartz, feldspar, bauxite, laterite, granite and several precious metals in the state. The state has shown its readiness to partner with private investors for the

Promotion Agency (OSIPA) with the mandate to liaise with investors and prepare grounds for their successful operations. With this agency, Osun is set for business!

The state has invested and acquired licences for solid minerals to mine the minerals in the state from the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is noteworthy that no other state in Nigeria can offer the unique combination of both regulatory and commercial fusion at present. Osun State acquired 17 mining licenses for Gold – 10; Quarry – 4; Lead/Zinc – 2; and Quartz and Feldspar -1, from the Nigeria Mining Corporation, and is willing to partner with interested local and foreign investors to develop these mineral resources. The state is the only state in Nigeria with two heritage centres – the Osun Osogbo Grove and the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU).

These are cultural management hubs that the state is supporting to become incomegenerators for the improvement of the internally generated revenue of the state through tourism and culture development.

The Oranmiyan Staff in Ile Ife and Olumirin Waterfall in Erin Ijesa have been positioned for private development.

The mining sector programme of the state is being implemented and overseen by the Osun Solid Mineral Development Programme (OSMDP). This programme which commenced in June 2019, has already achieved some encouraging milestones in its First Quarterly Report in

5 of the 7 intervention project areas of the programme. The intervention areas include Osun/Omoluabi Mining Business Restructuring Scheme (OMBRS) to commercialise the state-owned mining company. Osun Revenue Diversification and Maximisation Scheme (ORDMS) is a scheme to register all miners, mines and mining equipment and report on all mining activities in the State in partnership with private sector technology partners. 9,000 artisanal miners have registered their biometric data on RFID-enabled tags with the state technology partners.

The governor is providing focused inspirational and well-meaning leadership in the state. He is calm and calculated and a blessing to the state development. The internally generated revenue (IGR) has tremendously increased under this administration. From N936.47billion in 2018, the IGR in year 2019 has seen monthly record of N1.5 billion. This has been done by widening the tax-net to capture more tax-payers without necessarily increasing the tax incidence and burden on the people. This financial re-engineering strategy of the Oyetola-led administration which led excitedly to the increment is due to the financial acumen of the governor who is financial-savvy and boardroom guru of over thirty-five years in private service before serving the Government of the State of Osun for eight years.

In July, 2019, the governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola released the sum of N150 million as take off grant for the state’s health insurance scheme. This scheme is designed to give the people of the state comprehensive free medical service when they subscribe to the scheme. The governor is making education attractive, affordable and accessible to all and sundry in the state. The counterpart funds of agencies like Osun Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency (RUWESA), Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (Osun SUBEB) etc, are being paid promptly. The Osun Youth Employment Scheme (OYES) and Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) are still in existence in the state.

The administration has positioned the state for diversification of its economy by investing in various investments due to its risk-readiness, appetite for enterprise and desire to have multiple stream of income.

It has also adopted the use of modern technology to make its operation easier.

This administration has captured the mind of the people of the state by making the majority feel happy. The regular payment of full salary is a motivator to the civil servants and is making them to want to do more. There is now self-awareness among the workers and a conviction of trust. The new commissioned Osun Mall at the Old Fakunle Grammar School site, Olaiya, Osogbo is an icing on the cake. Maya Angelou said that “People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will not forget how you made them feel”. With little, the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola has been able to achieve more in the last one year.

These laudable achievements have impacted the people positively.

Olufemi A. Oyedele. written from Osogbo

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org., E-mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefender@yahoo.com