Teachers’ Recruitment: Process Stalls Four Months After Adeleke’s Directive
Yusuf Oketola
OUR months a er
FGovernor Ademola Adeleke ordered the immediate issuance of appointment le ers to the newly recruited teachers in Osun, the process has stalled, raising doubts about his government’s commitment to educa on in the state.
Adeleke had given the direc ve at the State Execu ve Council Mee ng held on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Four months down the line, the direc ve is yet to be implemented by the state Ministry of Educa on.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, recruited some teachers a er losing his re-elec on to the incumbent Governor.
However, the teachers were sacked by the present administra on with Governor Adeleke announcing a new recruitment exercise.
More than two years a er the sacking of the teachers employed by Oyetola, the present administra on did not employ new teachers
•As Govt Blames LG Allocation Seizure For Delay
despite the shortage of teachers in Osun public schools.
Recall that the Commissioner of Educa on in the state, Hon Dipo Eluwole during a radio programme in February 2023 disclosed that public schools in Osun need a lot of teachers, at least 10,000. However, Adeleke
on February 16, 2024, approved the recruitment of 5,000 teachers and 250 educa on officers to serve in both primary and secondary schools, following the endorsement by the State Execu ve Council.
The applicants were required to pay a nonrefundable applica on fee of N2,000.
It was gathered that of 32,000 applicants, only about 29,000 candidates were able to access the examina on portal for the recruitment process.
The results of the examina ons were published on April 17, 2024, and shortlisted candidates were interviewed between September
9 and 13 of the same year. But since the interview, none of the successful candidates has been issued an appointment le er.
Meanwhile, some of the successful candidates have decried the delay in their employment a er comple ng all the processes.
•Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle in a group photograph with members of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) during their Orienta on Program organized by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Oṣùn State Chapter
Osun PDP Chair Talks Tough Over Lawmakers’ Defection Rumour
THE Chairman of the Peoples Democra c Party in Osun State, Mr. Sunday Bisi, has cau oned federal lawmakers under the party against dumping the PDP for other par es.
Bisi said the sweat of party members and electorates who gave them their votes will ask any lawmaker who leaves PDP for another party.
This was as the PDP chairman also slammed the lawmaker represen ng Obokun/
Oriade federal cons tuency, Wole Oke, over his (Oke) a ack on the party since he le for the All Progressives Congress.
Bisi, while addressing chie ains and members of the PDP during the senatorial mee ng of the party in Osun Central, said Oke has become an APC tout, adding that nemesis will soon catch up with the lawmaker.
He noted that he was hearing about the moves of some of the PDP lawmakers in Abuja, urging the lawmakers to remember
where they are coming from and the sacrifices of the party.
He said, “Those represen ng us in Abuja - Senators and House of Representa ves, I’m begging them in the name of God, they should know that we are all wri ng our history. Four years will soon lapse and for those who will use eight years, it is the same.
“Former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has le government since but he is s ll relevant because he did what the people want-
ed. There are some people who have been in government and are no longer relevant.
“Those of you who are closer to our federal lawmakers, always remind them that the vote the party and the people gave them is for four years, and we are not saying they should use two years and defect to another party.
“Anyone who plans to leave a er ge ng the mandate of the party has betrayed the party and the people who voted for him, and he will suffer the consequences, and they
will not end well.
“We suffered as a party to campaign and make people vote for you, and a er going through all this stress, whoever chooses to see the downfall of the party will not do well in life.
“So, go and talk to them. Some of them are ac ng as if they won’t come back home or need the party again, but they should know that we will surely meet again. We are hearing all their moves in Abuja on a daily basis.
“Our lawmakers have children and they want to leave a good future for their children, but if they spoil today because of their selfish interests, it means they have damaged their future.
“We all suffer for this party and it shouldn’t be at this level that we will destroy it. The lawmaker who le us now turns to a tout for the All Progressives Congress. How can Wole Oke decide to fight a party that made him somebody? He has forgo en God and very soon, he will reap his rewards. Nemesis will catch up with him.”
According to them, the government has remained silent on the process since they were interviewed between September 9 and 13, 2024.
Some of the candidates, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER on condi on of anonymity, accused the government of “playing poli cs with their life”.
One of the applicants who resides in Iwo said, “The government has not said anything about the recruitment exercise since our interview. We have been on this ma er for over a year and we don’t know the governor’s plan. This is disturbing.”
But reac ng, the Commissioner for Informa on and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi blamed the delay on the crisis over the control of local government councils between the All Progressives Congress and the PDPled government.
Alimi, however denied that the Governor gave direc ve for immediate issuance of appointment le ers to the candidates.
“The fact is that the Governor never gave a direc ve for the immediate release of appointment le ers. When the issue of the recruitment exercise was concluded, the Osun local government alloca on was seized by the federal government. For the informa on of the public, the salary of primary school teacher’s and middle schools are to be paid from the local government alloca ons.
“If the issue of the alloca on is not resolved the best thing is to put any recruitment process on hold. Since February, we have not collected local government alloca on and we have been managing to pay salaries of all primary school teachers and all middle schools teacher’s and health workers.
“We should give kudos to our government. Government is about planning. we don’t just do something that will lead to a crisis in the future. have to make sure that you allocate resources in a way that it saved”
The commissioner however assured that the issue will be resolved as soon as the local government issues are resolved.
Kazeem Badmus
IT is beyond comprehension that so called heads of sovereign states could be so badly treated with such contempt by the USA president Donald Trump this week.They thoroughly deserved it!.
The betrayal of the independence movements could not be more poignant. This was failure played out in real me as reality television.
The so called leaders of some African countries were so lacking in self esteem that they did not understand the significance of the moment.
Had they built real produc ve economies instead of rent seeking stateless they would not have been so degraded. The moral of this sordid tale is that Africa must go back to the drawing board and become more focussed on developing the self reliant which will produce respect.
The princess of development as shown by countries such as India, Brazil, Indonesia amongst others shows that the process starts from the base. The independence Movement had a clear idea
Disgracing Africa!
that control of the resources of the state must be directed towards achieving sharedprosperity. The concept of
sharing prosperity is not just about morality, equity and fairness important as all three are, the issue of developing the means of produc on to deliver the dividends of independence is key. This mo vated Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah to develop the Volta Dam, and propelled the government in Nigeria headed by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to develop the Kainji Dam. Projects like the ones menoned were conceived to
The Discourse
“The lessons of what happened few days ago is that African Leaders if they are not going to continue to subject the continent to perennial disgrace must now go back to the reasons that for the agitation for independence”
lay the basis for sustainable development. The lessons of what happened few days ago is that African Leaders if they are not going to connue to subject the connent to perennial disgrace must now go back to the reasons that for the agitaon for independence. We must go back to the founda ons such as understanding for example the linkage between the issuance of land cer ficate and economic development. Those who fought for independence were clearly betrayed by the event which occurred in the white House this week. We must now begin in re-evaluate of our policies in order to mount the fightback.
Coalition: APC’s Deceit, Hypocrisy And Aregbesola’s Alleged Betrayal Of Tinubu
TBy Abdulmalik Suleiman
HE events of last Wednesday in Abuja, the na on’s capital, where great Nigerians came together to offer the country a viable alterna ve to the rudderless Bola Tinubu-led government, has connued to generate ripples across the land. Being of epochal propor on, especially in the history of Nigeria, the unveiling of the African Democra c Congress (ADC) by various poli cal gladiators has con nued to generate comments.
The comments have both been posi ve and nega ve in almost equal measure, considering where one stands in the emerging poli cal equa on in the build-up to the forthcoming 2027 general elec on.
To many Nigerians who yearn for genuine change, the event was a welcome development owing to the fact that it will not only provide a viable alterna ve to the current regime, it would also be the pla orm for a peaceful change of government.
To those in government, it is a bad development considering the fact that the ruling All Progressives Congress APC led government had been working to emasculate opposing and dissen ng opinions.
It is no longer news that the Bola Tinubu-led government had been working assiduously to destroy the various opposi on par es, more than engaging in ac ve governance.
Therefore, last Monday’s event has con nued to be the game changer, which is trying to change the poli cal dynamics ahead of the 2027 poll.
It is, however, unfortunate to note that rather than reac ng to the development in a decent and civil manner, members of the APC within and outside government have opted to engage in trading insults and
“It is no
longer
news
that the Bola Tinubu-led government had been working assiduously to destroy the various opposition parties, more than engaging in active governance”
name-calling.
In their panic mode, they have con nued to drag the leading lights of the ADC in a manner that suggests that they are in their panic mode, considering that Nigerians have con nued to express happiness to the resurgence of the ADC.
One name that has con nued to be on the lips of these elements is that of the Naonal Secretary of the ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
To these individuals, Aregbesola, who is the immediate past Minister of the Interior, has betrayed their God, President Tinubu, whom many of them believe wrongfully of being infallible.
Aregbesola’s decision to team up with the likes of A ku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Peter Obi, Ro mi Amaechi is a sacrilege which can be equated to desecra ng their warped progressive temple.
In their quest to sound reasonable and logical, they have shou ng up to the mountain tops, telling whoever tries to listen that President Tinubu brought Aregbesola up not only poli cally but in all ramifica ons.
However, their a empt to sound logical, has unwi ngly given themselves away as a bunch of hypocrites and liars because they have con nued to suppress or ignore facts in their warped postula ons with re-
gards to the kind of rela onship that existed between the two.
In doing this, they have insisted that President Tinubu is the good guy while Ogbeni Aregbesola is the Judas who is stabbing his boss at the back.
A cursory look at the rela onship between the two gladiators would reveal that many of the asser ons being peddled are very untrue.
While one must concede that the rela onship between the two personali es while like that of a mentor and mentee, it was somewhat built on mutual trust and shared respect and not that of master and servant as they are making Nigerians believe.
No doubt, they both gained from each other while the poli cal associa on between them lasted.
While President Tinubu might have provided the compass for a successful poli cal trajectory that the progressive bloc in the South West eventually turned out to be for the two, Aregbesola was indeed the field commander in many of the poli cal struggles that they waged.
Therefore, many of the poli cal ideas President Tinubu had in the past would have amounted to nothing if the likes of Rauf Aregbesola were not there to carry them out
It must be noted that the division that necessitated the dri ing of the former Minister away from his boss would not have occurred if the right steps and not the wrong ones had been taken.
OSUN DEFENDER
ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
It is normal for disagreements to occur in rela onships, efforts must always be geared towards resolving such misgivings in the overall interest of the collec ve whole, but this was not the case. The final straw that eventually broke was the expulsion of the former minister from the APC without recourse to laid down procedures and rules of party for carrying out such ac on. It is said that nature abhors a vacuum; since he was shown the way out of the APC, it is only logical that Aregbesola will naturally find accommoda on somewhere else, which he has done.
Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com
All correspondence to the above email addresses.
Owa Chiefs Fingered In Land Grabbing Allegations
Yusuf Oketola
THE Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup Ajimoko III, has set up a sevenmember commi ee to inves gate various allega ons of misconduct among his chiefs. The misconducts as contained in a statement from the Owa’s palace on Tuesday include, land grabbing, and boundary disputes.
Chaired by the Salotun of Ilesa, Chief Disu Oyedele, the commi ee is tasked with invesga ng complaints levied against his chiefs by the people of Ijesaland, examining controversies surrounding some chie aincy tles, and boundary disputes with neighbouring towns and villages.
Other commi ee
members include Chief Fatoye Olaniyi, secretary; Loro of Ilesa; High Chief Olalekan Folorunso, Ogboni of Ilesa; High Chief Saka Fapounda, the Agbadae of Igbadae; Oba Olaoaebikan, the Loosare of Isare; Chief Lawrence Balogun; and Risa of Ijamo, Chief Oladayo Ogini.
Addressing the commi ee, the paramount ruler emphasized the im-
portance of sincerity and the fear of God in guiding their efforts to correct anomalies and promote jus ce across all sectors.
He directed the general public to forward their complaints to the commi ee via the secretary, Liko of Iko , Chief Olaniyi, for a fair hearing.
The kabiyesi declared zero tolerance for cult-
ism and other crimes, promising to support the police in their efforts to make Ijesaland uninhabitable for criminals.
The monarch applauded the Ilesa Area Commander of Police for maintaining peace in Ilesa and its environs on the seventh of this month, a day that was previously marked by fear due to cul st ac vi es.
Osun Community Counters Tinubu’s Claim Over N6.6bn Road Project
THE people of Ifon in Osun State have demanded Immediate comple on of the N6.620 billion 44-kilometre IlobuIfon-llie-Erinile, Kwara State road, saying that the claim that the road has been completed is incorrect. The community’s le er of complaint addressed to President Bola Tinubu, signed by Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Ipadeola, through the Minister for Works, David Umahi, dated June 30, was received in the office of the Minister on July 2. In a copy of the le er obtained in Osogbo on Monday,
Olufon said Tinubu, while speaking at the commissioning of Lagos-Calabar Coastal
Highway, had stated that the llobu to ErinIle Road in Kwara had been completed.
But Oba Ipadeola, who said the claim was erroneous, explained that only 7 kilometres out of the 44-kilometre stretch has been completed. “Regre ably, how-
When Grandmother Spoke, The World Stood Still Art/Culture
•A Tribute to Elder Wisdom And Oral Traditions As Vessels Of Cultural Continuity
IN a me before smartphones blinked and the internet scrolled endlessly, there existed a more sacred form of transmission: the spoken word, laced with wisdom, rhythm, and reverence. In my childhood village nestled between the red soils of the Osun heartland, stories were not merely told — they were lived through the lips of elders. And no one embodied this living tradi on more than my grandmother. Grandmother was not just a woman; she was an oracle, a living library of parables, proverbs, songs, and
ancestral codes. When she sat on her woven mat at dusk, children gathered like moths to a flame. The air would shi , lanterns would flicker in awe, and even the night birds seemed to quiet down. Her words painted pictures no technology could replicate. When Grandmother spoke, the world stood s ll. Her voice carried tales of cunning tortoises, heroic ancestors, and the binding values of honesty, courage, and community. These weren’t just bed me stories. They were blueprints — cultural codes embedded into our psyche. Through them,
we learned who we were, what we stood for, and why our roots ma ered.
In a me where moderniza on o en threatens to erode tradi onal values, I find myself increasingly grateful for those evenings. They weren’t just nostalgic; they were forma ve. Her oral teachings taught me integrity more than any school syllabus could. She narrated Yoruba history not just as fact, but as a living, breathing legacy. And as we watched her eyes dance between firelight and memory, we knew we were being given more than entertainment — we
were being entrusted with iden ty. Oral tradi ons, especially in African socie es, have always been more than storytelling. They are archives of truth passed through genera ons with precision. Yet today, how many of our children can recite a folk tale without screens? How many know the meanings behind proverbs once etched into everyday conversa on?
This is a call, not just a memory. A call to preserve what technology cannot replace — the voice of the elder, the story by the fire, the proverb that carries the weight of
genera ons. In every rural courtyard, every family compound in Osun and beyond, there s ll sits an elder with stories wai ng to be heard.
If we don’t sit and listen, those voices may fade forever.
As I write this from my home in Osogbo, I remember my grandmother’s final words to me: “Kí a má bà je ohun a kó, kí a má gbagbe ohun a mọ.”
(Let us not waste what we’ve gathered, nor forget what we’ve known.)
Let us return to the courtyard, even if only in spirit — and listen again.
ever, I am constrained to report that only seven(7) kilometres out of the 44 kilometres road have been properly and physically completed in the Federal Government road under the Sukuk Sukuk-funded project that actually started from Ilobu in Osun State and is expected to end in Erinle, Kwara State.
“Importantly, the 7 kilometres of the road under construc on have just stopped in Ifon-Osun in Orolu Local Government territory in Osun State when Your Excellency publicly declared that the road has been completed and commissioned! This misinforma on has consequently generated confusion and disappointment among our people. We are worried that this may undermine the trust and confidence in your administra on’s commitment to infrastructure development in our region.
“This is why we considered it necessary to call your a enon to this anomaly in case the office of Your Excellency was wrongly briefed. It is in this connec on that I humbly request that Your Excellency kindly look into our complaint and direct; The immediate full comple on of the 44 kilometres llobu to Ifon … to Erinle road in both Osun and Kwara States in line with your speech referred to above, and the remaining sec ons of the road,” the le er read in parts.
The royal father, who commended Tinubu’s commitment to developing the naon’s infrastructure, said the community would look forward to prompt a en on to the complaints.
•Some members of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), in Ondo State waiting to receive the Interim National Secretary of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the AkureAirport, yesterday
•Owa
Yusuf Oketola
Osun 2026: No Automatic Ticket For Adeleke – ADC Chairman
The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Osun State, Dr Charles Omidiji, speaks with YUSUF OKETOLA on the adoption of the party by the new National Coalition and emergence of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the Interim National Secretary
CAN we meet you?
My name is
Dr. Charles Idowu Omidiji, Chairman, African Democra c Congress (ADC) in Osun State. I have been the chairman of the party in the state since 2021.
How did you receive the news of adop on of ADC as a pla orm by the new na onal coalion?
I received the news with great joy. I was very happy when I heard of the adop on that our party has been adopted as the home of the coali on. Though, we started the journey last year. But God helping us, it has come to reality this year.
What was the state of the party in Osun before the emergence of the coali on?
Before the coali on, we have been together with my people. We have the state and local government excos intact. In fact, we are having our mee ngs in the party. Aside that, we are always take between third and fourth posions in any elec on. Go and check our record, since 2022 up ll date,
the general elec on in 2023, we came third in this state. Both House of Assembly, House of Representa ves and even senate. So, we have been doing fine. Even with the fact that we do not have anybody to sponsor the party. But through our efforts, we are doing well.
What is the situaon at the moment?
The current situa on is now be er than that of 2023 because in this current dispensa on we are hoping to win the governorship elecon, have many house of assembly members and God helping us we might win federal.
How confident are you that your party will defeat the current administra on of Senator Ademola Adeleke?
We are very confident of that because for now we are the best alterna ve and there is no gainsaying that we cannot defeat anybody not even Adeleke in this state. We can defeat any candidate at any given me. So, we are hoping for the best.
Do your party believe in Zoning?
Yes, we do. But for now I can not talk much about it because people are yet to signify their inten on. We are s ll wai ng for most of our people to come on board. We will know what to do as soon as they are in. when we get to the river we will know how to cross it.
What can you say about the Interim Naonal Secretary of ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola?
Let me tell you, Rauf Aregbesola is my lead-
er. Even before now, he has been my leader. We have been together. Coming on board to our party now, I think is the best thing to happen to ADC. Rauf is a courageous man and he knows this poli cs. He knows what to do at a given me. He can coordinate be er. That is the reason he was appointed as the Na onal Secretary of the party and he is the people choice. He is a leader to be reckon with at any me and I will con nue
to iden fy him as my leader.
There is possibility of Governor Adeleke joining ADC in Osun, will you’re the governorship be automa c for him?
That of automa c cket is not possible for him in our party. Automa c cket is possible for him where he is. Though if he come, he is welcome with his people. We cannot prevent anyone from joining the party. But we cannot guarantee him automa c cket.
Few days back, three members of your party dragged the ADC Interim na onal leadership to court seeking for their sack. Will this be a hindrance or bottleneck to the party acvi es going forward?
In ADC we know what we are doing. This court issue can never be a bo leneck to our ac vi es because those three persons are not even our party members. Anybody can say or do anything. You know our party is now a threat to any party because both the APC and
PDP know that another party has emerged. Definitely both of them are now shivering. So, they can sponsor anybody to go to court but it will not be able to thwart our efforts.
Can you tell us some of the ADC Manifestos?
Our ideology is one of the best. ADC is the people choice. In Agriculture, Educa on, Security we are the best. Everything is about agriculture and security. If you have security in the country, everything will fall in place.
What is your advice for people of Osun ahead of the 2026 poll?
My advice for Osun residents is that let them try ADC as a party because we are the best alterna ve so far. Everybody should vote for the party in the coming governorship elec on and other elec ons. Let them try us. We believe things will be be er when we come to power rather than vo ng for APC and PDP. Both par es have failed us all and we are coming to fix that.
OVER 10,000 landlords and shop owners in Osogbo, Osun State capital, have called on the Federal and State Governments to rescue them from becoming homeless as powerful individuals have commenced moves to demolish their houses and shops.
thugs wielding arms stormed the Ifesowapo/Jaiye community to destroy several proper es.
According to the affected vic ms, some
They noted that this was despite an order of the State High Court instruc ng a stay of execu on on the demolion exercise.
Speaking with newsmen at the Osogbo City Hall on Wednesday on behalf of affected residents, Mr Sola Omidiran disclosed that over ten thousand house owners were affected by the illegal demoli on ac vi es, which stretch over one kilometre on both sides of the road.
He narrated that some persons stormed the area some mes in April with an order
of enforcement on the land obtained in a suit numbered Hos/ M.206/2024 between Mrs Mistura Busari v. Hepsibah Holdings LTD by Jus ce A. Oyebiyi which prompted the community to also approached the court to set aside the said order and also sought an interim order to halt the execu on of the said execu on of the writ of possession which was granted on June 3, 2025.
According to him, the court also stopped any ac on on the land pending the determina on of all the applica ons already filed before it and adjourned ll June 13 for further hearing, only for some
“Aregbesola is a courageous man and he
understand politics.
He
knows what to do at a given time. He can coordinate better. That is the reason he was appointed as the National Secretary of the party and he is the people choice”
hoodlums to storm the communi es with hoodlums and illegally destroy proper es and cause panic in the area on July 4, 2025.
“It was very shocking around 7am on July 4, 2025, when Mrs Mistura Busari and others led hoodlums with arms to illegally and criminally re-storm the land to maliciously destroy our houses, proper es, and estates worth billions of naira. We also learnt that no court bailiffs went with the persons on the said day.
“We earnestly request serious inves gaon into the criminal acts urgently to forestall further breakdown of law and order
and we also call on the Execu ve Governor of Osun State, Sen. Jackson Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, Inspector General of Police and all other well-meaning Nigerians to support us in this fight against injus ce and criminali es being perpetrated.” The community Chief and member of Iyiolu Alare family, ancestral owners of the land, Muili Folorunso, lamented over the incessant harassment of individuals who have been house owners on the last for over forty years, calling on the appropriate authories to prevail on the concern individuals to allow due process and jus ce to prevail.
Kazeem Badmus
•Omidiji
•Adeleke
UNIOSUN Becomes First British Council Examination Centre
OSUN State University has made history as the first ins tu on in Osun State to be officially approved by the Bri sh Council as an accredited ComputerBased Test (CBT) centre for its global examinaons, including the widely recognized Internaonal English Language Tes ng System (IELTS).
According to a statement released by the University’s Public Relaons Officer, Mr. Ademola Adesoji, the inaugural examina on will hold on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the ins tu on’s stateof-the-art CBT centre on the University’s main campus in Osogbo.
With this milestone, UNIOSUN joins the ranks of globally recognised ins tu ons authorised to offer interna onal standardised assessments, bringing such services closer to thousands of
candidates in Osun and neighbouring states.
Speaking on the development, the ViceChancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, described the Bri sh Council’s approval
as a significant leap in the University’s journey towards global relevance.
“This is a defining moment for Osun State University. Becoming the first Bri sh Council examinaon centre in Osun State is a major stride in our mission to interna onalise our academic offerings and provide direct access to global opportuni es for our students, staff, and the wider community,” he said.
Professor Adebooye noted that the approval was a testament to the quality of UNIOSUN’s infrastructure, human capital, and ins tu onal credibility. He highlighted the University’s CBT centre, which is equipped
Campus Review Campus Review
with high-speed internet connec vity, biometric verifica on systems, 24hour power supply, and advanced surveillance technology. “With this facility, prospec ve candidates who previously had to travel to Ibadan, Lagos, or Abuja to sit for Bri sh Council examinaons can now take them in Osogbo, saving me,
money, and stress,” he added.
With this landmark achievement, Osun State University reaffirms its reputa on as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing and most forward-thinking public ins tu ons, commi ed to excellence in educa on, global partnerships, and community service.
Osun INEC Seeks Increased Women Participation In Politics
THE Independ-
ent Na onal Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Osun State, Dr Olaleke Mu u Agboke, has called for intensified advocacy for women par cipa on in poli cs and voter registra on.
Agboke made the call during an advocacy visit by the Osun State chapter of the Nigerian Associa on of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, to Osun INEC office, Osogbo on Wednesday.
The REC while apprecia ng NAWOJ for taking up the gauntlet of advocacy, described the issues raised by NAWOJ as ma ers of concern to everyone and emphasised that INEC’s gender policy is inclusive and promotes collabora on and balance between both genders in the polical space.
Highligh ng the low representa on of women in poli cs, the REC urged NAWOJ to step up its campaign efforts.
He said, “NAWOJ should start the campaign by increasing the tempo of engagement and bring the poli cians to the table. I am encouraging the associa on to foster pla orms where women are mo vated to contest
and par cipate acvely in elec ons.
“Encourage women to come forward. Let them come even if they lose the elecon. We will con nue to make women have a say and occupy posi ons of authority, but they must demonstrate capacity.”
On the issue of voter registra on, the Osun INEC boss noted that many women lack Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, because they are not registered.
He reminded NAWOJ that INEC will commence its Connuous Voter Registra on, CVR, exercise on August 18, 2025 for online registra on and on August 25 for in-person physical registra on.
Agboke urged NAWOJ members to help pass the message to women across the state on the need to register, collect their PVCs, and turn out to vote, no ng that par cipa-
on is the first step towards influencing governance.
Earlier, the Osun NAWOJ chairperson, Abisola Ariwodola,
commending INEC for its gender management policies, called for more priori es for women par cipa on in polics, voter educa on and promo on of gender equality and inclusion Ariwodola said, “NAWOJ has been at the forefront of campaigning for inclusion and fair representa on of women in posi ons of authority at both federal and state levels through its ac vi es
and programmes.
The Osun NAWOJ chairperson also sought collaboraon between INEC and NAWOJ to have a strengthened networking and partnership, strengthened ins tu onal capacity and procedures, promote the civic right to life of women and the target beneficiaries via voters educa on and sensi sa on, and contribute to improved quality of life.
2026: Ogunbiyi Declares For Osun Gov’ship Seat Under APC
ILEOGBO BORN poli cian, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, has disclosed that his chances of clinching the gubernatorial cket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2026 elecon in Osun State are bright.
Ogunbiyi, who is the Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, made the disclosure on Thursday at the APC Secretariat, Osogbo, after he officially declared his inten on to contest in next year’s gubernatorial elec on.
The insurance guru, while addressing his supporters, said all the gubernatorial aspirants under the APC are united with a mission to send the Peoples Democra c Party away from the government house next year, urging members of the APC to remain steadfast.
“I am here today to officially declare that I want to contest for the 2026 gubernatorial elec on under the All Progressives Congress. My chances of winning the cket are so bright. You can see the support across the state. I believe I stand as a unifying factor for APC in Osun. By God’s grace, I have my people across the state and I enjoy a lot of goodwill.
“You can’t see what happened today. Everybody came from across the state, from every local government, to show solidarity with me.
“But I’m urging us, I and other aspirants who have shown interest earlier are one. We’ve all concluded that what we want as a party is to chase the PDP away in 2026. So, anyone whom the party chooses as the candidate, we must all work together
to achieve the party’s aim.”
Speaking on the rumour that incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is planning to defect to the APC, Ogunbiyi said he would have no problem welcoming him to the party, adding that the APC is a progressive party that people are eager to join.
“I’m not worried that the current Governor is struggling to come to APC. He is a serving Governor and he can come to the APC. Our party is a winning team, and we can see what is happening at the federal level - what our father, the President, is doing at the federal level. So, I’m not surprised that not only in Osun State but even across other states, people are declaring for the APC because it is a progressive party.”
Ogunbiyi, while praising President Bola
Tinubu for his reforms, urged members of the party who have not go en their Permanent Voters Card to do so and work for the success of the APC in the 2026 and 2027 elec ons.
“President Bola Tinubu is trying his best to make Nigeria be er. He is focused on improving the security in the country. Look at the boldness with which the President acted on the issue of subsidy. Look at the tax reform. President Bola Tinubu knows how to rule and it’s a queson of me, people will start to see the benefits of his ac ons.
“I also want to appeal to those who have reached the age of 18 and have yet to get their Permanent Voters Card to go and register. What will make us happy is to win the gubernatorial elec on next year,” Ogunbiyi stated.
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
Kazeem Badmus
•Dr. Agboke with NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Ariwodola, during Advocacy visit, on Wednesday Photo : Shola Aderinto
Move To EPL Now Or Regret It, Oliseh Warns Osimhen
FORMER Super Ea-
gles captain, Sunday Oliseh, has warned Victor Osimhen, urging the Napoli striker to make a swi move to the English Premier League or risk living with regret over a missed opportunity.
The 1996 Olympic gold medallist took to social media on Wednesday to share his thoughts on the Nigerian forward’s transfer situa on, amid ongoing uncertainty over his next des na on.
“Victor Osimhen is at a very delicate crossroad.
“He needs to find his way to the Premier League in a hurry or he risks so much regret! Man. United and Arsenal need this player if only…..” Oliseh wrote on his X handle.
Oliseh’s comments come at a me when Osimhen’s expected big-money move to the Premier League appears increasingly unlikely, despite his impressive goal-scoring record and reduced release clause.
Napoli have reportedly lowered their asking price for the 26year-old to €75m, but Premier League clubs are yet to make serious advances. Manchester United, long linked with the striker, are instead pursuing Bren ord’s Bryan Mbeumo, while Arsenal’s interest has cooled amid other pri-
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported this week that
Galatasaray have now emerged as front-runners for Osimhen’s signature, having tabled a
formal offer and agreed personal terms with the player.
The Turkish giants are locked in nego aons with Napoli, although the Serie A side are holding out for a full one- me payment of the €75m clause.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal are also reportedly monitoring the situaon and have shown willingness to meet the financial demands, but Osimhen is said to favour staying in Europe.
Fabrizio Romano, in a YouTube update, revealed that Manchester United’s chances of
demands
Club World Cup: Top Scorers Ahead Of Chelsea Vs PSG Final
THREE players are among the jointtop scorers at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup compe on currently going on in the United States.
The players are Fluminense’s Marcos Le-
Carlo Ancelotti Sentenced To Prison Over Tax Fraud
CARLO Ancelo has been sentenced to one year in prison for tax fraud.
The Brazil manager was found guilty of tax fraud da ng back to 2014 when he was in charge at Real Madrid. He was accused of concealing income related to his image rights. But, he has been acqui ed of another possible tax offence committed in 2015, also related to the collec on of his image rights while he was employed by Real Madrid.
Despite the verdict, Ancelo is unlikely to
serve any me behind bars.
Under Spanish law, any sentence under two years for a non-violent crime rarely requires a defendant without previous convic ons to serve jail me.
Ancelo spent three years in his first reign as Madrid boss, before leaving in 2016 to join Bayern Munich for a season.
A er spells with Napoli and Everton, he returned to the Spanish capital in 2021 before leaving again to take over Brazil this year.
The 66-year-old was accused of misleading
the tax office to avoid paying over £833,000 in income tax.
Ancelo had vehemently denied any wrongdoing – but the former AC Milan boss has previously underpaid tax.
He admi ed to not
paying his fair share of tax in 2014 but blamed his doing so on errors from his accountants.
Ancelo is adamant that he hasn’t broken the law, claiming he did not spend the 183 days in Spain required to pay tax.
onardo, Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia.
All the three strikers have four goals each to their names each at the Club World Cup a er the conclusion of the semifinal fixture played on Wednesday night.
Recall that Paris SaintGermain defeated Real Madrid 4-0 to progress to the Club World Cup final where they will face Premier League side Chelsea on Sunday.
Recall that the Blues had defeated Fluminense 2-0 in the semi-final encounter on Tuesday to advance to the final.
Here are the top scorers at the Club World Cup ahead of Chelsea versus PSG final this weekend:
Four goals: Garcia, Guirassy, Marcos Leonardo and Di Maria.
Three goals: Fabian Ruiz, Olise, Harry Kane, Code, Musiala, Kenan Yildiz and Haaland.
Two goals: Joao Pedro.
Ataoja Cautions Youths Against Drug Abuse
Kazeem Badmus
ATAOJA of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun has cauoned youths in Osun State against the use of hard drugs, calling on security operaves to apprehend anyone caught.
The monarch made the disclosure on Wednesday during a sensi sa on visit by members of The Drug Free Project to his palace in Osogbo. Oba Olanipekun appealed to parents to take care of their wards, adding that they are the future and need to be guided on the right path.
The monarch, while urging those using hard drugs to refrain, said the result is counterpro-
duc ve.
The monarch said, “I’m appealing to the people of Osogbo and Osun State in general to stay away from drug usage. And those who are already taking it should desist. Hard drug has no advantage, it can only cause damage to our well-being.
“I’m sending a message to law enforcement agencies. Anybody caught using drugs should be arrested, and I’m saying it here that I will not plead for anyone.
“Go to communies like Onireke, OkeBale, Ojude Mogaji in Osogbo and arrest those youths using drugs. Once you arrest them, take them to the correc onal
facility.
“I am also using this avenue to call on parents to take good care of their children. They are the future and we must guide against anything that will jeopardize that bright future. Our children should
stay away from hard drugs.”
Earlier while addressing the monarch and his subjects, the Chief Impact Officer of The Drug Free Project, Dr. Ifeoluwayimika Bamidele, said the project is to see to the elimina-
on of drug abuse and rehabilita on of those already engaged in the act.
Bamidele, who is an Associate Professor of Law at Afe Babalola University, urged state governments to support the rehabilita on and recovery of those who are using drugs.
“We are here to ask for Ataoja’s endorsement. We are going round the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, campaigning against drug abuse and asking for support for rehabilita on and recovery for young people who are currently challenged with the scourge of drug abuse.
“We are le ng
people know that drug abuse can change life and affect the future of our young popula on.
We’ve had school projects for the last ten years, but we launched the drugfree project this year, and we’ve been to Ladoke Akintola University, Soun of Ogbomoso’s palace, Abuja, and Minna.
“For those who are currently using drugs, I want to advise them to go for rehabilita on and recovery. They should ask for help. I want to urge the state governments to assist in this aspect. And for those who have not been using drugs, I’m begging them not to go near it,” Dr. Bamidele appealed.
ori es.
signing Osimhen were slim from the outset due to the player’s uncompromising wage
and his satisfac on with life in Istanbul following a previous loan spell.
•Ataoja
BARRING any last-minute changes, if the rumour making the rounds in Osun’s poli cal space over the last two weeks and reaching its peak in the past 24 hours is anything to go by, then the specula on of Governor Ademola Adeleke defec ng to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would represent a massive rupture in Osun’s poli cal chamber.
Permit me to borrow a term from chemistry: a chamber rupture refers to the structural failure of a vessel, o en caused by excessive pressure, resul ng in a breach of integrity. The consequences depend on the vessel’s contents and the surrounding environment. A rupture in Osun’s poli cal landscape, much like in a pressurized chemical reactor, could release explosive outcomes, shi ing alliances, collapsing loyal es, and a possible redrawing of the poli cal map. Pressure from both camps as both want to win in 2026 and 2027 respec vely. The president needs the Governor to win and the Governor also need the federal support to win.
Consequently, there is palpable tension within both the PDP and APC camps. Interes ngly, it is only the camp of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola under the Ac on Democra c Congress (ADC) that appears calm, pa ently watching, perhaps ready to benefit from the poli cal tremors most likely.
Osun’s poli cal terrain is unlike any other. It is deeply ideological. Some poli cians were born progressives (APC), others, die-hard conserva ves (PDP). There are poli cians in Osun who, out of principle or ego, would never cross to the other side, making the rumoured defec on all the more explosive.
Historically, Osun has made poli cally unpredictable moves. It was the only state to vote for the Ac on Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011 and swung for the PDP in the 2023
“there is palpable tension within both the PDP and APC camps. Interestingly, it is only the camp of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola under the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) that appears calm, patiently watching, perhaps ready to benefit from the political tremors most likely”
By
FEMI ADESOLA
Osun 2026: Governor Ademola Adeleke Rupturing The Political Chamber
general elec ons, defying na onal and regional trends both mes. This unpredictability is believed to have pushed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend a hand of fellowship to Governor Adeleke, seeking maximum votes ahead of the 2027 elec ons.
This poten al realignment has sent shockwaves through the poli cal elite. Aspirants in both major par es, from governorship hopefuls to senatorial and federal/state house of assembly contenders, now fear being side-lined in the emerging arrangement. Appoint-
STRIKER Striker is
Discipline
ONE of the very things the Corporate Affairs Commission will ask of you, if you want to register an organisa on, is your Rules and Regula ons, otherwise called Constu on. Why? It is simple. “Ni ilu ko ba si ofin, ese ko si,”literally transla ng to “there is no offence in a city without rules.” Serious organisa ons not only have clear rules and regula ons in place, but in addi on have a Code of Conduct – clearly set-out dos and don’ts – that all members must abide by, as well as s pulated punishments for the don’ts (infrac ons).
Discipline is simply the prac ce of making people abide by spelt-out rules and regula ons and ensuring that members who don’t are punished accordingly. A simple study of our society, at all levels of organisa on, will reveal that this failing – indiscipline –which has become a culture, is at the very root of most of our woes. Once somebody disobeys the rules and does not get punished, the door to disorder is open; and once unpunished disobedience becomes frequent, the door is wide open to anarchy.
How far any associa on goes in fulfilling its aims and objec ves depends, to a large extent, on how disciplined it is. It is a func on of how self-disciplined its members are; or how well they are disciplined and amenable to discipline. It is not a big grammar. An orderly and prosperous organisaon must be disciplined. Its members must, on their own, abide by the rules and regula ons of the associa on, and those who don’t must ALWAYS be made to pay the fine and face the music EVERY TIME they break the rules. Example, they say, is greater (better) than precept. Leaders of associa ons, poli cal organisa ons, nongovernmental organisa ons, religious
not
the
opinion of the
and cultural groups, etc, have a big duty concerning discipline. Those who must come to equity must come with clean hands. The ke le calling the pot black doesn’t always advance the cause of organisa onal discipline, and one essen al need for self-discipline is “amojukuro;”that is, self-sacrifice and restraint, a large heart without greed. Inevitably, as the organisa on grows in achieving its objec ves, there arrive dividends to be allocated. Periodically also, there are goodies to be shared on special occasions. These are some of the mes that truly test organisaonal and leadership discipline.
From punctuality, regular a endance at mee ngs and payment of dues, to seeking and accep ng responsibilies and assignments, a self-disciplined leader sets an example for members to follow, making sure that appropriate penal es are paid by members every me rules are violated. Fairness and jus ce must be apparent at all mes in order to ins l orderliness, which is a vital condi on for growth and development. An organisa on where might is right, wealth is right, and favours and privileges are dispensed without pattern other than sec onal loyalty has no future. Selec ve punishment and differing sentences for same offence cannot be. The seeds of indiscipline growing within such associa ons will lead it to inevitable doom.
As it is with organisa ons, so it is with na ons. Nigeria, as can be generally observed, suffers a terrible deficit of discipline everywhere you turn – its ci zens, ins tu ons, state and leadership. Too many examples on a daily basis to be sited, from observance of simple traffic regula ons to mind-boggling loo ng in high places: and the bigger the viola on of the rules, the more our inability to punish it! When indiscipline is carried to areas of public health and na onal security, of course, everyone can now see that unless we have a rethink and make a change, we
ees within the current administraon worry they may lose out in the grand scheme of things.
Within the PDP, some fear that even long- me defectors to the APC are s ll wai ng for poli cal rewards.
The current tension might lead some disillusioned players to seek relevance elsewhere, possibly in Aregbesola’s ADC. Ego, ambi on, and strategic reposi oning might push many to jump ship.
24 hours they say, “is a long me in poli cs.” This unfolding drama may poten ally resolve longstanding logjam over local government funds seized by the Federal Government since February. The seized local government funds definitely one of the leverage on the table. At least Development projects stalled by funding issues can resume. Long-awaited teacher recruitment can be concluded. Local governments worker could resume a er si ng at home at last, and be given a new lease of life.
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are speeding towards self-destruc on. For the simplest instance, how else would we account for the inability of educated adults especially, to follow basic COVID-19 protocols, even if the uneducated live in senseless denial? A lot of people argue that corrup on is our country’s biggest problem. All you need to know is that where there is corrup on, there will be indiscipline; but where there is strict discipline, there will be no corrup on, and anyme corrup on rears its head, it will be ruthlessly dealt with according to the rules!
True, leadership indiscipline spreads disorder down the followership ranks and files, but the solu on is two-way: it can either be corrected from leadership downwards; or from followership upwards. Not correc ng it will con nually leave us in trials and tribula ons to live through and hand over to our children. Individuals have the capacity to demonstrate powerful examples of discipline that can reverberate beyond an organisa on and become a change mantra. No one can forget that the Spartan discipline of President Mohammadu Buhari, for many years lived before his Presidenal aspira ons, became the eventual Joker for his triumph a er several attempts.
There is a saying that “Small (posive) acts, when mul plied by millions of people, can transform the world.” It is par cularly true for self-discipline with individuals and organisa ons. “Obedience,” they say, “is be er than sacrifice.” One small but significant posi ve change you can make within your organisa on is, as a disciplined person that you have now resolved to be and have become, begin promoting discipline, for the growth of your organisa on and the fulfilment of its aims and objec ves. It may turn out to be a big contribu on to the redempon of your community, and indeed our dear country, Nigeria.