•(L-R) Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, alongside other dignitaries at the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday
Hunger, Anguish As Osun Govt Owes Security Service Workers Salaries
abi Security Services in the last two months.
THE Osun State Government is yet to pay the salary of staff of the Omolu-
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Staff of the security ou it have not been
paid since May 2025. The situa on according to a cross secon of them who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under the condi on of
anonymity is becoming unbearable as many of them could not have afford to feed themselves and their respecve families. Also, they
are resor ng to loans to take transporta on to their places of duty.
They are been paid sum of N25,000 as their monthly take home by the state government.
One of the Omoluabi security who do not wants his name in print while Speaking to OSUN DEFEDNDER yesterday expressed disappointment on the situa on.
“The situa on is becoming unbearable for us. What we are earning is not what the government should delay for two months. We are not even sure if the July salary will be paid. That will make it the third month. The situa on is excrucia ng and we can no longer endure it. I have been trekking to work since this issue began while I
Osun Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Beating Wife To Stupor
THE Osun State Police Command has arrested a 39-yearold man, Oluwatomi Oliyide, who allegedly beat his wife to stupor for demanding that he take care of their children’s welfare.
The incident happened last Wednesday at their residence in the Capital Area of Osogbo, Osun State.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the husband fled his home a er bea ng his wife ll blood started gushing from her eyes. According to the wife, Odunayo Oliyide, she met her husband an indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, in Lagos before reloca ng to Osogbo to live with him.
The 32-year-old vicm, who said she is a fashion designer, noted that she le the work owing to lack of support and financial challenges, adding that her husband was a gambler.
She explained that trouble started a er Oluwatomi refused to provide money for feeding for his two boys aged five and three years, adding that all her efforts to make him pay their school fees proved abor ve.
She said, “It was after I married him that I discovered that he had married two different women in the past and he used to beat them,” she revealed.
“My husband prefers to gamble with all
his money rather than sponsoring his children in school,” she claimed.
She added, “He doesn’t take care of our children. He only gives us money to eat whenever he likes. I am a fashion designer but since I got married to him, I have expended all my savings on feeding our children. I can’t cope again. For some me now, I have been going out to do menial jobs. I do bricklaying jobs, go to people’s houses to assist them in their chores to raise school fees for my children.
“People have intervened but he remained adamant. He has a site he is developing, and he always says that he will not train our children un l the house project is completed, but he plays bets. I have reported to his parents. He said that un l he completes his building, he will sponsor our children’s school fees. They promised to talk to him. I also reported him to our pastor. He s ll remained adamant.
“I have an ulcer and I couldn’t cope with the bricklaying job. I told him that I am red of the rela onship. I said I will relocate the children to my parents. He didn’t say anything. We were not speaking to one another for months, and whenever I call him for the children’s feeding, he will send money once in a while.”
On how the suspect allegedly unleashed his anger, the vic m ex-
plained, “Last Sunday, I went for a vigil and he came and didn’t meet me. On Monday, I returned from church. I told him not to use my gas to cook, but he said
he would refill the gas. This happened because for some weeks now, he has been buying only the food that he will consume and hiding it. I also get my own and use
them in feeding our children.
“On Wednesday, I told him that I was going to work. When I returned, I was going to Owode for a film rehearsal. I le the children with him. He said I should not bid him farewell and said he would beat me un l I lost my sight. He started bea ng me and injured me in my eyes with punches.”
Odunayo also recalled how her husband beat her when she was pregnant with their first child, and demanded jus ce.
A human rights acvist, Ci zen Lola Wey, who assisted in taking the vic m to the hospital for treatment, confirmed that the suspect has been arrested by police opera ves from Dada Estate Police Sta on.
borrow from people to feed myself and family. We appeal Governor Adeleke to please look into the issue as a ma er of urgency,” he stated
Another member also appeals to the necessary quarter to treat the ma er with urgency, saying she has run into debt as the situa on persists. She said: “I want to plead with the authority to please a end to our ma er. It is almost three months that we have not receive salaries. My husband has even tell me to stop going to work. Imagine a married woman trekking to work. The money is not even enough to cater for our needs. All other security workers are been paid but just only us. I believe the governor has a listening hear.”
But OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the issue is a ributed to the non-release of the local government alloca ons by the Federal Government.
Both the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are laying claim to the control of the local government with recent court judgement declaring the PDP-led council chairmen illegal. Commen ng on the situa on, the Director, Omoluabi Security Limited, Olanrewaju Ademola in a telephone interview on Wednesday told OSUN DEFENDER that the ma er would be resolved soon.
“We are working to resolve the issue. It will be resolved soon,” he said.
Osun Govt Shifts Promotion Exams Over Buhari’s Death
THE Osun State Government has announced the postponement of the 2025 Unified Promo on Examina on (UPE) ini ally scheduled to hold on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, following the declara on of a public holidays by the Federal Government.
In a public service announcement signed by Mrs. Olubukola Akintola, Registrar of the Osun State Examina ons Board, the government stated that all examinaon papers slated for
Tuesday have been rescheduled.
“This is to inform the general public, par cularly heads of schools, teachers, parents/guardians, and students of all public secondary schools in the state par cipating in the 2025 Unified Promo on Examina on (UPE), that all papers scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, have been rescheduled,” the statement read.
According to the new metable, Senior Secondary (SS) students will now write their papers on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, while Junior Secondary School (JSS) students will take their
exams on Monday, July 21, 2025.
The registrar explained that the shi in
the examina on dates was due to the public holiday declared by the Federal Government to mourn the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The government urged all stakeholders to take note of the new dates and ensure full compli-ance.
Yusuf Oketola
Kazeem Badmus
Yusuf Oketola
•The State President National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) Nigeria, Dr (Mrs) Rebeccah Ayoola inaugurating new Executive Council Members in all Local Government Chapters of Osun, held at NUJ Secretariat Hall on Thursday
•The victim
•Late Buhari
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025 - THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Alot has been said about the new coali on or the ADC. The ques on that keeps coming up is: where will the new coali on take us? A lot of opinion molders say it will take us back to a negave place. This issue must be faced squarely: where were we coming from in the first place?
The fact is, bad as things were, Nigeria has never since, even since the austerity measures of 1962, found itself in this conundrum. The coali on, from how it’s shaping up, is not going to take the country back. The coali on offers a clear alterna ve perspec ve that has to be considered. It might not be the right posi on, but it should be considered.
The situa on in Nigeria today is alarming. Twenty-seven people were slaughtered in a clear genocide a empt in Plateau State just 48 hours ago. This is no longer front-page news; it’s now alarmingly seen as rou ne.
Take us back? How many jobs were created in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the last nine months?
Will The New Coalition Take Us Back?
This was the framework.
The framework has to be twofold: one, to pull tens of millions of Nigerians out of poverty, and two, to transit some of those pulled out of poverty into a home-owning middle class. This is what we saw in the 1950s and 1960s, where through various schemes, people paid monthly rent to eventually own their own houses, crea ng a middle class that endures today. We must go back to that.
the Central Trust was to wage an unrelen ng war against poverty and its causes. The coali on is bent on waging a war against poverty, creating a society based on equity, fairness, and produc on – specifically, export-led produc on that will balance the country’s payments situa on in interna onal trade, bring down produc on costs, and stabilize the naira’s value.
“ Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as Governor of Osun State, showed that a new, fairer society can be created. His initiatives in education, health, Agricultural and the school feeding program were sensational breakthroughs, demonstrating for example that school feeding can reinvigorate the production base of society when inputs are sourced locally”
The fact is, the current framework is not an an -poverty posion of the type the late Chief MKO Abiola had in mind in 1993, when
We must be clear: infla on is a puni ve tax on the least protected sectors. Does the coali on have something to offer? We believe they do. They offer a fresh perspecve and hope, similar to Chief MKO Abiola’s 1993 posi on and program. Hope is not based on good intenons alone; it’s based on a clear, costed program to build a new society founded on fairness and equity.
Many in the coali on have demonstrated their ability to translate theory into prac ce. For example, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as Governor of Osun State, showed that a
The Discourse
Inew, fairer society can be created. His ini a ves in educa on, health, Agricultural and the school feeding program were sensa onal breakthroughs, demonstra ng for example that school feeding can reinvigorate the produc on base of society when inputs are sourced locally. Facing Nigeria today, we have two roads ahead. The first road is the journey we’ve been on for decades – perennial underachievement leading to tens of millions of people being mired in mul -direc onal poverty. The alterna ve road, presented by the new coali on, is to take a departure from this underachieving path and focus on pu ng the people first. This involves shiing from consump on to produc on and sharing the benefits and profits of produc on.
Nigeria is at a crossroads. Any discerning thinker will agree that the new coali on offers a glimmer of hope out of the despair we’re in today.
The Unlikely Peace-Keeper: Can Walnuts Bring Two War Juggernauts Together?
By Babatunde Adesokan
T’S walnut season. The rough, round nuts remind me of Mother Earth, with gravity pinning us to its round shape without falling off. The cracking of a nut into two halves also reminds me of volcanic erup ons on Earth and how the ongoing proxy war between Iran and Israel may divide the world into crunchable crusts.
This is within the backdrop of 600,000 young people being given youth discharge cer ficates. This is within the backdrop of people coming out of appren ceship courses in voca onal frameworks, and where are their jobs coming from? Those who have obtained freedom as mechanics, plumbers, and so on, what are their prospects in life? Ideally, they ought to, with that freedom cer ficate, be transi ng gradually into a home-owning middle class. “It’s walnut season, and it’s not only loved in Africa. According to TabletmagDotCom, walnuts are also loved by Georgian Jews, who use them to make a variety of sauces and pastes. Similarly, Tabriz, located in northwestern Iran, is known for its rich walnuts”
The African walnut, Tetracarpidium conophorum, has a hard outer shell. When cracked, you find two halves of the seed delicately inside. Between these two cotyledons, there’s a thin, o en papery or nylon-like membrane that is o en discarded.
But why do we even bother to eat walnuts? Looking at the health benefits of walnuts, they are considered a
good source of an oxidants, omega-3 fa y acids, and various vitamins, contributing to brain health, immune func on, sexual fitness, and heart health. They may also help in managing weight and reducing the risk of certain diseases.
It’s walnut season, and
it’s not only loved in Africa. According to TabletmagDotCom, walnuts are also loved by Georgian Jews, who use them to make a variety of sauces and pastes. Similarly, Tabriz, located in northwestern Iran, is known for its rich walnuts. Walnuts remind us
that even in the midst of conflict, there are s ll things that bring us all together.
OSUN DEFENDER
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Asst. News Editor – Yusuf Oketola
Asst. Features Editor – Kazeem Badmus
Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto
Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere
Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
Again, it’s walnut season. Like kolanuts, walnuts should be served as a totem of peace at the peace talk between the two war nuts. So, when each leader cracks the hard nuts and sees the hapless hard crust falling off, they should be made to see the damage they can inflict on Mother Earth when they engage in a ba le of nuclear might. Hopefully, the humble walnut can even inspire a new era of diplomacy between these two war juggernauts. Who knows?
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025 - THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Five Robbery, Murder, Kidnapping Suspects Arrested In Osun
Yusuf Oketola
THE Osun State Police Command has apprehended five suspects alleged to be involved in a series of serious crimes ranging from armed robbery and kidnapping to car the , cul sm, and murder.
Disclosing this in a statement issued in Osogbo, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed that several stolen items were recovered during the opera ons, including firearms, stolen vehicles, mobile phones, and other valuables.
Items recovered from the suspects include a black Lexus Jeep with registra on number GGE 197 JJ, a silver Toyota Camry (Muscle) with registraon number BDG 684 HW, a 3½ bed frame, 3½ ma ress, four locally made single-barrel guns, one cut-tosize double-barrel gun, two Nokia C32 Android phones, and some important documents.
The arrested suspects were iden fied as Michael Ojo (27), Dotun Olumide (34), Adeboye Damilare Blessing (23), Taiwo Awoniran (28), and Onah David (29).
According to DSP Ojelabi, opera ves of the An -Cul sm Squad, ac ng on credible intelligence, on July 11, 2025, arrested Michael Ojo in Ilesa with the stolen black Lexus Jeep, car keys, and relevant documents in his possession.
Further inves gaons, he said, revealed that Ojo had led an armed gang to Akungba in Ondo State on June 20, 2025, where they reportedly kidnapped and murdered two individuals—Mr. Abah John Friday and Ms. Okah Andrel— before making away with their Lexus Jeep, iPhones, and other belongings.
In a related development, on July 10, 2025, officers of the Prompt Response Unit a ached to the Ikire Area Command intercepted a suspicious Toyota Camry vehicle. The driver, Dotun Olumide, a empted to flee but was eventually arrested. During interroga on, he confessed to stealing the vehicle along with the bed
•(L-R) Board Chairman, Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa, Hon. Abayomi Adegoke, Commissioner for Education, Osun State, Hon. Dipo Eluwole, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Murtala Jimoh and the Provost, Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa, Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem during a Courtesy visit to the Commissioner by the Board and Management of the institution
frame and ma ress from Poget Care Homes Founda on in Badagry, Lagos State, where he had been employed as a security guard. The organisa on later con-
firmed the the Also, on June 22, 2025, another suspect, Adeboye Damilare, was arrested a er he attempted to rob a bouque owner at Obalu-
fon Street in Ile-Ife with a locally made pistol. Although he fired a shot during the a ack, the vic m escaped unhurt and raised the alarm, leading to the
suspect’s arrest. During interroga on, Damilare confessed that he bought the pistol for ₦60,000 from one Taiwo Awoniran, who was later arrested on June 27, 2025, in Modakeke. Upon his arrest, police recovered three addional locally made firearms from Awoniran.
The Command’s spokesperson also revealed that on April 25, 2025, a complainant reported that her Nokia C32 phone had been stolen while it was being charged at a friend’s house in the Akile area of Ila-Orangun. A thorough invesga on led to the arrest of Onah David on July 12, 2025, who was found in possession of the stolen phone and a cut-to-size doublebarrel gun.
DSP Ojelabi stated
that all five suspects are currently in police custody and would be charged to court as soon as inves ga ons are concluded.
Reac ng to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Gotan, lauded the coordinated efforts of the various units of the Command in ensuring the safety and security of residents.
“We urge the good people of Osun to remain vigilant and work closely with the police. Together, we can ensure Osun remains a safe haven for all,” he stated.
The CP also appealed to members of the public to con nue to provide mely and credible informa on to assist the police in ridding the state of criminal elements.
Osun To Sustain Improved Family Planning Uptake – Commissioner
Kazeem Badmus
THE Osun State Government says it will sustain the significant improvement achieved in family planning, with the support of a Non-Governmental Organisa on The Challenge Ini a ve. The state Commissioner for Health, Mr Jola Akintola, said this on Tuesday in Osogbo during a stakeholders’ mee ng on “Sustaining Family Plan-
ning Interven on: Transioning Osun Government to Self-Reliance”.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the state government organised the programme in partnership with TCI.
Akintola said the partnership had led to a significant improvement in family planning uptake, while the state government remained committed to priori sing family
planning and reproduc ve health in the state.
“We recognise the importance of family planning in achieving sustainable development and improving the health and well-being of our ci zens.
“As we celebrate our achievements and recognise outstanding contribu ons, I urge us all to con nue working together towards a future where every individual in the state will have access to quality family planning services,” he said.
In her remarks, the State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Ololade Abatan, said 76,008 men and women had taken up family planning in the last three years of TCI interven on in the state.
Abatan said this was a significant improvement in family planning uptake in the state following TCI interven on.
Also, Dr Taiwo Johnson, Country Director of TCI, said there had been gradual, remarkable improvement in family plan-
God And Governance: The Sacred Thread In African Public Life Art/Culture
IN the heart of Africa, where tradi on and modernity often intertwine, the influence of religion on governance remains profound. From bustling ci es to remote villages, faith is not merely a personal compass but a societal force that shapes poli cal landscapes, public policies, and communal values. Faith as a Poli cal Instrument
In many African na ons, poli cal figures o en align themselves with religious ins tu ons to garner support and legi macy. This symbio c rela onship is evident in countries like Ghana, where poli cal campaigns frequently
involve appearances in churches and mosques. Candidates seek endorsements from religious leaders, recognizing the sway they hold over congrega ons. Such alliances can mobilize large voter bases, but they also blur the lines between spiritual guidance and poli cal ambi on. Tradi onal Beliefs and Modern Poli cs. Beyond organized religion, tradi onal beliefs con nue to play a significant role in African poli cs. In Uganda, for instance, some poli cians consult tradi onal healers and engage in rituals to secure electoral success or protect against adversaries. These prac ces, while o en
conducted discreetly due to societal s gmas, underscore the enduring power of indigenous spirituality in contemporary governance..
The Challenge of Secularism
Nigeria presents a complex case where the cons tu on declares the na on secular, yet religious influences permeate its poli cal system. The coexistence of secular laws with Sharia courts in northern states exemplifies this dichotomy. Poli cal par es o en reflect religious affilia ons, and debates over policies like pilgrimage subsidies highlight the ongoing tension between secular governance and re-
ning uptake in the state following TCI intervenon.
“As the state government was transi oning to self-reliance in family planning, TCI wanted to see more women taking up family planning in the state.
“A er three years of TCI interven on, the state will now start to fund and own its family planning programmes.
“One of the things we men oned when we •Continued on Page 5
ligious expecta ons. Religion as a Moral Compass
Despite poten al pi alls, religion o en serves as a moral compass in African sociees. Religious ins tuons have historically played pivotal roles in advoca ng for social jus ce and peace. In Rwanda, for example, Chris an leaders were instrumental in postgenocide reconciliaon efforts, facilitating dialogues between conflic ng groups and promo ng healing.
The intertwining
of religion and governance in Africa is a double-edged sword. While faith can inspire ethical leadership and community cohesion, its entanglement with poli cs can also lead to favori sm, exclusion, and conflict. As African na ons con nue to evolve, there is a pressing need to delineate the boundaries between spiritual guidance and polical authority, ensuring that governance remains inclusive and just for all ci zens.
Residents Seek Adeleke’s Intervention Over Dilapidated School Building
RESIDENTS of Ileogbo in Aiyedire Local Government of Osun State have appealed to the state to the state government over the worsening condi on of Nawar Ud-Deen Primary School in the community.
The residents who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER said the school building is now dilapidated with hoodlums capitalising on the school condion to cart away valuables.
They urged the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke to help in giving back the school it’s lost glory. An Alumni of the school, Adetunji Alli, while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER said the school was merged with AUD primary
school during the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
He, however, said the school was abandoned a er the reversal of the merger by the last administraon.
Alli said even though, the lawmarker represen ng Ayidweri, Iwo and OlaOluwa federal cons tuency, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman built a six block of classroom for the school, the old building was le for ruin.
Alli said hoodlums are now going to the school to cut the sheet cover of the roof of the buildings.
He said, “The primary school is my alma mater in Ileogbo. The school was abandoned a er the school’s merger policy of the former Governor Aregbesola. Students of the school
•The dilapidated building
were merged with those of AUD primary school. Since then, it has been neglected by subsequent government.
“A er the school merger policy was reversed, the students were not returned to
THE Osun State Government has a ributed the delay in conclusion of the teachers’ recruitment exercise to the non-release of local government allocaons by the Federal Government.
The Commissioner for Educa on, Dipo Eluwole, made the disclosure at the opening session of a training programme held for teachers and heads of public schools in the state.
Eluwole said the money to be used to recruit teachers was being spent on payment of primary school teachers, local government workers, health workers and five per cent to tradional rulers.
“The money we are supposed to be using for these things is what we are using to pay primary school teachers, local government workers, health workers and five per cent to tradi onal rulers.
“Everybody is taking their money as when due. That is why we don’t have more teachers in schools. Let us pray for Osun
State and our governor, he meant good for the state,” he said.
The state claimed that the Federal Government had withheld local government alloca ons to the state since February, owing to a leadership crisis ongoing in the council areas.
Both the Peoples Democra c Party and All Progressives Congress are laying claim to the control of the local government, with a recent court judgment declaring the PDP-led council chairmen as legal.
In the video of the commissioner’s speech at the event held in Ede on Tuesday and obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday,
Eluwole said Governor Ademola Adeleke and a monarch in the state shed tears over the ma er.
“On Saturday, Mr Governor wept for 15 minutes before he could start a mee ng. They were pacifying him. Where is Nigeria going?
“It is not a sin to be a Nigerian, please and please con nue to do that thing that you are doing to make Nigeria progress.
“Please, let us watch our leaders and pray for them, God will guide their feet from stumbling, they will not lead us astray. I saw a tradi onal ruler who shed tears over what was going on.
“We know what has been happening before, about three years ago in the educa on sector, you can see what is going on now.
“Osun State education is now a force to be reckoned with today, we are making Nigeria proud, unlike before,” Eluwole said.
the school and lately, it was discovered that thieves are cu ng the sheet cover of the roof at midnight.
“It was the lawmaker represen ng
our federal cons tuency that build a six block of classrooms for the school but the old building is ro ng away. “While I have called
on those living in the school surroundings to be vigilant, I want to appeal to the state government to bring back the glory of my alma mater.”
Emulate Late Buhari’s Ethical Life, Iwo-Born Professor Advises Politicians
Kazeem Badmus be be er if everyone decides to act and speak the truth.
Aformer Na onal Commissioner of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Lai Olurode, has urged Nigerian poli cians to emulate late President Muhammadu Buhari’s ethical life and serve the country with sincerity.
Olurode described the late Buhari and Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as excep onal leaders who stood for what was right.
The re red professor of poli cal sociology at the University of Lagos, disclosed this on Tuesday during a symposium organised for students of The Wings Schools, Iwo, in honour of the late president and monarch.
Olurode said the late president le a legacy that poli cians and Nigerians should emulate, adding that Nigeria can
He said, “Our policians should learn from late Buhari. Where they need to spend billions of naira, they may not spend more than a billion of reputa on if they are lucky to be among the good ones.
“President Buhari and Awujale were excep onal people. Buhari, as a military and civilian head of state was an excep onal leader. He radiated commitment to na on building not minding whatever sacrifices he had to make. He was an uncommon head of state.
“Where leaders could not parade asse sm and indulge in opulence, and Nigerian leaders are among the richest in the world by whatever standard, Buhari will be one of the poorest, if not the poorest, head of state that anybody would have had.
“Its leadership was inspiring, and it was his ethical life that saw him become a civilian president of the country after contes ng several mes.
“Awujale was also an uncommon monarch. I could recall when other Obas were falling for naira and dollars, Awujale stood firm and said Babangida should declare Abiola the winner of June 12 elec on. Of course, Awujale paid for that, but it was unforgettable in his life.”
The former INEC Naonal Commissioner urged the students to see good leaders as role models, adding that “We just thought these are the people that we can tell our students about for them to emulate and we will be failing as a school if we don’t let them know how these late leaders were exceponal.”
Osun To Sustain Improved Family...
•Continued from page 4
started was that we wanted the state to reach the stage of sustainability.
“This basically means that Osun State will start funding and owning its family planning programmes a er an average of three and a half years of TCI interven on to ensure the sustainability of the various achievements,” she said.
Similarly, Dr Olukunle
Omotoso, Senior Technical Advisor, TCI, Nigeria, said the overall goal of TCI was to achieve self-reliance by scaling up family planning, leading to sustained improvement in urban health systems.
Omotoso, however, called on the state government to increase funding for family planning in the state.
He said the demand for family planning in the state was high, but there
was a need for more funding for the procurement of family planning commodi es.
The senior technical adviser also called on the state government to recruit more service providers to replace those re ring to meet the demands for family planning. He urged the state government to sustain the gains it had achieved in the uptake of family planning in the state.
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025 - THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
News
Print, Online Publishers Applaud EU-SDGN’s Support For Nigerian Media
Yusuf Oketola
PRINT and online media execu ves from five SouthWest states of Nigeria have commended the European Union Support to Democra c Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) and the Interna onal Press Centre (IPC) for their vital support to the media industry and democratic development in the country.
The commenda on came during a one-day engagement and training workshop held in Ibadan, on Monday.
The event, organised by IPC in collabora on with the EU, brought together publishers and media prac oners from Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Eki and Osun states.
Execu ve Director of the Interna onal Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, in his opening remarks, urged parcipants to apply the knowledge gained to promote credible journalism.
He said: “We must con nue to uphold professionalism, accuracy, and civil responsibility. There’s also the need to improve inclusivity in our reports—giving space to women, youth, and persons with disabili es as we move closer to the 2027 elecons.”
Arogundade outlined areas of focus for the training including strengthening ethical journalism, fact-checking, effec ve use of the Freedom of Informaon Act, and increased public engagement in democra c processes such as voter registraon.
He added, “Journalists must also embrace crea vity and editorial wri ng as essen al tools in their repor ng. The fight against misinforma on and disinforma on is a collec ve responsibility for the media.”
Chairman of the South-West Guild of Online Publishers, SWEGOP, Pastor Bisi Oladele, expressed the group’s readiness to partner with IPC.
“We are commi ed to training upcoming online publishers and aligning with EU-SDGN’s component 4 which focuses on both online and print media,” he noted.
Publisher of The Tabloid News, Mr Tunde Busari expressed
concern over difficulty face by Journalist in accessing women who are holding poli cal offices while seeking the assistant of the IPC for more orienta on of the female poli cians.
The publisher also pointed out economic challenge as a bo leneck to the media in-
dustry.
“It has becoming a major challenge for journalists and media prac oners to gain access to our female poli cal officer holders for interviews. Majority of them are not always available to talk to the press and this is a concern to me. I believe
IPC can come up with a kind of orienta on programme for them to know how vital the media is to their ac vi es.
“Also, I appeal to the EU and IPC to sustain workshops like this. Our industry needs constant upgrading to remain effec ve and relevant,” he said.
Several media outlets were represented at the event, including Reporters At Large, Treasure Newspaper, Insight Links News, City Mirror, Salient Times, Arise News Daily, The Tabloid News, and Oyo Insight.
Other notable par cipants included Guard-
ian Newspaper, NAN and Osun Defender.
Par cipants acknowledged the EUSDGN’s contribu ons to strengthening democracy through strategic media engagements.
The EU-SDGN programme is the European Union’s flagship democracy support inia ve in Nigeria.
The IPC reaffirmed its commitment to building a strong media landscape capable of suppor ng transparent governance and inclusive poli cal par cipaon.
The engagement ended with a renewed pledge by media execuves to support accurate and professional electoral repor ng ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elec ons.
The session underscored the role of collabora on among media, civil society, and instu ons in safeguarding democra c values, with par cipants agreeing that con nuous training remains key to responsible journalism in the digital age.
Tension In Osun Accord Party Over Leadership Control
Yusuf Oketola
THERE appears to be discord within the Osun State chapter of the Accord Party as the Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande and some of the expelled execu ves bicker over legi macy of tenure.
This is as the former execu ves of the party in the state raised alarm over an illegi mate power grab by individuals allegedly posing as party leaders.
Addressing a press conference on Monday in Osogbo, the ex-leaders declared that the party has remained without a valid state execu ve council since March 2025, when the tenure of the previous officials lapsed.
Speaking on behalf of the former officials, Nasiru Bolarinwa, the immediate past State Secretary of the party, said, “I am here to brief the general public and party faithful about the current leadership vacuum in our respected poli cal party, Accord in Osun. Since March this year, our tenure ended, and for over three months now, no execu ve has been appointed or elected to oversee the affairs of the party in the state.”
Bolarinwa stressed that the gathering was not in defiance of party rules but a necessary move to stop unauthorised individuals from claiming leadership roles.
He accused the immediate past Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, of connuing to parade himself as the current leader of the party in Osun.
“We want to use this medium to formally nofy the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, INEC, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Police that Pastor Victor Akande is no longer the state chairman of the Accord Party. Any such claim or ac vity should be regarded as null and void,” he said.
Also, Yakub Olayinka, former Organising Secretary of the party, who reiterated that the state chapter is currently awai ng official communica on from the na onal headquarters, urged all party members to refrain from recognising any individual claiming leadership authority in the state.
“We are all members of the party, and as it stands, no one should parade himself as state chairman. We urge all stakeholders to wait pa-
ently for the green light from Abuja,” Olayinka added.
On the ma er of party organisa on and electoral strategy, Olayinka assured the public that Accord remains ac ve and intends to reposion itself for upcoming poli cal contests.
He said the party’s ambi on remains undeterred by recent leadership issues.
“We are gathering strength. We believe strongly that Accord is poised for victory in the next Osun elec ons once we resolve these internal issues,” he said.
Oladapo Joseph, the former Treasurer lamented the leadership style under Pastor Akande.
He accused the former chairman of crea ng disunity and opera ng without transparency, which weakened the party’s founda ons across local government areas.
“Under Pastor Akande, the party was run without unity or transparency. But we are not discouraged. We’re already working to rebuild trust and structure from the grassroots all the way to the na onal level,” Oladapo explained.
The former officials jointly called for calm among party supporters across the state.
They emphasised that any a empt to use the party pla orm for personal poli cal gain would be challenged and resisted by lawful means.
“We call on all genuine Accord members to disregard any illegal mee ngs or pronouncements. Let us stand together un l proper structures are restored,” Bolarinwa said.
They urged INEC and other relevant authories to engage only with the na onal leadership un l a new state execu-
ve council is cons tuted.
Reac ng, the Osun Accord Party Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande in a message disclosed that the former execuve members have been expelled from the part since August, 2024.
Pastor Akande also disclosed that theere have never been any vacuum in the party in the state because the Na onal Secretariat of the party is aware she has directed that a caretaker commi ee be put in place for day to day administra on.
The message reads, “I wouldn’t have reacted to the release but for public interest I will have to.
“Those people are not members of the Accord Party they have been expelled from the party since last year August and the na onal is aware of their expulsion.
“Secondly, there has never been any vacuum in the state because before the expira on of our tenure we have wri en to the Na onal about it and we have been asked to set up a caretaker for the day-to day running of the Party which we have done. I remain the Chairman of Accord Party (caretaker) un l we conduct another Congress.”
•Participants at the event
Lamine Yamal Takes Iconic Barcelona Number 10 Shirt
OUNG Barcelona star
YLamine Yamal inherited the club’s number 10 shirt, previously worn by all- me great Lionel Messi, on Wednesday.
“Messi made his path and I will make mine,” Yamal told reporters at an event at the club shop at the Spo fy Camp Nou stadium.
“I will work as hard as I can, give everything and try to make those Barca fans who are there happy and those who are at home.”
The 18-year-old winger, o en compared to the Argen ne superstar who also came through the club’s La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domes c treble last season.
He signed a new contract with Barcelona un l 2031 in May, becoming one of the best paid players at the club.
“I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true,” con nued Yamal, who said he wanted to win the Champions League with the Catalan giants, and also the World Cup with Spain.
Yamal has scored 25
Don’t
Tgoals for the club in over 100 appearances, making his debut in 2023 at the age of 15 wearing the number 41 shirt.
“Barca is my life, I’ve been here since I was seven, for all kids from La Masia their dream is to make it to the first team and I’m doing it and I have to keep working,” said Yamal.
“When I was li le I dreamed of being at Barca and having this number.”
A er a season wearing the 27, last summer Yamal followed in Messi’s footsteps by taking the number 19, which the Argen ne wore at the club between 2005 and 2008.
Ansu Fa inherited Messi’s number 10 shirt in 2021, when now Inter Miami player le Barca for
Paris Saint-Germain.
Fa was unable to fulfil his poten al at Barca and signed on loan for Monaco earlier in July.
Other star names including Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo have worn the Barcelona number 10 shirt in the past.
“(Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho) are three legends of football, three legends of this club,” said Yamal.
“I am grateful for what they gave the club and I will try to con nue this legacy.”
Yamal made headlines a er celebra ng his 18th birthday last weekend with a private event involving hired entertainers with dwarfism.
Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights
asked the public prosecutor to invesgate the party after a complaint from the Associa on for
People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE).
“In the end I work
for Barca, I play for Barca, but when I’m away from (the club) I enjoy my life, and that’s all,” he added.
Nigeria Crash Out Of FIBA U19 World Cup
THE Hungary basketball team on Wednesday defeated Junior D’Tigress, 77-51, to send Nigeria packing from the ongoing FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Czechia.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the Nigerian girls were completely overwhelmed by their opponents as they struggled throughout the encounter.
They started on a good note, recording a 9-9 scoreline in the first quarter of the game, but fell apart in the second quarter, losing 12-30.
The team fought back in the third quarter but could only make 15-16 points, which was not good enough to pressure the European
News
team.
Hungary took the 4th quarter more seriously and recorded a 16-15 score to keep their lead and eventually coasted home to victory.
Hungary’s Kinga Jisepovits led the floor for her team with 19 points, while her teammate Eliza Farbas recorded 13 rebounds.
Nigeria’s Tobenna Nweke led the floor with 12 points as Francis Chukwu recorded 9 rebounds to their credit.
The Nigerian girls crashed out of the compe on but became the first African team to win a match in the history of the compe on and also play in the round of 16.
cus of the Nigerian Medical Associa on (NMA) has told the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the circular issued by the Na onal Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to review allowance of medical and dental officers in the federal public service.
The caucus said the federal government is tes ng the pa ent of the Nigerian doctor, warning that failure to withdraw the circular within the next seven days as directed by the na onal body of the associa on may lead to industrial ac on.
The Southwest NMA during a press conference in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Tuesday, said with the dearth of health professionals in the country, the circular will only worsen the situa on, adding that the economic situa on of the country is already making life harder for its members.
Reading the communique of the caucus, the Osun State chairman of Nigerian Medical Associaon, Dr. Adeniyi Fasanu, said the circular by NSIWC was a betrayal of longstanding agreements and
an erosion of principle of jus ce and threat to morale of the few patrio c doctors le in the country.
“As a Caucus representing the interests of doctors in the Southwest region encompassing Ogun. Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Eki States we categorically reject this circular in its enrety.
“We wish to remind the Federal Government, especially His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) that the paence of the Nigerian doctor is being tested beyond the limits of civility.
“The con nued disregard for properly negoated agreements, and the failure to consult with the NMA-the statutory representa ve body for doctors in Nigeria threatens the very structure of our healthcare delivery and sends a dangerous signal to the younger genera on of professionals.
“We in the Southwest Caucus have always embraced dialogue and peaceful engagement, but we can no longer ignore the growing frustra ons, rising a ri on, and moral injury suffered by our members. We therefore align with the 21-day ulmatum given to the Federal Government by the
spector
Na onal body to a end to the above demands, failing which the Caucus shall convene an emergency mee ng to advise its members appropriately, in concert with the na onal leadership of the Nigerian Medical Associa on,” the communique reads in part.
The Southwest NMA in the communique, demanded among others, the “immediate withdrawal of the NSIWC cir-
cular dated 27th June, 2025, immediate correc on of consequenal adjustments in full alignment with the 2001, 2009. and 2014 Collecve Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and restora on and compliance with established rela vity between CONMESS and CONHESS, especially concerning professional allowances such as call duty.”
The NMA also de-
manded, “ammediate se lement of all outstanding arrears related to the 25/35% CONMESS, clinical duty, and accouterment allowances, full payment of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and a comprehensive review of the fund to reflect current economic reali es.”
The associa on also asked for “immediate cons tu on of hospital management boards for
federal health ins tuons to ensure effec ve governance, issuance of a circular implemen ng the revised re rement age for medical and dental prac oners, provision of comprehensive welfare and support packages for healthcare workers and the immediate reversal of the appointment of nondoctors as consultants, in the interest of pa ent safety and professional integrity.”
•Officers of Nigeria Police Force, searching phone of a passenger in contrary to the order of the In-
General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at Oroki Estate, Osogbo, on Thursday
WHEN Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stepped down as Governor of Osun State in 2018, he le behind more than just completed projects and poli cal structures. He le a legacy—a dis nc ve leadership style, a strong ideological imprint, and a cultural shi that con nues to influence the socio-poli cal landscape of Osun and beyond.
Aregbesola’s two-term administraon (2010–2018) was marked by bold reforms, controversial policies, and a governance philosophy rooted in progressive populism. For many, his era was a departure from the norm—a me of disrupon, reorienta on, and recalibra on of public service delivery. Whether one admired his style or cri qued his methods, one thing is clear: his impact s ll lingers like the echoes of a bell long rung.
One of Aregbesola’s defining traits was his visionary approach. From the outset, he introduced the “Six-Point Integral Acon Plan,” a blueprint aimed at banishing poverty, crea ng jobs, promo ng healthy living, improving educa on, enhancing communal peace, and suppor ng infrastructure. These goals were not mere rhetoric. Under his leadership, Osun saw the implementa on of the OYES scheme (Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme), which directly engaged thousands of unemployed youths, many of whom later transi oned to more stable voca ons or entrepreneurial paths.
His administra on also pioneered the O-MEALS and O-SCHOOLS programmes. Through O-MEALS, public school pupils received daily nutri ous meals—a first in many parts of Nigeria. The O-SCHOOLS ini a ve saw the construc on of modern educa onal infrastructure, with wellequipped classrooms that rivaled those in urban private schools. These innovaons earned Osun State na onal and interna onal recogni on, reshaping how government-led educa on support was perceived.
Aregbesola’s governance style was not without controversy. His decision to restructure the educa onal system—parcularly the reclassifica on of schools— sparked public debates and resistance. Yet, even cri cs acknowledged his cour-
“History will be the ultimate judge of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s legacy. But today, in marketplaces, town halls, and across public service institutions in Osun, his impact is still discussed. His policies have shaped careers, transformed educational landscapes, and redefined civic expectations. His voice, style, and vision remain part of the collective memory”
By MATT OLU
OLOWOKERE
The Aregbesola Legacy: Influence Beyond Tenure
age to a empt sweeping reforms in a conserva ve and tradi on-bound society. He also brought a unique iden ty to governance: Yoruba cultural pride, symbolic uniforms, and slogans like “Igi Iwe…” became part of the Osun polical lexicon. His insistence on indigenous branding and values created a movement-like iden ty around his administra on, one that mobilized loyalty across different demographics, especially the youth.
One area where Aregbesola’s presence s ll looms large is infrastructure.
Roads like the Osogbo-Gbongan dual carriageway and modern school buildings across local governments stand as physical reminders of his tenure. For many residents, these are not just roads or buildings—they are monuments of a me when Osun dared to dream big, even amid economic constraints. His cri cs o en ques oned the sustainability of some projects and the state’s moun ng debts during his era. However, Aregbesola remained undeterred, o en arguing that long-term development requires bold investments and future-oriented risks.
Today, years a er his governorship, Aregbesola remains a reference point in discussions about progressive governance in Nigeria. His subsequent role as Minister of Interior gave him a na onal pla orm where he introduced reforms in passport administra on, correc onal services, and civil security. Yet, his core iden ty remains that of a grassroots mobilizer—a poli cal force shaped by deep engagement with the people.
Even out of office, his influence in Osun’s poli cs is palpable. Loyalists s ll rally behind the “Oranmiyan” iden ty he fostered. His poli cal structure, ideas, and cadres con nue to shape local debates, elec ons, and civic discourse. Whether through the lens of admiraon or cri que, it’s evident that the “Aregbesola factor” is s ll alive in Osun.
History will be the ul mate judge of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s legacy. But today, in marketplaces, town halls, and across public service ins tu ons in Osun, his impact is s ll discussed. His policies have shaped careers, transformed educa onal landscapes, and redefined civic expecta ons. His voice, style, and vision remain part of the collec ve memory.
As Osun con nues its journey under new leadership, the echoes of Aregbesola’s tenure remain—challenging, inspiring, and provoking thought. His influence did not end with the swearingin of his successor; it evolved, becoming a permanent part of the state’s poli cal DNA.
STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above
Democratic Values
LONG years of military rule have impacted heavily and nega vely on almost all aspects of our lives, especially our understanding of democracy and how we prac se it. That, combined with the fact that what we knew in most of Africa before the coming of the Europeans was basically the rule of almighty kings and queens, has discoloured our apprecia on of democracy.
Democracy is popularly defined as government of the people by the people and for the people. However, since all the people can never always agree 100% on any one issue, it is be er redefined as “majority rule,” which is all fair. It is believed that the wishes of the majority should prevail in any given situa on.
We need to imbibe the core values of pu ng together opinions on issues and conceding to the majority wishes right from the family up to poli cal pares, elec on and governance decisions. The burden for those who think their opinion and choices are the best is to try hard to convince the majority of the popula on. Of course, the father is the head of the family but in every cri cal decision about the fortune of the family and the des ny of the children, the best decisions are invariably taken when the opinions of everyone is sought, and the one that believes his or her opinion is be er tries hard, persuasively and convincingly, to get the majority to see the light and agree to that decision. No doubt, there will consequently be peace and progress in such family.
As it should be for the smallest unit
of the society – the family, so it should be with all associa ons and organisaons: the village, the city, the state and the na on at large, not only during elec ons but with all cri cal decisions that can affect the fortune of the community.
Whatever group you belong and however enlightened and smart you think you are, the democra c order demands that issues are tabled among all stakeholders. The du es of the most enlightened and the smartest is to enlighten the majority to see the light and key in. At the extreme ends, the ill-inten oned usually avoid rigorous, all-inclusive debate for selfish and an -people interests while the well-inten oned who are in a hurry usually short-circuit it, for fear that the majority are usually well behind in their apprecia on of new (strange) ideas and policies.
Whereas, the democra c values of consulta on, debate, consensus and the valida on of the will of the majority must be cul vated at all levels, from the family up to all associa ons (trades unions, students unions, cultural and religious associa ons, town and professional associa ons, poli cal par es, governments, etc), it is at the poli cal level that it is inescapably essen al. Unfortunately, it is at the poli cal level that it is mostly relegated, no thanks to the men oned hangovers from military dictatorship and a monarchy past. There are two tendencies that tend to retard our democra c advancement, which is why we forever keep saying our democracy is s ll young, even a er 22 years
of unbroken civilian rule: firstly, sponsored and mischievous popular consensus from well-orchestrated assemblies arriving at what is usually parcelled as “wishes of the people,” and secondly, the wishes of a select clique presented as “consensus” and the “best” for the people. The mass media usually come handy in these opinion manipula ons.
For the survival and progress of democracy, we all owe it a duty to deepen the democra c culture by learning and imbibing democra c values and promo ng them within our various associaons and poli cal par es. It is the absence of these values and prac ces that breed “cabal,” absence of internal party democracy, “imposi on,” and inevitably organisa onal and poli cal party crises and bad governance. As democracy ancipates, there will always be differing opinions and interests within any associa on but the wishes of the majority should always be made to prevail. That way, the minority will clearly see that they are in the minority and will have to put more effort into convincing many more people to tow their way.
Debate, consulta ons, enlightenment, and majority carrying the day should be everyday reali es. We should promote democra c values in all associa ons to the extent they become a way of life. Only then will service be the essence of leadership at all levels, from fatherhood at family level all the way to the Presidency. The alterna ve is to connue to languish in disorderly organisaons amidst destruc ve dissent, and at the highest level, poli cal par es connuing to run “civilian” administra ons that have no semblance of democracy, while we forever deceive ourselves that our democracy is young and evolving.
