Supreme Court Restores David Mark Led ADC Leadership
THE Supreme Court on Thursday restored the David Mark leadership of the African Democra c Congress (ADC).
The apex court in a unanimous judgment vacated the order of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division which directed ADC to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determina on of its leadership crisis.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel headed by Jus ce Mohammed Lawal Garba, held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdic on by unilaterally issuing such an order a er it had already dismissed a case that was brought before it by one of the fac ons.
“Giving such an order in an appeal it had
•Continued on Page 6
and Aregbesola
Michael Bamigbola Yusuf Oketola
Osun Poll: INEC Registers 381,817 Voters
THE Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) has recorded a total of 381,817 fresh registraons at the end of the Con nuous Voter Registra on (CVR) exercise in Osun State.
This was disclosed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Babalola said the commission achieved the figure with the support of stakeholders, par cularly the media, whose contribu ons she described as vital to the success of the exercise.
She commended journalists for their commitment to truth and dedica on to democra c values, no ng that their consistent reportage had strengthened public trust in the electoral process.
“The role of the media is commendable and indispensable to the success of democra c exercises,” she said.
The REC urged media prac oners to intensify efforts in combating misinforma on and disinforma on, stressing that the commission recognises the media as cri cal stakeholders.
She added that INEC remained commi ed to conduc ng credible elec ons in line with the Electoral Act, the Cons tu on, and its operaonal guidelines.
According to her, the commission’s staff are fully prepared to deploy
their experience and exper se towards the successful conduct of the forthcoming governor-
leadership
a free,
inclusive, and transparent elec on on August 15,
2026.
Addressing concerns about vote trading, she stressed that the com-
mission does not engage in buying or selling votes, describing the act as a criminal offence.
“INEC does not sell or buy votes. The sellers and buyers are not INEC. Poli cal par es and stakeholders must ensure voters act according to their conscience,” she said.
She warned that vote buying undermines accountability, no ng that voters who sell their votes cannot hold elected leaders responsible for their ac ons.
The REC disclosed that the commission was working with relevant agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Prac ces and Other Related Offences Commission, to curb the menace.
She also emphasized that sanc ons exist for individuals found guilty of vote buying and selling.
Hope Dim For Sixty-Six OSBC Freelance Staff Two Years After Adeleke’s Pronouncement
Yusuf Oketola
THE 66 freelance staff members of the Osun State Broadcas ng Corpora on (OSBC) face uncertainty despite an earlier direc ve made by Governor Ademola Adeleke that they should be absorbed as full- me workers.
Recall that Governor Adeleke on Thursday, May 23, 2024, publicly pronounced and approved full- me employment for the affected OSBC freelance staff who had for years worked under condions described as casual engagement within the state-owned broadcas ng establishment.
But nearly two years a er the announcement, the direc ve is yet to be
implemented, leaving the affected media workers in prolonged uncertainty despite their con nued contribu ons to the broadcasting sector in the state.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun Council has however expressed concern over the situa on.
The Council, in a state-
ment issued by the Chairman, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin and Secretary, Comrade Lekan Akindoju, maintained that journalists and media workers
Osun Lawmaker Knocks Adeleke After Dumping Accord
Yusuf Oketola
THE member represen ng Iwo State Cons tuency at the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Rabiu Atanda, has thrown a jab at Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing him as a ‘misfit’.
This is as he declared his support for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15
Man Who Attacked Female Police Officers Tracked, Arrested
Bisola Aremu
THE Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected hoodlum captured in a viral video assaul ng female police officers during a rou ne traffic opera on. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the suspect was seen in the widely circulated footage a acking the officers with a s ck and shovel while they were carrying out their lawful du es.
The incident prompted public outrage and prompted swi ac on from law enforcement authori es.
Police authori es
revealed that immediately a er the a ack, a coordinated intelligence-led opera on was launched to track down the suspect.
He reportedly fled Osun State and escaped to Edo State in an a empt to evade arrest but was successfully apprehended.
The Command described the arrest as a clear demonstra on of its commitment to ensuring that acts of violence against security personnel and ci zens do not go unpunished.
It emphasized that assaul ng police officers on duty is a serious criminal offence.
The suspect is cur-
rently in police custody and is expected to be charged in court a er inves ga ons are concluded.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police condemned the incident, describing the a ack as barbaric and unacceptable.
He reassured residents of the Command’s resolve to protect lives and property and urged the public to respect and cooperate with law enforcement officers.
Residents were also advised to remain lawabiding and report any suspicious ac vi es to the nearest police staon.
governorship elec on.
The former ACCORD member accused the Governor of steering the state in the wrong direcon.
The lawmaker described his support for Oyebamiji as a necessary step toward correc ng what he called an execuve misnomer.
“It is important to correct the previous mistake and replace the execu ve misfit with a person of known and tested capacity, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji,” he said.
Atanda said Ademola Adeleke’s administraon was a trial-and-error government that only excelled at nepo sm.
“We have to kick out the trial-and-error administra on in Osun. Iwo should not take a neutral stand — we should lead the change,” he added.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the APC will return to power in Osun State through the mandate of the people, calling on Iwo residents to be part of what he described as a historic engagement.
deserve fair treatment and decent working condi ons, especially considering the cri cal roles the media play in sustaining democracy, public accountability and civic engagement.
The NUJ therefore appealed to Governor Adeleke to urgently fulfil his promise by ensuring the immediate absorp on of the 66 freelance workers of OSBC into the state civil service as full- me staff
The Council stressed that implemen ng the promise would further reinforce the governor’s image as a worker-friendly administrator who is commi ed to fairness, equity, and the welfare of ci zens serving the state in different capaci es.
The NUJ reaffirmed its commitment to the protec on of journalists’ welfare and the advancement of professional standards within the media industry, while expressing op mism that Governor Adeleke would act swi ly on the ma er in the interest of jus ce and fairness.
Meanwhile, Adeleke on Monday approved permanent employment for casual workers of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
That I was formerly known and addressed as ADEYEYE MODUPEORE ADEJOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as ABOLAJI MODUPEORE ADEJOKE All former documents remain valid General public should take note.
ship elec on. Babalola assured residents of the state that INEC under her
would deliver
fair,
Yusuf Oketola
•Atanda
ABOLAJI MODUPEORE ADEJOKE
•Members of African Democratic Congress (ADC) , Osogbo/Olorunda Local Government Areas at their joint meeting held at Kola Balogun area, Osogbo on Wednesday
FRIDAY, MAY 01, 2026
WE must always mes past. The news this week that the United Arab Emirate (UAE) is exci ng. The Organisa on of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) should remind us of the conten ous statement made against the proposal by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1978 during the presiden al elecon campaign that Nigeria should reconsider it membership of OPEC. It kicked a fired storm as opposed to what ought to have a very serious debate. Absurdly, some people began to see it as having a religious imputa on which, is as ridiculous as it can get.
Without a vigorous debate on Chief Awolowo’s posi on,
EAwolowo’s Foresight
•On
made it clear that it is exi ng OPEC on the 1st of May, 2026 the opportunists are not impu ng religious mo ve they will look pre y da if they did.
an opportunity to lay a roadmap for the future must lost. This is the characteris cs of what Nigeria has become. Now that the UAE has
Extrajudicial Killings
MPATHY for the valiant officers of the Nigeria Police Force is high and rightly so. They operate under extremely difficult condi ons: wages are pathe cally low, there is li le to no clear plan for housing or mortgage provision and their pension scheme leaves much to be desired.
A forward-looking government should have long embarked on a holis c reform of the policing system. It must do so now, as the situa on has become deeply troubling.
The con nuing reports of extrajudicial killings implica ng some officers within the system are alarming and widely circulated. Only the most hardened individuals can watch the trending video of the brutality surrounding the killing of a 28year-old man in Delta State without distress.
The officers involved appeared undeterred, even in an era where technology makes it possible for anyone to record such incident.
Frankly, their indifference reveals a dangerous mindset and underscores the urgent need for serious reform.
It is impera ve that this case is not swept under the carpet, as has happened in the past. If previous infracons had been met with proper consequences, this pa ern of recklessness might have been curbed. Jus ce must be swi , transparent and uncompromising.
Reform must begin immediately, star ng with recruitment and selec on processes. These must be strictly merit-based and focused on iden fying the most capable individuals. The entrenched culture of favori sm—commonly expressed as “man-knowman”must come to an end.
The policing system must be professionalized from top to bo om, evolving into a respected career structure similar to fields such as accoun ng, law, and architecture. Modern crime preven on demands
a technologically driven approach. The country must invest in advanced forensic laboratories and ensure the availability of well-trained personnel to manage them. Given the worsening security situa on, Nigeria must decentralize and upgrade its policing framework. The dangers of delay are already evident, and the Na onal Assembly must stop dragging its feet on the implementa on of community policing. The limita ons of a centralized policing system in a mul -ethnic society are well known, and its consequences have been costly.
Reform can no longer be postponed—it is the only viable path to ending this cycle of violence.
We commiserate with the family of the young man and all previous vic ms. Jusce must not only be done, but seen to be done.
The UAE which has been a member of OPEC since 1967 took its decision based on na onal interests driven economic calcula ons. This is how a sovereign state should behave. The decision of the UAE will reverberate across connents for decades to come.
Having postponed rigorous analysis of its parcipa on in OPEC, Nigeria must now work out a response to the new development, we must make econometrics projec on about what the effects will be on our oil industry, future investment in the oil sector, our balance of payment posi on as well as our overall fiscal landscape.
The discourse must be vigorous no holds barred, and as to be data-driven. It could even affect our overall naonal planning and economic strategy.
The analysis must start immediately.
OSUN DEFENDER
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Deputy Editor – Michael Bamigbola
Asst. News Editor – Yusuf Oketola Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com
All correspondence to the above email addresses.
the campaign trail in 1978 Chief Obafemi Awolowo pledged to assess Nigeria continuing participation in OPEC was derisively dismissed. They have to take a fresh look now
FRIDAY, MAY 01, 2026
Advert
Najeem Salaam: A Vision Beyond Ambition
The choice of Dr. Najeem Salaam as the candidate of the African Democra c Congress (ADC) in Osun State is a move towards a prosperous Osun and to reignite grassroots development, writes YUSUF OKETOLA
Ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship elec on, Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam clearly stands above other candidates.
His pedigree and public office records place him as the most qualified to take over Bola Ige house, Abere come November 27.
The vision of Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam for Osun State is not just about ambi on. It is about competence, character and a proven mind ready for the assignment.
It is a vision anchored on a tripod of truth, Omoluabi ethos and transparency.
Salaam is an astute poli cian, vast in administra on and good leadership.
Salaam’s vision for Osun is broad and deliberate. His ideas cut across educa on reform, agricultural modernisa on, healthcare revitalisa on, security, and workers’ welfare.
His aspira on to govern Osun State stems from his passion to serve the people more effec vely.
He has a clear standard and vision for youths empowerment, care for the elderly women and children, security, educa on reform, agricultural transforma on, workers’ welfare and healthcare revitalisa on.
His tenure as a former speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly (2011-2015) witnessed remarkable achievements. The house under his leadership promulgated 32 Bills, made 42 Resolu ons and conducted 4 public Hearings. The laws involved HIV/AIDS, signage and street adver sing, security trust funds and urban renewal.
More so, during his tenure, he oversaw how funds were being allocated for projects and ensured the durability of the projects. There was a me he directed members of the House to supervise the 10klm roads constructed in each of the local governments.
He made sure the execu ve complied with what is specified in the budget and within the context of the project they handled.
Dr. Salaam’s governorship ambion is to restore hope for the common residents of Osun and make sure no one goes to bed unfed.
He is poised to improve the security of the state, roll out programmes to banish and eradicate hunger and poverty, to ensure the children of the haves and have-nots are able to a end the same school, and to close the gap between the rich and the poor.
ADC’s choice of a woman, Mrs Yemisi Agiri, as Salaam’s running
mate, is also both strategic and value-driven.
The choice of Agiri reflects the party’s commitment to inclusive governance, gender balance and broader representa on in leadership.
This is to ensure that women, who cons tute a significant poron of the popula on, are ac vely represented in the decision-making
process.
Salaam, while speaking on the choice, noted that beyond symbolism, the selec on was based on competence and the need to harness diverse perspec ves in governance.
He maintained that empowering women in leadership roles would enhance policy formula on and implementa on, par cularly in ar-
“Dr. Salaam’s governorship ambition is to restore hope for the common residents of Osun and make sure no one goes to bed unfed. He is poised to improve the security of the state, roll out programmes to banish and eradicate hunger and poverty, to ensure the children of the haves and have-nots are able to attend the same school, and to close the gap between the rich and the poor”
eas affec ng families, educa on, healthcare, and social development.
“Our decision to pick a female deputy governorship candidate is inten onal and strategic. It is about inclusion, fairness, and tapping into the immense poten al that women bring to governance,” Salaam said.
He further assured that, if elected, his administra on would run a government that accommodates all segments of society, irrespecve of gender, age, or background, adding that the ADC government would priori se policies that promote equity, development, and collec ve progress across Osun State.
He reaffirmed his commitment to delivering real development and urged party members and the electorate to support ADC in the forthcoming elec on.
FRIDAY, MAY 01, 2026
Osun Govt Settles UNILESA With N3bn, Converts 300 Workers To Permanent Status
Yusuf Oketola
THE Osun State government has approved the payment of over ₦3 billion in outstanding allowances and the conversion of no fewer than 300 temporary staff of the University of Ilesa (UNILESA) to permanent status.
The Vice-Chancellor, Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, disclosed this during a press conference held at the university’s premises in Ilesa on Wednesday.
Professor Asaolu said the interven on, approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke, had restored industrial peace and significantly stabilised the ins tu on’s opera ons.
He added that the university had recorded remarkable transformaon across its academic, infrastructural, and administra ve sectors within three years of its establishment.
According to the vicechancellor, UNILESA, established in April 2023, following the upgrade of the former Osun State College of Educa on, Ilesa, had undergone rapid development.
He described the condi on inherited at incep on as deplorable, marked by dilapidated infrastructure, obsolete fa-
cili es, demoralised staff, and a student popula on of fewer than 1,000.
“The situa on posed serious challenges to our take-off, but today, we have a good story to tell,”
Asaolu said. The vice-chancellor disclosed that the university currently ran 97 academic programmes, all approved by the Naonal Universi es Com-
mission (NUC), covering disciplines such as Law, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Chinese Studies, and Special Educa on.
He noted that 40 of the programmes had already secured full accredita on status, describing the achievement as remarkable for a relavely young ins tu on.
The university has also received approval to commence the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programmes, pending final clearance from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
News
TYusuf Oketola
HE Osun State Government has berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for accusing Governor Ademola Adeleke of selling the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo.
The state government in a statement by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo,
condemned the APC, describing the story as imagina on and an attempt to blackmail the Governor
The Commissioner urged members of the public to fact-check the ownership of the Freedom Park, through the Nigerian Railway Corpora on for the record.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER read:
“The a en on of the
Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Osun State, Rev. Dr. Bunmi Jenyo has been drawn to a frivolous, unfounded and unthinking social media post, that the State government led by Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has sold the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park.
“The asser on is not only ridiculous, it is also
Redeemer’s University Secures Full NUC Accreditation Across Various Programmes
Shola Aderinto
REDEEMER’S University, Ede, Osun State, has recorded an impressive performance in the latest accredita on exercise conducted by the Naonal Universi es Commission (NUC), with the majority of its academic programmes earning full accredita on status.
The results, conveyed in an official communica on to the ViceChancellor of university, Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele and signed by Engr Abraham Chudunsu, Director of Accredita on, on behalf of the Execu ve Secretary of the NUC, Prof Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, followed the NUC’s October/November 2025 na onwide accredita on of academic programmes in Nigerian universi es, carried out in line with statutory provisions guiding minimum aca-
demic standards.
“This outcome highlights Redeemer’s University’s consistent investment in academic infrastructure, faculty development and programme relevance, posi oning it as a compe ve player within Nigeria’s higher educa on landscape,” the vice-chancellor noted.
He described the results as a testament to strategic leadership and a reaffirma on of Redeemer’s University’s mission to deliver globally compe ve educa on.
According to the report, several key programmes in Redeemer’s University across its facul es a ained full accredita on, underscoring the ins tu on’s sustained commitment to academic excellence, quality assurance, and adherence to NUC standards.
In the Faculty of Management Sciences,
Actuarial Science, Marke ng and Public Administra on all secured full accredita on.
Similarly, in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, flagship programmes including Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing Science, and Physiotherapy were fully accredited, while Public Health received interim status.
The Faculty of Humani es also recorded success, with English and Philosophy both earning full accreditaon.
The newest faculty, the Faculty of Computing and Digital Technology, the Cyber Security and Informa on Technology programmes were fully accredited, reflec ng the university’s growing strength in digital and technologydriven disciplines.
Further reinforcing its academic depth, the ins tu on achieved full accredita on in
Environmental Management and Toxicology, Industrial Mathema cs and Computer Science, and Sta scs and Data Science within the Faculty of Science.
In the Faculty of Built Environment, Building Technology and Urban and Regional Planning were likewise fully accredited.
The Faculty of Social Sciences programmes also performed strongly, with Psychology and Social Work a aining full accredita on status.
The NUC noted that full accredita on status is valid for a period of five years, signifying that the programmes have met all required standards in terms of curriculum, staffing, facili es, and overall academic delivery.
Redeemer’s University Secures Full NUC Accredita on Across Various Programmes
“This posi ons us strategically in medical educa on and healthcare delivery,” he said.
On Faculty of Technology, Land Recovery, he said as part of its expansion efforts, the university has established a Faculty of Technology with programmes in Civil, Computer, Electrical,
and Mechatronics Engineering. The ins tu on also reclaimed 15 acres of land previously occupied by housing units built by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and acquired 24 units on the site, which would serve as the faculty’s base.
Osun Govt Denies Selling Freedom Park
barbaric. It is indeed the figment of imagina on of the enemy of Osun State, who have failed in their many a empts to blackmail, malign and disrepute the personality and good governance of the State Governor, especially in the economic sector.
“The opposi on All Progressives Congress (APC) with no blueprint, agenda or ideas about effec ve governance should, ordinarily be ignored but this is to set the record straight, once and for all.
“The Nelson Mandela Freedom Park sits on the landed property of the Federal Government, Nigerian Railway Corpora on (NRC), but developed by the government of Osun State under Ogbeni Rauf Ar-
egbesola, mainly for the purpose of Urban Renewal.
“Any interested member of the public can fact-check the ownership of the Freedom Park, through the Nigerian Railway Corporaon, for the record.
“So, if some people, who are bere of ideas about issue-based campaigns, decency and good governance, are now making laughable allega ons, they should be totally ignored.
“It is abundantly clear to the public, especially the good people of Osun State that Governor Adeleke is running his government with the fear of GOD, integrity, passion and dedica on to the transforma on of lives of the ci zens.”
Two Months After Rainstorm Disaster, Osun Police Barracks Remain In Ruins
Our Reporter
ALMOST two months
a er a downpour that wreaked havoc in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, some vic ms of the disaster are yet to get over the effects of the downpour that rendered them homeless.
The rainstorm which blew roofs of many buildings also cased havoc in many parts of Osogbo, even as casual es were recorded in some places, with one person confirmed dead.
Mostly affected by the disaster were commercial centres, private residen al buildings and public facilies among others.
While many of the buildings affected by the storm that accompanied the downpour had been rehabilitated, some public facili es affected by the rainstorm are yet to be rehabilitated by the government.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the barracks of the Osun State command of the Nigeria Police Force which was badly affected by the rainstorm is yet to be repaired.
The rainstorm had blown the roof of the three stories building that house some officers of the state police command and members of their families and nothing has since been done to rehabilate the building.
It was gathered that the residents of the building who are mainly officers of the state police command have relocated to other places as a result of the incident, while occupants of parts not affected by the rainstorm remain in the building.
Unconfirmed sources
informed this medium that the occupants of the affected building were asked to pay between #20,000 and #60,000 to carry out the rehabilita on work.
The sources hinted that those who live in the grand floor and the first floor were asked to pay the sum of #20,000, while those who live in the last floor are to pay the sum of #60,000.
Already, each occupant of the building had paid #10,000 for reconnec on of electricity to the building.
However, another source told this medium that the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed that no occupant of the building should pay any money for the rehabilita on work.
Late Oginni For Burial Tomorrow
LATE Chief Isaac Oluwole Oginni will tomorrow, May, 2, 2026 be buried in Ilesa, Osun State, OSUN DEFENDER reports.
Chief Oginni died at the age of 78.
He was born on March 29, 1948 in Ikare, Ondo State into a family dis nguished by enterprise, discipline and strong community values.
He was born to Chief Olawale Daniel Oginni, a renowned and highly successful cocoa merchant and businessman, and Madam Florence Orangun Oginni, a well-respected and accomplished kolanut trader, fondly known as Iya Olobi.
From his early years, he was immersed in a culture of hard work, integrity and commercial excellence that would later define his life’s journey.
Late Oginni started his secondary school educa-
Supreme Court Restores David Mark...
•Continued from page 1
already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” the Supreme Court held.
Also, the court held that the appeal that was filed before it by Senator David Mark succeeded in part, even as it dismissed the aspect that challenged an ex parte order the Federal High Court made for service of processes in the suit filed by aggrieved members of the party.
The apex court also directed the fac ons to return to the trial court for con nua on of
hearing of the case.
Recall that the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) had removed the names of the Na onal Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark and the Na onal Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from its portal and website, ci ng the Court of Appeal judgment.
The electoral body said it would, in line with the order for maintenance of the status quo ante bellum, not recognize any of the warring fac ons un l the legal dispute is determined.
onal journey at St. Charles College, Osogbo (1961–1964) before proceeding to Victory College, Ikare-Akoko (1965–1968), where he obtained his Higher School Cer ficate.
Following his secondary educa on, he moved to Lagos in search of work opportuni es and worked while awai ng admission into university.
His determina on soon paid off when he gained admission into the University of Ibadan in 1970, where he studied Sociology and Anthropology. He later graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Sociology.
Upon comple on of his studies, he par cipated in the mandatory Na onal Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and was posted to Kaduna State, where he served as a teacher for one year.
A er his na onal youth service year, he returned to Lagos to begin his professional career.
Chief Isaac Oluwole Oginni in his life me was an
astute, visionary and highly accomplished businessman. He made a significant mark in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector, par cularly in the cocoa beans export industry.
As Chairman of Bolawole Enterprises Nigeria Limited, a leading non-oil export commodity and agro allied company, he played a pivotal role in expanding Nigeria’s footprint in interna onal agricultural trade. Under his leadership, the company became a highly respected name both locally and interna onally, contribu ng to the growth and recogni on of Nigeria’s export poten al beyond oil.
NO fewer than 2,000 people spread across the 10 Local Government Areas of Osun State were on Thursday presented with different working tools and gi s by the Olusegun Elijah Olasunkanmi Founda on.
The event which attracted the presence of chie ains of the Accord Party including the state chairman of the party, Pastor Victor Akande also had prominent poli cians and
How Lack Of Govt Intervention Forced Osun
Community To Fix Farm-Road
THE absence of government presence in Imesi-Ile, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State has forced the community to resort to self help over the deplorable condi on of roads leading to farms in the area.
According to sources in the community, roads leading to farms were in a bad state before the intervenon of the Imesi-Ile Progressives Associa on (IPA), led by Barrister Olusola Agbeluyi and the tradi onal ruler of Imesi-Ile, Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi.
The roads were graded with funds raised by IDA
through dona ons from various compounds in the town.
Prior to the grading, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that farmers in the area were facing difficulty in transpor ng their farm produce to the markets, a situa on contribu ng to hike in food prices.
Lending his voice to the situa on, a resident of the town, Kehinde Sule appealed to the state government to take up the construc on of inner roads and the one leading to farms to ease movement of farmers.
government func onaries in a endance.
Beneficiaries of the gesture who were drawn from all the 10 Local Government Areas that make up Osun central senatorial district, were sponsored in various vocaonal trainings including, pain ng, soap making, tye and dye, hairdressing and barbing among others and were given money to start their various businesses.
Speaking, the state chairman of Accord Party, Pastor Akande lauded the ini a ve of the chairman of the founda on who he said had invested heavily on the beneficiaries of the gesture.
“Before now, we did have a government presence but the case is different now. Prices of food will come down when we have these farm-roads fixed. We should not be neglected like this,” Sule said.
Recall that residents of Ikoyi in Isokan local government area of the state have cried out over alleged marginalisa on and lack of development in the town. They warned poli cal par es against coming to the community to campaign ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship elecon in the state.
“We want to appeal to the Osun State Government to come to our aid in fixing some of these roads in Imesi-Ile. The community has been helping itself. The grading was done by IDA in collabora on with our monarch, Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi.
Akande who hailed the ini a ve of the Olusegun Elijah Olasunkanmi Founda on, enjoined beneficiaries of the gesture to make judicious use of the items presented to them.
The chairman of the founda on who is aspiring to contest the senatorial elec on in Osun central senatorial district said his desire to empower the people was borne out of his love for the masses.
He charged all the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme to make good use of the items presented to them and use them diligently to develop their businesses.
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
Michael Bamigbola
•Late Oginni
• Osun State chairman of the Accord Party, Pastor Victor Akande (r), National Vice chairman (South West), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kamarudeen Ajisafe (m), Osun State Secretary of the PDP, Prince Bola Ajao (L)
•Osun State Police Command barracks, located at Okefia, Osogbo.
THE rela onship between the Ọginni and Arẹgbẹsọla families is a familiar phenomenon among the Yoruba, yet it remains unique nonetheless. Both families are Ijẹsa from Ilesa and were neighbours in faraway Ikarẹ-Akoko, yet we are en rely unrelated by blood.
As children, we grew up discovering and knowing one another only as relaves. Just as the elders in the Arẹgbẹsọla household—Yekeen, Jimoh, Razaq, Risiquat, Wasilah, and Lateefah—are Buọda or An to everyone, so were Ayo, Olu, and Sunday in the Ọginni household.
We shared an amazing childhood within our expansive compounds, which sat side-by-side on Jubilee Road, opposite the extended sec on of Victory College, Ikarẹ-Akoko. We lacked no modern ameni es: piped water, electricity, wide forecourts, huge backyards, and many rooms. Such was the life we experienced in the 1960s and 1970s in IkarẹAkoko, Western Nigeria.
Buọda Olu Ọginni was an integral part of that experience — one that was idyllic, surreal, and enchan ng. He was a senior elder, having already advanced to high school by the me I was star ng elementary school. Whenever those seniors returned home for the holidays, we juniors had a wonderful me in their company, being pampered with candies, cartoons, and stories of life beyond our small world.
I developed a par cularly close bond with two of
“Buoda Olu Oginni was an integral part of that experience — one that was idyllic, surreal, and enchanting. He was a senior elder, having already advanced to high school by the time I was starting elementary school”
Sun Re, Egbon Mi Atata: Buoda Olu TRIBUTE
By
Rauf Aregbesola
these seniors: Buọda Jimoh Arẹgbẹsọla and Buọda Olu Ọginni. Painfully, both have now transi oned to eter-
Anity—Jimoh first, and now Olu. While Buọda Jimoh inspired my ideology, Buọda Olu inspired my social consciousness. Both played remarkable roles in shaping the person I became.
As we mourn the transion of Buọda Olu Ọginni, we pray for the repose of his soul and a reawakening to joyful ac vi es on the other side. We also remember to pray for the strength and wellness of those of us le behind.
Sun Re Ọmọ Ọginni, Ọginni Fin ni, Ibọn rẹ Fin ni,
“I developed a particularly close bond with two of these seniors: Buoda Jimoh Aregbesola and Buoda Olu Oginni. Painfully, both have now transitioned to eternity—Jimoh first, and now Olu. While Buoda Jimoh inspired my ideology, Buoda Olu inspired my social consciousness. Both played remarkable roles in shaping the person I became”
A bi ta oko, Irun bi Alubọsa.
O di gbere.
Power is Responsibility
Ọgbẹni Rauf Arẹgbẹsọla
Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above
great na on needs good people. The defini on of a good person is easy: a person who will do to his/ her neighbours as he/she wants them to do unto him/her, and who would not do unto them as he/she wouldn’t want. This is the soul of the 10 Commandments, all the way through to Sharia and the millions of laws, civil and criminal codes that we are stuck with today. From just 10 Commandments by God to millions of laws by man the world is as unsafe as the me of Cain and Abel!
A good fellow will never covet or take what belongs to others – their valuables and their lives – much as he or she will not love other to take his or hers. However, yonder stands Lucifer “with his mean and hungry looks,” along with his mul tude of followers, in u er disobedience of God’s commandments! They are the reasons why man has mul plied God’s commandments a thousand fold. From civil crimes to arson, murder and treason, laws are made to take care of them. It is the founda on of civilisa on, rule of law and democracy.
The degree to which ci zens live in obedience to the rule of law, and punish infrac ons promptly and impar ally, is directly propor onal to the degree of peace and prosperity experienced by society. Laws are made to be obeyed, irrespec ve of forms of government. It is popular struggle that purifies poli cal and jus ce systems. A me was when apartheid was legal, when slavery was legal and colonisaon was legal. 70 years ago, black peo-
Unpunished Crime Is Enemy Of Democracy
ple could not vote in America despite the Declara on of Independence that “all men are created equal.” Ci zens have the courts available to challenge laws they feel are unjust and fight ll a more just system is obtained. However, once stabilised for every season, the role of government and the judicial system is to ensure speedy dispensa on of jus ce based on the Cons tu on – the rule of law.
Nigeria’s history of Cons tu onal and legal evolu on is as old as its age. There are many areas crying for review and improvement but there are several se led civil and criminal posi ons, older even than Nigeria and as old as humanity and the 10 Commandments. Today, no one is in doubt about the law’s posi on on rape, the , arson, armed robbery, murder, fraud, kidnapping and terrorism. Why then are we helplessly overwhelmed today by relentless assault with these men oned vices?
Although Hannah Arendt said “no punishment has ever possessed enough power of deterrence to prevent the commission of crimes,” which is a clear recogni on of the power of the devil as men oned earlier, any elite in government, however weak and in moral deficit, must s ll mind Joseph Story’s words, that “without jus ce being freely, fully and impar ally administered, neither our persons, nor our rights, nor our proper es, can be protected. And if these, or either of them, are regulated
by no certain laws, and are subject to no certain principles, and are held by no certain tenure, and are redressed, when violated, by no certain remedies, society fails of all its values; and men may as well return to a state of savage and barbarous independence.” A state we are rapidly sliding into in Nigeria but must twice as rapidly retreat from.
The solu on lies in the courage of the best of our elites, few as they are, especially the top echelon of the judiciary, to set a powerful new tone, with powerful new examples. The laws available are more than enough to serve them in a Nigeria era when it seems like it is a crime to punish big crimes! “The Cons tu on is what the judges say it is,” said Charles Evans Hughes; and Andrew Johnson said “All the rights secured to the ci zens under the cons tu on are worth nothing, and are mere bubbles, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous judiciary.”
Self-help and jungle jus ce are symptoma c of a failing policing and jus ce system in which majority no longer have confidence because of a litany of unpunished crimes commi ed in full public glare (indisputable examples too many to men on here) - a clear danger to order, rule of law and democracy; a recipe for anarchy. The restora on of Nigeria needs many medicines: a major one is a resurrected judiciary, encouraged by elites fully aware of the mes and the scope of their historic mission.
STRIKER