Osun Defender Online Version Of October 26, 2018

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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VOL. 013. NO.40

Crisis Rocks Osun Accord Party

ISSN: 0794-8050

N100

INTERACTIONS

‘Media Ownership Dictated By Unprofessionalism Create Bottleneck’

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PAGE 11

•Mr Wale Idowu, Retired OSBC DG

NEWS

Owoeye Alleged Kidnapping:

•State Exco Divided Over Chairman’s Removal Trial Of Suspects MAGAZINE VOX POP

PAGE 5& PAGE 7 6

Healthcare In Osun: Issues And Complaints Against Health Workers’ Attitude VOX POP

Buhari Or Atiku, Who Will Be A Better President?

PAGE 7

Shifts To High Court PAGE 3 UPCOMING EVENT

The Glory Baptist Church, Osogbo would on Sunday hold its 2018 Choir Anniversary.

Slated to hold at the Church Auditorium, located at 5, Mathew Ajala Street, Behind OgoOluwa Filling Station, Osogbo, Osun State Capital, the programme has been scheduled to start by 10 am.

UPCOMING EVENT

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NEWS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

Crisis Rocks Osun Accord Party •State Exco Divided Over Chairman’s Removal

By Solomon Odeniyi As the 2019 general elections approache, the State of Osun chapter of the Accord Party is ridden in crisis which is likely to affect the chances of the party’s candidates across the state.

Investigation showed supported his removal that the House of while five believed to be R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s loyal to him bicker on candidate for Ife Federal this.

The situation, the Constituency, who is also the state party Chairman, medium learnt, has led to factionalisation within Hon Olusegun Fanibe, is at the centre of the crisis the party with a side as majority of the state calling for the chairman’s executive committee resignation.

The National passed a vote of no secretariat and the confidence on him.

Of the 16 executive Southwest coordinator of members making the the party have been state working committee written to broker peace 11 were said to have between the warring

parties.

Checks showed that the crisis began weeks before the Osun governorship election and was part of the reason the party had a dismal showing at the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state.

The embattled chairman was alleged to have imposed the candidature of Pastor Pade Okunola on members of the party among other gross misconduct leading to his suspension and was served a letter to that effect with an option to

clear the air on the allegations against him.

A source within the party told OSUN DEFENDER that Fanibe never responded either in written or oral form or attended a meeting where the issues would have been addressed.

This, according to the source contravenes the provisions of Article 17 section 179 (c) of the Accord party constitution.

The source said, “Fanibe was suspended on the September 18, 2018 for one month by members of the state executives. We alleged

•Scene of an accident involving a trailer and a Toyota Camry Car at Ola Iya roundabout, Osogbo, Osun State capital on Tuesday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI

Massive Roads Rehabilitation Commences In Ile - Ife

By Kehinde Ayantunji Massive roads rehabilitation has commenced in Ile-Ife few weeks after the conclusion of the Governorship Election in the state where the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola was declared winner.

The dilapidated roads and other major aspect of which include, Mayfair- the city.

Mr Samson Adelere, Lagere, Sabo, Aladanla, Opa and others have one of the project supervisor said the been in a state of disrepair for over 10 rehabilitation of the roads years as successive was approved by the governments have federal government and facilitated by Senator abandoned it.

The bad roads had Iyiola Omisore as part of always experience their bargain for his flooding during heavy support during the just re-run rainfall in the areas, concluded leaving in its trail, election.

However, residents flooded streets, houses, churches, shops and and business owners in area have markets, and the occasionally results to commended the federal government for huge economic loss. the When our commencing correspondent visited Ile rehabilitation of the road – Ife, during the week, it and pleaded for strict was observed that the monitoring of the project rehabilitation of the road to ensure quality work commenced at Mayfair and timely completion.

An electronic and extended to Lagere

appliance dealer, Charles Onyeaku, who lamented the deplorable condition of the roads urged concerned authorities to ensure the completion of the rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, Senator Omisore in a surprise visit last week inspected

the roads projects and assured the people of IleIfe that the road rehabilitation would be completed.

Omisore while addressing the people said his alliance with APC to defeat PDP is not a personal thing rather in the general interest of the state.

him of being selfcentered, administrative high handedness, f i n a n c i a l misappropriation of parties’ fund, especially the N4.5million he collected from the three governorship aspirants, conversion of party’s property to personal use, factionalisation of the party and many more. He didn’t respond to the allegations leveled against him neither did he resign.

“He didn’t even call a meeting where the allegations could be responded to. We had another meeting on October 6 within the confines of the law which was headed by the acting chairman, Ayo Adeyemi where we decide that he must leave. The National body is privy to this.

They asked both parties to put our grieve in writing. We’ve done that and we are expecting a reply. It’s not a matter of witch-hunt. We hold nothing against him. We are peace loving people in the party”.

The source added that the crisis took another twist after Fanibe declared himself as the party’s standard bearer for Ife federal constituency in the 2019 general elections.

He was also accused of not resigning his current position as the chairman before contesting as directed by the party’s constitution.

The aggrieved faction are imploring that to save the party which was on the cusp of collapse, a new chairman must be brought on board, insisting that for the party to have a m e a n i n g f u l restructuring, ‘Fanipe must go’.

The group also threatened to write INEC to disqualify him if he insists to remain the party chairman.

However, Fanibe said his offence was not allowing the aggrieved persons to market the party for money in the

last election, insisting that there is peace in the party.

Fanibe said, “All they said were lies. I never imposed anyone on them, the primary we had was witnessed by INEC, security agents as well as the media and was considered as one of the most fairest. It was an open ballot. The only reason they are lamenting was because I refused to let the party structure to be hijacked.

Those people received money from one of the major parties to field a particular candidate to contest in our party so that they can hijack it, but unfortunately people voted for Okunola.

“I won’t allow them tamper with my good name. I financed the structure of the party in the state with my personal money. I raised the party from ground zero. They do not have a single office in the whole of Osun when I came.

How would I have brought down the house I built?

They are saboteurs. “ He noted that due process was followed before picking the party ticket to contest the Ife House of Representatives seat, citing it as the reason the issue was reingnited.

“Do you know why they are doing this, they know I am contesting again. They are being used by my opponent because they know I am the candidate to beat in that constituency. I was the only one that contested from my constituency in the party and we had a primary at Ile-Ife supervised by the representative of the National body, Southwest chairman and INEC”, Fanibe said.

The Southwest chairman, Alhaji Dokun Babarinde pleaded with our reporter that he would not liked to be dragged into “any rubbish”, urging the reporter to go after the truth.

Soldiers Harass Shop Attendant In Osogbo

By Sikiru Obarayese Four newly-recruited Soldiers were arrested on Tuesday for beating a shop waiter on the allegation that he took their pictures while in quarrel with a business man at Station road Osogbo, It was gathered that for a new TV of which the trouble ensued when the price is higher than the soldiers, who were in returned one.

Semiu said that he had uniform came to a shop to return a plasma TV told the buyer to repair the TV for N7000 and he which one of their friends bought since March this has not seen him since their last discussion and year. surfaced on The shop owner, later Semiu Kolapo who sold Tuesday with his soldiers friends for a new TV. the television explained When the argument that he was surprised when the soldiers came ensued, Semiu said that he just saw one of the in to his shop requesting

soldiers went to the next shop and started beating the waiter at the shop.

While speaking with the shop waiter, Asimolowo Adewuyi, he described the incident has unexpected, explaining that he was making a call when the soldiers started punching him.

He said the soldiers were claiming he was snapping them, “of which I was making a call, and I don’t even know what they are discussing at that shop.”

Semiu added that he called the attention of

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police authority to intervene and the matter was taken to Dugbe Police station for settlement.

He said that police confirmed the identity of the soldiers as new recruits and later released them after the matter has been settled.

He recounted that the same incident had happened in the same area last week where soldiers attacked a shop owner for not accepting the return of goods a brother to one of them bought a long time before then.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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Owoeye’s Alleged Kidnapping: Trial Of Suspects Shifts To High Court

By Aishat Oyebamiji Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara of an Osogbo magistrate court has granted the application of the state government to arraign the suspects alleged of kidnapping and defrauding the Majority Leader of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye at the federal high court, Osogbo.

The state counsel, Mr. Moses Faremi prayed the court to grant the society at large.

The defense counsel, adjournment for the prosecution to take the Mr. Kazeem Badmus suspects to the prayed the court to strike out the charge against the appropriate court.

Faremi said the charge accused persons in order against the suspects is an for the accused persons to advance level of criminal stand their trial from case and it would not their various houses.

He added that the sound well if they were discharged and allowed accused persons were not at the to be roaming around arraigned appropriate court and streets. since the prosecution is He submitted that they are urging the charging them to a honourable court to grant different court, the their prayer, because he charges ought to be believes that justice is in struck out.

However, the three folds, one for the complainant, the second magistrate, Mr. Olusegun is for the accused persons Ayilara granted the and the third is for the prayer of the state

counsel; he added that striking out the charges is not in the interest of the suspects, especially as attempts have been made on their lives before.

Olusegun stressed that there had been serious issues from the case of the accused persons, on two occasions, where he had to escape from his

chamber because of the commotion in the court premises.

On another occasion, he recalled that the security of the court had to be beefed up because of the case and the life of the accused persons.

“It is of this reasons that I would not strike out the charges, I would

take my strength from section 236(3) of the criminal procedures laws of Osun state Nigeria, 2003 to remand the suspects in prison, whether the case was is by me or not, until they are arraigned in the appropriate court, he said.

“Therefore the

application for striking out the case is refused and the application for adjournment is hereby granted. The accused persons are to be remanded in prison custody till the adjourn date”.

He later adjourned the case till November 7, 2018 for mention.

institutions.

To prevent and fight corruption, she opined that there is need to demand for accountability and challenge corruption, in all sectors of governance.

She also emphasised that women should be voice for others, especially those at the grassroot, while the various institutions and systems should create enabling environment for women to challenge accountability.

In his own contribution at the workshop, Dr Kehinde Olayode of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife said that there is corruption in Nigeria and the government had been using it as a political instrument to hold the country.

He stated further that the recent negotiation of the Federal Government with the abductors of Dapchi girls, whereby money exchange hands with insurgent group, revealed that people in government benefited from the gesture.

Dr Olayode said except there is a restructure of the state and the country truely true federalism, fight against corruption

will continually be a mirage.

He was of the opinion that political corruption is endemic and systemic in Nigeria.

Another speaker at the workshop, Dr Iyabo Bashir delved on “Gender and Corruption in Nigeria” and said men and women defines corruption differently as women tends to see it as a moral issue, whereas men see it as a legal issue.

In her summation, corruption thrives where there are institutional lapses, weak justice system and space for discourse.

To stem the tides of corruption in Nigeria participants were of the opinions that crusade against corruption must be championed by each family, society and the nation at large.

It was also agreed that poverty must be stamped out of the society, if the war against corruption must be won.

The participants agreed that while there is need to strengthen the institutional system, remove obsolete laws, demand transparency and accountability from those in government, there must be stringent punishment for those found committing the act.

The workshop also sought to make women identify corruption practices, not engaging in it, forms groups to fight it in all entity as they are at the receiving ends of negative effects of corruption in society and the nation at large.

Various women participant from Women Associations in the state include Women in Farming, Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Women in Christian Association of Nigerian, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Women In Politics and Association of market women in the state.

Women Resolve To Lead Fight Against Corruption

By Sola Jacobs Some groups of women have resolved to take lead role in the fight against corruption, as it has negative effects on their general well-being. of the This was the resolution Director of women from various organisation, Dr Abiola associations in the state of Akiode, corruption is a which Osun at a two-day phenomenon workshop organised by promotes conflict and the Women Advocates prevent better growth and Research and services.

She stated further that Documentation Centre (WARDC) in Osogbo, the the workshop seeks to change corrupt tendencies State capital.

According to the which had permeated all

•(L-R) General Manager, System, Engineer Shehu Abba-Aliyu; Head Independent System Operation, Engineer Maman Lawal and Engineer A.O Sosande during the opening ceremony of the Engineers Development ProgrammeModul 1 by Transmission Company of Nigeria at Leisures Spring Hotel, Osogbo. Photo: BLESSING OYEWUSI

Osun Monarch Debunks Purported Planned Dethronement

Aragbiji of Iragbiji in Osun State, Oba Abdurasheed Ayotunde Olabomi has debunked his purported planned dethronement. deserved to be dethroned.

This was in reaction to But Oba Olabomi while the comment by one reacting explained that, ‘Prince Tunde Olawale’ “Iragbiji remains very over claims of instigating peaceful, convivial , and religious crisis and happy community without flaunting the royal stool an iota of perceived crisis. tradition by the monarch.

Relationship between The monarch made his various groups , interest position known during a and segments of the briefing with journalists in community have been his palace in Iragbiji, most cordial more so with Boripe Local Government the election of our son, area of Osun.

Isiaka Oyetola as the It would be recalled that Governor of Osun.”

Olawale, popular called “Neither Tunde Dansaki was reported to Olawale nor his Counsel have called on have locus to speak for stakeholders in the state to either the community, the rise up and forestall the Muslim nor traditionalists imminent crisis in the town.

AJIBOBOLA REBECCA In a letter by his lawyer, BUKUNMI Abioye Kunle Charles, That I was formerly Olawale said the Aragbiji known and addressed as needs to be cautioned before he causes religious AJIBOBOLA BECKY BUKUNMI, but now wish crisis in the town.

Olawale while to be known and addressed as AJIBOBOLA addressing journalists explained that the REBECCA BUKUNMI. monarch has gone against All former documents the dictate of culture by remain valid. Polaris Bank vacating the palace for his and General public should personal residence and take note.

who they profess to be speaking for, infact, they are mere “ charlatans “ and Tunde is an ordinary member of Iragbiji community where he does not have knowledge of its structure and governance. “ “Tunde Olawale is not a true member any of the four Ruling houses of Ajibode , Ogunmolu , Osungbemi and Arowodoye. However, because of his failed attempt to mischievously and surreptitiously present himself as a prince, he has successfully fed his Counsel with enough morsel of falsehood which the lawyer also cheaply

swallowed. Perhaps, the lawyer is not busy or they have similar character traits.”

“There is not single shrine in the Aragbiji palace, and if Olawale or his Counsel know of any, they should point it out.

Besides, I do not know either Olawale or his Counsel as accredited members of any known shrine or traditional religion even, the Counsel is not a member of Iragbiji community. So, they are mere busy body who do not have locus to lodge any complaint for or on behalf of any traditionalist.

Rather, a section of traditionalists, the Ifa

MRS. IBITOYE OLUFUNKE AJOKE

MRS. OWOADE NAFISAT BOLANLE

That I was formerly known and addressed as MRS. AKANDE OLUFUNKE AJOKE, but now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IBITOYE OLUFUNKE AJOKE. All former documents remain valid.

Stanbic Pension and General public should take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as MISS. BADARU NAFISAT BOLANLE, but now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OWOADE NAFISAT BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

priests came to celebrate their annual Ifa festival in the palace on Thursday October 18, 2018 with the Aragbiji and his chiefs receiving them warmly while others have paid them warm homage within the past one week with prayers for the Aragbiji. The relationship have been very cordial “ “Another section of the threat has to do with the alleged crisis with the Muslim faithful. It is a fact that Olawale is a Christian and all he is set out to do is to brew discord between the Muslims and Christians and disrupt the existing very cordial relationship within the various groups who never have iota of conflict .”

MRS. BOLAJI AISHAT OLAITAN

That I was formerly known and addressed as MISS. ABDULFATAI AISHAT OLAITAN, but now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. BOLAJI AISHAT OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

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ADEKUNLE KAFAYAT KEHINDE That I was formerly known and addressed as ADEKUNLE KEHINDE TITILOPE, With My Former Date of Birth, 9th Day of September, 1985 but now wish to be known and addressed as ADEKUNLE KAFAYAT KEHINDE, With My Correct Date of Birth, 9th Day of September, 1990. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and General public should take note.

ISSUES & POLICY 4 Facing The Future

PAGE

the aim of giving President The choice of Alhaji Buhari a big win in the state Gboyega Oyetola as the next in the presidential election governor of the state by the and empowering Alhaji electorate is inspired choice.

Oyetola with a solid It ensures that a seasoned legislative majority to pilot technocrat will pilot the the continuity agenda. deepening of a well thought For this reason, everyone out program which has must put the party above driven positive change for the benefit of the majority. personal interests and Starting on a good foot, factional agendas. The Oyetola has already election has been won and sensibly pointed out that the lost. It is not so much in our emphasis will be on character to quickly accept participation and defeats giving the judiciary inclusiveness. This is and legal practitioners some important. He however jobs to do, a situation where needs the tools to achieve the latter smile to the bank his objectives. case won or lost. But any In a democracy, this means discerning member of the obtaining a majority in the public knows that Oyetola is legislature. The projections right man for the job. This is done by this newspaper in where we urge all patriotic last week’s edition indicates citizens to put partisan aside and a clear majority in the state of Osun encumbering discords arising out of the house of assembly for the All primaries must be set aside. A united support this continuity government Progressive Congress (APC). From our party must go into the next election with which has proven to be a government for all irrespective of party data driven projection, the loyalty. This call is not about APC is on course to obtain the APC or the coming eighteen out of the twenty governor, but about Osun in five seats, a comfortable general. We all have a stake in majority. There should it not to allow the ship to sink. however be no complacency If we do, we will all be affected or a false sense of security. and have ourselves to blame.

A harmonious relationship The future beckons. with the legislature is important, this is why all

A harmonious relationship with the legislature is important, this is why all encumbering discords arising out of the primaries must be set aside.

Violence Against Women Must Stop Now Violence against women is a phenomenon that is common around us. Violence means any action that involves shouting, fighting, killing and all sort of difficult thing around us.

Violence against women in politics is also another trend that is becoming order of the day. Women are used as a means to an end by their male counterpart only to be denied access to political power through the use of political thuggery thereby discouraging women from wanting to participate in political process.

The rate of violence against women is becoming alarming especially girls and young women both at the home front and work places.

At home, some husbands have thrown

caution into the wind and believe that a woman is second hand citizen to be treated anyhow without consequences, hence increase in the rate of domestic violence in various communities in

the country and even among elites.

This violence against women has different category, but the most prevalent around us is beating of wives, tearing their cloth making them feel ashamed of themselves. Women needs a lot of attention, they are worth more than a gold, they are not

just a commodity a man can use and dump into a dustbin.

There are many issues that ordinarily should not lead to argument or disagreement among couples that these days truncate marriages and

sometimes death among couples.

In some countries now women are used as a commodity to satisfy the need of men, especially where there is war and crisis. Women do not deserve such treatment, instead they should be giving a lot of care and acceptance from anybody. Violence has

become something that is common among teenage boys, they gather themselves and rape ladies, beat them up and make them feel as if they are not human.

Violence against women has to stop and it has to be put to an end.

Women are been treated as slaves and this is not suppose to be. In some aspect, they will say a woman does not worth some public post, is this a taboo or what in the twenty first century?

Woman deserve more than what a man deserve, there is nothing too much for women as long as they want it, they can work towards it and it will be theirs. Violence against women is a bad behaviour and it has to stop and it has to be now.

•KHADIJAH ABDULLAH Kaduna.

OSUN DEFENDER Publisher

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MAGAZINE FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

Healthcare In Osun:

Issues And Complaints Against Health Workers’ Attitude Despite government’s efforts and its investment to ensure sound healthcare delivery system in the State of Osun, the complaints of lackadaisical attitude against health workers across the state are on the high side and seem to have been causing setback in the sector. FRANCIS EZEDIUNO and SIKIRU OBARAYESE consider the factors that have been causing issues in the healthcare delivery system of recent.

The primary health care centre is a grassroots approach to provide health care services to communities. In Nigeria, it was established through the launching of the Primary Health Care plan in the National Policy of 1988 as the cornerstone of the Nigerian health system as part of efforts to improve equity in access and utilization of basic health care.

It was intended to: improve the collection and monitoring of health data in Nigeria; ensure the availability of essential drugs in all areas of the country; guarantee the implementation of an Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) across the country; boost the promotion of health awareness; aid the development of the national family health programme and improve nutrition standards throughout the country.

In 1992, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) was established to ensure that the PHC agenda is continued and sustained.

In Osun State, the case of health care delivery has been declining of recent.

This is so not because the government has failed to do the needful, but because there are issues of absence of medical personnel at work, lack of enough medical equipments, consumables, shabby services by personnel, lack of courtesy from health and record workers, corruption like referral of patients to private health centres, referral of patients to private pharmacies for purchase of drugs and consumables, unauthorized sales of medical consumables within the premises of health centres, refusal to attend to patients unless they have patronised those selling the consumables.

There have been myriad of complaints emanating from patients who throng the healthcare facilities at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels with particular emphasis on the Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs).

•Osun State General Hospital, Asubiaro main gate, Osogbo.

Healthcare delivery has been declining of recent.

This is so not because the government has failed to do the needful, but because there are issues of absence of medical personnel at work, lack of courtesy from health and record workers, corruption like referral of patients to private health centres ...

Patients to these facilities often complain that the services that they get are often below standards and lacks professional etiquettes.

Today, the impact of the lackadaisical attitude of health care providers in Government hospitals in Osun is particularly weary.

Investigations have shown that the issue of carelessness on the part of medical workers especially nurses has

Today, the impact of the lackadaisical attitude of health care providers in Government hospitals in Osun is particularly weary.

been turned to a normal practice in the system, particularly in rural communities.

Complaints such as poor attitude of medical personnel to work, shabby services by personnel, lack of courtesy from health and record workers, referral of patients to private health centres, referral of patients to private pharmacies for purchase of drugs and consumables, among other complaints.

There was insider information last year about sharp practices perpetrated at the Primary Health Centre, OkeBale, Osogbo.

Most of the healthcare centres located within urban areas, especially in Osogbo and Olorunda are not often not culpable of the suspected sharp practices, probably because of their locations within the state capital, but

the same cannot be said to be obtainable in centres that are in rural areas.

In these centres, it was gathered from the locals that health workers might visit once in a while, drugs and consumables are hard to come by, a condition which has made patients to seek medical attention outside the communities or alternative therapy.

This is the situation in areas like Kajola village, Oke-Bode, Prince, Osin, Inisha in Atakumosa West Local Government and some other villages in the state, where villagers alleged health workers of idleness at work.

Villagers of Prince Village, Abebeyun lamented on the state of the health centre in the area, saying the villagers will always go to neighboring village, which is Oke-Bode maternity for treatment. A villager, Ayo Daramola said; “I have been living in this village for about 30 years, the maternity was functioning before, it was not like this, until the health workers suddenly decided to be ignoring their jobs. They are always absent and our people here are not patronizing the place again. The lackadaisical attitude of the health •Continued on page 6

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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Issues And Complaints Against Health Workers’ Attitude

•Continued from page 5 workers has pursued our people to Oke-Bode healthcare centre.”

A pregnant woman, Ifeoluwa Alex, said she did not bother to register for ante-natal at her village because “the nurses at the maternity might lock the place for a week, and moreso, the nurses are not sleeping at the maternity when they come around”.

At Inisha primary healthcare centre, a villager said, “I only see a nurse there, I hardly see other workers at the place. So, we don’t bother ourselves to go to the maternity if we have emergency such as snake bite or scorpion bite”.

A villager, Pa Asaolu Isaac while speaking on the state of the health centre stressed; “when government fail to manage its properties, the workers will do it as they like. Since the government has fails to inspect its properties; the health workers may decide to do the job how they like. I can only blame government for this”.

On getting to Prince Village, this medium met a nurse, Mrs Olokun Lydia who hinted that there are only essential drugs in the maternity which are malaria drugs and some other drugs, just as he complained that the vicinity was not being properly maintained.

Another typical example is the PHC serving Yekemi, Aye Kooka and Aroko villages in Ife South Local Government Area of the state, which has been overrun by weeds.

Villagers who are mostly farmers revealed that since the centre was built, it has never been utilised which means that it has been hope dashed for the people in these communities.

They also claim that no health personnel had ever visited the facility even though the community had offered to take care of all expenses of a health personnel if stationed in the area.

In order to meet this shortfall and take care of their health challenges, community members have engaged the services of private health practitioners who come to their villages, render health services and get paid for these services. Those who cannot afford this arrangement resort to alternative means, that is, they patronise local healers and make do with herbs and give birth to their babies in faith based homes or make use of traditional birth attendants within the neighboring Garage-Olode

•Primary Health Centre at Kajola Village, Atakunmosa West Local Government.

Though, provision of prompt and adequate services cannot be divorced from drugs supply, but how do one address the complaints of patients who throng these health facilities and how can their confidence be restored in a system that is currently suffering a reputation crisis due to the absence of trained personnel axis.

At the Comprehensive Health Centre, Oba-Ile, the story is still the same. Complaints range from lack of doctors, furnishing and equipment, shortage of drugs and medical consumables.

The situations have forced patients to patronise both traditional and private health practitioners.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr, Rafiu Isamotu on being notified of the development promised that prompt action would be taken to find out the truth in the allegation and if so, prompt punitive action would be meted out to the culprit(s) and solutions would be proffered to ensure such do not repeat itself again.

The Executive Secretary of the State of Osun primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Kayode Ogunniyi stated that all the 332 PHCs

in the state were operating optimally, wondering why the attitude of medical workers would be frustrating the government’s efforts.

He said that drugs worth N50 million has just been purchased by the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and that the allegations certainly did not occur recently, saying, there would be an investigation into the matter.

“With the availability of drugs, drugs dispensing would resume in earnest and improvement of services rendered from personnel would be visible.

“Drugs and services from health practitioners are somehow related and cannot be divorced. Where there are no drugs in a health facility, it would mean that the facility would only consult and cannot treat but with drugs available, consulting which is

•Another Primary health centre at Oke Bode Village, Atakunmosa West Local Government.

the services and treatment would go hand in cap.

“The N50 million drugs are now available for distribution to all the 332 PHCs in the state but there is an instruction to wait till the end of this week before the distribution mode of the drugs because the state government had created the Osun Health Insurance Agency to implement the Osun Health Insurance Scheme.

“In essence, these drugs cannot be free anymore because the insurance scheme means that a 5% margin purchase price would be imposed on patients at the point of dispensing.

“This is standard practice as there is no free health anywhere and with the introduction of health insurance, it is hope that affordable health care will be available for all without bias. Before implementing the 5% margin purchase price, the approval of Mr. Governor has to be sought.

Dr. Ogunniyi urged that if there is any reported case of indiscipline and sharp practices, the identity of such personnel should be revealed and action would be taken to deal with such cases.

The Permanent Secretary of the State of Osun Hospital Management Board, Isaac Olaluwoye in his assessment said that the government has its own part of the blame, stressing that the management of the whole situation from the government side was faulty.

He said, based upon the outsourcing scheme, the state government was supposed to be servicing the service providers and the outsourcing pharmacies were supposed to be responsible for the paid drugs while government on its part was supposed to be responsible for the free drugs by re-imbursing them.

Though, provision of prompt and adequate services cannot be divorced from drugs supply, but how do one address the complaints of patients who throng these health facilities and how can their confidence be restored in a system that is currently suffering a reputation crisis due to the absence of trained personnel, where the personnel are available, they are not working and where they are working, there are no adequate drugs to go round.

This is is critical issue that must be addressed as quickly as possible to restore sanity in the system.

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Buhari Or Atiku, Who Will Be A Better President?

The 2019 Presidential election is fast-approaching, as various political parties have begun mobilisation for their candidates, but the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari of the APC and the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar appear to be the two major contenders Nigerians are watching out for. AISHAT OYEBAMIJI, ADEBAYO OGUNGBE, YEMISI AWE, FELIX AJAYI AND TOHEEB BADMUS went to town to sample people's opinions on who between them can be a better President. Excerpt The incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari should be a better option, not because the PDP’s standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, is said to be corrupt as generally alleged but because, I have seen that Buhari has a lot to offer and he has good intention for this country.

Though, if the salary but I know that allegation of corruption is people working there are based on kept unabated, an there average Nigerian would connection, as no child of want to believe it and that a less-privilege will have might work against him. that opportunity. Beside Why I am supporting that hardly will you see a Buhari is that, something citizen of that state is paramount for Nigeria attending that school to be better, we have to go because of its high tuition through a revolution and fee, meaning he has no for an because of suffering in preference the nation, people are not ordinary Nigerian. So, as ready for it. If you follow far as I am concern, Atiku PDP convention, out of is seeking position for his for the people Also, during the PDP the eleven candidates personal enrichment, the primaries, rumors had it that came out to give meanwhile, that for each delegates, a their aspirations’ speech, government ought to be none of them made the government of the sum of 5000 dollars was mention of fighting people by the people and allegedly given by Atiku corruption if they are In my own view, Buhari is far better than Atiku, eventually given mandate, because almost This is because, Buhari has more experience, and has done well. all of them, convicted or Atiku was a vice not have been exposed to not, are seeing to be corrupt leaders. I am not president during real governance. saying PMB is a saint, but Obasanjo regime, However, since 2015 there is a wide gap meaning that he might when Buhari took over between him and Atiku. governance of this I will rather go for a nation, we have a lot of devil I have known for a difference interms of very long time in Buhari, development, fight rather than somebody against security lapses who is painting a picture and corruption. of an angel coming in Many youths have Atiku. Beside the fact that benefitted from his Atiku can not be a better government.

Across all option, the PDP does not states of the federation, have a good reputation in Buhari has created jobs the governance of this for youths under so country. many platforms and I am Some people are not sure if any saying that he has the ability of create jobs, but government has done it if you go to Atiku’s to the level it is now. university which is Since the creation of situated in his state, this country, no Adamawa, though, the president or head of state workers there are being has done what Buhari paid with a very good has done in employment Muhammadu Buhari as far as I am concern is better than Atiku Abubakar. He has done so much in so many areas in Nigeria.

For instance on the Boko Haram issues, if fuel price comes down, Buhari has tackled it everything will be head on, though, there cheaper and normal. are still security Many of Nigeria roads challenges here and are bad, even though the government is working there.

However, President on them. If he can fix the Buhari should focus on roads, at least 60% out of the price of fuel, because 100%, I believe things when fuel price goes up, will be better.

As far as I am everything changes, but concerned, President Buhari is doing his best, but unfortunately things have been destroyed beyond normal before his assumption of office and in such situation we must be careful in taking decisions that would draw us back. We have all seen that Buhari has started to do things that we thought are not possible, and that is to tell you that we have more to

to each delegates, the same thing with other aspirants, that’s to tell you that these people are power mongers.

I will support President Buhari because over the years, Nigeria has been a country that has actually been destabilised beyond measure. For instance, to develop a car, it will take a long time, knowledge, energy, and different people coming together to share ideas in order to develop a single car.

Now, if you are to burn that car, all you need is petrol and matches, meaning for Buhari to be able to correct the anomalies we had witnessed in the 16 years of misgovernance, it will

generation.

He is transparent and working hard to ensure that we get the best, especially the youths.

Lastly, nobody can deny the fact that Buhari has tried so well in the fight against corruption and that is a factor that would definitely work for him.

Only few people who are not ready to be sincere would say Buhari is corrupt, but you can’t say that for Atiku, an average Nigeria knows that Atiku is a corrupt man and if a corrupt man is put in the Presidency, we all know what to expect, corruption of the highest order, and that will take us backward.

•Ayodeji Oluwole Busines Man.

take time.

Though, there are some challenges for the President, but I can see that he is not the problem, but the legislative arm, and despite the challenges, we have seen the commitment in President

Well, one can’t say which one is better because as Yoruba adage says, Onikun lo mo ka. Who knows the favourable one to Nigeria’s situation? Only God knows.

However, in a situation whereby somebody whom you’ve tasked with some p a r t i c u l a r responsibilities has failed and another man whom you think can actually fulfil what you need is aspiring, I think Nigeria should decide what they want, but as for me I don’t want to go with a failure.

I will rather go for Atiku Abubakar, because he is the largest employer of labour in Nigeria. He employs over 500,000 workers working for him even more than the for proclaimed wealthiest opportunities man in Nigeria, Nigerians. Well, many Dangote. That means people are of the opinion Atiku is actually a man that Buhari is not a who has knowledge of corrupt man and Atiku is business and I know if he corrupt but in my is tasked with ruling perspective, nothing has Nigeria, he will run it as actually proved Atiku to a businessman. As be a man who is corrupt. somebody who This is a man who has understands what worked for the former employers go through in President Olusegun private sector, whenever Obasanjo, and during he gets to the public their era, Nigeria was a sector he will know what better place. to do. I believed he will •Adeyinka Adebisicreate more job student

Buhari will be a better President of our country Nigeria. We’ve tested Atiku when he was the Vice President during Obasanjo’s regime but he failed us. He collaborated with Obasanjo to downgrade our country, they both sold our electricity and they didn’t care about us. who We’ve also tested politicians Buhari as the President embezzle don’t want and he has done so many him to continue.

As for me, I believe things which PDP think Buhari will continue to are not possible. He tried be the best president for his best to eradicate us in Nigeria because corruption, he doesn’t he’s always after our allow embezzlement wellbeing and not selfish and that is why the interest.

Under Buhari, we have Atiku Abubakar will be a better president because this is the right time Nigeria began to not seen anything remind everyone seeking the exalted office of the tangible interms of presidency that the office is not a prize to be won, it development and that is unfortunate, is a duty to perform, it takes the right leadership to very know that it’s a 24/7 work that requires eyes on the because we expected more than what we are ball.

One would have our problems and getting, hence, the need thought that after tackling them head on, to test another hand and labeling former President but what we have see what he has to offer.

Jonathan as “Clueless”, witnessed is like a first • Jinadu Matthew Buhari would have division football club A Data foresight in appraising threatened by relegation. Opeyemi, gain as we move on.

I don’t see Atiku as somebody who can make any impact, he would rather worsen the situation. PDP, where Atiku belongs was in the saddle for 16 years and we have seen what they can offer, but Buhari has not even spent up to four years. I think it is better to allow him to make the changes he intends to make.

•Oladele Taiwo

Buhari.

I pray and hope that President Buhari emerges in 2019, and with better legislative arm, I am optimistic that the result will be awesome.

•Olanrewaju Olamilekan - Student

•Hon. Olaore Fatai, Politician

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A Cocktail Of Recent Happenings O'Callisthenics Begins 2nd Edition Send-forth Programme For The Retired Gala Night Of The 18th National Women's Conference Of State-wide Competition DG Of OSBC, Mr Wale Idowu At Eko Hotel And Suite, Lagos State.

•(From Right) Comrade Bayo Ojo; Proprietor of Glory School Okuku, Mr Adewuyi Babatunde and others.

By Gbenga Adeniyi

Osun State government’s Calisthenics Committee has begun the second edition of the State-wide School Calisthenics Competition in both private and public schools in the state.

A total of 27 Schools both private and public registered for the competition but currently a total number of 14 Schools are competing to win three prizes.

The names of the schools are, St. Raphael College Ikire, Ife-Oluwa Middle School Osogbo, Glory Schools Okuku, L.A. Middle School Ilesa, Anglican

Middle/High School Ife Odan, Ansar-UlIslam & Oba Laoye Middle School Ede. Others are, St. Michael Govt. Middle •Wife of the Governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola presenting a car key to one of the School Ibokun, Osu Community Middle lucky winner at the gala night.

School Osu, Anglican Central Govt. Middle School Ile-Ife, Oluorogbo Middle School IleIfe, Shekinah College Inisa, Nahada Comprehensive College Inisa, Osun North Anglican Diocese Comprehensive College, Agbeye and Olive Branches School Osogbo, The competition is put together by the •(L-R) Commissioner for Information and Strategy, State of Osun, Hon. Lani Baderinwa; Retired D.G Osun State Broadcasting Corporations (OSBC) Mr. Wale Idowu, department of Social and Grassroot Chairman Interim Management Committee of (OSBC) Mr. Kola Akanji and a member of the committee Mr. Kola Olabisi, during the send forth of Retiring DG at OSBC. Mobilisation and Guidance (DSGMG) office

By Sola Aderinto of the Governor, under the Comrade Bayo Ojo.

Osun Deputy Speaker Clocks 59

•Cross Section of guest during the senthforth programme.

•A cross section of students on calisthenics display.

OUR SOCIAL REGISTER IS OPEN FOR YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO BE MADE PUBLIC Spaces are available for your anniversaries such as weddings, house-warming and chieftaincy title ceremonies among others for your take. To take advantage of this, you can reach out to Murtala, 08023280935, Kazeem 08062207954 and Nike on 07032594744 Let the public know what you are doing.

•Members of OSBC Management board in a group photograph with Idowu and his friends after the senthforth.

It was merriment galore, as family, friends, well-wishers and staffers converged at the Board Room of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), Oke-Baale, Osogbo for the send-forth programme in honour of the retiring Director-General, Mr. Michael Adewale Idowu recently.

Idowu retired having clocked the mandatory age of 60 years.

Ile-Awiye, the conglomerate headquarters of OSBC hosted many dignitaries including the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lani Baderinwa, the Acting DG, Mrs. Adejumoke Akinjiola, chairman of the Interim Management Committee and a member, Messrs Kola Akanji and Kola Olabisi respectively.

Others were past DG’s like Mr. John Fademi, Prince Adeyeye Oyedokun, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, as well as Alhaji Muftau Aregbesola among others.

The outgoing DG was commended for his giant strides for taking the broadcast outfit to a greater height.

In his response, Idowu thanked the Almighty God for giving him the opportunity to serve at the top echelon of his organisation.

He was also grateful to the Governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Akanji and other staffers for any success he might have achieved.

•Adegboye (3rd right) and his political allies.

By Israel Afolabi

The Deputy Speaker state of Osun House of Assembly Hon. Akintunde Adegboye says the virtues of human existence can only be measured in terms of the greatest happiness impacted on the greatest number of people.

Hon Adegboye stated this while exchanging views with newsmen at the event marking his 59th birthday anniversary organized by the management and staff of the Assembly.

Hon Akintude recalled his journey in real life as well as political adventure as he expressed gratitude to God for giving him the opportunity to serve the people.

He noted the challenges of life which later became pillar of his strength as well as the periods he described as happiest moments of his existences.

He appreciated the gesture of the staff of the Assembly which took him by surprise as he appreciated the organizers of the programme.

According to the celebrant,” I always

follow God’s plan in my life, I thank God for giving us today because I have God and I feel good anytime”.

Meanwhile the Acting clerk of the House Mr Simeon Amusan acknowledged the cordial relationship among the Deputy Speaker, the speaker and the lawmakers as well as the entire management and staff of the House.

He maintained that the event was put together in appreciation of the sterling attributes of the Deputy speaker just as he prayed for long and prosperous life for the celebrant.

Earlier in their separate remarks, Chief Imam of the Assembly Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai, Adebisi and the Chaplain of the Assembly Chapel, Mr. Muyiwa Ayeni acknowledge the warm relationship of the Deputy Speaker with his colleagues as well the entire management and staff.

They also noted his commitment to legislative duties as they described him as pillar of support to the administration of the speaker whom they used as point of contact in their separate prayer sessions.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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ORMA Commences Road Rehabilitation

By Sola Jacobs

Osun Road Maintenance Agency (ORMA) has commenced rehabilitation works of a 4.6km road networks in Iwo community and some other parts of the state.

General Manager of the meant to change the face agency, Engr. Mathew of Iwoland, through Olu Olowokere, made rehabilitation of the road this known last weekend networks, noted that, the while speaking with rehabilitation work was newsmen during the in line with the efforts of ongoing rehabilitation Governor Rauf work in Iwo. Aregbesola towards Olowokere, who said rapid intervention and the development was repair of roads not only in

Iwo community but across the state.

According to the ORMA boss, “the agency is on top of the situation to ensure that quality job is done to fix affected roads on time as directed by the governor”.

“ORMA has specifications, standards and moreover, we carry out tests on our materials before they are used. We also carry out control test on the road when work is

Osun Assembly Speaker Charges Residents To Support APC

By Israel Afolabi The Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam has charged the people of the state to always support the APC-led administration to deliver dividends of democracy.

The House engaged in Dr. Salaam stated this while addressing the thorough deliberation on House at the plenary the bill after which third where he remarked on reading was deferred till the need for interest of the next sitting of the the state to supersede all legislature.

This is as a result of the other interests.

He gave kudos to Osun submission of the House people for voting chairman peacefully and Committee on Health Hon. Leke Ogunsola in maintaining peace the state of Osun is known which he informed the that for during the last lawmakers necessary works have governorship election.

According to him, been carried out as “The whole House rejoice directed by the House, with the Governor-elect, adding that the bill is for further Mr Gboyega Oyetola on ready and his victory during the just consideration concluded governorship passage.

Meanwhile, the election in the state, we wish him best tenure in speaker appreciated his office. God knows the colleagues and the entire best for all and we should people of the state as he acknowledged the all take it like that”. of However, in further contribution everybody to the consideration of the Health Insurance Scheme development of the state.

He also lauded the bill 2018, the House entertained debate of the opposition as well as first plenary after the those who worked on recess that enabled the other platforms during lawmakers attend to the election to maintain electioneering activities. during and after the poll.

Dr. Salaam who notified the House on the letter from the Governor requesting for consideration of the State of Osun social protection bill 2018, maintained that political difference would not divide the house as he assured that the legislators would remain one and indivisible in the interest of the state.

ongoing”, he emphasized.

Olowokere, who blamed short durability of some roads to abuse by the road users through overloading, stressed that roads that are subjected to unlimited loading would not be durable.

The GM added that indiscriminate erection of bumps by some communities on roads to control speed, also contribute to bad condition of roads.

“Sometimes, these bumps contribute to accidents especially for the unwary road users who ply such roads and meet bumps unexpectedly. This is because those erecting bumps don’t follow regulations, no warning signs and even if they are to put bumps they should follow specifications.

“They should liaise with the state Ministry of Works, or the agency for better ways to limit speed on roads instead of erecting bogus bumps on

•OLOWOOKERE, ORMA GM roads themselves”, Olowokere advised.

He then cautioned motorists to abide by the traffic rules and regulations while plying the roads, to enable site workers discharge their duty effectively.

The ORMA boss

assured the people of the state to expect consolidation and value addition to Governor Aregbesola’s economic foundations as well as expectation of greater dividends of democracy from the incoming administration.

Osun Begins Activation Of 10 Year Development Plan In 2019 •Consults Stakeholders For Budget Preparation

By Kehinde Ayantunji Osun State government has set to embark on a-10 year development plan and would commence it in 2019 budget of the State.

This disclosure was citizens inclusive. made during a day Dr. Yinusa explained validation meeting of the that, “Budget 2019 is state development about to commence and plan(2019-2028) and year circular has been issued to 2019 budget consultation Ministries, Department forum in Ilesa, Osun State and Agencies (MDAs), on Tuesday. while citizens of Osun are Osun state to add what should be Commissioner for given priority in its Economic Planning, preparation.

Budget and Development, Giving facts backing the Dr. Olalekan Yinusa also 10 years development vowed to make plan template, he said, development plan to be “stakeholders was invited

to Iloko Ijesa where development partners like UNDP, EU, DFID,UNICEF, civil societies, market men and women leadership, labour union leadership, media and others were brought together in order to create a vision and mission for the state by identifying people’s priorities in planning.

He said, “The State development plan will be a public document and outlines the State’s overarching policy direction and outcomes of the programs, project and

activities to be implemented by s u b s e q u e n t administrations in the State to ensure enduring legacies and sustainable economic development. “ The year 2019 budgeting process has commenced in earnest and in a bid to formulate a citizen’s based, all inclusive and bottom-up budget that captures the needs of the citizens of the State, it is important to harvest ideas from various stakeholders across State”.

He also charged Osun

•Continued on page 14

ISSUES/POLICY

OBSERVATION FROM OUTSIDE This commentary came out in HARDBALL in The Nation Newspaper of Monday, October 22, 2018.

Poverty Of Politics, Politics Of Poverty I

N Osun, the poverty of politics and politics of poverty seem to have coalesced, and produced a mirage: politicsinduced perception of poverty while the economics of it all gives a diametrically opposed verdict. It’s an unfortunate conundrum projected by politicians and amplified by a media’s progressively humongous appetite for the sensational and the titillating, even if facts don’t support these hysterics.

According to a story in The Nation of October 18, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in sync with the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), just released its yearly Human Development Indices.

Here is a verbatim report, from a paragraph, of the story: “The computation of Human Development Indices for the UNDP Nigeria Human Development Report was released by the NBS; and [it] rated Osun the second lowest state in Nigeria in Poverty Index in 2013, one of the five states with lowest unemployment rates by NBS, and the second richest state in Nigeria, by the United Nations Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index in 2017”.

The report went on: “The new report places the state’s poverty index at 17.5 per cent, ahead of Lagos, Nigeria’s economy capital.” The report also puts Osun’s unemployment rate at 6.7 per cent, though it did not state

the national average unemployment rate.

By no means, this UNDP report doesn’t rebrand Osun as an el-Dorado. It’s, after all, the media vortex of the salary arrears crisis, which though is a national crisis, was projected as a sole Osun problem.

However, if with the salary crisis, a UNDP human poverty index still returns the state as one of the least poverty-stricken in the country — even besting Lagos, Nigeria’s economy dynamo and Rivers, the country’s foremost oil business state — then there are certainly some deliberate, non-cash anti-poverty initiatives, which the Osun government has done rather well.

A media that takes itself seriously would have pored into the UNDP HDI report — and it has been consistent in its returns on Osun, in the past few years — and studied what the government there has done right, if only to

If with the salary crisis, a UNDP human poverty index still returns the state as one of the least poverty-stricken in the country, then there are certainly some deliberate, non-cash anti-poverty initiatives, which the Osun government has done rather well.

recommend those right steps to other governments, to stem the current Nigerian poverty crisis.

But no! The lords of the Fourth Estate of the Realm would rather hug street emotions, even coming from suspected sources, and join the lamentation orchestra of “hunger and poverty in the land”, without adding any value, as to how the poverty pest could be creatively curtailed.

Still, aside from sensational reportage and a banal media mindset, organized Labour should be out there, studying strategies Osun had put in place to mitigate the poverty in its environment; and therefore achieve some relative stasis and social peace, despite the hostile economic environment, caused by past decades of wanton, willful and wild wastes.

Armed with such strategies, they would then be better armed with winning strategies, as they engage the government with policies to battle and banish poverty; and depart from their fixation with raw cash, as epitomized by Labour’s obsessive attachment to wages, sans other nonmonetary benefits.

Since the days of Udoji and Williams salary awards, of the early and mid-1970s, raw cash has proved itself incomplete to rein in poverty. The Osun feat therefore points at fresher and more rigorous thinking, to face down the poverty question.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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Media Ownership Dictated By Unprofessionalism ************* Create Bottleneck - OSBC Ex-DG When you talk Wale Idowu retired from service recently as the Director-General of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation. In this interview with FELIX AJAYI, he speaks about his tenure and the changes he brought into the corporation among others. Excerpts

naught because the whole idea as a marketer there was no mark on any currency, every currency is as good as the other.

So, when government now heard that the opposition was being allowed too much space on air space and there were complaints, my position was that, give us an official mandate not to entertain them, but nobody was ready to give the mandate fact that the regulatory authority represented by the Nigerian broadcasting commission said unknown account should we refused any political party.

I am happy to say that despite the challenges of those era when I became the numero uno in OSBC, the spirit of that give and take, the spirit of professional balancing was brought to the fore to the extent that during the last gubernatorial election, all manners of campaign were allowed on air, all shape of characters, all candidates were allowed to the extent that Nigerian Broadcasting Commission came to the state with commendation for OSBC as if

How would you describe your tenure arrangement, we invested in a as the DG? fairly used one and the service The journey was fantastic, though a came back to life again. little bit chaotic. Event preceding Nov 1 An area I will acknowledge 2016 when I was appointed were full of as a landmark achievement intrigues on whether I was going to be and for me is the area of the debt whether there would be need to do some burden. We had a huge under hands dealing or whether there debt but right from my would be need to make consultations all inception till my retirement of which I turned down completely we never had anything because of my philosophy about life that purchased on credit by what would be will eventually be. Hitting adopting the see and buy the ground running wasn’t difficult for me model which brought about because, I have been part of the system efficiency and discipline on over the years and I make bold to say that the part of workers. no leader or chief executive ever passed How were you able to through since 1990 to 2016 without having balance your profession Wale Idowu playing a major role. This can and politics putting in where be ascribed to the pivotal role I have been you worked? playing over the years, that is, as a When you talk about victim marketer handling key functions. I was at of political victimization in the heart of marketing functions. I was broadcast media around here, I also there as the Lagos officer and I was think I will rank as one of those there as the Lagos office manager which I who were vilified at one did for 12 years. time or the other, This exposed me to the intricacies of the particularly during game. There was no department of the the electioneering corporation that I didn’t function. Talking between 2005 and about production, I produced quite a probably 2009. I number of programmes; I have been was made to leave presenting since 1998; talk about the core my work place. I aspect of marketing, I have marketed was push out of beyond what ordinary folks will imagine. the state, push out Aside this I remain the major figure of of my table to go APCON in this state. All these put to Lagos, because together have exposed me as well according to endeared me to those in the game. those who What can you describe as your authored that landmark achievements during your e x e r c i s e s , tenure as the DG? government It’s far better for stakeholders to say this will not be is my landmark achievement in the course c o m f o r t a b l e of the journey. But without any fear of h a v i n g contradiction, let me say I took my time somebody like to study the situation of things when I me. came and I knew the expectations of staff We were members and that of the publics. The about six expectations were that Wale Idowu is who were coming with a world of difference. So, I dragged out started with what could motivate staff so of the state that productivity can be enhanced. I during election of 2007 and so, I have to OSBC was not a public corporation. looked at the operation itself. I looked at be excused to go and stay in Lagos. The Hope this was taken in good fate by the challenges people faced using reason was, simple, I was perceived to be the powers that be? technical equipment and the level of harbouring political bias against the Up to this hour, it has been public appreciation. I then combined all government which effectually came to commendation and commendation galore these to come up with a 3point agenda which had the staffers at the center of them all. We started celebrating our staffs on their birthdays and we appreciated them in our Born 7 – 12 – 1957 own small way. This made staff to always look Attended: St. Mary’s Catholic Pry. School, Ilesa 1964 -1969 forward to this. As at the time I came in, we had : Council Commercial sec. school, Ilesa 1973-1976 issues with our flagship Radio 104.5 FM. There : Govt Teachers College, Ilesa 1976-1979 was also a carryover : University of Jos, 1981-1985 burden of limited coverage but 5, 6 days I : Nigeria Institute of Journalism 1993-1995 came on board, it was settled. It must be noted Commercial Officer II: BCOS, Ibadan 1989-1991 that we had this problem for 2 years manifesting Lagos Office Manager, OSBC 1992-2002 and the replacement has to do with millions. Don’t Director, OSBC Global Ventures Ltd 2009-2013 forget I said the radio was completely down and the Director Marketing OSBC 2013-2016 governor then promised Director-General, OSBC 2016-2018 to help us secure a loan facility to resolve it. At Creator, Producer & Presenter of Yotomi Opin Ose on TV, that point, I assembled my technical team on ways to The Nation Today (TV), Acada world (TV) get a stop gap

BIOPIC

about victim of political victimisation in broadcast media around here, I think I will rank as one of those who were vilified at one time or the other, particularly during the electioneering between 2005 and probably 2009. ************* for OSBC. You will not believe that it has

also led credence to the quality and then the quantity of support earned by the organisation and in fact that was also translating to the quantum of patronage that the organisation has experienced because once you are believed by the audience, the sky is the limit to such an organisation.

What do you make of the professionals you left behind in terms of their performance?

They need courage. The depth of professionalism is lacking in them in many respects and the problem between ownership and practitioner is the major cause of this. Ownership that is dictated by non-professionalism create bottleneck.

The owners who are purely entrepreneurs with the motive of getting profit, often time find themselves at loggerheads with the professional that are bent on pursuing core professionalism. There will always be a lacuna but at the end of it, courageous professionals will rule the game, the challenge maybe there today but with your commitment to professionalism, with your commitment to deliverables, the professionals will tower at the end.

Your word of advice to your successor, and media practitioners at large The first approach is to recognise the past leaders, those who have weathered the storm, pick one or two qualities from each of them and put them together to chart a new cause. Secondly, scout the environment and see where lies challenges, where you will be able to proceed ,what measure to take to confront those challenges and then staff welfare is very important, because motivation is very key and once you put such at the front burner you will be able to carry them along. Also, transparency is very important, let people know why certain things are carried out.

Above all, you need to show leadership.

For instance, I was a marketing officer but I ended up running a current affairs programme which is called The Nation Today. I created it, I ran it throughout for closed to five years now and I never collected one kobo. Throughout those five years, I ensured that contemporary issues of national effect were always on the front burner. Also, my resource persons are always from the state and beyond the shores of the state. For all this period, I had no producer, no director, it was just a one man programme execution and what does it tell us? It shows that with real commitment and with the future just within your hands, you can do better on your own.

So, we should use the opportunity of service period to prepare ourselves for the future.

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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OSPOLY Signs MoU With ACU To Run Degree Programmes by the National Board for

By Joshua Afolabi Technical Education Management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has (NBTE). signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dr. Agboola explained Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, to run bachelor that the collaboration degree programmes. would enable graduates While signing the of the polytechnic who According to a statement signed by the memorandum, the Rector had HND and others Media Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Dr. from other institutions of the polytechnic, Mr. Jacob Agboola, declared actualise their dreams of Tope Abiola, the move is that about 39 courses having bachelor degrees, part of efforts to bridge were accredited recently which could enable them the gap between the for the institution, both at to go for master and Bachelor Degree and the the National and Higher doctorate degrees.

Higher National National Diploma levels “Our polytechnic is Diploma (HND) certificates in the country.

He also stated that the collaboration would give students the opportunity Medical and dental students of the Obafemi to enrich themselves with Awolowo University (OAU) have rejected the practical and theoretical resolution of the Association of Provosts Colleges knowledge needed to of Medicine (APCOM) to introduce new nourish their skills and expertise already professional training fees for medical and dental acquired in their various students in Nigeria.

APCOM, following a T.K Ijadunola, stated that disciplines. held on the N85,000 levy is as a Abiola said the meeting programme was September 18, approved result of the financial designed to enable HND the payment of N75,000 challenges in federal holders convert to for the 200 – 300 level colleges of medicine, bachelor degrees in students and N85,000 for including OAU. relevant areas of their 400 – 600 level students “The current training studies, while those who per academic session as of medical students is had earlier possessed professional training bankrolled by alumni, bachelor degrees but are friends and staff of the willing to run a top-up fees.

At a meeting of student college and this isn’t programme in another representatives and OAU exclusive to Ife, it is the discipline related to their areas of studies could College of health sciences same in all federal on government also have the administrators owned opportunity.

October 17, the Provost, schools. Fatigue is

ranked among the best polytechnics in Nigeria, and our 38 courses were fully accredited by the NBTE recently. Our collaboration will be fruitful and improve the standard of education in Nigeria.

Agboola said. “We believe in the standard of your university, and with this relationship, teeming youths who are dreaming of having bachelor degrees will

have the opportunity,” While responding, the Vice Chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University, Professor Dapo Asaju, lauded the step taken by the management of the polytechnic.

He said: “We don’t just

collaborate with any institution; but the standard and credibility we saw when our team visited the polytechnic to assess the quality of your equipment and staff endeared us to collaborate with you. I urge you to maintain it.

OAU Medical Students Kick Over Introduction Of New Training Fees beginning to set in. It’s high time students and parents began to have a say in the training by putting their money where their mouth is.”

“Sixteen dental chairs were donated by Dr. Alaba Fawole. The college used N6.5 million to clear it; the university gave just 2.5 million. The college had to source the N4 million balance.

“External examiners are owed because the cost run into tens of millions, while the entire university budget for external examiners is N1Million. Staff raised

Many Are Ravaged By Stockholm Syndrome This week, when I got to my mentor’s home, though earlier than usual, he was not playing host to any of his numerous visitors. And in fact, no one was seen sitting around and the home was unusually bereft of the usual array of visitors. To me, this was strange and unusual. As my car halted in front of the gate, a smart, young gateman putting on well starched uniform probably from one of the private security companies peeped through a hole. He asked for my name and wherefrom which I told him. He disappeared for few minutes and re-appeared, flinging open the gate. He said with a soft tone: “you’re welcome sir, ‘Oka’ is expecting you”. As I drove in, the word ‘oka’ kept ringing in my ears and this was what revealed the part of my country he comes from: my sweet country, with hundreds of beautiful, unique tribes and tongues.

I was ushered into one of his living rooms. I noticed portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Chief Obafemi Awolowo as well some group pictures which he took with late Prime Minister of Nigeria Tafawa Balewa, President-General Nnamidi Azikiwe, and of course, the sage Obafemi Awolowo. He was even in handshake with Chief Awolowo in one of the group pictures where late Western Nigeria Premier S.L.A. Akintola was looking on with keen interests. It was as if I was in a journey into the earliest history of Nigeria. When my mentor entered into the room, I saw smiles pasted on his face. He sat by my side asking after my family.

“My son”, he started. “I’m happy to receive you today as one of my very few guests. Being a Friday, I normally do not receive guests until the evening, long after my return from the Jummat service. One of the things I do not joke with is my spiritual life, because I realized very long ago that our spiritual lives guide and improve upon our everyday activities. In my very younger days, I used to think that all you need to make it in life are your intellect, education and skills, but events that have happened to me and to people of high profile around me proved me wrong”. He paused, went through one of the dailies on the centre-table.

Then continued: “Our Governor in Osun here is a unique man of faith and intellectual brilliance put together. He confounds me how he combines Marxism and Communism traits with faith in God, all at the same time. Marxists are generally known to be atheists. Events in his life too must have paved the ways he now treads on faith. Scholars need to do some

money for microscope,” Fatusi stated at the meeting.

Another lecturer from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, S. B. Aregbesola, said the college will set up a committee to source for funds for indigent students who are already in the system but cannot afford the fees.

“The college will set up a committee to determine their indigence and subsequently source funds to pay for them but everyone will have to pay, whether personally or catered for by the

college.”

“In the last administration, dentistry had Zero naira for accreditation from school, some lecturers gave up to N2 million of their personal money towards it. Dentistry is the most expensive training in the college today, yet dental students pay just N33,000,” he added.

Some of the medical students who spoke with this medium said, the increase should be reversed in the interest of all.

Truth Of The Matter with

AYEKOOTO ayoakinola444@gmail.com

•Aregbesola

• Karl Marx

“What do you think would make people develop love for their past oppressors and hatred for their present redeemers in Nigeria, with special reference to Osun?” intellectual work on him because he is rare bread in so many ways.

“Ayo,” whao! this is the first time he would be addressing me by my name. With this I knew instantly and intuitively that I was in for another round of incisive coaching.

I was right: “What do you know about Stockholm Syndrome?” I closed my eyes to be sure if I have heard of the “disease” before now. I couldn’t remember having heard or read of it and I told him so. He laughed at my ignorance.

“It is a social and political disease”, he said as he continued smiling. “ Stockholm Syndrome literally is a condition that causes hostages to develop a psychological alliance with their captors as a survival strategy during

captivity and even afterwards. These alliances, resulting from a bond formed between captor and captives during intimate time spent together, are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims. The FBI’s Hostage Barricade Database System and Law Enforcement Bulletin shows that roughly 8% of victims show evidence of Stockholm syndrome”.

“Sometimes, I ask myself if this syndrome has not eaten deeply into the fabrics of our social, economic and political existence. What do I mean? Whenever I’m privileged to be in social gatherings and listen to discussions about governance generally, I cannot but remember this syndrome.

“What do you think would make people develop love for their past oppressors and hatred for their present redeemers in Nigeria, with special reference to Osun? I hear careless comments like ‘bring back corruption…at least, we will have money in our pockets what have roads got to do with my existence since I don’t have a car?...

“Our lives would be better off if corrupt people come back to power…..’ and the like and these careless statements make me feel like weeping. Don’t they know that the hardship we face today is as a result of the misrules of past years?

“The voting pattern of the last gubernatorial election, even though grossly monetized by the opposition, wanting to come back by all means, shows that some voters are ready to be bought, not minding if this will bring us back to the old order where the self and the now seem to be more important than the altruistic and future of our state.

“Stockholm syndrome describes the reactions of some abuse victims beyond the context of social and economic deprivation which they suffer. Actions and attitudes similar to those suffering from Stockholm syndrome have also been found in victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, discrimination, terror, and political and religious oppression”.

•To be continued

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

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World Mental Health Day: Psychiatrists Call For More Awareness Psychiatrists have hinted that use of alcohol and not solve anything. It is substance abuse, suicide and depression were major violent, barbaric and fall outs of not taking care of the mental health of inhuman. It only suggests the young ones and especially members of the one thing and that is the dehumanization of the society. person and that is why They also maintained e d u c a t i o n , you find people with that 14-16% of Nigerians enlightenment and mental cases and families has one case of mental advocacy. whose relatives have illness or the other which He observed that some mental issues continue to needed to be dealt with. religious organisations keep it a secret until the Dr. Adeoye Oyewole, the National Coordinator are still going about matter gets out of hand”.

In the same vein, a of Mental Health NGOs treating people with in Nigeria, stated this on mental cases as if they Mental Behavior Analyst, were demon possessed.

Dr. Moses Tingan has FRANK TALK , a radio In such instances, he said that stress is good for programme on Rave 91.7 FM as part of the disclosed that people the body to strike a celebration to mark the would be tied down with balance but could be year 2018 World Mental chain, starved and misused and the use and misuse of it could depend Health Day with the flogged.

“These methods will on individuals. theme: Young People and Mental Health In A Changing World.

Adeoye noted that over the years, the society had neglected taking care of its mental health while paying more attention on its physical health which was not supposed to be so.

He revealed that the group most prone to mental health issues were the youths due to their vulnerability and changing times.

In his words, “Adolescents and young

By Adeoye Oyewole adults are more prone to mental health issues due Sexual pleasure can be one of the life’s most to their vulnerability. rewarding experiences. But there are also a lot of “What do we mean by this? Adolescents have to confusing things about sex and it is totally normal deal with anxiety and to have questions about this subject.

People define “sex” in still puts both partners at stress most of the time and when their families many different ways, and risk for STDs. For safer it means different things oral sex, always there is fail to provide a solution no alternative for male or to their problems, they to them.

Types of Sex female condom. fall back on their peers Vaginal sex (penis-inWhat is an orgasm? and this is where peer vagina intercourse) An orgasm occurs pressures come into the Dry humping or when muscles that were equation.

He also revealed that genital rubbing (heavy tightened, when a person apart from the neglect petting) was sexually excited or Fingering or hand jobs stimulated are released from the society, there were also some factors (hand-to-genital contact) and relaxed and then M a s t u r b a t i o n return back to how they that affect the mental stability of young people (pleasuring yourself to were before arousal. the point of ejaculation) in the society.

Having an orgasm is What is vaginal sex?

These factors sometimes called Vaginal sex is what “coming” or “cumming” according to him, were predisposing factors like most people think of as or releasing. bad parenting which sex. It is specifically the Each person has a precedes it, precipitating kind of sex where an different and unique factors, which is event adult male inserts his experience of orgasms that has just happened penis inside an adult but the most common recently and stress of female vagina. It is also experiences may include: which academic, marital, the only kind of sex that a feeling of warmth, economic and political can result in pregnancy. faster heartbeat, issues were part of.

Unprotected vaginal sweating, faster and Adeoye noted that sex can put two sexually harder breathing, your ways of dealing with active partners at risk for face and chest might get mental health issues sexually transmitted flushed, and you will include how to handle diseases (STDs) have muscle spasms in early treatment and including HIV/AIDS. So your genitals. Some feel managing mental health, it is advisable to always the urge to moan or adding that parents use male or female scream out in pleasure. It should make it a point of condoms for protection. is often intense and feels duty to watch out for What is oral sex? really good. unusual changes in the Oral sex is defined as During orgasm, some behavioural patterns of the act of using the mouth their children and wards. to stimulate another ‘feel-good chemicals are released into the He thanked the person’s genitals. leadership of churches, However, there are many bloodstream that might create a giddy, happy, mosques and other ways to refer to oral sex religious organizations including, going down warm or even sleepy for partnering with on someone, eating feeling.

Men usually ejaculate mental health facilities and NGOs in the area of someone out, giving when they reach orgasm. care for members that someone a blow job, or Some women ejaculate have mental issues but giving head but there is a during sexual activity, maintained that much zero chance of getting too.

Some women may work still needed to be pregnant or getting have orgasms that are so done in the area of cancer from oral sex.

Unprotected oral sex mild that they may think

He observed that some religious organisations are still going about treating people with mental cases as if they were demon possessed.

He related that the citizens of the country were already undergoing stress in every area of their lives like finance, economic, marital, and there was no other way of letting up steam so they end up soaking them all in.

“Even in stress management, the hospital is usually the last place to seek help in Nigeria because most of the citizens see religion and religious activities as a way out of their stress and ultimately mental life”.

He connected this behaviour to the fact that society still see any associated cases in mental health as a demonic possession, social stigmatization and many people that are in that category refuse to open up on their condition.

In his words, “society through its action whether spoken or

13

With

FRANCIS EZEDIUNO otherwise atimes puts undue pressure on individuals which in turn leads to trauma, made people to lose the capacity to relate with one another”.

Tingan added that society was suffering from collective trauma as a result of insecurity, lack of trust, fall in living standard, false religious beliefs, cultural practices and others.

In the fight to maintain a fair balance between physical and mental health, Dr. Tingan observed that most Nigerians place more emphasis on the former and ignoring the latter.

He called on government to reengineer the mental health policy of the country.

“Government should be responsible for

adopting a mental health policy. It should be put in place and practiced even at the primary health care level.

“A social security safety net should not be lacking in the society and social restructuring should be carried out to improve general health in the country.

“Social restructuring refers to eradicating corruption in the country especially amongst the political class, improving on the minimum wage and seeing to it that pensioners and senior citizens are taken care of”.

World Mental Health Day is annually celebrated on the 10th of October by the World Health Organisation (WHO), a subsidiary of the United Nations Organisation (UNO).

Sexual Pleasure And What To Know

•Dr. Oyewole they did not actually have one but male orgasms are unmistakable. Also, it is nice for ladies to focus on what they feel rather than their idea or imagination of what an orgasm ought to be.

Talking about Sex (what partners should talk about?)

Sex has a lot to do with trust and responsibility.

So being open with each other about sex is very essential. It is easier for people to be naked before each other than to openly talk and discuss about the act of sex itself.

Advice is that sex talk should be encouraged amongst couples and sexually active partners.

The point is, even though it is important to talk about sex, it is usually difficult to do it.

Reasons could range

from past experience to deeply held beliefs about sex to religious stance to rumours/hearsay to how society treats the subject of sex itself. In some places, talking about sex is an outright taboo.

There is no taboo in sex and sexual activities. It is important for couples to have open communication with their partner to help ensure a good and healthy relationship.

Tips on how to talk about sex with a partner: Open the discussion by getting to know the partner very well.

Ask your partner to talk about himself/ herself Ask about their sex life Ask about their past sexual experiences Ask what they think about safe sex Ask if they have ever

been tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS? Ask what they think about condoms Knowing about a person and their past can help to make better decisions concerning safety.

Secrecy is dangerous. Overcoming discomfort or shyness is not easy but working up confidence and having a say is way better and more rewarding than contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV and unwanted pregnancy.

How to talk about sex with parents If a person feels safe talking with their parents about sex, then let them do it. Sure, it can be a little embarrassing but it is definitely worth starting the conversation.

Parents are sometimes scared talking to their children about sex, so talking to them first might be the best way to begin the conversation.

Many parents and other trusted adults can offer great information and advice about sex, health, and staying safe.

One way to avoid awkwardness is to ask such parents questions about what they think about sex to show them that their opinions are respected.

Asking them questions about what it was like when they were young or when they first started having sex is a great way to learn, get their trust, and even hear some funny stories from their past.

14

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NEWS

FRIDAY OCTOBER 19 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 25, 2018

Legislature, Major Contributor To Nigeria’s Under-development - Senatorial Candidate

By Sola Jacobs Senatorial Candidate of the Action Peoples Party (APP) in Osun Central Senatorial District, Prophet Adebisi Mukaila Michael has identified the legislature as a major arm of government that has put Nigeria in bondage of underdevelopment for years.

In a chat with Osun was the basis for his Defender, the clergyman decision to seek the turned politician said, mandate of the people of beside the shenanigans Osun Central into the of the executive arm of Senate with a view to governments over the leading a course for the years against the masses freedom of Nigeria of the country, personal through enactment of interest have shrouded laws that would be the legislators who have followed to the level of jettisoned the welfare of implementation. the people for personal According to the aggrandizement.

Iragbiji-born prophet, According to him, if Nigerians deserve better the legislative arm of than what they are government is currently getting and it determined to make is clear that the parties Nigeria a better place for that had been in saddle, all, it would do the particularly at the center needful to put the have failed to live up to executive arm on its toes expectations of the and the standard set people. would be difficult to “As Nigerians, we derail from. cannot continue to live He stressed that, even in the same old way if the executive has the which has continued to good intention to run us into trouble as a deliver, without a people, hence the need legislature that has the to change hands from same intention, no good the old that have failed result can be achieved. to do us any good to the Adebisi who is the new that have potentials founder of Christ to do better.

Awareness Church “If our current International, said, this problem in Nigeria

would have to be changed, we must ensure that we have a legislature that will put aside their personal interest and allow the interest of the masses to

take course through our votes.

“We can’t achieve this unless we have people who are ready to lead the course and that is what myself and our

have exposed us to, and as Nigerians we can also do it through our votes which we must cast freely in 2019 and refuse to sell”, Prophet Adebisi stressed.

welding, farming, hairdressing and other profitable ventures, so as to make t h e m responsible citizens.

“As part of the monarch’s efforts in curbing the menace, he has instituted empowerment for widows through engagement of a large number of widows in the state.

“The empowerment programme is not limited to sharing of food items and clothes, but giving of money to start small businesses, help in the repayment of loans,

enrolling and financing their children in schools and vocational centres among others.

As panacea to this vice which is alien to Yoruba culture, High Chief Adesola called for the strengthening of marriage and family institution.

He lamented the devaluation of the Yoruba social beliefs coupled with the economic downturn which is responsible for social vices, communal clashes and criminal activities in the communities.

Ife Chief Worries Over Increase In Destitute Children

By Sola Jacobs

Lowa of Ife, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye has expressed concern over the increase in the rate of destitute children within Ife metropolis.

High chief Adeyeye, markets in Ife to their said this during an abode and are not mainly interaction with OSUN Ife indigenes.

DEFENDER in Ile-Ife, He stated further that describing the situation majority of them are nonas alien and must be indigenes who found curtailed. their way to Ife and some He said the rate of of them are product of increment of destitute inter communal clash as children in Ife metropolis they had lost their is of great concern to parents but because of Ooni in council who had the hospitality nature of taken practical steps to the Ife people found take the affected children respite in the city, hence off the street but needs increase in their numbers the collaboration of all on a daily basis.

He said, Oba Adeyeye concerned authorities.

According to Enitan Ogunwusi has him, most of these taken practical steps of children had converted taking destitute youths Afewonro park, opposite out of street by engaging Ooni’s palace,Local them in skill acquisitions as Authority Primary programs, such School in Sabo and Plank t a i l o r i n g ,

•Osun OYES Commandante, Colonel Eniibukun Oyewole (middle) dishing out instruction to cadets during a data capturing excercise of OYES volunteers in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government on Tuesday. Photo: JAMIU IBRAHEEM

Osun Monarch Warns Against Illegal Mining

By Israel Afolabi A traditional ruler, Oba Christopher Ariyo the Onibala of Ibala in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun has charged the Federal Ministry of Mining and Office of Natural and Minerals Resources in Osun to tackle the problem of illegal mining so as to put an end to the activities.

The monarch, made this known while responding to questions from According to him, “the journalists in Osogbo, the activities of illegal miners state capital. have contributed Oba Ariyo lamented negatively to the the activities of illegal economy of the state and miners across the country Nigeria which is very which is causing setback embarrassing indeed “. to the Nigeria economy.

He frowned at this He said illegal mining illegal work which is activity has been supposed to be a source worrisome since a decade of income for ago in the affected governments both at the community which affect State and federal level, if every arm of government handled properly and negatively. maintained effectively.

party APP stand for.

“We must all be determined to free ourselves from the bondage of underdevelopment that successive governments

The monarch canvassed for the support of all security agencies, forest guard, Nigeria police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps [NSCDC] especially those saddled with the responsibility to curtailing such activities in the country.

He urged the entire members of his community to raise alarm whenever they come across illegal mining activities in his domain.

He said that NSCDC has a lot of work to do in these communities because it will be embarrassing to continue with such illegal thing

without putting a stop to it.

He urged all stakeholders in the state to put adequate measure in place to generate more revenue to government purse in order to have enough income at government disposal.

However, Ibala, Ibodi and its environment in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of the State are rich with mineral resources especially gold in large quantity which Federal Government has failed to pay adequate attention to.

Baba Sala For Burial December 7th

By Israel Afolabi

The Adejumo Abogunloko family of late Apostle Moses Olaiya Adejumo Baba Sala has announced December 6th and 7th 2018 as the date for the burial ceremony of the icon.

His siblings Emmanuel Adejumo, and Oyindamola Ayibiowu told OSUN DEFENDER that the family has decided on the date for the burial.

The late Moses Adejumo, a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), a comedian, dramatist and actor died on October 7th at the ripe age of 82 in his residence Ilesa, State of Osun.

His body has been deposited at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex annex (Wesley Guide Hospital) in Ilesa.

He was a foremost Nigeria comedian, dramatist and actor who pioneered modern

Nigerian comedy alongside other dramatists like Hubert Ogunde, Kola Ogunmola, Oyin Adejobi, Duro Ladipo.

He founded a music group in 1964 known as the Federal Rhythm Dandies while the Afro juju maestro, King Sunny Ade graduated from his music school.

He produced films which included OrunMooru [1982], Aare Agbaye[1983], Mosebolatan [1985], Obee Gbona [1989], Diamond [1990], Agba Man [1992], Return Match [1993], Ana Gomina [1996] and Tokunbo[1985] respectively.

•Continued from page 10 citizens to start monitoring all project of the government starting from 2019 and alert them if any foul play were noticed during the execution of those projects.

“One of the reasons for this plan for Osun citizens is to make sure they have sense of belonging in budget and execution.

In his contribution, the coordinator of EU sponsored State, Local Government Reform Project (SLOGOR), Mr. Yemi Ijidele lauded the State Commissioner for Economic Planning in making the Ministry to comply with the recent global practice of budget planning and implementation in which

people are involved in preparation.

He said, there is linkage between budget and people which has made efficiency possible.

He added that the international community expected Government to be accountable and transparent. Thus, he lauded Osun State for joining the comity of States in Nigeria that has started citizens budget rather than Government budget in an inclusive budgeting.

Director Planning for Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Mrs. Yetunde Esan during the presentation of the template of the plan relayed the importance of development plan designed by the ministry.

Development Plan

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

CRIME

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

15

Man In Court Over Electoral Offence Osun state police command has arraigned a 24 year-old man, Adeagbo Wasiu before an Osogbo magistrate court for allegedlly conducting himself in a disorderly manner and attempt to commit bribery during the September 22 governorship election in the state.

The charge sheet read in the court revealed that

the accused person and others at large were allegedly of unlawful possession of voters cards and disorderly conduct.

The charge sheet stated further that the accused person received

and procured one voters card of other person for use at Osun Gubernatorial election.

The offence committed, the charge sheet revealed is contrary to and punishable under section

By Adetunji Adekale Osun state police command has arraigned a 30year-old man, Ayoola Samuel before an Osogbo magistrate court over alleged house breaking and stealing. stole the The charge sheet read suspect in the court revealed that following items, two the suspect entered the Tecno phones valued house of one Akintunde N25, 000 and N10,000, Funmilayo on October Itel android phone 20, 2018, at Halleluiah valued N22, 500 and the Estate area, Osogbo, sum of N2, 500.

The offence Osun State.

It added that the committed, the charge

sheet disclosed is contrary and punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code cap. 34 vol. II laws of osun state Nigeria 2003.

According to the charge sheet, the suspect assaulted one Tijani Ismail by injuring him with razor blade on his hand and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section

356 (5) of the criminal code CAP. 34 Vol. 11, Laws of Osun State, Nigeria, 2003.

However, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the six count charges preferred against him.

Presiding Magistrate F.A. Sodamade ordered that the case should be transfer to Magistrate court 4 to be mention on November 22, 2018.

By Aishat Oyebamiji

Police Docks Suspect Over Stealing, Burglary

•Scene of an accident involving a truck loaded with bags of beans at Powerline area, Osogbo at the early hours of Tuesday.

Two Teenagers Docked For Attempted Stealing attempted to steal contrary to and punishable under section 509 of criminal code CAP 34 vol.II laws of Osun state Nigeria 2003.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

The defence counsel K.E Ngwoke urged the

court to grant the accused persons bail in the most liberal terms.

The presiding Magistrate, O.A Oloyade granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in the same sum.

The case was adjourned to November 26, 2018 for hearing.

guilty to the charge

By Aishat Adepoju and Sofiyat Adebayo preferred against him.

A 28-year-old man, Odeyale Akeem has been Presiding Magistrate arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate court for O.T Badmus granted the alleged stealing of Infinix Hot 4 phone. accused bail with the sum The charge sheet read However, the accused of N100, 000 and one in court revealed that the person pleaded not surety in like sum. The accused person stole one Infinix Hot 4, valued N35, 000 and cash sum N3, 500, property of one Mr. Sulaiman Isiaka.

By Toyosi Fafolahan Akeem was arrested For Allegedly stealing a sum of N700,000, the on April 22, 2018 at about 2am at Fiwasaye area, Osun State Police Command has arraigned a 26year- old Olokose Oluwasanya Timilehin before Osogbo.

The offence an Osogbo magistrate court. committed, the charge The charge sheet read sheet disclosed, is in the court disclosed that account using First Bank contrary to and the accused person and mobile transfer without punishable under section others at large stole the the owner’s consent.

390(9) of criminal code sum of N 700,000,by It was disclosed in the CAP 34 VOL.11 Law of charge sheet that the Osun state, Nigeria, 2003. transferring the money offence is contrary to and from one Mr. Atoyebi’s

surety must swear to affidavit of means and the address must be confirmed by the police.

The case was later adjourned to October 30, 2018 for hearing.

By Aishat Adepoju and Omolara Olowotoro A magistrate court sitting in Osogbo has remanded a 19-year-old boy, Enock and David Gali,19, in prison custody over attempted stealing.

The charge sheet read punishable under section in court disclosed that the 516 [A] of criminal code accused persons on cap 34 vol II law of osun October 16, 2018 at at No. state Nigeria 2003 29, Ayetoro area, Osogbo The charge sheet conspired to commit disclosed that the felony contrary to and accused persons

Phone Theft Lands Man In Dock Police Arraigns Suspect Over N.7million Theft punishable under section 390(9) of criminal code cap 34 vol.II laws of Osun state of nigeria 2002.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.

Presiding Magistrate O.T Badmus adjourned the case to November 13 2018 for hearing.

128 of the Electoral Act, 2010.

According to the charge sheet the suspect committed the offence at Kolabalogun area, Osogbo on September 22, 2018 However, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the five count charges preferred against him.

The defence counsel, prayed the court to grant the accused person bail in the most affordable and

liberal terms and assured the court that he will provide a reliable surety if granted bail.

Presiding magistrate, Mr. Olusegun Ayilara admitted the suspect to bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety, the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, swear to an affidavit of means.

He later adjourned the case to December 24, 2018 for hearing.

Man Jailed For Auto Spare Parts Theft

By Oluwayemisi Awe A 25-year-old, Kamoru Azeez has been jailed for 12 months by an Osogbo magistrate court for alleged auto spare part.

The accused person committed by the suspect was docked on October is contrary and 22, 2018 on one count punishable under section charge to which he (390) (9) of criminal code pleaded guilty. cap 34 vol II Laws of The charge sheet Osun state. revealed that the accused When asked of his past person stole one motor records, the suspect radiator valued N35, revealed to the 000, motor spring valued magistrate that he has N25, 000, one Gales been stealing for long but motor battery valued has always been N17, 000 and the total pardoned. valued of the properties The magistrate, O.A. stole was N77, 000 Oloyade described the belonging to one Mr. suspect as an Zakariyau Oyekola. unrepentant criminal and The charge sheet thereby convicted him as revealed that the accused charged. person committed the She then sentenced the crime on October 20, 2018 culprit to 12 months at about 6am at imprisonment without Mosadoluwa area, oke- option of fine and baale, Osogbo. ordered that the exhibit According to the should be returned to the charge sheet, the offence owner.

Alleged Reckless Driver In Court For Killing

By Aishat Oyebamiji

Osun state police command has arraigned a 24 year old man, Olatunbosun Kolawole before an Osogbo magistrate court over alleged murdered.

The charge sheet read According to the in the court revealed that charge sheet, the accused the accused person being person committed the the driver of a Toyota offence at Boredun Camry car with village, Osogbo on registration number LSR September 13, 2018.

However, the accused 674EM, drove same vehicle in a dangerous person pleaded not manner, having no guilty to the two count preferred regards to circumstances charges against him. of the road.

The defence counsel, The charge sheet stated further that the Mr. Chibueze Collins accused person drove on prayed the court to grant the public highway in a the accused person bail manner which led to the in the most affordable death of one Tosin and liberal terms and Ayodele, 28, of assured the court that he Adeyemo street, Ogo- will provide a reliable surety if granted. oluwa area, Osogbo.

Presiding magistrate, The offence Mr. Olusegun Ayilara committed, the charge admitted the suspect to sheet revealed is bail in the sum of contrary to and N500,000 with one punishable under surety, the surety must section 27 of RTA cap be resident in Osogbo 115 vol. 6 law of Osun and he must be a civil state, Nigeria, 2003. servant.

CRIME

Man In Court Over Electoral Offence .

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FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2018

Osun Poverty Ranking: Verdict From UNDP And NBS

OBSERVATION

BY INWALOMHE DONALD

Policies by the government of the State of Osun to revamp the economy Road construction projects across the and banish poverty in line with its six state have created over 5,000 direct jobs points integral action plan is, no doubt, and over 12,000 indirect jobs for the local yielding fruits with the latest report of welders, plumbers, bricklayers, food the United Nations Development vendors, among others.

Programme (UNDP) as verifiable facts The state in conjunction with the from the National Bureau of Statistics World Bank and the Federal (NBS) place Osun as the state with Government has opened up and lowest poverty rate. Poverty levels fell rehabilitated over 500km of rural roads considerably more slowly in Osun and all in a bid to creating a viable other parts of the world. environment for the state’s economy to The Computation of Human grow in all realms.

Development Indices for the UNDP The rural road construction has Nigeria Human Development Report opened up new areas for agricultural (2016) which was released by NBS activities and also made it easy for about recently, rating Osun as the lowest state 20,000 farmers to transport their in the ‘Incidence of Poverty showed that produces from farms to the markets a better government like the one under thereby improving the income and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun can livelihood of poor farming households. eradicate poverty’.

The Osun land bank programme has It would be recalled that the NBS had in turn provided access to land to over 10,000 farmers including small, medium in 2013 rated Osun as the second lowest and large scale farmers. Similarly, state in poverty Index in 2013, one of the electrification projects at the rural five states with lowest unemployment communities have also opened new rate by NBS, and the second richest state window of opportunities for the rural in Nigeria by the United Nations’ Multipopulation to carry out value-addition Dimensional Poverty Index in 2017. NBS processes for their produces. stated in the report.

In the mainstream economy, the The Human Development Index government has done a lot in supporting Report which is done annually assesses traders, artisans, market men and the different indicators that contribute women among others. So far, over N2 to the poverty level of states in the billion interest-free loans have been federation. disbursed to 133 Small and Medium The new report however places the Scale Enterprise (SMEs), 800 trade state poverty index at 17.5 per cent cooperative societies and 9,995 ahead of Lagos, Nigeria’s economic individuals across the 30 LGAs. capital. It says in terms of poverty Other interventions in the trade and ranking, Osun has the least poverty level investment gap include about 5,000 (0.062) while Sokoto has the highest MSMEs (soap makers, traditional mat (0.453), closely followed by Jigawa and It is important to state that the Misery over 1,600 Youths empowered in the weavers, livestock rearers, local plantain Yobe states with (0.399 and 0.385) Index released in January 2018 by The agric enterprise academy, O-REAP chip makers, and others, empowerment respectively. independent research firm, Financial Youth Academy located in the 9 federal Furthermore, the Incidence of Poverty Derivative Company Limited, Lagos in constituencies for increased food arising from collaboration between which is the percentage of Nigerians which Osun was equally ranked second production and empowerment, 10,000 Osun and Department for International who are poor is 53.7 per cent and the lowest (35.36%) has corroborated the youths trained in applied ICT Development (DFID, UK) under the Growth and Empowerment in States disaggregation by state shows that it is previous and the latest Osun ranking in OYESTECH, 150 OYESTECH graduates (GEMS) scheme just as ¦ 500 has been more prevalent (89.9 percent) in Sokoto poverty index by OPHI. sent to Ghana for further training and disbursed to Micro, Small and Medium state, followed by Jigawa state with 86.1 Similarly, the latest unemployment than 1,000 OYESTECH graduates Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) cooperative percent, Rivers and Ebonyi state share rate published by National Bureau of more with 10,509 cooperative societies 58.9 percent each, while the lowest state Statistics for third quarter 2017 also empowered to be self-reliant among groups others have in no small measure registered. is Osun state with 17.5 per cent. shows that Osun still maintains the provided new opportunities for The statistics from the Small and Also, the intensity of poverty in lowest unemployment rate (5.3%) with beneficiaries.

Medium Scale Enterprises Development Nigeria is 41.9 per cent which means that the new 6.7% in 2018.

Worthy of emphasis is the N200 Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) shows the poor Nigerians are deprived in 41.9 For the past seven and half years, the million which is being injected monthly that 1,596,530 jobs have been generated per cent of the dimensions. It is highest government of Ogbeni Aregbesola has into the State’s grassroots economy by the MSMEs in the state, resulting in Sokoto State (50.4 per cent) while worked tirelessly to lift over 700,000 through the OYES programme. This from various initiatives and support Osun state has the lowest (35.5) per cent. people in the state out of poverty. financial stimulant has recorded programmes of the Ogbeni Aregbesola’s It also puts Osun’s unemployment rate The new report also reflects the social dramatic impact on local economies, administration as well as conducive at 6.7 percent in the federation. and economic development in the state. creating multiplier effects for Osun business environment in the state.

This is not the first time efforts by the It confirms the administration’s In the last seven and a half years, over Rauf Aregbesola administration will be ingenuity, vision and ceaseless efforts in people.

Through the Osun Broilers 700,000 people are out of poverty appraised by the Local and International transforming the state, improve the Outgrowers Production Scheme through different schemes which have Economic Projection, Outlook and well-being of the people and creation of (OBOPS) programmes, more than 300 re-positioned the living standards of the Assessment Researchers. The incidence wealth. millionaires have been made in the state. people. New initiatives like the revamp of poverty for Osun was 10.9% in 2017 As hard as the financial state of Osun Asides OYES, the infrastructural of the Cocoa Industry Ede, Free as against 37.5% in 2010. Therefore, was in 2016, the government was able revolution has opened up the state to Vocational Training for Indigenes of the Osun has experienced a significant drop to sustain her social protection more economic prosperity. The state and timely support for Artisans, in the incidence of poverty between 2010 programmes like O’ MEAL, OYES, humongous resources drafted to cover Trader associations, the Informal Sector and now. building of schools, provision of soft up for the monumental infrastructure and most especially the Private Sector The new ranking is a result of loans and empowerment programmes in the state has paid off with have continued to place Osun on the continued efforts of Ogbeni Aregbesola for traders, provision of free ambulance deficit conditions for economic pedestal of growth and development. in fulfilling his promise of Banishing services and treatment to accident improved With Governor Aregbesola’s tenure growth.

Poverty through complementary and victims, social intervention and other There has been quite marked and ending in less than 40 days, citizens of holistic implementation of both social life-enriching programmes. the state look forward to a more sharp increase in land prices along the infrastructure and social protection/ Over 38,000 traders, business owners corridors of the road projects, thereby productive economy with an improved welfare programmes. growth rate, radical shortfall in the and small scale business owners have According to National Bureau of been empowered between 2014 and 2018 encouraging poor households who had unemployment rate and improved considered their land holdings Statistics (2018), the number of alone. worthless to convert the land into economic policies from the incoming employed persons in Osun increased It is on record that the byproducts of benefits in the light of current administration. from 1,524,312 in 2010 to 2,365,622 in Q3, the OYES initiative have resulted in far- economic 2017 representing 55% increase over a reaching economic gains for the state. realities occasioned by the road •Inwalomhe Donald writes from Benin construction projects.

City, inwalomhe.donald@yahoo.com period of seven (7 years) OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

All correspondence to the Editor, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, Telephone: 0806-220-7954, kazeemayofe26@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org., E-

The new report also reflects the social and economic development in the state. It confirms the administration’s ingenuity, vision and ceaseless efforts in transforming the state, improve the well-being of the people and creation of wealth.

mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com,