Osun Defender Online Version of July 24, 2021

Aregbesola, A Unique Progressive Politician, Says Ataoja Page 7

I Was Not Commissioned To Destablise Osun APC - Engr. Raji

CVR: Physical Registration Begins On Monday Page 4

Page 4

SATURDAY, JULY 24 - THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021 VOL 16 NO 27

PDP Drags Judiciary Into Party Crisis

•Odeyemi Petitions NJC, Seeks Transfer Of Case •They Are Attempting To Arrest Judgment, Says South-West Group Ismaeel Uthman

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•Newly commissioned Nigeria Correctional Service Headquarters Complex, Osun Command, Osogbo.

Inset: Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, NCS Controller-General, Haliru Nababa, mni, Osun State Commissioner of Police Mr. Wale Olokode, Senate Spokesperson, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, Osun SSG, Prince Wole Oyebamiji and Speaker, OSHA, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, during the event, yesterday.

Photo: Olushola Aderinto •SEE EDITORIAL ON PAGE 3

HE Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in the State of Osun might be dragging the judiciary into its crisis, following repeated recusal requests being made by the Adeleke dynasty group on a case ins tuted by the suspended Chairman of the party, Hon. Soji Adagunodo against his suspension.

Besides, some PDP members in the South-West have accused the Adeleke dynasty group of a emp ng to arrest judgment on the case registered Suit No HIK/23/2020, warning that the Judiciary should not be blackmailed or in midated to pander to the wish of a par cular party.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that an Osogbo High Court had adjourned Adagunodo’s case for judgment on July 29, 2021, a er hearing the arguments from the pares in the ma er.

It would be recalled that the case was originally heard

by Jus ce Jide Falola of the Ikirun High Court.

Jus ce Falola was asked to recuse himself from the case in a pe on filed by the •Continued on Page 2

Aregbesola Locks Osogbo, Commissions NCS Headquarters Page 5

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PDP Drags Judiciary Into Party Crisis •Continued from page 1 State Secretary of the party, Prince Bola Ajao.

Ajao, in the pe on dated March 08, 2021, alleged Falola of ‘likelihood bias’, which made the defendants lose confidence in him in the bid to get jus ce on the matter.

The case was reassigned to Jus ce S.A. Oke of High Court 4, Osogbo Division, which entertained all injuncons and arguments from the counsels and par es to the case, and subsequently adjourned the case for ruling and judgment.

However, the medium gathered that the defendants in the suit were not also comfortable with Jus ce Oke and wanted the case to be transferred to another judge (to make it the third judge that will entertain the case).

When it was apparent that the Chief Judge of the state, Jus ce Adepele Ojo, might not be ready to transfer the case again from Jusce Oke, the Na onal Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, approached the Na onal Judicial Council (NJC), asking for Jus ce Oke to recuse himself.

Diran, in the le er sent to the NJC dated July 14, 2021, states: “I write this le er to show breach of fair hearing of the defendants and lack of competence displayed by Hon. Jus ce S.A. Oke in the above-men oned suit on July 7, 2021, contrary to Rule 3.1 of the Reserved Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I hereby apply that your lordship directs the Osun State Chief Judge to request for the case file from Hon Jus ce S.A. Oke on grounds of likelihood of bias, which has made the defendants to lose confidence in the court in their bid to get jus ce.

“The plain ff commenced the instant suit via an Origina ng Summon, which contains conten ous issues of facts; and allegaons were made against several persons who were never joined in the suit.

“Pursuant to Paragraph 1 Supra, the defendants brought a Mo on on No ce dated July 6, 2021 for the conversa on of Origina ng Summon to a Writ Summon in view of the hos le nature of the origina ng summon.

It was also the case of the defendant that due to the hos le nature of the origina ng summon, it will be in the interest of jus ce to convert same to a writ of summon so that the defendants will be able to call evidence to defend the suit.

“Hon. Jus ce S.A. Oke consolidated the Mo on on No ce, Preliminary Objecon and Origina ng Sum-

•Minister of Interior, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, with former Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, during a condolence visit to Adeoti’s residence at Iwo, over the demise of his mother. mon together by its ruling of July 7, 2021.

“The honourabe court held the mo on dated July 6, 2021 and failed to decide on

it one way or the other before proceeding to hear the Origina ng Summon that the said mo on on No ce dated the July 2021 seeks to

address.

“Further to Paragraph 5 Supra, Hon Jus ce S.A. Oke had already prejudged the Mo on on No ce dated

6th July 2021, even before its ruling on same, when it proceeded to hear the Origina ng Summon that the said mo on seeks to address.

ernment and Chie aincy Affairs, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, the severance pays of the former parliamentarians were withheld because of pending issues that needed to be cleared with them.

However, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Adeyeye, Durodola, Owoade and Raji had been given clearance for the collec on of their severance pays, while those of Uthman and Eselebor

were s ll being withheld as at the me of filing this report yesterday.

Speaking with the medium yesterday, Raji, popularly called Triple R said: “Some of us have been cleared last week Friday.

I was accused of not attending si ng of the parliament. I was told there was a pe on against me in regard of that and I saw a le er with the letterhead of the Ministry of Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs which was said to be the pe oner.

“I told them we only held mee ngs twice throughout the threeyear term. The excuse for withholding our severance is flimsy and baseless.”

In his own reac on, Owoade said: “I went to the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke last week Friday.

He told me I had no issue, that there was no substance in the allegaon raised against me. I then asked him why he deliberately withheld my severance pay when I had no issue, but he could not say anything further.

“He just said the clearance was enough evidence that I had been cleared of any allega on.

Like I said earlier, I knew I had no issue, but the government wanted to punish some of us that are loyalists of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.”

Osun Govt Clears 4 Ex-Councillors Whose Salaries Were Withheld Ismaeel Uthman

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HE State Government of Osun has cleared some of the former councillors of five local government councils whose severance pays were withheld in June.

The affected former parliamentarians are: former chairmen of Ayedaade Local Government, Hon. Abdullateef Adeyeye, Ede North

LCDA, Hon. Mukaila Uthman and Leader of the Orolu Local Government Council, Hon. Rafiu Durodola.

Also affected are: Hon. Demola Owoade, a former parliamentarian in Irewole Local Government, his colleagues from Odo O n North LCDA, Hon. Rasheed Raji and Hon. Busayo Eselebor of Osogbo West LCDA. According to the Commissioner for Local Gov-

Symbol’s Quote

“The absence of love is the foundation of all evils in our society. Those who love others will not steal from them, kill them, tell lies against them or harm them in any way”

“Hon Jus ce S.A. Oke breached the fundamental right to fair hearing of the defendants” But PDP South-West Youth Alliance, State of Osun Chapter, accused Odeyemi, Ajao and other members of the Adeleke dynasty group of a emp ng to blackmail and in midate the judiciary.

The group, in a le er tled “Save Osun State Judiciary From Dr. Deji Adeleke And His Cronies”, signed by the trio of Abiodun Adegoke, Babatunde Oladapo and Abiodun Adekanola, said: “We are representa ves of the silent majority in Osun State Chapter of the PDP. “Findings from our recent survey on the happenings in the PDP, coupled with our unflinching love for democracy and overall wellness of our great party, gave prominence to this significant gathering concerning the legal tussle between Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo and the PDP, as well as Mr. Sunday Bisi, Elder Sunday Akanfe A dade, Prince Bola Ajao and a number of other supporters of Dr. Deji Adeleke.

“It would be recalled that Hon. Adagunodo was asked to step aside as the party chairman on 30th of April, 2020, sequel to a pe on wri en by three persons loyal to Senator Ademola Adeleke and forwarded to the na onal leadership of the party.

“That is why Dr. Deji Adeleke and his people in the minority are desperately trying to build something on nothing and as of now, doing everything possible to stop the high court si ng in Osogbo from ruling on the case on July 29th, 2021.

“This is a threat to the image of Osun State Judiciary. More so, the case has been heard, judgment is being awaited. And, delivery of judgments has me-bar, under the Cons tu on. We compassionately plead that the judgment should be delivered as scheduled.

“Whoever is not sa sfied can go on appeal. The Judiciary should not be blackmailed or in midated to pander to the wish of a par cular party.

“We wish to place it on record that the latest pe on signed by one Diran Odeyemi and forwarded to the NJC against the current judge, reques ng the NJC to direct the CJ of Osun State to retrieve the case file and reassign it to another judge, reeks of good reasoning and cons tutes an abuse of the Judiciary.

“If not checked, this will weaken the judiciary ins tuon in the state. We hold, therefore, that this development is not in the best interest of Osun and its people.

We strongly believe that the recent pe on to the NJC amounts to arrest of judgment.”

PEOPLE FIRST

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A Building Is More Than The Ambiance

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N a discussion on post - war reconstruc on in the Bri sh House of Commons, Sir Winston Churchill is o en quoted as having observed that, “We shape our buildings; therea er they shape us”.

A building should be more than architectural design, in prac cal usage; it becomes a statement of intent. It is from this perspec ve that we should give kudos to the Federal Government for commissioning the newly completed hospitable correc onal facility in Osun yesterday.

It will provide a civilising ambience to rehabilitate the offender and ensure a proper framework for reintegra on back into society. This is the best way to prevent the fiscally costly and socially destabilising phenomena of repeat offenders.

Kudos must be giving to the Federal Government for the construcon of 3000 custodial facili es with

“Aregbesola a social democrat like Tony Blair understands the philosophical thrust required to build civilising frameworks. We commend him for the tenacity of purpose with which the advanced thrust is being made across the country and expect him to do a lot more in helping to correct the ills of society a task he is emotionally and ideologically well cut out to do“ vent him or her from becoming a repeat offender.

Luckily, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who commissioned the new facility yesterday is an acknowledged social reformer demonstrably so. His choice

by President Buhari to head a Min-

Review & Outlook BY ADEKANMI ADEMILUYI Africa’s Demographic Bulge Fights Back •The Chickens Come Home To Roost

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HE Republic of South Africa has had a torrid me of it, with parts of the country going up in flames.

The preliminary costs es mate of the carnage in South Africa is bound to be higher than the 3.4 billion dollars currently es mated. This is because a lot of small operators in the ransacked and burnt out malls are uninsured. In the same period, by way of some light relief, youths in a cons tuency in Ghana rejected bags of rice donated by a poli cian. The young people demanded jobs and not handouts. In the old fash-

not pay the minimum wage there is something wrong with your business model”. He obviously knows a thing or two about business and he is right. The limita ons on deepening and diversifying economies are based on this low skills format. The capacity to break out of mono economies and the diversifica on of the export base is stymied with enormous costs to the balance of payments, crea on of jobs and the vitally needed increases in the revenue genera ng base. It’s a Catch 22 situa on.

What Is To Be Done?

In a season of discontent across the con nent, the is-

•Burning and looting by those left behind in South Africa. ioned depic on they wanted a hook and nets to fish for themselves as opposed to the crea on of a dependent syndrome. To put it in context, the protests by young people across Ghana over the s fling lack of economic opportuni es and the lack of delivery on promises by the ruling party has been on for over six months. Offering what we call pallia ves in Nigeria was really waving red flags at a raging bull.

The hijacking by hoodlums of our own #EndSARS remains a poignant reminder that nowhere in Africa has the crisis of the demographic bulge which has led to mass under and unemployment being handled well. Across the con nent, a Déclassé stratum has emerged, a class lacking in the skills to subsist let alone be relevant in a brutally compe ve interdependent world order. The fixa on of the (miss) ruling establishment has always been on a low skilled, low wages framework. This has worked for the establishment allowing them to extract the surplus to build a ren er state, but it is not sustainable. It is not sustainable because it is uncompe ve. As the American business figure Bill Gates has pointed out, “if you can-

sue must be “what is to be done?”. This has to take the form of a review and outlook. The jury on the review is out. The models deployed in the post - colonial state have failed. The me for a reboot has come. Recent events have shown that the me bomb is simmering.

In the 1960s, the French revolu onist, Regis Debray observed that a graduate of Industrial Chemistry without the prospects of a job is a walking bomb. This admonion went unheeded; unfortunately the chickens have now come home to roost at a me when vast technological changes and innova on is making compe veness even relevance problema c to put it mildly. The effects of decades of underinvestment in educa on, as well as other areas of the social and physical infrastructure makes compe veness in today’s ever changing innova on propelled world almost a contradic on -in - terms.

The old model has become an existen al danger and has to be discarded. How it can be retooled within the deformi es of the post - colonial state is the issue. The post - colonial state has being largely constructed on extrac ve industries with stunted mul plier effects on the rest of the economy. The limita on of value addi on is a key inducement of today’s now destruc ve mass unemployment. To break it will require asking the proverbial Publisher – Moremi Publishing turkey to vote for an early ChristHouse Ltd. mas. For the present establishDeputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman ment to agree on much needed (0805-121-2204) reforms there will have to be a naonal democra c agreement that Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa the present misfiring model cons Reporter – Yusuf Oketola tutes a threat to the con nued exReporter – Kazeem Badmus istence of the establishment itself.

Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto Using recent events as examples, a Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere direct appeal has to be made to the OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing most basic of ins ncts, that of self preserva on. It has to be hoped House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, that the establishment in Africa do not con nue like the self - deState of Osun stroying Bourbons of revolu onary ISSN : 0794 – 8050 era France who learnt nothing and Telephone : 0805-121-2204 forgot nothing. In a make or break Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php decade, the post - colonial state e–mail : osundefender@yahoo.com having exhausted the limits of its osundefenderbank@gmail.com limita ons must reinvent itself or All Correspondence to the above email Addresses. perish.

OSUN DEFENDER IS NOT AFFLIATED WITH ANY OTHER NEWSPAPER, •Adekanmi Ademiluyi MAGAZINE OR ANY PUBLICATION WHATSOVER writes from Osogbo.

OSUN DEFENDER

•The new shape for remoulding the offender.

medical centers, sports complex, classrooms in the six geo - poli cal zones.

In the words of another former Bri sh prime minister, Tony Blair, “We must be tough on crime and tougher s ll on the causes of crime”. Without tackling the social depriva on and environmental factors at the root of crime, we will be locked in a vicious cycle. Breaking the chain includes the need to properly reintegrate the offender back into society and hopefully give the offender the skills to pre-

istry in dire need of modernising reforming zeal was inspired, a masterstroke. Aregbesola a social democrat like Tony Blair understands the philosophical thrust required to build civilising frameworks. We commend him for the tenacity of purpose with which the advanced thrust is being made across the country and expect him to do a lot more in helping to correct the ills of society a task he is emo onally and ideologically well cut out to do. It is in this way that we can correct the root causes of social dishevelment.

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I Was Not Commissioned To Destabilise Osun APC – Engr. Raji Ismaeel Uthman

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•Members of Osun State House of Assembly at the commissioning of Nigeria Correctional Service, Osun Command Headquarters, in Osogbo, yesterday.

Ikirun Indigenes Lament Lack Of Developmental Projects In Town Kazeem Badmus

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NDIGENES of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government area of the State of Osun have lamented what they described as total neglect of their town by the State and Federal governments in terms of developmental projects.

The indigenes threatened to stop their support for government and poli cians if they failed to address the dearth of infrastructure and see to socio-economic development of the town.

They spoke through the President of Na onal Ikirun Progressive Union (NIPU), Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi, at the maiden Na onal Conven on of the union, held at Akinorun Grammar School, Ikirun, on Thursday.

According to Olawuyi, Ikirun, despite being the headquarters of one of the six official administra ve zones in the state, has never enjoyed any developmental project that befits its status.

He said state and federal ins tu ons in the area were located in the other adjourning towns and villages despite the town’s deep involvement in par san poli cs in the state.

Olawuyi said: “Ikirun, a historical town, is for-

tunately centrally placed among other towns and ci es. As the provincial headquarters of the old North-East Province of the defunct Western Region and subsequently at present the headquarters of one of the six official administra ve zones of the State of Osun, we have never enjoyed any

developmental project that benefits our status as an administra ve headquarters.

“University campus, polytechnics, colleges of educa on and other Federal and State ins tu ons in this area are located in other adjourning towns and villages around us.

“In the poli cal arena, despite our deep involvement in par san poli cs, we have never for once

enjoyed the dividends of democracy, even at the local government level.”

Olawuyi appealed to Ikirun indigenes all over the world to shun poli cs of hatred, selfcenteredness, parochial interests and discrimina on; while urging them to make a resolve to make sacrifices and make Ikirun be er again.

CVR: Physical Registration Begins On Monday Sodiq Yusuf

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HE physical aspect of the ongoing Con nuous Voter Registra on of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) will begin on Monday, July 26, 2021.

In a no ce signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the State of Osun, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, the commission said those who registered online since June 28 through its portal will represent themselves for physical registra on.

Agbaje also lauded ci zens and residents of the state for ac vely par cipating in the online exercise, even as he warned against mul ple and underage registra on.

INEC, according to Agbaje, will be conduc ng quarterly display, as well as using the Automated Biometrics Iden fica on System, to iden fy and remove double or mul ple registra ons as well as un-

derage registra on.

Agbaje said: “While online registrants that have scheduled appointments from 19th July, 2021 to 23rd July, 2021 will have their appointments rescheduled, the Commission has concluded arrangements towards deploying the INEC Voters Enrolment Devices to all the 30 local government area INEC offices across the state and the state head office in Osogbo for the commencement of the physical registra on beginning from Monday, 26th July, 2021.

“For now, the exercise will be strictly restricted to the INEC local government area offices and the state office at Osogbo, only. The physical registra on shall commence by 9:00am and end by 3:00pm from Monday to Friday excluding public holidays and any person on the queue as at 3:00pm during this period shall be accepted for registra on.

“Let me seize this op-

portunity to appreciate the good people of Osun State, par cularly the youths, for their tremendous efforts in par cipa ng effec vely in the online registra on since it began on 28th June, 2021 through the INEC portal link: cvr.inec.gov.ng and cvr.inecnigeria.org.

“It is however per nent to sound a note of warning on double or mul ple registra ons as well as underage registra on as the Commission would be conduc ng quarterly display as well as using the Automated Biometrics Iden fica on System to iden fy and remove irregular registrants.”

The REC further explained that the Con nuous Voter Registra on would be in place un l the middle of May 2022 to enable the Commission print the Voters Cards and bring them back for distribu on before the Governorship Elec ons slated for July 16, 2022.

N Osogbo-based businessman and philanthropist, Engr.

Kehinde Raji, popularly known as Aaraj, has called on residents of the state to disregard insinua ons that he had been commissioned to destabilise the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the State of Osun, ahead of the 2022 Governorship Elec ons.

Raji, in a press statement signed by him, said the rumour-mongers who alleged he had received a huge amount from the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as well as working for the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in Osun, were out to poli cise his philanthropic gestures.

No ng that he had neither received monies nor contracts from poli cians of Osun extrac on, the CEO of Aaraj Construc on Company, said his gestures are all hinged on advancing the cause of humanity in the state and Nigeria at large.

The statement, which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday reads in part: “My a en on has been drawn to vicious insinua ons making the rounds in the state, some elements in the poli cal circles a empt to poli cise my philanthropic gestures and perniciously alleged that I had received huge amounts of money from the former governor of the State of Osun and Hon. Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to destabilise Osun APC for the purposes of Osun 2022 Governorship Elec ons, from another account. My detractors say I am working for Osun PDP. “I have no dog in the fight between the camps of

• Raji

Governor Gboyega Oyetola and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I had always told people who curiously asked about my interest in Osun poli cs that I am not a poli cian, I’m a businessman. My philanthropic gestures are for everyone who is genuinely in dire straits, irrespec ve of poli cal persuasions.

“It’s uncharitable and deeply hur ng to rumour that I had received money from Abuja to destabilise Osun APC. This is patently false and poli cally wicked.

For the record, I have not received a dime in cash or contract from any poli cian within and outside the State of Osun. I work very hard for my money and I enjoy His grace. Please stop the blackmail!

“They said Aaraj is working for Osun PDP. This is no news. It was a terrible and dubious charge invented in 2018 against me. Whatever is the mo va on of the elements behind this charge, I leave them to God. In the words of Uthman Dan Fodio: “Conscience is an open wound...” all my doors are opened to any poli cal party who values me; but certainly not for any poli cal office for now.”

He pledged to remain focused to alleviate poverty by suppor ng the less-privileged in the society.

“The simple truth is that every act of kindness is significant. It is not the amount that ma ers, but the very thought itself, that gesture that reminds us of our collec ve humanity, I will not stop! Go to Isale Osun where I hail from, see poverty wri en all over majority of my people, I can’t eradicate it but we shall together alleviate it in Jesus’ mighty name”, he submitted

SATURDAY, JULY 24 - THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

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FG Committed To Repositioning Agencies For Improved Internal Security - Aregbesola Sodiq Yusuf

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HE Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Friday reiterated the resolve of the Federal Government to strengthen internal security of the country through ini aves that will reposi on the agencies for be er performance.

This, he said, is imbued in the mul farious infrastructural projects and developmental ini aves to boost the morale of officers and in turn, further guaranteeing the safety of the lives and property of Nigerians.

Aregbesola stated this in Osogbo at the official commissioning of the headquarters of the Nigeria Correc onal Service, Osun Command.

The minister noted that efforts will be geared towards improving the situa on of the custodial centres, while introducing ini a ves that will help boost produc vity

and improve the quality of the service.

He also sought the collabora on of state governments in providing the infrastructure to house more inmates and assist in the deconges on efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administraon to address the challenges facing the NCS. Aregbesola said: “The challenges of safe and effec ve custody at the custodial centres come therefore from the awaiting trial inmates, given their numerical strength.

This fact greatly limits our capacity for correcons, since awai ng trial inmates being suspects, can only be accommodated and not reformed.

Reforma on comes a er convic on and not before.

“This is the reality of the management of inmates that must be squarely registered in the minds of the Nigerian public for a be er apprecia on of

•Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from the crowd at the event. the service and its limita ons at the rehabilita on, reforma on and reintegra on of convicts and a reduc on in recidivism.

“The government is building a 3,000 highcapacity custodial centre in each of Karchi, Abuja

FCT, Kano, Kano State and Bori in Rivers State. Each of these high-capacity facili es will have courts for the trial of the inmates.

The plan is to extend it to the six geo-poli cal zones in the country. The Kano project is nearing comple on. When these projects are completed,

Aregbesola Locks Osogbo, Commissions NCS Headquarters Ismaeel Uthman

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SOGBO, the capital of the State of Osun, witnessed a huge turnout of people yesterday, when the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola came to commission the headquarters of the Nigeria Correc onal Service, Osun Command.

Entering Osogbo from Ilesa, residents of the state capital trooped out on both sides of the road to show their love to Aregbesola, the immediate past governor of the state.

Aregbesola, who was also acknowledging greetings from the cheering crowd, with his usual two strong and energe c fingers, could not hold back his lovely smiles.

His entry into the state capital from the Oba Adesoji Aderemi/ East Bypass he constructed while governing the state brought about traffic jam on the Gbongan/ Ibadan road axis, down to Abere, seat of the Government of the State of Osun, as commuters and passersby were struggling to catch a glimpse of the Minister.

From the November 27 Interchange, down to the headquarters of the NCS, beside the Federal High Court, loyalists and supporters of Aregbesola and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) occupied the roadsides down to the venue of the programme, which was filled to the full

capacity.

Members if the leading socio-poli cal group in the state, Oranmiyan, led Aregbesola into the venue of the programme with their flag flying in the air.

Gracing the event were the Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, who represented Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, with other lawmakers, the Senator represen ng Osun Central Senatorial District at the Senate, Senator Dr. Ajibola Basiru and Hon. Rasheed Afolabi, who is represen ng Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Cons tuency at the Federal House of Representa ves.

Other dignitaries at the event include: Caretaker Secretary of the APC in the state, Hon. Rasaq Salinsile, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, former Chairman of APC, Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi, some former commissioners and special advisers in the state.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, was represented by Sooko Kemade Elugbaju at the event.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II and the Onirun of Oke-Irun, Oba Isaac Adetoyi Adetunlurese, Olokose II also graced the occasion.

A er commissioning

the NCS headquarters, Aregbesola visited Asiwaju of Osogbo, Alhaji Hammed Omidiran, a former chie ain of APC, who crossed over to the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in 2018, Alhaji Fatai Diekola, popupar business mogul, Chief Amuda Lawal Obelawo and other notable poli cians and community leaders in the state.

The traffic became hec c from the Aregbesola juncon, to the en re stretch of Gbaemu-Sta on Road-Old Garage- Ajegunle-Ayetoro, when Aregbesola was passing through the state capital.

Remarks by bystanders

in Osogbo, who witnessed Aregbesola’s movements indicated that residents of the state are s ll much in love with the Minister. The Minister’s i neraries were robust and quite impressive. They spoke loud of a past state’s helmsman whose imprints are s ll boldly visible on the socio-poli cal landscape.

Some of the remarks by the bystanders were: “We have missed you Aregbesola.” “This is a popular person, not like…” “See a former governor pulling crowd more than a si ng governor!” “This man is a good man”, among other cheerful remarks.

they will ease congeson considerably and enhance the capacity to manage our facili es for correc ons.

“We are also working on ins tu ng non-custodial sentencing in form of suspended sentence, community service and home sentence for first offenders and light crimes.”

He added: “However, we will need the coopera on of state governments in addressing this challenge. The overwhelming majority of offenders are state offenders being tried by their respec ve state governments.

“The state governments can therefore do three things: The first is to accelerate the wheel of jus ce. A lot of inmates have been in custody for a period longer than the maximum sentence their alleged offences carry.

This fundamentally is a miscarriage of jus ce.

“So many factors are responsible for this, includ-

•Residents of Osogbo welcoming Aregbesola in jubilant mood at Ajegunle area of Osogbo, yesterday.

ing but not limited to tardy inves ga ons and prosecu ons, personnel shortage in courts, movement of suspects to court, health challenges for the suspects and deliberate delay tac cs or sheer incompetence by counsels on both sides, leading to unending adjournments and prolonged stay in custody.

“But the bo om-line is that a delayed jus ce is a denied jus ce. There should be a deliberate judicial ac on that will lead to accelera on of trials with strict deadlines set for the conclusion of inves ga ons, trials and delivering of judgments in all cases, as we see and admire in other especially developed countries where trials and judgments are wrapped up in one week.

“A lot of people commit crimes by sneering at our judicial system, in the belief that they would frustrate and weary the prosecu on. An end should come to such shenanigans. This reform should also include the introduc on of the parole system that subject to good behaviour and evidence of reforma on, a convict can be released before the comple on of the original sentence.”

He commended the Nigeria Correc onal Service for realising its mandate of keeping convicts and awai ng trial suspects in safe and legal custody and reforming convicts to be be er ci zens.

In his remarks, Governor, State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, urged the Nigeria Correc onal Service to, in addi on to the quality of the infrastructure provided by •Continued on page 7

SATURDAY, JULY 24 - THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

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seek refuge in Allah from the devil the accursed and I start in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. I tes fy that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. I also tes fy that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His Messenger. May the benedic on be upon His soul, members of His household, His companions and those who follow His ways ll the last day.

Say O “Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves by commi ng evil deeds

Religion lah as the only one capable of our deliverance.

The fi h lesson is the fulfillment of promise.

Failure to fulfill one’s promise is a great sin in the sight of Allah. Many people do not realise this.

Whereas many of our wordily affairs are hung on promises. Poli cians make myriads of promises during elec oneering campaigns, parents will make promises to their children, friends make promise to their friends, there are promises among couples, etc. and nobody bothers to fulfill them. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) demonstrated fulfilment of promise

SERMON By Sheik Muhammad Muhammad Abubakr Makanjuola Makanjuola

and sins. Despair not of Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is o -Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Few days ago, we were all expec ng the fes ve period of Iidul Adha (Ileya). But now, it has come and gone. Nevertheless, there is a great need to x-ray it with a view to bringing out some lessons it le with us, which I believe are worthy of recalling through this column. As we all know, Iidul Adha is the second feast in Islam that we celebrate during the last month of lunar calendar as ordained

by Allah (AS) in this book thus: “therefore turn into your Lord in prayer and sacrifice only to Him”. Quran 108:2.

My esteemed readers, it is not suffice to say that since we had consumed all the meat to our sa sfac on, everything is over, but rather, we should allow the lessons therein to be lingering on in our hearts.

The first lesson is thanksgiving. Allah (SW) demands from us to be thankful to Him in all aspects of our life. He spared our lives to witness the feast and made the Quran (what we sacrifice) subject to us. He says: “Thus We made them subject to you that you may be grateful”. Quran 22:36. This is a great favour from Him and He deserves our apprecia on. Nay but worship Allah (alone and none else and be among the grateful). Quran 39:66.

The second lesson is God’s consciousness (taqwahllah, i.e. piety) it is clearly stated in the Quran that Allah accepts only act of ibaadah carry out with piety. He says: “Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-mu aqun (the pious).” Quran 5:21. Likewise, the feast we had just celebrated is not exempted, Allah says: “It is neither their meat not their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him.” Quran 22:37. Therefore, both the affluent and the poor are at per on this. There is no room for anyone to feel superior or inferior in this regard. It is the

Derivable Lessons From ‘Iidul Adha’ piety behind it that ma ers most.

The third lesson is obedience to Allah. Prophet Ibrahim (AS) demonstrated his firm faith in Allah upon receiving the divine instruc on that he should sacrifice his only son, Ismail, for Allah’s sake: “Listen to what the son said when his father told him of the divine direc ve “he said: O my father: do that which you are commanded”. Insha Allah (if Allah wills) you shall find me of As-sabirun (the pa ents).”

Quran 37:102. This is the highest level of undiluted faith one can demonstrate before one’s parent. What followed that was a consola on from almighty Allah SW, He says; “and We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (ram).”

Quran 37:109.

The fourth lesson is trial. It teaches us that this world is full of trials, ups and downs and toils. Allah says; (i)”…..and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to us you will be returned.” Quran 21:35. He says again; “Do people think that they will be le alone because they say: We believe and they will not be tested; and We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars.” Quran 29:2-3.

If not because of sincere faith that both the father and son had, such a trial was difficult to pass. It then teaches us that whatever condi on we may find ourselves, no ma er how hard, by our own assessment, we should s ll see Al-

he made then, that is now a reference point. Allah says; “you have fulfilled the dream”. Quran 37:105 Apart from this, fulfillment of promises is enjoined by Allah. He says; “and fulfil the covenant of Allah when you have covenanted.“ Quran 16:91. In another verse, He says; “…And fulfil every covenant…verily the covenant will be ques oned about.” Quran 17:34. With this dreadful submission from Allah (i.e. Will be ques oned about) Muslims are enjoined not to handle the covenant/promise with levity whenever they make any. May Allah make it easy for us.

The sixth lesson is Obedience to the Parent. As we could all see how Prophet Ismail submi ed himself to the commandment of Allah through his father (Ibrahim) (AS), what he did was in total conformity with Allah’s direc ve to all mankind. Allah rates parents as number two a er Him when he says in the Quran thus; “and your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be du ful to your parents.” Quran 17:23. This type of direcve could s ll be found in two other places in the Quran. In fact, the Prophet (SAW) regarded disobedience to parents as one of the major sins. In his tradi on related by Bakarah Nufal Ibn Haris (RAA) that the Prophet (SAW) said; “May I tell you what are the major sins? (he repeated this thrice).

We said ‘certainly, O; Messenger of Allah; he said: Associa on of others with Allah; disobedience of parents’…”

Children are therefore enjoined to emulate Prophet Ismail (AS) in this regard. It is only when a parent asks his child to disobey Allah that he can only disobey him (parent).

•Read full article on www.osundefender.com

•Imaam Raji, Musa Oladapo, the Chief Imaam of Telemuland, Ola-Oluwa Local Government, State of Osun.

News

Osun Govt Approves ASUSS As New Union Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has approved the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) as an independent union in the state.

The approval is contained in a le er signed by Mr. O. A. Omishakin, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building, a copy of which was sighted by OSUN DEFENDER yesterday.

According to the letter, which was addressed to ASUSS Chairman in the state, Comrade Olusegun Adediran, the Governor’s approval is in compliance with cons tu onal and administra ve provisions.

The le er reads in part: “In consonance with cons tu onal and administra ve provisions, the State Government of Osun has dispassionately considered your request to sever rela onship with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and operate as an independent union.”

“The Governor also directs that all en tlements due to other unions be accorded to ASUSS.” I am to inform you that the Governor, Mr. Adeg-

boyega Oyetola has approved that due official recogni on be granted your union forthwith, with requisite en tlements and privileges commensurate to what other unions in that category enjoy”.

The statement added that all relevant labour centres as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Federal and State Governments are being informed of the development, so as to accord ASUSS necessary recogni on.

The Government also directed all agencies and relevant stakeholders in the educa on sector to take

note of the development, par cularly in rela on to all deduc ons and remi ances of check-off dues to ASUSS coffers.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the ASUSS Chairman said: “The Governor gave us the approval on July 9, 2021. And that means ASSUS, as far as the State of Osun is concerned, is now an independent union. We members of ASSUS are no longer members of NUT. “We have been on this struggle since 2014. We wrote to the government but the process was a bit delayed. The previous admin-

istra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola granted us (ASUSS) recogni on on October 3, 2018. But the other administra ve circular to agencies was withheld for some reasons.

“But now, the administra on of Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola granted us new approval and recogni on and all le ers to the MDAs have been dispatched. We appreciate Governor Oyetola for this gesture. We are grateful to him.”

CHANGE OF NAME ADEGUNKE KUDIRATOU That I was formerly known and addressed as OLAGOKE KUDIRATU ADUNNI now wish to be known an addressed as ADEGUNKE KUDIRATOU. And my correct date of birth is 13th April, 1954. All former documents remain valid.

First bank and General public should take note.

ADEFARAKAN ADERONKE ADEDAYO That I was formerly known and addressed as AMUBIEYA ADERONKE DEBORAH now wish to be known an addressed as ADEFARAKAN ADERONKE A D E D A Y O . A l l former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Yusuf Oketola

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WO suspected burglars, Fadilulah Olatunji (31-yrs) and Olatunji Ibrahim have been arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate’s court for allegedly burgling houses of two persons in Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun.

The duo, who is said to be friends, allegedly broke into the house of one Ismail Bakare and Adebayo Adeyemi and carted away some of their belongings.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Thursday, the accused persons and others at large commi ed the offence on July 20, 2021 between the hours of 3:00am and 3:40am at Powerline Area, Ayekale, Osogbo.

The charge sheet disclosed that the suspects stole one iPhone 7 valued N150,000, one iPhone 6 valued N100,000, one laptop valued N250,000, two small mobile phones valued N12,000, Jewelleries valued N250,000 and an Automated Teller Machine Card from Bakare’s house.

Also, the charge sheet stated that the accused persons stole jewelleries valued N100,000, a purse valued N30,000, one laptop valued N250,000, OJERINDE FIYINFOLUWA ESTHER That I was formerly known and addressed as OJERINDE YIYIN now wish to be known an addressed as OJERINDE FIYINFOLUWA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Suspected Burglars Arraigned For Stealing Phones, Laptop, Jewelleries two small phone valued N12,000 and ATM from Adeyemi’s house.

The alleged offence, according to the Police, contravened Sec ons 516, 412, 411 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of conspiracy, burglary, felony and stealing levelled against them.

Defence Counsel, Mr. T.O Idowu, prayed the court to admit the defendants to bail on a liberal term, no ng that the allega on against the accused persons were bailable.

Magistrate M.A. Olatunji admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N200,000 with a surety each.

The case was adjourned ll August 5, 2021 for men on.

ODEDIRAN OLAJUMOKE TEMITOPE That I was formerly known and addressed as ODEDIRAN OLAJUMOKE TEMI with former Date of Birth 11/10/1993 now wish to be known and addressed as ODEDIRAN OLAJUMOKE TEMITOPE with new Date of Birth 11/10/1994.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

PEOPLE FIRST

Sports

SATURDAY, JULY 24 - THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021

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Tokyo 2020: Nigeria Aims For Olympic Glory In Basketball

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OOTBALL has always been Nigeria’s favourite sport with a historic Olympic gold the pinnacle of its success, but the country now eyes basketball for glory at the Tokyo Games.

The West African naon of 210 million people made history 25 years ago when their football team struck gold in Atlanta at the expense of top-rated Argenna, the first Olympic tle won by an African team.

But for the Tokyo Games, both the men and women’s football teams failed to qualify, with medal hopes shi ing to other sports including the men’s basketball team, as ‘D’Tigers’ carry the naon’s aspira ons following some shock results in the lead-up to the Olympics.

Ranked 22nd in the world, Nigeria upset a United States team featuring NBA stars like Kevin Durant 90-87, having been blown away 156-73 by the same opponents at London 2012.

The Nigerians also

stunned world No.4 Argenna 94-71 in another warmup game for Tokyo.

“We have not won anything yet, but I have a feeling I can upli a whole con nent,” said 51-year-old coach Mike Brown, formerly

in charge of the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We are not going for the experience, we’re going to Tokyo to win,” he said.

“This morale-boos ng

performance on the eve of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics is a posi ve signal that Team Nigeria will achieve podium finishes at the Games,” added Nigeria’s sports minister Sunday Dare.

“I am delighted with the progress our athletes are making in their respec ve sports and I strongly believe we will have many of our athletes in strong medal posi ons at this Olympics and future interna onal global

events.”

Like the Nigeria football team, the ‘D’Tigers’ squad is dominated by players from the diaspora who play in the NBA. They have strength in depth at each posi on, with Miami Heat trio Gabe Vincent, Precious Achiuwa and KZ Okpala on the roster, along with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie and Detroit Pistons center Jahlil Okafor.

Against the USA, Vincent scored 21 points while Israel-based Caleb Agada pitched in with 17 as Nigeria became the first African naon to beat the 15- me Olympic champions.

“It gives all of us the confidence to go out there and perform at a high level just like we did against USA and Argen na,” said Okafor.

“The message is to take care of business and avoid any let-down.”

•Nigeria Basketball Team.

News

Aregbesola A Unique Progressive Politician, Says Ataoja FG Committed To Repositioning In his goodwill message, Idris Idowu port in Ido-Osun” projects he started in Os- well your part.

Senate Spokesperson “I am also grateful In his remarks, the Agencies... ogbo would be complet-

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HE Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, has described Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as a unique and progressive poli cian.

Oba Olanipekun said Aregbesola is commi ed to the development of the State of Osun and Nigeria at large.

The tradi onal ruler stated this yesterday, while making remarks at the official commissioning of the Nigeria Correc onal Service, Osun Command Headquarters in Osogbo, the state capital.

He said his presence at the programme was an acknowledgment of Aregbesola’s good deeds, character and exemplary leadership while ruling the state.

Oba Olanipekun said: “Aregbesola is a unique man and a special poli cian. He is living a progressive life poli cally. I did not know him when he was serving in Lagos as a commissioner, but he did not give me any stress as a governor in Osun. He will just tell me that ‘Baba Ataoja, I know what befits this city to transform it to appreciable state capital and I will do it’, and he succeeded in doing it for us. Aregbesola is a successful man.

“Before he le office, I asked him how the

ed and he promised that his successor will perform wonderfully as he did.

“I said he is a lucky and successful poli cian.

I did not know how God answered, but I prayed for Ogbeni that ‘for your good work here (Osun), you are leaving here to be elevated and you are going to higher level.

“Thank you Aregbesola, Osogbo as a whole appreciates you and we are also grateful, because you have done

that the person that God des ned to take over the leadership of Osun from you is following your footsteps, and Osogbo is s ll moving forward and Osun is also progressing.

“I want to plead that you work together with my son, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, to bring federal ins tu ons to Osogbo, because we also want progress in educa onal sector. Also, don’t forget the construc on of MKO Abiola Interna onal Air-

Onirun of Oke-Irun, Oba Isaac Adetoyi Adetulurese, Olokose II, called on Osun indigenes who are occupying poli cal offices to facilitate projects and industries that will aid the development of the state.

Oba Adetulurese harped on unity among the poli cians, saying that it is only when they are united that they will focus on bringing investments and projects to the state.

•Oba Olanipekun, exchanging pleasantries with Aregbesola.

•Continued from page 5 the government, work relessly in offering the best of service to the naon.

Oyetola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, assured the NCS of the support of the State Government in ensuring the safety of the infrastructure as well as other inia ves to back the success of the service.

and Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his determina on to ensure that the internal security of the country is beefed up and strengthened.

Basiru commended the leadership of Aregbesola in the Ministry of Interior, which he said has birthed unprecedented reforms in the history of the agencies under his watch.

Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, corroborated Basiru’s submission, saying that the na on is lucky to have a personality of the Minister in charge of the internal security of the country.

Earlier in his remarks, the Controller-General of the NCS, Haliru Nababa, commended President Buhari for taking passionate interest in the NCS, which is evident in the numerous intervenons that has helped to overcome the numerous of challenges facing the agency.

Nababa maintained that the service will not relent in its mandate of making sure that inmates in various correc onal centres across the country are reformed to be be er members of the Nigerian state.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

News

SATURDAY, JULY 24 - THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 27 www.osundefender.com,

email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

Ikirun Indigenes Lament Lack Of Developmental Projects In Town Page 4

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INCE the exit of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola as the Governor of the State of Osun on 27th November, 2018, his party - All Progressives Congress (APC) - has been in limbo. At the party level on the one hand, any APC member suspected to be loyal to the former governor and incumbent Minister of Interior, is alienated and on the other hand at government level, some of the legacy policies of the erstwhile Governor were being revised and reversed by Governor Gboyega Oyetola APC-led government which campaigned to the electorate on con nuity of programmes and policies of the Aregbesola administra on. Again, anybody suspected to be loyal to or friendly with the former governor is alienated from appointment or any engagement. Every poli cal appointment is populated by the IleriOluwa loyalists alone – i.e. the pro-Oyetola group. In actual fact, hatred for Rauf (once that can be assured) could earn one a juicy appointment in the Oyetola administra on. It is that bad! This policy of aliena on and somemes, vic misa on, seems to have the blessing of Governor Gboyega Oyetola as none of his erring aides has been admonished for implemen ng aliena on policy. For instance, while severance pay has been paid to all former democra cally-elected local government officials, those tagged as Aregbesola loyalists or TOP caucus members are not made to benefit at all by the Ministry of Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs from the one-quarter severance recently released, pending the me they are of “good behaviour”. Every effort by Reverend Adelowo Adebiyi, TOP Chairman, to draw the a en on of the Governor to this development yielded no meaningful results. Furthermore, in the newly-appointed caretaker commi ee contrap on and aberra on unknown to le ers and spirit of the 1999 Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, Governor Oyetola clinically ensured that nobody with af-

“Under the present scenario, swords are high up between TOP and IleriOluwa caucuses.

According to TOP, it is a battle between light and darkness; it is a struggle between good and evil. July 31st ward congress will be the template upon which the dangling soul of the party will be rescued or lost”

Rescuing The Soul Of Osun APC Rescuing The Soul Of Osun APC filia on with Ogbeni emerged. Everyone who is suspected to be affiliated with TOP is edged out of the local government caretakers. It was IleriOluwa all through! Again, TOP Coordinator in Isokan Local Government, Hon. Tunde Boladale, was invited by the State Security Service (SSS) for ques oning over pe ness of an alleged abuse of Governor Oyetola in a heated debate between the Honourable and an IleriOluwa follower. These developments have polarised the party and put it in a delicate posi on to win in any future democra c elec on in the state.

For the party faithful who knew what they underwent in the hand of

STRIKER

Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) between 2003, 2007 and 2010 when the party’s mandate was reclaimed, they could not afford power slipping away.

They have formed a caucus within the party with the objec ve of rallying round the aggrieved members who may dump it for another or stay aloof and jeopardise the party’s electoral interest in future elec ons. Hence, the emergence of The Osun Progressives (TOP). As things stand today, it is the struggle for the soul of the party between the progressives – TOP; and the retrogressives – the IleriOluwa group.

The ba le line is drawn and the first theatre of war will be at the 31st July,

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Staying Rightly Loyal

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2021 party congress at the wards. If there is no rancour within the party, the congress outcome may be a consensus between and among the party leaders and members. Under the present scenario, swords are high up between TOP and IleriOluwa caucuses. According to TOP, it is a ba le between light and darkness; it is a struggle between good and evil. July 31st ward congress will be the template upon which the dangling soul of the party will be rescued or lost.

While IleriOluwa caucus is genera ng names and clamouring for consensus, TOP is massively mobilising for democra c contest and elec on of every posi on in the ward exco. Every keen observer knows that all is not well with Osun APC. Its ability to manage its crisis and put its house of commo on in order on me is the only way out.

The party must avoid any situa on that will bring about breakdown of law and order in the July 31st Ward Congress and follow laid-down rules and protocols of COVID-19. As Plato said, “No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.” The truth of the ma er is that there is no neutrality anymore; it is either the party goes the way of TOP or IleriOluwa a er which reconcilia on may take place.

OYALTY is Key not only in Poli cs but in all forms of rela onship. Perhaps, it is in marriage that fidelity is most sacrosanct. Loyalty is not only indispensable but cannot be in percentages, it is needed always and in total.

Loyalty is staying faithful and true to a par cular convic on, a set of convic ons or a person. However, even in marriage that is like a sacred bond between two or more partners, a set of convic on s ll applies. These ar cles of faith, commonly called principles, are therefore the founda on of loyalty in all circumstances – or let us say in all normal circumstances.

Allegiance, loyalty, can be to ins tu ons, organisa ons and na ons.

Swearing on the oath is a common ritual when individuals are being inducted to many such ins tu ons, and ci zens do sing their organisa ons’ and na ons’ anthems and recite a pledge to it at important occasions. The underlying importance of loyalty is thereby established, from the family all the way to the na on; much else within poli cal organisa ons and par es!

Sadly, in contemporary mes, and especially in underdeveloped countries that offer li le else to their ci zens other than trials and tribula ons, the core reasons for loyalty is much o en thrashed away, at all levels – family, organisa ons and country – as blind loyalty is demanded, o en in exchange for material compensa ons in the face of dire threat to anybody displaying reasoned obedience. Unity and Fidelity, even in marriages, are on the basis of certain shared ideals, aspira ons and dreams; that two or more have come

together to advance, ready to share the ensuing fortune and/or misfortune.

Loyalty to a wife or husband, no matter what he or she eventually does or becomes a er the union - even a wife or husband-ba er, cheat, rouge and murderer - is no longer loyalty but senmental illness. It is an ill-wind that eventually blows no good to all the pares in the union.

The most powerful demonstra on of unques oning obedience, loyalty and faith is to Almighty God, Allah, as found in the story of Abraham, Ibrahim, in the holy books, with only some comparable instances in folklore, mythology and actual history. Even then, it was not a blind faith when cri cally examined, it is rooted in the solid principle of belief

by Abraham in the infallibility, omnipotence and goodness of God at all mes!

Humans, purportedly created in the image and likeness of God, are not God and are hardly ever God-like. Therefore, any sensible human like yourself will candidly advise you not to show the same reverence and total submission you show to God to any human being, it is even believed ungodly.

How come then that majority of “Third World” leaders - family heads, heads of ins tu ons, especially “leaders” in poli cs and government - expect total and uncondi onal obedience and loyalty, not minding how in-tune the issues at stake are with the founding principles of the rela onship? Even a University Head of Department, expecting sex in exchange for promised marks, expects unques oned obedience from the student, else she be branded rude, disrespec ul and disloyal, with threat

of dire consequences!? In this equa on, the masses, poor, followers, members, subjects and the weak are usually the ones at the mercy of the elite, leaders, rulers, rich and the powerful.

For those who genuinely love the survival and prosperity of their marriages, organisa ons, poli cal pares and government more than they love their pockets and personal interests, they have a clear responsibility to be correctly loyal, and it comes with sacrifices. Being correctly loyal is to constantly revisit and remind yourselves of the founding convicons, manifestos, ideals and regula ons that bind all of you together in that union: leaders and followers, and balancing them with the ma ers arising, the instruc ons and projects being handed down at the moment.

If they are all in line, you are dutybound to be faithful and obedient. If they are not, asking a few ques ons and reques ng clarifica ons, with all due respect, can never be read by any member or leader who truly subscribes to the binding idea and goals of the organisa on as disloyal; if it is read as such, and repeatedly so, it is either me to move on or it is me to find like minds to rescue your organisa on and reposi on it.

Nigeria, for instance, like many organisa ons and par es, is in dire need of ci zens who truly remember and are commi ed to the spirit and le ers of our na onal anthem and pledge, and living up to the true meanings of a Federal Republic, which we are now only in name. It is me to stand up and be counted; as that is the only way our ci zenship and those of our posterity will have fulfilling meaning.

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

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.

Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefemder@yahoo.com