Osun Defender PDF Version For September 29, 2017

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NEWS

N34bn Bailout Fund:

The Celebration Of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of Ejigbo Ancestors

Thugs Attacked Osun United, Damaged Vehicles - Commissioner

Why ICPC Absolved Osun Govt Of Diversion PAGE 3

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VOL. 012. NO.31

ISSN: 0794-8050

N100

OSIEC Dismisses Councils’ Election Speculations • Denies Recruiting Staffs In LG

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CALISTHENICS •The State of Osun government has flagged off the school calisthenics competition across the nine federal constituencies of the state.

In the picture is a cross section of students during Calisthenics display at the Adventist Government High School, Ede, on Wednesday.

INSET: (L-R) Director, Department of Social and Grassroots Mobilization and Guidance (DSGMG), Office of the Governor, Comrade Bayo Ojo; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Omoluabi Educational Services, Mr Edwin Robbot and President Association of Nigeria Conference of Principal of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Osun State, Mr Osundina.

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OSIEC Dismisses Speculations On Councils’ Election T

By Kehinde Ayantunji HE Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has dismissed claims that Local Government Election would hold in December this year, saying the commission has no clear mandate on the conduct of the election.

OSIEC by virtue of The commission described the speculations Section 197 of the 1999 is as unnecessary, illegal and constitution of no effect, adding that empowered to conduct those making such the local government declaration lack election.

Chairman of the constitutional power to do commission, Otunba so.

Segun Oladitan while reacting to speculations that local government elections may hold in December this year said, the commission has not commenced any process to conduct the local government election.

He said, “It is annoying and ridiculous that people are fabricating local government election date in Osun, which is creating unnecessary tension and

mounting political pressure on the stakeholders when in real sense such date was never discussed by the appropriate authorities” “By law, OSIEC is the only authority saddled with constitutional responsibility to conduct local government election and as far as the commission is concerned, no month or day has been picked for the election and

•Professor Wale Oni, World Bank Consultant (3rd left), Mr. Femi Ifaturoti, Director-General, Bureau of Social Services (BOSS) and Head, SOCU/YESSO (4th left) and other participants at the recently concluded 3-day Mid Term Review (MTR) Mission at the BOSS office in Osogbo.

Thugs Attacked Osun United, Damaged Vehicles - Commissioner

By Kehinde Ayantunji

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HE State of Osun Commissioner for Special Protection, Sport and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade on Wednesday described the claim by his Ondo State counterpart, Mr Saka Ogunleye over the attack on the supporters of Osun United Football Club at Dipo-Dina Stadium, IjebuOde, Ogun last Saturday as deceptive mischevious and ungodly.

Ogunleye had on Tuesday alleged at a press conference in Akure that supporters of the Osun United FC attacked the Sunshine players and injured some of them in the process.

But in reaction, Odunlade at a Press Conference held at the Government Secretariat Osogbo on Wednesday expressed shock over the claim of the Ondo commissioner, saying that such “lies is a shame and least expected from any public office holder to earn unjustified public sympathy”.

According to him, on Saturday, Osun United FC and Sunshine FC had played the second leg match of the AITEO Cup at Ijebu-Ode which, started at 4pm smoothly with supporters of both sides cheering their clubs peacefully.

He said Osun United FC had defeated Sunshine FC at the first leg match played

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in Osogbo last Wednesday, September 20, with a lone goal while the second leg match at Ijebu Ode was peaceful till the half time interval before the Sunshine FC Coach, Mr Duke Udi and supporters of the team started embarrassing and harassing officials, players and the supporters of Osun United.

“The officiating teams were not spared from the verbal venom. It was later discovered that the referee of the match, Mr Ferdinand Udoh from

Akwa Ibom State, had been obviously compromised by the Sunshine FC and its allies.

In showing his decided bias to the Osun United, Referee Udoh issued six yellow cards to players of Osun United FC and also awarded a questionable penalty against our team, this manipulation gave them underserved victory against Osun United.”

“Despite the unwarranted, satanic and pre-meditated penalty, the supporters of the Sunshine Club did not stop the verbal assaults on our supporters, apparently they prepared to intimidate and unleash terror on us. They launched a physical attack on them, leading to pandemonium, the match got disrupted and the story

is what we are telling now.

“During the attack, the second goalkeeper of Osun United FC and the captain of the team, Akeem Olalere, a.k.aKebu were grievously injured by the attackers. Five of the buses that conveyed Osun United FC and supporters to the stadium were vandalized by the supporters of the Sunshine FC in league with those of Gateway United and Remo Stars.

He also dismissed the political dimension introduced by the Ondo commissioner linking the incident with the attack of Mr Bola Ilori, Osun Commissioner for Regional Integration that was attacked in Akure last week, saying the two incidents had no relationship and insisted that violence has been the culture of Sunshine FC.

I urged the public to ignore such speculation”.

“Election is a serious business that involves many stakeholders, it must be consciously planned for in accordance with the existing laws, election under this leadership will never be spontaneous, and it would involve many stakeholders.”

When asked specifically on when the commission intends to conduct the election, Oladitan said the commission would conduct delineation exercise as empowered by law with the creation of the new Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) and Administrative Offices by the state government.

He said, with the new arrangement, the political delineation of some council areas were altered which require new voting and collation arrangements in compliance with the existing laws.

The chairman also explained that at the moment, there are no structures at the local government level that can effectively coordinate electoral activities in the existing 67 council areas and administrative offices which must be put in place before any election could hold.

“Local government election was last conducted 10 years ago without any major activities from the OSIEC, you cannot even find the presence of any facility at the local level.” “Aside all these, we have 90 days constitutional mandatory notice that must be complied with, and you must understand that we cannot just issue 90 days notices, we must have concluded all necessary arrangements in consultation with political parties, security agencies, and other stakeholders and draw a time table

Odofin Family Tackles Osogbo Business Tycoon Over “Reckless Statement”

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HE Odofin family of Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun has described as reckless and unwarranted, a statement credited to an Osogbo-born Business Tycoon that the state Attorney-General of the state, Dr Ajibola Basiru is a bastard. would not fold its arms to Reeling out the allow any assault on a resolution of a meeting of real Odofin family the family held recently member like Ajibola to counter what he because of personal and described a reckless political differences. claim, the Chief Odofin The chief explained of Osogboland, Chief that Barr Ajibola’s Akin Opatunde said forefathers were the first Ajibola “is a true son of to settle at the then Osogboland and a proud Odofin compound before son of the Odofin the family gradually family”, saying, such extended to its present statement by the maker state. was unbecoming of a soHe added that Odofin’s called leader of any family, which, according community. to him is a peace-loving The family said, it family from the onset

•Chief Opatunde. would not relent in its proactive measures in maintaining peace and harmony in the state.

According to Chief Opatunde, such reckless statement made by the

business tycoon was capable of breeding bad blood between the two families, among the people of the ancient town and subsequently truncate the peaceful coexistence that the town had been known for.

He said, in case there are differences, the maker of such statement should have adopted a more matured way of settling the matter rather than resorting to reckless utterances.

The family then urged indigenes of Osogbo and Odofin family in particular to remain calm, as the Council of Elders in Osogbo was already intervening on the issues to be resolved amicably.

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before the 90 days notices.”

The chairman also denied recruiting ad-hoc staff at the local government level for the purpose of conducting any election and warned members of the public not to fall victim of the fraudsters, assuring that the commission will adequately communicate the process for the election at the appropriate time.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Kolapo Alimi was recently quoted by the media (not Osun Defender) that the local government election would hold not later than January next year, but there are no clear evidence that plans are ongoing for such election.

Osun Defender findings revealed that local government election expenditure was not in the 2017 budget as passed by the State House of Assembly except the commission through the State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola would request for the supplementary budget before the end of this fiscal year.

The last local government election was conducted in 2007 during the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the acclaimed elected officers were sent out in 2010 by the supreme court for the failure of the then OSIEC to issue 180 days mandatory notice.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Prince Gboyega Famoodun recently disclosed that Governor Aregbesola would conduct local government election before the 2018 gubernatorial election.

According to Famoodun, the state government and the APC were preparing to conduct elections into the local government offices across the 67 local governments and area councils in the state.

He attributed the delay in the conduction of the local government elections to a suit filed against the state government on the constitution of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

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N34bn Bailout Fund: Why

By Ismaeel Uthman HE dismissal of the petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged diversion of the N34.9 billion given to Osun State by the Federal Government has been attributed to the failure of those making the allegation to substantiate any of the claims.

The ICPC absolved the diversion of the fund, state government of any saying no fraction of the

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ICPC Absolved Osun Govt Of Diversion

petition was substantiated, thereby making it to lack in merit.

The Federal Government had in 2015 given all the states in Nigeria, the fund to settle outstanding salaries and allowances of their workers being owed by about 27 states due to the drop in allocation to

•ATTENTION: A bad portion of road at Road 7, OAU in Ile-Ife in the State of Osun.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

states, owing to corruption, oil theft and drop in the prices of crude oil.

A pressure group in the state, the Coalition of Civil Societies for the Emancipation of the People of Osun State had subsequently petitioned the ICPC, accusing Governor Rauf Aregbesola of diverting the bailout fund released to the state.

But the ICPC had in a letter referenced ICPC/ INV/GBP/SG.2/520 and dated August 24, 2017, cleared the state government, saying, the bailout fund was actually expended on payment of salaries and pension of both the state and local government workers and the cadets of the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES).

The letter, addressed to the Secretary of the State Government was sent with the heading, “Re: Request for probe on diversion and possible

misuse of Salary Bailout Fund of Osun State. Save the Soul of Workers and Pensioners in Osun State”.

The letter was signed by the Head of Department of Investigation, Adebayo A. Kayode.

It reads in part, “The above case bordering on diversion and misuse of bailout fund and allowance to effect the full payment of all outstanding salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities owed to Osun State civil servants and retirees contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act 2000 was reported to the commission and same had been investigated conclusively with no fraction substantiated.

“A sum of N34,988,999,000 was released to the State of Osun on 31st August, 2015 which was expended on the payment of salaries, civil

Osun Assembly Suspends Debates On Executive Bills provisions and the

By Israel Afolabi functions therein in the HE State of Osun House of Assembly has bill for the house to suspended further debates on the Universal proceed if at all we want Basic Education Bill 2017, Education District to pass it into law.

“Without this from the Offices Bill and Teachers Establishment and Pension Office Bill 2012, all pending before concerned authorities, the house may throw out parliament. agencies, directing the this bill as not necessary Stating this at the Ministry of Education plenary on Tuesday, the and other adjoined for the State of Osun”, he Speaker, Honourable agencies to go back and ruled.

The speaker had earlier Najeem Salaam said, the rework the bill. noted that the bills would Assembly would not The Speaker said, “The assist the Ministry of proceed on the house is not yet consideration and convinced to forge ahead Education to be more passage of the bills, “until with the passage of the productive when passed when we are convinced bills. We now direct the into law, saying it would with the working concern authorities to go “enhance productivity in relationship of the back and rework the education sector”.

He added that the bills concern agencies”.

The Assembly had earlier on Monday directed that the officials of the Ministry of Education, Teachers Establishment and Pension Office (TEPO),

By Amir Adebiyi and Williams Michael Education District 35 years-old widow, Nafisat Raji has been Offices and State sentenced to a six-month jail term for stealing Universal Education laptop and mobile phone.

Board (SUBEB) should According to the Oluwakemi, thereby appear before it with a view to clarifying salient charge sheet, the accused committed an offence to and issues as to the clashes in person committed the contrary the functions of each of offence on the 30th punishable under section the agencies as reflected August, 2017 about 412 of the state penal in the bills.

12:30pm at Fayemi and code.

Sequel to their Akeju streets Osogbo The sheet also revealed appearances, the respectively. that the accused person Assembly said the The charge sheet stole one Techno Y6 scenario that played out disclosed that, the mobile phone valued at had shown that there was accused person entered N14,500, property of no good working the dwelling house of one Akindele, thereby relationship among the Akindele Deborah committed an offence to and CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME contrary punishable under section That I formerly known as That I formerly known 390{9} of the state AFOLABI AKEEM, now as BAKARE KAMILU criminal code,2003. wish to be known and OLAWALE, now wish to It also noted that the addressed as be known and addressed accused person entered OLASUNKANMI as BAKARE KAMILU the house of one AKEEM AFOLAB. All OLALEKAN. All Olaboopo Mubarak and former documents remains former documents stole his Hp Pavilion valid. FCMB, FIRST Bank remains valid. SKYE Laptop, valued at and general public should Bank and general public N45,000 and thereby take note of this. should take note of this.

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would assist in teachers’ promotion, retirement and transfer within the three districts of the state.

In his remark, the Chairman House

Committee on Education, Hon. Oladoyin Bamisayemi said, “the bills will ensure career profession of professionals in the education sector.

pensions, OYES cadets stipend and allowances and local government salaries and pension.

“In view of paragraph 2 above, it is clear that the bailout fund was not diverted but utilised for its original purpose, therefore, the commission has set aside the case for lack of merit.”

Reacting to the letter, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa said apart from being vindicated on the allegation, the ICPC has also confirmed the financial prudence, accountability and sincerity of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Baderinwa urged those he described as bizzy body and political sponsored pressure groups to desist from writing unnecessary petitions against Aregbesola on the platform lies and fabricated stories just to suit their paymasters.

He opined that the security and anti-graft agencies should be prosecuting groups or individuals submitting frivolous petitions to them for political purposes like the dismissed petition against Aregbesola.

Osun NSCDC Volunteers Laud Absorption Move

By Kehinde Ayantunji HE pioneer volunteers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Osun State command have commended the federal government giant strides on security matters across the country, especially in the area of vandalism.

This was contained in of the NSCDC a statement signed by the volunteers, Mr. Sunday Osun State Coordinator Oyedokun, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital.

Mr. Oyedokun commended Hon Goodluck Opiah Nanah representing OhajiEgbema-Oru West committed an offence Federal Constituency contrary to Section 383 submission on the floor of House of and punishable under the Section 390(9) of the Representatives on the 23rd of March, 2017 on criminal code cap.

Nafisat pleaded guilty the plight of NSCDC to the four-count charge volunteers, who are yet to be absorbed into the civil levelled against her.

The defence counsel, defence corps.

He quoted Nanah as Okobe Najite prayed the recalling that before the court to tamper justice formal adoption of the with mercy and consider NSCDC as a paramilitary the fact that the accused organisation by the person has been federal government, remanded in Ilesa prison recruitment into the corp since the first day of her was voluntary by arraignment. individuals that desire to The Presiding CHANGE OF NAME Magistrate, Mrs. Adejumoke Olowolagba, That I formerly known as convicted the accused OLATUNBOSUN person and sentence her IFEOLUWA RACHAEL, to six months now wish to be known and addressed as OLAGUNJU imprisonment with an IFEOLUWA REBECCA. option of N3,000 fine, just All former documents as she ordered that the remains valid. Sterling Bank, stolen materials should GTBank and general public be returned to the should take note of this. owners.

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Widow Jailed 6 Months For Stealing Laptop, Mobile Phone

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serve their fatherland selflessly.

Mr. Oyedokun stressed that the NSCDC since inception has been complementing the efforts of the Nigerian Police force and other security agencies in the country to checkmate crimes and ensure safety of lives and property.

Oyedokun on behalf Osun NSCDC volunteers passionately appealed to the Commandant General of the Corps to personally intervene and ensure that all the foundational members yet to be captured, and who earnestly desire to either be enlisted to the corp or be duly remunerated as required are considered.

Mr. Oyedokun expressed joy over the commandant-general’s mindset and expressed optimism in his ability to better the lots of the old volunteers and put smiles on their faces.

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4 The Return Of Tolls On Our Roads

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GAIN last week, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola informed a visiting delegation of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) about the plans of the federal government to bring back the payment of tolls on highways for their maintenance. Earlier in July, the Senate had in addition, proposed the setting aside of 0.5 per cent of fares paid by passengers on inter-state trips to generate funds for the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in the country. Also known to be on the cards is the road fund from tax on every litre of fuel sold, ringfenced exclusively for road infrastructure development.

We share in the broad premise that the current funding mechanisms for road infrastructure maintenance have become inadequate. In fact, the state of dilapidation of the nation’s road network are such that the entire annual federal government budget would be to no more than an

inconsequential droplet in the famished land to fix. With recurring budgets coming in trickles, increasingly, over the years, and with corruption and institutional lethargy denying the sector benefit of the funds annually appropriated, the outcome is what has rendered the motoring experience a nightmare.

We must admit that the current cycle of slump in oil prices have made the proposals urgent and compelling.

Although we do not pretend that the proposal would necessarily solve the entire funding problem, it is nonetheless a pragmatic way out in the current circumstance.

Now, the issue is that the country can do with new sources of revenue to fund the road sector. Of that, there can be no doubt. The debate has always been the form as well as the shape of the funds to come and the question of who to bear the burden. As, far as we can see, there is no controversy about the citizens deserving a new motoring experience, which in our view is best

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Bailout Funds: Osun

N a very tight operating fiscal climate, oil producing, landlocked state of Osun has not only held its own, it has punched above its weight. Vindication for Governor Aregbesola’s financial prudence has now come from the Independent Corrupt practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

The reaction to the allegations of funds diversion made against the government of the State of Osun was unambiguous. The ICPC in a letter referenced ICPC/INV/GBP/SG.2/520 and dated August 24, 2017, cleared the state government, saying, the bailout fund was actually expended on payment of salaries and pension of both the state and local government workers and the cadets of the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES).

The letter, addressed to the Secretary of the State Government was sent with the heading, “Re: Request for probe on diversion and possible misuse of Salary Bailout

It must also be noted that it has taken great managerial sagacity for the state of Osun government to have continued its much lauded social intervention programmes in a season of stress.

Fund of Osun State. Save the Soul of Workers and Pensioners in Osun State” and was signed by the Head of Department of Investigation, Adebayo A. Kayode.

It reads in part, “The above case bordering on diversion and misuse of bailout fund and allowance to effect the full payment of all outstanding salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities owed to Osun State civil

The idea of bringing back the tolls is therefore not lacking in merit. With Nigerians already paying premium in humongous costs of maintenance on their vehicles plying the crater-infested highways, the idea of paying tolls on better maintained roads would be a lesser evil, if it comes to making a choice. guaranteed with sustainable funding.

Even now, we are aware of the moves to get the private sector involved in the provision of road infrastructure.

Therefore, if we agree in principle that our annual budgets are no longer

adequate to fund road development with its maintenance, and that the private sector will at some point come in to bridge the gaps, we might come to the point where the idea of citizens bearing a part of the burden would become less vexatious.

The idea of bringing back the tolls is therefore not lacking in merit. With Nigerians already paying premium in humongous costs of maintenance on their vehicles plying the crater-infested highways, the idea of paying tolls on better maintained roads would be a lesser evil, if it comes to making a choice. Critical here is the need for a strong independent and pro-consumer regulator to ensure fairness.

What Nigerians needs to be reassured of is that the plague of corruption which marred its earlier entry will not resurface to undermine confidence in it; and that going forward, they would have the pleasure of driving on good roads, at least pending when the current clamor for restructuring is given life and the states given the responsibility and resources to manage the roads.

Government Vindicated

servants and retirees contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act 2000 was reported to the commission and same had been investigated conclusively with no fraction substantiated.

“A sum of N34,988,999,000 was released to the State of Osun on 31st August, 2015 which was expended on the payment of salaries, civil pensions, OYES cadets stipend and allowances and local government salaries and pension.

“In view of paragraph 2 above, it is clear that the bailout fund was not diverted but utilised for its original purpose, therefore, the commission has set aside the case for lack of merit.”

This is a fulsome public relations endorsement for the state of Osun government as one can get. We take it that the original enquiry by the Coalition of Civil Societies for the Emancipation of the

People of Osun State was not born out of mischief. This means that with the clarification from the ICPC, they should come out with a very reigning endorsement of the fiscal prudence of the state of Osun government.

It must also be noted that it has taken great managerial sagacity for the state of Osun government to have continued its much lauded social intervention programmes in a season of stress. That the federal government is now using the template of the State of Osun for its own programmes says it all.

We have no alternative than to give full marks to the fiscal prudence of the Governor of the State of Osun has he continues to use his vast expertise to steer the ship of state through turbulent waters caused by a nationwide economic down turn and hampered by Nigeria’s debilitating quasi-federalism.

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The Need To Curb Indecent Dressings

Publisher

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“Dress the way you want to be addressed” is a popular maxim far and wide, but the question is, is the wisdom the maxim teaches ever adhered to?

A dress is said to be indecent if it is morally and sexually offensive. It entails the exposure of one’s body to the public.

At this period of time, Nigerian youths are presently losing their cultural values due to indecent dressings as imbibed from a faraway culture.

The indecency is not only peculiar to ladies but also applicable to men. It has become a norm whereby guys now put there trousers below their waist, “sagging” as called is now a rampant act across all age in the country. It is the same way women wear dresses that expose their cleavages.

It has been established

Acting Editor

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that a major cause of this indecency is the emulation of western culture which are observed from social media and television.

The act is mostly displayed by their socalled “role model”. For instance most celebrities while performing wear pants, mini-skirts, bumper shorts and these are the dresses that some youths have emulated.

Dresses like these have on several occasions wrongly contributed to

cases of raping violent assault and some other harassment of women. It has also forced some

guys to join bad gangs which have abruptly truncated their academic pursuit on many occasions.

Practices like this should be curbed in other to put an end to some criminal acts that had been triggered by indecent dressings.

To check these acts, the parents, all educational institutions, religious organisations, government and the mass media must collaborate to help curb

the present situation of indecency.

Parents must stand as role models to their

children by dressing decently and also teaching them the cultural way of life.

Institutions should also ban the act of dressing inappropriately and also introduce dress code for all students to control the act.

Religious leaders should also teach and also pass out morals to their followers in other for such act to be eradicated and also put a stop to such dressings in their various places of worship.

The government should employ security operatives that will help reduce to its barest minimum the immodest dressing in our society which will be backed up by law and will be made known to the country through the use of mass media.

•OLUWAPELUMI FASOYIN, Osogbo.

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Ogiyan Festival:

The Celebration Of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of Ejigbo Ancestors Ogiyan is the symbol and cultural identity of the people of Ejigbo, Osun State. Its annual celebration, usually held in September is a major festival that unites the people of the town across religious divides and attracts Ejigbo people in diaspora. KEHINDE AYANTUNJI in this report reflects on the 2017 Ogiyan festival and the historical unity, acrimony and spiritual efficacy that the festival symbolises.

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annual ritual. The ritual RISA Ogiyan, is the according to Araba Awo traditional festival of of Ejigbo, must precede the entire Ejigbo any other activities. community. This deity is Explaining the dear to Ejigbo as Osun is relationship between Ifa dear to Osogbo. Both and Ogiyan to Osun muslims and christians, Defender Newspaper, despite their own belief, Chief Jayeola said Ifa participate fully in this guided and predicted for annual event. This deity’s Akinjole the custodian of background can even be Ogiyan throughout his traced as far away as Bahia life time. “The most in Brazil, in South America important thing is that it where it is called ‘Osagiyan’. was Ifa that predicted On Friday 22nd of Ejigbo for Akinjole the September, an early visit to founder of Ejigbo; we the palace of Ogiyan of consult Ifa for our King Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola three times in a year, one Oyeyode Oyesosin 11 will is called Isan Isa, when put no one in doubt as to the the hunters will hunt for importance of Ogiyan the King and another one festival to the people of is called Agbalu, which Ejigbo with the presence of will be done in my house members of Ejigbo supreme in the presence of all the traditional councils, Ifa traditional chiefs, and Priests, contingent of the the third is Aisun Ifa, Ifa drummers running up and vigil that we are doing down for the preparation of today before we start the Ifa Vigil (Aisun Ifa), a major main celebration of spiritual obligation Ogiyan festival heralding the festival on tomorrow.”

Saturday.

•Picture showing the Market Square of Ejigbo town where the statue of the Akinjole, the founder of the town “Ejigbo is a culturally The “Aisun Ifa” as it is is cited. INSET: The Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode and a visiting Ogiyan worshipper from enriched ancient town; traditionally known, is Brazil. apart from Orisa Ogiyan characterised by eating of the which is the symbol of new yam, pounded yam, singing the and dancing on the streets to the place. praises and praying for the traditional The ceremonial firewood fetching to the their formation with highest level of our town, people celebrates other deities which includes Orisaunla, ruler in the usual Ifa incantation tones, palace, according to Ifalade Adekunle, excitement”.

After the women possession, the Ifa Egungun (Masquerade), Sango, Esu, and this is punctuated by dancing an Ogiyan worshiper symbolises round the palace courtyard from the solidarity with palace Queens and priests in their white garment, led by Ogun and Ifa. Most of these deities have evening to the early morning when the donation to the successful hosting of the the Araba Awo of Ejigbo, Chief different custodians and worshipers, traditional “Ewo” skirmish is guest. “The women are wives from the Awotunde Jayeola also stormed the but one Idol that is serving as cultural place with their traditional gong, and traditional umbrella for all the performed. ruling houses, some of them are As men were seen arranging the muslims and christians but during the praying for the prosperity of Ejigbo. people in Ejigbo is Orisa Ogiyan palace vicinity, hundreds of women festival, they all have cultural After greeting the traditional chief in brought by Akinjole from Ile- Ife.” The Ifa priests were joined at the with excitement were pounding yams, responsibilities to the place, you can see the palace, they proceeded to the temple at the back of the palace for the temple by an Ogiyan priest from the favourite food of Ogiyan at the Salvador in Brazil, who identified palace yard, while others were himself as Efunwale Ogiyan and engaging in all forms of beautifications. explained that Orisa Ogiyan is The whole place was no doubt in the prominent in Brazil as many other celebration mood as the monarch after Yoruba deities. He said he was named dancing round the town was Efunwale at the World Ifa Temple in Ile welcoming the visitors inside the –Ife as an Ogiyan priest. “It is our palace. heritage, we believe in it, and Ejigbo is A fascinating scene that attracted the source of Ogiyan to any part of the much attention that Friday were world, I am here to worship and women numbered about 200 from celebrate the festival, they are also Ejigbo ruling house in their unison •Continued on page 6 placed firewood on their head, singing

It is our heritage, we believe in it, and Ejigbo is the source of Ogiyan to any part of the world, I am here to worship and celebrate the festival, they are also doing the festival in Brazil as I am talking to you

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MAGAZINE

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

The Celebration Of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of Ejigbo Ancestors ground for Ewo fight held several meeting with the preparation of Ogiyan annual festival; concern stakeholders on as the custodian of the deity, they the need to protect the understand the secrets and all ritual roof and window glass of necessities before, during and after the the mosques which is festival.

Orisa Ogiyan has six major priests annually affected by the who are responsible for the day to day stone throwing.

The third stage of the traditional rites and management of the ritual was ‘Boosa’ where shrine. They are: Oluwin, Ore, Salotun, the Orisa Ogiyan was Enla, Elewedi and Osupori Oluwin is the head of all the six served with the pounded priests, is regarded as Babarisa of yam made with the new yams for the year. This Ogiyan, he is the custodian of the priest was strictly conducted by that interprets the wish or predictions the Ogiyan priests. of the deity and always in close contact According to an with the traditional council. He carries Octogenarian, Pa Ismaila out periodic and appropriate sacrifice Adigun, the major food to appease and seek favour from Orisa items of this Orisa are Ogiyan. Oluwin is the one that serves snails, starred into egusi the foods and water for the deity, soup and vegetables with decorates the shrine and annually consults Ifa priest to pick appropriate •Wives from the ruling houses in procession, arriving at the palace with firewoods on their heads as pounded yam, made date for the celebration of Ogiyan mainly from all kinds of part of the festival’s rites. yam excepting the festival.

Ore is the second in command to especially from the area with existing “Iganganran” yam (Yello Yam). Pa Oluwin, he works directly with Oluwin.

•Continued from page 5 Adigun explained that the Alawe of superiority jealousy. According to Ore is from Oko, under the present doing the festival in Brazil as I am history as documented by the current Ejigbo always serve Ogiyan with 16 Surulere Local Government, Oyo state. different vegetable varieties.

Ogiyan, Oba Oyesosin, “Ewo” talking to you”.

He said, “The first Alawe who came Ore at a period in Ejigbo history met As the rituals were going on at the originated from the first Ogiyan. the founder of Ejigbo, Akinjole, in the He recounted that the then Ogiyan from Ilawe Ekiti that time sneaked out quest for the expansion of the temple, the palace vicinity was already of Ilawe when the whole community rowdy with the heavy presence of of Ejigbo had a visitor one day and the community, Akinjole offered him the Ejigbo indigenes from Abidjan, Ivory visitor had to live with him in the discovered that he was having a secret opportunity to be residing in Ejigbo and affair with a woman in the town which Coast, traditionalists from palace. “He was so loved that the Oba worship Orisa Ogiyan; he consented neighbouring communities among would prefer to go without meat than was an abomination. He left Ilawe Ekiti and Akinjole allocated some portion of with the woman and stayed in Ejigbo other spectators. It was really an all- leaving strangers to suffer. Later, the land to him for farming. Up till date night ritual, prayer and dance till stranger had sexual dealing with one for years, his wife never conceived. He drummers always praise Ore in relation approached Akinjole, the founder of daybreak, as a musical stage was set to of the Queens in the palace, and he had to Oko, (Oko Omo Isese). entertain the people till daybreak, while to be driven out with ignominy, and Ejigbo who took him to Orisa Ogiyan Osupori is the third in hierarchy the Ogiyan was dancing with the chiefs, beaten to death with sticks and stones. and his wife gave birth before the among the Ogiyan priests who annual people from ruling houses among The stranger died where the Ejigbo following people refer to as “Iya Osi” till today. festival. Alawe was a others.

On Saturday, the Oluwin of Ejigbo After the death of this mystic visitor, farmer and hunter, he Land, Chief Isiaka Salami led what is famine and pestilences entered the has nothing to offer as known as Eeni traditional rites across town and the Ifa oracle when consulted, sacrifice for Ogiyan than the town from the location of Ogiyan made reference to the ordeal of the 16 varieties of vegetable shrine located few kilometres from the stranger as being responsible for the in his farm and searched town to the Ogiyan palace. He was sufferings of the people. As an for big snail to prepare accompanied by other traditional atonement of this, the community was soup for Ogiyan. Since custodians of Ogiyan such as Ore, Enla, commanded to beat themselves from then, the Alawe has been morning to night of that memorable offering 16 varieties of Salotun, Elewedi and Osupiri.

As Oluwin led the possession of those day, and this has thus been in operation vegetable as a sacrifice for Ogiyan. who carried the deity from the shrine, in Ejigbo since that time”.

To the Ejigbo people, In the past during ‘Ewo’ fighting, the with their faces covered; as the priests this deity is a protective whole town would be physically were moving, Elewedi was shaking an object to produce sounds and alert the divided into apparent warring camps, god that has saved their people that the priests were passing such as ‘The Oke Mapo and Isale Osolo’ ancestors from the among others, but civilisation has various Fulani raids with the deity.

It is also the day of “Ewo” which reduced such conduct to the barest during the wars, and has intercepted many considered as the bad and ugly minimum. During the 2017 festival, it always aspect of the festival. Although, was just a light beating, with tiny cane epidemics from entering civilisation has reduced the effect, but to discourage all manners of acrimony the town. To the it is part of the festival whereby people or division, moreover that the people believers, this deity gives beat themselves and throw stone of Ejigbo recognize Ogiyan festival as a children, health and joy. f e s t i v a l One of its dancing songs the following that unite has them. It w o r d i n g s : was also “Olojogb’omojomukulumuke” learnt that (The owner of the day t h e dances heartily with M u s l i m c h i l d ) , •Ifa Priests performing one of the rites for the Community “Orisagb’omojomukulumuke” celebration. after the (The Orisa dances with the child) assists other priests in the day to day l a s t heartily renovation “Olojo’omonimowagba, nkogba’ke” worship of Orisa Ogiyan. of the (The owner of the day, it is child I want Salotun is also one of the powerful C e n t r a l not a hunch). priests, who understand the traditional Oral history established that the management of Orisa Ogiyan, he is the Mosque d i r e c t l y founder of EJIGBO was Akinjole, the fourth in hierarchy of the Ogiyan priests opposite son of Origiyan, from Ile-Ife. Origiyan who assists other priests in the day to the palace was one of the youngest sons of day worship of Orisa Ogiyan. w h i c h Oduduwa. He left Ile Ife at the time Meanwhile, a tourism expert, Dr •Araba Awo of Ejigboland performing one of the rites for the celebrawas the Oranmiyan returned from Benin to the Adedokun Salaami during the festival tion. b a t t l e Old Oyo Empire. Being the custodian in an interview with Osun Defender of his fathers’ god – Orisa Nla, he left expressed concern over the negligence Ile-Ife with it to found Ejigbo. The god of the government and other investors later became known as ‘Orisa Ogiyan’ in developing the festival, saying the Oral history established that the founder of in Ejigbo. festival has potential to generate It is the believe of Ejigbo people that substantial revenue for the government.

EJIGBO was Akinjole, the son of Origiyan, Ogiyan is the spirit that reflects God’s He said “ogiyan festival do not from Ile-Ife. Origiyan was one of the youngest manifestation in the prospects of Ejigbo require infrastructure, all it requires is people at home and in diaspora, global marketing and support for the sons of Oduduwa. He left Ile Ife at the time therefore some priests are designated priest and encourage hospitality Oranmiyan returned from Benin to the Old traditionally for the spiritual rites of the businesses in the town, the festival need deity.

Those priests are those to be marketed for more awareness and Oyo Empire. responsible for the sacrifice and promotion.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

COMMUNITY

Olorunda North ES Solicits Support Of Grassroots

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HE Executive Secretary, Olorunda North Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Honourable Quadri Owonikoko has pledge to ensure that the people of the council feel the impact of his government to the fullest.

He made the pledge of the paucity of funds, recently during the assuring the people that familiarization tour to their demands can be met A l a r e / A b i d o g u n if they play their own Community in the LCDA part.

Owonikoko asked the of the area.

Owonikoko who was residents to pay their received by the Baale of rates, procure their Alare, Pa Muili building plans from the Folorunso was reacting to LCDA and get streets the demands of the named after them at a community dwellers that cheaper rate.

“As a new LCDA, the their roads be graded, and requested for the challenges are enormous supply of a transformer but we are undaunted,” to ease electricity he stressed. problems, as well as construction of a maternity centre.

Owonikoko agreed with the residents that the presence of government has been hardly felt because the roads were indeed in dilapidated condition.

“Even though, we have planned to rehabilitate roads in this area, but coming here today, we know we have to do more”, he emphasized.

He, however, cautioned people not to be over-optimistic, as there are demands that could not be met because •OWONIKOKO

He said he and his team, both politicians and career officers are interested in laying a solid foundation for themselves so that their name would be written in gold.

Owonikoko was grateful to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his appointment and promised to work hard enough to justify the reelection of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He attributed the beautiful landscape of Osogbo, the State capital to the giant strides of Aregbesola which he felt deserves continuity.

Council Boss Lays Foundation For 80 Lock-up, 160 Open Shops

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S part of his administration’s commitment to develop the economic power and to improve the commercial activities of Olorunda Local Government, the Executive Secretary, Hon. Hakeem Olapade has laid the foundation for 80 lock-up shops and 160 open shops at Sabo Market Area, Osogbo, State Of Osun. enabling According to a providing statement by the environment to foster growth and Information Officer of the rapid Council, Goke Mutiu, the development within the saying, the building is named “Rauf state, Aregbesola Ultra Modern construction of the market was in line with the SixMarket”.

Laying the foundation, point Integral Action the council boss said, the Plans of the state structure was necessary to government in the area of Renewal further boost economic Urban activities in the council Programme.

The State and in turn improve the Commissioner for Works IGR. He commended and Transport, Engineer Governor Rauf Kazeem Salam who Aregbessola for represented the Deputy

•OLAPADE

Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori at the ceremony charged the residents of the council to support and cooperate with the present administration, with a view to achieving landmark achievements.

In their separate remarks, the National President Of Osogbo Progressive Union, Alhaji Rasaq Siyanbola; the Ajagunna Of Osogboland, High Chief Gabriel Oparanti; the Iyaloja General of Osun, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade and All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Olorunda Local Government, Mr. Biodun Kilanko noted that the market would increase revenue generation capacity of the council which will give room for more developmental projects in the council area.

In his own remarks, the Council Manager, Mr. Toyese Ogundiji said that the project would be properly monitored.

This just as the contractor handling the projects, Mr. Ogunfunminiyi assured that the projects is expected to be completed within the next two months.

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THE SOCIAL REGISTER

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

THE SOCIAL REGISTER

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A Cocktail of Recent Happening APC Members Charged To Canvass More Support

Aregbesola’s Son, Kabiru Tie The Nuptial Knot In Grand Style 2017 Choir Anniversary Of C.A.C Agbala •Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (middle); the couple, Kabiru and Faridah (4th&5th right); the groom’s father, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun (4th left), his wife, Sherifat (5th left); the bride’s, father, Alhaji Alli (2nd right), his wife (3rd right);Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State (3rd left); Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (2nd right back row); Deputy Governor of Osun, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (left); Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashir Obasa (2nd left back row); former Osun Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (3rd right back row); former Ogun Governor, Chief Segun Osoba (right) and other dignitaries at the event.

•(L-R) APC Assistant Secretary, Odo-Otin South LCDA, Abubakar Azeez; Executive Secretary of the LCDA, Honourable Abdulrasak Adeyemi; the party chairman, Alhaji Aasa Jimoh; Leader of the party, Comrade Poju Odusola and Dr. Oyelayo Oyebode, a party leader at the meeting.

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T was indeed a gathering of who is who from all walks of life within and outside Nigeria, as the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola held a wedding ceremony for his first son, Kabiru.

Kabiru Aregbesola tied the knot with his better half, Faridah Alli in grandstyle in Victoria Island in the presence of friends, family and loved ones, including the political associates of his father who adorned white

and royal purple color dresses.

Vice president Yemi Osinbajo was one of the many dignitaries who graced the event which held in Lagos on Saturday.

The newly appointed chairman of the National Identity Card

•A cross section of APC members at the meeting.

By Sikiru Obarayese

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EMBERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Odo-Otin South Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Inisa have been charged to continue to canvass support for the party, with a view to retaining its relevant status in the area.

The charge was given by leaders of the party during the party’s general meeting at the LCDA, held last Thursday.

Speaking at the meeting, the APC chairman in Odo-Otin, Alhaji Aasa Jimoh said part of the ways to intensify support for the party was to educate the sympathizers to obtain their permanent Voters Card (PVC) before the registration closes.

This, according to him, would give them the leverage to elect their favourable candidates who are committed to the ideal of progressivism and in turn get more dividends of democracy.

He said, “As a politician and at the same time an electorate, the only power you have to decide who govern is voters’ card. Therefore, those who have still not registered as a voter should do so, for us

to be able to use our votes to retain the development we have been witnessing under the APC government”, he said.

The Executive Secretary of the council, Honourable Rasak Adeyemi commended members and sympathizers of the APC for their steadfastness, even in the face of economic recession, saying that the present government has shown commitment to development.

He said the creation of Odo-Otin South LCDA and other additional councils in the state has created platform for more development at the grassroot levels, urging the people to support the gesture of the government by paying their dues and levies promptly.

The APC leader in the council, Comrade Poju Odusola called for unity of purpose among party members in the council area, saying, it is only in unison that the desired benefits could come.

Just like other speaker, he commended the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his efforts towards ensuring the development of the state.

Meanwhile, the party Chairman congratulated the former Governor of the State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola for his new appointment as the Chairman, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

By Gbenga Adeniyi

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HE State of Osun government on Monday flagged off the school calisthenics competition among students of the secondary schools across the nine Federal Constituencies of the state.

It would be recalled that the gymnastics exercise, known as calisthenics has been recently adopted as an integral part of the curriculum in all the schools across the state.

Commission and a former Governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was also present at the event, which had in attendance speakers of Osun and Lagos state Houses of Assembly, Najeem Salaam and Mudashir Obasa among others.

Osun Govt. Flags Off Calisthenics In Schools The programme, having being institutionalized in the school academic calendar in the state afforded both public and private schools the opportunity to participate Speaking at the St Paul Middle School, Ilobu after the display of the calisthenics sports by the students, the Director of Development of Social and Grassroots Mobilization and Guidance, Office of the

Governor, Mr Adebayo Ojo commended the students for excellent performance.

Ojo also lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for adopting calisthenics sport as a cocurriculum activity for students in more schools across the state, saying calisthenics game has enhanced organisational capacity and understanding among the youth.

The Chief Executive Officer

AWARD

(CEO) Omoluabi Educational Services, Mr Edwin Robbot; Osun State President, Association of Nigeria Conference of Principal Secondary School (ANCOPSS), Mr Osundina; Principals from different Schools, Teachers, Students from different schools among other were present to witnessed the celebration at Adventist Government High School, Ede on Wednesday.

Itusile Alekuwodo Osogbo. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•A cross section of Choir members at the anniversary.

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HRIST Apostolic Church (CAC) Agbala Itusile, Awosuru Street, Alekuwodo Osogbo in the State of Osun held its 2017 choir anniversary recently.

At the programme, the choir used their talents to minister during the celebration held at the church Auditorium.

Choir Mistress (CM), Mrs Felicia Ojo, during her speech gave thanks to Almighty God for what He has done for them especially for Agbala Itusile Choir, just as he thanked the Pastors, Evangelists and other members of the church for their supports and prayers.

The host Pastor, Pastor Adedeji Samuel; Church Evangelist, Lady Evangelist Alice Omoyungbo;, Lady Evangelist Bose Adekanye, choirs from other churches, including C.A.C Agbala Itusile Ede, Zion Baptist Church Alekuwodo Osogbo and Light of Jesus Evangelical Ministry (LOJEM), as well as other anointed men of God and •Host Pastor, Adedeji Samuel delivering Children of God were all part of the a sermon during the service. celebration.

APC Committee Meeting On True Federalism In Ilorin, Kwara State.

•(L-R) Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Secretary of the committee of the Zonal Public Consultation), North Central APC Vice Chairman, Alhaji Zakari Abdullahi; Honorable Ishola Balogun Fulani - Kwara APC Chairman and Engr Mohammed Jubril Imam.

OUR SOCIAL REGISTER IS OPEN FOR YOUR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES TO BE MADE PUBLIC

•(L-R) Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Simeon Adebisi and President, Yoruba Students Association of Nigeria in Egypt, Mr Bolajoko Ololade Uthman, during a conferment of an award of Ambassador of Yoruba Cultural Heritage in Diaspora on Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in Osogbo.

•A cross section of students during calisthenics display.

•Panel of Judges for the competition.

Spaces are available for your anniversaries such as weddings, house-warming and chieftaincy title ceremonies among other 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.

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INTERVIEW

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

2018: Saboteurs, Indiscipline Persons Can’t Secure APC Ticket - Oyatomi Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun, Barr.

Kunle Oyatomi, recently had an interview with some newsmen. Below are excerpts:

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OUR party’s defeat in the last Osun West Senatorial District by-election has remained talk of the town especially among the opposition, what do you think is responsible for the defeat?

Oyatomi: There are two aspects to this question. I will answer one but I won’t answer the other.

The first aspect is that the passing of the former Senator, late Isiaka Adeleke created genuine sympathy that was politically exploited by his brother that succeeded him with the assistance of the APC members who sabotaged the party.

The second aspect is that strategic errors were made, which we have identified, but we refuse to talk about.

Those errors will not be repeated.

Would you say that your party is still popular among the people of the state?

Oyatomi: Yes. We have no doubt in our mind about that and we are sure that about 80% of the people of Osun are still solidly behind APC. Some party members appeared aggrieved over the control of ruling party and selection processes for the election, what do you think is actually responsible and is there any remedy in sight?

Oyatomi: There is terrible indiscipline in present day the politics of Nigeria and everyone wants to be the leader at the same time. Some will kill to achieve that goal; others will sabotage their own party to achieve the same goal. At the end, it is the inordinate ambition of some individuals within a party structure that lead them to jettison rules, regulations and standard setup by the party which they purport to support. Behind the rat race for political positions in this country is a selfish end to become wealthy and powerful. Most politicians are not in politics to serve. They are in it because it has proved to become one of the faster ways to become rich in Nigeria. That is what is behind the sabotage of the APC by some members of our party in the Osun West Electoral scenario.

But a party that is well structured and disciplined will stick to its rules and principles and damn the bluff of inordinate ambitious individuals who want to subvert the rules. That is what the APC in Osun will do to take care of that crisis.

The opposition has vowed to unseat your party come 2018 election, boasting to repeat last Osun West victory’s syndrome, what is your take on that?

Oyatomi: Osun West Senatorial District by-election is not a standard gauge for the popularity of the APC in the state. Let’s put that victory in context as we have said earlier. The figures revealed that the majority of votes that gave the PDP the victory came from Ede land (Ede North, Ede South and Egbedore). The Adeleke factor is predominant and sabotage by the APC dissidents added significantly to PDP victory. But as a district, Osun West is less than 20 per cent of the total votes needed to win the governorship.

However, when serious and responsible politicians in Osun are weighing their options, there is no way they will opt for the PDP as an alternative to the APC in this state. Never, ever as the people of Osun have had the opportunity to experience the PDP and APC for about the same period of time (7 years each) and Osun people are intelligent enough to know the difference. Only a fool will look far away for an answer because the difference is clear. We need not say more.

The coming weeks and months will determine how the future of Osun will unfold. But as far as we are concerned, the outcome is clear. Osun will remain an APC state after August 2018.

The issue of worker’s salary has remained one of the reasons why Aregbesola administration is being criticised, what is your take?

Oyatomi: Sadly enough, the criticism has been

•Barrister Kunle Oyatomi

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An indiscipline person cannot qualify and a person who is not ingrained in and with all the developments that have taken place under Aregbesola, cannot be trusted to succeed him ...

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amplified unduly by the media. The question of the inability of a state to pay salary was and is not peculiar to Osun. But for some satanic reasons, Osun appears to be the only state that was criticised beyond the imagination of the more than 20 states that have the same problem for the same reason.

Nigeria’s economy collapsed, and went into recession between 2013 and 2014. By 2015, we were already in recession, a very serious one, yet the only state that was criticised for not being able to pay salary was Osun.

We do not want to waste our energy to go into the satanism and propagandist acts involved in the unprecedented criticism that the Aregbesola APC-led government in Osun was subjected to. The records are documented in the print and electronic media.

However, nobody cared to look at the details of how the crisis was managed. It was easy to assault the personality and administration at the same time, but everybody turned the blind eye to the skilful way that crisis was managed. First, there was the human aspect.

Should the government sack workers in order to pay salary, or should it define another way to keep people on their jobs and manage to pay some kind of emoluments or the other? If the government had chosen the former, it could have involved sacking over 50% of the workforce in the state.

Aregbesola Has Made Governance Easier For His Successor - Adeoti

By Ismaeel Uthman HE Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, has said that Governor Rauf Aregbesola has made governance easier for whoever succeeds him in 2018, saying that the governor has reduced the burden of next governor of the state. members of a socioAccording to Adeoti, political group, the Iwo Aregbesola has laid solid Reality Club in Iwo foundation for the during their monthly development of the state, meeting on Sunday, maintaining that the declared that Osun governor would be would have been worse highly commended after in economic and financial leaving office because situation, but for the most of his programmes ‘financial reengineering’ and policies would later of Aregbesola. be appreciated.

He noted that the Adeoti who made the development and remark while addressing transformation that is

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evident in the state was borne out of Aregbesola’s ingenuity and foresight.

The Iwo-born politician who is aspiring to succeed Aregbesola said it would be difficult for anybody that win the 2018 governorship election to discontinue some of the Aregbesola’s programmes and projects.

Describing those antagonizing Aregbesola within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as ingrates and mischief makers, Adeoti urged other governorship aspirants in the party to

play by the rules and regulations.

He said: “They should say whatever they like.

Whoever wants to succeed Aregbesola must be ready to continue his six-point integral action plan.

“The policy laid down

by Asiwaju Tinubu was sustained by Fashola and Ambode is building on it.

That is why Lagos state is progressing. We are satisfied with the sixpoint integral action plan of Aregbesola and we would not allow anybody that is not ready to maintain and sustain the success achieved by the governor.”

This appeared and indeed was inhuman as well as inhumane to the government. So, the Governor decided to dialogue with the Labour Force. And no other person than Africa No 1 Labour Leader, Alhaji Hassan Sumonu was brought to preside over the negotiation. To cut a long story short, Labour leaders and the government agreed that sacking workers was not an option. They then agreed that workers on level 1-7, are to receive their full salaries; level 8 to 10 take 75% of their salaries while those on level 11 and above are to get half salaries.

That has been the situation since July 2015. But the wicked propaganda of the PDP which was widely politicised was that Aregbesola was paying half salaries to workers while in fact and in truth, only senior officers from level 11 and above which represented far less than 25% of the workforce are getting half salaries.

Unfortunately for us and for humanity, majority of people are easily persuaded to believe lies than to believe the truth. And PDP is a very rich fountain of lies in Osun.

Debt is another factor militating against the government, what is the situation of things?

Oyatomi: There is no serious and responsible government on planet earth that is not indebted in one form or the other. That means, from the point of view of a layman, governments are always indebted because they cannot function optimally on their own funds.

The principle surrounding borrowing is that you can use funds from other sources to develop your country or your state in such a way that jobs are created for people and development can take place in the area of governance.

One of the best examples today, if we can say so, is that one of the greatest and richest countries in the world, the United States of America, is the most indebted government on earth.

Now, talking about Nigeria, the most indebted states today is Lagos. Let the PDP cynics tell us which is the most developed states in Nigeria today, ahead of Lagos?

The question of indebtedness in the state of Osun has a very positive side to it, which people are not being allowed to recognise. The impression is created by amplified lie of the PDP that Aregbesola’s government “recklessly misused” borrowed funds without anything to show for it. That egregious lie has gained resonance with the uninformed, the ill-informed and the unsuspecting clientele of doctored information. This is what created the wrong impression that nothing has happened in Osun to justify all the money borrowed for developmental purposes.

It will take the gullible or the cynical and the wicked to come to Osun and then agree that the Aregbesola government has been reckless. The infrastructural development in Osun since 2010 when Aregbesola assumed office has been monumental. The environmental impact of his clean-up operation of the state has not only saved lives, but has also improved healthcare of the people. The government investment on education is first of its kind since Osun was created.

His human capital development has been unique and unparallel in the history of Osun.

Osogbo and many other cities of the state have become such attraction for the citizens, that only evilminded people will not notice the difference during holidays. It will be stating the obvious and we are proud to say so, that no government since Osun was created has done half as much as Aregbesola had done for the state and its people, and no government has achieved as much in internally generated revenue as Aregbesola has done in the last 7 years. For anybody to think and speculate that the PDP opposition or its collaborators or both could be substituted for APC in 2018 will amount to call the people of the state fools, which they are not.

What are the factors that would come to play in determining the party’s choice of its candidate?

Oyatomi: This is a very good question. As we said earlier, the APC in Osun is a very responsible and disciplined political party, which will take into serious consideration, the quality, loyalty and competence of whoever will take over to continue with good job that Aregbesola had laid its stepping stone. A saboteur cannot qualify. An indiscipline person cannot qualify and a person who is not ingrained in and with all the developments that have taken place under Aregbesola, cannot be trusted to succeed him. Anybody who has motives inconsistent with and treacherous in the main, against what Aregbesola has done can never, ever be the party’s choice in Osun. Also anyone who is looking outside Osun APC to win the party’s nomination will fail and therefore cannot succeed Aregbesola.

Does your party has strong conviction of zoning arrangement and if yes which zone do you think should produce the next governor after Aregbesola?

Oyatomi: The APC party in Osun is supreme. It will determine in due course what its preference will be from all available options. At the moment, we are concentrating on governance.

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

Do Men Really Stay True To Their Women?

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NSWERING the question on whether men really stay true to a lady or not, a respondent said, “It’s impossible for a man to stay faithful to a lady because men are born to cheat”.

Another lady, said, “Nah, men can’t be faithful to one woman; hiding it from the number one woman is respecting her feeling, but trust me, there is a side chick.

Ladies, sit back and ask yourselves; are you the number one, or the side chick?

As expected, some other believed men can be faithful and stay true to a woman, with comments such as, “Of course!! It’s not every man that cheats. Some men have serious self-control” and “very possible if he finds all he ever wanted in her”.

To really get to the root of this, there is need to check the factors affecting being faithful and its causes. As a guy, we have tastes and choices to make which are subjected to changes. It would be an understatement to say all ladies are the same; Different shapes, sizes, physique, modes of talking, dressing, sexual satisfaction, background, etc.

A psychologist, Mr Adebayo Olawale said, an average African man has a reservoir of energy towards polygamy, saying, an African man believes he has the power ten times for more than a woman; feels that monogamy is not part of our culture, moreso that Islamic allows more than one wife.

A lady (corper) stressed that it’s the same sex that she gives her boyfriend, that her side chick gives her, wondering why a man would ordinarily would be considering a side chick.

But as a man, thought and asked her, do you think sex is just sex? Have you ever thought if the side chick does the sex better? How much time do you last? Do you initiate almost all the time? How neat is she? Do you prepare food for the sex?

Do you understand the role of foreplay?

Is she a good kisser? Many more questions could be asked.

One would also find most of the reasons cheating men use to justify their infidelity fascinating – because almost all of these

‘ ’

For most men, no single factor drives that decision to cheat. Most men don’t cheat because they don’t love their women, but because they want more varieties in their sex lives. Men cheat to ascertain their ego and dominion over a lady.

reasons imply that cheating was only the logical solution to their relationship issues and other life problems.

O

the difference between a G-string and a regular thong? Aren’t they the same thing?” No, they’re not interchangeable terms in the lingerie world. For starters, G-strings (sometimes called V-strings) are the skimpiest of skimpy underwear choices.

Thongs Similar to G-strings, thongs are “slightly thicker on the band, with a little more coverage on the front and back triangles, it’s considered, by some, to be the G-string’s more comfortable counterpart, it’s also w i d e l y regarded as a preventative measure for VPL (visible panty lines): “Most women are afraid of panty lines and just resort to a thong, which is a minimal underwear option designed to sit seamlessly under your clothes. Of course, we also shop flirty versions that — while not entirely practical — just look so sexy, typically slim on the sides, and with just enough on the behind to offer some coverage.

Period Pants I discovered period panties a long time ago and I immediately wanted a pair of every kind. You can choose from a range of styles depending on how heavy your flow is, what kind of outfits you’ll be wearing, or whichever style is your favorite.These kick-ass panties are leakresistant, absorbent, and anti-microbial — basically the undies you’ve been wishing for since you first began menstruating. By purchasing a pair of these kinds of panties

Sex & Life

A male respondent justified the By Damilola Ojenike reason why men cheat, saying “every guy wants to have sex with Twitter: @twitter-d-_real_dee; other women and when the Instagram: life_of_dee_ opportunity arises, he takes it”.

Men justify their cheating habit E-mail: with statement like: “It’s a man’s damilolaojenike@gmail.com biological imperative to have sex Some complain of being bored. They with as many women as he can. Why should I be different?” “If I had got want to feel adored by their partners. enough (or better) sex at home, I wouldn’t They also want to assert their freedom. need to cheat”; If my wife hadn’t gained They are tired of disappointing you.

It is obvious that cheating for a man more weight, or if she was nicer to me, or more attentive, I wouldn’t have even looks more fun and of good merit but thought about going out”; “If my job clearly shouldn’t be. Because other guys wasn’t so stressful, I wouldn’t need the are doing it does not make it good or release I get in online sex”; “Cheating? better. If the world would acclimatize to Really? I mean, who would rationally call this fact or theory, then marriage would getting a lap dance in a strip club or be of no use as well as the world would lounge infidelity? It’s just what guys do become ‘an animal kingdom’. In life, we for fun”; “I’m only sex tiny and flirting. are open to choices and some tend to be Where is the harm in that? I don’t meet good. No choice in this life would suit up with any of these women in person, you, 100 per cent and you need to find a way for it to suit you. it’s just a game”.

One of my favourable quotes on For most men, no single factor drives that decision to cheat. Most men don’t twitter is “there would be a woman finer cheat because they don’t love their than your woman, richer than your women, but because they want more woman, clever than your woman, varieties in their sex lives. Men cheat to performs better than your woman, cook ascertain their ego and dominion over a than your woman, but contentment is key to building with your woman”. lady.

If a man is just as content as the dictionary meaning, the world would be a better place.

Contentment for a man would not just occur naturally, it is a product of his lady/wife hard work, prayers and his personal decision. Like I would tell my female friends, the only person that can make a man not to cheat is the man himself; sometimes aided by the lady’s.

If you like, turn 360 on the bed, cook for him 24/7, do everything to please him, if he is not contented, it changes little.

Therefore, contentment is the ultimate key to building a good relationship with a woman.

Have I contradicted myself? No, may be! Can a man really stay true without cheating with his lady? The answer lies within the heart of the man!

For contribution, questions, replies and other:

Choosing A Perfect Underwear NE of the first things we do in the morning after bathing is put on a fresh pair of underwear. It’s the backbone of any good wardrobe, along with bras that actually fit. Many ladies dislike the idea of wearing a different shade of bra with different panties.

Ladies, your underwear colours should match at all times not because you want to show it off to the world, but because it is insulting to you as a lady to wear underwear with colour riot. Trust me, wearing underwear with matched colours makes you feel good, sexy and bold.

Take for instance, is there a time you see a guy wearing a blue shorts with a pink or purple singlet? It’s whatever colour of boxers they prefer to wear with either a black or white singlet; if they can match it up, why can’t you. If we’re being honest, though, our panties often play second fiddle to bras; we tend to put more careful thought into our bra choices, but selecting what shield our buttocks warrants equal consideration. There are so many different types of ladies underwear just to mention a few: High Waist Panty It could be in form of net or cotton (usually regarded as granny panties). For some, it can be very comfortable while others dislike the idea of owning a pair of granny’s panties simply because it comes last in the world of sexiness.

G-Strings You may be asking yourself, “What’s

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FASHION

you are saving yourself from likely embarrassment.

WITH You’ve spent hours deciding what to wear and you’ve finally established the perfect look. But if you’re not sporting the right underwear, it can really ruin everything.With so many choices out always a good idea. You never know when there, it can be tough to decide the wind will get friendly with your dress. which underwear to wear with what So, if you’re looking for underwear that outfit. And while we all have our favorite will keep your booty covered, a brief or undies, they are not boyshort is a great choice. Just remember to choose a colour that all the same or matches your skin tone suitable to wear if you’re wearing a under every item white dress, of clothing. rather than try to Long gone match the are the shade of the days when dress. it was cool Tight and to show off C l i n g y your Gdresses: If s t r i n g your dress is as above your tight as they pants, so come and here’s a guide you’ve even to help you considered going stay seamless, commando, the Gno matter what you’re wearing. string is your friend, Jeans: Jeans are typically thicker and so, the material along with the pockets allow arguably the skimpiest of all undies. The you to get away with wearing a regular G-string is a great, barely-there option for or cheeky panty, or even a bikini brief if those oh-so-tight dresses. Another great option is a seamless thong panty. The you want comfort or full coverage.

Gym: When considering what tissue-thin fabric lays perfectly flat against underwear to wear to the gym, remember the skin and is seamless all around.

Delicate Fabrics: If you are wearing a that natural fabrics (like cotton and bamboo) are the most breathable and lace dress or skirt that requires clean lines comfortable if you’re moving around a lot. or you just want to keep everything in its If you’re wearing curve-hugging leggings place, a high-waist panty might be your or shorts, a thong is a must in our opinion. go-to. They look super clean under delicate Fit and Flare Dresses: Truth be told, a fabrics, and can double as shape wear.

Think about choosing undergarments flared dress can be drifty, so opting for something with a little more coverage is with seamless edges.

TEMITOPE AKINYELE

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NEWS

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.org

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

Declare State Of Emergency On Kidnapping, Ritual Killings - Osun Muslims Clamour

By Ismaeel Uthman

O

SUN State Muslim community has urged the Federal and State Governments to declare ‘a state of emergency’ on kidnapping, ritual killings and social injustice.

According to the against all manners of Muslim community, afflictions like economic kidnapping, ritual killings hardship, insecurity and and social injustice are social injustice.

Aregbesola who was rampant in the society, by the hence there is the need by represented the FG and state Commissioner for Home governments to take Affairs, Dr Adebisi drastic steps in combating Obawale said Prophet Muhammed’s journey the menace.

The call was made at the from Mecca to Medina 1439 A.H Hijrah signified his commitment celebration held at the to promoting peace, Osogbo City Stadium, tolerance and propagation of Islam, urging the Osogbo last Sunday.

Ogbeni Rauf Muslims faithful to ensure Aregbesola who was the peaceful coexistence with Chief Host of the event, non-Muslims.

Delivering his Hijrah called on Muslims to imbibe Hijrah lessons by message on the theme of intensifying prayers for the programme tagged: the state and the country ‘Kidnapping and Ritual

Killings in Nigeria; Islamic Perspective, the Vice-Chairman of the Muslim community, Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi said the recent ritual killings in some part of Osun state called for concern and proactive measure from the government and security agents.

Olawuyi stated that Islam forbids unjust killings, quoting from the Quran that, “If anyone slays a human being, unless for murder or for spreading corruption on earth, it shall be as though he had killed all mankind; whereas if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.”

He traced the causes of kidnapping and ritual killings to security

inadequacies, social injustice and greed, calling on members of the public to embrace the teachings of Quran for a safe, just and friendly society.

In his address, the chairman of the occasion, Dr Musibaudeen Adelasoye said, “the trending kidnapping and ritual killings was alarmingly disgraceful and abhorring, saying that it posed threat to the dignity, sacredness and virtue of human life”.

The guest lecturer, Sheik M u s b a u d e e n Orimadegun accused political leaders, government functionaries and religious l e a d e r s o f sponsoring kidnapping

and ritual killings, saying that was why it is difficult to curtail the criminal acts.

According to Orimadegun, the insincerity of security agents and corrupt judicial system had been frustrating efforts to combat kidnapping and ritual killings, saying that majority of culprits arrested for the offences have been eventually freed by either the security agents or court.

He said for Nigeria to be a safe society, individuals must shun greed, lust for power and ‘fast way to get rich’ without stress.

Aregbesola said the state government was not relenting in maintaining and sustaining the status of Osun as the ‘most peaceful

Man Arraigned For Stealing Baby Clothes

By Pelumi Fasoyin

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, at the APC Committee meeting on True Federalism In Ilorin, Kwara State.

state’ in Nigeria, vowing to tackle petty crimes and social injustice across the state.

The governor said his administration has taken security matter with utmost seriousness and that it is committed to a secured, safe and crime free state by providing vehicles to all security agencies in the state and as well supporting them with other logistics to aid their effectiveness and operations.

He commended the security agents in the state on their efforts in combating kidnapping and ritual killings, just as he challenged them to totally kick-out the criminal act to enhance the security of lives in the state.

32-year-old man, Gbenga Daramola has been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court for stealing baby clothes, fowl, empty crates of coca-cola and mobile phone.

Police prosecutor, house of One Saka Inspector Olayiwola Mojirade and stole four Rasaq told the court that baby clothes, one fowl, the accused person and two empty crates of others, now at large Coca-cola and one committed the offences Huawei mobile phone, on the 23rd of September, all valued N40,000.

According to the 2017 at Balogun Biiro, Oke-Baale Area, Osogbo. charge sheet, the offences The charge sheet stated committed were contrary that the accused person to and punishable under and others at large Section 516, 411, 412 and burgled the dwelling 390 of the Criminal Code

Cap 34 Volume II, Laws of Osun State, Nigeria, 2003.

The defence counsel, Mr Okobe Najite applied for the bail of his client in the most liberal terms, arguing that the offences committed were bailable ones.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Fatimah Sodamade granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety.

She thereafter adjourned the case to October 26, 2017 for mention.

Osun: Significant Impacts Of Tax Payment On Paramedics

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By Wasiu Babalola

This implies that the citizenry is always at the receiving end of tax benefits that is, the more they comply with tax payment, the more is the benefit and vice versa.

A

S people normally say, “Health is wealth”. The conceptual interpretation of this is that health is core to human survival to the extent that the totality of human existence is being governed by our health status. This means, a complete human being (of physically and mentally balanced) is as a result of the accessibility to good health.

Hearing the good healthcare delivery, what one’s mind would picture is the state of the healthcare structures, medical equipment, personnels as well as availability of drugs in the various hospitals alone, but beyond this, the accessibility to emergency care for patients in need as a result of accidents or any other vital reasons prior to their arrival at a hospital is also core to a good and efficient healthcare delivery.

In the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration has made a laudable and unprecedented achievement in the paramedical department of healthcare delivery by leaving no stone unturned, as adequate attention is also being given to mobile healthcare delivery system in the state.

Despite the meager revenue accruable from tax in Osun, the value for tax money is still felt in this direction, meaning that it is

•Bicci Alli, OIRS Ag. Chairman, .

appropriate to say that it is not about numerical value of money we have that matters but how judicious we are in utilising such funds.

Although nobody prays to be a victim of circumstance, our daily activities propelled by day-to-day technological discoveries expose us to conscious and unconscious risks.

This is why it is always wise to have plan for unforeseen contingencies.

Going by this direction, Aregbesola administration is scored high. It is only those that have fallen victim of one mishap or the other on the road that can give testimony and commend as deserved on how helpful the mobile healthcare

’

delivery system popularly known as O’ Ambulance had been.

For instance, the statistical analysis released from the State of Osun Ambulance Services (O’ Ambulance) reveals thus: “The Osun State Ambulance Services (O’Ambulance) rescued more than 2,000 people in 2016 through its prompt rescue operations during emergencies across the state.

In an end-of-the-year review of its activities submitted to the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, the Director General of O’Ambulance, Mr. Akinloye, said the state ambulance service responded to more than 1,116 road traffic accident emergencies across the state last year.

Besides, O’Ambulance also responded to 178 cases of collapse,

348 hospital referral and 132 labour emergency cases all of which lives involved were saved, according to Mr. Akinloye.

The D.G stated that of 1,829 casualties involved in all the emergency cases, the agency was able to save 1,774 lives and recorded only 55 deaths arising from the cases.

He also revealed that of the 1,774 casualties saved, 1,116 were males while 658 were females. He added that of the 55 deaths recorded, 27 were males and 28 females.”

Added to this in the year 2017, over 600 people in the first quarter of this year have been rescued.

From the foregoing, it is very evident that the value of taxpayers’ money is felt in this direction as a result of the proactive measures taken by the incumbent administration to create a unit from the health sector saddled with the responsibility of attending to patients on emergency. If there is no such intervention, there would have been a lot of sad stories to tell.

This implies that the citizenry is always at the receiving end of tax benefits that is, the more they comply with tax payment, the more is the benefit and vice versa.

Therefore, the contribution of every stakeholder matters a lot, as we can together build a better future for our dear state. Pay your tax, it is your civic responsibility.

•Babalola is the Information Officer, OIRS.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

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When LLIN Replacement Campaign Came To Osun

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HE battle to rid the society of malaria has never gained a deeper momentum like the recent programme that was held in Osogbo.

The occasion was the flag off of the replacement exercise for the Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) for the year 2017.

According to the representative of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the last time that the exercise was carried out was in 2013 and by 2017, the nets would have expired, hence, there was need for replacement to be carried out.

The exercise was carried out as part of the relentless battle being waged in the eradication of malaria and its vector, the female Anopheles mosquito.

In the fight against malaria, the efforts of the state government under

the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is indeed commendable.

Even during the period of shortfalls, fund has always been made available to the state Ministry of Health to aid in its fight against the scourge.

During events to celebrate the year 2017 World Malaria Day which was held in Ejigbo, the headquarters of Ejigbo Local Government Council of Osun, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, the paramount ruler of the town, was on ground as host and the programme kicked off successfully.

Many interventions of the state government and its development partners in eliminating malaria have achieved resounding success and this has always been a testimonial even at high level interactions involving health

ILLEGAL DUMP SITE

•Dumpsite when close to house breeds malaria parasite. One of the illegal dumpsite in Osogbo.

officials nationwide.

It is worthy to note that the successes would not be achievable without the input and direction of development partners amongst which are the World Health Organization (WHO), Society for Family Health (SFH), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Global Fund Malaria, Federal Ministry of Health and others.

Prior to the statewide launch of the campaign, the Global Fund Malaria has released the sum of N2 billion as support and a total of 2.99 million LLINs were earmarked for distribution.

The State of Osun Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Izamotu during the official flag off campaign for the statewide free distribution of LLINs revealed that the idea of the replacement was conceived after the 2013 exercise.

He added that for a successful 2017 exercise, the micro planning was done with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health and a household enumeration and mobilization campaign was carried out where each family was issued with a net card which will serve as a ticket with which the LLINs would be issued.

The Commissioner, who maintained that the use of mosquito nets is a handy control of malaria in the state, praised the state government for dredging streams and rivers which served as a point for the proliferation of breeding sites for mosquitoes.

According to him, the absence of these breeding sites have served to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes and spread of Malaria adding that the proper use of mosquito nets has also aided in the reduction of the spread of

…Hawks And Sharks On The Prowl

S

UCCESSION is probably one of the manifest problems of democracies anywhere in the world.

Even the matured democracies are not left out. We are all witnesses to the sharp divide between supporters of Mrs. Hillary Clinton and those of Donald Trump now the President of the United States. America was virtually on fire.

Caustic words were employed by both sides. The resentment from both sides was palpable and it reverberated to the far ends of the world such that all discussions worldwide focused on the American succession. Mr. Donald Trump, the billionaire businessman did not help matters with his bold racist stance, which gave more vigour to the divides. The election has been won and lost but the scars still remain.

Well, coming down to Nigeria and a little further to the State of Osun, the drums are beginning to sound, but bitterly, unfortunately. One would have expected a comical-drama type most often witnessed in the second republic when aspirants would want to display their prowess in control of local and English languages to mesmerize the voting populace.

Uncle Bola of blessed memory won many hearts through this. Same goes for Adelabu Adegoke, alias Penkelemeesi (peculiar mess) and Ladoke Akintola, the oratory Lord, both of the first republic fame. One would have also expected intending aspirants of today to take full pages of adverts, advertorials or airtime in local newspapers and electronic media to marshal their antecedents, which they think qualify them for the numero uno position in the state.

I mean, one would have expected

With FRANCIS EZEDIUNO malaria.

The state deputy governor who is also the state Net Ambassador, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye Tomori, said that in 2013, a total of 1.6 million nets were distributed in sharp contrast to the 2.99 million nets that would be distributed in 2017.

She noted that the malaria scourge was costing the state in terms of lives, manpower and money lost.

He cited the reports of studies which indicated that the malaria scourge contributed to the reduction of productivity and life expectancy by 20 years, as well as reduction of cognitive abilities in children.

Statistically, she revealed that “Up to a million lives are lost to malaria annually in sub-sahara Africa out of which 75% are children under 5 years, saying, out of this figure 25% of the burden is borne by Nigeria, with 7% of maternal mortality attributed to Malaria. In all, the danger posed by this disease is clearly shown”.

The deputy governor stressed that the nets is a threat to mosquitoes, just as malaria is a threat to human lives, saying that the WHO has recommended that LLIN would last up to 3 years while the ordinary net was just effective for 6 months.

The Net Ambassador called for effective use of the net and reiterated government’s commitment to roll back Malaria and the battle was still ongoing.

Truth Of The Matter with

Defender Parrot

education sector through infrastructural and contextual deployment, never witnessed before in the history of any state in Nigeria. ayoakinola444@gmail.com The state has witnessed massive community as well as urban renewal in roads, A serious contender which hitherto were death traps.

These are not just ordinary roads but willing to take on the durable ones that could stand the baton will, no doubt, go tests of time and adverse conditions of the elements. Stipends are paid to for tutorials from no other vulnerable elders and this is branded Agba Osun. The elementary feeding school but from the same system which is being adopted at the man whom he or she federal government level is an initiative of the government of Osun wants to take over from. just like the sukuk Bond.

The shoes are too big for Government of osun, through this elementary school feeding system the tiny legs of hawks and has provided employment to many legless sharks. people at the rural and urban areas while also spinning up commerce for farmers and other suppliers. The education functional. beauty of this scheme is that it is In the above context, it will be wiser "home-grown", giving all the benefits for those inordinately jostling to take to residents of the State.

The State might presently not be the baton from Ogbeni to play it in the first position in the West according to the rules since it is their African School Certificate inalienable rights to seek the position. examinations probably because of They should stop peddling falsehoods the rot in the system that predated as they will lose at the end of the day the current democratic dispensation, when their falsehoods and which the government is shenanigans would have come to the ameliorating. But one thing that is open. A serious contender willing to certain is that the government is take on the baton will, no doubt, go doing everything possible to take for tutorials from no other school but education to enviable position, in from the same man, Ogbeni, whom functionality, not just in paper he or she wants to take over from. The certificate, which many see as shoes are too big for the tiny legs of measure of performance. The hawks and legless sharks. They (the Ukraine-trained medical doctors and Sharks and Hawks) should rather be the Germany-trained agriculturists contented with where they are are just few examples of a now…the Killer Squad of the determined government, to make opposition.

‘

•The late Samuel Akintola.

these politicians to go to the village squares or marketplaces, both physical and online, to display their political wares to the prospective (buyers) voters. One would have expected that they put decorum to display by restraining from uncouth tones. Worse is the half truths and utter display of ignorance by these latter day "redemptionists" who talk as if they wish to re-invent the wheel.

But could they?

Continuity, irrespective of the succeeding person or political party, is necessary. Even the most vitriolic critics of Governor Rauf Aregbesola's government will attest to the fact that he has transformed the state from its hitherto glorified rural status to a modernized one; the government has put in place what is now popularly known as Social Protection/ Intervention Programmes apart from the massive intervention in the

’

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VOX POP

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

Is The Declaration Of IPOB A Terrorist Organisation Appropriate?

Recently, the Nigeria Army declared the Independent People Of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation. Williams Michael, Kehinde Oladele, Oluwapelumi Fasoyin and Olanrewaju Olaniyi went to town to seek the view of the people on the propriety or otherwise of the declaration.

I have read about the statement made by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki that the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation did not follow due process. I want to disagree with him.

In my view, the declaration of the IPOB as a terrorist organisation is appropriate, because the group had been accused of killing innocent people, and committing many atrocities, which is the main reason the group had been declared as a terrorist group. In my view, the activities of the

group has been threatening the peace of this country and it has to be curbed before things get out of hand.

I think the clamour for the Biafra nation is justifiable based on our experience in this country, as we have not spoken with one voice. Based on the different ethnic groups we have in Nigeria, we do not

have a constitution that can bind us together; the constitution that we’re using in Nigeria is a military decree under a democratic government. We still need to seat together and let everybody decide on what we want for the country, whether we want to remain one as a country or we want to go our different ways.

However, if we’re going to part ways, it must be done peacefully. Look at the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), they have the same problem that we’re having, but at the end of the day they separated with Russia without war, nor by using gun or terrorising anybody, as against the way the IPOBs are doing by terrorising everybody.

The solution I can give is that the government should call the IPOBs and seat together to negotiate to solve the problem.

•Shola Ogunleye (Press Man) Good! The so-called Igbo people are going too far, they caused Biafra war in 1967 and they’ve started the same thing now. It is not good for the country.

The oneness of Nigeria is not negotiable; therefore, we can’t be divided. There are many Igbo people in strategic positions in the government of this country today, yet, they are clamouring that they are marginalised; what else do they need again? The colonial masters have assisted us a lot, by amalgamating the Southern and Northern protectorate and therefore, we shouldn’t divide ourselves. Let them give us the main reason why they said they want to go.

•Taju Ola

The declaration of the IPOB as terrorist organisation in my view, is appropriate, because those people are ignorant of what they are doing. If they do, the memory of the civil war should ring a bell whenever they want to carry out their deeds. The Nigerian Army has acted rightly to declare them as a terrorist group, because they’re minority. The federal government did what is right.

•Okunade Akeem (Student)

•Olushola Oyedepo Balogun (Retiree)

Nigeria is one. The declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group is not the best solution. We have to seat at a round table and settle the matter amicably, but violence is not the right solution. While I kick against declaring them as a terrorist organisation, I also don’t support the IPOB resulting to violence to drive home their issues. The best thing for us is to resolve this issue amicably and reach a compromise for us to remain as one Nigeria.

•Niyi Adewale (Electrician) Well, by declaring IPOB as a terrorist group, I think Nigerian Army has done the right thing. Due to the tension these people have created, students don’t have rest of mind, traders are panicking, and if caution is not taken and these people are not checked, this issue might boomerang.

That was how the issue of Boko Haram started gradually.

Though, I don’t support the Igbo people leaving, because for us to travel down to their place will require too much procedure and will affect education, economy and every other sector if they leave.

•Six Point Agenda (Trader) Declaring them as a terrorist organisation is not good enough. When we say we are one country, we should be living together as one family. I think the government should invite and dialogue with them, and this will hopefully make peace reign in the country.

I am only appealing to the federal government to find a better and quicker solution to it. I don’t support Nigeria to be divided because our forefathers fought for a united Nigeria. We have already witnessed the first civil war, and we should try as much as

They’re not supposed to be called terrorist. The Federal Government ought to call and ask them what they need, because they can’t be causing trouble without any tangible reason. So, the government should give them what they want in other to eradicate the issue.

•Amusa Raji (Fashion Designer) It is good that the federal government declared IPOB as a terrorist group, because they are satanic people. The federal government should arrest the offenders. IPOB should be allowed to stand on its own peacefully, if they choose to be, but not to be using the group to cause mayhem in the nation.

I don’t support declaring them as a terrorist organisation, because terrorist means destroyers. How can Federal Government called them terrorist? IPOBs are not terrorists and I think the Federal Government know what they want. If there request is provided, the violence they engage in will subside.

I think the so-called IPOBs don’t just want Nigeria to be together, maybe they have something in their mind which they want Nigeria to do for them. We are already too much in this country and if they want to leave, they should leave because they are threatening the peace of the nation by killing people. I don’t see anything wrong in seeing them as terrorists. Come to think of it, how many languages do we have in this country? We have over 300 languages in this country, and I think the problem we are having now is communication barrier, which is an essential variable in achieving a united nation.

•Mr. Osifo (Pensioner) We all know Nigeria has collapsed, and we need to join hands to build it up. If the IPOB insist on going, let them be allowed to go. Let Easterners stand on their own, so also Northerners and Southerners respectively.

•Mrs. Regina Okeke (Trader)

Anyway, IPOB is an organisation; they have their own view of coming together, we have to hear them before declaring them as terrorists. Every ethnic group has organisation that fight for them. We are suppose to call them and ask them what they need so as to solve the issue.

•Oladele Olanrewaju (Fashion Designer) possible to avoid another one.

•Prince Gbade Morenikeji (Civil Servant)

•Adeniyi Ajala (Lecturer)

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

FEATURE

OSUNDEFENDER www.osundefender.org

15

Flood Control And Aregbesola's Proactive Steps In Osun

By Kingsley Omoyeni

O

VER the years, flood in Nigeria has pushed rivers over their banks and submerged hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. In just over five years, floods had forced 1.3 million people out of their homes and claimed 431 lives, according to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The River Niger and Benue used to be thin rivers flowing through braided channels, with isolated water bodies dotting the floodplains. Years later, both rivers had burst their banks, engulfing the small lakes and ponds, the Niger River had ballooned into a sprawling temporary lake. The reasons for that included carelessness and negligence by government.

Flash floods are common in Nigeria in rainy seasons (May-September) and many parts of the country have witnessed the fair share in the hazards caused by flood over the years. The Nigerian Red Cross reported that about 120,000 people had been left homeless. Thousands of displaced residents had to flee displaced camps and seek temporary shelters, as floods had even overwhelmed fire brigade efforts of governments in the affected states.

Besides destroying buildings and lives, floods have the devastating ability to ravage crops and destroy transportation routes of any community that are unlucky to have its unwanted visit.

Residents of Osogbo, especially people around Rasco area of Oke-fia would not easily forget the devastating 2015 flood. The flood which was caused by over 12 hours heavy rainfall, wrecked havoc on the state capital. Buildings were submerged; precious lives were lost, while properties worth millions of naira were also washed away by the devastating flood of that year. The Rasco area of Oke-fia is an area in Osogbo which has always been prone to flooding over the years, due to construction of houses on erosion path, on streams, and blockage of drainages in total disregard to environmental laws. This is the case in some parts of Osogbo. The Rasco bridge which was built many years ago has over time become too small to contain the volume of water flowing during rainy seasons. Rasco is a commercial area where complex, shops and kiosk are located, hence, annual flood occurrences in the area have resulted to loss of properties.

However, relief came to the people of the area when the present administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola which has demonstrated his commitment to the prevention of flood and erosion control embarked on dredging of streams and rivers channels across the state. The move to address the fear of flood in Rasco area started recently. The Rasco flood control project started with separation of buildings and shops that were built on waterways and those that were very close to the river.

The separation cost the government millions of naira.

During the exercise, it was discovered that the cause of flood in the area was because the original path for the water had become too narrow

•One of the dredging site in Osogbo.

The United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks reported that farmers lose a lot during floods, and it is common knowledge that inadequacy of food is a crisis on its own. Nigeria as a country is going through the most difficult time in history as a result of fall in the prices of crude oil in the global market. to contain the water whose volume has risen over the years. Seeing the need to expand the waterways, the government embarked on the dredging of the river to clear the debris preventing the free flow of water. A reinforced retainer and concrete chanelisation of about 12meters wide and 2.5meters high was made to have a smooth control and flow of the river.

Significantly, a much bigger bridge which corresponds with the wider range of the water path to control the huge volume of water, a triple cell bus culvert with each of the cell constructed to a specification of 2.5 meters wide and 3 meters high was put in place to guide against a situation where the flood overflows to the road. The bridge which has been under construction for about four months has now been completed and opened for use. While the bridge was majorly reconstructed to be able to accommodate the high volume of water that pass under it, the state government also thought it wise to construct the bridge to meet world standard as the road over the bridge has now been reconstructed with pave stones to add beauty to the area.

Residents of Rasco area around Oke-fia in Osogbo are full of praises to Aregbesola for coming to their rescue as they can now sleep with their two eyes closed without the fear of their properties being swept away by flood.

When Aregbesola’s administration came into existence in 2010, one of its first areas of intervention after the recruitment of 20,000 youths through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES) was flood and erosion control. Osun had witnessed terrible devastating flood before Aregbesola’s emergence. The havoc wrecked on the citizens of Osun in 2009 and 2010 by floods is such that cannot be forgotten in a hurry

because it left a lot of homes and families in pains and sorrows which many of them are yet to recover from. There has been persistent flooding in the state during the rainy seasons, with instances of losses of lives, properties and houses being submerged. But Aregbesola’s administration took the bull by the horn and the state tackled the flood headlong.

The Aregbesola administration immediately took it as a point of duty to do everything possible to protect the people from flooding as millions of naira was released between 2011 and 2012 for the dredging of streams and notorious rivers which had over the years caused flooding in the state.

For the past seven years, the administration has not looked back in the determination to avoid flooding in Osun, as rivers and streams such as the Okookoo and Ogbagba streams in Osogbo has never been left untouched on a yearly basis. Streams and rivers in Ikire, Ikirun, Iwo, Ile-Ife, Ode-Omu, Ilesa and other towns in the state are also not left out in the scheme of things.

There is virtually no stream or river in the state which the dredging machine of Aregbesola has not touched in the bid to ensure that the state does not have to start spending billions of naira into the provision of make shift shelters, buying of relief materials and the ugly situation of having to coping with a food crisis.

For a state that is prone to flooding because of the many rivers and streams that it has, it will not be out of place for the state government to always put the issue of dredging of waterways on the front burner, just as the Aregbesola administration is doing. It is gratifying to know that the effort of the state government is paying off.

Running into about 75 kilometres, the water ways which the Aregbesola

dredging machines work on, annually include; Esimirin, Agbara, Opa, Gbalefefe, Ogboku, Osun streams in Ile-Ife and Modakeke-Ife axis. We also have the Opopo, Ogbun, Amino, Akeri in IlaOrangun. In Ilesa axis there is the Omiru, Olutokun and the Adeti streams. The Mogimogi and Aiba rivers in Apomu and Iwo respectively are also not left out. A number of stream and rivers of not less than 30 kilometers in towns like Ipetu-Ijesa, Ejigbo, Yakooyo, Ipetumodu, Asipa, Ikirun, Iragbiji, Ede and Igbajo are also being dredged on an annual basis to avoid flooding.

At the beginning of every year, meteorologists have always done their job of predicting and at the same time warning the people and government of the amount of rainfall that would be witnessed in any particular area. But it is so unfortunate that most state governors in the country always resort to the fire brigade approach of doing things.

The floods would have already wrecked its havoc and ravaged homes and farmlands before the government begins to act. Many state governments in the country believe in spending huge amount of money on relief materials instead of spending lesser amount of money preventing flood.

The United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks reported that farmers lose a lot during floods, and it is common knowledge that inadequacy of food is a crisis on its own. Nigeria as a country is going through the most difficult time in history as a result of fall in the prices of crude oil in the global market. The country and all state governors are trying to look inwards for a way out, with the diversification into agriculture identified as the only viable way out.

Going by that, Aregbesola’s administration needs to be commended, for spending billions of naira on dredging of waterways to avoid flooding which devastating effect, among others, is the sack of farmers from their farmlands. When flooding occurs, crops are washed away, fish ponds are swept off and people count their losses in millions of naira. The effect of this is shortage of food which leads to hunger and insecurity.

A trader in one of the shops close to the “Rasco bridge” in Osogbo, Mr Orim Nwachukwu while recounting his experiences about the past flooding incidents in the area said, it used to be difficult and horrible for the people in the area during the rainy seasons as they always had to leave their houses to other places for fear of being swept away by flood.

He said, “Where do I start from? It used to be a very terrible experience.

Once the rain starts around May/ June and it begins to come thick and fast, we don’t have a choice than to pack out of our shops or else our properties will be swept off by flood”.

It is now the responsibilities of we citizens to ensure that waterways are kept clean and free by not dumping refuse on streams and rivers. By doing this, we would have gone a long way in complementing government’s efforts in ensuring that the state of the virtuous is flood free.

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2018: Saboteurs, Undisciplined Persons Can’t Secure APC Ticket - Oyatomi

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29 - THURSDAY OCTOBER 5, 2017

APC: Their Party, Their Enemies!

OSUNDEFENDERwww.osundefender.com

By Invitation

N

IGERIA is out of recession! So, let all men of goodwill clink glasses in celebration of the valuable worth of a country that will neither wear out nor rust out!

Having said that, to say that all is well with party politics in Nigeria, especially, as 2019 draws nearer, depends on which side the observer is looking at. Like Siamese twins, things are scarily looking up for the ruling party and the opposition is closer to fire than it is to frying pan.

The political lion and the economic bear are strategising; even the wolves and the hyenas of our ethno-religious belongingness are waiting in the wings, desperately hoping to devour whatever remains of the country called Nigeria. It is therefore time Nigeria’s David woke up to the responsibility of killing the uncircumcised Philistines before they kill Nigeria. In my considered opinion, such an important task must start from the State of Osun!

With only one year to the end of the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration as governor of Osun, it’s expected that the party in government at the national level would have examined all its cards in the overall interest of retaining power in the state. The challenge of power-shift, the sudden death of ‘Serubawon’ and the replacement of Adeleke with Adeleke, among others, have further underscored what needs to be done to rescue its Israel from losing focus of what lies ahead and wandering in the wilderness.

From the look of things, the configurations are somehow unsynchronised and, if the permutations are not carefully handled, they may lead to conflagrations of unimaginable proportions which one can only pray would not consume the party. For all I care, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) brought us to this sorry pass and it shouldn’t be allowed to take us for collective amnesiacs. Essentially therefore, genuine plans by All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain in Aso Rock in 2019 should start with retaining Osun for the party in 2018.

On the road to this all-important victory, there may be some thistles and thorns which must be clinically uprooted before things get out of hand.

For the constraint of time and space, I will restrict myself to only a few.

First is the issue of salary, pensions and allowances of its workers which must be proactively resolved in order to prevent the ravenous, drained and docile opposition from wickedly feasting on a national stench to rubbish Aregbesola’s achievements. Apart from the fact that more than 20 other states in the country are also caught in this sorry web, the recently-held “peaceful protest” by retired military pensioners in Abuja to, among other things, demand “the payment of balance of gratuities of contributory pensions” and University College Hospital (UCH) doctors’14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, also on salary and allowances-related matters are indications that the challenges being faced by Nigeria’s workers are not limited to Osun. Also in this group are Academic Staff Union of Universities

PAGE 10

ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

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From the look of things, the configurations are somehow unsynchronised and, if the permutations are not carefully handled, they may lead to conflagrations of unimaginable proportions which one can only pray would not consume the party.

•Osun APC Chairman, FAMOODUN. (ASUU), National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU).

To be fair to him, Aregbesola saw this coming as far back as 2013 and immediately took measures to confront it through salary apportionment. But, rather than appreciate his foresight, the governor was needlessly vilified and unnecessarily pilloried. As Nigerians can now see, the road once forthrightly travelled by Osun is what is now giving some states like Kogi, Ondo, even Bayelsa States a lot of hassles.

Secondly, APC must avoid becoming victims of its own wrong choice. All over the world, cutting the nose to spite the face as a way of resolving differences has never been found to work wonders. Those who doubt this assertion had better ask members of the ‘now-expired’ President Goodluck Jonathan’s party how it feels to be on the other side of the rung. Indeed, this is where those insisting that Aregbesola should “play aloof” in the succession battle but are in turn hobnobbing with men of questionable characters who spend more time in the courtrooms, attending to one allegation of

impropriety or the other than they do to their constitutionallyassigned responsibilities, also owe Nigerians some explanations!

At a time like this, regular meetings and wide consultations aimed at gestating and fertilising ideas on how to move the party forward cannot be said to be unimportant. Impliedly, if the government has not been blowing its trumpet well enough, it is high time the Esther in APC who first saw herself as a mere housewife was woken up by its Mordecai. And this is where the involvement of committed foot soldiers, especially, the youth, becomes relevant.

Thirdly, complacency at a time like this may be dangerous, both for the ruling party and Nigerians. The realness or otherwise of the claim that empowerment has always been a scarce commodity within the progressive camp must also be critically looked into in the interest of the party. In my considered opinion, positive steps must be taken to correct wrong or negative impressions so as not to confer an undue advantage on the opposition.

But all about Osun is not a tale of woes. As a matter of fact, the state has gone too far to look back and credit

’

must be given to the forward-looking governor. Within a very short period of seven years, Aregbesola has given a new hope of a state gloriously conquering, not miserably failing! For example, while the state continues to pay sufficient attention to the education of its students, every teacher on its payroll now knows that he or she has the potentials to rise up to the topmost level of his or her career. Through activities of the Osun Broilers Outgrowers Programme Scheme, aka OBOPS, the state has not only “placed Osun second to Oyo State in broiler production in the country”, “about 1,000 farmers and over 3,000 food vendors” have also been gainfully employed. In Osun, cases of Poliomyelitis are now consigned to the past due to the administration’s effective and extensive immunisation initiatives. It will also interest readers to know that the state came 9th in the just-concluded National Youth Games with 9 Gold (including 3 Non-Scoring), 5 Silver and 4 Bronze medals, the first of its kind in a long while.

All said, who is a better politician: one who builds bridges across the Niger through provision for, and investment in his people or one who merely constructs bridges across the stomach?

•KOMOLAFE writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk).

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 Acting Editor, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, Telephone: 0806-220-7954, kazeemayofe26@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org., E-mail: osundefenderbank@gmail.com,