Osun Defender Online Version of September 23, 2021

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 VOL 16 NO 36

How We’re Sexually Exploited T Inside Cell By Police Yusuf Oketola

WO suspects, Joy Esu Ogunmba and Olawoyin Aina have accused some policemen a ached to the An -Kidnapping Unit and Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Osun Command, of sexual assault.

Ogunmba, who was arrested for alleged kidnapping, said she was sexually exploited while in custody of the Police by an officer simply known as Taofeek, before she was arraigned in court and remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre.

According to Ogunmba, Taofeek slept with her twice in one office at the State Criminal Inves-

•Continued on Page 2

• Female Suspects Accuse Policemen Of Sexual Harassment

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How We Were Sexually Exploited Inside Cell By Police •Continued from Page 1 ga ons Department, Osogbo, on the promise that he would assist in securing her release.

Ogunmba made the allega on while speaking during a visit of a Non-Governmental Organisa on, Monsurat Ajoke Founda on to female inmates at the Ilesa Correc onal Centre, last week Tuesday.

OSUN DEFENDER reporter, who was part of the visita on team, noted that all the female inmates were happy to receive members of the NGO. Ogunmba said: “I was arrested for kidnapping on February 23, 2018 and I have been in remand since March 28, 2018. A er two days of my arrest at the state CID in Osogbo, one Police officer at the an kidnapping unit of the Osun Police, named Taofeeq brought me out of the cell around 2:30am.

He said I should come and write my statement.

“He slapped me when I was coming out of the cell. I told him I didn’t know how to write, so, I narrated everything to him. During the narra on, he fondled my breasts and I resisted. He told me to cooperate but I also told him to stop.

“He said he wanted to help me and before doing that, he would have sex with me. What he told me then was that he would come to the prison alongside my belongings and bail me out. Officer Taofeeq told me not to be afraid, that he would not disappoint me.

“I later accepted for him and he had sex with me. He had sex with me at two different mes during my stay at the state CID, because I spent one month and a week there.

“I was arraigned in court on March 28, 2018 and I have never set my eye on officer Taofeek since then. Though I don’t know his rank, but his name is Taofeeq from an -kidnapping unit of the Police.”

Making similar allega on, a 25-year-old armed robbery suspect, Mrs. Aina Olawoyin, said she was sexually

•Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II praying for tourists in his palace on Monday.

Navy To Relocate School In Lagos To Osun Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Nigerian Navy is likely to relocate its School of Communicaon and Informa on Technology and PT School in Lagos to Ile-Ife, State of Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Nigerian Navy had embarked on a move to

decongest the presence of the Navy in Lagos and other mari me environments.

It was gathered that it had concluded plan to relocate some of its bases from Lagos to other states, among which is Osun.

According to sources in the Nigerian Navy, the Command Naval Dra ing has

been relocated to Lokoja, Kogi State, while the School of Music is now located in Ota, Ogun State.

The sources revealed that the Navy Board has recently approved the establishment of three new naval bases in Lekki, Oguta and Kano.

According to the sourc-

Symbol’s Quote

“Make no mistake about it — the public we serve are watching us and are doing their own assessment based on how our services have impacted them. The set up will mean nothing to them if our services disappoint them”

es, “All naval establishments and units are called bases, notwithstanding their physical loca on. Depending on their responsibili es, naval bases could be for operaons, training, logis cs or administra on.

“In the Navy, these bases are called stone frigates, while naval opera ons bases should typically have a waterfront or be located in a mari me environment, some naval bases do not necessarily need to have a waterfront.

“The Nigerian Navy took a strategic decision to decongest its presence in Lagos area by expanding to other loca ons other than Lagos, Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt.

“This decision led to the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logis cs College in Owerri, Abia State, Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology in Kachia, Kaduna as well as the School of Health Sciences in Offa, Kwara State.

“Also, in line with this decision, the Command Naval Dra ing has been relocated to Lokoja, Kogi State while the School of Music is now located in Ota, Ogun State. Efforts are currently ongoing to relocate the School of Communica on and Informa on Technology, NNCET and PT School from Lagos to Ile-Ife, State of Osun.”

harassed by a policeman during her detenon period at the SCID, Osogbo.

According to her, a Police officer, simply known as Dare, who was part of the team that arrested her demanded for sex from her as condi on to help her out of the case.

She said: “On August 8, 2018, the Police raided our house in Ede and arrested my husband, two kids and I. We were detained at the State CID in Osogbo. Later, the two kids and my husband were admi ed to bail with the aid of my mother in-law having paid a sum of N200,000.

I was le behind in the cell.

“On the night of our arrest, one tall and fair Police officer named Dare from the Intelligence Department came to my cell around 12am.

He was part of the officers that came to arrest me. He brought me out to take my statement in which they have done earlier. He said he was willing and ready to secure my bail on the condi on that I should agree to have sex with him. I told him I could not, because he should know that my husband was also in the cell.

“There was another Police officer they called Babalawo; he usually come into the cell through the window. He would demand from all female suspects in the cell that we should play with him. He would fondle our breast and also finger our private parts, or take us out one a er the other to perpetrate the evil act. We were about five females in the cell then.

“I was later arraigned in court and remanded in correc onal centre on November 19, 2018.

We are now wai ng for final judgement coming up by October 25, 2021 at Ede High Court.

Reac ng to the allega ons, the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Osun Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, said she was not aware of the case.

Opalola promised that the police authority will inves gate the allega ons of the suspects and take neccessary step on it.

PEOPLE FIRST

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

Review/Outlook

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BY KANMI ADEMILUYI Honesty And Transparency Needed On Refunds Democracy And

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HE contrived toings and froings about the refund on expenditure expended by the State Government of Osun on federal roads is demeaning and falls well below the standard of intellectual honesty and moral circumspec on required in public service. Within the context of it having happened between members of the same poli cal party, it is disgraceful.

The State Government has now belatedly admi ed that refunds ranging between N11.9 billion and N13 billion have been received from the Federal Government. There is nothing out of the ordinary in this, for other states have received refunds and have publicly admi ed receipt. Noteworthy that the PDP controlled government of Rivers State made a huge song and dance over the receipt of its refunds from the APC Federal Government which actually discomfited some hardline ideologues of the PDP who felt that unnecessary kudos was been giving to the APC. The mo ve behind the refusal to publicly accept the payment of the refunds to the state government is reprehensible. For it comprehensively sha ers the misleading narra ve that the previous administra on led so astutely by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had placed the state of Osun in a seemingly intractable debt crisis.

This of course is ludicrous and a lie from the pit of hell. Aregbesola’s path breaking intervenon also le assets that has so far yielded N11.9 billion on roads. It has for long been established by interna onal organisa ons such as Goldman Sachs and the World Bank that the posi ve mul plier effect on infrastructure investments is approximately 10 mes.

The State Government’s clever-by-half an cs of making the gentleman who blew the lid the scapegoat cuts no ice. It reflects

“The state government has now belatedly admitted that refunds were made on FG roads constructed by the immediate past administration ” deep despera on and cluelessness in the fine art of poli cs and governance. His figures no doubt may be contested, but he has been jus fied in forcing the government to eventually do what it ought to have done ini ally.

Kudos must be giving to anyone who, sacrificing immediate electoral convenience, invested in infrastructure. Students of economic history are aware that the government of the Western Region headed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo had a lot of problems by making a lot of sacrifice in the immediate and deferring gra fica on for long term benefits.

But the refunds on road construc on are not the only assets bequeathed by the Aregbesola Administra on that have been rolling in quietly and steadily. A $20 million for the renova on of hospitals was awarded to the state government as the prize for the Aregbesola administra on’s performance on healthcare. It had been perfected and just dropped shortly a er he le office.

As we put the totally unnecessary diversions behind us, going forward, it is impera ve that the state government make full disclosure on all such accruals derived from the immediate past government headed by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Compulsion

•Interpreting the social contract in an existential crises

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URING mes of existen al threats, the issue of persuasion as opposed to compulsion comes up par cularly in socie es s ll in transion to opera ng a proper democracy. The ba les of governments against the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic illustrates this dilemma very well. Even an old established democracy like the United States has been forced to use both carrot and s ck with some state governments offering freebies to ci zens willing to be vaccinated. All this is necessary because the vaccina on campaign will only make sense if seventy per cent are vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity.

Even within a func oning democracy with all the paraphernalia of the rule of law, demonstrably strong independent the ins tu ons of the state and a vibrant civil society, compulsion some mes has to be used and jus fied as part of the social con-

tract. During a war to use an example, there is mass mobilisa on including conscrip on.

It means that the rights of the consciousness objector to dissent in a democracy is put on hold in a conflict situa on which poses a threat to the na on. Same goes for compulsory vo ng in countries such as Australia, Argen na, Brazil and The Seychelles.

In those countries, there is a democra c agreement that taxa on and vo ng cons tute key elements of the social contract binding par cipants in the state. Dissenters such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses have to abide with this or risk puni ve fines, even a jail sentence. In Nigeria in the second republic, the government of Lateef Kayode Jakande in Lagos State demanded evidence of voters registra on in order to gain access to certain educa on and health facili es. No one to my recollec on challenged this admirable way of enforcing civic responsibility as part of the social contract in court. Jakande was right, for you cannot have rights without obliga ons.

Under Jakande, both compliance with tax obliga ons and voter registra on went up exponen ally which is important in cemen ng the social contract which should be the bedrock of a democra c society.

COVID is real and it posPublisher – Moremi Publishing es an existen al threat, the House Ltd. governments response is Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman based on scien fic evidence (0805-121-2204) and it should be enforced in the overall interest of public Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa safety. Data evidence from Reporter – Yusuf Oketola the United States and elseReporter – Kazeem Badmus where shows clearly that Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto with muta ng variants the Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere crises is turning into “the OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing pandemic of the unvaccinatHouse Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite ed” as President Joe Biden Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, has o en stated. All means State of Osun must now be deployed to ISSN : 0794 – 8050 achieve herd immunity.

Telephone : 0805-121-2204 Governments at every Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php level, however, must do e–mail : osundefender@yahoo.com more in terms of civic enosundefenderbank@gmail.com All Correspondence to the above email Addresses.

•Con nued on Page 14

“In Nigeria in the second republic the government of Lateef Kayode Jakande in Lagos State demanded evidence of voters registration in order to gain access to certain education and health facilities. No one to my recollection challenged this admirable way of enforcing civic responsibility as part of the social contract in court

OSUN DEFENDER

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IGR: OIRS Boss Expresses Optimism On Osun’s Prosperous Future Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service, Prince Adegbite Ademikanra, has expressed op mism over the future of the State of Osun, saying it is going to be prosperous.

According to Ademikanra, if the state does not relent on her current IGR drive, it is going to improve to a reliable stage that will guarantee a prosperous future.

He made the statement on Monday during an in-house training organised for the Unit Heads of the OIRS, according to a report wri en by the Informa on Officer of the agency, Mr. Wasiu Babalola.

Ademikanra described payment of tax and other levies by ci zens as germane to

the growth and development of the state.

The OIRS boss charged staffers of the agency to double their efforts towards boosting the Internally-Generated Revenue of the state, saying that all hands must be on deck to make the dream of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administraon come to reality.

He ascribed the series of strides being currently made in Osun to the resilient and tenacity of purpose, coupled with the prudent u lisa on of the resources of the state by Oyetola, who he described as prudent.

Ademikanra called on the ci zens of the state to make payment of taxes and other levies s pulated by the law their top priori es, which should not be compromised.

•A bad portion of road along Okinni Administrative Office, Okinni, Egbedore Local Government of State of Osun.

Idolatry Is A Strange Religion In Yorubaland, Says Oluwo Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi has said that idolatry is a strange religion in Yorubaland, advising tradi onal rulers not to visit shrines again.

Oluwo, who spoke during the Iwo crusade total deliverance at the Prayer Centre Church of God (PCCG), in a video circula ng on social media, said God will punish any king who worship idols.

He said: “Idol is a strange religion in Yorubaland. God pronounced that we should worship Him in the garden of Eden when He instructed Adam to be worshipping Him. It will not be well with dei es and idols. They are ruined. Stop visi ng shrines.

“Idols are troubling Yorubaland, before the power can shi to Yoru-

baland we have to stop idol worshipping. Do you know where the power of Nigeria is today? It is the North because they detest idol worshipping. They made the founda on of those thrones to be God; you cannot see any idols around them.”

Quo ng from the book of Psalms 16:4,Oluwo charged the pastors to ensure that idols are eradicated in the land, saying that Nigeria would remain backwards if people, par cularly tradional rulers, are worshipping idols.

He said: “Who is Sango, Oya, Ogun, Osun and others before God? What is the Supreme Being that all these dei es worshipped?

‘Our forefathers, who have reigned as kings throughout the Yoruba race misled everybody, they were wrong. This posi on of king doesn’t have any connec on

with dei es. The posi on should not have any meeting point with dei es and idols.

“God is the king; that means the palace where the king lives should be what?

The only enemy and rival of God in that palace is the deies or idols that stay in the palace with the king.

“I know you are all from different towns. The leader, driver, head of a town who give orders and direcves now harbours idols or dei es in the palace that is originally owned by God, what will be the outcome, won’t they be figh ng?

“That means the place of authority of your towns, there is a trouble, what do you think will be the resultant effect on the subjects?

You are in trouble already.

Don’t berate my stand on this issue, you need to yield to my counsel.

“Idols must not be in a king’s palace. Go and tell the kings. You married a wife and she brought another man to the house, how would it be? That is what the kings in the Yorubaland are doing to God. Yet, they are looking for God’s blessing.

“God is here to clear away all idols from the land.

What you all need to do is that you are compe ng to take idols away from the land. Make sure idols are perished in the land with the help of the pastors.”

COVID-19: Osun Govt. Gives 3-Week Ultimatum For Civil Servants’ Vaccination Sodiq Yusuf

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HE State Government of Osun has issued a threeweek ul matum to workers in the State Civil Service to get themselves tested and vaccinated against the Coronavirus pandemic.

Any civil servant who is not vaccinated within the me frame might not be allowed into the State Secretariat, Abere.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Siji Olamiju, stated this in an interview on Monday.

Olamiju said: “The Ministry of Health has made the staff clinic at Abere a point of test for all the civil servant in the Secretariat and they are responding. After we have given them a certain period of me, those who s ll remain unvaccinated may not be allowed to enter into the Secretariat.

“We have given them a period of three weeks to have themselves vaccinated. In this regard, the Head of Service is actually the campaign for this, sensi sing all the ministries, department and agencies of the availability of test and eventual vaccina on. And

a er this given period, if anyone s ll remains recalcitrant; we will know which ac on to take.”

This is just as Governor Adegboyega Oyetolahas ordered compulsory vaccina on for his cabinet members, public servants, health workers and others in the state.

Oyetola gave the directed in a memo from the office of the Head of Service, dated September 15, 2021 with reference number SMD.61 Vol.III/16 and signed by its Permanent Secretary, S. A. Aina.

According to the memo, the direc ve is part of the measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

The memo reads: “Consequent upon the rampaging and virulent third wave (DELTA VARIANT) of the COVID-19 virus, the Government of the State of Osun is determined to halt its con nuous spread in the state. Hence, the government has provided COVID-19 vaccine to be taken by all workers in the State in its various health facili es.

“This is with a view to ensuring that the vaccine is taken in order to protect and prevent the workforce and residents

from being infected with the virus.

“Arising from the foregoing, the Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has mandated all public servants who have not been vaccinated against COVID 19 to visit the nearest Government Health Centre to them or their place of work to get vaccinated forthwith.

“This direc ve of Mr. Governor must be taken very seriously by all the affected workers across the en re State and Local Government Services.

“In addi on to the above, the Governor has directed that all Public Servants should con nue to follow all COVID-19 protocols such as wearing of face masks, staying at least six (6) feet away from one another, avoiding crowded places, constant washing of hands/ use of hand sani sers, among others.

“All Accoun ng Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including Ter ary Ins tu ons, Local Government Authories, Local Council Development Areas,etc. are requested to draw the a en on of their staff to the contents of this Circular and ensure strict compliance by all.”

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Feature

Refund: A Timeous Outburst, A Day Late And A Dollar Short Defence

Oyetola

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HERE are controversies on the amount received by the State Government of Osun as refund from the Federal Government on the FG roads constructed by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the governor of the state as then was. But there is no controversy on the fact that the administra on of Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has received (or is receiving) refund for the FG roads constructed by his predecessor.

Before now, there had been a grave silence from the State Government on the refund. The government had kept the refund away from members of the public un l the outburst by a former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism in the State of Osun, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun.

Ayedun claimed that the Oyetola administra on had received a sum of N48bn as refund from FG on the roads constructed by Aregbesola, but decided to keep silent on it deliberately.

The Ife-born poli cian, who spoke at a mee ng of The Osun Progressives (TOP), a caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osogbo, last Thursday, stated that the State Government received the N48bn refund in three tranches for the FG roads constructed by Aregbesola.

He said: “The Oyetola administra on has received N48 billion refund from the Federal Government for roads constructed by Aregbesola, but they did not disclose it. They kept talking about salary. The refund was collected in three tranches; did you hear it from the state radio? They would not disclose it. The last tranche was N4.8 billion when Rivers State was given N78 billion”.

Ayedun’s statement put the State Government on the hot seat to defend the N48bn refund claim. At first, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, took to his Facebook page on Friday to debunk Ayedun’s claim.

Omowaiye stated that there is no how the FG would give N48bn to Osun as refund for a project that is lesser than the amount. Omowaiye posted: “The total contract sum for all FG road projects in Osun is N38bn. Gbongan-Akoda was at 29 per cent comple on while Osogbo-Ila-Odo was 49 per cent comple on as at November 26, 2018. FG is obviously not father Christmas, they will not pay for work not done.” When asked by a commentator on the post on how much the State Government had received as refund, Omowaiye said “a total of N13bn”.

Ayedun’s claim, in a video that went viral on the social media, generated reac ons from members of the public, parcularly between loyalists and supporters of Aregbesola and Oyetola. The State Government of Osun, through the Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, officially reacted to Ayedun’s claim through a press release on Saturday. In the release, the State Government admi ed collec ng a sum of N11.9 million refunds from FG for Aregbesola’s road projects, even as it said the claim by the former commissioner is capable of misleading the public, as it misrepresents facts on the state of refund by the Federal Government to the state.

The statement reads in part, “In se ng the records straight, it is important to empha cally and explicitly state that such claims, as presented in the video under reference, is capable of crea ng disharmony, strife and bad blood within the progressive family.

“The claim that the sum of N48billion had been received

•Ayedun by the Oyetola-led administra on as refund on federal roads constructed within the state is untrue. The total contract sum of all federal road projects embarked upon by the Osun State Government, as approved by the Federal Ministry of Works, is N38billion. It is therefore against logic that the sum of N48bn will be paid by the FG for projects which total contract sum equals N38bn. The projects in ques on, as at November, 2018, on the average, were less than 35% comple on.

“Similarly, the total refund by the FG to the state as today, in three tranches, stood at N11.9bn based on the project delivered by both contractors. It is impera ve to state that the FG refund of N11.9bn has been judiciously u lized and ploughed back into four (4) inherited road projects embarked upon by the previous administra on contrary to the unsubstan ated claims by Mr. Ayedun that the refund is being used to pay full salaries to civil servants in the state.”

However, Ayedun, who appeared on a radio programme on Monday, admi ed that the figure he quoted might not be true, just as he argued that the State Government ought to have come forward to declare the amount it received as refunds on the FG roads constructed by Aregbesola before now.

He said: “I raised three fundamental issues: that N48 billion had been received from theFederal Government for roads constructed by the past administra on in Osun, that the Sukuk fund and conven onal loans taken by Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administra on had been paid off and that if what I have said is not right, we are now in the public court. The onus is on the government to prove it that they are not in receipt of that amount.

“It is not a ma er of saying I’m lying. They have already confirmed two or three things that I said: The government said it had go en a refund on the FG road and that Sukuk and some loans had been paid off. So, if we now differ on figures, the onus is on the government to come out and tell us how much it received. No ma er the value, even if it is one naira the State Government has go en as refund on the roads the past administra on constructed, my expecta on is for them is to declare that they have taken so-so amount as refund on the debt because they are always talking about the huge debt the last administra on le behind. Out of that debt is this refund that you have go en and you kept silent on it.

“When the last payment was made on FG roads, Wike, a PDP Governor in River State, got N78bn. He did an advertorial that Federal Government refunded N78 billion on this road of N150 billion. That he wanted it to be in the public knowledge of Rivers people. That is a PDP Governor!

“Whatever the administra on of Governor Oyetola has received as refunds, they should have let the public know before now. It is a moral burden that they collected Osun’s people money and they refused to disclose it to them and they are just talking of debt.”

In reac on to the controversy, a socio-poli cal group, the Progressive-Minded Forum, said Oyetola would have saved himself from the controversy, had he declared that the State Government was receiving refund on the FG road project executed by Aregbesola’s administra on.

The group, in a press statement on Monday, said nondisclosure of the project refund puts Oyetola’s integrity and

credibility in ques on, sta ng that a transparent government would have come open when receiving the refunds before now.

Signed by the Coordinator of the group, Mr. Sunday Oriowo, the statement reads: “We are compelled to join the discussion on the refund of billions of naira received by Governor Gboyega Oyetola from the Federal Government on the Federal roads constructed by his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

“It is shocking that the State Government received such amount of money and decided to keep quiet - it is shameful and hypocri cal. The forced admi ance by Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administra on that it had received a sum of N11.9 billion refund for the Federal roads constructed by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, when he was the governor of the state, is very embarrassing to the government and the good people of the State of Osun.

“The Governor should come forward and summon the courage to declare the actual amount that the State Government has received on the assets le behind by Aregbesola.

We believe that there are other accruals to the state that the Oyetola administra on is not disclosing because of the poli cs of bi erness the Governor and his team are playing.

It is morally wrong for Oyetola not to disclose the refund on the projects executed by Aregbesola when they are bi erly cas ng the previous administra on on the controversial debt profile of the state.

“Instead of the misleading no on that all Aregbesola le for the Oyetola administra on is debt, a fair and sincere person with conscience would have come out to state that the former governor also le assets that have so far yielded N11.9 billion. We are sure that there are other billions of naira that the Oyetola’s administra on would have collected as refund for some of the Aregbesola’s interven ons in health, agriculture, educa on etc.

“As a ma er of fact, we know that the much-talked-about rehabilita on of Primary Health Centres in the state was part of the assets le behind by Aregbesola. It is a known fact that the Aregbesola administra on won the $20million Save One Million Lives (SOMIL), a World Bank Project, at the tail-end of his administra on in 2018. The fund is currently being used by the Oyetola administra on to rehabilitate Primary Health Centres and presen ng it as a major achievement without giving credit to Aregbesola.

“We challenge the State Government to make full disclosure of amounts it has received on the projects done by Aregbesola in roads, health and other sectors.

It is obvious that the Oyetola administra on is reaping the profits of Aregbesola’s projects and programmes, but does not have the courage to disclose it because of the poli cs of hatred and pull-him-down being played against his benefactor.”

Ayedun’s claim on the FG project refund is a meous outburst needed to correct the impression that all what Aregbesola’s administra on le behind was debt. However, the defence of the State Government on the refund is a day late and a dollar short. When a defence is a day late and a dollar short, it means it is too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect.

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NYSC DG Warns Corps Members In Osun Not To Participate In Local Politics Kazeem Badmus

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HE Director-General of the Na onal Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has warned corps members in the State of Osun against par cipa on in local polics in their respec ve host communi es.

Ibrahim also advised the corps members to present themselves for COVID-19 vaccina on, in order to guide against the deadly virus.

Ibrahim gave the advice during the terminal parade and closing ceremony of the 2021 Batch ‘B’, Stream II Orienta on on Tuesday at the NYSC permanent orienta on camp, Ede, State of Osun.

This was just as he charged corps members to help in sensi sing members of their host communi es about prevenve measures against the Coronavirus pandemic, including the need to accept the vaccines.

Speaking through the State Coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Ayodele Adegoke, Gen. Ibrahim commended the corps members for complying with the COVID-19 preven on protocol during their stay in camp, adding that they must not let their guards down as the virus is s ll much around.

He said: “While commending you for complying with the COVID-19 preven on protocols during your stay in camp, I wish to remind you that the virus is s ll around.

“You are therefore, advised to con nue to be on your guard everywhere you find yourselves. I also encourage you to present yourselves for the COVID19 vaccina on and, if already taken, watch out for invita on for the second jab, where applicable.

“In addi on, I charge you to help in sensi sing members of the host communi es about preven ve measures, including the need to accept the vaccines”.

Speaking on the security and general welfare of corps members, Ibrahim said management of the scheme are in constant liaison with security agencies and other stakeholders with the view of ensuring safety as well as addressing other essen al needs for a fulfilling service year.

He however, warned corps members not to engage in local poli cs in their host communi es, describing it as a no-goarea.

Ibrahim said: “My dear corps members, I wish to reaffirm the commitment of the management to your security and general welfare. Accordingly, we are in constant liaison with security agencies and other stakeholders with the view of ensuring your safety as well as addressing other essen al needs for a fulfilling service year.

“Let me stress that you must be securityconscious at all mes. In par cular, I advise you to avoid risky engagements such as staying out late at night, a endance of late night par es, visita on of dangerous places and acceptance of car ride from strangers.

“I also implore you to shun drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime, a d va n c e d - f r e e - f ra u d , and other vices. Do also remember that engagement in the local poli cs of your host communi es

is a no-go- area for you. In all circumstances, always be conscious of the implica ons of your ac on or inac on for the image of your family, the NYSC and your ins tu ons of gradua on”.

While urging corps members to accept their pos ng in good faith and perform their du es with diligence, Ibrahim appealed to corps employers to provide an enabling environment for them to develop their poten als.

“I urge you to ac-

cept pos ng to any loca on and endeavour in good faith and perform your du es with diligence. You are also expected to appreciate and respect the cultures of the host communies.

“At this juncture, I wish to appeal to corps employers to not only accept corps members that will be posted to them, but also provide the enabling environment for them to develop their poten als”.

•NYSC members at the passing out parade ground.

13-Yr-Old Battles Trauma After Being Repeatedly Raped By Father Yusuf Oketola

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13-year-old girl, Busola (not real name), who was reported to have

•Busola

been raped by his 44year-old father, Kazeem Olapade, in Ido-Osun, Egbedore Local Government of the State of Osun, is currently bat-

tling with trauma.

Busola, was said to have been repeatedly raped by her father, Olapade, between August, 2020 and January,

2021.

Olapade was arrested by the Police in January this year, a er the case was reported by a Non-Governmental Organisa on, Monsurat Ajoke Founda on and was arraigned before an Osogbo magistrate’s court therea er.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the Founder and Coordinator of the Founda on, Ms. Monsurat Ajoke, said Busola had been ba ling with trauma since the incident happened to her.

According to Ajoke, the girl had not been stable emo onally, disclosing that she fell at the Juvenile Home of the Ministry of Women and Affairs Home at Tes ng Ground in Osogbo from a cashew tree due to her unstable mind.

The medium gathered that the girl had also been menstruating for 20 days nonstop

every month a er the sexual assault on her by her father.

The girl was said to have relocated to Ejigbo where she lives with her mother and her siblings a er the incident.

OSUN DEFENDER also learnt that Olapade, the father of the vic m, who was remanded in Ilesa Correc onal Centre by Magistrate Dr. Olusegun Ayilara, had been released.

It was gathered that Olapade was released for proper medical atten on a er he was vomi ng blood and behaving abnormally at the correc onal centre.

CHANGE OF NAME FASEUN ADEDAYO ABOSEDE That I was formerly known and addressed as OGUNLEYE ADEDAYO ABOSEDE. Now wish to be known and addressed as FASEUN ADEDAYO ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Zenith Bank and General public should take note.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

10

Interview

How We Met, Left Osun Roads In 2018 – Engr.

Salami, Fmr. Commissioner for Works Speaks

•Salami

H

ow was the state of Osun roads before and during the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola?

Comparing the state of roads in Osun before the coming of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to what they were in his administra on is like comparing hell to heaven. Before Aregbesola came, a five years old boy in the state of Osun would tell you the deplorable condi on of virtually all the roads in Osun. The drainage works then were used to be constructed with block walls of two coats, and the maximum thickness of asphal c surface was just 37.5mm. With that quality, the roads would not last more than a year or two. But when Ogbeni came, the whole scenario changed.

For drainage work, we started the construc on of concrete both sides of different sizes depending on the topography and terrain of the area and the volume of water design for the drainage work.

Before commencement of any rehabilita on/construcon works, Osun engineers were always directed to carry out reconnaissance survey to find out the type of road furniture that would be provided which will last for minimum of 25 to 30 years. Aregbesola’s administra on started with township roads, intercity roads, intracity roads, selected roads and a lot of capital projects (gigan c projects). These were projects that really needed massive demoli on, changing of alignments and provision of full furniture on the roads.

There were also rural roads under the O’RAMP (Osun Rural and Accessibility Project) being financed by World Bank a er the government had paid some counterpart funds. About 500km length of rural roads were constructed all over the state to ease transporta on of farm produce from various farms to ci es by the farmers. Furthermore, Ogbeni administra on embarked on the rehabilita on of 10km roads per local governments which were supervised by the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Local Government. They were being monitored by Bureau of Social Services (BOSS).

Construc on/ Rehabilita on of Roads were going on at every look and cranny in the state. Before Ogbeni completed his first term, Osun people had been acknowledging the massive road construc on and other infrastructural development. He was elected for second term by the people who appreciate his good work. So, Aregbesola met Osun in rus c state but le it a transformed state.

There were allega ons that road construc ons in the Aregbesola’s administra on were characterized by inflaon of contract. How would you react to this?

Whoever is saying that is either mischievous or myopic.

If you want to do a km of road for #N20m, the same 1km of road may cost you N100m on another road depending on the type of road furniture to be provided and the kind of terrain of that road. The scope of work on any road construc on will determine the course of the project. The rate

of construc ng 1mx1m drainage is different from that of 0.6x0.6m drainage why cost of earthworks in a swampy area is far more than that of level firm area.

Most of Ogbeni roads were constructed by providing sufficient approved filling materials a er removing unsuitable materials. A er this, there were provisions of stone base to strengthen the base course. Asphal c binder course of 60mm were usually provided on some of the road before pu ng 40mm of wearing course of asphalt, all these were just to make the roads last longer for a design period of 20-25 years before damages.

Two major roads that have been the talk of the town are the Gbongab/Akoda and Osogbo/ Ilaodo Kwara State boundary road. What are the reasons behind the roads and the contractual agreement on them?

Those roads are federal roads and you see they link different states. The roads were in deplorable condi on and causing accidents that have claimed several lives. So, Aregbesola decided to dualise them and to reduce accidents to barest minimum. On the Gbongan-Akoda road, Aregbesola constructed a gigan c trumpet bridge at the Gbongan end, so that people coming to Osogbo from Ibadan are separated from traffic going to Ife by climbing the bridge. This has helped in reducing accidents in that area. The original contract sum was N29.2bn. But due to the bad terrain of road and swampy nature along the alignment, the contractor carried out major stabliza on of the bad por ons by providing massive boulders and cement stabiliza ons. There were massive earthworks and stone base before surfacing, all these a racted addi onal cost and the contractor requested for upward review of the original contract sum to 33.5bn. However, this was not approved before 2018.

Before Ogbeni completed his first term, Osun people had been acknowledging the massive road construction and other infrastructural development. He was elected for second term by the people who appreciate his good work. So, Aregbesola met Osun in rustic state but left it a transformed state

Engr. Kazeem Salami (FNICE) is a civil engineer by profession. He is a former General Manager of Osun Road Maintenance Agency and former Commissioner for Works and Transport in the State of Osun. He provides insightful information on the Gbongan-Akoda and Osogbo-Ikirun-Ilaodo road embarked upon by the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and being continued by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. Excerpt: It should be noted that engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing always countersigned every cer ficate raised a er joint measurement of work done because the Federal Government will pay back the fund used for the construc on work. The percentage progress of the work before we le was about 30%.

For Osogbo-Ikirun-Ila-Odo-Kwara State boundary road, the original contract sum was N17.8 billion and there were lots of addi onal jobs done like increasing the width of the road, providing more hydraulic structures that were not included ini ally such as culverts, bridges and others. The contractor also requested for an increase to a revised construct sum to N20.5bn. From the above, it is very clear that the original contract sum of the two roads was N47.02bn. If the addi onal requests of the two contractors were approved, it would make the total contract sum to be N54bn.

Osogbo-Ikirun-Ila-Odo was about 50 percent completed while Gbongan-Akoda road was over 30 per cent done.

The length covered on the Gbongan-Akoda road was about 8.5km. Hence, the present administra on inherited a house that has been built but need to be painted in some sec ons up to this 8.5km length which the present administra on is now doing. The government might have spent between about N1.5bn and N1.7 bn.

On Osogbo-Ikirun-Ila-Odo, Aregbesola’s administra on has delivered 10km dual carriage way of 19m width, 100 per cent up to wearing course from old garage to machine tools and works has passed Eko-Ende junc on at various stages before the Oyetola administra on came. What the present administra on has done ll date is to move the work further and concentrated on taking one lane to Iragbiji junc on.

It is very mischievous for anybody to cas gate Aregbesola on these roads. The Aregbesola campaigned and won elec on for Governor Oyetola because of all these massive infrastructural development for con nuity. Nobody can rubbish Aregbesola on these roads because what the present administra on has done on them is insignificant so far.

We had prepared a bill of N19.2bn as amount due to be paid to the state by the federal government based on the level of work done on the roads then. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, the Director of Highways and I had gone to Abuja to defend the bill before the Senate Commi ee on Works If the Federal Government has refunded N11.9bn on the road projects, the State government should come and tell us how much it has expended on the roads. What is the level of work done on the roads so far?

You cannot be playing poli cs with taxpayer money.

The state government should let the public know how it has used the N11.9bn. Each me the federal government receives Abacha loot, it will declare the par cular amount it received and how it intend to spend it. The state government of Osun should also follow same path.

PEOPLE FIRST

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

11

News

•Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in company of Governor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku to commission a state-of–the-art firefighting truck in Jalingo, on Tuesday.

Federal Fire Service Saves 166 Lives, N15trn Worth Of Property In Q2 Of 2021 Ismaeel Uthman

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HE Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that the Federal Fire Service saved about 166 lives and rescued about 82 persons in distress due to fire and other related emergencies in second quarter of year 2021.

According to Aregbesola, the agency also saved property worth over N15.1 trillion, even as he stated that 27 lives were lost and property es mated at N3.017 trillion destroyed in the period under review.

Aregbesola stated this on Tuesday in Jalingo, Taraba State, during the commissioning of the state-ofthe-art fire-figh ng truck deployed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to complement fire-figh ng in the state.

The former governor of the State of Osun said the Federal Fire Service had experienced a phenomenal transforma on from a moribund department to a vibrant organisa on equipped with modern and state-of-the-art firefigh ng equipment since the incepon of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administraon.

He said: “It is noted that 2020 into 2021 has witnessed frightening fire incidents, ranging from markets to gas and pipelines fires around the country. Sta scs at our disposal show that the FFS in the second quarter of 2021 received 638 fire calls from which re-

gre ably, 27 lives were lost and property es mated at N3.017 trillion destroyed.

“The good news however, is that the service within the quarter under review also saved about 166 lives, rescued about 82 persons in distress due to fire and other related emergencies while saving property worth over N15.1 trillion.”

While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for his resolve to strengthen the service, Aregbesola stated that the President’s support to all the services in his ministry had been immense.

“I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his con nued support for the Ministry of Interior and her agencies. It pleases me to state that the delivery of the fire truck to Taraba State as seen today is indeed further tes mony of the President’s resolve to reposi on the FFS for be er service delivery in line with its core mandate, which include humanitarian and emergency services.

“I must say that since the incep on of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administra on, FFS has experienced a phenomenal transforma on from a moribund department to a vibrant organisa on equipped with modern and state-of-the-art firefighting equipment and today we are here to deliver one of the firefigh ng trucks to Federal Fire Service, Taraba State Command, to be manned by well trained, dedicated and commi ed

personnel” the Minister noted.

He also revealed that the equipment being commissioned “is part of the N10.4 billion infrastructure upgrade approved by the Federal Execu ve Council (FEC) on March 3rd, 2021 comprising of 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid interven on fire engines (not convenonal ones) that can go into the nooks and crannies to respond to distressed calls and 20 basic life support ambulances”.

The Minister, however, charged the State Government to invest in firefighting equipment for its own state fire service as the role of the Federal Fire Service was only complementary, no ng that firefigh ng services falls under the concurrent legisla ve list.

Aregbesola said: “It is important, however, for State Governments to establish a robust fire service to complement what the Federal Fire Service is doing in their respec ve states.

It is only when we have this complementary service that we can rest assure that fire will not pose much threat to us in the preservaon of lives and property.

“We must therefore not restrict fire service requirements or needs to State capitals or urban centres alone.

Provisions should be made for Local Governments and rural areas, which have been vic ms of fire incidents and other emergencies as well. Farms and valuable economic trees have

also been destroyed by fires in rural areas.

“I will urge the State Command to reciprocate the Federal Government’s gesture to op mise and effec vely use these assets to improve fire cover, enhance emergency response operaons and complement State Fire Services opera ons while enhancing fire safety across the country.”

Further in his remarks, the Minister urged the State to take advantage of the

Fire Marshal and Warden Scheme of the Service in order to train volunteers for humanitarian services.

The two-term former governor of the State of Osun also reiterated the role of humans in fire-figh ng, saying “The people should also posi on themselves to be in the best place to secure their lives and make it easy for government to help them. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

“Everyone should be sensi ve to and watchful of developments around them, especially ma ers that should be of security concern.”

In his remarks, the Con-

Motorcycle Repairer Arraigned For Absconding With Customer’s Bike Yusuf Oketola

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23-year-old motorcycle repairer, Toheeb Oladosu, has been arraigned before a magistrate’s court for allegedly absconding with one of his customers’ bike in Osogbo, State of Osun.

Oladosu was said to have absconded with a motorcycle which was given to him for repair without the consent of the owner.

According to the charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, Oladosu commi ed the offence in the month of June 2021 at Kelebe Area, Osogbo.

The charge sheet alleged that Oladosu stole the motorcycle with registraon number GNN 861 QG, valued N180,000, property of one Kabiru Abdulrauf,

which was given to him for repair.

The alleged offence contravened Sec ons 516, 383 and 249(7) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol.II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.

But, the accused person pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of stealing, unlawful conversion and breach of peace preferred against him.

Defence counsel, Okobe Nagite, prayed the court to admit Oladosu to bail on a liberal term, stating that he was ready to stand trial and would provide a reliable surety.

However, Magistrate A. A. Adebanjo, admi ed the defendant to bail in sum of N200,000 with a surety.

The case was adjourned ll October 14, 2021 for men on.

troller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Dr. Ibrahim Liman, prayed the State Governor to extend a hand of support to the Federal Fire Service in the state, saying that deployment of the modern Fire Service Truck to the state was meant to assist the firefigh ng efforts in the state.

Liman noted that the responsibility of firefighting is a joint effort between the Federal, State and Local Governments.

He said: “The fire truck we are commissioning is a huge na onal asset, requiring op mum maintenance and fuelling. We craved the indulgence of the State Government to facilitate deployment of u lity vehicles to support the operaon of the vehicle.

“Sir, we want you to sponsor personnel of the State Fire Service for local and foreign training in view of emerging trends in firefigh ng and inclusion of the Federal Fire Service in the state Security Council.”

Commissioning the Firefigh ng Truck, the State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku, stated that shortly a er taking office as Governor in 2015, he realised the need to overhaul the Fire Service system in the state in order to meet the primary objec ves of protec ng lives and property in the event of a fire disaster, as well as rescuing and protec ng people involved in traffic accident and emergencies.

He said” “We overhauled the State Fire Service by carrying out regular officer training, ensuring efficiency, discipline, increased morale, and the safety of all firefighters across the state’s Fire Command. We make sure that the Service opera onal vehicles are adequately maintained and func onal for speedy response to crises 24 hours a day, seven days weekly.

“Chemical foam, a vital component for fire suppression, is also constantly procured to promote a statewide opera on”.

Ishaku, who commended Aregbesola for bringing much desired change to the Federal Fire Service and other Services under the Ministry of Interior, noted that things had indeed changed for good since his coming on board.

“I must not fail to appreciate the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for ins tu ng the much-desired changes in the Nigeria security services, especially for agencies under his watch.

“I recall his brilliance and eloquence during the Na onal Execu ve Council meetings when he was Governor in Osun State. President Muhammadu Buhari indeed made the right choice in your selec on and the good fruit is there for all to see”.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

News

12

Oyetola Reiterates Commitment To Education Transformation Ismaeel Uthman

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OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated his administra on’s commitment to transforming the educa on sector of the state.

Oyetola said he would not relent on his effort at ensuring that the needed reform is brought to educa on for better results.

The Governor stated this in Osogbo during the 10th Convoca on of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) on Tuesday.

Oyetola, who is the Visitor to the university, called on the newly-graduated students to begin to explore the skills they acquired in the course of their studies to change the world.

He said the ins tu on had equipped them with necessary entrepreneurial skills in addi on to their courses of study to compete in the knowledge and technologydriven world and to be soluons to the pervasive web of unemployment, economic downturn, violence and misery.

The Governor Oyetola noted that gradua on had offered the graduands the requisite key to employ the character, analy cal skills and competencies that the ins tu on has imbued them with to partake in the task of posively impac ng their lives and the larger society.

He said: “My dear graduands, as you bask in the euphoria of gradua on today, let me remind you that gradua on offers you the key

to employ the character, analy cal skills and competencies that your university has imbued you with to partake in the task of posi vely impacting your life and the larger society.

“The UNIOSUN brand and the Omoluabi ethos have been blended and carefully ingrained in you to compete in the knowledge and technology-driven world and to be solu ons to the pervasive web of unemployment, economic downturn, violence and misery.

“In par cular, I urge you to unleash the entrepreneurial skills on the world by looking inward and being self-reliant.

“You must join the corps of young entrepreneurs who are revolu onising the world economy by owning enterprises and crea ng jobs.

“Throughout your stay as students of this ins tu on, you have been accorded the rare opportunity of graduating with two cer ficates: a cer ficate for your course of study and a cer ficate for your chosen voca on of study.”

The Governor urged the graduands to access the proposed sizable loan with 1% interest rate payable over a period of five years to start up a business, saying this could make all the difference in their lives.

Extolling the management and staff of the ins tu on for maintaining the academic standards since the establishment of the citadel of knowledge, Oyetola said, “as a government, we shall con nue to support UNIOSUN to make it the preferred

university through funding under available resources and appointment of quality

officials that will deliver university governance for excellent service delivery.”

Princess Esther Bankole Laid To Rest

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HE remains of Princess Esther Adepele Arike Bankole (a.k.a. Iya oni garri) who died on last week Wednesday will be buried in Igbajo on Saturday.

Chris an wake-keep will come up at her residence, Edun’s Compound, Iloro, tomorrow by 5.00pm. Funeral service will take place at her residence by 10.00am on Saturday and follow by thanksgiving at Christ Apostolic Church, No. 1,

Oke Isao area, Igbajo by 11.00a,m.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Entertainment

I Am Single, Looking For A Wife, Wizkid Says

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IGERIAN music star, Ayodeji Balogun popularly known as Wizkid, has claimed that he is a single father and looking for a wife.

Wizkid has three baby mamas and three children.

He made his quest for a wife known in a post shared on his social media page during a tour.

He posted: “As a single father, I hope I catch a wife on this tour.”

His post came hours a er his third baby mama, Jada Pollock tweeted about him being her man.

Pollock had tweeted: “Imagine being at a show.

Listening to your favourite album. Favourite songs!

Watching your man sing!

Shit is amazing”.

Pollock is the music star’s Manager and mother to his third child, Zion.

Wizkid has two other children from previous rela onships.

Kaffy Loses Dad A Year After Mother’s Death

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OPULAR Nigerian dancer, Kafayat Shafau-Ameh known as ‘Kaffy’ has lost her dad.

This is coming a year a er the death of her mother.

Kaffy took to his social media to share the sorrowful news as she mourned her dad’s demise.

Numerous fans and industry colleagues of the dancer trooped to her page to share their condolence messages.

Davido’s Loses Official Photographer

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R. Fortunate Umurname Peter, a 24-year-old official photographer of popular Nigerian hiphop ar ste, Davido is reportedly dead.

According to several posts on social media, the celebrity photographer passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

“Davido’s photographer Fortune is dead. Jesus Christ. F**k I’m heartbroken, he’s my friend. I’m so heartbroken. It shouldn’t have been fortune God, he’s hardworking, very ambi ous, he worked so hard to gain the spot he achieved like w ,” one of the tweets read.

He was the brain behind most of Davido’s photos on Instagram and a member of his crew.

Fortune was born and raised in Bariga, Lagos but hails from Owerri in Imo state.

Un l his death, the celebrity photographer worked with several celebri es including Davido, Pogba, Popcaan, Lil baby, Cassanova, Mayorkun, Wizkid, Jidenna, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Patoranking, Akon, DMW and many more.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

Special Report

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Aregbesola’s Administration Invested $2.5m, Earned $20,547,000 For Osun Assessing Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Administration in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health: An evidenceThe results showed in Fig 1 (baseline survey, 2015 and based approach in examining the Saving One Million Lives Programme in the State of Osun (2015-2018). NNHS 2018) shows that Osun State had significant increase

A

merican Philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) stated, “The first wealth is health”.

By extension, the healthy well-being of a people is closely ed to the economic well-being of the country. The SOML Ini a ve was launched by the President of Nigeria in October 2012 in response to the poor health outcomes in the country, par cularly for mothers and children. It is es mated that almost 1 million women and children die yearly, largely from preventable causes. SOML represents a bold a empt to improve maternal and child health outcomes so that they are more in keeping with the country’s level of wealth; and focuses on six important aspects (pillars) of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) that can save lives.

The success of the State of Osun in the health sector, notably, the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOMLpforR) in the 2018 Na onal Nutri on and Health Survey (NNHS), that earned the state over $20 million dollars would be put on the spotlight vis-a-vis the assessment of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administra on in addressing maternal and child health issues.

The 2018 NNHS survey was conducted between February 19 and June 2, 2018; which is the third na onal survey using SMART methodology by the Na onal Bureau of Sta s cs (NBS), in collabora on with Na onal Popula on Commission and the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and with technical support from UNICEF. The first NNHS was conducted in February-May 2014 and the second which is the baseline survey in July-September 2015.

The Program for Results (PforR) is a performance-based program of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGON) assisted by the World Bank. It supports the Government’s exis ng Saving One Million Lives (SOML) ini a ve by providing incen ves based on achievement of results (health outcomes) and helping to drive ins tu onal processes needed to achieve them. The Program-for-Results (PforR) is not a typical World Bank project which focuses on inputs and ac vi es for procurement using World Bank rules and procedures. Rather, it uses country systems and processes, giving health managers substan al autonomy in managing and producing health results.

The ex-governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the restora on of healthy living, “My pact with the people of Osun”, popularly known as the green book stated “I shall work to save our people from all avoidable deaths due to accidents, emergencies, poverty and inadequate health facili es”. The Ogbeni administra on did realize that most deaths are caused by poverty and inadequate health facili es and should therefore innovate and find workable and sustainable solu on to tackle the issues. In 2015, around the me which the baseline survey was to be conducted, the State had started experiencing plumme ng alloca on coming to the State from the Federal Government, and as such found it hard to fund bulk of the budget in Health. The mely interven on of the SOMLpforR by the FG was a game changer which is focused on improving maternal and Child health.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in 2015 received $500million loan from the World Bank to help in reducing maternal and child deaths as well as access to quality health care at the primary level. In 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) disbursed $1.5 million each to all States and the FCT as a supplement to their health budget. The interven on funds were to be u lized towards the goal of improving the lives of mothers and children in Nigeria under the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOML-PforR). An cipated disbursements will be based on improvements from the baseline (2015) as measured by na onal surveys.

It is intended to save the lives of mothers and children by increasing access to u lisa on of evidence based, costeffec ve and high impact maternal, child and nutri on interven ons in Nigeria and change the federal-state relaonship to a result-based partnership.

The programme was ini ated by the World Bank and Federal Government and has six interven on areas: Immunisa on coverage (Pentavalent-3), bed net use by children under five, vitamin A supplementa on, Family planning, HIV tes ng during pregnancy and skilled birth a endance in terms of quan ty and quality of care.

The Rauf Aregbesola administra on received the first disbursement of $1.5 million dollars in 2016 for the kickoff and is expected to supplement the health budget for the State to improve the quality and quan ty of care for mothers and under-5 children. The Aregbesola led government, alias Government unusual, swung into ac on by allowing the Ministry to take charge of the project. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu coordinated the program with two objec ves: first, to improve on the

exis ng baseline percentage points for the indicators and improving the ranking of the State with respect to the health indicators. This was by no means, a mean feat, as having to plan for such humongous project requires the commitment and dedica on of all stakeholders. What makes the period much more interes ng was the financial crisis faced by the State owing to the reduc on in allocaon coming from the FG to the States.

The performance-based strategy employed by the SOMLpforR had to be the mo va on for the State in earning more by improving on the indicators as specified by the Program Appraisal (PAD) document of SOMLpforR. The amount given to states was a grant to help in increasing the percentage points for each of the indicators as specified in the PAD of the SOMLpforR. For each percentage point increase for each of the six indicators, it would be mul plied by $205,000.00. It was a chance for Ogbeni to once again prove himself in ensuring the state a ains its objec ves. In early 2017, the Mul ple Indicator Cluster Survey MICS 2016/2017 was released and Osun did not earn any bonus owing to the performance recorded by the State.

Table 1 Results of the first survey conducted Osun ranked 15th in MICS 2016/17 with a nega ve net change in performance when compared with the baseline survey of 2015.

State NNHS 2015 MICS 2016/2017 Points -diff Zamfara 64.9 112 47.1 Adamawa 164.8 201.6 36.8 FCT 214.9 250.9 36 Katsina 80 114.9 34.9 Yobe 86.5 117.7 31.2 Cross River 247.3 277.4 30.1 Benue 239 266.6 27.6 Kwara 177 202.5 25.5 Rivers 233 254.5 21.5 Bayelsa 153 170 17 Borno 125.2 140.75 15.55 Kogi 188 200.9 12.9 Edo 254.2 262.4 8.2 Anambra 282 277.9 -4.1 Osun 246.1 240.4 -5.7 *NNHS 2015 result was based on five indicators Source: NNHS 2015, MICS 2016/2017 Osun ranked 15th out of 36 states and the FCT in the MICS survey conducted in 2016/2017. The nega ve as shown in Table 1 for Osun showed that there was a reducon in performance in the health indicators as specified in the Program Implementa on Manual (PIM) of the SOMLpforR for 2016/17 as compared to 2015.

Interes ngly, another opportunity came a er the 2016/2017 when the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), decided to “loan” States $1 million to further carry out interven ons that could improve their health indices to enable them win bonus earnings. The money go en was used in supplemen ng the budget for health in 2017 and

was used in funding programs in the work plan to achieve the objec ves set by the Ministry and by extension, the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Fig 1

in all six Maternal and Child Health Indicators most especially in Vitamin A administra on and use of Long-Las ng Insec cide treated nets for mothers and under-5 children.

Osun did not only improve significantly in those indices but also ranked very high amongst States in the federa on and the FCT. Fig 2 Fig 2 shows the rank of the Osun State (red dot) in the all the indicators measured. In Vitamin A administra on, Osun ranked first, placed second in LLIN usage and Contracep ve Prevalence Rate (CPR) and 4th, 5th and 18th posion in Skilled Birth A endant, Penta 3 immuniza on and HIV Counselling and Tes ng respec vely.

Fig 3 shows how Osun ranked in the cumula ve percentage points for the indicators measured. Osun ranked

12th in 2015 with 309.3 points and 2016 but came 1st in 2018 with 418.7 as compared to Lagos’ 370.1 percentage points.

Fig 3 Based on the performance of each state in the Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI 1.2), the percentage points difference i.e. subtrac ng the cumula ve points for 2015 from 2018 was mul plied by $205,000, with a bonus of $500,000 as Zonal champions for the each of the six geopoli cal zones. Also, 12 points was deducted from the percentage points difference, as the expected improvement in two subsequent surveys (MICS 2016/2017 and NNHS 2018) from the baseline. Other disbursements like pu ng in place Primary Health Care Under One roof (PHCUOR) and having the consolidated budget was also rewarded.

However, only $80,000 was awarded to the State of Osun based on performance management. The PHCUOR and the consolidated budget had been under review by the Independent Verifying Agent (IVA) for the SOML programme. The grand total awarded the State was $20,547,000.00 only. This is illustrated in Table 2

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

14 Special Report

News

Aregbesola’s Administration Invested $2.5m... Osun IGR Rose To N19.6b As Govt Presents 2020 Audited Accounts

Table 2 State of Osun Earnings based on DLI 1.2 Breakdown of Earnings Performance based Disbursements (97.4) points Performance Management Zonal Champions (South West) Total

Amount ($) 19,967,000.00 80,000.00 500,000.00 20,547,000.00

Source: NNHS 2018, SOML-IVA-Report 2018 Table 3 The biggest Earners Osun ranked second in the biggest earners chart for the bonus disbursements and also became zonal champions for the Southwest Nigeria State NNHS 2015 NNHS 2018 points-diff Disbursement ($) Yobe 94.2 239.6 133.4 29,007,000.00 Osun 309.3 418.7 97.4 20,547,000.00 Borno 139 249.6 63.5 13,637,500.00 FCT 281.2 335.8 54.6 9,393,000.00 Kano 157 204.2 35.2 8,176,000.00 Nasarawa 260 281.7 33.6 7,548,000.00 Adamawa 198 239 29 7,105,000.00 Niger 188.2 227 26.8 6,454,000.00 Jigawa 211.8 245.7 21.9 5,649,500.00 Taraba 140.4 165.9 13.5 2,927,500.00 Gombe 210 231 9 1,965,000.00 Ondo 311.2 329.6 6.4 1,972,000.00 Zamfara 66.3 79.6 1.3 426,500.00 *NNHS 2015 includes all six indicators Source: SOML-IVA-Report, 2018 Table 3 shows the biggest earners in Nigeria. The State of Osun ranked 2nd out of the 13 states that got the bonus disbursements. In all, $2.5m was invested and about $20.5m earned with the State making a whooping 800% in returns. Achieving these results did come with a price. A lot of interven ons were made to strengthen the health system as well as ensure the objec ves set by the Government were met. These are:

Interven ons for achieving the results; ●Passage of the crea on of State Primary Health Care Board bill in the State House of Assembly in 2018. This SPHCB has its own organ and focuses more on the primary health care. The aim is to have the Primary Health Care in the State Under One Roof (PHCUOR) for effec ve u liza on and control of Primary health care processes and systems. ●Passage of the Osun Health Insurance Scheme bill in 2018. This is to make health affordable at minimal cost most especially to the vulnerable. Part of the funds invested was used as start-up funds for OHIS. ●Immuniza on: cold room system repairs, maintenance of state cold chain equipment and training of trackers for defaul ng, rou ne immuniza on supervision and outreaches.

The May and November rounds of the Maternal and Child Health week was used to administer immuniza on to Under-5 children ●Use of LLIN: funds invested were used to support distribu on of Long-Las ng insec cide treated nets to 360 Non-Global Fund supported Health Facili es, supported the State LLIN distribu on campaign, and post-behavioral change campaign. ●Skilled Birth A endants: Procurement and distribu on of mama kits for mothers, Training of 50 Health Workers, Training of nurses and mid wives on Hand use Ultrasound. ●CPR: training of 100 family service providers across the State, increase in service points offering family planning services in the health facili es. Provision and distribu on of contracep ves in designated points. ●HCT: Assessment of health facili es for EMTCT ac vi es, provision of rapid diagnos c kits and consumables, supported the rou ne distribu on of kits and consumables ●Vitamin A: adequate provision of Vitamin A for babies in the May and November rounds of Maternal and Child Health Week (MNCHW). ●Supported Quan ta ve Integrated Suppor ve Supervision (QISS) training for 3000 Health workers across the State. ●30 minute-weekly radio programme on OSBC ●Provision of Office space and start up fund for the Osun Health Insurance Scheme.

(OHIS) ●Procurement of 2 surgical machines in the State specialist hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo.

These breath taking achievement in the health sector, specifically in the quan ty of care (SOML DLI 1.2) can be seen as a product of hard work, dedica on, commitment and team-playing by all stakeholders ably led by the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administra on Olalekan Oladapo Onanuga, oladapoonanuga@outlook.com, 08108511491, 08070695555

Ismaeel Uthman

T

HERE has been a steady increment in the Internally-Generated Revenue of the State of Osun since 2018.

An audited financial report of the state for the 2020 fiscal year indicated that Osun is progressing every year on its IGR growth.

The report, which was presented to the public on Tuesday in Osogbo stated that a sum of N13,805,843,339.25 was generated in 2018; N17,720,122,360.44 in 2019 and N19,642,333,010.68 in 2020 respec vely.

The presenta on of the report is part of efforts to keep the ci zens abreast of the financial status of the State, showcase prudence in the management of the available resources and, by extension, strengthen the exis ng public trust and confidence that have been the hallmarks of the administraon.

It would be recalled that the 2019 audited account had earlier been presented this year.

The summary of the Audited Financial Statements as presented puts the Total Revenue (inflows) at N99,048,740,967.00 and Total Recurrent and Capital Expenditure (ou lows) at N86,470,726,806.86 respecvely.

The Net Balance on Total Revenue and Total Expenditure was N12,578,014,160.14 and Opening Balance as at January 1st, 2020 was N10,356,616,311.14 while the Total Closing Balance as at December 31st, 2020 was N22,934,627,471.28 respecvely.

Analysis of Recurrent Expenditure indicates that Personnel Expenditure has N28,748,672,359.37 and Recurrent Expenditure has N17,928,291,392.63.

Also, analysis of Capital Expenditure indicates that Administra ve Sector has N5,392,638,753.82; Economic has N27,896,438,968.24; Law and Jus ce has N58,309,514.17 and Social has N6,416,375,818.63 respec vely.

While reeling out the audited reports of the finances of the State for the year 2020 at the Audit Forum, the Auditor-General of the State, Mr. Folorunso Adesina, said Public Finance Management (PFM) reform under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, had go en a boost by becoming one of the pioneer states to assist and implement Audit Act in Nigeria, a feat the Federal Government is yet to a ain.

Adesina said the presenta on of the 2020 fiscal account would make Osun to consolidate on its pacesetter status among the comity

•Oyetola of states in the country and further build public trust and confidence in governance.

The Auditor-General, who highlighted the sterling performance of the state so far, par cularly within the audit year under review, said it was generally discovered that government executed people-oriented programmes as prudence was put in the forefront towards good governance.

According to him, economic and social sector took about 86.22% of the Total Capital Expenditure which was responsible for government’s ability to build, rehabilitate, revitalise and deliver for public use over 300 Primary Healthcare Centres as at the me of the report.

He said: “Audit visita on to loca on of the health centres and health equipment supplied, including consumables was confirma on of this government priority for the well-being of the masses.

“Also on infrastructure, the office through the monitoring team inspected roads construc on embarked upon and completed by the State and it was discovered that best available standards were used in the various construc ons.

“Audit also visited some renovated schools and the educa onal materials supplied like desks, chairs, books, shelves among others were inspected across the State and it was discovered that their ameni es were effec ve and efficient for the target masses.”

Giving the financial

posi on of the State as at December 31st, 2020, Adesina said, Total Asset was N153,895,719,326.64; Total Liabili es was N90,720,513,278.69 and Net/Equity was put at N63,175,206,047.95.

On budget performance, the Auditor-General said government had performed credibly on its revenue genera on efforts, most especially on IGR as reported in the comparison of revenue between previous years.

Earlier, Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye lauded the administra on of Governor Oyetola for running an allinclusive and par cipatory government.

Owoeye, who was represented by the Chairman, House Commi ee on Public Accounts, Hon. Abidemi Ogunkanmi, reaffirmed the House’s commitment to connue to ensure check and balances in the management of thestate in general and public treasury in par cular.

In his remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade applauded the financial prowess of the Oyetola’s administra on to maintain and sustain the economy of the State despite the daun ng challenges.

Oyebade who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Resources and Capacity Building, Mr. Leye Aina, described the public presentaon of the Audited Accounts as an indica on to the fact that Oyetola’s administra on was open to all.

Democracy And...

•Continued from page 3 gagement in order to achieve enhanced engagement. A stumbling block is the an - democra c surbodina on of civil society in rela onship with poli cal society. This must stop. All the organs of civil society such as the religious groups, trade and market unions, student movements and the informal sector must now be at the fulcrum as the decisive mobilising trajectory for enlightenment. This is how democracy at its most vigorous should work and is the most effec ve way of achieving public acceptability and effec veness. A er this, in the face of a looming disaster that we do not have the public health facili es to cope with and which poses a clear threat to an already hard pressed fiscal landscape, governments have no alterna ve than to ensure rigorous enforcement of the injunc on to be vaccinated, any other course will be in derelic on of duty.

PEOPLE FIRST

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

15

Sports

40 Students Set For Resumption As Lanreleke Sports Academy Ends Screening ln Osun

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BOUT 40 talented students, drawn across Delta, Edo, Lagos, Oyo and Osun states are set for resump on at Lanreleke Sports Academy, situated in Ileogbo, Ayedire Local Government of the State of Osun.

Lanreleke Sports Academy (LSA) is a newly-established co-educa onal, fully residen al and specialist Senior Secondary School in the state.

The pioneer students, having been thoroughly screened, will enjoy full scholarships and series of opportuni es locally and interna onally.

Responding to quesons posed by newsmen at the Sports Complex of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the venue of the screening exercise on Tuesday, Nigeria football legend, Chief Segun Odegbami who is the consultant to the academy, stated that admi ed kids will be modeled for academic exploits and spor ng skills at the arena with arrays of spor ng opportuni es.

Odegbami said: “Ulmately, LSA is a proper grassroots sports development project that takes our needs in local environments into considera ons, par cularly when you have very large popula on, there is a need to marry our young ones with opportuni es that exist in sports globally.

“The formula to achieve this is to gather kids who are so passionate

•The selected prospective students of Lanreleke Sports Academy. in sports to start it early in secondary school.”

Also speaking at the screening centre, the administrator of the Academy, Coach Chike Egbunu informed that, ‘LSA’ is a Nigeria project devoid of tribal sen ments.

Egbunu said: “The recruitment process has taken us to five different states; that shows this project is a na onal project. There is a foundaon that will keep financing this project to ensure its sustainability. Both local and foreign partners would soon be welcomed on board. Some of our staffs shall be trained abroad solely for this project. It is our du es to make these raw kids stars un l then, we will never be sa sfied.”

Napoli Captain Reacts To Osimhen ‘Stealing’ His Goal

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APOLI Captain, Lorenzo Insigne, has rubbished talks that he is furious with Victor Osimhen for ‘stealing’ in to poke home a goal-bound effort from the Belgian attacker.

Insigne had managed just one strike while Osimhen was without a Serie A goal this term heading into the Monday night clash.

And the Blues’ skipper thought he had claimed his second league goal when he executed a delicious lob over the Udinese goalkeeper in the 23rd minute.

But Osimhen raced to poke the ball in just before it crossed the line to grab his first goal of the season and Napoli’s first of the night.

Three more efforts from

Rrahmani, Koulibaly, and Lozano powered Luciano Spalle ’s men to a commanding victory over Udinese and the top of the Serie A table.

At the end of the match, Insigne was asked if he held any grudge against Osimhen for denying him another appearance on the scorer’s chart.

But the captain of Napoli maintained that he was more pleased to lead his team to another league win.

It doesn’t ma er who scores,” Insigne told an Online sport medium.

“My goal will come; it’s okay even if the goal is given to Osimhen! It is not easy to come to Udine and score 4 goals; we just have

to keep doing what we are doing.”

Osimhen’s latest strike, though, pushed Napoli into the Serie A record books, with the Neapolitans becoming the third team, a er Juventus and Milan, in the history of Serie A to

score in at least 30 games in a row.

The Blues are favourites to keep up that amazing scoring run when they take the trip to the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris to keep another away date with Sampdoria on Thursday.

Federations Elections: We’ll Ensure Fairness, Level-Playing Field — Dare

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IGERIA Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has promised the ministry will ensure fairness and a level playing for all the aspirants contes ng for the boards of Na onal Sports Federa ons.

•Dare

Na onal Sports Federaons elec ons are usually ba legrounds and hot spots for bi er rivalries and agitaons, o en mes leading to long drawn feuds and li ga ons, a trend the Sports Minister hopes will be eradicated in the forthcoming

polls.

Dare while speaking with newsmen in Lagos over the weekend said: “We hope there would not be bitter agita ons and li ga ons that will hurt our sports this me around.

“Although it is in the nature of poli cs to have complaints, disagreements and those who will feel that they did not get a fair bargain and so would resort to li ga on.

These are all part of poli cs.

“However, we do not want that kind of winner takes all poli cs in our sports. I hope we will not have cases that will cripple and hurt our sports as we had with some federa ons in the past.”

Dare further explained that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Develop-

ment would not interfere in the electoral process or seek to favour par cular candidates or persons in any of the federa ons.

He said: “We have no vested interests; we are not imposing candidates on any federa on. We will be observers alongside the Nigeria Olympic Commi ee (NOC).

“The electoral and appeals commi ees have credible persons on board who will ensure all processes are transparent, free and fair.

“We have to trust the process and have the bigger interest of sports in our hearts. All the processes for redress for those who may feel aggrieved have been spelt out. I believe if they are followed we will have sports federa ons elec ons we will all be proud of,” he said.

•Osimhen

FIFA Okays Teslim Balogun Stadium For Nigeria Vs Central African Republic Match

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ORLD soccer governing body, FIFA has confirmed Teslim Balogun Stadium as the host of the match-day 3 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Central African Republic.

The three- me African champions hosted the Lone Stars of Liberia at the stadium and emerged with a 2-0 win courtesy first half brace from Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho.

FIFA on Tuesday af-

ternoon confirmed venues that will play host to match-days 3 and 4 of the qualifiers.

Teslim Balogun was announced as the host stadium for the match-day 3 while Japoma Stadium in Cameroon was also announced as the host stadium for match-day 4.

The Central African Republic hosted Cape Verde at the la er a er their na onal stadium was not approved to host the qualifiers.

The matches are slated for October 2021.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 VOL. 16 NO 36 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

News Osun IGR Rose To N19.6b As Govt Presents 2020 Audited Accounts

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IKIPEDIA defines flood as an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry.

It can also occur in rivers when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the river channel, par cularly at bends in the waterway.

Floods can be as destruc ve as hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. They can submerge homes and sack the en re community; they can devastate livelihood and sweep away everything with incredible speed.

Although, floods are mostly natural disaster caused by massive rainfall, overflow of rivers, collapsed dams, snowmelt, climate change, emission of Greenhouse gases amongst others; gross irresponsibility of the people andgovernment is a major causa ve factor.

On the one hand, some people, especially those who live close to waterways, are fond of a bad a tude to dumping refuse in the waterways, an cipa ng that rain will eventually flush it away. This tendency will create bo leneck and obstrucon in the waterways, preven ng free flow. Hence, flood as water must flow irrespec ve of the blockage. Government, on the other hand, is grossly found wan ng in sensi sa on and enlightenment of stakeholders - traders, market women, people in the grassroots, among others, on flood preven on. The Ministry of Environment should constantly be placing jingles on local radio and television to enlighten the public on the effect of disregard to environmental law and blocking of drainages and pronounce penalty for offenders. In addion, government has the responsibility to fundamentally intervene in preven on of floods. A lot could be learnt from the erstwhile Governor of Osun and now Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola floods special interven on when Osun was under his watch.

Before his emergence, Osun had always witnessed terrible and devasta ng floods.

Immediately a er he recruited 20,000 youths through Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) to commemorate his first 100 days in office, Aregbesola second major interven on was flood and erosion control. He expanded Rasco River around Oke-

“Government should quit negligence and become proactive in its commitment to its core responsibility - protecting lives and property of the people- by taking the bull by the horn to avoid repeats of disasters. Power beckons responsibility”

Rescuing The Soul Of Osun APC

Avoiding Perennial Floods Disaster fia, Osogbo, with reinforced retainer and concrete channeliza on of about 12 meters wide and 2.5 meters high to pave way for smooth control and flow of water. Buildings and shops built around this waterway and very close to the river were separated.

Bigger bridges which correspond with the wider range of water path to control huge volume of water, triple cell bus culvert with each of the cells constructed to specificaon of 2.5 meters wide and 3 meters high, were built.

He didn’t stop there. Aregbesola’s dredging machine worked annually before the commencement of downpour to cover about 75km waterways in Esimirin, Agbara, Opa, Gbalefefe, Ogboku, Osun streams in Ile-Ife. 30km dredging was done in IpetuIjesa, Ejigbo, Yakooyo, Ipetumodu, Asipa,

STRIKER

Ikirun, Iragbiji, Ede and Igbajo. Streams and rivers in Ikire, Iwo, Ode-Omu, Ilesa were not exempted.

Li le wonder that Aregbesola tenure did not witness floods. It is not a rocket science. Once the waterways are expanded where necessary with no obstruc on to water flow, flood is tackled. We don’t need a chief execu ve to be paying visit to floods ravaged areas and commisera on to the vic ms of floods and promising relief materials once the needful is done. Poli cians should stop playing poli cs with peoples’ lives, property and livelihood. Floods don’t happen in a jiffy; governments have always been alerted by concerned ins tu ons.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had earlier warned countries in the River Basin – Nigeria, Benin, Burkina

Page 14

Faso, Cameroun, Chad, Cote D’Ivore, Guinea, Mali and Niger – of necessary ac on to avert the impending danger. Again, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had warned of expected rainfall which could lead to flash floods to commence from August, 2021 in 34 out of 36 states in Nigeria.

Based on this warning signal, Lagos State Government had asked residents of low lying areas to relocate without provision of an alterna ve temporary loca on.

In Osun, the heavy downpour of 3rd August 2021 wrecked havoc on the residents as two persons in Oke-Onitea and Okejetu lost their lives with property worth millions of Naira destroyed. In fact, about 25 meters of the perimeter fence of the Government House was not spared as it collapsed. All the sand beneath the rail track at power line was eroded, leaving the track line suspended in the air. Reason for this is not farfetched. The present government has refused to con nue with Aregbesola legacy of annual dredging of rivers and streams long before raining season.

Those who lost their loved ones have been put in irreparable pain and loss. The rains are far from over in 2021. Government should quit negligence and become proac ve in its commitment to its core responsibility - protec ng lives and property of the people- by taking the bull by the horn to avoid repeats of disasters. Power beckons responsibility.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

A Damning And Sustained Decline

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INCE 1922 ll date, there has been steady erosion in iden ty, principles, ethics and discipline of poli cal pares in Nigeria. The recent decamping from the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) by Femi Fani-Kayode into the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a high point in that history of decadence.

In Pre-Independence mes, despite the unifying mantra of decolonisa on and diverging fault line of ethnicity, poli cal par es had clearly iden fiable conservave, centrist or progressive tendencies and manifestoes, which were carried into postindependence mes. Indeed, it was the struggle to muddle up and whi le down the clear ideological lines of the major opposi on par es in bogus alliances with persons and groups within it that led to the crises that precipitated the downfall of the First Republic. Indeed, in his Lead Paper at the Poli cal Par es Dialogue Series held in Abuja in 2011, dis nguished Professor Adele Jinadu affirmed that “It is the contradic ons unleashed from 1962 onwards by this federalisa on of the party system - the declara on of emergency rule in the Western Region in 1962, the creaon of the Mid-West Region in 1963, the 1962-63 census controversy, the party realignment before the 1964 regional elec ons and the 1965 federal elec ons, involving the alliance between the NCNC and the A.G, on the one hand, and the NPC and the rump of the NCNC and AG in the new NNDP, on the other hand that contributed significantly to the poli -

cal and cons tu onal crisis and the civil unrest of October-December 1965, which precipitated the fall of the First Republic in January 1966.”

Thirteen years of military rule followed.

Despite the distor on to public governance system and values by the dictatorial, unitarising and lawless military, the poli cal par es that crystallised in the 2nd Republic (1979 – 1983) substan ally maintained the standards of their progenitors in the 1st Republic: everyone knew the character and disposi on of the Na onal Party of Nigeria (NPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), and others where they came from and what they stood for.

By the close of 1983, the military struck again and stayed forcibly and more destrucvely ll 1999 – 15 years of brutality, corrupon, disorienta on and distorted development. Understandably, the poli cal par es that emerged from the ashes of military devasta on of social life became shadows and distant echoes of their progenitors. The military had substan ally compromised the civilian poli cal elites and railroaded them into nepo sm, dictatorship, corrup on, megalomania, “se lement,” and kleptomania to the extent that the raison d’être for poli cal party forma on and party poli cs and democracy in general were ter ary considera ons in the hurriedly packaged return to democracy.

Through various metamorphoses, today’s Peoples Democra c Party is as far from the Na onal Party of Nigeria as the All Progressives Congress is far from the

Unity Party of Nigeria! Nigeria has finally produced “conserva ve” and “progressive” par es, in same likeness, with manifestoes forgo en, service to the people immaterial and democracy only an exercise in power grabbing for personal and clique aggrandizement. Rather than progressing, society is not only stagnated, it retrogresses into barbarism – economically, poli cally, socially and spiritually. Sadder s ll for the “progressives” that had been busy admitng major actors that cannot sustain a debate without pulling out a machete or gun; people who have pending corrup on and murder cases; and now joined in the inner poli cal chambers by confirmed charlatan, perpetual liar, irredeemable double-dealer and traitor.

Historically, the darkest poli cal hours are usually followed by a radiant dawn. It is up to the youths, who are trapped between six and half a dozen (the devil and the deep sea), to take up the challenge.

Poli cal par es are the vehicles for the delivery of democracy and its dividends – life more abundant for all. A hundred outrages like the #EndSARS combus on will take us no far. However, the energy, crea vity, vision, organisa on and mobilisa on capacity demonstrated, if purified further and channelled into poli cal party forma on or interven ons (along principles and manifestoes that clearly ar culate a development agenda by likeminded fellows) can and will eventually save the day and take us to the promised land of “unity and faith, peace and progress.”

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

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

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