Osun Defender - May 8th, 2014 Edition

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PEOPLE FIRST

THURSDAY MAY 8, 2014 AYoruba adage says that ‘if the person being deceived knows not that he is being deceived, the one deceiving his him knows that he is lying’.

Front Page Comment

Omisore’s Harvest Of Lies And Deceits Tribune published in

Osun, former Senator Iyiola Omisore, regarded The above adage is apt in some quarters as ‘Mr. in describing the desper- money missroad’. Going ate gubernatorial through the interview he ‘wannabe’ in the state of granted The Nigerian

January 6th 2014 edition of the paper we were taken aback by the tissues of lies that oozed from his mouth all in thename of pursuing

inordinate governorship ambition.

Like the Yoruba would say ‘blood doesn’t ooze from the mouth of a liar’.

This is true because if it does, then Omisore’s mouth should be full of blood as he was granting that interview.

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VOL. 9. NO.055

Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?

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IGE

Osun PDP’s Move To Penetrate INEC National Commissioners Fails

•Adesiyan, Omisore, PDP Chieftains In Fruitless Meeting With 5 INEC Commissioners Over Osun REC’s Removal •Jega Stands Ground, Says Osun PDP’s Allegation Against REC Baseless - See Story On Page 2

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, receiving an award as Grand Patron of Tricyle Owners and Riders’ Association (TORA) and Motorcycles Transport Union in Nigeria (MTUN) from MTUN Chairman in the state, Comrade Ajenifunja Gbenga (right). With them - State Patron, TORA, Alhaji Akeem Hammed (2nd right) and other dignitaries during the TORA and MTUN endorsement of the governor for a second term in office at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, last Monday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

PDP Plans To Use Fake Police, Soldiers During August Poll

- See Story On Page 4

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

Osun PDP’s Move To Penetrate INEC National Commissioners Fails •Adesiyan, Omisore, PDP Chieftains In Fruitless Meeting With 5 INEC Commissioners Over Osun REC’s Removal •Jega Stands Ground, Says Osun PDP’s Allegation Against REC Baseless

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HERE are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have commenced a wellcoordinated move to split the rank of the Independent National Electoral Commission at its headquarters over the fate of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Ambassador Taiwo Akeju.

Informed sources in Abuja have hinted that the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Jelili Adesiyan, PDP governorship candidate in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore and some PDP

stalwarts had invited five of the six national commissioners to a secret meeting in Abuja last week where the plot to break the ranks of the National Commissioners was

hatched.

The meeting, which reportedly took place in the house of one the PDP leaders, excluded the sixth commissioner, Professor Lai Olurode, who incidentally is from the South-West, from the said meeting.

The mandate given to the commissioners was to move against Professor Jega, should he (Jega) refuses to redeploy the Osun REC by

Aregbesola Promises More Commitment To Develop Osun

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

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workshops.

The unions, after the endorsement, decorated the governor as the Patron of the association.

The event also witnessed the presentation of awards to some eminent citizens of the state, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Engineer Sabitu Amuda and the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

endlessly putting the issue up as an agenda at meetings of the commission.

It was reliably gathered however, that two of five invited INEC commissioners declined to support the move as, according to them, such move is capable of creating confusion and disrupting order in the commission.

The three others, who agreed to play along the written script, were said to have drafted a memo to that effect, which was submitted at the INEC meeting with Jega in attendance last week.

The memo, a reliable

source at the meeting informed OSUN DEFENDER, was tabled before Jega, with a covert plan to arm-twist the INEC boss into succumbing into redeploying Akeju from the State of Osun.

It was gathered that the result however, did not favour the conveners of the meeting, as Jega disagreed with the resolutions of the memo, saying his decision to retain Akeju in Osun was not based on personal interest but that the commission could not be succumbing to pressures to transfer its officials based

Don’t Commit Academic Suicide

OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has stated his resolve not to relent in his efforts aimed at developing the state, just as the Tricycle Owners and Riders’ Association (TORA) and Motorcycles’ Transport EWS has just reached the All Progressives Union on Monday endorsed his second term Congress (APC) secretariat that some ambition. students in the Ejigbo Campus of Osun road Speaking at the massive State University are selling their voters’ cards endorsement rally and construction by the to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents has award presentation held at administration at N10,000 each. This is a shame and a tragedy if reduced the patronage of the Nelson Mandela it actually happened. And it speaks volumes on members to Freedom Park in Osogbo, their the quality of mind of those involved. motorcycle mechanic the state capital, Aregbesola said he was determined not to look back in the process of developing the state for the majority of the people.

The governor, who was also decorated on the occasion as the patron of both associations, stressed that the honour bestowed on him was a motivation and encouragement to be more dedicated in developing the state.

He then thanked the members of the associations for recognising his administration’s bold steps to place the state on global map.

In his address, the Chairman of TORA, Alhaji Ibrahim Folorunsho, •The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) in a handshake with his wife, Sherifat, during the stated that the presentation of an award as Most Innovative Nigerian Governor in first term to him by Business World Newspaper at Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. endorsement of the Zenabab Hotel, Ilesa, last Saturday. governor was a result of the numerous projects the administration has aims and objectives of the citizenry in various forms. executed in the last three

By BOLANLE BABALOLA movement are to “A case in point is and a half years, which he political group under the All Progressives complement the effort of Osogbo, the state capital, described as Congress (APC), Asiwaju Movement of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed that has shed the toga of a unprecedented in the Nigeria (ASMON), State of Osun Chapter, Tinubu to entrench glorified local government history of the state.

He noted that the under the chairmanship of Mrs Ariyo Oluwayemisi meaningful democratic headquarters, which has i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l Obuseh, has canvassed support for the re-election culture in the act of now been positively development of the state of the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. governance in Nigeria. transformed through under Aregbesola’s Her words: “The ubiquitous construction The ASMON beyond that one hails from administration has greatly chairperson in a chat with the State of Osun because numerous contributions of improved the welfare of OSUN DEFENDER in the governor rolls out Asiwaju Tinubu have been and rehabilitation of roads.” the people in the state.

Osogbo on Tuesday said unique programmes day-in, a pointer to the effect that According to the Also speaking, the no one changes a winning day-out. he is selfless and he has ASMON boss, it is on Chairman of the prioritizing record that no government The ASMON been adding that Motorcycles’ Transport team, institutionalization of good has ever, after the creation chairperson, who appealed Aregbesola’s superlative Union of Nigeria (MTUN), governance in this country. to all progress-loving performance within the Comrade Gbenga of the state in 1991, “Without Asiwaju Ajenifuja, commended the last three years has shown inhabitants of Osun to performed superlatively governor for the that he did not gate-crash contribute their quotas Tinubu, there would not like Aregbesola, adding that installation of the life into Oke-fia Government towards the return of have been an opportunity “the record is there for all Aregbesola in the August 9 for the State of Osun to support oxygen gas at House.

Obuseh hinted that the governorship election, enjoy dividends of to see.”

LAUTECH Teaching She said, as it is in Hospital, Osogbo, which, governor has changed the disclosed that all the democracy that abound Osogbo with the provision he said, has been helpful plight of the state from members of her movement across the state today.

“Aregbesola, who is a of infrastructural facilities, have been assigned in saving the lives of grass to grace. motorcycle riders who get She said it has become responsibilities towards the product of Asiwaju so it is in all the local involved in accidents. a thing of joy to say in any re-election of the governor. Tinubu’s school of politics, government council areas He added that the part of Nigeria and She said, parts of the has touched the lives of the across the state.

- APC Tells Osun State Varsity Students

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Osun ASMON Canvasses Support For Aregbesola’s Re-election

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on unproved allegations.

Sources added: “The memo submitted at the meeting was one of the series of strategies the PDP at its headquarters wants to deploy to cause disquiet in the commission ahead of the August 8 election.”

It would be recalled that few months ago when the INEC Chairman, Jega, visited Osun, the PDP and one other political parties had asked for the removal of the state REC. Jega however, turned than the call against the backdrop of the fact that the allegations on which the call was based remained unsubstantiated with concrete evidence.

The APC therefore, calls on other students in that campus, or any other campus of the university, not to sell their birthright to criminals who did next to nothing to help them pay their educational bills, (but actually increased school fees) when they were in government.

Osun State University students should be grateful to God in the first place that He brought Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola not only to reduce their school fees from an average of N200,000 to N75,000 but also to increase their bursary from N3,000 to N10,000 for others, and from N10,000 to N100,000 for law and medical students.

Any student who sells his voter’s card therefore, commits a crime against himself because the PDP has vowed to reverse everything Aregbesola has done in the state which means the university fees will revert to N200,000 if not more, that is totally beyond the capacity of parents in Osun to pay, while bursary will come down to N3,000 again.

The APC is urging the state university authorities to intervene and make the students understand that by selling their voters’ cards, they are committing “academic suicide”.

“That is the tragedy of it all. The authorities of the university must intervene and other students should help their colleagues come out of the bewitching situation they have been put by the PDP”, the statement read.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

Osun Development Impresses NIPSS Course Participants

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

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and committed towards the actualisation of all his policies and programmes for the good people of Osun,” Onitiju stressed.

Responding, Governor Aregbesola commended the vision of the founders of NIPSS and acknowledged the guiding philosophy of the institute, which is hinged on course participants going round the country to have total knowledge of what the nation looks like.

He however lamented that the country has not seized the opportunity of its diversity to build a strong and virile nation.

“We have not used our diversity to the best advantage. Our diversity should be a major advantage for us because most great nations of the world converted their diversity to strength and greatness.

“Our own diversity too should form the basis for

our growth, strength and development, rather than for it to retard our progress,” Aregbesola said.

He therefore, urged the NIPSS management to also extend its knowledge of the country in all spheres of governance with the state as it does to the Federal Government.

The governor admonished NIPSS to use the opportunity of

tour around the country to assess the performance of any government it visits, so that such state would have the opportunity of getting feedback and make amends where necessary.

Aregbesola added that his government is striving hard to provide what its people need, saying with the way the state is being upgraded in terms of infrastructure, the state will be a reference point in the next ten years.

EMBERS of Course 36, Batch 5 of Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Jos, last weekend commended the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for his focused leadership and the positive transformation of the state.

Speaking on behalf of criticised by those who the visiting NIPSS didn’t take time to study members, who are on the the policy, is a model for tour of all the states in the Nigeria’s educational country, Air Commodore development.

“We only hope that Ademola Onitiju at a Rauf dinner organised by the Governor Aregbesola stays focused state government, noted that Aregbesola’s style of leadership should be copied by other states.

Onituju pointed out that A r e g b e s o l a ’s administration’s programmes are some of the best in the country in the area of youth empowerment.

He stated that this empowerment is enhancing productivity in the state and reducing the level of insecurity.

According to Onitiju: “In our tour of Osun, we found focused leadership.

The state Anthem is more than promotion of the “Omoluabi” concept. The introduction of a unique selection of the leadership of the civil service in the state is a thing that should be copied by other stateS. “We also noted the •The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, cutting the tape during the presentation of four buses to students of tertiary institutions in aggressive effort by the the state recently.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. governor in opening up Osun through road networks. What actually amuses us most was

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED when we followed the “confronting Omisore opposition PDP was governor for the HE State of Osun chapter of the All governorship election. was like confronting a counting on violence commissioning of roads in Progressives Congress (APC) has Osogbo and people were The state chairman of violent organization.” before and during the poll inaugurated committees for the second the party, Elder Adelowo According to him; “the as a means of winning the coming out in their thousands to appreciate term campaign of Governor Rauf Aregbesola Adebiyi, while PDP and its governorship election, said the PDP the governor. That with a charge to use peaceful method to inaugurating the candidate, Omisore, have believes in manipulation showed that he is loved by neutralise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) committees at the party’s nothing progressive to and rigging.” campaign of terror. his people. secretariat in Osogbo on offer Osun except He therefore, charged constituencies in the state The committees of six “We also found out the Monday, said the major murder, death and the committee members to bold effort of the members each were to ensure the victory of challenge for the party destruction.” use constructive peaceful The APC chairman, methods to neutralise the administration on the inaugurated for each of Governor Aregbesola in was Senator Iyiola August 9 Omisore, nine federal the Airport project and the the saying; who noted that the PDP’s campaign of terror beautification of the and also educate the Railway Station in people about the critical Osogbo,” Onitiju said. issue involved in the eschew violence during of the group.

He also commended

By SHINAABUBAKAR coming election.

He also sought the the poll. the feeding programme of “The critical issue of HE Commissioner for Information and He also cautioned them assistance of government the government, saying a Strategy in the State of Osun, Mr Sunday from falling into the hands in negotiating with the this election is whether or nourishing food once a Akere, has disclosed that the Opon-Imo in-charge of not Osun wants to day round the week is project of the state government was aimed at of those who would company Opon-Imo on training the progress or allow terrorists capable of developing the providing job opportunities for the teeming masses attempt to lure them into association’s members on to destroy all that our party surrendering their voters’ pupils mentally, physically in the state. cards for cash in a bid to its repairs, so that they can has achieved in the last and prepare them for later He disclosed this while handling the Opon-Imo deny them their voting benefit from the four years. So, you have years’ challenges. addressing members of the project is in the process of right. programme as technicians an idea of what the real “Your school feeding Association of Mobile completing its factory in task of the committee is,” Akere disclosed that in the state. programme, which has Technicians (AMTE) in Osogbo, where 150,000 Aregbesola is aware of the Salaudeen also he stated. attracted more children of the state during their pieces of the computer contribution of the union disclosed that it preferred Adelowo then enjoined school age to enrol training seminar and device would be produced to the economic the current administration members of the themselves back to adoption of Governor Rauf locally. development of the state, in the state to continue in committees to work with school, has positively Aregbesola for a second Akere assured youths in saying, a section would be office till 2018 to complete the party structure at each impacted on the term in office. the state to be rest assured given to them in the its developmental projects of the federal According to the educational development that they would have modern market to be and drive the state to constituencies and inform commissioner, apart from known as Computer economic prosperity. of the state with high the State Working primary objective of opportunity of working Village.

Members of the nutritional value for the the with the company. promoting functional Earlier in his speech, the association unanimously Committee of events as building of the young education and making The commissioner President of the group, agreed that Governor they happen. minds into robust learning friendly for charged the group to help Alhaji Ahmed Salaudeen, Aregbesola be allowed to He urged that members the state government in adulthood. students, the state said the group wanted the of the committees be “The state’s school re- government also aimed at ensuring a violent-free state to discuss with the continue his tenure of committed with a view to office beyond 2014, classification policy, ensuring that youths are election in the August 9 just-established ICT promising to ensure that ensuring that the party governorship poll in the which is in tandem with gainfully engaged in the company, RLG on he returns as governor wins the forthcoming state by sensitising their the UNESCO educational project. employment and training through their votes. members on the needs to governorship election.

He said the company standard; though opportunities for members

Osun APC Moves To Neutralise PDP Terror •Inaugurates Campaign Committees

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‘Opon-Imo Factory ‘ll Provide Jobs For Youths’

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

PDP Plans To Use Fake Police, Soldiers During August Poll

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LANS by top chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in the country to use fake Police officers and Army personnel in the forthcoming election in the State of Osun hace been exposed.

According to feelers two ministers from the close to some bigwigs in the South-West were given the party, the Minister for Police mandate of winning the Affairs, Mr Jelili Adesiyan, region for the President in conjunction with junior during the 2015 polls and minister in the Defence would test-run their wits Ministry, Mr Musiliu during the August 9 Obanikoro, have perfected gubernatorial election in the plans on how to unleash state.

It was gathered that the terror on the state electorate during the poll. ministers during a meeting It was gathered that the with a high-ranking official

in the country were told on the importance of delivering the region for the PDP to brighten the President’s chances of winning the 2015 polls in the country.

A source close to the PDP secretariat in Osun revealed that part of the strategy the party intends to employ to unleash terror on the people is to provide military uniforms to thugs, with a view to causing terror on the electorate during the poll and scare them from the

polling units.

According to investigations conducted by the medium, the reason alluded to scaring voters away from polling units is to enable the PDP manipulate the outcome of the poll in favour of the party.

It would be recalled that Obanikoro was indicted by the Ondo State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner during the last bye-election in a federal

constituency of moving military personnel around the polling units leading to the commission declaring the poll inconclusive.

The duo, according to report, are working together to ensure that the PDP wrestle power from the APC, particularly in the State of Osun, which is perceived to be the stronghold of the party in the region.

It was gathered that the party understands the reality that it could not defeat the APC in a free election in the region, hence, its decision to resort to violence and force the electorate to desert the polling units to enable it perpetrate evil at the poll.

Report showed that the party is making a lot of noise despite the reality of knowing the difficulty of

going to the poll in the state due to plans and support of the presidency to wrestle power from the APC in the region at all cost.

The party had, during the last gubernatorial poll in the state in 2007, used the military to cause mayhem, thereby destabilising the process.

With Adesiyan in-charge of police affairs in the country, the State of Osunborn politician, according to the source, is capable of perpetrating any act that could help the PDP win the state during the poll.

It was further gathered that he is battle-ready to use the police, both legally and illegally, to unleash terror on the people during the forthcoming August 9 gubernatorial election in the state.

Osun Govt Commends Workers Over Sacrifice

By SHINAABUBAKAR

•Newly-completed asphalted road project along Obada area of Ede, State of Osun, under the administration of Photo: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Couple, Daughter, Arraigned, Remanded In Prison Over Armed Robbery

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN possession proffered against them, even as sexagenarian father, George Fakorede and his wife, Opeyemi’s plea was not Iyabo, have been dragged before an Osogbo taken due to the capital Magistrate’s Court for unlawful possession. nature of the alleged crime.

The couples’ daughter, apartment on April 20, 2014, Counsel to the suspects, Opeyemi, was also during a search.

Mrs Nnena Ngwu, pleaded remanded in prison custody The couple pleaded not with the court to release the by the magistrate’s court for guilty to the one-count couple on bail, saying that charge of unlawful the allegation against them alleged armed robbery.

Fakorede and his wife were charged with unlawful possession of incriminating item, while their daughter, Opeyemi, was slammed with a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO A charge sheet made HE National Co-ordinator of Peoples’ Welfare League available to OSUN (PWL), Mr. Abiodun Agboola, has stated that available DEFENDER on Monday economic indices in the State of Osun have clearly stated that a damaged handcuff was found with shown that it has moved up the ladder of development.

Fakorede, while eight He also stated that the recent activities in the state and the mobile telephone handsets classification of the state by the radical development of the were found in his wife’s National Bureau of Statistics state under Governor Rauf possession.

(NBS) as the seventh largest Aregbesola.

Police Prosecutor, economy in Nigeria and the He said the summit afforded Inspector Isiaka Ajadi, who rating by Renaissance Capital, stakeholders drawn from represented Mr Elisha an international financial rating different segments of the Olusegun, told the court agency, were indications that society, the opportunity to that the phones were stolen the state was in the “first row examine the state’s economy from different robbery of developed economies” in the critically. operations by Opeyemi’s country.

According to him, the useful brother, who was at-large.

The NBS and Renaissance indices emanating from the According to the Capital had in 2012, rated the state were responsible for the prosecutor, the police economy of the state as the decision of the league to do a contacted the numbers on seventh largest and fastest- thorough critique of the the phones and the contacts growing in Nigeria, while they economy, with a view to revealed that the phones also rated it as the second best finding out the veracity of NBS’ were stolen from them at in the country in terms of rating, as well as the impact of gunpoint.

Gross Domestic Products the economy on the people of The charge sheet alleged (GDP) after Lagos. the state. that two cameras; three In his speech, Governor Agboola made the electric clippers, three phone observation in Osogbo at a two- Aregbesola said no Nigerian had chargers, one MP3, day Economic Summit any reason to be poor, in view dangerous charms, entitled: ‘Orisun Aje 2014: of the enormous resources complete home theatre, of Economic available in the country. welding machine, generator, Crux He emphasised the Developmental Masterplan’, refrigerator and a 62-inch importance of developmental which was put together by the LCD television were economics, adding that his recovered from the couple’s league to critique economic

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was bailable.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Adebayo Lasisi, granted bail to the couple in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each, one of which must be a land owner within the court’s jurisdiction.

However, Lasisi ordered that Opeyemi be remanded in prison custody, just as he adjourned the case till July 8, 2014 for hearing.

State Government of Osun has commended workers in the state for their cooperation with the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration over the years.

A statement issued by the state and for showing State Commissioner for understanding with Information and Strategy, government in the face of Mr Sunday Akere shortage in federal commended workers in the allocation, particularly as state for their dedication to their salaries can no longer the development of the be paid as at 25 th day of state over the years. every month.

He said the state “As a government, we are workforce has over the committed to the welfare of years showed that it is a our workforce. We believe partner in the quest to make it is the driving force behind Osun a state everyone the wheel of the state would be proud of. development.

While congratulating the “We appreciate the state labour unions for understanding shown to joining the rest of the our government by the workforce in the country on various workers’ unions in this year’s Workers’ Day, he the state in the face of reiterated Governor Rauf dwindling revenue Aregbesola’s commitment allocation accruable to the to their welfare. state from the Federal He said the state Government for almost a government appreciated the year. workers’ contributions to We also plead with the development of the workers to continue to join hands with government in its bid to revolutionise all sectors in the state and make Osun an Eldorado for all,” programmes of his government. the statement read.

The commissioner also He, however, decried the reduction in federal allocation charged workers to see the to the state, noting that federal growth of the state as a allocation accruable to the state project for all and everyone had reduced by 40 per cent in must play his role towards making the project a reality. recent times.

Economic Indices Have Put Osun On Plane Of Development – Agboola

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administration had performed excellently in this regard by impacting on the people of the state through thoughtful

Aregbesola’s Achievements Have Made Campaign Easier - Osun Speaker

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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PEAKER of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has stated that Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s achievements would make the efforts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) easier in the course of its electioneering campaign.

Speaking shortly after sensitise the people as being inaugurated as the regards the election and Chairman of the APC allow them to decide freely.

Campaign Committee in Ede “The only way you can Federal Constituency on notice a serious party is Monday alongside others, through its activities and he said the party has again programmes.

The shown its seriousness inauguration of the concerning the re-election committees is an indication of Aregbesola in the August that the APC is a serious 9 governorship election. party that believes in According to him, strategising for good result because some politicians of in anything we are doing. the opposition are “We believe in mobilising desperate to cause violence the people, selling our and rig the election, the programmes and leave committees would do people to decide. everything possible to “The task is tedious, but

simple because the performance of the government in terms of transformation has made it so simple.

“We believe in one man, one vote and these committees will go all out to sensitise the people. I believe that through joint efforts, we will deliver.

“With what we have in Osun, violence and rigging cannot be possible, because you can only rig an election where you are popular, at least, to an extent,” he said.

Salaam then stressed that the committees might have to set up various subcommittees to be able to get to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2017

Omisore’s Harvest Of Lies And Deceits Continued from pg1

For a start only a pathological liar could claim that Ogbeni Aregbesola’s programmes in the state of Osun have no human face even as his programmes have impacted positively on the lives of the people and brought unprecedented development to the state. While Aregbesola’s achievements which cut across all sectors in the life of the state are being given national applause and global acknowledgement by numerous people who value good governance Omisore on his part revelled in rubbishing Aregbesola’s achievement in that interview. This is quite mischievous!

To claim that Aregbesola’s policies – as progressive and as propeople as they are – lack human face is the height of hypocrisy. And such a position not only exposes the hypocritical nature of Omisore but it also diminishes his integrity – if he had any. And if we may

ask here; how much of integrity does Omisore even have? Therefore it’s not totally surprising that he expressed such level of lies in that interview. Omisore must be an exceptional liar not to see anything good in Aregbesola’s policies when the latter has succeeded in beating PDP’s record of achievement just within three years of governing the state even as Omisore’s party – PDP – held power for seven and a half years.

Quite unfortunate that Omisore, who now lays a spurious claim to possessing a doctorate degree couldn’t even articulate very well the plans he has for the state. This is a big shame. For a man who wants to be governor to lack a clear cut vision of what to do for the state if he becomes the governor, shows his level of intellectual poverty in spite of his claim of being a PhD holder.

On Omisore’s claim that if he becomes governor he would give Osun youths better jobs and better pay

than what the visionary and creative Aregbesola is giving them the question people are wont to ask is; what was he able to do for the youths when he was a senator even as he was the chairman of the Senate’s Appropriation Committee? In serious climes where competence and people’s antecedents are the basis of being elected into political office a character like Omisore who had a murder case hanging on his neck couldn’t have even emerged as a senator not to talk of heading a Committee as sensitive as Appropriation Committee.

His nauseating fraudulent entry into the Senate plus his ridiculous emergence as chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation could only happen in Nigeria being a country of anything goes.

The same lies Omisore fed the public in that interview he repeated again during the launch of his governorship campaign in Osogbo, the state capital recently. But quite important to state it again as we have always maintained in this medium that

Call For The Erection of Awolowo’s Statue II

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HANKS for the space accorded the first part of this letter. Kindly find a space for this second part in order to make complete my expressed opinions. I look forward to its prompt and timely publication.

Above all the points earlier raised, the name of the road in question has not changed! This is quite deserving of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who loved his people and society to a fault and whose love for them are forever undying.

Surely, the legacies of Awolowo should be undying.

Thank God then that the road construction efforts of the incumbent Aregbesola administration are of such a sort that is specially designed to last for several decades. Yes! We know and appreciate the fact that nothing lasts forever.

Yet the era of putting up of liabilities and shoddy deathtraps in the name of road building is gone forever. The waste, risks and liabilities incurred by our ousted captors through these pseudo-roads are of immeasurable gravity.

Today, we stand a better stead

as we are having in place far better roads which serve motorists, commuters and vehicles with greater convenience and offer them lengthier durability.

It is on the note of the foregoing that I make a case for putting in place a statue of the late sage at some convenient and appropriate junction within the city. In my own opinion, such points are any

of the following: The roundabout marking the Omo West / West Bypass / Adesoji Aderemi Exit Junction at the precincts of the Osogbo City Stadium; the roundabout at the popular Onisekere Junction; the junction at the famous Igbonna Market; or still, the Old Garage roundabout.

The overall effect of this measure would be to cement and concretize the

immortalization of the departed hero, who stood firm and impacted solidly on the development of the SouthWest especially in the area of good road network.

The likes of this suggested statue are not far-fetched. In cities of the South-West – Lagos and Ibadan, for example, street junctions are replete with similar features. I am aware of the enormity of the

cost, but no cost is too dear to commit to the memory of the worthy son and father of n entire nation. In Osogbo, the statue of the late Chief Bola Ige erected in front of the Bola Ige House (Governor’s Office) at the State of Osun Secretariat at Abere is a miniature example of the suggested masterpiece.

The Ori Olokun Statue at the famous Mayfair Roundabout in Ile-Ife, commissioned last

year by the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is another example of my suggested work of arts.

By the erection of this effigy, we shall be informing the world; the incoming generation inclusive of the noble deeds of the departed souls which are indelible. Also, we shall be preserving the legacies of the dead as well as inculcating the virtues enshrined in the ethos of Omoluabi, currently championed by the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Aregbesola. For the aesthetic benefit of the living, we shall be beautifying our environment the more by so doing. The effigy of Awolowo is a missing necessity on the streets of our state capital, so it is high time we made room for one of it.

I appreciate the listening posture of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun; just as I look forward to the timely publication of this opinion of mine for its deserved timely response.

Thanks. Osun a dara o!

•LANRE SIYANBOLA, Oja Timi Area, Ede, State of Osun.

Omisore has a right to contest for the number one seat of Osun. Not only does he has the right to contest, he also has the right of expression. He is free to rubbish Aregbesola’s achievements as he likes. One thing is however clear; no matter the level of contemptuous talk against the honey, it will remain sweet still. Whatever he likes let him continue to say against Aregbesola, he cannot succeed in rubbishing Ogbeni’s good work which is being globally applauded everyday.

As election is around the corner Aregbesola’s work will continue to campaign for him. He has done well and the people of Osun are not ready to replace him in the coming election with a visionless desperado who has nothing to offer the state save negative politics. Until August this year when the people will speak with their voting power and return the man who has turned Osun around within three years who says Omisore should not continue to live in fool’s paradise?

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

Vision 2020: What It Should Be

T

HE Standard Dictionary of English Language defines “Vision”, inter-alia as “an inspired revelation, ability to anticipate and make provision for future events.”

This means that a vision refers to events still to happen in the future. In other words, a good leader must constantly be concerned with the future. People want to know about their future because they wish to know how to react to their present circumstances. With what measure of care, courage, prudence and determination they should confront the onrush events. In other words, if they could only know the future, what must they try to do get there.

There is no doubt that Nigeria needs a vision as distinct from the vacuous slogans of greatness and patriotism.

Unfortunately, the contemporary discourse is on election: who shall be the presidential candidate and from which zone? Which geopolitical zone should produce the vice-president?

Nobody seems to bother about what Nigeria herself should look like in 2020 or when the mandate of the current government expires. Sad, very sad indeed!.

There are critical areas the government should pay attention between now and 2020, so that Nigeria may becomes a pride of all. First and foremost, there is the need for a national re-awakening to solve the fundamental problems of political restructuring and regional autonomy to serve as an impetus to release the creative energy of the Nigerian people.

Government must pay attention to the problem of educationally disadvantaged areas. These areas should seize the opportunity of Universal Basic Education (UBE) with both hands.

To revolutionise agriculture, there should be efficient distribution and storage system, correct prices as incentives to farmers and the implementation stage of our agricultural policy must be devoid of undue politicisation, which usually reward growth. Nigeria, by Year 2020, should usher in an era of abundant food security for all to achieve a complete banishment of hunger. Agriculture must be modernised and mechanised.

Preventive and curative health services must be available at affordable cost to the citizenry. By 2020, Nigeria should have put behind the era of our citizens going abroad for medical checkups at exorbitant costs. This can only be attainable if our hospitals are wellequipped with the correct amount of personnel to enable the citizens enjoy good physical, mental and spiritual health.

There is need for rapid industrialization. Nigeria of Year 2020 should have vastly explored options open to investors and acquisitions of machines and adaptations of some to

•JONATHAN

By PROF. A.S ASAJU

local conditions. Both the government and the industrial sector should recognise themselves as partners in progress to create the required mutual trust, dialogue, respect and confidence.

By 2020, Nigeria must have banished the era of high interest rates, high rate of inflation, low returns on investment, which are impediments to small-scale industrial development. Our petroleum policy must take due cognizance of our immediate external environment.

By Year 2020, Nigeria should have fully embraced the information age as far as communication is concerned, to take full advantage of globalization.

The requirements of sustainable environment demands, inter-alia, that we must control our population, control our penchant for conspicuous consumption, and tackle the problem of deforestation.

By Year 2020, Nigeria should have achieved total environmental friendliness or “going green”. This policy should be pursued with abiding faith.

By Year 2020, Nigeria should have done away with some aspects of our culture on inheritance and widowhood, especially as it relates to the inheritance of a widow by the relations of the dead husband.

We must encourage qualitative not quantitative population and produce land use maps to control population spread into areas reserved for the most

restored. By the Year 2020, let the nation flow with clean water for all if it cannot literally flow with milk and honey.

We should have put behind the era of erratic power supply and usher in the era of uninterrupted power supply. Our roads and inland waterways should have ceased to be death traps.

By Year 2020, Nigeria should be a fully democratic country with election rigging outlawed and dissent tolerated as hallmark of representative democracy, support for popular organisations of the people with the police and the military being in the forefront of the struggle for democracy and supporting democratic elections as the basis for selecting citizens into political offices.

Our police, judiciary and the prison system need “drastic reforms” (apology to Wole SoyinYear 2020, corruption should have been completely banished from all aspects of our national life.

Nigeria should no longer be on the list of Transparency International as a corrupt country, talkless of being the most corrupt country on earth!.

By Year 2020, Nigerians should have put behind ethnic loyalties, nepotism and become one united country passionately committed to the unity of the country.

By Year 2020 latest, there should be full employment for all willing and ablebodied men and women and social insurance for the aged and the disabled.

By then, we should have tackled effectively the problem of ignorance, disease and poverty which ravage the land. Nigeria should have no business with poverty taking into consideration our bounteous natural resources and power of the intellect.

By Year 2020, Nigeria should brook no mediocrity in any aspect of her public life. We should ensure good governance with the successful interplay of the following areas: responsive executive, an alert legislature, an independent judiciary, a free press and a discerning citizenry. There must be probity in public life and absolute devotion and dedication to the cause and welfare of the masses of the people.

By Year 2020 latest, Nigeria must have banished economic dependence, put behind debt burden and restore in their place self- reliance; an economically self-reliant and dependable nation, to whom all other countries of Africa can look for succour and merited leadership; a nation governed by a proper and well fashioned constitution operated by a crop of leaders that are able, accountable committed, democratic, fearless, humane, patriotic, transparent and visionary.

comparative advantage uses.

On the issues of acquisition of technology, power and technology transfer, Nigeria of Year 2020 should be a nation that recognise self-ability by ourselves, repose in and build a modicum of confidence within our own system as a prelude to the reduction of dependence on foreign systems and technology.

Our revenue allocation formula should be based on the concept of man as unit of development, rather than geographical area.

Nigeria of Year 2020 should be governed by rule of law. A society not ruled by law will have a rule of man or of force, and its resulting uncertainties.

We should put behind the era of religious fanaticism and violence and usher in a desired era of religious harmony, understanding and co-existence. We should be thinking constructively as violence is negative thinking that debilitates and retards progress towards constructive planning.

By Year 2020, all Nigerians should have equal access to the vast expanse of Nigeria’s land and its bounteous natural resources for the development of themselves and the nation. There should be decent and affordable shelter for all. Nigeria should by then have put behind the era of most of her citizens living in houses, which the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo said, were not even •Prof. Asaju writes from Federal suitable “for modern poultry or piggery!” University of Technology, Akure Our decadent infrastructure must be (FUTA), Ondo State.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

PHOTOTALK

7

Assessment Tour Of Osun By National Institute For Policy And Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Recently.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) and Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Tijani Mohammed, during a visit to the governor, after their assessment tour of the state, Osogbo, last weekend.

•(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Professor Mohammed and Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, during the visit.

•Governor Aregbesola (2nd right); his Deputy, Laoye-Tomori (2nd left); Professor Mohammed (right ); Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (left) and other dignitaries in a group photograph during the visit to the governor, after an assessment on the State, Osogbo, last weekend.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

The Newly-constructed L.A. Elementary School, Obada Area, Ede, State of Osun, Under The Administration Of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Photo: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM

•Side view of the L.A. Elementary School building at Obada area in Ede.

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•A modern swing and slide for pupils within the school premises.

•One of the classrooms of the school.

•The school toilet washing hand basing.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

PHOTOTALK

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Comparison Between The Old ADS Primary School And The Ongoing ADS Middle School At Ejigbo Under The Administration Of The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Photo: JESUDOYINABRAHAM Rauf Aregbesola.

•An ongoing reconstruction of ADS Middle School in Ejigbo under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as captured by our reporter few days ago.

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•The old structure of the school during the previous administration.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

State Dinner For Participants In The Senior NIPSS Executive Course At Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Friday.

•(L-R) The governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Directing Staff, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju and an NIPSS participant, Mrs Victoria Egbase, during a state dinner for the participants in the Senior Executive Course (SEC) No. 36,2014 of NIPSS, Kuru, at Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Friday.

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•(L-R) Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Directing Staff, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Air Commodore Onitiju; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; NIPSS participant, Mrs Promise Ohiong and other dignitaries, during the state dinner for the participants in the Senior Executive Course (SEC) No. 36, 2014 of NIPSS, Kuru at Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Friday.

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

Aregbesola’s Innovative Governance: Solution To Nigeria’s Many Problems HE promised in 2006: “Within the first hundred days of our assumption of office, we will engage 20,000 youths. We will give them means by which they can maintain their subsistence. Our youths will not roam the streets again when we become the governor of our state”.

I remember vividly. It was in December 2006, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola; as he was referred to then was addressing a quite overwhelming mammoth of people of Ikirun town, State of Osun. He made a number of promises- from agriculture to infrastructure, education, security, commerce, revenue generation, and all.

But as he started to speak on Osun youths, one could easily read a changed emotion in his voice and face.

He expressed a strong and barely controllable emotion. He wondered why Nigeria’s future- the youths could be so unfortunate. He queried why successive governments would not see the need to stem insecurity through minimal engagement of the youths. He told the gathering then that two advantages are derivable when a government invests in the youths- peace and security, as well as economic viability and growth.

Between 2007 and now, seven years have gone into history. However, two major incidents attract due reflections. By the time Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was making that promise in Ikirun and several other places across the state, there were •A cross section of OYES cadets. no striking records of insurgencies in Nigeria. Apart from the Niger Delta militant groups, whose activities were contained within oil palavers and resource

By RASHEED MABAYOJE control questions, Nigeria was not so divided as it is getting today. We did not roaming the streets for close to a decade have Boko Haram insurgents; at least under PDP have been engaged under their activities had not come to the fore as Aregbesola’s government. This is it has today. accomplished through what experts call Ogbeni probably knew that the rising effective idea that is readily available number of hopeless youths in the to governments and society. This ideacountry; particularly in the northern OYES- is original and, as a consequence, region was reaching alarming records, so new in governance. It breaks into the he made it prime in his electioneering market or society of empowerment. And discussions that Osun youths will not Osun government and the people are roam the streets, lest their idle hands really reaping well from the scheme. How? became the devil’s workshop.

Between 2011 and now, N9 billion has When he was going all over the places, been spent on youth empowerment telling the world that 20,000 Nigerians will scheme in Osun. That includes the get something doing to fetch money for monthly allowances for beneficiaries, their themselves every month, the PDP said it kits and other logistics. The beneficiaries was mare fluke. “Bawo lo se fe se e” “How are residents in the state. So they spend would he achieve that. Where would he their little income within Osun. They buy get the money to pay them?, they jested. food, purchase drinking water, ride on But Aregbesola had answers to their ‘Korope’ and ‘Okada’, buy clothing and doubts. Innovation is the answer. all. The kits they put on were sewn by Innovation, is described as the Osun tailors. It is even interesting to note application of better solutions that meet that the boots they wear were new requirements in articulated needs. manufactured in Osogbo- in the leather And it takes deep reflections, work and footwear unit of Industrial determination for positive change, as well Development Centre IDC; located around as experience over certain challenges for St. Charles Grammar School area of solutions to come. To Rauf, it was Osogbo. IDC is a Federal Government apparent when in 2005 he was drawing his facility that had gone moribund before action plans on how he intended to Aregbesola resuscitated it. Today, the govern Osun. He actually completed centre is a skill-acquisition centre, where drafts of his six-point integral action plans anybody can go to learn a skill. A visit to about three years before the 2007 the place is charming to any imagination. elections.

The N9 billion so far spent on the At a time shortly before the 2007 Aregbesola youth empowerment scheme elections, he was discussing with us after could have been ‘appropriated’ by his a rigorous political campaign. He asked cronies. Instead of spending such huge whether anybody was giving the then money on Osun youths in three years, he unfolding situation in the country any could have made himself and a few of his; serious thought; the fact that what he and quite richer under any guise. But what his contemporaries enjoyed in term of would have become of the 40,000 Osun youth development in the early seventies youths who today pray for this Ogbeni? were nowhere again in Nigeria. “I fear that Most probably, they would have formed unless we re-cook the books of youth another version of insurgents. They development in our land, our future is would have gone deep; intimidating the very bleak”, He told us as he tutored on people of Osun. Yes. They would; why OYES must be the first major because just before God answered initiative of his government. prayers of Osun, situation had gone Today, the situation pays off for the berserk; such that some miscreants have State of Osun. Aregbesola has fulfilled the cultivated the habit of collecting what promise of youth engagement twice they tagged: “security money” on weekly within one term !!! Two sets of 20,000 basis. They used to harass ware owners Osun youths, who hitherto were just

along MDS area and Akindeko axis of Osogbo. Business owners along these areas must part with some money to such miscreant youths every Friday or they risk losing their goods. Osun was going that bad just before Aregbesola came on board. And God forbid that such innovation in governance of Aregbesola was not in place to nip that ugly development in the bud; Osun would probably have had to contend with at least about forty thousand trouble making youths across the state. Banks, would have closed down like it is happening in Offa. And for the ones in operation, customers would have been “politely” told that they are closing down at 12 noon, simply because of the fear of burglary from some Nigerian youths of that space.

The good news in Osun is that the N9 billion and such monies are “permanently trapped”, circulating within the Osun economy. Such monies circulate within the hands of Osun people. It is not concentrated in the hands of a few. So Aregbesola would not need to ache from the truth that could come from any bank, whether World Bank or otherwise that Nigerians within the Osun space are poor.

I giggled as our President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan attempted to respond to the reality of the fact as contained in a World Bank Report that Nigeria is one of the five poorest countries of the world. Two things attracts my reflections in Dr. Jonathan’s responses- that he agrees to the fact that his transformation agenda paid off for some of his cronies such that Nigeria’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. “Our problem is not poverty, our problem is redistribution of wealth”, said Mr. president.

“Aliko Dangote was recently classified among the 25 richest people in the world...

If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries, yet they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries.

“Probably wealth is concentrated in very few hands and a number of people do not have access to it and that is why my administration is committed in terms of financial inclusiveness and we are working very hard to achieve this”

Another fact that worries anybody in Mr President’s responses is the fact that less than one year to the end of his sixyear rule as Nigeria’s president, he still says he is working hard to redistribute Nigeria’s wealth which; by virtue of his transformation agenda has been stacked in the hands of a few. Yet, Mr. President flaunts this anomaly by his reference to Dangote and other few Nigerians; including Mr President himself, who own several private jets as being among the top ten jet owners of the world.

What President Jonathan needs do at this crucial point in time is to yield the advise of the World Bank that the Osun youth empowerment initiative be replicated to forestall youth restiveness and promote wealth creation in the country. President Jonathan needs to be innovative in governing Nigeria. He should search no further for way out of most of the country’s challenges. He should check his ‘Shokoto’ (pair of trousers) instead of traveling to ‘Sokoto’ in search of solutions to Nigeria’s challenges. The only ‘Shokoto’ so far acknowledged by any third party is found on Aregbesola.

Okonjo-Iweala said it, and so said the World Bank- that Aregbesola has the innovations to good government and governance in Nigeria.

DR. NGOZI OKONJO IWEALA : on Aregbesola’s good governance, June 2013.

“You have demonstrated that good governance is possible with your programmes. You have demonstrated that your youth development is possible. Your programmes so far have demonstrated that you are a good example of good government and governance.”

United States Consul-General, Jefferey Hawkins- Saturday November 9, 2013 “The economic, social and infrastructural renewal of Osun State under Governor Aregbesola in the last few years of being at the saddle of leadership must be applauded. The government’s efforts in reformation development in all facets cannot be glossed over.

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FOR THE RECORDS

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

Address Delivered By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Recipient Of The ‘Most Innovative Nigerian Governor In First Term Award’ Organised By The Businessworld Newspaper, Held At Zenababs Hotel And Resort, Ijebu-Jesha Road, Ilesa, On Saturday May 3, 2014.

Willing And Ready To Do More Protocols, am filled with unspeakable joy and I indescribable happiness as I gather with all of you who have come to rejoice with me on this memorable occasion of my being graciously decorated as the Most Innovative Nigerian Governor in First Term by the well-regarded BusinessWorld Newspaper.

May I most humbly express my appreciation to the forward-looking management and percipient Editorial Board of BusinessWorld newspaper for freely choosing to confer on me this precious award.

I am enormously grateful to you for carefully monitoring the consistent implementation of our people-oriented policies and for the encouragement you are giving to our administration through this award.

I sincerely dedicate the award to all the supportive people of the State of Osun who from the very beginning never doubted my competence and ability to productively manage their resources and effectively transform their lives.

What BusinessWorld is acknowledging and identifying with today are the unmistakable results of the innovative governance which my administration has brought to bear in our drive towards putting our state and people irreversibly on the path of economic abundance and multifarious people-centred development.

What we have done in Osun since we assumed office is what anyone entrusted with power is unavoidably expected to do. We saw manifold, human-made socio-economic and political problems eroding the human dignity of our people and we responded with the requisite solutions.

I must, however, note that the unique thing about our obligatory intervention is its unprecedented, markedly innovative and unconventional nature.

In its philosophical outlook and underlining framework, the blueprint of our administration is decidedly and unalterably people-centred.

We had clearly realised even before we took office that viable, sustainable development would be a sorely dispiriting mirage if it is not comprehensively people-focused and intensely innovative. Such peopleregarding governance, I am confident to aver, is the efficacious balm with which we have healed Osun of its many avoidable socio-economic and political disorders. And this happened just within a single term of our being in office.

To be precise, the innovation we have engendered in purposefully translating our practicable vision of development into enduringly beneficial reality is evident in the public education system of the state.

It is there in the tablet computer (Opon-Imo) we distributed to our High School students; it is there in our Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS); it is there in the completion of 2,000 new modern classrooms in 39 schools; it is there in the free school uniforms given to all public school students; and the in the

•AREGBESOLA

smart biometric ID cards soon to be distributed to the students, among many others.

For us, education is number one priority. It is the foundation of the development we earnestly work for; it is our passport to that future of enduring socio-economic greatness.

This explains why we feel no qualm investing in it, for we are convinced, as Confucius was, that ‘no nation goes bankrupt educating its people’.

The fruits of our innovative governance are evident in our response to the stinging social malaise that is youth unemployment. That response, which is now a model favoured and recommended by the World Bank, has enabled us to positively engage 40,000 active youths in decent endeavours.

It must be noted that 20,000 of them were first salvaged from the unemployment lane within the first 100 days of our assuming office through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES). In other numerous areas including agriculture, we have created decent jobs for our youths.

To seek development of any kind without the organised involvement of youths is akin to the futile attempt of climbing a tree from the top. The loaded energy, boundless creativity, and vast competences of our youths need to be systematically tapped for the

the well-being of our people.

In the colossal increase we have achieved in our monthly Internally Generated Revenue – which is now N1.6 billion, in contrast to the N300 million we met –, we have shown that innovative governance is significant for progress. We achieved this feat without any increase in tax. We are working to swell this figure to N5 billion.

We are not satisfied with the continuous dependence on Federal Allocations and its horrendous vagaries and limiting vacillations. In spite of Osun’s position as the 34th on the Federal Allocation ladder, we have shown that with creativity, innovation and unbending fidelity to prudence greater favourable developmental strides can be actualised. Thus, a recent report put Osun’s economy as the seventh largest in Nigeria.

I must not fail to mention that our Agba Osun (Osun Elders) Welfare Scheme is one other remarkable achievement of our Administration.

This social welfare scheme targets the vulnerable elderly citizens of the state.

These elderly citizens are given N10,000 monthly in addition to the free health programme specially provided for them. About N17 million is spent monthly to keep this programme going.

Generally, our healthcare delivery to our people has greatly improved.

Distinguished audience, the harvests of good governance being enjoyed in Osun is not accidental. It is made possible through vision, passion, and innovation. That we could do much in our first term attests to the fact that our goal is the development of our people.

The point must be made that whether as leaders in their first or second term of office, there is really no excuse for non-performance. There is no reason overall good of our country. That is the why elected officials should not add value and meaning to the lives of the path Osun has found; and it is walking electorate in any term of office. it steadfastly.

I am seeking re-election not because I must also let you know that in I want to rest from all that has been agriculture we have broken new done in my first term of office. If my grounds. In ways that have never first term has been defined by happened in the history of Osun, we invaluable works, my second term of have provided huge financial support office will be characterised by more for our farmers. We are empowering them towards massive food production works for the overall good of more number of our people. and food security. We believe strongly Second term of office is no time to that importing food that we can grow rest; it is another opportunity to beat here does not make any economic the record set in human development in sense. the first term of office. The work here Similarly, we are under no illusion is not yet finished. I am ready to do that agriculture also provides a viable more, even breaking newer solution to the scourge of developmental grounds. unemployment problem. We do know I believe, as the virologist, Jonas for certain that agricultural economy Salk, says, ‘The greatest reward for that is grounded in food production doing is the opportunity to do more’. I cannot fail. Thus, we are revamping the am willing and ready to do more for old farm estates across the state and Osun. My inspired and inspiring are encouraging immense investments message for my people is this: Greater in farming and agro-businesses. things than you have seen under my Moreover, there is solid proof of watch will spring forth in my second innovation in our rehabilitation, term of office. reconstruction and construction of I should like to thank the rural, local, intra-city, and inter-state BusinessWorld Newspaper again for roads. Good road infrastructure will not their good gesture and encouragement. only enhance human living, it will I will do more in service to humanity to equally boost trade and commercial justify the confidence you generously activities. We have spent billions of naira in ensuring that roads in Osun do repose in me.

I thank you all for your cordial not serve as death traps but greatly audience. enhance socio-economic activities for

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria College of Education, Billiri, Gombe State recruitment for Lecturers College of Education, Billiri, Gombe State hereby invites applications from suitably qualified candidates in the following areas: SCHOOL OF SCIENCES Position: Assistant Lecturer (CONPCASS 01) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Assistant Lecturer in all the schools must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) from a recognized institution of higher learning in his relevant field plus NYSC Certificate.

Position: Lecturer III (CONPCASS 02) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer III in all the schools must possess «at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) in his relevant field from a recognized University with NYSC Certificate He must also Have at teas! three (3) years relevant cognate teaching experience or.

Candidate possessing Master’s Degree in relevant field with NYSC Certificate is eligible.

Position: Lecturer II (CONPCASS 03) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer II must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) or equivalent professional qualification plus a minimum of six years in relevant post qualification teaching/research/industrial experience or a Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution plus at least three years teaching experience or a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution.

In addition, the candidate for this post should have either: (i) Presented two seminar/conference papers/exhibition or (ii) One Journal Article accepted for publication Position: Lecturer I (CONPCASS 05) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field(s) from s recognized institution of higher learning with at least three years of teaching/research in an institution of higher learning. In addition, candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning with at least six years cognate experience. Industrial expedience and contribution to scholarly publication will be an added advantage. In addition the candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

In addition to either of the above, candidate should have: (i) Demonstrable ability to initials and supervise research/project and (ii) At least, two conference/seminar papers since last promotion; or one additional journal article. (iii) Some evidence of administrative and community service.

Position: Senior Lecturer (CONPCASS 07) Area of Specialization: Mathematics, Integrated Science, Computer Education, Chemistry, Physics, Biology Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Senior Lecturer must possess a PhD with at least six years cognate experience. In addition, the candidates should have four journal articles or four seminar papers plus two journal or two meaningful chapter contributions in standard textbook plus two conference/seminar papers or two chapters plus two journal articles.

Candidates must possess Master Decree from a recognized institution with at least nine years on the job cognate experience with proven ability for applied research production work In addition to either of the above candidate should have (i) Demonstrable ability to initiate and supervise approved research Project/exhibition or copy technology (ii) Academic and administrative leadership and (iii) Two additional papers accepted for publication in reputable journals since last promotion and two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or not less than two meaningful chapter contributions in standard text book(s) plus two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or two chapters plus two journal articles SCHOOL OF ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES Position: Assistant Lecturer (CONPCASS 01) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Assistant Lecturer in all the schools must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) from a recognized institution of higher learning in his relevant field plus NYSC Certificate.

Position: Lecturer III (CONPCASS 02) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer III in all the schools must possess «at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) in his relevant field from a recognized University with NYSC Certificate He must also Have at teas! three (3) years relevant cognate teaching experience or.

Candidate possessing Master’s Degree in relevant field with NYSC Certificate is eligible.

Position: Lecturer II (CONPCASS 03) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer II must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) or equivalent professional qualification plus a minimum of six years in relevant post qualification teaching/research/industrial experience or a Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution plus at least three years teaching experience or a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution.

In addition, the candidate for this post should have either: (i) Presented two seminar/conference papers/exhibition or (ii) One Journal Article accepted for publication Position: Lecturer I (CONPCASS 05) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field(s) from s recognized institution of higher learning with at least three years of teaching/research in an institution of higher learning. In addition, candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning with at least six years cognate experience. Industrial expedience and contribution to scholarly publication will be an added advantage. In addition the candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

In addition to either of the above, candidate should have: (i) Demonstrable ability to initials and supervise research/project and (ii) At least, two conference/seminar papers since last promotion; or one additional journal article. (iii) Some evidence of administrative and community service.

Position: Senior Lecturer (CONPCASS 07) Area of Specialization: History, Geography, Economics, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Religious Studies, Social Studies Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Senior Lecturer must possess a PhD with at least six years cognate experience. In addition, the candidates should have four journal articles or four seminar papers plus two journal or two meaningful chapter contributions in standard textbook plus two conference/seminar papers or two chapters plus two journal articles.

Candidates must possess Master Decree from a recognized institution with at least nine years on the job cognate experience with proven ability for applied research production work In addition to either of the above candidate should have (i) Demonstrable ability to initiate and supervise approved research Project/exhibition or copy technology (ii) Academic and administrative leadership and (iii) Two additional papers accepted for publication in reputable journals since last promotion and two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or not less than two meaningful chapter contributions in standard text book(s) plus two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or two chapters plus two journal articles SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES Position: Assistant Lecturer (CONPCASS 01) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Assistant Lecturer in all the schools must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) from a recognized institution of higher learning in his relevant field plus NYSC Certificate.

Position: Lecturer III (CONPCASS 02) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer III in all the schools must possess «at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) in his relevant field from a recognized University with NYSC Certificate He must also Have at teas! three (3) years relevant cognate teaching experience or.

Candidate possessing Master’s Degree in relevant field with NYSC Certificate is eligible.

Position: Lecturer II (CONPCASS 03) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer II must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) or equivalent professional qualification plus a minimum of six years in relevant post qualification teaching/research/industrial experience or a Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution plus at least three years teaching experience or a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution.

In addition, the candidate for this post should have either: (i) Presented two seminar/conference papers/exhibition or (ii) One Journal Article accepted for publication Position: Lecturer I (CONPCASS 05) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field(s) from s recognized institution of higher learning with at least three years of teaching/research in an institution of higher learning. In addition, candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning with at least six years cognate experience. Industrial expedience and contribution to scholarly publication will be an added advantage. In addition the candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

In addition to either of the above, candidate should have: (i) Demonstrable ability to initials and supervise research/project and (ii) At least, two conference/seminar papers since last promotion; or one additional journal article. (iii) Some evidence of administrative and community service.

Position: Senior Lecturer (CONPCASS 07) Area of Specialization: Arabic Language, English Language, French Language, Hausa Language Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Senior Lecturer must possess a PhD with at least six years cognate experience. In addition, the candidates should have four journal articles or four seminar papers plus two journal or two meaningful chapter contributions in standard textbook plus two conference/seminar papers or two chapters plus two journal articles.

Candidates must possess Master Decree from a recognized institution with at least nine years on the job cognate experience with proven ability for applied research production work In addition to either of the above candidate should have (i) Demonstrable ability to initiate and supervise approved research Project/exhibition or copy technology (ii) Academic and administrative leadership and (iii) Two additional papers accepted for publication in reputable journals since last promotion and two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or not less than two meaningful chapter contributions in standard text book(s) plus two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or two chapters plus two journal articles SCHOOL OF VOCATIONAL & TECHNICAL EDUCATION Position: Assistant Lecturer (CONPCASS 01) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Assistant Lecturer in all the schools must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) from a recognized institution of higher learning in his relevant field plus NYSC Certificate.

Position: Lecturer III (CONPCASS 02) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer III in all the schools must possess «at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) in his relevant field from a recognized University with NYSC Certificate He must also Have at teas! three (3) years relevant cognate teaching experience or.

Candidate possessing Master’s Degree in relevant field with NYSC Certificate is eligible.

Position: Lecturer II (CONPCASS 03) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer II must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) or equivalent professional qualification plus

a minimum of six years in relevant post qualification teaching/research/industrial experience or a Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution plus at least three years teaching experience or a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution.

In addition, the candidate for this post should have either: (i) Presented two seminar/conference papers/exhibition or (ii) One Journal Article accepted for publication Position: Lecturer I (CONPCASS 05) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field(s) from s recognized institution of higher learning with at least three years of teaching/research in an institution of higher learning. In addition, candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning with at least six years cognate experience. Industrial expedience and contribution to scholarly publication will be an added advantage. In addition the candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

In addition to either of the above, candidate should have: (i) Demonstrable ability to initials and supervise research/project and (ii) At least, two conference/seminar papers since last promotion; or one additional journal article. (iii) Some evidence of administrative and community service.

Position: Senior Lecturer (CONPCASS 07) Area of Specialization: Agricultural Education, Home economics Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Senior Lecturer must possess a PhD with at least six years cognate experience. In addition, the candidates should have four journal articles or four seminar papers plus two journal or two meaningful chapter contributions in standard textbook plus two conference/seminar papers or two chapters plus two journal articles.

Candidates must possess Master Decree from a recognized institution with at least nine years on the job cognate experience with proven ability for applied research production work In addition to either of the above candidate should have (i) Demonstrable ability to initiate and supervise approved research Project/exhibition or copy technology (ii) Academic and administrative leadership and (iii) Two additional papers accepted for publication in reputable journals since last promotion and two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or not less than two meaningful chapter contributions in standard text book(s) plus two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or two chapters plus two journal articles SCHOOL OF GENERAL EDUCATION Position: Assistant Lecturer (CONPCASS 01) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Assistant Lecturer in all the schools must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) from a recognized institution of higher learning in his relevant field plus NYSC Certificate.

Position: Lecturer III (CONPCASS 02) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer III in all the schools must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) in his relevant field from a recognized University with NYSC Certificate He must also Have at teas! three (3) years relevant cognate teaching experience or.

Candidate possessing Master’s Degree in relevant field with NYSC Certificate is eligible.

Position: Lecturer II (CONPCASS 03) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer II must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) or equivalent professional qualification plus a minimum of six years in relevant post qualification teaching/research/industrial experience or a Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution plus at least three years teaching experience or a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution.

In addition, the candidate for this post should have either: (i) Presented two seminar/conference papers/exhibition or (ii) One Journal Article accepted for publication Position: Lecturer I (CONPCASS 05) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field(s) from s recognized institution of higher learning with at least three years of teaching/research in an institution of higher learning. In addition, candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning with at least six years cognate experience. Industrial expedience and contribution to scholarly publication will be an added advantage. In addition the candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

In addition to either of the above, candidate should have: (i) Demonstrable ability to initials and supervise research/project and (ii) At least, two conference/seminar papers since last promotion; or one additional journal article. (iii) Some evidence of administrative and community service.

Position: Senior Lecturer (CONPCASS 07) Area of Specialization: Educational Foundation, Educations Psychology & Counseling, Curriculum & Instruction, General Studies Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Senior Lecturer must possess a PhD with at least six years cognate experience. In addition, the candidates should have four journal articles or four seminar papers plus two journal or two meaningful chapter contributions in standard textbook plus two conference/seminar papers or two chapters plus two journal articles.

Candidates must possess Master Decree from a recognized institution with at least nine years on the job cognate experience with proven ability for applied research production work In addition to either of the above candidate should have (i) Demonstrable ability to initiate and supervise approved research Project/exhibition or copy technology (ii) Academic and administrative leadership and (iii) Two additional papers accepted for publication in reputable journals since last promotion and two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or not less than two meaningful chapter contributions in standard text book(s) plus two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or two chapters plus two journal articles SCHOOL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & PRIMARY EDUCATION Position: Assistant Lecturer (CONPCASS 01) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Assistant Lecturer in all the schools must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) from a recognized institution of higher learning in his relevant field plus NYSC Certificate.

Position: Lecturer III (CONPCASS 02) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer III in all the schools must possess «at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) in his relevant field from a recognized University with NYSC Certificate He must also Have at teas! three (3) years relevant cognate teaching experience or.

Candidate possessing Master’s Degree in relevant field with NYSC Certificate is eligible.

Position: Lecturer II (CONPCASS 03) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer II must possess at least Second Class Lower Division (2:2) or equivalent professional qualification plus a minimum of six years in relevant post qualification teaching/research/industrial experience or a Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution plus at least three years teaching experience or a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution.

In addition, the candidate for this post should have either: (i) Presented two seminar/conference papers/exhibition or (ii) One Journal Article accepted for publication Position: Lecturer I (CONPCASS 05) Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess a Doctorate Degree in the relevant field(s) from s recognized institution of higher learning with at least three years of teaching/research in an institution of higher learning. In addition, candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

Candidates applying for Lecturer I must possess Masters Degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution of higher learning with at least six years cognate experience. Industrial expedience and contribution to scholarly publication will be an added advantage. In addition the candidates should have four seminar papers or two journal articles or two seminar papers plus one journal article.

In addition to either of the above, candidate should have: (i) Demonstrable ability to initials and supervise research/project and (ii) At least, two conference/seminar papers since last promotion; or one additional journal article. (iii) Some evidence of administrative and community service.

Position: Senior Lecturer (CONPCASS 07) Area of Specialization: Early Childhood Care and Education, Primary Education Qualifications and Working Experience Candidates applying for Senior Lecturer must possess a PhD with at least six years cognate experience. In addition, the candidates should have four journal articles or four seminar papers plus two journal or two meaningful chapter contributions in standard textbook plus two conference/seminar papers or two chapters plus two journal articles.

Candidates must possess Master Decree from a recognized institution with at least nine years on the job cognate experience with proven ability for applied research production work In addition to either of the above candidate should have (i) Demonstrable ability to initiate and supervise approved research Project/exhibition or copy technology (ii) Academic and administrative leadership and (iii) Two additional papers accepted for publication in reputable journals since last promotion and two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or not less than two meaningful chapter contributions in standard text book(s) plus two conference/seminar papers since last promotion or two chapters plus two journal articles Note: Candidates should Note that cognate working experience, membership of relevant professional bodies and computer literacy will be an added advantage in all the areas advertised.

Method of Application Interested candidates should submit 12 copies of their application and detailed Curriculum Vitae (attaching photocopies of relevant credentials). The candidates are advised to request three named referees with their addresses to forward reports on them under confidential cover. All applications and confidential reports should be sent on or before 13th June, 2014 to: The Registrar, College of Education, P.M.B. 011. Billiri, Gombe State.

Candidates should indicate at the top left corner of the envelope the post applied for.

The CV should be in the following format.

Curriculum Vitae Personal Data Schools attended with Date Qualifications Obtained with Dates Working Experience with Dates Publications with Dates Conferences, Seminars and Workshops Attended with Dates Membership of Professional Bodies Co-Curricular Activities Hobbies Referees Adamu Shuaibu Yaya Registrar, NB Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.recentnigerianjobs.com

14

FOR THE RECORDS

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

A memorable quote from Senator Isiaka Adeleke on the PDP candidate in the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and another PDP chieftain in the state, Sogo Agboola.

Omisore, Police Minister Beat Me Up - Adeleke “On entering the hall, I saw Omisore, Adesiyan, Sogo Agboola sitting together. I went to Adesiyan to complain that police officers and DSS operatives were holding party men outside. But, instead of listening to me, he jumped over a table before him and hit me with a blow on the chest. Sogo Agboola also attacked me. Before I knew what was happening, Omisore hit me with a blow from the back. About seven guns corked were pointed at me,” Adeleke asserted.

•Culled from Nigerian Tribune, Thursday April 3, 2014

•OMISORE

•ADELEKE

•ADESIYAN

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 8, 2014

15

www.osundefender.org

THE 6TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014

The search for more than 200 girls in Nigeria is now “beyond the capacity” of the government and needs international support, Nigerian author Wole Soyinka told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday.

“This is a government which is not only in denial mentally, but in denial about certain obvious steps to take,” Soyinka, a Nobel laureate who is often referred to as the conscience of his nation, told Amanpour.

“President Jonathan should have asked for it from the very beginning,” Soyinka said. “I don’t believe in false pride.”

Why, Amanpour asked, does Soyinka believe Jonathan is in denial?

Nigeria’s government acting like children - says Wole Soyinka

“The person who has no excuse is the president of the nation.”

The problem, he said, has been festering for years.

“It’s one of those rather child-like situations that if you shut your eyes, if you don’t exhibit the tactile evidence of the missing humanity here, that somehow the problem will go away.”

“There have been numerous incidents like this,” he told Amanpour; the 2011 Boko Haram bombing of a United Nations compound in Abuja and extremist unrest over a 2002 beauty pageant being just two examples.

It is not just “a Nigerian problem,” he said.

“The pinpricks you’ve seen all over the world are consolidating into a situation of internal war – insurrection by this group.”

“I’m calling for the international community, the United Nations – this is a problem. This is a global problem. And a foothold is being very deeply entrenched in West Africa.”

Soyinka

The search for the girls, who were kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist group on April 14, has seen little progress.

The issue, Soyinka said, has been addressed “very late and very cursorily.”

Amanpour had scheduled a live interview with Nigerian Information Minister Labaran Maku on Tuesday; Maku failed to show up in time for the inter

“It’s not only he. It’s the advisers around him. It’s a certain section of the nation, some of whom enjoy for various reasons a nation in a state of chaos. They profit by it, and in fact some of the, are guilty of provoking the situation.”

A man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said in a newly released video "I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah.”

Soyinka referred to Shekau’s video as a “charade” and “gleeful obscenity.”

The U.S. said on Tuesday that it had offered, and President Goodluck Jonathan had accepted, an offer to discuss American aid in finding the girls.

One need only look at the history of Algeria or the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan to understand what is happening, he said.

“Let’s not beat around the bush.

We’re dealing with a monstrosity.

We’re dealing with an affliction the likes of which the nation has never encountered.”

The response must be rapid, he said.

“Abduction, terrorism, suicide bombing – these are very difficult situations to deal with. But they are not unique.”

“Where it will end, I do not know.

But one thing is certain: The president and his government cannot sleep easy after what has happened to Nigeria.”

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 Managing Editor, KOLA OLABISI, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com, kayodeagbaje@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org.