Osun Defender - April 29th, 2014 Edition

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014 If the much talked about plan of the far from being People's Democratic Party in the state of Osun to perpetrate violence as the election draws closer was real, then they better have a re-think.

To have a re-think is a necessity

VOL. 9. NO.051

Front Page Comment

Osun PDP's plan orgy of violence perpetration of violence, will for Osun PDP before they embark on Russian-roulette. Of course any plan to, yet again, embark on what they are best known for;

be tantamount to embarking on a dangerous game with dire consequences for them.

Like former President Olusegun Obasanjo employing a yoruba axiom

in his letter last month to President Jonathan - rightly said; "the person on whose head coconut was broken may not live to savour the taste of its sweetness". This is most true and the Osun PDP cannot pretend not to understand the meaning of this witty saying.

Continue on pg 4

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

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IGE

Omisore, PDP Plan Violence Option For Osun REC Redeployment - See Story On Page 2

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (left) and Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Executive Secretary of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo last Friday.

Osun Govt Releases N1bn To Pensioners

- See Story On Page 3

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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Omisore, PDP Plan Violence Option For Osun REC Redeployment

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED State of Osun chapter of the Peoples T HE Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s candidate for the August 9 governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, have been gathered to have perfected plans to use violence to press for the redeployment of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ambassador

Rufus Akeju.

According to sources within the PDP in the state, the party and its candidate are currently putting finishing touches to the plan to import miscreants into the state, who would disguise under a political platform, with a view to protesting against the stay of Akeju in the state ahead

of the governorship election.

The medium’s findings further revealed that in the course of the protest, the miscreants have been paid to engage in violence and attack innocent citizens, so as to give the impression that the demand for the redeployment of the REC

is massive.

The plot, according to the source, is also being hatched to unleash mayhem on the people of the state, with a view to creating the impression that the state is no longer safe and propel the Presidency to quickly declare a state of emergency.

Several other options are also being considered to facilitate declaration of emergency rule in the state, with a view to ensuring that the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, vacates the seat ahead of the election.

It is believed that an administrator would

subsequently be appointed by the Presidency, who will eventually assist in the rigging of the election in favour of the PDP candidate.

It would be recalled that the PDP and its candidate have, in recent times been demanding the redeployment of Akeju from the state on the ground that they have no confidence in him to

preside over the August 9 governorship election in the state.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has however refused to redeploy the REC, challenging them to provide evidence that the state Chief Electoral Officer has relationship with either the state government or any of the

Osun NUJ Honours Aregbesola’s Wife, Others

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED IFE of the Governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, has been honoured by the Osun Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with a Golden Award in Environmental Service.

She was honoured by the union alongside Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), London; Prince Adeniyi Oladeinde; Sky Bank and Dr Basheer Komolafe as the Patron of the union.

Shortly after receiving the award, Mrs Aregbesola, who is the Community-led Total Sanitation Ambassador said, she decided to receive the award because of her readiness to work with all interested stakeholders in making the state open-defecation-free.

She said: “When we started, the little campaign about getting our people to effect a change in the behaviours of defecating in open places in our towns and communities, our goal has remained enhancement of the standard of hygiene •Wife of the governor, State of Osun, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola (2nd left); Prince Rotimi Obamuwagun, Deputy in these areas.

National President, NUJ (2nd right); Mr Dele Atunbi, Vice-President, NUJ Zone-B (right) and Mr Abiodun Olalere, “Little did we know that Chairman, NUJ Osun Council, when Mrs. Aregbesola was given a Golden Award on Environment from Osun Council efforts were being of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at Fun-Field Event Centre, Osogbo, last Friday. recognised by organisations such as yours and that of United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which nominated me as the CLTS

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI Ambassador. administration has been “I am happy to report that a French Village in the town.

Presenting the report, the achieving through making life my team has achieved OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf more comfortable for the tremendous progress. Quite Aregbesola, has approved the establishment of Executive Secretary of people of the state. a large number of NAPTIP, Mrs Beatrice JedyNational Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic In He therefore advised the communities in the state Agba, stated that the Ejigbo Persons (NAPTIP) base in the state, so as to live up to its Town was chosen for the people of the state to look have joined voluntarily, responsibilities effectively. research because it has all the inwards and take advantage of while there is a healthy peer According to the governor, of the people, they will want features of a border town, the various opportunities being review attitude among the approval of the base, which look elsewhere. It is a well- despite not being a border created by the administration them,” she added. he would prefer to be in Ejigbo, known fact that there is no town, which had over the years of Ogbeni Aregbesola, saying Noting that there is still because of the history of place like home for one to made the people of the town with the present administration more to be done in getting constant migration of the succeed.” in place, everyone has an While stressing that no always engaging in illegal opportunity to make headway. rid of the ‘undesirable people of the ancient town, will migration. behaviour’ of defecting in be paid for by the state citizen of the state will be left “Aregbesola has made life open She added that the trend places, Mrs unattended to, the state government, with a view to really comfortable for the Aregbesola urged the union used to be an advantage for the stemming the ugly tide of the helmsman emphasised that all people in the area, but recent people of this state. There is to also actively mobilise non-profitable migration of the life-touching policies of his research has shown that over therefore no need to go out of members to join in the CLTS people to neighbouring administration will continue to the past twenty years, it has the state in search of a better crusade. countries in the name of looking receive government attention. now become a huge life again. If you are the She added that the CLTS “Because we want our for greener pastures. responsible type, you will approach has been found to disadvantage for the people of The governor stated this in people to be comfortable and the town and the state as a succeed in this state,” he be the appropriate and the his office while receiving the settle down in the state, we whole. stressed. most effective method to team of the agency, who came have decided to always assist In her welcome address, the While commending the to make a formal presentation the aged through the “Agba efforts of Ogbeni Rauf State Commissioner for achieving rapid expansion of the researched report on Osun” programme. We are Aregbesola in making life Women and Children Affairs, of sanitation in the state.

Mrs Aregbesola employment impact of constant migration of providing comfortable for the people of Mrs Mofolake Adetoun persons in Ejigbo to opportunities for our youths the state through the provision Adegboyega, commended the reiterated her readiness to work with every stakeholder to give them hope. We are neighbouring countries. of basic amenities, Mrs Jedi- efforts of the present He said the main reason feeding our elementary pupils Agba stressed that the agency administration for making life to ensure that the state is why the current administration to assist their parents in given is willing to partner with the meaningful for the masses in the made open defecation-free.

She maintained that the is working assiduously hard to quality education to the state government in achieving state. award would further spur provide basic needs for the majority,” the governor the recommendations of the In attendance were the state her to intensify campaign people of the state is to ensure highlighted.

Deputy Governor, Otunba and enlightenment on research to stop the ugly He said in his they are comfortable, so as not (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye- danger embedded in open tradition. to have any reason to migrate administration’s determination Tomori, the Chief of Staff to Also speaking at the event, out of the state in search of a to make the people of Ejigbo the Executive Secretary of the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega defecation, hence the need for stakeholders to support feel more at ease, the state, in better life elsewhere.

Ejigbo Local Government Oyetola, the Head of Service, He said: “When there is no collaboration with the French Council stressed that most of Mr Sunday Owoeye and other the state government in its commitment by the government Development Agency, is the recommendations of the members of the State Executive bid to improve standard of living of the citizenry. to the provision of basic needs already working on establishing Council.

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Osun Approves Establishment Of NATIP Centre

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research are what the present

political parties in the state, which the PDP has not been able to do till date.

Meanwhile, it was also gathered that the PDP’s allegation again Akeju was concocted after all the efforts of the PDP so far to buy him over, with a view to rigging the election in favour of its candidate failed.

The state’s first lady also lauded journalists in the state for their ingenuity and adherence to promotion of professionalism in the discharge of their duties, submitting that media has always been the key to the sustainability of the nation’s democracy.

Speaking, the State’s Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori, who described the award bestowed on the wife of the governor as a well-deserved honour, maintained that journalists in the state were very active and objective in their reportage of government’s activities and programmes.

Mrs Laoye-Tomori stressed that the state government would continue to give priority to welfare of journalists, pointing out that government had concluded arrangement to digitalize the state-owned broadcasting station.

In his remark, the Programme Manager of Osun State Rural Water Environmental Sanitation Agency (RUWESA), Alhaji Posi Adiatu, noted that the award bestowed on the governor’s wife was a strong indication that people were noticing her remarkable contributions towards e n v i r o n m e n t a l sustainability in the state.

Adiatu explained that the Ambassador of Community Led Total Sanitation had changed fortune of the state in the area of hygienic living and promotion of standard of living of rural dwellers, noting that the award was a well-deserved honour, which he described as a timely one.

The RUWESA boss hinted that, the first lady remained a strong agent of socialization and role model in environmental sanitation.

Adiatu further used the occasion to call on residents of the state to continue to demonstrate their love and complete support for Mrs. Aregbesola in her fight towards open defecation.

In his address, the NUJ state Chairman, Mr Abiodun Olalere said the wife of the governor and other awardees were found worthy, having demonstrated patriotism, commitment and high sense of responsibility to the advancement of fellow human beings and the society as a whole.

He said the union decided to honour the awardees to appreciate them and erase the erroneous belief that journalists are only good in criticising and condemning.

If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897, 08023191891.

News

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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Osun Govt Releases N1bn To Pensioners

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED Government of the State of Osun has released N1 billion for the payment of pension arrears to its pensioners. planning, which were The State Commissioner attributable to the last for Finance, Dr. Wale administration in the state.

Bolorunduro, in a statement According to him, the recently-issued, said the N1billion is an addition to state government has the payment made on the commenced payment of the 142 per cent pension arrears pension arrears, which, he inherited from the last said emanated from the administration in 2010. administrative bottlenecks He further stressed that at and improper cash-flow the inception of the current

administration, the state’s liability on the 142 per cent pension arrears was about N4 billion, noting that up to N1.2billion of the inherited liability was paid.

Explaining the rationale behind the challenges on the payment of pensions, he said: “The impact of the mass retirement of the state’s employees in late 2012, given their unwillingness to join the contributory pension

scheme in the state, contributed in no small measure to the current challenges and it is the origin of 2011/2012 retiree forum.

“For avoidance of doubts, over 5,000 employees of the state joined the existing over 9,000 retirees in the state, while the local government retirees schedule also increased by about 3,500. Of course the fresh recruitment conducted in 2013 by the state was to

fill the numerous vacancies created by the massive retirement.

“The impact of the aforementioned 2011/2012 retirement was an unprecedented surge in the state’s salary and pension obligations from N250 million in November 2011 to N600 million monthly now, hence, the creation of relatively young retirees, called 2011/2012 Retirees Group.

“Aside from the fact that the previous administration that approved the forceful retirement of the group of the referenced retirees did not consider the cash flow implication when granting the approval, it is also worth mentioning that the administrative bottlenecks in processing retirees’ entitlements contributed to the problem.

“The last administration failed to automate the manual processing of retirees’ benefits to take care

of the surge in their number, thereby leading to delay of processing the Authority to Collect (ATC) papers of the retired personnel.

“This consequently led to the situation, whereby some people who retired since December 2012, were unable to submit their ATC until later month such as November 2013. This is the genesis of the pension arrears,” he explained.

Bolorunduro then noted that the state government has kept pace to pensionroll the retirees as soon as their authority papers are submitted.

Reiterating the commitment of the current administration to continue to uphold the welfare of its senior citizens as one of its topmost priorities, he noted that the issues leading to the pension arrears are actually not the makings of the Aregbesola-led administration.

PDP, Omisore Plan To Import Miscreants To Osun

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•A health officer conducting free malaria test for a 6-month old baby in commemoration of World Malaria Day at Erin-Osun, State of Osun, on Friday.

World Malaria Day: Osun Distributes Free Mosquito Nets, Conducts Free Tests

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

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Mrs. Oduola, a representative of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), disclosed that her organisation was partnering the Government of the State of Osun to provide support in the fight to eradicate malaria.

She praised the state government for the job so far and assured that the testing and treatment of malaria was free.

Earlier during a visit to the Palace of the Elerin of Erin-

Osun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye Oyegbodun II, the monarch expressed his appreciation towards the efforts of the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in ensuring the restoration of healthy living to every citizen of the state.

The monarch also called on the people to make proper use of the mosquito nets.

The theme for this year’s World Malaria Day is: Invest In The Future.

ORLD Malaria Day is a day set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to sensitise people on the danger that the disease poses to especially children between 5 months to 5 years and pregnant women.

Also, it has been disclosed various preventive measures, as that 1 million deaths are recorded health was of paramount annually from malaria in Nigeria. importance.

This was disclosed by the He described malaria fever as State of Osun Commissioner for a common ailment which is Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Temitope preventable through the correct Ilori, at a sensitisation rally held use of treated mosquito nets to commemorate the day at ErinOsun in Irepodun Local Government Council Area of the state. present government,” he said.

The commissioner, who was

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED While disabusing the minds represented by Dr. Kayode EADER of the State of Osun House of Assembly, of the Christian women on the Oguniyi; the Director of Primary Honourable Timothy Owoeye has charged women to alleged plan of Governor Rauf Health Care and Disease warn their children against being used for violence Aregbesola to Islamise the Prevention in the State Ministry of Health, revealed that of the before, during and after the April 9 governorship election in state, he said that the four parasites which cause the state. another, so as to sustain the administration has been fair to He gave the warning while peaceful co-existence that we all religions in the state. malaria, plasmodium palciparum He noted that the allegation was the most deadly, which speaking at the 4th anniversary have been enjoying under this leads to more than 500 million of Good Women Association of the Sacred Cherubim and infections annually world over.

Oguniyi maintained that one Seraphim Church of Ijesaland, of the ways that WHO has held at Ilase-Ijesa on Saturday.

According to him, there are prevented the spread of some politicians, who are mosquitoes was through the desperate to be in power by all PEAKER, State of Osun House of Assembly, distribution of free insecticide means, stressing that youths Honourable Najeem Salaam, has knocked those treated nets. should not allow themselves to alleging that the state is indebted to the tune of N400 According to him: “In 2013, be used.

1.6 million insecticide-treated He also urge women to pay billion, describing them as wicked mischief makers. nets were distributed freely, but serious attention on the care of He said the political and mischief should not be surprisingly, most people did their children, saying it is only players, who threw the kite trusted, therefore calling on not use it.” when this is done that they can He observed that the be said to have played their up, were out to spread the electorate to punish them lies, with a view to scoring with massive rejection dumping of these mosquito nets roles as mothers. was not supposed to be, but for “As good women, you must cheap political goals.

In a statement issued by through their votes. the ignorance of the people make sure that you warn your He said: “We have children not to be used by any his spokesman, Mr. Goke noticed that some political concerning their health.

The PHC Director stressed politician for violence, Butikakuro, the Speaker players are bandying that the most important thing especially now that the called on the concerned was how to prevent mosquito governorship election is stakeholders to demand the fictitious figures around approaching. bites. proof from those touting the about the debt profile of the “Apart from this, we must conjured imaginary debt State of Osun, without In the same vein, the proof. representative of the Federal make sure that we hold our profile.

“As the Speaker of the Ministry of Health for Oyo and home front firm and take good According to him, those Osun states, Mr. Tosin, charged care of our children. who are seeking elective state parliament, I challenge “Also, we must make sure all those present to apply the that we live in peace with one offices with such cheap lies anyone with proof of the

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun said Information reaching it from reliable sources has it that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate for the August 9 governorship election, Iyiola Omisore, are planning to import miscreants and thugs to the State of Osun to stage unwarranted protests across the state in order to create mayhem and disturb the peace.

“These senseless and been known and confirmed unwarranted protests are by responsible individuals intended to manipulate the and foreign diplomats in the populace, the electorate and country as a safe and the electoral system in their peaceful place to do favour. business and attract “Plans are said to have investments. been concluded by both “It is this peace and Omisore and the PDP to safety that the PDP wants create a virtual state of confusion before August 9 to destroy.”

The APC therefore, called believing that if the plan on the law enforcement works, it would facilitate an easier manipulation of the agencies in the zone and in electoral process and their the state to ensure that this evil plan does not succeed rigging exercise.

“This is a sinister in the interest of democracy, conspiracy against law and law and order and peace in order in Osun, which has the State of Osun.

Osun Lawmaker Charges Women To Caution Children Against Violence

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was part of the efforts of the political enemies of Aregbesola to discredit him and set him against Christians in the state.

In her sermon, Prophetess Deborah Ariyo, of the Beulah Parish, Sango, Ibadan, said every woman should be

submissive to her husband and be a good representative of women wherever she is.

Also, the Apostolic Mother Grace Akande, in her message, called on women to live in peace among themselves and inculcate good habits into their children.

Osun Speaker Knocks Mischief Makers Over Imaginary Debt Profile

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alleged N400 billion debt profile to send it to my office or publish it, or bury his head in shame forever.

“This is because we cannot afford to be misled by any desperate political actor or his co-travellers under the administration that is functional and delivering the deliverables for the benefit of the people.”

Salaam disclosed that the fact sheet before him showed that the bond, bank facility in form of credit line and promissory notes hovers around N40 billion, which is being defrayed in line with agreement with finance institutions.

He noted that all these are

justified, as the developmental projects, which gulped the facilities, have started manifesting in the economic advancement of the state.

“The state parliament under my watch is in the know of the debt profile of the state. We debated the facilities involved and voted on the undertakings. That’s why we chose to defend the debt profile.

“We challenge whoever has a proof that is different from what we have at the parliament to provide it within the frame of two weeks or stop disseminating misleading information forthwith,” Salaam added.

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Before it's too late for them it's better they make a U-turn from the journey they are planning to embark on because this time around it won't be business as usual for them. Should they go ahead to hatch their diabolical plan as they did in 2007 then they must also be ready to face the dire consequences of their actions. And for them the consequences will be dire indeed. Thus let them not live with the erroneous impression that they will get away with murder this time as the case was in 2007.

Never!

It continues to bug the minds of right thinking people why the Osun PDP revels in perpe-

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Osun PDP's plan orgy of violence trating violence whenever election is approaching. This philosophy of spilling the blood of innocent people in the name of election is anachronistic, uncivilised, ungodly and basically undemocratic.

And it basically contradicts the name the party answers. For any party that lays claim to being democratic as PDP's name implies should steer clear of violence.

It should have nothing to do with violence. But for Osun PDP the reverse is the case.

Whereas it's a known fact that the PDP isn't in the least popular in the state (contrary to her claim of popularity), that it thinks of nothing but violence whenever elections approach in the state sort of lends

credence to two facts; one, that it's not a popular party and two, it's far from being a democratic party. Of course it's basically foolhardy for any popular party and a self proclaimed democratic party for that matter, to revel in unleashing violence on the very people amongst whom it claims popularity. We find this to be purely absurd.

The popularity of the incumbent administration and its party isn't disputable due to its sterling performance.

Everyday the people of Osun continue to queue behind the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for having demonstrated exemplary leadership. And these

facts are known to Osun PDP. They know that the Osun electorate is for Ogbeni but not for them. The people are not ready to waste their votes as they have tasted two governments and they know which one has genuinely worked for them.

Thus having performed woefully for eight years, and as the time for another gubernatorial election draws nearer the PDP knows it has no hope in the coming election. And as a desperate party this is why it's planning to start unleashing violence as a way of harassing and intimidating the electorate.

Need For Erection Of Awolowo's Statue M

Y choice of your medium for airing these opinions of mine is hinged on your progressive stance, evident in your view on issues of societal significance. I trust that whatever view I communicate shall be accorded a space in your highly reputable and widely-read newspaper.

Permit me a little time and space to comment briefly on your auspicious role played in making frantic efforts at correcting the numerous and multifarious ills, odds and malaise plaguing our existence and collectivity. I urge you to forge ahead in your role aimed at bettering the lots of the society and its residents; most especially, making a better place for the upcoming generations. The patriots are solidly behind you and by the grace of God, your untiring efforts shall fruitionise in transforming the society into the enviable status of a free, just and egalitarian society of the dreams of our forebears. I wish greater grace to your elbows.

The efforts of the incumbent administration in Osun at improving the status, quality and pedigree of infrastructure of the State of Osun in its entirety since its

assumption of office have caught my attention. Most especially in this regard, the infrastructural rebirth ongoing within the metropolis of Osogbo, the state capital under the aegis of the State of Osun Urban Renewal Project is worthy of commendation. The project has come under serious appraisal by well-meaning indigenes and residents as well as visitors and passers-by who spared no means to drum support and accolades for the

development which have been adjudged unprecedented in the annals of the state.

Prior to the creation of the State of Osun in 1991, much effort had been made to change the outlook and rating of Osogbo among its equals in Nigeria and yonder.

Unfortunately, much of these efforts and attempts were either too spurious or superficial, hence, they lacked the necessary will-power to get them through. As a matter of

fact, none of the efforts made so far had been as proactive and resolute as those made by the incumbent administration.

Following the demise in 1987 of our political giant, father and legend, Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo, the stretch of main road entering the city from Ikirun axis at Stadium / Omo West end, through the Onisekere / Ayetoro Junction to somewhere at Boorepo / Igbonna area was named as

Obafemi Awolowo Way as a mark of honour to immortalize the name and legacy of the social avatar. Thank God that in spite of various bouts of socio-political storms and billows, which the state has witnessed within the space of its almost twenty-three years of existence, nothing has occurred to alter this arrangement. As far as our state capital is concerned, the sage lives on. The naming of that stretch of our major road was

so effected in those days of our existence as part of the old Oyo State by the military administration of the time. This was against the backdrop that military regimes were notorious for their antidemocratic postures! As a people, we shall forever remain grateful for that right step taken in the right direction.

Deserving of greater measures of gratitude is the recent development being witnessed on that entire expanse of road which is currently undergoing total reconstruction towards its Ikirun / Ila-Odo / Erin-Ile / Kwara State Boundary and the Old Garage / City Centre of the metropolis. The reconstruction initiative, among other things include widening of the road, its dualization, the building of elaborate street divide, defining of set-backs as statutorily appropriate and provision of street lights. Other measures include provision of welldefined drainage channels, construction of junction links and traffic-friendly U-turn points, clear markings for the road and proper and adequate provisions for pedestrians on the road.

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

But it's important to let the PDP know that its vicious plan is dead on arrival as the security agents in the state will not fold their arms and watch anybody to disturb the peace that has found abode in the state of Osun since the inception of Ogbeni's administration.

We will not advise the good and peace loving people of Osun to engage in violence with PDP hooligans because two people cannot be mad at the same time.

Thus whenever the PDP rascals and their sponsors start or want to start their madness, our people should immediately report to the security agents in the state whom we trust will perform their duty accordingly.

The law is there to deal with anyone who is out to perpetrate violence. And we appeal to our security operatives not to compromise the peace in the state. They must deal decisively with agents of violence, and without mercy too.

For the political thugs whom sponsors of violence want to use to perpetrate their planned heinous act, the advice by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal will suffice; "tell politicians who want to use you for political thuggery to bring their children to lead it". Half a word, they say, is enough for the wise.

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

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Infrastructure OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Ona Baba Ona In The State Of Osun

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (II) In continuation of the recent feat recorded by the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola which culminated in the massive official commissioning of its first batch in the long list of multiple road infrastructure projects so far executed during its stay in office, NIYI OLASINDE takes further plunge into that worthwhile adventure of documenting the cost-benefit ratio. The discovery so far has revealed the benefits as outstripping the costs. The administration, now spanning almost three-and-a-half years has recorded unprecedented achievements. The epoch-making occasions continue as more and more in the series of completed road projects are billed for commissioning prior to the forthcoming Gubernatorial Polls in the state.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engineer Sabitu Amudah (3rd left); Director, RATCON , Engineer Dany Mikhael (right) and other dignitaries during the official commissioning of fifteen roads in Ilesa township by the governor, recently.

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MAGAZINE

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (II)

•An asphalted road at Amuta, Ilesa under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Contiuned from page 5

·

Continued from last week.

HE lights eclipsed on the last edition of OSUN DEFENDER Magazine at the point at which we were drawing reference to the Pact signed

by Ogbeni Aregbesola years back while unveiling his election promises to the people of the state; which contained the much-clamoured Six-Point Integral Action Plan. Before the reference was drawn, we had made a comprehensive compilation of some of the road projects embarked upon by the administration.

Without any attempt at appearing exaggerative, we take the baton from where it was dropped, as we trace the remaining part of the pact and complete the full list of the recorded road projects, focusing primarily on those found within the metropolis of Osogbo, the state capital. Here we go: ROADS Vision: Roads to and in all towns and villages in Osun. Road construction and maintenance shall be used to generate employment for the indigenes of the State of Osun. · Community based road maintenance units will be established to ensure timely repairs and deduce overall maintenance costs. · Development and regular maintenance of urban and rural roads to get top priority. · Access roads to evacuate agricultural produce shall be constantly improved and expanded. · Create partnerships with the private sector on road development and provision of infrastructure.

T

TRANSPORTATION We shall produce a transport master plan to provide direction for development of the sector.

The safety of the lives of the indigenes of the State of Osun is of great concern to us. We shall: · Reduce to the barest minimum, road traffic accident within 6 months on all roads starting with Federal roads. · Create a motorized division of the Osun troopers to patrol roads to prevent accidents on the highways and organize rescue and recovery operations.

INNOVATION Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and now China have made life for their people permanently comfortable through innovation, research and development, thrift

and hardwork.

We Africans especially the people of the State of Osun are thrifty (a ki se oni nakuna) and hardworking (ati agbe at onise owo lo ka imele si aida nile Yoruba) but we have been backward in looking forward.

We have not been innovative enough, we have not invested enough in research and we have not developed the fruits of innovation and research. In other words we remain backward, poor, unscientific and losers (eni igbehin) among the family of nations.

It is a matter of concern that our leaders do not car or worry enough about these issues.

I care and I’m deeply concerned. As your Governor I will do everything possible to: · Create awareness and dissatisfaction among all in the State of Osun about our position among the world’s people and the need to move up the ladder of human ascent and development away from permanent and persistent poverty. · Ensure that ideas with original creativity are tapped for the enrichment of all. · Give real importance to education with skills development so that we can make what we need and become more competitive in the world as a people by creating more skills development centres in the State of Osun. · In these centres we shall teach Men and Women to think with their hands, sharpen our already proven entrepreneurial skills and stop Nigeria from importing: TOOTH PICK (IGI OPARUN FUN ITAYIN) FROM CHINA, ORANGE JUICE (OROMBO) FROM KOREA, SHOES (BATA) FROM SPAIN/ ITALY, FAN BELT/ CAR TYRES (RUBBER) FROM JAPAN AND FRANCE. When I know that these can be easily manufactured here.

I shall turn the State of Osun into a creative agro-industrial zone God willing.

INDUSTRIALISATION Key to banishing unemployment permanently anywhere is promoting conducive atmosphere for manufacturing and production. Our Government shall: · Develop integrated industrial estates for mini, micro and large manufacturing enterprises in the three senatorial zones of the State of Osun. · Provide the estates with infrastructural

facilities that reduce the cost of setting up industries (roads, electricity, water and telecommunications). · Provide incentives targeted at attracting manufacturers/ investors. · Develop skilled personnel through our Life Academies, Universities and colleges to service specialized industrial and manufacturing needs.

RESTORE HEALTHY LIVING Vision: To work to save our people from all avoidable deaths due to accidents, emergencies, poverty and inadequate health facilities.

To achieve this for all and particularly our children and senior citizens, we shall: · Provide effective and available healthcare for all. · Provide efficient accident and emergency ambulance service. · Provide primary health clinics within 10 kilometre radius of every Osun town, with special attention to the needs of children, women and the elderly. · Provide functional General hospitals within 20 kilometre radius of human habitation. · Provide referral hospitals within 30 kilometre radius of human settlement. · Establish free blood pressure checks in conjunction with private organizations at every local government office. · Undertake special programmes for the upgrading, retraining and working comforts of all health personnel. · Encourage and nurture alternative medical therapy. · Free treatment for malaria to children below age 18 and senior citizens (60+).

ENVIRONMENT Vision: To embrace current scientific methods in controlling the generation of waste and the conversion of waste to wealth.

The state of the environment, especially waste generation, management and the embarrassing filth in our communities demand special attention. The CAN government shall: · Encourage all houses in the State of Osun to have a modern and affordable toilet facility through a special scheme.

Contiuned on page 10

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

PHOTOTALK

7

3rd Edition Matriculation And Graduation For Empowerment Scheme, Organized By Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni, Held At The Civic Centre, Owa Obokun’s Palace, Ilesa, State Of Osun, Recently.

Photo: SOLA ADERINTO.

•Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, Deputy Governor of State of Osun, in a discussion with Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, the Owa Obokun Adimula and the Paramount Ruler Of Ijesaland during the programme.

•A cross section of hair dryers for the graduands during the programme.

•A cross section of sewing machines for the graduands during the graduation ceremony.

•Otunba Laoye-Tomori, presenting a hair dryer to one of the graduands during the programme while she is being assisted by Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni, Chairman, Ayeni Foundation, sponsor of the programme.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

PHOTOTALK

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Ongoing Construction Of Ayegbaju Ultra-modern International Market In Osogbo, Under The Administration Of The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman,JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM, Last Friday.

•Complexes and offices in the market.

•

•Buildings and stores under construction in the market.

•Another section of stalls within the market.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Ongoing Construction Of Ayegbaju Ultra-modern International Market In Osogbo, Under The Administration Of The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman,JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM, Last Friday.

•Another section of stalls and complexes in the market.

•A filling station under construction within the market.

•A church within the market.

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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (II) Contiuned from page 6

· Provide private sector driven waste management and beautification schemes to rid our communities of filth which threaten public health. · Beautification of town centres as a starting point of general urban renewal. · Work with the private sector to establish appropriate waste-to-wealth projects under a composite waste management policy.

WATER Vision: Water for all in the state of the living spring.

It is a painful regret that most cities in Osun do not have potable water running at any time and Osun is the state of the living spring!!!

Our Government will do everything possible to bring potable water to all parts of the State of Osun and correct this anomaly.

All abandoned water schemes shall be reactivated and speedily completed.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING Our ACN Government shall: · Help Osun indigenes realize their dreams of house ownership or rehabilitation of failing structures through deliberate programmes that improve their income earning capacity. · Support mortgage schemes that make house ownership pocket friendly. · Actively support research and development on the use of local materials to force down building costs.

ELECTRICITY Electricity for all shall be the creed of ACN Government in Osun. We shall: · Ensure that electric energy is available in the state for domestic, commercial and industrial activities. · We shall endeavour to provide electricity to all villages, hamlets and farm settlements in the state. · Private sector-led power agencies shall be encouraged to set up energy stations in the state.

SECURITY Security of lives and properties are of paramount importance to us. Our Government shall: · Have special programmes for the police and neighbourhood security outfits. · Provide special allowance to all security agents deployed to Osun State and enhance their operational facilities for efficiency. · Respond to the operational needs of security agents through provision of mobility, communication gadgets, protective gears and conducive working environment.

•AREGBESOLA: Governor, State of Osun

FIRE SERVICES We shall improve capacity of fire services to respond to emergencies.

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING Our Government will promote physical exercises as a deliberate policy which will form a crucial aspect of our healthy-living programme. This is in keeping with the adage that a sound mind only resides in a sound body.

PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION Vision: Eradicate the frustration of youths caused by education that does not lead to employment.

To achieve this, the government of AC under Rauf Aregbesola shall: · Provide free education at all levels in Osun State. Focus on functional education. Education that makes one useful to himself and society. · Improve incentives to teachers and work with the NUT to restore the dignity of the teaching profession. · Restructure administration of school management and create Tutors-General (Permanent Secretary Cadre) from among Head Teachers in three Educational Districts which we will establish.\ · Fix all collapsed educational infrastructures in all the schools. · Support with modern teaching aids and wellstocked libraries. · Ensure cooperation with parents and teachers to improve discipline and morality. · Introduce non-partisan community-based governing boards for all schools. · Reduce number of students per classroom immediately. · Introduce home development plans for teachers who wish to build houses in their home towns, through access to special mortgage packages. · Promote mass adult literacy and numeracy programmes. · Promote and support Special programmes that give special attention to education of girls and women. · Establish institutions that impart life-long skills for all, in and out of formal schooling.

ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY · I am committed to ensuring that an Osun State University takes off on a sound footing and becomes a first-class institution with linkages to renowned universities in the developed world. · I will make every tertiary institution in Osun State an independent degree-awarding one. · Encourage use of services of retired, but not tired dons and administrators, from reputable institutions.

ENHANCE COMMUNAL PEACE AND PROGRESS Vision: To restore the bond of trust between the Governor and the governed.

Over time, people have disconnected from government because those in authority have not shown enough concern about their welfare or actively engaged them in formulating policies that affect them.

Our Government shall restore partnership between government and people through: SAGES COUNCILS (EGBE AGBA) Our state is blessed with a large pool of elderly folks who are invariably well educated, have enjoyed successful careers, travelled widely in the world, but are currently reduced to irrelevance in the society.

Our Government will support the formation of non partisan community based sages councils, capable of providing guidance in management, moral and ethical development in our society.

Our Government will seek elderly guidance and advice as inputs to our policy formation and implementation.

Government will support the senior citizens and help in their management of socio-economic problems peculiar to the group (pension, health and education).

YOUTHS COUNCIL (EGBE ODO) People age 30 and below constitute the majority of our population but unfortunately are often frustrated and unfulfilled as a consequence of intolerable social and economic policies.

Our CAN Government shall support the creation of non partisan community based youth councils to provide a platform for them to articulate and work out solutions to various problems confronting them.

Our Government will encourage cross fertilization of ideas between the Sages and Youth Councils through which public policies would be influenced.\ Government will promote sporting activities and creation iof physical facilities forb sporting and related activities.

We shall reinstate the abandoned ‘boys’ and girls’ clubs’ and name them Omoluabi Boys’ and Girls’ club to perform the roles similar to boys’ and girls’ scouts, boys brigade and more.

JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS An attribute of good governance is to promote justice, equity and fair play amongst citizens of the state.

Government of CAN will e3nsure speedy access ti justice try all individuals in Osun State, by reforming the courts system and procedural rules, introducing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and fee legal services.

Contiuned on page 12

•LAOYE-TOMORI: Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

MAGAZINE

12

Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (II)

•Another completed road at Oke-Opo, Ilesa under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Continued from page 11

To complement these, ACN government shall improve welfare packages of Judicial Officers and upgrade courts with modern IT and communications facilities.

COMMUNICATION Our Government will restructure OSBC to: Ensure its professional are motivated and continuously trained for competency Provide digital equipment and infrastructure upgrade to conform to international best practices in broadcasting.

Exploit its tourism promotional capacity and capability.

CONSUMER PROTECTION Consumers deserve to have the best goods and services at the best price and not have to pay more for goods and servi9ces than their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Our government shall support the establishment of a consumer watch agency and also cooperate with organizations that have similar objective of protecting our people from unfair business practices.

In all the above and above all these I intend to run a people-friendly government – a Government of the people, by the people, FOR THE PEOPLE. A GOVERNMENT UNUSUAL in this land.

Infrastructures and facilities for reaching, advising, guiding, warning me will be given constant nurture.

Outside these I have no rigging machinery and will strongly appeal to you all Osun voters to fight and defend your votes.

Do not sell your vote and our future to a moneybag or vote people who do not care enough about our future as I passionately do.

I am entering into a pact with each and all of you as you read this that I and my colleagues shall work in all honesty, tirelessly to bring marked improvements to your life.

Apart of this pact you will be able to see that your children are better educated and have jobs; farmers, artisan, traders are more prosperous, general quality of health has improved and you are no longer afraid to go to the hospital.

Osun will again be producing food enough for its people.

Through my Government Unusual, I shall work with and for you to create wealth through our toil as our fathers and mothers did to make us prosperous until 1962.

Only you and I can bring change but through new ideas and work.

Oluwa Olorun a ti wa l’ehin.

Oodua a fun wa se E je k’a le ise wo’gbo

K’a le osi sonu K’aye dara fun wa t’omo t’omo.

This is my pledge; my PACT with you people of Osun State.

of Osun has thus become the envy of other states in the contemporary Nigeria. Thanks to the enigmatic leadership of our indefatigable Ogbeni and his visionary team. We now shift focus to the remaining road infrastructure projects within the state capital.

OSUN DEFENDER Magazine does not intend to bore its readers with the full details of the Six-Point Integral Action Plan all over again. We have always drawn reference to relevant portions of the Six-Point Integral Action Plan of the administration in our numerous editions. We shall swing into action by doing justice to the remaining task of checklisting of specific solid projects executed in keeping faith with the promises given to the people. This exercise is being embarked upon in consonance with the wish of the Symbol that he should be bound by his words at all stages of his administration. In this edition therefore, we are proceeding with that selfsame task of highlighting details of the specific road projects initiated and executed by the Government Unusual in the State of Osun. As the case was with the last edition, we shall pursue that assignment with all sincerity of purpose.

In the earlier segment of this edition, we highlighted such road projects as: Igbonna / Ago Wande / Oke Onitea Road; Olu Alabi / Anaye Market Link; West Bypass modification; Bisi Bankole / Owoeye / Apostolic Faith / Pepsi Cola ; Oke Fia / Alekuwodo; and Orita Sabo / Orita Elelede / Oluode Road. Others include Orita Gbaemu / Isale Aro / Our Lady of St. Francis; Odi Olowo / Baptist High School /Gbodofon / Aregbe; Ola Iya Junction Opening; Oke Fia / Rasco / Old Garage Opening; Freedom Park; and Rasco / Railway / Old Sawmill / Olaiya Link from which we shall now open further discussions.

We make bold to assert that in all these road projects, the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Aregbesola has ensured durability and solidity; so that the roads shall be able to stand the test of time and last for several decades to come. Also, the State Government of Osun has, for the very first time ever put n place the State of Osun Road Maintenance Agency (OSROMA); which shall see to the care and maintenance of its road infrastructure in order to ensure their lasting quality and guide against unlawful damages to road facilities in the state. As pointed out in the previous editions, these numerous road projects have not, in any way disturbed the execution of projects in other sectors of life in the state. In a nutshell, the administration has touched lives of the citizens in practically all sectors of life; both in tangible and intangible ways. Today, it has become so visible to all that the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Aregbesola has to its credit numerous ground-breaking achievements which are unprecedented and which shall take several decades hence to beat. The State

· MDS / Railway Station / Ola Iya Access Way THE earlier-discussed stretch of land in-between the old Rasco Cinema and the famous Ola Iya Roundabout is a different ballgame from the present area of discourse. We now dwell on the area between the Railway Terminus per se and the Ola Iya Junction; with the inclusion of the roadsides (left and right) of the popular MDS area.

We have earlier bared our discussion on the Freedom Park, initiated and put in place by the incumbent administration at the Railway Terminus situated at the area hitherto referred to as Old Garage.

Right from the Railway Terminus Building to the Ola Iya Junction, work in progress has currently reached advanced stages. The provisions made at that place include an overhead pedestrian bridge across the rail; obviously to avert occurrence of hitherto persistent rail accidents.

The remaining strand of land to the side of Ola Iya Junction is meant for the provision of various amenities like conveniences, police post, eateries, recreational spots, and camp / retreat avenues and other social amenities for the benefit of all.

At the sides of the main road linking the Old Garage with the Ola Iya Junction, work is in progress to clear both sides of the road of obstructions to free human and vehicular movement and free flow of water during the rains.

The other side of the MDS area occupies the New Orisunmbare Market, a brainchild of the Bisi Akande administration in the state. The prevailing lethargy over making effective use of the ultra-modern market complex since its erection and completion in the early 2000s speaks volumes of the disservice dispensed to the state and its people by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration of Brigadier-General Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd.). To God be the glory, the market complex today is being put to utilitarian use.

OSUN DEFENDER Magazine in one of its recent editions presented an account of a vox pop conducted with a cross section of traders displaced from various illegal locations within the metropolis of the state capital. One of the respondents was Mr. Sunday Jonathan, who confessed that he was all prayers for the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. This, according to him, was due to the unquantifiable benefits accruing from his relocation from his former location at Ayetoro to the new shop he occupies at the New Orisunmbare Market Complex.

Continued on page 13

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Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (II)

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola leading the State Executive members to inspect the 15 Ilesa Township Roads before the commissioning in the State of Osun, recently.

Continued from page 12

The case of Mr. Jonathan is just one out of many we have around us in recent times. As a matter of honesty and sincerity, many of the relocated traders never realized their relocation as blessing in disguise until they got to their new locations. Earlier parts of this particular edition has reported how traders relocated from the Ola Iya / Alekuwodo sawmill were full of prayers for the Government Unusual on arrival at their new location. These are indications to it that the government of the day in the State of Osun means well for the entire citizenry.

WHEN the incumbent administration is through with its urbanization efforts, not only would the State of Osun be entirely turned around; but the state capital, Osogbo, in particular, would have transformed into a state capital in the true context of it. Before now, the appearance and features of the city had been that of a glorified rural settlement. Thanks and gratitude to the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola for deeming it fit to give facelift to the state capital in order to make it more befitting and able to stand contest with other state capitals in the country and yonder.

Also before now, Osogbo, the state capital was noted for narrow roads, illegal structures, unplanned terrains and indiscriminate bus stops and motor parks. The rowdiness and clumsiness which surrounded the city was not justified by the population; especially when it is considered that people are just beginning to troop in into the city on the impetus of the new vibrant and viable industrial cum commercial drive of the incumbent administration.

•Rasco / Railway / Old Sawmill / Olaiya Link HIS was the point at which we drew the curtains on the last edition. We traced the activities that had taken place along the expanse of area between the Rasco Cinema end of Oke Fia / Old Garage axis to the Olaiya area, bordering the railway line. We placed on record how the area had become a slum or ghetto; and how it had been that persistent occurrence of water erosion and flooding had made the adjoining environment not only unfit, but also unsafe for human habitation. In spite of that fact, people kept defying all safety rules and danger signals as illegal structures kept springing up day-in day-out in the area. Also, it was placed on record how the area had become trouble spot in view of the dilapidating structures and hideout spots for criminals. For the areas directly bordering the railway, people had found a convenient spot for dumping of refuse and indiscriminate defecation. Upon the fresh creation of the State of Osun in 1991, a portion of the affected area was initially used as Motor Park / Terminus for the defunct Osun State Transport Corporation (OSTC).

That stretch had become desolate. In consequence, illegal T

structures had begun to spring up in the area. In a nutshell, the entire area had become an eyesore to all; and it had all along awaited the arrival of a focused and well-intentioned government to put it back in good shape.

The canal end of the area also had long required proper channelization. The natural river course had grown bushy and obstructed by refuse dumped indiscriminately by residents and traders in the area.

Today, the entire expanse has been cleared. The rubbish occupying the area has been ridded. The buildings and structures obstructing the river courses have been demolished. The river courses have been properly channelized. All the ghetto areas which had hitherto served as hideouts for hoodlums and criminals have been opened up and exposed. The area now looks befitting and free for human and vehicular movement. Work is still ongoing in the area. It is however certain that by the time the government is through with its effort on the area, there shall be provided a link; a sort of shortcut between the Old Garage area and the Old Olaiya Junction / Alekuwodo.

One significant event worthy of mentioning which have taken place in the area since the time of compiling the last edition has been the broadening and dredging of the river course at Rasco end. It is a highly commendable landmark achievement on the part of the Government of the State of Osun that the perennial problems of water erosion and persistent flooding in the area have been arrested. Thick and heavy as the rains have been this year (2013); residents have been full of praises and prayers for the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola for coming to their aid by rescuing them from the ravaging and horrendous calamity of water flooding and its ugly after-effects; which had hitherto become a recurring decimal in the area. Today, the entire area has been opened up. Even mere physical inspection shall reveal that the area and its residents have received a new lease of life and a clean bill of health; courtesy of the Aregbesola administration.

•MDS / Railway / Olaiya Access Way T HIS stretch is the expanse that is parallel to the area examined above. It is the area due to the other stretch of the railway, closer to the main road linking the Old Garage of the Olaiya Junction. The stretch had hitherto been befallen by much the same predicament as the other stretch considered above. In addition, it was dotted with illegal structures; mainly shops, kiosks, stalls and al manners of movable structures for trading activities, which constituted obstruction to free human and vehicular movement. In consequence, the area became rowdy, clumsy, ugly and unplanned. Instead of having in place a layout befitting of the heart of a state capital, all manners of occupants just erected structures after their patterns in

gross violation of all rules of building and town planning.

What an ugly and horrible spectacle it was!

The patch of bushes in-between the road and the railway; which had not been developed was carelessly used for refuse dumping and human defecation, making the entire area stuffy, smelly and uncomfortable for passers-by. A greater portion of the bushy area was used as hideouts for hoodlums, hooligans, criminals and hemp-smokers. It was obvious that no meaningful attempts had been made by the previous administrations in the state to convert the area into some meaningful use. It is this area that the incumbent administration is now utilizing for profitable and more beneficial purposes.

In the grand plan for the area, various amenities are to be provided in a matter of next few months for the maximum benefit of the generality of the citizenry of the state. Such amenities include park (already constructed), pedestrian bridges and rail crossing aid for cyclists (currently under construction), police station, conveniences for ladies and gents, warehouses, eateries and other facilities that could enhance enjoyment of all.

•Ajegunle / LAUTECH / First Bank / Station Road Link I T had been long that this major link between the main township road (Old Garage / Igbonna Road) and the popular Station Road, which form major exit to Ilesa and Ijesaland had craved for reconstruction. The way it was, the link served as access to the main entrance of the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospitals (LAUTECH-TH) Complex (formerly State Hospital). This hospital facility and its College of Medicine is a fond legacy and joint asset between the State of Osun and its sisterstate – Oyo State; and had been sited in Osogbo since the time of old Oyo State which comprised the two states. In view of the lucrative nature of a tertiary health institution of that magnitude, the hospital facility had attracted to itself an impressive number of shopping outlets. What is not impressive about it all was the fact that the shopping outlets were located in a fashion that violated every rule of a modernized market layout. This situation had particularly been horrible and ugly more so a tertiary health institution is located in that area. It is important to note that the site of a hospital should have an aura of sacredness and sanctity around it. A good, clean and serene environment for a hospital is in itself an effective healing therapy. More so, the access provided by that road draws heavy human and vehicular traffic such that the area is almost always congested. This was a frightful barrier to easy access to service delivery in times of emergency. Even in normal times, the congestion constituted strong barriers to easy movement.

Continued on page 14

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Counting The Costs; Celebrating The Benefits (II) It is this ugly situation that the incumbent administration in the State of Osun seeks to rectify by venturing into the rehabilitation of that road. The road which links the popular Station Road; which importance in the state capital has been underscored above; and which shall be the subject of our discussion at a later segment of this discourse. Today, all illegal structures dotting the roadsides and all such ones dotting all unallocated parcels of land in the stretch have been demolished. This development has paved way for easy human and vehicular movement in the area. Great kudos to the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the State of Osun!

•Station Road stretch of road linking the Old Garage Area T HE to the centre o the city, the Palace Area, popularly called Oja Oba; which also plays host to the Central Mosque; is the road under review in this segment. It is the same road that has been referred to in the just-concluded segment above. As has been pointed out earlier, it is this same road that projects further to Oke Ayepe / Oke Ijetu / D.O. Area of the city; and which exits into the Ijesaland axis of the state. From the Palace Area, there is a diversion of the road to the left handside towards Ibokun, the seat of Obokun Local Government Council Area of the state. Apart from this, this road connecting Oke Baale Area plays host to some significant places in the state capital. It is the main junction to the Main Campus of the multi-campus Osun State University (UNIOSUN). It is also the road leading to the headquarters of the state-owned media organization, the State of Osun Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) – Radio and Television. In addition to these, the road is the access to the headquarters of one of the first-generation local government council areas in the state – the Osogbo Local Government. This is not to talk of the presence of the Federal Secretariat, which is under construction along that route. We can go on and on, but all we know is that there is huge presence of many places of note along that route which provides attraction to great crowd. The ancient residence of the late icon of culture, the Austria-born Susan Wenger is also located there. A great number of hotels, guest houses and hospitality places is located in the axis.

Constructing a good motorable road to access such an area could not be a misplaced priority.

To the right hand-side of the junction from the Ataoja Palace Junction is the road linking Isale Osun, which plays host to the main Groove of the Osun goddess.

The internationally recognized deity of Osun, from which the state derives its name and identity, draws lots of adherents, worshippers, admirers, tourists and visitors from all parts of the world annually. On the basis of this feat, the Osun Groove got listed in October 2005 on the world tourism map; and the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization has listed the Groove as a world tourism centre. In effect, year after year, the Groove attracts increasing volumes of crowd; placing the irresistible demand on any responsible and responsive government to pave wide roads all around

•Another recently commisssioned road in Ilesa.

the place.

All along, before the Palace Square end of the Station Road, the stretch of the road from Gbaemu Junction is strewn with places of note – schools, arts and culture centres, churches and other worship centres; all of which contribute to make the place a beehive of activities. On the whole, fixing the Station Road in Osogbo is a major breakthrough achievement of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun.

Right from the Old Garage Area of the state capital, the Station Road is an extension of the commercial nervecentre of the city. With the proposed relocation of the Oja Oba and the location of the two major city centres along this stretch of road; that is, the Old Garage and the Palace Square areas, the ground is set for the dramatic transformation of the state capital, which had hitherto remained a semi-urban centre into a highly urbanized city.

•Old Garage / Orisunmbare / MDS other side of this stretch of road has already T HE been captured in an earlier segment of this report.

That portion is that which centred on the MDS / Olaiya axis. The stretch of road from the Old Garage through the Post Office Junction to the New Orisunmbare Market Complex is covered under this subheading. The former feature of this entire expanse of road, as is the case with the Station Road just considered is narrowness; which has caused vehicles to be parked at roadsides; thus further narrowing down the road.

With the ongoing broadening of these roads and the relocation of street hawkers to new organized market locations within the metropolis, the stage is set for the transformation of Osogbo into a real state capital – spacious, beautiful and well laid out.

•Olaiya / Odi Olowo / St. Francis / Asubiaro / Ita Olookan it is true that this stretch of road had W HILE been constructed by an earlier administration, it is truer that the state of the road upon the assumption of the reins of power by the incumbent administration was not good enough. The road had become damages and the rate of congestion was higher due to wrong u-turn points. The importance of this road cannot be over-emphasized. It constitutes a faster link from the Iwo /Gbongan roads end of the city with the Ilesa Road. It also aids faster access to the Palace Square city centre. Aside this, the road links such other vital places of note as the famous Osun Groove and the State Hospital Asubiaro. It also provides access to the famous Our Lady of Fatima / St. Francis Hospital; some notable schools and worship centres. It is therefore a great work of ingenuity that this road has been properly fixed. With the street median properly fixed and the street lights

fully functional, the city life of the state capital has not only received a boost, but also the economic importance of the road has been maximized. The trouble spot at the junction of Fagbewesa Road has been blocked so as to enhance smooth vehicular movement.

•Fagbewesa Road / Station Road spite of spurious efforts by the immediate past I N administration in the state to fix this road, nothing significant happened to it at the end of the day.

Immediately upon the assumption of office of the incumbent administration, however, frantic steps were taken to restore the road to proper shape. These efforts paid off well at the end of the day. The Fagbewesa Road today offers a smooth safe ride to motorists and cyclists while pedestrians too enjoy a nice walk. The road, with the additional access it has from the Old Garage / MDS axis is a good shortcut. It also provides ample link with Egbatedo and Isale Ijebu areas of the city.

•Aregbe / Akindeko /Capital Hotel spite of the location of a proposed housing estate IN somewhere along this route by the immediate past administration, the access roads at that entire area were not fixed. The major problem that bad plagued Osogbo city life all this while had not been that there had been too many motor vehicles; it had been that apart from the major roads, there had not been alternative routes. In effect, the major roads were overused and overstretched. The incumbent administration however gave a timely diagnosis to this problem and responded to it promptly. Today, the stretch of access from Opposite Aregbesola Campaign Office / First Bank Gbongan Road through Akindeko to Capital Hotel has been fixed right. This has saved a lot of traffic congestion within the state capital.

•Capital Hotel / Tinumola / Boorepo /Ring Road IRECTLY opposite Capital Hotel lies a stretch of road network covering the entire expanse of area to the opposite side of Technical College along Iwo / Ibadan Road of the city. In times past, these roads had been in an absolute state of disrepair.

The importance of roads in this area is quite inestimable.

With this road, taking exit from Capital Hotel area toward Ikirun / Offa, Iwo, Ilobu and other relevant places would not necessarily require passage through the ever-busy Oke Fia. The road network at this end has actually solved much of the traffic problems in this part of the state capital.

D

·

To be continued.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, April 29, 2014

PHOTOTALK

15

State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Received Report On Impact Of Migration On Ejigbo Town Of The State, Last Friday.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Executive Secretary of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) (right); Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi-laoye Tomori (2nd left); Chief Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and others, during the handing over of copies of research on Impact of Constant Migration on Ejigbo Town to the Governor in his office, Abere last Friday.

Beautification Of Alekunwodo Road At Night

•Beatification of Alekunwodo road at night under the administration State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

R O V I D E N C E places great burden of rational thinking and action on all human beings for the simple reason that it is they that the Maker put in place as coordinators of all activities that all other creatures get involved in.

Other animals may do things any how due to peculiarities of low intelligent quotients attributable to each of their species, it is not so with human beings because God in His wisdom fashioned it in such a manner that human beings are blessed with brains and gumptions that are better developed than those of other lower animals. It is therefore, an anathema for human beings to do things that portend moral imbalance, and are at variance with natural ethos that prompted the Supreme Designer to refer to us as creatures created after His own image.

By ADE OLUGBOTEMI

P

All human societies have codes of conduct that regulate institutional behavioural patterns which are considered acceptable in their day to day quests for survival. These are otherwise referred to as societal norms, and their contravention attracts grave penalties which often serve as deterrents to the recalcitrant ones, as proportionate punishments are invoked.

Law of equity is also applied so that nobody will be seen as being above the common laws that are jointly propounded, and coded for constant reference for application. There is also the other aspect of operational principles that are not expressly coded and documented, but are understood to be pivotal to institutional survival. This is termed commonsensical because it is pretty understood by, and acceptable to everybody and those who defy their observance are branded accordingly for possible alienation.

There are those under certain forces that make them operate in delusions, with obstinate propensity to always act contrary to universal norms. They are often ostracized by the majority, but the minority that flow with them often create an impression that all is well with them so as not to feel alienated. Those who make them feel alright make use of conjectures to influence the environment and cause confusions amongst those with better understanding of the true situation of events. Ironically, because they cohabit with those who strictly adhere to normative order, the brunt they bear also have negative influence on the innocent. That is why it is often said that when a relation is preying on forbidden insect, one is duty-bound to avert it, so that the resultant unpleasant noise does not constitute a menace of sleeplessness.

Osun Election: PDP Feigning Sanity In Apparent Irrationality “Omisore’s loyalists cannot succeed in their clownish ploy to force people down with their dwarfish sentiment of cajoling voters of this state to a voyage of slavery and excruciating retrogression.”

In sane climes are usages that make possible for approval to be given to those normal practices for societal social dynamics, different from those aberrations considered dysfunctional to systemic survival, which are summarily repudiated to avert danger. Mistakes can occur due to the nature of man that is laced in fallibility; that is why opinion leaders are always vigilant so that timely steps are taken for accompanying dangers to get mitigated before serious arm is done. Any system that fails to be proactive against inevitable dangers end up losing touch with developmental attributes that others exploit to make headway in life. That is why we are speaking of some countries towering over and above their contemporaries that got independence at the same time.

We often speak of antecedence because reference must be made to past acts that call for emulation, and those that are disdainful and condemnable.

Whichever predominates in individuals determines whether it is right to repose confidence in, and trust individuals or not. People are entrusted with responsibilities based on what they have done or what they have failed to do in the past. The rational instincts in people thus compel them to either entrust position seekers with their mandates or not. When mandate or position seekers have no past that

portray them as people of integrity, they resort to violence, thuggery, and other unconventional ways to force their way through.

The polity is getting heated up because just as the incumbent is gearing for another shot at gubernatorial contest that will afford him another term in office, candidates from other political parties are also strategizing to ensure that they come out victorious in August 9, 2014 election. Electorate are beginning to weigh options as they deem it fit based on personal convictions, and as made available to them. It would have been better if it is limited to deeming it fit based on personal convictions only, because individuals’ rational suasiviness will enjoy paramountcy. People would have come to terms with score cards and performance credentials which respective candidates can honestly and unambiguously wield; bearing in mind that all of them have enjoyed representation status at one time or the other.

Apart from the incumbent governor whose performance in office needs no overbearing orchestration for being visible on ground, others must sweat it out to convince the electorate why they should be preferred over and above the magical Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The closest Rival in Senator Iyiola Omisore needs frantic moral burden unbundling

because of his purported roles in various malfeasances, including the hacking to death of Bola Ige in 2001. Omisore was upbraided for individual loyalists’ empowerment, and his charlatanic imperviousness to communal facelift during the period he held sway as two-term Senator representing Ife\Ijesa senatorial district. Other contenders like Fatai Akinbade and Segun Akinwusi, among others have Lilliputian political pedigrees in terms of party formations that cannot be seen to pose any threat to Ogbeni Aregbesola’s re-election bid.

People now have their destinies in their own hands as they have absolute freedom to juxtapose all options that are laid bare before them. Absence of tangible achievements as campaign issues has made those who desperately need to convince people about their perceived voting pattern to resort to foul means to discredit the sitting governor. Seeing that the antics are not paying off, they are now going about telling people about the precedent in Osun where office holders are not voted in twice. They are trying to put people’s rationality to test, trying to blindfold them about the reality that kept a Peoples Democratic Party’ governor in power for almost eight years in office.

They seem to have forgotten that if Osun electorate are wary of voting political office holders in twice, it is to the extent that such two-term seekers have put up performance dismality when tested at one time with people’s mandates.

People in the State of Osun cannot, and must not subscribe to sheepish persuasion that will change world’s perception of a people that voted wisely in 2007 when Aregbesola turned out to be the preferred choice above the then incumbent Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Britain was our colonial master, and they are not so daft that for the first time they swallowed their pride to invite a governor from Nigeria to educate them about the magic wand that propelled one Governor Aregbesola of the State of Osun in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to continue sustaining the OMeal programme that has long been dropped by the Federal Government that initiated and started it. Omisore’s loyalists cannot succeed in their clownish ploy to force people down with their dwarfish sentiment of cajoling voters of this state to a voyage of slavery and excruciating retrogression.

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.