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www.osundefender.org THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014
The victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC in last Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State reinforces the opposition against a seemingly rampaging political train of President Goodluck Jonathan
It was a welcome relief to the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Those who saw him yesterday morning asthe result of the Osun State governorship
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Osun and 2015: The game changer opposition that was poll was declared said they saw a man greatly relieved but reinforced for the battle ahead.Besides being an elixir to the
badly traumatized by defeat in Ekiti a month ago, the Osunvictory acts as a spring for
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the opposition towards the 2015 presidential prize that was being considered a foregone booty of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The message yesterday was that 2015 is still
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within play. Despite earlier claims by the APC that the presidency was determined to rig the election in favour of the PDP’s Senator Iyiola Omisore, the outcome of the election showed the limit to which President Goodluck Jonathan would go in forcing his will on the electorate. Continue on pg5
How PDP Members Attacked Themselves Over Election Booty Jonathan ‘ll Lose In 2015 - Pg 4 -Adekilekun
- See Story On Page 2
2015: PDP In Fresh Plan To - Pg 2 Unseat Aregbesola With 10 Lawmakers Modakeke APC Passes Vote Of Confidence In Onigbinde As Party Leader - Pg 2
•State of Osun PDP Legal Adviser, Barrister John Abidoye (with APC flag); his wives, Kemi (3rd left); Lola (5th right); State of Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Acting Chairman, Elder Lowo Adebiyi (5th left); Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (2nd left); State Acting APC PRO, Apostle Samson Oyebode (3rd right); State Acting APC Women Leader, Mrs Kudirat Fakokunde (right) and other party stalwarts during the decampment of Barrister Abidoye from the PDP to APC with fanfare in Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI Osogbo last Tuesday.
Osun PDP In Disarray As Legal Adviser Joins APC - See Story On Page 3
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
How PDP Members Attacked Themselves Over Election Booty By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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RESH facts emerging have revealed how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members are attacking themselves over the money released during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun and blaming the attack on members of All Progressives Congress (APC). It would recalled that the to induce voters at the rate PDP had recently raised a of N5,000 or N10,000 per false alarm, alleging that voter in each unit, maximum APC members have been of 10 per cent of the money physically attacking its was shared to induce voters in many of the units. members across the state. Sources further revealed It has now been authoritatively discovered that some of the party that out of the N1 million per leaders did not bother to polling units, allocated and share the money, thinking handed over to PDP leaders that the federal power that
would be used to rig the poll would cover their tracks. When it was time to share the booty among the PDP leaders, it was gathered that disagreement set in, as some of the prominent members, who were privy to the number of voters induced with money, disagreed with the number claimed by their leaders. They also kicked against the sharing formular proposed to be adopted by some of their leaders, as source revealed that some members insisted that since the money was meant for
election, it should be shared equally. This, the source said, snowballed into crisis, leading to a free-for-all among themselves, but the intervention of state party leaders curtailed the matter at that level. However, the issue reverberated again when a directive came from the defeated PDP governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, that each of the party leaders should come and account for the money they have collected. It was gathered that when
the leaders of the team in some of the units called the arrowheads in the inducement saga together to discuss how to refund the money that have been shared among themselves, some party members kicked against such move. Why some insisted that the party leaders, who had taken the largest share of the booty should take care of the refund, some noted
that it was a “political money” that cannot be refunded. In the process, disagreement set in again and eventually resulted to party members sponsoring attacks on themselves. It was learnt that in some of the units and wards, the party leaders showed more maturity, as they did not allow the matter to lead to attacks on members.
Modakeke APC Passes Vote Of Confidence In Onigbinde As Party Leader By ABOSEDEAKINPELU AZZLED by his superlative performance, Modakeke chapter of All Progressives Congress(APC), has passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of former coach of Super Eagles, High Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, in the community. Onigbinde, who is the institution and elders chairman of the APC should take a flight from the Leaders’ Forum in the community, as such would community, has increased be resisted with all legal the fortune of the party means. since he took over the It was also spelt out that mantle of leadership of the the days of political party in Modakeke. contractors, who front for Rising from a crucial politicians in neighbouring stakeholders’ meeting of the towns to disturb the peace party in Osogbo on of the town, are over. Monday, the chieftains of The APC stakeholders the party in the community therefore, appealed to all the in a communiqué pledged members of the party and their absolute loyalty to the supporters to remain leadership of the high chief. steadfast in the collective The APC stakeholders efforts of the APC-led were appreciative of the government in the state to efforts of the members of the attract more developmental party and their supporters projects to the town. for securing victory for the Some of the party leaders re-election of Ogbeni Rauf who signed the Aregbesola, the governor of communiqué were: Chief the State of Osun, in the Adetunji Wahab August 9, 2014 (Olowoasalu); Comrade governorship election. Adegboye Amos, APC According to the chairman; Pastor Tayo communiqué, which was Kehinde; Mr Kola Olabisi; signed by no fewer than 19 Mrs Sakunle Idowu, chieftains of the party, the Women Leader; Mr Banji positive role being played Oyewole; Hon Oyedele by the palace and leadership Olusesan; Comrade of Modakeke Progressive Olonade Olufemi; Hon Union (MPU) to ensure Yinka Ajibade. restoration and sustenance Others were Mr Amola of developmental politics in Dixon Abiodun; the town is a welcome Abdulwaheed Ariyo; Hon development. Goke Adebowale; Mr Atitebi It was also the resolve of Isiaka; Hon Lasisi Saibu the APC stakeholders that Adewole; Comrade politics of bitterness, Oyebamiji Wasiu; Hon violence, self-enrichment, Kareem-Ismaeel A.; Adejare non-respect for obaship Lateef, Local Youth Leader
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•WHO WILL SAFE THIS LITTLE BOY FROM HER MOTHER? Two married women fighting at Akindeko Market, Osogbo, State of Osun, recently. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
Lawyer Expresses Concern Over Creation Of New Polling Units
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legal practitioner, Barrister Akin Bajepade, has expressed concern over the timing of the creation of new polling units by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The legal icon doubted the ability of the INEC to complete the process ahead of the 2015 general elections, while speaking to OSUN DEFENDER on the proposed creation of the new polling units. According to Bajepade, creation of new polling units by INEC was long overdue, considering the increase in the population of the voters at the polling units, which may disenfranchise voters in 2015. He said: “INEC has ignored this responsibility for a very long time. What they always consider is the population, landscape but in this circumstance, what INEC should take into consideration is the voters’ register, if it is in doubt of the general population figure. “The implication of not creating new polling units is that in some units now, where INEC registered over 4000 voters, with the voting hours and process, it would be impossible for the 3000 eligible voters to vote and they may be disenfranchised, which is against the law and the Constitution. “To ensure that the right of the people to vote is
protected, it is important to create more polling units, except that the INEC must be very careful not to allow politicians to abuse and take the advantage to rig because the more polling units you get, the more ballot papers you get. I strongly believe creation is necessary to strengthen electoral process.” Bajepade further stated
By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI that he was not surprised by there are more voters, which the South and North require more polling units dichotomy introduced in the and that they have the creation of the new polling capacity to transfer the data units, adding that the of the voters from the regional political completion existing units to the new preceded this period and it units.” He said INEC has less must be expected at any than six months to conduct political level in Nigeria. He however, expressed general elections and this concern over the time of the process may be difficult, creation, considering the considering the level of process involved, saying this education, noting that there is not the best time to create must be serious education for the people and should more units. He added: “The task be done three months before the INEC is that they before the election, for the must convince Nigerians voters to verify their that between 2011 and now, records.
2015: PDP In Fresh Plan To Unseat Aregbesola With 10 Lawmakers By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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TILL suffering from the pains of losing to Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun, some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Iyiola Omisore have devised a new political strategy to unseat Aregbesola. The new plan, tagged: Aregbesola, using the “Aregbesola’s 2015 Exit” federal might and other was aimed at impeaching available means. According to the sources, Aregbesola after the 2015 general elections, the PDP and Omisore were according to some aiming to win 10 seats in the impeccable sources within State House of Assembly election come 2015. the PDP. If their plan is successful, OSUN DEFENDER was reliably informed that there is a grand plan for the Omisore, who lost by over 10 PDP lawmakers to begin 110,000 votes to impeachment move against Aregbesola in the election, Aregbesola, a month after was yet to give up on his their inauguration, said the schemes to frustrate sources.
The sources confided in the medium that the PDP has already written what it called “grand of impeachment of Aregbesola” which would be given to the elected legislators of the party immediately they win the election. The 10 PDP lawmakers have also being given the mandate to work on some APC legislators for possible compromise, and if they could not gain any of the APC lawmakers, they would still proceed on the impeachment move. According to the sources, the impeachment plan and the election of the 10 PDP House of Assembly candidates would be funded by the presidency. The PDP is expecting to
win the House of Assembly election in all the eight local government council areas, where Omisore won in the governorship election, with a calculation to win the Atakumosa-East and West State constituencies. It was also gathered that the PDP has reportedly formed a committee with the mandate of approaching some APC members, who may be aggrieved on the selection of candidates for the 2015 general elections. The sources said: “We believe that the APC would impose candidates in the coming 2015 general elections and some people would be aggrieved naturally on that. We have put up a committee headed by a former leader of the APC, with the sole objective
of wooing the APC aggrieved members to the PDP. “If the APC imposes candidates, we would give the aggrieved APC members the opportunity to contest under our party. The strategy is: the former APC members would have their followers and sympathizers that will vote for them, while the PDP will supply a block votes. “The last governorship election has shown us our strength and we are working to maintain it, alongside our structures. If care is not taken, the PDP may have majority in the House of Assembly and it will be the beginning of the end for Aregbesola. The plan to unseat him at all cost is still real.”
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
Osun Poll: DSS, Nigeria Army, Police In N1.5bn Suit Over Illegal Arrest, Detention T By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
HE fallout of activities of some security agents have begun to tell on the Department of State Security, the Police and the Nigeria Army, as the security agencies have been slammed with N1.5 billion suit by some individuals, who were detained during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state. Fifteen out of the hundreds policemen and soldiers as of persons arrested, detained illegal. The detainees, on Monday, and harassed during the gubernatorial election have filed an application for approached a Federal High enforcement of fundamental Court in Osogbo for the human rights at the Federal enforcement of their High Court, against the DSS, fundamental human rights, NPF and the Army. Among other prayers, the describing their arrest and detention by the DSS officers, plaintiffs sought for an order
of the court, compelling the respondents to pay them a sum of N100 million each as damages, and at the same time, tender public apology to them. The four reliefs sought by the applicants were contained in an originating summon brought pursuant to Sections 34, 35 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Articles 5, 6, 12, 13 and 20 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights, Cap A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Order II Rule 1, 2 and 3 of the
Fundamental Right (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009. The applicants in the first relief sought the declaration of the court that their arrest and detention was unconstitutional; illegal, null and void and in violation of their right to personal liberty. While arguing that their arrest and detention prevented them from exercising their franchise in the August 9, 2014 governorship poll and vote for candidates of their choice, the plaintiffs also prayed the court to declare that their arrest and manhandling by officers of the
• Ikirun to Obaagun road constructed under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our photographer, GBENGA ADENIYI, recently.
Osun Election: Group Thanks Osun People For Standing For Truth non-governmental group, Oranmiyan Supports Group government house. So, there was has thanked the people of Osun for standing solidly the need for him for a second behind their governor, Ogbeni Adesoji Aregbesola and war. This time around, it was a for standing for the truth in the recently concluded war he fought through rigorous campaign and strong will of not gubernatorial election in the state. leaving anything to chance. A The leader of the group, Mr. term despite his sterling neighbouring state had recently Ayo Akinola, who stated this performance in all indices. In a been captured and it must not in an interaction with newsmen normal situation, this man be his turn. He fought and he in Osogbo, the state capital, needed not do rigorous campaign won. This is why our group is added that the people of Osun judging by his credentials, describing him as the have demonstrated their known even to the blind. But Ajagungbade. political maturity even in the war he was destined to go if he “While many governors and face of what he referred to as must continue for the second even our president got their intimidation and reckless term. Everything indicated that mandates on the platter of gold, inducement by reactionary if he refuses to go to war with with little or no serious struggles agents who, he said, invaded the these reactionary forces, he and going down memory lane state with the evil aim of might be shamed out of from 2007 down to 2010 and in forceful take-over as they did in the past. He described the state governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola as an Ajagungbade, “one who goes By KAZEEM MOHAMMED to war to get enthroned”. HE fold of Osun chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party Explaining this assertion, (PDP) has further depleted, as its Legal Adviser, Prince Akinola stated in the interaction, John Abolarinwa Abidoye, crossed over to the All “If you cast your mind back to Progressive Party (APC). 2007 gubernatorial election in Abidoye, as at the time of his He said that the facts and Osun, it was really a war of defection on Tuesday, was the figure upon which the tribunal sorts between him and the then Secretary of PDP’s Legal would base its decision has governor, who was fraudulently Committee, compiling the shown that Aregbesola won the declared as winner in a party’s petition to be filed poll convincingly, saying that the massively rigged election. before an Election Petition people of the state have spoken Aregbesola went to legal war Tribunal on the August 9 with one voice that they wanted Aregbesola for another term. through the tribunals and the governorship election. He hinged his cross-over to “The people of Osun truly courts for close to three and a APC on the outstanding voted for Aregbesola. Across the half years. I was actually one of performance of Governor Rauf states, they spoke loud and those who opined that this man Aregbesola, who is striving clear. They have demonstrated should shield his sword and wait diligently to reposition Osun, to that they wanted continuity; for the fast approaching next be ranked one of the best among they wanted development. “There is even no fear about election. He fought as if his life the comity of state, in the nation. He said the result of August 9 the election tibunal because the depended on it, even when it seemed then as if it was a lost governorship election in the state court relies on facts and figures a true reflection of the and the fact and figure on ground battle. But because he is a was peoples wishes and aspiration. show that Aregbesola won the dogged fighter who never gives On the petition of the PDP election convincingly. No one up, he won and was sworn in. against the August 9 election in can manufacture facts and “Also, in the just-concluded the state, Abidoye said there is figures. “Progressiveness in one way election, Aregbesola was forced nothing to be feared about the to war because agents of state petition because the PDP is or the other has scored the and the opposition were bent boasting to reclaim victory government of the day high in every sphere of life, right from on not allowing him for a second through the tribunal.
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this 2014 election, it is not difficult to deduce that this man is destined to wear the glorious crown through struggles which we call war. This and the 2007, through 2010 episodes are the reasons we refer to him as Ajagungbade.” While congratulating the good people of Osun, especially those “who voted for and supported Aregbesola for the second term in office, like our own group- the Oranmiyan Supports Group”, Akinola urged other present and future good leaders, including the youths to emulate him and go to war, like him, if necessary, to get what truly they deserve.
respondents constitute a violation of their freedom of dignity and inhuman. One of the plaintiffs, High Chief Sola Ogunsanya, who is the Regent of Iloko-Ijesa and a registered voter, in an affidavit sworn to in support of the application, claimed that he was arrested on August 8, 2014 by armed officers of the respondents in his house, while others were arrested on August , 2014 at Iloko-Ijesa and Ijebu-Jesa. Ogunsanya maintained that after the arrest, he and two other complainants were taken to the DSS office in Osogbo and Iloko Police Post, where they were detained, stripped naked and ordered to lie down for several hours in the open without allowing them access to their family. The regent said: “We were beaten, tortured and humiliated, as some of the officers were cursing, abusing and querying their effrontery to support the candidature of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).” He stated that throughout the period of their detention, they were not accused of committing any offence,
Group Urges APC, Aregbesola To Challenge Ife Zone Election Result By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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socio-political organisation, Osun Good Governance Forum (OSGF), has advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Rauf Aregbesola to challenge the result of the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Ife Federal Constituency before an Election Petition Tribunal. According to the statement, The group in a statement signed by its coordinator, the report from members of the Adebayo Abagun, said the group from the area revealed number of votes polled by the that the residents of the area, Peoples Democratic Party especially in Ife South and East (PDP) candidate, Iyiola Council areas, which are largely Omisore, in the zone did not populated by rural dwellers, reflect the wish of the people were not allowed to cast their votes freely. of the area. “The report we received Omisore won the election in all the four local government from our people in the rural council areas in Ife Zone in areas in Ife Federal addition to Isokan, Constituency showed that the Boluwaduro, Ayedire and electorate were not allowed to Odo-Otin Local Government cast their vote freely, as against Council Areas, while what we witnessed in other Aregbesola won in other 23 parts of the state. “In the rural areas of Ifecouncil areas. South, Ife-East, Ife-Central and Ife-North Local Government Council areas, voters, especially known members of APC were Famoodun, described Barrister chased out of queues and were Abidoye as a politician of a not allowed to return. proven integrity. “PDP leaders, who led Famoodun said the coming soldiers and thugs to polling over of the former PDP Legal units in the area, were Adviser is a right decision as his reportedly heard warning those presence in the progressive will who didn’t want to vote for help his political and legal career. PDP to vacate the polling units He said: “Prince Abidoye is one of those who believe in or had their finger-cut off. This development of the state. He forced the largest number of believes in the charismatic voters to vacate the units. “This is against the tenet of leadership of Governor Rauf free and fair poll and it should Aregbesola. “He believes in the truth. He be challenged before an election is a politician of proven record. tribunal to serve as deterrent in He is coming over to the right future,” he said. party. He is coming to the Noting that the group was progressive camp; coming to the not surprised that Aregbesola light from the darkness. emerged the winner of the “He is convinced on the good election because he has won the work Aregbesola is doing. His hearts of the people through his coming over is a testimony to developmental programmes and this effect.” policies, it said that it was only The Chief of Staff to the surprised that Omisore could Governor of Osun, Alhaji poll such votes he had. Gboyega Oyetola, called other Congratulating Aregbesola truth-loving, developmentinclined and lover of the state, for his victory at the election, who are currently idling in PDP the group urged the governor to to come over to the party that reciprocate the massive is genuinely interested in the support of the people for him during the election by bringing development of the state. more development to the state.
Osun PDP In Disarray As Legal Adviser Joins APC
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education to infrastructure,
human development to capital development. All these informed my decision that the time has come for me and my followers to switch over to the party”, Abidoye stressed. Explaining why he did not leave the PDP before the election, he said: “It is normal for a principled politician to wait till the appropriate time before switching over. “If I had switched over before the election, some people might be insinuating that it was because we have seen the handwriting on the wall that the PDP was likely to lose. But we believe that we should stay back and see it to the end”, he added. He noted that his coming over to the APC should be seen as an added strength to the party in the state. Presenting the APC flag to the defector, the Acting state chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, expressed optimism that the coming in of new members would add to the strength of the party. Earlier in his remark, the APC Secretary, Prince Gboyega
except supporting Aregbesola, adding that they (the detainees) were later released at about 6pm of August 9 without being charged to court for any offence. Ogunsanya declared in the affidavit that the arrest and detention contravened the order of an Osogbo High Court restraining the respondents from engaging in arbitrary arrest of members of APC and other innocent residents of the state. He averred that unless appropriate sanction is meted on the respondents, such harassment, intimidation, detention, and impunity against members of the society and the applicants would become rampant. The plaintiffs maintained that their inhuman treatment constituted gross violation of their fundamental human rights under Sections 34 and 35 of the constitution. The aim of the arrest, according to the application, was to terrorize the applicants and restrict their movement in an atmosphere dominated by sheer state terror and complete impunity which is totally unjustifiable in law. Other plaintiffs include: Isaac Onajide, Babatola Segun, Ogungbangbe Suliman, Obayemi Ayo, Awopetu Odunayo, Esther Olamijulo and eight others.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
Jonathan ‘ll Lose In 2015 - Adekilekun By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI N All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ede, Pharmacist Musliudeen Adekilekun, said last Thursday that the best thing Nigerians could do by next year to save Nigeria is to vote out President Goodluck Jonathan in the fast-approaching 2015 general elections. Governor Rauf Adekilekun stated that of should Jonathan continue Aregbesola as wellas the President of the deserved and rewards of Federal Republic of Nigeria, good performance, saying there is a great danger, which the governor has raised the may consume the whole bar of governance beyond country as a result of tokenism. Adekilekun identified corruption and impunity of the Peoples Democratic shortfall in the federal Party-led current allocation as one of the major administration in the challenges of the current administration in the state country. He described Jonathan as and blamed the Federal the worst president since Government for its independence of Nigeria in insensitivity to the plight of 1960, while speaking to the people. He said:”The falling OSUN DEFENDER on the j u s t - c o n c l u d e d revenue is an headache for governorship election in the some of us who are friends of development in Osun and state. He described the victory other parts of the country. I
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will say this is the worst government since independence. There is a standing agreement that from the federal purse, certain amount should be given to Osun on monthly basis. “Because the governor of a state belongs to the opposition party, you decided to deny him some of his rights. What type of democracy are we practising? Because Aregbesola is an APC man, you decided to punish the teachers, civil servants, school children among others. Adekilekun added that he was optimistic that the people of Nigeria would vote out Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015. According to him: “I am
confident to say that Jonathan will lose next year’s presidential election. By next year, it would be recorded in Nigerian history that the ruling party hands over to a democratically elected candidate of the opposition. PDP would hand over to APC. I don’t
know what Jonathan will use to campaign in the South West. “The same president was reported to have said that if the people of Osun voted for Omisore, he would develop Osun. That was an insult that because the people of a federated unit in a republic
presided over by elected president did not vote for his party, they don’t deserve the attention of the federal government. Maybe he has forgotten that he is the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria and not President of PDP,” Adekilekun said.
It’s Time To Vote Jonathan Out – Akere By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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HE 2015 general elections have been described as an opportunity for Nigerians to vote for a better person capable of driving the anticipated changes of the teeming masses of the country. This was disclosed by State commissioner, the current of Osun Commissioner for administration in the country Information and Strategy, Mr has not only disappointed Sunday Akere, while speaking Nigerians, but has also shown at a special prayer programme that it lacked the wherewithal organised by an Islamic Group to bring about the necessary in the state, Alfathu-L-Quareeb changes the people desired. Muslim Organisation of He said the leadership style Nigeria. of President Goodluck According to the Jonathan encourages corruption, which has been the bane of development in the country, adding the country and its people deserve a better and focused administration that would make the people’s concern its focus. He stated that it is unfortunate that the present administration in the country is deliberately mixing politics with governance, thereby heating the polity ahead of the general elections in the coming year. Akere described the cut in the federal revenue allocation to states of the federation as a fraud, describing the excuse given by the Federal Government on oil theft as
silly, saying it has all it takes to curb oil theft. He decried the deliberate reduction of the statutory allocation to opposition party states as a way of discrediting them before the electorate by ensuring that they have no fund to execute developmental projects. He disclosed the militarisation of the recentlyconcluded governorship election in the state won by the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as showing the desperation of the PDP to win the 2015 general elections at all cost. Speaking at the programme, the state Missioners of the group, Uztas Jamiu Tajudeen disclosed that the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9, 2014 governorship election was divine, describing the militarisation of the state as inimical to democratic tenets. He, however, charged the teeming populace, as well as politicians in the state to cooperate with the Aregbesolaled administration in its bid to make the state an Eldorado for all and sundry.
Aregbesola’s Victory Attributed To Love, Commitment •STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE: Two youngmen pushing a wheelbarrow in Osogbo, recently.
Osun Promises To Support Farmers By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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immensely from the state g o v e r n m e n t ’ s developmental programmes on agriculture, thanked the governor for taking them into consideration and aligning most of his administration’s policy towards the provision of food and welfare of farmers. They called on the commissioner to assist them with the necessary equipment and items needed to make this year ’s
HE State Government of Osun has reiterated its commitment to the development of the agricultural sector in a bid to make it profitable to farmers and provide food for the state. The State Commissioner policy, so as to continue for Agriculture and Food enjoying the dividends of Security, Honourable Wale democracy, which the Adedoyin, stated this in administration of Ogbeni Osogbo, the state capital Rauf Aregbesola would recently during a meeting continue to deliver. with members of farm settlers Responding, the farmer,s across the state. who earlier revealed that He maintained that the they had benefitted present administration would continue to support farmers by providing necessary farm inputs and agricultural facilities such as fertilisers, seedlings, chemicals and others at subsidised rates. By SHINA ABUBAKAR He also added that the government had also HE Department of State Security and the military reduced land use fees to have been accused of almost disrupting the peaceful N1000, which would be due conduct of the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election after 24 years for arable crops in the State of Osun. and 49 years for cash crops, This was disclosed by a “anti-democratic”. stressing that the agreement group of artisans, Nigeria According to him, was renewable after the Automobile Technicians NATA’s election monitoring specified years of use. Association (NATA), while team witnessed a situation The commissioner addressing a press at a polling unit, where a deaf however implored the farm conference by its National and dumb woman with settlers to henceforth ignore Secretary, Comrade David permanent voter’s card, was any issue that came to them Ajetunmobi in Osogbo. not allowed to vote because without the authority of his her name was not found on He said while many ministry. the register, which resulted voters could not find their In his address, the names on the register in her weeping publicly. Director of Agricultural provided by INEC on the Stating his views on the Services, Mr. Kola Ajisekola, election day, the activities of activities of the security men enjoined all farm settlers to the DSS officers during the deployed to the state for the abide by the state poll gave the agency out as poll, he singled out men of government’s agricultural
By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
harvesting season bountiful. The group was also thankful to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his decision to rehabilitate and construct new roads which had hitherto opened up the hinterland of the state to commerce. According to them, with this development, their farm produce can now be transported to the city centres without worry of the produce perishing, due to lack of preservation.
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HE victory recorded by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun in the August 9, 2014 governorship election has been attributed to the show of love and commitment by the people of the state. Senior Special Assistant to Promising that the governor the Governor on Community would reciprocate the gesture, Forum, Olatunbosun he said that the governor’s reOyintiloye, made the assertion election has added more to his at the Christ Apostolic Church, challenges to develop the state Number 1, Ibokun, on Sunday, further. during a Special Thanksgiving Oyintiloye, who noted that Service over Aregbesola’s the governor places premium on successful re-election. the love and support shown to He said that if not for the his administration leading to a overwhelming support of the victorious outing at the poll, he people and divine intervention, noted that more than the first the victory would have been term, the governor would ensure difficult to achieve. equal distribution of social amenities and developmental projects to all parts of the state. He further assured that the governor would not relent on his and we have the people to commitment to make Osun a thank for a successful reference point to other states election in the state,” he of Nigeria in terms of development. added. While soliciting more Ajetunmobi called for the recognition of the last support and prayers of the election day as Liberty Day people for the administration in in the state, saying: in his second term, the governor’s honour of those innocently aide said this would further harassed during the strengthen the administration’s election; in honour of the resolve to reform the state. Also speaking, the courageous resistance of the great people of Osun Alademure of Ibokun, Oba against colonisation of the Festus Awogboro, commended for his state by anti-democratic Aregbesola developmental strides, forces; in honour of those illegally arrested and expressing optimism that the detained, in appreciation of second term would be better off. The monarch also lauded the belief of the people of the State of Osun in Oyintiloye for his proactive democracy, we call on the stance and commitment to the state government and the progressive course, saying that people to declare every his good representation has earned the ancient town a lot August 9 as Liberty Day”. from the government.
Osun 2014: DSS, Military Nearly Marred Osun Election - NATA
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the DSS for criticism, saying the operatives harassed and intimidated voters. He further condemned the use of mask by security operatives of the DSS during any election, saying the development was uncivilised and undemocratic. According to him: “INEC should know that the concept of free and fair election goes beyond mere ballot thumb-printing and availability of ballot boxes, but also include free movement. If not for the resistance of the people, their will would have been subverted,
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
Osun and 2015: The game changer Continued from pg1
Overwhelming presence The overwhelming presence of security men in the state in the days ahead of the poll did not impede the electorate from exercising their will on who governs them. That indeed, is a reassuring sign for many Nigerians and the international community that the 2015 election could be a free and fair election. Indeed, ahead of the polls last weekend, the APC and its flag bearer, Aregbesola, had in the face of the strong presence of security men around the state betrayed clear signs of unease. The APC’s national spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in statements painted the impression of the determination of the presidency to rig the election in a clear determination to reshape the political configuration of the Southwest ahead of the decisive 2015 election. Such panic caused the opposition party to summon all its elected office holders and political appointees from across the country to show presence in Osun State from last Tuesday as a way of boosting the morale of its supporters in that state. The PDP’s candidate was also lifted by the presence of strong detachment of the security forces whose presence helped to suppress whatever advantages the incumbency factor would have given to Aregbesola. Omisore also had his friends from the Senate including Senators Enyininnya Abaribe, Ehigie Uzamere and some others to lift his heart. But the most decisive factors were the voters on ground who at the end of voting
on Saturday showed their preference for the incumbent. The outcome was, however, not a rout as the Aregbesola camp had predicted it would be without rigging. That underscored the agitation among some PDP loyalists who had sought for an alternative candidate. Omisore, a former deputy governor of Osun State had before this election been on the winning side of all the gubernatorial elections conducted in Osun State. He was deputy governor to Chief Bisi Akande, strongly supported the immediate past governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 2003 and 2007, but, however, came short in delivering himself into an office he had in the past helped others to enter. Though a very lively man with sound education, the factors against Omisore were mostly fanned by perceptions about him arising from his trial for the murder of Chief Bola Ige, a former attorney general of the federation. Omisore who was acquitted of complicity in that murder, however, did little to clear that perception. Besides, his political foes helped to fan the negative perception about him. Oyinlola, the immediate past governor of the state who himself had a grudge against the PDP rubbed in the Ige wound on the people when he questioned why President Jonathan had surrounded himself with all those who were questioned over the murder of Ige. “The candidate of the PDP was arrested for killing Ige. He was arrested and detained. “The national secretary of the [PDP], Professor Wale Oladipo, was also detained in connection with the killing. The Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, was also detained. “The chairman of the party in this state, Ayobami Olaoluwa, was also arrested. So, why
is everyone who was in detention given appointment or put in a position of authority? We need to ask the government,” Oyinlola said. Great minus Linking anyone or party with the death of Ige was a great minus especially given the adoration that Ige continues to draw from most parts of the state. The election was also an opportunity for political enemies in the Southwest to hit at him. Tinubu had by every indication mounted the platform of political leadership of the Southwest with the dominance of his party in five of the six Southwest states. After the loss of Ekiti, his political empire was trimmed to four states and the prospect of losing Osun, had in the last weeks of the campaign become an exciting lure for Tinubu bashers in the region. Internal dissent It was especially so, given that Aregbesola was generally considered the closest of the APC governors to Tinubu. The internal dissent to Tinubu in the Southwest was especially fanned by vestiges of Afenifere, the socio-political organization through which Tinubu, himself emerged as governor of Lagos State in 1999. But the former governor’s alleged role in splintering Afenifere after his emergence as governor helped to create animosity that today irks many Yoruba leaders. Even though many Afenifere leaders did not come out openly to antagonise Tinubu and Aregbesola ahead of the election, some of them were enthusiastically waiting to celebrate the downfall of the APC in Osun. Celebrating the downfall APC leaders who learnt from their laxity in Ekiti were well prepared for Osun and went out of the way to woo known and unknown enemies. PDP on the other hand did not help its candidate with the clear animosity towards rebels in the party.
In This Rainy Season, Let's Be Omoluabis
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HE rainy season is here again and this is surely an answer to many of our farmers’ yearnings, who have been waiting for the opportunity that the early rain would provide to start their planting. Of particular interest is the environmental effect of the rain, as we are all living witnesses to the July, 2010 debacle in Osogbo and the havoc that rain could cause when man in his foolishness decides to interfere with the wonderful work of nature. During that sad episode of 2010, the state governor then, could not proffer a solution but all he could do was to watch in disgustful awe as lives and properties gave way. Alas, in came Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the people of Osun saw for the very first time the use of dredgers on pontoon dredge the rivers and streams throughout the state. Not only was this done but the governor declared a 90-day environmental emergency throughout the state and reinforced both the weekly clean-up
exercise that comes up every Thursday and also the second Saturday of the month state sanitation exercise. Not long, the effects were seen round the state when the 2011 rainy season commenced, there was a drastic reduction in flood occurrence in the state and where it did occur, it was on a very small scale. 2012 recorded no flooding at all. Even when states like Oyo and
others recorded flooding disasters knocking at their doors, we, in Osun, were sleeping with our two eyes closed. We all remember the national flood disaster of 2012, Osun came clean with no recorded incidence and this credit must go to both the government of the Ogbeni and to the good people, who decided to make it happen by co-operating with him
in carrying out all the environmental counsel. Well, another rainy season is about to start and I am using this medium to call on all the good people of this state to always abide by the state’s environmental laws. Refuse should not be dumped in open drainages and streams, as there are O’Clean Plus waste disposal bins across the state. This is indeed a novel achievement being the very first in the state. Citizens should come out when due to participate in the sanitation exercises whenever it is time. I also like to call on both the State Commissioner for Environment, Professor (Mrs) Bukola Oyawole and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Bola Ilori to continue in their good works and not to rest on the past achievements. There is still work to do and more is still expected of the duo. •OPEYEMI FATOKUN, OrileOwu, State of Osun.
The treatment of Oyinlola and another former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke subsequently proved to be one of the major problems for the PDP on Election Day. Though Oyinlola did not muster enough votes to win his booth, Adeleke’s grip on Ede, one of the largest towns in the state helped to firmly deliver the town to the APC. After being lured into the PDP gubernatorial contest, the former governor was allegedly forced out by what he claimed to be impediments put on his way. That was the beginning of his defection to the APC, a move the PDP would now regret not to have stopped. One APC source revealed that Adeleke was the candidate the party feared most could trouble Aregbesola. But even after he withdrew, the PDP hierarchy in the state failed to soothe him giving him room to defect. Tinubu, the APC national leader and the many presidential aspirants in the party would be very gleeful with the outcome of the polls. Yesterday, a source said Tinubu was himself very bouncy as he saw the result as a vindication against the aspiration of his internal foes in the Southwest. For the presidential aspirants, the outcome of the election gives hope that their permutations of forging a Southwest and Northern alliance against the PDP remains feasible. For President Jonathan, the permutation may have been that whatever loss of support he may have suffered in the North would be gained in the Southwest. Now, it is back to basics. By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor
OSUN DEFENDER Publisher
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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. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
I Saw Hell During Osun Governorship Election - Adeleke The first civilian Governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adeleke in this interview with some journalists, spoke on his ordeal at the just concluded election in the state OW that the APC has won, what role do you think other parties will play; are you going to do away with them totally? We have some reasonable people in the other parties, especially the PDP. There are reasonable people too in the Labour Party, the breakaway party of the PDP in Osun State, and I must confess to you that most of them will be coming back to the APC. Some of them are reasonable, and some of them very unreasonable. The leadership of the PDP in Osun State is very unreasonable. So, I don’t expect anything good from them right from Omisore. His deputy is not one of them. He was my boy, the former speaker, he only joined them because he wants position but if you look at the composition of those individuals that constitute the leadership, Omisore, the Police Affairs Minister, Jelili Adesiyan, and Gani Olaoluwa, they are not good people. Those are the ones in leadership. I don’t expect anything good from them but there are some leaders like the elder statesman, Alhaji Shuab Oyedokun, Olu Alibi, Ebenezar Babatope, and the former woman minister, Erelu Obada; these are very reasonable people, they will cooperate with this government because we don’t have any other state other than Osun. So, whoever is in the saddle is immaterial. The election has been won and lost. To me, there is no victor, no vanquished. Everybody should join hands with the person that won to move the state forward. Why did it take you this long to discover that you were in the wrong party? I am not saying I was in the wrong party, the day I was crossing over I said that the PDP is not that bad but the leadership of the party in Osun State is what I cannot understand. I said we still have nice people in the PDP. I cannot condemn PDP because I rose on the platform of that party to become a senator, Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar. Having got such positions on the platform of that party, I cannot say now that the party is totally bad, no, but individuals that hijacked the leadership of the party in the state are bad. Honestly, I cannot work with them. If I had remained in that party as a core party man, I will be forced to work for them and for the success of that party and I don’t want criminals again in the house at all. Are you saying that if the leadership in Osun State changes, you might return to the PDP? That condition has not arisen but I am now in APC and APC has won. I contributed immensely towards the success of the party. I don’t see myself going back to the PDP now. Some people are of the opinion that you were bought over by the APC. No, there’s nothing like that. It was based on principle. Period! If I wanted anything, I could as well have got it in PDP. If I had stayed with PDP, with those people that have hijacked the party in the state, definitely, they would have won and become this and that. We don’t want such characters in Osun Government House. I am satisfied. I worked relentlessly and tirelessly for the success of the party and ensured that those individuals did not get to government house. We also learnt that your constituency voted massively, what are they going to N
•ADELEKE get as dividend of democracy for their effort? This is not the first time with the Ede people. When you talk about my constituency, it is not limited to Ede people. The federal constituency consists of four local governments areas that are solidly behind me in every election. This is not the first time. My journey into politics started way back in the late 1980s and early 1990s and they have been supportive and I have been giving back too. I have done a lot too. That is why anytime, I say let’s move, they move with me; when we moved from APP to PDP and then to APC, if election comes tomorrow, we are going to sweep the whole thing. I have always tried to give back, not only to my constituency but also to the whole state. I have done a lot in terms of scholarships, empowerment, employment and establishment of factories where people are gainfully employed. Now, many people are working in Adeleke University, we have established banks, First Merchant Bank, which has become Unity Bank, and so on. We are doing a lot for the people because of the support they are giving us. As we give, they give back. Governor Aregbesola is in for a second term, what are your expectations? I describe Aregbesola as a man in a hurry to develop Osun State. He was doing a lot in terms of infrastructure and that is what we needed but Osun is not
Lagos. If you are doing that in Lagos everybody will be happy because nobody cares about any other thing other than provide good roads, electricity, water, security, enabling environment for businesses to thrive; that is Lagos but in an agrarian place like Osun-Ekiti if you are doing that without looking at the human development angle, they will say you have not done anything, they won’t even see it. We have to support him to finish what he has started. When he started, the revenue was so high, he had a lot of money to play with then, that was why he embarked on all those projects, the roads, the schools were so fantastic; they were designed like elementary schools in the U.S. He has provided school buses, they have lunch in the school and they don’t have to go out. That is fantastic. If he can complete that throughout the state, he will be one of the primus inter pares of such in the country, so we have to give him that support and I know very well that he will do that. Are you contented as a kingmaker or do you intend to contest for political position in the future? I am still going to run for office by 2015. I am going to the federal. I have always said I love to go back to the Senate. I enjoyed the Senate and I will love to go back there to make laws. So far, how has the Senate fared? We are growing. Right now, I have a lot
of bills that are hanging because I didn’t go back. There are certain bills that I wanted to introduce. I am a criminologist. I have a masters degree in criminal justice and there are certain bills I will be introducing to the country to improve criminal justice. I introduced the issue of plea bargain but a lot of people didn’t understand what plea bargain was, it wasn’t that anybody that steals money would have to do plea bargain, no, plea bargain is a tool that we use to detect crime and nip that crime in the bud. For example, if three of you conspire to commit a crime and one of you is caught and is told that this crime you have committed, if convicted, you are going to jail for 10 years, if you do plea bargain and you let us get the other two, we can sentence you to two years, that is plea bargain; you do that in court. It helps you to detect the crime, arrest the criminals and all that. Those are the issues of plea bargain. We also have what we call probation. Our prisons are congested. Our criminal justice system is punitive rather than correctional. It is not for every crime that you sentence people to prison. Sometimes, you give them a suspended sentence. Put them on probation for certain crimes. That is what probation is. Let them serve the sentence within the community; they do community service. If you put everybody in the prisons, it criminalises the individuals, there are hardened criminals in there that will teach somebody who ordinarily wouldn’t have been a criminal to be hardened criminal, especially in an impoverished society like ours. Then again, we have what we call parole which is where you serve the rest of your sentence within the society. If you are sentenced to a 10-year period, there is something we call good time-one day off upon your good behaviour. It makes that person to be of good behaviour in the prison. The prison should be a place like outside the society. We have schools. There are people who have had Ph.D from the prison and they are good people today. So if you behave yourself everyday and you are sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, for everyday you stay in prison and you behave well, we call it check off system, they take a day off which at the end of the day, takes off five years or two and half years from the sentences. We should introduce certain reforms in the prison system like schools where people can teach. Let us look at the issue of militarisation during elections. When it happened in Ekiti, the APC shouted, and when it happened in Osun, they also shouted but the election turned out free and fair. What is your take on this? What I witnessed in Osun a week to the election was hell. I thought the SSS are secret service and are not to be seen. They are supposed to detect crimes and hand over criminals to the police for prosecution but these guys have turned themselves into thugs. The first day they came, I saw them with masks, standing on top of their vehicles and shooting sporadically in the air into scare people, what was that intended to do? Then, the police were not doing much but the soldiers too joined. We have a barracks in Ede. I was confined to Ede after the Tuesday mega rally, a couple of days to the election. Culled from DAILY INDEPENDENT
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
PHOTOTALK
Some Of The New Schools Built By The Governor, State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Recently.
•DDTC Middle School under construction at Ijebu-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun.
•L.A. Elementary School under construction in Ilesa.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
Education In The State Of Osun Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. Aregbesola.
•Elementary School, Obada, Ede.
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• •St. Stephen’s Middle School, Modakeke.
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
PHOTOTALK
More Pictures On 2014 Osun Osogbo Festival In Osogbo Recently.
9 Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
•Iyalode of Osogboland, Chief (Mrs) Alake Kolade (middle) and other dignitaries.
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•Some of the dignitaries at the event.
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• Newsmen and some Osun worshippers waiting for Arugba Osun.
•Some of the Osun worshippers going back to their homes.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
Some Of The Completed Roads In The State Of Osun Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
•A newly-asphalted road at Oromu, Ilesa.
•An ongoing double-lane road at Gbongan in the State of Osun under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, recently.
•A completed road at Heritage Hotel area of the state capital.
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INTERVIEW
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
Why Omisore Lost Osun Governorship Election Falana In this interview with OLUSOLA FABIYI, Mr. Femi Falana, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, reviews the outcome of the August 9, 2015 governorship election in Osun State. YOU predicted that Governor Rauf Aregbesola was going to win and he won. What gave you that confidence? One didn’t have to be a futurologist to know that Governor Rauf Aregbesola was going to win the election. He is generally acknowledged to have taken governance very seriously. Having been involved in popular struggles, he has had no difficulty in connecting with the grass roots. Through his people-centred policies he has formed an organic link with the masses. In spite of the limited resources of Osun, Ogbeni Aregbesola is trying to address the crisis of poverty and underdevelopment. Through the social security scheme, the government pays N10, 000 monthly stipend to the elderly and unemployed youths numbering about 20, 000. The school feeding programme, the ‘Opon Imo’ (tablet of knowledge) revolution, the establishment of a textile factory for sewing school uniforms and other programmes have impacted positively on the people. Mind you, the government has also constructed thousands of kilometres of roads. The fact that he had endeared himself to the people was the basis of my confidence. What did Aregbesola do that Governor Kayode Fayemi did not do? Frankly speaking I would not know. With respect, the All Progressives Congress should be held vicariously liable for Fayemi’s electoral defeat in Ekiti State. He is a victim of the ideological crisis of the party. Did the party arm its governors with any pragramme or code of ethics? The APC claims to be an offshoot of the Unity Party of Nigeria and the Peoples Redemption Party of the Second Republic. Both parties ensured access to education, health, employment, abolished oppressive taxes which enhanced the quality of the lives of the people. Today, the APC has, like the Peoples Democratic Party, priced education and health out of the reach of the poor. The traffic control agencies in the APCcontrolled states extort money from motorists like the Nigeria Police Force. The APC is seriously defending the dubious rein of market fundamentalism. It believes in the commercialisation of education and health and the privatisation of public assets. Even in the United States, the bastion of capitalism, the poor are housed by the state while their children can access education. The main crisis in the US Congress pertains to Obamacare which has to do with access to health for 47 million Americans who had no health insurance. Here, Nigerians are told that the government cannot fund schools, fund hospitals, construct roads, supply water etc. Nigerians have to pay through their noses for all social services including epileptic power supply. If civil servants cannot educate their children, feed their family and live a reasonably decent life then the government has failed. But due to his socialist background Aregbesola has extricated himself from the crisis of ideological confusion associated with the APC. He is convinced that the national economy should never be handed over to market forces. For me, that is the basis of his electoral victory. Some people said that the outcome of the Osun election must have surprised the people of Ekiti State. Do you agree? They were certainly surprised that Aregbesola successfully mobilised the Osun people to resist the fascist onslaught. Whereas 36,790 troops were deployed for the Ekiti State governorship election the figure rose to 73,000 in Osun State. Some of the armed goons were gendarmes who wore masks. Whereas in Ekiti State 40 APC members were arrested, over 700 APC supporters were railroaded to detention in Osun State. I had to intervene to secure the release of an 80-yearold lawyer. But others, including Osun Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Afolabi, were released after the election. But at the end of the day the militarisation and monetisation of the electoral
•FALANA process compelled the people to defend their votes. But his opponent rattled him? Don’t you agree? I do not agree with you. Aregbesola spoke to me when the undue delay in the announcement of the results of the election caused so much tension and anxiety. Given the support of the people, he was on top of the situation. But the Independent National Electoral Commission refused to collaborate with the anti-democratic forces, who were hell-bent on truncating the electoral process. Some people said the outcome was an indication that Aregebsola was beatable after all? That position is misleading. It was not a free and fair election. Election observers were chased away while many party agents were beaten up by security forces and thugs to pave way for the writing of results for the PDP in certain areas. Even when it was confirmed that Aregbesola had beaten his closest rival by over 100,000 votes Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode announced that the PDP was coasting to victory. With the arrest of 700 people and the intimidation of others including a former governor, commissioners and legislators belonging to the APC, Governor Aregbesola snatched victory from the jaws of the lion. Did the arrest and detention of APC leaders work against the APC and in favour of the PDP? For sure, the wave of arrests was designed to manipulate the election in favour of the PDP. But it was a wrong calculation. Aregbesola mobilised the people and so they trooped out to vote. And when the returning officer had problems with the announcement of the results, the voters surrounded the INEC office at Osogbo. At that juncture the security forces pitched their tent with the people. Can you please justify this? The Federal Government did not hide its plan to engage in the militarisation of the election in Osun State. But I was so sure that
no amount of militarisation or monetisation of the electoral process would make the PDP defeat Aregbesola at the poll. Do you think that if the likes of former governors Isiaka Adeleke and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola did not defect from the PDP to the APC, Iyiola Omisore could have won? With respect to ex-governors Oyinlola and Adeleke, I do not concern myself with the effect of the defection of political heavyweights. I prefer to de-emphasise personalities and concentrate on the programmes of political parties or their candidates. Adeleke was intimidated and prevented from casting his vote. Oyinlola was reported to have lost his polling unit to the PDP. It was the same story in Ekiti State where Segun Oni lost his unit to the PDP. In an enlightened environment voters do not take dictation from leaders. What did you think made Omisore lose the election? The PDP erroneously believed that it was the militarisation of the election that led to its victory in Ekiti State. So, it increased the number of troops deployed for the governorship election in Osun State. But Aregbesola drew sufficient lessons from Ekiti and mobilised the Osun people to defend their votes. Owing to his organic link with the masses, they were prepared to make the necessary and even risky sacrifice to have him re-elected. In terms of integrity, consistency, pedigree, education and principle, Otunba Omisore could not match Ogbeni Aregbesola. That was why he lost the election. Does he have any case at the tribunal? Neither Senator Omisore nor the PDP has filed any petition at the election petition tribunal. Do you think his arrest and trial over the killing of Chief Bola Ige worked against him? I would not know. But the statement credited to Oyinlola at the last rally of the APC to the effect that all those who were
detained at the Agodi prisons over the killing of Ige had become the leaders of the PDP in Osun State was so weighty that it might have assisted some voters to make up their minds. Would you say that the security agencies were partial during the election? In Osun State, Lai Mohammed, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC was arrested. We have just been informed that he was arrested for wandering. But the vagrancy law was abolished in 1986. If Mohammed was arrested on the road, Mr. Nasir el-Rufai, another APC leader, was arrested in his hotel room during the Anambra State governorship election last year. Was Nasir also arrested for wandering? To confirm the partiality of the security forces, some PDP leaders from Anambra, Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti states were in Osun State during the election. They had platoons of military and police personnel guiding them. Nobody declared any of them a persona non grata. Can you defend this? The issue goes beyond the partiality of the armed forces. My position is that soldiers have no role to play in the conduct of elections. It is the constitutional duty of the police to maintain law and order during elections. Even the Department of State Service is an undercover security apparatus to gather intelligence, detect crimes and pass information to the police. I am saying without any fear of contradiction that no law in Nigeria allows any security man to wear masks. That was the first time in the history of Nigeria that masked security operatives were involved in elections. Beyond the condemnation of the partisan stand of the Armed Forces, the Nigerian people should insist that each security agency is restricted to its jurisdiction. Don’t you think that the percentage of votes got by the PDP was an indication that the party is gaining ground in the state and the South-West? Since there is no clearly marked ideological difference between the APC and the PDP the latter is likely to continue to make inroads in the country. It is a challenge for all Nigerians who are committed to genuine social change to come together, unite and intervene decisively in mobilising Nigerians to take their political destiny in their own hands. Instead of rejecting the APC for the PDP, the Nigerian people should be presented with a credible alternative political platform. With its defeat in Osun State the PDP ought to know that naked power through militarisation will not win the general election. Will the number of votes secured by Omisore not be a boost for the ruling party in the presidential election? It is not likely to be a boost for the ruling party. Nigerians owe themselves a duty to make the 2015 general election issue based. What advice do you have for Aregbesola? Understandably, the expectations of the people are high. Aregbesola has to redouble his efforts. He has to free the economy of the state from the tight grip of contractors by reorganising the state ministry of works to construct and maintain roads. The ministry has more qualified engineers than most of the firms that handle road projects. Some of the roads constructed by the Public Works Department under the Chief Obafemi Awolowo government are stronger than the new roads. Some of the roads are still plied in the rural areas. With a ministry of housing, the government does not need to build housing units through contractors. The health personnel in the ministry of health, the trained teachers in the ministry of education, the agric experts in the ministry of agriculture who are not productive in the public service should be deployed in the communities to make them productive. Through such revolutionary measures you conserve funds for development. During elections it is the people that will vote and not contractor. Culled from PUNCH.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
FEATURE
OLUSESI ISAAC re-visits Segun Akinwusi of Social Democratic Party (SDP), State of Osun and writes that Akinwusi played a haughty and naughty front for the opposition's political blitzkrieg, far more consequential nationally, than what Wale Bolorunduro dismissed merely as a "trivial matter, not deserving of a serious attention."
Segun Akinwusi Of SDP And Nation’s Good I
T is given to every man to begin the race at
the starting line; but every man breasting the tape at the same time will alter the divine scheme for the mortal beings and re-define the purposes of life. Think of what it would mean if everyone is of the same height, weight and same intelligence quotient (IQ)?. Then think what it would have meant if all the candidates for the 2014 State of Osun governorship race were to belong to one and the same political party and possess same essential requisites for the office? Of the lot, one gubernatorial candidate, Segun Akinwusi of the State of Osun Social Democratic Party (SDP) has a ring of tragic irony around himself as he played a haughty and naughty front for the opposition’s political blitzkrieg, putting all manner of obstructions in the way of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the State. When nothing worked as Akinwusi had schemed, he made a very embarrassing and damaging leak to the public over the debt manifest of Osun. By that, he drew the sword of partisan wrangling from the scabbard and appropriated the task of mobilizing the people of the State against the re-election of Aregbesola as Osun governor. Paradoxes, inherent in men are always utterly unresolved and unresolvable. The same Akinwusi is the latest retired Head of Service in Osun who Aregbesola inherited on assumption of office a little after the ides of November, 2010; and Aregbesola magnanimously permitted him to carry on for years as number one public servant in the state until Akinwusi retired on self accord and made his foray into partisan politics with the loots raked in the previous corrupt ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Osun. Paradoxically, Akinwusi sprang the indebtedness of Osun to the tune of over N400 billion, and there was instant thundering rumble of ear-blocking silence or raucous, and high decibel of ear-shattering murmurs. He started it as a whisper, it became an uproar; he began it as a trickle, and it assumed a might river. Akinwusi goofed! His pedestrian noise only acquired the reputation and attribute of incomprehensibility, until the statistics from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Debt Management Office (DMO) in the Presidency punctured his frightening debt figures and pulled him down, from the pedestal of integrity to the denizen of shame. Osun debt is actually put at only N30 billion as loans and N11.4 billion as bonds from the capital market, totaling N41.4 billion; but judiciously committed to the development of physical structures across the state. What came from Akinwusi with the proficiency of a stubborn customer was far more consequential nationally, than what Wale Bolorunduro, State Commissioner for Finance and Budget merely called “a trivial matter, not deserving of a serious attention.” It was Akinwusi’s huge flotsam of damaged truth, debris of misinformation, unprovable allegation and chunks of noises and unpolished lies. A case of a man more sinning against Osun than being sinned against. Akinwusi, not a new face out of old body, has oiled the wheel of hypocrisy and raised fawning hypocrisy to the status of religious virtues, merely demeaning himself, while playing public favour-seeking pseudo game. He is a vivid example of poor peddling. But Osun people are not vulnerable to what Antonia Gramsci (1891-1937) called “the war of maneuver” in one of his several writings on the political unrests in Italy following the Russian Revolution of 1917. Gramsci of a lower middle-class family at Ales, the Italian Island of Sardinia, was an Italian Communist Party leader, Marxist political theorist and a journalist for the Socialist newspaper, ‘AVANTI’. He attended the University of Turin. In the familiar animal analogy, the governorship seeking Akinwusi has the characterization of an idle baboon who waits for the monkey to bring him what he must chop. He portends a lazy baboon, living in opulence and indulgent indolent luxury, while the workers in the state will sweat more and eat less. They will be under paid and over taxed, with Akinwusi getting power intoxicated as “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” in the Lord Acton aphorism. He will surely loose out in the August 9 gubernatorial election, and his memoir will read: ‘one paper weight candidate and untidy propagandist in the person of Segun Akinwusi contested in the Osun State gubernatorial poll and effortlessly lost’. But Aregbesola has assumed a greater stake in
•JONATHAN
•AREGBESOLA
•AKINWUSI
•BOLORUNDURO
the Osun enterprise than the state workers. In his near four years in the saddle of the state affairs, Aregbesola has rather acted the monkey and actually pleased the collective people of Osun in practical terms. Not anyone in particular. His banish Poverty, Hunger, and Unemployment (BanPHU) through economic and social transformation have re-enacted the Mikhail Gobachev’s efforts, the Russian glasnost and perestroika projects. The glasnost stood for openness and perestroika, for restructuring. Like the Gobachev revolution, the Aregbesola BanPHU revolution has removed the contradictions inherent in the Osun system. Aregbesola’s infrastructure projects in all nooks and crannies in the state also connect the Osun economy and Osun wealth to attract investment. His government’s borrowing has not over burden the state. There cannot be removal of system contradictions without casualties. Akinwusi is the first victim of Aregbesola’s plugging of leakages in the state revenue generation. He retired to save himself of further pains of ‘not being able to tap any longer from the usual leakages he was used to, and had to plunge self into politics as face-saving’ a friend of his so hinted in a chat. Akinwusi has detoured from the immiscible integrity and profundity of civil service, “not one to honour, a pathological liar on the debt status of the state, and unworthy of privileges reserved for the honourable men,” according to his primary constituency of Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, State of Osun. Indeed, Osun can no longer stand Akinwusi’s
karat nugget of drivel and Babel. Osun people have come to know him for his blabber mouth, noise of confusion sewn together with the thread of journalese. The careless talkers in the cast of Akinwusi are into heinous and treacherous crime, and have a noose dangling above their recalcitrant heads. Imagine what the rumpus noises the Akinwusis of Nigeria subject the nation’s leadership to on daily basis: noise from market women, noise from labour unions, noise from news media, noise from leaders of industries, noise from armed robbers, noise from kidnappers, noise from terrorists, noise from night soil men, noise from religious leaders, noise from transporters, noise from politicians, noise from political thugs, noise from garage touts, noise from lecturers , noise from students, noise from street beggars, noise from unemployed youths, noise from lawmakers, noise from lawbreakers, noise from civil servants, noise from domestic animals, noise from house wives, noise from husbands, noise from landlords, noise from tenants, noise from diseases et al. Imelda, wife of strong man Marcos of the Republic of the Philippines once traced her husband’s illness to a malignant affliction of criticisms from the Akinwusis of the Philippines, an island republic in the Western Pacific Ocean in the Malaya Archipelago, an island grouping that extends southwards to include Indonesia and Malaysia. The Philippines comprises more than 7,100 islands of total population of 9,268,143 by 2008 estimate. It was for the Akinwusis of the nations of the
world that the term “make haste slowly” was invented. “Silence is wisdom when speaking is folly,” said Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) an English clergyman, author, and wit in his first book of sermon, Joseph’s Party-Colored Coat, 1640. Sages through ages have acknowledged that silence is not just golden, it is the petroleum untouched with the hoary hands of OPEC ministers. And in these days of global terrorism, austerity and diseases when peoples of the world have become emaciated, and meals are oblongs instead of square, the Akinwusis should learn to conserve energy needed by his listeners for survival. Akinwusi will see the Niagra of encomium in his backyard, if he can try the words of a Latin poet, known for his lyric verse on mythological subjects, Publius Papinius Statius’ “Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage” And if this piece offends Segun, let him do me a favour: stop further nagging, and learn to police your lips, not padlock them. Or when is it decided that whoever thinks otherwise, away from Segun, must be either a traitor or an incurable malcontent. •This piece was sent in before Osun August gubernatorial election •Olusesi is Assistant Director, Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy, All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
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Application Deadline 5th September, 2014 ————————————————————————— National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) recruitment for Experienced Personnel The National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) was established early in 2011 following the enactment of the enabling legislation. NILS is designed to be a Centre at excellence providing technical support to the work of the National Assembly through research and publications on democratic governance, and Legislative practice and procedures. In order to fill some of the vacant positions in the Institute, applications are requested from qualified Candidates for the position listed below. Job Title: Research Fellow I - Public Finance Division Location: Abuja Functions: Conduct approved individual research projects Participate in this Department research or Institute research activities, Bills sod public policy analysis and legislative activities, as may be applicable. Initiate individual research, bill/policy analysis programmes to meet work plan targets. Participate in the development of data bank on political and social indicators, budget process etc Participate in the design and delivery of training programmes. Participate in Public Finance sector policy development end analysis Other functions as may be assigned by the Director and the Director-General. Key Qualifications: A doctorate degree in Economics, plus 6 years post Master’s degree Research experience. Strong evidence of research and 8 publications in reputable national and international Journals and monographs, as well as other national end International journals. International research and seminar exposure is an added advantage. Job Title: Senior Research Fellow: Research Fellow I; & Research Fellow II - Legal Research Division Location: Abuja Functions: Conduct research into all areas of Legislative Practice and especially constitutional matters and legislative frameworks Initiate supply/demand driven programmes and protects on emerging legal and constitutional issues. Participate in the development of legal and legislative databank Develop strategies to support Committees in processing Bills, constitutional development and treaties. Respond to demand driven activities emanating from Committees In relevant areas. Collaborate with the training Department to implement the Institute’s Training programme Participate in Bill/Policy Analysis Initiate individual Research arid Policy Analysis protect Provide briefs on emerging legal and constructional issues. Participate in Department training, Seminars and publications. Any outrun assignments directed by the Head of Division, Director or the Director-General Key Qualifications Minimum academic qualification of Ph.D in law with experience in legislative practice and procedure and constitutional matters 2- 10 years post Master’s degree experience Strong evidence of research in the area of legislative Practice and Procedure, constitutional matters and legal and legislative frameworks. 6 - 12 publications in reputable national and international journals, books, and monographs International research and seminar exposure is an added advantage. Job Title: Institute’s Librarian (CONLESS 15) Location: Abuja Functions: Perform the functions of Chief Librarian but at a higher level of competence Take charge of the Administration of the library. Ensure a consistent and efficient expansion of library and archival materials. Ensure security of library arid archival materials. Participate in arid coordinate the activities of the division. Initiate actions on and implement the review of library programmes and policies. Take charge of the draining, supervision and appraisal of subordinate staff. Give professional advice on library cervices matters. Other duties that may be assigned by the Director or the Director General Qualifications A master’s degree in Library studies or Library and information science or Management Information Science/Computer Science. A Doctorate Degree in Library and Information Science plus 15 years post qualification experience. Evidence of research experience, as well as publications in reputable national and International journals are required. Method of Application Candidates should submit Ten (12) typewritten applications, with Curriculum Vitae (CV) and photocopies of all academic and professional certificates. Candidate should enclose stamped self - addressed envelopes and indicate the position applied for on the top left corner of the envelops All applications should be directed to the Director - General through info@nils.gov.ng or PMB 123, Garki, Abuja, FCT900001. Only shortlisted candidates will receive letter indicating place, time and date of the interview. Application Deadline 4th September, 2014 ——————————————————————————————— Krista Microfinance Bank Job Vacancies in Lagos Human Resource Associates (HRA) - Our client, Krista Microfinance Bank Nigeria Limited is an established Microfinance Bank in Lagos State. It is a member of an International network of micro finance banks providing world class banking services to micro, small and medium enterprises and private individuals in Africa and Asia and rapidly spreading out to other continents across the globe. Krista Microfinance Bank Nigeria Limited is recruiting to fill the vacant positions of: Job Title: Marketing Director (Ref Code: MD) Job Description: • The incumbent would be responsible for all budget, promos, printed and visual media. • He will promote the mission and general direction of the bank. • Must possess highly analytical skills. Qualifications: Minimum educational qualification of University degree /OND/HND. Job Title: Front Desk Officers (REF CODE: FD) MAIN TASKS • Supervises and facilitate front desk Operations • Responds to customer inquiries • Resolve customer complaints within scope of Authority QUALIFICATIONS/PROFILE • Minimum educational level of OND • Good Interpersonal skills • Coordinated and Disciplined Job Title: Software Administrator (REF CODE: SA) Main Responsibilities: • 1st & 2ND line support for staff on software issues.
How to Apply: Interested and qualified individual should forward, stating the reference code above as the subject of the email to kristamedl@gmail.com ——————————————————— Transport Services Limited (TSL) Vacancy for a Contract / Management Trainee Engineer The TSL group of companies are independent, individual companies with a common origin, offering value added Supply Chain Management and Logistics Solutions. The TSL group of companies collectively create a strategic supply chain and logistics platform for the supply and distribution of goods and services from source to the last mile. The companies commenced with the incorporation of Transport Services Limited as a Limited Liability Company on September 8, 2001 and have today, metamorphosed into four independent companies. TSL Is recruiting to fill the position below: Job Title: Contract / Management Trainee Engineer Location: Lagos Job Scope Entry level professional with limited or no prior experience. Learns to use professional concepts to resolve problems of limited scope and complexity while working on assignments that are routine in nature, requiring limited judgement and decision making. Responsibilities Reporting directly to the Workshop Manager, the Fleet (Contract) Engineer is responsible for the planning and execution of all planned and unplanned maintenance of vehicles in his fleet. Specifically, he will: Swift resolution of road side and other offsite breakdown of his/her assets. Assigns tasks to Contract Foremen based on Post Trip Inspections/Diagnosis and Job cards. Requests for parts. Schedule people, resources and time for each assignment. Ensure on-time, safe efficient and satisfactory completion of jobs. Preventive Maintenance (PM), Repairs, Roadside Calls & Off Sites of its Fleet. Accountable for the on time and quality of works on its trucks. Accountable for the on time and satisfactory completion of works on vehicles. Timely execution of PM of vehicles. Educational Requirement/Experience BSc/HND in Mechanical Engineering (University or Polytechnic). 0-2 years experience. Additional Requirements You must have proficient knowledge in the following areas a.) Solid background in project management, maintenance and Integrity management. b.) Safety oriented and Team worker with good interpersonal skills and great deal of initiative. c.) Excellent English written and communication skills. d.) Familiar with various engineering disciplines among automobile industry. You must also demonstrate the following a.) Proficient in Planning & scheduling tools: Ms Project – Excel – Document Management. b.) Experienced in Project Control, progress reporting and forecasting. c.) Consistent in the achievement of set objectives using engineering best practice and coordination skills. Organisational, Planning and Problem Solving skills. d.) Proven Leadership Skills, Commitment and Teamwork. Method of Application Candidate should forward there CV to: hr@tsllimited.com OR Visit our website and apply under Transport Services Limited assigned under the company. Application Deadline 31st August, 2014 ——————————————————— Dogan’s Sugar Limited (DSL) recruitment Dogan’s Sugar Limited (DSL), a multi-national Sugar Manufacturing Company in Lagos is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Area Sales Representatives Location: Nationwide Duties Customer relationship development Develop and implement the Regional Sales strategy, based on the agreed national and to achieve volume, realisation and market share target. Develop and gain approval to overall regional sales business strategy and detailed and specific business strategies by customer. Respond to customer requests and resolve regional issues timeously. Requirements Minimum of OND Computer skills (MS Office) Oral and written communication skills 2 years minimum experience in FMCG sales. Job Title: Regional Sales Representative Location: Abia, Abuja, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Nassarawa, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara Job Description Obtains orders, and establishes new accounts by planning and organizing daily work schedule to call on existing or potential sales outlets and other trade factors. Focuses sales efforts by studying existing and potential volume of dealers. Keeps management informed by submitting activity and results reports, such as daily call reports, weekly work plans, and monthly and annual territory analyses. Monitors competition by gathering current marketplace information on pricing, products, new products, delivery schedules, merchandising techniques, etc. Recommends changes in products, service, and policy by evaluating results and competitive developments. Resolves customer complaints by investigating problems; developing solutions; preparing reports; making recommendations to management. Conditions Applicants must be residing in the very place they are applying for Applicants must understand the dialect of the place they are applying for Applicants must possess 3-7 years of reasonable working experience Knowledge of FMCG sales is an added advantage Minimum of lower diploma certificate (OND) Special Skills & Qualifications: Customer Service, Meeting Sales target, Territory Management, Negotiation, Energetic, Presentation Skills, Client Relationships, Motivation for Sales. Motivation After the review of applicant’s CV, successful candidates will be invited for interview in our factory premises, Lagos. Cost of transportation TO & FRO will be catered for. How To Apply Interested candidates should send their CVs and Cover Letter to: hr@dogans.ng With the Job Title as the email subject. Application Deadline September 1st, 2014. —————————————————
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
Congratulations The People’s Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been re-elected to carry on for another term of four years. Ogbeni Aregbesola recorded a resounding success in the justconcluded election. The election shows that the Governor is well embraced by all the people of the State of the Virtuous. In view of this, your popular grassroots tabloid, OSUN DEFENDER newspaper, is doing a supplement to congratulate the People’s Governor. Individuals, corporate bodies, institutions and well-wishers can avail themselves with the pocket-friendly advert rate of OSUN DEFENDER newspaper.
Advert Rate Full Page Colour Full Page Black & White Half Page Colour Half Page Black & White Quarter Page Colour Quater Page Black & White Any of these phone lines can be contacted: 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897 and 08023191891
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N150,000 N120,000 N80,000 N70,000 N50,000 N40,000 - Management
HEALTH
How To Protect Yourself From Ebola While On A Trip (1)
P
LANNING a holiday vacation can be really exciting, after making your hotel reservations you begin to think of all the places you want to visit and which attractions you would like to see. However unfortunately there is a list of things that could go wrong on your trip, like getting robbed and having all your plans fall through or getting sick. Almost everyone face some sort of sickness during their holiday which may be caused due to the rapid change of weather conditions, the different food or else. So, we all know how annoying and frustrating it can be to have to worry about getting sick on your holiday, especially now, when having an incurable virus around! Sadly, the recent Ebola outbreak has become a worldwide concern. While some may believe the best response is to declare a state of emergency, - some countries have already been put on a travel ban list – it’s virtually impossible to completely halt movement. Sometimes you’ve just got to go, and we get that. Which is why it’s important to know how to protect yourself from the virus while moving around. This is why Africa’s Largest Online Hotel Booking Portal, Jovago.com has put together some information on how to stay safe from Ebola while on a trip. Ebola - What Do We Know? •It’s a fast-acting virus which causes a hemorrhagic fever – this means it causes internal and external bleeding – and is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or animals (yes, animals) •Symptoms of the virus may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure, but most commonly within 810 days •It has no cure or vaccine, yet
•Group campaigning for the awareness of ebola.
•People who display early symptoms can only be treated for those symptoms with hopes of recovery •Thankfully, Ebola is not airborne and can only be spread by people who are already displaying severe symptoms of the virus – bleeding from the nose or mouth The average traveler should be at no risk, but that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t take precautions because you never really know. How to Protect Yourself? Simple measures can make the biggest difference •Always wash your hands with soap
and only eat food cooked properly •Sanitize your environment and carry a hand sanitizer with you as well; the virus cannot survive disinfectants, direct sunlight, and heat •Avoid bodily contact with people on a trip, this one is nearly impossible, but you can try; Remember: Sweat is a bodily fluid •Watch what you eat on trips, avoid roadside snacks such as kebabs and pastries as much as you can; Make sure what you eat is prepared under sanitary conditions •Visit a health facility anytime you have fever, headache, pain, diarrhea, red eyes rash and vomiting
•Educate yourself and everyone around you about the virus - You can never know too much and every little bit you do know could be helpful to someone else •If you notice symptoms in yourself or someone else, don’t panic and don’t delay; Report to the nearest healthcare facility immediately •Do not play with monkeys or baboons •Do not eat plums eaten by bats Doctors around the world are working on a cure. Meanwhile, be safe. Protect yourself and those around you. Avoid huge crowds of people and don’t go anywhere you don’t need to be. We wish you a nice holiday season. Stay healthy!
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, August 28, 2014
PHOTOTALK
15
More Pictures On Jubilation Over The Victory Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola In 2014 Governorship Election In The State Of Osun Recently.
•Governor Rauf Aregbesola carrying a little girl.
•A mammoth crowd during the jubilation.
•A cross section of Aregbesola’s numerous admirers.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014 WE must appreciate God for our uniqueness that distinguishes us from the whole lot. The white man came and found us so; that is why they marginalized us and gave undue preference to the Northern and Eastern parts of the country, so that all political alliances that have ever been, got consummated between the duo. The West was always made to go it alone, so that the conspiracy-engendered marginalization would be easily hatched to make inefficiency-laced administration subsist. Incidentally, the West has always constituted the stabilizing factor because there are certain internal mechanisms that restore normalcy. Nobody is thus left in the dark that whatever would become of an entity called Nigeria is predicated on what the Western part of Nigeria is able to fashion. Leaders from other parts of the country have always instigated internal wranglings by trying to put our political leaders on collision course. People generally get confused at times, but when it appears as if we are approaching the breaking point, solutions that are beyond human knowledge will suddenly unfold, and we quickly put the ugly situation behind us. We can imagine the number of times we have been pestered to get frustrated, but without success because of our resilience. This has always been the saving grace; and this is what others draw from to also muster strength for their survival. That is why people always draw the conclusion that the West holds the key to the continued survival of the country. Another miracle took place the penultimate Saturday, when an election, that was earlier speculated to bring with it serious upheaval, suddenly went peacefully: another hand of God at work! The consternation was understandable, as no other election in the history of Nigeria’s nationhood had attracted so many security Personnel to a State prior to any elections. That is why we feel the historians need to toil on their area of specialization and find out whether it has ever happened in any nation of the world, so that ours will form part of the contents in the Guinness Book of Records. The siege was surely unprecedented; so much that people felt heaven was going to fall on the State of Osun, as it is known today. Residents were inundated with calls prior to, during, and after the election that sent jitters down the spines of most people in the state. The only people that were spared the trouble of the unusual heavy presence of security personnel were the party faithful of the Peoples Democratic
By ADE OLUGBOTEMI
When God Is For Us …
•AREGBESOLA
Party’s (PDP) extraction, who peradventure had the premonition of what has generally been considered alien in our political evolution. While the majority were treading with caution, PDP members were visibly unperturbed because the masterminds of that ugly scenario were Jelili Adesiyan, the Minister of Police Affairs and Musiliu Obanikoro, the Minister of State for Defence, who earlier threatened to reclaim Osun by all means. One thing I have noticed over the years is that our kinsmen have always been instruments in the hands of our adversaries. They used some of us when they wanted to demystify the late Obafemi Awolowo, even to the end that he only became the best president Nigeria never had. They used some of us against the late M.K.O. Abiola, and Nigeria has never remained the same again after he was denied the privilege of using the mandate that was overwhelmingly
given at the polls. They are now also making use of some of us to disrupt the peace that has become entrenched in the State of Osun, so that the visionary leadership at work, and all plans and programmes aimed at changing the face of our environment for the better will be circumvented. What is sacrosanct however is that betrayal and rebellion are doorways to the peril of their hatchers. For a long time now, successive rulers have always paid lip-service to development. This is the first time in the last thirty years that concrete steps would be taken to massively attend to infrastructural problem that has hampered developmental prospect of the whole nation. This is currently happening in all the SouthWest states of Nigeria, and I think what every right-thinking Nigerian must be interested in is to rally support for all those who are adding value to governance across the
South-West geo-political zone. That is the reason behind the overwhelming support that people are according the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, irrespective of what happened in the recentlyconcluded Ekiti gubernatorial election. Osun gubernatorial election has come and gone; and it has been generally adjudged to be free, fair, and credible. Whatever is left of its imperfection should be excused on the altar of human infallibility. I am not sure some people can be satisfied should it be God that came down from His heavenly abode to conduct our election for us. Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Iyiola Omisore, preferred to take to Ahithophel’s counsel to go to Election Tribunal to challenge the Election; the highest level of exhibiting desperation, one would say. I know the will and wishes of the majority will prevail. Omisore should however learn to accept what betides, so as not to fight the Creator that has given him the grace of recognition to have emerged a candidate. Osun people have now known that Omisore is after something other than the mandate the people could give. The fact that it was jubilation galore all over the place would have prompted a reflex action by which he would manage to muster a congratulatory message to the victor. Probably, the man forgot that it will take some time for the Federal Government to recover from the excess spending spree that gave him so many quanta of Osun’s votes. Omisore ought to have convinced his principal in Abuja to release half the amount spent to bribe voters, so that voters would get convinced through executed projects of the need for more of federal presence through Jonathan’s PDP. The entire State of Osun was reduced to fearsome military zone; just because PDP wanted to reclaim Osun by force. Our people must be praised for the uncommon courage they exhibited while the occupation lasted. They showed the courage of true patriots, who are resolute to see a new society evolving. The intimidations of security agents notwithstanding, they defended their votes and ensured that the umpires released the results emanating from the various polling units. This is a great lesson for us all not to get deterred by any intimidations that may come as ploy to disenfranchise people. Without any intention to rig, people can now rest assured that when God is behind us, no power, no principality can thrive. When God is for us, who can be against us?
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.