Osun Defender - August 30th 2014, Edition

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www.osundefender.org SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 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

VOL. 9. NO.104

Front Page Comment

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

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

N50

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.

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Guber Election:

Osun APC, PDP Shift Battle To Tribunal

- See Story On Page 2

•As Tribunal Grants Parties’ Applications To Inspect Election Materials PDP Chieftain Arraigned In Court Over Attacks On APC Members- Pg 2

Osun PDP Threatens INEC Personnel - Pg 2

•(L-R) Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Wale Omole; The governor, State of Osun and co-visitor, LAUTECH. Ogbomoso, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Vice-Chancellor, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Professor Adeniyi Gbadegesin, during a congratulatory and courtesy visit to the governor by the council members and management team of LAUTECH at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Wednesday.

The Next Four Years Will Be - Pg 3 Great - Aregbesola

Untold Stories Of Siege Laid To Osun By Federal Forces

- See Story On Page 4

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

Guber Election: APC, PDP Shift Battle To Tribunal •AsHETribunal Grants Parties’ Applications To Inspect Election Materials Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo The APC, in its suit joined

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has granted applications filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking relief of the court to inspect the electoral materials used during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state.

According to APC’s order to inspect, copy and counsel, Kunle Adegoke do forensic examination of (SAN), the party electoral materials used for approached the tribunal for the election, expressing

doubt about the votes got by the PDP in some local government council areas.

Adegoke also noted that granting the relief would allow the APC to defend any petition filed against the victory of the party’s candidate at the governorship election.

INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the State Returning Officer as respondents.

The PDP, in its motion also sought an order of the tribunal directing the third respondent, INEC and its agents to permit the

Stories By SHINA ABUBAKAR

applicant to inspect and conduct forensic analysis of the electoral documents used for the governorship election in the state and receive from the respondent the CTCs of all INEC documents.

The party and its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, had joined the incumbent governor of the state and winner of the August 9 election, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, his party, APC and INEC in the suit.

Among others, the party’s counsel, Afolabi Fasanu (SAN), said the PDP was seeking an order to inspect all used and unused ballot papers and to scan same by electronic processes, as well as to take CTC of same from the custody of the INEC. The chairman of the three-man panel, which include, Justice Awulo and Justice Benson, Justice I. M. Bako, however granted the prayers of both parties.

PDP Chieftain Arraigned In Court Over Attacks On APC Members

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•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) and APC National Vice-Chairman (South-West), Engr Segun Oni (middle) and other dignitaries, during a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leaders at National Secretariat, Abuja, last Thursday.

Osun PDP Threatens INEC Personnel

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AVING lost the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun to the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resorted to threatening lives of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) personnel.

Investigations gathered tribunal’s approval to showed that the party, not inspect election materials, satisfied with its defeat at where it intends to the poll, picked out some perpetrate its evil acts.

It was learnt that the staffers of the Independent National Electoral personnel were alleged by Commission for punishment the PDP of not executing over what it described as the deal they were asked to failure to help the party to do in the build-up to the election and during the win the poll.

According to findings poll. Yet, they were alleged after Governor Aregbesola’s of alerting the APC of plans speech, while receiving his to win at the tribunal.

The PDP was said to be certificate of return that very angry at the failure of INEC should be vigilant the personnel to carry out with its materials and should the dirty job for the party, not allow anyone tamper which the medium learnt with it, the PDP felt they had done for the party disappointed and alleged in the past. some staff of informing the Report at the medium’s APC of its plans to void disposal showed that the some ballot papers ahead of victims have known about its preparation to go to the the threat to their lives and tribunal. have been running around It would be recalled that to escape being a target of the governor alleged that vendetta of the party the then Action Congress desperadoes. votes for its lawmakers in A source close to INEC the State House of headquarters in Osogbo Assembly were voided, informed the medium that paving way for the Court of there is a serious vigilance Appeal to remove some of going on at the complex its lawmakers and ordered targeted at some staff, who bye elections, which PDP hold sensitive positions in later won. the commission, with a Checks revealed that after view to seeing that no one the governor’s admonition, compromised its materials. the PDP desperadoes It was gathered that the sensed a setback, PDP is now accusing the particularly in its bid to get APC of plans to burn INEC

office, with a view to forestalling the PDP from inspecting the materials.

However, both parties have got the court’s nod to inspect the documents used for the poll.

Findings revealed that the

APC is hell-bent on checkmating the PDP illegal move to discredit the election, whose military agents harassed, intimidated and illegally arrested APC members on the eve of the election.

former chairman of Ilesa-West Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun, Mr. Ibukun Fadipe of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), has been arraigned before a magistrate’s court.

Fadipe was arraigned ready to withdraw the for allegedly attacking case.

The prosecuting some members of the defunct Action Congress counsel, Promise Akanwa, of Nigeria (ACN) in Ilesa opposed the application of the defence counsel, in 2009.

The former chairman, saying that the proper who appeared before Chief procedure was for the Magistrate Olalekan counsel to apply for bail.

The defence counsel Ijiyode, was accused of assaulting Alhaja Mulikat thereafter applied for bail for the former council Odeyemi and others.

Fadipe was also accused chairman, pleading with of damaging the speakers the court to be liberal on bail terms. and engine of Isokun theAjoba argued that all the Social Elite Club in Ilesa complainants, who were on May 28, 2009. direct victims of the The suspect however, alleged assault, could entered a not-guilty-plea to stand as sureties for the the charge. accused.

His counsel, Mr Magistrate Ijiyode then Oluwaseun Ajoba, urged granted bail to Fadipe in the court to dismiss the the sum of N500, 000 and case on the ground that all two sureties, who must be the complainants were residents in Ilesa.

Restriction Of Freedom Poses Danger To Democracy - Aregbesola

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HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Wednesday, said democracy does not have meaning and cannot thrive as a system of government, where freedom is fettered.

Aregbesola made this governorship election in the observation at the Government state, in which he emerged House, Osogbo, when the victorious, Aregbesola lamented Governing Council, what he termed the partisanship Management and Staff of Ladoke of some security agencies, Akintola University of which ought to be neutral in the Technology (LAUTECH), election between two parties.

Ogbomoso, paid him a courtesy He opined that a situation in visit. which the nation’s constitution The governor said what was brazenly subverted creates makes any democracy functional danger for democracy and is the latitude of freedom offered federalism. the people under such system.

He said there is need for a He argued that freedom is so robust and constant dialogue and central to democracy to the engagement on the true meaning extent that its absence takes of democracy and federalism so meaning out of that democratic as for the country not to derail. system.

He continued: “ It is an He said: “Freedom is so aberration in any democracy, important in any democracy. In federalism or republic to render fact, it is superior to all other the head of a unit ineffective ingredients that makes even for a day, let alone weeks, democracy functional. as was done in terms of security “Therefore, there is no in the state during the election.” democracy, where there is no While commending the freedom. What separates governing council of the democracy from other forms of university, Aregbesola noted government is the latitude of that there is no alternative to freedom it gives to the people.” joint management of the Reflecting on what transpired university by the two states if during the August 9, 2014 and when reason prevails.

Stressing that finance is key in the administration of a university, he urged for a rethink in philosophy of how to fund the university with the meagre resources of the two states.

He added that there is the need for the two states to continue to jointly fund the university, so as to uphold the dream of its founding fathers.

Earlier in his remark, the ProChancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Wale Omole, while congratulating the governor on his victory, said the election was one fought by God and won by God. Omole, who was a former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, said what the governor has put in place in the state in term of efforts to rebuild it and make life more meaningful to the citizenry is enormous.

The Don also acknowledged the efforts of the government of Osun in sustaining the legacy of the jointly owned university.

“This is an election fought

by God and won by God. You have done very well in rebuilding the state so as to make life meaningful and abundant to the people of the state.

“Your election as governor has done a good service to the university in terms of its stability. Without you, we would have been telling another story.

“You are one of the most disciplined public officers in the land. You always walk your talk and do what you say,” Omole said.

In a letter of congratulation written to the governor, the Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH, Professor Adeniyi Gbadegesin, said the management, staff and students of the institution congratulate and commend the governor on his victory and performance in office for the first term.

The letter said Aregbesola’s vision, mission and passion to move the state forward positively in terms of development is highly commendable.

The letter added “This vision, mission and passion is not only for Osun, Yoruba land but Nigeria as a whole.

“We, management, staff and students of LAUTECH congratulate you on your reelection and wish you another successful tenure.”

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Next Four Years Will Be Great - Aregbesola HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf various communities.

He noted that the creation Aregbesola, on Tuesday, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for doing a of the state has fulfilled good job and for remaining firm in spite of the enormous some aspirations of the founding fathers by pressures on it to subvert the will of the people. bringing government closer This was even as he during the to the people. noted that democracy is stressed According to the broadcast. imperiled, when citizens governor; “the longest The governor revealed begin to exercise fear of possible backlash for voting that the creation of Osun in distance to the state capital 1991 was a dream come true is less than 60 kilometres for a losing candidate.

Aregbesola made these for people who wanted a and less than an hour ’s disclosures in his address state of their own through drive. The civil service has to the people of the state on which development could provided jobs for many of the 23rd Anniversary of the be accelerated in their our youths, including creation of the State of Osun.

The governor held that only those who commit wrongful and criminal acts

By BOLANLE BABALOLA during an election need to LL Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun be fearful because the law has heartily welcome the decision by the PDP to would catch up with them, proceed to the tribunal to seek redress for its perceived sooner or later, saying that irregularity during the August 9 governorship election in law-abiding citizens have which its candidate, Iyiola Omisore, suffered a comprehensive nothing to fear. defeat. embraced a civilized approach He also commended the According the APC, this is a people of the state for their pleasant departure from what to democratic engagement,” the said, “its flag-bearer and conduct and choice during was known of PDP’s APC the leadership of the party in the August 9 election, which disposition to settling scores Osun should also remember that has distinguished them through violence, intimidation in court, you don’t manufacture among the states of the and terror. facts and figures, you support “Now that PDP has them instead with credible federation as forthright, courageous, patriotic, wise, intelligent and God-fearing.

Aregbesola pointed out that people, in spite of provocations and

By SOLA JACOBS temptations with filthy ONFIDENCE have been reposed that the State of Osun lucre, came out peacefully, is and will always be free of the effect of Ebola virus defying intimidation and disease due to the fact that the state has always been confidently made a choice and the government of the state has reiterated its effort expressing their preference clean to restore healthy living to the citizens in compliance with for him above other the six-point integral action plan of Governor Rauf candidates.

Aregbesola.

The governor said: “You The State Commissioner for commissioner, women are the have demonstrated the Environment and Sanitation, pillars and care-givers for the Omoluabi essence and have Professor (Mrs.) Bukola home, hence the need to made our race proud. Oyawoye, made this known at sensitize women in the state, Generations to come will the one-day sensitization who will also train other women read about your heroic acts programme on Ebola virus they come in contact with about and take great pride in their disease, organised by the Ebola and how to protect the forebears.

Ministry of Women and family, while charging women “I will therefore, like to Children Affairs in collaboration to stop self-prescription for express my profound with the Ministries of Health any sick child and take such gratitude to all the people of and Environment, held at child to the hospital for Osun for the support they Moremi Creche of the ministry. treatment.

She told the women to Oyawoye stated that the gave us in the last election.

I will like to thank all the government of Ogbeni Rauf maintain good hygiene by political parties that Aregbesola had been up and washing of hands with soap or participated in the election doing since the emergence of sanitizer, continue and be Ebola in Lagos, Nigeria, hence constant with the regular and their candidates.

“I will also thank the his commitment to nip the environmental sanitation Independent National infection to the bud in the state exercise approved by the state Electoral Commission by creation of committee to look government among others, and (INEC) for doing a good job into Ebola issue, and the also that they must look out and their children and for remaining firm in committee include, Ministries protect adequately. of Women and Children Affairs, spite of the enormous Information, Similarly, the Special Adviser Health, pressures on it to subvert Environment, Lands and to the Governor on Public the will of the people. of Hospital Agriculture and Food Security. Health “My appreciation goes She further stated that the Management Board, Dr. Rafiu to all the youths and their state government has provided Isamotu, in his lecture, stated various groups for seeing the medical equipment needed the importance of the their today and tomorrow in to treat victims in the state sensitization by explaining us and for identifying with should the need arise, and also what Ebola is, how it is spread, the progressive platform for medical personnel who will the symptoms, laboratory tests under which we contested treat the patients. to detect it, treatment, clinical the election,” Aregbesola According to the diagnosis and prevention.

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graduates, whose skills and abilities could have been lost to neighbouring states and other metropolis. ”Osogbo, as the capital city, has also witnessed expansion and attracted other developments as a result of its status. This has created a cascading effect on its neighbouring communities like Ede, Ilesa, Iwo, Ilobu, Ibokun, and Ikirun.

“We thank God Almighty

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI for these developments and many more. We must therefore, be grateful to the founding fathers of the state and the successive administrations that have made Osun what it is today,” he emphasised.

The governor dismissed insinuations and unfounded speculations that there will be backlash against those who did not

support him in the last election.

Aregbesola noted that expressing a political choice is an inalienable right of every citizen and this choice should be made without fear or favour.

He pointed out that the next four years will be great, rewarding and fulfilling and will surpass any previous era in the annals of the state.

PDP’s Resort To Tribunal Civilized - APC

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evidence.

“Since the PDP was also infamous for awful lies and fabrication of false figures, it should be conscious that such fabrications cannot stand in the court of law,” the APC said.

So, as the PDP goes to the tribunal, a new chapter is being written in Osun’s preference for the rule of law rather than the rule of the jungle, which had characterized PDP’s politics before and shortly after the August 9, 2014 governorship election.

“We in the APC have nothing to worry about because we know that we won the election fair and square. Even Professor Attahiru Jega, the INEC Chairman, has attested to that in a public statement in which he said that the election “was nearly rigged” apparently by whoever of the losers he did not specify.

“Our confidence is even further boosted by the defection of John Abolarinwa Abidoye, the Osun PDP’s legal adviser to the APC on Tuesday (a day

before the PDP filed its case at the tribunal).

He knows the facts because he participated in the election as a PDP agent. That is why he could say factually that, “the people of Osun truly voted for Aregbesola. Across the state, they spoke loud and clear,” he said.

“That was what the forces of darkness wanted to rig, but they failed in their efforts during the election. They cannot get that evil job done through the tribunal either,” the APC said.

Ebola: Confidence Reposed On Healthy Living In The State

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Dr. Isamotu warned residents of the need not to transport the corpse of their dead relatives, but to bury such person immediately wherever the dead person resides, and that less contact should henceforth be made with corpses.

He also urged medical personnel not to reject patient with Ebola Virus Disease

symptoms, but to carry out their duties professionally as they clad themselves in the health protection gear provided by the government.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Special Adviser, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Barrister Mrs. Funmilayo Esho-Williams, urged the women to cooperate

with the government by complying with regulations.

Other speakers at the sensitization programme were: Iyalode of Osogbo land, Chief Mrs. Bernice Kolade, Dr. S. Aikulola of the Ministry of Agriculture and food security, and Director of Medical Services (HMB), Dr. Gbenga Adepoju.

Osun Youth Programme To Employ 20,000 Volunteers

By ABOSEDEAKINPELU

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HE Osun Youth Employment Scheme (OYES) has revealed that the state government would recruit 20,000 youths as volunteers in February for the next batch of 2015-2017 set.

In an interview with the programme, would be engaged Commandant of between 2015 and 2017. The scheme, Colonel Oyewole entire applicants will go Enibukun (rtd.), on the through the normal training that recruitment of the OYES the others have gone through. scheme, he was able to disclose He had earlier mentioned the positive impact that it had that the recruitment exercise on the society, by reducing was a two- year revolving idealness, laziness and volunteer scheme, which began unemployment thereby making in 2011 to tackle the youths to be creative. unemployment among the According to him: “Official youths in the State of Osun. recruitment process is ongoing “So far, 40,000 youths have to recruit 20,000 youths into benefited from the scheme and the OYES programme to more youths are expected to replace the present batch of benefit from the present and cadets who will disengage from future recruitment exercises. the scheme in 2015,” he said.

With both financial and He said the youths, who industrial aid to keep them were to be recruited for the next going, after they might have two-year empowerment finished with their term.

“Those who are selected for the programme based on their eligibility and suitability would be engaged and trained in various vocations by the state for two years,” he said.

Enibukun also maintained that the programme had helped to reduce the unemployment rate, especially among jobless graduates in the state.

He added that empowering the youths through the scheme has led to employment generation.

“As at 2013, the unemployment rate has dropped to three per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics,” he stated.

He advised other states to replicate the programme, so as to tackle unemployment and to reduce the high rate of idleness in the nation, basically because of the Boko Haram insurgency, which can be traced to the idleness of the youths.

Osun Health Commissioner Tasks Religious Groups On Ebola

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

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•Administrative block of Ayegbaju Market, Osogbo constructed by the administration of Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

N a bid to avert the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the State of Osun, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Temitope Ilori, has called on religious groups to be at alert and help prevent the deadly virus, which has sent hundreds to their untimely graves in Africa.

Ilori, who made the call Ministry of Health, in recently in an interview, partnership with stakeholders emphasised the need for in the state, has been making religious leaders in the state to endless efforts, towards sensitize their people on the avoiding the spread of the Ebola havoc the disease had caused on virus.’’

“The government of Osun the African continent.

Non Government She said the state and government through the Organization (NGOs), are really Ministry of Health, had trying in their campaign towards embarked on massive ensuring that no case of such campaigns about the nature of epidemic was recorded.

“Lagos State has recorded the disease and how it spreads, while urging the religious groups cases of victims, who are under isolation and those on the watch to also join in the crusade.

According to her: “the lists”.

The health commissioner, who reiterated that prevention is better than cure, added that it is better to stick to warnings made available and follow the medical advice given by experts in order not to record any case that we may live to regret.

While appealing to the people to abstain from anything capable of spreading the deadly virus, Ilori stressed that sentiments and ignorance must not be allowed to destroy thousands of lives.

The commissioner, who assured of the state government’s readiness to always provide adequate healthcare delivery in the state, charged the citizens to strictly follow the medical experts advisory on how to prevent Ebola.

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News Feature

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

Untold Stories Of Siege Laid To Osun By Federal Forces H

AVING taken stock of the siege laid to the State of Osun by masked men, who were obviously deployed for hatchet job, as touching the August 9, 2014 governorship election, the 26 members of the State House of Assembly, while reacting on the pre-election siege, had stories of horrible experiences in the hands of the masked men to tell across the 30 local government council areas, including the Area office.

“We could have settled for a silent legal battle the state parliament had mandated the state to take against the action of the Federal Government, but the partisan position of the spokeswoman of the Department of State Security (DSS), Ms. Marylyn Ogar, who laboured so hard on national television to change the record of facts and figures, has compelled us to made some of the facts public.

“Let it be known that the parliament of the State of Osun and the government have no problem with the officers and men of the DSS among other formations of the security apparatus controlled by the federal government under the pseudo-democracy being practised in this nation, but what stunned us as the parliament was the way this federal institutions went partisan on the issue of grave concern, especially on the siege its men laid to Osun for reason that could not be divorced from the politics of “order from above”.

Precisely a week before the governorship election in the State of Osun, men of the DSS were brought to Osun in 50 trucks and aside from the show of force displayed at some populated areas in the state capital, Osogbo; those men later became civil and professional, but three days to the D-day, the story changed, as the men in mask and DSS fatigue began to intimidate innocent people on the streets, a prelude to what obtained at the dusk of a day to the D-day.

Below were the few cases of a full-fledged siege laid on the state people of Osun: To start with: 1. Hon. Folarin Fafowora, representing Ilesa-West State Constituency, was arrested and humiliated on the eve of the election for no reason other than he was reportedly pointed out by a PDP chieftain, as a man to be withdrawn from circulation, if the mission to capture Ilesa West Local Government Council Area was to become a reality. He was detained and ridiculed by the masked men with inscription of DSS boldly woven at the back of their T-shirts for no

•SULEIMON ABBA: IG

By GOKE BUTIKA offence and was released after the election and no charge has been preferred against him till date.

Fafowora and other APC chieftains arrested with him were detained for four days before they were released.

2. Hon. Wasiu Adebayo, representing Olorunda State Constituency reported that Madam Deputy Governor, who hails from his constituency, was arrested and humiliated during the election, while she was coming from the Commissioner of Police to complain about some of the supporters of the APC, who were arrested and detained for no given reason. It was gathered on good authority that the instruction to arrest the deputy governor with her immunity was ordered by a candidate of the federal ruling party.

Besides, he told the House on how the entire Household of Senator Bayo Salami, who was the chairman of the governorship campaign committee of APC in Osogbo zone,

was held to ransom by sporadic shooting of armed masked men, subjecting his wives and children to psychological trauma throughout the night.

3. Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, representing Atakunmosa, East and West State Constituency, reported how APC polling agents were arrested and detained for no reason by armed masked men, before his family house in Ifewara was vandalized by the same men, who were reportedly led by a PDP agent.

4. Hon. Oladoyin-Folorunso Bamisayemi, representing Ife-South State Constituency, reported how the leaders and supporters of APC in Ile-Ife were hounded and arrested at random in the council area by armed masked men, a situation that offered the PDP an opportunity to have a field day during the election, because most of the polling agents had been arrested. And the Chip whip, Hon. Ipoola Binuyo representing Ife-North reported that his family members had to flee home when the armed masked men stormed

his family house.

5. Hon. Olalekan Afolabi, representing Ifelodun State Constituency, also related how the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who was also the first Speaker of the State House of Assembly, was arrested and humiliated while he made effort to secure the release of the Executive Secretary of Ifelodun Local Government Council Area and others who were arrested for no reason on the eve of the election in Ikirun.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon, Akintunde Adegboye representing Osogbo State Constituency reported that three councilors of Osogbo Local Government who are ward leaders who were given the money meant for the polling agents were arrested by soldiers and detained at DSS state headquarters for no reason; while the Leader of the House, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, reported that four of his brothers and his driver were arrested when the masked men who stormed his residence could not locate his whereabouts.

The above stated facts are some of the incidences that took place before and during the governorship election which Ms. Ogar wanted Nigerians to praise his men for because the choice of the people prevailed against all odds and the siege laid on the state as a result of sheer determination of the people to make a statement.

As a result of the facts stated above about the siege laid to the very peaceful State of Osun, large number of the people, who could not withstand the intimidation, refused to come out to vote and substantially, the voting strength of the state was reduced.

This is against the “make belief” free and fair attributed to the election. Yes, the election is credible and the result appears indisputable, but the atmosphere was far less than free and fair.

In the light of all these, we hereby appeal to the National Assembly to step in on the matter and investigate the facts we have laid out to the public, so as to curb the abuse of federal institutions now and in the future and to further factor into the electoral act, practical measures that could provide conducive environment for elections without militarization.

•Butika is the Press Secretary to the Speaker of the State of Osun.

News

Osun 27th Anniversary: Speaker Calls For More Support For Aregbesola progress in all spheres of education, employment reroute the opportunity to economic advancement,

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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influence.

He noted that the governor has rolled the state back from the backwater status to a working state, where technology-driven innovation has defined all sectors of human endeavours ranging from

PEAKER of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has tasked the people of the state to take time and appraise the situation of the state in the last 27 years with a view to continuing to support the progressive government which has obviously bailed the state out of mis-government and economic slavery.

In a statement signed by has been marked out as a his spokesman, Mr. Goke state on the march of Butika, to congratulate the governor and the people of the state on the 27th Anniversary of the creation

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI of the state, he also saluted the courage of all citizens in OVEMENT Against Electoral Fraud (MAEF), a the last governorship coalition of Students and civil society activists, election, which drove the on Wednesday urged the people of Nigeria to reactionary forces out of the build the culture of conscious political resistance ahead corridors of power and of 2015 general elections. mandate of the people at all making them to lose their It also called on Osun time. deposit. electorate to ignore all forms He said the emerging Congratulating the of intimidation and gear up political culture under by engaging in governor and the people of President Goodluck the state, the Speaker neighbourhood education Jonathan has been asserted that the and sensitization to prepare characterized by Army of anniversary is worth for 2015 general elections occupation, adding that Addressing a press elections have become celebrating because Osun

generation, security, agriculture and social infrastructure.

The Speaker then thanked the founding fathers of the state who brought the dream of the promising state to fruition, when the battle was thick and when the lobby to

other parts of the country was fierce, saying their effort has paid-off with the development of the state.

“State of Osun is today known for Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo), meaningful engagement of jobless youths tagged: OYES, springing up of

roads and participatory democracy, as a result of the result-oriented governor, who is steering the wheel of governance.

“We are confident that the state has moved to the point of no return in her developmental drive,” the statement read.

Osun Election: Group Advocates Culture Of Citizens Political Consciousness

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Change Of Name I, formerly known and addressed as AROWOLO ADEBAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as C E L E B R AT I O N EYITAYO AROWOLO. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

conference in Osogbo, State of Osun capital, Coordinator of the organisation, Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, said the j u s t - c o n c l u d e d governorship election in Osun has shown that there is urgent need to build an “evidenced-based political participation” to reject the old and soiled political usurpers to protect the

warfare and repression of the political will of the masses.

The evidence of this emerging trend, according to Otitolaye, includes the high level of rigging, militarization and dehumanization of the common voters, arrest of opposition politicians and harassments of the general

public.

He said the space under which the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election was conducted in Osun cannot represent a democratic atmosphere: “It was a beastly attempt to subjugate the will of the people, using state apparatus with over twenty-two thousand security forces deployed for a state election.”

According to Otitolaye; “a careful stock-taking and appraisal of political events in Nigeria taken cognizance of the events leading to Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections are clear indications that we are far from achieving free and fair elections. The primitive militarization of the last two gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States are pointers to what the 2015 general elections in the

country will be.”

“The federal government must explain the rationale for parading masked men as official security personnel during the period of the Osun election. President Goodluck Jonathan is confirming to the whole world that he is promoting state terrorism and organized brigandage” “If state security personnel, who draw their salary from common wealth, are being masked, and used to unleash terror on the common masses, it simply means that Mr, President has something to hide.

“We must not take with levity these political happenings as it confronts us. The people of the country deserve the leadership that governs them, through their actions or inactions.

“We call on Nigerians to resist any process that will turn Nigeria to a fascist colony and always relate with politicians on the bases of their electoral promises and performances, never allow political prostitution and deception and reject all forms of economic and political slavery,” Otitiolaye said.

MAEF condemned the attitude of security men and their commander, who beat and torture journalists and damaged their cameras during the Osun election.

Otitolaye said the reported harassment of Mr. Jamiu Kamal of MITV, CORE TV and TVC Reporter cameraman, and arrest of students including the Osun State Joint Campus Chairman (JCC) Chairman, Awowole Samuel and 32 others was beastly and irritating.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

5

News

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. 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

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INTERVIEW

6

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

My Membership Of Water Board Has Prepared Me To Serve My People - Mrs. Adeoye As the only female member of the Board of the Osun State Water Corporation, Mrs. Adeoye Sakirat Adedayo, deserves a lot of commendation but her desire to serve the people does not end there as she aspires to go further in her political pursuit by offering her services to represent her people in the Osun House of Assembly as member, representing Olorunda State Constituency.

This Amazon in a man’s world had a tete-atete with EZEDIUNO FRANCIS and she discussed more on her ambition and how she would like to be of service to her people.

OSDF: Let us meet you?

ADEOYE: My name is Mrs. Adeoye Sakirat Adedayo, nee Adeoye.

OSDF: Tell us about your background?

ADEOYE: I am a politician, philantrophist and the only female member of the Board of the Osun State Water Corporation. I hail from Ward 9, Oba-Ile in Olorunda Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun.

I have HND in Banking and Finance from Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke and married to Mr. Adeoye Adedapo and blessed with kids. By the grace of God, I am the proprietress of UthmanZain Integrated Concept, a general retail and hospitality services agency based in Ibadan, Oyo State.

OSDF: As a philantrophist,which area have you imparted into the life of people around you?

ADEOYE: All glory goes to God Almighty. From the onset, I love putting smiles on the faces of the people around me. I love affecting everybody around me positively. And I don’t like bragging about my achievements.

It’s better I do it in a silent way and those people that my kind gesture has touched one way or the other are free to come out publicly to talk about it.

OSDF: As a politician, which political group did you pitch your tent with?

ADEOYE: I am a proud member of the ruling party in the state of Osun, the progessive party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

OSDF: Do you have an aspiration for any elective position?

ADEOYE: I thank God for giving us the grace to witness and also to win the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election.

My felicitation goes to the APC State of Osun, the governor; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his amiable deputy; Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori for the success recorded. I pray that God will continue to strengthen them as they steer the ship of the state to the next level. By the special grace of God and with the full support of my people, I want to contest for the position of House of Assembly member, representing Olorunda State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly come February, 2015. My belief is that Ogbeni

Rauf Aregbesola has given women a lot of opportunity in his administration to serve and I believe that this time around, a woman should take charge. We need a woman to carry on the good work where the person there presently would leave off. The governor has supported 35% affirmative action and this time around we want to fully benefit from it.

It is time for a change and I want to offer that change with my candidature.

I thank God for the chance the governor had given to women in his cabinet; his deputy is a woman, he has women commissioners, women as special advisers and senior special assistants.

There are also women in the State House of Assembly and also at the National Assembly, Abuja.

It is time for women to come out and contest for the State Assembly too and by the grace of God, I know I would be part of those that would be given the opportunity to serve.

OSDF: What would be your own advantage over the current occupier of that position?

ADEOYE: Like I said earlier, the time of change has come and I want to be that change. I also believe that it’s the turn of a woman to come in and serve.

The political party I belong to, the APC, is one that allows for the people to choose whoever they want to serve them and since I have the backing of my people, I can confidently say that I am their next choice for Olorunda State Consituency in the February 2015 general elections. I am well known throughout Olorunda Local Government Council Area and I believe God is going to back my candidature and crown my efforts with success. I believe the contest would be thrown open for people to select their choice candidate for the primaries. I know my people will decide in my favour.

Also, through my participation during the last election, the women indicated that far too long they have been undermined in the political affairs of the state, taking into consideration that they constitute the largest voters in the last election.

We have a Ministry of Women and Children Affairs but there is no committee on women affairs. Women have been marginalised on decision-

•Mrs SAKIRAT ADEOYE: Member, Board of Osun Water Corporation

making. I am a representative of women and this could be seen in the way I handle my affairs as the only female member in the water corporation board. The opportunity I have been given to work with the State Water Corporation has exposed me a lot on my stand for the cause of women. My advantage is based on my laid-out plan which is a nine-pointagenda in all. They are: 1) Sponsoring of bills on the floor of the House that will enhance the living capacity of people in my constituency.

2) Women empowerment because if you empower a woman you have empowered a nation through the introduction of improved vocational learning in order for them to be selfreliant.

3) Micro-credit scheme for selected members of my constituency to boost micro-credit trading.

4) Have a good working relationship with people in my constituency through regular interaction. As you know in development approach, bottom-up approach is the best as you will know what the people need.

5) Good working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

6) I will let members of my constituency feel sense of belonging as their input will help develop my constituency and the state in general.

7) Ensure the provision of social amenities that are lacking in my constituency, using the contacts with the Executive.

8) Provision of potable drinking water as a privileged member of the Board of

Osun State Water Corporation.

9) General welfare of the people irrespective of party affiliation will be my utmost concern if I am privileged to be at the House of Assembly, State of Osun.

OSDF: Do you think your position as the only female in the Osun State Water Corporation Board will aid your chances?

ADEOYE: Yes. I am very hopeful on that. I have been trying my best as the only female member of that board and I believe I am equal to the task by the grace of God. As an addition, I intend to represent interest of my constituents; both young and old but in particular, the women folk, who appear to be heavily marginalised until the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola gave recognition through the establishment of the offices of IyalojaGeneral of Osun and Iyalojas at the various local government council area levels.

It is our plan to partner with these officers to further enhance the lot of women in the State of Osun.

OSDF: Do you think the atmosphere is set for a lady to come out and contest?

ADEOYE: The governor is in full support of women participation in politics and he has pledged to see to the implementation of the 35% affirmative action for women participation in politics because Ogbeni abhors cheating.

Even the First Lady; Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, is in support of this.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

PHOTOTALK

7

Management Team Of Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology (LAUTECH) Paid A Courtesy Visit To The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At Government House, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Wednesday.

•Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Adeniyi Gbadegesin (left), presenting a congratulatory letter to Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right) and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Council, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Professor Wale Omole ((middle), during a congratulatory and courtesy visit to the governor, by council members and management team of LAUTECH at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Wednesday.

•Governor Aregbesola (4th right); Professor Omole (4th left); Professor Gbadegesin (3rd right); Deputy Vice-Chancellor, LAUTECH, Professor Timothy Adebayo (2nd right); members of council, LAUTECH, Professor Richard Olaniyan (left); Professor Olasupo Ladipo (3rd left) and other dignitaries, during the congratulatory visit to the governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Wednesday.

8

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Legal Adviser In The State Of Osun, Barrister John Abidoye, Defected To All Progressives Congress (APC) At APC State Secretariat, Osogbo, Last Tuesday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•(L-R) State of Osun APC Acting Chairman, Elder Lowo Adebiyi; PDP legal Adviser in the State of Osun, Barrister John Abidoye and Acting State Secretary of APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun.

•(L-R) State Deputy Chairman of APC, Alhaji Muraina Iyiola; Chief Ishola Oyewumi; Alhaji Gbadamosi Lawal and Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

•(L-R) State of Osun APC Women Leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde; Board Chairman of OSBC, Mr Kola Akanji; Mr Quadril Owonikoko and Alhaji Sule Aderemi at the programme.

•

•A cross section of APC members at the event.

9

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

Olajokun Park At Gbongan Junction Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•One of the buildings at Olajokun Park.

•Another building at Olajokun Park.

•

•An aerial view of Olajokun Park.

10

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At The Inspection Of New Osun State Police Headquarters, Osogbo, Last Tuesday.

•The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, being welcome by policemen to the new Osun State Police Headquarters, at Ring Road, Osogbo, on Tuesday.

•Osun Police Headquarters (1&2) Sergeant Usman Saheed, presenting the guard of honour Governor Aregbesola, during the inspection of the new Osun State Police Headquarters, at Ring Road, Osogbo, on Tuesday.

•Osun Police Headquarters (3&4) Governor Rauf Aregbesola (in glasses) State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maishanu (right), Area Commander, Ife, Abdulkadir Jimoh(2nd left) and Area Commander, Osogbo, Kayode Egbetokun(left) during the Inspection of the New Osun State Police Headquarters; at Ring Road, Osogbo, on Tuesday.

FOR THE RECORDS

11

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

Address By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, To The People Of The State On The 23rd Anniversary Of The Creation Of The State Of Osun On August 27, 2014.

Political Choice, Inalienable Right Of Every Citizen - Aregbesola My good people of Osun, most heartily congratulate you on the 23rd anniversary of the creation of our state. It has been a long and tortuous path we have takenfrom infancy then to the stage we are today, but we have cause to give thanks to the Most High.

The creation of Osun in 1991 was a dream come true for our fathers (and mothers) who wanted a state of their own through which development could be accelerated in their various communities.

Over the years, the creation of the state has fulfilled some of their aspirations. Government has been brought closer to the people. The longest distance to the state capital is less than 60 kilometres and less than an hour’s drive. The civil service has provided jobs for many of our youths, including graduates, whose skills and abilities could have been lost to neighbouring states and other metropolis.

Osogbo, as the capital city, has also witnessed expansion and attracted other developments as a result of its status. This has created a cascading effect on its neighbouring communities like Ede, Ilesa, Iwo, Ilobu, Ibokun, and Ikirun. We thank God Almighty for these developments and many more.

We must therefore be grateful to the founding fathers of the state and the successive administrations that have made Osun what it is today. Major General Leo Ajiborisa (rtd) was the pioneer military administrator. He was succeeded in January 1992 by Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke as the first democratically elected governor.

The military returned and Navy Captain Anthony Udofia (rtd) assumed the mantleof leadership on December 9, 1993. He was succeeded by Lt Col Anthony Obi on 22 August 1996. Col Theophilus Bamigboye (rtd) took over from Obi in August 1998 and was the last military administrator that handed over to Chief Bisi Akande on May 29, 1999 in the return of civil democratic government. Chief Akande was succeeded by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola on May 29, 2003 and held forth until the coming of Oranmiyan on November 27, 2010.

These great men did their part but there are however many grounds to be covered and the challenges ahead are still

I

•AREGBESOLA

formidable.

In the almost four years of our administration, we have striven to provide jobs for our teeming youths and get them positively and meaningfully engaged, revamp the educational system in order to position our children for a future that will be driven largely by knowledge, make agriculture the backbone of our economy in order to feed our people and drive our industries, provide modern infrastructure and make our cities look modern, among our many commitments.

It is a formidable task we have undertaken with pride and satisfaction. I am convinced our success at this did not go unnoticed, which you have rewarded at the August 9 governorship election by overwhelmingly voting for me. I thank you most sincerely for this.

Your conduct and choice during this election has distinguished

you among the states of the federation as forthright, courageous, patriotic, wise, intelligent and God-fearing. This is in spite of provocations and temptations with filthy lucre by those who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. You came out peacefully, defied intimidations and confidently made a choice expressing your preference for me above any other.

You have demonstrated the Omoluabi essence and have made our race proud. Generations to come will read about your heroic acts and take great pride in their forebears.

I will therefore like to express my profound gratitude to all the people of Osun for the support they gave us in the last election. I will like to thank all the political parties that participated in the election and their candidates. I will also thank the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) for doing a good job and for remaining firm in spite of the enormous pressures on it to subvert the will of the people. My appreciation goes to all the youths and their various groups for seeing their today and tomorrow in us and for identifying with the progressive platform under which we contested the election.

I will like to acknowledge the goodwill and support of our various professional groups, the traders, artisans, professionals, the business community, transporters, farmers, students, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, security personnel, civil servants, activists, housewives and other well-meaning people who stood by us and supported us in every way.

I will like to make a strong case for the promotion of the spirit of love and tolerance among us. We must be willing to accommodate each other and tolerate each other. Above all, we must all strive to seek the good of our community, our state, our nation and our neighbours.National greatness and development requires citizens’ pursuit of public good and acting responsibly at all times.

There have been insinuations and unfounded speculations that there will be backlash against those who did not support us in the last election. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Expressing a political choice is an inalienable right of every citizen and this choice should be made without fear or favour.

Democracy is imperilled when citizens begin to exercise fear of possible backlash for voting for a losing candidate. Only those who commit wrongful and criminal acts during an election need to be fearful because the law would catch up with them, sooner or later. Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear.

The next four years will be great, rewarding and fulfilling and will surpass any previous era in the annals of this state. I am therefore asking foryour cooperation and assistance in the effort to build our state and take it to the next level of greatness.

Once again, I congratulate us all on the anniversary of the creation of our state and wish us all many more years of prosperity and advancement.

Osun a dara!

12

INTERVIEW

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

Why I supported Aregbesola – Olatunbosun Yinka Olatunbosun (JP) is a seasoned administrator and management expert with over 15 years banking experience. He is aspiring to represent Ife East Constituency in the State of Osun House of Assembly in 2015.

In this interview with KAZEEM MOHAMMED, he spoke on political developments in Osun and his ambition among other issues. Excerpts:SDF: Let us begin with the last O governorship election in the State of Osun held on August 9. What do you have to say on Aregbesola’s victory?

OLATUNBOSUN: Firstly, I want to congratulate Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of the State of Osun, on his reelection for a second term. Honestly, I am not surprised at his victory and this is because the governor had performed excellently well in the last three and a half years in the saddle. He has impacted positively on the lives of Osun people and expectedly, the people decided to pay him back with massive votes he polled at the election. I also want to congratulate the people of Osun because this victory belongs to them. May I also use this medium to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free and fair election in the State of Osun.

I must also say that the militarisation of the election calls for a serious concern.

Yes, it is appropriate to provide security for any election to ensure that votes count, but when security operatives are used to haunt a party and favour another party, then, it becomes something else. I am aware that many people were arrested on the eve of the election by hooded men, without charging them for any offence.

That to me is not good and it is against the principle of fair play.

However, we must thank God that the will of the people eventually prevail at the election.

OSDF: You made a giant billboard asking the people of Ile-Ife to vote for Governor Aregbesola, an Ijesa man, despite the fact that Senator Iyiola Omisore is your kinsman from Ile-Ife. Why did you have to do that?

OLATUNBOSUN: Yes, agreed, I am from the same town with Senator Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the PDP in the last election, but those who know me or had worked with me know my stand on the issue of performance and result. Sentiments apart, the administration of Governor Aregbesola has performed excellently compared to any other past administration in Osun. I am talking of a governor who through the OYES scheme, created employment for over 40,000 people in two batches; provided intervention fund for farmers, initiated and implemented a programme that currently feeds our school children at government’s expense.

Look at the on-going massive infrastructural development that is unprecedented in the history of the state.

Do you also want to talk on the investment of the administration on education, especially the massive construction of model schools that would be attracting students to want to go to school or the Opon Imo projects? There are so many others like that. So, I came out openly to support Aregbesola because I want him to continue with the good work he had started over three and a half years ago. I am not against an Ife man

or woman becoming governor of Osun but as a progressive person, I will always support somebody that is ready to perform and that was what I saw in Aregbesola. I believe in governance by performance not patronage.

OSDF: You are a banker by profession and also an ordained minister in The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Why do you want to go into politics?

OLATUNBOSUN: A lot of people have actually confronted me with this same question. I, however, hold a different view with those who see politics as a dirty game or an avenue to amass wealth or embezzle government money; so they say a good Christian should not participate.

Politics for me is a call to service. I believe God has endowed me with some natural gifts in the area of administration and by His grace, I am going into politics to make a change. I am not looking for popularity, but a means through which I can affect the lives of the people positively. Also my years of experience in banking and administration have also prepared me for the challenges that may come my way in it.

OSDF: What have been your political mobilisation efforts at the grassroots level to actualise your dream politically?

OLATUNBOSUN: I believe in grassroots politics and that is why I have taken time out of my very tight schedule to meet people in-charge of my party at the ward level. I have had meetings with some other key figures in the party; I have made consultations, which is still ongoing. You see, politics is all about the people and the very people that matter most are those at the grassroots. In this regard, we have begun mobilisation activities among traders, farmers, market men and women and politicians among others to actualise the dream.

OSDF: What do you intend to achieve if elected to represent the people Ife East Constituency in the State of Osun House of Assembly?

OLATUNBOSUN: I have quite a lot of things to do when I get there. Firstly, I will offer efficient and dynamic representation to my people by becoming a voice for them in the House. I will also make sure that government is brought closer to my people by attracting meaningful projects to my constituency and seeing to it that these projects are also executed. Already, I have the Yinka Olatunbosun Foundation which I intend to use as a platform to assist in the area of bursary awards to indigent students. There will also be financial and job empowerment programmes for the youths, and a scheme to support the less-privileged in my constituency. You may also need to know that a substantial part of my allowance as a member of the House will be set aside for these programmes.

OSDF: From the result of the last governorship election, the PDP defeated your party, APC in all the four local government council areas in Ife Constituency. What are the chances of

•OLATUNBOSUN the APC winning majority of the seats in Ife constituency at both the State Assembly and the National Assembly elections come 2015?

OLATUNBOSUN: Let me tell you, what happened in the last governorship election in Ife was that the people had sympathy for Senator Omisore because he is from Ile-Ife, but the scenario will be different in 2015 for the State Assembly and National Assembly elections because we are all from Ife land. The decision of the people would now be based on which of the parties or candidates are the best for the job. I hope you know that currently, all the State Assembly and National Assembly members, as well as all the local government chairmen in Ife Constituency all are from the APC and from what we have witnessed in Osun within the last three and half years of Aregbesola’s administration, there is no gainsaying the fact that the manifesto of APC is being carried out to the letter at all levels of government. The people know the difference between the APC and other political parties and they know that the APC is better. So, I can guarantee you that in 2015, all the seats at both state and national levels will be won by APC. Even the next local government election will be a clean sweep for APC and this is because we are the party on ground that has won the hearts of the people with performance not just in Ife but in Osun in general.

OSDF: I know there is an incumbent member currently representing Ife East at the State House of Assembly from your party the APC, would you be willing to step down for any candidate if asked to do so by your party?

OLATUNBOSUN: I hope you know that currently, all the State Assembly and

National Assembly members, as well as all the Local Government Chairmen in Ife Constituency all are from the APC. Honestly, I feel it is too early for me to comment on that for now but I can assure you that when we get to that bridge, we will know how to cross it.

OSDF: What is your comment on the general state of the nation?

No doubt, in the last few years, there have been quite a lot of challenges in security particularly in the North but the security forces are doing a lot of work to address the situation. And you and I know that terrorism is a new vice in Nigeria and so require new ways and strategies to fight it. I sincerely commend the military in particular, even as I urge them not to relent until this menace is completely wiped out of Nigeria. On power, I think all stakeholders should come together to make sure that the gains of the recent privatisation of that sector is felt by the man on the street. Look, if we get the power sector right, it will promote investment and employment in Nigeria.

So, government, especially at the centre need to be sincere so that we will all have good stories to tell.

OSDF: What is your message to the people of your constituency and Osun in general?

OLATUNBOSUN: Firstly, I want to appreciate the people of Ile-Ife for the peaceful atmosphere that has prevailed, especially since the administration of Governor Aregbesola and I pray that such peace is sustained. I also plead with all to support our amiable governor in every way possible to enable him continue with the good work he started.

13

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria Federal University, Oye-Ekiti recruitment for Academic and Non-Academic Staff (http://registry.fuoye.edu.ng/ ) The Federal University, Oye-Ekiti aspires to become an institution of first choice recognized for providing critical opportunities for student success; acknowledged as a primary and engaged regional and global resource for entrepreneurial educational and best practices in mining and farming technology; and valued as a university where there are faculty, students, and professional staff who are active in integrating cutting-edge technology in multidisciplinary and disciplinary research.

Federal University, Oye-Ekiti is recruiting to fill the position of: Professorship Readership Senior Lecturer Lecturer I Lecturer II Assistant Lecturer Graduate Assistant Senior Technologist Technologist I Technologists II Assistant Technologist Tractor Mechanic Tractor Operator Assistant Technologist How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should on the corresponding job title above to apply Application Deadline 6th October, 2014.

MULTIPLE APPLICATION BY AN APPLICANT WILL RESULT TO DISQUALIFICATION WITHOUT NOTICE! ———————————————————————————— Sales and Marketing Manager Job Vacancy in an Online Travel company Travelstart is an online travel company. Founded 1999 in Malmö Sweden. Expanded throughout northern Europe and Southern Africa until 2010 when European business was sold off. Since 2010 the headquarters have been based in Cape Town. And in 2012, Travelstart was launched in Nigeria. Company focuses on emerging and frontier markets for online travel.

Travelstart is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Sales and Marketing Manager Location: Lagos Job Description: As our Sales & Marketing Manager, the main purpose of your role will be to be responsible for driving the sales growth in the local market utilising online, offline and affiliate marketing channels aligned to the global Travelstart strategy and targets and as delegated by the Country Manager.

The key responsibilities in this role will be to: Develop and execute the local sales and marketing strategy which encompasses the following responsibilities: Exploring alternative traffic acquisition channels to those implemented by home base.

Competitions and partnerships set-up: Effective offline and online campaign management with local partners.

Build partnership network.

Cycle sliders on website homepage.

Drive sales and marketing for the local market using various channels.

Drive B2B sales channels (neXt).

Drive customer acquisition: Lead generation focused on increasing database size.

Build and maintain affiliate network by managing the Affiliate Manager in regards to: Sourcing new affiliates Weekly and monthly communications to affiliates.

Accurate recording of affiliate bookings on TCC. Weekly/monthly reporting to home base.

On-boarding and set-up of affiliates.

Support of new and existing affiliates.

Structuring the commission paid to affiliates.

Drive Social Media marketing in line with global Travelstart strategy, including: Oversight of daily posting by the Social Media Agent across all social media channels.

Weekly/monthly reporting to home base.

Oversee design of all offline print marketing in line with Travelstart style guide and budget.

Designing and driving Facebook campaigns.

Ensuring high quality customer service and support is provided by the Social Media Agent through replies to customers posted across all social media channels.

Manage newsletter generation: Content generation and submission within home base submission deadline.

Corresponding landing page creation.

Manage marketing budget as allocated by home base.

Ensure all set targets are met and, frequently, exceed expectations.

Requirements Listed below are the minimum requirements with regards to skills, competencies and abilities needed for this role: Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Experience using relative Digital Tools.

Strong Tech experience including working with a CMS. Experience: Experience in integrated marketing with a strong focus on digital and offline marketing.

Integrated marketing experience within in the local market.

Proven track record of marketing executing within the relevant markets.

Proven track record of sales within the relevant market.

Criteria We are looking for a Sales and Marketing Manager who will fit into the Travelstart family. The successful candidate will demonstrate the following characteristics: High Performance Attitude.

Data driven execution of marketing.

Entrepreneurial spirit.

Innovative thinking.

Dynamic.

Analytical.

Meticulous.

Method of Application To apply for this awesome opportunity please send us your motivation letter (no more than ½ page) and 3 page CV to: careers@travelstart.com.ng Note: The reference for this opportunity is “Sales and Marketing Manager” please insert this into the subject line of your email application.

Any applicants not meeting the minimum requirements will not receive a response.

Please note that we reserve to right to amend, freeze the role or not hire. The final appointment will be at the discretion of Travelstart.

Application Deadline: 30th September 2014 ——————————————————— Mobile Application Developer(iOS and Android) Job Vacancy at CBC EMEA Lagos, August 2014 CBC EMEA is a company help businesses simplify their processes, perform better and become more productive. We have repeatedly done these since 1984 when we started out as City Business Computers(CBC).

After two decades of operating successfully as a technology player, we evolved into a holdings company- CBC EMEA, which now oversees the affairs of its 5 subsidiaries.

For three decades now, we have forged critical partnerships with over 100 public and private businesses in Nigeria and across West Africa. This amongst other factors positions us as the leading Nigeria-based Technology Systems integrator.

CBC EMEA is recruiting for the position below: Job Title: Mobile Application Developer Location: Lagos Job Description The Incumbent Mobile Application Developer is accepted to design, develop and maintain Android, Windows, Blackberry and iPhone apps. The developer will lead the entire app lifecycle right from concept stage until delivery and post launch support. Apps will be mainly content based and integrated closely with clients’ web sites.

Skills Requirement Android Knowledge of SQLite, MySQL or similar database management system.

Familiar with Eclipse.

Strong OO design and programming skills in Java (J2EE/ J2ME).

Familiar with the Android SDK. iOS Strong OO design and programming skills in Objective-C, Familiar with iOS SDK (UIKit, Cocoa Touch, Core Data, Core Location, etc).

Common Experience on web service integration (SOAP, REST, JSON, XML).

Experience using social media APIs. Using version control (e.g. SVN).

Excellent debugging and optimisation skills Experience of development using web technologies.

Good understanding of OO programming and design patterns.

Good understanding of HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, Ajax and PHP. Experience building web and native apps.

How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their resume and an application to: hr@cbcemea.com —————————————————— Deloitte Unemployed Graduate Scholarship 2014 (ifrsacademy@deloitte.com) Deloitte - Akintola Williams Deloitte, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, is a professional services organization that provides audit, tax, consulting, accounting and financial advisory, corporate finance, and risk advisory services.

Deloitte offers a world of opportunities for individuals with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, passion for success and impeccable integrity.

Deloitte Graduate School Scholarship 2014 Location: Lagos Eligibility Criteria Be a Nigerian of not more than 26 years; Be qualified with the Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); and Be currently unemployed.

Description Deloitte Academy in partnership with Sage ERP Africa offers scholarship opportunity to 100 accounting graduates to participate in the Deloitte Graduate School.

We will give you the chance to apply theory to real-worId scenarios thereby enhancing your employment prospects as you seek employment in the labour market.

Successful participants will be trained in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), preparation of financial statements including group accounts.

You will also learn the use of Sage accounting software (ERP).

Duration: 4 Months This initiative is proudly supported by: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Sage ERP Africa This opportunity is opened to applicants from all geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

How To Apply Interested and qualified candidates should submit a detailed CV to: ifrsacademy@deloitte.com —————————————————— Standard IBTC Bank Job in Lagos for a Business Banker, August 2014 Standard IBTC Bank is a leading African banking group focused on emerging markets globally. It has been a mainstay of South Africa’s financial system for 150 years, and now spans 16 countries across the African continent.

The Risk & Compliance teams at Standard Bank provides the essential foundations for our constantly evolving range of financial products and services. Risk is often the business unit that acts as the vital link in the powerful relationships we enjoy with our clients worldwide, and this division is now seeking an exceptional Auditor to help us build on our success. Because you will work with colleagues across the business, you need to be an independent thinker, with exceptional analytical and communication skills, as you will organise and negotiate measurable solutions to fulfil challenging targets, and support our corporate business objectives Standard IBTC Bank is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Business Banker (Lagos) Job ID: 12695 Location: Lagos, Nigeria Purpose of Job: To provide a basic, branch-based business banking sales and service facility to a portfolio of small business customers requiring uncomplicated and standardized financial product solutions Key Accountabilities: Explain, promote and sell a range of appropriate Stanbic IBTC product offerings and solutions that meet the financial needs of small business customers.

Selling includes acquiring and opening new business accounts (walk-in customers) Cross-selling additional products & services to existing customers (walk-in customers, during pro-active telephone conversations).

Explain credit loan facility options and qualifying criteria to customers.

Support customers in the completion of credit application information requirements e.g. personal balance sheets, cash flow statements, financial statements and management accounts.

Process scored credit applications within the confidential limit of authority and BRI scores.

Notify customers regarding the approval of credit loan facilities.

Conduct a needs analysis to identify customer needs effectively when opening new accounts or giving product advice, in line with Financial Advisory and Intermediary Service Act license categories.

Adhering to record keeping requirements as outlined by CBN and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Identifying sales leads for associate company stakeholders e.g. Vehicle and Asset Finance; Electronic Banking (Business Online); Card; etc.

Mining existing customer data to identify expansion and/or additional business opportunities.

Identifying opportunities to migrate top-end customers.

Providing a central “no-frills” (information/ query handling) service point for a portfolio of small business customers.

Performing a liaison role between customers and back - office service fulfillment and credit functions.

Interacting with clients and conducting needs analyses to assist clients to better understand their financial requirements.

Accurately and efficiently processing customer mandates/ documentation requirements for banking facilities.

Educating clients regarding the parameters and routine procedures governing standard SME product and service offerings to ensure the correct customer behavior and product usage.

Advice given to customers should benefit both the customer and Standard Bank. Wrong and unprofitable customer behavior should not be encouraged.

Educational Qualification: Minimum of a 2.2 B.Sc degree from an acredited University Work Experience: Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in Banking preferably in relationship/transactional banking.

Experience in Credit origination Previous experience running a small business.

Required Competencies Business Assistant experience to the Business Manager is ideal. Previous experience within the personal/ consumer banking environment as a Customer Consultant/ Personal Banker and/or Enquiries Officer is preferable. This experience provides an understanding of how to interact with and sell to personal banking customers, how to open bank accounts, as well as how the principles of scored lending are applied in practice.

Technical Competencies: Leadership and assertive skills Displays empathy and helpfulness towards others.

Integrity and honesty is regarded as crucial and not negotiable.

Drive Results orientated: Strongly motivated to compete and achieve impressive results, strives to improve, has a “can do” attitude and enjoys challenges.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are totally opposed to discrimination in any form. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all employees regardless of race, sex, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital / partnership status, religion, age or disability.

Socially Confident: Enjoys meeting people, puts people at ease, is good with words and knows what to say (even when communicating disagreeable information).

Conceptual, Innovative and Analytical Customer-service oriented Excellent verbal communication skills Good presentation and negotiation skills Organized and Result-oriented Persuasive: Enjoys selling and negotiating, changes the opinions of others, is convincing with arguments.

Critical: Good at probing the facts, challenges assumptions, sees disadvantages.

Innovative: Generates ideas, shows ingenuity and design solutions within product parameters.

Systematic: Likes to get every detail right, methodical and organized, precise, accurate, neat and tidy with paperwork.

Conscientious: Completes jobs, plans and sticks to deadlines and perseveres with routines.

Resilient: Maintains enthusiasm despite set backs, is rarely upset by criticism, and is emotionally restrained.

How to Apply Interested candidates should https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_standardbank/external/ jobDetails.do?functionName=getJobDetail&jobPostId=25988&localeCode=en-us Application Deadline 10th September, 2014 —————————————————

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

14

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 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 HEALTH

How To Protect Yourself From Ebola While On A Trip (2) Ebola Virus Infection

E

BOLA is a rare but deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body.

As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs.

Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding.

The disease, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Ebola virus, kills up to 90% of people who are infected.

Could There Be an Outbreak in the U.S.?

Although movies and books describe major outbreaks of Ebola-like disease in the U.S., they’re just fiction. So far serious Ebola cases have only shown up in Central and West Africa.

The CDC says there’s no significant risk of Ebola in the United States. It has strong safety measures in place for people who have Ebola and are brought to the U.S. for treatment.

Ebola can spread from country to country when people travel. So it is possible for it to reach the U.S. if an infected person travels here. But there are ways to prevent people from coming to U.S. airports with the disease.

Airline crews are trained to spot the symptoms of Ebola in passengers flying from places where the virus is found. Crews are told to quarantine anyone who looks infected.

How Do You Get Ebola?

Ebola isn’t as contagious as more common viruses like colds, influenza, or measles. It spreads to people by contact with the skin or bodily fluids of an infected animal, like a monkey, chimp, or fruit bat.

Then it moves from person to person the same way. Those who care for a sick person or bury someone who has died from the disease often get it.

Other ways to get Ebola include touching contaminated needles or surfaces.

You can’t get Ebola from air, water, or food. A person who has Ebola but has no

•Group campaigning for the awareness of ebola. symptoms can’t spread the disease, either.

What Are the Symptoms of Ebola?

Early on, Ebola can feel like the flu or other illnesses. Symptoms show up 2 to 21 days after infection and usually include: High fever Headache Joint and muscle aches Sore throat Weakness Stomach pain Lack of appetite As the disease gets worse, it causes bleeding inside the body, as well as from the eyes, ears, and nose. Some people will vomit or cough up blood, have bloody diarrhea, and get a rash.

How Is Ebola Diagnosed?

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if a person has Ebola from the symptoms alone. Doctors may test to rule out other diseases like cholera or malaria.

Tests of blood and tissues also can diagnose Ebola.

If you have Ebola, you’ll be isolated from the public immediately to prevent the spread.

How Is Ebola Treated?

There’s no cure for Ebola, though researchers are working on it. Treatment includes an experimental serum that destroys infected cells.

Doctors manage the symptoms of Ebola with: Fluids and electrolytes Oxygen Blood pressure medication Blood transfusions

Treatment for other infections How Can You Prevent Ebola?

There’s no vaccine to prevent Ebola. The best way to avoid catching the disease is by not traveling to areas where the virus is found.

Health care workers can prevent infection by wearing masks, gloves, and goggles whenever they come into contact with people who may have Ebola.

Ebola Facts There are five types of Ebola virus. Four of them cause the disease in humans.

The Ebola virus first appeared during two 1976 outbreaks in Africa.

Ebola gets its name from the Ebola River, which is near one of the villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the disease first appeared.

15

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, August 30, 2014

A Newly-completed AUD Middle School, Araromi, Iwo, Built By The Governor, State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Recently.

•Building of AUD Middle School, Araromi, Iwo under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, in Iwo, last Wednesday.

•One of the classrooms at AUD Middle School, Araromi, Iwo, State of Osun .

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A Completed Roads In The State Of Osun Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

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•A newly-rehabilitated road at Ilahun in Obokun Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun, under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, recently.

www.osundefender.org

THE 5TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2014

I

T amazes me sometimes the way our of Mr Chris Giwa as the new President leaders elect to behave. Some of NFF. Apparently unhappy with the analysts have preferred to christen drama at Chida Hotel and the arrest of Nigerians special human beings, this I the NFF top shots, some state Football do not totally agree but sometimes I am Association (FA) chairmen loyal to helpless to the extent of wanting to agree Maigari stormed out of the congress to that we are deviants. with hold another one at Maitama, also in If there is anything that unites MURTALA AGBOOLA Abuja, where September 4 was fixed Nigerians today, it is soccer, association for election in Calabar.

TEL: 0806-119-7897 football. It is the only activity that brings E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com Reports available now indicate that the high and mighty to the same level the various parties had written to FIFA with the poor. Like the Global System stating their own sides of the story. of Communication (GSM), it is a Can’t we shy away from needless leveler. If a national team is engaged in controversy? a contest with another country, the As far as the world soccer governing whole country is united in prayers to body is concerned, Maigari is the ensure that the team wins. We forget person known to them and not our differences but join together to Danagogo.

In any case, why should we ensure a success of such a venture. interfere in the affairs of the running of Beyond this, sports newspaper in football?

We should be prepared to Nigeria sells more than hard news. The abide by FIFA rules and regulations or reason stems from the fact that people stay away from the lot and do our things are of the view that with hard news all our own way. there is to read are corruption, fraud At the level we do things here, should and misappropriation of public funds.

In view of this, anything that will not we not expect FIFA”s sledge hammer? allow the young talents to exhibit their The recently-concluded FIFA undertalents should be greatly discouraged.

20 women championship in Canada The world soccer governing body, had our Falconets going all the way to Federation of International Football the finals to pick the Silver medal. The Association (FIFA) has rules and Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the regulations that guide the running of Golden Boot winner in the tournament football in each member country. is a Nigerian, Miss Asisat Oshoala.

The federation in each county must If Maigari had not been reinstated, comply with FIFA such laws. FIFA the country would have been banned does not take kindly to intervention in and that opportunity eluded us. Why federation activities by governments of can’t we do things the proper way? In member-states. If a country does that, any case, if Nigeria is suspended from it leads to suspension. After the world FIFA activities, it is the sportsmen that cup soccer competition recently tagged suffer much even though the country too Brazil 2014, Nigeria was almost could receive opprobrium. suspended from FIFA. This was In Nigeria, our leaders tend to behave occasioned by the suspension of Alhaji anyhow, but when they are outside, they Aminu Maigari, the Nigeria Football •DANAGOGO comply with extant laws in countries Federation (NFF) President by the masterminded a parallel congress in they find themselves.

Secretary-General and Mr government on the allegation of financial Abuja different from the one proposed Christopher Green.

A flamboyant Nigerian publisher who misappropriation. by Maigari.

The congress, which held The Sport Minister, Dr Tammy plays a significant role in Newspapers Granted the fact that the allegation is at Chida Hotel, Abuja led to the election Danagogo was alleged to have Proprietors Association of Nigeria true, the (NPAN) attempted to government ought to allow publish in South HE State of the Virtuous empowerment of the youths in the him finish his Africa. He operated clocked 23 years recently.

Osun Youth Empowerment tenure before he It was one of the 9 states for three months but Scheme (OYES) and the is made to face created by General Ibrahim was not up to date with recruitment of applicants into the arrest and Babangida on August 27, 1991. Osogbo, the O’Hub in Dagbolu, the Nelson the payment of staff state civil service are some of the prosecution.

The state, which had the Living Mandela Freedom Park, Old Garage, achievements of this government. salaries. He was FIFA threatened Spring as its epithet until recently, Osogbo are parts of the innovations brought advised by the Leaders in the past, starting to suspend was re-christened: The State of to town by Aregbesola. With what the reauthorities of the Nigeria and the Virtuous. The state capital used elected Governor has achieved within his first from Colonel Leo Ajiborisa till the former apartheid current one, have all played their country was to look like a local government term, it behooves on the people of the State country to suspend compelled to roles and history would recognize area headquarters but with the to support him to do more. production because reinstate him only them as such. By the time we advent of Mr Rauf Aregbesola’s In two years time, the state would have their laws do not give for the celebrate 25 years anniversary of government, Osogbo, the capital clocked a quarter of a century, which is room for that. This is a Department of the State, it is my hope that citizens now has a trapping of a real enough time for certain basic requirements publisher who made State Security would have a lot to rejoice over. use of desperate (DSS) to arrest capital. Massive reconstruction to be found in an area designated as a state.

The present government has added to the By that time, all the massive him on the eve of work is going on in the state Nigerians searching for the scheduled capital, as well as other major aesthetic appeal of the state. With time and reconstructions going on would jobs but did not pay The Ayegbaju co-operation of the people, the sky would have been completed and the NFF congress towns. them. Some of them along with International Market located at be the starting point for a well-focused citizens would be the better for left out of frustration Barrister Ahmad the Old Governor’s office, government like Aregbesola. The it. without getting paid.

Musa, the

AUDACIOUS EXPLOIT

Our Leaders And Their Intransigence

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Osun At 23

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.