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www.osundefender.org SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2013
VOL. 8. NO.152
Front Page Comment
Labour Party: A Tool of Revisionists
In the situation in which we find ourselves, Nigerians actually need a Labour Party. Political Parties operating under the nomenclature of ‘Labour’ have traditionally fought for the rights as well as the enhancement of the living standards of workers and the defenceless.
These parties have achieved a lot of progressive change in society. For example, the operating mantra of our own Action Group in the 1940’s, fifties and sixties came straight out of the template of the British Labour Party in the pivotal post second world
war and is still today regarded as the ultimate political party manifesto. That seminal document, ‘Let us face the future influenced social democrats such as our own Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ghana’s Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, India’s Pandit
Nehru amongst a host of others. The manifesto established positions such as the concept of free education for all and the right of access to healthcare for all. The pivotal document changed the political Continue on page -5.
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
N50
IGE
Osun PDP Plans Destruction Of APC Billboards To Provoke Violence - See Story On Page 2
•(R-L) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Director-General, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Olusegun Adewoye; Director-General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships, Dr. Charles Akinola and other dignitaries, during the Innovation Fair and launch of South-West Competitiveness Forum and Innovation Cluster Consortium at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Abere, State of Osun last Tuesday.
APC Hails Aregbesola On Council Creation Bill
- See Story On Page 3
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Osun PDP Plans Destruction Of APC Billboards To Provoke Violence By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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report quickly to the police and other security agencies, whenever they observe criminals trying to pull down billboards of the APC. Oyatomi confirmed that there was a rumoured plan by a notorious politician to provoke violence
through the unlawful act of destroying APC campaign billboards across the state. The APC chieftain therefore warned that the peaceful atmosphere of the state should not be turned upside-down for any reason, warning the politicians within the state to be civilized in
their approach to politics. He stated that: “Only cowards resort to violence when they have lost the argument.”Osun is a State of the Virtuous, where only virtuous sons and daughters of the state can be elected into offices; not frustrated people,
ECENT investigation has revealed the one of the opposition parties in the State of Osun, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded plans to engage its members and hoodlums in the destruction of billboards and other campaign materials of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). OSUN DEFENDER Kunle Oyatomi alerted further learnt that the residents of the state PDP has embarked on to be vigilant and this alternative in a desperate attempt to provoke violence and political brigandage through the destruction of APC billboards, particularly the ones campaigning for Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s second term in office. An impeccable source within the party hierarchy in the state confirmed to the medium that the party’s action would be aimed at driving members of the APC into political violence, as they would be tempted to react to the destruction of their party billboards and other provocative actions from the PDP. The PDP’s actual intension, according to the source, was to destabilise the existing peaceful atmosphere of the state, which may make it ungovernable for Aregbesola, ahead •Wreckage of a fire outbreak that gulfed the State of Osun Ministry of Information and Strategy hall at the State of the 2014 Secretariat, Abere last Monday. governorship election in the state. According to findings, a leading Engineer Lere Oriolowo supply and management. By KEHINDE OLAIDE governorship aspirant and Programme He noted that the tour of the PDP, who hails Manager, Osun State had intimated the agency OVERNMENT of the State of Osun is set to from Osun East Water with the best practice on adopt a new approach to rural water supply Rural Senatorial District, is E n v i r o n m e n t a l how to implement and and sanitation management, with a view to Sanitation Agency sustain the mastermind and sustaining proper hygiene in the state. rural water (RUWESA), Alhaji supply and sanitation in financier of the heinous Members of the state Development Bank Bulaymen Adiatu. the state. plan. Briefing newsmen in government delegation to (AFDB) study programme He however advocated The said PDP aspirant Osogbo, the capital of the setting up of maintenance made this in Ethopia. was said to have been Ethopia after their return The team included the State of Osun, on the committee in each intimidated by known during the week. State Head of Service, Mr. study programme, the community that benefited Aregbesola’s chain of Programme from the agency’s water The delegation was Sunday Olayinka RUWESA achievements, hence his led by the Special Owoeye, Permanent Manager, Alhaji Adiatu scheme, noting that the resolve to embark on Adviser to the Governor Secretary, Ministry of said the programme committee would be inthe violent option. on Water Resources, Water Resources, Rural would go a long way in charge of monitoring, According to Rural Development and Development and fast-tracking effective and evaluation and sources, the recalcitrant Community Affairs, Mr. Community Affairs, efficient service delivery maintenance, as well as in the area of water PDP aspirant has Adekunle Ige to African resorted to the use of violence across the state in his bid to rubbish Aregbesola’s landmark By KAZEEM MOHAMMED achievements and incite members of the law, but such request was the governor and other public and the HE State of Osun House of Assembly has belated, because the year concerned officials of the government to present the granted the request of the governor, Ogbeni was running out. presidency in particular 2014 budget before the “This is not the best Rauf Aregbesola for the re-allocation and reagainst him. Assembly goes on recess time for us to be distribution of some heads and sub-heads of the 2013 Having known that discussing the issue of re- for 2013. he and other budget. allocation of budget He said: “This figure we heads and sub-heads, gubernatorial aspirants The request was have given implies that the granted by the state in the state are of no because the year is match against parliament at its plenary initial size of the budget already running out. Aregbesola, the session on Wednesday, still remains, but it is just “We agreed that the movement of total size of the budget is to the the notorious PDP aspirant sequel HE State of Osun expenditure from various intact, but it could have presentation of the report also aims to soil on the re-allocation of heads and sub-heads that Judiciary will as from been earlier, because now, Aregbesola’s image some budget heads and are affected”. next year (2014), start we are waiting for the and reduce his sub-heads. selected Commenting on the 2014 budget in the publishing judgments delivered in the the Speaker, House,” he said. popularity among the While presenting the report, Najeem people of the state report, the Chairman, Honourable Subsequently, a motion various courts in the state through some House Committee on Salaam noted that the was moved by Oyedele through the publication of and timing for the request by for the granting of the Osun Law Reports. c o l l a b o r a t i n g Finance governor was request by the governor This was disclosed by the associations and media A p p r o p r i a t i o n , the inappropriate, as it could and was seconded by state Honourable Kamil Chief Judge, establishments. Oyedele said that the have been made earlier. Honourable Rasak Honourable Adepele Ojo, at Reacting to the plan, request was just for reAccording to him, (Odo-Otin), after a special valedictory court the Director of allocation of some budget though, the request was Adeyemi which it was session in honour of the late Research and Publicity heads, without affecting borne-out of the respect unanimously granted. Justice Ekundayo Kolawole of the APC in the State the size of the budget, that the governor has for Meanwhile, the at the State High Court, the House and the rule of is of Osun, Barrister which Speaker has also urged Osogbo. N234,269,308,820.
whose only understanding of political engagement is criminal acts of violence. “The State of Osun has moved forward as one of the most politically-civilized places in this country. It will not accommodate or tolerate uncivilized acts like the one being planned by the axis of evil.” Oyatomi therefore called on the police in the state to keep a close watch on criminal activities of the violence-prone politicians, whose only language of persuasion is violence”. “All politicians and political parties in the state have a duty to conduct themselves responsibly, no matter the provocation, so that the good image, which this government has already established and is attracting investors from all over the world, will not be destroyed. “The easiest way to drive away investors from Osun is to destroy the peace through violence. The government and the security forces will not allow this. Everybody must be on the alert.” he submitted.
Osun To Adopt New Strategy On Rural Water Supply
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Osun Assembly Approves Re-allocation Of 2013 Budget Heads
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management of such scheme., He added that the agency would not rest on its laurels in the task of promoting opend e f e c t i o n - f r e e communities. The programme manager explained that the agency would also employ communitybased methodology approach to curtail the act. Adiatu therefore called on stakeholders in the sector to use the exchange programme to leverage on the existing policies in the sector to improve the standard of living of the citizenry. He also lauded the state government for its commitment towards provision of portable water to rural dwellers to enhance their economic status.
Osun Law Reports Out Next Year - CJ
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The CJ stated this, while responding to an appeal made by Barrister A.O. Sanusi, the Chairman of Osogbo branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), urging the state judicial arm of government to start publication of its Law Report by next year. Barrister Sanusi stated that apart from litigants and counsel involved in cases, members of the public should have ready access to all the judgments delivered in courts through the Law Reports.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Osun Assembly To Penalise Agencies On Extrabudgetary Spendings The State of Osun House of Assembly has stated that it would start to impose stiff penalties against any agency or ministry of government that engages in over-budgetary spending anytime from now. The Speaker, Najeem 2013 budget perfomance Salaam made the review. declaration at the plenary Presenting the report session of the House on earlier, the Chairman of Wednesday, while the committee, receiving the report of the Honourable Kamil House Committee on Oyedele had Finance and recommended that the Appropriation over the penalty for embarking on
extra-budgetary spending should be reechoed to government officials during the consideration of 2014 budget. This, according to him, would emphasise the commitment of the House to ensuring strict compliance with the approved budget for the year. Recommending that
By KAZEEM MOHAMMED the State Internal government agencies and between Revenue Service should ministries be provided with January and September enabling environment to represents 36.7 per cent, perform optimally, while the revenue that from the Oyedele added that the accrued accounts performance of ministries federation and agencies of represents 71.1 per cent. The lawmaker also government should be used as yardstick for the added that the 2014 should be approval of funds in the budget revenue-driven, rather 2014 budget estimate. He noted that the than expenditure-driven, overall performance of the in line with the global revenue collection by best practices. Submitting, Salaam observed that from the content of the report, it has shown that the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has complied with the appropriation law of the state, despite the fact that some ministries and agencies have not performed optimally in the area of revenue generation. According to him, because federal allocation to the state has been cut by over N2 billion, the agencies, parastatals and
ministries must look inward to generate revenue for the government, so as to be able to meet the yearnings of the people. The Speaker also encouraged ministries and agencies of government to organise awareness programme on policies of government, with a view to giving a clear picture into the activities of the government. He also added that the Assembly would write a letter to the State Head of Service to change any official of government that is not performing up to expectations in his or her respective agency. The Deputy Speaker, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye, Honourable Rasak Adeyemi (OdoOtin), Honourable Ipoola Binuyo (Ife North), and Honourable Samson Fafiyebi (Obokun), in their respective submissions, commended the committee for a good job done on the budget performance review.
Aregbesola Committed To Provision Of Health Facilities •STRUGGLING FOR SURVIVAL: Two young men using all their energy to push a truck at Alekunwodo, Osogbo as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, last Thursday.
LAUTECH Health Workers Protest Non-payment Of Salaries, Others EMBERS of the Joint Professional we cannot even benefit in a peaceful manner. By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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Health Workers, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, have staged a protest over non-payment of their three months outstanding salaries by Oyo State government, their non-inclusion in pension scheme and inadequate welfare package for members of staff. They staged a peaceful protest at the State of Osun House of Assembly Complex on Monday to express their grievances. Speaking on behalf of the coalition of three registered trade unions in the teaching hospital; Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Comrade Olumide Faniran said the health workers staged the protest to press home their demands for payment of their outstanding salaries and inadequate welfare package among others. Faniran noted that the government of the State of Osun paid the health workers’ salaries from January to June, 2013 in compliance with the existing arrangement between the two states, that are the joint owners of LAUTECH, but Oyo
State failed to fulfill its own part from July till now. He further lamented that the health workers of LAUTHTHC, Osogbo are not included in any of the pension schemes and neither are they benefiting from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). “It is unfortunate that Osun has honoured the agreement by paying our salaries from January to June, but Oyo, which is supposed to pay from June to December, has not paid up till now. “Instead of Oyo, Osun had to pay for our July and August salaries and as at now, we are still being owed three months’ salaries. “Apart from that, 13 years after the establishment of the Osogbo Teaching Hospital, we have not been included in any of the pension schemes. “Also, our welfare is nothing to write home about, to the extent that
from the NHIS,” he said. Comrade Faniran however appealed to the state parliament to intervene and find lasting solutions to their predicament. Addressing the placard-carrying health workers, Honourable Ajibola Akinloye, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker of the state l e g i s l a t u r e , Honourable Najeem Salaam thanked them for staging the protest
Akinloye, who stated that the state government does not take whatever concerns the health of the people of the state with levity, noted that government has been holding series of meetings to find lasting solution to the problem. He however promised that the state legislature would look into the issues raised by the workers and proffer solutions to them.
By SHINAABUBAKAR HE Special Adviser to the Governor of the State of Osun on Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu has reiterated the commitment of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to making quality healthcare delivery to the populace of the state. The governor’s aide easy access to health-care gave this commendation delivery in the state. during a monitoring visit Speaking further by members of the State during the monitoring Hospitals Management visit, the governor’s aide Board to the State said since the restoration Hospital in Ilesa. of healthy living is one of To this end, the Six –Point Integral government is taking Action Plan of Ogbeni various steps towards Aregbesola, the rehabilitating all the administration would not state-owned hospitals in relent in its efforts aimed the state, as well as at ensuring that the sector providing new is accorded a pride of equipment, with a view to place in the scheme of making the hospitals things. people-friendly in terms He, therefore, enjoined of providing quality health workers to ensure services. that the environment of Dr. Isamotu added that their various hospitals when the rehabilitation and health centres are works going on in all the kept clean always, as it is state hospitals are fully a well-known fact that completed, the people of health is wealth. the state would have In her address, the Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Pharmacist “This is the typical of Omolara Ajayi urged the a leader that is thinking workers to be alive to their outside the box; a responsibilities in their blessing for which various places of work, as current Osun people are the administration in the state grateful to God.” According to the would not tolerate any act of sabotaging its party, the new councils capable that are directed will bring governance efforts towards ensuring good closer to the people and health for the people of the make it more state. participatory. She disclosed that In another lateness to work will not development, the APC be tolerated whatsoever, in the State of Osun has while imploring all health alleged that some workers to always resume politicians in the at their duty posts on time. He monitoring tour opposition were planning to destroy the took the team to the State billboards of its Hospital, Ilesa, General Ijebu-Jesa, aspirants, while urging Hospital residents of the state to Comprehensive Health be vigilant and report Centre, Ikeji-Ile and State Ipetu-Jesa, billboard vandals to Hospital, among others. the police.
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APC Hails Aregbesola On Council Creation Bill By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun has hailed Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the presentation of the bill for the creation of additional 27 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to the State House of Assembly. In a statement issued party said: “Aregbesola and signed by its is changing the face of Director of Publicity, politics from that of Barrister Kunle deceit to unimaginable Oyatomi, APC credibility within a described the short period of three governor’s move as “a years. “Aregbesola is not great step in imprinting himself in the hearts of just about to create new councils, but set the people.” Stressing that the precedence by making more costgovernor had fulfilled them all his electioneering effective to run through campaign promises, the a parliamentary system.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Group Commends Aregbesola On Osun New LG Bill By KEHINDE OLAIDE
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socio-political organisation, Osun Development Agenda (ODA) has congratulated the people of the State of Osun on the proposed Local Government Creation and Administration Bill 2013 presented before the State House of Assembly on Monday by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The bill, according to administration on the the group, has further urgent need to expand demonstrated the clear governmental structures understanding of the at the grassroots to p r e s e n t improve desired economic,
social and infrastructural development. A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji stated that the move was a giant stride to re-define, re-position and stabilise good governance at the grassroots, which is the basis of any democratic government. The state statement
reads: “The necessity for creation of new local government councils in the state is long overdue; it is not in any contention, considering the wide geographical spread and the development challenges.” “The beauty of the bill, if passed into law, is the resuscitation of parliamentary system of
government at the local government level, which will end indolence, corruption and reduce the cost of governance to the barest minimum. “It will also strengthen democracy and foster quality representation in the system. ODA therefore commended the state governor for p a i n s t a k i n g l y responding to the popular agitation of the people for the creation of additional local government council areas from the existing ones. The group further stressed that Governor Aregbesola has by his latest move, again proved his commitment to deliver greatest
happiness to the people by laying the foundation of governance that will be democratic, transparent, efficient and sovereign at the grassroots. ODA therefore urged members of the state parliament in the exercise of their constitutional responsibility, in accordance with sections 7 and 8 of 1999 Constitution, as amended, to hasten the process as fast and legally as possible in the general interest of the state and advised the benefiting communities to manage the successes with all sense of responsibility and patriotism by d i s c o u r a g i n g unwarranted communal disputes.
More Troubles For Osun PDP As Oyinlola’s AG Joins LP By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
T •Special Assistant to the State of Osun Governor on Health Matters, Pharmacist Gboyega Oladele (standing), presenting a speech on behalf of the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola during the Biomedical Science Conference Week at the Main Auditorium of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, State of Osun, recently. Photo: SHOLA ADERINTO
Osun Judiciary Pays Tribute To Late Justice Kolawole Judiciary, before he moved to Osun State in 1991, when the state was created. In his own tribute, the State of Osun AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi described the late Justice Kolawole as a fearless and incorruptible judge that served the state with
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CCORDING to Williams Shakespeare in Julius Ceaser: “When beggars die, there are no cornets seen. The heaven themselves blaze forth the death of princess”. This assertion can best Deputy Chief Registrar, describe the honour, and Chief Registrar in the which the State of Osun old Oyo State before his High Court gave the late appointment as a Judge Honourable Justice in the Old Oyo State Ekundayo Kolawole (rtd) at a special valedictory court session in his honour. In his tribute, the State Chief Judge, Justice By SHINAABUBAKAR Oyebola Adepele Ojo, HE State of Osun Commissioner for Local described the late Justice Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kolawole as a brilliant Kolapo Alimi has observed that the formulation lawyer, a jurist of immense stature and a of the Year 2014 Budget of local governments is very crucial to effective governance and therefore requires role model. According to the state seriousness of all major stakeholders in the state. Barrister Alimi disclosed Barrister Kolapo Alimi Justice Ojo: “It is an this at the Conference Hall further stated that to incontestable fact that some are born great, some of the Ministry of Local forestall possible delay in and the commencement of achieve greatness and Government some have greatness Chieftaincy Affairs during budget formulation, all the stakeholders meeting Government thrust upon them. To the with all local government Local Executive Secretaries in the second category belonged councils’ Executive state should submit their the late Justice Ekundayo Secretaries in the state. budget proposals to the Kolawole, a brilliant He noted that it was very Secretary of the Local lawyer, a jurist of disturbing and alarming Government Budget immense stature, erudite that many local Committee without further retired jurist of the State governments are yet to delay. High Court bench, a turn-in their budget Present at the meeting renowned scholar, a good proposals, despite being were the Special Adviser to listener and a perfect aware of the deadline. Governor on Local gentleman.” He, however, charged Government and Justice Kolawole died the all the council bosses Chieftaincy Affairs, on September 8th , 2013 at that failure to submit their Honourable Bisi Odewumi, the age of 86 years. He budget proposals may Permanent Secretary in the the ministry, Mr. Oyeleke was one of the pioneer jeopardize and top judges of the state. He commencement of the Oluwadare government functionaries. served as a Magistrate, exercise.
Submit Your Budget Proposals Or Miss Out, Alimi Warns LG
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all he had. Barrister A.O. Sanusi, Chairman of Osogbo Branch of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), in his own tribute, said the late Justice Kolawole would be remembered and cherished for everything he did on the bench through his judgments and rulings delivered. Present at the event included the former Chief Judge of the state, Honourable Justice Oluborode, Honourable M.B.O. Ibraheem of the State House of Assembly, Solicitor General of the state, Mrs Adewemimo, and host of others.
HERE seems to be no end to the lingering intraparty crisis rocking the rattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, as the party has again lost another chieftain to the crisis. A former Attorney play politics by the rules. General and Owolade, in an Commissioner for Justice interview with newsmen that served under former recently, said he was Governor Olagunsoye forced to leave the PDP, O y i n l o l a ’ s due to its internal crisis, administration, Mr Niyi claiming that his Owolade has just ambition could only be dumped the PDP for the realised in a progressive Labour Party (LP). party like the LP. Former Secretary to the He joined the party to State government and contest the 2014 former chairman of the governorship election in PDP in the state, Alhaji the state, it was learnt. Fatai Akinbade had few According to him, the weeks also defected to the PDP lacks internal same LP to pursue his democracy, hence his governorship ambition. resolve to seek his OSUN DEFENDER ambition under the LP, gathered that the which he further claimed defectors, who are eyeing comprise of progressivethe governorship ticket of minded Nigerians. the PDP were frustrated It will be recalled that out of the party by the the former PDP camp of a notorious commissioner was a governorship aspirant, member of the Action who is seen to be favoured Congress (AC) before he by the presidency and the dropped the party for the national leaders of the PDP in 2006 after the PDP. governorship primaries, The frustrated defectors where the incumbent saw the handwriting on Governor Rauf the wall that the Aregbesola was picked to governorship ticket of the fly the party’s flag for the PDP has already been 2007 gubernatorial penciled down for the election. politician, who does not Owolade had aspired to contest the governorship election under the AC, but he couldn’t secure the party’s ticket, as the party leaders were convinced that Aregbesola was more competent and reliable to entrust the party’s future with than Owolade.
House For Sale:
A Storey Building at Igbonna, Ago-Wande Area, Osogbo and Another at Oladipo Street, Prince Court Hotel Area, IlaOrangun are for sale. Contact the Solicitor on 08036084655.
PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform members of the public that OGUNDELE .I. IBUKUN and I F E O L W A O G U N D E L E IBUKUN is the same person as O G U N D E L E I B U K U N IFEOLUWA. General public should take note.
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Labour Party: A Tool of Revisionists Continued from Page - 1.
discourse forever, and in a positive direction. The operations of the ‘Labour Party’ in Nigeria is in contradistinction to this. What we call a ‘Labour Party’ in Nigeria has nothing to do with workers rights or social democracy. This is why the dogged, indomitable fighter for workers rights, Adams Oshiomhole is not a member. Those who operate within this political formation are in it strictly for themselves. For example, no social democrat can in reality find satisfaction with Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s conservative, pro-PDP government in Ondo State
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Compared to, let-us-say the state of Osun, there has been no discernible social advance in Ondo State. It is difficult to point to much by way of pro-people policies. In reality, Mimiko’s administration is just a clone of the PDP or PDP by another name. Dangerously Mimiko’s government (or is it in reality a contraption?) has not, will not and cannot identify with the need for true fiscal federalism. This cannot be in consignance with workers rights or social democracy.
is an indication that the party is now a vehicle to be used as a Trojan horse to forment trouble in Yorubaland. Fortunately, the politics of the Trojan horse is not going to work. The template set out by the progressive governments in the South West has decisively altered the territory of debate. The populace of the South West have set a benchmark of what they want. And it is clear that what they want is at variance with the crass opportunistic intervention of inappropriately named More alarming is that the Labour ‘Labour Party.’ Party has now become the operating vehicle for carpetbaggers and No one needs the powers of clairopportunists of all hue. For ex- voyance to know that for example ample, Opeyemi Bamidele’s tragic- there will be a ‘Labour Party’ incomic defection to ‘Labour’ in Ekiti tervention in next year’s State
gubernatorial election in Osun State. A spectacular failure awaits this vehicle of opportunism. This is because the electorate has become far too sophisticated to take this sort of anti-people Trojan horse seriously. The light of enlightenment now covers the state of Osun and it cannot now be extinguished! Nigeria of course needs a Labour Party, as of now what it has is an anti-people Trojan horse.
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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 above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com
FEATURE
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
The Obasanjo - Jonathan Imbroglio T
HIS is a season of festivities in most parts of the world, because Christmas and New Year celebrations are already in the air. It is a season for exchange of gifts by friends, relations, colleagues, business partners and political associates. It is a season that reminds us about how deep God’s love for humanity is, by giving us his only Son, so that we shall not perish, but have eternal life. So, it is a season of happiness, joy and celebrations. In Nigeria however, it has turned to a season of letters. Letters that contain grievous allegations and bitter diatribes against the recipients. First, it was a letter from the Central Bank governor; Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alleging that $49.8billion oil proceeds was not remitted into the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Although, the allegation was made against the NNPC, which has been making serious efforts to explain to Nigerians that no money has been missing, the President cannot be absolved of blame, if it eventually turns out that oil money is missing, because the bulk stops at his desk. He presides over the affairs of the nation and he is accountable to Nigerians. For this reason, the President should not keep silent over this issue because it bothers on transparency, accountability, good governance, responsiveness and the integrity of his administration. More so, that state governors have been complaining over shortfalls in their monthly allocations for sometime now. However, my grouse with the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria over this matter is; How did his letter to the President become a thing of public knowledge? I remember I heard him sometime on television saying he didn’t want a second term in office. My question is; if he had desired a second term, would he not have been more circumspect and thereby play along like a sycophant? Even if money is being stolen, would he not have looked away? I am not doubting the integrity of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. What I am saying in essence is that many Nigerians in positions of authority and at the corridors of power have become sycophants and they play along with the “Ogas at the top”, so as to protect their own positions. In fact, the “Ogas at the top” would not even bring anybody, whose loyalty to them is in doubt, to their administration. Loyalty to the “Ogas” is considered more important than loyalty to the nation among Nigerian selfish politicians, who perceive government as an extension of their private estate. So, any political appointee, who cannot do their biddings, would have to go. When I heard over the radio that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wrote a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the nation, my initial reaction was that it was a godfather– godson or mentor-mentee palaver. I therefore dismissed it with a wave of the hand as something not important. I felt that the issue would definitely border on politics and the Peoples Democratic Party, and since I am not
•JONATHAN
•OBASANJO
his criticism of a sitting President lightly. Even by his own admission, Chief Obasanjo a politician, I said to myself, ‘let them said in his letter; “On two play their politics’. occasions, I have had However, the following day, I came opportunity to work for my across the contents of the letter in a successors to the government national newspaper I bought and I of Nigeria…I worked for both painstakingly read it. It was then I President Shagari and President realised that the issues raised in the Yar’Adua…”. Elsewhere in the letter should be of concern to all letter, the Chief Obasanjo said; Nigerians, irrespective of political “Mr. President, you have on a leanings, professions, religious number of occasions affiliations etc acknowledged the role God Some of the issues raised by Chief enabled me to play in your Olusegun Obasanjo in his letter were; ascension to power”. 2015 presidential election and Therefore, it is important for President Goodluck Jonathan’s the President to handle this ineligibility to run for election on moral matter with utmost care ground, because he had promised to because those who have the spend one-term in office; Jonathan’s power to make can also anti-party activities, especially his unmake, unless the President involvement in Ondo and Anambra can mobilise the citizenry to his States’ governorship elections; side against this powerful security problems confronting the group. nation; promotion of ethnic politics by My advice to the President is the government; training of snipers by that, he should reply Chief the government and keeping over 1000 Obasanjo’s letter by himself Nigerians on political watch list; and make his reply public, so repression of political opponents; that Nigerians can judge presidential assistance for a murderer between his accuser and to evade justice and abuse of security himself. The President cannot apparatus by the government etc. afford to keep silent or ignore If one remembers that Chief Chief Obasanjo over grievous Olusegun Obasanjo has been involved and damaging allegations as in the recruitment, selection, election these, because his reputation and installation of Presidents in and integrity are at stake. The Nigeria since 1979, one would not take president must also watch his By COMRADE JIDE OLUTOBI
back because unconstitutional means may even be contemplated to settle the disagreement. However, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo deserves our commendation, if his letter was written out of patriotic zeal for good governance, survival of our beloved country and genuine concern for a mentee that has not lived up to expectation. But, if his intention is to publicity disgrace a recalcitrant mentee, get him out of the way, and install another stooge, who will be more amenable to his control, then I charge Nigerians to shine their eyes very well, because by his present action and admission, his mentee has failed, he too has lost the moral right to choose, anoint and install a President for Nigeria again. Nigerians should therefore refuse to join the fray, but be resolute in taking their destinies in their hands and elect a President of the people in 2015. This can be done if the masses are determined. •Comrade Olutobi is a Chief Lecturer at the Dept. of General Studies, The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, the State of Osun.
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
INTERVIEW
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Osun Can’t Afford To Lose Aregbesola - Lawmaker Honourable Johnson Ojo, represents Ede South State Constituency in the State House of Assembly and he is the Chairman, House Committee on Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development. In this interview with our reporter, KAZEEM MOHAMMED, he spoke on the benefit of the separation of structures on the road setbacks and the commitment of the state government to transform the state. Excerpts:-
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SDF: Tracing your background, it is discovered that you have a lucrative private business as an Estate Surveyor, why did you abandon it and join politics? OJO: The motivation has started right from my school days. I was Secretary, Ede Students Union, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) branch for quite a number of years and when I finished in the university, that urge to participate in politics was still there. Apart from that, the urge to contribute to the development of my town has always been there and that is the major reason I joined politics. OSDF: You were a member of this Assembly between 1999 and 2003; how will you compare the business of lawmaking then with what is happening in the House now? OJO: The situation is not the same thing. I was in the House in 1999 under the platform of APP, a member of minority group and if you want your impact to be felt in such environment, you must study very well. When you stand up to say anything, what comes to minds was that you want to counter the government, even though you didn’t want to. Now, we are all in the majority in the House and it means that it is easier now for your opinion to scale through than that time. It is because, we are targeting the same goal and we are all committed to the success of the government of the day. So, the business of lawmaking now is more interesting, because you have a government that is committed to the development of our state and that makes it easier. OSDF: As the House Committee Chairman on Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, how is the House coming in to settle all the land ownership crisis between communities that we have in the state today? OJO: Dispute on land is almost everywhere, even within families, towns and states. For instance, Osun has land disputes with all its neighbouring states and that is why the government set up a committee on land dispute to make sure that if you have any complaint on land dispute, the parties will be called and the matter would be settled. Land issue is a delicate matter and one doesn’t just dabble into it anyhow, but then, the government has agencies in place that handle the issue and we are helping them to succeed. It is only if those agencies cannot handle it that we will come in. But I can tell you, this government is doing everything it can to settle those land disputes and ensure that we live together in peace without any rancour. OSDF: Recently, we see government demolishing some structures along the major highways, what are we expecting from this? OJO: We are only separating the structures that fall within the roadsetback. Everybody knows that the town planning law has been there for a long time and it is as old as the law itself that you must maintain a specific distance to the major road. Some people are cunning to the extent that when they are putting up their structural plan, they will put the right thing to get approval, but when they get to site, they do something else and that is the problem. It is a law that must be
followed, but it is unfortunate that our people don’t follow the law. The truth is that, if this government doesn’t do it today, another government will come tomorrow to do it. However, when the structures were first marked for separation, the government announced that whoever has genuine document, as to the location of the structure, should show up, but you can’t believe it, 99 per cent of those who have their houses separated did not come. That means that many of them knew that they had gone beyond what they should have. So, the separation of the structure is for the benefit of our people and we need to assist the government in that regard. It is just for our people to comply with the law and if we do that, nobody will come to say we want to demolish and if they have to, it means they have to pay full compensation. OSDF: You were once a civil servant; how will you compare the then civil service with what we have now interms of effectiveness and execution of government programmes and policies? OJO: Our people don’t want to work again. Also, so many people are not interested in what they are doing. They don’t care whether the government they are working for succeeds or not, once they can get their salaries. When we were recruited into the civil service in the old Oyo State, we had interest in the civil service job and everybody was committed to it. We were doing our work the way we should do it, but now, people are disillusioned. If you are not interested in the job, there is no way you can do it very well. Though, we still have some civil servants that are seriously committed to their jobs, but the percentage is so low and it is only when we show interest in what we are doing that we can really get the result that we want in the civil service job. OSDF: The opposition is saying that this government is only making noise about its achievements and that there has not been any reasonable achievement, how will you react? OJO: We all know it is politics. You can hardly see a party praising another party, because they believe that if they should do that, there is nothing they will use to campaign. Everybody knows that this government is working and in the history of Osun, we have not had this kind of performance. They are only playing politics with realities. When you talk of infrastructural development, education, health, agriculture, security and other sectors, this government has done well. In my constituency, there are schools that are being constructed and I told people that throughout the seven and half years of the PDP, all the school buildings they constructed are not up to one of the schools being constructed by this government. And the schools are being constructed all around. Do you want to talk of O’Meal that has now been extended to primary four from primary two with quality food as against what we met? Also, if you visit our health facilities across the state today, you will see that they are now wearing a new look interms of physical outlook and service they render. There are drugs in the hospitals
•OJO now as against what we met. Look at OSBC, is it what was there that we have now? There is no local government and even town that we don’t have one road construction or the other going on or completed. If you go to any facet of development, it is a thing that you can see. The truth is that this government is doing everything to standard and if PDP can say that we are not doing anything, people know it is politics. Between 1999 and 2003, when Chief Bisi Akande was the governor and I was an honourable member, we constructed the state secretariat, but for seven and half years of the PDP, nothing was added to what we had on ground. Now, Aregbesola has been adding beauty to the secretariat and when you get there now, you will see the difference, it is not hidden. People know that they are only playing politics with the reality on ground. Every facet of life, we have progressed and we have not stopped, we are still moving and we will get there. OSDF: As a lawmaker, which area of development do you think still requires more attention? OJO: In my own view, as much as the government put money into agriculture, it has not manifested enough and the governor should see to it. It may be because our people are not interested in agriculture again, but I think the efforts of the government are enough to attract our people to farming. The efforts of the government is to ensure that we are able to feed ourselves, but if the efforts are not manifesting the way we want, then, there is need for us to pay more attention to it. The plan of the governor is to see that this state becomes a basket of the nation and make our people wealthy. I am not saying it is not yielding, but it has not yielded up to our expectations. The government should define several other means of bringing more people into farming. Besides, the government should also see to cash crops like cocoa, kolanut, palm trees and others. Cocoa was used to develop this region and if the government sees to the growth of cocoa and assist cocoa farmers, we will become richer. We are lucky that we have fertile land and that is the opportunity we need to use to develop our state. OSDF: With all what you have just said, do you see Governor Rauf
Aregbesola ruling Osun for a second term? OJO: He will definitely do by the grace of God. We are living among our people and we know what their comments about this government are. Aregbesola has done more than what people expect. There is something unique about him; he embarks on development at the same time across the state. Some people were saying that the governor should be doing it little by little, but I asked; ‘will you say that your community should be stepped down for the other? They said no. We all voted for him, he promised everyone what he is doing now and you want your own town to be developed first and leave my own. Thank God we have a governor that thinks about everybody and we should commend Ogbeni for what he is doing. If not the fact that we have a committed leader, school construction, road construction, qualitative healthcare delivery will not be going on round the state at the same time; it is unique. When Oyinlola was doing his own, he started from Ile-Ife, he went to Okuku and it was when he came to Ede that he was sacked. With the situation we have now, everybody wants Aregbesola to complete the developmental programmes going on in their areas. Who will want Aregbesola government to go and allow another one, which might not be interested in such project? Aregbesola is running a unique system of governance and nobody will want him to stop the work he is doing. People would rather want him to continue. It is God-sanctioned that Aregbesola is a man that people want and he would serve another term here in Osun. OSDF: What is your message to the people of your constituency? OJO: While I thank the people for their support for me and the government of Aregbesola, I also want them to be peace-loving and be patient with this government. This government means well for the people and as their representative, I will do my best to ensure that development does not elude them. I also want them to be praying for this government and subsequent to that, be expectant of more good things to come.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Women Empowerment/Exhibition Programme For Physically-Challenged Persons By The State Government of Osun In Osogbo Recently.
•State of Osun Commissioner for Health, Dr (Mrs) Temitope Ilori (left); Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere (3rd left standing); Alhaji Waheed Lawal (standing 2nd right); Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Adetoun Adegboyega (2nd right) and others during the programme.
•A cross section of the physically-challenged persons at the programme.
•Culutral troop displaying at the event.
•Participants at the programme.
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
PHOTOTALK
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Distribution Of Dividends Of Democracy To Selected People In Ilesa-East Local Government Council Area, Held At The United Anglican Methodist Grammar School, Ilesa, State Of Osun Recently. Photo: SHOLA ADERINTO
•(R-L) Executive Secretary, Ilesa-East Local Government Council Area; Hon. Ibraheem Olarewaju; Wife of the Governor, State of Osun, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola and State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Wale Adedoyin during the event.
•(R-L) All Progressives Congress (APC) Acting State Chairman, Elder ‘Lowo Adebiyi; the Acting Treasurer, Mr. Kunle Odeyemi; the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kolapo Alimi and the State Secretary of APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun, during the programme.
•Some of the distributed items.
•(L-R) Wife of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; Leader of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Timothy Owoeye; Hon. Lanre Balogun presenting a plasma television to APC Chairman in Ilesa-East Local Government Council Area, Mr. Korede Idowu during the programme.
FOR THE RECORDS
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Making Government Count At The Grassroots Text Of Address Delivered By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At The Presentation Of The Local Government Areas (Creation And Administration) Bill, 2013 On December 16, 2014 Protocols INTRODUCTION E are here today to be part of history that will forever impact on the life of our people. The courageous step we are taking today is in fulfilment of our avowed belief that the purpose of government is to deliver the greatest happiness to the greater number of the people. There is no gainsaying that the only way a government can deliver the greatest happiness to its citizenry is its level of closeness to the people. It is beyond contention that the closest government to the people should be the Local Government. Can we truly say that the existing Local Government system we have in the State of Osun is a true reflection of the desire of the citizens of the state? Are the councils in all honesty close enough to the people at the grassroots to enable them deliver the required services expected of a local government? The answer of course is no. If they are, why do we have agitations for more local governments? The reality, as we have found out since our assumption of office in the last three years, is that many Local Governments as presently constituted are too large in size as regards the area they cover; the size of its workforce as well as the quality of representation needed at the grassroots level. These have hindered the smooth running of our Local Governments to the extent that they merely survive to pay salaries and nothing more. The statutory duties of the local governments have been neglected so much that people had actually forgotten their existence within their locality. In view of the popular agitation of our people for new local governments and with a view to repositioning existing ones for the optimum benefit of our people, I inaugurated a 10-man Osun Local Government Creation Committee headed by Professor Mojeed Alabi as the Chairman and Mr. Adeyeye Francis Olatoye, former Permanent Secretary in the Osun State Civil Service as secretary. In doing this, we are committed to complying with the clear provision of Sections 7 and 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. At the inauguration of the committee, we gave it the mandate to undertake a comprehensive review of Local Government Councils in the state and recommend new council areas as demanded by the people with the objective of laying the foundation for governance that is democratically elected and sovereign. The committee was charged with the task of subsequently preparing and presenting a report for a Bill for a law to the Osun House of Assembly for the purpose of creating new Local Government Areas in conformity with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. After the committee submitted its
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS (CREATION AND ADMINISTRATION) BILL, 2013 I am here before this august and esteemed Assembly to present the Local Government (Creation and Administration) Bill 2013. This Bill is the culmination of all the aforementioned efforts. This historic Bill, when passed into law, will provide for the establishment of additional 27 Local Governments in the state. The Bill expressly states that the 27 Local Government Areas are created in addition to the 30 Local Government Areas specified in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One significant aspect of this Bill is that the existing 30 Local Governments co-exist with the newly created local governments. As a matter of fact, section 3 of the Bill clearly provides that pending the passage of an Act of the National Assembly to list them in the constitution as Local Government Areas, the 27 new Local Government Areas shall be 27 Local Council Development Areas (Local Counties) in the State with the names specified in schedule II of the Bill. This provision clearly takes care of confusion that might have arisen should there be a controversy as to the status of the Local Government if the existing and the newly created Local Council Development Areas are lumped together as 57 Local Government Areas in the state. We have done our best to act within the existing law in this regard.
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•AREGBESOLA
report and in further desire to ensure full compliance with letters and spirits of the Constitution, Law and Procedure, our government constituted a Six member Review Committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, to look into the report of the Osun Local Government Areas Creation Committee. The Review Committee was saddled with the responsibility to review the reports of the Local Government Creation Committee; advise on the recommendations of the Committee to the Local Governments to be created; come up with programmes and advise on further steps to be taken to actualize the creation of additional Local Governments and to ensure the actualization of Local Government creation. The Review Committee took time to critically study the main report of the Local Government Areas Creation Committee and was unanimous in appreciating
the Committee for thoroughly discharging its duties as encapsulated in its terms of reference. However, the review committee true to its name picked the proposal and the recommendation one after the other and made justification for recommending a particular local government or citing headquarters of such local government in a particular place. The Review Committee, in so many instances, agreed with the creation of some local governments as recommended and in very few cases made outright rejection for reasons ranging from unviability of some and in other instances the need to maintain peaceful coexistence. All those justifications are contained in the main report submitted by the Review Committee. The outcome of the review Committee was its recommendation of the creation of additional 27 Local Governments.
UNIQUE FEATURES This Bill has some unique features that are meant to make Local Government administration cost-effective, people-oriented and development-based. To this end, the Bill proposes to establish a parliamentary system of government at the local government level. The implication of this is that the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council would be an elected councillor from the party having majority seats in the Council with other relevant qualifications. It is our firm conviction that this will inevitably reduce cost of governance; enhance quality of representation at the grass-roots level and ensure smooth running of the local government administration. It is clear that despite the acute paucity of funds available to local governments, the amount spent on over-head and personnel already gulps all the Council allocation. This proposed system would ensure transparency, probity and a more Continued on page 11
INTERVIEW
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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Making Government Count At The Grassroots Continued from page 10
productive local government administration system in the State of Osun. In furtherance of the foregoing, it is important to state that political functionaries at the Local Government level must be prepared to make a sacrifice by getting reduced emoluments in the short-term for the benefit of the system. Section 17 of the Bill further creates the office of the Council Manager who shall be the Administrative Head of the Local Government Council. He or she shall be designated as “Council Manager” who shall be a civil servant not above grade level 14. The Council Manager shall be the highest level of officer in the Local Government Council. In making this Bill, we are not oblivious of the career progression concern of officers above grade level 14 in the Local Government Council. Affected officers in the employment of the Local Government, upon advancement beyond Grade Level 14, shall be deployed by the Local Government Service Commission in conjunction with the Civil Service Commission to any Ministry, Department or Agency of government as they may so deem fit. This provision is to remove some obvious constraints to local government administration, particularly the challenge of funding top-heavy bureaucracy and to invigorate the administration by deploying officers who still have their career dependent on their performance at the Council. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC PLANNING
•AREGBESOLA
BOARD Another area we are also working on in reengineering our local governments is on a Bill for the creation of Local Government
Economic Planning Board. This is in pursuant to Section 7[3] 1999 Constitution. The Board will act in advisory capacity and shall perform the following functions:
ü To develop economic Blueprint for the Local Government Council taking into consideration the peculiarity of each Council; ü To develop a framework for infrastructural and sustainable Development of the Council Area; ü To advice the local government council on the enhancement of commercial and trading activities in the local Government; ü To develop the parameters for agricultural development in the Local Government; ü To advise on any other ancillary or relevant matter passed to it by the Council. The Local Government Economic Planning Board is not, and shall not be an implementation Body; its report shall be submitted to the Local Government Council for implementation; and it shall not be involved or take part in the day-to-day running of the Local Government. Honourable members of this distinguished Assembly, I present to you a bill for a law to reengineer our Local Government system. This Bill when passed into law, shall not only ensure a virile local government, it would place this House in the hall of fame of progressive and innovative Legislatures of all time in our dear state in particular and nation at large. I thank you all for your kind attention. Osun a dara!
OPINION HE 1976 Local Government Reform was a systematic and deliberate reorganisation of local government administration in Nigeria. The military needed a link between their centrally-controlled political system and the people at the grassroots to mobilise the people to get their support with the aim of legitimising their illegitimate regime, after they have edged out a democratically-elected government. Ever since, the local government has continued to remain a vibrant and quintessence form of government, both the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions guarantee democratically-elected local government council officials. Today, the total number of local governments recognised by the 1999 Constitution are 774 in number. However the 1999 Constitution empowers the state Assembly to create new local government but must be forwarded to the National Assembly for ratification for the purpose of including such a local government in the Constitution. In 1999, when the democratically elected government was ushered in, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, was uncomfortable with the 20 local government council areas he met in Lagos. Tinubu could not comprehend how Lagos State, with a population of 15 million at that time, would be given only 20 local government council areas, when Kano was having 44 local gvernment council areas,
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‘Why Osun Needs More Councils’ By YOMI OBADITAN
despite the fact that Jigawa State had been carved out of it, which almost doubled local government council areas in Lagos State. For instance, Alimosho Local Government Council Area alone, both in population and land mass was bigger than Bayelsa State with eight local government council areas. The military leaders were masters of deception. They knew the importance of local government, and they utilised the creation to benefit their states of origin; knowing that the more the numbers of local government, the more the Federal Allocation would be given to their local government council areas. He immediately set in motion necessary machineries to increase the numbers of the local government council areas. At the end of the exercise, the number of local government council areas remained 20, but 37 new Local Government Developmental Areas (LCDA) were created. Lagosians welcomed the development, praising Tinubu for such vision. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the newlycreated developmental areas. The PDP-led Federal Government seized the monthly federal allocations to local government areas. And the action was challenged in the court in the celebrated case of AG Lagos
versus AG Federation. At the end of the case, the Supreme Court held that the House of Assembly is empowered to create local government council areas in their states but must forward their newly-created local government to the National Assembly for the purpose of adding them to the existing local governments and for the purpose of enlistment and allocation of fund to the local governments. That although, the newly-created local governments in Lagos State were in order but, “it is Inchoate,” until it is enlisted in the constitution by the National Assembly. It held further that the Federal Government has no power under the Constitution to withhold allocation to any part of the states in Nigeria. Why Osun needs more local government council areas? Osun is located in the Western part of Nigeria. It covers an area of approximately 14,875 square kilometers. According to the National Population and Housing Census exercise conducted in 2006, Osun has a population of 3,423,535. As an agrarian area, there is the likelihood that its annual population growth will be around 5 per cent. In the next few days, the governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, may give the state a Christmas gift of new Local Government Developmental Areas
(LCDA), in accordance with the power vested in him, and to an extent, the State House of Assembly. It is important to solicit for the cooperation of the people of the state on the exercise, as the new LCDA may not satisfy all the interest groups in the state. But it is incontrovertible that a local government brings progress and development to its people . However, the viability of local government is vital to its running and sustainability. Apart from the constitutional functions of a local government, grassroots politics will be encouraged, as government will be brought closer to the people. The much-desired development in the state will further be pronounced. It is important that the people of the state cooperate with the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola and support the LCDAs and to ensure that nothing is to disturb the existing peace reigning in the state, irrespective of political or religious persuasion. We are one and must see the need to continue with the developmental agenda in all areas of our state. •Obaditan wrote the piece from Osogbo, the state capital. •Culled from THE NATION
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IN RETROSPECT
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
A Memorable Quote From A PDP Aspirant In The State Of Osun
“Recently, Chief Bola Ige came on radio here (Osogbo the state capital), to insult me and my family. THAT IS THE LAST TIME HE WOULD INSULT ME. He was beaten yesterday. The people of Ile-Ife beat him up and he was crying like a baby, as they removed his cap and glasses. If it had been at a political gathering, he will be dead by now..... In fact, what the people wanted to do was more than removing his glasses and cap....” -IYIOLA OMISORE. •Culled from Vanguard Newspaper.
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FOR THE RECORDS
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Afenifere Renewal Group: Governance Assessment Committee Report On State Of Osun, November 2013. 1. Preamble The Governance Assessment Committee was inaugurated by the Afenifere Renewal Group at its May 19, 2013 General Meeting. The committee’s task is to assess the performance of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and present its report to the public as a way of providing verifiable and reviewable information that could help in making informed decision. 2. Membership The committee is composed of the following distinguished Nigerians and eminent Yorubas: i. Chief Olusegun Odegbami, MON Chairman ii. Mr. Ayo Osunloye Member iii. Mr Opeyemi Agbaje Member 3. Procedure i. The committee commenced its work immediately and after concerted deliberations on how best to assess the performances of the two governors,’ it settled for the six criteria on Minimum Irreducible Demand on governance charter, which was adopted by the Yoruba Assembly. ii. The criteria are: Education, Healthcare, Wealth Creation, Infrastructure, Civil Service, Governance & Regional Integration, and Water Supply. These criteria sum the expectation of the Yoruba people from their governments, especially at the state level. iii. Thereafter, an independent research was conducted by a leading research, policy, and advisory consulting firm, Resources and Trust Company Limited. The company provided a comprehensive report on the performances of the two governors. iv. The committee then met to deliberate on the report. The impact of all the policies and projects listed under each criterion was discussed critically. This was done to ensure that the assessment reflects tangible results that residents can attest to. In essence, what the committee has done is to assess the governors from the perspective of their citizens in terms of the impact of their policies and programmes 4. Findings The zeal and optimistic attitude that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola brought to bear in governing the State of Osun has set him apart for global recognition. After winning a prolonged legal battle, he quickly found his feet amidst rancour and divisive politics. The summary of his performances based on the Minimum Irreducible Demands are presented below. 5. State of Osun Education The State embarked on numerous initiatives like the New School System, O’Meal, Omoluabi Garment, Opon Imo, O’KITS, etc, to improve access, quality and infrastructure in education with tangible results. These initiatives also created several thousands of new jobs, especially in the agricultural sector. Healthcare To ensure widespread implementation of its Free Health Policy, the State built 74 new Public Health Centres and invested significant resources in drugs procurement, training, and infrastructure. The results of these include reductlon in infant mortality, 84 per cent immunization coverage and 50 per cent reduction in malaria cases. Water Supply The state’s initiatives in the water sector are projected to result in production of 730,000 litres of water daily. This will meet 70 per cent of the state’s daily requirement. The state complements this with drilling of boreholes and supply of potable water to communities through water tankers. Infrastructure The state’s proactive investment in the dredging of 123km of waterways ensured the state was flood-free last year when many states in Nigeria were grounded by flood leading to colossal loss of lives and properties. For better inter-state access, a new 75km highway is being constructed to link the state to Lagos and another 45km highway is being constructed to link the state to Kwara, thereby opening up better access and commercial opportunities. The state has embarked on 185km highway beautification, construction of 61 township roads totalling 128km, 20 inter-city roads covering over 294 kilometres, and 10km roads in each Local Government Area. Wealth Creation The performance ofthe State of Osun under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in terms of wealth creation is impressive and unprecedented since the days of Western Region under late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The State of Osun, according to National Bureau of Statistics, has the lowest unemployment rate and least poverty index ratio in Nigeria. The state government has created more than 40, 000 jobs through various schemes - OYES, OREAP, etc. These schemes,
according to our research have buying power to the tune of N200m monthly. The state government provides a social security scheme for the vulnerable elders; trained over 5000 youths in specialised ICT skills; and empowered numerous citizens in agriculture. Civil Service, Governance, and. Regional Integration The State of Osun has domesticated the Fiscal Responsibility Law 2012 and has passed the Debt Management Law 2012. The government has improved its IGR to N1.6bn monthly from a paltry N300m. The state is strongly committed to the” southwest regional integration agenda. The impact of government on the environment is laudable and the approach to governance is people-oriented and creative. Observations 1. Ogbeni Aregbesola came into power after a laborious legal battle and was sworn in amidst a politically tensed ambience. He managed to brave the political tide against him and restored democratic governance. 2. When he was sworn in, Osun was cracking under a huge debt profile that was unsustainable for a state with a paltry N300m/month IGR and one of the least in terms of federal allocations. He met an economy that was heavily dependent on federal allocation and civil service jobs. But in the space of three years, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had restore hope for a moribund state through democratic governance. 3. He has pursued his Six Point Integral Action Plan with fervour and boldness that could be felt. The committee observes that each of the six action points have received equal attention in terms of innovative, proactive, and pragmatic policies. This sets Ogbeni apart as a man with a heart for the welfare of his people and his policies are geared towards unleashing their potentials. Recommendations 1. The state government should take faster action on regional integration agenda on economic development to help them leverage on regional economic potentials. 2. They should also promote true federalism ideals and decentralizations of current political structure, which prevents states from exploring their potentials to the maximum. Conclusion 1. Indeed, our blessed heritage in the Western Nigeria shaped our philosophy about governance. Any Yoruba man knows that governance is not just haphazard award of contracts and implementation of projects, done just to massage ego and encourage exhibitionism. But it a laborious and complex process of thinking and planning for the greater good to create such an environment that unleashes the potentials and prosperity of the people. 2. As we anticipated, Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 restored our region to that path of people-oriented developmental governance but this was cut short in 2003 when politics of violence and rigging invaded our land, held us hostage and disrupted progressive development. 4. But it is our joy today to announce that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has brought back that developmental focus to governance. There is no gainsaying that education is a top priority for this administration, which has taken this sector from the parlous state it was before to an enviable state it is now. It is pleasing to us that before this administration came in, just about three percent of secondary school leavers made into higher institutions. But now, having removed the financial impediment and having created an effective learning process, every child in Osun has a chance of higher education. That this state has the highest density of primary healthcare centres in Nigeria says a lot about its health policy. We can also talk about the administration’s policies on wealth creation, and social security for the aged, but we are much more impressed with Ogbeni Aregbesola’s style of engendering development at the grassroots. A lot of the government’s policies are designed to trickle down to grassroots at a quick pace, making its impact felt at the most critical level. 5. We must also mentioned the massive projects of the Ring Road, Cargo airport, and water works, all of which have the potential to drastically change the fortune of this state. With what we have seen in the last two days, Afenifere Renewal Group believes that it will be a great disservice to young and even unborn generations of the State of Osun if Ogbeni Aregbesola is not re-elected to oversee the complete implementation of ongoing policies. We are not just talking about projects and contracts, but policies that will positively shape the future prosperity of this state for generations. 6. It is now left for us to jealously guard and protect this heritage that Ogbeni has brought back to us. Afenifere Renewal Group believes that, given another term in office, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will break several records in governance and set new ones previously thought unattainable. 7. Therefore, we endorse him for re-election and enjoin residents of the State of Osun to vote massively for him in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. We believe that the future of the State of Osun in terms of development and prosperity is guaranteed with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
14
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
Job Vacancies In Nigeria Guardian Newspapers Ltd Job Vacancies in Nigeria. Guardian Newspapers Ltd, a reputable company with Head Office in Abuja and branches all over Nigeria requires the services of the unlisted position: Job Title: Chartered Accountants Location: Abuja and Other States Qualification Minimum of first degree and ACA. Minimum of 5 years experience. Job Title: Lawyers Location: Lagos and Abuja Qualification Minimum of LLB qualification. Minimum of 3 years post call experience. Job Title: Company’s Secretary Location: Lagos and Abuja Qualification Minimum of LLB qualification. Minimum of 5 years experience. Job Title: Personal Assistant to Group Managing Director Location: Lagos and Abuja Qualification A good first degree and should be ready to travel regularly with GMD and to work late. The candidate must have attended additional courses within and abroad Job Title: Personnel Manager Location: Lagos and Abuja Qualification B.Sc or its equivalent. Minimum of 10 years experience. Membership of Institute of Personnel Management will be an added advantage Job Title: Administrative Managers Location: Lagos and Abuja Qualification B.Sc or its equivalent. Minimum of 10 years experience. Membership of a related professional body will be an added advantage Job Title: Confidential Secretaries Location: Lagos and Abuja Qualification B.Sc/HND in Secretarial Studies. Minimum of 10 years experience with Membership of ACIS. Must have the ability to work under pressure and be prepared and be prepared to work late. Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should forward their applications and detailed CV’s to: The Advertiser Box No: 2057 Guardian Newspaper Ltd. Rutam House, Isolo, Oshodi - Apapa Expressway Isolo, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria. Note: Interview will be conducted in our Head Office in Abuja Application Deadline 31st December, 2013. —————————————————— May & Baker Nigeria Plc Job Vacancies in Nigeria May & Baker Nigeria Plc - We are committed to applying our resources and science to improve the quality of life. We provide quality and affordable medicines, food and beverages to those who need them. May & Baker Nigeria Plc is recruiting to fill the below position: Job Title: Admin Assistant Job Ref.: AA Location: Lagos, Nigeria Department: General Management Job Description: Reporting to the Business Head, the incumbent will be expected to provide support services in carrying out Admin & Accounts functions for the business. The applicants must possess good analytical skills with an eye for detail. Requirements Applicants must not be more than 28 years old, must possess an OND in Accountancy or related field with a minimum of two (2) years work experience. Job Title: Quality Analysts Job Ref.: QA Location: Lagos, Nigeria Department: Quality Operations Job Description: Reporting to the Quality Assurance Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for manufacturing of products of standard quality through prompt and accurate chemical analysis. Requirement Applicants must possess a B.Sc in Chemistry with a minimum of two (2) years instrumentations knowledge (HPLC, GC, etc). Job Title: Secretary Job Ref.: SEC Location: Lagos, Nigeria Department: General Management Job Description: Reporting to the Personal Assistant to the General Manager, the incumbent will be expected to provide first class secretarial support befitting the General Manager’s office. Requirements Applicants must be within the ages of 28 – 35 years and must possess a minimum of HND in Secretarial Administration. Computer proficiency with working knowledge of MS Word and Excel is a pre-requisite. Applicants must be top flight Secretaries with good oral and written communication and inter-personal relations skills. Job Title: Engineering Technicians (Ota) Job Ref.: ETO Location: Ota, Ogun State Department: Engineering Job Description: Engineering Technicians (Ota) Reporting to the Maintenance Engineer, the incumbent will be responsible for the maintenance of the company’s equipments. Requirements Applicants must not be more than 30 years old and possess a National Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering with at least two (2) years experience or City & Guild certificate in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering with at least three (3) years experience preferably from a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant Job Title: Utility / HVAC Technician Job Ref.: UHT Location: Lagos, Nigeria Department: Quality Operations Job Description: Reporting to the Engineer, the incumbent will be responsible for the effective operation and maintenance of HVAC system, Chillers & other utilities to meet the required production capacity. Requirements Candidates should not be more than 32 years old and possess a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering At least two (2) years relevant experience or City & Guild certificate in Mechanical Engineering with at least three (3) years relevant experience Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should: http://www.may-baker.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=62 Application Deadline 31st December, 2013 —————————————————— Job Vacancies in a Construction Company in Lagos, 19th December 2013 Deangelo - Our client, a major player in the construction industry located in Lagos requires suitable and qualified candidates to fill the following position. Successful candidates will be required to practice and implement our core values. Job Title: Asphalt Products Marketers Location: Lagos Duties Key responsibilities include business and market development; market research, competitive analysis and planning; strategic direction for promotion and advertising; coordination and execution of projects in coordination with business development activities; and leading the marketing staff to ensure alignment with company’s strategic goals and mission. Qualification/Experience B.Sc. marketing or any degree in Humanities and must possess natural ability to sell.
Experience in working in construction company/ Real Estate Firm. Job Title: Pay Loader Operators Location: Lagos Duties Perform daily preventive maintenance, record and inspect machines to include fuelling, cleaning, checking and adding fluids when needed. Disconnect all electrically operated machines from power source after use. Clean plat area. Monitor machine operations and adjust pressure, temperature and other controls to ensure products match specification. Possess a good technical knowledge of machine he operates. Obey and implement safety measures/ procedures provided. Qualification/Experience O’ level or its equivalent. Must have at least 3 year experience in Pay Loader Operation Job Title: Paving Machine Technician Location: Lagos Duties Perform tasks involving physical labor in paving operation. Clean and prepare.paving machine tools. Qualification/Experience O’ level or its equivalent. Relevant work experience in Asphalt paving work. Must have at least 3 year experience paving machine operation Job Title: Paving Machine Operators Location: Lagos Duties Perform daily preventive maintenance, record and inspect machines to include fuelling, cleaning, checking and adding fluids when needed. Disconnect all electrically operated machines from power source after use. Clean plant area. Monitor machine operations and adjust pressure, temperature and other controls to ensure products match specification. Possess a good technical knowledge of machine he operates. Obey and implement Safety measures/ procedures provided. Qualification/Experience O’ level or its equivalent. Relevant work experience in Asphalt paving work. Must have at least 3 year experience paving machine operation Job Title: Asphalt Plant Operators & Technician Location: Lagos Duties Maintain proper and efficient working condition in the Asphalt production workshop. Ability to manage all necessary equipment. Good interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to keep inventories and maintain record keeping. Qualification/Experience OND or its equivalent. Relevant work experience in Asphalt plant equipment and production. Skilled in related Asphalt production test. Must have 5 years hands-on experience. Not more than 30 years of age Job Title: Asphalt Plant Manager Location: Lagos Duties Operate the Asphalt Plant optimally. Inventory and other materials and fuel supplies. Managing expenditure and budget. Assessing risks. Adhering and enforcing safety regulations. Implementing Preventive maintenance program. Train subordinates Qualification/Experience B.Eng. Mechanical / System Engineering. Experience in operations of Asphalt Plant. Team Leadership ability. Mastering safety policies and best safety practices. Strong organizing and time management skills. Good interpersonal and communications skills. Minimum of 7 Years hands-on experience. Job Title: Plant Technician (Mechanical) Location: Lagos Duties Inspect and test equipment and do initial diagnoses. Maintain and repair Mechanical related faults. Follow manufacturer’s specifications and standards as regards mechanical installations. Ability to keep inventories and maintain record keeping Qualification/Experience OND or its equivalent. Relevant work experience in heavy duties equipment and automobile. 3years experience. Not more than 26 year old. Minimum of 3 years hands-on experience. Job Title: Plant Technician (Electrical) Location: Lagos Duties Inspect and test equipment and do initial diagnoses. Maintain and repair electrical related faults. Follow manufacturer’s specifications and standards as regards electrical installations. Ability to keep inventories and Maintain record keeping. Qualification/Experience OND (Electrical Eng.) or its equivalent. Relevant work experience in heavy duty equipment and automobile. Not more than 26 years of age. Minimum of 3 years hands-on experience. Job Title: Plant Maintenance Manager Location: Lagos Duties Design maintenance progress. Research for new equipment. Implementing preventative maintenance programs. Adhering to safety regulations. Performing human resources responsibility. Plans, communicates follow ups, and monitor and control the entire daily activities of the workshop. Assessing risks. Managing expenditure and budgets. Follow manufacturers’ specifications and standards. Qualification/Experience B.ENG. Minimum of 10 Years’ experience. Knowledgeable in CAT Equipment and Other Heavy duty equipment. Managerial Experience. Team Leadership ability. Mastering of safety policies and best safety practices. Budgeting and spare parts management skills. Good interpersonal and communication skills. Job Title: Plant Maintenance Manager Location: Lagos Duties Design maintenance progress. Research for new equipment. Implementing preventative maintenance programs. Adhering to safety regulations. Performing human resources responsibility. Plans, communicates follow ups, and monitor and control the entire daily activities of the workshop. Assessing risks. Managing expenditure and budgets. Follow manufacturers’ specifications and standards. Qualification/Experience B.ENG. Minimum of 10 Years’ experience. Knowledgeable in CAT Equipment and Other Heavy duty equipment. Managerial Experience. Team Leadership ability. Mastering of safety policies and best safety practices. Budgeting and spare parts management skills. Good interpersonal and communication skills. Method of Application All interested candidates should forward their C.V (Microsoft word only, and not more than three pages) to: ddeangelo97@gmail.com . Please make the position applied for the subject of your mail. Only successful candidates will be shortlisted Application Deadline 31st December, 2013 ——————————————————
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15
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, December 21, 2013
www.osundefender.org SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2013
RDINARILY, this Christmas season ought to usher-in festive mood at the Presidency in Aso Rock, but whether this is so or not is debatable. As if the whole country has conspired against President Goodluck Jonathan, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held on to its strike for six months, which was suspended last Tuesday. This is even against the background that no president has ever engaged lecturers in negotiation, but Goodluck did it for 13 hours. It is also pertinent to note that Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is already on strike, which is yet to be resolved. The challenges besetting the Jonathan administration transcends the academia. At the twilight of suspending the ASUU strike, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the umbrella body of Nigeria medical doctors served notice of embarking on a nationwide withdrawal of service, which started a day after ASUU suspended its strike. Before Nigerians could really understood the import of what was happening, the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers Union (NUPENG) has also signified its intention to go on strike early next year, if the attempt by the Federal Government to auction the refineries is not aborted. The series of crises within the polity is enough to challenge any tough leader, when you consider it against the background of the Boko Haram insurgency and the crisis within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). To compound matters, there were two letters received from two prominent and highly placed Nigerians to the President, which cannot be discountenanced. The first letter done by the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was to the effect that the sum of $49.8 billion, which ought to be remitted by the state monopoly, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for a period spanning eighteen months into the Federation Account was unremitted. The letter, though written in September and addressed to the President found its way into republic domain in December. The second, which has generated a lot of furore was the open letter done by the erstwhile President, Olusegun Obasanjo to Jonathan. Besides the issues contained in the epistle, some people have questioned the rationale behind it. While some suggest it was borne-out of personal interest, others argue that it was based on frustration experienced by the former helmsman, because all his tentacles in the ruling party and the government have been cut. Some Nigerians have even questioned why a letter, when Obasanjo has unlimited access to the President? That, even when the erstwhile leader expressly stated in the opening paragraph of his letter that he was constrained to make it an open letter because of past experience, did not assuage their feelings. In a nutshell, such people are alluding to the fact that Chief Obasanjo has committed a treasonable felony, which of course can only be determined by a competent court of law. Again, there is divided opinion in the content of the letter. While a section of Nigerians strongly believe that Obasanjo has no moral duty to
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A Season Of Letters
•JONATHAN
pontificate to Jonathan because he has done grievous things than Jonathan, others share the opinion that Baba Iyabo did the right thing. Some have even gone further to distinguish between the messenger and the message. To critical analysts, the issue we should concern ourselves with is, whether the issues raised therein are cogent or not? Closely related to this, is the fact that if Obasanjo has the ears of Jonathan, but the president is not ready to listen to advice, should he keep mute forever? In view of this, this class of Nigerians strongly suggests that even if Obasanjo is a devil’s reincarnate, as a Nigerian, he should be allowed to express his personal feelings, which is his fundamental human right guaranteed under the Constitution. As a Nigerian, I have listened to arguments on both sides of the divide. Before I make my comments known, I wish to state categorically that this column is not a fan of the Egba-Owu High Chief. The issues raised in Obasanjo’s letter were in the public domain before he added his voice. The only one which a lot of Nigerians found strange was the training of snipers and the placing of 1000 citizens on political watch-list. These are people who may not be on the same page with the President on national issues. Be that as it may, that allegation is weighty enough to attract prompt response from the
president. However, we should not forget to remember that Obasanjo was a one-time Head of State and equally elected president for two terms in office. He therefore has a qualified privilege to get information, which many Nigerians may not be privy to. Besides, the letter made the news because of the personality involved. If other Nigerians have said it, it would not have been newsworthy, but coming from a former Commander-In-Chief makes it worthy of being seriously considered. It is the view of this that this column states that the baby should not be thrown away with the bath water, simply because Obasanjo did not do what he ought to do during his tenure. The President, to my mind, should digest the letter and provide the desired response in no distant time. The President can choose to ignore the letter based on some ill-advice offered by his aides. That, however, would be to his own detriment. That brings us to the Sanusi letter. That letter ought to have been sent to the NNPC leadership by the presidency and the response should have engendered reconciliation of accounts amongst the stakeholders such as the NNPC, Central Bank, the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Department of Petroleum Resource. Rather than getting the desired result,
nothing came out before a whistle-blower made everything bare, which has now cast the government in a bad light. Are the government officials positing that a 3month period is not adequate enough for the CBN and NNPC to have reconciled their accounts? Of course, some aides may have advised the President to ignore the observation made by the CBN governor, the backlash has smeared president and not the advisers, because the buck stops on the president’s table. Whatever it takes, the President should brace up for the challenges confronting the nation and courageously tackle the problems. Some of the actions or inactions of the president do not portray him in a good light. The issue of Oduahgate, involving the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah on the allegation of over-inflating the prices of two BMW cars is yet to be made public to Nigerians. The issue of corruption, which is the cankerworm destroying the country, has elicited marginal reaction from the present government. The Jonathan administration can certainly do more. For the first time in Nigeria, the government seems to be working at cross purposes and against itself. It shows that the President is not in full control, which is very dangerous. It is my humble opinion that it is not the number of years one spends in power that matters, but the impact it is able to make in the lives of the citizenry. The Presidency should come out better to the citizens of the country because ultimately it is the people, who hold the sovereignty, which has temporarily been surrendered to elected officials. Nobody is arguing that Obasanjo is a saint or the messiah we are waiting for, but the President should see accountability and responsibility as ingredients of democracy. Nigerians are no fools and at the appropriate time, they would give account of what each leader did while in power. The present situation calls for sober reflection and appropriate response. In a democracy, everybody is needed, provided such a fellow can vote, hence the need to accommodate everyone. Jonathan should not see the issues raised in Obasanjo’s letter as the usual PDP family affair, but national issues, which need to be attended to. In conclusion, Jonathan should provide answers to questions raised in Obasanjo’s letter and should not be swept under the carpet, thinking that after sometime, Nigerians would forget it and deal with other issues.
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.