Osun Defender February 25th 2014 Edition

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

VOL. 9. NO.024

Front Page Comment

Omisore’s Empty Campaign Promises Iyiola Omisore, for long nicknamed ‘Mr. Money miss-road’ eventually launched his governorship campaign on Saturday in Osogbo, the state of Osun capital after a peace disturbing prelude to the event.

His campaign launch which was purely a gathering of miscreants, thugs and hoodlums of all hues plus some rented crowds was what has been described as nothing but a charade by those who witnessed it. And to

justify this description is the fact that even many of his rented crowds who would not hesitate to call a spade its name did testify much to this.

The launch was so described – charade – because it was full of inane

talks, lies, empty boasts and unrealistic campaign promises.

For a start how on earth could any sane person claim that Ogbeni has not Continued On Pg. 5

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

N50

IGE

Aregbesola Clinches Independent Man-Of-The-Year Award With A Bang - See Story On Page 3

•(L-R) Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Adefulure; the deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Sherifat; • Chairman of the occasion/Chairman,Independent Newspapers Limited (INL), Alhaji Gambo Lawan; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, during the Investiture of Aregbesola as the 2013 Man of the Year, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos last Friday.

Osun Govt Accepts White Paper Report On Uwaifo’s Commission

- See Story On Page 3

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

PHOTO NEWS

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Investiture Of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola As The Independent Newspapers Ltd 2013 Man Of The Year In Lagos Last Friday.

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola displaying his INL 2013 Man of the Year Award; Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti (right) and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, during the investiture of the governor by Independent Newspapers Limited at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, on Friday.

Governor Aregbesola delivering his acceptance speech during the investiture last Friday.

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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Aregbesola Clinches Independent Man-Of-The-Year Award With A Bang

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI THE Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites was filled to capac ity lat Friday in honour of the State of Osun gover nor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

It was indeed a grand oc- commended the newspaper casion spiced with all the for standing with a vast magrandeurs and razzmatazz jority of people who, contypical of celebration of tinue to express profound achievement, hardwork and appreciation of the uncomsuccess. mon good governance The crowd on its own through which his governtold the story of a people, ment is re-engineering the gathered with common in- socio-economic conditions tention, who came to cel- of the state. ebrate an achiever, a leader Aregbesola said: “In inwith a course, a progressive, stituting this award and rewho runs people-oriented maining consistent with it, government. the Editorial Board of the Thus the roll called in- INL demonstrates its comcluded people of diverse mitment to promoting excelbackgrounds from adminis- lence and the virtues of hard trators to governors, sena- work, dedication and tors, scholars, politicians, achievement, particularly media icons and entertain- among political office holders. ers.

They all converged on the “Thus, in celebrating our lush hall of the highbrow ground-breaking feats in the hotel to witness the investi- different sectors of public ture of Aregbesola as the life in Osun, you prove your Man of the Year 2013 con- utmost concern with the ferred on him by the Inde- progress and development pendent Newspapers Lim- of our people. ited.

“For me, this award is a The governor, in his ac- notable gesture that will ceptance speech entitled: deepen my resolve and ‘Encourage to do More,’ commitment to guarantee said the award was a testi- freedom and make life more mony of apparent outstand- abundant and meaningful to ing performance of his ad- the ordinary people as a ministration in all sectors of political leader. government.

“It will motivate me to be The highly-elated gover- more devoted to the nor described the award as progress and development a big challenge and clarion of humankind. It is in view call for him to be more deeply of this that I accept the committed to guaranteeing award wholly and wholepeople’s welfare, well-being heartedly. and security of lives and “The award I am being property. honoured with today is in He stated that by giving recognition of the verifiably him the award, the Indepen- unprecedented feats that we dent Newspapers Limited have achieved in the areas clearly demonstrated that it of human welfare promowas in support of nothing tion, education, job crebut excellence, achievement ation, and physical infraand dedication to hard work structure development. by leaders.

“It is only those, like you The governor therefore, at INL, who were well famil-

iar with the near total absence of governance in Osun prior to our coming to office that can properly appreciate the considerable changes that my administration has effected in all the sectors.”

Delivering a paper entitled: ‘Nigeria, 1914 - 2014, The Amalgamation, the Aftermath,’ the guest speaker, Professor Itse Sagay, asserted that for the stability and peace to reign in the country, all the major ethnic groups, which had hitherto enjoyed independence before the amalgamation of the country, must be given considerable autonomy.

Sagay, who stated that the amalgamation was for the benefit of the British colonial masters, regretted that the development later turned to competition and conflicts among the major ethnic groups in the country in a bitter struggle for power.

He therefore, advocated for addressing the national question in such a way that autonomy would be granted to the federating units, which had been enjoying independence before the forceful marriage.

The don frowned at a pseudo-federalism the nation operates, lamenting that the traditional practice, whereby states run to Abuja for handout fees is grossly anti-development.

“The amalgamation of Nigeria by the British colonial masters was self-serving.

They did it to benefit their own interests. Since the exit of the colonialists, the country has struggled from one political crisis into another.

“The situation has now degenerated to the extent whereby every ethnic nationality struggle with another for power. The situation needs to be addressed

and one of the solutions is for the nation to revert to a true federalism, where all federating units are granted considerable autonomy.

“Federal government should content itself with the general powers such as maintaining its own Police force, customs and immigration, defence, currency printing and international relations.

“A tradition, whereby the states are summoned to Abuja by an almighty central government for allocation to run their states would not bring the desired progress.

“The states should be allowed to control their resources and contribute certain percentage to the Federal Government. This was the situation during the First Republic,” Sagay said.

He canvassed the old system in which state controlled their resources and contribute certain percentage of it to the centre as the best that could help the nation develop.

In his opening remark earlier, the Chairman, Independent Newspapers Limited, Alhaji Gambo Lawan, said Aregbesola’s choice as the Man of the Year 2013 by the paper was borne out of his outstanding performance in infrastructural and human development in the State of Osun in the last three years.

According to him, achievers are to be encouraged, so as to ginger them to do more, adding that the award will surely bring the best out of Aregbesola, who he described as a lover of services to humanity.

In his remarks, one of the discussants and a member of Presidential Advisory Commission on National Conference, Mr. Tony Uranta, commended the g

Osun Councils Creation, A Done Deal - OSHA

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED HE State of Osun House of Assembly has described T the proposed additional local government council creation in the state as a done deal.

The Chairman, House House, Honourable Committee on Local Timothy Owoeye, urged the Government and Chieftaincy people of the state to Affairs, Honourable Wasiu continue to maintain peace, Adebayo made the with a view to achieving the assertion on Friday during purpose for which the the committee’s tour to the councils are to be created. proposed headquarters of Owoeye also urged the the new councils. people to allow love and The tour in its third day peaceful co-existence to be took the committee to Ilare their priority, in Obokun Local notwithstanding, the Government Council Area, communities where the Imo in Ilesa-East Local headquarters of the Government Council Area, proposed new local Banuso in Ilesa-West Local government areas are Government Council Area, located.

Iwara in Atakumosa -East While appealing to the Local Government Council residents of the Area, Ifewara in communities to encourage Atakumosa-West Local and support the governor, Government Council Area Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, he and Ipetu-Ijesa in Oriade stressed that the state Local Government Council parliament would consider Area. speedy passage of the The lawmaker said that the bill for the new councils. since the bill, seeking to In their remarks, the create new councils is Obanla of Ilesa, High Chief seeing as part of the state Mathew Ogedengbe; government efforts to bring Adimula of Ifewara, Oba development closer to the Hezekiah Adeniyi; Awara of people at the grassroots, the Iwara-Ijesa, Oba Adewale bill would go through.

Also, the Leader of the Kazeem and the Owalare of

Ilare, Oba Emmanuel Adejoro, urged the lawmakers to give the bill for the creation of new councils a speedy passage.

Commending the governor for coming up with the idea of creating new councils, the monarch noted that the councils would further enhance development at the grassroots.

They however declared the support of their communities to the governor towards achieving his second term bid.

Highlight of the tour was the inspection of buildings to be used as offices for the local councils in the areas visited.

overnor for institutionalising democracy which now yields abundant dividends for the majority of the people.

“I have heard that Osun government feeds its pupils and I have heard of the education reforms in Osun. If those are the only achievements of t

he government in Osun and he does not do anything more, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has performed,” the social commentator said.

Uranta said further that he was dazzled with the chanting of Osun anthem, adding that "the development shows that there is still hope for federalism in Nigeria"

Some Of The Dignitaries At The INL’s 2013 Award For Governor Rauf Aregbesola Governor Kayode Fayemi Governor Rotimi Amaechi Lagos State Members in the National Assembly Osun Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaam Alh Lateef Jakande Engr Sola Akinwumi Senator Husein Osun Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye Senator Jide Omoworare Odunmbaku Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola All Osun Commissioners and Special Advisers Alhaji Kola Young Col. Eni-Ibukun (rtd) Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi-Laoye Tomori, Osun Deputy Governor Mrs Orelope-Adefulire, Lagos Deputy Governor Alh Ibrahim Musa, represented Kano State Governor Mr Bimbo Ashiru, represented Ogun State Governor Alh Gambo Lawal, Chairman, Independent Newspapers Pastor Ize Iyamu, represented Edo State Governor Oshiomole Alhaji Sheu Musa Garba Chief C.J Eziguro Rt. Hon Adeyemi Kuforiji Hon Alhaja Ayo Omidiran Many Obas and Chiefs from Osun Hon Ajibola Famurewa Hon Agunbiade Hon Gafar Amere Hon Lasun yusuf Hon Lateef Ibirogba, represented Governor Raji Fashola Executive Secretaries From Osun Mr Sam Omatseye Lulu Ereboyo Obasheki Barr Femi Ifaturoti Ted Iwere, MD, Independent Newspapers Ltd Mr Tony Uranta, Member, National Dialogue Committee Prof Itsey Sagay Rotimi Durojaiye Hon (Mrs) Abike Dabiri-Erewa Mr Kunle Odeyemi Otunba Lai Oyeduntan Hon Kola Akanji Hon Tunde Ibirogba Hon Bayo Oyekanmi Mr Soji Fadehan Hon Komolafe Barr Kunle Oyatomi Ogbeni Kola Olabisi Mr Gbenga Adebusuyi Barrister Kunle Amos Barrister Gbenga Akano

OsunGovtAcceptsWhitePaperReportOnUwaifo’s Commission •Leases Out Hassan Olajokun Park

By SHINA ABUBAKAR of the State of Osun has G OVERNMENT accepted the report of the White Paper committee on the State Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The report was accepted during the sixth meeting of the State Executive Council in the year presided by the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, last week.

It would be recalled that Aregbesola had after his inauguration in office set up the commission headed by Honourable Justice Samson Uwaifo to review cases of human rights abuses in the

state from 2007 to 2010, while the scribe was Mr Nurudeen Ogbare.

The White Paper committee headed by the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi, submitted an 85page report out of the 205 pages submitted by the commission.

It was also agreed that

another committee be set-up to recommend to government amount to be paid as compensation to victims of various abuses in the state during the said period.

The White Paper committee includes the State Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Barrister.

Ajibola Bashiru, Salimon A. W. Esq, and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal and Judicial Reforms, Mr Ibrahim Lawal Esq. Similarly, the government

has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Waiters Limited on the management of Hassan Olajokun Memorial Park.

The agreement would see government earning N7.5million from the lease of the main hall, its extension, conference room, viewing centre and guest charlet for five years after which the agreement is renewable.

It was also agreed that the period of lease for the property should not exceed 20 years after which full ownership is returned to the state government.

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

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News

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Osun School Debate Winner To Be One-day Governor •Golden Cup Winner Getsbank N1m Price that has that capacity

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

he governor as a role model in governance, saying the group will continue its support to ensure that he returns to the Government House for a second term.

Other members of the group include: Honourables Muyiwa Jimoh, Tayo Olaitan, Babatuntde Ayeni, Barrister Kayode Tinubu among others.

Dignitaries at the event included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, President, Oranmiyan World Wide, Prince Felix Awofisayo, former NFF Secretary, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, among others.

schools. We are also the industry”.

NY secondary school pupil who comes first in the “But regardless of their only government feeding to offer such loan.

Even School Debate Competition to be organised by ranting, the people across the school pupils at the Omoluabi Support Group in collaboration with the when Federal Government the world are noticing our elementary level, apart from Government of the State of Osun will be a ceremonial one- wanted to borrow N150 efforts.

Daily the employment of 10,000 billion to finance the Lagos- IndependentThe day governor in May this year.

Newspaper is teachers, we have also Honourable Bisi Yusuf, organisations for Ibadan Expressway Project, presenting Governor of the actively engaged 40,000 Member of Lagos State supporting the vision of the about 20 banks came Year Award to me, not only youths.”

House of Assembly, who government to make life together to source for the on our success in “For the first time, Osun spoke on behalf of the more abundant for the money, which means no conventional governance, is having Armour Personnel bank has such capacity.” group said on Thursday at people. on alternative Carriers procured by the “How it is now possible but the State Government He said: “It is our vision perspective to governance state government and to the for any bank to lend Osun, Secretariat, Osogbo during to build Osun economy to that puts the people as the glory of God, we are doing the official cash be able to compete with even N100 billion? This is a major focus of our this not at the expense of the state with less than N64 presentation to the winners Lagos economy, and we people,” the governor said. administrations. of the 2013 Osun Governors have started it. In 1999, billion revenue in four years, In his votes of thanks, “In the continent of Golden Cup. Lagos Internally Generated after the payment of salaries Africa, we are the only Lagos State Deputy and pension allowances.

He stated that the group, Revenue (IGR) was N600 government that presented Speaker, who is a member of in collaboration with the million and now, it is No bank will do that. No learning tablet of knowledge the group, Honourable State Ministry of Education, between N20 - N30 billion. African magic in banking to the pupils in secondary Taiwo Kolawole, described will organise a school We are also moving fast in t debate to educate the public Osun. Before, it was N300 on Governor Rauf million, now it’s between Aregbesola’s philosophy N1.2 to N1.6 billion.” on education, which he “We are determined to described as monumental grow the state economy to and complete departure that level and with from previous collapsed and organisational productivity, redundant system. it is possible. It is for this Yusuf explained that the purpose that people of this Inter-unity State Debate will similar ideals are working enlighten the pupils, and together to get the desire other stakeholders on the results.” religious intrigues The governor said he was introduced by “the tiny overwhelmed with the onepopulation in the state to day governor proposal, derail the globally- which, according to him, will acknowledged education encourage the school restructuring in the state. pupils to work harder and He said the debate will be justify the government’s organised in May this year, huge investment on while the school that may education. come first will get N700,000 He however took a swipe cash prize, while the group at the opposition for “being will also distribute one mischievous on the debt million exercise books to the profile of the state to mislead school pupils. the people. Their claim is The lawmaker noted that completely out of common the debate is to support the sense.” governor’s giant strides in He said: “I always laugh the state and demonstrate at them and imagine their that what Osun intends to level of ignorance, when •The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrow) acknowledging cheers from pupils during the former be producing are first-class they roll out figures on the presentation of the milk of knowledge in aid of the O’ Meal Programme organised by Sheri Care Foundation pupils, who will be able to state debt profile. The recent (SCARF) under the Office of the of the Governor of the State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, at Nelson Mandela compete in technology, one they claimed was N600 Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. economy, legal and medical billion. I don’t know of any Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Thursday. professions and all facets of life.

President of the group, Olu Alagbe, speaking earlier the grassroots. the communities for their governor and support him during the presentation of

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED before, during and after the They however gave their supports to the government. cash prizes to the winners of the Governor’s Gold Cup COMMUNITIES in the State of Osun have expressed commitment to continue to They said that though the forthcoming governorship their commitment to sustain the proposed local support the policies and council cannot be created election in the state.

2013, said the effort of the government areas when eventually created in their programmes group is to rally support for Meanwhile, the lawmakers of the without the approval of the the second term ambition of were welcomed by the administration.

House, but since the bill for the areas. development at the grassroots.

Governor Aregbesola.

In their separate speeches, creation of new councils has communities amidst pumps Leaders of the communities The spokespersons of the the Chairman of the committee, According to him, been found to be and pegeantry.

Governor Aregbesola has stated this on Thursday during other communities also Wasiu Adebayo; Leader of the developmental, it would All the communities visited the tour by members of the commended the state governor, House, Timothy Owoeye; demonstrated uncommon have also made provisions for definitely go through. zeal to develop the state State House of Assembly Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for members of the committee, The lawmakers then charged secretariat buildings of the through functional Committee on Local proposing the new councils in Abiodun Awolola, Johnson Ojo the residents of the proposed councils if eventually education, mass road Government and Chieftaincy a bid to bring development to and Yemi Taiwo appreciated communities to encourage the cited in their communities. construction and steady Affairs to the proposed security in the last three and headquarters of the proposed a half years. local government council areas The group presented N1 in the state. million cheque to Orolu The communities visited the state to inspect the water the government to closely work

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI Local Government Football were Ola, Inisa, Oguro, Ifeproject, which is about 90 with the community in team that came first, Odan, Masifa Isundunrin and protecting the facilities on the HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf percent completed.

N500,000 to Ede-South FC, T site, saying the contractor has She said the Federal Aregbesola, has urged the Federal Government of which emerged first runner, Ilawo in Ejigbo Local Government will work in assured that the project will be Nigeria to fastrack the Ilesa Water Dam project located Government, Ido-Osun in N300,000 to the second collaboration with the state delivered this year. runner, Ede-North, while Egbedore Local Government at Kajola to provide potable water in the ancient town.

The water dam project in The governor said the long we are also committed in government on the second phase Kajola is being handled by the Ilesa-West got N100,000 as and Sekona in Ede South Local after the completion of the first suffering of the community on providing potable water for the Government. third runner up. phase to increase the water RCC with 18 months’ period.

If At Inisa-Ejigbo, the Onisara provision of water requires the people.

The most valuable player, supply capacity in the city and completion attention of the Federal “The state government will its environs. completed, it will have 35 Kareem Sadiq, from Ifon- of Inisa, Oba Job Babalola said Government, which the water Osun, Jegade Bolatoro, the that about 21 communities that dam will address, if completed work together with the Federal The minister pleaded with million litres of water pumping Ministry of Water Resources to capacity on daily basis.

Best Goal Keeper of the fall under the proposed council timely. ensure that there is result for tournament and highest in the area have agreed to site it Change Of Name Change Of Name The governor tasked the huge resources invested in that goal scorer, Tijani Ismaila, in the ancient town.

Federal Government on water dam and prevent any I, formerly known as I, formerly known as were also presented golden Calling for the approval of Thursday while receiving the form of abuse of the project.”

O D E S O L A A D E A G B O boots and cash prizes.

Also on the tourism the House, the monarch Federal Minister of Water The 30 local government stressed that every effort Resources, Mrs Sarah Reng potentials of the water dam, the S U N D A Y MATHEW, now wish councils and the Area would be made to sustain the Ockekpe, at the Government governor promised to visit the OLUWOLE, now wish to be known and Council participated in the Secretariat, Osogbo, during a project site alongside the addressed as to be known and proposed council, if eventually courtesy visit by the minister. tournament last year.

Ministry of Tourism and O D E S O L A addressed as created.

Aregbesola said: “For the Tourism Board to evaluate the Governor Rauf M A T H E W At Ola, the Asiwaju of Ola past 40 years, Ilesa has not got opportunities and determine the A D E A G B O Aregbesola, speaking after OLUWASEYI. All SUNDAY. All former the cash presentation, Land, Professor Layi Olapade public portable water and since state’s area of intervention. former documents Speaking earlier, the Minister expressed gratitude to affirmed the importance of the 1951, it has been one of the 12 documents remain valid. remain valid. General Omoluabi Support Group new councils, saying the major cities in Nigeria. We of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah General public should and other collaborating council would further enhance appreciate the project because said the ministry’s team was in take note. public should take note.

A

Osun Communities Give Commitment To Sustain Proposed Councils

Aregbesola Urges FG To Complete Ilesa Water Dam

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Omisore’s Empty Campaign Promises done anything in the state in spite of the visible unprecedented developmental strides that have taken place under his administration? Isn’t only a demented mind that would say that? For Omisore to say that Ogbeni Aregbesola hasn’t done anything in the state is the height of falsehood, nay, dementia and that speaks volume of his character as liar, an hypocrite and a politician of no shame.

Today in the state of Osun it’s on record that Ogbeni Aregbesola’s achievements within just three years plus of his administration by far surpass that of PDP’s government of seven and a half years even as Ogbeni is still on the march – not relenting in his efforts to put Osun on the world map of development – in spite of all the monetary challenges he is facing.

The exodus of people from Omisore’s party, PDP to Ogbeni Aregbesola’s party, APC, on daily

basis in the state today, is a demonstration of the love the people have for Ogbeni for having served them well and it is also a testament to the faith they have in him as a leader seen to have what it takes to take Osun to greater heights.

be swayed by that unrealistic campaign promise. But for Aregbesola’s ingenuity and prudent management of the available meagre resources accruing to the state, it would be impossible to achieve all this much within a period of three years.

If Omisore's inane talk that Ogbeni Aregbesola has not done well in the state is ridiculous, more laughable is his promise to create 300, 000 (three hundred thousand) jobs within ten days of his administration at the rate of N75,000 per head.

Lo and behold! Like the Yoruba would say; ‘blood doesn’t ooze from the mouth of a liar’. How feasible is this in a state that has the chunk of its income coming from federation account and whose allocation is hardly enough to settle workers’ salary and pension? Even the foetus knows that this purely unrealistic. Let Omisore therefore tell that to the marine.

And we must emphasise it here; to take Osun to where it is now has not been a tea party. It is a product of Aregbesola’s vision and his prudent management of resources. For it takes a visionary and prudent leader of Aregbesola’s ilk, not a prodigal and visionless politician like Omisore to take Osun to where it is now having been badly managed by bad managers for seven and a half years.

Osun people are too intelligent to

And on this score Osun people are wont to ask him; what did he do for the state when he was a Senator?

Other than using his ill-gotten wealth to breed thugs what did he do for the youths? In what way did he impact positively on their lives?

APC’s Soaring Prominence: Good Fortune For Nigeria HANK God for this fresh opportunity in the New Year 2014 to air my opinion in your highly reputable and widely-read newspaper. I wish to commend your noble efforts in the past; while admonishing you to carry on undeterred in your fight at wrestling our people free from the fangs of intellectual and ideological enslavement. Some of us out here recognize and appreciate the weight of your selfless service to our state and the nation at large. I only wish to express my sincere hope that my choice of your medium is not misplaced as I nurse no doubts in my mind that you will find a space for its publication, and soonest too.

For some time now, I have kept under close observation the trend of events and happenings in the political circles of our nation and truly, there has been a particular trend which I personally find most attractive and quite interesting. The trend has been unfolding in phases, like a programmes sequence. First was the metamorphosing of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), alongside some other three or four former political parties into a mega political party in the name of All Progressive Congress T

(APC). This massive merger cum transformation and pooling of ideas and ideologies alone came as the single wonder of the modern political terrain of Nigeria; as the hitherto prided political enclave, which had enslaved the people and their collective prospects of accessing good living conditions is manifestation to answered prayers. At last, the prayers and pleas of the masses had reached the highest heavens and God has given His

assent to them. At last, it is obvious that our foisted captors are about to lose their vicious grip of their “empire”.

In actual fact, the development seemed to me the triumph of the masses of Nigeria.

As if the foregoing was not enough, we began to witness wonders as various political groups, apparently considered incompatible decided to bury their differences and unite to chart one common cause for the forward-movement of the

nation and snatching it from the above-referred-to vicious grip.

I honestly confess that it took divine intervention for some of the sub-groups in the alliance we now have on ground to have jettisoned their strongly-held distinct political viewpoints and get them lost in the common will to rescue the poor masses from their tormentors.

No sooner these feats were recorded than we saw the giant oppressor and self-prided largest political party in Africa,

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)melting and crumbling under the huge pressure and fierce force of change which the nation Nigeria, at its best must witness at this stage of its nationhood.

I have come across o horde of pessimists who predicted the wave of change as not destined to last. Another crosssection of pessimists viewed the success of the trend impossible. I married these two similar schools of thought

together and filtered them out to a conclusion that both of them were hinged on an erroneous conviction that the former ruling party was far stronger than any collection of parties could unseat. This thought is as foolish as daring the omnipotence of God. Today, we have seen how far and well the various players have gone in the alliance. Not only this, we are seeing how the new group is gaining weight and enlargement, not minding inhibitions and hindrances. We have seen how various political office holders across various party convictions and across various arms of government dump their old associations for the new alliance. We, in short are viewing with pride from the horizons a brighter Nigeria; with promise of better, more people-oriented governance for the entire country.

As the good drama continues to unfold, I pray that the bond of the new-found alliance wax stronger, so that we for once in Nigeria could witness on a nationwide scope god governance and the life of abundance it engenders.

Long live Nigeria!

•LAYI ODETOLA, Taiwo Road, Offa, Kwara State.

All these and more are the questions begging for answers.

As a Nigerian Omisore has the constitutional right to contest for the governorship seat of his state and any other elective office except if pronounced unfit by the court of law. But much as we agree with this position, we feel it’s absolutely illogical for him to continue to use his tongue to rubbish Aregbesola’s achievements in the state. If he believes in himself and his ability to lead the state let him engage in issue based campaign and constructive debates.

Rubbishing Aregbesola’s globally acknowledged achievements cannot, and it will not help him in the least.

The Osun electorate cannot be swayed by empty promises. The people have tasted good governance under Aregbesola and they are not ready to waste their vote by voting for a candidate who will only come to draw the hands of clock of development backward.

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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

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Finance OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

2014 Budget Of Growth, Enhancement And Development

High Expectations; Rekindled Hope (IV) •Build-up To Approaching Polls Still ahead on the consideration of the year 2014 Appropriation Bill, which currently undergoes "surgical operation" snowballing into its assent by the State of Osun House of Assembly; NIYI OLASINDE embarks on the vivid treatment of the speculative mood of residents on what goodies the budget document has to offer them. He does this with a sector-by-sector perusal.

•Representative of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Bade Adesina (2nd left), answering questions from newsmen after the budget presentation. With him are, State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, (3rd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Agric and Food Security, Mr Agunbiade Festus (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism and Culture, Mr Oladipo Soyode (at the back 2nd left ) and other dignitaries.

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High Expectations; Rekindled Hope (IV)

•Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, during the budget presentation.

Contiuned from page 6 consequence than mere formality when the · Continued from last week basis for the official presentation by the IGHTS eclipsed on the last edition just L at the stage where we were starting governor or his accredited representative is brought up for discussion year after year to do justice to sending feelers out to in the chambers of the State House of capturing the exact speculative mood of Assembly. residents, people and patriots of the State Time and time again, justification was of Osun as to what goodies to expect from made for the staging and timing of public the finished documents o the year 2014 presentation of draft budgets at a time when Appropriation Act, which shall any moment the new financial/calendar year had started; by now be enforceable; having passed the so far as the draft budget had reached the ongoing litmus test statutorily provided for desk of the hallowed chambers prior to the it before the honourable members of the end of the concluded year. In earlier years State of Osun House of Assembly. We have for instance, the governor, Ogbeni Rauf so far considered what the contents, thrust Aregbesola and members of the State House and delivery of the budget documents for of Assembly spared no effort in quoting the previous years in the entire life of the relevant portions of the Constitution of the incumbent administration looked like. In Federal Republic of Nigeria to prove that other series of OSUN DEFENDER the timing was still in order. Relevant and Magazine editions, we had, time and again appropriate records show that Section 121 before taking the plunge into the waters of (1) of the constitution states that: these seas of issues; given consummate “The Governor shall cause to be consideration to the numerous prepared and lay before the House of achievements of the administration in Assembly at any time before the practically all spheres of life. It is obvious, commencement of each financial year, without mincing words that under estimates of the revenues and expenditures democratic governance, the achievements of the state for the next following financial of any administration at whatever level year” spring from annual provisions loaded in the It had been on the basis of this provision operational budgets / Appropriation Bills that administrations after administration of the administration. It becomes therefore hinged their compliance without breach. a task engaged in, in stating the obvious Particularly, in his budget presentation of when we decipher it that the Aregbesola the 2013 Appropriation Bill to the State administration had been, and is still an House of Assembly, the governor made embodiment of good promises to the people reference to this justification just as he of the state. In sharp contradistinction with adduced to the fact that the document that some earlier administration in the state, was being officially presented at the which spelt disaster for the state and its beginning of the New Year had been laid teeming people, the administration came on before the house long before the end of board to revive the ailing state. It is therefore December 2012 He then pointed out that not going to be a misplaced trust to expect the presence of the executive arm of that the 2014 State of Osun Appropriation government at the hallowed chambers of Act would be a perfect consolidation and the House of Assembly on that date was in consummation of the achievements of the response to invitation of the Assembly to earlier years; just before another round of publicly present the budget, in line with the elections would signal for the administration openness and transparency policy which another turn of service-oriented term in marked the guiding principles of his office. We now start this edition in the series administration. with a recap of the latter part of the last It needs be stressed for the purpose of edition: records that in earlier years of his “THE presentation of the draft budget / administration, Governor Aregbesola had Appropriation Bill for the year 2014 had always predicted as his years in office wore been a set of careful and well-packaged on, his administration would be moving programme set on course since the middle toward total compliance with the accurate of the just-ended year 2013. These sets of practice of effecting al full approval activities however snowballed into the procedure and implementation of the official presentation per se at the very end budget for the New Year at the very start of of the year. The presentation of proposed the calendar year on January 1. A clear budget documents, especially to the attestation to this claim is the fact that the hallowed chambers of the State House of Proposed 2014 Appropriation Bill was Assembly is a practice which enjoys ample placed and presented before the State House provision and has illustrious precedence in of Assembly by the end of 2013. The official law. It is therefore a matter of greater presentation therefore came slightly earlier

•ADEGBOYE: Deputy Speaker than that of the previous year. This is an improvement; as it is hoped that in subsequent years into the second tenure of his administration, the state shall be experiencing total adherence to that stipulated principle.

On Tuesday, December 31, 2013, the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoiji Aregbesola presented the proposed budget 2014 before the hallowed chambers of the State of Osun House of Assembly. The presented budget is of the size Two-Hundred and sixteen Billion, Seven-Hundred and Forty-Five Million, Two-Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, TwoHundred and Sixty Naira (N216, 745,213,260.00).

Presenting the budget on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser to the governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Bade Adesina extrapolated the details and breakdown of the proposed budget. According to the presented details, the budget comprised a total amount of OneHundred and Nineteen Billion, OneHundred and Thirty-Six Million, NineHundred and Thirty-Two Thousand, and Six-Hundred Naira (N119, 136,932,600.00) in Capital Expenditure, which constitutes 55 per cent of the Total Budget Expenditure.

The Total Recurrent Expenditure is sized at Ninety-Seven Billion, Six-Hundred and Eight Million, Two-Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Six-Hundred and Sixty Naira (N97,608,280,660.00), representing 45 per cent of the Total Expenditure for the year.

It was bared at the presentation that the budget for the year is tagged “Budget of Growth, Enhancement and Development”; and that the budget, like its earlier ones is premised on the Six-Point Integral Action Plan of the Mr. Governor’s administration.

Osun Defender Magazine shall find it most appropriate at this juncture to quote excerpts from the budget speech presented at the august epoch-making occasion: “The budget is about growth, enhancement and development. It clearly shows the ratio that is of best international practices, in terms of recurrent and capital expenditure. That is why our capital expenditure is far higher than the recurrent expenditure.

“Part of our agenda is to drive the IGR more critically in the 2014 fiscal year. We have to use initiative financing with adequate measure to provide necessary financial structure for most of our developmental projects.

“We will focus clearly on Public – Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, which is the practice going round all over the world now”.

A critical look at the budget for the New Year revealed that the budget size is a lower than that of last year, which was sized at about N234 Billion. The analysis accompanying the presentation observed the budgets as similar documents, as they both reflect the reduction in the oil benchmark from $79 per barrel to $77.5 per barrel and the numerous cases of oil theft.

The next edition(s) shall bare the remaining details of the occasion of the presentation, the responses trailing the presentation and the general expectations from the budget implementation for the year 2014.”

In keeping faith with our promises resounded so eloquently in the paragraph above, we now begin this edition with feelings about the proposed Appropriation Bill at the point of its presentation on the very last day of year 2013.

In his response at the occasion, the Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam gave the assurance that the state parliament would as expected do justice to the budget; while the people’s interest would be made to prevail. Sounding a note of commendation, the Speaker applauded the performances of the Governor, his indefatigable team and the entire cabinet in the implementation of the Budget 2013, the performances of which he described as above expectations. He went further to express hope that the 2014 proposed Appropriation Bill, when eventually passed into law, would be executed to meet the demands, yearnings and aspiration of the people. In addition to this, the Speaker in his comments on the ongoing consideration of the proposed appropriation bill during the recently-held episode of the audience participation programme organized at the instance of the incumbent administration, held during the penultimate week at Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government Council Area of the state, promised that the hallowed chambers which he chairs would do proper, detailed and concise “surgical operation” on the document in order to make it impact more positively the lives of all and sundry in the State of Osun. The episode of Gbangba D’ekun, held for the people of the Ayedaade / Irewole / Isokan federal Constituency in the State of Osun took place at Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire. These expressions of avowed determination of the house by none less than its Speaker are enough testifiers to it Contiuned on page 11

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PHOTOTALK

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State Governor Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Associates In Lagos, Celebrated His INL’s Man-Of-The-Year-Award Last Saturday At A Reception In Ikeja.

(L-R) Deputy Governor State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; wife of the governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola and member, House of Representatives, Honourable Ayo Omidiran, during the reception for Governor Aregbesola.

•(L-R) Hon. Olu Agunsoye; Assistant Chief of Staff to the Governor on Legal Matters, Barr. Gbenga Akano and interim Secretary, All Progressives Congress, Osun Chapter, Prince Gboyega Famodun, during the reception.

•Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun Chapter, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo (left) and the Deputy Spaeker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Taiwo Kolawole (right), during the reception.

•(L-R) Chairman, O’School, Otunba Lai Oyeduntan; Special Adviser to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals, Mr Abdullahi Binuyo and another dignitary during a reception Party, organized by the Mandate Group in honour of Governor Aregbesola after his conferment as Man of the Year 2013 by Independent Newspapers Limited, Lagos, last Saturday.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

State Governor Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Associates In Lagos, Celebrated His INL’s Man-Of-The-Year-Award Last Saturday At A Reception In Ikeja.

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (with mic on the podium), addressing his admirers, during a reception in his honour on his conferment as Man of the Year, 2013 by Independent Newspapers Limited, Lagos, last Saturday.

•Former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Leke Pitan (right) and Chieftain, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ayokunnu Akande (left), during a reception organized by the Mandate Group in honour of Aregbesola, on the occasion.

(L-R) Chairman, Badagry Local Government, Mr Moses Husitode; Chief of Staff to Governor of Osun, Mr Gboyega Oyetola; All Progressives Congress (APC) interim organizing Secretary, Lagos State, Mr Kola Predgneno and Chairman Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Jide Jimoh, during a reception for Aregbesola in Lagos last Saturday.

(L-R) Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Tejuoso Funmilayo; Deputy Speaker, Hon Taiwo Kolawole and Secretary, Ojudu Local Government, Hon. Abayomi Tijani, during the reception.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Investiture Of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola As The Independent Newspapers Ltd 2013 Man-Of-The Year In Lagos Last Friday.

•(L-R) Lagos Deputy Governor, Mrs Orelope-Adefulire; Osun Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, INL Chairman; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, on the occasion.

•Aregbesola being congratulated by the State Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and the Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaam shortly after the investiture.

•Guests who rose in commemoration of the conferment of the award.

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High Expectations; Rekindled Hope (IV) Contiuned from page 7

that all hands are already on the deck to hand in a credible budget document which the people would be proud of; and which would multiply the dividends of democracy among the people of the state.

In a similar development, the Chairman of the State of Osun house of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Honourable Kamil Oyedele observed that the executive arm had prepared the budget within the current reality of the revenue base of the state. Upon this, he still expressed optimism that the 2014 Budget would work, vowing that the legislative arm of government would be on the neck of all the agencies of government to perform better in the area of revenue generation. Along this direction, readers are reminded that the State House of Assembly owes it a duty to discharge its oversight duty and obligation over the successful implementation of Appropriation Bills for each year.

Since the official presentation of the proposed 2014 State of Osun Appropriation Bill before the members of the hallowed chambers of the State House of Assembly, reaction have been trailing the documents as a large cross section of residents of the state express their hopes, expectations, yearnings ant aspirations for the year, most especially, within the context of the budget.

Results of surveys conducted by OSUN DEFENDER Magazine news crew revealed that optimism of good success trailed the presentation, as the good work of the administration remain visible all over the nooks and crannies of the state. Most of the people who spoke with our crew expressed their optimism that all works already kick-started during earlier years of the administration, and which are still in progress would be brought to final stage of completion within the provision of the budget.

In many quarters, results of findings showed that people express confidence over the ability of and trust in the administration to roll out yet another batch of numerous projects which would be in the overall interest of the good people of the state.

OSUN DEFENDER Magazine now turns to a sector-by-sector analysis of expectations from the 2014 Appropriation Act of the State of Osun.

•Agriculture and Rural Development; Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Food Security transformation has been M UCH witnessed in this sub-sector since the advent of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun.

Recently, the announcement came live on the state-owned media stations of names of fresh allottees for farming on the various

•AREGBESOLA

farm settlements within the confines of the state. These same announcements were relayed on the pages of some renowned national dailies. The effort is another in the lineup of exertions to boost agricultural productivity, integration and sustainable food security; as well as boosting the state’s internally-generated revenue base of the state. This effort is in itself has come as fulfillment of promises ad a ready-made answers to desires and expectations from the 2014 Budget still in the theatre o midwifery. Agriculture is the mainstay and prime sustainer of our economy in the SouthWest in particular; and in the Nigerian nation in general. It is on this note that we boldly assert that the overwhelming importance of this sub-sector to our socio-economic life and our overall prosperity cannot be overemphasized. This is more so because above 70 per cent of our working population is engaged in this industry and all forms of farming enterprises. In full cognizance of this fact, the Rauf Aregbesola administration has vowed not to renege in its determined efforts at investing massively in food production, food security and agriculture in entirety. The activities of government in this regard have transcended mere lipservice. The Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Programme (OREAP) has taken off effectively. It had, during the years previously under review, given birth to such other programmes like O’Beef, O’Fish, O’Honey and chicken production. The number of “O” programmes in this connection is still counting. As the 2012 Budget contained much promise in the area of agriculture, so it was that at the end of the year, the trust of the people for a fruitful year of bumper harvest was not betrayed.

This position is true of the state and of the incumbent administration up till date.

The incumbent administration under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had in 2011 embarked on various programmes geared towards boosting agricultural output in the state. One of such was the land validation exercise carried out in four out of the nine farm settlements in the state, to determine the status of the performance of the settlers. While doing that, the governor did promise that the exercise shall be extended to all other farm settlements in the state. Ogbeni has made good his promise in the past year by fully validating the other farm settlements and funding them all into full capacity, as well as restoring them to their pride of place of old. Gladly, we opened our documentary of numerous achievements in this sub-sector in the current year with the mention of recent giant strides on our state-owned farm settlements.

Needless to say; this current year 2014 promises to bring in the best of bumper harvest for the state and launch it ahead to

a place of prominence and greater economic prosperity among the comity of states in the federation. Greater laudable achievements are still expected as the year unfolds. The government on its pars promises to keep faith with its avowed pledge to make life more abundant for the people and transform their living standards through sustainable agricultural programmes and projects; especially, by moving the state upward from its stagnant position below the poverty line to a higher pedestal of higher per capita income.

In order to facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce from the farms, as much as a total of 45-kilometre access and 25 kilometre feeder roads were constructed during the year 2011 to link farm settlements with the urban centres. According to government sources, the list of affected farm settlements includes Mokore, Era Oke / Esa Odo, Iwo / Patara and Orile Owu and Ago Owu. The willingness and readiness of the Government of the State manifested in its intensified efforts at providing access / feeder roads in the rural areas in the subsequent fiscal years – 2012 and 2013 in particular. Today, there are a high number of these local roads under construction; and the government at the state and local tiers are collaborating to work assiduously to bring these projects to safe and logical conclusion within the remaining time for the completion of the administration’s first tenure in office. On its own part, the State of Osun House of Assembly is intensifying its oversight function to ensure that all projects of road construction adhere strictly to, and abide by safety and quality standards. This year however, expectations are high among the populace that these roads shall be ready for use and handed over to the people, for whom they were constructed. The hope is high that by the time of their completion and delivery, the coast would have been clear for a rapid transformation of the agriculture sub-sector; and that of the fortunes and economic prosperity of the people of the State of Osun.

In the area of empowerment of farmers, a total of 3,776 farmers’ cooperative societies were registered in the 2011 fiscal year; out of which 66 benefitted from N153 Million loan disbursed by the Government of the State under its quick impact intervention programme. The year 2012, it is placed on record, also witnessed bumper production of broilers through the Osun Poultry Grower Production Scheme; a tripartite arrangement involving the Government of the State, an agric concern (Scheme Manager) and the Poultry Association of Nigeria. It was also to the awareness and the gladdening delight of all stakeholders in the field of agriculture in the state in the years under review that more than N40 Million out of the N1 Billion obtained under the Commercial Agriculture

•LAOYE-TOMORI

credit Scheme, as early as the first quarter of the year 2012. A large number of poultry farmers in the state who had benefitted from the scheme in year 2011 were also opportune through the scheme to expand the scope of their poultry farms under a wellguaranteed market for their broiler production in year 2012. The effort had since witnessed an upward swing.

Equally worth of note is the fact that a total sum of N621 Million was released during the year 2011 for the procurement of modern agro-inputs which included 3,580 metric tonnes of fertilizer; 14.68 metrtic tones of improved maize and rice seeds and various quantities of agro- chemicals. Apart from the 42.50 per cent subsidy provided by the Government of the State, farmers were also granted loans pending harvesting and marketing of their produce to be able to buy fertilizer. The Government of the State did promise and did actually redeem the promise in the just-concluded fiscal year to give necessary encouragement to farmers by making fertilizer available to them at subsidized rates.

In the unfolding of the various agricultural policies for the year 2013 and the previous years; the governor reasoned that the State of Osun is an agrarian economy with arable fertile soil, which can only be moved forward positively by revolutionizing its Agriculture. As all indications around us have shown, the focus and pursuits of the administration since inception have drifted toward this inclination. The foregoing came in affirmation of our earlier claims that the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola prioritizes agriculture and sees it as a vital means to attain its lofty ends in government. It further confirms the claims laid to it above that the helmsman of the State of Osun accords great emphasis to the Six-Point Integral Action Plan of his administration, on the basis of which he made his pact with the people of the state during his election campaign prior to the 2007 Gubernatorial Elections. True to his promises and pact, the administration of Ogbeni has been proving well its worth and mettle by prompt, consummate and accurate delivery of his (Ogbeni’s) election promises.

Staunch evidence to this is found in the assessment of his administration for the year 2012 and earlier years; in terms of priority attention given to the sector and its various sub-sectors, huge yearly budgetary provisions, provision of infrastructural amenities aimed mainly to open up rural areas to urban areas, employment generation and youth empowerment, among others. Excerpts of his speech regarding this area run as follow: “In the out-gone year, under the Farm Settlement Scheme, we provided land for Contiuned on page 12

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High Expectations; Rekindled Hope (IV)

Continued from page 7 •A cross section of members of the State of Osun House of Assembly during the budget presentation. perennial or long-term in nature, they take development, 115,515 animals comprising Continued from page 11 time to mature. It is therefore hoped cattle, sheep, goats and pigs passed potential farmers in the state. The long the Aregbesola administration shall through the nine control posts in the state.” programme covers nine different locations that The following other feats and exploits continue assiduously in its pursuance of across the state with a total of 3,456 its already-initiated were recorded during the year under review: programmes and settlers cultivating 17,280 hectares of projects; nourishing them to a logical Under animal diseases control we were made farmland. Access/feeder roads of the conclusion thereby. to realize that 135 surgical cases were settlements received priority attention with attended to while 8,268 samples from the construction of a total of 77.2 kilometre various animal species were sent for It was revealed that during the same year roads in settlements, namely Mokore, Ago- under review, 97 hectares of land was put confirmatory test. Also 50,128 animals of Owu, Ogedengbe/Ago-Owu, Esa-Oke/Esa- into cultivation by the participants of the various animal species were investigated Odo, Iwo and the link road between Ago- programme and that efforts were in top gear and diagnosed for various diseases, 84,844 Owu and Ijebu-Igbo. As part of the present to form the participants of the academy into fowls were inoculated against various administration’s efforts to banish hunger, registered cooperative groups with poultry diseases. It also came to the fore 150 hectares of virgin farmland were assistance from the government as part of that under veterinary epidemiology, 5,581 cleared and allocated to 30 prospective the exit strategy for the OYES cadets in dogs and 2,168 cats were vaccinated against farmers in Akinleye, Iwo farm settlements January/February 2013. This goal has by rabies infection while 25,000 sheep and and Mokore cooperative farm at Ago-Owu now been realized, as the 2010/2012 Batch goats were similarly vaccinated against kata. under the aegis of Osun Rural Enterprise of OYES cadets have already been Active surveillance of birds and and Agricultural Scheme (OREAP). In our graduated into the labour market. Also, sensitization were also stepped up in the efforts to boost food production, O’REAP already, another batch of OYES cadets, i.e. year to check-mate trans-boundary Youth Academy was established. Already, the 2013/2015 Batch, comprising 20,000 emerging diseases from the neighbouring 48 youth have been selected for training vibrant unemployed youth has been states, especially, Avian Influenza (AI). The in Germany under an exchange programme recruited; a substantial part of which is to sub-sector also received a boost during the with the State of Saxony Anhalt. The receive functional training in areas of outgone year with the implementation of the programme, as conceptualized, aims at farming, animal husbandry and dairy Osun Broilers Outgrowers Production producing modern-day farmers equipped farming and entire agriculture practice.

Scheme (O’BOPS) under OREAP. A total of with modern technologies in agriculture 1,186,860 Day-Old Chicks Broilers were In addition, Mr. Governor’s assessment thereby ensuring food supply at of his government’s performance in the produced and supplied to 224 participating sustainable basis. The programme previous year in the field of agriculture was farms as at 22 nd November, 2012. The recruited 610 O-YES cadets at 20 per LGA revealing of the following facts: assessment of the scheme, according to and 10 from Ife East Area Office to kickGovernor Aregbesola revealed that over 783 “In order to inculcate the virtue of start the programme in the State of Osun. dignity of labour in our young school jobs were generated with an estimated 7,830 The participants of the programme are leavers as well as make a career in farmlands empowered indirectly. currently receiving intensive training in agriculture in the face of non-existing jobs The governor accounted that under the nine training centres.” sub-sector 3, fish farm estates were in our society, 47 secondary schools across OSUN DEFENDER Magazine is at this State of Osun were assisted with inputs established at Esa Odo, Iwo and Okuku, juncture committed to unveil the the of piglets and cockerels under Agriculture- each on a 50 hectare of land to boost protein actualization of the promise of the In-Schools-Programme. total of 100 intake of the citizens of the state as well as administration just bared above, concerning hectares of farmland wasA cultivated by generating employment to reduce youth the training of the selected youths of the these schools for the production of cassava, restiveness in the state. As far as the current state’s origin in the German State of Saxony. maize, red cocoyam and vegetables. It is year is concerned, the governor promised Today, it is highly commendable that the expected that proceeds from the that over 3,000 ponds would be dug and Aregbesola administration has sent the programme, especially, red cocoyam, will allocated to over 3,000 interested fish vibrant youths, numbering upward to about be extended to the Elementary Schools’ farmers when the project is fully operational. fifty, selected from the length and breadth Feeding Programme. Also, efforts would be An impressive revelation that came to the of the nine Federal Constituencies which made in the current year to expand the fore is that in government’s efforts to boost the state comprises. The youths, who had scope of the programme.” fish production, the government is in been selected in just, fair and objective continuous collaboration with a private In pursuance of the foregoing, incentives manners, are receiving a three-month are already being provided by government scheme manager in Okuku Osun Fish intensive training in virtually all areas of in the current year for actual practising Outgrowers production Scheme (O-POPS) agricultural endeavour, which include farmers; especially through their registered on fish production. The scheme was defined animal husbandry, soil science, crop farmers’ cooperative societies Also, the as one that is aimed at promoting fish propagation, agroprocessing, food following exploits and feats were made in production as well as providing training preservation, feeds milling and others. This various sub-sectors of agriculture during ground for youths in Osun. Under the effort came courtesy of the State the period under review; with high promise scheme, 120,000 catfish fingerlings stocked Government’s intervention innovation of greater performances this current year in July 2012 were said to have reached 1 called Quick Intervention Programme. the entire life-span of the kilogramme each by the middle of December Since the arrival in batches of trainees in and duringadministration: 2012 for cropping and sale. It was further Germany of the state’s contingents of Aregbesola revealed that 24 OYES cadets were currently “In the area of seedlings production, trainees in various fields of agriculture, we 100,000 and 40,000 seedlings and oil- undergoing training in fish production at expect that their acquired expertise being palm respectively were raised and sold at the centre in Okuku. These cadets are part put to practice shall be brought to bear on subsidized rates. In addition, 1,796 of the recently-graduated first batch the state’s agricultural productivity and plantain suckers, 24,473 cashew seedlings, beneficiaries, and are already self-employed transformation from crude practice to 1,531 potted root stocks for budding were through assistance from the government. modern farming approaches. The raised in 2012. Moreover, 221,930 hybrid It was also placed on record how subsequent training programmes organized cocoa pods from hand pollination were government engaged in the provision of and conducted by these competent produced. Under the capacity building of agricultural inputs in the outgone year, to Germany-trained personnel shall further modern-day cocoa production, 22 farmers’ the extent that the state distributed 2,160 reduce the spate of unemployment in the field schools were established while 20,000 metric tones of fertilizer to farmers. Other state; especially among the youths. Finally sachets of fungicide, 13 solo pumps and inputs made available to farmers included on this sub-sector, it is noticed that since 136 litres of avestrin were distributed to 10,242 metric tones of maize seeds,1,283 most agriculture-oriented programmes are farmers. In the area of livestock kilogrammes of solid and 2,902 litres of liquid

herbicides/insecticides, 89 tubes of insecticides, 24.16 kilogrammes of fungicides at subsidized rates. Regarding the implementation of the Third National Fadama Development Project (FADAMA III), government was said to have released a sum of N196.3 million as counterpart funding, The project, it was revealed, had assisted rural communities in the provision of infrastructural facilities such as access roads, cold rooms as well as productive assets like tools, agro-processing equipment, livestock and fisheries facilities.

The Government of the State of Osun then renewed pts avowed support to the programme to ensure its success.

In his final assessment of the performance of the sector for the year 2012, the governor had the following remarks to make: “There is no doubt that agricultural sector in 2012 witnessed tremendous improvement vis-à-vis the huge investment by the Government. In the current year, Government will definitely improve on this as new programmes/projects have been factored into 2013 budget to further sustain the current achievements, if not surpassed. Those programmes/projects include: Arable Crop Nursery Development; Feeding African Project; Young Farmers Club; Multiplication of Red Cocoyam, and Best Agricultural Practices.”

To facilitate and enhance the gesture mentioned earlier on in the course of this discourse, an independent committee of experts was constituted in 2011 with a view to advising government on the distribution of fertilizer to genuine practising farmers as part of government’s resource optimization strategies. In validation of this, the government confirmed that the state currently has reserve of fertilizer and agroinputs for active genuine farmers. Given the importance attached to agriculture and rural development sub-sector, a total sum of N5.6 Billion was provided in the 2012 Budget to fund the various government programmes in agriculture and rural development in the just-concluded fiscal year (2012). The provision set aside and implemented for the year 2013 was higher than this. Going by the above analysis of feats in the area of Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development, it is much fervently hoped that this year 2014 shall be one of greater consolidation of achievements and lofty grounds already gained. In the light of this, the Government of the State of Osun is expected to devote greater budgetary provisions to this all-important sub-sector.

Also, since the government had not, in the past years, been out with its entire exhaustive list of intended programmes, policies and schemes in this area, more of new innovative programmes are expected to be rolled out in the current year, 2014.

To be continued

INTERVIEW

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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

AREGBESOLA BOMBS OMISORE

Osun 2014: Omisore, PDP Are Day-dreamers – Aregbesola Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has described the plan by a former deputy governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to dislodge his administration in the coming governorship election as mere day-dream.

The governor, who spoke through his Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Barrister Ajibola Basiru, said both Omisore and the PDP are just raising unrealistic hopes in their quest to win the forthcoming governorship election slated for August.

Senator Omisore, who is eyeing the state governorship seat, had in an interview published last weekend by Saturday Sun, accused the governor of sundry allegations.

In this interview with VINCENT KALU, Basiru said Omisore is a personality at home with falsehood, accusing him of being a pathological liar, who has nothing to offer the people of the state. Excerpts: Osun guber election is few months away, what is the state of affairs there?

Since the advent of Rauf Aregbesola administration, the state has witnessed massive development in all sectors of the society, mostly in the areas of roads, infrastructure, health services, education, employment, legal reforms, and social welfare to our people. It is a promise kept.

Former deputy governor and PDP guber aspirant, Senator Iyiola Omisore has been accusing the governor of running the state aground. What is your reaction?

Senator Omisore has nothing to offer the state, so what he can only do is to tell lies, which are shameful and uncoordinated. Come to Osun and see the massive development going on, yet somebody is saying there is nothing on ground, that the state has been grounded. It is either the person is a pathological liar or has not been in tune with the people of the state. As I speak, a world-class primary school is being commissioned by the governor in Ilara where Omisore comes from. Thirteen of such schools across the state have been completed. This is a standard school that leading private schools in Nigeria will struggle to meet.

Even in Ife where he comes from, several roads that are very essential to the people have been completed. But, for seven and half years of PDP in the state, those roads were not done. Right now, the administration has completed over 3,500 kilometres of road in the state. When Senator Omisore made public declaration to run for governorship, he stayed at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park developed by this administration. Is it not ironical for somebody to stay in such a beautiful place to make his declaration to turn around to say the state has been grounded? Is not a bare-faced lie?

His campaign is predicated on falsehood. He said he is on rescue mission, but you only rescue something that is in a state of jeopardy.

For now, what Aregbesola has done is to rescue the state from gloom and jeopardy it was during the PDP rule.

Before we took over government, flooding was a major problem but within a short time, we did massive

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channelization and dredging and flooding became a thing of the past.

Last year, and year before last that the country witnessed swrious flooding, there was no flooding in Osogbo, Ilesha and other areas. Does he want to set the state back to its past ravaging flood?

In the area of education, the National Bureau of Statistics, which is a Federal Government agency said, the state has the highest number of public school enrolment. The same agency also said that when it comes to tackling employment that we are the second, after Niger. Again, when it comes to Human Development Index, which is critical particularly in Millennium Development Goal (MDG), Osun is rated best. We didn’t release the statistics.

Coming to the critical areas, all that he said were embedded in falsehood.

For instance, he said only 900 OponImo computer tablets were distributed to students in the state. As at today, 23,100 Opon-Imo have been distributed.

It is either he is not in tune with his people or he is just a liar for him to say only 900 were distributed. We intended to distribute 150,000 Opon-Imo but brought in 50,000, already manufactured. The intention of the government is to produce the remaining 100,000 in the state so that we can have technology transfer and be able to grow our economy and create employment from that massive investment we are doing in that sector.

Another lie is that he said N8 billion has been spent on Opon-Imo. At present, only N1.2 billion has been spent

on Opon-Imo and this includes about N8 million to Macmillan for supply of text books to schools.

He also shamefully lied when he said that school uniforms cost N400. Even in the market, the lowest grade of material is China cotton, which costs between N250 and N300 per yard, and except for a toddler, I don’t know which pupil or student will use one yard to sew school uniform.

If SS students should use about three or four yards of even the lowest grade, the cost of such uniform will not be less than N1200 and yet Senator Omisore said only N400 was used for uniform, his lie was not even intelligent. This is somebody who was Chairman of Appropriation Committee of the Senate to come up with such an unintelligent position. These Continued are just examples on page 14to show that that he is

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INTERVIEW

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Osun 2014: Omisore, PDP Are Day-dreamers – Aregbesola bank in Osun to collect their debt before August as he would not pay such debt. What has been the reaction of banks to this?

Continued from page 13

predicating his campaigns on falsehood.

Contrary to the falsehood that Omisore is peddling that the government was making N2000, there are three sets of uniforms; one for elementary school, grade1 to 4 is N1,500, the one for middle school is N1, 750; the one for SS1 – SS 3, is N1,950. How can the government make N2,000 out of every uniform, when there is no uniform in Osun that is more than N2,000?

This goes to show him as a mere daydreamer. It is only people who don’t have deep-rooted thinking, humility and the fear of God, who puts anybody in power. It shows the kind of bad image they are giving to the Presidency because he has been going around telling people that he has federal power to lord it over them.

Osun people are dignified, we don’t allow thugs and violent people to lord it over us. He cannot even win in his ward and polling unit in an election. In 2011, after eight years in the senate, he contested to go back to the Senate, but lost in his ward. From the results, he won in his polling unit with three votes. It means, if we wanted to go by Option A4 system, he was not even qualified to contest for councillorship election.

By bringing this uniform project, we have empowered at least 3,000 people who are employed in the garment factory.

To appreciate the economic sense of this uniform project, the Bank of Industry supported the garment industry with N500 million loan. He should bury his head in shame for such lies.

How is the debt profile of the state because Senator Omisore said it was frightening and above N80 billion?

For somebody, who could not win in ward to be directing banks to collect debt, is an insult on the psyche of financial institutions. It shows he is not committed to the progress of the state. An election is coming in August and you are now threatening financial institution. Osun people know he does not have anything to offer and that is why he is making noise.

This is part of the unfortunate aspect of the Nigerian society. Somebody like that who had served as chairman of Senate Appropriation Committee does not know what budget deficit is. It is when your projected revenue is far less than your projected expenditure. Go and look at the budget of Osun from 2011 to 2014, ours has been balanced budget because there is no point in time that our projected revenue was less than our projected expenditure. Even, he doesn’t know the rudiment of budgeting even though he had occupied a high office.

His claims of what the state owes is even ridiculous. He said the state owes N430 billion and later the state chairman of his party, who is semi-literate said we owed N623 billion.

You cannot get facility more than your capacity. The carrying capacity of Osun based on IGR and statutory allocation cannot be more than N60 billion per annum. So, which financial institution or investor will lend you that kind of money of the tune of N430 billion or N623 billion as claimed by them?

When we went to capital market, we published details of our financial management and raised N30 billion. How did they arrive at these bogus claims?

Somebody who claims that school uniform costs N400 will lie about anything.

He and his political party were amazed over the massive development in Osun and the only thing they can do is to lie about everything. If we had taken N430 billion, where is it, in private account that the Federal Government, CBN, EFCC and ICPC have not discovered it. It just shows that a man bereft of ideas will tell lies to ventilate his aspiration.

Go to the website of Debt Management Office and see if you will find any support for their claims.

As far as this government is concerned, we are committed to financial transparency. In this regard, we have made four important laws – The Debt Management Office law, Fiscal Responsibility Commission law, we also have Bond Note law, which regulates our access to the capital market and the Conservation Fund law, which we have set aside N4.2 billion for the purpose of ensuring that the state is never cash stranded. Under this, we have future generation fund, infrastructure fund and stabilization fund. When you look at this, it shows an administration that is not only concerned about the present generation

How true is the allegation that Aregbesola is good at rigging, that he exported rigging to Anambra and that is what he plans to do in Osun?

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but also the future.

What was the financial situation as at the time we took over? The state was borrowing almost N1 billion to be able to offset salaries. As at the time we took over, the IGR was between N320 million and N350 million, but now, it is about N1.2 billion without burden of taxes.

This fact shows that the so-called Omisore’s rescue mission is one that is on reverse gear to take our people to the level of retrogression, darkness of the PDP administration.

Omisore said the OYES programme is degrading and dehumanizing the youths. Your take on this?

The World Bank sent representatives of the Federal Government and other states to come and under study the OYES programme.

The OYES programme by the Federal Government was borrowed from OYES in Osun and to the extent that other states copied it. He is a member of the ruling PDP that saw something good in the programme and copied it.

Also, the World Bank adopted OYES as a model for critical youth engagement in Africa. We now have the second batch of OYES. The first batch were 10,000 people and out of this, some have been engaged as artisans and some in civil service.

Ask him how many persons were recruited into the civil service for the seven and half years his party was in government.

Secondly, we have also trained OYES people in technology to give manpower support to our technology institute,

already commissioned in Ilesha. Some of them are training in Germany on modern agricultural practice. So, the vision behind OYES is to create employment and empowerment for the people.

What was his party doing for seven and half years that they couldn’t provide jobs? For the jobs they provided through their programme, they were paying N5000 to the people.

For you to see the foolery of his claims, as at the time we advertised before the programme came into being, we didn’t mince words that we were going to pay N10,000 and we told them the specific assignment. It will surprise you that 250,000 youths – graduates, under graduates etc applied.

This shows that as at the time PDP reigned in Osun, it was a state of hopelessness in terms of employment.

Because of our allowances, we were only able to take about 20,000. If 250,000 applied for a job advertised for 20,000, you can only imagine the state of hopelessness in terms of unemployment that we inherited.

He said OYES is dehumanizing the people. It is unfortunate, one has to take position with evidence but he has none.

This shows a man without profound thinking who just opens his mouth to say anything.

At his declaration, he said he has eightpoint programme and how does he want to achieve it? This is a person when he was in the Senate as a leading member of PDP, they left Osun in a hopeless state and it is now transformed to state of hope and prosperity.

Senator Omisore has warned any

From all what Omisore has said, if degrees were awarded for lying, he would have been a professor of lies. In 2011, he contested election and didn’t win in his ward. He didn’t go to tribunal.

There are 10 local governments in his senatorial district and he didn’t win there.

Check the law report in 2007 about this man making allegation of rigging. The Appeal Court nullified his election on account of rigging.

In the case of Oyinola and Aregbesola, the court was able to find evidence that one PDP secretary signed the result of most of the 11 wards in Ife Central. So, who is the rigger?

Nobody was even arrested in Anambra.

They said they arrested some people even three days before the election not in Anambra. This is part of the Omisore’s falsehood.

The only avenue anybody who claims he was rigged out in an election is tribunal, why didn’t he go to tribunal in 2011?

PDP says Aregbesola didn’t win, that court gave him victory. This time round, do you think he could face the PDP federal might?

Every election terminates within the country’s justice system. Their position is an insult on the judiciary. There were evidences that the election was rigged by PDP, particularly in Omisore’s local government. Even his own election was nullified.

The residents of Osun would counter whatever evil machination anybody wants to unleash. It is also very shameful that people who are using the resources of this country will be thinking of unleashing terror in order to impose an unpopular candidate on the people.

Culled from THE SUN

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, February 25, 2014

15

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“ Welfarism is an

By FUNSHO BAMIDURO

attempt in governance to bring health, wealth and happiness to all” is this T HERE pervasive view of politics in this part of the world that claims that politics is all about interest of individuals, or groups and the best ways to achieve this selfinterest, however it is true that good governance is one that strives to please all, notwithstanding religious or social affiliation, while also maintaining social order and upholding societal values.

The above task looks so simple on paper and especially, when being debated upon in the worlds of public opinion and social evaluation, but as a student of politics, I know it just happens to be a daunting herculean task to bring about consensus and provide general welfare for all. I believe it is obvious to the most-biased of political minds that the State of Osun, under the welfaristic auspices of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has carried out the best welfare oriented government since the great AWO in the 60s with many positive changes and strategy oriented visionary programmes that, if duly-followed, will not only take Osun to greater height, but put the humble Ogbeni on the same historical pedestal with the likes of AWO and other great progressive minds. It is vital to note that the key to a sound politics of welfarism is sound strategic planning which Baba Awolowo utilised with great grace and one which the South West will continue to enjoy.

Aregbesola: The Politics Of Welfarism

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politics of Nigeria and instead decide to be a statesman, who will do all in his power, according to the rule of law, to ensure and secure the future even, at the risk of losing socalled political points graded by biased opposition. But I am sure the good people of Osun know better. CHANGE is the accepted creed of progressives and a change forward is what Osun must However, it is only embrace. courageous and bold In the history of political individuals like our amiable development of nations, it is Ogbeni that can choose to important to note that any transcend the petty “play safe” nation or state that will be

many ways, as he has taken seemingly impossible albeit bold steps to redeem the image of our dear state and all he is asking for is patience and another chance, as every step taken culminates into a promise kept. There are many socalled truths being peddled by some biased minds, but the real truth is that; although Ogbeni is not there yet, but he is on the right track and closest to the best welfare oriented governor we have had in decades. It is real to point out that asking for patience from the good people of Osun is a big demand since past administrations have shown that government is simply not to be trusted.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is not disconnected from this truth and pain of the people and that is why he has been doing many things at once, trying to convince the good people of Osun that he will deliver on all his promises. To discerning and unbiased minds, he seems to realise that to whom much trust is given, much services are also expected, hence his down-toearth, open-door policy, and charismatic public display approach backed up by strategic, welfare oriented governance.

economically and socially buoyant has to go through a period of revolutionary uneasy changes. One I can liken to a process involved in “Road construction” where signs such as “SLOW DOWN, CLOSED, and DIVERSION” are boldly inscribed to warn road users of the changes going on. For road users, this period often takes great measure of patience, due to traffic, longer diversion routes or closed pathways, but when the road is done, everyone is happy.

Aregbesola’s administration has parted ways with the status quo in

Ogbeni asked for our mandate before, secured it, was denied and eventually fought to claim it, and he has shown that the State of Osun can go places if strategic plans are followed; He has been widely-acclaimed and awarded on his numerous programmes. In fact, he has done well, and we can only strive forward to achieve the much-needed changes, which can only be achieved when we give him another chance at the polls to finish this unravelling wonderful political welfaristic strategic masterpiece.

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, 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.