Osun defender feburary 11, 2016 edition

www.osundefender.org Thursday, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

The governor of the state of osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has put in a seminal effort running the state virtually alone for a while without a cabinet.

In doing so at a personal physical cost

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Front Page Comment

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compelling reason and patriotic reason to have done so. The Ogbeni felt that he had to retool the cost and restructure the machinery of the government

fiscal climate. And the situation has been dire.

The dramatic collapse of allocations from the centre is just the most poignant of many debilitating factors.

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VOL. 11. NO.010

As Ogbeni Is There SetwasToa very Constitute A New he has made immense costs savings in the process. We salute his effort and his for it has been a great effort put in at a very difficult time.

NEWS-

Unfortunately the collapse will continue into the near future according to all the projections made for the international oil markets at least in the next few years.

Even if it is not, it makes sense to make very conservative estimates and projections.

There are a myriad of other factors spinning off from there.

The economic downturn has also had a detrimental effect on other factors such as inward investments as well as internally generated revenues. ...continue on pg6

Page 2 C of O To Be Granted Within 90 Days In Osun

Hope Rises For Osun Sacked Lecturers - See Story On Page 2

•As Assembly Assures To Resolve Cases On Merit

•State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during an unschedulled inspection to the ongoing construction of Osogbo Government High School, Osogbo, last Monday.

Osun Labour, Students, Shut Osogbo Electricity

- See Page 3

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Osun Defender Thursday, February

Hope Rises For Osun Sacked Lecturers

•As Assembly Assurescases.

To ResolveCongress Cases On (NLC) and the

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By kazeem mohammed

he State of Osun State House of Assembly has assured that some of the lecturers of the four state-owned tertiary institutions affected by the downsizing of workers in their various campuses would be recalled, if they have genuine

The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, gave the assurance while responding to the Save Our Soul letter from the leadership of the Osun chapter of Nigeria Labour

Council of Academic Staff Unions of Osun Tertiary Institutions (CASUOSTI) at a meeting in Osogbo on Tuesday.

According to him, even before the Assembly was

destroyed sliding windows of Oduduwa College library, hall building roof and gate, which value are yet to be known before heading to Orisun Radio Station, where properties worth millions of naira were also vandalized.

He further alleged that the accused wilfully and unlawfully destroyed a Toyota Camry car with registration number OS 46 A42, Nisaan Primera Wagon car with registration number OS 38 A42, Toyotal Hiace Bus with registration number OS 45 A42 belonging to Orisun FM. Other properties allegedly destroyed by the suspects, according to the prosecutor, were Nissan Primera car with

registration number LND 777 DC, property of one Mrs Joke Eluyemi, and back screen of one Toyota Avalon Saloon car with registration number LSD 400 DK belonging to Federal Road Safety Commission.

Olusegun further explained that the accused broke the windscreen of a Volkswagen Audi Saloon car with registration number AE 395 FFE belonging to Mr Segun Faturoti and back screen with ream cover of one Honda Saloon car with registration number A2 568 BDJ, property of Mr Hammed Badmus.

The offence, according to the charge sheet, contravened the provision of sections 516 and 415 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2003.

The accused however, pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge of conspiracy, felony and unlawful damage of properties slammed against them.

Magistrate Aluko did not allow oral application of their counsel, Mr Dauda Oyewole, as he ordered the counsel to file a formal bail application.

Aluko then ordered that the first and second accused be remanded in custody at Ilesa Prisons, while third to seventh accused were to be remanded at corrective centre, Osogbo.

He thereafter, adjourned the case till March 1, 2016 for mention.

Orisun FM: Court Remands Vandal

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even secondary school pupils arrested for allegedly unleashing terror on the workers of Orisun FM Radio station, Ile-Ife, State of Osun have been remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court.

The arrested pupils t h e a r r a i g n m e n t o n were; Ayodele Michael Tuesday, ordered the (18), Adeleke Sodiq (18), accused persons to be Adisa Sefiu (16), Adebisi remanded in prison Jamiu (16), Olatunji Segun pending a formal bail (16), Ayoh Festus (16) and application for their bail Chioma Anuoluwapo by their counsel.

(16).

Police prosecutor, The seven accused S e r g e a n t E l i s h a persons, who were said O l u s e g u n , t o l d t h e to have bombarded the court that the accused station and vandalized persons and others, who its properties claimed to are currently at-large, be protesting the inability committed the offence of the state government on Feb. 4, 2016 between to pay their West Africa hours of 8:30am and 12 S c h o o l C e r t i f i c a t e noon in Ile-Ife, State of Examination (WASCE) Osun. fee.

Olusegun added that Presiding Magistrate, the suspects conspired Olusola Aluko, during a n d u n l a w f u l l y

•Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode (left) signing the condolence register of the late Mrs Funmi Johnson, wife of first Military Governor of Lagos State, while his wife, Bolanle watches, during their condolence visit to Brig. General Mobolaji Johnson’s residence in Lagos last Monday.

formally informed of the retrenchment exercise, steps have been taken to the effect that the files of the affected staff have been called for.

He noted that the intervention of the Assembly has started taking positive effect, saying, due to the call for the files alone, the number of affected lecturers in the College of Education, Ila-Orangun, has reduced from 72 to 36.

“We can assure you that we will look into the files of the effected staff, ensure that justice is done and make sure that nobody is unjustifiably punished.

“What we cannot assure you is that all the affected staff would be recalled, because, we all know that we will definitely have some that have committed one disciplinary offence or the other.

Salaam, who noted that the decision to sack the lecturers was not the

Osun Moves To Reduce Cost Of Gov-

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he Osun State Government has said it will come up with new strategies that will help it navigate through the current financial challenges, while sustaining all its development programmes.

A c o m m u n i q u e signed by the Chief-ofissued at the end of a Staff to the Governor, three-day retreat held in A l h a j i G b o y e g a Iloko-Ijesa, Oriade Local Oyetola, participants at Government Council the retreat identified the Areas of the state, said need to reduce the cost the government was of governance, increase compelled to review internally generated its programmes with r e v e n u e a n d d r i v e a view to executing its investments to the state various development as vital to the continued of the state. projects within the growth The communique context of the ongoing stated that the state economic crisis in the was on the verge of country. unveiling what it called In the communique “ a c o m p e t e n t a n d capable cabinet” soon.

It added that the in-coming executive Adeyemi: “What we c o u n c i l w o u l d b e are doing today is as a expected to work with result of the promise of dedicated civil servants our bank to this state for the implementation at inception. We have of the plans.

The communique promised and living to s t ated further that our promise to partner participants recognised with the government the urgent need to put to give dividends of in place clear action d e m o c r a c y t o o u r plans that would put people. the state on a good “We are willing to help footing among its peers the state, considering in the country despite the relationship that the biting economic w e h a v e w i t h t h e hardship. present government that we approached our management to Change Of Name increase the grant from I, formerly known N20 million and we are here today to present a a n d a d d r e s s e d cheque of N50million a s a d ew u y i m a r g a r et for the scheme.” olaide, now wish to be known and addressed as agbaje m a r g a r et olaide. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

C of O To Be Granted Within 90 Days In Osun

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he Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has assured investors and residents in the state speedy process of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to legitimately acquired property within 90 days of commencement of processing.

The governor stated of getting a Certificate this at the presentation o f O c c u p a n c y f o r o f N 5 0 m i l l i o n legitimately acquired cheque in support of property will be made Osun Certificate of possible as opposed to Occupancy Fast-track the old regime where Project (OCOFP) by it may take eternity to Sterling Bank Plc at obtain a C of O. The governor the Banquet Hall of the therefore, called on Government House, investors, residents and Osogbo.

A r e g b e s o l a citizens of the state to commended the bank take the opportunity of for its partnership with the new C of O regime the state, noting that the and get titles for their support from Sterling landed property within Bank will go a long the stipulated 90 days.

Aregbesola assured way in strengthening t h e r e s o l v e o f h i s Sterling Bank that the administration to fast- state will account for track the issuance of C every Naira the bank has given to support of O in the state.

He added that with the scheme, saying the the OCOFP, the 90 days relationship shall be a

win-win situation.

He said: “I want to use the occasion to call on our people to take this opportunity to have title for their property, as a land gets value because of its title.

“A government title on a land is the only way you can identify your property. We have put up this scheme to fast-track the issuance of your Certificate of Occupancy like never before.

“With the scheme, you should be rest assured that your title will be ready after 90 days of the commencement of the procedure,” Aregbesola pointed out.

He highlighted some of the areas in which the bank has partnered with government, such as support for the ongoing construction of Oba Adesoji Aderemi

Road; building of some schools and providing backbone for the school feeding system.

He added that support for his government by the bank is a support for the people of the state, as well as for a turnaround of the economic situation of the state.

Speaking earlier, the Regional Director of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, said the bank is living up to its promise of supporting the state to give people the muchdesired dividends of democracy.

He stated that the bank, out of promise, to support the state to succeed, has increased the support to the OCOFO project from the initial sum of N20 million to the present N50 million.

According to

making of the governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, stressed that the governor meant well for the state, but for the economic situation of the state.

He further said that after the review of the cases of the affected staff, appropriate recommendations would be made to ensure justice.

Salaam then advised the affected lecturers to stay off campus until their cases are reviewed and resolved to avoid embarrassment.

Earlier, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Jacob Adekomi, and the CASUOSTI Chairman, Comrade Jimoh Lasisi, urged the Assembly to review the cases of the affected lecturers and ensure that they are recalled.

Commending the state parliament that the action taken by the House so far has been effective, they urged the House to do more.

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Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

Osun Labour, Students, Shut Osogbo Electricity

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By kehinde ayantunji

since May 2015.

Adetunji added that the union would continuously picket the electricity distribution company to resist any further attempt to

increase hardship on Nigerian masses.

Also, NANS Zone D Public Relations Officer, Awowole Samuel, said the living standard in

Nigeria is too poor to impose electricity tariff and urged the Federal Government to reverse the increment.

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) on Monday shut down Osogbo business headquarters of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to protest the planned increase of electricity tariff.

The protest was in ( N E R C ) , s a y i n g t h e compliance with the n a t i o n ’ s o r g a n i s e d directive of the NLC, TUC labour will fight it to a national leadership, who standstill. had earlier expressed Adekomi argued that o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e due process in the extant increment. laws for such increment The labour leaders was not followed in early in the morning consonance with section m o v e d e n m a s s e 76 of the Power Sector to picket the electricity Reform Act, 2005. distribution company The NLC Chairman, l o c a t e d o n S t a t i o n who lamented poor Road and prevented service delivery of the customers from entring electricity company, the premises. described the 45 per W o r k e r s a t t h e cent tariff increment as company were equally ‘inhuman’. chased out of the Also, the State premises and the gate Chairman of the Trade locked.

Union Congress (TUC), T h e p r o t e s t e r s Comrade Akinyemi carried placards with Olatunji, maintained that i n s c r i p t i o n s w h i c h DISCOS has no power included; “Nigerians to increase electricity cannot be paying more for tariff, since there is a •A cross section of participants during the Lagos City Marathon at the Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, recently. epileptic power supply,”; suit pending in court “No to unlawful and willful hike in electricity tariff”, “Osun State NLC says ‘No’ to 45% increase Osogbo recently. the environment clean; of bacterial unto other in electricity tariff,” and By murtala agboola Speaking under the separate raw and cook foods, there is a need for “DISCOS, don’t increase igerians have been called upon to take topic ‘Food Poisoning foods thoroughly, keep separation. the burden of Nigerians,” personal hygiene seriously to avoid and its effects; Prevention food at safe temperature “Knives and cutting among others. diseases. This becomes imperative now that and Solution,’ Ogundipe and use of safe water boards used to cut raw Addressing journalists, people to wash and raw materials. meat and fish should also State Chairman of the the country and the world are afflicted with viral asked their hands thoroughly diseases. be cleaned.

The guest lecturer said Nigeria Labour Congress “Both cooked and raw This declaration was Youths Organisation before eating while food there are lots of bacteria (NLC), Comrade Jacob NACOMYO (interest- must be well-prepared in on our hands, which he foods should be put into made by Dr Bushra Adekomi, condemned f r e e ) C o - o p e r a t i v e a clean environment. recommended should containers with lids for the “45 per cent increase” Ogundipe, a medical th The medical doctor be washed thoroughly storage to make sure they Investment and Credit practitioner at the 13 in the electricity tariff General Meeting Society (CICS) Limited identified five keys to before preparing food don’t come into contact as announced by the Annual with each other. ( A G M ) o f N a t i o n a l at NACOMYO Nursery/ p r e v e n t f o o d - b o r n e and before eating.

“When re-heating N a t i o n a l E l e c t r i c i t y C o u n c i l o f M u s l i m Primary School, Igbona, diseases. They are: make “After using the toilet, curry or stew, it should Regulatory Commission it becomes necessary heated till it boils. t o w a s h o u r h a n d s be“Also, when using a thoroughly with soap microware to cook or because there are lots public schools as a means their children’s activities of bacteria in faeces heat fond, it should be mixed occasionally to of involving parents in daily,” he added. which we can catch after ensure the heat is evenly the development process Speaking on the recent defecating. distributed throughout o f t h e c h i l d r e n a n d government decision to By shina abubakar “Washing hands also wards and make them pay the WASCE fees of becomes necessary after the entire dish.

“The growth of bacteria member of the newly-inaugurated school responsible towards the pupils that passed the touching or playing is slow or stopped at management committee in Olorunda Local children. state mock examination, with animals/pets. It below 100c Government Council Area of the State of According to him, he said, government has is equally important temperature 0 or above 60 c. Henc,e Osun, Mr Muideen Adebayo, has stressed the need government alone cannot made enough sacrifice for the state government to strictly implement be responsible for the for parents and it is time to wash hands after food should be properly touching raw meat or prepared or stored. discipline in its schools across the state. all-round development they started monitoring fish and also when one “The refrigerator the Parents Teachers He also called for of the child, saying all the academic progress arrives at home after should be used to prevent t h e r e s u s c i t a t i o n o f Association (PTA) in all stakeholders must play of their children and c o m i n g b a c k f r o m bacteria in food from their expected role for the ensuring they are worthy outside. multiplying.

Change Of Name Change Of Name complete development of of writing their final “Hot foods should To ensure proper I, formerly known the child.

I, formerly known exams on the bill of the washing of the hands, be eaten while hot and and addressed as MISS and addressed as MISS “ T h e r e c e n t c r i s i s state government. t h e p r o p r i e t o r o f cold foods should also be OKUNOLA BASIRA witnessed among public A B DU L L A T E E F Adebayo recalled that Boluwaduro Hospital, eaten, while cold while ADERONKE, now s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l s the policy is not new, Ota-Efun, Osogbo, said leftover should be kept HUSSA I N A , n o w wish to be known and pupils in some areas in even in the state, as soap should be used to in refrigerator. wish to be known and “Safe and wholesome addressed as MRS. the state is absurd and previous administrations wash between fingers, addressed as MRS. AZ E E Z B AS I RA a display of failure of i m p l e m e n t e d s a m e , under finger-nails, back ingredients must be used A B DU L RAH E E M AD E R O N K E A l l parents and teachers to saying it is because the of hands and effective to make safe food. Safe HUSSA I N A . A l l f o r m e r d o c u m e n t s inculcate discipline in governor decided to rubbing the palms of the and clean water must former documents also be used while fruits remain valid. General the children, wondering extend the good gesture hands together. remain valid. General and vegetable should public should take note. when secondary school to the general populace public should take note.

The soap should be thoroughly washed, pupils formed union that some miscreants washed off with running be especially if eaten raw. seems to be abusing. that disrupts public “Manufactured foods Change Of Name Change Of Name “I do not understand w a t e r a n d a c l e a n properties as witnessed handkerchief or towel s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d the logic behind pupils I, formerly known I, formerly known in Ile-Ife recently. beyond expiry date,” he r o t e s t i n g o v e r t h e to dry the hands.

“We must all see p and addressed as and addressed as T h e c o n g r e g a t i o n stressed. decision that government ODELEYE BUKOLA reasons to join hands would only pay for the was counseled on the A K I N R I N D E O L UY E M I , n o w with government in fee of those that excelled need to separate raw F O L ASAD E , n o w wish to be known its bid to revolutionise in mock examination, a n d c o o k e d f o o d s . wish to be known a n d a d d r e s s e d a s the education sector. It they should rather go and According to Ogundipe, and addressed as A L AS I B U K O L A must be understood that bury their heads in shame raw meat and fish can O L O RU N S I W A O L UY E M I . A l l government’s investment that they could not pass c o n t a i n d a n g e r o u s F O L ASAD E . A l l f o r m e r d o c u m e n t s in the sector is not just the exam today but they microorganism which former documents remain valid. General enough, but parents must should rather go back m a y c a u s e f o o d remain valid. General public should take note. also complement such and work harder against poisoning. Therefore, public should take note. effort by monitoring next time. to avoid the transfer

Nigerians Urged To Maintain Personal

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‘Stakeholders Must Join Government To Make Osun Education Better’

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Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

Osun Assembly Passes Land Use Charge

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By kazeem mohammed

he State of Osun House of Assembly has passed into law, the State Land Use Charge Bill 2016.

A c c o r d i n g t o a provision for the levying s t a t e m e n t b y t h e and collection of the C h a i r m a n , H o u s e charges.

Committee on The Assembly had I n f o r m a t i o n a n d on Tuesday, November Strategy, Honourable 3, 2015 held a public Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, hearing on the bill, where the passage of the bill p r o f e s s i o n a l b o d i e s on Monday followed a and other stakeholders motion by the Leader of lauded the bill and said, the House, Honourable it was coming at the Timothy Owoeye, for appropriate time. the third reading and Pronouncing the seconded by member passage of the bill, the representing Ede-South Speaker, Honourable Constituency, Nureni N a j e e m S a l a a m , Adebisi, at the plenary. according to Oyintiloye, The bill, which, he said its passage was said, was sponsored by d e l a y e d t o e n s u r e the executive arm of t h a t a ffo r da b l e r a t e government was seeking t h a t w o u l d n o t p u t to make provision for unnecessary burden on t h e c o n s o l i d a t i o n the people are arrived at. of all land rate law, According to him, t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d the speaker was quoted improvement charge to have stressed that law and tenement rate the present economic law into the new law situation requires that called Property Land every property owner Use Charge to make m u s t c o n t r i b u t e t o

support the government.

“Mr Speaker charged the executive to ensure effective sensitisation of the people to key in into the new law and see reason to pay the appropriate charges.

“He also called on the implementers of the new law not to hide under it to put unnecessary burden on the people,

urging that the law should rather be used for the benefit of the people”, he said.

“Mr speaker then sought the understanding of the people over the new law and assured that the state Assembly would monitor its implementation when assented to by the

governor, to ensure its effectiveness to the extent that it would not add unnecessary burden on the people of the state”, he added.

Meanwhile, the Assembly, at the plenary resumed further consideration of the Primary Healthcare Development Board Bill and made amendment

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he Redeemer’s University, Ede, State of Osun, has developed a test kit known as Pan-Lassa Rapid Diagnostics Test (PLRDT), that enables the testingP rof faces o f eurine, ssor D ebo and blood samples o f h u m a n s o r Adeyewa, said, the multmamelar rats discovery was one for Lassa fever in of the numerous researches of the 10 minutes.

The discovery also institution with contains molecules, t h e s u p p o r t o f a potential vaccine t h e C e n t r e o f against Lassa fever. E x c e l l e n c e f o r Speaking with G e n o m i c s o f journalists recently, Infectious Diseases Vice Chancellor (ACEGID), assisted of the university, by the World Bank.

He disclosed

also ongoing, in the area of Lassa Fever vaccine development, adding that through the generation sequencing approach, it has identified a signal of natural selection in the human gene called ‘Large’ among the Yoruba people of South West Nigeria that may be associated with the protection against the virus.

Match Hijab Wearing With Good Deeds - Alhaja

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By murtala agboola

uslim women have been enjoined to match Hijab wearing with good deeds, while being humble and obedient to their husbands.

The call was made

by Alhaja Lateefat Ajetunmobi on the occasion of the The popular television activities marking the pundit said hijab wearing second annual World is a command of the Hijab Day organised by Almighty Allah in His Federation of Muslim holy book, Quran which Women Association of must be obeyed, but more N i g e r i a ( F O M W A N ) importantly, women at the Nelson Mandela must be submissive and Freedom Park in Osogbo dutiful to their husbands. last Sunday.

She reiterated the Alhaja Ajetunmobi fact that hijab wearing called on her fellow only has a meaning if w o m e n t o b e l e s s - accompanied with good concerned about the character. number of wives their Earlier in his lecture, husbands have, but rather Ustaadh Ismail Busayri concentrate on how to of The Muslim Congress make their children excel ( T M C ) , I b a d a n h a d in life. highlighted the virtues

from Clause 29 to 38 of the bill.

Redeemer’s Varsity Discovers Lassa Fever that efforts are By kehinde ayantunji

of hijab wearing.

According to him, besides being an injunction of Almighty Allah, hijab confers respectability and dignity on the person wearing it.

He added that what is considered fashion now in most cases is nudity in Islam Ustaadh Busayri made reference to wearing leggis, tight-fitted clothes, spaghetti top and micromini and other revealing clothes as anti-Islam.

The Islamic cleric said a woman’s beauty is meant for her husband and that all these dressings have engendered raping and other undignified treatment of women in public places.

In her welcome address delivered on the occasion, the State Amirah of FOMWAN, Hajia Suaibat Babalola Adubi congratulated all muslim women on the occasion of this year’s World Hijab Day (WHD).

Hijab is an Arabic word which literarily means to conceal from view. It is a total package for a Muslim woman for dressing and conduct.

The muslim women leader said the essence of the day is to create awareness and the virtues inherent in its usage and also ensure religious tolerance.

She said: “It is the right of every muslim woman to protect and preserve her chastity in order to

•State of Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, presenting the state emblem to the New Comptroller of Prisons, Osun State Command, Mr. Segun Oluwasemire, during a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Osogbo, last Thursday.

safeguard her from the evil of the society. It is also a distinctive symbol which distinguishes muslim woman from other women in appearance and conduct.

The FOMWAN leader made reference to Quran chapter 33:59 which states inter alia “oh Prophet tell your wives and your daughters and women of the believers to bring down over themselves part of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not to be harassed.”

Inspite of the activities of some disgruntled and unscrupulous women who used Hijab for evil such as Boko Haram, Alhaja Adubi insists that Hijab is ordained by the Almighty Allah.

The universality of Hijab, according to the women leader, was captured in a statement credited to an Italian Minister, Roberto Maroni, who said: “If the Virgin Mary appears wearing a veil on all her picture, how can you ask me to sigh on a Hijab ban law?

She then called on all Muslims to support all governments in the country.

The programme was attended by dignitaries such as the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, represented by a former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious matters, Engineer Bashir Lawal, Imam Mohammed Bashir.

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Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

As Ogbeni Is Set To Constitute A New Cabinet ..continued from pg1 It has required managerial sagacity, innovative skills and fiscal discipline to weather the storm. The Ogbeni deserves kudos for weathering the storm. He could have used a number of excuses for not doing anything.

This has been used as a convenient get-out clause in other states; it has not been used in the state of Osun because the Ogbeni has a compelling sense of duty. He is also aware, that, to quote the British politician R. A . Butler “politics is the art of the possible”.

The art of the possible requires imagination which the Ogbeni has in bucketful. It has also led to a reordering of priorities, much needed to attain the possibilities required in a difficult economic climate.

Today the state has in spite of it all maintained its services and

continues to make steady progress.

For example, the much admired free school meals programme has continued.

This is admirable. Steady progress has continued in every sector such as the school building effort and the development of the Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge).

Crucially the machine of government has now been retooled into twelve ministries. The costs savings and induced efficiencies will be immense. This means that the soon to be constituted cabinet will be very resourceful, service focused and effective. This is crucial in a difficult fiscal climate. The machine of government is now in alignment with the difficult economic years in which the state governments in a defective federation will bear the biggest pain. It is to be expected that who ever succeeds the Ogbeni will maintain the cost effective structure. Overall it’s looking good in the state of Osun. The Ogbeni is looking good too after a back breaking shift!

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violence was the order of the day. Political thugs and miscreants took over the state, snatching ballot boxes, assaulted security agents, political party agents, voters, observers, INEC personnel were forced at gun point to jettison the use of PVC and card reader in the process of conducting the election, limbs were damaged and

lives were lost, etc.

At the end of the day in an election which can best be described as an election of violence of which the whole world expected a cancellation due to massive violence that didn’t allow for a credible election to take place and which was an anathema to democracy, INEC to the consternation of lovers peace and democracy announced Mr. Nyesom Wike of the PDP as the winner.

In their reports, the observers, local and

international such as the European Union, American embassy, etc all condemned the exercise as a sore point of the conduct of the 2015 general elections and called on the Nigerian authorities to put in place machinery to correct the abnormalities observed.

In deference to the glaring fact that what took

place in Rivers State on April 11, 2015 was not an election and cannot be an election, the Rivers State gubernatorial elections petitions tribunal and the Court of Appeal, nullified the so called election based on petition from aggrieved parties. Note also, that in this election the rules put in place by the electoral umpire was violated with impunity by electoral criminals which made it possible for the “winner” to score more votes than the number of authenticated figure of voters captured

In calling Aregbesola the symbol of an alternative perspective we are looking at dexterity such as the one he has shown in handling an unexpected situation. He has shown great strategic and tactical skills in turning crisis which he did not create into an opportunity for good governance. If he had rushed to create a cabinet it could have actually become an obstacle in terms of costs and resistance to the change that was very much needed. Even President Muhammadu Buhari had to adopt the same approach at the center. We therefore recommend that after the wait the new cabinet will be fashioned in the new mould of dedication to service and putting the pegs appropriately where they belong.

The accomplishments of the Ogbeni Governor without a cabinet shows that it is possible for men to make a positive impact on the process of history in a way that they would not have wanted or asked for. The Ogbeni did not ask for the situation of an economic downturn in which he inadvertently found himself.

The Supreme Court Judgement On Rivers State Gubernatorial Election As A Mystery

s a keen observer and commentator on Nigeria’s politics, one is at a loss to understand the reasons, though not yet communicated on how the Supreme Court arrived at its judgement which upheld the electoral victory of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in view of what transpired on April 11, 2015 the gubernatorial election day, which was characterized by massive violence and was an extension of the violence which also blighted the political party campaigns in the run up to the election.

If we recollect, Rivers State was the only state in the federation in which the campaign ground of a political party was attacked with dynamites, explosives and shooting of guns in broad daylight, leading to injuries and loss of lives. The level of violence unleashed on the people of Rivers State prior and during the 2015 general elections was unparalleled in our political history.

It is an indisputable fact that on the Election Day, hell broke loose as the state was virtually turned into a theatre of war as reports of

Nevertheless he has turned a crisis into an opportunity for good governance and in the process turned round the fortunes of the state.

In summary the nay sayers have been confounded. The criticisms meted out about the non composition of a cabinet now seems pretty hollow. For example, the free school meals has not stopped in spite of all the obstacles and the absence of a cabinet. Imitation they say is the best form of flattery. This is why the free meals programme has been copied in Kaduna state and is now the model for a similar programme at the centre. Again the schools rebuilding programme has continued in spite of the absence of a cabinet. The commissioning of the school named after the Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka for example, has received great plaudits from near and far.

by the e-card reader which was a strong basis for the nullification of the “election” by the two courts.

However, the Supreme Court in its wisdom has upheld the results of the “election” which produced Mr. Nyesom Wike as governor and this has left adherents of peace and democracy perplexed and asking, if justice has been served in this matter to the good people of Rivers State in particular and Nigerians in general? If you ask me, I would respond with a capital No. While we await the reasons for the judgement of the Supreme Court, it becomes pertinent to state that though this judgement cannot be appealed further, the truth which cannot be obliterated is that this judgement has become noted of Nigeria’s judiciary in recent times is that, it is honestly speaking, a mystery.

• Nelson Ekujumi,

Lagos State

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opinion

Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

Between Olumo And Aso – Reminiscences From Ogun

By Professor Wole Soyinka

hy? demanded my argumentative friend, “ is it always you people? “ Why do you make so much trouble? Always Ogun, Ogun, Ogun!

– are you the only state in the nation?” And he proceeded to reel off a number of names of notorious “trouble-makers”, dead and living, pin-pointing their birthplaces in Ogun State.” It was a teasing, rhetorical question, no answer expected. If one had been required, I would have volunteered, as a birthday present to Ogun: Ise ab’ojumu. Sometimes Iwa ab’ojumu. A pursuit (or character) of what is right. Just conduct. The people of Osun articulate something close – Omoluwabi.Both, and a number of allied formulations, hover around that basic foundation of all humane pursuits – Justice. Perhaps we are simply more vocal, more persistent about it.

The precedent body of this mixed birthday offering is contained in a lecture that I first delivered nearly a decade ago, in Abeokuta. I shall resort to that lecture once or twice for purposes of invoking a comparative ‘state of the state’ – then and now – but only in the context of governance characterization that enables us to grasp the essence ofab’ojumu, not to make any invidious assessments. Memory is a crucial function of existence. There is much to recall, much that justifies breast beating, but also much to lament, deplore, even repudiate! Individuals make up nations. National anniversaries are not that much different from the individual, being, for some, not merely calendar notations for jubilation, but also pauses for recollection, reflection, and hopefully a positive surge of renewal, and progressive energy.

It was a very well attuned mind that fashioned out those words in the Ogun State Anthem: Eyin omo Ogun, Ise Ya! (The task is just beginning – let us move!). I like that. I urge it also on Ogun’s sister states who are co-celebrants of the day.

An even-handed assessment tempers uncritical euphoria, enabling us to place, on well calibrated scales, triumphs side by side with defeats, solidarity beside betrayals, dedication beside opportunism…. and so on, and on. We must not be Killjoys, but we also should not be overly exultant. Ogun State has been very much put upon but, if only my colleague thought about this carefully, Ogun has also experienced the agony of putting a lot on herself, internally, as much as being put upon by others.

For instance, between Olumo Rock and Aso Rock, the relationship is sometimes manifested as a tussle between Culture – that is, Democratic Culture – and Power, the centralized distortion of which remains dominant across the nation – sometimes at war within the same individuals who loved to play both ends of the axis. I would not like to estimate what, for the people of Ogun, would be an accurate tally of profit and loss.

In this brief, unabashedly partisan exercise, let me admit in advance that co-option of these two landmarks goes beyond, but is not unrelated to the obliging fact that, for better or worse, both – Aso and Olumo – are conjoined by some key Ogun state indigenes in a somewhat unusual fashion. I have focused on a triad that self-constructed gradually during a critical phase of the nation’s history. It was the wistful shadow of one of this threesome cast list – a now permanent absence at any celebrations, alas!

– that flitted across my mind and provoked these reflections. All three are reference points for Ogun State on the pursuit, and the ironies of power, but one remains a spectre that haunts one’s memory. That spectre certainly loomed large as I watched Ogun State governor shepherd his Aso Rock guest – and eminent train – around ‘Olumo’ town.

The three figures defined a national crises in vastly different, but interwoven ways. One enjoyed the harvest of that tussle. Another earned his place by dint of hard work, and against overwhelming odds.

He was elected across the nation by undisputed popular acclaim, including belated affirmation by those who callously thwarted his deserving at the time. Thus it is that, today, it is only voices in chronic denial that still qualify their references to that 1993 election with the phrase, “presumed winner of…” “generally presumed to have won”, and similar ignoble attempts at diluting an unassailable truth.

The third of that triad was known as Fidi Hee (Halfarsed incumbency).

Power bestowed, power betrayed, and – power derided. This nationally unique trilogy framed the political portrait of Ogun across two decades, and struck me only some days ago as I recalled past images from that crisis, the faces and comportment of some surviving principal actors, contributors to an entity whose character has undergone remarkable contortions and distortions, internally and externally, over the past four decades. The events produced both Ogun’s finest hour and, yet again, her most demeaning. Again, just a reminder: one, now departed – retains his position as Nigeria’s president that was never permitted to rule. Another, a fellow indigene takes his place among the dubious handlers – some say undertakers – ending up as the eventual harvester, though not without his own dose W

•Professor Soyinka

of retributive fate – while the third governed at the behest of the most vicious and thieving dictator the nation has ever known. When that military dictator had had enough of his game of cat and mouse, he simply blew f’idi hee a kiss, which blew him away from the peaks of Aso back home to the foothills of Olumo.

Let me quickly emphasize this: I am aware that Abeokuta, where Olumo rock is situated, is not Ogun State, only a tumulus within the entire landscape. I invoke that rock only as a symbol. Also, my assignment of Culture to the Olumo end of the rock axis – Aso at the other end – may be regarded as somewhat arbitrary; it is however historically appropriate. Power attaches unarguably to one end – Aso. Culture – and especially democratic culture – however betrayed and degraded – should be the jealously guarded preserve of the states. Minna is the exception – over the archway of the entry to its military cantonment is a boastful rubric that Niger State has bequeathed to Nigeria more rulers than any other – and their names are proudly listed across that archway. At least, such was the display when I last visited. Outside that aberration however, the role of states, I consider, is to civilize power, bring it to civilian apprehension and finally, humanize it.

Thus emerges an interest in the fortunes of both at the hands of each other, whenever they intersect.

Did Olumo civilianize Aso, for instance? Or did Aso successfully corrupt and distort Olumo’s civilian existential mandate?

In co-opting the two rocks – Olumo and Aso – as symbolic representations of the provinces of Culture and Politics, I do not imply mutual exclusivity. There is no intention of implying the totality of culture by invoking Olumo Rock, any more than I restrict politics, or the power game, or indeed any particular activity of power to the latter, Aso Rock. It is all a question of relativity. So kindly indulge me and let Aso Rock stand for power and its politics, including their modes of human conduct, while Olumo Rock signifies Culture – Democratic culture, and Culture writ large. Our problem is that we have endured far too many protagonists of power who are simply devoid of culture of any kind, be that written with a small “c”, or in capital letters. They pursue power hammer and tongue, obsessively, untempered by the ameliorating virtue of Culture.

What then have we, in Ogun, generated? What exported? What contributed to the entirety of national character? At a time of commemoration, several past events run their reels across the memory template.

Here is one enduring scene to set us ruminating: It takes the shape of a state house of assembly, shuttered, barred and barricaded by armed police, in a time of peace. At the time of the decade-old lecture to which I earlier referred, the closure had yet to happen, but it was in the offing, and my lecture was a warning. One is reminded that such a travesty of democratic culture under Olumo was enabled by – indeed would have been unthinkable without – the collusion of “federal might” at the Aso end of the axial rocks. In other words, that the gates to treachery against Olumo’s democratic integrity were thrown open by the very custodians of the historic Rock.

Worse still, thanks to such internal undermining, Ogun state has the set the ignoble record of creating a precedent for what – with variations – has dominated political culture around the nation. When thwarted in the arbitrary and questionable exercise of power, or merely democratically challenged, simply seal up the oversight structure of governance – the House of elected representatives of the people. The active complicity of Aso Rock is guaranteed in advance – especially at the approach of elections.

Memory is a turbulent taskmaster for some, and that

handful must fulfill – if only on behalf of the future – the role of a memory prod. It was again under the aegis of Olumo – exported to Aso – that a sister state across was placed under siege and vandalized for three days – with the police on “emergency” duties of non-interference in their ringside seats! Anambra was on fire! Billions of naira worth of assets – including state owned – were pulverized, a rampage that involved the kidnap of an elected governor, and his confinement in a toilet. Among that incumbent’s crimes was a refusal to sign an open cheque on the state treasury for a ‘political godfather’. For further fleshing out of memory, we may like to recall that it was in protest against that act of Aso empowered brigandage, a conspiracy between the two Rocks fortuitously fused into one, that a Nigerian citizen, Chinua Achebe, later rejected the national honour that was offered him. Chinua could not condone The Rape of Anambra, and told Aso Rock to shove its medals up its fundaments.

The foregoing – and more, a lot more – are natural associative recalls in the midst of celebration, with the unavoidable succession of wrestling emotions – pride and shame – in whatever role one’s acknowledged or imposed protagonists have played under the incidental twinning of these symbolic rocks. Guilt by association is a burden we sometimes bear – ask my interlocutor with whom we began this piece.

This includes the residual impact of such governance ‘ethos’ within the state itself. Power feeds on power, even far from where first exercised. A successful formula becomes a call to emulation. From Ogun, via Anambra, and more recently Ekiti, the tried and tested template held sway. Vile precedents can only give birth to monstrosities. Yet truth eventually comes out in the wash, and the mottled faces of erstwhile triumphalists are gradually or dramatically exposed for what they truly are – straw masks. Was it not within these same national borders that packs of rabid mongrels, snarling through the judas-holes of the gates of hell, spat venom at those who had not even gone beyond saying of the 2015 Ekiti governorship elections: “There is a mystery about these results”.

Nothing more, just that. Simply expressing disbelief. Others tried to rationalize the ‘upset’, citing deficiencies in governance style of the incumbent etc. Pontifications galore to admonish the robbed and rub pepper in the wound, to rubbish the option of low-cost governance and unostentatious style of governance. A coinage – ‘stomach infrastructure’ – was minted to explain the inexplicable. A handful of ‘heretics’ however persisted in keeping the taunting puzzle alive. They warned: “There is a mystery. Something is askew somewhere, only we haven’t quite laid a finger of certitude on it”.

And some went further and confidently predicted: “It is a mystery that will be unraveled some day, and even sooner than expected.”

And now is the time to ask: why were we so sure?

Why did Governor Fashola, for instance, pen a soberly argued article in that vein? Why did I – if I may also cite myself – declare at Governor Fayemi’s valedictory event that this puzzle would be solved, must be solved, for democracy to survive, predictably pulling down a rain of rancid spittle from the selfvaunting, but deep-down apprehensive ‘victors’? he answer was simple. Ekiti had precedent. Ekiti T was merely the bastardized child of Olumo, only the pupil had brought a thuggish refinement to the Olumo template – including the yet unaddressed physical assault upon, and public humiliation of the judiciary. It had happened before to us in Ogun State – plotted, cooked, and served up sizzling. Only with variations. We had also undergone a blitzkrieg right within Olumo domain – and of course there were other victim states – in 2003. The pattern was familiar – a centralized coordination, military style, of the most insolent electoral robbery in state history.

The internally inspired assault scored a grand success. The Ogun state incumbent, confident in the observation of the rule of law, basking in a mutual, loudly trumpeted accord of peaceful conduct and a level playing ground, went on a joy ride with his would-be electoral rapist, proclaiming to the nation that this bipartisan road show was a manifestation of democratic harmony between contending parties, a gift by example from the consummation of Aso and Olumo to the nation and the world. It proved a sham. The newly discovered fissure in the sides of Zuma Rock in Abuja was from the peripatetic Aso incumbent splitting his sides with laughter – ke, ke,ke!

That Olumo/Aso combine attempted a similar crushing strategy in Lagos, but failed to roll over that city. First was the ominous withdrawal of security detail of the sitting governor – on “orders from above” of course. By the time Aso’s goons went for him however, he had disappeared. Even his own supporters, rushing to secure his safety, could not find the highly prized but elusive bird. He had shifted his operations deep underground among •Continued on page 7

feature

Dasuki As Prayer Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

By ABIODUN KOMOLAFE igeria is a troubled N entity and only the Stone of Israel can rescue her!

As a matter of fact, I never knew Nigeria has gone totally bad until a neighbour reprimanded me for being a Sambo Dasuki-basher. Not unaware of my shortcomings, the neighbour in question advised that, instead of partaking of the Dasuki jest, I should ask God for my portion of the “anointing hands” of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) that “squander without care or regard for consequences.’’

Without doubt, there is a Dasuki in all of us and that’s why Nigeria is in ruin and rot.

It is as a result of the Dasuki in our leaders that corruption has messed up Nigeria’s socioeconomic settings. It is also the reason behind our beating a wall with the hope of transforming it into a door. Not quite long ago in the life of this country, the ‘prayer point’ was Muhammadu Buhari who, in spite of long, tortuous and tricky trials, became the first opposition candidate ever to defeat an incumbent president in a general election. Then, Nigerians appreciated the place and space of providence in the affairs of man. But, less than a year after, Dasuki has tragically become the man to beat!

For all I care, Dasukigate, as it’s now known, is a lesson for leaders who revel in puerile religiosity and wildly unrhymed poetry. Juxtapose ‘Sambo Dasuki’ with, say, ‘Andrew Azazi’ and one can hardly imagine the outpouring of reactions, especially, from some sections of the country.

Unlike Giovanni Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli who, despite repeated threats to his life, preferred martyrdom to betraying his community, Dasuki betrayed his people for thirty shekels of silver and the story has been one of unutterable desolation, indescribable poverty and wanton destruction of innocent lives. As at last count, the former NSA was alleged to have illegally enriched 21 individuals and companies to the tune of N54.659 billion from the $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase, an amount said to be “more than the 2015 Zonal Intervention Project budget by 2.829 Billion Naira.” More revelations are not unlikely!

But, could anyone have blamed him? In a country where people with neither decency nor honour dictate the pace of affairs; where conspicuous under achievement, unsolicited anxieties and struggle for power crudely compete for space; above all, in a colony of devils where violence is used to resolve violence, where then lies the quest for communal togetherness?

Nigeria, as we speak, carouses the exigencies off lat growth in food production.

The economy is in a bad shape.

Our facilities are fast decaying even as people are dying in our ill-equipped and ill-resourced hospitals. Research has shown how 62 people have as much wealth as half of the entire world population, a situation which constrains one to ask: how much money in this world does a man need to be happy? Nigeria is currently ranked world’s 136th most corrupt country and10th biggest exporter of Illicit Financial Flows (IFF). So far, so worse: about US$157 billion was estimated to have illicitly left the country in the past decade alone. These are not fairy tales but facts on the ground more so

as these figures are not plucked from the sky. Coincidentally, corruption hits hardest at the poor who make up more than half of Nigeria’s population.

Here, while the just who hold honesty as the truest test of virtue suffer, the crooked who covet our patrimony with brazen ignominy live in opulence. Still, the poachers and swallowers of our immediate past continue to loiter around the corridors of power, needlessly inflating their sacrilegious egos with Jacob in is tic tales while the masses gestate their existence in a landscape of kaleidoscopic trappings littered with testimonies of privation. And it is as if the gods are angry!

That Nigeria is one of the products of the “global meltdown” is no longer news. No thanks to the political confusionists and economic rapists whose moral incompetence responsibly disqualifies them as tutors in a viable institution of morality.

Talk of civil servants whose salaries and allowances remain unpaid. Sad that this unfortunate situation has made it ‘convenient’ for some governors to become ‘lone rangers’. While some states have had its workforce relieved of their duties for reasons not unconnected with salaries and allowances, parents and guardians in some others are finding it difficult to have their children and wards return to school because they can’t cope with its financial implications.

Olu Falae! Tony Anenih!

Tanko Yakassai! But at what stage did those we had hitherto looked up to as men of honour stopped numbering their days?

On the other hand, who told Jonathan that he was the best thing to happen to Nigeria’s democracy and that his reelection was all the country needed to overcome its selfinflicted challenges? Which prophet asked him not to faint or falter; that, in spite of the damage done to his party’s rank and honour, a ragtag army of rapacious loyalists were all he needed to win the March 2015 battle for Aso Rock? In any case, let’s assume for the purpose of argument that ‘arms funds’ and ‘security votes’ were ‘same of the same’; and that the former NSA was the former president’s ‘Disbursement Officer’. The question still remains: when did the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)become the Clearing House for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and what was Dasuki’s Approval Limit’ as Jonathan’s ‘Mr. Spender’? In a country where poverty increases with the same proportion as the national budget, how could N2.1billion have willfully exchanged hands between former NSA and, say, Raymond Dokpesi without the former president’s formal approval?

“Great things”, according to William Blake,”are done when men and mountains meet.” Good that Buhari’s attempt at strengthening the country’s anti-corruption is not synonymous with “jostling in the street.”Good also that the military, paramilitary organizations, among others are already drinking from the President’s cup of anticorruption disposition. Like King Hezekiah, whose resolutions were based on the convictions of his faith, events in the last few months have presented the president as a man of uncommon courage, a sure symptom of manly tenderness, native elegance of soul and a strong believer in the Rule of Law. Thank God Buhari

is confronting Boko Haram terrorism with the fierceness of his roused sentiment. While this is a plus for the fight against corruption, some rough edges still need to be polished in order to tame this cankerworm that has remained a cause of poverty and instability, especially, in third world countries.

However, even as the president strives to meet the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance, theneed to set the records straight with regard to the US$20 billion allegedly missing from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC account cannot be more apt than now.

Not that alone, while there’s an urgent need to give teeth to the Freedom of Information (FoI) Law, Nigerians expect neither let nor hindrance in the prevention of the incidence of illicit financial transactions as well as dealing with them when and where they rear their ugly heads. n the words of Napoleon I Hill, “the starting point of all achievement is desire.”

According to Hill, “weak desire brings weak results.”Like Hannah, whose vow was capable of making life miserable for Samuel, there are lots of Sambo Dasukis out there, whose capacity to make governance an unworthy venture is unbounded. Generally speaking, while the president may not be able to direct the wind, he can assuredly adjust the sails. Essentially therefore, apart from reforming our justice system, which is currently plagued by complexity and atrocities, religious bodies also have important roles to play in the task of rebuilding this fractured entity. John Cardinal Onaiyekan rightly captured the mood of the moment, when he called for “more synergy between government institutions and religious institutions.” But how far our lords spiritual can

•SAMBO DASUKI

go especially in a clime where jaundiced propositions catalyze the exacerbation of unmerited solidarity and where men smile with unequalled certitude but revolt with unenviable exactitude remains to be seen.

All the same, in your best interest, won’t you rather pray for your portion of Dasuki’s ‘anointing hands’?

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

Jesa, State of Osun.

•Abiodun KOMOLAFE, wrote this piece from Ijebu-

Between Olumo And Aso

•Continued from page 6 supervisory energy to other designated “must-wins”, Edo at the forefront.

In Edo, it was indeed a case of – Aso/Olumo Strikes Again!

The mastermind took over the functions of a supposedly neutral Electoral body and raised “Federal might” to its personalized apogee, dictating orders to the Edo State Electoral officer. Edo was one of our ‘special interest’ states and we followed that contest in real live time.

“I said, declare those results.”

Aso Rock bellowed down the line “Announce them!”

That officer fled to Abuja rather than announce falsehood.

Distraught that they had been unable to capture the main prize – Lagos – Edo at least would not elude them. But the opposition already had the authentic results.

The folder was rushed to me by Oshiomole’s aides as I was seated in a plane, virtually as the gates were about to close. I was able to present the truthful picture at the Congressional Hearing in Washington D.C. where a position that endorsed a fictitious election was already holding sway. There I met Kenneth Nnamani, former Senate president, seemingly in an unvoiced, genteel quandary, I felt. No matter, I fulfilled my mission, silenced the misled

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lobbyists for democratic injustice with authentic facts – and figures!

It was a totally unexpected intervention. nd so, today? The toes A of the corpse that had been confidently buried have kept pushing up – a recording here, a confession there, threatened arrests, plots to silence witnesses and whistle-blowers. Where it will all end? Perhaps in nothing. But then, it only means that the corpses will remain restless. The undertakers of democracy – as they proudly, indeed contemptuously deemed themselves – are scampering for cover, but not without releasing toxic jets of distraction. But these protruding toes are only forerunners of more skeletons to be unearthed – or more accurately – tens of thousands of corpses – and millions of the displaced and traumatized, on account of those misapplied funds that were meant to keep society secure. For now, we shall spare the festivities stressful thoughts of abducted school pupils, trapped in an eternal nightmare.

Yes, the disciples are exposed.

They ar e being ar r aigned before both public and formal tribunals. But their mentors?

The originators? Those who facilitated their emergence in the first place, by the same dastardly, egotistically unprincipled means.

The real concrete mixers for the foundation of the home of electoral fakery? Basking in the glow of impunity.

‘Gracing’ commemorations.

Milking gerontocratic toleration atmilikis. The grimace that contorts our faces when we watch the architects of a nation’s democratic retrogression gleefully cavorting under the generosity of amnesia or forgiveness from an abused people, is neither wished for nor enjoyed. Few of us are willing masochists. It is simply the intrusiveness of that hard taskmaster – memory – essential for the protective – and survival armoury, even of peoples who already boast a historic tradition of resistance – such as Ogun, the people of ise ab’ojumu.

Tolerating the intolerable is not tolerated by a culture that was formative of the growth of some of us. Upholding the principles of such formation or accidental acquisition through life experience enables any people to say, with pride – we have never succumbed to tyranny, not even when it wears the diversionary mask of buffoonery.

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phototalk

Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

2016 Budget By Ministries, Departments And Agencies Of Government Before The State Of Osun House Of Assembly, Recently.

Photo: GBENGA

•A cross section of members of the Osun State House of Assembly.

•(L-R) Honourable Abiodun Awolola and Deputy Speaker of the House, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye.

Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

phototalk

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2nd Annual World Hijab Day At Freedom Park, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Sunday.

Photo: GBENGA

•Across section of Islamic clerics at the event.

•(L-R) Honourable Adebayo Wasiu and Honourable Kamil Oyedele.

•A cross section of dignitaries on the high table.

•A cross section of dignitaries.

•A cross section of Muslim women on the occasion.

•A cross section of Muslim children displaying placards “Our Hijab Our Precious Pride” during the programme.

HEALTH

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Osun Defender Thursday, February 11,

SomeProvenHealthBenefitsOfGinger G

By JOE LEECH inger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet.

It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.

Here are some of the health benefits of ginger that are supported by scientific research.

1. Ginger Contains Gingerol, a Substance With Powerful Medicinal Properties Ginger is a flowering plant that originated from China.

It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and is closely related to turmeric, cardomon and galangal.

The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part commonly used as a spice. It is often called ginger root, or simply ginger.

Ginger has a very long history of use in various forms of traditional/ alternative medicine. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few.

Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice, and is sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics. It is a very common ingredient in recipes.

The unique fragrance and flavor of ginger come from its natural oils, the most important of which is gingerol.

Gingerol is the main bioactive compound in ginger, responsible for much of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

2. Ginger Can Treat Many Forms of Nausea, Especially Morning Sickness Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea. For example, it has a long history of use as a sea sickness remedy, and there is some evidence that it may be as effective as prescription medication.

Ginger may also relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery, and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (4, 5).

But it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness.

According to a review of 12 studies that included a total of 1,278 pregnant women, 1.1-1.5 grams of ginger can significantly reduce symptoms of nausea (6).

However, ginger had no effect on vomiting episodes in this study.

Although ginger is considered safe, talk to your doctor before taking large amounts if you are pregnant. Some believe that large amounts can raise the risk of miscarriage, but there are currently no studies to support this.

3. Ginger May Reduce Muscle Pain and Soreness Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain.

In one study, consuming 2 grams of ginger per day, for 11 days, significantly reduced muscle pain in people performing elbow exercises (7).

Ginger does not have an immediate impact, but may be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain (8).

These effects are believed to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory properties.

4. The Anti-Inflammatory Effects Can Help With Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a common health problem.

It involves degeneration of the joints in the body, leading to symptoms like joint pain and stiffness.

•Ginger In a controlled trial of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who took ginger extract had less pain and required less pain medication (9).

Another study found that a combination of ginger, mastic, cinnamon and sesame oil, can reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically (10).

5. Ginger May Drastically Lower Blood Sugars and Improve Heart Disease Risk Factors This area of research is relatively new, but ginger may have powerful antidiabetic properties.

In a recent 2015 study of 41 participants with type 2 diabetes, 2 grams of ginger powder per day lowered fasting blood sugar by 12% (11).

It also dramatically improved HbA1c (a marker for long-term blood sugar levels), leading to a 10% reduction over a period of 12 weeks.

There was also a 28% reduction in the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio, and a 23% reduction in markers for oxidized lipoproteins. These are both major risk factors for heart disease.

However, keep in mind that this was just one small study. The results are incredibly impressive, but they need to be confirmed in larger studies before any recommendations can be made.

6. Ginger Can Help Treat Chronic Indigestion Chronic indigestion (dyspepsia) is characterized by recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach.

It is believed that delayed emptying of the stomach is a major driver of indigestion.

Interestingly, ginger has been shown to speed up emptying of the stomach in people with this condition.

After eating soup, ginger reduced the time it took for the stomach to empty from 16 to 12 minutes (12).

In a study of 24 healthy individuals, 1.2 grams of ginger powder before a meal accelerated emptying of the stomach by 50% (13).

7. Ginger Powder May Significantly Reduce Menstrual Pain Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) refers to pain felt during a woman’s menstrual cycle.

One of the traditional uses of ginger is for pain relief, including menstrual pain.

In one study, 150 women were instructed to take 1 gram of ginger powder per day, for the first 3 days of the menstrual period (14).

Ginger managed to reduce pain as effectively as the drugs mefenamic acid

and ibuprofen.

8. Ginger May Lower Cholesterol Levels High levels of LDL lipoproteins (the “bad” cholesterol) are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

The foods you eat can have a strong influence on LDL levels.

In a 45-day study of 85 individuals with high cholesterol, 3 grams of ginger powder caused significant reductions in most cholesterol markers (15). his is supported by a study in hypothyroid rats, where ginger extract lowered LDL cholesterol to a similar extent as the cholesterollowering drug atorvastatin (16).

Both studies also showed reductions in total cholesterol and blood triglycerides.

There is some evidence, in both animals and humans, that ginger can lead to significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels.

9. Ginger Contains a Substance That May Help Prevent Cancer Cancer is a very serious disease that is characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

T

•Ginger powder

Ginger extract has been studied as an alternative treatment for several forms of cancer.

The anti-cancer properties are attributed to 6-gingerol, a substance that is found in large amounts in raw ginger (17, 18).

In a study of 30 individuals, 2 grams of ginger extract per day significantly reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules in the colon (19).

However, a follow-up study in individuals at a high risk of colon cancer did not confirm these findings (20).

There is some, albeit limited, evidence that ginger may be effective against pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. More research is needed (21, 22, 23).

Ginger contains a substance called 6-gingerol, which may have protective effects against cancer.

10. Ginger May Improve Brain Function and Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate the aging process.

They are believed to be among the key drivers of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline.

Some studies in animals suggest that the antioxidants and bioactive compounds in ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses that occur in the brain (24).

There is also some evidence that ginger can enhance brain function directly. In a study of 60 middle-aged women, ginger extract was shown to improve reaction time and working memory (25).

There are also numerous studies in animals showing that ginger can protect against age-related decline in brain function (26, 27, 28).

Studies suggest that ginger can protect against age-related damage to the brain. It can also improve brain function in elderly women.

11. The Active Ingredient in Ginger Can Help Fight Infections Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections.

In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria (29, 30).

It is very effective against the oral bacteria linked to inflammatory diseases in the gums, such as gingivitis and periodontitis (31).

Fresh ginger may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections (32).

Ginger is one of the very few “superfoods” that are actually worthy of that term.

11

Job Vacancies In Nigeria

Retail Sales Associates Company: Audacious Business Concepts Limited Location(s): • Lagos Specialization: • Sales/ Marketing / Bus. Dev. Industry: • Retail / Wholesales Application Deadline: 04 March, 2016 Job Type Fulltime JOB DETAILS Audacious Business Concepts Limited, is Nigeria’s fastest growing retail fashion organisation. The company retails female clothing (Casual, Business Casual, Business) to the discerning Woman.

We require qualified candidates to fill the role below: Job Title: Retail Sales Associates Location: Lagos Job Description: The Retail Associate post is the entry level position into our world of retail.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity of an exciting career path that can lead to becoming a branch manager, regional manager, retail operations executive or even higher positions.

JOB REQUIREMENTS MIN REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: year(s) DESIRED COURSES: Not Specified OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Requirements: B.Sc / HND/OND in any field.

Must be Female between 21 and 28 years of age Fluent in English Strong team player Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Good selling and customer service skills Basic knowledge and use of computer and Microsoft application.

Applications are needed from people residing in Isheri, Ikoyi, Lekki , Surulere, Festac, Ikeja, Apapa, Abuja and Owerri.

Application Closing Date: 4th March, 2016.

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should forward their applications and CV’s to funke@audacious.com.ng or visit: www.ngcareers.com. ................

Senior Web Developer Company: GVA Partners Location(s): • Lagos Specialization: • Software / Web development Industry: • Recruitment / HR Services Application Deadline: Not Specified Job Type: Fulltime JOB DETAILS GVA Partners - Our client is a leading provider of Internet, Mobile and multichannel banking, ATM and card payment solutions to the worldwide financial services industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below: Job Title: Senior Web Developer Location: Lagos Objective Roles: We are currently looking for a highly motivated and passionate individual, with a strong interest in software development, to join our BankWorld Internet & Mobile Development team as a Senior Web Developer.

You will be responsible for providing high quality software for our Internet & Mobile applications, implementing new business requirements and maintaining existing functionality on the Internet & Mobile components of our client’s retail banking product - BankWorld.

Responsibilities/Duties: Designing and implementing new features both on your own and as a member of a feature-driven team.

Creating client-side branding in a complex rich-client application.

Assist with the design of these features and their implementation to agreed timelines.

Following sound software design, process and quality practices.

Assist with the maintaining and support of new and existing features by liaising with the support teams to diagnose and resolve issues.

Participating in all facets of team development by actively participating in staff mentoring and personal development.

Keeping abreast of new technical developments to enhance or revolutionize the product and customer experience.

Occasionally travel to customer sites to support the deployment of new features, and to other company offices. (Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% of their time).

Occasionally provide out of hours support for the product.

Any other related tasks as required by the line manager.

JOB REQUIREMENTS MIN REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: 4 year(s) DESIRED COURSES: Not Specified OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Essential Skills: Honours Degree or Diploma in Computer Science.

4+ years proven experience in modern Web development using HTML5, JavaScript, CSS3, JQuery & responsive web design (RWD) skills.

AngularJS experience.

Strong Object oriented Design & Programming skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills using the English-language.

High level of attention to detail and strong aptitude for learning new technologies.

Ability to work across multiple product areas and remain quality and customerfocused.

Desirable Skills: Experience using Adobe Dreamweaver.

Experience in a non-scripting programming language e.g. Objective-C/C++/C#/Java on Windows and/or Linux environments.

Experience in writing multi-threaded applications.

Experience with modern Client/Server architectures.

Experience with distributed architectures.

Experience with TCP/IP Socket Programming.

Familiarity with JSON, XML and XPath technologies.

Experience of software testing and methodologies.

Experience of software debugging.

Experience with software systems in the banking sector.

Knowledge of common design patterns would be a distinct advantage.

Osun Defender Thursday, February 11,

Requirements/Qualifications: Excellent team player, cooperative and flexible.

Enthusiastic, proactive, and can-do attitude, keen to be involved at all levels of a product.

Articulate communicator, ability to present ideas clearly and precisely, both written and verbally, with concise attention to detail to peers, colleagues and management alike.

Good listener, the ability to listen effectively and to consider input from peers, colleagues and management alike.

Self-reliant, the ability to work without close supervision and address problems in a collaborative environment.

Good problem solving abilities with the ability to identify and contribute to solutions for the company in a collaborative environment.

Strong customer orientation.

Passion to learn and to work with new technologies.

Self-motivated.

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidate should send their CV’s and applications to contact@gvapartners.com or visit: www.ngcareers.com ..........

Business Development Officer Company: Light Heights Global Services Limited Location(s): • Lagos Specialization: • Sales/ Marketing / Bus. Dev. Industry: • Education Services Application Deadline: 20 February, 2016 Job Type Fulltime Share Login to Apply JOB DETAILS Light Heights Global Services Limited was established under the companies and allied matters Act 1990 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with registration Number RC 945017.

Light Heights Global Services Limited is a high profile learning and training institute in international educational, with over 90% success in placement of Nigeria students into American Universities.

We are recruiting to fill the position below: Job Title: Business Development Officer Location: Lagos Job Description: Must be a female Experience in client service, Relationship Management and Clients Account management an advantage OND/HND Graduate can apply.

JOB REQUIREMENTS MIN REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: 2 year(s) DESIRED COURSES: Not Specified OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Application Closing Date: 20th February, 2016.

Method of Application: Interested and qualified candidates should send their application letter and CV’s careers@lightheights.com, make “Business Development Officer” the subject or visit: www.ngcareers.com to apply online. .........

Social Media Manager Company: Exolve Technologies Limited Location(s): • Lagos Specialization: • Media / Art Industry: • ICT / Telecommunications Application Deadline: Not Specified Job Type Fulltime JOB DETAILS Exolve Technologies Limited is an Information Technology and Communication firm with core competencies in Web and Mobile Application Development, Enterprise Applications, Interactive Multimedia and Social Communities. We develop innovative, high impact, cost effective communication tools to help our clients processes and operations.

We are recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Social Media Manager Location: Lagos Job Description: Curate relevant content to reach the company’s ideal customers.

Create, curate, and manage all published content (images, video and written).

Monitor, listen and respond to users in a “Social” way while cultivating leads and sales.

Conduct online advocacy and open stream for cross-promotions.

Develop and expand community and/or blogger outreach efforts.

Use design tools - Fireworks, Photoshop to come up with concepts and ads Oversee design and can also design Facebook Timeline cover, profile pic, thumbnails, ads, landing pages, Twitter profile, and blogs.

Design, create and manage promotions and Social ad campaigns.

Compile report for management showing results (ROI).

Become an advocate for the Company in Social Media spaces, engaging in dialogues and answering questions where appropriate.

Demonstrate ability to map out marketing strategy and then drive that strategy proven by testing and metrics.

Develop a strategy and implement a proactive process for capturing customer online reviews. Monitor online ratings and respond accordingly.

Monitor trends in Social Media tools, applications, channels, design and strategy.

Identify threats and opportunities in user generated content surrounding the business. Report notable threats to appropriate management.

Analyze campaigns and translate anecdotal or qualitative data into recommendations and plans for revising the Social Media campaigns.

Monitor effective benchmarks (best practices) for measuring the impact of Social Media campaigns. Analyze, review, and report on effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize results.

JOB REQUIREMENTS MIN REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: year(s) DESIRED COURSES: Not Specified OTHER REQUIREMENTS: How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidate should send their CV’s and applications to careers@exolvetechnologies.com or visit: www.ngcareers.com to apply online. .................

12

politics

Osun Defender Thursday, February 11,

What You Need To Know About the Proposed 2016 Expansionist Budget

T

By kola Omole

he proposed 2016 budget currently

being subjected to legislative scrutiny by both chambers of the National Assembly is the first budget to be so put together by the APC led administration. The appropriation bill is coming on the heels of global economic downturn which has significantly impacted the Nigerian economy coupled with pockets of significant home-grown difficulties.

The budget is geared towards bridging infrastructure deficit, stimulating the economy and promoting inclusive growth including the poor and the vulnerable. However, the funding of the budget is challenged by declining price of oil which has put massive pressure on commodity prices dependent nations including Nigeria.

Indeed, the 2016 budget is expansionist with a total sum of N6.08tr, an increase of about N1tr from the revised allocation of N5.09tr for 2015. The FG will fund the budget with N820bn, N1.45tr and N1.51tr from oil related, non-oil and independent revenues respectively aggregating to N3.85tr.

As a result of shortfall in revenue particularly that of the oil segment, the proposed budget has a deficit of N2.2tr but the sum of N900bn and N980bn will be borrowed internationally and domestically respectively. Noteworthy to point out is the N1.8tr to be borrowed; representing 30% of the budget will absolutely be used to execute capital projects. No kobo of the borrowed funds will be used to settle salaries and allowances.

This budget deficit represents 2.16% of our GDP which is estimated to be about $521bn.

Our national debt to GDP ratio remains one of the lowest not only in Africa but in the world.

In an attempt to ensure that our debts do not constitute a serious burden on our national purse in the nearest future, the Federal Government has resolved to service debt to the tune of N1.47tr in the 2016 fiscal year.

This administration recognizes how far behind we are as a nation in different areas of national development. Regrettably, successive governments have failed to develop Nigeria infrastructural. The government of the day, in a show of its commitment to build roads, boost power generation and invest remarkably in infrastructural projects allocated the total sum of N1.8tr to capital expenditure representing 223% year on year increase in capital spending.

You will agree with me that travelling by road in Nigeria has become a serious nightmare. Road networks across the country are in deplorable state. Existing roads are neither maintained nor rehabilitated while newly awarded roads are hardly completed. In addition, our power sector has been in a state of neglect over the years across supply chain and affordable housing has become almost impossible for the Nigerian people. Therefore, the Federal Government allocated N433.4bn to the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing for the execution of capital projects only.

In addition, our sovereign nation cannot boast of a national carrier let alone state-of-the-art airport in this 21st century neither do we have an efficient railway system in our country.

Against this backdrop, the Federal Government allocated N202bn to the Federal Ministry of Transportation for the implementation of capital projects in the 2016 fiscal year alone.

DIVERSIFICATION OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMY A lot of pundits have said that the government did not walk its talk of Nigerian’s economy diversification by voting N498.4bn and N18.6bn to the Ministries of Interior and Solid Minerals respectively for instance. The logic is that, the Ministry of Interior accommodates Nigerian Immigration Service, Prison Service, Fire Service, Police Force et cetera but the Ministry

•Senate President Bukola Saraki

of Solid Minerals and Steel Development can be compared to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which the government is currently working assiduously to make more transparent, efficient and possibly reduce Joint Venture cash calls obligations.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals is less staffed and all the government is trying to achieve is reform the sector, partner with states and boost investor confidence in investing into exploration and exploitation of solid minerals in Nigeria. It has been globally proven that government has no business in doing business. Government is only expected to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and tax commensurately; an established fact this government is committed to achieving.

SOCIAL INVESTMENTS PLAN commendable item in the 2016 budget A i s t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s a l l o c a t i o n o f N500bn to social intervention programs to assist the poor and vulnerable in our midst in order to ensure an inclusive society. This amount will be used to execute conditional cash transfers to be implemented in phases, school feeding programme, recruitment of 500,000 teachers, financial training and loans to market women, traders and artisans through cooperative societies all of which will be done in partnership with state governments.

Upon weathering the 2008-2009 global economic recession headwind, the balanced sheets of several financial and corporate institutions in Nigeria had been badly affected. The government at the time set up Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to bail-out a few but sadly, the corporation currently has a record of about N5tr debt.

In view of the above, the Buhari-led administration deemed it important to set up a special intervention programme to be funded to the tune of N500bn to help the poor, less privileged, the vulnerable and indeed the Nigeria people at large.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION It is very important to note that two good heads are better than one. One of the most important constitutional roles of the National Assembly is budget review and timely passage for a particular fiscal year.

The budget has been put together by the executive and passed on to the National Assembly- an independent arm of government made up of distinguished senators and honorable members representing their senatorial zones and constituencies across the federation.

The 2016 appropriation bill is not cast in stone.

It has been laid before both chambers for their careful consideration and I believe that in the end, when the bill becomes a law, we would have an appropriation Act that will be acceptable to every objective Nigerian.

However, the government of the day do not

13

opinion

Osun Defender Thursday, January 8, 2015

Some Private Varsities ’ll Go Into Extinction –ensure Redeemer’s that the focus on the students he Vice-Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun

T

State, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, speaks on the state of the nation’s universities in this interview with CHARLES ABAH. So we need to refocus our Ten years after, how is the

Redeemer’s University contributing to making a better society?

I am glad to report that the university emerged as the bestranked in terms of research in a World Bank organised competition within West and Central Africa in 2013. That competition earned us a place as one of the African centres of excellence. Our proposal in that contest was just the best and we have been flying.

When, for instance, the Ebola Virus Disease hit West Africa, we were on ground and we contributed in analysing the index case, Patrick Sawyer, in Nigeria. While others were not so sure of what they had, we analysed his case and gave the verdict. You know the Federal Government acknowledged that our university contributed to kicking out of Ebola in the country.The World Bank also celebrated our success and our impact. We did not just work in Nigeria, we were also in Sierra Leone, Senegal and other countries where Ebola struck.

Now on Lassa fever, we are contributing to managing Lassa fever more than we did during the Ebola crisis. For example, we have been carrying out research and collaborating with the Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo State, to manage Lassa fever. Today, we have developed some kits and vaccines for the disease through our research unit.

We are the cutting edge. No university in Nigeria, no laboratory can do what we have been doing because we are using state-of-theart equipment to do our analysis.

We have collaborators from the Harvard University and other parts of the world. So when it comes to impacting our generation, impacting the nation, and impacting the West African community, the university is fulfilling its vision and mission.

The Nigeria academia is said to be more interested in theory than practical. What is your take on how to improve research in the country?

We must accept that our focus as a country has shifted one way or the other. I must also accept that in the university system the idea for the conduct of research for some people is for promotion and not for impact. However, the blame for this goes to the government for a number of reasons. It has not been encouraging research. We have not been spending our resources in the right way.

Apart from that, we need to challenge ourselves. The United States of America challenges its scientists by making available money for a competitive research.

What do you find in Nigeria? We have been focusing on oil. Yes, our scientists might have lost focus in this regard because of the general idiosyncrasy in the environment.

Everyone wants to build big houses and buy big cars.

attention. We need to encourage researchers. We need to categorise our universities. Some universities are known for doing well in teaching and some for always going on strike. The latter environment cannot encourage research. Ours is a research university and that is what we are set out to be.

Again, there should be no discrimination. The competition should be open for all. Let the private universities participate.

Allow the best brains to participate.

But what do you find here? Private universities are not benefitting from TETfund. When it comes to research, something that will affect the nation, you do not discriminate.

Allow people to research, it is for impact. You do not play politics with research. You just have to allow the best. If the World Bank had not allowed us, we would not have been part of fighting the Ebola and Lassa scourge today.

What is your view on private institutions benefitting from TETfund?

TETfund is for tertiary education but what obtains at the agency is quite unfortunate. It has a lot of money sourced from the private sector. Interestingly, parents of many students in private universities are not able to pay the fees of their children because of the hard times in the country. People just imagine that only the wealthy bring their children to private universities, it is not true.

People want education that is free from rancour and strikes. They want the right environment for their children; so, they bring them here.

Do you know that we contribute to make up fees for some students?

Private proprietors give millions of naira to subsidise education in the country. In fact, they are subsidising education more than the Federal Government.

When the government says private universities cannot benefit from the agency, that is a kind of marginalisation. This is not fair because the private sector and many parents are contributing to this common pool. It is, therefore, not fair to exclude private universities.

It does not make sense.

TETfund approach excludes the best so that the average can shine.

It allows centres of excellence built around public universities, excluding private universities.

Rather than promoting centres of excellence, we are promoting centres of commonality. TETfund is not judiciously spending its money because it does not allow for competition.

I want to suggest that instead of giving money to universities, give money to the students and let them choose where they want to go. They can also give money to universities that are doing well whether private or public. In other words, the ones that are making more impact need the agency’s support.

•Prof. Debo Adeyewa

We are saying that what TETfund is doing now is not inspiring.

Rather, it is killing research. The Federal Government has a role to play in ensuring a level-playing field, mobilising and encouraging research by making money available and throwing challenge to all the universities.

Over 1.5 million candidates sit for JAMB annually and only a few secure admissions. Does this suggest that we need more universities?

We now have education tourism just as we have medical tourism. In the past, I used to have students from Ghana, Kenya, among many other countries in my class. Now it is the other way round. So, it seems we are not doing well. What is happening now is that foreign institutions are attracting our students. For me, the blame goes to all of us: the government, parents and the university system.

The government has to provide the enabling environment. Education is the bedrock of development, especially as it defines the boundary line between the poor and the rich countries. Education sharpens the arrow of a nation to enable it to shoot and get things right. So, the government has to do a lot in promoting it. n Ghana, the government is doing I that and this explains why there is more inflow than outflow in the country. So, the Nigerian government has to do more in providing the enabling environment.

The government spends a lot of money in hiring reputable contractors to build the National Assembly, Houses of Assembly and so on but when it comes to universities, it will rather give peanuts. If we want to rank among the best, the government must build infrastructure, put down money in order to attract the best to the sector.

Again, the National Universities Commission and other ranking bodies should begin to grade universities in terms of academic stability because it is an important index. Universities must not only ensure that they have stable academic calendar, but must also

is high.

If you put someone in a rickety environment, he will behave in a rickety manner. So the universities should provide conducive environments for students and world-class education. So, we have to do a lot to ensure that our university environment is attractive to students.

Besides, many Nigerian parents want the best in education. Yet, they want it cheap. They want the government to subsidise education.

They do not want to pay anything.

Some parents also are not patriotic.

They will rather spend the money elsewhere than in this country just to claim that their children are abroad studying.

This takes me to enrolment in private universities. The difference between the private and public universities is in terms of cost.

It is a very simple mathematics.

Let all universities in Nigeria charge N50,000 per session, you will find that more students will enrol in private universities than public ones. In fact, we will be oversubscribed. So, the cost is the major thing.

In other parts of the world, the government encourages education.

Today, the Harvard University has many grants from the United States Government. It is not a public university but it has access to public funds for its development. The proposal therefore is that the Federal Government should encourage education. It should encourage more credible and excellent universities.

It should encourage more qualitative university education rather than quantitative.

With the crisis many private universities are facing recently, what is their future in the country?

Many of the public universities would have died long ago if not for the life support from the government.

I call this the feeding bottle system.

If not that the government keeps putting money into them, many of them would have gone. Many of them are just enjoying the life support they are getting from the government.

Also, we have over 60 private universities now. Before long, there will be a separation of the boys from the men. Gradually, you will see that some universities will go into extinction because they will not able to cope with the challenges of the environment. However, even with these challenges, the future of education in Nigeria lies with the private universities. en years ago, nobody gave T any private university any chance; it was only the public universities. Now, they are beginning to hear about us and they will continue to hear about us. My prediction is that in the next 20 years, many public universities in the country will no longer be relevant because the private ones would have surpassed them.

14

Wanted Urgently

Osun Defender Thursday, February 11, 2016

A male utility Staff with National Diploma in any discipline, wanted urgently to work in a Newspaper Organisation.

Computer Literacy is an essential requirement.

If you have the above-stated qualifications, apply in person to: The Managing Editor, Osun Defender Newspaper, (Promise Point Building), Opposite GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo.

Vacancies

ADVERT/SUPPLEMENT EXECUTIVE

Are you a goal getter?

Are you interested in working to earn a fat allowance for yourself?

Can you move mountains to achieve set-targets?

If the answer to all the questions above is yes, then you are the rightful candidate we are looking for.

Apply in person to: The Managing Editor, Osun Defender Newspaper, Gbongan Road,

Magazine Editor

Are you a prolific writer who can write for newspaper as a Magazine Editor?

Do you have a deep knowledge of the State of Osun?

Do you have passionate interest in the affairs of the State of Osun?

Apply for the available post if your answers to all there are positive.

Do so in person to: The Managing Editor, Osun Defender Newspaper, Gbongan

SPORTS

15

Kurt Zouma’s Prolonged Injury Absence Will Be Felt In Heart Of Chelsea Defence

A

s soon as Kurt Zouma’s scream pierced the

atmosphere at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, almost an hour into the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, the prognosis was not good.

Now, in what must be a horrendous disappointment to the 21-year-old, the bad news has been confirmed with scans showing an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament that will keep him on the sidelines for the clear from danger but had next six months.

The d y n a m i c seen his leg buckle upon defender had just leapt landing. His season is now extraordinarily high off the ended; the long period of ground to volley the ball recuperation is about to

begin.

For Zouma, this setback could not have come at a worse time. Having established himself as Chelsea’s first-choice centre-back alongside John Terry under both Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, the young Frenchman was making the position his own. The kinks in his game were slowly

being ironed out — notably his use of the ball has improved vastly even if it is still an area of weakness — and he was forming a blossoming partnership with the veteran captain just as the club’s collective fortunes were taking a turn for the better.

Wi t h a C h a m p i o n s League double-header with Paris Saint-German looming, the stage was set for Zouma to showcase his talent on the biggest club stage in front of his compatriots. It would have given him the opportunity to stake a greater claim to be involved in France’s international squad for the forthcoming European Champions hip taking place in his homeland this summer. Now, that

opportunity has been taken away from him and he will have to begin his fight for a first-team place for both club and country all over again.

For Chelsea, the situation is far from ideal, though it is not a complete disaster in terms of the alternative personnel at their disposal.

Gary Cahill has seen his star wane a little this season but he remains a highly capable centre-back that has performed admirably for Chelsea in the very biggest of matches. At 30, he is an experienced campaigner and the perfect person to step into the breach.

From a personal point of view, it will give him the chance to claim a starting spot in England’s team at

Cesar Azpilicueta: John Terry Always Gives Everything For Chelsea esar Azpilicueta says that he expects John

C •Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink comments on an injury to Kurt Zouma that forced him to be stretchered off the field.

Mesut Ozil: Arsenal’s Job Is To rsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has said it will margin in February is one A

be “incredibly difficult to stop” Premier League leaders Leicester City when the two sides meet this weekend.

L e i c e s t e r c l a i m e d They were up 3-0 at a thrilling 3-1 win at Manchester City after 60 M a n c h e s t e r C i t y o n minutes. It’s brilliant what Saturday to extend their they accomplish with their lead over Arsenal and team,” Ozil told German Tottenham to five points. wire SID. “You have to have the The Foxes travel to A r s e n a l t h i s S u n d a y greatest respect for that. and Ozil is wary of their Our job is to at least for opponents’ quality ahead now get Leicester off this of a key game in the title unbelievable wave of euphoria. race.

“That Leicester lead the “It’ll be incredibly difficult to stop them. Premier League by this

of the biggest surprises in the European top flights in the past few years.”

Ozil, who scored in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend, added: “We are now challenged to change that.”

O n M o n d a y, B e n Wrigglesworth confirmed on Twitter that he has left his position as head of technical scouting at Leicester to join Arsenal as their first-team video scout.

esar Azpilicueta says that he expects John Terry to give his all for Chelsea amid his contract standoff.

T h e 1 - 1 d r a w w i t h following the game, but Manchester United on said there had been no Sunday saw Terry make his communication with the first appearance at Stamford club over his future.

The Blues maintain a Bridge since declaring Chelsea would not be contract offer could yet be extending his contract this tabled to Terry, who is set to make his 699th Chelsea summer.

The 35-year-old captain appearance in Saturday’s t h a n k e d s u p p o r t e r s Premier League clash at

home to Newcastle.

“It’s a situation between him and the club. I don’t know what’s happening,” Azpilicueta told the Evening Standard. “But since I arrived at Chelsea I have learnt a lot from him.

I have played alongside him on the left for most of the time, even in training.

“For me, I see no difference in the way he’s

Terry to give his all for Chelsea amid his contract standoff. what’s happening,” The 1-1 draw Manchester United on Sunday saw Terry makewith his first Azpilicueta told the appearance at Stamford E v e n i n g S t a n d a r d .

Bridge since declaring “But since I arrived at Chelsea would not be Chelsea I have learnt extending his contract a lot from him. I have this summer. played alongside him on T h e 3 5 - y e a r - o l d the left for most of the c a p t a i n t h a n k e d time, even in training. supporters following the “For me, I see no game, but said there had difference in the way been no communication he’s performing on with the club over his the pitch, the way he’s future. playing and he is giving The Blues maintain a everything for the team contract offer could yet as always.’’ be tabled to Terry, who Terry’s central is set to make his 699th defensive partner in Chelsea appearance recent weeks has been in Saturday’s Premier K u r t Z o u m a , w h o League clash at home to suffered what appeared Newcastle. to be a serious knee “ I t ’ s a s i t u a t i o n injury against United. between him and the The France defender c l u b . I d o n ’ t k n o w was poised to undergo scans on Monday, with interim boss Guus Hiddink expressing hope Zouma would not be ruled out for the season. performing on the pitch, the Gary Cahill will likely way he’s playing and he is benefit from Zouma’s giving everything for the unfortunate injury by team as always.’’ returning to the starting Terry’s central defensive XI. partner in recent weeks has “Gary is one of the been Kurt Zouma, who veterans of the team. suffered what appeared to We know his quality be a serious knee injury and in this squad, it is against United. The France always important to defender was poised to be ready,” Azpilicueta undergo scans on Monday, a d d e d . “ W e n e e d with interim boss Guus everybody, we have Hiddink expressing hope big games coming up Zouma would not be ruled and all of us have to be out for the season. ready.’’

Gary Cahill will likely benefit from Zouma’s unfortunate injury by returning to the starting XI. “Gary is one of the veterans of the team. We know his quality and in this squad, it is always important to be ready,” Azpilicueta added. “We need everybody, we have big games coming up and all of us have to be ready.’’

Cesar Azpilicueta: John Terry Always Gives Everything For ChelC

•Micah Richards battles for the ball with Mark Noble.

•Lionel Messi

Euro 2016, something that was looking increasingly doubtful after losing his place in Chelsea’s defence to Zouma. Cahill will have plenty of motivation to perform well over the coming months.

The purchase of American defender Matt Miazga from the New York Red Bulls in January raised a few eyebrows, especially following the signings of Michael Hector and Papy Djilobodji in the summer, both of whom are currently away on loan.

With Hiddink confirming that his young charge would immediately be part of the first-team squad with no talk of gaining experience elsewhere, it now seems that Miazga might see more action this campaign than had initially been anticipated.

Although they have tough draws against PSG and Manchester City, if Chelsea continue to progress in the Champions League and FA Cup then the likes of Terry and Cahill will need to be rested at some point, potentially opening the door to Miazga. The Blues can also call upon Branislav Ivanovic to fill any breach, a natural central defender that was converted into a muscular full-back.

While there might be some able bodies on hand to help fill the void left by Zouma, it does present a problem in terms of maintaining the team’s defensive balance.

Although his reading of the game and timing of the tackle are both excellent, it is no secret that Zouma’s primary asset to the team is his pace.

Terry has famously never had anything approaching pace as his overall game management has been at such a stratospheric level that it has compensated for any athletic deficiencies.

Nevertheless, he has thrived when partnered with somebody that can make up ground quickly, such as Ricardo Carvalho or William Gallas.

Cahill used to have the ability to cover for any mistakes by being rapid over a distance of five to 10 yards, though that explosive response time has dipped in the past 12 months. Ivanovic is a plodder rather than a sprinter despite his years at full-back, while Miazga is an unknown quantity in that regard. With Chelsea still to face the speed of Sergio Aguero and Jamie Vardy in the Premier League this season, as well as the dynamism of PSG’s attacking play, any static defending could be painfully exposed.

www.osundefender.org

THE

6TH

M O S T- V I S I T E D

NEWS-

thursday, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

wish all my I learned lawyers who may be reading this piece or those who have knowledge of Law would be able to help in explaining the difference between corruption, theft and crime.

It seems here in this country t hat we l i k e t o d e c e i v e ourselves by trying to cover our crimes with sweat names.

And I think if we continue this way, end may not be in sight with various crimes that those in power commit and we call it corruption.

I knew when that notorious armed robber, Isola Oyenusi, was caught and publicly executed in the 70’s. Though young then but I think the total number of people he killed were not up to 10 and the total amount of money he robbed not up to a million.

I was already an adult when Anini and Osunbor were terrorising the people of Benin and her environs. Anini and Osunbor never stole a million naira and they never killed up to 20 people.

Despite these, they were treated like hardened criminals and their lawyers never demanded for any rule of law before they were publicly executed.

Haba, a professional and a retired Army Colonel who was privileged to be appointed a Security Adviser failed to know that a soldier is just an ordinary human being without his weapon.

Somebody was appointed to advise the President on the best way to execute the war against the Boko Haram but was the one now used to disburse the money on frivolous things and on personal enrichment. I even think we deserve to know how Dasuki got promoted to the rank of a Colonel if out of uniform he didn’t know what the soldier needed to be a soldier.

Those people who took part in these various looting as we are now seeing do not deserve to be pitied because

By Onipede Lai

Stop Dignifying Criminality

•sambo dasuki

they themselves never pity the country and the people that their criminalities affected.

Bi eniyan ko ba tiju ati Gesin,Esin naa ko ni tiju ati da eniyan.

There should not be anything like Rule of Law in dealing

with these thieves in Government either still serving or had completed their terms.

I read about a Chairman of a commission who gave over one hundred million to a Jujuman to make juju for him so that he would not be removed as a

Chairman of a River Basin Authority.

See the kind of fraud at NIMASA wherein a fashion designer went away with N546million.

See how 15 former governors stole 146.84 billion naira. Mind you, these are the governors that we later elected to serve as senators now and they are there in the hallow Chamber making laws for the country! he y a r e a l l o v e r t h e T parties. They are still holding sway as our governors are still stealing the poor masses dead.

Now they cannot execute projects, they cannot pay salaries of their workers. They cannot provide jobs for the youths who are roaming about the streets looking for jobs that had been shared by the socalled leaders.

Mind you and don’t be surprised that these criminals that we are now parading may eventually be elected in future as our governors, our senators or somebody would dedicate his election victory to a one time criminal such as the Governor of Bayelsa did to Alameseigha, the former governor of the state that looted the state dried.

The point I am making is this; these criminals should be treated under our criminal laws of the country. Enough of these bailable offences that allowed them these undue privileges.

We should be mindful of the evil effects that their misdeeds are having on our nation, on our economy and the future of our youths.

These criminals have eaten forbidden fruits and we are all having serious headache. They do not deserve to be pitied.

Chaining their hands may not be enough. They should be denied all their rights.

What is not good is not good.

We should not give criminality a borrowed name. These people are thieves and they should be treated like common criminals on the street. Their viruses are

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.