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TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2014
VOL. 9. NO.087
Front Page Comment Our own WS (William Shakespeare) of Africa, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Kongi himself, clocked eighty last Sunday. Call him WS, Kongi, Prof or uncle Wole, Professor Wole
Wole Soyinka at 80 Soyinka answers to all these names. As a new baby some eighty years ago the parents of the little Oluwole kinwande didn't know that
a child that would grow up to be the glory of the entire black race had been given to them by the Creator. Born on the 13th of July
1934 to Mr. Samuel Ayodele and Mrs. Grace Eniola Soyinka in Abeokuta little Wole whom the Creator had destined to be an epitome of Continue on pg5
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
N50
IGE
Osun 2014: Danger As PDP Distributes Expired Killer-rice - See Story On Page 2
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from his admirers and supporters during the commissioning of St. Stephen’s ‘B’ Middle School, Modakeke, State of Osun, last Friday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
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Osun 2014: Danger As PDP Distributes Expired Killer-rice By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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gifts of bags of rice from the PDP and its governorship candidate ahead of the gubernatorial election in the state. “Osun citizens should therefore, be warned that their lives are at risk from PDP poisoned rice,” the APC stressed. The party recalled that it had warned citizens earlier
UT of its desperation to be in power at all costs in the State of Osun, not even minding the lives of the electorate, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded plans to bring into the state thousands of bags of expired bags of rice confiscated by the Nigerian Customs and Excise from smugglers for distribution to members of the party and the electorate in the state. Recent intelligence at the medium’s disposal revealed that the party hierarchy in the state with due approval by its governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, have approached the Nigerian Customs officials in Lagos for the transfer of the expired rice to the State of Osun, where the party hopes to distribute it to By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI unsuspecting members of the party and the general HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf public. Aregbesola, on Saturday mocked the Peoples Demo However, competent cratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, sources from the Nigerian for what he described as “reckless and irresponsible conduct Customs and Excise have in the public” also revealed that Aregbesola said Omisore has State indigenes residing in Osun, consignments of those rice are unsuitable for human reduced electoral campaign to who gathered under the auscomedy and chess play, which pices of Oranmiyan Sunshine consumption. Responding to the according to him, is a reflection Movement (OSM) to endorse development, the state of his true character as an the governor for second term at chapter of the All unserious element that has noth- the Nelson Mandela Freedom Progressives Congress ing to offer the people of the Park, Osogbo, the stte capital. Aregbesola, who spoke in (APC) has warned the state. The governor said this while Yoruba language, said “what citizens and residents of the State of Osun to be wary of addressing thousands of Ondo PDP represents is fraud, decep-
of PDP’s chairman’s boast that they will win the election with a bag of rice and, at least, N10,000 to each voter. “However, it was not clear then that what the PDP intended to do was to bring expired rice to repackage and distribute to Osun people. “Osun people are not
hungry and they will not sell their birthrights for stolen public money, which the PDP wants to distribute in towns and villages of Osun. “Those who love their lives should be careful because the PDP will stop at nothing including the distribution of poisoned rice to win election,” the party reiterated.
In a similar development, a tanker of kerosene with several empty 5-litre jerrycans were sighted at the Omisore Campaign headquarters, that serves as President Jonathan Osun Campaign Headquarters and the PDP headquarters, last Sunday, along GbonganOsogbo road, Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo.
Omisore Appears Like A Criminal In Public – Aregbesola •Ondo Senator, Rep, Mobilise Support For Governor
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tion, corruption and violence. If you look at their candidate, he appears like a criminal with his conduct in the public. If not insanity, how would a political party candidate wear Ankara Buba on a lace trousers in the public, holding two cobs of corn and eating them at the same time. Who else can do such if not a criminal? “We are in a well-cultured society, where morality and civility is required to lead and for somebody to think that appearing like a criminal is the best he can offer the people, that alone clearly tells you who they are
and what they represent.” Aregbesola, who said he was born and started his early education in Ondo State, commended the members of OSM for their support and urged them to moblise all the members to vote for APC in the August 9, 2014 governorship election. He said: “I am so impressed with this crowd and the solidarity of Ondo people, but the most important thing is that for those who have collected their permanent voters’ cards, you should keep them and don’t sell them, and those who are yet to collect theirs should go and col-
Aregbesola Distributes Buses To Public Schools By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, added another plus to his administration’s welfare programmes on Friday as he launched 30 new buses for pupils of public schools in the state. Tagged: “Omoluabi Scholar Buses”, the newly-purchased
buses are meant to convey students from their respective
homes to schools and back every school-day. Aregbesola said if the state government’s quest for enduring socio-economic progress is to be achieved, its commitment to education and the future of the children cannot be superficial. The governor said his admin-
istration embarked on this laudable programme because it’s dangerous to play politics with the education of children. He added that the realisation of the importance of education and development of human capacity building prompted his government to create the best possible environment for the development of their total person. The governor described the provision of buses for transporting the pupils as another proof of his administration’s focused attention on education. “The buses we are distributing today for the use of our high school students are another solid proof of the importance and undivided attention of our government’s commitment to education. “With the O’Scholar buses, the culture of punctuality will be further deepened in our students. They will be encouraged to get ready in time for the bus and in so doing, get to school on time. “And while on the bus to or from school, or travelling to and from school events, they will have the time to further bond together, reflect on their works and exchange useful ideas. “One of the unique characteristics of our administration’s programmes is that they ensure the empowerment of the people. This explains why no single household in all of the state is without positive testimonies of the impacts of our programmes on them,” Aregbesola noted. He added that the buses would provide comfort and ease for stu-
dents, parents and create employment for those that will be driving the buses. In her remark, the deputy governor, who is also the State Commissioner for Education, Otunba (Mrs) Grace LaoyeTomorri, noted that the provision of the buses was the demonstration of government’s commitment to quality and qualitative education for the children. She charged the students to make the best use of the buses and maximise the opportunities the buses afford them. The Managing Director of Sterling Bank PLC, represented by Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, Regional Business Executive, South-West (2), said the bank finds it profitable to partner with the state government in providing the buses. Adeyemi noted that Sterling Bank will continue to partner with government in realising its noble programmes. One of the beneficiaries, a student of St. Mark Anglican School, Osogbo, Miss Olatunji Oluwakemi, commended the governor for making education one of his administration’s top priorities. Oluwakemi said Aregbesola’s government has made a lot of impacts such as provision of Opon-Imo, free school feeding, free uniforms, building of ultramodern school buildings, as well as construction of roads. She implored the people of the state to vote wisely by returning Aregbesola to continue his laudable programmes in the state.
lect them at the INEC headquarters.” “As good as we are many here, it is equally important to convert the crowd to votes on August 9 and by God’s grace, we are the winners”. Aregbesola also dismissed the fear of the opposition threats to harass the people with soldiers and police, saying they are meant to protect the citizens and it will be abuse of power for anybody to turn them to political mercenaries. “When we are talking about government, the people are the government. They use our resources to buy uniforms and guns for police and Nigerian Army to ensure peace and development and if they now become political tools, it means they want to destabilize this country because every institution derives his power from the Constitution.” He therefore, urged the people not to fear and be prayerful. Speaking earlier, Senator Borofice Ajayi from Ondo State, described Aregbesola as a honest, hardworking and focused leader, who dedicates his time and energy to the service of the people. He said the governor is exceptional in character and performance and urged all the indigenes of Ondo State residing in Osun to vote for the governor to continue the good work. Also, the facilitator of OSM, Honourable Abegunde Ifedayo Abena, representing Akure North and South in the House of Representatives, urged the people not to be intimidated with huge presence of the security agents and report “voter’s cards dealers to the police. He urged the people to vote and stand by their votes, saying what the people could do to appreciate what Aregbesola has done is to re-elect him for a second term. Chairman of OSM, Mr Sunday Elijah and its coordinator, Saka Lawal, assured the governor that they would not relent in mobilsing Ondo indigenes in the urban centres and villages to vote for the governor on August 9. Dignitaries at the ceremony included the deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace LaoyeTomori, Honourable Lasun Yusuf, Dr Taye Maumi among others.
Aregbesola’s Administration, Backbone Of Development - Cleric By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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HE Board of Ministers and Elders of Christ Apostolic Church, Gbonmi District Headquarters, Osogbo, has described the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the wheel and backbone of development in the state. This disclosure was made by Evangelist ‘Wale Opadele, during a Sunday Service programme attended by members of the State Executive Council in the church. According to the cleric, the church acknowledged the brilliant, visionary, tireless, dogged and hardworking governor of the state. In his words: “We would like to describe Ogbeni
Aregbesola as the pivot of truth, pillar of initiatives, the mover and shaker of development, the backbone of development. “No adjective is too much to describe the quintessential governor.” He recalled that the church was able to serve God weekly because the present administration dredged the Okooko River, which had
almost swept away the church and neglected by the previous administration. “It is by divine providence and the efforts of your administration that we are comfortably seated in this auditorium to worship today. “May be we would have been worshipping on the open field by now. The dredging was done not once, not twice but repeatedly at every rainy season”, Opadele asserted. The cleric noted that various life-impacting policies and programmes of the administration deserve commendation.
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Jubilation, Excitements As Aregbesola Commissions New Schools In Ede, Ilesa, Modakeke, Ikirun, Iragbiji, Ila By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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N fulfillment of his promise to promote functional educa tion, governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday, commenced mass commissioning of the ultra-modern model schools built across the state. The government of the State thousands. of Osun on Thursday officially The elated parents defied the commissioned the Local Au- downpour to witness the epthority Elementary school, och-making commissioning Obada, Ede amidst celebration, event of the new school, which as parents, guardians and pu- has the capacity to accommopils thronged the venue in their date 1,000 pupils with 25 class-
rooms, one large exam hall, 16 toilets, one audio-visual room, and recreation facilities among others. Addressing the gathering in Ede during the commissioning, Aregbesola described the commissioning as a celebration of good things to come to the state in the education sector. He expressed happiness that God has used his administration
to impact positively in the state education sector despite not being the first governor of the state, while describing the rebuilding of public school buildings in the state as a vision from God. The governor noted that parents and kids alike in the state should be rest assured of a positive future because the present administration is determined to
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Founder, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Mountain of Mercy, Orile-Agege, Lagos, Pastor Elijah Ajayi (left) and Senior Pastor, CAC Mountain of Mercy, Harrisburg, USA, Pastor Sunday Ajayi (right), during a solidarity visit to the governor at the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Saturday.
continue to lay a solid foundation for generations yet unborn. He then congratulated the people of Ede and environs, saying the new schools and more to come would serve as a catalyst for development for the people of Ede and surrounding towns. He said: “This commissioning is capable of marking a positive turn-around for education in our state and we shall continue to strive for things to get better for our children. “I am delighted for the students that will use this facility now and those that will use it in future because we now have a very good education facility that can stand the test of time. “I am happy that God has used our administration to achieve this despite the fact that our administration is not the first in the state.” Also on Friday, the governor commissioned St. Stephen’s ‘B’ Middle School in Modakeke and the Local Authority Elementary school, Imo, Ilesa. The ancient cities were thrown into jubilation, as pupils and parents thronged the streets, singing and dancing to welcome the governor. The school, which has the capacity to accommodate 1,000 students, has 25 classrooms, 16 toilets, one large hall, audio visual room, dinning room among others. Speaking, Governor Aregbesola reiterated the commitment of his administration to improve education and promised not to spare any effort to achieve functional education. He maintained that his administration remains committed to the mission of creating a total human being that can compete with his peers from any-
APC Petitions Police IG Over Threat To Members’ Lives By PDP By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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Mr Sunday Ojo WillIiams in Imesi-Ile, Otan-Ile, Iponda, Ilare, and Idominasi, as well as the abduction of one Olamikun Olubi by another PDP leader, Mr Francis Fadahunsi through his thugs, among who were Kehinde Olorunda, Gbenga Omoseebi and one Adeboye Sanni, identified as a serving Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) member. The petition also alleged that an APC member, one Fatai Lasisi, narrowly escaped gunshot by Fadahunsi’s thugs, led by one Kola Oguntade on
HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijesha North Federal Constituency of the State of Osun has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over harassment of its members and illegal possession of voters’ cards by some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The petition signed by the APC members in Ward 5, Chairman, Legal Committee of Obokun Local Government the APC Campaign Committee Council Area, saying that the in Ijesa-North for the re- cases have been killed inspite election of Governor Rauf the evidences implicating the Aregbesola, said inspite of perpetrators of the acts. It also mentioned the several reports that have been made on the matters, the police destruction of Governor Rauf authority has not been ensuring Aregbesola’s billboards, sponsored by a PDP leader, justice. It reads: “It will interest you to discern that in Obokun Local Government Council Area, we have a number of reported cases by our members at Ibokun Divisional Police Station and most of them were By ISMAEEL UTHMAN transferred to Osun Police Command in Osogbo, but HE governorship candidate of the National regrettably, all the cases were Conscience Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, swept under the carpet, Comrade Olanrewaju Afolayanka, has called on despite repeated warnings through various petitions to the international communities to observe the election process State Commissioner of Police. on August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state. “It will further interest you Afolayanka urged the checkmate undue influence to state that for record international community to of the presidency and what purposes and for posterity have keen interest and pay he described as illicit act of judgement on the police role in adequate attention to the some political parties that are the continuous assault metted already seducing the out on APC members by the election, saying that some electorate before the election forces and ‘power that be’ PDP members, in a desperate date. bid to hijack power at the state in Nigeria have been making He spoke on Sunday while level, the complaints include moves to disregard the will meeting representatives of of the people and impose and are not limited to threat to life and unlwaful possession of their candidate on the some Non-Governmental Organisations and pressure electorate. voters’ cards,” it stressed. The petition singled out the According to groups in Osogbo, to solicit complaints of the APC against Afolayanka, the their supports for his one Mrs Alice Gbadebo, a PDP observation of the governorship ambition. Afoloyanka reiterated that member, who was in unlawful international community possession of seven voters’ became imperative to the international community cards and the alleged atttack on needed to observe the
July 9, in Olorunda Community of Obokun Local Government Council Area, noting that Fadahunsi has again physically been threatening to kill one Ogunwuyi Babatunde, an APC leader and Agboola Olayemi, APC Secretary in Olorunda. The APC wondered why the police is treating the matter with kid’s gloves inspite of several reports that have been made by the party in police stations. The party then demanded the immediate deployment of the Ibokun Divisional Police
Officer (DPO), whom, it described, as a stooge of Francis Fadahunsi, constitute a special impartial team to investigate the allegations and prosecute the culprits; and guarantee the protection of all indigenes and residents of the areas, irrespctive of party affiliations, especially those that are being threatened. While reiterating its commitment to always support the police in the performance of its duties, the party requested that justice should be done to all without fear or favour.
where in the world. The governor, who explained that St. Francis Elementary School, also in Modakeke, would soon be commissioned, also announced to the delight of the gathering that the palace, which has been in a bad condition, would soon be rehabilitated, while also promising to construct a modern market for the town. “The money being spent and all our efforts on education are aimed at making education attractive to our children and thereby make them to be brilliant and compete with their peers from all over the world. “I am using this opportunity to appeal to our students to make use of the various opportunities we are providing for them to make their lives something we can rely on in the future. “All our efforts on you are to secure the future of our state and we don’t want you to disappoint us.” “We shall continue to work to make life better for our people. I want the people of Modakeke to ensure that they use their votes wisely on August 9 and vote for a leader that can guarantee their future,” the governor stressed. The State Deputy Governor, who is also the State Commissioner for Education, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, explained that education is the bedrock of any society and should be taken seriously, which is the more reason the present administration is committed to functional education. She said: “For Osun, education is on top of our agenda and it will continue to remain on top because we are determined to continue to give the best we can. Education is our own industry in this state and we will not relent to give the best to our students.” In a goodwill message, the obviously excited Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Francis Adedoyin, commended Aregbesola for what he described as wonder of a school. The monarch said he was well-pleased with what he saw, saying the governor has performed excellently in the first term of his administration, while calling on the people of the state to continue to support the governor. Also on Saturday, the governor commissioned NUD Middle School, Iragbiji, Holy Trinity Middle School, Ikirun and St. Justin Middle School, Ila-Orangun.
Osun 2014: NCP Candidate Wants International Community To Observe Election Processes
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electioneering campaign of each and every governorship candidate in the state, the preparation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body language of the Presidency and the activities of the security agencies ahead of the election. The NCP candidate said that his call came on the heel of the information at the disposal of his party that the presidency was ready to spend N28 billion to capture Osun for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, as it did for Governor-elect Ayodele Fayose in Ekiti State election.
Afolayanka stated that the international community needed to caution the presidency against eroding the value and tenets of democracy by seducing the electorate with rice and cash, saying that such step would outrightly weaken the morale of the candidates that have less to spend. He also urged INEC to go back to the era of checkmating the spendings of candidate for election, with a view to sanctioning any candidate that had spent beyond stipulated amount for the governorship election. The Iree-born politician maintained that the cost of electioneering in Nigerian presently is exorbitant to
the extent that candidates that have no financial wherewithal, when compared to other candidates of major political parties, would already accept defeat before the election. Afolayanka, however, warned that any attempt to rig the forthcoming governorship election in the State of Osun would lead to violence, saying that the electorate are prepared to resist electoral malpractices and interference of the presidency on the election. He also warned the presidency against deploying soldiers to the state during the election period, saying that such step was meant to intimidate the voters and create and environment for ‘technical rigging.’
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Wole Soyinka at 80 recognition of his literary erudition. This was in 1986.
Continued fom pg1 knowledge and who would also assume a larger-than-life image in life started his elementary education at St. Peters Primary School, Abeokuta. Thereafter Soyinka attended Abeokuta Grammar School where he won series of awards in essay competitions. He moved from there to the Government College, Ibadan from where he proceeded to the University College, Ibadan and in 1954 Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka proceeded to University of Leeds, London, where he bagged Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons). A Professor of Literature, Wole Soyinka is not just an ordinary writer. He is the indisputable enigmatic writer of the African continent and this is why he happens to be the first African to be awarded the highest literary prize in Literature (Nobel Laureate) in
Wole Soyinka's literary erudition cuts across all genres of literature viz; prose, drama and poetry. As a prolific writer he has written many books in all the aforementioned categories. Soyinka is no doubt a man of deep knowledge which makes him to be highly revered both in Africa and the whole world. But Soyinka isn't just a writer. He is a writer cum activist as he doesn't belong to the category of writers who only write against the ills in their society but lack the courage to speak out. Soyinka convincingly believes that 'the man died in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny'. For this he has for years been involved in political activism; speaking against tyrannical governments not only in Nigeria but across Africa. Soyinka's voice is the vociferous one against bad government, corrupt leadership, misgovernance, abuse of power, military dictatorship and civilian excessiveness that have
defined governance in Nigeria, nay, Africa. And in defense of his belief he has faced persecutions including imprisonment and having death sentence proclaimed on his person making him to go on exile for years. We are happy for Kongi that in spite of all he had faced in life especially the persecutions that have been meted out to him by different power drunk authorities in the country in the course of fighting for, and defending what he believes in he still lives this far while he is hale and hearty still. This confirms the general belief that he is an enigma. We cannot write about Soyinka without mentioning the cultural aspect of him as any talk or writing about him will be incomplete without a mention of this aspect of his life. One thing that always strike people about him is that even in spite of his level of education, exposure and enlightenment Professor Soyinka is a man of culture to the core. He has a lot of respect for African culture and traditions and this reflects in most of his writings.
Now That Osun Election Is Near
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ERMIT me a space in your highly-read newspaper to share my views on my take as per the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the State of Osun. Without any bias, I am a man who believe in the goals of democracy and the benefits of dwelling in a democratic environment. To me, the worst d e m o c r a t i c administration is far better that the best of military regimes. The governorship election in Osun is set for Saturday, August 9, 2014 and the gladiators are battle set for that day. However, the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be seen to be very impartial. In recent times, especially after the
maturity and let the people of Osun decide, instead of coercing them to. Security personnel should be deployed, but not as if Osun is in a state of emergency because we are not under any and we are always peaceloving at all times. August 9, 2014 would come and pass but Osun and Nigeria would ever remain. We, the citizens of Osun, are wise and we know who we want and would vote for our choice candidate in a free and fair to all and the winner security operatives to the fair election, but nobody duly-announced, but my North-East part of the should force us at the fear is that the Goodluck country against the point of the barrel of a Jonathan-led Federal rampaging Boko Haram gun to vote for the wrong Government cannot do insurgents, but just for a person. Long live, Osun! without poke-nosing into day election, they could the election. amass such a huge force. •OLATUNBOSUN If GEJ wants to be fair, I know the Federal OLAYINKA, Isale he should allow INEC to Government has a Aro, Osogbo, State of be the impartial umpire candidate in the election, Osun. that it was created to be. but it should display Anambra election, the credibility that INEC gathered from the 2011 general elections eroded and many people wanted to hang its Chairman; Professor Attahiru Jega by his skin. The fast-approaching governorship election in Osun must be seen to be
Again is the issue of militarising Osun. 36,000 security operatives were deployed to Ekiti during the election on June 21, 2014 and I asked myself, ‘for what?’ The same Federal Government couldn’t deploy such a mass of
Fearless, brave and outspoken Soyinka is the type who doesn't hesitate to say the truth when the need be irrespective of whose ox is gored. This quality has endeared him to a lot of people. No doubt Soyinka is the quintessential role model for millions of people not only in this country but in Africa and the world as a whole. For our country to attain its predestined glory we need to respect and practice those lofty ideals that Soyinka represents. Otherwise we will continue in this situation of motion without movement. As this erudite scholar who is also the Board Chairman, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) in our own state of the Virtuous here, celebrates 80th, we at Osun Defender are happy to identify with him on this great occasion and we wholeheartedly wish him more years of good health on planet earth.
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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com
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Politics OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Aregbesola On The March Again
Our Votes Must Count! Like in the twinkling of an eye, the seventh in the series of mega rallies put together by the State of Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to drum up support for the re-election into office of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the forthcoming gubernatorial election has come and gone. That edition of the programme, which was recently held for Ijesa-South Federal Constituency recorded a huge success. Part of the unique resolutions unanimously passed at the event is the creed that one good term deserves another. NIYI OLASINDE brings out this and other unique features that stood the rally out as truly representative of the yearnings and aspiration of the people of the Ijesa-South Federal Constituency, and of the State of Osun by extension.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from a mammoth crowd of Aregbesola’s supporters during his re-election campaign mega rally in Ijesa-South Federal Constituency, held in Ilesa, State of Osun, recently.
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MAGAZINE
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Our Votes Must Count!
•• •First civilian governor, State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (top left), addressing the crowd, during Aregbesola’s re-election campaign mega rally in Ijesa-South Federal Constituency, Ilesa, State of Osun, recently. Contiuned from page 5
A
LL the beauties and wonders of this campaign season are unfolding by and by. “Nothing lasts forever”, thus runs the old maxim. Whether it is liked or not, the period of election campaign will not last forever. It is a sweeping moment; a passing phase, which naturally comes and goes! But it matters a great deal what is packaged into the moments; and what actually takes place in them. Due to the eventful, historical moments of programmes which the State of Osun Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine has lots to document. While some other parties idle their time away on false pretences and spurious, futile efforts, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken the bull by the horns; facing the realities of electoral contests anywhere that democracy is held in high esteem. As far as the State of Osun is concerned, the ruling party is ahead of others with more than just one step. There are many grounds to justify this claim. The first fact is that unlike the leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where political processes, which form one of the integral bedrocks of democracy ire rubbished, they find full expression in the camp of the progressives. No wonder why the chapter of the party in a nearby state where the parry has just been embraced confesses that “It’s Good Here!” This confession is not a statement made in abstraction. Democracy is firmly rooted in the midst of progressives. The emergence of Ogbeni as the flag bearer of the party since the days of its existence as Action Congress (AC) proves this fact beyond doubts. It was not by imposition that Aregbesola became the collective Symbol of the party and of the people by extension. Even now, after he had served the state as Chief Executive for four years running, the manner of emergence of Aregbesola as candidate for another term in office followed due process encapsulated in the constitution of any party that is truly democratic. Not only that, the party towed the line to the letters. Party congresses and primaries were held and a unanimous adoption, devoid of any kangaroo arrangement prevailed. As proof that the adoption was truly unanimous, there had not been disagreements or dissents following the choice. In some other parties, same process of choice had become elusive. Even though they parade democracy in name, they are distances away from towing the lines of its ideology. All their policies, programmes and operation present a far cry from doctrines of democracy. The manner of emergence of their candidate is worse than imposition by a powerful caucus. It was a matter of self-imposition. Omisore defied all sanity when he edged all other co-contenders out of the way and lorded himself over as the only person who qualifies for the job. He corrupted their party hierarchy from the basest grassroots to the topmost echelon; giving the false impression that he was being yearned for. Today, the forceful self-imposition is yielding dividends that are far from being positive. Experiences at their regular campaigns and those at other informal setting speak clearly that the candidate is a bad product to market. The candidate is the worst that any party could present – a product design too bad for a marketer to package, re-package and offer for acceptance. It is the way one starts an enterprise that he would continue. Similarly, charity begins at home. It is the same attitude of gross disregard for party internal democracy that reigns supreme in his party that Omisore extends to the public. His campaign approach carries the ambience of force. The campaigns themselves are makebelieve. They constitute public disturbances right from their takeoff point at Ogo-Oluwa. At their appointed destinations, people ignore the campaign grounds for various obvious reasons. While some believe that you hardly attend a PDP rally without sustaining one shade of injury or loss; others believe that the scars of such injuries or losses outstrip their initial sizes.
In spite of the fact that those make-believe campaigns are grounds for distributing several forms of gifts intended to deceive and manipulate the choice pattern of voters; voters still avoid such arenas like contagious diseases. Why? The reasons are not far-fetched. While some are of the belief that there is a note of fetishism attached to gifts such distributed by the PDP – Omisore for that matter; a greater number find it a slap on their human dignities and personalities for their consciences to be bought over with food items or money. It is contradictory and a show of sense of inconsistency that the same Omisore and his party that criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Aregbesola administration over the Osun Elementary Schools Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS) which feeds our school children at Elementary staged One to Four free-of-charge on daily basis that now knows how to dole out food and money to adults in order to buy their conscience and votes. Their arguments prior to this time had been that the feeding programme of the incumbent administration spells slight on the respective parents on their abilities to feed their wards through school. There exists another cross section who avoids Omisore’s campaign arenas for reasons associated with his dearth of ideologies. Omisore, they say has nothing to offer. As a matter of fact, his entire speeches anywhere centres on casting aspersion on Aregbesola and his administration. He is found either condemning this or that programme, policy or project without stating clearly what exactly he has in stock. Once I overheard a group of people discussing this issue. They contend that Omisore is an aspirant who owes no promise to anyone and who eventually will not be disposed to fulfill any. According to them, the only promise Omisore ever made to anyone during this contest was made to his listeners at Ifon-Orolu. There he was quoted as promising to increase the people’s average intake of fufu meal from one wrap per meal to ten. What a promise! The recent public disturbances constituted by Omisore and his campaign apparatus speak volumes of the kind of government to expect, should such a person gain access to the political power sought for. The administration would be lawless, oppressive, wasteful, planless and above all, life-threatening. The way they held the people of Osogbo, the state capital hostage for several days for the mere fact that they were expecting Fayose, the governor-elect of Ekiti, portrays them as irresponsible bunch. After all, Fayose was being expected to come and teach them God knows what? The lawless campaign apparatus and their paymaster blocked our roads indiscriminately and drove round city recklessly; violating all sane traffic rules thereby! The huge presence of police and other uniformed security apparatus and the endless routine search on vehicles are quite irritating. It portrays the peak of lawlessness over the expected visit of someone who had just won an election and was yet to be sworn in as governor. It shows that it was probably the same force of arms that prevailed over the Ekiti election and its results. It is unfortunate and paradoxical that the likes of Omisore should be demanding for medical documents stating the mental status of Aregbesola. Events unfolding so far have proven it beyond doubts that Omisore is the one whose head needs psychiatric examination. He and the powers he represents are clearly the misfortune of this generation. They have to be prevented from gaining political power here, lest the taints of their malady become perpetuated to the next generation. Be that as it may, other more important issues are at hand for dissecting in this edition. WHEN the pendulum of the series of mega rallies packaged into this election season swung in the direction of the Ede Federal Constituency of the state penultimate Tuesday; it became more prominently etched in gold that the wishes and desires of the people of the State of Osun to have Aregbesola retained for the
job is irrepressible. This is judging from the massive turnout recorded at that rally and the collective and unanimous clamour for “one man / woman; one vote”. If it has never done before, surely, the people’s votes must count this time around. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state had embarked in an all-embracing, broad-based grassroots mobilization, involving campaign rallies at constituency, local government as well as the basest of grassroots levels to educate enlighten and create awareness to residents, voters in particular, on the larger-than-life need not to allow the accelerated rate of progress being currently witnessed in the state crash into retrogression by a careless slip of its baton of leadership into the hands of a bunch of self-seeking avaricious hijackers. This process of mobilization has continued since late May. This time around it became the turn of Ede Federal Constituency, comprising four local government council areas to receive the election campaign team of Ogbeni. The local government council areas involved are Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo – all of which are components of the Osun West Senatorial District. As the campaign efforts ushering in the elections come to an end, this latest rally held in Ede marked the last of its kind to be held in that senatorial district. Two earlier ones had been held in Ikire and Iwo. However, another extra rally has been fixed for Ejigbo as at the time of filing this report. The Ejigbo Mega Rally, slated for Monday, July 21, 2014 shall be the ninth in the series. By implication, there remains at least one more campaign to be held at Osogbo, the state capital. At that last rally, the ceremonial handing-over of party flag to the standard bearer shall be done, and as such, all shall be set to usher in the polls for the party. In similar reports on the duo of Ikire and Iwo rallies, the importance and gravity of the entire areas under consideration had been underscored. The same points are here advanced for Ede, being a sub-set of the same area. Part of the added significance of this constituency to the coverage and spread of campaign messages in particular is the fact that it is one of the few federal constituencies in the state with a total of four local governments. There are other uniqueness with the area and its component councils which may be too voluminous for the purview and space of this discourse. This is not to preclude the equal importance of all other areas and council areas in the state. It is just an attempt at bringing out the uniqueness of each of the areas and local councils as the turn of campaign rallies swing on them. The Ede Mega Rally unfolded a promise fulfilled. In similar reports carried on earlier-held rallies, it had been disclosed continually how the political arrow-head of the area, one-time senator of the Federal Republic and the first civilian governor of the state, Otunba Senator Isiaka Adeleke had coveted the tumultuous crowd that greeted the occasions and how he assured the surging crowd that the Ede event would outweigh in its crowdpulling effect and eventual votes cast for the Symbol of the liberation of Osun. As far as we have seen, the crowd at Ede did not disappoint; neither did it betray the trust of the political enigma. It was a crowd that was so impressive that it became the talk of everyone that mattered; by that I mean, everyone who spoke at the occasion. Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo had seen longer days than all speakers at the event. Also, his political experience that had spanned several decades outstripped what most of the other attendees could claim to have garnered. The former university don was the Second Republic civilian governor of the old Oyo State between October 1, 1983 and December 31 same year. His hoary hairs spoke volumes of his advanced age and vast view on life. The time he last governed old Oyo State is now put at about thirty-two years ago! That length of time alone surpassed the entire years of experience of some put together. In spite of these rich antecedents, Baba Olunloyo spoke at
Contiuned on page 11
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
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Commissioning Of St. Stephen’s ‘B’ Middle School, Modakeke, State Of Osun, By Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. Governor Of The State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Last Friday.
•(L-R) Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Francis Adetunji Adedoyin during the commissioning of St. Stephen’s ‘B’ Middle School, Modakeke, State of Osun, last Friday.
•The newly-commissioned Ultra-modern School building of St. Stephen’s ‘B’ Middle School, Modakeke, State of Osun.
•Governor Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from his supporters in Modakeke during the commissioning.
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
PHOTOTALK
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State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Commissioned And Distributed Omoluabi Scholar Buses To All Public Schools In The State, At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Last Friday.
•(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, Osun Schools’ Infrastructure Development Committee, Otunba Lai Oyeduntan; Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Dr Dauda Yinusa and other dignitaries, during the commissioning of Omoluabi scholar buses in Osogbo last Friday.
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•A cross section of the newly-commissioned Omoluabi scholar buses
•Governor Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from his supporters, during the commissioning of the Omoluabi scholar buses.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Commissioned And Distributed Omoluabi Scholar Buses To All Public Schools In The State, At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Last Friday.
•Enthusiastic pupils of Osun public schools showing their acceptance of the Omoluabi scholar buses to be distributed to all public schools.
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•Governor Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from public school pupils and his supporters during the commissioning of the Omoluabi scholar buses in Osogbo, last Friday.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Oranmiyan Sunshine Movement (OSM), The Umbrella Body Of Ondo State Indigenes Living In The State Of Osun, Endorsed Governor Rauf Aregbesola For Second Term Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. In Office At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Last Saturday.
• •(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Ajayi Boroffice and Honourable Ifedayo Abegunde during the programme.
•Governor Aregbesola (with mic left), addressing a mammoth crowd of OSM members during the programme.
•OSM members endorsing Governor Aregbesola and his deputy, Otunba Laoye-Tomori for second term in office on the occasion.
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
MAGAZINE
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Our Votes Must Count! Contiuned from page 6
length on the impressive size and prolific quality of the crowd. He used the crowd at that single convergence as affirmative confirmation of all he had heard and read about the giant strides of Aregbesola. He went further in his assessment that Aregbesola is today rated as one of the most impactful administrators among political office holders of this time – the kind which elders of his calibre pray to have spread all over the landscape so that the good work could continue. Baba’s speech at that occasion meant a lot to the credibility of our collective advocacy. It added credence to it that we have on hand a noble cause. Thank God for the life of Chief Dr. Olunloyo. The Ede Mega Rally demonstrated the profound love the people of that area have for; and the great respect they wield toward Aregbesola and his team. It also showed their profound appreciation for the good gestures of Ogbeni to the people in less than four years. Everywhere in the ancient town was replete with positive things to show for the administration’s magnanimity. This included the venue of the big event – Seventh Day Adventist High School – which new magnificent edifice is under construction. The gathering also put into silence the tongue-wagging of some politicians in the camp of the conservatives who are also indigenes of the town; and who had been seen bragging about that they had weight more than Senator Adeleke. It now becomes unreasonable to doubt the fact that Ede has massive support for Adeleke and any cause he stands for. One good lesson from Adeleke and Aregbesola is that one should play his part well if given the rare privilege to serve. Adeleke held the surging crowd in spell-bound silence as he rolled out his past and present achievements in the community. This is not to talk of what he did in the positive in his days as governor of the state. Also, the local organizing committee, the Aregbesola Second Term Campaign Committee for the federal constituency did an excellent job. Anyway, nothing less should be expected when the chairman of the committee is none less than a seasoned politician, grassroots mobilizer and the current Speaker of the State of Osun legislative arm of government, Right Honourable Najeem Salaam. The turnout at the event spoke loudly of the professional touch that went into the mobilization. The people of the four local government areas were largely represented at the event. Their admiration for the governor was rapturous. Their responses to slogans and questions were roaring and overwhelming. No hired crowd could be so relevant, apt and practically responsive. The earlier stop-over by the governor and his train at the palace of the monarch of the town, the Timi of Ede spoke of real acceptance by the people of the area. The royal fathers, traditional rulers, chiefs and community leaders in the entire area had converged on the ancient palace of the Timi of Ede to bid the governor a deserving welcome. The royal host, His Royal Highness, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I was on the throne to receive all. It was a commendation galore for the campaign train as they gave appreciation to the governor for how wondrously he had impacted the lives of the people of the area in particular and the state in general. The Obas took turns to praise the virtues of the governor; just as they wished him well and prayed for utmost success in his bid to return as governor for second term in office. Speaking at the palace, Aregbesola as usual intimated the royal fathers with the purpose behind the visit. He formally intimated them with his desire to recontest the governorship seat in the approaching elections, promising not to fail them, as his performances in the next dispensation would be superlative, compared to established grounds in his first tenure. Governor Aregbesola thanked the people for their massive support which had made his mandate a reality. The governor used the opportunity of the visit to the palace of Timi of Ede to debunk the rumour making the rounds that he had disdain for the people and matters pertaining to them. The governor then started to cite the laudable projects and programmes which his administration had put in place in Ede and the entire area. As a matter of fact, no one could so meaningfully impact on the lives of the people he loathes or hates. The achievements ranged from road infrastructure, through airport project, to
education, health, agricultural rejuvenation and all other subsectors. At the palace of the monarch, an intimidating crowd awaited the arrival of the governor. This did not include the mammoth crowd that greeted him all the way to the ancient town. Upon entering Ede, it appeared that the crowd multiplied itself in the semblance of the power of multiplication demonstrated by Jesus Christ in one of His miracles. The crowd simply settled on Ede and dotted all its access roads and streets to welcome their man, Aregbesola into their midst. The atmosphere was charging all along. From Oja Timi to the Seventh Day Adventist High School venue of the big meet, it was a rapturous crowd that regrouped to greet and accompany Governor Aregbesola to the venue. As the much slowed-down journey progressed, the crowd increased in leap and bounds. It was as if the multitude of all nations had a deal to strike in Ede on that day. All roads narrowed down under the impact. The experience was electrifying. The spacious and auspicious premises of Seventh Day Adventist High School shrank more and more under the pressure of the crowd. In spite of its pressing nature, the people were still much jubilant, as they attempted to outdo one another in hailing the man of the people. The long wait mattered nothing to them. The boredom and drudgery were flung overboard. Weather uncertainties were defied. All sorts of groups usually identified with campaign rallies of such crescendo and gravity made appearance. I imagined taking an aerial view of the events of the day, probably, just landing from another planet. Then, what I would have figured out was that I was landing on a planet of brooms. People brandished brooms of many giant sizes. Governor Aregbesola was not left out. He brandished his broom as if the effect reshuffled the crowd with renewed strength. On the people’s part, the response was vehement. It is wonderful that someone could attract that large crowd at just one occasion. As Aregbesola aptly reasoned it out, it takes God to gather such number of people and keep them waiting for an indefinite period. The programme of events had already kicked-off at the venue. It was the turn of the State of Osun Acting Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) to address the crowd when the governor arrived. The time of day was about 3:06 p.m. The arrival caused another round of festivity, as brooms were wielded in exchange with same gesture from the governor. Prior to the great arrival, speaker after speaker had taken turns to address the people. Dignitaries including members of the State of Osun Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, federal legislators from the state, party hierarchy, supporters, friends and admirers of the party and the state had been on ground at the venue. The great Fuji entertainment maestro had been on ground to add colour and glamour to the occasion. That is talking of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (K1). He sang beautiful numbers eulogizing the good qualities of Aregbesola and his administration. After exchange of pleasantries, it was time for the events proper to kick-off. After the singing of the National and State of Osun anthems back-to-back, events were started. Introduction of dignitaries and guests took the central stage. Thereafter, speeches began to be made. The first to speak was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who doubled as the Chief Host at the event, Honourable Najeem Salaam. He welcomed all and sundry to the occasion. He then assured the governor and dignitaries of the rallying support of the constituents for the second term bid; which would be translated to massive votes on the d-day that is August 9. Salaam then went ahead to tongue-lash the antics of lies and deceits embarked upon by the opposition. He took the rumours of lies and deceit one after the other, debunking them with all strength of logicality. He cautioned the people on the decoy of all opposition parties of baiting the constituency with second fiddle, stressing that the real mandate that can bring immense benefit their way is the Aregbesola mandate. He unequivocally declared that Ede Federal Constituency is for Aregbesola; and promised the people’s resolve to do it again
for the enigma of good governance by polling massively for him on the Election Day. He rounded off his speech with the song “Won nle’ri, won l’awon fe gba ‘joba…”; a song which the crowd sang and danced to with electrifying interest. In the words of the State of Osun Interim Chairman of the party, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, he thanked all groups and sectors for their support. He then cautioned the people against being threatened on the Election Day by the strong presence of security operatives, saying that it was only for the purpose of maintaining law and order. He concluded by suing them to poll their votes massively for the man of the moment, assuring them that victory is certain. The former governor of the old Oyo State spoke next. He commended Governor Aregbesola for being obviously the last man standing with the undiluted ethos and philosophy of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He appreciated the support accorded the administration by the people of the state, charging them not to allow their mandate to be swindled as the case was few weeks back in nearby Ekiti State. Former governor of the state, Otunba Isiaka Adeleke gave detailed erudition on antecedents of democratic growth and development of the state and the area, his imprints on development during his brief period of administering the state and debunked all deceits and deception propagated by pathological liars about his role in recent times. It was an attestation of consummate approval that greeted his list of achievements as he read them one after another. He then announced ongoing efforts by the incumbent administration at revamping the Ede Cocoa Industry, under the reconstituted headship of an Ede indigene, Mr. Wale Adeeyo, who is currently on a trip to China to acquire equipment for operations at the industry. According to Adeleke, the resolve of the administration in taking this bold step was to generate more employment opportunities for indigenes of the state as a means of empowerment. He sounded a note of caution on the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to be deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad hoc staff for electoral duties, on why they should not compromise to distort election facts and figures. Lastly, as an experienced security operative in the United States, he cautioned other conventional security operatives to refuse unlawful orders as may be issued to them by their superiors. It was a pin-drop silence that prevailed at the venue while the ex-governor’s speech lasted. He enunciated his achievements to include the granting of a federal constituency for the area, which we now fondly refer to as Ede Federal Constituency. Not only that, his pioneering role in the establishment of Federal Polytechnic, Ede cannot be overemphasized. His visit to the president of the time, President Ibrahim Babangida activated the very first in the pioneering effort, which produced the instant release of the first subvention for the institution to take off and which translated into the appointment of the late Dr. Bamgbose (now deceased) as the pioneering Rector of the institution. He went further to recount how his visionary leadership qualities made indigenes of Ede and those of its adjoining communities proud employees under the employ of the Government of the State of Osun. Those beneficiaries of over twenty years ago have now prominently risen to become permanent secretaries, directors and proud occupiers of positions in the higher echelon of the state’s civil / public service. On the issue of Ede land acquisition by the State Government of Osun, the rumour surrounding which was being peddled round by the opposition to score cheap political goal, Adeleke cleared the dust by reminding the people that it was during the time of the immediate past administration in the state, under which the town’s indigene, who is now Omisore’s running mate, Honourable Rauf Adejare Bello was the Speaker of the Parliament. It therefore constitutes distortion of facts to attribute the acquisition to the administration of Aregbesola. He however announced that he had had the governor’s troth that upon his second coming, the disputed land would be returned and named Agbale Estate. Adeleke enumerated the massive employment intervention initiatives he facilitated into the area and the state by extension. He mentioned Adeleke Farms, Adeleke Babes (football club),
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•(L-R) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun at Owa’s Palace during Governor Aregbesola’s homage payment to Oba Aromolaran on his way to his 2014 re-election mega rally in Ilesa State of Osun, recently.
MAGAZINE
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
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Our Votes Must Count!
•(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; first civilian governor in the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, at the Ilesa APC mega rally, recently. Continued from page 11 Pacific Investments and the broad-based scholarship scheme that he bank-rolls on yearly basis. He did not forget to highlight the materials of empowerment which he distributed to various classes of professionals and artisans during his four-year tenure as distinguished senator of the Federal Republic. According to him, his dispensation of democracy dividends for a period of three years gulped an amount in excess of N3 billion. His borehole projects in the area numbered up to twenty-six; while his hospital project in Alajue is just one in many. His numerous schools construction and renovation schemes in the area did not leave the Federal Polytechnic, Ede site untouched. There and then, the erstwhile governor announced that the scholarship scheme for the 2014 /2015 Academic year would be in full swing the following week; and that the scheme would be extended to 10 beneficiaries in each ward. INALLY, it was a highly elated Governor Aregbesola who mounted the podium to speak. He appreciated all attendees for gracing the event. He went ahead to list his achievements in three-and-a-half years which had outstripped what his contemporaries usually parade in two terms of eight years. He challenged the opposition on the woeful state of the federation. He cited specific states of the federation where youth crimes, kidnap, armed robbery and other forms of brigandage are order of the day. That sad trend does not spare the home front of the sitting President Jonathan, who hailed from Bayelsa State. He also challenged Omisore, the candidate of the leading opposition party in the state to point to his concrete achievements in his Senatorial District while his eight-year period at the Senate lasted. Further, the governor cautioned the people on the need for extra vigilance. He warned against the danger of selling their voters’ cards for ephemeral gains and urged those who were yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to collect them in order to be eligible to vote. He then unraveled his double-double package for the constituency after being sworn in for second term on November 27. However, he promised that all ongoing projects would be completed before the current year runs out. Governor Aregbesola then took count of his achievements for the constituency during his first term in office to include massive road infrastructure, care of the old and widows, the State of Osun Elementary Schools Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS) and the worldwide-acclaimed Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES). As an instance of his incontrovertible giant strides in the area of education, the high school which hosted the mammoth crowd on that occasion is a project site of school’s reconstruction. The project on that site had reached an advanced stage. Governor Aregbesola referred the audience who were in haste to fully appreciate the structure being erected at that spot to visit Ejigbo, where a similar project had already been completed. Specifically, Aregbesola pointed out his achievements, cutting across several sectors of the economy, which include unprecedented quality road network across Ede, Egbedore and Ejigbo local government council areas of the state, reconstruction of schools, the ones at Obada and the host Seventh Day High School in particular, and several others dotting various parts of the federal constituency in particular and the state in general under the State of Osun Schools’ Infrastructure Development Project (O’ SCHOOLS). Not only this, Aregbesola went ahead to unveil the many achievements of his administration across the Ede Federal Constituency of the state, which include the schools’ feeding programme (O’MEALS); the free school uniform programme for pupils / students of all public schools (O’ Uniform); and the Opon Imo (Tablet of Knowledge) Intervention Initiative, which has dispensed not less than 1,800 units to high school students in the area. According to the governor, the care of the old in the area alone had gulped N27 million within a year; not to talk of similar initiative embraced for widows. Hospitals had been built, while other ones were being overhauled. While security had been fortified since the coming on board of the incumbent administration, the governor blamed the recent loopholes on the influx of “do-or-
F
die” politician of the leading opposition into the state and called on the security agents to help apprehend the perpetrators and their cohorts. In the area of provision of potable water, the governor drew attention to the various superlative efforts that had been ongoing on the Ede Water head since his assumption of office and promised the delivery of the project before the current year runs out. On the Ede Cocoa Industry, Aregbesola confirmed earlier remarks on it by Senator Adeleke by corroborating that the new Chairman / Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wale Adeeyo, an indigene of Ede had been to China for procurement of requisite equipment. He brought out the employment generation proficiency of revamped Ede Cocoa Industry. He linked this with the OYES intervention and drew a line of demarcation between his administration’s valiant war against unemployment and the lethargy by the Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government and various states of the federation. Not even in the President’s home state had such impact been provided in the area of youth employment and empowerment intervention! Other areas touched by the governor in his erudition include the O’ AMBULANCE scheme, which had not just provided employment opportunities to many; but has also saved many accident victims and other emergency cases from untimely graves. Governor Aregbesola challenged the contender from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore to point out what he achieved in office while his eight-year period lasted as representative of his senatorial district. He summed up his list of achievements with the siting of the M.K.O. Abiola International Airport in the area (Ido-Osun) and the ongoing work on the Gbongan / Akoda Road dualization project; the Old Garage / IlaOdo / Erin-Ile / Kwara State boundary road project; and the Oba Adesoji Aderemi East Bypass in Osogbo – all of which, according to him will be completed before year 2014 runs out. Ogbeni Aregbesola then proceeded to roll out his specific electoral promises for the people of the area, if given the mandate to serve for a fresh tenure of four years duration. The promises, which he titled “beginning of beginnings” include construction of dual carriage road from Ejigbo to Ede, to terminate at Akoda – Osogbo Road Junction; the bringing of the O’ RENEWAL project in Ejigbo and Ede to a high degree of conceptualization as his priority attention during the second term in office; the completion of the 1,000 students capacity High School complex in Ede before year-end, as well as providing double of the facility in the next dispensation; siting an additional School of Midwifery in Ede, with modern scanning equipment provided. The governor then promised that in a week from the time of the rally, 100 pieces of modern scanning equipment, which provides a feat of being the first time such would be done in Nigeria would be commissioned for use. Finally, Aregbesola promised life abundant for all as dividends of democracy to expect in from his administration in the next dispensation. On a parting note, the governor cautioned the people not to give out their voters’ cards of sell them out for any financial or material consideration. Equally, he tasked them not to allow any persons or group copy the Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the cards for whatever reasons. He cautioned them also against being lured into joining an occultist club called “Egbe Omo Ilu” with which Omisore and his henchmen entice victims to embrace what they call ‘empowerment”. The governor announced that an amount of N4 billion had been committed to funding an Osun Micro Credit Agency to be kicked off the following week for granting interest-free loan facilities to small- and medium-scale business persons in the state. Thus far went proceedings at the Mega Rally for Ede / Egbedore / Ejigbo Federal Constituency. The governor dismissed the rally with four parting songs: “Gbogbo Igba, E Stand by”; “Dagunro o se e je”; “Ha! Egbe Mi, E w’asia”; and “A o pade ni Abere”. T this juncture, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine shall draw excerpts from the pact given to the people of the state upon rolling out of the Oranmiyan campaign team of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola eight years ago; for the purposes of reference and setting the records straight:
A
My mission and ambition are to restore to the people, a state of peace, opportunity, for progress and room for the pursuit of prosperity in our time under a people friendly government. I give you Six-Point Integral Action Plan, to the intent that they constitute my actions of faith concerning which I want to be held accountable at any time during my stewardship. SIX POINT INTEGRAL ACTION PLAN · Banish Poverty · Banish Hunger · Banish Unemployment (Create Work/Wealth) · Restore Healthy Living · Promote Functional Education · Enhance Communal Peace and Progress BANISH POVERTY COMMERCE Vision: To make Osogbo the second hub in international trade in goods and commodities in the Southwest. Osun people’s natural affinity for commerce has been dampened over the years by unfriendly and unfocused economic policies of government thereby popularizing poverty among a people, who are naturally hardworking, industrious and adventurous. Our purposeful government of ACN shall revitalize commerce and restore wealth back to the land through: · Market friendly policies that will revive the customary commercial activities in Osogbo and other towns in Osun. · Promotion and support of activities focused on wealth promotion for our people. · Transformation of Osogbo into an International market where goods will be procured at prices comparable to any other part of West Africa. FINANCE& ECONOMIC PLANNING I shall increase the internally generated revenue of the state and also improve in mileage on every kobo accruing to the state by: · Ensuring real time online access to actual position of the state finances to prevent misuse and other forms of abuse by receiving agencies. · Reducing leakages in the tax collection and administration process. · Running a transparent and accountable government. · Ensuring prudent management of the state’s resources. · Ensuring that the funds of the state are used for developmental purposes. · Create viable Public/Private sector partnerships to jump start the economy. · Our overall goal is to reduce dependence on federal allocation as a means of funding the government. BANISH HUNGER FOOD& AGRICULTURE Vision: Our government shall banish hunger in Osun and enhance wealth through massive increase in food production and agriculture. Every farmer shall sell his products and be prosperous. The labour of the farmer shall no longer be in vain because we shall provide assistance and support to farmers in finding and exploiting profitable market for their goods. We do not presently grow enough food in Osun to feed us round the year and this should concern a government that cares for its people. Our government shall support farmers to attain increase in food production, better storage and delivery. We shall provide assistance to farmers in exploiting profitable markets and market opportunities for their products. To maximize the benefit of resultant massive increase in food production, we shall improve: · Access roads and general transportation to even the most remote areas of the state. · Storage process and capacity. · Processing of agricultural produce.
Continued on page 13
MAGAZINE
13
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Our Votes Must Count!
•Governor Aregbesola (on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from the supporters and admirers on his way to the venue of the mega rally in Ilesa. Continue from page 12 ·
Rural electricity and water supply.
CASH CROPS · Encourage production of cash crops which can enhance farmer’s income and provide basis for an effective agro-industrial society in the state of Osun. · Specified to vigorously develop extensive farming in palm trees to create a fully integrated oil palm processing industry. · To target and capture minimum of 10% of the multibillion naira- per day food market of the neighbouring states. ·
Support cooperative efforts by farmers
· Be a catalyst to the development and promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises that will exploit available raw materials. · board.
Ministry of Works, a Ministry of Human Resources and Development will more appropriately communicate its services than a Ministry of Establishment. TOURISM Vision: Tourist’s cradle in Africa The State of Osun is the cradle of Yoruba people and our rich culture. The opportunities for wealth creation in Osun state through tourism have been underexploited. We shall: · Develop State of Osun tourism potentials to its fullest to promote employment and wealth among people of the State of Osun.
Osun people are peaceful, dignified and hardworking people who desire and deserve gainful employment for their children and themselves. Rather than policies that will create employment and wealth for the people, the policies of the PDP government in place serve to enrich few at the expense of majority of our people. As part of our GOVERNMENT UNUSUAL programme, I Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola make a pact with you good people of the State of Osun, in the presence and by the grace of God Almighty that our government shall create immediate employment for 20,000 people within our 100 days in office. 5,000 of these places shall be reserved for those who were retrenched and are still willing and able to work. As a people-friendly government, our policies shall help to: · Create economic environment that ensures availability of jobs for all Osun indigenes.
I shall turn the State of Osun into a creative agro-industrial zone God willing.
·
Encourage programmes that nurture and promote arts and talent.
·
Enhance the image of traditional rulers and institutions.
INDUSTRIALISATION
· Mobilize our traditional rulers to showcase the state’s tourism potentials to Yorubas in the diaspora (e.g. Brazil, Cuba and West Indies).
Vision: Roads to and in all towns and villages in Osun. Road construction and maintenance shall be used to generate employment for the indigenes of the State of Osun.
Provide incentives targeted at attracting manufacturers/ investors.
· Develop skilled personnel through our Life Academies, Universities and colleges to service specialized industrial and manufacturing needs.
·
Development and regular maintenance of urban and rural roads to get top priority. · Access roads to evacuate agricultural produce shall be constantly improved and expanded. · Create partnerships with the private sector on road development and provision of infrastructure. TRANSPORTATION We shall produce a transport master plan to provide direction for development of the sector. The safety of the lives of the indigenes of the State of Osun is of great concern to us. We shall:
· Promote labour exchange centres to facilitate employment of graduates from our Life Academies.
· Create a motorized division of the Osun troopers to patrol roads to prevent accidents on the highways and organize rescue and recovery operations.
RESTORE HEALTHY LIVING Vision: To work to save our people from all avoidable deaths due to accidents, emergencies, poverty and inadequate health facilities. To achieve this for all and particularly our children and senior citizens, we shall: ·
Provide effective and available healthcare for all.
·
Provide efficient accident and emergency ambulance service.
· Provide primary health clinics within 10 kilometre radius of every Osun town, with special attention to the needs of children, women and the elderly. · Provide functional General hospitals within 20 kilometre radius of human habitation. · Provide referral hospitals within 30 kilometre radius of human settlement.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS
Bonuses, incentives and regular awards shall be instituted to promote a culture of excellence in the civil service along with the prompt payment of salaries, allowances, leave bonuses and year-end performance bonuses.
· Provide the estates with infrastructural facilities that reduce the cost of setting up industries (roads, electricity, water and telecommunications). ·
· Community based road maintenance units will be established to ensure timely repairs and deduce overall maintenance costs.
· Reduce to the barest minimum, road traffic accident within 6 months on all roads starting with Federal roads.
Our reform will make the work environment more conductive, stimulating and development oriented.
Key to banishing unemployment permanently anywhere is promoting conducive atmosphere for manufacturing and production. Our Government shall: · Develop integrated industrial estates for mini, micro and large manufacturing enterprises in the three senatorial zones of the State of Osun.
· Establish one LIFE ACADEMY in each of the three Senatorial constituencies for the building of life- long skills in out of schools, youngsters as well as adults seeking alternative competencies.
There is the need for a civil service reform that will not lead to any loss of jobs as I Rauf Aregbesola do not believe in laying people off in the name of reforms.
TOOTH PICK (IGI OPARUN FUN ITAYIN) FROM CHINA, ORANGE JUICE (OROMBO) FROM KOREA, SHOES (BATA) FROM SPAIN/ ITALY, FAN BELT/ CAR TYRES (RUBBER) FROM JAPAN AND FRANCE.
Encourage development of Yoruba museum and world heritage centre
ROADS
No job loss, more jobs.
· In these centres we shall teach Men and Women to think with their hands, sharpen our already proven entrepreneurial skills and stop Nigeria from importing:
When I know that these can be easily manufactured here. · at Ile-Ife.
Set up price support scheme for farmers through commodity exchange
BANISH UNEMPLOYMENT (CREATE WORK& WEALTH)
· Give real importance to education with skills development so that we can make what we need and become more competitive in the world as a people by creating more skills development centres in the State of Osun.
· Establish free blood pressure checks in conjunction with private organizations at every local government office. INNOVATION Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and now China have made life for their people permanently comfortable through innovation, research and development, thrift and hardwork. We Africans especially the people of the State of Osun are thrifty (a ki se oni nakuna) and hardworking (ati agbe at onise owo lo ka imele si aida nile Yoruba) but we have been backward in looking forward.
Promotions and comprehensive salary reviews and increases shall be regular.
· Undertake special programmes for the upgrading, retraining and working comforts of all health personnel. · · (60+).
Encourage and nurture alternative medical therapy. Free treatment for malaria to children below age 18 and senior citizens
ENVIRONMENT
Internal and external training, work exchange programmes and overseas training shall be actively reinstituted for comprehensive human development in the civil service.
We have not been innovative enough, we have not invested enough in research and we have not developed the fruits of innovation and research. In other words we remain backward, poor, unscientific and losers (eni igbehin) among the family of nations.
Vision: To embrace current scientific methods in controlling the generation of waste and the conversion of waste to wealth.
New Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Cadre shall be created for Teachers in new education districts for better school administration.
It is a matter of concern that our leaders do not car or worry enough about these issues.
The state of the environment, especially waste generation, management and the embarrassing filth in our communities demand special attention. The CAN government shall:
We shall institute Home Ownership Scheme for public servants and also support and encourage their backyard food production business ventures.
I care and I’m deeply concerned. As your Governor I will do everything possible to:
· Encourage all houses in the State of Osun to have a modern and affordable toilet facility through a special scheme.
We shall do a comprehensive review of civil service names and conventions as part of our efforts to create a people- friendly civil service.
· Create awareness and dissatisfaction among all in the State of Osun about our position among the world’s people and the need to move up the ladder of human ascent and development away from permanent and persistent poverty.
· Provide private sector driven waste management and beautification schemes to rid our communities of filth which threaten public health.
Appropriate nomenclature will enhance accountability and promote public access to the services of the ministry. A citizen with a complaint of blockage of drainage will find a Ministry of Roads and Drainages easier to identify with than
· of all.
Ensure that ideas with original creativity are tapped for the enrichment
·
Beautification of town centres as a starting point of
Continued on page 15
14
MAGAZINE
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Our Votes Must Count!
•A sea of heads of Aregbesola’s supporters at the Ilesa mega rally. Continued from page 13 general urban renewal. · Work with the private sector to establish appropriate waste-to-wealth projects under a composite waste management policy.
Vision: Water for all in the state of the living spring. It is a painful regret that most cities in Osun do not have potable water running at any time and Osun is the state of the living spring!!! Our Government will do everything possible to bring potable water to all parts of the State of Osun and correct this anomaly. All abandoned water schemes shall be reactivated and speedily completed. AFFORDABLE HOUSING Our ACN Government shall: · Help Osun indigenes realize their dreams of house ownership or rehabilitation of failing structures through deliberate programmes that improve their income earning capacity. Support mortgage schemes that make house ownership pocket
· Actively support research and development on the use of local materials to force down building costs. ELECTRICITY Electricity for all shall be the creed of ACN Government in Osun. We shall: · Ensure that electric energy is available in the state for domestic, commercial and industrial activities. · We shall endeavour to provide electricity to all villages, hamlets and farm settlements in the state. · Private sector-led power agencies shall be encouraged to set up energy stations in the state. SECURITY Security of lives and properties are of paramount importance to us. Our Government shall: · outfits.
· Provide free education at all levels in Osun State. Focus on functional education. Education that makes one useful to himself and society. · Improve incentives to teachers and work with the NUT to restore the dignity of the teaching profession. · Restructure administration of school management and create TutorsGeneral (Permanent Secretary Cadre) from among Head Teachers in three Educational Districts which we will establish.\
WATER
· friendly.
To achieve this, the government of AC under Rauf Aregbesola shall:
·
Fix all collapsed educational infrastructures in all the schools.
·
Support with modern teaching aids and well-stocked libraries.
· Ensure cooperation with parents and teachers to improve discipline and morality. · schools. ·
Introduce non-partisan community-based governing boards for all
Reduce number of students per classroom immediately.
· Introduce home development plans for teachers who wish to build houses in their home towns, through access to special mortgage packages. ·
Promote mass adult literacy and numeracy programmes.
· Promote and support Special programmes that give special attention to education of girls and women. · Establish institutions that impart life-long skills for all, in and out of formal schooling. ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY · I am committed to ensuring that an Osun State University takes off on a sound footing and becomes a first-class institution with linkages to renowned universities in the developed world. · I will make every tertiary institution in Osun State an independent degree-awarding one. · Encourage use of services of retired, but not tired dons and administrators, from reputable institutions. ENHANCE COMMUNAL PEACE AND PROGRESS
· Respond to the operational needs of security agents through provision of mobility, communication gadgets, protective gears and conducive working environment. FIRE SERVICES We shall improve capacity of fire services to respond to emergencies.
Our Government will encourage cross fertilization of ideas between the Sages and Youth Councils through which public policies would be influenced. Government will promote sporting activities and creation of physical facilities for sporting and related activities. We shall reinstate the abandoned ‘boys’ and girls’ clubs’ and name them Omoluabi Boys’ and Girls’ club to perform the roles similar to boys’ and girls’ scouts, boys brigade and more. JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS An attribute of good governance is to promote justice, equity and fair play amongst citizens of the state. Government of ACN will e3nsure speedy access ti justice try all individuals in Osun State, by reforming the courts system and procedural rules, introducing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and fee legal services. To complement these, ACN government shall improve welfare packages of Judicial Officers and upgrade courts with modern IT and communications facilities. COMMUNICATION Our Government will restructure OSBC to: Ensure its professional are motivated and continuously trained for competency Provide digital equipment and infrastructure upgrade to conform to international best practices in broadcasting. Exploit its tourism promotional capacity and capability. CONSUMER PROTECTION Consumers deserve to have the best goods and services at the best price and not have to pay more for goods and servi9ces than their counterparts in other parts of the world. Our government shall support the establishment of a consumer watch agency and also cooperate with organizations that have similar objective of protecting our people from unfair business practices. In all the above and above all these I intend to run a people-friendly government – a Government of the people, by the people, FOR THE PEOPLE. A GOVERNMENT UNUSUAL in this land.
Vision: To restore the bond of trust between the Governor and the governed. Over time, people have disconnected from government because those in authority have not shown enough concern about their welfare or actively engaged them in formulating policies that affect them.
Have special programmes for the police and neighbourhood security
· Provide special allowance to all security agents deployed to Osun State and enhance their operational facilities for efficiency.
Our ACN Government shall support the creation of non partisan community based youth councils to provide a platform for them to articulate and work out solutions to various problems confronting them.
Our Government shall restore partnership between government and people through:
Infrastructures and facilities for reaching, advising, guiding, warning me will be given constant nurture. Outside these I have no rigging machinery and will strongly appeal to you all Osun voters to fight and defend your votes. Do not sell your vote and our future to a moneybag or vote people who do not care enough about our future as I passionately do.
SAGES COUNCILS (EGBE AGBA) Our state is blessed with a large pool of elderly folks who are invariably well educated, have enjoyed successful careers, travelled widely in the world, but are currently reduced to irrelevance in the society. Our Government will support the formation of non partisan community based sages councils, capable of providing guidance in management, moral and ethical development in our society.
I am entering into a pact with each and all of you as you read this that I and my colleagues shall work in all honesty, tirelessly to bring marked improvements to your life. Apart of this pact you will be able to see that your children are better educated and have jobs; farmers, artisan, traders are more prosperous, general quality of health has improved and you are no longer afraid to go to the hospital. Osun will again be producing food enough for its people.
PHYSICAL WELL-BEING Our Government will promote physical exercises as a deliberate policy which will form a crucial aspect of our healthy-living programme. This is in keeping with the adage that a sound mind only resides in a sound body.
Our Government will seek elderly guidance and advice as inputs to our policy formation and implementation. Government will support the senior citizens and help in their management of socio-economic problems peculiar to the group (pension, health and education).
Through my Government Unusual, I shall work with and for you to create wealth through our toil as our fathers and mothers did to make us prosperous until 1962. ·
PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION Vision: Eradicate the frustration of youths caused by education that does not lead to employment.
YOUTHS COUNCIL (EGBE ODO) People age 30 and below constitute the majority of our population but unfortunately are often frustrated and unfulfilled as a consequence of intolerable social and economic policies.
Concluded.
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 22, 2014
15
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late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was well-known more for his political philosophy in those days. His literary works, which are well documented for generations yet unborn, speak volume of a political philosopher. Awolowo wrote volumes on his thoughts regarding how Nigeria should be governed, what are expected of politicians, as well as how society should be ordered.
By AYO AKINOLA
T HE
Aregbesola: Intellectualism, Grassroots Politics In Osun
Most political writs of contemporary Nigerian society have continued to borrow from his wisdom of thoughts known popularly as Awo’s Philosophical Thoughts. Awo was a political warrior in his days and he generated so much controversy because of his forthrightness, unparalleled discipline, boldness and vision. In fact, Awolowo saw far beyond his time. This may be responsible for his frequent bruises with those who could not see beyond their noses. He was betrayed, abused, cursed and even jailed. He was undaunted even till the end of his life. Awolowo’s legacy could not be matched even by the best of politicians till date. It is quite rare to find a combination of political philosopher and true politician like Papa Awolowo. This is where the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, has continued to be different from the pack. He •AREGBESOLA stands out and he is still being seen as a wonder, which the some of which include those who should know better Almighty has bestowed on the forthrightness, discipline, and verbal abuse. As if these are boldness, and vision. It is not enough, he was even faced people of Osun. therefore not surprising that he with financial decapitation. Governor Aregbesola has not a l s o H i s ceased to amaze me as a s h a r e s “Governor Aregbesola has not p o l i t i c a l politician and political philosopher f r o m combined in one personality, a some of ceased to amaze me as a politician philosophy rarity. In these days of politics Awolowo’s and political philosopher combined s p a n s of no direction, the governor of w o e s , in one personality, a rarity. In these education Osun has confounded critics that w h i c h days of politics of no direction, the reformation, you can be a political philosopher, i n c l u d e governor of Osun has confounded w e l f a r e , betrayal, critics that you can be a political governance, as well as a good politician. personal misunderstanding philosopher, as well as a good a n d He shared so many attributes from a environmental politician.” with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, section of health, food
security, just to mention only a few. In these days, when application of deceptive rhetoric to get what you want, Aregbesola has been very honest with the people, saying it as it is. He lives a modest life known only to philosopher kings. You can hardly associate him with crass opulence, which is prevalent in today’s men of power. His Walk-to-Live physical exercise programme, which he carries to the grassroots has almost turned into a movement of sort; the Apalara youth engagement scheme (O’YES) has literarily bailed out our youths out of idleness and unemployment; his education reform has been applauded both at home and outside. In a recent encounter, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church (a.k.a. Winners Church) Bishop David Oyedepo, had this to say of him: “Any governance that is producing results and affecting the lives of vast majority of the people, must be deeply appreciated.” He also declared that the new education policy, which had culminated in the building of mega schools in the state, deserves global applause. He said: “I deeply appreciate the infrastructural development. Besides, the education revolution is for us a great achievement. I can see the massive road construction going on. “This is to the benefit of the people. No policy can remove the roads. I am very impressed”. As the election day draws nearer by the hour, the people have the choice as to whether they would want to go back to the old days of the locusts represented by the opposition in the state.
•Akinola is a social and political analyst.
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.