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TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 Who will advise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to take it easy in its desperation to coast home victory in the coming governorship elections in Ekiti and the state of Osun, even as it's glaring that all the factors on ground are in favour
VOL. 9. NO.069
Front Page Comment PDP's Desperation Over Ekiti, Osun of the incumbent governors of these two states? This is the fundamental question that arises in view of PDP's
unwarranted desperation to win the coming elections at all cost against the wishes of the electorate.
Though the compass points to the house of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the direction to which the pendulum of electoral victory is most likely to Continue on pg4
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
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We ‘ll Recruit More Teachers - Aregbesola •As Oranmiyan President Canvasses Support For Aregbesola - See Story On Page 2
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria, Fouad Abdulazeez Rajeh (2nd right); Interim National Legal Adviser of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire (right); Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Islamic Matters, Akin Kosoko (left), during a courtesy visit to the Saudi Arabian Ambassador at Maitama Area, Abuja, last Thursday.
‘PDP Is Playing Politics Without Principle – OSHA Speaker
- See Story On Page 3
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
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We ’ ll Recruit More Teachers - Aregbesola •As Oranmiyan President Canvasses Support For Aregbesola By KAZEEM MOHAMMED OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has again debunked his administration’s alleged plan to sack teachers in his second term, saying that instead, more teachers would rather be employed. He stated that it is state. because that the state The governor spoke at government needs more the reception for Local teachers to be able to Government Education sustain the revitalisation of Authority (LGEA) members the education system in the organised by the President,
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Oranmiyan Worldwide and Chairman, State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo, in Ile-Ife on Saturday. Represented by his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, the governor said that since the inception of his administration, about 10,000 teachers have been employed and more of them
would still be employed. “The investment of our government on education has made the state a reference point in the area of education and it has been recognised nationally and internationally. “We have a focused leader, who is turning around the fortune of the state and in Nigeria today, Osun has the highest
elementary school enrolment. “We would not sack any teacher, as being peddled by the enemies of progress, who believe that by deceiving the teachers, they will get their votes, forgetting that teachers are not fools. “We will rather recruit more teachers, because we don’t have enough and
•A sea of heads during the 2014 governorship campaign for Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in Ikire, recently. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI
Aregbesola Campaign Group Alerts Security Agents, INEC On Purchase Of Voters’ Cards
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HE Ogbeni Aregbesola Door-to-Door Campaign Organisation (OD2D) has called on the police and other security agencies to, as a matter of necessity and urgency, take serious action on the reported cases of illegal mass possession of voters’ cards by some individuals. OD2D urged the pertinent to alert the INEC, security agencies to act as the umpire in the urgently on the illegal electoral contest, on the possession of the voters’ rate at which some cards, which is now individuals were been rampant in the state in the caught with many voters’ interest of free, fair and cards across the state. It noted that some credible governorship serious actions must be election. The OD2D also called on taken by the concerned the Independent National securities authorities and Electoral Commission the INEC, so as to give all (INEC) to investigate the stakeholders, a sense of matter and unravel where safety for a free, fair and those involved are getting credible election, come the cards from and what August 9, 2014. “The OD2D team purpose they are amassing quickly brings to the fore, them for. The OD2D expressed the case of a woman by concern that there were name Mrs Alice Gbadebo, reported cases of voters’ who was caught with cards’ purchase, and many voters’ cards at surreptitious obtainance of Ibokun in Obokun Local voters’ cards from Government Council Area unsuspecting voters by of the state on Thursday some ‘unscrupulous’ 5th day of June 2014 and politicians, who have was handed over to the consciously engaged in it police. “However, it was for some time now. According to the surprising to hear that campaign organization, the rather than arraigning the illegal possession of the alleged electoral offender voters’ cards was not in the court, it was said unconnected with the that she was transferred to coming governorship the police headquarters in Osogbo, where the election in the state. The OD2D said it was Commissioner of Police
allegedly seized the voters’ cards found on her, when she gave the excuse that she was holding them on behalf of her family,” the group alleged. It added: “As much as OD2D would have appreciated the seeming humanistic position of the police boss on the matter, it pricks mind if it was not informed by interference by the Police Affairs Minister, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, has been suspected all the while. “The OD2D suspicion, like many other concerned people of Osun, was fuelled further by the fact that many others caught in
By ISMAEEL UTHMAN the past have not been unconnected with attempt handled the way an to tamper with the voters’ offender would be register and have negative expected to be handled. effect of the coming “For instance, two governorship election in cases of voters’ cards the state. “This is why the OD2D purchase by a group of politicians in the name of wishes to stress the need Omoilu Foundation were for security agencies and reported to the police in INEC to take more Ikirun sometimes ago but seriously, the cases were dismissed as mere involving the multiple speculations by the cards holding by some and obtainingsecurity agents and the politicians by-trick of voters cards culprits were allowed to go from unsuspecting voters. scot-free.” “A repeat of Anambra The campaign election situation should be organisation noted that avoided and all hands experts have assumed that must be on deck to have a the buy-over and or credible election on acquiring of voters’ cards August 9, 2014 and by unscrupulous subsequent ones,” the politicians may not be group submitted.
without teachers, there is nothing we can achieve in our efforts to transform the system,” he added. Saying that the present administration had, within the last three and a half years, been encouraging teachers, Aregbesola noted that this has begun to have the desired result, as school children from the state are taking the lead in both national and international competitions. The governor, who also commended members of the board for their input toward ensuring sound education in the state, expressed appreciation that the board members are interested in the policies and programmes of the administration. In his address, the host, Prince Awofisayo, recalled that before the advent of A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration, education system was in shambles, saying that the intervention of the governor has revived the system. He noted that the policies and programmes of the administration have positively affected the living standard of all residents in the state, while the impacts of the efforts are being felt internationally. The SUBEB chairman said the people of the state must reciprocate the efforts of the governor, by giving his administration the highest level of dedication, commitment and loyalty. The re-election of Aregbesola, he said, is important and necessary for the good and unparalleled innovative achievement to continue. Other speakers at the event, including the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Education, Honourable Folorunsho Bamisayemi and Permanent Secretary SUBEB, Mr Fatai Kolawole, commended the governor for his developmental programmes and said people should do everything legally possible to ensure the sustenance of the programmes.
Omisore Remanded In Prison For Allegedly Raping A Minor In Osogbo offence on May 28, 2014, two-count charge of rape By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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22-year-old man, Abiodun Omisore, has been ordered to be remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping a minor. A charge sheet made Magistrate Olusola Aluko, who gave the order available to OSUN declined to grant the DEFENDER on Friday accused bail, saying that alleged that the accused he should be remanded in person had unlawful custody at Ilesa Prison, carnal knowledge of a pending when a formal minor (name withheld) The charge further bail application would be filed by the defence stated that the suspect allegedly committed the counsel.
at about 5:30 pm, along Alekuwodo, Osogbo, the state capital of Osun. Inspector Fagboyinbo Abiodun, police prosecutor, said that the offence committed was contrary to and punishable under Section 249 and 357 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol.11 Laws of Osun, 2003. The accused however pleaded not guilty to the
and indecent assault slammed against him. Defence counsel, Barrister Musleemat Nagode, prayed the court to grant her client bail in the most liberal terms. The magistrate, however, overruled the oral bail application by the defence counsel, saying formal bail application should be filed.
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Clampdown On Newspapers Is Barbaric, Unconstitutional - OCSC security force could deploy SUN Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), an its men to launch and umbrella body for pressure groups in the underserved unjustified attacks on the State of Osun has frowned at the current media inspite of their clampdown on some newspapers, vendors and innocent readers by the Nigerian Army, describing contributions to fighting insecurity with security it as illegal, barbaric and unconstitutional. agents. OCSC in a press Republic of Nigeria, which The pressure groups statement signed by its among others, guaranteed lamented that the action of Publicity Secretary, the rights to own media the soldiers was a reminder Comrade Ismaeel Uthman, houses, freedom of of the dark and evil era of on Sunday in Osogbo, said opinion, expression and the Nigerian military the action of the Nigerian assembly. regime, which launched Army contravened According to the onslaught on media houses Sections 22 and 39 of the OCSC, it is disheartening and human rights fighters Constitution of the Federal that the Nigeria’s highest in its bid to continue ruling By BOLANLE BABALOLA
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the country. OCSC slammed President Goodluck Jonathan for folding his arms and allow the soldiers to attack the media, which soundly and effectively fought for the democracy that created opportunity for him to lead Nigeria as a civilian president. The coalition therefore charged President Jonathan to curtail the excesses of the security agencies, particularly the army, whose action it said,
was capable of truncating the country’s democracy and bring back the country to the unwanted military regime. It said: “We noticed the militarization of the country by soldiers, who were arresting newspaper vendors, drivers of the delivery vehicles of some newspapers, some innocent people, who were reading newspapers and impounding the affected newspapers on Friday and Saturday. “The reason given by the Nigerian Army that the action was for security checks is unaccepted and flimsy. In as much as we do not quarrel with the security agencies on their intelligence reports, we totally reject any attempt to clampdown on the media on any basis. “The media are the eyes of Nigerians and any attempt to clampdown on them is like poking our eyes with sharp objects. We will never fold our arms and allow that to happen. The media is the voice of the voiceless and the structure that bridges the gap between the
government and the governed. “We totally condemned the Friday and Saturday attacks on some newspapers like The Nation, Punch, Leadership, OSUN DEFENDER and Daily Times. The security agencies should spare the media of any accusation and politicization of national insecurity. Calling the dog a bad name in a bid to hang it will never work in this situation because Nigerians are solidly behind the media.” The OCSC maintained that Nigerians would not fold their arms and allow the military to silent the media houses like it did some 16 years ago, stating that any attempt for the military to hold the country to ransom again would be repelled. It therefore, charged the Nigerian Army and the presidency to tender unreserved apology to the affected media houses and Nigerians at large, with a promise that such indecent and undemocratic action would not repeat itself again.
‘PDP Is Playing Politics Without Principle – OSHA Speaker By KAZEEM MOHAMMED HE Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is only playing politics without principle, warning that this must not be allowed to stand.
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•Wife of the Governor, State of Osun, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola (left) and President-General of Iyalodes in the state, Chief (Mrs) Aramide Awolola, during former’s visit to Chief (Mrs) Awolola at her Akui residence in Ile-Ife, State of Osun, on Friday.
Osun Spends N2.5bn On Channelisation
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OVERNMENT of the State of Osun has declared that it has so far spent about N2.5 billion on dredging of waterways and canals to ensure freeflow of water and save the state from flooding. Speaking to newsmen on the occasion of World Environment Day in Osogbo, the State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Professor Bukola Oyawoye, stated that in the last three and half years, the current administration had taken necessary precautions to ensure a flood-free raining season in the state. Oyawoye added that apart from clearing waterways, the administration had also embarked on sensitisation of the populace on the dangers of dumping refuse on water paths. In her words: “Before the present government came on board, things were extremely bad, as towns in the state usually experienced flooding. The most devastating one occurred in the state capital on July 7, 2010, when a pupil was swept away by flood. “But what could not be
done by the past administration, this government has done and, in the last three and half years, we have not experienced any incident of flooding. It is due to the ingenuity of the present administration, which deems it fit to dredge waterways in the state.” The commissioner said that the world is currently at risk of extinction, as a result of gas flaring, emissions from industries and other anthropogenic and natural activities released into the atmosphere, leading to depletion of the ozone layer. She added that the results of this in the contemporary world are coastal erosion and severe flooding, calling on the people to desist from blocking waterways, so as not to endanger themselves. “People are always at risk when water rises as a
result of dumping of refuse on waterways and blocking of water channels. When rain falls and it is not allowed to flow freely, there will be negative effects on the environment,” Oyawoye said. In his words, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources and Rural Development, Kunle Ige, stated that the present administration would continue its ongoing beautification exercise
across the state. Ige, who spoke through the Project Manager, Rural Water Environmental Sanitation Agency, RUWESA, Alhaji Olaposi Adiatu, said in the last three and half years, A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration had committed huge amount of resources into making the environment safe for people to live in, calling for peoples’ support to ensure clean and safe environment.
He spoke in Ile-Ife on Saturday at the reception for Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) members organised by the President, Oranmiyan Worldwide and Chairman, State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo. Represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Honourable Folorunsho Bamisayemi, Salaam said fighting the PDP is like fighting darkness. He likened Governor Rauf A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration to light that has prevailed over darkness, saying that
Protect Children – Adegboyega Urges Nigerians
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IGERIANS have been called upon to ensure that all children without exception enjoy special protection, irrespective of the environment wherein they are situated. The Commissioner for throughout the world, who Women and Children are victims of physical, Affairs in the State of mental and emotional Osun, Mrs. Mofolake abuse. Adetoun Adegboyega made According to her, the call in observance of Nigerian children are the International Day of victims of aggression and Innocent Children Victims violence in homes, schools of Aggression, which and even in the society, and holds on June 4th of every stressed that it was high year. time a stop was put to The commissioner stated these abuses. that the purpose of the day She then stressed that was to acknowledge the children were meant to be pain suffered by children specially cared for and not
abused or used as bargain, as the Boko Haram Islamic sect are using the kidnapped Chibok girls for ransom. She therefore stressed that people must rise and say ‘No’ to violence on children, so that the world can be a better place for them now and in the future. Speaking further, Mrs. Adegboyega stated that it is a must for parents, schools, society and the government to protect and preserve the rights of the children.
everybody must be vigilant and work towards ensuring that the tempo is sustained. “What we are fighting for is to use the resources of our state to better the lots of the people and that is what Aregbesola had done. “For anybody to come forward to vie against Aregbesola, such a person must be able to establish his credibility, which the PDP and its candidate have not been able to do. “Politics without principle and ideology is the hallmark of PDP and hallmark of devilish and wicked people. We must not allow this to stay in our state,” he said. The lawmaker recalled that in the last administration, over N20 billion was shared among few people, rather than using it to better the lots of the people. He noted that major focus of the PDP is not to serve the people, but to come and loot the resources of the state, stressing that they must not allow this, as Aregbesola has been able to establish that he is credible. The August 9 governorship election, according to him, is not about Aregbesola, but about light and darkness, noting; “we must all decide where we want to stay.”
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
PDP's Desperation Over Ekiti, Osun Continued from pg1 swing in the much awaited elections - due to the impressive performances of the incumbent governors of these two states, the PDP in its desperate nature is hell bent on winning the coming elections at all cost; an ambition that has been described by political analysts as a pipe dream.
But if the party is lucky to get good adviser/s, is it ready to take to wise counsel? Another important question again. The answer to this second question is not farfetched really. Going by the party's antecedent it cannot listen to good advice as it has always been behaving like the proverbial hunter's dog destined to go astray and for that never can he listen to his master's whistle. Based on reality on ground it will be easier for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for the PDP to win the coming governorship elections in these two states. This is a statement of fact which the party itself is aware
of. And it's for this very fact that the party is unnecessarily desperate. But clearly no amount of desperation can help the PDP's cause and it's high time it gets this sunk into its head. For one, like we stated above the chief helmsmen in these two states have endeared themselves to the electorate through provision of responsible and credible leadership. The people are satisfied with the level of unprecedented transformations going on in the states and they are not in the least ready to give their votes to any other party even apart from the PDP - except the party in power as they know that to do that will be tantamount to wasting their votes. Secondly having ruled in these two states with little or nothing to show for it the PDP as a party has lost its credibility completely and in Yoruba land fake and fraudulent politicians can only succeed in deceiving the people for just once. To believe that you can fool or deceive our people twice is to live in fool's paradise. This is why the journey of desperation the PDP
currently embarks on cannot yield any positive result. PDP must also be warned against engaging in its usual trades of unleashing violence and rigging as the party cannot find it easy this time as it used to. People know that when the party is boasting of taking over power in a particular state of the federation it's not saying so with the aim of winning election through the democratic praxis of one man-one vote but through violence and rigging just as we witnessed in 2007 especially in the South-West here where the party's 'do or die' election philosophy was highly practised. This time around the PDP should know that it isn't going to be business as usual as the consequence of rigging in these two states will be dire indeed. So the party better warns itself against rigging and its members against perpetrating violence. It (PDP) should not forget that the era of Professor Maurice Iwu whom it found a willing tool in carrying out its rigging plan in 2007 is gone.
The Rains Are Here Again, Let’s Be Omoluabis
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HE rainy season is here again and this is surely an answer to many of our farmers’ yearnings, who have been waiting for the opportunity that the early rain would provide to start their planting. Of particular interest is the environmental effect of the rain, as we are all living witnesses to the July, 2010 debacle in Osogbo and the havoc that rain could cause when man in his foolishness decides to interfere with the wonderful work of nature. During that sad episode of 2010, the state governor then; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola could not proffer a solution but all he could do was to watch in disgustful awe as lives and properties gave way. Alas, in came Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the people of Osun saw for the very first time the use of dredgers on pontoon
dredge the rivers and streams throughout the state. Not only was this done but the governor declared a 90-day environmental emergency throughout the state and re-inforced both the weekly clean-up exercise that comes up every Thursday and also the second Saturday of the
flooding at all. Even when states like Oyo and others recorded flooding disasters knocking at their doors, we in Osun were sleeping with our two eyes closed. We all remember the national flood disaster of 2012, Osun came clean with no recorded incidence and this credit
month state sanitation exercise. Not long, the effects were seen round the state when the 2011 rainy season commenced, there was a drastic reduction in flood occurrence in the state and where it did occur, it was on a very small scale. 2012 recorded no
must go to both the government of the Ogbeni and to the good people, who decided to make it happen by co-operating with him in carrying out all the environmental counsel. Well, another rainy season is about to start and I am using this medium to call on all the good people
of this state to always abide by the state’s environmental laws. Refuse should not be dumped in open drainages and streams, as there are O’Clean Plus waste disposal bins across the state. This is indeed a novel achievement being the very first in the state. Citizens should come out when due to participate in the sanitation exercises whenever it is time. I also like to call on both the State Commissioner for Environment; Professor (Mrs) Bukola Oyawole and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment; Mr. Bola Ilori to continue in their good works and not to rest on the past achievements. There is still work to do and more is still expected of the duo. Osun A Dara O! • O P E Y E M I FATOKUN, Orile-Owu, State of Osun.
So also the party should bear it in mind that Olusegun Obasanjo, the proponent of 'do or die' election is no more in power. And more importantly, much as the incumbent President may wish that his party wins these elections, he will not be willing to associate with any act capable of adding salt to injury for him as rigged election will further tarnish the already battered image of his administration. In the light of the above, it will be better for the PDP to follow the path of honour by being a gallant loser in the coming elections rather than engaging in acts that will bring more opprobrium to the party's doorstep and destroy the future of the party the more. The coming elections must be free of fraud and violence. That's the only condition for peace in these two states. Half a word, they say, is enough for the wise.o
OSUN DEFENDER Publisher
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Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Managing Editor
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Kola Olabisi (0803-392-7286)
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Politics OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Aregbesola On The March Again
Oranmiyan's Campaign Flags Off @ The Source Aside its historical place as the cradle of the entire black race, Ile-Ife records many firsts in events, strides and breakthroughs in the contemporary world. Its first place in ranking, regarding activities attached to faith and belief is attributed to making huge success concomitant to issues emanating with the involvement of the Source. Little wonder then, that in 2007, the Change-agent of our time, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, started his election campaign from the ancient town. His glaring emergence; eventual victory in the ensuing legal battle; and the monumental success which his almost four-year-old administration has engendered for the State of Osun and its teeming populace speak volumes of the undisputed magic wand of success wielded by the Source. Again, as his campaign for seeking re-election for a second term in office was kick started in Ile-Ife recently. NIYI OLASINDE captures the events of the flag-off and other related issues bordering on the governor’s re-election bid, as well as the people-oriented programmes and manifestos of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his political platform.
•A mammoth crowd during the official flag-off of Campaign for Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election into office at Government Technical College, Ile-Ife, State of Osun, last Tuesday. INSET: (L-R) Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, regally seated at the campaign.
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Oranmiyan's Campaign Flags Off @ The Source
•Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left), dancing with his supporters during the official flag-off of his re-election campaign for second term in office, at Government Technical College, Ile-Ife, State of Osun. Contiuned from page 5
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ERIODS of political contests are characterized with activi ties, events and exertions which are intended to provide level plain ground for all contenders, contestants and political parties to air their views and foci; as well as bare their agenda, programmes and manifestos so as to properly acquaint their target audience - the electorate - with what and what they have in stock if they eventually emerge as winners of the approaching elections. Winning an election makes just one of the usually numerous political contenders duly elected, returned, declared and becoming occupant of a vacant political office. On their own part, the teeming populace of a modern society, especially those who have attained the voting age (usually 18 years) are offered by the opportunity provided by selfsame activities the advantage of meeting those who intend to serve them in exalted political offices, their representatives; those into whose hands they intend to entrust political mandate to serve their interests on seats of governance and hear, censor, scrutinize and weigh their political proposals with a view of deciding who is worthy to be sent to deliver the goods for the ultimate good of the society and in the overall interest of all the residents. It is necessary and apposite at this early stage to point out that it is rare, if not impossible to have all the electorate cast their votes for one and same candidate due to numerous factors which may not fall within the purview of this discourse to espouse. Also, it is not possible for all people in the modern society to occupy political offices. These complexities have necessitated the evolution of representative government which has in turn given birth to the party system and elections. Political campaigns, rallies and public forums have then been found to be potent tools for candidates and the parties they symbolize to reach out to a wide segment of the people they intend to attract with great speed and within a specified limited space of time. Campaigns and rallies are therefore occasions and avenues for channeling political ideologies and selling such to would-be voters with a view to persuading them to prefer one’s candidature and party for preference of selection during the approaching polls. In view of the foregoing, election campaigns and rallies are so vital and sensitive that no politician or political party dare handle them with levity. Politics is a game of majority. Constitutionally, the standard practice is to look for two-thirds or other kinds of majority, depending on the circumstance at hand and specific modalities fashioned out. One potent avenue for reaching out to the prospective majority one could garner in any election is through campaigns and rallies. More than this, solid concrete achievements often speak louder than words in convincing, persuading and converting stale and new supporters and voters as the case may be. This position exemplifies the case of Ogbeni’s first term in office in the State of Osun, South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria, which has been replete with meaningful projects and programmes of life-touching nature; and which in themselves are campaign strategies. Notwithstanding, open campaigns and rallies are still of huge necessity to provide a rapport ground for the office-seeker and the people; otherwise, the candidate becomes a faceless individual who no reasonable person would choose to associate with. Therefore, the coming out of Ogbeni in the fullness of time to mount the soapbox is necessary and appropriate. As this report by OSUN DEFENDER Magazine shall bring out, our man is certainly a man of the people who already has won the greater majority to his side through his selfless service. In 2007, he won the seat through the collective mandate of the majority. Today, he has left no one in doubt among his die-hard critics that he is God-sent on a definite mission. Little wonder then that in the State of Osun, South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the massive members, supporters, admirers and sympathizers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) trooped out in enthusiastic droves, penultimate Tuesday to accord a rallying approval to their popular candidate, the incumbent governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, whose politi-
cal platform unveiled its campaign for the fast-approaching Gubernatorial Election billed to be held on Saturday, August 9, 2014. Even, members and die-hard supporters of the leading opposition party are now having a rethink as they also trooped out massively to join and identify with the train of progress. Earlier in the year, the party members had overwhelmingly declared the action governor their favourite and that of the people by extension by giving their endorsement to his second term bid. This move is not unexpected, owing to the massive infrastructural transformation ongoing in the state under his leadership; which within the space of three-and-a-half years have transformed the state rapidly into a project site. Contrary to denigrating claims by members of the leading opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the projects jump-started by the administration of Ogbeni were too massive to be brought to completion in two terms, each of indefinite length of years, Aregbesola has confounded his critics, detractors and traducers to stupefaction by not only completing most his jump-started infrastructure projects; but bringing the yet-to-be-completed ones to advanced stages – all within the short span three-and-a-half years in office! On the issue of the necessity or rationale for seeking for mandate for a second term in office traducers, detractors and political adversaries criticize that seeking re-election by Ogbeni was asking for too much and that a political office holder seeking re-election into the same office he occupies at present could be most appropriately likened to a student repeating a class on account of failure in a promotion examination. This criticism is both unfair and unjust; especially, as far as Ogbeni Aregbesola is concerned. The rationale behind Ogbeni’s request for re-election was necessitated by the numerous good works he had kick-started which at best, in the people’s interest should continue. Secondly, as pointed out earlier in this edition, the people themselves had identified Ogbeni as the Messiah long-expected who they do not intend to do without. It was therefore in response to the prompting and yearnings of the majority of the people that he came out to declare his interest for re-election. All residents of the State of the State of the Virtuous are living witnesses to the frequent rallies held by various interest groups in the state to demonstrate their support for the administration of the enigma and to make known their affirmation that he should remain in office as governor of the state beyond 2014. In years gone by; and still in some other places, the practice among sit-tight nonperforming power-drunk megalomaniacs is to sponsor propaganda in order to rationalize their claims to power and their grip on its ephemeral booties. As far as Ogbeni is concerned in the State of Osun, that is not the case. The people came out with their genuine volition to clamour that Ogbeni should carry on. Recently, in his response speech, titled “Willing And Ready To Do More”, presented at the conferment of the Most Innovative Nigerian Governor In First Term Award organized by the Businessworld newspaper, the governor spoke at some considerable length on the issue of first or second term in office, vis-à-vis quality service delivery, prudence and accountability. The event, which was held at Zenababs Hotel and Resort, Ijebu-Jesa Road, Ilesa on Saturday, May 3, 2014, enjoyed the governor at his best, highlighting the numerous achievements of his administration and justifying quality service delivery as the whole essence for seeking election into political office; whether for the first or second term. Relevant excerpts of his speech at the occasion are here presented: “Distinguished audience, the harvests of good governance being enjoyed in Osun is not accidental. It is made possible through vision, passion, and innovation. That we could do much in our first term attests to the fact that our goal is the development of our people. “The point must be made that whether as leaders in their first or second term of office, there is really no excuse for non-performance. There is no reason why elected officials should not add value and meaning to the lives of the electorate in any term of office.
“I am seeking re-election not because I want to rest from all that has been done in my first term of office. If my first term has been defined by invaluable works, my second term of office will be characterized by more works for the overall good of more number of our people. “Second term of office is no time to rest; it is another opportunity to beat the record set in human development in the first term of office. The work here is not yet finished. I am ready to do more, even breaking newer developmental grounds. “I believe, as the virologist, Jonas Salk, says, ‘The greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more’. I am willing and ready to do more for Osun. My inspired and inspiring message for my people is this: Greater things than you have seen under my watch will spring forth in my second term of office. “I should like to thank the BusinessWorld Newspaper again for their good gesture and encouragement. I will do more in service to humanity to justify the confidence you generously repose in me. “I thank you all for your cordial audience.” With this reference in hand, we have had the governor’s word, like the proverbial hearing from the horse’s mouth. But there still exists much to be heard, especially in this season of political campaigns. It was this realization that took the OSUN DEFENDER Magazine crew to Ile-Ife, the venue of the flag-off of the Second Term bid campaign of the enigma. Our reports are here presented: TUESDAY, May 27, 2014 was a memorable day in the history of politics and politicking in the State of Osun as new chapter was opened on that day in the annals of seeking political mandates. This was as the campaign team of the indefatigable governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola headed for the ancient town of Ile-Ife, the headquarters of the Ife Federal Constituency of the state to have a feel of the people’s living conditions as well as intimate them with his achievements and plans for the next four years. In a nutshell, the gospel message of the missionary journey was to convince the people of that Federal Constituency on why Ogbeni Aregbesola should be given a renewed mandate in order to carry on the good work he is currently doing in the State of Osun for another four years. On getting to Ile-Ife, the campaign train was not disappointed, as it was an enthusiastic crowd of party members, admirers, supporters and sympathizers, who had already been on ground to receive the progress team that it met on ground. As early as 6.00 a.m. on that day, the entire town was found in frenzy mood as people of all strata, young and old were found trooping here and there in expectation of their tested and trusted change-agent – the one who had turned the fortunes of the almost twenty-three-yearold state around dramatically in less than four years. The expectation was rapt. The turnout was tumultuous. The applause was overwhelming. The positivism of the outing was infectious. As a matter of fact, it pays to turn the lives of a people around positively. All over the ancient city, all classes of people, all sorts and manners of professional groups, political associations and all classes of people across all divides could be seen milling round the streets; all in frantic bids to view the best of the people’s governor and accord him a rallying welcome to that part of the area of jurisdiction of his government. There were various political groups and associations, dressed in uniform attires. Drums were rolled out to celebrate the laudable achievements of the governor. Various forms, shapes, colours and designs of posters announcing which and which groups were being beheld per time added glamour to the events packaged into the occasion. In all sincerity, it was a beautiful sight to behold, to remember, to reminisce, and to covet. Commercial bus operators of various categories and cadres were not left out. As the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) scrambled for space and recognition; so did their Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) counterpart. The various trade groups of the commercial motorcycle op
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OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
PHOTOTALK
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State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Inaugurated A 20-man Campaign Committee For His Re-election At The Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Weekend.
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left); Chairman, Aregbesola Re-election Campaign Committee/Member National Assembly, representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Senator Sola Adeyeye (left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (2nd left); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (right) and Interim Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun Chapter, Prince Gboyega Famodun, during the inauguration of Committee At the Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo, State of Osun during the weekend.
•Governor Aregbesola (5th right); Chairman, Senator Adeyeye (4th left); Secretary of the Committee, Professor John Ayoade (2nd left); Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (4th right); Interim Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Osun Chapter, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi (3rd left). Members of the Committee are- Senator Bayo Salami (3rd right); Alhaji Sule Alao (2nd right) Mr. Bosun Oyintiloye (left) and others, during the inauguration.
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
PHOTOTALK
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Ongoing Ayegbaju Market Project Under The Administration Of Governor, State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Recently.
•A 24-room hotel complex at the market.
•An Administrative block building.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Ongoing Ayegbaju Market Project Under The Administration Of Governor, State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Recently.
•Front view of one of the buildings.
•Inner section of the abattoir in the market.
•A mini-warehouse building at the Ayegbaju Market, Osogbo.
• A block of luxury shops.
PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Supreme Council Of Tijaniyat, South-West Zone Paid A Courtesy Visit To The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At The Government House, Osogbo, Recently.
•(L-R) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Deputy Governor, Senegal, Sheu Quresh Ibraheem Nyas and Elder Delegate, Sheu Sefiu Ibraheem Nyas, during a courtesy visit by the group to the governor at the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, recently
•Governor Aregbesola (middle); former Deputy Governor Senegal, Sheu Quresh Ibraheem Nyas (3rd right), Sheu Arabi Nyas Ibraheem (2nd right), Sheu Surajudeen Ibraheem Nyas (right), President, Supreme Council for Faedat Tijaniyat South-West Zone Nigeria, Alhaji Sheik Salisu Alao and other Islamic clerics in a group photograph during the courtesy visit by the group to the governor at the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun.
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Oranmiyan's Campaign Flags Off @ The Source Contiuned from page 6 erators, popularly known as okada riders were not an exemption. Confirmed sources revealed that some of the unions, especially those of the commercial bus operators volunteered some buses for conveyance of passengers to the occasion free of charge in order to ease the congestion and provide relief to admirers and enthusiasts who would have been barred from the occasion due to financial and other constraints. This was also in solidarity with the governor; the consummate achiever who has touched practically lives of multitudes of his people in many diverse ways. Aside this, other groups that are as much positively disposed chartered buses fully loaded with passengers from all other parts of the state to solidarize with the Ife Federal Constituency, which turn it was on that day to play host to the governor. Most of these buses could be easily identified with the banners bearing the names of their groups conspicuously strewn and displayed on their front-view bonnets. The greatest wonder of that day was the overwhelming crowd; contrary to baseless widespread fears emanating from unfounded rumours milling round, obviously orchestrated by mischief makers that there was going to be mayhem and bloodshed at the event. Well intentioned people from the Ife axis and their well-wishers trooped in fearlessly to give their kudos and support to the governor and register their approval for his second term bid. These people in their large numbers defied weather uncertainties. Rain was not at all a besetting impediment. This defiance for fear of being drenched by copious showers of heavy downpour which characterize the Rain Forest belt of the nation in the month of May reflected in one of the most prominently sung verses at the occasion: “B’eji ba le de e j’eji o de Se b’a wa l’o l’aso wa B’ojo ba le ro e j’ojo o ro o Se b’awa l’o l’aso wa Awa kii s’egbe ar’ojo sa o E wo wa e tun wa wo Awa kii s’egbe ar’ojo sa Se b’awa l’o l’aso wa.” Students at various levels were not less appreciative of the good, magnanimous gestures of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Aregbesola administration. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine has emphasized it repeatedly that the Education sub-sector is noticeably that sub-sector of the state’s Social Services Sector that received the greatest priority attention by the Ogbeni Aregbesola administration. The governor affirmed this when he said in his speech at the Businessworld newspaper award earlier referred to in this edition that: “What BusinessWorld is acknowledging and identifying with today are the unmistakable results of the innovative governance which my administration has brought to bear in our drive towards putting our state and people irreversibly on the path of economic abundance and multifarious people-centred development. “What we have done in Osun since we assumed office is what anyone entrusted with power is unavoidably expected to do. We saw manifold, human-made socio-economic and political problems eroding the human dignity of our people and we responded with the requisite solutions. “I must, however, note that the unique thing about our obligatory intervention is its unprecedented, markedly innovative and unconventional nature. In its philosophical outlook and underlining framework, the blueprint of our administration is decidedly and unalterably people-centred. “We had clearly realized even before we took office that viable, sustainable development would be a sorely dispiriting mirage if it is not comprehensively people-focused and intensely innovative. Such people-regarding governance, I am confident to aver, is the efficacious balm with which we have healed Osun of its many avoidable socio-economic and political disorders. And this happened just within a single term of our being in office. “To be precise, the innovation we have engendered in purposefully translating our practicable vision of development into enduringly beneficial reality is evident in the public education system of the state. It is there in the tablet computer (Opon-Imo) we distributed to our High School students; it is there in our Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS); it is there in the completion of 2,000 new modern classrooms in 39 schools; it is there in the free school uniforms given to all public school students; and the in the smart biometric ID cards soon to be distributed to the
students, among many others. “For us, education is number one priority. It is the foundation of the development we earnestly work for; it is our passport to that future of enduring socio-economic greatness. This explains why we feel no qualm investing in it, for we are convinced, as Confucius was, that ‘no nation goes bankrupt educating its people”. To a large and reasonable extent, these promises have been kept. So students of all rungs of the education ladder in the state were in attendance to show their appreciation to the one good turn of the governor that deserves another; and to demonstrate their support for his continuity in office beyond 2014. NB - The Blueprint of the Aregbesola administration referred to in the above-quoted speech shall be recast at the foot of this report. The scene at Ile-Ife was so befitting that traffic was thick for pedestrians; not to talk of motorists. Many motorists who were early to discern the gravity of the congestion parked their vehicles at distances that were reasonable enough for their quick exit after the event. One of the motorists who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER Magazine crew said that he did not by his volition park his vehicle at a place that was about three kilometres away from the venue; but that he was compelled to do so by the thick traffic that had built up, even as he arrived Ile-Ife as early as about three hours to the kick-off of events. He said that he and his cotravellers had to make the rest of the distance on foot. According to him, little did he realize that that singular act would turn out to be an advantage for him at departure time! Similar experiences were shared by many others like him who maintained a reasonable distance for their vehicles from the venue. Unlike him and his cotravellers, however, some still enlisted the services of commercial motorcycle operator to the exact venue of the rally. This offered opportunity for the motorcycle operators to make money from the fare. For sellers of various petty articles, the occasion offered prolific avenue for good sales. Petty traders in sachet / bottle water, confectioneries, beverage drinks, groundnuts, kolanut, fast food items and other odd-and-ends also found in the occasion a good market ground. It was also observed that many political groups used the opportunity of the occasion to register their presence in lasting memories of those they came across through the printed souvenirs they distributed bearing various persuasive messages enjoining them to vote wisely; and do so for Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in the state. On the whole, the entire Ile-Ife was on that day turned into a carnival ground as people threw differences imposed by age, sex, political leanings and other factors to the winds to give Ogbeni their full, genuine solidarity; even as they wished him the very best as he marches on to victory in the upcoming polls. It is crystal clear that such a mammoth crowd could not have comprised mercenaries or hired cronies as claimed in some quarters. At that event, Ogbeni Aregbesola earned the very best respect, support and solidarity that his person, political party and their selfless service deserved. AT the flag-off rally for the campaign of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s candidature for the second term in office, which held in Ile-Ife, the State of Osun on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, there was a line-up of beautiful events to behold. Ogbeni, who arrived the ancient town of Ile-Ife with his impressive team and entourage at about 2:00 p.m. headed straight for the palace of the paramount traditional ruler of Ife Kingdom, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II for royal blessings. Expectedly, it was not a smooth ride through the outskirts to the city centre, as a mammoth crowd had already converged on the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife gate axis to welcome the success train. It was in accompaniment of the crowd that the governor made his way at a snail’s speed from OAU gate through Lagere, Idi-Omo, Iremo / Sabo to the City centre where the ancient palace is located. This procession took almost an hour and fifteen minutes. At the palace gate at Enuwa, it was a herculean task for security operatives to control the flow of entrants into the abode of Oduduwa. The security operatives on ground comprised the police, officers and men of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the State Security Service and others. Dressed in his usual white traditional attire, Aregbesola rode on top of an illustrious mini luxury bus, waving and acknowledging cheers from the waiting crowd; beaming with radiant smile. Members of the governor’s entourage included the Deputy Governor, who doubles as the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-
Tomori, Wife of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Abidemi Aregbesola and a former Deputy Governor in the state, Prince Sooko Adewoyin (an indigene of Ile-Ife). Others are the Senator representing Osun East (Ife / Ijesa) Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Babajide Omoworare, the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Professor Olusola Adeyeye, member representing Ife Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Rotimi Makinde, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and the State of Osun Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture And Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun and a host of others. At the palace of the monarch, the governor of the state and the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election bared the intents of the visit. He appreciated the fatherly role of the monarch and thanked Oba Sijuwade for his continuous words of counsel, supportive role and encouragement for the team, the state and his unflinching roles toward its progress. Governor Aregbesola brought to memory similar visits made to the palace of the monarch in the past, especially that of March 2007, which preceded the Gubernatorial Election that brought him into office and appraised the tremendous success which the prayer of the octogenarian monarch ushered for his ambition. Ogbeni Aregbesola promised the monarch that all the achievements that God had enabled his administration to fetch the state were just tip of the iceberg as greater ones lie ahead with his continued stay in office if mandated by the people in the August 9 polls. Giving his royal blessings, Oba Sijuwade gave assurance to the governor that there would be no violence or mayhem of whatever kind unleashed on them while the visit lasted. He lauded the developmental projects embarked upon by the Aregbesola administration and expressed optimism that the trend would continue in the overall interest of the generality of residents of the State of Osun. He then went ahead to offer prayers for the success of the second term bid of the governor. Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II then declared his support for the governor to remain in office beyond 2014. Upon departure from Enuwa Palace Square in Ile-Ife, it took the governor and his entourage another whole hour to make it to the Ilode area where the Technical College venue of the big event is located. Prior to his arrival with the throng of admirers that followed him, the venue had already become a beehive of activities as the mammoth crowd that had gathered there was overwhelming. As a matter of fact, the crowd that permanently settled outside the school premises outstripped those inside of it. Yet, more and more new entrants kept trooping in! The massive soapbox had been occupied by dignitaries who had all the while awaited the arrival of the man of the moment. A bandstand had already been mounted by the renowned Fuji Maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1). There were many side attractions on ground which could not be sufficiently underscored under the auspices of this report. Having done the necessary acclimatization, Governor Aregbesola mounted the soapbox. Having exchanged pleasantries with the waiting dignitaries, he took his seat along with his entourage. Then, the business of the day kicked off. Speaker after speaker rose to address the waiting crowd. Among those who rose to the occasion to speak were the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, who doubles as Chairman of Governor’s Central Committee for the Second Term Campaign, Senator Professor Sola Adeyeye, the Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District at the National Assenbly, Senator Jide Omoworare and the House of Representatives member representing Ife Federal Constituency, Honourable Rotimi Makinde, among others. Apart from performances by King Wasiu Ayinde at the event, other notable musicians who were there to add colour and glamour to the event include Tony Tetuila and his company of entertainers. Nollywood actors in attendance who staged playlets at the occasion include Toyin Adegbola, Taiwo Hassaan, Saheeed Balogun and others. Governor Aregbesola rounded off the series of speechmaking by assuring the people they all they had seen was mere dew and mercy-drops. He promised them that abundant measure of heavy downpour was in the offing if he emerges in office for second term. He enumerated the numerous achievements of his administration one after the other, hammering on the real impact he has made on the life of the Ife Federal Constituency. According to Aregbesola, the achievements of his administration have been so all-encompassing that there is no home in the state where the effect is not
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•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (on a bus), acknowledging cheers from his numerous supporters during the official flag-off campaign for his re-election into office, at Government Technical College, Ilode, Ile-Ife recently.
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Oranmiyan's Campaign Flags Off @ The Source
•(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Jide Omoworare in the Palace of the Ooni of Ife before proceeding to the mega rally at Government Technical College, Ilode, Ile-Ife, recently. visible. In similar vein, there is no part of the state where the imprints of the administration is not visible – all in a space of three-and-a-half years! The achievements include the State of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), which alone has offered positive productive engagement to forty-thousand (40,000) youths in just two batches; the Osun Agricultural and Rural Enterprise Project (O’REAP); Broad-based Free, Functional and Qualitative Education Programme; the State of Osun Schools’ Infrastructure Development Project (O’SCHOOLS); Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS); and the popular, world-acclaimed Computer Intervention Initiative – Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo). This is not to talk of good road infrastructure, Osun Ambulance Programme, Free, Comprehensive and Qualitative Health Delivery Package, Farm Settlements and a host of others. The governor put the approximate distance of asphaltic motorable roads so far constructed in Ife axis alone at 51.7 kilometres; while the federal constituency has received one-thousand, four-hundred (1,400) units of Opon Imo. Finally, Aregbesola counseled the people not to sell or give away their voters’ card in exchange for any gratification; stressing that the cards are their power and future. He instructed them on the collective responsibility they all owe by obligation to troop out on the d-day, cast their votes peacefully and protect votes such cast by waiting and watching till the counting point. He hammered on the need for ensuring an hitch-free poll; not minding the raging provocation from the camp of disgruntled politicians. Other dignitaries present at the mega rally include commissioners in the State of Osun, party chieftains, State of Osun House of Assembly members and executive secretaries of the thirty (30) local governments and the Ife East Area Office. AT 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: 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. · 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. · Set up price support scheme for farmers through commodity exchange board. BANISH UNEMPLOYMENT (CREATE WORK& WEALTH) No job loss, more jobs. 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. · 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. · Promote labour exchange centres to facilitate employment of graduates from our Life Academies. CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS 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. Our reform will make the work environment more conductive, stimulating and development oriented. 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 yearend performance bonuses. Promotions and comprehensive salary reviews and increases shall be regular. Internal and external training, work exchange programmes and overseas training shall be actively reinstituted for comprehensive human development in the civil service. New Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Cadre shall be created for Teachers in new education districts for better school administration. We shall institute Home Ownership Scheme for public servants and also support and encourage their backyard food production business ventures. We shall do a comprehensive review of civil service names and conventions as part of our efforts to create a people- friendly civil service. 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 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. · Encourage development of Yoruba museum and world heritage centre at Ile-Ife. · Encourage programmes that nurture and promote arts and talent. · Enhance the image of traditional rulers and institutions. · Mobilize our traditional rulers to showcase the state’s tourism potentials to Yorubas in the diaspora (e.g. Brazil, Cuba and West Indies). ROADS 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. · Community based road maintenance units will be established to ensure timely repairs and deduce overall maintenance costs. · 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: · Reduce to the barest minimum, road traffic accident within 6 months on all roads starting with Federal roads. · Create a motorized division of the Osun troopers to patrol roads to prevent accidents on the highways and organize rescue and recovery operations. 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. Continued on page 13
MAGAZINE
13
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Oranmiyan's Campaign Flags Off @ The Source
•Some of the Aregbesola supporters on the tree struggling to catch a glimpse of their political idol during the Ile-Ife mega-rally. Continue from page 12 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. It is a matter of concern that our leaders do not car or worry enough about these issues.
·
Encourage and nurture alternative medical therapy.
· Free treatment for malaria to children below age 18 and senior citizens (60+). ENVIRONMENT Vision: To embrace current scientific methods in controlling the generation of waste and the conversion of waste to wealth.
I care and I’m deeply concerned. As your Governor I will do everything possible to:
The state of the environment, especially waste generation, management and the embarrassing filth in our communities demand special attention. The CAN government shall:
· 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.
· Encourage all houses in the State of Osun to have a modern and affordable toilet facility through a special scheme.
· Ensure that ideas with original creativity are tapped for the enrichment of all. · 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. · 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:
· Provide private sector driven waste management and beautification schemes to rid our communities of filth which threaten public health. · Beautification of town centres as a starting point of general urban renewal. · Work with the private sector to establish appropriate waste-to-wealth projects under a composite waste management policy. WATER Vision: Water for all in the state of the living spring.
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.
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.
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. PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION Vision: Eradicate the frustration of youths caused by education that does not lead to employment. To achieve this, the government of AC under Rauf Aregbesola shall: · 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 Tutors-General (Permanent Secretary Cadre) from among Head Teachers in three Educational Districts which we will establish.\ · schools.
Fix all collapsed educational infrastructures in all the
· braries.
Support with modern teaching aids and well-stocked li-
· Ensure cooperation with parents and teachers to improve discipline and morality. · Introduce non-partisan community-based governing boards for all schools. ·
INDUSTRIALISATION Our ACN Government shall:
· Develop integrated industrial estates for mini, micro and large manufacturing enterprises in the three senatorial zones of the State of Osun.
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. 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 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
All abandoned water schemes shall be reactivated and speedily completed.
· Introduce home development plans for teachers who wish to build houses in their home towns, through access to special mortgage packages.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Key to banishing unemployment permanently anywhere is promoting conducive atmosphere for manufacturing and production. Our Government shall:
YOUTHS COUNCIL (EGBE ODO)
Reduce number of students per classroom immediately.
When I know that these can be easily manufactured here. I shall turn the State of Osun into a creative agro-industrial zone God willing.
health and education).
· 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 friendly.
· 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.
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
ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY · Provide the estates with infrastructural facilities that reduce the cost of setting up industries (roads, electricity, water and telecommunications).
· Actively support research and development on the use of local materials to force down building costs. ELECTRICITY
· Provide incentives targeted at attracting manufacturers/ investors. · Develop skilled personnel through our Life Academies, Universities and colleges to service specialized industrial and manufacturing needs. 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: · · service.
Provide effective and available healthcare for all.
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:
Provide efficient accident and emergency ambulance
· 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. · Establish free blood pressure checks in conjunction with private organizations at every local government office. · Undertake special programmes for the upgrading, retraining and working comforts of all health personnel.
· Have special programmes for the police and neighbourhood security outfits. · Provide special allowance to all security agents deployed to Osun State and enhance their operational facilities for efficiency. · Respond to the operational needs of security agents through provision of mobility, communication gadgets, protective gears and conducive working environment.
· 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 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. Our Government shall restore partnership between government and people through:
PHYSICAL WELL-BEING
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 peoplefriendly government – a Government of the people, by the people, FOR THE PEOPLE. A GOVERNMENT UNUSUAL in this land. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
FIRE SERVICES We shall improve capacity of fire services to respond to emergencies.
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.
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.
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,
Concluded.
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
14
OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, June 10, 2014
PHOTOTALK
15
Iwo Community Rallies Support For The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Second Term In Office, At Isale-Oba Ward 1, Iwo, State Of Osun.
•(R-L) A member of National Assembly representing Iwo/Ola-Oluwa/Ayedire Federal Constituency, Honourable Gafar Amere; Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Honourable Akinloye Ajibola, member, State House of Assembly of Osun; Assistant Chief of Staff to the Governor, Honourable Oguntola Toogun; Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon and other dignitaries, during a rally to mobilize support for Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s second term in office and re-election at Isale-Oba Ward 1, Iwo, State of Osun.
•Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (2nd left) with the interim Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Iwo Local Government, Alhaji Semiu Ayofe (left), addressing indigenes and non-indigenes of Iwo, during the programme
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TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014 T is generally believed I that the custodians of our commonwealth should make a way by which the less-privileged will have access to functional education and have other basic needs of life met like their counterparts from wellto-do families. This has become necessary for so many reasons, ranging from the need to have an egalitarian society, to meeting the global expectation of having people that will be free from ignorance and naivety. Apart from these, those who do not go to school stand the risk of becoming threats to those who are well enlightened, and the burden of inactivity will far outweigh the error of commission that prompted the need of education for all to be overlooked.
By ADE OLUGBOTEMI
demanding academic pursuits. They thus have the option of dropping out of school, or forge ahead and pass out with low General Point Average (GPA).
High Fees Regime In Our Federal Institutions
There is nothing happening at the moment to suggest that the Federal Government has any plans to make functional education available for the Nigerian citizens. The falling standard of education seems not to bother our policy makers, possibly because their children have the option of sourcing the luxury of education outside the shores of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our policy on education appears too uncoordinated, and therefore short of the standard comparable with those attainable in most developing nations of the world. That is why it has become almost impossible to explore job prospects that abound in most countries of the world that give high premium to quality. Educational institutions owned by private individuals are known to be too expensive for prospective students from poor backgrounds; enrolling wards in them is thus something of class distinction than distinctive quest for excellence that is the hallmark of meaningful progression in life. Those who take their children there are sure of job placements after graduation, irrespective of the manner of certificates they come out with. That is why performance standard keeps dwindling in our national life since most public and private offices are manned by products that are not well groomed for challenges to be surmounted, whereas the best materials from public schools are in wanderers’ world looking for opportunities that are at best mirages. There are respites for our unemployed graduates, in that they can live outside the world of ignorance that is exclusively reserved for the illiterates and unlearned. They can decipher through their rational differentiation instincts that make them know what is right and what is wrong. They can also voyage into the world of the unknown to navigate for opportunities that will alleviate their problem of joblessness. Some of them have even broken through their
•JONATHAN
limitations to outclass the so-called children of the movers and shakers. This feat may soon become impossible if the current trend of outrageous fees increase in our federal universities is not checkmated.
mother could not send him to school, as she manages to fend for his other four siblings since over eight years ago, when their father died after many years of protracted illness that drained their living resources.
Recently, parents and students who have banked on the low-fee regime in the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe suddenly learnt that the amounts payable per annum to attain varying first degrees have gone up astronomically. One of the concerned parents expressed serious concern about the level of insensitivity being exhibited by the policy makers of that well-acknowledged most beautiful campus in Africa through unwarranted increase in the payable fees by over 200% of the original fees. One of the protesting students, who was seen weeping profusely, said he sponsors himself in the university because his
Curiosity propelled further investigation, and the discovery was quite alarming. Obafemi Awolowo University has in her so many selfsponsored students, who take time out to do menial jobs in order to put bodies and souls together and also to meet the financial obligations that might arise from time to time. Many of those students in this category that were contacted appeared hopeless because there is no way they can devote more time for jobs to fill the new gaps created and still be able to perform well in their academics out of the little time that will now be available for rigorous and ever-
None of the two options above is good to be desired due to the overall implications; or what is the essence of embarking on something that will eventually bring half joy, half sorrow? That is why it becomes necessary for the authorities concerned to urgently do something, and that urgently too. The Federal Government, the university authority, the Parents’ Association, and the Alumni Association; all must come together to stop this aberration that may likely jeopardise the future of many innocent youths. Nigeria is currently having too much to grapple with, and we all must do everything to avoid anything that may aggravate it. All stakeholders must realise that education is part of social responsibilities expected to be fulfilled at any point in time in any country. I believe Nigeria cannot be an exception. This may be one shot on the leg too many for President Goodluck Jonathan, who has many things needing his rapt attention at the moment. The security situation in the country is enough to face than to add more to it. There was once a similar situation in the State of Osun before when the students of the stateowned university were made to pay exorbitant fees. The current governor showed unequalled understanding by slashing the fees payable then by almost half. Parents and Students of UNIOSUN will forever be grateful to Governor Aregbesola for not being adamant, despite the fact that the state lacked the financial muscle to cater for so many needs calling for attention at that time. Governor Aregbesola should therefore lend Mr President the needed counsel that will save the country from educational embarrassment that will certainly not be to the best interest of the country. There may be epileptic power supply, our transportation system may remain a conduit pipe to siphon our resources, agricultural revolution may remain a mirage, and the quest for industrialization may remain a paper work promise; we may continue to endure these as we are already smarting in until we are able to use our voting power and right to vote a non-performing government at the centre out of office, the overall effect of a frustrated Fellow on our national life may be too grave to grapple with. Boko Haram resulted from unbridled malfeasances of many years; I hope the menace that may result from imminent drop-out syndrome will be tackled now, so that we all do not get consumed by the time-bomb that is begging for timely detonation.
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.