Osun Defender - June 20th, 2014 Edition by OsunDefender

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SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2014 Afenifere, the Yoruba group that makes itself out as the promoter and defender of Yoruba interests in conjunction with its allies in the Yoruba Unity Forum and sundry “self-determination” groups predicated their opposition to the APC and its allies in part to their

VOL. 9. NO.074

Front Page Comment

Is Jonathan a Fulani of complete Muslim Hegemon? domination of the party assumption that the Party is an agent of Fulani hegemony encapsulatedin the “born to rule” slogan and also in part because of their rejection

and by implication, of Nigeria itself. These groups went about their mission by decrying what they termed the possibility of a

“Muslim/Muslim” Presidential ticket even when the APC has not even begun the process of choosing its candidate. Based on this supposed opposition to Fulani hegemony, these groups end up rallying behind Continue on pg5

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

N50

IGE

Osun Debt Profile: You’re A Liar - HOS, Others Tell Akinwusi - See Story On Page 2

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, holding a horse presented to him by Osun Divisional Conference of Obas in Osun Central Senatorial District, during a Luncheon Get-Together with the governor to appreciate and endorse his second term in office at GMT Hotel, Osogbo, State of Osun. With him are his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right); the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun (3rd right); the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Adedeji (right) and other dignitaries recently.

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

Osun Debt Profile: You’re A Liar -HOS, Others Tell Akinwusi T HE Body of Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, State of Osun, has categorized the immediate-past Head of Service of the state, Mr Segun Akinwusi, as a pathological and pathetic liar on the debt status of the state. This was contained in a the Pope! statement issued and signed by “Contrary to the lies being the Head of Service, Mr Yinka peddled by the former Head Owoeye, after a meeting of of Service, the State Conference of Head of Service Government of Osun owes and Permanent Secretaries in only N30 billion as loans and the state. N11.4 billion as bonds from The body described as the capital market totalling nauseating, the claim of the N41.4 billion. The former HOS on the N350 billion infrastructural facilities and debt profile of the state, saying social welfare programmes to he should not seek cheap which these loans and bonds political popularity by were committed are highly spreading falsehood, but visible and conspicuous in all should tell the electorate what nooks and crannies of the state he has in his kitty. to all citizens and visitors The body termed the debate alike.” challenge by Akinwusi as It also described Akinwusi’s dubious, while urging Governor claim that his prudence saved Aregbesola not to grant his the administration a whooping request, as it would amount to sum of N35 billion as honouring his person. dignifying his personality, “The subject of the current having failed to do so in over rabble-rousing by Mr. five years of serving the Akinwusi is in respect of his previous administration. alleged phantom debt profile of The statement reads: “Mr. the State Government of Osun Akinwusi presented a pathetic for which he has challenged the fallacy in asserting that his governor of the State to a live prudence as the then Head of debate. This challenge is not Service saved the sum of N35 only infra-dig and ludicrous, billion for the current but also a mischievous antic to administration. Nothing can garner cheap popularity in the be farther from the truth! current peaceful political space Indeed, the said previous of the state. Mr. Akinwusi administration became so should NOT be obliged this insolvent that it had to take dubious demand because he is loans from commercial banks not worthy of such privilege to pay salaries and allowances reserved for honourable men. of its workforce, having taken “For avoidance of doubt, the a jumbo loan of N18.3 billion Debt Management Office to construct stadia and build (DMO), Abuja has statutory roads. responsibility to declare the “However, through the debt portfolios of each state. amazing financial engineering At no time did the DMO, of the current governor, Ogbeni Abuja, declare the State Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the Government of Osun as owing N18.3 billion loan taken from N350 billion, as Mr. Akinwusi United Bank for Africa (UBA) is parroting all around. He Plc was liquidated by taking cannot be more Catholic than another loan from First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) to the tune of N25 billion at a lesser interest rate and longer tenor, such that eventually, the state government was able to keep N15 billion in its kitty. “A sum of N10 billion each HE death of the E x e c u t i v e accruing to the state and local S e c r e t a r y, Ay e d a a d e governments from the Excess Local Government Council, Crude Oil totalling N20 billion Evangelist Nathaniel was added to the N15 billion

Arabanbi‘s Death Is A Colossal Loss

Arabanbi, has been regarded as a collosal loss to the State of Osun and Ayedaade Local Government Council Area. The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,Barrister Kolapo Alimi, who was accompained by all the Executive Secretaries of the local government councils in the state, stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Ibadan. Barrister Alimi described Evangelist Arabanbi as a great politician, who contributed greatly to the development of the State of Osun in general and Ayedaade Local Government Council Area in particular. He added that the departed soul was a lover of his people. Mr Bisi Odewumi,the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, described Arabanbi as a courageous,committed and loyal party man.He added that the Evangelist will be greatly missed in the political circle. The Executive Secretary of Isokan,Alhaji Azeez Akinleye, who spoke on behalf of all the Executive Secretaries, thanked God for the well-spent life of Arabanbi. He prayed that God will uphold the family. Mrs Janet Arabanbi,the wife of the deseased, thanked the Commissioner,Special Adviser and the Executive Secretaries for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.

saved from the debt reschedulement to net a total sum of N35 billion. Besides, additional funds were raked in to the state government by Governor Aregbesola by not appointing Commissioners and Board Chairmen/Members for at least the first nine (9) months in office. Furthermore, additional revenue was also generated for state and local governments through effective plugging of leakages in revenue collection mechanisms. Mr. Akinwusi now wants to re-write the history of the State Government of Osun and arrogate to himself the adulation

By SHINA ABUBAKAR for these unprecedented feats achieved by the governor! This display of undue selfaggrandizement and blatant lying is unbecoming of a man, who once headed the state’s civil service.” It also blamed the former Head of Service for the way he handled the issue of contributory pension scheme creating problem for the present administration. According to the body, “Mr. Akinwusi claimed that his schedule of duties as former Head of Service “has nothing to do with financial matters of the state”, whereas he was a member of the State Executive Council and Fund Allocation

Committee (FAC) for about two (2) years, out of about 3½ years of this current administration. As a matter of fact, before commissioners were appointed by the governor, Mr. Akinwusi had files for expenditures from Ministries, extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs) passed through him to Mr. Governor for approvals. “In addition, Mr. Akinwusi presided over the commencement of a Contributory Pension Scheme in the State of Osun in such a disorganized manner that the current administration has been ameliorating and tightening the

loose ends. He handled the scheme in a cavalier manner and a lackadaisical attitude with no diligent planning ahead of its introduction and abandoned the entire workforce to their fate, as he departed the service. This was the person the workers contributed part of their hard-earned salaries to organize a befitting send-forth for. Therefore, he has no moral and statutory locus standi to accuse this administration of mismanaging the finances of the state. Indeed, when relationships are soured due to a person’s inordinate ambition, lyrics become parables. Due to blind ambition, Mr. Akinwusi has suddenly become a bull in a China shop in the State of Osun political landscape.”

Threat Allegation: Omisore Just Wants Sympathy By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

He alleged that Omisore’s supporters do harass commercial motorcyclists and passersby on the road whenever the PDP candidate was having campaign, saying that it is Omisore and his supporters that needed to be cautioned on public misconduct. The group coordinator specifically alleged that Omisore’s supporters were pouring sachet water otherwise known as ‘pure water’ on commercial motorcyclists and passersby during the PDP campaign

N Osun State pressure group, Osun Good Governance Forum(OGGF), has challenged the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, to substantiate his claim that his life is under threat in the state. The OGGF said it would Omisore’s dull campaigns be hypocritical for Omisore, have been making him to who, he and his party sense defeat even long members have been enjoying before the August 9, 2014 peaceful atmosphere that governorship election in the was restored by Governor state, hence, his resolve to Rauf Aregbesola, to allege draw sympathy from the that some politicians in the people by making spurious allegation through the state are after his life. A press statement signed Lagos media that he knew by the Coordinator of the were far away from Osun. group, Mr Adebayo Abagun, on Wednesday, questioned why Omisore did not make the allegation in the state, but By ABRAHAM JESUDOYIN preferred to go to Lagos and used the media to spread HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf what it described as a Aregbesola, has reiterated that Muslims are people frivolous claim. who keep peace with all men and that Boko-Haram According to Abagun, sect members are not in any way showcasing the attitude Omisore resorted to cheap of a true Muslim. and baseless allegation, He said this recently in followers are Muslims. having realized that his Osogbo, while delivering a He added that true campaign towards the lecture to the Muslim Muslims are identified by governorship election in the Community of Osogbo and act of living peacefully with state has always been hit by its environs titled: ‘Bridging their neighbours and that dearth of people, saying that the gap between Islam and anyone that does not follow the PDP candidate was jittery Muslims.’ this is not a Muslim. While addressing the of the people’s resolution not While making reference to patronize him with their Muslim patriots, the to his government, governor stated that Islam Aregbesola stated that a presence. Abagun added that is a religion of peace, which good Muslim is expected to

in Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Council areas of the state recently. Abagun described Omisore and his supporters as trouble makers, saying that the actions exhibited by PDP supporters are capable of triggering violence, if the innocent people being harassed had reacted. He called on all the security agencies in the state to caution Omisore and the PDP supporters on acts that could disturb the peace of the public and throw the state into tension ahead of the forthcoming election.

‘Boko-Haram Members Are Not Muslims’

co-exist with his neighbours’ religions. “Islam preaches love, understanding and unity and Muslims are to preach the message of Peace in a peaceful way,” he said. In a chat with the Permanent Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Fatai Kolawole, he stated that from the governor’s lecture he had learnt that Muslims should always live in peace and patient with their neighbours.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at the burial of Alhaji Sooko Abdul-Adefioye, J.P, the Balogun Musulumi of Ifeland, in IleIfe. With the governor are the Muslim clerics.

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

Osun To Implement Urban Renewal - Aregbesola By SOLA JACOBS

LL is now set for the implementation of the structure plan for the State of Osun Urban Renewal Programme in all the nine selected cities across the state, following the payment of the N100 million counterpart funding by the state government to the United Nations - Habitat otherwise known as UN-Habitat. Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, stated this while receiving report of the state’s structure plan for the Urban Renewal Programme of the state government put together by officers of the state Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in conjunction with their UNHABITAT counterpart. Represented by his deputy, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-

Tomori, Aregbesola said his administration is poised at creating healthy environment worthy of human habitation across the state, with a view to making the state a force to reckon with across the globe in terms of clean, healthy and hygienic environment. According to the governor, the government of the State of Osun is the first state government in the world to embark upon

developing nine cities at once under the urban renewal programme, saying that his administration will stop at nothing to preserve the long-standing heritage of the state, as state with the highest number of cities of over 800 years in age. Aregbesola said, one major step taken by his administration upon assumption of office was to prepare the state for the implementation of its urban renewal programme, by ridding the state of debris through dredging of waterways and river channels across the state. Speaking on strategy to be adopted for the implementation of the structure plan, the

governor said the urban renewal programme will cover one kilometre radius from monarch’s palaces representing centre of town in each of the selected cities, while it will cover two kilometres in Osogbo, being the state capital. Aregbesola thereafter appreciated the UNHABITAT team for assisting the state with technical support valued at over N400 million and called for continued support of the world body in the implementation of the report, adding that the assistance will go a long way in helping the state government tremendously in its quest to achieving its target of creating a healthy and

•Worker working at night on the ongoing construction of pedestrial way at Fakunle area, Osogbo under the goveror of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as captured recently by our cameraman, JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM.

cleaning environment for the people of the state. In her address, Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple, represented by a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr. A. D. Olakunde, described cities and urban centres as engines for economic development and growth, national economy drivers, contributors to gross domestic product, investment attractors, wealth creators, social development enhancers together with human resources and technical advancement‚ providers which are repositories to knowledge and development in a well administered state like the State of Osun. Commending efforts made so far by the state government in her quest to reverse the ugly trend pervading the economic sector of the state, Pepple appealed to governor, to ensure that all recommendations made in the report are carried out to the letter. Presenting the report to the governor, Head of UNHABITAT in Nigeria, Ambassador Kabir Yari, described the report as a necessary tool for e n v i r o n m e n t a l development and the state government’s right step in the right direction to reposition the economic potentials of the state, with a view to planning for the future of the people of the State of Osun. Ambassador Yari said people and community

Eripa APC Settles Rift With Fanfare By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

T was a moment of joy, excitement and jubilation for the People of Eripa town in Boluwaduro Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun, as the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed the town’s Civic Centre to settle the factional crisis among the members of the party, who vowed to amicably and unanimously work assidiously to ensure that Governor Rauf Aregbesola emerges victorious in the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election. The Eripa Civic Centre, where the mega meeting was held, was filled to capacity with APC members, who converged to express their sincere appreciation to the wisdom and astuteness exhibited by the leaders of the party in the community to resolve the fall-out among the members of the party. The crisis was said to have ensued after the defection of a PDP chieftain, simply called Odeleye in the community to the APC following the declaration of Governor Aregbesola as the winner of the 2007 gubernatorial election by the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State. It was leant that, Odeleye who was said to have had a domineering tendency before he defected from the PDP, instigated the crisis in a bid to clamp down a set of members of the party within his sphere, and to achieve this, OSUN DEFENDER gathered from a reliable

source that, he was the mastermind of a motion that said the usual venue of the meeting be shifted to another place on the ground that it was close to the abode of some members believed to be loyal to one another within the party. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the inability to secure a comfortable venue in place of the usual one led to the internal crisis within the party, which eventually tore the party apart. An impeccable source within the community revealed that the Odeleye later decamped to his former party (PDP) having known fully that no group between the two factions was ready to dance to his tunes. It was after Odeleye went back to his former party that things started to go smoothly within the party and the issue of faction was eventually settled. Addressing the party, commissioner one at Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), Alhaji

Bayo Oyekanmi, appreciated the efforts of the leaders of the party and the entire members in resolving the matter amicably. Oyekanmi, who said it was important for members of the party to remain united, appealed to the aggrieved members to forget about the past and start working on the success of APC in the forth coming election in the ward. While charging the people on the need for them to exercise their civic rights come August 9, Oyekanmi said it was necessary for the people of the community to cast their votes and stay back to defend their votes. He appealed to every individual, who had reached the voting age in the ancient town, to vote and defend his or her vote, adding that they should not be intimidated while defending their votes. The commissioner said he was sure that Aregbesola would win the election by 80 per cent in Eripa, just as he urged the people not to sell their voters’ cards to fraudulent politicians, who want to be at the helms of affairs by all means. Reverend Williams Oyedokun, an APC chieftain in the area, also appreciated the courage of members of the party during the crisis, adding that if not

because of their mindset towards the success of the party, majority of the aggrieved members would have dumped the party for another one. Echoing a similar view, the chairman of the party in the town, Alhaji Amusat Olagunju, said he was so excited with the turn-out of the party members at the meeting, saying that, it showed the level of their commitment, just as he expressed optimism that the APC would defeat PDP by 80 per cent in the forthcoming election. Olagunju said they would work assiduously to ensure the emergence of Governor Aregbesola in the August 9, gubernatorial poll. In his own reaction, Prince Ojo Isaac, who corroborated

Olagunju’s statement, asserted that the existing cordiality among the members of the party would really rattle the PDP. Isaac further explained that with the step being taking by the party leaders to resolve the factional rancour, this had sent a signal to PDP members in the town that they would be nowhere to be found in the August 9, gubernatorial election. He therefore, appealed to the leaders of the party to find a lasting solution to the issue of venue which had been the bone of contention so as to be able to discredit those who thought that the matter could not be settled amicably.

leaders in all the selected nine cities were met through town hall meetings organized by the committee in their domains to intimate them of what informed the state government’s decision to embark on the urban renewal programme in the state, adding that the people openly embraced the programme, which made committee’s work easier, an indication that the people are fully involved in the state government’s plan for their future. In his own submission, the UN-HABITAT Senior Human Settlements Officer, Mr. Doudou Mbye, applauded the drive behind the state government’s decision to embark on renewing the state through the urban renewal programme. He said, the structure plan has provided the state implementation committee with a legal framework to implement the programme, while he advised the state government to create a data base to keep matters of this nature for future reverence and appreciated people of the state for their cooperation and assistance throughout the period the project lasted. Chairman of the Committee, Professor J. B. Falade, said the structure plan was aimed at redesigning the state and make the nine cities sit among the best across the globe. Urging leadership of the State of Osun House of Assembly to pass into law, without any further delay, the state urban renewal bill to ease the implementation process of the structure plan, Professor Falade called on the state government to create proper plans for the implementation process backed with right political will, budgetary provision and right mechanism, adding that the role of the private sector should be put into consideration. Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Architect Olumuyiwa Ige, said Memorandum of Understanding for the programme was signed in July 2012, adding that the plan was designed to run from 2013 to 2032, a period of twenty years. The nine selected cities covered under the programme are Ede, Ejigbo, Ikire, Ikirun, Ila-Orangun, IleIfe, Ilesa, Iwo and Osogbo.

Osun 2014: INEC Displays List Of contesting the Governorship Candidates candidates August 9, 2014

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun has announced that it has displayed the list of candidates participating in the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state. The announcement was 31, sub-sections 3, 4 and 5 contained in a statement of the Electoral Act 2010 as issued by Mrs. Nike Tadese, amended. the Chief Public Affairs She said the list was now Officer of the electoral body on display at the state office in Osogbo, the state capital. of INEC and all the 30 local The statement quoted government council offices Tadese as saying that the of the commission. public display of the list was The list contains in compliance with Section personal particulars of all

gubernatorial election in the State of Osun. “By this act, members of the public by law, have the opportunity to scrutinise the documents submitted by the candidates as pasted by INEC. Any person who has any claim to question information given by these candidates should approach the court of law,” the statement stressed.

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

APC Vows To Resist Rigging In Ekiti By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

HE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekiti State has accused Nigeria’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to rig today’s governorship election in the state. The incumbent governor, during the inauguration of Kayode Fayemi, is the APC the new national executives candidate and one of his of the party major challengers is Ayo Oyegun said: “My first Fayose, the candidate of the message today is to PDP. President Goodluck The new National Jonathan regarding a series Chairman of the APC, John of occurrences that point to Oyegun, made the the fact that the PDP is bent allegation of rigging in his on rigging the elections and speech on Wednesday writing the results of the

Saturday elections in Ekiti even before the polls open. “Less than 72 hours to the governorship elections in Ekiti, there are ominous signs that the PDP led Federal Government is bent on influencing the outcome of the elections come Saturday, June 21st. “Our party would accept the outcome of the election in Ekiti unless the authorities provide convincing explanations to the series of questionable developments in recent times.

“In the last several days, many developments have occurred that have exposed the covert and criminal effort to subvert the rights of the citizens of Ekiti and the country’s electoral law.” Oyegun mentioned some of the incidents, which include, the arrest of about 11 persons, who were allegedly thumb-printing printed ballot papers, by security operatives at a building owned by Mr. Fayose’s campaign manager; and the gun attack on Mr. Fayemi and APC

supporters by the police leading to the death of one of them. The party chairman also accused a serving minister of being involved in the sinister plot to rig the election. He added: “On Tuesday, June 17th, 2014, two loaded aircrafts landed at the Akure Airport with undisclosed contents. The presence of the Minister of State, Defence, Musliu Obanikoro, who was on ground to ensure the safe delivery of the cargoes suggests official collusion and knowledge. “The contents were immediately loaded into a bullion van under the watchful eyes of the Minister of State, Defence, Obanikoro. These series of developments and events are undeniable pointers to a desperate plot to rig the elections at all cost. “We warn Mr. President, that election rigging in a

particular of the country in the past has always had serious consequences for the government in power and the country as a whole, as it happened in the first, second and third Republics. The APC will not fold its arms and watch the electoral process being brazenly subverted. “Our party will not accept any result from Ekiti that does not flow from a transparent election. We are not asking for any favour, we only demand a free and fair election.” The party also called on the international community to be vigilant on the elections. “For our friends in the international community, there is no better time to speak up against these tendencies and ominous signs. They need no further pointers to know that some people are desperate,” he said.

OAU Campus Shut By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

•A man displaying ‘AREGBESOLA FOR SECOND TERM’, in Iwo mega rally for Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s rePhoto: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM. election in office, last Tuesday.

Adeleke, Omisore, Adesiyan To Appear Before Osun Commission Of Enquiry By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

HE first executive governor of the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, are to appear before the Commission of Enquiry on Disturbance of Public Peace set up by the state government. Investigation revealed that Adeleke’s complaints were Adeleke had petitioned the registered with CIDPP/06/2014, commission, complaining of CIDPP/07/2014 and CIDPP/08/ alleged attack and humiliation he 2014. They were numbers 6, 7 suffered from Adesiyan, and 8 on the list of the petitions Omisore and one Sogo Agboola before the commission on at a meeting of PDP elders a day Wednesday. to the governorship primaries Though, the content of the election of the party in Osogbo. Adeleke’s petition was not The commission, which disclosed at the sitting, but began its public sitting on sources said Adeleke Wednesday at the State High complained of threat to life and Court, Osogbo, had eight cases assault, allegedly meted out on so far, out of which Adeleke has him by the respondents. three separate petitions against It was not clear, as at the time Omisore, Adesiyan and of filing this report, whether the Agboola, an aide to the PDP parties have been served with governorship candidate. hearing notice to notify them of When the matter was called the commencement of the for hearing, none of the four cases, as there was no evidence parties appeared before the to show for that. commission. Earlier in his opening

remarks, the chairman of the commission, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, had declared that the commission was not set up to persecute or witch-hunt anybody. According to Adeigbe, the commission was set up with the aim of entertaining and hear the complaints of the people against either the government or individual and make appropriate recommendation that would settle the matter politely. He said the commission was basically to promote reconciliation, peace and harmonious relationship among the people of the state, adding that the commission was not to adjudge who is right and who is wrong on matters before it. The jurist maintained that the commission was not a court of law that adjudicates on cases, but one that would just make recommendations to the government on how to address and settle the matter brought before it.

Osun To Construct Modern Abattoirs

HE State of Osun Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Honourable Wale Adedoyin, has disclosed that the government will construct six modern abattoirs in different parts of the state. Adedoyin said the abattoirs, when constructed, would adhere to strict safety rules and ensure that the meat being sold to the public is of high quality. According to him, the state government had also decided to rehabilitate the existing meat production facilities in the state to meet up with the required standard.

Adedoyin revealed that the rehabilitation project had begun in Osogbo and Iwo Local Government Council Area of the state, in collaboration with a private firm. “Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has laid the foundation, while the construction is expected to be completed in 15 months,” he added. The commissioner said

the state government would create employment opportunities for graduates and other qualified professionals through the project. He pointed out that some veterinary officers have been employed by the state government, as part of efforts to ensure the success of the project. He also maintained that the state government was committed to boosting the economy of the state, as well as ensuring hygienic meat production for the public.

Justice Adeigbe enjoined members of the public to table their grievances before the commission through an affidavit and a memorandum or letter, assuring that nobody would persecute them for stating their complaints.

HE Obafemi Awolowo University campus in Ile-Ife has been shut and students ordered to vacate school premises. The management took the students had protested the decision to shut down the increment and barricaded Ifeschool following three days of Ibadan Expressway and also continuous protest by the appealed to the Ooni of Ife, students over increment in Oba Okunade Sijuwade, to intervene in ensuring the school fees. The students have been reversal. Omole also in justifying the protesting since Monday to demand the reversal of the new fee said: “The charges school fees increased by the being paid by the OAU students were not only the management. It was learnt that several lowest in the entire Nigerian members of staff of the university system but also the university administrative most ridiculous in the entire office, called the Senate tertiary educational system in Building, were still held inside Africa,” he said at a press the building as at 5:50pm, as conference. OAU Students’ Union has students barricaded it to demand an audience with the however, vowed not to relent Vice-Chancellor, Professor on the protest to reverse the Bamitale Omole and ensure a tuition fees which they described as “wicked and reversal of the fee hike. It was however not clear extraordinarily exorbitant”. The union at a congress on whether the VC was inside as at the time the students Monday resolved to renew the suspended protest to press stormed the building. Earlier this month, the home their demands.

Arisekola’s Death Unfortunate - Aregbesola

HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has joined notable Nigerians in mourning the passing away of the businessman and Islamic leader, Alhaji Adulazeez Arisekola Alao. Arisekola was said to have notable figure, successful passed on on Wednesday at a businessman, a consistent London hospital. philanthropist and community In a statement by the Director leader. of Bureau of Communications “As Aare Musulumi of and Strategy, Office of the Yorubaland, he demonstrated Governor, Mr. Semiu his love for peace as a religious Okanlawon, Arisekola’s death leader and led a God-fearing life. was described as unfortunate. “On behalf of my family, the Aregbesola said the death of people and the State of Osun, I the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba convey our heart-felt land only reinforced the essence condolence to the immediate and of mankind’s existence, which extended families of the late is to lead a good live and render business doyen, the governor of service to humanity before the Oyo State, Senator Abiola necessary end (death) comes. Ajimobi, the entire Muslim The statement read in part: Ummah and the people of the “His death is sad, shocking and state. unfortunate. He lived a good “May the soul of the life; a life full of positive deceased be admitted into Aljana examples. Firdaus.” “Alhaji Arisekola Alao was a Also, The Nigeria Union of

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not to offer any to our reporters. In the event that any journalist from our establishment demands such, kindly incident the report at osundefender@yahoo.com or 08033927286 and 08033880205.

Journalists (NUJ), Zone -B, has stated that the death of the Deputy President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Aare AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, is a great loss to the entire country. In a statement in Akure, by the Vice President, Zone B, Dele Atunbi, the union maintains that the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland was a kind-hearted Nigerian, who used his affluence for the good of those who crossed his path. As a religious leader, Aare Arisekola Alao contributed immensely to the religious tolerance that pervades the South West geopolitical zone of the country. The NUJ Zone B said the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland will be remembered for his philanthropic gestures to both the old and the young, especially the less-privileged in the society. While commiserating with members of the deceased family, government and the good people of Oyo State, as well as the entire Muslim community in the country, the union prays for the repose of his soul. The union asks Allah to grant the family members the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

News

Is Jonathan a Fulani Hegemon? Continued from pg1

“southerner” in the person of Goodluck Jonathan, the current president of Nigeria. For them, being a foot soldier to a Goodluck Jonathan is preferable to promoting what they perceive as Fulani hegemony. Goodluck Jonathan’s foot soldiers have not failed to regale us with the notion that the North, more specifically, the Fulani are the enemies of Yorubaland who must be politically neutralized not only for the health of the homeland but also of Nigeria in general. Events in the last few weeks have shown how completely wrong they are, in spite of being told over and over again that it is strategically wrong and tactless to make a Manichean division between the “North” and the “South”, especially when it is obvious that each and every Nationality in Nigeria is working for the expression of its own political space. In the last few weeks, Yorubaland has experienced the attack on an elected Governor by a policeman who claimed he would not recognize the Governor because he is answerable to some other “higher power” in Nigeria; we have witnessed a serving Commissioner of Ekiti State being charged with “terrorism” by the same police authority that refused to recognize the Constitutionally elected Governor of the State; we have witnessed the president, Goodluck Jonathan confiscating private property for his own political purpose; we are witnessing Goodluck Jonathan lock down Ekiti State and threaten residents simply because of his fear of his party losing the Governorship election in the State; we have witnessed Goodluck Jonathan harass and intimidate APC leaders going about their lawful and legitimate political duties; we have witnessed Goodluck Jonathan violate the right of free speech and movement all in an attempt at silencing the opposition, both as members of the APC and as Yoruba leaders.

Goodluck Jonathan has, again and again, shown his utmost contempt for the Yoruba Nation, from creating this network of political criminals in the land found in his own faction of the PDP, Afenifere, Labor Party and sundry organizations to actually declaring war on the land in the form of current militarization of electoral contest we are witnessing all in a bid to have total control of the land; he has shown that the Yoruba Nation is just a pawn in his own game of survival. The last time we checked, Goodluck Jonathan is Ijaw-Igbo, and obviously NOT Fulani and what he has done and is doing is not healthy for the Homeland. This is the person Afenifere and its allies are promoting as being defender of “southern” interest against the Fulani. With friends like Goodluck Jonathan, who needs enemies? It is a matter of historical record that the Yoruba had been Muslims long before the arrival of the Dan Fodio Jihadists, which is why Yorubaland has no issues with Islam or Muslims in their midst. When these groups now raise unnecessary alarms about Muslims, they are not only telling us that we, as a people, are incapable of mediating our religious preferences, which would be a-historical but actually telling us that they alone have a superior appreciation of religious matters more than even the society they claim to represent. Besides, the main anchors of Goodluck Jonathan’s attempt at subjugating the Homeland are Yoruba Muslims. Musiliu Obanikoro, the Minister of State for Defense and Jelili Adesiyan, the Police Affairs Minister, are Muslims. They are already waging a war of terror on Yorubaland by virtue of the offices they occupy and yet these groups will turn around and decry a “Muslim/Muslim” ticket? What this shows is that they are comfortable with Muslims who will do their bidding to subjugate the Homeland. Otherwise how would a Musiliu Obanikoro, a supposed Minister, who was unable to stand up to an insulting command from a Ministry

he was supposedly supervising when he was pointedly told to shut up and sit down now turn around and run riot with “his” soldiers? He could not muster enough courage embedded in his office to stand down his junior but would deploy all arsenal in his possession to harass and harangue unarmed citizens? And these Afenifere groupies would see no evil, hear no evil while all of these are going on? By acquiescing to these forms of intimidation, Afenifere and its allied groups have lost any credibility as promoters and defenders of Yoruba interest and from now on, they should be treated as traitors to the Homeland and consigned to the garbage heap of history. Jonathan is using these elements as props for his tottering regime. Tottering because his presidential ambition would have to be thrown overboard because his expected source of support in the International community has dried up. There will be no soft landing for him as was pointedly shown him by the rejection of his petroleum minister as OPEC’s Secretary-General nominee. It was obvious that with Shell’s influence in international oil politics as well as within the Nigerian government itself, such a nomination would have been a shoo-in if all is well with the Jonathan camp. His attempt to precipitate a military putsch of his own making has also hit the rocks, again largely due to lack of support from the international community whose opinion of the military is nothing to write home about; and that is putting it mildly. The only option left for him is to prepare a soft landing for himself by ensuring the neutralization of the progressive forces in the country, which is why he appears to be “stumbling” from one crisis to another and only in States controlled by the APC.

It is also becoming increasingly likely that the North would not favor a progressive Northern candidate as its Presidential choice and Jonathan being out of the way, with Yorubaland politically emasculated, the coast will be clear for the North, especially its conservative wing, to take control of the political processes of the two major parties and what these Yoruba enablers of Jonathan would have us believe they are fighting against would have become a fait accompli, with Jonathan’s active connivance, whose ultimate aim is now to placate the same North he and his foot soldiers are railing against with the end result of producing an extremely conservative political atmosphere, while Yorubaland would have been made prostrate for easy picking by the same conservative forces . Thus, Afenifere and its groupies are actually working for the enthronement of conservative elements in power in Nigeria, protestations to “restructuring” notwithstanding—even at that, they would go into Jonathan’s National Conference only on the basis of “trusting Jonathan to restructure” which is now turning out to be a hoax as evidenced by the various decisions being made. But we do not have to fall into this pit, which is why, “ooduapathfinder” once again, calls for the Homeland to ensure a complete and overwhelming defeat of these agents of reaction and conservatism going about in Afenifere/ PDP/LP colors on Saturday, June 21 2014. They have come with their guns and we have our votes and our land to defend. As they came with their guns, so shall they go.

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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

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

Kosovo: A Precedent For Crimea? By STEVENADEYEMI

APPENING in Moscow has been seriously hectic in the past weeks or so. We have had Russia expelled from the G8 Group for ’annexing Crimea’ with the next summit penciled down to be held in June this year in Brussels, Belgium, instead of Sochi in Russia. The latest piece of black humour going around in Russia is that the crisis in Ukraine is starting to resemble the saga with the missing Malaysian Boeing 777 (MH370) and the abduction of Chibox Secondary School Girls in Borno State, Nigeria. Historically, Sevastopol the largest city in the Crimean peninsula was established by Russian Empress, Catherine II, as a port for the Russian black sea fleet and by extension, the entire Crimean peninsula. At the end of 2013, Western Ukrainians, dissatisfied with President Viktor Yanukovych, gathered at Kiev’s Maidan and overthrew the hated authority of the Eastern Ukrainians. Crimea took advantage of these circumstances, because since such unconstitutional take-over could happen in Kiev, why not have it happen in Crimea too? Thus, on March 16, 2014, the Crimean referendum took place without any fighting or clashes, which Kiev and Washington were hoping to use to discredit the process. 83% of the population cast their vote and 96.7% of themRussians, Ukrainians and even some Tatarsvoted for secession from Ukraine and annexation to Russia. 135 representatives of about 23 countries observed the vote and 240 observers represented the Crimean civic society and political parties. According to the constitution, it is illegal, but according to the constitution too, the current government in Kiev is as well unconstitutional. In reality, however, everyone accepted it, even the United States President. So what makes the Crimeans worse than them? The Crimean referendum too, in reality, won’t have less power than the present government in Kiev. In the symbolic domain, the Crimea crisis undoubtedly epitomizes the struggle between Russia and the West as represented by the United States. “Essentially”, the re-attachment of the Crimea (…) is a result of 20-old years of Russia – United States of America relationships’’ argues Vladimir Pozner, a world-renowned analyst of the cold war mentality. The under-current paradigm for the interpretation of the events in Ukraine is that of Russians and Ukrainians being essentially the same people, sharing the same cultural identity and the same world view rooted in the Sovietera nation-building, cultural affinity to the brotherly nation of Ukraine is seen as part of Russia’s own national identity, with Ukrainian history perceived as a microcosm of Russian’s own. The idea of Ukrainian identity being separated from the Russian one cannot be conceived of in Russia unless Russia changes its own conception of self-identity formed in the second half of the 19th century and preserved under the MarxLeninist ideology. In justifying Putin’s ‘’firm fist” politics, the popular discourse appeals to the need to stand up to two decades of United States’ perceived indiscriminate meddling in the global status quo, including instigating political instability in the neighbouring Ukrainian (as did in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan inter-alia], pushing for the east world expansion of NATO and encroaching on Russia geopolitical interests. “They have come to believe in their exclusivity and exceptionalism, that they can decide the destinies of the world, that only they can ever be right. But there is a limit to everything” stated Putin in his recent address to the state Duma. The monopoly on the moral truth implies that inaction would not only be a display of political weakness but a fundamentally immoral thing. To borrow Vladimir Putin’s terminology, “abandoning” Crimea at this “historical turning point” would equal a “betrayal.” Just like the United States does not need a “permission slip” to defend the security of its people world wide, Russia does not need international support to do what’s “morally right” “Is it fair for the government in Washington to expect unconditional obedience from Russian against its own national interests “queried Segei Khrushchev. The United States domino theory holds that if the U.S let go of just one country from their orbit of influence, then the whole world would instantly fall apart. To show the level of hypocrisy by the West over the Crimean Crisis, Vacy Vlazna argues that the West hits Russia with sanctions for annexing Crimea, but it has yet to punish Israel for war crimes in Palestine. She argued further that “the velocity with which the United States

and European Union imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea is equal to the mass hypocrisy on Israel’s creeping annexation of Palestinian land through colonial settlement expansion. The ongoing expansion is seen as a war crime “falling into the provision of Article 8 of international criminal court statutes” International law forbids intervention in the affairs of other states. Intervention in this sense means dictatorial intervention. Under the League of Nations, Italy, with the acquiescence of the big powers intervened in and annexed Abyssinia (Ethiopia), both of them members of the League. But for its intervention in Finland, USSR was expelled from the League, whereas Italy’s punishment was ineffective. Though Article 2(7) of the United Nations charter forbids intervention in the domestic affairs of state without prejudice to the enforcement action under the authority of the Security Council. Regardless of this provision, the United Nations has witnessed many interventions by the “Big powers”. Thus, the U.S intervened in Jordan in 1958, in Guatemala in 1965, in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in 19611972, and Grenada in 1983 and of recent, in Iraq and Afghanistan in the beginning of the 21st century. Britain intervened in Egypt in collaboration with France in 1956, in Jordan in 1958 and in Anguilla in 1968. Crimea is by far not the first entity and will definitely not be the last- to achieve independence in this way—in the past, the United Statesbroke off the British Empire, while Kosovo in 2008 left the borders of Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia). It is in this manner that many achieved their sovereignty and political independence, whether Abkhazia, Algeria, Nagorno-Karabakh, East Timor, South Ossetia, Czechoslovakia (which later split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) and may be soon Scotland (due to hold its own independence referendum] and get its own political independence and sovereignty from the United Kingdom. The Peculiar Mess We Are H.F Lyte (1793-1847) was a rare man of God who committed his life and resources to the cause of the needy, the neglected, and the forgotten members of the society. His life was a gospel in charity. He devoted most of his useful life to the care of the lepers. Lepers at that time were cast out of the society and forced to live in a colony, where they would die in the open field. Alas! While in the cause of serving humanity, he was afflicted with leprosy. As soon as the disease manifested in him, people forgot all his charity works and reminded him that he had to go to the wilderness to join the other lepers, not as a man of charity this time around, but an in-mate in the wilderness of the rejected. While he was being driven out of the city with tears rolling down his cheeks, he composed and settled for the following songs: •Abide with me: fast falls the eventide: The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, o abide with me… -Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass way; Change and decay in all around I see: o thou Who changest not; abide with me. •I need thy presence every passing hour What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power? Who like thyself my guild and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, o abide with me •Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee, In life, in death, o Lord abides with me! The song is apt and good enough for the downtrodden people particularly to sing continually, and if possible the entire citizenry of Nigeria. Adelabu Adegoke of Ibadan was a political maverick in grassroots politics of the 1960s. He was grounded in law, and native intelligence. He would have become the first Premier of the Western Region in 1958. Eventually, he became a Regional Minister. Alas! Adelabu was accused of embezzling public fund, having bought a new car, which was adjudged by his opponents to worth more than his purse could bear. Rather than Adelabu giving account of his stewardship to prove otherwise the allegation, he drove to the popular Dugbe Market in Ibadan. Right there in the market, he flung open the doors of the car and said: “This is the car I bought for all of you with your money. Enter it and drive round to enjoy your money.” The undiscerning people did and prayed for better prosperity for Adelabu. After some of the people had enjoyed a ride, Adelabu decided to address the crowd. He summarized the accusations against him as ‘’peculiar mess’’. The crowds were carried away on the tide of the seeming ‘’big vocabulary’’ of ‘’peculiar mess’’ of Adelabu’s oration, ignorantly changed it to ‘’penkelemesi’’, since that time, people have been referring to him as Adelabu Penkelemesi. Like the Adelabu of the old, our country is in a ‘’peculiar mess’’. The people of Nigeria are no less in a peculiar mess foisted on them by the administration of the PDP-led Federal Government. Just like penkelemesi of old flung the doors of his car open for people to board, rather than answer the charges of massive corruption leveled against him, Mr. President has remained ineptitude and lackadaisical in addressing his much politicized rhetoric transformation agenda of his administration since inception on May 2010 till date. I am convinced that Mr. President does not know that government is all about people and their ultimate welfare. If GEJ and his political acolytes want to know more about that, they should read along with me! Various theories were advanced to support why we have government and why the state should exist. Appadorai is an authority in that area. In his thesis on the origin of the state, he identifies the following theories: The social contract theory, the divine Right theory, and the force theory inter alia. Under the social contract

“The lack of tact, non-proactive measure, and wisdom by the Jonathan-led government in attending to the national burning issues leaves much to be desired. Worse still, the present government under Jonathan appears to lack the sharp focus for fighting corruption that has perpetually stood between Nigeria and progress. How many corrupt politicians have been arrested, prosecuted, and sent to jail by the two anti-corruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC)? The current level of corruption in government circles could make someone to weep in deep sorrow. The uncertainty and doubts about the character of the present government, if anything, has been mind boggling and raising questions. Has Mr. President not fully woken up to the reality that he is the number one citizen of the country?”

theory, he believes that the state is a human creation, the result of the contract. Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau popularized the theory. Hobbes wrote his thesis called: ‘The Leviathan’, Locke wrote ‘The Treatises of Government’ and Rousseau wrote ‘Contract Social’. Gregory (V11) popularized the theory of force in (1080) and Hume’s Essay titled ‘Of the origin of Government’. The theory epitomizes military conquest (PDP philosophy) as the basis of securing political power. Herbert Spencer is of the view that the state is nothing but a natural institution for preventing one man from infringing on the right of another; it is a joint-stock protection company for mutual assurance. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill see the purpose of the state as providing the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people. Some other theorists see the purpose of the state as the only bastion of liberty. Liberty is seen by them in terms of individual liberty and national liberty. Liberty is the opposite of over-government. ‘’Freedom is not the absence of all restraints but rather the substitution of rational ones for irrational’’. To this end, civil liberty includes the right to life, the right to work, personal safety and freedom, the right to reputation, religious freedom, the right to education, freedom of speech, public meeting and publication, family rights etc. Political liberty involves the right to vote, the right to stand as a candidate for election, periodic elections, equal eligibility for government office, the right to criticize the government. The safeguards of liberty are maintenance of law, the independence of the judiciary, the practice of democracy, a healthy development of local self-governing institution, a declaration of fundamental rights that include equality of sexes in civic rights, the secrecy of correspondence, secret elections, free education, property, freedom of contracts, right against exploitation to mention a few. The lack of tact, non-proactive measure, and wisdom by the Jonathan-led government in attending to the national burning issues leaves much to be desired. Worse still, the present government under Jonathan appears to lack the sharp focus for fighting corruption that has perpetually stood between Nigeria and progress. How many corrupt politicians have been arrested, prosecuted, and sent to jail by the two anti-corruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC)? The current level of corruption in government circles could make someone to weep in deep sorrow. The uncertainty and doubts about the character of the present government, if anything, has been mind boggling and raising questions. Has Mr. President not fully woken up to the reality that he is the number one citizen of the country? Is he really in charge of the presidential powers or leaving things hanging and tentative? Who are the forces exploiting the enormous powers of the presidency, as the president appears to be shying away from asserting his authority in the real sense of it? Why should Mr. President made men of yesteryears with a track record of deceit and treachery as ministers and advisers, only to hijack power and wished our yearnings and aspirations away? Or what about President Goodluck Jonathan, who was a former university teacher and yet, our education sector is in a ‘’peculiar mess’’? Or what about the selfprofessed largest economy in Africa that is not in tandem with infrastrucural development, massive employment creation, improving standard of living of the average citizen inter alia? In the gallery of Nigerian politricksters, Labaran Maku, the nation’s information minister under Jonathan-led Federal Government, is likely to fall somewhere between Anthony Anenih, Mr. Fix-it, an Obasanjo’s factotum-in-chief, and the loquacious Tom Ikimi, who lent his brand of odiousness to the cause of General Sani Abacha, another mad quester after power. Rather than for our President to pay urgent attention to the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation, he chose to move from one geo-political zone to another, all in the name of attending unity rallies, where politically-irrelevant politicians cum political jobbers and sycophants are all welcomed as defectors inter-alia which has no benefit for our dear country, Nigeria in any way. This is a peculiar mess or Jonathan Penkelemesi’’ of our time. How ignorant and naïve we were? We entrusted our fate to Mr. President after he was nominated as PDP candidate and his eventual (s)election as the Executive President of Nigeria and went to sleep, thinking we wanted to give democracy a chance. But this turned to be a political mistake on our part. Our own Penkelemesi is here…

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

More Pix On All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Governorship Mega Rally At Iwo Stadium, Iwo, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI, SHOLA ADERINTO AND JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM.

•A cross section of pupils at Awo hailing Governor Rauf Aregbesola. •

•Governor Aregbesola (on top of a car) acknowledging cheers from his supporters.

• •Some of the Aregbesola supporters on top of a trailer trying to catch a glimpse of Aregbesola.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

Osogbo Progressive Union’s (OPU) Endorsement Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola For Second Term In Office At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Last Monday. Photo: GBENGAADENIYI.

•(L-R) Honourable Lasun Yusuf; Barrister Ajibola Bashiru and Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola at the event.

•A cross section of Islamic and traditional clerics at the programme.

•(L-R) Deputy Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye and Senator Bayo Salami on the occasion.

•A cross section of traditional rulers during the programme.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Osogbo Progressive Union’s (OPU) Endorsement Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola For Second Term In Office At Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Last Monday. Photo: GBENGAADENIYI.

•Some of the OPU members at the event.

•A cross section of Osogbo traditional chiefs.

• •A cross section of OPU members.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

More Pix On All Progressives Congress (APC) 2014 Governorship Mega Rally At Iwo Stadium, Iwo, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI, SHOLA ADERINTO AND JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM.

•Another cross section of Aregbesola’s supporters hanging at the upstairs of a building welcoming him to Iwo with ecstacy.

•A cross section school pupils welcoming Governor Aregbesola to Iwo.

• •A sea of heads at the campaign.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria Jobs for Marketing Executives in a World-Class Real Estate Development Company in Abuja We seek highly driven Marketing Executives and Team Managers to join an exceptional marketing team for a premium real estate development in Nigeria. This is a great opportunity for an accomplished real estate marketer looking for career advancement and good financial reward. Job Title: Marketing Executive Essential Job Functions Manage the prospecting plan development and execution Convert existing strong pipeline of opportunities to value Accelerate the sales process: generate leads and manage the quote process Establish an aggressive account strategy within a sales team environment Manage the firm’s marketing support infrastructure to ensure customer education and satisfaction Create awareness and demand for the company’s offerings Be responsible for the development, execution and delivery of quality solutions focused, client presentations at a “C” level Qualifications and Requirements · Good first degree from a reputable institution · 2-10 years’ marketing experience with a strong track record of success · Prior luxury property market experience preferred · Proven expertise in developing relationships from a cold call or networking activity highly preferred

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247 Solutions & Management Limited - Our Company provides technology solutions for corporate, education and the entertainment Industry. We seek qualified candidates to fill the position of: Job Title: Customer Relation Officers Location: Lagos Responsibilities Client Facing and keen on showcasing new IT solutions Research and recommend advertising options as well as identify lead generation (calling list) companies Expose the company and our services to Companies, organizations, event promoters and entertainers to generate referral clients for our business Manage the internet marketing of the company through the internet (social media channels, blogs,etc.) to increase our market awareness and generate clients, Support the Director of the company Generally, you will be: Following up new business opportunities and setting up meetings Planning and preparing presentations Establishing and maintaining working relationships Communicating new product developments to prospective clients Developing marketing literature Administering business development relationships and writing reports Providing management with market feedback Working with offshore team. Performing personal assistant functions for the Managing Director Requirements Keen on technology Good business sense Excellent verbal and written communications skills Good organizational and time-management skills A positive attitude Good negotiation skills and persuasiveness Confidence presenting to large groups of people Initiative, and self-motivation Trustworthiness and discretion when handling confidential information Qualification HND / Degree qualification required. Job Title: Business Development Officer Location: Lagos Responsibilities Client Facing and keen on showcasing new IT solutions Research and recommend advertising options as well as identify lead generation (calling list) companies Expose the company and our services to Companies, organizations, event promoters and entertainers to generate referral clients for our business Manage the internet marketing of the company through the internet (social media channels, blogs,etc.) to increase our market awareness and generate clients, Support the Director of the company Generally, you will be: Following up new business opportunities and setting up meetings Planning and preparing presentations Establishing and maintaining working relationships Communicating new product developments to prospective clients Developing marketing literature Administering business development relationships and writing reports Providing management with market feedback Working with offshore team Performing personal assistant functions for the Managing Director Requirements Keen on technology Good business sense Excellent verbal and written communications skills Good organizational and time-management skills A positive attitude Good negotiation skills and persuasiveness Confidence presenting to large groups of people Initiative, and self-motivation Trustworthiness and discretion when handling confidential information Qualifcation HND / Degree qualification required How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s to: jobs@247solutionsltd.com Application Deadline 31st July, 2014. —————————————————————————— Recent Nigerian Jobs in Owerri, Imo State A reputable and fast growing conglomerate based in Owerri, Imo State engaged in the business of manufacturing of PVC Pipes, Toilet Roll (Tissue paper), Table water and Aluminium Long span sheets requires the services of the suitably qualified candidates to fill in the following vacancies: Location: Owerri, Imo State Job Title: General Manager (Expatriate or Nigerian) Requirement A University Degree/HND in any Engineering Discipline An MBA in management Minimum of 5 years cognate experience in a manufacturing plant. Job Title: Factory Production Manager (Expatriate or Nigerian) Requirement A University Degree/HND in any Engineering Discipline Must have at least 5 years experience in a PVC Pipes, Tables water, Tissue Paper and Aluminium Long span sheets production. Job Title: Marketing Officer Requirement A University Degree/ HND in Marketing or any of the Social Sciences Minimum of 2 years cognate experience in the marketing of the product of our conglomerate. Must be hardworking and able to achieve targets, Job Title: Store Control Officer Requirement A University degree/HND in Accounting Minimum of 5 years cognate experience of store control of raw materials and finished products in a production

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

Iwo Mega Rally: The Land Of The Macaw Sings Praises, Prayers For Aregbesola As the ancient town of Iwo stood still for Governor Rauf Aregbesola's Second Term Campaign train last Tuesday, NIYI OLASINDE chronicles the distinct features of the gathering; even as he brings out the diverse aspects and dimensions that were packaged into the event in different positive ways.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from the mammoth crowd during his re-election mega rally at Iwo Federal Constituency, Iwo, State of Osun, last Tuesday. THE ancient town of Iwo played host to the fourth in the series of mega rallies of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the State of Osun which are packaged to herald the second coming into office of the incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, come August 9, 2014. This time around, organizing and hosting of the rally concerned three local government council areas situated in the Iwo Federal Constituency, and which is headquartered in Iwo. The three local government council areas of which the federal constituency is comprised are Iwo, Ayedire and Ola Oluwa local government council areas. It was therefore at the instance of constituents in these three mentioned councils that the mammoth crowd converged on Iwo on that day. On account of the overwhelming crowd and that of the ultimate success of the programme, big thumbs-up of commendation goes to the local organizing committee, that is, the Aregbesola Second Term Campaign Committee for the federal constituency, ably chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and former State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti. In similar vein, all others who contributed to the eventual success story of the programme deserve commendation. An attempt at making a list will surely snatch the responsibility of the write-up, thereby causing an awful derailment. Above all, all and sundry who made up the gathering, members of the cheering crowd inclusive are appreciated, since all

of them, one way or the other mean one or other thing to the ruling party in the state. The programme at Iwo replicated my earlier judgment that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does usual things uniquely and in grand style, as far as the State of Osun is concerned. In aggregation, the fold of the political party all over the country has proven my verdict right via the success recorded at the first-ever National Convention of the party held last weekend at the Eagle’s Square in Abuja. At that programme also, a surging crowd converged to attest to it that the party of progressives is not just appearing to façade the usual opposition threats, but to contend and win the seat of government at the centre – that is government at federal level. The manner of emergence of elected national officers of the party showed clearly that there still exists bright radiant hope for Nigeria, not only in the aspect of internal democracy, but also orderliness, peaceful conduct and other ingredients of lasting democratic culture. Of greater joy is the fact that such programme of such great magnitude and significance came up at a time like this; otherwise, detractors would have classified our earlier judgments as product of parochial, sectional assessment. Now the truth has been affirmed by the fact that even in events of nation-wide significance, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a formidable force to reckon with in breaking barriers to unity and harmonious peaceful co-existence. Surely, with this particular progressive party, there is hope

for Nigeria. Like earlier ones held in Ile-Ife, Ikire and Ila-Orangun, the Iwo Mega Rally showcased the best attributes that a virtuous people should radiate. Central to this is the spirit of love. Love in this context implies love for all that is noble, good and worthwhile. Governor Aregbesola and other speakers at those held rallies never minced words in showing gratitude to the people for the love they showed, not only by attending, but also by waiting almost in day-long expectation of the arrival of the campaign train and the subsequent take-off of proceedings, even by staying glued till the end of speeches. As a matter of fact, it takes love to withstand all the rigors imposed by surging crowd, weather uncertainties and other hazards, especially, the opportunity costs of putting up attendance at the expense of other engagements that people could have been preoccupied with. Another quality of the people which made those rallies a rallying-point is the spirit of appreciation, which is also characteristic of any truly virtuous people. Something interests me in the manner that one highly reputable monarch in the state asks from the gathering at any public event within his domain in recent time, as to if they would show sincere appreciation for the good gestures of Governor Aregbesola. The rousing and thunderous chorus of affirmative response to this question each time it was asked thrilled the heart with joy. It is not in doubt that people are sincerely

appreciative of all developmental efforts of the incumbent administration since its ascension into office. All that we pray for, which forms the central core of all the rallies is that the appreciation, be translated into trooping out massively on Election Day to exercise that civic responsibility that is a leveler for all. That one civic responsibility requires that which all persons who have attained the stipulated voting age do with their thumbs. That responsibility requires one man, one woman to thumbprint only once on the ballot paper on election date for the candidate of their choice – Aregbesola of course – and be an active, vigilant observer of events up till counting and recording time. The all-important value of this task by voters was stressed over and over again by speakers at the rally. Another attribute observed in the people of the state, which instills in me great pride of belonging here is the people’s rapturous desire for continuity. With all that we have seen and heard, a large majority of our people is insistent on defending the change they collectively effected, consciously and deliberately in 2007. It is so far widely demonstrated that elections in the State of Osun shall no longer be exercises where people are coerced or over-swayed with financial or material gratifications. Desperate moneybag politicians who are hell-bent to assume political offices by all means and at all costs have no business here. Their time has expired for good and all! Continued on page 13

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

Iwo Mega Rally: The Land Of The Macaw Sings Praises, Prayers For Aregbesola

•Governor Aregbesola (with broom), acknowledging cheers from his numerous admirers at the Iwo mega rally. Continued from page 12 The role of security agents of sorts in maintaining peace and orderliness is indicative of the fact that they are getting up to defend the masses, which is their constitutional role in the democratic society. At the Iwo Mega Rally in particular, Governor Aregbesola announced the reassurance given by the authorities of the armed forces that they would be protective rather than destructive in their disposition henceforth. This undertaking, if carried out to the letter shall infuse soothing relief into the hearts of the people. Lastly, the spirit of oneness and unity which prevailed among the people, measurable in terms of the hitch-, rancorfree conduct is praise-worthy. It is with unanimous accord that a vote of confidence is being passed on Aregbesola and his political platform, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ride on. Surely, as God Himself concluded in the scriptures, if the people are united and speak one single tongue, there is nothing they endeavour that shall not be accomplished. May this divine will find practical expression in the life of our state, in the aspiration of Ogbeni and in our collective overall interest, come August 9 when we shall be approaching the polls. God bless the State of Osun; God bless Nigeria. UT the Iwo Mega Rally was unlike the three which came before it in many dimensions. In fairness, there has been no fresh rally held so far without its uniqueness. However, that of Iwo tends to have surpassed. This was to the extent that the first civilian governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, increased his usual prediction of votes to be polled by the ruling party in the state from 80 per cent to between 80 to 90 per cent! According to him, the people of Iwo gave unanimous assurance in an unusual manner – a development that is impressive and good indeed for democracy and good governance. He

however promised that the unanimity of Ede electorate would be more robust. That revelation makes things better still! In his erudition, the Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Professor Senator Sola Adeyeye was more eloquent than ever. He made the fifth and sixth lines of the first stanza of Nigeria’s National Anthem the theme of his speech, which is: “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain”. He then went ahead to checklist the heroes past against their noble deeds while alive. The heroes’ honour roll began from the great Sir Herbert Macaulay, through the First Republic leaders like Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, Right Honourable Sir Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello (all of blessed memory), to the felled Cicero of EsaOke, late Chief Bola Ige. On the shrouded mystery surrounding the assassination of Ige, Adeyeye asked many probing questions which required voters to beware of casting their votes in the direction of the yet-to-be-absolved dramatis personae fingered in the killing plot. Voting in favour of those accused persons, he concluded, shall make vain the exertions of our illustrious heroes. The foregoing is not all. The convergence on Iwo last Tuesday, as attested to by the governor himself was astonishingly overwhelming. The Iwo Central Stadium venue of the occasion was another class of its own. Except it has the mind of keeping date with disappointment, shame and showdown; no opposition party in the state dare choose such an auspicious space for the biggest of its (so-called) mega rallies. Not even the noisy, flatulent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that believes strongly in financial / material enticements. The crowd at Iwo was so large and tumultuous that even the governor remarked that the volume of crowd outside the stadium outnumbered

that within! Great crowd; good people! The crowd at these rallies were not enticed or attracted with money or other material inducements. There were no hired thugs, killers or odd-jobbers. Upon the largeness of the crowd at Iwo, there were no reported cases of violence or other mishaps (ditto for the three earlier-held rallies). In spite of the teeming crowd lost items were still found and reported, signifying the absence of pick-pockets and pilferers at the event. This should not be surprising in the State of the Virtuous, the various empowerment programmes embarked upon by the administration of Ogbeni has mopped up miscreants and odd-jobbers from the streets. The handful remaining are confined to where they are needed – the camp of the leading opposition. Iwo axis is one of the settlements with which the State of Osun shares ample borders with adjoining states. One of the greatest delights ever was how passersby and passengers to other states en route Iwo hastily deserted motor parks to enjoy Ogbeni and give him his deserved respect and admiration for all they had heard and seen. It is no fiction that not less than four of the passengers inside a bus that conveyed one of my friends to Iwo on that day cancelled their earlier-planned journeys on hearing that Aregbesola was billed to be in town! Instead of carrying on with their trips as scheduled, they took the momentary decision to stay put and identify with a man whose imprints of good governance had become a reference point all over the country and whose like they covet to saddle the mantle of leadership in their respective states. It is astonishing that in spite of the fact that the stool of the monarch of Iwo had become vacant, following the demise of Oba Ashiru Olatunbosun Tadese, the last Oluwo on February 19 last year; royal fathers, traditional rulers and community leaders still converged in the auspicious palace of the ancient town to hold the forte and receive Governor Aregbesola

with honour, splendor, prestige and finesse. This kind of unity and transparent reverence for traditions are rare these days. We have heard of cases where tussles among living monarchs had nearly wrecked the ship of kingdoms and states. The prevailing love, peace and unity among these community leaders deserve commendation. In spite of the sad reality felt at the conspicuous absence of Oba Tadese, it was a joyous crowd that gathered to accord Aregbesola a rousing welcome. Another departure that would have cast a shadow on the event is the recent homecall of the elder statesman, respected politician and religious leader in the area, Alhaji Lateef Katayeyanjue. Instead of casting shadow on the event, the occasion turned out to be a summit for the celebration of the life of the departed icon. Speaker after speaker eulogized the good deeds of the deceased. A minute silence was observed and prayers were offered for the repose of his soul in Aljana Firdaus. There was hardly any speaker at the event that had nothing to say of the impactful and accomplished life of the deceased. The big deal in all these is that the Iwo Mega Rally brought to the fore and amplified the hand of peace with which Aregbesola has handled the State of Osun since his assumption of office. One of the cardinal objectives of his administration as contained in the SixPoint Integral Action Plan encapsulated in his pact of governance for the people of the state is that his administration will: “Enhance Communal Peace and Progress”. All said and done, events at Iwo Mega Rally and other rallies are testimony enough to it that peace and progress are the success story of the Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun. Iwo people prayed through their massive turnout at the event that our state shall continue to experience greater measure of peace and progress. We all pray along to the same effect. May God grant our hearts’ desire.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

A memorable quote from Senator Isiaka Adeleke on the PDP candidate in the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and another PDP chieftain in the state, Sogo Agboola. Omisore, Police Minister Beat Me Up - Adeleke “On entering the hall, I saw Omisore, Adesiyan, Sogo Agboola sitting together. I went to Adesiyan to complain that police officers and DSS operatives were holding party men outside. But, instead of listening to me, he jumped over a table before him and hit me with a blow on the chest. Sogo Agboola also attacked me. Before I knew what was happening, Omisore hit me with a blow from the back. About seven guns corked were pointed at me,” Adeleke asserted. •Culled from Nigerian Tribune, Thursday April 3, 2014

•OMISORE

•ADELEKE

•ADESIYAN

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, June 21, 2014

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credible election. HE next general elections in The Inspector-General of Police Nigeria take place in a year’s (IGP) has promised a fairly large time. But before then, the security presence in Ekiti State on gubernatorial elections in Ekiti Saturday to ensure adequate State and the State of Osun would security. We must, however, warn take place today and August 9th that it must not scare voters or the 2014 respectively. with police should not be deployed for Political campaigns and rallies MURTALA AGBOOLA nefarious activities. have been conducted by all TEL: 0806-119-7897 Election monitors should have political parties contesting the E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com an unfettered access to do their election in Ekiti State. Candidates job. have made promises but What makes the election in Ekiti unfortunately there was no forum and Osun States at this time for the gladiators in Ekiti State to challenging is the fact that it would canvass through a debate to enable to a large extent determine how the voters to assess them. The election is taking place today prepared the INEC is and by and the voters are ready to give the extension how they would handle candidates their score card. next year’s general elections. Electioneering campaigns are Beyond that and more meant to be issue-based that enable importantly is the fact that while candidates to tell the electorate the incumbent governors have why they should be voted into performed to the expectation of power. For incumbents, it allows the people, there is a very strong them to ask for continuity based on desire by the powerful forces at the their track record. top, the Peoples Democratic Party The media, the civil society (PDP) to clinch back these states. groups, the security and above all, It is possible to have a credible, the Independent National Electoral free and fair election, if only we Commission (INEC) have decide to do the right thing. invaluable roles to play to ensure Electoral malpractices should not free, fair and credible elections. be condoned in anyway by any Elections in Anambra and Delta person, regardless of his or her states did not show the level of position. As a country, we should maturity and competence expected be able to walk the talk as it affects from INEC. The INEC helmsman our ability to prosecute electoral has promised that the forthcoming offenders. election would prove that the It will help us to stabilize our electoral body is equal to task. democracy and the polity if we can If INEC is able to live up to have a credible election. All expectation, then a landmark •JEGA stakeholders should go about their achievement would have been truncated the first republic issues in the region, then we need normal duties without hindrance made. from any quarters. It is in the interest of all emanated from politically-related to put all hands on deck to ensure a In previous Nigerians that elections, the electoral logistics had body is able to constituted a get it right, so ODAY is exactly 68 days since the must take the interests of those he leads. to have first-hand feelings with the plight major headache t h a t young and innocent girls of The First Lady introduced comic into the of the concerned parents. The president’s to INEC. We can government Government Secondary School, whole affair by questioning the veracity of Media and Publicity spokesman, Dr Reuben Chibok, Borno state were abducted by the the abduction. She became noted with there Abati later denied that information. Up till only hope that it would not is God ooooo. now, the President is yet to visit Chibok. Boko Haram sect. has been factored only be Obviously from how the whole thing had Sometimes the president needs to think into The unfortunate and ugly scenario that their responsible brought Nigeria into the limelight for gone, one is tempted to conclude that and act out of the box. The security preparations. Jonathan believes either rightly or operatives sometimes create dreadful b u t wrong reasons has attracted sympathy President If everything and demonstrations throughout the world wrongly that Boko Haram is nothing but a situation in an otherwise manageable representative with the theme #Bring back our girls. contraption of the northern elitist hegemony, situation. h u m a n l y If I were Jonathan, I would simply ask all as well. Like other national issues, the bent on sending him out of power. This must possible has been have informed his attitude and behaviour. the heads of the security agencies to presidency was initially, lackadaisical The South- about the abduction, until the negative However, with the killings so far, which accompany me to Chibok. If the Inspector- done, then we West is highly reactions from outside the country to the transcends religion and ethnicity, one is General of Police (IGP), the Director General only hope that enlightened touchy issue compelled President tempted to put a lie to conspiracy of the of the State Security Service (SSS) and the nature would be northern leaders. Jonathan to act. Chief of Defence Staff follow me to Chibok, a n d Goodluck As a Commander-in-Chief, the President by not As if the belated action was not bad sophisticated enough, the President is yet to visit the has not lived up to expectation. The can there be breach of security? The answer benevolent raining on that is simply, ‘No’. If they cannot provide p o l i t i c a l l y, hapless parents of these unfortunate girls Executive President, which the presidential adequate security for the trip, then it means day. system connotes, makes the whole country Chibok, Borno State. The fundamental h e n c e in We can only question to ask is: Is Chibok not part of a constituency of the President. Since their own lives are in danger. anything that Nigeria? Why must the parents of these insurgency started in the North-East, the Unless and until we put ourselves in the keep our fingers happens in the young girls be made to undergo President had visited Borno and Yobe once. shoes of the common men, things would crossed and That was even contingent upon the fact never change. It is sad and indeed pitiable torture and trauma? zone has a psychological Granted the fact that the act initially that the All Progressives Congress (APC) that 68 days after the Chibok sad episode, await Saturday, domino effect jolted everybody, the presidency ought governors had a meeting in Maiduguri the President is yet to see the people in the when hopefully on the to have summoned the courage to do the before the Commander-In-Chief could visit area. Have we tactically conceded that part the election of the area. The alibi then was the place was of the country to the terrorists? thing. country. If we right Leadership and power entails not safe. The President needs not hole himself in Ekiti would be remember that responsibility. A leader is so described Recently the media was awash with the conducted the events that because he has followers. Such a leader news that the President would visit Chibok his cocoon in the ambience of Aso Rock. successfully.

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the 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.