Osun Defender - March 15th, 2014 Edition

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SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014 If the much talked about plan of the far from being People's Democratic Party in the state of Osun to perpetrate violence as the election draws closer was real, then they better have a re-think. If the much talked about plan of the far from being People's Democratic Party in the state of Osun to perpetrate violence as the election draws closer was real,

Front Page Comment Osun PDP's plan orgy of violence then they better have a re-think. To have a re-think is a necessity for Osun PDP before they embark on Russian-roulette. Of course any plan to, yet again, embark on what they are best known for; perpetration of violence, will be tantamount to

embarking on a dangerous game with dire consequences for them.Like former President Olusegun Obasanjo - employing a yoruba axiom in his letter last month to President Jonathan - rightly said; "the person on whose head coconut was

VOL. 9. NO.032 broken may not live to savour the taste of its sweetness". Before it's too late for them it's better they make a U-turn from the journey they are planning to embark on because this time around it won't be business as usual for them. Should they go ahead to hatch their diabolical plan as they did in 2007 then they must also be ready to continue on page5

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

N50

IGE

Voters’ Registration Exercise:

PDP Thugs On Rampage In Osun - See Story On Page 3

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed), acknowledging cheers from his admirers on his arrival to commission the completed Ansar-U-Deen (AUD) Elementary School at Isale-Osun, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Thursday.

We Are A Government On A Mission - Aregbesola

- See Story On Page 4

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

Registration Exercise: PDP Thugs On Rampage In Osun

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HE State of Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has brought to the attention of the general public and Professor Attahiru Jega, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the acts of thuggery and brigandage being perpetrated by some leaders and agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attacking registration centres and maiming agents and supporters of the party.

This was contained in a everybody on sight. press statement issued and The thugs were in signed by the party Director Okerewe Wards 1 and 2, of Publicity, Research and where APC party agents Strategy, Barrister Kunle and many of the party Oyatomi, on Thursday. supporters were wounded.

According to the APC A number of the victims spokesman, in Ife-East Local of the PDP assaults have Government Council Area, since been rushed to the some PDP thugs moved hospital for medical round the entire registration attention. centres and were attacking “They particularly went

to 1, Mosalasi Lane, Itakogun Ile-Ife, where they attacked the mother of the Executive Secretary of IfeEast Local Government Council and some other people.

Oyatomi in the press statement identified the thugs as being: Attillery, Ayo Wasca, Fatai Ologede, Alhaji Akinsolugba, Bisi Elelede, Alhaja Silifa and Kako.

At Ward 4 of Obokun Local Government Council Area, Ilase, PDP thugs were also reported to have disrupted the ongoing registration, where one Babatunde Olatunji was

attacked, because APC supporters resisted an attempt by the PDP to register under-age registrants.

In Atakunmosa-West Local Government Council Area, PDP thugs also attacked APC members.

As at press time, two of those attacked sustained serious injuries and are now hospitalized at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa.

The party in the state however, expressed its surprise over the attitude of the law enforcement officers at the various scenes of the attacks, as they were

alleged to have looked the other way, while the PDP thugs perpetrated the dastardly act.

“It is surprising that the Police, who are supposed to maintain orderliness at the registration centres, looked the other way, when our members were being attacked.

“It is clear that the PDP is desperate at rigging

elections as elections are rigged before, during and after. People’s votes and choice must count. We urge our members and general public to resist PDP desperation for a peaceful registration exercise and also appeal to Police authorities to be responsible to their task,” Oyatomi stressed.

Osun PDP’s Threat To Peace Escalates: Kills One Of Its Own •APC Alerts Police

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•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commissioning Ansar-U-Deen Elementary School while with him, his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left); Deputy Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye (right); state Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Adetoun Adegboyega (2nd left) during the official commissioning of Ansar-U-Deen (AUD) Elementary School at Isale Osun, Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. Osogbo, State of Osun, last Thursday.

HE State of Osun Commissioner of Police and other security agencies in the state have been alerted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) threat to peace in the state is escalating dangerously.

Within four days from partyman was killed.

Monday to Thursday during However, in an attempt to the week, PDP thugs and divert attention from the crime, killers have maimed, injured the PDP unleashed violence on and murdered citizens of the the father of Ife East Local state in the party’s desperation Government Executive to assume power through Secretary, Mr Tajudeen Lawal, violence. vandalizing the old man’s According to a statement property. issued on Thursday by the “On Wednesday, during the party’s Director of Publicity, registration exercise, the PDP Research and Strategy, struck in several centres Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, the violently disrupting the party drew attention of the exercise and injuring several security agencies to Wednesday supporters of the APC and murder of one of its own other citizens, who turned up members by the PDP at Gbodo, in numbers to be registered for the August gubernatorial in Ile-Ife. Reports reaching the APC election.

“Some of the severely Secretariat informed of the tragedy that resulted after a injured victims of the violence PDP meeting at Gbodo had to be hospitalised.

The APC therefore, wants degenerated into violence during which their own the security services to take very seriously the increasing audacity with which the PDP is operating violently in Osun and constituting itself into a and reckless army of security operatives, yet, we lawless thugs bent on intimidating the still went ahead with the people to support their party. celebration,” Salaam added.

According to the APC, He then called on the Osun citizens will not be cowed Federal Government to by PDP’s intimidation and the ensure that those behind the notoriety for violence by one killings are made to face the of the PDP aspirants, where one of its own members was wrath of the law.

Other lawmakers, killed.

The APC therefore, urged its including Leke Ogunsola (Ayedire); Wasiu Adebayo supporters to remain firm and (Olorunda); Ajibola be vigilant but peaceful and law abiding, admonishing them not Akinloye (Ila) and Abiodun take the law into their hands; Awolola (Egbedore), who but constantly report PDP also contributed to the lawlessness to the police and discussion, posited that the other security forces on hand killings of the students were whenever a threat to peace uncalled for. occurs.

Osun Lawmaker Weeps Over Yobe Pupils’ Killings •Assembly Writes Off Centenary Celebration

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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the Federal Government could still go ahead with the celebration, inspite of the incident.

“I understand why my colleague broke down in tears. That is exactly how anyone, who is a parent, will react.

“The lives of this innocent students, who could possibly be our future leaders, were cut short by Boko Haram insurgent.

What then are we

lawmaker in the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Dejo Osuolale, betrayed his emotion on Wednesday as he broke down in tears while commenting on the recent killings of pupils in Yobe State

by Boko Haram insurgents.

It would be recalled that mood to the floor of the several students and staff Assembly and took few of Federal Government Girls minutes to continue the College (FGGC) in Buni Yadi, proceedings.

Yobe State were killed by Salaam said as parents, gunmen suspected to be the killing of the innocent members of Boko Haram students was painful and terrorists a day to the recent barbaric, wondering why Centenary Celebration by the Federal Government.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, at the plenary session of the House in Osogbo on

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI Wednesday had asked HE steady peace in Ile-Ife for the past three years members to comment on the was on Wednesday truncated by suspected Peoples necessity or otherwise of Democratic Party (PDP) thugs, believed to be loyal the celebration and the level of insecurity in the country. to Senator Iyiola Omisore, a governorship aspirant on the When it was the turn of party’s platform.

The suspected thugs another APC agent, was also Osuolale to comment, he invaded Okerewe Ward 2 in macheted on the head, while broke down and wept Ife-East Local Government profusely.

Overwelmed by emotion, Council Area of the state on the lawmaker, who Wednesday afternoon to the voters’ represents Boripe/ snatch Boluwaduro constituency registration materials, but said: “I am sad that innocent were said to have been by All children could just be resisted wiped-off like that, yet the Progressives Congress (APC) agent at the unit.

President did not care.”

The Ward Chairperson, It took the intervention of the Speaker to calm the Mrs Williams, was beaten lawmaker down and asked up, seriously wounded, while her finger was also him to have his seat.

Osuolale’s reactions, macheted.

Adewumi Adetola, •ABIODUN WILLIAMS however, brought solemn

celebrating?.

“The situation in our country today called for sober reflection, rather than celebration.

“Do we need to celebrate when we have myopic thinking, as to what we do in power and where nobody is safe?

“It is so pathetic that a day to the celebration, innocent children were slaughtered in a country that we have leaders,

Omisore’s Thugs Descend On APC Agents In Ile-Ife

•Blast Man’s Face With Stone, Damage Car

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the thugs blasted Abiodun Williams’ face with stone.

Three of them were currently receiving treatment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, (OAUTHC), Ile Ife as at the

•ADEWUMI ADETOLA

time of filing this report..

According to an eyewitness, Mr Saka Ibraheem, the suspected thugs attempted to snatch the registration materials at the polling unit, which was resisted by the party agents and the people who queued to register.

Ibraheem said: “the thugs stormed the unit and chased people away with weapons and made several efforts to cart-away the Direct Data Capturing machine, but met serious resistance from the residents of the area, who were waiting to be registered”.

“When it was obvious that they could not go away with the machine, they left the unit and few minutes later, they reinforced again and descended on the APC agents by beating them and

using dangerous weapons to attack them.”

Asking on the role played by the security agents, the source said the suspected PDP thugs were larger in number beyond what the two policemen and a Civil Defence Corp office at the polling centre could curtail.

It was gathered that after leaving the polling unit, the thugs moved to another APC chieftain, Pa Lawal’s house, at Mosalasi Lane, Itakogun, where his car was damaged Pa Lawal is the father of Alhaji Lawal Tajudeen, the Executive Secretary of Ife East Local Government Council.

As at the time of filling this report, it could not been confirmed whether anyone has been arrested in connection with the attacks.

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

Osun School Restructuring ‘ll Produce Competent Youths - Laoye-Tomori

By SOLA JACOBS

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28,000 out of 32,000 pupils.

Speaking on the reduction of school fees in the state-owned tertiary institutions, the state deputy governor said UNIOSUN fee was reduced from N198,000 to N100,000, that of the state’s

Polytechnic reduced from N42,000 to N25,000, while that of the state’s Colleges of Education was reduced from N28,000 to N20,000.

In his lecture, Dr. Ayoade Owoade, said the state government’s aim was to give the best to people of

the state through the series of its programmes, most importantly in the education sector, adding that the administration of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola is fully focussed on improving on their plights.

He stressed that the

administration will stop at nothing to better their lots, adding that the administration is God-sent to improve their lives.

Participants at the symposium were drawn from different media houses across the country.

HE ongoing restructuring of the education sector in the State of Osun has been described as a system aimed by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, to produce competent youths that will contribute meaningfully to the development of the state in no distant future and be able to compete favourably with their counterparts from every part of the world.

She said N14.41 billion Deputy Governor and Commissioner for has been committed into the of 39 Education in the State of construction Osun, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace elementary schools, 14 Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, middle schools and 12 high stated this in her keynote schools across the state, address to participants at a while another N1.6 billion symposium organized by has been expended on the government of the State renovation of dilapidated of Osun to address the structures in schools, state’s education together with a sum of N2.5 programme tagged: billion spent on the of school ‘Symposium on Osun purchase Education Policy in furniture.

Otunba Laoye-Tomori Perspective: Issues’, Challenges and Imperatives. said in an attempt to create Describing education as a unified identity for not just an ordinary tool elementary, middle and high meant for knowledge school pupils in the state acquisition, but a and to entrensh virtues of machinery, which will assist Omoluabi among them, the in the development of a state government freely 750,000 school complete man and help him gave uniforms to them, provided to contribute meaningfully teaching aids in schools to his society, Mrs. Laoye- with N503 million and Tomori said the symposium released a total sum of N856 is in tandem with the open- million as running and door policy of the present examination grants to •(L-R) Professor Ayo Olukotun, Lead Speaker; Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Lands, Dr Ayoade administration in the State schools adding that Opon Owoade and Otunba Lai Oyeduntan during a One-Day Stakeholders’ symposium, titled: ‘Osun Education Policy in of Osun, which focuses on Imo (Tablet of Knowledge) Perspective; Issues, Challenges and Imperative”, organised by Osun Movement for peace in Osogbo last Wednesday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI serving people of the state has been freely given to better.

According to her, the present administration inherited a moribund school system on its assumption of resolved to provide Earlier in his needed assistance, is in the

By SHINA ABUBAKAR office in November 2010 enabling environment for presentation, the APC training of observers to with virtually nothing on HE United States Government has pledged its eligible voters to vote Interim Chairman in the ensure effective election ground to aid teaching and to their state, Elder Biyi Adelowo monitoring, as well as support towards the conduct of a free, fair and according learning in the state’s public sought the assistance of the presence of international credible elections in Ekiti and Osun States in June conscience. primary and secondary and August respectively.

He added that the US in the area of logistics observers in all the units in state. schools, teachers’ morale administration and the APC and manpower training theThe gathering was According to the US stakeholders work towards believe in the principle of towards being at its lowest ebb, poor educating attended by all party hitch-free one-man-one-vote and electorate and party performance of students at Consular-General in Nigeria, ensuring officials executives in the state, the both the internal and external Mr Jeffrey Hawkins, who elections in the states. would not compromise its and Earlier, the State belief, hence the need for the on the importance of Attorney-General examinations culminating in visited the All Progressives credible polls to democratic Commissioner for Justice in Commissioner for having only three percent of Party Secretariat in the State US to reach out to other governance. the State, Barrister Wale secondary school of Osun, the American Information and Strategy, stakeholders to help He added that another Afolabi and others too Mr Sunday Akere had graduates qualified for government is interested in towards the same objective. area, where the party numerous to mention. admission into tertiary Nigeria’s democratic highlighted the relationship institutions. process, hence its between credible election Otunba Laoye-Tomori commitment to ensuring free and good governance, said the number of and fair polls in the country. disclosing the various Korede said the mission of elementary school pupils He said the outcome of achievements of the the organisation is to Governor Rauf Aregbesolawhich totalled 155,318 at the Ekiti and Osun elections support the efforts of the introduction of the school would have impact on the led administration in the state government in

By SHINA ABUBAKAR feeding programme of the general elections in 2015, state. ensuring a clean He disclosed that the present administration, hence, the United States has OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf environment.

OMEALS, on April 30, 2012 a responsibility in assisting governor has delivered on Aregbesola, has urged the people of the state to Korede also urged support the government and other organisations Nigerians to collaborate with has since risen to 252,793 as stakeholders in ensuring his electioneering campaign at December 2013, adding free, fair and credible polls promises, which were hinge responsible for environmental management in sustaining government at all levels in on the six-point integral the culture of clean and hygienic environment. that the programme gulped in the country. ensuring a clean bulk sum of money from the environment.

Hawkins, who was action plan of the state He stated that the event organised by a nonOrganisations and coffers of the state accompanied by other government.

Akere added that the difference between animal governmental organisation, stakeholders, who have government on daily basis officers of the US Environ-Sanitation Matters man is that man is contributed meaningfully to and had tremendously government, said he had current administration in the and created by God to be clean. Initiative at the Local the promotion of a clean increased elementary met with the Police, INEC state believe that credible Government Service Governor Aregbesola school enrolment in the and also civil societies in a poll is the bedrock of admonished the people Commission Hall, Osogbo, environment, who were recipients of awarded at the state. bid to ensure that all democracy, hence, it while speaking at a recent State of Osun capital.

Aregbesola said it is the programme included Uniq culture of Nigerians, FM Ilesa with the Corporate Award, especially Yoruba during Ambassador ’s Honourable Lawrence pre-independence era, to maximum use of the however appealed to all always be neat, but the Babatunde Ayeni; a LagosBy SOLA JACOBS lawmaker and elegible voters in the State situation turned around ten based opportunity.”

EPUTY Governor of the State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs.) Environmental Health Appealing to people of of Osun to turn out in their years after independence.

Grace Titilayo Laoye- Tomori, has sent an appeal to the state to cooperate with large numbers and get He noted that cleanliness Officials Association among the Independent National Electoral Commission the electoral officials drated themselves registered in the promotes healthy living others.

(INEC) to address the teething problems associated with to their areas for the exercise before it comes to a Speaking with newsmen and healthy living moves a the five-day voters’ registration exercise, which exercise, Mrs. Laoye- close, so as to give them after receiving the award on nation forward, adding that commenced in the state on Tuesday.

Tomori said if total peace is ample opportunity to vote behalf of his Unique FM, the maintained, all the eligible for candidates of their the culture is the major station’s General Manager, why his Otunba Laoye-Tomori monitoring the exercise voters in the State of Osun choice during the August 9, reason Mr Opeyemi Fajemilehin, gave this submission after around Osogbo and could be registered within 2014 governorship election. administration made it the said the organisation will not Some of the people who fifth of its six-point integral relent in its quest to Olorunda Local Government the stipulated period.

Change Of Name Council Areas in Osogbo, According to her, those bore their minds to the action plan to promote enlighten and sensitise the the state capital. who could not exchange state’s Deputy Governor healthy living.

I, formerly known as He advocated the public on the importance According to the deputy their temporary voters’ expressed their displeasure A O F O L A J U clean environment. governor; “many of our cards with permanent ones at the slow pace of the planting of trees and MORADEKE ROSELINE, Also speaking, flowers around and inside exercise and pledged their people are finding it difficult on or before last Sunday now wish to be known and Lawrence Ayeni to register because most of should exercise patience, support to all the electoral homes with a view to Honourable said the award was a addressed as MRS the machines sent to the saying collection of officers handling the bringing about fresh air that motivation for him to do A D E S A N M I state by INEC for the permanent voters’ card will exercise in their area. will improve good health.

MORADEKE. All former The five days exercise exercise are faulty. I hereby recommence Earlier in his address, more, as he is keen in moving at the documents remain valid. appeal to leadership of the expiration of the ongoing ends on Sunday the 16th of Chairman of Environ- the state forward under the March. electoral body to kindly exercise.

General public should take Sanitation Matters leadership of Mr Rauf address this hiccup, so as The deputy governor Initiative, Sanitarian Idowu Aregbesola. note. to allow our people to make

US Pledges Support For Osun, Ekiti Elections

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Aregbesola Advocates Sustainable Clean Environment

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Laoye-Tomori Appeals To INEC On Voters’ Registration

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

Appointment Of Adesiyan As Minister Of Police Affairs, Insult On Yoruba People - COSEG

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN HE recent appointment of Mr. Jelili Adesiyan by T President Goodluck Jonathan as Police Affairs Minister has been described as an insult on Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria and also an attempt to shield him and his cohorts from prosecution over the death of the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige. (COSEG) signed by its In a press release at the Chairman and Secretary, end of its monthly meeting, Ifedayo Ogunlana and where the state of the nation Rasak Olokoba, described was thoroughly discussed, the appointment as an the Coalition of Oodua Self- attempt to pervert the determination Groups course of justice.

According to the group, the appointment of Mr. Jelili Adesiyan as minister is not only an insult on the people of Yorubaland, but a disservice to the memory of the late Chief Bola Ige. “A man who is an aide of Senator Iyiola Omisore, known for violence and brigandage cannot be trusted in such a position.

“He is still under investigation for the murder of Chief Bola Ige, yet he is a minister in-charge of agency

of government investigation, calls to question the anti-corruption crusade of the Jonathan-led government.’’ ’’Continuing ‘’ we have noted the hatred president Jonathan has for our people, that’s why an alleged murderer could be appointed as Police Affairs minister.

COSEG equally blames the Senate for the hasty manner in which the alleged murderer-nominee was

confirmed, even with stiff opposition from the three senators from Osun State. ‘’We are confused how a man standing trial for murder could have scaled the screening of the security as well as that of the senate of the F ederal Republic, if not that himself and his god father are up to a game’’.

“It is also very worrisome how our security system works again, if an alleged murderer that has a case in

We Are A Government On A Mission - Aregbesola •Promises To Rebuild Fakunle High School

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

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development.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimon Olanipekun, lauded the state government’s efforts in improving the quality of education in the state.

The monarch said: “The schools were criminal hideouts in the past as a result of the dilapidated infrastructure, where criminals always found comfort to smoke marijuana and commit other atrocities in the night.

“When I was the Local Education Secretary, we tried all we could do. We hired members of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) to secure the schools for us.

They tried their best without any positive result, but with this state-of-the-art

HE Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had on Thursday doused tension on the controversy surrounding the demolition of Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, as he promises to build another school to be named after the school’s founder, Pa Fakunle.

Aregbesola announced things. When I was young, the state government no one could imagine that decision on Thursday they were training me for during the commissioning of this leadership position.

Ansar-U-Deen Elementary That is our vision for this Model School, Isale Osun, and yet unborn Osogbo, State of Osun generations. capital.

“The greatest enemies of Aregbesola said: “It is human race and of the late not because we don’t like sage, Chief Obafemi Fakunle High School, that Awolowo are ignorance and we are moving it and poverty. That is why we transforming the place to cannot neglect the another thing, we like development of this most Fakunle and we love our critical sector by embarking state capital, which is why on infrastructural we have decided to relocate Fakunle and transform the place.

“Fakunle will be relocated to a place opposite Osogbo OME Yoruba groups on Wednesday said it is difficult City Stadium with new for anyone to prove that the region’s delegates to the structure and be named as National Conference are the best the region can offer.

Fakunle Unity High School, The final list, they said in a gress; Edward Olusola Ajayi, Osogbo,” Aregbesola press release signed by repre- Atayese; Chief Adekunle stressed. sentatives of each of the eight Olaiya, Covenant Group; Dr. He said his administration groups, is a detour from the Kola Afolabi, and Afenifere is on a mission to give the advocacy being made from all Youth Forum; Dotun Atilade. present and incoming quarters, especially the Yoruba The statement, titled: generations what it takes to royal fathers, that the region “Southwest’s Confab Delbe the master of the must send its “First 11” to the egates List: Is this our “First environment, as the future conference, if it must maximise 11”?”, described the final delthe opportunities it present. egate list published by the Fedof the society.

The groups and their respec“This is why our tive representatives were: eral Government as a “gatherof the good, the bad, and administration’s policies are Afenifere Renewal Group; ing the ugly,” and said the controdeeply rooted by passion Honourable Olawale versies trailing the published and firmly backed by action. Oshun, Oodua Foundation; list “suggests that some delEducation is the most Professor Banji Akintoye, egates were forced in against effective means of Oodua Nationalist Coalition; the wish of the people.”

Group Captain Adesoji achieving needs.

“While we cannot speak on “Education is important Aderemi (Rtd), Agbekoya Re- how delegates from other ethand any one who does not formed Society; Chief Kunle nic nationalities and interest have education risks many Oshodi, Oodua Peoples’ Con- groups emerged, we owe the

infrastructure, it will be practically impossible for criminals to hide here.”

He therefore, urged the people of the state to reciprocate by re-electing the governor for a second term in office.

In her welcome address, the deputy governor, who doubles as the State Commissioner for Education, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori, said the government will not relent in providing quality education, which she described as part of the sixpoint integral action plan of the Aregbesola-led administration.

According to her, the ongoing infrastructural development in public schools and the free meal

programme have increased public school enrolment in an unprecedented manner.

For instance, LaoyeTomori said, the new school being commissioned has 750 pupils before and now has 984 pupils.

Speaking on the occasion, the State Chairperson, Heads of Primary Schools, Alhaja Sadiat Oladapo, said the government, with the building, has assisted the teachers and the pupils in getting quality education.

Dignitaries at the commissioning included Senator Bayo Salami, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, APC interim State Chairman, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, Chairman, Osogbo Progressive Union, Ambassador RasakSiyanbola among others

court could scale through security screening. That’s why we‘ve been unable to stop the carnage of Boko Haram in the North East of the country,” COSEG maintained.

The group emphasised that: “The appointment of Mr Adesiyan is not only mischievous, but also reckless, immoral, antipeople and a dangerous trend in the political development and appointments in Nigeria because he who goes to equity must come with clean hands.

“The appointment of Mr. Adesiyan as Minister of Police Affairs is flawed.

President Jonathan-led governemnt cannot continue to scorn Bola Ige, a former Justice minister for that matter”.

Finally, the group posited that it will resist any attempt by the President, using the minister to rig the forthcoming governorship elections in the State of Osun, so as to protect the sanctity of the electoral process. ‘’We shall resist attempt by the Minister of Police from using the police to rig the election of August 9th in the State of Osun. The people of Osun should be allowed to choose their governor freely come August 9th; anything short of that is an invitation to anarchy,” COSEG concluded.

Delegates’ List Does Not Represent Yoruba “First 11,” Groups Say

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Yoruba people a duty to provide some insights about the delegates from the South West.

Not doing so, in our view, may be misinterpreted as an endorsement of the process,” the statement said.

“We could have sent our own list of delegates to the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, but we did not. We put the region’s interest above any other considerations, in order to create a united platform that will best serve the aspirations of Yoruba people. This decision seemed right, considering the advocacy from every quarter that the region must send its “First 11” to the conference. This informed our decision to participate at the Ishara Unity Meeting and also at the Grand Yoruba Summit in Ibadan.”

“However, it is difficult for those that masterminded the final list, or anyone for that matter, to prove that the list truly represents Yoruba’s “First 11.” The “selection” process got so convoluted that people who did not expressly endorse the harmonised Yoruba Agenda for 2014 National Conference made the delegates list!”

“This is a worrisome development that gives some credence to the rumour making the rounds that the delegates to the National Conference might have been selected for other reasons at variance with the plan to restructure the country and find lasting solutions to our many problems. Should this conference therefore fail to meet the expectations of our people; which is to attain true

Ex-Speaker Adejare In Voter’s Card Mess

By SHINA ABUBAKAR

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HE former Speaker of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello, was recently involved in a messy affair, when some agents of opposition parties refused his attempt to make away with unclaimed permanent voters’ cards.

OSUN DEFENDER ob- served that the process was

PUBLIC NOTICE RIVERS OF LOVE CHRISTIAN CENTRE This is to inform the general public that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

Pastor Oluwafemi Ayodele Isaiah President 2.

Pastor (Mrs) Victorial Arinola Isaiah -Vice President 3.

Mrs Funmilola Adediji 4.

Pastor Victor Bajulaiye 5.

Ajagun Oladele Andrew Secretary AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.

To preach the Gospel.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

going on smoothly without any hindrance since its commencement on Friday, but as the process drew to an end on Sunday, desperation set in for the members of the former Speaker’s party.

It was gathered that the total number of registered voters in the ward was 600, however, as at Sunday afternoon, a little over 200 had collected their cards.

When it was obvious that other owners of the cards would not appear before its closure, at about 11 to 11:30am, the former Speaker approached other party agents at the Aranin Unit, which is his voting unit at Oloogun/ Agbaakin Ward Three in EdeNorth Local Government Council Area to share the remaining voters’ cards.

However, one Mr Musbaudeen Adeniran, who supervised the National Conscience Party (NCP) agent,

raised alarm, saying he would not allow such arrangement, but would prefer that the cards be returned to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office as stipulated by the Electoral Act. The Speaker sought to know him more to have dared his request on the cards, but the man stood his ground, insisting that the unclaimed cards must be returned to the INEC office.

While the disagreement was going on, some thugs allegedly on the instruction of the former Speaker appeared, came to the unit, threatening to deal with the NCP chieftain.

It took the intervention of anti-riot policemen, who arrived the scene as the commotion was going on, arrested some of the hoodlums and prevented the situation from degenerating into full-blown crisis.

It would be recalled that a similar situation unfolded at

Eweta polling unit in Ifelodun Local Government Council Area, where some PDP members were alleged to have attempted to collect the cards by proxy, thereby resulting to violence in the area.

Similarly, one agent of the NCP, Saka Belawu, had his finger severed at Obate Unit 3; Ward 4, Isale Oba in Iwo Local Government Council Area of the state.

It was gathered that PDP members at the area claimed they did not recognise the presence of the party, saying there were only three parties recognised in the town.

According to the Director of Publicity of the party, Mr Taofeek Abiodun, the issue would not be allowed to die that way, particularly those that perpetrated the dastardly act.

He added that the party is putting its facts together and would ensure that it gets to identify those that unleashed such terror on its member.

federalism, let every Yoruba son and daughter know where the betrayal emerged from. We are still asking ourselves if there is truly an unspoken agenda that the president wants to achieve by convoking this conference and we would wish the answer is negative. But the myriad controversies trailing the published delegate list by the Federal Government suggests that some delegates were forced in against the wish of the people.”

“Certainly, there are some delegates, whose credibility and loyalty to the Yoruba agenda and the pursuit to restructure Nigeria is unwavering. There are also those who are perceived, largely due to their antecedents, as reactionary elements, who would rather want the retention of the status quo. We hope those in the latter category can prove their worth at this conference and put national interest above any parochial interest.”

“However, we would like to remind all delegates of Yoruba extraction that the people of the region have set their minimum irreducible agenda for the outcome of this conference, and it would be in the interest of all that the agenda is fully pursued and realised.”

“Finally, as a group that is irrevocably committed to true freedom and development of the Yoruba people, we shall focus on the opportunities that the conference presents and continue to work and press for the interest of our people at the National Conference, believing that delegates, no matter their platform, would see reason to seize this golden opportunity to change the misfortune of the country and put it on a path of the much-required development and purposeful governance,” the group affirmed.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

5

News

Osun PDP's plan orgy of violence continued from pg1

ace the dire consequences of their actions. This is most true and the Osun PDP cannot pretend not to understand the meaning of this witty saying.

And for them the consequences will be dire indeed.

Thus let them not live with the erroneous impression that they will get away with murder this time as the case was in 2007. Never!

It continues to bug the minds of right thinking people why the Osun PDP revels in perpetrating violence whenever election is approaching. This philosophy of spilling the blood of innocent people in the name of election is anachronistic, uncivilised, ungodly and basically undemocratic.

And it basically contradicts the name the party answers.

For any party that lays claim to being democratic as PDP's name implies should steer clear of violence. It should have nothing to do with violence. But for Osun PDP the r

everse is the case.Whereas it's a known fact that the PDP isn't in the least popular in the state (contrary to her claim of popularity), that it thinks of nothing but violence whenever elections approach in the state sort of lends credence to two facts; one, that it's not a popular party and two, it's far from being a democratic party.

Of course it's basically foolhardy for any popular party and a self proclaimed democratic party for that matter, to revel in unleashing violence on the very people amongst whom it claims popularity. We find this to be purely absurd.

The popularity of the incumbent administration and its party isn't disputable due to its sterling performance. Everyday the people of Osun continue to queue behind the governor of the state, Ogbeni p Rauf Aregbesola for having demonstrated exemplary leadership. And these facts are known to Osun PDP. They know that the Osun electorate is for Ogbeni but not for them.

The eople are not ready to waste their votes as they have tasted two governments and they know Twh ichone has genuinely worked for them.hus having performed woefully for eight years, and as the time for another gubernatorial election draws nearer the PDP knows it has no hope in the coming election. And as a desperate party this is why it's planning to start unleashing violence as a way of harassing and intimidating the electorate. But it's important to let the PDP know that its vicious plan is dead on arrival as the security agents in the state will not fold their arms and watch anybody to disturb the peace that has found abode in the state of Osun since the inception of Ogbeni's administration.

We will not advise the good and peace loving people of Osun to engage in violence with PDP hooligans because two people cannot be mad at the same time. Thus whenever the PDP rascals and their sponsors start or want to start

their madness, our people should immediately report to the security agents in the state whom we trust will perform their duty accordingly.

The law is there to deal with anyone who is out to perpetrate violence. And we appeal to our security operatives not to compromise the peace in the state. They must deal decisively with agents of violence, and without mercy too. For the political thugs whom sponsors of violence want to use to perpetrate their planned heinous act, the advice by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal will suffice; "tell politicians who want to use you for political thuggery to bring their children to lead it". Half a word, they say, is enough for the wise.

OSUN DEFENDER Publisher

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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 above mail address.

ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15 , 2014

Driving Projects Through IGR In Osun P

ART of the 2014 budget agenda presented by Governor Rauf Aregbesola is to drive the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) more critically in the fiscal year. The government plans to use innovative financing with adequate measure to provide necessary finances for most of the developmental projects and to focus clearly on public-private partnership initiatives, which is the practice going round all over the world.

This writer implores all ministries, departments and agencies to take cognizance of this government’s IGR agenda as the issue of internally generated revenue cannot be over-emphasized under the current fiscal situation in the country.

In recent times, there have been discordant views on the actual state of the Nigerian economy. Some people have asked if Nigeria is broke, and some analysts have argued that the recurring problem with the monthly revenue allocation is a good testimony that all might not be well with the nation’s fiscal health. Pundits are not persuaded by the position of government officials and the institutions in charge of the national economy that the economy is resilient and very strong. Critics have pointed to the frequent inability of government to meet its fiscal commitments, including persistent shortfalls in revenue inflows into the Federation Account, culminating in the inability of the various tiers of government to meet their budget projections.

The perpetual inability of states to tap into available resources base through improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is the hallmark of the fiscal policy challenge. In some states, there is an increased level of awareness of taxation as a revenue earner beyond the traditional sources of federal allocation, loans, bonds and public- private partnership. In many states, however, taxation systems are chaotic, multiple in nature and devoid of proper planning.

The issue of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has been dominating contemporary discourse. The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had urged States and Local Governments to enhance their IGR, as well as judiciously utilise it to improve their socio-economic status and enhances development to benefit their people. In a report entitled: “The Looming Danger of Bankruptcy in States: The Need for Fiscal Evaluation”, it was stated that most states depend fully on statutory allocations from the Federation Account and / or Excess Crude Account, at the expense of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Presently due to high debt profile of the states, huge deductions are made from their monthly allocations, at source, thereby affecting their inability to prosecute developmental projects.

Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), in normal day-to-day parlance refers to those revenue sources that are generated solely by the states and local governments.

The provision of social assets and services to the people cannot be achieved without adequate revenue. It is, therefore, expedient that states and local governments are encouraged to expand their internally generated revenue bases to aid planning and execution of social infrastructure. The most outstanding importance normally advanced by constituted authority for levying taxes is the generation of adequate revenue for the financing of government activities.

This importance is becoming more relevant in the face of dwindling resources available to government. Therefore, this basic objective is normally expected to be achieved in any tax system.

•AREGBESOLA

By A.S. ASAJU

On this issue of IGR, there are lessons to be learnt from Lagos State in particular.

In spite of widespread criticisms of the Second Republic Administration as corrupt, inept, insensitive and undisciplined, one government which, it was generally agreed, was an exception to this characterization was that of Lagos State under Alhaji Lateef Jakande. The government was systematic, determined and most imaginative. This was particularly evident not only in the very resourceful way the state’s revenue was dramatically tripled within the short space of three years, but also in the range of services which the government set out to provide for the people.

When the Lagos State Government came in 1979, it discovered that the sources of revenue being tapped in the state had remained unchanged since 1967.

They were personal income tax, other state taxes, licences and fines, fees earning and sales, rent on government properties, interests and payments, reimbursement, revenue receivable from the Federal Government and miscellaneous. No new sources of revenue were found by the military government that handed over to Alhaji Jakande, although this was promised in various budget speeches. The new sources of revenue introduced by the Jakande administration included proceeds from state land, hotel license, pools betting licence, gaming houses and amusement machines, pools receipts, processing fees on layout plans, penal rents on illegal structures and land registry transactions. These new sources of revenue were attributed to only two of the measures taken since the government took over on October 1979. These were

the review of land policy and the lifting of ban on pools betting. But there were other sources of revenue, which were only indirectly reflected in the budget. For example, the government decided that the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation would charge commercial rents on all its properties in medium and low density areas. In this connection, the government took Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Apapa GRA and Ikeja GRA and other low density areas out of the Rent Control Edict, thus leaving the economic forces of supply and demand to determine the rents in those areas- all geared towards providing entirely new sources of revenue for the state government. The search for new sources of revenue was complemented by a considerable improvement in the quality of income from existing sources. Transaction in land became the second major source of internal revenue in Lagos State and the fastest growing.

A research conducted in Kogi State showed that over the years, the state has made tremendous effort towards enhancing her Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but the efforts have ended up in absolute failure because the revenue generated instead of getting to the state government purse had gone into private pockets. Identified problems in this respect include inability to quickly and accurately produce a list of selfemployed citizens who evade tax for prompt action to be taken against them; inability to quickly and accurately produce a list of vehicle owners whose vehicle particulars and driving licences have expired; error in the computation of PAYE resulting in some employees being overtaxed and others under taxed; error in the computation of direct tax for selfemployed citizens; errors in the

computation of total revenue generated at the area office; lack of proper auditing standard manual system making retrieval of records for proper assessment a very tedious task; delay in the remittance of the generated revenue to the state treasury and absence of centralized repository for data. In view of these, the research proposed automated internally generated revenue processing system as the best option for eliminating all the leakages in the revenue collection and management process.

In a survey on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) conducted in 2009, Lagos and Sokoto were the leading states in relative fiscal independence measured by internally generated revenue as a percentage of total revenue. Whereas Lagos position has been in the public domain for years, the traditional assumption that either Kano, Rivers and Delta is second to Lagos has no empirical basis. The success story of Lagos Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was so profound that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Muhammed led senior management staff of the ministry to understudy Lagos State in traffic management, environmental beautification, Internally Generated Revenue and Public Private Partnership (PPP) policies. However, the drive for enhanced internally generated revenue has made many states in the country to embark on an aggressive and desperate measures to this end by employing tax consultants to compliment or even outsource the functions of the existing state board of internal revenue.

In 2012, Ondo State’s IGR was projected to hit N10 billion. The state’s urban renewal project was linked to economic development. Ogun State, during the period, got its IGR to hit N21.08 billion. Lagos IGR increased from a monthly average of N18.9 billion in 2008 to N29 billion in 2012 amounting to an average yearly growth of 10.7 percent over the five-year period. This accounted for over 65 percent of the total revenue of the state. This development further reflected the stable nature of the state’s fiscal revenue which has continued to rely more on IGR rather than revenue receipts from the Federal Government subject to external shocks and dictates of oil prices in the international market. Lagos focuses more on IGR by consolidating on all sources of taxation with a view to providing developmental programmes for the state. The secret is ensuring that all revenue agencies of government perform at their optimum to make sure that ongoing projects of the state government are successfully completed as scheduled.

During the same time (2012), Ekiti State internally generated revenue was N617 million monthly. This, according to Governor Fayemi was due to taping the potentials of the Information and Communication Technology sector.

Hitherto, the state IGR was a paltry N109 million. However, the adoption of internet connectivity yielded unquantifiable dividends through blockage of revenue leakages.

For the State of Osun, the government raised the state’s IGR from N300 million to N1.6 billion monthly. There is no doubt that the new IGR would assist the state to empower more indigenes of the state.

Now, the government’s vision in the state is to generate N10 billion monthly. This is a challenge to ministries, departments and agencies.

•Prof. Asaju writes from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Commissioning Of AUD Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Thursday.

•Aerial view of AUD Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, State of Osun, commissioned by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, last Thursday.

•Some of the pupils of AUD Elementary School in one of their classrooms.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

Commissioning Of AUD Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Thursday.

Photo: GBENGAADENIYI

•(L-R) Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun.

•(L-R) Chairman, O’ School, State of Osun, Otunba Lai Oyeduntan; Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and Deputy Speaker, State House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye, during the programme.

•Ogbeni Aregbesola (2nd right); Laoye-Tomori (3rd left); Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Felix Awofisayo (left); first headmistress of the school, Mrs Yahaya Ibironke (right); second headmistress of the school, Mrs Bola Ajala (right) and other dignitaries and pupils, during the commissioning of Ansar-U-Deen (AUD) Elementary School at Isale-Osun, Osogbo, State of Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

PHOTOTALK

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Commissioning Of AUD Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI Thursday.

•A cross section of pupils during the programme.

•Governor Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from the pupils.

•Pupils Cultural troop from AUD displaying at the event.

•A cross section of dignitaries at the programme.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

Commissioning Of AUD Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Thursday.

•Front view of AUD Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo.

•The school play-ground.

•Another set of children playing facilities in the school’s play-ground.

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

The Power Of Passion And The Spirit Of The Warrior

U

NTIL you hear the Scotsman

play

the bagpipes in the early morning mist of the Scottish highlands, you have heard nothing. Until you hear the Irish maiden sing ‘’O Danny Boy’’ on the lush green fields of the Emerald Isle, you know nothing.

Until you hear the Welshman sing ‘’Men of Harlech’’ in the beautiful valleys of Pontypool and Pontyprid, you have heard nothing. Until you see the English rose blossom and bloom in early spring and you hear the British Grenadiers sing “God Save The Queen’’, you have seen nothing. Until you see the ‘’Change of the Light Brigade’’ and witness the courage of ‘’the famous 600'’, you know nothing.

Until you see the Zulu warrior dance his battle dance on the hills of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, you know nothing.

Until you hear the Ashanti and the Yoruba sing songs of praise to the Living God, you have heard nothing. Until you see the Frenchman sing ‘’La Marseillaise’’ and ‘’Je Ne Regrette Rien’’, you know nothing.

Until you see brave men fight, suffer and die for a noble and just cause, you know nothing. Until you hear the cries, see the tears, read the words and feel the pain of a wounded, tormented and broken soul, you have seen nothing. Until you feel the passion of the wounded Messiah on the cross at Calvary, you know nothing.

All these unseen things inspire. They stir the spirit and move the soul. They breath and bleed passion. They are passion itself. And passion is the essence of life. It is the food of the compassionate and the sensitive spirit. It is the fuel of noble and courageous souls. It is the stuff of which gods and immortals are made. It is our passport to posterity- our key to future glory. Yet nothing and no-one epitomises the power of passion more than the spirit of the warrior.

The warrior is noble and strong. His resolve is firm and his commitment is total.

His is to kill, to shed blood and to be killed. His is to die for his king and for a worthy cause. His is to protect and lay down his life for his faith, his nation, his people and his loved ones.

What manner of men are these, whose spirit speak of such valour and nobility?

Consider the ancient Spartans and the Roman warriors of old. Consider the fearsome Vikings, who believed that it was a curse to die a peaceful death and that the only way to heaven was to die violently and heroically in fearsome battle.

Consider the greatest of all warriors that ever lived, the noble and gallant Achilles.

Consider Alexander the Great, who conquered the world with his sword.

Consider King David, the greatest of all the kings of Israel, who was a man of blood and war and yet whom God so loved and who loved God more than any other.

Consider David’s “strongmen” who stood with him through thick and thin and who fought for and protected him to the very end. Consider their gallant captain, the mighty Joab and the others, Abishai, Asahel, Eleazer, the Tachomonite, Shammah, Benaiah, Eliam, Igal and Uriah the Hittite.

These were David’s ‘’strongmen’’: all great and valient men of war, whose courage was legendary and whose loyalty to their God and their King was unflinching and unquestionable.

Consider Shaka the Zulu, Beowulf the Nordic king and William Wallace, the liberator of Scotland. Consider King

•FANI-KAYODE

By FEMI FANI-KAYODE Henry V of England, who routed the French at the battle of Agincourt, even though he was outnumbered by three men to one.

Consider Julius Caesar, who came, who saw and who conquered. Consider the great Heracles, who was a descendant of the mighty Hercules himself. Consider Spartacus, who turned slaves into men.

Consider Samson, who slew a troop with the jaw bone of an ass and yet who fell at the touch of a woman.

Consider Gideon, who slew the Midianites, Jeptha who sacrificed his own daughter, Joshua who brought down the walls of Jericho and Jehu, who drove his chariot like a madman, who slew the witch-Queen Jezebel and who fulfilled prophesy by ensuring that the dogs ate her flesh and licked her blood in the fields of Jezreel.

Consider those that laid down their lives for our great and noble faith: Paul of Tarsus, the greatest of all the apostles, who brought the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the gentiles and to the wider world.

Peter the disciple, who became the rock on whom the Church of God was built.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, Stephen, Isaiah, Elijah, Daniel, John and all the other disciples and prophets of old.

For martyrs and heroes that lived and died for God are also gallant warriors, who feared not death and who stood firm to the end in defence of their faith.

Consider George Washington, who led his troops into battle and whose battle cry was “victory or death”. Consider the charge of the Light Brigade, the sheer courage and discipline of the famous 600, at the battle of Balaclava in the fields of the Crimea.

Consider General Lee at the battle of Gettysberg, Oliver Cromwell at the battle of Nasby, Horatio Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar and King Leonides, with his gallant ‘’300'’, at the battle of Thermopalye. Consider Generals Marshal, Patton, Eisenhower, Rommel and

MacArthur in the great battles of the Second World war. Consider the ‘’Black Scorpion’’, General Benjamin Adekunle, with his 3rd Marine Commando at the Battle of Ore. Consider Olusegun Obasanjo in the battle for Owerri.

Consider Murtala Mohammed in the liberation of Benin City.

Consider Zhukov at the siege of Leningrad and his courageous exploits at the battle of Moscow. Consider Bernard Montgomery, with his fearless ‘’Desert Rats’’, at the battle of Alamein, Charles De Gaulle at the siege of Paris and Chiang Kai-Shek in the war against Japan.

Consider Attila the Hun, Ghengis Khan, Peter the Great, Richard the Lionheart, Salahudeen the Compassionate, Katsumoto the Samurai, Hannibal of Carthage and Hector of Troy.

Consider our gallant amazons and female warriors of old- Boudica of East Anglia, Joan D’Arc of France, Elizabeth 1 of England, Amina of Zaria, Moremi of Ife, Golda Meir of the State Of Israel, Margret Thatcher of Great Britain, Indira Ghandi of India, Queen Idia of Benin, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Queen Esther of the Medes and Persians, Cleopatra of the Blue Nile and Egypt and Yaa Asantewaa of the Ashanti Kingdom.

Consider Generals Foche and Hague at the battle of the Somme. Consider George Armstrong Custer at the battle of the Little Big Horn, the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo and Napolean Bonaparte, in his full glory and power, at the battle of Marengo.

Consider Aragorn of Gondor, who won the battle for Middle Earth and who broke the power of the ring. Consider Cyrus of Persia, whose compassion knew no bounds and who allowed Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Consider Lancelot of the Round Table, the most handsome and courageous of all King Arthur’s knights, who was unbeatable in battle and who captured the heart of the queen.

Consider Aslan, the great Lion of Narnia, whose roar filled the land, whose power drove away the winter and who crushed the white witch in battle.

Consider Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North and General of the Felix Legions, who fought with strength and honour, who slew the wicked Emperor and who delivered the City of Rome.

Consider Uthman Dan Fodio, who spread his faith with zeal and valour and who built a formidable empire. Consider Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the exploits of his ‘’all black’’ 54th Massachusetts regiment at the battle for Fort Wagner. Consider General Mohammadu Buhari at the war in Chad when he drove the enemy from our borders and almost took the City of Ndjamena. Consider Brigadier Halilu Akilu who crushed the Maitatsine and who saved the ancient City of Kano. Consider General Fajuyi, who laid down his life for his brother. Consider Colonel Isa Mohammed, who secured our eastern borders and who threw the Camerounians out of the Bakassi Peninsular.

Had these great men and women all not stood their ground and had they all not played their roles in our collective history, where would the world be today? They sacrificed their today, so that we may have our tomorrow.

They lived and died for the sake of others and asked for only one thing in return: that their names should live forever and that we should never forget their noble deeds and their worthy sacrifices.

And we must not forget, nay we dare not forget, for as Martin Luther King once said: “If a man is not ready to die for something, then he is not worthy of living for anything”. The warrior is prepared to die for his cause. That is what makes him so noble and that is why he will always have a special place in our hearts.

May the spirit of the warrior and selfless courage fill us all and, like the true warriors that we are meant to be, when the angel of death comes, may the Lord give us the strength and boldness to look at him fearlessly in the face and treat him with the contempt and disdain that he deserves; knowing that he has lost his sting and that, by the power of Christ Jesus, he has been conquered and crushed.

When the dark angel comes, as come he must for us all, let us be men and let us die a good death, not cringing and crying like puppies, but like true warriors, fighting to the bitter end. For it is never for the warrior to ask the why: it is only for the warrior to do or die. The warrior does not vanish into the night. The warrior will not go down without a fight. Permit me to end this contribution with the following counsel. Courage is the greatest of all the virtues and it is the best defence. Regardless of whatever challenges we may face today, like the warrior, we must show courage. We must stay the course, steel our hearts, fortify our faith, shed our fears and march on in the strength and power of the Lord. We must stand firm, refuse to bow, refuse to flinch and we must defy the enemy. We must stand and we must fight. We must ensure that the good in our land prevails over the evil and that the light overcomes the darkness. That is our hope and that is the challenge before every self-respecting Nigerian today; to scale the obstacles in our land and to bring hope to the hopeless, the vulnerable, the weak, the poor, the deprived and the less privilaged. That is what warriors are meant to do and my prayer is that the Lord grants each and every one of us the prescence of mind and the fortitude to do it. May God bless and defend our nation.

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

Aregbesola: The Pillar Of Sports In Osun EZEDIUNO FRANCIS and OLAYINKA OLAWOLE spoke with the General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Mr. Akin Adio, on the challenges and success of the sports council under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

What are the OSDF:challenges faced by the Osun State Sports Council?

ADIO: Well, frankly speaking, it has been success upon success all through. To attain success, you have to work really hard, and which we have been doing for some time under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Though it hasn’t been easy to achieve success, one of our secrets is going around the nooks and crannies of the state to search for talents, which we nurture and make them very useful to the state and the country as a whole. We went to about 10 national sports competition last year and we did very well.

Some of the competitions we went to are the National Sports Festival (Eko 2012), where we came back with 13 medals; the first time in many years.

We also went to the National Weightlifting Championship in Uyo, the National Schools Sports Game in Ilorin and also recently, the National Youth Games Abuja. All these successes wouldn’t have come to pass without the supports and understanding of the best governor in Nigeria, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. He has indeed helped us a lot, both financially and morally and we hope to gain a lot from his Experiences as time goes on.

OSDF: Talking about the National Sports Festival coming up this year in Cross River State, do you think it is right for the NSC to make it an open one?

ADIO: Well, when the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullah announced that the National Sports Festival would be made an open one after the Eko 2012 games, I was one of those that supported the idea. I supported it because it would make the competition more competitive and we are bound to get more sponsors because of the big names that would want to participate.

Imagine the likes of Blessing Okagbare, Tosin Oke and the rest participating at the Calabar Games in 2014.

OSDF: How prepared is the Osun Team ahead of the National Sports Festival in Cross River State this year?

ADIO: We have everything in place for our team to prepare and perform very well for the Cross Rivers Games. If you go around the stadium now, you will see most of our athletes preparing everyday, as they

get their monthly allowances duly.

I must also confirm to you that the last National Sports Festival held in Lagos, we came back with 13 Medals. I can’t even remember the last time we came back with such amount of medals. It simply shows that with proper organisation and support from the governor, as he did in 2012 we can go really far in the 2014 Games and also we discovered some great talents during the National Youth Games in Abuja recently and we have continued to groom them for the National Sports Festival and other competitions.

So without any hesitations, I think we are fully prepared for the Games in Cross River State.

OSDF: The’ WALK TO LIVE EXERCISE’ is an initiative of Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. What are the gains of the monthly exercise?

ADIO: The Walk To Live Exercise is the best thing that could have happened to any sport Loving personality in the state. It started almost two years ago and it has moved to almost every local government council area in the state.

Interestingly, it is very good for sports development in the state and also we have been able to achieve our main aim, which is longevity and fitness of the body system as a whole.

Ever since we started the Walk To live, the ill health of people in the State of Osun has reduced drastically.

Therefore, we must also commend Mr. Governor for this wonderful innovation.

OSDF: Looking around the Osogbo Township Stadium, I discovered that there has been a lot of development going on, when is this job going to be completed?

ADIO: Mr. Governor has given a deadline to the construction company handling the stadium to complete it in April of this year or quit.

We know what is at stake and we hope to continue working hard with the management of the stadium, so that things can move the way we want. As you can see, the stadium, when completed, would be a worldclass stadium and all sporting activities would be held there; like weightlifting, athletics and the governor had also ordered that the Astro Turf should be used on the pitch, instead of the natural grass because of proper maintenance.

OSDF: Recently, the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Sani Ndanusa,

•ADIO

complained that Football is always given priority ahead of other sports, what are you putting in place as the General Manager of the State Sports Council to make sure that other sports do not suffer at the expense of Football?

ADIO: You are right, but this happens all over the world and when I came in as the General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, I met nothing on ground.

Over the years I have tried as much as possible to make sure that other sports do not suffer.

Last year, the governor gave us the go ahead to host the PANAMA Taekwando Competition that was won by Osun. We also performed very well at the National Weightlifting Competition in Uyo, unlike before, when we didn’t participate in other games.

We also went to the Southwest U18 Basketball Competition in Akure, where we performed very well.

Also, we have participated in many competitions recently especially athletics, volleyball, handball and so on. So with the governor’s support, we have been able to touch a lot of sports, apart from football and we

hope to do more this year.

OSDF: Lastly sir, the State of Osun has two teams playing in the Nigerian League: Prime FC and Osun Babes, what are their chances this upcoming season?

ADIO: For the first time in the history of the State of Osun, we have a team playing in the Nigerian Female Premier League. We did qualify last year with eleven other teams and we hope to surprise Mr. Governor by winning the female league because the governor has really supported us and we have to pay him back in a very special way and the girls are indeed ready to do that.

Prime FC was currently acquired by the State Government of Osun and ever since then, they have never looked back.

The governor follows the team as if it is shis child and with such support, the team has no choice but to make the governor happy by gaining promotion this season to the elite league. This is because the governor gave them full support both morally and financially.

I think the two teams should do well because we signed quality players for the season.

13

IN RETROSPECT

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

A Memorable Quote From A PDP Aspirant In The State Of Osun

“Recently, Chief Bola Ige came on radio here (Osogbo the state capital), to insult me and my family. THAT IS THE LAST TIME HE WOULD INSULT ME. He was beaten yesterday. The people of Ile-Ife beat him up and he was crying like a baby, as they removed his cap and glasses. If it had been at a political gathering, he will be dead by now..... In fact, what the people wanted to do was more than removing his glasses and cap....”

-IYIOLA OMISORE. •Culled from Vanguard Newspaper.

14

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria Current Jobs in Nigeria in an ICT Company.

We are a well established and fast growing ICT Company offering wide range of ICT products and services. We are expanding our operations and strengthening our workforce by offering opportunity to qualified and suitable candidates in the following positions: Job Title: Human Resource / Admin Executives Qualifications Candidates must possess a minimum first degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit.

Minimum of 2 years relevant working experience in any reputable organization(s).

Candidates must be computer literate Candidates must be below 30 years Possession of professional qualifications in relevant fields will be an advantage.

Qualities and Skills Good communication skill Ability to interpret employment legislation, policies and agreements.

Good presentation and negotiation skill.

Sound analytical mind, high integrity and good interpersonal skills.

Ability to manage and prioritize work.

Job Title: Marketing Manager Qualifications Candidate must possess a minimum of first degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division; upper credit Membership of relevant profession institute will be an advantage Minimum of 6 years relevant working experience in reputable organization(s) Candidate must be computer literate with proficiency in relevant applications Qualities and Skills Candidate must be highly creative and work with Director of Sales in marketing development & strategies Ability to manage internal and external marketing communication and agency relationships Good communication and interpersonal skill Good organizing planning and coordinating sidle Ability to maintain information in err efficient way Good understanding of Brand management and positioning Ability to coordinate big events and shows Very good knowledge of the social media platform and ability to use this media to drive sales Job Title: Service Delivery Manager Requirements Candidate must possess a minimum of first degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division /upper credit.

Must have at least 10 years cognate experience in Support Environment with Customer Engineer Experience Experience in Service Management and Support Must have managed at least 5 support engineers Must be ITIL Certified Qualities and Skills: Candidate must have the ability to lead, drive and manage the inside operations with the organization to continuously provide dedicated support and resource to drive efficiency and customer focused results Good communication anti interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and drive a team of people.

Good organizing, planning and coordinating skills.

Strong analytical and reporting skills Sound knowledge of performance management Ability to maintain information in an efficient manner Good knowledge of contract negotiation/supplier management.

Job Title: Sales Executives Qualifications; Candidates must possess a minimum of first degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit.

Minimum of 2 years relevant working experience in any reputable ICT organization(s).

Candidate must be computer literate.

Candidates must be below 30 years Qualities and Skills Good communication and interpersonal skill a. Rifled Strong analytical skills Good marketing/selling skills Job Title: Sales Executives Qualifications; Candidates must possess a minimum of first degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit.

Minimum of 2 years relevant working experience in any reputable ICT organization(s).

Candidate must be computer literate.

Candidates must be below 30 years Qualities and Skills Good communication and interpersonal skill a. Rifled Strong analytical skills Good marketing/selling skills Job Title: Credit Control Executive Qualifications Candidates must possess a minimum of first degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit Membership of relevant professional institute will be an advantage.

Minimum of 4 years relevant working experience in reputable organization(s).

Candidate must be computer literate with ability to use accounting packages.

Qualities and Skills Good analytical and reporting skills Good understanding of financial management, legal and regulatory framework treasury operations.

Good communication and leadership skills Must be strategic in approach and have sound knowledge of performance management Job Title: Accounts Executives Qualifications Candidates must possess a minimum of first degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit Professional qualification such as ACA ACCA will be an advantage Minimum of 1 year relevant working experience in any reputable organization(s) Candidate must be computer literate with ability to use accounting packages Candidate must be below 30 years of age Qualities and Skills; Sound analytical mind Good understanding of financial accounting.

Good communication Good knowledge of Accounting software like Sage, Microsoft Dynamics Excellent interpersonal working relation Job Title: Support Engineers Location: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri Qualifications Candidates must possess a minimum first degree in Electrical Engineering/ Computer Engineering Computer Science with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit Candidate must possess relevant professional certifications Minimum of 2 years relevant working experience in reputable organization(s) Qualities and Skills: Sound analytical mind Expected to have planning, scheduling and maintenance ability Good communication Ability to trouble shoot and resolve computer problems Job Title: Audit Executive Qualifications Candidates must possess a minimum of first degree/Higher National Diploma in relevant discipline with a minimum of second class upper division/ upper credit.

Professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA will be an advantage Minimum of 2 years relevant working experience in any reputable organization(s) Candidate must be computer literate with ability to use accounting packages Candidate must be below 30 years of age Qualities and Skills: Good analytical and investigative skills Good understanding of financial accounting end auditing Ability to work under tight reporting deadline Good Communication Good organizing, planning and coordinating skills Job Title: Sales Promoters Location: Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri Qualifications;

Candidates must possess a minimum OND in relevant discipline with a minimum of upper credit.

Candidates with SSCE (Senior Secondary School Certificate) are eligible to apply but must have obtained at least 6 credits including English and Mathematics.

Minimum of 1 year relevant working experience (preferably in business of mobile phones) in arty reputable organization, Candidate must be computer literate.

Candidates must be below 30 years Qualities and Skills; Good communication skills Good selling skills Good marketing ability Result oriented Strong analytical skills Job Title: Admin Assistant Qualifications; Candidates must possess a minimum of SSCE (Senior Secondary School Certificate) Candidates must be below 30 years Qualities and Skills; Good communication (oral & written) and interpersonal skill Result oriented Energetic and physically fit Ability to work as a team Job Title: Store Assistants (Loaders) Qualifications; Candidates must possess a minimum of SSCE (Senior Secondary School Certificate).

Candidates must be below 30 years Qualities and Skills; Good communication (oral & written) and interpersonal skill Energetic and physicality fit Ability to work as a team Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should email CVs to: recruit.worldclass@gmail.com . All applications must be properly titled with the position applied.

Application Deadline 25th March, 2014 —————————————————————————————Job Vacancies in Nigeria at Stellar Constructions Limited Stellar Constructions Limited - An Engineering Construction Company, having multiple projects across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria seek Applications for Employment in the following positions: Location: Lagos Job Title: Quantity Surveyor Qualification HND minimum of 5 to 8 years experience in the field of Multi-story Building projects/Townships and Billing experience, should be well versed in AUTOCAD & MS Office.

Job Title: Surveyor Qualification HND/B.Sc Minimum of 5 to 8 years experience in the field of Multi-story Building projects & Townships.

Must have experience to work with survey equipments such as Total Station and site construction supervision.

Job Title: Electrician Qualification Trade Test I, II, III or Diploma.

Minimum of 5 to 8 years experience in construction Industry.

9.) Mechanic Fitter Qualification Trade Test I, II Ill Minimum of 5 to 8 years experience in construction Industry.

Job Title: Office Secretary Qualification HND/B.Sc Minimum 5 to 7 years experience as office secretary.

Should be proficient in spoken & written English to handle correspondence with various parties.

Job Title: MEP Engineer Qualification HND/B.Sc Minimum of 5 to 8 years experience in Multi-story Budding Projects & Township Development, well versed in AUTOCAD & MS Office.

Job Title: Electrical Supervisor Qualification HND/B.Sc. Minimum of 5 to 8 years experience of Managing construction machinery such as hoist, overhead cranes, Electrification of Multi story building & Township Development.

Knowledge of frequency convertors and Electronics control is a must.

Job Title: Mechanical Supervisor Qualification HND/B.Sc Minimum of 5 to 8 years experience of Managing construction machinery such as hoist overhead cranes, Concrete Pump, Mixers etc. Plumbing/Pipeline work at Multi story.

Building/Township experience will be an added advantage.

Job Title: Business Development Officer Qualification B.Sc (Civil) Minimum 10-15 years experience in construction Industry.

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Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications to: recruit0314@yahoo.com Application Deadline 25th March, 2014 ————————————————————————————— Graduate Assistance Programme for Gombe State Indigenes (http://www.quanteq.com/jdfgradup) Jewel Development Foundation (JDF) is organizing a Graduate Assistance Programme (GradUP) in Gombe where unemployed graduates who are indigenes of Gombe State would be given the opportunity to participate in intensive training for eight weeks and be equipped with technical skills, hard and soft skills in ICT and entrepreneurship. This would be followed by a three-month internship with handson experience and on-the-job training in reputable partner organizations.

Job Titile: Graduate Assistance Programme Location: Gombe Job Description: The training which would entail instructor-led and hands-on sessions would cover: Computer Basics Desktop Publishing Document Management Problem Solving Skills Project Management Entrepreneurship Skills Employability Skills Communication Skills Basic Network Administration Microsoft Office Productivity tools Database Administration Requirements Applications are hereby requested from unemployed graduates who are indigenes of Gombe State with a minimum of B.Sc/HND and have completed the NYSC Scheme.

Method of Application Interested applicants should fill an online application form and upload their CVs at: www.quanteq.com/jdfgradup on or before Thursday, 20th March, 2014.

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You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.recentnigerianjobs.com

15

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 15, 2014

State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Delivered A Lecture At ICPC Maiden Programme On Good Governance Forum, At ICPC Auditorium, Abuja, Last Tuesday.

•The governor, State of Osun/Guest Speaker, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta (left) and Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil- Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin (right), during the First 2014 Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Good Governance Forum at ICPC Auditorium, Abuja last Tuesday.

At Governors’ Meeting Held At Awolowo House, Osun Lodge, Abuja, Last Wednesday.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his Ekiti and Ogun states’ counterparts, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (left) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at Awolowo House, Osun Lodge, Abuja, after a meeting last Wednesday.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014

T

HE Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states would be better than what transpired in Anambra State last year.

The INEC helmsman interacted with the press in Lagos recently, where he assured Nigerians that, the body is putting everything together to ensure that proper elections are conducted.

According to the renowned professor of Political Science, the programme, which started with the exchange of temporary voter’s register (TVR) with the permanent voter register (PVR) will terminate with the election in Ekiti and Osun States in July and August respectively.

By every standard, the exercise cannot be said to be a huge success, as claimed by the electoral body. The turnout was impressive, as both state governments declared penultimate Friday as public holiday to enable voters to exchange their cards.

In the State of Osun, the Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not impressed because not all those who registered and voted in 2011 could get their PVR because their names could not be found on the INEC list.

In the words of Akande “the collection of the cards was marred with irregularities and fraud, which underscored INEC’s inefficiency and incompetence.”

According to the former Governor of the State of Osun, he was compelled to voice out his feelings because that was the way INEC smuggled-in 100,000 names into the voters’ register in Ondo State and used it to rig election. He concluded by saying that he owed it a duty to alert the nation because it would amount to a disservice if such information is not put forward.

In addition to the fundamental observation made by Akande, others have noted that their names were found in places other than where they registered. If such people do not vote on election day because of the reason that they have been placed far away from their homes, would that not amount to being disenfranchised?

A lot of Nigerians are worried because they believe that for any credible election to take place, it starts with a proper voters’ register.

Responding to sundry issues recently, in Lagos, Jega alluded to the fact that what people referred to as disenfranchisement by INEC, as in the case of Anambra State, was not true.

In his assessment, it was “technical” disenfranchisement, because voters failed to use the window of opportunity

AUDACIOUS EXPLOIT with MURTALA AGBOOLA TEL: 0806-119-7897 E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com

Need For Vigilance

•JEGA

opened to individual registered voters and political parties during the verification exercise. Voters and the political parties, according to the former Vice-Chancellor of Bayeero University, Kano (BUK) ought to have come up to ascertain whether indeed their names were actually there in the voters register.

He went further to stress the fact that the electoral body has leant from the Anambra challenges and, very ready to improve upon on it starting from, Ekiti and Osun states, so that by 2015, everything would have been properly put in place.

On logistics, he accepted the fact that INEC could do better, but the body too was hamstrung in certain areas. The smooth-talking professor argued that in some states, it was discovered that transport magnates with fleet of buses, which could be easily hired, either belong to one political party or have

sympathy for another.

It is my personal view, however, that everything should not be left to INEC alone. As responsible citizens, we should play our part. We should register especially the window offered now by the on-going registration for new registrants. We should also closely monitor the activities of INEC to ensure that the needful is done to promote a free, fair and credible election in these two states, which serve as a precursor to the 2015 general elections.

The media and the security have been playing invaluable roles in the past and need to continue. The media need to examine how the electoral body is going about its statutory duty and report accordingly. According to Jega, the media may have blown out of proportion what happened in Anambra State. This is so because what transpired in Anambra affected only

two wards out of the over 300 wards in the 21 local government council areas in the state.

My quick response to Jega is that bad news spreads faster, hence INEC should develop thick skin to accommodate more. I am happy he did not say the media reported fiction.

To the security agents, a lot is expected from them also. The tranquility and the serene atmosphere in the sleepy town of Inisa, in Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area was shattered recently when Honourable Tunji Oyelade was killed by people suspected to be political assassins.

Oyelade, alias “Abinchi” was, according to news, murdered by some unscrupulous elements lurking around his house. As Abinchi was returning to his house on penultimate Wednesday, he was pounced at arid shot at close range. His people summoned courage to take him to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, (LAUTECH) Osogbo, where he gave up the ghost less than forty eight hours later.

Some of us thought that we have crossed the rubicon of political assassinations in this country. While we commiserate with His Royal Highness, Oba Joseph Oyedele Fasikun II, Olunisa of Inisa and the people of the town, we admonish the security agents to try to unravel the criminals behind the dastardly act.

Nigeria has had enough political killings and that we do not need more to achieve our political ambitions.

By now, we should be in the era of putting on the table our plans and vision for the people that would convince them to vote for us. The security agents are enjoined to live up to expectation and it is my fervent wish that they can easily accomplish that given the security infrastructure laid down by the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Since the inception of the administration of Aregbesola’s government, he has ensured that there is peace for every law-abiding citizens to go about his or her lawful duty.

The security outfit, Swift Action Squad (SAS) was put in place to ensure that criminals are put in check.

Indigenes of the State of Osun have really enjoyed relative peace compared with what transpired in the immediate past. There should be robust exchange of ideas by individual candidates and political parties, rather than pursuing political opponents with matchetes and rifles. The society would be better off if we elect responsible leaders, who will be responsive and accountable. This is the hallmark of democracy, which we are practising

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.