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www.osundefender.org THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 How else can one describe the array of endorsements for the Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, other than well deserved? No doubt the endorsements are coming in recognition and appreciation of the good work of the hardworking and development focused Aregbesola who, within three years, has taken the state of Osun from the
PEOPLE FIRST
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A Rash of Endorsements for Aregbesola bottom of under-developthis has to be so because ment to an enviable level. From the indigenes of Osun both at home and in the Diaspora come endorsements galore daily for Ogbeni Aregbesola to continue in office for another four year term. Of course
one good tune deserves another as the saying goes. From every stratum of the society; the mighty to the low, the rich to the poor, royalty to the commoners, the elderly to the youth, market women to artisans, working
class to students etcetra the song on everyone's lips is 'Aregbesola must continue his good work'. For the administration of Ogbeni it's one good term deserves another. This accounts for this song being sung in all quarters across the nooks and crannies of the state. For an administration that has lived up to
VOL. 9. NO.034
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
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Osun Guber Election:
Omisore In Trouble, Runs To Presidency - See Story On Page 2
•(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and President of Osun Chapter of Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietory Medicine Dealers (NAPPMD), Honourable Olatunji Ayomoya on the occasion of NAPPMD members’ endorsement of Governor Aregbesola for a second term in office at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
Aregbesola Wins UK Prize On Agriculture, Public Service
- See Story On Page 2
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
Osun Guber Election: Omisore In Trouble, Runs To Presidency By SHINAABUBAKAR
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S the race for the Osun People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket has continued to take new twists, coupled with the declaration of intention by former Governor Isiaka Adeleke for the party’s ticket, Senator Iyiola Omisore has run to the Presidency to save him from imminent embarrassment. It was gathered that as camp was thrown into soon as the PDP elders’ confusion with the Senator caucus in the state resolved running from pillar to post to opt for a suitable aspirant, in search of possible other than Omisore, his solution.
According to findings, Omisore could not get the ears of the presidency, who, it was gathered, had got report of the senator’s negative antecedents and also preferred the emergence of a credible candidate in the state. The presidency was said to have told the party to return home and sort out its differences, but the senator
was hell bent on reclaiming his stronghold on the party in the event of the party deciding to go to polls to pick its candidate. It was gathered that the party elders caucus are insisting on supporting any other candidate aside Omisore, who many described as being arrogant and not saleable after the party offered him a safe
landing from the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD). A source inside the party secretariat in Osogbo disclosed that one of the major issues the senator had with the leaders is his posture of one-man leadership of the party, which was formed without him, yet he is boasting of its control. It was gathered that some of the leaders were angry at the attitude of some of their colleagues for the manner they allowed the Ile-Ife-born senator to hijack the party, describing it as an insult on their intelligence. Meanwhile, as the party is yet to get through its differences, the medium learnt that the Presidency is considering the option of sponsoring another suitable aspirant from another party with affiliation to the PDP
like it did in Anambra State governorship election last year. This, according to feelers, is to save the Presidency from getting itself in the messy affairs the state PDP is enmeshed in and also to avoid using its machinery to perpetrate political violence during the poll. However, Omisore’s belief that the present leadership of the party in the state is firmly under his control, has further emboldened him and he is reported not to be ready to give up on his ambition of becoming the governor in the state for any reason. It was further gathered that the former senator is concerned that once he gives up the chance in this year’s election, he may never emerge as a candidate again, hence, his resolve to sweat it out under any circumstances.
Spread The Omoluabi Concept – Kola-Balogun Charges Youths By ABRAHAM JESUDOYIN
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•(R-L) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Interim National Legal Adviser, All Progressives Congress (APC) and newly-installed Baba Adinni of Ijesaland, Dr Muiz Banire and Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, during the formal inauguration of Ijesa Muslim Council and Launching of N500 million Ultra-modern Islamic Centre at Ereja Square, Ilesa, State of Osun, last Saturday.
NIS Recruitment: NCP Demands Investigation And Sanction By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
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another attestation of the present pathetic situation facing our youths and graduates in Nigeria.” “Those killed, especially the youths, had the potential to become soldiers, governors and even president of this country. It was possible for these innocent people to become everything in life and contribute to nation building. Yet they were killed with impunity. Everyday, Nigeria records one killing or an-
HE National Conscience Party (NCP) on Monday demanded comprehensive investigation and sanc tion of the culpable officials responsible for the death and injuries recorded at the recent recruitment exercise of the Nigeria Immigration Services. It also demanded explana- tion; this country has high tion from the government on level of corruption, leaderthe total amount collected ship is corrupt, mannerism from the various job seek- is corrupt, justice is corrupt. ers and refund of the money Millions of Nigerian youths so collected with adequate as job seekers for a mere compensation to assuage 4,000 job slots in the Nigetheir feelings. rian Immigration Service is National Chairman of the party, Dr Yunusa Tanko, while addressing a press conference at the party ofBy KEHINDEAYANTUNJI fice in Osogbo, expressed shock and disappointment NOTHER laurel came the way of the governor, State over the incidents, which of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, last weekend, as claimed the lives of many he was named winner of the coveted 2014 AD King youths. Prize for Achievement in Public Service in an award in More than 20 people were London, the United Kingdom. reported dead across the The award took place at Richmond, the awards were country as a result of stamjust-concluded meant to celebrate leaders, pede at the recruitment ex- the ercise of the Nigeria Immi- C o m m o n w e a l t h who have performed Observance Day and exceptionally and touched gration Service. Tanko described the inci- coincided with Nigeria’s the lives of their people. The awards, according to dent as a reflection of cor- Centenary Celebrations in the organizers, aim to grace ruption and unemployment London. Aregbesola was also the lives and achievements in the country. bestowed the Sustainable of Nigerian luminaries of the According to him: “NCP was utterly shocked at the Agriculture Achievement last 100 years, especially disasters that have again Award endowed by the leaders, who have shown befallen this country with GLEEHD Foundation in exceptional imagination, the untimely deaths and partnership with the foresight or resilience in a multiple injuries of our Commonwealth Democracy number of key fields. It is also to recognise youths in an their attempt Initiative. According to the joint leaders that have reversed to secure employment with organisers and promoters of trends, shaken-off traditional the NIS.” the three-day event led by “What is happening is the Lord Watson of limitations and acted as an example and inspiration to the consequence of corrup-
other.” The party berated NIS for not taking the advantage of technology and internet to carry out the recruitment and urged the government to ascertain the number of casualties, and compensate them adequately. It also offered its platforms for Nigerian youths to seek political office to abolish poverty in the country, saying NCP will not only create jobs, but will pay befitting minimum wage and ensure job security till old age.
HE State of Osun Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Mr Steven Kola-Balogun, has called on all stakeholders to embrace and spread the Omoluabi concept of the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, among the youths. According to him, the Adegboyega, who was also concept of Omoluabi is present at the programme, meant to build a future filled called on all women to with integrity and honesty, sensitise their children on while urging the youths in their need to join the social the state to embrace the club, instead of joining clubs that are against Omoluabi Social Club. He also called on the humanity. She stated that Omoluabi stakeholders to join hands club ethos are in line with with the government in religiouss doctrine preached sensitising youths about by Christ; “Love God and the Omuluabi concept. Love your neighbours”. Dismissing the Peoples She added that the major Democratic Party aim of the governor is to insinuations that the club is build lives, who will in-turn politically-motivated, Kola- become the future leaders of Balogun said: “Omoluabi the state and the country at club is not a political club.” large. Speaking further, he According to her, the stressed that the governor governor is committed to the has set up the group to development of youths in counter the alarming rate at the state and that has been which youths are being the motive behind the used as political thugs by creation of the Omoluabi some unscrupulous Boys and Girls Club. “Omoluabi Social Club is politicians and the involvement of youths in an idea conceived by the governor himself to build cultism. Also the State future leaders and we will Commissioner for Women not take it with levity,” she affairs, Mrs Adetoun added.
Aregbesola Wins UK Prize On Agriculture, Public Service
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others.” The award was received on behalf of the governor at a colourful Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony by the Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships, State of Osun, Dr. Charles Akinola. In his remark, Akinola congratulated and thanked the organisers and the global jury of the awards, who had recognised the sterling performance of the governor in delivering democracy dividends to the people of the state. “It is commendable that the organisers of the awards recognised the trail-blazing efforts of Governor Aregbesola in delivering public value and impacting positively in a brand new way on the lives of the
people of Osun,” Akinola said. The three- day event and awards ceremony was attended by eminent members of the British political class including, Baroness Lynda Chaulker of Wallasey; Lord Watson of Richmond; Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, British Business Group, which included Simon Walker, Director General of the British Institute of Directors (IOD); American civil rights leaders, Naomi Ruth Barber King, widow of the Rev A.D King, in whose honour one of the key awards was endowed and Rev. Joe Beasley of the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition. Distinguished Nigerians at the event also included, former Head of State,
General Yakubu Gowon; Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan’ (Delta) Adams Oshiomohle,(Edo) Isa Yuguda, (Bauchi)Abiola Ajimobi, (Oyo) Jonah Jang (Plateau) Others included the Minister of Power and Steel, Professor Chinedu Nebo; Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Foluso Phillips; Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Evelyn Oputu; Otunba Adekunle Ojora; Dame Ojuolape Ojora and Director of GLEEHD Nigeria, Mr. Dayo Israel. Osun delegation to the award ceremony included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Funmilayo Eso Williams,
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
Group Condemns Politisation Of Osun School Reforms •Oyeduntan, Owoade Explain O’school, Reclassification Concepts By ISMAEEL UTHMAN non-governmental and apolitical organisaton, Osun Movement for Peace (OMP), has appraised the education reform of Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration, describing it as one that would guarantee a brighter future for the school children. According to the OMP, it politicians hijacked the would be inhuman to policy and introduced politicise the education mundane things and reform, considering the religious sentiment into it, economic value and the but when we were satisfied promotion of functional that they have exhausted education that which the their political arsenals on the reform is meant to achieve. matter, we resolved at our The State Coordinator of level to discuss the real the group, Comrade issue. Temidayo Bankole, stated “Osun is building new this on Wednesday in schools that could rival any Osogbo, the state capital, at of the standard schools in a seminar organised by the the world. Osun is feeding group to evaluate the pupils for cognitive education policies of the advantage. Osun state government reclassified to have children Bankole stressed that the of the same age group in the group was unhappy with same environmental bracket. the introduction of Osun elects to cloth her mundane issues and pupils in the same uniform. religious sentiments into “These are realities on the education programme of ground and findings are the present administration, appealing to sense of sight, saying that education but we know that there is should be the least tool that more to that. Apart from the the political class will play economic value the politics with. programme could add, Osun He said: “As a group of Movement for Peace is also non-partisan academics and conscious of a fact that the professionals that is future of a nation is attached passionate about to education and education qualitative education in a is of course a crucial legacy, peaceful environment, we which we want the political initially kept mute, when class to stop using in
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playing dirty politics.” Analysing the future importance of the school reform and its future advantage, Bankole said: “Let’s be sincere, if the education policy that attracts all children of the poor is encouraged to endure, can those children be recruited as mercenaries of terrorism in the next 10 to 20 years? “Can the pupils, who have access to computer device for learning at their earlier stage, be compared with their colleagues with old model books in the next ten years? Can the children with balanced diet be found wanting of wit in the next 20 years among their peers anywhere?” Bankole however, appealed to politicians to be constructive and objective
in criticising the education reform, warning them not to jeopardise the future of their children and wards by politicising the education policy. Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Osun Schools Infrastructure Committee, Chief Lai Oyeduntan, commended the OMP for taking its time to organise a programme of such, basically to enlighten the people and appraise the education sector reform. Oyeduntan, who said the Aregbesola-led administration is constructing state-of-theart modern schools of international standard, stated that 39 of the schools have been completed and ready for use, just as he said they could not wait for all the completed schools to be
commissioned before they are put to use. He stressed that the state government had to demolish all the dilapidated structures in public schools that were posing threats to the lives of the students and teachers upon request from the school principals to pave way for the modern schools. The O’school chairman revealed that the state government is constructing 20 High Schools; 50 Middle Schools and 100 Elementary, saying that the schools are not only conducive for the students, but also a pride for both the teachers and the pupils. Oyeduntan observed that the construction of the schools have increased the number of enrolment of school children into the
public schools, saying that the model schools have the capacity to accommodate 1,000 pupils (for Elementary Schools), 1,200 students (for Middle Schools) and 3,000 students (for High Schools). In his own address, the Vice-Chairman, Osun Schools Reclassification Committee, who is also the Special Adviser to Aregbesola on Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Ayodele Owoade, said school reclassification is an intervention to revamp education in the state. Owoade stressed that the reclassification exercise is to functionalise education, reduce illiteracy level and enable the state government to assemble and concentrate its resources on education in a specific way.
Schools Construction: Osun Speaker Rates Aregbesola High By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
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PEAKER, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has again commended the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as he begins to commission serveral new state-of-the-art schools across the state. In a statement by his but resources are limited media secretary, Mr. Goke greatly, and that is a lesson Butika, on Friday, Salaam in leadership for whoever noted that Osun under aspires to lead the people in Aregbesola has been giving the future,” he stressed. the nation good news when The Speaker then insecurity, epileptic power expressed the satisfaction supply, kidnapping and of the state parliament on wanton killings have seized the judicious use of the the entire media space. limited resources accruing He noted that the people to the state, disclosing that of Osun have again noticed the state helmsman has the difference between a justified the vote of visionary leadership like confidence the legislative Aregbesola and power- arm of government passed hungry politicians. on him. According to him: “We He then admonished the have now clearly seen the people of the state to difference between then and continue to support the now; between the government in its progressives and the accelerated drive to develop reactionaries; between the every nook and cranny of past and the present. the state, with a view to “The good people of enjoying the much-desired Osun owe the governor for dividends of democracy the thinking out of the box in his more. unusual approach to governance. “The middle and elementary schools, newlybuilt by Aregbesola government, have brought the good tidings to the masses, who thought only good things are meant for the privileged class. “Aregbesola has demonstrated his capacity to govern a complex state like Osun, where the demands are geometrical, •SALAAM
•An ongoing road project at Ayetoro area of Osogbo, under the administration of State of Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
NESG Invites Osun Over Opon-Imo
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HE Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) may have found the Opon Imo, the Osun Tablet of Knowl edge, a veritable learning tool, which content and framework need to be examined and propagated across the country. The group has invited the Manager, Google Nigeria, Ms. state to be part of its 20th Juliet Ehimuan; Managing Disummit to share the experience rector, Bharti Airtel Nigeria, of its innovative e-learning de- Mr. Segun Ogunsanya and vice with people across the Chief Executive Officer, ICX Solution, Mr. Khalifa Imama country. The summit with the theme: Galandaci among others. Mr. Bashorun is expected to “Transforming Education through Partnership for Glo- take the audience on a journey bal Competition,” holds from of how Opon Imo was con18th to 20th March at the ceived and transformed into reTranscorp Hilton Hotel, ality as well as its impact on the state’s education sector in Abuja. Opon Imo’s Project Man- the last one year of its deployager, Mr. Bambo Bashorun, ment. According to the organizers, will lead the state’s delegation to the summit, where he is ex- it is their belief that Mr. pected to share his experience Bashorun’s “experience as the Head of Opon Imo would be with other participants. Other people invited as invaluable at the 20th Nigerian members of the panel, accord- Economic summit. “We would like to hear how ing to the NESG’s letter to Osun signed by its Director its deployment has improved General, Mr. Frank Nweke, are learning outcomes in the State the Managing Director of Gal- of Osun and what are the chalaxy Backbone Plc, Gerald lenges facing the use of IT in Ilukwe; Country Director (Ni- the classroom.” It will be recalled that Osun geria) of Microsoft, Mr. Kabelo Makwane; Country pioneered the e-learning tablet,
which was adjudged one of the first across the world, last year to expose its students to information technology, as it is being done in the developed countries of the world, where education has gone digital. Since its debut in 2013, Opon Imo has won awards, both at national and international levels, as one of inventions of the 21st century contributed to humanity by the State of Osun. Through initiatives such as Opon Imo, the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has won many laurels both within Nigeria and abroad. These include the ICT State of Year 2013 by the Nigerian Telecom Development; World Summit Award E-content initiative; Africa’s Most Innovative Telecom Product of the Year (Opon Imo), by the Nigerian Telecom Development; Governor of the Year on Social Responsibility Award; 2013 from the SERAs at its 7th Annual award; the Award of Excellence for Pragmatic Leadership, Environmental Manage-
ment and Youth Empowerment; Information Technology Brand of the Year from Brands in Nigeria Award and others. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) was established in 1996 to serve as a platform for public-private sector cooperation on Nigeria’s economic development. It was an offshoot of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NES), which was introduced in 1993 by the Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government. Since then, the summit has become an annual event. Mainly, the NESG concerns itself with how to foster open and continuous dialogues on Nigeria’s economic development.
Change Of Name I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWEKE IFUNANYA LINDA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OSAZUWA IFUNANYA LINDA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
NIS Recruitment, A Charade, Shameful Exercise - Omoworare By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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HE senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Babajide Omoworare, has described the unsuccessful recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service as a charade and a show of shame. According to was also a reflection of Omoworare, the wanton neglect and recruitment exercise was insensitivity of the not just disgraceful; but it government to the welfare
of the energetic youths of the country. Omoware in a press statement signed by his media aide, Comrade Tunde Dairo, on Monday, chided the NIS for what he described as dehumanizing and untoward treatment the teeming unemployed Nigerians youths were
subject to in their quest for a productive engagement. He stated that the recruitment saga was a serious national challenge, which shows seriousness of the unemployment situation in the country and the enthusiasm of the youths to seek their daily bread through legitimate
Ife Killing: APC Raises Alarm Over PDP’s Attempt To Frame APC Leaders By ISMAEEL UTHMAN
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HE All Progressive Congress (APC) has called on the security agencies in the state to conduct an intensive investigation into the killing of a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taiwo Ogundele, who was killed at Gbodo, Ile-Ife. According to the APC, being carry around by the about the the PDP has been mak- PDP ing move to hang the Ogundele’s killing was a Ogundele murder on the falsification by the PDP to APC, and attach his death turn ‘what actually was a to the violence that murder case within their erupted in Ife during the ranks to an assassination voters’ registration exer- story against the APC. A copy of the press cise. Speaking through a statement, made available press release issued by to OSUN DEFENDER the Director of Publicity, on Tuesday in Osogbo Research and Strategy of reads in part: “The PDP the party, Mr Kunle story was an orchestrated Oyatomi, the APC al- fabrication and publicity leged that Ogundele was stunt for a desperate polireportedly killed by some tician, notorious for links men, following a disagree- with violence, now trying ment that ensued among to give an impression of a them at a meeting held at humanist. “The story they told has Gbodo, Ile-Ife on March no bearing with registra14, 2014. The party said it be- tion exercise whatsoever. came imperative to inform And they forgot shortly the public and the secu- after the murder of this rity agencies that the story same Ogundele, the PDP
wanted to divert attention of the public from the actual event, by attacking the father of the Ife East Local Government Council Executive Secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal.” However, the APC called on the security agents to do a thorough investigation on the matter, saying that the PDP has been attempting to frame innocent APC supporters for a crime the PDP members committed. The party recalled that it had last Wednesday, when the incident occurred, immediately drawn the attention of the security agencies to the murder, while the PDP waited for four clear days before it allegedly orchestrated the supposed assassination of the same person by so-called APC leaders. Calling on the security agents to take very seriously the increasing au-
Osun Backs Owa-Obokun On Oba Aromolaran U-17 Football Tourney By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has again reiterated his commitment to grassroots football development in the state, while pledging his government’s backing to the recently-concluded Oba Aromolaran National Under-17 Unity Cup recently held inside the Sports Centre of Osun State College of Education, Ilesa. Governor Aregbesola, Edo State emerged who was represented at winner of the one-week the final event of the soccer tourney after maiden soccer tournament defeating Ondo State via by his Special Adviser on Youths, Sports and Special penalty shoot-out after a Needs, Comrade Biyi barren 90 minutes of Odunlade, commended the thrilling soccer action. The respected monarch, initiative of the paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Oba while addressing guests Gabriel Adekunle and spectators, said an Aromolaran, who educational endowment instituted and bankrolled scheme would also be the competition. The governor also subsequently added to the pledged to renovate the event, so that distinguished dilapidated Ilesa Township footballers would not only Stadium ahead of the get cash and shield but also second edition of the get education scholarship tournament, while also to further their studies. expressing his wiliness to Oba Aromolaran also create more recreational enjoined the Nigeria centres within Ijesaland in Football Federations order to enhance youth’s interest in sporting (NFF) to establish a study group that will be in-charge activities.
of monitoring such grassroots competition for talent discovery, considering the high technical standard of the soccer tourney.
dacity with which the PDP is allegedly operating violently in Osun and constituting itself into a lawless and reckless army of thugs bent on intimidating the people to support their party, the APC said the party needed to be cautioned timely before the August 9, 2014 governorship election. The APC, however, averred that Osun citizens would not be cowed by PDP’s intimidation and the notoriety for violence by one of the PDP’s gubernatorial aspirants.
means. The senator stressed that the mammoth turnout of the unemployed youths should send a signal to the Federal Government that the nation is on the brink with a possible implosion if drastic steps are not taken to address the situation. Omoworare also called for serious sanction on those managing the NIS, just as he said the leaders of the country should bury their head in shame over the ugly incident. Calling for thorough investigation into the matter, Omoworare warned that the case must not be swept under the carpet, saying thorough investigation must be carried out to determine culpability of individuals and agencies.’ He then appealed to the National Assembly to give conscience priority over politics in dealing with the NIS issue and other sundry national affairs, in the interest of democracy and development of the nation. The senator said: “I
sincerely hope that Nigerians draw needed economic and political lessons. Situation in the country calls for a radical departure from the rot that has perpetuated itself as the Federal Government of Nigeria is led by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “We cannot continue to exist in a vicious circle, when we have the power of choice with us. May God Almighty put an end to our hydra-headed tragedies and restore our lost glory, where people have jobs waiting for them before completion of their academics.” O m o w o r a r e commiserated with the parents; friends and families of the young Nigerians, who lost their lives during the NIS recruitment exercise done last Saturday across the country, praying that the souls of the youths find eternal rest in the bosom of God Almighty and the families granted enough fortitude to bear the loss.
PDP Members Defect To APC In Odo-Otin By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO
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T was a milestone event recently at Ward 08, Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun, as a large number of Peoples Democratic Party members decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). At the event, which held am therefore urging you to at Okua, the APC Chairman defend this democracy to in the council area, Alhaji the extent of joining hands Jimoh Asa, received the to tear down the ‘umbrella’ defectors on behalf of the in Nigeria at the federal level Acting State Chairman of in 2015.” the party, Elder ‘Lowo Speaking on behalf of the Adebiyi. defectors, ASP Simeon Asa assured the Olarinoye (rtd.) stated that defectors of their safety and they were tired of the deceit noted that their defection and uncertain future that was ocassioned by the awaited them in the PDP. d e v e l o p m e n t a l He revealed that on transformation agenda of acceptance into the APC, his the Aregbesola joy and that of his fellow administration. defectors knew no bounds, “There is a wind of while he assured party change coming and it is members of their decision to strong. I am sure everybody work tirelessly to ensure that sees what is happening? I the ruling party held sway
in Ward 08. In the same vein, the APC Ward Chairman; Honourable Morufu Oyetoro, Ward Leader; Pa Suleiman Akintola and Barrister Wale Aderibigbe and other party leaders in the council area appreciated God for making them a rallying point, as people were ready to associate with the party. On his part, the member representing Odo-Otin State Constituency in the State House of Assembly; Honourable Rasaq Adeyemi, while welcoming the new members, said it was clear that the reason for their decision to defect was because they had seen the light. Highlight of the event was the presentation of the party flag to the decampees.
•Representative of the Governor, State of Osun, Comrade Biyi Odunlade; donor and financier of the soccer tournament, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, presenting the trophy to the Edo State team, the winner of Oba Aromolaran National U-17 Unity Cup recently.
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
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Who would not want good things to continue? That would only be an enemy of progress. We recall here the ugly situation that obtained before Aregbesola era; the dilapidated state of things and absence of peace, the squandering of people's resources and unabated wastage of tax payers' money, the endless intimidation and harassment of opposition, the unfettered oppression and persecution of innocent folks - both politicians and nonpoliticians alike - by political vampires who forced
Athemselves Rash of Endorsements for Aregbesola course on which it on the could only have people and turned expectations and for a leader that has kept his electioneering campaign promises these are well deserved endorsements as we stated above. themselves to lords of the manor as they totally forgot that power is transient and that no condition is permanent. But for this set of politicians Osun would not be at such a backward state that Aregbesola met it which made starting all over again necessary. For the regime of Chief Bisi Akande that handed Osun over to
Oyinlola and his goons did try much for the state as it laid a solid foundation for its development and actually put it on the path of progress. That regime actually recorded monumental achievements even as it earned laurels for its prudence and wise husbandry of resources.
Lo and behold, the squandermaniacs took over and destroyed Akande's legacies only to take the state back to such a zero level where Aregbesola had to start afresh. No doubt the task has been daunting. To steer the ship of Osun away from the wrong
found itself under Oyinlola's captainship and put it back on the right course as it is now couldn't have been a tea party. Of course only a dogged and visionary leader like Ogbeni could achieve this much. Those who knew how badly bruised Osun was at the inception of Aregbesola's administration and the level of repair and transformation that have taken place under him won't do but give him kudos and endorse him for another term. Therefore the rash of endorsements for Aregbesola
This Season Of Schools’ Commissioning
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write with great elation to hail and applaud the current giant strides of the administration of the day in the handing over to their ultimate users and official commissioning of the series of the state-of-the-art school complexes the construction of which was embarked upon as soon as the lifespan of the administration started some years back. Before proceeding further, I wish to commend in strong terms the honest and transparent efforts of your able and indefatigable team in keeping us abreast of up-to-date information on the correct status and pace of work on the schools’ reconstruction scheme. But for your accurate reportage of events, progress and developments; alongside other efforts by other unbiased media organizations, all of us – I mean the generality of our people in the State of Osun would have been led astray by detractors who see nothing good in all the exertions of the administration at restoring back the lost glory of the state in all spheres; and who spare no known means to disparage, discountenance and run down the honest stewardship of the Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun. Sometimes around September last year, when the first in the units of public schools built under the State of Osun Schools
Infrastructure Development Committee (O’SCHOOLS) project was commissioned, we all witnessed it with enthusiasm and joy. Yet, the opposition never relented in telling the false tale that the school was the only one being paraded in the entire state, and that all that the incumbent administration succeeded in doing around was to demolish all the buildings it could hardly afford all the required resources to build to the standard of their old statuses; talk less rebuilding to suit
modern taste! The two elementary schools – Baptist Central Elementary School, Ilare, Ile-Ife and the A.U.D. Government Elementary School, Isale-Agbara, Isale-Osun, Osogbo – recently commissioned in quick succession have convinced us beyond reasonable doubts that greater things lay ahead for the state as gains of democracy; courtesy of the Rauf Aregbesola administration. The administration of Ogbeni came under baseless and vehement criticism that even if
it could afford the means of putting up the structures, it could ill-afford to do so within the space of its entire years in office; were it to concentrate its focus and programmes on schools infrastructure alone. Another cross section of detractors went religious as they were busy fanning the embers of disharmony; pointing accusing fingers at the administration that it had favoured one religious faith to the prejudice of the other in its choice of which of the public
schools to reconstruct and/or rehabilitate. Today, as the administration has been vindicated; we know better. The only set of people who could still be left in doubt and in the dark is those who through their deliberate choice tread the path of anti-people lust and greed; those who do not love the progress of this society. I, for one laud the good intents of the Aregbesola administration. I admire the actions seen so far, evidenced by the good teachinglearning environment we have in
place all over the state. Of greater inspirational value is the fact that there still exist many more of these edifices across the state in the various categories – elementary, middle and high schools – soon to be commissioned; all numbering up to about thirty-six and above! All that I solicit from the people is to treat the Rauf Aregbesola administration with greater understanding and acceptance in order to create the enabling environment necessary to translate its noble plans into action. Development thrives only in rancor-free atmospheres. The administration should have by now earned the support and cooperation of all progressloving residents and citizens of our state. I implore the administration not to be deterred in its good works. Timely completion of already existing projects and prompt rolling out of fresh ones would add to the credence and credibility which it had gathered for itself. As the Gubernatorial elections draw near, I only pray that our people would show enough appreciation with their votes by voting en masse for Ogbeni – even more than they did about seven years ago, precisely in 2007. Osun a dara o! •LAWRENCE AWOYEMI, Eleyele Area, Ile-Ife,State of Osun.
come out of conviction based on the reality on ground ever, backward never. A lot still has to be done in Osun appertaining completion of developmental programmes on ground, and who can complete the process if not the init i a t o r himself?trather than psycophancy. From time immemorial good has always attracted good. This basically is the raison detre for all these endorsements. Finally, having tasted good governance the good people of
Osun cannot afford to be led again by visionless and mediocre elements who will take Osun back to darkness and draw the hand of the clock of progress backward (again). The era they tearfully yearned for when the locusts ravaged them has finally come under Aregbesola and for them, it's forward ever, backward never. A lot still has to be done in Osun appertaining completion of developmental programmes on ground, and who can complete the process if not the initiator himself?
OSUN DEFENDER Publisher
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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com
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INTERVIEW
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
Osun School Re-classification Good For State’s Education – Fagbulu Chief Modupe Fagbulu is a season educationist and retired public servant with the Federal Ministry of Education. He was a consultant to UNESCO, recommended and supervised return of schools to government in 1975 across the country. In this interview with Correspondent Gbenga Faturoti, Fagbulu speaks on re-classification and merger of public schools in Osun State and its effects on the people and students. Excerpts:
R
ECENTLY, the government in Osun State introduced the education policy of re-classification and merger. What is your take on that? Well, I’m an education man and I am in a very good position to accept what the Osun State government is doing. I will show you something. The essence of the merging of schools is how to make the schools bigger and more efficient. I’m not hiding anything and I have told you earlier how I merged schools in Ijebu-Ode. It is a good decision for any government to implement. It is very tactical but has wonderful results if it is properly done and I have no reason to think that it is not properly done in Osun state. Some say the religious implication of re-classification and merger of schools were not properly looked into; do you share the same view? On the issue of re-classification, if you have N10 in your left pocket and you have N10 in your right pocket, for convenience, you may want to put them in one pocket. That is what I term re-ordering, which is the same as reclassification but the total amount of money you have is still the same. Re-classification does not necessarily mean re-structuring or changing. It’s like rearranging something together for the purpose of convenience and efficiency and to suit the situation on ground. Re-classification is not a problem really. The consequences are what we are talking about. When you put schools together, you get something different and that is where change takes place. People are objecting based on the religious background, gender and antecedents of these schools. Firstly, we use to criticise the British as to why they segregate men and women in the past. It is even better for boys and girls to learn together. There is something that happened when I was about eight to nine years old, which I will never forget until I die. There was a girl in my class who used to beat me in class, and that pushed me to try to beat her at all cost. If that can remain in my mind for 50 years, you can see what it was. It can even be a spur, a challenge or an inspiration to one to ensure that a boy or a girl does not do better than the other. People do not want to see this aspect of it being a challenge to study harder but they are looking at the other side that it can cause distraction; they are talking rubbish. These children will still meet members of the opposite sex right outside the gate of the school, so why separate them when it comes to learning. If you bring up your child properly and emphasise the issue of morality, you shouldn’t be worried about coeducation. The foundation should be laid right from the church, the mosque, and the community should instill morals into the children so that the point of immorality does not arise, but if they don’t, the problem of immorality will come up even when they learn separately. Now on religion, schools do not belong to Christians or Muslims. Any school that receives a kobo from the government, not only here in Osun State, does not belong to any church or any religion at all. Schools belong to the people and the moment public money is spent on the school, it can no longer be denominational. It is against the constitution. You cannot discriminate against one religion or the other. If you want to start your own school, the permission is there; go and start your own school and spend every kobo of your money on it. If it is your school, you can do whatever you like there. Any school where public money is spent is a public school meant for all irrespective of tribe or religion. And it is government policy that every child in the state has a right to education in any of these schools and cannot be stopped on the grounds of religion. I was the one who started the movement that the schools should be returned to the government. A school has the right to be on its own and run on its own provided that you meet the conditions, you can stay autonomous. The inspectorate was there and they were doing their work before the government took these schools. They knew the instructions, that if you go to a school, this is what you inspect and report to the government, and if the government comes and finds out that the school is lacking in facilities like toilets, the government can take it over. If your school is built for three years, after three years, we come and inspect it and if it meets our standards, we begin to give you grants and we recommend you to start taking the West African Certificate Examinations. Now this people start schools and
•FAGBULE they come and start begging for grants even when they have not met these conditions. One of the conditions is that you can’t start a school unless that property is guaranteed to remain a perpetuity forever. You must have perpetuity. So when people come for permission to start a school, the first warning is that the property is in perpetuity, meaning you can’t get up tomorrow and decide that you want to sell it. It is a school forever. Then we can give you grants. Has that changed? Now this was done for many years and most of the schools were taking grants. After about 50 years, the government comes to take over the schools and they are asking why the government wants to take over the schools and they started asking for compensation. So we asked them to calculate what was used to build the school and what was spent on the school for the three years before the government took over, and we asked them to deduct it from all the school fees taken from the students and the total grants they have been given over the years. After the calculation, they were owing government, so many of them kept quiet. What was the main reason for taking over the schools by the government? The major reason why we took over the schools was that we found that the missions were charging the students high fees despite the money they were being given by the government to support the running of the school and they were still saying that the money was not enough. They were enjoying the rest of the money. We have a school near Ikare run by an Italian as well as two other schools, these three schools had excesses. They said the money was more than enough for the running of the school. So we tried to look at the budget of the other schools because they were asking for a review of the money, saying that it was not enough. These other schools were expanding and building new blocks. They said that the money was more than enough, while some were asking for more and they
were not even paying their teachers’ salary. When the teachers went on strike, a committee was set up to look into the case of the teachers. How was the issue resolved? We ordered that they should pay the teachers but if they can’t do it, are we going to get up to pay the teachers? It was there that another commission was set up to look into how it can be done, and it was not just for one state, it was the whole Nigeria. We discovered that they were also not being fair and just with promotions and other benefits on the basis of religion. So we decided that instead of wasting money, it was best for the government to take over the schools. In 1986, I had to leave for my doctorate and another person was appointed to take my place when I left. So that is why we took over the schools; because the religious bodies were not meeting expectations, because we needed to make sure that the teachers get paid their salaries, because we needed to reduce the cost of education and to stop the injustice and unfairness over promotions and other benefits. We entered to stop the mismanagement of funds. They were misbehaving because they felt that they had the right to do what they like with their school, and we decided that the whole thing would stop when the school no longer belonged to them. Why were the names of those schools retained after the takeover? It possibly gave these bodies the impression that they were still in charge of the schools? No government which is serious will waste time over the changing of the names of schools. It is of no consequence to us. The teachers were still the same; just that the ownership had changed. Also for the sake of statistics, changing the name of a school that has been registered for over a long time under a particular name would have been complex and could have created confusion for the community and the students. But do you think what Osun State government is right? Osun State is not doing something innovative in Continued on page 7
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
Aregbesola’s Welfare Triumphalism And Its Economic Implications
T
HE primary objective of a good government is to impact positively on its citizenry through policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on their day-to-day living. Those great men and women that brought about a welfare society must have thought completely out of the box in favour of those within the society that are really struggling to make ends meet in areas that are as basic but essential to human existence and dignity such as food, housing, health and education. I was privileged a few weeks ago to experience a gathering of experts at the Parliament Building, United Kingdom, where deliberations were centred on Home – Grown School Feeding for primary school children and challenges some nations are facing in putting food on the tables for these leaders of tomorrow, most especially in Africa and some emerging economies globally. Eminently seated with these world renowned technocrats from the World Bank, World Food Programme, African Union, Members of Parliament and other professionals around the globe was this familiar face in his usual “Dashiki” flowing white apparel, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who to the surprise of his foreign audience, were jolted and shocked not only with the presentation, but most importantly, with the content, implementation and outcomes of his government O’MEALS programme in far away rural setting of Osun State, Nigeria. There and then, his was the good reference point by all the participants of what a welfare programme should be both in delivery and achievable set goals of alleviating hunger while supporting education, nutritional heath, economic development and empowerment at the local/ communities’ level. Questions propping through my mind during and after the session were implicit and explicit tangible economic benefits in Osun State and why such opportunities are not being embraced by other states and the Federal Government of Nigeria? If a state that easily fits as one of the poorest in terms of federal revenue allocation could boldly feed Two Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Three (252,793.) pupils on a daily basis (Monday to Friday) on nutritious menu that includes fish, egg, chicken, meat, juice/ fruits and carbohydrates (all locally-produced,
•AREGBESOLA By ADEREMI IDOWU processed, delivered, prepared and consumed); what could that figure of beneficiaries be across the 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja? As a guess estimate, Nigeria could have helped over seven million school children out of hunger and into healthy, happy learning future leaders. This to me is what a welfare-caring society should do. Not only that, what about job creation and business opportunities this kind of O’MEALS provide that could also be replicated in the 37 states in my beloved country? Osun State, through this global laudable programme, has created Three Thousand and One Hundred (3,100.) Professional Chefs (caterers); Four Hundred and Sixty Two (462) fish farmers; One
Thousand (1,000) Pink cocoyam farmers all within the state economy. That alone could have eliminated a total figure of close to two hundred thousand self-employed people into Nigerian economy with a likely multiplier effect in sundries or allied trades and businesses. One has not added the 15,000 whole chicken and 35 heads of cattle per school week into this calculation. When the history of a welfare state is finally written in the not –so- far future, the one name that will be written in gold is this same man, who has transformed technology to a local, accessible and available companion of Osun State secondary school students through OPON IMO, an ipad-like Tablet of Knowledge). He is the same governor that is making school attendance an upward swing with a 24% increase in school enrolment within a period of less than a year; feeding primary school pupils
with nutritious menu and making lives more abundant to those who could have remained peasant, poor and miserable without a gainful employment in his state. His name is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Take politics out of it, I am of the candid opinion that Nigeria as a country, with her multiform complexities and challenges, has the responsibility to take adequate look at what is happening in that South West state of the country, with a view to replicating some of them. Last year, I read online from my base in the United Kingdom here how Senator Uche Chukwumerije, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representative in the upper chamber of the National Assembly was in Osun and his recipe to Nigeria’s education’s quagmire was a replication of the new initiatives that are changing infrastructure and personnel of the education sector. These are said to be yielding bountiful results as indicated in the geometric rise in the better results now being recorded by school children in the public examinations. Chukwumerije’s confession, to me, is the insight required by the PDP-led Federal Government to examine the Osun example towards solving many of the emergent problems bedevilling Nigeria and Nigerians. I doubt if Nigeria’s Bureau of Statistics has any reliable figure on the number of deaths recorded in the last one month. But the avalanche of reports from home suggests Nigeria to look like a terribly wartorn zone where what happens in the next minutes tragically is anybody’s guess. The gory killing of sleeping students in college hostels; the sacking of villages in Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, Bauchi, Yobe to mention just a few put my country at its precipice. This orgy of violence stems, no doubt, from the failure of the system. But it must be stated point-blank that where hunger, ignorance, injustice subsist for a long time, the fabric of the society is stretched beyond its capacity and the carnage being witnessed today is result of the snap of the social order. My country needs a rethink; a new roadmap to first, halt this mess and move on to greater things that will ensure the happiness of our people. The picture of Osun that I see shows some potential for a greater Nigeria.
INTERVIEW
Osun School Re-classification Good For State’s Education – Fagbulu Continued from page 6 education. Osun State is doing what is right in education. Don’t get it wrong. Osun State is on the right track. Innovation is what he is doing in the schools but the building is not innovation. It is the right thing to do. That is my opinion. Innovation means something that has not been done before, something original and brand new. By law, the government can put any gender in any school. The government is not restricted by any section of the constitution. The reactions and protests are not relevant at all. The government is trying to sensitise and educate these people on the right thing to do. Now again on religion, no religious body has any school, which is funded by public money. Now I will take St. Margaret as an example. My father was one of the founders of that school and my sister is even one of the foundation members. Even one of the houses in the school; Fagbenro House, was named after my father. That means I should have a stake there considering all these. But even there and other schools, there must be a provision for Christian religion teachers as well as Islam religion teachers, and they are never to force the students to attend any outside their wall. If you go to Lagos some of the most notable and rich families have children who went to these schools. I have a friend, Durotimi, who went to Lagos Grammar School and at the School Certificate Examinations, he took Christian religious Studies and passed it. After obtaining his degree, he went to St. Andrews in Oyo, a citadel of Christian education in Nigeria to teach. So religion is not and should not be made an issue. I
know him personally so I am using that as an example. Going to either Christian or Muslim school is not an issue because it has nothing to do with your religion. You still have your freedom of religion. As far as I’m concerned, Osun State is doing the right thing. Before now the system education was 66-4 and then the Federal Government changed it to 9-3-4 but with the reclassification here in Osun, it is now 45-3-4 structure of education. What is the significance of this? When the Federal Government changed the structure to 9-3-4, why did all these reactions not come up? This reclassification now split the nine years into four and five years and they are complaining. The nine years is still termed basic education and that is what it is. As regards the names, I will advise the government to let them keep their names, whatever it means to them. If I want to marry a woman, who has a son or daughter who is coming to stay in my house, that child will bear my name so long as I am the one to take care of that child. If they remove all the children from Baptist School and take them to Ahmadiyya, they are now students of Ahmadiyya so long as that is the building they are using. It is not a matter of morality, but a simple case of equity and common sense. Let me give you a good example because I am a teacher. If we have Kolawole School and we have Kolapo School, and you take all the children from Kolapo to Kolawole School, you cannot refer to them as Kolapo anymore because they are now in Kolawole School. If you want those children to retain the names of the schools they are coming from, then in Kolawole
School, you will be having children from Kolawole School as well as children from Kolapo School. Is that not stupid? You can only alter the name when you bring boys to girls’ school. It becomes Baptist Middle School, no more Baptist Girls High School, because it is no longer a girls’ school. Now, we have the nursery, primary and secondary school in other states and even Federal Government schools in this state still go with the same structure. But in Osun we now have Basic, Middle and High schools, any implication? There is nothing wrong with that because the Osun State government has been careful enough to state the age range for each of them, so when the Federal Government asks for the statistics for any grade, Osun State knows the equivalent. What is important is that the grades and the age range are well known and clearly stated. If you look at the education system we have what we call the age profile and if you look at a class statistics, you can tell the average age for that class. If the average age for a grade is eight to nine years old in a school of 100, 50 can be eight years, 10 may be seven year olds and two six-year olds. There might be 20 nine-year olds. It does not mean that they are the only age in the school, there will be a few above and a few below. Osun State has been very careful to state the age range for every grade and I think they are on the right track. From the look of things, people are not very receptive to this whole idea of reclassification or merger of schools? I want to assure you that I have no input in what Osun State government is doing. I have education background and experience
in Osun State but presently I am not a contributor. You have talked of the computer tablet called ‘Opon Imo’ and many schools of thought welcomed the idea but some argued that the study of Ifa was included in it and that it might affect the morals of these students and introduce them to idolatry, what is your take? My name is Ifagbulu. I think we are overeducated and we now take our roots for granted. I have seen the “Opon Imo” but I have not thoroughly looked at it. What is wrong with the study of Ifa? I believe the “Opon Imo” also has the Bible and the Koran, so why the emphasis on Ifa? If anybody wants to learn, let him have education. Let them know about Ifa, the Koran as well as the Bible. These people need to be enlightened in order to objectively assess, criticise and speak about other religions apart from theirs. I am not going into a religious fight with anybody because we are talking of education. I have read the Bible and the Koran and sometimes I ask myself why these people are fighting themselves. Are they crazy? The only thing that differs is that Muslims don’t call Jesus. A lot of things in the Bible are in the Koran, so what are we arguing about? I have a Bible as well as a Koran. Let them put the Bible, Koran, study of Ifa and everything in the “Opon Imo”. Why can’t we know about our past? If they don’t want to know the past, then there is no point studying history. Let them tell us what is particularly wrong with Ifa. It is all part of knowledge. •Culled from DAILY INDEPENDENT.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
An Ongoing Rehabilitation Of The Osogbo City Stadium, Under The Administration Of State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Photographer, ABRAHAM JESUDOYIN, Last Tuesday.
•The ongoing football pitch.
•Covered seats side of the stadium.
•Back view of the stadium.
•Another back view of the stadium.
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
PHOTOTALK
The Ongoing Elementary School Project At Ayetoro Area, Osogbo, Under The Administration Of State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Photographer, ABRAHAM JESUDOYIN, Last Tuesday.
•Front view of the ongoing Elementary School.
•Side view of the school.
•The school lavatory.
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PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
At 2-Day International Workshop Of The Quantity Surveyors’ Institute, At Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Recently.
•(L-R) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Honourable Aminu Tambuwal and Past President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), during a 2-day International Workshop of the Institute, at Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Saturday.
•(R-L) Governor Rauf Aregbesola; President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr Murtala Aliyu; member, House of Representatives, Honourable Kamil Ajibola and Past President, NIQS, Alhaji Abdul-Kadir Kao, during the 2-day International Workshop of the Institute at Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Saturday.
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FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
Focusing On Nigeria’s Development Strategies Since Independence D
EVELOPMENT, in a developing nation such as Nigeria, is a subject of enduring, current and recurrent relevance. It is multi-faceted and ever dynamic. It admits of no single approach or general pattern for its full attainment both in time and across nations and practitioners in the field of development studies concede, and rightly too, that theories policies and strategies of development are ever-changing and shaped by the prevailing circumstances of the society in question. Dudley Seers seems to guide many scholars in the discourse of economic development with regard to its meaning and contents. He offers the advice that the starting point in discussing the challenges we now face is to brush aside the web of fantasy we have woven around development and decide more precisely what we mean by it. Thus to reach the meaning of proper and acceptable definition of the term “economic development” the fact has to be accepted that “development” is a normative term. Secondly, the difference between economic development and economic growth has to be established and operationalised in policy directions and interventions. The latter –economic growth is limited in scope and result and hardly could lead to restoring the dignity and personality of human beings living in any given society. Indeed, the point has been made that development concerns not only man’s materials needs, but also the improvement of the social conditions of his life and his broad human aspirations. Development is not just economic growth, it is growth plus change- human development. In effect, to meaningfully and contemporaneously define economic development, and to along this line assess a country’s level of development, there has to be at the minimum, high and positive attainment of employment, significant reduction of poverty and inequality in the society. This three factors are basic for one to argue that real development is taking place in the society even if the polity is experiencing high per capital income. Clearly, other factors such as health care, adequate educational opportunities, citizen’s inalienable rights, to mention but a few, are relevant in determining the achievement of human potentials in the society. It is, therefore, important not to limit such determination on purely economic terms. In the light of the above, economic development may be defined as widespread, widely shared, sustainable economic growth accompanied by significant structural changes in production patterns and in economic and political institutions and by generalized improvement in living standards. Nigeria gained its political independence from Britain in 1960. There is no doubt that in the euphoria of its newly-acquired sovereign status, its policy makers were influenced direct and indirect ways by the many, varied and competing economic development theories that held sway since the late 1950s. Development efforts were seen in terms of adoption of policies and programmes that were primarily aimed at improving the socio-economic and political well-being of the nation’s population and for reversing the marginal economic position of the country in the global system. Nigeria’s economic history since the 1950s to the present shows that it has tried virtually all known development strategies that gained wide currency in economic theory ranging from what it termed “open door” economic policy to privatisation of its
•JONATHAN By PROF. A.S. ASAJU
economic sector in the nation’s economic and political interaction with the North. In the late 1950s when Nigeria gained self-governing status from Britain (as prelude to full independence in 1960), its policy makers at both the federal and regional levels identified its major needs in the following line-finance, technology, highly skilled manpower and access to external market. Form a renowned school of political economy, Claude Ake captures Nigeria’s long-standing objectives as inducing the transfer of science and technology, getting more aid on better terms, attracting investment. Largely, Nigeria sought to achieve this aim through a web of good international relationship with its former colonial master, Britain, other western countries, multinational corporations, and other foreign investors. For the sake of emphasis, the country’s primary aim was to attract and sustain foreign investors and investment in its new economy and “new” Nigeria for the overall interest of achieving economic growth particularly in the area of industrial development. Nigeria adopted import substitution industrialisation programme in 1962 more or less as its second phase of efforts to attain economic development. This is geared to protect local industries to manufacture goods, which were formally imported through such measures as protective tarrifs, exchange rate controls, import quotas, amongst others. Simply stated, it is a deliberate effort to promote the emergence and expansion of local or domestic industries to reduce the country’s dependence on some imported goods. For most part of the 1960s and 1970s, Nigeria achieved near self-sufficiency in the production of some light consumer goods namely beer and other beverages,
cotton textiles, biscuits, tobacco, soaps and detergents, dairy products, plastic goods, livestock feeds, stationery, footwear and furniture. The continued weakening or corrosion of the Nigerian economy led the government to introduce yet another development strategy in July 1986. It was named Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). Its main objectives as severally declared by Federal Government documents are to: restructure and diversify the productive base of the economy in order to reduce dependence on oil sector and on imports; achieve fiscal balance of payments viability; lay the basis for sustainable non-inflationary or minimum inflationary growth and to lessen the dominance of unproductive investments in the public sector, improve the sector’s efficiency and intensify the growth and potential of the private sector. The major ways by which government sought to achieve the above objectives were: the adoption of a realistic exchange rate policy coupled with the liberalization of the external trade and payment system; adoption of appropriate pricing policies in all sectors with greater reliance on market forces and reduction in complex administrative controls and further rationalization and restructuring of public expenditure and custom tarrifs. Many Nigerians viewed SAP as induced by both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank particularly as it concerns the standard prescription of those bodies on liberalization of foreign exchange controls, reduction in the size of government subsidies on goods and services, wage freeze and price controls. Secondly, the adverse socio-economic and indeed political impact of SAP made many Nigerians to also perceive the policy as either an inappropriate strategy or that is was poorly implemented. It is an incontrovertible fact of history that economic theories, policies, strategies
and approaches alone cannot lead a country to the “economic promised land” that it seeks for. There must be solid foundation on which economic efforts, policies, actions, activities and successes will thrive. Stated simply, the sociopolitical, economic, cultural and intellectual environment must be right, contributing and conducive to development. The development question in Nigeria obviously suggests that there is more to efforts to reach economic development than embracing or literally jumping from one development strategy to another or a combination or combinations thereof. Indeed, Nigeria followed this path in quick and significant succession since the late 1950s to the present and is yet to be out of the woods. Contemporary Nigeria needs to keep its house in order to be able to absorb the challenges and lessons that must have been learned over the decades. This will position it to adequately correct its past mistakes or constraints that inhibit meaningful development in the society. This view point brings us to the question of what is fundamentally wrong in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political system that has constituted a cog in its wheel of development. A number of such hiccups include, among others form of government and political order, problems of religious, ethnic and political conflicts, the Niger Delta problem, the Boko Haram insurgency. Without adequately addressing these, there hardly can exist a conducive environment for the nation’s economic efforts to succeed. A few other important issues which constitutes serious clogs in the Nigerian socio-political and economic system includes electoral system, corruption, infrastructure constraints, education, health. As an oil rich country and exporter, Nigeria ought to be able to, over the years, induce new opportunities for many of its citizens, and in the process improve the living standards of a vast majority of its peoples. It should also implement measures and put in place certain processes and structures that can enhance development to an extraordinary degree given its vast agricultural and oil resources base. This is an hard lesson. Nigeria and Nigerians should also have learned that decades of corruption in the nation have led to serious constraints in the socio-economic and political life of the policy. Clearly, the nation cannot survive without the government and the people taking determined steps to put in place institutions and policies that will eliminate or reduce corruption in the Nigeria society. Nigeria’s fragile democracy does not augur well in its continuing quest for socio-political development. There have been decades of false steps in the achievement of real democracy. There is the need to introduce implement and feasible options that can bring about development and the good life for its teeming population. Rulers and the ruled must adhere to the sound principles and values of nationalism, transparency and accountability in the polity. The power of the mass media is imperative for the important and critical role of disseminating information, orientation and mobilizing the people in order to carry them along the processes and search for overall development. P•rofessor Asaju writes from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
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FOR THE RECORDS
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
We Are A Government On A Mission - Aregbesola Speech Delivered By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At The Formal Commissioning Of A.U.D. Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, On Thursday March 13, 2014. Protocols,
A
day like this marks another watershed in the grand project of building the foundation for the great future of the State of Osun. And for me and those with which my government is peopled, education is arguably the most solid foundation upon which to erect that great future. The American civil rights activist, Malcolm X, also recognised this fact in his observation that: ‘Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today’. Thus, I am filled with profound joy to gather with all of you here today for the commissioning of another of our new model school buildings, the A.U.D. Elementary School, Isale-Osun, Osogbo. This school is another sign of our serious intent to completely remake the public education system in our dear state. When I assumed office as the governor of the state, I had a vision of what the future of education in Osun public school should be like. It is a vision that sees our public sector education on a comparable level with what obtains in the most educationally advanced parts of the world. And it is towards the realisation of this vision that the energy and attention of my government have been resolutely focused. It is a vision that we intend to see through without minding the obstacles in our path. As a government, we are fully aware of the fact that leadership is empty without vision; but we equally do know that vision absent action is idle daydreaming from which transformation can never come about. Indeed, idle daydreaming can only result in nightmare. However, positive transformation is a function of vision that is passionately translated into concrete action on the ground. As Arnold H. Glasow insightfully reminds us: ‘An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied’. This is why all the policies and programmes of our administration have been deeply steeped in vision, welloiled by passion, and firmly backed by action. Therefore, as far as education in Osun is concerned, ours is a government on a mission; a mission to develop the greatest asset in nature – the human mind. The human mind is by far the most valuable infrastructure that any government can build; for it is the ultimate source of all other infrastructure, no matter how awesome or impressive these may be. In fact, the most breathtaking physical infrastructure that have ever been built are only a reflection of the quality and depth of the human mind from where they spring. Accordingly,
•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 IsaleOsun, Osogbo, State of Osun.
the model schools we are building are the concrete manifestation of our vision of public education in Osun; they are as well a bold statement of our mission as a government. This education mission is solely driven by public interest without preference for any private interest, be it religious or otherwise. As I said during the last elementary school commissioning in Ile-Ife, the goal of our education policy is bringing about human advancement and progress, which are desires that are common to all members of the human family. And education is the most effective means of achieving this. In the same vein, these schools are unmistakable indications of our resolve to equip our school children in the state in a manner that will enable their minds to spring forth great ideas. The kind of ideas that can make the difference in their immediate environment, and the sort that can cause a sea change in the world at large. As affirmed by the late South African President, Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. We have repeatedly made this clear that our education policy is informed by the noble ideal of developing a wellrounded personality who would be as immensely useful to society as he would be to himself. We are talking about a robustly educated person who views himself in terms of his usefulness to others, and whose understanding of life is about what value he can bring to bear on it by applying himself to solving the problems of concern to all. We will remain unwaveringly committed to what we are doing
because we place a very high priority on education. And this is far from being a mere policy haunch. Rather, it is a deliberate attempt on our part to develop the greatest assets God has given to mankind; the power of the intellect. It is a formidable form of power with which every other challenges in nature can be conquered. This is not a fairy tale. It is a fact that has been demonstrated throughout the history of humankind. Its truth is being demonstrated still in our time. Two of the most advanced countries in the world today, Japan and Singapore, are visible examples of this truth. The two countries are different in virtually every respect. However, they interestingly have two things in common: they both lack of mineral resources and both have high literacy rates. In other words, they have the most important endowment a country could possess, which is a well-educated citizenry. And with this, they have been able to conquer all other challenges. Hence, their drawback in natural resource endowment notwithstanding, they rank among the very best on all indices of development. The two countries are a living example of Maya Angelou’s assertion that: ‘When you know better, you do better’. What this means is that the infrastructure of knowledge is the key to unlocking the infrastructure wellbeing. Since we know this to be true, it will be remiss on our part to neglect the development of this most critical infrastructure. It is not without reason that that inimitable Greek philosopher, Aristotle, made the observation that:
‘The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differs from the dead’. Thus, the overriding purpose of our education policy is to give our children what it takes to be masters of their environment. And we see nothing wrong with this. Indeed, it is the right thing to do. And it makes one wonder why our detractors cannot see as such. Well, it is high time they changed their mindset, because we are not about to change course. In the building of more schools, we will keep on confronting them with the evidence of their futility; and with the accompanying message that they cannot alter our focus, neither can they derail our mission. For this is one mission we regard as our sacred duty towards our children and their own children that are yet unborn. And we will not fail them. And if only for their sake, we will stick with what we are doing until our mission is accomplished. I must thank every person that has made this day possible. I must therefore thank the AUD mission for its investment in education and for founding this school. It is a foundation and a worthy legacy we are now building upon. I will also like to thank the Ministry of Education under the able leadership of my deputy, Mrs Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, O’School, under which the reconstruction of the school took place and other stakeholders involved in the state’s education reform. I thank you all for your kind attention. Osun a dara!
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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
Job Vacancies In Nigeria Creative Artist Job Vacancy in an Advert/Branding company based in Lagos Black And Precious Communications - A reputable Advert/Branding company based in lagos has a vacant position for Creative Artist In its organisation. JOB TITLE: CREATIVE ARTIST QUALIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS Minimum of HND in related discipline Candidates should be energetic and dynamic Candidate should be able to work with minimal supervision. Not less than 2 years work experience Candidates should posses illustrative ability HOW TO APPLY Interested and suitably qualified applicants should send CV to momen201131@yahoo.com ————————————————————————————— Jobs for a Front Desk Officer in Nigeria at Syncare Management Ltd Applications are hereby invited for the position of: JOB TITLE: FRONT DESK OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:Minimum of OND in a relevant field Must be sharp, intelligent Good communication and organizational skills Should be agile and motivated Must be able to drive sales efficiently. Good sales skills. JOB DESCRIPTION Answers internal phone calls and act on information accordingly. Develops and manages good relationship with the customers and visitors. Receives mails, dispatch mails, and keep records of all incoming correspondence. Handles general enquiries and customers’ complaints and address them. Directs prospective customers and visitors appropriately. How To Apply Send C/V to syncaremanagement@yahoo.com with Phone Number ————————————————————————————— Jobs in Lagos for a Confidential Secretary Applications are hereby invited by a firm based in Lagos for the post of a Confidential Secretary. JOB TITLE: CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY REQUIREMENTS BSc/OND/HND in Secretarial Studies/Office Technology Having good communication and interpersonal skills. Capability to maintain confidentiality and reliability. Management with 2 years working experience. Must be a female. Should be computer literate. Remuneration: VERY ATTRACTIVE HOW TO APPLY Send your application, curriculum vitae, copies of credentials and one passport photograph to the address below within 10 days of this advertisement The Advertiser, PO Box 3139, Marina, Lagos. OR medifad@yahoo.co.uk APPLICATION DEADLINE: 22 March, 2014 —————————————————————————— Current Job Vacancies at CedarsGloConsult Current Job Vacancies at CedarsGloConsult, Monday 17th, March 2014 JOB TITLE: TRAINEE SALES EXECUTIVE QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of B.Sc/HND diploma holder Entry level Must be computer literate A willingness to learn and develop within a highly successful and entrepreneurial company Hard-working and resilient nature A personable and professional attitude Must reside in Lagos Minimum of 25 years Excellent telephone manner, particularly spoken and written An ambition and hunger for success. RESPONSIBILITIES You will join the team as a Graduate Trainee Sales Executive where training will be the biggest part of your day as you learn about the world of corporate sales. As a graduate trainee you will work directly with your team leader to implement everything you are learning and to benefit from their specific market knowledge. You will be speaking with directors and senior managers and setting up meetings to assess their needs and how you can help. You will be placed in a Sales Executive role where you will be generating new business leads, selling into existing leads, and dealing with customers throughout the complete process. HOW TO APPLY Interested applicants should send CV to cedarsgloconcept@gmail.com ———————————————————————————— Job Vacancies in a National Health Maintenance Organization (United Healthcare International Limited) United Healthcare International Limited - We are one of the leading and fast growing National Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in Nigeria, with branch network across 24 States of Nigeria. We are licensed and accredited to function both as a private health insurance company and for participation in the formal/informal sector social health insurance program, Our clientele cuts across government, corporate and development partners who we have serviced over the years based on our exceptional service delivery. Due to the dynamic nature of our company to meet up with the global best health maintenance practices, and to effectively implement our new strategies. UHI is inviting applications from innovative, versatile, and dynamic service oriented professionals to fill the vacant position of: Job Title: Medical and Quality Assurance Manager Locations: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Enugu Job Responsibilities Provide effective supervision of health claims management functions to ensure systematic dues scrutinizing and Utilization Patterns Ensure effective provision of quality assurance programs, concurrent utihzatlon and provider contractualisation Provide effective supervision of call center unit to ensure excellent client complain management. Required Qualification, Experience and Skills MBBS from reputable institution. Registered with Medical and Dental council of Nigeria. 1- 3 years relevant working experience preferably in HMO The candidate should not be more than 35 years of age. Ability to understand and speak the local language fluently will be an added advantage. Job Title: Utility Nurse Locations: Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Kano, Asaba, Sokoto, Calabar Job Responsibility Handling clients inquiries through telephone and email to ensure effective management and resolution of clients complain using available resources Provide Clients with product and service information-update existing client information -Document all caI and other information according to standard operating procedures. Organize and Perform provider visitation and effective utilization tracking Required QualificatIon, Experience and Skills B.Sc. Nursing and Registered RN/RM 1-3 Years working experience preferably in HMO Knowledge and experience of customer service management In depth knowledge of the Health Insurance Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite Ability to understand and speak the local language fluently will be art added advantage. Job Title: Marketing Executives Locations: Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Calabar, Yenegoa. Job Responsibilities Perform extensive market research to identify new market opportunity and initiate a business relation.
Support in conducting market ntelligence of the prevailing business environment to determine (UHI’s areas of strength and weakness and identify emerging opportunities/threats: Analyze data collected through market intelligence, make suggestion based on resultof analysis. Involve in marketingibusinessdevelopmentof the company’s products Create and establish clients data bases and capture market data, Support the Head Marketing and Business Development in all aspects of marketIng activities to result in the delivery of UHrs growth objectives Required Qualification, Experience and Skills Candidate should possess B.Sc/HND in Marketing, Insurance or other Social Science subject Minimum of 2 years marketing working experience preferably in HMO. Candidate should have excellent selling. customerrelationship skills Good communication and presentation skills (both oral and written Good knowledge of Ms Word Ms Excel, PowerPoint etc. Experience in developing high level marketing arid brand strategy in line with the company’s strategic vision. Ability 10 understand changing market dynamics, translating them into actionable strategies to achieve company objectives. Innovation to drive growth and produce results. A visionary with a deep understanding of traditional and innovating marketing strategies. Abitity to understand and speak the local language fluently will be an added advantage. How to Apply Interested and qualilied candidates should forward their applications and CVs in MICROSOFT WORD attachment to: application@unitedhealthcare-ng.com Note: Kindly Indicate the position being applied for and the prefer location as the subject of the mail. Application Deadline 31st March, 2014 ————————————————————————————— Jobs in Abuja for Accountants and Secretary/Front Desk Officers Toteam Construction Limited - A leading Construction Company located at the heart of Abuja town is looking to recruit a focused, energetic, results-driven, committed and experienced individual, to fill the position of Job Title: Accountant Location: Abuja Job Summary To Lead the Accounts unit, ensuring an effective utilization of its capacity toward the achievement of the organization’s aims, vision and mission. To ensure effective strategic and operational financial planning, management, monitoring and reporting to enhance the decision making process of Senior Management To ensure ongoing viability and secure the organization’s financial future in line with the organization’s plan, mission and values. To ensure effective control of all company financial, accounting and information processing systems, whilst developing and maintaining proper procedures and reporting systems to ensure compliance with statutory and company regulations. Summary of Job Description The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Document all financial transactions. Reconcile and maintain balance sheet accounts and draw up monthly financial reports Administer accounts receivable and accounts payable Prepare tax computations and returns Implement and maintain internal financial controls and procedures Ensure the integrity of the Company’s ledgers and associated systems. Produce monthly management accounts forecasts and information monitoring the various aspects of the Company’s performance within the specified timescales. Produce statutory accounts. Provide statutory returns for tax, VAT and other government departments. Maintain a fixed asset register. Assist in the production and development of the Company’s Business Plan and budgets. Identify training needs within the department and make suitable recommendations for action. Seek improvements in the Company’s information systems (manual and electronic). Identify and evaluate areas for improvement of profit with particular regard to cost reductions and methodology. Minimum Requirements First degree in a numerate discipline plus any Professional Accounting Qualification – ACA,CIMA, CPA, ACCA Minimum of five (5) years relevant experience in core accounting function from a leading or well-structured Construction firm. (very important) Relevant finance experience should include planning, forecasting and enterprise financial systems with emphasis on financial reporting, budgeting and profit and loss analysis. Good and holistic understanding of the business operations, inter-relationships and dependencies. Strong leadership skills. Excellent communication and networking skills. Good presentation and negotiation skills. Excellent problem analysis and solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities. Proficient in the use of office productivity tools. Job Title: Secretary / Front Desk Officer Location: Abuja JOB SUMMARY To work with considerable independence in performing secretarial work of a complex nature; do related work as required in direct support of administrative, management, client, and program services to support the Organization. Minimum Requirements: Minimum of HND in relevant discipline. Minimum of two (2) years relevant experience. Excellent typing skills Excellent communication and networking skills. Good problem analysis and solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities. Proficient in the use of office productivity tools. Method of Application Interested candidates who meet all the requirements should please send a Cover Letter and CV to: hrtoteam@hotmail.com using the title of the position being applied for as the subject of the email. For example: Front Desk Officer/ Secretary Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Application Deadline 28th March, 2014 ——————————————————————————— ICT Officers Job vacancies in Abuja, March 2014 An Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Automotive Head of Sales Job Reference Number: ITO Location: Abuja Qualifications and Skills Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or any relevant field. 2 years’ plus experience in similar capacity. Experience with desktop and server operating system including windows 7, 2008 or higher. Practical SQL hands on experience Microsoft Office skills. Effective use of graphic packages i.e. CorelDraw, Photoshop, etc.. Extensive experience in application support online and offline. Knowledge of basic computer hardware and troubleshooting. Interpersonal and organizational skills. Excellent communication skills. Job Summary Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, and peripheral equipment following design or installation specifications. Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cable, operating systems, and appropriate software. Read technical manuals, confer with users and conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems and to provide technical assistance and support. Maintain log and list of required repairs and maintenance. Website design and content management using WordPress, Joomla and others Maintain record of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial action taken and installation activities. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their application letter with an updated CV to: recruitmentestsurval@gmail.com or career@niesv.org.ng Application Deadline 31st March, 2014. —————————————————————————————-
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IN RETROSPECT
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 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.
OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, March 20, 2014
15
www.osundefender.org
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THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 The primary objective of a good government is to impact positively on its citizenry through policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on their day-to-day living. Those great men and women that brought about a welfare society must have thought completely out of the box in favour of those within the society that are really struggling to make ends meet in areas that are as basic but essential to human existence and dignity such as food, housing, health and education.
Aregbesola’sWelfare Triumphalism & Its Economic Implications
I was privileged a few weeks ago to experience a gathering of experts at the Parliament Building, United Kingdom where deliberations were centred on Home –
Grown School Feed ing for primary school children and challenges some nations are facing in putting food on the tables for these leaders of tomorrow most especially in Africa and some emerging economies globally. Eminently seated with these worldrenowned techno-
crats from the World Bank, World Food Programme, African Union, Members of Parliament and other profes•AREGBESOLA sionals around the globe was this familiar face in his usual what could that figure of beneficiaries “Dashiki” flowing white apparel, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who to the surprise of his be across the 36 states plus the Federal foreign audience, were jolted and shocked Capital Territory, Abuja? not only with the presentation but most imThere and then, his was the good refportantly with the content, implementation erence point by all the participants of and outcomes of his government O’MEALS what a welfare programme should be programme in far away rural setting of Osun both in delivery and achievable set goals State, Nigeria. of alleviating hunger while supporting education, nutritional As a guess estimate, Nigeria could have heath, economic development and empowhelped over Seven Million school chilerment at the local/ communities’ dren out of hunger and into healthy, level.Questions propping through my mind happy learning future leaders. This to me during and after the session were implicit is what a welfare-caring society should and explicit tangible economic benefits in do. Osun State and why such opportunities are Not only that, what about job creation not being embraced by other states and the and business opportunities this kind of Federal Govern O’MEALS provide that could also be ment of Nigeria? If a state that easily fits replicated in the 37 states in my beloved as one of the poorest in terms of federal country? Osun state, through this global revenue allocation could boldly feed Two laudable programme, has created Three Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand, Seven Thousand and One. Hundred and Ninety Three (252,793.) puHundred (3,100.) Professional Chefs pils on a daily basis (Monday to Friday) on (caterers); Four Hundred and Sixty Two nutritious menu that includes fish, egg, chicken, meat, juice/ fruits and carbohy- (462) fish farmers; One Thousand drates (all locally produced, processed, de- (1,000) Pink cocoyam farmers all within the state economy. That alone could livered, prepared and consumed);
have eliminated a total figure of close to Two hundred Thousand self employed people into Nigerian economy with a likely multiplier effect in sundries or allied trades and businesses. One has not added the 15,000 whole chicken and 35 heads of cattle per school week into this calculation. When the history of a welfare state is finally written in the not –so- far future,
the one name that will be written in gold is this same man who has transformed technology to a local, accessible and available companion of Osun state secondary school students through OPON IMO ipad-like Tablet of Knowledge). He is the same governor that is making school attendance an upward swing with a 24% increase in school enrolment within a period of less than a year; feeding primary school pupils with nutritious menu and making lives more abundant to those who could have remained peasant, poor and miserable without a gainful employment in his state. His name is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Take politics out of it, I am of the candid opinion that Nigeria as a country, with her multiform complexities and challenges, has the responsibility to take adequate look at what is happening in that South West state of the country with a view to replicating some of them. Last year, I read online from my base in the United Kingdom here Senator Uche Chukwumerije, a Peoples Democratic Party representative in the upper chamber of the National Assembly was in Osun and his recipe to Nigeria’s education’s quagmire was a replication of the new initiatives that are changing infrastructure and personnel of the education sector. These are said to be yielding bountiful results as indicated in the geometric rise in the better results now being recorded by school children in the public examinations. Chukwumerije’s confession, to me, is the insight required by the PDP-led Federal Government to examine the Osun example towards solving many of the emergent problems bedevilling Nigeria and Nigerians. I doubt if Nigeria’s Bureau of Statistics has any reliable figure on the number of deaths recorded in the last one month. But the avalanche of reports from home suggests Nigeria to look like a terribly war-torn zone where what happens in the next minutes tragically is anybody’s guess. The gory killing of sleeping students in college hostels; the sacking of villages in Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, Bauchi, Yobe to mention just a few put my country at its precipice. This orgy of violence stems, no doubt, from the failure of the system. But it must be stated point-blank that where hunger, ignorance, injustice subsist for a long time, the fabric of the society is stretched beyond its capacity and the carnage being witnessed today is result of the snap of the social order. My country needs a rethink; a new roadmap to first, halt this mess and move on to greater things that will ensure the happiness of our people. The picture of Osun that I see shows some potential for a greater Nigeria.
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.