www.osundefender.org
THE 6TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014
Front Page Comment
The crises that have been rocking the two Oba-Ile/Oba-Oke: Let Peace Reign Please gladiators, it only gives And when we talk of communities of Oba-IIe and Oba-Oke in loss here we mean loss in them a bad name". Lessons of history have Olorunda Local Govern- all its ramifications as a ment Council Area in the Yoruba adage says; also taught us that war state of Osun call for "brawl (and a bloody one doesn't breed gentle and worry. What, for God's for that matter such as the prosperous offspring but sake, are the warring ones we witnessed be- belligerent ones that can communities stand to tween these two commu- never do the gladiators gain from constantly be- nities towards the end of any good. Hence the gloing at war with one an- last year) doesn't enrich bally accepted saying that; the pockets of the other, other than loss?
VOL. 9. NO.029 'it's better to jawjaw than to warwar'.Whether at a micro or macro level of a community of people no matter what level of provocations from any quarters humans have come to realise the advantage, nay, superiority continue on pg5
Who Killed Chief Bola Ige, formerAttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice?
N50
IGE
PDP Only Has Power Without Responsibility - Aregbesola •As APC Unveils Roadmap For New Nigeria
- See Story On Page 3
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (left), Interim National Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande (3nd right); former Head of State, Federal Republic of Nigeria, retired General Muhammadu Buhari (2nd right) and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu (right), during the National Summit of All Progressive Congress (APC), at Congress Hall, Transcorp Hillton Hotel, Abuja, last Thursday.
Bomb Discovery: Police Allay Fears
- See Story On Page 2
News
2
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
PDP Only Has Power Without Responsibility - Aregbesola •As APC Unveils Roadmap For New Nigeria By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI
T
HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday said there is no alternative to a better Nigeria than unsitting the government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level. He urged Nigerians to fast-approaching 2015 stand firm in defending the general elections. future of the country in the The governor on
Thursday called on the people during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Road Map for New Nigeria Summit held in Abuja. Aregbesola said: “ The distinction between development and
underdevelopment is the quality of life the people are living, and it is clear that our people are living under an unimaginable condition, where there is no job and insecurity persists. “The difference between the PDP and APC
is that the PDP has power without responsibility, but the aim of our party is power with responsibility. The people are the cardinal objectives of our party. “The difference is clear and if you recognise all these, which party would you vote for in 2015; it will
•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola(right) Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi(2nd right), Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha(4thleft)Kano State Governor, Mohammed Kwankwaso (3 rd left)Kwara State Governor,Abdulfatah Ahmedq(2nd left) and Senator Bukola Saraki (left) during the National Summit of All Progressive Congress (APC), at congress Hall, Transcorp Hillton Hotel, Abuja last Thursday.
Bomb Discovery: Police Allay Fears •Say Osun Remains Peaceful
F
OLLOWING the Tuesday discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the Station Road, Osogbo Branch of the First Bank PLC, the State of Osun Police Command has reassured the people of the state of maximum protection of lives and property. The Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mrs Folashade Odoro, said the police were conducting an intensive investigation into the matter, adding that the people of the state, particularly residents of the area do not need to panic. Odoro, who stated this in a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER, on Thursday, urged the people of the state to report any suspicious object or movement at any place to the security agents. Describing vigilance as paramount in security strategy, Odoro charged the people to be more vigilant anywhere they are, urging that they should also be free to relay information to the people. She maintained that the police command in the state, under the command of Mr Ibraheem Maishanu, the Commissioner of Police, would ensure that peace continues to reign in the state, as well as protecting individual lives and property. It would be recalled that tragedy was averted last Tuesday when a staff of the
First Bank, Station Road, Osogbo branch, discovered the IED in the banking hall full of customers and staff of the bank. The IED according to sources, contained a Nokia phone, powder substance and other objects wired with a copper wire packed inside a plastic and a polythene bag. According to the sources, the bomb was quickly thrown into the gutter outside the bank before the Police Anti-Bomb Squad detonated it. The incident resulted to pandemonium, as customers of the bank ran for safety, while residents of the area, majority of who are traders, closed their shops and disserted the area. Besides, many intrigues have crept into the bomb discovery, as people have kept wondering how the bomb could have got into the banking hall, just as they are questioning, though rhetorically, the motive behind the act. Some people are holding the view that the bomb might be placed inside the
banking hall by suspected armed robbers, who wanted to exploit the pandemonium and panic that would follow the bomb explosion to raid the bank. Another set of the people believed that the bomb could not have got into the banking hall without the help of a staff of the bank, arguing that the metal and bomb detector door at the entrance of the banking hall would have alerted the security, if the device was carried through the door. They alleged that a staff of the bank knew how the bomb got into the bank, adding that the act might have been an attempt to cover up fraud in the bank, if there is any. The last view of the people was that the Boko Haram insurgence might be the brain behind the incident, or could have been politically motivated. That view was held by a few section of the society. However, irrespective of the views of the people into the matter, the security agencies are the only authority to state what the bomb was meant for, how it got to the banking hall, as well as those who are behind it. The PPRO had confirmed the incident on the day, saying: “Today, 4th February, 2014, at 10:15am, a distressed
By ISMAEEL UTHMAN call from First Bank Plc, Station Road, Osogbo Bracnh, of the slighting of suspicious package in the banking hall. The security staff oblivious of the package removed and threw it into a gutter outside the bank. “The police Anti-Bomb Unit moved in swiftly and detonated the IED by a
controlled explosion. No casualty, no explosion, as it was controlled. While investigation is ongoing, all nooks and crannies are wellfortified for the protection of lives and property. Members of the public are all going about their lawful duties and businesses without fear.”
be definitely APC that can lead the dream of a New Nigeria that will build new hope and confidence in the system”. Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said the country has witnessed the worst scenario during the reigns of PDP from security to insecurity. He said: “A nation is failed, if it could not secure its people and protect their democratic will. I was a victim. I won Ekiti gubernatorial election in 2007 and I was unable to step into the Government House until 2010; 42 months after. This is the impunity under the PDP.” Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said the New Nigeria APC desires is the one that will be devoid of economic and political denial, as a result of opposing political views, saying the APC will build an efficient and viable federalism. Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole said, APC will revive the collapsed refineries and textiles and other industries to create jobs in the country and faulted the economic indices of the government, which placed the economy stable without job. Senator Chris Ngige said all the indices of a failed state is in Nigeria, which include corruption, judicial compromise, insecurity, poverty and dilapidated infrastructures. The summit comprised virtually all the APC leaders, governors, National Assembly members and the National Working Committee of the party.
Community Demands Exclusion From Proposed Council In Osun By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
T
HE people of Ofatedo in Egbedore Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun have demanded the exclusion of the community from the proposed Egbedore South Local Government Council Area. The state government, in Speaking on behalf of the a bill forwarded to the State protesters, Jagun of House of Assembly, has Ofatedo, Chief Saka Sanusi proposed to create the new said that the steps taken so council from the existing far by Ido-Osun community Egbedore Local have shown that other Government Council with its communities, especially headquarters in Ido-Osun, a Ofatedo would be cheated. neighbouring community to Also, a leader of the Ofatedo. youths in Ofatedo, Mr However, on Wednesday, Akintayo Jimoh said; the residents of Ofatedo “though we all agreed that staged a protest to the state the headquarters of the parliament, claiming that the proposed council should be Ido-Osun community has cited in Ido-Osun, but ever not been carrying them since then, we have not along in the preparation for been carried along. the take-off of the proposed “As it is now, this is council. signal to what will happen The former accused the when the proposed council latter of insincerity in the becomes a reality and as a arrangement for the take-off result we want to pull out of of the new council. the arrangement.
“We will however prefer to be excluded from the proposed Egbedore South and be part of the existing Egbedore Local Government Council Area,” he stressed. Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Wasiu Adebayo promised that the request of the community would be looked into and the House would do justice to it. He however appealed to residents of the two communities to be calm and allow the Assembly to intervene in the matter, adding that the efforts of the government through the proposed council was to bring government closer to the people, while urging the communities not to allow the issue to degenerate to crisis.
News
3
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
Turn Out En Masse To Register, But Be Security Conscious - Osun APC Appeals To Residents
C
ITIZENS of the State of Osun have been urged to turn out en-masse and fully use the opportunity provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get the new permanent voter’s cards. In a statement from its Thursday, Barrister Kunle Directorate of Publicity, Oyatomi, the party urged all Research and Strategy, Osun citizens eligible to issued in Osogbo on vote, as a fundamental right,
Osun Govt Commended On Staff Development By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO HE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been commended for the constant training and retraining of its workforce in the public service for the purpose of effective service-delivery to the people. The Permanent Capacity Building, Mr. Secretary, Ministry of Festus Olajide stated this, Human Resources and while delivering his speech on behalf of the state Commissioner for Human Resources and Capacity Building, Ms. Mobolaji Akande, at the graduation ceremony of Principal Secretarial Assistants, OVERNMENT of the which was held at the Development State of Osun has, Staff within its first three Centre, Osogbo. years, completed about 400 He recalled that several kilometres of road network trainings were organised across the state. The State Commissioner for for senior and junior civil Information and Strategy, Mr servants in the Year 2013, Sunday Akere, while briefing while training is presently journalists in his office last Tuesday, said the roads include ongoing for junior civil those in some towns, as well servants, who desired to as intra and inter-city roads convert to the Executive across the state. Officers or General The roads include 21 roads in Osogbo; totalling over 26 Duties, Tax, Accounts, kilometres, which include the and Audit cadres. inner ring roads, 15 Ilesa Olajide urged all civil township roads; totalling 30 servants to reciprocate this kilometres and 14 Ede township roads; totalling 21 kind gesture by giving their full support to the kilometres. Others include 22 intercity current administration, roads; totalling 317 kilometres with a view to ensuring the across the state and another 13 intra-city roads; stretching a success of its six-point total of 79.5 kilometres, which integral action plan, and by were executed through direct applying the skills gained labour. in the performance of their According to Akere, another six roads stretching over 74 daily duties. Speaking at the event, kilometres across the state is at 81 percent completion, while the Director, Staff various other roads are at Development Centre, Mrs. different levels of completion. O. Ilesanmi, It would be recalled that the I. state governor, Ogbeni Rauf commended the efforts of Aregbesola, is embarking on the government of the construction of over 700kilometre stretch of roads in all State of Osun under the the nooks and crannies of the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf state. Aregbesola for giving the The commissioner added set of graduates, the that before the end of the second quarter of this year, privilege of undergoing the more of the roads would be training to enhance their ready for commissioning. job performance.
to obtain the card, otherwise, they will be short-changing themselves of their civic responsibility to vote for responsible people to take charge of government. The registration is opened to every person, who has the temporary voter’s card issued at the last election and every other person, up to and above the age of 18 years, who is not yet registered as a voter.
The first group of people with temporary cards should turn up for the new card from Friday till Sunday, while all eligible voters, who have not registered at all, have from Wednesday, March 12th to Monday, March 17th to do so. In addition to active participation in the registration exercise, the APC called on the people to be highly security, conscious, because Osun is being targeted by the enemies of progress, who want to use violence and
chaos to achieve their ambition. The party takes serious note of the unexploded bomb incident that was discovered and removed by the security forces in the banking hall of one of the first generation banks in Osogbo, which it suspected might not be unconnected with the threat of violence by those who want to make Osun looks unsafe for investment and business people. The APC recalled that it had informed security agencies earlier in February
that some elements within the state were planning to cause chaos before, during and after the governorship election. The party therefore, enjoined Osun people to make security consciousness part of their everyday life in order to help the security agencies perform their duties more efficiently. “As things stand”, the party said, “security should now be the business of every citizen of the state, so that we can sustain the peace in the state.”
T
Osun Completes 400Km Roads
G
•The Aragberi of Iragberi, Oba (Dr) Folorunsho Makanjuola (3rd right) assisted by his wife, Omolola (2nd right) while being presented with the staff of office by the State of Osun Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kolapo Alimi (4th right) in Iragberi, Egbedore Local Government, last Saturday.
Alagbada Advises South-West To Set Pace For Economic Development By OUR REPORTER
T
HE State of Osun Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr. Ismaila Jayeoba Alagbada, has advised all SouthWest states to harness the vast human and material resources for the economic emancipation of the people of the region. He gave the charge at the Micro, Small and Medium 3rd South-West Regional Enterprises (MSMES), Integration Programme which provided the organised by the Nation opportunity to unveil and Newspapers, in showcase products to the collaboration with CEEDEE world, and also aimed at Resources, which was held solving to a large extent, the at the Trade Fair Complex, high rate of unemployment Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, in the states. recently. Alagbada explained that The commissioner stated for the entire region to that the programme was put experience rapid growth in in place to boost the its economy, there must be economy of the region an upgrade of infrastructural through the promotion of facilities in each state.
Osun Passes New Retirement Age For Lecturers
•Water Sector Bill Too
S
UCCOUR has finally come the way of lecturers in the State of Osun-owned tertiary institutions, as the state government, at its last Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, approved new retirement age for them. The bill, according to the commissioner, the new State Commissioner for retirement age is sixty-five Information and Strategy, (65) from the former sixty Mr Sunday Akere, tagged: (60) years as obtainable in ‘Osun Tertiary Institutions the federal universities, Academic Staff Retirement adding that the State of Age 2014’, has placed the Osun extended the gesture lecturers in the state-owned to other institutions. institutions at par with their He revealed that the bill counterparts at the Federal has three sections, as G o v e r n m e n t - o w n e d section one deals with the universities. time of commencement of According to the the law, while the second
By SHINA ABUBAKAR part deals with issue of short life and the third part deals with issue of punishment on age falsification. Similarly, government has also signed the State Water Sector Bill 2014, which provides for the right of citizens’ access to basic water and sanitation service. Akere disclosed that the bill would provide proper framework for the articulation of the water sector, which if effectively implemented would facilitate the realisation of
three, out of the state government’s six-point integral action plan. He added that the bill would help solve the challenges of urban-rural water supply and guarantee access to potable water supply, thereby reducing the menace of water-borne diseases in the state. “This bill will also help to set standard norms for service provision and tariffs in respect of water service in the state,” the commissioner added.
Using the State of Osun as a mirror for the SouthWest states, the commissioner cited various achievements of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the areas of agriculture, education, market and industrial development, which has boosted the economy of the state. He therefore enjoined the participants from the SouthWest states to take advantage of the golden opportunity of patriots, who are in governance in this region, by placing the region on the path of sustainable and irreversible economic development. Similarly, the commissioner called the participants’ attention to the establishment of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), by the current governors of
the states, stressing that the birth of this body indeed marked the dawn of a new era in the annals of history, as a people, and also to pursue the regional integration agenda of the states of Western Nigeria. Alagbada stated further that in order for the SouthWest states to achieve rapid and monumental socioeconomic development, they must work assiduously in enacting a focused development paradigm for mobilizing the collective strength, assets and capabilities lying within the region, towards achieving an enhanced socio-economic growth and development. He finally stated that once the region sets the pace in this regard, the other regions will no doubt follow and the end result will be an economically-strong nation.
Security Tip In Osun The government of the State of Osun has procured special security numbers for use by people in distress. The numbers are: 08100000481, 08100000482, 08100000483, 08100000484, 08100000485, 08100000486. All the numbers became operational since August 17, 2012. Please, note and call to assist Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the elected governor of the State Of Osun, in sustaining a peaceful and crime-free environment. - Management
If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897, 08023191891.
4
News
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
2007 Bomb Blast: Trial Of Principal Suspect Begins By SHINA ABUBAKAR
T
HE trial of the alleged prime suspect in the 2007 bomb blast in Osun State, Mr Abayomi Adesanmi, has commenced on Friday, as the defence counsel pleaded for adjournment, to allow him study the content of the substituted charge against the suspect. Barrister Pius Andrew, defence. after the state AttorneyAccording to the General and Commissioner prosecuting counsel led by for Justice, Barrister Wale the State Attorney-General, Afolabi, had stated the state the prosecution has seven readiness to call its witnesses to call and four of witnesses, quickly applied the witnesses were in court. for short time to enable him However, when the study the content of the defence counsel pleaded for charge and prepare his extension of time, Afolabi
pleaded with the court to grant an adjournment of 24 hours to enable quick and judicial dispensation of the matter. The trial judge, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, requested the defence counsel to allow for the speedy trial of the accused person, considering that he (counsel) had been complaining of delay in the trial.
At the commencement of the day’s proceeding, the lead-prosecuting counsel, Mr Afolabi, had applied for the withdrawal of the former charge, with a prayer to substitute same with a fresh one. The accused person was arraigned on a six-count charge of conspiracy, attempt to injure with explosive substances, preparation to commit crime
with explosives, acts intended to cause grievous arm and murder of one Taye through explosion. According to the charges, the offences were contrary and punishable under sections 518 (6), 336, 514, 332(3), 332(6) and 319 of the State Criminal Law 2002. The accused person however pleaded not guilty to all the charges against
him. Andrew disclosed in the court that he was not applying for the bail of the suspect, but pleading for speedy trial of the matter. Justice Aderibigbe struck out the former charge against the accused person, while he ordered that he (suspect) be returned to custody and urged both counsel to help the court to dispense off the case in time.
Arson Victim Cry For Help By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI furniture maker and Managing Director of Oluwa Loomose Construction Services Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olalekan Johnson, has appealed to the government and philanthropists in the society to rescue his business, and save him from begging for survival. According to him, he worth millions of naira. needs financial assistance Johnson, while speaking to resuscitate his business, with OSUN DEFENDER with which was set on fire last tears, appealed to the year by unknown persons members of the public to in Iwo, leading to assist and not to endanger destruction of property his survival and his family, who solely depends on the workshop. The father of four, whose major profession is furniture making and interior decoration, said the cause of the fire remained By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI untraceable and mysterious since last year. HE State of Osun The property lost at the Ministry of Education workshop, located directly has shut down two illegal opposite Iwo Local private schools, Lord’s Will Government Council Children Nursery and Primary School and Cornerstone Secretariat was valued at Nursery and Primary School in N3, 079,000 by the Fire Ijebu-Jesha, headquarters of Control Service reports. He said: “I was in my Oriade Local Government. The Director of Inspectorate workshop till about 9.00pm, Services in the Ministry of on May 5, 2013, while the Education, Mr O. Adeyemo, incident took place at about who led the team of inspectors 09:10pm, 10 minutes after I to the area on routine had closed for the day’s inspections, gave the directive. work. It was Mr Adeshina Adeyemo discovered that the two illegal schools had been Ishola, who called me 15 established and operating since minutes later to alert me that 2006 and 2007 respectively my workshop was on fire. “Despite the intervention without any evidence of payment for registration and of the state fire services, the approval, despite the long fire engulfed the workshop notice given by the ministry for completely. I lost all I had to the registration of private the fire incident. schools early this year. According to report, from Adeyemo maintained that the state fire control service, the Inspectorate Division of the Iwo zone, the fire was put Ministry of Education is ready to clamp down on all illegal out with one tank and private schools that fail to several buckets of water comply with school registration from sympathizers at the directives and fulfillment of scene. statutory responsibilities. Findings, according to He warned that the two the fire control service, schools would remain sealed indicated that the fire under the supervision of the Local Inspector of Education in incident was not caused by the area, pending their clearance electricity problem, rather a strong suspicion of arson. from the ministry. Other schools visited by the The property destroyed team included Ijebu-Jesha High included: Planning Machine School, Arise and Shine Group , Spindle Machine, Circular of Schools ,Urban Day Middle School and Christian Model Machine, Socket Machine, Curve Machine, Grinder College. Spraying The crisis of illegal private Machine, schools in the state has been Machine, Sawing Machine, persisting despite several efforts Cross cut Machine, by the government to eradicate Shaping Machine, Lister such trend. The Chairman, State House Generator, G- Saw among of Assembly Committee on others worth million of naira. Johnson therefore, Education, Honourable Oladoyin Bamisayemi, had pleaded with the threatened sanction on the g o v e r n m e n t , inspectorate division on the philanthropists and other rising number of illegal private individuals who may wish to schools in the state. The trend, according to the assist, to contact him on lawmaker, is not only capable 08034150908, 08079954098 of wrecking the future of the or make willing donation to children attending the schools, Stanbic IBTC Account but short-changing the state Number: 0005752174, Oluwa government of its internal Lomoose Construction revenue generation. Services.
A
Ministry Of Education Shuts Two Illegal Private Schools
T
•The wrecked car of the 2007 bomb blast at Abere, State of Osun.
Osun Govt Insists On Honour, Integrity For Monarchs •As Aragberi Receives Staff Of Office By KAZEEM MOHAMMED
G
OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to place traditional institution in its rightful position of honour and integrity. He stated this in Iragberi, Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Egbedore Local Kolapo Alimi, the governor Government Council Area of said that as part of the efforts the state last Saturday, as he to achieve this, all ancient presented the Staff of Office monuments, statues, to the Aragberi of Iragberi, customs and traditions Oba (Dr) Folorunsho would be restored. Makanjuola, amidst pumps Noting the roles of and pageantry. traditional institution on the Represented by his peaceful coexistence that Commissioner for Local has been achieved by his Government and administration, Aregbesola
stressed that there is need to empower the institution to continue to assist the government. While receiving the staff, the newly-installed monarch, Oba Makanjuola promised to play his roles for the development of his community and the State of Osun in general. Soliciting the support of his family, friends and colleagues to move the town to a greater height, he said this would assist him to be able to play his role as a trdaitional ruler.
Commending the governor for his efforts in returning the culture and tradition of Yoruba race, the monarch reiterated that the efforts would restore the glory of the race. He also commended the governor for backing good governance with transparency and honesty, which, according to him, would guarantee the desirable progress in the system. “It is my absolute resolution to dedicate my efforts to the development of Iragberiland and Osun in general,” he said.
Man Charged For Stealing Plantain By ISMAEEL OLADOSU
A
28-year-old man, Oluwafemi Adekunle, was on Monday arraigned before Magistrate’s Court ‘1’ sitting in Ilesa on a lone-count charge of stealing three bunches of plantain worth N1,500 belonging to Mr. Kayode Oladipupo at Atakoro Village in Ilesa-East Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun. Having read the charge to the the accused person. accused person, which he She added that the sureties pleaded not guilty to, the must be residents within the defence counsel, Mr. Olasunbo magisterial jurisdiction, before Afolabi, moved an oral adjourning the case till April 7, application for the bail of the 2014 for further mention. accused person, noting that the Similarly, a 41-year-old Mr. case was a lone-count charge Isiaka Qudir also appeared in which was a bailable one. the same court presided over He pleaded with the court by Mrs. Ahmed for malicious to admit his client to bail on damage to a plantain liberal terms, which the plantation, and other valuable prosecutor, Sergeant Tunde crops valued at about Olabamiji, did not oppose to. N100,000 belonging to Mr. Afolabi also promised the Sogo Kazeem. court that the accused person He was alleged to have gone would not jump bail if granted. to a mixed-farm belonging to Magistrate Ahmed, however, Sogo and cut plantain trees and admitted the accused person to other crops on the farm. bail in the sum of N5,000 with The defendant was also sureties, with tax clearance accused of conducting himself certificates and passport-sized in a manner likely to cause a photograph including that of breach of public peace,
thereby committing an offence punishable under law of the State of Osun. Qudir who was in the witness box for crossexamination, told the court that he did not commit the offence as alleged, since the farm in dispute was willed to him by his late father. He tendered a copy of the Will, through his lawyer, Mrs. Olusunbo Afolabi, as an exhibit, but was rejected by the court because it was written in Yoruba, which is not the language of the court. The defendant also informed the court under crossexamination that shortly after the demise of his father in 1982, the family had leased the farm to different people including one Mrs. Kosenatu and Madam Johnna, before he took the full management of the farm, when he returned from Lagos. While responding to questions from the prosecutor, Sergeant John Mufutau, the
defendant told the court that he did not know how old he was in 1988, and even now, saying he only knew he was born in 1961. He added that though, he accompanied the plaintiff and investigating team led by the prosecutor to the scene of the destruction. He queried whether he could destroy his own heritance. In his own testimony, the elder brother of the defendant, Mr. Qudri Azeez, told the court under cross-examination that Sogo Kazeem was not a member of their family, but a “labourer” to Kosenatu, who at a time managed the farm. He said since the family had taken over the farm from Madam Kosenatu, Sogo’s principal, Sogo had continued farming on the said land without restriction. Azeez therefore, urged the court to give judgment in his brother’s favour. The court, however, adjourned the case till April 7,
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
5
News
Oba-Ile/Oba-Oke: Let Peace Reign Please of negotiation and amicable resolutions of issues over settling of disputes by going into war. This is because after the war, when lots - in terms of lives and properties - must have been lost, the warring parties must still come to a round table for an amicable resolution of their crisis. What this means invariably is that no dispute can ever be settled through war. There is no denying the fact that there cannot be progress in an atmosphere devoid of peace. There can only be progress and development where there is peace. History has testified much to this assertion. No doubt the commendable progress that Osun has witnessed under Ogbeni Aregbesola's leadership is made possible by the peaceful atmosphere that exists in the state since the inception of his administration. The Governor deserves kudos for this. Therefore nothing should disturb the peace in the state. This is necessary
so Ogbeni can continue his good work without hindrance or distraction. In our country Nigeria, nay, our own dear state of Osun stories of communal clashes leave a sour taste in the mouth. Take for instance the devastation war wrought on Ife and Modakeke towns when it visited them cannot be easily forgotten. The memory is sad. Ugly sites of the devastation can still be seen all over the towns. The unquantifiable loss of properties to the war if could be replaced with time it's not the case with the precious lives lost to the war. Of course those lives have become eternally irreplaceable. We don't want a reoccurence of such a sad event in our state. And this is why as good citizens of the state we must avoid any acts of omission or commission on our part that can lead to such a devastating development. Brawl and war do nobody any good. under our focused and visionary Governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola.
They only deter progress and affect us negatively in many ramifications. This is why we are appealing to the people of ObaIle and Oba-Oke to embrace peace. There is need to allow peace to reign as we stand to gain aplenty both individually and collectively in an atmosphere of peace. Finally, we must commend Mr. Governor for taking steps towards ending the Oba-Ile/ObaOke crisis permanently especially the setting up of a Committee to work out amicable resolution of the problem. In the interest of peace and continued progress in our dear state the two communities must abide by the recommendations the Committee will come up with as conditions for peace. No party in this case must see itself as the victor while there is also no vanquished. More than ever before this is the time we need peace most as election is on the way to re-elect our performing Governor who is set to take Osun to a great height. Osun needs peace so we can continue to enjoy dividends of democracy
OSUN DEFENDER Publisher
–
Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Managing Editor
–
Kola Olabisi (0803-392-7286)
Editor
–
Kayode Agbaje (0803-388-0205)
Lagos Editor
–
Kola Odepeju (08023191891)
Production Editor
–
Pet-Kola Taiwo Ibitowa
Senior Reporter Senior Reporter
– –
Sola Jacobs Kazeem Mohammed
Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter
– – – – –
Shina Abubakar Ismaeel Uthman Niyi Olasinde Kehinde Ayantunji Francis Chukwuma
Photographer Photographer
– –
Oluwagbemiga Adeniyi Olushola Aderinto
Admin. Manager
–
Murtala Agboola
Computer Operator – Computer Operator – Assistant Computer Operator
Saheed Afolabi Mary Akintola – Lukman Oseni
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com
6
FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
Aregbesola: The Philosopher King S
OCRATES in Plato’s Republic asserts that “it will be possible then, and only then, when Kings are philosophers or philosophers Kings” “The philosopher desires all knowledge, justice, beauty, good and so on are single though their presentation is multiplex and variable. Curiosity about the multiplex particulars is not desire of knowledge, which is of the one constant idea-of that which is, as ignorance is of that which is not. What neither is nor is not, that which fluctuates and changes, is the subject matter of opinion, a state between knowledge and ignorance.’’ “Beauty is beauty always and everywhere; the things that look beautiful may be ugly from another point of view; experience of beautiful things, curiosity about them, must be distinguished from knowledge of beauty: the philosopher is not to be confounded with the connoisseur, nor knowledge with opinion. The philosopher is he who has in mind the perfect of justice, beauty and truth; his is the knowledge of the eternal; he contemplates all time and all existence; no praises are too high for him” The foregoing is the representation of Governor Rauf Aragbesola of the State of Osun. He has clearly demonstrated, through his well-thought people-oriented progammes, the tentacle of which has been extended to the nooks and crannies of the State. Ogbeni has, without contradiction, shown that he is a philosopher king, who understands the essence of knowledge, beauty, good and well being of his people, and how to go about achieving them. Socrates, one of the earliest social philosophers, believes that the philosopher king must always and at all times strive to achieve for knowledge, beauty and good of the people. A good leader is he who seeks to improve the lives of his people even, if he is discomforted. He deprives himself of pleasurable luxury, sleep, social, and commits himself to the liberation of his people. Within three and a half years of his administration, the Symbol, as he popularly called by political associates and friends, has been able to launch himself into the class of philosopher kings. He has touched all the aspects of human expectations through good governance. He liberated his people from the shackles of political and economic ignorance. It is believed that quality education is a sure foundation for the development of any nation. No wonder that economy giants of the world such as China, United States of America, and United Kingdom and so on were able to develop rapidly because of their sound education policy. On assumption of office, the governor organized an Education Summit, where renowned education experts made presentations and recommendations that gave rise to the downward review of exorbitant tuition charged by state-owned tertiary institutions. This lessened the financial strain on the parents and students in these schools. The outcome of the summit also saw the introduction of reclassification of schools into elementary, middle and high. The governor believes that a good pragramme should begin with a good plan. That is why he embarked on massive construction of hybrid structures across the length and breadth of the state. The magnificently built and welldesigned structures in schools could only compare with buildings in some of the nation’s universities. Students will no longer learn in cracked and dilapidating structures. The O’Meal serves as; motivator, energy booster and intelligence enhancer to the students. The meal, which includes rice and beans, egg, cocoyam,
•AREGBESOLA By ISMAIL DUROJAYE
and fruits, in addition to this, recently introduced Milk of Knowledge; courtesy wife of the governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola,. All these will protect the school children against malnutrition, which makes them prone to different kinds of diseases. And the biggest of it: “Opon Imo” which has been applauded worldwide, remains the ever-cherished innovative stride in the history of Nigerian education. As it is in human life cycle, pains are a necessity for gains. The new school policy might have brought little inconvenience to the students, but it is expected in every phase of human life. A process usually leads to a transition. So, people of the state only need to show understanding and cooperate with government, as the policy will bring forth an everlasting legacy In the area of job creation, the governor has turned the misery of many hopelessly jobless youths to fortunes, through his O’YES scheme. The scheme has provided jobs for thousands of youths who were deployed to various aspects of human endeavors namely; sanitation, health, traffic, security, media, agriculture, and other ministries and agencies of the government. Many of the OYES cadets were given special consideration during the last recruitment into both Civil and Teaching Service Commissions. The cadets, who were jeered, booed, mocked and called all sorts of names, can now pride themselves as civil servants in the employ of the state of Osun. Not that alone, the Aregbesola administration realized that agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of the state, hence the establishment of O-REAP which focuses on different agricultural initiatives which include; Osun Broiler Out Grower’s
Production Scheme, The Beef Chain Development Programme, O-REAP Fish Farm Estate, Osun Fisheries Out–grower Production Scheme, O-REAP Youth Academy, Agricultural Credits Farm service Centre, Provision of storage facilities and seedling production as well as farm settlement scheme. These programmes are designed to achieve food security and sufficiency. And to diversify the state economy and make the state less dependent on the federal allocation since the internally generated revenue of the state will be increased. Also, the governor has really remodeled the entire state, with his urban renewal programme . In 2009, I journey through Calaba, Uyo, Umaha, Owerri, Asaba, Benin and finally to Osogbo. I nearly wept because my state capital could not be compared with any of these state capitals. At few minutes past 9 p.m, the city of Osogbo looked deserted. Now, what we have can be likened to an ideal state capital, though still undergoing transformation. A returnee of few years back to Osogbo will surely miss his way because of the obvious transformation going in the state capital. The selection of major cities of Ikirun, Ila, Ilesa, Ikire, Iwo and Ede aims at changing the outlook, which when completed, will make the state the darling of fun-seekers. The separation of the structures from the road, has added to the beauty of the state. The philosopher king must recognise the beauty of his society. This is what Ogbeni strives to achieve by adoring the capital with lighting whenever there is a festival. The philosopher king must provide the primary function of government. The essence of any reasonable government is the provision of security of lives and property of his citizens. A government that fails to perform its duty has breached its social contract with the citizens, who
gave it the mandate. Consequently, the governor of State of Osun has performed creditably well in protecting the lives and property of his people. The state was/is still rated the most peaceful in the country. This accounts for the influx of investors into the state. As a way of keeping the criminals out of the state, the governor established security outfits which include Swift Action Squared (SAS), Sherrif Qard, and Government Monitoring Team (GMT) who work to complement the efforts of other security agencies in the state. The people can go about their business activities without fear of attacks or molestation. The massive road construction in Osogbo, the state capital, and local government council areas is very rare in the history of the state, and worthy of commendation. The number of roads which have been completed and on-going is too numerous to mention. Even, the blind know the state is undergoing massive reconstruction. The establishment of modern markets, ICT company – RLG Adulawo Communication City in Ilesa, O-Garment Factory among others is a part of aggressive industrial drive of Mr. Governor. He has not forgotten the aged, widows, ex-service men and people with special needs in the state. Commendation goes to the governor for continually keeping in touch with his people. Ogbeni has been able to demonstrate this by getting the citizens involved in Walk to Life Exercises and Ogbeni Till Daybreak. He has changed the tradition of making the Government House “a no go area” to the citizens whose taxes were used to put up the structures. During the last Ramadan, many people of the state, young and old, trooped out to attend Tafshir with the governor at the Government House. This was clear demonstration of love and humility to the electorate. The creation of new Local Government Development Areas is another feat that will bring government closer to the people. The creation of these councils will people who live the remote areas feel the impacts of government better than before. It will also generate employment for the jobless youths in the state. Some of the existing councils that are considered too large for administrative convenience will now be split, thereby bringing developments to these areas, as well as fulfilling the dreams of communities, which hav councils for decades. Having executed these laudable projects within three and a half years; judging by the paucity of funds, national and international applause for good governance, prudence and wisdom that the governor has applied in achieving for his people, knowledge, beauty ,justice and good which Socrates regards as the focal points of a philosopher king. It goes without any gainsaying that Governor Rauf Aregbesola is the philosopher king of our time. He is so enigmatic that many could not even understand his personality as he is capable of springing surprises which some will consider impossible. I end this piece with Socrates’ affirmation that “a ship’s crew which does not understand the art of navigation demands the knowledge of the stars will stigmatize a properly qualified pilot as a star gazing idiot, and will prevent him from navigating. The world assumes that the philosopher’s abstractions are folly, and rejects his guidance.” “The good is to the intellectual faculty what the sum is to that of vision; it is source and cause of truth, which is light whereby we perceive ideas; it is not truth, nor the ideas, but above them; their cause, as the sun is the source of light and cause of growth”.
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
7
8
PHOTOTALK
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
The Training Of All Progressives Congress (APC) Agents For The Incoming Permanent Voters’ Cards Distribution Held At The Party State Secretariat In Osogbo, State Of Photo: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM Osun, Last Wednesday.
•A cross-section of APC members at the programme.
•(L-R) Interim APC Chairman in Osun; Elder Lowo Adebiyi (with mic), Assistant Chief of Staff to the state governor, (sitting 2nd right); Barrister Gbenga Akano and the state Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Barrister Ajibola Bashiru at the event.
•A group of APC members in a meeting among state APC local government coordinators, youth coordinators and secretaries on the occasion.
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
PHOTOTALK
9
A Comparison Between The Old L.A. Grammar School, Ede And The Ongoing Reconstruction Of New L.A. Middle School, Under The Government Of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman, JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM.
•An ongoing reconstruction of L.A. Middle School, Ede by the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
•The Old L.A Primary School, Ede under the administration of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
10
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
11
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
PDP Lies Can’t Win In Osun who care to listen hear LET those this from the All Progressives Congress (APC); Ogbeni Aregbesola’s governance in the State of Osun is first in the history of the state to set a pace in development index and model of our society that has met world acclaim for international best practice. Any individual or group with a contrary verdict should come forward with evidence, not lies or statements designed only to pull the man down, without adding value to life and development in the State of Osun. As we approach the next gubernatorial election, people consumed by envy and jealousy; and those who are obsessed with a demonic urge to upturn and reverse the progress Aregbesola is effecting in Osun, are spreading false information to confuse people and dissuade them from voting for progress to continue in the state. We have observed that the constant propagation of lies by opponents of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is taking a dimension similar only to the maddening propaganda of lies by Hitler against the Jews during the second world war that resulted in the death of over six (6) million Jews killed by Hilter’s Gestapo in an attempt to exterminate the Jews from the surface of the earth. This same approach is what the PDP is using in an attempt to unleash terror and death on the people of Osun in order to exterminate the Aregbesola’s government. And the end game of this satanic enterprise of the PDP is to “reverse” ALL the good work of Aregbesola in the state which has been internationally, as well as locally, acclaimed as spectacular; at least one of the PDP’s governorship aspirants has said so in the open when he orchestrated a stage-managed declaration of intention to seek the PDP governorship ticket at Freedom Square in Osogbo recently. The question to ask is, “ why would the PDP want to reverse all the good works of Ogbeni? Simple; because as far as the party is concerned, “Aregbesola is doing nothing in the state!!” Nothing? So what is it they (PDP) want to reverse really if the man is doing nothing.PDP says the O’meals project is a fraud costing N400 million largely in debts; yet as a result of it Osun, as at the last enrolment into primary school, secured the highest enrolment in the federation. PDP condemns the project and plans to reverse it, yet the British Parliament was so impressed it invited Ogbeni address it on how it was made possible in poor state like Osun. Most important, where is the evidence that the project has left Osun in N400 million debt? The PDP in a satanic propagation of lies has been deceiving Nigerians that the state is in N400 billion debt, and its poorly educated chairman in the State of Osun has just upped that figure to N600 billion. But the truth, which is verifiable by sane people, is that Osun’s total debt profile is N30 billion. It is time the media and Nigerians should challenge the PDP to “produce verifiable evidence” that APC’s government in the State of Osun is in debts to the tone of N400 or N600 billion. Wicked people don’t talk about truth they just swim in lies, plant evil in society and fan its embers. If gullible individuals, who are too lazy to come to Osun to find out the
•OMISORE
By WAHEED ALAO
truth believe in the PDP story, then that is their problem. What is true,(which the world knows better than sick minds in the PDP) is that the foundation for the future is being irreversibly laid by Ogbeni Aregbesola’s massive revolutionary work in education, agriculture and economic empowerment that is unlike anything known to Osun since Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Human capital developments through education and business training is impacting the state beyond the imagination of kleptomaniacs, who assemble in the PDP and are now engaged in the State of Osun desperately angling to violently steal government through undemocratic means. Currently, they live in total denial of what they see. They are seeing what shocks them. They were in power for 90 months of hellish experiences in Osun. Schools infrastructure collapsed, standards fell and Osun that used to be the backbone of Yoruba educated elite became one of the worst centres of educational backwardness in the country. Aregbesola has reversed that. The road infrastructure across the state also collapsed. But today never has Osun seen such massive road development and rehabilitation exercise as Aregbesola has initiated in the last 38 months. Come to Osun State and see what Aregbesola is doing with Agriculture. Wherever he is, the great sage, Awo, will view with delight and approval what this tirelessly working governor has done to restore and reinvigorate
what he (Awo) started some half century ago but which the PDP essentially destroyed in the period that the Yoruba nation had the misfortune of PDP being in charge almost throughout the state. Evil people in Nigeria deny the truth of Aregbesola’s spectacular achievements, but a better informed world see quite a different picture .Britain, the United States of America, the United Nations and recently France not only acknowledge Aregbesola’s groundbreaking achievements, they are offering help to, and investment in Osun. In the presence of President Goodluck Jonathan, Finance Minister Okonjo Iweala, Commerce Minister Olusegun Aganga, the French government and the Aregbesola administration signed an agreement to build a Solar Power Plant in Osun, which will produce 13 megawatts of electricity that will significantly stabilize energy supply to the rapidly-expanding business, and industrially enabling environment that Aregbesola’s policies and projects have stimulated. The plants will be built this year. If these world governments that know much more than most of our thieving politicians can boast of about our villages and towns had seen Aregbesola as the PDP desperadoes perceive him, they would never have opted to help Osun. If Aregbesola has left Osun in such huge debts as PDP is deceiving itself, France, USA, Britain and the United Nations Organization would not be endorsing this governor as they are doing. Infact, they will not touch him with a long pole. It is a pity that some
Nigerians, who are pathetically illinformed, buy into and perhaps help to propagate despicable fallacies that Osun PDP and its core leadership peddle. However, no matter how hard they try, Osun people, who are the primary beneficiaries of Aregbesola’s creative leadership, know as of fact that since the governor took over in November 2010, their lives have changed and their environment has improved. Everywhere they go, progress is evident. From the schools to the streets, Aregbesola’s footprints are outstanding. He has fixed and is constructing more roads than all the governors that Osun has had put together. Nowhere in Nigeria is the like of his new school infrastructure to be found. Aregbesola dazzled those who were present at or who watched the commissioning of one of the schools in Ile-Ife recently. Incidentally, that is the homestead of Iyiola Omisore, a governorship aspirant of the PDP, who has been most vocal falsifying figures and telling dreadful lies against Aregbesola; including the most untrue statement that Aregbesola has done nothing in the state since he became governor. For this lie alone, it is sufficient reason Osun people should reject the PDP in the next election. They know that even the Nelson Mandela Freedom Square, where Omisore declared his intention to run for governorship in August was developed by Aregbesola, not the PDP government that had been in power for more than seven years before Aregbesola came to power. The PDP is in a desperate political corner; and to riggle out of it, the party has opted to resort to lies, thinking it could fool the people. But its lying binge is self-defeatist for the people they target their lies, at are in no mood to deceive themselves .Now that these lies have become repeatative and unsubstantiated; the PDP is beginning to consider blackmail and violence as the alternative approach. This we can glean from the sound bites of its leadership in Osun over who should or should not supervise the August election. However, the INEC chief has said mere allegations against an individual is insufficient and will not be used as a premise for removing such individual except the accusers provide credible evidence. Just like the other lies the PDP has been telling against Aregbesola’s administration, its lies against INEC officials in the state have not been substantiated either. It is important also to note that inspite of the inability of the Osun PDP to substantiate any of the lies it is telling against Ogbeni Aregbesola, those fabrications receive oblique, sometimes even direct and robust reproduction in the media which is certainly not helping matters. When lies are constantly repeated in the media without any effort to secure evidential proof from the people making the allegation, confusion perhaps leading to brainwash of those who consume such information occur. The people of Osun refuse to be brainwashed or confused and at the end of the story, come August, the propagators of lies within and outside the PDP will learn bitterly, like Hilter’s Himmler, that lies don’t win a fight, even with an awful arsenal of violence. •Alao is a staff of the Directorate of Publicity, Research & Strategy, All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun.
12
FEATURE
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
JMK- Activism Magnate At 65
Dandy, savant and legendary political activist Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK),first and only Nigerian aspirant to the New York State Senate, United States of America (USA) and two times gubernatorial aspirant in Osun State, Nigeria, neither disguised his famous face in USA nor moved about incognito, but skedaddled in New York, US, throwing missiles into the US-based kamikaze camp of pro-military government in Nigeria and impressing himself staunchly against military despotism more firmly than any other Nigerian abroad. His activism, not unsung, writes ISAAC OLUSESI. that, “Ogunkeyede is totally loyal and TUNBA Olajumoke Ogunkeyede O (JMK),the Nwane Di Namba I of Ndigbo, is 65.He belongs to a distinct class of men of activism profundity, revolutionary-disposition, and unbending principles.The class of Martin Delaney , probably the first to use the expression, ‘Africa for Africans’; Marcus Garvey, who first put forward the idea of a United States of Africa’; W.I.B Dubois, George Padmore, Kwame Nkrumah and others including Ogunkeyede had influenced the course of PaxAfricanna in different ways. The dexterity, intelligence and steady nerves of Ogunkeyede had scotched the myths of military governments in Africa, and demystified the monuments of military dictatorship. He is a PaxAfricannist with ardent belief in the ability of African immigrants abroad to chart their course to free their home countries from military decay; to be ruled by leaders elected in free and fair elections on adult universal suffrage; and to enthrone a measure of internal autonomy. There is a nexus between Delaney, Garvey, Dubois, Padmore, Nkrumah; and Ogunkeyede who had also molded Pax-Africanna commitment in Africans in the Diaspora. PaxRomanna improved the peace on the warring tribes of Europe and Asia Minor of the 18th,19th and 20th centuries; Pax-Britannica ended slavery and built an empire across the oceans and continents; PaxAmericanna ignited global unity of humans in the pursuit of good, justice and dignity of man; and PaxAfricanna, engendered the sack of imperialism and militarianism, and harbingered democracy and internal autonomy. Ogunkeyede stirred the United States of America (USA)-basedAfricans and peoples of African descent as he navigated their hearts to stand up and flag the struggle to free their home countries from the clutches of military rule and its decay. The ideals, ideas, techniques and actions of Ogunkeyede, with his United Committee to Save Nigeria (UCSN) U.S.A. worked determinedly against the banner, emblematic of the military in Nigeria. True. A leader needs his own troops as war is never won with borrowed soldiers. Ogunkeyede, with his foot soldiers, the UCSN impressed himself staunchly against military despotism in Nigeria more firmly than any other Nigerian abroad. His approach to the struggle, not utopian. A grim situation needs a grim solution. Ogunkeyede’s Pax-Africanna activism, most often, fierce and incomparable etched him in the US public consciousness. Heroically clinging to his conviction, Ogunkeyede’s political activism had at every turn, inured him to danger. Consider this. Ogunkeyede left for the US in September, 1974 but donned the badge of political activism in Nigeria when Whitney M. Young, an AfricanAmerican civil rights leader drowned at the Lagos Bar Beach in March 1971. In the US, Ogunkeyede was the front burner in the various student demonstrations for better conditions for African students and protests for improved US foreign relations with African countries at the tail end of the civil rights movements in the US. Still rankled with military government, Ogunkeyede had used his well over 500-member United Committee to Save Nigeria (UCSN) put up hightech resistance to the obnoxious Abacha military regime in Nigeria.As a leading pro-democracy activist and a well-known and respected Nigerian activist in the US, Ogunkeyede left his plumb job as a top functionary of New York City Business Service Department and had his popularity soared higherin May 1996 when he received Chief Anthony Enahoro at the JFK International Airport, and played host to him. He also hosted many Nigerian journalists who had escaped from the Abacha tyranny and secured asylum for them in the US. Few months after he hosted Enahoro, pro-democracy gladiator in exile, USA and while functioning as Enahoro’s Personal Assistant lasted, Ogunkeyede, in the heat of June 12 crisis in Nigeria, had his personal
house which he bought in 1980 fire bombed, Saturday June 15, 1996, the fiendish handiwork of the US- based Nigerian loyalists of the fiendish Abacha regime. And the New York Fire Marshals ruled the incident arson. That Ogunkeyede’s house was burnt down was a kinder prize placed on his head than the one meted out to the likes of Chief Alfred Rewane and Alhaja Kudirat who were assassinated by the Abacha junta. You might want to say that Ogunkeyede must have been mad or foolhardy. Yes. A man requires a measure of lunacy to ignore the laws of self-preservation in public interest as did Ogunkeyede. He never wore on his chest the badge of conformity with the mould of cringing, fawning and yessiring, and his activism was political war. He won some; and lost some. Ogunkeyede, not unsung. His gains? Despite his burnt house and deadly threats incessantly issued to him, Ogunkeyede, with little or no clothes left for him to wear,never disguised his famous face in US, neither did he move about incognito, but skedaddled in New York, throwing missiles into the US based kamikaze camp of proAbacha government. He particularly led his UCNS’s candle light for Kudirat Abiola – a woman of silk and steel, brutally assassinated, June 4, 1996 on a Lagos Street, Nigeria. The following Tuesday June 18, 1996, after the arson, Ogunkeyede single-handedly got the US to name the Northeast corner of 2nd Avenue near 44 thStreet in front of the NIGERIA EMBASSY at 828 2nd Avenue near 44 thStreet, New York City after Kudirat Abiola, the slain wife of M.K.O. Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 fairest and freest presidential election in Nigeria. Ogunkeyede remarked, “Nigeria Embassy employees would have to look at it everyday.” Ogunkeyede, denizen of worlds of political activism had earlier got the New York City Council issue a resolution-Resolution 1852- that condemned the daylight assassination of Kudirat Abiola. The same resolution condemned the burning of Ogunkeyede’s personal house. Ogunkeyede feisty and plucky also got the US pass Resolution 1082A, one of the earlier resolutions from the international community and foreign governments that condemned the military government in Nigeria. In his earlier years in USA, Ogunkeyede had served as a delegate to the Students’ Government Council. And as President, African Students Association at the University College, Medger Evers, News York City USA, Ogunkeyede organized a indaba, on “The Role of Blacks In the South African Crisis” at the college in the Fall of 1977 which was well attended by many African diplomats to the United Nations and representatives of various African Embassies and Consulate-Generals across the US. He earned an “AWARD OF COMMENDATION” from the college President, equivalence of a university vicechancellor in Nigeria. And on June 14, 1990, the Manhattan Borough President gave Ogunkeyede a CITATION for his ability to bring Africans, Caribbeans and AfricanAmericans to the main stream consciousness of the US government. In 1990, Ogunkeyede earned another laurel the New York City MAYORAL CITATION for a reception tagged “Africans Meet the Mayor”, June 14, 1990 which he singularly organized. The reception intermixed more than one thousand Africans. Also, his breath-taking exploits earned him the 1992 US New York Council PROCLAMATION for his efforts at unifying Africans in the Diaspora. It was full back-slapping on Ogunkeyede. Ogunkeyede’s Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) was responsible got the New York City, US, inaugurate NIGERIA DAY since 1992, and the day is used as Nigeria Day Parade, making Nigeria the only African country that has a day set aside for its parade. In the US, Ogunkeyede aspired to the New York State Senate (US); and back in Nigeria, he also aspired two times sat theOsun State governorship primaries. In 2003, he contested at
•Otunba JMK: The Birthday ‘Boy’ the Alliance for Democracy (AD) gubernatorial primary with the incumbent governor Chief Bisi Akande, Mr Kunle Ige, Chief Femi Alafe-Aluko, and Akogun Tunde Odanye; and in 2007, Ogunkeyede again aspired and contested in the governorship primary on the ticket of the Action Congress (AC). His losses? Ogunkeyede must be keelhauled. His is one man more darkly sinned against than sinning. His US personal house was razed down by Abacha loyalists resident in the US, for standing for democracy and daring to host the late Anthony Enahoro, a high- brow pro-democracy activist and arrow-head of anti-Abacha government. Ogunkeyede had to go back to the US to nurse injuries sustained in a car accident on Benin- Lagos road, Nigeria after his declaration as a governorship aspirant under the AD, on his way to Benin to brief Chief Enahoro while Enahoro’s Movement for National Reformation (MNR) was talking of a merger with AD. He also narrowly escaped being attacked by people believed to be hired political thugs in Osogbo, while returning from Ibokun where he had addressed a political rally in Obokun local government area of the State of Osun”. Issues and principles that make Ogunkeyede? Hear Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor, State of Osun; “In celebrating JMK, ‘we must acknowledge the enduring influence of his Alma Mata, Ilesa Grammar School, Ilesa, the institution that molded his radical personality. His likes, who attended Ilegrams are radicals in their diverse endeavors. I can tell you that the Late Justice Kayode Eso was a radical judge. He attended Ilegrams. JMK is not giving to self-indulgence. He is as wise as he’s selfless and he is
as jealous of his integrity as he’s personate about his advice to people. His daily reports to me of the Election Petitions Tribunals in Osogbo and Ibadan in the struggle years to reclaim my stolen governorship mandate, were engagingly robust and his logic genuine, well reasoned and contained correlative suggestions and hints of alternative possibilities to reclaim the mandate’. Dr Walter Carrington, the US former Ambassador to Nigeria has sent in a message: “I am more optimistic about your country’s (Nigeria’s) future when principled fighter for democracy and human rights such as youOgunkeyede- engage in the political process”. Chief Harry Akande, a Nigerian and the New York City, US, billionaire businessman commended Ogunkeyede for his political acumen, recalling that “Ogunkeyede has been the ONLY NIGERIAN who has run for such a high office like the New York State Senate.” Chief Jim Obi also a Nigerian billionaire business mogul in New York City,US, billed to be chairman at Ogunkeyede’s 65th birthday celebration and luncheon, Saturday, March 8,2014 at Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo,State of Osun capital, has however spoken on phone, to be in Nigeria the second day of the birthday bash, to see the birthday boy. Speaking, Obi, said, “I am happy JMK has taken the knowledge and activism he has been used to in the US back home in Osun State, Nigeria.” New York (US) Mayor David Dinkins with whom Ogunkeyede successfully campaigned in the 1990s for the renaming of a New York street corner after Kudirat Abiola, and Carl Andrew, a New York State Senator who said he attended the same university with Ogunkeyede noted
dedicated to whatever cause he believes in, and he’s insatiably driven by public interest.” Ogunkeyede, of extra ordinary heroism and a living reincarnation of great Yoruba warriors in history, founded and headed United Committee to Save Nigeria (UCSN, US) and led the pack of Nigerian businessmen, professionals and students in the US who formed the USA chapters of NADECO and Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC) and Egbe Afenifere. He was patron, Organisation for the Advancement of Nigeria; (OAN,US): chairman, Pan African Development Organisation (PADO, US); corefounder, Egbe Omo Yoruba (US); two-term 5th President (1978-1982), Egbe Omo Obokun Ijesa (New York/New Jersey Chapter, US); founder & leader Egbe Afenifere (US); leader, NADECO (abroad); and leader, PRONACO (abroad). And for his bravery and exploits in the world of political activism, the Igbo Nationality in the US in August 2001 conferred the title of “Nwame Di Namba I of Ndigbo” on Ogunkeyede in Enugu.The chieftaincy recognizes his hospitality to the Igbos who Ogunkeyede assisted to normalize their stay in the USA, as he also did for many others including the Yoruba and Ghanaians. The title was celebrated with revelries months after, amidst thud of applause for Ogunkeyede. He is also the Jagunmolu of the Yoruba (USA). Ogunkeyede is also a journalist’s delight any day, anywhere. He has the mastery of English words, and deploys them listenable in a way that never fails to arrest his audience. In his preuniversity days in Nigeria, he was well acclaimed brilliant in intramural and intercollegiate English Literary and Debates. He is an omnivorous reader, voracious assimilator of information, articulate, forthright, visionary, fearless, loyal, critical, restive, streetwise, and chatty. And he dispenses the qualities like the cobbler’s awl, or the surgeon’s scalpel to upbraid the attitude of passivity, mute indifference and cold complicity in the other fellows. Today, Ogunkeyede who is 65 years old is a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun, and Director, Oodua Investment Limited. He is a man Almighty God has bestowed grace, brain and brawn. Ogunkeyede, dandy, savant and legendary political activist who has always displayed courage, comradeship and truth like the heroes of Alexandre Duma’s famous novel, The Three Musketeers. He is a man of sound mind in a sound body, doling out strategies and warnings with the same aplomb with which Father Christmas gives out gifts. In Yoruba attires, Ogunkeyede looks glamorous; and admirable in English suits and bow tie that embellish his dark mien, physique and boxer-like chest. He is not the Boxer in George Orwell’s classic ‘Animal Farm’; not zombie in the ultimate nightmare of Haiti. You are invited to join in celebrating JMK at 65. A redoubtable hero and activism magnate who, in the US oscillated from one edge of dangerous political activism to the other and survived each oscillation, each activist gyration. To celebrate the global allied power that squashed an empire is to sadly remember the evil of Adolf Hilter; and to celebrate Olajumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK) is to sadly remember the evil of military governments in Nigeria. Ogunkeyede remains a reference point for humanity. And Hilter, a reference point for inhumanity. There is no man so humble that he does not want to be a reference point.JMK is a creative activist as distinct from the Jessie, the sluggard; and a strategist activist as distinguished from jesters, the small minds and the Lilliputians around, doing precious little. JMK a constructively self-maid man is 65. Hurray! The birthday Boy. •Olusesi is Assistant Director, Directorate of Publicity, Research & Strategy, All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun.
13
IN RETROSPECT
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
A Memorable Quote From A PDP Aspirant In The State Of Osun
“Recently, Chief Bola Ige came on radio here (Osogbo the state capital), to insult me and my family. THAT IS THE LAST TIME HE WOULD INSULT ME. He was beaten yesterday. The people of Ile-Ife beat him up and he was crying like a baby, as they removed his cap and glasses. If it had been at a political gathering, he will be dead by now..... In fact, what the people wanted to do was more than removing his glasses and cap....” -IYIOLA OMISORE. •Culled from Vanguard Newspaper.
14
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
Job Vacancies In Nigeria Massive Job recruitment in a Pharmaceutical company (G-Tea Group) G-Tea Group - We are a growing Pharmaceutical company engaged in sales and marketing of wide range of pharmaceutical products. Moreover, these products are widely used in the health sector G-Tea Group seeks to employ visionary, focused and effective individuals with soundtrack records and demonstrated relevant abilities to fill the following position in Nigeria listed below: Job Position: Brand / Advert Personnel Location: Lagos Job Description Responsible for creating ideas for new packaging designs including shape, size, colours, fonts and imagery. Requirement B.Sc, HND or OND in any related field. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Have an instinctive feeling about future product concept. Must be computer literate. Must be between the ages of 24-35 years of age. Must be able to manage multi-task at the same time. Job Position: National Sales Manager Location: Lagos Job Description Create and implement effective direct sales strategies and lead nationwide direct sales personnel towards achievement of corporate sakes objective . Provide sales management budget control. Qualification B.Sc or HND in Microbiology, Pharmacology, or related field. Minimum of 3 years work experience in a marketing role. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Very good planning, organizational and analytical skills. Must be able to manage a minimum of 200 sales reps. Experience in business to business marketing preferably in pharmaceutical industry. Must possess good relationship management and customer service skills. Must be able to drive with valid licence. Job Position: Front Desk / Client Service Personnel Location: Lagos Job Description Providing help and advice using organization’s products and services. Communicating courteously with customers by telephone, emails, letters etc. keeping accurate records of discussions or correspondences with customers. Qualification First degree, HND or OND in Office Management and any related field. Very good planning, organizational and analytical skills. Must possess good relationship management and customer service skills Job Position: Regional Sales Manager Location: Lagos Job Description Travel to defined geographies to sell medical products, Contract potential customers at hospitals, clinics, doctor’s office and nursing home. Able to build and manage a sales team. Improve knowledge and sales techniques. Qualification B.Sc or HND in related health field. Minimum of 3 years work experience in a marketing role. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Very good planning, organizational and analytical skills. Must be able to manage a minimum of 100 sales reps. Experience in business to business marketing preferably in pharmaceutical industry. Must be able to drive with valid licence. Job Position: Sales Representatives Location: Lagos Slot: 300 Job Description Selling products such as, medicines, drugs and medical equipments to be used in general practices, primary care trust, hospitals and pharmacies. Qualification Minimum of OND in any field. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Must be aggressive in Marketing. Must possess good marketing and communication skills. Job Position: Medical Sales Representatives Location: Lagos Slot: 200 Job Description Responsible for selling medical Products and services to hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices and healthcare professionals. Selling products such as, medicines, drugs and medical equipments to be used in general practices, primary care trust, hospitals and pharmacies. Qualification B.Sc/HND or OND. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Must be able to identify customer business requirement and work with the marketing team to proffer appropriate marketing solutions. Must possess good marketing and communication skills. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should forward their applications to: G-TEA GROUP, 385, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos. Tel: 07065133880 Email: soothehealthcare@gmail.com Application Deadline 18th March, 2014. ————————————————————————————————Jobs in Port Harcourt at Oiltest Group, March 2014 Oiltest Group with its head office in Port-Harcourt is a leading player in the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria and beyond. The company requires the services of competent candidates for the following position below: Job Title: Technical Engineer - (Electrical /Electronic Engineering) Ref: TE/OWS/14/10 Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers Requirements Degree in Electrical /Electronic Engineering with minimum of 2:1 from a reputable institution. Strong background and previous experience in mechanical Engineering practice. Minimum of 5 years working experience in the same area. Attention to detail. Accuracy of work and thoroughness. Knowledge of basic computer applications is very essential. The ability to work its part of a team or independently. Applicant must be ready and eager to work and be very productive. Job Title: Trainee Field Technologists - (Mechanical /Production/ Electrical /Electronic Engineering) Ref: TFTG/OWS/14/09 Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers Requirements HND in Mechanical/Production, Electrical /Electronic Engineering with a minimum of upper credit from a reputable institution. Knowledgeable it, Mechanical rotating Equipments and parts. Possesses minimum of 5 O’ level credits with English and Mathematics. Maximum of 1-2 years post NYSC experience. Attention to detail. Accuracy of work. Thoroughness. Knowledge of basic computer applications is essential. The ability to work as part of a team or independently. Applicants must not be more than 27 years of age. Job Title: Trainee Field Technicians - (Mechanical /Production Engineering) Ref: TFT/OWS/14/08 Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers Requirements Possess OND in Mechanical/Production Engineering. Minimum of 4 O’ Level credits, City and Guilds, Technical Certificate from NABTEB with credits in Mathematics, English, Physics, Mechanical craft, Welding, fabrication. Attention to detail, Accuracy of work, Thoroughness. Problem analysis and problem-solving skills. The ability to work as part of a team or independently. Applicants must not be more than 25 years of age.
Job Title: Business Development Officer Ref: BDO/OWS/14/07 Location: Lagos Requirements Good oral and written communication. Previous experience in Business Development in upstream sector of Oil & Gas Industry with minimum of 3 years. Ability and readiness to work when needed. Strong and convincing personality. Must be computer literate and LT savvy. Strong Degree in Engineering or any of the Physical Sciences. Job Title: Personal / Admin Officer Ref: PAO/OWS/14/06 Location: Port Harcourt, River Requirements Good oral and written communication. Energetic and self motivated. Previous experience with a minimum of 3 years in same role. Must be computer literate and l.T savvy. Degree in Law, Humanities, Administration or related discipline (Preferably Law). Job Title: Procurement Officer Ref: PO/14/05 Location: Port Harcourt, River Requirements A high level of individual initiative, planning and good judgment. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive issues. A forward-thinking professional with Strong decision making skills. Personal integrity and excellent Communication skills. Minimum of three (3) years experience in similar role. First degree Purchasing and Supply, Business Administration or a similar field. Possession of applicable certifications will be very essential. Knowledge of inventory/Store management software will be an added advantage. Job Title: Internal Auditor Ref:IA/OWS/14/04 Location: Port Harcourt, River Requirements Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Effective written, and verbal communication skills. Multi-tasking skills and sound judgment with proficiency in technology tools. Detail-oriented, observant and ability to deal with, sensitive issues and information. Previous audit experience is mandatory with a minimum of 4 years experience. Must possess a strong Degree in Accounting. Possession of applicable certification will be an added advantage. Job Title: Surface Well Testing Supervisor/Specialist Ref: SWTS/OWS/14/03 Location: Port Harcourt, River Requirements Well testing experience at a Supervisory level. Good knowledge of maintenance of key working equipment in the sector. Minimum of 7 years is, same role spent in a major oil servicing company providing same services. Problem analysis and problem-solving skills is a pre-requisite. The ability to work its part of a team and lead independently. Relevant Vocational Trainings are mandatory or Technology/Technical courses. Certifications in line with position will be an added advantage. Ability to train and develop junior engineers and technicians. Ability to handle routine and preventive maintenance of all operational tools. Job Title: Technical Manager Ref: TEM/OWS/14/02 Location: Port Harcourt, River Requirements Knowledge of and experience its surface well test, DST, flow head, burner boom, etc Previous experience with minimum of 10 years in same role. 5 out of these years must have been, spent in a major oil servicing company rendering the same services. Problem analysis and problem-solving skills is a pre-requisite Relevant Vocational Trainings are mandatory or Technology/Technical courses. Must be a hands on person and understand Data Acquisition. Certifications, in line with position will be an added advantage. Ability to organize and conduct on the job trainings for new employees. Electrical /Electronic knowledge will be an added advantage. Remuneration The remuneration for the above position is highly competitive Method of Application Interested and qualified candidates should send a hand written application with a copy of your detailed Curriculum vitae and other credentials with the REF Number on top of the envelope to: The Advertiser P.M.B 5135, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Note: Please do not respond to this advert if you have applied for any of the advertised position listed above in the past 2 years. Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted. Application Deadline 18th March, 2014. ——————————————————————————————————————— Jobs for Engineers, Foremen/Supervisors in a property development company A leading property company with specific focus in creating high quality housing is recruiting to fill the following positions : Job Title: Chief Engineer Qualifications Minimum of 3-5 years Demonstrable hands-on experience with any of the following company : G.Cappa, Julius Costain or a reputable foreign construction company. Must have great passion for finishing, well organised and ability to pay detailed attention in Job Title: Foremen/Supervisors ( Structural work, Tiling and Painting) . Qualifications Minimum of 3-5 years Demonstrable hands-on experience with any of the following company : G.Cappa, Julius Costain or a reputable foreign construction company. Must have great passion for finishing, well organised and ability to pay detailed attention in Job Title: Foremen/ Supervisors ( Plumbering, Electrical, and Carpentry) Qualifications Minimum of 3-5 years Demonstrable hands-on experience with any of the following company : G.Cappa, Julius Costain or a reputable foreign construction company. Must have great passion for finishing, well organised and ability to pay detailed attention in
Berger (housing), construction work
Berger (housing), construction work
Berger (housing), construction work
Method of Application Interested candidates should send their application and CV to : recruitmentmanager14@gmail.com Application Deadline 21st March ,2014 ——————————————————————————————————————— Current Vacancies in a Professional institute of Planning based in Lagos A Professional institute of Planning based in Lagos, is recruiting to fill the following vacant positions Position: Secretary/Front Desk Officer Requirements Bsc or HND in Secretarial Studies with good speaking/writing skills and must be computer literate. 5 years working experience is required. Position: Driver: Requirements W.A.S.C. or S.S.C.E. Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license and 5 years working experience. Method of Application Qualified candidates should send their application letters and Curriculum Vitae to: The President, Institute of Planning, Nigeria, P0. Box 22237, Ikeja, Lagos. Shortlisted candidates would be contacted Application Deadline 18th March, 2014
You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.recentnigerianjobs.com
15
OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 8, 2014
www.osundefender.org
THE 6TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014
L
AST Tuesday in NECA, House, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos State, some prominent Yoruba sons and daughters met at to take position on national affairs, as a prelude to the national conference to be held later this month. The Chief Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Symposium took position on how the country should be governed. Participants at the symposium, which included the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola posited that what the late Yoruba leader foresaw in the 1960s and which he wrote about is still very relevant today, forty years after and twenty seven years after his demise. The late avatar wrote on Nigerian national issues then and the issues still have potency now as if they are happening now. All these, the former Premier of Western Region saw coming. He institutionalized a government that today, the Yoruba nation is still very proud of. The standard he set in governance before independence in 1960 is yet to be met, not to talk about surpassing it. His performance has become a benchmark by which governments after him are assessed both in the former Western Region and other parts of the country. The symposium, which celebrated the late sage’s posthumous 105th birthday, appreciated the ideals, ideas, vision and ideology of the late hero. The symposium organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation was titled: “The Nigerian Constitution: The Awo Road Not Taken. Ogbeni Aregbesola used the forum to reiterate the fact that the Late Awo used his government to banish poverty and ignorance. With this background, the representatives of the Yoruba people know that the people will not accept anything less than what the late leader brought to them. While is it not possible to recreate the same milieu in whichAwolowo lived, it is pertinent to state that we can still attain the ideas and the ideals he lived and died for. His antagonists then believe that what he was preaching then was unattainable until he made them possible. With good leadership that has vision and mission in government, most of the things he wrote about is feasible. In practical terms, what are the demands of the Yoruba nation in the commonwealth called Nigeria? The Yoruba will ask for a true federalism or better still, fiscal
AUDACIOUS EXPLOIT with MURTALA AGBOOLA TEL: 0806-119-7897 E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com
Yoruba Position On National Conference
•AWOLOWO
federalism, where the component units will have control over their resources. This will help the units to develop the natural resources abundant in the country. For the system of government, the parliamentary or cabinet would suit us. It has the capacity to mobilize people into government. Contribution of members would influence their performance in election and in government. The system is less expensive as the resources deployed to service the government officials now can be used to provide infrastructure. The present system, besides tending towards autocracy, can throw up anybody, whose background performance may not be known.
However, in the cabinet system, the power to be entrusted in individuals depends on his contribution on the floor of the parliament. The system encourages members of parliament to make invaluable contributions. Amongst the demand the Yoruba would make is that in the new federation to be established through the constitutional conference, different areas should be allowed to develop along their space. The current decadent system is not helpful as it retards the growth rate. At best, the present system can be described as unitary, which came into being because of the military interregnum. We have good materials in every
section of this country to lead the potentially great nation to the promise land. If we get our acts right, there is no reason why Nigeria cannot lead the way for the black race. It is incumbent upon the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to ensure that all the legal issues connected with the National Conference are properly sorted out. This is to prevent any loophole that could be exploited by some people in the future. Another major area is the implementation. Nigerians have no problem with good ideas and policies, but implementation has always been the bane. Considering the mood of the nation in terms of security challenges and the dwindling oil revenue, one would have elected to argue that the huge amount to be spent on the conference is outrageous. However, if the upshot of the confab can serve its purpose then, the country would be better off. For the Yoruba nation, who are definitely the pathfinders and who through Awo’s foresight, had always been in the lead, will always continue to do so. The issue of integration should also be vigorously pursued, such that each of the six regions can go at its own pace. Awo’s pursuit of greater happiness for a greater number of people as a philosophy is still relevant and cherished. The late politician did not allow the aura and perquisite of office to slow him down in the quest for the good things of life for his people. The crop of leadership in the South-West are also doing their best. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have elevated the level of governance in the region, such that even the opposition has agreed that there is a marked difference. “Join the mainstream was the popular slogan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the region, when erstwhile President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo held sway in Abuja. The region was “conscripted” into the mainstream politics and till today, there is nothing to see as the dividend. If we can make use of the late sage’s idea, philosophy and policies, the SouthWest and indeed Nigeria would be better-off. Until we practice healthy rivalry, the country would continue to degenerate. Different regions may have different priorities, which they set out to achieve. The Nigerian people should ensure that this confab does not end as another jamboree.
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.