Osun Defender - May 10th, 2014 edition

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SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial 'wannabe' in the state of Osun, Iyiola Omisore Mr. 'Money miss road', are unrelenting in their desperation to coast home victory in the coming August gubernatorial election in.

VOL. 9. NO.056

Front Page Comment

Reject Jeun S'iku!

Protect your votes the state as it's now obvious that they are bent on using every crook means to achieve their much desired victory

Already there are threats of violence from this far from being democratic party on members of the ruling party,

APC as they (PDP) are threatening fire against APC members. Going by their antecedent violence and rigging are their stock-in-trade.

And since there is no hope for them of winning the coming election through Continue on pg5

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

N50

IGE

Omisore Is A Serial Liar - Osun APC Tells US Consul - See Story On Page 2

•Wife of State of Osun Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (6TH right); State Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (5th left); a member, House of Representatives, representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Alhaja Ayo Omidiran (5th right); Wife of the Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Mrs Adebimpe Salaam (3rd left) and other dignitaries during the protest by women and female school pupils in Osun led by Mrs Aregbesola and Otunba Laoye-Tomori over the abduction of some female pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in Osogbo last Thursday. INSET: Governor Rauf Aregbesola addressing the protesters at the Government Secretariat, Abere.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

PDP Chieftain Caught With Parcels Of Voters Cards In Osun

- See Story On Page 2

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

Omisore Is A Serial Liar - Osun APC Tells US Consul

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun Chapter, has advised the United States Consul-General, Mr Rolf Olson, to discountenance the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s gubernatorial candidate in the State of Osun, Iyiola Omisore’s narrative on a so-called “judgment” against the State Resident Electoral Commissioner because “his (Omisore’s) account is false and the man lies”.

According to the APC in a statement issued and

signed by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, there was no such judgment that pronounced the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Toyin Akeju, “unfit” to conduct elections in Osun.

The party therefore,

challenged Omisore to publish the so-called judgment or forever stop this lies.

The APC on the contrary asked the US Consul-General to confirm from the court records its own version of the story, which is that the PDP sought and got a

court injunction to stop Akeju from conducting the 2011 elections in the state.

“The court granted the injunction, which was immediately appealed against by INEC. “However, inside a week of the injunction being granted, the PDP

•(L-R) All Progressives Congress (APC) State Secretary, Prince Gboyega Famodun; Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Patron, State of Osun Tricycle Owners and Riders Association (TORA), Alhaji Akeem Hammed and Deputy Chief of Staff to State of Osun Governor, Mr Gbenga Adebusuyi, during TORA’s endorsement of Governor Aregbesola for second term in office at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Monday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Ijesa-North APC Campaign Committee Adopts Strategy For Operations

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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EMBERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Committee for the August 9 governorship election in Ijesa North Federal Constituency have agreed to work as a team for the return of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The Acting State He further noted that Chairman of the party, Elder though the assignment was Adebiyi Adelowo, had last tedious, considering the week inaugurated the desperation of the committee alongside other opposition, the similar committees in all the achievements of the nine federal constituencies present administration would go a long way in in the state.

Ijesa North Constituency making the job of the comprises of Obokun and committee easier.

Bolorunduro stressed Oriade Local Government that by setting up Council areas of the state. at the federal According to the committees constituency levels, the communiqué issued by the party has taken another Secretary of the committee important step towards in Ijesa-North, Mr realising the re-election of Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, Governor Aregbesola. after its maiden meeting on In his own contribution Tuesday, the Chairman of at the meeting, Oyintiloye, the committee, Dr Wale who is the Senior Special Bolorunduro, said the Assistant to the Governor committee must be on Community Forum, said are conscious of security sub-committees challenges ahead and be seriously needed to play prepared for it because of c o m p l e m e n t i n g the geographical structure and advisory roles in the campaign process. of the area.

He noted that the violent Bolorunduro, who is the State Commissioner for trait of the opposition PDP Finance, said, considering requires that the committee the similarity in the political must get to the nooks and of the opposition spread across crannies the constituency, the constituency to sensitise committee would have to the people on how to set up sub-committees to be exercise their franchise and able to get to all the nooks protect their votes.

In their separate and crannies of the two contributions, the Special council areas.

Adviser to the Governor on Rural and Community Development, Mr. Kunle Ige; Honourable Samson Fafiyebi, representing Obokun State Constituency; Honourable Mohammed Ibrahim, representing Oriade

State Constituency and Mr. Oluwatayo Rufus advised that the committee must not be divided, with a view to achieving its aims and objectives.

However, the meeting unanimously agreed to have three-layer committees at

the various ward levels that will organise and control units, committee at the local government level to supervise and harmonise the wards and the Central Working Committee that would operate at the federal constituency level.

lawyers rushed back to the court to ask for a stay of execution of the very same injunction it got from the court.

“Bizarre as the request was, the court granted it and the case terminated there till today. “So, where is that so-called judgment that Omisore is lying about?” The APC asked.

The APC therefore, wanted the US ConsulGeneral to take Omisore’s statement about the coming election in Osun with a pinch of salt because Omisore has been serially lying about events in the state, which those who have eyes to see and ears to hear know are outright falsehood.

“He made a lot of noise lying about Osun’s presumed debt overhang with exceedingly ludicrous figures he fabricated.

“He has been lying to himself and people like him, that since Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola came to office, the man has done nothing except to transfer Osun’s wealth to his friends in Lagos, The APC however, claims that even the US officials in Nigeria know and have appreciated how much Aregbesola has done and is doing for Osun citizens.

“But unfortunately, it takes a negative character like Omisore first to be blind to these achievements and then to lie about the method of governance in the state.

“There is no way such a person can tell the truth about what happened in court in 2011,” the APC advised the US Consul.

PDP Chieftain Caught With Parcels Of Voters Cards In Osun •Driver Arrested

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Boripe Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun has been caught with thousands of election materials suspected to be voters’ cards stocked in a green Toyota Camry car (Big Daddy) with registration number Lagos AAA211AM. The car reportedly on Tuesday.

According to sources, belongs to a PDP chieftain, who was the election materials, suspected to be the which were in parcels, Chairman of the party in were stocked inside the Boripe Local Government boot and under the seats of the car.

Council Area.

The driver of the car Nemesis caught up with the PDP chieftain, claimed that the voting when the driver of the car materials belonged to his was stopped by the police boss, who he refused to at a stop-and-search point name on the spot.

The driver was in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local however, arrested and Government Council Area taking to the police station in Ikirun.

It was, however, gathered that the suspect have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo for interrogation.

Reacting to the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state said the election materials were actually voters’ cards and not ordinary voting materials.

The APC said the discovery of the hundreds of voters’ cards in the PDP chieftain’s car, underscored the criminal tendencies of the PDP. Speaking through the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy,

Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the APC urged the police to investigate the case thoroughly and bring the culprit to justice.

Oyatomi said the voters’ cards parcels covered all the wards in Boripe Local Government Council Area.

The APC’s spokesman stated that the development was a clear evidence that the PDP’s criminal act of buying voter’s cards continues.

He therefore, urged police and other security agencies in Osun to intensify security operations throughout the state and do everything to get to the bottom of the matter.

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Osun Governor’s Wife, Deputy, Women Groups Protest Chibok Pupils Abduction •Aregbesola Fingers Neighbouring Countries

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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IFE of the Governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori defied rains on Thursday and led women groups to protest the abduction of 234 girl pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary College, Chibok in Borno State by members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

They walked from the Complex, protesting the State House of Assembly abduction, to the State

Secretariat, Abere and were received by the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

Women and girl pupils of secondary schools were seen carrying placards, bearing various inscriptions like; ‘Bring back our girls’, ‘Free our daughters now’, ‘Abduction of our

daughters is barbaric’, ‘Nigerian women say no to abduction, ‘Hausa community say no to abduction’, ‘Our future leaders are missing, bring them back’, among others and chanting different songs against the abduction.

Receiving the protesters, Governor

• Chairman, Governor Rauf Aregbesola Re-election committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ife Federal Constituency, Honourable Bamisayemi-Oladoyin Folorunsho (standing) addressing the first expanded meeting of the party’s stakeholders in Ipetumodu last Thursday. Also on the hightable are Chief Adegboye Onigbinde (2nd right); Prince Felix Awofisayo, State Universal Basic Education Board Chairman (3rd right); Alhaji Muraina Iyiola, APC interim State Vice-Chairman Comrade Biyi Odunlade, Special Adviser to the governor on Sports and Special Needs and other dignitaries.

Aregbesola stated that the abduction was a total declaration of war on the country, suspecting that either of the three countries sharing boundaries with Borno State (Cameroun, Chad, Niger Republic) might be supporting the Boko Haram sect against Nigeria.

He then called on the President to call a meeting of African Union, with a view to involving the three countries in the fight against the Boko Haram menace.

“The reason the crisis is heavy on Borno State is that it shares boundaries with Cameroun, Chad and Niger Republic and no one knows which of these countries is backing the attack on our country through the Boko Haram.

“This is no longer an issue for Nigeria alone and I call on the President to call a meeting of African Union (AU). It may be possible that one of these countries or all of them are responsible for these attacks and AU must find out this.

“This is a war on our

Reverse Decision On Card Reader For Ekiti, Osun Elections - APC Tells INEC

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HE State of Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy the Card Reader for the coming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states could well presage the collapse of democracy in Nigeria.

This was the gloomy by the party’s Directorate assessment of All of Publicity and signed by Progressives Congress its Director, Barrister (APC) in the state last Kunle Oyatomi, the party Wednesday. advised that “it is The party therefore primarily in INEC’s appealed to INEC to think interest to deploy that critically all over again equipment, which it has and reverse its decision already purchased, not to use the card reader because it will make all in Ekiti and Osun states, the electronic rigging while warning that should possibilities known so far INEC insists, then it will to the Nigerian political be held accountable for environment impossible to the grave but avoidable implement”. consequences that lie “Otherwise,” the party ahead in the event of a concluded, “there will be botched process. justifiable suspicion that According to the APC, INEC Card Reader was INEC’s decision is a deliberately rested to help grievous over-estimation those who have perfected of its capacity without plans to rig Ekiti and Osun using the card reader to governorship elections.” checkmate the rigging The APC further stated sophistication of the PDP, that the party wants to which credible believe that INEC means information indicates will well for the growth and compromise the voters sustenance of democracy register, clone voter’s in Nigeria, but stressed cards and make multiple that the decision not to voting possible. deploy the Card Reader In a statement issued in the coming critical

elections in the two states will negate that intension of INEC and compromise its integrity beyond redemption.

The question on everybody’s lips after a botched exercise will be; “why did INEC not deploy the Card Readers in its possession, when it was fully aware or at least informed, that the

possibility of electronic rigging of the elections was in the plan of desperate politicians and political parties?”

“The APC in the State of Osun joins other concerned citizens in appealing to INEC not to take unnecessary, perhaps even dangerous chances in a situation, where not just democracy is at stake, but also peace and security could well be shattered, if the elections

in Ekiti and Osun go terribly wrong as a result of INEC’s refusal to deploy the Card Reader.

“All well-meaning Nigerians wish INEC well and look up to the commission for credible elections” the APC said, while adding that “INEC should therefore not compromise itself through any act of omission arising from a bad decision.”

Special Projects Office Inspects Schools

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N demonstration of the resolve of the current administration in the State of Osun that whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well, the Special Projects Office, (Office of the Governor), embarked on an unscheduled inspection visit to Anglican Central Middle School project at Ilare in Ile-Ife to inspect some of the buildings being constructed there.

The Middle School aspects of the project, the building construction Coordinator of the Special project is one of the Projects Office, Engineer numerous, being Abiodun Isola, in company constructed across the of the Coordinating state, as a fulfilment of one Director, Special Projects of the cardinal objectives Office, Engineer Wale of the administration, Ajayi and a Senior Special which is the promotion of Assistant to the Governor, functional education.

Mr. Aderounmu Agbomeji, After a thorough expressed satisfaction at evaluation of various the spate and quality of job

delivery.

Isola then assured that the school building project would rank among its peer’s across the state when completed.

Residents of the area also expressed their gratitude to the administration of Rauf Aregbesola for deeming it fit to situate such a beneficial project in their area.

They thereafter wished the governor well in all his endeavours, most especially in the forthcoming governorship election slated for August 9th 2014, so as to be able to continue his legacy of unprecedented development in the state.

country and we must fight back.

“We must commend our soldiers for their efforts, but they need to do more and it is only when these girls are brought back, that they could be said to have won the battle.

“This incident is painful and just as we are praying that the girls returned home safely, we also pray that God console their parents until they are brought back,” he added.

The governor then recommended that all religions from Muslims, Christians and traditionalists should chose a date to offer supplications to God to safe the country from its current trauma.

Earlier, the wife of the governor, who led the protesters, said women were concerned about the current growing violence against women and children in the country.

Describing the abduction of the school girls as barbaric and inhuman, she stressed that the government should step up actions to bring the girls back as soon as possible.

She said: “We want our abducted girls, daughters, sisters released immediately and that the government should carry out total rehabilitation on them upon their release.

“We also demand that adequate security be provided for our children in schools here in Osun and Nigeria as a whole,” she added.

Mrs Aregbesola then called on every woman to be vigilant now, so as to arrest, what she called, the undesirable situation from getting totally out of hands, saying; “we must not fold our arms and watch our children being attacked”.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Mofolake Adegboyega, also called on every parent to rise and offer all the necessary assistance to rescue the school girls.

Among those that participated in the protest were wife of political office holders, female political office holders, Hausa, Igbo and Igede communities, market women, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), physically-challenged people among others.

If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897, 08023191891.

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PDP Buying Voter Cards from UNIOSUN Students In Okuku Campus - Investigation •It Is shameful And Tragic - APC

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun has been found during an investigation to be buying voters’ cards from the students of Osun State University, Okuku Campus.

The PDP has been Investigations further offering N10,000 for any revealed that the PDP student that is ready to trade agents divided themselves his/her voter ’s card, into two groups; one at the according to sources. campus and the other in the OSUN DEFENDER town. gathered that the buy and It was gathered that the selling of the voters’ cards PDP agents used started last week, when persuasion to confuse the some agents of the PDP students into selling their stormed the university voters’ cards, and the campus and began to argument that the students approach the students one do not need the cards, as after the other. they would not be around

to vote on the election day.

However, the illegal transaction has come to the notice of the public in the community, a development that compelled security officers and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be on the lookout for the culprits.

Reacting to the development, the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, described the PDP’s action as a shame and a tragedy, saying that it speaks volumes on the quality of minds of those involved in

the illegal transaction.

Oyatomi therefore called on the UNIOSUN students in the Okuku campus, or any other campus of the university, not to sell their rights to criminals, who commercialized education by increasing tuition fees, when they were in government.

He added that UNIOSUN students should be grateful to God that He brought Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, not only to reduce their school fees from an average of N200,000 to N75,000, but also to increase their bursary from N3,000 to

N10,000 for others, and from N10,000 to N100,000 for law and medical students.

Oyatomi said: “Any student who sells his voter’s card therefore commits a crime against himself, because the PDP has vowed to reverse everything Aregbesola has done in the state, which means the University fees will revert to N200,000, if not more.

“That is totally beyond the capacity of parents in Osun to pay, while bursary

will come down to N3,000 again.

“The APC is urging the state university authorities to intervene and make the students understand that by selling their voters’ cards, they are committing “academic suicide. That is the tragedy of it all.

“The authorities of the University must intervene, and other students should help their colleagues come out of the bewitching situation they have been put by the PDP,” Oyatomi emphasised.

Osun Governor’s Aide Appeals To Students On Bursary

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•Alhaji Adebisi Abdul-Rasheed (middle) and his wife during the wedding ceremony of their daughter, Miss Adebisi Noimat (right), recently in Osogbo.

Photo: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM

Group Lauds Aregbesola’s O’MEAL As FG Is Set To Copy Scheme From Osun

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

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political movement, Rise4Rauf, has once again passed a vote of confidence on the Home Grown School Feeding Programme of the State of Osun.

The organisation enjoined the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, not to rest on his oars, as his programmes are clear testimonies of his visionary thinking for the growth and development of the state.

In a statement signed by the organisation’s Chairman, Alhaji Isiaq Oyewumi, the foundation called on the governor to be focused on his mission to the state and urged him not to be distracted from his laudable policies and projects, particularly the O’MEAL, which it said has caught the attention of the Federal Government.

The group’s chairman described the recent remark of the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, that the Federal government will introduce the feeding programme, as a proof that education policy of Osun, which

includes O’MEAL, is wellconceived and being wellcoordinated and implemented.

According to Adeosun, this well-thought out policy and the manner of implementation must have drawn the attention of the Federal Government to this beneficial programme.

He also observed that this would be the second such welfarist programme that caught the fancy of the Federal Government, citing the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES) as the first programme of Osun to be copied as YESO by the government at the centre.

“The declaration by the Minister of Education, that Federal Government will soon introduce school feeding, has further proved us right in our remark that the feeding system introduced by Osun is a veritable programme.

“The acknowledgement of the Osun feeding programme as being good enough to be adopted by the Federal Government shows that Osun’s education policy is best suited for the nation.

“This will be the second instance of when Federal Government would identify and adopt a programme well alive and running in Osun.

The first one was the OYES,

which the World Bank commended and recommended for the Federal Government,” the statement said in part.

Rise4Rauf then commended the governor for his people-centred, people-oriented and peoplebased projects, charging him to continue with his transformational agenda, which he commenced nearly four years ago.

HE Special Adviser to the Governor of the State of Osun on Higher Education, Alhaja Mulikat Bello, has appealed to the authorities of the 21 higher institutions of learning in the country, on behalf of the final year students, who have not yet received their Year 2012/2013 bursary awards to submit all required information, which include the school’s bank account details, as well as rendering their previous statement of payment of the Year 2011/2012 bursary awards to the Office of the Higher Education, Scholarship and Bursary without further delay.

Alhaja Bello made the The governor ’s aide appeal on Thursday in averred that the bursary Osogbo while addressing intervention, like all other journalists on the policy interventions, such as thrust of education, with slashing of the tuition fees regards to Ogbeni Rauf payable by the students in A r e g b e s o l a ’ s the state-owned tertiary administration in her office, institutions and which she said is aimed at sponsorship of 98 medical making higher education, students of UNIOSUN to accessible and affordable to Karazin University, Kharkiu, all and sundry.

Ukraine, has reduced the Alhaja Bello, who financial burden of tertiary reiterated various education on both parents commitments and and students and interventions of Governor cushioned the effects of A r e g b e s o l a ’ s inflation on the lean purses administration, as it affects of the parents. tertiary education positively She maintained that disclosed that, recent presentation by the N275,690,000 was approved governor of four 18-seater by the government for the buses each to the Students payment of various Union Government of Osun categories of the Year 2012/ State Polytechnic, Iree, 2013 bursary award, while a Osun State College of total sum of N226,140,000 Technology, Esa-Oke, Osun had been disbursed to State College of Education, 20,774 students from 56 Ila-Orangun and Ilesa was tertiary institutions across another unending support the country, which include by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola the Nigerian Law Schools, for the students in tertiary 18 universities, 13 institutions.

Polytechnics/Colleges of Alhaja Bello therefore Technology, 14 Colleges of called on all students in Education, 3 Colleges of higher institutions in the Health Technology and state, particularly those who Colleges of Agriculture, one are indigenes of Osun to School of Nursing, School reciprocate the kind gesture of Hygiene, School of by supporting the Surveying and Co- government in all its operative College. laudable programmes.

NOUN Commends Aregbesola Over Bursary Award

By SHINA ABUBAKAR

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HE management of Open University, Osogbo Study Centre has commended the State of Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for approving the sum of N9 million for students, who are of the state origin studying in the school.

The management of the Centre, Dr (Mrs) O. described the gesture of Pitan.

According to her, the the governor as unprecedented in the stated sum of money was history of the centre, received by the centre and saying it has brought relief had since been distributed to the indigent students in to the concerned students, adding that a similar the university.

This was contained in a gesture was extended to letter of gratitude issued the centre during the 2013 and signed by the Director academic year.

She disclosed that the governor ’s attitude towards the welfare of students of the state’s extraction showed his commitment to the development of education, while urging other states to emulate the governor.

The NOUN director also described as landmark achievement, the state-ofthe-art schools the administration is building in the state, out of which some have been commissioned for use in some parts of the state,

saying it is a legacy for generations to come.

She also urged the governor to assist the university in the area of infrastructure, especially in putting a lecture hall in place with a view to creating conducive learning environment for the teeming students in the institution.

According to her, the ever-increasing population of the students has stretched the facilities beyond expectations, hence, the need to build a lecture hall for the use of students.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

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Reject Jeun S'iku! Protect your votes Continued from pg1

'One man One vote' then their hope lies in repeating what they know how to do best.

Another way through which the PDP is hoping to claim victory is by throwing money and other valuable gifts out to entice voters to sell their votes. In this regard the handwriting had for long appeared on the wall. With the distribution of kerosene to their members and some members of the public which started last year their journey to entice voters with the aim of buying their votes started.

This stratagem rather than strategy, being viciously employed by the PDP in the

state of Osun, is what we see as 'jeun s'iku' should citizens get swayed by it. 'Jeun s'iku' literally means 'eat and die' or 'eat the food that will lead you to your grave'.

The money and other forms of gift which the PDP and Iyiola Omisore rely on to buy citizens' votes are nothing but 'Greek gift' and 'blood money' and collecting them to do their biding means doing so at one's peril. It simply means sending our state back to the pre-Aregbesola era; backwater of development. May God forbid!

sell our conscience in the coming election will be tantamount to 'jeun s'iku' the consequence of which will be dire for our state. Of course the citizens can collect the gift of money and other gifts the PDP is ready to offer them but they must not do so to do their bidding. The votes in the coming election are for Ogbeni Aregbesola who has raised the bar of good and responsible governance in the state and should never go to any other party let alone the PDP.

But it's not enough to pray to God to forbid evil things. We the citizens must also not use our own hands to bring evil things on our heads. To collect PDP's blood money to

The PDP and Iyiola Omisore are free to go about to throw carrot to the people in their desperation to capture the conscience of voters but never should the voters allow their

conscience to be captured by these unscrupulous elements who have nothing to offer our state.

The PDP has been in power for close to eight years here without any positive thing to show for it. All it had to show for its eight years of misrule are purely negative; violence, hunger, unemployment, collapsed school system, bad roads and general under-development across the state.

And on the part of the party's candidate, 'Mr. Money miss road' himself, he too had nothing positive to show for representing the state at the highest legislative body of this country even as he held a juicy position in the Senate, being

Chairman Appropriation Committee for four years. Rather than serving the people and made positive impact in their lives he was only there to serve his own pocket. So in what way are they - both the PDP and Omisore - going to effect any meaningful change in the life of the state as they are shouting around?

We know that the virtuous and responsible citizens of our state who have enjoyed dividends of democracy in unprecedented term under the able and visionary leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesola will not waste their votes.

We are sure they are not going to sell their conscience. We believe fervently that their votes will be for

Aregbesola as they are not ready to 'jeun s'iku'.

However, it's one thing to vote, the next important task before them come election day after voting is for them to protect their votes.

Our people must guard their votes jealously so that these visionless elements who rely on vote stealing like they did in 2007 and who have nothing to offer the state and its people don't succeed in their fraudulent and evil plans. For them not to succeed the ball is in the court of the people. Our responsibilities are clear; to vote and to protect our votes. These are what we must do to ensure the return of the Aregbesolaled progressive government that has done so well for our state.

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6 AST Tuesday in NECA, L 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 which Awolowo 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

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

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 South-West 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.

•This piece, first published in Saturday March 8, 2014 edition is repeated due to popular demand.

-Editor

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Presentation Of Certificates To State Of Osun Trainees On Payroll Automation And e-Payment Of Salaries By Chief Of Staff To The Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Last Tuesday.

•Chief of Staff to the Governor, State of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (left), presenting Certificate of Completion to Mrs Sherifat Fatoki after her training on Payroll Automation and e-payment for salaries facilitated by CHAMS PLC, during the State of Osun Civil Servant Smart ID Card and Biometric Automation of ‘I Am Alive’ at Office of the Governor Parking lot, State Secretariat, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Tuesday.

•

•Alhaji Oyetola (left) presenting certificate of completion to Mr Kunle Makanjuola on the occasion.

•Alhaji Oyetola (left) presenting Certificate of Completion to Mr Oluwaseun Hassan after his training on Payroll Automation and e-payment for Salaries facilitated by CHAMS PLC, during the State of Osun Civil Servant Smart ID Card and Biometric Automation of ‘I am alive’ at Office of the Governor Parking lot, State Secretariat, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Tuesday.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

Women In The State Of Osun Led By Wife Of The State Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola And The Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Protested The Abduction Of 267 Female Pupils Of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, In Borno State, Osogbo, Last Thursday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (5th right); Otunba (Mrs) Laoye-Tomori (6th right); a member, House of Representatives representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency, Alhaja Ayo Omidiran (4th right); Wife of the Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Mrs Adebimpe Salaam (6th left); and other participants during the protest.

•Some female members of the Hausa community in Osogbo and other participants during the protest.

•A cross section of State of Osun female pupils during the protest.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

PHOTOTALK

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Women In The State Of Osun Led By Wife Of The State Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola And The Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Protested The Abduction Of 267 Female Pupils Of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, In Borno State, Osogbo, Last Thursday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•Some of the protesters

•Some of the participants during the protest.

•Some of the placard-carrying protesters with the police.

•Another cross section of the protesters.

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PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

Official Presentation Of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Products In Osun At Government House, Osogbo, State Of Osun Last Tuesday.

•(R-L) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Marketing Agent, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Alhaji Nasir Ibrahim; Executive Director, PAN, Mr Jumat Alli and General Manager, Sales/Marketing PAN, Alhaji Umar Abubukar, during the official presentation of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) products in Osun at the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun last Tuesday.

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola inspecting one of the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Products, during the official Presentation in Osun at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun last Tuesday.

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FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

Ekiti / Osun Gubernatorial Elections, Question Of Credibility

By ADEYEMI STEVEN

DO

you understand coded language? Do you know that when the first atomic bomb was invented in 1942 in the United States, the coded language to President Roosevelt read: “New baby born”? Do you know that politics is a contest of persuasion, the most vital ingredients of power are often intangible and they lodge in the precinct of credibility? Do you know that credibility matter so much in politics? It was loss of credibility that forced Richard Nixon from office. It was loss of credibility that mortally wounded Lyndon Johnson. It was lack of credibility that drove Gary Hart out of the presidential race in 1988. It was lack of credibility that Jimmy Swaggert; a billionaire TV evangelist fell from grace to grass. And it was lack of credibility that made Jefferey Archer, an author, a member of the British House of Lords and the chairman of a political party to be remanded in prison. It was loss of credibility that made late Evan Enweren and Chuba Okadigbo as senate presidents being impeached. Patricia Etteh lost her Speakership position due to lack of credibility.

W.B Yeats, an accomplished Irish poet and philosopher was quick to identify credibility as a function of groupdynamics in politics. A practical example of a country where the credibility of the leaders has transformed the geographical space is Singapore, a small country of about four million people in Asia. This small country was led to its independence by a 35-year old man called Lee Kuan Yew in 1965. At independence, Singapore had nothing but the people were mobilized to turn their misfortunes to success. Singapore today, has per capital income of more than $30,000. This was due to credibility leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. In his words.” The key to our success was the quality of the men in charge”. In Bauchi state, former Deputy Governor under Isa Yuguda Administration in 2009, put integrity first by refusing to decamp with his former boss to PDP from the then ANPP even in the face of threat which eventually led to his purported impeachment by the state parliament.

The inability of Senator Adolphus Wabara to recognize that credibility matters most in politics made him to lose his presidency seat at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

Do you know that the common run of man sees this administration in Nigeria as deficient in honour and character?

And do you know that the only honourable thing for our non-performing political office holders is to resign and apologize to the people of Nigeria for disappointing them for their selfish motives? Our non-performing leaders must ‘cut and cut cleanly’. The acid test of credibility came to the fore in December 2002, when the London Borough of Southwark council Chairman of Licensing, Dr AbdulRahaman Olalekan Olayiwola, a very Blackman of Yoruba descent was given the go-ahead to stand as a candidate for Westminster parliamentary election representing the Liberal Democrats. He is the first Blackman in the history of Britain to be given such an opportunity.

Conversely too, because of doubtful credibility of the United Nations and the United States on weapons inspection, President Pyongyang of North Korea rejected a call by the United Nations 35nation Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency

“The words of senator Laxalt to Marcos resume again, but now to our political leaders in Ekiti and Osun states, who are jostling for governorship seats in the two states to think about their credibility first, especially for those whose integrity had been dented considering their political antecedents, so that their dirty linen will not be washed in the public. And to the electorate, credibility rather than monetary inducement should be considered first before voting for any candidate, so that we won’t use our collective votes to send ourselves back to second political slavery and servitude again in the South West all in the name of joining the mainstream politics, which has in no small measure retarded growth and development during our short and horrible experiment with the socalled mainstream politics between 2003to inspect and 2007.”

(IAEA) its weapons Gambari was Nigeria’s representative programme.

Also, in the United States, credibility scored a goal. Specifically on December 5,2002, Senator Strom Thurmond, a democrat representing South Carolina, turned 100 years and resigned from the Senate after serving meritoriously for 48 years. His constituency was voting for him each time he comes out to contest.

He was not such a lot that would turn education to free ignorance, health reform to free death, gainful employment to massive unemployment, death as a precondition for automatic employment (as happened in the just concluded NIS recruitment exercise), wealth creation to poverty creation, rural development to youth enslavement and criminality, and not a leader that would decorate known thieves with national honours and awards; not a government that will claim to have created 1.6milion jobs only on the pages of newspapers, not such who would remove subsidy all in the name of deregulation of the downstream sector; the empowerment of rustics and thugs, and the parade on the corridors of power of fools heady with selfaggrandizement among others. A senator, who voluntarily resigned with thumbs up in his honour. He became the longest serving senator in American history. In the words of Jawaharlal Nehru: “Time is not measured by the passing of years, but by what one does, by what one fells, and by what one achieves’’. How would you justify the credibility of a party at the centre, which initially named Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari as the head of the Niger Delta proposed summit during the heydays of late Yar’Adua’s presidency? In the days of the late General Sani Abacha,

to the United Nations (UN). Thus, he took up the onerous task of justifying the killing of Ken-Saro Wiwa by the Abacha-led government before the United Nations. He did that many years ago, but the effrontery is still fresh in the minds of the aggrieved. To any discerning mind, therefore, the choice of Gambari as the head of the Niger Delta summit amounted to a big insult to the south-south people. But, Gambari scored himself credibility goal when he chose to save the situation by bowing out of the headship of the summit.

In 1980, Senegalese President Leophold Senghor, at the age of seventyfour showed a rare credibility in African politics by announcing his decision to resign in favour of his protégé, Abdou Diouf, a skillful technocrat. With this feat, Senghor thus became the first African leader since independence to give up power voluntarily.

Credibility once played a super-game in political decision-making. It was in the election of Corazon Aquino (the widow of Senator Aquino murdered by Marcos) on February 7,1986. Senator Rochand Lugar from Indiana monitored the election in person. Reagan did not like that his friend lost the election and in a press conference Reagan told the world that the election was not free and fair. But contrary to expectation, Senator Lugar rushed to the press and told the American audience that the President was wrong. He warned Reagan not to becloud the American credibility for selfish motives and advised Marcos to step down.. Reagan understood. Reagan later advised Marcos on phone in a coded language “to cut and cut cleanly”.

Senator Laxalt of Nevada concluded his

message to Manila, the palace of President Marcos; “ I think the time has come to resign”. Like that message to Marcos and as the credibility of our government is at low ebb, I think it is time to “cut and cut cleanly”. This is to avoid future political embarrassment. A president or governor has so many unwritten powers, Hence, he defeats the ends of power when he is not credible ….the power to appoint judge to his biddings, the power to issue executive orders and the immunity of section 308, the power to appoint cabinet members to become sycophants, especially in mouthing his ‘transformation agenda’ as if that is a magic wand capable of turning Nigeria into a paradise overnight, the power to return the budget he had already signed into law and forwarded an amendment in form of supplementary Appropriation bill to the legislators for approval credibility matters! The words of Bryce Hallow, an Eisenhower legislative aide interrupt.” Integrity is power; I would put integrity first.

And in the world of fiction painted by W.B Yeats, Chinua Achebe interpreted credibility through Okonkwo in the book “Things Fall Apart”, W.B Yeats in the second coming interrupts. “ Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer, Things fall apart; the center cannot hold Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world Okonkwo, was the hero of the book “Things fall apart” written by Chinua Achebe. As an egocentric man, Okonkwo would never take to advice.

He saw others as weaklings living a life of fear. Fear of failure; fear that the reputation he had built up would pass unto a worthless son, Nwoye. Rather than cut and cut cleanly; Okonkwo after returning from exile, reacted violently by killing again, a law enforcement agent.

He became an odd man out. Okonkwo had to kill himself by hanging.

Amid the anarchy in Liberia in 1990, Samuel Kanyon Doe remained holed up in the Executive mansion, refusing all pleas from within and outside Africa to ‘cut and cut cleanly’ and go exile, instead, Doe refused to heed to the advice given to him to cut and cut cleanly, on September 9,1990, he decided to leave the safety of his Executive Mansion in Monrovia to pay a visit to ECOMOG headquarters and it was there that he was finally captured by Prince Johnson’s rebel group…. The words of senator Laxalt to Marcos resume again, but now to our political leaders in Ekiti and Osun states, who are jostling for governorship seats in the two states to think about their credibility first, especially for those whose integrity had been dented considering their political antecedents, so that their dirty linen will not be washed in the public.

And to the electorate, credibility rather than monetary inducement should be considered first before voting for any candidate, so that we won’t use our collective votes to send ourselves back to second political slavery and servitude again in the South West all in the name of joining the mainstream politics, which has in no small measure retarded growth and development during our short and horrible experiment with the so-called mainstream politics between 2003 and 2007.

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FOR THE RECORDS

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

Replicating Awolowo’s Economic Policies: The State Of Osun Example INTRODUCTION: Several years after his demise, Awo the sage remains the most – debated politician in the Nigeria polity, during and after his life time. Awo, a self disciplined man and philosopher king, unrepentant apostle of true federalism and welfarist, held sway in the political clime of the old Western Region as a premier between 1952 and 1960, the national leader of the opposition between 1959 and 1963; and the federal commissioner of finance and vice – chairman of the federal Executive Council of the federal republic of Nigeria between 1967 and 1971 He cannot but be the most debated politician in Nigeria if we take into cognizance many achievements of “the first” recorded by him as landmarks in different political offices occupied by him.

As a premier of the Western Region, he was the first to introduce Free Universal Primary Education and Health, built Liberty stadium in the regional capital-Ibadan - the first of its kind in Africa; established WNTV – the first television station in Africa; commissioned the first tallest skyscraper in tropical Africa, Ibadan, known as Cocoa House and ran a globally respected civil service, inbued with public service ethos and core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and imperciality, as well as archetype Yoruba Omoluabi, encompassing a noble person of good character.

As for the late sage’s cabinet, perhaps no other epithet could have adroitly and succinctly put it, other than that of the legend himself. Awo (1966 asserts “My team of ministers was unexcelled. It was a team of which any head of government in the World will be proud. It was a well – knit, highly disciplined and fanatically loyal team. Each of them knew his subject well” AWOLOWO’S ECONOMIC POLICIES: In one of his writings, Awo the visionary leader opined that aside from administrative impediments, he actually realized that there were other financial hurdles of mountains heights to overcome and his team was determined to blast their ways through all hurdles and “compel the force of any adverse circumstance to serve our will We regard ourselves as crusaders in a new course.” This courageous observation would have been enough to prepare his administration for an aggressive exploit in the economy.

Awo, as an apostle of democratic socialism adopted what can be regarded as “Keynesian model” in furtherance of regional economic integration during his time. Alan Blinder (Prof) describes Keynesians belief as an aggressive government action to stabilize economy based an value judgments. (a) Macro-economics fluctuations significantly reduce economics well-being; and (b) The government is knowledgeable and capable enough to improve on the free market from all intents and purpose, Awo’s economic policies were in no way different from this classic but subtle philosophy. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, described by the Time Magazine of Monday 2nd, 1954 as one of shrewdest political mind in Africa” ran his administration in the Western Region with its fascinating achievement of “steady increase in public revenue with the strictest fiscal control. It is on record that his government increased regional revenue from E4.79 million in 1952/1953 to E20.13 million.

In addition to this, his administration had a 5year development plan which the government without any recourse to borrowing externally except the E1 million from the federal government, prosecuted without any stress.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s administration was known for regular appraisal of government fiscal operations and effective pruning of wasteful spendings. It is worth mentioning here that under Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s premiership, recurrent and Capital Expenditures rose from £4.67 million in 1952/ 1953 to £24 million in 1959/1960 with 31.8% in economic project, 41.5% in social services and 6.7% in General Administration of which £3.63 million was expended.

It would not be out of place to remark here also that Awo’s administration made significant achievement in the monetization policy of his government on staff-housing project through open-market rentage of the scheme. This and many other legendary features of Awolowo’s economic policies made his era an engagingly different from

•Comrade ADIGUN

By Comrade BAMIDELE ADIGUN subsequent administrations at the level of the states carved out of the old western region, where fiscal recklessness, profligacy and debt servicing have become new - fangled attributes of government management.

As a welfarist and social democrat, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, through his actions and policy statements was of the belief that for the purpose of narrowing the gap between the rich and poor, there must be wealth redistribution and an enabling environment for economic to grow. To this sage, government must endeavour to distribute wealth equitably among those who have contributed to its creation and even those, who could not because of ill-health or physical incapacity. To Obafemi Awolowo, the bigger the wealth and the more equitable its distribution among factors that have created it, the greater the outflow of influence and power.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a case study in fiscal discipline managed the economy of this country during the Civil War adopting the aforementioned keynesian fiscal model through aggressive government actions to stabilize the nations economy without any recourse to borrowing. It was to the sages’ credit that despite the war, there was growth in economy, stability and rising revenue profile through sales of treasury bills and raising of about £253 million compulsory savings scheme, which entailed the mandatory saving of 1% out of the total allocation to all ministries respectively during this period.

Above all, Chef Obafemi Awolowo established an Economic planning Commission, staffed by qualified Nigerian Economists with a view to ensuring a planned economy with 5-year development plan for the federal government. Its obligation was to assess and appraise available statistics on our natural and human resources, determine

location of industries and types, establish priorities and supervise detail of the development programmes existing at a given time. It was also recommended by Awo that to sustain economics growth, the country should implored technological know-how and send Nigerians abroad to acquired necessary knowhow and expertise.

Other enviable planks of Awo’s economics policies, which time and space might not allow this discourse to touch are 1. Establishment of industries 2. Balance Budget 3.Fair and progressive taxation 4.Full Employment and 5.Modernization of Agric to mention but a few THE STATE OF OSUN EAMPLE From empirical evidences, the state of Osun, led by the urbane governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has been able to replicate the enviable legacies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the realm of economic philosophy.

1. INCREASE IN REVENUE GENERATION: When this administration came into power in 2010, its revenue base was at low ebb of N300 million per month but the shrewd and self discipline mind in Ogbeni Aregbesola saw the revenue rase to over 1 billion naira as at today. Its is noteworthy to say that what the government did was to block all avenues of fiscal waste and monetary leakages, where funds meant for public use where being diverted into private pocket before this era.

2. REDISTRIBUTION OF STATE RESOURCES: It must be clearly stated here that the decision of the present administration to employ 40,000 youths of the state’ extraction under its OYES Scheme is in tandem with Awolowo’s philosophy of wealth distribution and as a matter of fact the monthly payment of N10,000 to its state oldies under the “Agba Osun” scheme is in

line with Awo’s philosophy of equitable distribution of wealth even to the physically incapacitated, as a matter of distribution of wealth even to the physically incapacitated, as “a matter of humanity” 3. ECONOMIC GROWTH: With the introduction of O-YES and O’ MEAL Schemes, respectively, it will; amount to a colourless platitude to suggest that the state is on economic growth. I have no doubt in my mind that the multiplier effects of these statutory programmes have served as impetus that has made the state of Osun, the 7th largest economy in the country today. This laudable landmark shares the visionary whims and caprices of the late sage, who was of the opinion that the biggest the wealth” the greater the in - flow of the “nation’s influence and power”.

4. FAIR AND PROGRESSIVE TAXATION: Before this administration came into power, tax administration phenomenon was not only discouraging at the level of private sector but despondent. One resultant effect of this was that only the civil servants were fulfilling this obligation of tax payment to the government as there taxes were deducted from the sources. This government came and tagged this a classic aberration. It therefore set machinery in motion for fair and progressive taxation and collection of such as at when due via a mechanism involving ministry officials and government designated representatives. This has in no small way advanced the revenue base of this government.

This ideal is a replica of Awo’s economic philosophy.

5. CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BUFFER ACCOUNT: the unprecedented creation and sustenance of buffer account, at the inception of this administration, where financial seeds are kept for the purpose of reimbursement and succor during fiscal hard times, like we are presently witnessing is a commendable innovative ideal. From available records, the state helmsman had directed that a percentage of the accruable monthly allocation and sundry funds should be diverted to this special interventionist account regularly. In the recent times, government has made it abundantly clear that it has been able to survive fiscal suffocation unleashed on if by the central government in Abuja through recourse to this account.

Again, I have no doubt in my mind that this ideal is in no way different from Awo’s economic policy of enforcing 1% compulsory saving by all ministries during his time as finance minister.

6. FULL EMPLOYMENT: Aside from Oyes scheme meant to empower youths of the state origin, hundreds and thousands of appointments have been made in the public service, teaching service and primary education board. From available records and statistics, no administration, since the creation of the state has ever done it better than the present one. The resultant effect of O-YES alone is that about 200 million naira, monthly is being pumped into the state economy, aside from the monthly salaries and wages of public servants and other ad hoc staff of other empowerment - oriented programmes of the state.

7. AGRO- BUSINESS: This was the mainstay of the economic policy of Awo in old Western Region, when he was the premier of the region. He was not lucky to be a petrodollar magnate but then he looked in ward and settled for agro-business that later brought to life, the tallest building in the capital city Cocoa-House. There were farm settlements and plantation schemes – all this helped in the economic growth of his administration.

Here in the state of Osun today, agrobusiness is Ogbeni Aregbesola economics obsession. Or what with the state’s microcredits to farmers of different persuasions and introduction of different agric business, for the purpose of bringing agriculture back to the front burner of economy. This must be a replica of Awolowo vision, as different farms settlements abandoned by the previous administration have been resuscitated under the state’s agric enterprises scheme O’REAP

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria AIICO Insurance Plc Job Openings for Sales Representatives in Lagos AIICO Insurance Plc - The market leader in Life Insurance business and a major General insurance in Nigeria today and our business is expanding. As a result of continuous expansion, the need has arisen to thy self-motivated Sales Representatives aged between 21 to 50 years at AIICO INSURANCE PLC under AYIDU SUNDAY AGENCY. AIICO Insurance Plc is currently recruiting to fill the job position of: Job Title: Sales Representatives Location: Lagos Qualification MBA, B.SC, HND. SEX: Both Male and Female.

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Tel: 08024703077 Time: 10:00 am prompt on each day.

Application Deadline 20th May, 2014.

——————————————————————————————————————— Lagos State Ministry of Education recruitment for a Quality Assurance Officer The Lagos State Government is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Quality Assurance professional to head its newly established Quality Assurance office under the Ministry of Education.

The office will be responsible for strengthening standards and regulation of public and private schools below tertiary level in the State.

Lagos State Ministry of Education is currently recruiting to fill the job position below: Job Position: Quality Assurance Location: Lagos Job Description As the Head of the Quality Assurance office, the candidate will oversee the Quality Assurance team of over 500 officers; He/she must have strong leadership skills and able to work collaboratively to resolve quality assurance issues.

The candidate will be experienced in developing internal procedures, monitoring plans and managing the day-to-day activities of the team with offices across the State.

The candidate will be expected to give the strategic direction for implementation of the Quality Assurance programme of the State and be the focal point on policy matters relating to quality assurance of public and private schools in Lagos State.

Qualifications and Requirements The candidate who should not be more than 55 years of age must posses a minimum of a first degree in Education, with a postgraduate degree in Management, Social Sciences or Humanities from recognized university. A certificate in Quality Assurance and membership of Quality Assurance professional body is desirable.

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Further information on conditions of service can be obtained from the States Office of the Head of Service: Lagos State Ministry of Education, Alausa, Ikeja.

Application Deadline 21st May, 2014.

——————————————————————————————————————— Chams Plc recruitment for a Graduate IT Trainee Chams Plc is Nigeria’s leading identity management and transaction payments systems solution provider.

Starting off as a privately owned business in 1985, we have evolved from computer and hardware maintenance to providing enterprise technology solutions in the identity management and transaction payments space to public and private sector institutions.

Chams Plc is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Graduate IT Trainee Location: Lagos Qualification and Requirements The company is on a quest to invest in those select few and unique young brains with the most valuable and innovative high level I.T applications or I.T projects who meet the following criteria; Must have a B.Sc or HND from a reputable institution preferably in Computer science or any I.T related course Must be analytical and possess superior ability to develop applications at short notice Must be apt and possess ability to work under pressure Must be available for a 3 months uninterrupted duration Must have completed NYSC with a discharge certificate Must not be more than 28 years of age as at last birthday Must already have a software application idea or I.T pet project in the pipeline.

Job Description Chams Plc is a renowned I.T Company of commendable repute with leading track record in Identity management and payment systems. The company is resolutely committed to improving the quality of life and service delivery through the delivery of excellent information technology solutions.

The successful geek stands to benefit from an array of offerings which includes; A golden opportunity to receive recognition for your ideas and contribution to I.T solutions An opportunity to be groomed by I.T specialists and gurus in the industry Automatic employment contract with full benefits for the geek with the most successful project.

A platform to develop I.T skills and Technical know-how The desire to take service delivery to a vantage I.T level through investing in new technologies and innovative software solutions led to the creation of the Geek camp. A camp designed to serve as a grooming house to incubate young I.T geeks willing to think out of the box and stand out for their unusual I.T gifting and ideas.

How To Apply Interested candidates who meet the requirements should: http://chamsplc.com/careers/submit-resume/ Note: Fill the online application form, upload your resume and submit. Only applications received online will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline 5th June, 2014.

——————————————————————————————————————— Reals Academy Job Vacancies in Lagos

Reals Academy is a skill enhancement center for real estate professionals.The academy focuses on integrating theories into practice and encouraging computer aided practices by the professionals in the building industries.

Reals Academy, seeks the services of intelligent, self motivated and result-oriented young individuals to fill the position below: Job Title: ICT Officer Location: Lagos Qualification Young graduate with B.Sc/HND in Computer Science with programming skills.

Job Title: Acct. / Admin Officer Location: Lagos Qualification Young graduate with B.Sc/HND in Accounting with proficiency in the use of Peachtree or Tally.

Job Title: Secretary Location: Lagos Requirements Highly computer literate.

Good looking young lady.

Proficiency in the use of MS Word, Ms Power-point, Coreldraw among others.

How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s to: recruitmentservices@realsacademy.com Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

Application Deadline 13th May, 2014.

——————————————————————————————————————— Recent Nigerian Jobs in a Pharmaceutical Company A Pharmaceutical Company with foreign partners and brands in the ethical and OTC markets, seek candidates for immediate employment.

Job Title: National Sales Manager Job Code: MO1 Location: Lagos Qualification/Experience Applicants must be computer literate, registered Pharmacists with 1-3 years post qualification experience in similar positions must possess a valid driver’s licence with at least one (1) year driving experience Job Title: Area Sales Manager Job Code: MO2 Location: South-East and South-West Qualification/Experience Applicants must be computer literate, registered Pharmacists with 1-3 years post qualification experience in similar positions must possess a valid drives’ licence with at least one (1) year driving experience Job Title: Medical Sales Representatives Job Code: MO3 Locations: Abia, Oyo, Rivers, Jigawa, Katsina, Kwara, Osun, Taraba, Gombe, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Abuja Qualification/Experience Applicants must be graduates of a reputable university with degree in Pharmacy, who will be ready to go to institutions and meet doctors and see Pharmacists must possess a valid drives’s licence with at least one (1) year driving experience Job Title: Regulatory Officer Job Code: MO4 Locations: Lagos Qualification/Experience Applicants must be graduates of a reputable university with degree in any of the Biological Sciences, specifically in Bio-Chemistry, Microbiology and Physiology; and must be computer literate Job Title: Store - Keeper Job Code: MO5 Locations: Lagos Qualification/Experience Applicants must be graduates of a reputable university or Polytechnic with degree in HND or BSC in Accounting with at least two (2) years of experience in similar position, in Pharmaceutical industry and must be computer literate.

Method of Application Interested candidates should send their applications/CVs to: Pharm_job@yahoo.com giving full details such as position applied for with the code and mobile phone numbers foe easy contact.

Application Deadline 20th May, 2014 ——————————————————————————————————————— MEDIPLAN Healthcare Limited Jobs in Nigeria for Medical Doctors and Marketing Officers MEDIPLAN Healthcare Limited is a Health Maintenance Organization incorporated in May 2000 in Nigeria to carry on the business of providing healthcare services to corporate organizations and members of the public, under a prepaid arrangement, utilizing a network of primary, secondary and specialist healthcare providers nationwide.

Job Title: Medical Doctors Qualification: MBBS, Masters degree in relevant disciplines Location: Lagos, Port Harcourt Personal Characteristics/Skills desired - Must have excellent computer skills (MS Office) and the ability to learn new systems/programs quickly!

- Touch typist minimum 50 words per minute - Must be able to work sometimes long hours during the busy periods - Ability to prioritize, handle pressure & responsibility, and work within deadlines strongly emphasized - HMO working experience will be an added advantage - Strong analytical, investigative and organizational skills - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Strong attention to detail Job Title: Marketing Officers Qualification: HND, B.Sc., B.A., Masters degree in relevant disciplines Location: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan Personal Characteristics/Skills desired - Must have excellent computer skills (MS Office) and the ability to learn new systems/programs quickly!

- Must be able to work sometimes long hours during the busy periods - Ability to prioritize, handle pressure & responsibility, and work within deadlines strongly emphasized - HMO working experience will be an added advantage - Touch typist minimum 50 words per minute - Strong analytical, investigative and organizational skills - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Strong attention to detail How to Apply You are expected to make the position applied for and location the subject of your e-mail. For example: “Medical Executive – Lagos” All applications must be submitted electronically and should reach the company on or before 5.00 p.m. Thursday, 15th May, 2014 and should be e-mailed to: career@mediplanhealthcare.com Please note: All applications that do not follow the above specified conditions will not be treated. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

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

14

FOR THE RECORDS

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

A memorable quote from Senator Isiaka Adeleke on the PDP candidate in the State of Osun, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan and another PDP chieftain in the state, Sogo Agboola.

Omisore, Police Minister Beat Me Up - Adeleke “On entering the hall, I saw Omisore, Adesiyan, Sogo Agboola sitting together. I went to Adesiyan to complain that police officers and DSS operatives were holding party men outside. But, instead of listening to me, he jumped over a table before him and hit me with a blow on the chest. Sogo Agboola also attacked me. Before I knew what was happening, Omisore hit me with a blow from the back. About seven guns corked were pointed at me,” Adeleke asserted.

•Culled from Nigerian Tribune, Thursday April 3, 2014

•OMISORE

•ADELEKE

•ADESIYAN

15

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 10, 2014

www.osundefender.org

THE 5TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014

T

HE quality of a government cannot be better than the quality of the people serving in such government. The hues and cries being witnessed across the nation and beyond over the April 14 abduction of over 267 pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, by the terrorist e-mail: kolaolabisi@yahoo.com :08033927286 Islamic sect, Boko Haram, are more worrisome, dangerous and offensive to the corporate image of this contraption called Nigeria.

We had never had it so bad in this country.

Never was the rapidity and frequency of crime commission even experienced during the hellish regime of the despotic military ruler, the late General Sani Abacha. The witnessed culture of impunity during the inglorious regime of the late Abacha has been sentenced into a child’s play under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigerians die in hundreds and thousands in avoidable circumstances. Who would have known that terrorism which was alien to this nation in some years back would become a hydra-headed feature today? Terrorism, in the time past, was associated with countries like Iran, Iraq, Nicaragua etc. But alas! The criminal malaise is daily becoming intractable. It is only when the Boko Haram has not killed that it becomes news. The frequency of the terrorist activities in this country today is frightening and disheartening.

As the August 9 governorship election is knocking in Osun, there have been accusations and counter-accusations between the two prominent political parties in the state. Both All Progressives Party (APC) which is the party in government in the state and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is the main opposition party are daily engaged in ferocious war of words which is reminiscent of the unpleasant events that happened before the 2003 general elections. Few months to the elections, •Prof JEGA: INEC Chair the number one law o officer of the federation who was an illustrious Yoruba with their two eyes closed. There is no colonialist. It is often said that no nation son, Chief Ajibola Ige, was eased out of doubt that the body language of President can survive two civil wars. By scheming this world in a mysterious circumstance Goodluck Jonathan is showing that he to rig the incoming Ekiti and Osun in his Ibadan, Oyo State residence. is desperate to register undue recognition governorship electons, it is an invitation Whoever had been following the in the South-West by facilitating the of war to the South-West by Jonathan. multifarious drums of war before the rigging of both Ekiti and Osun The populist programmes of the late dastardly killing of the serving nation’s governorship elections coming up in few sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when he Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, months’ time. Jonathan should be told was dictating the political short in the would not agree less that there was every by his handlers that a method used region, have opened the inner eyes of likelihood that Chief Ige was killed to yesterday to ‘win’ undeserved victory the people of the region. Suffice to say enable the power-that-be masquerading in any contest may become archaic that any attempt to rig any election in in a reactionary group to have undeserved today. Jonathan who by whatever today’s South-West will not be an easy inroad into the heartland of the South- means he got to power is the leader of task as whoever contemplates such West. It was the scheduled killing of this country today should be ready to should remember the principle of RIG Chief Ige who was a leading light among take responsibility for the current AND ROAST of the Old Ondo State and the progressives in the South-West geo- unfavourable plight of the nation. It is WETIE incident of the 1960’s. Election political zone that was responsible for the pungent clear that Jonathan with the rigging is worse than armed robbery. capture of the zone minus Lagos State happenings in his party, the PDP, in the Encouragement of such anti-social South-West, is deliberately inviting crisis, activity by any leader is capable of putting by the leadership of the PDP. into the dustbin the political gains of If all is well with any association, the war and anarchy to the South-West.

In terms of size and population, yesterday accumulated since the advent credit goes to the leadership of such Nigeria is a large country to the extent of another democratic experiment in this group; and if the reverse is the case, an accusing finger would be pointed at such that some of the component states are country in 1999.

If the news making the round is leadership. If any part of the body is in more populous and bigger in size than pain, the remaining part will definitely not some countries all over the world. The anything to go by that some desperate know peace. Today, there is war in the entity called Nigeria can be likened to Osun politicians of the PDP extraction North-East geo-political zone of this association of nations forcefully woven recently made a fruitless effort to nation where Boko Haram would not together in the socio-economic and penetrate some of the National allow the inhabitants of the area to sleep political self-serving interest of her Commissioners of the Independent

Omo Osun With

Kola Olabisi

Consequences Of Rigging Osun, Ekiti Governorship Elections

National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja with a view to effecting the transfer of Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Toyin Akeju, it means Nigeria is in a serious trouble as far as democracy is concerned.

But the joy therein was that some of the commissioners, by their conduct and disposition to the issue at stake, showed that they are genuine patriots who would not sell their conscience for a mere pot of porridge.

The question is – why such desperation to rig a governorship election? If the intention of any politician is to serve genuinely, his ambition is not worth the blood of anybody. If not for the upright posture of Professor Attahiru Jega, the political-pariahs in Osun would have had their undeserved way.

My take on this is that Professor Jega should not take this allegation lightly.

Some of his aides, who, for pecuniary reasons, prepared a memo to discuss the transfer of the Osun REC, should be made to face the music. If a scapegoat is not made out of this issue, the desperado politicians might go for another script in their efforts to hit their co-contestant below the belt. The buck stops on the table of Professor Jega; the reason for the sustainability of his impartial contribution to his fatherland in his commission. Professor Jega owes it a duty to ensure the protection of the life of the Osun REC as there is every propensity for the political desperadoes to give Akeju the Chief Bola Ige treatment when it is apparent that they are meeting with brickwalls in their ploy to remove the Osun INEC chief for their own selfish reason.

The body language of President Jonathan is not indicative that he’s genuinely committed to fight corruption as election rigging which some of his aides are scheming for has no other name than corruption. The choices of Jonathan’s parties as governorship candidates in both Ekiti and Osun are enough to decipher that he looks elsewhere when corrupt practices are being elevated to a game. But for how long does the President think he can continue to benefit from such vices?

What should be running riot in his brain is that with the ongoing insurgency in the North-East and some other parts of the Northern Nigeria, it would be suicidal for him to add another election-rigging induced crisis in the South-West. I hope Jonathan would not be the last President to midwife the corporate Nigeria. The choice is his.

It would be worth the while to inform Jonathan that there is ominous sign that some characters of the reactionary group extraction are all out to sponsor crises in the State of Osun. Anytime that there are suspicious killings in both Osun and Ekiti, those statutorily saddled with the responsibility of protection of lives and property should know where to beam their searchlight. But it would be in the interest of the nation if the intended politically-motivated criminal activities are nipped in the bud.

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.