Osun Defender - May 15th, 2014 Edition by OsunDefender

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www.osundefender.org THURSDAY MAY 15, 2014 For an administration that has long been acknowledged as clear leader in innovative ideas in governance, it comes as no surprise that the Rauf Aregbesola a dministration is again blazing the trail in the adoption of information technology to address two

PEOPLE FIRST

Front Page Comment

the recent introduction of smart identity cards and biometric automation system among the state’s work-force across the board is certainly no accident. The simplest way to justify it

Smart card for Osun workers: Another first critical challenges in the delivery of the public good: the menace of ghost workers on the payroll; and the imperative of a credible

data base of its workforce. For the purposedriven, developmentminded administration in the state,

Continue on pg5

VOL. 9. NO.058

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

IGE

Update Yourself On Aregbesola’s Achievements •APC Tells Osun PDP, Omisore

- See Story On Page 2

•Winner of the debate, Ayodele Habeeblahi (right), receiving a certificate from the governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the final stage, State of Osun Public Schools Debate. Topic: ‘Are Leaders Born Or Made?’ organised by Omoluabi Support Group (OSG)/Oranmiyan Worldwide in collaboration with State Ministry Of Education At Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Abere, State of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Complaints Commission Indicts Adesiyan Over Violence

- See Story On Page 2

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Update Yourself On Aregbesola’s Achievements •APC Tells Osun PDP, Omisore

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate for the August 9 election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, have been told to update their knowledge and correct their ignorance about the true picture of the spectacular transformation which has been happening in the State of Osun since Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola became governor in Nov 2010. This was contained in a government’s achievements in press statement issued and the state. signed by the All Progressives “What this dispassionate Congress (APC) Director of business leader has said should Research, Publicty and educate Omisore, the PDP and Strategy in the State of Osun, other cynics in our society, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi. who have been dissipating According to him, at least energy and resources trying to now, the public has a powerful disparage the good works of and more credible witness in Osun government by the person of Mr. Macduff spreading lies about its Okoro, the Assistant Director performance. of Central Bank of Nigeria, Omisore, PDP and other Osogbo branch, who has cynics need to hear the authenticated APC assessment of CBN director on

the last 42 months in Osun “Reforms in various sectors (by the Aregbesola government) have boosted the economy of the state significantly . . . And had impacted the lives of the residents of the state positively ... ‘Areas of improvement in

the state include quality and affordable education, youth empowerment, roads and other infrastructure developments . .. ‘It is pleasing to note that in the State of Osun today, there is O’Reap which has engaged tens of thousands in food crop cultivation, fisheries, beef production and even cocoyam cultivation.’ Amongs other things, Mr

Okoro added that ‘with the various job schemes, there is hardly any home or family in the state that has not felt the impact of government and the standard of education has also improved’. “This testimony should shame those who had been lying to the public about what is going in Osun. “Macduff Okoro, the CBN

chief and business leader is a better place and more educated person than Omisore and his PDP horde of ignoramuses, who are sadistically desperate to rule Osun. “They cannot make it because they lack the basic knowledge of what really is going on in the state, owing to their ingrained mischief,’ the APC spokesman concluded.

LG Special Advisers Endorse Aregbesola For Second Term

PECIAL Advisers in the 30 local government councils and Modakeke Area Office on Monday at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Pack, Osogbo, State of Osun, •Some members of the Conference 185 during their endorsement of the governor of State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf launched door-to-door campaign to ensure easy ride for Aregbesola for second term in office at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, last Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his second term in office. The continuity of the in their prayers. governor, according to the He said his second term in group, will strengthen the State office will be another of Osun journey to greatness opportunity to work further and prosperity. in making life more abundant The solidarity rally was the for the people of the state By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI the last three and a half years. Aregbesola promised the convergence of political through continuous massive He said: “ I am so HE first Secondary School Literary Champion in the impressed and excited that students, teachers and other gladiators, Executive infrastructural development, State of Osun on Tuesday has emerged after the grand out of wrecked education by stakeholders in education Secretaries and political improved functional education finale of a school debate on leadership organised by the previous administration, that the state will continue groups, who stormed the venue and peaceful co-coexistence. to do its best in the education in their hundreds. Omoluabi Support Group and Oranmiyan Worldwide. Aregbesola, who these pupils can still come sector. Speakers after speakers, commended the special The colourful event was investment on education out with brilliant ideas. I am Speaking on the occasion, including the Deputy advisers, urged the people of held at the Centre for Black After the debate, Master Governor, Otunba (Mrs) the state not to allow the Culture and International Ayodele Abeeblahi, from very proud because it is the deputy governor, obvious that they can Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, deceit of the opposition All Progressives Congress Peoples Democratic Party Understanding, Osogbo, Osogbo Grammar School, compete with any student in Laoye-Tomori, who doubles emerged the champion, while the whole world. (APC) Interim State Chairman, (PDP), saying the party is State of Osun capital. as the State Commissioner The programme, which Jacob Mary from Apara “This was our vision for for Education, said the Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, associated with “violence, appeared as a political debate, Memorial College, Kajola the state; to build a better current education level in the Senator Bayo Salami among brigandage and killing.” ended up as a reassessment emerged the first runner-up. future for the younger state is a complete departure others emphasised on the need “I challenge their candidate test for the education reform The winner would be with generations. If we refuse to from the old trend of for public consciousness not to to point out a single allow the “interlopers to come development he has initiated policy of Ogbeni Rauf the governor of the state for do this, it means we have redundancy and mass failure failed and doomed. Some and attributed the success to power again.” in the state throughout his life Aregbesola’s administration. a day on May 26. The performance of the Speaking after the debate, people, many years back, to the vision of Governor State Coordinator of the in public office. From one time group, Conference 185, to another, if they don’t kill, pupils triggered emotions, Governor Aregbesola, who provided this opportunity Aregbesola. Micheal Adebayo, said they they will be perpetrating commendation as a result of was so excited by the for us and we are also dutyChairman of Oranmiyan decided to rally support for the violence and disturbing the the competence and performance of the pupils, bound to provide such governor to ensure the peace of the state. That is their performance of the pupils, said they had justified the opportunity for the incoming Worldwide, Prince Felix Awofisayo, who spoke on sustainability of the current character and antecedent,” the which was a reflection of the state government generations. behalf of the organisers, development in the state to governor said. present administration’s investment on education in “We started the reform in represented by Dr. Yemi secure a brighter future for the 2012 and we are so proud of Adegoke, said the school state. the result we are getting. That reform of the state has He said the governor has is why I still wonder that become a model in the whole become a role model in good political functions, or the some people still criticise our of African continent and governance in the whole of Minister of Health being school uniform policy, Europe. African through innovations, accompanied by medical thinking it is the only aspect Chairman of the occasion, empowerment and infrastructural development HE State of Osun office of the Public Complaints personnel or even the Minister of our reform. In the 60’s, in Abasador Olu Otunla, said the whole of South West saying: “Aregbesola has Commission has indicted the Minister for Police for Education asking the leadership requires and Delta, they were using preparation, vision and Affairs, Mr Jelili Adesiyan over his violence trait in students to do the same. restored the lost hope in the He said: “The wild the same uniform before the the state. State of Osun.” political will to address cacophony with which such act missions introduced Adebayo listed schools The indictment came as an problems confronting the especially now that the would be visited is better different uniforms. reclassification, tablet of aftermath of a petition people and such traits must governorship election is imagined than expressed”. “In Benin Republic, very knowledge, school feeding forwarded to the commission approaching do not represent be learnt from tender age. The Public Complaints programme, OYES, and by the first executive governor what a Minister of Police Affairs Commission boss was of the close to us here, they are The former Ambassador using the same uniform, massive road construction as of the state, Senator Isiaka should be. said Governor Aregbesola view that the Minister of Police major achievements of the Adeleke, over the attacked on “I wish to recall the disturbing Affairs is not entitled to police Khaki across the country has built a knowledge-based governor, which have attracted him by Adesiyan and the and we did not deliberately incidence of 3rd April, 2014 at escort more than the number federated unit through his global attention in the last three Peoples Democratic Party the Ideal Nest Guest House, allowed to the Minister of do it, we introduced it to administration’s huge (PDP) governorship candidate, years. Ilobu Road, Osogbo, in which Agriculture or any other grow our economy, and make Adebayo added that to Iyiola Omisore days before the us self-sustainable, a state investment in education and you were alleged to have used minister. support the governor, the party’s April 3, primary cannot survive urged the students to take policemen to harass, intimidate He then cautioned the that advantage of current special advisers in the council election in Osogbo. and embarrass Senator Isiaka minister to stop using law independently is doomed.” Chairman of the areas will donate 40,000 education reforms. Adeleke, the first Civilian enforcement agents, who are Aregbesola then exercise books to primary commission, Professor Rasaq Dignitaries on the Governor of Osun State and the commended Omoluabi schools that will be distributed Abubakre, described in his contestant to your favoured paid to protect the citizenry, to Group members, who are occasion included the Wife law-abiding through the State Ministry of letter to the corporate candidate in your party for the intimidate public office holders in Lagos of the Governor, Alhaja Education to the Local headquarters of the commission gubernatorial ticket in your Nigerians. Aregbesola, It would be recalled the duo for their support since 2005 Sherifat Government Education in Abuja, the alleged action of capacity as the Hon. Minister Honourables Ipoola up till date. of Adesiyan and Omisore were Adesiyain as a recipe for Authorities. of Police Affairs. Omisore, Muyiwa Jimoh He urged the students, reported to have attacked and anarchy, cautioning him to be Responding, Governor “Your reported conduct is a from Lagos State House of Aregbesola used the occasion of better behaviour, wherever recipe for anarchy if all ministers threatened the former Governor who participated in the Assembly, Deputy Speaker, he found himself. debate, to see it as the Adeleke over what they were to act in the same manner”. to restate his call for fasting and According to him, the way State of Osun House of considered his audacity to enter Olympic, which its joy is to Professor Abubakre prayer to secure the release of Honourable reiterated that Adesiyan should the gubernatorial race to contest participate and learn Assembly, the school children abducted by and manner the minister was Akintunde imagine the Minister of Finance, against Omisore in the party tolerance, which is crucial to Adegboye terrorists, Boko Haram, and conducting himself by harassing among others. human survival. asking bankers to follow her to primaries. urged the people not to relent people with policemen,

We Introduced Same Uniform To Grow Economy - Aregbesola •As Osun School Literary Champion Emerges

Complaints Commission Indicts Adesiyan Over Violence

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Osun Police, Army, SSS Meet Over Ritual Suspects’ Killings HE State of Osun Security Council on Monday hands and lynch any law enforcement through noted that there is never a condemned the jungle justice meted out by members suspect is not morally or vigilance, report of time a citizen is allowed to of the public to suspected kidnappers in the state, legally better than the suspicious and criminal take laws into his or her own describing such action as wicked, uncivilised and suspects. Such person or activities to law enforcement hands and become the group of persons will be agencies and in some cases, complainant, jury and unacceptable to the government. caught and made to face carrying out citizen’s arrest. executioner, meting out agencies will not fold their At a joint press murder charges, which is He stated that whenever jungle justice based on his conference addressed after arms and watch our society punishable by death,” any suspect is arrested, the or her own whims and a crucial meeting of all the descend into anarchy. lawful thing to do is to hand caprices. “By this token, any Maisanu said. heads of security agencies, According to the police The police boss averred over the suspect person or group of persons it was reiterated that the act chief, there is the rule of law that in an organised society, immediately to the police. of jungle justice is totally that constitutes a mob, every citizen is involved in The police commissioner under democratic setting condemnable, warning that takes laws into his or their the state government will not fold its arms and allow the society to descend into anarchy. The security chiefs in attendance at the meeting included the Nigeria Army, Police, State Security Service, NDLEA, Nigeria Immigration Service, Head of Prison Service, and the Federal Road Safety Commission. The meeting came on the heel of recent wave of summary arrest of suspected kidnappers and burning them in some towns across the state. The statement, read on behalf of the security chiefs by the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maishanu, warned that any individual or group of people, found taking laws into their hands by killing any suspect illegally would be made to face murder charge. •Faces of the contestants and eventual winners at the State of Osun Schools’ Literary Debate Final organized by Maisanu said the Omoluabi Support Group (OSG)/Oranmiyan Worldwide in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education held security agencies have the at Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Tuesday. capacity and network to track any individual or group that takes laws unto itself, warning the people of the state to hand over any suspected person to the LOT to eliminate the Resident Electoral Atahiru Jega, to remove ensuring that the REC is police or the nearest Commissioner (REC) in the State of Osun, or redeploy the state REC not the one who would security agencies, rather Ambassador Olusegun Akeju, has has constituted a lot of conduct the August 9 than turning themselves thickened as desperate politicians, whose problem among the gubernatorial election in into executioners. “The act of dishing jungle desperation to remove him seek alternatives, if desperate politicians in the the state, either he is justice to suspects is plan to get him out of office fails. state. redeployed officially or therefore barbaric, Independent National It was gathered that by other means. According to findings, uncivilised and Electoral Commission even, some national Investigation revealed unacceptable in a governed the stern resistance by the Professor commissioners of the that the politicians are of the (INEC), society. The security Chairman

and it is the sacred duty of law enforcement agencies to uphold the law, enforce the law, apprehend criminals and make sure that criminal suspects face the law. He reaffirmed the security agencies’ determination in protecting lives, property the fundamental liberty of every citizen. “This is what we do everyday, 24 hours. It is on record that, with the assistance and cooperation we have received from the state government, criminals have been deterred in Osun and the state has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. “It is also a fundamental axiom of justice that an accused person is deemed innocent until proven guilty. It is the sacred duty of the courts to determine and establish guilt or innocence and impose appropriate punishment. This is because a mistake, especially of identity or mission, can occur. “Mistakes of this nature, therefore, once made, are irreversible and an innocent life would have been taken. Where the suspects were burnt to death, for instance, it is difficult or impossible to establish their identity and consequently establish their guilt or innocence,” Meshanu said.

Plot To Assassinate Osun REC Thickens

Osun Sets Up Commission On Public Disturbance By SHINAABUBAKAR

OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogben Rauf Aregbesola, has set up a commission of inquiry in the state to look into issues of public disturbance in any part of the state. According to a statement issued by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Honourable Wale Afolabi, the commission is to receive petitions or complaints from any person or victim of violence. The commission comprises Honourable Justice Kunle Adeigbe, as its Chairman, Mrs Bose Dawodu, Barrister Ismail Ajibade, as members, while Mr Bisi Babalola would serve as the commission’s Secretary. According to the statement, the work of the commission shall include, but not limited to, the act of violence perpetrated at Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo

on April 2, 2014, as well as other places in the state. Governor Aregbesola disclosed that the commission has the power to investigate and determine the remote and immediate causes in respect of complaints or reports received by the commission. The commission also has the mandate to investigate and determine the identity of perpetrators of the incidents in respect of the report or complaints received by the commission, as well as determine extent of any damage or injury suffered by any individual in respect of the complaint. Part of the duties of the panel includes

recommending the appropriate administrative, civil or criminal action to be taken against such a person involved in such violent act.

body lobbied by the politicians to ensure his redeployment, have been finding it difficult convincing or incriminating the REC to ensure his redeployment. Some politicians in the state are also hell-bent on

always on the trail of the REC whenever he leaves his house for any gathering, hence, keeping data of his movement for the appropriate time. Checks showed that the REC might have had an inkling of the plot to

assassinate him, which is the reason he has checked his style of movement and the people he relates with of recent whether in the state or outside. It was also gathered that some politicians are insisting on polarising the state INEC with a view to compromising the outcome of the forthcoming governorship poll in the state by acquiring the loyalty of some staff of the commission.

PDP Chieftains Reject Omisore Deputy Gov Offer By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

T seems some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been sensing defeat ahead of the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun after fielding Senator Iyiola Omisore as the party’s flag bearer. The search for whom to Omisore and some PDP deputize Omisore for the leaders had approached election now has become former Speaker of the more serious than the State House of Assembly, selection of the Honourable Adejare Bello governorship candidate of and Senator Olasunkanmi the party, as no one has, Akinlabi, Akogun Lere so far, shown interest in Oyewumi among others with the deputy’s slot. the slot. However, none of the OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that some PDP stalwarts has so far of the PDP leaders that accepted the offer, have been approached to according to the sources, be Omisore’s running who confided in the mate have declined to run medium. The sources disclosed on the same ticket with him for reasons best that Bello turned down the offer on the ground that he known to them. According to sources, could not run on the same

ticket with Omisore, who Ede people have taken as a political enemy, after his alleged attack on Senator Isiaka Adeleke. It would be recalled that Adeleke was allegedly attacked by Omisore and Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan at the Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo, few days to the governorship primaries of the PDP. According to the sources, Adejare said it would be a political suicide for him to accept the deputy governorship offer, considering the hatred the Ede people have against Omisore, who is said to be on the black record of both elite and non-educated people in the town.

Senator Akinlabi, who hails from Odeomu in Ayedaade Local Government Council Area of the state, rejected the offer on the pretence that he could not deputize the person he contested the governorship ticket of the party with. Akinlabi, a former Minister for Youths and Sports, polled over 30 votes in the PDP governorship primaries election. The sources added that Oyewumi opposed the deputy governorship slot on the ground that he could not leave certainty for uncertainty; that he could not resign his current appointment to contest the August 9, governorship election.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Abducted Girls: Aregbesola Recommends Prayers By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

OVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has tasked all religious groups to engage in continuous prayers for the safe retrieval of the abducted girl students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. He spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on

Community Forum, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, while worshipping at the Everlasting Rock Ministry Church, Ibokun on Sunday, saying the girls needed the prayers of all. Noting that the bombings, killings and

kidnappings of innocent citizens by Boko Haran insurgents are beyond religion, he said it should be fought without religious sentiment. “Even Muslims are not happy with what this Boko Haram insurgents are

doing, meaning that it is beyond religion, rather, their target is to use all means to destabilise this country. “We are happy that there is peace in Osun, but no one knows who the next victim will be. That is why we must pray fervently for the release of these girls in our homes and places of worship. “In our supplications, we should pray that God should send helpers to rescue our girls, so that they can be reunited with their families, who have been in sorrow since the unfortunate incidence. “We must continue to pray until these girls are released and we must also

pray for the end of Boko Haram insurgency in this country,” the governor added. Aregbesola then alerted the people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement or objects to security agencies. This was just as he urged parents to warn their children against being used by any politician in the name of ambition, with a view not to truncate the peace the state is currently senjoying. He also warned the people against selling their voters’ cards to those he described as desperate politicians, saying that doing so would amount to selling the future of their children for a pot of porridge.

OAU May Increase Fee To N80,000

I •A newly-completed road project in Ikire, under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun, as captured by our cameraman, JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM, recently.

Osun Plans Enumeration To Increase Agba Osun Beneficiaries By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

for the elders to live OVERNMENT of the State of Osun has meaningfully, but “we stated that it would soon begin a mop-up have found out that apart survey of the elderly citizens to increase the from using it to improve number of Agba Osun Scheme’s beneficiaries. the lives of the elderly, the Special Adviser to the governor has directed that beneficiaries are still using Governor on Youths, we should continue to it to train grand children Sports and Special Needs, sustain it because it is a that have been abandoned Comrade Biyi Odunlade, kind of social security by their children, who stated this during a chat programme and it has have one challenge or the with the medium, saying turned to another form of other.” Noting that the scheme that the survey would be conditional money is achieving the desired used to update the list of transfer,” he added. result, the Special Adviser beneficiaries of the Odunlade added that noted that the scheme is scheme. when the scheme started, According to him, this it was meant to be an one of the priorities of the is because some elders ordinary money transfer state government and it would continue to sustain might not have been captured in the initial enumeration, either due to absence during the exercise or they have just By KAZEEM MOHAMMED reached the 65 years takeOVERNMENT of the State of Osun has stated that off age for the it would henceforth be strict on street beggars, beneficiaries. who have turned themselves into nuisance across “We are working on a mop-up survey for the the state. them are still “sneaking into beneficiaries, because The Special Adviser to the streets to beg for alms.” some people might not the Governor on Youths, He said: “Ideally, we are have been captured, either Sports and Special Needs, not expected to see any due to absence during Comrade Biyi Odunlade beggar on the streets of enumeration or they have gave the hint on Friday, Osun as at today, because just reached the 65 years saying that it has been we have had series of take-off age. established that many of the meetings with heads of “The survey will be beggars are just lazy and Hausas and other ethnic conducted any moment not ready to engage in any groups and we agreed that from now and by that time meaningful venture for a Osun would not tolerate lazy we will be able to upgrade living. people, including beggars, those who are eligible for He noted that many of loitering about our streets. the scheme. “Infact, we jointly them have been raided and “Through the exercise, taken to the state conducted a raiding activity we will bring in more government rehabilitation with the leaders of these people and increase the centre, where they were groups and we were able to number of the given necessary mentoring get some people into our beneficiaries. on how to live a purpose life, rehabilitation centre, where “Though, it will cost us wondering why some of they were given necessary more money, but the

it.

He stated that if in one way or the other the payment is delayed, it should be understood that it is due to logistics challenges, which the state would soon overcome. From time to time, he said, the government is having interactions with the beneficiaries. The state government has since about three years been giving 1,602 vulnerable elders a N10,000 monthly stipend under Agba Osun Scheme.

Osun Govt Vows To Be Strict On Street Beggars

mentoring on how to live a purpose life, at least for five days. “Those of them who want to work, we are providing opportunities for them in our road construction sites across the state and those of them that are handicapped, we are giving them opportunity to join community movement for the handicapped persons. “Therefore, those of them that are sneaking in, we will now be harsh on them, so that they would know that we are serious,” Odunlade stressed. The governor ’s aide however insisted that Osun would not tolerate begging for alms, as it has been found out that it is laziness that is affecting many of the beggars.

F feelers from the Senate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife is anything to go by, prospective students of the institution would have to pay between N78,000 and N80,000 as school fees from next session. Students of the institution, which is tuition fees, saying it is 300 percent described to be the over cheapest in the country, increment over three presently pay between years. According to findings, N14,000 and N17,000 for new student and N7,000 school fees are subjected to N9,000 for returning to review in the school after every five years, but students. However, if the plans of the recent move is about the institution eventually three or four years from works out, new students the last review. It would be recalled that would have to pay between N100,000 and the students union of the N110,000 including institution demonstrated acceptance fee, while against the introduction of returning students would acceptance fee in 2011, have to pay between leading to the forceful closure of the school for N30,000 and N35,000. Students movements on almost four months and the campus have however disbandment of the union vowed to resist such before the ban was lifted outrageous increase in recently.

Two In Court Over Assault By SHINA ABUBAKAR

WO suspects, Surajudeen Akanni, 45 and Azeez Asifu, last Tuesday appeared before Magistrate Olusola Aluko of an Osun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo for allegedly committing assault. The charge sheet read in offences on March 15, 2014 the court alleged that the at Ilobu, headquarters of suspects conducted Irepodun Local Government themselves in a manner Council Area of the state. However, the suspects, likely to disturb public peace, an offence contrary who were not represented to section 249(d) of the state by a defence counsel, pleaded not guilty to the criminal law 2003. charges It alleged that the four-count suspects assaulted one preferred against them by Hussain Hammed by the police. Barrister Kazeem Badmus beating him and breaking his left arm, contrary to section was in court to watch brief 301 of the state criminal law. for the complainants, while The second accused police prosecutor, Inspector person was also alleged of Taiwo Adegoke, informed assaulting one Oseni the court that the suspects’ Saheed by beating him with residential addresses could fists and stones, thereby not be ascertained. Aluko, however ordered committing an offence contrary to section 355 of that the suspects be remanded in police custody, the state penal code. According to the charge while he adjourned the sheet, the suspects matter till May 27, 2014 for committed the alleged mention.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2017

Smart card for Osun workers: Another first Continued from pg1

is that it is borne of the need to eliminate sources of financial waste and leakage used by some dishonest workers to deprive government of needed funds. Indeed, it comes as a bold measure to overhaul the personnel payment system, to ensure that the state derive maximum value from personnel costs. More than these however is that it represents a multipronged response to the growing de-

mand for the application of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the processes of governance. And here, it does not matter whether the challenge is one of tax administration or personnel issues, the reality is that the world has come to see ICT not only as a tool to get the jobs done, but the most efficient one. It is therefore heartwarming that the forward-looking administration is not only leading the pack in embracing change, but in showing the rest of the federation the limit-

less possibilities inherent in it. If anyone was ever in doubt about the place of ICT in the Aregbesola administration, that ought to have been settled with the governor’s emphatic resolve to go the whole hog: “We have since intensified our effort to make ICT an inherent part of our public administrative system. The introduction of this new smart electronic identity card is another component of that overall effort”. And as for the results – which underlies the wisdom in the endeavour –

the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was even more upbeat when he noted that “To be sure, it was through the application of ICT to our tax administration and revenue collection that enabled us to increase our internally generated revenue by 100 per cent within the first few months of our administration”. We are therefore particularly enthused at the promises of the smart card - a tripartite arrangement between the state government, Charms Plc and First Bank Plc. In a nation

Of Osun REC And PDP Hullabaloo

NYTIME I read, listen or view any news story about the position of the Peoples Democratic Party, Osun Chapter and their avowed hatred of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun, Ambassador Akeju, I just shrug it off and laugh because we all know that the diplomat-turned electoral umpire has no stake in whoever wins or loses in the State of Osun. To me, the man is just doing his job of being an impartial arbiter and leaving the masses of the people to decide who they want to govern them. The PDP, especially the

Ganiyu Olaoluwa-led executive, has decided they don’t want to see anything good in whatever Akeju does. And I ask, what has the poor man done? Is it a crime that he accepted the job of representing INEC in

Osun? My question needs urgent response please? False allegations have been levelled against him from different quarters within the PDP, but funny enough, all seem to lack substance and coming on the heels is the recent one

in which Professor Attahiru Jega had to wade in and declared that the commission was satisfied with what Akeju was doing in the state. Do we need any further stories to leak that the PDP fully intends to rig the August 9, 2014

fight fairly in an election ring. The endorsement coming from the likes of Chairman Jega to REC Akeju only serves to demonstrate the level of confidence that the INEC boss and indeed the commission and by extension, the Federal Government, has in REC Akeju. What a shame to the PDP. It’s as if they had seen the handwriting on the wall and they knew gubernatorial election in very well that they stood Osun and they want to do no chance of winning in this by removing the the gubernatorial election Osun REC by force of come August 9. cheap blackmail. It’s terrible to •ODUNEWU comprehend that Iyiola A K I N O L A Omisore (Baba Oni C A L E B , S m a l l Kerosine) with all his London, Iree, State of cheap campaign, cannot Osun.

And for the government, it promises the elimination of the fraud that has long been associated with personnel management; with the coming of the card, the state government can look forward to maximising its revenue and with it, additional prospects of enhanced value-delivery, improved capacity by the workforce, and better optimisation of the cost of running the government. That is why this newspaper couldn’t agree more with one of the partners in the project that it is a product of good thinking.

where a standardised means of identification remains underdeveloped, the coming of the integrated card will obviously fill that important gap, not to talk of the multiple benefits in value addition to the user and the issuer, alike. Of course, for the individual civil servant, it means that he now has a personalised electronic card with biometric features for identification. While the holder’s profile embedded in the card offers a guarantee of security, the card, linked to international payment platforms also enjoys the dual advantage of beingused as either a credit or a debit card for purposes of financial transactions.

OSUN DEFENDER Publisher

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the above mail address. ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

To Make Nigeria Safe For Democracy R

ECENT developments in the polity, particularly the seemingly endless and escalating levels of insecurity culminating in the declaration of a state of emergency in some states leave much to be desired. Pundits have been inclined to aver that history is repeating itself by alluding to the 1965 state of emergency in the former Western Region and the resultant consequences for the politics of First Republic. This writer believes that we can and should make efforts to avert a repeat of the frightening and unedifying scenario. In our present circumstances, all hands must be on deck to make this nation safe for democracy. The report of Dialogue 14 on Democratic Process in a MultiNationality under the auspices of the African Leadership Forum (ALF) Ota, defines democracy as “government by organized and sustained popular consent” and perceived its essential elements as including free choice, empowerment and capability, respect for the rule of law and equality in law and practice, promotion and defence of human rights, creation of appropriate political machinery, sustained political communication to create trust and confidence amongst leaders and the populace, decentralization of power and authority and periodic and orderly succession through secret ballot. Democracy is not just the presence of political or governmental institutions alone. Democracy is a state of mind. Much deviance in political behavior can be correctly attributed to lack of democratic attitude of mind. The ultimate manifestations of the absence of a democratic attitude of mind include violence and election rigging. Inculcation of democratic attitudes in the people is, therefore, essential to the democratic operation of governmental institutions. For democracy to prosper and flourish, necessary structures and facilities much be provided for all tiers of government, facilities akin to modernity, not to primitivity. A tripartite provision of structures and facilities conducive to democracy is essential to sustain our present experiment. There should be balance of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, by strict application of the provisions of one constitution of the country, whereby the end shall be the good governance of Nigeria rather than confusion or discord of any two or more arms of government. It is imperative that we nip in the bud activities of those cantankerous elements in our midst. The challenge is to bring to an end sub-ethnic sentiments, occasioning sub-ethnic violence. Ethnic phobia, manifesting itself by ethic mania, must be fully exorcised because they are destructive of the national spirit and

•JONATHAN By PROF. A.S ASAJU

possibilities of both national stability and inter-national prominence. Democracy cannot operate successfully within a tribalistic society. Tribalism often stems from a perceived or real frustrations assumed or caused by natural contempt, the refusal to recongnize the other in its specificity, the act of basing oneself in one’s culture in order to practice discriminations of all sorts. Our leaders must eschew leading and sponsoring for personal, ethnic, geographical, sectional, religious and purely economic interest. Until this is done, our problems will remain with us no matter the sophistication of our constitution or the frequency of change. Our leaders must eschew bitterness and violence, learn to realize that no particular individual or section has a monopoly or violence and that one action of violence evokes greater and more destructive violent reaction the magnitude of which can never be imagined in advance. In the end, the law of retributive justice catches up with the perpetrators of bitterness, violence and destruction. As late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua said, it is high time we built a Nigeria with a common purpose and a common destiny; a Nigeria that is neither “North or South, West of East” but dedicated to a common good for all- a nation with assured, humanistic and bright future for us all and our

side with peace. It is on the foundation of peace and fairly-assured security that development and prosperity can concurrently be established. Peace and security are not only pre-requisites for development and prosperity, they are also co-requisites and at the same time, their end results. The apparent rapid and real violent changes in most countries are the results of the neglect of the mutually supportive relationship between peace with security and development and sustainable growth. We have no option in this country to continue to live as a multi-religious society in which the rights of all religious groups are respected and constitutionally guaranteed. Fortunately for us, the two principal religions in this country- Christianity and Islam, are both Abrahamic, originating from the Middle East. These two religions, as would be expected, have many things in common. Each has normative aspects, governing behavior on earth, and transcendental ones, or beliefs, in life after death. In these aspects, the two religions are, infact, remarkably similar in that they have the same ideas about what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad, accountability, reward and punishment. They enjoin the same virtues of faith, patience and steadfastness, even under suffering or provocation, tolerance of others’ beliefs, accountability to God by man, kindness, charity and forgiveness to others, respect for constituted authority and so on. The differences which may, however, exist in the two religions should not preclude co-existence between the two, as has been going on for centuries now. It is unfortunate that as various actions of some so-called religious leaders in this country have become diametrically opposed to their pious and open declaration of support for the progress and stability of our nation. Religious bigotry and zealotism have not helped to provide answers to the failures of the past. Instead, they have weakened our national will. The challenge is to remove this pretence to holiness, religious bigotry and taking undue advantage of the ignorance of the masses of the people to perpetrate violence in the name of religious advocacy. Religious disturbances do not augur well for any community. As Ahmadu Bello said, let us understand our differences. By understanding our differences we can build unity in our country. Let us make Nigeria safe for democracy.

children. We need to create a society where it will not matter again whether you are an Igbo man, Ijaw man, Ebira man, a Jukun man or a Fulani man and where it will not matter again whether you are a traditionalist a Christian, a Muslim or whatever. Let every Nigerian tell his neighbor that killings and counter-killings are not the solutions to ethnic and religious dispute, strife and conflict in our country. Let us cultivate a new culture of understanding, tolerance, forbearance, forgiveness and accommodation. We must put a decisive end to our plurality constituting our greatest weakness and strongest undoing. After all, we are not the only multi-ethnic or multi-religious country in the world. We are many but we are not the most populous in the world. We must have faith in our new political system, faith in the future and faith in the foundation we have tried to lay and faith in the collective will of all Nigerians to live happily together in solidarity, peace and concord. We must abjure revenge as a revenge mission adversely affects one’s health. We must restore Nigeria as an haven of peace. Peace does not mean merely the absence of war or conflict between organized state or communities but also as friendly cooperation and collaboration of people towards •Prof. Asaju wrote in from common goals. Security as the absence of threat and fears of domination, Federal University of Technology, destruction and want must exist side by Akure (FUTA), Ondo State.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Final Stage Of The State Of Osun Public Schools Debate. Topic: ‘Are Leaders Born Or Made?’ Organised By Omoluabi Support Group (OSG)/Oranmiyan Worldwide In Collaboration With The State Ministry Of Education At the Centre For Black Culture And International Understanding, Osogbo, Last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI

•(L-R) Chairman, Oranmiyan Worldwide, Prince Felix Awofisayo; Chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Olu Otunla; Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, at the event.

•(L-R) Deputy Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye and representative of the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Ipoola Omisore on the occasion.

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

•A cross section of traditional rulers at the event.

•(L-R) Some of the State of Osun House of Assembly members; Honourables Biodun Awolola; Bello Osuolale; Femi Fafiyebi and Leke Ogunsola on the occasion.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

PHOTOTALK

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (4th right); his wife, Sherifat (2nd right); the State Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (6th right) in a group photograph with OSG members and the contestants.

•Another cross section of members of State of Osun House of Assembly; Honourables Tilewa Sijuwade; Bamisayemi Folorunso and Adeyemo Adedibu.

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Final Stage Of The State Of Osun Public Schools Debate. Topic: ‘Are Leaders Born Or Made?’ Organised By Omoluabi Support Group (OSG)/Oranmiyan Worldwide In Collaboration With The State Ministry Of Education At the Centre For Black Photo: GBENGA Culture And International Understanding, Osogbo, Last Tuesday. ADENIYI

•Winner of the debate, Ayodele Habeeblahi, being decorated by Wife of the Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola while the first runner-up, Miss Mary Jacob, watches with ecstasy.

•A cross section of dignitaries at the event.

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Osogbo East Bypass: One Road, Too Many EXCELLENT infrastructure is the backbone and chief driver of socio-economic development, which every country strives to achieve. Economists and business moguls do hold the view, or rather, assertion that investment in surface transportation helps to connect people, drive commerce and maintain global competitiveness. An economist, Mr Olanrewaju Afolayanka, who is now a governorship aspirant under the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the State of Osun said “efficient transport systems reduce costs in many economic sectors by providing better accessibility to markets, increasing employment, bringing in foreign investment and improving global presence of a state or country in particular.” Transport carries an important social, economic and environmental load, which can never be over-stated or emphasized. The socioeconomic significance of infrastructure development is not only extensive, but also spectacular. Politicians, who are interested in contesting for executive elective offices; the President, Governor and Local Government Chairman do strive to win the votes of the electorate with manifesto centering but not limited to road construction in the context of infrastructural development. In advanced countries, you cannot win a vote with ‘I will build roads; bridges and culverts’ manifestoes. Those are basic things that had been in existence for centuries. One could straight forwardly doubt if Nigerian politicians could stop the ‘I will build roads’ manifestoes in some centuries to come, because it is what citizens are still lacking. But with the passionate disposition of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to infrastructural development, particularly road constructions, Nigeria could deserts the ‘I will build roads’ manifestoes in the next political dispensation. Aregbesola has soundly given hope to Nigerians on infrastructural development: that Nigeria can still have good roads, bridges, culverts, hospitals, schools, e.t.c. Ogbeni Aregbesola is building multi-schannel roads, which it believes, will stimulate economic prosperity. There was an eccentric but now popular slang in the State of Osun, the ‘Ona Baba Ona’ (uncommon standard road or road that supersedes road in its literary interpretations). The vernacular was brought to the state by Ogbeni Aregbesola, who was trying to; with excitement, present kind of standard roads his administration would construct in every nook and cranny of the state. But not every road in Osun is now ‘Ona Baba Ona’, though all the roads are standard and durable to withstand the different manner of road usage. There is rapid and massive road construction across the state. Of the roads, the Oba Adesoji Aderemi EastBypass road stands out. It is a road that compels commendation, even from the opposition. It is a road that attracts: ‘Wow! This is wonderful; excellent, superb, expensive, sturdy, think of other adjective. To say the road is standard is the least. The 18-kilometre road was awarded to a Nigerian-Turkish construction Company, Messrs Slava Yeditepe at a cost of N14.57 billion with a 12-month period of completion. The Osogbo East-bypass was named after the former Governor of the defunct Western Region and Ooni of Ife, late Oba Adesoji Aderemi. The construction of the road began in October 2013. The

•An ongoing Freedom Bridge along Ring Road East Bye-Pass, Osogbo.

•Another Freedom Bridge along Ring Road, East Bye Pass, Osogbo. By ISMAEEL UTHMAN East Bypass is a dual carriageway being constructed to meet very high standards in modern road construction. A visit to the Ofatedo-Africa School end of nthe road on Monday revealed that the road was being constructed with two asphaltic surface layers and 40mm binder with 30mm wearing. During the visits, workers were seen engaged in the road work. Between channels 0-4, new bridges were springing up over railways and dual carriage ways took the place of deep forests. A Senior Special Assistant to Aregbesola on Electronics and Media, Engineer Remi Omowaiye, said apart from being a standard two-lane dual carriageway of 7.30m width, the road also has such features walkway, laybys and bus stops, streetlights, road verges landscapes and traffic signs. At Abere junction, a flyover would pass over it to link the road with Oke-Ijetu/ Ilesa garage. The flyover will have four loops and ramps to divert traffic. When completed, it will be the first flyover in Osogbo. According to the engineer on the construction site, the road is being constructed is of the highest standards using 30cm stone base to last 40 years. Presently, the road is featuring the constructions of new culverts, three

river bridges, concrete side drainage and retaining walls, pavement surface and marking, a railway underpass, an interchange and provision of street light. The road can be referred to as circumferential highway, as described by Aregbesola. It starts from the Roundabout along Iwo road and passes through Ofatedo to Ataoja Grammar School, through Ilesa Road and terminates at Osogbo Stadium roundabout area. It is a road that surrounds Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun. The first section of the main bridge has already launched at the railway underpass. The company is awaiting permission of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) before launching the beams of the second part of the bridge, which would lead the completion of the railway underpass. The bridges will enable vehicular and pedestrian movement on the top, while the train passes through the underpass. In short, vehicles, train and pedestrians do not needs to wait for one another like what commuters do witness at the popular Olaiya junction when the train is passing bye. It would be a great developmental achievement if Aregbesola could construct an over high bridge like that of the East bypass at Olaiya junction, to allow free

vehicular, train and pedestrian movements. An official of the Slava Yeditepe, who prayed not to be named, told our reporter that additional 15cm stone base is being added to the initial specification to improve quality. He explained that the road would be paved with asphalt using a paver with 9m width to avoid any fault line along the road thus achieving a zero error tolerance level for potholes. He confided in our reporter that the project, which had an initial completion date of May 2014 will however be completed in August due to the delay caused by slight amendment in the initial design and additional works introduced to the original work scope. A total number of 480 indigenous workers are employed on the project thus boosting the economy of the state. Before the initiation of the Osogbo East bypass road, majority of the area that now host the road were remote, and deserted (if that will not be outrageous). Sources told OSUN DEFENDER that a parcel of land was being sold at the Islamic College area of Africa for N60,000. That was because development was thought to be far to

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Osogbo East Bypass: One Road, Too Many XCELLENT infrastructure is the backbone and chief driver of socio-economic development, which every country strives to achieve. Economists and business moguls do hold the view, or rather, assertion that investment in surface transportation helps to connect people, drive commerce and maintain global competitiveness. An economist, Mr Olanrewaju Afolayanka, who is now a governorship aspirant under the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the State of Osun said “efficient transport systems reduce costs in many economic sectors by providing better accessibility to markets, increasing employment, bringing in foreign investment and improving global presence of a state or country in particular.” Transport carries an important social, economic and environmental load, which can never be over-stated or emphasized. The socioeconomic significance of infrastructure development is not only extensive, but also spectacular. Politicians, who are interested in contesting for executive elective offices; the President, Governor and Local Government Chairman do strive to win the votes of the electorate with manifesto centering but not limited to road construction in the context of infrastructural development. In advanced countries, you cannot win a vote with ‘I will build roads; bridges and culverts’ manifestoes. Those are basic things that had been in existence for centuries. One could straight forwardly doubt if Nigerian politicians could stop the ‘I will build roads’ manifestoes in some centuries to come, because it is what citizens are still lacking. But with the passionate disposition of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to infrastructural development, particularly road constructions, Nigeria could deserts the ‘I will build roads’ manifestoes in the next political dispensation. Aregbesola has soundly given hope to Nigerians on infrastructural development: that Nigeria can still have good roads, bridges, culverts, hospitals, schools, e.t.c. Ogbeni Aregbesola is building multi-schannel roads, which it believes, will stimulate economic prosperity. There was an eccentric but now popular slang in the State of Osun, the ‘Ona Baba Ona’ (uncommon standard road or road that supersedes road in its literary interpretations). The vernacular was brought to the state by Ogbeni Aregbesola, who was trying to; with excitement, present kind of standard roads his administration would construct in every nook and cranny of the state. But not every road in Osun is now ‘Ona Baba Ona’, though all the roads are standard and durable to withstand the different manner of road usage. There is rapid and massive road construction across the state. Of the roads, the Oba Adesoji Aderemi East-Bypass road stands out. It is a road that compels commendation, even from the opposition. It is a road that attracts: ‘Wow! This is wonderful; excellent, superb, expensive, sturdy, think of other adjective. To say the road is standard is the least. The 18-kilometre road was awarded to a Nigerian-Turkish construction Company, Messrs Slava Yeditepe at a cost of N14.57 billion with a 12-month period of completion. The Osogbo East-bypass was named after the former Governor of the defunct Western Region and Ooni of Ife, late Oba Adesoji Aderemi. The construction of the road began in October 2013. The East Bypass is a dual E

•An ongoing Freedom Bridge along Ring Road East Bye-Pass, Osogbo.

•Another Freedom Bridge along Ring Road, East Bye Pass, Osogbo. By ISMAEEL UTHMAN carriageway being constructed to meet very high standards in modern road construction. A visit to the Ofatedo-Africa School end of nthe road on Monday revealed that the road was being constructed with two asphaltic surface layers and 40mm binder with 30mm wearing. During the visits, workers were seen engaged in the road work. Between channels 0-4, new bridges were springing up over railways and dual carriage ways took the place of deep forests. A Senior Special Assistant to Aregbesola on Electronics and Media, Engineer Remi Omowaiye, said apart from being a standard two-lane dual carriageway of 7.30m width, the road also has such features walkway, lay-bys and bus stops, streetlights, road verges landscapes and traffic signs. At Abere junction, a flyover would pass over it to link the road with Oke-Ijetu/Ilesa garage. The flyover will have four loops and ramps to divert traffic. When completed, it will be the first flyover in Osogbo. According to the engineer on the construction site, the road is being constructed is of the highest standards using 30cm stone base to last 40 years. Presently, the road is featuring the constructions of new culverts, three river

bridges, concrete side drainage and retaining walls, pavement surface and marking, a railway underpass, an interchange and provision of street light. The road can be referred to as circumferential highway, as described by Aregbesola. It starts from the Roundabout along Iwo road and passes through Ofatedo to Ataoja Grammar School, through Ilesa Road and terminates at Osogbo Stadium roundabout area. It is a road that surrounds Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun. The first section of the main bridge has already launched at the railway underpass. The company is awaiting permission of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) before launching the beams of the second part of the bridge, which would lead the completion of the railway underpass. The bridges will enable vehicular and pedestrian movement on the top, while the train passes through the underpass. In short, vehicles, train and pedestrians do not needs to wait for one another like what commuters do witness at the popular Olaiya junction when the train is passing bye. It would be a great developmental achievement if Aregbesola could construct an over high bridge like that of the East bypass at Olaiya junction, to allow free vehicular, train and pedestrian

movements. An official of the Slava Yeditepe, who prayed not to be named, told our reporter that additional 15cm stone base is being added to the initial specification to improve quality. He explained that the road would be paved with asphalt using a paver with 9m width to avoid any fault line along the road thus achieving a zero error tolerance level for potholes. He confided in our reporter that the project, which had an initial completion date of May 2014 will however be completed in August due to the delay caused by slight amendment in the initial design and additional works introduced to the original work scope. A total number of 480 indigenous workers are employed on the project thus boosting the economy of the state. Before the initiation of the Osogbo East bypass road, majority of the area that now host the road were remote, and deserted (if that will not be outrageous). Sources told OSUN DEFENDER that a parcel of land was being sold at the Islamic College area of Africa for N60,000. That was because development was thought to be far to

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Osogbo East Bypass: One Road, Too Many

•Recently-asphalted portion of Oba Adesoji Aderemi Road, East Bye-Pass, Osogbo.

•Oba Adesoji Aderemi, along Ring Road, East Bypass. Continued from page 12

the area. Now, with the east bypass, a parcel of land now costs N700,000. Reports also have it that there is an upsurge in the price of land at the Ilesa Garage, Sasa Oke-Baale and UNIOSUN areas, where the road passes through. The residents of the east bypass road are now in the open: they are now living in the city unlike the days when they were in the remote. Many houses were demolished in the areas for the construction of the road. But, apart from the compensation from the government that relieved the affected land and house owners, the people continue to look ahead to the economic prosperity that the road will bring. An estate manager, Mr Samson Adewale who lives around Testing Ground area said: “This east bypass road is another landmark achievement of Aregbesola. The road is not even spectacular, when compared to the economic benefit of it. Very soon, you will see that Aregbesola has brought fortunes to Osogbo with the road. You will see big companies, shopping malls,

complexes and other commercial structures. The population of Osogbo will dramatically increase, and what happens after that? The economy of the state will dramatically improve too. The road is a good initiative and I commend Aregbesola on it. Everywhere on this road, people are buying up land. I know the land is appreciating now; people are buying up to build shopping malls and other things. If you have the money, it is a good business deal to buy land here even for resale later on.” A lecturer at the Osun State University, Mrs Peju Adigun, who lives at Oke-Ijetu, described the road as reprieve to the people living at the OkeIjetu area. She said: “If you do not want to get into the Osogbo town before going to your destination, the east bypass has made that possible. With the road, you can go to the neighbouring towns without getting into the suburbs of Osogbo like before. The road has brought unforeseen development not to the Oke-Ijetu area but other areas that the road passes through. Personally, it was impossible for me to drive my car home and park it at the front of my

house, because there was no good road. Myself and other residents of the area do park our vehicles very far to our houses. Our worst agony on the road is during the raining season. Our vehicles could spend three days before they were tolled out of the mud. Now, with the construction of the east bypass, our vehicles are parked at our various entrance door. We now have free and easy drive on the road. Initially, I do drive into the town before linking the UNIOSUN road, but now, I drive straight to the campus from my house. When there was heavy traffic during the UNIOSUN convocation, the east bypass was temporarily opened. Those going to Lagos, Ibadan, Ife, Ilesa and others took the road to link enroute their various destinations. Before you know it, the traffic just vanished. That is one of the benefits of the road. I commended Aregbesola for being a visionary leader. The road will actually go a long way to develop the socioeconomy of the state. A General Manager of one of a new generation banks in Osogbo, who

simply gave his name as Mr Tope, described the road as a project having three-in-one benefits: infrastructural/ transportation, economic and development. On infrastructure, Tope said: “A city and state capital requires a particular level of development. The availability of networking and highway roads is a major development that a capital needs. The Osogbo east bypass is a step in the right direction. The road will ease transportation; there would not be traffic jam in the state again. Commuters, who do have business to do in the town would take the east bypass to their various destinations, thereby reducing the amount of vehicular movement on the networking roads in Osogbo. The east bypass also serves as a beautification project for the state capital. It adds beauty to the state and it is a major infrastructural development. Speaking on the economic aspect of the road, Tope said: “Economies that possess greater mobility are often those with better opportunities to develop, than those with scarce mobility. A good transportation system also weaves a complex web of relationships between consumer, manufacturer and distributor. The productivity of space, capital and labour is enhanced with the efficiency of distribution and personal mobility. The east bypass has opened access to many business districts with lesser time on the road. If I was spending 20 minutes to get to my customer before, and I am now spending 10 minutes with the east bypass, that will automatically transform into economic benefit for me, because I will reach two or three consumers with the 20 minutes I do used for one consumer. On the development benefit of the road, Tope held that a new Osogbo is springing up. He said: “The east bypass is opening up a new corridor in Osogbo. It is bringing development to areas that might have never dreamt of in 20 years to come. Areas like Oke-Ijetu, Africa/ Ataoja, Sasa-Oke-baale, Osun riverOke pupa, Testing Ground will now develop rapidly with the road. People in those areas now have access to road which now eases their transportation. Do not be surprised if the price of land in those areas increases by 300 or 400 per cent because they are new faces of development.” Engineer Moses Oludele Idowu of the Divine Artillery Publications, Lagos, simply commented on the mode of construction of the east bypass road as “excellent.” Idowu said the road is by every standard an excellent project. He passed the comment during a tour visit to the projects sites in Osogbo after the second day of the All Comers Colloquium tagged “Fundamental Imperatives of Cohabitation: Faith and Secularism”, held at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding.” Infrastructure determines the longevity and success of a nation. A good, upgraded and efficient transport infrastructure is essential for a strong and thriving economy. With the Oba Adesoji Aderemi East Bypass in Osogbo, something great is already happening to the economy of the state. Politically, Aregbesola has shut door against the ‘I will build road’ manifesto. Road is now everywhere in Osun. It is a staid challenge to other politicians.

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

Senator Isiaka Adeleke: Still The Issue In Osun Politics

HIS is definitely a cheering time for Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first executive governor of the State of Osun , who on April 3rd, 2014 was allegedly unjustly molested and humiliated by the trio of Senator Iyiola Omisore, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abdul Jelili Adesiyan and Sogo Agboola at the Ideal Nest Hotel Osogbo, in the prelude to the Osun governorship PDP primary. To those who are aware of the alleged ugly incident, it was only Senator Adeleke’s political maturity and patriotic zeal, that saved hell from being let loose on the day under reference. Senator Adeleke proved, that he is truly a statesman, who will not hurt a fly to achieve any political goal or whatever ambition. Senator Isiaka Adeleke, as a man of absolute peace took the incident with philosophical calmness and thereafter sent a petition to President Jonathan, which was published in the newspaper of April 4, 2014 and copied major stakeholders in the PDP, to alert them principally, about what he went through in the hands of his fellow party men, all over his rightful intention to partake of the April 5th, 2014 PDP governorship primary, which he eventually boycotted, out of his desire not to put lives of his supporters on the line, going by what he went through as an exalted personality at Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo, Osun State. As aftermath of his petition, the Public Complaints Commission Osun State Office, under the able leadership of Professor Razaq ‘Deremi Abubakre has reacted swiftly to the incident under reference, in a letter he personally signed and addressed to Abdul Jelili Adesiyan, the Minister of Police Affairs with reference number: PCC/OS/2014/4/411 and dated 11th April, 2014 and copied Senator Isiaka Adeleke, viewed with serious concern, the alleged incident of 3rd April, 2014. The Ombudsman was of the opinion, and I quote him “I wish to recall the disturbing incident of 3rd April, 2014 at the Ideal Nest Guest House, Ilobu Road, Osogbo, in which you were alleged to have used policemen to harass, intimidate and embarrass Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first Civilian Governor of Osun State and the contestant to your favoured candidate in your party for the gubernatorial ticket in your capacity as the Hon. Minster of Police Affair”. Professor Abubakre went further to analyse, that the reported conduct of the Minister of Police Affairs, “is a recipe for anarchy, if all Ministers were to act in the same manner”. Professor

•ADELEKE By OLUMIDE LAWAL

Abubakre reiterated, that Alhaj Abdul Jelili Adesiyan should imagine the Minister of Finance, asking bankers to follow her to political functions or the Minister of Health being accompanied by medical personnel or even the Minister of Education asking students to do the same. Professor Abubakre pointed out, that “the wild cacophony with which such act would be visited is better imagined than expressed”. Professor Razaq Abubakre, was of the view, that the Minister of Police Affairs is not entitled to police escort more than the number allowed to the Minister of Agriculture or any other Minister for that matter. The Osun State Public Complaints Commissioner, therefore affirmed, that no Minister should use the law enforcement agents paid to protect the citizenry to intimidate law abiding Nigerians. Professor Abubakre, was also of the opinion, that Hon. Minister Abdul Jelili Adesiyan, as a citizen of the State of the Virtuous, if his reported action is correct, would have sent a wrong signal to all the believers in justice and fairplay around the globe, stressing that, there is the need for the minister to tread with caution to “avert

positions to whomsoever He willeth without hazzles. Senator Isiaka Adeleke as a progressive politician, will continue to join efforts with other progressive forces in Osun State, which he built from the scratch in 1992 as its first executive governor, to make it an egalitarian society where peace, progress and prosperity reign supreme. No wonder, majority of Osun down-trooden citizens were full of sympathy and concern for him, over what he went through in the hands of his traducers, during the fracas at Ideal Nest Hotel on April 3rd, 2014. To these genuine admirers of Adeleke, drawn from all over Osun and across political divides, the time has come for him to advance his political career elsewhere he will be accorded due relevance and untainted honour, that he richly deserves as a politician with milk of human kindness in his face. To them, Isiaka Adeleke is still the central issue in Osun politics. From the elite to the proverbial common people in Osun State, the question is: why should Senator Isiaka Adeleke be subjected to unwarranted and unprovoked humiliation? To Baba Khalifa, a commercial driver in Ipetumodu, Adeleke should leave the PDP and go and enjoy his peace, among those who meant well for the poor people in the state. For Iya Rashida, a food vendor in Iwo, her advice was: “let him leave that party for them. Adeleke has touched so many lives positively, particularly here at Iwo, where he gave us our late Oba in 1992 after so many years of foot-dragging by government before him. Adeleke is Iwo, Iwo is Adeleke”, concluded Iya Rashida. Such were the positive comments about the good nature and Godfearing attitudes of Isiaka Adeleke, such that so many people vowed, that they will sink or swim to safe shore with him. And now, some people are coming in droves, to seek reconciliation with Adeleke to remain in PDP. With whom would they be seeing reconciliation with, had anything unfortunate happened to him on April 3rd, 2014 at Ideal Nest Hotel? Up till now, Adamu Muazu, PDP National Chairman has not called Adeleke up to enquire as to what happened on April 3rd, 2014. To thy tents oh Isreal! Everybody to himself, God for us all. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. The stone, that the builder rejected is now the cornerstone of the house. A food for thought.

insinuations making the round that you are acting out a script in collaboration with the Hon. Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro to cause problems in the SouthWest”, end of quote. It is indeed a welcome development, that not all hopes are lost after all, as far as getting a listening ear to the complaints of oppressed members of the public of which Senator Adeleke was a victim, from those in authority, which the Public Complaints Commission has acted with precision and in good faith. This shinning exemplary official conduct by Osun State Public Complaints Commission should be emulated by those saddled with serving and protecting public interests. At last, Senator Isiaka Adeleke is vindicated and his peaceful conduct on the day of the alleged incident under reference has paid off. The chicken has come home to roost. Senator Isiaka Adeleke has counseled politicians and their supporters not to see their endeavours to seek political offices as a matter of life and death. He advised politicians to abhor violence and other ungodly •LAWAL is Special Adviser, conducts, as we march towards Media and Publicity to Senator August 9th governorship election Isiaka Adeleke. in Osun State, as God alone gives

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, May 15, 2014

PHOTOTALK

Faces At The Inaguration Of ‘I Believe Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (IBORA) And Endorsement Of The State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola For A Second Term In Office, By The Body Last Saturday, In Osogbo.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola(2nd left); All Progressives Congress (APC) State of Osun Interim Chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi(left); Speaker, State House of Assembly, Hon. Najim Salam and Director-General, De Raufs, Comrade Amitolu Shittu,on the occasion held at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, last Saturday.

•Governor Aregbesola (3rd left); President of “I Believe Ogbeni Rauf Aregbsola (IBORA), Mr. Olusola Okiki (3rd right); National Vice-Chairman, IBORA, Hon. Afolajuwonlo Foluso (2nd left); Hon. Abdul-Hakeem Wisdom-Oni (left); Prince Anselem Udoka (2nd right) and Alhaji Elegunde Taiwo (right), at the programme.

•(R-L) President of IBORA, Governor Aregbesola, Hon. Afolajuwonlo and Hon. Salam, at the event.

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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

SIR: It was Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s propagandist-in-chief who made the infamous statement that “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it”. It is this same infamous path that Iyiola Omisore, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP) in the August 9, election, has been threading, with his repeated call for the removal of Ambassador Rufus Akeju, Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner. He has been making this inane call since 2012 and has heightened it since he emerged the flag bearer of his party. The allegation is actually a two-in-one. The first is that Akeju is biased because, according to Omisore, he had a relationship with APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The second is that a court had ordered the removal of Akeju, which INEC refused to carry out, thus retaining him in flagrant disregard for the court. The unsaid implication of this allegation is that Akeju is an APC mole in Osun ready to do the bidding of the party with INEC’s tacit approval. Omisore in his characteristic recklessness threatened solemnly at his party secretariat in Osogbo that he would never allow Akeju to conduct the coming governorship election. How he would stop the election is still not known. He might as well have it in mind to violently disrupt the election and I hope the security agencies have taken note of this threat to the election and should call him for questioning. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. He could also have meant that he would crash Abuja’s power on INEC to have Akeju thrown away from Osogbo.

Omisore’s Ranting On Osun REC

Omisore

Whatever is in the dark recesses of his mind, he did not mean well. However, the truth of the matter is that there is no subsisting court order on Akeju. PDP had gone to court and obtained an injunction against INEC for the conduct of the 2011 elections. Strangely, the same PDP went back to court ask for ‘stay of execution’. The judge, Babs Kuewumi, was alarmed, and told them pointedly that normally, it is the defendant whom judgement was awarded against, that seeks ‘stay of execution’ and not the plaintiff who .

won the relief he sought from the court. He then granted PDP the ‘stay of execution’It is therefore the height of mendacity for Omisore to turn around to allege that INEC is disobeying court order. I ask again, which order? When the PDP at the meeting of political parties with INEC chairman in Osogbo asked for the removal of Akeju, Prof Attahiru Jega told them that they should bring credible evidence of Akeju’s bias or any allegation they might have against him. They have not done this; instead, they have continued on this Goebbelian path of repeating a lie so often with the false hope that people will believe it. Interestingly, the defeated Osun PDP candidates in the 2011 elections did not challenge their defeats. Even Omisore who was roundly thrashed and humiliated by his opponent, Senator Babajide Omoworare, even in his ward, did not challenge the result at the tribunal or the regular courts. Only Honourable Wole Oke went to the tribunal and the appeal court and came back empty-handed. Osun PDP did not boycott the elections conducted by Akeju and no election conducted by him has been upturned by any election petition tribunal, appeal court or the Supreme Court. What then is the basis of the vilification of this man by Omisore and his gang? Is he looking for the fall guy for his inexorable defeat in the coming election, as always?

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:

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