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THE
6TH
M O ST - V I S I TED
saturday, november 15, 2014
Quote “Look at what we did in Osun State. In Osun, we had the best election conducted so far; the best election we have conducted so far as a commission since 2011.” • Quote from Professor Attahiru Jega’s interview in The Guardian of Wed. Oct. 29 (2nd part of a series that •Jega started on the 28th).
NEWS-
VOL. 9. NO.137
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Front Page Comment
Pushing Democracy Forward, One Step At A Time -By Tolu Ogunlesi politicians and their General election season
dawns inexorably upon us. It’s in the air everywhere: the flood of posters and billboards; the endlesschatter of radio and television jingles. The social media is as well abuzz with activities –every day we wake up to
campaign teams showing their faces on Twitter, and
minions and “voltrons” circle the waters frantically, looking for whom to devour on behalf of their principals. Regarding those principals, ther
e are two camps: Those who are doing it because they stand a chance of triumphing, and those doing it because it is the best way to position yourself for the crumbs that will dropafter the dust has settled Continue on pg6
Osun Governorship Election Tribunal:
Omisore’s Evidence Reflects How Aregbesola Won - See Story On Page 3
I Am In APC For Good- Pg 3 - Adeleke
Osun Begins Campaign On Mater- - Pg 4 nal, Newborn Child Immuni-
•(L-R) Chief Kola Awodehin (SAN); Femi Falana (SAN) and Professor Yemi Osibajo (SAN) in a discussion at the court premises after the sitting at the ongoing 2014 Governorship Election Petition Tribunal between the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the defeated PDP candidate in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, at the High Court Complex, Osogbo last Tuesday.
Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
We ‘ll Sustain - Pg 5 Religious Tolerance In Osun - Dep Gov
Omisore’s Counsel’s Moves To Stampede Aregbesola’s Team Trun cated
- See Story On Page 5
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phototalk
Osun Defender Saturday, November 15,
State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Held A Meeting With The Nigerian Union Of Teachers (NUT), Osun Chapter, At The State Secretariat, Governor’s Office, Abere, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday. Photo:
•(L-R) Deputy Governor, State of Osun and Commissioner for Education, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti at the event.
•State of Osun NUT Chairman, Comrade Saka Adesiyan (right) and other dignitaries on the occasion.
•A cross section of teachers at the meeting.
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Osun Defender Saturday, November
Osun Tribunal: Omisore’s Evidence Reflects How Aregbesola Won
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By kazeem mohammed
he results of the August 9, 2014 governorship election from the polling units to the state level, tendered by the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, before the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday have confirmed how Governor Rauf Aregbesola won the election. The documents, which the election). are Certified True Copies Counsel to Aregbesola, (CTC), were forms EC8A Chief Akin Olujinmi (result at polling units), (SAN), said the result EC8B (result at ward being tendered by the level), EC8C (result at p e t i t i o n e r s d o e s n o t local governments) and contradict the result of EC8E (the final result of the election as announced
by INEC, saying, they were only being reproduced. The Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal then admitted the documents as exhibits. Omisore and the PDP are challenging the reelection of Aregbesola and All Progressives Congress (APC) before the tribunal, while the INEC is joined as the third respondent. The legal team of the petitioners and the respondents had earlier verified the documents, used in the 17 local
government council areas being challenged by the petitioners and agreed that they should be tendered from the bar. The local governments are Osogbo, Olorunda, Ede-North, Ede-South, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, IlesaEast, Ilesa-West, Irewole, Iwo, Obokun, Irepodun, Atakumosa-East, Ayedaade, Boripe, OlaOluwa and Oriade local governments. At the resumed hearing of the petition on
Wednesday, the petitioners’ counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), tendered the results of the poll from the polling units to the wards, to the local governments and to the state from the bar. Counsel to the first respondent, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), said he would reserve his objection to the admissibility of the document till the final
address stage. Counsel to the APC, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) and his INEC counterpart, Ayotunde Ogunleye, toed the same line of argument, indicating to reserve their objections till the address stage.
Let’s Revive Our Value System - Prof Alabi By sola jacobs
•(L-R) Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Education, Alhaja Mulikat Bello; SUBEB Chairman in the State of Osun, Prince Felix Awofisayo and State Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye at a function in Osogbo recently.
I Am In APC For Good - Adeleke
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By bolanle babalola
culminating in winning his federal constituency of Ede North, Ede South and Egbedore Local Government Council Areas for Ogbeni Aregbesola in the August 9, 2014 governorship election. He stressed that he is currently at peace with himself in APC and nothing whatsoever, would make him abandon the ship of the party, which he stated will soon take charge at the federal level. Adeleke therefore advised those with progressive inclination in PDP, to make a fast U-turn and join APC,
he first civilian governor of the State of Osun, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, has stated that he has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for good on personal conviction for the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he is currently enjoying his peace of mind and political career. This was in reaction to an insinuation by a PDP top notch, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, to effected since 2010. the effect that Adeleke will He was of the opinion go back to PDP, Senator that APC is a party of the Isiaka Adeleke described common people, where the pessimism of Chief their welfare is paramount Oyedokun, whom he holds and protected by its leaders. in high esteem, as a wish The top APC chieftain not realisable, describing said he has contributed himself as a politician and enormously to the good winner, who any political fortune of APC in so party would not want to short a time he joined it, lose. Adeleke further said that he left PDP essentially By Rebecca Adeniran on principle, as he was denied political relevance he Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, and respect for his Honourable Najeem Salaam, has challenged dignified personality and those who raised the issues of Islamization of enviable political career he painstakingly built over Osun by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to support their the years, reiterating that argument with empirical facts and law of the state involvement in a party like parliament or bury their heads in shame for life. PDP, where some gangsters, Speaking at the commissioning of the House of Assembly have no value for human chapel, Salaam stressed way and manner, according lives is not for him. He therefore, advised that religious tolerance to him, some politicians those nursing the idea of prevailing in Osun has have chosen to divide the his return to PDP, to perish no equal in the country, country along delicate lines noting that with majority of religions and regions, such thought. The first civilian governor of Christian members in saying the country men and of Osun opined that since the executive cabinet and women have been pushed to his defection to APC, he the state parliament, the the fault lines, which may has joined forces with governor, Ogbeni Rauf take time to heal. other progressive people to Aregbesola, could not be “We are in deep trouble make the state an Eldorado, more liberal. in this country, because going by the appreciable T h e S p e a k e r t h e n the fault lines our past infrastructure development Ogbeni Aregbesola has expressed fear over the reasonable leaders have
to enable them be on the positive side of history. He further emphasised that though, there may be ideological differences among politicians, he has resolved to maintain affinity, friendship and cordiality with his friends in different political parties.
Osun Speaker Scolds Islamization Advocates been avoiding have become
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political instruments in the hands of today’s rulerss who have elected to throw all cautions to the wind to win elections, and if we fail to rein-in our divisive leaders and strengthen our tolerance, doomsday is looming. The chapel was commissioned by the Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori in company of Honourable Salaam, lawmakers and chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There is need for collective effort from government, educational institutions and relevant stakeholders to revive the country’s value system”. The former Speaker of power vested in political the State of Osun House of office holders with sundry Assembly and a university misdemeanours, adding don, Professor Mojeed that effort must be made Alabi, stated this during to ensure participatory an interactive session with governance that would journalists on Wednesday. transform the country for He expressed disdain better. that corruption and On educational issues, other societal ills have Professor Alabi attributed become the order, which the proliferation of tertiary in his observation was institutions to the failing an evidence of failed standard of education in leadership and insincerity the country. of purpose. He explained that instead According to him, rather of unnecessary multiplying than encourage piety, of universities, effort must intelligence and display be geared toward funding of intelligence by people the available ones for in positions of authority, advanced research and the country celebrates quality service in line with mediocrity and people with global standards. little or no respect for the In conclusion, Professor rule of law and service for Alabi restated the need to humanity. include vocational training Professor Alabi therefore, into school curriculum, as a charged Nigerians to always credible way of positioning demand accountability graduates for self-reliance from those at the helm and over-dependence on of affairs, while they white-collar jobs. must also show genuine patriotism and followership by casting their votes for credible leaders devoid of fear or favour. The university don attributed the excess of
Man Arraigned In Court Over Fraud
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By FAITH EHIREMEN
middle-age man, Awe Michael, was on Tuesday arraigned before a magistrate’s court sitting in Osogbo, for alleged fraud. The accused was said to 419 of the Criminal Code have fraudulently collected Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of the sum of N25,000 from Osun State of Nigeria o n e M r. A g o g o U y e 2003. Emmanuel, with the The accused however pretence of giving him a pleaded not guilty, whilst room apartment at Igbona his counsel applied for his area of the state capital, bail in liberal terms. despite knowing same to The presiding magistrate, be false. E. O. Aluko, later granted The alleged crime was bail to the accused person committed sometime in on providing N20,000 with October 2014 at Igbona a surety in the like sum, area, Osogbo in Osogbo affidavit of means of being Magisterial District. The police prosecutor, resident within the court’s Inspector Isiaka Ajadi, told jurisdiction, as well as the court that the accused evidence of tax payment. The case was later person committed fraud, adjourned till December thereby committing an 12, 2014 for hearing. offence that is contrary and punishable under Section
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Osun Defender Saturday, November
Osun Begins Campaign On Maternal, Newborn Child Immunisation
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By francis Ezediuno
takeholders in the State of Osun health sector have promised more commitment to a healthy living among residents in the state by curbing challenges associated with maternal and newborn babies’ health. The stakeholders met during M r. J a m e s O l o y e d e , t h e this year ’s campaign for State Nutrition Officer and Maternal and Newborn Child spokesperson for MNCHW Health Week (MNCHW). said: “The programme is about T h e m e e t i n g , w h i c h maternal, newborn and child had in attendance religious health week and it is done in the leaders, educationists and months of May and November health officers, among other every year. stakeholders, was held to According to Oloyede: “It discuss on how the WNCHW is a week that is set aside to woud be a success. deliver high impact, low cost Addressing the gathering, child survival and maternal
Osogbo NSE Boss Emerges National Audit Member
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intervention, aimed at reducing maternal death and to bring an overall improvement in the health of the community. “It will be done in over 800 government-owned public health facilities in the state. “We have the fixed postapproach, where the caregivers will bring their children or ward to receive this intervention at health centres and we also have outreach posts, which include churches, mosques and schools. “In this round of MNCHW, we are targeting about 100,000 children to benefit from the intervention, which includes administration of Vitamin A
supplements, immunization, screening for malnutrition, deworming and free birth registration. “Mothers will receive Tetanus Toxoid (TT), antimalaria and insecticide-treated nets for pregnant mothers, apart from family planning commodities. “We will be promoting key household practices such as exclusive breast-feeding and appropriate food supplements. “We encourage parents, guardians to bring their children to benefit from this programme and we urge religious leaders to help us inform people in various places of worship to allow our health workers do their job.
“ We a r e n o t o u t t o harm anyone. We have the government backing in this campaign and it is for the safety of our children, who are our future,” he said. Mr. Adewole Adewoye, Health Educator in the State Ministry of Health, stated that in 2013, about two million children died between the ages of zero to five years in Nigeria. “Malnutrition is the highest cause of infant mortality in Nigeria, rising to about 55%. We want a reduction in infant and child mortality in the state and in the nation at large. “In May, we were able to cover 94% of children in the
state, in this round; we are aiming above 100% through this public intervention. “We have trained some health workers and we have purchased about 100 public address megaphones, which will be given to all the local government councils in the state to aid the campaign,” he added. It was also gathered that the health intervention was for children between the ages of 0 to 17 years old and that MNCHW week will be implemented from November 17 to 21, 2014.
By francis Ezediuno
he State of Osun has once again attained a greater pedestal with the emergence of Engineer Felix Adeniran Ibitoye (aka Kilomodemo), the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Engineering Matters and Chairman of the Osogbo branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) as a member of the Statutory Audit Committee of the society at the national level. His emergence for the m e m b e r s i n s i s t e r N S E first position of an audit branches of my competence to member came after a keenly- handle the position if elected. contested election of the “I also made it a point of Nigerian Society of Engineers duty to attend many NSE (NSE), which was held on programmes to solicit for votes Thursday, 6th November, 2014 and now the result is what we during the society’s Annual are seeing.” General Meeting (AGM) at It would be recalled that the International Conference during the NSE AGM, Osogbo Centre, Abuja. branch NSE won the first At the end of the elections prize of the initial welfare •PDP lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN) (left) in a discussion with Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s lawyers, Chief Akin Olujimi to occupy vacant offices at the night auction and went away (SAN) (right) while State of Osun Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi (2nd national level of the NSE, the with a big-sized Samsung right) watches during the 2014 governorship Election Petition Tribunal between the governor and the defeated PDP following members were duly- r e f r i g e r a t o r, w h i c h w a s candidate in the State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, at the High Court, Osogbo, last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. elected and they would pilot presented by the NSE National the affairs of the society at the national level with its national president; Engr. Olorunfemi Ademola Isaac and deputy Addressing his crowd representatives greater themselves in lawmaking By kehinde ayantunji president; Engr. Otis Anyaeji o f s u p p o r t e r s , w h o opportunities to drive businesses. as the 2015 National Executive He assured the lawmaker t r o o p e d t o t h e p a r t y development in Nigeria. hairman, Federal House of Representatives Committee. C o m m i t t e e o n D e b t M a n a g e m e n t , that the party would give office, Honourable Ajayi They include the three ViceHonourable Adeyinka Ajayi, representing all aspirants a level-playing described APC as the best Presidents; Engineers Massari Giandomenico, Mhammed Ifelodun Federal Constituency, on Tuesday, picked ground and wished him political party in Nigeria, which has offered its Babagana and Engr. (Mrs.) the intention form of All Progressives Congress (APC) well in the contest. Oguntala Margaret Aina. The Executive Committee to re-contest for the seat. The lawmaker was comprised of Engineers; Umar Aishatu, Akinteye accompanied to the state Joseph Olatunde, Ishola Abass party secretariat in Osogbo sogbo Solidarity Group (OSG) has member of the bar, whose experience he has gathered Muhammed, Dania Dennis by party leaders in the described the appointment of one of the practice has taken him over the years as a legal Abu, Engr. (Mrs.) Eziokwu constituency, chairmen of newly-sworn-in High Court Judges in the from the lower court to practitioner, will be used to Nkemnasom Silas Ezimadu the party in the three local State of Osun, Justice Abdul-Lateef Adekola Adegoke, the highest court in the enrich fair dispensation of and Engr. (Dr.) Ishidi Yohana government council areas as one of the best decisions ever made by the National land before he eventually justice to both the litigants Edith. and other party executives. The members of the Judicial Commission, (NJC). left the bar the for bench and accused, as a Judge of Presenting the intention Statutory Audit Committee Dawood Ajetunmobi, he recently. form to the lawmaker, APC High Court of the State of In a statement signed are made up of; Engineers “Justice Abdul lateef Osun,” the statement read Ibitoye Adeniran Felix (aka State Secretary, Honourable by the Chairman of the commended the judiciary Adekola Adegoke is a man in part. Kilomodemo), Ayitogo Zakari Rasak Salinsile, said the group, Chief Olatunde for the appointment. Osagye and Emeasoba Azuka. party is proud of Ajayi and Badmus, through his The statement described of integrity per excellence. Badmus, who is also The election which threw other National Assembly Special Assistant on Media Justice Adegoke as a There is no doubt that the Asiwaju Muslumi of up the NSE national officers members, maintaining that thorough-bred professional the over-twenty years’ Yorubaland, while thanking was carried out electronically. they have distinguished and Public Affairs, Alhaji A f t e r h i s v i c t o r y, the state governor, Ogbeni Kilomodemo expressed Rauf Aregbesola, for the gratitude to God, the support nomination of Justice of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola one month. State of Nigeria 2003. By FAITH EHIREMEN Adegoke to NJC, advised and other members of the NSE They equally cheated In addition, Adeoye the newly-sworn in Judge from sister branches for giving deoye Abidemi, ‘41’ was on Tuesday o n e M r. K o l a w o l e Abidemi, who was a him the victory. arraigned before a n Ta j u d e e n , a s t h e y sales representative of to see his new appointment According to him, the victory did not come without O s u n S t a t e M a g i s t r a t e ’ s promised him to pay Sollkem Enterprise, was as a call to higher service and should maintain a price. “I had to travel round some C o u r t O s o g b o f o r contrary and punishable back the money within equally alleged to have neutrality, impartiality and states in Nigeria convincing m u l t i p l e - c o u n t under Section 516 of one month but failed to converted parts of the dispense justice without
Ajayi Picks Second Term Intention Form
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Group Lauds New Judges’ Appointment In
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Man, 41, Arraigned For Felony
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Change Of Name
I, formerly known and addressed as Miss akinoso charlote damola temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs adeyanju charlote damola temitope. All former documents remain valid, State of Osun government, and general public should take note.
charges. The accused was alleged to have conspired with one Clifford Igwe Nnamdi, who is currently on a sick bed to commit felony at Sollkem Enterprise, Obatee area, Osogbo, the State of Osun capital. The alleged crime is
the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003. The accused persons were said to have obtained goods worth N1,058,504 from the abovenamed organisation in agreement to pay within
do so. The police prosecutor, Inspector Solomon Oladele, told the court that both crimes were contrary and punishable under Section 419 and Section 421 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun
goods worth N265,000 to his own use. The consent of the organisation was not sought before the conversion. The accused persons h o w e v e r, p l e a d e d not guilty, whilst his counsel applied for his
fear or favour. Justice Adegoke was sworn in on Monday, by the deputy governor of the state, Otunba (Mrs) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, who stoodin for the governor at the State High Court.
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Osun Defender Saturday, November 15, 2014
Omisore’s Counsel’s Moves To Stampede Aregbesola’s Team Truncated •Tenders Documents With Discrepancies
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By kazeem mohammed
fforts of the legal team of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, to stampede the legal team of Governor Rauf Aregbesola were truncated on Thursday, as the tribunal conceded the right of the latter to verify any document sought to be tendered by the former. This is just as there were the All Progressives Congress series of discrepancies in (APC) and INEC were joined the documents tendered as second and third respondent by the petitioners, as the respectively. documents meant for some Omisore’s counsel, Dr Alex local governments were found Izinyon (SAN), at the resumed in another local government hearing of the petition on among others. Thursday tendered Certified T h e s e d i s c r e p a n c i e s , True Copies (CTC) of form according to counsel to EC40A series, which are ballot A r e g b e s o l a , C h i e f A k i n papers account and verification O l u j i n m i ( S A N ) , w e r e statement and form EC40B, miseries, saying, may be EC40C, and EC25B for the when petitioners begin to call 17 local governments in witnesses, they would explain contention. how the documents found their Counsel to Aregbesola, ways into the forms. Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) Omisore and the PDP are and APC, Mr Kemi Pinheiro challenging the re-election of (SAN), as well as Independent Aregbesola on August 9, while National Electoral Commission
(INEC), Ayotunde Ogunleye, said they would raise their objections to the documents at their final address stage. But in the course of tendering the documents, Izinyon claimed that the time being spent by the respondents in crosschecking the document sought to be tendered are long, applying that the tribunal should limit them to two minutes each. Olujinmi objected to the application and insisted that it is the right of the respondents to check the documents so that another ones would not be smuggled in. “My learned friend can not stop me from looking at these documents; it is my right. If he is saying I should not look at them, why am I here? Pinheiro also said the petitioners were trying to stampede the respondents, if they were saying the respondents should not
crosscheck them. Counsel to the INEC also said he must look at the documents so that he would not be implicated by the petitioners. While ruling, the tribunal chairman conceded that the respondents have the right to crosscheck the documents, but appealed to them to fasttrack the cross-checking of the document. However, when forms EC8B for Ejigbo local government were being tendered, Olujinmi discovered that two of the forms belong to Ede-North local government and called the attention of the tribunal to the discovery. He also noted that some of the documents belonging to Osogbo local government were found in the ones belonging to Irepodun local government. Also, in the form EC40A which read “ballot papers account and verification statement”, a different one, read “tender ballot statement” was found among them
and Olujinmi also drew the attention of the tribunal to it. H o w e v e r, w h i l e t h e petitioners’ counsel was tendering forms EC40A for Ola-Oluwa local government, the INEC counsel drew the attention of the tribunal to the fact that one of the documents was not certified by INEC. The tribunal asked the counsel to make the observation as part of his objections at final address stage. For form EC40C, Olunjinmi observed that four of the documents for Ayedaade were duplicated, two of the ones for Boripe were duplicated, in Ede-South, four were duplicated, while two of the ones for Irepodun were blank documents. For Obokun, two of the forms, according to INEC counsel, did not have dates of certification, while for OlaOluwa, seven of the documents were blank. When the tribunal called the attention of the petitioners’ counsel to the series of
discrepancies, he claimed, that was how INEC gave it to him, but the INEC counsel denied, saying the commission could not be held responsible for it and that the discrepancies must have come from the petitioners. He said, the commission had certified the documents and handed over to the petitioners, saying, it is the petitioners that should explain how the discrepancies came up. Also for form EC25B, six of the documents tendered for Atakumosa-East, 10 for Boripe, 17 for Ilesa-East and 29 for Ilesa-West, according to Aregbesola and APC counsel respectively, did not bear any inscription that they are forms EC25B. The INEC counsel also observed that there were some adjustments made to the forms presented for Boripe and Ede North without any endorsement. The matter was subsequently adjourned till Monday, November 17 for further hearing.
Akere Commends INEC On Voters’ Education Initiative Balogun Eyes Oriade State Constituency Seat
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By shina abubakar
he Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State of Osun, Mr Sunday Akere, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state for availing stakeholders, an opportunity to contribute to the process of voters’ awareness and education. He disclosed this at a annual leave, maintaining that monthly State Inter-Agency the outcome of the poll was an Advisory Committee on Voters’ attestation to the resolve of the Education and Enlightenment people of the state to express P r o g r a m m e , h e l d a t t h e their will. commission’s state headquarters According to him, the result in Osogbo on Wednesday. of the poll was a vindication of He said the conduct of the his person and office against August 9, 2014 governorship the spurious and mischievous election in the state was a huge allegation levelled him by some success despite the unnecessary politicians in the state. deployment of military On the objective of the forum, personnel to the state. Ambassador Akeju disclosed According to Akere, the that the aim was to among decision of INEC to set up a other things, review the exiting committee on the enlightenment framework for voters’ education of voters, describing it as a and advice the commission on way of reducing the burden areas of improvement, proffer of political parties in the state, advice on effective strategies adding that political parties for public enlightenment and should be allowed to join the voters’ education. forum. “The forum is also to In his welcome address, develop medium and longt h e R e s i d e n t E l e c t o r a l term framework for civic and Commissioner (REC) in the voters’ education in Nigeria state, Ambassador Rufus and undertake periodic review Akeju, said the August 9, 2014 of voters’ education activities in governorship poll was a success the country,” he stressed. despite his stepping aside for his Akeju then sought the
cooperation of media outfits towards spreading of public enlightenment on election matters through regular designs of voters’ education materials and regular reportage of such programme. The REC also reminded media practitioners in the state on the need to stop the usage of political campaign materials before the stipulated time contained in the Electoral Act, while urging the stakeholders to cooperate with the commission.
•Promises 7-point Action Plan
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By francis Ezediuno
onourable Olufemi Balogun (aka Baloo) has stated that part of the reasons why he aspires to contest for the State of Osun House of Assembly as a member representing Oriade State Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), is because it is a heritage that will afford him the opprtunity of increasing his level of responsibility.
We ‘ll Sustain Religious Tolerance In Osun - Dep Gov
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By kazeem mohammed
he Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori, has stated that the state government would continue to provide enabling environment for religious tolerance and unity in the state. She said this on Wednesday saying the administration w h i l e c o m m i s s i o n i n g believes in freedom of the State House of Assembly worship and would never Christian Fellowship Chapel discriminate against anyone located within the Assembly based on his or her religious Complex in Osogbo, the belief. She also added that the state capital. According to the deputy state government was able to governor, there was no record many developmental time the state government programmes in the state due attempted to Islamise the to the fear of God and its state, as being speculated, commitment to service.
•The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (middle); Deputy Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye (left), Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (right); in a group photograph with new judges, Justice Ayotunde Oyebiyi (2nd left) and Justice Adekola Adegoke (2nd right) during their swearing-in ceremony in Osogbo recently.
Laoye-Tomori commended members of the state parliament for building the chapel, saying, she was happy to inaugurate the chapel three years after the foundation was laid by her. She revealed that the executive would continue to work with the state lawmakers in the onerous task of moving the state forward. In his remarks, the Speaker of the state parliament, Honourable Najeem Salaam, said people must continue to tolerate one another irrespective of their religion. He maintained that the inauguration of the chapel was to prove to the whole world that there was no religious discrimination in the state. “What we are doing today is to prove to the whole world that we have respect for all religions in the state. “There is no religious discrimination in the state and government will continue to allow religious tolerance as stipulated in the Constitution,” he added. The Speaker urged the staff of the Assembly to make use of the chapel for worship. Earlier in his remarks, the Pastor in-charge of the chapel, Muyiwa Ayeni, appreciated the state government for building a befitting chapel for christians within the assembly complex to worship.
As a means of attaining that, Balogun disclosed to OSUN DEFENDER that he had outlined a 7-point action plan which he intends to implement should he get the party ticket and wins the February, 2015 election into the state parliament. Part of the plans, according to him, would be qualitative representation at the State House of Assembly, functional constituency office, scholarship schemes for students, skills acquisition, empowerment for farmers and traders, regular feedback meetings and attracting state projects to the constituency. “These are the programmes that I have in mind, with a view to bringing about accelerated change in the area.” He maintained that he belongs to the class of positive, progressiveminded, diligent and development-loving individuals with high sense of duty and conviction that Oriade State Constituency could indeed be lifted to better and enviable heights in terms of developments. “My desire in offering to serve as your representative, therefore, is borne out of the fact that the time is ripe for proactive, inclusive and more pragmatic approach to legislative representation.” He appealed to the electorate in the constituency to support him with their votes in the State House of Assembly election “With optimum humility and a sense of modesty, permit me to share with you my vision that is aimed at lifting the bar as your representative in the State House of Assembly, he said”
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Osun Defender Saturday, November 15,
Pushing Democracy Forward, One Step At A Time -By Tolu Ogunlesi Continued from pg1
This second group are the ones who know that the best way to get considered for a commissionership post in Nigeria is to make loud noises about the governorship, get noticed, and then offer to drop your ambition in the spirit of sacrifice, and in exchange for some not-too-bad compensation. (You just have to love this country – nothing is ever what it seems! Elections will hold in 28 states; only in eight of these will incumbents be seeking re-election. The other 20 are coming to the end of their terms and will be seeking to anoint their successors, to the chagrin of other contestants. Several governors will be looking to become senators, and several senators, governors. Already about seven ministers have resigned, to aspire for the governorship in their various states. Not all of them will succeed. Those who don’t will be banking on the prospects of compensation when – or if – the Peoples Democratic Party retains control of the Federal Government. Some of them might return as ministers, others, ambassadors. All of the politicking – amplified by news headlines and newspaper columns and the internet – makes you ask yourself, in quieter moments, to what end? Are we doing politics for the sake of politics, solely for the bitter battles and the control of the mechanisms of patronage, or is all of this happening for a larger purpose: to better the lives of millions of ordinary Nigerians. Looking back at 15 years of democracy, is this where we should be? Should our generators still be this loud in their nightly crying? Should our First Lady or the governors still be rushing abroad for medical treatment? Travelling around the country it is easy to be disappointed by how little distance we have covered, in terms of development, in 15 years. There are culprits at every level.
In the case of the Federal Government, its continuing neglect of important inter-state roads is tragic. (I’ll leave the electricity discussion for another day). In the states, a good number of governors are, to say it the Nigerian way, “trying.” Standards of performance for the 2007/2011 set of governors appears to be somewhat higher than what we saw with their predecessors. But even then, we still have many governors for whom almost nothing good can be said. In Benue State, Governor Gabriel Suswam is confidently heading to the Senate on a rather dismal record: public primary schools in the state only recently reopened after eight months of strike, while there is a threemonth backlog of civil servants’ salaries. But he seems assured his Senate seat is already waiting for him. There are others like him, confident even in their similarly mediocre performance. The local governments are the worst. If they were scrapped today, the only difference would be in the relief to be enjoyed from citizens thankfully rid of their thugenforced revenue collections (radio and TV licences, car towing fees etc). Unfortunately, there is almost no partisan competition at local government level anywhere in the country. The party in power in the state automatically assumes control of the local government structure; opposition parties stand almost no chance of making a dent. Armed with their SIECs, our governors become mini-tyrants when it comes to local government matters, concerned only about political control, not service to the people. One of the next milestones of our slow democratic journey should be the enthronement of real democracy at the local government level. Sometimes, these things seem like wishful thinking, but I’m convinced that change is possible in our politics. It might be annoyingly slow, but things change. Already, we are getting used to the idea of having relatively free and fair elections, aided by the presence of technology in the
long, sadly, that is how Nigerian politics has been. The PDP has taken for granted its ability to win the Presidency, as the APC has its ability to win Lagos State. Regular upsets would be more than welcome. While I continue to stick to my arguments that the APC and PDP are in the strict sense not (yet) real political parties, and are to a large extent easily interchangeable on account of an absence of true ideological foundations, it is still important to realise that they – whatever you might want to call them – are the building blocks of our democracy. If one of them was to vanish, we would be stuck with a one-party state, and no democracy. Give me two imperfect parties over a perfect monopolising one any day. The fear of the loss of power is the beginning of political sensibleness, I believe. If a party realises that it can always be dumped by voters then it is more likely to seek to put its best foot forward. And in those conditions, a war for talent between our political camps – like the ones we see in the European football leagues – is likelier. That, as far as I see it, can only be a good thing for our burgeoning democracy. Going along with that argument, I think the most exciting electoral scenario of 2015 would be the APC losing Lagos, and the PDP losing Aso Rock. Wishful thinking – or solid possibility?
form of mobile phones and social media. Electoral victories are also no longer being taken for granted. I remember 1999, when the Alliance for Democracy, riding on the back of the Awolowo mystique, swept the South-West. The joke back then was that if the AD had fielded a goat or monkey, it would still have won. It seems like we have come a long way since those days. Now, the electorate are becoming more sophisticated and discriminating, it would seem, and are more likely to give, in their decision-making, as much weight to individual candidates as to political party symbols. While there are still some states that are virtual one-party states, like Enugu and Ebonyi (where I spent the weekend), which are firmly in the grip of the PDP – in these states, the PDP governorship primaries will be the real election; the polling in February 2015 will be no more than a formality – elsewhere things are changing. Take the example of Rivers State, which, until last year was one of the biggest pieces of the PDP’s landslide-dispensing electoral juggernaut. Months ago, while on a visit to Port Harcourt, I was told by one resident that “the All Progressives Congress had no chance in the state. Rivers has always been a PDP State, bla bla”. It was easy to believe back then. But recent events seem to be casting a strong doubt on that antiAPC confidence, and now no one is sure anymore. The turnout at the recent Governor Chibuike Amaechi mega rally was for me a big surprise. Amaechi of course took advantage of this to taunt the President, saying: “The President says we exist only on posters and billboards. So, we brought a large billboard for him. If the President is not watching (the rally), they will give him security report.” Scenarios like the one in Rivers are a welcome development for me because I believe that electoral uncertainty should be one of the cornerstones of any democracy. There’s no point to democracy if one side is always guaranteed a win, regardless of its levels of performance, or of the quality of the credentials of its candidates. And for too
OSUN DEFENDER
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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
Osun Defender Saturday, November 15,
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Osun Defender Saturday, November 15,
I siaka Adeleke, APC: A Bond Forever
ontrary to speculations C in some quarters, particularly from a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the State of Osun, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, to the effect, that Senator Isiaka Adeleke will go back to PDP, it should be stated categorically, that such is the wish of Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, as an admirer of Senator Adeleke, who also holds Chief Oyedokun in high esteem. Such wish is unrealizable, as the first executive governor of the State of Osun is body and soul in the All Progressives Congress (APC) for good. Senator Adeleke is a pragmatic politician, who gives total loyalty to any political party he decides to pitch his tent with at any given time. A principled and committed party man, whose words are his bond. He is an embodiment of Omoluabi, any day, anytime. He lives his life for the progress and good of all, not minding tribe, religion, creed, sex or political affiliations. The first executive governor of Osun State left PDP essentially on conviction, because he could not continue to be in a party, where his political relevance, sanctity of life and respect for his dignified personality, as a foremost elder statesman in Osun, could no more be guaranteed, due to overzealousness, excesses, lack of decorum, wisdom and gangsterism on the parts of some Osun PDP chieftains, as known to Chief Shuaib Oyedokun was concerned. He ‘berthed’ in APC with pomp and ceremony, robust vision and mission, to contribute to the good fortunes of the party, without let or hindrance or any string attached. He did not leave PDP for APC for pecuniary gains. Since his defection to APC, the Asiwaju of Edeland, has given tremendous moral and financial support to the party, without batting an eyelid. He was a pillar of strength behind Governor Aregbesola and his emergence for a second term in office. His last days in PDP was traumatic, laced with threat to his life and political insult particularly, from a politician he picked from the ‘gutter’ for political relevance in 1992, when he emerged as the first executive governor of Osun State. He was a reference point in PDP, whilst his stay there lasted. But rather than appreciate his tremendous contributions to the PDP’s good fortune, the leadership of the party, under President Goodluck Jonathan and other top functionaries at Wadata Plaza, unjustly left him in the ‘cold to lick his wounds’, after the ugly incident of April 2, 2014 at an
•Senator Isiaka Adeleke (right), receiving Expression of Interest form for Osun-West Senatorial District Election from State of Osun APC Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun (left) while State Secretary, Honourable Razak Salensile (middle), watches.
his wealth of experience to bear on the good fortunes of APC in hotel in Osogbo, where he literally the State of Osun. Why then the wild goose chase by the top PDP walked through the shadow of chieftain, that Senator Adeleke valley of death. will go back to PDP. Anyway, Thus, the amiable Senator nobody would want to lose a Adeleke, after presenting his winner, that Adeleke is any day. case to the top PDP hierarchy, As a true democrat, Senator including a letter to Mr. President Adeleke, was of the opinion, that and same published as an though, there may be ideological advertorial in some newspapers differences among politicians to no positive effect, he left PDP and their political affiliations, he honourably for APC without has resolved to maintain affinity hurting a fly . Chief Shuaib and cordiality with his friends Oyedokun could attest to this in different political parties, claim. inclusive of PDP. This does Senator Adeleke defected to not translate to mean, that he is APC, not for any selfish reason, finding his way back to the party. or personal gains as earlier stated When Senator Rasheed Ladoja above. He pitched tent with APC lost his mother a few months to marshal efforts with others, ago, he was among the earliest who are progressively minded in personalities, to commiserate making Osun an Eldorado. After with him, though he was in far all, he came on board as Osun away USA. This does not make first civilian governor under a him a member of Accord Party progressive party called SDP. He is therefore on a familiar terrain in to which Ladoja belongs. Up till today, Senator Adeleke fraternizes APC. with Alhaji Fatai Akinbade with Senator Adeleke, for emphasis sake, ‘switched’ to APC, to prove mutual respect. This does not make him, a member of Labour a point, that whichever political Party, which Akinbade belongs party he finds himself, he is to. The immediate-past Head of capable of making waves, which Service of the State of Osun, Elder he proved without any doubt, by delivering his federal constituency Segun Akinwusi, visits Adekele’s residence, once in a while. This to Ogbeni Aregbesola, in a does not make him a member of landslide manner at the August Akinwusi’s SDP. 9, 2014 governorship election To Asiwaju Isiaka Adeleke, in Osun, leaving PDP politically personal friendship transcends bruised. This he effected with his political differences. This core own personal resources, without value, he cherishes a lot and holds recourse to APC for any financial dear to his heart. Those with false support, because he is not a assumption, that Senator Adeleke, political opportunist. He brought By Olumide Lawal
may one day find himself back in PDP, should perish such thought. He is not talking with any PDP chieftain or leadership to that effect, because there is no basis for it. He is happy in APC, where he is regarded as a worthy and dependable leader of all times. He is working round the clock in APC, to make it wax stronger, so as to win all elective seats at the Senate, House of Representatives and the state parliament. As a man of peace, Senator Isiaka Adeleke has enjoined his teeming supporters to continue to embrace, non-violent approach to politics, no matter the subtle provocation, from any quarters, particularly, as witnessed in Ede a few days ago, when a senatorial aspirant came to display political naivety. Adeleke will not do anything to taint his enviable and charismatic political career, painstakingly built over the years. To the first executive governor of Osun, there is enough to go round all APC faithful in the state without rancour. To those who should know, Senator Adeleke has left PDP for good and forever. To him, Osun chapter of PDP, is a willing tool in the hands of one or two individuals, parading themselves as tin-gods. Whereas,
Osun Defender Saturday, November 15,
Job Vacancies In Nigeria
Popham Walter Odusote (PWO) recruitment (hr@pwoarch-ngr.com) Popham Walter Odusote (PWO) was formed in 2001 as a Nigeria limited company in a joint venture of OOP Consultants (OOP) in Lagos (founded in 1982) and Popham Walter Architects (PWA) in the US (founded in 1981) to bring high-quality architectural and engineering services to the oil and gas industry, to government, and to other prestigious interests in Nigeria and West Africa. PWO is looking for candidates to fill the positions of: Job Title: Electrical Engineer Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: Mechanical Engineer Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: Document Controller Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: Cost Control Engineer Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: QAQC Engineer Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: Operations Manager (Nigerian or Expatriate) Location: Nigeria Requirements To coordinates all activities of the company within and outside the office. Liaise with relevant Clients to improve the service delivery. Assist in Administration and documentation process. A Diploma or Certificate in Catering Management. Minimum of 8 years experience as Camp Boss while Catering experience at Offshore Oil and Gas is mandatory. Job Title: Project Accountant Location: Nigeria Requirements A good knowledge of Financial Accounting in a service providing or Consulting organisation. Ability to prepare accounts to Balance Sheet. Budget preparation and Management accounting. B.Sc. Accounting with 10yrs of experience. A professional qualification is a must. Job Title: Facility Manager (Nigerian or Expatriate) Location: Nigeria Requirements Knowledge operational methods of maintaining Utilities. Experience in Catering services, Buildings and providing Service to organisations. B.Sc. Mechanical or Civil Engineering as well as Facility Management with 10 years relevant experience. Must be a registered member of COREN.
Job Title: HVAC Engineer Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: Secretary Location: Nigeria Requirements Good knowledge of filling system and, documentation. Office practice and general administration. B.Sc/HND Secretarial Administration or Social Science. French in an advantage. Job Title: Lawyer Location: Nigeria Requirements Must have a good degree in law with minimum of 10-15 years experience in business contract drafting, Partnership Agreement, Merger and Take-over. Good experience in production and vetting of agreements/contracts. Job Title: Business Development Manager (Nigerian or Expatriate) Location: Nigeria Requirements A good and convincing business negotiator with good knowledge of Bid packaging and processing. Ability to socialize and a goal -getter with confidence. A player with good knowledge of oil and gas will be a great advantage. A degree in the Social sciences (Minimum 2), plus professional qualification. Minimum of 10 years practical experience in Contract sourcing and Bid packaging. Experience in Oil & Gas will be an advantage. Job Title: Structural Engineer Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: HSE Engineer Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: IT Manager Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. Job Title: Architect Location: Nigeria Requirements Applicants (Nigerians or Expatriates) must meet the following requirements: Must have the ability to handle projects at design, documentation, Supervision and Conclusion levels. Minimum of 15 years in Consulting engineering company. Must have 1st or 2nd Class degree in relevant Courses with professional certificates ARCON, COREN, NIA, NSE, BOSIET, NEBOSH, ETC as may be applicable. Must have reasonable ability in the use of Computer plus Software to carry out design work. Experience in oil & and gas environment, company or project would be an added advantage. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should forward their applications and Resumes to: hr@pwoarch-ngr.com Application Deadline 25th November, 2014. ————————————————————————————————— ——
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Osun Defender Saturday, November 15,
FashionWith & Lifestyle H Eniola Agbaje and Shola Okpomu
Healthy Living
Tips On How To Get Rid Of Stretchmarks
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ajority o f u s a r e familiar with this term, while others have been fortunate enough to be able to avoid it. Getting rid of stretch marks is actually an opportunity that a large number of we female folks will jump at right now because both young and old have gotten enough of their fair share of these abominable sight. Stretch marks are a form of scarring on the skin with an offcolour hue. They are caused by the tearing of the dermis, and over time, can diminish but not disappear completely. It is a common misconception that stretch marks are solely the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with weight gain. But stretch marks are also influenced by the hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy and general muscle building. Between 75 and 90 percent of women develop stretch marks to some degree during pregnancy. For females, stretch marks appear mostly around the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, underarms, thighs (both inner and outer), hips and buttocks. Males often have theirs around their shoulder blades as a result of muscle building. We can get rid of stretch marks by following these easy and convenient tips: DIET AND EXERCISE * Drink plenty of water: adequate hydration keeps your skin soft and less-likely to develop stretch marks. * Caffeine can increase your risk of stretch marks. Basically, your intake of caffeine should be minimised. * Be sure to consume foods that promote skin health; foods rich in zinc such as nuts and fish. *Foods high in Vitamins A and C such as carrots, citrus fruits and protein rich foods e.g eggs should be added to your daily diet.
LOTIONS AND CREAMS Application of anti-stretch mark creams and lotions on the skin can also help eradicate stretch marks. Cocoa butter is an effective moisturizer that helps in reducing the appearance of stretch marks on the skin. T H E L EM O N JU I C E THERAPY * Cut a lemon in half and gently rub the cut-end one half over the stretch marks. * Squeeze the lemon slightly to release the juice onto the stretch marks and apply it using a circular motion. * Let the lemon juice sit on the skin for 10 minutes and rinse-off with warm water.
ave just ever thought or wished you could control TIME? Imagine what it will feel like to have the power over that one thing no one control on. I as a person, there have been countless times I wished I have time in my grasp. Pause or freeze the good moments. Probably make them last forever. Fast forward the awkward and painful ones and rewind the good old memories. As an object created by us (humans), I still wonder why we do not have excess of it. It is what we want most, but something we use worse. Despite the nonavailability of time, most of us have confidence in its supply, bearing in our minds that we have all the time in world. Therefore, we postpone meetings, schedule, shifting things we ought to say, do, till another minute, day, month, even years. Haruki Murakami (a popular contemporary Japanese writer once said: “Unfortunately, the clock is ticking, the hours are going by. The past is increasing, the future recedes, possibilities decreasing, regrets mounting .” We so much waste the value of the present time we have. Making ourselves subjects to our own uncontrollable illusion of a permanent ‘next time’ (tomorrow). If we have the opportunity or chance to do certain things right, this instant, I’m certain majority of us will still prefer to postpone. We procrastinate our “thank you”, “I’m sorry”,
“ I love you” and other things we ought to say, thinking everything and everyone is going to last forever. Then feel sorry later for the wasted time. We tend to forget or should I say ignore one fragile fact that NOTHING lasts forever. Things we see, people we have around us are not going to stick around forever. In our efforts to avoid the truth, we let some moments slide and pass us by intentionally with the thought that they might present themselves again. We allow our nonchalant behaviour and too much confidence or assurance in tomorrow rob us of our touch with reality. Reality is when you are conscious that time is not always going to be made available for you or be on your side. Sometimes, we get carried away that tomorrow and forever have endless supply or moments and we can always have excess availability of time, especially if they are postponed. We mislead our sub-consciousness into believing that as long as we have today, definitely tomorrow is going to come. LATER is always going to be in our favour, even if NOW is being misused. How can you let go or waste a perfect moment, which you have and expect it to repeat itself in the same manner later. Knowing full-well that opportunity comes only but once. Can
you postpone a time to kill to a time to heal? Or a time to plant to a time to pluck out? How do we expect to shift the time to love to a time to hate and expect the time to yield the same result. We often ask ourselves how did it get so late so soon? We fail to acknowledge the power of time and instances it creates. We let our utmost assurances rest on a steady tomorrow. But have we ever asked ourselves this question, what if tomorrow never comes? What if all we have and will ever is right now? Mother Teresa said: “Yesterday is gone ; tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. “ Certain things happen now. Later is not promised. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. George Harrison said: “It’s being here now that’s important. There is no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; we can hope for the future”. I agree tomorrow is a clean slate, a chance for us to correct our mistakes and become a better person, a sign of hope, but if we have been given the chance and opportunity to make things right now, let’s us utilise it to the maximum. If tomorrow presents itself again, we
Fashion
Kids & Fashion
Myles Munroe, Wife, Others Die In Tragic Plane Crash Bahamas International Airport. nspirational speaker and pastor of the Bahamas Faith Ministries, Dr Myles Munroe, and his wife, Ruth, died in a plane crash, while heading for the Grand Bahamas International Airport. The crash took place on Sunday afternoon killing all nine passengers on board the private jet. The Department of Civil Aviation reported that the plane was a Lear 36 executive jet, which departed the Lynden Pindling International Airport for the Grand
Essence Of Now
at social gatherings or just casual outings with their friends or family and I really baffle at the inspiration behind their sense of style. These days, kids have the miniature design of every adult wear you can think of. Talk about foot wears, jeans, blazers, dresses, tops, everything! kids have an amazing fashion sense. In their own weird way, they always know what suits them and what would look nice on them. Some kids love bright colours, while some prefer the less-dramatic look, so while shopping for clothes or footwear for your kids, their opinion should matter to an
Lifestyle
Reflection
The plane was said to have struck a crane at the Grand Bahamas ship yard, exploding on impact and crashing into the ground near a junkyard area. Dr Myles Munroe was an internationally known author, bible teacher, governmental consultant and leadership mentor. He died with his wife, Ruth Munroe, the deputy of his Bahamas Faith Ministries, Richard Pinder, along with another pastor and his family.
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he c h i l d r e n o f t h i s generation are not only intelligent and familiar with the latest developments in technology (i.e operating of smartphones, computers, videogames, etc) but they are also stylish to a fault. I see kids
extent. Mostly during the weekends, kids like to hang-out with friends or just go out with their family to relax. In this kind of situation, you should dress your kids in something casual like shorts with a very simple top or t-shirt and sandals or sneakers. This way, they can have fun without being too over-dressed and cautious about their outfit. Going out for occasions (birthday parties, weddings, etc), kids can wear a pair of jeans with a shirt or top and sneakers or sandals, as the case may be. The girls can also wear dresses with ballerinas.
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Osun Defender Saturday, November
Why Nigerians Are President Jonathan’s Problems
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HIS is the 6th year the polyglot nation of a tens of thousands ethnic nationalities have been looking up to President Goodluck Jonathan for redemption. Unfortunately for the people, the salvation they seek seems merely blighted by issues that didn’t transcend ethnocentric or religious struggles. To this end, sadly, these issues are exploited to political ends and into a sinking foul political morass. This is what Adolf Hitler called “spiritual terror”, in his book titled: Mein Kampf. “I understand the infamous spiritual terror, which the Social Democratic press exerts, particularly on the bourgeoisie, which is neither morally nor mentally equal to such attack; at a given sign it unleashes a veritable barrage of lies and slanders against whatever adversary seems most dangerous, until the nerves of the attacked persons break down... This is a tactic based on precise calculation of all human weakness, and its result will lead to success with almost mathematical certainty”. Mr President’s pestilential politics of “religious terror”, cloaking itself as democratic pathway, which is absolutely divisive, is to quench the people’s bated breath against his ‘Transformation Paralysis’ that is slowly winding by. Nigerians have suddenly forgotten President Jonathan’s electoral promises some six-year ago that flown from the shrewdness of political emptiness. ”We will fight for JUSTICE!, We will fight for all Nigerians to have access to POWER!, We will fight for qualitative and competitive EDUCATION!, We will fight for HEALTH CARE REFORMS!, We will fight to create jobs, for all Nigerians!, We will fight corruption!, We will fight to protect all citizens!, We will fight for your rights!” Those were the exact words of grinning President Goodluck Jonthan to a nation that has gone through leadership brigandage for decades. Nigerians were reeling and literarily elated on that fateful September 18, 2010. They watched the president declared his intension for the highest office in the land after the triumphal battle of succeeding his late boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua at the Eagle Square. He elicited unusual hopes in the mass of Nigeria following who have been tortured with unfulfilled electoral promises lurid illusions of governance. Those reassuringly promises of renewed hopes, which brought him to power have become big bluff. His initial profile of a profound thinker and reticent leadership gave way to bewildering cluelessness, bowing rather to a ruthlessly graft-infected and fractious ruling class that brought the nation to its kneels. The president who has risen from modest
•jonathan By Erasmus Ikhide
circumstance, whose political ascent of the hitherto obscure son of a rural canoe-carver and fisherman from the oil-producing south; decent at heart, generous, chivalrous and tolerant man, but become suddenly weak-kneed. That President Jonathan falls for their bait has everything to do with his leadership credentials. Even though he has everything it takes to pacify a country with simultaneous on-again-off-again rebellions in the north and south, as a Ph.D holder with all the petrol-dollars, Nigeria is still firmly in the grips of power failure, more feebler than what I experienced in Somalia a few weeks ago. The populace, whose civic responsibility it is to constantly put the president to task on the sanctity of the nation’s constitution and its inviolability chose to hide under religious or ethnocentric subterfuge. A nation is in danger if a backsliding president is not reminded of his avowed, “We will fight for JUSTICE” and the taunted rule of law’s matrix. We are not asking sufficient questions about the withdrawal of the security protection from the number 4 citizen, where the police literarily constituted itself into a court of law. Thanks to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), media concerns,
several rights groups and other well-meaning Nigerians. The NLC and NBA came particular hardly on the presidency and distinguished themselves as the bastion of the nation’s democracy. “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress are appalled by the withdrawal of security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, ostensibly because he had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). ”The act is shameful, distasteful, unconstitutional and demonstrates our parochial sense of power and very little knowledge of history. No part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says the Speaker of the House of Representatives should come from the majority party. ”Section 50(1) (b) only says, “ There shall be …a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves…’ “In the Second Republic, the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, was elected from the ranks of NPP, not just an opposition party but the third strong , after UPN and NPN. We have other precedents across the world. “We find it appropriate to cite the examples of Mimiko and Ali ModuSheriff, governor of Ondo State and former governor of Borno State
respectively. Their security details were not withdrawn when they defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “It gives us concern that our political leaders are determined to learn very little about democracy and always seem too keen to overheat the polity over things that count for little. “The police and other security agencies complicit in this disgusting conduct should hold their heads in shame. Herein lies the essence of strong institutions, which we have always advocated. ”For those who take pleasure in converting to personal use, public/state institutions, today’s men soon become yesterday’s men. What goes around, comes around. “In light of the foregoing, we demand immediate restoration of Tambuwal’s security details and all the rights and privileges that accrue to the Office of the Speaker. It is not about Tambuwal, it is about the office which he holds. ”And in any case, only few, arguably, will contest that he has not discharged and acquitted himself as Speaker. We would like to be on record that we will not fold our hands while little minds threaten our hard-earned democracy. Nothing should happen to Tambuwal”, the NLC posited. The NBA presented its objection more aptly: “There is no crime in defecting to another party and the IGP is not the person responsible for interpreting what the Constitution says on any issue. That is the responsibility of the court”. The deployment of the security personnel is not because of a particular political party but because he is the Speaker. “His defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), therefore, has nothing to do with the office of the Speaker,” NBA added. Questions earlier raised whether he will have the requisite toughness to negotiate the minefield that is political life in the country has come to the fore, albeit disingenuously. Now, he has deployed his newlyacquired grim stuff into negative use; meddling in the politics of another arms of government. Nigerians will continue to remember President Jonathan for a long time to come if he redirects his combative energy into terminating the nihilist Boko Haram group. Nigerians are not so sure Mr president is truly committed to routing the Boko Haram militia. E v i d e n t l y, t h e y c o u l d n o t comprehend what drives their leader to Burkina-Faso to contrive a truce between the military and the toppled Blaise Campaore after 27 years on the saddle at a time his country is being dynamited by Boko Haram insurgents. President Jonathan’s promise of: “We will fight corruption!” is not in consonant with his past. Mr. Jonathan, who eventually succeeded
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Osun Defender Saturday, November
Collection Of APC Intention Form By Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi Representing Ifelodun Federal Constituency.
•(L-R) Hon Ajibola Famurewa; Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi, receiving the Intention Form from Hon. Rasak Salensile, the State of Osun APC secretary.
•Hon Ajayi surrounded by the APC local government executive members from Boripe, Odo-Otin and Ifelodun.
•The supporters of Hon. Ajayi at the premises of the party secretariat.
•Hon. Ajayi cheering his supporters who accompanied him to the party secretariat.
www.osundefender.org Saturday, NOVEMBER 15, 2014
t long last, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has declared his interest to recontest for the Presidency. It did not come to many as a surprise because according to him after consulting with his immediate family, he had decided to accept the clarion call by Nigerians for him to contest again. Last Tuesday, November 11th, at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Jonathan made a declaration for the 2015 Presidential Election. Who are the Nigerians clamouring for Jonathan to continue? Given his performance as elected president for the almost four years, does he deserve to continue? The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) have used the electronic media both radio and television to preach the gospel of Jonathan. To them he is best man suited for the job. His unparallel achievements according to them, place him in a better stead to steer the ship of the nation for another four years. The print media were not left out. Newspapers and magazines were selling the message of the president. The octopus called the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made things easier given him first refusal option. The other two candidates, Dr Tafawa Balewa and one Professor Akasoba Duke- Abiola were only interested in getting their names popular with the decision to take the Expression of Interest forms for the presidential ticket of the PDP. As it a tradition with the presidential system, a sitting chief executive is always given first refusal option, except he is not interested. This mechanism makes it difficult to change an unpopular or a less-performing chief executive. This makes a party to lose an office rather than win with another candidate that is popular. How does the average Nigerian sees his president? In the eyes of the average person, President Jonathan has performed below expectation. The president cannot muster more than forty percent mark at best. Taking some fundamental indices in the economy, the abysmal performance becomes very glaring. Security is one of the major reasons why government is in place. The war against the insurgents has not been fought with the needed vigour it required. Our intelligent agencies could not do much till A
THE
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Audacious Exploit with Murtala Agboola Tel: 0806-119-7897 E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com
Now That President Jonathan Has Declared
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the activities of these band of terrorists festered for so long. The war itself needed more tactics and innovative ideas to prosecute. A lot of lives have been lost while some female-students kidnapped over 200 days have been in the custody of these criminals. Initially, the federal government was not proactive, else the evil plans of these terrorists could have been nipped in the bud. For the kidnapped school girls, the First Lady; Dame Patience Jonathan doubted the veracity of the story. Later, when the reality of the situation dawned on them, it was or is too late to do something meaningful. Nigerians pray that one day these hapless kids would be liberated. There is no controversy over the fact that under the Jonathan presidency many Nigerians have
met their untimely death in peace time. As the Commander-In-chief of the Armed Forces, the President ought have done more. Anyway can we blame him, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Barde has lost him home town, Mubi, in Adamawa State to the insurgents. Barde denied news report that helicopter was used to evacuate his family members from his personal residence in Mubi. If the terrorists are so daring and bold enough to destroy the mansion of the Chief of Defence staff, then ordinary Nigerians should be watchful. Besides, the insurgents once took their fight to the Police Headquarters in Abuja when the then Inspector General of police threatened to deal with them. The President claims as part of his unparallel achievement, the
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re-basing of the Gross Domestic Product (economy,) which now makes Nigeria the biggest economy on the continent. In theory that might be true, but in reality it is doubtful whether the impact has been felt by the ordinary people. There is a strong disconnect between what people read in the newspapers and what the true situation is. The unemployment situation in the country is alarming and something serious should be done very fast. It is a time-bomb waiting to go off if urgent steps are not taking to curb it. Now that the President has declared his intention to re-contest, his media managers should allow him to face Nigerians in a public debate together with other presidential candidates. It would be recalled that in the 2011 presidential election debate among the candidates, only President Jonathan refrained from taking part in the one conducted by the media. Later, the public-controlled organised one for Jonathan alone. Having been in power for this far, Jonathan should be able to face Nigerians and tell them his achievements and how he intends to go further. Electricity has been privatized, yet it is still inefficient. Power supply is epileptic while, consumers are inundated with crazy bills, yet the Electricity Distribution Companies are helpless. Jonathan should be prepared to meet Nigerians to tell them what he intends to do differently from what he has been doing to achieve a better result. The sycophants around him would always tell him that which would gladden his heart, but Nigerians are ready to ask questions from their leader. This time around, Jonathan should be able to convince Nigerians that he is cut out for the job without the sentiment of oh he belongs to a minority group Nigerians are interested in good governance. Sentiments and subjectivity should have no place anywhere now. Nigeria should be mobilized to get the best out of their leaders. National revenue is falling very fact, what are the policies to be put in place to ensure we have a steady source of revenue to bolster our developmental strides?
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.