Osun Defender - November 18th, 2014 Edition

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www.osundefender.org tuesday, November 18, 2014 General election season dawns inexorably upon us. It’s in the air everywhere: the flood of posters and billboards; the endless chatter of radio and television jingles. The social media is as well abuzz with activities – every day we wake up to politicians and their 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, there 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

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Front Page Comment

Pushing Democracy Forward, One Step At A Time -By Tolu Ogunlesi Elections will hold in 28 that will drop after the dust has settled. 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 nottoo-bad compensation. (You just have to love this country – nothing is ever what it seems!)

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.

Osun Governorship Election:

N50

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. Continue on pg5

Drama At Osun Tribunal As Owolade Created Confusion - See Story On Page 2

Nothing Is Working In Nigeria - Atiku - Pg 2

Why We’re Funding Community Development --PgPg29 Projects - Aregbesola •(L-R) State of Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun; former Vice-President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar and Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, during the former Vice President’s campaign visit to Osogbo, last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Monarch Woos Prospective - Pg 3 Industrialists To Invest In Ijesaland

Towards Aregbesola’s Inauguration: Osun APC Tasks Securitymen

- See Story On Page 3


osun Defender Tuesday, November 18, 2014

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Drama At Osun Tribunal As Owolade Created Confusion

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By kazeem mohammed

application, but requested for cost of N200,000 against the petitioner, while the APC counsel also requested for a cost of N400,000, arguing that the petitioner had wasted their time. At this stage, the INEC

counsel came to the rescue and suggested that the tribunal should take the documents if the petitioner was sure that they are CTC to save time and leave the parties to canvass argument against it at the final address stage.

This suggestion was taken by all parties and the petitioner was allowed to tender the Form EC8As for only 16 out of the 30 local government council areas being challenged. In the course of tendering the documents, each of

the respondents drew the attention of the tribunal to the fact that the documents are photocopies of CTC.

here was a mild drama before the State of Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday in Osogbo, as the Accord Party (AP) governorship candidate, Mr Niyi Owolade, created confusion over the documents he sought to tender before the panel. Owolade is challenging Ogboru Vs Uduaghan, the August 9, 2014 re- 2011, 2NWLR, part 1232 at election of Governor Rauf page 538, where, according Aregbesola and the All to him, the Supreme Court Progressives Congress ruled that photocopies (APC) before the Justice of CTC documents are E l i z a b e t h e I k p e j i m e - inadmissble. Apparently confused, led tribunal, while the Independent National Owolade’s counsel said if Electoral Commission he had known that such (INEC) is joined as the objection would be raised, he would have prepared for third respondent. W h i l e o p e n i n g t h e it, saying “I had thought hearing of the matter, that all the objections counsel to the petitioner, would be taken at the Mr Gordy Uche, informed address stage”. the tribunal that the He could not deny the schedule he prepared for fact that the documents the documents he intended were photocopies of CTCs, to tender, did not complete. but insisted that they were Consequently, counsel CTC. to Aregbesola, Kunle Still battling for a way A d e g o k e , c a l l e d t h e out, the petitioner’s counsel attention of the tribunal to then asked the court to the fact the schedule was grant him an adjournment the same as the one used in the case of the Peoples to sort himself out. S u b s e q u e n t l y, t h e Democratic Party (PDP) APC counsel suggested candidate, Iyiola Omisore, that the tribunal should against Aregbesola. He wondered why the adjourn till next week for petitioner was using the the petitioner’s counsel to schedule meant for 17 local sort himself out, saying: government council areas “What their petition has is •(L-R) State of Osun Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kolapo Alimi; State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi and Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) at the State in the sister case for the a terminal ailment.” He also said he would of Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal between Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Iyiola Omisore at 30 council areas being Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. challenged in the case at not be objecting to the High Court, Osogbo, last Thursday. hand. T h i s a rg u m e n t w a s corroborated by the APC counsel, Ayodele Sobayo, again and this will foster rapid “While thanking the people his administration out is By kazeem mohammed saying, the schedule was development.” of Imesi-Ile for voting for me faithfulness to promises, confusing and would create According to him: “As we for second term, you have done especially those made during overnor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf more confusion if it was Aregbesola, has said the objective of promoting prepare to begin another term this because you are convinced electioneering. followed. Aregbesola then charged communal peace and harmony is the basic reason his in office, I like to assure Imesiwe can make comforting The INEC counsel, administration has been committed to funding community Ile and Osun in general that you that r e sidents of various changes happen along various Ay o t u n d e O g u n l e y e , development projects across the state. will witness rapid development socio-economic lines. You communities in the state to work together with themselves subsequently suggested He spoke on Saturday while delivering his address at the 2014 in terms of infrastructural will not be disappointed. Day celebration, Senior Special Assistant development like roads and that the petitioners’ counsel Imesi-Ile “Much more than you and government, saying it is held at Imesi-Ile, Obokun should be allowed to go Local Government Council o n C o m m u n i t y F o r u m , many others. witnessed in our first term, through this that the scope of Oyintiloye, “There will be jobs for the there will be greater progress life-enriching development and make amendment into Area of the state, saying his Olatunbosun the governor said: “The unemployed. The high school in the life of our second term could be broadened. the schedule, so that the administration would work greatness of Osun is the sum This, according to him, under construction here would process could be sped up. harder and reach out more to of the greatness of all its be completed for the use of of office,” he assured. should include citizens’ The governor assured that It was based on this that improve the human condition communities”, adding, “if we our children. No child from faithfulness to paying taxes Owolade’s counsel applied in every way possible at the improve on the infrastructure this town will be denied their he was not making empty and supporting government promises, but rather they for stand down for five grassroots level. here, there will be no need for rights to quality education in a would be fulfilled, adding in every way, noting, “this R e p r e s e n t e d b y h i s youths to migrate to big cities conducive environment. hours to enable him put that one thing that stands implies that all of us in this town must be ready always his house in order and the to contribute whatever we application was granted. can and in any capacity to the When the tribunal development of Imesi-Ile.” resumed from break, Uche “You can see by our that we are going to support He then charged the By kehinde ayantunji then sought to tender form c o n d u c t s , o u r p a r t y our national leaders in the people of the community to igerian former Vice-President and presidential programmes, the way we party, who have determined see the occasion as another EC8A for Ayedaade Local aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji relate and resolve issues, the to effect a change in Nigeria. opportunity to increase their Government Council Area, Atiku Abubakar, stated on Thursday that every current trend of unity in the We have done it in the past. depth of harmonious and but the in the course of In 2011, PDP was defeated peaceful coexistence. perusing the documents, sector in Nigeria is falling as a result of poor leadership. party is very obvious.” He all said APC is to outsupport to rescue the country from doom and in Osun during presidential The Deputy Governor of urged Nigerians Speaking, the Owa-Ooye the INEC lawyer observed general impression that past State of Osun, Otunba election out of the six states of Imesi-Ile, Oba Enoch that the document were the progressive intervention leaders are also responsible the the party during the 2015 f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a l (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye- in the South West. We are Akinyemi, charged the sons n o t c e r t i f i e d b y t h e of going to do that again as and daughters of the ancient general elections. c h a l l e n g e s f a c i n g t h e Tomori, who received Atiku commission. The former Vice President, country, saying development on behalf of the governor, the most democratic state in town to ensure that there is love The counsel, Ogunleye who was in Osun for an is a continuous process and commended the former Vice Nigeria.” among them and contribute to A l s o s p e a k i n g , t h e the development of the town. said: “My lords, I can interactive section with party every leader must be held President and other APC The National President, c o n f i r m t h a t t h e s e leaders ahead of the APC responsible for his reign in national leaders for their State Commissioner for resolute to effect change in Information and Strategy, I m e s i - I l e P r o g r e s s i v e d o c u m e n t s w e r e n o t presidential primary, said this power. political system. Mr Sunday Akere, said the A s s o c i a t i o n ( I P A ) , M r certified by INEC and I am in Osogbo during a courtesy According to him: “I theLnation’s a o y e - To m o r i s a i d : people of Osun will at all worried. There was never visit to the governor of the don’t think we should blame “I commend you for the times reject PDP at any B a b a l o l a F a s e s i n , a l s o of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf the past leaders, as nation called for unity and peaceful a time they applied to us State concern all of you have to election and assured Atiku coexistence among the people Aregbesola, in his office. building is a continuous for the certification of the Atiku said: “Everything process. No single leader develop and advance this of the state support for the to take the town to a greater documents. in Nigeria is not working w i l l c o m p l e t e n a t i o n country. Presently, the presidential aspirant chosen height. “Your lordship ordered as expected. If all is well, building, even in advanced nation is wobbling on the by the party leadership. that the CTC documents we would have relaxed or developed countries. So, sea of insecurity, economy should be tendered from the and be watching but all you cannot continue to blame uncertainty and all those woes that are befalling bar, but the documents my is not well. Absolutely, past leaders.” in recent times. A is working. Talk of A t i k u s a i d a l l t h e Nigeria learned friend is seeking nothing education, health, security, presidential aspirants in APC situation where over 200 to tender are photocopies infrastructure, transportation students are held captives for of CTC, which are not among others, nothing is have resolved to support months and another 50 were whoever the party picks in killed in cold blood, is very admissible in law”. working.” the interest of Nigeria. unfortunate.” He cited the case of He deferred from the

Why We’re Funding Community Development Projects - Aregbesola

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Nothing Is Working In Nigeria - Atiku

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“I can boldly assure you


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Osun Defender Tuesday, November 18,

Monarch Woos Prospective Industrialists To Invest In Ijesaland

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ocal and foreign investors have been assured of full cooperation of the people of Ijesaland in the provision of conducive and investor-friendly atmosphere in the quest for the industrialisation of the area. The Owa Obokun Adimula and Ijesaland cannot be an and paramount ruler of exception to such laudable Ijesaland, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel schemes as practised the A d e k u n l e A r o m o l a r a n , world over.” The Special Guest of stated this at a summit on industrialisation of Ijesaland Honour at the event, Ogbeni organised by the Ijesaland Rauf Aregbesola, who was Development Association represented by the State (IDF) held at the IBIS Hotel, Commissioner for Commerce and Industries in the State of Ikeja on Tuesday. Ijesaland, the monarch Osun, Mr. Jayeoba Alagbada, said, is blessed with abundant declared that there can be human and mineral resources, no meaningful development waiting to be tapped by without industrialisation. The serious prospective investors government of the State of with feasible and workable Osun, Aregbesola, said has proposals that are based on been people-oriented and has also embarked on the facts and figures. A c c o r d i n g t o O b a development of infrastructure Aromolaran: “We are in that will aid development and a capitalist society, where bring unprecedented growth everybody strives to survive to the state’s economy in all by exploiting every God- ramifications. “Being a landlocked state given potential to the fullest a n d t h e r e f o r e , s i n c e r e sharing boundary with six investors must be given equal other states of the federation, opportunities to contribute the State of Osun is in pole to the development of their position to take advantage i m m e d i a t e e n v i r o n m e n t of the unique situation, as

manifested by the dynamism and raw energy being exerted by the present administration led by Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, which has been widely acclaimed both at home and abroad. He then appealed to the people to contribute and take a cue from the initiative of the IDF by embarking on drives that would enhance the economy of the state. The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Tunde Awobiyi, Fellow, Nigeria Guild of Editors (FNGE) in his own s p eech , co mmen d ed th e organisers of the event for launching the timely drive to harness the abundant economic potentials for the area to regain its pre-eminent position as the industrial gateway to the Eastern Yorubaland. He also enjoined all to hearken to the clarion call from the association and rally round the IDF team for the industrial renaissance in Ijesaland. According to the President of IDF, Engineer Dideolu Falobi, (FNSE) the foundation,

the entertainment and sports industry, as well as support for the giant strides being taken by the incumbent governor of the state. According to him, the people of Ijesaland are in dire need of a leader that would ensure a rejuvenated and prosperous Ijesaland, as exemplified by the incumbent governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. One of the major highlights of the event was a lecture titled: ‘Industrialisation of Ijesaland: Prospects and Opportunities’ delivered by Patriot Ayo Fatubarin, of Joseph Ayo

Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State. Another major highpoint was the investiture of Oba Adekunle Aromolaran as the Grand Patron of the IDF. Dignitaries present on the occasion included Professor Duro Oni, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Chief Olu Falomo, Professor Dosu Ojengbede of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Mr Awomolo of Alumaco among others.

he All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun has called on security services within the state to beef up their presence in heightened alert to forestall violence that some people are reported to be planning in order to create chaos in the state capital ahead of the swearing-in ceremony for the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, coming up later this month Information making the rounds from events at the State Governorship Election Tribunal in Osogbo spoke of some suspicious movements which created security concern amongst spectators and party supporters. According to information from usually reliable sources, some political elements are planning to use the tribunal venue as the starting point for confusion that will run into the inauguration ceremony of Ogbeni Aregbesola slated for November 27, in an attempt to abort the ceremony. To assist in ensuring that

the existing peace in the state is not disturbed in any way, henceforth security operatives posted to the tribunal should check all vehicles coming to the premises of the High Court (venue of the sitting of the tribunal) without exception. This will help check the plans of these unscrupulous human beings who go about bragging that there is nothing they cannot bring to the venue as no security operative can stop their vehicle for checking. The APC is therefore, calling on the security forces to stay alert to nip such evil plan in the bud. Osun is peaceful and the security forces have a duty to keep it peaceful, the Osun APC remarked.

which comprises professional Ijesa sons and daughters of diverse backgrounds, was established with the vision to transform Ijesaland into a modern industrialised community with high quality of social, economical, medical and scholarly life co-existing in peace, unity and love. Falobi also tasked his fellow indigenes on issues that are germane to sustainable overall development of Ijesaland, which include mentoring the young ones, ensuring peace and unity among themselves, development of

Towards Aregbesola’s Inauguration: Osun APC Tasks Securitymen

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Two Docked For Stealing Die-

•Hon. Lawrence Ayeni, displaying his Expression of Interest form to his supporters at the State of Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat, Osogbo, recently.

T ‘Oriade LG Is Witnessing Presence Of Govt For The First Time’

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By Tolulope Agbaje

Our women are employed for the Osun school feeding programme. Our school children eat free lunch in school and that has brought the attendance of school children up in Oriade. “We now have good health centres and the health of our children is improving because they eat good food, fruits, eggs, fish, chicken in their schools and they also live in clean environment.”

overnor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun has been commended by the people of Oriade Local Government Council Area of the state for the infrastructural development being witnessed across the area. A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Olagoke Ajayi, who is aspiring the network of roads being to represent Oriade State constructed in the council area Constituency at the State House are superb. Majority of our of Assembly, said Aregbesola roads have been tarred with has delivered good governance good and standard drainage. “Oriade is benefiting from to Oriade people. According to Ajayi, Oriade the modern schools being is witnessing the presence of constructed across the state. government for the first time in the history of the council area, saying that the people never had it so good like under Aregbesola’s administration. he economy of the State of Osun has continued to match He stated that the people of forward in all fronts, in spite of the poor state of the the constituency would forever national economy. This is as a result of the prudent be grateful to the governor for financial engineering introduced into the system by the present the long overdue development administration in the state. that he brought to the place in The governor of the State of global economy is facing huge spite of the paucity of funds in Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, challenges but in the State of Osun, the state. The aspirant said: “Oriade, stated this at the 2014 Lagos the economic ship has remained as a council area, has just felt International Trade Fair, held at afloat through divine providence and the sagacity, ingenuity and the presence of government. the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. Speaking through the State immense resource management I have gone round the local government council area and Commissioner for Commerce, adopted by his administration. The trade fair with the theme: I can say categorically and Industry, Cooperatives and objectively that things have Empowerment, Mr. Ismaila Promoting the Nigerian Economy Jayeoba-Alagbada, the governor as a Preferred Investment changed for good. “If you start from roads, said it is an open secret that the Destination” is to engender Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial

Ajayi said he was aspiring to represent the people of Oriade in the State House of Assembly, to press further for their demands in the state, saying that the people deserved a representative that will listen to their voices and table it before the executive.

By shina abubakar

wo male suspects, Oladipo Yinka, 40, and Ogundijo Akinsanjo, 30, have been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing from Slava Yeditepe Construction Company Site in Osogbo. The charge sheet read in same to be a stolen property. According to the charge, the court disclosed that the suspects conspired to steal the offence is contrary to three 30 litres Jerry Cans of Section 516 and 384 of the diesel, each value N14,500, criminal code cap: 34 laws property of Slava Yeditepe of Osun 2003. According to the police Construction Company, contrary to section 516 of prosecutor, Fagboyinbo Abiodun, the accused the stated criminal law. It added that the suspects persons committed the also were in possession of a offence on January 25, mini-bus vehicle ‘Korope’ 2014 at Slava Yeditepe with registration number Construction Company Site, GNN 335XA, knowing the Africa Area of Osogbo, adding that the offence was contrary and punishable under section 390 the State number of industrial investors, Criminal Law of 2003 who had indicated their intention Defence counsel, Mr to establish their businesses in Henry Odunayo, applied the state. The commissioner therefore, for the bail of the accused on behalf of the governor, persons in most liberal congratulated the Lagos Chamber terms, assuring the court of Commerce and Industry for that they will not jump bail another successful fair. if granted. He later assured them of Osun The presiding magistrate, cooperation in all efforts to place Mr Olusola Aluko, granted Nigeria and her constituent states on a path of sustainable economic the accused persons bail in the sum of N20,000 each and development. one surety each. Aluko then adjourned the case till November 24, 2014 for mention.

Despite Poor National Economy, Aregbesola Scores Osun Economy High

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nerve centre, global operators in commerce and industry to impact our national economy positively. The governor stressed that the present administration has provided some facilities such as construction and rehabilitation of roads, establishment of a midregional market, tagged O-Hub at Dagbolu, rehabilitation and modernization of the old Railway Station, establishment of modern and international markets to sustain commercial, industrial and overall economic development. He further stated that the efforts of the state government in the area of industrial promotion is yielding fruitful results, as there have been an upsurge in the


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osun Defender Tuesday, November

Pushing Democracy Forward, One Step At A Time -By Tolu Ogunlesi Continued from pg1

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 Ga-

briel 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 three-month 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 thug-enforced 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 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.

Aregbesola’s Political Foes Should Repent

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ooting i s a startup sequence that starts the operating system of a c o m p u t e r, w h e n i t i s turned on. And like in the computer world, the good people of Osun started up another term of increasing development in the state, when they returned Aregbesola on August 9, 2014. Since then, the ‘operating system’ has started booting; and by God’s grace, the first window- its desktop, will unveil in a few days. By God’s grace, this will definitely happen despite the hues of Senator Iyiola Omisore and his folks and the good governance will run till 2018. As the inauguration draws even nearer, we thank God, who has continued to prove Himself as the only perfect entity. He said yes to prayers of the

elderly, the young and all lovers of truth, who prayed that forces of darkness be shammed. God said ‘Yes’... and we are confident that He would never say ‘No’. This conviction lies in His promise that He would not reverse His glory upon a man in as much as a man does not turn back from His

ways. That is what Osun people and good people everywhere prayed for. We are also confident that after the swearing-in, and another leg of good governance commences, every need and requisite to make life even more abundant will come plenty to our land of the Virtuous. Having come this far, it

is not out of place to call on the agrieved souls to repent from their plot to plunder the happiness of Osun. They need to repent; especially because their plot has failed from conception. God loves a man that repents from his bad mind. He admits him into His reverence. Thence,

He grants them wisdom and chances they never ever imagine can be theirs. “The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching.” (Joseph Smith, Jr.). I always remember that Governor Rauf Aregbesola

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?

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 anti-APC 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 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.

would tell whoever cares to listen that he didn’t just venture into coming to preside over the affairs of the State of Osun. It was divine. He was inspired because he prayed to God. And when his prayers were eventually answered, good people continue to pray for him; especially the old mothers; men of God too. They all so do because they read God in Rauf. They believe that his advent was a delibrate plan of God. Aregbesola’s advent is no mistake. “I believe nothing happens by mistake. You know, the universe has a divine plan. That sounds dramatic”Lana Del Rey. • A d e b a y o Rasheed Mabayoje, Osogbo, State of Osun.

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G i a n t osun Defender Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Aregbesola’s Mid-Term Assessment Report:

Landmarks Of Excellence Barely a fortnight to the inauguration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for second term in office, the series of commemorative editions continues. The entire package is a mixed-grill of assortments. Without mincing words, the first four years of the Aregbesola administration have been event-filled; with lots of accomplishments. NIYI OLASINDE devotes this edition to documenting more and more of the ground-breaking achievements of the administration.

•The newly-commissioned ultra-modern school building of St. Stephen’s ‘B’ Middle School, Modakeke, State of Osun.


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•An aerial view of Baptist Elementary Central School, Ilare, Ile-Ife, State of Osun, commissioned by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola sometime ago.

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Continued from last week. AST week edition closed with promises to publish a reminder of the depth of rot, decay, negligence and decrepit state of facilities and infrastructure witnessed in the Education Sub-sector of the state during the years preceding the coming on board of the Aregbesola administration into the reins of power, service and governance. People can tell lies; some can forget so soon; but records cannot deceive us all. We therefore wish to recapture the unsavoury situation by bringing back some of the pictures of that odd past era, so as to substantiate our claims and justify the achievements recorded for the Aregbesola administration in its re-engineering efforts. We challenge our numerous readers to cast their minds back to the old glorious era when education was the pride of the South-West geopolitical zone of the federation called Nigeria. It is the genuine and well-directed activities and concerted efforts of our forebears, our illustrious ancestors that earned us the topmost ranking of the most educationally advanced region of the country. Then, at that time, parents committed fortunes of their hard-earned resources to get the best quality education for their wards. And the quality was greatly assured; in all its ramifications. The teachers, textbooks, notebooks, instructional materials and reaching aids and infrastructure – all were present in adequate quantity and quality. As we found it, so we fondly remember it! The teacher-training programmes of those days were simply superb. Though the syllabuses and curricula of those olden times later came under serious criticisms as being alien in nature, bookish and cumbersome in their contents and colonial (imperialist) in their thrust, aims and goals; they are today proven as not only adequate but also complete in producing the total man, well educated and morally wellshaped. The teaching-learning environment was conducive and well-enabling for aiding effective learning. In the classrooms, the teacher-pupil ratio was properly planned. The out-of-class environment was friendly, well-kempt and beautiful. The person of the teacher and that of the pupil was given priority in terms of decency in dressing, appearance, neatness and personal hygiene. It was indeed a glorious era. The essence of tracing this background shall soon come to fore when we begin to underscore the devastation we witnessed in the years of decay. During the years immediately preceding the coming on board of the incumbent administration in the State of Osun, it was claimed that the kind of education provided was free, qualitative and functional. But what operated in actuality and its product negated and falsified this claim. Education was claimed to be free; yet parents were made to pay exorbitantly for it through their noses! It was claimed to be qualitative; yet what was being paid exorbitantly for was substandard and offered disservice to its products, their parents and the entire society. At the end of the day, none of the parties went scotfree. A case of adding salt to injury! Our school environment became grossly unkempt and untidy. We were never tired of exposing these odd situations at all levels of education in the state. Students and pupils were made to take farm implements to school almost on session-by-session basis;

while actually no meaningful farming or clearing activities took place in schools. Anyone who is in doubt of the true situation of public schools’ infrastructure is advised to approach the offices of the State of Osun Schools’ Infrastructure Development Committee (O’ SCHOOLS); as it was the committee that collated the statistics of haphazard structures in public schools as part of its very first set of assignments upon inauguration. But we shall do our own bit of duty in reminding readers of the true state of infrastructure inherited from the ousted administration in the state. The condition of infrastructure in schools was horrible, distasteful and terrible. Most school buildings, legacies of the earlier better eras were dilapidated due to a combination of old age and poor maintenance culture. What became of the annual running grants of the time could not be far-fetched. It was a downward extension of the depth of corruption, subterfuge and profligacy perpetrated at the peak of leadership in the state. We also remember that the schools that were initially outcome of community or missionary (Christian and Muslim) efforts had been taken over by government right from the mid-1970s; say precisely, September, 1975.. This development, which was initially well-intentioned, became a misfortune due to the fact that governance became profane, desecrated and ridiculed. The just-concluded series of OSUN DEFENDER Magazine edition featured many picture slots of dilapidated structures which were then ugly features of our schools. Most of the school structures which the immediate past administration bragged to have provided, and which execution and official commissioning gulped huge amount of money; with official commissioning done with fanfare, pomp and pageantry, turned out to be death traps. No sooner were they completed than they started giving the most dangerous signs of imminent collapse. Remember the haphazardly executed structure on the campus of the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa. The project was expected to be a lecture theatre, designed and constructed to house several tens of students at a go. What a mass killer those trap would have proven in the hands of the ritualistic, sit-tight power-hungry elements that held sway of those days! It took the perpetual vigilance of our eagle-eyed reporters and the ever-resilient and irrepressible nature of Great Nigerian Students to effect timely identification of impending doom; and that forestalled the doom; saving the lives of our teeming promising youths (the greater tomorrows) thereby. The main intent of the sacked People’s Democratic Party (PDP) power hijackers in the state was to get their members, admirers, supporters, boot-lickers and cronies inordinately enriched. That fact could be the most reasonable and rationally justifiable reason why a government that prided itself as Ore Ara Ilu (People-Friendly Government) should defy all procedures and tenet of due process in the award of most of its contracts. That was why a carpenter’s job was being awarded to a plumber! In most cases, the lion’s share of the contract sum would have gone into the coffers of party stalwarts and other functionaries of the administration as settlement sums as kickbacks and percentages. The ensuing effect was that the remaining sum could not meaningfully fund the project through its various stages of execution

without tampering adversely with the project quality. The situation with school furniture was pathetic, horrible and saddening. Furniture for both teachers and students were in sorry state; and in most cases, they were simply not just there! What business do teachers and pupils have to conduct in a school where seats are missing? As a result, parents were made to bear with utmost discomfort the burden of providing chairs, desks and lockers for their wards; if they must benefit from the strange, erratic brand of free, qualitative and functional education of that time. In addition to this extra burden, various forms of unaccountable fees were indiscriminately introduced at will either centrally by the government or internally by the respective school administrators. This was why at the very inception of the incumbent administration; one of its very first steps was to stop the imposition of all forms of levy on students in the state. We also wish to recall that school fees regime at both secondary and tertiary levels in the state as of then was exorbitant to the extent that education was far-becoming unaffordable for the poor and the average. Even the rich were compelled to create preference for private schools, due to simple cost analysis couples with other factors hinging on quality decline and such others afore-mentioned. The issue of quality of instruction cannot be jettisoned simply with the wave of the hand by any serious-minded government. But that was simply what the past administration in question did. By the time it was through with its mission of plundering, practically all public schools in the state had become understaffed. Without the intention to cast aspersion on anyone, it is placed on record that the quality of teachers selected into public primary and secondary schools in those days through the various recruitment and selection exercises could not be guaranteed; and the consistently poor results of instruction on yearly basis, coupled with the abysmally low indices of performances of the candidates of the state’s origin in public examinations were clear indications to it that something was terribly wrong with quality of instruction. In most cases, teaching was seen not as a vital social service infrastructure under the ousted administration. It was considered as the dumping ground for all categories of scholarship-bankrupt and academic liabilities; so far they could avow their loyalty to the ruling party or pay the price for the job slot or both. In a nutshell, the recruitment selection exercises of that era were marred with gross misconduct and irregularities. They were fraught with scams of malpractices. No doubt, all classes of lower academic qualifications could be found on the teaching roll of every public school at all levels. All manners of unacceptable standard of managing quality education were the order of the day. It was not the concern of that administration to prepare the society’s youth adequately for bracing up competently with the increasing

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4th Matriculation And Graduation For Empowerment Scheme, Organized By Hon. Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni, Held At The Civic Centre, Owa Obokun’s Palace, Ilesa, State Of Osun, Recently. Photo. ADERINTO OLUSHOLA

•A cross section of sewing machines that were distributed to the grandands during the programme.

•His Royal Majesty, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland and Paramount Ruler Of Ijesaland in a discussion with Hon. Ayeni, Chairman, Ayeni Foundation after the programme.

•Another cross section of hair dryers that were distributed to the grandaunt during the programme


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Former Vice-President Of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar, Visited Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•(L-R) Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; former All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Osun, Elder Lowo Adebiyi and Senator Muhammed Ugari at the event.

•(L-R) Special Adviser to State of Osun Governor on Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Honourable Biyi Odunlade; State of Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, •Some of the Atiku aides at the event. Honourable Sunday Akere and Otunba Oluwole Fasawe.

•A cross section of APC members at the event.


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Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Over The August 9 Election Between The Governor, State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola And PDP Candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, At The High Court, Osogbo, Last Tuesday And Wednesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•(L-R) Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN); Chiefs F.O. Fagboungbe (SAN) and Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) all lawyers for Governor Rauf Aregbesola and All Progressive Congress (APC).

•A cross section of lawyers at the tribunal.

•A cross section of newsmen, securitymen and lawyers at the court premises after the sitting.


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L andmark s O f Exce lle nce Continued from page 6

challenges of the ever-dynamic contemporary world. We have once clarified that the degree of difference between the helmsman of that administration and Aregbesola; their mission in governance, their motives, drive, mindset and attitude to genuine people-oriented service cannot match, since the latter possesses doses of these attributes in larger magnitude than the former. We also have reflected that in the opinion of the former, education should be made the exclusive preserve of the rich, the high and the mighty. He made this declaration loud and clear during one episode of his monthly audience-participation propaganda programme, entitled Gbagede Oro. In his response to a particular question bordering on the high school fees regime introduced by his administration, the retired General pronounced that whoever demands quality education for his ward must be prepared to spend exorbitantly. He corroborated this stand with a popular Yoruba proverb that runs: “Obe t’o dun; owo l’o pa a”, meaning, sumptuous stew requires lavish spending. To Aregbesola, education should be genuinely free for all without any blinkers, discrimination or deprivation; such that its free nature must not tamper adversely with its functionality and its quality. To Oyinlola, public schools, of which he was all along a beneficiary should be killed outright; or rather should have their doors shut forever for all he cares! This adamant position came out during another in the long list of episodes of the programme referred to above. In his response to whether teachers wage demand should not be met to forestall an impending industrial action and its attendant problems; Oyinlola shrugged in defiance and blatantly told then teachers to proceed on strike, so far they did not forget to lock up doors of the schools and get the door keys submitted to appropriate quarters and offices! In his own vein, Aregbesola views education at the public schools as a cherished legacy that must be jealously preserved and profoundly enriched. To this man of action, his position as the incumbent helmsman of the state places upon his shoulders the onerous responsibility of being proprietor to all public schools in the state. While wishing proprietors of privately-owned institutions well, he made it boldly clear that he would not hold back any means at his disposal and that of the state to rekindle the dwindling fortunes of public schools in the state, so that together with their private counterparts they shall function and cooperate to revive and revamp the lost glory of the education sector in the State of Osun in particular, and Nigeria as a whole. So it is a whole lot of difference, hinged on attitude and disposition; coupled with the afore-mentioned components of mission in governance, motives, drive, mindset and attitude! Our next point of duty is giving priority consideration to the environment in which teaching-learning activities took place. The environment is here considered in terms of its suitability, befitting status,, sanitation and hygiene. This vital sub-sector is of high essence if lasting health and well-being are desirable anywhere. This is because a healthy mind resides in a healthy body, which is in turn domiciled in a clean, healthy environment. In the past, Osun was a victim of a grossly degraded environment; with incidents of pollution and indiscriminate refuse disposal being very rampant. This ugly situation by extension, took its tolls on our public schools. We cast our minds back to the ugly

•Another recently-commisssioned road in Ilesa.

sights of the past, the perennial flooding and erosion that threatened the residents of the state with extinction and the undulating terrains which our roads had been turned into. We remember in particular the flood of July7, 2010; which inflicted serious damages of incalculable value on people in Osogbo and other parts of the state; and in which many lives and inestimable property perished. We remember similar incidents which occurred in earlier years during the time of the immediate past administration. We remember those terrible stenches occasioned by huge refuse heaps which dotted our streets; even within the metropolis of Osogbo, the state capital. We remember the pollution that continuously characterized the adjoining communities to the State Hospital, Asubiaro; where mortuary pollution nearly made the people prone to attendant dangers of epidemics. We remember how carcasses of animals and even corpses of lunatics simply littered the streets and were watched to complete processes of decomposition there without proper disposal or burial, thereby threatening the health and good living of the people. The list is long indeed! Specifically in reference to the decay in the public education sub-sector, we remind readers of how our schools were turned into refuse-dumping grounds and public toilets. It is only recently that the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is turning things around positively for our public schools and for the prospects of their pupils and students. The nefarious activities of hemp smokers, hoodlums and criminally inclined miscreants who used our public school buildings as hideouts thrived under the close watch and supervision of that ousted administration. As a matter of fact, the Government of the State of Osun of today still has the big task of combating hooliganism and gangsterism among students. In today’s State of Osun, there are confirmed incidences of pockets of violence and mayhem, obviously orchestrated by the captors of yesteryears – the brood of “do or die politicians” in the drowning People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Today, the Aregbesola administration has made all these ugly sights and smells a banished outcast that no one dare harbor in our midst. Right from the inception of his administration, Aregbesola took the bull by the horns when he declared a 90-day emergency on environmental sanitation. He took the decisive step of introducing bi-monthly and weekly environmental sanitation exercises as the case may be to execute rapid transformation of our towns and cities into decent places of abode for healthy individuals, and to sustain the culture of cleanliness, which, according to sages, is next to Godliness. Today, sanitation and safe health practices have so much become internalized in the lives of our people that clean environment has become their creed. What this implies is that people now troop out en masse to observe sanitation willingly without being coerced or instigated. People now abide by simple laws of decent refuse disposal, a feat hitherto considered unrealizable by pessimists! By extension, this innovation has worked wonders in our schools. At the appropriate segment of this write up, specific references shall be drawn to the impact of the sanitation / hygiene drive of the incumbent administration on our public schools system. For now, let us dwell a little on the events, activities and developments which served as antecedents to the ongoing redesigning, reorganization and reclassification exercise; which we roll out this series to laud and celebrate.

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HE recent efforts of the incumbent administration in the State of Osun at bringing back the long-lost pride and glory in the Education sub-sector, especially in the public domain now attracts our attention. The efforts of the administration, which kick-started with the introduction of free, functional and qualitative education upon the ascension of the administration barely four years ago, had metamorphosed into the introduction of free school uniforms to pupils and students at all levels up to Senior Secondary three, free school feeding programme for pupils up to Primary Four in the elementary rung of the school ladder under the State of Osun Schools Free Feeding and Health Programme (O’ Meals) and had culminated into capital intensive programmes such as the State of Osun Schools Infrastructure Development Programme (O’ SCHOOLS) and the introduction of the broad-based jet-age instructional support package, the Tablet of Knowledge, known in our tongue as Opon Imo. This is not to talk of other programmes like the Osun Schools Calisthenics and the drastic increase in the subvention and grants to our schools. Also in addition are the massive recruitment and selection / placement of qualified, competent and experienced teachers into the system. All the foregoing are undoubtedly laudable pluses for any administration anywhere, especially in the face of the present spate of rot and decay witnessed in the sub-sector in this part of the globe. The most recent of all is the ongoing schools reclassification programme. For its relentless auspicious and invaluable efforts, the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has become the envy of other states, especially the adjoining ones from which battalions of students cross daily to reap the benefits of good, sound academic and moral instruction. In spite of all these innovative intervention efforts which have so far impacted positive turnaround in the terrain of public education in the state, there still subsists a reasonably large cross section of people and residents, who are yet to see, recognize or appreciate the good works of the administration in the afore-mentioned regards. Most unjustly and ingratuitiously criticized of all these laudable programmes is the reclassification programme, which classifies our schools into Elementary, Middle and High schools. Concerning this policy, my personal take is that even in the highest heavens, the first law is order. The classification of schools as such is even in order with the reclassification earlier carried out by the Federal Government under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and other stakeholders. Under the Federal Government reclassification, modifications were done to the 6-3-3-4 system of education which was introduced in 1987/88 academic session throughout the federation. The earlier modalities comprised for each child, six years of primary education (between the ages 6 and 11); three years of junior secondary education (ages 11 to 14); three years of senior secondary education

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•aregbesola Continued from page 12 (ages 14 to 17); and four years of tertiary education. In the schema presented above, the double three in between covers the whole range of the student’s secondary school career spanning six good years in all. In the reclassification of the government at the centre, introduced in 2001/2002; and which hardly ever went beyond the demonstration stage, the six years of primary/ elementary education and the first three years of secondary education, called the junior secondary school years in the 6-3-3-4 system were joined together to form an expansive period of nine-year basic education; while the remaining three years of secondary education – the senior secondary years stand apart. As it proved, the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme presented a farce at the end of the day. The stage at which the incumbent administration met the public institutions of education in the state was such that barely was up to 5 per cent of our secondary school leavers matriculable into any institution of higher learning. The performances of candidates of the state at public examinations; be it those of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) recorded below 2 per cent of credit passes in five subjects, with the inclusion of English and Mathematics. The situation was so terrible and abysmal that the state’s ranking among the comity of states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) numbering thirty seven in all was that of a laggard. The state took the backward position in the thirties! Now that the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Aregbesola has in its wisdom resolved to fin lasting panacea to all lingering issues which had hitherto plagued the subsector, it would not only be wise and appropriate; but also complementary and supportive to give it free hand to approach the hydra-headed albatross confronting the industry head-on. In the new classification, the naming of education stages as Elementary, Middle and High schools is not entirely new. What could be new are the positive approaches and strategies; and these are necessarily so. In the new classification, the first six years of early education of the child, called the Elementary stage, comprises children of ages spanning between 6 and 11 years. The Middle School entertains products of the Elementary schools for about three years, till they reach ages about 14 years; after which they proceed to the High school. At the highest, an average student is ready, armed with brilliant academic performances evidenced by good results to proceed to his choicest tertiary institution at the age of seventeen in the maximum. The new classification, apart from removing the misfortune of bad results after the whole career of about twelve years; also seeks to make parents more alive and amenable to their God-assigned role by deemphasizing preprimary education. In our days, pre-primary education was a complete rarity. Yet students who started solid primary education at the age of six or thereabouts coped effectively

•Laoye-Tomori with the challenges of their sudden transition from home to school. Another issue which bothers the minds of genuine stakeholders is whether many of the agitators against the new classification, the teachers inclusive really have their wards in the various public schools on which these vital farreaching decisions are being taken. To me, anyone who is not a stakeholder to the extent of having a ward in the public institutions should not even contribute to; not to talk of kick against any reforms fashioned out for them. I proudly add that in our days, teachers took pride and glory in having all of their children pass through their same sphere of influence i.e. the schools where they taught. The trend today is shameful indeed! Teachers who make the loudest noise of dissent against every reform in the sector hardly have any of their children in the public schools. I am sure that if all had been well with the system, they would have had no reservation in making their children pass through the system.

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OTS and lots have been said and written on the spate of decay, rot, devastation and deterioration that befell the public sector of the education industry in the State of Osun prior to the emergence of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola in the reins of governance. Right from the years of the cankerworms; by that we mean the years of the ousted administration of Brigadier-General Olagunsoye Oyinlola (retired) in office, we had not failed in our duty to point out the degenerating trend of things in our public schools. While that oppressive tenure lasted, nothing was done to arrest the deplorable conditions of those schools, in terms of infrastructure, systems overhaul, quality control, syllabus enrichment and personnel selection strategy, This sordid situation caused the standards to decline to the extent that it became repelling for any parents or guardians to deliberately put their wards in public schools. Even teachers in those categories of schools could not muster confidence to entrust their own ward to the care of the schools, where they were supposed to be pacesetters as stakeholders in the strength of biological parenthood! What this implies in essence is that it was those who were constrained financially and who could not afford the high cost of getting their wards educated in the numerous private schools that dominated the landscape who resorted to putting their wards in these private schools. Lest we forget, these public schools were the pride of the Nigerian society during the good old days. Most of those who invested their times in office to destroy our public educational institutions were once beneficiaries of the same system, It was a clear case of someone who having ascended a tall edifice, removed the same ladder with which he climbed up with the wicked intention of preventing others from having the sweet experience of an upward journey to a higher altitude! It therefore came as a soothing relief that upon his coming on board as the Chief Executive of the State of Osun In November 2010; about four years ago; one of the first set of promises echoed and reechoed by Ogbeni Aregbesola was his avowed determination to turn the tide around positively

for education, most especially the kind that is provided in the public (government-owned) institutions in the state. According to him, he did not come to send the proprietors of private schools out of business – no! But as chief proprietor of public schools, the responsibilities which the office he occupies reposed on him behooved him to take good and adequate care of the public sector of education in the state; and our public schools and pupils / students by extension. This stance / position by a public office holder, especially in the pedigree of a governor is quite responsible, touching and worthy of emulation. On this note, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine hammers it strongly that those who aspire to step into elective public offices should imbibe this kind of attitude and mindset. Today, we write as those whose captivity is turned around. Our captivity in the State of Osun has been turned around. The governor who gave those lofty promises mentioned above; alongside those that were boldly enshrined in the Six-Point Integral Action Plan contained in his pact with the people has measured up with the tone and spirit of his promises. He has not let the people down; neither has he reneged on his pledge to bring forth a complete turnaround in the entire aspects of life of his beloved people. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine has in the last edition made reference to the relevant portions of the Six-Point Integral Action Plan contained in the Pact made by the First Omoluabi with the entire people of the state during his election campaign preceding the 2007 Gubernatorial Elections in the state. But it is here considered not to be in any way out of place to recast those relevant portions. Here we go: “My mission and ambition are to restore to the people, a state of peace, opportunity, for progress and room for the pursuit of prosperity in our time under a people friendly government. I give you Six-Point Integral Action plan, to the intent that they constitute my actions of faith concerning which I want to be held accountable at any time during my stewardship. SIX POINT INTEGRAL ACTION PLAN · Banish Poverty · Banish Hunger · Banish Unemployment (Create Work/Wealth) · Restore Healthy Living · Promote Functional Education · Enhance Communal Peace and Progress” Further in the line of drawing specific reference, we have the following: CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS “There is the need for a civil service reform that will not lead to any loss of jobs as I Rauf Aregbesola do not believe in laying people off in the name of reforms.

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Our reform will make the work environment more conductive, stimulating and development oriented. Bonuses, incentives and regular awards shall be instituted to promote a culture of excellence in the civil service along with the prompt payment of salaries, allowances, leave bonuses and year end performance bonuses. Promotions and comprehensive salary reviews and increases shall be regular. Internal and external training, work exchange programmes and overseas training shall be actively reinstituted for comprehensive human development in the civil service. New Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Cadre shall be created for Teachers in new education districts for better school administration. We shall institute Home Ownership Scheme for public servants and also support and encourage their backyard food production business ventures. We shall do a comprehensive review of civil service names and conventions as part of our efforts to create a peoplefriendly civil service. Appropriate nomenclature will enhance accountability and promote public access to the services of the ministry. A citizen with a complaint of blockage of drainage will find a Ministry of Roads and Drainages easier to identify with than Ministry of Works, a Ministry of Human Resources and Development will more appropriately communicate its services than a Ministry of Establishment.” WE now swing to the Education sub-heading of the Pact, which we quote as follows PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION Vision: Eradicate the frustration of youths caused by education that does not lead to employment. “To achieve this, the government of AC under Rauf Aregbesola shall: · Provide free education at all levels in Osun State. Focus on functional education. Education that makes one useful to himself and society. · Improve incentives to teachers and work with the NUT to restore the dignity of the teaching profession. · Restructure administration of school management and create Tutors-General (Permanent Secretary Cadre) from among Head Teachers in three Educational Districts which we will establish.\ · Fix all collapsed educational infrastructures in all the schools. · Support with modern teaching aids and wellstocked libraries. · Ensure cooperation with parents and teachers to improve discipline and morality. · Introduce non-partisan community-based governing boards for all schools. · Reduce number of students per classroom immediately.

· Introduce home development plans for teachers who wish to build houses in their home towns, through access to special mortgage packages. · Promote mass adult literacy and numeracy programmes. · Promote and support Special programmes that give special attention to education of girls and women. · Establish institutions that impart life-long skills for all, in and out of formal schooling. ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY · I am committed to ensuring that an Osun State University takes off on a sound footing and becomes a firstclass institution with linkages to renowned universities in the developed world. · I will make every tertiary institution in Osun State an independent degree-awarding one. · Encourage use of services of retired, but not tired dons and administrators, from reputable institutions.”

It is in copious and consummate pursuance of these beautiful and hope-inspiring promises contained in the SixPoint Integral Action Plan encapsulated in the Pact of the incumbent governor that he swiftly swung into action upon the restoration of his stolen mandate through the justice upheld by the courageous judges of the Federal Court of Appeal situated at Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday, November 26 2010. Since his inauguration and official assumption of duty on the next day, the state has up till now stopped to witness unprecedented accelerated progress in all spheres of life; a development which has made it the envy of all states in the country. In the area of education in particular, lots of achievements have been recorded by the Aregbesola team since inception. In our last edition, not only did we mention in passing the lineup of astonishing ground-breaking achievements recorded so far by the Government Unusual; but we also went further to state categorically that the most currently in vogue and widely misconstrued among a large cross section of residents is the ongoing reforms in the schools’ structure. The reforms popularly referred to as the State of Osun Schools’ Reclassification programme form our current focus of public enlightenment on this series of editions. The first in the lineup of efforts known in public parlances, consciously and deliberately made by the incumbent administration, aside the free, functional and qualitative education which took effect right from its very first day in office is the convening of the first ever State of Osun Education Summit. The summit, held in February 2011, was convened with the sole intent and purpose of charting a decisive and definite course for the turning around of public education at all levels of the rungs of the educational ladder in the state. Time and again, lots have been written and said in an attempt at portraying the true picture of decay and rot in the sector prior to the emergence of the Government Unusual. We are at this stage not going to procrastinate by repeating this all over. We shall however begin to take another dimension in approaching the entire concatenation of events

•A side view of the recently-commissioned Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo.

which form a build-up to the rot; the extent of the rot as at the time of the coming on board of the government of the day; the quick diagnosis of the degree and intensity of the ravaging extent of the rot; the prognosis of the right decisive steps to take to ameliorate the depth of decay as well as mitigate against a continuation of the bad trend; the prompt, timely and proactive intervention efforts taken; and the progress made so far. To these numerous tasks shall OSUN DEFENDER Magazine now proceed. We shall thereafter proceed to give perusal to the Schools’ Reclassification programme of the incumbent administration and its multiple dimensions of benefits to all and sundry in the State of Osun. PRIOR to the emergence of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola and his team on the saddle of leadership, governance and service in the State of Osun, the entire sectors of life in the state were riddled with innumerable crises of seemingly insurmountable magnitude. As a matter of fact, the terrain of the time was replete with abounding evidences that the education sub-sector of the Social Services Sector of the economy of our state stood as the most terribly bedeviled; being adversely devastated and most critically ill. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine casts a retrospective glance at its numerous revealing editions of the time, which were totally committed to unraveling the depth, extent, gravity and intensity of devastation, rot, abandonment and negligence which befell the all-important sub-sector as the period of fiery siege mounted by the captors of the time; the bandits of the conservative People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rolled by. We need to sound a reminder note that while that fiery siege of the Oyinlola years lasted; our medium never compromised its avowed stand of confronting and criticizing the oppressive policies of the time which nearly snuffed life out of all sectors of life in the state. Measured by all known standards, it became confirmed beyond all reasonable doubts that there was hardly any other single sector or sub-sector in the state which suffered blows as terrible, palpable and debilitating as did the education industry. As at the time of coming on board of the Rauf Aregbesola administration over the reins of power, governance and service in the State of Osun, it appeared that the public sector of the state’s education industry was heading for the rocks. It had nosed-dived and degenerated so much that government could no longer find its foot to stand the competition poised by the huge and ample presence of private investors at all rungs of the ladder within the industry. Readers are here reminded of the ugly rot of that time as showcased in our series of editions. It is for this selfsame purpose of sounding a reminder that this edition had in the first part, brought back to sight the sorry, sordid, gory and horrible sights which called for urgent emergency and intervention which the purposeful, focused and foresighted administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola came to provide.

Continued on page 13


magazine

13

Osun Defender Tuesday, November

Landmarks Of Excellence

•A newly-constructed road at Oroki Housing Estate, Osogbo. Continued from page 12 Barely 100 days into the administration of the progressive Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of the time, now the All Progressive Congress (APC), the very first decisive steps in the right direction for turning the tide around in favour of revamping the dwindling fortunes of education in the state, were made. Long before that solution hour, the desiring hearts of progress-loving indigenes and residents had panted continuously for positive changes that would set the state back on course of its old glory of excellence in academics and scholarship. As at that time, records and visible evidences had begun to prove that it had become a case of clear impossibility for the state to have above 2 per cent five credit passes for its candidates presented annually for public external examinations, i.e. the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSSCE) as organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC); and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) as conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO). The foregoing, by implication, stands to reason that it was fast-becoming difficult for the state to assert itself among the comity of states in the federation of Nigeria in filing up its admission quotas in federal institutions of higher learning. This, by extension, implies that it was becoming what could be likened to the Biblical case of a camel passing through the eye of the needle for the state’s school leavers to scuttle through the rigors of the “almighty” Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). As if to add salt to injury, the government-sponsored free enrolment policy for school certificate students of public secondary institutions which the defunct Oyinlola administration paraded as the prime of its acclaimed free education programme ended up in a farce! This was as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) withheld the results of the state’s public schools candidates for the 2009/2010 outing of the examinations. The reason for this step was not remote to discern: The Oyinlola administration defaulted in its financial obligation to pay up for the entry of its students for the examinations! As a matter of fact, one of the first numerous shockers which the new administration had to muster and grapple with upon assumption of office was having to pay up for an examination it did not enter students for; more so, when the results of students in the examination were consistently poor, constituting disappointment and embarrassment thereby. All through the entire years of the immediate past administration, which at best could be described as years of the holocaust, education in the State of Osun suffered a terrible setback; not only in terms of poor quality of results and feedback, but also in terms of what went into it i.e. funding, staffing, materials and aids, infrastructure and the learning environment. It was perhaps the urgency imposed by these sordid and despicable conditions into which this vital industry had been plunged in the state that the new administration took the bull by the horns to explore and exploit means and ways of arresting the decay being witnessed by the sub-sector. Following the declaration of a state of emergency in the education industry in the state, the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola swung swiftly into action when in February 2011, the first-ever Education Summit was put together for the State of Osun. The agenda and thrust of the summit was to actively

engage a rich pool of ideas, skills, experiences and expertise of participants; drawn from diverse and related disciplines from Nigeria, Africa and the Diaspora in order to fashion out lasting panacea to the multifaceted hydra-headed challenges that had hitherto plagued the sector. As part of the findings and recommendations of the summit, which was chaired by no less a personality than the academic icon and internationally reputed Nobel Laureate in Literature, Professor Wole Soyinka, the teaching-learning environment was identified to be of high preponderating and contributory influence on impact of delivery, efficacy and good outcome. It would not be a mismatch, therefore, to attribute the emergence and/evolution of the State of Osun Schools Infrastructure Development Project, known for short as O’SCHOOLS to the numerous landmark breakthrough achievements of the inaugural Education Summit for the State of Osun held in February 2011. This far into the exposition at hand, our teeming readers have been taken down the memory lane, as we went through the spate of rot, decay and abandonment which our public educational institutions were made to witness in the past decade or thereabouts; particularly, during the time of the fiery siege unleashed by the immediate past administration. We availed the ample medium offered by our numerous editions to explore the multiple ugly side-effects of the careless neglect of the time and the extent and depth of dungeon into which the state had been plunged. We further went through the details of devastation; the extent and intensity of damage and the resultant effects of the declined quality on the state, its people and the products of the rotten system directly. Part of this was the abysmally poor academic performances of the state’s candidates in annual external examinations, to the extent that it was becoming increasingly difficult for the state’s candidates to fill their allotted spaces for admission in federal tertiary institutions, due to dwindling performances. Also, admission into state-owned institutions became difficult due to much the same reasons. As a result, rate of dropout became very high. This presented a sharp deviation from long-known traditions whereby our state was one of the leading lights in the area of Western Education in the nation. The prevailing situation in the State of Osun was that bad! Fortunately, the coming on board of the Aregbesola was a timely development; which brought with it timely relief to all and sundry in the state. Rather than moaning and groaning under the yoke of the colossal loss suffered by the state and its people over the years, the progressive and dynamic administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola knew what to do and when exactly to act. This timely intervention, according to opinions expressed by sources close to the governor and his team was due to long time of planning and deep-seated interest which the Symbol of the struggle for the revival of Osun, Ogbeni Aregbesola has in the education of youths in the state and bringing back quality to it. The factors which provided impetus for the first ever State of Osun Education Summit; and which added credence to the O’SCHOOLS project have been attributed the decisive steps taken so far and the huge success recorded to early recognition of requisite elements for effective learning, accurate diagnosis of the affliction which had bedeviled the sub-sector and recognition and proper application of efficacious therapy.

OSUN DEFENDER Magazine casts readers’ minds back to excerpts of interview held with one of the principal actors in the education policies of the incumbent administration in the state, the Chairman of the State of Osun Schools’ Infrastructure Development Project (O’SCHOOLS) Committee, Otunba Lai Oyeduntan, who justified the Education Summit, its rationale and aftermath as follows:

“Well, I’m sorry to say that I’m not aware that anybody has criticized that summit. I have not seen any fellow doing that! The summit was widely attended. It was widely graced from all over the world by people who are knowledgeable in education, policies, and even in intellectual aspect of it. I am going to answer that question simply because I was involved, both in planning and implementation; and the after-effects. How did we come about the summit? Long before Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola came into office, right from the moment he indicated interest and was given the ticket to contest, he had shown a lot of interest in education. As far back as 2004, he sponsored a remedial programme for Osun boys and girls preparing for external examinations. That time, 2,000 candidates were involved. Extramural classes were organized in Osogbo, in Iwo, in Ilesa - about 2,500 candidates I think. And Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola picked the bill to fund the classes, paid for their school certificate entry fee and paid them (the candidates) allowances. When the results came, it was disappointing! It was obvious that there was a lot more wrong with the education sector than trying all these cosmetic approaches for a solution. So between 2005 and 2011, there were so many committees he instituted focusing on education! That is why it was possible that within the first 100 days of his being sworn in, an education committee - a summit chaired by no less a personality than Professor Wole Soyinka took place; inviting resource people from all over the world; many of them, our own people, who had made marks in the United States, in Europe, in the Americas and other parts of the country and Africa. Okay, the summary of the findings at that summit identified that it takes more than the teacher, it takes more than the pupil, it takes more than all of these to have all the impact that it requires to increase the fortunes of the education sector. One of these is that the teacher who will teach must be made more efficient. The students must be well prepared, and of course, the environment must be made more friendly and befitting - more enabling! So, the environment must be properly taken care of and that led to the uniform concept introduced by the Government of the state to encourage and of course to motivate the pupils. Teachers are being recruited and being retrained via programmes of training, retraining and promotion courses. Now, we are talking of the environment - we have the O’MEAL programme, we have O’UNIFORM, even O’TEACHERS, so to say, all came as a result of experts identifying and pointing out the crucial steps to take, to set the sector back on track.” To be continued.


feature

osun Defender Tuesday, November 18, 2014

14

A Government Not Listening To It-

After failing to implement these recommendations, the government unilaterally increased the prices of petroleum products on January 1, 2012 resulting in massive protest by all Nigerians and the establishment of a pressure group known as OCCUPY NIGERIA, which has become moribund now.

he greatest pickle or predicament that this country faces from time to time is the inability of government to listen to itself. A greater percentage of our problems should have been deciphered by now, if only the government has listened to itself. Let’s take two issues, the recent National Conference and the sustenance of the oil subsidy, which is the greatest conspiracy against Nigeria and the Nigerian people.

T

No other subject has drawn the attention of Nigerians more the issue of oil subsidy. The latest figure indicates that Nigeria has so far spent over N2 trillion on oil subsidy alone. No doubt, the oil subsidy is killing us and only few, very few, of not more than twenty people are benefitting from the subsidy.

Just like the on-going campaign agenda styled Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, the idea of the National Conference was conceived by Oronto Nathan Douglas (48) from Okoroba in Nembe Area, Bayelsa State. A man with big ideas but highly elusive, Oronto carries the title of Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation. He is more than that. He is the alter ego of the President. Other alter egos of the President include Dieazani Agama Alison-Madueke, God Knows Boladei Igali, Ita Ekpeyong, John Olatunde Ayeni, King Amalate Johnie Turner, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyesegha, Edwin Kiagbodo Clarke, Mujahid Dokubo Asari, Senator Emmanuel Izibefien Paulker (59), Steve Oronsanye, Hassan Tukur, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekepemupolo alias Tompolo.

On March 18 this year, the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Deiziani AllissonMadueke (54), raised an alarm at the Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja that the payment of subsidy to oil marketers can no longer be sustained by the Federal Government. “The subsidy policy cannot be sustained any longer, this is because the subsidy payment did not benefit the poor it was targeting but rather benefitting the rich,” she declared. Only Mrs. Madueke can identify the “rich”, she referred to. On May 28, the Senate Committee on Finance headed by Senator Ahmed Muhammed Markafi (58), former Governor of Kaduna state, demanded the removal of oil subsidy. Just recently on September 15, the Federation Allocation Committee ended in a deadlock when the Commissioners of Finance of the 36 states insisted that the oil subsidy should be withdrawn because of the drop in the oil money allocation to the states. The question we need to ask is why can’t this oil subsidy be removed?

Oronto was part of the legal team that represented the Ogoni leader, Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa (1941-1995). I have not seen Oronto since Saro-Wiwa was executed on November 10, 1995. He later became the Commissioner for Information and Culture in Bayelsa when the state was created on October 1, 1996. With his failing health, Oronto, a background worker, romanced the Afenifere to come on board for the National Conference and to be sympathetic to Jonathan’s Presidency. The National Conference was inaugurated on March 17 this year with 492 delegates; an assembly of the best brains that we could boast of. The conference ended on August 14 this year and its report was submitted on August 21 to the President, who assured that the report of the conference “will not be wasted”. On October 5, the President set up a seven-man panel headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Adoke Bello Muhammed (51) from Okene in Kogi State. That was the last we have heard of the National Conference. With the help of my friend, Senator Musa Adede (60) from Ogoja in Cross Rivers State, who was the Chairman of Committee on Transport, I was able to read the report of the National Conference. I must confess that I commend members of the National Conference for a job well-done. Now party politics is in the air and with the election fever that has gripped the nation, at best, the report of the National Conference, like the Justice Niki Tobi/ Sule Katagun/Bishop Matthew Kukah report of 2005 dialogue conference, the Justice Kutigi/Bolaji Akinyemi’s report will end up in the library of the office to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. In June 2000, there was a national strike over the prices of petroleum by the Federal Government. President Olusegun Obasanjo then set up a committee of all stakeholders to look at all aspects of problems associated with petroleum product supply and distribution through widespread and genuine consultation with the entire spectrum of the Nigerian society. The 33-member committee

•Jonathan By ERIC TENIOLA

was headed by Chief Rasheed Abiodun Gbadamosi(70), who is the son of the late industrialist, Chief Sule Oyeshola Gbadamosi, the late Otun of Ikorodu. At 27, the pioneer Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson (78) appointed Chief Gbadamosi, who is now the new Otun of Ikorodu, the pioneer Commissioner for Development and infrastructure for Lagos State. A brilliant Economist, he became the Chairman of Nigeria Development Bank between 1986-1994. In 1998, he was appointed the Minister for National Development and in the absence of Petroleum Minister, Chief Gbadamosi led the Nigeria delegation to all the OPEC meetings in Geneva, Switzerland between 1998 and 1999. Other members of the committee were Chief (Dr.) Rufus Giwa, Mr. S.O. Luwoye, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, Alhaji A. Umaru, Mr. Lucas Damulak, Mr. Joseph Akinlaja, Alhaji Umaru Ndanusa, Dr. Pat Utomi, Alhaji Umar Abba Gana, Chief Nkem A. Ekwechi, Alhaji A. Chachangi, Chief (Dr.) A.E. Ilodibe, Pastor E.A. Ogun, Mrs. Emily AigImokhuede, Chief Richard Uche, Mr. Ray Ekpu, Alhaji G. Hamman, Dr. Imo Itsueli, Prof. E. Edozien, Prof. ‘Dotun Phillips, Chief M.O. Onoja, Dr. S. Usman, Mr. A.S. Okoye, Mr. Sylvester Ejiofor, Engr. Funso Kupolokun, Rev.(Dr.) T. Adeboye, Dr. Samaila M. Kewa, Mallam Wada Maida, Mr. G.D. Loma and Mr. C.O. Iwuozor The Secretary of the Committee was Chief Olusegun Olujimi Oloogunebi Ogunkua, who is now the Baba Ijo of St. Thomas Anglican Church, Isikan, Akure. He retired as a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance in August 2006. The

committee was inaugurated on August 14, 2000 by my then boss, Chief Ufot Ekaette (75), who was then Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The committee submitted its report on November 15, 2000. The NLC members of the committee headed by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole wrote a minority report. On November 26, 2000, the government set up a five-man panel headed by Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, then Minister of Economic Matters, to reconcile the two reports. Other members of the panel were: Dr. Hakeem BabaAhmed, Mr. A.O. Adeyemo, Mr.Arubisan Okegbe and Prof. P. T. Akhire. Chief Gbadamosi’s committee made 47 suggestions and the government accepted 42 of the suggestions, especially on price support and market liberalisation. Only one of those suggestions has so far been implemented and that is the establishment of Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency with the appointment of Dr. Oluwole Oluleye as the pioneer Secretary.

With the way things are going and with the sustenance on oil subsidy and the global drop in the prices of petrol, many poor states like Adamawa, Benue, Cross Rivers, Gombe, Osun, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Kogi, Kwara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Taraba and other land-locked states will run into economic problems by January. Now we are finding it very difficult selling our oil. Certainly if we have implemented Gbadamosi committee’s report, we would have faced some problems at the takeoff in 2000 but by now, we would have overcome those problems. We are now held captive expecting the inevitable. With declining capacity in the real sector, poor performance of major infrastructural facilities, large budget deficit, rising level of unemployment and inflation and with the impending devaluation of the naira soon to be announced, we are heading for economic depression.

The Gbadamosi committee insisted on the complete deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry so as to resolve most of the issues in cost structure pricing and subsidy of the Petroleum industry. The committee also insisted that deregulation of the industry will mean that market forces of demand and supply, will be the determinants of product prices

As the say in Spanish,” Recojetuhenomientrasque el sol luziere, which means ‘make hay while the sun shines”. And the French also said “aide toi et le cleit’aidera, which also means help yourself and heaven will help you.”

Suffice it to note that the four refineries that we had, were no longer working. For example, the Warri refinery was commissioned in 1979, the Kaduna in 1980 and the three in Port-Harcourt were commissioned in 1965, 1971 and 1989 respectively.

•ERIC, a former director at the Presidency, stays in Lagos.

There is economic doom in the horizon.


15

osun Defender Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Inauguration The People’s Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, would be inaugurated on Thursday November 27, 2014 for his second term. There is no denying the fact that Ogbeni Aregbesola has warmed himself into the hearts of the people of the State of Osun with his massive developmental projects.

His impact has been felt in all the nooks and crannies in the state while he has touched every aspect of our lives in the State of the Virtuous.

What else could we do as individuals or corporate bodies on this auspicious occasion if not to identify with him by congratulating him.

Your popular soar away grassroots tabloid, OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper, is doing a supplement to congratulate the workaholic governor of our time in commemoration of the inauguration. Individuals, corporate bodies, institutions, and well-wishers can avail themselves with our low advert rate below:

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Any of these phone lines can be contacted: 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897 and 08023191891.

- Management

Osun Defender Round-Table chat is a platform for all aspirants in the State of Osun to espouse their programmes for the electorate. It is a forum where activities aspirants intend to embark upon are brought bare to the people. It exposes the real person of the aspirant, his values and his plans for his constituency. This forum is open to serving public officials as well as those who intend to contest. For any additional information on the above issue, any of these numbers should be contacted: 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897 and 08062207954. – Management

Round-Table Chat


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Tuesday, november 18, 2014

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o one is left in doubt all over the world that Nigeria is a nation in distress; and all of us living therein are equally distressed. Many are those who have been forced out of the shores of the land in search of nonexistent Golden Fleece, and they have ended in chores that sanity will not avail. Victims of such circumstantial misadventure have had the dignity prevalent back at home stripped off them because they have been conditioned to menial engagements which their host countries regarded in the days of old, as exclusively meant for slaves, whose duty it was to toil but aberrantly forbidden to taste of the fruits of their labour.

By ade olugbotemi

Taming Nigeria’s Monster Of Stagnancy “Nigerians may need to adopt what I can call Aregbesola’s philosophy to salvage the country and protect her people from the danger of malnutrition and total obliteration. Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun had, during the period preceding his re-election, that people should not hesitate to take any money from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an attempt to influence voters’ loyalty to themselves. PDP were tricked into believing that money for votes would swing the pendulum of electoral victory to their side; while a whooping N20 billion was said to be involved in the dirty job. People collected their dirty money, except those who feared that the associated curse with the largesse might have negative repercussion. At the end, the popular

any money from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an attempt to influence voters’ loyalty to themselves. PDP were tricked into believing that money for votes would swing the pendulum of electoral victory to their side; while a whooping N20 billion was said to be involved in the dirty job. People collected their dirty money, except those who feared that the associated curse with the largesse might have negative repercussion. At the end, the popular choice of the people emerged victorious.

The more we allow financial gratification to influence our voting pattern, the more we allow for the drifting of the country into backwardness. We have reached a We have for long missed the point critical point, where we should be by exclusively hewing blames on wise and collectively mobilize in a our leaders, who have drafted us rescue mission for our dear country. into the wilderness of economic Over fifteen years of PDP rule has peril. We are always quick to point amounted to a colossal waste that accusing fingers in the direction of people have had to battle depravity successive military and political and lack. I will not be sure we can leaders, who have at one time or continue in that and survive the next the other foisted their authority four or five years. Recent experience without our consent but come has shown that our survival rest in around to deceive us that they are our ability to rationally perceive out to protect our interests. We, like and act decisively. Not Americans, a frog in its natural habitat of cool Chinese, French, or Britons will water will thereafter feel contented readily rise up to our rescue. The about the change of guards that global economic meltdown will lacks any modicum of our approval; not even allow for that because only to continue grumbling that every nation of the world is trying we have never had it so bad, as if to proffer solutions to myriads of we have ever had it better than our problems confronting her. That is circumstantial reality. corrupt politicians easy passage into why we need to hold our destiny prior to election is often thick for office, who after their questionable T h e b e n e f i c i a r i e s o f o u r those in wait for seasonal harvest, success at the polls, carry on firmly in our own hands. complacency are at ease with their which influence cause millions government business in sordid The time has come for Nigerians antics because they have always of people to be condemned to manner, that the wheel of progress to be stripped of that toga of had their mission fulfilled, and we harrowing, term-long economic in all spheres of our national life is pessimism that has kitted us with the are left to smart in needless agony gaol. Burden-lessening funds that made moribund and clogged. The inability to come up with anything that prompt reactions would have would have relieved citizenry of political leaders feel fascinated positive. Many countries have averted. The vocal ones amongst economic woes, if well applied about the prevalent sanity in other gone distressed before, and with us suddenly become gold diggers in the business of governance, advanced countries, such that they determination and perseverance, because our oppressors quickly but misappropriated would be even wish that they make ready they have survived and today, identify them and lure them with released into wanton spending spree for themselves opportunities of some of them have are exemplary largesse that causes discordant tunes to inordinately influence voters, relocation after leaving office. for many nations of the world to that give way to tacit support. The who otherwise would not have One wonders then what insanity emulate. Malaysians once saw exploits of the moneybags are largely contemplated support, if rationality has befallen them that they cannot something good in us and exported responsible for our smothered socio- has been allowed a leeway. Poverty- bring such reforms to bear in their our palm fruits to their country; that economic development, which stricken individuals, who now feel country, so the situation in those invention is today a veritable source in turn exacerbates the prevalent compelled to seek for amelioration countries that make them attractive of income for them. We can also ubiquitous poverty in the land. through needless naira rain that can also be effected in our own. emulate some good cultures of other We are now seeking for solutions would have been enough for nations of the world, internalize to the problem, which root cause economic turnaround, if the money Nigerians may need to adopt what them and use the derivable benefits is the insensitivity of our selfish has been appropriately applied, I can call Aregbesola’s philosophy to rid this country of our woes. We leaders and their cronies, who get are now at risk of compromising to salvage the country and protect only need to believe in ourselves, easily influenced through pecuniary conscience to the effect of making her people from the danger of and before long, we shall arrive at ends meet. inducement. malnutrition and total obliteration. a junction of respite. Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the Rational individuals are seriously State of Osun had, during the period The season of massive inducement Nigerians must prevail on the is here again. As we are well aware, concerned about the malady of preceding his re-election, that major opposition party, the All the period three to four months inducements that has often afforded people should not hesitate to take Progressives Congress (APC) to OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB,come Gbongan State candidates of Osun. All upRoad, withOsogbo, credible correspondence to the Managing Editor, Kola Olabisi, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail: through a process that will be osundefender@yahoo.com, kayodeagbaje@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org.


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