Osun Defender - November 29th, 2014 Edition by OsunDefender

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THE

6TH

saturday, november 29, 2014

Quote “Look at what we did in Osun State. In Osun, we had the best election conducted so far; the best election we have conducted so far as a commission since 2011.” • Quote from Professor Attahiru Jega’s interview in The Guardian of Wed. Oct. 29 (2nd part of a series that •Jega started on the 28th).

M O ST - V I S I TED

NEWS-

VOL. 9. NO.143

N50

Front Page Comment Agenda For The Second Term (1)

For the good people of the State of Osun, the future starts today with the inauguration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for a well-earned second term in office as their helmsman. With his antecedents and a stellar performance he

merited the appellation of ‘symbol of good governance’ in the state. Having earned his spurs, the second term looks promising, even enticing. There is much to look forward to. For a start it will provide the symbol with the

needed opportunity to consolidate and institutionalize the gains of the first term. This is of fundamental importance. For it will ensure that the template will not be undone in the future. Continue on pg6

2nd Term Inauguration:

Aregbesola Sworn In With Fanfare - See Story On Page 3

•My Mission Is To Deliver 20 Years’ Development - Governor

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from his ecstatic admirers at the Osogbo City Stadium, venue of his inauguration on Thursday. INSET: Ogbeni Aregbesola (right) taking the oath of office. With him are his wife, Sherifat (2nd right); Barrister Wale Afolabi (2nd left); the Chief Judge of the State of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo (left) and one of the governor’s sons. Photo: Gbenga Adeniyi

phototalk

Osun Defender Saturday, November 29,

Swearing-in Ceremony Of State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, For Second Term In Office By Chief Judge Of The State, Justice Adepele Ojo, At Osogbo City Stadium, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI And SHOLA ADERINTO

•(L-R) Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; wife of the governor, State of Osun, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola; Kwara State governor Abdul-Fatai Hammed; State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his counterpart from Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun at the inauguration venue.

•(L-R) Wife of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs Titi Atiku; former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori and Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

•(L-R) Dr Fayemi; Senator Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Comrade Oshiomhole.

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Osun Defender Saturday, November

2nd Term Inauguration: Aregbesola Sworn In With Fanfare •My Mission Is To Deliver 20 Years’ Development - Governor

By kehinde ayantunji

he governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that he is determined to deliver 20 years’ development in the next four years of his second term. Aregbesola promised that his administration will touch every community, household accompanied by his wife, and the state at large in every Sherifat, and his children. aspect of governance, ranging He thanked the people of from security, infrastructural the state for their courage development and wealth a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o enthrone the government of creation. The governor said this All Progressives Congress after he was administered (APC) in the August 9, 2014 oath of office for second term governorship election. He said the mandate in office, by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adepele given to him covers all the Ojo, at Osogbo City Stadium people of Osun in their social, political, religious on Thursday. Aregbesola, who appeared and ethnic heterogeneity, i n a w h i t e a t t i r e , w a s adding that there shall be no

discrimination or disfavour against any individual or group on account of identity or difference. According to the governor: “Our vision is to deliver 20 years’ development in the next four years in economic, social and political fields. We shall complete all ongoing projects and start new ones. “We shall touch every community in roads, education and infrastructure. We shall touch every household in wealth creation, security o f l i v e s a n d p r o p e r t y, social amenities, political empowerment, political representation and much more. We shall consolidate

on the foundation we are building and proceed to the superstructure of prosperity and greatness for our land and people. “Though the financial challenges are daunting, we shall do everything within our power and the unbounded resources of our land and people to achieve our goals without faltering.” The governor maintained that his administration in the last four years had touched every family in the state by striving to keep faith with the people on the mandate and reenact the Obafemi Awolowo tradition of leadership and good governance. He stressed that despite the

•(L-R) The deputy governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori taking the oath of office as Deputy Governor of the State. With her are Barrister Wale Afolabi and Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adepele Ojo during the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the deputy governor for second term in office at Osogbo city Stadium, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

formidable challenges, his administration has delivered l a rg e l y o n p r o m i s e s a s contained in the six-point integral action plan. He added: “We began with ethical re-orientation by branding our state ‘Ipinle Omoluabi’. We have been able to re-awaken the consciousness of the values of hard work, public spiritedness, maintaining a good name, chivalry and character-moulding in our people.” “Within 100 days, we provided jobs for 20,000 of our youths and replicated same two years later. We revamped agriculture and made it a profitable venture for farmers. We have positioned our youths for greatness by providing them with quality education. We have redefined the infrastructure of education by building state-of-the-art schools, proving cutting edge technology, free school uniforms, free meals and so on.” “We have empowered our people economically through all the ‘O’ Projects: O’REAP, O’MEALS, O’BEEF, O’HUB, O’HONEY, O’CLEAN and so on. We have made micro-credit available to our people on a large scale and with direct fund injection. We have lifted the GDP of the state, making Osun the seventh largest economy in Nigeria. “ We h a v e c a r e d f o r the environment in an unprecedented way. We have banished flooding and cleaned the environment of filth. Our road construction projects, completed and ongoing, are incomparable,” the governor said. While reflecting on the political situation in Nigeria,

Osun Is Epitome Of Democracy - APC Governors

By shina abubakar

during the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the state. “You have shown that Nigeria can truly be moved to the next level. Nigeria must change and by God’s grace, it would happen. We salute your courage as a people and the success you achieved during the poll and pray that God will guide Ogbeni Aregbesola to move the state to the promised land. In his own view, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, dedicated the inauguration to the people of the state, saying that without their valour,

ll the governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have described the people of Osun as defenders of democracy, who show that might cannot take victory over the will of the people. they are real Omoluabis A c c o r d i n g t o t h e and posses, valour. Osun g o v e r n o r s , t h e v a l o u r has shown that change is displayed by the people possible in Nigeria and before and during the August there would be change in 9, 2014 governorship poll, 2015.” defying the intimidation In his address, the imported into the state by governor of Kwara State, the Federal Government, Mr Abdul Fatai Ahmed, was commendable. disclosed that the entire Speaking at the gathering, people of Nigeria are happy the immediate-past governor with Osun over the way of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode they defended democracy Fayemi, described the in the face of intimidation people of Osun as real Omoluabis, who refused to trade peace and tranquillity against terror and illegality By francis Ezediuno currently going on in Ekiti. t was exactly this time four years back that Osun He urged the people witnessed the type of a jamboree for a favoured son to to start the processing be sworn in as the governor of the state. of enthroning change in Nigeria and should not wait Exactly four years after, Park, Igbona, Oke-Fia, until the people in public the same thing has repeated GRA, Ayetoro, Stadium offices reduce the country itself though on a grand Area, Powerline/Mallam to what is happening in Ekiti scale. Tope, West Bye Pass, Ring and the National Assembly. Osogbo, the state I n h i s s p e e c h , E d o capital of Osun, assumed Road despite the fact that State governor, Adams a different atmosphere as the state government had Oshiomhole said Osun vehicular traffic increased earlier on declared the day has taught Nigerians that at strategic areas within as a public holiday. Some of the motorists democracy is not unlicensed, the city. however, praised the road adding that election is about H e a v y t r a f f i c w a s traffic managers for putting people and that the decision of who wins is for the people observed very early in areas measures in place to contain to decide and not for the like Ogo-Oluwa, Olaiya the unnecessary gridlock Junction, Old Garage/ that the inauguration of the military. “The people have shown Nelson Mandela Freedom governor would have caused

the day could have been impossible, commending them for their courage in the face of military provocation. “Today is made possible by your courage. It is your will that prevailed despite the intimidation by the Federal Government. Osun has shown the path to development. Even in the face of war, you have done us all proud as a country. In fact I am more happy for the state because I am a son in-law in the state and I share in the glory of this success,” the Governor added. S i m i l a r l y, G o v e r n o r

Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, said Osun people have seen and conquered and prayed that all shall conquer the terror of PDP together come February 2015. “Nigeria would be great again, particularly with what Osun people have done. Nigerians would in 2015 repeat and achieve similar feat of enthroning change across the federation,” he added.

in the town. It was observed by the medium that motorists and pedestrians alike were seen going about their normal businesses, while others were seen discussing the activity of the day in joyous mood. Some of the interviewed pedestrians declared that the holiday was deserving and they were taking the time out to relax and celebrate the day, as the person of their choice, despite the opposition from very known forces, was being sworn in as governor for a second term.

The public holiday, they averred, was what they needed to shake off the stress of the day, send off the first term and usher in the second term. Meanwhile, people were observed doing brisk businesses in and around the grounds of Osogbo City Stadium, venue of the inauguration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. They were seen hawking different delicious foods, satchet water, national and state flags and different souvenirs. Due to the traffic gridlock, many residents had to troop

the governor said the only solution to solve Nigeria’s problems is to reject the Peoples Democratic Party-led (PDP) Federal Government in 2015 general elections. He said the party has c o m p o u n d e d N i g e r i a ’s problems in the last 15 years with “aggravated poverty, insecurity and poor infrastructure, saying the party has divided Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines than ever before in the history of Nigeria.” He stressed: “We must terminate the regime of selfseeking manipulators, who currently parade corridors of power, accruing political profit by turning us against each other and further dividing us along ethnic and religious lines. “The result of their politics of division is that Nigerians are poorer in the last 16 years, whereas Nigeria as a country has never been richer, save for recent months, when oil price has declined. This manifests again in their continued lawlessness evidenced in the desecration of the National Assembly and the travesty at Ekiti Assembly. “They have demonstrated without doubt their inability to protect Nigerians and the territorial integrity of our country. We must therefore be determined to vote out the party that has brought us to this sorry pass. We must show them the way out. We must let them know that on their way to hell, they will walk alone. “ O u r p a r t y, t h e A l l Progressives Congress (APC) promises prosperity, national unity and integration, security of lives and property, job and wealth creation, rule of law and constitutionalism and deepening of democracy. All these have been showcased in all the states where our party holds sway in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo (until recently), Imo, Rivers, Kwara, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Borno and Yobe,” the governor said.

Osogbo Wears New Look On Inauguration Day

out to the stadium on foot and those who couldn’t stay glued to their television sets in their various homes and work places. Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) was also in their best element, as they maintained electricity supply throughout the day. Also, the grounds of the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park was seen putting on a carnival-like appearance, as it was getting ready to host the inauguration party.

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Osun Defender Saturday, November

We’ll Resist Fayose’s Illegality - Ekiti APC Lawmak•Osun Speaker Says, Crisis Is A

he 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the Ekiti State House of Assembly have said that they would resist what they called illegality being perpetrated by Governor Ayo Fayose and seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the House. The Speaker of the the crisis, Omirin recalled Ekiti State parliament, Dr that Fayose sent the lists Adewale Ominrin, who of his commissionerled other members to the nominees to the House State of Osun House of and the list was read at Assembly on Wednesday the plenary on a Tuesday, to seek the support of the saying it was in the standing lawmaking body on the rule of the House that when illegality in their state, such letter is read, it would said, he remained “the valid be deferred till another day Speaker of Ekiti House of for the House to work on it. He said: “After the sitting Assembly”. This was just as his Osun on that day, I called the counterpart, Honourable commissioner-nominees Najeem Salaam, described into my office and explained the purported impeachment the position of the House to of the Ekiti Speaker by them and assured them that seven out of 26 lawmakers they would be screened on Friday, and I would appeal as a “joke of the year”. Narrating the genesis of to my colleagues, because we don’t seat on Fridays.

“It was after that that we began to read on the internet that we were demanding N135 million to screen commissioners. What for? Noting that starting from approval of the list of commissioner-nominees to the purported impeachment of the Speaker, all the activities of the seven PDP lawmakers are null and void. Saying that the legal

action expected of them is currently being taken, Omirin added that the governor had not given the opportunity for dialogue, as the embattled members were being haunted by the governor’s agents. Also, Salaam in his own address said, the legislative crisis in Ekiti State poses a serious danger to Nigeria’s democracy. “What is happening in Ekiti is absurd. The

By kazeem mohammed

judiciary in the state, considered to be the fountain of Knowledge, has been molested and now it is the turn of the legislature. Then who else can we run to? “What is happening is not the problem of Ekiti State, it is the problem of the system itself. “It is absurd that the governor is still confirming and approving the illegality being perpetrated by the seven lawmakers.

That shows the level of impunity,” he stressed. Other lawmakers from the two states in their various submissions said the “illegality” could not stand, saying it was unfortunate that a state, known as Fountain of Knowledge is being ruled by mediocre.

Osun Assembly Thumbs Up Electorate, Aregbesola

By kazeem mohammed

tate of Osun House of Assembly has lauded the people of the state for returning the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in the spirit of continuation of his developmental strides. In a statement by the the current democratic Press Secretary to the experiment, charging the Speaker, Mr. Goke Butika, citizenry in other states of Salaam said the August the federation to borrow 9 governorship election leaf from the courage of the that returned the governor Osun electorate in defence was a loud statement of of democracy. The Speaker then lauded approval of Aregbesola’s Aregbesola for changing rating. In his message, the the story of the state from S p e a k e r l a u d e d t h e deep-seated squalor to a electorate, particularly the giant construction site, women who took the lead where structures and superin the voting record for structures are receiving standing by their resolve attention. Salaam then renewed to reward the man that is doing the work, despite the unalloyed support the intimidating presence of the parliament for the of close to 93, 000 security governor, as he renews operatives, who were his second term mandate, promising that the synergy deployed for the poll. He reiterated that some between the legislature reactionary forces were and the executive would hell bent in truncating receive stronger bid.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola inspecting the parade of police officers during his second term inauguration, last Thursday.

Osun People Started Common Sense Revolution - Tinubu By ismaeel uthman

ormer Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the All progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday said the party has launched a new philosophy of revolution, to liberate Nigeria from the poor leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). T i n u b u c a l l e d t h e the revolution, which the r e v o l u t i o n ‘ a c o m m o n PDP thought was a bloody sense revolution’ with the revolution, started with the use of each and individual people of Osun who defied the Permanent Voter’s Card to heavy presence of intimidating vote off bad governance security personnel to vote for for the development of the development and quality leadership. country. The APC leader said: According to Tinubu,

“The new philosophy of the revolution, which we call common sense revolution, started in Osun. Common sense revolution is your PVC. They thought it was a violence revolution. It is the ability to collect your voter’s card and send these PDP people away. “The revolution is about welfare programme, good road, strong and booming economy that will put food on our table, provision of stable electricity, job creation, provision of quality

Osogbo Standstill For Aregbesola’s Second Inauguration

By shina abubakar

he 40,000 sitting capacity Osogbo City Stadium, venue of the second term inauguration of the State of Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, was filled to capacity as party loyalists and supporters of democracy thronged the venue to witness the epochmaking event. Supporters and lovers of the inauguration committee the governor began to troop decided not to choose any. Also, the unique colour into the stadium as early as 8.00am waiting for the event of the callisthenic pupils scheduled to commence at and the OYES cadets added 10am so as to gain access to colour and glamour to the the stadium before serious arrangement in the stadium, as it made its displayed security frisk. The c o l o u r f u l colours and variety to the arrangement in the stadium delight of the spectators in was due to the decision the stadium. H o w e v e r, i t w a s a of the various political and social organisations to daunting task for other choose different colour Aso- p e o p l e , w h o , e i t h e r Ebi for the event, even as approaching the stadium

from all sections of the state with their cars walking, as all the roads leading to the venue were blocked by both human and vehicular movements. The security operatives, though civil, had herculean task directing the vehicular and human movements in and around the stadium environment. The people defied the scotching sun to be part of the swearing-in programme to ascertain the status of a rumour on an oppositionowned radio station in the state that the governor would not be sworn in for a second term in office. As Ogbeni Aregbesola arrived the stadium in a blue-coloured Peugeot bus,

accompanied by two former governors of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the immediatepast National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande, the stadium immediately stood still, as everyone stood up to welcome the governor and his entourage. The governor then took a walk round the 400 metre lane of the pitch to acknowledge cheers from the teeming audience at the stadium before standing to inspect the guard of honour mounted by the men and

officers of the Nigerian Police Force, as well as the OYES cadets. Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, an Osogbo resident, Mr Muideeh Adesina, disclosed that the large turnout was an attestation of the acceptance the governor enjoys among the teeming populace of the state, describing the day as eventful to him. “Most of us are happy that our governor is taking another oath of office because the detractors in the state have been spreading falsehood that he would not be sworn in, but today the will of the people have finally prevailed,” he added.

education, and so many other benefiting programmes. “The Federal Government keeps lying on the economy of the country. They say they were rebasing the economy, yet the poor remain poorer, the rich remain richer. Nigeria is going worse. We must rescue this country from them. The revolution has started from Osun.” He added: “Osun stood firm during the last governorship election and that is why we are celebrating you here today. We are celebrating your courage, the people of Osun. We are celebrating your steadfastness and determination. Thank you all. You made us proud. “Our local products are in naira, yet they continue to run our economy in dollars. We don’t need dollars. They are using dollars to steal our money. They are shameless. We must not allow them to continue in 2015. They must be voted out. “ Tinubu then urged the electorate to be well-prepared for the 2015 general elections with the aim of voting out the PDP, just as he expressed his optimism that the APC would reclaim Ekiti State from the PDP.

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Osun Defender Saturday, November 29, 2014

Osogbo Agog For Aregbesola’s Inaugura-

By ismaeel uthman

the venue with crowd of people stumbling over one another to catch a glimpse of him. Both old and the young, men and women, ran to meet the governor on his arrival at the programme venue. The Osun Callisthenic, an exercise-entertaining innovative programme of Aregbesola, added glamour

to the event. The callisthenic bore inscription like: Rauf Aregbesola, You are the Champion, welcome to the State of Osun, Osun Ti N Dara, Gov By God’s Grace, the Agent of Change, Land of the Virtuous, Vox Populee, Vox God, Congratulations The celebration spilled to all nooks and crannies of the

state, as lovers and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) threw a party in their various areas. Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori was the first to take her oath of office, followed by Aregbesola with both promising to discharge their duties faithfully in the interest of Nigeria and do right to all manner of people

according to law without fear or favour. Tinubu could not hide his joy as he danced to music with the Iyaloja of the state, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade.

ll roads led to Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun, where Governor RaufAdesojiAregbesola was sworn in for another four-year term, on Thursday. The air at the inauguration Aregbesola won the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial ground became thick and election, having defeated the majority of the people at candidate of the Peoples the venue were fanning Democratic Party (PDP), themselves with bare hands. Aregbesola’s arrival at Senator Iyiola Omisore, in the programme electrified a landslide victory. Aregbesola polled 394,684, while Omisore had 292,750 votes. The mood of the residents of the state capital was very friendly and joyful, as everyone was happy to witness the long-awaited inauguration, which the opposition had said would not be done, due to the ongoing litigation on the last governorship election. The Osogbo City Stadium, venue of the inauguration, was filled to capacity, as everybody was struggling to stand on their two feet and catch a glimpse of the activities in there, despite the restriction of entry into the venue. As early as 6:00am, residents of Osogbo from far and near had thronged the Osogbo City Stadium to bye-pass the anticipated security screening at the entrance of the venue. The security operatives at the entrance and inside of the stadium however found it hard controlling the traffic of people who had arrived •The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, acknowledging cheers from his admirers after taking his oath of the venue in the early hours. office for second term at City Studium, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Thursday. The Powerline-Stadium dual carriageway, Lameco, Oke-Oniti and AyetoroOmo-West roads had been By ismaeel uthman experiencing heavy traffic, due to the influx of vehicles and the people of the State of 2015 presidential election. plying the roads to the not resisted the threats, Osun for their uprightness, In his on congratulatory ormer military Head of State and a presidential inauguration ground, as harassment, intimidation progressive and democratic s p e e c h , Tinubu aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), early as 8:00am. and seduction from the acknowledged the courage character. After the Ekiti General Muhammodu Buhari (rtd), has said that People from almost all the Peoples Democratic Party of the people during the disaster, Osun people made the swearing-in of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s second 36 states of Nigeria came for (PDP). last gubernatorial election, us proud. Osun people stood term is nothing but the celebration of the courage of the the Aregbesola swearingAccording to Buhari, their ground and won the saying that the people in ceremony, as different people of the State of Osun. Osun people were the pillar election for APC, in spite stood to fight and protect the inauguration would buses with number plates Buhari spoke just as were sighted everywhere in the National Leader of not have come, if the of Aregbesola’s victory of the threats and PDP the confidence and trust they reposed on Governor Osogbo. the APC, Senator Bola people of the state had in the August 9, 2014 machineries. governorship election, “God helps those who Aregbesola. Tinubu, maintained that saying that the people stood help themselves. The people Tinubu said: “You people solidly on ground and voted of Osun helped themselves stood to fight. You remained overnment of the State of Osun has presented council area, assuring that continuity of development and God helped them. The undaunted to change. They staff of office and instruments of appointment to the people of the area are and good governance in Osun election boosted and tried but you defeated them. three traditional rulers in the state. solidly behind the present the state. is still boosting the APC I salute the people of the administration in the state. The APC chieftain stated T h e m o n a r c h s w e r e tradition, to display exemplary morale. I show my respect State of Osun. I also salute The Olu of Afinbiokin, Olu of ‘Afinbiokin-Ijesa’, leadership through honesty Oba Oladele Titus Bajide, that the people of the state to the people of the state. and appreciate the good Oba Oladele Titus Bejide, and transparency. expressed his gratitude to the had through their votes You are boosting our morale works of Governor Rauf ‘Alahun’ of Ilahun-Ijesa, Oba He also called on the government for the honour in the last governorship in Osun. Aregbesola. They brought Lawrence Ajayi and ‘Oni people of the town to co- done him, while promising to “We must also effect security men to intimidate Koka’ of Koka-Ijesa, Oba operate with the now monarch work for the development of election, been boosting the morale of the APC the Osun people’s courage you, but you remained Ademola Fadare. to ensure growth and peace of the town. P r e s e n t i n g t h e s t a f f the community. nationally, adding that they at the next year’[s general steadfast in the face of of office and instrument The Executive Secretary of have earned more respect as elections. The PDP must be provocation, intimidation of appointment to Olu of the Oriade Local Government virtuous people. voted out. They do not mean and harassment. Afinbiokin, Oba Oladele appreciated the governor’s B u h a r i s a i d : “ I well for Nigerians. So, we Titus B ejide, Governor gesture for the developmental congratulate the governor must vote the PDP out in the Rauf Aregbesola, who was projects executed in the

Inauguration: We ‘re Celebrating Osun People’s Courage -Tinubu, Buhari

Three Osun Monarchs Get Staff Of Office

represented by the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, said the current administration was committed to the provision of social amenities to make life more meaningful and abundant for the people. Aregbesola attributed the success of his administration to the strong belief in God and co-operation of the people. He commended the people of the town for supporting government at the last governorship election. The governor further charged the new monarch, as a custodian of culture and

Ayedaade APC Elders Deny Endorsing Any Candidate“ T For NASS ontrary to wide-spread speculation, Ayedaade his privilege and since the beginning of the

Local Government Council Area chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of Osun have denied ever endorsing any of the party’s aspirants for the House of Representatives’ ticket. This was contained in a the aspirants have been press statement issued and consulting with members of signed by the duo of Alhaji the party on their aspirations, Abdulramon Moronkeji but till date, none of them and Mr. Johnson Opoola has, so far, being anointed by Oyedeji, the party chairman the party leaders, contrary to and secretary respectively a report making the rounds. The party further reiterated and made available to OSUN DEFENDER in the council that it is only the executive and party leaders at the state area. According to the party, and the federal constituency it was true that some of levels that have the power to

pick a candidate and not any of the community leaders. In a related development, the Elders’ Forum of the APC in Ayedaade Local Government Council Area has appealed to the party hierarchy and the leader of the party in the state, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to use their good offices in ensuring fair play by zoning the House of Representatives slot for the Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency to Ayedaade. According to them,

nation’s current democratic dispensation started in 1999, Irewole/Isokan has always been the one fielding candidates for the House of Representatives elections. “As against the established hegemony, which has been devoid of rancour or any form of agitation, the Irewole/ Isokan axis has always had the singular uncommon opportunity of occupying the House of Representatives seat for upward of 16 unbroken years of four terms.

uncommon occupation has denied Ayedaade of the rotational opportunity for 16 years,” the elders stressed. The forum therefore appealed to Governor Aregbesola to look critically into their agitation and ensure that justice is done on their case.

Osun Defender Saturday, November 29,

here i

Agenda For The Second Term (1)

Institutionalising the gains is vital for future good governance. As Napoleon Bonaparte has very sensibly pointed out,’ Men are powerless in their (inevitably futile) attempt to dictate the course of the future, only institutions can do that’. He is correct. In his own case for example, no one today really remembers the decisive game–changing military victories such as the battle of Austerlitz. Napoleon is remembered today for the Code Napoleon which is the ground norm of French law. What this means is that the future can only be guaranteed when all the decisive game–changing innovations exhibited during the first term are consolidated and codified into institutionalized frameworks. This is the only way to guarantee continuity and protect the gains for all time. Therefore this has to be borne in mind as we set forth an Agenda for the second term. It is our belief that when the history of our times comes to be written, the ‘symbol’

will strike two claims. The first is that by offering an enduring alternative perspective he has restored faith in the efficacy of good governance. Secondly, he has re–established a progressive, social democratic agenda to an understandably cynical electorate.

The two positions are inter linked. For by re-establishing trust in the beneficial intervention of good governance, he has demonstrated that government has a decisive and important role to play in the lives of men and women. In addition it has also re-established the philosophical thrust of progressive politics. This is that coordinated government policies will impact on the common cause. In doing so living standards are elevated by widening access to education, health facilities as well re–invigorating the physical and social infrastructure to a more enduring level. The alternative perspective which has now been established puts the human being at the epicenter of all government policies. In this way trust in the efficacy government has been reestablished. The multiplier effect of this is that linkages

fundamentally institutionalized. Aregbesola has already shown the efficacy of policies which trigger off enduring multiplier effects, they must now be deepened.

have been formed; coordinating diverse government policies into one with a view to elevating living standards, fighting long–term structural poverty as well as rebalancing the stultified rural economy.

An example is the key role of agriculture. In the second– term there must be institutionalized mechanisms to formally increase production such as guaranteed farm gate prices. Overall the second term must also look at and seek to adapt from some of the acclaimed measures of Brazil’s BOLSA FAMILA PROGRAMME which was developed to pull millions out of poverty. Luckily programmes such as the school meals already reflect shades of Bolsa Famila and are achieving the same effect.

For example there is a linkage between the educational policies pursued by the Aregbesola administration and an upward trajectory in the productive base of the rural economy. To illustrate by providing free meals we have noticed an increase in farm production through assured markets and a guaranteed minimum farm gate price. The resulting increase in production is bound to naturally induce the emergence of agro-industries of all shapes and sizes. Naturally the increase in employment generation, widening of the tax-base and a subsequent increase in the government’s own internally generated revenue base will become noticeable.

In our next edition we will conclude our exposition of what in our opinion should be the policy thrust for the promising new administration that takes off today.

It is this form of linkage that will have to be intensified in the course of the second term. The structures already created in every sector will now have to be refined, constantly finetuned and

OSUN DEFENDER

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

Osun Defender Saturday, November 29,

phototalk

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); his Deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (left) in a group photograph with Ministers of God at the inauguration.

•Aregbesola (4th left); his Deputy, Mrs Laoye-Tomori (3rd left) in a group photograph with some of the traditional rulers in attendance on the occasion.

•Aregbesola (right) signing the oath of office whilehis wife, Sherifat (2nd right) watches; second left is Barrister Wale Afolabi while the Chief Judge of the State of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo is 1st left.

phototalk

Osun Defender Saturday, November

•(L-R) Former Head of State, General Muhammed Buhari (rtd); former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; State of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat.

•Governor Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from his admirers during the programme.

•(L-R) The Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Dr Adekunle Aromolaran at the event.

•(L-R) The Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Kayode Adeyemi and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun on the occasion.

phototalk

Osun Defender Saturday, November

•(L-R) State of Osun House of Assembly Members: (L-R) Honourable Babatunde Komolafe; Honourable Abiodun Awolola and Honourable MBO Bashiru.

•Deputy Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Adegboye and Honourable Taiwo Adeyemi.

•(L-R) Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr Alake Adeyemo; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Honourable Agunsoye.

Osun Defender Saturday, November

feature

Osun Defender Saturday, November 29,

Aregbesola: Humanist, Leader, Compatriot, Friend Rauf Aregbesola is an enigmatic individual whose trajectory epitomizes the building of a unique brand. And that brand is Ogbeni. I first came into contact with him sometime in the early days of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State. A mutual friend had initiated an International Tennis Championship called Governor’s Cup. The press briefing was slated for the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos, with many prominent individuals and potential corporate sponsors and stakeholders in attendance. So impressed was I by the zeal he showed and the uncommon loyalty to his boss, evident in the energy and passion at which he drummed up support for the project, that I unhesitatingly volunteered my own area of support, which I would then sustain for the next six years of the annual championship. His performance as the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos is legendary, and needs no further mention here, other than to say that his days of selfless, innovative service proved to be an incubation which prepared him for his sterling public service delivery being experienced in Osun today. In retrospect I was happy, not only to answer the call to be part of the people he reached out to in the early days of his consultations preceding his decision to throw his hat in the ring for the Osun gubernatorial race, but also to play a pivotal role in the evolution of his philosophy of people-friendly government which we later put in print as his social contract; The Six-Point Integral Action Plan. Coming from leftist a background, he realized very early in his political life that the welfare of the people is the only reason to be in government. The six-point integral action plan is a testament of welfarism borne out of a conviction that you can never go wrong if you put in place institutional framework and policies for satiating the yearnings of the masses. His strategy of happiness in the short run for the masses whilst embarking on long run programmes and projects is manifested in his unique social safety net programmes such as Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), elementary schools free lunch programme, senior citizens welfare programme, programme of succor for people with special needs and the list is endless, which have engendered a bonding with the people he governs. At the approach of the August

•aregbesola By Femi Ifaturoti

9 Osun gubernatorial election, a governor had just been declared the looser in the gubernatorial election in a sister state under questionable circumstances and the predominant rationale for the electoral failure was lack of due attention to the masses, giving rise to notion that the progressive states, anxious to put in place modern infrastructure and amenities in their domain, often neglected the people and overlooked their hunger, and the obnoxious terminology “stomach infrastructure had just slipped in our consciousness like a thief in the night. He was confronted by the Press with the probability of losing his bid for the second term for the same reason, and this is what he had to say: “Those trying to embark on stomach infrastructure in this late hour will have a lot of catching up to do because we have begun long ago and are four years ahead of them. We are masters of the game”. June 2014, while granting an interview to Businessday, Aregbesola proudly and

confidently gave assurance of his victory in the then forthcoming August 9, gubernatorial election thus: “Let me assure you, the overwhelming majority of the people of the state will vote for us because we have represented them well in our first term, we have been accountable to them and we have served them with passion and integrity”. Indeed, he would not brook any doubt about his popularity with his people. He said this again at a public forum: “I am a product of the popular forces, the people and I am part and parcel of them. I emanated from them and I am a product of their struggle.” August 9, was therefore payback day, and, predictably, the people voted with their hearts, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was given renewed mandate to govern Osun State for a second term. When Aregbesola story is going to be told, it would be that of a people-conscious leader, who has put in place some of the most audacious policies in rapid infrastructure upgrade, urbanization, and highest quantum of social service delivery ever experienced in this

clime. Interpersonally, Ogbeni is a good man. He has, over the years been surrounded and followed by a huge community of loyalists who believe in his worldview, and the sincerity of purpose with which he has pursued it. He shows extra-ordinary compassion for his fellow man, and he is quite generous. When you come into contact with him, you instinctively become cognizant of the strength of his personality. He has read far and wide and has held his own both honorably and with uncanny eloquence in any multicultural and intellectual gathering we found ourselves throughout my foreign travels with him. As a family man, he is the doting husband of his sweetheart, Sherifat, who, during their courtship provided the much needed encouragement to reconcile this restless young activist with his Creator, and has remained a strong pillar ensuring that he receives all the comfort and succour a General needs whenever he returns home from life’s many battles. It is difficult to believe how a man of the people like Ogbeni could create quality time to attend to the nurture of his children who are all well behaved and now pursuing their various callings. In matters of faith, Ogbeni remains unapologetic for his depth of piety, and why should he be? I have said on several occasions, I wish I could be as faithful to my religionas he is to Islam. Yet he displays incredible understanding of the Bible which he quotes frequentlyand copiously whenever we get into discussions around ethics and morality. Not once has ever displayed discrimination against any religion, rather he is a foremost advocate of equality of the religions, and that is a disposition which is made poignantly clear by the fact that Osun is the only state where prayers are said in the Christian, Islamic and Traditional ways at every public function. Little wonder that he bedazzles even his most volatile traducers, and continues to wax strong as he pursues, with profound sense of urgency, his truly progressive and people-centered developmental agenda. His unique brand of people-friendly government. May our world be continually populated and enriched with multiple OGBENIS! •Barrister Ifaturoti contributed this piece from Osogbo. Culled from THE NATION

news feature

Osun Defender Saturday, November 29,

Aregbesola Sworn In With A Bang

Mammoth crowd during the inauguration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively, for second term in office at City Stadium, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday. Insert: (L-R) Chief Judge, State of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat.

here was joy on the faces of everyone present at the Osogbo City Stadium on Thursday and celebration everywhere as the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was sworn in for second term in office with a bangs. The celebration, according to some of those in attendance, was not because Aregbesola was being sworn in for second term, but because their votes counted during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state. The swearing-in ceremony was clearly another testimony that Aregbesola is a governor of the masses, who is loved and appreciated by his people, due to his developmental programmes and policies in his first four years in office, as residents of the state started trooping into the venue, to secure spaces for themselves as early as 8.00am for the event fixed for 11.00am. As at 9.00am, the stadium had been filled to capacity and people were struggling to get their ways in due to the mammoth crowd that greeted the event. The occasion was indeed a glamorous and historic one, which recorded a mammoth crowd of politicians, traders, market men and women, artisans, labour unions, students among others from within and outside the state. While the state police command and the cadets of Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES) had a parade of honour to corroborate the event, the Osun school children, who had been trained in calisthenics were also on display. The governor, who arrived the venue of the programme at about 11:40am, in his usual manner of appreciating the people, walked through the stadium to acknowledge cheers from his waiting admirers before taking his seat. The event was a trade fair of sort for traders, who stationed them in and

By Kazeem Mohammed

outside the stadium to make their sales. On ground to grace the occasion were the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola AhmedTinubu; former National Chairman and former governor of Osun, Chief Bisi Akande; presidential aspirants of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Buhari and Atiku Abubakar (represented by his wife, Titi); former governors of the state, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governors of Ekiti State, Dr Kayo Fayemi and Segun Oni. Also in attendance were Governors Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Fatai Ahmed (Kwara), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), representative of Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran and other traditional rulers from within and outside the state. In his acceptance speech, captioned: “Continuing Our Path To Greatness”, Aregbesola said in his first term, his administration delivered on its six-point integral action plan and made Osun to be the seventh largest economy in Nigeria, saying his new administration would continue on the same path. He stressed that the vision of his administration is to deliver in four years, the development of 20 years in economic, social, and political endeavours, saying; “it is a difficult task, but with your support, it is possible.” Recalling his ordeal and that of the people of the state during the August 9, 2014 election, Aregbesola stressed that the intention of the PDP was to rig the election and put terror on the people, but people stood their ground and remained firm. He said over 700 leaders of APC were

arrested, but eventually the wishes of the people prevailed, saluting the courage of the people of the state for standing by the truth in spite the federal forces deployed to harass them. The governor also said, the PDP has chosen the road to perdition by dividing the people of Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines and demonstrated their inability to govern the country very well, adding that the assignment for all Nigerians is to vote them out in 2015. Noting that the PDP stands for poverty and misery, the governor added that the APC stands for security, development, youth employment and national integration among others. Tinubu, in his own address, saluted the people of the state for standing firm in spite of the abuse and intimidation against them, saying their courage has shown that the firmness of the people of Osun could be replicated across the country. Noting that “commonsense revolution” has become the next philosophy to be started, he said the revolution is the ability of the people to use their voters’ cards “to send PDP away”. “The revolution is about the relief for our elderly, feeding our school children, create employment as being done in Osun, give us electricity. “The courage of the people of Osun, your steadfastness, determination is what we are celebrating here today. They brought over 30,000 security men here, but you rejected them. “You didn’t allow them to steal our votes as they did in Ekiti. They stole our votes in Ekiti, we will take it back from them,” Asiwaju assured. Buhari said: “After the Ekiti disaster, the impeachment saga in Adamawa and failed impeachment attempt in Nasarawa State to demoralise the APC”, Osun election was a big relief for the party. Commending the people for standing

firm, the former Head of State said the election should serve as a lesson for the entire people of the country to liberate themselves from the shackles of PDP in 2015. Governor Oshiomhole recalled that few months back, the federal power rolled out its forces against the people of Osun in the name of the election, but the people of the state defied the forces and voted for their choice. He said: “Osun people have stood their ground. They have told the whole world that democracy is not by licence and the right to vote their leaders is at the people’s discretion. “I salute the courage of Osun people and the leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesola. You have demonstrated that changes are possible in Nigeria in 2015.” Fashola, Amosun and Ahmed commended the people of Osun for voting development, good governance and growth again, expressing optimism that Osun will witness more development under Aregbesola’s government. Former governors of the state, Akande, Adeleke and Oyinlola and their counterparts from Ekiti, Oni and Fayemi expressed optimism that come 2015, the APC would dislodge the PDP at the centre. They said the people of Osun have again demonstrated that they are of progressive fold, charging them to remain firm no matter any intimidation, just as they note that to liberate Nigeria requires serious determination.

Osun Defender Saturday, November 29,

FashionWith & Lifestyle I Eniola Agbaje and Shola Okpomu

Healthy Living

3 Great Tips For A Flat Tum-

one are those days when pot bellies were a sign of good living. It has now been replaced by the ideology that clothes look better in a person with a flat tummy and also the trimmer you look, the healthier you are. Bulgy tummies are a great turnoff for an individual, especially for we the female folks. We tend to like flaunting our feminine curves in various body fitting attires. In recent times, a large percentage of women have been recorded to have bulgy stomachs. Considering the fact that young men of today are obsessed with having a solid 6-pack, it is not an exaggeration to say that the problem of pot belly concerns both male and female. In order to shed that excess tummy fat these 3 simple steps should be followed diligently. 1) WORKOUT Exercising is a great way to get rid of tummy fats and when we talk about exercises that are done for the tummy, the basic exercise

that comes to mind is sit-ups . Sit-up is an effective exercise that helps shrink all the tummy excesses and leaves you with a fit and trimmed stomach. Although it gets painful the first few weeks, with time it becomes quite easy. Sit-ups can be done either lying flat on your back and coming up slowly with your hands behind your head or by propping up your knees and coming up slowly with your hands behind your head. 2) DRINK LOTS OF WATER Consumption of a large amount of water helps to reduce big tummy. The constant intake of water helps the body flush out any toxic that may cause harm in the abdomen. 3) EAT HEALTHY GREENS THAT AID DIGESTION Basically, your diet should be 100% healthy. Stop all the calories and stay healthy. Green vegetables are known to aid digestion, thereby deterring food from staying too long in the stomach unprocessed and accumulating into abdominal fat.

Lifestyle

Eva The Ep Drops

ast rising Nigerian female rapper, Eva Alordiah released her extended playlist after much anticipation from fans. The talented young rapper, who hails from Delta State, has been making waves in the music industry with her unique blend of rap and her very sultry voice. She has an album that is due for release by January 2015, but in order not to keep her fans waiting, she generously released the extended playlist titled: Eva-The EP. The playlist consist of 4 tracks. The rap queen shows her lyrical skills in this new EP and this has got to definitely keep the fans wanting more. Eva Alordiah, who is quite new in the music scene, has teamed up with the likes of Burna boy, Tha Suspect and Lil kesh (the shoki crooner) to mention a few. She is really an act to reckon with in the Nigerian music scene.

believe in the peace that comes from sought-after unity. This is not to say that differences need to be eliminated, or even that they should be put aside. Differences are what make people unique from one another. However, seeking unity is what brings peace. Seeking unity means looking for the things we have in common, the shared ground, the similarities that create bonds. It is only when all people can do this that any sort of peace can occur. In the current system that attempts to create peace, people seek equality. Thus, we have things like BET TV/Awards, Best Actor/Actress awards, feminist movements, just to name a few. All of these things seek equality, not unity. Seeking unity means that I can sit down in a room with an Hausa man, an Ibo woman, a Yoruba fellow, and have a conversation that has nothing to do with why this person or that person should do/say/feel/believe anything that the other person is saying. It means that we can acknowledge our differences and work to find what we might have in common. We could talk about food, family, love, and many other things. We could talk about religion without arguing because the point

Reflection

Unity

would be to share information and try to understand one another, not force people to change their views. We wouldn’t need financial aid systems that support women in particular career fields because all children would be duly funded and encouraged to pursue their particular dream because we all share in having a dream. I can encourage my children to be hair stylists, actors, musicians, scientists, doctors, or lawyers without having to worry if someone is going to look down on them because of their choice. Unity means helping someone because they are human beings, not because they are from the same country as we are, or even because they are from a different one. Unity means I can use “we” to address my audience; no matter where they are, who they are, or what they do, because we are all humans. We are all born; we all grow up; we all die. We all need water, food, shelter, love and respect. We all breathe air, we all sleep, we all have parents, and we all want to be happy, healthy, and comfortable. Seeking unity means not focusing on selfishness; there is no “you” or “I” in team, as it

goes. It means that all jobs are important, all dreams are worth pursuing, and all differences are unique without divisions. When a child is born, he/she is not thinking about whom they want to kill, whom they want to ostracize, or whom they’re going to idolize. They want to eat, sleep, and grow. These thoughts come later and are either due to environment or mental instabilities. Either way, these thoughts cannot be reduced without seeking unity. It really is an easy shift. Seeking unity still requires the recognition of differences. However, unlike seeking equality, seeking unity emphasizes the similarities within these differences rather than the differences within our similarities. It does not mean that I have to agree with you, or that he needs to be more like her. It means we have room for forgiveness, for compromise, for restitution, and for reconciliation in our hearts, because if nothing else, we all live on this planet together. This planet is the only home we have.

Fashion

5 Essential Make-up Accessories

aking up should be the hobby of at least 70% of the world’s female population. When it comes to make-up and what suits our face, we as individuals know what’s best for our faces. I know some ladies usually say: “I look perfect without wearing/using make-up” granted!. All am saying is there are some essential make-up procedures that a woman must NEVER ignore or do away with i.e a lady must never be caught outside without any of these items on her face. They include: concealer, foundation, powder, brows, lipstick/lipgloss. 1) Concealer: Like the name implies, they are actually amazing at hiding those pimples and dark spots you do not want to be sighted on your face. They help smoothen your face and make the application of foundation or powder more pronounced. 2) Foundation: Another essential procedure is applying your foundation. This serves as a base for your powder and it

makes the powder lasts longer on your face. 3) Powder: Different people have their individual choice of powder. Some prefer white powder, while others are suckers for brown powder (including myself). Powders perform different functions on the face. For example, it reduces sweating, helps reduce oily skin, generally adds brightness to the face. 4) Brows: Now, this is my favourite part. Someone once said eyebrows are like shoes; you do

not notice them unless they are exquisitely right or disastrously wrong. Eyebrows are the beauty of a woman’s face. They add more feature to your face. While some people prefer trimming their natural brows, others just stick to the process of filling the brows with eye pencils. Before you draw your brows, you must know the type of facial shape you have (either round, oval, heart shaped, square and diamond). You must know the one that suits your face shape and also pick an appropriate pencil colour that blends with your complexion. When drawing your brows, keep it simple and less dramatic! I see some ladies brows these days and I get very scared because the face usually ends up looking like a bird landed on the persons face, with the brows looking like wings. Your brows should be moderate in size and as realistic and reasonable as possible. 5) Lipstick or Lip gloss: I love my lipsticks and gloss. They just give this unique look to the lips. They highlight the lips and totally transform the face. There are various shades and range of lipsticks to choose from. When shopping for gloss or lipsticks, try something new, something during and out of the ordinary, but most importantly, something that suits

for the records

Osun Defender Saturday, November

Speech By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At His Inauguration At The Osogbo Township Stadium On Thursday November 27, 2014.

Continuing On Our Path Of Greatness

Protocols, t is with deep humility and gratitude to the Almighty that I stand before this faithful assembly. Exactly four years ago, we stood before God and before you to take a solemn oath to resume our journey to greatness. We thank God Almighty for taking us through the first phase of the journey and for enabling us to secure your mandate to keep us on that glorious path for another four years. We are also here to celebrate the goodness of God and the indomitable spirit of the good people of Osun. We are here to affirm the triumph of good over evil. We are here to celebrate democracy as the ultimate instrument of political empowerment ever bequeathed to humanity. The journey to our inauguration today began on the day of our inauguration, exactly four years ago, when the party we displaced began to unleash a wicked engine of relentless falsehood to destabilise our administration and bring our downfall. They have engaged in every form of shenanigan and put every obstacle imaginable in our way. They have made strident effort to stir strife and sow the seed of discord. They made the most disingenuous effort to break the chord of communal and religious harmony that •had existed for centuries among our people. They made futile bid for office and pursued power for its sake with a demonic frenzy. The climax was the unprecedented effort to manipulate the election and subvert the will of the people on August 9. Before, during and immediately after the election, there was a siege on the state. Every act of terror imaginable, including the unconstitutional detention of my deputy, was attempted. Security agents of all hues invaded the state, many of them in balaclavas, paraded the streets, shooting in the air with every intention of putting terror in the people. At the height of this outlawry, more than 700 leaders and members of our party were arrested, mostly in the dead of the night, and an unconscionable and treasonable bid was made to seize the Government House. But they failed and failed miserably and were routed and given the electoral mauling of their life because God is with us and our people are indefatigable and indomitable. And so, today we celebrate our people who stood firm for democracy and liberty, who defied every form of provocation and intimidation to make a democratic statement by voting and standing to make their votes count. They have shown that no gun or sabre rattling can stand in the way of a people who are determined to make a stand for liberty and democracy. As the result indicates, the over 700,000 voters’ turnout, making 54 per cent of the total registered voters was the highest recorded in recent elections in the country. Also, our 394,684 total votes, a whopping 55 per cent of the total valid votes, was the highest for any candidate in any recent governorship election. We are not boasting; we are simply acknowledging the enormity of the mandate given to us by our people, even in the face of the most formidable terror machine arrayed against them. In the past four years, we have striven to keep faith with the people on the mandate given to us. We set out to re-enact the Obafemi Awolowo tradition of leadership and good governance; a tradition that set the Western Region apart. The formidable challenges notwithstanding, we have delivered largely on our promises. We began with ethical reorientation by branding our state ‘Ipinle Omoluabi’. We have been able to reawaken the consciousness of the values of hard work, public spiritedness, maintaining a good name, chivalry and character moulding in our people. Within 100 days, we provided jobs for 20,000 of our youths and replicated same two years later. We revamped agriculture and made it a profitable venture for farmers. We have positioned our youth for greatness by providing them with quality education. We have redefined the infrastructure of education by building state of the art schools, proving cutting edge technology, free school uniforms, free meals and so on. We h a v e e m p o w e r e d o u r p e o p l e economically through all the ‘O’ projects:

•aregbesola O’REAP, O’MEALS, O’BEEF, O’HUB, O’HONEY, O’CLEAN and so on. We have made micro-credit available to our people on a large scale and with direct injection, we have lifted the GDP of the state, making Osun the seventh largest economy in Nigeria. We have cared for the environment in an unprecedented way. We have banished flooding and cleaned the environment of filth. Our road construction projects, completed and ongoing, are incomparable. There is no local government that did not partake in our local and intercity road projects. We have embarked on a most ambitious urban renewal programme and we are fast returning our urban centres to beauty and aesthetic splendour. We have cared for the old, weak and infirm while special people have not escaped our touch. We have delivered on our six integral action programme. Our performance in the first term endeared us to you and convinced you to give us the mandate for another term. We shall continue on this path and accelerate the speed of development in Osun. Our vision is to deliver 20 years development in the next four years in economic, social and political fields. We shall complete all ongoing projects and start new ones. We shall touch every community in roads, education and infrastructure. We shall touch every household in wealth creation, security of lives and property, social amenities, political empowerment, political representation and much more. We shall consolidate on the foundation we are building and proceed to the superstructure of prosperity and greatness for our land and people. Though the financial challenges are daunting, we shall do everything within our power and the unbounded resources of our land and people to achieve our goals without faltering. The mandate you have given us covers all

the peoples of Osun in their social, political, religious and ethnic heterogeneity. There shall be no discrimination or disfavour against an individual or group on account of identity or difference. This is our credo of governance and we shall continue on this path. Our adversaries have taken the road to perdition by seeking to divide our people along religious and ethnic lines. On this path, they will travel alone. Our diversity is our strength; God has bequeathed to us the freedom of choice. We are at liberty to be Christian, Muslim, traditional religious worshipper, atheist, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw or Efik. What is unnatural and quite strange to Yoruba communal liberalism is to engage in conflict on account such differences. Lest we forget, the religion of PDP is poverty. Nigeria is saturated with leaders who are ever so quick to parade platitudes of their respective religion – denying its faith, essence and positive values. However, what we need at this time are God-fearing and incorruptible leaders who will galvanize our people and judiciously husband our resources to overcome our challenges. We must terminate the regime of self-seeking manipulators who currently parade corridors of power, accruing political profit by turning us against each other and further dividing us along ethnic and religious lines. The result of their politics of division is that Nigerians are poorer in the last 16 years whereas Nigeria as a country has never been richer save for recent months when oil price has declined. This manifests again in their continued lawlessness evidenced in the desecration of the National Assembly and the travesty at Ekiti Assembly. They have demonstrated without doubt their inability

to protect Nigerians and the territorial integrity of our country. We must therefore be determined to vote out the party that has brought us to this sorry pass. We must show them the way out. We must let them know that on their way to hell, they will walk alone. Our party, the All People Congress (APC) promises prosperity, national unity and integration, security of lives and property, job and wealth creation, rule of law and constitutionalism and deepening of democracy. All these have been showcased in all the states where our party holds sway in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti (until recently), Edo, Imo, Rivers, Kwara, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Borno and Yobe. This is what we stand for and this is why a greater number of Nigerians continue to accept us and identify with us. Our present travails therefore is temporary. The PDP on the other hand stands for poverty, misery and insecurity. They are prepared to sacrifice the entire country as long as their hold on power is intact. Come February next year, Nigerians are going to say enough is enough. We are going to beat them because they are beatable. The God that helped us to beat them in Osun will also beat them for us in the national election. Do not be afraid, do not despair. Victory is at hand. To God almighty, the omnipotent and omniscient, we owe our victory. I will however like to acknowledge and thank everyone that contributed in one way or another to our success. I will begin with our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), all the national leaders of the party down the line but permit me to single out my leader and mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for providing the inspiration to aspire, to seek, to find and to triumph. I will also like to thank my brother governors in APC who have supported me in every way possible in the struggle. My sincere appreciation goes to all the legislators in the National Assembly from Osun, especially the Director General of my campaign, Prof Sola Adeyeye, who demonstrated uncommon doggedness and a youthful heart. I cannot forget the party in the state, from the ward to the senatorial districts and state officials. The party was in the heat of fire, but they bore it with singular courage and equanimity. I acknowledge the support and the inimitable role of council chiefs and members of the State House of Assembly under the astute leadership of our indomitable Speaker. I remain grateful to my governance team, the sharp instrument of my administration, for their unflinching support, for staying the course and for achieving much from little. I am particular about my Deputy, the Secretary to the State Government and my Chief of Staff. My biggest thanks go to the people of Osun for their faithfulness from time past even till the present. These are the women groups, especially traders and market women, the artisans, hunters, butchers, farmers groups, commercial motorcyclists, transporters, drivers, civil servants, teachers, students, youths, organised private sector, entertainers, financial institutions, journalists, Godfearing security agents, artists and artistes, activists, traditional rulers, community based associations, youth based associations, civil society organisations and the coalition of political parties in the state. I thank you all. Your government is here and we will give our all to serve you. Lastly, my thanks go to my family, especially my darling wife, who has held our home front with exceptional devotion. Her prayers, faith in God and in me plus her sacrificial love are pillars of unfailing support. I will not forget my mother, Iya Olobi, for her doting care, her sacrifice and huge heart. I thank you all for your kind attention. Osun a dara!

Osun Defender Saturday, November

www.osundefender.org Saturday, NOVEMBER 29, 2014

s 2015 general elections beckon, Nigerians have to be ultra careful and vigilant. The indices coming from the federal level is not complimentary enough. There is desperation on the part of the powers that be that power must be retained at all cost. For any election to be credible, free and fair, the role of security agencies cannot be overemphasized. Adequate security is a sine qua non for a good one but it should not be overdone like in the State of Osun, during the gubernatorial election on August 9, 2014. In the case of the election in the State of Osun, not only was the state over-militarized, security agents were hooded. How can security agents wearing veils be properly identified in case of any misdemeanours? It was a grand plan by the power that be to ensure that a particular candidate and party won. However, the doggedness and the determination of the people to vote and stand by their votes ensured the people’s victory. Nigerians need to learn a lesson from the Osun experience. If what is transpiring now is anything to go by, then Nigerians must brace up for greater challenges. They attempted it in Ekiti State, they succeeded, but in the State of Osun, they met a formidable force. In Ekiti State, seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislative members claimed to have impeached the legitimate Speaker of the House, Dr Wale Ominrin. In a sane clime, can 7 legislators be more than 19 in a democratic setting? It is, however, possible in President Goodluck Jonathan’s Nigeria, where 16 governors were more than 19 in the Nigeria Governors Forum debacle. This led to crisis, which is yet unresolved. In the National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) deployed his men to the federal parliament to prevent members of the House of Representatives from performing their legitimate duties recently. When the IGP, Mr Suleimon Abba, was invited by the House Committee on Police Affairs, the alibi given by the IGP was that he cannot recognize Rt (Hon) Mallam Aminu Waziri Tambuwal because the case of his defection is in court. Nigerians would recall that Honourable Tambuwal recently defected to the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC). On the floor of the House before the House adjourned till early December His security aides were withdrawn

THE

5TH

Audacious Exploit with Murtala Agboola Tel: 0806-119-7897 E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com

Nigerians Beware Of 2015 Election

•Abba: IG

by the police; ostensibly because of the defection. Earlier before that, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly had defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling party at the federal level, PDP. He suffered nothing as a result of the defection. The police continue to provide security for him. The meeting between the House Committee on Police and the IGP had to end abruptly because the committee refused to allow an appointee of the Executive to dictate who their leader should be. Ordinarily one wonders why the IGP claims he cannot accept Tambuwal as the Speaker, albeit, for the time being. If the President, in his wisdom had transmitted a letter to the Speaker asking for a further six months extension of the emergency period of the three North-Eastern States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, who is the

IGP to claim otherwise? In any case, since the case is before a court of competent jurisdiction, the IGP, as an office holder, under the Constitution ought to accord Tambuwal that right until the contrary is proven in court. As the saying goes, nature abhors vacuum. Is the IGP arguing that for now there is no Speaker in the House of Representatives? This lends credence to those who argue that appointments into such sensitive posts like IGP and relative offices should not be made by the ruling party but by a special body. Discretion ought to be used in such situation, so that tensions are not heightened. There are some sensitive national positions which demands that a lot of discretion is made use of. The Constitution requires that professionals should be able to use their educational qualifications and experience to stabilize the system, when politicians are losing their heads.

M O S T- V I S I T E D

NEWS-

Police as a security agency means a lot to the people. Their functions are very essential in the society such that in any society, when they decide to take sides, there is always problem. The danger is that when the people perceive the police to be bias, there is a serious problem. Lynching and taking laws into hands by the people is sometimes occasioned by lack of trust in the police. The role of the police in an election is as important as that of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC). Whatever the preparation of INEC, if polling booths are not properly secured, thugs can easily manipulate the process. All Nigerians owe it a duty to ensure the success of this democracy. Our long years of military rule has thought us that we need to guide this democracy jealously. This is predicated in the fact that the worst democracy is better than the best military rule. Nigeria would have advanced further than where we find ourselves today if the military had not interrupted the civilians in 1966. Our democratic leaders should be able to learn from their mistakes and correct themselves. They should be responsible to the people. Isolating themselves from the people while in power does a lot of damage not only to the psyche of the downtrodden, but it helps to reinforce the belief that they are only used for elections and discarded like filthy rags after election. In our own interest we should sustain this democracy. Public officials should always note that the positions they are holding today have been held before and would be held after they have leave office. Posterity and the people are the best judges of event. While in office, we may manipulate thugs in our favour. But we should be guided by the fact that we would always leave that office one day. While in office, the aroma of our cozy office may be tempting, people would flock around us to make us believe without us, they are nobody. But to and behold as soon as we leave office, the same people would be the first we castigate us. Even the people we did their bidding would not be left out. We should learn to head softly because the banana peal is everywhere.

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the Managing Editor, Kola Olabisi, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail:

osundefender@yahoo.com, kayodeagbaje@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org.