Osun Defender - November 8th, 2014 Edition

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THE

6TH

M O ST - V I S I TED

saturday, november 8, 2014

Quote “Look at what we did in Osun State. In Osun, we had the best election conducted so far; the best election we have conducted so far as a commission since 2011.”

• Quote from Professor Attahiru Jega’s interview in The Guardian of Wed. Oct. 29 (2nd part of a series that •Jega started on the 28th).

NEWS-

VOL. 9. NO.134

Front Page Comment

N50

Pushing Democracy Forward, One Step At A Timepoliticians -By Tolu Ogunlesi e are two camps: Those and their General election season

dawns inexorably upon us.

It’s in the air everywhere: the flood of posters and billboards; the endlesschatter of radio and television jingles.

The social media is as well abuzz with activities –every day we wake up to

campaign teams showing their faces on Twitter, and

minions and “voltrons” circle the waters frantically, looking for whom to devour on behalf of their principals. Regarding those principals, ther

who are doing it because they stand a chance of triumphing, and those doing it because it is the best way to position yourself for the crumbs that will dropafter the dust has settled Continue on pg5

Osun Governorship Election Tribunal:

Omisore Not Ready For Hearing

“The tribunal is ready, we are also ready, but it is the petitioners that are not ready.

In fact, we are here with our own witnesses and the documents we want to tender.”

- Mr Kunle Adegoke, Aregbesola’s Lawyer

•Seeks Adjournment Till Mon day - See Story On Page 2

•(L-R) Barrister Wale Afolabi; Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN); Chief F.O. Fagboungbe and Chief Charles Edosowan (SAN) all for Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Election Petition Tribunal over the August 9, 2014 governorship election between the governor and the defeated PDP governorship candidate in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, at High Court, Osogbo, last Thursday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Nigeria Is - Pg 4 Wrecked Economically - Aregbesola Legislature Is The Bedrock Of Qual- Pg 3 ity Governance – Adaba Project Convener

Omoluabi Savings And Loans Listed On Stock Ex- Pg 2 change

Osun Tribunal: PDP’s Attempt To Compromise Panel Fails

- See Story On Page 3

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Osun Defender Saturday, November 8,

Osun Tribunal: Omisore Not Ready For Hearing •Seeks Adjournment Till Monday

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By kazeem mohammed

ontrary to the allegations that Governor Rauf Aregbesola and All Progressives Congress (APC) are dragging the hearing of the petition before the State of Osun Election Petition Tribunal, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his defeated governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, have sought the adjournment till Monday, as they were not ready for hearing.

It would be recalled petitioners’ counsel, Mr that Omisore and the PDP, Nathaniel Oke (SAN), who are challenging the applied that the matter re-election of Aregbesola should be adjourned.

As if he was truly ready, and APC have accused the respondents of using Oke said: “My Lords, delay tactics for the we are ready to open our case, since the prehearing of the petition.

At the sitting of the hearing has been closed tribunal on Thursday, by your Lordship”.

S u b s e q u e n t l y, t h e when the panel was set to start hearing and the t r i b u n a l c h a i r m a n , respondents have also J u s t i c e E l i z a b e t h e indicated to move on, the Ikpejime, responded:

“We are ready now to begin hearing. You can call your witnesses now.”

The petitioners’ counsel quickly made a u-turn and applied for the adjournment till Monday, saying: “We don’t want to open our case now and after calling two or three witnesses, we will be asking for adjournment.

We want adjournment till Monday.”

This application was opposed to by counsel to Aregbesola, Mr Kunle Adegoke, who argued that the application was purely in conflict with the allegation of the PDP that the respondents in the matter are trying to delay the hearing of the matter.

He said: “We have been

harassed so much in the media by the petitioners that we are trying to delay the proceeding, but they are the ones now that are dragging us back.

“The tribunal is ready, we are also ready, but it is the petitioners that are not ready. In fact, we are here with our own witnesses and the documents we want to tender,” he said.

Counsel to the APC, Mr Aderemi Abimbola, also associated with the objection of Aregbesola’s counsel, requesting for a N500,000 cost against the petitioners.

Subsequently, the tribunal granted the application for adjournment till Monday, November 10.

Earlier, the panel had read the scheduling order to be followed during hearing, directing that 20 minutes would be allotted for cross-examination of each witness, while Certified True Copies (CTC) document would be tendered by consent.

Objections on uncertified document, according to the tribunal, would be taken in the course of hearing, but rulings on them would be delivered in the final judgement.

Meanwhile, three issues that have been formulated by the tribunal, out of the issues raised by the parties, are whether the tribunal has jurisdiction to entertain the matter and whether the election was vitiated by reason of corrupt practices, irregularity and substantial noncompliance with the provision of the electoral

Act and Manual for the Conduct of the election.

Other issue is whether the first respondent was validly returned as a candidate, who polled the majority of lawful votes at the election.

In line with paragraph 41(10) of the first schedule of the electoral act, the tribunal said the petitioners have 14 days to present their case, while the respondents have 10 days each to defend.

The tribunal then directed that its attention should be drawn to the preliminary objections of the respondents and proffer arguments in the final addresses, saying, decision would be taken firstly on the competence and jurisdictional matter at the final judgement before determining the merit of the case.

Women Politicians Are More Reliable - Obasanjo

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By sola jacobs

he former President of Nigeria and an elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has averred that women politicians are more reliable than their male counterparts.

•A cross section of newsmen waiting to interview Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s lawyers within the court premises after the sitting at the Election Petition Tribunal over the August 9, 2014 governorship election between the governor and the defeated PDP governorship candidate in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, at High Court, Osogbo, last Thursday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

He stated this while playing host to the national executives of Nigeria Association of Wo m e n J o u r n a l i s t s (NAWOJ), who paid him a courtesy visit at his private residence in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

The elder statesman said politics must be decent, diginifying and honourable, the virtues that women are noted for.

He added that the best

Omoluabi Savings And Loans Listed On Stock Ex-

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By kehinde ayantunji

uccour came to the way of the share holders and the government of Osun as the Omoluabi Savings and Loans is now on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

N S E l i s t e d t h e company and listing on company on Tuesday as the NSE’s Alternative its Alternative Securities Securities Market.

Onyema explained Market Board.

The Exchange admitted that the listing followed and listed five billion the decision of the state shares of the company government to divest for trading on the floor of itself of its holdings in the Exchange at 55 kobo the company and to have it listed on the Exchange. per share.

According to him: The Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar “ T h i s r e m a r k a b l e Onyema, who disclosed d e v e l o p m e n t p u t s this at a ‘Facts behind the the company on the listing’ presentation by the pedestal for growth and company, congratulated sustainability “We view your listing the Government of the State of Osun, the board today as a realisation of and management of the the value proposition of company on the successful the ASeM Board and recapitalisation of the an appreciation of the

benefit of listing on the stock exchange.”

He added that the listing boosted the ASeM Index and market capitalisation of the board by about 70 per cent to N6.67bn, representing a significant move.

Onyema said it was anticipated that several suitable emerging businesses would take advantage of the provisions of ASeM, while government institutions would consider privatisation through the stock market.

In his presentation, the Chairman, Omoluabi Savings and Loans, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, who is also the State of Osun Commissioner for Finance, thanked the management of the

Nigerian Stock Exchange for the support in making the listing possible.

He explained that the listing followed an initial public offer, which saw the company offer three billion shares at 55 kobo per share to the public.

Bolorunduro, who said the IPO was “highly successful” stressed that the company had always considered corporate governance to be vital; more so as a result of the recent global financial crisis.

By listing the company on the Exchange, he said, the board and management “are focused and willing to subject ourselves to the discipline of the market.”

Bolorunduro, who said the huge housing

deficit in the country showed that the company had huge potential for growth, added: “We believe in fundamentals of the company. We will strive hard to sustain our performance. The belief is that the company will now have more capital to trade and lend to clients, who are the recipient of mortgage services.”

Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna JaloWa z i r i , s a i d : “ T h e ASeM Board allows issuers, especially indigenous companies the opportunity to inject relatively low cost and long-term capital into their businesses through flexible rules that recognise their growth potential rather than the size of their operations.”

journalist that ever served him was a woman, in person of the late Mrs Oluremi Oyo, the former Director-General of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the chief spokewoman of the former President.

Giving kudos to Nigerian women, President Obasanjo said African women are not often given chance to exhibit their potentials because of the cultural and religious beliefs, adding that this should not be so, as only men cannot make a society.

Earlier in her speech, the National President of NAWOJ, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, said the visit was in recognition of Chief Obasanjo’s role in the unity of the country.

She observed that the various challenges currently facing the country, adding that to correct these, women journalists, as mothers, are planning to have a unity conference next year, which the former President is expected to be the Chief Host.

In the company of the NAWOJ President during the visit was the Deputy Vice President, Hajia Biliquees Oladimeji, the NAWOJ Chairperson in Lagos State, Mrs Dupe Olaoye Osinkolu and members of Ogun State NAWOJ executives.

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Osun Defender Saturday, November

Legislature Is The Bedrock Of Quality Governance – Adaba Project Convener By shina abubakar

rebasing of the economy as a mere show-off, which is not necessary considering the enormous resources the country is endowed with, adding that Nigeria is still great but unfortunate and criminal that 75 per cent is living below $1 per day.

He expressed confidence that the APC would win the federal constituency in the forthcoming general elections because the PDP would not be able to induce the electorate as it did during the August 9, 2014 governorship poll in the area.

would not dump the APC particularly played by weak n All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for if he is not given the party politicians, whose intention is to ride on the peoples’ Ayedaade/Isokan/Irewole Federal Constituency in ticket.

The financial consultant sentiment. the 2015 general elections, Mr Ademola Adeyinka, Speaking on the economic has described the legislative arm as the bedrock of also berated the appendage democracy, as its quality determines the quality of of home-grown politician, situation in the country, describing it as a propaganda Ademola described the democratic governance of any society.

He stated this while speaking at the first edition of OSUN DEFENDER Roundtable Discussion held for political office aspirants, held at the organisation’s corporate headquarters in Osogbo last Thursday.

He disclosed that he is passionate to serve the Nigerian masses and only through politics can one bring his professional experience to bear to improve the lot of the masses.

He decried the situation where quality personalities do not go into politics, adding that he was motivated to join politics by the leadership traits of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; hence, the decision of Araba Project offered its support.

According to him, what motivated the support was to ensure that the governor got re-elected and continues the good job he started in the state.

“Adaba Project is conceived as a grassroots •Mr Adebayo Adeyinka (right) in a discussion with newsmen last Thursday during the OSUN DEFENDER Roundtable Chat for All Progressives p r o j e c t , d e s i g n e d t o Congress (APC) aspirants in the State of Osun to espouse their programmes for the electorate. empower the people at the grassroots, particularly women and youths, as well as support the great work of By ismaeel uthman Governor Aregbesola at the state level.” effective lawmaking to the He added that women n aspirant vying to represent Boripe/Boluwaduro State to the party executives and to produce the lawmaker to development of the state.

Constituency in the State of Osun House of Assembly, members, Tokede promised represent the constituency Tokede also declared that would have priority in his Alhaji Akeem Tokede, has urged the electorate in t o f a c i l i t a t e e f f e c t i v e according to the zoning he had studied and know the bills if elected into the arrangement, said his ambition problems confronting the House of Representatives, the state to ensure that candidates of the All Progressives lawmaking to compliment was not a do-or-die affair. ( APC) dominate Osun parliament in the 2015 Aregbesola’s achievements and of his constituency, believing that to reduce Congress “Since Governor Rauf people developmental programmes. general elections. saying all those problems poverty level of the The former banker, who Aregbesola, a visionary would be critically looked into According to Tokede, t h e B o l u w a d u r o L o c a l leader, is not a do-or-die country, women ought to dominance of the APC Government Council Area hailed from Ward 1, Otan- politician, I have no reason and taken care of. be permanently empowered. the Earlier, the APC Chairman candidates in the State House A P C e x e c u t i v e s o f h i s Ay a n g b a j u , B o l u w a d u r o to be,” saying that he would He disclosed that cross- of Assembly would ensure intention to contest the 2015 Local Government council maintain decorum within in the council area, Mr Gbenga carpeting is a phenomenon the smooth running of the Boripe/Boluwaduro State Area, also vowed to be a the party and among other Oke, who presided over the meeting, said he was so excited that would continue in the Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s C o n s t i t u e n c y H o u s e o f good representative of his aspirants. at the state on the comments of the people politics of Nigeria for the second term.

Assembly election under the constituency He said he was eyeing the parliament. about Tokede.

Tokede stated this on APC. House of Assembly to make next thirty years, saying he Tokede who stated that it Oke stated that Tokede has

A

Aspirant Promises Effective Lawmaking To Complement Aregbesola’s Dev Programmes

A

Wednesday while informing

Presenting his manifestoes

was Otan-Ayegbaju’s turn

his contributions through

had been going round telling people that the incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola would not be sworn in on November 26, as the party would have been declared winner of the poll.

To this end, the party

is determined to make any sacrifice, as long as it meets its desperation to be sworn in as elected party in government by November 26, 2014.

However, the party’s effort to compromise the

tribunal has been hitting the rocks, as the chairman and members are being extremely careful to protect their integrity.

Osun Tribunal: PDP’s Attempt To Compromise Panel Fails

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By shina abubakar

he State of Osun Chapter of the People Democratic Party’s (PDP) attempt to manoeuvre the election petition tribunal has been a daunting task, as it has proven difficult for party’s agents to reach out to the panelists.

Investigations revealed it with the dirty job, while t h a t p r o m i n e n t P D P the bankrolling is done from chieftains have been working Osogbo, as it has become hard to reach members of impossible to penetrate the panel immediately after the tribunal from the state it was constituted, with a capital.

It would be recalled view to compromising the judges in favour of the party that the present panel is when delivering its verdict. the third one sitting on It was gathered that the the petition that emanated party had, immediately after from the August 9, 2014 the constitution of the new poll in the state, which was panel, commenced moves seriously policed to avoid to reach out to friends and manipulations.

However, failure to lure associates of the panellists, with a view to get to the the new panel to its side has chairman of the tribunal, but caused a lot of apprehension information available to the in the PDP camp, whose medium have revealed that earlier overtures with the disbanded panel has caused the party is yet to succeed.

Findings showed that the party fortunes.

Checks revealed that the party was putting its effort at connecting its party the party was desperate to executives in Abuja to help corner itself into power and

been playing prominent roles in the development of the town, vis-à-vis the party, describing him as a progressive-minded person.

Speaking at the meeting, the APC Vice Chairman, Mr Olabisi Oke, urged Boluwaduro people to remain firm in their bid to make sure that the ticket is being given to contender from Boluwaduro, in line with the zoning arrangement.

Agricultural Infrastructure: FG, Osun To Collaborate In Providing For Farmers

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ith the ongoing wave of transformation and reforms in the agriculture sector, which has brought about empowerment for its stakeholders alongside increased food production and security, the State of Osun Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Wale Adedoyin, has made known the intention of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to join forces with the Federal Government, in order to facilitate increased availability of agricultural infrastructure in the state. to thein commissioner, of more facilities andAccording infrastructure the state establishment Citing the various projects had become a necessity to established in the state by guarantee advancement in the Federal Government to agricultural productivity as include cassava production, part of measures to ensure provision of storage facilities food security and harness the and provision of modern empowerment opportunities equipment for food processing, available in the sector for the he however noted the need for benefit of the people. more to be done.

By francis Ezediuno

Speaking on the efforts of the present state administration to unlock the potentials of the sector in the state, he stated that the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had approved the establishment of more farm settlements in parts of the state, which would be prepared and allocated to prospective young farmers, for the production of both food crops and livestock.

He added that the state government had also provided facilities in some farm settlements located in Ede, Ife and Ilesa, among others,

for use by young farmers.

E l a b o r a t i n g f u r t h e r, Adedoyin explained that the farm settlements were designed to provide job opportunities for youths, as well as increase availability of food for local and external consumption.

He stated that the state government would provide the beneficiaries with access to farming inputs, credit facilities and security for the farm.

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Osun Defender Saturday, November

Nigeria Is Wrecked Economically - Aregbesola •Says No Alternative To Taxation

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he governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said on Thursday that Nigeria is sinking economically with the dwindling revenue from the federation account.

He said all the citizens of the country must rise in support of the government by paying taxes to assist government in fulfilling its obligations.

The governor stated this on Thursday during the launch of Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (E-TCC) facilitated by the State Internal Revenue Services, held at the Leisure Spring Hotel in Osogbo, the state capital.

Aregebesola, who appeared in a sober reflection, said: “You will observe that we do not observe our usual rites since the beginning of this programme. The terrible situation of our country calls for sober reflection.

The crude, as at today in the international market, is $76,

contrary to the $117 early this year.

“Since last year June, our allocation has reduced with 40 % and I was making noise. Since then, we have been battling with this critical situation and we don’t know where we are heading to, because the situation is becoming more and more terrible. “ A friend from United States of America recently wrote me on the impending falling of crude oil price, and alerted me that by next year, crude oil price may not be beyond $50 per barrel.

That is why we must find alternative means to run government. For those who understand, the nation is in serious trouble,” Aregbesola said.

The governor urged the

people of the state to pay taxes, saying refusal of any citizen to pay tax is a disservice to any society.

According to the governor, the low income earners would be paying N4.17 per day making N1500 per month, adding that those in that category will pay N4,500 for three months to get the new electronic tax clearance card.

The Guest Lecturer, Mr Peter Olayemi, Director, Medium Tax Department,

By kazeem mohammed

Federal Inland Revenue Service, while delivering his lecture on “Tax Regime as a Tool of Standardisation of Revenue From Informal Sector” said the best resources alternative to development is taxation.

Temitope explained that taxation is about the profit on businesses and according to the law, citizens must pay taxes from their businesses.

He therefore, urged the investors, especially the informal workers, to be keeping transaction records,

with a view to assisting the tax managers, saying absence of record may lead to imposition of Best of Judgment (BOJ), which may not be in the interest of an investor.

He said: “In law, it is presumed that absence of transaction records is an attempt to evade tax, which will compel the tax managers to estimate the value of businesses and impose assumed due tax.

This may not be in the interest of any businessman,

but it is the position of law.”

Olayemi advised the people of the state to take the advantage of the electronic tax clearance certificate to improve their businesses and make life abundant in the society.

The State Commissioner f o r F i n a n c e , D r Wa l e Bolorunduro, said tax clearance has become a very important document in Nigeria, as every transaction and business revolves around tax clearance and urged the people to take advantage of the new electronic card.

Withdrawal Of Tambuwal Security Is Impunity - Osun Speaker

By kazeem mohammed peaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has described the withdrawal of security details of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, as highest level of impunity.

He said the police is rule of law are becoming ignorantly usurping into lawbreakers with impunity. the function of judiciary He regretted that the police as a result of Tambuwal’s as an institution that ought defection from Peoples to be enforcing laws without Democratic Party (PDP) to fear or favour has slipped All Progressives Congress into partisan category and (APC) is the height of the low bragging about its aberration, in Nigeria’s democracy. because it pleases the whims In a statement signed by and caprices of some top his Press Secretary, Mr. Goke politicians.

Butika, Salaam wondered Admonishing the why those who ought to Presidency to consider a legal champion the cause of path, instead of resorting to self-help in a bid to fight Tambuwal, he noted that the act of the police perversion, points to the presidency in the matter.

He said: “We have to be mindful of antecedent the institutional error could peaker of the State of create in a fragile democracy O s u n H o u s e o f like Nigeria.

“If the office of the Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam, has advised Speaker of the House of students against cultism and Representatives could be treated with contempt, the other social vices, capable of consequence is that an destroying their future. ordinary Nigerian has no Salaam gave the advice chance, and if the trend on Wednesday in Osogbo of impunity is allowed to while addressing students of stretch, anarchy could be the Obafemi Awolowo University response.”

He asserted that the (OAU), Ile-lfe, who were of the Speaker’s on excursion visit to the withdrawal security details poses an Assembly Complex. image dim for the police, The Speaker, who described noting that the confidence Nigerian youths as future of ordinary Nigerian is leaders, said they should being vitiated in the police not allow bad association to institution by every minute of the delay. destroy their career.

He further argued that He said cultism is not a the of absurd in the way of life, rather a destiny Ta mdrama buwal saga would destroyer. continue to expose the “l want to urge you to country to opprobrium in be upright and shun bad the eye of the international community. association.

Salaam then asked the “You are the future leaders of this country and you must police authority to restore live your life as a worthy the security detail and apologize to Tambuwal on ambassador”. its contemptuous reaction to Salaam also advised the his partisan choice.

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Osun Speaker Warns Students Against Cultism

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students to concentrate on their students, so as to earn a

•The NSE National President, Engr. Isaac Olorunfemi, presenting the prize gift to NSE Osogbo branch Chairman, Engr. Adeniran Ibitoye Kilomodemo.

Osogbo NSE Makes Osun Proud At WECSI

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By francis Ezediuno

sogbo branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has made the State of Osun proud by winning the first prize of the initial welfare night auction at the ongoing World Engineering Conference on Sustainable Infrastructure (WECSI) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Information emanating from WECSI indicated that Osogbo NSE, which was led by its Chairman, Engineer Felix Adeniran Ibitoye aka Kilomodemo indicated that it was the first time the branch would be winning any award at the national and international levels.

In his remark after the presentation of the prize gift, which was a big size Samsung refrigerator donated by Samsung, the NSE Osogbo branch Chair maintained that new and great things were happening in the branch and a testimony to that was the prize, which they had one during the welfare night.

He then thanked all those who believed in him and had made his victory at the NSE election possible.

In his words: “This award coming after the 39th day of my assuming office as the chairman of my branch means a lot to me.

“It shows that my administration is the right one for the NSE in Osogbo at this period and with the help of all my members, my

tenure will create the required environment needed to take it to an enviable position.”

Kilomodemo promised not to rest on his oars, as he was ready to take branch of

the society to an enviable position that would be recognised nationally and internationally.

While relating with OSUN DEFENDER on the success achieved by his branch during the conference, Kilomodemo, who also doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of the State of Osun on Engineering Matters, expressed appreciation to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for

the opportunity to contribute his own quota towards the development of the state.

Kilomodemo also revealed that as a sign of the goodwill, which the Osogbo branch now enjoyed since his assumption of office, he had also been awarded a Presidential Award, which was presented to him by the NSE National President, Engineer Isaac Olorunfemi.

New APC Exco Charged To Consolidate On Achievements

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By our reporter

he Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration in the State of Osun, Honourable Basiru Ajibola, has described the Prince Gboyega Famodun-led new party executives for All Progressives Congress (APC) as the beginning of a new phase of life in the party and Osun.

This observation was contained in a press statement made available to OSUN that their sojourn in the DEFENDER and signed s a d d l e o f l e a d e r s h i p

by Alhaji Badmus Akeem should be exemplary with the anticipated daunting Gbolagade.

A j i b o l a c h a r g e d challenges they would members of the new party encounter.

The commissioner, who executives to strive to make their tenure the magical was in the delegation of moments of their lives Osun Positive Force when and look forward to new they paid a courtesy visit to Prince Famodun-led experiences.

He also counselled new executive, challenged

the new members to consistently build bridges of harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the party, so that the party would walk into a more secured and fulfilled future.

He used the occasion to pray for good health and wisdom, so as to enable the new executives of the APC to finish strong in the discharge of their duties to the party and also to consolidate on their common anticipated achievements.

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Osun Defender Saturday, November 8, 2014

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

Continued from pg1

This second group are the ones who know that the best way to get considered for a commissionership post in Nigeria is to make loud noises about the governorship, get noticed, and then offer to drop your ambition in the spirit of sacrifice, and in exchange for some not-too-bad compensation. (You just have to love this country – nothing is ever what it seems! Elections will hold in 28 states; only in eight of these will incumbents be seeking reelection. The other 20 are coming to the end of their terms and will be seeking to anoint their successors, to the chagrin of other contestants. Several governors will be looking to become senators, and several senators, governors. Already about seven ministers have resigned, to aspire for the governorship in their various states.

Not all of them will succeed.

Those who don’t will be banking on the prospects of compensation when – or if – the Peoples Democratic Party retains control of the Federal Government. Some of them might return as ministers, others, ambassadors.

All of the politicking – amplified by news headlines and newspaper columns and the

internet – makes you ask yourself, in quieter moments, to what end? Are we doing politics for the sake of politics, solely for the bitter battles and the control of the mechanisms of patronage, or is all of this happening for a larger purpose: to better the lives of millions of ordinary Nigerians.

Looking back at 15 years of democracy, is this where we should be? Should our generators still be this loud in their nightly crying? Should our First Lady or the governors still be rushing abroad for medical treatment?

Travelling around the country it is easy to be disappointed by how little distance we have covered, in terms of development, in 15 years. There are culprits at every level.

In the case of the Federal Government, its continuing neglect of important inter-state roads is tragic. (I’ll leave the electricity discussion for another day).

In the states, a good number of governors are, to say it the Nigerian way, “trying.” Standards of performance for the 2007/2011 set of governors appears to be somewhat higher than what we saw with their predecessors. But even then, we still have many governors for whom almost nothing good can be said. In

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 SouthWest. The joke back then was that if the AD had fielded a goat or monkey, it would still have won. It seems like we have come a long way since those days.

Now, the electorate are becoming more sophisticated and discriminating, it would seem, and are more likely to give, in their decision-making, as much weight to individual candidates as to political party symbols.

While there are still some states that are virtual one-party states, like Enugu and Ebonyi (where I spent the weekend), which are firmly in the grip of the PDP – in these states, the

Benue State, Governor Gabriel Suswam is confidently heading to the Senate on a rather dismal record: public primary schools in the state only recently reopened after eight months of strike, while there is a 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.

OSUN DEFENDER

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6

for the records

Osun Defender Saturday, November 8, 2014

Osun Election: A Pathway To Nigeria’s Democratic Being an address delivered by Barrister Muiz Banire, Guest Speaker at The Victory Colloquium

for Governor Rauf Aregbesola, organized by Gazelle News on Sunday at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

Continued from last edition

n another scenario, the Electoral Officer of Osogbo Local Government on the day of the election refused to release identification tags to APC agents thereby preventing them from being able to monitor the accreditation process. It took the intervention of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Wali, to compel him to release the identification tags. Later in the day, the same Electoral Officer hid the result sheet on which election results for Osogbo Local Government were to be recorded. It took mass protest to compel him to produce the result form as he was only dancing to the dictates of his PDP masters who were hellbent on rigging the election. The two biased umpires were later relieved of their jobs.

Tuesday, the 5th day of August, 2014 was a master stroke in the campaign of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and a cul-de-sac to the blind gropes of PDP for undeserved victory in the State of Osun. The conscious and vigilant people of the State came out in thousands in an unparalleled show of solidarity to present victorious endorsement to the man of the people at the Osogbo Stadium Complex. It was a clear signal that no fortress is stronger than the people and no forces of oppression can repress the people when the revolutionary consciousness has taken the centre stage of mass awareness. The last rally of PDP, which held about three days before at the same venue, commanded no more than 10% of the crowd that came to endorse Aregbesola despite the joint presence of President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo. It was a jamboree second to none and was a clear indication that people were going to vote against cluelessness which the opposition in the State symbolises.

It was at this rally that Ogbeni tutored the masses on clinical voting capable of defeating the mysteryshrouded electronic rigging by photochromic ballot papers. The masses went away assured that no bullet could defeat their democratic resolve and that they had the right to monitor the election from the beginning to the end of counting, announcement of results, recording of votes, collation at the Ward level, Local Government level and the final collation and announcement of result at the State level. Aside from the general training organised by the government of Aregbesola for the electorate from ward to ward across the State, the governor took time to tutor the electorate on a step-by-step analysis of the electoral process and how important their presence was at the polling booths on the day of the election.

The governor further brought scientific method to prevention of rigging as he directed every voter to take a photograph of his ballot paper before dropping same in the ballot box. By this, there would be photographic evidence to prove that a particular ballot paper with a particular serial number actually voted for a particular party and same was not invalidated by multiple thumbprinting at the time of voting.

I

•All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Alhaji Kawu Baraje (middle); Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his wife, Sherifat (right) and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Right Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, at the colloquium for Aregbesola, at Eko Hotel, Lagos State, on Sunday.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, at the stakeholders’ conference organised before the election, rejected this laudable position of the governor. His position also met a staunch rejection from the people who insisted on their right to take snapshots of their ballot papers as they had the right to do whatever they liked with the ballot papers once given to them. We had to do press conference immediately on this and the issue of polling Agents presence at the polling booths based on the law regulating same.

The Day of the Jackal The election day arrived wrapped in heavy cloak of resistance by the people and unalloyed resolve to vote in a peaceful manner. People trooped out in thousands and multitudes of them trekked long distances to cast their votes in places where they were actually registered to vote. All efforts to rig the election failed as the people put into effect the popular aphorism that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”. Old men and women who were bent by age trooped out in large numbers to polling units while youths, in thousands defied the gun-totting uniformed terrorists of the PDP and ensured that no one was allowed to vote more than once and no one had the opportunity to perpetrate any form of rigging.

Around noon on that day, information filtered in from reliable in-house sources from Aso Rock about the Federal Government’s directive that APC’s votes should be swapped for PDP’s votes at the Local Government collation centres. This we promptly broadcast and we gingered popular resistance. In places where rigging and swapping of votes were attempted, the inglorious efforts were rescinded when the mass of the people threatened a complete showdown.

It was too clear that all efforts by the Federal Government and PDP to re-enact the Ekiti scenario had

failed. Unlike the people of Ekiti, the people of Osun were not cowed by the jackboot terrorism of the Federal Government. While majority of Ekiti people shunned the electoral process on the day of their gubernatorial election which eventually ended in the lowest turnout in recent history, the people of Osun proved their mettle by not only turning out to vote their candidates but put triggers to shame by monitoring the election to the end. While Christians staged mini crusades and praise worship from the point of accreditation of voters up to the declaration of results at various polling units, lots of muslims observed their afternoon prayers and asalatu programmes at the polling booths and collation centres and the two religious groups provided shield for each other.

The tension-soaked, suspensefilled collation process was a turning point in the history of electioneering in Nigeria as the end finally justified the legitimate efforts of the people in ensuring that an election could be conducted in Nigeria without being rigged contrary to what happened in 2003 and 2007. The subsequent jubilations, the wild celebrations and general ceremonies organised by individuals, groups and organisations definitely were everlasting statements of democratic importance which showed that the people are the last and immercurial architects of their political future once there is a complete guarantee of leadership by example capable of re-energising the waning confidence of the masses in the leaders of this country.

Few days after the election, Professor Attahiru Jega admitted that the military had no business in election conduct or monitoring and assured the populace that any attempt in future by the Federal Government to deploy soldiers for election purposes shall be resisted by his organisation.

What Was the Winning Formula?

The most important tool which tilted the scale of victory in our favour in the State of Osun is the democratic nature of Ogbeni. His emergence as the candidate of the party in 2007 was via a democratic process devoid of imposition. His emergence in 2014 as the candidate to beat was through another democratic process which produced him as a most popular candidate.

His sterling and outstanding performances as governor in the past four years have really stood him out. He not only shows exceptional passion for service, he demonstrates uncommon and unrivalled dedication to selflessness in public governance.

His O-concepts like O-Yes by which more than 30,000 unemployed youths have been gainfully employed, O-Meal by which thousands of pupils in primary schools are being fed with most qualitative and hygienic meals at the least cost remain unrivalled in public administration in the world. For the latter, he has been invited by the British Parliament to discuss how this uncommon feat has been successfully implemented.

The history of Osun in the past four years is incomplete without the mention of the Opon Imo tablet by which otherwise costly and inaccessible educational materials and resources have been put at the fingertips of every student in public schools. This has made the State the cynosure of all eyes and a recipient of multiple awards both nationally and internationally. The new O-Schools have been masterpieces in public education not only in Nigeria but in Africa as they are beautiful structures equipped with modern teaching tools fully complemented by adequate welfare package for the teachers.

The Agba-Osun social security fund for the elders remains a concept to Continued on page 7

Osun Defender Saturday, November 8,

for the records

Osun Election: A Pathway To Nigeria’s Democratic

•(R-L) First Lady State of Osun, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Governor, State of Osun, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and other dignitaries during theVictory Colloquium for Aregbesola, at Eko Hotel, Lagos State, on Sunday.

Continued from page 6

study. The guarantee of adequate security for the people by which Osun remains one of the most peaceful States in the country in the last four years has enabled residents to sleep at night with two eyes closed. The popular transportation service by railway made available to the people during public holidays is unprecedented. The economic development of the State by way of improved internally generated revenue; massive provision of infrastructural facilities; unprecedented opening up of the State to foreign investments; massive human capacity building and development; generation of agricultural wealth through incomparable investment in agriculture etc, etc. have combined to make Ogbeni the darling of the electorate second to Awolowo and non-pareil in many respects in comparison with his contemporaries.

Ogbeni is a genuinely humble personality with uncommon love for the masses. He blends in an unpretentious manner with market women, dances with labourers in a show of love, explains in lucid language to the average consciousness and intelligence without a feeling of superiority or official arrogance. His monthly walk-to-live programme in which thousands of residents in different Local Government Areas participate is a down-to-earth exchange of love and confidence between the government and the people. The grandstanding effects of political power never cajole him and his campaign against corruption in and outside government is magisterial in substance. He is a goal-getter whose understanding of clinical economics is devoid of empty theories but full of practical knowledge and achievement of developmental progress for the people. All these make him the apple of the eyes of the people for whom their untiring love is never in short supply.

There is no way such a leader would not be loved by his people. There

is no way such a leader would not be appreciated by the people whose mentality in the past many decades have been victim of immeasurable abuse in the hands of various tyrannies that have paraded the corridors of power in this country. In these days of shortage of qualitative and corruptionfree administrations, Ogbeni has proven to the people that no service is better appreciated than one rendered to the betterment of humanity.

He exhibits undaunted courage in the face of adversities. His message of bravery to the people during the election bolstered the flexible spirit of the hoi polloi who have a tendency to immediately flee in the presence of terror. He mobilised his people for the task ahead in the usual manner of revolutionary activists the life of which he has lived for long. He eschews religious bigotry and gave meaning and expression to the right to religion as contained in Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered).

All these genuine show of affection for public good have guaranteed him victory long before the election was held.

Lessons from Osun In all these, how fared our great party, the All Progressives Congress?

What role did we play? Can the victory be said to have been won by the party? What lessons are there for us to learn?

I remember a brief conversation shared between a foremost leader of our party and a notable human rights activist. Immediately after the declaration of results on the 10th day of August, 2014, the said activist called to congratulate the said leader of our party and the leader said “Our party won the election”. The activist promptly retorted: “No, your party did not win the election. Ogbeni won the election.”

As strange as that may sound, I want to assure you it is the truth. Shortly before the election, we conducted house-to-house interaction with the electorate trying to persuade them to vote for our party. On many occasions

I personally heard people complaining that it was Ogbeni they wanted to vote for and not the Party. This is not strange to me as so many reasons advanced by them are not far fetched.

The poll conducted by the Party equally reflected the same thing that Ogbeni is more popular than the Party.

Thus, the mass appeal came from the performances of Ogbeni and not from the activities of our party leaders in whom many did not see any reason to continue being loyal to us. One fundamental reason for this attitude is the absence of internal democracy within our party. This brings us to the first lesson derivable from the Osun governorship election of August 9, 2014.

Lesson No. 1: Internal Democracy and Popular Candidates Talking of how best party structures are organised, we still have a lot to learn from the great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Professor Richard Sklar, talking about the Action Group, described it as “the best organized, the best financed and the most efficiently run party in Nigeria.” Today, our own party has been reduced to a shrine of personality cult where party members do not see themselves as democrats; where aspirants do not see any reason to patronise their constituencies in winning party tickets. All roads lead to one leader or the other. These personalities plenipotentiary posses the almighty fiat to determine who is the next councillor in every ward, who is the next chairman of each and every Local Government, who secures the ticket of the party to go to the House of Assembly, House of representatives or the Senate; who is the next governor of the State by whatever machinations possible.

Alas! How can democracy be secure in the hands of a few who dispense political kun fa ya kun as they please?

There are no further developmental projects in most Local Government Areas as the Chairmen have no sense of accountability to the masses but rather to their appointor, in the same manner that there is no accountability at virtually other levels to the people

7

again other than the political masters.

These are factors that many resent in our party and at times would rather work for the opponent. This was the scenario that played out in 2011 during the Local Government election in Lagos in which many of our people, out of protests, went and supported the candidate of the opposition. What followed thereafter is a story for another day.

In many cases we present the most unpopular candidate who probably even lost during primaries at the expense of a grassroots politician who is preferred by huge majority of the members of the party. A continuation of this illicit practice can never guarantee the future for democracy and I see it as a challenge in the oncoming 2015 election.

What Osun 2014 has taught us is to present popular and best candidates for elections through democratic and transparent primaries. It simplifies our work even when the opponents are most devilish with all forces of tyranny at their disposal. I recently observed in one of my recent papers and I have found same apposite here that “It is imperative for a people to constantly engage in critical examination of their welfare and existence. The reason for this is for us not to fall into the pit of a strong man who rarely knows the limit of his strength but to rather be like a wise man who always tries to ascertain the limits of his wisdom.”

It is the popularity of Ogbeni that won the election for us. Take it or leave it.

Lesson No. 2: Knowledge of and Love for Public Service Our political office holders must develop love for public service.

We must banish sycophancy and favouritism to the woods. We must ensure that candidates emerging on the platform of our party command good interest in the development of our society and have the moral and educational wherewithal to deliver to the people. It is when we implement popular policies and programmes that people benefit from as done in Osun that they remain our natural constituency. The great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his book, The People’s Republic, did a comprehensive analysis of what makes leadership more endearing to the people. I recommend this book to all who aspire to govern us and direct our affairs.

Equally, it is most important to ensure that candidates to be fielded by the party for any office, most importantly the governorship office, must be someone who has a great measure of experience of governance.

It was easier for us to win the Osun governorship election because Ogbeni Aregbesola had been in the system for a long time. Here is a man of sterling records in the art of governance in Lagos and whose practical experience of politics in both Lagos and Osun is not only superlative but commands impressive followership. Had we featured someone of less capacity in the circumstance that the Osun election was conducted, the outcome would probably have been a disaster.

To be continued

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phototalk

Osun Defender Saturday, November

2014 Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Between The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola And The Defeated PDP Governorship Candidate In The State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, At The High Court, Osogbo, Last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•Governor Aregbesola’s Lawyer: (L-R) Barrister Olagunsoye Oyinlola in a handshake with State of Osun Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wale Afolabi.

•A cross section of lawyers at the court.

•(L-R) Barrister Ajibola Bashiru; Barrister Femi Faturoti and Barrister Kolapo Alimi.

•

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phototalk

Osun Defender Saturday, November

Declaration Of Alhaji Taofeek Tokede For State Of Osun House Of Assembly Under The All Progressive Congress (APC) At Party Secretariat, Otan Ayegbaju, Last Tuesday.

•A cross section of local Excos members of Boripe and Boluwaduro Local Government State Constituency during the programme.

•Alhaji Tokede jubilating with his supports after the declaration.

•Alhaji Tokede addressing pressmen after the event.

•Alhaji Tokede (centre) with the De Rauf campaign members in a group photograph after the programme.

10 11

phototalk

Osun Defender Saturday, November 8,

Some Of The Newly-constructed Roads And Their Beautifications In The State of Osun Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

•Oke-Agboja road in Ijebu-Ijesa, State of Osun, rehabilitated under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

•Beautification of Osogbo at MDS area in the State of Osun under the administration of Governor Aregbesola.

•Ikirun to Obaagun road rehabilitated and asphalted under the administration of Governor Aregbesola.

feature

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Osun Defender Saturday, November 8,

‘Aregbesola’s Model Panacea For Insecurity’

Will Nigerians ever know peace again in view of the incessant killings in the Northeast?

Pastor Ladi Thompson, Special Adviser to the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Conflict Resolution and Security Matters, proffers answers to the poser. He spoke with DADA ALADELOKUN O quite many that are already counting days to the end of the year, it is time they started counting their blessings-by rolling out the drums. But to some, notably Ladi Thompson, a humanist pastor cum activist, this is no moment for any drum to even “whisper!”

“Why must we dance –to celebrate the thousands that have been mowed down by the dreaded insurgents … to celebrate the inexplicable abduction of those 219 innocent girls – the future of our beleaguered nation?

Pastor Thompson’s emotion crumbled pitiably at his Ilupeju, Lagos office, where the encounter with this reporter took place earlier in the week.

“God, please take control,” Thompson, the Special Adviser to the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Conflict Resolution and Security Matters, pleaded.

But we have cause to heave a sigh of relief, pastor. We heard that our soldiers are rising to the task of containing them (the insurgents)” the reporter cut in, apparently to soothe his frayed nerves.

“We must refuse to be deceived at this point. Our soldiers are getting discouraged.

While we were counselling some of them, we found out that Nigerian Air Force men were “shelling” our soldiers. Guns supplied to the Nigerian Army were mysteriously found in the hands of the enemies. And sadly, some of our soldiers shoot into the air instead of shooting at the enemies …where are we heading for?

“Many of our men don’t live to collect their first pay. It is obvious that there is infiltration in high levels and it is a clear fact that a house divided against itself would not stand. Our government must know that there is no global definition for terrorism. Each country defines and tackles insurgency in its own peculiar way to propagate its own existence,” he said.

On the way forward, Pastor Thompson said: “There is the need for us to put together experts that will define terrorism from the Nigerian and African perspectives. We must realise that one man’s freedom fighter

T

•THOMPSON

is another man’s terrorist.

“President Goodluck Jonathan needs to recognise that we are in a state of war. We must know that the military is not the main solution to the war.

We are dealing with moles in high places and they must be fished out. There must be an empowered bi-partisan body of critical thinkers to weed them out. All political activities must be put on hold for now.

“In the interim, President Jonathan should inaugurate an all-inclusive body for governance, while we sort out the issue of Nigeria’s future and the stability of its territorial integrity.

“We need, for instance, a platform where somebody such as President Jonathan and the patriotic few such as the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

would sit on a roundtable to discuss the nation’s future. I mentioned Aregbesola because of the Omoluabi ethos of his government, which is the key thing needed to turn things around in this country.

“It is about patriotism, integrity, unconditional love, Godliness, fear of God and fellow-feeling. Since it is working wonderfully in Osun State, it can work for the entire country. We must not throw away the golden goose because of tribal sentiments.

On what Aregbesola’s style of governance has to do with the war against insurgency, Pastor Thompson said: “What is happening requires the kind of rare fundamental re-orientation that is happening in Osun State.

It is beyond cosmetics.

“We can no longer avoid the issues that should have been handled fundamentally, which

were not. Many of us thought the recent national conference would engender the desired solution, but unfortunately, the no-go areas are the issues causing problems in the country.

So, we are back to square one.

“Sadly, the constitution of the conference was badly skewed because 95 per cent of those that were out to carve a future for the country belong to the typewriter generation that is still hooked on tribal, ethnic and religious rivalry oiled by corruption.

“So, their results are predictable and totally useless when it comes to forging a way for a digital generation.”

Using findings from various researches as premise for his argument, Pastor Thompson advised that “we must waste no further time in putting in place a regional defence mechanism.”

Continuing, he said: “In the event that we fail to hearken to the voice of wisdom, by refusing to implement all these things because some of us are still blinded by our political ambitions, it is going to be a matter of weeks before we realise that our leaders have slept for too long.”

Noting that the failure of Nigerian leadership has “made us a bitter disappointment to the rest of Africa,” he added that “it will be very unfair to the younger generation because in the event of a meltdown, African youths are not going to find any cushion anywhere in Africa because there is a lot of resentment against Nigeria.”

Pastor Thompson warned that it would be too late for the country if, in the next three months, the Jonathan-led administration fails to declare a state of war against all the secret agents in government as the insurgents continue to advance.

“When history books are written, it will be noted that there were some who belonged to a typewriter generation; people who were so self-centred, greedy and so myopic to the extent that all they planned to do was to steal the tomorrow of the youth to create comfort throughout their own lifetime.

“However, their names will go down in history as belonging to the worst generation in Africa’s history,” the cleric said.

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Osun Defender Saturday, November 8,

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Updates and maintains weekly status reporting of all shipments from receipt of pre-alert to fully customs cleared to agreed reporting requirements.

Interfaces with approved Freight Forwarding Agent representative and Customs Personnel during physical Examination of shipment as required.

Perform monthly statistical analysis of import/export documentation and entries, KPI’s and freight forwarder volume and spend analysis and reporting.

Single point of contact for all customs related disputes, will document and log , define action items and follow through until closure and assist with corrective actions.

Present freight forwarder entry and documentation errors as well as O, S & D’s so that corrective action can be taken and amendments to entries communicated to customs and Free Zone authorities in a timely fashion.

Assists with training cross functional groups on processes and documentation requirements, maintains training records and sign in sheets.

Enforces local compliance procedures in alignment with corporate/regional guidelines, policies and procedures.

Ensures overall compliance with all Nigerian and International trade processes and procedures established and meets all regulatory requirements.

Documentation files and archiving.

Analyzes, maintains and audits entries, files and will collect missing original documentation from the coordinators as required to close files.

Will audit duties and taxes advice for accuracy and correctness prior to payment ensuring assessment bears correct classification and duty rate in accordance with documentation.

Maintains and updates processes and procedures for revision control and ensures correct and latest versions are published on sharepoint.

Provides Release confirmation/signatory for materials released by customs for Free Zone and for equipment being, released for Free Zone use, full customs clearance, delivered to customer or to a third.

Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade, or B.Sc, Logistics or related field or equivalent work experience.

Minimum of five years demonstrated experience handling Oil and Gas Import/Export and Free Zone documentation processing and requirements Must have an understanding of Nigerian Import/Export regulations.

Knowledge of Freight Forwarder activities and processes Must be able to demonstrate an detailed understanding of Harmonized Tariff product classification and general rules of interpretation Exceptional organizational, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills including ability to manage, absorb and synthesize large volumes of data Ability to research Nigerian government regulations and stay current on requirements Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy PC skills with intermediate/advanced level proficiency in MS spreadsheet, Word processing, power point. SAP or similar mainframe systems a plus Interested and qualified candidates should: http://careers.fmctechnologies.com/JobPosting/50927993

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

13

FashionWith & Lifestyle M Eniola Agbaje and Shola Okpomu

Healthy Living

Keeping The Grey Away

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e all get to that stage, whereby we worry about certain issues concerning our physical development and growth. These “certain issues” include grey hair. Now this has been one problem that has been plaguing both young and old. We discover that some young people today are recorded to have grey hair and this could be due to genetics, hereditary or stress.

There are certain home-based remedies, which can help you in diverse ways to tackle the problem of white hair on your scalp.

1. Make hair tonic with coconut oil and curry leaves Curry leaves help restore colour pigment to the hair and it helps the hair retain its original colour. * mix coconut oil with curry leaves * boil them together * strain the oil from the leaves * apply on scalp at night and massage for 20 minutes Leave it overnight and washoff the next morning. Practice this for three months for best result.

2. Use of Indian Gooseberry (Amla) We females know the essence of Amla oil on our hair. It not only helps in hair growth but research has shown that it helps eliminate grey hair. This gooseberry, when dried and grounded, turns into

Amla Powder that can be mixed with coconut oil and heated up.

The oil should be applied to the hair at night.

3. Onion Before taking your bath, apply onion juice to the hair and scalp and leave it in for about 30minutes to one hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly with shampoo and water afterward.

4. Carrot juice We all know that carrots have different functions it performs in our body but who would have thought they would be essential in the treatment of grey hair!

Consuming a glass of carrot juice regularly helps prevent grey hair.

5. Black tea Take a cup of black tea (without sugar or milk) and add a tablespoon of salt. Mix well and apply to the hair and scalp.

This mixture acts as a natural conditioner for your hair.

6. Lime juice and coconut oil * mix coconut oil and small amount of lime juice together * apply in your hair and massage your scalp thoroughly with your fingertips. This mixture helps fight fungal infections and stops the growth and spread of grey hair fast.

oderation is a specific kind of balance. It means recognising that too much of any good thing is bad.

The Dictionary’s definition of moderation is the avoidance of excesses or extremes, especially in one’s behaviour.

Many qualities, resources or activities can serve the health and well-being of humans or the web of life we call home. But even, a virtue, when pursued to excess, crowds out other virtues and can cause harm.

When we practice moderation, we seek to find the balance between insufficiency and excess.

The greatest barrier to moderation is our very human tendency to overindulge in entities (good or bad), rather than weighing and indulging in just what we “need” and not what we “want”. If we eat too much, we are liable to grow fat, thus becoming vulnerable to so many diseases just waiting to do their dirty jobs on us. If we do not eat enough, then we will suffer the consequences of malnutrition.

Over-eating and not-eating enough are extremes; they don’t help us to live life fully. Either way, we pay the price of becoming extremes. The only sane and healthy way is to eat moderately; enough to sustain our bodies, but not too much to cause problems.

There are some people, who are fanatically religious. They become blind to other things besides what they think religion demands of them. As a result, they live out of touch with realities and cause numerous problems to the rest of us.

Their over-righteous attitude to life makes them see things only in two ways; right or wrong. They make for themselves as prison of their beliefs and damn the rest of us who do not agree with them.

Right on the opposite end is godless people without a strand of conscience in their hearts. They are more like animals, who give way to all their lusts and desires. They say and do things that show no respect or concern for other people.

All they want is, the satisfaction of their desires, regardless of the consequences.

Religious fanaticism or godlessness is extremes that will only bring grief to those involved with them.

Both require the taking of one side to the complete avoidance of the

opposite. The result is an imbalance that can only bring disaster. Take for example, the terrorist organisations today masking their acts of cowardice and inhumanity with their religious and moral ideals; the Boko Haram , the ISIS and so on. In their fanaticism, they’ve wrecked havoc and brought nothing but death and a world of pain to not just people who oppose them, but even also to their own and then they justify killing of their own by labelling them “collateral damage” “a necessity to a greater cause”... We can deduce that lack of moderation, on the long run, begets myopic reasoning, which in turn eventually ends in nothing but death and destruction.

A person, who wishes to remain clear-headed, will not indulge in any of these extremes. He does not blind his eyes with religious fury, nor does he inflame his heart with uncontrolled passion. He is a moderate person, who lives his life gently, letting his conscience to guide it. His life then proceeds along smoothly and calmly.

Everything in this world has its opposites. This is an unavoidable fact of life. We know something is hot only in relation to something cold. A person is tall only when compared to a short person. We are rich only when compared to a poorer person. Freedom is only meaningful when we experience the shackles of restrictions. We value our health because we know that we are capable of falling ill.

Society has a penchant for youthfulness. So in its extreme, everybody tries to remain young. Cosmetics sell in huge quantities. Boys and girls dress in all kinds of dresses that they think make them young and desirable. Middle-aged men and women too indulge in the same game, but nature has its way. People grow older by the moment and when old age sets in, many are filled with depression and sadness and weariness because for so long, they fought a losing battle with nature to forever stay young to no avail. The desirable extreme or trying to remain young will result in the unhappy extreme of getting old.

If in the first place, we are moderate with our lives, not identifying with youth or old-age, then it will not matter at all whenever we are old. We can live peacefully with ourselves and

let nature run its course painlessly and gently.

So it is with other areas of life.

A super-rich person is afraid of losing his wealth. His every riches keep him anxious. He is a prisoner of wealth. A person living in abject poverty is anxious about where his next meal will come from. He is a prisoner of fate. A moderate person, who simply works for his living, has no fear of losing his wealth and no worries about his next meal. Moderation carries him along without any problem.

Those who over-exercise burn themselves out. Those who sit sedately all day suffer from atrophy i.e gradually decline in effectiveness or vigour due to underuse or neglect. A boy who studies all the time has no friends. Another who only makes friends fails in his examinations. Staying too long under the sun can result in heatstroke and sunburn. Not going out at all makes the skin pale and pallid. Riding too fast on a motorcycle means you may lose balance. Not moving at all means you cannot sit balanced on the motorcycle too. Sharpening a knife too often will wear the blade away quickly. Not sharpening at all will render the knife useless. Being extreme is always the cause of pain.

Moderation, then, is the key to life. It is the way to live our lives as it is meant to be lived. Embrace moderation today, apply it to your daily activities, whether work, pleasure, leisure or relaxation and watch your life make a turn for the best. The importance of moderation cannot be over-emphasised ... It is the key that unlocks the door to self realisation, civility and true happiness. A wise man once said: “Civilisation began when man decided to throw words instead of a rock”, I’d add to that by saying man tapped into the power of moderation, when he realised the need to balance out violence and barbarism with dialogue and intellect . This alone was the giant step that got us (humanity) to where it is today .

Belts And Wristwatches

Some men can go on and on about how they can’t do without their wristwatches or how they feel naked without having their belts on.

Unlike ladies who can get dressed without bothering about a belt or wristwatch, it seems customary or more like a tradition or ritual for men to always have their belts and wristwatches on.

Irrespective of the price and quality, wristwatches are just an amazing fashion accessory most men cannot do without.

Talk about the likes of Armani, Gucci, Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Michael Korrs, Versace, Hermes, Rolex,Swatch, Louis Vuitton, you name it! These designers

Femi Kuti Signs To Chocolate City Records

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within Nigeria.

The move made by Femi Kuti has been rumoured for a while now but he made it official on Tuesday 4th of November.

Chocolate City is the record label owning to the success of top Nigerian acts such as M.I, Ice Prince Zamani and Victoria Kimani among others. Femi Kuti has a lot going on for him at the moment, as he also just welcomed his new nephew, from his sister, Motunrayo Anikulapo, into the world. We say a big congrats to the Kuti

Moderation

Fashion

Lifestyle igerian Afrobeat legend, Femi Kuti, son of late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has been signed to Chocolate City Records owned by Audu Maikori. The Grammy-nominated maestro just announced that he has signed a deal with the record label via his twitter page. This means that Chocolate City will handle all his musical affairs

Reflection

Osun Defender Saturday, November

M

en have a unique sense of fashion and style.

Some men are more focused on their outfits while others are more interested in accessories and when it comes down to accessories, the wristwatch and belt come first.

have stolen the hearts of men both young and old with their breathtaking collections of wristwatches and belts.

In selecting the appropriate belt or wristwatch to wear for an occasion, one would have to consider the type of occasion that is to be attended. Belts and wristwatches come in various shapes, colours and sizes. So its left for you to decide which wristwatch goes with which outfit or occasion.

And since the male folks are not as choosy as the females, it is therefore advisable to go for a wristwatch or belt that says classy, stylish but yet professional.

14

Osun Defender Saturday, November

Osun Defender Round-Table chat is a platform for all aspirants in the State of Osun to espouse their programmes for the electorate.

Round-Table Chat

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.

I

t is such a pity that a writer could celebrate dubiety as Lanre does in the article above. Soon after the August 9 gubernatorial election in Osun, Lanre attested in this same column to the transparency of the election by claiming that his mother voted APC and that he witnessed the election in his hometown. There was no mention of any undemocratic incident by Lanre in that article, where he openly attested to the victory of APC. What has therefore changed between then and now to make Lanre insinuate the gibberish about the same election as published above?

Did he not witness the heavy deployment of veriocious security operatives deployed to terrorise the people of Osun on 25 per polling unit basis (in about 4000 polling units), wearing the same arm bands with PDP rough necks poised to disrupt the process through snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing same with already thumb-printed ballot papers, but got frustrated by the overwhelming presence of vigilant and determined voters, who came to the polling stations as early as 6.00am and did not leave until 6.00pm between which they were accredited, cast their votes, votes counted, results recorded and signed by all officials - including PDP agents, results announced, copies of results pasted at the venue of voting and handed over to polling agents and security operatives. Where then and when would a besieged party and people have the opportunity to manipulate

feature

Lanre Adewole Lies

•aregbesola

•omisore

Aregbesola wants a re-run”, when a rejoinder had followed the October this process to their advantage, as 20th publication by The Tribune being mischieviously claimed by insinuating the same balderdash and was published by some national Lanre in the article above?

Hagiography is a stain on good dailies a few days afterwards. Where journalism. What then do you is the truth in the false claim that call a poor hagiographer ? This 100,000 votes of Aregbesola were unfortunately is what Lanre has voided to the mischievous advantage turned himself to. From the title to of Omisore by a phantom tribunal that the body of his article above are lies, never sat? Where are the so-called innuendos and blatant subversion of detailed analysis of manipulation of the ethos of journalism. Journalism electoral process outside the fertile thrives on the sacredness of facts imagination and hallucination of the and freeness of comments. Where reactionary elements that are living is the fact in the headline: “Why in a dream world and refuse to wake

By Ola Omojola

up to the reality of their damning defeat and rejection by the people.

The new mantra now of keeping hope alive for the misguided enemies of the people, courtesy of Lanre, is a video of atrocities supposedly perpetrated by Aregbesola during the election. Let it be known, that thousands of their manipulated video footage cannot change the course of history. APC, Aregbesola and the people of Osun won the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election fair and square. Lanre Adewole and his gibberish will not subvert the will of the people freely given by the people of Osun through grim determination, resilience in the face of intimidation and vigilance throughout the election.

For the avoidance of doubt, only 6 local government council areas electoral materials have been fully inspected, the 7th council area (Ilesa East Local Government Council Area) up until Friday October 31, 2014 still has 3 wards and 8 more units to be inspected. The six local government council area already inspected are Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Atakumosa East, Irepodun and Irewole Local Government Council Areas. So far, the inspection exercise has been a true confirmation of the choice of the good people of Osun, as expressed on the 9th of August, 2014. The oblique reference to technicalities is nothing but a

15

Osun Defender Saturday, November

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: ADVERT RATE Full Page Colour Full Page Black & White Half Page Colour Half Page Black & White Quarter Page Colour Quarter Page Black & White

- - - - - -

N150,000 N120,000 N80,000 N70,000 N50,000 N40,000

Any of these phone lines can be contacted: 08033927286, 08033880205,

- Management

phototalk

•An ongoing pedestrian construction project along Fakunle area in Osogbo under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, last Thursday.

www.osundefender.org Saturday, NOVEMBER 8, 2014

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igeria is now in a frenzy mood with politicians crisscrossing the country to mobilize for votes for the 2015 general elections. Parties have scheduled time-tables for aspirants to buy their Expression of Interest as well as Nomination Forms.

Primary elections among aspirants would be conducted, while appeals arising therefrom would be tackled by the parties.

It is a wonderful opportunity for Nigerians to throw away the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has been inept since establishing itself at the national level for the past sixteen years.

Nigerians have been through the best PDP can afford, which by every standard, is very low. The basic function of government is not being performed to satisfaction.

Security, which is the fundamental task of government, is not receiving the desired attention from the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.

Granted the fact that his government did not create some of these problems, he ought to have tackled them seriously.

Aside security, the rate at which revenue derivable from our petroleum resources is dwindling is alarming. Since July last year revenue due to states have been reduced by forty per cent. This has been attested to by the ServantGovernor of Niger State, Dr Muazu Babangida, and some other governors.

Rather than give satisfactory and convincing reasons to justify the reduction, the government monolistic reason is that the activities of pipeline vandals have seriously affected the output of our petroleum resources. This is not the first time the Federal government would use a reductionist approach to justify a policy. While the incessant petroleum price hike lasted, the government was always basing its argument on the activities of cross-border smugglers. Rather than look beyond smuggling and taking steps to establish more refineries in Nigeria, as well as neighbouring countries to curb the activities of saboteurs, government insisted on price increase.

As a temporary or short-term measure, price hike may suffice, but it does not make economic sense in the long-run. The problem persists till today because imported refined petroleum products come with its attendant inflation. By such a measure, we help to keep

THE

5TH

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

Time To Send Away The PDP

•jonathan

other nationals engaged in terms of job provision, while our own people roam the streets searching for non-existent jobs.

It would amount to political hara-kiri if Jonathan should attempt to increase the prices of petroleum products now. However, I see it coming, if per chance he is returned as the President.

The problem in the oil industry was inherited by the PDP-led Federal Government and within sixteen years, nothing concrete has been achieved. The crisis in the supply of uninterrupted supply of electricity has also been with us. The Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led government changed the name from National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The change in nomenclature did not affect its efficiency. The Jonathan

government has privatized the industry, which impact is yet to be felt by the people. Not only has the megawatts supply by the national grid reduced drastically, the Electricity Distribution Companies (EDC) have not lived up to expectation.

A basic necessity in the industry required by all households such as metre cannot be supplied by the EDC. Given the number of households, which need metres, does it not make economic sense, if a company is established to produce metres. Besides giving employment to our youths, it would help increase our Gross Domestic Product. It does not require a rocket science for people to know that in the electricity industry alone, companies can be established to produce transformers and metres.

Can it be true that the EDC was given out to friends of powers- that-

M O ST - V I S I TED

NEWS-

be as part of the national largesse?

The problems on ground have been compounded by the continued slide of the price of crude oil in the international market. The Minister of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has tried to explain it away as not too serious an issue.

For how long shall we be able to cope with this downturn? As an import-dependent economy, how shall we be able to adjust to current realities? The fact is that instead of managing the economy in such a way that we promote development, we are interested in squandering everything we make. If information in public space is anything to go by, then the Federal Government is planning to downsize the workforce. While that may serve the purpose on short-term basis, it would amount to nought in the long run.

Recently, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, said anybody who does not see or appreciate what the Jonathan run government is doing needs psychiatric examination. Nigerians are the real custodians of power, which is only entrusted into the President and reserve the right to criticize any policy considered unfavourable.

From every indication, the PDP has done their best which is not good enough. This is why it is imperative that Nigerians should push it away and try another party.

This is not a subjective matter but a well-thought out decision based on the realities of our milieu.

The PDP has got to a dead end with their power and the best management of the economy.

If we allow them for another four years, then we should be prepared for the worst.

Nigerians should rise up and note that changes are well-planned and do not just take place by happenstance. We should rise up against bad governance, which cannot meet our basic needs.

This is not the time for lamentations and criticism but time to act. If we don’t, then posterity would not forgive us. Our nationalist leaders fought for our liberation, so that we would enjoy.

What do we want to leave behind for the generations unborn? A food for thought.

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.