Osun defender october 23rd 2014 edition

THE 5TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

www.osundefender.org THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014 Weeks before the August 9th gubernatorial elections which was won by the pragmatic Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the APC, it was obvious we were up against forces other than the people of Osun state which naturally should be the determinant of

PEOPLE FIRST

Front Page Comment The War Called The Osun Elections-By Segun Tomori

how the elections will swing. The All progressives Congress (APC) still smarting from its shocking defeat in the previous Ekiti elections had literarily sworn it will lose Osun over its dead body. The murderous villain fielded by the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), outrightly unpopular with barely a few dozens of people trailing him at campaigns however worethe confidence of a Governor-In-waiting. He they

didn’t care a hoot about the people’s wish, all that matters was the full compliment of the paraphernalia of State activated by an

VOL. 9. NO.127 imperial President though utterly clueless, but desperate to add Osun to his conquest in furtherance of his stillborn second term bid. So lo and behold, the die was cast!I have not been emotionally attached to any elections in Nigeria as I was with the Osun elections,

N 50

maybe June 12, 1993 Presidential elections presumed to have being won by my President, M.K.O Abiola could be an exception.

It wasn’t because I had affinity with anyone in Ogbeni’s government or because I enjoyed any form of patronage but because Continue on pg5

APC, Aregbesola Deny Asking For Rerun At Tribunal Modakeke •‘Our Only Prayer Is To Dismiss PDP’s Petition’ Denies - Pg 4 Preparing For War Against Ife Group - Pg 3 Clears Akinrun On Party Ticket Why Osun PDP Is Desperate For Tribunal Change - Pg 2 - See Story On Page 2

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), presenting the staff of office to the newly-turbanned Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of Osun, Sheikh Musa Animasaun (left), while Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus (centre) watches during the installation ceremony, at Osogbo Central Mosque, Osogbo, last Sunday.

Osun PDP Jittery Over Osun Tribunal Dissolution

- See Story On Page 2

2

News

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

APC, Aregbesola Deny Asking For Rerun At Tribunal •‘Our Only Prayer Is To Dismiss PDP’s Petition’

T

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED people of our dear state. of the “Almighty Federal “We implore the Boys”. gentlemen of the press to be The governor’s aide then wary of news coming from cautioned the PDP and the PDP in the State of Osun “their hirelings” to rather as that has brought nothing, take a queue from the but embarrassment to their admission made by the PDP organisation when it was National Chairman that discovered that most of Aregbesola defeated his their news are tissue of lies. party at the election in Osun.

“We assure our teeming He noted that it is only supporters of our unfliching those who had no shred of committment to the defence honour in them that would and protection of the allege any form of rigging or mandate freely given to us manipulation in an election by the good people of Osun that was adjudged the freest as expressed on the 9th and fairest election in the August 2014 despite history of Nigerian harassment and intimidation democracy.

HE State of Osun chapter of All Progressive reply to the petition, logic on its head for a Congress (APC) has denied a media report that according to him, is that, respondent to ask for Governor Rauf Aregbesola is asking for the rerun “Whereof in all the foregoing alternative prayer in any of the August 9 governorship election before the Election premises, amongst others, reply. The responsibility for Petition Tribunal, saying the report is misleading and the 2nd Respondent denies alternative prayer rests michevious. in their entirety all the prayers squarely on the shoulder of It said, its only prayer and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the petitioners as set out the petitioner to achieve the that of its candidate in the where he asked for a re-run in all of paragraph 59 (i - v) purpose of either calling for reply against the petition of election whether as a on pages 174 and 175 of the fresh election in case his the Peoples Democratic substantive prayer in the petition and will urge the declaration as winner will be Party (PDP) and Iyiola alternative.

Honourable Tribunal to an impossibility.

Omisore was for the tribunal “How the reporter came dismiss the petition with “People should disregard to dismiss the petition “with across that complete substantial costs for being this statement from those substantial costs for being misrepresentation is only in unmeritorious, frivolous, whose trademark is to unmeritorious, frivolous, his imagination which is vexatious, ill-conceived and spread falsehood in order to vexatious, ill-conceived and completely un-journalistic. an abuse of court process”. remain relevant despite an abuse of court process.”

“The prayer of He said: “It is standing glaring rejection by the good The party, in a statement Aregbesola at page 256 of issued by its Director of his reply is to ”dismiss the Research and Strategy, petition with substantial Barrister Kunle Oyatomi costs for being said the claim as reported in unmeritorious, frivolous, the Nigerian Tribune of vexatious, ill-conceived and October 20, 2014 was a an abuse of court process” complete misrepresentation and nothing more. of what is in the reply of “Ogbeni Aregbesola did Aregbesola and his party. not ask for a re-run as there The party also countered is no basis for such. The a claim in the report that the impression sought to be first tribunal was dissolved created by the reporter in sequel to the complaint of the said newspaper is to the APC, saying the tribunal confuse the public as to the was rather dissolved meritorious nature of subject to the complaints of Aregbesola’s prayers at the the PDP, using its surrogate, tribunal as the petition filed Mr. Niyi Owolade, the by Omisore and the PDP is Accord Party candidate, in not only frivolous but the election. deemed to fail”, Oyatomi “It was this sudden and stated. unceremonious removal of Meanwhile, another Justice I.M. Bako that led to statement issued by the the complaint by the APC, Senior Special Assistant to as the President of the the Governor on Legal and Court of Appeal did not Judicial Sector Reform, Mr consult any other party in Ibrahim Lawal, said there the petition when she was nothing like rerun •The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Director, Institute of Public Health, College of suddenly removed the prayer in any of the reply Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU), Dr Abioye Kuteyi (right) and Head, Health Promotion, Chairman of the Tribunal filed by either the APC or Non-Commvicable Diseases Unit of the Institute, Dr Omolola Irinoye, during a courtesy visit to Ogbeni Aregbesola, at and replaced him with Aregbesola. another judge, Justice The lone prayer in the the Government House, Osogbo, on Tuesady Suleiman Ambursa, whose past record was questioned by the APC. “It was the removal of constituted, the party on the ground that it of the counsel to the ruling Bako and appointment of

By SHINA ABUBAKAR reportedly made contact enjoyed the favour of the party in the state that had Ambursa that APC kicked appeared before Justice NVESTIGATIONS have revealed the reasons behind with the chairman of the presidency. about and wrote a petition Ambrusa the Osun Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) request panel on how to induce the The insistence of the Sulaiman to the Chief Justice of for a change of the chairman of the first panel outcome of the petition, but chairman on strictly disclosed that he lacked Nigeria as the Chairman of the National Judicial constituted to hear the party’s petition filed at the the judge refused the following the rules angered integrity and could be made the state PDP chieftains, to compromise the outcome Council (NJC) which Governorship Election Petition Tribunal after the August approach of the party.

Checks revealed that the who were bent on thwarting of the petition, which was eventually led to the salutary 9, 2014 governorship poll in the state. dissolution of the entire It would be recalled that petition on the request of the judge refused to meet the the outcome of the poll at said to be the reason the panel and reconstitution of the three members of the state chapter of the PDP and emissaries of the PDP, the tribunal and decided to PDP preferred him. neither did he allow the party protest The counsel asked the against the first constituted panel was replaced by another panel. a new one.

It was gathered that as to meet members of the composition of the tribunal tribunal to put it in its record “Secondly, there is dissolved even before it panel, a decision that nowhere in the defence of began sitting over the soon as the panel was angered the PDP in the state and requested for the that he had reservation for his chairmanship of the removal of the chairman.

It was gathered that the panel even has he appealed party used its influence in for the hearing to proceed.

Abuja to ensure the removal Findings further revealed Council (NJC) this week of the chairman to that the NJC was aware of disbanded the Osun State embarrass him and cause the danger of the APC Governorship Election stir in the state that the APC complaints and its petition elections.

Petition Tribunal and is losing the fight to uphold before the commission,

By OUR REPORTER It was gathered that replaced it with a new three- its victory. where severe allegations As the NJC effected the were raised against the HE dissolution of the Election Petition Tribunal in majority rejected dropping member panel. the State of Osun has been gathered to have started the litigation and resolved to The panel was disbanded removal of the former panel chairman and the need rattling the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic take the matter to the following complaints from chairman, the party spread for him to excuse himself.

Party (PDP), who appeared not comfortable with the Presidency and National the All Progressives the rumour that he was It was learnt that some wanting of PDP chieftains had assured Working Committee of the Congress (APC) concerning found development. corruption and removed so party for possible The leaders and members reconstitution of the intervention to influence the the composition of the as not to compromise the the panel chairman and its members that it would tribunal. of the party on Monday tribunal. election petition tribunal, protect them using the members of the new panel.

The new panel will be gathered at the state claiming that the party was Also on Tuesday, The source said a 10-man secretariat of the party in Olaoluwa convened a committee to be headed by chaired by Justice E.N. on the verge to reclaiming Presidency connection and block any move by the APC Osogbo to discuss the stakeholders’ meeting of former State Vice-Chairman Ikpejime from Benue State, victory at the tribunal. while Justice V.I. Ofesi from development, which the party to discuss the of the party, Mr. Sunday OjoHowever, the APC to remove him or disband Delta State and Justice according to a source in the development and determine Williams, counsel at the first meeting the panel. has been However, the panel was Kutigi from the Federal party, was considered as a the next line of action. at the tribunal, Mr Kunle constituted to work with the jolted when it heard of its Capital Territory (FCT), serious setback.

Adegoke, asked the new Sources at the meeting party candidate in the dissolution on the news and State Chairman of the hinted OSUN DEFENDER August 9, 2014 Abuja would serve as chairman of the panel to pages of newspapers, as the excuse himself from the party, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, that the dissolution rattled governorship election, members. was said to have invited and confused the PDP Senator Iyiola Omisore, to Former Chairman, Justice panel on the ground that he PDP also found the news as members of the party’s legal leaders, while some of them get an assistance from the I.M. Bako, had earlier been could not objectively a surprise, considering its team to explain and interpret were considering dropping presidency on the new panel withdrawn from the panel on dispense the matter before effort to ensuring that the panel chairman was the political implication of the legal option and focus members.

August 27 after initial him. retained.

It was gathered that some the dissolution and more on the 2015 general The National Judicial complaints by the APC.

Why Osun PDP Is Desperate For Tribunal Change

I

Osun PDP Jittery Over Osun Tribunal Dissolution

T

If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897, 08023191891.

News

3

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

Osun Group Rallies Support For Buhari

By KEHINDEAYANTUNJI

A

political group mobilising support for All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential hopeful, General Muhammad Buhari (rtd), Buhari Mandate, has urged the people of the State of Osun to support General Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

State of Osun OSUN DEFENDER on Coordinator of Buhari the preparation for the Mandate, Comrade Akani inaugural rally of the Fayemi, stated this in group.

He said, the PDP and Osogbo, the state capital, while speaking with

other groups that are working for the second term of President Goodluck Jonathan do not mean well for the country.

According to him, the PDP has offered their best for the country since 1999 and their best has not been good enough for the country, reiterating that there is urgent need

to vote the PDP out in 2015.

He stressed that the current state of affairs in the country requires an incorruptible personality in the mould of Buhari to be able to restore integrity in governance, fight corruption, insecurity and reunite the nation.

Fayemi said the group would hold its rally on November 5, 2014 after

the inauguration of local and ward coordinators of the group.

He said “This time, the gambit of religion, age or any other primordial sentiment will not deter the people from voting for Buhari in 2015.

“Even though we agree with the idea of generational change in leadership, we believe

•(L-R) Professor Olu Odeyemi; Senator Sola Adeyeye and representative of Kano State governor, Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Malik Umaru at the 1st Education Summit of Igbajo Polytechnic, Igbajo, State of Osun, recently.

Group Clears Akinrun On Party Ticket

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

A

N indigenous group in Ikirun, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government, the Skye Development Initiative, Ikirun, has refuted the claims by some people that the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Adedeji, was making a personal request from Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) the Federal House of representatives ticket for the Ifelodun/ Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency.

The group made the governor on his behalf, disclaim few days after neither did we seek his releasing a press statement consent before we issue urging Aregbesola and the press releases.

APC to compensate Oba “Our last press release, Adedeji with the House of where we urged Governor Reps ticket for the federal Aregbesola and APC to constituency. compensate our Akinrun According to the with House of President of the group, Representatives ticket was Comrade Wasiu Adebiyi, basically and objectively the traditional ruler did not our wish and plea to the instruct them, and neither governor. It was not to was he aware of the press disparage Akinrun, as we release until it was used in hold him in high esteem. the print media.

He is a ruler we are proud Adebiyi in a telephone of. interview with OSUN “The fact is that, it is DEFENDER on Tuesday now 16 years that Ifelodun maintained that the group Local Government had the was not serving as a chance to represent spokesperson for, nor Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin acting on the directive of Federal Constituency. the Akinrun, stating that “Honourable Abioye nobody should credit the Oyetunji from Ikirun opinion and statement of represented the the group to the traditional constituency from 1999ruler.

2003. The late Hon He said: “The Akinrun of Aderanti Alabi from Oyan, Ikirun, Oba Abdulrauf Odo-Otin Local Adedeji, did not send us to Government took over make request from the from him.

“Following the death of Aderanti Alabi before the expiration of his four-year tenure, a by-election was conducted and Honourable Kayode Idowu from Iragbiji, headquarters of Boripe Local Government Council Area won the election. Idowu recontested in 2007 and won the election.

“In 2011, Honourable Yinka Ajayi from Ada, also in Boripe Local Government Council Area, won the Federal House of Reps election.”

Adebiyi added that “Boripe is spending its 9th year (2015 inclusive) in the National Assembly. OdoOtin spent three years plus, while Ifelodun spent four years (1999-2003).

The zoning of the House of Representatives to Ifelodun is long-overdue.

This is the 11th year that Ifelodun produced a member for the House of Representatives. It is the turn of Ifelodun to produce House of Representatives candidate come 2015.

“We are not in anyway speaking for Akinrun, who we know is close to the governor, but we are speaking on behalf of the people of Ifelodun Local Government Council Area.

We know what the people feel and what they wish.

“We will again use this medium to passionately plead with Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the APC to honour the zoning arrangement and allow Ifelodun to produce the next candidate for the Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal House of Representatives.

Ife-South APC Elders Forum Appeals For Mediation Over Congress

T

HE Elders Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ife South Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun has appealed to the state executive members of the party to mediate in the disagreement among members over the recent congress of the party.

In a protest letter dated infiltrated the party and October 16, 2014 and finding ways to create addressed to the state rancour.

The forum accused the party’s appeal committee, the forum said the congress committee of not r e c e n t l y - c o n d u c t e d following the laid-down congress of the party has procedure to arrive at its started creating division decision for consensus executive at the council among members.

It suspected that some area.

It further stated that the politicians, who are not interested in the course of consensus list signed by all the party, seem to have the appropriate leaders of

the party was shunned.

This, the forum noted, has started confirming the suspicion that the party has been infiltrated.

According to the petition, those who have their names on the favoured list have started making announcement on radio that the party executives had been nominated, even without waiting for the appeal.

This action, the forum further noted, could enrage the anger of party members, if the issue is not quickly addressed.

that only a mature politician like Buhari would be able to wrestle power from the PDP, before sanitising the political polity.

He maintained that for Nigeria to make meaningful and steady progress, a mechanism must be put in place to tackle corruption and indiscipline.

“Buhari is indeed the best presidential candidate for the APC in the forthcoming general elections. He has been tested and trusted; and he is the only APC presidential candidate that actually has the political clout, charisma and pedigree to give the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) a good run for its money.

“Besides his political clout, Buhari’s pedigree as former military ruler speaks volumes of his credibility and competence to steer the ship of state from the murky waters it is currently enmeshed in!

Buhari’s rabid distaste for corruption and indiscipline are well known to Nigerians, and Nigerians also know that these seemingly interminable social challenges are the bane of our development as a nation.

“Buhari is the only contending politician today that has the courage and capacity to fight corruption to a halt! That is why the corrupt cabal that has held sway since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 is bent on ensuring that Buhari does not emerge president.

“They are only trying to protect their ill-gotten wealth to the detriment of the majority of Nigerians.

Hence they cook-up all kinds of campaigns of calumny to discredit Buhari and lower his estimation in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society prior to elections.

At first, the antagonists of Nigeria’s national development concocted and fed Nigerians with the lie that Buhari was a religious bigot, who would convert Nigeria to an Islamic state if elected President. Those that know the General intimately know that though he is a dedicated Muslim, he has no trace of religious or even ethnic bigotry. Buhari is one of the most munificent politicians of our time,” he said.

Fayemi added that the time has come for Nigerians to turn a new leave and choose a president they can trust to bring about the needed changes in the country.

4

News

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

Osun Farmers Enjoined To Participate In Pilot Strategic Grains Reserve

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

R

ICE farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural product in the State of Osun have been advised to participate in the pilot Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) of the Federal Government.

The appeal became MEALS) in the State. necessary to boost the Director and State supply of rice production Operations Officer for Osun for School Feeding and Elementary School Feeding Health Programme (O- and Health Programme,(O-

meals), Mrs. Olubunmi Ayoola, made the remarks during a stakeholders meeting organised by O’Meals Office in collaboration with Partnership for Child Developments (PCD), London.

Ayoola maintained that

the O-meals office was highly interested in encouraging local farmers in Osun in the production of rice which was part of Omeals menu.

She noted that the process would have a multiplier effect on the economy of the state as well as provide meaningful

empowerment for the teeming youths.

Earlier at the meeting, the representative of the Partnership for Child Development (PCD) in Nigeria, Mrs. Abimbola Adesanmi, and that of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Kelechi, disclosed that the silos in the State of Osun had the storage capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes of quality rice.

The duo held that Osogbo, Ejigbo and Atakumosa East and West Local Government Council Areas were the three

selected as pilot of the programme in Osun immediately it was approved by the Federal Government.

They therefore sought the co-operation and commitment of all the stakeholders, particularly rice farmers for the programme to achieve its desired success.

Also present at the meeting were the representatives of the State of Osun Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment as well as the O-meals food vendors.

Man, 24, Arraigned Over Assaulting Police Officer In Osogbo

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

A

•A newly-commissioned road at Oroki Housing Estate, Osogbo, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, on Monday.

24-year-old commercial motorcyclist,Williams Adegbemi, was on Monday arraigned at an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly beating a police-traffic warden.

Adegbemi was accused 9559 G111, attached to of assaulting Salami Oke-Fia Roundabout in Olasunbo, a police officer Osogbo for traffic control. with Force number F/ Police prosecutor, Inspector Isiaka Ajadi, stated that the accused rode against the traffic rules at the Oke-Fia Commissioner for Local roundabout.

Government and According to Ajadi, Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Adegbemi attacked the Kolapo Alimi presented police officer, who staff of office and approached him for instrument of appointment violating the road signal, to Looja of Oke-Bode-Ijesa, adding that the suspect Oba Ezekiel Adeniran landed a punch on the Agunlejika (Anirinbiogun force officer and also held IV). him up with his uniform.

The prosecutor said that the accused person was apprehended by some hoodlums (thieves) who police officers who gave engage in stealing of other him a hot chase when he people’s properties for their took to his heels after livelihood”, the union assaulting the police traffic stressed. warden.

It then reiterated the Adegbemi, who pleaded unalloyed support of not guilty to the charge, Modakeke people to the allegedly committed the efforts of security agents in offence on October 19, bringing those culpable in 2014 at Oke-Fia in “unplesant activities” in the Osogbo. affected villages to book.

The police prosecutor maintained that the suspect had committed an Raji Abiodun, urged the offence contrary to and court to grant the accused punishable under Sections person bail in the most 249(d) and 356 of the liberal terms, saying the criminal codes cap 34, vol. offence was bailable in 11 Laws of Osun, 2003.

Counsel to the accused, nature.

He stressed that an Mrs Raji Abiola, applied for accused person is presumed the bail of the accused innocent before the law till person in the most liberal he is proven otherwise, term, while assuring the adding that he would court that he would not bail provide credible surety to if granted, adding that, guarantee his readiness to reliable sureties were ready to stand for the face trial.

Police Prosecutor, accused person.

The Magistrate, Mr Inspector Fagboyinbo Adebayo Lasisi, later Abiodun, did not oppose granted the accused bail in the bail application, saying the court has the discretion the sum of N50,000 and to grant bail as it is pleased. two sureties, who must be Presiding magistrate, Mr residing within the court’s M.A Lasisi, then granted jurisdiction.

Lasisi then adjourned him bail in the sum of the case till November, 26, N50,000 with one surety.

2014 for mention.

Aregbesola Instals New Ejisun Ipo Arakeji

G

OVERNOR, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Engineer Akin Adetuberu, God, State Government of Aregbesola, has installed new Ejisun of Ipo he thanked the state Osun and the people of the Arakeji, Oba David Omodunbi Adekunle government for acceding to town for their support.

Ajetumobi Arobiere III. He explained that he was the demand of the people of ready to dedicate himself to Ipo Arakeji by installing the government of Ogbeni Rauf The staff of office and the development of the new Ejisun. instrument of appointment Aregbesola.

The new Ejisun, Oba town, while also soliciting In the welcome address were presented to the new monarch at the community delivered by the Chairman David Omodunbi Adekunbi the support and coschool field in the ancient of the planning committee, Ajetumobi, in his speech, operation of his subjects.

Earlier in the day, the expressed his gratitude to town.

The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government and “Modakeke people are

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister peace-loving, hardworking HE Modakeke Progressive Union (MPU) has decried and law abiding and have Kolapo Alimi, enjoined the a newpaper report that the community was preparing vowed to continue to new monarch to provide for war against Ile-Ife in the State of Osun, saying embrace the peace that is selfless service to his the report was only aimed at truncating peace in Ifeland. holding sway in Ifeland people and to display “To say that the forever.

It was reported in a exemplary leadership through honesty and Newspaper (not OSUN residents of Modakeke “The entire Modakeke DEFENDER) on Friday, villages are preparing for people home and in the transparency.

The commissioner October 13, 2014, that “Ife war as carried by the diaspora therefore, wish to appealed to the people of and Modakeke towns in publication is not true and dissociate themselves from the ancient town to be law- Osun State may be heading it is a public misinformation. the nefarious activities of abiding and live peacefully for war”.

In a statement with one another, as no meaningful development subsequently signed by the President and could be achieved in a non- MPU

By SHINA ABUBAKAR Secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen peaceful environment.

Oke and Dr Peter Olawumi He also appreciated the TATE of Osun Police Command had arraigned one people for appreciating the respectively, the union said, Taye Razak before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court impact of the administration to say that residents of for allegedly committing burglary.

“Modakeke villages are of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola The charge sheet caps worth N45,000 and one preparing for war” was a in their communities. disclosed that the accused HTC handset value N25,000, clear misinformation.

Barrister Kolapo Alimi Wondering why the person unlawfully entered all properties of Ramat informed the people at the people of the community into the house of one Ramat Kolade. gathering that the current It further stated that the would be of war, Kolade, which was contrary administration in the state even whenthinking they were trying to and punishable under offence was contrary and will continue to embark on to keep the sour memory of sec. 411 of the criminal code punishable under sec.412 of developmental plans and the past crises off their cap34. Vol.11 laws of Osun criminal code cap3 of vol. 11 projects that will better the minds, the statement said state Nigeria 2003. laws of Osun State Nigeria. lots of the people of the there was no such It also alleged that the The charge sheet state. contemplation in the minds suspect, having entered disclosed that the accused The Executive Secretary of Modakeke people. into the house of the person committed the of Oriade Local Government “The report as published complainant, stole a leather offence on August 25, 2014 Council Area, Chief Taiwo in the national daily has box containing assorted Fatiregun, who spoke been observed by the cloths, including 10 pieces at Ofatedo Area of the state through the Deputy people of Modakeke as of native dresses, which at about 2:15pm.

He (accused person) Executive Secretary of the malicious and one that is total value was put at however, pleaded not guilty council, congratulated the capable of distorting the new Ejisun and pledged the hitherto existing peace in N45,000 and pieces of male to the charges preferred native dresses, 10 pieces of against him by the police. continuous support of the Ifeland. woman head-ties with seven Defence counsel Barrister people of the area to the

Modakeke Denies Preparing For War Against Ife

T

Man In Court Over Phone Theft

S

5

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

The War Called The Osun Elections-By Segun Tomori Continued frompg1 I just couldn’t imagine my home State go back to the disastrous “years of the locust”. I had participated actively n the campaigns, interacted with the people, felt their pulse and the story was the same – Osun has never had it so good, the people vowed to defend their votes by all means possible! From that moment I had made up my mind to give my all and put myself at harm’s way if need be to ensure we form a bulwark of resistance against the machinery of State to be deployed to thwart the people’s wish.

When I was about to proceed on my journey to Osogbo, the Osun State Capital on Monday preceding the elections I prepared for the worst. Few associates privy to my trip advised strongly that I removed any APC sourvenir from my luggage,any ID card that can associate me with the party amongst other security tips. They were right to be apprehensive, soldiers, officials of the Department of State Security(DSS) including the hooded ones,lorry loads of mobile policemen had since being deployed across the nook and cranny of Osun State. Bearing in mind the desperation of their paymasters, we knew they could stop and search vehicles and abduct anything synonymous with APC, so I took all the precautions. I took off on the journey which in itself was dramatic.

As we got close to Oshogbo, a discussion ensued in the bus and I found out I was not alone in the Save-Osun initiative.

Most of the passengers shared the same sentiments with me and were also natives of the State. They spoke emotionally and fiercely about their determination to ensure Aregbesola’s victory. Speaker after speaker reeled out programmes and interventions of the Governor that has brought smiles to the faces of the people. They concluded he was the best thing to happen to the State since its creation.

The menacing apparatus of State then suffocating the enviroment will not deter them, they thundered! “Ko si ohun ti soja o se, a ma duro gboin gboin lati dibo Aregbe” they said in yoruba dialect meaning “there is nothing Soldiers can do, we will stand firmly to vote for Aregbe”. I thought to myself, we are about to witness mass resistance unequally in our national history if anything go against the people’s will. Hopefully, the soldiers we met on the various checkpoints didn’t stop and search, they just peeped through the bus windows and passed us on. I heaved a sigh of relief when I arrived Osogbo safely late in the evening.

I have attended rallies, mega-rallies , name it, but what I saw on Tuesday at the grand-finale of the campaign was

frightening. A stadium whose capacity can’t be more than 60,000 almost caved in due to pressure from an unprecedented mammoth crowd. Every space on the covered stands were over-filled, the main bowl of the Stadium was virtually unpassable. My associates and I had to hold ourselves to navigate our way through the crowd, it took us about an hour from the entrance of the stadium to find somewhere to perch!

Yet thousands more extend to adjoining roads outside the stadium. It was the APC mega-rally and to say it was awesomely mega is an understatement! We even heard that the Lord of Aso-rock caught an instant migraine seeing the magnitude of the rally! The effect of that was seen in the sealing off of the freedom park that was supposed to host workers rally the next day by “hooded soldiers” They got the now familiar, albeit emergency “orders from above” to forcefully if need be halt the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates endorsement rally for the Ogbeni.

Co-incidentally, Wednesday, 6th August was my birthday but I was in no mood for celebrations of any kind. I told my wellwishers, family and friends that you don’t clink glasses in a battle-front! Interestingly, one of my compatriots who was also a major ‘battle-axe” and good friend’s birthday was 8th August so I told him we’ll do a birthday plus victory party on the 10th, a day after the elections,when we triumph at the polls. We know we had the people behind us, we never gave defeat a thought! By Thursday, preparations had reached feverish pitch, the towns, hamlets and villages was now massively flowing with uniformed men of all hues and shades. Some DSS operatives came to the restaurant we were having dinner, Thursday evening, apparently on surveillance mission. We got the message and we left in a jiffy! On our way to our location, we noticed a car trailing us, so we had to take a decoy to a bar.

As we turned to the bar, the car also turned in another direction.

Their mission still remains a mystery. Thank God for little mercies!

When we arrived our abode, we swung into action to put finishing touches to our master-plan which was to run a coordinated and effective live broadcast of the elections on social and online media in collaboration with the APC situation room which was to start from Friday evening till the announcement of the results on Sunday. This was necessary because leaking the plans of our devious opponents was key to frustrate their rigging machinery; announcing results online as we get it directly from our agents was also crucial to frustrate any manipulation at the collation level. By Friday afternoon, I had to tactically separate from my friends who then proceeded to a high security location. The curfew was going to start around 56pm. By 4pm, I arrived at my own secure location and quickly moved to set up. I surveyed the enviroment to assess the

possible threat level. I saw that it was negligible so I settled down for the task ahead.

By Friday evening we got intelligence report that notorius election rigger, Chris Uba was in town with a unit of 50 soldiers attached to him. We sent that out and made sure it went viral. Later that night, information about the arrest of our leaders ranging from APC Publicity Secretary, lai Mohammed, the Attorney-general Of Osun State, barr. Wale Afolabi, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on media, Mr Sunday are, Commissioner for Agric among others were swiftly publicised with dispatch. The far-reaching effect of the noise we made contributed in no small measure to the release of most of those picked up by Saturday morning. We discovered

by Saturday morning that fake soldiers and policemen had surfaced in many locations. Their logo was a red ankara tied to their left hand. Quickly we activated our instant alert to our people,through all means possible. That again thwarted efforts to manipulate the elections from the beginning.

The elections started peacefully however in most locations with accreditation going on smoothly. The only snag was the continued harassment of APC leaders across the State. The case of the 1st Civilian Governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke was quite instructive. After failing to assasinate him over-night due to resistance by his security aides, he was trailed from the polling unit to his mother’s residence where he went after accreditation.

He escaped the siege by the whisker after he was discreetly notified. He couldn’t come back to exercise his franchise. The results started trickling in by afternoon and the PDP demolition squad sensing their rejection quickly switched to a plan B to disrupt the collation process. We instantly alerted the public about their norturnal meeting and evil plot. What really helped the APC apart from the determination of the people was our access to classified information. We were always a step ahead of them and that frustrated the election riggers.

I got an anonymous call from a patroitic police officer around 8pm who claimed he was at a location at modakeke and that results being collated was about to be altered. You could detect the fear in his voice as he asked me to ensure his cover. He was an igbo officer deployed from other states, he wasn’t familiar with the terrain but what was gratifying that there could still be few men of integrity in the corruption-ridden Nigeria Police Force. In order to confirm the authenticity of his Statement, I asked the Apapa Local Government Chairman who was with me to speak to him. He sounded credible, he concluded. So I made some calls to the authorities and sent text message to our men to act immediately.

D

washed. And all what will be put in our mouths should be properly washed.

Although, the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, had constituted the habit of ensuring that all environment must be

cleaned to reduce the rate at which people fall sick and to avoid flooding during the rainy season.

He has also enlightened the people of the state on the importance of hygiene, and maybe that is one of the reasons why the state has no record of the

Ebola virus. Most people would be wondering that during the past two festive seasons; the Osun Osogbo and Ileya festive seasons, that the state might have an encounter with an Ebola patient.

But many thanks to the State Ministry of Health officials, who have been

working with the governor of the state on the dreaded disease.

Furthermore, the Ebola virus has encouraged the citizens to be conscious of their environment . Since the arrival of this deadly virus in the country, the people, who had imbibed

If we thought the threats have been subdued, we were in for a shocker! The returning officer whose task it is to announce the final result was under pressure to collect a whooping N1b and announce Omisore winner! They were ready to damn the consequences and ask us to go to court. So we had to practically go on our knees! I salute the indefatigable people of Osun State, they were resolute, they stood like a rock, stayed on the streets all through and formed a human shield around the collation centre. Then the returning officer came in around 1.35pm. The results of all the local governments were announced before 5am. Then we now witnessed dilly-dallying of the highest order. It got to a point around 7am, anxious journalists and people started singing asking for the results. Lo and Behold, at about 7.10am, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was finally pronounced the winner!

There was instant jubilation across the nook and cranny of Oshogbo. Never in the history of elections have I seen such spontaneous excitement pervade the landscape because of results announcement. Within the twinkle of an eye, the whole town went agog with people clutching their brooms- symbol of the Governor’s party, congratulating themselves, okada riders driving menacingly in such euphoric ecstasy and finally we could say hurray! We won! We didn’t win an election, we won a WAR with a stone like the biblical david. Goliath came to battle with the best arsenal at his disposal but we came with the will of a determined people that vowed that never again shall they go the road of perdition they once trodded. Who says the voice of the people is not the voice of God? Because ultimately the hand of the Almighty saved the day and gave us victory.

Osun ti dara ooooooo.

Segun Tomori

Before 11pm, we already had all the results and we had won, though unofficially. What sealed the deal for us and put paid to any manipulation the PDP had in stock was the unexpected

Positive Effect Of Ebola In Nigeria ESPITE the fact that Nigeria has been declared Ebola-free, though the virus has been contained successfully, the nation will never forget the moral lessons learnt through the virus.

Having experienced the outbreak of Ebola virus in Nigeria, it has more positive effect on the people physically, socially, morally, educationally, psychologically and have made the citizens to be conscious of their environment.

If we must be sincere with ourselves, the first preventive measure for Ebola virus is cleanliness, which entails living in a tidy environment, dressing neatly, and ensuring that before we put our hands in our mouth, it’s properly

congratulation of Aregbesola as the winner of the election around 9.40pm by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.

Omisore according to our sources had already informed Asorock that there was fighting in his home-town of Ile-Ife because according to him, the results we were circulating were fake and he was actually leading in the “original” results. The Ooni swiftly debunked that, not only congratulated the Governorelect, but also stated that nobody was fighting in Ife! That took the sail out of the wind of Omisore and his treacherous gang.

the ‘I don’t care’ attitude to their environment, have now become conscious of what is going on around them.

It has increased the percentage of the people that listen to news on a daily basis.

Also, it has encouraged the citizens to surf the internet to know more about the spread of the deadly virus.

Moreover, it has made our people to care more about healthy living.

Since the deadly virus has similar symptoms with that of malaria, it has made the people to be more concerned about their health and report any case of sickness to the nearest health centre.

• A B O S E D E AKINPELU, Osogbo, State of Osun.

OSUN DEFENDER Publisher

–

Moremi Publishing House Ltd.

Managing Editor

–

Kola Olabisi (0803-392-7286)

Editor

–

Kayode Agbaje (0803-388-0205)

Lagos Editor

–

Kola Odepeju (08023191891)

Production Editor

–

Pet-Kola Taiwo Ibitowa

Senior Reporter Senior Reporter

– –

Sola Jacobs Kazeem Mohammed

Magazine Editor

–

Niyi Olasinde

Reporter Reporter

– –

Kehinde Ayantunji Francis Ezediuno

Photographer Photographer

– –

Oluwagbemiga Adeniyi Olushola Aderinto

Admin. Manager

–

Murtala Agboola

Computer Operator – Computer Operator – Assistant Computer Operator

Saheed Afolabi Mary Akintola – Lukman Oseni

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

6

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

POLITICS

Fayose 2.0: A Troubling Start AYO Fayose’s second coming as Governor of Ekiti State is the stuff of fairy tales.

His first coming, marked by ceaseless tumult and high scandal, ended in impeachment and disgrace half-way into a four-year term. It seemed then, for all practical purposes, that he was finished politically, his future behind him.

When he ran for Senate and was decisively rejected by the voters, nobody but Fayose himself could have wagered that, some three years down the line, he would secure the PDP’s ticket, despite an EFCC indictment for sleaze on a scale almost beyond belief, and two murder raps, on the way to a grand political resurrection that would take him back to the Governor’s Lodge in AdoEkiti.

Such instances of redemption are rare in public life. A new, improved Fayose was widely expected to embrace it as an opportunity to chart a new trajectory, and to make up for the huge deficits in character and achievement and elementary decency that had vitiated his first coming.

But Fayose, being Fayose, is throwing the opportunity away with both hands. Well before it was time for him to take charge, he had already started stirring things up. He sought at every opportunity to denigrate the person and office of the incumbent, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and his impressive portfolio of achievements with an incendiary brew of falsehoods, half-truths and innuendo.

He countermanded Dr Fayemi, urging the public to disobey a curfew that had been imposed in the interest of public safety. He led his band of supporters to abort hearings in a petition challenging his eligibility to run for governor. In the process, they beat up officers of the court and shredded a judge’s robes, as well as court documents.

His inaugural address has, if anything, confirmed the worst fears of those who set a great store by due process and decorum in public life.

The occasion called for reaching out to all the people of Ekiti, supporters and opponents — especially opponents, assuring them that the race was over and that it was time to come together. It was certainly the moment to deploy language and ceremony and symbol to summon the polity to common purpose.

Instead, Fayose launched into triumphalism of the coarsest kind, baiting and berating his political opponents and vowing to run them not just out of Ekiti but out of the entire Yoruba land. He reminded his audience that he was the first son of Ekiti to serve as state governor twice, and the first Nigerian to defeat two incumbents.

Remarkable feats, to be sure. But to what purpose?

Instead of asking the public he had

•FAYOSE

By KUNLE ADEGOKE

so grievously wronged during his first coming to forgive him his transgressions, he said he had “forgiven” the public for his impeachment and disgrace. But was it not his blazing lawless conduct and lack of probity that led to his downfall?

Of what use, he said, were good roads to people who had no cars and no food? He was going to cater to the infrastructure of the stomach. To the vehement cheering of the crowd, he announced that he was already breeding their Christmas chicken, and that there would be plenty of rice to go with it.

His predecessor and his team could take their urbaneness and all that came with it to “their master” in Lagos. He would continue, as of old, to eat in the roadside and makeshift stalls that his favourite people patronise, and would continue to “put something down” at the end of his visits (translation: tips large enough to pay for the entire stuff on offer). And he would continue to partake of their medicinal concoctions.

Fayose had conveniently forgotten that, in his first coming, he had shunned motor cars even where there were passable roads and had chosen instead to criss-cross Ekiti’s compact land mass in a helicopter. He had forgotten also the “integrated poultry project” on which he wasted a colossal amount of public money without producing a single egg.

Why is he so obsessed with poultry

•FAYEMI

anyway? Is that the limit of his imagination?

In the manner of a conjurer or a Pentecostal preacher with an eye on the bottom line, he decreed prosperity and peace and happiness and jobs and every good thing imaginable unto the state, as if governance were a matter of just willing things into existence.

The opposition APC, he said, bore full responsibility for the fracas in the precincts of the Ado-Ekiti High Court in the run-up to the inauguration.

Desperate to block his taking office, it had bribed some judges to pervert the course of justice. The appropriate authorities were looking into the matter, and those judges who had compromised their oath of office — one of them was appropriately on hand to swear him in — would face appropriate sanctions.

In the meantime, he was going to build a judiciary in Ekiti that was second to none.

And, yes, he was going to see to it that a “military formation” was set up in Ekiti. It was not clear whether he was going to pursue the project on his own, or invite the federal government, the agent of the ruling PDP, to establish a garrison in Ekiti.

Not an industrial venture, not an undertaking that would pivot on the superior educational accomplishments of the residents, but a military formation.

Like a person possessed, he has been issuing diktats abolishing, dissolving, rescinding, or suspending one thing or another, all in a bid to drive it home that a new sheriff was in

town.

As speeches go, in all my adult life, I have never heard anything more divisive even in Nigeria. About the only portion of Fayose’s peroration that almost sounded conciliatory and statesman-like was where he called for a moment of silence in remembrance of those killed in election violence. But before you could accuse him of high-mindedness, he made it clear that the gesture extended only to his supporters.

In practically every respect, he was serving notice that he had come, not to be governor for all of Ekiti but governor to his supporters and a scourge to his opponents, real or perceived. He seems not to realise that his opponents are also bona fide residents of Ekiti and citizens of Nigeria, and that the Constitution enjoins him to accord them equal treatment.

Where Fayose’s inaugural address was not divisive, it read like a passage from the diary of a megalomaniac.

All in all, it was a disastrous beginning. His first coming was decidedly a farce, riddled with sophomoric stunts, like renting hens to showcase an integrated poultry project that never got off the drawing board.

His second coming has already taken on the contours of a tragedy.

Culled from THE NATION

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

PHOTOTALK

7

State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At A Special Prayer For Peace In Osun And Nigeria, Recently.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (on a vehicle), acknowledging cheers from his numerous admirers shortly after a special prayer for peace in the State and Nigeria in general, at Hasibunalahi Central Mosque, Osogbo, recently.

•

•Another cross section of Governor Aregbesola’s admirers hailing him on the occasion.

8

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

Turbanning Ceremony Of Sheikh Alhaji Musa Animasaun, As New Chief Imam Of Osogboland At Osogbo Central Mosque, Last Sunday

•Sheikh Musa Animasaun, being turbanned/installed by members of Imams and Alfas as Chief Imam of Osogboland and Chairman, League of Imams and Alfas, State of Osun, last Sunday in Osogbo.

•The newly-turbanned Chief Imam of Osogboland,Sheikh Alhaji Musa Animasaun(left); the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus (middle) and the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimon Oyetunji Olanipekun, (right), during the turbanning ceremony.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

PHOTOTALK

9

Turbanning Ceremony Of Sheikh Alhaji Musa Animasaun, As New Chief Imam Of Osogboland At Osogbo Central Mosque, Last Sunday

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right) the new Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheikh Alhaji Musa Animasaun (middle); the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimon Oyetunji Olanipekun (right); Asiwaju Musulimi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus(2nd left) and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (left), during turbanning ceremony.

•Aregbesola, acknowledging cheers from Islamic faithful during the turbanning/installation ceremony of the new Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of Osun, at Osogbo Central Mosque on Sunday.

FEATURE

10

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

Osun: From Election Battleground To Tribunal THE name of King Solomon is synonymous with riches.

Unimaginable wealth. He is famous too for having the most numerous wives and concubines. But the most profound reason why many remember him today is the wisdom in his judgment on the two ‘mothers’ who laid claim to a newborn. The king’s application of wisdom in the dispensation of justice made the knotty controversy look so simple. In an age lacking the advantage of DNA technology, only the application of wisdom such as Solomon’s could unravel the mystery presented by the inconsolable ‘mothers.’

Solomon’s judgment made the resolution of the conflict look awesome just as the masterstroke of genius generally makes otherwise complicated endeavours look simply extraordinary.

The three-member Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal headed by Justice Suleiman Ambrusa has commenced hearing into the 800page petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the August 9, 2014 governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The PDP is the 2nd petitioner in the case.

The most dominant talking point during the countdown to the governorship election was the alleged militarisation of the election process. Apart from allegations and counter allegations by various political parties over attempts to rig, monetise and sponsor electoral violence – all components of Nigerian elections – the deployment of several thousands of security personnel for the election was a subject of condemnation and litigation by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

A few days to the election, the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, in an interview in Osogbo, justified the deployment of armed security personnel in the Army, police, Department of State Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, among others, for the election. A confident Obanikoro said the deployment would check the violence and rigging purportedly being planned by the ruling APC. Debunking the insinuation that the massive deployment of armed security personnel for the election was a reflection of President Goodluck Jonathan’s plan to wrest the South-West from the grip of the APC at all cost, ahead the 2015 presidential election, Koro, as the minister is popularly called, said only the guilty were afraid. He contended that there was no need for the APC to be afraid if it did not have skeleton in the cupboard.

He said, “We won’t allow them to rig. We know their game. Why are they afraid? We want to create a conducive environment for registered voters to come out, vote and return to their homes safely. This was how they complained in Ekiti but the Ekiti election turned out to be free and fair. Not a single shot of bullet was fired in Ekiti. We are going to achieve that in Osun too. We will not allow them bring in thugs from other APC states.”

Barely four days to the election, armed DSS operatives, in a convoy of 30 vehicles, traversed Osun communities which included Osogbo, Iwo, Ilesa, Ode-Omu, Iwo, Ikirun, Ejigbo, Esa-Oke, Atakumosa, Iragbiji, Eripa, Ada, Iree, Ila, Ede, Okuku, among others.

The operatives, some of whom wore masks, fired gunshots into the air, creating panic among residents.

The 1st respondent and incumbent governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola, and his party faulted the deployment and action of the security operatives to Osun, alleging that the action was a ploy by the PDP-led Federal Government to capture Osun by all means. A few days to the election, the spokesperson of the Osun APC, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said the Osun governorship election remained the most militarised in the history of the country. His counterpart in the PDP, Mr. Bola Ajao, however, supported the deployment of armed security operatives, saying it was a step in making the election violence-free and credible.

Basically, the desirability or otherwise of the security deployment tore Osun’s political class along party lines with the leadership of the PDP at the national and state levels supporting the action while the APC national and state leaderships vehemently condemned the action.

The state Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, said his party went to the tribunal to challenge the violence and rigging that characterised the election. In the petition before the tribunal, Omisore and the PDP prayed the tribunal to dismiss the victory of Aregbesola on the ground that his election did

•AREGBESOLA

•OMISORE

In this write-up, TUNDE ODESOLA examines the contention at the Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal, which is considering the outcome of the August 9 governorship election in the state not meet certain conditions required by the Electoral Act. Averring that the grounds of the petition are known to the law, Omisore and the PDP told the court that the election was marred by violence in 17 local government councils of Ayedaade, Atakumosa-East, Boripe, Ede-North, Ede-South, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, Ilesa-East, Ilesa-West, Irepodun, Irewole, Iwo, Obokun, Olaoluwa, Olorunda, Oriade and Osogbo. Paragraph 22 of the petition contended that the scores of Aregbesola in the aforementioned councils were unlawful. The petitioners stressed that the scores collated in forms EC8C and EC8D were illegal.

But the APC, which is the 2nd respondent, averred that the 1st petitioner “is not qualified to be elected as governor having not been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.” Also, the 2nd respondent contended that Omisore was not duly nominated to contest the election on the platform of the PDP. It further stated that Omisore did not score up to 25 per cent of the lawful votes cast in each of the 30 local government councils of Osun State and thus did not satisfy the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Omisore alleged that the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Osun State, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, manipulated voter registration in favour of Aregbesola and the APC – a claim which the APC denied. In a response to the claim of Omisore and the PDP, Aregbesola averred that at no time was an order of court granted that Akeju should not carry out and or participate in the voter registration exercise, saying the 2nd petitioner “voluntarily discontinued an action it brought seeking to restrain the 3rd respondent from allowing the said Ambassador Rufus Olawatoyin Akeju to participate in the voters registration exercise in Osun State.”

Aregbesola maintained that the petitioner and his party made “copious allegations against security agencies in many paragraphs of the petitions without joining the security agencies as parties to the petition, adding that “all the paragraphs wherein the petitioners made allegations against the security agencies were liable and ought to be struck out.”

On the allegation that the 3rd respondent, INEC, recruited some officials of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme as ad hoc members for the election with a view to manipulating the outcome of the poll in favour of Aregbesola and the APC, the ruling party said OYES members were not agents of any organisation loyal to the governor or his party.

“The Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme is an interventionist programme of the State Government of Osun, creating a volunteer

scheme to reduce unemployment among youths in the state irrespective of political affiliation,” it said.

Paragraph 24 of the petition alleged that Aregbesola, on the day of the election, sponsored an advertisement on the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Osogbo, canvassing for votes. But the APC, which denied the allegation, stated that there was no time, as claimed by the petitioner, when the National Broadcasting Corporation imposed a fine on the radio arm of the corporation for alleged misconduct. The party prayed the court to strike out the paragraph on the grounds that the necessary party was not joined in the petition even as it debunked the allegation that the secretariat of the Osun PDP was vandalised.

Commenting, the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Chief Adejare Bello, said the real winner of the election would soon emerge. Bello, who stated that the petition was an expression of the right of the opposition party, stressed that there was nothing wrong in the party seeking redress at the tribunal. He said, “There should not be any misconception about (our party) approaching the election tribunal to shed light on some anomalies. The Electoral Act, as amended in 2010, has spelt in clear terms that the election petition tribunal has 180 days to dispense petitions before it. The Appeal and the apex courts also have a span of three months each to dispense such cases if it gets to those levels. Until all these avenues are explored, the people cannot say who won the election.”

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Sunday Akere, said the PDP petition was absurd and laughable because none of PDP agents at ward, local and state levels reported any act of violence before, during or after the election.

Akere said, “They were the ones, who called in security forces to come and ensure security during the election. All their polling agents in the 3, 970 polling units of the state signed the results of the election. None of them made a complaint of electoral violence.

At all the 332 wards in the state, all their agents signed. At the collation centres of the 30 local government councils, all their agents signed. Their petition is dead on arrival.”

Osun State Chair, APC, Biyi Adelowo, said the election process secured by the heavy presence of the security forces checked rigging and violence even as he commended INEC’s enlistment of the services of the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Prof. Bamitale Omole, and a host of lecturers, who participated in the collation of results that were transmitted live.

The state publicity secretary of the PDP,

Ajao, refused to sign the election result at the state collation centre, Osogbo. He said the result of the election was not acceptable to the party, alleging malpractices by the APC. But the Commissioner for Finance, Budget Planning and Implementation, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, said: “This petition will expose how not to abuse the judicial process. This is an election where they brought over 100, 000 genuine and fake security officials into Osun.

This is an election in which they brought Resident Electoral Commissioners for each of the 30 councils of the state. The only place where there was misdemeanour was Ife, where Omisore won. There was no polling unit where there was no armed security personnel.

If there were armed security men given specific instruction to be hostile to us, where would we get the room to parley with INEC or the EOs? The party that cannot rig in the election was APC.” Special Adviser to Aregbesola on Environment, Bola Ilori, said: “The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Osun Commissioner for Tourism, Sikiru Adetona, Commissioner for Sports, Stephen Kola-Balogun, and Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Wale Afolabi, were arrested along with several party leaders during the election. Chief Isiaka Adeleke could not vote because he was being trailed.

An independent monitor, who participated in the election, Bola Alawode, said resort to the tribunal by the PDP confirmed the futility in the deployment of tens of thousands of military and paramilitary personnel by the PDP-led Federal Government to secure votes and voters. He said, “The petition, no doubt, questions the integrity of INEC and the popular wish of the masses. But the tribunal must strengthen the electoral process by ensuring that the rule of law prevails in the determination of the case.”

Another monitor, Sola Ahmed, said the tribunal should look into the allegations raised by the petition dispassionately, not minding the result of the poll.

He said, “The tribunal must not be swayed by emotions. It must deliver justice in the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Ambrusa-led panel was dissolved on Monday while another threemember panel has been instituted.

Will Solomon come to justice in the Osun election petition tribunal?

•Culled from THE PUNCH

11

FOR THE RECORDS

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Role Of Community-based Organisations In The Educational Development Of The Grassroots A Guest Lecture to be presented by Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo (Mrs) on the occasion of the First Scholarship Award to deserving female students by Iwo Action Council, on Saturday, 25th October, 2014, at Iwo City Hall, Iwo. DUCATION is regarded in today’s world as a human right which all governments around the world are agreed should be provided by the state.

This expression of intent is however not always possible to match with the reality that exists in each country and this is indeed true for every nation in the world. The result is that there are many children out of school in most countries especially in developing nations. Another consequence is that, there is a backlog of adults that have missed the opportunity of going to school and are thus illiterate. Education is therefore sorely needed for these two classes of people in every society.

Education means different things to different people and it is important to clarify this point early in this discussion. One of the down-to-earth definitions is that given by Wikipedia that says: ‘Education in its general sense is a form of learning in which the knowledge, skills, and habits of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, or research. Education frequently takes place under the guidance of others, but may also be autodidactic.Any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts may be considered educational’ The important point is that each society defines its goals because each has knowledge and skills that are peculiar to it which in addition to general and national ones need to be preserved.In our country, we have a National Policy on Education just as we have State Policies on Education. The Omoluabi project for instance, in the State of Ìcun, is indigenous to the Yoruba and has to be preserved in addition to whatever makes us Nigerians.

Governments try to carry the burden of educating everyone and in many cases stubbornly cling to that notion as a political tenet, to remain popular. The reality is that there are far too many things like the delivery of healthcare, good transport system, employment etc to provide for the people that the gap noted above widens daily. This is where NGOs (Non-Government Organisations) come in, to bridge the gap especially in their immediate communities.

Where help is needed are in the areas of getting more children to acquire the lifeskills required for living quality life and that of affording adults who have missed early opportunities, the remediation to pick up and join in productive enterprise of the community and the sacred duty of transmitting the mores of the society to future generations.

It is of course one of the possibilities for groups of concerned citizens to assist the efforts of governments by opening and running schools wherever they are needed. This alternative, while noble and possible, is very expensive and may not be within the capability of any but the wealthiest groups of people in any society.

In any case, as long as those children who ought to be in school are out of it, and with the number rising daily, the cost of establishing and running schools will do much more in terms of societal good if it is diverted to remedial causes some of which have been identified above.

What then can pockets of ordinary concerned citizens do to improve the condition? Of the three areas identified, that of running normal schools like states do, is not recommended on the grounds that much more can be achieved with what money is available if it is ploughed into the realization of the other two possibilities.

Schooling and the capabilities it confers are necessary for modern living. No one can be happy in the world of today and not feel left behind if he/she is unable to dial a number on his/her phone or is unable to recognize the icons that tell him to switch on or off and go back. The ability to read, if even it was marginally possible to live without it in the past, is a necessity today when you have to transact money matters with an ATM (Automated Teller Machine)that is cold and unforgiving if you are unsure, ignorant or just silly. It seizes your card if you exhibit any of these characteristics including fraud, whether it was intentional or not.

There is much work to do therefore in making adults literate and numerate. The number of those who come under that category is very high and it is decades rather than years that the eradication of illiteracy process is estimated to take.

There is no doubt that it is a rich field for do-gooders or serious philanthropic groups to explore.

There are many ways to go about this but it is enough to say that setting up a literacy group is all that is needed. What makes this easy is the fact that most of those who know how to read and write can contribute to this scheme and thus reduce the cost if they volunteer to give some of their spare time to the project. All that is needed additionally is guidance from a competent person in the area of Adult Education so that the skills of those who volunteer can be put to optimal use.The time-tabling and hours of study at the Adult Literacy Classes have to be flexible to accommodate the convenience of both learners and teachers.

The next issue of skill development is beneficial to both school dropouts and adults. It is a fact of life that some graduates of our educational institutions at all levels lament their decision to have gone to school because they have remained unemployed for so long after completing their courses. It was their expectation, right or wrong, that work opportunities would await them immediately after graduation. This is becoming more predominant and something has to be done about it if the dangerous situation is not to be reached where schooling will be rejected by most since it does not seem to aid fulfilling their life ambitions of work, wealth and fame.

NGOs have the unique opportunity of knowing best what grassroots needs are.

The creation of skill development centers is a cost-effective way of promoting a better quality of life for the people in a community. Simple but badly needed skills like dress-making, hair dressing, food preparation, good housekeeping, external

E

and internal decoration, events management, baby care, catering, and many more, can be taught properly to provide employment for the few and needed services for the many.

The running of these centers can even be a collaborative effort with businesses and local councils that will add value and prestige to them. For instance, companies that sell products that are food-related could promote their sales by providing samples of their goods free to these centers for use in their training. They could also use these centers properly as venues for the sale of their products. These will provide additional revenue for the centers and make it possible to issue nationally recognized certificates to those who successfully complete the courses.

The traditional use of helpers in homes of the wealthy was in vogue at least 150 years ago in Yoruba-land. Those hardy males and females who were used as sureties for borrowed money (iwÍfas) did the house chores and tilled the farms. With the abolition of slavery, which in fact that practice was, the educated few who worked regular hours in offices depended on young relatives and other peoples’ children to work as house-helps to tend their babies and children.

That practice is no longer brazenly indulged in as the result of government interventions that insist that all children of school age must go to school, and rightly so. That notwithstanding though, the need is still there and anyone who has the proper training, certification and recommendation, stands to get instant employment and be adequately remunerated to boot.

That is at least a reason for establishing these centers that will promote training in house-keeping, baby-care and such related matters. Such training which must be certified, must also include the study of basic hygiene, ability to read the instructions relating todosage of medicine, the installation and correct use of house-hold appliances etc..

These added capabilities will, on one hand, promote the sense of the dignity oflabour among trainee-housekeepers and on the other help employers who ordinarily look down on these workers and treat them with some degree of contempt to alter their perception and give recognition and respect to them. More than all these, mothers will now be assured that their children are in competent hands and receiving improved care.

Such assurance of the safety and well-being of their children will enhance concentration on the jobs, leading to increased productivity for the nation and improved economy for the citizens.

Beyond these forays into education however, is the vital one of preventing marginalization of individuals in the distribution of educational opportunities. The limitations of governments in offering education have been mentioned in passing.

While responsibility is taken for Basic Education which approximately coincides with the first nine or so years of schooling, governments find it difficult to do more than subsidize education at the tertiary level. They award scholarships and give other types of help to assist those who have merit but no money to pursue their education at that level. This therefore is an area in which assistance can be rendered by local groups who are able to identify the needy and offer appropriate help especially on a timely basis.

Sometimes government help like scholarships take such a long time to arrive that the opportunity passes by or the student is forced to miss a year. Local help becomes of immense importance in such cases and should be organized well in advance to be able to meet emergency needs of desperate students. This is a terrific reason the Iwo Action Council should be congratulated for taking this bold and crucial step in the award of this set of scholarships today, particularly in its stellar decision to devote the gesture to female students, a gender that is most subjugated in many areas.

The victims of marginalization in education are usually girls, the poor and the handicapped. Whichever group is involved, local groups have the opportunity to assist. They could be purely organized for the purpose of making these types of intervention or could decide to have multi-purpose objectives that would intervene in individual cases and offer assistance in the other fields that have been identified above.

The case of girls is of particular importance in that the few successful ones in the locality or state or even at the national levels should be seen as role models that could inflame the imagination of marginalized girls to want to pursue careers in Law, Medicine, Engineering and Politics. The political doldrums into which the country seems to be and which is dominated by males can be altered dramatically and for the better if more girls are inspired to further their education to the point where they can make a difference to the polity. Those few women now braving the hostile environment of politics would have played their role if more of those girls who are presently marginalized can be inspired by them and eventually made to follow in the difficult terrain that leads to political offices. The examples of those countries like India, Britain, Ukraine, Australia, and currently West Germany and Liberia in West Africa, who have been led and are being ledvery effectively by women should be convincing reasons why this is a profitable venture for NGOs to pursue.

With the award of these scholarships to female students, Iwo Action Council is blazing a trail that may indeed contribute to the betterment of our nation because when women are educated and steeped inthe traditions and moral codes of our people in addition to having the skills to raise their children properly and care for theirfamilies adequately, the nation will indeed be the better for it. There is therefore the need for more community-based organizations to emulate this outstanding performance of the Council.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for listening.

•Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo (Mrs) former MD of Sketch Newspapers, is a Legal Practitioner.

12

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc recruitment for Experienced Technicians and Technical Operators Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, an active player in the Nigerian economy, with a strong presence in the non-alcoholic beverage sector, provides challenging, exciting and refreshing opportunities for hardworking and result-oriented individuals who can demonstrate that the passion to excel is present.

We currently have such opportunity in the role of: Job Title: Experienced Technicians and Technical Operator Location: Lagos The Job The successful job holder will be required to: Operate and Maintain Manufacturing Equipments and Utilities.

Deploy Engineering Technical Skills to Ensure Equipment Availability at all times and Operating at OEM’s Rated capacity.

Deliver output associated with a production line for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Job Requirement This is a junior level position and the successful applicant will be expected to have the following minimum qualifications: A maximum Technical Certification of OND/City and Guilds in Electro/Mechanical Engineering with minimum of 3 years experience in production/engineering management function in food/beverage sector.

Analytical ability.

Between 25 to 35 years age bracket.

Candidate with No requisite skills need not apply.

Ability to demonstrate basic Technical, troubleshooting and Problem solving skills.

Sound understanding of bottling line machine/tool technology and operation Sound understanding and appreciation of maintenance and process operations Compensation The compensation attached to this position is very attractive and competitive.

Method of Application Interested candidates should send their CV/credentials to: pmik@sevenup.org Note: Any application sent by any other means will not be treated.

Application Deadline 3rd November, 2014 —————————————————————————————————— ——— Jobs in Onne for a Customer Fulfillment Coordinator at GE Oil and Gas GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works.

GE is recruiting to fill the below position: Job Title: Customer Fulfillment Coordinator 6 Job Number: 1989404 Location: Onne, Nigeria Business: GE Oil & Gas Function: Services Role Summary/Purpose: The role of Order-To-Remittance Coordinator is required to interface with various functions (Sourcing, Quality, Engineering, Inventory, Operations etc) to fulfil customer orders and improve OTR processes to drive improved OTD (On-TimeDelivery), Margin and Cash. In this role, execution of subsea repairs and spare parts requirements will be followed on day-to-day basis and resolve issues through immediate action or short-term planning.

Essential Responsibilities: Lead PO/Contract review with cross functional team for assigned PMS (Product Management System).

Review delivery commitment for the week /month for identified delivery versus actual and OTD versus contract date.

High customer interaction, produce regular reports on spares and services status and present internally Manage an effective document control system ensuring material relating to the customer is properly registered, circulated, controlled and easily accessible to the OTR team.

Participate where appropriate in commercial risk reviews (R0/R1/R2/RRC) Identify and report any quality or compliance concerns and take immediate corrective action as required.

Drive continuous improvement on all related processes, work instructions, and procedures to ensure ongoing standardization and simplification of the Quality Management System related to facility operation.

Aware of and comply with the GE Quality Manual, Quality Management System, Quality Management Policy, Quality Goals, and applicable laws and regulations as they apply to this job type/position. (management) and externally (customers).

Track open orders. Identify and proactively remedy OTD, Margin and Cash risks.

Provide weekly repairs and spare parts reports – OTD, spend, Work-in-progress, performances etc Transactional work activities include operations support, contract/risk analysis, profitability analysis, delivery and invoicing confirmation, scope verification.

Ensure customer expectations are met and deliver customer satisfaction.

Ensure shop planning documents are provided to customers where required.

Qualifications/Requirements Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college (or a high school diploma/GED) At least 2 years of Fulfilment and Operations exposure in an Oil and gas company At least 4 years post degree work experience in a formal work environment Desired Characteristics: Good Interpersonal skills Ability to work with one or more teams, across functions and regions Good organization and administration skills Good written and communication skills Being flexible and pro-active Excellent IT skills High attention to detail Ability to multitask effectively Speed and accuracy in reporting How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: http://jobs.gecareers.com/mobile/job/Onne-Customer-Fulfillment-Coordinator-6Job/84100500/ ———————————————————————————— Marketing Executive Jobs in Lagos at Rudder Integrated Services Rudder Integrated Services is an indigenous business firm that provides vehicle telematic solutions, fuel monitoring and management services, driver training and

development services and vendor management service solutions in Nigeria. We are known for our reputation in quality customer service, fast growing IT Infrastructure, and team of professionals working to meet your needs.

Rudder Integrated Services is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: Marketing Executive Location: Lagos Responsibilities: Ensure marketing of Organization’s services and solutions to existing and prospective customers.

Sales and negotiation of organization’s service and solutions.

Contribute to the strategic planning of an annual or long-term marketing plan to drive forward agreed company objective.

Provide assistance to the production, design and execution of promotional materials and activities, including the catalogue, literature, and e-alerts. Liaise with third parties such as mailing houses and printers where appropriate.

Contribute to and help execute e-marketing campaigns. This will include sourcing names for specific campaigns, issuing the e-alerts, analysing the results and following up as required.

Organize and attend events and exhibitons, analyzing the result and following up as required.

Prepare and analyze sales and marketing data and gather competitor intelligence.

Support Marketing with the identification and development of sales channels in target territories and accounts.

To budget, manage and identify sales opportunities.

Build and maintain contact with prospective client.

Help maintain RIS mailing list, including carrying out data entry work and ensuring the accuracy and security of the data. This will include sourcing names from journals, websites and conferences.

Respond to requests from customers, prospects and distributors for literature.

Carry out all other duties as required.

Experience and Qualification An experience in telematics/IT will be an added advantage.

An experience in fleet management will be an added advantage.

A valid drivers license A minimum of OND qualification, in sciences, engineering, or marketting will be an added advantage.

Skills/Competency: Marketing, sales and negotiation skill Good team worker, but also self-motivated and able to work autonomously.

Good IT skills; ability to use M/S Office software (especially Excel & Word) A professional attitude and customer service oriented.

Networking and relationship building.

Professional standards of written and spoken English.

How to Apply Interested candidates should send their CV’s and applications to: ijeoma@rudderservices.com Application Deadline 1st December, 2014 —————————————————————————————————— —— Female Front Desk Executive Job in Lagos at Humber Group HUMBER launched its first incorporated business in Providence, Rhode Island in 1985 as a real estate and financial brokerage firm.

As the world economy shifted and social and business environments moved to meet the ever changing technological advances, so did we. HUMBER evolved and has become a premier boutique firm providing a diverse range of business and financial services.

HUMBER’s focus is in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including biometric science and technology, mobile applications and content, and consumer electronics.

With 25 years of consulting experience, HUMBER has a solid international background in technology, business development, business restructuring and financial brokerage and services. HUMBER has worked with organizations such as: Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Fleet National Bank, Resolution Trust corporation (RTC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), G.E Capital, Textron, Farm Credit Corporation (FCC) and the Export Development Corporation (EDC) in Canada, U.S., Russia, Europe, South America, China, India and Africa.

Humber Group is recruiting to fill the position of Job Title: Female Front Desk Executive Location: Lagos Job Description Receive, direct and relay telephone messages and fax messages Maintain the general filing system and file all correspondence Assist in the planning and preparation of meetings, conferences and conference telephone calls Make preparations for Executive committee meetings & other meetings Deliver excellent customer service, at all times Make sure office is kept clean & tidy throughout the day.

Report any maintenance issues immediately to Operation manager, including all furniture, fittings and equipment Provide administrative support to Admin Department in maintain routine employee lists/reports, as required Carry out instructions given by the Administration Maintain an adequate inventory of office supplies Provide word-processing and secretarial support Re-direct calls as appropriate and take adequate messages when required Greet and assist visitors and the clients.

Assist the Managing Directors and other staff as requested Provide administrative services for the Managing Directors Perform other related duties as required Reporting Line:This position reports to the Operation Manager Requirement Must be female aged below 30yrs Graduate at least 2years of working experience should have pleasant personality Must be computer technology inclined, excellent computer skills conversant with most social media e.g facebook, instagram, twitter etc Education: University Graduate Must be have an excellent command of English should have experience in drafting official letters.

Must possess good communication skills Method of Application Interested candidates send your CV to: info@thehumbergroup.com Application Deadline 3rd November, 2014 —————————————————————————————————— —

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

13

FOREIGN NEWS

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

Ukraine, Russia, EU Energy Chiefs Meet To Finalize Gas Deal Russia’s energy ministry to 5 billion cubic meters of year and next but the USSIA and Ukraine aim to resolve an impasse over Gazprom.

Kiev had balked at the said on Friday that Ukraine Russian gas this winter, but International Monetary natural gas supplies on Tuesday as their energy ministers meet in Brussels for talks brokered by previous figure, arguing had agreed to make a first state coffers have been Fund has said the that the price used to debt payment of $1.45 billion drained by the conflict in the government should be able the European Union’s energy commissioner. east, despite a shaky to cover most of it with Citing unpaid bills worth supplies during winter while calculate the arrears should by the end of this month and ceasefire. planned debt issues and an be $268.50, which is what it another $1.65 billion by the more than $5 billion, Russia military operations are not was paying in the first end of the year.

Kiev faces a $3.5 billion expected $900 million in cut off gas flows to Kiev in going as planned either, will Ukraine is likely to buy up funding shortfall for this further donor support. mid-June, adding to at least temporarily be quarter of this year. tensions sparked by interested in easing the Russia’s annexation of pressure exerted on it by Russia.”

Ukraine’s Crimea region.

The EU’s Oettinger has After months of stalemate, pressure has been brokering talks mounted to reach a deal to between the two sides since after Russian allow gas deliveries for May heating as winter President Vladimir Putin called on the EU to approaches.

Differences remain but intervene.

A summit held in Milan Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday produced hopes ahead of the talks that he for a breakthrough after hoped to finalize a deal on Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko met Putin and Tuesday.

The three sides arrived in said they had reached a Brussels for negotiations preliminary agreement on a provisionally set to end by gas price until March 31.

The interim price would 1200 GMT (8.00 a.m. EDT) although officials warned be $385 per 1,000 cubic meters, higher than the they could run over.

The focus is on price, the average of some $350 that number of payments Kiev Gazprom charges EU should make, and the companies but $100 less volume of gas Ukraine than Russia had demanded.

Putin, meanwhile, said would get from Russia over the winter period, Ukraine’s debt for Russian Commission spokeswoman gas supplies stood at $4.5 Marlene Holzner said earlier. billion, considerably less Despite cutting off gas than the $5.3 billion •Oscar Pistorius, centre, touches hands with family members as he is led down to the cells of the court in Pretoria, for Kiev, Russian exporter previously demanded by South-Africa, on Wednesday.

Gazprom has not cut supplies flowing through the country en route to EU member states. the sentence for culpable South African judge has sentenced Olympian department is equipped to 2013.

The European Union He said he mistook her homicide.

Oscar Pistorius to five years in prison for handle inmates with relies on Russia for around As during the trial, the fatally shooting his girlfriend, Reeva special needs, and for a nighttime intruder. one third of its gas, roughly The Olympian faced a families of both Pistorius described her verdict as half of which flows via Steenkamp. and Steenkamp were under house arrest. “fair and just, both to more serious charge of present Tuesday, sitting Ukraine.

Judge Thokozile Masipa Prosecutors had pushed society and to the murder, but Masipa ruled EU governments are announced her verdict that prosecutors did not on benches on opposite concerned, however, and Tuesday in Pretoria, for a 10-year prison accused.” prove he intentionally shot sides of the courtroom. leaders will discuss ways to nearly seven months after sentence, while the Culpable homicide Pistorius is known as Steenkamp. curb dependence on the high-profile trial began. defense argued for house the “blade runner” for his Pistorius was convicted The judge also gave arrest and community Russian energy at summit Defense lawyers said last month of culpable Pistorius a three-year carbon-fiber prosthetic talks in Brussels on after the ruling they expect service because they felt legs. He became the first sentence double-amputee the double-amputee would homicide for shooting suspended Thursday and Friday. to Pistorius will serve about Steenkamp through a Tuesday for a firearms compete in the Olympics face difficulties in prison.

Two previous price rows between Russia and Ukraine 10 months in prison Masipa said she is locked bathroom door at charge in the case, which when he ran at the 2012 in 2006 and 2009 did impact before completing his time “satisfied” the corrections his home in February will run concurrently with games in London. supply to EU nations.

The gas row this time is more complicated due to the deterioration in relations HE United Nations envoy in Somalia is warning that crisis in the region. suffered from water provided. between Moscow and Kiev, political and security improvements are not enough Somali authorities say shortage, that is Gedo and The image is the same in although EU leaders also to stop hunger and stave off a worsening Elbur, in central Somalia. Galgadud,” said Abdi that the response has been say solving it could help to humanitarian crisis.

Mohamed, positive compared to the Water wells have run dry. Ahmed defuse wider tensions. previous famine period. But Somalia’s agriculture that it’s no longer business At least one million UN officials recently visited After the ouster of proofficials warn that children minister. as usual for them.

Somalis are at risk of the town to assess the Moscow Ukrainian and the elderly remain at UN officials say that starvation, according to UN And as pasture is humanitarian situation.

President Viktor 250,000 children are among risk. depleting and riverbeds officials.

“The general situation Yanukovich in February, “The disasters, including Failed rains coupled with such as these ones are was that we had identified the one million people in Russia annexed Ukraine’s need, with 50,000 believed drought - those who suffer recurrent drought and drying up, thousands that six regions that were Crimea region and has been to be on the brink of death if the most are the weakest. accused of backing pro- conflict have further rely on this trade for survival stricken by the drought, and immediate assistance is not It’s the children and the Russian separatists in the worsened the country’s fear a renewed humanitarian two of them most severely elderly people who suffer east of the country where protracted humanitarian the most,” said Mohamed.

The top UN envoy to more than 3,700 people have crisis.

“Today, we have Somalia, Nicholas Kay, died.

Patrol ships and military recently told the UN REASONS TO GET A confirmation of the worsening of the food aircraft from both countries Security Council that the DEAL U.S. and EU economic security we have now APAN said on Tuesday it would hold a bilateral military have routinely shadowed humanitarian situation has predicted for few months. sanctions on Russia plus a exercise with the United States in November to ensure each other near the tiny, deteriorated despite recent smooth joint operations between the two countries’ uninhabited islands since gains. fall in the price of oil have Food security is once again a key concern for Somalia, then, stoking fears that an This, he said, has been militaries and bolster island defense capabilities. increased incentives for unintended collision or worsened by al-Shabab Moscow to resolve the as we had it before. Over 1 The field drill, called women will participate in the other incident could terrorists’ decision to dispute. State-controlled million people in the country “Keen Sword”, is held every drill. develop into a larger clash. impose a blockade on most face acute food insecurity, Gazprom earns around $6 two years. It comes as Japan The maritime portion of Prime Minister Shinzo up to 20 percent compared is engaged in a bitter island “Keen Sword” will be held Abe took a historic step towns they have lost to billion a month selling gas to 6 months ago.

This brings row with China, which is east of Japan’s major away from Japan’s post-war Somali and African Union to the EU. the total number of people rapidly ramping up military southern island of Kyushu, pacifism in July by ending a soldiers.

“Without a doubt, A devastating famine in in need of humanitarian spending, and amid concern but not in the East China ban that has kept its military sanction regimes put on 2011 claimed a quarter assistance or livelihood over North Korea’s nuclear Sea, which lies to the other Russia by the U.S. and the fighting abroad. million lives, according to side of the island, the from EU have already eaten into support to over 3 million and missile programs.

The move was welcomed the UN. But now, the UN, people,” said Philippe The joint exercise, set to Defence Ministry said. the country’s economic by the United States, the government and its Lazzarini, U.N. Humanitarian run from Nov. 8 through Tension between China health,” Vienna-based Nov. 19, is not targeted at and Japan flared after Japan’s security ally, but international partners are consultancy JBC energy Coordinator in Somalia.

China, whose ties raising alarm early enough In the southern Somali any particular country, a Tokyo in 2012 nationalized angered wrote in a note.

Japanese Defence Ministry three of the disputed East with Japan have frayed over to avert the country from town of Baidoa, drought has “And also Ukraine, official said. About 10,000 China Sea islands, called the the territorial dispute and falling victim to a second presumably unwilling to affected animal trade. U.S. troops and 30,700 Senkaku in Japan and the legacy of past Japanese famine in four years.

Traders at the market say military aggression. again jeopardize gas Japanese service men and Diaoyu in China.

R

Pistorius Given 5-Year Prison Sentence For Killing Girlfriend

A

UN: Somalis Need Food, Not Just Security Improvements

T

U.S., Japan To Conduct Joint Military Drill For Island Defence

J

14

INTERVIEW

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

Chief Bisi Akande, Aregbesola Made A Politician Out Of Me - Adelani Baderinwa Mr Adelani Baderinwa is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Media and Strategy/Director Media Monitoring, and the media aide to Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State and the first Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with ISMAEEL UTHMAN, he explains how he left journalism for politics and his journey in the progressive camp of politicians. Excerpts:

O

SDF: I know you as a professional colleague, can you introduce yourself for the sake of readers and in view of the new toga you are donning?

BADERINWA: Thank you, dear colleague.

My name is Adelani Baderinwa. I was born some fifty years ago into the family of Late James and Deborah Baderinwa of Ogun’s Compound, Ikirun. I went through schools as normal and graduated in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic, Ibadan. I had done my attachment/ SIWES and other in-training programmes with the NTA, Vanguard newspaper, Asamu Group of Companies. I served in the Public Relations Unit of the Registry of the then Bendel State University, Abraka campus. I joined Sketch Press Ltd exactly a month after my service year until I was appointed by Chief Bisi Akande, Governor of Osun state, as it were then, as his spokesperson in Year 2000. Chief Akande retained my services when he was the National Chairman of the AD, AC, ACN and Interim Chairman of the APC. Despite being appointed as Senior Special Assistant, Information and Strategy/Director, Media Monitoring by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, I still speak for Chief Bisi Akande.

OSDF: So, when did you come into politics in which you are contesting elections?

BADERINWA: My late father was an active local politician in our town. His educational limitations made him not to rise beyond being the Chairman of our Ward for a long time. When I joined Sketch newspapers, I was made the Assistant Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). I got elected in 1993, overwhelmingly as the Secretary General of the Oyo State Council of the NUJ. In 1997, haven been State Correspondent in Akure, Ondo State and the newly-created Ekiti State, I got elected, overwhelmingly too, as the pioneer Chairman of NUJ in Ekiti State. In the Year 2000, Chief Akande appointed me into the sensitive position of Chief Press Secretary, courtesy of his three friends, whom I prefer to call my own musketeers, i.e Mr. Peter Ajayi, (late former Managing Director of Sketch), Mr Yemi Farounbi (current Nigerian Ambassador to Philippines) and Mr Isaac Dare (late General Manager of NTA, Ibadan). Ever since then, it won’t be out of place to say that I have been actively involved in politics.

OSDF: You said you have been actively involved in politics since then, do you mean serving Chief Akande as spokesman is enough to have made you a politician?

BADERINWA: I have served in Chief Akande’s political court for close to 15 years now and I dare say it has offered me a lot of opportunities to learn the art and intrigues involved in the game called politics. I must say that I have the inkling that Chief Akande has deliberate intention of making a politician out of me. This is because he created many chances for me when the business of politicking was been conducted. Most often, when critical issues were to be discussed and decisions had to be made, Chief Akande will deliberately call me in to witness such. In such instance, I often learn how cases are made for a purpose and who is appropriate to make such at the appropriate occasion. Also, I need to say these, there are occasions when Chief Akande will deliberately task my intelligence by asking for my opinion

on an issue but would end up telling me many relevant stories to guide my thinking on the issue he raised, whether I gave him right or wrong answer. There are also other scenarios where Chief Akande would, may be with some others, tell the story of how a particular naughty political problem was resolved. Such sessions were good classrooms or tutorial situations. Whether you like it or not, it gives me great edge over my peers.

OSDF: And you think that is enough to have qualified you to run for political office now?

BADERINWA: Let me say yes to a large extent and note that there are much more. It is great to learn from the master’s table. Chief Akande, you cannot deny, is a master in the game of politics and administration. Any day, any time I will rely on most things I picked from Chief Akande when it is about politics. May I note that I am particularly lucky that I have opportunity to serve another great political tactician, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Aregbesola’s political prowess cannot be over-emphasised. I happened to be amongst the first set of his followers when he made his great foray into Osun politics. Imagine me serving two great masters and putting my mind to all their teachings and expositions, and you still doubt my ability in politics!

OSDF: Have you had any concrete participation in partisan politics?

BADERINWA: After the 1983 coup, I was a participant in most politically-inclined youth organisations formed in Ikirun and other places.

As a journalist, I was an active participant in the June 12 struggle, where the NUJ was one big player. I met and got to know a lot of human rights activists including Comrades Beko Ransome Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Chima Ubani (who gave me an exclusive story on the breakup of CD and the emergence of Democratic Alternative published in a Sunday Sketch edition that had close to thrice the usual sales figure recorded) and particularly Gbenga Awosode, who led the Campaign for Democracy (CD) for some time in the struggle, especially in the Ibadan axis. I was one of the un-official spokespersons of the governorship campaign team of Otunba Niyi Adebayo in Ekiti State. You will recollect that Otunba Adebayo won that election decisively. When the Akande-led AD administration left power in 2003, I happened to be one of the very few party members that kept the faith and resume daily at the MDS secretariat, trying to think out and acting how best we could have the party back on its feet.

Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (current SSG) and Barrister Wale Afolabi (current AG and Commissioner for Justice) were Chairman and Secretary respectively of the AD in Osun. They will attest to the fact that we were committed, useful and instrumental to the rebound of AD then. I have had the opportunity of serving as Chairman of Congress Committee for Ifelodun and Irepodun Local Government council Area in Year 2006, during the days of the Action Congress (AC), while I was in the Screening Committee for Ekiti State in the 2011 elections. Perhaps, I could have run for election much earlier but am conversant with, and understand clearly, the ethos and norms in the progressive political movement and that the pressure has never been this much.

OSDF: What pressure? Are some people

•BADERINWA asking you to contest?

BADERINWA: Let me quickly say that the will or wish to run for election is ultimately that of the contestant. I have friends, young and old friends who are convinced that it is worth the trial. I have party members who felt it would be well received by the leadership of the party if I run, based on what they know have been my contributions. Of course, am not unaware of the facts with which they have buttressed their calls but am well rooted in the orientation of the progressives to know that being chosen as a flag-bearer has to do, a lot more than wishes and wills of some individuals. There are much more fundamental issues in being given the progressive party’s ticket. Mostly unspoken rules which are crucial to being made to represent the people very well. You are expected to be able to have shown sufficient commitment to the cause of the people, readiness and resolve to genuinely represent the people. You are not expected to get to your seat and activate service for self and see the office as your personal thing. You can see what is happening in most of the APC-ruled states. Even, PDP governors who joined APC recently are already adjusting to the art of rendering selfless and mutually beneficial service to the people. That is the essence of belonging to, and representing the people. This much I think, I have imbibed and that is why it has taken so long to hearken unto the persistent calls and subtle blackmail that began long before Ogbeni’s re-election and crystallised into setting up of serious campaign structure immediately after Ogbeni’s gubernatorial victory in the morning of August 10 without minding my position. Besides, I know am to receive the blessings of some key people and consult several other leaders before delving into it at all.

OSDF: Who are these key people and leaders you referred to and what has been their response?

Have they given you the nod to contest?

BADERINWA: I told you earlier that learning

at the master’s table has earned me a lot of advantages and this is part of it. I can say that I have obtained tactical go-ahead from quite a number of them and am already consulting the party leadership. The report of my consultations, I must say, has been very positive and encouraging. I am still working very hard to reach all the necessary people who are going to influence the decisions to be taken at the primary election. I have no doubt that many of the leaders are aware of, and appreciate my antecedents, conducts and contributions to party growth and development and are likely going to reward these accordingly. It is not unlikely that I will be positively considered over and above all other contestants in the race.

OSDF: We learn that the incumbent, Honourable Yinka Ajayi and you are friends, how are you handling things with him?

BADERINWA: Honourable Adeyinka Ajayi is my bosom friend. We used to have a group headed by Barrister Adewale Afolabi, as it is usual within most political party hierarchy. In fact, Yinka was in one way or the other involved in the efforts to help the AD rise from its fall after the 2003 electoral debacle. He was a candidate to the position of the Chairman of Boripe Local Government. His contributions were much. He got the ticket and was rigged out like others in the fraudulent local government elections conducted in 2004. When he sought the House of Representatives ticket for our federal constituency in 2011, our group supported him and he got it. Meanwhile, there is this an unwritten rotation policy among the leaders of the three council areas that make up the federal constituency, i.e. Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin. It has been adhered to until 2011, when Honourable Ajayi got the ACN ticket to give Boripe the second chance, whereas, it was supposed to be the turn of Ifelodun.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 23, 2014

15

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, 08061197897 and 08023191891.

- Management

PHOTOTALK

August 9, 2014 Governorship Election Victims

•FIGHTING OVER WHAT: Commuters and a commercial inter-city bus driver slugging it out over an issue in front of Osun Defender Office, Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo on Tuesday evening.

If you were harassed, arrested, detained, assaulted by any suspected agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whether in uniform or mufti, during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun, visit our office, opposite Guarantee Trust Bank, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, or call either of these phone numbers – 08033927286 and 08033880205.

We are interested in your plight by recording it for history.

- Management

www.osundefender.org

THE 6TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014

I

T has been proved the world over that human wants are insatiable, while needs are apparently limited. Up till now, nobody has been able to disprove the fact that as one pressing desire is met; the urge for another is already opened up, begging for attention. When such crave is life-threatening, it becomes inevitable; and the status is changed from that of want to need. In Nigeria however, our needs are too numerous that the desire for mere wants has almost fizzled out of every rational being on the street. The ruling class has almost removed the very thin line that separates the duo; leaving the majority in a dilemma of preference.

It may happen that people must nurture their patience over a fairly long gestation without allowing for attendant despondency that characterizes similar scenario. This is not going to be a misnomer, if the end product of their endurance will be concrete benefits that add value to their life after the long wait. This is a luxury to most Nigerians because the longer we wait, the more we pile up more on dashed hopes and unfulfilled promises. We have almost turned natural phenomena into elements that can easily be manipulated. It may also not be long when our leaders will succeed in turning day to night, and ordinary Nigerians may have no choice than to fall in line with them, as is usually the case.

We have gotten to a point now where things that are globally known aberrations will be referred to as normal and something that appeals to universal rationality would be downplayed within the confines of our geographical boundary. Other nations that consider it an anathema to walk against the tides of time are always branded as foes, when the leaders are themselves the enemies of the nation.

Because our perpetual underdevelopment is a delight to those developed nations of the world, they now appear indifferent to our plight; necessitating a home-grown solutions to our multifarious problems that have reduced us to unfortunate folks.

It is now very important to seriously x-ray what has brought us to where we are and why. Most Nigerians now feel concerned that deception has become emblematic in the art of governance. People are concerned that exemplary leadership is not known to most of our youths; such that truth is comical as being read in novels and books of tails that are told.

The value system that is now known is such that defy any appearance of rationality. The toga of a third world country that is attached to us is localized to mean that we cannot do anything positive. We are now seen by other people of West African subregion as giants with dwarfish mentality.

Many Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the yardsticks being employed to measure our own economic growth. Our own parameter,

By ADE OLUGBOTEMI

Why Nigerians May Not Return Jonathan Come 2015

•JONATHAN

as defined by successive Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governments, is quite degrading and dehumanizing. It is here in Nigeria that we lay claim to economic growth without corresponding benefits to the citizenry. Life expectancy ratio is reducing everyday; the latest figure being 42 years, according the United Nations. Our human capitals are not meaningfully engaged with underemployment smearing us in the face. Ordinary Nigerians cannot feel the impact of any economic growth because the so-called growth is a figment of our leaders’ imagination.

Many people have concluded that we are in a crisis situation; and they may be right in a logical sense. The truth of the matter however, is that we are not there yet. The effect of our systemic dislocation is still shrouded in certain hidden reality that we need to reveal to ourselves. The fact that the succour of the cushion effect being provided by the few meaningfully engaged persons, which is still dousing tension, is the reason behind the erroneous generalization that all is still well. Those few, who are supporting the mass of unemployed persons (youths and adults), will soon be out of

active service; and they will also need to be supported. That is when we will realize the actual problem we are into.

Going to the specifics, we have to point to certain ills that government under President Goodluck Jonathan has plunged Nigerians into. Nigerians have continued to groan under the misrule of PDP, but the trauma has not been harrowing as is presently felt.

Nigerians have been so dehumanized that we are assumed not to have senses of our own to differentiate between good and bad. It is so bad that it is assumed in government circle that Nigerians can only see what the leaders want us to see. If something is black and they tell us it is white; it is assumed that our level of rationality will make us agree with them intoto.

Budgeting in Nigeria is now mere annual ritual which intent and purpose have been overshadowed by leaders’ whims for greed, avarice, and misappropriation. It is just a means to get money out of the vault, only to be spent on items that never originated from the codified budget estimates.

The money is afterward either laundered in foreign banks or used to acquire personal properties overseas.

That is why an ordinary minister in

Nigeria would go to Berlin, Germany to acquire a property that the German Chancellor cannot afford. Capital flight under this regime is grossly unprecedented.

Investments on the real economy would have absorbed a lot of utility gap that has now been created in our critical sector. The hopelessness that now forms the ids’ contents of our youths would have been averted. Crimes would have been reduced to the barest minimum; and the general social maladies that now permeate our national life would have been nonexistent, if the present administration of President Jonathan has been honest with budget implementation, which is always the factor of economic growth and development. Unfortunately, monitoring and evaluation under this regime is mere window-dressing exercise that has no root in objectivity.

I don’t think Nigerians are prepared to continue with failure.

The South-West is now the most marginalized. There is no federal presence, to say the least. The only project that is ongoing i.e. LagosIbadan Expressway is under a concessionary arrangement that is taking little or nothing from the federal treasury. All other federal roads are in bad shape; most of which have been awarded and abandoned after the contract sums have been collected.

That is why people (through the recently-conducted opinion poll) have resolved that if the All Progressives Congress (APC) can field a credible presidential candidate, they will have nothing to do with the ruling PDP. The only option will be to boycott the polls, should APC field a wrong candidate.

Electricity tariffs have gone up twice under President Jonathan without any improvement in electricity supply. Power supply is still epileptic, and the cost of utility remains very high; taking most basic products out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians. The stupendously wealthy Nigerians can no longer continue to dictate the pace, as if the majority are destined to rot in the quagmire of harrowing impoverishment. The time of reckoning is now being patiently awaited.

It is hoped that this resolve to have it right after a long period of marginalization will not be punctured by the power of pecuniary inducement that has been the hallmark of successive ascension to power in this country. If it will be possible for Nigerians to decisively defy the power of money, so that objectivity is allowed to play a dominant role in the choice of leaders come February 2015, a new era of responsive governance can then be heralded unfettered. It will also be possible to call to question policies that are not people-friendly, as it is done in many countries of the world, where public opinion drives the vehicles of governance.

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.