Osun Defender - October 25th 2014, Edition

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 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

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

VOL. 9. NO.128

Front Page Comment The War Called The Osun Elections-By Segun Tomori Party (PDP), outrightly unpopular with barely a few dozens of people trailing him at campaigns however worethe confidence of a Governor-Inwaiting. 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

imperial President though utterly clueless, but desperate to add Osun to his conquest in furtherance of his still-born 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,

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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

Fall In Revenue Allocation, Sign Of Danger - Bolorunduro - See Story On Page 2

Aregbesola Admonishes On Healthy - Pg 2 Living

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th right); the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (4th left); General Alani Akinrinade (rtd) (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (at the back of Akinrinade); State of Osun Commissioner for Lands, Architect Muyiwa Ige (3rd right); President-General of Iyaloja of Osun, Chief (Mrs) Awawu Asindemade (2nd right) and other dignitaries during the flagg-off ceremony of Oranmiyan New Town in the State of Osun last Thursday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

2011 Ife Killings: Lawmaker Decries Protracted Trial Of Suspects - Pg 2 Osun Assembly Rejects Dead - Pg 4 Bodies Cremation Bill

Osun Muslims Laud Aregbesola For Religious Equality

- See Story On Page 4

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

Fall In Revenue Allocation, Sign Of Danger - Bolorunduro

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

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HE State of Osun Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, has urged the Federal Government to do something as a matter of urgency to revamp the nation’s economy, as all the states of the federation are witnessing a continuous fall in the newcomer allocation from the federation account.

Dr. Bolorunduro was In a signed statement reacting to the cancellation made available to OSUN and postponement of the DEFENDER, the Federal Account Allocation commissioner stated that Committee (FAAC) the figure presented by the meeting, which was Minister of State for supposed to hold last week Finance, Dr. Bashir Yuguda, in Enugu, when states went was a pointer that the home empty-handed due to nation’s economy is inadequate fund for each presently in danger, as state to share at the meeting. many states in Nigeria are

in serious arrears of workers’ salaries.

The situation, he revealed, was not good for the nation, as there currently exists the danger of youth restiveness and massive redundancy of the country’s potential workforce, with a resultant backlash effect on the society.

“The situation is making some state governments to reduce their monthly wages and in some, the salaries have entered arrears and this is not a good development at all.

The commissioner

commended the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for sustaining the state economy, irrespective of the continuous drop in the state revenue from the federation account.

He maintained that it was on record that the state was amongst the first in the country to have paid salaries of its workforce till date, a feat which he ascribed to the hardwork of the governor and his love for the people.

Bolorunduro assured the people of the state that the

•(L-R) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Rivers States Governor, Barrister Rotimi Amaechi, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum in Kwara State Government House, Ilorin, last Wednesday

situation would soon be over, as technical advice has been forwarded by the states of the federation to the National Council on

2011 Ife Killings: Lawmaker Decries Protracted Trial Of Suspects • As He Immortalizes Victims

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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member of the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Rotimi Makinde, representing Ife Federal Constituency has decried what he described as the foot-dragging of the prosecution of the suspects held for the killing of a pastor and four others in the early hours of 2011 National Assembly election in Ile-Ife. It would be recalled 68, Isale-Agbara Street, that a pastor and four Ile-Ife at 2:00 am and other worshippers at the shot sporadically, before Cherubim and Seraphim they turned back to attack Church, Isale-Agbara, the worshippers in the Ile-Ife, were on April 9, church.

2011 shot dead by political Speaking at the thugs suspected to be inspection of a new working for the Peoples church built in Democratic Party (PDP). replacement of the The names of the building where the victims were:Pastor assailants killed the Joseph Akinola, Opeyemi deceased, Makinde Omisakin, Taofeek lamented that the trial of kolawole, Kayode the suspects who were Ologbenla and Demola culpable in the killing was Omotolani. taking longer time than The blood-thirsty thugs necessary. had, according to He urged the judiciary Makinde then, stormed and the police to speed up his residence located at the trial of the suspects in the interest of justice and to honour the memory of the deceased.

The lawmaker said: “We built this church to immortalize those who government in the state did lost their lives in 2011; the not take issue that has to people that were brutally do with making people to murdered on the altar of live in a conducive a C and S Church at environment with levity.” Isale-Agbara, Ile-Ife, by Ige however, urged assailants allegedly Nigerians to see hand- sponsored by a former washing as natural senator. obligation,which is totally “We share the pains of for their benefit. the families of the Meanwhile, series of activities have been deceased but we may not embarked upon, as part of be able to clean up their activities to herald the sorrow. There is nothing annual event, which we can do. If these include walk-to-live from corpses were alive with Laro Grammar School, injury, compensation Oke-Fia to Nelson would be meaningful but Mandela Freedom Park in what is the adequate Osogbo, which was the sufficient compensation venue of the programme, for dead souls? sensitization among “We were not the workers in the state civil government in power service, Schools, all the then, but we cried out for local government councils the arrest and prosecution in the state, markets, as of the suspects. It is an well as dissemination of open secret that these news by both the people were killed by electronic and print media on the importance of political thugs and all we could do then was just to hand-washing.

The ceremony report the case. I believe witnessed hand washing one day, the killers would demonstrations by both definitely face the wrath the governor, Mr. Rauf of the Almighty God.” The new church Aregbesola, his wife, Alhaja Sherifat Abidemi located at Ogbon-Agbara Aregbesola, and other was part of the personal members of the state constituency projects of executive council among the lawmaker.

Aregbesola Admonishes On Healthy Living

•As Osun Celebrates Global Hand-washing Day

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ITH 200 million people involved in celebrating global Hand-washing Day in over 100 countries around the world annually, the State of Osun was not left out, as the state government informed that its zero tolerance for unhealthy practice is aimed at promoting sustainable environment and healthy living among its citizenry across the state.

The state governor, Mr after visting the toilet and Rauf Aregbesola, stated whenever it is necessary this on the occasion of for them.

Aregbesola further 2014 Global Handwashing Day organized by called on Nigerians to office of the Rural Water desist from unwholesome and Environmental practice that could expose Sanitation Agency them to diseases and (RUWESA) in untimely death.

The governor however collaboration with the Office of the First Lady reiterated his total and Ambassador of commitment to good Community Led Total healthy living among the Sanitation (CLTS), people he governs in the saying his Alhaja.Seriat Abidemi state, Aregbesola in Osogbo, the administration would not relent in providing state capital.

The governor, who enabling environment as noted the need for healthy well.

Speaking on the practices, not only among the school children but also occasion, wife of the the citizenry, stated that governor, Ambassador Aregbesola proper hand-washing has Serifat become germane to good maintained that handliving and while attributing washing was not a day some of the transmitted job, hence the need for all diseases that pervaded the stakeholders in the health nation to lack of proper sector to intensify campaign on the hand-washing.

The governor further importance of handurged the citizenry of the washing to save the state state to inculcate the habit from preventable illness.

Alhaja Aregbesola, who of washing their hands

pointed out that the enlightenment campaign of the present administration in the area of sustainable environment has yielded positive result, called on the citizenry to support the task of making the state a healthy place to live for all and sundry.

The CLTS Ambassador said proper hand-washing remains the major vehicle to promote healthy living and improve socioeconomic status of the people, while assuring to collaborate with all stakeholders, mainly, gender-based groups and professional bodies to drive the campaign of sanitation and hygiene.

Alhaja Aregbesola, who maintained that the incumbent administration in the state is working assiduously in ensuring people are living under healthy atmosphere in the state, admonished people on the practice of cleaning of their environments and also cultivate the habit of hand-washing as at when due, adding that there are benefits attached to it.

Earlier in his welcome remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor in the Ministry of Water

Resources, Community Affairs and Rural Development, Mr.Kunle Ige hinted that the programme was aimed at sensitizing members of the public on importance of hygiene and restoration of healthy living in the state.

Ige, who said the ministry would not rest on its oars in the task of attaining the six-point integral action plan of the present administration in the area of healthy, environment and sanitation, urged the people of the state to support government in its bid to transform the entire state.

The governor’s aide said further that people should comply and adopt the policy of washing their hands, as it is good for all and sundry, as prevention is better than cure.

Ige added that, “now that the World Health Organisation (WHO), has certified the nation as being Ebola-free, we should not say because of the certification, we should take things for granted.

Hand washing is one of the needed ways of preventing diseases in our society and that is why the

Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED), as a way out of the economic doldrum.

others in attendance.

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

Monarch Charges Politicians, Scholars On Yoruba Culture Rebranding

By SHINA ABUBAKAR

other traditional festivals in Yoruba land, also called on other corporate organizations to do more towards the promotion of culture and tradition of the race.

Olukoyi also commended the state governor, Mr.Rauf

Aregbesola, for his passion towards uplifting culture and tradition of the race, saying that the development is a good omen for the rebranding of the Yoruba culture and tradition for better appreciation by the global community.

days. or her God in any religion CHOLARS and political leaders in the six “Even, the white men he or she belongs to,” he South West geo-political zone of the country that colonized us do added. have been charged to fashion out ways to celebrate their culture and The traditional ruler, rebrand Yoruba culture to make it compete tradition; they even while commending the elaborate it more than we IDL for supporting not favourably with Western culture.

The charge was made fathers, as well as do. So, it does not affect only Osun-Ikoyi annual

by Olukoyi of Ikoyiland in remembering the old one from worshipping his traditional festival but Isokan Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun, Oba Yisau Bantale OtunlaKodaolu, while receiving the officials of the International Distillers Limited (IDL) in his palace on the occasion of this year’s Osun-Ikoyi festival.

The royal father stated that until this is done, the Yoruba tradition and culture faces risk of extinction in no distant future, while calling for proper branding and sensitisation of cultural enthusiasts from all parts of the globe by scholars and prominent personalities from the race to correct many wrong impressions held •(R-L) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Inspector-General of Police Zone 11, Ambrose Aisabor; Deputy Commissioner of against the race and its Police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department (CID), State of Osun, Omololu Bishi, Osun Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), people.

Folashade Odoro and Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to the Governor, State of Osun, Ajasa Hakeem, during a courtesy visit to the governor at the According to the Government House, Osogbo, last Tuesday. monarch, it has become imperative for every genuine Yoruba man to celebrate its culture and the Atiku campaign team tradition, saying

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI should attack people from adherence to the twoother campaign the fundamental challenges the youths are supporting organizations, stressing that religion of books should HE Abubakar Campaign Organization has the former Vice President bedeviling her. the mandate for them was to not be an excuse to He added that with Atiku because he was the bridge commenced mobilising support for the former Vice every delegate to the the presidential court jettison Yoruba culture.

President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the State of between the young and old. as APC presidential primary.

Abdulsalam said that the candidate of APC in 2015, it “We should not see our Osun to make way for him to clinch the presidential ticket According to them, would be an easy ride for former vice president should tradition or culture as of the All Progressives Congress (APC). ýAtiku was ready to help the be given the chance to lead the party during the youths secured their today being involved in idolatry; Speaking on Tuesday the Secretary of the the nation because he has presidential election. and tomorrow. it is a way of during a mobilization organization in Osun, Mr. enough experience to solve He said: “Atiku has He therefore urged the remembering our fore programme for Abubakar, Olaitan Abdulsalam, said convinced the youths that members of the group to

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Atiku Campaign Organisation Commences Mobilisation In Osun

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RUWESA Tasks Contractors On Project Specification

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

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ACK of maintenance culture has been identified as the major bane of development in the society, just as the State of Osun opens bid for the construction of one hundred 3-compartment water closet toilets in public places under African Development Bank and RUWESA sub-programme in the state.

Project Manager, Office as its ambassador, the of Rural Water and project manager noted that Environmental Sanitation the CLTS is determined to Agency, (RUWESA) Alhaji making the communities Posi Adiatu, stated this in Open Defecation Free (ODF) Osogbo during the bidding through the provision of programme for contractors, individual household who are to handle the latrine, safe water, as well as construction of public promoting the culture of toilets under the AFDB- healthy sanitation and RWSS sub- programme in hygiene. the State of Osun.

While appealing to the The Project Manager, people of the state to put a who was represented at the stop to open defection and programme by the Director, construct home grown Finance and Administration, toilets, as a means of RUWESA, Mrs Adenike breaking diseases Oladimeji, stressed that the transmission, Alhaji Adiatu present administration is expressed appreciation to doing everything possible Governor Rauf Aregbesola to ensure that the toilet for supporting all projects, when completed, programmes geared towards would be adequately the actualization of his sixmaintained to ensure their point integral action plan durability. designed to make life Commenting on the pleasant for Osun people. significance of the He then promised that the Community Led Total best contractors, who would Sanitation (CLTS), which follow the standard of Afdbhas the governor’s wife, RWSS would be chosen to Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola, handle the projects.

In a remark, the Secretary, State Tenders Board, Mr Olawuni Timothy, appreciated Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his total commitment towards the goal target of RUWESA in the state.

He explained that, as long as there is mutual

understanding between the state government and the contractors, things would work well, while charging the benefiting communities to take the maintenance of the toilets task as a matter of duty, so that the money spent on the projects would not amount to a waste.

he has what it takes to solve the security challenges. He believed that ýevery ablebodied person must be gainfully employed to solve security problems bedevilling this nation.”

Also, the Director of Mobilization of the Atiku Campaign Organization in Osun, Malam Bello Lukman, ýand State Youth Leader, Mr. Adewale Daodu, warned that no member of

work hard and mobilise for Atiku Abubakar in all the 30 local government council areas and the Area Office in Modakeke.

The Deputy Leader of the APC in the South West, Mr. Enas Mohammed, said it was glaring that the nation is moving towards a two-party state, while disclosing that Atiku Abubakar had assured them that the APC is his final bus stop.

Muslims Leaders Urge Nigerians To Imbibe Hijirah Lesson

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USLIM leaders in the State of Osun have admonished Muslims and other Nigerians to strive hard to imbibe the lessons of Hijrah by parting with their evil ways and move closer to God. President of the State The Muslim leaders Muslim Community, Sheikh therefore called on Salahudeen Olayiwola, and politicians in Nigeria to stop the First Vice President of sponsoring some body, Alhaji Mustafa disgruntled youths, who are Olawuyi, gave the unleashing terrorism on the admonition in Osogbo, the country. state capital at a press The cleric also conference to herald admonished Muslims and activities marking the new adherents of other religions Hijrah year-1436, which to live together in love and starts on Saturday October unity, saying that was the 25. only time the nation could Olawuyi, who dissociated experience development.

Islam from terrorism, blamed According to him: “We the frequent attacks, appeal to all citizens and especially in some states in people of this state to allow the North Eastern part of peace and harmony to the country, on some continue to reign. We also politicians, who he said appeal to all, especially our were ready to set the whole political class to stop nation ablaze. sponsoring terrorism that

breeds no good for anyone.

“Terrorism has no religion, no ethnicity, and no nation. The sponsors only, know what they gain in mass destruction of life and property of innocent citizens and creating an atmosphere of fear and hatred. Boko Haram has nothing to do with Islam and it must be defeated and sponsors must be brought to book.”

The cleric also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the other stakeholders to ensure that the 2015 presidential election was not manipulated.

Olawuyi stressed that any attempt to thwart the wish of the majority of the voters could trigger crisis, saying anything, which

could destabilize the country must be avoided by all.

He said: “The 2015 presidential election must be transparent, free and fair without intimidation of voters.

“Any attempt to tamper with the wish of the people in the election may lead to extra-constitutional means of seeking redress by the aggrieved people and the end of such may not be palatable to all.

“We, therefore, appeal to our political class to go about their campaigns without rancour, violence and thuggery. “ Alhaji Salawdeen Olayiwola also appealed to political leaders in the country to stop any act capable of stopping God from listening to their prayers.

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

Osun Muslims Laud Aregbesola For Religious Equality

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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that would ensure moral and godly life style for all.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Quranic competition have been assured of meaningful compensation.

The first set of the

participants of the competition recited Quran from the first two chapters.

AbdulWalid Ahli emerged winner of the first set, while Tiamiyu Ibrahim came second and Lukman

AbdulRasheed came third.

The second set of the participants recited the first 10 chapters of the Holy Quran. Imran Abubakri won the first prize, while Abdul-

Roqeeb Tajudeen came second and Teslim Ruqoyah as third.

The grand finale of the 1436 Hijra has been scheduled to hold on Saturday October 25 at the city stadium.

HE President, Osun State Muslim Community, Sheik Salahudeen Olayiwola, has lauded governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for ensuring equality and harmony among all religions in the state. children, saying doing Olayiwola gave the commendation at Osogbo Town Hall, Olonkoro, during the Quranic competition to commemorate this year’s 1436 Hijrah celebration.

The president noted that Aregbesola, since he assumed office, has ensured equality and harmony among all religions in the state, adding that each religious group is given equal rights to practice their own religions without any rancour.

He commended Aregbesola for always putting the interest of the people of the state as priority, while executing any governmental policies.

Olayiwola declared •The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); Baba Adinni of Osogboland, Senator Bayo Salami (left); the new Naibul-Imam that history would not of Osogboland, Alhaji Haroon Samanigongo (2nd right) and Mufasir of Osogboland, Alhaji Maruf Ishola (right), during their turbanning forget the development ceremony at Central Eid, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Tuesday. which Aregbesola’s administration has brought to the state within a space of four accused drove recklessly which led to the death of accused drove recklessly on a highway, which is six unidentified people, an on the public highway years. contrary to and punishable offence contrary to without an approved The Islamic cleric under sec.28 of the RTA driver’s license, thereby charged Muslims to middle-aged man, Daniel Bafoe, was cap115 vol.6 laws of Osun section 5 of the Road committing an offence Traffic Act cap 116 vol.6 include Islamic education arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s State 2003. laws of Osun State 2003. contrary to sec 7(1) of in teaching and Court over reckless driving on a highway.

It added that he drove in The charge sheet further RTA cap146 laws of Osun upbringing of their The charge sheet read in the court disclosed that the a dangerous manner,

Court Remands Man In Prison Over Reckless Driving

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2015 Election: Omisore Copies Fayose •Plans To Use VW Beetle For Senatorial Campaign

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HE defeated governorship candidate of the lose them to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the party in the state.” recent governorship election in the State Meanwhile, the people of Osun, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, has concluded of Ife/Ijesa have been his plan to buy a VolksWagen Beetle, popularly saying ‘no’ to Senator known as (Ijapa) as his official vehicle any Iyiola Omisore, popularly moment from now. known as Baba Oni Senator Omisore, in people, so that we won’t Kerosene for a very long trying to copy Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, would use the new vehicle to campaign for his senatorial ambition, which he decided to HE State of Osun House of Assembly has rejected the contest after his woeful bill seeking the disposal of dead bodies by cremation. governorship ambition The bill, titled: State of bodies. before the end of this Osun Disposal of Dead While member month.

Bodies by Cremation Bill, representing Ifelodun State According to an 2014, was sponsored by the Constituency, Honourable anonymous party insider, Chief Whip, Honourable Rasheed Afolabi, supported “Oga will contest for the Ipoola Binuyo, representing the bill due to the fact North State cremation exercise would be Senate that is why Ife voluntary, majority of the Honourable Wole Oke is Constituency.

While presenting the bill lawmakers opposed the bill. not contesting. at the plenary session of the Honourable Wasiu “We appealed to Oke House on Tuesday, Binuyo Adebayo representing to contest for the House said the bill would assist Olorunda State of Representatives.” health workers in handling Constituency, argued that On the case at the those that died of contagious both Islam and Christianity tribunal, he stated: “Oga diseases, citing Ebola as an have guidelines on how the dead should be buried, is an intelligent politician, example.

He said if the bill was saying passing the bill who is just using tribunal passed, it would eliminate the would go against the two case to deceive our contacting of Ebola and such religions.

time.

He maintained that the forthcoming elections would not be a difference, should he decide to contest again, which would eventually nail his political coffin.

read that the accused caused serious injury on the body of Apeh Boniface, and other 13 unidentified passengers.

It disclosed further that Daniel caused damage to one Toyota Hiace Hummer Bus, valued about N3.5 million, the only property of Apeh Boniface, an offence punishable under sec 451 of the state panel code.

It also added that the

Osun Assembly Rejects Dead Bodies Cremation Bill T

other diseases through dead

Honourable

Ajibola

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED Akinloye representing Ola- against the culture of the Oluwa State Constituency people of the state.

In their separate said cremation is against the Yoruba culture and too submission, they said that it amount to expensive for people to bear. would According to him, for abnormality if such bill is cremation to be carried out passed, as the culture of effectively, there would be Yoruba people believes that need for relatives of the dead the grave of the dead could to still pay some fees, just as still be consulted, saying, there would be need to cremation would go against construct ‘Crematorium’, as such belief.

Ojo specifically said the burning the dead in an open place would cause public Indian adopted the system of cremation because they do health hazard.

Other lawmakers including not value the dead, calling Femi Fafowora (Ilesa West), for the rejection of the bill.

In his submission, the Yemi Taiwo (Ayedaade), Kamil Oyedele (Orolu/ Speaker, Honourable Najeem Irepodun), Leke Ogunsola Salaam, directed the sponsor (Ayedire) and Johnson Ojo of the bill to go and redraft it, (Ede South) among others as members have opposed to also argued that the bill was its passage.

State.

The charge sheet further stated that the accused committed the offence on July 28, 2014 at the Rain Oil Filling Station, Ipetu Ijesa, along Ilesa-Akure Expressway at about 11:20am, while he was the driver in-charge of one Ford Explorer.

Meanwhile, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

Defence counsel urged the court to grant his client bail in most liberal terms, saying he would not jump bail if granted and would provide credible surety to guarantee his readiness to face trial.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Isiaka Ajadi, did not oppose the bail urged by the defence counsel.

The presiding magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, thereby urged the defence counsel to present a formal bail application for his client and ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody.

He then adjourned matter till October 28,2014 for hearing.

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

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 check-points 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 masterplan which was to run a co-ordinated 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 5-6pm. 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 farreaching 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.

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 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 Aso-rock 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.

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

OSUN DEFENDER Publisher

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ISSN: 0794-8050 Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205 Website: www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

6

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

2015: Are APC And PDP Just Similar Or Exactly The Same?

•JONATHAN

O

NE of the intense discussions

we

are now having as we approach 2015 is the perceived mollycuddling of corruption and corrupt leaders among us. It has gotten so bad now that our friends abroad believe that very soon the bottom will fall off the barrel for Nigeria as a nation. I don’t believe this submission; God will raise up help for this country.

Some I know home and abroad believe that opposition party APC is as worse as the ruling party PDP. They believe that they are one and the same. But if even God did not create things that are one and the same, how then can the arrangement of man perform such a feat? PDP and APC only have similarities and semblances, they are not the same, and there are many examples.

I will begin from my home state.

Over years of PDP rule in Osun were disastrous. What the party could not achieve in that long period, even with a control of Abuja, APC has done triple that much in four years even with a butchered monthly-allocation, tormenting security operatives, and gallivanting goons with guns on the neck of the people. Years of PDP farrago of bunkum were obliterated by just four years of a fighter in Ogbeni Aregbesola with tangible results, and someone wonders why we are sticking it all out for APC? In Ogun State, agreed, PDP and APC may have similarities and semblances, but they are not the same. We remember the reign of terror with Gbenga Daniel, how quickly can we forget that? How quickly can we forget Alao-Akala in Oyo State? The same

•BUHARI

By FOLA OJO

foolishness was prevalent all across the region when PDP ruled. Lagos State is growing by the day inspite of the uncontrollable influx of humans from all around the world. Next year, the state will join the league of oilproducing states. What we should understand is that Lagos has the most voluminous deposit of oil in Africa.

Akwa-Ibom Governor Akpabio said that. APC has held its own; Lagos will not go PDP next year.

The development that has taken place in the South West in the last four years cannot be compared to the dumpster that PDP almost turn the Southwest to. APC and PDP are not the same, they may have similarities because all of us are products of the same Nigerian system, which I call an armada of mess, a flotilla of frivolities, and a gallimaufry of gerrymandering.

In the midst of the mess, APC is still coming up with messages of hope. I don’t know about other regions, in the Southwest, APC, today, is our hope. I want somebody to point to me one person in the Southwest PDP that can bring about the change that we desire.

They have no legacy. The roads they built when they controlled the region started falling apart after six months.

The schools they built were blown away by a minimal rainstorm. The friends they kept disappeared from the radar of life. The PDP years in the Southwest were years of rituals and killings and lawlessness, how quick can we forget that? I know people, whose lands were forcefully taken by PDP guys. I heard of a man whose wife was hijacked and impregnated by

•ATIKU

PDP miscreants in Ibadan. That is how most of us see PDP in the Southwest, and people from other regions should understand that. APC is not an assemblage of perfect human beings, some of them I can’t stand.

But they have given our children better education, they feed them everyday in school, they give our elderly monthly allowances, they built roads and reconstructed many people’s lives. Some family members, who used to pester me with requests for financial assistance are now standing on their feet because of APC leadership in my state. You can’t take that from the party. There is nothing anyone can point to as a legacy by the PDP in the Southwest but wanton killings and stealing.

My friends from the South-South and South East have a lot of reasons to be very happy with President Jonathan and PDP. The president himself said that he has done more for the two regions than any president in history, and he is right. But the Southwest voted for him en-masse too in 2011. The South-West started and led picketing and protests against injustice meted at him when Yar’ Adua was incapacitated. Yorubas just wanted Nigeria to be fair to Jonathan; the result is what we have gotten form him today. Please, no one should mention Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as an achievement. You don’t give a pass mark to someone in the middle of an examination; you do to someone who finishes and passes. When Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is completed, then we will thank Mr. President for that. It’s his duty, after all. But for years many started the same projects and never finished. I

pray the president completes this one.

Many people erroneously quote this to lend support for the PDP and Jonathan: “The devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know”; they always say. There is no upgraded level or downgraded one; there is no “more devil”, nor “lesser-devil”. If you want to die before your time, then you can befriend the devil you know.

There is nowhere in the world we should embrace a ‘lesser devil’ if you know he is the devil. The devil is the devil, he has come to steal, kill and destroy. A ‘lesser devil’ cannot give you milk and withdraw just the honey, he will take both from you and try to take you out. That was what the PDP did in the Southwest. The roads they built started falling apart after six months and then motorists began to die on the same roads. The schools they built were blown away by a minimal rainstorm. There is nothing I can point to as a legacy by the PDP in the Southwest. But the angel you don’t know is a better risk if he is an angel of light sent by God. Manoah, Samson’s father in the Bible did not know the angel that changed his story; Jacob in the Bible did not know the angel that put sweet song in his mouth. The angels of God are ministering sprits. If I am sure a man or woman is an angel, though I know him not, I will pitch my tent with him than with the devil. I don’t see Jonathan as a devil. He is a good guy who is just chewing more than he can swallow right now, and his governing compass has broken down.

•Ojo, a pastor lives in the United States of America.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

PHOTOTALK

All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum At Kwara State Government House, Ilorin, Last Wednesday.

•(R-L) Governor Rauf Aregbesola of State of Osun; Governor Ibrahim Shetima of Borno State; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum in Kwara State Government House, Ilorin, last Wednesday.

At The Turbanning Ceremony At Central Eid, Osogbo, State Of Osun Last Tuesday.

•(L-R) Senator Bayo Salami; Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Chief Khamis Badmus; State of Osun governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheikh Musa Animasaun; new Naibul-Imam of Osogboland, Alhaji Haroon Samanigongo; new Mufasir of Osogboland, Alhaji Maruf Ishola; Chairman, Osun Schools Infrastructure Development Committee (O’School), Otunba Lai Oyeduntan and other dignitaries, during their turbanning ceremony at Central Eid, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Tuesday.

7

8

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

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OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

10

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

Members Of Osun Chapter Of Afenifere Renewal Group Paid A Condolence Visit To Pa Ayo Fasanmi’s Residence In Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Tuesday Over The Death Of His Wife.

Photo: SHOLA ADERINTO.

•Barrister Kunle Oyatomi in a handshakes with Pa Ayo Fasanmi while Hon. Lai Oyeduntan watches.

•Oyeduntan signing a condolence register, during the visit to commiserate with Afenifere Chieftain, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, on the demise of his wife ,Felicia , in Osogbo, last Wednesday.

•Members of Osun Chapter of Afenifere Renewal Group in a group photograph with Pa Ayo Fasanmi during their condolence visit.

11

HEALTH

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

New studies have revealed a shocking 25 percent of people with diabetes don’t even know it. Diabetes has plenty of early signs, but they’re subtle enough that you might not notice.

“It’s not like you wake up one day and all of a sudden, you’re thirsty, hungry, and going to the bathroom all the time,” says Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD, a certified diabetes educator in Illinois and a spokesperson for American Association of Diabetes Educators. “It picks up gradually.”

Indeed, “most people are unaware that they have diabetes in its early or even middle phases,” says Aaron Cypess, MD, Assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and staff physician at Joslin Diabetes Center. Just because you’re not keyed in doesn’t mean you’re immune from problems associated with diabetes, he adds. The longer you go without controlling diabetes, the greater your risk for heart disease, kidney disease, amputation, blindness, and other serious complications. “We recommend that people with risk factors for diabetes, such as a family history or being overweight, get evaluated on a regular basis,” Dr. Cypess says. If you’ve been feeling off, talk to your doctor about getting a simple blood test that can diagnose the disease. And pay attention to these signs of diabetes.

You’re taking more bathroom breaks When you have diabetes, your body becomes less efficient at breaking food down into sugar, so you’ve more sugar

sitting in your bloodstream, says Dobbins. “Your body gets rid of it by flushing it out in the urine. That’s why you’re going to the bathroom a lot.”

Most patients aren’t necessarily aware of how often they use the bathroom, says Dr. Cypess. “When we ask about it, we often hear, ‘Oh yeah, I guess I’m going more often than I used to,’’’ he says. But one red flag is whether the need to urinate keeps you up at night.

Once or twice might be normal, but if it’s affecting your ability to sleep, that could be a clue to pay attention to.

You’re thirstier than usual Urinating a lot will also make you feel parched. A common problem Dobbins sees with patients is that they use drinks like juices, soda, or chocolate milk to, quench their thirst. These sugary beverages then pack the bloodstream with excess sugar, which can lead to the problem all over again.

You’ve lost a little weight Considering that being overweight is a risk factor for diabetes, it sounds counterintuitive that shedding pounds could be a sign of the disease. “Weight loss comes from two things,” says Dr. Cypess. “One, from the water that you lose (from urinating). Two, you lose some calories in the urine and you don’t absorb all the calories from the sugar in

your blood. Once people learn they have diabetes and start controlling their blood sugar, they may even experience some weight gain-but “that’s a good thing,” says Dr. Cypess, because it means your blood sugar levels are more balanced.

You feel shaky and hungry It’s not uncommon for patients to suddenly feel unsteady and immediately need to reach for carbs, says Marjorie Cypress, a nurse practitioner at an endocrinology clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 2014 president of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association. “When you have high blood sugar, your body has a problem regulating its glucose,” she explains. “If you’ve eaten something high in carbohydrates, your body shoots out a little too much insulin, and your glucose drops quickly. This makes you foci shaky, and you tend to crave carbs or sugar. This can lead to a vicious cycle.”

You’re tired all the time Of course, you’re exhausted every now and then. But ongoing fatigue is an important clue to pay attention to; it might mean the food you’re eating for energy isn’t being broken down and used by cells as it’s supposed to.

“You’re not getting the fuel your body needs,” says Dobbins. “You’re going

to be tired and feel sluggish.” But in many cases of type 2 diabetes, your sugar levels can be elevated for awhile, so these symptoms could come on slowly.

You’re moody and grumpy. When your blood sugar is out of whack, you just don’t feel well, says Cypress, and might become more short-tempered. In fact, high blood sugar can mimic depression-like symptoms. “You feel very tired, you don’t feel like doing anything, you don’t want to go out, you just want to sleep,” Cypress says. She’ll see patients who think they need to be treated for depression, but then experience mood.

Your vision seems blurry Don’t be alarmed-this is not diabetic retinopathy, where the blood vessels in the back of the eye are getting destroyed, says Dr. Cypess. In the early stages of diabetes, the eye lens is not focusing well because glucose builds up in the eye, which temporarily changes its shape. “You’re not going blind from diabetes,” Dr. Cypess says he assures patients. “In about six to eight weeks after your blood sugars are stabilised, you’re not going to feel it anymore; the eye will adjust.”

Source: http://www.rd.com •Culled from DAILYSUN

12

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria Current Vacancies in a well established and Christian faith-based organization with International repute We are a well established and Christian faith-based organization with International repute.

We are offering job opportunities to competent, experienced and self motivated candidates to fill the following positions: Location: Lagos Job Title: Principal (Nigerian / Expatriate) - C117 Qualification and Qualities Bachelor’s degree in Education.

Masters Degree in Administration or Education would be an added advantage with a minimum of 5 (five) years experience as a Principal of a reputable school.

Job Title: Head Teacher (Nigerian / Expatriate) - C118 Qualification and Qualities Bachelor’s degree in Education.

Masters Degree in Administration or Education would be an added advantage with a minimum of 5 (five) years experience as Head Teacher of a reputable school.

Job Title: Electrician - C120 Qualification Minimum of 5 (five) year relevant experience.

Job Title: Plumber - C121 Qualification Minimum of 5 (five) years relevant experience Job Title: Executive Marketer - C119 Qualification and Qualities B.Sc./HND in Marketing or any social science course from any institution of good repute with minimum of 3 (three) years cognate experience.

How to Apply Interested candidates should send a copy of their resume/CV in PDF format to: application141014@gmail.com Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Application Deadline 4th November, 2014 ————————————————————————————————————— International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) Vacancy in Abuja for a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) is a non-profit public international organization addressing critical issues such as agricultural sustainability, international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency.

International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: M&E Officer Location: Abuja - The position will be based in Abuja, with frequent travel to various intervention areas.

Reporting Responsibility: The position reports to IFDC/MARKETS II Team Leader and M&E Director.

Contract Type: Full time one year renewable contract Project Background - IFDC-MARKETS II M&E Officer MARKETS II is a five year program funded by USAID. The implementing Consortium led

by Chemonics Inc., is building on the work done by the preceding projects of MARKETS and Bridge to MARKETS II (BtM2). MARKETS II seeks to address Nigeria’s complex value chain issues and identify sustainable solutions, with the objectives of increasing private sector participation and investment, raising incomes, increasing employment, attaining food security, and creating wealth among targeted beneficiaries.

IFDC under the MARKETS II umbrella, will continue to strengthen private sector agro input companies’ capacities to deliver high-quality products to farmers throughout Nigeria by supporting agro dealer development, and developing the supply and demand chain of briquetted urea; while encouraging and enabling stakeholders to collect soil and input samples for analysis, and assessments.

Responsibilities The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will support the monitoring of project activities and ensure that activities are in line with the identified objectives and goals.

Specific duties that will be assigned are as follows; Analyze data collected in relationship to the programs and draft weekly, monthly and quarterly reports according to USAID standards in order to share the information; Assist in ensuring the development of M&E capacity across each program and facilitate program learning and the sharing of lessons learned on M&E; Support orientation and technical training on USAID MARKETS M&E concepts and tools to all IFDC Staff to build local capacity for M&E; Work with Communication team to maintain open channels of communication (verbal and written) with MARKETS II colleagues, IFDC, and other activity stakeholders Assist in reviewing cost, yield and income survey data for accuracy Assisting in the development and management of the project’s performance monitoring and evaluation plan, Review and update indicators and milestones Support the development of participatory outcome/impact M&E systems Disseminate information on the best practices regarding program development, and Assist in the development of a Program-wide Participatory M&E tools, systems and processes, by increasing effectiveness and accountability of MARKETS II project and work with stakeholders to develop work plan and M&E Plan(MEP); Carry out any other assignment that may be assigned to him/her from time to time Qualifications/Experience A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences including Agricultural Economics, Basic Sciences, Statistics etc. with professional training and working experience in Monitoring and Evaluation. Agricultural and value chain experience will be added advantage Demonstrable skills and experience in development of M&E tools, data analysis, data quality assessments, and data use; Past experience in use and applications of geographic information systems and computer based field data collection techniques; Excellent Interpersonal skills, excellent oral, writing and presentation skills; Excellent skills and ability to train staff and influence stakeholders and staff to employ M&E for effective programming Ability to work as a team player, Foster goodwill and build coalitions with relevant groups, organizations, agencies and businesses, private or public.

Willing to travel at least 60% of the time and work extra hours in meeting program deadlines.

At least 3 years demonstrated progressive experience in program monitoring and evaluation, project planning and management in the context of a development project.

Excellent understanding and applications of computerized database development, system, processes and applications; How to Apply Interested candidates should send their CVs to: ifdcnigeria@ifdc.org on or before 5pm Friday, 31st October 2014.

Application Deadline 31st October 2014 ————————————————————————————————————— Chartered Accountant Job in Osun State at Wolid Quarry Limited Wolid Quarry Limited located in Iwoye Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State with Operational Head Office in Osogbo is in need of the Service of a Qualified Chartered Accountant.

Job Title: Qualified Chartered Accountant Location: Osun State Requirements: HND/BSC in Accounting or any other related courses.

Must be married Must be computer literate in Microsoft Office application and other Accounting Software Packages Must be a qualified chartered Accountant (ACA)

At least 2 years working experience in Quarry/minning industry Must be 40 years and above How to Apply Qualified candidate should send their application and C.V to: wolidultimate@gmail.com or communication@wolidinternationalltd.net Application Deadline 29th October, 2014 ————————————————————————————————————— International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) Vacancy in Abuja for a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) is a non-profit public international organization addressing critical issues such as agricultural sustainability, international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency.

International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) is recruiting to fill the position of: Job Title: M&E Officer Location: Abuja - The position will be based in Abuja, with frequent travel to various intervention areas.

Reporting Responsibility: The position reports to IFDC/MARKETS II Team Leader and M&E Director.

Contract Type: Full time one year renewable contract Project Background - IFDC-MARKETS II M&E Officer MARKETS II is a five year program funded by USAID. The implementing Consortium led

by Chemonics Inc., is building on the work done by the preceding projects of MARKETS and Bridge to MARKETS II (BtM2). MARKETS II seeks to address Nigeria’s complex value chain issues and identify sustainable solutions, with the objectives of increasing private sector participation and investment, raising incomes, increasing employment, attaining food security, and creating wealth among targeted beneficiaries.

IFDC under the MARKETS II umbrella, will continue to strengthen private sector agro input companies’ capacities to deliver high-quality products to farmers throughout Nigeria by supporting agro dealer development, and developing the supply and demand chain of briquetted urea; while encouraging and enabling stakeholders to collect soil and input samples for analysis, and assessments.

Responsibilities The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will support the monitoring of project activities and ensure that activities are in line with the identified objectives and goals.

Specific duties that will be assigned are as follows; Analyze data collected in relationship to the programs and draft weekly, monthly and quarterly reports according to USAID standards in order to share the information; Assist in ensuring the development of M&E capacity across each program and facilitate program learning and the sharing of lessons learned on M&E; Support orientation and technical training on USAID MARKETS M&E concepts and tools to all IFDC Staff to build local capacity for M&E; Work with Communication team to maintain open channels of communication (verbal and written) with MARKETS II colleagues, IFDC, and other activity stakeholders Assist in reviewing cost, yield and income survey data for accuracy Assisting in the development and management of the project’s performance monitoring and evaluation plan, Review and update indicators and milestones Support the development of participatory outcome/impact M&E systems Disseminate information on the best practices regarding program development, and Assist in the development of a Program-wide Participatory M&E tools, systems and processes, by increasing effectiveness and accountability of MARKETS II project and work with stakeholders to develop work plan and M&E Plan(MEP); Carry out any other assignment that may be assigned to him/her from time to time Qualifications/Experience A minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences including Agricultural Economics, Basic Sciences, Statistics etc. with professional training and working experience in Monitoring and Evaluation. Agricultural and value chain experience will be added advantage Demonstrable skills and experience in development of M&E tools, data analysis, data quality assessments, and data use; Past experience in use and applications of geographic information systems and computer based field data collection techniques; Excellent Interpersonal skills, excellent oral, writing and presentation skills; Excellent skills and ability to train staff and influence stakeholders and staff to employ M&E for effective programming Ability to work as a team player, Foster goodwill and build coalitions with relevant groups, organizations, agencies and businesses, private or public.

Willing to travel at least 60% of the time and work extra hours in meeting program deadlines.

At least 3 years demonstrated progressive experience in program monitoring and evaluation, project planning and management in the context of a development project.

Excellent understanding and applications of computerized database development, system, processes and applications; How to Apply Interested candidates should send their CVs to: ifdcnigeria@ifdc.org on or before 5pm Friday, 31st October 2014.

Application Deadline 31st October 2014 ————————————————————————————————————— Teaching Vacancies in a Secondary School located in Lagos A reputable Secondary School located in Lagos is currently seeking to employ motivated and qualified candidates to fill the following positions below: Position: School Teacher Subjects: Mathematics Economics Government Fine Art Further Mathematics, Geography.

English Language Physics Biology C.R.K Qualification Only professionally trained teachers in B.Sc, ED, B.ED, PGDE, NCE, MSCED, M.Ed, PHD should apply.

Position: Driver Qualification Must possess O’ Level.

Minimum of three (3) years work experience.

How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their application and CV’s to: KGSopportunities@gmail.com Note Interview comes up on 28th October, 2014.

Applicants should preferably live within Oshodi, Isolo, Ajao Environs.

Tel: 08034126181, 08099013222, 07080159901 Application Deadline 27th October, 2014 —————————————————————————————————————

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

13

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

Reflection

Fashion & Lifestyle With ENIOLA AGBAJE and SHOLA OKPOMU

Healthy Living Home Remedies That Eliminates Pimples Fast

N

OW, this is one issue every individual dreads: Pimples!!! At the mere mention of that word, I for one get chills down my spine. At the sight of it, I literally break down in tears.

Pimples are the most annoying type of acne that can ever appear on the surface of the skin and if it’s not welltreated, it can lead to black spots. Here are some few tips on how to get rid of pimples, without visiting a dermatologist.

1. ICE CUBES Ice cubes are known to be able to shrink the redness and inflammation of a pimple and make it less noticeable.

2. GARLIC The application of raw garlic on or around the affected areas several times a day can clear up your skin.

T h e consumption of some seeds of raw garlic once daily for a month can also help give a quick result. These garlic seeds help purify the blood thereby keeping pimples away.

3. ORANGE PEEL After the orange peels are pounded and mixed with a little quantity of water, the paste should be applied daily on the affected surface of the skin for a minimum of 30 minutes before bathing.

4. TOOTHPASTE Almost 70% of individuals know this very simple trick.

Apply a very small amount of toothpaste on a pimple before you go to bed. This procedure reduces the size of the pimple before morning.

5. HONEY Honey works on the face

like magic. It contains antimicrobial properties that helps tackle the problem of acne and it is suitable for all skin types.

It is advisable to moisturize regularly after the application of honey on the affected surface.

6. OATMEAL Oatmeal is another home supply that comes in handy when categorizing homemade remedies for pimples. Cook oatmeal and apply it to the skin when it is cool enough. It should be left on the skin for about 15 minutes before it’s washed off.

The redness and swelling around the affected spots should have reduced drastically.

7. LEMON A little application of lemon juice on the skin overnight reduces the size and intensity of a pimple. It should be washed off the next morning and only people with not-toosensitive-skin can use this therapy.

8 .

VINEGAR Put a small amount of vinegar in a pan and let it boil (for sensitive skin, add water to the vinegar). Put your face over the pan for about 5 minutes.

9. POTATO A slice of raw potato placed on a pimple for about 5-7minutes helps in reducing swelling and inflammation of the pimple, as well as healing the skin entirely.

10. CUCUMBER Applying grated cucumber over the face and neck for treatment of blackheads and pimples is quite efficient. This process should only take about 15-20 minutes. 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice can be added to the grated cucumber to make healing process faster.

Laugh And Be Happy

I

noticed how uptight and serious people get these days. Majority of us stick to our daily routine, neglecting any chance of real happiness.

Finding humour in this "chaotic world" is impossible.

Everything gets more intense by the day. As days go by, chances to happiness slips by. To some people, laughing at a trivial issues is seen as being insane.

How can you smile, when the world is falling apart? The world is too much in conflict to find comfort.

A great speaker and comedienne, Loretta LaRoche, said: " We know suffering is part of living and we need help to endure it. Resiliency comes from understanding that there are always times when we can laugh, have ?fun and be grateful for what we have. We don't have to wait. Laughter is medicine for our soul. Just as we need food to sustain our body, we need laughter to soothe the soul" One great thing about happiness is ?that the event in which they are found or realised doesn't have to be big. Situation in which they unfold are not usually huge. Sometimes they are like big gifts wrapped in small boxes. We have to let them out to experience the peace it brings.

As certain events unfolds, I realised that humour and absurdity surround us, only if we can relax a little bit and enjoy them. Within ourselves lies tons of things to find amusement in.

Just if we can laugh at ourselves and let go of our rigidity for a while, we would know that happiness is not that far away or far fetched.

Lightening up often gives life an amazing spark. It's like a spice that makes life bearable and enjoyable. It improves our mind

P

OPULAR Nigerian artist, Oritsefemi has announced he is engaged and plans to get married very soon. The "Double Wahala" crooner is said to be engaged to Ghanian actress, Emmanuella Gift Mensah, who is popularly known as Ella Mensah.

According to rumours, the actress broke up with her Ghanian boyfriend and "hooked up" with the Nigerian Afro-Pop sensation, Oritsefemi. The singer,

who was shot into limelight by his first single "Mercies of the Lord" seems to be on the news of late after his "double wahala" song, a blend of Fela Anikulapo Kuti's Afro beat,

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude will have the greatest impact on your happiness. " Over time, we tend to limit our chances. We restrict ourselves, sometimes? we even postpone it. "I can't wait to leave this place and be happy, " like a child with the mentality that he can only wear or put on fine clothes during Christmas. Abraham Lincoln once said "folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be." So, if we can just fine-tune our minds, filter off negative auras and energy and focus on the good in life and environment.

We can tap into true happiness and the sooner ?the better. As Ralph Waldo Emerso once said: "For every minute you are angry, you lose six seconds of happiness." Every minute you exhaust being angry, depressed, dejected, anxious, discouraged, you risk losing out on good health.

So, promise yourself to be strong, that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and joy to everyone you meet because happiness is contagious. Make up your mind to think only the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others, as you are about your own. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticise or dwell on failures of yesterday. To be too large for worries, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, too happy to permit the presence of trouble or conflict. To think well of yourself and to proclaim ?these facts to the world, not in loud voice, but in great deeds. To have faith that the whole world is on your side, so long, you are true to the best that is in you.

Shopping

T

HESE days, we have a very wide range of products that we can select from when shopping for perfumes. Its not just about buying an expensive or affordable fragrance, but its also about purchasing a variety that suits your personality and your mood.

A large amount of individuals today just step into the supermarket and pick up any type

Lifestyle

Oritsefemi Is Engaged!!!

and make our day so much brighter. Refilling our strength for new challenges or task.

Another funny thing about l?aughter and happiness is that they are infectious. A person can start to giggle, then burst into laughter and the whole group might be infected by this and follow the same pattern.

Some people believe that no one has control over happiness. No one intentionally decides to be happy, especially if they are being faced with ?circumstances beyond their control. Yes, I agree that bad things do happen, but I still believe happiness is a choice.

Knowingly or unknowingly, with our thoughts and attitudes, we decide to be unhappy. We do not have to announce it to the world that " today I want to be dejected" before absorbing the negativities around us. We might just decide to let go out life's pain and be grateful for our past experiences, things and people we have and embrace the brighter days ahead, we encourage and heighten our chances of being happy.

Happiness is about appreciating each day as it comes. Enjoying and living in the moment.

Despite if current situations do not approve it, we can still be determined to stay positive and happy. Often times, we get too carried away and so blind to joy.

We condition our thoughts, sight and fail to notice there are wondrous and amazing things unfolding around us. We deafen or ears and mind to the extent that when those miraculous moments happen right before our very eyes, we would not know. Skin too thickened to feel it. Les Hewit, in one of her books, said: "To recognise and appreciate all of the blessings in our lives, we need to develop eyes that can see them.

made a huge hit in the music industry.

The singer has a lot going on for him at the moment, as he just shot a music video with fellow artist, Davido and also he recently released a new single titled: "Want It".

Perfumes... of perfume without putting into consideration, if it suits them or their environment. There are some perfumes that are harsh and less pleasant to the nostrils, especially for people who have allergies.

In choosing the right perfume, we have to consider the environment to which the perfume is being used in and also the kind

of outfit that it is to be used on.

Take for example, going out with friends or going for an occasion, we can make use of very cheerful, pleasant and appealing perfumes (such as body mists), that says both welcoming and classy.

While on the other hand when going to work, going for a meeting or any business-oriented outing, we can apply a perfume that portrays confidence, class and simplicity.

14

POLITICS

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

The Imperial Presidency O

F all the sub-committees of the Constitution Drafting Committee of 1975, none was more important than the sub-committee of the executive and the legislature.

The sub-committee was saddled with working out the modalities for the operation of the presidential system of government, which was a new novelty at that time, considering the fact that we had never operated the system before.

The subcommittee was headed by Alhaji Abdu Ganiyu Folorunsho Razak (87), the Mutawali of Ilorin and the Tafida of Zaria, who was born in Onitsha in the present day Anambra State and served as the Nigerian Ambassador to the Ivory Coast (Cote Ivoire) between 1962-1964. He is the first lawyer from Northern Nigeria.

Alhaji Razak was a delegate to the 1960 Constitutional Conference in London, a member of the leaders of thought from Northern Nigeria for the 1967 Constitutional Conference, Minister for Railways between 19651966 and a man of distinct letters. He declined to be a High Court Judge when his name was gazetted for the appointment. Long before Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the late Waziri of Ilorin, Alhaji Razak was the “Grand Commander” of politics in Ilorin. Very urbane and highly civilised.

I met him for the first time in 1975.

Other members of the subcommittee were Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe, former Minister in the first republic and my very good friend, Alhaji Shehu Malami, former Chairman of Union Bank and later Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Professor G.A. Odenigwe of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, former Minister of Works, Dr. Kole Abayomi, Senior Lecturer at Nigeria Law School in Lagos, Dr. I.D. Ahmed,a councillor by then in the Kano Local Government Authority, Mr. Sam Ikoku, who was then of the University of Lagos and former Secretary of the defunct Action Group, who later became the Secretary of the Peoples Redemption Party of the late Aminu Kano.

The other two members were Alhaji Sule Gaya, a former Minister in Northern Nigeria and Dr. U.O. Eleazu, Lecturer in Political Science in Institute of Management and Technology, now Co-ordinator and Director, Nigeria Policy Development Centre (Think Tank).

The sub-committee recommended, among other things, that the future President of Nigeria “must perform and be seen as performing the following functions: that of being a symbol of national unity, honour and prestige; being a national figure- a political figure in his own right; and that of being an able executive; someone who can give leadership and a sense of direction to the country”.

The sub-committee declared: “We were very much influenced by the debate on national objectives and public accountability and the need to avoid concentration of power in the hands of a few, or a sectional group; the need to replace ethnic with national politics, etc.

In short, it is the intention of the subcommittee that anybody, who wants to be a President must strive to become a

•JONATHAN

By ERIC TENIOLA

national figure, and the method of his election is meant to provide him with a means of nationalising himself as well as test his standing as a national figure.”

The sub-committee declared further: “What has been uppermost in our minds is how to provide for an effective leadership that expresses our aspirations for national unity without at the same time building up a Leviathan, whose power may be difficult to curb”.

Call it rotational principle, call it zoning or call it Federal Character, it was Abdu Razak’s committee that first proposed this idea as far back as 1975.

The sub-committee insisted that rotational principle must be embodied in the Constitution “Here again the question that bordered the subcommittee was how the kind of national figure which we envisaged could emerge. We were very much influenced by the debate on national objectives and objectives and public accountability and the need to avoid concentration of power in the hands of a few, or a sectional group; the need to replace ethnic with national politics, etc. In short, it is the intention of subcommittee that anybody, who wants to be a President must strive to become a national figure, and the method of his election is meant to provide him with a means of “nationalising” himself as well as test standing as a national figure.

The sub-committee went further to group Nigeria into four zones. That was in 1975, when we had 19 states.

According to Razak’s committee of 1975, Zone 1 shall consist of Sokoto, Niger, Kwara and Kaduna states; Zone 2 will comprise Kano, Plateau, Benue, Borno, Bauchi and Gongola states; Zone 3- Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Bendel states and lastly Zone 4 which were Anambra, Imo, Rivers and Cross Rivers states. The recommendation of the sub-committee was that there shall be rotation of the Presidency and each of the four zones should have the Presidency once in a while.

In defending rotational presidency, Alhaji Razak’s sub-committee submitted that: “By and large, we have been very much influenced by the experience of political leadership in this country-both civilian and military; the need to de-commercialise politics (or to undecorated politics as one member put it); the need to balance the stakes politics, so that each section of this country will come to feel a sense of belonging to a great nation; the need to develop an approach of consensus to politics and finally the need to accentuate our national inclination towards a bargaining approach to decision-making rather than regarding politics as a game of the winner-takeall”.

Incidentally, most of the Abdu Razak’s committee’s reports were accepted by the Constitution Drafting Committee later. On November 1, 1977, the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Chief Rotimi Williams, presented a bill to the Constituent Assembly for a new

Constitution. He said: “Safeguards Against Abuse of Power, all of us in the Constitution Drafting Committee, without exception, were eager to ensure that the sovereignty of the people is not merely manifested in the choice of the persons entrusted or to be entrusted with power.

We were also concerned to ensure that no functionary of the state shall be in a position to install himself as a dictator over the rest of the country. Hence, provisions were made in the Draft Constitution to prevent the overconcentration of power in any one hand or in the hands of a few and to ensure that there are adequate checks and balances to avoid the abuse of power”.

In my later discussion with a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, the Otun of Ikorodu, he said: “Concentration of power in the hands of just one man could disintegrate the country. All that we did between ‘75 and ‘76 was to ensure that the government truly belongs to the people. And truly’ we have no apology for that.” He was a member of the sub-committee on Economy, Finance and Division of Powers. He wrote most of the reports of that sub-committee.

If you take a look at the 1979 and especially the 1999 Constitutions, one could see the imperial powers of the President of Nigeria.

Having read and reread the report of Abdu Razak’s committee, am still not sure that it is what the committee recommended that is in practice today, with the imperial, dominant and regal powers of the President crowned by the Constitution and a cash sharing National Assembly that has made itself impotent in an era, where sycophancy, hero-worshipping and boot-licking is the only industry around.

If one reads the 1999 Constitution, one will be puzzled and astounded by the extensive wide powers of the Nigerian President. In short ,he almost owns the country. In a land where majority are very poor, one can’t have all these wide powers certainly without inviting envy, jealousy, outright grudge if not hatred.

Our biggest dilemma is how to cope with the authoritarian and absolute powers of the President as decreed by the Constitution. It is these powers that have made the race for the Presidency absolutely desperate.

Just imagine the despondency of the incumbent to retain his Presidency at all costs, as if there is no more life outside government having been in power for over fifteen years and the desperation of his political adversaries to dislodge him by all means.

We shall see in the coming weeks the ugly effects of the despair and hopelessness.

If we have reduced the power of the presidency and made that post less attractive, maybe and just maybe, the forlornness will be avoided. A Presidential election is not supposed to be a do-or-die affair. In some countries, the Presidential election is a celebration period. That is the way it is supposed to be.

•Eric, a former Director at the presidency, stays in Lagos.

15

INTERVIEW

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, October 25, 2014

Aregbesola’s Approach To Governance Is Superb - Oyintiloye Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of the State of Osun on Community Forum and a member of 20-man campaign committee for the August 9, 2014 governorship election that ensured the return of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to office.

In this interview with KAZEEM MOHAMMED, he spoke on his political journey, the developmental from, I have been able to galvanize and agenda of his boss and Osun politics generally. Excerpts:

O

SDF: Let’s have a peep into your background?

OYINTILOYE: I am from Ibokun in Obokun Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun. My academic and professional background is in Finance. I have a degree in Finance and two Masters in Financial Management, as well as Public Administration. I had worked in several places including academic settings, hospitality industry and the financial services sector. In particular, I have worked in the foremost capacity development institution, the Financial Institution Training Center, FITC, which is owned by Bankers’ Committee. My encounter with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was a turning point. It was from Aregbesola, that I learnt to be a media person, in addition to obtaining other political skills, especially in people’s engagement, mobilization and service delivery.

OSDF: Can you shed more light on the process that re-baked you into some of what you are doing now, especially media engagement and management?

OYINTILOYE: My sojourn in media enterprise came as a result of the challenges we had in 2007 general elections. Being a Personal Assistant to Aregbesola, who was the governorship candidate of the Action Congress (AC) then, I was one of the very few that were around him after the election. I was saddled with a lot of responsibilities, and media relations was part of my brief. I accepted responsibilities, and had to develop, especially in the art of media engagement and management to the extent of pursuing an international media training in the United Kingdom.

OSDF: What actually inspired you to abandon the lucrative world of finance and a promising career to join Ogbeni Aregbesola’s movement?

OYINTILOYE: Actually, I was doing fine in my career. But, at a point, I felt I was not complete. Somehow, I had this inward feeling that I was destined to serve the people in a better way than I was doing. Through prayers and the grace of God, I found a responsible leader, who provided the platform and the needed catalyst for the development of my potentials, serving as the moral booster to my destiny and the man is Aregbesola.

I must submit here that it was sheer providence that connected me with Aregbesola and that was through one of the articles I wrote in The Punch newspaper. Ever since, I have not regretted my fraternity, as well as my choice of his leadership. It has been edifying, inspiring and purposeful.

OSDF: So, are you saying your fraternity with Ogbeni Aregbesola has rubbed off on you to...?

OYINTILOYE: I put it this way; my tutelage under him has made me ten times better that my peers. What most people don’t know is that Aregbesola is a good teacher, a good manager, a visionary leader, a dogged fighter, resilient and a goal-getter. Take a dullard to Aregbesola, he would reshapen the person. You must take into cognizance that finance and the media are two parallel vocations. So, it takes a good teacher to re-engineer an accountant and re-shapen him to function

•OYINTILOYE

efficiently in media engagement. That’s Ogbeni for you.

One of the first lessons I learnt from him was the stimulation of my intellect to process information in terms of data capturing and storage. Ogbeni also imbued the toughness in me to be able to face any challenge in life. He taught me to have a sense of engagement, personal discipline and lifestyle of focus on target.

My engagement today with Osun people and especially, my constituency, in identifying with their needs and rendering of selfless service are direct products of lessons learnt from Ogbeni Aregbesola.

OSDF: Will you say these attributes have impacted in the governance of Osun?

OYINTILOYE: Absolutely. You will recollect that when he came into power, the state was in financial mess. What we met was that the government would have to borrow huge amount of money to payworkers’ monthly salaries.

Aregbesola’s administrative sagacity made financial re-engineering of the state a possibility. Today, the result is evident to all.

We are talking of a man who is deep, thoughtful and has strong perception of what he wanted to do with power; I mean for development and emancipation of the people from the shackles of underdevelopment. Just take a look at the six-point action plan that formed the driving force of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s government. The action plan was well thought out and is being meticulously implemented. Osun today can best be described as ‘development in motion’ The initiatives, as captured in the green book, ‘My Pact with Osun People’,

cannot be faulted. Is it the engagement and empowerment of youths that have become a reference point in the country?

Is it the magical turn-around in education sector with state-of-the-art infrastructure, digital revolution encapsulated in Opon Imo, that is the Tablet of Knowledge?

When he mooted the idea of “Ona Baba Ona”, some people thought it was mere political pet talk. Today, roads infrastructure in the state is massive. Can anybody fault thousands of kilometres of quality road networks, which criss-cross the nooks and crannies of the state, the momentous development that is unparalleled in the history of the state since it was created over twenty years ago?

This milestone development can only come to reality, when good people in leadership make them happen. That is the leader we are talking about.

OSDF: As the SSA to the Governor on Community Forum, how have Osun communities fared in the scheme of things?

OYINTILOYE: I want to say with every sense of responsibility that Osun communities are better off. From whatever angle you may want to look at it, the impact of development is not hidden. Ogbeni Aregbesola’s policies and programmes are fundamentally peoplecentered. The ‘O’ initiatives philosophy is well-rounded, touching all social stratifications. For me, with the portfolio of Community Forum, I have learnt more about how to interact with people from all backgrounds. It has horned my skill in interpersonal and community relations.

Let me cite the example of Obokun Local Government Council Area, where I come

mobilize people for development. I have raised their political consciousness.

Today, with many thanks to other stakeholders in Obokun, the constituency remains vibrant and committed to APC as a party and Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration.

OSDF: So, the Community Forum portfolio is a plus for you?

OYINTILOYE: Well, it is essentially not about me, but basically a platform to celebrate Osun people. If I may put it another way, the thirty local government council areas and the Area Office in Modakeke are proud to identify with the success of this government. This is not to say that it’s a bed of roses, as there are enormous challenges that Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration had to pass through before we got to where we are today. Aside from some people, who may want to put clog in the wheel of progress, people are generally suspicious of government’s intention, but with the remarkable success recorded in all spheres of human endeavour, even many doubting Thomases have joined us.

The government started out by conducting base-line studies of the need of the communities. I mean physical communities and professional communities. It took into cognizance the peculiarities of the state and particularities of each community, as well as generality of the need of Osun people. From hamlets, to villages, rural to semi-urban and the major cities. It is this kind of government’s understanding of the people and the settings and their needs coupled with handy blueprint that enable Ogbeni Aregbesola to make a difference.

I must also thank our people in all the length and breadth of the state. They are fantastic. Osun people acknowledge good works. No wonder, they pay back with their votes for Aregbesola.

OSDF: You talked about doubting Thomases ...?

OYINTILOYE: Cut in...You can’t rule out this in any society, but the joy is that we are winning them over. For instance, the harvest of big players in the opposition speaks volume of the acceptability of our government. Let me crave your indulgence to cite example of Obokun, you will recollect that the electoral victory we had in 2011 was marginal, but with hard work and contributions of different players, we had comfortable margin this time around. Well, this achievement is not phyrric, I for one by God’s help and support of other people, mobilized people that matter in government, including the governor himself to meet with our people.

Many thanks to our royal fathers, who are always there to give us their support.

This systematic engagement of the government and the people had been on for up to about two years before the last election helped us to win the people over.

I must give it to Ogbeni Aregbesola again for giving me the latitude, the exposure I have had and the grace of good attitude I imbibed under his tutelage. All this had positioned me well to serve our people. Different roles and assignment I have handled, including being part of the recent 20-man committee of the state electioneering campaign that returned the governor for a second term. This also has widened my horizon.

www.osundefender.org

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2014

AUDACIOUS EXPLOIT

Until the Liberian-American diplomat, which brings all Nigerians together, late Patrick Sawyer came to Nigeria, Ebola became a serious rallying point not many people know about the for Nigerians. The World Health dreaded diseases, Ebola. Ebola, Organization (WHO) has declared according to some sources, is a river in Nigeria Ebola-free and like the the Democratic Republic of Congo, international agency said, the battle has with where the viral disease was first noticed been won, but the war is not over yet.

MURTALA AGBOOLA in 1977.

As long as the disease is endemic in However, it was of recent that the TEL: 0806-119-7897 the West African sub-region, we are E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com scourge inflicted many people, not free yet. What are the lessons that especially in the West African subcan be learnt from the episode? region, particularly Sierra Leone, Fundamentally, Nigerians can rally Guinea and Liberia. Nigerians rallied together to change anything we feel round and successfully contained the strongly about. Supposing we channel Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). our energy and resources to put The successful battle against EVD did pressure on our leaders to meet our not go without some casualties, who expectations. If the leaders do the are at best heroes and heroines. First needful and expend resources on Foundation Hospital, Obalende, Lagos societal, rather than individual and was where the index patient, Sawyer selfish needs, the society would be was admitted when he collapsed at the better off.

Nigeria can be looked up to as a Murtala Mohammed International shining example to other countries to Airport, Lagos. Medical doctors and combat the scourge. The viral disease some health workers became victims brought out the best in our human of Sawyer’s import into Nigeria. The management level, where individuals two major cities, where people who involved did their very best. tested positive to EVD were All governments, especially the federal, quarantined and treat are Lagos and Lagos and Rivers States deserve Port Harcourt. Dr (Mrs) Stella commendation. The Federal Ministry Adadevoh, a senior medical personal of Health under the able-leadership of lost her life to save millions of Nigerians. the former minister, Professor But for the strike embarked upon by Onyebuchi Chukwu, also deserves our the Nigeria Medical Association accolade. All professionals, who (NMA), when Sawyer came into the volunteered to partake in the activities country, maybe the level of damage of combating the dreaded disease would have been catastrophic. The First should not go unnoticed. The Nigerian Foundation Hospital came to the rescue public should be given kudos for and the level of collateral damage was heeding the call of government to do kept minimal. the right thing. Imagine Nigerians In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State deploying the resources we used for capital, some people tested positive to Ebola on fighting Boko Haram or EVD and they were treated, while few poverty. lost their lives.

It is my strong conviction that given the resources nature has endowed us with, In all, the determination with which both human and material, Nigerians Nigeria, from the leadership to the led, have no business with poverty. We are took the issue of EVD was very •FASHOLA all stakeholders in the project, Nigeria, commendable. Everybody cooperated with the government, obeyed reference point for something good and were called upon to learn from the hence we should to collaborate to instructions and helped to keep the level positive. Other West African countries Nigerian experience. Besides football, achieve its greatness. We would be better off, if of hygiene very we all play high.

Fayemi was yesterday, Fayose is our parts The newly-inaugurated All together, well. Our there were 19 governor of Ekiti State, Mr today and another person would be leaders cases, which Ayodele Fayose, is at it again. there tomorrow. should not meant they On the day of his inauguration, enough, the Speaker of the Ekiti be selfish, Fayose ought to have learnt from tested positive State House of Assembly, Dr while the he shocked his audience with to the viral Adewale Onirin, alleged that a his past experience. Confrontation led should the level of indebtedness of the disease out of with persons in the opposition party a l s o filling station belonging to him has state and how the immediatewhich seven died including past All Progressives Congress- been sealed-up in Ado-Ekiti on the would not do him any good. pt ehr feo ri mr the index case led (APC) government had orders of the state governor Scandalizing the immediate-past obligations and Adadevoh. been wasteful. Fayose did not recently. The station, T. Five government is not what the people a s Others were Integrated Service was one of the elected him to do. required. stop there, he alleged that the treated and L i k e The electorate are the best judge Fayemi government spent N3.3 four filling stations sealed up. they are well. ootball, Reacting to the closure, Omirin billion on the newly-constructed The seriousness of every government, so, Fayose flike the fight with which we Governor’s Lodge in Ado-Ekiti, stated that the governor ordered should leave that to them. Fayemi a g ainst handled EVD which to him does not make the closure of his station in order has done his best for the state and Ebola, we inspire hope in economic sense in a state, to intimidate and coerce him. can use it as the country.

There is no gainsaying that should be allowed to enjoy his rest. a rallying where most people cannot take Nigeria, for the Fayose has started on a bad Fayose, stop castigating Fayemi and point to two meals a day. first time, achieve our became a As if these are not bad footing. Government is a stage. set out to work. aim.

Latching On Ebola Success Story

Fayose Again

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.