Osun Defender - October 30th 2014, Edition

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www.osundefender.org THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 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

PEOPLE FIRST

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-In-waiting. He they

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

VOL. 9. NO.130 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

Guber Tribunal Misinformation Saga:

AIT Apologises For Being Victim Of Osun PDP Lies - See Story On Page 2

Crisis Rocks Osun NUT, Aggrieved Teachers Form Parallel Union - Pg 4

Falsehood: Osun APC - Pg 2 Warns PDP Fayose Is - Pg 4 Lacking In Integrity - APC

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council Area of Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale (2nd left); his wife, Zainb (left); Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on InterGovernmental Relations, Reverend Tunji Adebiyi (right) during the official commissioning of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Legislative Building (Freedom House) at Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council Area, Lagos State, last Monday.

Osun Tribunal: Only Five LGs Inspected Till Date

- See Story On Page 2

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

Guber Tribunal Misinformation Saga: AIT Apologises For Being Victim Of Osun PDP Lies

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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HE management of DAAR Communications has retracted and apologised for a news story posted on its website, titled ‘Osun Election Tribunal: PDP Aspirant Gets More Valid Votes’, which was allegedly sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The management of the votes.

He said the falsehood by media organisation, said it has found out that it was those he described as serial misled into posting the liars is calculated at story on its website, hoodwinking unsuspecting www.aitonline.tv, on members of the public into Monday. believing that they have The apology, as posted in any iota of hope in the the website of the petition they filed at the organisation stated, “We tribunal.

In a statement, Lawal sincerely apologise for any embarrassment the story explained that beyond might have caused to any filing of petition at the group or individuals registry of the tribunal, no affected. Do accept our hearing has started, saying, “what we have had so far sincere apology”.

This is just as the Senior was an application for Special Assistant to examination of all polling Governor Rauf Aregbesola documents used in the on Legal and Judicial Sector, conduct of the August 9 Mr Ibrahim Lawal, described governorship election in as wicked lie, the rumours the state to enable the being circulated by “the petitioner maintain its PDP cyber rodents” that a petition”.

These applications, recounting exercise at the tribunal had given the PDP according to him, were a win with over 100,000 granted to both APC and

PDP and joint inspection which involves only scanning of documents is taking place at the INEC Office in Osogbo.

He said: “The tribunal has not granted an order for recounting of ballot papers because at no time did the petitioner seek for any recounting. The stage we are at the tribunal is a preliminary stage where responses are still being filed.

“The inspection being done by the parties is entirely their business untill the report of such inspection is

filed at the court registry, heard under the fire of cross examination of those that did the report and the testimony of the witnesses is believed by the tribunal.

“It is therefore, preposterous on the part of any party to a petition to seek to arrogate to itself figures that have not been credited to it either at the election itself or at the tribunal.

“It is also pertinent to educate the gullible mind within Osun PDP that an order for recounting will

only be granted to a petitioner having satisfied the court on the preponderance of evidence brought forward by witnesses called upon by the petitioner during the hearing of the petition.

“It is only granted when the tribunal is convinced that on the totality of the testimony of the witnesses, there is need for recounting of ballot papers and the recounting will be done at the court premises Not at INEC Office as being bandied around by the ignoramus.

“It is crystal clear that as

at today, there has not been any sitting of the tribunal, no application for recount of ballot papers at the tribunal registry and there is no order for recounting any ballot papers.

“Whatever lie being cooked up by these elements resides only in their imagination, it is nothing but fantasy”, he said.

He then enjoined all lovers of peace and progress within and outside the state to disregard what he called, latest falsehood as a ranting of a drowning man who had nothing to hold on to but straw.

Sekona Prince Eyes Ede Federal Constituency Seat

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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prince in Sekona, Alhaji Saheed Lasisi, has shown interest in the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ede-South/Ede-North/Egbedero/ Ejigbo Federal Constituency.

Lasisi, a chartered point manifestoes which accountant and a member of are: Youth empowerment by the APC in Sekona Ward 8, setting up small-scale Ede-South Local industries across the four Government Council Area, is local government council aspiring to contest the areas, youth employment at Federal House of Reps the federal level, election under the APC, scholarships for higher with a view to representing education for indigent the people of Ede Federal students and community Constituency. and rural development Speaking with OSUN initiatives.

DEFENDER on Tuesday in The Chairman of APC in Ede, Lasisi said his decision the ward, Kadiri Adeola, to vie for the House of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s appreciated Lasisi for his membership was borne out vision and mission for the of his passion to bring constituency but implored quality representation for him not to forget his the people of the promises when he is constituency and as well eventually elected.

Adeola then promised create empowerment that would put smiles on the the entire ward membership faces of the people. support for Lasisi’s He highlighted his four- candidacy.

•Former State of Osun All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman, Elder Lowo Adebiyi (right), embracing the newly elected State Chairman of APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun, during the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected APC executives in Osogbo last Saturday.

Falsehood: Osun APC Warns PDP

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HE All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun has warned that the PDP in the State is gravitating towards creating anarchy in the community through a wickedly relentless propagation of lies, capable of destabilising the state. According to the APC, ‘it is high time those charged with the responsibility to maintain law and order in the state, called the PDP to its senses and stop the party from stoking negative passions that could lead to anarchy’.

The party was officially woefully failed to win the reacting to the latest in the August 9 election. Citing offensive campaign of lying the latest internet spat that through the media to create created a stir recently over confusion within the state in the senseless claim by PDP a bizarre attempt to instal - sponsored falsehood that itself in power after it had Omisore is about to be

Osun APC Aspirant Flays PDP Over Falsehood On Election Result

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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N All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for the State of Osun House of Assembly, Barrister Daud Akinloye, has described as a blatant falsehood, the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members that their party is taking a lead in the ongoing inspection of election materials.

Akinloye, while addressing make it look to their followers members of his campaign that they still have hope on forum at a meeting on Sunday, the petition. said there was no such “They are liars and we have development at the venue of the found out that their lies were inspection, as there was no aimed at holding their members order of the court for together, as well as confusing recounting of the votes, but just the people of the state. scanning of the ballot papers “Governor Rauf Aregbesola used for the poll. won the election fair and Describing those spreading square, and as I am talking to such ‘falsehood’ as you, nothing has proven daydreamers, Akinloye said the contrary, either at the tribunal PDP leaders were telling lies to or INEC office, where

inspection is being carried out and I am sure nothing would change it.

“In fact, the tribunal has not started hearing of the matter because, it is only when the tribunal starts hearing that they can prove their case, which everyone knows they don’t have any evidence.

“We have only inspected election materials used for five local government council areas, which are Osogbo, Olorunda, Obokun, Irewole and Irepodun and there was nowhere they found either fake or unstamped ballot papers,” Akinloye explained.

He then urged the people of the state to disregard the lies, for it has no sense.

The aspirant also urged APC members to accommodate others, who are interested in joining the party and be part of the players in the peopleoriented administration of Governor Aregbesola.

He also appealed to those that are aggrieved due to the recently-concluded party congresses to bury their angers and join those that have been appointed or elected to develop the party.

Also speaking, a party leader, Mr Musbau Adeniran, commended party members for their active roles in the reelection of Aregbesola, urging them to remain firm and repeat same in the 2015 general elections.

declared the ‘actual’ winner of the August 9 election, the APC said that it was a close call to anarchy and a criminal action, which should be addressed by lawenforcement agencies in Osun.

“For the information of the law enforcement agencies and the general public, the APC hereby states the authentic and verifiable state of affairs regarding the PDP petition pending at the election Tribunal in Osogbo. In fact, the first sitting of the newly constituted tribunal will take place Thursday, October 30, 2014.

“As you read this, only six local governments have had their election documents inspected, and no strange ballot paper has been found.

“The PDP in its petition filed at the tribunal, did not ask for a recount of the ballot, and it (tribunal) could not have ordered a recount.

So that piece of information was a deliberate falsehood.

No hearing has taken place; the judges have made no pronouncement whatsoever on a recounting of votes.

“The PDP’s claim therefore, that following a phantom recount, Omisore has more votes than Aregbesola exposes that party’s original plan which failed to materialise. It

shows that the PDP already had a pre-recorded result which could not pass through INEC’s security of the vot es!!! That is the result they now want to force through the Election Petition Tribunal. To demonstrate the criminal potential of this false information, a major television station had already used the story on its web before it discovered that it was a complete fabrication.

“The TV station has since apologised for the embarrassment it caused.

The APC therefore, appealed to all media organisations following the Osun Election Petition Tribunal case to carefully cross-check and confirm the truth or otherwise of any story, press release or privileged information they may receive from the PDP in Osun, before publishing same for public consumption”, the APC said.

Similarly, the APC urged citizens of the state never again to be agitated whenever similar falsehood of the PDP slips into the media.

“The people who run the party (PDP) in Osun have become sick with lie telling”, the APC said, adding that, “nobody should worry any longer when the PDP speaks because they are hopeless liars.”

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

Healthy Practice Enhances Osun’s Zero-tolerance For Unhealthy Practice - Aregbesola

By FAITH EHIREMEN

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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 government informed that its zerotolerance for unhealthy practice is aimed at promoting sustainable environment and healthy living among its citizenry across the state.

The state governor, Ogbeni toilet and whenever it is Rauf Aregbesola, stated this at necessary for them.

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

The governor however, of the First Lady and Ambassador of Community reiterated his total commitment Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), to good healthy living among Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, in the people he governs in the state, saying his administration Osogbo, the state capital.

The governor, who noted would not relent in providing the need for healthy practices, enabling environment as well.

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

He governor further urged on the importance of handthe citizenry of the state to washing to save the state from inculcate the habit of washing preventable illness.

Mrs Aregbesola, who their hands after visiting the

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 socio-economic status of the people.

She maintained that the incumbent administration in the state is working assiduously in ensuring that people are living under healthy atmosphere, while admonishing the people on the practice of cleaning of their environments and also cultivate the habit of handwashing as and 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 sixpoint 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.

“Now that the World Health Organization (WHO) has certified the nation, Ebola-free, we should not say because of the certification, we should take things for granted.

“Hand washing is one of the importance ways of preventing diseases in our society and that is why the government in the state did not take issue that has to do with making people to live in a conducive environment with levity,” Ige added.

He however, urged Nigerians to see hand-washing as natural obligation, which is totally for their benefit.

Meanwhile, series of

Osun Tribunal: Only Five LGs Inspected Till Date

By SHINA ABUBAKAR

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ONTRARY to the claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun, there has been no major revelation at the ongoing inspection of electoral materials used in the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in the State of Osun.

Making this allusion last weekend in Osogbo, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, explained that what the parties to the petition are doing now is inspecting the materials used for the election, as ordered by the disbanded tribunal.

As at last Friday afternoon, Akere posited that inspection of the electoral materials was concluded on the fifth local government, contrary to the falsehood being peddled by the PDP that inspection has been done on the twenty local government council areas challenged by them.

“The inspection of election materials started from Obokun, then moved to Osogbo, Olorunda, •Members of Barrister Daud Akinloye Campaign Forum shortly after their meeting in Ede, State of Osun, on Sunday. Atakumosa-East before getting to Irewole Local

World Bank Representatives Visit Osun Dep Gov

By SOLA JACOBS

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HE Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, who doubles as the State Commissioner for Education, Otunba (Mrs) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, has described basic education as a pivotal in the educational development of any nation.

She stated this while already in place by the state speaking during a courtesy visit government to ensure that by the representatives of the students of basic education learn World Bank, Abuja office, held in local language, for them to at the Government House, understand and assimilate easily.

Osogbo, the state capital.

Mrs Laoye-Tomori Mrs Laoye-Tomori therefore, reiterated the appreciated the World Bank commitment of the representatives and the administration to the facilitator of the visit, the State development, advancement and Universal Basic to the position the education Education(SUBEB) for their sector for the benefit and the astute and commitment to basic overall interest of the state, education in the state.

While justifying the huge noting that the collaboration amount of money committed to with the World Bank would the advancement of education facilitate the noble objective of sector in the past four years of the government at both basic Governor Aregbesola-led and post-basic sector.

In his address, the leader of administration, which has World Bank improved the performances of the the students, she assured that representatives, Dr Tunde the state has prepared a strategy Adekola, congratulated the state on how to improve the sector. governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola on The deputy governor further his re-election for a second term disclosed that O’Meal in office, noting that the bank is programme of the current to support basic education in administration was designed to prepare pupils of elementary the state through the provision schools mentally, physically of financial intervention to the and to compete favourably with government, in the area of their peers anywhere in the training, re-training and reorientation of teachers, world.

She observed that provision of ICT equipment to appropriate action plans are schools and other educational

instructional materials, as done by the World Bank in Ekiti and Lagos states.

Adekola further disclosed that the problems confronting basic education in the country are those of access and how to keep school children in schools, adding that basic education must be free and compulsory for every child, in order for them to be able to read and write.

activities have been embarked upon as part of activities to mark the annual event, which include sensitization among the workers in the state ministries, schools, all the local government council secretariats in the state, markets, as well as dissemination of news by both electronic and print media on the importance of handwashing.

The ceremony witnessed hand-washing demonstrations by both the governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, his wife, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola, and other members of the state executive council, among others present.

He stressed that the intervention will be interest-free loans, while payment would be moratorium of 10 to 50 years by the state.

Adekola challenged the teachers in the state to be accountable to the parents and government by playing their roles as expected to justify the huge amount of money committed to the sector.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of SUBEB in the state, Prince Felix Awofisayo, appreciated the World Bank management for their contributions to basic education in the country and also their interest to compliment the efforts of the state government in the provision of functional and qualitative education.

Government Council Area that was completed this afternoon.

“While not in any way trying to comment on issues before a competent tribunal, the above clarification became necessary, so as to put paid to the falsehood being circulated by the opposition on the social media.

“When their sponsor has concluded plans to contest the Senatorial seat in Ife/ Ijesa Zone in the February 2015 general elections, and is still grappling with how to manage the expected backlash of his unveiling the over twenty branded buses for his senatorial ambition, some of his illiterate followers are still being deceived about a nonexistent hope,” Akere added.

He noted that the PDP members are currently struggling with the problem of who has the integrity to contest polls in the 2015 elections and are preparing to use lies and deceit as a means of keeping their support base, hence, he called on the people of the state to disregard their rumours.

“For the benefit of our teeming supporters and lovers of good government and development, the pretrial conference that will precede the commencement of real hearing will hold on Thursday, October 30, 2014 and nothing will alter the decision you have made in electing Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as governor for a second term,” he disclosed.

Inisa Prepares For Annual Day T

By MURTALA AGBOOLA

HE Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oladunjoye Oyedele Fasikun II (JP), and the people of Inisa in Odo-Otin Local Government Council Area of the State of Osun will kick start the activities marking the Annual Day on November 1.

In a press statement signed with the theme: ‘What a man by the Inisa Day Planning can do, a woman can do better: Committee Secretary, Mr Need for promoting femaleeducation.’ Two Yemi Oyeleke and Chairman, child Hajia Mariam Lawal and made prominent ladies, Dr (Mrs) available to OSUN Oyenike Oyekunle and Dr DEFENDER newspaper, the (Mrs) Labo Popoola would be week-long programme of the guest speakers.

Olunisa Football activities starts with a Health Seminar titled: ‘24/7 Healthy Competition would take place Living Cells’ with free Medical the following day at the SDA Service sponsored by Klobb Primary School field, Gege, Klassy, Inisa. The venue is the Inisa.

Environmental sanitation ultra-modern new Town Hall, holds on Thursday Inisa. from the On Tuesday, a quiz commencing Market, competition and career talk Wednesday Expressway, Inisa.

An interdenominational prayer holds at Olunisa Palace on Friday at 9.00 am.

Activities would climax with the launch of a N250 million Development Fund with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Chief Launcher.

Among the distinguished and accomplished personalities expected are the governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, who would be the Distinguished Guest of Honour.

Others expected are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group of Companies and Africa’s richest man, Engineer Joseph Makoju is the Chief Launcher, while Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, the

Asiwaju of Edeland and Barrister Jumoke Anifowose (nee Ajasin) are Principal Chief Launchers.

The Chairperson of the day is Chief Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, while traditional rulers expected to grace the occasion include Oba Muniru Bashorun, the Oru of Imoru-Ijebu and Oba Festus Awogboro, the Alademure of Ibokun.

Among the co-hosts are Comrade Poju Odusola, the APC leader in the council area, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, the Oluomo of Inisaland, Honourable Rasaq Adeyemi, a member of the State of Osun House of Assembly and Honourable Abdulai Binuyo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of the State of Osun on Millennium Development Goals.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

Crisis Rocks Osun NUT, Aggrieved Teachers Form Parallel Union

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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RISIS has crept into the formidable Nigerian Union of Teacher (NUT) in the State of Osun.

The crisis, which has been raging for few months, has now riddled the union, tearing apart its members that had for long been united.

However, the crisis has taken a new dimension, as some of the aggrieved teachers have formed a parallel union, following what they described as unbearable activities of the state NUT leadership.

Part of the ‘unbearable activity, according to the teachers, was the increase in the monthly dues of the union being deducted directly from the accounts of its members, the teachers.

The aggrieved teachers alleged that the increase in the

union dues was illegal, as the consent of stakeholders of the union was not sought on it, and neither was it discussed during the stakeholders’ meeting.

Subsequently, the aggrieved teachers have formed a parallel union called Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS).

The ASUSS, according to the medium’s findings, was being led by one secondary school teacher, Mr Obawole Abike.

It was gathered that Abike had earlier collected the signatures of some of the secondary school teachers and had been holding series of meetings with them.

The teachers, it was learnt, formally floated the new union last week Tuesday at the Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife, with the first task of stopping the monthly deduction of the NUT due from their salary accounts.

Some of the aggrieved teachers at the meeting said their decision to quit the NUT was to free the secondary school teachers from what they called “aged long highhandedness, oppression and anti-teachers’ policies.”

They argued that the NUT leadership in the state has failed to protect rights of teachers, especially those working in secondary schools, hence its decision to form a parallel body.

The ASUSS also resolved at the meeting to appeal the High Court judgment that restrained it from operating.

Speaking at the meeting, Abike was quoted to have said: “What we are after is independence from the union (NUT) because it is moribund and the secondary school teachers have agreed to quit since their interest are not protected.”

When contacted, the State Chairman of the NUT, Mr. Olawuyi Emmanuel Olalere, described the new leadership of the ASUSS as mere agitators, who, according to him, were fighting to protect their personal ego and interest at the expense of the generality of teachers.

Olawuyi said: “I am a secondary school teacher and I am not part of that group.

Relevant court of law has made a pronouncement on the matter and outlawed any group other than NUT that claims to

represent teachers in the country.

Who are the members of ASSUS in the State of Osun?

They are faceless people, who

should be ignored. Our members know we care for them and we have their mandate to continue as their representatives.”

Man,39, Arraigned Over Assault

By FAITH EHIREMEN BEGUNDE Daramola, 39, has been arraigned before a A State Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo for allegedly assaulting one Mr. David Daramola.

According to the charge sheet, the alleged crime was committed on 20/10/2014 at about 6:30, beside Olorunda Local Government INEC office, Power Line Area, Osogbo.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Fagboyinbo Abiodun, told the court that the accused person assaulted the complainant by beating him all over his body.

Inspector Abiodun alleged that the offence is contrary and punishable under section 351 of the criminal code cap 34 Vol. of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

The accused however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him, while his counsel applied for his bail.

The magistrate, E.O Aluko, granted bail to the accused person for N50,000 with two sureties in the like sum, affidavit of means of resident within the court’s jurisdiction, production of evidence of tax payment and two passport-sized photographs.

The case was later adjourned till 25 th November, 2014 for mention.

...Another In Court For Stealing Iron Rods

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•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, acknowledging cheers from his admires during the pyrotechnics and fireworks display to herald the new Hijirah 1436AH at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun last Friday.

NE Basiru Ayinde, was recently arraigned before a State of Osun Magistrate’s Court in Osogbo for allegedly stealing iron rods valued at N18,800 belonging to Ms. Akintunde Abiola.

The alleged crime was crime is contrary and said to have been punishable under Section committed on 27 th 390 (a) of the Criminal October, 2014 at Adeyemi Code cap, 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria Adepoju Street, GRA, 2003.

Oke-Fia, Osogbo, the state The accused person capital. however, pleaded not The police prosecutor, guilty, whilst the counsel Inspector Isiaka Ajadi, to the accused person informed the court that the applied for bail.

The Magistrate, E.O. Aluko, granted bail to the accused N50,000 with two sureties in like sum, affidavit of means resident the court’s The APC statement also said within the governor’s statement about jurisdiction, production of accreditation of courses at the evidence of tax payment state university showed him and two passport-sized off as a man, who either lacked photographs.

The case was later information and proper briefing till 5 th on the transformation that took adjourned place there under Fayemi “or December, 2014 for he is simply mischievous”. mention.

Fayose Is Lacking In Integrity - APC T

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

HE war of words going on between Governor Ayodele Fayose and his predecessor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is far from over, as the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused Governor Fayose, of fabricating lies about the cost of the new Government House built by Fayemi, the beds and the welfare of teachers in the state.

It said the governor was in the Government House, churning out lies to the public when he knows there is no bed by claiming that Dr. Fayemi that is costlier than N2 million spent N50 million on beds in in that lodge. Governor Fayemi his and his wife’s bedrooms at served Ekiti with diligence, the newly-built Ekiti State candour and deprivation.

“Mr. Fayose knows that he Government House.

It would be recalled that lied about the N3 billion cost Fayose has variously accused of the new Government House Dr. Fayemi of wasting state’s and a non-existent N50 million funds on the new Government bed, as no bed costs more than House to the detriment of the N2 million in that lodge and we people of the state, while also challenge him to release neglecting the workers in the independently verifiable documentary evidence to state. prove us wrong.

The party, in a statement “He knows that the money released in Ado Ekiti by its spent on the government house Publicity Secretary, Taiwo is less than N2 billion. Nobody Olatunbosun, on Sunday, said could deny the fact that the Fayose had been churning out Government House is a legacy lies consistently to discredit Dr. bequeathed by the Fayemi Fayemi. administration for the use of The statement entitled, subsequent governors.

“No wonder, Governor “Fayose’s season of lies” challenged Fayose to release Fayose now sleeps and works independent verifiable from the same Government documentary evidence to House that he has condemned. prove his claims because no What a man lacking in integrity! bed in the lodge costs more Whether Governor Fayose than N2 million, adding that the likes it or not, Ekiti will forever money spent on the be grateful for the monument. respect the Office of Government House was less the“We Governor, which Dr. than N2 billion.

Fayemi occupied with grace The party said: “This is and candour, but if the current how Mr. Fayose lied about a holder of that office choose to non-existent N50 million bed denigrate it by lying

shamelessly, our party owes it a duty to put things in the right perspective.

“Mr. Fayose, who accuses others of preferring self comfort to the well-being of the generality of the people is a pretender and a hypocrite.

“This is somebody who bought a N43 million Range Rover vehicle on credit as Governor-elect and passed the bill to the state government only for him to deceive the hapless masses with a 1965 Mercedes Benz as official car on his inauguration day!”

Nursing Mothers Charged On Breastfeeding

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

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of the governor for the special gift for the baby, and commended the state government for taking development to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

She said it was the achievements of the administration that have made it a toast of all, praying that God will continue to strengthen the present administration to achieve more.

URSING mothers in the State of Osun have been admonished to always breastfeed their babies for stipulated period of time, with a view to making them healthy. conscious of their environment Wife of the governor of the in order to win the war against state, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, various diseases associated gave the admonition at Anwo with dirt.

Primary Health Center, Ilobu, While responding, the while presenting gift items to mother of the baby, Mrs usher in the first baby of Hijrah Rodiyat, appreciated the wife 1436 into the world.

The Hijrah 1436 baby in the state, born into the family of Mr and Mrs Rodiyat Mumeen, In its quest for the production of highly hygienic drinking was delivered at exactly water for the entire people of the State of Osun and its 1:05am and weighed 2.5 environs, the Association of Table Water producers (ATWAP), kilogramme.

State of Osun Chapter is organising a day workshop for its Mrs Aregbesola, who was members. represented by the wife of the The workshop with the while the First Lady, State of State Commissioner for Local theme: “Potable Water, Quality Osun, Alhaja Sherifat Government and Chieftancy And Prosperity” will hold on Aregbesola, is expected to be Affairs, Mrs Naimot Alimi, Thursday, 30th October 2014 the Special Guest of Honour. stressed that it was very by 10:00am at the association’s Oba Abdul-Rasheed Olabomi important to breast-feed babies secretariat, Olayemi Street, (Odundun IV),The Aragbiji of in the first six months Behind Saw Mill, Ikirun Road, Iragbiji land is the Royal Father of the Day, while the State undiluted, while urging parents Kobongbogboe Area, Osogbo.

The National President of Commissioner for Environment to stick to the rule.

Apart from breastfeeding, the Association of Table Waters and Sanitation, Professor (Mrs) she also charged women to be Producers, Mr. Ubi Ubina, Bukola Oyawoye would be the would be the Guest Speaker, Guest of Honour.

Among those on the entourage were the state Commissioner for Health Dr. (Mrs) Temitope Ilori and her counterpart in the Ministry of Tourism, Home Affairs and Culture, Mr Sikiru Ayedun; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu; wife the Executive Secretary, Olorunda Local Government, Mrs Folake Okunade among others.

Osun ATWAP Holds Workshop Today A statement by the state chapter of ATWAP said It is compulsory for all producers of portable water in the state to attend the workshop.

The workshop would be a prelude to the 2014 NAFDAC Water Monitoring Programme and a bold step towards the accelerating of an acceptable new price regime of a bag of satchet water in the state.

Higher institutions of learning that are operating portable water factory in the state have also been enjoined to send representatives to the workshop.

5

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

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

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

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

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

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

I have attended rallies, mega-rallies , name it, but what I saw on Tuesday at the grand-finale of the campaign was frightening. A stadium whose capacity can’t be more than 60,000 almost caved in due to pressure from an

unprecedented mammoth crowd. Every space on the covered stands were over-filled, the main bowl of the Stadium was virtually unpassable. My associates and I had to hold ourselves to navigate our way through the crowd, it took us about an hour from the entrance of the stadium to find somewhere to perch!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

F

Today, are people surprised as to why Nigeria has become so overgrown with general insecurity and crisis? And as to why most of our leaders at the top are so morally bankrupt and very shameless to the extent of even not knowing when to quit leadership positions.

The second reason as to why so much has gone wrong with the democratic practice in our Nigeria is

that when President Goodluck Jonathan threw the spirit of justice and morality to the wind and rejected the PDP’s constitutional provision on zoning/rotation; by claiming that he (Jonathan) had the constitutional right to re-contest in the 2011 presidential election.

Is it not clear to us how Jonathan’s constitutional right to re-contest has led us to untold sufferings;

occasioned by insecurity?

And in spite of all these odds against the oppressed, President Jonathan is seriously warming up to recontest in 2015.

How do we correct these anomalies for a better political future?

How I wish that President Jonathan would so wholeheartedly accept the fact that his leadership so far is nothing more than a total

failure. And as a result, he should accept, in the spirit of saving our beloved country from collapse.

There is the need for Jonathan to decline from recontesting in the 2015 elections.

However, if like the famous King Pharaoh of Egypt, Mr. Jonathan becomes so stubborn and goes on to re-contest; I pray that he should overwhelmingly be defeated

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

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

Osun ti dara ooooooo.

Segun Tomori

Before 11pm, we already had all the results and we had won, though unofficially. What sealed the deal for us and put paid to any manipulation the PDP had in stock was the unexpected congratulation of Aregbesola as the winner of the election around 9.40pm by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade. Omisore

Nigeria’s Democracy: What Went Wrong?

RANKLY speaking, what went wrong with our democratic process was the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election; adjudged as the freest and fairest election in the history of Nigeria; that kept rigging so minimally into the dustbin.

You may wish to refer to that annulment as the most cruel act of injustice to the electoral victory of majority of Nigerian electorate; both Muslims, Christians and atheists; who so happily and very magnanimously voted Chief MKO Abiola (a Muslim) as Nigeria’s President and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe (also a Muslim) as the Vice President of Nigeria.

Knowing full well that it was a Muslim–Muslim ticket, both Muslim and Christian voters so joyfully voted for them based on merit; so devoid of religious sentiments.

Unfortunately, a clique of Nigerians and as a clear manner of showing ingratitude to Almighty God, unjustly annulled majority of the voters’ choice.

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.

at the polls.

On the part of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I want to say that majority of Nigerians are so dearly yearning for change from the grasp of PDP to the bridge of grace, which so rightly described APC. We hope that our APC national and state leaders and in working consultation with all other leaders of thought; should meticulously find an amicable method of presenting a “nationally acceptable presidential candidate and the running mate”.

If agreed by APC leaders that the presidential candidate should emerge from the northern part of Nigeria, I strongly advise the APC leaders from the North-West geo-political zone to allow such a candidate to be chosen by concensus from either the North-Central geo-political zone or the North East geopolitical zone.

•MUHAMMAD .O. NYIANSHIMA, e-mail: locomotive1717@yahoo.com

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6

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

A President In Search Of Enemies Goodluck Jonathan PRESIDENT administration is a labyrinth of confusion. Nigerians’ aspiration that he would someday put himself in the right column of history has been dashed, once more. He ought to be the fate of Nigeria and the fate could not be sustained. Now, a thousand years will pass and the guilt of his government will not be erased.

From day one, there have been air of bewildering complicities or vague intricacies bordering on his choice of policies and the direction of his (mis)government. His earlier stance to stave off Boko Haram militia has been contradicted by the recent failed cease fire deal. It is this lack of direction that clouded Mr President’s supposed ideal of governance; which presupposes that a nation with a more benign democratic system has the moral right to rout a savage group which trains its minds, emotions and biases on butchery, theft, pillage, rapine and death.

At the core of the fight against Boko Haram insurgents is a great delusion; the vibrancy or buoyancy of the military apparatus is at stake. The fight against the nihilist group is a shambles, and a totem for every Nigerian, who hates government without purpose. Just as bad and awful, the Boko Haram current haggle with the Federal Government over the release of the already traumatised Chibok girls once again exposes Mr Jonathan administration as a government in perpetual denial. This administration is not only in denial mentally, there is a measure of gloating; an air of helplessness for itself, sheer hopelessness for the masses of the people and total abdication of his constitutional responsibilities.

By this ceasefire deal, Mr Jonathan has practically exaggerated the malevolent power of Boko Haram in an effort to legitimise his bankrupt rule. His governance tactics suggest he is a leader in search of enemies. Mr President has been more stark at blaming opposition political party for instigating the terrorist sect, even though every Nigerian is a victim of the deadly group violent campaign, opposition party’s faithful alike.

Pitifully, he has openly disembowelled his government on two fronts: It shows disdain for the armed forces for which he is a Commander-In-Chief, and he also thrives in composite corruption. Less than 24 hours into the immediate ceasefire deal, a band of insurgents rammed over two communities in Borno State, killing at least 15 persons.

Mr President is not fully aware that the North-East has become a condominium of war. But what President Godluck Jonathan said is not what he meant and what he had done goes unspoken. For a President to jump into maelstrom of a major policy somersault without weighing its consequences is the height of presidential folly.

In 2011, a Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the North-East Zone, set up after bomb attacks by the Islamic sect, submitted its final report, asking President Goodluck Jonathan to consider granting amnesty to members of the sect wishing to surrender their arms to the Federal Government. The panel, headed by Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, recommended that the Federal Government should consider the option of dialogue and negotiation, which should be contingent upon the renunciation of all forms of violence and surrender of arms, to be followed by rehabilitation. In November 2012, the sect said it was willing to cease all hostilities and attacks if the Federal Government should arrest a former Borno State governor, Alli Modu Sheriff and meet its other demands. Sheriff has since become PDP financier.

Copiously, the sect demanded compensation to all the families of their members that were killed in the battle field from 2009, including their leader, Mohammed Yusuf; the release of all their members that were captured in battle by the government, as well as reconstructing their place of worship (Markas Ibn Taimiyyah) in Maiduguri. On January 7, 2013, the insurgents, for the second time within a space of time, restated its

•JONATHAN

By ERASMUS IKHIDE commitment to ceasefire in order to pave the way for dialogue. One Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, who claimed to be a top member of the major faction of the group led by Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, spoke on behalf of the group.

“We, on our own, in the top hierarchy of our movement under the leadership of Imam Abubakar Shekau, as well as some of our notable followers, agreed that our brethren in Islam, both women and children, are suffering unnecessarily.

“Hence, we resolved that we should bring this crisis to an end. We therefore call on all those that identify themselves with us and our course to from today lay down their arms.”

Few weeks after, Abubakar Shekau denied any such agreement between the group and the Federal Government. He publicly denied the claim and was quoted to have said: “We are stating it categorically that we are not in any dialogue or ceasefire agreement with anyone. And we have never asked anybody in the name Abdulazeez to represent me, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of this movement.

“I want the world to know that we have no dialogue with government. I have on several occasions attempted to pass this message across via the Internet and Youtube and we later realised that some agents of government kept removing our messages from the net and preventing its online publication so that our messages will not be heard. “They know that if the world hears our position on this fake dialogue, their efforts of deceit would be exposed.” Thereafter, the sect expanded its coast of terror on innocent citizens, slightly unhindered. In April 2013, the Federal Government set up another committee to consider the feasibility or otherwise of granting pardon to the sect and to collate clamours arising from different interest groups who wanted the presidency to administer clemency on

members of the barbaric group.

The committee was also charged with the task of recommending modalities for the granting of the pardon, should such step become the logical one to take under the prevailing circumstance.

The President followed this up in May with a promise to release a number of Boko Haram members, including all women in prison custody.

Few months after, July to be specific, Nigerians happily looked forward to the end of the insurgency, when the Federal Government said it had signed a ceasefire agreement with the militant group.

Minister of Special Duties and Chairman of the Peace and Dialogue Committee in the North, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, announced the ceasefire agreement on the Hausa service of Radio France International.

Then, Turaki assured that the ceasefire was not something that was done for a specific period of time. He asserted that it was something that would be forever. He confidently said it was sure there would be any basis for anybody to renege on the agreement. Unfortunately, people’s hopes were smashed once again as the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau, in a video message denied Kabiru Turaki’s claim.

“Let me assure you that we will not enter into any truce with these infidels.

We will not enter into any truce with the Nigerian government,” Shekau reportedly said.

Since then, there is no cessation to violent hostility. In May this year, Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna, told the country that President Goodluck Jonathan had granted conditional amnesty to the terrorists group with a view to putting permanent halt to insurgency in the North-East. He added that series of integration programmes had been lined up for the members of the sect, who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

Shortly after he made the statement, the Presidency swiftly debunked the statement. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr.

Reuben Abati, said Jonathan did not mention the word amnesty in his Democracy Day broadcast that Boni Haruna relied on to make the statement.

From the outset, Mr President proudly ventilated his skittishness, saying he wouldn’t dialogue with faceless butchers, yet bloodletting has lingers on to date.

The questions have been, is it really difficult to put the Boko Haram rabble to rout? Is it just that President Jonathan administration is profiting politically from the warfare? Nigerians are in the know that hundreds of billion of Naira is yearly budgeted for armaments and welfare of the armed forces. We are also in the know that they are still complaining lack of weapons and non-payment of their allowances, which partly led to mutiny and subsequent court-marshall of numerous soldiers, recently.

Now, the conundrum are mixed tweaking the army in too many ways making more victims of them and exposing them to ridicules. It’s doubtful to believe that the Nigeria military is equipped enough to step up to the Boko haram’s plague. That is why the purported ceasefire reached between the militia sect and the Federal Government didn’t come as a surprise, if at all there was one. President Goodluck Jonathan has been treating the Chibok girls with contempt like every other issue bordering on the nation’s survival.

Ever since, the madness unleashed by the terrorist sect has left the entire nation scampering and traumatised. The terrorist group has pushed the North-Eastern part of the country to the brink of social and economic collapse, thereby rendering the governors of the states incapacitated and the possibility of steering them on the right economic path has dissipated. It is all part of the grand design to squander a chance to upgrade and equalise the virtually backward states with the rest of the nation. Still the states in the region have lost their franchise to vote in the coming 2015 general elections. It is more so because the states are controlled by the opposition political party, the APC. Who is profiting?

Boko Haram has proven itself to be a blood-curdling terrorist movement, adroitly hiding under the garbs of Islam as its melting port.

Nigerians living in the North-Eastern part of the country are now faced with stark choice: they are living in the most desolate fringe of the earth in war and in destitution! Those who managed to slug it through the barren Cameroon or Niger boarders are at the mercies of Marabouts, who butcher victims on the dunes in propitiation to the claim of piety.

You can now understand why Nigerians have been hankering for a strongman; a political leader, who would stamp out insecurity, corruption, reverse growing inequalities and make the country tall abroad amongst the comity of nations. The international communities are waiting for a Nigerian President, who would have the ball to smash insecurity, overhaul the armed forces, stamp out stinging corruption and end years of dithering over economic growth. It is only a president with common touch and toughness, who can snare the sacred cows that have fed fat from the common till.

Political and economic reforms would fail without thoroughly stamping out corruption. Such leader must be conscious of the present condition of things: that hospitals are mere consulting clinics; roads are buffeted with deep craters, schools are run-down, power generation has decayed because of mindless graft.

We need a leader, who will appreciate that this can only be achieved by reforming the existing anti-corruption institutions and make them completely less beholden of the appointing authority.

The cost of achieving this will be rocky and brawling, but it will no doubt take the nation to actual its manifest destiny and bring her to political and economic maturation. That is what we need now.

•Ikhide, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Lagos, Nigeria.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

PHOTOTALK

7

Flag-off Ceremony Of Oranmiyan New Town By State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Last Thursday.

Photo: GBENGAADENIYI.

•(R-L) The Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; State Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Architect Muyiwa Ige and other dignitaries, during the official flag-off and model Unveiling for Oranmiyan New Town, at proposed polo ground, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Thursday.

•

•Aregbesola (3rd right); the Ataoja of Osogboland (centre); former Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Alani Akinrinade (rtd) (2nd right); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (2nd left); Architect Ige (right); a Community Leader in Osogbo, Alhaji Gazali Owolabi (3rd left) and Iyaloja-General of Osogboland, Chief Awawu Asindemade (left), during the official flag-off and model unveiling for Oranmiyan New Town, at proposed Polo ground, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Thursday.

8

PHOTOTALK

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

6th Annual Alhaji Lateef Okunnu Lecture Titled: ‘Islamic Civilization And The Destiny Man’, At the Conference Centre Of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI. State Of Osun, Recently.

•(L-R) Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Alhaji Lateef Okunnu and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin) of OAU, Professor Omolayo Ajayi during the programme.

•A cross section of students at the event.

•A cross section of dignitaries at the event.

•(L-R) Professor Yisa Yussuf and representative of the Ooni of Ife, Professor Muib Opeloye.

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

PHOTOTALK

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Official Commissioning Of The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Legislative Building (Freedom House) In Lagos State, Last Monday.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right), Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Council Area in Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale (right) and other dignitaries during the inspection.

At The Inauguration Ceremony Of The New All Progressives Congress (APC) Executives In Osun In Osogbo Last Saturday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI

•The newly-elected State Chairman of the APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun (3rd left) and the new executive members taking their oath of office on the occasion.

10

20 years, various administrations FOR in the State of Osun toyed with the idea of creating a new town in the state capital, Osogbo, but all to no avail.

This was after a large expanse of land had been acquired for this purpose as far back as 1965. It was, therefore, understandable when, last Thursday, residents of the state trooped out in their numbers to witness the ground breaking ceremony of the Oranmiyan New Town by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The Oranmiyan New Town, for which 2,572 hectares (6340Acres) of land has been carved out, is located within the capital territory of the State of Osun, in the precincts of the state Secretariat and the Osun Grove. It is made up of seven neighborhoods and has a 42-meter rightof-way main boulevard that cuts across six neighborhoods. Already, over 2, 000 applicants have submitted their forms for the scheme, while a few have received their allocations.

The Oranmiyan New Town is designed for over 3, 000 residential plots, with the smallest plot being 1, 000 square metres in size. It is expected to cater for an estimated population of over a 100,000 people. Under its proposed development plan, the town will boast of a botanical garden; commercial strips of plots along the major roads; serviced plots; a Downtown/Central Business District (CBD) with varying land uses for religious, educational, commercial and parking purposes.

Interestingly, a three “Arms Zone” has been created to accommodate the House of Assembly (legislature); proposed High Court and Judiciary Quarters (Judiciary) and the Governor’s Office (Executive), in addition to the proposed new government house. Also, the streetscape boasts of sidewalks and bicycle paths on all major roads with proper landscaping.

Recreational features are not limited to parks and gardens. Adequate provision has been made to accommodate a Lawn Tennis Club, Squash Club, 18-Hole-Golf Course and a Polo Ground.

Also, the new town is expected to have basic infrastructural facilities, utilities and services, such as good road networks, uninterrupted electricity, water reticulation, good drainage system, sewage system and other communal facilities.

A drive around the large expanse of land revealed that it has been designed to have three major categories of roads: the main boulevard that connects it to the external Osogbo-Gbongan Road from the Nigerian Police Zone II Headquarters’ end. The road has a right of way of 42 metres, broken into the dual carriage ways, median strip, drain and utility lane; the collectors which links the various

FEATURE

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

Enter the Oranmiyan New Town The State of Osun has taken a giant stride aimed at tackling housing deficit in the state, with the creation of Oranmiyan Town, an ambitious project aimed at creating a conducive environment for its citizens. MUYIWA LUCAS, who was at the ground breaking ceremony in Osogbo, last week, reports that the project, when completed, will change property landscape in the ‘State of the Living Spring’.

“Osun Farm Settlement” for its highest suitable for living, work, recreating and at neighbourhoods with a “Right of Way” of up to 18.6metres; and the distributors and other accesses that give accesses to the various plots and other land uses with a right of way of 11.3metres.

The scheme has been divided into two categories- residential and commercial plots.

Owning a parcel of land within the scheme also varies depending on the category and size of plot desired. For instance, potential investors in the residential plots are required to obtain an application form for N10,000, and upon completion, swear to an affidavit on the second page of the form, and submit upon making a premium deposit of N60, 000.

A premium of N1, 000 per square metre (m2 ), and development levy of N2, 000/ m2 , is applicable as payment. Other incidental expenses, such as survey fee, deed preparation fee, deed registration fee and annual ground rent of N15/m2 are applicable. For commercial / industrial plots, the same process applies, but with a higher premium of N1, 500/m2.

According to the state’s Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Muyiwa Ige, the concept of developing a new town is to provide a balanced and self-contained community as far as possible, in terms of the provisions of infrastructure and community facilities.

He explained that it is with a view to achieving the concept that Oranmiyan New Town was designed to comprise seven neighbourhoods to accommodate housing of different densities (Low, medium and High); commercial service; industrial and public cum semi-public uses; supported by essential infrastructure and community facilities; such as police posts, community centres, elementary, middle and high schools, places of worship, neighbouhood parks, health and centres, amongst others.

He said: “Oranmiyan New Town is indeed, a modern town that shall be

the same time, aesthetically pleasing by all standards,” Ige said, adding that it is also for the purpose of creating an urban environment that reflects the unique local flavours of its landscapes and cultural settings, while at the same time aspiring for universal qualities of accessibility, livability, safety and modernity.

Ige noted that since the creation of State of Osun on August 27, 1991, there has been high influx of people from all walks of life, which has made the capital, Osogbo, almost equidistant from the state’s major cities. This trend of urbanisation, according to Ige, has doubled since the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola came into power on November 26, 2010 till date. He attributed this trend to the government’s “Six-Integral Action Plan”, which he claimed has necessitated the possibility of establishing New Towns in each of the state Senatorial Districts.

Going down memory lane, Aregbesola, said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the Premier of Western Region, had in the early 1960s, acquired a large expanse of land in different parts of the Region for development as Farm Settlement to serve as food baskets and give employment to the younger school leavers in line with global practice.

Among these farm settlements, was Osun Farm Settlement acquired in Osogbo and Ede covering approximately, 2,572 Hectares (6340 Acres) in ratio of 2:3 respectively. He explained that the land had continued to be used for farming, until after the creation of the state from the erstwhile Oyo State, a development that resulted in the mass movement of people into the state from neighbouring states, apart from the civil servants, who were to relocate compulsorily. With an upsurge in the population, shortage of housing accommodation became prevalent in the state.

He said to tackle the problem, an interministerial committee was set up by the state with a mandate of working out a modality for the utilisation of the hitherto,

and best use. It was the recommendation of the committee that has given birth to the creation of the new town, having submitted that the large parcel of land hitherto used as farm settlement, should be converted into a Government Reservation Area (GRA). The change came into effect since 1994 and tagged, ‘Osun GRA, Gbongan Road.’

The Governor blamed lack of proper urban physical planning, which the state experienced in the past, for some of the challenges of urbanisation, such as perennial flooding, intra-city traffic and transportation problems, unkept environment leading to health hazards being experienced in the state.

Besides, Aregbesola said, the rate of influx of people from rural to urban area is alarming, a trend that is now leading to development of shanty towns, ghettos and urban decay (slums) and sprawls.

“Developing New Towns is a common phenomenon all over the world. The purpose of developing a new town is basically to create an environment that is aesthetically pleasing for living, working and recreating. When fully developed, the New Town shall serve as a growth pole to the area surrounding it,” the governor assured.

Aregbesola gave an insight into how the name “Oranmiyan” was picked for the new town. He explained that it was in order to guard against any communal conflict, rancor and acrimony, noting that the name unites the Yoruba race.

“Oranmiyan was known for his courage, astuteness, humility and forthrightness, adding that he was an embodiment of “Omoluabi”, who fought all his days for the unity of Yoruba race. Therefore, naming this town after a Yoruba good leader, Oranmiyan, should be viewed as a way of still bringing more unity within the rank and file of Yoruba sons and daughters,” he clarified.

Culled from THE NATION

11

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014 JUDICIARY OLUSESI ISAAC writes, Osun High Court has erred by its justice gap that left Ganiyu Oladiran off the hook in a rape case in the face of the “principal in the first degree’ and the ‘accessory before the fact.”

Rape Case, Judiciary And PDP’s Gangsterism “….and held her legs V-shape downward. She begged him to no avail, and tears swelled up in her eyes under scarf-fold. Gani got up after the act and thought everything was over. But the ghost of the ill-gotten moment will always be awoken.” -OLUSESI ISAAC, “We Will All Go Full Naked To The Government House.” OSUN DEFENDER, Friday, 12 October, 2007 HE man did not use condom to make legal investigation, legal evidence, and legal conviction difficult. He did not use condom to eliminate rape crime lab evidence of semen, blood vaginal secretions, saliva, and vaginal epithelial cells that typically helps determine the occurrence of sexual contact, and provides information on the circumstances of the incident. He did not use condom to give the appearance of the victim’s consent to the sexual encounter, and to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy and disease transmission.

And the man did not show any recognizable abnormality. No schizophrenia. No mental retardation, or paranoia as absolving factors.

Neither he exhibited accidental, negligent behavior. Nor automatism, an involuntary conduct in which the conscious mind does not control bodily movements. The man, Obafemi Kolawole, younger and probably serial in rape crimes, was last September, at the Osun High Court sitting in Ilesha, “convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with whipping for rape and indecent assault, contrary to Criminal Laws of the State of Osun.”

The victim? Tosin Ajakaye, not one with the attitude of flirting; not one clad in hot pants and brief tops that leaves little or nothing for imagination; not one engrossed in theatrical flashing of her body curve statistics; not one with the kind of aided beauty that makes men in the state-of-the –art- cars or even men in the run-off-mill cars turns their necks; not one picked from the street corner or hallowed neighbourhood; not one found in hotels like sex workers that men scavenge and get melted to satisfy their boiling libido; and not one found less busy in less stressful campuses where cigar-smoking and cell phone clutching men pick for rounds, ladies, the ripe and succulent, artificially captivating to the eyes and deceitfully picturesque on the mind.

And Ajakaye objected to the rape encounter earlier, than later. She put up utmost resistance to the overwhelming masculine force, coercion and incapacitation. Not a token resistance! But she was compelled to submit by threats of serious bodily injury and imminent death. Her defense was substantially impaired and traumatized, resulting in forcible compulsion by Kolawole, the rapist that further entrenched the presumption that his victim did not give her consent. Indeed, the velocity and gravity of violation of the sanctity of Ajakaye’s womanhood, severe loss of blood, pains in the joints and psychological depression all over her, landed her in hospitals in serial order.

Kolawole and Ajakaye are both residents of Ilesa, while the former is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the latter is a supporter of the Action Congress (AC), later known as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now All Progressives Congress (APC). Assisted, Ajakaye got the services of journalists, therapists, psychologists, sociologists, lawyers, and the Police. She had difficulty functioning well, with the disruption of her concentration, sleeping patterns and eating habits, and was thus contemplating suicide.

Days after the rape, Ajakaye felt being on edge; she experienced acute stress disorder, consistently relieving the assault in nightmares and incoherent thoughts. And still, several months after the assault, her problems became

T

•TOSIN AJAKAIYE

•OLADIRAN

severe and unpredictable. She became upset and more emotionally revealing; depersonalized and dissociated; and detached and dazed; just as the rape experience was strange and unreal for her. She kept to herself, leaving a life of accelerated anxiety in confinement. She detested the milieu of rape as memento mori; and avoided social life generally as well as things, thoughts, and feelings nostalgic of the assault. She also suffered physical injuries, sexual infections, damaged foetus being a pregnant woman, and further threats of violence after the act.

While Ajakaye, the victim was faced with all that, Kolawole, effectively protected by the PDP government in the State, inputted threats, force, coercion, fear of violence, duress, psycho-oppression, and threats of detention in the people of Ilesa and deployed grave abuse of power against the opposition political party, AC .Taking advantage of the chaotic situation in Ilesa, sparked off by the repressive PDP’s Kolawole and Ganiyu Oladiran like kingpins of criminal gangs, following the 2007 governorship election result upheaval, the houses of the AC supporters were frisked and ravaged just as men and women of AC were captured by Oladiran’s dare-devil boys with trappings of medieval nativity and tragically in Aristotle’s sense of the word.

The captured were flung into waiting vehicles with registration number EW 30FST (caravan bus car) and OS 345A0I ash coloured jeep and driven away, only to be stripped total naked and thrashed with metal objects that caused them excruciating pains, principally to extricate self-implicating confession from them.

The captured men, Sikiru Lawal, Femi Ojo, Soji Kojolo, Sunday Ibitoye, Agboola Gboyega, Muideen Lasun Gbadamosi and Ayoola Faol, are AC men (now of APC) , and were matcheted; Ibitoye, and Gbadamosi in particular had their bones broken, ankles kneels and ribs shattered. Ibitoye had his hand chopped, fell into a coma; and Lawal also had his legs chopped. The writer was assigned the risk to cover the celebrated rape in 2007 and PDP’s brigandage to cover up the crime.

Like a Roman Centurion barked instructions to his boys, Oladiran wagged his fingers in a gesture of superiority and gave orders with a calculated glance, and promptly his boy, Kolawole on solo assignment raped Ajakaye. The despair in Ajakaye’s family was

unmistakable as it did not matter to Kolawole that it was a pregnant Ajakaye that was raped.

And the news filtered about with the ferocity of a thunderbolt and the disgust it generated quickly reverberated all over the State and far away; and then, on Gani, his dynasty and his thugs came rains of curses from mothers and daughters in the land.

Kolawole in Oladiran demanded sexual entitlements, he got more than enough; he longed for sexual entertainment, he had it full; and he elected to dehumanize his victim, he had his way unhindered while the victim suffered post traumatic stress. His sexual impulses and behavior uncontrollably saw Ajakaye as a woman to be forced for sex. And for him, the ghost of the ill-gotten moment in 2007 was awoken in 2014 as he bagged life imprisonment last month, September.

Kolawole and Oladiran share same antecedence: childhood victimization, adult dominance over women, history of notoriety, proclivity to violence, and disdain for sanctity of human life. Oladiran had earlier, before rape threatened reprisals for the alleged burning of his houses and cars at Isokun, on Osogbo road, Ilesa upon the reflex action of Ilesa residents to the wide disparity between the votes recorded in the April 14, 2007 governorship election and the votes announced. The Ilesa people rose in righteous indignation, their adrenalin pumped fast, and in a few hours after the flawed election verdict, there was burning, breaking, beating, and bulleting. The fire of protest was on unleash in the land. Anything, anybody in sight, like in a mob action became a ready target.

Which explains, Oladiran, a PDP lead chieftain and rape instructor, also had a burden of conviction on his neck. But the court judgment which sentenced only Kolawole to life imprisonment is grossly biased, grossly half-baked, grossly shallow, and grossly timid, as Oladiran is left off the hook. A prostrate judiciary crushed under the gross weight of venalities, unwittingly undermining its own authourity and relevance.

As though, the Ilesa High Court examined, or so it seems the terms of the State relevant legal codes or statutory provisions on rape, it was not fully interpreted within the context of several general principles. The interpretation must have been subjected, to superfluous exceptions and qualifications. And it is unacceptable, also unfair.

Criminal responsibility is not limited only to those who perform criminal acts. As a general principle, anyone who “aids and abets” a perpetrator by encouraging or in any way knowingly helping him is an accomplice and should be considered equally guilty.

Kolawole is the principal in the first degree as he actually committed the rape crime. Oladiran is both the principal in the second degree and accessory before the fact, going by the testimonies of the witness in the crime case.

Hear Ajakaye in court: “I was driven along with the two other victims to the home of Chief Ganiyu Oladiran, a PDP chieftain and tied to a tree. Later, Obafemi Kolawole untied me, plucked my pubic hair, put the hair in my mouth and forced the hair down my throat with dry gin. He then inserted a tin opener into my vagina and poured dry gin all over my body, and raped me several times.”

Listen to Sikiru Lawal in the witness box, who himself was a victim of the PDPKolawole-Oladiran brutality: “I had received my own share of thorough flogging, and was then bundled naked into the waiting jeep, belonging to Chief Ganiyu Oladiran when Ajakaye was also brought in naked.”

Also consider this. Segun Arojo, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) testified: “Ajakaye and others were brought to the Police Command Monitoring Unit, Oke ‘fia, Osogbo by Chief Ganiyu Oladiran who claimed that he got Ajakaye and co arrested because they assaulted him (immediately), after the official announcement of the 2007 governorship election result in the State.”

The sufficient legally admissible evidence as above convinced the jury that the rapist is guilty. The IPO must have deployed a variety of processes and procedures that secured the necessary admissible evidence. But Kolawole and Oladiran are equally responsible in the eyes of the law and liable to the same punishment. The judiciary is doomed which aides and abets the subversion of popular wish.

In the rape of Ajakaye in particular, the principal in the first degree who is also the accessory before the fact, that is, Oladiran is even more culpable. By circumstantial evidence, he instigated the rape offence and arranged for it to be committed by his associate, Kolawole; while Kolawole, the actual person who practically performed the rape act is completely an innocent agent, innocent of all intent and should not have been convicted alone. A judiciary looses is authority when rumours begin to circulate among the citizenry about money changing hands for the purpose of influencing decision.

Rather, the ghost of the ill-gotten moment must also be awoken for Oladiran. He ought also to have been convicted and jailed for life as he caused the innocent agent, that is, Kolawole to commit rape, considered socially harmful, dangerous and specifically defined, prohibited and punishable under the criminal laws of Osun.

Kolawole sentenced to life imprisonment?

Life jail cannot be the most penalty for rape, originated from the Latin verb rapere, to seize or take by force. The crime of rape, with sexual connotation should attract a more brutal punishment since the rape crime is brutal. The victim should gouge out the eyes of the rapist, or severe the rapist’s testicles; while the rape victim is protected by the law to go a free person. Let all rapists be castrated. The severity of castration becomes imperative as both undetected and convicted rapists are more angrier at women; more motivated by increased desire to rape more women; and are more impulsive, de-inhibited, anti-social, hyper-masculine, and less emphatic.

Let’s try castration of rapists, and our women and daughters can go about free and easy.

•OLUSESI, Assistant Director, Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy, All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun.

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OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

Job Vacancies In Nigeria Graduate Trainees recruitment at Tenaris At Tenaris, we are looking for individuals who are willing to take on challenges and work in a dynamic and high-performance environment. As a global organization with operations around the world we value cultural diversity in our workforce. Wherever you will be working, whether it’s in one of our mills or commercial offices, you will be joining a company that will encourage your growth and support your professional development.

Tenaris is Recruiting for the Role of : Job Title: Graduate Trainees Tenaris is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of tubular products and services used in the drilling, completion and production of oil and gas and a leading supplier of tubular products and services used in process and power plants and in specialised industrial and automotive applications.

Through our integrated global network of manufacturing, Research & Development and service facilities, we are working with our customers to meet their needs for the timely supply of high performance products in increasingly complex operating environments.

Global Trainee Program Structure Tenaris Global Trainee Program is a combination of classroom training, e-learning courses and practical on-the-job experience lasting 2 years. During this period the person will experience an Induction Camp in Argentina, together with the other Global Trainees hired from different Countries worldwide. These four weeks are a great opportunity for networking, learning about the company’s fundamentals and working as a team.

Back from the camp, the rest of the program is structured around the following main pillars: on-the-job experience, both in local offices and abroad, training packs, Industrial Program rotation and constant follow-up on the performance.

Considering the size of our operations we are seeking candidates in different positions within the Technical Sales Functions Essential qualifications and qualities Fresh graduates with NOT MORE than two (2) years after their National Youth A forward-thinking attitude - get excited by trying new things and seeing opportunities Ability to plan tasks, prioritize and find solutions Strong, resilient and calm under pressure Proven ability to build strong relationships and influence others Excellent academic record – you must have graduated with a minimum of Second Class (Upper Division) in an Engineering discipline Demonstrate energy, drive and passion for their preferred function and our organisation Motivated by a huge desire to succeed How to Apply Interested and suitably qualified candidates should click here to apply online.

————————————————————————————————————— Nigerian Navy recruitment 2014 (http://www.joinnigeriannavy.com/) The Nigerian Navy wishes to inform the general public and all interested candidates that the online registration for the 2014 Recruitment Exercise commences today, 27 October 2014 and closes on 30 November 2014.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must: a. Possess a minimum of 5 credits in not more than 2 sittings in WASSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB (English and Mathematics inclusive) b. Be between the ages of 18-22 years while 24years is the acceptable limit for those with OND, NCE, Nurses etc. Candidates with higher qualification than the once specified in the guidelines should not apply c. Applicants must be single and of Nigerian Origin by birth d. Required height of 1.7m for male and 1.67m for female e. Check for full detailed instruction below GENERAL INFORMATION FOR INTERESTED CANDIDATES TO NOTE 1. The recruitment exercise will commence with an aptitude test and screening of certificates of candidates at designated centres for various states nationwide from 8-12 December 2014. You are advised to carefully read the instruction page on the website or call the following support lines from 9am to 4pm on working days: 08124511398 and 08159999011.

2. Candidates are advised in their own interest not to give any form of gratification or inducement to any person or group of persons to assist them on the recruitment exercise.

Rear Admiral DO Osuofa Navy Secretary for Chief of the Naval Staff APPLICATION GUIDELINES PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY Registration starts on the 27 October 2014 and ends on the 30 November 2014.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR 2014 RECRUITMENT INTO THE NIGERIAN NAVY. CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION 1. Candidates should possess any of the following educational and/Professional qualifications (see Guide to Candidates on Educational Requirements for Entry Category): a) West African School Certificate/Senior Secondary School Certificate. b) General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level. c) WAEC City and Guilds or London City and Guild. d) Ordinary National Diploma (OND). e) Any other educational qualification equivalent to those mentioned above. f) All candidates must produce their primary school leaving certificate. g) Candidates are to note that entry requirement into the following categories is SSCE or equivalent: B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 C1, D1, D2, D4, D5, D6, E1, E2, E3, E4, F1, G, H. Any other additional qualifications in these categories can only serve as an added advantage for selection into the branch and not for advancement. See the guide for details.

2. Any candidate possessing higher educational/professional qualification, i.e. HND, BA,/BSC etc other than those stated in paragraph 1 (a-g) should not apply. Candidates are therefore warned that it is an offence to declare false education/professional qualification. This attracts outright withdrawal or dismissal.

3. Any certificate or qualification not declared or tendered and accepted during the recruitment exercise is not acceptable after recruitment and cannot be tendered for the purpose of change of branch or advancement while in the Naval service. Only qualifications obtained through proper service provisions are tenable after joining.

4. Applicants must be between the age of 18 - 21 years at the time of entry into the Training school for school certificate holders, while age 24 years of age is the acceptable limit for those with higher qualifications e.g. Nurses, NCE etc.

5. Applicants must not be married.

6. Candidate is required to print out Parent/Guardian consent Form and Local Government attestation form.

7. Applicants must be of Nigerian origin by birth.

8. Candidates with any of the following problems are NOT to apply: short sight, ear problem, previous orthopedic operation, flat foot, below the required height (Male 1.70m, female 1.67m), fracture, stammering, or any natural disability.

9. Applicants must be free from any previous conviction by court of law on criminal charges.

10. Applicants must come to the recruitment centres with the following documents. a) Photocopies of Birth Certificate or Age Declaration. b) Photocopies of Credentials. c) Duly completed identification form to be signed by Chairman or Secretary of the candidate’s LGA or by an officer of the rank of Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) or Equivalent and above from candidate’s State of Origin. d) Duly completed Parent Consent form to be signed by Candidate’s Parent or Guardian. e) Four passport photographs duly signed and stamped by (C) above f) Candidates are advised to bring the scratch cards of their NECO AND WAEC results to the recruitment centres.

11. The completed application form is to be submitted online.

12. Candidates will be required to produce original of all copies of credentials listed in paragraph 1 before recruitment.

13. Any candidate suspected to have impersonated, forged or submitted false document(s) shall be disqualified from the recruitment exercise. Such candidate shall also be handed over to the police for prosecution.

14. The period of Aptitude Test and Certificate Screening is 8 - 12 December 2014 15. COMPUTER LITERACY IS AN ADDED ADVANTAGE FOR ALL CANDIDATES. GUIDE TO CANDIDATES ON EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY CATEGORY A 1 - Marine Engineer Artificer OND in Marine or Mechanical Engineering (at least lower Credit) and must also possess SSCE/

equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English language, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

A2 - Weapon Electrical Artificers OND in Electrical Electronic Engineering (at least lower Credit) and must also possess SSCE/ equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English language, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

A3-Aircraft Engineering Artificers (Airframe Engine) Certificate/Diploma in Airframe &Engine recognized by ICAO and must also posses SSCE or equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

A4 - Aircraft Engineering Artificers (Avionics & Aircraft Electrics, Electrical / Electronics) Qualification: Certificate/Diploma in Aircraft Electrics & Avionics recognized by ICAO and must possess SSCE equivalent with 5 credits, inclusive of English language, Maths, Physics and Chemistry .

A5 - Hull Engineer Artificers OND in Marine or Mechanical Engineering (at least lower Credit) and must also possess SSCE/ equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English language, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

B1 - Marine Engineer Mechanics SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English language, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Also intermediate City & Guilds or Trade Test II could be considered. Technical biasness is an advantage B2 - Weapon Electrical Mechanics SSCE/ equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English language, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Also intermediate City & Guilds or Trade Test II could be considered, technical bias is an advantage.

B3 - Hull Mechanical/Fitters As in B1 and B2 with additional trade in plumbing, welding, machining or woodwork.

B4 - Automobile Mechanics As it is in B1 B5 - Dockyard Mechanics As it is in B1 C1-Communications SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English Language, Maths and Physics.

C2 - Information Technology OND in Computer Studies, Programming or Engineering (at least lower Credit) and must also possess 5 Credits inclusive of English Language and Maths.

D1 - Seaman SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English Language and Maths.

D2 - Survey Recorders OND in Land Survey, Cartography, Geographic Information System (at least Lower Credit) and must also possess SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English language, Maths, Physics or Geography or Technical Drawing.

D3 - Physical Training Instructors SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits Inclusive of English. Interest and proven talents in sports as well as evidence of participation in sports at Secondary School/State/YSFON level is required.

D4 - Chaplain Assistants SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge.

Two years experience as clergy/church worker as well as letter of recommendation by 2 Clerics/ churches recognized by the NN is required.

D5 - Mosque Assistants SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of Arabic, Islamic Religious Knowledge and English Language. Two years experience as Imam/Mosque attendant as well as letter of recommendation by 2 Islamic clerics/organizations recognized by the NN is required.

D6 - Firemen SSCE/equivalent with 5 credits inclusive of English language.

METHOD OF APPLICATION Interested members of the public are requested to note the following information on method of application. a. Apply online at the recruitment portal www.joinnigeriannavy.com using a recruitment evoucher purchased with a bank card issued by any Nigerian bank or voucher purchased from any branch of Union Bank or Unity Bank nationwide at the sum of One Thousand Naira (N1,000:00) only b. Log on to the above mentioned link using the serial number of the voucher as username and the pin number as the password c. Complete the application form, submit online and print a copy each d. Come along to the designated examination and recruitment centers with copies of their online completed Forms.

Visit http://www.navy.mil.ng/General-News/94.news#.VEYQwWd-7oB ————————————————————————————————————— Human Resources Manager Job Vacancy in a Power Company based in Abuja, Nigeria A well established Power Company based in Nigeria is looking for a Human Resources Manager that will help the Company build its Human Resources Department Job Title: Human Resources Manager Location: Abuja Requirements: · Membership of a HR Professional Body (CIPM, NIM, CIA, IPRC etc). · Minimum of 5-10 years post graduation working experience as a human resource manager or personnel. · Good first degree from a reputable university. · Masters in the social sciences and other higher educational qualifications would be an added advantage.

Responsibilities: · Administer compensation, benefits and performance management systems; · Recruiting staff - this includes developing job descriptions and personnel specifications, preparing job adverts, checking application forms, short-listing, interviewing and selecting candidates; · Developing and implementing policies on issues such as working conditions, performance evaluation, disciplinary procedures and absence management; · Plan, develop and implement strategy for HR management and development (including recruitment and selection policy/practices, discipline, grievance, counseling, pay and conditions, contracts, training and development; · Provide current and prospective employees with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, and employee benefits; · Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with under-staffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures; · Working closely with departments, increasingly in a consultancy role, assisting line managers to understand and implement policies and procedures; · Promoting equality and diversity as part of the culture of the organization; · Liaising with a wide range of people involved in policy areas such as staff performance and health and safety; · Preparing staff handbooks; · Advising on pay and other remuneration issues, including promotion and benefits; · Undertaking regular salary reviews; · Negotiating with staff and their representatives (for example, trade union officials) on issues relating to pay and conditions; · Administering payroll and maintaining employee records; · Interpreting and advising on employment law; · Dealing with grievances and implementing disciplinary procedures; · Developing with line managers HR planning strategies which consider immediate and longterm staff requirements; · Planning, and sometimes delivering, training, including inductions for new staff; · Analyzing training needs in conjunction with departmental managers and recommend needed changes.

Salaries and other benefits would be very competitive How to Apply All interested candidates should quote the desired position as the subject of the e-mail and send comprehensive Curriculum Vitae to ambagwu@nwobiandco.com within two weeks from the date of publication of this advert. All applications should be prepared using Microsoft Word.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

——————————————————————————————————————

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

13

FOR THE RECORDS

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

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14

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

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

It is a forum where activities aspirants intend to embark upon are brought bare to the people.

It exposes the real person of the aspirant, his values and his plans for his constituency.

This forum is open to serving public officials as well as those who intend to contest.

For any additional information on the above issue, any of these numbers should be contacted: 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897 and 08062207954.

– Management FOREIGN NEWS

Update On INEC Inspection For 23rd Time, U.N. Nations Urge By 4 pm today 28/10/2013, APC and PDP Inspection teams of election materials at End To U.S. Embargo On Cuba INEC Office, Osogbo, scanned and inspected ballot papers up to ward five, unit four of Ilesa-East Local Government.

The implication of this is that the parties are through with the inspection of five Local Governments of Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Atakunmosa-East and Irewole only.

We wish to state that the inspection has been smooth and a confirmation of the wishes of the electorate on the 9th August, 2014. Our duty is only restricted to scanning of the ballot papers.

We shall be updating you on the happenings from day to day.

- Member, Legal Team

T

HE U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly for the 23rd time to condemn the decades-long U.S. economic embargo against Cuba, with many nations praising the island state for its response in fighting the deadly Ebola virus that is ravaging West Africa.

“We can live and deal In the 193-nation assembly, 188 countries with each other in a civilized despite our voted for the nonbinding way resolution, titled “Necessity differences,” he said. “Cuba of Ending the Economic, will never relinquish our Commercial and Financial sovereignty.”

U.S. envoy Ronald Godard Embargo imposed by the United States of America dismissed the resolution, saying Havana uses the against Cuba.”

As in previous years, the yearly General Assembly only countries that voted vote as an “attempt to shift against the declaration were blame” for economic the United States and an ally, problems that are its own Israel. The Pacific island creation.

Evoking former U.S. nations Palau, Marshall Islands and Micronesia President Ronald Reagan’s abstained. The voting result famous “tear down this was identical to last year’s. wall” speech at the Berlin In a speech on the U.N. Wall in 1987, Godard podium, Cuban Foreign criticized the Cuban Minister Bruno Rodriguez government’s restrictions appealed to the United on the Internet, saying “tear States to change course on down the digital wall of an embargo he said has censorship”.

While the General caused great harm to the vote is people of Cuba and caused Assembly’s cumulative economic nonbinding and symbolic, it damage amounting to more serves to highlight U.S. isolation regarding Havana. than $1 trillion.

“We invite the It is one of very few issues government of the United where all of Washington’s States to establish mutually Western allies part ways respectful relations,” with the United States.

A number of countries Rodriguez said. “We can try to find a solution to our lauded Havana for sending differences through more doctors than any other country to West Africa to respectful dialogue.

combat the biggest outbreak of Ebola since the disease was identified in 1976.

Among those praising Cuba’s contribution in the battle against Ebola were Iran, on behalf of the 120nation bloc of nonaligned countries, and Bolivia, on behalf the Group of 77 plus China, a group of developing nations. Mexico, India and others echoed that praise.

Adoption of the resolution has become an annual ritual.

When it first passed in 1992, it received 59 yes votes and three votes against. But there were 71 countries that abstained and 46 that did not participate in the vote.

The gradual shift to a nearunanimous vote in favor is a clear sign of the widespread disapproval of the U.S. embargo on Cuba.

Washington broke diplomatic ties and imposed a comprehensive trade embargo on the Communistrun Caribbean island more than half a century ago during the Cold War. Its policy today appears to be influenced by domestic politics in Florida, where Cuban exiles have opposed any conciliation with former President Fidel Castro or current President Raul Castro, who took over for his brother in 2008.

OPINION

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, October 30, 2014

15

Aregbesola: Mandela Of Our Time Mandela has given 67 years of his life fighting for human rights and all we are asking is for everyone to give 67 minutes of their time to a charitable endeavour, whether that involves supporting your chosen charity; serving your community or simply performing a good deed for your neighbour” – Tim Massey, the International Director of first Nelson Mandela International Day at 92 years at Madrid, Spain.

According to Massey, Nelson Mandela’s intrinsic humanitarian character started while he was being groomed by Chief Jongintaba to become a councilor.

In his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela notes that his early life was sharpened by custom and religion and that he learned everything in his childhood through observation.

“I acquired knowledge mainly through observation. We were meant to learn through imitation and emulation in our family, not through questions. In my household, questions were considered a nuisance; adults imparted information as they considered necessary?

Mandela stated that “as a leader I have always endeavour to listen to what each and every person in a discussion has to say before venturing my own opinion. Oftentimes, my own opinion will simply represent a consensus of what I heard in the discussion”.

So much on Nelson Mandela of

By TUNDE ESAN

blessed memory, who left a legacy behind for Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola which he has, and still following to the letters. He unknowingly told Ogbeni that a leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.

To be a leader is not compulsory and neither a birthright to some people. God made leaders not by force. Take it or leave it, Ogbeni like his role model Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, is today revered to as the epitome of humility, forgiveness and compassion because his father Mr. Aregbesola and Iya Olobi had major influence in his early u-bringing, teaching him benign authority and leadership.

The real worth of a leader is in the value he adds, the contributions he makes, the feats he accomplishes and the impact he engenders. Ogbeni is an accomplished human being today, having turned the State of Osun to a New York of Nigeria. Like Calvin Coolidge, the 30th American President once said: “ No person was ever honoured for what he received, honour has been the reward for what he gave.” His government has no doubt brightened the path for many citizens of this state, provided rest for the weary and hope for the forlorn.

Patience is the key which solves all

problems. His patience before, during and after the August 9, 2014 governorship election gave him the power to turn the tables around and this gave him great victory in spite of all odds. Unlike his main challenger, who is deficit in honour, integrity and character, God appointed him and made him a special blessing to the State of Osun.

What a man this Ilesa-born Ogbeni is! In the face of provocative and highly inflammable utterances from the opposition, he preached peace and progress. Without mincing words, he is an ambassador of peace to the State of Osun, the most articulate on the ideals and practices of good governance in a country called Nigeria.

It was my father in the Lord, Dr. David Oyedepo, who once stated that the eagle is a highly visionary bird. It sees beyond the moment. Like an eagle, Ogbeni sighted serious and diabolical means to rig the August 9 election.

Thank God, he consulted with God who sent His angels personified by Pastors and Imams to nip their devilish plans in the bud.

Quoting Dr. Oyedepo: “We have an enviable destiny. As it is written concerning Rauf Aregbesola, he went forward, became strong, waxed great and the main opposition envied him.”

This simply implies that Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, Omo Ogedegbe Agbogun Gboro must be envied and not to be humiliated. No wonder, he swallowed his main antagonist without pity.

Dr. Oyedepo further added: “Aregbesola has a destiny of fruitfulness in the covenant. As it is written about him, he shall be blessed above all people.

And there shall be no barren male or female among the people God has put under his care”. God has spoken. There should be no grumbling or murmuring because no murmurer is entitled to God’s blessing.

Truly speaking, every complainer is a disgruntled element and such person complicates his/her case with God. The Almighty God accepts no reasons for murmuring or complaining. When you avoid murmuring, your accomplishment begins to unfold. Anything that is moving you to murmur or grumble against God is moving you against your destiny.

Igi tolorun gbin, ko si eda to le fat u, eniti Olorun yan, ko so eda to le pa, meaning the tree the God planted, nobody can uproot it, and He the God has chosen, nobody can kill him.

However, if anybody is planning unrest in the State of Osun, he should stop it forthwith. Such a person should note that war is a forgetful avenger. He who often turns to it ignores that someday it shall turn on him.

It was the great Mike Tyson who wryly noted that he knew of certain blows that can make a heavyweight boxer crash to the canvas many cynical minutes after delivery. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has delivered the blows and the opponent has been counted out.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Inauguration The People’s Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, would be inaugurated on Thursday November 27, 2014 for his second term.

There is no denying the fact that Ogbeni Aregbesola has warmed himself into the hearts of the people of the State of Osun with his massive developmental projects.

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

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

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

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014 E need no W soothsayer to tell us what has already come to pass; neither do we need the mastery of a prophet to reveal to us what is now a reality, known by all; because both of them (soothsayer and prophet) only manifest their ingenuity when occurrence of events is still wrapped in misery. That the All Progressives Party (APC), State of Osun chapter now has a new chairman is a reality that has become a common knowledge that needs no further investigation. Prince Adegboyega Famodun, an astute politician of no mean repute is the newly-crowned party chairman. I join millions of his admirers to say congratulations!

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of the State of Osun, now qualifies to be referred to as one of the prophets of our time, because one of the ways by which a good prophet is known is by speaking ahead of an event before it actually comes to pass. Ogbeni (as Osun Governor is commonly called) has repeatedly referred to Prince Famodun as a future king. It is no longer a matter of conjecture that this man of destiny will be at the helm of affairs of the ruling party of the State of Osun, and unarguably the party with the highest prospect of taking over power from the Peoples Democratic Party through the fast-approaching February 2015 general elections.

Rather than being a king over a medium-sized community of Igbajo however, Prince Famodun has a more honourable privilege and more daunting task of superintending over the ruling party of the State of Osun.

By implication, this exerts on him a greater responsibility of having to manage the excesses and good attributes of people from all the administrative areas of the state, and also project the state in a good light, as he traverses the entire country as the number one party-man to interact with other party stalwarts to generate ideas on how Nigeria will move out of her doldrums to an enviable position that we all look forward to.

Kudos must be given to the outgone chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, who worked in conjunction with Ogbeni Aregbesola to ensure victories in all elections that were held while incharge in acting capacity. He might not have satisfied all party faithful, but the fact that there were no major crises throughout the time he held sway calls for serious commendation. Members of his executives should also be given pats on the back for accommodating their former leader, who might not have been infallible while the working relationship lasted. All of them still have a lot to contribute to the party under the new leadership.

The new chairman is coming in at a time that his party (APC) is facing the greatest challenge of confidence

By ADE OLUGBOTEMI

Incidentally, the State of Osun is about the only state in Nigeria, where the governor is highly admired and properly trusted.

The ruling party in the state must compliment the effort of government by building confidence around the party, so that people may retain their trust in the governor and vote enmasse for the party anytime local government elections are held prior to, or sequel to the general elections in February.

Party supremacy seems to have been relegated to the background in the polity. No political party appears to stand out of this malfeasance, with inadequate funding as the greatest factor responsible. The new party leadership has the daunting challenge of adequately mobilizing funds for the party with no prejudice to the firm control that party officials must enjoy over political office holders that are statutorily funded through official largesse. Office holders must see the responsibility of funding their party, under which platform they ascended to positions of authority. Political office holders must also help the new leadership in such a way that the usual encumbrances that often weaken party structure are reduced to the barest minimum.

The transformations that occurred in the ruling party in the State of Osun have made it impossible for substantive officers to assume office since the incumbent governor assumed office in 2010. It was from Action Congress (AC) that transmuted to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), then from ACN to All Progressive Congress APC).

Honesty should be the watchword for the new party executive to enjoy the •FAMODUN loyalty of the teeming followers, who to lose faith in our faltering political have been clamouring for a building and formidable internal process. Experience must spur the permanent party structure. This is the mechanism that will ensure unalloyed new chairman to muster courage that only way a great confidence can be loyalty from party members, who built not only in party members but might have been crossed one way or will convince the party hierarchy that better ways of dispute handling can also by those watchers whose the other by the recently-concluded be fashioned; and he must run an alldecisions are vital at the polls when it ward and state congresses. His will become inevitable for integrity to immediate predecessor, under whose inclusive administration, where tutelage the party had recorded great everybody is allowed to have a say in play major roles in the choices people will make to determine who their feats of winning various elections both matters of structural survival.

Diverse opinions’ aggregation elected representatives will be. at the federal and state levels must not mechanism must be in place, so that The princely quality that prompted have been without his own the process of crises management is the governor of the State of Osun to shortcomings; the new chairman, openly eulogize the new chairman to himself, the scribe of the party before well-structured and made convincing to be exploited by the rank and file of the end that he would one day the recent elevation, needs to party membership that may feel become a king must be exhibited to painstakingly bring opposing camps aggrieved at any point in time. This the fullest, so that his tenure will be a together, so that the gargantuan watershed for greater electoral challenge of convincing the people of process must be superintended by tested hands in the party, who will be success for a party that most the State of Osun that the party seen to be fair to all anytime there are Nigerians now feel should rescue the (APC) is well-positioned to build disputes to be resolved. Process of nation from acute maladministration confidence on is achieved. conflict resolution must be handled that has been the hallmark of The fortification of the party is one with dispatch, so that those who are governance under the Peoples area that must be given an adequate displeased with any step taken will Democratic Party. With the resolve to attention. We are in the era of feel free to register such with the draw strength from the throne of constant decamping and crossunshaken assurance that justice and grace and succeed in all fronts that carpeting. Although this cannot be the challenges of office will pose, totally avoided in democratic settings, fair play will prevail.

The All Progressives Congress ‘King’ Famodun has all it takes to all hands must be on deck to ensure (APC) must be adequately positioned take the party to the next level. May that it does not constitute a negative to overcome the herculean task of this new era make us witness toll on the party’s quest to challenge unseating the behemoth in the ruling progress that will be a delight to all of the ruling PDP, which nightmarish us looking forward to an environment overbearing has caused many people Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). we allRoad, canOsogbo, be proud of.of Osun. All OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB,that Gbongan State

All Hail The ‘King’

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.