Osun - Defender 25th December, 2014 Edition by OsunDefender

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T HE

Thursday, December 25, 2014

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

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M O S T - V I S I T ED

NEWS-

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VOL. 9. NO.154

Front Page Comment

Ebola: Personal Hygiene Is Key The recent declaration Health body that Nige- o have been given a of Nigeria as Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) came as a palatable news for the country. Of course it’s really a great thing to hear from the World

ria is free of the killer-disease that spreads like the harmattan fire. For a country where you hardly hear any good news; a country that’s hardly associatedwith anything positive,

clean bill of health with respect to EVD, is a thing to rejoice over and the government and the people of Nigeria deserve to be congratulated

Aregbesola Presents N197bn 2015 Budget Estimate Continue on pg5

- See Story On Page 2

• Economic Sector Takes Largest Chunk Osun Offers Free Train For Festive - Pg 2 Season

Yuletide: Christians Lament High Cost Of Food Items - Pg 4 A Hole-in- Pg 4 the-heart Girl Needs Help

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Project Manager, Engineer Oladini Awoyemi (right); former Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, Engr (Mrs.) Tawakalitu Williams (left) and Mr. Sola Adeeyo at the inspection tour to the Kajola Water Dam in the State of Osun, recently.

Abducted UNIOSUN ASUU Chairman’s Wife Regains Freedom

- See Story On Page 3

News

Osun Defender Thursday, December 25,

Aregbesola Presents N197bn 2015 Budget Estimate

• Economic Sector Takes Largest Chunk

overnor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday presented a budget estimate of N197,080,191,560 for 2015 fiscal year before the state House of Assembly. The budget, tagged, cent decrease. “Budget of Renewed The total recurrent Hope” is less than that expenditure as presented of 2014 which was N234 was N87 billion naira, billion with about 15.8 per w h i l e t h e C a p i t a l

Expenditure is N110 billion naira, with the Economic Sector, covering agriculture and rural development, rural/urban electrification, commerce, industry, finance and transportation taking the largest chunk with N41.6 billion.

The total Recurrent Revenue is N132 billion, while the Capital Revenue is N65 billion. Laying the budget before the House, the governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Budget and Economic Planning,

By kazeem mohammed

Mr. Segun Olorunsogo, said the budget would consolidate the various achievements made in the last four years to transform the state. The governor explained that the budget would also ensure the completion of on-going projects

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left), answering questions from newsmen. With him are, All Progressive Congress (APC) Vice Presidential candidate in Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (left) after the sitting of the ongoing Election Petition Tribunal over August 9, 2014 governorship election between Governor Aregbesola and the defeated PDP candidate in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, at State High Court, Osogbo, recently.

Christmas: Transporters Praise Govt

•Traders Complain Of Higher toGoods’ Prices •FRSC Warns Transporters avoid such, drivers rate of accidents had

By francis ezediuno

rior to today things have started to take shape in the State of Osun especially the state capital, Osogbo. Some commuters plying the ever-busy had increased more that Gbongan-Ibadan road, three times and coupled which had been a constant with that there was no cause of concern, heaved money in town due to the sigh of relief at the fall in allocation from the smooth flow of traffic, federation account to the which could be attributed states. Meanwhile, the free to the near-completion of train ride from Lagos to the Oba Adesoji Aderemi Osogbo had commenced East Bye-Pass Road, in earnest and the state which was constructed capital had witnessed the specifically to take first batch of travellers vehicular movements using the state as an away from the city centre access route to their and thereby decongesting different states. Olaiya and other axis in In a separate the town. development, the Federal The testimonies of Road Safety Commission some of the interstate t r a n s p o r t e r s a n d (FRSC) had issued a commuters were proofs warning to all road of the improvements in users, advising that they the flow of traffic during should respect other road users and maintain the festive periods. However, the same approved speed limits. The commission stated could not be said of that with the increase in traders and their patrons, traffic during this season, as all of them were there was likelihood of complaining that the cost pockets of accidents of items in the markets occurring, but in order

should follow the traffic regulations and also avoid drinking, driving and night journeys. Any erring drivers, it emphasized, will be dealt with and charged to court and the stipulated fine

paid. They also called on all travellers to always be watchful and report drivers who broke these rules to the nearest office of the commission for quick action to be taken. It is on record that the

reduced over the years in the state due to the massive campaign embarked upon by the commission during festive periods.

and commencement of new ones that will have positive impact on the socio-economic lives of citizens of the state. Explaining the reason for the decrease in the budget to that of 2014, the governor attributed it to the drop in the price of international oil market, dwindling federal allocation and limitation to internal loan facility due to stringent measure and policy put in place by the Federal Government. Other reasons for the decrease, according to the governor, were recent devaluation of naira which has led to weaker currency and the need to depend less on the federal allocation and concentrate on how to grow Inetrnally Generated Revenue (IGR). The governor who noted that the budget has already been overstretched, appealed to the Assembly not to entertain request that could lead to increase in the proposed figure. He however, noted that extra efforts would be made to generate more IGR, especially through collection of existing taxes and rate without necessarily imposing new tax regime on the people of the state. Receiving the budget, the Speaker, Mr. Najeem Salaam, said the House would do justice to it and make necessary adjustment, either upward or downward, if the need arises before it is passed. He called on the people to exercise patience, noting that the financial challenges being faced now is due to paucity of fund as a result of the drop in the federal allocation.

Osun Offers Free Train For Festive Season

By kazeem mohammed

overnment of the State of Osun has again offered free train service for travellers from Lagos along the corridors of Ogun, Oyo to Osun during Christmas and New Year festive periods. T h e g e s t u r e i s i n responsiveness of the c o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h e government to the needs free train ride services of the masses. embarked upon by the He said: “The first batch g o v e r n m e n t d u r i n g of the train passengers festive periods, which will be brought in from started in 2010. Lagos on Wednesday A statement by the 24th December from the D i r e c t o r, B u r e a u o f Iddo Terminus in Lagos C o m m u n i c a t i o n a n d by 11.00am. Passengers Strategy in the Office will also be taken back to of the Governor, Mr. Lagos from Osogbo Train S e m i u O k a n l a w o n , Station on December 28, said the free train ride 2014. service underscores the “The free train ride will

also on 31st December convey passengers from Lagos to Osogbo and on the 4th of January, it will be passengers from Osogbo back to Lagos. “During the last Ramadan, free train ride service was offered by the state government to take Osun-bound passengers from Lagos to Osun and other neighbouring states. “Passengers were also taken by the train service free-of-charge to Lagos State after festive periods in the State of Osun,” Okanlawon stressed. The statement said

since its inception in 2010, the free train service has boosted tourism in the state, as its services have encouraged thousands who desire to travel, but consider the prohibitive transport fares and the usually hectic traffic situation associated with such seasons on the Nigerian roads. The gesture, it also said, has rekindled the trust of Nigerians in the viability of the hitherto moribund railway system as a means of transportation.

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Osun Defender Thursday, December

Abducted UNIOSUN ASUU Chairman’s Wife Regains Freedom •Two Suspects Arrested

By ismaeel uthman

away in a red car by the abductors, who also wore red clothes, according to information. The abductors had called her husband to demand a N50 million ransom, saying his wife was currently unharmed and in good condition as

home from her shop two children, when the he abducted wife of the Chairman, her captors. located at Oke-Baale, gunmen double-crossed her, smashed the rear Academic Staff Union of Universities, It would be recalled Osogbo. Osun State University chapter, Mrs that Mrs Abiona was The businesswoman wind screen of the car, Olufunmilayo Abiona, has been rescued on last Friday abducted was said to be driving dragged her into their Tuesday by security operatives five days after by unidentified gun- in an unmarked ash- vehicle and drove her her abduction. wielding men at around coloured Toyota Lexus away. Mrs Abiona was taken without being harmed by 7:30pm while returning ES 330 salon car with her Dr Oluseye Abiona, the UNIOSUN ASUU chairman, who is the husband of the abductees, confirmed the release to our reporter on Tuesday. According to Abiona, his wife was released unharmed along IlesaAkure expressway around noon. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the woman was rescued inside a bush along Ilesa-Akure express way around 4.00pm. It was not clear whether a ransom was paid to the abductors as demanded or not as at the time of filing this report. The medium also gathered that two members of the kidnapping gang were arrested by security operatives in connection with the abduction incident. Abiona said he was •Beautification of Gbongan/Ibadan road in Osogbo under the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, happy to see his wife GBENGA ADENIYI, last Tuesday. regaining her freedom after five days of captivity. He said: “My wife has he State of Osun chapter of the All this medium to correct aspirants, with a view for Osun East Senatorial been released. She was Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared the misrepresentation to determining their District, Senator Babajide released this afternoon the air on who won the primary elections and wrong impression capacity and correctness Omoworare won at all around Ilesa-Akure conducted by the party for persons who aspired registered by an aspirant, of their records to fly the levels and has been issued Expressway.” necessary documents to claiming to have won the party’s flag. for Osun East Senatorial District ticket. The Deputy primary election. “On the said date proceed as the candidate S e n a t o r B a b a j i d e Freedom Park, Osogbo, Vi c e C h a n c e l l o r o f “ O n t h e 3 r d o f and at the screening of the All Progressives UNIOSUN, Professor O m o w o r a r e , t h e the state capital. D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 , i n committee stage, there Congress (APC) for Osun This was contained Siyan Oyeweso, who first i n c u m b e n t s e n a t o r, line with the guidelines was no primary election. East Senatorial District. confirmed Mrs Abiona’s won the party primaries in a statement issued on and timetable set for The process and stages “We implore anyone release, said that the e l e c t i o n s b o t h a t Tuesday in Osogbo, by primary elections of that threw up candidates spreading falsehood and consensus primary and university community general affirmation held the party’s chairman, the party, screening for various offices on disparaging the party, Prince Gboyega w a s h a p p y b e c a u s e on December 9, 2014 exercises were held to APC platform in the our candidate and the Famodun . scrutinise credentials of state were uniform and G o v e r n o r t o d e s i s t the woman was freed a t N e l s o n M a n d e l a “We are exploring there was no ambiguity from such diversionary as to how they emerged. exercise.” ‘The governor, Ogbeni “The party therefore, arg u men t th at s in ce cog in the wheel of the Rauf Aregbesola, did not implored members of By kehinde ayantunji Osogbo assumed status progress of this unity. at any level, interfere he Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji of a state capital on It is when community with the process, not the general public to Tunde Badmus, has called for peace and August 27,1991, when interest is not sacrificed to talk of imposing disregard any discordant tune, disregard all unity among the indigenes and residents of Osun State was created on the altar of individual’s Osogbo land to ensure the development of the city. b y G e n e r a l I b r a h i m selfish ambition that such any candidate as being unfounded claims, remain He said unity of purpose and collective responsibility Badamasi Babangida, community can witness misrepresented from focused and vote for the party’s carefully-chosen of all and sundry remains hub of the South-West is Osogbo has never had it more developments,” he certain quarters. said. T h e s t a g e b e i n g candidates of character a major panacea to sustain a source of inspiration for so good. The religious leader referred to by the said “As our dear town, the current infrastructural the elite and downtrodden also commended the aspirant was just a and integrity flying the All Osogbo, is witnessing and e c o n o m i c masses, which calls for A t a o j a o f O s o g b o , screening exercise and Progressives Congress developments upon unity of purpose. development in the city. Oba Jimoh Olanipekun not sufficient as stipulated (APC) flags including developments, there He said: “We are all Alhaji Badmus said this Oyetunji, Laaroye II, Pa in the party constitution Senator Omoworare. is no gainsaying that while addressing Osogbo living witnesses to how “The APC remains indigenes h o m e an d the status of Osogbo has these developments that Hammed Omidiran and to serve the purpose abroad at this year’s Oroki been transformed from Osogbo is now enjoying the Osogbo Progressive of a properly-defined committed and focused Day, held at Osogbo City the hitherto glorified could not be divorced Union led by Ambassador primary, which was to give the best of peopleheadquarters of a local from the fact that we Rasaq Siyanmbola, for the Stadium last Saturday. colourful organisation of finalised on December oriented and impactful According to him, government council area speak with one voice.” 10, 2014 at Nelson democratic governance to “Therefore, we must the event. the passion of the state to a befitting state capital. Mandela Freedom Park the electorate of the State not lose sight of the fact “Thanks to the governor governor, Ogbeni Rauf of Osun and Nigeria in that Osogbo’s unity is not in Osogbo. Aregbesola, to develop of the State of Osun, “From the result of general,” the party said. t h e s t a t e a n d m a k e Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. negotiable and we must “ I t o p e n s t o n o not allow individual’s the exercise conducted Osogbo a commercial selfish ambition to put a

Osun East Senatorial District: ‘Omoworare Is Our Candidate’

Oroki Day: Tunde Badmus Sues For Unity

News

Osun Defender Thursday, December

UNIOSUN Gets International Grants For Research, As Workers Bag Award, Scholarship

sun State University and three other universities in Nigeria have been awarded a grant of $2.9 million from the International Development Research Centre and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. Vice Chancellor of the facilitated the research Osun State University, grant to conduct research Professor Bashir Okesina, in into indigenous vegetable a press briefing on Monday, production. said that the Director, Okesina stated that Research and Linkages of the grant was released the university, Professor i n r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e C l e m e n t A d e b o o y e , credibility and standard

By ismaeel uthman of the university and to was primarily aimed at promote its research works. investigating the social Besides, the European dynamics of everyday Research Council has interaction and encounter also released a sum of 1.5 among Yoruba Muslims, million Euros for a five- Christians, traditionalists year research project being and people of other faiths. handled by the Dean Faculty Okesina stated that the of Humanities, UNIOSUN, project would enhance Professor Olukoya Ogen, in cohabitation, unity and conjunction with Professor religious tolerance among Insa Nolte of the University the three major religious of Birmingham. faithfuls. The research project, Professor Ogen, the according to Okesina, facilitator of the grant, had

won the Academic Writing Residence Grant, DASA, University of Birmingham for 2014. Similarly, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, has also been elected to the Advisory Board of the European Research Council for a “Knowing Each Other Project” and was awarded a four-year travel fellowship for the programme. Oyeweso, a professor of history, has also been appointed as a member of the Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Ede. Also, a lecturer o f t h e u n i v e r s i t y, D r John Agbonifo, of the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences,

has won the prestigious Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for the 2014/2015 academic year. Agbonifo won the competitive award with his research proposal titled: Non-State Armed Actors and the Challenges of Designing Sanctions that Effectively Constrain their Activities. Okesina, the VC of the UNIOSUN, said the institution was proud of its numerous achievements in academic and human capacity building, promising that the university would not compromise standard.

Yuletide: Christians Lament High Cost Of Food Items

•All For Xmas/New Year: A chicken seller at Akindeko Market, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Tuesday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI

Osun Contingent To Israel Intensifies Prayers For State, Leaders

By shina abubakar

of harsh environmental conditions, the people of the community lived “a communion life of sharing everything in common”. It was on this mountain that Moses was provoked to incur the wrath of God, when out of anger he struck the rock for water to be made available to the Israelites. Extensive prayers were held on the mountain on various points for the State of Osun, the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his administration and those that will work with

tate of Osun contingent on pilgrimage to the Israel have intensified prayers for the state in the Holy land as its activities enter fifth day. The fourth dayprayers of the trip final of the three days set aside for special by and of Jericho, to the location the team was observed on of the sycamore tree that Sunday at Qumeran, after Zaccheous climbed to see a visit to the Mountain of Jesus. Temptation and the Dead At Qumeran, where the Sea. Essences community lived, The first port of call was the team was told about the Jericho, the place believed exploits of the Bedouin to be the oldest city on shepherds pasturing in earth, which is a Palestinian 1947 and looking for a territory. stray goat only to discover a The visit to Jericho cave in which the Dead Sea (light without darkness) scrolls were kept. Because was through the cable car that took the delegation to the Mount of Temptation, from where a strenuous three-year-old girl, Miss Toyin Adeoye, whose walk through 825 steps photograph on hospital theatre bed is attached here to the chapel built on the immediately after a successful heart surgical cave, where Jesus observed operation at Biket Medical Centre, off Ikirun Road, the forty days’ prayer and Osogbo, to amend a hole-in the-heart, needs financial fasting, before the devil assistance from good-spirited individual and members came to tempt him with of the public. the promise to give him the sum of N900,000 was paid A c c o r d i n g t o h e r by her poor parents before whole of his site of view if parents, the surgical the operation over a week only he could jump down operation was successfully ago but presently, she is in as angels are waiting to accomplished by a team of dire need of N700,000 to safe him. foreign medical surgeons, balance up the payment of At the Mountain of specially invited by the her medical bill totalling Temptation signifies the management of Biket N1,600,000. end of Moses’ assignment Medical Centre under a The parents of Oluwatoyin and the beginning of that special agreement that A d e o y e a r e t h e r e f o r e of Jesus and it was there all medical bills must requesting for financial the Isrealites received the be paid before she could assistance with any amount blessing for their strength, be allowed to leave the into her bank account to hospital. short prayers were also discharge her from Biket Fortunately for her, a Medical Foundation as soon offered before returning back through the cable car

him. Also prayers of good health, strength, longevity and wisdom were raised for the deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, who coincidentally marked her birthday last week and the nation in general. The team was also at the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, which is a big, salty and stagnant sea that harbours no creature and the water and mud believed to have a healing/medicinal power.

By ismaeel uthman

s Christians across the country celebrate this year’s Christmas today, faithful have lamented high cost of food items and lack of money in the polity. O SU N DEFE N DER traders were out to exploit v i s i t e d s o m e m a r k e t s the people under the guise in Osogbo, where some of austerity. Christians, who spoke with She noted that she was the medium lamented the aware of the decision of rising cost of commodities government to introduce amidst scarcity of funds in measures to control economic the build-up to the festive policies, but stressed the season. need for the measures to be It was gathered that as the taken with human concern, festive seasons approached, saying the situation at this the prices of food items, point in time is unfortunate. which already were on the A trader told the medium increase, rose dramatically that customers are finding and some of those who spoke it difficult to purchase with the medium said it goods, as a result of weak became a necessity to buy purchasing power of the at whatever price, in the naira, over its devaluation by interest of the yuletide. the Central Bank of Nigeria According to Mr Segun early this month. Lawrence, the issue of She said the rise in prices austerity measure of the of commodities is not the Federal Government was fault of the traders but as too rash on the people, cum a result of the economic the festive period, saying the situation in the country, prices of goods in the market particularly as the nation’s were just too high. currency has been devalued. He disclosed that the price The medium observed at of chicken sold for between N4000 to N5000 against the three major markets in the usual price of N2500 and state capital that some buyers N3500, while prices of other turn back disappointed, food items suddenly became particularly at the prices of extremely high that some chicken in all the markets, buyers had to return home while others simply go for small-sized chickens or local without buying at all. A n o t h e r b u y e r, M r s breeds. Omotola Olusola, described the situation at the popular Igbonna Market in Osogbo as outrageous, saying she felt

A Hole-in-the-heart Girl Needs Help

as possible. Willing donors could pay into any of the following bank accounts: 1st Account Name: Miss Roselyn Oluwatoyin Adeoye Bank Acct: 4131142407 Bank: Mainstreet Bank Plc or 2nd Account Name (Mother’s account): Mrs. Omolola Grace Adeoye Acct No. 3028907076 Bank: First Bank Plc M o t h e r ’s Te l e p h o n e No: 07069682557 or 07052540308.

Osun Defender Thursday, December 25, 2014

By ismaeel uthman

Continued from pg1

Ebola: Personal Hygiene Is Key

pro-active manner with which they approached the Ebola epidemic. And of particular mention here is the Lagos state government. In fact, that government really exhibited exemplary pro-activeness. a feat would not amount to exaggeration and it shouldn’t be so considered. This is why we are proud of our governments both at federal and state levels for the pro-active manner with which they approached the Ebola epidemic. And of particular mention here is the Lagos state government. In fact, that government really exhibited exemplary pro-activeness. We are indeed proud of her. For with the myriad of problems confronting us as a nation it would have been a disaster writ large for the country should we have failed to contain the lethal disease. With our population it would have

really been disastrous for us if we failed to deal successfully with the scourge. The question is ‘how many problems would we have been dealing with’? For instance the problem of insecurity rather than abate is getting complicated by the day. Quite sad that the administration of President GEJ for the past four years has been preoccupied with how to tackle our security challenges. This has constituted a major distraction for his government making his government’s performance to be at a lowest ebb. Thus wouldn’t it have been unspeakably woeful for his administration to be further preoccupied with another big challenge like EVD? This of course is a rhetorical question. However, as we rejoice over this good news we must not go to sleep with the belief that it’s over. Though it could be regarded as being over in Nigeria, we must not forget that some neighbouring West African countries are still being ravaged by this deadly disease. Thus our joy could only be complete when we

Jimi Agbaje: Good Pharmacist, changed his dirty diapers six W r o n g P r e s c r i p t i o n political times, and we are

never really thought about Jimi Agbaje, PDP gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, as a formidable candidate, until my brother, Pastor Bayo Adeyinka in Lagos, told me great things about him early this year, when I visited Nigeria. Bayo was cocksure (I am not sure if he still is) that Jimi will defeat any candidate, including APC’s this season. I didn’t ask Bayo why he thought so. When I read Jimi’s profile, I liked what I saw. A very solid Pharmacist, who has done great exploits for himself, a good

family guy, a levelheaded person and a man who knows where his next stop ought to be in life and career. Jimi Agbaje,

although a good pharmacist, is a wrong prescription for Lagos. Jimi just described the APC as an inconsistent political party, which has changed names and camps serially. And there was a time when he camped

with the party in the metamorphosis process. If that is what makes APC inconsistent, then Jimi is the father of inconsistency based

to mention here that we need to educate our little children in this regard. We must ensure that they imbibe the culture of hand-washing before they eat or swallow anything. Environmental hygiene is next to personal hygiene. We cannot talk of personal hygiene without talking of environmental hygiene. In fact they both go together; hands in glove. For time immemorial the dictum has been that ‘a clean environment promotes good heath’. This is not disputable. On the contrary a dirty environment provides habitat for diseases and brings about ill-health. In the light of the above it’s imperative for us as individuals to live by the rules of personal and environmental hygiene. This is the only way to keep Ebola and other hygiene-related diseases away from our midst. It’s also by this that governments’ efforts so far in containing the spread of EVD will not be in vain.

are able to get rid of Ebola from the shores of Africa, nay, the world at large. In view of this there is a challenge before all of us especially at personal level and the challenge is for us to keep to the rules of hygiene. Personal hygiene is very key in keeping Ebola at bay. Not only Ebola but various types of disease. It’s of course not disputable that personal and environmental hygiene play a pivotal role in keeping diseases at bay from human community. For this reason we must not take personal and environmental hygiene for granted. It’s very important that we adhere strictly to hygienic rules. At personal level we must ensure that we wash our hands regularly especially before eating or putting anything into our mouth. Washing our hands or making use of sanitizer and washing our fruits properly before eating, is very important. Not only because of Ebola but it’s the key to warding off certain ailments that can arise out of uncleanliness. And it’s very important

still counting. PDP, I can assure you, is not Jimi’s last stop. Who then is inconsistent? When he was in CPC, Jimi said Buhari was the cleanest and most honest human being over and above Goodluck Jonathan; but today, Buhari is the worst, and Jonathan is the best. Who then is inconsistent? I like Jimi, he is a good pharmacist, but a wrong prescription for Lagos. Akin Ambode is the next governor; you can take it to the bank!

on his records: Jimi was a member of AD, then jumped to become a member of AC, then moved to DPA, then became an arrow head of CPC, later changed to LP, before he landed • Fo l a O jo , in PDP. In so short United States of a period, Jimi has

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Osun Defender Thursday, December

The Senseless Evasion Of The Nigeria Equation

he woes and throes of T collapse that befall our nation are no longer news. Nigerians, and, indeed, those who follow up the Nigerian story, are used to hearing news of monies looted from the public treasury in billions (and most recently trillions, like in the case of the fuel subsidy thieves); scores of people dying in avoidable road accidents on a daily basis; high profile criminals, who should be rightly escorted to the gallows to face the hangman, getting ridiculous sentences with options of fine (while a petty thief gets a death sentence in Delta State for stealing car stereo); triggerhappy policemen taking the lives of bona fide citizens for refusing to part with N20 bribe; and what not. All of these, and many more, which will make even the devil shudder, have left Nigerians yearning for change. I quite agree with May Akabogu-Collins, a visiting Professor of Economics at the American Business School in Paris, when she says that a Nigerian spring is long overdue. In truth, many people have become disenchanted with the Nigeria project, as no good seems to come out of it. However, the quest for change in results without a commensurate change in the way of doing things is at best a beggar’s wish. That is to say, doing the same things over and over will only produce the same results over and over. This is because, as Dr. Yusuf Qardhawi, the great scholar and theologian puts it, corrupt realities cannot be changed by immature strategies based only upon good wishes and intentions. In finding the solution to a problem, I used to think that the starting point is to actually know the problem itself. But that seems not to be the case with Nigeria. In our peculiar case, the problem is well known, even to the ordinary man in the street. And at more scholarly levels, you find people, both in formal and informal gatherings, discussing the problem like it is the course they studied in the university. But the unfortunate irony is that, in our case, the more we know the problem the more elusive the solution seems. More so, those who know the problem too well are usually a part of it or are mostly the ones involved in perpetuating it. If you ask an average Nigerian what the country’s problem is, he most probably will tell you: corruption! – referring to economic and financial crimes. However, that person who is quick to point at corruption as the bane of our country is also, in most cases, involved in one form of corruption or another. For example, it is easy to find

•Jonathan

and waiting for a Messiah to descend from the skies to turn things around for us. But manna a university lecturer accusing those at the helms of affairs of the and quails no longer fall from heaven. We must all emancipate country of financial recklessness, ourselves from our conservative whereas he is full-time into ways of doing things and adopt trade by batter with his female progressive alternatives, reorient students, exchanging sex for grades. Perhaps, a clearer example our mentalities, and imbibe some appreciable level of moral is that of the late Fela Anikulapo uprightness, self-discipline and Kuti, who was foremost in honesty, before we can start criticizing the government of seeing things turn around for the day, especially with regards the better. Building a strong and to financial probity and corrupt ideal society means everyone use of power for selfish ends, must play a role. but who was himself involved It is a truism that when a fish in corrupting the youths (males is getting rotten it starts from the and females) of our country in head. That means if we must get his Kalakuta Republic, where he promoted moral depravity, turning it right with regards to building them into sexual perverts and drug the kind of country and society we much desire, then, in addition addicts. It becomes a case of the to refining our ways, we must get kettle calling the pot black. the best of us to superintend over Well, like I have aptly pointed us at all levels of leadership. But out, our problem is not ignorance how do we expect to undermine of the challenges confronting us the unimpressive antecedents as a nation and as a people, but of our choices of leaders, turn the lack of will and passion to a blind eye to the fraudulent do things differently in order to process that bring them to power, effect positive, developmental and yet expect them to transform and progressive change at the into award winning leaders various spheres of our society. overnight? We believe in sitting back By Abu BilaalAbdulrazaqbn Bello bnOare

For instance, we had a Goodluck Jonathan, who was a deputy governor and later governor of a small but rich state like Bayelsa, with no more than eight local government council areas, and with an estimated GDP of $4.34 billion and a per capita income of $2,484 as at the time he was there, whereas a state like Jigawa, at that same time, had twenty-seven local government council areas with an estimated GDP of $2.99 billion and a per capita income of $673. Yet, at the end of his stint at the Bayelsa Government House, his performance could best be described as dismal and lacklustre. This same man vied for the highest office in the country and whipped up sympathy from Nigerians with the story of his shoeless childhood and the unfortunate “it is our turn” propaganda. At the end of the day, he was imposed on the country as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces by the ruling political cult, and Nigerians yet expected him to perform signs and wonders, not by his competence, capability, or antecedence, but by merely been christened “Goodluck”! Come to think of it: how can a man who could not perform in a state with only eight local government areas, and with as much resources as was at his disposal, suddenly transmogrify into a Messiah of sorts in a country of seven hundred and seventy-four local government council areas? It just does not add up. Therefore, fellow countrymen, as the next round of general elections for change of leadership in 2015 fast approaches, and as experience has shown us that those who ascend the mantle of leadership by mere happenstance and primordial sentiments usually “don’t give a damn”, but rather turn out to be opportunists who see power only as a means for gratifying their rapacious appetite for wealth to make up for their years of shoelessness and misfortune, we must learn and commit to elect leaders based on their credibility, strength of character and proven track record. We cannot continue to evade the realities on ground and expect our “luck” to shine and just wake up one morning to see our country metamorphose into an abode of utopia and euphoria. In the words of Plato, the renowned philosopher and mathematician, “the city is what it is because our citizens are what they are”.

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Osun Defender Thursday, December

An Ongoing Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Araromi Middle School Building Project, Gbodofon, Osogbo, Under The Administration Of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Last Tuesday.

•An ongoing CAC Araromi Middle School building project, Gbodofon, Osogbo.

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•Front view of the building.

Osun Defender Thursday, December

Osun Defender Thursday, December 25,

Osun Defender Thursday, December 25, 2014

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Preparation For Christmas And New Year In Osogbo, State Of Osun, As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Last Tuesday.

•Chicken sellers and buyers at Olu-Ode Market, Osogbo.

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•Buyers and sellers at Igbona Market, Osogbo.

•Residents of Osogbo buying clothes in preparation for Christmas festival.

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Osun Defender Thursday, December

•An ongoing CAC Araromi Middle School building project, Gbodofon, Osogbo.

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•Front view of the building.

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Osun Defender Thursday, December

The Robber State Can Now Drink Her Oil he hope of restoring normalcy to a morally-bankrupt nation to a place in the sun greater than it had ever been is ebbing gradually. Nigeria is in economic straits, maimed by official corruption, which slices off more than 50 % of her GDP in revenue. The nation’s oil deals which has been shrouded in the caucuses of bargaining and appalling crudity has left the people in abject poverty. But President Goodluck Jonathan’s sidekick wouldn’t have any of such. They are used to thinking that the ugly picture is a mere grotesque hodgepodge concocted by half-baked, uneducated neurotics who are bent on sabotaging the humane president. It’s time Mr President summon the moral courage and pledge the reversal of the nation’s menacing presence and the future. Regrettably, the argument of Jonathanians is not supported by Mr President’s broken promises, overt corruption, oil theft and pipeline vandalism. The gruelling grind of irony in a land flowing with energy under its belly vanquished presidential hollowness for its failure to make the economy boom. In 2011, NNPC signed a USD28.5 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese to build the NNPC Greenfield Refineries in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Lagos States’. So far, none has been built, four years down the line. In 2012, at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference, the bogey minister promised that Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), will gulf USD700 million for the four refineries within 12 months. As we speak, none of the four Nigerian refineries operates with more than 60 per cent capacities. Kaduna refinery operates below 30% of her installed capacity. That is after billions of dollars was expended. How else can we explain that TAM was a waste of our common patrimony and the crudest form of corruption? The four refineries can produce 445,000 barrel of oil per day, if they are functioning at 100% capabilities; which is still below Nigeria’s current need of about 39 million litres, according to the PPPRA, per day! President Jonathan’s government expended trillions of dollars on the so-called fuel subsidy that was reeked with hyper-corruption. When Nigerians protested the enrichment of the president’s cronies with the oil scam, Mrs Diezani Allison-madueke deadened her concerns scornfully and bluntly told the nation to go to hell or that the fuel subsidy would be reduced by half any time she chooses. It was a show of sheer unconcealed disdain for the Nigeria masses. The protest against fuel subsidy was partly against her career of gross abuse of office

•Alison-Madueke By Erasmus Ikhide

and blatant assault on the volition of the people to benefit from the resources of their nation. While the people haggled and groaned under the excruciating hike in the price of fuel, the Federal Government remained blunted in her responsibilities to the electorate as stipulated by the constitution. That profound deadening of consciousness is the sheerest negation of nation-building, where the peoples’ demand for access to common till is viewed as doing them favour. Any surprise that President Jonathan gloated and gloried suppressing protesters, who sought the reversal of fuel increments in the past? Even after many people have lost their lives, all the promises of palliatives never came. Till now, the consistent figure of about N200 billion the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) pays to petroleum marketers quarterly for subsidy hasn’t changed. Yet, Nigeria remains one of the few OPEC members still importing most of its refined petroleum products to the tune of over USD15 billion yearly. There is no doubt that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has accumulated dust wherever

grounding the already traumatised economy for lack of faith in the government of the day. The oil unions are accusing the President of inability to fix existing and build new refineries, bad roads, arbitrary sacking of union members by oil companies. The Trade Union Congress even took it further. Arising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the central labour union enthuse: “The congress expresses dismay that the prices of refined petroleum products have remained unchanged despite the significant fall of crude oil prices, which the CBN acknowledged as a steady one. “We therefore called on the government to direct the appropriate agency to respond by adjusting the pump price of petroleum products, which will ameliorate the impact on the purchasing power by the devaluation of the Naira. Now, Nigerians are reminded to be contented with the oil goddess with the burning beauty, who the alternate lot falls upon as the OPEC’s Chairman that becomes a shinning jewel on her scrap-iron crown! A fourth-grade schoolmarm could have thought that the minister even the hewers of wood and the drawers of water knew when to demand for wage increase to cushion their labour. She was the least possessed of that burning sense of mission to end the ogre of corruption the perennial crisis of fuel scarcity. Over the weekend, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is it kept. This is due largely to Mr Godwin Emefiele, disclosed the frosty relationship between that Nigeria loses N24 billion the minister and the National yearly on waivers granted to Assembly members. This has importers of crude oil. This is in resulted into her getting court spite of the fact that those enjoying injunction stopping them from the waiver are the same people as investigating the alleged N10 those criminally benefiting from billion allegedly expended on fuel subsidy graft. private jets. This is away from Both the International Energy the USD20 billion missing in the Agency and former U.S. Energy NNPC accounts as alleged by the Information chief Guy Caruso former CBN Governor, Sanusi predict oil prices are likely to Lamido Sanusi, and now the Emir remain lower for a while, barring of Kano. a major disruption in supply. “It’s The Presidency is aware that highly unlikely OPEC gets their act the non-passage of the Petroleum together, so I see prices being weak Industry Bill is gravely affecting for the next six months or so,” Mr investment in the oil and gas Caruso said. industry and that continued delay It’s obvious that Nigeria is inimical to the nation’s economy. will remain politically stunted, The passage of the PIB would have economically traumatised, fast-tracked the exploration of oil developmentally backward for in many parts of the country where many years to come for refusing oil has recently been discovered. to diversify. It’s a stark choice we The President is also aware that have to make. Either we diversify the passage of PIB will stem the or we start drinking our oil! An tide of mega-corruption and the anti-State agent? A megalomania? suitcase oil portfolios will come to A sadistic fancy? All of them in an abrupt end. part. It’s because the state itself We are back to the same position. has become the My former union, Nigeria Union biggest swindler and crook. A of Petroleum and Natural Gas robbers’ state! The hope of nationWorkers, NUPENG, in alliance becoming, which early in 2011 with the Petroleum and National vividly accomplished President Gas Senior Staff Association Jonathan’s restoration’s campaigns of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has has faded in the twilight of 2014. embarked on industrial action,

Osun Defender Thursday, December

Job Vacancies In Nigeria

Wema Bank recruitment for Graduate Trainees (hcm@wemabank.com) 2014/2015

Wema Bank is recruiting entry-level candidates to fill various positions across their branches nationwide. Graduate Careers Location: Nationwide Qualification: University Degree or its equivalent (HND), with a grade not lower than Second Class Lower Division. Professional qualifications and/or certifications proffer added advantage. Communication Skills: Advanced competency in oral and written English with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently in a professional work environment. Analytical Skills: Ability to apply strategic thought process to complex business challenges and to develop innovative, yet practical, solutions. Commitment & Aspiration: Be committed to the growth and achievement of personal and corporate goals. Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrable and proven interpersonal skills, including the ability to work and interact with people regardless of age, sex, background, religion, race, or origin. Flexibility: Be adaptable and demonstrate the ability to traverse different assignments and work locations. Application Process - Graduate Careers All fresh graduates with a minimum of a university degree not below Second Class Upper Division, or its equivalent. Candidates must have completed the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme are encouraged to send their applications to: hcm@ wemabank.com All eligible candidates will be batched and invited for the Computer-Based Test (CBT). This is the preliminary phase of our entry-level recruitment process. Once successful, they are scheduled for the next phase of the process, leading eventually (for successful candidates) to an exciting career with the Bank. For more information visit: http://wemabank.com/careers/available-vacancies/ Application Deadline Not Specified ————————————————————————————————————— Wema Bank Job Vacancies for Experienced Personnel, December 2014 (hcm@wemabank. com) Wema Bank is recruiting experienced candidates to fill various positions across their branches nationwide. Job Position: Experienced Hires Location: Nationwide Qualification: University Degree or its equivalent (HND), with a grade not lower than Second Class Lower Division. Professional qualifications and/or certifications proffer added advantage. Analytical Skills: Ability to apply strategic thought process to complex business challenges and to develop innovative, yet practical, solutions. Commitment & Aspiration: Be committed to the growth and achievement of personal and corporate goals. Communication Skills: Advanced competency in oral and written English with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently in a professional work environment. Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrable and proven interpersonal skills, including the ability to work and interact with people regardless of age, sex, background, religion, race, or origin. Flexibility: Be adaptable and demonstrate the ability to traverse different assignments and work locations. Application Process Interested applicants should submit their resumes to Human Capital Management at the Bank’s Head Office or through any of our network of branches nationwide. You can also send your resume to: hcm@wemabank.com Applicant(s) would be contacted for a preliminary chat if the candidate’s profile matches any available or vacant job position. Subsequently, all qualified candidates will be scheduled for a series of formal interviews, prior to the Bank taking a final decision. For more information visit: http://wemabank.com/careers/available-vacancies/

Job Position: Cold Drink Operations Logistics Coordinator Job Type: Full Time Location: Head Office, Lagos Functional areas: Cold Drink Operations (Supply Chain) Department: Supply Chain Job Details The Job Holder will report to the Cold Drink Operations Manager and the vacancies exist in our thirteen Plant locations. The responsibilities include: Lead cooperation with Third Party logistics behind agreed SLA’S Create/Manage an efficient ice movement strategy/execution The Jobholder will be the cost owner for CDO Logistics Activities. Performs root cause analysis & problem resolution of CDO logistics services daily issues Ensures 3PL full compliance to CCH warehousing and delivery standards Performs regular performance reviews with CDO Mgr., CDE Mgr., and FS with action planning Reporting on logistic Coordinates the technical disposal process Controls inter - warehouse movements Identifies and implements initiatives to reduce CDE movement cost Ensures effective cooperation between FS, CDE warehouse and 3PL Follows up to make sure that all applicable safety, occupational health, loss prevention and environmental requirements in the area of CDO logistics are applied and followed Reports list of TBDI CDEs for Disposal RFA initiation Creates purchase requisitions for transport and disposal & posts service entry sheets Updates equipment data (deletion flag, status update and RFA number filled in) Monitors CDE inventories on a monthly basis and ensures assets are reconciled with FAR Completes technical work orders in ERP Secures achievement of KBI’s in Cooperation with Cold Drink Equipments & FS Manages CDE movements order cycle to ensure they are organized & controlled in accordance with agreed SLAs for improved levels of customer service at optimum cost. Manages Ice movement and distribution up to the retail outlets Ensures high customer satisfaction and owns continuous improvement action planning with 3PL Ensures CDE inventories in all warehouses and depots regularly in accordance with procedures Education level First degree in any relevant discipline with Logistics and Supply chain management Experience needed 5 years Desired candidate profile First degree in any relevant discipline with Logistics and Supply chain management Minimum of 5 years Logistics and supply chain experience Experience in Supply Chain Planning function with exposure to Commercial/Sales function will be an added advantage Member of Professional body will also be an added advantage. Strong analytical skills and ability to interface, influence, and interact professionally with external vendors. Method of Application Interested candidates should: http://nbcltdcareers.com/mobile/jobDetails.php?jobid=55 Application Deadline 26th December, 2014 —————————————————————————————————————— CITA Petroleum recruitment for Management Trainees nationwide CITA Petroleum is the pre-eminent aviation fuelling company in West Africa and a part of CITA Group LLC, Virginia, USA. CITA has a strong presence in Nigerian airfields like Lagos, Abuja,Port Harcourt, Calabar,Warri, Uyo, Owerri. CITA specializes in into-plane fuelling, offshore/onshore system maintenance and also develop and operate bulk Petroleum Storage facilities as a major function of its core business. CITA parades the best hands in Nigerian Into-plane Aviation Fuelling. The following job vacancies exist at CITA Petroleum: Job Title: Management Trainees (MT) Requirement: - Be a graduate of Engineering, Science, Social Sciences and Humanities. - Have a Second Class Upper Division or Second Class Lower with a Masters Degree in any field - Have completed the NYSC programme - Not more than 28-year old by next birthday. How to Apply http://e-recruiter.ng/vacancy/details/3122 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via their email address and by SMS to the telephone number provided.

Application Deadline Not Specified

Application Deadline: Monday 12th January 2015; ————————————————————————————————————— Jobs for POP Technicians and Generator Engineers in a Lagos Hotel

—————————————————————————————————————— Nigerian Bottling Company Limited Vacancy for a Cold Drink Operations Logistics Coordinator in Lagos

An international brand of hotel situated in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos State requires the services of young dynamic and hardworking candidates with exceptional customer service skills for the under-listed positions:

The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited is one of the biggest companies in the non-alcoholic beverage industry in the country and is the sole franchise bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria.

1.) P.O.P Technician 3.) Mechanical and Electrical Industrial Generator Engineer

Our company serves approximately 160 million people by producing and distributing a unique portfolio of quality brands, bringing passion to marketplace implementation, and demonstrating leadership in corporate social responsibility. NBC Ltd started operations in Nigeria in 1951. Based in the city of Lagos, we operate 13 bottling plants across the country. In addition, we channel products through 59 warehouses and distribution centers.

Qualification Candidate should possess a Certificate from a reputable technical school How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s with scanned (coloured) passport photographs online to: jobhospitality@yahoo.com Application Deadline 31st December, 2014

NBC is recruiting to fill the position of:

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

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Osun Defender Thursday, December

One President; Many Sycophants T here are many of us who have a clear understanding of the enormity of the burden of leadership. Leading a family, church, business or a community has its biting effect on whoever has been chosen to lead. In a convolution like Nigeria, leadership is more challenging because there are too many holes and vacuums to fill, and too many complex problems to solve. Aeschylus was the ancient Greek playwright, who made this statement: “It is an easy thing for one whose foot is on the outside of calamity to give advice and to rebuke the sufferer.” President Jonathan has his whole body immersed in the turbulence of presiding over a behemoth intricacy like Nigeria. I feel his pain and frustration. The president may or may not know this; around his throne are many liars and deceivers laying in wait daily at the gate. Around him are those chanting only songs that are mellifluous and euphonious in his ears. Gluttons are in-charge of the treasury and gerrymandering geeks are trusted confidants of this commander, and as a result, the terrain of leadership becomes tougher and more treacherous to navigate. But alarmingly by choice, the president is salivating for more time in the turbulent whirlwind of government he does not seem to have a savvy cue about. I wish him all the best. Jonathan has been called many names by his many admirers. They have called him the best president ever in the history of Nigeria; they have called him Mandela, Obama, and Martin Luther King. To some, he is a combination of Awolowo, Sardauna and Azikiwe. A friend of mine from Anambra recently called him Ojukwu and Mbakwe put together in one Ebele. Doyin Okupe, presidential spokesman this week likened him to Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who came to bear our burdens. From all these grandiloquent and aureate adorning names given to him, the president has not publicly answered to any. He knows he is Goodluck Jonathan, who has limitations. Addressing the United Nation’s diplomats in Addis Ababa Monday January 31st, 2011, the president said these words: “If I’m voted into power, within the next four years, the issue of power will become a thing of the past. Four years is enough for anyone in power to make a significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything…” I was not surprised when the Federal Ministry of Power stated on its website that the energy sent out by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has dropped to 2,954.51 megawatts (MW). Goodluck knows what Jonathan is able to do. Just recently, Jonathan’s

•mOHAMMED By FOLA OJO

Federal Ministry of Power stated on its website that the energy sent out by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has dropped to 2,954.51 megawatts(MW). But Mr. President has fallen into the hands of vultures, whose menu is money in bales and batches. There is a video which has gone viral where the president emphatically said that he would only serve one term in office as president. Reuben Abati, the president’s spokesman, among many other personalities, echoed the same sentiments on the video, and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reported it. Nobody pressured the president to make this statement; that was the real Otuokebred Goodluck, whose words used to be his bond. But when he tasted the irresistible sweet pudding of power, and egged on by the surrounding sounds of sycophants, denial of the promise started pouring in like an abundance of rain. Goodluck should know that six years are good enough for any human-being to be president of Nigeria, with or without shoes. Goodluck should know that whatever any president cannot achieve in six years, he cannot achieve in ten. But my president

has fallen into the hands of powerful interests and cabal who know that their dinner table will be empty if a Jonathan is not in power. A former Aviation Minister and a boisterously-loud supporter of Jonathan’s re-election said this about the president just a few years ago when he was eating at a different dinner table of an opposition political party: “If Goodluck Jonathan wants his fortunes and the fortunes of his party to change and if he wants peace to return to our shores, he simply has to do twelve things. Firstly he has to resign as president forthwith and undertake to stay out of Nigerian politics for the next ten years and confine himself to fishing in Otuoke”. This former Minister has said worse things about this president, but today, he is on a fishingexpedition with him. These are the kinds of unstable characters around the throne. Some liars around him are pastors who prophesy lies. Friends, many of these pastors are like fallen angels; if you fall into their hands, you have fallen flat and irredeemably finished forever. They are those who organize conferences and seminars all over the nation chanting; “Goodluck Jonathan, there is none like you”.

Some of these disgusting pastors have attempted ministry-exploits abroad in times past but failed woefully and had no choice but to return to Nigeria and device lies to make a living. They are taking advantage of our president, shoving the people’s money into their building-projects and personal drive for filthy-lucre. They frequent AsoRock in special night-vigil prayer sessions; and there they ‘prophe-lie’ that God wants Goodluck to be in power forever. Pathetic peripatetic pastors hopping on hired privatejets to Jerusalem today, Rome tomorrow with all expenses paid by our government from funds that should build roads and hospitals for Nigerians who are dying daily unnecessarily. There is a particular pastor, who attempted to scare all of us that any Moslem presidential candidate is a terrorist, who wants to turn Nigeria to Turkey and Afghanistan. He instills a bugaboo via horrible videos of beheadings into our young people that a particular political party is about to turn every one of us into Talibans. And he knows he is wrong, and he also knows we know he is hungry. Every church he goes preaching his hate messages, fat envelopes in priestly-offerings and honorarium follow. And he shamefully does this on a choreographed Bible-Study curriculum of fear, deception and lies. Shame on you pastor! When the baton of power changes, these same characters will immediately begin charting another course for themselves to initiate a romance with the government in power. These are the charlatan characters around this president who won’t tell him the true state of our union. No single Nigerian president in this democracy has the power to do what this pastor has been blabbing about. If it couldn’t be done during the military regime where power was in an exclusive concentration in one junta, it cannot be done now. In the present Nigerian arrangement, will either a Moslem or Christian monopolize Nigeria’s presidency and political power? Never! As long as Nigeria remains intact as one nation indivisible, leadership assignments will be shared and rotated between men and women who hold different religious beliefs. No one religion will have a controlling monopoly on leadership in our country because we are not homogenous in belief. Those who are praying to God that a Moslem or Christian candidate rules forever in Nigeria are just daydreaming. The average Nigerian on the street doesn’t care what God you serve. Religion is not the factor for many, relief from these hard times is. And this president is having a hard time bringing that about. Nigerians are sick-and-tired of being sick-and-

Osun Defender Thursday, December 25, 2014

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Beautification Of Osogbo In Preparation Of Christmas And New Year As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Last Monday And Tuesday.

•LAMECO/Agunbelewo roundabout, Osogbo, at night.

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•The new look of Abere roundabout in front of State Secretariat.

www.osundefender.org

T HE

6TH

M O S T - V I S I T ED

NEWS-

THURsday, december 25, 2014 By goke butika

“Wealth is not his that has it, but his who enjoys it.”—— Benjamin Franklin. igerian economy is on its death bed; the value of naira is already in the grave, the mono-product, crude oil, is no longer sweet in the market and foreign reserve is developing wings almost on hourly basis. Salary payment has become a tedious project, infrastructural development is stalled, insecurity is a normal policy, but politics and politicking are thriving. Welcome to the gate of “Banana Republic”. For a fairly long time after the victory of the governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, I withdrew myself from the news media and faced my refresher course squarely and I made reading my second religion. Of course, I intended to make it like that for the rest of this year, but the political and economic development, which have affected other spheres of influence has compelled me to return to the ring. While welcoming you to my thought on the state of the nation, let us quickly discuss the issues that made the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari monikered GMB and his choice of running mate, highly respected Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), viz a viz, the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan, the only major item on the table for now. Let it be clear that I have my sympathy for All Progressives Congress (APC), not because the party is constructed on any ideology, but for the fact that the pushers claim their passion for change, which is the only alternative now anyway. So, I am left with no choice than to hope against hope, having being convinced that the ruling-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is innocent of any progressive ideas that can fix Nigeria. Shall we quickly predicate our argument on some challenges militating against the country on the forethought of the world citizen, a Philosopher king, who lived ahead of his time, Mahatma Ghandi, on the seven deadly sins against the being of any nation: Wealth without work; Pleasure without conscience; Science without humanity; Knowledge without character; Politics without principle; Commerce without morality; Worship without sacrifice.”

Today, the heavily-sponsored agents of President Goodluck want us to believe that “Lee Kwan Yu did it” in Singapore, so Jonathan is doing it in Nigeria, forgetting that people like Edwin Clark, Asari Dokubo and other emergency millionaires, who are busy establishing private universities in foreign countries, without traceable job, could not survive in Singapore, but here in Nigeria, “Jonathan is doing it” ensuring wealth without work, as long as you are either from his part of the country, or you can threaten fire and brimstone, if he is not re-elected. Meanwhile, David Ricardo, a renowned Economist, once said that in the long run, all factors will become variables. Our President has no big table of ideas, and he confesses that he is surrounded by advisers, who need advice themselves, because, according to him, most times, their pieces of advice are contradictory. I will be correct to say that a lot of political jobbers are making millions of dollars from the government without adding

7 Deadly Viruses Against Nigeria’s Pro gress

•jonathan value. That is wealth without work and the country is paying dearly for the leakage. I can’t ever imagine that our army with intimidating record of performance in international engagement could be punished by Boko Haram insurgency, but it should be because Department of State Security (DSS) that ought to gather intelligence and foil pre-emptive strikes, has become a political instrument in the hands of the ruling party; while the police under the watch of one IGP Sulaiman Abba has put on the garment of partisanship. The soldiers have no superior equipment, because the budgetary expenditure on defence is being diverted to private purses. Surely this wealth without work is killing Nigeria. There was a time one of the aides of President Jonathan said the increase in acquisition of private jets is an achievement, but now that the economy of this nation is gasping for breathe, because so many political actors are living in sprawling luxury without justifiable work, you and I now know that Ghandi must be having Nigeria in mind, when he postulated the notion of seven deadly sins. Another deadly sin is pleasure without conscience. I am constrained to follow the line of argument raised by Chief Christopher Kolade, the man, we all agree, has unimpeachable character, and based on that, President Jonathan appointed him to pioneer the so-called

safety net to cushion the pains of increase in fuel pump price in 2012. So, if such a man of impeccable character spanks any political leader, he must be taken serious, as suggested by a columnist, Simeon Kolawole. Kolade said it loud and clear that Jonathan has failed in his capacity to provide leadership, wondered why Mr. President would be dancing Azonto in Kano, when some psychopaths were murdering young school boys in Yobe. He could not come to term with a leadership that was too timid to show up in Borno, even if it is just to encourage the military boys, who are using their blood to keep the country’s name. Honestly speaking, Mr. Jonathan should be paid by Buhari for making him the hottest of the presidential materials in town. Just take a look at the Commanderin-Chief of Armed Forces that finds pleasure in the fortress of the highlyfortified presidential villa, eating with N1 billion and dashing golden iPhones to guests, who graced his adopted daughter’s wedding in Otuoke, when daughters of countrymen are wasting away in the hands of terrorists in Sambisa Forest. In their pleasure, stealing is different from corruption, and who cares, if $20 billion could not be accounted for in the federation accounts, what matters is that a minister must buy two BMW cars for N250 million, and another Dame of oil

must use another $10 million dollars for hiring of private jets for her engagements. Look, the Aso Rock tenants are too comfortable to know the suffering of the masses. So, for the second sin, Jonathan presidency is as guilty as Adam to the forbidden tree of Biblical story. Mr. President has shown to us sufficiently that he could not think beyond the box. Unfortunately, he is in short supply of good Advisors, who could make him to take good decisions. As a result, the nation has become a butt of joke in an international arena. Ditto for the tragicomedic angle of the iron lady of the villa, whose uses of syntax, grammar and morphology have begged for the award among the half-baked. I think Nigerians do not want this kind of Jonathan Presidency, and it will be a good decision to sack him from the job by 2015. Science without humanity is the third unforgivable sin, according to Ghandi. I am of opinion that the deployment of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, both in Japan, in 1945 by the United States, which exterminated thousands of souls and retarded growth of people, coupled with depletion of land, caused Ghandi to lament on the index of man-inhumanity to man, for that weapons of mass destruction was too much to bear; and the way and manner Goebbels dished out lies in propaganda of the second world war through electronic media to foist Adolf Hitler on the world, explained the hypothesis of science without humanity. In Nigeria, Jonathan is a “Jesus Christ” as propounded by the lead-clown in the presidential court, Doyin Okupe, the medic, who may not remember where to keep malaria injection again. Of course, our dear CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor, has no objection to that. As a matter of fact, when his dollar-laced private jet was arrested in South Africa, it was Jonathan that bore the cross of crucifixion. The people in-charge of the social media for Jonathan are dishing out lies and makebelief to fool Nigerians; while some smart Alec calling themselves Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) are consistently bamboozling the people about the imaginative projects that are only known to Aso Rock alone. Yes, we watch railway service, bridges and roads, functional education and security, all computer-generated, on television. That is science without humanity, because there is no nexus between the make-belief and the actuality. We have petroleum here, yet we have a government that claims to be subsidizing imported finished premium motor spirit, where four refineries built by the military regimes have been left to rotten. Today, government contractors, businessmen and governors, who could not pay salaries of workers were made to cough out N22 billion for re-election of Jonathan in an economy that is on “life support”, yet the lies in the media continue with magistrate swagger. Let check out for the remaining sins in the next piece. •Goke Butika wrote in this piece from Osogbo.

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