VOL. 8. NO.0145 N 5 0THURSDA Y , DECEMBER 5, 2013

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•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (6th left); Reverend (Bishop) Afolabi Popoola of Osun Anglican Diocese, Osogbo, (5th left); Chief Jimoh Ibrahim (2nd left)and other clerics in a group photograph during a courtesy visit to the governor by the Bishop and the clerics at Government House, Osogbo, last Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

PEOPLE FIRST

•Warns ‘Nigeria’s Economy Heading Towards Doom’

Front Page Comment

Editorial

How Osun Can GenerateN10bn Monthly - Aregbesola

Osun Assembly Suspends Oriade LG Director Of Works

2 OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013News

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•(R-L) Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chief Imam of Osogboland and President of League of Alfas in the South-West,Edo and Delta states, Sheik Mustapha Ajisafe and Chief Tunde Badmus, when the muslims in the State of Osun paida courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Osogbo, last Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

How Osun Can Generate N10bn Monthly - Aregbesola•Warns ‘Nigeria’s Economy Heading Towards Doom’

THE governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, has stated that the only way forthe state to survive is to harness its economic

opportunities and build a viable Internal GeneratedRevenue base to escape from the financial messrocking the country.

He called for collectiveefforts on agriculturaldevelopment, patrioticlabour, industrialisationand regular payment oftaxes to assist thegovernment in fulfillingits constitutionalresponsibilities ofproviding social services.

The governor statedthis during the publicpresentation of the Stateof Osun RevenueAdministration Law2012, held at the Centre forBlack Culture andI n t e r n a t i o n a lUnderstanding.

Aregbesola, whodescribed Nigeria as acountry “living on rents,”expressed fear on thelikely collapse of thenation’s economy, as aresult of oil thefts, whichthe Federal Governmentof Nigeria claimed it isresponsible for falling inthe country’s revenue.

He posited that if thestate fails to restrategiseand source for alternativemeans of runninggovernment and fundinggovernment projects, itmay be heading towardseconomic doom thatNigeria is heading to.

Aregbesola, who saiddespite the fact that thepeople and the stategovernment are rejoicingon the drasticimprovement on the stateIGR from N300 million toN1.6 billion monthly, hisadministration is not inany way comfortablewith the revenue, becauseit has little or noreasonable impact ongovernment projects inline with his six integralaction plan and the visionof the government totransform the state.

He said: “The lastallocation accrued to thestate from the FederalGovernment allocationwas N2.6 billion insteadof, at least, N4.6 billion,

which was not evenenough to settle the wagebill of N3.6 billion;despite this poorallocation, we have tocontinue, the dualisationof Osogbo/Ila-Odo,Kwara boundary,Gbongan to Akoda, ObaAdesoji Aderemi EastBye-Pass, Gbongan toOrile Owu- Ijebu-Igboand the renovation ofhospitals.

“We have to continuethe OYES, continue theO’Meals, continue theInternational Airports,Expansion of WaterDams among others, allthese projects must notstop, because that is oursocial contract with thepeople of the state.”

Aregbesola, whoadvocated for change ofattitude to work andimbibe the culture of taxremittance, said “Osunmust not beg for its needs,considering the disasterwaiting for the people, ifthe financial mess is notpromptly addressed.”

According to thegovernor, Osun canconveniently generateN10 billion monthly ifthe people aredetermined and ready totap the opportunity ofnatural resources onagriculture.

He explained that” thedebt profile of UnitedStates of America is $16trillion and with over 400million population andNigeria has $58 billiondebt profile, with 160million population. Theimplication is that bycalculation, an averageAmerican is having$40,000 debt hanging onhis or her neck while anaverage Nigerian isliable to just $400 debt,but despite the huge debtprofile of America, it isthe country of the dreamfor everybody.

“The difference is thatthey have built and

sustain a working systemfor their country throughjob creation and taxremittance. If in Nigeria,the 16 per cent of ourpopulation is about 25million, who are youthsare working andgenerating N4 millionannual income, it meansN16 trillion will becirculating in oureconomy”

“In the State of Osun,for instance, with thepopulation of 3.2 million,if the 16 per cent of ourpopulation who are activeyouths of about 517,000

are working and realisingN4 million incomeannually, it means N2.3trillion will be circulatingin the state economy, andif they pay 5 per cent tax,we will generate over N10billion monthly, if wehave that in four years,even the people of Dubaiwill come and seewonders in Osun”,Aregbesola said.

He emphasised that theincome is realistic andvisible, if the people reallywork as expected, sayingthe major problem thecountry has is culture of

ASUU Strike: ERC Chides FG On Sack ThreatBy ISMAEEL UTHMAN

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), theEducation Rights Campaign (ERC), has chidedthe Federal Government on the sack threat on

members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) should they refuse to call off their strike onDecember 4.

The ERC described thethreat by the FederalGovernment as the heightof President GoodluckJonathan’s creepingdictatorship and athrowback to the dark eraof militaristic clampdown

on workers’ rights inNigeria.

A press statementsigned by the NationalCoordinator of the ERC,Comrade Taiwo Hassan,said the threat wasoutrageous andprovocative, adding thatthe action of the FederalGovernment isreminiscent of the darkdays of militarydespotism.

According to the ERC,the step of thegovernment is ademonstration of theregime’s contempt andabsolute disregard for therights and interests of theworking people of thiscountry.

A copy of the pressstatement made availableto OSUN DEFENDER onTuesday throughelectronic mail reads inpart: “We must quicklypoint out that it is notASUU but actually theFederal Government andits obstinate refusal toinvest in revitalization ofour decrepit publicuniversity system that issabotaging the education

sector and keepingstudents perpetually athome.

“The SupervisingMinister of Education,Chief Nyesom Wike,while announcing thisdevilish threat said theFederal Government hasmet all its commitmentsand obligations withrespect to the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement.

It must be that theruling elite somehowbelieve that Nigerianpeople suffer fromcollective amnesia,otherwise how could awhole minister of theFederal Republic uttersuch a blatant lie?

“Everybody knows thecurrent strike was causedby Federal Government’srefusal to honour anagreement on universityfunding and academicstaff welfare signed withASUU since 2009.

“Everyone knows thatat the 13-hour marathonmeeting by PresidentJonathan and ASUUexecutives and NLC andTUC representatives, thegovernment stuck to itsrefusal to honour the 2009agreement and insteadpresented proposals,which watered-down thebasic ingredients of the2009 agreement, butwhich ASUU graciouslyagreed to present to theirmembers for

consideration.“A decision on the

President’s proposalswould have been made byASUU weeks before now,had an unfortunate buth i g h l y - s u s p i c i o u saccident involving theconvoy of Kogi StateGovernor Idris Wada notclaimed the life of itsformer PresidentProfessor Festus Iyayi,while travelling forASUU’s NEC meeting.”

The organisationstressed that “the so-called new demands,which Nyesom Wikeclaimed ASUU is makingare in reality, not newdemands, but simplerequest that the FederalGovernment begins toimplement its proposalsso that universitylecturers can be restassured that this is notanother ruse to makeASUU suspends its strike,while government wouldagain fail to honour itspromise.

“President Jonathanproposed at theNovember 4 meeting togive N200 billion for 2012and 2013 revitalisation ofpublic universities. Thisis almost December andnot a kobo has beenreleased by the FederalGovernment. All ASUU isasking is for the Presidentto demonstrate hisalleged sincerity.

insolence and poorattitude to work.

He added that the newlaw is a revenueinstrument that is aimedat improving the stateIGR, while urging themembers of the public tocooperate with variousagencies responsible forthe implementation of thelaw, saying the law willbring transparency andaccountability to revenuegeneration.

The governor furtherstressed that as a result ofthe commitment of hisadministration oneconomic development,the state GDP, which wasN100 billion in the last

four years is now N738billion.

Earlier in their separateaddresses, the StateCommissioner forRegional Integration andSpecial Duties, Mr AjibolaBashir and hiscounterpart in theMinistry of Finance, DrWale Bolorunduro, saidthe law will bringefficiency to the tax systemand engenderdevelopment.

The law, which has 83sections, was reviewedduring the publicpresentation by DrOladoye Ajakaye fromLaw Department,University of Lagos.

Osun Assembly Condemns Mob Action In EjigboBy KAZEEM MOHAMMED

SPEAKER, State of Osun, House of Assembly,Honourable Najeem Salaam, has condemned themob action on a teacher of Baptist High School,

Ejigbo, by some Muslims for for allegedly beating a pupil.

This was just as he tookexception to the dragging ofthe schools’ reclassificationexercise to the ugly andimproper way of settlingscores with the leadership ofthe school by someaggrieved persons.

Addressing the press inhis office on Wednesday, theSpeaker, who described theincident as bad andunfortunate, noted that thepolice and the people ofEjigbo have waded into thematter and settled theimbroglio.

According to him,though, there were effortsby some politicians to hijackthe issue, turn it to politicalmatters and connect it to thepolicy of government on

the schools’reclassification, saying that,it is rather an over-reactionfrom some aggrievedpeople.

Describing Ejigbo as oneof the most peaceful localgovernment council areasin the state, he noted thatthe government and thepeople of the town wouldnot fold their arms andallow anybody to disruptthe peace of the ancienttown.

Meanwhile, in astatement by his PressSecretary, Goke Butika,Salaam warned against anyform of jungle justice orbreaching of lawsanywhere in the state,insisting that the

parliament under his watchwould not fold its arms,while some people elect tobreak laws under any guise.

He said: “We should bemindful of enemies ofprogress, who only want tosubvert the schools’reclassification exercise thathas started yielding positiveresults, by attributingpersonal scores betweenamong aggrieved personsand the leadership of theschool to the exercise.”

“Besides, no citizen isallowed to take law into hishands, no matter the statusof such a person(s) in thesociety and no matter thecircumstances,” he added

The Speaker then taskedreligious leaders, asconcerned stakeholders, tobe mindful of sensitivity ofreligion, saying, faith shouldbe a personal choice, notcompulsion, and must not beused as a vehicle ofdestabilization.

3 News OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013

We, MoremiPublishing HouseLimited, Publishers ofOsun DefenderNewspaper, do not demandor accept gifts orgratification to publisharticles or photographs,neither do our journalists.

Therefore, we implore younot to offer any to ourreporters. In the event thatany journalist from ourestablishment demandssuch, kindly incident thereport atosundefender@yahoo.comor 08033927286 and08033880205.

ETHICAL ISSUES?

•The Speaker, State Assembly of Osun, Honourable Najeem Salaam, laying the foundation for an ultra-modern wardat the Baptist Hospital, Ejigbo recently.

Security Tip In OsunThe government of the State of Osun

has procured special security numbersfor use by people in distress.

The numbers are:08100000481, 08100000482, 08100000483,08100000484, 08100000485, 08100000486.

All the numbers became operationalsince August 17, 2012.

Please, note and call to assist OgbeniRauf Aregbesola, the elected governorof the State Of Osun, in sustaining apeaceful and crime-free environment.

- Management

PUBLIC NOTICEThis is to inform

members of the public,that OGUNJOBIMICHAEL is thesame person asO G U N J O B IMICHAEL TUNDE .All former documentsremain valid. Generalpublic should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to informmembers of the public,that OYEWUSIT AIWO is the sameperson as OYEWUSIT AIWO HABEEB .All former documentsremain valid. Generalpublic should take note.

Aregbesola Has Laid Standard Structure For Osun - SpeakerBy KAZEEM MOHAMMED

SPEAKER, State of Osun House ofAssembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam,has declared that the administration of

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has laid a structure thatwould be difficult to beat by anybody comingafter his eight years in office.

He made thedeclaration in Osogboon Wednesday, saying

that the governor haslaid a foundation forthe development of the

state economy throughhis developmentalprogrammes inhealthcare, education,agriculture, andsecurity among others.

According to him,with the foundationlaid by the governor, itis clear to everybodythat Aregbesola is aman that keepspromises, as he has notderailed from thepromises he made tothe people during hise l e c t i o n e e r i n gcampaign in 2007.

He said: “Aregbesolahas built a newstructure that will be

difficult for anygovernor coming tobeat. It is like Osun isjust starting from thescratch.

“For laying thesestructures, it is clear toeverybody thatAregbesola is a manthat keeps to hispromises. He has notderailed from thepromises he made tothe people.

Also speaking at thecelebration of the thirdanniversary ofA r e g b e s o l a ’ sadministration, Salaamappreciated the

governor for stayingwithin the dictates ofthe law in carrying outhis variousprogrammes.

He noted that thegovernor has evensurpassed the target,which the members ofthe House had set forhim.

The Speaker, whosaid there has been ahigh level of cordialitybetween the governorand members of theAssembly, stated thatit is because thelegislators are alwaysvery proud of theachievements of the

administration at alltimes.

He further noted thatthe administration hascome to take the stateout of the dark, whichit has been over theyears, adding thatAregbesola is a light tothe state.

Present at the eventwere the DeputySpeaker, HonourableAkintunde Adegboyeand all members of thestate legislature,members of the stateexecutive council, aswell as party leadersand members fromacross the state.

...Calls For Investigation IntoMonarch’s Murder, Kidnapping

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

THE Speaker, State of Osun House ofAssembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam,has called on security operatives to ensure

the arrest of hoodlums who strangulated the Lojaof Ilase-Ijesa in Obokun Local GovernmentCouncil Area, Oba Adeshina Anibijuwon,recently.

Salaam made the callwhile speaking withnewsmen in Ejigbo onSunday, at theturbaning ceremony ofAlhaja Wasilat Babajideas Majeobaje Adinni ofthe Ansar-Ud-DeenSociety of Nigeria,Ejigbo chapter.

He also charged thepolice to double itsefforts, to ensure therelease of anindustrialist, Mrs YinkaObaleye (Yinka Oba),who was kidnapped byhoodlums.

Unknown assailantshad on November 21invaded the palace ofthe 80 year-Old ObaA n i b i j u w o n ,strangulated him todeath before setting hispalace on fire.

Obaleye was alsoabducted by hoodlumsin Ilesa on November20, while her driver waskilled in the process.

Describing the twoincidents as shockingand least expected inthe state, the Speakerurged the police to getto the root of thematter as fast aspossible.

“This is an uglyincident and leastexpected in the state,especially now that thegovernment is doingeverything possible toensure the security oflives and property ofthe people.

“Despite the effortsof the government onsecurity, some peopleare still hell-bent ondestroying the peacefulatmosphere we areenjoying in the state.

“The killing of themonarch and theburning of his palacewas against Yorubatradition and I have

never heard of suchbefore.

“This incident is verysad and unfortunateand people behind itmust be made to facethe wrath of the law.

“I want to thereforecall on theCommissioner ofPolice, the Director ofState Security Serviceand other securityoperatives to get to theroot of the matter.

“They should ensurethe arrest andprosecution of thosewho perpetrated thisevil acts to serve asdeterrent to others,”Salaam said.

The Speaker,however, said that thegovernment would notrelent in its effort toeradicate crime in thestate.

‘We Shall Continue To Effect Changes, Happiness To Osun People’By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

Governor Rauf Aregbesola has declaredthat his coming to the State of Osun isto make changes and bring happiness

to the people who had been under the spell ofthe maladministration of the Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP).

Aregbesola, whilespeaking at the IkirunFederal Constituencyedition of GbangbaD’ekun, said hisa d m i n i s t r a t i o nremained undaunted tobring smiles to thefaces of the people ofthe state, who voted forhim and supported himto reclaim his stolenmandate.

He said the peoplesuffered enough forseven and a half yearsof the PDP rule than forhim to disappoint theteeming supporters.

The governor furtherstated that he came toOsun to rebuild the

state’s infrastructureand ensure socio-economic developmentthat will transform thelives of the residents ofthe state.

With the littleresources accruable tothe state, Aregbesolasaid his administrationhas already made adifference between theseven and a half yearsof the PDP rule.

He stressed that hisadministration is very

attentive andresponsive, which hasdifferentiated hisadministration from thePDP government.

Speaking on therestoration of peaceand security to thestate, Aregbesola notedthat violence andpolitical thuggery thatcharacterized the PDPgovernment have goneinto extinction since hisadministration came onboard, adding thatthere will not bedevelopment in theabsence of peace andsecurity.

On the communalcrises rocking somecommunities in thestate, Aregbesola

appealed to thetraditional rulers andthe people of thewarring communitiesto sheathe theirswords and embracepeace and dialogueinstead of waging waragainst each other.

Aregbesola said:“There is no need forviolence in our state.There should be nomore war among ourcommunities. We donot need to go to war,since we will come backto settle ourdifferences at theroundtable. Go andcheck the history;every war ended onthe round table.

“Development willflee from anyenvironment wherethere is no peace andsecurity. All thetraditional andcommunities’ leaders

in the warring areasand in the State of Osunat large, should pleasetake oath withinthemselves that theywill forsake and forbidviolence and war intheir variouscommunities.”

Aregbesola, in his six-point integral actionplan had promised to“enhance communalpeace and progress inspecific terms and inpursuit of the pledgemade by the YorubaObas, Generals andleaders in ending the20-year of civil war inYoruba land (Kiriji) at acamp between Okemesiand Igbajo.

“The Obas, Generalsand leaders pledged bythemselves for thepursuit of peace,progress and prosperityamong the children ofOduduwa.”

OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 20134 News

•Mr Akin Apara (right 2nd); Alhaji Isa Adesiji, Executive Secretary, Ilesa-West Local Government Council Area(middle) in a group photograph with widows after the presentation of food items to the widows by Apara recently inIlesa. Photo: SHOLA ADERINTO.

No Alternative To Peace In Islam - AregbesolaBy KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

A call has gone to religious leaders in the Stateof Osun to serve as watchdogs to theiradherents in order to forestall crisis among the

various religious faiths in the state.

The governor of thestate, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, made the callon Monday in Osogbo,while playing host to theLeague of Imams andAlfas and Muslim clericsfrom all over the state, ledby Sheik MustaphaAjisafe.

Aregbesola, whodecried the ugly incidentin Ejigbo, said it wascompletely wrong foranyone to interfere in theissue of religion, sayingthat God has not taskedanybody to fight in thename of religion, notingthat a Muslim who

understands the Quranvery well will not try totake action on behalf ofAlmighty Allah

While enjoining theMuslim clerics to be at theforefront of preaching toadherents of the religionthat Islam is a religion ofpeace, the governorenjoined every Muslim toalways exercise patienceat all times, saying theword patience is a wordthat Allah repeated morethan 500 times in the HolyQuran.

He said: “ While I willcommend our religiousleaders for fostering peace

and unity in the state, butwith unfortunate incidentthat happened in Ejigbo,you have not doneenough by counseling thetrouble makers. You haveto intensify your effortsbecause there is noalternative to peace inIslam. There is nocompulsion in religion”

Aregbesola, who notedthat Islam came into theYoruba-speaking areas as

a result of the goodcharacters exhibited bythe first set of Muslims,who accepted Islam,explained that there hasbeen disparity among thefaiths that existed inYorubaland, even beforethe coming of Islam andChristianity, but havebeen living harmoniouslywithout any rancour.

“People worshippingOgun and Obatala have

different methods andcharacters and never fightas a result of faith. Theylive together, tradetogether and evenmarrying each otherwithout any problem.”

He added that the bestcharacters Yoruba raceare known for in theworld are cooperation,tolerance and harmonythat have always beenamong the race from time

immemorial, noting that ifa visitor does not feelcomfortable and securedin a place, it means thereis a problem and such aan area will not develop.

He then appealed to thecitizens of the state tocontinue to live in peaceand harmony at all times,so as to give room for anall-round development ofthe state.

We ‘re Committed To The Welfare Of ThePeople - Aregbesola By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

GOVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, has stated that the currentadministration in the state is committed to the

welfare of the people as government exists for thepeople.

He stated this onMonday at the BanquetHall of the GovernmentHouse, while playinghost to members of theOsun Anglican Diocese,led by Bishop JamesAfolabi Popoola, whopaid him a courtesy visitat the Government House.

Aregbesola, whileresponding to the thank-you-speech of the leader

of the Osun AnglicanDiocese, said it is the dutyof every responsiblegovernment to deliverbasic amenities to themasses and make almosteveryone under its watchenjoy quality leadership.

Aregbesola said hisgovernment is ready tomaintain smoothrelationship with everysector of the communityin the state.

He added that thecurrent administration inthe State of Osun is alsostriving hard to ensurethat every religious faithhas free hand to operate,adding that stability,peace and harmony canonly exist when there isno religious sentiment orbias.

While calling forreligious harmonyamong the variousreligious faiths in thestate, the governor statedthat religion will have nomeaning in humanaffairs, if it does not have

harmony in relationship,saying that most of thedoctrines in all religiousbooks are not for God, butfor humans, so as to serveas guide to the people.

He added thatcivilization demands thateveryone deserves theright to be allowed topractise whatever faith,noting that salvation isnot a collective thing, butan individual matter,which people should nothandle with sentiment.

The governor, whospoke on the importanceof putting God first in allthings, attributed thesuccess of the presentadministration in thestate to the support of theAlmighty God.

Speaking earlier,Bishop Popoola, hadthanked the governor onbehalf of the diocese formeeting the demand ofthe diocese, which is thetarring of the major roadsthat leads to the Bishop’sCourt at Isale-Aro,Osogbo.

The diocese alsofelicitated with thegovernor on the occasionof his third anniversary inoffice and prayed for moresuccess for theA r e g b e s o l a - l e dadministration in thecourse of governance.

The clergyman alsolauded the Aregbesolavarious efforts aimed atensuring religiousharmony in the state,stressing that it is onlywhen there is religiousharmony, that there canbe development.

Osun Partners PrivateSector To Provide 100Tractors For Farmers

By SHINA ABUBAKAR

IN a bid to enhance farming business in the State ofOsun, government is partnering with the private sectorto provide a hundred tractors to boost agricultural

output.According to the Acting

General Manager, OsunState AgriculturalDevelopment Corporation(OSSADEC), Mr. KayodeOlanipekun, thecollaboration with Ecobankand Precel Nigeria Limited,would increase privatesector investments in theagricultural mechanizationprocess in the state.

He disclosed this at ameeting held at theConference Room of thecorporation with topmanagement staff of thebank and the ManagingDirector, Precel NigeriaLimited.

The acting generalmanager stated that thepartnership will providetractors and implementsfor practising farmers inthe state to increase theirproductivity throughreduced drudgery usuallyexperienced when manuallabour is deployed on thefarm.

The OSSADEC boss

noted that the developmentwould equally create acompetitive marketenvironment for tractorservice providers, becausemore tractors wouldtranslate to timely servicesfor farmers.

He further stated that theState Government of Osun,under the leadership ofGovernor Rauf Aregbesolahas approved a 15 per centsubsidy on the total cost ofthe tractors and implementbefore next year’s plantingseason.

Olanipekun appreciatedthe proposed Ecobankfinancial support and PrecelNigeria Limited for itsintervention, stating that, itis a signal that Nigerianbanks are paying moreattention to agriculturalmechanization process, inorder to reduceunemployment andpoverty in the state inparticular and the nation ingeneral.

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

Osun Assembly Suspends Oriade LG Director Of Works

THE State of Osun House of Assembly hassuspended the Director of Works, Oriade LocalGovernment Council, Mr Akinola Kehinde, for

his non-challant attitude to the construction of 10kilometre road projects in the council area.

He was suspended forthree months withoutpay, sequel to his failureto give account of the levelof work done on theproject before the statelegislature.

Akinola had earlierbeen summoned by theAssembly to give accounton the project, but despitehis late appearance, hetold the lawmakers thathe did not have the list ofthe number of kilometresof roads in his councilarea at his disposal.

The disposition of thedirector infuriated thelawmakers, a situationthat promptedHonourable Folorunsho

Bamisayemi (Ife-South) torecommend hissuspension.

He said: “What thisman has done today isjust to advertise to thisHouse that he is notserious and we should lethim realise that we areserious here.”

Other lawmakers,including HonourablesAkintunde Adegboye(Osogbo), Ipoola Binuyo(Ife-North), KamardeenAkanbi (Ede-North),Wasiu Adebayo(Olorunda), TimothyOwoeye (Ilesa-West) andMohammed Ibrahim(Oriade) supported therecommendation.

Each of the lawmakers,in their submission,wondered why thedirector, who wasspecifically summoned,could not come with allthe necessary documentsbefore the House.

To Binuyo, thedisposition of the directorhas shown thedisposition of many of theofficials in the localgovernment system,saying the situation mustnot be allowed to remainthe same.

In his own submission,Adebayo said: “We havebeen saying that we arelooking for a scapegoatand we have seen one,unless we don’t want totake him as such.

“We have said that wewant to sanitise thesystem and we have tostart from somewhere,” hesaid.

Honourable Ibrahimdescribed the suspendeddirector as a ‘lone ranger’in the local governmentsystem, saying; “whenyou get to the localgovernment, he is like a tingod.”

Ruling on thesubmission of thelawmakers, the Speaker,Honourable NajeemSalaam, stated that theHouse was so concernedabout the road projectsgoing on in the state andwould not allowanybody to truncate theefforts of the stategovernment.

According to him, inthe course of performingthe oversight functionsby the Assembly, manydirectors of works at thelocal government leveland even stategovernment officials

found wanting would bedealt with.

“Some of the careerofficers believed that weare just useless peoplethat merely want to makenoise, but we are not.

“We are very seriousabout what we are doing,so that we will fulfill thepromises we made to thepeople and we will notallow anybody to take usfor granted.

“It is now clear that thelocal government systemis rotten and it has gottento the time that we areputting an end to this,” hesaid.

The Speaker thendirected the suspensionof Akinola, taking effectimmediately and orderedthat he should hand overto the next person to himto carry out his functions.

5OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013

Maximising Osun/State Of Saxony Anhalt Collaboration

THERE is only one wordto describe the plannedcollaboration between

the government of the Stateof Osun and the GermanState of Saxony Anhalt toboost the state’s agriculture:h e a r t - w a r m i n g .Undoubtedly, it is anattestation to the fact that thepainstaking workundertaken by the RaufA r e g b e s o l a - l e dadministration to attract notjust investment, but expertisein critical areas of the state’sdevelopmental needs, isfinally bearing fruits. Viewedwithin the context of itsdeclared commitment toimprove agriculturalpractices and to boost foodsecurity, it is an importantsignal that theadministration’s avowedmission to banish povertyfrom the state is well on???????`

Of course, it goes withoutsaying that the state needs allthe help it can get at this timeto be able to optimise its

potentials be it in agriculture,solid minerals or even intourism. As an ideas-drivenadministration, the presentadministration in the state hasnever left anyone in doubtabout the important role ofinternational agencies anddevelopment partners in thestate’s development matrix.

We have seen the governormake several shuttles to meetwith development partners aspart of strategies to catalyse themany well-conceivedinitiatives to transform thestate economy in record time.A good example is thegovernor’s well-publicisedvisit to the InternationalInstitute for TropicalAgriculture (IITA), Ibadan.Indeed, there are presently on-going discussions between thestate government and the eliteinstitution on possible areas ofcooperation to boost the stateagriculture. Another notableexample is the visit by thegovernor to the German Stateof Saxony Anhalt in May thisyear.

Both developments findmeaning in the context of thegovernor’s singular commitmentto attracting the best oftechnology to the hithertomoribund sector and to furtherhis goal of optimising the state’spotentials.

The visit of the seven-manGerman expert team to the stateis no doubt, an icing on his cake.It deserves to be recognised asthe fruit of hard work andpersistence for which the stategovernment, most especially thegovernor, deservescommendation.

No doubt, the visit by the teamcould not have come at a bettertime than now when the stategovernment is making franticefforts to reposition theagricultural sector. To start with,there is a lot that our youngfarmers can benefit from theexperts in modern farmtechniques and managementskills and ultimately in the areaof the much needed transfer oftechnology. The state cannotwait to see the gains of thecollaboration in the emergenceof new generation of farmers in

Osun –individuals who seefarming both as a calling andas a business.

At the macro level, we expectthe collaboration to assist inbridging the knowledge gapsin the state’s agro-business.The collaboration is no doubt,a critical step in the state’squest to overhaul of theagriculture value chain as astrategy to guaranteesustainability.

Finally, just as the point hasbeen repeatedly made that amajor bane of the nation’sdevelopment quest is thevirtual absence of technicalcapacity by agencies ofgovernment charged withimplementing well-meaningpolicies, we expect the benefitsof the collaboration to extendto the area of capacity buildingfor officials charged withpolicy implementation.

In other words, the support,discipline and commitment byofficials are no less critical ifthe noble intentions behindthe collaboration will evercome to fruition.

Speed Up Work On Market ConstructionWHILE the

s t a t e

government ofOsun iscommended for theconstruction of newu l t r a - m o d e r nmarkets in the state,it seems thegovernment stillhas a lot to do interms of relocationof markets.

It is like the lowspate at which workis ongoing,especially atAyegbaju and Ajemarkets, iscontributing to thecongestion, stillbeing experiencedin our markets.

The major market,which has beenaffecting free trafficflow, especially,within Osogbometropolis, is

Igbona. In my view,if the AyegbajuMarket has beencompleted, by now,the poor traffic flowwould have becomea thing of the past.

While theinitiative of thegovernor, OgbeniRauf Aregbesola, is

well appreciated, itis important for thegovernment toprevail on thosehandling themarket projects tospeed up work, sothat the objectivewill not be defeated.

So many peoplehad been dislodged

from their formermarket places, butthey want to seet h e m s e l v e srelocated as soon aspossible, so that theimpact of therelocation will notbe too much onthem.

Besides, I want the

government to lookinto the trafficcongestion beingcaused by a marketlocated at Sekona inEde-South LocalG o v e r n m e n tCouncil Area of thestate.

On each of themarket days,

whoever passesthrough Sekona onthe way to Ile-Ifeshould expecttraffic difficulty, astraders will alwaysdisplay their goodson the road.

This is dangerous,even for the traders,who are displayingtheir goods on thehighway, because atany point in time,the brake of passingvehicles might failand the result is leftto imagination.

Not only inSekona is thishappening, thereare so many places,where traders tradeon the highwaysacross the state andthe governmentshould find a lastingsolution to this.

• I B R A H I MOLAYINKA, Ilobu,State of Osun.

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6 OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013FEATURE

Anambra Election Fiasco And The Guilty Umpires

•ABUBAKAR: Police I-G

Continued on page 7

•LAWAL

WHEN Professor AttahiruJega was nominated forthe chairmanship of the

Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC) by PresidentGoodluc k Jonathan in 2010,Nigerians, many of the civil societygroups in the country hailed thechoice of the President. Jega was auniversity lecturer with anunquestionable character, whichconvinced Nigerians that he wouldsanitize INEC and ensure free andfair elections. Jega also had historywith the human rights societies.The INEC umpire, unlike theappointment of the InspectorGeneral of Police, MuhammedAbubakar, which was castigatedand rejected by some human rightsgroups, due to his compromisehistory, especially on the PlateauState crisis in 2002, enjoined thesupports of the civil societies beforeand after he was cleared at theNational Assembly. His lovefurther pierced the hearts ofNigerians, when he cancelled thefirst National Assembly Election in2011, where he admitted that therewere flops in the election. That wasthe confidence, trust and hope thepeople reposed in Jega.

However, the fiasco thatoccurred on the controversialAnambra State governorshipelection seems to have defaced theintegrity of the INEC chairmanbefore the human rights society, theelectorate and some politicians,going by the outburst of knocks onthe election. Though, the AllProgressives Congress (APC) hadaccused Jega of compromise on theDelta State Senatorial election, buthe was still enjoying some goodwilland credibility from the electorateand pressure groups. Bu t theignominy that greeted Anambraelection might have thrown Jegaout of the favour of some of the civilsociety groups, who are nowcalling for his removal. TheAnambra governorship electionwas marred with irregularities,which forced INEC to cancel over113,000 votes and declared theelection inconclusive. The electoralbody resorted to conducting asupplementary election, which wasboycotted by the candidates of theAPC, Senator Chris Ngige, LabourParty, Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah,and that of the Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP), Comrade TonyNwoye. Inconclusive election andsupplementary election are newgrammars in the lexicon of Nigerianelectoral history. Jega admitted thatsome INEC officials compromisedon the election and there wereelectoral heists.

The discomfiture of thegovernorship election began withthe arrest of 182 election observersfrom the Justice and EquityOrganisation, which is a memberof Osun Civil Societies Coalition(OCSC) in the State of Osun. Justiceand Equ ity organisation wasregistered and accredited by INECto observe the governorshipelection. The INEC had publishedthe names of the accreditedorganisation for the Anambra Stategovernorship election in The Punch

and Daily Sun Newspapers onOctober 21, 2013. The electionobservers led by the leader of theOCSC, Comrade Waheed Lawalwere arrested on November 14,2013, at Disney Hotel, Owerri inImo State by the a team of armedpolicemen led by the Commissionerfor Police, Mr Muhammed MKastina. The election observers,according to the Secretary ofCoalition Against Corrupt Leaders(CACOL) Osun State Branch,Comrade Taofeek Babawale, whowas also part of the electionobservers from Osun, had gone toOwerri for election monitoringtraining before heading toAnambra State to observe thegubernatorial election in the state.Barely twenty minutes of the arrestand even before interrogating thearrested person, the Commissionerfor Police addressed a pressconference and paraded theelection observers as hiredhoodlums that were armed withguns, charms and fake voters’ cardwith a view to disruptinggovernorship election to be held inAnambra State. A day after theirarrest, the National Secretariat ofINEC and Resident ElectoralCommission (REC) of AnambraState, separately told pressmen

that the arrested activists weretruly accredited election observersand not hoodlums as paraded bythe police. Despite being absolvedof criminal tendencies by the INEC,polic e detained the electionobservers for seven days before theywere taken to court. Lawal andother detained election observerswere arraigned at an OwerriMagistrate Court on WednesdayNovember 20, 2013 on a four-countcharge of conspiracy, unlawfulassembly, conduct likely to causebreach of the peace of the publicand unlawful possession of INECvoting materials. Meanwhile, theinitial allegations of possession ofguns, charms and fake voters cardshave all disappeared from thepolice charges contrary to police’sinitial sensational press briefing.The activists entered a not guiltyplea to the allegations. Themagistrate released the accusedpersons on bail in the sum ofN50,000 and two sureties for all ofthem. The case was adjourned tillFebruary 5, 2014 for hearing.

Though, the matter is in court,but the conventional courts; thepublic opinion is also hearing thematter to analyze the veracity ofthe action of the police, whichprevented the election observersfrom performing their democraticduty. Reacting to the arrest of the

election observers and the outcomeof the gubernatorial election, theChairman, Osun DevelopmentAgenda, a socio-political group,Barrister Rahman Senge, describedthe action of the police as havoc onNigerian democratic process.Senge, in an interview with OSUNDEFENDER on Tuesday said: ‘Itwas clear to the police that thearrested people are Nigeriancitizens with the fundamental rightto movement and the obligation toobserve the electoral rulesnecessary for the emergence of acredible governor in AnambraState. But the police, in theirirresponsive manner, denied theelection observers their legitimateresponsibility of monitoring theelection. This singular actiontainted the neutrality of the policeon the election, haven denied theaccredited organizations of theirsupervisory roles, which is a strongsignal that further reinforces thecharacter of Nigeria police insubverting the will of the people infuture elections. This actionreminded us of yesteryears, whenpolice openly supervised thesnatching of ballot boxes, shieldingthugs to unleash terror on voters,arresting and detaining themembers of opposition and electionobservers; and if it continues

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

7OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013

Anambra Election Fiasco And The Guilty UmpiresFEATURE

Nigeria is in serious danger aheadof 2015 general election. Byimplication, the security agentshave not only questioned theintegrity of the election, but equallyprevented the neutral, fair andobjective evaluation that ought tobe carried out by the observers,which would have, to a certainextent, allowed the electoralumpire to improve on subsequentelections.” As a stakeholder ofdemoc ratic rule in Nigeria, aconcerned Nigerian could decide toobserve election in any part of thecountry with or without the INECaccreditation, Senge submitted,saying that ‘the 1999 Constitutionof the Federal Republic of Nigeriais the father of all laws in Nigeria,and the constitution does not setany criterion for electionobservation.’

In his own comment, theChairman, Independent MassesForum, Comrade Wole Folaranmisaid he foresaw the manipulationof the Anambra State election rightfrom the unlawful arrest of the 182election observers. According toFolaranmi, the arrest of the electionobservers was an indication thatthe Presidency, the police and theINEC officials have perverted planto rig the election. Folaranmi said

the police had to arrest the innocentelection observers for their evil planto be carried out successfully. Hesaid: The harassment of the electionobservers has created a siege on thementality of the voters. Anambraelection is a litmus test for 2015 andthe role of the security agents wascompletely discouraging.Democratic tenets could only besustained through free, fear andtransparent election and this trendcould be simply regarded assubversion of democracy and goodgovernance. You could see thehandwriting of the presidency onthe wall when the police disobeyeda magistrate, threatening to shootthe defence counsel that stood forthe election observers in the court,right in front of the magistrate. Theimpunity of the police was notunconnected with the presidencyinterference on the case with aview to intimidating the pressuregroups and electorate who maywant to observer further electionsin the country.

“The police compromise andinterference of the FederalGovernment could be sensed fromthe arrested and continuousdetention of the election observersafter INEC and REC of AnambraState have confirmed that theelection observers and theirorganisation, Justice and Equity

were duly-accredited for the stategovernorship election.

“Barely twenty minutes of thearrest and even beforeinterrogating the arrested persons,the Commissioner of Police hadgathered the media to a pressconference and paraded theelection observers as hiredhoodlums that were armed withguns, charms and fake voters’ card,with a view to disruptinggovernorship election to be held inAnambra State. Notwithstanding,the haste by the police tosensationalize the arrest of thelegitimate observers, who haveestablished that their organizationwas duly-accredited to observe theelections and confirmed by INEC,the Imo State Police command hadkept the arrested persons indetention. That shows that thepolice was acting on the script ofthe presidency and politicians.”

A legal practitioner, who doesnot want his name printed,described the arrest of the electionobserves and their arraignment incourt as a drama of absurdity. Heargued that the allegation uponwhich the activists were arrestedand arraigned were not onlybaseless, but spurious. He said:“How the police charged them(election observers) to court on theallegation of unlawful assembly?For Goodness sake, these peoplewere arrested at their hotel. Hotelis a registered assemblage ofpeople. It is known toaccommodate people. What is evenunlawful when the constitutionguarantees freedom of movementand assembly? It is laughable toeven hear that they were chargedfor conspiracy; conspiracy to dowhat, to observer election? I havenever come across any law thatstates election observation is acriminal offence. If that is the case,what is criminal in gathering at alawful place, purposely to observeelection? The funniest count amongthe charges was conduct likely tobreach the public peace. Ha! Thesepolicemen are irresponsible andthey are pathological liar. Youarrested somebody at a hotel in apeaceful form and you are chargingthat person for conducting him orherself in a manner like to disruptthe peace of the public. How doesthat make sense?

`` ????` ??` ?` ????` ??` ???????????police. The unlawful possession ofvoting materials proffered againstthe election observers is the mostunreasonable charge. Were thepeople arrested with ballot box orpaper? Were they arrested withForm EC8 and other votingmaterials? The answer is NO. Howthen would unlawful possession ofvoting materials came him? It isvery irrational.”

The Acting Chairman of theOCSC, Comrade AbiodunAgboola, in his own reaction said:“I am totally disappointed in theINEC chairman, Jega. How muchwould the politicians have givenhim to warrant forsaking hiscredibility and integrity. Whatmade him to make a U-Turn on theelection observers, who he saidwere not members of the Justiceand Equity Organisation, knowing

fully-well that INEC hadaccredited the group for theAnambra State governorshipelection monitoring? I have somequestions for Jega and I will behappy if he can answer themsincerely. Were the names of themembers of Justice and EquityOrganisation submitted to INECoffice? Does Jega know the numberof branches of the Justice andequity organisation in Nigeria? Asa reminder, INEC acc reditedJustice and equity organisation forthe Ondo State Governorshipelection in 2012; why all thesecontroversies on Anambra Stateelection? The interest of thepressure group is to observe theelection and give a detail report onhow it went.

He stressed that: “Justice andEquity Organisation is a member ofthe Osun Civil Societies Coalition.The organisation had written aletter dated November 19, 2012,requesting to join the OCSC and weaccepted it as the member of thecoalition. By virtue of that, theorganisation has members in OsunState. The election observers thatwere arrested are not criminal.Comrade Waheed Lawal that ledthem is not a member of APGA,PDP, LP or APC. He is a renownedhuman rights activist, who foughtfor the restoration of democracy.He has observed many elections inNigeria. He is a member of JointAction Forum, Justice NowFoundation, a former chairman ofCampaign for Democracy andWorkers Rights and a member ofthe Committee for the Defence ofHuman Rights (CDHR). If theEuropean Union, African Union,Amnesty International and otherforeign and internationalorganisation could come all awayfrom their various places to observeelection in Nigeria, how couldNigerians be restricted fromobserving election in any part oftheir fatherland? We do not needpermission of anybody to observeelection in any part of the countryand INEC must get that clear. Civilsocieties are stakeholder in Nigeriandemocracy because we are the onethat occupied the streets, dared theguns and forced the military out ofthe system. We are the harbingerof the democracy everybody isenjoying today. It will be unfair forany institution to stop Nigeriansfrom observing election in any partof the country.

Had there be state police inNigeria, reverse would have beenthe case on the arrest of the electionobservers. The Presidency and theNigerian Police Force need to reflecton the saying of former PrimeMinister of the United Kingdom,Tony Blair, who says: “Anywhere,anytime ordinary people are giventhe chance to choose, the choice isthe same: freedom, not tyranny;democracy, not dictatorship; therule of law, not the rule of thesecret police”, and another sayingfrom Jeff Cooper; “The policecannot protect the citizen at thisstage of our development, and theycannot even protect themselves inmany cases. It is up to the privatecitizen to protect himself and hisfamily, and this is not onlyacceptable, but mandatory.”

•JEGA: INEC BOSS

Continued from page 6

10 OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013

11 OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013INTERVIEW

Osun PDP Is DaydreamingOn 2014 Election - MBO

Honourable Mohammed Ibrahim, alawmaker representing Oriadeconstituency in the State of Osun Houseof Assembly and the Osun East SenatorialWhip, believes that things have changedfor better under Governor RaufAregbesola’s administration.

Our reporter, KAZEEM MOHAMMED,met the lawmaker, who spoke on theactivities of the government and the needto sustain the tempo. Excerpts:-

OSDF: You contested in the 2007election, you were rigged out,yet, you came back to contest

for the same seat, on which mandateyou are sitting now. Why are you sointerested in that position?

MBO: The major reason is that Iam determined to contribute myquota to make Osun great. After all,people made Lagos what it is today.I thank God today that honestly,whoever comes to this state todaywould realise that Osun is nowmoving to the level of Lagos. Irealised that if I can contest for a seatin the House of Assembly, I have theconstitutional right to request andinfluence many benefit for myconstituency because, when you areelected, you are to serve people andthat is what I have been doing.

Although, there are lots ofdevelopment going on under thisgovernment, but I can tell you thatso many of these amenities you areseeing came from the demands andthe lobby of members of theAssembly. In 2003, I was an aspirantunder Alliance for Democracy (AD),but I was not given the ticket; in 2007,I contested and I was rigged out byPDP and in 2011, I contested againand I won on which mandate I amstanding. All these efforts are meantto serve my people.

OSDF: Since your election, howhas the business of lawmaking been?

MBO: Very interesting. What wehave done within two years intermsof passage of bills, there is no recordthat any previous Assembly haspassed such bills. Without passingthose bills into law, all what thegovernor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesolais doing now might not be possible.The fact is that majority of thelawmakers in this present Assemblyare professionals and we have beenusing that professionalism to passthose bills.

There are so many laws that wehave been able to pass and ourpeople have been benefitting fromit. For example, we have passed alaw on OYES and this has gone a longway in empowering our youths.Infact, many of them have now beenincorporated into the State CivilService. There are so many otherlaws that are in the pipeline and Imust tell that one will be proud tobe part of this presentadministration.

OSDF: What is your assessment ofGovernor Aregbesola’sadministration in the last threeyears?

MBO: I can boldly say that OgbeniAregbesola is God-sent to the Stateof Osun. He has changed this statefrom what it was. Everything haschanged for positive. Except ChiefBisi Akande that made positiveimpact during his time, there hasnever been a governor that affectedlives like Aregbesola. Are youtalking of network of roads, water,education, healthcare delivery,agricultural development or ruraland community development? Hehas been able to touch all areas ofhuman lives inspite the littleresources that is coming to the state.

The most interesting aspect of itall is that the man is so prudent inmanaging the resources of the state.If not for his prudency, there are somany states now that are still owingnot less than three months salaries,because of the decline or irregularityin the federal allocation, but Osun ispaying the salaries of its workers asand when due. When some governorsare using their security votes to buyproperties abroad, OgbeniAregbesola is using his own forhumanity.

Aregbesola is a man that has thefear of God in everything he doesand I congratulate the people ofOsun for having this man at thehelms of affairs and that is why weshould remain firm and allow himto continue the good work he isdoing for us.

OSDF: But there are claims fromsome quarters that the policies andprogrammes of this government havenot affected any life positively?

MBO: Even a blind man will feelthat something is happening, whilethe deaf can see that development isgoing on in the state. I am sure thatthat claims are coming from the PDPand we know that they can never besincere with their criticism. They arejust dreaming that they will take overgovernment in 2014. If they haddone it well, why did we oust them.When the people saw that they didn’thave the wherewithal to give us goodgovernance, they voted the PDP out.Now that the people have seen thatAregbesola is performing, theywould not want to go back to thebad days of PDP.

The PDP government was here forseven and half years and there wasnothing they can point to asachievement, they failed us. See theachievement this government hasmade in the healthcare, education,rural and urban development amongothers within three years, the PDP

could not make one quarter of it inits seven years. They are failure whenthey had the opportunity and nowthat they see somebody succeeding,you don’t expect them to seeanything good in this government.

So, everybody cannot be like themand people know the differencebetween the PDP government andthe one being led by APC in Osuntoday. The PDP members are justdreaming and I am sure that theycan’t match Aregbesola any day anytime.

OSDF: Sometimes, it was allegedthat the governor was trying toIslamise the state and a similarallegation came up again during theschool reclassification exercise. Whatdo you have to say about this?

MBO: We all know that Aregbesolais a committed Muslim and he is nothiding it, but if we all must be fair,you know as I do that he has beenfair to all religions. There has neverbeen a government that has been fairto all religions as Aregbesola is doingin Osun today. Why some people aresaying that he wanted to islamise thestate, some were saying that thereare cowries on the school uniformsdistributed to students. Infact, somepeople called him a traditionalist.

As a leader, you must be fair toeverybody, irrespective of religionand that is what Aregbesola has beendoing. It is either those making theallegations do not understand theprogrammes of the government, orthey don’t want to be sincere, but Iam sure that those who don’t knowand those who don’t want to knowwould know.

As for the schools reclassification,it is just that people don’t want to besincere. The truth is that every publicschool belongs to the government,even though they were built bymissionaries. Muslims know,Christians know, traditionalistsknow that Aregbesola supportsevery religion and we must not use

intolerance to distabilise the people-oriented policies of government.Those that are alleging the governorwrongly are either being sponsoredby politicians, or they are enemiesof development. Religion is apersonal thing.

We all know that education systemwas in disarray when the presentadministration came on board andwe all know that things havechanged now because of theprogrammes put in place by thisadministration.

OSDF: Considering the crisis inPDP and the new development in theAPC, what do you think is likely tohappen in the 2015 elections?

MBO: By the grace of God, we willtake over the government at thecentre. We have seen governors andthose that matter in the PDP joiningthe APC and that speaks volume ofwhat may happen in 2015. The PDPalso know and they are jittery. It isonly when we take the centre thatthis country can enjoy thedevelopment it deserves. The PDP-led government has destroyed somany things in the country and theviable option that we have is APCthat will correct the anomalies aftertaken over.

OSDF: What is the message for thepeople of your constituency andOsun in general?

MBO: I have to firstly appreciatethe people for supporting me and thestate government and we want toappeal to them to continue tosupport this government to achieveits objectives for the development ofthis state. I know that there have beenrapid development in myconstituency and for us to enjoymore of these development, we needto continue to support him.

For us to continue to enjoy thedevelopment going on, our peopleshould support Aregbesola in 2014through their votes to return him forsecond term.

•MBO

12OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013

Job Vacancies In Nigeria

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

Engineering Jobs in a Nigerian Te lecoms CompanyA telecom company requiring for immediate employment, a suitably qualified candidate to fill the vacancy below. We arelooking for self-motivated, target driven and result oriented individuals to fill the following vacancy:

Job Title: ``` ??????????`????̀ ????`?`?????` ??̀ ???Key Functional Area under Responsibi l ityCoordinating daily activi ties as per scheduled.Dealing with cl ients technical requirementPreparing supporting documents for monthly acceptanceFollowing up on received tickets that need extra technical support.General technical support.Following up on any activity to be carried out n the regionJob Title: BSS/TX Engineer - Code: BSS 002Key Functional Area under Responsibi l ityOnsite technical supportInterface with the dent region supervisors.Daily phone update to the project team leader coordinator and Helpdesk.Attending to the sites and resolve technical issues.Coordination of activities on fieldAuditing on the maintenance activitiesQualif ication/ExperienceSkills Knowledge and Abil itiesWork as a member of a teamWork under pressureCoordinate work activities of othersProject ManagementEducation: An Engineering Degree, Minimum BSc or Eng/the equivalent of HND from a reputable University.Certification/Licensure: Any relevant CertificationExperience: At least 2 years experience with Ericsson Equipment

Method of ApplicationInterested and qualified candidates should send a copy their resume, quoting the code of the position they are applyingfor in the subject box to: plumjobs2day@hotmail.com

Application Deadline 2nd December, 2013——————————————————Senior Finance Officer Job at Mercy Corps Inte rnationalMercy Corps is an international development organization that helps people around the world survive and thriveduring crisis and natural disaster.Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries to al leviate suffering and poverty by helping people build secure,productive and just communities. Since 1979, mercy Corps has been helping people in the world’s toughest places toturn crises into opportunities to thrive

We are recruiting to fill the following position:

Job Title: Senior Finance OfficerLocation: AbujaSalary Leve l: 5Job DescriptionThe Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Abuja, including accounting, paymentsand banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance. The Mercy CorpsFinance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures.In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance tothe Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

ResponsibilitiesWorking in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance Manager, the Senior Finance Officer will ensurethe accuracy and completeness of Mercy Corps accounting records and will have primary responsibility for managingthe monthly accounting cycle.Daily management of the finance officer(s) and the assistant finance officerAssist in the training and support of the finance officers in field offices, including partners, and answering dailyquestions, training new hires, making field vis its, etc.Monitor cash and bank balances and coordinate monthly cash flow requests from sub-offices; prepare consolidatedcountr y cash flow requestsAssist the Finance Manager in responding to audit inquir iesConduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and tonot jeopardize its humanitarian missionOther duties as assigned by the Country Finance Manager.Supervisor y Responsibil ity: Assistant Finance Officer; Finance OfficerReports directly to the Country Finance ManagerWorks directly with the Local Implementing Partner Institutions, Program Staffs, Administration staffsOversee daily cash count with the assistant finance officerManage the month end accounting close process, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the ledger, and all supportingdocumentation in all country offices.Primary responsibility for maintaining the general ledger software fi les, including set up and maintenance of newproject accounts, regular back-up of files, etc.Review and upload data to the general ledgerPrepare revenue recognition entries and other final closing journal entriesMaintain fi ling of monthly journal entriesPrepare month end balance sheet account reconciliationsCoordinate the preparation and ensure the on-time submission of the monthly reporting packageOversee the maintenance of all accounting records, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and safeguardedRequirementsFour or more years of general ledger accounting experience is required.A universi ty degree in accounting is required. Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software such as Serenic Navigator, Quick books, SunsystemsAdvanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly ExcelPrior management experience and strong organizational ski ll sExcellent oral and wr itten English skillsAdvanced degree in accounting from recognized university or professional accounting quali fication such as ACA,CPA, ACCA is desiredTwo or more years experience in the Finance Department of an international NGO is preferred.Two or more years of experience in grant managementExperience in institutional capacity assessment and capacity bui lding is an advantageSuccess factorsThe ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required.A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activitiesis necessary.A high professional standard of finance and procurement ethics as well as the wil lingness and abil ity to enforcecompliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.The Senior Finance Officer must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.How to ApplyInterested and qualified candidates should send their CVs and cover letters to: mercycorpsng@gmail.com with subjectas SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER

Application Deadline 6th December 2013——————————————————Financial Services Group recruitment for Sales ExecutivesMichael Stevens Consulting - Our Client, A Financial Services Group whose business focus are Credit Risk Management,Treasury and Working Capital Management, Consultancy and Fund Management Services requires to fil l the position:Sales Executives.

Job Title: Sales ExecutivesLocation: LagosRequirementsCandidate must have gained minimum of two years experience in the sale of banking products and must be able todemonstrate high level of professionalism in this fieldHow to ApplyInterested and qualified candidates should forward their resumes using the job title as the subject of the mail to:hr@michaelstevens-consulting.com

Application Deadline 1st December, 2013——————————————————W-Holistic Business Solutions Vacancy for a Front Desk Officer/SecretaryW-Holistic Business Solutions - Our cl ient, a leading Group of Schools (full boarding) located at the outskirts ofLagos State is looking to recruit focused, energetic, results-driven, committed and experienced individuals, who arewilling to live within the School’s facil ity, to fil l the position of Secretary/Front Desk Officer.

Job Title: Front Desk Officer/SecretaryLocation: OgunJob SummaryTo work wi th considerable independence in per forming secretarial work of a complex nature; do related work as requiredin direct support of administrative, management, client, and program services to support the OrganizationRequirements

Minimum of HND in relevant discipline.Minimum of two (2) years relevant experience.How to ApplyInterested candidates who meet all the requirements should please send a Cover Letter and CV to: jobcentre@w-hbs.comusing the title of the position being applied for as the subject of the email. For example: Front Desk Officer/ Secretary

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline 17th December, 2013——————————————————Internal Auditor at W-Holistic Business SolutionsW-Holistic Business Solutions - Our client, a leading Group of Schools (full boarding) located at the outskirts of LagosState is looking to recruit focused, energetic, results-dr iven, committed and experienced individuals, who are willingto live within the School’s facility, to fi ll the position of Internal Auditor .

Job Title: Internal Auditor (Group)Location: OgunJob Summary To maintain and develop a strategic audit framework based on the understanding of the risks that the Organization isexposed to.Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws,regulations, and management policies.Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financialactivities.Develop the annual internal audit plan, using data analysis and obtaining input from key management. This includesidentifying and making the business case for the resources required to execute the plan.To develop an audit plan incorporating risks identified via internal audi t and risk workshops and to promote higherstandards of risk management and value for money through the organization.Champion the articulation and development of the Audit strategy and ensure alignment with the corporate strategies,business goals and objectivesDemonstrate ownership of and communicate the unit ’s strategic direction and objectives to executive management.Minimum Requirements are;First degree in a numerate discipline plus any Professional Accounting Qualification – ACA,CIMA, CPA, ACCAMinimum of ten (10) years relevant experience in core accounting and audit function from a leading or well structuredaccounting firm.

Method Of ApplicationInterested and qualified candidates should send their CVs and cover letters to: jobcentre@w-hbs.com using the title ofthe position being applied for as the subject of the email. For example: Internal Auditor

Application Deadline 17th December 2013. ——————————————————Research and Information Officer at W-Holistic Business SolutionsW-Holistic Business Solutions - Our client, a leading Group of Schools (full boarding) located at the outskirts of LagosState is looking to recruit focused, energetic, results-dr iven, committed and experienced individuals, who are willingto live within the School’s facility, to fill the position of Research and Information Officer.Job Title: Research and Information OfficerLocation: OgunResponsibilitiesTo undertake/conduct research for the Organization and provide advice to management on key issues around researchwithin relevant sectors.Provide relevant, timely, and high quali ty briefs to inform policy direction and planning.Develop a comprehensive research profile/database of all studies that have been conducted.Develops a portal to update the research profile/data base on a regular basis.Undertake strategic analysis of research and developmental needs and demands issues and makes recommendations thatcan inform the strategic actions required by the Executive management to meet those needs.Identify research priorities for the Organization and the sector in general and develop a comprehensive research agenda.Compile comprehensive study reports with clear findings and recommendations.Implement the research agenda and ensure smooth coordination where it relates to other stakeholders such as researchinsti tutions.RequirementsFirst degree in a numerate or any Social Science discipline. An MBA will be an added advantage.Minimum of five (5) years relevant experience per forming research and gathering strategic informationMethod Of ApplicationInterested and qualified candidates should send their CVs and cover letters to: jobcentre@w-hbs.com using the title ofthe position being applied for as the subject of the email. For example: Research and Information Officer

Application Deadline 17th December 2013.——————————————————House Parents in a leading Group of Schools in Ogun StateW-Holistic Business Solutions - Our client, a leading Group of Schools (full boarding) located at the outskirts of LagosState is looking to recruit focused, energetic, results-dr iven, committed and experienced individuals, who are willingto l ive within the School’s facility, to fil l the position of House ParentsJob Title: House ParentsLocation: OgunGender: Male and FemaleJob SummaryTo ensure that the minimum standards for boarding schools are fully met in accordance with inspection regulations.To be responsible for the management and organization of the boarding house and its routines, including staffing,accommodation, resources, maintenance and development of facilities.To be responsible for health and safety in the house and liaise with respective personnel in matters of health and safetyon site.To manage the delegated budget for the boarding house.To communicate effectively with all parents and guardians of boarding students.To regularly review and update documentation relating to the boarding houseTo lead, manage and support all boarding house staff.To take line management responsibility for identified staff in the boarding house under the schools performance managementarrangements.To oversee the continuous professional development of staff within the house.To take responsibili ty for l iaising with support staff/sub-contractors when working in the house.To be responsible for monitoring and reviewing routines in the boarding house.To liaise with external agencies/partners to ensure the safety and welfare of all boarders’ is met.To contribute to and ensure that the aims and objectives of the Boarding Development Plan are implemented.To be responsible for the care and welfare of the boarders’ in the house and to engender a feeling of respect and trustbetween boarders and the staff working in the house.To keep the Principal fully informed of any issues relating to students or other matters in boarding.RequirementsFirst degree in any discipl ine.Minimum of ten (10) years relevant post-quali fication experience in a reputable boarding school.

Method Of ApplicationInterested and qualified candidates should send their CVs and cover letters to: jobcentre@w-hbs.com using the title ofthe position being applied for as the subject of the email. For example: House Parents

Application Deadline 17th December 2013.——————————————————Group Accountant at W-Holistic Business Solutions in Ogun StateW-Holistic Business Solutions - Our client, a leading Group of Schools (full boarding) located at the outskirts of LagosState is looking to recruit focused, energetic, results-dr iven, committed and experienced individuals, who are willingto l ive within the School ’s facili ty, to fi ll the position of Group Accountant.Job Title: Group AccountantLocation: OgunResponsibilities

To Lead the Accounts team, ensuring an effective uti lisation of their capacity toward the achievement of the organization’saims,vision and mission.To ensure effective strategic and operational financial planning, management, monitoring and reporting to enhance thedecision making process of Senior ManagementTo ensure ongoing viabil ity and secure the organization’s financial future in line with the organization’s plan, missionand values.To ensure effective control of all company financial, accounting and information processing systems, whilst developingand maintaining proper procedures and reporting systems to ensure compliance with statutory and company regulations.RequirementsFirst degree in a numerate discipline plus any Professional Accounting Qualification – ACA,CIMA, CPA, ACCAMinimum of ten (10) years relevant experience in core accounting function from a leading or well structured accountingfirm.Relevant finance experience should include planning, forecasting and enterprise financial systems with emphasis onfinancial reporting, budgeting and profit and loss analysis.

Method Of ApplicationInterested and qualified candidates should send their CVs and cover letters to: jobcentre@w-hbs.com using the title ofthe position being applied for as the subject of the email. For example: Group Accountant

Application Deadline 17th December 2013.

14 OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013

A Memorable Quote From A PossiblePDP Candidate In Osun State

“Recently, Chief Bola Igecame on radio here (Osogbothe state capital), to insult meand my family. THAT IS THELAST TIME HE WOULD IN-

SULT ME. He was??????`??????????`???`??????of Ile-Ife beat him up and he

was crying like a baby, asthey removed his cap and

glasses. If it had been at a po-litical gathering, he will be

dead by now..... In fact, whatthe people wanted to do was

more than removing hisglasses and cap....” -IYIOLA

OMISORE. •Culled from Vanguard Newspaper.

IN RETROSPECT

15 OSUN DEFENDER Thursday, December 5, 2013 PHOTOTALK

•Aregbesola (4th right); his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (4th left); Chairman, Omoluabi Delivery Sub-Committee, Mr Omotunde Young (left); members of thecommittee, Mr Ogundoro Oluwakayode (2nd right); Comrade Ibrahim Olayinka (3rd left); Alhaja Toibat Adebayo (right) and other dignitaries during the launching of theOmoluabi Club.

•(R-L) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; the Bishop, Osun Anglican Diocese, Reverend James Popoola; an officer of the diocese, Chief Femi Adebiyi; AsojuOba of Gbodofon, Chief Jimoh Buraimo and High Chief Popo Bolarinwa, during a Thank-You-Visit to the governor for constructing Bishop Court’s Road, Isale Aro, Osogbo,at the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Monday.

Anglican Bishop Thanked Governor Rauf Aregbesola For Constructing Bishop’sCourt Road, Isale-Aro, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Monday.

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) addressing Omoluabi Boys/Girls Club and Omoluabi Youth Club, during the official launching of the club, incommemoration of Aregbesola’s third year administration at the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC) Orientation Camp, Ede, State of Osun, recently

More Pix On Official Launching Of Omoluabi Boys/Girls Club And Omoluabi YouthClub At NYSC Orientation Camp, Ede, State Of Osun, Last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

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THURSDA Y , DECEMBER 5, 2013

www.osundefender.org THE 6TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. Allcorrespondence 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.

By BANJI OJEW ALE