VOL. 9. NO.084 NNNNN5050505050TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

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Front Page Comment

- See StoryOn Page 2

Who KilledChief Bola Ige,former Attorney-

General andMinister of

Justice? IGE

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, addressing participants at the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Secretariat, during his endorsement for second termin office by former local government council chairmen and councillors between 1999 and 2002 and the presentation of three campaign vehicles for his re-election in Osogbo onSaturday.

INEC DisenfranchisingAPC Supporters In Osun

PDP Plans To Assassinate Adeleke, 3Others – APC Alerts Nigerians

- See StoryOn Page

2

As August 9draws closer by theday we must con-tinue to remind theelectorate in ourdear state of theirresponsibiliies; theneed to vote rightand to jealouslyguard their votes.To use the powerof our

Compatriots, JealouslyGuard Your Votes!

thumb to vote forcontinuity - as thestate cannot affordto do away with thelevel of unprec-edented develop-ment

going on in thestate since the incep-tion of OgbeniAregbesola's adminis-tration - is our firstmajor responsi bility asres

ponsible citizensof our state. Ofcourse we are notin doubt that thevotes of ourpeople will be forO g b e n iAregbesola whohas done the statemuch good.

Continue on pg5

2OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014 News

By SHINA ABUBAKAR

INEC Disenfranchising APC Supporters In OsunTHE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State of

Osun has alleged that the Independent NationalElectoral Commission has begun the execution of a

sinister plan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tomanipulate the electoral process from INEC source, inorder to rig the August 9, 2014 governorship election inthe state

This was contained in astatement issued andsigned by the party’sDirector of Publicity,Research and Strategy,Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, inOsogbo, the state capitalrecently.

Thousands of APCsupporters across all localgovernment council areasare systematically beingdisenfranchised, as INEC ispreventing them fromobtaining their permanentvoters cards (PVCs) withoutwhich they would not beallowed to vote.

APC alleged that INEChas introduced a wickedformular of dispensing thePVCs by asking voters withtemporary cards what partythey belonged to, before thepermanent voters cards aregiven.

In the process, virtuallyall those who haveidentified themselves asAPC supporters have beentold that their PVCs were notready, and INEC could nottell these prospective voterswhen they would beavailable.

According to the APC,this is part of what the PDP

has removed former OsunREC, Ambassador RufusAkeju to achieve.

Information from PDPleadership has also revealedINEC’s alleged involvementin a massive ballot stuffingplan that will be secured bysecurity forces and presentas votes of designatedpolling booths.

The rigging plan of thePDP in the State of Osuntherefore, is a coordinatedexercise between that party,and corrupted INECofficials under theprotection of federalsecurity forces.

Besides, the APC isreliably informed that the inkwhich INEC would deployin majority of the localgovernment areas will besimilar to the one used inEkiti State that fades offwithin hours of voting.

The APC is therefore,warning that INEC’sintegrity as a fair umpire mayhave been compromised,and it is impossible tobelieve that all thesemanipulative activities ofthe electoral process byINEC are being done outsideProf. Attahiru Jega’s

knowledge.Afterall, it was Jega’s

office that defended theremoval of Akeju inapproval of his replacementwith a new man in Osogbowho appears to act in amanner that is inconsistentwith a fair electoral process

for the August 9 election,the APC alleged.

The APC called on theinternational community,and democratic observers toprevail on PresidentGoodluck Jonathan to desistfrom tampering with INEC inorder to rig Osun election.

‘We are in a terriblesituation now that theFederal Governmentappears to havetransformed the electoralcommission into aconspirator-accomplice ofthe rigging mechanism ofthe PDP’, the APC declared.

The party warned thatthis is a recipe for chaos,anarchy and a potent risk tothe collapse of democracy ifthe PDP rigged the electionof August 9 in Osun whereit is totally unpopular, andits candidate especiallydetested for his notoriety inseveral negative ways.

PDP Plans To Assassinate Adeleke, 3 Others– APC Alerts NigeriansTHE All Progressives Congress (APC) has

alerted security apparatus in the State ofOsun and is now alerting the general public

that Senor Iyiola Omisore and the PDP havecontracted the assassination of four top APC leadersto hired killers from the Niger Delta for immediateexecution.

This was contained in astatement issued andsigned by the party’sDirector of Publicity,research and Strategy,Barrister Kunle Oyatomi,in Osogbo, the state capitalrecently.

According to him, theleaders involved are AlhajiIsiaka Adetunji Adeleke(the first civilian governorof the state), Elder PeterBabalola (a.k.a. PeterAction), Chief Olu Abiolaand Alhaji Fatai OyedeleDiekola.

The hired killers, APCreliably stated, have

already commencedsurveillance on the fourleaders.

“Very credible insidesources from the PDPitself alerted the APC thatOmisore and top PDPofficials took this decisionat a meeting in Lagos onThursday.

“We are therefore,alerting Nigerians of thehorrible dimension towhich Omisore’sdesperation for power hastaken.

“PDP in the State of

Osun has gone berserk andtheir diabolical lust forpower has become somurderous that they seemto care less about innocentlives.

“We are reliablyinformed that the reasonOmisore has suddenlybecome this desperate isthat in spite of everything,the PDP has done,majority of the people ofOsun and their leadersremain resolutelycommitted to the APC andtotally opposed to PDPideas,” the APC stated

The APC therefore,alerted Nigerians and allthose who care about lifeand democracy that theyshould hold Senator IyiolaOmisore (PDPgovernorship candidate),Musiliu Obanikoro, the

Minister of State forDefence, and JeliliAdesiyan (Police AffairsMinister), who are theprimary conspirators inthis dastardly developmentresponsible, collectivelyand individually, for anyharm that may come tothese APC leaders, or anychieftain and members ofthe party.

“Nigerians should alsohold Omisore and theothers equally responsiblefor whatever abduction orphysical assault that mayresult in the death ofanybody in the State ofOsun in the circumstancesof the senseless violenceOmisore and the PDP haveintroduced to the electoralprocess and activitiesleading to the August 9thelection and thereafter,”the APC said.

Market Women Snub Omisore In Ila-Orangun •Allege Use Of Fake Naira Notes

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)governorship candidate in the August 9, 2014governorship election in the State of Osun,

Senator Iyiola Omisore, reportedly sufferedanother humiliation during his electioneeringcampaign to Ila-Oragun as market women rejectedhis Greek gift.

According to findings,the party suspended itscampaign to the ancienttown scheduled forMonday to Tuesday tocoincide with the marketday in the town to attractmore followers.

However, as the formersenator went into themarket to buycommodities and paiddouble the original prices,a female clothe seller

alleged that she was paidN5,000 for a clothingmaterial of N2,000 only todiscover that three of theN1,000 notes werecounterfeits.

Another trader, whosells handkerchiefs,claimed he was paid onethousand naira for N50goods only to discoverthat the note wascounterfeit.

It would be recalled that

the PDP candidate wasalso at Ikirun market,where he intended payinga woman N5,000 for agood costing N2,500 butthe market woman insistedshe should be paid theexact amount due to her,while other traders at themarket rejected the partyinsignia given to them.

It was also gathered thatthe Aragbiji of Iragbiji wasnot on hand to receive thegovernorship candidatewhen he visited the palaceat odd hours during hiscampaign tour of theancient town last week.

However, the party wassaid to have enjoyed a rosyreception at Ada, as manypeople trooped out to meetOmisore in the town.

Osun Panel Orders Pasting Of SummonsAt Omisore, Adesiyan’s Homes

THE Panel of Inquiry on Disturbance of PublicPeace set up by Governor Rauf Aregbesola ofthe State of Osun has ordered Senator Isiaka

Adeleke to paste a summon notice at Ile-Iferesidence of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP)candidate in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The panel headed byJustice Moshood Adeigbealso ordered the petitionerto paste a notice ofsummon at the Ode-Omucountry home of theMinister for Police Affairs,Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan.

The panel isinvestigating allegedassault on Senator Adelekeby Omisore, Adesiyan andSogo Agboola during astakeholders’ meeting heldat Ideal Nest Hotel,

Osogbo, the state capital.Counsel to the

petitioner, Mr. LekanOlayiwola, at the sitting,urged the panel to grant hisclient an order to paste asummon notice at theentrance of the threedefendants, so as to keepthem informed of thepending petition againstthem.

Olayiwola told the panelthat he sought the orderfollowing several attempts

by the bailiff to serve therespondents.

He informed the panelthat the respondents didnot honour the plaintiff’sattempt to serve them.

Also, the respondentwas granted an order topaste a summon notice atRaymond Street, besideHilton Hotel, opposite ThePolytechnic, Ile-Ife, theentrance of Sogo’sresidence, the thirdrespondent.

Meanwhile, Omisore onWednesday lost bid to stopthe panel frominvestigating him at anOsun State High Courtsitting in Osogbo.

3 News OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014

•(L-R) Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Founder, Living Faith Church a.k.a. WinnersChapel, Bishop David Oyedepo; Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, during thebishop’s visit to the governor at the Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Wednesday.

Notice Of RearrangementOf Name

Name formerlyarranged as MRADEREMI ATANDAOLUSEGUN now wishedto rearrange my name asMR ATANDA ADEREMIOLUSEGUN. All formerdocuments remain valid.General public to takenote.

Aregbesola Commissions Armoured Personnel Carriers•Reads Riot Act To Criminals

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

GOVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, said on Thursday that the first andmost essential responsibility of any government is

the provision of a guaranteed security for the people.Aregbesola stated this in

Osogbo, the state capital,while commissioning a newset of 20 ArmouredPersonnel Carriers (APC),procured for the State ofOsun Police Command forthe maintenance of law andorder.

The governor stated thatthe state governmentdecided to invest awhooping N1.3 billion onthe carriers, despite the slimpurse of the state,considering the importanceof security of lives andproperty

He described thecommissioning as anotherstep towards fulfilling thepromise his administrationmade with the people of thestate to ensure steadypeace.

The governor explainedthat the foremost duty ofgovernment towards itscitizens is the protection oflives and property,stressing that anygovernment that fails to do

this has no business inpower.

While recalling that thestate has been the mostpeaceful state in thecountry in the last threeyears, the governor warnedanybody who has theintention of destabilisingthe peace of the state todesist, as the state will nottolerate any act ofindiscipline.

He noted that the APCswere not bought for thepurpose of coercing votersduring the forthcominggovernorship election butfor the purpose of securinglives and property.

The governor explainedthat some selected policeofficers have been sent toChina for the purpose ofacquiring knowledge on thecarriers, adding thatmaintenance tools andspare parts for five yearswere also procured alongwith the APCs.

Aregbesola thenappealed to the State PoliceCommand to ensure that the

security vehicles are usedfor the purpose for whichthey were bought.

He said: “We are doingthis because we havediscovered that we aredealing with criminals, whodon’t care about the lives ofpeace-loving citizens of thestate.

“Our mission in politics isto guarantee the freedom ofour people and help them tolive well. This achievementis a new height in the

provision of security to ourpeople.

“These APCs are notbought for the purpose ofcoercing people to vote forme during election. We havebought them for theprotection of lives of ourpeople.

“I am using thisopportunity to appeal to theState Police Command touse this security vehiclesfor the purpose for whichwe have bought them.”

Speaking on behalf of the

Inspector-General of Police,the AIG for Zone 11, MrDavid Omojola, stated thatthe provision of thepersonnel carriers marks ahuge turning-point in theprovision of security in thestate.

He described the gestureas unprecedented in thehistory of the statecommand in its bid tocombat crime in the state,stressing that thecommitment of the commandin fighting crime has been

Osun Osogbo Groove To Be Best Tourists’Destination In Africa, Says NCMM

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

MALAM Yusuf Abdalalh, the Director-General,National Commission for Museums andMonuments (NCMM), has stated that the Osun

Osogbo Groove would be developed to become the besttourists’ destination in Africa.

Abdallah stated this recentlyin Abuja when members of theCommittee on the 2014 Osun

Osogbo Festival paid him acourtesy call.

He said that the groove

would be developed to attractpatronage by tourists from allover the world.

The NCMM boss said thatthe commission was managingthe site to ensure that itretained its pride on theUNESCO World Heritage List.

Abdallah revealed that thecommission would involve theprivate sector in managing thesite.

“We want to get the privatesector involved in themanagement of the OsunOsogbo festival, so as to makeit appealing to tourists.

“We want to also makeOsun Osogbo festival one ofthe best tourists’ destinationsin Africa and the commissionwill leave no stone unturned toachieve this noble project,’’ hesaid.

The Director-Generallauded the efforts of the OsunOsogbo festival committee inensuring that the festivalretained its pride of placeamong the Yorubas.

Abdallah noted that thelisting of Osun Osogbo festivalon the World Heritage List hadimproved the image of the site.

He added that theparticipation of private sectorshad equally made it gain a lotof attention.

Abdallah stressed that thesite was not only aboutartefacts and monuments buthad also helped in enterprisedevelopment, which hadprovided employment for thepeople of Osun.

He stated that this had

reduced the level of povertyand helped to put food on thetable of the people.

“The contributions of thefestival have been verysignificant in the state,’’ headded.

The Principal Co-ordinator,Osun Osogbo Festival, ChiefJimoh Braimoh, commendedthe NCMM for maintaining thehighest standard in themanagement of the groove.

Braimoh added that everyfamily in Osun was committedto the festival, adding that bothMuslims or Christians wereusually involved in the successof the festival.

He said the groove had beenmodified to wearing a new lookand called for proper fundingto maintain the standard,adding that the committeewould not deviate frompursuing standard in the groove.

“We are looking forward toensuring that the Osun Osogbofestival gets better.

“We will not deviate fromthe normal thing that is requiredof us to do to ensure that the2014 festival is a success,’’Braimoh said.

Osun CommissionerDecries Sale Of PVCsSTATE of Osun Commissioner for Youths, Sports and

Special Needs, Barrister Stephen Kola-Balogun, hasraised alarm over the sale of Permanent Voters’ Cards

(PVC) in exchange for money, saying it is a new approach torig the forthcoming August 9, 2014 gubernatorial electionin the state by some unscrupulous politicians.

Addressing newsmen inOsogbo over the scenario,Kola-Balogun said the newapproach adopted by thepoliticians was undemocratic,criminal and wicked.

While expressing concernover the alleged dubious act, heexplained that collection ofvoters’ cards from youths andelderly people by somepoliticians across the state,should be discouraged.

He warned politicians todesist from such action or beready to face the wrath of thelaw.

“It has come to our notice

that some people are currentlycollecting voters’ cards ofyouths in exchange forN10,000, while the elderlyones are being tricked to submittheir voters’ cards forpeanuts.”

Kola-Balogun posited thatselling and buying of voters’cards is a new approach torigging and must bediscouraged for democracy tothrive.

While calling on the youthsnot to sell their future, Kola-Balogun called on lawenforcement agents toinvestigate the matter and bringto book those found culpable.

NANS Zone D Raises Alarm Over Clampdown On Education

THE Zone D of National Association of NigeriaStudents’(NANS), South-West Zone, on Sundayexpressed concern over what it described as

clampdown on education as a result of increase in tuitionfees and unending strike of the polytechnic andmonotechnic lecturers.

boosted.The police chief then

promised that the APCswould be used for thepurpose for which they werebought, as the handlers willbe given adequate tutelageon how to handle theequipment for effective use.

“With this equipment, thejob of securing the lives andproperty of the people hasnow been made easy.Security in Osun has nowbeen taken to the next level.

“We are assuring youthat these vehicles shall beput into proper use.”Omojola said.

The trend, according tothe association, is a politicalclass’ conspiracy aimed atdenying the poor massestertiary education in Nigeria,especially the South-Westzone, which has beenmaintaining its leading roleas cradle of knowledge inNigeria.

Rising from astakeholders’ meeting heldat Foresight Hotel,Osogbo,the State of Osun capital, onSunday, the associationcondemned in strong termsthe increase in the tuitionfees of the Lagos StateUniversity (LASU) andObafemi AwolowoUniversity, (OAU), Ile -Ife.

The meeting had inattendance, the Students’Union Presidents, NANS/

JCC Chairmen and formerstudent leaders in theSouth-West Zone.

In a communiqué issuedat the end of the meetingsigned by the ZonalCoordinator, AsefonSunday and Secretary,Obanobi Bidemi, theassociation threatenedshowdown with federal andstate governments,governing councils anduniversity authorities,where any form of feeincrease occurs.

The communiqué readsin part: “The NANS ZoneD leadership rejects intotality, the ongoingcoordinated political class’conspiracy to completelytake away education fromthe children of the poor,

despite the level of povertyin the land, where 100millions Nigerians,according to a recent WorldBank report, are still livingas destitutes. The N200,000- N250,000 LASU tuitionincrease is shocking,ridiculous and capable oftraumatising parents andstudents.

“Still battling with LASU,simultaneously, the OAUauthorities also shut theuniversity after a peacefulprotest by the students overthe 1000 % increase in thetuition fees. This was sodifficult to believe that itcould happen in the historyof OAU. The trend is thecontradiction of the visionof OAU founding fathers.”

The association alsorejected a purportedreduction of LASU fees bythe Lagos StateGovernment, describing it asfraudulent and clearevidence of insincerity onthe part of government,arguing that the reduction,

coupled with other internalcharges, has little or noimpact and demanded for atotal reversal.

“We are sounding a noteof warning to the concernedauthorities in the affecteduniversities to reverse theincrease or face the wrath ofNigerian students. We aredetermined to fight anygovernment who dares tomortgage Nigerian future toa stand-still and if it is notreversed, we are going todeclare a day of massprotest across the South-West.”

The association alsocalled on the FederalGovernment to resolve theone year industrial action ofthe National Academic StaffUnion of Polytechnic(NASUP).

The association howeverat the meeting constitutedaction plan committee,which comprises the states’NANS chairmen andselected union presidents toliaise with the affectedinstitutions and choose aday of action.

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

4 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014News

I don’t Need The Votes Of Modakeke To Win Election - OmisoreTHE governorship candidate of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP), in the forthcoming August9 election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has said that he

doesn’t need the votes of the people of Modakeke in Ife-East Area Office of the State of Osun to win the election.

Sources close to thesenator disclosed to OSUNDEFENDER that thegovernorship candidate hascome to a conclusion thatthere is nothing he woulddo or say to the communitythat they would vote for himbecause of his involvementin the prosecution of civilstrife between his people inIle-Ife and the people ofModakeke before and whenhe was the deputy governorin the state.

It would be recalled thatOmisore was accused by thepeople of Modakeke ofusing his privilegedposition to carry arms andammunitions to his peoplein Ile-Ife which were used toeither maim or kill quite alarge number of the peopleof Modakeke communitythen.

It was during the periodthat he was chased out ofhis house at the back ofUrban Day Grammar Schoolby the people of Modakeketo show theirdisenchantment to hishatred to the peopleof thecommunity.

In a programme at CrownFm Radio in Ile-Ife recently,the senator was remindedthat there are 31 localgovernment councils inOsun but he corrected themoderator that it was 30,saying that Modakeke isnot a local government buta mere appendage of Ife-East Local GovernmentCouncil.

Commenting on thedevelopment, a displacedfarmer in Modakeke, PaJames Ibitayo, said it wouldbe absurd for Omisore to

come to canvass for votesin Modakeke as he(Omisore) was an activeparticipant in a failed effortby the people of Ile-Ife toeither kill all the people ofModakeke or chase themaway from their currentplace of abode.

Pa Ibitayo’s words:“Senator Omisore must beday dreaming for him to beasking for the votes of mypeople now. If his plan toeither dislodge or kill all the

people of Modakeke hadbeen made possible, wouldit have been possible for himto be eyeing any vote fromus now. Omisore shouldforget our consolidatedvotes of about 30,000.

“Lest I forget, what hasbeen the contribution of theIfe-born senator to mycommunity during his eightyears’ tenure in the senate.Nothing, absolute nothing.

“Does he want to tell me

that he was not an activeinitiator in the orchestratedplan of the people of Ile-Ifeto chase out all theModakeke farmers fromtheir farms whereby theircash crops of cocoa andkolanut were confiscatedwith hundreds of Modakekefarmers either killed on theirfarms or killed by hunger?

“Based on theantecedents of Omisore inModakeke, it is only bastard

Modakeke sons anddaughters that will vote forOmisore. Omisore shouldforget our votes inModakeke.

“Omisore can bepresident or anything. Ieven learnt he has beenboasting that his victorywould by arranged fromAbuja. One thing is that thesenator should forget thevotes of my people”.

The Danger In Rigging Osun Gov Election - Dr Dare

A prominent chieftain of All Progressives Congress(APC) in Odo-Otin Local Government Council Areaof the State of Osun, Dr Tunji Dare, has tasked

President Goodluck Jonathan to discourage any actcapable of endangering Nigeria’s fledgling democracy asthe governorship election in Osun is approaching.

Dr Dare, a medical doctorwho has his practice in Ila-Orangun, said the warmessages coming out of themouths of some leaders ofthe PDP few days to theelection are worrisome asthey are a glaring threat toour democracy.

The medical practitionerwho hails from Oyan, alsoin Odo-Otin LocalGovernment Council area ofOsun, noted that thedevelopment in the nation’spolitical turf are similar tothe re-election era ofPresident Alhaji Shehu

Shagari, the presidentialcandidate of the defunctNational Party of Nigeria(NPN) when culture ofimpunity was the order ofthe day among politicalfunctionaries of the NPNextraction.

He said the noble thingPresident Jonathan coulddo regarding the Osunelection is to allow the votesof the people to count ifonly to disabuse the mindsof discerning people in thegeo-political zone that thepresident is promotinganarchy in both the North-

East and South-West toactualise his secret agendain the South-South.

The medical doctor-turned politician said he wasnot asking for any favour forhis party but the wish of thepeople should besancrosant in the interest ofpeace and tranquility.

He said, there won’t beany need for heavymilitarisation of Osun as waswitnessed in the last EkitiState election.

His statement: “If themission of the military insuch election is not partialin favour of a particularparty, it is welcome. But in asituation where SenatorMusiliu Obanikoro, thejunior minister in theministry of defence; Mr Jelili

Adesiyan, minister of policeaffairs and Iyiola Omisorehave been boasting thatthey would deal with theincumbent Governor RaufAregbesola at the poll putsa big question mark to themilitarisation issue.

“My prayer for PresidentJonathan is that he shouldnot be the last president torule over corporate Nigeriaas there can not be peacewithout justice.

“President Jonathanshould be mindful of the factthat history has it that thedownfall of the FirstRepublic emanated from theSouth-West geo-politicalzone in 1966 which laterradiated across the nation”.

He said he wasparticularly put off by asupposed goodwill messagethat came out from themouth of a national leaderof the PDP, Filani, at theparty’s rally in Lagos onFriday that the PDP would‘capture’ all the states in theSouth-West.

“For God sake, whyshould a sensible andcredible elder of a party bethinking of ‘capturing’ theSouth-West when his partyis not a colonial master? Itis a shame which does notportray the PDP in a goodlight.

“Is it not funny thatOmisore and his supportershave been going round thestate, boasting that theFederal Government-ledPresident Jonathan hasconcluded an arrangementto influence the Osungovernorship election infavour of the PDP”? Themedical doctor askedrhetorically.

Osun CDHR, NCPMourn Aturu

THE State of Osun branch of Committee for theDefence of Human Rights (CDHR), on Friday,described the death of the late human rights activist,

Comrade Bamidele Aturu, as a colossal loss to the civilsociety groups and Nigeria at large.

CDHR stated this just asthe Deputy NationalChairman of the NationalConscience Party (NCP),Comrade Waheed Lawal,described Aturu’s death asunfortunate and a hugeblow dealt on the humanrights society.

CDHR, in a pressstatement signed by itschairman, ComradeAkinkunmi Asifat, statedthat Aturu would forever beremembered for his genuinecause and commitment tonation building andachieving an egalitariansociety.

According to Uthman,“Comrade Aturu would notbe forgotten for his strugglefor a better Nigeria, justiceand good governance. Hewas an indefatigable humanrights crusader, a man ofprinciple; honour and highlyintelligent. Comrade Aturuwas a nationalist to the core.

“The human rights worldwill miss Uturu more for hisundying spirit of activism,passionate commitment tofighting for a just cause andhis guiding role in the civilsocieties.”

Uthman maintained thatAturu committed hisyouthful life to fighting forthe common people, theoppressed and served asvoice to the voiceless,adding that the passionatezeal and energy with whichhe fought the military toinstall democracy in Nigeriacould not be erased in thehistory of Nigeriandemocracy.

The CDHRspokesperson describedAturu as a nationalist,patriot, and unrelentingadvocate of goodgovernance, who lived touphold justice, freedom forall and an egalitarian society,where justice shall reign.

Lawal, in his condolencemessage on Friday,

commiserated with thefamily of the deceased andthe human rights societies,just as he prayed to God togrant the bereaved familiesthe fortitude to bear the lost.

According to Lawal, thevacant position left behindby Aturu as a legalpractitioner that defendedthe less-privileged and theoppressed in his life time,would be difficult to fill,especially with the death ofthe Late Chief GaniFawehinmi and ComradeFestus Iyayi.

The DNC described thedeceased as a gentle,upright, dedicated humanrights crusader, whocommitted all his resourcesto human rights causes.

He stressed that thedeceased contributedimmensely to therestoration of democracy inthe country and to theliberation of studentmovement, saying that thecountry has lost a patrioticNigerian.

Osun 2014: Disenfranchising Of Electorate, A Knife ToFuture Democracy - Ilori

AS the 2014 gubernatorial election draws nearer inthe State of Osun, the Special Adviser to theGovernor on Environment and Sanitation,

Honourable Bola Ilori, has stated that disenfranchising ofthe electorate in the upcoming governorship election wouldbe a knife to the future of democracy in the state and Nigeriaat large.

Ilori made this knownrecently at the re-electioncampaign rally of GovernorRauf Aregbesola of the AllProgressives Congress(APC) held at Seventh DayAdventist ChurchSecondary School, Ederecently.

He affirmed that the warmreception accorded OgbeniRauf Aregbesola byresidents of Ede and partysupporters from the otherlocal government council

areas in the federalconstituencies across thestate showed that theperformance of the presentadministration wasuncommon.

Ilori, while calling on theelectorate not to allow somemiscreants, who believedthe only way to be at thehelms of affair was throughfraudulent means, chargedthem to reject the antics ofthe opposition todisenfranchise them by

buying their voters’ cards.The governor’s aide, who

urged the people of thestate to come out enmasseto exercise their civicresponsibility, stressed theneed for the electorate toguard their votes jealouslyand also ensure that theirvotes count after the votingexercise.

Ilori, who was excited bythe large turnout of peopleat the event, said it wasobvious that the peoplewere there to give theirundivided support forAregbesola’s second term inoffice, explained that it wasan indication that the peoplereally appreciated theuncommon developmentswitnessed in the statecourtesy of Aregbesola’sdetermination to make Osun

a great state.“What can we say, after

seeing what he has done bydiversification of theeconomy, we can point to allsectors, which have taken adramatic and progressiveturn.”

“People are gatheringhere today to appreciate thegood governance andu n p r e c e d e n t e dachievements ofAregbesola and that is whatwe can see right now.”

“Aregbesola deserves tobe re-elected because hisperformance cannot beover-emphasized and evena lay-man knows he willdefinitely do more than thiswhen he emerges victoriouson August 9th, 2014,” Iloristressed.

•The door to door campaign of the APC for Aregbesola 2014 continued last Friday in Ipetumodu, Ife North LocalGovernment Council Area of the State of Osun. In the picture is the crowd at the campaign train. Inset are (from L-R)Mrs Remi Ajibewa, SSA to Gorvernor Aregbesola; Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, Osun APC Director of Publicity and Chair-man, Ife North LG chapter of APC, Elder Rufus Awotidoye.

Compatriots, Jealously Guard Your Votes!Continued from pg1

But to guard our votes

jealously could even be said to be moreimportant than casting our votes. Thisis in view of the desperation of the farfrom being democratic PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) and itsgubernatorial 'wannabe' in the state,Iyiola Omisore Mr. 'Money miss road',to coast home victory in the comingelection. Thus while it's important togive our votes to Ogbeni, it's even moreimportant to jealously guard our votes.This is what we need to do to ensurethat the PDP doesn't succeed in its evilmachinations.

Already there are threats of violencefrom the party on members of the rulingparty, APC as they (PDP) are threaten-ing fire against APC members. Going bytheir antecedent violence and rigging aretheir stock-in-trade. And since there isno hope for them of winning the comingelection through 'One man One vote'then their hope lies in repeating whatthey know how to do best.

Another way through which the PDPis hoping to claim victory is by throw-ing money and other valuable gifts outto entice voters to sell their votes. In

this regard the handwriting had for longappeared on the wall. With the distribu-tion of kerosene to their members andsome members of the public whichstarted last year their journey to enticevoters with the aim of buying their votesstarted.

This stratagem rather than strategy,being viciously employed by the PDPin the state of Osun, is what we see as'jeun s'iku' should citizens get swayedby it. 'Jeun s'iku' literally means 'eat anddie' or 'eat the food that will lead you toyour grave'. The money and other formsof gift which the PDP and Iyiola Omisorerely on to buy citizens' votes are noth-ing but 'Greek gift' and 'blood money'and collecting them to do their bidingmeans doing so at one's peril. It simplymeans sending our state back to the pre-Aregbesola era; backwater of develop-ment. May God forbid!

But it's not enough to pray to God toforbid evil things. We the citizens mustalso not use our own hands to bringevil things on our heads. To collectPDP's blood money to sell our con-science in the coming election will betantamount to 'jeun s'iku' the conse-quence of which will be dire for ourstate. Of course the citizens can collectthe gift of money and other gifts thePDP is ready to offer them but they must

not do so to do their bidding. The votesin the coming election are for OgbeniAregbesola who has raised the bar ofgood and responsible governance in thestate and should never go to any otherparty let alone the PDP.

The PDP and Iyiola Omisore are freeto go about to throw carrot to the peoplein their desperation to capture the con-science of voters but never should thevoters allow their conscience to be cap-tured by these unscrupulous elementswho have nothing to offer our state. ThePDP has been in power for close to eightyears here without any positive thing toshow for it. All it had to show for itseight years of misrule are purely nega-tive; violence, hunger, unemployment,collapsed school system, bad roads andgeneral under-development across thestate.

And on the part of the party's candi-date, 'Mr. Money miss road' himself, hetoo had nothing positive to show forrepresenting the state at the highest leg-islative body of this country even as heheld a juicy position in the Senate, be-ing Chairman Appropriation Committeefor four years. Rather than serving thepeople and made positive impact in theirlives he was only there to serve his ownpocket. So in what way are they - both

the PDP and Omisore - going to effectany meaningful change in the life of thestate as they are shouting around?

We know that the virtuous and re-sponsible citizens of our state who haveenjoyed dividends of democracy in un-precedented term under the able and vi-sionary leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesolawill not waste their votes. We are surethey are not going to sell their con-science. We believe fervently that theirvotes will be for Aregbesola as they arenot ready to 'jeun s'iku'. However,as wesaid above it's one thing to vote, the nextimportant task before them come elec-tion day after voting is for them to pro-tect their votes.

Our people must guard their votes jeal-ously so that these visionless elementswho rely on vote stealing like they did in2007 and who have nothing to offer thestate and its people don't succeed in theirfraudulent and evil plans. For them notto succeed the ball is in the court of thepeople. Our responsibilities are clear; tovote and to protect our votes. These arewhat we must do to ensure the return ofthe Aregbesola-led progressive gov-ernment that has done so well forour state.

Open Letter To Governor Aregbesola

BEFORE wego for the

governorship poll inthe State of Osun onSaturday, August 9,2014, may I call theattention ofGovernor RaufAregbesola that thenews making theround that your rivalin the PeoplesDemocratic Party,Senator IyiolaOmisore, is buyingup the PermanentVoters’ Cards of thepeople, especiallythose of AllP r o g r e s s i v e sCongress (APC)supporters as trueand not false.

For yourinformation sir, he

has even gone cyberwith it. How do Imean and how did Iget to know?

He has employedthe services of theso-called sons ofthe devil called‘Yahoo boys’ and it

was a very closefriend of mine whogave me the fulldetails.

They hack theINEC website andafter gaininginformation aboutthe whereabouts ofAPC members, they

organise theirclandestine ralliesthere and after all thecameras have beenswitched off, theycommence thepurchase of thesecards with the sumof N10,000.

My question is thissir. You must havebeen getting theseinformation as thechief security officerof the state but whathave you done?

Sir, there is need totake positive actionas the governor of

OSUN DEFENDERPublisher – Moremi Publishing

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing HouseLimited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust BankGTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.All correspondence to the above mail address.ISSN: 0794-8050Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205Website: www.osundefender.com/index.phpe-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

5555

this peace-lovingState of Osunbefore it gets out ofhand.

Not only is thePDP and Omisoredoing this but theyhave even gone astep further toinclude violence intoit and it is not thebest thing to just sitand do nothing.

There is need totake action and theset time is now.

I have spoken andI thank you forreading it Mr.Governor.

• D A R A S I M IOKE, Osogbo,State of Osun.

6 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014

PoliticsOSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Ibokun Mega Rally: Rallying Support Against Religious Divisive Senti-mentsThe carnival-like Mega Rally recently held at Ibokun, the seat of Ijesa-North

Federal Constituency was a tourist centre of sorts. In spite of the fun-filled events,alongside its glamour, glitz and splendor, the main reason for the convergencewas not lost. The State of Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC)has for some time now been preoccupied with sensitization fora, all in a bid torally and build support for its candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial elec-tion in the state. The candidate, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who is the incumbenthelmsman, is seeking re-election, hinged on the need to consolidate the numer-ous landmark achievements garnered for the state and its people during his firstfour-year tenure. This report, put together by NIYI OLASINDE bares the fulldetails of the political thrust of the gathering.

Aregbesola On The March Again

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (with mic), addressing a mammoth crowd of his admirers during his re-election mega rally in Obokun/Oriade FederalConstituency in the State of Osun, held in Ibokun, recently.

- See StoryOn Page

3

7 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014

8 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014 PHOTOTALKCommissioning And Distribution Of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) To StateOf Osun Police Command By Governor Rauf Aregbesola At the State GovernmentHouse, Osogbo, Last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•

•A cross section of mobile policemen during their match-past at the event.

•A cross section of police officers at the event.

•(R-L) The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; representative of Inspector-General of Police (IGP), AssistantInspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 11, Mr David Omojola and State of Osun Commissioner of Police, Mr Maishau Ibrahim, during the programme.

9 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014PHOTOTALK

•Some of the APCs distributed to police in the State of Osun last Thursday.

•Governor Aregbesola (2nd right); his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Laoye-Tomori; Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam (left); stateCommissioner of Police, Mr Matshau Ibrahim (right) and other digntaries during their test-driving of one of the APCs at the event.

•Governor Aregbesola (with mic) commissioning the Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

Commissioning And Distribution Of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) To StateOf Osun Police Command By Governor Rauf Aregbesola At the State GovernmentHouse, Osogbo, Last Thursday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

10 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014PHOTOTALK

•A cross section of APC members in Iresi during the rally.

•Another cross section of APC supporters at Iresi.

All Progressives Congress (APC) Re-election 2014 Governorship Campaign InBoluwaduro Local Government Council Area Of Osun Recently.

•The Onirun of Irun, Oba Isaac Adetunlurese, addressing APC supporters in his palace(standing). With him, State of Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy,Honourable Sunday Akere (right) and his counterpart for Youths, Sports and SpecialNeeds, Mr Stephen Kola-Balogun (2nd right). •Some of the APC members at Onirun Palace.

11 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014 MAGAZINE

Ibokun Mega Rally: Rallying Support Against Religious Divisive Senti-ments

Contiuned from page 6

Contiuned on page 12

•

LIKE five other ones held before it, the Ibokun Mega Rallywas a gathering which attracted to itself the entire peopleof a federal constituency. It was however second in the

series to be convened in the Osun East (Ife / Ijesa) SenatorialDistrict of the State of Osun. This time around, the federalconstituency concerned is Ijesa North, comprising two localgovernment council areas, namely, Obokun and Oriade localgovernment councils. Unlike other contemporary federalconstituencies in the state, which either consist of three or fourlocal government council areas; Ijesa North has only two. This issuggestive of the fact that the expanse of area under its coveragemust be vast indeed, in terms of geographical land area, numberof settlements and population strength. This fact was provenbeyond reasonable doubts at the rally as people turned up indroves to grace the occasion and throw their support behind theman they chose to entrust with their political power severalyears ago; and whose mandate they are resolved to renew all overagain. The man of the moment, whose name rings bells on thetongues of an overwhelming majority, is Ogbeni Rauf AdesojiAregbesola.

Little wonder then that as early as nine o’clock in the morningthat day, people had begun to throng the streets of Ibokun, inobvious readiness for the big event of the day – an event whichwas destined to become the talk-of-the-town for some time tocome. In all the rallies so far held at the instance of the AllProgressives Congress (APC) in the state of Osun, record hasbeen set that never in the annals of partisan politics had crowdsbeen so tumultuous for a political party – defunct or existing.Obviously, the magic wand that pulled people and made themfind Aregbesola’s rallies irresistible is the enigma of his qualityservice, selfless service and finesse which he has brought to bearon governance.

Prior to the time of his seeking a renewed mandate, Aregbesolahad occupied the seat of governance for almost a period of fouryears, characterized with laudable achievements in virtually allsectors of life. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine had beenrelentless in its analysis of the downturn dungeon of negligenceabandonment, devastation, rot and decay into which the statehad been plunged in yesteryears in the areas of infrastructure andgeneral service delivery. Also, much of the state’s meagre resourceshad been thrown after bad, as the immediate past administrationin particular, under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) which dissipated the wealth and commonwealth ontrivialities which amounted to waste and profligacy. In effect, thestate was poor in all ramifications. The citizens’ standard ofliving was palpably low. The standard of education and that ofquality health delivery system was perpetually nose-diving. Insum, the state was heading for a position of insolvency.

Since his ascension into office however, the magic wand ofquality service and economic resuscitation had come alive. Allnooks and crannies of the state are replete with imprints of thegiant and astonishing strides of a Government Unusual – thegovernment which the generality of the hitherto hopeless anddowntrodden can call theirs! This has been to the extent thatmany concerned people, stakeholders, public affairscommentators and interest groups had objectively and honestlycome to a safe platitude of conclusion that we had never had it asgood as we have in recent times in the State of Osun. This clearlyexplains why the people had unanimously yearned and clamouredfor a second term bid for Ogbeni so that the good works hestarted so prolifically could continue.

In spite of all this, detractors, scoffers and traducers neverabated in issuing out propaganda, devilish tales, false claims andunfounded rumours to run down his administration; all in a bid tofan their selfish ambitions and promote their inordinate ambition.So far so good, the mega rallies have justified our claims andabsolved the administration of Ogbeni from all blames. Morethan that, the people, in their swelling majority, give higher promiseday-in, day-out that they are determined to poll massively forOgbeni and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), comeAugust 9.

Insinuations, antics, intrigues and propaganda prevalentlypeddled by detractors, dominated mainly by members of theleading opposition in the state, that is, the Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP); are fast turning the state into a centre of rumorpeddling. We are good people here. Traditionally, our forebearswere notable for hardwork, honesty, enterprise, industry andSpartan discipline. Unfortunately, things are taking a negativeturn these days; as attitudes, mindsets and behaviour patternsthat were hitherto alien to our culture and value system are gaininggrounds, in what could best be regarded as condescending trend,which constitutes an aspect of the retrogressive tenetsencapsulated in the principles of governance paraded by theconservative.

In 2003, the conservative “captured” the entire South-Westgeopolitical zone under the guise of aligning the zone with themainstream politics of the nation. Unfortunately for the statesso affected and their people; what they had in exchange is a storythat is not at all pleasant to recount. Today, all the above-mentionedvirtues, held in high esteem by our forebears; and which had beeninternalized among us, being institutionalized as their fond legacieshad become eroded. In their place, beggarly attitude, lack of spiritof enterprise, lack of self-reliance and independence becamedespotically foisted on the people. The after-effect is an eyesore;a sorry sight and a menace. A social malaise; a misfit which atbest, all hands must unite to keep at bay – today, beggarly conduct,rumor-peddling, boot-licking and life of gross dependency onfew political bandits who had amassed stolen wealth whichotherwise could have benefitted the entire people had beenentrenched.

In the past, these backward features of oligarchic rule belongedto some distant strands where the generality of their populacewas treated as second-rate citizens, retarded in stark ignorance,kept in abject poverty and hidden in the obscurity of inexposure.In other words, the people of those places were subsumed by themurky waters of backwardness, retardation andunderdevelopment. Their political leaders capitalized on thesedeliberate inhibitions to limit their spirit of independence andquest for good, quality living standards.

All through the pre-Independence era, through the FirstRepublic, down through the long Military Regime up till recentlyin 2003, our virtues were jealously protected; while the virtuesso eloquently portrayed were kept alive. However, during themilitary democratic experiment portion of the military regime, aconspiracy had raged on among the conservative political classand the military captors to employ widespread ignorance to “kill”the spirit of “antagonism” thriving in the Southern parts of thecountry – the West in particular. Upon return to civil rule in1999, the most potent, willing and ready hand-tool in thisretrogressive scheme was found in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). Its unfortunate seizure of political power in most partsof the South West in 2003 has produced the adverse side-effectsof multiplying woes attendant to poverty, ignorance, dependency,poor mind-set and all the rest among the people, regarded ascaptives.

With the coming on board of progressives in installments instates like Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun and Oyo, even in the LabourParty (LP)-controlled Ondo State, the sad, ugly trend has begunto be gradually reversed. In the State of Osun in particular, thetrend of reversal has been rapid and dramatic. People were beinglifted from the miry clay of hopelessness and despondencythrough quality education, free health service delivery, massivejob creation and empowerment and all other integrativeintervention efforts in the Social Service Sub-sector. The trendtoday has produced a rancor-free society – a society purifiedfrom all the pollutant effect of almost eight years neglect,abandonment and recklessness. Above all achievements, the Stateof Osun is basking in the euphoria of peace, security and zero-tolerance for crimes. Our town and cities are clean; being wellcared for through a carefully packaged all-inclusive sanitationeffort. Also, the infrastructure development drive of the Aregbesolaadministration has redeemed the ugly tide of horrible sites for ourstate.

As is expected, all these developmental strides had not gone

down well with the people’s captors, who had thought along thatthey had better, selfish need for the enormous resources employedto maximally better the lots of the entire citizenry in the pastfour years. The Federal Government nominated itself to be thegrand designer of all antics to be employed to snatch all theirformer “empires” at all costs and by all means. Since 2010, thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled Federal Governmenthad been petrified by the trend of achievements of governmentsat these states. Upon waking up from the knock-out effect of thepetrifaction experience in 2013; the only measure it could musterto “deal’ with the achieving governments was to effect a 40 percent cut in monthly Statutory Allocation to the states; hingingthe wicked cut on dwindling oil revenues, owing to the nefariousactivities of thieves and bunkerers!

In an attempt at perfecting their grand design of recapturingtheir lost “empires”, Jonathan enlisted a personality with penchantfor mischief, crimes and fraud to nominate appointees as ministersfrom the zone. Thus, Omisore became the godfather to appointministers into sensitive ministries like Police Affairs and Defence(State)! To this scheme there was a dual intent. One, it was agrand design to cover Omisore’s tracks in the murder case of theslain Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige. Two, the ploy is intendedto hijack the police and other security apparatus so as to usethem grossly and massively to people’s disadvantage during theapproaching polls. This is the sort of script we saw them act inEkiti State during the last Gubernatorial Polls in the state.

With controversial personalities like Jelili Adesiyan and MisliuObanikoro as political heads of ministries as sensitive as PoliceAffairs and Defence (State) respectively, we cannot expect thingsto be normal again in the lives and polity of the people of theentire area they claimed to have extracted from. They are, glaringly,odd-jobbers, who were assigned, or better put, who nominatedthemselves willingly to betray their own people; especially indecision-making affairs as crucial as elections. The appointmentof Adesiyan and Obanikoro for the devilish intents they were co-opted for had sealed the deal for the fraudulent antics of thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP). It explains the reason whywith very little effort, Omisore exudes the greatest confidencethat he would win the August 9 election in the State of Osun. Allindications on ground are proofs to the contrary. His personality,track-record and entire antecedents in life and politics shouldhave barred him from the contest; were we to be in a more sanesociety.

The way events played out during the Gubernatorial Polls inEkiti State has shown the entire script acted to the disgustingglare of all discerning observers. The attestation of the polls asfree and fair was to the extent that the majority of voters choseFayose. But what of the mammoth of others who, upon beingfingered as members, supporters and sympathizers of Fayemiand his party were held and disenfranchised? As far as Ekiti isconcerned, the conspiracy was perfected this time around simplybecause the majority of the people found sweet connivance inthe forceful weapon wielded by the security apparatus. Iprophesy that the time shall soon come when the same peoplewould require a saviour to deliver them from the path ofdestruction they chose, either deliberately or ignorantly; but alas,none would come their way! Let that be with Ekiti.

In the State of Osun, romour, antics and propaganda hadcontinued to be employed by the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to have its way forcefully back to office and enthrone agovernment against the wish, choice and mandate of the people.This wish thrived among them so that the business of stealingcould continue. As far as the State of Osun is concerned today,the only reasonable explanation for seeking for change ofgovernment is that of promoting the devilish concept of“infrastructure of the belly”. They started long time ago to attemptcastigating Aregbesola for an offence for which they (the PDP)are totally guilty. They accused the governor that his massiveinfrastructure projects had prompted hunger. Ask them if in theirdays in Abere, the dearth of infrastructural development in thestate ever translated into spraying of naira notes along the streets?

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (on top of a bus), acknowledging cheers from the crowd during his re-election campaign in Obokun/Oriade FederalConstituency in the State Of Osun, sometime ago.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014 MAGAZINE 12

Ibokun Mega Rally: Rallying Support Against Religious Divisive SentimentsContiuned from page 11

Contiuned on page 13

Since the assumption of office of Aregbesola and his team,salaries had been paid on regular basis before or latest on the 26th

of every month. More than that, the administration did one thingin the area of incentive which none other administration had donebefore – that was the payment of the thirteenth month salary toall state-employed workers at the end of each year. During theentire period, workers had been full of praises to theadministration and its good, positive gestures. Then came thefatal blow: With effect from June 2013, the “almighty” federalGovernment effected a drastic cut of 40 per cent in the monthlyStatutory Allocation accruing to states. Already, the State ofOsun had been a laggard on the allocation chart, meaning that ithad ever been underpaid. So, the further cut was intended to nailthe coffin, so as to turn the people’s heart against theadministration that means so well for them. Still, theadministration has not defaulted in payment of salaries,allowances and pensions. The manner of cope had been wonderfuland this had confounded adversaries.

Another rumour making the rounds is that the intention of theadministration has been that of embarking on massiveretrenchment of civil servants during its second tenure. Ask thesedetractors how many workers had the administration sacked inits first tenure in office? All along, the experience had been that ofpromotion and more recruitment. This time around recruitmentexercises conducted were so fair and credible that they weredevoid of ugly undertones woven around religious, partisan andother sentiments. Teachers, for the first time, got the privilege ofgetting elevated to the highest professional echelon, and that ofbecoming permanent secretaries (tutors-general). In some otherstates of the federation, even those considered to be richer thanthe State of Osun, the experience since the slash in monthlyallocation mid last year had been a reduction of salaries by halves.Aregbesola did not make workers pass through this kind ofhardship. Instead, his massive employment policies have reducedthe burdens on the working class drastically, such that, the youthis now more productively engaged and the society has becomethe better for it.

Our common enemies also took it upon themselves to faultthe Schools’ Reclassification policy of the administration. Thesame Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the close watch ofwhich our school properties were turned into ghettos wherehoodlums, thugs and perpetrators of shady deals hibernated.Most of the school premises had so dangerously dilapidated thatthey constituted life-threatening danger to their immediate users.Even then few new ones claimed to be put in place by thatadministration were haphazardly constructed. When thisadministration came to put all these anomalies in order, it wasthen that mischief-makers started inciting religious bodies thatthe administration was all-out to snatch ownership of the schoolsfrom them. For once, the administration of Ogbeni has not changednames of schools or converted ownership from one ministry /religion to the other. Of greater interest is the discovery thatAregbesola has never used his office to favour any religion to theprejudice of the other. Not even his Islamic faith has enjoyedspecial preference! To God, Aregbesola is a wonderfuladministrator – the kind that progress-loving people anywhereshould be proud to have any day.

Most recently, our detractors came out with the campaign ofcalumny that Aregbesola had become a religious terrorist. Whatan allegation! So the same Aregbesola who had all along been thedelight of all faiths could be so falsely accused? Then, the accusersneed their heads thoroughly examined. Aregbesola has been fairto practitioners of all religious faiths in the state. His tolerance isunequalled. Christian clerics take turns to pray for him.Traditional priests admire his recognition and respect for theirpatterns of faith, which had hitherto been avoided like plague. Inall honesty, Aregbe’s fairness, sincerity and transparent love tomen and women of all faith, in strict adherence to the tone andspirit of the oaths of office he swore to, deserves that anotherterm be entrusted to him. With his kind at the saddle of governance,religion-related crises would soon be forgotten issue.

AT Ibokun, the headquarters of Obokun Local GovernmentCouncil of the State of Osun, people flung these antics of lies,deceits and unreasonable sentiments overboard as they troopedout massively to receive Governor Aregbesola and his campaigntrain, who stormed the area penultimate Tuesday. The torrentialdownpour of that day notwithstanding, people defied all obstaclesto accord a rallying welcome to their own man – the man of the

people and the Symbol of the collective mandate of the masses,who had not betrayed the trust, reposed in him during his firsttenure in office.

As soon as the campaign train arrived in the ancient town,historically documented to be the cradle of the entire Ijesaland,their first port of call was the palace of the monarch of the town,the Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Festus Kayode Awogboro.Governor Aregbesola went ahead to intimate the waiting monarchsin the area, who had adorned the palace to welcome him with thepurpose of visit. He spared no time to thank the royal fathers forkeeping faith with his administration and for upholding peace,security and good neighbourliness in their respective domains.He explained that the whole essence of seeking re-election was tocontinue the good work; so that the dividends of democracy,which had become so prevalent could spread the more round theentire nooks and crannies of the area in particular, and the state ingeneral.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers in Ijesa Northfederal Constituency, Oba Awogboro welcomed the governorhome; just as he gave assurance to him on the massive support ofthe people of the federal constituency. Oba Awogboro sounded anote of reminder on the governor for his earlier promise tofacilitate the siting of a private university in the town; whichaccording to him should be expedited. He then charged the othertraditional rulers in the area to work assiduously to ensure thesuccessful re-election of Ogbeni and to ensure that peace andtranquility reign in their domains before, during and after thepolitical contest. Thereafter, the traditional fathers rained prayerson Aregbesola, wishing him overwhelming victory at the polls.

It was an enthusiastic crowd that thronged after the governor’scampaign train from the palace of Alademure to the LocalAuthority Elementary School venue of the political event. Already,a huge crowd had converged on the venue to welcome them. Withthe governor’s arrival at few minutes after four in the evening, themood of the waiting party members, supporters, admirers andsympathizers became recharged with renewed frenzy. Broomswere brandished in response to similar gesture made by thegovernor.

Prior to the arrival of the man o the moment, proceedings hadcommenced. Speaker after speaker took turns to address thewaiting crowd. The State of Osun Commissioner for Informationand Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere charged the people toexercise caution and vigilance as they approached theGubernatorial Elections. He cautioned them not to give out theirvoters’ cards in exchange for financial or other enticements. Hefurther implored the residents of the federal constituency andthose of the entire state by extension to troop out and vote onAugust 9. He assigned them to ensure that they stand by theirvotes till collation stag to avoid manipulation.

A big-wig of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state,Alhaji Abdul-Fatah Oyedele Diekola averred that the people-friendly disposition of Ogbeni Aregbesola had made hisgovernment purely dedicated to serving the people’s interestsmeritoriously. He cautioned the electorate against apathy ofsuccumbing to threats or intimidation; as possible huge presenceof security operatives on Election Day would be to maintain lawand order and to prevent breakdown of peaceful electoral process.

Another notable speaker at the event was the former Chief ofStaff to former Governor Oyinlola, who is currently the Chairmanof the Local Government Service Commission, Elder PeterAdebayo Babalola, a.k.a. Peter Action. Babalola commended theadministration of Ogbeni for the peace and progress it hasenshrined and upheld; holding that the reigning climate was asharp contrast to what had hitherto been the order of the day.According to him, the state was already heading for anarchy as at2010 when the administration came on board. He counseled thepeople not to allow the state to retrogress to that status, and thatthe only measure to forestall that is to troop out massively tocast their votes for Aregbesola on the Election Day.

The latest in the list of false allegations mentioned above wasthat the governor was using his good office to advance the causeof religious disharmony in the state. It is in response to this lastallegation that the core of the governor’s message to the waitingcrowd at Ibokun, headquarters of Obokun Local GovernmentCouncil Area where the sixth in the series of mega rallies convergedlast Tuesday focused on debunking the rumour that he had beenin favour of religious sentiments or advocating some sort ofreligious mayhem, uprising or terrorism.

The governor, who appeared at the Local Authority School

venue of the rally at around 4:05 p.m. swung promptly intoaction by addressing the mammoth crowd at the event.Immediately upon his arrival at the scene, the National Anthemand the State of Osun Anthem were sung back-to-back. This wasspontaneously followed with the chanting of “Dagunro o se e je/ T’Osun yato si ti’won”; which the surging crowd sangenthusiastically.

Upon mounting the soapbox, the governor went straight tobusiness, announcing against the antics of lies and deceit spreadabroad by detractors that the June 2014 salaries had been released;thereby rendering vain, null and empty the boastings of the“Federal Might” that the state would be cash-starved for Juneallocation so that there would be enough hunger ahead of theAugust 9 Gubernatorial Elections.

This actual payment of June salaries, allowances and pensionscame on the trail of earlier promise made by the governor at asimilar crowd-pulling event held at Ijebu-‘Jesa during thepenultimate week. The programme, the periodic audience-participating programme packaged at the instance of theincumbent administration and transmitted live on all state-ownedmedia houses has provided ample avenues for the people to meeteye-to-eye with their Number One Citizen ask questions borderingon myriads of issues of his government and intimate him withareas where the shoe pinches them. On his own part, the governoralso has the feel of the actual situation in each area.

The Mega Rally held at Ibokun penultimate Tuesday hadcome and gone, but it remains notable in two senses, aside theregular records broken by similar gatherings of the All ProgressivesCongress (APC) in the state. One of the notable events is that atthe event, Governor Aregbesola hit the adversaries with stupefyingamazement, having released salaries and other monetary paymentsdue to workers in active service and senior citizens for the monthof June; even as at the first day of July!

The second notable event is how the governor declared hisinnocence in any issue, perceived or real, associated with religiousintolerance and / or terrorism. This, as usual attested to by theteeming crowd which chorused their acceptance of the claim. Thecrowd, as usual, comprised adherents of Christian, Islamic andTraditional religions. Earlier, various groups within these religiousfaiths had showed unreserved acceptance for the person and styleof governance of Ogbeni Aregbesola, as well as his programmes,projects and policies.

Among dignitaries who graced the occasion are former governorof the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Wife of the Governor, AlhajaSherifat Abidemi Aregbesola and the State of Osun DeputyGovernor, Otunba (Mrs.) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori. Othersinclude the rank and file of the All Progressives Congress (APC)in the State of Osun led by the Acting Chairman, Elder AdelowoAdebiyi and Acting Secretary, Prince Gboyega Famodun. Amongthe members of the State Executive Council in attendance are theSecretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood OlalekanAdeoti, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola,Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honourable SundayAkere, his Finance Ministry counterpart, who doubled as theChief Host at the event, Honourable (Dr.) Wale Bolorunduro anda host of others.

Also in attendance are federal and state legislators, executivesecretaries of local government council areas, political bigwigs,representatives of trade and professional associations and groupsand others. Nollywood actors and musicians were not left out asusual. The chief entertainer at the occasion was King Wasiu AyindeMarshall (K1).

Leading the Obas at the Alademure of Ibokun’s Palace are theirRoyal Majesties, the Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Festus KayodeAwogboro (Obokun); The Elegboro of Ijebu-’Jesa, Oba Aribisala(Oriade); Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeniran (Obokun); Ajalayeof Ipetu-Ijesa, Oba Baderin (Oriade) and others too numerous tomention.

AT this juncture, OSUN DEFENDER Magazine shall drawexcerpts from the pact given to the people of the state uponrolling out of the Oranmiyan campaign team of Ogbeni RaufAregbesola eight years ago; for the purposes of reference andsetting the records straight:

My mission and ambition are to restore to the people, a stateof peace, opportunity, for progress and room for the pursuit ofprosperity in our time under a people friendly government.

I give you Six-Point Integral Action Plan, to the intent thatthey constitute my actions of faith concerning which I want to be

•Governor Aregbesola (2nd right); his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); the Alademore of Ibokunland, Oba Festus Awogboro (right) and others.

13 OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014MAGAZINE

Ibokun Mega Rally: Rallying Support Against Religious Divisive Sentiments

Continued on page 14

Continued from page 12held accountable at any time during my stewardship.

SIX POINT INTEGRAL ACTION PLAN

· Banish Poverty

· Banish Hunger

· Banish Unemployment (Create Work/Wealth)

· Restore Healthy Living

· Promote Functional Education

· Enhance Communal Peace and Progress

BANISH POVERTY

COMMERCE

Vision: To make Osogbo the second hub in international trade in goods and commoditiesin the Southwest.

Osun people’s natural affinity for commerce has been dampened over the years byunfriendly and unfocused economic policies of government thereby popularizing povertyamong a people, who are naturally hardworking, industrious and adventurous.

Our purposeful government of ACN shall revitalize commerce and restore wealth backto the land through:

· Market friendly policies that will revive the customary commercial activities inOsogbo and other towns in Osun.

· Promotion and support of activities focused on wealth promotion for our people.

· Transformation of Osogbo into an International market where goods will beprocured at prices comparable to any other part of West Africa.

FINANCE& ECONOMIC PLANNING

I shall increase the internally generated revenue of the state and also improve in mileageon every kobo accruing to the state by:

· Ensuring real time online access to actual position of the state finances to preventmisuse and other forms of abuse by receiving agencies.

· Reducing leakages in the tax collection and administration process.

· Running a transparent and accountable government.

· Ensuring prudent management of the state’s resources.

· Ensuring that the funds of the state are used for developmental purposes.

· Create viable Public/Private sector partnerships to jump start the economy.

· Our overall goal is to reduce dependence on federal allocation as a means offunding the government.

BANISH HUNGER

FOOD& AGRICULTURE

Vision: Our government shall banish hunger in Osun and enhance wealth through massiveincrease in food production and agriculture.

Every farmer shall sell his products and be prosperous. The labour of the farmer shall nolonger be in vain because we shall provide assistance and support to farmers in finding andexploiting profitable market for their goods.

We do not presently grow enough food in Osun to feed us round the year and this shouldconcern a government that cares for its people.

Our government shall support farmers to attain increase in food production, better storageand delivery. We shall provide assistance to farmers in exploiting profitable markets andmarket opportunities for their products.

To maximize the benefit of resultant massive increase in food production, we shall improve:

· Access roads and general transportation to even the most remote areas of thestate.

· Storage process and capacity.

· Processing of agricultural produce.

· Rural electricity and water supply.

CASH CROPS

· Encourage production of cash crops which can enhance farmer’s income andprovide basis for an effective agro-industrial society in the state of Osun.

· Specified to vigorously develop extensive farming in palm trees to create afully integrated oil palm processing industry.

· To target and capture minimum of 10% of the multibillion naira- per day foodmarket of the neighbouring states.

· Support cooperative efforts by farmers

· Be a catalyst to the development and promotion of micro, small and mediumenterprises that will exploit available raw materials.

· Set up price support scheme for farmers through commodity exchange board.

BANISH UNEMPLOYMENT (CREATE WORK& WEALTH)

No job loss, more jobs.

Osun people are peaceful, dignified and hardworking people who desire and deservegainful employment for their children and themselves. Rather than policies that will createemployment and wealth for the people, the policies of the PDP government in place serve toenrich few at the expense of majority of our people.

As part of our GOVERNMENT UNUSUAL programme, I Rauf Adesoji Aregbesolamake a pact with you good people of the State of Osun, in the presence and by the grace ofGod Almighty that our government shall create immediate employment for 20,000 peoplewithin our 100 days in office.

5,000 of these places shall be reserved for those who were retrenched and are still willingand able to work.

As a people-friendly government, our policies shall help to:

· Create economic environment that ensures availability of jobs for all Osunindigenes.

· Establish one LIFE ACADEMY in each of the three Senatorial constituenciesfor the building of life- long skills in out of schools, youngsters as well as adults seekingalternative competencies.

· Promote labour exchange centres to facilitate employment of graduates fromour Life Academies.

CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS

There is the need for a civil service reform that will not lead to any loss of jobs as I RaufAregbesola do not believe in laying people off in the name of reforms.

Our reform will make the work environment more conductive, stimulating and developmentoriented.

Bonuses, incentives and regular awards shall be instituted to promote a culture of excellencein the civil service along with the prompt payment of salaries, allowances, leave bonuses andyear-end performance bonuses.

Promotions and comprehensive salary reviews and increases shall be regular.

Internal and external training, work exchange programmes and overseas training shall beactively reinstituted for comprehensive human development in the civil service.

New Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Cadre shall be created for Teachers in neweducation districts for better school administration.

We shall institute Home Ownership Scheme for public servants and also support andencourage their backyard food production business ventures.

We shall do a comprehensive review of civil service names and conventions as part of ourefforts to create a people- friendly civil service.

Appropriate nomenclature will enhance accountability and promote public access to theservices of the ministry. A citizen with a complaint of blockage of drainage will find a Ministryof Roads and Drainages easier to identify with than Ministry of Works, a Ministry of HumanResources and Development will more appropriately communicate its services than a Ministryof Establishment.

TOURISM

Vision: Tourist’s cradle in Africa

The State of Osun is the cradle of Yoruba people and our rich culture. The opportunitiesfor wealth creation in Osun state through tourism have been underexploited. We shall:

· Develop State of Osun tourism potentials to its fullest to promote employmentand wealth among people of the State of Osun.

· Encourage development of Yoruba museum and world heritage centre at Ile-Ife.

· Encourage programmes that nurture and promote arts and talent.

· Enhance the image of traditional rulers and institutions.

· Mobilize our traditional rulers to showcase the state’s tourism potentials toYorubas in the diaspora (e.g. Brazil, Cuba and West Indies).

ROADS

Vision: Roads to and in all towns and villages in Osun. Road construction and maintenanceshall be used to generate employment for the indigenes of the State of Osun.

· Community based road maintenance units will be established to ensure timelyrepairs and deduce overall maintenance costs.

· Development and regular maintenance of urban and rural roads to get toppriority.

· Access roads to evacuate agricultural produce shall be constantly improvedand expanded.

· Create partnerships with the private sector on road development and provisionof infrastructure.

TRANSPORTATION

We shall produce a transport master plan to provide direction for development of thesector.

The safety of the lives of the indigenes of the State of Osun is of great concern to us. Weshall:

· Reduce to the barest minimum, road traffic accident within 6 months on allroads starting with Federal roads.

· Create a motorized division of the Osun troopers to patrol roads to preventaccidents on the highways and organize rescue and recovery operations.

INNOVATION

Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and now China have made life for their peoplepermanently comfortable through innovation, research and development, thrift and hardwork.

We Africans especially the people of the State of Osun are thrifty (a ki se oni nakuna) andhardworking (ati agbe at onise owo lo ka imele si aida nile Yoruba) but we have been backwardin looking forward.

We have not been innovative enough, we have not invested enough in research and wehave not developed the fruits of innovation and research. In other words we remain backward,poor, unscientific and losers (eni igbehin) among the family of nations.

It is a matter of concern that our leaders do not car or worry enough about these issues.

I care and I’m deeply concerned. As your Governor I will do everything possible to:

· Create awareness and dissatisfaction among all in the State of Osun about ourposition among the world’s people and the need to move up the ladder of human ascent anddevelopment away from permanent and persistent poverty.

· Ensure that ideas with original creativity are tapped for the enrichment of all.

· Give real importance to education with skills development so that we can makewhat we need and become more competitive in the world as a people by creating more skillsdevelopment centres in the State of Osun.

· In these centres we shall teach Men and Women to think with their hands,sharpen our already proven entrepreneurial skills and stop Nigeria from importing:

TOOTH PICK (IGI OPARUN FUN ITAYIN) FROM CHINA, ORANGE JUICE(OROMBO) FROM KOREA, SHOES (BATA) FROM SPAIN/ ITALY, FAN BELT/ CAR TYRES(RUBBER) FROM JAPAN AND FRANCE.

When I know that these can be easily manufactured here.

I shall turn the State of Osun into a creative agro-industrial zone God willing.

INDUSTRIALISATION

Key to banishing unemployment permanently anywhere is promoting conduciveatmosphere for manufacturing and production. Our Government shall:

· Develop integrated industrial estates for mini, micro and large manufacturingenterprises in the three senatorial zones of the State of Osun.

· Provide the estates with infrastructural facilities that reduce the cost of settingup industries (roads, electricity, water and telecommunications).

· Provide incentives targeted at attracting manufacturers/ investors.

· Develop skilled personnel through our Life Academies, Universities and collegesto service specialized industrial and manufacturing needs.

•Governor Aregbesola addressing a mammoth crowd during the rally.

OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014 14MAGAZINE

Ibokun Mega Rally: Rallying Support Against Religious Divisive Senti-ments

Continue from page 12RESTORE HEALTHY LIVING

Vision: To work to save our people from all avoidable deaths due to accidents, emergencies,poverty and inadequate health facilities.

To achieve this for all and particularly our children and senior citizens, we shall:

· Provide effective and available healthcare for all.

· Provide efficient accident and emergency ambulance service.

· Provide primary health clinics within 10 kilometre radius of every Osun town,with special attention to the needs of children, women and the elderly.

· Provide functional General hospitals within 20 kilometre radius of humanhabitation.

· Provide referral hospitals within 30 kilometre radius of human settlement.

· Establish free blood pressure checks in conjunction with private organizationsat every local government office.

· Undertake special programmes for the upgrading, retraining and workingcomforts of all health personnel.

· Encourage and nurture alternative medical therapy.

· Free treatment for malaria to children below age 18 and senior citizens (60+).

ENVIRONMENT

Vision: To embrace current scientific methods in controlling the generation of waste andthe conversion of waste to wealth.

The state of the environment, especially waste generation, management and theembarrassing filth in our communities demand special attention. The CAN government shall:

· Encourage all houses in the State of Osun to have a modern and affordable toiletfacility through a special scheme.

· Provide private sector driven waste management and beautification schemesto rid our communities of filth which threaten public health.

· Beautification of town centres as a starting point of general urban renewal.

· Work with the private sector to establish appropriate waste-to-wealth projectsunder a composite waste management policy.

WATER

Vision: Water for all in the state of the living spring.

It is a painful regret that most cities in Osun do not have potable water running at any timeand Osun is the state of the living spring!!!

Our Government will do everything possible to bring potable water to all parts of the Stateof Osun and correct this anomaly.

All abandoned water schemes shall be reactivated and speedily completed.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Our ACN Government shall:

· Help Osun indigenes realize their dreams of house ownership or rehabilitationof failing structures through deliberate programmes that improve their income earning capacity.

· Support mortgage schemes that make house ownership pocket friendly.

· Actively support research and development on the use of local materials toforce down building costs.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity for all shall be the creed of ACN Government in Osun. We shall:

· Ensure that electric energy is available in the state for domestic, commercialand industrial activities.

· We shall endeavour to provide electricity to all villages, hamlets and farmsettlements in the state.

· Private sector-led power agencies shall be encouraged to set up energy stationsin the state.

•

SECURITY

Security of lives and properties are of paramount importance to us. Our Governmentshall:

· Have special programmes for the police and neighbourhood security outfits.

· Provide special allowance to all security agents deployed to Osun State andenhance their operational facilities for efficiency.

· Respond to the operational needs of security agents through provision of mobility,communication gadgets, protective gears and conducive working environment.

FIRE SERVICES

We shall improve capacity of fire services to respond to emergencies.

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

Our Government will promote physical exercises as a deliberate policy which will forma crucial aspect of our healthy-living programme. This is in keeping with the adage that asound mind only resides in a sound body.

PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION

Vision: Eradicate the frustration of youths caused by education that does not lead toemployment.

To achieve this, the government of AC under Rauf Aregbesola shall:

· Provide free education at all levels in Osun State. Focus on functional education.Education that makes one useful to himself and society.

· Improve incentives to teachers and work with the NUT to restore the dignity ofthe teaching profession.

· Restructure administration of school management and create Tutors-General(Permanent Secretary Cadre) from among Head Teachers in three Educational Districtswhich we will establish.\

· Fix all collapsed educational infrastructures in all the schools.

· Support with modern teaching aids and well-stocked libraries.

· Ensure cooperation with parents and teachers to improve discipline and morality.

· Introduce non-partisan community-based governing boards for all schools.

· Reduce number of students per classroom immediately.

· Introduce home development plans for teachers who wish to build houses intheir home towns, through access to special mortgage packages.

· Promote mass adult literacy and numeracy programmes.

· Promote and support Special programmes that give special attention to educationof girls and women.

· Establish institutions that impart life-long skills for all, in and out of formalschooling.

ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY

· I am committed to ensuring that an Osun State University takes off on a soundfooting and becomes a first-class institution with linkages to renowned universities in thedeveloped world.

· I will make every tertiary institution in Osun State an independent degree-awarding one.

· Encourage use of services of retired, but not tired dons and administrators,from reputable institutions.

ENHANCE COMMUNAL PEACE AND PROGRESS

Vision: To restore the bond of trust between the Governor and the governed.

Over time, people have disconnected from government because those in authority havenot shown enough concern about their welfare or actively engaged them in formulatingpolicies that affect them.

Our Government shall restore partnership between government and people through:

SAGES COUNCILS (EGBE AGBA)

Our state is blessed with a large pool of elderly folks who are invariably well educated,have enjoyed successful careers, travelled widely in the world, but are currently reduced toirrelevance in the society.

Our Government will support the formation of non partisan community based sages

councils, capable of providing guidance in management, moral and ethical development inour society.

Our Government will seek elderly guidance and advice as inputs to our policy formationand implementation.

Government will support the senior citizens and help in their management of socio-economic problems peculiar to the group (pension, health and education).

YOUTHS COUNCIL (EGBE ODO)

People age 30 and below constitute the majority of our population but unfortunately areoften frustrated and unfulfilled as a consequence of intolerable social and economic policies.

Our ACN Government shall support the creation of non partisan community based youthcouncils to provide a platform for them to articulate and work out solutions to various problemsconfronting them.

Our Government will encourage cross fertilization of ideas between the Sages and YouthCouncils through which public policies would be influenced.

Government will promote sporting activities and creation of physical facilities for sportingand related activities.

We shall reinstate the abandoned ‘boys’ and girls’ clubs’ and name them Omoluabi Boys’and Girls’ club to perform the roles similar to boys’ and girls’ scouts, boys brigade and more.

JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS

An attribute of good governance is to promote justice, equity and fair play amongstcitizens of the state.

Government of ACN will e3nsure speedy access ti justice try all individuals in Osun State,by reforming the courts system and procedural rules, introducing alternative dispute resolution(ADR) mechanisms and fee legal services.

To complement these, ACN government shall improve welfare packages of JudicialOfficers and upgrade courts with modern IT and communications facilities.

COMMUNICATION

Our Government will restructure OSBC to:

Ensure its professional are motivated and continuously trained for competency

Provide digital equipment and infrastructure upgrade to conform to international bestpractices in broadcasting.

Exploit its tourism promotional capacity and capability.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Consumers deserve to have the best goods and services at the best price and not have topay more for goods and servi9ces than their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Our government shall support the establishment of a consumer watch agency and alsocooperate with organizations that have similar objective of protecting our people from unfairbusiness practices.

In all the above and above all these I intend to run a people-friendly government – aGovernment of the people, by the people, FOR THE PEOPLE. A GOVERNMENT UNUSUALin this land.

Infrastructures and facilities for reaching, advising, guiding, warning me will be givenconstant nurture.

Outside these I have no rigging machinery and will strongly appeal to you all Osun votersto fight and defend your votes.

Do not sell your vote and our future to a moneybag or vote people who do not care enoughabout our future as I passionately do.

I am entering into a pact with each and all of you as you read this that I and my colleaguesshall work in all honesty, tirelessly to bring marked improvements to your life.

Apart of this pact you will be able to see that your children are better educated and havejobs; farmers, artisan, traders are more prosperous, general quality of health has improvedand you are no longer afraid to go to the hospital.

Osun will again be producing food enough for its people.

Through my Government Unusual, I shall work with and for you to create wealth throughour toil as our fathers and mothers did to make us prosperous until 1962.

· Concluded.

•A cross section of Aregbesola’s supporters.

15OSUN DEFENDER Tuesday, July 15, 2014

•The air driers and swing machines distributed to the gradaunds.

•Generating sets , hair clippers distributed at the event.

The Graduation Ceremony Of 500 Youths And Women Empowered By Hon Adeyinka Ajayi,Representing Boripe,/Ifelodun/Odo-Otin In The House Of Representatives And Distribu-tion Of Tools To The Beneficiaries Held At Saviours Primary School, Ikirun, Recently.

•(L-R) Honorable Bello Osuolale; State Attoroney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Wale Afolabi, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Hon YinkaAjayi, presenting a certificate to one the graduands.

•Events decoration materials distributed to the graduands.

•A cross section of the Yinka Ajayi (YACO) Babes at the programme.

PHOTOTALK

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

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

By ADE OLUGBOTEMI

AS we get to the

countdown period off a t e - d e c i d e r

Gubernatorial Election of theState of Osun, it is imperativeto remind ourselves of someevents that may likely spurus to take rational decisionsconcerning those to beentrusted with our mandatecome August 9, 2014. This isnecessary against the backdrop of ourproclivity to dare consequences, albeitirrationally, of our actions. Thischaracteristic has largely beenresponsible for the emblematicretrogression that is peculiar to us; andthe needless attendant agony that weoften smart in through our existence asa sovereign Nation. Although we still seeourselves as people basking in freedom,the dehumanization that is laced thereinis worse than that being experienced bythose in slavery.

Self-determination is germane tohuman freedom; that is why rationalHuman Beings would do everythinghumanly possible to ensure that the rightto personal discretion and resistanceagainst perverseness and oppression areguaranteed. It is for this reason thatanyone should feel compelled to do acritical x-ray of what has been ourexperience over the years. We havebeen living like strangers in our land ofnativity because the right to self-determination is not guaranteed. Whatwe don’t want is foisted on us as if weare accursed to be Nigerians. There isno government ever formed at the centrein Nigeria that we can boast of aspopular because the majority alwayshave their wish, not their way becausethe former is upturned to usher in thoseanointed and approved by the oligarchs.

Very disheartening though, we cannotboast of being near the bay ofcontentment and satisfaction, becausewe have been stripped of our humanessence by the self-imposed leaders;and as if it is not enough to be involuntaryand unwilling followers, the consciencewe nurture is beleaguered withcraftiness and battered by adulation ofdeception that is often applied tomomentarily assuage our causativewounds by those who want to take usfor a ride. Unfortunately, we havedeveloped very thick and stubborn skinsthat propel us to endure the pains ofwounds that darts thrown at us by theruling class incessantly inflict on both ourphysical and mental frames. Our frailtiesare increasingly multiplying becausethose ruling us have sworn on oaths thatthe masses must be made tosystematically sign treaty with idealisticimpoverishment.

Our undoing in Nigeria ispathologically caused by Personalitieswho come together on oaths to carve acomfort zone for themselves and pitchagony tents in zones of excruciatingpains for others. As it was in thebeginning (at independence), so it hasbeen all along in our Nationhood, and so

it is even now; as if it is divinely destinedto be so. We are well conscious of thisproblem as long as we have survived asa Nation; that is why we coin the word“DEMO” to describe those who alwaysform a clique in the name of a politicalparty to thwart the popular will of thepeople to be ruled by Leaders of choice,only to forcefully exert their hegemonyover us. Such individuals flagrantlydisregard piety in policy formulation andexecution. They are generally known asnon-performers because there is nostrict adherence to work plans (if thereare at all).

When Nigeria became a Republic in1963, it was Northern Peoples Congress(NPC), in collaboration with Zik’sNational Council for Nigerian Citizens(NCNC). In the second Republic, it wasNational Party of Nigeria (NPN) incollaboration with Zik’s NigerianPeople’s Party (NPP). Since 1999 whenthe third Republic came on board, it hasbeen Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)till date. Every Nigerian is aware thatPDP, like her Precursors, has never wonany Elections in Nigeria; yet they havebeen collaborating with notable

individuals and groups in our Country torig popular Parties and Candidates out.That is why PDP will remainunaccountable to the Electorate becausethey are conscious of never havingenjoyed popular support ever.

Our Rulers make promises duringcampaigns; they promise to do manythings paradoxically unimaginable andunfathomable. Some of them go extramiles to do what their nature andcharacter could normally notaccommodate. That accounts for whya two-term Senator, Iyiola Omisore, whowas elusive to his Constituents asRepresentative in the Senate willsuddenly become Okada Riders’playmate and Corn-sellers’ Soul-mate:all because August 9 Election is aroundthe corner. When considering promises,we must take pragmatism intoconsideration for the benefit of hindsight;so as not to fall to errors that rhetoricspredate.

Any Political Parties that roll outmanifesto programmes now must beassessed holistically. We have PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) at the Centre;

and the All Progressives Congress(APC) is ruling in many States ofthe Federation. We must be rationaland logical enough to juxtapose thescorecards of these two majorPolitical Parties as they affect thelives of ordinary Nigerians on thestreets. Today, many PDP Stateshave backlogs of unsettled salaryarrears, and provision of social

amenities is begging for attention; anindication that the much orchestratedCentral Might and Mainstream Politicsare thoroughly jinxed under the rulingPeoples Democratic Party.

Here in Osun, we have many thingsto learn from. We may at this juncturehave to discountenance militaryinterregnum. We must concentrate onour fifteen years of democratic rule formeaningful assessment. Coincidentally,PDP has steered the ship of governancefor seven and a half years, while Alliancefor Democracy (AD) ruled for fouryears. The same AD hasmetamorphosed and grown to becomeAll Progressive Congress that has beenin the saddle for three and a half years;a matter of 50-50 one would say. Weare rational enough to spot thedifference and see which of the twopolitical groupings has been morebeneficial in terms of life-changingpolicies and programmes that have beenput in place and executed.

It is crystal clear that both the Partiesand Personalities involved in the fastapproaching fierce political contest areknown inside-out. The two majorContenders (as of Parties andPersonalities) are well known to thepeople of the State of Osun who willtroop out en-mass on August 9, 2014 tocast their votes. Chameleonic overturesmust not be allowed credence to blindfoldthe people. Fallacy must be stripped ofprominence. We must all hold high ourintegrity. We must repudiate sentimentaland emotional cajoling that may likelydub the campaigns as we go deep intothe count-down period. The Elites andStakeholders must hold firm the radarand mobilize in such an objective mannerthat the changing face of ourenvironment through projects that arepropelled by visionary leadership is notimpeded.

Limbless flood will not relent in itseffort to render homeless the man wellgiven to industry that resulted in himputting in place a magnificent edifice; itis the house Owner that mustpassionately, fiercely, and vehementlyresist limbless flood, so that the labourand toils of many years that resulted inbeauties to behold are not allowed to godown in ruins. Pains of transformationhave so long been borne and endured inthe State of Osun, the paeans that arebeginning to sprout require a littlepatience to blossom; and it is he thatendures to the end that will be fit to reapthe benefits to the fullest. Osun o nibaje o o.

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.

Lest We Forget

•AREGBESOLA