Osun Defender Online Version of April 26, 2024

Okada Riders Serving As Delivery Agents For Drug Dealers – Investigations

Yusuf Oketola

SOME commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders are doing more than carrying passengers from one place to another.

Their opera ons, according to findings by OSUN DEFENDER, have gone beyond the legal commercial ac vi es to serving as middle men between illicit drug dealers and users in some parts of Osun State.

Findings have revealed that some Okada riders in the state are distributors of illicit drugs engaged by the drug dealers.

Inves ga ons have also indicated that the Okada riders have become syndicate and are recrui ng unemployed youths into the drug distribu on business.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that illicit drug users now order their preferred drugs online while the Okada riders to do

•Make Average Of N50,000 Per Week

the delivery for them.

A er the order, the Okada riders would meet the drug dealer at a club or on an expressway where he would collect the drugs for onward delivery to the consumers.

The illicit drug users, according to inves gaons, also usually received the drugs at hotels and beer parlour joints.

Among the drugs the compromised motorcyclists distribute are colorado, tramadol, molly, codin, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.

According to sources among the motorcyclists, those serving as agents for the illicit drug dealers and users make a minimum of N10,000 profit per day and an average of N50,000 in a week.

The opera ons of the compromised Okada riders covered Osogbo, Ede, Iree, Offa (Kwara State) and Ile-Ife, according to

the sources.

OSUN DEFENDER also gathered that the compromised Okada riders do carry unsuspec ng passengers going along their route to disguise and have safe riding to their des na ons.

A commercial motorcyclist who does not want his name in print told OSUN DEFENDER that he was contacted for the illegal business but he declined the offer for the fear of being caught by security agents.

The Okada rider disclosed that he first considered the offer because of the money involved but he later turned it down a er being warned by one of his rela ves.

He said: “One of my friends, who is also an Okada rider, contacted me three weeks ago to introduce me to the business of distribu ng drugs for the drug dealers. He

told me they needed more bike men to join the business. But I seek the opinion of a rela ve who warned me not to be involved because of the consequence.

“The rela ve told me he has a brother who is currently serving jail term because he was caught distribu ng illicit drugs. That was why I declined. The friend who called me has been in the business since January this year.

“He told me he carried a drug dealer who is a female as passenger. From there, the lady asked him to help in distribu ng drugs and he accepted the offer. The guy usually waits for the lady at a popular club around Dele Yes Sir, Osogbo to take drugs for delivery to her customers.

“The contacts of the people who ordered the drugs online will be given to him to deliver. I once

followed him when his bike had fault. We went to different hotels and loca ons in Osogbo and Ede. But I can’t do the business; I am afraid.”

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Naonal Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun Command, Charles Odigie in a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER noted that the commercial motorcyclists are the major problem in the fight against illicit drugs in Osun State.

Odigie decried the rate some commercial motorcyclists serve as middle men for the dealers and consumers.

He said drug dealers are so smart that they use the Okada riders as a shield to avoid arrest by NDLEA or other security agencies.

Odigie said: “The drug dealers are very smart. They don’t want to have direct contact in their dealings. They are always skep cal and afraid that we can set them up.

“What they do is to use the bike man as a shield. They send them to pick up drugs from motor

parks and also to deliver to consumers. We don’t usually get to arrest the main dealer because they have informants working for them.

“We will only appeal to Osun people to give us informa on. We can only work on intelligent reports. However, NDLEA Osun Command is working round the clock to make the state hot for those involve in such business. We have made several successes in that regard recently.”

OSUN DEFENDER had in its July 14, 2023 edi on reported that some factors responsible for prevalence of illicit drug and substance consump on in the state were the increasing hospitality business.

The advent of night clubs, lounge and beer parlours is major contributor to rising drug abuse cases.

Also, the establishment of ter ary instu on (both public and private) with large student popula on is part of the reasons why drug abuse is prevalent in the state.

Murdered Osun Cleric’s Family Alleges Plot To Bury Case, Calls For IG’s Intervention

Kazeem Badmus

THE family of the late pastor in charge of Celes al Church of Christ, Grace of Comfort Parish, Ilode, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Morris Fadehan, who was recently murdered in the church has alleged that some ‘powerful people’ were making a empt to subvert jus ce in the case.

The family called for the interven on of the Inspec-

I Refused To Write Apology Letter As A Condition To See Oyetola – Loyalist

Ismaeel Uthman

MR. Tunde Ayofe, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ede, Osun State, has disclosed that he refused to write an apology le er demanded by some aides of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, as a condi on to see him. Ayofe, a loyalist of Oyetola, said he was asked to write an apology le er by some of the Minister’s aides when he went to visit him at his office in Abuja, a er his viral voice notes in which he complained that the former governor was not making himself available to party members.

According to Ayofe, Oye-

tola reached out to him on phone a er the viral voice note, sta ng that he was also encouraged by some people to visit the Minister.

He claimed that when he got to Oyetola’s office, he was asked to write an apology le er before he could be allowed to see the minister.

Ayofe, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER on Monday said: “I went to Abuja a er my voice notes where I complained that Oyetola was not making himself available. Oyetola himself called me and some people encouraged me to see him. When I got to his office in Abuja, I was told I needed to write a le er of apology and I insisted on

not wri ng any le er.

“Which le er should I write to Governor Ademola Adeleke who I denied and refused to support in spite of the fact that we are family? A man who doesn’t have forgiving heart does not worth it. I refused to write the le er.

“I have been a acking some people for eight or 12 years because of a person, and the person I am doing that for could not forgive me for offending him once? If he can’t forgive me, then I am not wri ng any le er of apology.”

Speaking on his reported defec on to the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), Ayofe said he has not le the APC, saying “I am s ll in APC.”

Ayofe said while he is s ll a member of APC, he

is however, no longer interested in any comba ve poli cal ac vi es in favour or against anybody.

“I cannot con nue to inherit another person’s enemy because of poli cs”, he declared.

He disclosed that the picture being circulated on social media as that of his purported defec on was taken with his friends who are members of the PDP.

According to Ayofe, he agreed to take the picture with the PDP stalwarts as a result of his resolve to play poli cs in a new way.

He said: “I didn’t defect to PDP; I am s ll in APC. But I am taking up a new way in poli cs. I can’t con nue to a ack people who are good to me. I don’t want to inherit anybody’s enemy again. I am no longer interested in

any caucus, or group or facon in the APC. It doesn’t worth it.

“The people in the picture on social media are my childhood friends. I had avoided these people for the past six years because of my party.

“Before we took the picture, my people told me that I was too rigid with the way I am playing poli cs. They cited the example of Wike who is a member of PDP but serving under President Tinubu. They encouraged me to so en my heart and play poli cs with maturity. Then I decided to take the picture with them.

“I have decided not to create or have any enmity again in poli cs. I am having a new way to poli cs, I am s ll a member of APC.”

tor-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that all those involved in Fadehan’s death are apprehended and prosecuted.

It would be recalled that the 65-year-old Fadehan was allegedly murdered in the premises of the church by his assistant, Lekan Ogundipe, on February 26.

The suspect was arrested and detained by the police a er the incident.

The eldest child of the late clergy, Elizabeth Fadehan, while addressing journalists in Osogbo, on Tuesday, said family members of the deceased have been receiving calls from some people, who were demanding for discon nua on of the case.

According to her, the callers have been demanding that the deceased’s family should drop the case against Ogundipe, the prime suspect.

Elizabeth Fadehan, who also insisted that Ogundipe could not have carried out the killing without the assistance of some yet-tobe-iden fied people, called on the police authority to ensure that thorough inves ga on was conducted to expose other people involved in the killing of his father.

She said some well-

Developing A Consumer Credit Society Review & Outlook

IT is not all gloom and by doom. Amidst the excrucia ng cost of living crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has redeemed a key campaign pledge by launching the first phase of a consumer credit scheme. If properly implemented, it will be a decisive game changer.

The scheme should redefine the distorted misinterpreta on of the much-abused concept of “empowerment “. It is also a pathway towards achieving shared prosperity.

The wheel is not being reinvented here. Before the country took a wrong turn, Nigeria had established credit and leasing companies. The car credit company Joe Allen enabled thousands of Nigerians to purchase brand new vehicles at a me when the concept of “Tokunbo cars” had not come into play. The country also had the Nigeria Building Society, the or-

“The new policy will be of immense benefit to the manufacturing sector which is currently under attack. A mass consumer base will be created by allowing potential purchasers access to credit finance, this will bring down unit cost and give the manufacturers the competitive edge to export”

ganiza on which provided home loans thereby helping to create wider home ownership which is a stabilising buffer in a democracy. We should have con nued on that track. The opportunity costs of not doing so have acted as a roadblock towards the a ainment of sustainable development be rocked on an expanding middle class.

Announcing Tinubu’s approval, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said “Consumer credit is the lifeblood of modern economies, and every hardworking Nigerian should have access to social mobility.”

This objec ve is laudable as it cons tutes the pillar upon which a democracy ought to be constructed. We are therefore in full support of the ini a ve and look forward to seeing imagina ve implementaon.

The new policy will be of immense benefit to the manufacturing sector which is currently under a ack. A mass consumer base will be created by allowing poten al purchasers access to credit finance, this will bring down unit cost and give the manufacturers the compe ve edge to export. This is crucial, for we must now “export or perish” in the face of a currency turmoil. In addi on, access to consumer finance will increase consumer purchasing power parity. Without an increase in purchasing power, manufacturing closure and staff layoffs will con nue due to unfold products and high inventory costs. The impact of this policy is mul dimensional and beneficial.

Onitiri-Abiola’s Proclamation Saga: Under Which Influence? (Part Two)

Ihave o en found a Chinese philosopher’s proposi on engendering inside of me, some mental pabulum, even on a topically seasonless theme of high public interest. No wonder why I have found myself quo ng and re-echoing it any me I had to address one of the major problems (arbitrariness) facing this country.

He was once asked what he would do first if he were to rule the whole world.

“I will correct language. “He said with a tone of finality.

Stunned by the response he gave his inquirer; the philosopher was asked to expaate on it and his response was this: “If language is not correct, then what is said is not what is meant; if what is said is not what is meant, then what ought to have been done would remain undone; if what ought to have been done remains undone, Arts and Morals would deteriorate, if Arts and Morals deteriorate, jus ce would go astray; if jus ce goes astray, people would stand in confusion and this is why there should not be arbitrariness in whatever is said.”

Unfortunately, it is with this same arbitrariness which, in the use of language, and as fired up by the wine of equivocaon, that some of our poli cians across the country are misleading our youths into frivolous agita on for secession, even on a pla er of gold, probably thinking that governments are like the proverbially overtolerant newspaper columnist.

He tolerates the inani es of ordinary people; the simpering of socialites; the pomposi es of poli cians and the brouhaha of barrack Lords. That’s the over-tolerant newspaper for you.

I doubt much if governments would con nue to tolerate how virtually everyone who wakes up from the wrong side of the bed is talking of subver ng the sovereignty of the country.

This is exactly what is leading some of our youths to rabble rousing, with no clear understanding that there is a world of difference between rioters and revolu onaries.

When we talk of incorrect language, we are talking of incoherence in which BLAB-

“But there is a wide gap between their “pious” declaration and the actual identity of Yoruba value and vision while their intentions run counter to the spirit and soul of the Omoluabi ethos for which Yoruba are known.”

BING or RABBLING is the order of disorderliness of the day.

This is the brain child of RABIDITY, for when the air is already tainted, the brain box would stop working and the neighbourhood becomes ill.

The first earthly coup or subversion masterminded against God, as recorded in the scriptures, resulted in a BABEL of tongues. The whole earth was one language and of one and same speech un l the crave or craze to be autonomously independent of God led men with the subversive ploy to build a city which would tower up into a heaven in which earthly people would make same name with God, even under the guise of UNITY (a hidden agenda to SECESSION: Severing rela onship) which is a direct affront to and a far cry from ACCORD by which men’s hearts are ordained to be one with God and are of God’s image.

In recent mes, the upsurge in youth delinquency and its a endant high suicide rate have been disturbing. I suspect this is not unconnected with unmet expecta ons of youths who are the immediate casuales.

My findings reveal that this sad development might be traced to the influence which mo va onal speakers wield irrevocably on the media genera on through their Direct Interpreta on of Equivoca on (DIE) system of communica on towards reaching out to the youths whose desires are o en fired up, but are themselves robbed of the strength of actualisa on.

Another crisis on hand in our society is the gale of hate literature (in circula on) as occasioned by irresponsible media reporting, even as our media genera on is being befuddled by mental laziness as a result of their delusion that unbridled technology is there to think for them.

As if this is not enough, the society is retrogressively witnessing the underdevelopment of reading culture while losing moral compass as a result of saccharine gospel of instant prosperity o en preached in some religious houses.

There are also weak attempts by educa onal instu ons to design and implement dynamic curriculum to deal with emerging challenges, even as both governments and the media have been found to engage in over-topicalisa on and over-

Omoluabi Progressives To Roll-Out Membership Registration Card Soon – Chairman

THE Chairman of Omoluabi Progressives Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, has hinted that the caucus will begin registra on for its members in no distant me.

Adesiji dropped the hint while addressing members of the caucus during the cons tuency tour of the state coordina ng team to Ayedaade/ Irewole/Isokan federal cons tuency, on Monday.

The former Chairman of Ilesa West local government stated that the membership registra on will further solidify the acvi es of the caucus as it looks towards reclaiming the state in 2026.

Sta ng the importance of unity and discipline in its ac vi es, Adesiji stressed the need for relentless mobilisa on and educa on of members throughout the state on its ethos of virtue, discipline and progressive ideology of social emancipa on.

He called on the stakeholders of the Omoluabi Progressives Caucus to show more commitment

and resolve to achieving the common goal of the caucus.

Adesiji said: “I want to urge us all to be steadfast, resolute and be committed to the ideology of the Omoluabi Progressives. We cannot afford to re-

“We should all return to our wards, units and locali es to preach the gospel of the Omoluabi Progressives. We are Omoluabis with an identy of focus, hard work,

GOVERNOR Ad-

emola Adeleke has disclosed how the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, once saved him from media blackmail while he was in the Senate.

Adeleke said the first lady, then a Senator in the 8th Senate, was his saving grace a er he was caught sleeping by the media during plenary.

The governor spoke on Tuesday during a recepon organized for Tinubu alongside other State Governors’ wives at the Government House, OkeFia, Osogbo, ahead of the Turning of Sod of the Alterna ve High School for Girls.

According to Adeleke, “I want to welcome you to Osun State. You are a detribalise First Lady. I remember that she was my senior colleague at the 8th assembly.

“There was a me when the media caught me sleeping in the Senate, so they wanted to blackmail me. I told them how tedious our job is in making bills and having several sleepless nights over Nigeria. We don’t sleep ll 4 a.m. most mes. They (the media) were not listening to me; I almost fell for their blackmail. So, I ran to mama (First Lady) when she was going to Lagos, I told her that I wanted to

“We should mobilise and be ready to contribute financially and morally to the success of our movement. The good thing is that the people are with us and believe so much in us. We must remember to work with the fear of God.

I am assuring you that this leadership under my watch is ready to listen to your complaints, suggesons and advice for the progress of the caucus.”

•(L-R) Dr. Peju Adigun, Secretary, Omoluabi Progressives, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, Chairman of the caucus, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji and other members of the cordinating team of the caucus during the programme

ask her something. I said I was sleeping, and the media came to me that they saw me sleeping, and it seemed they wanted to collect something from me.

“She told me, ‘ma da won lohun’ (don’t answer them), let them go and write whatever thing they want to write, tell them that you are a human being because they have turn to what we faced in the past.

done that to me before.

“I made use of what she told me. That helped me out of paying a lot of money. So any me we have issues, we always go to her because of her wealth of experience.” dedica on, commitment and solid belief in crea ng a wave of impac ul leadership and prosperity for our dear state when we reclaim the state.

He urged members of the caucus to promote the legacies of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administra on in Osun (2010–2018), as it is the pivot on which the caucus is hinging its workings to reclaim the state in 2026.

Earlier, the leadership of the caucus had visited the Akire-in-Council, where the Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, Lambeloye III, heaped praise on the impact of the Aregbesola administra on’s in Osun.

Oba Falabi prayed for the success of the Omoluabi Progressives Caucus, urging its members to remain resolute and dedicated to their mission.

Hon. Demola Owoade, the Coordinator of Omoluabi Progressives in the federal cons tuency, in his remark, appreciated the State Coordina ng Team, promising that Irewole/ Isokan/Ayedaade Federal Cons tuency will con nue to stand firm in the adopon of the Omoluabi’s ethos, which the caucus represents.

How Remi Tinubu Saved Me When I Was Caught Sleeping At Plenary - Adeleke

Single Parents Lament Economic Hardship, Seek Govt, Community Support

THE prevailing hardship and economic situa on of the country require quick and las ng solu ons from the government and all other relevant societal stakeholders.

Ci ng job loss, fewer economic opportuni es, and insufficient wages, single parents are one of the most affected by the economic hardship, owing to their enormous responsibili es, especially grappling with the basic needs of their children and family, as well as the survival of taking care of their personal lives.

A cross-sec on of single parents residing in Osun State, who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, lamented the hardship, stressing that the rising cost of living is a huge bane to their survival.

Mrs. Amina Ibrahim, a single mother of three in the Akeju area of Osogbo, while sharing her experi-

ence, said: “Every day is a struggle to put food on the table and ensure my children have access to educa on.

“The cost of living keeps rising, but my income remains stagnant. It’s incredibly challenging to provide for my family on my own.”

Similarly, Mr. Olatunji Ibrahim, a single father residing in Ede, stated, “Finding stable employment has been a major challenge since my wife passed away two years ago. I work as a security guard, but the income is barely enough to cover our basic needs.

“Access to essen al services such as healthcare and educa on is a concern for me as a single parent.

Rising medical costs and school fees o en strain already ght budgets, leaving many families without adequate healthcare or educa onal opportuni es for our children.”

Mrs. Bisi Adekunle, a single mother who sells fabrics in Ila, spoke on the

emo onal challenge of single paren ng, explaining that “It is lonely and overwhelming at mes.

“I miss having someone to share the responsibili es with. I worry about providing a stable and nurturing environment for my children while dealing with financial stress. Even, while I struggle to get all of these things, having someone to converse with and discuss life and my plans with is something I have not felt in a while. I feel so lonely.”

Some of those who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER advocated communitybased support and government interven on for the burden faced by single parent households.

They added that ini aves around the provision of financial assistance, job training and access to affordable housing and healthcare can also make a significant difference in improving the lives of single parents and their children.

Osun Dep. Gov Advocates Taking Oath Of Office In Traditional Way

OSUN State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, has advocated that poli cians should be taking their oaths of office in the tradional way.

Adewusi supported the call for cutlass, guns and others which are objects of Ogun, the god of iron, to be used by poli cians to take the oath of office.

The Deputy Governor stated this during the inaugura on of Execu ve Commi ee of Tradi onal Religion Worshippers Associa on in Osun State (TRAWSO), on Tuesday.

According to him, it would not be a bad idea if poli cians swear their oath s of office using tradi onal means.

Represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, Adewusi said if deploying tradi onal oath taking would curb corrup on, it should be given a chance.

He said: “If deploying the guns and cutlasses tradi onalist used for oath of office would make our society be er, It’s okay. It’s not a bad concept, for me, it’s a good idea.

“A lot of people believe the system acts faster than

our considerable God. It depends on beliefs and perspec ves. But if it curbs corrup on, we can try it too.”

Earlier in his speech, Dr Oluseyi Atanda, who was re-elected Chairman of the group, challenged poli cians in the country to embrace tradi onal oath taking, saying it would curb corrup on.

“We serve as an example to all. Tradi onal oath taking is not fe sh or devilish, but the way to go. We took oath in the ways of our forefathers and today, we are all alive. I challenge our poli cal leaders to come back to tradi on. Let us take oath of office within our spirituality, culture and tradi on.

“Our society would be be er for it once we do that. The public officer afraid of tradi onal oath taking is a corrupt officer”, he added.

Consumers Groan As Food Prices Rise By 30% In Osun

PRICES of food items in Osun State have between December, 2023 and April 2024 gone up by at least 30 per cent, reports have revealed.

The infla on on food items has brought discomforts to consumers, who lamented that the development was affec ng their budget.

Checks in some markets within Osogbo metropolis revealed that prices of many locally produced food items remained high.

At Oluode, one of the major neighbourhood markets in Osogbo, a congo of garri was being sold at N1,200, while same product and measurement was sold at N1,400 at Ifon market in Orolu local government.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that a bag of garri which was sold at N37,000 two weeks ago now sells at N41,000. It was sold around N31,000 in January.

As of the me of filing this report, a bag of local rice that was sold for N50,000 last week, was selling at between N55,000 and N72,000.

OSUN DEFENDER also noted that the cost of pepper remained high. The pepper dealers explained that the hike in the price was as a result of high cost of transporta on from the North where bulk of the items was being brought to the state.

A bag of one kilogramme of Semovita which went for N700 in December last year now goes for N1,400.

Also, one kilogramme of wheat which was sold at N500 in December is now being sold for N1,200.

Findings also showed that in January, a bag of beans went for between N65,000 and N70,000.

However, as of the me of filing this report yesterday, a bag of beans was being sold at N185,000.

A recent report by a data company and Ar ficial Intelligence Pla orm, StanSense, revealed that Osun has the highest food inflaon among the six South Western states of Nigeria.

Stan Sense ranked Osun the first with the highest food prices infla on in the zone with 33.32 per cent.

Reac ng to the development in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER on Thursday, the Special Adviser to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Agriculture, Hon. Olaniran Akanfe, said the state government has put a lot in place to migate the effect of food inflaon on the residents.

Akanfe said the Ministry of Agriculture has called a mee ng with se lers on the farm se lements and

Commodi es Associa ons to know where they are lacking and increase food produc on.

He said: “A lot has been put in place by the Governor Adeleke-led administra on and this is the reason for us calling and having mee ngs with se lers on the farm se lements.

“We have also called mee ngs with commodi es associa ons to know where they are lacking. We needed them to know what the government have for them, such as inputs in subsidies rate for real farmers, loan and all.

“Even the governor have nego ated and have a deal on where to buy tractors and before delivery, he has release money for us to fix and put all tractors on field for farmers to use.

•Pastor and Deaconess Bamigbola Gbolagunte at the funeral ceremony of his late father, Pa Michael Durodola Bamigbola (JP) at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Iba, Osun State, recently

My Empowerment Activities Purely Humanitarian, Not Political – Raji

AN Osogbo born philanthropist, Engineer Kehinde Raji, popularly called Aaraj, has declared that his empowerment programmes are to alleviate poverty in the society and ease the suffering of the people of Osun State.

Raji maintained that he has no poli cal ambi on, nor being sponsored by any poli cian, adding that he is commi ed to helping humanity as long as he lives.

He stated that the beneficiaries of his empowerment ac vi es are majorly the less privileged, the needy, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) and other poli cal par es.

The civil engineer stated this on Saturday while distribu ng cheques of N1million each to beneficiaries who cut across various groups and local government, through his non-governmental organiza on, Aaraji Empowerment Founda on.

Raji said the founda on has between the first and second quarters of 2024 disbursed N50million to residents and nano traders in Osun State to cushion the effect of hardship.

He disclosed that beneficiaries were selected across the state to benefit from the philanthropic gesture by the founda on.

According to him, over 1000 people have also been registered under Osun State Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS), while mini-flat houses were built for aged vulnerable.

Raji disclosed that: “For this quarter, we programmed the vulnerable who are called Kejebu.

•Says Oyetola Didn’t Do Well To Him

In January, we gave out N10m to 200 beneficiaries who are nano traders to support their businesses. Since the removal of fuel subsidy, prices of things went up and many people started having challenges.

“In our own contribuon in allevia ng such challenges, we decided to give them money. The money is interest free and they do not need to pay for form. Within the last few months, the beneficiaries have been able to make repayment of 25 per cent. That was redistributed to-

day to fresh 31 beneficiaries.

“We observe over me that there are some aged poli cians who have been in poli cs for over 40-50 years and they are living in abject poverty. Some of them don’t have a house; while the condi on of the building and premises of those who have are nothing to write home about. So, we decided to support them, renovate their houses and built a self-con of a room and parlour for those who do not have.

“The Ajegunle spare

part dealers were also supported. A lot of the people there had locked up their shops because of financial challenges; what some of them need is not more than between N200,000 and N300,000.

“The Winjobi youths at Oja Oba area were also supported. We have so far distributed about N50million to direct and indirect beneficiaries.

“In as much as I am living and working, 20 per cent of my income is dedicated to humanity, 10 per cent as the and the

remaining 70 per cent for myself.”

Raji dismissed the insinua on that he switched tent with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, saying he is not a cheap person.

“The government of Gboyega Oyetola in Osun State didn’t do well to me; they chased me out of this town. I built my office here since 2019, they didn’t allow anything to happen there. And you think they will just call and ask me to work with them? No. I am not cheap.” I wont stoop so low to that.”

NPC Takes Delivery Of Census Equipment from Local Manufacturer, RLG Adulawo

THE Na onal Popula on Commission (NPC) has taken the delivery of different assortments of data capturing equipment and accessories in Lagos, ahead of the upcoming census in November 2024.

The equipment includes Personal Digital Assistants, Power banks, SD cards and Backpacks.

Speaking during the handover on Tuesday, the

Managing Director, RLG Adulawo Limited, Mr. Tosin Ilesanmi, stated that the company is happy to fulfill the contract and jus fy local content inclusion in the process by delivering the required specifica ons and quality required by the commission.

“Our pride is that the devices have been assembled by Nigerian youths thereby crea ng jobs in the country”, Ilesanmi boasted.

Ilesanmi further noted that the equipment is reliable for such rigorous exercise, apprecia ng the Federal Government, management of NITDA, NPC and CCMON for following through with Execu ve Order 003.

The Chairman of the

He added: “It is also important to men on that we ensured that we are delivering on me and according to specifica ons demanded by the Na onal Popula on Commission.”

company Mr Razaaque Animashaun, hopes that ‘the excep onal performance of the company’ will further encourage the government to con nue to grow local capacity and reverse capital flight with such opportuni es.

Animashaun said: “Rlg Adulawo is one of the few local suppliers engaged by the commission to partner with it on provision of reliable data capturing equipment for use in the field.

“And today, we are honouring our commitment, securing that partnership with this delivery. We thank the commission for the faith in us and other local manufacturers.”

Speaking during the handover, a representave of the NPC expressed sa sfac on with the quality of equipment received from the company ahead of the census.

Rlg Adulawo Limited, Ilesa is an ISO and NITDA cer fied (OEM) local equipment manufacturer located in Osun State.

Olufi Suspends Three Chiefs Over Alleged Misconduct

•Some candidates queuing to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), at a Computer Based Test Centre at the Agunbelewo area of Osogbo, on Wednesday Photo :Shola Aderinto.

THE Olufi of Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government of Osun State, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi, Odugbemi I, has announced the indefinite suspension of three tradi onal chiefs in the town

for alleged misconduct.

The suspended chief includes; Onpetu of Gbongan, Chief Kazeem Adekunle Afolabi; Baale Rufai Lawal of Olubula Community, Gbongan; and Baale Samson Oyegunle Odekunmi of Sewe

Teenager Bags

AN 18-year-old boy, Abiodun Adewuyi, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment for the of water taps.

He was sentenced by a Chief Magistrate Court, si ng in Ede, Osun State, on Monday.

Adewusi was arrested by opera ves of the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The convict was said to have removed the items at Durodola community, Owode-Ede town.

Spokesperson of the NSCDC in the state, Kehinde Adeleke, who provided details on the case in a statement on Wednesday, said the suspect was caught in a building removing the

taps on April 16 at about 5:40pm.

Adeleke said in the statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, that the offence commi ed was contrary to Sec on 390 of the Criminal Code Law of Osun State.

The suspect was arraigned on Monday, April 22, at the Magistrate Court in Ede, presided over by Chief Magistrate V. A. Adedokun,.

The statement reads:

“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Osun State Command has arraigned one Adewuyi Jamiu Abiodun (m) 18 years for stealing seven brass water taps.

“The suspect was arrested on April 16 at Durodola community, Owode Ede, Osun State at about 1740hrs where he was caught removing

Community, Gbongan.

Oba Oyeniyi, in a statement signed by him, on Wednesday, accused the chiefs of selfishly amassing wealth, disloyalty, acons capable of dividing the town and insubordina on, among others.

two brass water taps.

The statement reads partly: “The decision to suspend Chief Kazeem Adekunle Afolabi, Onpetu of Gbongan, stemmed from his blatant insubordina on and disregard for the esteemed office of the Olufi of Gbongan and the

“At the point of arrest, he had a total number of seven water taps in his possession and discreet inves ga on further revealed that whenever he stole water taps, he sold the stolen items to buyers of scrap metals.”

Reac ng to the judgement, the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Michael Adaralewa, called on parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against criminal acts.

GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke has tasked the board and management of the Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) to perform and deliver qualita ve healthcare to the people of the state. Adeleke said in line with his administra on’s policy, the Osun Health Insurance Scheme should maintain its leading role, which he noted is only achievable if the leadership of the agency

of the agency, at Iloko-Ijesa. Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Barr. Jola Akintola, Adeleke emphasised the importance of teamwork and collabora on

en re chie aincy ins tuon.

“His divisive ac ons, aimed at destabilizing the unity of Gbongan, and his a empt to distort tradional council chie aincy procedures, were reasons for his suspension. Addionally, his failure to attend mandatory fortnight mee ngs since 2019 further compounded his misconduct.

“Baale Rufai Lawal of Olubula Community faced suspension due to his flagrant disregard for the established rulership of the community. His appropria on of wealth and benefits to himself, neglec ng en tled stakeholders, and his support for ac ons aimed at dismembering Gbongan, were deemed as ac ons detrimental to the community’s harmony.

“Similarly, Baale Samson Oyegunle Odekunmi of Sewe Community faced

suspension for his gross abuse of power and divisive ac ons. His conduct was described as incompa ble with the tradional responsibili es expected of a Baale, posing a threat to the peaceful coexistence of the Sewe Community and Gbongan at large.”

Oba Oyeniyi said it is important to ensure that all ci zens, both at home and in the diaspora, are aware of the ac ons of the affected chiefs.

He condemned the alleged efforts of the suspended chiefs to undermine the progress and unity of Gbongan, reaffirming the town’s commitment to growth and development.

“My advice to the residents is to remain focused. We should connue with the peace we have been enjoying,” Oba Oyeniyi said.

•Oba Oyeniyi

to overcome challenges in the agency.

He stated: “A er the training, we an cipate posi ve outcomes, equipping them to effecvely fulfill their roles. Coopera on with management and administra ve staff is essen al for op mal efficiency and service delivery.”

Dr. Rasaq Akindele, the Execu ve Secretary of OSHIA, highlighted the significance of the workshop in building upon the agency’s

achievements.

He underlined the strides made in health insurance awareness and enrollment, emphasising the need to reach and assist millions of uninsured individuals in Osun State.

Akindele disclosed, “Our digital transformaon has streamlined opera ons, allowing enrollees to manage their health insurance seamlessly through a userfriendly mobile app.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Micheal Oyerinde, applauded OSHIA’s progress and Osun State’s health system advancements, urging a endees to apply workshop insights in their daily du es.

“I encourage all parcipants to leverage this knowledge to elevate the impact and credibility of the agency,” Oyerinde remarked, emphasizing the poten al of the state to serve as a model for healthcare reform na onwide.

From Amateur To NPFL Promotion Hopeful; Osun United On The Rise

Kazeem Badmus

OSUN United, an Osun State Government owned football club, is gradually climbing the ladder of playing at the peak of professional football in Nigeria. Founded as Prime FC in 1996 by authori es of Osogbo Local Government, but renamed “Osun United” in January 2017 during the administra on of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to give the club a be er iden ty, the Omoluabi giants are currently playing in the second er of club football in the country.

Osun United got to the Nigeria Na onal League (NNL) a er its relega on from the Nigeria Premier League now Nigeria Premier Football League in 2008.

More than a decade after its relega on, the team is s ll striving to get promoon to play among the big teams in the country and redeem its lost glory.

The team which plays its home games in the 10,000 seater Osogbo Township stadium was relegated to the Na onwide League One (NLO) in 2021/2022, during the immediate-past administra on of Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola.

But the team made a swi return to the Nigeria Na onal League (NNL) a er the 2022/2023 season.

Since returning to the NNL, Osun United have surprised many with their performance and improvement on the field.

Results have been more promising and things are looking more brightly for the Omoluabi giants with promo on to the Nigeria Professional Football League in sight.

Osun United which has adopted the Ilorin Township Stadium for their home matches due to the ongoing rehabilita on of the Osogbo Township Stadium, currently occupies third posi on in the Group B of the Southern Conference with 27 points in 17 games.

The team has won seven, drawn six and lost four matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding 8.

The team has a game in hand and trailing Ikorodu FC who occupies the first posion with 30 points in 18 matches.

Crown FC Ogbomoso, having also played 17 matches, is also on 27 points and occupies the second posion ahead of Osun United on goal difference.

The team will aim to be among the top two in the group to join other six teams to compete in the Super 8 compe on where the best four teams will be promoted to the NPFL.

With just three games to go, Osun United’s coach, Seye Ajayi in an exclusive

interview with OSUN DEFENDER, spoke on how the team came back from playing in the Na onwide League One in 2022/2023 to NPFL promo on hopeful in 2023/2024.

According to Ajayi, the support from the state government, supporters of the

team and the dri ing away from how things were being done in the past are responsible for the Omoluabi giants’ improved performance.

Ajayi who is op mis c about the team’s promoon to the Nigeria Professional Football League, said

the players and staff have been professional and offered their all for the club.

He said: “To God be the glory. We thank our sportsloving Governor for his administra on’s support for sports generally and most importantly, football. He has been a rock behind us.

“We started from amateur last season, we got superb support from the government and we were able to promote from NLO to NNL.

“Those boys are loyal and determined. Without those players, there is no Osun United and all I just wish them is a great career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them doing well in clubs across Europe in the near future.”

Over 1,200 Residents Benefit From Rotary Club’s Free Health Programme In Osun

HE Rotary Ac on Group for Family Health and AIDS Preven on (RFHA) has organised a three-day Rotary Family Health Days (RFHD)

ini a ve to promote good health among the people in various communi es in Osun State.

The RFHD held at Primary Healthcare Centre, Ofatedo, Egbedore South Local Council Development Area and the Primary Healthcare Centre, Omi-Odo Street, Ipetu-Ijesa, Oriade South LCDA, featured tes ng and screening of beneficiaries on diabetes, glucose levels, family counselling, among other health issues. Free drugs and medical materials were given to the beneficiaries who were over 1200 at the programme which was held between April 16 and 18.

Murdered Osun Cleric’s Family Alleges Plot To Bury Case,...

•Continued from Page 2

meaning people in the state had shown interest in the ma er, expressing concern that some ‘powerful individuals might be behind the prime suspect’.

The grieving daughter said: “Though the Nigeria Police Force apprehended one Lekan Ogundipe who we were told confessed to the callous killing of our easy-going father, we believe more needed to be done on it.

“We think that if the police could be determined to intensify their inves gaon on this broad day killing, more culprits shall be arrested. There have been

several misunderstandings between the deceased and Lekan. Any me this happened, he (Lekan) had many supporters in the church that he always used against the deceased.

“Lekan couldn’t have carried out the dastard act alone on that day without assistance from his co-haters of the deceased in the church. We wish to let the general public know that since the incep on of the case, some of us have been receiving several strange calls to drop the case.

“Threats from different angles are countless, saying that we want to fight the powerful and influen-

al people in society. The sudden interest shown by some who-is-who in Osun State towards the ma er caught us by surprise.

“Of a truth, we have nobody except God as this is taking a different dimension now.

“That is why we are calling on the Inspector General of Police to wade into this ma er and help the helpless. This case must be thoroughly invesgated and no sinner must go unpunished. Internaonal Community and reputable Non-Governmental Organisa ons in Nigeria should, please, speak out for us.”

Speaking at the programme, State Coordinator for RFHD, Mrs Folake Adebayo who is a Past Assistant Governor, said the health programme was in line with Rotary Interna onal’s commitment to providing free healthcare delivery to the people.

“This informed the need by the Rotary Clubs in Nigeria and the world at large to go all out to bring health professionals to the various communi es thereby pu ng smiles on the faces of the teeming beneficiaries”, Adebayo said.

In his address, District Governor-Elect, Mr Kayode Olowolagba, enjoined members of the communies that benefi ed from the free health programme to take interest in the various ac vi es of Rotary Club, locally, na onally and interna onally for their maximum benefits.

Some of the beneficiaries of the programme commended the club for its humanitarian gestures to the people over the years and urged Rotary Interna onal to increase the number of days for the program in order for more people to benefit.

Other members of the rotary club who par cipated in the programme included Past President Niyi Akinsola; Ademola Asaju; Oluwole Ademokoya, Rasaq Saliu and President Kikiowo Olayemi, among others.

Speaking on what has changed in the team and how he has been able to get the players to perform be er, Ajayi disclosed that he recruited new players who were mostly below 20 years of age before the start of the season.

The coach noted that it was rough at the beginning due to the players’ age and some hiccups in Nigeria football, adding that the players were able to navigate the rough path with the support of the staff and experienced players.

According to him, the players are coachable and always ready to learn, adding that 80 per cent of them are below the age of 20.

He said: “Before the start of the season, we opened screening which really paid off. What we looked for then was to get young and talented players who can play football and are coachable.

“Eighty per cent of the players in the team right now are below 20 and we added some experienced players to support the young guys.

“Things are a li le bit rough at the beginning because of the players we engaged. Also, some of the hiccups in Nigeria football affect them. But to God be the glory, they endured it and have been performing wonderfully.

“The boys are coachable and carry out instruc ons given to them and that is the reason why results have improved and we are eyeing promo on to the Nigeria Professional Football League.”

The coach, however, said the state government has to do more in terms of welfare for the players and staff

Ajayi also lauded the team’s supporters, even as he urged them to always try and s ck with the team both in the good and bad mes.

“On the welfare of players and coaching staff, the government has really been trying but there is always a big room for improvement as this will always mo vate the boys more.

“I really appreciate the support of Osun people. I admire their passion for football and I thank them for being with us. I just want to say that it is very important for supporters to love the team with passion, but at the same me, when the team is not doing as expected, they are the ones standing by us. They must not paint the team black or go against the team,” he concluded.

Ivividly recall having a discussion with a senior journalist who used to be with the BBC and Times of London in her prime and now in semi-rerement keeps a regular column with Vanguard and The Africa Report

She told me that while she was at the University in the UK in the 1970s spilling into the 1980s, she and her course mates used to laugh at their friends who were studying mass communica on because in their opinion, not only did they lack a sturdy base as the course was a mishmash of a lot of courses which wasn’t really designed to create experts out of its graduates, journalists were born and not made just like musicians, writers, ar sts and other crea ves. In their opinion, it made sense to study courses like poli cal science, interna onal rela ons, or history if one desired a career as a poli cal journalist, economics, finance, or economic history if one had an eye for a financial journalist career, English, Linguis cs, Languages if one wanted to be a good culture journalist. Studying mass communica on was an American inven on which was a gargantuan waste of precious me.

Journalism as a profession has undergone numerous changes from the days of Johann Carolus (1575-1634) was the publisher of the Rela on aller Furnemmen und gedenckwurdigen Historien (Collec on of all Dis nguished and Commemorable News) which is the first newspaper in history to Iwe Irohin published by Henry Townsend – the first in Nigeria.

The internet and social media rendered the print media obsolete in a manner that caught media pundits and stakeholders napping. Just about any ‘idiot’ excuse my French can become a media mogul even surpassing the combina on of Rupert Murdoch and Michael Bloomberg in this informa on age or Fourth Industrial Revolu on Era.

The current buzzword is the reality of the presence of ar ficial intelligence which can handle certain human tasks and whether or not it will render journalists unemployed probably to the delight of the government of emerging economies who see the media as an adversary making their rela onship rather bellicose and at best a conglomera on of strange bedfellows.

I have a friend who is currently doing his post-doctorate in Japan and he writes daily using the aid of a popular AI tool called Chat GPT. The wri ng is so flawless that it appears to be a threat to those who make their bread and bu er in the media especially that has to do with the wri en word or content crea on.

Stakeholders in the tech sector have raised concerns about it and even the

ADEMILUYI PERSPECTIVE

Will Artificial Intelligence Render Nigerian Journalists Unemployed?

world’s wealthiest man once called for the pause of further AI development so that it doesn’t cons tute a threat to our collec ve human existence.

The largest publisher in Europe, German Axel Springer the owner of Bild, and the famous previously American owned Poli co which they purchased, laid off many journalists because, in a leaked memo, the management said that AI had replaced their roles.

As reported by AFP: Alex Connock, author of “Media Management and Ar ficial Intelligence”, says that mastery of these AI tools will help decide which media companies survive and which ones fail in the coming years. And the use of content crea on tools will see some people lose their jobs, he said, but not in the realms of analy cal or high-end repor ng. “In the specific case of the more mechanis c end of journalism -- sports reports, financial results -- I do think that AI tools are replacing, and likely increasingly to replace, human delivery,” he

“Change is the only permanent and constant thing in lIfe. Rather than act like the 20th century industrial age English Luddites who saw the machines as their foes and went about destroying them which didn’t stop it for its time had come, Nigerian journalists should realise that the days of running up and down to file stories and reports may be greatly reduced no thanks to alI”

said.

Not all analysts agree on that point. Mike Wooldridge of Oxford University reckons ChatGPT, for example, is more like a “glorified word processor” and journalists should not be worried.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU William Ruto Approves 7-10% Salary Increment for Civil Servants Star ng Ju... “This technology will replace journalists in the same way that spreadsheets replaced mathema cians -- in other words, I don’t think it will,” he told a recent event held by the Science Media Centre. He nonetheless suggested that mundane tasks could be replaced -- pu ng him on the same page as Connock.

French journalists Jean Rogne a and Maurice de Rambuteau are digging further into the ques on of how ready AI is to take over from journalists. They publish a newsle er called “Qant” wri en and illustrated using AI tools. Last month, they showed off a 250-page report wri en by AI detailing the main trends of the CES technology show in Las Vegas. Rogne a said they wanted to “test the robots, to push them to the limit”. They quickly found the limit. The AI struggled to iden fy the main trends at CES and could not produce a summary worthy of a journalist. It also pilfered wholesale from Wikipedia. The authors found that they needed to intervene constantly to keep the process on track, so while the programs helped save some me, they

were not yet fit to replace real journalists. Journalists are “afflicted with the syndrome of the great technological replacement, but I don’t believe in it”, Rogne a said. “The robots alone are just not capable of producing ar cles. There is s ll a part of journalis c work that cannot be delegated.”

What does these contras ng views by media experts mean for the average Nigerian Journalist as the Nigerian newsroom isn’t insulated in any way from the vagaries of globaliza on?

While I don’t want to be a Prophet of Doom, at the same me I don’t want to be a purveyor of cold comfort. The onus rests on the present-day Nigerian Journalist to be well acquainted with AI tools and see how they can be mastered in such a way that he will s ll be able to boast of a day job or any decent job at all.

A popular journalist became a broadcaster much later in his life and so Nigerian pen journalists should be flexible enough to adapt to how they can s ll be relevant even with its presence.

We have an antecedent to look up to. The internet and social media greatly reduced the demand for print media journalists as many print media houses folded up. However, journalists who were digitally savvy immediately switched online with some making the kind of fortunes that would never have been envisaged had the disrup on not come.

Not to sugarcoat things, AI will definitely disrupt the media as some jobs would definitely go as seen by Axel Springer and even some other media houses in the West. For instance, the advent of social media was a checkmate on the dictatorship of the tradi onal media. If not for Twi er, which ensured that Tucker Carlson even had a larger audience than when he was a prime me anchor in Fox, he would have been permanently silenced through the dictatorial and brutal non-compete clause.

Change is the only permanent and constant thing in lIfe. Rather than act like the 20th century industrial age English Luddites who saw the machines as their foes and went about destroying them which didn’t stop it for its me had come, Nigerian journalists should realise that the days of running up and down to file stories and reports may be greatly reduced no thanks to alI.

The real tragedy of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart was the failure of the protagonist to swi ly adapt to the change that the Caucasians brought. His na onalism failed him as the same people he fought for – the people of Umuofia refused to even give him a decent burial as he had commi ed a taboo – suicide which ironically, they weren’t willing to change their minds to suit his interests despite his immense efforts at community building. He was betrayed in death by the very change he resisted.

A word is enough for the wise!

•Tony Ademiluyi is the CEO of Buzz Times Media and can be reached at anthonyademiluyi@yahoo.com and +2348167677075