Osun Defender Online Version of August 30, 2024

Osun @33: Citizens Seek Paradigm Shift, Even Development

2026: Osun PDP Loses Four Bigwigs In Four Months

THE poli cal transfer window ahead of the 2026 governorship elec on in Osun is gathering more momentum with the exit of former Chief of Staff to the governor, Peter Babalola from the Peoples’ Democra c Party (PDP), on Tuesday.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that Babalola joined the growing list of ex-party bigwigs, including a governorship aspirant, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, and Barr. Kayode Oduoye, among others who have resigned from the ruling party in the last six months.

While Babayemi and Oyedokun, a former deputy na onal chairman of the PDP announced their exit on May 16; Oduoye qui ed the party on August 25.

Oduoye contested the House of Representa ves seat for Ifelodun/Boripe/ Odo-O n Federal Cons tuency on the pla orm of the party in the 2015 general elec on.

The trio are now members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While Babalola is yet to announce his next poli cal move, informa on available to OSUN DEFENDER as at the me of filing this report indicated that he may also move to the main opposi on party in the state.

The medium learnt the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is leaving the party for the third me a er exi ng in 2011, 2018 and 2024.

Further findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that some members of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s cabinet may also announce their resigna on from the party in the next few months.

In his resigna on le er, Oyedokun, a former PDP B.O.T member said the

•Drama As Party, Babalola Disagree On Suspension

•Those Who Left Are Liabilities – PDP Spokesperson

party did not appreciate his experience, efforts and leadership roles.

His resigna on letter addressed to the Naonal Chairman of the PDP through the ward, local government and state chairmen of the party obtained late Thursday further read, “As a func onal member and leader of PDP (Ward 13, Jagun/ Osi-Bale Ode, Odo-O n South Local Government, Osun State,) whose high electoral produc vity and value have been credibly and posively acknowledged in my ward, across the local council, state and countrywide for the enhancement of the fortune of the PDP, I have the honour (though with pain) in announcing the renuncia on of my

membership of the party on principle, having observed that the ideals of we, founding members, had been sorely contaminated.

“In taking this step which is not even without due consulta on with my teaming loyalists in the PDP, I have consequently decided to shi my allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where I believe my experience, efforts and leadership roles would be valued and appreciated.”

Speaking on behalf of his supporters, Oduoye said his decision to join the na onal ruling party – APC was informed by its democra c tenets and internal democracy that define the engagement of its loyal-

ists, pledging to work in unison with all to further strengthen the party and record electoral successes and victories.

Drama As Party, Babalola Disagree On Suspension

There was a mild drama in the party on Tuesday following Babalola’s suspension.

The former governorship aspirant’s suspension was announced in a le er jointly signed by 17 execuves of Ward 7, Irewole Local Government area and addressed to the State Chairman, Sunday Bisi.

According to the le er, Babalola’s suspension was due to alleged an -party ac vi es that could bring disrepute to the party.

The party also accused

him of not a ending party mee ngs for the past two years.

“A er exhaus ve delibera ons on the various an-party ac vi es of Elder Peter Babalola in the PDP for the past two years, and his habitual engagements in various ac vi es that can put the party into disrepute, coupled with the fact that he has not a ended the PDP ward mee ng or local government mee ng in the last two years, the execu ve of PDP in Ward 07, Irewole local government hereby suspends Elder Peter Adebayo Babalola from PDP ward 07, Irewole local government with effect today 27th August 2024.

“By this suspension, Elder Peter Adebayo Babalola seizes to be a member

in

Major Shake Up Imminent In Osun Amotekun Corps

TYusuf Oketola the State House of Assembly is set to review its ac vi es.

HE Osun State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps may experience a major shake up soon as

S ’ Q

of PDP ward 07, Irewole local government”, the le er reads.

But in a le er that surfaced online a er the suspension, OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Babalola had earlier tendered his resigna on to the party’s leadership in the state prior the announcement.

The le er was dated August 27, 2024 and addressed to the state chairman, Sunday Bisi.

He a ributed his resigna on to personal convicons.

A copy of the le er obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday reads: “I am wri ng to formally no fy you of my decision to resign my membership from the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), effec ve immediately.

“This decision comes a er careful reflec on and considera on of my personal values , goals, and the poli cal direc on I wish to pursue.

“I wish the PDP con nued success in its future endeavours and hope for the advancement of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

Those Who Le Are Liabili es – PDP Spokesperson

Reac ng to the rising exit of major bigwigs from the party on a radio programme in Osogbo, on Wednesday, Osun State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Jacob Areola, described those who le the party as paperweight policians, adding that the party is happy to lose them.

He denied that their loss had depleted the party, maintaining that there was no crisis in the ruling party.

ons of the agency, in the interest of residents of the State.

This, according to the parliament, will further strengthen the opera-

“Working is an existential imperative for all humans. Although God has given us the earth and all its resources to sustain us but, it takes effort to transform these resources to meet our daily needs”

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the House Majority Leader, Hon. Babajide Kofoworola, made this known in a Private Member Billtled: Osun State Security Network and Amotekun Corps Amendment No 1 Bill 2024, during plenary.

During the session, the Speaker, Hon. Adewale Egbedun noted that it is impera ve to review the ac vi es of the local security ou it for be er opera on.

Egbedun stressed that the amendment aims to review the tenure of the Chairman and other members of the agency’s board aside from the Secretary, from part- me to full- me.

He said: “The amend-

ment further states to func ons of the security network to include inves ga ons, prosecuon and figh ng related crimes which may include kidnapping, robbery, rape and so on to compliment the efforts of the agency.

“The amendment also seeks to decentralise the power of the Corps Commander which would pave the way for the crea on of the office of the Deputy Corps Commander and Opera on Commander to assist and compliment the efforts of the Corps Commandant in tackling insecurity in the state.”

The Speaker noted that the amendment to the bill would further strengthen the Corps to inves gate and prosecute criminals also.

“Osun PDP as at today enjoys a rela ve peace and there is total cohesion. The centre is holding. We don’t have any problem,” he stated.

According to him, the party is gaining other members especially in Irewole Local Government Area of the state, stressing that those who le are “liabilies, only bigwigs in names but in ac ons, they are paperweight.”

“Baba Shuaib Oyedokun had already le the party. Dotun Babayemi played down the party. Kayode Oduoye had le the party in spirit even before his final exit. They are not bigwigs, they are paperweight. Their an -party ac vi es speak volume.

“By the performance of the governor, Osun people are happy with PDP. We are happy they le us. Their staying in the party is liability, not asset,” he added.

Tackling

The Root Cause Of Food Price

Inflation

“On the contrary, what is needed is to go back to the structural defect which has led to mass poverty and high food price inflation. All of the above was foretold well over half of a century ago in seminal works such as Renee Dumont’s 1962 classic “False starts in Africa”

Areport by Sta Sense, a data company, shows that Osun State is number one in terms of food price infla on in the SouthWest with 33.32 percent and sixth na onwide with 39.72 percent.

The reason for this abysmal performance is not farfetched. For a very long term, agricultural development has not been in the front burner in Osun State. In the opinion of a stakeholder resident in Osun State, “The last me Osun had anything close to an agricultural policy was during the Aregbesola era… .I at least remember Aregbesola’s broiler out grower/ off-taker programme wherein government gave inputs to farmers to raise broilers and bought the mature birds from them.”

The Oyetola government did not have a fierce agricultural development policy. My apologies if that sounded a bit harsh, but the handlers of the state’s agricultural policies then (if there was any) did not exactly have any business being in charge of the state’s Agricultural Development Policies. They didn’t seem to know anything about the sector.

Today under Adeleke, Osun does not seem to have any interest in agricultural development. We want to build bridges, tar dual carriage roads and even construct underpasses that we have no need for.

But, how do we plan to feed the close to 5 million human beings present in our State? With asphalt?

This is a sad reflec on of the misinterpreta on of the process of development, not just in Osun State but na onwide. Too much emphasis is placed on vanity and white elephant project such as flyovers and underpass.

On the contrary, what is needed is to go back to the structural defect which has led to mass poverty and high food price infla on. All of the above was foretold well over half of a century ago in seminal works such as Renee Dumont’s 1962 classic “False

starts in Africa”.

Unfortunately, nothing has changed. Indeed, we have become a classic study in the “Development of Underdevelopment”. This phrase itself was coined in the 1960s.

Governor Adeleke has an historic task to mount a fightback. The main emphasis must be placed on the transforma on of agriculture from subsistence farming to a commercial framework.

This will follow in his step of the regional government of western Nigeria in the early 1950s when the cooperave bank was established as well as farm se lement and agricultural processing zones were established.

Governor Adeleke must now focus in his fightback on the construc on of rural roads as well as the establishment of a state commodi es exchange. The two ini a ves are interwoven.

A commodity exchange will ensure minimum farmgate prices for the farmers, this will lead to an increase in produc on leading to achieving the economies of scale needed to bring down food prices.

In addi on, a commodity exchange will ensure the availability of storage facilies across the value chain.

It will also ensure that cold storage facili es solar powered are install in the urban markets. This will cut waste of perishable food commodies to near zero.

What’s needed is an overall plan for the modernisa on of agriculture in Osun State which will include the provision of long-term credit to the farming communi es.

An enabling environment must be provided to a ract foreign and local investment into agriculture in Osun State leading to even export.

Agriculture today is a huge interna onal business and not a past me. Modernisa on of the process ma ers. For example, The Netherlands which is size of Eki is the second largest exporter of food a er the United States of America in the world.

It can be done but the effort must start from the base such as issuing Cer ficate of Occupancy to farmers so they can have access to credit. The small things ma er.

We urge Governor Ademola Adeleke to see the disturbing figure quoted as a spur to pu ng the revival and the moderniza on of agriculture on the front burner.

The Discourse

How The Constitution Deleted Tradition

ON Tuesday, August 9, 2022, Kenya held its general elec on during which the President, governors, senators and members of the Na onal Assembly were elected. The results of the elec ons were announced on August 15, 2022. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto (57) had 7,176,141 votes, that is 50.5% of the total votes while Mr. Raila Odinga (79) had 6,942,930 votes, that is 48.8%. The results were announced by Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (1EBC).

On September 5, 2022, Kenya’s Supreme Court affirmed the elec on of Mr. William Ruto as President of Kenya. He was sworn in on September 13, 2022 as Kenya’s fi h postindependence President.

On March 24 this year, Senegal, a country not too far from us with a popula on of 18million people held its Presiden al elec on. A former tax Inspector, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye (44), was elected President. His party had 54% of the total votes. He was sworn in on April 2 in Dakar.

On May 29 this year, South Africa had its Presiden al elec on, the ruling party, African Na onal Congress (ANC), won 159 of 400 seats—short of 201 seats needed to have a majority. A er winning 40% of the total votes, the African Na onal Congress was forced into coali on with Inkatha Freedom Party and the Democra c Alliance.

On June 29, the ANC Leader, Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (71), a billionaire and the 13th richest man in South Africa, was sworn in as the President of the Republic.

On February 25 last year, Nigeria had its Presiden al elecon. On March 1, the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results. Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu of APC scored 8,794,726 votes, Alhaji A ku Abubakar of PDP scored 6,984,520 votes, Mr. Peter Obi of Labour Party had 6,101,533 votes while Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of NNPP scored 1,496,687 votes.

Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu scored 38.61% of the total votes cast, Alhaji A ku Abubakar scored 29.07%, Mr. Peter Obi scored 25.4% while Rabiu Kwankwaso scored 6.40%. There were 93.4 million registered voters. The turn out was only 26.71 % in a country that is assumed to be over 200 million.

Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu scored 25% of the votes cast in 30 states more than 24 states Cons tu onally required. He was sworn in on May 29 last year as President of the Republic.

The elec on was not confirmed by the Supreme Court un l October 26 last year. In short, President Tinubu GCFR waited for over five months as President, in suspense. Definitely something fundamentally is wrong with our cons tu on. There are many defects in our 1999 cons tuon. My worry is that the cons tu on guarantees winner takes all. The cons tu on guarantees poli cs of exclusion. As it is now, unless you are very very close to the execu ves or you belong to a caucus of the ruling party in the centre or in the states, you can never be given an opportunity to serve however brilliant, competent or patrio c you are. Certainly, Nigeria’s problem did not start with the implementa on of the 1999 Cons tu on but it had made worse our problems.

Our journey in the Presiden al system of government began on October 18, 1975, when the then Head of State, Brigadier General Murtala Mohammed GCFR (8 November 1938 – 13 February 1976), inaugurated the Cons tu onal Dra ing Commi ee, headed by Chief Frederick Ro mi Alade Williams SAN (16 December 1920 – 26 March 2005) at the Nigeria Ins tute of Interna onal Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. Professor Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi (82) from Ilesha in Osun state, was then the Director General of the Ins tute.

He declared the stand of the then Supreme Military Council on that day.

The following were his declara ons (a) unambiguous commitment to a federal system (b) Elimina on of “cutthroat poli cal compe on based on a system or rule of winner-takes all,” characteris c of Nigeria’s poli cal past.

(c) De-emphasising of ins tuonalized opposi on to the ground in power and development of “consensus poli cs and government” based on a community of all interests. (d) Decentralisa on of power e) Evolu on of a free fair elector-

“Definitely something fundamentally is wrong with our constitution. There are many defects in our 1999 constitution. My worry is that the constitution guarantees winner takes all. The constitution guarantees politics of exclusion. As it is now, unless you are very very close to the executives or you belong to a caucus of the ruling party in the centre or in the states, you can never be given an opportunity to serve however brilliant, competent or patriotic you are. Certainly, Nigeria’s problem did not start with the implementation of the 1999 Constitution but it had made worse our problems ”

al system to ensure adequate representa on at the centre (f) Depoli cisa on of the census (g) The forma on of “genuine and truly na onal poli cal par es.” However, because of the “harmful effects of a prolifera on of na onal par es,” criteria were to be evolved whereby their number could be limited. Interes ngly but in vain (echoes of Ghana’s “Union Government”, “the Supreme Military Council is of the opinion that if during the course of your delibera ons, and having regard to our disillusion with party poli cs in the past, you should discover some means by which government can be formed without the involvement of poli cal par es, you should feel free to recommend.” But this was to be as much a non-starter as the Cons tuent Assembly ‘s decision to insert a clause outlawing military coups.

(H) Establishment of an execu ve presiden al system, in which the President and the Vice-President would be elected and granted clearly defined powers. The method of their assump on of office would have to “reflect the federal character of the country.” So, too, would the choice of members of the Cabinet, who need not in future be drawn from the legislature alone. (I) Cons tu onal restric on on the number of new States.

On January 11, 1976, General Murtala Mohammed attended the Addis Abba extraordinary summit conference of the Organisa on of African Unity (O.A.U.) on the libera on struggle in Africa. On that day he gave a speech tled “AFRICA HAS COME OF AGE”. The speech was a denouncement on America’s role in Angola. He declared “Mr. Chairman, Africa has come of age. It is no longer under the orbit of any extra con nental power. It should no longer take orders from any country, however, powerful. The fortunes of Africa are in our hands to make or mar. For too long have we been kicked around; for too long we have been treated like adolescents who cannot discern their interests and act accordingly. For too long has it been presumed that the African needs outside “experts” to tell him who are his friends and who are his enemies.

OSUN DEFENDER

The me has come when we should make it clear that we can decide for ourselves; that we know our interests and how to protect those interests; that we are capable of resolving African problems without presumptuous lessons in ideological dangers, which more o en than not have no relevance for us, not for the problem at hand.

Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.

Ac ng Deputy Editor – Sodiq Yusuf

Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa

Reporter – Yusuf Oketola

Reporter – Kazeem Badmus

Photo Journalist – Shola Aderinto

Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere

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

ISSN : 0794-8050

Telephone : 0809-301-9152

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php

e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com

All correspondence to the above email addresses.

Nigeria has come to this Assembly determined to cooperate with you, Mr. Chairman, and with all member States to put a stop to foreign interference in our Cons tuonal ma ers, As an African na onalist of dis nc on, I trust you will guide our delibera on to frui ul conclusions of which our people will be proud of. I thank you.”

•Read full article on www.osundefender.com

•Kenechukwu Aguolu FCA, PMP, CBAP writes from Abuja. He can be reached via Kenerek1@ gmail.com

Autonomy: Stakeholders Want Osun LG Budgets In Public Domain

TSodiq Yusuf

O allow transparency and accountability in management of funds accrued to local governments in Osun State, stakeholders have sought the release of their budgets to public scru ny.

This is part of the recommenda ons in a communique released at the end of a stakeholders townhall mee ng on “Local Government and Uniform Development at the Grassroots,” organised by the Insight Ini a ve for Community and Social Development on its OsunOpenLG project.

Speakers at the meeting hinged on a ci zendriven advocacy that will open up ac vi es at the third- er of government to the public, in a bid to ensure probity and good governance at the grassroots.

They also called for full par cipa on of the ci zenry in the forthcoming local government elec ons in the state.

The stakeholders include Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun represented by Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi; Osun ICPC Resident An -Corrup on Commissioner, Barr. Hassan Mohammed; OSSIEC Chairman, Barr. Hashim Abioye and Chairman, Osun State Civil Sociees Coali on, Comrade Waheed Lawal.

Others are Osun NAWOJ Chairperson, Abisola Ariwodola, Execu ve Director, Kimpact Development Inia ve, Mr. Bukola Idowu, Programme Director, Na onal Democra c Ins tute (NDI), Mr. Bem Aga, representa ves of poli cal par es, the media, nongovernmental

organisa ons as well as people living with disability (PWDs).

“It is more than vital to at this point demand more in terms of transparency and accountability at the local government level. This is because the people are desirous of a government that works for them.

“The era of asking the federal government for everything is over. Almost all yearnings and aspira ons are directed to either the President or the Governor when most of these responsibili es are cons tu onally the obliga on of local governments.

“Stakeholders agreed that it is me to further emancipate the council areas and make them more accountable to the public. Consensus centred around the public scru ny of the annual budgets of the third- er of government. It was the opinion of many to have their fiscal documents in public domain so that the electorate can make inputs and demand be er.

“It is also heartwarming to note that an corrup on agencies like ICPC is ready to establish a unit to track the disbursement of local government funds. It restates that we only need to con nue to speak up to get the best from our poli cal leaders and ourselves as cizens do our own part.

“The townhall among other resoluons pledged to keep an eye on efforts to strengthen ins tu ons especially poli cal pares on whose pla orms leaders emerge. Debates also did not leave out the State Independent Electoral Commissions and why they must avoid any form of

malprac ce in the forthcoming council polls across the country,” the communique reads in part.

Addressing the OsunOpenLG advocates,

Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyedule Makama urged them to avoid par sanship and build on the strength of a youth-driven advocacy that will actualise their

developmental dreams.

Earlier, Convener of the townhall and Execu ve Director, Insight Ini a ve for Community and Social Development, Jare Tiamiyu said

the event was to get the buy-in of stakeholders on the OsunOpenLG project as a lead to the local government advocacy arm of the programme.

Osun Sixth Dirtiest State In Nigeria – Report

Yusuf Oketola

OSUN State has been ranked as the sixth dir est state in Nigeria.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that this is according to a 2024 report by the United Na ons Environmental Programme (UNEP) and Clean-Up Nigeria.

The report published during the week places Osun sixth among the top ten dir est states of the federa on behind Abia, Lagos, Kogi, Anambra and Kano.

Nasarawa, Zamfara, Yobe and Ogun states are in the seventh, eight, nine and tenth posi ons respec vely.

According to the global body, the dearth of proper waste management in Osun is contribu ng a great deal to air pollu on.

OSUN DEFENDER also recalls that the administra on of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola had in 2013 launched the O’CLEAN ini a ve with a view to make the state the cleanest in the country, upgrading its aesthe cs and green landscape.

The government procured waste li ing vans, waste disposal bins, and introduced a monthly environmental sanitaon programme, among others to protect the environment.

However, successive administra ons as UNEP disclosed provided proper waste control but lack of compliance from the people has con nued to make the state dirty.

A civil society organisa on, Transparency Acon Group (TAG) had in December 2023 rated Osogbo, the state capital as the dir est in Nigeria.

TAG in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ayo Ologun noted that the Governor Ademola Adeleke administra on since assump on of office paid less a en-

on to the beau fica on of the city, allowing it to be taken over by dirt.

But the Special Adviser on Environment and Sanita on, Hon Babatunde Balogun said the report was a deliberate a empt to rubbish the good work of the Governor.

Hon. Balogun who reiterated the commitment of Governor Adeleke’s administraon to deal with the numerous challenges posed by environmental degrada on in the state noted that “with all sense of responsibility, en re Osun remains one of the cleanest states in the country as both the state capital and major ci es in the state are always kept clean daily by the sweepers, parkers as well as PSP operators.

“We have some large trucks func oning well with small trucks packing over 1000 tonnes of waste to our various dump sites every day for effec ve management. “So, how could a group gather false statements to tarnish the good work of an ac on Governor? This is barbaric and we are condemning and rejecting such write-up and we are warning them to desist from such act.

“On the issues of

waste collec on, there was no day that our trucks will not collect refuse, even no holiday as every day is a working day for the officials in charge.

“Similarly, the insecurity in the country does not warrant 5 am collec on as before for the safety of our workers but now, our work starts by 6.30 am and if the group is knowledgeable enough, they should know that by 1 pm of each day, the whole city roads are clean.

“Mr Governor is working assiduously on innova ons that will assist the environment and sanita on sector development and also ensure that the state shines amongst its equal.

“That is why we are always charging the en re residents of the state to take concrete ac ons towards ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment as a way of assis ng the government.

“I hereby want the group or writer to do a proper inves ga on as professional in his field and not tarnish the image and work of others to get cheap poli cal interest,” the statement concluded.

Osun Records Three Child Kidnapping Cases In August

Kazeem Badmus

THREE major child kidnapping cases were recorded in Osun State in the outgoing month, OSUN DEFENDER gathered

According to the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Michael Adaralewa, one of the cases happened in Osogbo, the state capital, while others took place in Osunjela along Ilesa road, Agbeye, OdoO n local government.

NSCDC also appealed to parents to be vigilant due to the recent surge in cases rela ng to child kidnap. A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, said the command was inves-

ga ng three cases of child kidnapping, adding that some sus-

pects have been apprehended so far in connec on with the crime.

The statement added, “On August 2,

2024, it was reported at the Command’s Headquarters, along Iwo-Ibadan Road, Osun State, that a male child aged one year and three months was kidnapped at Osunjela, along Ilesa Garage.

“Discreet inves gaon revealed that one lady known as Tawa was introduced to the mother of the baby by a family friend known as Sodiq, who said Tawa wanted to learn bag making from the woman.

“The very first day the suspect, Tawa, came to work, she carried the baby pretending to be playing with him. She therea er went out with the baby’s elder sister - ten years old, who was sent on an errand alongside the younger brother.

•Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, Comrade Waheed Lawal, CEO Rave FM, Dr. Femi Adefila, Chairman, Osun State Association of Veteran Journalists, Prince Poju Atobatele and Arch. Goke Omigbodun at a coloquium marking the 33rd Anniversary of Osun State, organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, on Tuesday

Osun @33: Citizens Seek Paradigm Shift, Even Development

Sodiq Yusuf

CITIZENS of Osun State have sought the need for an urgent paradigm shi for the state’s prosperity dreams to come to fruion.

This, according to them, involves a redirec on from the toga of a ‘civil service state,’ to maximally harness its poten als in agriculture, mining, industrializaon and comprehensive human capital development.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that the ci zens made the submissions in their various messages to mark the 33rd anniversary of the state, on Tuesday.

In his submission, the Execu ve Director, Marine and Opera ons, Nigerian Ports Authority, Engr. Olalekan Badmus held that for Osun to reach its desired zenith, its talents must be harnessed.

Titled “Osun at 33: The narra ve must change,” Badmus urged government at all levels in the state to encourage the youths who he said are be er posi oned to drive the developmental quest of the state.

The former commissioner wrote, “Over the years, the cliché on the lips of average residents of the thirty-three (33)

year-old state --- especially, to many of us who are young and industrious - is not something to be ecsta c about. Whenever they call the State “A civil servant state,” I seldomly nod my head to the asseron that Osun is an agrarian state.

“I even s ll feel that we are limi ng the state by such a label. Do you know why? How could you tag a state that has youths who are young and energe c and have all it takes to drive development in abundance? To me, these statements (civil servant and agrarian) do not suffice.

“We would only continue to shortcircuit and also create a decepon of laziness for our youths. Our youths are innovative, resilient, visionary, malleable, intense, and technologically savvy. They are a full spec, no gainsaying. isn’t it insul ng for us to wear the garb of ‘civil serv-

ant and agrarian state’ in Osun, which has over 12 universi es and numerous polytechnics and colleges of educa on?

“Talents abound in Osun state, and innovaons and produc ve plans in the archive of our youth banks are so notable. We have such of these people abound, and all we need to do is to encourage them and put up policies and schemes that would enhance the ease of doing business,” the NPA chief noted.

Also speaking, a business owner, Ms. Deborah

that the young popula on of Osun are industrious but only need a pat in the back to flourish.

She said, “Osun is a blessed state. It is even interes ng to know that we have most of the things other states of the country are yearning for. We have a bulk of industrious youths who are ready to do business and facilitate income for themselves without necessarily waiting for white collar jobs.

“What the government simply needs to do is to empower them and offer grants. Due to the economic situation, most youths are not looking at the civil service. They want to make their own money. Osun Youths are resilient. We have all it takes to excel.”

Ayeni advised the government to provide incenves for small scale business owners to boost the economy of the state. Ayeni is of the opinion

A public affairs analyst, Mr. Wole Oladapo challenged the Ademola Adeleke administration on its agriculture policy, stressing that most of its policies in the sector will not make the desired impact. Featuring on a Redio

Afinju’s Gbagede Oro programme on Wednesday, Oladapo noted that the state is blessed with vast natural and human resources to excel in agriculture.

His words, “What Osun needs is nothing much. We have arable lands and the infrastructure. Our electricity is one of the best in the country. Each part of the state is notable for its rich agricultural and mineral deposits.

Look at Oyan in OdoO n local government, its land is suitable for Sweet Potato likewise other parts of the state that are fer le.

“We must learn from what other countries are doing to boost their revenue base. In other climes, they have successfully planned their irriga on models for the plan ng season irrespec ve of rainfall. This is the direc on we should look at. There are viable ac on plans with the government. They should tap into it.

“Osun has the poten als to succeed but all of these dreams will not materialise when those who are supposed to act con nue in the line of what obtained in yesteryears. We must plan ahead for the future. The me to act is now,” the agropreneur noted.

“While on their way, Tawa asked the baby’s elder sister to go and deliver potatoes to the mother. However, Tawa took away the one year and three months old baby.

“Also, on the same day, there was a report that a three-yearold child went missing at Ifesowapo Street, Owode, Osogbo, Osun State. Inves ga on revealed that the child was last seen playing in a shop, and his whereabouts have not been known ll now.

“Moreover, another five-month-old female child belonging to deaf and dumb parents in Agbeye town, Odo-O n local government of Osun state, was kidnapped on Tuesday, 27th August 2024, on a farm, where her mother was gathering firewood.

“The child was laid under a shade of trees so that the mother could quickly finish packing the firewood. By the me the mother went back to breas eed the baby, she was nowhere to be found.

“The Osun NSCDC boss assured members of the public that the command is working relessly with other sister agencies in the state to apprehend the perpetrators. He urged ar sans and employers of labour to do proper profiling of those they are employing to work for them.”

Avert Religious Crisis On Ilesa Road Project - Monarch Begs Adeleke

OWA Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran has appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke and the contractor handling the dualisaon of Ereja Square to Brewery road in Ilesa to avert possible religious crisis over the project.

Governor Adeleke had in April this year flagged off the construc on of the road awarded to Horizon Nigeria Limited and Showie-tee Global Services Limited at the cost of N16.5 billion with a duraon of 12 months.

Yusuf Oketola ongoing dualisa on projects is the alleged selec ve demoli on of proper es marked for such ac on. We have heard that some places of worship, including the mosque around Ereja Square have been spared while some that were not marked at all are about to be demolished. These issues are about to create a crisis which the palace is not comfortable with.

As demoli on of buildings on the road is currently ongoing, residents of Ilesa have accused the contractors of bias as some buildings, including religious centres marked for demoli on, were allegedly spared.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the palace square a er a stakeholders’ mee ng, the monarch, represented by the Obaala of Ijesaland, Chief Ibitoye Adeniyi demanded that the contractors liaise with the palace commi ee to assist them execute the project successfully.

Owa Obokun said, “Our concern over the

“We therefore appeal to the contractors and the State Government to, in the interest of Ilesa town ensure objec vity in the execu on of the project. We don’t want any religious crisis whatsoever. We also appeal to Governor Adeleke to help talk to the contractor to ensure mely delivery of the project.”

The monarch also appealed to Ilesa residents, including homeowners to remain calm as the matter would be resolved amicably to ensure contractors adhere strictly to the contract specificaon.

Adeleke had in a statement in June assured the Muslim Community in Ilesa that construc on work would not affect the Central Mosque at Ereja Square.

PDP Nominates Babalola’s Replacement As Osun College Chair

MEMBERS of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Irewole Local Government area of Osun State have nominated Mr. Sarafa Akinyele as Chairman, Governing Council of the State College of Educa on Ila-Orangun, to replace Elder Peter Babalola.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that this comes after Babalola announced his exit from the party, on Tuesday.

The party in a le er of nomina on addressed to the Governor Ademola Adeleke yesterday, described Mr. Akinyele as a round peg in a round hole considering his academic and work experiences.

Man Shaves 10-Year-Old Girl’s Hair After Defiling Her

A35-year-old man, Muritala Ibrahim has been arrested by the Osun State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps for allegedly raping a 10-yearold girl in Aagba, Boripe local government area of the state.

this in a statement on Monday. According to him, the suspect was arrested following a report by the vic m’s mother at the agency’s command in Boripe local government.

“The suspect confessed to having lured the girl into his residence, where he forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. Ibrahim therea er also shaved part of the girl’s hair and gave her another dress to wear,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Corps

Commandant, Adekunle Omoyele said the suspect has been handed over to the police for proper further inves gaon and prosecu on. He called on residents of the state to always report suspected movement to ensure proper ac on.

#EndBadGovernance Group Chides Osun Govt For Failing On Promises

which will come up on October 1.

ONE of the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Osun, Coali on for Concerned Nigeria Ci zens, has accused the state government of failing to implement some of the demands of the protesters.

The coali on also chided the federal government for being indifferent to the plight of ci zens.

The newly nominated Chairman who bagged his NCE at the Osun State College of Educa on, Ilesa, holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Educa on from the University of Ibadan The le er jointly signed by Irewole PDP Chairman, Alhaji Basiru Ogundele, Commissioner for Energy, Hon. Ademola Adeyemo and Akogun Lere Oyewumi, the Senator represen ng Osun West Senatorial district, described Akinleye as a qualified educaonist considering his experience as a re red Principal at the Federal Government Girls College, Ipetumodu.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, through his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, while receiving the protesters, had promised to work on some of their demands, a move that led to suspension of the protest in the state.

It said the state government has yet to take tangible steps to address the demands.

The group also noted that purchase of a new presiden al aircra by the federal government showed that it does not priori se welfare of cizens.

The coali on, during a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, said government at all levels should brace themselves for another protest,

Group Coordinator, Comrade Adetunji Ajala, said the lingering fuel crisis has made life harder for ci zens.

He said, “In Osun State, we made the difficult decision to suspend the protest, believing that the government at both state and federal levels deserved the benefit of the doubt, we hoped that by stepping back, we could create space for meaningful dialogue, a chance to work together to find the best solu ons to ease the burdens on our people.

“We are aware of the publica on released by the Osun state govern-

ment on its plans to start implementa on of the state demands. Surprisingly, we have not seen any tangible steps that support the government’s promises thus far.

“Instead of the relief we sought, the situa on has grown increasingly. The ongoing fuel scarcity has crippled daily life, driving up the cost of living to unbearable levels. And now, in a move that can only be described as a gross misjudgment, the government has banned students under 18 years old from wri ng WAEC and NECO examina ons.

This decision not only misplaced priori es but also denies our youth the basic right to educa on

and a future.

“As if these hardships were not enough, we learned with shock and disbelief that the federal government purchased a private aircra for the presidency, an extravagant expense that comes at a me when millions of Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet.

“This blatant disregard for the procurement process, coupled with the government’s indifference to the suffering of the masses, speaks volumes about the current administra on’s priories.”

He added, “Our paence is not infinite. We have been reasonable, we have been pa ent, but we will not be ignored, If the government con nues to turn a deaf ear to the cries of the people, they should brace themselves for the mother of all protests on October 1st as the ci zens will not connue to fold hand on connuous increase of food and basics need without corresponding measures to curb the unfortunate infla on.

“The request for transparent and good governance from the federal government cum state government is their duty, to serve the people. to protect our rights, and to govern with integrity.”

AUGUST 30, 2024 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 05, 2024

Minibus Drivers Lament Extortion By Ticketers In Osogbo

COMMERCIAL mini-

bus (Korope) drivers in Osogbo, Osun State capital, have lamented extor on by some personnel of the state transport management service (OSTMS).

The OSTMS officials, according to the commercial transporters who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, were the ones responsible for issuing daily ckets.

According to them, apart from infla ng the price of the cket, the cketers also demand that they collect two ckets daily.

They said efforts to call the a en on of the leadership of the state transport union to the issue has proved abor ve.

OSUN DEFENDER reporter also witnessed an alterca on between a driver and one of the cketers sta oned around Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo, yesterday.

Trouble started when the cketer issued a cket of N50 to the minibus driver and demanded a fee of N100.

The driver, who later gave his name as Qaudri Omoniyi, ques oned why he should pay N100 for a cket of N50, a situa on

that degenerated into verbal abuse.

Speaking with the medium a er grudgingly

paying the N100, Omoniyi who spoke in Yoruba language, lamented that collec ng a sum above the

normal price has been the prac ce of the cketers.

He said, “We collect different ckets every day.

Former Osun Governor’s Office Staff Murdered In Her House

TRAGEDY struck in Osogbo, the Osun State capital last week, as people suspected to be hired assassins allegedly macheted a female Chris an cleric, Evangelist Odeniran Motunrayo, to death at her residence.

Odeniran, a mother of three, who was the founder and spiritual head of Land of Goshen Interdenomina onal Prayer City located at Adelubi village, Ogbaagba, Agodo area, Owode-Ede, re red last year as the pay mistress at the Bureau of Special Du es, office of the Governor of Osun State.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that, since her rerement from ac ve civil service, she has embarked on evangelism within and outside the state.

The medium learnt that the late cleric had travelled on evangelism for some days and returned home penul mate Saturday to prepare for Sunday service, not knowing that the men of the underworld had planned to kill her.

The deceased who was un l her death a widow, was the only person living at her residence located at Number 4, Irewumi street, Aroko estate, Ogo Oluwa, Osogbo, as her three children are already married.

The eldest child of the deceased, Odeniran Abiodun said: “We are aware that she travelled and called us that she returned home on Saturday. We expected her in church on Sunday, but we didn’t see her, believing that she was red as a result of her long trip. We also tried to call her, but her two lines were off and that was why I decided to call someone to help me

check her at home.

“The person I sent to check her later called me and when I got to her house we no ced that

the door was closed and when we entered we saw her in the pool of her own blood with machete cuts on her head.

“I could not hold the situa on, when I saw my mother’s lifeless body lying helplessly on the floor in the kitchen. Her head was macheted in seven different places and there was machete cuts on other parts of her body.

We called the police and police officers from Ataoja police division came around. The corpse was therea er taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital morgue.”

Findings revealed that the suspected assailants did not cart away anything from the deceased’s residence as her belongings,

including cars and church bus were intact.

However, the two phones of the deceased cleric were carted away and the lines could not be reached as at the me of this report.

Confirming the incident, the Public Rela ons Officer of the Osun Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola said inves ga on is ongoing to bring the culprits to book.

“Yes, it is true. She was killed last week. Inves ga on is going on to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book,” Opalola noted.

Those people have been swindling us. On this parcular one, N50 was written on the cket but the cketers are collec ng N100 from us.

“I inten onally challenged them today because I’m frustrated. Imagine buying petrol at N950 per litre and paying over the normal price for ckets also.

“We’ve complained about this to some of our leaders but nothing posive has come up ll now. Everyone in posi on in this country is just out to make life difficult for ordinary Nigerians.”

Another driver who witnessed the alterca on, corroborated Omoniyi, adding that he some mes paid twice for the same cket.

The driver who gave his name simply as Wasiu stated that ckets issued in Osogbo are not recognised in other parts of the state.

“We are red and hoping that the state government and the leadership of the transport management system will find a solu on to this.

“Some mes, when I collect a cket in Osogbo, those at Ilobu and Ifon will reject it and request I pay for another one. It is the same cket,” the driver, who spoke in Yoruba, said.

Accidents: OAU Students Seek Tinubu, Adeleke’s Intervention

Yusuf Oketola

THE Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke to embark on massive infrastructural development to address incessant accidents in the ancient town.

The appeal follows the tragic death of a final year student of the Department of Foreign Languages, Esu Rita Ema who was killed by a reckless driver while crossing the Ife-Ibadan axis of the campus gate road last Thursday.

Ema was knocked down by a Lexus car with Abuja Registra on Number ABJ 427 LQ driven by one Lasisi Sodiq Se-

gun on the way to submit her final year project on campus.

The SU in an open letter to both federal and Osun State governments, signed by the President, Damilola Omoboriowo and Secretary, Joy Babamehin said there is an urgent need for the construc on of a pedestrian bridge outside the campus gate (Ife-Ibadan road) to provide safe crossing points for students.

They also called for construc on of speed bumps at strategic locaons within and outside the campus gate to prevent such occurrences.

The le er reads: “In light of the tragic event, (the death of our own Esu Rita Ema, who was knocked down by a reckless driver), we urgently

PUBLIC NOTICE

AKANJI MARY AWELE

That I was formerly known and addressed as AKANJI MARY ARABANBI, with former Date of Birth 01/01/1980, but now wish to be known and addressed as AKANJI MARY AWELE, with New Date of Birth 15/03/1963. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

call on the Federal and State Governments to take immediate and decisive ac on to prevent such incidents from recurring.

AYEDEHIN TEMIDAYO PHILIP

That AYEDEHIN TEMIDAYO

PHILIP and AYEDEHIN DAYO PHILIP are the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as AYEDEHIN TEMIDAYO PHILIP. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

“It is important that the government priorizes the implementa on of key infrastructure and safety measures to protect the lives of our students.

“Firstly, we request the establishment of a designated garage for Lagos/Ibadan buses. This will create a specific area for bus routes and park-

ing, reducing congeson and ensuring clear visibility at the highway intersec on for our students.

“Secondly, we strongly advocate for the construc on of func oning pedestrian bridges outside the campus gate (Ife-Ibadan road), the integrity of the one we have is in doubt.

“These bridges will provide safe crossing points for our students and other pedestrians, significantly reducing the chances of accidents involving vehicles. The safety of our students should never be compromised, and ensuring safe pathways is a fundamental step toward achieving this.

“Thirdly, we urge the authori es to strictly enforce traffic rules. Clear and enforced traffic regula ons will enhance road safety within and around our campus. Reckless driving and non-compliance with traffic rules pose serious threats to lives, and this must be addressed immediately.”

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2024 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 05, 2024 VOL. 19 NO 34 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

THEadage – you are what you eat – was first used by a French lawyer, Anthelme Brillat, in 1826 when he said, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.” Decades a er its use, it crept into the English Language lexicon. The adage is targeted at demonstra ng the fact that what we consume is what our body system will process in the construc on and repairs of its cells, hormones and neurotransmi ers. Just like its iden cal twin – health is wealth –this popular saying gives credence to health as the most important thing for every individual.

A good health is connected to physical appearance, mental balance, a tude and perhaps, spiritual wellbeing. We cannot, therefore, afford to take our health for granted as it requires servicing for maintenance via what we eat. A healthy person is a happy man/woman who is built to face any challenges of life. An unhealthy person cannot be wealthy because he/she requires a good health to acquire wealth in the first instance. Assuming he/she inherits wealth, he/she will not enjoy it without a good health. The wealth inherited may all be drained into the struggle for good health. Again, an unhealthy man/woman cannot a ain the peak in life.

As a result of neo-liberal policies and several severe a acks on the living standard of the mass majority of the people, in the process of our daily struggle to eke out a living, we seem to have relegated to the background the quality of what we eat, which has consequently poorly affected our health, resul ng into preventable terminal ailments and sudden deaths in some cases. We should not wait to be told by the doctor of specific foods to eat and not to eat. Lackadaisical a tude to our health is a taccal suicide mission. Conscious alert to our health via what we consume is desirable and worthwhile. An evaporated wealth could be recovered over me through hard work but a lost health may never be regained.

Many valuable and irreplaceable people have been lost to ailments that could be prevented, healed and managed if they had been conscious of what they consumed. As foods and all necessi es of life are becoming increasingly prohibi ve for the mass majority of the people, one thing is certain – we do eat one thing or the other – and this is the crux of the ma er. Within the context of what we eat, we should be conscious of what we consume. I strongly believe that a be er Nigeria where decent working and living condi on for mass majority of the people is possible. Foot drag on socio-economic development will not endure forever. To a ain a na on of prosperity, there is need for us to struggle together for that be er Nigeria and partake in benefi ng from its fruit having yielded. Hence, a quality health must be guaranteed first and foremost.

I have some associates whose only me they consume fruits is during Ramadan. After that 29 or 30 days, it is bye-bye to fruits un l the next Ramadan. I also have non-

“Living healthily has no fundamental link with the soap one uses to bathe or the cream one applies on the skin, it is the quantum of fruits, vegetables and clean water one takes at the right time that matters. In addition, some forms of exercises are required for fitness but it depends on each person’s capacity, each person needs to consult his/her doctor accordingly”

You Are What You Eat

Muslims who don’t bother to eat fruits at all. In fact, some do openly express their contempt for fruit! It is as bad; and interes ngly, when they eat, its pounded yam with bush meat and constant visita on to eat junk at eatery. They consume expensive foods that are not necessarily beneficial to their system. Meanwhile, whole grains,

fruits, and vegetables that our body system requires for healthy living are not necessarily more expensive than other foods they consume. In fact, in most cases, they are cheaper. Therefore, what we have is a tudinal problem rooted in poor educa on.

Ila-alasepo – okro – also known as ladies’ finger is a good vegetable that is very rich in minerals, vitamin k, calcium, iron, niacin, copper, phosphorus, an oxidants and fibre among others. Research has it that lecn from okro is used to treat human breast cancer. It also reduces cancer cell growth by 63% and kills 72% cancer cells. Again, constant consump on of okro has capacity to lower blood sugar for those with diabetes. Interes ngly however, consump on of this fantabulous vegetable which flows with amala, fufu, eba and the likes is seen as poor people’s food as it is rela vely cheap!

Living healthily has no fundamental link with the soap one uses to bathe or the cream one applies on the skin, it is the quantum of fruits, vegetables and clean water one takes at the right me that ma ers. In addi on, some forms of exercises are required for fitness but it depends on each person’s capacity, each person needs to consult his/

her doctor accordingly. We also need to get immunised against some killer ailments like Hepa s B, yellow fever and co, which are readily available in virtually all General and Teaching hospitals.

A serviced car does not malfunc on on the road; a serviced aircra does not misbehave in the air; a serviced man/woman does not die unno ced. How do we service ourselves? Eat correct meals, fruits and vegetables, and drink clean warm water or water at room temperature (never cold water) at appropriate mes. Have medical checkup once in a while, if not regularly. Get all necessary vaccines on killer ailments and consult your doctor any me there is a problem. Doctors are human beings’ mechanics. Regular check-ups to assess our health situa on ma ers as ailments discovered on me could be nipped in the bud and be better managed. Most people who had ac vies yesterday and suddenly die today had one sickness or the other which they didn’t know about because they didn’t consult to know as there was no check-up to alert them.

Adherence to these protocols is not easy but it will boost our immunity to the extent that no ailment finds place of abode in our system if eventually religiously followed. Ailments do not like to visit anyone who eats fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and legumes among others like recommended drugs. No! They seek refuge in the system of those who violate these recommenda ons. As every secret of life is in the book (Google, these days), so does secret of healthy living in consump on of fruits and vegetables. Most drugs are extracts from them. Yes, things are rough for the mass majority of the people. However, the burst will not last forever as bubble comes not necessarily tomorrow but later today. We cannot afford to eat just anything all the me. If we eat our vegetables and fruits like recommended drugs, we will pay none or less courtesy visits to the hospitals and live healthy, long life.

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Rebranding: A serious Business

ENGR.Rauf Aregbesola was sworn in as Governor of Osun on November 27, 2010 (a er about three and half years of tanic legal ba les to reclaim his stolen victory at the 2007 Osun Governorship elec on). From the swearing-in podium, he commenced on three redefini ons in a jiffy, which are significant steps that only the deep can comprehend – on day one, he rebranded himself as Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, then proceeded to rebrand Osun as State of the Virtuous (Ipinle Omoluabi – complete with all symbolism), and embarked on the redefini on of its children’s educa on with the Educa on Summit. These are fundamental steps that needed to be studied by Nigeria if Nigeria is not a painfully lost “mere geographical expression.” A er study should come the embrace and replica on of redeeming, transforma onal examples!

Let us set aside Nigeria that is going nowhere very fast, unfortunately under the headmanship of a Yoruba in charge. Let us face the Yoruba reality: the ques on of being, iden ty and des ny; the import and urgency of rebranding, to save our children, children’s children and genera ons unborn. They all could be found encapsulated in the footprints, words and ac ons of the Avatar, Obafemi Awolowo, and the team of tans he led in Egbe Omo Oduduwa, Ac on Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) but just one signature is sufficient, the Unity Party Anthem: resurrected, translated and popularised by “The Great Ogbeni” – due credits

to Governor Sanwoolu; an anthem that was component part of Osun rebranding then and now adopted by the Southwest Governors.

Nowhere is the importance of iden ty for survival and prosperity in a world of cutthroat compe on highlighted be er than in the opening of Chancellor Williams’ epochal book “The Destruc on of Black Civilisa on” where he recited the Suma Legend thus: “What became of the black people of Suma,” the traveller asked the old man, “for ancient records show that the people of Suma were black, what happened to them?” “Haa,” the old man sighed, “they lost their history, so they died.” Perhaps the easiest way to imagine the statement is to think of a 50 years old Nobel Price-winning genius in Medicine and Surgery that has now lost his memory!

Once you no longer know who you are, your purpose and des ny, you are on your way to becoming what the Yoruba are becoming, and so sadly: a terrible degenera on in just 40 years. Space will not permit a detail catalogue of the inglorious decline here but suffice it to say if we are becoming what will make Awolowo res ve in his grave and make Oyenusi regret that he didn’t come to the world at the right me, then we need urgent return to base through a rebranding taken as seriously as efforts to earn a cket to heaven.

Life is not merely to be lived as counted years of misery and emp ness, ending up as just a number in a billion popula ons. We can’t all be Michael Jackson in that life me

but all lives can be lived abundantly. The menoned anthem: an upli ing and purposeful affirma on, should be studied to understand the clear and present danger the Yoruba face today and the urgent call to duty to its would be heroes and heroines. The first stanza talks to that duty - the needful to upli the race from the murk and as exemplar to the rest of the world. The second speaks to Work as the only true and acceptable path to wealth (individual work and coopera ve work for collec ve prosperity). The third highlights freedom and unity of purpose as worthwhile pursuit. The last is a clarion call to ci zens to take their righ ul place as the leading light of the black race - which can only be through powerful examples of uprightness, crea vity and being always counted at the fron er of human progress.

Whereas there are brilliant sparks everywhere, now and then, inside and outside the country, the plain truth is that the Yoruba is a pale shadow of itself. No need to belabour the issue, a self examina on in all major criteria of life from birth to death and remembrance; from educa on, skill, commerce, character, a tude to healthcare, art, language and culture, shows a terrible deficit of not being in any good standing. Rather, we see a lost, wayward, straggler in the middle of the wilderness, petrified at any slight challenge from “others” and barely holding on to mere existence, hardly able to compete in the social environment.

We are now only sustained by heritage; which is being bastardised and washed away. The me is now “to reflect, to rethink, and to act,” individually and collec vely.

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Acting Deputy Editor, SODIQ YUSUF, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com