Osun Defender Online Version of June 28, 2024

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I Paid People To Influence Their Vote For Me - Sen. Lere Oyewumi Osun River Contamination: 100m Traditional Religion Practitioners To Be Affected Worldwide

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FRIDAY,

IKOYI, APOMU SPUR FOR WAR AFTER BLOODY MASQUERADE

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•Stakeholders Raise Funds For Arms, Ammunition

•One Killed, Houses, Shops Burnt

•Our Men On Ground To Forestall Further Violence - Police •Osun

Ikoyi, Apomu Spur For War After Bloody Masquerade Festival

THERE is the possibility of a communal clash between Ikoyi and Apomu of Isokan local government of Osun State, following Sunday’s masquerade fes val which turned violent.

Sources in Ikoyi and Apomu confided in OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, that some stakeholders in the town have been raising funds to buy arms and ammuni on in prepara on for a full-blown clash.

This is just as some indigenes of the two communies have con nued to arm and sta on themselves at strategic areas in the towns to wade off possible a ack.

Violence erupted the communi es on Sunday when some masqueraders who are also members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) from Ikoyi invaded Oja Oba area of Apomu during an Egungun fes val.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the masqueraders who were with an Ikoyi masquerade called Labaeka, were addressed by the Odofin of Apomu, High Chief Sarafadeen, who appealed to them to return to their town.

Findings revealed that the Labaeka masqueraders purportedly came to a ack the Olugula masquerade followers, but the masquerade had le the palace square before their arrival.

It was gathered that there was an exis ng crisis between the Ikoyi masqueraders and the custodian of Olugula masquerade in Apomu.

According to sources, the Ikoyi masqueraders harassed and pushed down the Apomu chief, triggering indigenes of the town to confront the masqueraders which degenerated into a bloody clash.

One of the sources said: “The genesis of the violence is that there is an exis ng crisis between some members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) from Ikoyi who are followers of Akerele, a chief in the town and some indigenes of Apomu before this year’s masquerade fesval.

“But Akerele who is the leader of the OPC in Ikoyi was not involved and was not in the town when the Sunday violence broke out. It was his followers who followed a masquerade called Labaeka from Ikoyi to Apomu that caused the crisis.

“When the Labaeka masquerade and his followers got to the Central Mosque area of Apomu around 5:30pm, High Chief Odofin of the town went to address them. He told them to return to Ikoyi because it was late.

“The Ikoyi masqueraders

purportedly came to a ack the Olugula masquerade and his followers because of the exis ng crisis between them. But the masquerade had le the palace square before their arrival.

“When Chief Odofin was pleading with the Ikoyi masqueraders to return to their town, one of them harassed and pushed him down. Some of the Apomu indigenes around rallied round him and confronted the Labaeka masqueraders. That was how the crisis degenerated to shoo ng and destruc on of proper es.”

Some of the masqueraders, according to sources, included Horror, Mortuary, Dele junc on, Falepon, among others.

An indigene of Apomu known as Yanmuyanmu was shot dead around Lagbaja area of Apomu, while three houses at the major boundary of the two communi es were burnt, according to sources.

Also, shops, kiosks and containers at the boundary area were razed or destroyed.

“Proper es at the boundary between the two communi es were razed and destroyed. The house of Baba Taiwo, the father of a governorship aspirant in 2018, Tunde Taiwo, was destroyed. A building that is next to his, which was being used by a former PDP councillor in Ward I in Ikoyi, for hospitality was also razed. A total of three main buildings were destroyed”, said an Ikoyi indigene.

It was gathered that some indigenes of Apomu mobilised themselves and a ack available residents of Ikoyi at the wee hour of Monday, causing confusion in the two communi es.

Though security opera ves, majority of whom are policemen, have been sta oned in the two communi es, residents of the towns, especially those at the boundary, were s ll living in fear.

Residents of Elekan, Jago, Barale, Oke Olomi and other boundary areas in

Ikoyi and Apomu were s ll in panic because of the fear of reprisal from the two communi es.

However, a source in Ikoyi who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under condi on of anonymity on Wednesday said the two communi es were s ll bi er and ready to launch an a ack on each

other at any me. He said both Ikoyi and Apomu were strategising on how to a ack each other, in spite of the se lement of the Sunday and Monday crisis.

According to the source, “The security should not relax. Some people in Ikoyi and Apomu are already raising

con nue to fail there.

funds to purchase arms and ammuni on for hoodlums.

“Some prominent leader of the towns donated N300,000 on Tuesday, while another person has donated N100,000. The dona ons are ongoing; it is being given to a prominent OPC member.

“We don’t want war. We need to embrace peace. Some of those raising the money are not residing in Ikoyi and Apomu. That is why they can do what they like. I want to appeal to the security agencies to be at alert and prevent the impending communal clash.

“As I am speaking with you, we can’t drive or walk through Apomu. They are also spur for war. Some hoodlums in the community have been gathering and posi oning themselves at strategic areas. Arms and ammuni on are flying around in the two communi es. The security agents should please prevent the looming war.”

When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Rela ons Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said security opera ves were on ground to forsetall further violence.

Opalola maintained that the Police will not allow any individual or group of people to cause breakdown of law and other in the two communi es.

I Paid People To Influence Their Vote For MeSenator Lere Oyewumi

THE Deputy Minority

Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Lere Oyewumi, has confessed to partaking in vote buying and selling that characterised the 2023 general elec ons.

Oyewumi, who represents Osun West Senatorial District at the red chamber, in a viral video, said he gave out money to influence people to vote for him at a parcular polling unit in Ikire.

The Senator stated this while welcoming Mr. Tunde Ayandosu, one of the loyalists of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in Irewole local government.

Ayandosu, who was the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ward 4, Irewole Local Government decamped to the PDP alongside his people in Ikire.

Oyewumi noted that he wooed Ayandosu due to his capacity as an opposi on member, adding that all efforts to influence the electorate to vote for him at Ayandosu’s polling unit proved abor ve.

He said, “I tried all the tricks I knew to win at Onilu’s house (Ile Onilu) polling unit but Ayandosu and his Kazeem Badmus people didn’t allow me.

“A er exhaus ng money for the elec on, I gave my own personal money to Ten-Ten to give to people at night in order to influence them but on the eve of the elec on, TenTen came back with my money, saying the people rejected it.

“That was why I reached out to Ayandosu because I cannot be a Senator and

“I was the one who called Ayandosu from Abuja to join me in the PDP. I told him he has talent and that the party he was serving then (APC) would not allow him to grow.”

But Oyewumi’s media aide, Mr. T.B Popoola, said the senator’s statement was quoted out of context, saying he was referring to campaign period, not elecon day.

Popoola said: “If you

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watch the video and listen carefully, you will know that the senator didn’t say he paid people to vote for him. He was just recalling his efforts during campaign period preceding the elecon. He said when he was looking for votes then, he reached out to these people and even sent money to them. We decided not to react to the APC and other’s comment on it. The senate didn’t pay people to buy votes.”

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Lessons From Kenya

The Discourse

Nigeria’s Cholera Outbreaks: Why They Happen And Are So Hard To Control

ON 9 June 2024 the Lagos State government declared a cholera outbreak. Three days later, it announced that 324 suspected cases had been reported in the state, including 15 people who died and 40 who were discharged a er treatment. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Preven on reported that as of 11 June, 1,141 suspected cholera cases had been recorded across 30 states in Nigeria since 1 January 2024. There were 65 confirmed cases with 30 deaths reported from 96 local governments in 30 out of the 36 states. The Conversa on Africa asked Stella Smith, a molecular epidemiologist, to explain the causes, spread, treatment and preven on of cholera.

What is cholera and how does it spread?

“A key lesson from Kenya is that politicians must accept the imperative and indeed the vital role of Civil Society in a democracy. A vibrant civil society in reality guides and guards a democracy. Here in Nigeria, we have not been guided by this even after the “EndSARS” protest with predictably disastrous results” breaks?

WE have to learn key lessons from the debacle in Kenya. The part resolu on of the crises over the conten ous finance bill came with a heavy cost. An underesmate claims that 20 people lost their lives.

This number is grotesque and brings to the fore once again the compa bility of policing systems across the African con nent, with any acceptable defini on of democracy. Sadly, policing in Africa is s ll misinterpreted as regime protec on; this has to stop!

A key lesson from Kenya is that policians must accept the impera ve and indeed the vital role of Civil Society in a democracy. A vibrant civil society in reality guides and guards a democracy. Here in Nigeria, we have not been guided by this even a er the “EndSARS” protest with predictably disastrous results.

The post-colonial state in Africa must learn that fiscal rectude is crucial and that macro-economic stability is the best way to achieve social jus ce, the protec on of living standards which is necessary for sustainable development. The elite cannot arrogance to themselves benefits denied to the rest of the popula on and then ask for sacrifices, or never

works.

President Ruto has to go back to the drawing board and work out a new fiscal landscape which should be based on shared sacrificed, so should the rest of the African con nent.

Fiscal discipline must start with the leadership of the country as in leadership by example. Announcing the “austerity measures” of 1962, the poli cal leadership showed outstanding commitment to social cohesion by accep ng voluntary pay cuts and reduc on in the costs of the machinery of the government. This was a high point in the poli cal history of Nigeria sadly it was not sustained and transformed into the template. Today, we are back to square one with ballooning costs of government and the pursuit of grandiose projects such as the totally unnecessary comple on with 21 billion Naira of an official residence for the Vice President. Previous Vice Presidents must have been residing somewhere and it could not have been under a bridge.

President Ruto too has announced cuts which should have preceded the announcement of the controversial Finance Bill. The lesson must sink in that power comes with responsibility and sacrifices.

Cholera is a disease caused by ea ng food and drinking water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Its symptoms are severe diarrhoea (“rice water stool”), dehydraon, weakness, muscle cramps, fever, vomiting, low blood pressure and thirst.

It can be spread when people do not wash their hands with soap and water a er defecating and then cook or serve food with unwashed hands. Cholera also spreads when people eat food without washing their hands before and a er ea ng. If cooked food is not covered, it may get contaminated from flies that carry the bacteria. Cholera also spreads when raw fruits and vegetables are not thoroughly washed in clean running water before being eaten. Ea ng raw seafoods contaminated with cholera bacterium is another way people get infected.

Not filtering and boiling unsafe water before drinking, or drinking sachet water that is not treated, can cause cholera. It also spreads when an infected person defecates outside and contaminated faeces are washed into the water system that people drink from. Even a pit latrine should be at least 30 metres away from a drinking water source.

Also contribu ng to the spread of cholera are:

Indiscriminate dumping of refuse and irregular disposal of sewage, enabling flies to carry the bacteria to water or food

-Blocked drains and leaking water pipes

-Overcrowded condi ons such as internally displaced persons’ camps, refugees and prisons with no access to safe water.

A food handler who prepares drinks such as gernut or zobo with contaminated water can spread cholera too. The Lagos State government men oned these local drinks as suspected sources of the latest outbreak.

How deadly is it?

When a person is infected with cholera, their small intesne releases a toxin which causes the body to secrete enormous amount of water. This leads to diarrhoea and a rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes. The later a pa ent gets treatment, when severe dehydraon and shock have set in, the higher the risk of death. Even then, cholera kills in a small percentage of cases.

Why is Nigeria prone to annual cholera out-

“Not filtering and boiling unsafe water before drinking, or drinking sachet water that is not treated, can cause cholera. It also spreads when an infected person defecates outside and contaminated faeces are washed into the water system that people drink from?”

Cholera has been endemic in Nigeria since it first appeared in 1972. The 1991 outbreak was the most severe on record, resul ng in 59,478 cases and 7,654 deaths, a case fatality rate of 12.9%.

The World Health Organiza on recommended benchmark case fatality rate is less than 1%. This rate is the number of deaths in the country as a percentage of the total confirmed cases (both alive and dead). Rates in Nigeria’s outbreaks have mostly fluctuated between 1% and about 4%.

The 1991 rate was high due to very poor sanita on and hygiene strategies. Li le or no surveillance was in place and there was no community engagement or educa on on the dangers of the disease.

Nigeria is prone to a variety of factors that lead to recurring cholera outbreaks. They include lack of access to potable (safe to drink) water. Safe water is needed to maintain good hygiene prac ces. Other factors are lack of connued surveillance even a er the outbreak has ended; flooding; poverty (although currently cholera treatment is free in all government facili es); lack of health facili es; illiteracy; lack of infrastructure for water supply and waste disposal; and conflict, leading to overcrowded condi ons for displaced people

How can it be prevented?

Preven on depends on:

-Access to clean water

-Sanita on

-Proper waste disposal

-Personal hygiene

-Food safety prac ces.

Community engagement and informa on campaigns on how to prevent cholera infec on are important.

OSUN DEFENDER

Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.

Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman

People can also take Oral Rehydrated Soluon or homemade oral rehydra on salts such as one litre of clean water with six teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. If symptoms persist within the day, report to the hospital quickly. Early repor ng of cholera prevents its spread. Late repor ng could lead to death.

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

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All correspondence to the above email addresses.

There are oral cholera vaccines for use in high-risk areas. They are taken in two doses (one week to six weeks apart) and they provide protec on for three years.

Nigeria currently is facing a shortage of these vaccines, making preven on and treatment challenging.

Osun River Contamination: 100m Traditional Religion Practitioners To Be Affected Worldwide

THE contamina on of Osun River by mining ac vi es in Osun State will go beyond the state and Nigeria in effect and impact.

A report by a nongovernmental organisaon, Urban Alert, which has for years been advoca ng for the remedia on of Osun River, revealed that no fewer than 100 million African tradional religion prac oners worldwide would be indirectly affected by the contamina on.

Urban Alert, has through various research and physicochemical tests established the presence of lead, cyanide and mercury in the contaminated Osun River.

According the organisa on, the sudden presence of more than 100 illegal gold mining sites with poor waste management plans now affects the Osun River and other tributaries.

Presen ng a document on Osun River contamina on to the public via zoom on Wednesday, Urban Alert, led by its Execu ve Director, Anthony Adejuwon, stated that 42.5 million Yoruba people will also be affected indirectly by the polluon.

According to the group, the contamina on will have a direct impact on a total of two million people living in over 20 communi es in Osun State and one million local tradi onalists.

Part of the document reads: “Some mes in 2018, water in the Osun River began to wear a brown colour. Ini ally, residents thought the change resulted from flooding, which would only be a temporary issue, but a er more than four years, the change has con nued to create apprehension among residents.

“The change in colour which implies that the river has been contaminated has exposed communi es that rely on the river as their source of water aqua c lives and to poisonous materials.

“Residents of communi es around the 213.08km Osun River revealed that the change in colour of the river is a result of gold mining ac vies in some parts of Osun State. Several inves gaons have also affirmed this. Several scien fic studies have also established this.

“The increase in the level of gold mining ac vies in some parts of Osun State cannot be uncon-

nected with the brownish colour of the water flowing through the Osun River. The sudden presence of more than 100 illegal gold mining sites with poor waste management plans now affects the Osun River and other tributaries.

“The Osun that serves mul ple communi es in terms of their daily needs for water in different aspects is also a threat to living sustainably within their environment.

“Culturally, the polluon also affects people’s religious and cultural iden ty as the sense of the sacred a ributed to the Osun River is being violated by the pollu on. In the first instance, the Osun River is central to the cultural heritage weaved around the Osun.”

Urban Alert called on the Federal and Osun State governments to be sincere in their approaches to the remedia on of Osun river.

“Restoring the Osun River and other rivers affected by illegal and unregulated mining ac vies demands a ‘sincere’ approach by the Federal

Government of Nigeria and Osun State government, and other stakeholders.

“Government should extend sensi sa on campaigns to host communi es and miners. With regard to the host communi es, the campaigns should focus on the protocol for ini a ng a new

mining project by companies, and the rights they are en tled to under the solid minerals and regulatory framework, the obliga ons of miners; environmental protec on laws, health and safety issues; as well as relevant ins tu ons to be involved in the sector in Nigeria, amongst other key is-

sues.

“There is a need for the remedia on of the Osun River and the polluted environment. To do this, the Federal Government, in collabora on with the Osun State Government and other stakeholders, must design and implement a remedia on plan that will detoxify the river and the environment.

“Due to the socioeconomic, health and environmental impacts of the Osun River contamina on on two million lives, tourists, tradi onalists, and the African belief system, remedia on needs to be done urgently”, the group recommended.

Osun Monarch Arraigned For Alleged Robbery, Arson

THE Elegbedi of Egbedi in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Muideen Azeez, was on Wednesday arraigned in a state High Court, si ng in Ede, for alleged robbery.

Oba Azeez was arraigned alongside four of his followers, Akibu Azeez, Yisa Surajudeen, Rasidi Ayandiran and Sarafadeen Abioye, on a 29 count-charge which

centres on robbery, arson, malicious damage, violence and forceful entry.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges contained in the suit.

The state counsel, Mr. Dele Akintayo, while speaking in court, said the suspects conspired to commit robbery with violence at a farm in Iloba, Osun State.

Akintayo told the court that the accused persons armed themselves with

firearms and offensive weapons rob one Wasilatu Akinola and other women processing palm oil on a farm in Iloba.

He alleged that the suspects and others at large set the palace of, Oloba of lloba, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi and other buildings in the town on fire.

Some of the charges against Oba Azeez and others read: “Oba Muideen Olaniyi Azeez (A.K.A Asemalu), Akibu Azeez

Abioye, Yisa Surajudeen Akolapo, Rasidi Ayandiran, Sarafadeen Abioye and others at large, on or about 3rd September 2019 at a farm in lloba within Ede Judicial Division, willfully and unlawfully set the house of Abubakar Abdullateef in lloba town on fire.

The accused persons were also said to have destroyed crops and forcefully taken over the farmland of Opeoluwa Integrated Farming Re-

How An Uncle Once Drove From Ibadan To Flog Me In Osun - Layi Wasabi

POPULAR Osun

State born content creator, Layi Wasabi, has reminisced on the discipline he passed through while growing up.

Wasabi said he grew up with discipline, disclosing that one of his uncles drove from Ibadan in Oyo State to flog him in Osogbo, Osun State, for failing an exam.

In a recent chat on 90s Baby Show, the Nigerian skit maker said his mother wanted him to study science-related courses in school.

According to him, his mum was disappointed

that he failed Physics, a subject required to study science.

Wasabi added that his mother informed one of his uncles, who came from Ibadan to cane him in Osogbo.

He said: “My mum was upset I was not taking school seriously. She called one of my uncles, he said ‘Do not worry I will be in Osogbo tomorrow’.

“I was the one who opened the gate for him and assisted him in carrying his load from his car. I knew what he came for.

“He sat down, drank water, and said ‘Bring your report card’. He

went through all the courses and said, ‘You failed physics, you did not do well in mathema cs. Lie down there.’

And I knew what my fate was then. It was crazy.”

Wasabi who started

his comedy career as a teenager, is known for blending societal issues in Nigeria and everyday challenges into content.

His cra has fetched him numerous awards. He recently clinched the ‘Best Digital Content’ category at the 2024 AMVCA.

In August 2023, he revealed that growing up in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state, influenced the kind of content he creates.

sources Ltd farm area between Iloba and Egbedi “which was in actual and peaceful possession of Saheed Majeed on or about 28th May 2021.”

According to the charge sheet, the accused persons “and others at large, on or about 28th May 2021 at Opeoluwa Intergrated Farming Resources Ltd farm area between Iloba and Egbedi within Ede Judicial Division, without lawful authority did threaten violence to forcefully secure entry into the said farmland, which was in actual and peaceful possession of Opeoluwa Integrated Farming Resources Ltd owned by Pa Abiodun Oladapo, to destroy the crops on the land and sell the land.”

In his oral bail applica on, counsel to the defendants, Bukola Atobatele, prayed the court to allow the defendants to con nue to enjoy bail condi ons granted at a Magistrate court, but the applica on was objected by the state counsel. Jus ce Akano upheld the prosecu ng counsel’s submission on the ground that the par culars of the case before the magistrate court were different from the one before him. The case was adjourned to July 04, 2024, for ruling on bail applicaon.

Road Dualisation: Ijesa Muslim Community Rejects Demolition Of Central Mosque

THE Ijesa Muslim Community has rejected a reported plan by the Osun State government to demolish the Ilesa Central Mosque, Ilesa, for the ongoing dualisa on of road in the town.

In a statement by its Secretary, Alfa AbdulAzeez Bakare, on Wednesday, the Muslim Community said the government did not consult them before bringing bulldozers to demolish the mosque. According to the Muslims, there was an agreement between the Muslim community and the state government on the poron of the mosque which will give way for the road dualisa on.

They noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke, during the last ‘Ipade Imole’, promised that the road dualisa on was only going to affect the outer fence of the Central Mosque with payment of compensa on for any demolished part.

The Muslims however, said they were surprised when bulldozers were being mobilized to the Central Mosque, for possible demoli on.

About seven mosques in Ilesa, including the Central Mosque are likely to be affected by the dualisaon, while the state government was yet to open a channel of communicaon to discuss the issue of all the mosques, according to the Muslims. They urged the state government to call the contractor handling the project to order and not to go beyond the earlier agreement.

The statement reads in part: “The Grand Imam of Ijesaland and the Ex-

ecu ve of Ijesa Muslim Community were taken aback by the sudden twist of events on the ongoing road dualisa on project currently being undertaken by the Osun State Government in Ilesa.

“The Ijesa Muslim Community had earlier been assured that the road dualisa on is only going to affect the outer fence of the Central Mosque with payment of compensa on for any demolished part as Osun State Governor had earlier promised during the Ipade Imole that heralded the commencement of the project.

“Earlier projec ons had shown that about seven mosques in Ilesa, including the Central Mosque, are likely going to be affected to varying degrees and the community had been expec ng the government to open channel of communicaons to discuss the issue of all the mosques but that has not come to reality yet.

“It thus came as a surprise to the Grand Imam of Ijesaland and the en re Muslims in Ijesaland when news filtered in the morning of Wednesday, 26th June 2024 that bulldozers are being mobilised toward the Central Mosque for possible demoli on.

This made many Muslims, including the Grand Imam of Ijesaland, Shaikh Alh. Muhammad Jamiu Idris, and other notable Muslims in Ijesaland to rush down to the mosque to stop the contractor from embarking on any demolion without prior mee ng and consulta on between the leadership of the Ijesa Muslim Community and the representa ves of Osun State government.

“In view of the urgen-

cy and sensi ve nature of the issue, the leadership of the Ijesa Muslim Community is using this opportunity to call on the Osun State government to call the contractor handling the project to order,

brief him appropriately not to go beyond earlier agreement and also open channel of discussion with the leadership of the Ijesa Muslim Community under the leadership of the Grand Imam.”

Bike Snatching On The Increase In Osun, Several Motorcyclists Killed

TYusuf Oketola state is free from the menace, but it is prevalent in Ikirun, Osogbo, Ilesa and Ile-Ife among other major ci es in the state.

HERE is alarming rate of motorcycle snatching in Osun State, findings by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed.

Commercial motorcyclists known as Okada riders are major vic ms of the bike snatching, which has become a daily occurrence in the state.

Some of the commercial motorcyclists have been killed while others were severely injured by the criminals in an attempt to snatch their motorcycles.

Findings revealed that the criminals behind the heinous act usually lure their vic ms (commercial motorcyclists) to isolated areas late at night or some mes offer huge amount to en ce the vic ms to take them to where they will perpetrate the crime.

Though no part of the

Osun College Calls For Permanent Employment Of 70 Contract Staff

THE Provost, College of Health Technology, Ilesa, Dr. Lateef Olarewaju, has pleaded with Governor Ademola Adeleke to consider 70 contract staff of the college for permanent employment.

Olarewaju’s appeal came a er a week that Adeleke granted permanent employment of about 230 temporary staff of the University of Ilesa (UNILESA)

The provost made the appeal while fielding ques ons from journalists in his office.

He urged the Governor to extend his kind

gesture to the workers by normalising their employment that was long overdue.

It would be recalled that Adeleke recently approved full employment to no fewer than 230 contract staff of the University of Ilesa, and all the freelance staff of the Osun State Broadcas ng Corpora on (OSBC), Osogbo.

The provost also called on the federal government to enlist Monotechnics across the country among the instu ons that can benefit from TetFund projects.

He noted that since the ins tu ons like their

counterparts in polytechnic educa on are offering courses equivalent to na onal and higher na onal diploma levels, they should be granted the right of space in the scheme.

The provost who iden fied funding as a major challenge of the ins tu on, commended Governor Adeleke for his support for the college, just as he pleaded with illustrious sons and daughters of Ijesaland to come to the aid of the school.

He noted that despite the vola lity of Ilesa, the ins tu on has been able to curtail ac vi es of cul sts on the school campus largely because it maintained discipline.

Speaking on the trend, the Osun State Police Command warned motorcyclists, especially the commercial ones to be cau ous of passenger(s) they carry or employ their services.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba, in a statement by the Public Rela ons Officer of the command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, there is a disturbing trend of motorcycle snatching crimes in recent mes in the state.

Abba enjoined the leadership of Okada Riders Associa on in Osun to con nually sensi se their members in other to avoid being vic ms of the trending crime.

The statement reads:

“The Osun State Police Command is using this medium to cau on motorcyclists especially the commercial ones (Okada) to be cau ous of passenger(s) they carry or employ their services.

“This becomes impera ve as the Police Command has no ced a disturbing trend of bike/motorcycle (okada) snatching crimes in recent mes.

“The modus operandi of the criminals involves hailing commercial motorcyclists and luring them to isolated areas late at nights, some mes offering bogus/en cing prices to the said motorcyclists to lure them to inconspicuous and isolated areas where they, (cyclists) will be a acked and their bikes snatched. In some cases, the motorcyclists have been severely injured or even killed.

“The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba, enjoined the leadership of Okada Riders Associa on in the State to con nually lecture/ sensi se their members in other to avoid being vic ms of this trending crime.

“The Command also advise them to report any suspicious passenger(s) and their ac vi es to the nearest police sta on.

“The CP is commi ed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors of Osun State as the Police Command is working relessly to apprehend and prosecute those involved in these heinous crimes.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024 - THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2024

ALL praise is due to Allaah, and may His peace and blessings be upon the final Messenger, His pure family, noble companions, and all those who follow them with righteousness un l the Day of Judgment.

Riba is an Arabic word that can be roughly translated as “usury”, or unjust, exploita ve gains made in trade or business under Islamic law.

SERMON JUMAT SERMON

By Sheik Musa Oladapo Raji JUMAT

In Islamic Finance, riba refers to interest charged on loans or deposits. Islam forbids riba, even at low interest rate, as both illegal and unethical or usurious. Islamic banking has provided several workarounds to accommodate financial transac ons without charging explicit interest.

Usury is charging a rate of interest upon lending money. It is forbidden in Islam and it is clearly stated in Qur’an Only trade is permissible.

In the Shari’ah, or Divine Way of Islam, riba is the name Allaah Almighty gave in the Qur’aan to any increase of a debt or a loan un l its repayment.

Islaam is a way of life. It governs every aspect of a Muslim’s life from spiritual, cultural, social to even economical. The Islamic economic principles regulate economic ac vi es in accordance with the Shari’ah. Riba is the most prominent element among various prohibi ons under Islamic commercial law. While trade is permi ed, riba is prohibited.

Conven onally, trade is defined as the exchange of goods or services for other goods and services or money. It is not different in Islam. A sale (ba’y) is an exchange of an item for another.

Allaah Almighty has permi ed the exchange of goods and services (ba’y) not only to enable individuals make livelihoods but also because human needs are interdependent. Merchants engage in trade transac ons to make profit.

Riba, Prohibitive Transaction In Islam

Day of Resurrec on) except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, ‘Trade is (just) like interest.’ But Allaah Almighty has permi ed trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admoni on from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allaah Almighty. But whoever returns to (dealing in interest or usury) - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.”

There are various essen al differences between ribh (profit) and riba (usury). The above defini ve (qa ’) verse permits trade (as a mode of earning profit) but strictly prohibits interest.

Briefly, ribh (famously translated to mean profit) refers to a mark-up put above the cost price of a product or service. It is designed to compensate traders for their expenses, effort and me. Riba, by contrast, is an addi onal amount added to a credit facility and not to product costs. The amount of riba from a transac on is usually calculated, as a percentage, in advance. Thus, the amount of payable interest depends on the advanced facility and the rate of interest. Profit, conversely, is uncertain. The amount of profit is post-determined a er the trade transac on is done. It might be posi ve, zero or nega ve (loss).

Riba (commonly translated to denote interest) literally means an increase, excess or surplus.

The Oxford Dic onary (1989) defines riba (interest) as “money paid for the use of money lent (the principal), or for forbearance of a debt, according to a fixed ra o (rate per cent)…”

Technically, riba refers to any predetermined excess over and above the credit amount advanced to the debtor in rela on to a specified period of me.

According to the Shari’ah, a surplus of commodity or an

increase in return without a counter-value (‘iwad) is riba. Islam does not differen ate between interest and usury. The term Riba is used interchangeably to denote an illegal excess from a loan transac on. The Shari’ah does not recognize such thing as acceptable and exorbitant riba. Islam encourages individuals to invest their excess capital so that money rotates in the economy and earns them profit rather than lending it for interest. The most preferred, however, is helping the needy and giving out interest-free loans (qard al hasan). Dealing in interest is one of the greatest sins in Islaam.

The Qur’an 2: 275 legislates: “Those who consume interest cannot stand (on the

OSHIA Berates Osun APC, Says Agency Owes No Service Providers

Kazeem

THE Management of Osun Health Insurance Agency has chided the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for claiming that the agency was owing some service providers.

OSHIA said the APC was spreading lies to the public over a N40bn grant from the federal government.

The Osun State Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, had in a press release last weekend said:

“In 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria gave a grant of N3,977,667,261.14 (about N4bn) to the Osun State Government, part of which was to cater for the health insurance of the vulnerable ci zens of the state. So why is the state government not funding the insurance scheme appropriately?

“Another decep on of the state government over enrolment of pensioners and senior ci zens on the Osun Health Insurance Scheme has also been unearthed as only N650 is the maximum capita on budgeted for each re ree to en-

joy. Could N650 purchase a pack of paracetamol in the present economic situaon? If this is not wickedness, what is it?”

But the Execu ve Secretary of OSHIA, Dr. Rasaq Akindele, while reac ng to the allega ons, said the agency does not owe any service providers, nor receive the said fund from the federal government.

He said the agency has been doing well compared to the last administra on, adding that issue of pensioners raised by the APC chairman was also far from the truth.

Akindele said: “I am sure no sane person will say OSHIA is underperforming. Before I got to office, the en re enrollees of the scheme were 248,000 out of which 244,000 were formal sector enrollees (that is civil servants and their immediate families). Only 4,000 enrollees were informal sector enrollees (other people who are not Civil Servants). Civil Servants enrolment is compulsory for the scheme.

“What this translates to is that for more than five

years of existence of the agency, only 4,000 non-civil servants had confidence in the scheme to enroll. Within six months of my administra on, more than 13,000 non-civil servants have registered, meaning that many more people are beginning to appreciate the impact of government ac vi es through OSHIA.

“Let it be known that the fund from the Federal government is meant for logis cs of maintaining the Primary Health Centre. Osun State receives second to the last amount in the state’s funding and despite this, Osun has one of the best Primary Health care systems in the country.

“While all pensioners are jubila ng for their enrolment into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) and giving a sigh of relief for hope of longevity, some people are poli cising the health of these people. The height of this misinforma on is the quote of N650 for the treatment of these dear senior ci zens. One wonders where they got this informa on from.”

Speaking on the withdrawal of Onward Hospital from the agency, Akindele said the hospital withdrew

as a result of infla on in the country and internal restructuring, adding that the agency never defaulted on its monthly capita on payments.

According to him: “Onward Hospital, Osogbo, had on June 10, 2024, written to Osun Health Insurance Agency, indica ng its withdrawal from OHIS, citing infla on in the country and internal restructuring as the reasons. The hospital added that it would be willing to con nue when the economy is more stable and the hospital fully restructured.

“The agency responded on June 19, 2024, accepting the withdrawal of services from Onward Specialist Hospital to take effect from July 1st, 2024, though, it’s a viola on of OHIA Operaonal Guidelines, which expressly states that either party must give three months wri en no ce before termina ng the agreement.

“Based on this, the management directed Onward Hospital to a end to all OHIS enrollees un l the end of June 2024, in view of the month’s capita on that has been paid in advance”.

Profit is earned through inves ng ac vely in the real economy. Businesses trade to meet people’s needs in order to make profit. Interest, by contrast, is earned passively. Moneylenders do not take any risks in the monetary economy. The loans are collateralised and interest earned without any real investment or par cipa on in trading.

Profit is halal. Riba is haraam. In Islam, wealth can only be generated through ac ve work. The Shari’ah favours gains propor onal to work done. Profit is earned through effort and risks. It is considera on for the entrepreneurial effort and risks incurred in an investment. Riba, on the other hand, is unearned income. The lender does not have to put in any effort to earn interest. Lenders simply gain revenue by offering money which in itself cannot generate income. Money in debt-based economies is simply an end in itself.

Trade transac on is executed immediately an item is exchanged and money (profit) earned. In a riba-based transac on, the debtor has to consume the money, reproduce it (if lucky) and then pay it plus interest. Even so, the interest can s ll be compounded un l paid in full. Thus, a debtor runs double risks in a riba-based transac on.

•Read full article on www.osundefender.com

•Sheik Muhammad Abdulalimi, is the Mudiru Ad-Da’wah Wal-Irshad, Obaagun, State of Osun.

is to to notify the general public that the above-named CHURCH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 2020.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:

1. OMOTOSO DAVID OYENPEMI- CHAIRMAN

2. AKINTOPE PRECIOUS OLUWABUNMI

3. ADUNNI ADESOLA SAMUEL

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. TO WORSHIP GOD THE CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

2. DISCIPLESHIP

3. FELLOWSHIP

4. MISSION

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, Mariama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Trustees

KAREEM OLALEKAN OPEYEMI AKANDE FOLASHADE EMILY

That I was formerly known and addressed as KAREEM QUADRI OLALEKAN, now wish to be known and addressed as KAREEM OLALEKAN OPEYEMI

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

That AKANDE FOLASHADE OLUWATOSIN and AKANDE FOLASHADE EMILY are the same but I wish to be known and address as AKANDE FOLASHADE EMILY

All former documents remain valid. Generall public should take note.

Philanthropist Donates Reserve Bench To Osogbo Stadium

Aphilanthropist, Ibikunle Ibidapo, has donated a pair of reserve benches to the Osun State Football Associa on, for usage at Osogbo Township Stadium.

Speaking at a brief ceremony during the unveiling of the benches, Ibidapo stated that the gesture was due to his passion for the development of the round leather game at the grassroots.

Ibidapo, who sponsored the Ibikunle Ibidapo Football Compe on organised by the Olorunda Local Government Football

Coaches Associa on, urged well-meaning individuals in the society to contribute their quota to the upli of hidden talents through sports.

He said: “My decision to do this is borne out of my love for sports, especially football. I love to see talents grow into superstars. That is why I encourage and mo vate them. I watched almost all the NLO matches and I saw most of the players on the bench, si ng in the sun. I felt it was necessary to provide a suitable bench that would reduce what the play-

ers and their team officials go through.

“I am glad and happy to see this dream come true. I aim to see the development of football in Osun, and make our state, be the best among its peers in Nigeria, in sports. I am glad that the people are inspired by my acons. I want privileged people in the society to join hands with me and assist in uncovering talents for the state and the country at large.”

Responding on behalf of the Osun FA, the Chairman, Hon. Sola Fanawopo, appreciated Ibidapo for the gesture.

Fanawopo noted that the associa on is ready to partner with and receive support from individuals and organisa ons who are ready to facilitate projects and programmes to grow football in the state.

The F.A. Chair said:

“We can’t keep waiting for government endlessly, people with wherewithal are always welcome to play their part as we focus on developing talents in the state. One of the components missing in the arena is here.”

The event also witnessed the presentaon of medals and gi s to the four best teams at the Ibikunle Ibidapo Football Compe on.

Annual Olympic Day Run: Osun Sets To Receive Olympic Torch

AS this year Olympic Day Run commemoration comes up on Saturday, June 29, 2024, Osun State is set to receive the “Olympic Torch” from the Na onal body. This was contained in a release issued by the Public Rela ons Officer of the Sports Council, Mrs Funmilayo Moradeyo, on Wednesday. The programme organised by the Interna-

onal Olympic Committee is aimed at promo ng sports and associated values by bringing together people and also serve as an instrument to consolidate na onal unity and grassroot sports development.

Speaking on the programme, the General Manager of the Sports Council, Mr. Ro mi Dunmoye, stated that Governor Ademola Adeleke would be on ground to receive the Torch and to be supported by his Deputy, Prince Kolawole

News

Economic Hardship: Osogbo In Diaspora Distributes

INDIGENES of Osogbo in the United States of America have provided succour for their people in the state capital.

The indigenes under the aegis of Osogbo Progressive Union, USA on Wednesday distributed rice pallia ve to about 115 compounds to cushion the current economic hardship in the country.

Each of the 115 compounds were given two bags of rice, totaling 230 bags altogether.

Speaking with journalists at the programme, the President of the union, Alhaji Kazeem Adetunji, described the kind gesture as a way of giving back to the society and help the needy in the face of the economic hardship in Nigeria.

Adetunji stressed that beyond the rice pallia ve, other programs like annual scholarship and medical programmes were in plan to help the Osogbo indigenes.

He said: “We are here today to distribute rice as a pallia ve to 115 compounds in Osogbo. Our goal as OPU members is to give back to the community and

help the needy in this economic situa on in Nigeria.

“We have done a lot of programmes, not just giving food items out only. We have annual scholarship and medical programmes. This is just one of the programmes to ameliorate the suffering of our people for now.

“The 115 compounds are selected based on the ac ve members of the union. We use this opportunity to tell other associa ons and those in diaspora to remember their people back home.

“The Nigeria government should also do everything possible to reduce the suffering of the people. The country is not smiling right now. The unemployment rate is so high. People are suffering.”

Kazeem Adedotun who spoke on behalf of Lasigun compound, thanked the Osogbo in diaspora for coming to their aid at “the cri cal moment.”

Adedotun said: “We appreciate this kind gesture from our people in diaspora at this crical moment in Nigeria. We commend them and urge others abroad to always remember home”.

Also, the representave of Olorisa Oko compound, Bashiru Opabola, prayed for the union, saying God will replenish their power.

“We thank the Osogbo Progressive Union for this step. We pray for them to con nue to go stronger. May God replenish their pocket,” he said.

Other compounds that benefited from the rice pallia ve include Oje, Saliu, Olobedu, Oluguna, Lasigun, Agana and Ayiogun, among others.

Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner-incharge of Sports.

However, the Director, Coaching and Training, Mr Demola Daini, has assured a hitch free programme, saying all necessary arrangements have been intensified.

He affirmed that the coaches and athletes have been briefed and arrangements were already in top gear for the programme to feature specific demonstra ons of some spor ng dexteri es.

Rice Palliative To 115 Compounds

Boyfriend Flees As Gunman Rapes 18-Year-Old Girlfriend In Osun

Yusuf Oketola

Agunman named Jelili Ogunbunmi has been arrested by police opera ves

for allegedly raping an 18-year-old girl in Osun State.

It was learnt that the incident took place last

Thursday at Adewumi village, near Olode in Ife South Local Government area.

According to a source in the community who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under the condi on of anonymity, the incident occurred around 8pm when the vic m, Blessing, went to buy so drink with her boyfriend, iden fied as Daniel.

The source said:

“While Daniel and his girlfriend were returning, Ogunbunmi who was armed with gun waylaid them and threatened to kill them but Daniel ran for safe-

ty, leaving his girlfriend with the suspect.

“Then, the gunman dragged Blessing into the bush to rape her and he threatened to kill her if she resisted. Meanwhile, he has been arrested because Daniel reported the ma er to the police.”

The Police Public Rela ons Officer, Yemisi Opalola while confirming the incident said, “Ogunbunmi has been arrested and a dane gun used to perpetrate the act was recovered. The ma er has been transferred to State Criminal Inves ga on Department.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2024 - THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2024 VOL. 19 NO 24 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

Iwrite in response to an ar cle on the poli cs page of your esteemed newspaper of June 9, 2024, tled ‘Dissec ng Aregbesola’s poli cal ba les in APC’ wri en by your correspondent in Osogbo, Oluwole Ige.

The author was a correspondent of the Nigerian Tribune and he has a history of adversarial repor ng against Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola when he was Osun governor and Minister of Interior. His reports, when not outrightly false, is outlandish, bringing journalism into disrepute.

He once wrote with magisterial authority the falsehood that UNICEF constructed the ItaOlokan to Orita-Olaiya road in Osogbo, the day a er the State Government commissioned the road, even when UNICEF is about children’s fund and clearly not in the road construc on business. Unfortunately, he has con nued in this tradi on and the ar cle is just a rehash of his old self.

The basis of his story, that Ogbeni Aregbesola has been expelled from APC, is false ab inio. At no me was Ogbeni Aregbesola expelled from the APC. As one of the founders of the party, a former governor and minister, it will take the Na onal Working Commi ee of the party to take such a decision.

The group whose brief he appears to have taken, the Ileri Oluwa fac on of the party, led by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, which incidentally controls the execu ve commi ee of the party in the state had announced the suspension and expulsion of some members of the party associated with Ogbeni Aregbesola, but at no me did they even claim to have expelled Aregbesola.

Yes, they recently said they could not say Aregbesola is s ll with them and had reported him to the Na onal Working Commi ee of the party, but they did not even say they have expelled him. So it will definitely be false to say he has been expelled as the reporter did in the said write-up.

Secondly, Ige commented twice on rumours he picked up

“At

By Sola Fasure PERSPECTIVE

On Aregbesola’s Political Battles In Osun

on the streets in the report as if they are true. These are that Aregbesola is floa ng a poli cal party and that he intended to use the party to fight President Bola Tinubu.

These rumours are false and I learnt about it for the first me in his ar cle. This is not the hallmark of journalism that The Guardian has me culously built over the decades. The media is built on the founda on of truth and facts established a er proper inves ga ons have been carried out, not on rumours.

He tried to delve into the succession poli cs in Osun, but again, he took his brief from the same Ileri Oluwa fac on who have been trying to sell the lie that Aregbesola did not support Oyetola to be governor. They have been trying to do this to jus fy their treachery and ingra tude by repaying Aregbesola with evil.

At the me the poli cs of succession in Osun came up at the tail end of Aregbesola’s tenure

any rate, Governor Oyetola had polarised APC and treated those who were not on his side as enemies and engaged them in a war of attrition. Some of them were arrested and prosecuted on the order of the then governor. It is not surprising therefore that they left the party and went to another party. The then governor has himself to blame for this”

in late 2017 and early 2018, the consensus in the party and in the state was that Osun West Senatorial District should produce the governor, but the leader of APC and especially the leader of our tendency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisted that the party should pick Oyetola. This was met with strong opposi on from the rank and file of the party in Osun.

Aregbesola, out of loyalty to Tinubu had to play along, a decision that split the party into two, with the aggrieved members joining another party, which almost cost APC the elec on in 2018. For them to be able to put Oyetola on the APC cket, it cost the party more than a billion naira for which the candidate himself did not contribute a dime then.

Aregbesola did everything possible, including pu ng his poli cal capital on the line, to make him the party’s flagbearer and win the elec on. It is unfortunate therefore that Ige had to echo this lie because he was sufficiently informed about the developments in Osun APC and poli cs in the state at the me, not to know that the allega on of Aregbesola not suppor ng Oyetola is false.

He also falsely claimed that Aregbesola worked against the re-elec on of Governor Oyetola in 2022. This is absolutely false. He took this lie again verba m from the Ileri Oluwa camp. Truly, Aregbesola promoted and supported Alhaji Moshood Adeo during the APC governorship primaries won by Oyetola, but he did not support the PDP in the governorship elec on or the following general elec on a year later.

They had to keep repea ng this lie to jus fy the annihila on of anyone in Osun APC perceived to be loyal to Aregbesola.

Yes, some of the associates

of Aregbesola being hunted and persecuted by the then governor resigned from APC and went to join the PDP, but it is a decision they took on their own. Freedom of associa on is a fundamental and inalienable right in a democra c system.

At any rate, Governor Oyetola had polarised APC and treated those who were not on his side as enemies and engaged them in a war of a ri on. Some of them were arrested and prosecuted on the order of the then governor. It is not surprising therefore that they le the party and went to another party. The then governor has himself to blame for this.

Again, he subtly misrepresented what Aregbesola said at Ilo, near Ilesa, to party supporters. He wrote that Aregbesola said ‘We exalted him beyond his status and he turned himself to a god over us and we had sworn to ridicule anyone who compared himself to God’. Though Aregbesola spoke in Yoruba, he never said he had ‘sworn to ridicule anyone…’ What he said in Yoruba was that he had prayed and asked God to pull down anyone that arrogantly places himself in the posi on of God over them.

Lastly, the opinion of Alhaji Liadi Tella which he featured in the story capped his adversarial intent and mo va on for the arcle. Alhaji Tella truly came to meet the then minister in Abuja. They spoke at length and the minister told him that he wasn’t figh ng the Oyetola group but they were the ones figh ng him. He agreed. So it is surprising how he now perceives the Osun APC crisis differently.

Though one would have been curious to know why Alhaji Tella didn’t deem it necessary to even ask the Oyetola administra on to complete the mega school in his hometown, the only one remaining and never commissioned, from the 11 the Aregbesola administra on constructed across the state. What remained is the perimeter fence and landscape.

In sum, the ar cle is a cleverly packaged falsehoods being promoted by the treacherous Oyetola fac on of the APC against Aregbesola, who has done them no evil other than to help them get to power in the state.

It is disheartening therefore that they are surrep ously using a legacy newspaper like The Guardian to perpetrate this evil and the reporter is gladly playing along with them.