Osun Defender Online Version of September 13, 2024

86 Osun Convicts On Death Row In Ogun, Lagos Prisons

Scores Die As Tanker Rams Into 18-Seater Bus In Ile-Ife

Tributes As Aromoloran Joins Ancestors At 86

•Tinubu, Atiku, Adeleke Others Mourn

•Ijesa Elders Declare 7-Day Curfew

Resumption: Worries Over Hike In Transportation, School Fees

•Parents Consider Changing Schools To Reduce Expenses

•Fees Hike Not Deliberate, Due To Economic Hardship - Administrator

86 Osun Convicts On Death Row In Ogun, Lagos Prisons

ABOUT 86 convicts from Osun State are in dire and unbearable condi ons as a result of overcrowding in the death row sec on of the Nigeria Correc onal Centre, especially in Lagos and Ogun States.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the convicts are presently in Ibara Custodial Centre, Abeokuta and Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.

This, according to findings, is due to the unavailability of a Board of Mercy yet to be cons tuted by Governor Ademola Adeleke in place.

In the mean me, a faith-based nongovernmental organisa on, the Centre for Jus ce, Mercy, and Reconciliaon (CJMR), has asked Governor Adeleke to establish the Board of Mercy to see to the needs of prisoners, especially in rela on to gran ng amnesty to inmates on death row.

CJMR, in a le er

•As Adeleke Refuses To Establish ‘Board Of Mercy’ For Amnesty

signed by its Execu ve Director, Pastor Hezekiah Olujobi, stated that “It has come to our no ce that throughout the previous administra on in Osun State, there was no Board of Mercy; as a re-

sult, the state governor has not been gran ng amnesty to inmates on death row in Osun State, in contraven on of the provisions of the Nigerian Cons tu on.

“We would like to

humbly draw your a enon to Sec ons 175 and 212 of the Cons tu on of the Nigerian Cons tuon, which empower the state governor to grant amnesty to convicts, both those serving im-

prisonment and those on death row. It is concerning that this cons tuonal provision has not been fully implemented in Osun State for nearly six years.

“Furthermore, we

•Mrs Bola Morgan, the State Director of NOA, with other partners during a news conference,

Agriculture: Osun Begins 84km Rural Road Project

IN a bid to enhance agricultural producvity and economic growth, the Osun State Government has launched an 84km rural road construc on project under the Osun Rural Access and Agricultural Marke ng Project (RAAMP).

Speaking at the event in Aagba, Boripe Local Government, Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, said the project is aimed at improving road infrastructure and access by helping rural farmers

transport their produce more efficiently.

Adeleke reiterated government’s determina on to link rural communi es with urban centers to boost local economy and enhance social development.

The Governor added that the passage of bills establishing the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and the State Road Fund (SRF), which will ensure the sustainability of rural road projects, maintaining the readiness of his administra on to make a posi ve difference throughout the state.

Commissioner for

S ’ Q

Rural Development and Community Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Ola Oluwa praised the state government’s efforts while expressing confidence that the project would significantly improve living standards in rural areas. He, however, emphasised the need for collabora ve efforts at all government levels to sustain rural development and food security.

Special Adviser on RAAMP, Hon. Moji Omisore, praised the Governor’s commitment to rural development, highligh ng the project’s poten al to boost agriculture by improving road infrastructure and enhancing market access for farmers.

“My concern is to uplift man such that he sees himself as the only agent of change. I want to elevate the place of human beings in society such that man can see himself as the core of society and driver of development”

wish to highlight the dire and unbearable condions of overcrowding in the death row sec on of the Correc onal Centre. Presently, in Ibara Custodial Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, there are 85 people on death row who are convicts from Osun State.

“We believe that some of these inmates could be transferred to the general convict secon, thereby reducing the overcrowding in the death row sec on. Addi onally, we urge that those who meet the criteria for total freedom under the Cons tu on be considered for release.

“We respec ully request that Your Excellency looks into this appeal and take the appropriate steps to cons tute the Board of Mercy in accordance with the provisions of the cons tu on and take the necessary ac ons to address the issues raised,” CJMR stated.

Would-Be Tenant Disappears With Neighbours’ Children

AN intending tenant, whose name is yet to be idenfied, has disappeared with two children belonging to her neighbours in the Igando area of Ilesa, Osun State.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the tenant allegedly abducted the children, aged four and two, a er cleaning her one-room apartment in a ‘face-me-and-faceyou’ building around the Cele area of Igando on Saturday.

It was learnt that the tenant reportedly paid N6,000 for six months’ accommoda on to one of the exis ng tenants in the house.

Mother of one of the missing children, Funke Komolafe, told newsmen that the lady snuck out of the house and lied, claiming she was taking the girls to buy something when confronted by neighbours who saw her leaving with them.

According to mother of the second child, Itunu Joseph, said, “We have three buildings sharing a common backyard. The woman met us washing our clothes on Saturday morning. My two-yearold daughter was playing with her mates in-

side the building where the lady had rented a room.

“A er cleaning her room, the lady pretended to be pregnant and red. She sat in the backyard, playing with the children. She told me she liked my daughter in par cular and wished to have a child like her.”

Joseph con nued,

“She stayed with us for about three hours before going inside her room. The children followed her, but we didn’t no ce when she le . The people at the front of the house saw her walking away with the children and asked where she was going. She claimed she was going to buy something for them nearby. She walked with them to the junc on, where she boarded a motor-

cycle.

“When I couldn’t find my daughter, I was told that the new tenant had taken her and my neighbour’s daughter away. Fortunately, we know the motorcycle rider. He told us she transferred to another wai ng bike at the Ade area of Ilesa. We searched for them, but haven’t found them yet. She didn’t tell us her name”

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the case has been reported to the police and the Osun State Amotekun Corps.

The state corps Commander, Adekunle Omoyele, confirmed the incident, saying, “We are aware of the situa on, and we are working hard to locate the woman. By God’s grace, we will find her and the children.”

As

Schools Resume

SCHOOLS will resume next week within the context of a cost - of - existence crisis. In a country with millions of children already unacceptably out of school, enrolment figures is bound to drop further and this is alarming.

Only a handful of state governments are taking countervailing steps such as the provision of school buses and the use of bursaries to augment the shor alls in school fees payment.

With public sector schools already in dire straits due to underfunding, something must be done to prevent the private sector schools from collapse.

The present crisis presents an opportunity to take a fresh look at the funding of schools in a situa on of declining disposable income. New forms of intervenon must be explored.

If the number of those out of schools con nues to rise, the social consequences will be devasta ng.

It is important to note at this juncture, governments at all level especially the states must think out of the box to manage the situa on. Incen ves like free scholar buses, subsidised taxes for private schools and other measures are needed in the interim to mi gate the effect of the dire economic situa on.

Equally vital at this juncture is the need to provide more teachers at the public primary and post primary levels in Osun. Feelers from our lead story this week speaks to why it is vital to hasten the recruitment process so not to deny the upcoming genera on quality educaon.

We must do more to save our future.

TETFUND: Why No Support For Private Tertiary Institutions?

DEAR Editor, I am wri ng to strongly express my concerns about how a virile segment of the knowledge produc on community is being restrained from access to an essen al resource base of na onal importance?

Private ter ary instu ons should not be le at a disadvantage simply due to the nature of their establishment by private individuals, many of who appear as being essen ally public-spirited and driven by the altruism to see educa on in Nigeria reach global standards of excellence. It would be more befi ng if the Fund’s criteria for the award of grants could include all these private owned ins tu ons.

It has become a thing of intrigue and interest to wonder why TETFund only focuses its interven ons on federal and

Editor Letter To The

state educa onal instu ons, despite its name deno ng it as a Ter ary Educa on Trust Fund, which ought not to entertain any discriminaon in its applica on.

Over the years precisely in 2021, the Terary Educa on Trust Fund (TETFund) approved a huge N292.66 billion interven on fund to select universi es, polytechnics and colleges of educa ons across Nigeria. It would be more befi ng if the Fund’s criteria for the award of grants could include all these ins tu ons, and perhaps limit the applicability to ter ary instu ons established and run by Nigerians.

•Boluwatife Omole, Osogbo

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

The Discourse

Why Nigeria Can Still Achieve A One-Trillion Dollar Economy by 2030

THERE are divergent views about Nigeria’s ability to a ain a $1 trillion economy by 2030. I am s ll op mis c, as it is too early to conclude that it won’t be achievable. Nigeria’s economy has shown signs of improvement and potenal for more growth. President Tinubú’s economic policies are gradually paying off despite not having any significant posi ve impact on the standard of living of Nigerians at the moment. To achieve its target, the Federal Government, must remain focused, and adopt an agile approach as today’s world is vola le, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA).

According to the Na onal Bureau of Sta s cs, Nigeria’s Gross Domes c Product grew by 3.19% in the second quarter of 2024 (on a year-on-year basis) which is higher than the 2.51% recorded in the second quarter of 2023 and the 2.98% recorded in the first quarter of 2024. With Nigeria’s GDP standing at $384 billion, a GDP growth rate of 3.19% is seemingly too low if Nigeria is to a ain a $1 trillion GDP by 2030. However, the Na onal Bureau of Stas cs is in the process of rebasing Nigeria’s Gross Domes c Product. When the last rebasing exercise was done in 2014, Nigeria’s Gross Domes c Product moved from $270 billion to $510 billion, an increase of 89%. We can only keep our fingers crossed while we await the conclusion of the current rebasing exercise.

It is no longer news that Nigeria’s headline infla on on a year-to-year basis decreased in July 2024, for the first me since December 2022. It dropped to 33.40% from 34.19% in June 2024. Also, on a month-on-month headline infla on has been on the decline consistently since March 2024, with June 2024 being an excep on. However, the government needs to monitor the situa on closely, as the recent fluctua on in the value of the Naira may undermine this progress.

Nigeria’s debt serviceto-revenue ra o dropped from 97% to under 70% under the watch of the current administra on. There is s ll a lot of work to be done, as it is far higher than the 22.5% prescribed by the World Bank. However, it has freed up resources for the government to invest more in infrastructure,

“As part of efforts to reach a $1 trillion economy, Nigeria targets an oil production of 2 million barrels per day by 2025 and is intensifying its efforts to diversify the economy. With the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries yet to recommence operations, the Dangote refinery will boost the Nigerian economy when it becomes fully operational due to the positive multiplier effect it will have. The refinery projects a turnover of $30 billion in the next two years. More domestic refineries are expected to become operational before 2030”

healthcare, educa on, security, and other sectors of the economy. These investments will increase the growth of Nigeria’s Gross Domes c Product.

As part of efforts to reach a $1 trillion economy, Nigeria targets an oil produc on of 2 million barrels per day by 2025 and is intensifying its efforts to diversify the economy. With the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries yet to recommence operaons, the Dangote refinery will boost the Nigerian economy when it becomes fully opera onal due to the posi ve mul plier effect it will have. The refinery projects a turnover of $30 billion in the next two years. More domes c refineries are expected to become opera onal before 2030.

The implementa on of the new na onal minimum wage will s mulate consumer spending. Household consump on shrunk as a result of the devalua on of the Naira. The demand for non-essen al goods and services drop significantly. Companies experienced declining revenues, and some downsized staff strength to remain afloat. Also, be er wages lead to more innova on, produc vity, less staff turnover, and reduced brain drain as a result of Japa, leading to increased GDP in the long run.

OSUN DEFENDER

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

Using the rebasing exercise conducted in 2014, which led Nigeria’s Gross Domes c Product to jump from $270 billion to $510 billion, as a precedent, one should be op mis c about the outcome of the current rebasing exercise by the Na onal Bureau of Sta s cs. Furthermore, there are posi ve signs of increased economic growth, namely increased oil produc on, diversificaon of the economy, mulplier effect of the implementa on of the new na onal minimum wage and self-sufficiency in refining of crude oil, etc. The government must be agile and remain steadfast in its economic reforms if Nigeria is to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com

All correspondence to the above email addresses.

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

Resumption: Worries Over Hike In Transportation, School Fees

Sodiq Yusuf

AS primary and secondary schools in Osun State resume for the first term of the 2024/2025 academic session on Tuesday, September 17, stakeholders in the educa on sector have expressed worry over the hike in transporta on, school fees and other items.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER also revealed that most parents and guardians are considering a change in their children’s schools due to the economic situa on of the country.

Those who spoke to the medium during the week lamented the high cost of tui on, instruc onal materials, uniforms, buses and other essen al items needed for a smooth academic calendar.

They also decried the skyrocke ng prices of food items, as well as ever-rising fuel prices, saying the situa on will affect access and delivery to quality educaon.

Inves ga ons by OSUN DEFENDER further revealed that while private schools have released the new price regime to parents, public schools in the state face a dearth of lack of teachers and infrastructure as the new session begins.

•Parents Consider Changing Schools To Reduce Expenses •Fees Hike Not Deliberate, Due To Economic Hardship – Administrator

It was learnt that private nursery and primary school wards who had paid between N17,000 to N30,000 as their school fees now have it jerked up to a range of N40,000 to N60,000, while their older colleagues in secondary who hitherto paid N45,000 to N60,000 last session will pay up to N90,000 in the new session.

While charges vary depending on the quality of infrastructure and teaching in privately owned schools, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that students of public schools in Osun may not have adequate teachers to begin the 2024/2025 academic session with.

The medium in its last edi on had reported that interview process for the 5,000 teachers approved to be recruited by the state execu ve council held weeks a er the would-be teaching staff completed their screening test and were awai ng cut-off marks.

A public primary school teacher in Ede who prayed not be named told OSUN DEFENDER that they had thought the new teachers would join for the new academic session as promised

by the state government.

She said the unavailability of the new teachers due to resump on would further compound the already jam-packed metable and roaster.

“In my school, we do not have enough hands. We are only 5 that take all the 6 classes in the school. We should at least be 12. Our Headmistress takes about four classes everyday. She teaches and does all the administra ve work.

“The government should please be fast about having the new teachers on board. Without having them on board, we won’t be able to sufficiently cater for the pupils. The students are lagging behind a lot. Governor Ademola Adeleke should help us tell those in-charge to act fast.”

Apart from the dearth of teaching staff, most of the public schools visited by OSUN DEFENDER especially in rural communies are also yearning for renova on, reconstruc on and erec on of new structures, as well as equipping of their facili es such as laboratories, libraries, and so on.

Parents Consider

Changing Schools To Reduce Expenses

Some parents who spoke to the medium yesterday said they are considering changing their children’s school due to the high cost of transporta on and new school fees regime.

In separate interviews, they said the unending rise in pump price of petrol has reduced their purchasing power, hence the need to find a way out of the situa on.

“I am a salary earner. The situa on of the country is making me to have a rethink on my children’s

school. Three of them will pay more than N200,000 in their current school, while if I change it to the one nearest to the house, they will pay just N120,000,” a microfinance bank staff, Mr. Seun Awoleye said.

“It is harsh on them because they will miss their friends and the quality of learning they are used to but there is nothing I can do. If I combine my salary with that of my wife, we make just N250,000 monthly. We have other bills to pay. We have spoken to them to understand. When the situa on improves, they will return to

their school of choice,” he con nued.

Another parent, Mrs Abimbola Balogun expressed worry over the situa on, saying she would have to take her kids to public school.

Her words, “I used to manage a filling sta on. They have laid us off because another person has taken over the place. I now sell roasted corn so my children can feed. My husband is a re ree and his income cannot take care of the school fees of our children.

“They are resuming in a government school close

•Continued on page 7

Top Officials In Oyetola’s Govt Involved In Contract Infractions – Adeleke

Kazeem Badmus

GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke has stated that top officials of his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on were involved in contract infrac ons.

This is as the Governor told residents of the state to expect a bombshell from the white paper implementa on commi ee on the alleged contract breaches.

Spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said this while speaking on Rave FM’s Frank Talk programme, in Osogbo, on Wednesday.

The commi ee is headed by Commissioner for Informa on and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.

According to Rasheed, many former state officials took contracts for companies on which they s ll serve as directors while in govern-

Scores Die As Tanker Rams Into 18-Seater Bus In Ile-Ife

Kazeem Badmus

AN accident that occurred yesterday afternoon around Ife Grand Resort, Osun State, has killed scores of people leaving many injured.

The accident, which happened around 2:30 pm, according to eyewitnesses, involved a petrol tanker and an 18-seater bus.

Eyewitnesses accounts said the tanker collided with the bus, which was loaded with passengers, with the tanker driver said to have lost one of his legs during the sad accident.

The tanker was said to have hit the bus from be-

hind, with the two vehicles falling off the road.

An eyewitness, Olamiju Owoade who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER, said some shop owners in the areas helped in rescuing those injured, adding that more than 10 people died in the accident.

“It is a very sad day. I’ve never seen something like that before. A lot of people died in that accident and I pray those who are s ll alive will survive it.

“The tanker hit the bus from behind and they both fell off the road. Unfortunately, the tanker fell on top of the vehicle, which made

it more tragic.

“The driver of the tanker lost one of his legs while more than 10 people died. I couldn’t even count properly because of the gory scene.”

Meanwhile, in a video watched by the medium, sympathisers were heard talking about the severity of the accident while some people were seen trying to rescue the vic ms.

One of the sympathisers who spoke in Yoruba language in the video was heard saying, “A lot of people have died. The tanker hit the 18-seater bus which was loaded fully with pas-

sengers. The driver lost one of his legs completely.”

When contacted, the Federal Road Safety Corps spokesperson in the state, Agnes Ogungbemi, said she was on leave.

She, however, referred our reporter to the Sector Commander for comments.

When asked if the accident occurred, the Sector Commander, while speaking with the medium, said ‘Yes’.

He promised to call back for more details. He, however, did not call back un l the press me.

ment.

He was reac ng to allega ons by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, executed a TETFUND contract at the Osun State University. Rasheed said Akinleye neither violated the law nor breached the ethical code.

His words, “Osun people will be shocked by the me the White Paper Implementa on Commi ee rolls out the names of Commissioners, Special Advisers and top officials of the Oyetola administra on who breached the procurement laws and violated various ethical queson.”

Governor Adeleke’s media aide added that not only that the officials got jobs for the companies on which they are directors but also parcipated in the decisionmaking process for the award of the jobs.

He said forensic inves ga on has unveiled the actual directors of the companies which confirmed the report of the original contract review commi ee that top Commissioners in the immediate-past administra on got juicy contracts for themselves.

Calling on the public to compare the two scenarios, Rasheed said the Chief of Staff resigned from the alleged company before he assumed office as Chief of Staff and was never part of the contract decision making process of TETFUND and Osun State University, thereby fulfilling both le-

gal and ethical precondions as required by the Procurement laws.

He added that in APC’s scenario, their officials remained as directors while serving the state, awarded the contracts to themselves and also sat at mee ngs where award decisions were taken.

He noted that allegaons against Adeleke’s Chief of Staff were designed to distract him, sta ng that “very soon, the public will read shocking details of how former officials abused their office in contract administra on.”

“The persistence of the opposi on in promo ng fake news has placed a responsibility on the state government to open the can of worms on how the former administra on looted the treasury through abuse of procurement laws.

“We have decided to let the cat out of the bag by le ng the public read what happened on the various contracts awarded under the former administra on. The White Paper commi ee will soon address the public,” Rasheed concluded.

ITributes As Aromoloran Joins Ancestors At 86

Sodiq Yusuf

T was a black Thursday for the people of Ijesaland at home and in diaspora as their Paramount Ruler, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II joined his ancestors.

The first-class monarch OSUN DEFENDER gathered breathed last at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, on Wednesday evening, a er his admission for an undisclosed illness.

Oba Aromolaran, the last son of his mother was born on October 13, 1937. His father, Iluyomade Aromolaran I, served as the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland from July 1920 un l July 31, 1942. His mother, Tinuola Aromolaran, was a princess from Esa-Oke. He was appointed the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland in 1982 and reigned for 42 years.

The monarch appeared last appeared in public on April 30, 2024, during Ipade Imole programme of the state government.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that there was anxiety in Ilesa yesterday morning when security opera ves, including opera ves of the Department of State Service and the Nigerian Police, took over the entrance of

the palace. Sources told the medium that the family of the monarch had been moving the personal belongings of the king out which signalled the demise.

Confirming the monarch’s transla on, Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Yinka Fasuyi, in a tribute wrote, “An Era Comes To An Abrupt End!

“The torch bearer of Oduduwa relocates. The symbol of Obokun Adimula transits. Ijesaland celebrates the life of her idol, our Imperial Majesty. We eulogise the reign of our Owa Obokun Adimula and applaud the legacy of our paramount ruler. The 42 years of monumental reign come to a glorious end. Ijesa women and men, young and old, at home and in diaspora in unison say adieu to our Baba, Oba (Dr) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran 11, CFR, LL.D; the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland.”

Since the tradi onal ruler’s death, eminent personali es and top Nigerians have offered tributes to eulogise the life and mes of Oba Aromolaran.

President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sadness over the transi on of Oba Aromolaran.

Tinubu in a statement signed by Bayo

Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Informa on and Strategy, stated that Aromolaran kept his palace above the fray of par san poli cs and was open to all poli cal tendencies.

“On behalf of the federal government, President Tinubu extended hear elt condolences to the government and people of Osun State, the good people of Ijesaland, and the family of

the late tradi onal ruler.

“The president affirmed that the departed monarch firmly believed in the values of Yoruba culture and African tradi on. His respect for these values and systems defined his remarkable 42-year reign on the throne of his ancestors.

“President Tinubu paid tribute to the departed monarch, expressing his deep admira on for Mr

OSBC ‘Freelance’ Staff Yet To Get Appointment Letters Months After Adeleke’s Directive

Kazeem Badmus

CASUAL workers known as freelance staff at the Osun State Broadcas ng Corpora on (OSBC) are yet to get employment le ers three months after Governor Ademola Adeleke directed their full engagement.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that the staff some of whom have been appointed over a decade ago have not been given official employment.

Adeleke had on May 22, 2024 during the commissioning of six new transmi ers and studios for the state broadcasting ou it, announced the confirma on of 66 OSBC freelance staff into fullme staff, a er reversing their appointments earlier made by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola before leaving office in 2022.

The sources said, “We have been wai ng for our le ers. The Governor came here in May and said he has approved our full engagement. According to the Special Adviser, we are 66 and the

Governor gave approval for the management to absorb all of us to the civil service.

“Some of us have spent close to 15 years here as freelancers. We have been working as normal staff. We even work more than some permanent staff. That’s the condi on we are in.

Oyetola gave us permanent appointments but Adeleke reversed it.

“The Governor directed the management during the commissioning that all of us who are 66 should be employed with immediate effect. From

May ll now, we have not heard anything.

“We want Governor Adeleke to help us. We only receive N20,000 which is even below the minimum wage. We don’t know when we will be considered.”

Reac ng to the development in a communique issued at the end of its monthly congress on Wednesday, Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) appealed to the governor to expedite ac on on releasing the employment le ers.

Osun NUJ noted that

the non-issuance of employment le ers to the 66 freelance staff is dragging for too long, saying the long wait is unacceptable.

The statement read, “The monthly Congress of the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists also appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to, without delay, direct appropriate government machinery to release le er of employment to 66 freelance staff of the Osun State Broadcas ng Corporaon (OSBC), Ile Awiye, Oke-Baale, Osogbo who have been ordered by the Governor to be fully engaged as full staff since May 22nd this year.

“The Nigeria Union of Journalists concluded that non-issuance of employment le ers to the 66 freelance staff is dragging too long, having secured the mandate of the Governor to be duly engaged permanently.

“It described their suffering and long wait as unacceptable to the union and called on Mr Governor to urgently look into the issue.”

Aromolaran’s unwavering support, op mism, and commitment to Nigeria’s jus ce, unity, and prosperity. His dedica on to these noble causes inspired us all.

“The president noted that the late Mr Aromolaran will be long remembered for his useful educa onal contribu ons through his many books and publica ons, his advocacy for what is right and fair, and his protec on of the vulnerable from exploita on.”

In the mean me, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke expressed his hear elt condolences to the people of Ijesaland over the passing of the Owa Obokun.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke described the late monarch as a father figure, a pillar of support, and a teacher who was deeply committed to the development of Ijesaland and Osun State in general.

Adeleke praised the monarch for his boldness, candour, elegance, and literary energy, through which he inspired the people during his successful reign as Owa Obokun.

While expressing sadness at the demise of the tradi onal ruler, the Governor acknowledged the late Oba’s unwavering support for his administra on, even in challenging mes, and appreciated his constant communica on on ma ers of development in Ijesaland and Osun State at large.

He said the Kabiyesi was a deeply selfless father, who took no prisoners when it came to matters of development and

wellbeing of the people.

The statement said, “Governor Adeleke condoled with the people of Ijesaland, the Aromolaran royal family, and the enre tradi onal ins tu on in Osun State, saying, they will miss him dearly, but his impact on the lives and the development of Osun State will never be forgotten.

“The late Oba Aromolaran was a great monarch and a respected custodian of our culture and tradion. Kabiyesi was known for his words of wisdom, courage, and selflessness.”

Similarly, former Vice President A ku Abubakar also expressed his deep sorrow over the death of the monarch via his X account.

In a statement, A ku recalled the late monarch’s fatherly warmth, describing him as more than just a father-in-law but a symbol of courage, boldness, and discipline emblema c of the Ijesha people.

Meanwhile, In an official announcement on behalf of the Ijesa Elders Council, the Ogboni of Ipole-Ijesa, Oba Omokehinde Samson Oyebade Oyeleye, pronounced a 7-day mourning in honour of the late monarch.

The declara on took place in the presence of other high-ranking Ijesa chiefs, including the Alademure of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro; the Oba Odo of Ilesa, High Chief James Gbadamosi; the Yeyerise of Ilesa, High Chief Bola Ojo; and the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi.

According to the elders, the curfew will run between 10 pm and 6am from yesterday to next Thursday, September 19, 2024.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

6 Religion

Iseek refuge in Allah from the devil the accursed and I start in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. I tes fy that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. I also tes fy that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His Messenger. May the benedic on be upon His soul, members of His household, His companions and those who follow His ways ll the Last Day.

BIRTH OF THE PROPHET (SAW), BIRTH OF A GLOBAL PEACE

SALLAH SERMON SALLAH SERMON

By Sheik Musa Oladapo Raji

By Musa Oladapo Raji

As the world celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad, (SAW) during this month, Rab’ul Awal (the third month of lunar calendar), I decided not to talk about the celebra on of His birth because of the controversy it always generates, but rather the peace His birth brought to the world if actually prac ce. Allah says: “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pa ern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and (who) remembers Allah o en.” Quran 33:21.

He says again: “We sent thee not but as a Mercy for all creatures”. Quran 21:107.

There is no doubt that the birth and His eventual raise as the Prophet had a lot of advantages to humanity. Because His messages transcend spiritual aspect of our life, it rather covers all aspects of human endeavour. Perhaps that is why the Prophet himself was reported to have boldly said: “I was raised to perfect all the good virtues.”

For the purpose of this sermon, I will limit my discussion to only aspect of our lives which I believe have been degenerated to the lowest ebb.

Firstly: Economics aspect of our life. Islam ins tu onalised Zakat (poor rate) in order to prevent people from being impoverished and fight against wealth being concentrated in the hand of the affluent. “……..So that wealth may not become stagnant in the hands of the few rich”, said Allah in Quran59:7. The Prophet (SAW) ensured the collec on and distribu on of Zakat because of His belief that it would assist economic growth.

According to a saying of the Prophet, nothing will prevent the poor from causing misery and hardship in the society when they are hungry except giving them their due from the wealth of the rich. This is why we see many people, irrespec ve of their age engaging in various degrees of crimes such as deceit and chea ng, bribery, robbery and usurpa on of property e.t.c, to make the ends meet. Nobody is now safe even our monarchs are not exempted. As we all see in some quarters where some of them involve in all sort of crimes and what become their consequence. Islam abhors s nginess but rather encourages kindness

The Birth Of The Prophet

“There is no doubt that the birth and His eventual raise as the Prophet had a lot of advantages to humanity. Because His messages transcend spiritual aspect of our life, it rather covers all aspects of human endeavour. Perhaps that is why the Prophet himself was reported to have boldly said: “I was raised to perfect all the good virtues”

to the less privileged in the society. In fact, the Prophet (SAW) had warned us thus: “Avoid s nginess for s nginess caused those who preceded you to perish and lead them to shed their blood and violate their sanc es.”

On each of these crimes, both the Quran and hadith vehemently warn us and promise unpalatable consequences for whoever indulges in any of them.

Let us look at them one a er the other. Deceit and Chea ng: The Prophet was quoted to have said; “one who cheats is not one of us” (Muslim) what an awful disbandment, a reasonable person will say. Someone who professes Islam but summarily disbanded because of an ansocial economic prac ce, It leaves much to be desired.

As for the bribery which has become a social malady

News

8,093 Osun Indigenes Apply For FG’s Students’ Loan

AYusuf Oketola OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Osun being among states with highest applica ons on the NELFUND portal is as a result of the exorbitant school fees, especially in state-owned ter ary ins tu ons.

BOUT 8,093 students who are indigenes of Osun State applied for the Federal Government Students’ loan under Nigeria Educa on Loan Fund (NELFUND). This was according to a data obtained by OSUN DEFENDER from NELFUND portal on Wednesday.

Out of 13, 368 students who registered for the loan in Osun, on 8,098 were captured for the fund, pu ng the state seventh out of the 36 states of the federa on.

Meanwhile, findings by

Recall that both Na onal Associa on of Nigerian Students (NANS) Osun State axis and Na onal Associa on of Osun State Students (NAOSS) had earlier issued an ul matum to Governor Ademola Adeleke to reverse the 100% increment in school fees for state-owned ins tu ons.

NANS Chairman in Osun, Comrade Taiwo Ogungbe said

the sta s cs highlights the dire situa on faced by students in state-owned ter ary ins tu ons as they are struggling to afford the exorbitant school fees.

He urged the government to engage in a comprehensive review of the tui on fee structure and implement measures to alleviate the financial strain on students.

“As a student leader, I am not fully aware of this or should I say I don’t have this sta s cs at hand but if true then this trend starkly highlights the dire situa on faced by students in our state-

owned ter ary ins tu ons, who are struggling to afford the exorbitant school fees.

“The fact that a large number of students are resor ng to loan applica ons underscores the urgency of the situa on. This not only perpetuates inequality but also puts a significant burden on the students’ financial stability and mental well-being.

“As someone who has previously advocated for a reducon in the 100% tui on fee increment, I reiterate my call to the school managements to reconsider their decision. It is crucial that we priori ze affordable educa on and ensure that it is accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.

“I urge the state government to engage in a comprehensive review of the tui on fee structure and implement measures to alleviate the financial strain on students. We must work together to create a more inclusive and equitable educa on system that fosters growth and opportuni es for all,” he stated.

in all our various strata of society. People believe generally that nothing can be easily done in Nigeria without bribing one’s way. Allah says; “And eat not up your property among yourselves in vanity, norseek by it to gain the hearing of the judges that you may knowingly devour a por on of the properly of others wrongfully”, Quran 2:188. In these connec ons, the Prophet also said: “May Allah cause the briber, the one bribed and the one who goes between them.” (Ibn Hibban). From this tradi on, one can vividly see that Islam frowns at all means through which bribery is being promoted, as all the involved par es are cursed together. I remember some years back, when I was travelling to the northern part of the country; our bus was stopped at a road block, mounted by some soldiers. A er a few minutes, he demanded that the driver should give him money and the driver complied. Amazingly, he gave the driver a pamphlet that contained condemna on of bribery in the society. The pamphlet was believed to have been wri en by an NGO as part of its effort to sani se the society and distributed through those boys. That is to tell you of how the society has trivialised the crime in the society because when one of the passengers on bus read it loudly, it generated mixed reac ons of various propor on on how the society had degenerated.

On usurpa on of property, this falls under Allah’s words; “O You who believed, eat not up your wealth among yourselves in vanity.” Quran 4:29. It also involves wronging others and preven ng society. The Prophet said: “Whoever usurps a Muslim’s property through a false oath Allah will make Hell his abode and forbid him from Paradise. Is any loss greater than this?”

The second one is the social aspect of our life as taught by the Prophet (SAW). The teaching of Islam through the Prophet (SAW) brought laws that regulated the mutual rights and du es of the members of the society that guarantee social stability. Such rights and du es are either special or general.

Peoples’ Obliga ons Towards Their Leader: It is clearly stated in the Qur’an thus; “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the messenger (Muhammed) and those of you who are in authority” Quran 4:39.

The Prophet also said: “Listen and obey, if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your leader, as long as he imple-

•Read full article on www.osundefender.com

• Imaam Musa Oladapo Raji

The Chief Imaam of Telemu Land Ola Oluwa LGA, Osun State.

THE Na onal Drug

Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Osun Command has raided the home of a drug kingpin, Mayowa Abayomi in Ilesa, recovering a gun and hard drugs.

According to the agency, the gun is a locally made pistol.

The suspect, is however, s ll at large.

This was contained in a statement by the spokesperson for the agency in Osun, Charles Odigie, a copy made available to OSUN DEFENDER at the weekend.

The statement reads, “In Osun state, a raid of the home of a drug kingpin, Mayowa Abayomi Awe (aka Bishop) in Ilesa on Wednesday 4th September led to the seizure of 43grams of crack cocaine, 23grams of methamphetamine, 17.126kg cannabis and a locally made pistol.” OSUN DEFENDER reports that in recent months, the law enforcement agency has busted several cannabis sa va farms, arrested drug kingpins, among others in the state.

NDLEA Recovers Gun At Drug Kingpin’s Home In Osun

NDLEA also arrested 17 suspects and destroyed 31,250 kilogrammes of cannabis. Its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the suspects were arrested at the Owena forest in Oriade Local Government Area. Babafemi said the opera ves also destroyed 31,250 kilogrammes of cannabis on a 12.5-hectare farmland, and recovered 84 kilogrammes of processed marijuana and a single barrel dane gun.

Osun Deputy Gov, Adeleke’s Aides At Loggerheads Over Control Of Sports Ministry

THE leadership ba le between Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi who also serves as the commissioner in charge of Ministry of Sports and Special Needs and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Sports Ma ers, Hon. Iyiola Babatunde has con nued to affect sports development in the state.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that many files relating to sports and staff of Osun State Sports Council have languished on the table of the deputy governor without approval for months due to grudges between the duo and the Special Adviser on Sports, Prince Kolawole Joseph.

According to findings by the medium started when the SSA went through the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye to get an estacode without the input of the deputy governor. Prince Adewusi was said not to have been pleased with the development.

A source within the Sports Council who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER accused the deputy governor

THE Obawore of Ifetuntun in Ife Central Local Government of Osun State, Oba Taofeeq Olaposi Osunmakinde and four others have been remanded in Kuje Correc onal Centre over alleged illegal gold mining in Ondo State.

Oba Taofeeq was remanded alongside Sheu Mustapha, Sabiru Hashim, Danbaba Ibrahim and Ade Olap Global Resources Limited, a er they were arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja on twocount charges.

Counsel to A orneyGeneral of the Federa on, Toluwalope Ojo, said the five defendants conspired with others at large on August 25, 2024, to engage in illegal mining of gold at the Ogunlepo mining site in Lege community, Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State.

He noted that the offence is contrary to Sec on 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under Sec on 1(8) of the same Act.

The AGF’s counsel said the monarch and co-defendants par cipated in gold mining without a licence, contrary to Sec on

•Adewusi Bows To Pressure, Hurriedly Approves Contingents DTP After Osun Defender Report •As Osun Confirms Reduction In

Athletes Allowance Despite Improved AllocationDefender Report

•Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo

Management, Hon. Eniola Fakeye, OSEMA General Manager,

flags off the distribution of FG’s Palliative to Vulnerable Citizens, held recently

of being a major problem to sports since he took over the ministry.

He added that Adewusi has always cited paucity of fund when issues of allowances and estacodes were taken to him for approval.

The source said: “The deputy governor has been

our major problem in the Osun Sports Council. He has refused to take many of our files on his table to the governor for approval due to the crisis between him and the SSA. He is also fond of deduc ng our Duty Touring Allowance (DTA), claiming that there is no

News

and

ourselves from the man.

funds in the state.

“There is a budget for the sports ministry. We should not be suffering for anything due to the kind of governor we have. We know him to be a good man. We should not be suffering for anything. We are looking for ways to free

Osun Monarch Sent To Kuje Prison Over Illegal Mining

1(8) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and punishable under the same Act.

Meanwhile, the monarch including the four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against them.

Counsel to the defendants, Vincent Ododo, prayed the judge to admit them to bail on various grounds.

Part of the grounds he cited was that the 1st defendant was a well-known tradi onal ruler and that

the charges against them did not carry capital punishment while assuring that the defendants would not fail to appear in court for trial.

The presiding judge, Jusce Emeka Nwite, admi ed them to bail in the sum of N20m each with one surety in the like sum.

The judge ordered that the sure es must be resident in Abuja, own landed property and must produce a three-year tax clearance

cer ficate.

He also ordered that the defendants must deposit their interna onal passports along with three copies of each of their recent passport photographs with the deputy chief registrar of the court.

The judge ordered that they be taken to the Kuje correc onal facility pending their bail perfec on.

He adjourned the matter to September 26th 2024 for trial.

Resumption: Worries Over Hike In Transportation,...

•Continued from page 4

to the house. I will be augmen ng their learning because I am a trained teacher. I applied for the Osun State Teaching job but I don’t know my fate yet. This is the temporary solu on we have to take. We pray for Nigeria to get be er,” Balogun noted. Fees Hike Not Deliberate, Due To Economic Hardship – School Administrator

A school administrator, Mrs Adeola Olaore told OSUN DEFENDER that the hike in charges by private schools reflect the economic situa on of the country.

Olaore posited that school owners resorted to hiking the fees due to the expensive cost of materials needed to delivery of quality educa on to the students.

She said, “The recent hike in prices of goods and commodi es has affected all areas, and Schools are not exempted. Transportaon is on the rise because of the hike in fuel prices. Teachers and other staff members are expec ng salary increase so as to navigate the new academic session with ease. Hence, there will be increase in tui on fees.

“The school chain is in such a way that any decision affects the top er and the customers, and the customers are the parents. So, before a school can improve the welfare of its staff, there must be increase in tuion.

“Take for instance, books. The prices of books given at the end of last term are no longer valid. Suppliers have increased the book fees. The parents had to be contacted and informed of the new prices as the school cannot bear the huge loss. We can only pray for normalcy in our country.”

“There is an award we ought to have given to some of our athletes for a compe on they won, the Sports Council has wri en the deputy governor but he is yet to take it to the governor for approval. He has been doing everything possible to sabotage the efforts of some of our top officials in the sports council.”

Adewusi had on Sunday, September 8 hurriedly approved the estacode for athletes represen ng Osun at the ongoing Na onal Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State a er an OSUN DEFENDER report on the situa on last Saturday.

“I wish to inform the house that through the interven on of His Excellency, Prince Kolawole Adegboyega Adewusi, the Commissioner for Sports, and Chairman, House Commi ee on Sports, Hon. Abiola Awoyeye, all the sports that qualified has been approved to travel to Asaba and par cipate in the Naonal Youths Games.

“Also, they are working relessly to make sure that all con ngents get their benefits before we leave for Asaba on Tuesday. We pray that God Almighty will crown their efforts so that we can have a successful ou ng.

“On behalf of the General manager and the enre management, I thank all the con ngents for their understanding and support,” a release by the Director of Coaching and Training, Ademola Daini, on Sunday stated.

The Osun State Sports Council as well in a reac on to OSUN DEFENDER’s story also confirmed a significant reduc on in the athletes’ allowances despite im-

provement in the state’s alloca on.

Findings by the medium showed that Osun is among the ten states with over 50 per cent increase in federal alloca on in 2024. It was also learnt that since the removal of fuel subsidy, alloca on coming to the state has increased significantly.

The statement signed by the General Manager, Mr Ro mi Dunmoye revealed that the reduc on is necessary given the state’s financial reality.

“The reduc on in allowances men oned in the ar cle was a necessary adjustment given the state’s financial reali es. These adjustments were made to accommodate a larger number of athletes and officials par cipa ng in naonal compe ons.

“It is important to note that the con ngent represen ng Osun at the Naonal Youth Games has increased in number compared to previous years. The government’s priority is to encourage as many athletes as possible to parcipate and showcase their talents on na onal platforms.

“Painfully, the officials are at the receiving end of the financial adjustments, but this was done to avoid dropping any athletes or officials from par cipa on.

“While the state, like many others, faces financial challenges, it is cri cal to emphasize that Prince Kola Adewusi has never ignored files or failed to forward them to the Governor for approval.

“The Deputy Governor, alongside the Osun State Sports Council, has worked relessly to ensure that all processes are in place to facilitate the par cipaon of Osun athletes in the upcoming Na onal Youth Games. The allega on that files have been withheld is simply not accurate,” the statement reads partly.

Meanwhile, OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered further that the council was compelled to write the statement as some of the issues addressed in it were said to be false.

It was also learnt that athletes par cipa ng in games like hockey, handball, volleyball are yet to get approval for payment of their allowances.

Addi onally, sources claimed that the bill for the establishment of the Sports Commission as claimed in the release has been stalled as the file for its proposal is s ll pending on the deputy governor’s table.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 VOL. 19 NO 36 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

IN his address to members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisa on in China (NIDO) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel to round off his official visit to China on Friday, 6th September, 2024, President Bola Tinubu said he has been taking “tough decisions” to move Nigeria forward vis-a-vis removal of fuel subsidy, increase in electricity tariffs among other neo-liberal policies of his administra on to make Nigeria look like China. A few quotes from his speech suffice, “Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices. But can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quan ty and quality. You see water supply, constant and running and you see their good schools and we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children? What is the cri cal part to get us there if we cannot make hard decision to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?”

My first ques on for President Tinubu; does he think that IMF and World Bank neo-liberal killing policies were responsible for China supersonic developments in all areas of life? Does he think that China leaders spend collec ve wealth recklessly by dolling out N90 billion to pilgrimage while claiming to be secular but systema cally making the mass majority of the people wallow in poverty and penury via neo-liberal policies but ask them to have hope with corrup on in high places with impunity?

Nigerians have been aboard this “one chance” vehicle for quite a while. Assuming Nigerians have forgo en Opera on Feed the Na on and assurances of be er life for them by Obasanjo Military Junta 1976 to 1979 and its con nua on by the civilian Shehu Shagari in 1979 to 1983, which was a fluke, what of General Badamasi Babangida (1984-1993)? Although, he was a military dictator who could do anything by fiat and decree, he subjected Nigerians to debates whether or not to obtain IMF and World Bank loan and adop ng Structural Adjusted Programmes (SAP). Having eventually adopted IMF and World Bank “tough decision,” rendering debates consensus decision rejec ng Bri on Wood Ins tu ons and their Greek gi loan invalid, what became of Nigerians a erwards? Promised be er life for rural women was sha ered and Nigeria Naira started rapid lost of value with poverty on ascendancy. Assuming we have forgo en how his arranged successor – General Sanni Abacha – set up Failed Bank Tribunal to inves gate and try bankers who were alleged to be responsible for Nigeria socio-economic challenges, leading to imprisonment of many bankers across Nigeria; we can’t forget millions in various interna onal currencies he had stolen and being repatriated to Nigeria ll these days a er many years he had died. If we are very quick to forget President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and President Umaru Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan, all under the pla orm of Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) but terminated in 2015 when Nigeri-

“The result will be disastrous at all times as there is no country in the world where their recommendations of subsidy removal from energy, increase in energy tariffs, devaluation of currency among others have yielded positive results. No where!”

Bretton Woods ‘Tough Decisions’

ans were red of “Stealing is not corrup on” government, corrup on with impunity, insecurity, daily the of crude oil, which had become rou ne and eventual economy recession and call for an alterna ve poli cal party that could wrest power from PDP and bail Nigerians out of clueless regime, we could not have forgo en how we felt a saviour had come when General Muhammadu Buhari, under the pla orm of All Progressive Party (APC) massively defeated incumbent President Jonathan in 2015 general elec ons.

The mantra then was “Change” followed by “Next Level” of the APC Change; it is the same regime that the current government of the same party is now blaming, along with the predecessors, for Nigeria’s woe – so much for the “419” promises of the Mantras. Yes, the Buhari regime revived our dysfunc onal rail transport system but insecurity and corrup on messed it up and for almost the 8 years of the regime, it was a blame game of “16 year of PDP rule had destroyed the country,” much like today’s blame game – blaming every government

STRIKER

Aall the way back to Lord Luggard! While the Buhari regime promised to pull 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030, it le with 133 million out of the over 200 million Nigerians in poverty. With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ascendancy as President and Commander-In-Chief of Armed Forces on 29th May, 2023, some people had illusion that he would perform excellently vis-a-vis his performance and ra ng when he was the Governor of Lagos between 1999 and 2007. But right from the inaugura on ground on May 29, he started taking “tough decision” – fuel subsidy is gone! As I write, a litre of PMS also known as petrol is sold N1,000 as against N195 before subsidy was chased away. And despite lip-service of every successive government to economic diversifica on, Nigerian economy is monolithic as oil is our lifeline. As it was in the past, so it is now – mo on without movement. Once the ruling elite collect and share the proceeds from crude oil sales, they are comfortable and not bothered about the social wellbeing and secu-

rity of the people, which is the essence of governance. The killing hard decision that President Tinubu is taking against Nigerian people is a dictate of IMF and World Bank. The result with be disastrous at all mes as there is no country in the world where their recommenda ons of subsidy removal from energy, increase in energy tariffs, devalua on of currency among others have yielded posi ve results. No where!

From a very poor society a er the devasta on caused by the World War II and its civil war in the mid-20th century, China rose to become an actor to reckon with in the world. How? From 1960s and 1970s, its central government undertook large scale investments in physical and human capital development based COOPEATIVE ECONOMIC MODEL – the exact opposite of IMF/World Bank formulas; with mechanised large-scale agriculture leading to industrialisa on, establishment of special economic zones, promo on of foreign investment, and a foreign trade policy that does not take dictate from the World Trade Organisa on if it is An -China. Today, depending on where you are looking at it –on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) or Gross Domes c Product (GDP) - China is the 1st or 2nd economy, respec vely in the world, based on industrial produc on, agriculture, services, and manufacturing exports as the major forces driving the economy with disciplined leadership as a key driver of growth. Its PPP is $30.3 trillion compared to United States $25.4 trillion. If Mr. President must know, it is not IMF and World Bank prescribed “tough decision” that made china great but crea ve ini aves of its leaders to harness human and natural resources with discipline and commitment to fatherland; with zero tolerance for extravagant spending on running government and corrup on.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

BOVE is the tle of a 1989 ac on movie by Italian Director, Michele Taran ni that brilliantly demonstrates that in certain extreme survival circumstances, there is no other choice than to “take the bull by the horn” as they say. A closer look at the “hard way” though always reveals that it is merely the “smart” way, and the deployment of “common sense” to accomplish a seemingly impossible task. Another movie, the 1997 American survival thriller “The Edge,”, wri en by David Mamet and Directed by Lee Tamahori, starring Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin, strongly supports samein the supposi on that “only the smartest shall survive.” There are excep ons to every rule but rules are rules, which is why it is worth giving readers and ci zens yet again what we said on this page just before the last general elec ons, now that the fingers of the majority are between their clenched teeth, when their hands are not piled over their heads.

If you remove “The People” from Abraham Lincoln’s popular defini on of Democracy, what you then get is “Government of ......., by ...... and for ......” and everyone is free to fill in the gap with anything but “the people.” Through experience, nothing as good can fill that gap except “the people.” Even with Democracy redefined as “majority rule” we will be back to square one. Government of the majority, by the majority and for the majority is simply government of the people. In Nigeria, today, “the people” seems to have been replaced in the defini on of democracy by something else and your guess is as good as mine, just as “progressives” seems to have acquired new

The Hard Way, The Only Way

sinister meanings when used to qualify a poli cal party.

If you conduct an opinion poll among majority of Nigerians today about their esma on of their government, nothing nice will be heard from them. Indeed, the state (armed forces, police, judiciary and correcon system) that protects the government will feedback the same uncomplimentary report. They have no separate market, fuel sta ons and banks to go, for instance. Excusing the unaccountable and brutal military governments, how come that since our growing up years, it is the same gloomy dividends that is the lot of the majority from almost all the democra c governments that are supposedly put in place by “the people?” What do the majority now have to do to change the misfortune and secure their rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” that is the primary reason why governments are ins tuted among men?

The very first step for them to take is the one that the majority really are unwilling to take - the difficult but simple task of seeking knowledge. Knowledge that is deep and objec ve will reveal to them why their reali es are the way they are today; what and who are truly responsible for their trials and tribula ons; and what are the best ways to go about their redemp on legi mately and democra cally. The second and final thing is to rise up to the challenge of a change of a tude among majority of ci zens that will prime them for the ac ons needed, then go about it bravely, with all sense of patrio sm

and readiness for personal sacrifices. Un l done, things can only remain the same at best, and get worse inevitably. Without deep, factual knowledge, all their separate and collec ve ac ons can only be fuelled by ignorance, sen ments, fear, hatred, anger, selfishness and bigotry, as it is these days. Even the most audacious ac ons will only produce self-ruinous results that stupidly complicate their sorrow and sufferings. They must obtain knowledge of how oppressed, exploited and traumased people free themselves throughout history. Those who seek shall definitely find. The knowledge is available easily to those who seek it.

To begin with, we were under colonial bondage just 70 years ago! How did we become an independent country and how did we start out in managing ourselves? What went wrong and how did we get here? Apart from personal experience of our own, many countries have fallen on evil days quite worse than our country and have managed to get out of their horrible mess into the light of freedom and prosperity. How did they manage it; are there similar things with us in their experience that can come handy?

Knowledge first, then following up with impera ve ac on and sacrifices, are the sure road to libera ng and redemp ve goals. Nelson Mandela said it all: “No easy road to freedom.” The sooner begun with the single step, the sooner arrival at the Promised Land.

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