Osun Defender Newspaper Online Version of February 20, 2026

Osun 2026: Crisis Hits APC

●Omisore, Loyalists Boycott Party Activities

●Leaders Fight Over Choice Of Deputy Governorship Candidate

Osun Guber: Accord Party Faction Challenges INEC Over Recognition Of Gov Adeleke As Party’s Guber Candidate

Michael Bamigbola

THE last may not have been heard on the crisis rocking the Accord Party (AP) in Osun State as the Chris Imumolen led fac on of the party has challenged the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) over the recognion given to Governor Ademola Adeleke as the gubernatorial candidate of the party despite pending li ga on surrounding his candidature in the court.

Condemning the INEC’s ac on, the party in a statement signed by some of its fac onal leaders including Peter Itodo, Jagunmolu Moses and Lawrence Ojaide described the INEC’s ac on as reckless and parsan.

The fac on noted that it was wrong and unexpected of INEC to have pronounced Governor Adeleke as the gorvernorship candidate of the party since there is a pending

li ga on ins tuted by the fac on.

Recall that Hon Clement Bamigbola had emerged the gorvernorship candidate of the facon.

However, Governor Adeleke’s name was published recently by INEC as the gorvernorship candidate of the party

The party said the announcement of Adeleke as the gubernatorial candidate of the party came as a surprise despite a subsis ng and valid court order recognizing Prof. Chris Imumolen as the authen c Na onal Chairman of the Accord Party.

The party leaders said

“INEC proceeded with deliberate disregard for the rule of law by lis ng Ademola Adeleke as the Accord Party gubernatorial candidate in Osun State.

“This ac on is not only unlawful; it is a direct assault on cons tu onal order, party autonomy and the integrity of Nigeria’s democra c framework.

•Continued on Page 6

Osun 2026: Crisis

Hits APC

AOur Reporter

serious internal crisis now rock the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the choice of Deputy Governorship candidate for the party.

Already, a fac on loyal to the former deputy governor of the state, senator Iyiola Omisore is being aggrieved by the choice of the gorvernorship candidate of the party, Mr Bola Oyebamiji who emerged without primary elec on.

Omisore is said to have shunned all the acvi es of the party since the emergence of Oyebamiji as the candidate of the party for the August 8 governorship elecon.

Oyebamiji had emerged through a circumstance perceived by Omisore and his followers to be controversial as loyalists of Omisore alleged that there was discrepancy in the manner at which Oyebamiji emerged the gorvernorship candidate of the party.

An evidence that Omisore was not being carried along in the affairs of the party evolved during the recep on organized for the Na onal Assembly members who recently defected from the People’s Democra c Party PDP (PDP) to the APC.

Senator Omisore was conspicuously absent at the recep on programme held at the Nelson Mandela Freedom park , Osogbo, so also his notable loyalists.

At the rally, the APC had announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his deputy, Senator

Kashim She ma would be on ground to receive the new members but both Tinubu, She ma and other na onal leaders of the party were absent at the rally.

Also, Omisore was not seen anywhere close the party secretariat, even as he has not a ended any poli cal func on organized by the APC either in his na ve Ile-Ife

town or at the state level since Oyebamiji was pronounced the gorvernorship candidate of the party. It was however learnt that some leaders of the

party are making serious move to reconcile Omisore with the former Governor of the state and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola who was alleged to have worked against the interest of Omisore.

It was rumoured that Omisore, a former Naonal Secretary of the APC and Oyetola are at loggerheads and that might be responsible for how the Minister allegedly worked against his interest in the gorvernorship race and supported Bola Oyebamiji,a former Commissioner for Finance in the state.

A new twist was however introduced into the crisis rocking the APC on Monday when Hon Tunde Olatunji was announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the party.

The choice of Olatunji as the running mate to Oyebamiji sparked serious crisis within the party as many stakeholders of the party kicked against him, claiming that many leaders of the party were

Water Scarcity: Corps Member Constructs Borehole For Osun Community

Yusuf Oketola

THE Na onal Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) in Osun State has commissioned a borehole project executed by a serving corps member in Aber, Ede North Local Government Aarea of the state.

The ini a ve, according to the scheme, aimed at improving access to potable water, suppor ng grassroots development ini a ves and seeks to address persistent water scarcity affec ng residents of the area.

The project was undertaken by Adepoju Enitan Pelumi (OS/25A/2397), a corps member who hails from Ijero Local Government Area of Eki State.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Osun State Coordinator of the NYSC, Ekeng Ita Kubiangha declared the borehole open for use, just as he commended the corps member for demonstra ng ini a ve and commitment to community service.

Kubiangha said the project reflect the objec ves of the scheme.

“This borehole is a prac cal demonstra on of the ideals of selfless service, community integra on and sustainable grassroots devel-

opment which the NYSC represents,” he said.

He encouraged other corps members serving in the state to iden fy pressing needs within their host communi es.

In his remarks, the Alabere of Abere, Oba Adefemi Mutalib Adelakin Abiade II expressed apprecia on to the corps member on behalf of the community and the landlords’ associa on of the community.

He described the project as mely and beneficial to residents.

“The provision of this borehole will ease the burden of water scarcity in our community,” the monarch said.

Oba Abide also of-

fered prayers for the future success of the corps member and encouraged young people to contribute meaningfully to societal development.

Also speaking, the Assistant Director of Community Development Service, Oyedokun Christopher, reiterated that community development projects form a core mandate of the NYSC.

He noted that such ini a ve help to bridge infrastructural gaps in underserved communies.

Christopher called on residents and community leaders to ensure proper maintenance of the facility.

“Sustainability is key. The community must take collec ve responsibility for maintaining this borehole so that it con nues to serve its purpose,” he said.

In his address, the corps member said an assessment conducted within the community revealed an acute shortage of potable water, hence the project.

“A er interac ng with residents, it became clear that access to clean water was a pressing challenge, which informed my decision to execute this project,” he explained.

He thanked NYSC officials, sponsors and community stakeholders for their support.

not consulted before the announcement was made.

Hon Olatunji who was a former Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly represented Ife North state cons tuency in the House from 2015 to 2023.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some selected leaders of the party in conjunc on with the party’s gorvernorship candidate of the party announced the name of Hon Olatunji as the party’s deputy governorship candidate without carrying the na onal leadership of the party along.

Some notable leaders of the party including former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Timothy Owoeye and former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Remi Omowaye among others were said to be eyeing the posi on.

No sooner had Olatunji’s name was announced than the party was thrown into serious crisis as some notable leaders kicked against his choice and claimed that he’s not the choice of the en re leadership of the party.

But, the state chairman of the party, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal while perceiving the members of the party said the party was yet to conclude on its choice of candidate for the post of the deputy governor in the August 8 gubernatorial elec on.

He said “I wish to state categorically that there’s no need for the raging skirmishes over the choice of the deputy governorship candidate of our party as it is an ongoing process embarked upon in order to meet up with the deadline of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The decision of who would be the deputy to our governorship candidate is yet to be taken by the leadership of our party which would be done to the knowledge of all the members of our party.

“We are assuring the esteemed members of our party that you would not be let down in this regard as your popular wish shall be our command in the interest of the connuity of the subsis ng peace in our party.

”We realize the concern of all the members of our party and we promise you all that you would not be disappointed in any way in the systema c poli cal journey of our candidate to the seat of power in Abere,” he added.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026

THE

fi een members of the Nigerian Senate who aligned themselves with the overwhelming posi on of their fellow ci zens and voted for the mandatory transmission of the results of elec ons have done a patrio c duty and must be commended for their steadfastness.

In a dismal transfer season of shiing alliances based on opportunism to quote the American soul singer O s Redding they have brought “ sunshine on a cloudy day “.

For the historical record their names are - The 15 senators who voted for mandatory real- me transmission clause are

1) Natasha Akpo -Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central)

2) Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South)

3) Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central)

4) Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South)

5) Ire Kingibe (ADC, FCT)

6) Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West)

7) Onawo Ogwoshi (ADC, Nasarawa South)

8) Tony Nwoye (ADC, Anambra North)

9) Victor Umeh (ADC, Anambra Central)

10) Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe Central)

11) Aus n Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central)

12) Khalid Mustapha (PDP, Kaduna North)

13) Sikayo Yaro (PDP, Gombe South)

14) Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South)

15) Peter Jiya (PDP, Niger South).

It is a ray of hope in a dismal season . Their valiant effort jus fies the posion of people such as Senator Abaribe

The Trending Fifteen!

•Kudos To Those Who Stayed Faithful

that every vote taking in the legisla ve arena must be accounted for. This posion has now been vindicated and it is to be hoped now an established precedence.

We certainly hope so for the “ayes have it...” charade so beloved by the current Senate President Godswill Akpabio represents an a empt to airbrush his-

tory and deny the public as well as the archives of the primary source so vitally needed to preserve instu onal memory and to guard and guide the future.

For example, if Akpabio had presided over the Senate of the United States there would have been no record to enlighten us as to how individual

The Discourse

Our Special Bond With London (1)

By Eric Teniola

ON Wednesday, March 18, President Bola Tinubu GCFR along with his wife, Remi Tinubu, will be hosted by the Bri sh Monarch, King Charles III (77). The State visit will hold at Windsor Castle and not at Buckingham Palace.

Wikipedia informed us that Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, about 25 miles (40 km) west of central London. It is strongly associated with the English and succeeding Bri sh royal family, and embodies almost a millennium of architectural history.

The original castle was built in the 11th century, a er the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror. Since the me of Henry I (who reigned 1100–1135), it has been used by the monarch and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castle’s lavish early 19th-century state apartments were described by the art historian Hugh Roberts as “a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste”.

Inside the castle walls is the 15th-century St George’s Chapel, considered by the historian John Mar n Robinson to be “one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic” design.

Originally designed to project Norman dominance around the outskirts of London and oversee a strategically important part of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was built as a mo e-and-bailey, with

“Inside the castle walls is the 15th-century St George’s Chapel, considered by the historian John Martin Robinson to be “one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic” design’

three wards surrounding a central mound. Gradually replaced with stone for ficaons, the castle withstood a prolonged siege during the First Barons’ War at the start of the 13th century.

Henry III commissioned a luxurious royal palace within the castle during the middle of the century, and Edward III went further, rebuilding the palace to make an even grander set of buildings in what would become “the most expensive secular building project of the en re Middle Ages in England”. Edward’s core design lasted through the Tudor period, during which Henry VIII and Elizabeth I made increasing use of the castle as a royal court and centre for diploma c entertainment.

Whereas Buckingham Palace is the official residence and the administra ve headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom in London. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is o en at the

centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focal point for the British people at mes of na onal rejoicing and mourning.

Originally known as Buckingham House, the building at the core of today’s palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby in 1703 on a site that had been in private ownership for at least 150 years.

It was acquired by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlo e and became known as The Queen’s House. In the early 19th century it was enlarged by the architects John Nash and Edward Blore, who constructed three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham

Senators voted on the pivotal Gulf of Tonkin resolu on which gave the President of the United States unlimited powers to extend the war on Vietnam with predictably disastrous results .

The two Senators who voted against Albert Gore of Tennessee and Wayne Morse of Oregon have today been richly vindicated by history. Our own magnificent fi een will also be on the right side of history for their posi on is just .

The Bill has been passed into law in a very hurried manner

Nevertheless there should be no room for pessimism as we are in dire straits and the only acceptable way out is through the ballot box. Civil society must out - organize tyranny and insist on massive voters turn out and insist that all the votes must be correctly counted.

In this season of religious renewal, we must not let our hearts be troubled we must stand up and defend democracy.

Briefly .....

The carnage in Idanre town , Ondo State must be taking as a clear forewarning as we approach the elec on season with off cycle governorship elec ons already looming in Osun and Eki States.

We must now be proac ve. For a start, there must be deterrence. Those who organize events which lead to violence and deaths must accept responsibility and face the consequences. No party must be exempted .

There should also be policing guidelines on the security landscape at events and vitally the provision of health facilies very much like we already have stadia and event centres.

The country already has security issues and it must not be compounded as the polity heats up

Palace became the London residence of the Bri sh monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.

The last major structural addi ons were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the East Front, which contains the balcony on which the royal family tradi onally appears to greet crowds. A German bomb destroyed the palace chapel during the Second World War; the King’s Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collec on.

OSUN DEFENDER

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.

ISSN : 0794-8050

Telephone : 0809-301-9152

For reasons best known to the British, the Bri sh Monarch could not have invited some past Nigerians leaders for a state visit. For human rights abuse I could not think of the Bri sh Monarch invi ng General Sani Abacha or General Muhammadu Buhari or General Olusegun Obasanjo for na onalizing the BPE in August 1979, although President Obasanjo hosted the Queen between December 3 to 6, 2003 when she a ended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Mee ng in Abuja or General Murtala Muhammed for an -imperialist policies before he was assassinated.

Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com All correspondence to the above email addresses.

•To be continued

•Eric Teniola, a former director at the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026

Almajiri Children Move To Oke-fia As Street Begging Thrives In Osun

THE Almajiri system is fast becoming a social menace in Osun State as the new flyover at the popular Oke-fia Junc on in Osogbo , the state capital is now a rac ng the influx of Almajiri children.

The prac ce con nues to thrive, with many children spo ed on Thursday under the new bridge carrying out their ac vi es.

The children were observed moving from one spot to another and engaging motorists to beg for money and food.

One of the beggars, Aminat Baba, revealed that they were deployed to the place by their parents from Sabo area of the state capital.

She disclosed that she makes between two and three thousand naira daily.

When asked why she was not in school, Aminat, a 12 year old girl who hails from Borno State, ex-

pressed hope of convincing his mother to allow her to resume school as soon as possible. She said “I live with my

Youths Urged To Champion Abstinence

NIGERIAN youths have been urged to champion abs nence and contribute to keeping hope alive in the country through crea ve ideas and expressions.

The call was made by Haleemah Alli Bankole, convener of the annual Speech Giving and Short story contest, themed “Hope Lives Here”, organized by the Pen publishers.

According to Alli Bankole, the contest aims to promote absnence among teenagers in Nigeria and encourage young people to contribute to na onal development.

He said “keeping hope alive is ge ng increasingly difficult, but complaining and moaning about it won’t bring any solu on. We ask our young people to use their crea ve minds to come and tell us of how we can keep the hope alive, par cularly through the issue of abs nence.”

The contest a racted par cipants from 10 different schools in the speech giving category, while five students took part in the short story contest, with their stories published in a book.

The event featured the presenta on of awards to winners of

the speech giving contest and the short story contest, as well as the launch of the published compila on of short stories.

Alli Bankole praised the students for their crea vity and enthusiasm, saying it was a testament to the poten als of Nigerian youths.

The “Hope Lives Here” contest is a significant pla orm for Nigerian youths to showcase their talents and contribute to na onal development.

Speaking , Dr (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Peters commended Pen publishers’ ini ave, describing it as a commendable effort towards promo ng absnence and hope among Nigerian youths.

The winners of the contest were awarded and recognized for their outstanding performances.

Other Speakers including Miss Fathia Badmus (Royal Fathia) and dignitaries who graced the occasion such as Mr Olayode Ajagbe - the Chairman of the occasion who is the Ac ng Chairman of Associa on of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in the state Mr Adebiyi Adetarasin Steven ( Director, Na onal Orientaon Agency) and the representa ve of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Educa on.

the Sabo area, Osogbo. Our parents took us to this place to con nue our business. I have never been to school before but I would like to be in the

class one day. I made between ₦2,000 and ₦3,000 on daily basis and give it to my mother.”

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that

street begging has significantly increased in the state, par cularly among the children and youths. This was observed across markets, motor

parks and events.

This, according to inves ga on by the medium, is as a result of the economic downturn which is affec ng daily lives of children, a factor contribu ng to the number of out-of-school children in the state.

Speaking on the situaon, the Founder/Execuve Director of Monsurat Ajoke Founda on (MAF), Monsurat Ibrahim, bemoaned the situa on while calling on the state government to address the issue as a ma er of urgency.

“The situa on has become a threat to the state. The government must now rise up and tackle it. Street begging is spreading across the state capital, par cularly among children and youths. The government should set up a task force to address this and take these kids to school,” she said.

Osun 2026: Action Alliance Guber Candidate Promises All Inclusive

Michael Bamigbola ers will be carried along in his administra on.

GOVERNORSHIP

candidate of the Acon Alliance (AA) in the August 8 governorship elec on in Osun State, Hon Olanrewaju Farinloye has assured that his government will be all inclusive.

He promised that all the stakeholders in the affairs of the state, especially tradi onal and religious lead-

Hon Farinloye who is seeking the support of all the stakeholders on the state for the realiza on of his dream of administering the state, promised to implement all the cardinal programmes of the Ac on Alliance.

Also, the gorvernorship hopeful promised to embark on programmes

Government

and policies that will further catalyze the development and progress of the state.

He enjoined all members of the Ac on Alliance across all the local government areas of the state to spread the gospel of the party across the nooks and crannies of the state.

The AA governorship candidate who said he had toured all the nooks

Wisdom Sits In Silence: The Timeless Power Of Listening Art/Culture

IN today’s fast-paced world, where everyone seems to be in a hurry to speak, the art of listening has become a lost virtue. We o en find ourselves interrup ng others, eager to share our thoughts and opinions, without taking the me to truly listen. However, wisdom sits in silence, and it is in the quiet moments of reflec on and a en ve listening that we can tap into the meless power of wisdom. Silence is not just the absence of noise; it is a powerful tool for introspec on, self-reflec on, and growth. In the s llness, we can hear our own thoughts, reflect on our experiences, and gain valuable insights that can inform our de-

cisions and ac ons. Silence also allows us to listen more effec vely to others, to hear their perspec ves, and to understand their needs and concerns. By embracing silence, we can cul vate a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding.

The quiet sayings of the past s ll hold power in noisy mes. Proverbs, adages, and wise sayings from our ancestors offer meless wisdom that can guide us through life’s challenges. These sayings o en speak to universal truths about human nature, rela onships, and the importance of living a virtuous life. By reflec ng on these wisdom-filled sayings, we can gain a deeper understanding of

and crannies of the state, promised to visit all the 30 Local Government Areas and Area office before the elec on.

This, he said would avail him the opportunity to know where the shoe pinches the people of the state, especially those at the grassroots level, assuring that all their demands would be addressed at the appropriate me.

the world and our place in it. Listening is a powerful tool for building relaonships, resolving conflicts, and gaining new insights. When we listen a en vely to others, we show that we value and respect their thoughts and opinions. This, in turn, can help to build trust, foster cooperaon, and create a sense of community. Listening also allows us to learn from others, to gain new perspec ves, and to expand our knowledge and understanding of the world.

Wisdom sits in silence, and it is in the quiet moments of reflec on and a en ve listening that we can tap into the meless power of wisdom. By embracing silence, reflec ng on the wisdom of the past, and prac cing the art of listening, we can culvate a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding. As we navigate the complexi es of modern life, let us not forget the importance of silence and listening in our quest for wisdom and personal growth.

RESIDENTS of Akarabata, old Nepa, Anifowose in Modakeke in Ife East Area Office of Osun State have sought the interven on of the state government on the dilapidated Primary Health Care Centre in the community.

In a two minutes video seen by OSUN DEFENDER, a woman was heard explaining the dire situa on of the facility, saying it’s begging for government’s urgent atten on.

According to her, the community lacks the capacity to fix the PHC and return it to shape.

She stressed the significance of the PHC to the community, adding that the facility is not safe as rainy season approaches.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that over 600 residents of the community rely on the facility.

As seen in the video, the building has cracked walls, bad roofing sheets, broken floors, damaged doors and windows.

The medium learnt that the situa on has been so for over seven years.

According to the facility manager, several reports and le ers were sent to the state govern-

•As Nigeria Customs Takes Over Renovation

ment, but all to no avail as the abandoned structure is now vulnerable to vandalism.

It was gathered that residents have to travel distant for medical a enon.

Commen ng on the situa on, the state Commissioner for Health, Mr Jola Akintola said there is no iota of truth in it.

He stated this while responding to enquiry made by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.

Recall that Residents of Obamoro and Ilemowu communi es have earlier called on the state government over the deplorable condi on of the PHCs in the area.

They said the facili es are currently unfit for effec ve medical services as they are forced to seek treatment in an unsafe environment or travel long distances for alterna ve health facili es.

But both the state government and former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, have con nued to trade blame on the ma er.

The state government accused Oyetola’s administra on of mismanaging a whooping $20 million World Bank grant and claimed to have devoted

the same to renova on of PHCs.

The government described it as a smokescreen and mere window dressing.

Responding, the Special Adviser to Oyetola, Bolaji Akinola accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of gross ineptude and derelic on of duty for the collapse of Primary Health Care centres and public schools across the state.

Akinola described the current state of PHCs in the state as a damning indictment of Governor Adeleke’s administraon, stressing that no serious government would s ll be blaming a predecessor more than three

years a er assuming office.

Commen ng on the situa on, the state Commissioner for Health, Barrister Jola Akintola, said the PHC is ques on is not a not a focal center, noting that the government is currently renova ng the focal ones.

Akintola stressed that residents of the community have earlier approached his office and they asked if they prefer a PHC or general hospital. But they choose to

go with a PHC.

He said this in a telephone interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday.

“The PHC in Modakeke is not a focal center. The government is currently focusing on the focal centers. The community had earlier visited my office to lodge complaints. We asked them if they would maintain the PHC or we build general hospital in the community. Sadly, the choose PHC.

OISUN State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed for first reading a bill seeking the establishment of an educaon agency to reduce illiteracy and promote lifelong learning in the state.

The private member bill tled “Osun Mass Educa on Agency Establishment Bill 2024” was presented to the assembly by the chairman of the House Commi ee on Educa on, Sikiru Bajepade.

The Assembly Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, while reading the content of the bill at the plenary, said the bill, when passed into law, will provide access to educa on for individuals excluded from the formal system.

“It will reduce illiteracy and promote func onal literacy and numeracy and the promo on of lifelong learning and con nuous personal learning,”

he declared.

Egbedun had earlier commended his colleagues for their diligence and perseverance, as they reconvened for a new legisla ve year with the plenary session.

He said, “Through our various outreach and empowerment programmes, we have delivered meaningful support to our cons tuents, strengthening public confidence in this

Assembly work.”

The speaker said that the lawmakers’ foremost obliga on was to the people who entrusted them with their mandate.

According to him, every debate held, every resolu on adopted, and every law enacted will be guided by the welfare and progress of the state.

The assembly then adjourned the si ng ll February 23.

Cyril Olaniyan

“I sent my people to the place yesterday and they reported to me that the community has commenced the renova on of the facility.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs has reportedly took over the renova on of the PHC, OSUN DEFENDER learnt.

In a le er dated, February 18, 2025 and signed by Chief Moshood Oni, the Publicity Secretary of Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olu Toriola, no fied the Osun State Primary Health Board of the development. A copy of the le er obtained by OSUN DEFENDER reads: “I am directed by his HRM, Oba (Dr.) Olu Toriola to inform your authority that the above Health Centre has been chosen and approved for general renova on by the Nigeria Customs.

“This becomes necessary as a necessary chain of informa on required under your headship on contribu ons by various organiza ons to assist the board in any capacity.”

Inside Ifetedo: How LG Headquarters Survives On River Water

challenge for the community.

Osun Assembly Moves To Pass Bill Seeking Illiteracy Reduction Residents Groan Over Dilapidated PHC Centre In Modakeke

N Nigeria’s South West, where Osun State is o en described as a centre of educa on and civilisa on, residents of Ifetedo, headquarters of Ife South Local Government Area, are s ll forced to depend on streams, wells and untreated river water for survival in 2026.

A fact-finding visit to the agrarian community near the Okeigbo–Ile-Oluji corridor bordering Ondo State revealed a troubling reality: a town with a university campus, thousands of residents and administra ve status as a council headquarters, yet lacking two of the most basic public u li es: potable water and stable electricity.

With a popula on of about 35,000 people, Ifetedo plays strategic economic roles in mber trade and agriculture. It also hosts the College of Law of Osun State University, bringing students and academic ac vi es into the community.

But beyond the academic presence lies what residents describe as years of infrastructural neglect. At the palace, the Olubosin of Ifetedo, Oba Akinola Oyetade, spoke with mixed feelings, describing water scarcity as a major

The king lamented that residents of the town s ll depend on streams and wells for their water needs, a situa on not only stressful but vulnerable to water borne diseases.

“Water is a major problem for us here in Ifetedo, our people stress about ge ng water, meanwhile we have the Oni River which borders us with Okeigbo. It’s been there for years, we’ve been drinking from boreholes but the generality of my people s ll goes to the streams to fetch water ll date.

“The Ondo state Government supplies water to Okeigbo town from that Oni river and I wonder why the Osun state Government is not doing the same for us,” he said.

Within the town centre, a borehole located opposite the central mosque stood abandoned and non-func onal, with residents confirming it had not produced water for years.

Residents say the situa on becomes worse during dry seasons when streams shrink and queues at the few working wells become longer.

Electricity supply presents another layer of hardship. Community members alleged that the

town largely depends on power routed from neighbouring communi es, which is supplied irregularly.

“These transformers and wires are just decoraons. Some mes we see light only a few mes a month. “Businesses cannot survive without generators and you can also confirm this by yourself, “ a pe y trafer said.

President of Ifetedo Progressive Union, Adepoju Adewole, accused the government of abandoning the community despite its administra ve importance. “For a whole local government headquarters, the only project we can men on is about 1.5 kilometres of road. That is too small. Our markets need development, our roads are bad, and there is no meaningful infrastructure,” he said.

When contacted, Chairman of Ife South Local Government, Mu au Adegbite, acknowledged infrastructure gaps and promised that the council would priori se some road projects before the end of the year. “If you are talking about roads, yes I will admit that and by the special grace of God, before the end of the year, we have plans on some roads in the community,” Adegbite noted.

Education CDS Group Holds Sensitisation Programme

THE Educa on Community Development Services (CDS) of the Na onal Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State last week embarked on sensi za on outreach as part of its con-

nuous efforts to promote discipline, learning and posive social values among secondary school students in the state. The outreach was carried out under the leadership of Adesokan Victor, whose leadership has con nued to drive impac ul

community development ini a ves among corps members in the state.

The sensi za on exercise witnessed an impressive turnout, as over 100 corps members were present at the event, demonstrating the commitment of the Educa on CDS group

Accord Party Faction Challenges INEC...

•Continued from Page 1

INEC Is not a fac on of Accord Party. INEC is not a member of the Accord Party. INEC is not an interested party in our internal leadership ma ers. INEC is not a poli cal stakeholder to defend one fac on over another.

“INEC is cons tu onally established as a neutral and independent electoral umpire, mandated to regulate poli cal par es without bias, fear, or favour. Yet, in this instance, the commission has acted in a manner that gives the disturbing impression that it has chosen sides, aligning itself with the Maxwell-led fac on contrary to a valid judicial pronouncement.

“Even more alarming is the speed and manner with which INEC in Osun State responded a er the primaries conducted by the Prof. Chris Imumolenled leadership. The primaries were conducted on a Sunday, and shockingly, INEC issued a declara on that same Sunday, a nonworking day, invalida ng the exercise.

“Such extraordinary

administra ve speed raises serious and legi mate ques ons like how was a thorough review conducted within hours? What processes were followed? Why the urgency? And who benefited from such haste? The Nigerian public deserves answers.

“The lawful candidate remains Hon. Clement Kolawole Bamigbola. Let it be clearly and unequivocally stated: The only legally recognized and duly nominated candidate of the Accord Party in Osun State is Hon. Clement Kolawole Bamigbola whose nomina on form was properly submi ed to INEC following a val-

idly conducted primary elec on under the lawful Na onal Chairman. Any other name is premature, ques onable and subject to judicial review.

“Respect for the Judiciary Must Be Non-Negoable. When a High court gives an order recognizing party leadership, compliance is not op onal. Selec ve obedience to court orders undermines democracy and encourages ins tu onal lawlessness.

“The ma er remains before the Federal High Court for final determinaon and we have absolute confidence that the judiciary, which is the last hope of the common man will rise to defend the rule of law and protect democra c sanc ty.

“If a regulatory body begins to disregard subsis ng court orders, imposes its preference on internal party affairs, appears to defend one facon against another, or act with suspicious speed in favour of certain poli cal interests, then democracy itself is placed at risk.

towards contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of students in the community.

During the sporting ac vi es which preluded the programme, the parcipants were reminded of the importance of physi-

Campus Review Campus Review

cal fitness alongside academics.

A Corps member who addressed the students, Miss Marvelous.urged the students to be faithful and obey they teachers and parents for them to excel, emphasizing that discipline remains a key founda on for success both in school and in life.

The Principal of Salva on Army Secondary School, Osogbo expressed deep apprecia on to the visi ng corps members for their

impac ul contribuons.

She commended the Educa on CDS group for taking the me to ins ll good morals and valuable lessons in the students, describing the sensi zaon as mely and beneficial to the school.

At the conclusion of the program, the Educa on CDS group presented gi s to Salva on Army Secondary School as a token of support and encouragement for the students.

OSCO-HEALTH, Ilesa Inducts 110 Health Technician Graduates Into Health Assistants/Technicians Board Of Nigeria

Nofewer than 110 Health Technician graduates of the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa have been inducted into the Council of Health Assistants/ Technicians Board of Nigeria.

At a ceremony held at the College field, the excited Health Technician graduates alongside their parents were full of gratude to God for helping them to achieve the feat.

Speaking at the induc on ceremony, the Provost of the College, Dr Lateef Olarewaju Raheem encouraged the students to be professional in

their conducts at all mes.

The Provost who was represented by the Registrar of the College, Mr Moshood Afolabi urged them to see the achievement as a founda on for greater things to come, while challenging them to pursue greater academic heights in the Health technology industry.

He admonished them not to allow any form of distrac on in their professional calling, but to strive to get be er in their chosen field.

In his speech, Registrar of the Council of Health Assistants/ Technicians Boad of Nigeria, Mr Sunday Aboje charged them

to con nue to make the council proud wherever they find themselves in the world.

He urged them to maintain their commitment to excellence in the process of discharging their responsibili es to humanity, while urging them to be careful in areas where their licenses does not cover.

In a goodwill message, the Deputy Provost of the College, Mrs Margaret Oparinde congratulated the graduands on the feat they have achieved in the field of public health.

The Director of Dental Therapy, Mr Mu au Bello also eulogized the inductees for their resilience in facing the challenges associated with studying, just as he commended their parents and guardians for their sacrifices.

Also speaking, the Head of Department, School of Public Health, Mr Sunday Adebayo expressed gra tude to the school management for the support given to the department.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026

RAMADAN SERMON RAMADAN SERMON

By Sheikh Ibrahim Oladejo

By Sheikh Ibrahim Oladejo

Welcome Oh Ramadan! (Part 1)

RAMADAN! What is Ramadan? And what will make you know what Ramadan is?

Ramadan is a month like no other months. It is the month of mercy, forgiveness and emancipa on from the hell fire. These are some of the goodies reserved for the upright people who obey their Lord and carry out His commands. Ramadan is the month of the Glorious Qur’an. Yes! The whole Book was transmitted from Laohul Mahfouz (the preserved tablet, in upper heaven, in which the record of all the events that will transpire in this world from the beginning to the end are kept) to Baitul Ma’mur, ( a house situated in the lowest heaven next to the earth.)

Baitul Ma’mur is akin to the Ka’bah in Makkah, frequently visited by the Angels for the purpose of worship therein. From there, the revela on was retransmi ed in piecemeal to The Messenger (PBOH) over the period of twentythree years. The maiden Qur’anic revela on, (“Read…! in the Name of your Lord who creates. Creates man from a clot. Read..! And your Lord is the Most Bounteous. Who teaches by the pen. Teaches man that which he knew not.”) which was delivered by Angel Jibreel to the Prophet (PBOH) took place during Ramadan. In addi on to all that, it is only Ramadan among its peers that can boast of possessing one single night that is be er than one thousand months.

Allah says confirming the first transmission from Laohul Mahfuz to Bai l Ma’mur in Q97:1-5 “Verily! We have sent it (the Qur”an) down in the night of Decree. And what will make you know what the night of decree is?The night of decree is be er than one thousand months. Therein descend the Angels and the Ruh (Angel Jibreel) by Allah’s permission with all decrees, (The whole night is) peace un l the raising of the dawn”.

To demonstrate the importance of Ramadan, the Messenger (PBOH) taught his companions and Muslims at large to prepare for it ahead of me. It was narrated that The Prophet (PBOH), on sigh ng the crescent of Rajab, (the seventh month), would say: “O Allah! Bless for us the month of Rajab, likewise Sha’baan, and spare our lives to witness Ramadan”.

During the designated period of fas ng, every adult Muslim male or female, who is sane and healthy, must abstain from ea ng, drinking and engaging in love making as well as vain talks and misconduct from dawn ll dusk.

Prior to the prescrip on of Ramadan, The Messenger of Allah (PBOH) who was just se ling down in his new environment a er migra ng to Yathrib (later renamed MadeenatuRasul, i.e. the City of the Prophet) once no ced an unusual fanfare among the Jewish community in the town. Upon asking for the reason, they replied that, they were

preparing for a celebra on to commemorate the day Prophet Musa (PBOH) and the Israelites were delivered from Fir’aun (Pharaoh of Egypt). In reac on to that, The Prophet (PBOH) said: “but we Muslims deserve Musa (PBOH) more than you do. He consequently commanded his companions to join the Jews in observing the fast on that day which was the tenth of Muharram. Later, he instructed them to increase one more day when fas ng on the same occasion in future. It was obligatory upon the Muslims then to fast the ninth and tenth days of Muharram. Meanwhile, the prescripon of Ramadan later abrogated that rule and reduced the verdict of fasting Tasua and Ashura (ninth and tenth of Muharram) to Sunnah (op onal.)

Going down the memory lane, the history of the first Quiblah (the direc on faced in the daily ritual prayers) at the early stage of Islam used to be towards Baitul Maqdis in Qudus (The grand Mosque in Jerusalem).These incidents shed more light on the fact that all the Abrahamic religions are of the same pa ern, they have many things in common; e.g, performing ablu on using water before prayer, mode of worship like raising up the hands, bowing and then prostra ng during prayer, dressing up decently by covering up the whole body, especially by women as well as exchanging gree ngs with the words of peace. These are in concord with what are available in all the scriptures. No wonder the Messenger of Allah (PBOH) said: “All of us, we the Prophets of Allah are kinsmen who were nurtured by different mothers.”

In rela on to that, Allah said: “O you who believe! (In the Oneness of Allah and Islamic Monotheism) Fas ng has been prescribed for you as was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious”, Q2:183.

Once again, Ramadan is a month of spiritual upli ment during which one denies himself, based on the command of the Creator, some basic lawful enjoyment and comfort in order to a ain a higher post in the sight of Allah. It is a period of reflec on and medita on, a period of giving out charity to the poor, and a period when the affluent temporarily has a taste of some hardship which the less privileged people o en experience. It is also a period of ge ng closer to Allah. According to the Prophet (PBOH), Allah The Almighty said: “All the deeds of the son of Adam (mankind) belong to him except the fas ng which is Mine, and I (Allah) am the One who will grant reward for it”.

To be con nued in sha Allah.

• Sheikh Ibrahimd Oladejo Raji, Imaam Kosemani Jum’ah Mosque, off Iwo Ibadan Road, by Adetoro Shopping Complex, Mercyland Area, Dada Estate Osogbo, Osun State. irajoladejo1951@gmail.com

My Cry To Heaven: God, I Want More Of You!

Beloved, fas ng is not hunger for food. Fas ng is hunger for God. Fas ng is not die ng. Fasting is not suffering. Fas ng is not punishment.

Fas ng means telling God: “GOD… I WANT MORE OF YOU!”

When a man truly fasts, he is not trying to impress heaven and men. He is responding to a deep cry inside of his spirit. You do not fast because you have problems. You fast because you desire His presence.

Problems can push you to prayer. But only hunger can pull you into in macy. Many people want miracles. But fas ng is not mainly for miracles. Fas ng is for God Himself.

Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst a er righteousness, for they shall be filled.” God does not feed the full, He feeds the hungry. God does not fill the busy, He fills the thirsty.

Beloved, fas ng is your deep spiritual cry saying: Lord, food can wait. Entertainment can wait. Pleasure can wait. Social life can wait. Sleep can wait. But Your presence cannot wait. Fas ng is not emptying your stomach. It is the opening of your heart.

When you fast without prayer, you only lose weight. But when you fast with prayer, you gain: sensi vity, clarity, spiritual authority, divine alignment and fresh fire.

Fas ng sends a message to God: Lord, I refuse to be sa sfied with yesterday’s encounter. I refuse to live on past anoin ng. I refuse to survive on old tesmonies. I want more of You!

If God is not your desire, fasting will become a burden. But if God is your desire, fas ng be-

“Jesus

fasted before He began His ministry. Not because He was confused. Not because He was weak. He fasted because intimacy must come before impact. Beloved, if the Son of God needed fasting, who are we to live without it?”

comes a delight.

Moses fasted on the mountain, not because he was sick, not because Pharaoh was pursuing him, but because he wanted the glory of God. He cried: Lord, show me Your glory! Beloved, fas ng is the cry of a man who wants to see God.

Daniel did not fast because Babylon lacked food. He fasted because his spirit refused to be comfortable in cap vity. He fasted because he wanted understanding from God. Beloved, fas ng opens spiritual intelligence. Esther did not fast for fame. She fasted for divine intervenon. But deeper than that, she fasted because she knew: only God can save what human power cannot preserve.

David said: I humbled my soul with fas ng. Beloved, fas ng is how the soul bows before God.

Jesus fasted before He began His ministry. Not because He was confused. Not because He was weak. He fasted because in macy must come before impact. Beloved, if the Son of God needed fas ng, who are we to live without it? Fas ng draws us into deeper rela onship with God.

Dangers of fas ng without hunger for God: You can fast and s ll remain dry. You can fast and s ll remain offended. You can fast and s ll remain prayerless. Because fas ng without desire becomes empty religion. I hereby decree into your life that: A fresh hunger is falling upon your life. A new thirst for prayer is rising in your spirit. Your altar is receiving fresh fire. Your secret place is opening again in the name of Jesus!

Beloved, I want you to tell God, say, Lord… I don’t want less of You. I want more of You. Fill me again. Revive me again. Touch me again.

As you begin to fast with genuine hunger, Your prayer life will change. Your spiritual signal will be full.

Your authority will be powered. Your in macy with God will be deeper. From today, you will no longer struggle to fast. Fas ng will be your cry to heaven: God… I want more of You!

Pastor Wole S. Omotunde, Thy Will Global Church, Lagos (08023134496, 08148094611), woleomotunde@gmail.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 14 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP Integrity as the Foundaon of a Party Built to Last Address by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, ADC Na onal Secretary to the Senior Leadership of the ADC Dis nguished leaders, members of the Na onal Execu ve Commi ee, state and local party officers, and all who carry the banner of the African Democra c Congress—good day We have spoken before about building what must outlive us. Today, I want to speak about the very founda on of that building— the people who make up this party. Because if the founda on is false, what we raise upon it will not stand.

I. The Tempta on of Numbers

Let me begin with a truth that is uncomfortable but necessary. Across our poli cal landscape, par es have become addicted to the illusion of size. They inflate membership rolls with phantom names, duplicate entries, and invented iden es—all to project a strength they do not possess. The registers are fat, but the structures are hollow.

We must not follow that path. We must resist—with every fibre of our convic on—the tempta on to bloat our figures with imaginary people. It does not help us. It does not strengthen us. At the end of such an exercise, all we will have is a token register propped up by a weak structure—impressive on paper, powerless in prac ce.

A party of ghosts cannot win elec ons.

A party of ghosts cannot govern. A party of ghosts cannot hold its leaders to account. And a party of ghosts will, inevitably, be haunted by its own dishonesty.

II. Membership Integrity as Sacred Duty What we need—what we must build with urgency and discipline—is a membership register of integrity. Every name must belong to a real person. Every person must be documented, verified, and accounted for. This is not bureaucracy; this is the architecture of trust.

Every one of us—from na onal leadership down to the ward level—must work together to ensure that only real people are registered and properly documented. This is a collec ve responsibility. No leader should look the other way when registra ons are padded. No officer should accept figures that cannot withstand scru ny. We must be our own auditors before the public audits us.

The integrity of our register is the integrity of our party. If we cannot be honest about who we are, we have no moral authority to demand honesty from those who govern.

III. Conscious Members, Ac ve Ci zens

But integrity of registra on is only the beginning. What ma ers more is the quality of membership that follows. We do not want members who exist only as names in a database. We want conscious members—men and women who understand what this party stands for and are willing to work for it.

A conscious member is one who a ends ward mee ngs regularly. A conscious member

“We are not building a party for the next election. We are building a party for the next generation. And that building must be constructed on a foundation of truth — truth about who we are, truth about what we stand for, and truth about the people who stand with us”

PERSPECTIVE

By OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA

A Register Of Conviction, Not Convenience

pays their dues—not because they are compelled, but because they are invested. A conscious member studies the party manifesto, understands its policy posi ons, explains our vision to their neighbours, and defends our principles in the public square.

A conscious member does not work for the party only during elec ons. They work for the party every day—in every ward, every local government, every state. They follow party lines, uphold party discipline, and serve wherever the party asks them to serve. This is the membership we must cul vate: loyal, informed, and ac ve.

IV. A Model of Democra c Sophis ca on

The African Democra c Congress does not seek merely to par cipate in Nigeria’s democracy. We seek to redefine it. We aspire to be the model of democra c sophis ca on—in our opera ons, in our internal governance, and in the ownership every member feels over this ins tu on.

Democra c sophis ca on means that our processes are transparent, that our decisions are arrived at through consulta on, and that every member—regardless of their posi on— has a voice that is heard and respected. It means that our party cons tu on is not a document we reference when convenient, but the supreme law that governs all our affairs.

It means we do not merely talk about democracy; we prac se it. From how we select our candidates to how we manage our finances, from how we resolve disputes to how we engage with the electorate—every ac on must reflect the democra c standard we promise the na on.

V. We Will Not Only Seek Power—We Will Govern Ourselves

Let me say this plainly: we are not only going to seek elec ons. We are going to govern ourselves effec vely—first. We will hold ourselves to the same standard of accountability we demand of those in power. If we cannot govern our own party with integrity, what right do we have to ask Nigerians to trust us with their government?

This means every naira collected must be accounted for. Every decision taken must be explained. Every leader among us must submit to the authority of the party’s structures. No one is above the system. No one is exempt from scru ny.

We have said before that the greatest threat to our mission is the island mentality— the belief that any one individual is bigger than the ins tu on. Today,I say again: that threat has not disappeared. It lives wherever ego displaces process, wherever personal ambi on overrides collec ve purpose. We must guard

against it with the full force of our ins tu onal discipline.

VI. The Work Ahead

So let us be clear about the work before us. We must build a membership registra on system that is credible, verifiable, and incorruptible. We must train our ward officers to conduct registra ons with rigour and integrity. We must create mechanisms of accountability at every level, so that no one can corrupt the process without consequence.

We must invest in poli cal educa on—so that every member who joins us understands not just the party’s name but its mission, its manifesto, and its expecta ons. We must build a culture where paying dues, a ending meetings, and par cipa ng in party ac vi es is the norm, not the excep on.

And we must fund these efforts. Building a credible ins tu on costs money, me, and sacrifice. We have spoken about this before and it bears repea ng: if we do not have a system and the leaders commi ed to funding it, we stand very li le chance against the challenges ahead.

VII. Our Covenant with the Future Dis nguished leaders, what we build today will be judged not by the size of our register but by the strength of our ins tu on. A party of two million conscious, commi ed members will outperform a party of ten million phantoms every single me. Quality over quan ty. Substance over spectacle. Convic on over convenience.

The African Democra c Congress must be a party where every member ma ers, where every voice counts, and where every name on our register represents a real person with a real stake in Nigeria’s future.

We are not building a party for the next elec on. We are building a party for the next genera on. And that building must be constructed on a founda on of truth—truth about who we are, truth about what we stand for, and truth about the people who stand with us. Let us begin this work with clean hands and clear eyes. Let us build a register worthy of the party we are building—and a party worthy of the na on we serve.

Thank you.

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Be Up And Doing

THEREis a resounding homily among progressives and radical ac vists: “Do not agonise, organise!” Young, patrio c Nigerians, however many or few, now have to take this counsel seriously considering the depressing level of resigna on and helplessness among ci zens.

Because of the innate and boundless energy of young Nigerians, collec ve sense of resigna on have now opened up into a channel of self-help engagements - in illegi mate and criminal ventures - by a huge number of those not running away from the country, which further escalates an already grave insecurity situa on.

We seem to have come to a pass where problems that have solu ons in organised ac ons are either handed over to God to resolve or simply ignored out of helpless disposi on, whereas every single, nega ve individual act of self-help con nues to compound the social problems and emboldens the ruling elites who are the authors of the na onal problems to brazenly con nue in their careless, self-centred policies and programmes of naked exploita on and oppression.

Addressing and resolving complex na onal problems that affect the lives of almost all cizens cannot be an individual act, however heroic: it requires concerted and organised responses and ac ons. However intractable the problems seem to be, we should remember these two wise sayings: “there is no problem without solu on,”

and “the journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step.” Confucius said “The man who moved mountain begins by carrying away small stones,” and Nelson Mandela capped it all with a counsel rooted in great experience, “there is no easy road to freedom.”

Some basic reality we must se le down to, therefore, are: we should stop expec ng prayers, fas ng, God and the gods to do for us what we should do by ourselves; we should never expect to get out of the mess in a hurry knowing it was not also created in a day; we cannot get out of the mess by keeping the same mindset and attude that allowed us get into the mess in the first place; individual triumphs, criminal or legi mate, in a na on that is in deep conflict and dying, are no achievement; resort to self-help, mostly through criminal exploits, however temporarily rewarding for the perpetrators, are roads to personal and social perdi on; no ma er your profession, once your country is organised in such a way that the system makes the country a death trap and renders almost all legi mate produc ve enterprise difficult, if not impossible, then your first duty as a ci zen is to contribute your patrio c quota to redeeming your country.

In same vein, it should be clear to us that the whole ci zens of a country do not need to rise up and be involved in its social redemp on project for it to succeed. Recall that Jesus, the Christ, started alone, and then with 12 disciples; and that the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) started likewise with few ardent disciples; and the 2 great religions are where they are today.

Stop agonising; start organising is a great, libera ng piece of advice. In various communi es, in schools, worship places, work places, trades places, relaxa on places, start organising! When there is an interest and desire to personally make a change from self-help to collec ve solu ons and ac ons, other things will follow and fall in place, including the knowledge of the deep roots of the problems and las ng solu ons to them, as well as the ac vi es needed, from the smallest to the biggest.

There is life beyond General Elec ons and beyond the tenure of any Governor or President. The promises versus the reali es of 8 Years of “Change” and “Next Level” should have thought Nigerians to stop hoping on any “renewed hope” by same of the same merchants of calamity. The task of making Nigeria into a great, prosperous na on has li le or nothing to do with elec ng a president, governors and lawmakers periodically. If it was not clear before, it should be clear by now!

A paradigm shi from present mindset and a tude, a deep desire to get together for collecve solu ons to collec ve problems, will open in-depth truths about the root causes of the problems, the las ng solu ons, the ways and the means, and the steps that will lead us home to genuinely securing our rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in a free, just and mighty Federal Republic of Nigeria that will not only be a giant of Africa but a giant in the world; a na on we will be proud to hand over to our children and their children.

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, MICHAEL BAMIGBOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com