VOL. 9. NO.053 NNNNN5050505050SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014

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Front Page Comment

- See StoryOn Page 2

Who KilledChief Bola Ige,former Attorney-

General andMinister of

Justice? IGE

- See StoryOn Page 2

Osun Disburses N600mLoan To 18, 000 Women•As Aregbesola Pledges More Welfare Packages

May Day: Aregbesola Canvasses More Dedication To Service

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left), acknowledging cheers from the members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), duringthe Joint NLC/TUC 2014 May Day celebration in Osogbo, State of Osun, last Thursday.

Omisore’ MalevolentPolitics (1)

Iyi Omisore is tobe pitied andcertainly notenvied. Hisquixotic run forthe governorshipin the state ofOsun looks moreand more bizarreby the day.

To showmagnanimity it isnot entirely all ofhis making though.Defeating a proven

achiever andperformer such asthe Ogbenigovernor is nevergoingto be easy.

Aregbesola’s vast

achievementsspeak for itself.Furthermore,accolades inrecognizance ofthis continue tocome in fromhome andabroad.

Continue on pg5

2 OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 2014News

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), presenting a cheque to one of the beneficiaries withthem is Mr Kunle Ige at the official launching of Osun/Grooming Assisted Women Empowerment programme anddistribution of 600 million naira loan to beneficiaries at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun, lastWednesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

Osun Disburses N600m Loan To 18, 000 Women•As Aregbesola Pledges More Welfare Packages

IT was with fanfare and joy that women in the State ofOsun trooped to Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, venueof empowerment programme of the State of Osun where

18,000 of them received N40,000 totaling N600millionlast Wednesday.

The programme had inattendance the First Ladiesof Osun, Oyo and Lagosstates, Alhaja SherifatAregbesola, FlorenceAjimobi and AbimbolaFashola respectively.

At the official launch andpresentation of cheques towomen beneficiaries, thegovernor of the State ofOsun, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, reiterated hisa d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’ scommitment to eradicatingpoverty in the state.

Aregbesola observed thatpeople’s welfare must becentral in the programmes ofany serious government.

He affirmed that it is inrecognition of this that hisgovernment collaboratedwith Grooming Micro-Finance, Lagos so as to fasttrack attainment of povertyalleviation goal asenshrined in hisgovernment’s six-pointagenda.

He stated that hisgovernment would notdetract from itsprogrammes that givequality life to the people.

The governor averredthat if women in the stateare economically active butfinancially handicapped,there is no way they would

be able to contribute to theeconomic growth of thestate, adding that this is whyhis government came to theiraid through the loans.

He said: “As government,we have realised thatdevelopment is incompletewithout consideration to thehuman aspect.

“Ours is a combination ofboth infrastructural andhuman development andtoday’s ceremony is anattestation to this fact.

“We are committed tomaking our Omoluabi State asubject of envy among thecomity of states and a placeworthy of living for all andsundry.

“We have extendedgovernment presence across30 local governments and theArea Office of the state and

completed a lot of capitalprojects, some of which arecurrently beingcommissioned and whichare there for everyone tosee.”

He said his governmenthas achieved great feat inthe area of povertyalleviation, which,according to him, is secondto none.

Aregbesola noted thathis government’scollaboration with variousfinancial organisations hasbrought smile to faces ofevery house in the state.

He promised that hisgovernment would continueto support all laudableintervention programmes,so that government’scommitment towardspoverty alleviation will be

fully realised in not toodistant future.

In his opening remark,the Executive Director ofGrooming Loans Scheme,Mr. Adesoji Tayo, pointedout that the GroomingCentre is a Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) founded seven yearsago to address the nearabsence of financialservices for the largepopulation of economicallyactive poor people.

He said the assistancewould afford such women toengage in small trading andmicro productive activitiesin many parts of thecountry.

“I will also like to statethat the programme is not asocial welfare orgovernment hand-out, andnot a political settlement,”he told the gathering.

The Special Adviser tothe Governor on RuralDevelopment and

Community Affairs, Hon.Kunle Ige, said through theempowerment programme,18,000 women werebeneficiaries of the firstdisbursement.

“Through this loan,economically active poorpeople, who are vulnerableand engage in small scalecommercial activities aresupported and empoweredthrough the programme.

“Available data haveshown that majority of ourwomen, especially at therural communities, areeconomically active but areconstrained financially.

“This is why the currentadministration hascommitted so much topoverty alleviationinterventions to reduce thisugly trend and make life moremeaningful to her citizenry,especially the women,” Igesaid.

Osun Threatens To Shut DownMTN Over N399m Debt

By FRANCIS EZEDIUNO

THE State Government of Osun has said it would beforced to confiscate the base stations of MTNNigeria, mobile telecommunications’ operator in the

state, following its refusal to pay the right of way permitfees to the state government to the tune of N399.4 million

The base stations had onApril 7 been seized by theofficials of the state InternalRevenue Service (IRS), butwere released two days afterfollowing the interventionof Mr. Emmanuel Seton, oneof the top managementmembers of thetelecommunications outfit.

Mr. Dayo Oyebanji,acting Chairman and CEO ofthe state IRS, in a standingorder statement released in

Osogbo, said the stategovernment would beforced to shut the servicesof the company in the statefollowing the failure of theorganisation to pay theoutstanding right of waypermit fees.

The revenue service bosslamented that theorganisation had renegedon its promise to pay thepermit fees on or before April 8.

Oyebanji drew theattention of themanagement of MTN to theassessment bill withreference number HW01/MT/09/66 dated February19, 2014, and the notice fromIRS dated March 26, inrespect of the outstandingpayment of right of waypermit on the optic fibreoperation in the state.

The letter read: “Please beinformed that the issue ofnon-payment constitutedone of the reasons why wedetrained five of your mastbase stations in our state on April 7, which were releasedon April 9, based on themutual understanding withMr. Samuel Seton duringour meeting on April 8 thatthe payment should beeffected on or before April15.

“We therefore, wish toexpress our disappointmenton the failure of yourorganisation to fulfil yourcivic responsibility inrespect of this paymentdespite several notices.

“In this regard, we aretherefore, left with no otheroption than to confiscateyour base stations in ourstate, provided we do notreceive payment,” it read.

May Day: Aregbesola Canvasses More Dedication To Service•Calls For Intensified Efforts To Rescue Abducted Borno School Children•Says ‘Ex-Osun HoS Is Ungrateful’

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

THE governor of the State of Osun on Thursday calledon security agencies in Nigeria and AfricanContinent to collaborate and intensify efforts to

rescue the abducted secondary school children in BornoState to shame the deadly sect, Boko Haram.

The governor said theaction of the sect was callousand inhuman by kidnappingchildren that are supposed tobe jealously guided by everystakeholder.

Aregbesola, whileaddressing workers duringthis year’s May Day rallyheld at Technical College,Osogbo, State of Osun, said:“There is no justification forthe inhuman act of the sectby seizing the innocentchildren; I join the people tocall on our security agentsin Nigeria and their Africancounterparts to intensifytheir rescue mission to freethe children”.

The governor urgedworkers to be more dedicatedto honest service andpromised to continue to

enhance the welfare of theworkers.

According to him: “It isdifficult to quantify thecontribution of humandevelopment in publicservice, and no worker thatis adding to thedevelopment of Osun will beleft unrewarded; and to thebest of our administrationability, we shall continue topay workers’ salarypromptly”.

He explained that beforethe fall in federal allocation,his administration had therecord of paying salary on22nd of every month, sayingthe reduction is over 40 percent which is responsible forthe delay in the salary sinceJuly 2013.

Aregbesola said despite

the hindrance, thegovernment has been payingworkers salary regularly andcalled for the workers’understanding wheneverthere is delay, saying “delayis not denied and governmenthas no interest in delayingworkers’ salary”.

He added that theintroduction of the newElectrical Identity Smart Cardis to address the financialchallenges for workers tohave access to their salary atany period of the month.

Aregbesola also dismissedthe speculation of the formerHead of Service, Elder SegunAkinwusi, that thegovernment is planning toretrench workers and cut thesalary.

The governor describedAkinwusi as “an ungratefulhuman being who rewardsgood intention with lies andbad intention.

“His allegations aremischievous and wicked,treasonous and

unprofessional. How is itpossible to retrench workerswhen we just employed over12, 000 people? Are we goingto sack those we justemployed or those that areworking? His allegation issenseless.”

He said, all advice toremove Akinwusi wasignored to demonstrate hisgood intention towards otherhuman beings and preservethe independence of thecivil service, adding that; “heis paying me back with liesand mischief. He can play hispolitics but he must leave theloyal workers to do theirwork and leave them out ofmischief”.

State Chairman, NigeriaLabour Congress (NLC),Alhaji Saka Adesian, said themood of the Nigeria Labouris mournful as a result of theabducted school children,saying it was pathetic thatup till date, no clue on howto rescue the schoolchildren.

He commended thegovernor for mass road

construction, agriculturaltransformation, qualitativeeducation and improvedwelfear of the workers amongothers.

Adesiyan appealed to theworkers to bear with thegovernment on the delay ofsalary, saying the delay is anational phenomenon.

His counterpart in TradeUnion Congress, (TUC)Francis Adetunji,commended the governor forsustainable peace andprogress, saying Osun is themost peaceful state inNigeria.

Foremost former labourleader, Comrade HasanSunmonu, urged the labourleaders not to compromisethe interest of the workers,adding there is reward forhonesty and dedication toservice.

He said, GovernorAregbesola has performedexcellently, adding that thepeople of the state with thegood work done by thegovernor already know whothey are voting for onAugust 9 2014.

3 News OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 2014

If you have a story or advert for us, contact 08033927286, 08033880205, 08061197897, 08023191891.

•(L-R) Secretary Omoluabi Support Group (OSG), Barrister Kayode Tinubu; Femi Taiwo, OSG member andHonourable Akinola Olasunkanmi at a press conference on State of Osun School’s literary debate final (Towards the“One Day With Ogbeni) in Osogbo, last Wednesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

May Day: Osun NLC, TUC Task Employers On Workers’ Welfare

Ex-HOS Is Ignorant, Mischievous Over Alleged 300bn Debt – AregbesolaBy KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

•Reassures Osun Workers Of Job Security, Welfare

GOVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola, has described as tissue of lies, theallegation by the former Head of Service, Elder Segun

Akinwusi, that the state government is indebted to the tuneof N300 billion and that government is intending to retrenchworkers in the state.

A statement by the Bureauof Communications andStrategy, Office of theGovernor, quoted GovernorAregbesola as describing asdishonourable for the formerHOS whom, he retaineddespite heavy pressure on himto remove him at the onset of

his administration, to turnaround and become an agent ofwicked and naked lies.

Akinwusi was the Head ofService inherited by theAregbesola administration, whowas retained as against usualpractice of new administrationsretaining such officials.

The statement quoted thegovernor as speaking duringthe launch of State of OsunCivil Servants’ Smart IdentityCard and BiometricAutomation tagged: ‘I amAlive.’

The governor said there wasnothing wrong with the formerHOS’s ambition to vie forgovernorship seat, notinghowever, that decorum andsincerity must be consideredwhile seeking the electorate’ssupport.

Aregbesola, while debunkingthe lies, said with all thepolicies initiated by hisadministration to uplift thestandard of living of civilservants in the state, there isno doubt that his governmentis one of the mostcompassionate and workers-friendly.

He disclosed that despitedrastic reduction in theallocation accruing to the statefrom the federation account, hisgovernment has kept the entire

work force in the state and paidtheir salaries as and when due.

The governor described therumoured impendingretrenchment as mere figmentof the imaginations ofAkinwusi and his ilk, affirmingthat government is not evencontemplating sacking anyworker.

“Our administration is themost passionate and workers-friendly in the country. All wehave done and are still doing isto better the condition ofworkers.

“Despite the dwindlingallocation by almost 40 percent since January 2013, thisgovernment still kept its entirework force.

“So, I don’t know whereyou workers got the news thatI will retrench some of you.This is just mere lies being toldby our adversaries so that youcan hate us.

“I am saying it categoricallyclear that this government hasno intention to retrenchworkers. Rather, thisgovernment is committed towelfare and progress of all ofyou.

“I will only implore you notto listen to those who arepressurising you to hate usbecause they can’t do betterthan what we are doing,”Aregbesola said.

The governor described theactivities of Akinwusi aslaughable and dishonest infabricating lies of suchproportion not only about aperforming administration, butalso to cause confusion in the

state.On the alleged N300 billion

debt profile of Osun, thegovernor lamented that thosewho ought to know and educateothers are now the onesdemonstrating crass ignoranceabout the affairs of the state.

He argued that a state withsuch amount of debt would needto pay N3 billion monthly being10 per cent to service such debt,saying Osun does not evencollect up to this amount fromfederal allocation every monthany more.

The governor said,Akinwusi, whom he resisted allentreaties to remove as the HOSwhen he came to power, wasjust being mischievousspreading such falsehood.

“I am disappointed. This issomebody that reached thehighest pedestal of his careerand he is now behaving like anilliterate. Does he know theimport of what he says?

“If a state owes N300billion, ten per cent of thatamount is N3 billion, which isto be paid monthly to servicethe debt. If Osun is payingN3billion as debt servicingevery month, where doesAkinwusi think we will get themoney to do all the massivecapital projects we are doing?

“Where does he think wewill get the money to payworkers’ salaries? With all thepressure mounted on me toremove him as HOS when Iassumed office, out ofcompassion and my friendlyposture, I retained him tocomplete his years in the servicebefore he retired.

“It is therefore, absurd andan act of insincerity anddishonesty for Akinwusi to bespreading such unsubstantiatednews about, that Osunburrowed N300 billion.

“This is far from thetruth. We will leave him to hisconscience if he has one. Butthen, calculated lies like hiscannot and will not detract usfrom the good work we are doingin the state,” Aregbesola said

GOVERNMENT and Private employers have beenurged to give their workers adequate opportunityto access quality health care delivery as well as

good working environment to make them productive.Chairmen of the state

Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Alhaji Saka Adesiyanand the Trade UnionCongress (TUC), Mr.Oladele Adetunji, stated thisduring a physical fitnesswalk organised for workersas part of activities markingthis year Workers’ Day.

The duo noted thatavailability of good healthcare delivery and physicalexercise would make theworkers healthy, therebyenhancing theirproductivity at their placesof work.

They maintained thatonly healthy workers canlive to work on daily basis.

On his part, the NLCboss, Alhaji Adesiyan urgedworkers to take their healthas important, stressing thatonly a healthy workerscould be productive.

“Productivity can onlycome from healthy body andthat is why every worker,irrespective of workingplace should take theirhealth seriously”.

The TUC Chairman, Mr.Adetunji, also advisedworkers to always engage inphysical exercise to keepthemselves fit and healthy.

Addressing the workersat the state secretariat,Abere, the Head of Service,

Mr. Sunday Owoeye,represented by the

Permanent Secretary,Human Resources andCapacity Building, Mr.Festus Oladeji, saidgovernment wouldcontinue to improve onwelfare of workers in the

state.He said that the

government is doingeverything humanlypossible to ensure that theyearnings of workers andthe entire people of the state

are met.Some workers who

participated in the exerciseexpressed their satisfactionin engaging in the exerciseas it has made them fit forthe day’s work.

Aregbesola @ 57: OSG, Oranmiyan Organize School Debate On Leadership

TO mark the 57 Birthday of the Governor, State ofOsun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a non-GovernmentalOrganisation, Omoluabi Support Group and

Oranmiyan Worldwide have organized Secondary SchoolDebate on Leadership and Good Governance.

The groups are expected tohost no fewer than 5,000participants, includingteachers, pupils, parents andpublic of office holders and thegovernor at the grand finaleexpected to hold on TuesdayMay 13, 2014 at the Centre forBlack Culture and InternationalUnderstanding.

The two groups at a pressconference in Osogbo onWednesday addressed byBarrister Kayode Tinubu andComrade Dele Ogunsakin saidthe debate competition isexpected to produce State HighSchool literary champion.

The champion, according tothe groups, will spend a daywith the governor on May 25as a mark of honour to serve asmotivation for the schoolchildren in academics andintellectual engagement.

Tinubu said: “All HighSchools in the State of Osunkicked started the debate at thelocal government level andsubsequent winners will engageone another in a fierce butinteresting debate at the

senatorial level, while thewinners in each senatorialdistrict will also compete topick the literary champion”

Tinubu explained that thedebate is among other effortsof the groups to support thepresent administration policyon education to secure abrighter future for the youngerones.

“This programme is aimedat making young people findinspiration towards believingthat nothing is impossible forthem to achieve. We must knowthat one of the manyresponsibilities of anygovernment is discovering earlychildhood talent and mentoringsuch talent appropriately”.

Responding to questions onwhy the debate was notextended to the higherinstitutions as a result of thecomplexity of the topic, a leaderof Oranmiyan Group, DrYemi Adegoke, said secondaryschools were consciouslychosen to extend the rudimentof leadership and goodgovernance.

Adegoke said: “Secondary

school is a basic education inNigeria and with currenteducational philosophy ofAregbesola, a student that willbe produced from such systemmust be a complete new manthat will be independent andintellectually sound to solve aproblem in the society.”

Leadership and goodgovernance are basic knowledge

that a secondary schoolstudent must have to bepatriotic and imbibe high senseof responsibility to the societyand we are not disappointedso far in all the localgovernment that we havevisited where the debates areongoing. They are performingexcellently and we have nodoubt in their ability to do

Osun Speaker Lauds Aregbesola,Workers Over Industrial Harmony

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

By KAZEEM MOHAMMED

SPEAKER, State House of Assembly of Osun,Honourable Najeem Salaam, has commendedGovernor Rauf Aregbesola and the leadership of

workers’ unions in the state for allowing industrialharmony to prevail.

In his May Day message,issued by his PressSecretary, Goke Butika, onThursday, the speaker saidOsun is lucky to havededicated workforce withunderstanding of attendantchallenges.

Salaam explained that the13th month salary incentive,upward review of car loanfor qualified workers, andother enablement providedby the government havemade a loud pronouncement

of the cordiality existingbetween the governmentand the workers.

While felicitating withthe workers, the Speakerdisclosed that the stateparliament has set amachinery in motion toresolving the issues of thepolytechnics and collegesof education teachers,noting that the matterwould be resolved inearnest.

He added: “The State of

Osun is lucky to have rightpeople in government andthe leadership of theworkers’ unions.

“While the stateparliament will continue tolegislate for the welfare ofworkers and the entirepeople of the state, we areoptimistic that the stateworkforce would continue toput its best to the service forthe development of thestate”, he said.

The speaker then urgedall the stakeholders toproceed on the existing win-win trend to realise thedevelopmental aim andobjective of theadministration.

justice to the topic.On the new education policy

in the state, the group threwweight behind the stategovernor, saying thereformation throughreclassification is the bestalternative to rescue thewrecked educational sector,imposed by the previousadministration.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 20144 News

•(R-L) Hon. Lawrence Ayeni; Mr. Yusuf Sakiru, Executive Chairman, Ayobo-Ipaja Local Government Council Area,Lagos; Pastor Olu Alagbe, Chairman, Omoluabi Support Group (OSG) and Hon. Bisi Yusuf, Vice-Chairman, OSG,during the press conference on State of Osun Schools’ literary debate final (Towards the “One Day With Ogbeni) inOsogbo, last Wednesday.

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

By ISMAEEL UTHMAN

RATTAWU Lauds Aregbesola’s Achievements

THE Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union(RATTAWU) has applauded the Governor of the Stateof Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for his

commendable performance in the past three and half years.

RATTAWU, during acourtesy visit to the governor,said despite the meagreresources accruable to the statefrom the federation account,findings by members during thetour of the state showed thatAregbesola is performingwonderfully in the state,

According to the Presidentof the organisation, Dr. YemisiBamgbose, the performance onground in Osun was a cleartestimony that Aregbesola isone of the best performinggovernors in Nigeria.

Bamgbose averred that forthe governor to perform hugely

in all sectors despite scarceresources testified to the factthat there is a financial wizardat the helms of affairs ofgovernment.

“Despite the fact that whatis coming to Osun from Federalallocation is a peanut, we cansee huge performance byGovernor Aregbesola. This canonly mean that there is awizard directing the affairs ofgovernment.

”With what we have seenso far in the state, we canconclude that if Aregbesola isnot the best he is certainlyamong the best governors in the

country.“The governor is a man who

knows what he is doing; plainat heart and one with clearvision,” Bamgbose said.

He noted that with theestablishment of RLG-Adulawo Phone Company inIlesha, Aregbesola’sgovernment is not onlyconcerned about the presentgeneration, but also taking careof generations to come

According to theRATTAWU boss, what thegovernment has also done in thehealth, road and educationsectors changed the face of thestate in all ramifications.

Bamgbose continued: “Whatyou have done for education inOsun is wonderful. You havelifted the state to its highestpedestal.

“We are monitoring you. We

are monitoring yourperformance. We aremonitoring the transformationof Osogbo to a modern daycapital and the state in general.

“We hope and pray that thepeople of Osun will supportyou and make sure you don’tleave the seat of government ina hurry so that you cancomplete this transformationyou’ve embarked upon.”

In his response, thegovernor commendedRATTAWU for its cooperationwith the government,describing the organisation asthe most glamorous union.

Aregbesola noted that allthat his government is doing interms of policies andprogrammes have been centredaround the people.

According to him, people’s

aspiration, wishes and yearningmust form the bedrock ofgovernment’s policies, arguingthat any programme that isdevoid of this is not a goodpolicy.

“In whatever government isdoing, people must come first.Whatever policy governmentwants to introduce must

therefore take into cognisancethe needs of the people.

“Any policy that does notenvisage the needs andyearnings of the people willonly be self-serving.

“This is why ourgovernment’s policies andprogrammes are people-centred,” Aregbesola said.

Aregbesola Launches Smart Identity CardFor Osun WorkersGOVERNOR of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf

Aregbesola, has stated that with the launch of thenew Osun Civil Servant Smart Identity card, the

issue of ghost workers is now completely eradicated.He said the introduction

of the identity card is toensure that nobody takeswhat does not belong to himor her and to ensure a betterlife for the Osun workers andpensioners.

Ogbeni Aregbesolastated this on Tuesday inOsogbo during the officiallaunch of the state of SmartIdentity card and BiometricAutomation, tagged: “I AMALIVE” held at the stateSecretariat in Abere.

He said that thebureaucracy ofadministration which wassupposed to be impersonal,rational and efficientovertime became engulfedwith various problems dueto human errors and as aresult of the present day era.

“When we came onboard, we decided that theICT road was a sensiblepath for us to follow in orderto be able to tackle many ofthe recalcitrant problems ofmaladministration that wemet on ground. We have notbeen disappointed. Indeed,we have largely beenvindicated.

“We have sinceintensified our effort to makeICT an inherent part of ourpublic administrativesystem and the introductionof this new smart electronicidentity card is another

component of that overalleffort”.

He said the smart cardswhich will bring aboutbenefits to all and sundry,including civil servants andthe government would begiven to all workers acrossall Ministries, Departmentsand Agencies, includinglocal government councilworkers.

According to thegovernor: “The smart IDcard is electronicallypersonalised, with biometricfeatures, to each of its users.It will add immense valuesto the functioning ofworkers and will equallyimprove the capacity andcost of administration bygovernment.

“It will help to eliminatemany sources of financialwaste and leakageemployed to deprivegovernment of neededfunds. It helps create anaccurate and reliabledatabase for payrolladministration and salaries’payment.

“For the workers, thebenefits are similarlynumerous. It effectivelyremoves the possibility ofdefrauding any workers ofthe payments due to them.Through this smart cardsystem, the workers gettheir monies paid directly to

their accounts instead ofthrough any intermediarypoints.

“Leave bonuses, forexample, are now tied toeach worker’s birthday andpaid to their accountsautomatically on that day,”he stated.

“For the pensioners, itremoves the stress of goingthrough multipleverifications to get theirpayment and also blocksthe means for cheating themout of their money.

“By clearly identifyingthe living from the dead, thissystem ensures that ghostwill no longer mingle withour workers or have accessto our payroll in Osun. Itkeeps them where theybelong – in the grave. Itstops the dead from comingto steal money from theliving. It makes certain thatonly retirees who are‘ALIVE’ receive payment.This affirms the sense in thisproject’s title: ‘I AMALIVE’”, he stressed.

He stated that before theend of May, every civilservant and pensionerwould have got his or herown smart card whileannouncing that everycitizen of the state will alsoget a similar card that willcontain all their data.

In an address, the stateCommissioner for Finance,Economic Planning andBudget, Dr WaleBolorunduro, described theproject as one of the

laudable achievements ofthe present administration.

He stated that throughthe launching of the smartcards, the governor hasbeen able to achieve whatno government includingthe private sector has beenable to achieve.

“This has neverhappened anywhere in thiscountry whether throughany government or even theprivate sector, this isunprecedented”, thecommissioner stated.

Also speaking, GroupManaging Director, ChamsGroup PLC, who is in chargeof the smart cards, SirDemola Aladeokomo,thanked the governor forgiving the company theopportunity to be a part ofhistory in the state.

Earlier in a welcomeaddress, the ProjectManager, Mr BamboBashorun, declared that theintroduction of the smartcard is aimed at makingthings better for the civilservants in the state.

“There is need to haveaccurate database for everycivil servant, there is needto have a proper means ofidentification that willdignify the civil servant”, hestressed.

In attendance at theprogramme were top civilservants, politicians,members of the stateexecutive council, as well aspopular Nollywood actorsand actresses.

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

Osun NLC PicketsElectricity Company

By KEHINDE AYANTUNJI

THE commercial activities at the Business Unit of IbadanElectricity District Company, Osogbo was grounded tohalt on Monday by the labour union.

The workers are protestingthe casual staff policy of the newelectricity company after theacquisition of the defunct PowerHolding Company of Nigeria(PHCN).

Affiliates and members of theNigeria Labour Congress (NLC)and Trade Union Congress(TUC) in their hundredsstormed the Osogbo businessunit, Station Road, Osogbo andpicketed the office for almosttwo hours.

Before the arrival of theprotesters, the gate of thebusiness unit was under lock andkey with the presence of militarypersonnel.

Around 11.am when theprotesters arrived, they wereunable to gain access, but afterserious pressure, themanagement of the business unitwas forced to open the gate andall the staff were chased way.

Addressing the workers, NLCstate Chairman, Comrade Saka

Adesiyan, said the directive wasfrom the national leadership ofNLC to protest the degradingmanner the new owner ofelectricity company is treatingits staff members.

He said the trick was targetedat exploiting the workers withcheap labour without a jobsecurity which, according to him,was against the principle of fearlabour.

“We are here today to make astatement to the FederalGovernment of Nigeria and thosewho acquired the PHCN thatworkers must not continue to bethe victim of privatization, thenew electricity company areexploiting Nigeria workers.

“We are here to warn them, itis a day of action declared by thenational leadership of the NLC,the picketing is across thecountry today, and if they refuseto listen, a show down iscoming”.

Kidnapping: Jungle JusticeLands 12 In Prison

NO fewer than twelve persons were on Wednesday orderedto be remanded in prison custody by an OsogboMagistrate Court for allegedly participating in the

unlawful killing of three suspected kidnappers in Osogbo.The accused persons,

according to the charge sheet,burnt the three suspectedkidnappers alive at differentlocations in Osogbo.

According to the charge sheetread in court, the suspects andothers at large conspired tocommit the crime between April24 and 26, 2014 in Osogbo.

The accused persons are:Lawal Ismaila (22), AndrewSimeon (27), SurajudeenSulaiman (35), Taye Taiwo (20),Abolaji Mathew (30) andKamorudeen Seidu (25).

Other are: OgundeleOluwatosin (40), OlasunkanmiHammed (20), Sule Yahaya (23),Akande Ibukun (22), AjibolaSamuel (21) and OlanrewajuOlawale (21).

According to the chargesheet, Ismaila, Simeon, Sulaiman,Taiwo, Mathew and Seidu onApril 25 conspired to kill oneSegun Adewale (an allegedkidnapper) by beating andburning him to death alive.

The charge sheet allegedOluwatoyin, Hammed, Ibukun,Samuel and Olawale ofconspiracy and killing of AliuMohammed (another allegedkidnapper) by also beating and

burning him to death on April26, at Dugbe Police Station area,Osogbo.

According to the chargesheet, Yahaya and other suspectsat large, also killed one SeunGbenga, who was suspected tobe a kidnapper by beating andsetting fire on him alive.

The actions of the accusedpersons were contrary to Section316 and punishable underSection 391(1) of the CriminalCode, Cap 34 Vol.11, Laws ofOsun 2003.

However, the pleas of theaccused persons were not takenbecause of the capital nature oftheir offence.

Chief Magistrate LasisiMuhammad, who presided overthe case, ordered that the accusedpersons be remanded in prisoncustody.

Muhammed directed thepolice prosecutor, PromiseAkanwa, a DeputySuperintendent of Police, toforward the case file to theDirectorate of PublicProsecution, Ministry of Justice,Osogbo, for legal advice.

The case was adjourned toJune 11 for mention.

We, Moremi PublishingHouse Limited, Publishersof Osun DefenderNewspaper, do not demandor accept gifts orgratification to publisharticles or photographs,neither do our journalists.Therefore, we implore you

not to offer any to ourreporters. In the event thatany journalist from ourestablishment demandssuch, kindly incident thereport atosundefender@yahoo.comor 08033927286 and08033880205.

ETHICAL ISSUES?

5OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 2014 News

Omisore’ Malevolent Politics (1)why Iyi Omisore is sodisorientated. He cannotsay that Aregbesola has notperformed. That would beridiculous for the empiricalevidence abounds. It isthere for all to see. As clearas daylight.

In addition, Omisore lacksthe diligence, the intellectualpreparation as well as theseriousness of intent to puttogether an alternativeprogramme. His recentperfunctory attempt tosubmit a “manifesto” to thepress was not surprisinglysimply laughed out ofcourt.

With the people of the stateof Osun indifferent to hisgovernorship ambition,Omisore is now in aquandary. With aperforming governor inplace and no inspiringalternative programme inplace. What does he donext?

There are no prizes forguessing what he will donext. Omisore will simplyslip back into what for himcomes natural. What comesnatural for the discreditedformer Senator is obvious.This is the politics of bloodand thunder. The politics ofmalevolence and of violence.

Omisore’s right hand manand enforcer is now incharge of the policingsystem. This has nothappened by accident. It isall part of a grand scheme.The scheme is centeredonthe militarization of politics.This is the use of intimidationand fear to cower and coercethe populace. It translatesinto if you can’t win theirhearts get nasty with them.

We are already seeing this inplace elsewhere. Forexample, the minister of statefor Defense, MusiliuObanikoro has also beenmalevolently throwing hisweight around. They are allthrowing their weight around.They are all the same. Peas

from the same pod. They donot throw their weight aroundto develop their people. Farfrom it. The idea is to browbeat the people intosubmission.

Instead of producing adevelopmental agenda, theywant to destroy. Fortunately, itis not going to work this timearound. In the course of theAregebesola administration,the state of Osun haswitnessed profound andirreversible changes. Thepeople have witnessed thedifference between reactionaryinterlopers and a progressivealternative perspective.

On his part, Aregbesola has touse the words of St. Francisof Assisi brought harmonywhere there was once discord.The end of discord hasresulted in profounddevelopment strides. Schoolshave been refurbished. Roadshave been constructed. Jobshave been created. A brightfuture beckons for the peoplewith hope renewed.

All of this must befrustrating for thegovernorship wannabe IyiolaOmisore. Nevertheless, hisfrustration should not leadhim to rekindle the politicsof malevolence. For noamount of control of thesecurity forces onOmisore’s part is going tothreaten the populace.

The profound gains thathave been made in the pastthree years across all sectorswill be resolutely defended.The people are aware thatthere is no alternative. Theydo not want to go back to adismal and unedifying past.They will do everything toprotect the gains made in theinterest of their children aswell as generations yetunborn.

The sooner Iyi Omisore andhis sidekicks realize this, thebetter. In the state of Osun,the people have drunk fromthe well of liberty andprogress. They are thereforeresolute as they say NO! toOmisore’s malevolentpolitics!

OSUN DEFENDERPublisher – Moremi Publishing

House Ltd.

Managing Editor – Kola Olabisi(0803-392-7286)

Editor – Kayode Agbaje (0803-388-0205)

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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing HouseLimited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust BankGTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.All correspondence to the above mail address.ISSN: 0794-8050Telephone: 0803-392-7286, 08033880205Website: www.osundefender.com/index.phpe-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com

Continued from pg1

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 20146 FEATURE

Osun’s ‘Road’ To Economic RecoveryThe government of

the state of Osun saysit is building multichannel roads, whichit believes willstimulate economicprosperity. SeunAkioye looks at howthe road projects haveaffected the commonJoe.IT was not a political rally. Not yet. It was a

different kind of rally, one that the supporterscalled ‘the peoples’ rally. At about 3:00pm on

April 15, 2014, Governor Rauf Aregbesola rodeinto the city of Ilesa in an open roof white SportUtility Vehicle (SUV) and a convoy of about sixvehicles. He was dressed in a white lace that fittedhis modest frame and a blue cap, sat proudly on hishead; a dark sunshade protected his eyes from theblinding rays of the sun. Immediately, a crowdgathered and as the convoy progressed into theheart of the city, thousands of enthusiasticsupporters joined in forcing it to move at a snail’space.

The governor waved at the people, sometimesgave the victory sign and danced to theimpromptu music of the Okada riders and othersupporters, who ran alongside his motorcade. Hebonded with the people who felt they couldhonestly lay claim to him as one of their own.

In the last one year, Aregbesola’sadministration has built 29.71 kilometres of roadsround Ilesa. The new roads are on 15 streets. It islike a ring road connecting different sections ofthe city, so that if one began from one end, onecould end up at the same spot going round the city.That was what Aregbesola did when he rode intotown to open the roads. He spent over one hourinspecting all 15 roads and ended up at the IbalaRoad Community Primary School, venue of theceremony, where several thousands of people werealready waiting. Time was 4:30pm.

Aregbesola said his overriding ambition is toregain Osun’s place as the economic hub of theSouthwest, outside of Lagos and because the stateis bordered by five states of the Southwest and theNorth central, it serves as a veritable alternativeto Lagos in trade and investments. So, thegovernor thought of linking the state with therailway and constructing standardised access roadsinto the state. The road construction too wouldserve as internal economic stimulus for the state.

So, almost four years into this plan, how hasthe state managed to achieve its objectives?

“We just want the roads fixed”Government agencies said that the

construction of 15 roads in Ilesa wasunprecedented in the history of the state.Instructively, many of the residents shared thissentiment. At the ceremony to mark thecommissioning of the roads, about 15 traditionalrulers, both within the state and outside, graced theoccasion. Speaking for the royal fathers, the OwaObokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Arom-olaransaid, the administration of Governor Aregbesolahas made the biggest developmental impacts inthe state. He mentioned the constructed roads asbeing unprecedented and threw in a clincher. “Ican even say it was during your administrationthat I gave birth to twins,” he told the governor.

But, it wasn’t only the royal fathers thatappreciated the benefits of the new roads in Ilesa,the people do too. Mary Oyeleye, a resident ofOmo-Olupe Street, Bonnke area, just opened anew business where she sells food items. About ayear ago, this had been impossible to accomplishand the reasons are not far-fetched.

“We have really suffered in this Olupe Street.Before the road was constructed, this whole areawas flood and muds especially the Bonnke area.There was a river there and only Okada could passthrough this area, when you get to Bonnke, thenyou have to roll up your dress and wade throughthe mud and river. There were houses that havebeen submerged in the river too. This place was anightmare,” she said.

The bad condition of the road also had itsnegative economic impact. Being a major linkroad to several towns including Ijebu-Ijesa, Osogboand Akure, the road had been completely desertedby all commercial interests, shops closed down andresidents began to move out of the area.

About a year ago, work began on the road andwhen the construction was completed the areatook on a new image. Apart from the standardconstruction, Omo-Olupe Street has opened forbusiness. “We built these stores last Decemberbecause the road is now passable. Also, all thecommercial buses are now using this road, so itmakes it busy. We are grateful to the governor fordoing this; he has totally changed our lives,”Oyeleye said.

Omo-Olupe is not the only street opened for

business, the whole of Ilesa is. From one street tothe other, residents spoke of years of decay andneglect but which has been reversed by theconstruction or rehabilitation of the roads. Omi-Eran road for instance, according to some of theengineers from Ratcon Construction company –the company responsible for the construction ofthe roads – was a terrible specimen of a townshiproad.

At the ceremony to commission the roads, theresidents discussed the impacts of the newdevelopments in the city. They were not the onlyones to marvel in wonder, the governor did too.“As we drove round the roads today with thepeople, I was just wondering about what God cando. I was thinking to myself that to have 29kilometers of roads round Ilesa, this is the firsttime in the history of this state. I was justthanking God,” the governor said. His eyes dilatingwith excitement and his voice rising in a sing-song. The crowd caught the bug of his excitementand somebody raised a song loosely translated tothanking God for a new era.

The excitement about the new roads, however,transcends Ilesa, in Osogbo, where severaltownship and inter-city road constructions havebeen done and still ongoing, the physical outlookof the city has changed, probably forever. InOsogbo, the philosophy behind the roadconstructions remains the same; that is, openingup economic opportunities for many of theresidents of the state, from the bottom upapproach.

Mercy land area, a large residential and businesssettlement in Osogbo, with thousands of residentsnow wears a new look. It is one of the severalOsogbo township roads constructed over fourmonths ago, which linked several neighbourh-oods. In Mercy land area, which conveniently sitson a small hill, there are about 10 newlyconstructed roads, linking one street with anotherup and down the hill.

Kayode Oyediran has operated his tie and dyebusiness from Omonike crescent for five yearsnow but according to him it was only this yearthat any meaningful improvement has occurred inthe area. “Because the whole of Mercy land areawas in a terrible shape, you find that peoplecannot move as freely as they want. Theconsequence of that is business concerns wereaffected. It was only those who had Okada thatcould work here,” he said.

But things have changed for his business. Because of the newly constructed roads in theneighbourhood he could easily move his rawmaterials into site and also his finished goods outof his business premises. “I think on the issues ofroad construction, I will give the governor a passmark. This is not the only road he has done, ifyou go across Osogbo, there are so many innerroads like this that have been done. Osogbo hasreally changed,” Oyediran enthused.

The residents of Oke-Arugbo’s 12 zonesneighbourhood also believe their newlyconstructed roads will facilitate businessdevelopment in the area and boost real estate.

According to Chief Titus Osobu, the chairmanof the All Progressives Congress (APC),Atakumosa West, in Ilesa, but who owns a housein Oke-Arugbo zone 2, the development in thearea has been unprecedented. “I came here about20-years ago but this type of development hasbeen unprecedented. There were times we hadgiven up, but today, we thank GovernorAregbesola for doing this road for us.

“We never expected our road will be fixed in10 years, this governor has really tried and wereally appreciate him for that. Tell him we aregrateful recipients of all that he is doing,” TitilayoAdetoun, a resident of zone 3, who followed theprofession of tailoring said.

Though the construction of roads in Oke-Arugbo still has about four zones to be completed,the revolution was already catching on in all thezones. “Zone 8, where I live is yet to beconstructed, but we can drive on good roads up tothis point. We are certain the government mustcomplete all the remaining roads to have acomplete development,” Mrs. Adebola Adeseyesaid.

Outside the township roads in Osogbo, thereare major inter–city construction beingundertaken by the Aregbesola administration. Oneof the major road constructions embarked upon isthe famous Oba Adesoji Aderemi bypass.

The story behind this massive 17.5 kilometerroad within Osogbo metropolis is as interesting asthe construction itself. According to governmentofficials, the aim of the road is to complete theRing road round Osogbo.

Sabitu Amuda, an engineer and Special Adviserto the Governor on Works is the man in charge ofthe various road constructions. The Oba Adesojibypass is one of the projects that give him someof the most pleasure and when he talks about it, itshows.

“It’s a roundabout that connects Iwo road andthe West by-pass. It ended there before, but wenow want to complete the loop, we want to finishthe ring. It starts from Iwo road roundabout andgoes the whole of 17.5 kilometers to link back tothe roundabout at Ikirun road, so that you have acomplete Ring road round Osogbo,” he said.

Going through the length of the on-goingconstruction is instructive about the determinationof the government to bring massive developmentto that part of the city. A Turkish constructioncompany, Slava-Yeditepe had the task of boringthrough rocks and wading through rivers toconstruct the new bypass. From Iwo roundabout toChannel 0, work according to government is about40 per cent completed.

When The Nation visited the site, workerswere seen engaged in the road work. Betweenchannels 0-4, new bridges were springing up overrailways and dual carriage ways took the place ofdeep forests. At Abere junction, a flyover wouldpass over it to link the road with Oke-Ijetu/Ilesagarage. According to Edwin, one of the siteengineers, the flyover will have four loops andramps to divert traffic. When completed, it will bethe first flyover in Osogbo. The engineer also saidthe road being constructed is of the higheststandards using 30cm stone base. Another sourceinside Slava-Yeditepe also said the roads are beingconstructed to last 40 years.

Even though, many houses were demolished inmany neighbour-hoods, the people continue tolook ahead to the economic prosperity it willbring. They don’t have to wait for long as theroad has been throwing up business anddevelopmental opportunities.

“I give this road two years and you will see abusiness district here, you just need to picture theroad the whole stretch and you can imagine theendless possibilities for business development,”Edwin said.

Alhaji Moruf Adenekan, who lives aroundTesting Ground area, corroborated this view:“Everywhere on this road people are buying up

land. I know the land is appreciating now; peopleare buying up to build shopping malls and otherthings. If you have the money, it is a good businessdeal to buy land here even for resale later on.”

The economic benefits are not lost on OladeleAkindele, who owns a business on Oke-Ijetu too.“Well, there are many houses that weredemolished, I don’t know if they had beencompensated because mine was not demolished,but this road will bring development to this area,that is for sure,” he said.

Another road generating interestingpermutation is the Oshogbo-Ikirun road, whichbegan from the old garage and terminated at Ila-Odo /Kwara state border. It is being handled by awholly indigenous construction company, SammyaConstructions. The former single carriage way hasbeen made into a dual carriage way, completedwith drainage one meter deep and wide.Construction too is almost at 40 percentcompletion. Businesses that were disrupted beforehave reopened. One of them is Best OyinAluminium Company. “During the construction,we had to cope with a lot of things, but now we arevery happy because business here has improved,”says Yessuf Dada, one of the workers.

But the progress did not come easy. From theold garage to Aiyetoro, many buildings had to giveway. Despite this, however, Moruf Adeyemi, atraffic warden says his job has been made easierwith the new road.

One of the greatest beneficiaries, Elder OlalereIsaiah, a steel worker at the Kobo area said: “Wehave not seen this kind of governor before inOsun, this area was the home of flood, when itrained, we experienced massive flood. But with thedrainage, this place is dry and our business hasimproved.”

Engineers at Sammya said, there were variousimpediments which necessitated an extension ofthe time needed to finish the job. “We had to dealwith the telecommunications and power cables.We have written to them to move them and evenelectricity poles have to be moved, all these taketime, that is why we have to request for a littleextension to finish,” a source said.

The Gbogan/Akoda/Ede expressway is anothermassive inter-city road network being constructedby the government. According to Amuda, thethinking behind this road is to facilitate themovement of goods into the state. “We want asituation where coming from Lagos, you cancontinue with the same dual carriage way intoOsogbo. We already have mapped out how thiswill benefit commercial activities, that is why weare into all these road constructions,” he said.

But the people begged for more. Olaleye fromOmo-Olupe Street, Ilesa said the residents stillneed a speed breaker on the road to prevent futureaccidents. Dada also wants a speed breaker on theIkirun road while Isaiah wants the government tocomplete the inner roads around the Kobo area.

At the Ikirun Thursday market, sellers mingledwith buyers even as they watched the tractorsmove into town and a part of the marketdisappeared to pave the way for the new road.“It’s our market but the government is trying tobring improvement to the state so we are happyeven if a part of the market is going,” arepresentative of the market leader told TheNation.

Culled from The Nation

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), commissioning the completed 21 roads in Osogbo. With him; hisdeputy, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti(left) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), RATCON Construction Company, Mr Elias Zaad (2nd right), during the occasion whenthe governor commissioned the completed roads in Osogbo few days ago.

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 2014 7PHOTOTALK

•(L-R) Wife of Osun Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, Rural development and Community Affairs, Mr Kunle Ige;Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Deputy Governor, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam and other dignitaries on theoccasion.

Official Launching Of Osun/Grooming Assisted Women EmpowermentProgramme And Distribution Of 600 Million Naira Loan To 18,000 BeneficiariesAt Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Wednesday.

Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.

•A cross section of Aregbesola’s admirers during the official launching of Osun/Grooming Assisted Women Empowerment Programme and Distribution of N600MillionMicro Credit to 18,000 women beneficiaries, held at Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun, on Tuesday.

8 OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 29, 2014PHOTOTALK

•The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), the deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori (left) and the Guest Lecturer, Governor RotimiAmaechi (right) on the occasion.

Faces At The Second UNIOSUN Convocation At The Campus Main Auditorium Photo: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM

•Pro-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Gabriel Adesiyan and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adekunle Bashiru, at the programme.

•A cross section of the State of Osun Executive Council members present at the event.

9OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 29, 2014 PHOTOTALK

•Governor Rauf Aregbesola delivering his address to the audience on the occasion.

•Governor Rotimi Amaechi answering questions from newsmen on the occasion.

Faces At The Second UNIOSUN Convocation At The Campus Main Auditorium Photo: JESUDOYIN ABRAHAM

•A cross section of students at the event.

10 OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 2014 PHOTOTALK

•(L-R) Governor Rauf Aregbesola; State Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Francis Adetunji; State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), ComradeSaka Adesiyan and State Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Comrade Bayo Adejumo, during the programme.

•Governor Aregbesola (right) and his deputy, Otunba (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right), acknowledging cheers from the workers in the state, during the Joint NLC/TUC2014 May Day celebration in Osogbo, State of Osun, last Thursday.

Senior Staff Association of University, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes And Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAL) on the match past, while Governor Aregbesolatakes a salute during the workers’ day celebration at Government Technical College, Osogbo, State of Osun, last Thursday.

State Of Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Celebrated 2014 May Day AtGovernment Technical College, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Thursday.

11 OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 2014FEATURE

Unearthening The Many Atrocities Of Mr. Segun AkinwusiTHE position of Head of Service (HOS)

is certainly an exalted position in public service (either at Federal or state

level), a position that personifies diligence,maturity and resourcefulness. So to startacknowledging the person of Mr. SegunAkinwusi, the erstwhile Head of Service of theState of Osun, should not be seen as flatteryor sheer indulgence. His virtue for rising tothat pinnacle in his public service careerindeed deserves accolade.

That Mr. Segun Akinwusi who servedunder the Oyinlola-led PDP administration inthe state, was also given the opportunityunder the administration of Ogbeni RaufAregbesola however, should rather be seen asa demonstration of “unparalleled maturity inthe political landscape” of Ogbeni Aregbesolaand not to be interpreted that Mr. Akinwusi’smanner of administration is atypical.

It beats one’s imagination that unbridledutterances, particularly about public serviceand governance can be linked to somebody ofMr. Akinwusi status. The usual hues and criesabout the state of Osun finances, alwayscredited to Mr. Akinwusi in defiant pursuanceof his political agenda in the state isworrisome and needs to be addressed for thepurpose of enlightening the good citizens ofthe state. The usual claim of Akinwusi that thestate has borrowed about N350billion sinceNovember 2010 is not different from theopposition party’s usual false alarm, and in away indicates who Mr. Akinwusi’s principalis. To start with, how would the “greatadministrator” absolve himself from thedecision to borrow such colossal amount,afterall, he was a principal officer, andcertainly, an executive member of the stateduring the referenced period. Though it couldbe recalled that Mr. Akinwusi at a particulartime in 2012 made fruitless efforts to defendhis numerous roles in the N18.3billion loanthat Prince Oyinlola-led PDP administrationirresponsibly took from a commercial bank atthe wee hour of the administration. The WhitePaper report of the panel of enquiry is beingawaited and the moral burden is still hangingon his neck.

It should also be noted that by virtue of hisoffice, Akinwusi was a member of the state’sFunds Allocation Committee (FAC). This is acommittee that appropriates the state’srevenue on monthly basis. Even if his lameexcuse for not being part of the decision thatled to the irresponsible loan is tenable, he isyet to absolve himself as a member of thestate’s FAC that took the decision on theutilisation of the loan, a short term loan thatwas sourced for long term and poorly-prioritised social projects. The ex-HOS amsure, in his characteristic manner of “goingaway” with classified documents of govern-ment may still be keeping the state’s FAC filesfor blackmail and other mischievous purposes.Someone needs to remind Mr. Akinwusi thatunder the public service codes, such docu-ments are classified documents of the govern-ment and should remain so. The state willdefinitely seek legal redress, if such gover-nance codes are broken.

Perhaps, a quick peep into Mr. Akinwusi’sscorecards while in office will help us knowthe type of administrator he was. For in-stance, while other neighbouring states in thecountry embrace modern day working toolsand skills as may be credited to their Heads ofService sense of responsibility, Mr. Akinwusicould not deny that he was a member of thestate’s executive council that could not trainits civil servants for almost a decade that thestate was under their hostage. It is appallingthat Osun civil servants were still happy usingtypewriters and other archaic office tools inthis modern day until Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesolacame in. His agitation and vehement objectionto the current administration’s decision tosend some school principals and doctors fortraining abroad further confirmed his love andpassion for his subjects (the civil servants thathe headed).

Mr. Akinwusi, no doubt, had a chummyrelationship with the state’s labour unionleadership. This, he however, used for clan-destine purpose and a weapon of holding hismaster hostage. Mr. Akinwusi never used suchto promote relativity salary structure thatwould have kept Osun civil servants at parwith their counterparts across the country.Despite the fact that the relativity law orscheme was from his PDP-led administrationat the centre, it was Ogbeni Aregbesola thatcame to implement the scheme in Osun. Thisis in addition to the much-celebrated minimumwage law that the current administrationimplemented in the state.

How would the pensioners and retirees feelto know that Mr. Akinwusi and his “kitchencabinet” held on to the state’s pension funds

as their pot of gold, of course, at the detrimentof the poor retirees and pensioners? Does itreally matter?. While the pension reform lawof 2004, promulgated by the FederalGovernment was replicated in the state in2008, it was not implemented in Osun until2010. This failure caused a lot ofadministrative bottlenecks and severe financialchallenges on the current administration as nofinancial provision for same was made by theimmediate past administration.

It is interesting to note that while Mr.Akinwusi failed to administer the pensionscheme properly, he gave mandate to thePension Fund Administrators (PFAs) thatwere his cronies and friends to handle themonthly deductions (in the name of contribu-tory pension funding) from the employeesmonthly salary. Unfortunately, the monthlydeductions were never remitted to the RetireeSavings Accounts (RSA) of the contributors orthe Central Bank of Nigeria, that is supposedto be lock-box of redemption fund. Rather, thefunds were warehoused in commercial banksfor his selfish interest. Thus building up hugepension liabilities for the government anddenying the workers returns on their pensionsavings. It is on record that an average of overN6 billion pension fund of the state’s employ-ees was cleverly been sat upon by Akinwusiduring his time with the support of hisbankers crony. The accumulated interest onthe huge pension funds certainly forms part ofAkinwusi’s kitty on which he relies for hispolitical ambition. He will definitely waste thefunds and contribute to rent economy. Let thepeople of Osun go and collect their moniesfrom Akinwusi.

In the same manner, the redemption por-tion that was meant to be transferred to theCentral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was nevertransferred until the current administrationstepped in. It is on record that the pastadministration under which Akinwusi servedas the Head of Service accumulated hugepension liabilities, one of which was 142 percent increase in pension (as initiated by the

Federal government), amounting to N4 billion.In his crafty way of deception for selfishmotives, Mr. Akinwusi was at a time advisingthe current administration not to pay theaccumulated pension liability on the 142 percent pension increase to the innocent pension-ers.

The governor, however due to his charac-teristic passion and love for the good citizensof the state, has paid up to N1billion from the142 per cent pension increase arrears inheritedfrom Akinwusi’s administration.

It is more pathetic to discover that the“great administrator” could not even maintaina digitised data base of the state’s pensionersand their accumulated benefits. The archiveand manner of record keeping of the state’spensioners, as recently discovered in a recentexercise conducted to create a verifiabledatabase for the state pensioners was indeedterrible.

The above revelations, members of publicshould note, are just snapshots into the great

administrator’s score card while in office asthe Head of Service of State of Osun, and, ofcourse, should be enough to assess how goodElder Akinwusi was as an administrator andHead of Service per excellence that he thinkshe is.

Members of the Unity Party of Nigeria(UPN) must be very lucky to have Mr.Akinwusi as one of their pillars and hope!.What should be expected from a party beingled by an administrator “per excellence” likeMr. Akinwusi is obvious.

•Bolorunduro, PhD, is the HonourableCommissioner for Finance, State of Osun.

•Faces of frustrated pensioners in Osun under Akinwusi’s administration.

By WALE BOLORUNDURO

•Debris of pensioners’ files under Akinwusi as the Head ofService in Osun.

•Whose pensioner’s record is this?

OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, May 3, 201412

AUDACIOUSEXPLOIT

withMURTALA AGBOOLA

TEL: 0806-119-7897E-mail: murtalamuag@yahoo.com

Black Gold As Our Albatross

I have always been bothered bythe paradox of Nigeria. Thiscountry is very rich, albeit,

some say, potentially, but a vastmajority of the people live inpenury. This country is so blessedwith both human and materialresources, yet, majority findsolace either in working outsidethe country or even do menialjobs outside the shores. Infairness to those who choose totake that course, materially, theymay be well off, but the negativeeffect of being treated as outcastoverride whatever they gainmaterially. The hardliners whoprefer to go out at all cost, TheAndrews, believe that besides themonetary benefits, things arewell organized and take propershape in Europe or the UnitedStates of America (USA) whichthey migrate to.

For the younger generation,Andrew was a cast in an advertjingle being dissuaded fromtravelling abroad at all cost. Theadvert done during the regime ofMajor-General MuhammaduBuhari was meant to encourageyoung Nigerians to stay and findtheir level in the economy.

As a young graduate in the mid-80’s, I was also hell bent ontravelling at all cost, believingthat Europe or the U.S held betterprospects for me than what wasavailable here. In the course ofmy pursuit to travel, I met a manwho, by our discussion, I got toknow is widely travelled. Heenquired from me whatspecifically was I going to dothere that I think would fetch methe money to make me live acomfortable live.

He sat me down and gave me alecture that most young peoplehave a wrong notion about lifeover there. That Nigeria is wellblessed with abundant mineralresources, some of which are yetto be tapped. Besides, our land isarable and that all yearagricultural activities can takeplace. This simple means thatwith proper farming, maize,tomato, pepper can be consumedevery time of the year. Inaddition, do I know that in someof these countries our peoplemigrate to, the weather is soharsh that at certain times of theyear, they keep in doors most ofthe time? Their land is not as richas ours, which means they importfood from other countries. Triedas the man did, I was notcompletely convinced but afterdiscussing with other people whohad travelled, I got to know thatthe man was being sincere.Things were properly done andwell organized over there. Thecitizens obey traffic regulationsand do other obligations expectedof them. Our top shots whilethere, obey all regulationsbecause the law is no respecterof any person. When they comeback home, they become

different people entirely.The little resources they earn is

put to judicious and proper usesuch that even the jobless feel theessence of government. The gapbetween the haves and the have-nots is not so wide. The flauntingof excess wealth in the midst ofpoverty-stricken fellowcountrymen does not happen.

Foundations are established byrich or wealthy individuals whohave excess to help the less-privileged. In majority of caseshere, we have primitiveaccumulation of capital wherepeople, through dubious orfraudulent means, corner whatought to be the benefit of all. Interms of population, size,resources, Britain is not up to aquarter – the size of Nigeria, yetwhen we “check out” we end upthere. Britain colonized Nigeriabut the same colonial powerssubjugated Indians during theexpansionist tendencies ofEurope. India today is the homeof computer sets, its accessories

and other telecommunicationgadgets.

Why is it that we have refusedto develop? The irony is eventhat, before the advent ofpetroleum, our resources werebetter managed in the interest ofthe people. With quantum leap inour national revenue, came theproblem of graft,mismanagement and crime.

What can we do to saveourselves? Some people haveadvocated revolution. Others havetalked about national conference.Revolution may not be totallyruled out because even the personwho initiated the first revolutionin the former Russia, VladimirLenin, said, revolution may nottake place in his life time. Tosome Nigerians, our situation isso acute that only revolution cansolve it. Much as they may beright, if we are not careful, weend up in the hands of a tiny fewwho are power mongers. Peopleeasily refer to what Flt Lt JerryJohn Rawlings did in Ghana

where he eliminated threeprevious military Heads of State.Whether that would solve theproblem or not is a mereconjecture.

The National Conference wasconvoked recently by PresidentGoodluck Jonathan. Feelers fromthe conference which is yet toend its assignment is notfavourable enough. Rigidpositions are being taken. Onresource control, while a sectionof the country believes that thederivation principle should bewhittled down seriously, othersthink the principle is helpful.Even if the principle would not beincreased, it should bemaintained and a gradual phaseoff method adopted. Theargument that the investment inthe petroleum sector is from ourcommonwealth and so we shouldall benefit from it is sound, butshould we because of that, refrainfrom developing otherresources?

Can we depend on thepetroleum resources till eternity?This is the time to think ofjudicious utilization of resourcesfrom petroleum sector wisely sothat we can have something to fallback on. In the Second Republic,our national revenue was sourcedfrom agriculture. Today, it is oil,tomorrow, what would it be?

Our over-reliance of petroleumhas become more of a problemthan a blessing. If there is no oil,will the country grind to a halt?Certainly NOT. It is my view thateach of the six geo-politicalzones should, with the assistanceof the Federal Government,identify the untapped naturalresources in the area which theFederal Government shouldinvest in to tap.

It is high time we dependedless on oil and focus on otherhigh employment generatingareas like agriculture andconstruction. Petroleum iscapital-intensive industry fromwhich high revenue can begenerated but less employmentopportunities compared toagriculture.

I have my doubt and reservationabout the success of the nationalconference but I keep it close tomy chest.

It is instructive that we act fastto ensure that we are not leftbehind. Nigeria is a beacon ofhope not only to Africa but theblack race. God has endowed uswith abundant and avalanche ofresources but good andresponsive leadership we lack.The 2015 general elections arefast approaching, what do we doto right the past wrongs? Weshould vote for responsibleleadership and stop bemoaningour fate.

•President GOODLUCK JONATHAN

13 OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 29, 2014IN RETROSPECT

A Memorable Quote From A PDPAspirant In The State Of Osun

“Recently, Chief Bola Ige cameon radio here (Osogbo the state

capital), to insult me and myfamily. THAT IS THE LAST

TIME HE WOULDINSULT ME. He was

beaten yesterday. The people ofIle-Ife beat him up and he wascrying like a baby, as they re-

moved his cap and glasses. If ithad been at a

political gathering, he will bedead by now..... In fact, what thepeople wanted to do was morethan removing his glasses and

cap....” -IYIOLA OMISORE.

•Culled from Vanguard Newspaper.

PDP Under Illusion ToTake Over Osun —Aregbesola

Osun State governor, Mr RaufAregbesola, on Tuesday, in Osogbo,said the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the state was living underillusion over its ambition to takeover the state in the August 9 gov-ernorship election. He said the party,which held sway for seven and a halfyears before his administrationcame on board, failed to addresssocio-economic and educationalsector challenges in the state, thusaggravating the woes of the citi-zenry.

Speaking at a two-day economicsummit for stakeholders in the state,tagged “Crux of economic develop-mental master plan,” Aregbesola ar-gued that “charlatans cannot hideunder any figure to masqueradetheir worth and value,” stressingthat the PDP must be day-dreamingto win or record any victory in theforthcoming poll.

According to him, “they are therefor seven and a half years and failedwoefully. Even the best among themwas driven out or removed. A singleman declared that he is richer thanthe state and to him, that is the pass-port to the seat of power. It is aninsult. Where did he get themoney?”

In a swift reaction, the publicitysecretary of the PDP in the state, MrBola Ajao, in a text message to theNigerian Tribune, affirmed that “ifAregbesola does not know, he mustbe told in practical terms that histime is up in Osun. It is the turn ofSenator Iyiola Omisore to come tothe much-needed rescue.”

“Osun voting public are very en-lightened and sophisticated. Noamount of rabble-rousing bragga-docio can save Aregbesola from theimminent defeat awaiting him at thepoll. You cannot stop a movingtrain. Omisore as governor of OsunState is a God’s own project whosetime is now,” he further stated.

PDP Under IllusionTo Take Over Osun—Aregbesola

However, while defending the dropin the state’s rating from 14th posi-tion to 23rd in the latest West Afri-can School Senior Certificate Ex-amination (WASSCE), Aregbesolamaintained that the development wasthe aftermath of sheer neglect andabandonment suffered by the educa-tional sector under the PDP govern-ment, saying that “any student in thestate who fails in subsequent ex-amination must examine him orherself.”

Omisore

Osun State governor, MrRauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday,in Osogbo, said the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) inthe state was living under il-lusion over its ambition totake over the state in the Au-gust 9 governorship election.He said the party, which heldsway for seven and a halfyears before his administra-tion came on board, failed toaddress socio-economic andeducational sector challengesin the state, thus aggravatingthe woes of the citizenry.

Speaking at a two-day economicsummit for stakeholders in thestate, tagged “Crux of economicdevelopmental master plan,”Aregbesola argued that “charla-tans cannot hide under any fig-ure to masquerade their worthand value,” stressing that thePDP must be day-dreaming towin or record any victory in theforthcoming poll.

According to him, “they arethere for seven and a half yearsand failed woefully. Even the bestamong them was driven out orremoved. A single man declaredthat he is richer than the state andto him, that is the passport to theseat of power. It is an insult.Where did he get the money?”

In a swift reaction, the public-ity secretary of the PDP in thestate, Mr Bola Ajao, in a text mes-sage to the Nigerian Tribune, af-firmed that “if Aregbesola doesnot know, he must be told in prac-tical terms that his time is up inOsun. It is the turn of SenatorIyiola Omisore to come to themuch-needed rescue.”

“Osun voting public are veryenlightened and sophisticated.No amount of rabble-rousingbraggadocio can save Aregbesolafrom the imminent defeat await-ing him at the poll. You cannotstop a moving train. Omisore asgovernor of Osun State is a God’sown project whose time is now,”he further stated.

However, while defending thedrop in the state’s rating from14th position to 23rd in the latestWest African School Senior Cer-tificate Examination (WASSCE),Aregbesola maintained that thedevelopment was the aftermath ofsheer neglect and abandonmentsuffered by the educational sec-tor under the PDP government,saying that “any student in thestate who fails in subsequent ex-amination must examine him orherself.”

14

15 OSUN DEFENDER Saturday, March 29, 2014

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2014

www.osundefender.org THE 6TH MOST-VISITED NEWSPAPER WEBSITE IN NIGERIA

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondenceto the Managing Editor, KOLA OLABISI, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail: osundefender@yahoo.com,kayodeagbaje@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org.

Abducted SchoolGirls: ‘Your Com-ment Is Absurd &Insensitive’ – APCTells Chikwe

The All Progressives Congresshas said it is stupefied by the com-ments credited to PDP NationalWomen Leader, Kema Chikwe, inwhich she expressed doubts aboutthe abduction of over 200 school-girls from Chibok in Borno State,saying by the comments, MrsChikwe has simply crossed theline and plumbed the depths of ab-surdity and insensitivity.

In a statement issued in Lagoson Thursday by its Interim Na-tional Publicity Secretary, AlhajiLai Mohammed, the party ex-pressed concern that such an in-sensitive statement could bemade by a woman, a mother, agrandmother and a top official ofthe ruling PDP over an issue thatis undoubtedly the worst tragedyand biggest embarrassment to Ni-geria.

It said the comments raised evenmore concern because of the po-sition in the ruling party of Mrs.Chikwe, wondering if her irre-sponsible statement representedthe closet opinion of the rulingparty or the unstated stand of thepresidency – in which case it willexplain the FG’s dawdling ap-proach to the rescue of the girls.

”It has been said that politicsshould not be brought into issuesof national security. But how cananyone keep quiet in the face ofthis glaring assault on the sensi-tivity of a whole nation by a sup-posed leader of the ruling party?Who indeed is attempting topoliticise a national tragedy, un-doubtedly the worst in the historyof our nation, if not the PDP?

I

”Does this explain why the Presi-dent and Commander-in-Chief ofthe Armed Forces has not deemed itfit to make a national broadcast toassure a dumbstruck nation that heis indeed in charge, to give hope tothe shell-shocked parents of the girlsand to inspire the military, threeweeks after this unprecedented na-tional tragedy? Is this why the Presi-dent and Commander-in-Chief hasyet to visit Chibok?

”If security concerns are respon-sible for the President’s failure tovisit Chibok, how is it possible forGov. Kashim Shettima of BornoState to have visited the school,even in defiance of intelligence re-ports?

If the military cannot makeChibok safe for its Commander-in-Chief to visit, who in that townis safe? We submit that no part ofthis country should be out ofbounds to the President and Com-mander-in-Chief. No where inwhich our military men andwomen are deployed should beout of bounds to our President andCommander-in-Chief,” it said.

t wondered whether the haplessparents who have, despite the risksto their own lives, taken to theSambisa Forest in search of theirchildren could have gone there ona picnic, if anyone would still beraising doubts that their childrenwere indeed abducted.

”A fringe group first mooted thisidea of the abduction not beingreal and was ignored. But nowthat it has been raised to the levelof a party’s stand, it is time for allNigerians to speak out and con-demn this absurdity. Is Chikwesaying that the military that hasbeen working round the clock torescue the girls is only play act-ing? Is she also saying that thePresident who called an expandedNational Security Council meet-ing on the issue is only horsingaround? Enough of this absurdity.

”We urged our patriotic soldiersand indeed all concerned to ensurethat these innocent girls are re-turned home safely to their par-ents. We commend all the groupsthat have staged public protests toforce the authorities to act fasteron this issue for their efforts. Wesay all hands must be on deck toend this national nightmare assoon as possible,” it said. Womenwept over the abduction of thegirls

L

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