Fatai Diekola: When the blackmailer misses his mark. By Tunji Awojide

"The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways."
- Deuteronomy 28:7

Aregbesola

I would have refrained from joining issues with Fatai Diekola Oyedele for three main reasons. First, his tirades, as far as yours sincerely is concerned, are a non-issue. So, responding in kind can only be likened to killing an ant with a sledge hammer. Secondly, even in the political configuration of Osogbo, FD, as he is fondly called, is a lightweight. For this reason, dissipating energy and time on such a petty politician is like according him an undue attention. Thirdly, and most importantly, the real succession battle has not even started. What we are currently being treated to are mere scratches. When the real battle eventually commences, I have no doubt in my mind that Rauf Aregbesola's achievements in office as Osun State governor, including those lives he has positively impacted, are capable of taking the battle to the doorsteps of his enemies.

AREGBESOLA AND THE ASTRONOMICAL INCREMENT IN LEGAL FILLING FEES By: Olayimika Chocomilo

Wickedness was like food: once you got started it was hard to stop; the gut extended to take in more and more
John Updike

Gov. Aregbesola

In states where oppositions are weak, fragile, and clueless; does not have the needed resources and will to tackle, oppose, criticise and condemn obnoxious policies of the ruling party; citizens of such states would live in fear and injustice will always prevail.


It is unfortunate that Osun state government is one of those state governments that play on the weakness of the opposition, ignorance of the people and fear of her citizens.


It is disheartening to see opposition who ought to be responsible for condemnation and tackling of these obnoxious policies in a state of “political coma”; a state where internal burden of this party is greater than the excesses of our dear state.

WHY EDE INDIGENES PROTEST DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES

Indigenes of Abere community in Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State staged a protest against the demolition of some buildings in the community which the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation started on Monday morning.

The protesters, who barricaded the road and made bonfires on the road connecting Osogbo to Gbongan stopped the ministry officials from carrying on with the demolition.

One of the buildings was already destroyed when the indigenes trooped out and stopped the government officials from continuing with the exercise.

KWARA YOUTHS AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE SEASON 1

Good day our esteemed compatriots. The new year festivities are long over and we now even at the 2nd month of the year (February) and fast counting! Waooo!!! That is simply how time flies! It slowly ticks away as if it is inconsequential. But, the reality is, with each inconsequential ticking of that clock, we are growing older! JUST IMAGINE!!! That small boy born sometimes in the 70's, has now clocked 40 something! That small boy born in the early 80's, is now trending the way to 40 years! 

Those small boys of yester years, are now fathers having children they are catering for! The reality is, if we do not make adequate use of the available time at our disposal, time will invariably make use of us by taking away our youthfulness, strength, beauty and sharpness! Just like that Hymn that Christian fellows usually sing at Church. "Fading away like the stars in the morning". Time makes us to fade away! The youths by which implies those of us born between 1970 to 1999, we have never had the opportunity that those ahead of us had! The Nationalist by which we are referring to the likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Chief Anthony Enahoro and the likes, were leaders who wanted the very best for the children coming after them. This fact was reflected in the kind of policies they made and projects they implemented. 

PHOTONEWS: Orangun Of Oke-Ila, ECTEI, Others Mark International Day of the African Child With Students In Osun State

Arts Tour and Exibition with
Mrs. Lola Wey at the Abolarin College, Oke-Ila

The "Eco Centre for Transformation and Empowerment Inistiative" (ECTEI), Osogbo, Osun State in collaboration with "The Abolarin College" yesterday Marked the 2016 World Enviroment Day, Nigerian Children Day 2016 and the International Day of African Child 2016 at the premises of the Abolarin College, Oke-Ila, Osun state.

The Abolarin College is  a free co-education Boarding school established by the Orangun of Oke-Ila, H. R. M. Oba Adedokun Abolarin for the children of the less previlege, ophans and destitudes in Nigeria. it is totally free!
The Abolarin College, Oke-Ila is a model of a child friendly and quality school to give us a happy, prosperous, healthy, safe and secured future!

H. R M. OBA ADEDOKUN ABOLARIN,THE ORANGUN OF OKE-ILA , DELIVERING HIS WELCOME ADDRESS!

SUBSIDY REMOVAL: WORSE TIMES LOOMING? GOD FORBID!

The deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry proposed by the Jonathan administration offered great promise of economic prosperity for the Nigerian nation. Basically, it would certainly have ended the "fantastic corruption" surrounding the fuel subsidy transactions thereby raising amounts available to the FAAC to share among the three tiers of Government over the years. If the policy was backed by necessary strategic legislative frameworks such as the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), great numbers of jobs would have been created and our nation would have been saved the new trend of militancy represented by the Niger Delta Avengers... Nigerians deserve apology from the champions of anti-deregulation campaigns that led to the unfortunate postponement of that policy.

Former Osun Gov. Oyinlola heads APC peace panel for Edo state

Former Governor of Osun state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was inaugurated today as the head of a five-man fact-finding and reconciliation committee of the All Progressives Congress for Edo state, where a feud in the state assembly is threatening to tear the party apart.

There is also the succession problem between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy for more than seven years, Pius Odubu.

The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun performed the inauguration and asked the panel to look into immediate and remote problems affecting the party and stakeholders in Edo state.

Bailout Funds: ICPC never indicted Osun - Aregbesola Tells Osun Workers

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola said yesterday that the state has not been indicted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the disbursement of bail-out cash.
The governor, who spoke to workers at Osogbo township stadium during the Workers’ Day event, said the anti-corruption agency had written to him to clarify the matter.

According to the governor, there was no truth in the rumour that Osun was among the states indicted by the anti graft body.

He said: “I want to also assure you, contrary to the insinuation being made by our traducers, who claimed we diverted the bailout funds, that nothing of such happened. This is the concoction of a mischievous opposition and their media conspirators.

Crisis hits Osun PDP over ward congress

There was crisis and confusion at the state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State on Saturday over the conduct of the ward congresses to elect delegates, who will eventually elect the state executives of the party.
One of the chairmanship aspirants of the party, Dr. Bayo Faforiji, and thousands of his supporters stormed the party secretariat as early as 8:30am to protest the alleged hoarding of the forms by the State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa.

Faforiji’s supporters almost lynched a supporter of Mr. Soji Adagunodo, who is also a chairmanship aspirant but for the timely intervention of security men at the scene.

Abductors Of Osun Permanent Secretary,Others,Demand Ransom

Abductors of the two top Osun State Government staff and their driver kidnapped in Kogi State on Friday have demanded for N5million ransom for each of the victims.
Sources close to a family member of one of the top civil servants confirmed that the abductors have been contacting their family members.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Adebimpe Ogunlumade, Director, State Audit, Mr. Tajudeen Badejoko, and their driver, Mr. Oladapo Arogundade were kidnapped by unknown gun-men along Lokoja- Okenne road in Kogi State last Friday.

All efforts to get further reaction to the kidnapped case from government circle proved abortive but, it was gathered that negotiations were on between the abductors and the families of the affected workers to secure their release.

Again!!! Osun APC begs FG for fresh bailout

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has appealed to the Federal Government to assist states owing their workers to defray the salary arrears.

The Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC in the state, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, who said this in a statement made available to Journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday said the FG should help the states even if they have to source for fund from the external reserves.

The party said states appreciated the bailout given to them last year by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, but stressed that they needed another bailout from the FG to save them from the salary crisis.

Police Brutality Claimed One Live In Osun (Photo)

The DPO of Ikire police station in Osun state ordered Police officers attached to SARs to matcheted one Mr. Habeeb Moshood to death at Ikire yesterday afternoon.

Habeed's offence and reasons for his murder is yet unknown but whatever and however grievious the crime commited, the police is not the law court that has the powerof live and death

Buhari To Meet Gov Aregbesola, Others on Tuesday Over Unpaid Salaries

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow meet with Nigerian state governors over the unpaid salaries to workers in some states.

Although not officially confirmed yet, the meeting is expected to focus on the modality of sourcing funds for the governors to enable them defray the debts owed their workers.

Fundamental Flaw Of Nigeria Structure

The current structure of Nigeria and the thinking that led to it is fundamentally flawed. The crude thinking was to bring "development" to the grassroots under a feeding bottle formula from the center - Abuja (or Lagos before then). So people (politicians) were complaining that "when money gets to Ibadan it is spent in Ibadan (by Ibadan people) and does not reach Oshogbo". Solution: give them Osun State so that money can go to Oshogbo. When money gets to Enugu it is spent by the Nike people. Solution: give them Ebonyi and Anambra so that development can reach there under the same feeding bottle formula.

BREAKING NEWS: OSUN ELECTION TRIBUNAL DISMISSES OMISORE'S CASE FOR LACK OF MERIT

The election petition tribunal sitting in Osogbo, the Osun state capital has dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in that last year state governorship election which saw the incumbent governor of the state Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola retained the seat for the next four years.

Contrary to the unnecessary and wide jubilation by the PDP supporters  since the both party closed their cases at tribunal and yesterday in Osogbo, the Tribunal dismissed the petition for lack of merit in all ramification and that the incumbent is duly and validly elected.


The Leading tribunal member, Justice Elizabeth Ipejime on Friday at the High Court in Osogbo declared  governor Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress winner of the election tribunal.

Aregbesola who had defeated PDP’s Senator Iyiola Omisore during the polls with 392, 284 votes to 292, 742 votes but the results were contested by Omisore and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Both Aregbesola and Omisore were absent in court but were ably represented by their party’s agents.


On allegations of over-voting, the Tribunal ruled that no single evidence of over-voting was proved by the petitioners.

On allegation of using O'Yes as INEC officials, there is no such evidence on record as what they have are two O'Yes member who testified as agent and not INEC official

The tribunal ruled that the Petitioners failed to prove allegations of improper accreditation.

On the allegation of non stamping of result by the Petitioners, the Tribunal ruled that the result sheets were properly signed and stamped.

On the allegations of intimidation and prevention of people from voting, the tribunal ruled that there was no evidence to that effect.

Also, the Tribunal ruled that there is nothing expert in the so called expert witness report.

On the complaints that INEC did not call witness, the Tribunal ruled that the petitioners is duty bound to discharge the onus to prove the allegations.

In this case the petitioners failed to prove their allegations to warrant INEC calling evidence.


More details later.....

TAN: TRANSFORMATION AGENDA NIGERIA (OR) THIEVES AROUND NIGERIA - Abdulazeez Adeniyi

SOUTH WEST zonal rally in Ibadan produced 4million voters signatures asked GEJ to carry go.

SOUTH SOUTH zonal rally in Port-Hacourt produced 4million voters signatures asked GEJ to carry go.

North central, Northwest, Northeast and Southeast are still mobilising signatures that will asked GEJ to carry go.

Are all these signatures real or imaginary? If they actually are, how much exchange hands?

I remember Late General Sani Abatcha days when all political parties endorsed him and some even organized 1million match for him in Abuja to deceive him.

Nigeria Military to protect Ploice Facilities Across the Country as Boko Haram attack Gwoza Police Training Academy

Following an attack on one of the country’s foremost police training institutions, the Police Academy, Gwoza, Borno State by Boko Haram on Wednesday, the Nigeria Police has reached out to the military to protect its facilities in the North.

The military would deploy soldiers to guard police barracks, primary and secondary schools, as well as its training colleges. Besides the college at Gwoza, other NPF training institutions in the country include the police colleges in Jos, Plateau State; Ikeja, Lagos State; Kaduna, Kaduna State; Maiduguri, Borno State; Oji-River and Police Detective College, Enugu; as well as the Police College of Information Technology, Abeokuta.

Others are the Police Mobile Training School, Ila-Orangun, Osun State; Mounted/Dog Training Schools, Jos, Plateau State; Traffic Training School, Ikeja; the Police School of Music, Ikeja; Police Schools of Communication, Ikeja, Lagos and Kaduna; the Police School of Anti-Terrorism, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State; the Police Training School, Sokoto; Police Training School, Bauchi; Police Training School, Minna, Niger State; and Police Training School, Jos.

Aregbesola, Omisore and Osun state’s August votes by Lasisi Olagunju

About 18 months ago, I was at a media event in Lagos where Senator Iyiola Omisore unveiled his decision to contest the 2014 governorship election in Osun State. He spoke so passionately about his love for the state and why and how he would contest and win. I remember a number of people spoke. I remember (for whatever reasons) I was asked to also say something. I remember I got up, slowly, then told Senator Omisore that if the election was held under the prevailing circumstance, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, then of the ACN, would win. I remember I explained that Aregbesola would win, not for anything else, but for the fact that there would be no opposition political party to contest the seat with him. Omisore’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as far back as that time, was already rent, badly divided in Osun State. It was at that event that some of the editors got to know that Omisore had parted ways with his friend, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, at a time he ( the senator) was already in competition for the governorship ticket of the party with three other key stakeholders in the PDP. I thought I was helping him, giving him hints of what needed to be done, but the ever confident, optimistic Omisore dismissed my words. “Nobody will be a threat to this project,” he said as I took my seat.

As I sat back at that event, playing with my phone, my mind was scouring the ocean beds of history, of Generals who went to wars and came out victorious and in one piece, and of those defeated, badly bruised. I remembered Hannibal, imperial Rome’s tormentor for many years. Would history have listed Hannibal among military geniuses if he had repeatedly fought and failed in his missions? And, more importantly, would he have won his wars if he had fought all battles? Should a good commander fight all battles? Shouldn’t he select his battles while focusing intently on winning the war? Would Hannibal have been celebrated in history if he had not taken his troops (and elephants) through the Alps? Would he have been able to cross the Alps if he had not been conciliatory with the Gauls through whose territory he had to pass to fulfill his destiny?

Apc raises alarm over PDP’s alleged plan to assassinate Adeleke, three others

All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted security apparatus in Osun State that Omisore and the PDP have contracted the assassination of four top APC leaders to hired killers from the Niger Delta for immediate execution.

The leaders involved are Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke (the first civilian governor of the state), Elder Peter Babalola (aka Peter Action), Chief Olu Abiola and Alhaji Fatai Oyedele.

The hired killers, APC reliably gathered, have already commenced surveillance on the four leaders.

Very credible sources from the PDP alerted the APC that top PDP officials took this decision at a meeting in Lagos yesterday.

Why the Conspiracy Against Bola Tinubu's Will Fail - Kehinde bamigbetan

First, my prejudice: I am committed to the promotion, elevation and celebration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Just like lovers of Chief Awolowo, I wear caps with his chain logo.

I understand him and I have written tomes of articles to try to make people see him in as best a light as possible.

I should remind you. I was his Deputy Chief Press Secretary from 2003 to 2005 and his Chief Press Secretary from 2005 to 2007. 

When he left office in May 2007, I continued as his media adviser until I was elected into office as Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA.

As a media and political strategist, I understand perfectly that the Presidency knows that Tinubu is one of the key strategists of the APC. He thinks outside the box and has rare expertise in plotting the logistics of electoral campaigns.So strategic that if his services to the party could be neutralized, the Presidency's plot to overrun the APC will be easier to achieve.

Second, Tinubu is one of the key grassroots mobilizers of the APC, particularly in the Southwest where he has demonstrated capacity to roll back the territorial gains of his party's opponents.