The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Osun State

  • ‘Why we open up loans for our graduates’

    Founder/President, The Polytechnic, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr Ramon Adegoke-Adedoyin, has urged the new graduates of the institution to address the unemployment in the country by being self-reliant.

    Adedoyin made the call during the 20th convocation of the institution which saw 1014 students take a bow. Of the lot, which spread across 2013/2014 and 2016/2017 academic sessions, 216 graduated with National Diploma (ND), while 798 bagged Higher National Diploma (HND).

    He said the institution was planning to ensure that graduating students access interest-free loans, to enable them start their own businesses.

    “We have equipped them with entrepreneurial skills and we are ready to help them to start their own business base on what they have learnt.

    “They should group themselves into five or 10 number base on the training they have learnt and apply through the school to the bank. Each of the group would be given between N5million and N10million depending on their projection,” he said.

    Adedoyin assured that the graduands would access the loans without any collateral security, saying the institution management would only monitor them for proper use.

    Adedoyin assured that graduates of the institution could compete favourably with their counterparts elsewhere.

    He said: “Reports from industries, organisations, government establishment, among others, indicate that our graduates are well-cultured. The culture of hard work, commitment, dedication, consistence, self-confidence and faith in God, is our watchword here. What we imbibed in them really paid off as none among them is found wanting in their chosen disciplines.

    Earlier, the Rector of the institution, Revd Siyanbola Theophilus Olabode, advised the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the institution.

    “With positive values inculcated in you during your academic pursuit at this institution, I believe you will keep up these starling virtues that we are known for,” he added.

  • Wild, wild NANS

    Wild, wild NANS

    The zonal convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) held in Osun State College of Education (OSCOED) in Ilesa, Osun State, was marred by violence, leaving many students injured. Guns boomed as two factional NANS presidents attempted to hijack the event, leading to a bloody clash at the venue. TEMITOPE YAKUBU reports.

    The convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Zone D held last weekend in Osun State started peacefully. Midway into the event, violence broke out and the affair turned bloody. Hell was let loose as guns boomed, leaving delegates running in different directions. Many students were injured. It was at the  Osun State College of Education (OSCOED) in Ilesa.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the violence ensued when two factional leaders of NANS led their supporters to the convention at which a new leadership was to be inaugurated for the zone. The convention came months after the tenure of the outgoing leadership expired. The delegates were Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents from various tertiary institutions in the Southwest of the country.

    Our correspondent gathered that violence broke out when the supporters of the two factional presidents of the association – Aruna Kadiri of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Chinonso Obasi of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki – tried to hijack the convention.

    It was learnt that the supporters of the Aruna-led faction were the first to arrive at the convention venue, after which Chinonso came with his supporters.

    The fracas, however, broke out when the organisers asked the NANS president to address the delegates and candidates vying for positions in the zonal leadership. It was gathered that  Chinonso’s supporters disrupted the event when Aruna got up to address the delegates. The ensuing argument snowballed into a free-for-all.

    Dangerous weapons were freely used by hoodlums loyal to the opposing camps. Shots were fired, leaving delegates scampering for safety. Some students were stabbed, while others were injured as they fled the scene.

    The outgoing coordinator of NANS in Zone D, Okikiola Ogunsola, accused the two factional presidents of hooliganism, saying it was wrong for the duo to try using the convention ground to test their strength and acceptability.

    Okikiola noted that neither of the opposing factions was invited to the event because of the need to avoid crisis, adding that  their presence at Zone A’s convention held last month led to chaos which prompted the organisers to postpone the event.

    He said: “Our convention was going on peacefully before the arrival of the two factional NANS presidents. We noticed that both of them came to the convention with the aim to test their strength and acceptability among students. They came with the intention of turning the convention centre to a battleground for their selfish interest.

    “Neither of them was invited to our convention, even though we recognise Aruna as the authentic president. We foresaw a possible clash between the two camps just as they clashed during the Zone A’s convention. Let it be on the record that both factional presidents came to the Zone D’s convention uninvited. We regret that the convention ended in violence. We have postponed it indefinitely.”

    The outgoing Zone D coordinator pointed accusing finger at Chinonso for causing violence, saying the factional NANS leader led “a group of thugs” to disrupt the event because of Aruna’s presence.

    Chinonso denied that he caused the violence, saying he did not have any preferred candidate in the election. He accused Okikiola of collecting money from Aruna in order to allow him address the delegates as the “authentic president” of the association.

    He said: “I had just returned from Ghana where I led 30 Nigerian students to the Africa Students’ Union conference. We were informed about the convention on our way back to the country. On arriving at the convention venue, we had already heard there was crisis on ground because Aruna gave the outgoing coordinator a sum of N200,000 to address the delegates, with the aim to declare himself as the authentic NANS president. The move was resisted by the students at the event.

    “Immediately we got to the venue, everybody, including the delegates, came out to receive my team. The violence started when students discovered that the organisers collected money from someone who is not a student but has been parading himself as NANS president. There was no way we could have caused the violence when we came in.”

    Asked if he was formally invited to the convention, Chinonso parried the question, saying any student has a right to attend NANS convention.

    Being the “bonafide NANS president”, Aruna said he needed not to be invited to the convention, before attending it.

    He said: “As the bonafide NANS president, I don’t need to be invited to be at any convention organised by any arm of the association. It is within my power to attend any zonal convention which is what I did yesterday (Saturday). All the students were happy when I addressed them and told them to be peaceful during the election.”

    Aruna denied having any confrontation with Chinonso, adding that his opponent’s supporters clashed with the NANS stakeholders in the zone, thereby disrupting the election process.

    He added: “It was the clash of interests between Chinonso and NANS stakeholders in the zone that led to the violence. Any contrary reason given as the cause of the violence is a lie. I never had any confrontation with Chinonso; I did not even see him at the convention ground. I was told some students were stabbed by Chinonso and his thugs.”

    AbdulAzeez Arisekola Dauda, a Federal Polytechnic, Ede student, who was at the convention, condemned the violence, describing it as “a show of shame” and “barbaric conduct by future leaders”.

    AbdulAzeez said the “shameful conducts” of both factional leaders of NANS did a disservice to the spirit of recently passed Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill, wondering how the youth would become good leaders with negative mindsets.

    He said: “I witnessed everything that transpired at the convention ground. Both factional presidents put up shameful conducts in a bid to outshine each other. They both led armed thugs to the event and turned the convention to their battle field. Given what I saw, we need to ask ourselves if the youth are ready to change the foundation of our politics. For me, the conducts of the NANS leaders at the convention showed we are far from being ready to take up political leadership.

    “After witnessing the show of shame at the NANS convention, I think we need to stop deceiving ourselves thinking that the youth have the proper mindsets to take up leadership position in the country. NANS is factionalised because some of its leaders are working for their faceless political godfathers. Their aims are to use the students’ platform to feather their nests. For the country to reach its promised land, the youth must change from being agents of destruction.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that some injured students were taken to the hospital by security operatives deployed to quell the violence. Some of the candidates were stabbed, while others were hit with hard materials.

    A delegate, Adio Odunjo, who escaped being stabbed, confirmed many students were injured, but he could not give a definite number.

    He said: “It was like a horror film when the event turned violent. I was highly disappointed in both factions. The event was supposed to be  a gathering of people with robust ideas. The thugs turned the convention to their battle ground. After injuring students, they started to point accusing finger at each other. Why should NANS be synonymous with violence, greed and self-centeredness?”

  • Raji was compassionate, loyal – Aregbesola

    Raji was compassionate, loyal – Aregbesola

    The Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday described the late Lateef Raji, who was a commissioner in the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, as a compassionate man who touched many lives.

    Aregbesola gave the description at the 8th day Fidau prayer organised for the deceased by his friends and political associates in Lagos.

    Represented by Mr Bola Ilori, the governor said Raji was a great mobiliser who would be sorely missed by many.

    “Raji was a compassionate fellow who touched the lives of so many people he came across.

    “Also, he was a loyal party man who did a lot for our great party, APC.

    “His demise is a great loss to us in the party and to us in Osun State.

    “We are greatly pained by his death and we pray for his peaceful repose and fortitude for the family to bear the loss. “he said.

    The governor expressed special condolences to the wife and children of the deceased, and promised that he would always be in touch with them.

    Also showering encomiums, a former commissioner in Lagos State, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, said Raji was a good friend and a sophisticated politician.

    “I was the commissioner for Information in the cabinet of former governor Babatunde Fashola while Raji was Special Adviser on Information.

    “He was a jolly good fellow and a complete gentleman.

    “He was a very good politician and touched so many lives when he was alive.

    “Raji lived a fulfilled life. I am going to miss him,” Ibirogba said.

    He prayed for the peaceful repose of Raji’s soul and that God should be with the family he left behind.

    Mr Kayode Opeifa,who was also in Fashola’s cabinet with the deceased, described Raji as a friend and a colleague.

    He said the deceased was loved in the party and by cabinet members.

    “His exit is painful. We will all miss him. He was a vivacious fellow and a great party man,” Opeifa said.

    The Chairman of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, Mr Muse Ariyo, said hosting the prayer at the council secretariat was not enough to appreciate the great work of Raji.

    He said the deceased left an indelible impact on the lives of the people in the area and his life and times were worth celebrating.

    “We are pained by his demise and we pray that Allah grant his soul peaceful repose,” he said.

    Dr Said Timehin, who gave the sermon, urged Nigerians, especially leaders, to touch the lives of others.

    “Everything in life is vanity. So we should stop all this primitive accumulation.

    “We should spend our money on Allah’s course and humanity, just like late Raji. ” he said.

    Timehin described Raji as a compassionate fellow who made impact on people’s lives.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prayers were offered for the peaceful repose of the deceased at the programme.

    The prayer attracted prominent APC faithful, including the state chairman of the party, Chief Henry Ajomale.

    Politicians from other parties, officials of the state government and residents also graced the programme.

    NAN reports that Raji died on Aug. 14, at the age of 55.

    He has since been buried in his Ido-Ani hometown,Ondo State according to Islamic rites.

  • Between Lasun Yusuf and Rotimi Makinde

    Between Lasun Yusuf and Rotimi Makinde

    In the politics of Osun State, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuf and ex-House of Reps member, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, are regarded as gladiators on opposing sides of personal and ideological battles. But they have both proved that whatever disagreement exists between them does not supersede their mutual admiration for each other as comrades.

    At the final burial ceremony for the mother of the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, both Yusuf and Makinde showed everyone that political opponents do not have to be enemies. Hon. Makinde had made the first move by going to Yusuf to exchange pleasantries; a gesture the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives promptly reciprocated.

    The ice broken between the pair, they chatted amicably for a time to the surprise of the scores of onlookers.

  • NUGLE appeals to Aregbesola to support LGA autonomy

    NUGLE appeals to Aregbesola to support LGA autonomy

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has appealed to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola to support Local Government Autonomy.

    Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, NULGE President made the appeal at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

    Khaleel said that this was imperative as the governor’s support was necessary for granting the Local Government Autonomy.

    He expressed sadness over what he described as “misconceptions on Local Government Autonomy” by the governor

    He said the Osun State governor had come to symbolise himself as the most formidable foe against the freedom of local governments in Nigeria.

    He said that the Aregbesola was defending his position when he said local governments should not have autonomy in his well-publicised lecture during the 2017 NULGE Week of Osun State Chapter.

    “Ogbeni Aregbesola erroneously declared that local governments do not deserve to be autonomous because the Yoruba wars, particularly the Kiriji war, was fought for federalism recognised only two tiers of government; namely the federal and the state.

    “This is a distortion of history. The historical fact is that the popular Kiriji war was fought because the Ijesha and Ekiti people did not want the regime of recklessness imposed on them by Ibadan warlords.

    “For historical records, local administration and empire buildings started with Yoruba civilisation. Local governments have been in existence before the Berlin Conference of 1885 to 1886 when the entire area of Nigeria was partitioned to Britain for colonial exploitation.

    “In fact, when the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria were amalgamated in 1914, local government administration, as we now address it, had flourished very well in all parts of Nigeria.

    “The Clifford Constitution of 1922 did not talk of any Federal or State Government; yet till 1945, local administration in form of local governments flourished in every inch of that era of colonial Nigeria, such that government was receiving the patronage of people and it was providing services.

    “Therefore, the reference to Kiriji war as a protest not to recognise local government as a tier of government did not exist in reality. It only existed in the imagination of Aregbesola.”

    The NULGE president, however, applauded the leadership and members of 8th National Assembly for overwhelmingly adopting two of the three key bills on local government autonomy.

    He said that NULGE hoped that the two chambers would reconcile their differences on the issue of scrapping State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC).

    He faulted the belief from some quarters that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be solely responsibility for the conduct of Local Government elections across Nigeria.

    Khaleed said that NULGE and the Nigeria Union of Teachers had settle their differences on the issue of LGA autonomy.

    “NUT is part and parcel of the National Action Committee responsible for actualisation of LGA autonomy,” he said.

    He said that the three years tenure proposed by the National Assembly for LGA elected officers was a welcome idea.

  • 18 years after, Afrika lives on

    The memories of July 10, 1999 will continue to be a defining moment in the annals of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The event of that day will forever remain fresh as it is passed on from generation of students to another. It marked the watershed in the history of students’ unionism at the Great Ife.

    It was the day George Akinyemi Iwilade (aka Afrika) was hacked to death by members of the Black Axe Confraternity in alliance with other cult groups. Afrika, who was then the General Secretary of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), wasn’t the only victim of that vicious attack visited on the collective will of students. Four of his roommates, Eviano Ekelemu (a graduating student), Yemi Ajiteru (a 100-Level Philosophy student), Babatunde Oke, and Godfrey Ekpede were murdered in their sleep, as the group came for the then SUG President, Lanre Adeleke (aka Legacy).

    Prof Roger Makanjuola’s account of the gory incident is even more descriptive, when he said: “Babatunde Oke was still alive but died on the operating table. Four others, George Iwilade, Yemi Ajiteru, Efe Ekpede and Eviano Ekelemu, were brought in dead. Eviano Ekelemu bled to death from gunshot wounds to the groin and thigh. The other three died from gunshot wounds to the head.”

    Legacy was reported to have fled the campus before the assailants arrived at his hostel in the wee hours of July 10; though he was said to have been shot at. It was reported that he escaped by jumping from a balcony when the gun-wielding attackers came for him after killing Afrika in cold blood.

    The product of that horrific past is the vibrant unionism at Great Ife. However, 18 years after this gory incident, stability has continued to elude the Great Ife campus, not just in administrative policies but in students’ unionism. It would seem the efforts of those who sacrificed their lives to fight for independence of our SUG from the hands of cultists and university administrators were in vain, given the parlous state of the union. Just as the country is faced with myriads of problems, OAU has its challenges. Democracy can only be sustained in a pro-democratic ambience, but that vibrancy once associated with our union has eroded 18 years down the line. The school has had its recent share of sad events, with the current union president accused of by-passing the congress to pursue self-serving projects.The union president has also been seen engaging in projects that do not have direct impact on students.

    The union recently acquired a bus that has been declared unfit for transportation. The transaction has raised all manner of accusations and counter-accusation. This makes me ask a question on whether OAU is truly honouring Afrika’s legacy?

    Only recently, former Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Anthony Elujoba, was arrested for alleged fraud. Prof Elujoba, who has been described as a “man of the people”, because of his prompt payments of salaries and arrears to staff and a stable academic calendar, is now battling to save his name in court of law.

    The unrest Great Ife has witnessed in the tenure of successive SUG leadership has always been caused by welfare. It is a shame that we have a students’ union in place, but students are daily driven out of their hostel rooms to sleep in the corridors, because their rooms are infested with bed bugs and all sorts of termites. Students also battle rats and dangerous reptiles in their halls of residence.

    The campus has become a place where students are exploited, cheated by drivers of the campus shuttles and made to pay exorbitant prices for services. When we gather every July 10 to remember the sacrifice of our heroes, we must bear in mind that we owe the coming generation of students a duty to bequeath a vibrant union. Students’ union is a pressure group. If SUG leaders cannot account for a N2.9 million bus which is described, in many quarters, as an inferior vehicle, what then is the essence of the union? A subvention of N9 million was released to the union, but the money could not be used to better lives of the students.

    At 21, young and still very active, Afrika was murdered. He was murdered for advocating for a cultism-free campus, which we all enjoy till today. Today, we have the freedom to move freely on the campus at any hour of the day, because of one man who sacrificed his life for others to have peace.

    What legacies shall we then leave behind for prospective students, 18 years after Afrika and five others were brutally murdered? These are questions we must answer very fast. As we say in the union, the death of consciousness is the rise of tyranny. As we remember them, the people who gathered for the commemoration and the current SUG leadership must provide answer to this question.

    • Joseph is a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife
  • Oyo, Osun constitute LAUTECH’s Governing Council

    Oyo, Osun constitute LAUTECH’s Governing Council

    The Oyo and Osun governments have announced the immediate constitution of a seven-man Governing Council for Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

    A statement issued on Monday in Ibadan by the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, said the newly constituted council would be headed by a retired Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi.

    According to the statement, Prof. Lai Olurode, Prof. Olaide Adedokun, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko, Mr Isiaka Olagoke, Mr Tise Adenipekun and Bade Adesina would serve as members of the Governing council.

    “Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his counterpart form Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,  acted on the powers conferred on them by the laws establishing the institution as Visitors  met and approved the immediate constitution of the Governing Council of LAUTECH

    “The tenure of the Governing Council  as mandated by the University Law  shall be for four years from the date of its inauguration unless determined by the Visitors.

    “Visitors have also directed the immediate inauguration of the Governing Council  whose mandate shall also be guided by the provisions of the relevant laws establishing the university,”  the statement  said.

    According to the statement,  the Visitors are confident that with this development, the ongoing crisis in the institution will  be resolved soon.

    “They consequently enjoined all stakeholders to cooperate with the newly constituted council in its determination to realise its mandate,” it added.

  • Osun to provide farmers with agro-chemicals

    Osun to provide farmers with agro-chemicals

    The Osun Government has promised to assist farmers in the state with all necessary agro-chemicals and farm inputs to boost their productivity.

    Dr Yemi Adegoke, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Osun State Produce Board, made the promise on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting with cocoa farmers and merchants in Osogbo.

    He said that the produce board would place order for the supply of high-quality agro-chemicals and farm inputs, including implements, and sell them to farmers at subsidised rates to improve their production.

    He said that the produce board was established to increase farmers’ income via improved productivity and ensure massive food production in the state.

    Adegoke said that the board had been linking farmers with available markets to facilitate the sale of their produce and enable them to make more profits without any hitches.

    He, however, said that cocoa grading and haulage could not solely boost cocoa production, adding that this could be achieved through the provision of high-yield improved seedlings.

    Besides, Adegoke advised cocoa merchants to cooperate with the produce board so as to forestall illegal cocoa trades in the state.

    He appealed to cocoa farmers to use the cocoa branding bags, introduced by the board, for cocoa grading and export purposes.

    The representatives of Cocoa Farmers Association, event, Chief Bola Otunla and Alhaji Raji Opejin, expressed satisfaction with the state government’s policy.

    They said that the establishment of the produce board and the introduction of cocoa branding bags would alleviate the challenges facing cocoa farmers in the state.

    They called for the establishment of standard cocoa processing companies in the country, saying that pragmatic efforts should be made to discourage the exportation of cocoa for processing abroad.

  • Sheriff predicts victory for PDP in Osun bye-election

    Sheriff predicts victory for PDP in Osun bye-election

    The National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff,   has predicted the victory of the party in the Osun West bye-election holding on Saturday.

    He said beginning of the transformation of PDP in Osun State would be established at the poll, adding that the “PDP in Osun is now one.”

    Addressing the PDP supporters at a campaign rally for the Osun West senatorial by-election at Apomu in Isokan Local Government Area of the state, Sheriff said: “Today is the day that begins the transformation of the PDP, Osun state PDP are intact today and that  also shows that unity has come to Osun state,l. I want this unity to continue after Adeleke’s election. I am sure my friend, Senator Iyiola Omisore will agree with me.”

    He introduced the party’s candidate, the younger brother of late Isiaka Adeleke, Ademola, as the party flag bearer for the senatorial bye-election, urging people of the town to vote for PDP.

    Also speaking at the rally, the Osun State PDP Chairman, Hon. Soji Adagunodi, rallied support of party members for the candidature of Ademola Adeleke.

    Adagunodo, who charged the people to embark on house to house campaign to convince the electorate to vote for the party’s candidate, advised them to monitor their votes from the polling booth to the final collation center in Iwo, the senatorial district headquarters, in other to avoid manipulation of results.

    The party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, implored the party supporters to vote for him to end the tenure of the All Progressive Congress, the party which he he said had held the state by the jugular in the last seven years.

    He promised to continue with the giant strides of his late brother, late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, also pleading to disburse N25 million scholarship for each of the ten local governments in the senatorial district if in voted as senator.

    PDP chieftains in attendance at the rally include the party’s National Secretary, Prof.  Wale Oladipo, former Osun State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Senator Iyiola Omisore, House of Member representing Ibokun/Oriade, Hon.Oluwole Oke, Barr. Kayode Oduoye, Senator Olasunkumi Akinlabi, former Osun State PDP chairman,  Alhaji Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, among others.

     

  • Osun West by-election: ‘My pedigree will earn me victory’

    Osun West by-election: ‘My pedigree will earn me victory’

    About 12 days to the Osun West Senatorial bye-Election, the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Mudashir Husain ‎has expressed strong conviction that his pedigree would earn him victory in the July 8 poll.

    Hussein said his political antecedents, pedigree and wide experience were enough to floor his opponent, Dr. Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democracy Party, who is the younger brother of the late occupier of that seat, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

    Hussain, in a statement by his Media Aide, Kamil Opeyemi, was quoted as speaking on a current affairs program on Rave FM in Osogbo on Monday. He described his opponent as an inexperienced politician whose campaign “is just based on leveraging on the antecedents of a brother.”

    The Ejigbo born politician stated that the PDP candidate is just a political follower who is not fully bred to take up the challenges of an office like that of a Senator.

    According to him “Even when his late brother, Sen Isiaka Adeleke was alive, I defeated him in 2007 but was rigged out. I defeated him with a huge margin in 2011 when he congratulated me with a written letter which I have with me.

    “You see, political positions are not birthrights (Oye-Idile) of anyone as we say in Yorubaland. It is a contest of ideas and not leveraging on a family member’s political history. I stepped down from the position to contest my second term to work for Adeleke even though I did not reject the wish of my party.

    He added “As a loyal party man, I supported Adeleke’s course and dropped my ambition and when I was called again to serve in the election, I accepted. What happened to Sen Isiaka Adeleke was something all of us were bitter about but it was from God who we could not question.”

    On his chances of victory at the by-election, he explained that “I know that Ede zone is his stronghold. In Ede South, I will win convincingly there while in Ede North where Ademola Adeleke comes from, we will share the votes. In all other areas, I’ll floor him and be victorious at the end.”

    Sen Hussein maintained that his achievements in his first sojourn in the Senate are visible and enough to return him back to the National Assembly.

    The APC candidate said he is aware of the many lies being cooked up by the PDP over his candidature, noting however that his consolation is that this was the same strategy that led to the party’s defeat both in 2014 and 2015 elections.

    He said he is proud of the achievements of the Aregbesola administration in Osun adding that his ambition to return to the Senate is to enhance quality of governance.