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Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

  • ‘Why ex-commissioner is fit for governor’

    ‘Why ex-commissioner is fit for governor’

    A political commentator, Adedayo Alao, has described former Chief of Staff to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Mr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, as a proven and capable hand to lead Oyo State at what he termed a defining moment in its political journey.

    In a statement on the future leadership of the state, Alao said Oyo requires tested leadership, fresh energy, and a clear vision to navigate emerging governance and development challenges, adding that Gbadegesin possesses the qualities needed to move the state forward.

    He noted that Gbadegesin is not new to public administration, having served at the highest levels of government during the Ajimobi administration, an era he described as one of the most transformative in the state’s recent history.

    As Chief of Staff, Gbadegesin, according to Alao, played a central role in coordination, policy execution, and strategic planning, working closely with the governor to translate policy ideas into concrete outcomes across ministries and agencies.

    Alao also highlighted Gbadegesin’s tenure as Commissioner for Health, during which he said the former commissioner demonstrated strong leadership and a pragmatic approach to service delivery.

    He credited Gbadegesin with efforts aimed at strengthening healthcare institutions, improving efficiency, and expanding access to services at a time when the sector required discipline and reform.

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    According to Alao, Gbadegesin stands out for combining governance experience with youthful energy, describing him as part of a new generation of leaders who are hands-on, intellectually grounded, and responsive to the needs of a rapidly changing society.

    He said Gbadegesin’s approach to leadership is defined by competence, humility, and strategic thinking, with a focus on building strong institutions and sustainable systems rather than relying on slogans.

    He further argued that Oyo State needs a leader who understands the workings of government while also bringing innovative ideas to address contemporary challenges such as economic diversification, job creation, healthcare delivery, education, and infrastructure development.

    “As Oyo State looks ahead, it requires a governor who is prepared from day one, grounded in experience, shaped by responsibility, and driven by genuine commitment to the people,” Alao stated, adding that Gbadegesin represents a balance between institutional memory and forward-looking leadership.

    He concluded that the state deserves competent and visionary leadership, expressing confidence that Muyiwa Gbadegesin fits that description.

  • Celebrating a visionary leader, Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s 75th posthumous birthday

    Celebrating a visionary leader, Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s 75th posthumous birthday

    By Bolaji Tunji

    If former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi were to be alive, he would have clocked the enviable age of seven scores and five. Unfortunately  he died about four years ago, June 25, 2020. However, his transition has not diminished the love that the people of Oyo State had for him. His name continues to hold fond memories of a man who was trusted with  a second term in office when  Oyo State was not known to give its governors a second term in office. This unique achievement earned him the sobriquet of Koseleri 1. Koseleri simple means not having occurred before.

    Nostalgically, the people of Oyo State, his political associates and family have continued to gather every December 16 to celebrate his achievements while in office and which earned the nickname, ‘Father of Modern Oyo State’. They have  continued with the promotion of good governance that he stood for in his lifetime. Through the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF) which was set up after his transition, the ideals of good governance continued to be promoted through the Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable. About four years ago, the Foundation entered into a collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS), University of Ibadan. The collaboration was to jointly continue with the roundtable which began during the tenure of the former Governor in 2018.

    Today, the Roundtable has contributed  to deepening the country’s democracy through its different themes which continue to resonate and promote good governance. This is attested to by the issue that have been the focus of the Roundtable. The theme of the maiden edition in 2018: The Imperatives of Building Institutions for Lasting Legacies in Nigeria was delivered by Prof Tunji Olaopa, the Current Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission. The  2nd Edition which coincided with the former Governor’s  70th birthday celebration had as its theme; Managing the Dynamics of Nigeria’s Advancement, the lecture was delivered by Professor Ayo Olukotun, late professor of International Relations.

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    The 2020 edition which was the 3rd in the series was entitled; States and the Burden of National Development : the socio-economic perspective, and was delivered by eminent scholar, Emeritus Professor John Ayoade. The theme for the 4th edition in 2021 was: Election Security and Good Governance in Nigeria, delivered by former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega. Professor Eghosa Osaghae, the Director General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) spoke on  Re-engineering Nigeria for Sustainable Development: Options, Costs and Prospects while the 2023 edition had Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies delivering a lecture on Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy for Sustainable Development. On December 16, another Roundtable would be held with the theme; Legislative Oversight and Accountability: Challenges and Prospects. The lead paper would be  delivered by Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader, House of Representatives. In all these, the idea was to continue the conversation on good governance and sustainable development.

    Beyond all these, the former Governor also endeared himself to the people of Oyo State through his various developmental projects. 

    Born on December 16, 1949, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi’s early life was marked by a strong foundation in education and public service. His father and grandfather were public servants, instilling in him a sense of duty and responsibility to the community . Ajimobi’s academic excellence took him to the United States, where he earned degrees in Business Administration and Finance from the State University of New York and an MBA from Governors State University .

    Ajimobi’s professional career spanned several industries, including insurance, finance, and oil marketing. He worked with top-tier companies like Equitable Life Assurance Corporation and Shell Petroleum, Nigeria, rising to become the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of National Oil and Chemical Marketing Company. All these prepared him on his political voyage.

    His entry into politics marked a significant turning point in his life. In 2003, he was elected as Senator, representing Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). As a senator, he served as the Deputy Minority Leader. He was said to have run one of the most efficient constituency offices in the country.

    In 2011, he was elected governor and went on to make history by becoming the first person to be elected as the Governor of Oyo State twice, serving from 2011 to 2019 . During his tenure, he implemented various developmental projects, including the construction of roads, schools, and healthcare facilities.

    In the State, his impact was tremendous, his strides were gigantic and filling the shoes he left behind becomes harder every day. As Governor, his administration was hinged on a tripod agenda of restoration, transformation and repositioning. It was this tripod that served as the superstructure on which the peace, security, development and social infrastructural rejuvenation of Oyo State were placed.

    To ensure adequate security across the State, he established, the popular Operation Burst, a joint Security Task Force with zonal commands of operations in Oyo, Iseyin, Kishi, Ogbomoso, Saki and Eruwa with headquarters in Ibadan. The Ajimobi administration also established a Security Trust Fund, the first in the history of the State which assisted with the funding of security operations and services across Oyo State.

    The Oyo State Safe City initiative also came on  stream leading to the establishment of CCTV cameras in strategic locations. Most importantly, he established the Oyo State Inter Religious/Inter Ethnic Committee (SIREC) which helped to entrench religious, inter-ethnic and communal harmony across the State. The effect of this was to ensure a peaceful State, reduction in criminality, a decrease in robbery incidents. As a result in 2018, Oyo State earned the honour of being the fifth most peaceful State in the country, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Under Senator Ajimobi as governor, businesses  thrived with an increase in Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) to the State.  There was a renaissance of nighttime economy. Hotels, Events centres, cinemas, nightclubs increased by 147 percent. Radio Stations were just six in number when Ajimobi took over governance in 2011, by the time he left, the State had about 40 radio stations. He also created the Oyo State anthem, among other achievements.

    An area where his impact was most felt was in social and infrastructural renewal. He ensured the dualisation of entry roads into major cities in the State, construction of 183 roads and seven bridges, rehabilitation and maintenance of 850 kilometers of roads.

     Ibadan, the State capital got a new look with the construction of modern roads. In areas of Housing, the administration was able to establish several housing estates while education got a major boost with strategic policies such as the School Governing Board Policy (SGB) which led to the active participation of all major stakeholders in the administration of public Secondary schools. A few States  in the country sent representatives to Oyo State to come and understudy the model. The Ajimobi administration also established a technical university, the first of its kind in Nigeria to provide technical manpower for the society. Suitably, the present governor,  Engineer Seyi Makinde has renamed the technical university after his predecessor in office.

    However, Senator Ajimobi’s legacy extends far beyond his political achievements. He was a devoted family man, married to Florence Ajimobi for about 40 years before his death, he was  a a proud father of five children . His commitment to his community was evident in his establishment of the Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Islamic Centre, a state-of-the-art mosque and Islamic center in Ibadan

    As we celebrate Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s 75th posthumous birthday, we remember his unwavering dedication to public service, his visionary leadership, and his unshakeable optimism. His life serves as a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

    As we honor his memory, we are reminded of the importance of leadership, integrity, and community service. May Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s legacy continue to inspire future generations of leaders and citizens to strive for excellence and to make a positive difference in the world.

    Tunji, former Special Adviser, Strategic Communication to former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, wrote from Abuja.

  • All I did as governor was in the interest of Oyo State – Ajimobi

    The immediate past governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has disclosed that all his decisions as governor were in the interest of the state.

    The former governor and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Akin Oke, also appealed to all aggrieved members of the party in the state to embrace reconciliation for the sake of the party’s progress.

    They enjoined them to approach future political challenges with a resolve to be selfless, forgiving and more committed to the cause of the APC and Nigeria.

    Addressing leaders and chieftains of the party from the nine local government areas of Oyo South Senatorial district during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday at the party’s State Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Sen. Ajimobi took his time to explain the rationale behind some of his actions and policies which generated controversies among the populace.

    His words; “While we are expecting the courts to do justice to some of the cases emanating from conducts of the last general elections in the state, especially as it concerns the seats of the senator representing Oyo South at the Red Chamber as well as the governor of the state, I would like to admonish every member of our great party to eschew bitterness and preach genuine reconciliation.

    “There are insinuations in some quarters about some of the policies and undertakings of our eight-year administration which some people considered controversial but in all honesty, I meant well for the state. All my actions were geared towards facilitating development for the whole state and also thus make life more meaningful for the masses.” Ajimobi stated.

    In his welcome address, the party chairman in the senatorial district, Prince Adefisoye Adekanye, appealed to members to “remain faithful and committed in view of current challenges as what happened in the 2019 general election was an eye opener. We have all realized the need for loyalty to our party, renewed commitment to its cause and entrenchment of peace among ourselves”.

    Read Also: Ajimobi: my wish is for Makinde to succeed

    Both the State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, and Secretary, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, in their separate addresses sued for peace and harmony to accommodate various interests. “We are not leaving any stone unturned to make Oyo APC stronger and better. All avenues for genuine reconciliation are being explored and we are optimistic about getting the desired results in the end.” Oke said.

    Hon. Olaoya and party chairmen from the nine local government areas gave updates on the efforts made so far to bring back all aggrieved members who left the party during the crisis which engulfed it before the general elections. According to Olaoya; “The State Executive Committee has put in place various committees made up of experienced and passionate individuals to bring back all the aggrieved members and we are satisfied with the success being recorded on daily basis.”

    Dignitaries at the meeting include the governorship candidate of the party in the last general election, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alh. Olalekan Alli, Executive Chairmen of the local governments and LCDAs, former state lawmakers, members of the State Working Committee, party leaders and chieftains across the senatorial district.

     

  • Ibadan 21 new kings may lose their crowns

    Indications emerged on Wednesday that the 21 new kings installed by the administration of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi two years ago amid controversies on Sunday August 27, 2017 may lose their crowns after all.

    Precisely, Senator Ajimobi in a well-attended ceremony handed instrument of office to the new kings on August , 2017 at the historic Mapo Hall , Ibadan.

    The 21 kings came into limelight, following the controversial review  of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and Other Related Chieftaincies in Ibadan land by a panel headed by  Justice Akintunde Boade to review the old laws, which culminated in the elevation and crowning of 21 kings including Olubadan High Chiefs and Baales.

    A reliable source confided in The Nation on Wednesday that state Oyo state government has opted for out of court settlement, and  discontinue with the prosecution of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.

    The terms of settlement between the Oyo state government (Appellant) and Senator Rashidi Ladoja (Respondent/Applicant) was filed in the Registry of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan on Tuesday August 20, 2019.

    The terms of agreement which was contained in the suit No.M/317/2017 , and Appeal No. CA/99&99A/2018 reads in part

    “Whereas , the parties herein are aware of the rancor and acrimony that exist upon the publication of the report of the 2nd respondent herein in relation to the Olubadan of Ibadan chieftaincy declaration and other chiefs in Ibadanland and the implementation of the said report;

    Whereas, the parties are aware of the disharmony created by the publication of Gazette No. 3 Vol. 43 dated 29 March 2018 and the subsequent elevation of chiefs in Ibadan among the chiefs and the Olubadan of Ibadanland; whereas, as it is of utmost importance to maintain peace and communal relationships that had existed before the said report and Gazette in Ibadanland, whereas, the new administration of Oyo state stands upon the doctrine of rule of law “.

    All the Olubadan High Chiefs, except the Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja refused to accept the crown, following his disagreement with the process.

    Sequel to his disagreement, Senator Ladoja and the Olubadan of Ibadanland separately dragged the former governor, the government and the 21 new kings to the Oyo State High Court.

    While the court had delivered judgment in the case filed by Ladoja, it has not on the litigation instituted by Oba Adetunji.

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    Justice Olajumoke Aiki of an Oyo State High Court delivered the judgment on January 19, 2018, and declared that the Justice Akintunde Boade-led Judicial Commission of Enquiry that reviewed the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other Related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland as unconstitutional, illegal, null, void and of no effect.

    But the administration of Ajimobi appealed the judgment, giving 11 grounds why the judgment of the lower court should be upturned, asking the higher court to set aside the ruling and judgment of the Oyo State High Court, an order that would uphold his preliminary objections raised against Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as well as an order that will dismiss the case in its entirety.

    The Appeal Court judgment was however reserved,  till the All Progressives Congress-led government left power on May 2019.

    It was learnt that governor Seyi Makinde intention to reconcile all parties involved in the chieftaincy crisis was to end the protracted fued , and protect the sanctity of Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system.

     

     

  • Ajimobi to Makinde: ask civil servants about missing govt property

    FORMER Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has urged Governor Seyi Makinde to beam his searchlight on the activities of civil servants and those working in government instead of accusing his ex-officials of carting away government’s property after the expiration of their tenure.

    Ajimobi’s advice followed the accusations and counter-accusations between his administration and the state government on recovered government vehicles.

    The former governor said the admonition became imperative after alleged moves to tarnish his image and that of his former aides on alleged missing property, especially vehicles.

    The former governor spoke on Sunday while addressing reporters in his Oluyole, Ibadan residence after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Ansar-Ur-Deen prayer ground, Liberty Area, Oke Ado.

    The two-term governor, who recounted that he did not meet anything in terms of home appliances, furniture up to kitchen utensils at the Government House upon his election in 2011, said he tried to avoid a repetition of the same because he worked till the last day of his tenure in office on May 28, 2019.

    He added that the lesson he learnt, which necessitated the move, was that government workers took advantage of ex-Governor Christopher Alao-Akala’s leaving the Government House few days before the legitimate expiration of his term as governor to loot and plunder the official government’s residence.

    However, he said as it is being done all over the world, even in corporate organisation where people are allowed to leave positions they occupied with their official vehicles, he also allowed his predecessors in office to leave with their official vehicles.

    Ajimobi added that his administration took the decision to advise people to pay for such vehicles before leaving with them.

    He was flanked by his wife, Florence, the APC governorship candidate in the 2019 election, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, APC state secretary Mr. Mojeed Olaoya, the embattled chairmen under the aegis of Association of Local Governments of Nigerian (ALGON), who were led by their chairman, Mr. Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, his former media adviser, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, among other aides, party chieftains and members.

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    He said: “Again, if we are talking vehicles, I think papers have been written. When you are in government, there are policies to be taken. There are decisions taken. We took the decisions that anybody using vehicles at that time should pay and take it away. And that was what we did. Go to every state, Federal Government and all other state, there is nowhere in the world that people will work and not take away their vehicles when they are leaving.

    “So, let them go and check many of those people in government, the civil servants. When I moved into the Government House, Agodi, I didn’t see any furniture; they took the whole curtains, furniture, chairs, tables, televisions, home appliances up till the last table spoon. Ask Governor Seyi Makinde if they took anything from the Government House, when he got there, up to spoons and knives. I left them there. But you know why? It was because I worked up till the last day in office.”

     

     

  • Makinde hails Ajimobi’s education policy

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday lauded the immediate past administration led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi for establishing the School’s Governing Board (SGB) to uplift school’s infrastructure and enhance learning.

    The governor explained that the novel initiative would be appreciated and be taken to the greatest height by his administration.

    Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan at a capacity-building seminar organised by the Old Students’ of the school in conjunction with its SGB body, said the state of public schools facilities  was pathetic.

    He reiterated the administration’s readiness to take the all-encompassing education policy to a greater level.

    Giving kudos to the past Administration School Governing Board education policy, Makinde hailed the Old Students’ Association of Ibadan City Academy, Eleta, Ibadan and its School Governing Board (SGB) for having expended over N40 million on the rehabilitation of 15 structures, including classrooms, laboratories and the school’s library while another five structures were presently under renovation.

    The school has six teachers under the employment of the alumni to take care of various subjects like English Language, Mathematics and sciences to support teachers under the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and a borehole was sunk for the students’ population to have access to portable water.

    “On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, I want to appreciate the alumni of Ibadan City Academy and its SGB for their efforts to complement government in uplifting education in the State.

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    “Government cannot do everything. We urge people in and outside the state to inculcate this laudable effort and contribute to the growth of education in the state to propel the needed effect on other aspects of human life.

    “Let me give kudos to the last administration for bringing SGB onboard, but I want to add here that our administration will take the policy to a greater height. On behalf of Oyo State government, I have the privilege to tell you that we are ready to partner with you because we know that no matter the cost of building structures in schools, if the capacity of teachers is not updated, then the buildings are nothing.

    “I want to add that with what we have seen here, by the time you come here next year, we would have done our own bit that you will have a good story to tell, ” the governor promised.

    The old students’ body of the school had invited five education experts from the United Kingdom from the popular Association of Nigerian Academics in the United Kingdom (UK), among whom, was a member of the alumni.

    They took over hundred teachers through the modern and up-to-date requisites of teaching methodologies and learning styles that could enhance students’ performance.

  • Name those who went away with govt. vehicles, Oyo APC dares PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has challenged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to either make public the identity of anyone in illegal possession of government property among the officials who served during the immediate past administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi or stop spending available resources on cheap blackmail and shameful propaganda.

    The administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde has been accusing some of those who served with Ajimobi of taking away government vehicles with them.

    But Oyo APC said in a statement by its assistant publicity secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, on Monday said that the noise about the issue of vehicles allegedly taken away by unnamed persons was a clear indication that the PDP was not prepared for the serious business of governance in the state.

    “They were desperate for power and now that they have it, they do not know what to do with it. How can a serious party be comfortable with the fact that a governor it sponsored into power cannot rule out a significant action plan or blueprint but chose to dwell on mundane issues four weeks after inauguration and without any sign of promise to deliver?

    “As concerned stakeholders, we have done our investigation and found out that none of our members went away with official vehicles or any government property illegally as Gov. Makinde and his party want the public to believe. Therefore, we challenge the present administration or any of its sympathizers to name all those they have established to be in possession of the said items and initiate appropriate measures to recoveries same from them.

    Read Also: Court adjourns Oyo, sacked council chairmen case till July 30

    “But if all the present administration and the PDP would prefer to do while its span runs out is to wage war against the persons of Sen. Ajimobi and other who served the state meritoriously between 2011 and 2019 under the banner of the ACN/APC, we wish them good luck. The whole has seen how governance has since gone on holiday in Oyo State and this is regrettable”. The statement said.

    In the same vein, Oyo APC has advised Gov. Makinde “to resist every instinct or pressure capable of causing unrest in the state especially as it concerned sponsorship of anarchy and confusion at the local government tier. Again, the Pacesetter State should not be in the news for any wrong reason because a governor must satisfy himself or his party men.

    “The current officials at the local council are a product of legitimacy and since the governor has agreed to edge them out through after his first self-help attempt failed, he should submit himself wholly to the court process without any overt or covert effort to circumvent democracy and the rule of law.

    “We say no to intimidation of elected council chairmen and councillors by the governor or any of his men who are desperate to feast on the resources of local government councils as done in the past. The Appeal Court has picked July 5, 2019 for hearing of the case brought before it by the governor with a Caveat that the Status Quo must be maintained. What this means is that elected officials should not be prevented from functioning in their capacities and we expect the PDP government to be aware of this.” Adejumo concluded.

     

  • Oyo govt, ALGON trade words over dissolution of councils

    Chairmen of Oyo State local councils, sacked last week by Governor Seyi Makinde, have taken their case to President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention.

    The sacked chairmen who are operating under the auspices of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), dispatched a petition to the president on Thursday, accusing the state government of brigandage in bid to get rid of them.

    But the government claimed the sacked chairmen got into office through an illegal election and have no reason to parade themselves as elected officials.

    Governor Makinde’s  Chief of Staff (CoS), Bisi Ilaka,who announced the dissolution of the LGs, soon after the governor’s inauguration, asked the council bosses  to hand over to the Head of Local Government (HLA) in each council or the most senior director at the council.

    But the chairmen described their sack as an act of illegality, arguing that  they were elected on May 12, last year.

    They added, that, a May 6 High Court judgment had also restrained the state government and its representatives or agencies from dissolving the councils or freezing the bank accounts of the councils, among others.

    The court held, that, dissolution of elected council chairmen and other officers by the state government or the House of Assembly is contrary to Section 7(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    In their June 3, 2019, Save our Soul (SOS) letter to the President, the sacked LG chairmen  urged Buhari to call Makinde to order and prevail on him to respect the decision of the court.

    In the letter signed by its Chairman, Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, and the Secretary, Olayinka Jesutoye, ALGON also insisted that just as Makinde cannot be removed by any executive fiat, they cannot be sacked without recourse to the constitution.

    The chairmen said, appealing the judgment is the only legal means of resolving the crisis, which Makinde has created by his decision.

    ALGON also accused the state government on Thursday of planning to forcefully take over local government secretariats by deploying hoodlums, an act it described as a sad return to the years of brigandage, which ended at the emergence of the former governor, Abiola Ajimobi, eight years ago.

    Read Also: 20 inmates rescued as Oyo police raid shrine

    “The insidious plan of government’s hatchet men to forcefully overrun secretariats of local government councils in Oyo State is their next act of illegality spiced with hooliganism.

    “The general public is hereby alerted to this government sponsorship of political brigandage. This is a sad return to their old days of governance though violent intimidation of opposition and the general public with no regard to law,” they said.

    They added: “After eight years of civil peaceful governance in Oyo State, we should not allow and will not condone the old ways of the power vipers to return and push the state to reckless governance.

    “There is an existing High Court judgement, government should go to court instead of resorting to self- help.”

    “The subsisting Supreme Court Judgement on Ekiti State has removed such fanciful act of executive indulgence in using the House to perpetrate illegality and dissolve elected local government on the whims and caprice of a state government.

    The group’s chairman, Abass-Aleshinloye, has also alleged threat to his life. He pleaded with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to offer him security, stressing that, after  he addressed a press conference on May 30, on ALGON’s position,

    strange people suspected to be supporters of the governor and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), went  to attack him in his office.

    He said the men also trailed him on two different occasions after speaking on radio.

    Reacting to Abass-Aleshinloye’s claims, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, dismissed them, stating that their election was illegal, and that the state government’s decision was in defence of the constitution.

    He said: “The government of the Oyo State committed no illegality in dissolving the councils. Rather, the government took the step in defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The laws say that you cannot create local governments by whatever name called, without recourse to constitutional procedures.

    “The immediate past state government went ahead to create LCDAs in total disregard for the constitution. They also jointly conducted elections into the recognised councils and the LCDAs the same day.

    “By that singular act, they have tainted the elections conducted into the 33 local governments with illegality. Also, remember that the council chairmen were guilty of what lawyers call ‘forum shopping’ in trying to vacate the injunction that was issued to stop the conduct of the elections by rushing to a different court to get an order.

  • How Ajimobi’s infrastructural strides reposition Oyo

    When Abiola Ajimobi first emerged as governor of Oyo State in 2011, those who knew him were not in any doubt that he had a good understanding of the many problems facing the state and their solutions. He did not disappoint as he quickly got to work with an agenda to give the state a facelift.

    By the end of his first term in 2015, those who had little doubt over his capacity to fix the state had become convinced that he was the right person for the job. That earned him another term of four years, which is unprecedented in the history of the state. As Governor Abiola Ajimobi rounds off his second term, his name will go down in history as a man who transformed Oyo to a modern state in terms of infrastructural development. Within the first seven years of his administration, Ajimobi spent N200 billion on construction and rehabilitation of roads in the state. This was borne out of his resolve to create a network of roads not just to ease movement but also to encourage business.

    Among his landmark achievements, Ajimobi embarked on the construction of the first flyover by a civilian government at Mokola. Those who knew the state of infrastructural facilities in the state when he became governor admit that the project has enhanced the architectural landscape, improved traffic flow and decongested the grid lock within the Mokola/Sabo/Adamasingba axis.

    His administration modernised and dualised entry roads into the major cities and towns in the six geopolitical zones of the state, namely, Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomosho, Iseyin, Saki and Ibarapa. This has in no small measure, improved vehicular movement, access to different parts and enhanced commercial activities in all the geopolitical zones from about 7.8% penetration in the past to about 65% in recent times. Similarly, he constructed road and bridges across the geo-political zones of the state, which has enhanced the modernization and urbanization programme of his administration, resulting in reduction in road accidents by approximately 90% and travel time by 40%.

    The Ajimobi administration also embarked on the construction of the Ibadan Circular Road. Upon completion of this project, reduction of travel times by up to 48% will be achieved. And to further ease movement in and around the state, the government provided 100 units of 63-seater mass transit buses at subsidized fares. The impact is improved access and affordability of the transport system in the state particularly for the movement of civil servants and the general public.

    In the Environment and Water Resources sector, the Oyo State government under Ajimobi carried out restructuring and re-engineering of solid waste management thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness in waste disposal, collection and evacuation such that there is now an increase in the volume of annual waste collection and evacuation from 42,000 mt in 2011 to 1,893,000 mt in 2018. There is also, a corresponding increase in compliance level in proper waste disposal from 18% in 2014 to 48% in 2018. This also led to the development of waste to wealth ecosystem through Public Private Partnership, wherein two companies have been established to process wastes – Nylon Wastes Recycling Processing Company, which produces Basket Nylon at Oluyole and, a Green House Compost Energy plant at Abaeku Dumpsite, to contribute 14MW to the national grid from May 2019.

    The Ajimobi administration is credited with building a modern state despite political and economic challenges. He introduced the Urban Renewal Programme, aimed at beautification, cleaner and aesthetically pleasing environment. The Flood Control and Management project embarked upon by his administration is the first ever rehabilitation of Eleyele Dam since it was constructed in 1942 (over 70 years). The project has drastically reduced flooding in the state and increased water production capacity from 14,219cm cube in 2010 to 93,960cm cube in 2019. The introduction of Oyo State Water Policy and Law by the Ajimobi government is in compliance with federal law, leading to the establishment of governance structure thereby increasing accessibility to local and international grants for the state.

    Through its policy on Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, the government of Oyo State under Ajimobi’s watch introduced Master Plans (City, Waste and Sewage). This resulted in the creation and development of modern cities and structured physical development in the state. His government also deployed the Geographical Information System (GIS), which has led to improved data capturing and mapping of spatial features for analysis and management resulting in urban planning and modernization.

    Governor Ajimobi will also be remembered for creating new Government Reserved Areas (site and service schemes). These include Ajumose GRA Nitel, Old Ife Road, Ibadan; Ajumose GRA NIHORT, Ibadan; Ajumose GRA Ring Road, Ibadan; Ajumose GRA, Saki; and Omololu Olunloyo GRA, Ring Road, Ibadan. The creation of these new areas has enhanced the landscapes, improved quality of life and increased private land ownership in the state by about 50%.

    Read Also: Oyo workers threaten strike over demands

    The creation of new GRAs was complemented by the establishment of electronic Title documentation – Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). This now guarantees Title document security, reduction of processes and delivery time of C of O from 720 day to 60 days. Similarly, the introduction and issuance of Home Owners Charter Certificate of Occupancy has reduced the time frame for the processing and acquisition of C of O resulting in 35% increase in titled home ownership.

    To crown it all, his government also enacted the Oyo State Property Protection Law 2016 (A law against land grabbing). The signing into law of the anti-land grabbing bill by governor Abiola Ajimobi, which prescribes a 15-year jail term for offenders, is one of the landmark policies made by his administration. Available records show that the law which seeks to protect the rights of property owners and prohibit forceful entry, illegal occupation, violence and fraudulent conducts, in relation to real property owners in the state, has reduced cases of land dispute and associated violence in the state by about 73 %.

    Although the impact of all that Ajimobi has accomplished may not be immediately appreciated, future chroniclers of history will no doubt put his name in a pride of place in the history of Oyo State. This is particularly so when the numerous achievements of the governor are examined against the backdrop of what he met on ground – the level of decay and dilapidation of public infrastructure and the poor standard of living of the people of Oyo State, all of which he has transformed in his eight years of administration.

    In the years to come, his achievements would also be used as a yardstick for measuring the performance of governors that will come after him. He has set a standard for development and history will judge him fairly.

  • Ajimobi appoints new HOS

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, has appointed Alhaja Ololade Agboola, as the new Head of Service (HOS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor announced this appointment at the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday in Ibadan.

    Agboola, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, would replace Mrs Hannah Ogunesan, who resigned from the state civil service.

    Read Also: Ajimobi swears in 11 permanent secretaries

    The new HOS, who hails from Ibadan, is the wife of a former Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Hosea Agboola, popularly known as ‘Halleluyah’.

    NAN reports that Agboola would be the fourth HOS to work with Ajimobi and the third to be appointed by him.

    Among those who have worked with Ajimobi before the new appointment were Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu and Mr Soji Eniade.

    NAN