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Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

  • Restructuring: Ajimobi, Akintola, others harp on

    Stakeholders including students, scholars, members of the academic community, socio-cultural groups, traditional leaders, policymakers, government functionaries, community leaders, trade groups and artisans among others from the southwest states on Friday scaled up their agitations and clamour for the restructuring of the country in the interest of development.

    The event christened the first edition of the Biennial Dipo Famakinwa Colloquium, organised by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Yoruba Academy and Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) held at the House of Chiefs, Parliamentary Building, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

    The biennial event which seeks to immortalise Famakinwa’s vision and ideas on the development and adoption of a common regional agenda is with the theme, “Restructuring: Ending the talk and starting the walk.”

    Famakinwa was the pioneer director- general of the Western Nigeria regional governmental policy think tank, christened DAWN Commission, died April 21, 2017, after serving the commission for four years.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state in his short remarks at the event described late Famakinwa’s contribution to the strategic and tactical rethink of western Nigeria as instructive and pivotal, noting that paying tribute to and sustaining the memory and good work of such an individual is fundamentally apt.

    According to Governor Ajimobi, restructuring within the context of a united federation of Nigeria, democratic processes should be built around such fundamental values as sovereignty of the people; respect for human rights, equal political, social and economic opportunities for all citizens, equity, justice and fair play as ethical values of politics and national unity as well as transparency and accountability as the basis of governance.

    He said, “These values are non-negotiable and form the bedrock of nation-building. For these values to be given expression in the Nigerian nation, the structural defects and deficiencies of the construct of the nation must be addressed as expressed by popular consensus of the people through:

    “Renegotiation of Nigerian Federal nation; organizing for regional actions; mobilization of regional endowments and assets; optimizing the space for development through the regions to achieving sustainable growth in Nigeria; fiscal federalism and decentralization of Nigeria.

    “Most Yoruba people want a Nigeria that operates as a properly managed modern country, a land of order, law, freedom, justice, progress, science, technology, opportunity, competitiveness, productivity and prosperity- the kind of country that all Yoruba people desire and want.”

    A legal luminary, Niyi Akintola in his remarks noted that restructuring is the mantra of an average Southwesterner, expressing certainty that the present federal structure cannot sustain the county for another 25years.

    He said, “For those that still believe so much in the corporate existence of Nigeria,  we should know that the present structure cannot sustain this country for another 25 years. It is totally impossible. The world is already becoming a neighbourhood and its no more a global village.

    “Nigeria is the only federation in the world with unitary police, even the State of Britain that is unitary in form has many formations and organisations. In the United States, as at the last count, they have more than 78,000 police formations, including universities. Each higher institution in the United States has police formation, recognised by the state.

    “Restructuring is the mantra of an average south westerner. I know that the present structure cannot sustain the county for another 25years.  We need to give the DAWN commission every support. When late Bola Ige was advocating for integration, we never knew the country would ever be in this state. He who wants peace must be ready for war. We will not take another neo-colonialism from anybody. This country will not move forward unless we restructure.

    “The Nigerian governance structure is oppressive. The only language understood by the oppressor is confrontation. Therefore, to achieve restructuring, we must be ready for appropriate confrontation. A structured way to achieve restructuring agenda is by strengthening regional integration. Southwest state governors should give greater support to DAWN Commission.”

    Other speakers at the event noted that the region has been unfairly shortchanged with a structure that allows other regions to hold it back in terms of the speed of development and progress before the military interregnum.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General, DAWN Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye noted that the event was to celebrate the late Famakinwa’s devoted energy in the last 7-8 years to what is today known as DAWN commission.

    He said the effort, which he described as an all-inclusive was to take the subject of restructuring from mere talks to acting in a way that all the stakeholders will be able to express their views and understand what it meant.

    Widow of late DG, Mrs. Ibironke Famakinwa appreciated the DAWN Commission for honouring the husband by holding on to the effort he committed so much energy and time in the interest of the region. She urged the organisers to sustain the fight until the integration and unity of the region is achieved in the interest of the present and future generation.

    Some of the dignitaries at the event include, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, General Secretary, Afenifere Renewal Group, Ayo Afolabi, Dr. Bolaji Ogunseye, Rtd Major Gen Sam Odunsi, Dr. Charles Akindiji Akinola, Alh. Lai Oyeduntan, Mr Tokunbo Ajasin and Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo.

    Others are, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Mrs Yemi Alabi, Mrs. Adeyinka Bello, Baale of Makoko, Barr. Adekunle Olaiya.

     

  • Oyo workers laud Ajimobi on human capital development

    Participants at a two-day “train-the-trainers” workshop for civil servants in Oyo State have expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for his commitment to the welfare and development of the state’s workforce.

    This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the workshop, held in Ibadan, on Thursday, with the theme, ‘The Imperatives of Change Management in Oyo State Public Service.’

    According to the communiqué, the participants resolved to embrace work practices, which would enhance productivity and efficiency in the state civil service.

    Read Also: Ajimobi wants Ibadan butchers relocated to multi-billion naira abattoir

    Some of the resolutions include, “emphasising recruitment based on merit; attitudinal change among staff to ensure better service delivery and continuous capacity building of staff through training and re-training”.

    Others are, “constant review of relevant extant rules, regulations, circulars and general orders; clearer definition of the mission and vision of MDAs for effective service delivery and effective deployment of technology in day-to-day operations”.

    Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, delivered a keynote address at the workshop, while the lead paper was delivered by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Efficiency, Dr. Isaac Ayandele.

    Resource persons included retired permanent secretaries in the state and seasoned administrators, while participants comprised staff of the efficiency unit of all MDAs and political appointees.

  • Ajimobi wants Ibadan butchers relocated to multi-billion naira abattoir

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has directed butchers in the 11 Local Government Areas of Ibadanland to relocate to the multi-billion naira central abattoir by the end of April.

    The governor gave the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the House of Chiefs, at the Secretariat in Ibadan.

    Our reporter says that the multi-billion naira central abattoir is located in Amosun Village in the Akinyele Local Government Area in Ibadan.

    The butchers were led to the meeting by the South-West Coordinator of the Butchers Association, Alhaji Biliaminu Elesinmeta, and the association’s state Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Alagunfon.

    Ajimobi said that the meeting was called to find a lasting solution to issues surrounding the relocation of butchers in Ibadan to the central abattoir and to dispel their misgivings about the project.

    “Apart from its state-of-the-art facilities that would promote the hygiene of meat consumers, it is also capable of ending the incessant clashes between herders and farmers,’’ he said.

    The governor explained that the abattoir was a joint venture among a private establishment, C & E Consulting Ltd, the state government, the butchers association, and the 11 LGs and 14 Local Council Development Areas in Ibadanland.

    He stressed that the private partners would have 50 per cent share, the LGs and the LCDAs 36 per cent, the state government 10 per cent, while the butchers have 4 per cent in the ownership structure.

    According to him, “We plan to develop your business through the central abattoir. I told those in charge of the arrangement that the butchers, the state government, the LGs and the LCDAs and our private partners should co-own the facility.

    “We are sure that the lingering crisis between the farmers and herdsmen will not arise again, because cows will now be transported here directly, instead of our towns and villages where grazing on farmlands have been generating tension.

    “I’m also happy that this arrangement will bring about a change in the way butchers handle meat and it will improve the hygiene of the business.

    “The facility is going to have health and sanitary officers that will ensure strict compliance with the basic hygiene of meat handling.”

    Ajimobi said that effective from May, the project must be actualised, saying that a committee comprising all stakeholders would start meeting immediately and arrive at a conclusion before the end of April.

    The governor told the butchers that each cow butchered at the central abattoir would attract a fee of N3, 500.00, adding that the fee would cover the use of the facility.

    He said that the state had entered into an agreement with the private investors to use the facility for 30 years, after which its total ownership would be transferred to the butchers.

    Ajimobi appealed for the support and understanding of the butchers to comply with the relocation order, saying that the facility had suffered neglect for too long due to unresolved issues among stakeholders.

    The butchers expressed gratitude to the governor for allaying their fears about the project, commending his support to them through financial empowerment and donation of a new bus.

    They said that the earlier misunderstanding between the association and the government was due to lack of adequate information from the immediate-past administration in the state.

    The butchers stated that they were not briefed on the benefits accruable to them from the central abattoir.

    Elesinmeta, however, appealed to the state government to reduce the N3,500 costs attached to each butchered cow in the facility.

    He also solicited logistics support for members of the association located in different parts of Ibadan metropolis.

     

    NAN

  • ‘Embrace demand-driven researches’, Ajimobi challenges Poly Ibadan

    *as wife donates ICT centre to mark birthday

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state Thursday challenged the management and staff of The Polytechnic, Ibadan to embark on researches that were driven by the current demand of the people of Nigeria, especially, Oyo State.

    Ajimobi gave the charge in an address while commissioning a multi-million naira Information Communication Technology (ICT) Building donated to the institution by his wife, Dr Florence Ajimobi to mark her 59th birthday anniversary.
    The governor charged the management to see technology as the only saviour of the modern Nigeria in reviving the economy and provision of job opportunities for the youths.

    He said, “The richest people of the world today are those in the area of technology. So, our new education policy, apart from building character is also about technology.

    “While calling on the students to imbibe good character, I challenge the Polytechnic Ibadan to embark on researches that are demand-driven. That is the essence of the donation of this structure and the equipments therein. I’m pleased today to stand before you and say my wife has contributed to technology.”

    According to the governor who described his wife as an icon in philanthropy, his wife taught him the art of giving pointing out that, people can assist the society by giving back to their alma mater.

    He called on people of means to always assist the less privileged and contribute to the growth of public institutions.

    “I have known my wife for over 38 years and of these years, she has taught me to always give back to the society. I have realized that it is not what we say but what we do. You that God has assisted with what it takes to assist humanity should do so. Do not say unless you are rich, from whatever you have, give a little.

    “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give. Let me challenge you all to give more”, Governor Ajimobi appealed.

    The governors wife, an alumnae of The Polytechnic, Ibadan in her address said having discovered the wonders of Information technology and its contribution to the modern world, she had vowed to do her bit to spread its gospel to the world, which led to the donation of the ICT building and its equipments.

    She enjoined the authority of the institution to give optimal maintenance to the structure so that its effect on the society would endure.

    “Today, to the glory of God and in commemoration of my 59th birthday, I am donating the 4th ICT center to my alma mater, the Polytechnic Ibadan because I realize there is a great need for this intervention in the institution. It is my hope that this center will open new vistas of opportunities to all who are privileged to use it.

    “While we are today gathered to commission this ICT center, I want us to cast our minds forward to about five years from now and ask ourselves ‘in what state will this center be’? Will the status quo be maintained or even improved upon or will we be greeted by a building that will stand as a shadow of its former self? I urge you to please give maintenance of both building and equipment utmost priority so that it can continue to serve you optimally.”

    The Chairman of the  institutions Governing Council, Prof. Isaac Adeyemi thanked the donor and her husband for not losing touch with their alma mater especially in the area of infrastructural development.

    Adeyemi reiterated the belief of the institution in the ideals of ‘town and gown’ as they strive to improve on the relationship between the institution and the private sector adding that the new facility “will no doubt provide an excellent working environment for staff and students which would enhance the quality of training especially in the department of Office Technology and Management”

    Earlier, a birthday thanksgiving held at the Agodi Government House Chapel where Pastor Taiwo Adelakun called on all the people to be conversant with how they would end their living in the world.

    The priest called on the governor to pray and work relentlessly over his successor as according to him, the success of any leader hinged on his succession.

    “We should be concerned about our end. There is hope in working for the end. The life that counts is the life that is focused on the end. To our governor, I urge you to please make the development you introduced to governance enduring be working on a good successor.

    “The true worth of a leader is not in the leading but in the succession. Success without succession is a failure in disguise. I pray that our governor will end well,” Adelakun prayed.

    Mrs Florence Ajimobi had in the last three years, in commemoration of her birthday donated ICT centers to Our Lady’s of Apostle Girls Grammar School, Fatimo, Odo-Ona, Ibadan and Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo among others.

     

  • Give us a female deputy governor in 2019, Ajimobi’s wife begs

    Wife of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi on Wednesday made case for a woman becoming the deputy governor of the state in the 2019 general election.

    Mrs Ajimobi who recounted that virtually all the states in the Southwest have at one time or the other had a female deputy governor, noted that Oyo state is matured enough and blessed with capable women who can perform at the level more than the men.

    She made the appeal while addressing journalist at her Agodi office after distributing gift items to ten orphanage homes in Ibadan as parts of event line up to commemorate her 59thbirthday.

    Some of the item distributed include bags of rice, toiletries, cartons of biscuits, fruit juice, cash gifts among others.

    Asked on her views about on the call for more women in politics, the governors wife noted that women may not be able to achieve much without the support of their husbands and as such appealed to men across the state to support and encourage their women to take up political offices, particularly at the forthcoming local government elections, expressing confidence in the ability of the women in the state to deliver.

    She said, “This is something that has been bothering me for a while. And I think in my own little way I have encouraged women particularly the women in APC to come out and join politics but I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our husbands to give us the opportunity to prove ourselves. We are women and as the bible says, we should be submissive to our husbands after Christ. They are our head and the head of our different homes but because we believed in them, we need their approval to do anything. I just want them to encourage us because if we do not get their support, there is nothing any woman out there can do.

    “So, our men, particularly in Oyo state, please encourage your women, let them prove themselves, I know they can do it. And they can do it very well. Give us the opportunity, even at the local government level, let us prove ourselves that we can manage the local governments, let us have more women in the Oyo state House of Assembly. Let us at least have a woman in the House of Representative in Abuja, I know we have a female Senator, let us have two or more.

    “I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to my husband, the Executive Governor of Oyo state to give us a woman as a deputy governor in Oyo state. Other states have done it. Lagos state has done it continuously, Ekiti has done it, Osun has done it, Ogun has done it, Oyo state too can do it. Your Excellency sir, let us prove ourselves, we can do it better than the men.”

     

  • Youth groups woo CBN deputy governor for Oyo Guber office

    As the preparations for the 2019 polls gather stems, the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (Operations), Bayo Adelabu, has been challenged and endorsed by a pro-democracy youth group across Oyo state, the New Era Ambassadors (NEA), to succeed the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

    The CBN boss, a grandson of a pre-independent firebrand Ibadan politician, Adegoke Adelabu, fondly called ‘Penkelemesi’, according to the group has done well at the national level and as such is well equipped and qualified to replicate same in the state.

    The endorsement given during an ‘Ibadan Town Hall Standing Ovation for Bayo Adelabu’ held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, was attended by thousands of people from across the state.

    Coordinator of the New Era Ambassadors, Femi Awogboro, in his address, noted that Governor Ajimobi has raised the bar of governance in the state and his successor should be a tested and trusted competent successful administrator, saying: “The incumbent governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has set standard, and as such, a successor, who is worthy in character, political sagacity and purposeful acumen is required to steer the ship further.”

    Awogboro was worried that vast majority of these breeds have an aversion for murky water of Nigerian brand of politics, adding that “are often dissuaded by raging acrimony,  wanton Shenanigans, a plethora of Machiavellian freaks and bickerings that characterised politics across the nation and cultures.”

    Corroborating Awogboro stance, other speakers including Chairman, Quarry Haulers and Marketers Association of Nigeria,  Oyo State chapter, Otunba Adeola Opayinka; zonal chairman of New Era Ambassadors for Ibadan Outer City Coordination, Babatunde Raji, all said that Adelabu has track records, historical clouts, professional accomplishments and rare genre of discipline, to take over the mantle of leadership from Ajimobi.

    “We are passionately appealing to him to bring his expertise, vision, tact, intelligence and vibrancy to bear, by contesting for the post of Governor of Oyo state, come 2019, to keep on the good work started by the incumbent.

    “Our gladness will know no bounds if he says an affirmative yes to our clarion call to serve the good people of Oyo State. We also want to affirm that our organisation is committed to this project, and we want to say unequivocally that we will foot the bill for the purchase of his form, once he hearkens to our call. This is to show him that we really want him to vie,” Awogboro stated.

    He, however, warned that Adelabu rejection of the endorsement and call will be a great disservice to the people of the state particularly the youths who look up to him as a new generation leader and would not be acceptable to the group.

     

  • SGBs have improved infrastructure in schools – Oyo Govt

    The Oyo State Government on Tuesday said that the School Governing Boards (SGBs) have arrested the infrastructural decay in various secondary schools across state, saying that over N2bn have been expended by SGBs, philanthropists and old students associations on new buildings, renovation of the old ones, laboratories, ICT centres, chairs, desks and boreholes.

    It said that the participatory schools’ management model, the first of its kind in the country introduced by Governor Abiola Ajimobi a year ago, is executing one infrastructural programme or the other in various schools, explaining that out of the N2bn, the SGBs have spent N1.269 billion realized from the N3,000 session fee paid by each student while projects already commissioned put in place by Old Students, philanthropists and corporate organisations stood at about N0.8billion.

    The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela during a three day expanded stakeholders meeting on Implementation of 2018 State Engagement Plan (SEP) organized by Ministry of Education in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) held at Emmanuel Alayande Resource Centre, Samonda, Ibadan disclosed that the total number of people engaged by Government for this participatory service (SGBs) is 5,652 members for the 628 secondary schools in the state.

    Read Also: Oyo offers free TB treatment

    Professor Olowofela explained that SGB is made up of nine members who are on voluntary services except the statutory members that are civil servants which include the Principals, who are the secretaries of the Boards, nominees of Council Chairmen and Local Inspector Education (L.I.Es) where the schools are domiciled.

    The Commissioner said that the introduction of the SGB was a masterstroke to change the fortune of education in the state, saying, “the SGB has led to renewed rivalry among various old students associations as they are all trying to outdo one another in providing infrastructure for their schools.  During the launch of Education Trust Fund (ETF) in November 2017, the SGB of Government College, Ibadan was honoured as the best SGB and this has in no doubt propelled other SGBs to act.

    “Recently, the SGB of Lagelu Grammar School also injected about N250m into the renovation of schools. There are so many SGBs working on renovations of their schools and this is evident in the present state on improved infrastructures as the government also observed that some of the buildings earlier earmarked for rehabilitation have already been renovated by SGBs or Old students.

    “Our SGB intervention for schools is a success story and we need to commend various old students association for being part of this laudable achievement to renovate existing buildings, construct new ones, laboratories, ICT centres as well as provision of laboratories equipment, chairs, desks and boreholes,” Professor Olowofela said.

    Prof. Olowofela appreciated the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration for his transformational initiative in the States’ education sector and commended the collaborators, stressing that the benefits of UNICEF and State Planning Commission’s conduct of Annual School Census and others cannot be over emphasised.

    While delivering his speech, the UNICEF Education Specialist, Mr. Muritala Muhammed stated that the essence of the training is to develop a better understanding of the use of SEP as a tool for education planning for basic and Secondary schools, update knowledge on the developed SEP and proffer best practices/way forward for maximum outcome in education service delivery in the State among others.

    Mr. Muhammed stated further that UNICEF is set to collaborate and give technical support to partner states for the next 5 years in the area of Governance, Community and teacher development.

  • Nigerian judges burdened with too many cases – Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has attributed the slow dispensation of justice to the high number of cases that judges across the country are being burdened with.

    The governor, stated this while inaugurating the Oyo State Multi-door Court House located within the premises of the State High Court, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

    He therefore appealed to litigants to embrace the newly-introduced multi-court door initiative as an alternative route to seeking redress and liberalizing access to justice.

    Ajimobi explained that the multi-court door system was in the furtherance of alternative dispute resolution system which he described as the country’s native jurisprudence before the contemporary court system came into being.

    He said: “The official commissioning of the multi-door court house today is a clear signal that we are returning to our root where issues are resolved amicably without the much experienced delays, complex legalese and drain on the resources of the state and disputants.

    Read Also: Why we are reforming education sector, by Ajimobi

    “This is not meant to minimize the role of our courts, especially the courts of records which play a pivotal role in the maintenance of civil and social order in our society.

    “But our vision is to ensure that we provide a credible alternative, yet constitutional route, towards dispute resolution and attainment of justice.’’

    In further justifying the introduction of the multi-door court system in the state, the governor frowned on what he called the astronomical addition to the court docket quarterly, saying the development might hamper speedy dispensation of justice.

    Ajimobi said that the multi-door court process would enable disputants to access the various other dispute resolution options such as mediation, arbitration, conciliation, early neutral evaluation and hybrid processes.

    He said: “I understand from the information available to me that each one of our judges in the High Court currently carry a case load of between 300 and 400 cases per court, which number increases monthly.

    “So far, within this first quarter of 2018 only, I am informed that 306 new civil cases have been filed by disputants before the Oyo State High Court and 173 criminal cases filed by the Ministry of Justice and the police.

    “With such astronomical addition to the court docket quarterly, our administration of justice system may never be able to achieve speedy dispensation of justice, without an initiative like the multi-door court.

    “It is clear that without this alternative route and a liberalization of our access to justice structures, speedy dispensation of justice will continue to elude our people.’’

    Also speaking at the occasion, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, said the landmark performances of the present administration, which culminated in the transformation of the State into the 4th Most Desirable Destination of Choice for Foreign Investment had been replicated in the legal system

    He described the multi-door court process as part of the Ajimobi-led administration’s legacy of restoration, transformation, and repositioning the state, for which the legal profession in the state would remain grateful.

    Abimbola urged all stakeholders and the organized private sector to embrace and harness the benefits of the new initiative in the state’s justice system for their own benefit.

    The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola expressed appreciation to the governor for the initiative and promised that the state’s legal administration would do all within its power to enhance justice delivery in the State.

  • 2019: Youth groups woo CBN deputy governor for guber office

    As the preparations for the 2019 polls gather stems, the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (Operations), Bayo Adelabu, has been challenged and endorsed by a pro-democracy youth group across Oyo state, the New Era Ambassadors (NEA), to succeed the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

    The CBN boss, a grandson of a pre-independent firebrand Ibadan politician, Adegoke Adelabu, fondly called ‘Penkelemesi’, according to the group has done well at the national level and as such is well equipped and qualified to replicate same in the state.

    The endorsement given on Thursday during an ‘Ibadan Town Hall Standing Ovation for Bayo Adelabu’ held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, was attended by thousands of people from across the state.

    Read Also: Senate screens Buhari’s nominees for CBN, MPC

    Coordinator of the New Era Ambassadors, Femi Awogboro, in his address, noted that Governor Ajimobi has raised the bar of governance in the state and his successor should be a tested and trusted competent successful administrator, saying: “The incumbent governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has set standard, and as such, a successor, who is worthy in character, political sagacity and purposeful acumen is required to steer the ship further.”

    Awogboro was worried that vast majority of these breeds have an aversion for murky water of Nigerian brand of politics, adding that “are often dissuaded by raging acrimony,  wanton Shenanigans, a plethora of Machiavellian freaks and bickerings that characterised politics across the nation and cultures.”

    Corroborating Awogboro stance, other speakers including Chairman, Quarry Haulers and Marketers Association of Nigeria,  Oyo State chapter, Otunba Adeola Opayinka; zonal chairman of New Era Ambassadors for Ibadan Outer City Coordination, Babatunde Raji, all said that Adelabu has track records, historical clouts, professional accomplishments and rare genre of discipline, to take over the mantle of leadership from Ajimobi.

    “We are passionately appealing to him to bring his expertise, vision, tact, intelligence and vibrancy to bear, by contesting for the post of Governor of Oyo state, come 2019, to keep on the good work started by the incumbent.

    “Our gladness will know no bounds if he says an affirmative yes to our clarion call to serve the good people of Oyo State. We also want to affirm that our organisation is committed to this project, and we want to say unequivocally that we will foot the bill for the purchase of his form, once he hearkens to our call. This is to show him that we really want him to vie,” Awogboro stated.

    He, however, warned that Adelabu rejection of the endorsement and call will be a great disservice to the people of the state particularly the youths who look up to him as a new generation leader and would not be acceptable to the group.

     

  • Ajimobi inaugurates multi-door Courthouse

    As a measure of enhancing and facilitate quick administration and resolution of civil disputes as well as boosting the confidence of the organized private sector in the state, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Tuesday inaugurated the Multi-Door Courthouse.

    Ajimobi while speaking at the inauguration of the special court for the  Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at the premises of Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, explained that the Multi-Door Courthouse was one of the steps been taken by his administration to modernize the state and restore its pace setter status.

    He noted that in spite of the claim by the state of being a pace setter in the country, the reality is that Lagos State, which is less than three hours drive away,  has not only overtaken the capital of the old western region, it is 25 years ahead of Oyo State.

    He recounted that since the inception of his administration in 2011, he has “worked assiduously to nip in the bud, the rampant thuggery and hooliganism that characterized the state, by ensuring solid foundation of peace, security and massive infrastructural development”, adding that his administration has also introduced and implemented many initiatives that are gradually restoring the state to its pace setter status.

    His words, “We will make sure we make Oyo State a modern state. Look at Lagos State, it takes an average of one to three hours to get there depending on the traffic. Lagos state is 25 years ahead of Oyo State. We pride ourselves in pacesetter status, it has gone. We are no longer the pacesetter, but we are only trying to bring it back and I’m happy that with today’s commissioning, we are bringing back the pacesetter status.”
    He, however, stated further that his administration has been working to change some perceived attitudes that are anti-development, saying “we thought we should change the attitude because attitude will determine altitude. We are changing attitude in Oyo State, especially attitude of dependency in order to ensure that we transform this state to a modern state.”

    The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Munta Abimbola, in his address a new administration of justice had just begun in the state promising to use same to ease the task of justice system.

    He said, “A new dawn begins in the administration of justice in Oyo State. We shall use it to ease the task of justice system.

    “We shall make do all the enablements offered us to enhance and bear in justice delivery in Oyo State. We shall partner with Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG) and the ADR Society to ensure success in the adaptation and use of this alternative.”

    Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr. Seun Abimbola, in an earlier remarks stated that the multi-door court would be a wholesome complement to the Citizen’s Mediation Centre at the Ministry of Justice, “which had been earlier repositioned by this administration, and now on annual basis handle between 700 and 800 cases, with an 80 per cent success rate in resolution.”

    The facilitator of Multi-Door Courthouse in Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Aina, also noted that the special court has capacity to attract the organized private sectors and other investors to the state.