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Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

  • 200,000 living with HIV in Oyo – NACA DG

    200,000 living with HIV in Oyo – NACA DG

    Dr Sani Aliyu, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS ( NACA ) says an estimated 200,000 people are living with HIV in Oyo State.

    He made the disclosure on Tuesday in Ibadan during a courtesy call on Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State at the executive council chamber of the governor’s office.

    The delegation led by Aliyu, included representatives of relevant international donor and funding agencies like WHO.

    Aliyu stated that only 16,000 out of the estimated 200, 000 persons living with HIV in the state are currently on treatment.

    “We have a gap between the number of infected persons and those on treatment. We have a gap between infected pregnant women and those receiving treatment.

    “We also have issues with the number of new infections recorded,’’ he said.

    The NACA boss stated that 10, 000 pregnant women in Oyo State are living with HIV, adding that about 50 people contact HIV in the state on a daily basis.

    He stated that the state has a considerable figure in terms of new infections, commending the state government for running one of the best programmes on HIV/AIDS.

    Aliyu said that there are 1,060,000 people living with HIV in Nigeria, out of which only five percent were currently on treatment courtesy of the Nigerian government.

    The NACA boss stated that about one million Nigerians are currently on treatment on the bills of the international donor agencies.

    He said that NACA had proposed to the state government to contribute 0.5 or One percent of their federal allocation towards HIV/AIDS.

    Aliyu stated that such contribution by state governments would allow the states to put another 50 per cent of infected persons on treatment.

    “For instance, we have 16,000 already on treatment. If the state can put 0.5 percent of the allocation, the state will be able to put 8,000 on treatment,’’ he said.

    He assured the governor that they are willing to work with his government to ensure that people living with HIV across the state have access to quality and affordable treatment.

    In his response, Gov. Ajimobi assured the delegation of his administration’s readiness to partner with them to bring the figure of infected people to a barest minimum if not totally eradicated.

    Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo said his administration would support the donor agencies with funds and human capital towards the eradication in the state.

    NAN

  • Nigeria saves N216bn from rice importation – BOA

    Nigeria saves N216bn from rice importation – BOA

    Nigeria has saved over N216 billion from the importation of rice alone from Thailand and other countries since the nation’s domestic mass production flooded the markets under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

    Prince Niyi Akenzua, the Executive Director, Risk Management and Finance, Bank of Agriculture (BOA) disclosed on Thursday in Ibadan when he visited Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Akenzua had led some other officials of the bank on the visit to the state.

    He said that the figure represented a fraction of a staggering $22 billion (N7.92trillion) spent on importation of foods into the country annually prior to the advent of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Akenzua said it was worthy of commendation that the country had committed itself to diversifying from oil economy, with emphasis on revitalisation of agriculture.

    He said he had embarked on advocacy visit around the country to enlist the support and involvement of state governments in ABP, which freed the country from reliance on importation of rice.

    “We enjoin Oyo State to participate in the ABP as we have remodelled the programme to expand the scope of beneficiaries.

    “The pilot scheme was so successful that $600m was saved from rice importation due to massive rice production in the country.

    “One or two rice millers in Thailand have closed down because Nigeria, which has always been their major importer, has stopped importing their rice.

    “We used to spend $22 billion importing food into Nigeria and with our consciousness that every square meter in the country is arable land.

    “We felt that it was not sustainable. Of course, the crash in crude oil price has forced us back to agriculture,’’ he said.

    Akenzua said that the state could choose a particular crop to produce under the programme, with a promise to co-fund or fund the production of such crop.

    Ajimobi in his remarks commended the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh for the positive changes he had brought into the agriculture sector since he assumed duties at the ministry.

    The governor stated that the fundamental problem besetting the country was attitudinal, stressing that the country was not bereft of knowledge, policies and programmes capable of enhancing its economy.

    Ajimobi said that the state was supposed to be the food basket of the nation if past leaders had seen agriculture as a major solution to unemployment, hunger and economic driver.

    According to him, the state is in good stead to be a major agric hub, judging by the concentration of reputable research institutions in the state and its vast arable land.

    “The state is also strategically located between Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of the country and the North among other comparative advantages.”

    He advised the new management of BOA to do all that is humanly possible to sustain the momentum in its renewed drive to revitalise the agriculture sector.

    “You need to change the attitude of our people so they will know that there is money in agriculture.

    “We are in this sorry state today because of bureaucracy and lack of sustenance of past agric policies. What has happened to Operation Feed the Nation?

    “Don’t just talk the talk, walk the talk. In the past, some people will just give loans to themselves, which they knew they would not recover and this had crippled the bank.”

    The governor stated that the state was ready to take advantage of all opportunities available in agriculture to promote the standard of living of its people.

    The governor promised to lead by example by also venturing into commercial agriculture, urging the BOA team to advise him on how he could go about obtaining a loan for the purpose.

  • My followers and I remain in APC – Akala

    My followers and I remain in APC – Akala

    Former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala has debunked the rumour that he has made a return to  the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) from the ruling, All Progressive Congress ( APC ) in the state.

    Speaking at the weekend in Ogbomosho, venue of an empowerment program by a member of the State Assembly representing Ogbomoso North State Constituency, Hon. Olawumi Oladeji, Akala restated that himself and all his numerous followers are still card carrying and committed members of the ruling party APC.

    The speculations of Akala decamping came after the former governor, upon his return from a London trip, was visited in his New Bodija, Ibadan residence by his former boss, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

    Akala had reportedly held a political meeting with the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi during the London trip and other top political heavy weights in the state.

    Recalled that the caretaker chairman of the PDP had in a renewed bid to lure back former members to the PDP had visited the Bodija residence of Alao-Akala, where he was received by the supporters as the former governor was away outside the country at the time.

    But, the immediate past Oyo state governor who wore a cap with the inscription, ‘APC, Change ‘ enjoined the people not to be deceived by the gimmicks of scheming politicians about his touted return to the opposition party.

    He said, “I’m not in other political party than APC and for the sake of doubt, I’m saying my followers and I are still in APC. Don’t let anybody deceive you.

    “From the onset, Ogbomoso has always aligned with the ruling party at the federal. That is the reason we in Ogbomoso remains in APC with all my followers.”

    When probed on his political aspirations in the 2019 general elections, the former governor said it is too early to talk about that. 

    “We don’t have to talk about 2019 in 2017. We are on course to get our acts together. Everything is in God’s hands and when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it”, he said. 

    Akala therefore expressed his joy over the success of the state honourable member’s gesture of empowering her constituents. He said the honourable member is her political daughter who has been tested and passed noting that she used her personal money to fund the empowerment program because “Constituency allowance was not released to the members of the house.”

    While speaking at the event, Speaker of the state Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Musa Abdulwasi said the donor of the empowerment materials has the love of Ogbomoso land at heart. 

    Also, Hon. Olusegun Olaleye representing Ibadan North II State Constituency said the gestures of the donor was borne out of her “dynamic, articulate, eloquent, performing love for members of her constituency.”

    Olaleye described the donor as a woman of integrity and lover of women’s folks pointing out that she has sponsored bills on rights of women. 

    The donor, who is chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Community Development thanked the constituents for giving her the opportunity to serve them. 

    She thanked the former governor for his amiable and accommodating leadership saying he has provided a clear- cut agenda that ensured their victory at different stages in the last general elections.

  • Oyo urges landowners to release lands for farming

    Oyo urges landowners to release lands for farming

    The Oyo State Government has called on landowners to release their idle lands to investors for cultivation so as to boost the state’s agricultural development.

    Prince Oyewole Oyewunmi, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, made the call a news conference in Ibadan on Wednesday.

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has repeatedly claimed that the major thrust of his administration’s economic policy was the exploitation of the potential of the agriculture sector to boost the state’s economy.

    “The state government places a high premium on agriculture, which has now become a national issue nowadays as a result of the fall in the price of crude oil.

    “As a result of the intensive engagement of our communities, we have realised that agriculture is the bedrock and foundation of the state’s economy,’’ he once said.

    Oyewunmi said that the state had over 2.5 million hectares of arable land that were suitable for agriculture, adding the state also grew a variety of crops that could be cultivated in all vegetational belts within the tropics.

    He, however, said that the state had been having some difficulties in making land available for farmers, entrepreneurs and investors who were willing to invest in agriculture on a commercial basis.

    The commissioner said that the government has launched an agenda tagged “Zero Tolerance for Idle Agricultural Land’’, having discovered that there were lots of idle lands in the rural areas across the state.

    “The state government is not interested in taking over the idle lands across the state but wishes to encourage landowners in the state to willingly release such lands to investors.

    “Releasing idle lands to investors who are ready to invest in mechanised agriculture on a large-scale basis would help boost the state’s economy.

    “We are not saying that the landowners should release their lands for free, they should release the lands on agreed terms, while government will serve as the facilitator,’’ he said.

    Oyewunmi proposed that the landowners could release the lands on partnership agreements with the potential investors, adding that they could let, lease and collect royalties on the lands or opt for outright sales.

    He reiterated that increased investments in agriculture would boost the state’s economy and create employment for its citizens.

    He urged the landowners to engage in outgrower schemes, adding that they could do this via partnership agreements with farmers and off-takers.

    Oyewunmi said that the farmers would be able to produce crops that would be bought by off-takers at prevailing market prices.

    He, however, said that the proposals were some of the recommendations made in the report of a committee set up by governor to look into the issue.

    NAN

  • Oyo APC accuses Ladoja in Ibadan chieftaincy crisis escalation

    Oyo APC accuses Ladoja in Ibadan chieftaincy crisis escalation

    •Ex-governor to party: you’re mischievous

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has attributed the crisis on the review of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law to the alleged ambition of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

    The party said the former governor was allegedly taking advantage of the situation to broaden his personal interest and fight a needless war with his perceived political adversaries.

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olawale Sadare, APC condemned Ladoja’s alleged role in the organisation and the violence that followed the installation of some village heads (baales) and family heads (mogajis) at the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Monday.

    The statement reads: “It is most unfortunate to discover that a former number one citizen of a state like Oyo, who doubles as an Ibadan high chief, would not mind subjecting the state to another social unrest just to satisfy his own whims and caprices. Senator Rashidi Ladoja has a known history of instigating resentment against people, government and institutions to derive some personal benefits, as he did in 2002/2003 against the government of late Alhaji Lam Adesina.

    “This time, he is up again to fight his way back to the Agodi Government House, after he tried and failed twice in 2011 and 2015. At 73, one wonders why Ladoja would start up many fights on many fronts only when another general election was approaching, if not that he has his eyes on contesting election. As he is struggling to dislodge original members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and usurp the party’s structure, Ladoja is also waging a war against the APC government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi and he has just discovered a tool in the Olubadan palace.

    “The Monday violence at Popoyemoja was a script written by Ladoja and his supporters to either whip up sentiment against the government and other members of the Olubadan-in-Council or deal with some characters within the ill-conceived political re-alignment, those who could stand on Ladoja’s way towards taking full control of the PDP. But we would like to urge relevant security agencies to do the needful by unravelling the mystery surrounding the unfortunate incident.

    “There are many questions begging for answers: when did Ladoja become so over-bearing on the palace that he would now dictate who to be installed as what by the kabiyesi and even choose his birthday for such event? Why was it that he arranged for the presence of his loyalists, like Senator Olufemi Lanlehin at the palace with whom he hid somewhere until after the ‘invading gunmen’ finished their attacks?

    “More importantly, the public should be informed that the protests against the recent chieftaincy law review have largely come from politicians who are sympathetic to Ladoja’s cause and their supporters. However, we call on Oba Saliu Adetunji to checkmate some unscrupulous politicians who lurk around and use the palace to fight political war since he would forever remain a father to all and sundry, irrespective of individuals’ political and religious beliefs.”

     

  • Ajimobi condems alleged violence at Olubadan’s palace

    Ajimobi condems alleged violence at Olubadan’s palace

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has condemned the alleged act of brigandage that occurred during a ceremony at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on Monday.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, the governor directed security agencies to ensure that the masterminds are swiftly arrested, interrogated and brought to justice.

    He vowed not to brook anyone or group of people desirous of bringing back the regime of violence and brigandage to the state.

    Ajimobi reiterated his commitment to the security and protection of lives and properties of all citizens of Oyo State, which he said that
    his administration laboured hard to restore and maintain in the last six years.

    Five yet-to-be identified gunmen invaded the Olubadan palace at Popoyemoja in Ibadan where the monarch was conducting an installation ceremony of newly appointed traditional rulers.

    The gunmen, who arrived the scene in a space bus, fired gunshots but  no casualty was recorded in the incident.

    One of the gunmen was said to have released volleys of gunshots into the air via the open roof of the vehicle, while others reportedly shot through windows of the vehicle.

    An eyewitness said the gunmen wore black clothes and tied red clothes around their heads displaying pump action rifles and A-K47 rifles.

    Men of the state joint security task force ‘Operations  Burst’ arrived the palace within five minutes of the incidence to restore normalcy.

    NAN reports that the incident had occurred at a time when the monarch was about to commence the installation of four new Baales (village heads) in his palace.

  • Ajimobi condemns attack on Olubadan palace

    Ajimobi condemns attack on Olubadan palace

    Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi has condemned Monday’s attack by unknown gunmen on Olubadan palace.

    In a statement issued and signed by Mr.Yomi Layinka, the Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to the Governor reads ” the attention of the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has been drawn to the alleged act of brigandage during a ceremony at the palace of the Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, today (on Monday).

    ” The governor condemns the said act in its entirety and has directed security agencies to ensure that the masterminds are swiftly arrested, interrogated and brought to justice.

    ” The governor has vowed not to brook anyone or group of people desirous of bringing back the regime of violence and brigandage to the state.

    “He wishes to reiterate his commitment to the security and protection of lives and properties of all citizens of Oyo State, which he has laboured hard to restore and maintain in the last six years”

  • South West leaders insist on restructuring

    South West leaders insist on restructuring

    South West leaders on Monday opted for united Nigeria and warned those calling for disintegration of the country to drop the idea.

    They said the solution to problems facing the country is restructuring to reflect the principles of true federalism as envisioned by founding fathers of the country.

    The event was the public presentation of memorandum on true federalism organized by the national leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) held at the Conference Centre of University of Ibadan.

    Many leaders took turn to present their memorandum to the committee on true federalism which has the mandate to review the ideas variously referred to as restructuring, devolution of powers, resource control and regionalism among others with a view to articulating and aligning the public position with the ruling party’s manifesto and campaign promises.

    Present at the event were the APC leaders in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, the APC Committee on True Federalism led by its Chairman, Governor Simon Lalong , the Oyo State deputy governor, Otunba Moses Alake, and former governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sulliva Chime .

    Others included prominent traditional rulers led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi , the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, and Onijeru of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oladapo.

    Also present were South West APC Women leader, Kemi Nelson, Afenifere Renewal Group ( ARG) Chairman, Mr. Wale Oshin , representative of Lagos State governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke and the APC Vice Chairman in Lagos, Chief Funso Ologunde, among others .

    Before making the Oyo State government’s presentation, the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake, described the APC led administration as a responsible and responsive government, with the people’s interest and well-being as its cardinal focus.

    He said the agitation for restructuring is an indication that something needed to be addressed on the current structure or arrangement in the country.

    “For instance, the present revenue formula which gives 52.8 percent of federally collected revenue to the federal government , with paltry 26.72 percent and 20 percent to states and local governments respectively, is too lopsided , thus leaving the states with serious financial challenges .

    “Besides, the centre is too saddled with too many responsibilities which it finds pretty difficult to discharge as much as the sub-national units simply of over centralisation.

    The governor expressed dissatisfaction with the current derivation formula and called for urgent action to redress the disparity.

     

  • I’ll succeed Ajimobi in 2019 – Shittu

    I’ll succeed Ajimobi in 2019 – Shittu

    The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said on Monday he would succeed Abiola Ajimobi as governor of Oyo State in 2019.

    Shittu stated this during chat with journalists in Ibadan after a meeting with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Egbeda Local Government Area and Ajorosun Local Council Development Area of the state.

    The minister, who is a governorship aspirant in Oyo State, said he would take over from Ajimobi to improve on the good work already started by the governor.

    Shittu said he is the most experienced of all the aspirants, having held several public offices and learnt politics from late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    “I was a member of the state House of Assembly in 1979 and two-time Commissioner in the state. I have also contested the governorship seat in the state twice before I became a minister.

    “These are experiences you cannot buy. Oyo is advanced and sophisticated to be handled by inexperienced administrators,’’ he said.

    Shittu dismissed the ongoing re-alignment in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party was a non-starter at the state and federal level.

    He stated at least 38 road contractors had abandoned work across the country two years before President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

    The minister said the development had contributed largely to unemployment as several workers, including labourers, bricklayers and iron benders were laid-off.

    He alleged that the PDP administration’s negligence and incompetence in handling the Boko Haram at inception was responsible for the present security challenges confronting the country.

    “Boko Haram would have overrun the country if not for Buhari’s emergence.

    “The Buhari administration on assumption of office had evolved several efficient and effective strategies at reducing the threat drastically,’’ he added.

    Speaking on the call for restructuring, he said the APC was presently collating views of Nigerians so as to ensure the people chart a new course for the future.

    He said the outcome would subsequently be presented to the National Assembly.

    The minister said the National Assembly was the only constitutionally recognised institution vested with powers to amend the Constitution.

     

  • Wedding bells for Ajimobi’s son?

    ABOLAJI, son of Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, must have learnt how to drop bombshells from the US Marine Corps where he is a First Lieutenant. The one he dropped on social media certainly made a loud bang. Handsome Abolaji revealed that he is in a relationship with Fatima, daughter of his father’s counterpart in Kano State, and the news has taken not a few people by surprise.

    In what started as a mundane Instagram post, Abolaji caused quite a stir when he let the cat out of the bag concerning his heartthrob. Not to be outdone, the beautiful daughter of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje swiftly confirmed their attachment with a romantic response.

    With what was a well-kept secret now out in the open, not a few people are wondering whether the wedding bells would be ringing soon for Abolaji and his fiancee. The tall and jovial dude was once rumoured to be in an intimate relationship with UK-based makeup artiste, Imelda Ladebo, but nothing came of the rumour. Perhaps he will have better luck this time.