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Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

  • LAUTECH student to embark on mass action

    LAUTECH student to embark on mass action

    Students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso has expressed their displeasure towards the unjust close down of their institution and has promised another face off to embark on a mass action.

    Speaking with a vibrant student of the institution Oyedeji Ahmed he said, “For over six month we have been at home for no reason. Due to some reasons some of our students are dead while some had lost hope in education. We are not helpless but hopeless as a result of lack of thought of those at helms of affairs.

    “We are so sad and worried on why the Government has not taken the necessary step even after the submission of the audit interim report. The Oyo State Governor Sen. Abiola Ajimobi in one of his interview has promised that once the Government receive the audit interim report after the break that a maximum of 3 months grants will be paid to resolve the impasse. It’s very sad that up till now there has not been any traces from the government now that the Oyo state Governor is in London” he said.

    Our greatest fear now is that the release of the proposed fund will take longer than expected because that is when the Governing council can have a discussion with the Unions

    “We are therefore appealing to the two governors to do the needful before the end of this month as that will be the only reason why we would not have to go back to the street again”, he said.

    It should be recalled that the institution has been closed down for some months due to lack of poor funding of the Lecturers since December 2013 which led to the closure of the varsity It should be that the Academic Staff Union of University Lautech chapter has also joined the nationwide strike whereby prolonging the crisis of the University.

  • Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees — Ajimobi

    Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees — Ajimobi

    In a bid to make Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, self-sustaining, government will review tuition fees being paid in the institution, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, has announced.

    The governor made the announcement  on Saturday in Ibadan, while featuring on a programme tagged “Saturday Special’ aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LAUTECH is co-owned by both Oyo and Osun state governments.

    The institution had in recent times been enmeshed in crisis over the default of the owners to pay subvention and staff salaries.

    Ajimobi said his administration had since assumption of office in 2011, paid N22 billion to the institution.

    He described the amount being paid as tuition fees in LAUTECH as `abysmal,’ adding that it would be reviewed for the institution to be self-sustaining.

    “The default in the payment of subvention and salaries was as a result of economic downturn. When we came on board, we reduced the tuition fees to N65, 000.

    “There are secondary schools that charges from N150,000 to N200,000, while some universities charge from N500,000 to two million naira.

    “Till date, we have subsidized LAUTECH heavily and we are still giving them.

    “Imagine, the institution has 99 accounts and some could not be traced,’’ he said.

    The governor said that government had taken steps to resolve the crisis in the university, among which was the auditing of its account to determine its viability to be self-sustaining like other institutions.

    He said that staff of the institution had initially refused the auditing firm access but had promised to allow them recently.

    Ajimobi said that government had constituted the institution’s governing council which was expected to submit its report after the current holiday.

    He promised that the crisis in the university would soon be over and the institution would be given take-off grant for three months.

    Commenting on Oyo State Technical University, Ajimobi said that the institution, which would take-off in October, was a specialized institution, adding it was not a university for all.

    He said that his administration had evolved several initiatives to reform education in the state, particularly public schools.

    He added that the efforts had started to yield the desired fruits.

  • Ajimobi, Chief Imam of Ibadan, preach love, peace at Sallah

    Ajimobi, Chief Imam of Ibadan, preach love, peace at Sallah

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called on Nigerians particularly Muslims to imbibe the spirit of love, togetherness and peaceful co-existence as exemplified by Holy Prophet Muhammed.

    He spoke with newsmen after the Eid prayers on Friday at Agodi prayer ground, Ibadan.

    Ajimobi, who said he prayed for the peace and progress of the state and the country, stressed the need for the people to accept meaningful development.

    “I pray that God accepts our supplications and grant our hearts’ desires. I pray that God bless us all.

    “This is a time for us to forgive and accept in good faith what God has ordained. The peace and development of this state and Nigeria is sacrosanct,’’ he said.

    Ajimobi said it was only in an atmosphere of peace and love that the country and its people could thrive and attain their potential.

    “I enjoin you to continue to exhibit love toward your fellow human beings and rededicate yourselves to the service of Almighty Allah and humanity as demonstrated by Prophet Muhammed during his earthly sojourn.”

    Ajimobi commended the people for their understanding and continued support for his administration in its quest to redefine governance and take the state to greater heights.

    He added:“I want to assure the citizenry that this administration will continue to introduce people-friendly policies.”

    The governor, however, congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and prayed to God to continue to strengthen him and grant him wisdom.

    Ajimobi, who described the monarch as a father of all, urged him to continue to play his fatherly role and shun “external political influence”.

    Similarly, the Chief Imam of Ibadan,  Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakri, urged Muslims to embrace love, peace, perseverance and total re-dedication to God as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.

    “Development thrives only in an atmosphere where peace and harmony exist.’’

    He called on Nigerians to fervently pray for the prosperity of the state and the nation and urged them to eschew acts capable of denying them blessings from God.

  • Street trading: Ajimobi vows to sanction recalcitrant traders

    Street trading: Ajimobi vows to sanction recalcitrant traders

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has warned street traders who display and sell goods by the roadsides and under the bridges across the state to vacate or be sanctioned.

    He gave the warning on Tuesday in Ibadan, saying that a clean and beautiful environment has advantages to individuals and the state as a whole.

    The governor appealed to the traders to make the environment more attractive and clean in line with the desire of his administration.

    “Aside from making the environment beautiful, clean and attractive, not trading on the roads or motorways is also a way of protecting the people from unforeseen circumstances like road accidents and mishaps,’’ he said.

    Ajimobi lamented the refusal of the some traders to relocate to markets built by his administration and allocated to them without charge under the clean environment initiative.

    “We will soon commence strict enforcement of environmental laws. We will ensure that recalcitrant traders are arrested and their goods confiscated.

    “There will be no more warning, except to plead with our people to comply with the laws. If our environment is clean, it is in our best interest,’’ Ajimobi said.

    The governor said that his administration had been on the campaign since assumption of office.

    “We built markets for them, yet they did not go there; they are busy doing it their own way by disobeying government, but when we start enforcement, they will start crying foul.

    “We can only appeal to them, and that is what we are doing now, so that they won’t turn around and start saying something else later,’’ he said.

    The governor had on Monday evening toured some major routes of Ibadan metropolis, among which were Molete under-bridge, Challenge and Mokola roundabout.

  • FRSC urges Oyo to evacuate faulty vehicles from roads

    FRSC urges Oyo to evacuate faulty vehicles from roads

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has urged relevant organs of the Oyo State Government to evacuate all faulty vehicles along some major roads in Ibadan, the state capital to check accident.

    Mr Austin Aipoh, an FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 11, gave advice in Ibadan when he paid farewell visit to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in his office on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aipoh, an Assistant Corps Marshall, is in charge of Oyo, Osun and Ondo zonal command of FRSC.

    Aipoh said his advice became necessary because there were faulty vehicles on the express way along Oluyole, Egbeda and Ojoo Local Government Areas of the state, stressing that such development also posed danger to motorists.

    He further urged the state government to deploy its personnel to clear bushes on the side of the major roads to curb criminal activities and adequately equip its traffic management agency to complement to ease gridlocks on the roads.

    In his remarks, Ajimobi said that the state government had reconstructed several federal roads in the state, adding it would not relent in evolving measures to improve the management roads across the state.

    Ajimobi, who was represented by Chief Moses Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor, promised that the state government would continue to create environment that would enable security personnel to operate efficiently and effectively, especially on roads.

    “The present administration has been fulfilling the core promises for which our people voted for us. Among them is the provision of standard roads in and around the state.

    “We cannot abandon federal roads in the state because they belong to the federal government; it is our people that ply the roads.

    “We won’t allow such roads to remain in bad condition while motorists suffer, we have been doing this overtime,’’ the governor said.

     

  • Yari, Ajimobi, Shettima, two PDP governors to visit Buhari in London

    Yari, Ajimobi, Shettima, two PDP governors to visit Buhari in London

    The Presidency said on Tuesday that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) would officially send another delegation to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    Buhari left Nigeria on May 7 for follow -up consultation with his doctors in the United Kingdom.

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, Rochas Okorocha, led some governors and leaders of the party to visit Buhari in London on Sunday.

    Briefing State House correspondents in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said the new delegation that would meet President Buhari on Wednesday afternoon would include governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    They were accompanied to the briefing by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande.

    Adesina said: “We want to thank you for your cooperation thus far and how you have treated the presidency. You know that on Sunday there was a major development about the health of Mr. President in which we had pictures from London and details from one of those who saw him, the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha.

    “There is a follow up to that and you will get to hear in a few minutes. I know you have probably read that there is going to be another delegation visiting him. Malam Garba Shehu will brief you on who and who is on the delegation.”

    Shehu said: “The delegation is being led by the governor of Zamfara State, who is the chairman of the governors’ forum.

    “Those in the delegation are – governors Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Umar Gandoje (Kano), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

    “They will leave by tonight and arrive the UK early and will have 3:00 p.m. meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).”

    On why the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, who has been vocal on the issue, was not part of the delegation, Adesina replied: “The selection was by the governors’ forum and you will see that the delegation is headed by governor Yari who is chairman of that forum. So that question should go to the forum.”

     

  • Oyo, Osun constitute LAUTECH’s Governing Council

    Oyo, Osun constitute LAUTECH’s Governing Council

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • FADAMA III programme trains 300 graduate unemployed youths, women in Oyo

    FADAMA III programme trains 300 graduate unemployed youths, women in Oyo

    The FADAMA III Additional Financing (AF) Programme has started the training of 300 unemployed youths and women in Oyo State to enable them to acquire skills in various agricultural enterprises.

    The FADAMA III AF programme made this known in Abuja on Monday via a statement by Mr Tunde Oladunjoyelo, the World Bank Media Consultant on FADAMA.

    Oladunjoyelo said that the aim of the training, organised under the FADAMA Graduates, Unemployed Youth and Women Support scheme, was to empower unemployed graduate s, youths and women to become self-employed and employers of labour.

    Mr Nath Olayinka, the FADAMA Project Coordinator in Oyo State, said that training would run for two weeks at three training centres.

    He listed the centres as College of Agriculture, Igboora, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

    Speaking, Mr Oyewole Oyewumi, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, said that the vision of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi’s administration to create one million jobs via the agricultural sector would be fulfilled with the intervention of the FADAMA III AF project.

    He said that the training would empower the beneficiaries to become experts in their chosen agricultural enterprises.

    “At the end of the training, each participant is expected to prepare his or her business plan which will be assessed and the best 200 participants will eventually be selected for funding.

    “The starter package ranges from N700,000 to N1 million, depending on their enterprises, and the money will be given to them as a grant and not a loan,’’ he said.

    Two of the trainees, Mrs Lawal Mariam and Mr Adekanmbi Johnson, commended the Oyo State Government and the FADAMA programme for the scheme.

    They pledged that the beneficiaries would use the knowledge they acquired in the training to boost the development of the agricultural sector of the State.

    “We also contribute to growth of the national economy in general,” he said.

    Prof. James Adeniran, the Executive Director of Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, said that youths and women were the most vulnerable groups in the society.

    “However, the future of agricultural development for a diversified economy in Nigeria is in the hands of women and youths,’’ he added.

    Adeniran assured the participants that in the course of after training, they would be exposed to standard procedures that would enhance their knowledge and prepare them as future entrepreneurs

    He said that their participation in agriculture would upgrade their socio-economic status, while enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to the growth of the nation’s economy and food security.

  • Ajimobi mourns ace broadcaster, Faleti

    Ajimobi mourns ace broadcaster, Faleti

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has described the death of ace broadcaster, writer, poet and actor, Chief Adebayo Faleti, as shocking and devastating.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Faleti, aged 86, died on Sunday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    In a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, Ajimobi also described the octogenarian as a repository of Yoruba culture and tradition.

    Faleti was also a good ambassador of the state, he said.

    “Even though Baba Faleti died at the ripe age of 86, his passing away is very unfortunate, disheartening and sad.

    “Part of the things that endeared him to my heart was his simple lifestyle, his dislike for material wealth and commitment to the progress of the Yoruba race.

    “Instead of allowing his humble background to serve as a barrier for his career progression, Chief Faleti defied all odds.

    ‘’He ensured that he trained himself up to the university level, even at a time when education was not too attractive.

    “As a pioneer staff of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), he exhibited his dexterity in broadcasting, while he imparted morals in the younger generation through his various books, poems and acting.

    “In recognition of his contributions to the development of Yoruba culture and tradition, the Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON),” Ajimobi said.

    Ajimobi said that with Chief Faleti’s demise, the state had lost one of its cultural icons who had brought it fame and honour through his various activities in broadcasting, publishing and film industry.

    He, however, called on members of his immediate family, friends and associates to celebrate rather than mourn the deceased, having lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.

  • Oyo secures $5bn commitment from China – Ajimobi

    Oyo secures $5bn commitment from China – Ajimobi

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has stated that his administration has secured the commitment of five billion dollars from China in the development of the newly established Free Trade Zone(FTZ) in the state.

    The governor made the disclosure while receiving an Industrial Policy and Strategic Document from a delegation of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in Ibadan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UNIDO team was led by Mr Jean Bakole, representative to ECOWAS and Regional Director, Nigeria Regional Office Hub.

    NAN reports that the Industrial Policy Document was developed by Oyo State Government with the approval and collaboration of UNIDO.

    Ajimobi said the establishment of the FTZ was part of his administration’s determination to make the state an industrial hub of the nation.

    Ajimobi said that no fewer than 150 investors from china have signified their intention to invest in the FTZ out of which seven of them have already began work at the FTZ site.

    “Our administration has not relented in its efforts at infrastructural development of the state, creation of jobs for the youths, revenue growth and the protection of well-being of the citizenry.

    “We have evolved several initiatives in all the various sectors of governance and which have been yielding desired results,’’ he said.

    He said that the administration’s commitment to industrialization was evident in a recent ranking, which placed the state as one of the safest and conducive for doing business.

    Ajimobi said that his administration was currently using agriculture as a platform of the state’s industrialization, adding the state was now been seen as the centre of industrial revolution.

    He commended UNIDO for selecting the state as the first beneficiary of its collaboration in Nigeria, promising the opportunity would be fully and judiciously utilized.

    Mrs Taibat Adeyemi-Agaba, the State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives said that the document would, on implementation, be the best in the south west region of the country, having considered contributions from internal and external stakeholders.

    Earlier, Bakole commended the transformation efforts of the Ajimobi-led administration in the state, adding they are in the state to support government efforts through effective collaboration.

    “Our main job is to support economic growth and transformation. We are here to see how we could build a roadmap to develop some various sectors.

    “This, we have done, in collaboration with the state,to develop a policy and strategic document being presented here today,’’ he said.

    Bakole, who assumed the position of regional head in Nigeria five months ago, expressed gratitude to the federal government for his warm welcome in the country.

    He said that it was a great opportunity for him to work in Nigeria, which was the leading economy in the African continent.

    “I don’t always compare Nigeria with South Africa because they have different histories. You have shown me various examples and efforts here in Nigeria, which are different from other countries in Africa,’’ he said.

    “I intentionally came into the state from Lagos by road to have a glimpse of the resources the nation was blessed with.

    “On my way, I saw the country was blessed with resources that could aid agro processing and agripreneur development,’’ he said.

    He commended the state government for developing the Ibadan City Master Plan, which he said has shown the state government’s commitment to the transformation of the state.

    Bakole stated that the master plan and the Industrial policy document were developmental documents that would aid rapid development of state through strategic framework and roadmaps.