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Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

  • Public holiday in Lagos, Ogun,Osun, Oyo

    Public holiday in Lagos, Ogun,Osun, Oyo

    Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states have declared today a public holiday to mark the 22nd anniversary of the annulled June 12 presidential election.

    A circular yesterday by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Shade Jaji, to all Ministries, Department and Agencies reads: “Towards the entrenchment of democratic ideals in Nigeria and in commemoration of June 12, 1993 as significant day to Nigerians, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has graciously approved today a work-free day.”

    There will be a public lecture at the Blue Roof of the Lagos State Television with the theme “Sustainability of Democratic values the Nigerian Experience”.

    In the circular, Ambode enjoined public servants to attend events organised in commemoration of the day.

    A statement byDirector, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Osun State Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said the holiday was meant to mark the day the country united to vote a candidate of its choice without religious or ethnic consideration.

    According to him, June 12 is significant and central to the development of democracy that the nation is now enjoying.

    He said: “Governor Rauf Aregbesola has approved today as public holiday to enable our people observe the day that Nigerians closed all ranks.

     “Nigerians should reflect on the significance of June 12, the sacrifice made by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.”

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, in a statement by the Head of Service, Soji Eniade, said: “ Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved today to be observed as public holiday.”

    Ajimobi urged the people to remain steadfast in their prayers for sustainable democracy in Nigeria and development in Oyo State.

    Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa urged residents to spend the day in peaceful celebration of the anniversary.

  • I will be governor of all – Ajimobi

    I will be governor of all – Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday swore to oath for a second term in office with a pledge to be governor for all citizens and residents irrespective of their interests and affiliations.

    The governor gave the assurance while delivering his inauguration address after he was sworn in with his deputy, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, the state capital.

    The inauguration ceremony was low-key, reflecting the economic situation in the country.

    Ajimobi, who arrived the stadium in company of his ‎family members at about 11:36am, took his oath at 12:33pm. The oath was administered by the state’s Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ladipo Abimbola.

    While expressing gratitude to God and voters for giving him the opportunity to be the first governor to take the oath twice, Ajimobi said his victory was a call to re- dedicate himself to the good people of the state.

    His words: “I am eternally grateful that you rose above the massive hate and smear campaigns designed to demonize our huge sacrifices and achievements of the past four years. You cared not for the tale that no governor was ever re-elected in our state. You would not allow that past history to determine your approaching future.

    “You chose not to succumb to fear or fable. You voted as your conscience and beliefs led you. You used your votes to break the alleged jinx that hovered over our politics. We clearly heard you when you said that, like every human being created by the Most High God, our human limitations as individuals and as an administration were inconsequential, placed side by side our monumental commitment and passion to make a difference in Oyo State. We heard you clearly.

    “Since 1976 when our state was created, seven of us have stood before you to take the gubernatorial oath, 26 in all have administered our state, either as the defunct Western Region or its eventual reincarnation as Oyo State. The Almighty, in His wondrous ways, ably assisted by the audacity of your votes, has made me the only of those numerous men to take the gubernatorial oath a second time.”

     

  • Ajimobi calls for sober reflection

    Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has called for sober reflection among Christians on the wind of change blowing across as they mark this year’s Easter celebrations.

    The governor, in an Easter message by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, also tasked Christians to pray for the successful completion of the next phase of elections on April 11.

    He thanked the Christians for their fervent prayers during the 40-day fasting which culminated in the Easter celebrations, saying that the prayers had manifested in the peaceful and violence-free presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28.

    Governor Ajimobi urged them not to relent in their prayers for the sustenance of an atmosphere of love and togetherness for the nation to attain greatness.

    He urged Nigerians to emulate Jesus Christ who offered himself as a living sacrifice for the redemption of mankind.

    He also said that they should use the occasion of Easter celebrations to reflect on the opportunity offered them by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to be closer to their Creator.

    “Easter is not about wining and dining. Rather, it is an occasion to realise that we need to love one another as exhibited by God who offered Jesus Christ to die for our sins and to give life more abundantly.”

     

  • Oyo students endorse Ajimobi

    Oyo students endorse Ajimobi

    The Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU) has endorsed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for a second term.

    The union’s Vice President 1, Yusuf Imran, said: “We commend the present administration in Oyo State for the state of education and other initiatives, many of which had never been done by any previous administration.

    “We, the executives of FOSSU, reject the statement of the union president, Olalere Damola, endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin. It is a misrepresentation of the resolution of our meeting and therefore does not represent the decision and stance of the association.

    “The union is appreciative of the effort of the government and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sumonu, for embarking on student-friendly programmes.

    “We urge all politicians to therefore refrain from distortion of issues for political gains. We urge politicians to base campaign on issues capable of developing the state and stop using students for political destruction.”

  • Oyo to train retirees

    Oyo to train retirees

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said there will be an exit training programme for local government retirees.

    The governor, who spoke yesterday at an interactive session with local government retirees at Ibadan Civic Centre, said the training programme would afford them the opportunity to share experiences with fellow retirees.

    The governor pledged that his government would build a befitting clubhouse for the retirees.

    Explaining the delay in the payment of pension allowances to the retirees, Ajimobi said the five per cent pension fund which states receive from the Federal Government had not been forthcoming.

    He said his administration had surpassed its predecessors in the welfare of pensioners, stressing that his government was the first in the state’s history to pay the 142 per cent increase in pension allowance.

    Ajimobi advised the retirees to be closer to God and to always engage in physical exercise to ensure good health and longevity.

  • Oyo grades rural roads

    Oyo grades rural roads

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has inaugurated and presented 99 earth moving equipment, including bulldozers, graders and low beds, to the 33 local governments to facilitate accessibility to rural areas.

    Inaugurating the equipment yesterday at the Governor’s Office Car Park, Ajimobi said the move was to promote rural integration and development and end the waste of farm produce.

    He said the equipment would enhance movement of farm produce from the hinterland to urban centres, stressing that farm produce were destroyed due to lack of accessible roads to farmlands.

    The governor noted that the procurement of the graders and bulldozers would improve road rehabilitation, especially in the rural areas.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ibadan North-West Local Government, Wasiu Olatubosun, said the state was the first to achieve such a feat.

  • N500m EFCC loot: You’re a liar, Ajimobi tells Ladoja

    N500m EFCC loot: You’re a liar, Ajimobi tells Ladoja

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has described former Governor Rashidi Ladoja’s denial of  the allegation of the refund of N500million to the state as panicky and lamentable.

    In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Olalekan Alli, the governor insisted that Ladoja indeed returned the amount, as well as vehicles he procured from the sleaze, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Ladoja, the Accord Party’s candidate, in an advertorial yesterday denied allegations that he refunded N500million allegedly stolen from the state’s treasury.

    The governor, in an interview, accused Ladoja and some of his former aides of fleecing the state during his tenure as governor, following which the EFCC was said to have quizzed him.

    To wriggle out of the mess, the Accord governorship candidate was alleged to have entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC, which informed the refund of N500million and some exotic vehicles.

    Ajimobi said: “Ladoja’s shameless denial of his refund of Oyo State’s stolen loot is not only regrettable, but lamentable. His brazen denial in the face of overwhelming evidence reflects what led to the lack of trust in this country.

    “The public will recall that in 2008, Ladoja was embroiled in allegation of theft of proceeds from shares belonging to the government, which he “converted” to personal use. He was subsequently arrested and detained by the EFCC.

    “The former governor returned N500 million to the EFCC which thereafter issued a cheque later collected by the government.

    “Government thus immediately opened an account to cater for this repatriated Ladoja loot tagged “Oyo State Government repatriated fund Account No. 5030048128 with Fidelity Bank, Jimoh Odutola Road, Ibadan.

    “In its quest to use the refunded money to develop the state, N449,070,155.89 was thus paid to the contractor handling the construction of model schools in the state.”

    Recalling the saga, the governor said Ladoja’s travail with the law started in 2008 when the former governor and one of his principal aides, Chief Adewale Atanda, became  guests of the EFCC.

    The statement reads: “In a statement he wrote on August 8, 2008, Ladoja explained how the shares’ fund was spent.

    “However, in a paper personally written by Ladoja and provided by Chief Olawale Atanda, who was his ‘official cashier,’ the former governor spelt out how he spent the proceeds of the Oyo State money. He shared the money among his wife, himself, children and cronies.

    “While investigation was ongoing, the EFCC recovered some money from Ladoja in that same year. Indeed, the money was paid to the commission through bank drafts (issued by Ladoja).”

    As the legitimate owner, Ajimobi said the state began the process of recovering the loot from the EFCC in 2013 through exchange of correspondence between the attorney-general, solicitor-general and the anti-graft agency.

    He maintained that N449million was indeed paid to the contractor handling the construction of model schools across the state.

    The governor, therefore, urged journalists to re-investigate the matter by cross-checking the facts and evidences presented by the government with the EFCC.

  • Fed Govt responsible for states’ financial woes, says Ajimobi

    •‘Jonathan starving states of funds’

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has blamed the inability of states to meet their financial obligations on the Federal Government’s directive to financial institutions not to grant credit facilities to states.

    The governor said this at the swearing-in of the Chief Judge, Justice Munta Oladipo Abimbola, at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, yesterday.

    He said allocations to the state from the Federation Account had reduced by more than 40 per cent in the last seven months, thereby forcing the state to devise ingenious ways of meeting its financial obligations.

    “This is indeed a hard time for us. Like other states, allocation to this state has been reduced by more than 40 per cent in the last seven months.

    “Despite this, the Federal Government directed financial institutions not to grant credit facilities to states.

    “This has painfully led to our inability to meet our obligations to contractors and workers.

    “We have a monthly wage bill of about N5 billion and we are receiving an average of N2.9 billion monthly from the Federation Account, thus leaving a shortfall of N2.1 billion.

    “But, we have to look inwards by devising ingenious ways to ensure that workers do not suffer untoward hardship because of this.

    “We have been striving to pay salary as at when due, despite the dwindling revenue,” Ajimobi said.

    The governor praised the judiciary’s exemplary conduct and understanding in the face of dwindling revenue allocations to the state.

    He advised Justice Abimbola to discharge his duties in accordance with his oath of office by ensuring that his personal interests did not influence his official conducts.

    “We have made the right choice. We will have the reason to congratulate ourselves very soon for this choice.

    “But, I must emphasise that you should not allow your personal interest to influence your official conduct.

    “I can say that the CJ is honest and forthright. On the bench, he had delivered many judgments that were upheld by superior courts.

    “I’m convinced that he has the ability and capability to perform creditably in his new office.”

    Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Razak Atunwa said the state governments have become financially emasculated largely because of indiscriminate deduction of states’ revenue by the Federal Government.

    He added that the indiscriminate deduction of the state fund from the Federation Account by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had crippled most states from performing their statutory responsibilities.

    He urged Nigerians to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates to effect the needed change in the country.

    The Speaker expressed confidence in the ability of General Muhammadu Buhari to tackle corruption and insecurity.

    Atunwa added that the presidential campaign train would land in the state on Thursday and urged members of the party the state to come out enmasse.

    He assured that the state would continue to be responsive to the yearnings of the people, despite the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account.

  • Ajimobi confirms appointment of HoS

    Ajimobi confirms appointment of HoS

    •17 perm secs, others too
    •To pay salary this week

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has announced the confirmation of the Acting Head of Service, Soji Eniade and 17 permanent secretaries.

    He made the announcement yesterday while addressing civil servants at the inter-faith prayer service marking the first working day of the New Year at the Governor’s Office Car Park, Ibadan.

    Ajimobi also announced the confirmation of the acting accountant-general, auditor-general (State) and the auditor-general (Local Governments) while some retired senior directors were also considered for appointment as permanent secretaries.

    He back-dated their promotions and promised to pay their December salary this week.

    The governor’s announcement was received with a tumultuous applause by the excited civil servants.

    Ajimobi, who thanked God for supporting his administration in transforming the state, said the government had done well when compared with previous administrations.

    “We thank God for how He has helped us since three and a half years ago. By all standards, our government has done well when compared with our predecessors.

    “The restoration of our state to the right status would not have been possible without all stakeholders, especially the civil servants.”

    The governor urged them to be more committed, dedicated and hardworking in the new year to enable them play their part in fully restoring the state to its glorious position.

    He highlighted some of the initiatives undertaken to improve the lot of civil servants to include recruitment of over 5,000 teaching and non-teaching staff as well as 30,000 YES-O cadets,  training for all workers, increase of car loan and promotion of all those who are due.

    “Today, I’m very proud of the civil service we have in Oyo State,” he said.

    Eniade hailed the governor for the positive impacts his policies have made on the state.

    He urged the civil servants to reciprocate by improving on their productivity and dedication to work.

    At the programme were the Deputy Governor Moses Alake-Adeyemo; Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu; Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ismail Alli.

  • Oyo APC stakeholders back Ajimobi

    Oyo APC stakeholders back Ajimobi

    Leaders and stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have passed a vote of confidence in Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan, the state capital.

    They lauded the governor and members of the State Executive for the successful conduct of primaries, which they described as free and fair.

    The communique issued at the end of the meeting reads: “The meeting hinged its unanimous support for Governor Abiola Ajimobi on  unprecedented achievements in the state as attested to by the world.

    “The meeting noted that the administration has been able to restore the pacesetter’s status of the state by distributing dividends of democracy across the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “The meeting was unanimous in giving credit to the conduct of primaries which produced candidates for all the elective posts in anticipation of the 2015 general elections.

    The meeting adjudged the outcome of the APC primaries as free, fair and credible as the conducts signaled a watershed in the history of political parties in the state.

    “The meeting acknowledged the heroic activities of all aspirants before, during and after the  party primaries, describing them as worthy party faithful and “Champions of Change”.

    “The meeting urged all contestants (aspirants who emerged and those who were defeated) to bury the hatchet and forge a common front to enable the APC win in the elections.

    “The meeting applauded the governor for ensuring the smooth conduct of the APC primaries in the state.

    “It said Ajimobi and the party leadership guaranteed a level- playing field for all aspirants.

    “All stakeholders, including all aspirants, resolved to work  for the success of all APC candidates.

    “The meeting enjoined members of the party to eschew all activities capable of causing rancour and schism within the party.

    “It urged the public to be wary of the antics of the opposition elements whose stock in trade is political violence, election rigging and indecent practices as we approach the general elections.”

    “The communique also condemned members of the opposition in Accord, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) over the conspiracy aimed at sabotaging the result-yielding efforts of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, particularly in the area of providing security.

    “It condemned the withdrawal of soldiers from the combined security outfit of the state code named ‘Operation Burst.”