Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said democracy, good leadership and equitable governance are crucial to development.

In a lecture delivered at the 56th Founder’s Day Anniversary and First Distinguished Alumnus Lecture of Lagelu Grammar School in Ibadan, the governor said when there is good governance, citizens would have confidence in the government and their leader.

Ajimobi, who spoke on “Democracy, Leadership and Equitable Governance: Sustaining a Tripod for Meaningful Development,” said the absence of good governance would make the people want to “take the quickest routes to self-actualisation.”

He said: “It is apposite to state that the ultimate goal of democracy, leadership and equitable governance is development. A deficit of good governance in some countries brought about wars, famine and stunted social growth.

“In a system where there is good governance, the person governing must not see himself as the only repository of knowledge, rather, he must dialogue with the citizens on a regular basis to promote social inclusion, institutionalised participation and, more significantly, to narrow the areas of conflict that usually arise in governance.”

Ajimobi identified lack of transparency as the bane of many African states and the harbinger of the acute under-development that has retarded growth on the continent.

He said state businesses should be conducted in the open, adding that government accounts and processes should be open to scrutiny by the public.

Ajimobi said the running of his administration was based on transparency and the rule of law, adding that this has contributed to the success of his government.

Recalling that the state was popular for violence when he assumed office, he said: “To the rest of society, Oyo was the direct modern manifestation of Thomas Hobbes’ state of nature, where life was nasty, brutish and short. Thousands of unannounced people were shot and their families buried their dead with equanimity.”

The governor said part of the holistic blueprint of his administration was to identify peace, safety and security as vital for development.

The National President, Lagelu Grammar School, Ibadan, Old Boys Association, Dr. Taiwo Ladapo, hailed Ajimobi for being a good ambassador of the school through his brilliant performance.

He said that was why he was given the honour of delivering the maiden Distinguished Alumnus Lecture.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, has tasked Governor Abiola Ajimobi and all the eleven local governments of Ibadanlan to mobilise for contributions to the proposed permanent Olubadan Palace.

The monarch, who was represented by the Otun Olubadan, Chief Omowale Kuye also urged the indigenes, non-indigenes of Ibadanland and well wishers to support the project to protect the traditional heritage.

Odulana made this call yesterday at the launching of the new palace building fund raising ceremony held at Lakan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

According to him, the governor and Ibadan people should in particular know that the load owner carries his load where it is heavier.

He said seven years ago when he was being installed as the Ibadan monarch he pledged to ensure the building of a new permanent befitting palace for the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the creation of Ibadan state.

The Olubadan noted that the need for a new palace was recognised over a decade ago when the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) approached the late Governor of Oyo state, Chief Kolapo Ishola, who graciously allocated an extensive parcel of land at the foot of the Agala forest for the development of the palace.

Odulana stated that the palace belongs to all and sundry, stressing that Ibadan is a republican city of warriors for which any of the sons could be an occupant of the palace in future.

Responding to the challenge, Ajimobi said the building of the palace is what all the sons and daughter of Ibadan must contribute towards immensely.

Ajimobi noted that different people from different tribes have gained from the hospitable and accommodating spirit of Ibadanland, adding that all should support the gesture.

“The urban beatification project of our government will not be completed without the building of a befitting modern palace for the revered Ibadan monarch,” he said

He donated N25 million on behalf of the state government and N20 million from his personal purse for the project.

The Chairman Olubadan Palace Fund-Raising Committee, Chief Bayo Oyero, explained the former palace at Oja’ba is rather choky for modern use and has no room for expansion among others.

He disclosed that the entire building project will cost about N2.5 billion but noted that the first phase will gulp about N850 million.

Over N150 million was realised from different donors.

The eight commissioner-nominees, whose names were sent to the Oyo State House of Assembly by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, will be screened on January 28.

They are Fatai Buhari; Nureni Tanimowo; Abideen Oladimeji; Ambali Hammed; Tayo Koleoso; Fatai Abimbola; Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya and Gbenuola Oyelade.

The Speaker, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, summoned them yesterday at plenary after presenting their names to the legislators.

The nominees are to forward 45 copies of their credentials to the Clerk of the House, Paul Bankole, on or before Friday.

Mr. Amao Salaudeen (Ibarapa North and South) and Mr. Michael Adeyemo (Ibarapa Central) urged the governor to consider the people of Ibarapa Zone for appointments.

The Speaker assured them that the governor would address their request.

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has appointed 33 liaison officers and 14 zonal officers for the 33 local government councils.

In a statement by his media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the governor said the liaison officers would act as intermediaries between the state government and the councils.

He said the appointment is to ensure good governance at the grassroots. .

The 33 liaison officers are: S. T. Oyeleke (Ibadan Southwest); Yinka Akinbode (Ibadan North); Jonathan Ogundinwin (Ibadan Northeast); Mojeed Adegbenro (Ibadan Southeast); Gboyega Alabi (Ibadan Northwest);  Elder Adelabu Gbadegesin (Ido); Kamoru Adeoye (Oluyole); Nurudeen Lamidi (Akinyele); Ezekiel Adeyemi (Ona Ara); Ajani Michael Olusola (Egbeda); Lekan Odunade (Lagelu); Olagunju Kunle (Ibarapa North); Suraj Adegbite (Ibarapa Central); Funso Oyinlola (Ibarapa East); S. A. Oyelayo (Atiba); Bisi Adelabu (Afijio); Sulaimon Babatunde (Oyo West); Taiwo Tiamiyu (Oyo East); Adedeji Sunday (Ogbomoso South); Abass Bello (Ogbomoso North); Adegbola Gabriel (Surulere); Sunday Adeleke (Oriire); Ojo Johnson (Ogo Oluwa); Okunlola Emmanuel (Iseyin); George Adesina (Itesiwaju); Mufutau Badmus (Kajola); Jide Folawiyo (Iwajowa); George Ojo (Saki West); Fasasi Abiodun (Saki East); Timothy Ogunkule (Atisbo); Babayanju Bamiji (Olorunsogo); Odenibi Samuel (Oorelope) and Ogunleke Ademola (Irepo).

The zonal officers are: Yomi Adefusi (Ibadan Southwest/Northwest); R.O. Shittu (Ibadan Northeast/Southeast); Dimeji Obisesan (Ibadan North); Bolanle Olanrewaju (Ido/Ibarapa East); Olayemi Adejumo (Ibarapa Central/North); Femi Egbedeyi (Akinyele/Lagelu); Sina Adeagbo (Ona Ara/Egbeda); Adesokan Adeniyi (Oluyole); Ajeigbe M. B. (Atiba); Isiaka Salami (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa); Niyi Adebisi (Atisbo/Saki West/Saki East);Com. Oyebisi Raheem (Irepo/Oorelope); Jesutoye Oluyinka (Ogo Oluwa/Surulere) and Chief Odekanmi Joseph (Ogbomoso South/North/Oriire).

The Oyo State government has invited Yoruba-speaking states to participate in its annual cultural fiesta, Samodun.

In a statement, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Princess Adetutu Akhigbe-Adeyemi said the invitation was the result of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s vision to use culture to promote unity among the Yoruba and preserve the Yoruba tradition.

She said: “As Yorubas, we are going back to the base to uphold our cultural/traditional heritage and this unity will strengthen the actualisation of Southwest integration.

“Last year’s Samodun Fiesta saw a display of Yoruba culture at the 33 local governments. This year, the state government is extending invitation of participation to seven Yoruba-speaking states – Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara and Kogi.”

The fiesta, slated to hold between January 31 and February 1, will feature competitive youth performances by participating states.

Mexican investor, Cajiga Gevaldo, has said he will begin the manufacturing of heavy duty and fire-fighting equipment, as well as sanitary materials in Oyo State.

Geraldo, who is chief executive officer of Lugath Mexico, said this when he visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan yesterday.

He said his company specialises in the production of heavy duty trucks, sanitary materials and fire-fighting equipment.

Geraldo said he was motivated into investing in Oyo State because of the peace and his willingness to contribute to the economic development of the state.

Ajimobi thanked the Mexican for his resolve to establish a subsidiary of his company in the state, adding that the development was owing to the conducive atmosphere created by his administration to attract both local and foreign investments to the state.

The governor, who said that his government was ready and prepared to partner the Mexican firm, assured that everything would be done to ensure the success of the partnership and sustenance of the investments.

The governor also said his administration would continue to encourage local investors.