The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

  • Oyo gets 12 commissioners

    Oyo gets 12 commissioners

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday swore in 12 commissioners.

    They are Princess Oyefunke Oworu; Prince Gbade Lana; Mr. Adebayo Ojo; Mr. Dapo Lam-Adesina; Mr. Zachaeus Adelabu; Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Aigbe; Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu; Mr. Adewale Olujide, Mr. Adedeji Akande; Mr. Umar Alao and Mr. Abiodun Atanda.

    Speaking at the ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Ajimobi urged them to exhibit a high level of integrity, commitment and service to humanity.

    He said the commissioners were appointed based on their educational background, record and party recommendation.

    Reacting to insinuations that the commissioners were children of the elite, Ajimobi said they were appointed on merit and not because of their family background.

    Accusing the opposition of “unnecessarily attacking” his administration to score cheap points, the governor said: “The opposition will always say something. In fact, their job is to criticise us and our responsibility is to do the job. The world is for those who strive hard and not for those who sit back and criticise.

    “When we conceived the idea of constructing the flyover at Mokola, they said it was impossible. When we started, they said we could not do it. Later on, they said they were the ones who earlier dreamt about it. Even though it was first thought about in 1976, we built it.

    “We believe Oyo State must be taken to a higher level than we met it. We want Oyo to be counted as one of the modern states in Nigeria.”

    To the commissioners, Ajimobi said: “You are in the second phase of the ship and we believe you have enough capabilities and strength to sail through. I hope you will contribute commendably to this administration. I commend those who are lucky to be back. For those who are new, I challenge you and believe you will find me friendly, if you work hard. If you do not work hard, I am not a nice person.

    “Be reminded that whatever you do, people will criticise you. What is important is to put in your best. If you strive hard enough, you will succeed.”

  • Tinubu, Aregbesola, Ajimobi, others for 200 years of Yorubas in Ghana

    A grand reception in honour of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, holds on November 23 at Accra, during the celebration of 200 years of the Yoruba race in Ghana.

    The event organised by the patrons, executive council and all Yoruba in Ghana will also witness the conferment of Yoruba heritage awards on prominent Yoruba indigenes.

    Recipients of the award include the Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi; his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola and Chairman Energy Bank, Ghana, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim.

    Others include First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Arisekola Alao; veteran actor and writer, Adebayo Faleti, and former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Musiliu Obanikoro, among others.

    There will also be presentation of Exploits of a migrants’ community: Chronicles of Yoruba in Ghana, dedicated to Tinubu.

    The book is written by Joshua Bolatito Olalere, Managing Editor at Delight Communications West Africa Limited, a publishing and media consultancy firm.

    The celebration holds at Aviation Social Centre, Accra.

     

  • Culture, pomp at opening of Nigeria’s largest shopping malls

    Culture, pomp at opening of Nigeria’s largest shopping malls

    All roads led to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, last week Thursday.

    It was the opening of the N3 billion Heritage Mall and Cocoa Mall built by the Yoruba business flagship, Odu’a Investments Company Limited.

    The event served, in a way, as a reunion for various classes of Yoruba elite, including politicians, traditional rulers, technocrats, industrialists and other professionals. It was also an occasion for the celebration of the creative ingenuity and business acumen of the founding fathers of the conglomerate.

    Not only were guests excited at another opportunity to reconnect with Odu’a, many relished the idea as a great addition to what was inherited from the founding fathers.

    The inauguration was not just a celebration of a new project, the rich culture of the Yoruba was on display including the use of Yoruba Language in conducting part of the programme by culture ambassadors and other leaders.

    As early as 9:00 am, the Cocoa Building complex, which houses the malls and the famous high rise Cocoa House, had been filled with vehicles. It was under the close watch of teams of policemen, men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence.

    Despite of the arrangement, there was still traffic around the building due to its location in the city’s central business district.

    The sprawling canopies under which the programme held wore gold and white colour with a splash of green. It stood beside a cluster of entertainers who displayed at the various stands of official partners and other known brands such as Maggi, Milo and Airtel. Music blared from the stands while professional dancers rolled their bodies to the sweet tunes.

    When the programme commenced at 1:00 0’ clock, the Awise of Osogbo, Chief Yemi Elebu’bon, was ushered to the microphone for the opening prayer by the trio of Messrs Yanju Adegbite, Laolu Olatubosun and Wale Rufai who served as compere for the occasion.  Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu led in Christian prayer.

    The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the conglomerate, Mr Adebayo Jimoh, was a happy celebrator, having capped his achievements as the helms man with the building of the malls. Jimoh’s leadership has seen many old properties of Odu’a redeveloped to modern estates and shopping complexes. Under his leadership, the real estate portfolio of the conglomerate has risen to over N 65 billion.

    An elated Jimoh expressed satisfaction with the project, saying the huge malls have been attracting an enormous number of shoppers, giving store owners real value for their investments as well as changing the lifestyle of residents of the city.

    He praised Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi for his “strong support on the project since the beginning”.

    He gleefully reminded his audience that while Heritage Mall is sitting on the former Kingsway Store and the premises of the rested Sketch newspaper, Cocoa Mall is occupying the same building used by the defunct UTC Store but which was redesigned to meet modern needs.

    For him, the malls are succeeding in keeping shoppers in Ibadan, thereby rejuvenating the economy of the city while also creating opportunities for locals in the area of business and jobs.

    “We are adding to what we inherited.” Jimoh declared with glee.

    He added: “we believe that the success of the Heritage Mall and Cocoa Mall in Ibadan will definitely encourage the opening of new malls in the Odu’a states of Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti.”

    Jimoh said Ajimobi should be commended for making investors come to Oyo State through enthronement of peace and security, disclosing that over 2000 jobs have already been created by the two malls.

    The Chairman of the firm, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, also lauded the project and thanked all stakeholders for supporting the project.

    In his speech, Ajimobi commended Jimoh and his team and pointed out that the project was in line with his administration’s transformation agenda.

    He said: “From the eye of commerce, the vision of the Board was to redirect home the footsteps and the foreign currencies of high net-worth individuals who spent time and money travelling far distances of Europe and America for shopping. Today, that vision has become a reality. It has given birth to one of the most attractive shopping malls in this part of the country and a place that anyone with an eye for shopping would not be at their shopping peril.

    “Let me confirm to you that this vision by Odu’a Investment Company Limited in constructing these malls rhymes with our transformation agenda as an administration. Indeed, the zeal behind the vision is a replica of the can-do spirit with which we have broken the barriers of developmental impossibilities in Oyo State.

    “You will recall that during my inauguration on May 29, 2011, I promised the good people of Oyo State that our administration would vigorously pursue the vision of peace and order, as against the chaos that we inherited. We also promised to run an efficient and result-oriented government that has an eye on making our state welcoming, business-friendly, leisure-friendly and an attraction to investors.

    “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to report to you that, after successfully maintaining peace and order in the last two years or thereabout, after embarking on an aggressive environmental clean-up and provision of infrastructure, investors are now making Oyo State their Mecca.”

    The governor, however, charged the company to replicate the mall in other owner states.

    Tokunbo Omisore, an architect, who designed and partnered with Odu’a for the construction of Cocoa Mall, said he was satisfied for building an affordable and sustainable mall. He thanked WEMA Bank for providing the loan at a time other banks rejected the idea because the location is outside Lagos and Abuja.

    Dignitaries at the event include a former military governor of the old Oyo State, Gen. Oludayo Popoola and representatives of the four other governors.

    Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Ganiyu Owolabi.

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun was also represented by the state’s SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa. While Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, was represented by the Director of Commerce, Mr Robert Adewole, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters.

    Traditional rulers at the event include the  Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Aladesanmi; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and  Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Idowu Adamo.

    The Ooni of Ife was represented by Oba Toyosi Akindoyin, who is the Jagunosin of Ife and Oba Adebowale Olafare of Erefe. The Olubadan of Ibadan was represented by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Omowale Kuye while the Ataoja of Osogbo was also represented by his chiefs.

    Others include the Chairman, WEMABOD Estates Ltd, Dr Ismail Adewusi;  a former Chairman of Odu’a, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Proprietor, Lead City University, Prof Jide Owoeye;  Chief Lekan Alabi; Chief Mrs Alaba Lawson; Senator Olabiyi Durojaye; Senator Iyabo Anisulowo;  Otunba Olajumoke Ogunkeyede, Tokunbo Omisore; Bashorun Dehinde Adegbofa; Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Sir Olaninun Ajayi and Baale Taye Ayorinde.

    Others are Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu; President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Bayo Oyero;  Chief Bode Amoo; Alhaji Gboyega Arulogun; Apostle Sunday Popoola and Pastor Olubi Johnson.

    Others include  Chief Kola Bajomo; Head of Service, Oyo State, Alh. Tajudeen Aremu;

    directors of subsidiaries, associate companies and partners of the conglomerate as well as

    representatives of New Nigerian Development Company Ltd from Kaduna. They were led by Alj Alli Gombe.

    Others are the Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Akin Oke; Dr Lekan Are; Hon. Abiodun Awoleye; Hon. Saheed Fijabi and the Director-General, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), Mr Dipo Famakinwa.

  • Olubadan’s son, five returnees make Oyo cabinet list

    Prince Gbade Lana, who is one of the sons of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana, is among the new commissioner designates in Oyo State.

    His name was among the 12 nominees Governor Abiola Ajimobi forwarded to the state House of Assembly for confirmation on Monday evening.

    The governor dissolved the state Executive Council on September 23.

    The five returnee commissioners are – Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Barr. Adebayo Ojo, Mr. Dapo Lam- Adesina, Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe and Mr. Zacheus Adelabu.

    Prince Lana, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, was until his nomination, the Chairman, Oyo State Library Board.

    Others nominees are – Prof S.O. Olaniyan, Princess Olufunke Oworu, Faruk Umar Alao, Adewale Lawrence Olujide, Abiodun Fatai Atanda and Engr. Deji Akande.

    Reading out the names of the nominees at a plenary sitting on Tuesday, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, said the lawmakers would peruse the nominees’ credentials, stressing that there would be no “bow and go.”

    The Assembly directed the nominees to appear before it on Wednesday with 40 copies of their credentials.

    A second list containing six nominees is still expected from the governor to complete the 18-member state executive council.

     

  • Group warns against attacks on Ajimobi

    A forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo Federal Constituency known as Movement for Ajimobi’s Agenda for Positive Change, has warned those peddling falsehood and assassinating the character of the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to have a re-think.

    This,Forum noted that such clandestine moves are no longer fashionable; adding that the era where politicians and their surrogates a mortgaged peoples’ conscience against good governance has gone forever.”

    Speaking at a sensitisation rally on the performance of the present administration held on Saturday at Idi-Ope area in Oyo town, one of the Forum’s leaders, Chief Ayanyinka Ayankojo who is also the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission expressed displeasure over campaigns of calumny by opposition parties aimed at destabilising the development strides of the state government.

    The achievements, according to Ayankojo, include reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads across the state, security of lives and property, effective and affordable healthcare delivery, upward review of vehicle and housing loans to civil servants, empowerment of youths and  according  the Council of Obas and Chiefs their deserved respect and status.

  • Why we appointed Tinubu LAUTECH Chancellor –Ajimobi, Aregbesola

    Why we appointed Tinubu LAUTECH Chancellor –Ajimobi, Aregbesola

    THE governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has explained the reason why the owner-state governments of Oyo and Osun appointed the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, as Chancellor of the university. He made this known at the 8th inauguration ceremony of LAUTECH Governing Council held in the school on Friday. According to the governor, Senator Tinubu possessed an international network that would impact positively on the school and lift it to an international level which was envisaged for it by its founding fathers. He also commended the Governing Council being inaugurated as comprising eminent Nigerians who had made their marks in all walks of life. Governor Ajimobi noted that the ingenuity and the pedigree of the governors of the two owner states had halted the crises that had hitherto almost consumed the institution before their advent. While expressing the commitment of the two ownerstates to making LAUTECH a world class institution, the governor also stressed the need for the university to take its pride of place in the comity of universities as a world-class institution. Governor Ajimobi congratulated the new Governing Council members on the appointment and charged them to use their intellectual endowment to lift the institution to greater heights. The governor told the audience that he was not in conflict with his predecessor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala who hailed from the university town, stating that, in the administration of Oyo State, the people could decipher the character and quality of both personalities in the administration of the state. Also speaking, his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola charged the governing council to run the institution in such a way that it would impact positively on the society. He particularly charged them to proffer solutions to some of the problems currently confronting the country such as youth unemployment, lack of power supply and lack of potable water supply. This, he said, was the only way the university could justify its establishment and actualize the dream of its founding fathers. Governor Aregbesola also charged the council to mobilize resources for the university as against the past system which saw the institution depending absolutely on the two owner states as the only source of revenue. In his acceptance speech, the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Professor Wale Omole thanked the visitor-governors of the university – Ajimobi and Aregbesola – for the appointment.

  • Afe Babalola Call-to-Bar 50th anniversary

    Afe Babalola Call-to-Bar 50th anniversary

  • Misquoting Abiola Ajimobi

    Misquoting Abiola Ajimobi

    NATIONAL MIRROR Front Page sub-headline of June 6 joined in governors’ childish theatricals: “NGF: Legal fireworks begins (sic) next week”

    Now the inside pages starting with advertorials: “This is yet another landmark in the life of a philantropist” (Full-page advertisement by Sheperdhill Security Ltd.) Spell-check: philanthropist

    “Generousity (sic) per (sic) excellence again.” (Source: as above) There should be no full stop because it is not a sentence. A rewrite: Generosity par excellence again

    “Ajimobi hails police for returning peace to Oyo” Is National Mirror insinuating that the police took away ‘peace’ in Oyo and are now returning it with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as the crown witness? The police are merely restoring peace—not returning it! These Jimoh Ibrahim ‘boys’ can misrepresent someone!

    We move to the Views Page: “Some of them go about on (in) private aircraft with security agents at their beck and calls (call).”

    Education Today pages are next: “Adeola Odutola College alumni inaugurates (inaugurate) lecture theatre”

    “Recent crackdowns on examination malpractice…has (have) led to hundreds of prosecutions and scores of convictions.”

    “Tuition: EKSU students laud instalment payment” Campus News: instalment plan (not payment)

    Let’s vacate National Mirror of June 6 after this journalistic trademark: “….reports that majority (a majority) of Nigerians are going through….”

    The word ‘followership’ is a Nigerian coinage. The approved entry is ‘following’ or ‘followers.’ An example: The APC has a large following or many followers. Also note that ‘witch-hunt’ is not a verb as many people often use it! It is a countable noun. (Contributed by Uncle Kola Danisa/07059188542)

    The Guardian Editorial of June 4 posted a sentence wrongly: “So could the instances of delayed tax remittance and clear failure by FIRS to mete out sanctions on (to) defaulters….”

    “Service can only be enjoyed on MMS enabled (MMS-enabled) phones that have the correct MTN data settings.” (Full-page advertisement by MTN)

    Still on THE GUARDIAN: “Borno engages 64,000 youths in poverty reduction schemes” Appointments: poverty-reduction schemes

    “The federal government must, therefore, set up a special task force to monitor all its activities, projects and make sure that they are commissioned (inaugurated) on time.”

    “Explore the possibilities of world class (world-class) education within the country at Elizade University.” (Full-page advertisement)

    “…in addition to sitting for our post UTME (post-UTME) scheduled to hold on….” (Source: as above)

    Last week’s edition of this medium fumbled on five occasions: “Saraki’s media aide added that after the closed door meeting….” Truth in defence of freedom: meeting behind closed doors (not closed door meeting)!

    “According to him, the video was not an official recording of the forum, and, as such, remained untameable (untenable).”

    “Real reason Olu Akanmu quits (quit) Airtel”

    “The estranged couple, we gathered, still remains (remain) friends for the sake of their four children.”

    Lastly from this platform: “Firms’ profits re-open (reopen) cement glut claims” Phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation.

    THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER of June 1, goofed: “Even before this season rounded-off (rounded off), players and coaches (coaches’) transfer news have (had) even overshadowed some matches….” Global soccer summer transfer: ‘news’ is uncountable

    “Below are photographs of personalities at (on) the occasion.” (Source: as above)

    “Don’t miss out on the thrills and anxiety (anxieties) every week as thousands of talented singers battle for the grand prize of N24 million and the career changing (career-changing) Sony Music Contract.” (Full-page advertisement by glo Unlimited)

    “Count me out of governors (governors’) leadership crisis, says Jonathan” This is sheer gobbledygook by our President! Such prevarications are best for the marines! It is better to be silent at a time like this than to be misleadingly loquacious and manifestly daft! Most Nigerians are not dullards. Otherwise, why is GEJ solidly backing the Jang affront?

    “School holds inter house (inter-house) cultural competition”

    “Fraud free (Fraud-free) immigration to Canada”

    “South-South Monarchs (Monarchs’) Forum”

    “Quality all purpose equipments at GOOFA Nigeria Limited” A rewrite: Quality all-purpose equipment (uncountable)

    Wrong: “Go and on/off the generator”; right: Go and put on/off the generator

    Wrong: “Wash hand basin”; right: Finger bowl

    Wrong: “Use the packer to pack the dirt”; right: Use the dust pan (not ‘packer’)…. (Sent in by Uncle Danisa)

    The next two blunders are from Stv Early Morning News Scroll of May 21: “Preventing external agression” Spell-check: aggression

    “Aviation workers suspends (why?) strike, FG intervenes”

    “Clearing drainages in Delta” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY Headline, May 26) ‘Drainage’ is non-count and is a system of drains—the right entry here should be ‘drains’ and not their collectivization.

    THISDAY of May 18 offered readers three juvenile errors: “Court winds-up (winds up) firm, jails officials over My Pikin mixture”

    “Churning out series (a series) of life-transforming soap operas endeared….”

    “The group though had fought against government and its agencies on many occasions but came into the nation’s consciousness when….” The Saturday Newspaper Cover: ‘Though’ and ‘but’ cannot function in the same environment—‘it’ should take the place of ‘but’ to foreclose lexical insurgency!

    “It is not that I see Igbo land as an (a) hostile region….”

    “Jos, the capital of Plateau State (another comma, please) is one of the few cosmopolitan towns in the country that have (has) enjoyed peaceful co-existence relatively.”

    “…the president and other stakeholders in the nation’s well-being rubbed minds (brainstormed, exchanged ideas/views.…)” It is not possible to ‘rub minds’!

    “He had ordered more soldiers posted to the troubled (trouble) spots of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa with an instruction….”

  • ‘Ex-Oyo governors insincere’

    The General Overseer of the Save and Serve Christ Family Church in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Bishop Jide Orire, yesterday said Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s performance in two years has “exposed past governors as insincere”.

    He said they should be probed.

    Bishop Orire said many people were surprised to witness the dualisation of major roads, construction of bridges and beautification of the city within a short time.

    He spoke in Ibadan during the consecration of Rev. Columba Niboro as a Bishop.

    The cleric hailed Ajimobi on road projects, saying they have eased traffic.

    He said: “If Ajimobi can embark on projects that cost billions of naira, then he is a focused leader. He has the people’s interest at heart. The people should begin to ask past governors what they did with the state’s fund.”

    Bishop Orire wondered where Ajimobi got the billions of naira he is spending on projects, saying: “So our previous leaders had been depriving the masses of good infrastructure, which we ought to have been enjoying since.”

    On the declaration of a state of emergency in three states to curb the activities of the Boko Haram sect, he said emergency rule was not the solution to insecurity.

    Bishop Orire there was nothing like Boko Haram. He said we are our own enemies, adding that some of our leaders are behind most of the crises in the nation.

    The cleric said: “Our leaders are greedy and not interested in the welfare of the populace. They are only interested in themselves and their family. They have forgotten that the money they are spending is tax-payer’s money, which is meant for everybody.”

    He said though declaring a state of emergency at this time is good, more needs to be done.

    Bishop Orire said until corruption and unemployment are addressed, the country will not know peace.

    He said: “The country produces hundred of thousands of graduates yearly and the unemployment rate is on the increase. If these youths are engaged, they would not have time for frivolous things.

    “They say an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. Let the governme nt find a solution to this and see what happens. I see a better Nigeria.”

     

  • Ajimobi commissions 1,000-staff call centre in Ibadan

    OYO State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has commissioned a 1,000-staff call centre of Airtel Telecommunication.

    Ajimobi, who inspected the call centre located on the last floor of the old Kingsway building at Dugbe, Ibadan, the state capital, said his administration will continue to partner with the private sector for job creation.

    The call centre was established by Spanco Group for Airtel Telecommunication.

    The governor further disclosed that government would soon institute an e-governance system and outsource some services to create a support system that will improve information-sharing across various areas.

    Also, through a partnership between government and the Spanco Group, he assured his administration will roll-out a Government to Citizen (G2C) Help Line to establish an information link between government and citizens.

    This, Ajimobi said, will cover various initiatives by the state like Health Helpline and Medical Care, Health Emergency and Hospital/Ambulance Management, Agriculture Helpline, Land Registry, Women in Distress and Police Helpline aside any other new initiatives and programmes in the future.

    He said: “All over the world, the trend now is for organisations to fan-out the execution of key aspects of their responsibilities to professionals and experienced solution-providers.”