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Tag: Abiola Ajimobi

  • 2019: Ajimobi threatens to ban transport unions linked to violence

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to remain peaceful or risk being banned.

    Ajimobi gave the warning on Tuesday in Ibadan during the All Progressives Congress (APC)  gubernatorial rally held in Egbeda Local Government Area of the state.

    The  governor gave the warning against the background of security reports that the transport unions were poised to engage in violence.

    He, however, said that any transport union involved in any clash during the electioneering campaigns in the state would be banned.

    ”Over time, in-fighting and clashes between the two unions have been over daily fees charged by drivers’ unions as well as supremacy tussle,” he said.

    The governor, who urged them to remain peaceful, vowed that any of their members involved in such acts would also be prosecuted.

    ”I still have 134 days to go, so no one should take our gentleness for cowardice.

    ”I’ll ensure that anyone who disrupts peace is prosecuted. Those who tested our might in the past regretted it.

    Read Also: Vote Buhari for N-Power’s continuity – Ajimobi

    ”So, let’s talk to one another and not disrupt the peace we worked so hard to achieve in the state,’’ he said.

    Ajimobi also expressed confidence in the ability of the party’s governorship candidate, Adebayo Adelabu,  to sustain his legacies in peace and security as well as infrastructure development.

    Adelabu,  in his remarks, pledged to consolidate on the foundation laid by Ajimobi in all sectors.

    He said that no other opposition leader or candidate could match Ajimobi in terms of achievements.

    Chief Akin Oke, the state APC Chairman, urged the people to vote all the party’s candidates in the forthcoming polls, saying continuity was the best option for the state.

    Mr Abideen Olajide, the State NURTW Chairman, urged his members to reciprocate the Ajimobi administration’s gestures by voting for the  APC at all levels of government.

    The rally was attended by the party’s executives in the state as well as candidates and supporters.

    NAN

  • Vote Buhari for N-Power’s continuity – Ajimobi

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called on youths in the State, especially the beneficiaries of the federal government’s economic intervention programme christened ‘N-Power’ to vote President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office for the programme to continue beyond 2019.

    The governor gave the charge on Thursday while addressing the beneficiaries at a ‘Thank you Rally’ organized by the close to twenty thousand beneficiaries of N-Power in Oyo State at the Agodi Gardens, Ibadan on Thursday.

    Ajimobi who described N-Power as an intervention programme by the Buhari-led federal government to build the youths population towards enhancing their financial capabilities for a developed society added that their number if in concert was enough to give Buhari the second term.

    He said “If you fail to vote President Buhari for the second term, I want to assure you that N-Power will be stopped. We all know that your age group is 54 per cent of the Nigerian population and if the number of registered voters in Nigeria is 84 million, we can be sure that Buhari already got 61million votes.

    “I want to also assure you that the N-Power fund will be reviewed upward after 2019 but you all must know that to succeed in life, you must hold your future in your hands.

    “An empowered people will contribute to the growth of the society, that is why the federal government said the youths that constitute the larger percentage of the nation’s population must be well taken care of. The youths are the one that can bring the country forward and must be helped.”

    Read Also: Southwest plans Buhari’s re-election

    The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Jobs’ Creation, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede who had earlier participated in the rally round Ibadan city, appreciated the consistent dedication of N-Power beneficiaries to the growth of the nation.

    He assured the youths of continuous support of the federal government as their engagement had reflected the better economy and robust human capital development.

    Imoukhuede said Oyo State had 9000 beneficiaries for the first batch of the programme and 8000 for the second batch, totalling 17000, with the assurance of a new set of the batch after the 2019 election.

    “We commend the participants and beneficiaries of the N-Power programme for being faithful to their country and contributing to the progress of Nigeria. Today is a great day, looking at the colourful rally with which we were welcome here today.

    “It will go into history that these teeming number of Oyo youths have come out to appreciate President Buhari for changing their fortune for the better and giving them a voice to be reckoned with and for them to contribute to the nation’s economy.

    “It is pertinent to remind you youths that continuity of Buhari is tantamount to the continuity of this social programme. So you must keep supporting President Buhari for the future of this programme to be assured”, he said

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Atinuke Osunkoya, hinted that the close to 20,000 N-Power beneficiaries from Oyo State was selected without any religious or political bias but through the online application.

    She appreciated the federal government for the programme which she said Oyo State had earlier introduced its like in Youths Empowerment Scheme (YES-O), that created financial freedom for over a million youths in the State.

  • Ajimobi, listening father, good leader – Ayefele

    Popular music producer and Gospel musician, Mr. Yinka Ayefele, has expressed `profound gratitude’  to the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for assisting him to remodel and rebuild his Music House to a better edifice.

    Ayefele, who runs a popular radio station, Fresh FM, in Ibadan, led top management of the station on what he called a `thank you’ visit to the governor, in his office, on Tuesday.

    The façade of the building housing the radio station had been partially demolished by the state’s Physical and Urban Development Control in August 2018 for contravening physical planning and urban development laws.

    But, the governor had intervened in the matter following personal pleas by Ayefele and the expression of his preparedness to comply with the restructuring model proposed by the agency.

    The agency had justified its action on the initial refusal of the management of the building to rectify the infractions and its insistence on safeguarding lives and property of residents and commuters plying the Music House area.

    Aiyefele, who described Ajimobi as a listening father and good leader, said he had learnt lessons from the whole saga and had appreciated the need for mutual understanding and cooperation between the government and citizens.

    He said: `I have come here with my management team to say a big `thank you’ to our father (Ajimobi), a good leader and someone who I will boldly describe as a good example to this generation for his large heart.

    “I also want to thank all the people working with the governor, especially the committee that worked with our own management committee on the remodeling and reconstruction of the Music House for their exemplary conduct.

    “God has wiped away my sorrow through you (governor). You have helped me personally in this matter, because I have been down emotionally since the partial demolition of the building. I have learnt lessons from the incident. Now, the building has become a better edifice.

    “On behalf of my family, my staff and all the good people that expressed concern when the incident occurred, I hereby express my profound gratitude to the governor for the kind gesture.’’

    As a mark of appreciation, Ayefele later presented a sketched portrait of the governor to him, while Ajimobi in turn commended the gospel musician for the bold step.

    Commenting further, Ajimobi, said that institutions and citizens must not forget the lessons in the whole matter.

    Read Also: Oyo state rebuilds Ayefele’s Music House

    He said: “It is the grace and mercy of God that have made it possible for us to be where we are today; to be able to contribute to the society. I must first admit that my brother, Aiyefele, has contributed and he is still contributing immensely to the society.

    “As government, it is our duty to promote and enhance the safety, security and socio-economic interests of the citizens. As a government, these we have been doing since 2011. We have been promoting peace, security and the rule of law.

    “I am glad at your initiative to come here to express gratitude; even the initiative you took initially to come and discuss with the government when our agency insisted that the rules guiding the urban and physical development must be adhered to.

    “We agreed on a damage control because laws had been broken already. It is gratifying that you came and agreed that you would comply with the laws. I must say that you played a major role as a good citizen to ensure that government’s goals and objectives were protected.

    “The Music House is no longer a death trap now. Those within the neighbourhood and commuters are no longer being obstructed from the traffic situation on adjoining roads. Those cursing me then, where are they now that we have corrected the contraventions?

    “Citizens should know that government is for them and will always support them. But in doing this, they should also be prepared to obey the laws of the land because nobody is above the law.’’

    The governor, who prayed for the continuous success of Ayefele and any business he ventures into, promised to feature on his radio station for an interview soon.

    He used the opportunity to admonish the media to guard against sensationalism and to be objective and factual by always establishing the veracity of their stories before publishing them.

    Ajimobi, who said he appreciated the important role of the media as the fourth estate of the realm, said that journalists also owed it as a duty to promote the socio-economic values of the society and the rule of law.

    According to him, the rule of law is paramount, adding that developing societies are built on strict adherence to the rule of law.

  • Oyo state rebuilds Ayefele’s Music House

     The Oyo state government has rebuilt Gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele’s `Music house’ it demolished in 2018.

    Ayefele expressed his gratitude to the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi for rebuilding the once-demolished ‘Music House’ allegedly valued at N800m.

    He took to his instagram handle @yinkaayefele to share his appreciation message a card and the caption, “Thank you sir, we appreciate you”.

    The card read, “The management and staff of Yinka Ayefele Limited is using this medium to thank his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for rebuilding the music house.”

    Following Ayefele’s appreciation message, fans congratulated Ayefele on getting the house back but added that the demolition was unnecessary to begin with.

    @Funmionabam said, ‘The power of social media. Congrats @Yinkayefele but I would advice you to be careful.”

    @Lordsfavour commented, “Happy for you Ayefele. God over everything. Thanks to the governor.”

    @Hollarbesse said, “But what was the purpose of bringing down the building in the first place and then building it back up.”

    In August 2018, social media users went ‘wild’ when the Oyo State government demolished the Music House for allegedly flouting state housing rules.

    Although Ayefele denied breaking the law, the state government denied receipts of any court injunction restraining them from demolishing the house.

    Read Also: Oyo poll: Group urges voters to vote wisely

    According to Ayefele, the structure, which also housed his radio station and music studio, represented 20 years of his hard work.

    The case received wide publicity and fans of the singer pleaded for the government’s assistance in rebuilding the structure as the demolition was ‘unfair’.

    The Oyo State government heeded to the calls and in Nov. 2018 began rebuilding the Music House with the hope of completing before the end of 2018.

     

    NAN

  • Oyo to punish Ibadan mayhem perpetrators

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday said those behind the mayhem at Idi-Arere/Sakapena area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, will be brought to justice.

    The governor spoke in Ibadan when he led members of the State Executive Council (Exco) and security chiefs, including Police Commissioner Abiodun Odude and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), on a sympathy and on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas.

    He described those behind the mayhem as “enemies of government and peace-loving people of this state”.

    Twenty-eight houses and shops were set ablaze by hoodlums in Idi-Arere, Sakapena, Asaka and Oja-Igbo areas of the capital city in Ibadan South East/Ibadan South West and Ibadan North East local government areas last Sunday.

    Some of the affected shops were also said to have been burgled.

    The attack was believed to have been carried out by members of rival cult groups in a supremacy battle.

    The hoodlums, who were said to reside within the community and its surroundings, were also said to have had regular disagreement.

    Ajimobi, who was represented by Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo, said his administration would not allow the state to slip back into the era of anarchy it was before he assumed office in 2011.

    He said: “Before our administration came on board, this state was known for brigandage, killings and violence. Since we came on board, our administration is known for peace and security.

    “Those who did this are enemies of government and peace-loving people of this state. I assure you that those who did this will never know peace. We won’t condone it and will ensure those responsible for the crime are apprehended and prosecuted.”

    The governor promised that the government would support the victims, urging them not to take the law into their hands.

    Odude said the police had arrested 11 suspects, including four leaders of the suspected cult groups.

  • Christmas: Ajimobi tasks women to help the less privileged

    In the spirit of the Christmas season, no fewer than 1,000 children were treated to some fun and entertainment, courtesy of the wife of Oyo state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

    The children’s party is coming after an earlier efforts aimed at putting smiles on the faces of orphans, vulnerable and less privileged children and widows from across the state.

    The two events saw hundreds of people been given gifts and goodies to celebrate the season.

    While the sharing and distributions of gifts at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Agodi Government House, Ibadan, the Christmas party for the children held at the Agodi Gardens, Ibadan on Sunday.

    Addressing the beneficiaries of the gifts, especially women, Mrs Ajimobi urged women in the state to replicate the essence of the season by providing help to other less privilege and needy within their domain, in the spirit of Christmas.

    She seized the opportunity of the occasion to thank the people of the state, particularly, the women for their support to her husband’s administration in the last almost eight years.

    She also solicited for support of the women for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 governorship election, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, so there could be continuity of what she described as “the good work done by Senator Abiola Ajimobi.”

    Read Also: Ajimobi and his Adelabu choice



    She also charged the children at the Christmas party to be good so as to grow up as responsible adults that will build the nation.

    She said, “I thank the entire women of the state for your support in the last eight years; without you I wouldn’t have achieved so much.

    “I want women to let the fear of God continue to guide them.

    “They should be charitable, particularly in this season of Christmas which is a time of giving because there are so many people around us that don’t have the same opportunity as we do.

    “Children, Christmas is about giving to the poor and needy. You must continue to be good children so that you can grow up to be responsible adults.”

    Some items distributed included bags of rice, vegetable oil, salt, juices and tissue papers, among others.

    Highpoints of the children party include, dancing competition, games, prize giving, parents dancing competition, cutting of Xmas cake, music, entertainment, among others.

    (more…)

  • 2019: I am on a rescue mission, says Alao-Akala

    A former governor of Oyo state and the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the forthcoming 2019 elections, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has said he is seeking another opportunity to govern the state on a mission to rescue and re-position the state for the betterment of the people and investors.

    He lamented that his heart aches because of what he described as the anti-people policies of the outgoing government of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, saying at least 90 percent of the government programmes and projects are not in the interest of the people.

    Alao-Akala spoke on Tuesday while delivering his address at the official presentation of the Alao-Akala and Olaiya as the ADP candidates for the 2019 gubernatorial elections cum official inauguration of the Akala-Olaiya campaign organization.

    The event which held at Jogor Centre, Liberty Area, Ring Road Ibadan was attended by his running mate, Prof Abideen Olaiya, party candidates for the National Assembly positions, party leadership and members from different parts of the state.

    The former governor who noted that instead of criticizing, he made himself available to guide the incumbent government on how to best run a proactive and pro-people governance but that the driver lacks the required goodwill.

    He further alleges that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is conniving with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to engage in what he described as advanced rigging method.

    Read Also: Why I want to be Oyo governor again – Alao-Akala

    Alao-Akala said, “As a bonafide citizen, I’m seeking another opportunity to govern the state from May 29th 2019 with a rescue mission to reposition the state for the betterment of our people and investors.

    “Service to humanity especially holding a public office is not a function of age but mental capacity, experience, maturity, good vision and mission, sensitiveness, responsiveness, credibility and popular acceptability of a person. I am offering myself again to serve the good people of Oyo state because I am healthily and mentally fit for the rigorous tasks of governance.

    “My heart aches because 90 percent of the outgoing government’s policies, programmes and programmes and projects are best described as anti-people which leave our people in pain and despondency.

    “Instead of criticizing, I made myself available to guide the incumbent government on how best to run proactive and pro-people governance but the driver lacks the required goodwill. Today, the major sectors of our economy, which are education, health, agriculture and environment, have been either neglected or bastardized. Oyo state is in a serious mess.

    “When a serious duty of overhauling government calls, experience counts. On July 4th of this year, I responded to Oyo State Patriots’ clarion call to contest the 2019 governorship elections, so that succor, humane posture, robust economic activities, even and equitable infrastructural developments that were once entrenched in governance of the state during my past tenure could be repeated and improve upon with renewed vigor.

    “Immediately after the inauguration of our government come May 29th, 2019, we shall hit the ground running by declaring state of emergencies in the education and health sectors of Oyo state. Our dying LAUTECH, EACOED, The Polytechnic Ibadan and other state-owned tertiary institutions will be rescued and their pride statuses in the comity of educational institutions will be restored.

    “Also, we are determined to initiate and implement policies and proagrammes that would transform the state, improve the welfare of the residents and create an environment conducive to business growth and security as well as wealth and employment.

    “May I use this occasion to inform the stakeholders in the Nigerian electoral system and the world at large that information reaching us from competent sources is that some bad elements in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are conniving with the ruling APC to disenfranchise thousands of voters across the state and weakening the leading opposition candidates in their strongholds by engaging in state-wide illegal relocation of voters from their units/local government of origins to another units/LGAs.

    “We call on the INEC chairman and the constituted security agencies to put a stop to this advanced rigging method.

  • Ajimobi seeks state police

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called for the establishment of state police to curb crime in the country.

    Ajimobi made the call at the inauguration of the Oyo State Safe City Control Centre aimed at improving the security network in the state.

    “As important as concepts such as democracy is, go around the world and see the best of democracies, there is none of them without its state police, all the states in America, France and other countries.

    “State police will be staffed with people from the local communities where they have deep knowledge about the terrain and the inhabitants therein. That is why no crime goes unsolved in the western world,” he said.

    Ajimobi said that the control center was one of his administration’s efforts to ensure the restoration and sustenance of peace in the state.

    “Before our administration came on board in 2011, what we had in the state was hooliganism, violence, brigandage and killings. On assumption, we swung into action and started from the restoration of peace and security.

    “Our immediate effort in 2011 at stopping crime and criminal tendencies yielded positive results as our special security outfit was instituted.

    “If we have not achieved anything since we came on board, we have achieved peace and security which is the major purpose of government,” he said.

    He said that the efforts accounted for the state being ranked as one of the most peaceful, adding it was also adjudged one of the five topmost states in the Ease of Doing Business by Nigeria Bureau Statistics.

    Read Also: Ajimobi’s aide, others for award in Ondo

    Ajimobi commended security agencies in the state for working with resilience to reduce crime in spite of poor logistics as well as lack of technology and database in Nigeria.

    He assured the people of his administration’s commitment toward combating crime with the use of technology.

    Mr Abiodun Odude, the Commissioner of Police in the state, commended Ajimobi for his support to security agencies, adding that this had made their work easier.

    “If not for the intervention of the incumbent governor in providing operational vehicles, vehicle batteries, tyres and other needed materials like armoured personnel carrier, the security apparatus would have been grounded in the state.

    “No security work can be done without needed materials. OYSSTF (Oyo State Security Trust Fund)  has helped refurbish three armored personnel carriers out of the 12  we have and I can assure you that one APC is equal to 100 policemen.

    “So we must show our gratitude to the present administration for the support given over time,” he said.

    Chief Bayo Adelabu, the Chairman of OYSSTF Board, said the Safe City Project was another landmark achievement by the administration.

    He said the monitoring capability of the CCTV technology pre-empted crime in notable strategic locations in the state.

    “Nobody will commit crime if they know they will be apprehended;  the realization that you are being watched is a measure of deterrence against crime.

    He commended corporate organisations for their support, calling on others that were yet to contribute as well as private individuals to support the initiative.

    The control centre is the hub for the close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed in some parts of Ibadan metropolis such as  Sango, Mokola and Challenge.

    NAN

  • LAUTECH appoints new VC, two others

    The Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has announced the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor and two other principal officers.

    A statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Lekan Fadeyi, named Prof. Michael Ologunde, a renowned professor of food science, as the new vice chancellor.

    The council also appointed Dr Kayode Ogunleye as Registrar and Mr Abayomi Okediji as Bursar.

    The newly appointed vice chancellor will take over the running of the institution from the incumbent, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, whose five-year tenure will end on Feb. 14, 2019.

    Read Also:Don proffers solution to LAUTECH crisis

     

    The council said that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Osun State counterpart, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, had approved the appointments as recommended by the Prof. Dapo Afolabi-led governing council.

    It hinted that the position of the University Librarian would be filled soon.

    “The council at its 135th special meeting held last week had directed that the vacancy in the position be re-advertised while the process of appointing a new University Librarian be concluded on or before Jan. 25, 2019,” it said.

    The statement explained that the appointments would take effect from Feb. 14, 2019.

  • Ajimobi, Ambode to women: Remain focused against all odds

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday called on women in the country not to give in to challenges in the pursuit of their dreams.

    The governors spoke at the closing ceremony of a three day National Women Summit organised by the Oyo State Officials Wives Association (OYSOWA) at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    The summit themed “Against All Odds”, the seventh in its edition was an initiative of the wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

    Ajimobi in his remarks called on women to be supportive partners of their husbands, while ensuring that they instilling moral virtues in their respective homes and society.

    He commended his wife for her support in the transformation of the state into a modern one, describing her as a pillar behind his achievements.

    In what could be described as a pre-valedictory speech, the governor commended members of the state executive council for the supportive role in the administration’s achievements.

    Ambode in his goodwill message, described the theme ‘Against All Odds’ as very apt and timely, saying there could never be success without odds or challenges.

    He said “There are always odds against us, our wishes, our aspirations and our objectives, but we must against all odds push toward. The world we live in today does not take excuses.

    “The world is changing everyday and women are now more at the forefront of things. They are now agents of change and no more referred to as weaker sex.

    Read Also: Ajimobi’s aide, others for award in Ondo



    “Against all odds, we must always push forward with the determination to succeed,” he said.

    He reminded the participants that the success of the summit depended on their abilities to translate the values gained positively starting from their respective homes to the family and the larger society.

    “From a family, women can initiate a spark change which can cascade every effort to any level and every sector of the nation. With focus, perseverance and determination, you can transform yourselves, family and the country against all odds.

    “I commend our sister for initiating and sustaining this summit for seven years. Apart from Lagos State which had sustained the programme in the last 18years, only Oyo out of others has emulated this.”

    A communique issued by the participants at the end of the summit described women as “the largest reserve of untapped talents in the world.”

    The communique read by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs Ololade Agboola, charged women to mother the world by instilling moral values in the children and society.

    It charged the state and local governments to set aside funds aimed at catering for women, who are victims of domestic violence in the society.

    “Government should be more proactive against domestic violence and ensure enforcement of existing laws on same matter.

    “Women should work beyond rhetorics and be encouraged to involve actively in partisan politics,” the communique reads in parts.