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Tag: Ajimobi

  • Workers hail Ajimobi for human capital development

    Participants at a two-day “train-the-trainers” workshop for civil servants in Oyo State have hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his commitment to the welfare and development of the workforce.

    This was contained in a communiqué at the end of the workshop, held in Ibadan yesterday, with the theme: “The Imperatives of Change Management in Oyo State Public Service.”

    The communiqué said the participants resolved to embrace work practices, which would enhance productivity and efficiency in the civil service.

    Some of the resolutions include, “emphasising recruitment based on merit; attitudinal change among workers to ensure better service delivery and continuous capacity building of workers through training and re-training.”

    Others are “constant review of relevant extant rules, regulations, circulars and general orders; clearer definition of the mission and vision of MDAs for effective service delivery and effective deployment of technology in day-to-day operations.”

    Secretary to the State Government Mr. Olalekan Alli delivered a keynote address at the workshop. The lead paper was delivered by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Efficiency, Dr. Isaac Ayandele.

    Resource persons included retired permanent secretaries and seasoned administrators, while participants comprised officials of the efficiency unit of MDAs and political appointees.

  • Who succeeds Ajimobi?

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi will bow out next years after completing his second term.  Who succeeds him in next year election?

    The political parties are warming up for the succession battle. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is pushing for continuity. But, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and KOWA Party are kicking. Aspirants are busy holding consultations and mobilising across the three senatorial districts. Their posters adorn and litter many buildings in many communities. All of them will face a major hurdle. At the primaries, it will be the survival of the fittest.

    The next governorship election is expected to generate much heat. It did in 1979, 1983, 1993, 1999 , 2003, 2011, and 2015. The electorate are enveloped in sentiments when it comes to the governorship election because of the way power is wielded by the governor and its effect on residents, businesses and communities.

    For this reason, many aspirants have appeared on the radar, persuading key leaders, groups and major stakeholders to accept them as the best. Succession is very important to Ajimobi, the APC leader. But, opposition parties are leaving no stone unturned, believing that they would mount propaganda against the APC government, based on its mistakes. But, the APC is not in a hurry to vacate the Agodi Government House in 2019.

     

    APC aspirants:

    For obvious reasons, most aspirants are in the APC. They include core party politicians, technocrats, businessmen and political jobbers.

     

    Alao-Akala:

    Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala is a leading contender in the APC. He was governor between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the PDP. Akala has already rolled out drums to trumpet his ambition to return to the StateHouse. Since he was defeated by Ajimobi in 2011, he has not relented in his ambition for a second term. He contested in the Labour Party (LP) and lost to Ajimobi who enjoyed a historic landslide in 2015.

    Although Akala is serious about his ambition and he has a strong support base, it is not clear if the APC leaderwill be willing to hand over the ticket to a new member. A party source said that the former governor may emerge as an indisputable senatorial flag bearer.

     

    Adebayo Shittu

    The Minister of Communication  hails from Saki in Oke-Ogun area of the state. He contested in 2011  on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and lost to Ajimobi. He was also an aspirant in the APC in 2015, but lost to Ajimobi again at the primary.

    Since he was appointed as minister in November, 2015, Shittu has been using every occasion to express his interest in number one job in Oyo State.  He has stated emphatically on many occasions that he would succeed the governor.

    Some analysts believe that he is relying on the influence of President Muhammadu Buhari to pick the ticket. But, top chieftains of the party differ. They said that his influence in the party is weak.

     

    Niyi Akintola (SAN):

    The erudite lawyer has been engaging major stakeholders on his ambition since 2016. He has the pedigree. Akintola played a great role in the emergence of progressive administrations in the Southwest in post-2003 period. He is popular among the lleaders of the region. He is a household name in Oyo State.  Having served as the  Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, and as as a key member of the progressives for many years, Akintola believes he is well qualified to take over from Ajimobi next year.

     

    Moses Alake Adeyemo:

    The deputy governor, Adeyemo,  hails from Oke-Ogun. He is a top contender.  Often described as the most loyal deputy by his boss, Adeyemo believes he is well qualified for the job by reason of his position. He is a former chairman of local government.  He is simple and easy-going.

     

    Yunus Akintunde:

    A former Commissioner for Works, Akintunde is the only aspirant who hails from Oyo. He is pursuing his ambition with vigour, believing strongly that he can garner enough support to pick the party’s ticket and win the election.

    The politician, who recently obtained a PhD in Environmental Energy, has promised to solve the electricity problem of the state, if elected. He promised to achieve this by deploying his expertise to develop alternative sources of energy for the state.

    A core politician and successful business man, Akintunde is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring his success at the primary.

     

    Soji Akanbi:

    Soji Akanbi is representing Oyo South at the Senate. A follower of the late Lam Adesina, Akanbi has been building his political base through his foundation. He is a resilient contender for the APC ticket. He defeated Senator Femi Lanlehin during the senatorial election in 2015.

     

     Fatai Buhari:

    Buhari represents Oyo North at the Senate. He hails from Ogbomoso. He won the election against all odds in 2015. Ten out of  13 local governments in his district are in Oke-Ogun.

    A generous and simple politician, Buhari believes that voters will prefer him to other aspirants because of his sterling qualities.

     

    Ajiboye Omodewu:

    Omodewu is an astute politician. The Commissioner for Lands and Survey  is one of the closest associates of Ajimobi. A native of Otu in Oke-Ogun area, Omodewu was born into a political home. His father was also a frontline First and Second Republic politician. A simple and temperate politician, Omodewu is pursuing his governorship ambition with tact and decorum, hoping to build on the legacies of his leader, Ajimobi. It is doubtful if the governor will thrown his weight behind his ambition.

     

    Adeolu Akande:

    Akande is a Professor of Political Science at Igbinedion University, Okada. He was an aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He is a former Chief of Staff to Ajimobi. He is a media strategist who has acquired some experience in governance and politics. Also a native of Otu in Oke-Ogun area, Akande hopes to deplore his talents, experience and resources to clinch the APC ticket. “I’m in the race to harness the potentials of Oyo State for its progress and well-being of its people,” he told reporters at Ibadan.

     

    Adebayo Adelabu:

    A deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Adelabu is the grand son of the late celebrated Ibadan politician, Adegoke Adelabu (aka Peculiar Mess). A young financial expert, Adelabu is exploring his family’s goodwill and personal qualities to achieve his ambition.

     

    Sola Ayandele:

    A native of Idere in Ibarapa Zone, Dr Ayandele is an environmental and building expert. He is a successful business man and former lecturer. Ayandele is the only aspirant from Ibarapa for now. He hopes to bring his wealth of experience as a business strategist and lecturer to bear on governance, if given a chance. He has already received endorsement of traditional rulers in Ibarapa. He has promised  to build bridges across other zones between now and 2019.

     

    Soji Eniade:

    Eniade is the immediate past Head of Service (HoS). He was  appointed by the governor as Executive Assistant after his retirement. A native of Ibadan with urbane orientation, Soji Eniade is bringing the rich political experience of his family into the race. He is also relying on the expertise and experience gained in the civil service in the last 35 years. He has promised to build on the achievements of the governor.

     

    Aderemi Olaniyan:

    Olaniyan joined the APC two years ago. He is a grassroots politician who hopes to bring his experience to  boosting the chances of the APC in Igboho, his place of birth. Olaniyan is hoping to explore his experience as a retired permanent secretary and an engineer to improve governance.

     

    Esther Adesanya:

    The only female aspirant, Adesanya is a lawyer and former commissioner under Ladoja. She was also a full-time commissioner in the Oyo State House of Assembly Service Commission during the first tenure of Ajimobi. The Ogbomoso-born politician is coming to the race with the conviction that the time is ripe for a woman governor in Nigeria. She also hopes to leverage on her experience as a successful business woman and public servant to compete for the ticket. She has started engaging major stakeholders with a plan for full blast campaign in coming months.

     

    PDP aspirants:

    Since it commenced what observers have described as a process of re-engineering, three aspirants have been have been struggling for the ticket.

     

    Seyi Makinde:

    Makinde is a successful business man who ventured into politics in 2007. He contested for the Oyo South senatorial seat on the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and lost. Since then, he has not relented. He picked the governorship ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in  2015 election and lost to Ajimobi. Since he returned to the PDP last year, he has been engaging top stakeholders on his ambition to pick the governorship ticket. With his campaign christened: Omi Tuntun, suggesting a new beginning, the 50-year old politician is the leading aspirant in the party. But, Makinde is still battling another power bloc  in the PDP. The faction, led by Ladoja, has maintained that it willproduce the next candidate.

     

    Femi Lanlehin:

    Senator Lanlehin is a known figure in the Oyo politics.  Born into a political  family, his father was an Awoist and one of the first set of regional legislators in the defunct Western House of Assembly. Lanlehin was Special Adviser to former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu. He was in the House of Representatives in the Third Republic. Between 2011 and 2015, he was a senator representing Oyo South. He was also a governorship aspirant in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011. Lanlehin is believed to be the preferred candidate of the PDP leader, Ladoja.

    Sharafadeen Alli:

    Alli, a lawyer, is a one-time local government chairman and Secretary to the Government between 2003 and 2007. He was appointed as the Chairman, Board of Directors of Odu’a Investments Ltd in 2011 after joining the defunct ACN. Alli was a close ally of Ladoja before defecting to the ACN. He plans to ride on his moderate popularity to pick the PDP ticket.

     

    AD:

    Opatoki:

    Opatoki is a quantity surveyor and a notable hotelier. A native of Ibadan, Opatoki is bringing youthfulness and private sector experience into the race. He is confident about his ambition, believing that the time for generational shift is here. He is already stepping up consultations with stakeholders.  He plans to make education and health development as his key campaign focus. His party has a weak structure in Oyo State.

     

    Akin Onigbinde:

    Dr Akin Onigbinde was the Speaker of the House of Assembly in 1992. A native of Ogbomoso, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is campaigning vigorously to succeed Ajimobi. He hinges his campaign on the populist manifesto of the AD.

     

    KOWA:

    Olaide Olayiwola is the sole governorship aspirant in KOWA Party. A private sector person, Olayiwola, who hails from Ibadan, is campaigning hard against the APC. The hotelier and school proprietor is anchoring his campaign of the people-oriented manifesto of his party. Olayiwola is resolute about his ambition and he is not afraid of the big, popular parties.

  • Ajimobi inaugurates multi-door courthouse

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday inaugurated the state’s multi-door courthouse to enhance quick administration and resolution of civil disputes as well as boost the confidence of the organised private sector (OPS) in the Judiciary.

    At the inauguration of the special court for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on the premises of Oyo State High Court on Ring Road in Ibadan, the state capital, the governor said the multi-door courthouse was among the steps his administration took to modernise the state and restore its Pace Setter status.

    He recalled that since the inception of his administration in 2011, he had “worked assiduously to nip in the bud the rampant thuggery and hooliganism, which characterised the state, by ensuring a solid foundation of peace, security and massive infrastructural development”.

    Ajimobi said his administration had also introduced and implemented many initiatives that were gradually restoring the state to its Pace Setter status.

    He said: “We will make sure we make Oyo State a modern state. Look at Lagos State. It takes an average of one to three hours to get there, depending on the traffic. Lagos State is 25 years ahead of Oyo State. We pride ourselves by the Pace Setter status, but it has gone. We are no longer the pacesetter, but we are only trying to bring it back. I’m happy that with today’s inauguration, we are bringing back the pacesetter status.”

    The Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, said: “A new dawn begins in the administration of justice in Oyo State. We shall use it to ease the task of justice system.

    “We shall make do with all the enablements offered us to enhance and bear in justice delivery in Oyo State. We shall partner with Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG) and the ADR Society to ensure successes in the adaptation and use of this alternative.”

    Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Seun Abimbola, said the multi-door court would be a wholesome complement to the Citizen’s Mediation Centre at the Ministry of Justice, “which had been earlier repositioned by this administration and now on annual basis handles between 700 and 800 cases with an 80 per cent success rate in resolution”.

    The facilitator of Multi-Door Courthouse in Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Aina, noted that it has the capacity to attract the OPS and other investors to the state.

     

  • Why we are reforming education sector, by Ajimobi

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said that the ongoing reform in the education sector is aimed at enhancing the schools’ infrastructure, as well as producing students that will excel in learning and character.

    The governor disclosed this during an inspection tour of Oba Akinbiyi High School, Mokola, and Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan; two of the ultra-modern model schools under construction in the state.

    He declared that the projects, including a similar one at the Baptist High School, Saki, which, according to him, was also nearing completion, would be inaugurated in the next few weeks.

    The governor said that any serious reform in the education sector must take into cognizance learning, curriculum and teaching, as well as moral rectitude among the students, all of which, he said informed the introduction of the Oyo State Model Education System Intervention (OYOMESI) policy.

    The governor said that the construction of the model schools was in fulfillment of his administration’s resolve to holistically transform the education sector by enhancing the physical structures, teaching and learning as well to promote moral rectitude among the students.

    He said that some cynics went to town to dismiss the vision as impossible when he announced the decision of the government to construct the model schools, insisting that he would continue to prove them wrong by making his words his bond.

    Ajimobi said that the model school project and the Technical University, which recently matriculated its first set of students, were part of the legacies his administration would leave behind in the education sector.

    The governor said, “When we first started, some people said we would not do it, but now, we have done it. They might say it took so long, but we did all these within our eight-year tenure.

    No administration had achieved similar feat in the last 30 years.

    “No matter the rhetorics of the opposition and detractors, we have improved on education. Oyo State recorded the best performance in WASSCE and NECO in the last 18 years, last year. This is another feather in the cap of educational standards and growth in our state.

    “For me, this is a legacy. These model schools are a lot different from the type of school facilities we used to have. It is a lot of improvement.

    “If you want to appreciate the improvement you can go and check the quality and aesthetics of the structures we are putting up in the three locations, compared with what used to be.

  • Ex-Sun Director named Special Adviser to Ajimobi

    Ex-Sun Director named Special Adviser to Ajimobi

    The Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has approved the appointment of a former Executive Director of Sun Newspaper, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, as Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy.

    His appointment was announced in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, who also named former Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to Governor Ajomobi,  Mr. Yomi Layinka, as Special Adviser, Ibadan Media City Project.

    An alumnus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, the new governor’s spokesman was the pioneer Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the New Telegraph newspaper.

    He began his journalism career at the Guardian newspaper in March 1993, from where he joined the Daily Independent newspaper as pioneer deputy news editor in 2001 and had a meteoric rise to the position of an Editor.

    Tunji also had a stint with the Daily Times before joining the defunct Comet newspaper, which later metamorphosed into The Nation Newspaper.

    At the Nation, he was the pioneer editor of the Saturday title, before joining the repackaged National Mirror as pioneer Sunday Editor and later Editor of the National Mirror.

    By this appointment, he said Layinka is expected to oversee the proposed transformation of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State into a massive and formidable media, entertainment and cultural hub for South-West Nigeria.

    Layinka, a veteran broadcaster, is being saddled with a new responsibility of transforming the corporation into a hub that would include television and radio broadcasting production studios, theme parks/resorts, hospitality centre, a media academy and hosting venue for major live events in the sub-region.

  • Why I want to succeed Ajimobi, by Laniyan

    Why I want to succeed Ajimobi, by Laniyan

    Rauf Olaniyan,  an engineer and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, spoke with OSEHEYE OKWUOFU in Ibadan, the state capital, on why he wants to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi in next year’s election.

    You have never been in politics before now. How do you think you can administer the state?

    Let me tell you, what do you mean by politics, this is all about managing men and materials. And how do you administer them, what are we doing in secretariat, what have I been doing since 1985. When I was in Directorate of Food and Rural Roads, it was all over the state, you have to work, you have to think, you have to meet the people and get to know their problems and profer solutions. In every community, we have town hall meeting, the farmers, herdsmen and all manners of people will come and you have to listen to them and solve their problems. Even, some state commissioners, law makers and appointees may not have the experience that I have in the public administration and demands of public office. So, I have seen it all. I have passed through many governors, I have worked with eleven different governors, both military and civilian governors. I have gathered a lot of experiences working with many governors and working with the top echelon of those in power for many years,  when you talk of experience in government, I have seen it all. There is no place in Oyo State, that I don’t know, you cannot mention any place to me that I can’t describe what the place is like and their problems. Some what to be governors, they don’t know any other place except their local government headquarters. I’m not castigating anybody, but am saying if I’m compared with anybody on their field who wants to become governor, I am better in terms of experience. It’s not about noise making, if you are focused, and you can deliver and you know what you are doing I think that is the most essential. You don’t need to shout, if you are determined, and you know what you are doing, you will know how to get things done. Look at the years I have spent just compared with my experience in public service of 26 years. Being a commissioner, lawmaker, chairman local government are all public service, can you compare any of them with someone who have served continuously for 26 years in public service, working with eleven governors including military, and civilian governors. It’s not a joke. I can tell you confidently that I am the round peg in a round hole, out of the other aspirants I can say I am the only one that can hit the ground running, which direction in public service in the secretariat, will I say I don’t know. I know what is there, I know what they are doing. Luckily, governor Ajimobi, take or leave it has laid a solid foundation of infrastructural development, so, to continue to build on the foundation, it will not be difficult because I know what they are doing there. To start off new projects in other sectors will not be difficult for me, because I know what it entails. I know how to get the best hands to move on the ship of the state. So, I can hit the ground running. Don’t let anybody deceive you by saying Olaniyan doesn’t know politics. What is politics? We are all political amimals. Even, the day a man gets married, he has started another politics, you have to play politics to manage your house. If you have children, the moment they grow to level that they can say Daddy it is better to go that way, politics have stepped in. So, let nobody deceived you, Olaniyan knows politics, but Olaniyan doesn’t make noise.

    It is on record that since the creation of Oyo State, Oke-Ogun, which has 10 of the 33 local governments, next to Ibadan with 11 local governments, has never produced governor. How do you feel about this  and could this?

    I have a motto in those days, which says God’s time is the best. Now, I can say is God’s time. That is what people don’t take note of. Now, is God’s time. And there is also a popular saying which says, Ask, and it shall be given. In 1992, Oke-Ogun  produced the deputy governor to governor Kolapo Ishola in person of Engr. Hamidu Gbadamosi. That regime was truncated. Now, when politics started again, one will expect Oke-Ogun that produced the former deputy governor should be asking for governorship, but they did not, because it was not God’s appointed time. During the period of Senator Ladoja, the same thing happened. During the period of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, the same thing happened. During Senator Abiola Ajimobi time nobody from Oke-Ogun came forward then. But now, after Senator Ajimobi’s second term, the governor by himself, by design of his mind, by design of his intellect, said fairness is what pleases God, an Oke-Ogun should produce governor this time. And he was been saying it more that ten times now but with a caveat, that you cannot be a governor from Oke-Ogun if you don’t have the support of Ibadans, Oyos, Ogbomosos and Ibarapas. That is the caveat. So, if you look at yourself, if you have to be governorship candidate from Oke-Ogun, you need to ask, did I have what it takes for me to be acceptable by the Ibadans. If you look at my antecedents, with what I have done to issues that came to my table, can I be confident to meet Ibadan people. And my answer is yes. For Ogbomoso people, do I have the confidence to meet them , my answer is positive. Have I contributed anything to Ibarapa, the answer is positive. Oyo, the answer is yes. And back home, Iam  accepted. I contributed to the development of Oke-Ogun when I was in the public service, outside the public service. And even, my NGOs did alot, even without me even knowing that I will one day aspire to be governor. Since 2004, I have established NGOs that provides health care services free of charge. So, if all these are on ground, and if governor Ajimobi in his own wisdom, through a call from God that made him to support Oke-Ogun, I don’t have anything further not  to be governor. I am qualified more than any other aspirants. I have been a resident of Ibadan since 1991. I build houses in Ibadan. My businesses are in Ibadan, even after retirement, and I have my agric business in Igboho. And to the glory of God, the council of Obas in Oke-Ogun, there is no place there that I cannot walk in, the same also in Oyo, Ibarapa, and Ogbomoso. As a public servant, we are not trained to be rude, you can keep your head when others are loosing theirs, you will be the eventual winner. So, my public service has prepared me for leadership role to be able to take up the mantle of leadership as the Oyo State Governor.

    At a recent event, the state governor Abiola Ajimobi called on the Oke-Ogun leaders to prune down the list of aspirants to just one to enable the zone produce the next governor. What are you thinking about the suggestion and do you think this is workable?

    Well, this is possible. Presently,  we have six aspirants from the zone. Interestingly, let me tell you that it is not all the persons that says they want to be governor that actually want to be governor. Some are saying they want to be governor so that they can be known, some are saying they want to be governor so that they can be given something. There are some that are recalcitrant, they knew it is not possible, they cant fly, but they will continue saying they want to fly. So, there is no way you can talk to such a person, they will not listen to you. Look at the last APC presidential primary, the man that took a distance of less than 100 votes, in the night before the primary, he was equally bragging that he will be the winner. Then, he got less than 100 votes. So, its either the leaders will have to talk to the aspirants, but no aspirants can talk to each other, except somebody says, okay, from the look of things, I want to withdraw. I know three aspirants, not from Oke-Ogun anyway who have been saying when the chips are down, am withdrawing for you, some of the aspirants have been reaching me. I keep asking in all these aspirants, what do they do with the opportunities they have before, what have they use then to impart on the society.

    It is not enough to tell us what they will do if they become governor, they should tell the society before, their antecedents, do they have human face. The opportunity they have before, how do they use it.

    Those are the pertinent questions; and I know the leaders will ask when you talk of Oke-Ogun, we want them to let the people know what they have contributed in the past 10 years either you are in the public service or private sector. How have you influenced development to Oke-Ogun. You were born as Oke-Ogun indigene, you have been around for over 50 years, then tell the people what impact have you made, or its simply because you what to be governor now,  they are doing this and that. No,tell us what were you able to do to the society ten years ago, to your immediate environment, about 15years, or 20years ago. These are the things that will speak for you. For me, I can say the people of Oke-ogun know what I can do. The people of Ibadan, Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa know what I can do. I have one way or the other touched all the nooks and cranny of the state.

    What really do you think the governor has not touched that you what to do when you become governor?

    You see, governance is not time bound it is a continuous exercise. Even, if you start a road now and you complete that road, another road will sprout. If you are not able to complete it, then it will be completed by the next government. I used to tell people, that look take it or leave it, Ajimobi has tried. He has raised the bar of governance.

    Are you now saying Ajimobi’s shoe will be too big for your size?

    No, it is not by age, not by size but by intellect, and experience. I know what it takes to start from where he will stop. The shoe is very perfect for my feet. It is not oversise, and it’s not too tight. It’s just well fitted for my leg. I know Ajimobi as a man that loves quality. He is fantastic as far as Oke-Ogun area is concerned because he is a man that loves quality, and he is passionate about anything he wants to do. Those are some of the attributes of a leader. He is ever determined to do what is required. He is determined to do what is required. He will close his eyes and damn’s its consequences. But, my own style of damning the consequence may be different. I may damn the consequence in my mind, I may be smiling, but I know this thing that needed to be done has to be done. That is why his achievements are these much. He was able to damn the consequence. He has a lion heart. So, we will exploit agric rigorously, and damn the consequence, say look after three years we should be less dependent on Abuja.

     

  • Ajimobi’s ‘third term’ story is misunderstood parable, says Olubadan

    Ajimobi’s ‘third term’ story is misunderstood parable, says Olubadan

    The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has said the story credited to him on Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s “third term” was largely misunderstood.

    The frontline monarch said he did not use the words literally but figuratively, adding that he was surprised many people could not read between the lines.

    Oba Adetunji spoke in Ibadan, the state capital, while hosting hundreds of Ibadan indigenes who paid homage at his Popoyemoja palace as part of activities marking this year’s Ibadan Week.

    In a statement by his spokesman Adeola Oloko, the first-class monarch noted that what appeared simple and straightforward could sometimes be pregnant with meanings.

    He said the discerning would understand the complexity in the simplicity of his statement.

    Oba Adetunji urged aggrieved residents not to take the matter out of context but to read more about the use of language, idioms and sarcasm.

    He added: “As a monarch, I have no power over the election and re-election of anybody, not to talk of tenure extension, which is unconstitutional. Besides, when I was exchanging banters with the governor, I was only cracking a joke with him as a son and subject.

    “Even, if Governor Ajimobi offended us, it would be indecorous on my part to address him harshly. Besides, there is a subsisting judgment over the controversial chieftaincy review, which awaits compliance. About four or five suits relating to the matter are still in court and have not been withdrawn.”

    The Olubadan also denied receiving any gratification from Ajimobi or his proxies for cracking the third term joke, as being insinuated in some quarters.

    He said if anybody had demonstrable evidence, he should produce it.

    The first Vice President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Dr. Lasisi Balogun, who stood in for the President-General, Chief Yemi Soladoye, congratulated the monarch on his second coronation anniversary.

    He said CCII was making progress in the protection of the ancient city’s boundaries.

    The chief said work on the new Olubadan palace was expected to complete as soon as more funds were made available.

  • Ajimobi deserves ‘third term’ but for constitution, says Olubadan

    Ajimobi deserves ‘third term’ but for constitution, says Olubadan

    THE Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has said the “unprecedented” achievements of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi qualify him for another term, if not for constitutional impediment that restricts governors to two terms.

    Also, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, expressed “surprise” at the pace of road construction and other projects across Oyo State, despite the economic downturn in the country.

    The first-class monarchs lauded the governor for what they called his outstanding performances in all the zones of the state since his assumption of office about seven years ago.

    They spoke yesterday at a meeting the governor held with traditional rulers at the House of Chiefs in Ibadan, the state capital.

    Ajimobi reportedly invited the monarchs to lay on the table his scorecard on development across the state and his future plans to sustain his administration’s Transformation Agenda.

    The Olubadan said he openly expressed appreciation to the governor for what he called his unrelenting efforts to bring development to all parts of the state.

    He said: “The Yoruba don’t appreciate themselves except to abuse and criticise. But when someone has done well, we must say it. I am talking about what I have seen so far. In view of this, I would have loved him (Ajimobi) to go for another term, if not that the constitution does not allow it.

    “The governor has performed very well. He has recorded unprecedented achievements worthy of commendation. This is the only way to spur him into greater performance for the benefit of the state.”

    Oba Adeyemi said Ajimobi should be praised for all he had achieved since the beginning of his administration, despite the dwindling allocations from the Federation Account and paltry internally-generated revenue (IGR).

    He said: We can only commend you for all you have been able to achieve in the last seven years. We are very impressed with your performance. At the appropriate time, we will comprehensively, sufficiently and adequately respond to your address.

    “The only thing you are not telling us is where you have been getting the money to do all the projects. I have had to engage you in a private discussion on this, to ask how you source the money you have been using to execute the projects since you are not printing money.

    “But the governor has allayed my fears. He explained to me that most of the projects were contractor-financed and that the money would be paid back under very convenient terms. He has assured me that he would not plunge the state into huge debts.”

  • Why I want to succeed Ajimobi, by Laniyan

    Why I want to succeed Ajimobi, by Laniyan

    Rauf Olaniyan,  an engineer and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, spoke with OSEHEYE OKWUOFU in Ibadan, the state capital, on why he wants to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi in next year’s election.

    You have never been in politics before now. How do you think you can administer the state?

    Let me tell you, what do you mean by politics, this is all about managing men and materials. And how do you administer them, what are we doing in secretariat, what have I been doing since 1985. When I was in Directorate of Food and Rural Roads, it was all over the state, you have to work, you have to think, you have to meet the people and get to know their problems and profer solutions. In every community, we have town hall meeting, the farmers, herdsmen and all manners of people will come and you have to listen to them and solve their problems. Even, some state commissioners, law makers and appointees may not have the experience that I have in the public administration and demands of public office. So, I have seen it all. I have passed through many governors, I have worked with eleven different governors, both military and civilian governors. I have gathered a lot of experiences working with many governors and working with the top echelon of those in power for many years,  when you talk of experience in government, I have seen it all. There is no place in Oyo State, that I don’t know, you cannot mention any place to me that I can’t describe what the place is like and their problems. Some what to be governors, they don’t know any other place except their local government headquarters. I’m not castigating anybody, but am saying if I’m compared with anybody on their field who wants to become governor, I am better in terms of experience. It’s not about noise making, if you are focused, and you can deliver and you know what you are doing I think that is the most essential. You don’t need to shout, if you are determined, and you know what you are doing, you will know how to get things done. Look at the years I have spent just compared with my experience in public service of 26 years. Being a commissioner, lawmaker, chairman local government are all public service, can you compare any of them with someone who have served continuously for 26 years in public service, working with eleven governors including military, and civilian governors. It’s not a joke. I can tell you confidently that I am the round peg in a round hole, out of the other aspirants I can say I am the only one that can hit the ground running, which direction in public service in the secretariat, will I say I don’t know. I know what is there, I know what they are doing. Luckily, governor Ajimobi, take or leave it has laid a solid foundation of infrastructural development, so, to continue to build on the foundation, it will not be difficult because I know what they are doing there. To start off new projects in other sectors will not be difficult for me, because I know what it entails. I know how to get the best hands to move on the ship of the state. So, I can hit the ground running. Don’t let anybody deceive you by saying Olaniyan doesn’t know politics. What is politics? We are all political amimals. Even, the day a man gets married, he has started another politics, you have to play politics to manage your house. If you have children, the moment they grow to level that they can say Daddy it is better to go that way, politics have stepped in. So, let nobody deceived you, Olaniyan knows politics, but Olaniyan doesn’t make noise.

    It is on record that since the creation of Oyo State, Oke-Ogun, which has 10 of the 33 local governments, next to Ibadan with 11 local governments, has never produced governor. How do you feel about this  and could this?

    I have a motto in those days, which says God’s time is the best. Now, I can say is God’s time. That is what people don’t take note of. Now, is God’s time. And there is also a popular saying which says, Ask, and it shall be given. In 1992, Oke-Ogun  produced the deputy governor to governor Kolapo Ishola in person of Engr. Hamidu Gbadamosi. That regime was truncated. Now, when politics started again, one will expect Oke-Ogun that produced the former deputy governor should be asking for governorship, but they did not, because it was not God’s appointed time. During the period of Senator Ladoja, the same thing happened. During the period of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, the same thing happened. During Senator Abiola Ajimobi time nobody from Oke-Ogun came forward then. But now, after Senator Ajimobi’s second term, the governor by himself, by design of his mind, by design of his intellect, said fairness is what pleases God, an Oke-Ogun should produce governor this time. And he was been saying it more that ten times now but with a caveat, that you cannot be a governor from Oke-Ogun if you don’t have the support of Ibadans, Oyos, Ogbomosos and Ibarapas. That is the caveat. So, if you look at yourself, if you have to be governorship candidate from Oke-Ogun, you need to ask, did I have what it takes for me to be acceptable by the Ibadans. If you look at my antecedents, with what I have done to issues that came to my table, can I be confident to meet Ibadan people. And my answer is yes. For Ogbomoso people, do I have the confidence to meet them , my answer is positive. Have I contributed anything to Ibarapa, the answer is positive. Oyo, the answer is yes. And back home, Iam  accepted. I contributed to the development of Oke-Ogun when I was in the public service, outside the public service. And even, my NGOs did alot, even without me even knowing that I will one day aspire to be governor. Since 2004, I have established NGOs that provides health care services free of charge. So, if all these are on ground, and if governor Ajimobi in his own wisdom, through a call from God that made him to support Oke-Ogun, I don’t have anything further not  to be governor. I am qualified more than any other aspirants. I have been a resident of Ibadan since 1991. I build houses in Ibadan. My businesses are in Ibadan, even after retirement, and I have my agric business in Igboho. And to the glory of God, the council of Obas in Oke-Ogun, there is no place there that I cannot walk in, the same also in Oyo, Ibarapa, and Ogbomoso. As a public servant, we are not trained to be rude, you can keep your head when others are loosing theirs, you will be the eventual winner. So, my public service has prepared me for leadership role to be able to take up the mantle of leadership as the Oyo State Governor.

    At a recent event, the state governor Abiola Ajimobi called on the Oke-Ogun leaders to prune down the list of aspirants to just one to enable the zone produce the next governor. What are you thinking about the suggestion and do you think this is workable?

    Well, this is possible. Presently,  we have six aspirants from the zone. Interestingly, let me tell you that it is not all the persons that says they want to be governor that actually want to be governor. Some are saying they want to be governor so that they can be known, some are saying they want to be governor so that they can be given something. There are some that are recalcitrant, they knew it is not possible, they cant fly, but they will continue saying they want to fly. So, there is no way you can talk to such a person, they will not listen to you. Look at the last APC presidential primary, the man that took a distance of less than 100 votes, in the night before the primary, he was equally bragging that he will be the winner. Then, he got less than 100 votes. So, its either the leaders will have to talk to the aspirants, but no aspirants can talk to each other, except somebody says, okay, from the look of things, I want to withdraw. I know three aspirants, not from Oke-Ogun anyway who have been saying when the chips are down, am withdrawing for you, some of the aspirants have been reaching me. I keep asking in all these aspirants, what do they do with the opportunities they have before, what have they use then to impart on the society.

    It is not enough to tell us what they will do if they become governor, they should tell the society before, their antecedents, do they have human face. The opportunity they have before, how do they use it.

    Those are the pertinent questions; and I know the leaders will ask when you talk of Oke-Ogun, we want them to let the people know what they have contributed in the past 10 years either you are in the public service or private sector. How have you influenced development to Oke-Ogun. You were born as Oke-Ogun indigene, you have been around for over 50 years, then tell the people what impact have you made, or its simply because you what to be governor now,  they are doing this and that. No,tell us what were you able to do to the society ten years ago, to your immediate environment, about 15years, or 20years ago. These are the things that will speak for you. For me, I can say the people of Oke-ogun know what I can do. The people of Ibadan, Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa know what I can do. I have one way or the other touched all the nooks and cranny of the state.

    What really do you think the governor has not touched that you what to do when you become governor?

    You see, governance is not time bound it is a continuous exercise. Even, if you start a road now and you complete that road, another road will sprout. If you are not able to complete it, then it will be completed by the next government. I used to tell people, that look take it or leave it, Ajimobi has tried. He has raised the bar of governance.

    Are you now saying Ajimobi’s shoe will be too big for your size?

    No, it is not by age, not by size but by intellect, and experience. I know what it takes to start from where he will stop. The shoe is very perfect for my feet. It is not oversise, and it’s not too tight. It’s just well fitted for my leg. I know Ajimobi as a man that loves quality. He is fantastic as far as Oke-Ogun area is concerned because he is a man that loves quality, and he is passionate about anything he wants to do. Those are some of the attributes of a leader. He is ever determined to do what is required. He is determined to do what is required. He will close his eyes and damn’s its consequences. But, my own style of damning the consequence may be different. I may damn the consequence in my mind, I may be smiling, but I know this thing that needed to be done has to be done. That is why his achievements are these much. He was able to damn the consequence. He has a lion heart. So, we will exploit agric rigorously, and damn the consequence, say look after three years we should be less dependent on Abuja.

  • Ajimobi appoints Ibidapo-Obe Tech Varsity’s council chair

    Ajimobi appoints Ibidapo-Obe Tech Varsity’s council chair

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has appointed a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of the Technical University in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The appointment was announced through a statement yesterday in Ibadan by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Olalekan Alli.

    Also appointed as council members are: the Chairman of First Bank Nigeria Plc (FBN), Mrs. Ibukun-Oluwa Awosika; a professor of Agriculture Engineering at the University of Ibadan (UI), Abimbola Sangodoyin and Executive Vice Chairman of Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, Dr. Tunji Olaopa.

    Included on the eight-member list are an oil magnate, Mr. Doye Ayoola; a former Managing Director of FBN, Mr. Jacob Ajekiigbe and UI’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo.

    Others are: a lecturer at the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, UNILAG, Dr. Adetona Oladejo and Dr. Mariam Abdulraheem-Mustapha, of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).