Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has inaugurated the dualisation of the 9.7km Saki Township Road along Oke Ogun Poly-Ilesha Ibaruba Road.
He said the state has not collected its share of the Paris Club funds given to some states by the Federal Government.
The governor said the state was excluded in the initial disbursement, adding that the state is reconciling its accounts with the Federal Government in order to get its own share of the Paris Club excess deduction from states’ accounts.
Ajimobi spoke at a town hall meeting held at Harmony Garden, Saki town.
He said the government would use the arable land in Oke-Ogun for agriculture with assurances that his administration would make Oke Ogun the centre of agricultural revolution in the Southwest.
He pledged that the government was not relenting in its efforts at securing food security in the state through its Agric-Oyo programme.
The governor said the contract was awarded to Adolf Engineering Development Company at a sum of N8,239,875,839.47.
It is expected to be completed within 18months and would be funded from the Federal Government Infrastructure Intervention Fund.
Tag: Ajimobi
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Ajimobi inaugurates road dualisation
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#ReopenLAUTECH
Almost six months after the institution was initially closed over strike by staff protesting non-payment of outstanding salaries, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, has remained shut with the students denied the opportunity of learning.
The crisis in the university has reportedly further degenerated over lack of necessary funding by the two state governments of Oyo and Osun. While Oyo in whose territory the institution is located is said to be paying part of its dues, Osun has allegedly not been living up to expectations.
It is really sad that the authorities and owners of the university have not been able to resolve the crisis up till now. While students in other institutions, both public and private, have had their academic calendar uninterrupted, LAUTECH students have been left in the lurch, uncertain of their future.
Those who should have graduated and joined their colleagues in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are stuck, while irreparable damage must have been done to the lives of some of the students during the forced holidays.
The agony that students and staff of the institution have been forced to endure due to no fault of theirs is just unimaginable and one can only hope that reasons will prevail soon as promised by the Oyo State Governor for the university to be re-opened before the end of the year.
The committee, the governor said, has been sent to the institution to assess the situation and come up with recommendation on what can be done, should urgently do a thorough job that can ensure lasting peace in the university.
Ordinarily, one would have expected cooperation between the two state governments headed by governors from the same party on this issue, but what is playing out at LAUTECH is a clear case of lack of concern for the plight of the students and lecturers.
As long as the law establishing the university remains unamended, the two state governments concerned must discharge their responsibilities and not allow the kind of present situation that suggests that they don’t care about education as much as they claim to do.
If for any reason, any of the state governments is no longer interested in owning the university and cannot afford to pay the required bill, it should declare its position and not give room for unnecessary speculations. Having been set up at a time when the two states were one, there will be nothing wrong to reconsider the continued joint ownership of the institution now that the states have been split and now have other commitments.
What is playing out in LAUTECH presently amounts to playing unnecessary divisive politics with the future of the students, and all the stakeholders involved must resolve to settle the matter amicably immediately.
Owning a university is not a joke. It is either state governments, who have the penchants for establishing universities for political reasons, have the capacity to fund them or not. Having established one like LAUTECH, the concerned state governments cannot afford to abandon their responsibilities.
Education at all levels is a fundamental right which governments at all levels cannot deny its citizens. The time to #ReopenLAUTECH is now.
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‘Ajimobi’s achievements’ll give APC victory’
As the local government election in Oyo State draws near, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sheu Oyekunle Suara has said the unprecedented achievements of Governor Abiola Ajimobi will give the party all-round victory at the polls.
Suara, who addressed reporters in Ibadan, said for the first time in recent time, the state now has a governor who knows what to do with the mandate of the people as he does everything possible to improve the standard of living of the people.
“As it stands today; peace reigns in Oyo State, security of lives and property is guaranteed, there is laudable improvement in the provision of social infrastructure, we have real urban renewal and beautification projects in place in all the major towns and cities across the state, unprecedented priority on the welfare of workers and citizens among other things. Most of those who criticise Senator Ajimobi do so because they feel the need to talk.
“None of them could say that the governor is responsible for the meager allocations from Abuja or the economic recession currently ravaging the world.
“Economic regeneration just got a boost with the $2b investment from China (the Free Trade Zone project), improved infrastructure with the award of N28 billion road projects in key areas of the state, release of White Paper on the way forward for the education industry, among other things,” he said.
Assessing the level of development in the state, Suara, who is also aspiring for the chairmanship position of Egbeda Local Government Area, said the resilience of the people as well as the exceptional qualities of Governor Ajimobi, has given the state vast development and a hope of a better future.
Suara, a grassroots politician noted that the unprecedented achievement of Governor Ajimobi was responsible for the people to give him their mandate for a second tenure.
On why he aspires for the council’s chairmanship position, he said: “My aspiration is motivated by the need to actualise a tripartite desire which revolves around serving my people in a higher capacity, moving the state forward and assisting the cause of a better Nigeria. I see the local government administration as very essential in driving the vehicle of growth, development and stability in our society and I’m convinced that only the best and willing individuals should be allowed to serve the people at all levels.
“Moreover, the governor has done well to remove all the impediments against the conduct of council polls and this has afforded our people the opportunity to choose who they want as their servants at the grassroots level.
“Our great party- the APC-is working towards the emergence of the best material for each of the available positions in the 33 local government areas and 35 local council development areas. I am aware there are other aspirants but I am confident that my people would want me to serve them. I am the best man for the job and this will play out in the next few days in accordance with the guidelines of the party,” he said.
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Ajimobi: FTZ investors safe
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has assured investors in the new Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Ibadan, the state capital, of safety of lives and investment.
He gave the assurance when he spoke to 1,000 Chinese investors on the need to participate in the Polaris-Pacesetter Free Trade Zone Development Limited at the Great Hall of the People in China at the weekend.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun, said Ajimobi’s visit was to consolidate his administration’s efforts at bringing more investors from China.
The governor said his administration was on a mission to improve the quality of lives of its people by bringing development to the state.
Ajimobi reiterated that the FTZ was a significant departure from previous experiments in Nigeria because it was being anchored on the China-Africa Industrial Capacity assistance and cooperation model.
He added that the project has its bilateral and functional sister relationship with the Guye-Tangshan Free Trade Zone in China to form a ‘sister’ FTZ platform.
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Ajimobi appoints special adviser on budget
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the appointment of Isiaka Olayinka Kolawole as his Special Adviser on Economic Planning & Budget.
A statement by Kolawole’s personal assistant Olufemi Daniel said the appointment takes immediate effect.
The appointee has garnered about 30 years professional experience spanning banking, strategic planning, budgeting, economic policy formulation and implementation, fiscal and monetary policy design and general administration at both private and public sectors.
Kolawole was the former Special Adviser to governor on Economic Planning and Budget between 2014 and 2015 and was also the State Liaison Officer for the Federal Territory Abuja from 1999 to 2003.
He was also a member of the Presidential Committee on the Development of National integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIMP), a Nigerian 30-year Master Plan (2013 – 2043).
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Residents praise Ajimobi, Sunmonu over road repair
Motorists and residents of Ibadan have commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu for their intervention in the repair of a portion of the Ibadan/Ife Expressway.
The failed portion of the highway at Adegbayi area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, caused nightmare to motorists and residents for several months; with many spending hours in the traffic.
On report of alleged death of some motorists in the area on October 16, Senator Sunmonu visited the portion the following day to assess the extent of failure and attendant consequences on motorists.
While assessing the site, the lawmaker invited Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) which constructed the road. Based on her appeal, the construction firm commenced repair work on the site the following day.
Sunmonu said: ‘“My visit was prompted by local news reports of recent deaths on that section of the road, where unfortunately five people were reported to have died. The accidents and subsequent deaths were caused by the poor condition of the road.
“I went to the site with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). On getting there, I called the Managing Director of the construction company. He promised the company would resume work at the location the following day to reduce accidents on that road. I also called the Director of Federal Ministry of Works for Oyo State.
“After the visits, we went to the governor, Senator Ajimobi, to report the incident and he promised to also monitor the situation.
“Following affirmative action, it is with pleasure that I inform the people of Oyo Central that the company fulfilled its pledge and indeed went to the site to begin remedial work.”
She said the action was in fulfilment of some of her campaign promises.
Motorists and residents have expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker and the governor for the gesture.
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Ajimobi, Aregbesola ‘committed to LAUTECH’
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, have pledged their commitment to the joint ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State in accordance with establishment laws.
This was part of both governments resolution at the end of a four hour meeting held at the Oyo State Governor’s office in Ibadan.
The institution had in recent times faced the challenges of funding from its owner states, which they hinged on the economic challenges bedevilling the nation.
Ajimobi, who addressed journalist after the meeting, appealed to the institution’s academic staff to resume academic activities while they address their grievances.
He also disclosed that a visitation panel to be headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) will review the current terms of engagement with a view of consolidating the joint ownership.
Other members of the panel are Rasheed Afolabi(Osun), Prof. (Mrs) Akinola (Osun), Prof. Sola Fajana (Osun), Dr Tunji Olaopa (Oyo), Prof. Ayo Salami (Oyo) and Mr S. A Raji (Oyo).
The panel has Mrs A. O. Makanjuola, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as Secretary.
The Olanipekun panel is expected to conduct an audit into the institution’s sources and application of funds, while proposing strategies for overall improvement of its quality of education and service delivery.
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Council boss commends Ajimobi
The Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Hon. Olalekan Afuye, has hailed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for being sensitive to people’s yearnings by approving the payment of teachers’ salaries, retirees’ pensions and gratuity.
Afuye said despite the dwindling statutory allocation, Ajimobi has put smiles on the faces of pensioners and teachers by approving N6.2 billion for teachers’ salaries for June, July and August 2016. He approved N880 million for retirees’ pension and N250 million for gratuity.
According to the chairman, this is an attestation to the fact that the present administration in Oyo State is ready to fulfill its electioneering promises to the people.
Afuye said the government was doing its best to block leakages in financial transactions. He added that workers’ salaries would become regular after the conclusion of verification.
He urged the people to rally round the government in its campaign against corruption.
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Why we stopped full funding of tertiary schools, by Ajimobi
•’Oyo, Osun’ll resolve LAUTECH crisis’
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has attributed his administration’s decision to stop funding of state-owned tertiary institutions to dwindling resources, as well as the need for their managers to be creative.
The governor stated this at the dedication of a multi-million Vice Chancellor’s Lodge donated to the Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
The administration conveyed stoppage of subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions to their chief executives in a September 20, 2016 letter.
The letter stated that the institutions should no longer expect subventions, whether for any arrears, current or future expenses.
Addressing reporters, Ajimobi, however, said government would continue to support the institutions with 25 per cent subventions as a sign of its commitment to their well-being.
He explained the way to go for better funding and management of education is participation of all stakeholders including parents, philanthropists and the private sector.
The governor stressed: “Looking at the economic situation of the country and in the whole world, we have dwindling oil revenue. It has affected virtually all aspects of our socio-economic life and we are unable to really cope.
“Therefore, we believe that apart from the dwindling resources, all Nigerians must participate in education. Education is participatory.
“It is not for the government alone or for the government alone to pay for education. We believe that parents, teachers, everybody must participate.
“What we are witnessing here today for me, exemplifies our belief in participatory education. Here is an individual, a great Nigerian, an accomplished legal luminary who on his own has built several institutions.
“Nigerians must copy this man. Nigerians must contribute to education and the development of our children.”
He also pointed out that managers of the institutions need to work hard to plug leakages and be creative in serving their communities.
“We are still supporting the tertiary institutions. We have not cancelled subventions completely.
“We have reduced it from 100 per cent to 25 per cent. And we see many loopholes, leakages. They should go and plug them.
“We believe that they can raise Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) through efficient management of their resources, through plugging of leakages and through offering various services to the community.
“You can see that private institutions are not taking subventions from anybody. Education is not absolutely free. Nothing is absolutely free.”
On the crisis rocking the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Ajimobi said: “Before we came in 2010, the former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and his Osun State counterpart then, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, had an agreement to transfer LAUTECH to Oyo State.
“But Governor Rauf Aregbesola went to court and the case got to the Supreme Court. In 2012, the court gave a judgment that co-ownership of LAUTECH by both states remained unbroken.
“The judgment held that unless both owners sit down and agree, no party can singlehandedly decide to severe the relationship.
“Agreed that Osun State is not paying as it should be paying, Oyo State has paid substantially more than Osun has paid.
“What we are saying now is for us to sit down and see the need for co-owners to fulfill our obligations.”
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Ajimobi praises Sterling Bank’s support for environment
Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has praised Sterling Bank Plc for partnering the state to make it one of the most environmental friendly in the country.
The Governor, who made the commendation while receiving reflective coveralls donated by the bank to be used by staff members of Oyo State Waste Management Authority in Ibadan, at the weekend, noted that the uniforms would protect the highway managers against occupational hazards, which they face in the discharge of their duties on daily basis.
With the donation of the uniforms, the Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, noted that Sterling Bank had demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability.
His words: “These coveralls without any doubt will make the Highway Managers visible from afar and prevent incidents of motorists running into them. It will provide safety against occupational hazards, give them a sense of dignity and elevate their status as they see themselves as very relevant to the society through the service they provide.”
While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to maintaining good environmental sanitation, the Governor said his administration would continue to take proactive steps towards waste management and sanitation in the state.
The bank’s Managing Director, Yemi Adeola, said the presentation of coveralls was in line with the bank’s strategic focus on the environment as one of its corporate’s social responsibility priorities. He added that the bank was already in partnership with other states to ensure environmental cleanliness nationwide.
Adeola, who was represented by the bank’s Business Executive in the Southwest, Mrs. Temiwunmi Banjoko, said: “At Sterling Bank, environmental cleanliness is one of the cardinal points of our Corporate Social Responsibility and that informs the bank’s continued commitment of enormous resources towards ensuring that the environment where we live is habitable. As the bank embarks on this mission, we consider it of utmost importance to protect those whose job it is to manage and clean the environment.”