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Tag: Ajimobi

  • Between Ajimobi and Ladoja

    SIR: The governorship candidate of Accord Party in the last general elections in Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, while reacting to the results of gubernatorial election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, said that people in the state were mourning over the election results that returned Senator Abiola Ajimobi as the duly elected governor. Against this background, the election results were challenged by Ladoja at the tribunal with a view to seeking a redress that would definitely put an end to the “mourning” of the people. However, the tribunal on Tuesday, October 27, delivered its judgement obviously not to grant Ladoja’s prayers but in affirming Ajimobi’s re-election. Not satisfied with the tribunal ruling, Ladoja headed for the Appeal Court to have the judgement upturned. Again, the Appellate judgement delivered on Thursday, December 17, 2015 in Ibadan upheld the earlier tribunal ruling.

    Given this Appellate judgement therefore, the indigenes of Oyo State will continue “mourning” probably until the Supreme Court reverses the Thursday judgement should Ladoja pursue his case further. It is certainly not a crime to react to matters, election results inclusive, in a democracy but using a derogatory word like “mourning” to describe the mood of a people is deviant if the act of doing so could not be subjected to trial in a law court. Deviant in the sense that it is not only insulting to the sensibilities of the people but found within the purview of an arrogant mind who believes choosing someone else other than him as a leader is a mistake, and therefore highly risky to put those who have made the choice in a mournful state.

    In a contest like election, a candidate should not underrate the opponent for the opponent might have evolved a more vibrant strategy that could be success-attracting. In fact, underrating the opponent is a symptom of arrogant thought capable of eliciting the use of a derogatory word credited to Ladoja. And again, while in a contest like election, a candidate should not count much on the few sycophants around him or her because sycophants would ever want to sweeten his or her mind even in the face of impossibilities. There is no other word to replace sycophancy with than insincerity which, of course, might make one strategize against the realities.

    As a politician running for a governorship seat in Oyo State with thirty three local government areas, Ladoja was expected to spread his “popularity” to the 33 local government areas as a mode of survival but few sycophants around him deceived him into believing that he could emerge the winner in the governorship election probably consequent upon the hallucination informed by the questionable statistics that put Ibadan as a town inhabiting 55 percent of the Oyo State electorate. Ladoja is not only a former governor in the state, but a chief in Ibadanland; and expectedly a custodian of the town’s traditional institutions. This status could have earned him the loyalty of many indigenes of the town, and might have guided his hallucinatory strategists to predict victory for him. Had this been their calculation they were not logical at all. A logical strategist would not equate “indigene-ship” with residency for not all Ibadan indigenes are Ibadan residents, and not all Ibadan residents are Ibadan indigenes.

    While it could be an overstatement to regard Ajimobi as the best candidate in Nigeria, it is also a mischief to place him at par in terms of effective cum efficient leadership with other candidates at the election in Oyo State for he was the best among them. Like any other human, he has his weaknesses but these have not outweighed his strengths in my assessment. It would therefore be appreciated if he could surround himself with blunt minds who could help him identify his weaknesses for improvement with a view to ending the “mourning mood” of Oyo State indigenes and residents soonest as failure to get this done would vindicate Ladoja and other opponents.

     

    • George Oludare Ibikunle,

    Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • Ajimobi: our focus is to create jobs

    Ajimobi: our focus is to create jobs

    •Governor presents N165b budget

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said his administration will focus on job creation, food security, poverty alleviation, education and human capital development next year.

    He spoke yesterday while presenting the 2016 budget of  N165,097,845,486 billion to the House of Assembly.

    Styled: “Budget of Renewed Commitment’’, the governor said the budget was guided by the desire to consolidate on its achievements and reposition the state.

    According to him, the cardinal programmes of the budget would focus on agriculture, employment generation, poverty alleviation, education and human capital development, infrastructural development and peace and security.

    Ajimobi said despite the further drop in oil revenue, priority would be given to expanding the tax net through accelerated employment generation by private investors, tax reforms, increased economic activities and MDAs restructuring.

    About N92.37 billion, representing 35.88 per cent, was allocated to recurrent expenditure; capital expenditure takes N72.73 billion, representing 44.10 per cent.

    The breakdown is Economy N39.90 billion, representing 54.85 per cent; Social Services N13.60 billion, representing 18.63 per cent; Urban Regional Development N8.10 billion, 11.17 per cent and General Administration N11.20, representing 15.85 per cent.

    “As part of the revolution in agriculture, a massive empowerment of youths and women is being proposed in 28 agrarian local governments in fruit and leafy vegetable production.

    “The Ikere Gorg Dam at Iseyin shall be more utilised in hosting an agro-industrial centre with the aim of encouraging value addition of major agricultural crops.

    “The opening up of road and extension of the National Grid to the site is thus a major focus and part of efforts to open up rural roads to which we are making access to available grants for agrarian local governments.

    “All projects, such as construction and furnishing of classrooms and model schools, will be completed next year,” he said

    The Speaker, Michael Adeyemo, hailed the governor for taking steps to improve Internally Generated Revenue.

    He promised that the Assembly would ensure quick passage and implementation of the budget.

     

     

  • Ajimobi presents 2016 budget

    Ajimobi presents 2016 budget

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi will today present the 2016 budget to the House of Assembly.

    The programme, which begins at noon, is expected to be attended by lawmakers, eminent personalities, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional rulers, members of professional groups, traders as well as ordinary folks from across the state.

    The budget is expected to define the policy directions, expenditure patterns and expected sources and stream of revenues to fund government projects and services in the coming year.

     

  • Ajimobi floors Ladoja at Appeal Court

    Ajimobi floors Ladoja at Appeal Court

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday upheld the victory of Governor Abiola Ajimobi and dismissed the appeal by Accord Party candidate Rashidi Ladoja

    Ladoja and his party challenged the judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal delivered on October 27 in Ibadan.

    The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Muhammed Mayaki, declared Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the election.

    The five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, headed by Justice H.M Ogunjimiju, unanimously upheld Ajimobi’s victory in the April 11 governorship election.

    Justice Ogunjimiju said the tribunal was right in not attributing any probative value to the evidence of Bimbo Adepoju, Principal Witness (PW1) of the appellant, because he was a farmer.

    She said a farmer could not give an expert opinion and his testimony could not be relied upon.

    The totality of the evidence of the appellant, she added, rested solely on Adepoju, an Accord member.

    The judge said Adepoju informed the court that he could go to any length to ensure victory for his party.

    She said Adepoju’s evidence was biased and inconsistent because he was not an expert.

    Justice Ogunjimiju said the exhibits tendered by the appellant were merely dumped in the court as no explanation was made.

    The appeal, she said, lacked merit and was dismissed.

    In his reaction, Accord’s counsel Aderemi Adegbora said his client would head for the Supreme Court.

    APC’s counsel Wole Aina, however, hailed the court for the judgment.

    Former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala  called on aggrieved contenders to stop litigation and cooperate with Ajimobi.

    Alao-Akala was one of the early callers at Ajimobi’s Oluyole residence.

    He said the victory was well deserved and was an affirmation of the popular mandate given to the governor by the people.

    The former governor confirmed reports of his planned defection to the APC.

    Alao-Akala said: “I am here to rejoice with my brother. We knew what the outcome would be; we had expected what we got today. So we are rejoicing.

    “The governor has the interest of the people at heart. He should, therefore, be allowed to take care of their welfare and to let them have life more abundant. We are all one.

    “When somebody is in front, you must follow him; God has put him there. Let us all help him so that he can also help the people.

    “I will advise the opposition or whoever is still aggrieved to please let us bury the hatchet and work together with the governor to develop the state forward.”

    Commenting on his reported defection to APC, he said: “it has been on; we are still crossing the ‘t’ and dotting the ‘i’. I am on my way to APC”.

    Ajimobi dedicated his latest judicial victory to God and the people.

    “We give glory to God. If God says yes, nobody can say no. We owe this victory to God and to the people who want continuity.

    “I am appealing to my brother, Senator Ladoja and others to join us and work together with us instead of going from Appeal Court to Supreme Court.”

  • Ajimobi: better days ahead for Oyo

    Ajimobi: better days ahead for Oyo

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday assured the people that better times are ahead going by his administration’s plan and God’s guidance.

    He appealed to residents not to despair in the face of the state’s tottering economy, assuring them that his administration had embarked on massive reengineering and restructuring.

    The governor spoke to the congregation during a thanksgiving service for his 66th birthday at the Government House Chapel, Ibadan.

    At the event were the governor’s wife, Florence, his children, family, friends and associates.

    According to him, his administration’s efforts would yield dividends next year, which he said would shore up the internally generated revenue from the current N1.2billion to N3.5billion.

    Ajimobi added that the pervading economic depression would bring out the best in him as an experienced manager of men and resources.

    He said: “I want to use this opportunity to assure our people that the government is doing everything possible to take the state out of its present financial challenges. The result will begin to manifest very soon.

    “Our economy will be buoyant again. We have latent potential, which we are going to unleash. I make bold to say that in the next one year, our monthly Internally Generated Revenue will move from N1.2billion to N3.5billion. And in the next two years, it will move up to N5billion.

  • Ajimobi, Ladoja close ranks at Otun Olubadan’s burial

    Ajimobi, Ladoja close ranks at Otun Olubadan’s burial

    The eighth-day fidau of the late Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Omowale Kuye on Friday united the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party in the last general election, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

    While Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious at the April 11, 2015 governorship election, Ladoja who came second challenged the outcome of the election at the tribunal which eventually affirmed Ajimobi’s victory.  Ladoja has since appealed against the tribunal verdict.

    However, the political rivalry between the two seems to have thawed on Friday as they openly embraced each other and exchange at the Ikolaba, Ibadan residence of the late Federal Director of Budget, to the admiration of eminent personalities and clerics at the occasion.

    The ceremony provided Ajimobi another opportunity to tell the people of the state that he was not in any way at loggerheads with Ladoja whom he referred as his elder brother, saying that politics apart, the bond between them was still intact.

    “Politics is a funny game which pits brothers against brothers, friends against friends and even majority ethnic groups against minority groups. And this is exactly what has happened between me and my brother, Senator Ladoja.

    “Even when you don’t want to quarrel, your supporters will be inciting you to quarrel. Such is the nature of politics. Politics makes siblings to go against one another.

    “But honestly, politics apart, there is no personal animosity between us. Senator Ladoja is my brother; I will never fight him,’’ he said.

    Extolling the late Chief Kuye, he described him as a role model, an extremely brilliant, honest and candid man who had a lot of integrity.

    Extending his condolences to the family and widow of the deceased,  Chief (Mrs.) Priscilla Kuye, Senator Ajimobi encouraged them to  take solace in the good legacies left behind by  him saying his great works would surely outlive him.

    Earlier at a lecture, the Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan Central Mosque, Prof. Abdur-Rahman Oloyede admonished supporters of different political parties to emulate the harmonious relationship between Ladoja and Ajimobi despite their political differences.

    Dignitaries present at the occasion included former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd.), former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Nurudeen Adekola, a former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun and renowned industrialist, Chief Kola Daisi.

    Others were Former Minister of Sports, Gen. I.B.M. Haruna, the Chairman Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Dr. Lekan Are, a former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Chief Kareem Latunji, Wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs.) Mutiat Ladoja as well as all Ibadan high chiefs and members of the Olubadan-in-Council.

  • Ajimobi, Shittu mourn Kuye, Omiyale

    Ajimobi, Shittu mourn Kuye, Omiyale

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, have described the death of the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Omowale Kuye, as very depressing. Kuye died on November 19 at the age of 87.

    Kuye’s death is coming on the heels of the passing on of the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Sulaimon Omiyale.

    The governor lamented the death of the two most senior members of the Olubadan Advisory Council in quick succession, which he said marked a somber moment in the annals of Olubadan chieftaincy and Ibadanland in general.

    In a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the state government said that the solace for the state government, the governor prayed that Allah grant the souls of the two illustrious sons of Ibadanland eternal rest and give their families, loved ones and the entire state the fortitude to bear the great loss.

    Describing Chief Kuye as urbane and affectionate, the governor said that his simple lifestyle was a lesson in humility despite his accomplishments as a distinguished career federal civil servant and heir apparent to the enviable Olubadan stool.

    He said: “As a traditional chief in Ibadanland and venerated senior citizen of Oyo State, Chief Kuye was always readily available to share his economic savvy and pool of experience garnered during his pristine public service with me.

    “He will be sorely missed because his wisdom and sound advice on budgeting and planning have impacted on the economic management of this state since I came on board as governor.

    “Chief Kuye did this state proud by his incorruptible and untainted career as a federal director of budget under former Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, then as head of state; as well as during his stint under former President Shehu Shagari and former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.”

    Ajimobi recalled the legendary philanthropic gestures of the late Otun Olubadan, which became manifest as far back as 1979 when he sold his shares in some blue chip companies to build Apatere Community Grammar School, which he donated to his native Apatere community.

    Ajimobi said, “I’m confident that the sublimity of his earthly sojourn, his affectionate love for mankind, his patriotic zeal and service to his fatherland, dedication to Allah and his quintessential lifestyle would make the heavenly to joyfully welcome him home.”

    Also in a statement by his media aide, Victor Oluwadamilare, , Shittu condoled Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, the Olubadan-in-Council, the people of Ibandanland and the state government on the deaths of the two High Chiefs.

    Shittu acknowledged the invaluable contributions of these frontline Ibadan Chiefs to the development of Ibandanland and the sustenance of Yoruba culture.

  • Vitapur’s prefab can bridge housing gap, say Ajimobi, Kwankwaso, others

    Oyo State government and the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Builders have endorsed the new pre-fabricated building by Vitapur Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. Besides, they praised Vitafoam for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, which  addresses fundamental needs of humanity, despite the ‘harsh’ operating environment.

    At the inauguration of the two pre-fabricated buildings donated by  Vitafoam Group to the Government College in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Aderonke Makanjuola, described the firm’s gesture as a strategic way  to take care of one of the basic needs of people.

    The governor said the CSR was the hallmark of sacrifice that  organisations could give back to the society that had done well for them.

    While recommending the pre-fabricated buildings to everyone, he said: “I would like to say a big thank you to the Board, management and staff of the Vitafoam Group for donating these two Pre- fabricated buildings constructed by Vitapur Nigeria Limited along with full furniture such as Sofas, Kitchen cabinets, Ward robes Mattresses and Pillows supplied by other Vitafoam subsidiaries to complement the edifices donated to the Government College Ibadan.”

    In what also amounted to an endorsement by all  builders, the chairman, Lagos State Institute of Builders, Mr. Ashimiyu Bashir declared that pre-fabricated buildings were of interest to all builders in globally.

    At the same occasion,  the former governor of Kano State, Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwanso also commended Vitapur Nigeria Limited for the innovative pre-fabricated buildings and explained that it would be an option to the Federal Government in its efforts to address housing deficit in Nigeria

    The Managing Director, Vitafoam Group, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, explained that Vitapur Nigeria Limited had blazed the trail by acquiring a new state-of-the-art sandwich panel production line, which can produce a maximum length of 14.7 metre with varying thickness, the first of its kind in West Africa.

    According to him, Vitapur Sandwich panels can be used for constructing pre-fabricated structures; cold rooms; equipment shelters; quick shelter development; office partitioning; shopping malls; drop temp ceilings and others. Commenting on the benefits of rigid insulation board, Adeniyi said: “Vitapur Polyurethane Rigid Insulation board comes in various facings depending on intended application. These Insulation boards can be used as wall, floor and roof insulation. For new buildings, boards are usually used over the purlin before the roofing sheets while Vitapur spray foam application is preferred for existing roofs.”

    Adeniyi, who described Vitafoam as an integrated system, said all its subsidiaries are contributing effectively to the innovative products. He further stated that the inherent adaptability and durability of Vitapur’s prefabricated building units’ means that buildings can be developed to fulfill the needs of even the most demanding or obscure applications, creating functional buildings that are time and cost efficient, durable, adaptable and sustainable.

    Vitafoam Chairman, Dr. Dele Makanjuola explained that the project was borne out of the Corporate Social Responsibility that Vitafoam had got accustomed to and also to showcase another arm of the company’s business.

    Makanjuola noted that the company’s foam products are faster, easier and more efficient to mass housing construction in Nigeria.

    According to him, it has also proved that mass housing for our beloved country and Nigerians can be achieved faster, cheaper and with more effective and efficient means. He emphasised the uniqueness of prefabricated building in the area of insulation and stated that Vitapur had gone commercial in the production of panels for constructing pre-fabricated buildings.

  • Ajimobi closes market

    Ajimobi closes market

    The popular Agbeni market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has been closed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to enable residents attend the funeral programme of the late HID Awolowo.

    The rites begin with a commendation service at the Methodist Church, Agbeni at 9am.

    A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) quoted the governor as saying that the late matriarch of the Awolowo family deserves a befitting funeral.

    As a mark of respect, the governor ordered a temporary closure of the popular market today due to its proximity to the church.

    The statement said that the closure became necessary to prevent avoidable gridlock and the attendant pains it could cause traders and commuters.

    The governor appealed to the public to cooperate with the government to fully participate when the body arrives Ibadan, from where the procession moves to the Oke Ado residence of the Awolowos for lying-in-state by 8am.

  • Ajimobi orders closure of market for HID

    Ajimobi orders closure of market for HID

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has called on the citizens of the state to be part of history by turning out in large numbers to witness the series of events lined up for the final burial rites of Chief HID Awolowo, in Ibadan, on Monday.

    A statement by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government quoted the governor as saying that the matriarch of the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, deserves a burial befitting of heroines.

    As a mark of respect, the governor has ordered a temporary closure of the popular Agbeni market on Monday due to its contiguous location to the Methodist Church, Agbeni, where a commendation service would be held for the deceased by 9am.

    The statement said that the closure became necessary to prevent avoidable gridlock and the attendant pains it could cause traders and commuters plying the area.

    The governor appealed with members of the public to join hands with the state government to fully partake in the burial rites from 7am on Monday when the corpse arrives in Ibadan, from where the procession moves to the Oke Ado residence of the Awolowos for a lying in state by 8am.

    After the commendation service, the statement said that another lying in state would be held at the Tribune House, Imalenfalafia, Ibadan, between 11am and 1pm.

    The governor said, “Let us turn out en masse on Monday to give our dear Mama a burial rite befitting of a heroine, which she was. Since her passage, several accolades and encomiums have been showered on her and I want the people of Oyo State to go a step further by partaking in all activities scheduled for her burial.

    “This is the best opportunity for us to again show our love for our highly venerated late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo for his sacrifices for this country. Since his passage, Mama held the forte to the admiration of the Yoruba and the country at large. Her memories will live with us forever.”