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Tag: Ajimobi

  • No plans to sack Oyo teachers, says Ajimobi

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has assured public school teachers that they will not be sacked.

    The governor gave the pledge last Saturday while speaking with teachers at a programme tagged: Teachers for Good Governance in Ibadan.

    He urged the teachers to disregard claims by opposition parties that his administration would lay off teachers if he is re-elected as governor next month.

    Ajimobi said the sack rumour was untrue. He noted that after employing 5,300 teachers last year to fill vacancies in the state’s teaching service, he would not sack the same teachers in less than a year.  Rather than sack teachers, he said he would recruit more teachers and train them.

    “We recently recruited about 5,300 teachers into service. This is unprecedented. But, the uniqueness of this is in the fact that unlike in the past where they will recruit like 500, 1000, maximum 2,000, we recruited a higher number at once,” he said.

    He explained that the new teachers were picked from their neighbourhoods unlike in the past where people were recruited in Ibadan and sent to Ogbomosho or Oke-Ogun to teach. He lamented that this had resulted in broken homes and several divorces.

    “The teachers came to appeal and we decided that wherever we are going to appoint anyone, the person must come from that locality. This is to encourage the teachers,” he said.

    Under his administration, he said teachers have benefited from various welfare packages.  For instance, he said salaries were promptly paid – with them even getting 13th month salary at the end of the year.

    He added that graduate teachers in primary schools were also encouraged.

    “Not only that we have provided them with enhanced salary packages, when you train the teachers and encourage them with welfare packages and all, they tend to give their all in their teachings,” he said.

    Giving account of his stewardship in education, Ajimobi said that many classrooms have been rehabilitated. He also spoke of plans to build model schools in each senatorial district, which will have state-of-the-art equipment, laboratory, recreation centres, and emphasise practical education.

    He also said the government has improved quality by getting university teachers to monitor schools.

    “We have also introduced supervisory roles with the University of Ibadan; Lecturers go round and supervise the teachers and students.

    Regarding infrastructure, the governor said the state has provided classroom furniture and equipment for the schools.  He also said that some school buildings are being demolished to be replaced by better structures because of their strategic location.

    He said critics that have argued that the state should build new schools in fresh locations did not consider accessibility.

     

     

    “Those who are arguing that we should get a virgin land and build on do not consider the proximity of the schools to the children. That is very essential,” he said.

     

  • Ibadan stands still as Ajimobi flags off second term campaign

    Ibadan stands still as Ajimobi flags off second term campaign

    The people of Ibadan and environs defied harsh weather conditions and literally poured into Mapo Hall last Saturday in their thousands to be part of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s second term campaign flag-off for the February 28 gubernatorial election. BISI OLADELE was there.

    It was expected to be another usual political campaign. And Mapo Hall in the heart of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the historic political campaign headquarters in the Southwest, was the venue. But residents of the ancient city and even politicians got more than they expected when crowds of party faithful, supporters and even ordinary folks began pouring into the venue in their hundreds last Saturday and within a short time the gathering reached an unprecedented height as Mapo Hall was filled to capacity a clear three hours ahead of the scheduled time for the commencement of the rally.

    For more than eight hours that the event lasted, the crowd endured traffic snarl, the scorching sun and threatening stampede to listen to, and hail Ajimobi and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Southwest states who came to drum up support for another term for the Oyo State governor.

    Ajimobi had been criticized continuously by opposition within and outside the party, leaving residents and political watchers to expect only a scanty crowd made up of a handful party supporters and few that would want to witness what some critic had predicted would be his ‘disgrace’ at Mapo. But the governor pulled a great surprise with the surging crowd of people who defied all odds, including a harsh weather to be counted among those showing their love for him.

    Though the programme was slated for 10:00 am, all roads leading to the venue were under heavy traffic from 8:30 am as Ajimobi’s supporters poured in from all directions. By 10:00 am, Mapo Hill, on top of which the historic hall is located, was already playing host to a population that dwarfed the crowd which attended the campaign rally of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin, barely one week earlier.

    From Oje, Yemetu, Idi-Arere to Agbeni and other routes to the venue, traffic gridlock held down many motorists and commuters as vehicular movements became increased by the minute.

    Without road blockade by security agencies, roads within 3,000 metres radius to Mapo Hall were blocked with traffic, and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Ajimobi had to alight from their vehicles and trekked to the venue, leaving their drivers to sort themselves out.  Ordinary motorists spent pretty long time navigating through the thick traffic.

    By 9:00 am, groups, associations, market women, traders, musicians, professionals, commercial drivers, itinerary drummers and ordinary folks had occupied the hilltop venue waiting to receive their leader. The association of market women and other traders had declared the day work-free as they closed their shops in solidarity with a governor they said “recognizes and transforms” their business.

    The first set of dignitaries to arrive were APC leaders in Oyo State including Dr Busari Adebisi, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, commissioners, special advisers and other political appointees as well as candidates for the February 14 and 28 elections.  Next were Ajimobi’s wife, Florence; wives of Osun State Governor, Alh. Serifat Aregbesola; her Ogun State counterpart, Mrs Funso Amosun; wife of the immediate past Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi and former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu.

    Dressed in the customized Ankara uniform glittering in the yellow and maroon official colours of the state, the appearance of supporters gave a colourful view of the celebrants and the crowd.

    The chorus of: “Continuity in Oyo State,” “Change Jonathan” rent the air each time the Master of Ceremony, Babatunde Olaniyi (Ti o common), shouted APC! For Ti o common, there are only two parties contesting in the February elections in the state: peace and brigandage. He said while Ajimobi represents peace the opposition represents brigandage and cluelessness.

    Party supporters and residents also sometimes giggled and at other times gyrated where they stood in response to the danceable tunes dished out by the Ibadan-based popular fuji musician, Alh. Rashidi Ayinde (Fuji Merenge). He thrilled the audience continuously.

    The presence of popular Yoruba Nollywood actors and actresses led by Saidi Balogun, also added glamour to the rally with some of them addressing the mammoth crowd, urging them to vote for Ajimobi to continue his good works.

    Leaders of the Igbo and Hausa communities residing in the state also made the gathering and officially declared their support for the second term ambition of the governor. By 2:00 pm, the crowd had spread to Beere, Oja’ba, Agbeni and adjourning areas.

    The President of the Association of Market Men and Women in the state, Alh. Adisa Oladapo said members of the association were supporting Ajimobi because of the peace he had enthroned in the state. He added that the governor was working hard for the progress and development of the state without looking back, stressing: ‘One good turn deserves another.’

    According to him, no governor has treated traders well like Ajimobi in the state. He disclosed that his administration constructed modern neighbourhood markets, gave them shops free-of-charge and added N20 million trading capital to traders at Scout Camp Market alone.

    He also lauded Ajimobi’s administration on cleanliness of the environment and the urban renewal project, saying they rid the state of epidemics. “My people and the entire people of Oyo State don’t be ungrateful. Let us all vote for Ajimobi.” He said.

    The physically challenged also spoke of how Ajimobi’s administration accommodated them by employing and empowering them throughout the 33 local government areas in the state. So were representatives of the 20,000 youths employed under the state’s Youth Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State dubbed “YES-O.” They asked the jubilating crowd to imagine the joy which the jobs brought to 20,000 homes, urging voters to return Ajimobi to power on February, 28.

    So were representatives of students, motor dealers, teachers, and popular musician, Abolore Akande (aka (9ce) who also performed at the gathering.

    Wives of Aregbeseola, Fayemi and Ajimobi took time to address the rally. They all emphasized the need to give Ajimobi chance for a second term.

    At exactly 2:25 pm, Ajimobi and the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, rode into Mapo Hall premises in an open-roof blue Ford bus. While Ajimobi appeared on the front opening, Tinubu stood tall behind him in another opening. Their arrival threw the rally into a session of a terrific ecstasy. The crowd hailed the governor and Tinubu uncontrollably. They screamed, jumped and jubilated at their leaders. In return, Ajimobi and Tinubu gyrated with joy on the podium to acknowledge the cheers.

    Following them were National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Eng. Segun Oni; former interimNational Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Osun and Ekiti State governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Kayode Fayemi. They all decked the yellow and maroon colour Agbada uniform with matching cap.

    By 2:45, Aregbesola rode into the compound in another blue Ford bus, acknowledging cheers from the crowd from Oje to Mapo.

    His arrival changed the tempo again. The crowd hailed the Osun State governor continuously. Rashidi Ayinde praised him with thrilling songs which kept people dancing for minutes. The governor, in his characteristic manner, responded with quick dance steps to and from across the stage. They hailed his success in the August, last year governorship election.

    Fayemi opened the floor. He told the crowd that he was born and bred in Ibadan, stressing that he has always known how Ibadan looked like. He urged residents to repay Ajimobi’s giant strides with massive votes in next month’s election, saying Oyo State has never had it this good.

    Oni spoke next. He said Yoruba never lagged behind but that the PDP has done everything to put the Yoruba nation at the back burner in spite of the huge support the party received in Yoruba land in 2011. The former Ekiti State governor urged voters to return Ajimobi and vote for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the coming election.

    Oyinlola also took his turn, describing the PDP as a party of deceit. He said God has already wrested power from Jonathan. He emphasized the need for the people of the state to vote for Ajimobi to enable him complete his projects.

    In his own speech, Chief Akande recalled that some people were criticizing them when they were establishing the APC last year. He said they wondered why they were working with the Hausa, Ibo and other ethnic groups, believing that it would be an effort in futility. But today, he said, everybody sees what they were not seeing before. “All Nigerians can now see that it is the best party.” He said.

    He also highlighted Ajimobi’s achievements and urged the people of Oyo State to vote for continuity.

    He said: “Ajimobi has transformed Ibadan and other towns in the state. Some people are angry with this. Abiola is our son. When we were here in Ibadan administering the state, Ajimobi was abroad seeing good things. That is what he is doing here. For those who do not like these developmental projects, go and appeal to them. He will still do more if re-elected.”

    When he took his turn, Aregbesola said the PDP is always seeking power to oppress Nigerians. He said hard work and commitment helped APC survive.

    “It is painful that Ekiti went back into servitude. Fayemi tried and they know that they cheated us. Can you compare Osun State of today with the Osun State of the past? Is the Ibadan of 2010 the same city we are seeing now? So are Ogun and Lagos states.”

    He described this year’s election as a fight for freedom.

    Aregbesola accused the PDP of using proceeds from fraudulent deals on sale of kerosene to fund President Jonathan’s campaign and to enrich their cronies through the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN).

    According to him, the Federal Government deliberately sells a liter of kerosene to cronies at N40:90 while they in turn sell to marketers at N95 per litre. The huge difference, the governor said, is one of the sources of PDP’s stupendous wealth.

    He challenged the PDP to sue him to court over the fact. “Let’s chase them out with our votes on February 14 and 28.” He urged the crowd.

    Tinubu, who spoke next, highlighted the reason Nigerians must vote for the APC next month, listing the continuous stealing of 400,000 barrels of oil daily and poor performance as among the major reasons.

    The former Lagos State Governor accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of spreading poverty through its poor performance and corrupt practices, saying the only solution is for Nigerians to reject all its candidates in the coming election and vote for the APC’s instead.

    He urged Oyo State voters to allow their conscience to guide them in determining the best candidates that deserve their votes. According to him, the great feat of the Ajimobi administration, the APC governorship candidate, is unparalleled in the state.

    He listed the rebuilding of Agodi Gardens, dualization of roads, massive infrastructural development and welfare packages for the people as among the reasons Ajimobi deserves their votes.

    The former Lagos State governor accused the Federal Government of diverting 400,000 barrels of oil per day and President Jonathan, who claimed to be in firm control of the country, feigned ignorance of what he called serious economic sabotage.

    “They steal 400,000 barrels of oil every day. Yet, President Goodluck Jonathan said he could not see this and he claims he is still in charge. He is no longer fit to rule this country. Let us send them packing on February 14 by voting for APC at the national level and for Ajimobi on February 28,’’ he said.

    He described Ajimobi as sensible, reliable, focused, visionary and consistent, judging by what he termed the governor’s unprecedented achievements in the last three and a half years.

    “Governor Ajimobi has demonstrated that he has vision, capacity and capability to make people the cornerstone of his administration. This is what Ajimobi represents in Oyo State and he has been consistent with it.

    “Today, when you drive through Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, you see beautiful scenery, clean environment, good road network, new flyover, Asejire Waterworks, Agodi Gardens, new markets, you will be proud of having somebody like him in the saddle. Indeed, Oyo is now a huge construction site,’’ he said.

    Tinubu said it was regrettable that in spite of all entreaties to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to team up with Ajimobi to develop Oyo State, he (Ladoja) insisted on floating a party that lacked regional or national spread.

    Describing the Accord Party governorship candidate as an ingrate, he said that he had nothing to offer the people of the state, having demonstrated gross incompetence during his tenure as governor.

    On mounting the podium, Ajomobi pooh-poohed criticism of his administration, saying he has outperformed his predecessors, two of who are also in the February 28, 2015 race.

    Ajimobi listed six major projects undertaken by his administration, which he said were unprecedented. He also pointed out that no fewer than eight big companies have opened shops in the state due to the investor-friendly nature of his administration’s policies.

    These include the largest cooking oil factory, largest bread factory, largest Shoprite store, 100,000 production capacity chicks producing factory and Nigeria’s largest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) service providing firm.

    Besides, Ajimobi listed his achievements to include recruitment of 20,000 youths, construction of modern markets for traders with provision of interest-free trading capital, free buses for civil servants and students as well as improved welfare package for workers and restorers.

    Governor Ajimobi said that it was during his administration that citizens now sleep with two eyes closed because of the pervading peace and security which had attracted at least the industrial giants to the state.

    He also added that the construction of the first flyover by any civilian administration at Mokola in Ibadan was undertaken by his administration.

    Ajimobi also noted that his administration was the first to implement and pay the 142 per cent increase pension arrears, coupled with mass employment of teachers.

    If re-elected, he promised to deliver more dividends of democracy, one of which would be the employment 40,000 youths and widening the scope of the ongoing social and infrastructural revolution in the state.

    He challenged his predecessors to show their own score cards.

    By the time Ajimobi wrapped up his speech, at 6:10 pm, the crowd was still on their feet savouring the joy of listening to their leaders.

     

  • Ajimobi, Alao-Akala in live radio debate

    Ajimobi, Alao-Akala in live radio debate

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, of the Labour Party (PDP) engaged in a live radio debate yesterday.

    The two candidates who stormed the premises of the Space FM, an Ibadan private radio station with hundreds of their supporters exhibited maturity throughout the debate.

    The candidates answered questions from the public in the studio; their supporters related peacefully outside the station in an atmosphere devoid of rancour .

    Veteran journalists- Felix Adenaike , former Managing Director of African Newspapers Nigeria PLC Elder Dada Ogundele, the General Manager of Space FM and former General Manager ,Federal Radio Corporation of  Nigeria( FRCN), Ibadan and the Chairman , Space FM, Otunba Deji Osibogun moderated the debate.

    Speaking on the reduction of fees in state-owned tertiary institutions, Ajimobi raised the hopes of the people saying the fee which was slashed by 50 per cent would be further reduced by the government to lessen the burden on parents.

    Though the governor acknowledged that there was nowhere in the world where education was totally free, he assured that his government would continue to subsidise education.

    On the stolen pension fund, he said the culprits were in court and that the government was waiting for the fund to be returned to its coffers.

  • Go to court, Ajimobi dares Ladoja

    Go to court, Ajimobi dares Ladoja

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has challenged former governor and Accord Party governorship candidate Senator Rashidi Ladoja to go to court to defend the allegation that he refunded N500million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .

    Ladoja has threatened to sue Ajimobi,  saying there was no truth in the claim that he returned N500million to EFCC.

    The governor said Ladoja returned the money to the anti-graft agency to avoid going to jail for stealing the state’s funds.

    Addressing a crowd of party supporters and leaders at the launch of his second term campaign in Ibadan at the weekend, Ajimobi insisted that Ladoja actually returned the money.

    “I’m ready to meet him in court,” the governor said, stressing that the refunded money was being used by his administration to build model schools.

    Ajimobi said the people should be watchful and avoid voting for those who did not do anything economically meaningful for them when they had the opportunity of ruling the state.

    The governor, who said he deserved a second term as a result of his achievements, maintained that the success he recorded were unmatched in the history of the state.

    Ajimobi, however, said he was ready to prove his claim in the court of law.

  • APC kicks as Ladoja accuses Ajimobi of N68b debt

    APC kicks as Ladoja accuses Ajimobi of N68b debt

    Name the banks

    Former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja has accused Governor Abiola Ajimobi of plunging the state into a N68 billion debt.

    Ladoja is the Accord Party’s governorship candidate.

    The former governor, who spoke through the Director General of his campaign organisation, Adeolu Adeleke, said the state was indebted  to two unnamed third-generation banks.

    But the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenged Ladoja to name the banks, describing the accusation as cheap propaganda.

    Ladoja said the debt was incurred by the banks on account of a deal that warranted the financial institutions undertaking to finance the road expansion projects embarked upon by the government but which he alleged, were abandoned.

    He said one of the banks was owed N50 billion and the other N17 billion.

    The N67 billion debt, according to Ladoja, was in addition to a multi-billion bond secured by the government.

    The campaign director said the figure was part of a preliminary investigation by his party on the state’s debt profile as of last June.

    On the N500 million Ajimobi said he refunded to the state government, Ladoja wondered why the governor waited this long before talking about the issue.

    “Two of the bank drafts purportedly connecting Senator Ladoja with the false refund of money bore the dates: May 2, 2008 and May 7, 2008. But Senator Ladoja, confident that his integrity is intact, submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on August 8, 2008.

    “What then is the nexus between the drafts published and Senator Ladoja? Could Ladoja have ‘refunded’ money before he went to the EFCC?

    “If indeed there was actually any plea bargaining as alleged, why is the matter still in court? Is the APC not aware that the case is with the Supreme Court?

    “Ajimobi also claims that the money he purportedly recovered from Ladoja through the EFCC is being used to build model schools in the state. But our perusal of the 2014 budget estimates did not show the inclusion of the recovered money in the budget.

    “We challenge Governor Ajimobi to waive his immunity and invite the EFCC and ICPC to probe his government.

    “A kilometre of road is awarded for N1 billion in Oyo State and the same contractor gets a kilometre of road for N400 million in Ogun State.

    “The intention obviously for Ajimobi is to tarnish the ever-soaring image of Ladoja, who has become his political nemesis, ahead of the February judgment day. But we are glad that his effort was a monumental fiasco,” Adeleke said.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the ancient propaganda style employed by the Accord Party would not work in the 2015 elections.

    In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Olawale Shadare, the APC said: “Ladoja and his party use the traditional hunger for news by reporters to pass across his childish propaganda and ill-digested lies.

    “The question reporters should ask him is the name of the so-called banks the government owes.

    “It is only reporters whom the profession gives the licence to hide the names of sources and important institutions, not desperate reporters. Let him quote the names of the banks and the amounts being owed them so that journalists can go to the banks and cross-check. Even political propaganda has left such infantile level.

    “Ladoja is merely pursuing shadows; the APC said the Accord Party and its leader could not fathom how government could have such huge infrastructural achievements without borrowing a penny.

    “To underscore the penchant for lies of the Accord Party, the Oyo State government, despite dwindling allocations from the Federal Government, has paid December salaries of workers. Only contractors who have not completed their works are yet to collect full payment.

    “It is equivocation of the highest order. If the state government owes that amount of money, it goes without saying that anyone who wants to come on board would not perform as he would be battling to pay back debts.

    “Why is Ladoja fighting the battle of his life to become governor if the government he is coming to administer is in this kind of debt? The party and its leader are too intellectually shallow to understand the implication of this childlike allegation of theirs.”

  • Tinubu, Aregbesola, others rally support for Ajimobi

    Tinubu, Aregbesola, others rally support for Ajimobi

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday led chieftains of the party to the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan to rally support for Governor Abiola Ajimobi and other candidates of the party in next month’s election.

    Tinubu highlighted the reason Nigerians must vote for the APC next month, listing stealing of 400,000 barrels of oil daily unabated and poor performance as among the major reasons.

    The former Lagos State Governor accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of spreading poverty through its poor performance and corrupt practices, saying the only solution is for Nigerians to reject all its candidates in the coming and election and vote for the APC’s instead.

    He urged Oyo State voters to allow their conscience to guide them in determining the best candidate that deserve their votes.

    According to him, the great feat of the Ajimobi, the APC governorship candidate, are unparalleled in the state.

    He listed the rebuilding of Agodi Gardens, dualisation of roads, massive infrastructural development and welfare packages for the people as among the reasons Ajimobi deserves their votes.

    “They steal 400,000 barrels of oil every day. Yet, President Goodluck Jonathan said he could not see this and he claims he is still in charge.

    “He is no longer fit to rule this country. Let us send them packing on February 14 by voting for the APC at the national level and for Ajimobi on February 28,” he said.

    He added: “Governor Ajimobi has demonstrated that he has vision, capacity and capability to make people the cornerstone of his administration. This is what Ajimobi represents in Oyo State and he has been consistent with it.

    “Today, when you drive through Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, you see beautiful scenery, clean environment, good road network, new flyover, Asejire waterworks, Agodi Gardens, new markets, you will be proud of having somebody like him in the saddle. Indeed, Oyo is now a huge construction site.”

    Tinubu said it was regrettable that in spite of all entreaties to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to team up with Ajimobi to develop Oyo State, he (Ladoja) insisted on floating a party that lacks regional or national spread.

    Describing the Accord Party governorship candidate as an ingrate, he said that he had nothing to offer the people of the state, having demonstrated gross incompetence during his tenure as governor.

    In his own speech, Aregbesola also accused the PDP of funding President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign team, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) through proceeds from fraudulent handling of sale of kerosene.

    According to him, the federal government deliberately sells a litre of kerosene to cronies at N40:90 while the cronies sell to marketers at N95 per litre. The huge difference, the governor said, is what PDP is using to fund campaigns and enrich cronies.

    He challenged the PDP to sue him to court over the facts.

    While addressing the people, Ajomobi rubbished criticism of his administration, saying he has outperformed his predecessors, two of who are also in the February 28, 2015 race.

    Ajimobi listed six major projects undertaken by his administration, which he said are unprecedented.

    He also pointed out that no fewer than eight big companies have opened shops in the state due to the investor-friendly nature of his administration’s policies.

    These include the largest cooking oil factory, largest bread factory, largest Shoprite store, 100,000 production capacity chicks producing factory and Nigeria’s largest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) service providing firm.

    Besides, Ajimobi listed his achievements to include recruitment of 20,000 youths, construction of modern markets for traders with provision of interest-free trading capital, free buses for civil servants and students as well as improved welfare package for workers and restorers.

    The governor listed sustenance of a peaceful environment and massive infrastructural development as chief among his achievements.

    He challenged his predecessors to show their own score cards.

    Also at the rally were other leaders of the party including Chief Bisi Akande, Eng. Segun Oni, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who also addressed the mammoth crowd.

    The entire Mapo hill beamed at the seams with crowd of supporters and enthusiastic residents who came to witness the campaign.

  • Ajimobi: I ‘ve outclassed Ladoja, Alao-Akala

    Ajimobi: I ‘ve outclassed Ladoja, Alao-Akala

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi spoke with BISI OLADELE in Ibadan, the state capital, on his achievements, his opponents in the Oyo governorship race and chances at the poll.

    With the elections just few weeks away and four other top contenders in the race, what makes you think you can win the election?

    Among all the contenders, we have three that have been in public service. Of those three, we have two that have been governor before and one a senator. When you check the track records of each and everyone of us, you can safely say that the assessment of each of us is easier than one who has never been in public service. I believe that the records of the two former governors are there for everyone to see. When you check those records, whether in the area of social infrastructure, physical infrastructure, peace, security and safety, which I consider to be most important for development in any state or nation, you will find out that we stand out. The government of APC led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi is synonymous to peace and development. In the last few years, like eight to nine years before we came on board, Oyo State was known as a place of violence . Today, the records, even as highlighted by the security agencies and published by the police, suggest that Oyo State is safer, more secured and more peaceful than it used to be. Murder cases have gone down considerably.

    Apart from murder cases, we have established agencies that support the security agencies such as Operation Burst. We have been able to bring together all security agencies – the police, army, SSS, immigration, NSCDC et cetera. We have supported all of them with vehicles, bullet proof vests and all sorts to ensure that Oyo State is very safe for our people. So, I can say the foundation of our administration is safety and security of lives and property. And, I make bold to say we are far ahead in the area of peace and security than the former governments. I can provide the statistics. For instance, prior to 2011 and 2012, murder cases were recorded to be about 24 per cent in Oyo State, it has reduced to about four per cent. Armed robbery cases were about 48 per cent and since we came in it has been reduced to less than five per cent – kidnapping and others included. The statistics also support the fact that Oyo State, is one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria. I believe that if you also look at other parameters, for instance, social infrastructure, you will notice the difference. Social infrastructure means health, education, water, energy in general. We have done better than other administrations and again, the statistics are there. Before we came in, Asejire Dam and Eleyele waterworks were functioning at less than 10 per cent capacity. Today, we are producing at over 82 per cent, which has resulted in more water for the people.

    Again, we have repaired and rehabilitated many waterworks, including Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Oyo and others. In terms of providing potable water, we have done better than previous administrations. If you talk about education, we have recently recruited about 5,300 teachers into service. This is unprecedented. But, the uniqueness of this is in the fact that unlike in the past where they will recruit like 500, 1000, maximum 2000, we recruited a higher number at once. We are picking those teachers from their neighbourhoods unlike before where people were recruited in Ibadan and sent to Ogbomosho or Oke-Ogun. This resulted in broken homes and several divorces. The teachers came to appeal and we decided that wherever we are going to appoint anyone, the person must come from that locality. This is to encourage the teachers. More importantly, we have rehabilitated many classrooms, we are introducing model schools in each of the senatorial districts. And these model schools will have state-of-the-art equipment, laboratory, recreation centers, and where emphasis will be on practical education, where there will be sufficient teachers. Education stands on three legs, that is, teachers, students, and infrastructure. With the teachers, we are recruiting more and training them. Last year we trained more than 7000 teachers. The loophole that existed within teachers in primary schools that are graduates have been plugged. This encourages them. Not only that we have provided them with enhanced salary packages, when you train the teachers and encourage them with welfare packages and all, they tend to give their all in their teachings. With the students, we have provided extra trainings where we liaised with the University of Ibadan and other schools to teach them. We have also introduced supervisory roles with the University of Ibadan, Lecturers go round and supervise the teachers and students.

    On the third leg is the infrastructure. We have provided more chairs, furniture and equipment for the schools. I have talked about the model schools. Some people want to know why we are pulling down some buildings, those schools are located strategically. We do not want to go to some bush now and build a school there and there will be problem of transportation. So, those who are arguing that we should get a virgin land and build on do not consider the proximity of the schools to the children. That is very essential. The schools we are pulling down are important. So, all these we have done apart from the usual payment of WAEC and NECO fees.  When you look at our performance and also about good governance, I will say good governance is about transparency, accountability, transparency and productivity. When you look at all that combined, you will see that we stand a better chance than other competitors, since they have once been governors. Even in the area of welfare, let us look at it from the area of environmental. Removing people from trading on the street to the side of the street and we have provided them with alternatives. The previous administrations of the two that are competing now also drove people off the streets in Elekuro, Aperin and Iwo road. They did not provide alternatives. We have provided alternatives. For instance, we have provided shops for traders. Look at Scout Camp, it can accomodate 3000 traders, and they are there, given free of charge. Not only that, we provided for them N20 million trading fund. No administration has ever done this. Recently, we also provided 300 million interest-free loan to 6000 traders which comes to N50,000 per trader. We took this loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and they have charged us nine per cent interest. We did not collect any interest from our traders.

    In the area of health, we have treated close to 1,000 000 people by bringing the hospital to the doorsteps of the poor. We go to a local governments, call people to come for free consultancy, treatment and surgery. Apart from rehabilitating the hospitals, we have employed more doctors. When I came in, the ratio was far below the UN recommended ratio. We have brought in about 300 medical personnel. In terms of welfare, when we came in we met a salary and wages of about N2.9 billion. Today, we have N4.9 billion wages. We have increased the salaries even without the prompting from workers. Today, many of the salary scales and levels are incomparable with neighbouring states. Oyo State ranks first in some levels and second in others. We have never been third. In terms of taking care of employees, we have increased their salaries and even provided them with buses for free transport. It is free for students and workers. And for the public, it is 75 per cent subsidized, compared to what commercial vehicles charge. For instance, if you have a family of five, you save an average of N500 per day, in a week is N2,500, a month N10,000, a year, N120, 000. Whether you like it or not this government is providing you a yearly savings of N120,000. It is the work of the government to provide you basic things like that. No government will line you up on the street and start distributing money. It is the job of the government to make things cheaper and you pay less.

    How are you coping with paucity of funds and how do you hope to overcome it in the fsce of dwindling federal allocation?

    On the paucity of funds, Oyo State has about 10 million people. When we came in, we were given N4.2 billion or N4.5 billion. Bayelsa State has an average of 700,000 people and it gets not less than N20 billion a month. Right from the onset we are at a disadvantage. In the last one year we have been getting an average of N3 billion. Recently. We even got about N2.8 billion. Every month we have a deficit of about two billion or average of about 1.5 billion. How do we cope? That is why it is essential for every government to provide an attractive and enabling environment for investors to come in. When they come in you will be able to get tax gains and also create commercial activities that will provide more employment for people. It has a multiplier effect. What we are saying simply is that our own approach is to create a foremost, a safe and secure environment for people to come and also build physical infrastructure that will attract people to the state.

    Once there are good roads, water, electricity and all that, people will come. Then you also have more people working. But, above all, we have brought in at least eight big international companies because the state is more peaceful, better and aesthetically improved. The largest edible oil factory in Nigeria is in Oyo State. The largest soya bean manufacturer in West Africa is here. The largest producer of bread in Africa is here. The largest ICT service provider is also here. We can go on. Also the largest producer of day old chicks is also here. The largest producer of powdered milk called Kamal Milk is now in Oyo State and the largest Shoprite in Nigeria is in Oyo State. The more of these companies we have, the more we increase our Internally Generated Revenue which goes up with these companies coming in. We also have Agodi Gardens, which is an income-generating park, which is where we now have international conference centre, health farm, recreational activities like amusement park, hotels et cetera.

    It is a park we are trying to develop like the one in South Africa. We got a South African company to do it in conjunction with Nigerians. What we are saying is that we are making it conducive so that people can come when it is attractive and safe. Now we are getting the cumulative effects. In whatever we are doing, we have been able to partner with most of these investors, rather than the government spending most of its resources, we are getting investors to partner with. Like Agodi Gardens, we have got investors coming in and partnering with us. Like four point Sheraton hotel, we have got the land, they are partnering with us. Also in the area of housing estates, previous administrations sold all the government quarters. One of them even sold all the quarters and got about N3 billion. He wanted to pay pensioners. The week before we came in, they took the money and spent. And it was meant for pensioners. An average government quarters is sold for N15 million to N18 million. The quarters, about eight, facing the Government House, if sold for that price will be about 120 million. We decided against it. We invited investors, we said UAC should come and work with us. They agreed. We decided to give them the land as our contribution. The site is near completion. It should be completed around March or April. At the sale of those prices, we now have about 89 apartments. These apartments, when sold, should bring in about N5.6 billion from which the state government owns 45 per cent. Compare this to the N120 million we would have got. We will get not less than N2 billion. That, to us, is good governance. For us that is re-engineering and a way to save money. We are also trying to communicate to our people to make them know that the Federal Government has reduced our money by at least 40 per cent. It is not even enough to pay staff salary. Do you know that we are the only government that has been paying 13 months salary since the inception of Oyo State. Despite the paucity of funds, we still manage.

    As for the allegations, we make sure our contractors are competent and financially capable. Sometimes they say we do not patronize local contractors, but about 80 per cent of the jobs we give out are to local contractors. The major jobs are for those who can finance the jobs. And we are financing them as well. When you finish we pay you within 18 months of completion. We are structuring our finances through IGR, PPP and through third party participation. I think it is politics when people say that. This government has developed all zones more than any government. One, no government has dualized all entry points into major cities. When we came in, for the first time, the entry into Ibadan was dualized. That is the Challenge axis, Adelabu Market axis and Orita. We are also doing the network road system. We take an area, look at the network, where it leads and connects, then we construct it. We have dualized more roads than any government. Two, Ogbomoso has never had a dualized road, this government has done that. Ogbomoso now has a modern town hall which this administration did. Oke- Ogun is divided into Zone One and Two. Iseyin is the entry point. We have dualized their roads. The best NYSC Camp in Nigeria is built by us and it is in Iseyin.

    All the satellite campuses in Oyo State have been upgraded to full polytechnics. In other words, education has a multiplier effect on development. There are cities and towns in the US that are called university towns where once you establish it there, development will spring up. So in Oke-Ogun, we have given them schools, roads . We have done about 15 roads: Saki-Otu-Alaga, Ogboro-Road, Saki-Apinnite, Otun-Oyo et cetera. We have just awarded the Saki-Polytechnic-Bariba Road; we are dualizing it. We have done their town hall. More importantly, for Oke-Ogun we believe more than anybody else we have developed their road networks. Oyo has never had a dualized road, ours is the first and the people there are happy. We are also building a radio station there. I want to know any other government that has worked in terms of development in each of these zones; zone by zone.

  • Ajimobi: How Akala blew N3b in one week

    Ajimobi: How Akala blew N3b in one week

    •Says Ladoja refunded N500m loot to EFCC

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has explained how his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, allegedly blew N3 billion government fund within the last week of his administration in May 2011.

    Ajimobi, who disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, also revealed how Alao-Akala’s predecessor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, refunded N500 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a move aimed at getting plea bargain.

    The governor said Alao-Akala realised the N3billion from the sale of government quarters during his tenure, pointing out that he set aside the fund for payment of pensions before he squandered it in the last week of his administration.

    Alao- Akala is the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and Ladoja the governorship candidate of Accord.

    Ajimobi wondered how the two former governors considered it right for them to contest for the same position again, despite the moral burden on them.

    He said the N500 million recovered from Ladoja is being used to build model schools across the state’s three senatorial districts.

    “My predecessor sold several government quarters from which he realised about N3 billion. He first set it aside to pay pensioners but later blew it one week before we came in.”

    The governor explained that rather than follow the same path, his administration partnered with UACN Properties, which has redeveloped 89 apartments to be sold at the value of over N5 billion. He explained that the government owns 45 percent of the investment.

    According to him, the same landed property used for the apartments had been valued at only N120 million the sale of which he turned down because of the potential for huge profit, if better utilised. “This, to me, is good governance,” he said.

    The governor was answering a question on how he hopes to cope with dwindling federal allocations and huge and increasing expenditure, if he returns as governor.

    He said his administration would survive by building on the foundation it has laid in attracting investors to the city. Eight big industries have opened for business in the state in the last two years as marks of his efforts to attract investors.

    Ajimobi emphasised that the state’s economy was improving daily, which will ultimately put government in a position to earn more revenue internally.

  • Ajimobi, Akala, Ladoja, Folarin square up for Oyo race

    Ajimobi, Akala, Ladoja, Folarin square up for Oyo race

    BISI OLADELE  examines the struggle for the Agodi Government House, Ibadan and the chances of gladiators in the governorship race.

    Preparations for the  governorship election in Oyo State started two years ago, barely 18 months into the current tenure. It was propelled by the routing of two former governors – Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala – by Governor Abiola Ajimobi in the keenly contested election in 2011. It compelled the key figures and their supporters to return to the drawing board, to lay the foundation for their success in this year’s contest. But, it has not been rosy for the three of contestants, as some of their followers have defected to other parties, seeking where their bread would be  buttered.  Some even left for Labour Party (LP), where they are regrouping to give the three leading figures a fight in the coming election.

    Yet, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party remain the leading parties, with the three figures listed above calling the shots.

    Political activities however reached a highpoint recently, when the three major parties picked their governorship candidates.

    APC

    Even for the ruling APC, it was a keenly contested primary. Some courageous politicians  picked the governorship forms to join Ajimobi in the battle for the party’s ticket. They are a son of the late former governor Lam Adesina, Dr Ayo Adesina and Mr. Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer.

    While Adesina is a United Kingdom-based professional, Shittu is based in Ibadan. Adesina is unknown in Oyo State politics, unlike his late father. He is also not known to have built any strong political structure that could have aided his emergence at the governorship primary.

    Shittu has been a politician since the Second Republic. He was a member of the old Oyo State House of Assembly, representing Saki, his home town. He was also a commissioner under Ladoja between 2003 and 2007.

    He contested the governorship election under the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011. But, he lost to Ajimobi. His party, the CPC, is one of the three major opposition parties that metamorphosed into the APC.

    The odds that worked against Shittu’s emergence as the APC candidate were two-fold.  One, he hails from Oke-Ogun and his political structure was not strong enough to secure the governorship ticket. Most of the political parties were bent on fielding an Ibadan indigene for the obvious population advantage of the city.

    Ajimobi was able to grab the ticket because the inbency factor worked in his favour. Besides, he is an exprienced politician. He served as a Senator on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) between 2003 and 2007. He was also the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007.

    Accord

    There was no contest for the governorship ticket in the Accord Party because only the leader of the party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, is the sole governorship candidate. No other member of the party indicated interest in the ticket.

    PDP

    It was the opposition PDP that witnessed the hottest contest for the governorship ticket. About 11 aspirants t6ook part in the primary. They are: Adebayo Alao-Akala, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Isaac Babalola, Taoheed Adedoja, Soji Adejumo, Ayo Adeseun and Femi Babalola. Others are Kehinde Olaosebikan, Teslim Folarin, Oluseyi Makinde and Azeez Adeduntan.

    A former Minister of Power, Elder Wole Oyelese, withdrew from the race at a point, to pave the way for him in the Oyo Central Senatorial ticket.

    However, the major contenders were just three: Alao-Akala, Folarin and Makinde.

    Alao-Akala

    The immediate former governor of the state, Alao-Akala still commands huge following within the party across the state. Except in Oyo zone where his fortune has plummeted since 2011, the Ogbomoso-born politician still sustains good following in his town, Oke-Ogun and a sizeable portion in Ibadan. He also possesses the financial capacity to prosecute the governorship race with candidates of other parties.

    But, in spite of the above credentials, he did not get the ticket. At least two odds against him. One, he is not an Ibadan indigene. This factor is strong for winning the governorship election this time around. It was known well in adavance that two Ibadan men, Ajimobi and Ladoja, were likely to fly the flags of their parties. The PDP chose to field an Ibadan indigence in order to benefit from the population advantage. For instance, the number of voters from Ibadan South West and Ibadan North local governments alone is higher that those of the five local governments in Ogbomoso.  Two, having lost the election once, largely due to credibility factor, the party decided to look elsewhere for a more credible candidate to give Ajimobi and Ladoja a good fight.

    Alao-Akala defected to the Labour Party following his failure secure the PDP ticket. He is sure to pick up the LP governorship ticket, to realise his ambition of taking another shot at the governorship this time around.

    Folarin

     The former Senate Leader eventually triumphed in the primary and emerged the standard bearer of the party in the state. He is one aspirant believed to be favoured by the Presidency. He controls the party’s state executive and is widely connected in Abuja.

    Though a two-time senator, Folarin’s popularity is believed not to be strong enough to beat Ladoja and Ajimobi  in the governorship race.

    Oluseyi Makinde

    A younger genaration of politician, Makinde began the race to Agodi Government House as early as 2012. He had a formidable structure in the state, particularly in Ibadan, his place of birth.

    But, in spite of his youthfulness and his structure, the party delegates overlooked him and handed over the ticket to Folarin.

  • We’ve brought peace to Oyo, says Ajimobi

    We’ve brought peace to Oyo, says Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said the choice before the people is the peace epitomised by his administration and the violence represented by the opposition.

    The governor said this during his New Year state-wide broadcast.

    Ajimobi acknowledged his administration’s efforts at instilling peace in the state in the last three and a half years and sustaining it.

    He  urged the people not to forget the past few years before his administration came on board.

    “We know what the order of the day was in our state between 2003 and 2011.

    “The choice before us today, my dear people, is between peace and violence. We hold the key to determine where our immediate future goes and we must use it wisely.

    “We believe that you can only improve the lives of the people who are alive. It will be unforgivable for anyone to claim to love the people and still shed their blood with impunity.

    “In Oyo State, we do not need anyone to tell us that the prophecies of bloodshed and sorrow are not just metaphysics. They have in them ingredients of truth and reality.

    “In the last three and a half years, we have successfully tamed the devils on assignment of bloodshed.

    “We have demonstrated that a good government must not allow violence, thuggery and the killings of its people.

    “We should eschew violence, brigandage and thuggery. A good leader protects and promotes the welfare of his people and not destroy or kill them.

    “I must acknowledge that the journey thus far has been everything but smooth.

    “Collectively and individually, we have sacrificed for the development of our state and the pleasant tomorrow of our children.

    “In the past three and half years, peace, security and safety of our people have been the driving force of our policies and programmes.

    “These feats have given birth to the monumental achievements so far recorded by our administration, particularly in the areas of social and physical development of Oyo State.

    “Our administration has given human face to governance through a deliberate policy of instituting welfare packages for traders, artisans and market women, especially in the building of markets and provision of interest-free loans running into almost N1billion.”