The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gov. Abiola Ajimobi

  • Oyo warns residents as downpour causes havoc in Ibadan

    Oyo warns residents as downpour causes havoc in Ibadan

    The Oyo State Government has warned residents to adhere strictly to environmental and physical planning regulations aimed at averting flood disasters in the state.

    Chief  Isaac Ishola, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources,  gave  the warning  on Tuesday in Ibadan  after inspecting the damage caused by an early morning  downpour in which properties and public utilities were destroyed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that worst hit  in the state capital  were flood –prone  areas such  as Apete, Ajibode and Orogun as well as other areas  in the metropolis such as Old Bodija, Ashi and  Akobo.

    NAN also reports that many residents in flood-prone areas fled to safety  as water levels rose, threatening to submerge them in their homes.

    The commissioner, however,  told newsmen in Ibadan that the damage recorded  was as a result of negligence by residents.

    Ishola stated that the ministry’s team  had visited seven areas  affected across the metropolis  and was happy that no life  was lost.

    He said that residents still dump  refuse in drains  and build  houses around water ways  in spite of the several warnings from government.

    “The state government under the leadership of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi approved the dredging of 14 rivers and streams in 2016 to avert flooding.

    “We also cleared big drains. This action accounted for a flood-free year in 2016,’’ the commissioner said.

    Ishola said that the state had secured the approval of  the World Bank on 36 out the 48 rivers identified for dredging in the state, adding that work  had commenced immediately.

    He said that 14 rivers were also identified for expansion out of which contract for four had been awarded while the remaining 10 were at design stage.

    The commissioner, who  said that government would continue to take proactive measures against flooding,  urged residents  to adhere strictly to environmental laws.

  • Olubadan: I can’t be intimidated, says Ajimobi

    Olubadan: I can’t be intimidated, says Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said he will not be intimidated by anybody or group over his administration’s efforts to review the Olubadan chieftaincy system.

    He spoke while inaugurating the new Government Reserved Area (GRA) sited near the old NITEL premises on Old Ife Road, Ibadan.

    Two high chiefs, Lekan Balogun and Rashidi Ladoja, had sued the governor and a panel of enquiry set up by the government over the review, saying they lacked the right to review the 1957 Olubadan Declaration.

    Noting that his administration had become a builder by rebuilding infrastructural facilities since 2011, Ajimobi said his government would transform the landscape and institutions that made Oyo State the pacesetter.

    He said the 1957 Olubadan Declaration was due for a review given the expansion of the city and the need to allow some high chiefs and community leaders to wear beaded crowns, to add glamour and influence to the throne of the Olubadan.

     

     

  • Ajimobi mourns Olumide Bakare

    Ajimobi mourns Olumide Bakare

    Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has described the death of the late veteran actor, Olumide Bakare, as very unfortunate.

    The governor, in a statement signed by Mr Yomi Layinka, his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy in Ibadan on Monday, commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the late actor on his death.

    “Although the late actor had been on admission at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan for a heart-related disease, we regret that he died at a time he considerably recuperated and was expected back in his favourite love of acting,” he said.

    Ajimobi described Bakare, who had featured in several films, as a versatile actor whose contributions to the development of the performing arts industry were immeasurable and long lasting.

    The governor said that Bakare was an artiste whose unmistakable voice and persona would be sorely missed by his fans worldwide.

    “Rather than mourning the deceased, the Ibadan-based actor should be celebrated for living a memorable life, both as an artiste and a family man,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bakare was a former staff of the NTA, Ibadan.

    He was fondly called “Chief Koko” following his role in a TV series, ‘Koko Close’.

    Bakare reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 65, after battling ill-health since 2013.

  • NYSC deploys 2,600 Batch B corps members to Oyo

    NYSC deploys 2,600 Batch B corps members to Oyo

    No fewer than 2,600 2016 Batch B stream 11 corps members will undertake the three-week orientation at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, Iseyin, Oyo State.

    Mr Simeon Bankole, the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of NYSC in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday that the orientation course would hold from Jan. 24 to February 13.

    Bankole said, however, that the swearing-in of the corps members would be held on January 26.

    He said that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State would preside at the occasion, while Justice Munta Abimbola, the state’s Chief Judge, would administer the oath of allegiance on the corps members.

    Bankole urged Oyo State residents, especially the transport unions, to extend their hands of fellowship to the corps members, adding that many of the corps members were visiting the state for the first time.

    Corps members will now be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to access quality healthcare.

  • Education Reform Committee’s report ‘vindicates Ajimobi’

    Education Reform Committee’s report ‘vindicates Ajimobi’

    The report of the Committee on Participatory Management of Schools in Oyo State has vindicated Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s move to save  education from its decaying state.

    Speaking to reporters about the recent observations, reports and recommendations submitted by the Committee, its chairman, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, said:

    “The report by the Committee is a comprehensive one, which vindicates the executive governor’s bid to reform the education sector. The report shows that the state’s public schools are in a sorry state, and government cannot do it alone, hence, the need to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to redeem the education sector.”

    The university don said education needed urgent overhauling through participatory efforts of all stakeholders.

    His words: “We found out that there is data discrepancies about education in Oyo State. Also, there is mismatch of teachers and students. In essence, the teachers’-students ratio is not evenly distributed.

    “We got to some schools, teachers were not present; in some schools, they were inadequate. While some were not unavailable. Some also had more furniture than the required and some didn’t have enough pupils to be standard schools. In some schools, there was over population of students.

    “We were surprised that some vice principals do not teach anymore; whereas, in those days, even principals had subjects they were teaching. There is need to improve the standard of education in the state.”

    “Already, there is PPP in schools through individuals, old students network, PTAs, philanthropic organisations, international funding organisations, amongst others. We need more of this. What the government needs to do is to provide a formal structure and an enabling environment for private participation in school management,” Gbadegesin said.

    He called on parents, teachers and other stakeholders to work with the Ajimobi administration in returning the lost glory of the education sector.

    The committee was put together by the government to investigate, consult different stakeholders and make recommendations to restore the lost glory of the education sector in which the state has been relegated to the back among states within the federation.

    “As part of its duties, the Committee was saddled with the responsibility of finding solutions to the education sector in the state and recommend suitable and plausible options that will enhance the overall standard of education in the state,” the professor stressed.

    Gbadegesin revealed that the Committee strategically reviewed the existing status and standard of education and also visited 29 secondary schools in urban, semi urban and rural communities in the eight education zones.

    The 31-man committee held interactive sessions with selected individuals and organisations that submitted memoranda. The interactions with the stakeholders showed the sincerity of the governor, Gbadegesin said.

    Ajimobi on July 12, inaugurated the 31-man Committee led by Gbadegesin, the

    Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, to look into the deteriorating state of public schools and come up with recommendations that will reposition the sector.

  •  Oyo govt., labour hold reconciliatory talks

     Oyo govt., labour hold reconciliatory talks

    The face-off between the Oyo State Government and labour may soon be over as the two parties commenced reconciliatory talks on Wednesday in Ibadan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workers led by the national leadership of the NLC had on June 6 declared an indefinite strike over their unpaid six months salaries.

    The workers also rejected government’s controversial education initiative to involve private participation in the management of public secondary schools while also demanding the withdrawal of all charges against the labour leaders in a court of law.

    A five-hour reconciliatory meeting facilitated by the State House of Assembly, however, held at the Executive Chambers of the Governors Office.

    Speaking after the meeting, which ended at exactly 8.15p.m., the parties told newsmen that the reconciliatory process was on course.

    Mr Peters Adeyemi, Deputy President of NLC, said that the meeting was a tough one that required extensive deliberation.

    He said that the labours leaders would go back to brief members on the issues discussed and take a collective decision.

    “We cannot take a decision on the ongoing strike action here unless we brief our people and collectively a decision is taken.

    “Whatever is our decision would be communicated to the government and the media on Thursday,” he said.

    Adeyemi commended the governor for his tolerance and the Assembly for its timely intervention.

    Also speaking, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi commended the commitment and maturity displayed by the national leadership of both NLC and NUT.

    Ajimobi said that he saw honesty of purpose in the discussion between the parties, expressing optimism that the outcome would be for the progress of the state.

    “I have no doubt that we will all succeed at the end,” he said.

    NAN also reports that the leadership of the NUT led by its President, Mr Olukoya Alogba, presented the union’s proposals on promoting educational development in the state to the governor.

  • 2,500 women to benefit from free cancer, diabetes screening –Aisha Buhari

    2,500 women to benefit from free cancer, diabetes screening –Aisha Buhari

    The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has said that 2,500 women will receive free screening for cancer, diabetes, blood pressure and malaria through her Pet Project, “Future Assumed’’, in Ibadan on Thursday.

    Buhari made the disclosure in Ibadan on Wednesday when she visited Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Salisu Adetunji, in his palace.

    She said that the screening had become necessary as it would enable them to know their health status early and improve their health.

    Aisha reiterated that breast and cervical cancer, blood pressure, diabetes and malaria were major killer diseases across the global and could be prevented or managed through regular check-ups.

    Buhari said she was in the state to introduce her programme on Women and Children Health Screening Initiative, which started last year with a view to improving their health.

    The president’s wife said the programme which would be introduced in all states of the federation, had begun in some states.

    She said that she wanted the programme to be replicated in the state so that women and children could have access to free medical screening.

    Earlier, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi said Buhari had exhibited a quality similar to what a former First Lady of the U.S., Mrs Roseline Carter, did by contributing to development of women and children in the country in a short time.

    He described Buhari was a great ambassador of Nigeria.

    On his part, the Olubadan commended the president’s wife for choosing Ibadan as the centre to launch the programme in the Southwest Zone.

    He promised that the programme would be given all necessary support to succeed.