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  • NLC ultimatum: Ajimobi dares workers

    NLC ultimatum: Ajimobi dares workers

    Following the industrial action threatened by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter over five months unpaid worker’s salaries by the state government, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed that he is not disturbed by the threat, vowing that any workers that goes on strike will not be paid his salary.

     

    He promised not to review the 90 per cent income that is dedicated for the payment of workers salary from Federation Account.

     

    He said the call by the NLC to add the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) with the 90 per cent income from the federal allocation to pay the workers’ salary will not be possible at the moment.

     

    Ajimobi spoke on Monday at the stakeholders meeting between the state government, Chairman Caretaker committees of 33 council areas in the state and traditional rulers on the economic diversification project held at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

     

    The governor said: “It was agreed that about 90 per cent of income accruing from the State’s monthly allocation from the Federation Account should be dedicated to the workers while the remaining ten percent would be deployed to the running of other aspects of governance.”

     

    He noted that till date, the state government has not reneged on the letter and spirit of that agreement, adding that the ultimatum issued by Labour is not only surprising but unnecessary and uncalled-for in the prevailing circumstance.

     

    According to him, government cannot be paying only the 62,000 workers in the state with the money that ought to be used to maintain over 10 million citizens in the state.

     

    “Modern day labour union and government relationship has listed steps that must be taking. Step one is that if you have any concern about anything, there is a joint negotiation committee that is made up of government and workers, you first go there to discuss with them and if after the discussion it does not work then you can go to the next level where the head of service and government will now appoint some people to discuss. It is when negotiations have broken down that labour can give notice of strike actions and not this old time labour government relationship where without discussing you will issue ultimatum to go on strike.

     

    “It is illegal because this is a government where law must be followed and obeyed, not this culture of impunity. It is wrong to give an ultimatum to go on strike without reaching a consensus with the government. We have an agreement, there was a time we use to get close to N5 billion from federal government and our IGR was like N1 billion, now everybody is aware of the Nigeria situation, and now we are having N2 billion plus from federal government.”

     

    He urged the labour leaders to sit down and negotiate with the government, vowing that worker that goes on strike without following due process will not be paid his or her salary.

     

    Speaking on the need for agrarian revolution in the state, Ajimobi said the state is blessed with 28,544 kilometre per square of land, adding that the state has the most fertile land in Southern Nigeria.

     

    He said:” The only way out of the present economic meltdown in the state is through agricultural revolution and that is why we need the support of the traditional rulers, local government chairmen and all the citizens of the state. We shall embark on massive mechanize farm in 28 local government areas with arable lands in the state.

     

    In his remarks, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji appealed to labour leaders not to embark on strike but should be considerate and embrace the condition of the state government.

     

    “The economic situation in the country is not only affecting Oyo State but th country at large. This is why the governor is also going into economic diversification by venturing into agricultural revolution. We shall support him and it will be a success.

     

    Similarly, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III also pledged his support for agricultural development in the state.

     

    Oba Adeyemi also used the opportunity to appeal to labour leaders in the state to avoid industrial action that could lead to confrontation with the state government.

     

    “The government has tried his best allocating 90 per cent of the federal allocation to pay the worker’s salary. The labour leaders only need to be patient and considerate,” he said.

  • Panic as police, students clash in Oyo

    There was panic in Eruwa, headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government as Police and  students of Eruwa Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo state clashed , following their protest against the management of the school, on Tuesday.

    It was learnt that the students were protesting the dismissal of students of Higher National Diploma (HND) Business Administration and hike in fees charged for late registration by the management.

    The source within the campus who confirmed the development said “the students are protesting the introduction of late registration fees and dismissal of HND one students of Business Administration.”

    The protest, it was gathered did not go down with the management which called in members of the state police force in the town.

    This, according to sources led  to alleged gun shot on a student and another, a female student, also alleged to be asthmatic was tear gassed.

    The two students were said to be undergoing treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    Explaining further, the source said “the affected HND one students of Business Administration were told to go home after being admitted, paid their school fees and had even been receiving lectures. The school now said they cannot admit them again, telling them to go home and come back next session.”

    The source hinted that the school management hinged their excuse on the fact that the affected  students studied Public Administration for their National Diploma (ND) courses.

    It added that the students insisted that the management gave them go ahead to apply for Business Administration for their HND programme which they complied.

    On this premise, according to our source, the students were admitted but were surprised when the management made a U-turn and sent them packing through a notice on the board.

    As if that was not enough, while the students were making appeal against the decision, the source noted that the students requested that the management return all monies, especially school fees paid into the coffers of the management.

    But they were shocked as the  management told them that when they return for their course next session, it will be sorted out.”

    The second reason for their protest centred on payment of late registration fees for both the Daily Part Time (DPP) and full time students.

    It was gathered that the students were appealing to the management on the basis that most of their parents who work as civil servants under the state government are being owed several months of salary.

    The two sections of students affected under this category are DPP students who pay N37,500  and their full time counterparts who are currently paying N28,250 as their school fees were billed additional N2,500 as late registration fees and N300 as bank charges.

    It was also gathered that students were forced to remain indoor till around 5.00pm on Tuesday for fear of arrest while some others were at the time being detained at Sango police station, Eruwa.

    All efforts to reach the management for their reaction on the development proved abortive.

    One of the principal officers who spoke with newsmen  under condition of anonymity confirmed the protest but declined to comment on the reason for the protest .

  • Anyaoku decries wastage of Nigeria’s budget

     

    Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, on Tuesday disclosed that the government spent more than half of its budget on non-productive sector of the economy.

     

    He spoke at the presentation of Amb. Olusola Sanu’s memoir, entitled ‘Audacity on the bound: A diplomatic odyssey’, held at the Kakanfo Inn Ibadan.

     

    Anyaoku said the parliamentary system that Nigeria’s nationalists designed gave little room for massive corruption.

     

    He stressed that the new generation of politicians were exploiting the gaps in the presidential system to defraud the nation.

     

    “The new generation of politicians have exploited the presidential system to operate a system that is a drain pipe on the treasury. It is hard to believe that we now operate a system where we now have more than 3000 advisers at the federal, state and local government levels.

     

    “States that have no internally generated revenue have more than 30 advisers, senior special assistants and their assistants. The shame of Nigeria is imminent that even the chairman of a local government operates the presidential system as entitlement. They have chief of staff, chief protocol officer, press officer and so on.

     

    “The result is that 30 to 40 per cent of our annual budget is spent on the officers. By the time you add other spending on transportation and travelling to it, more than half of the budget is spent on non-productive sector of the economy.” he said

     

    Anyaoku  has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to maintain his anti-devaluation of Naira posture for socio-economic development of Nigeria.

     

    Anyaoku equally decried the proliferation of political office in Nigeria, saying such appointment remain a drain pipe for resources in Nigeria.

     

    Speaking on the state of Nigeria economy, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, disclosed that he was not yet convinced that the devaluation of Naira, as being canvassed by some individuals and groups, will serve the national interest of Nigerians.

     

    He admitted that the situation in the country required drastic measures, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to stick to his anti-devaluation posture.

     

    “What the president needs to do is to constitute team of economic experts who will advise him on  how best to address the situation” he said

     

    On the proliferation of political appointee, Anyaoku decried a situation where state and local government officials have a long list of special advisers.

     

    He said:” This has become an avenue for wasting of resources of Nigeria which could have been use for developmental projects that will benefit mankind.”

     

    Anyaoku said the anomaly must be reversed in order for the country to enjoy dividends of democracy.

     

    He called for restructuring of Nigeria from the present 36 states to 12 federal structures of six regions.

     

    The former Commonwealth Secretary-General, described Amb. Sanu as a brilliant diplomat with impeccable record.

     

    “His brilliance was not unexpected because he had educational background in two of the world’s best institutions. His intellectual background was certainly one of the reasons for the outstanding success of his diplomatic policies.” he said

     

    Dignitaries in attendance includes; the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Alani of Ido-Ani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, was represented by Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed.

     

  • Gas flaring: NLNG generates $90b revenue

     

    The Nigerian NLG Limited on Tuesday disclosed that it has generated some $90 billion from gas flare since 1999 when it was commenced operation.

     

    Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Babs Omotowa, disclosed this at the commissioning of a $4 million technology laboratory project at the University of Ibadan on Tuesday.

     

    The project was jointly undertaken by the company and the premier university on equal contribution of $2 million each.

     

    Omotowa also revealed that the company has been a major contributor to Nigeria’s revenue base having paid $33 billion in dividend, taxes and other charges to the government since it commenced operation in 1999.

    Omotowa further stressed that the company is the biggest tax payer in Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa having paid a sum of $3 billion in company income tax and Education Tax in 2014 and 2015.

     

    On the project, the Nigeria LNG boss explained that the University of Ibadan’s excellence rating in academic and research in Africa informed its decision to cite the $4 million technology laboratory in the institution.

     

    Reeling out its support for science and literature over the years with science trailing behind the latter, Omotowa said the company “reviewed the science prize and took a decision in 2013 to nest further down the chain so as to improve the chances for science research so that more winners can emerge in future with research tha will impact the lives of Nigerians.”

     

    The new decision, he explained, led to the idea of the tech laboratory in the highest rated universities in the six geo-political zones of the country.

     

    He said: “In selecting the universities, excellence was again the key determinant. As a core value, it permeates every work process in Nigeria LNG; we ensured that the selection process was not an exception. The six universities were selected purely based on the top ranked university in each region from the independent rankings by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the World Universities Ranking.

     

    “For the Northwest cluster, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria was selected. Others are University of Port Harcourt, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Ilorin, University of Maiduguri and the University of Ibadan.”

     

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Olayinka, commended the company for the project, stressing that it would help the institution realize her ambition of becoming the training and research hub in Africa.

     

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, while commending the Nigeria LNG, called for increased investment in brew of the huge revenue and profits it posts yearly.

     

    The project was commissioned by Oyo State Governor, Abuola Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo.

     

  • Ibadan husband killer’s case suffers another setback

    Ibadan husband killer’s case suffers another setback

    The case of an Ibadan-based lawyer, Yewande Oyediran, who allegedly stabbed her husband, Lowo Oyediran, to death in the Akobo area of Ibadan has been adjourned on Tuesday again by Justice Muktar Abimbola of an Oyo State High Court.
    The case was adjourned till April 18, 2016, for a decision on the application for private counsel to prosecute the suspect.
    It will be recalled that Lowo, who hails from Gbongan in Osun State and was based in France, was purportedly stabbed in the neck by his wife at about 6:10a.m on February 2, this year, and he died a few minutes later. His remains have been buried in Gbongan.
    At the proceedings on Tuesday, counsel to the complainant – Lowo’s family, Chief Yomi Aliu, told the court that the family had applied to the DPP for a fiat to employ the services of a private legal practitioner to prosecute Yewande.
    Justice Abimbola, who is the Chief Judge of the state, asked the counsel to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Oyo State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Tajudeen Abdul-Ganiyu, to the tell the court the current status of the application for the fiat.
    Abdul-Ganiyu, who acknowledged the receipt of the application by the DPP, explained that applications have been made to the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, as well as the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on the matter.
    He stated further that the process should have been completed before the next adjournment date on April 18.
    Abdul-Ganiyu also told the court that he was served with a notice of preliminary objection filed by the counsel to Yewande, Prince Bioye Ashanike, on the competence of the charge by DPP against the suspect.
    The court, however, directed the DPP counsel to file his written address and Prince Ashanike to file his response argument on the application within seven days.
    In a chat with The Nation after the court proceedings, Chief Aliu said Lowo’s family applied for fiat to hire private legal practitioner to prosecute Yewande because “it is not proper, not that it is not legal for the DPP to prosecute Yewande, who is a principal state counsel with the DPP.
    “I trust the DPP counsel as well as the Solicitor General/permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice. But it is not about me. It is about the public,” he said.

  • Assault on doctor: UCH resident doctors demand justice

    The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University College Hospital Branch, on Monday in Ibadan demanded justice from the hospital management in the case of assault of a resident doctor by a laboratory scientist.

    The doctors made the call in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The statement was signed by Dr Luqman Ogunjimi and Dr Olusegun Olaopa, the association’s President and General Secretary respectively.

    It noted that it was not the first time a resident doctor would be assaulted by a laboratory scientist in the hospital.

    “On Friday March 18, 2016, a laboratory scientist at the Heamatology Department of UCH reportedly assaulted a resident doctor of the same department.

    “She was trying to retrieve from her a slide for a review for the treatment of a cancer patient,’’ the statement said.

    It added that the matter was immediately brought to the attention of the head of the department, who quickly referred it to the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee.

    “Accordingly, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, the CMAC, directed the Chief Security Officer of UCH to look into the matter.’’

    The association warned that the issue should not be swept under the carpet as it was done in the past.

    It added:“It is high time this aggression and undue violence against resident doctors and doctors in general at the UCH is fully addressed by management.’’

    NAN reports that in 2014 the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) said allegation of harassment and assault by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) was unfounded.

    “ Medical laboratory scientists have always exercised restraint, show discipline and have approached the law courts for redress whenever they have are denied their rights.’’

     

  • Ibadan State: How feasible?

    Ibadan State: How feasible?

    Despite the popular belief that many states are not viable, the people of Ibadan are not relenting in their quest for a state. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the feasibility and viability of the proposed Ibadan State.

    The agitation for states creation has dominated the public space for many years.  But, whether these requests have met the constitutional requirements is another puzzle. Analysts are of the view that the proliferation of states stemmed from the fear of the minorities and the feelings of marginalisation and domination.  The agitators believe that the creation of new states would quicken the pace of development and bring governance closer to the people.

    At the close of submission of requests for new states to the Seventh Senate, 62 memoranda were received. One of them was the demand for the creation of Ibadan State. The request resonated at the installation of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji last week. The monarch made no pretence over his commitment to its actualisation during his reign. He told the dignitaries at the ceremony that it is his main priority.

    Oba Adetunji argued that only Ibadan had not become a state among the old regional capitals, unlike Enugu and Kaduna. He said: “God sparing my life, I will work with the government and the people of Ibadan and our friends to ensure that Ibadan State, which we truly deserve, is made possible”.

    The population of Ibadan is 3.5 million according to geographical data base. Out of 33 local governments in Oyo State, Ibadan has 11.  It has six out of 14 federal constituencies and 16 out of 32 state constituencies.

    Ibadan State was a campaign issue in the last general elections in Oyo State. PDP chieftains, including the governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin, and Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Jumoke Akinjide and former President Goodluck Jonathan promised that, if the PDP was re-elected, Ibadan State would become a reality. Dr. Jonathan disclosed that he deliberately did not hand over the document on the creation of new states to the last Senate because they might not be able to conclude the process.

    Folarin explained that to create states in a democratic government is not a child’s play. He said while he was in the Senate, he and his colleagues kick-started the process of creating Ibadan State. However, he recalled that he was hamstrung by the procedures laid down in the constitution, unlike under the military regimes when states were created by fiat.

    Constitutional requirements

    Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution states that: A request supported by at least, two-thirds majority of members representing the areas demanding the creation of the new state in each of the following namely: The Senate and the House of Representatives, the Houses of Assembly in respect of the area and the Local Government Councils in respect of the area, where the demand is received by the National Assembly.

    “A proposal for the creation of the state, approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area from where the demand for the creation of the state originated; the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the states of the Federation supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly and the proposal is approved by two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.”

    A member of the Senate committee on Constitution Review in the last dispensation, who spoke in confidence, said: “In all, none of the requests for state creation at the close of receipt of memoranda satisfied the requirement of Section 8 (1) (a) (i-iii) to justify recommendation for the next step in Section 8 (1) (b) that is directing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a referendum.”

    Besides, he said the Committee, in its report stated that the signatories to the requests are not currently serving as members of the Senate, House of Representatives, Houses of Assembly or Local Government Councils as required by the constitution. As such, if the signatories of those that are no longer serving at the various legislative levels are removed, the signatories of serving members will not satisfy the provisions of Section 8 (a) (1) (i-iii), he said.

    Analysts believe some of the states have not lived up to expectation, when considered from the point of view of their economic viability. According to them, most of the states   have failed to explore opportunities to boost their revenue base. Rather, they are contented with the national allocation.

    But, a prominent indigene of Ibadan, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), ruled out that the proposed Ibadan State will depend on the federal allocation. He said Ibadan State will be economically viable.

    Akintola, the Basorun Bamofin of Ibadanland, said: “The creation of Ibadan State is not only viable, but desirable. About 92 per cent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Oyo State comes from Ibadan. With a visionary leader, the state will be self sufficient”.

    He stressed: “Ibadan State will be viable more than some states in the Southwest. Land is the crude oil of Ibadan. Its proximity to Lagos and Ogun States will enhance the value of its land and boost the economic activities of the proposed state. Ibadan is endowed with fertile land good for production of cocoa. Take for instance, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway the boundary is Ogunmakin village about 39 kilometres away from Ibadan; the boundary between Ibadan and Osun State is Papa which is about 103 kilometres to Ibadan.

    “It will be travesty of justice to deny Ibadan a state of its own. It remains the only province that has not become a state. I make bold to say that Ibadan State is long overdue.”

    But, another indigene of Ibadan, Dr Gbade Ojo, said Ibadan State is not feasible. He said many people will be shocked that an Ibadan man is not supporting the creation of Ibadan State. Ojo, former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, added: “If you are talking about Ibadan State, in terms of mere nomenclature, like Kaduna State, Enugu State and we are saying Ibadan should be a state, I will tell you it is not feasible. There are some criteria for state creation, which we need to put into consideration.

    “Based on scientific finding, the first principle is that the new state must be economically viable. If in Nigeria today, out of the 36 states, you cannot pinpoint six states that can pay wages and salaries without the federal allocation, then, why talking about state creation? Does it make any sense that you want to create an additional liability?

    “Talking of the geographic and demographic size of the state, if the new state is not economically strong to tell the Federal Government ‘go away with your allocation’ and we are now agitating for a new state, our people need to check the level of exposure of politicians deceiving them.

    “Secondly, as we want Ibadan State, other parts of the country are also agitating for the creation of more states. The fragmentation of the federal structure will make the Federal Government to be stronger in political theory and the component part of the federation becomes weaker because they depend on the federal allocation. The Federal Government can use that as a weapon to fight states.  If it refuses to give them allocation, the states won’t be able to pay workers’ salaries and their respective contractors.

    “Most of the states could not pay January salary because they are yet to get their allocations. What does that connote? It is simply lack of economic viability. If the new states are not economically viable, it is a fundamental problem. That will make the Federal Government to become stronger than as it is today”.

    Civil Rights activist Comrade Moshood Erubami disagreed with Ojo’s submission. He said Ibadan, by all standards, met the criteria of transforming into a state. He said Ibadan is the largest and most populous city in the country and in West Africa.

    Erubami said that the agitation for the creation of Ibadan state is not an exception or not out of place because it is the belief of many that if federalism must exist, it must be on the basis of equitable control and ownership of natural resources, cohesion and unity of the people that constitute the geo-politics of each state.

    According to him: “The main factors that motivated the creation of Ogun, Ondo Ekiti and Osun states out of Western State continues to cry for the creation of Ibadan State. There is no way Ibadan will be considered less qualified. In fact it is long overdue.

    “It is economically viable more than many of the existing states today. In fact Ibadan merits being a state because of its history, geography, administration, population, monuments, landmarks and other advantages. Under the present national circumstance and for justice to be seen to be done to all, Ibadan is viable, feasible in all contexts; a meaningful and desirable project.

    “The creation of Ibadan State will consolidate the current development in the city, enhance the current infrastructural facilities and in the long run bring about sustainable development to the city and its people if it continues to be led by strong leaders who are visionary, courageous and imbued with character of integrity.”

    Akintola said Ibadan State was not considered by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in 1996 because Ibadan was the theatre of war against Abacha’s plan to transform himself into a civilian president and the struggle for the revalidation of Chief Moshood Abiola’s mandate. The plan to launch his campaign in Ibadan was truncated, the giant bill boards carrying Abacha’s portraits were pulled down by pro-democracy activists. According to him, there was no way Abacha could have created Ibadan State.

    Ojo chided Jonathan, Akinjide and Folarin for attempting to mislead the people of Ibadan by making state creation a campaign issue. “You don’t make issues out of no issue if you have not consulted properly from those who specialise in that area. Politicians being what they are, they can go out to hoodwink the electorate just to get what they want,” he fumed.

    According to him, what the politicians did was to cajole the electorate thinking that the aspiration of an average Ibadan man was Ibadan State, let us promise them Ibadan State so as to have our way. It was a mere gimmick and not a campaign promise, he said.

    He noted that the process of creating an additional state is rigorous and that is why since 1960, no democratically elected government has created a single state; all existing states were created by the military.

    Although Erubami is in support of creation of Ibadan State, he noted that the main purpose adduced for state creation has always being for expedited national development and integration but, the outcomes of state creation exercises in Nigeria have failed to meet the genuine desires for state creation.

  • Protest over decomposed woman’s body halts activities in Ibadan

    Socio-economic activities came to a halt on Tuesday at Apata , Ibadan in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo state as scores of students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moore Plantation Ibadan barricaded the Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway in Protest against alleged government  insensitivity to their health.

    The students were demanding the immediate removal of a decomposed body of a woman who allegedly slumped and died last week Saturday while waiting for a cab at the bus-stop very close to the main gate of the college.

    The angry students said they were disappointed by the attitude of government officials whom they accused of turning blind eye to the effect of the decomposed body on the health of the students and others who live and work around the area.

    They alleged that despite several calls on officials of the local government and state Ministry of Health to ensure that the body was removed to prevent epidemic in the area , they (officials) refused to come .

    Speaking with The Nation, the SUG President, Mr Monsuru Olayinka restated the call on health officials both at the local government and state Ministry of Health to remove the dead body within 24 hours or face the wrath of the students.

    He described the attitude of officials of government to work as very unfortunate.

    The students’ leader even threatened that the express way would remain impassable until government does the needful.

    Other students were seen carrying cards with the inscription ” Ajimobi please save us from deadly disease”, ” Save us from lackadasical attitude of our health officials”,
    “Tell them to remove this decomposed body , our health in danger”.

    Since the unfortunate death of the woman , the family and relatives are yet to be known.

    At the scene of the protest, the students who carried green leaves and sticks took over the one lane expressway, causing very long queue and traffic gridlock.

    Some motorists and commercial motorcycle operators who proved ‘stubborn’ were beaten and dispossessed by the students .

    Many workers remained in the traffic for more than two hours, while others were stranded at bus-stops waiting endlessly.

    There was no single presence of policemen and other security agents at the scene , even though  the Apata Police Station is less than 200 meters away to the scene of the protest.

  • Olubadan designate: I will sustain Oba Odulana’s legacies

    Olubadan designate: I will sustain Oba Odulana’s legacies

    The Olubadan designate, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, has promised to sustain the legacies of his immediate predecessor, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.

    Adetunji made the promise in an interview with The Nation in his Popoyemoja, Ibadan residence Monday.

    He will be crowned as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan at the historic Mapo Hall on Friday.

    When asked about his plan for the throne, High Chief Adetunji said he would sustain the virtues of integrity, honesty and wisdom which were the hallmark of Oba Odulana.

    The high chief recalled with fond memories how Oba Odulana displayed wisdom and candor in handling many issues during his reign, stressing: “all of us used to learn from his wealth of wisdom. I particularly learnt a lot from him. He was blessed with wisdom. So, I will definitely sustain such values during my own reign as the Olubadan. I actually learnt so much from him.”

    He said he was looking forward to the coronation day and urged indigenes to troop out in large number to witness the ceremony.

    Meanwhile, his residence has been receiving increasing number of visitors as coronation day draws nearer.

    The visitors include notable indigenes of the city, baales, artisan associations, groups and religious leaders.

  • Petrol hits N120 per litre in Ibadan

    Scarcity of petrol in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has forced an  increase in the pump price of the product. It is now selling at N120 per litre.

    With most filling stations still closing their gates to motorists for the fifth day, the few that sold the product yesterday witnessed long queues of motorists, who struggled to buy the product.

    In most areas, the scarcity forced the price of the product to between N110 and N120 per litre. Yet, hapless motorists queued up to buy.

    The few stations selling the product at the high price were independent marketers.

    But all BOVAS filling stations kept to the official price of N65.50k though its supplies fell short of demand by motorists.

    An independent marketer, who craved anonymity, said the scarcity was a mark of the lingering problem in the oil sector.

    He said the sector requires policy reform and transparency.