Tag: Oyo Assembly

Oyo State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of the reappointment of Mr Kamoru Aderibigbe as the chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, along with other four members to direct the affairs of the commission.

This follows a report presented by the Chairman, Committee on Establishment and Training, Olalekan Abiola, during the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin.

In his report, Hon. Abiola said the nominees were asked questions based on their curriculum vitae submitted and their experience in public service to the state.

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Other nominees include: Mr. Kolajo Adewale (Commissioner 1), Mr. Akanmu Adedeji (Commissioner 2), Mr. Oladapo Olusegun (Commissioner 3) and Mr Taiwo Oluwagbemiro.

In the same vein , the House also approved the nomination of Mr.  Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, Mr Wahab Adedigba, Chief Joshua Abioye and Mrs. Moyosore Ajani as members of the State Judicial Service Commission.

The Chairman, Committee on Public Petitions, Justice and Judiciary, Abideen Ogundare, in his report declared that the nominees were screened and confirmed suitable.

“Having thoroughly screened the nominees and satisfied with their presentation, responses ,and professional experience, the committee hereby recommends pursuant to Section 198 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as Altered ) that, the appointment of the nominees be confirmed”, the report concluded.

The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the immediate reinstatement of the suspended Saki East Local Government chairman, Adedokun Emmanuel

The development followed recommendations of a report presented by the Chairman House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, Hon. Akintunde Olajide.

In his report, Hon. Olajide said the committee met with the relevant officers and political stakeholders in the local government, and deliberated on the petition in order to formulate appropriate recommendations to the House about the matter raised by the concerned stakeholders.

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“Pursuant to a directive of the House, the Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours, to investigate a petition titled, “Call for Urgent Intervention and Holistic investigation in the Affairs of Saki East Local Government under the leadership of Mr. Adedokun Emmanuel Olalekan.

“The committee met with the relevant stakeholders such as the Acting Chairman, Mr. Rasaq Moruf, the leader of the House, Mr. Adebayo Wahab, the Head of local Government Administration, Raji Abiola, the Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Idowu and the suspended chairman, Mr. Adedokun Emmanuel.”

The House has, however, directed the incumbent acting Chairman and Vice Chairman to revert to their former positions as Vice Chairman and Leader of the Council, respectively.

It would be recalled that the Assembly at its Plenary of Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, received a petition letter calling for the urgent intervention and holistic investigation of Saki East Local Government under the leadership of Mr. Adedokun Emmanuel, and the House directed its appropriate committee to act on the matters.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed a motion calling for the integration of mental health education, counselling services, and structured support systems in primary and secondary schools across the state.

The motion, titled “Need to integrate mental health education, counselling services, and structured support systems in primary and secondary schools in Oyo State,” was co-sponsored by four lawmakers: Hon. Comforter Olajide (Ibadan North I), Hon. R.G. Saminu (Atisbo/Saki East), Hon. J.A. Ogundele (Oriire), and the House Leader, Hon. S.A. Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South).

While presenting the motion, Hon. Olajide cited troubling statistics, noting that one in six Nigerian youths aged 15–24 experiences depression or anxiety. She stressed that students are increasingly grappling with mental health challenges such as bullying, substance abuse, and emotional trauma.

The lawmakers called for urgent reforms in the state’s education system to ensure that mental health awareness, early detection, and access to professional support are embedded into the school environment.

The motion reads in part, “Notes that mental health is a vital aspect of students’ well-being and academic performance, yet it remains largely neglected.

“Many children in primary and secondary schools face psychological struggles, including anxiety, depression, stress, substance use, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and emotional trauma, often worsened by academic pressure, peer bullying, family instability, and socio-economic difficulties.”

The motion highlighted critical factors influencing student mental wellbeing, including academic pressure, peer bullying, socio-economic hardship, and family instability.

“Further notes the recent UNICEF report that 6 Nigerian youths aged 15-24 often feel depressed, unmotivated, and anxious. Many of these students’ mental and emotional struggles remain undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness, support systems, or trained personnel.

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“Aware that students are affected by domestic issues such as abuse, neglect, separation, or trauma, leaving them unresponsive or dull in class. These students are often misjudged or isolated without support or counselling intervention”, she added.

It also raised concerns about undiagnosed mental illnesses in students due to inadequate awareness and a lack of trained personnel in schools.

“Further aware that current school curricula lack robust mental health education, leaving students and teachers ill-equipped to understand or manage emotional distress, or to identify early warning signs that could prevent worsening mental health outcomes.

“Observes that some schools in the state place students with learning difficulties alongside those without support systems. This placement often leads to disparities in performance, stigmatisation, bullying, and in severe cases, school dropouts and in turn leads to mental health issues”, the motion added.

The lawmakers unanimously acknowledged the risks of leaving the issue unaddressed including increased substance abuse, school violence, and youth unprepared for adult responsibilities, saying “concerned that the lack of structured intervention puts our society at long-term risk of higher youth mental illness rates, poor academic outcomes, and reduced national productivity, if urgent steps are not taken.”

In its resolution, the House commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his ongoing efforts in health sector reforms, especially the recent partnership with UNICEF to enrol 10,000 pupils in the state’s Health Insurance Scheme.

Furthermore, the motion urged the Executive arm of government to integrate mental health education into school curricula, deploy professional counsellors across public schools and establish mental health awareness clubs and campaigns.

It called for training of teachers on early signs of emotional and behavioural distress, and also appealed to the state government to ensure students identified as at-risk are covered under the State Health Insurance Scheme.

The motion suggested the formulation of inclusive education policies to support students with learning and behavioural challenges.

Oyo Assembly has dismissed the petition written against the management of the Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) by the Chairman, Association of Sacked Supervendors and Investors, Mr. Ibrahim Asiwaju.

The recommendation for the dismissal of the petition was contained in a report read and presented before the House during the plenary session presided over by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin on Tuesday.

Presenting the report, the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Transport, Hon Adebayo Babajide recommended that the petition be dismissed on the ground of lack of merit and substantive evidence.

The lawmaker also recommended that the House should direct the management of PTS to design and implement a well-structured organogram that will establish reporting lines, job roles and responsibilities of all personnel to eliminate ambiguity, prevent role duplication, and enhance overall productivity in the company.

Clarifying the incident that led to the petition written by the Chairman, Association of Sacked Supervendors and Investors Of Oyo State Pace Setter Transport Services (PTS), Mr. Ibrahim Asiwaju, Hon. Babajide disclosed that the Committee discovered illegal activities, collusion and fraud between the vendors and the drivers, which led to the termination of appointment of the vendors.

He said: “Prior to the introduction and implementation of the card payment system to streamline transactions, the company faced leakages in revenue with average daily income reportedly around two hundred thousand naira (N200, 000:00). Following the introduction of the card payment system, the revenue increased to two million naira (N2,000,000:00) on the first day.

“The engagement of vendors to monitor card reader machines and prohibit cash payments, the leakages initially reduced. However, the vendors’ collusion with drivers on fare collection in cash led to further fraud, this prompted the company to terminate their contracts.”

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Babajide said that the Committee also discovered that it is the Pacesetter Transport Service that is responsible for the payment of pensions and gratuities of its retirees and staff salaries.

It urged the House to direct the company to adopt use of contract staff for improved efficiency and productivity to enable the company to widen its scope from inter and intra city routes to interstate routes.

The lawmaker maintained that the discovered that the activities of PTS are in line with guidelines of its operations and are subjected to the approval of the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

He recommended:“The Executive Arm of Government be urged, through SAFER Program to increase the subvention to the Pacesetter Transport Services (PTS) to support its subsidized service to citizens of the State.

“The petition submitted by Mr. Ibrahim Asiwaju Chairman, Association of Sacked Supervendors and Investors Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Services (PTS) to the House be dismissed for lacking in merit and credible evidence, the use of vendors system for revenue generation be terminated due to misconducts and the terms of engagement of contract staff be redefined regarding period of engagement and other conditions of service.

“The Management of Pacesetter Transport Services be urged to restructure its workforce and those who had been found guilty of misconduct and had been suspended more than twice, the Management of PTS be urged to design and implement a well-structured organogram that clearly defines reporting lines, job roles and responsibilities of all personnel. This will help eliminate ambiguity, prevent role duplication, and enhance overall productivity in the Pacesetter Transport Services; and the Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) be urged to operate strictly in accordance with its conditions of service.”

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Oyo Assembly on Tuesday succumbed to pressure by retaining the rotational Chairmanship clause of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the State.

The development was sequel to the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025 following its third reading and review by the Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters, and State Honours. 

Prior to the passage, the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours through its Vice Chairman, Hon. Bamidele Adeola presented the report to the House 

The newly amended bill retains the rotational chairmanship clause and expands the council’s membership, reflecting a more inclusive leadership structure within the state’s traditional institutions.

The House affirmed the rotational chairmanship system, ensuring that leadership alternates among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the Soun of Ogbomoso every two years. 

This measure, according to the lawmakers, is aimed at strengthening unity among the state’s foremost traditional rulers and ensuring balanced representation within the Council.

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Also, the membership of the Council of Obas and Chiefs was expanded from 35 to 41, incorporating more traditional rulers from different regions of the state. 

According to the Speaker, the expansion was aimed at fostering inclusivity and provide broader representation for traditional leaders across Oyo state. 

Among the newly added members are: the Olu of Igboora, the Onilala of Lanlate and the Alado of Ado-Awaye as well as rotational representatives from various local governments.

The amendments also included provisions for deputy chairmanship and vice chairmanship, further structuring the leadership of the Council.

Under the revised Schedule II, deputy chairmanship positions are designated for the Eleruwa of Eruwa, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, and the Aseyin of Iseyin, among others. 

The Speaker said the passage of the bill would enhance the operational framework of the Council, promote unity among traditional rulers, and strengthen governance within the state’s royal institutions.

He reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to preserving the traditions of Oyo State while ensuring a progressive governance structure for the Council of Obas and Chiefs.

However, a mild drama played out during Tuesdays plenary as lawmakers from Oyo zone could not hide their displeasure in the Amendment to the bill as passed. 

Trouble started as soon as debate began on the bill to make the traditional council chairman a two-year rotational seat based on the recommendations of the House Committee. 

The amendment bill was read by the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Dele Adeola in the absence of the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Akintunde AKT representing Lagelu State Constituency.

For few minutes, the House went rowdy when Hon. Olorunpoto Cephas alleged that some members were assembling at the back of the plenary contrary to the standing rules of the House.

He raised observation against turning the plenary to a caucus meeting alleging that some members have decided to turn the plenary to family meeting and history would have him on record that representatives from Oyo are being sidelined.

Hon. Oyekola representing Atiba State Constituency also expressed displeasure against rewriting history at the plenary. 

He said he would not be part of a sitting that is ganging up against the reverred stool of Alaafin.

He affirmed that the people he represents are not happy with the representatives since the beginning of the amendment bill, alleging that they have compromised and atmosphere was very tensed in Oyo town. 

He added that people believe that they are altering history to relegate Alaafin of Oyo and that it would not be palatable if some people from other zones are ganging up against Oyo zone.

He left the floor of the Assembly angrily, hinging his decision on the fact that he doesn’t want history to put him on record where age-long traditional council history would be altered.

In what could be regarded as a show of solidarity, Hon. Olorunpoto Cephas representing Oyo East/West while speaking also frowned against an attempt to rewrite history and also joined his colleague to walk out from the plenary.

The Nation reports that agitation has pilled up against the plan of the lawmakers to solidify the permanent chairmanship of the Alaafin of Oyo at the state Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Following the passage, stakeholders have commended the decision of the lawmakers to reflect the diverse voices of the communities by adopting a rotational system that ensures inclusivity and representation.

The stakeholders said the decision reflected careful consideration of a range of opinions from which highlights the importance of equitable leadership among the state’s revered traditional rulers. 

They reasoned that the decision to amend the law not only addressed the concerns but also reinforced the democratic principles within the traditional institution.

The Nation reports that, prior to the passage, numerous stakeholders, including Mogajis from Ibadan and Ogbomoso, expressed discontent with the idea of a permanent chairmanship for the Alaafin. 

Their concerns was the desire for a leadership structure that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Oyo State and allows for shared governance among its influential leaders.

The passage of the amendment is seen as a victory for community engagement and a testament to the assembly’s willingness to listen to the voices of its constituents.