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  • Alaafin breaks silence on Oyo Council of Obas controversy

    Alaafin breaks silence on Oyo Council of Obas controversy

    Indications have emerged the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade deliberately shunned the inauguration of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    This is because the monarch, after the event, said he was not at anytime consulted by Governor Seyi Makinde to discuss the issue of rotational chairmanship before the decision was taken.

    The Nation reports that Governor Makinde on Thursday, at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan inaugurated Oba Ladoja as the Chairman of the Council, a position which he would occupy for the next two years.

    Makinde said he consulted the three monarchs who would be rotating the Chairmanship position, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso on who should occupy the seat for the next two years.

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    The Governor had said, the three monarchs agreed that the Olubadan should occupy the seat before it is rotated to others.

    The Nation reports that the Council last met in 2011 following protracted leadership tussle between the three late immediate past monarch of Oyo, Ibadan and Ogbomoso.

    However, reacting to the Governor’s statement, the Alaafin in a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye said he did not tell the Governor or make a categorical statement on his endorsement of rotational Chairmanship among the three traditional rulers in the state

    The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to a statement credited to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde that he consulted with the three traditional rulers in the State, the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso on the rotational Chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    “The Palace hereby wants to state clearly that there was no time that His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, held any meeting with either the State Governor or any of the two traditional rulers mentioned above.

    “Also the Alaafin did not tell the Governor or make a categorical statement on his endorsement of rotational Chairmanship among the three traditional rulers in the state.

    “The position of the Alaafin and the Entire Oyo Community on the general issue of the,State, Council of Obas,and Chiefs has been enunciated in a Memo delivered to His Excellency by the Oyo Council of Elders.”

  • Agenda for Oyo council chairmen

    Agenda for Oyo council chairmen

    For the second time in five years, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde swore in newly elected chairmen for the 33 local governments last month. Southwest Bureau Chief BISI OLADELE examines the challenges before the chairmen and their capacity to surmount them

    The newly elected chairmen in the 33 local governments of Oyo State were sworn in on May 24 by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal. All the chairmen, who were candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 27 election, won a mandate for a three-year tenure beginning May 24, 2024.

    For many, it was a re-election having served a previous term. They grinned from ear to ear as they were sworn in by Lawal, who congratulated them and urged them to do their best in bringing development to the grassroots, while also projecting the party’s name.

    Challenges may differ from one local government to another, but some are fundamental to them all. As they face the task of governance at the third tier of governance for the next three years, the chairmen will be judged by how they can navigate the complex political terrain to deliver on their mandates. 

    Funding:

    The fundamental task before the 33 chairmen is overcoming the poor funding of local governments which has made them almost redundant in the last five years. The Nation investigation showed that while local governments in the state have not been enjoying full freedom to spend their entire federal allocations, excess crude revenues etc on projects adjudged as priority by each local government in the last five years, virtually all service areas for internally generated revenue (IGR) have also been hijacked by the state government, particularly since 2008 during the days of the late governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. The take-over was consolidated by the late Abiola Ajimobi’s administration from 2011 to 2019.

    The two factors have been limiting the capacity of chairmen to undertake projects and programmes that will meet the needs of the people at the grassroots.

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    For instance, the state government has taken over waste management, motor park management, signage management, primary healthcare centre management, primary school management and even management of big markets as well as abattoirs. The decision to take over these services, however, was necessitated by years of failure of local governments to render effective service at the time.

    As things stand, local governments in Oyo State are practically left to routine administrative work including payment of salaries. The state government is in charge of primary school education board, primary healthcare board, waste management, signage, motor park and abattoir management, among others. Though markets are said to be under the control of local governments, some of the markets are being managed by consultants appointed by the state government. The local governments are, however, entitled to revenues from the services taken over by the state government. However, it is not clear if they get the revenues as stated in the law that established the service agencies when they were taken over by the state government.

    Roads, other physical projects:

    Because of weak financial capacity, the newly elected chairmen face the task of funding the rehabilitation and construction of rural roads and bridges in neighbourhoods. While Governor Seyi Makinde has successfully linked the five zones of Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun through rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, many rural roads, otherwise known as local government or feeder roads, are begging for attention. The council chairmen will have to be innovative in generating funds for regular grading and renovation of roads, reconstruction of bridges, dilapidated school buildings and other physical projects that are in dire need in neighbourhoods.

    Thankfully, the governor last week announced his approval of grading of 30-kilometre roads in each of the 33 local governments in the state. This is good news, particularly for local governments which have poor capacity to generate revenue to meet such important needs.

    Besides, Makinde promised to begin the construction of 1,000 kilometres of rural roads to aid farming and the movement of farm produce from rural areas to the city centres.

    The governor stated that the farm roads would be constructed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), with the procurement process already completed and mobilization to sites expected in the coming weeks.

    He made the revelation while speaking at the special plenary sitting to mark the first anniversary of the 10th Assembly and presentation of a State of the State Address, held at the Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Agodi, Ibadan, last week.

    Speaking about road construction, Governor Makinde said: “Our template has been very simple. We felt that we should connect all our zones first. If we can go from Zone A to Zone B and Zone C, then, 50 per cent of our problems would have been solved. After that, we could start fixing the inner road.

    “Of course, now we have started with Ibadan’s inner roads. We also have the RAAMP under which 1,000 kilometres of rural farm roads are going to be constructed and I think we are almost done with the procurement process and we should see mobilisation to sites soon.

    “Also, I have already given a nod for the implementation of about 30 kilometres of road per local government. They should go ahead and do it, as we have given the nod. The money is sitting in the account of each local government area.”

    Commenting on this, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Olusegun Olayiwola said Makinde has made the job of the chairmen easy with the announcement of the plan to construct 1,000 kilometres of rural roads and grading of another 30 kilometres in each local government.

    He said: “Governor Seyi Makinde has told them to ensure that improvement of their local government should be their priority. He advised them to ensure the security of lives and property in the local governments. He directed them to grade 30 kilometres of roads in each local government to improve the transportation of people and goods. You know that there have been allegations that rural roads were neglected. In the first phase, we will grade 30 kilometres in each local government to make transportation easier. In addition, the governor has approved a three-day induction course for all the chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors. We are working on a development agenda that will go beyond 2027. The knowledge gathered will let them know that it is not business as usual. They are there to improve the living standard of the people and develop infrastructure.” 

    Security:

    The chairmen also handle the task of neighbourhood security. They are viewed as the chief security officers of the local governments; the state government and residents look up to the local government for supporting the federal security architecture for effectiveness.

    The chairmen are indigenes of the local governments; hence they know the flashpoints, leaders and sponsors of miscreants who cause trouble, their hideouts and breeding centres. They work with community leaders to keep these dangerous people at bay. It is the reason the state government and residents rely on them to prevent security breaches as they can reach the depth that Federal Government security personnel cannot reach.

    In Ibadan and Oyo inner city local governments, the chairmen face the task of sustaining the current peace.

    Miscreants had troubled many parts of Ibadan inner city at the early stage of Makinde’s administration, but the governor was able to overcome the menace after a while. The newly elected chairmen, who have a template for managing neighbourhood security, must sustain it in the next three years, particularly given the fact that their tenure extends to the next general election in 2027. 

    Depleting staff strength:

    Local governments in the state have been experiencing depleting staff strength over the years due to a lack of recruitment to replace retiring personnel. The situation is almost reaching a crescendo in primary health centres and primary schools, particularly in rural areas.

    However, Governor Makinde has announced the intention to recruit teachers for primary and secondary schools in the coming months. The governor recruited 5,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in 2022. The new planned recruitment will help save the situation before it nears collapse.

    The newly elected chairmen will have to work closely with the governor to deliver on this promise so public schools and hospitals can function more effectively. 

    2027 election:

    As a second-term governor, it is expected that Makinde will pursue the goal of installing a successor in 2027. Having the chairmen work to achieve the goal will be his priority. The chairmen, therefore, face the task of entrenching themselves in their local governments to be able to mobilize the governor’s candidates for the presidential, governorship, National and State Assembly elections in 2027. The governor expects them to warm themselves to major opinion leaders in the local governments and ensure that the PDP continues in governance in Oyo State beyond 2027.

    Whether or not these chairmen can succeed in all these areas is a question that will be answered in the next two years.

  • Oyo council poll deceitful, fraudulent, says opposition parties

    Oyo council poll deceitful, fraudulent, says opposition parties

    Opposition parties in Oyo State have condemned the April 27 local government election, describing it as ‘mere selection and not election’.

    They alleged that the election was full of deceit and fraud which should not be allowed into the history of local government election in the state.

    The opposition parties include the All Progressive Congress (APC), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Party (ADP), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and YP.

    But Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Otunba Adegbenro Fagbemi, had earlier described the election as credible, free and fair.

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    SDP Chairman Michael Okunlade, who spoke for others, urged the public to disregard Fagbemi’s ‘unwarranted statements because it is not the position of IPAC’.

    According to him, outcome of the election was known to the public who, at different times, expressed their reservations about it.

    He said: “A situation where over 70 per cent of polling units did not receive ballot papers and stingily distributed to some other polling units cannot be adjudged to be an election. From our observations and the statement made by the IPAC chairman, we regret to say that the statement represented his personal opinion and his cohort in IPAC and bring therefore questions of integrity.”

  • PHOTOS: Oyo Council poll takes off

    PHOTOS: Oyo Council poll takes off

    Oyo Council poll takes off

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  • 1,000 benefit from Oyo Council free eye care services

    1,000 benefit from Oyo Council free eye care services

    Nigeria is among the ten most populated countries in the world. Despite its size there had been no earlier national estimate of the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment before the Nigeria national blindness and visual impairment survey which was conducted between 2005 and 2007.

    For the first time, scientifically valid data are available for the entire country providing the epidemiological evidence and data needed for eye care planning, priority setting, advocacy and for measuring the impact of service delivery in Nigeria. The data also contribute towards the global
    database of blindness, which is being used for global planning, advocacy, resource mobilization, and to monitor VISION 2020
    initiatives.

    Findings revealed that 1.13 million individuals aged 40 years are currently blind in Nigeria, as a further 2.7 million adults aged 40 years are estimated to have moderate visual impairment. An additional 400,000 adults are severely visually impaired, while 4.25 million adults aged 40 years are visually impaired or blind.

    Against this background, the Oyo East Local Government in collaboration with the Eye Clinic, Iseyin, an arm of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, both in Oyo State, recently organized a two-day Free Eye Screening, Testing and Surgeries for over one thousand residents in Oyo town. BODE DUROJAIYE reports

    The programme held at the Oba Adeyemi Hospital, Durbar, Oyo town, witnessed large turn-out of residents, mostly adults and the aged. In his address, caretaker Chairman of the Local Government, Mr. Abiodun Sarafadeen Adebayo, said eyes are an important part of human health.
    He stated that most people rely on their eyes to see and make sense of the world around them, adding that but some eye diseases can lead to
    vision loss, hence the importance of identifying and treating eye diseases as early as possible.

    This, Adebayo noted brought about decision of the local government in sensitising, and assisting the impoverished ones on various eye problems being encountered with. According to him, ‘we should get our eyes checked as often as our
    health care provider recommends it, or if we have any new vision problems. Just as it is important to keep our body healthy, we should also need to keep our eyes healthy’’.

    In an interview with reporters, the Administrator and Matron of Eye Clinic located in Iseyin, Reverend Sister Lucia Akinnusoye, submitted that everyone needs to have their eyesight tested to check for vision and eye problems. Children usually have vision screening in school or at their health care provider’s office during a checkup, adding that adults may also get vision screenings during their checkups. ‘’ But many adults need more than a vision screening.

    They need a comprehensive dilated eye examination. Getting comprehensive dilated eye exams is especially important because some eye diseases may not have warning signs. The exams are the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages, when they are easier to treat. The exam includes several tests: A visual field test to measure your side (peripheral) vision.

    A loss of peripheral vision may be a sign of glaucoma. A visual acuity test, where you read an eye chart about 20 feet away, to check on how well you see at various distances ‘’. ‘’If you have a refractive error and are going to need glasses or contacts, then you will also have a refraction test. When you have this test, you look through a device that has lenses of different strengths to help your eye care professional figure out which lenses will give you the clearest vision’’. Akinnusoye asserted that ‘’at what age one should start getting these exams and how often one need them depends on many factors. They
    include age, race, and overall health’’.

    On the way out of eye diseases, the expert counseled thus, ‘’ there are things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. These include, eating of a healthy, balanceddiet, maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise, wearing of sun glasses, wearing of protective eye wear, avoid smoking, knowing of one’s family health history, and knowing of other risk factors’’.

    Said she, ‘’as you get older, you are at higher risk of developing age-related eye diseases and conditions. It is important to know you risk factors because you may be able to lower your risk by changing some behaviors. If you wear contacts, take steps to prevent eye infections. Wash your hands well before you put in or take out your contact lenses.

    Also follow the instructions on how to properly clean them, and replace them when needed. Give your eyes a rest. If you spend a lot of time using a computer, you can forget to blink your eyes and your eyes can get tired. To reduce eyestrain, try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds’’.

  • Oyo council workers, pensioners get salary arrears

    Oyo council workers, pensioners get salary arrears

    The Oyo State government yesterday said it disbursed over N13 billion to settle five-month  salaries owed local government workers, primary school teachers as well as pensioners.

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters Mr. Bimbo Kolade spoke in Ibadan, the state capital, on disbursement of the fund.

    The commissioner said the money comprised a share of the Paris Club loan refund and allocations for April, May and June for local governments.

    Kolade said the N13,739,592,266.24 included the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) funds, adding that N3,088,014,271.45 was released for April, N3,396,208,585.99 for May and N5,255,369,408.80 billion for June.

    The commissioner said N2 billion was released for local government workers’ and pensioners’ welfare by Governor Abiola Ajimobi from the second tranche of N7.9 billion Paris Club loans refund.

    He urged caretaker chairmen to be prudent with the fund, adding that an average of two-month outstanding salaries of 15 local government areas would be offset.

    Kolade cautioned the chairmen against bloated workforce, saying this will make it difficult for them to meet their wage bill promptly.

    The commissioner advised them to limit their ad hoc workers to only those they can afford to pay.

  • Furore over Oyo council caretaker committees

    Furore over Oyo council caretaker committees

    The appointment of 57 politicians as chairmen of caretaker committees to administer 33 local governments and 24 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Oyo State has generated mixed feelings among the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). BISI OLADELE traces the underlining factors behind the acceptance and rejection of the candidates by the public.

    It was a list long awaited. Politicians prayed. Many lobbied to gain a place among the 57 ‘wise men’ that would steer the affairs of the local councils, pending the conduct of local government election in June. In the end, when the 57 candidates were unveiled, the reaction was a mixture of jubilation and protests by the candidates and their supporters.
    Workers at the Agodi State Secretariat were taken aback by crowds of political supporters, who invaded the premises. They came from the nooks and crannies of the state in rented commercial buses and private cars. They were armed with posters either conveying their applause or rejection of the candidates selected for the councils. But, most of the protesters came from Oke-Ogun area of the state.
    The 57 candidates had been invited for screening by the House of Assembly. The crowds thronged the venue of the screening, causing a stir for civil servants, passers by and motorists on of the Agodi-Bodija Road. With the fear created by their unusual presence, the Oyo State Police Command was forced to draft policemen to the secretariat to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
    Before the lawmakers sat to consider the list and screen the candidates, some groups started their protest against the candidates and the manner of their selection by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. They claimed that some of the candidates were unpopular, stressing that they did not represent the interest of the local governments. Other groups faulted Ajimobi, describing him as a dictator. They alleged that he did not involve the party leadership in selecting the candidates.
    But, Ajimobi described the protest as an ingredient of democracy. Speaking through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy,  Mr Yomi Layinka, Ajimobi said: “Protests are a legitimate means of expressing discontent in a democracy, so long as it is done without disregard for public peace.
    “There are always two or more sides to a story. You may have observed that just as some were protesting, some others were actually jubilating. That is the nature of winning and losing in any contest. As we we’ll know, in any political contests, there will always be some winners and some losers. So, while some felt that their preferred candidates did not make the list of nominated Caretaker Committee chairmen, some were celebrating their luck this time. That is in the natural order of things.
    “As to the allegation that Governor Ajimobi is giving preferential treatment to a particular segment of the Party, nothing could be farther from the truth. For the avoidance of doubt, the governor has said it repeatedly that as the leader of the party in Oyo State, he couldn’t possibly be supporting one group to the detriment of another. Indeed, he has often stated categorically that every member of the party must be treated fairly and equitably no matter when or where he or she may come from. So, the governor never acts in any manner to encourage division within the party. On the contrary, he has always preached about the imperative of harmony within the APC.”
    The governor also hinted that decisions were usually taken after due consultations with stakeholders.
    The leadership of the ruling party urged the protesters to be calm and channel their grievances through the party machinery. It further urged them to sustain the confidence reposed in Ajimobi and the executive committee of the party.
    APC, in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, emphasised that stakeholders should always be ready to toe the line of democracy, peace and selflessness in resolving any knotty issues like those of appointments since there was no way all interest could be accommodated at the same time.
    “Peaceful protest, especially in a democracy, is an inalienable right of citizens who feel aggrieved over issues of individual or public concern. Therefore, the leadership of the APC in the state cannot condemn peaceful demonstration even though one would have expected the protesters to channel their grievances through the Party since the governor is also a member of the Party.
    “If information available on the protest is anything to go by, we would like to enjoin our people to be calm and remain optimistic because the said list of nominees for Local Government and Local Council Development Area Transition Committee is a stop-gap necessitated by the litigation which led to the suspension of the conduct of local government elections as earlier planned.
    “Be that as it may, we appeal to leaders and members of the APC across the state to remain peaceful and orderly because crisis in a political party as big as the APC in the state is inevitable but they can be assured that sustaining the confidence they have in Governor Abiola Ajimobi as well as the Chief Akin Oke-led state executive committee is what is required to resolve whatever issues that might want to threaten the existing harmony in the Oyo APC. Their cooperation and support is needed at this time more than ever before and we urge them to keep faith with the leadership of the party in the APC government.” The statement read in part.
    The Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, also said party leaders submitted lists of nominees for the appointment.
    As the protests went on, some groups held a rally in support of their candidates. They described the candidates as the best for the jobs both in the local governments and LCDAs, particularly in Oyo land.
    The selection of the candidates were based on many factors including choice of party leaders, pedigree of candidates and the need to run an inclusive leadership to avoid marginalizing any segment.
    Similarly, a social- political organisation domiciled in Oyo State, the Ajumose Coalition Movement (ACM) which is an umbrella body for over 160 associations and groups, has hailed the governor for appointing the set of new helmsmen.
    ACM in a statement signed by its coordinator, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the development brought new blood into leadership. It pointed out that the appointment would give all segments within the party a sense of belonging.
    ACM said the harmonious relationship within the party should be sustained, urging all members to maintain their loyalty to Governor Ajimobi as the leader of the party in Oyo State.
    “It is in the atmosphere of peace and tranquility as well as mutual respect for  the leadership is sine -qua -non , for our party to continue to be a ruling party in the state.
    “The removal of all serving chairmen is a welcome development as this will afford new set of people who have not been in government since the inception of this administration to contribute their quota to the development of the state, thereby giving all members equal opportunity to showcase their achievements in the forthcoming local governments election. “Olatubosun added.
    In the same vein, the ACM coordinator warned all members, especially those whose stock-in-trade is to fan ember of discord by spreading unfounded rumours and barrage of lies against particular individuals before the leader with the view of running the person down to desist.
    “Those people should desist from ungodly act hence as they would incur the wrath of God” Olatubosun warned.
    The ACM congratulated the newly appointed caretaker chairmen and advised them to run an inclusive government. The group explained that failure to do so would defeat the purpose of bringing them on board as well as erode the confidence reposed in them by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
    Olatubosun implored members to embrace peace and give all necessary supports to the caretaker committees in their respective local governments as well as the Ajimobi-led administration in the state.

  • Oyo council empowers 450 women

    About 450 women from 11 wards in Ibadan North West Local Government Area of Oyo State have been trained in various skills.

    They were taught how to make cakes, snacks, tie and dye, soap, beads, wire works and thread.

    At their graduation yesterday, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, said the programme was meant to liberate women financially.

    She urged the beneficiaries to take their jobs seriously to guarantee a better future for their families.

    The Council Caretaker Chairman, Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the programme was to support Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s empowerment programmes.

    His wife, Adenike, said the programme would improve the well being of women.