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Tag: Oyo State government

  • Oyo moves to resolve disputes in hire-purchase vehicle scheme

    Oyo moves to resolve disputes in hire-purchase vehicle scheme

    The Oyo State Government has begun implementing measures to address challenges surrounding vehicles acquired through hire-purchase agreements, particularly those affecting transport operators across the state.

    The intervention is aimed at resolving disputes in the popular “work-and-pay” arrangement, where operators use income from daily operations to gradually pay for vehicles.

    The development was disclosed during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives, and Industry in Ibadan over the weekend.

    The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi, said the meeting was convened following a resolution by the Oyo State House of Assembly calling on the government to intervene and promote fairness, sustainability, and transparency in hire-purchase operations.

    Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olajide Okesade, the commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to people-centred governance.

    He said the engagement was designed to gather practical insights that would guide the development of a balanced policy framework capable of protecting livelihoods while encouraging responsible business practices.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of the Motor Dealers Association of Nigeria (MODAN), the Automobile and Motor Dealers Association of Nigeria (AMDON), the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), the State Intelligence Department (SID), and other key stakeholders.

    Speaking at the session, the chairmen of MODAN and AMDON, Captain Oluwole Odeleke (retd.) and Asiwaju Olurinde Kolawole, noted that hire purchase, popularly known as “work-and-pay,” remains a widely used model for acquiring income-generating assets such as tricycles, motorcycles, and vehicles.

    They stressed the need for clearer operational standards, improved documentation, and realistic repayment structures to reduce disputes and strengthen trust among all parties involved in the system.

    Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Park Management System, Tajudeen Jimoh, highlighted the socio-economic pressures faced by many youths who depend on hire purchase arrangements for economic empowerment, describing the engagement as timely and necessary.

    Officers of the State Intelligence Department (S.I.D), Eleyele Police Station, sensitised participants on the provisions of the Hire Purchase Act, urging all parties to embrace transparency, written agreements, and lawful procedures in resolving disputes.

    Other stakeholders at the meeting agreed that outcomes of the discussions would be harmonised into formal recommendations for legislative consideration and subsequent policy action, aimed at establishing a humane, structured, and sustainable hire purchase system in Oyo State.

    In another development, the Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic development, enterprise growth, and youth empowerment through strategic initiatives focused on agricultural export promotion.

    This was made known during a two-day Human Capacity Training on Agricultural Exportable Produce organised by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Secretariat, Ibadan.

    The Commissioner, Adeniyi Adebisi, explained that the initiative was designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of farmers and exporters, improve agricultural value chains, and promote compliance with international export standards.

    He added that the programme was built upon earlier export cluster development training held in July and August 2025, noting that the Makinde administration recognises agriculture as a strategic driver of economic growth, small-scale entrepreneurship, and foreign exchange earnings.

    He assured participants that the state government would continue to provide enabling policies and capacity-building programmes to support farmers, exporters, and young entrepreneurs in positioning Oyo State as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural export economy.

  • ‘Oyo narrowing down on criminals‘

    ‘Oyo narrowing down on criminals‘

    • Commissioner slams cartel collecting percentage to fast-track gratuity payment

    Oyo State Government has said it is aware of a cartel claiming to be government officials, extorting money from pensioners to fast-track payment of their gratuities.

    Describing the individuals as “unscrupulous elements”, the government, however, assured the citizens that it was narrowing down on them.

    To arrest the situation, the government said it was paying due diligence to the payment of gratuities to its retirees more than the previous administrations.

    Contacted by The Nation on how retirees were being made to part with certain percentages of their money in the guise of helping to fast-track the payment of gratuities, Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the cartel had been operating in the civil service, adding that government was narrowing down on them.

    He confirmed The Nation’s investigation, saying retired civil and public servants were being asked to pay five per cent to 10 per cent of their gratuities ‘’to these cartels to fast-track payments.’’

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    Oyelade lamented that the malpractice had been unfortunately long-standing, saying the issue had persisted over the years, even during the tenure of former governor Lam Adesina, and had continued to affect unsuspecting pensioners to date. He stressed that despite warnings to pensioners to be cautious, some still fell victims to the schemes, noting that those behind the extortions and their accomplices know themselves.

    Oyelade said: “The attention of Oyo State Government has been drawn to the allegations that some pensioners in the state are being extorted by unscrupulous elements claiming to be government officials.

    “The state is paying due diligence to the payment of the gratuities for its retirees more than the previous administrations.

    “With the new monthly allocation, over 800 retirees will benefit each month, compared to just 250 beneficiaries in previous years.

    “A cartel has been operating within the civil service and government is narrowing down on the criminals.

    “Retired civil and public servants are being asked to pay five per cent to 10 per cent of their gratuities to these cartels to fast-track payments.

    “This malpractice is unfortunately long-standing. The issue has persisted over the years, even during the tenure of former governor Lam Adesina, and continues to affect unsuspecting pensioners till today.

    “Those behind the extortions and their accomplices know themselves. Despite repeated warnings to pensioners to be cautious, some still fall victims to these schemes.”

    Some retirees informed The Nation that the state government was yet to pay retirees their gratuities from 2014 to 2018.

    Sources said gratuities had been paid to those who retired since the beginning of the tenure of the current administration (2019 to date).

    Some retirees, however, alleged that only those who could part with between five per cent and 10 per cent of their gratuities had been paid, with some others stating otherwise.

    The Nation gathered that those yet to be paid included: doctors, nurses, core civil servants, public servants, teachers, principals, etc.

    The retirees alleged that a cartel was operating in the civil service at the state secretariat, who fronted for top officers to look for those ready to part with five per cent -10 per cent of their gratuity.

    They, however, hailed the governor for paying the monthly pension regularly.

    Reacting, Prince Oyelade said the illegal practices were not limited to state pensions, but also affected local government pensioners.

    Highlighting government’s efforts to improve pension disbursement, the commissioner recalled that gratuities were not paid between 2011and 2016 until the arrears were cleared by Governor Seyi Makinde.

    He said the governor had increased monthly gratuity release by 200 per cent, raising total allocations from N1 billion to N3 billion monthly.

    Oyelade said with the increase in allocation for the payment of gratuity, back-door payment was not required for the processing of gratuities or entitlements, urging retirees to follow the established system of monthly disbursement and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.

    “These illegal practices are not limited to state pensions, but also affect local government staff pensioners.

    “The government is making efforts to improve pension disbursement. Gratuities were not paid between 2011 and 2016 until the arrears were cleared by Governor  Makinde.

    “He has increased monthly gratuity release by 200 per cent, raising total allocations from N1 billion to N3 billion monthly; hence, no back-door payment is required for the processing of gratuities or entitlements.

    “We urge retirees to follow the established system of monthly disbursement and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities,” Oyelade added.

  • Oyo govt reopens College after accreditation

    Oyo govt reopens College after accreditation

    Oyo State Government has reopened Covenant College of Health Technology and Medical Sciences in Apata, Ibadan, following confirmation that the institution now meets the state’s accreditation requirements.

    A team from the Oyo State Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Kehinde Oyebode, on 6th October sealed the College on the allegation that the institution was offering unapproved programs not recognized by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or the Ministry.

    However, two days later, on October 8, Oyebode returned and, after verifying that the college had aligned its programmes with Nigeria’s approved health‑training curricula, lifted the closure.

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    Speaking with journalists, the college’s CEO, Rev’d Dr. Mercy Ajani, said the institution has now obtained full accreditation from the Oyo State Ministry of Education and has established proper communication with relevant health authorities and boards.

    “Our institution was fully accredited by the Oyo State Government through the Ministry of Education. The college only offers admission for the 2025/2026 session to fully accredited health courses.”

    He thanked the Oyo State Government, the Commissioner for Health, and the Commissioner for Education for their swift action in reopening the college.

    He, however, said the institution would continue to operate under the approved framework and continue to provide recognised health‑training programmes.

  • Oyo government moves against unauthorised estate developers

    Oyo government moves against unauthorised estate developers

    Oyo State Government, through its task force, has begun enforcement against estate developers operating contrary to the approved regulations on the issue of private estate development.

    Commissioner for Lands Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, made this known during an enforcement operation held at Akinyele-Iseyin axis.

    He said increase in the number of estate developers undertaking site clearing and construction activities without requisite approvals from the ministry was alarming, adding that ‘’this unauthorised development poses risks to orderly urban growth, environmental safety and implementation of the state’s physical development policies.’’

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    Akin-Funmilayo said the estate developers were not known to the state government and did not have any traceable address, except on radio with complaints of illegal transactions, which had been traced to the unregistered estate developers, hence their activities needed to be regulated in the public interest and to prevent crisis relating to land grabbing.

    He said the exercise would curb indiscriminate developments and assert the ministry’s authority in regulating land use and urban development.

    The commissioner advised the private estate owners/developers to regularise their title/planning approvals with the state government within the next three days of the service of the contravention notice, to avoid enforcement of Town and Country Planning Laws and Regulations.

    He urged them to relate with the Office of Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development for further information, clarifications and directives.

  • Oyo govt to conduct confirmation exams for 643 junior officers

    Oyo govt to conduct confirmation exams for 643 junior officers

    Oyo State Government has fixed September 30 for the conduct of confirmation examination for 643 junior officers.

    Those involved include: clerical assistants, clerical officers, store attendants, store keepers, judiciary workers and other allied cadres.

    The exam is scheduled to take place at  Simeon Adebo Staff Development Centre, Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, said the junior officers were expected to participate in the examination.

    He said the confirmation examination would assess the officers’ understanding of the Public Service Rules 1 & 2 (2013), Financial Regulations and Current Affairs.

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    The commissioner noted that the examination was a key part of the state government’s broader agenda to promote professionalism, discipline and capacity building within the public service.

    “This exercise is a vital step in ensuring efficiency, accountability and meaningful career progression in the civil service,” he said.

    Adelabu urged eligible officers to prepare and ensure punctuality on the day of the examination.

  • Oyo govt distributes over 5m mosquito nets

    Oyo govt distributes over 5m mosquito nets

    Oyo State Government has begun the distribution of over five million insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) across the 33 local governments, as part of efforts to curb the spread of malaria.

    Speaking at the official launch held at Idi-Ogungun Primary Health Care Centre, Agodi Gate, Ibadan North Local Government, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the initiative reflected government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, especially expectant mothers and children under five.

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    The commissioner cautioned against the misuse of the mosquito nets for non-health purposes such as fishing, gardening, window covers, or commercial displays. 

    She urged residents to make use of the nets properly, noting that the latest generation of nets were made with breathable, lightweight materials that did not retain heat when used in well-ventilated rooms.

    She warned that diverting or hoarding the nets was a punishable offence under the law.

    Ajetunmobi appealed to mothers and expectant mothers to embrace the daily habit of tucking their children inside the nets every night, saying this would prevent illness, hospital visits and even save lives.

  • Oyo govt distributes over five million mosquito nets

    Oyo govt distributes over five million mosquito nets

    The Oyo State Government has commenced the mass distribution of over five million insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) across the 33 local government areas of the state as part of efforts to curb the spread of malaria.

    Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony held at Idi-Ogungun Primary Health Care Centre, Agodi Gate, Ibadan North LGA, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the initiative reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, especially pregnant women and children under five.

    The commissioner cautioned against the misuse of the mosquito nets for non-health purposes such as fishing, gardening, window covers, or commercial displays.

    Dr. Ajetunmobi urged residents to make use of the nets properly and nightly habits, noting that the latest generation of nets is made with breathable, lightweight materials that do not retain heat when used in well-ventilated rooms.

    She warned that diverting or hoarding the nets is a punishable offence under the law.

    Ajetunmobi appealed to mothers and pregnant women to embrace the daily habit of tucking their children inside the nets every night, saying this will prevent illness, hospital visits, and even save lives.

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    She further assured that mop-up activities would follow the official distribution period to ensure no household is left out.

    She said, “These nets are not just commodities; they are life-saving tools. When used correctly and consistently, ITNs serve as an effective barrier against malaria, one of the deadliest diseases affecting our people.

    “Let me be clear: anyone caught hoarding or selling these nets, or using them for anything other than malaria prevention, will face legal consequences.

    “These nets are provided free by the government and donor agencies to protect health, not for personal gain.”

    The distribution, scheduled to run from August 1 to 7, 2025, is being conducted through fixed-point delivery sites, with electronic tracking systems deployed to ensure transparency, accountability, and full coverage.

  • Oyo aligns with FG, to commence staff audit on July 14

    Oyo aligns with FG, to commence staff audit on July 14

    The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Establishments and Training, has announced its alignment with the Federal Government’s directive on the comprehensive audit of staff within the Centrally Deployed Cadres (CDC).

    The staff audit exercise is scheduled to take place from Monday, July 14, to Friday, July 25, 2025.

    The exercise is aimed at optimizing workforce management and enhancing operational efficiency across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Prof. Salihu Adelabu said the pro-activeness of the Ministry aligns with the initiative of the Federal Government through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation on the staff audit.

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    Adelabu noted that the audit was designed to ensure accurate documentation and improve records management, thereby aiding the development of a reliable data bank for CDC officers across all MDAs.

    “The proactive steps taken by the Oyo State Ministry of Establishments and Training are in alignment with the Federal Government’s directive to update nominal rolls and validate officers’ information on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS),” the Commissioner stated.

    He called on all MDAs to extend full cooperation to the audit team to ensure a smooth, transparent, and successful exercise.

  • Oyo warns agitators over boundary dispute

    Oyo warns agitators over boundary dispute

    Oyo State Government has intervened in the boundary dispute between the state and Osun.

    In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Oyo government counselled both sides of the divide to stop the back-and-forth blame game and allow the two state governments to continue mature discussions on the resolution of the land dispute.

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    The commissioner said Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke were cooperating with the National Boundary Commission through their representatives and believed amicable resolution would be arrived at soon.

  • Ibadan Circular Road: Oyo pays N264m as compensation to property owners

    Ibadan Circular Road: Oyo pays N264m as compensation to property owners

    The Oyo state government on Thursday commenced the first batch of N264 million as compensation to property owners affected by the Senator Rasheed Adewolu Circular Road corridor.

    The presentation of cheques was held at the conference room, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Agodi Ibadan.

    The Nation reports that the government had earlier conducted an identification and verification exercise for the property owners on the corridor of the project after which their property was valued for the compensation.

    In a remark, the commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Akin-funmilayo Williams, explained that the state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde had earmarked the sum of N264million for the first batch as compensation to the affected claimants.

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    He added that the state government considered it important to compensate land owners who were affected by the construction of the road, adding that the road would add value to the state.

    Hon. Akin-Funmilayo said the state government and affected property owners ensured proper scrutiny of the list.

    The Commissioner urged property owners with genuine documents to approach the Ministry for adequate compensation.

    “The Governor has earmarked the sum of N264 million as compensation to the affected claimants in the first batch of this exercise”, he said.

    A claimant, Mr. Salawu Abiola, expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for his unprecedented achievement and empathy towards the affected property owners.