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Tag: Oyo state

  • Maize farmers want FG to provide farming implements

    Maize Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Oyo state chapter has called on the Federal Government to make farming implements available for its members for optimal productivity.

    Mr Israel Oluwagbemileke, the Chairman of the Association made the call in an interview with our reporters on Monday in Ibadan.

    He said that the farmers needed farm implements such as tractors, seed planter, and harvester machine among others to enable them produce large quantity of maize.

    He said that the lives of farmers and their household had not improved as expected because they could not transform farming into business due to lack of government’s support.

    The chairman noted that the farmers maize production during the late harvesting season this year was not much difference from that of the previous year due to poor funding of the agricultural sector.

    “Last year, we realized 4.6 metric tonnes per hectare while this year we realized 5.2 metric tonnes per hectare, the difference is small, we could have produced more if we had all equipment and funds needed.

    “We have little improvement this year because we planted improved seed some of which are drought resistance and grew faster, also we had more rains this year than the previous year,” he said.

    Oluwagbemileke appealed to government to make available grants and free interest loans to farmers to boost the production of maize and other crops in the country, saying this would also make farming attractive and lucrative.

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    “Let the government give grants to farmers, although they have been doing that but it gets to the wrong hands, let them ensure that the grant gets directly to the right farmers.

    “The government should also provide little or no interest loan for farmers.

    “Also let all farm equipment be subsidized by the government, if these challenges are addressed, I believe there will be increase in food production in the country.

    “Our farmers are ready to produce food that will be enough for the country and even for export if we are adequately supported,” he said.

    Oluwagbemileke however advised the farmers to always plant improved seeds with good agronomic practices while praying to God for increase.

    He said that the farmers-herders crisis posed serious challenge to the farmers, adding that it had grossly affected production level and called on government to provide lasting solution to the clashes in the country.

    NAN

  • Lawmaker appeals to Ajimobi to complete projects before handing over

    As the present political administration winds up, lawmakers in Oyo state have called on the state governor to expedite action on completion of ongoing projects across the state.

    Specifically, a lawmaker representing Oyo East/Oyo West state constituency, Mr Muideen Olagunju who described the ongoing projects as ‘slow’, urged the government to ensure no projects is left uncompleted or abandoned in the interest of development and benefit of the people.

    He made the plea during Tuesday plenary presided over by the speaker, Mr Olagunju Ojo.

    Olagunju, in a motion titled: “Call for the completion of physical projects embarked upon by the state government in Oyo zone,” disclosed that Gov. Ajimobi embarked on many projects across the state which include road construction, bridges, school buildings and many more, adding that the projects were intended to cut across all zones in the state, but unfortunately, the dualisation of roads in Oyo town were almost fully completed.

    He said, “Concerned that the second term offer granted by the people of Oyo State in the last election to Governor Ajimobi is slowly but surely winding down, yet it appears there is lack of attention to the said projects.”

    The lawmaker, also urged the governor to complete the silo complex in Oyo in order to boost food production within the agricultural catchment areas of the silos.

    Read Also: Ajimobi’s aide, others for award in Ondo


    He similarly, appealed to the state government to expedite action on the dualisation of the Owode-Akesan palace road and the Owode-Ishokun-Iseyin road with the asphaltic repairs of bad patches of the roads and the installation of streetlights.

    In the related development, another motion moved by Mr. John Olaleru, called on the agricultural credit corporation of Oyo State, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to come to the aid of cassava growers with the aim of providing them with up-takers to buy the excess cassava from the farmers, process them, which he opined, would add value to the purpose of exporting or local consumption.

    He noted that the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State had part of its mandate to provide services that would assuage the sufferings of farmers in the state, adding that the present situation required the intervention of the corporation.

    While responding, the speaker, Mr. Ojo appreciated movers of the respective motions, while calling on the parties concerned to look into the yearnings of people of the state through the provision of good democratic dividends for their well-beings. The Assembly later adjourned its sitting to December 11.

  • Ajimobi, Ambode to women: Remain focused against all odds

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday called on women in the country not to give in to challenges in the pursuit of their dreams.

    The governors spoke at the closing ceremony of a three day National Women Summit organised by the Oyo State Officials Wives Association (OYSOWA) at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    The summit themed “Against All Odds”, the seventh in its edition was an initiative of the wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

    Ajimobi in his remarks called on women to be supportive partners of their husbands, while ensuring that they instilling moral virtues in their respective homes and society.

    He commended his wife for her support in the transformation of the state into a modern one, describing her as a pillar behind his achievements.

    In what could be described as a pre-valedictory speech, the governor commended members of the state executive council for the supportive role in the administration’s achievements.

    Ambode in his goodwill message, described the theme ‘Against All Odds’ as very apt and timely, saying there could never be success without odds or challenges.

    He said “There are always odds against us, our wishes, our aspirations and our objectives, but we must against all odds push toward. The world we live in today does not take excuses.

    “The world is changing everyday and women are now more at the forefront of things. They are now agents of change and no more referred to as weaker sex.

    Read Also: Ajimobi’s aide, others for award in Ondo



    “Against all odds, we must always push forward with the determination to succeed,” he said.

    He reminded the participants that the success of the summit depended on their abilities to translate the values gained positively starting from their respective homes to the family and the larger society.

    “From a family, women can initiate a spark change which can cascade every effort to any level and every sector of the nation. With focus, perseverance and determination, you can transform yourselves, family and the country against all odds.

    “I commend our sister for initiating and sustaining this summit for seven years. Apart from Lagos State which had sustained the programme in the last 18years, only Oyo out of others has emulated this.”

    A communique issued by the participants at the end of the summit described women as “the largest reserve of untapped talents in the world.”

    The communique read by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs Ololade Agboola, charged women to mother the world by instilling moral values in the children and society.

    It charged the state and local governments to set aside funds aimed at catering for women, who are victims of domestic violence in the society.

    “Government should be more proactive against domestic violence and ensure enforcement of existing laws on same matter.

    “Women should work beyond rhetorics and be encouraged to involve actively in partisan politics,” the communique reads in parts.

  • Atiku’s American visa status, a confidential matter – US Consulate


    Against the backdrop of the controversies trailing the US visa status of Nigeria’s former vice president who also doubles as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, the United States Consulate,  Lagos on Friday said the issue remains a strictly confidential matter which the American government will not discuss publicly.

    The Public Affairs Officer (PAO), US Consulate, Lagos, Brussel Brooks, maintained that irrespective of the social standing or interest of the society in the matter, the US government will give the matter the strict confidentiality that it requires.

    The PAO who did not specifically mention any name, made the disclosure in an interview with journalists at the end of an education forum organised for 150 teachers and students drawn from various public schools in Oyo State.

    Dignitaries at the event include representatives of Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, students, teachers among other stakeholders in the sector.

    The programme, entitled: “Teaching Resources: Availability, Applicability and Appropriateness”, held at the Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan.

    It was organised by Fulbright Language Scholars’ Association under the leadership of Miss Tolu Akinwole and funded by the US Consulate.

    The organisers said the programme had trained a total of 350 teachers in Oyo and Ondo States in 2018 with the focus of “igniting vibrant teachers and provide solutions to observed inability of students to apply lessons they learn in classrooms to everyday life.”

    Speaking on the Atiku US visa status, Brooks noted that although, the case has been a topic issue in the media for a while, the US with still maintain its stand of taking visa matters as highly confidential, irrespective of the individual concerned.

    He said, “The position of the US Mission has remained the same throughout any discussion of this issue, that visas are a confidential matter.

    “We don’t discuss individual visa’s status of any person, whether it be a highly rated official, a presidential candidate or an average citizen.

    “Anyone who applies for a visa should know that there will be some records that are confidential. It is classified as private document by the United States Government and we never discuss them now public.

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    “We would only enjoin candidates at all levels, especially presidential, governorship and National Assembly, to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid distractions,

    “We advise Nigerians to ask candidates at all levels the plan they have to improve education and other aspects.

    “Often times unfortunately, campaigns are full of distractions, things that are not that important to the lives and welfare of average Nigerians, especially the children that are with us today. What is important for them is to give them the opportunities to serve in order to thrive in today’s world.

    “This means they need a good education. The school should be improved. When I heard the letter from the students describing their lack of books and dearth of desks in their school. This is very disheartening… There are things that should be corrected.

    “I will also encourage parents and voters to ask the candidates what they plan to do to improve education. I think issue-based campaigns will be beneficial to all Nigerians.”

  • Don’t lobby for positions, ex-CJN urges women

    A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Aloma Mukhtar, on Wednesday in Ibadan urged women not to lobby for positions but work hard to distinguish themselves.

    Mukhtar made the call at the 2018 National Women Summit of the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA).

    The former CJN, who spoke on the challenges facing women in Nigeria, also urged them not to compromise on their principles in the bid to achieve fame.

    Citing her rise to the peak of the judiciary, she said women could distinguish themselves without necessarily compromising and “ without necessarily trying to push yourself into a situation whereby you are not allowed to function the way you should function.’’

    “Just put your trust in God, your faith in Him, work hard, persevere and be patient, ” Mukhtar added.

    The wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, said OYSOWA was established in 2012 to help in solving problems encountered by women and youths in the state.

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    “Against all odds, the challenges we face cannot demoralise us because we are resilient; they are only a test of our superior ability and strength, and we will overcome them as well as achieve our dreams and aspirations.

    “We should never give up on our aspirations and back out when all hope seems lost.

    “ Always learn that the only way you are going to get to anywhere in life is to work hard and be consistent,” Ajimobi said.

    In their goodwill messages, the wife of the Delta governor, Mrs Edith Okowa, the wife of the former Lagos State governor, Mrs Emmanuella Fashola and the guest of honour, Mrs Yemisi Jenkins, all urged women to support each other to achieve set goals.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference had as theme: “ Against All Odds.’’

     

  • Oyo holds emergency security summit to prevent bank robberies

    Following the increasing state of bank robbery and attacks on bank facilities across in its neighbouring states, Oyo State government on Tuesday summoned all security chiefs in the state to an emergency security meeting.

    The meeting, attended by heads of security agencies in the state, bankers from various financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders, held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Security stakeholders at the meeting included the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force,  Nigeria Police, Department of State Security  (DSS), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps  (NSCDC), and bankers.

    The meeting was said to be to strengthen the security architecture and apparatus in the state with a view to preventing robbery attacks on banks and other financial institutions across the state.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while declaring the meeting open said the meeting was convened based on his vision and mission to ensuring a crime-free State.

    The governor was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo at the meeting which was also attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan All, Ajimobi’s Special Adviser on Security Mr. Segun Abolarinwa and other top government functionaries.

    Ajimobi who boasted that there has not been any successful bank robbery incident in the state since his emergence as the governor on May 29, 2011, noted that his administration is keen on keeping and maintain the status quo.

    Read Also: Oyo workers get September, October salaries

    He said, “This meeting has been convened in reaction to an observation of a noticeable increase in the activities of criminals in neighboring states, especially attacks on our banks. In line with these observations, the State Government believes that an anticipatory approach is needed to counter/forestall any such happenings in Oyo State.

    “The state is ready to continue to support all security agencies present in Oyo State to achieve their primary functions. This is in the realization of the fact that it is only where there is peace that development can occur and the main goal of this administration is to better the lot of its citizenry. I once emphasized at a previous occasion that the entrenchment of a peaceful atmosphere has thus given room for all the developmental projects which we have been able to implement.”

    “It is a common knowledge that before the inception of this administration in 2011, insecurity in form of armed robberies, arson and other violent crimes as well as lawlessness from the nefarious activities of ‘area boys’ had been the order of the day.

    “The prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state has been the result of the zero tolerance for crime by this administration and also through the commitment of the State Government to combating crime through steps such as the establishment of Oyo State Joint Security Patrol Squad code named ‘Operation Burst’ as well as the setting up of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund.”

    Ajimobi stated further that the monthly state security council meeting has also allowed for a robust review of the activities of all the security agencies in keeping the state abreast of all challenges.

    “For the furtherance of our agenda on safety and security, we embraced the safe city project, which utilises cutting edge technology solutions to nip crime and criminality in the bud. I can confirm that the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) in black spots and business districts in the city to monitor the activities of criminals has been completed and is now operational,” Ajimobi said.

    He enjoined all the stakeholders at the security meeting to support the government and work together during the “festive season and upcoming election period to enable us to continue to provide an investor friendly environment that will increase the economic profile of the state. You have all been a part of our success story in this regard”, he added.

  • Ajimobi makes case for vocational, technical trainings for youths

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has called for the strengthening of vocational and technical education in Nigeria as a way of checking what he described as “the paucity of skilled artisans” in the country.

    He made the advocate in Ibadan on Monday while playing host  the participants of the Senior Course (SC) 41 of the Armed Forces Command and State College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, who were on a study tour of the state from November 25 to December 1, 2018.

    The visitors whose tour was entitled: “Nigeria’s Educational System and National Development”, were received at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Ajimobi also used the opportunity of the visit to call for improved funding of education with emphasis on the recommendations by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and other developmental agencies on funding for education.

    Harping on its importance, Governor Ajimobi noted that the poor attitude to vocational and technical education and emphasis on certificates and white-collar jobs have led to a situation whereby skilled artisans would have to be imported from neighbouring countries such as Republic of Togo among others for building construction and tiling jobs.

    Represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, Governor Ajimobi said, “We are not so deep in technical education. Nowadays, if you want to do building construction, you have to go to Republic of Togo to get these artisans and the rest of them. Our people are no longer interested in technical and vocational education.

    “This is the time we have to talk about educational development. You will all agree with me that we have a lot of problems in our educational system in Nigeria. We have strikes plaguing our educational system, especially at the tertiary level.

    “When you compare the quality of people we are producing in our universities today with graduates of our time many years ago, the quality has reduced greatly. Hardly can all the graduates of today speak correct English for two minutes without missing their tenses. This is the kind of system we have now.

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    “Apart from the quality, the incessant strikes in different tertiary institutions are what you need to look at and proffer solution. When you go to a private university, it is sure that the student will graduate within four years, if it is a four-year course. This does not happen in public universities and other public tertiary institutions. As researchers, look at the challenges and come out with recommendations.

    “Another area we have to look at is this,  UNESCO has given a percentage of amount we have to use in funding education in Nigeria. Are we following that particular advice of UNESCO and other development agencies? Funding is very poor, not only by the Federal Government, even at the state level.

    “You will all agree with me that education is the bedrock of development. Anything you want to achieve in this world, if education is not there, you can’t achieve any meaningful thing. We have to look at what we can do.

    “There is indiscipline in our school. Students indulge in cultism. Lecturers are no longer safe in the hands of students.  These are some of the factors that have retarded the growth of education in this nation. As researchers, look into the issues and come out with recommendations on way forward.

    “We have to look at these and see what we can do. It is when we have all these available to us that Nigeria can develop. We should lay less emphasis on getting certificates alone. Technical and vocational education will lift present development in Nigeria.”

    The Acting team lead of the group, Lt. Col Ifeanyi Ajimuka, said the tour is taking place at the same time in some selected states of the federation, adding that the research to be conducted, based on the theme of the study would proffer workable solution to identified problems relating to education in Oyo State.

    He further noted that the tour constitutes a major aspect of the geo-strategic curriculum of the AFCSC Senior Course 41, who are currently undergoing a one-year mid-career training in the college, which will afford them the opportunity of conducting on-the-spot research in Oyo State.

    “This team is one of the nine teams currently on tour of selected states of the federation as part of this year’s Armed Forces Command and Staff College Nigerian Environmental Study Tour for students of Senior Course 41. The states concurrently being visited across the country are Delta, Federal Capital Territory, Abia, Kwara, Imo, Bauchi, Katsina, Kebbi, and our amiable state, Oyo.

    “This group is composed of 26 members, comprising administrative and directing staff of AFCSC, Jaji. At the end of the tour, the students will return to the college, analyse the data obtained, deliberate on their findings and make recommendations. Thereafter, the students will present their reports to the entire college community on Monday January 14, 2019″

  • Iseyin residents groan under electrcity outage

    Some residents of the ancient city of Iseyin in Iseyin Council area of Oyo State, on Wednesday complained over outage in the town.

    Most of areas in the town have been in darkness for periods ranging between three weeks to four weeks.

    Some residents who spoke in separate interviews with NAN described the situation as “worrisome and frustrating”, while appealing for an urgent intervention.

    A community leader in Koso area, Mr Isiaka sule, claimed that the area has been in darkness for about four weeks.

    “There was a downpour about four weeks ago and since then we have been in perpetual darkness. We have made efforts to get Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to come to our aid but no result.

    “If you go to their office now, you may not find anyone in that office here Iseyin. They direct us to write letter to Ibadan which we have done but still no result.

    “Let me use this medium to appeal to the Minister and other agencies involved to please have mercy on us in Iseyin, we are begging them to intervene and restore our light.

    “Here we ensure that residents pay regularly because we know the implications of owing, now we want them to help us,“ he said.

    Another resident, Mrs Funmilayo Elizabeth, said that “our situation is better than most towns that we hear about when it comes to power supply.

    “But recently so many areas in Iseyin are now suffering seriously due to power outage. We are appealing for a return to normalcy.

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    “Lot of businesses is closing down due to lack of power as they require that to work and are unable to buy fuel due to the cost.

    “Our government is a listening one and I am sure they will do something about it, we are just hoping that it will be fast,” she said.

    Also speaking, an unemployed graduate, Mr John Gbadegesin, disclosed that larger areas of Iseyin do not enjoy regular power supply due to faulty transformers or stolen cables.

    “So many areas are in darkness in Iseyin due to faulty cables and transformers; IBEDC must come and take stock of what is remaining of their properties here.

    “If people don’t have power, how will they be asked to pay, and if they don’t pay, how will the distribution companies make money?

    “Regular or average regular supply of power is intertwined with the success of these companies, the earlier they realize on the need to invest more on secured infrastructure the better for them,” he said.

    NAN investigation revealed that areas that are mostly affected by the outage are; Koso, Barracks, Enkunle, Oluwole and Oja-Agbe.

    However, all efforts to get the reaction of IBEDC was futile as their Iseyin office located at Oluwole area was under lock and key as of the time of visit.

  • Guide against rigging, electoral violence, Cleric advises FG

    Founder and Chairman of an Islamic group, Mas’had-L-Asrar Almujaba Worldwide,  Sheik Abdul-Jelil Owonikoko, has advised the Federal Government to guide against massive rigging and electoral violence in the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking at the 2018 edition of Mas’had Day in Saki, Oyo State, the Islamic cleric also called on Nigerians to observe a 3-day fasting and prayer to seek the face of Allah in averting anarchy and blood shed in the forthcoming elections.

    He said though there had been predictions by many religious groups of impending woes during the 2019 elections ” but with prayers and supplication to God bad visions could be averted.”

    Explaining the benefits of Mas’had which he founded in 1997, Owonikoko stated that it was established to strengthen people’s belief in power of prayer in solving problems confronting individuals and the nation.

    He warned  many Nigerians against consulting other sources of spiritual powers to resolve their problems rather than standing by Allah and using healing powers of the Quran.

    Read Also: Aregbesola advises corpers to resist being used for rigging

    The Islamic cleric, who expressed joy for celebrating the 11th anniversary of Mas’had, maintained that the programme was not in vain “because it transformed many nominal Muslims to be committed believers, who now rely solely on the abundance of the Quran to be their guide in the journey of life.”

    The guest lecturer at the event, an Ilorin-based Islamic scholar, Sheik Abdullahi Olohuntoyin Goga, who praised Owonikoko for  “unquantifiable contributions in the way of Allah,”warned religious leaders against gossip, backbiting and slander which he said  was a common attitudes among clerics.

    In attendance at the event were the President of the group in Osun State, Sheik Kodir Soliu Cisse; the Father of the Day, Sheik Rafiu Owonikoko; Imam of Mas’had, Sheik Adam Imobanba; Director-General of Innyass Motors Limited,  Alhaji Najeemdeen Shittu Innyass; a Senior Special Assistant on Media to Osun Governor, Alhaji Sikiru Adeoye Yusuf; and a delegation of Muslim faithfuls from Republic of Benin led by the Jagun Adini of Sakete in Benin, Alhaji Yakub Abdul Kareem Aniyikaye;  among others.

  • Many Nigerians yet to understand insurance, says Ajimobi

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says many Nigerians are yet to understand what insurance is and how it works.

    Ajimobi made the assertion on Thursday while playing host to the leadership of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) led by its President, Mr Eddie Efekoha, in Ibadan.

    The visit was to keep the state abreast of the institute’s forthcoming 46th Education Conference with the theme: “Increasing Insurance Penetration through Value Creation’’.

    The education conference is a-three day programme holding from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10 at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan.

    Ajimobi, represented by his Deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, said that insurance was not well accepted in the country compared to other developing and developed countries due to lack of knowledge.

    “Insurance is as good as any bank product, and if properly promoted, it will contribute better quota to the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GPD).

    “I urge the CIIN to intensify its insurance awareness and enlightenment programmes to ensure that insurance penetrates all households to attract more Nigerians.

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    “As insurance professionals, it is your duty to ensure that Nigerians understand insurance and the pivotal role it plays.

    “You must also adjust your strategies to attract Nigerians into insurance net, even if it involved returning some of the premiums collected,’’ he said.

    The governor also urged insurance practitioners to improve on the claims payments to change the citizens’ wrong perception toward insurance.

    According to him, Nigerians who buy insurance policies are discouraged to make further purchases due to inability of some underwriters to fulfill their claims obligations when the need arises.

    He said that the state was currently floating Special Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS) in which it subscribed N650 monthly per employee of the state.

    “At the beginning of this administration, we kicked-off a SHIS in which it played N650 monthly for each worker.

    “This contribution enables the workers and their families to access medical treatments up to any amount, once they are state employees,’’ Ajimobi said.

    He said the state government would support CIIN to ensure the knowledge and service of insurance spreads across the state.

    Earlier, Efekoha commended the governor on various impressive projects he had executed.

    According to him, the achievements attracted the institute to schedule the education conference in the state.

    “We commend the government for making insurance a household name in the state through its SHIS,’’ he said.

    Efekoha said that the institute would intensify its efforts to expand insurance enlightenment to all parts of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Director-General of CIIN, Mr Richard Borokini and the institute’s Education Conference Chairman, Mr Mufutau Oyegunle, were among those who visited the governor.

    Also, Chief Yemi Soladoye, President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and the first insurance practitioner in Oyo State was among the delegates.