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Tag: Oyo state

  • Why there is so much hardship – Ladoja

    Berates Oyo govt over demolition of Ayefele building                   

    Former Governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has explained why there is so much hardship  and groaning among Nigerians .

    He said that the economic condition in Nigeria is hard because those in government have refused to accept the truth of the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.

    According to him, the failure to accept that there is a problem is the main reason why the government cannot search for solutions to it.

    Ladoja who stated this on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen after observing the Ramadan prayer added that the salary earners in Nigeria are suffering the most under the present government.

    The Osi-Olubadan of Ibadanland who noted that the civil servants who started earning N18,000 minimum wage in 2003 when dollar exchanged for N150 are still earning the same amount when dollar now exchanges for N370,  saying civil servants are now earning less than half of their salaries 15 years after.

    While praying for a better country and Sallah celebrations for all Nigerians next year, Ladoja lamented that the hardship in the country has heightened and called for urgent steps to address the disturbing trend.

    Ladoja who recently dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC)  stated that the way out of the woods was for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to accept the fact that there is problem so as to find solutions to it but noted that the government was living in denial.

    On the demolition of the Music House of Yinka Ayefele, the former governor who described it as unfortunate said that the government should have called on the owner for regularization of his approval papers and fined him for negligence if he went outside the approval.

    Read Also: ‘Ladoja’s, Koleoso’s ADC alliance strange’

    “Let’s say he (Ayefele) contravened the law. The only thing they said was about documentations. He did not ask for approval for certain things. What I would have expected a government to do is to regularize it and give him penalty for it for not been diligent enough to ask for approval. Because the building is not crossing any carnal, it is not disturbing the flood plain. It does not constitute an environmental crisis to anybody. They can penalize him but not to pull down any part of the building.

    “The country is hard. By the time i woke up this morning those outside my house were more than 2000. That shows the situation in the country. We need to pray that next year should be better than what we are experiencing today. It is true that the Imam said we should sacrifice but there should be limit to what we would be sacrificing. May Nigeria be better for all of us.

    We have to start from the acceptance of truth. But if you don’t accept there is problem there is no how you will be looking for solutions to it. When you are campaigning you can say whatever you like but when you are in government it is another thing. We were alive when you said naira will change for one dollar.

    We were alive when Tam David West told us petrol will sell for N45naira per litre. We were alive but we know the situation today. The situation is terrible but who are those that are losing more? The salary earners are the one losing in Nigeria.  The person who was on N18, 000 minimum wage in 2003 when the dollar was exchanging for N150 naira per dollar is still on N18,000 salary today when dollar is now exchanging for N370 naira. So it means that the salary earner is earning less than half of what he was earning in 2003 now. What is happening here is known to everybody because the world is a global village.”

    “And then the various competitions between the various groupings is not helping situation to get better. We have competition among the political parties. We have competition among the ethnic groups. We have class competition. These are not helping us. The government did not accept that we had Boko Haram problem, they did not accept we have Fulani herdsmen problem. We are now talking about bandits. The next time they will say it is people from Libya that has come to invade us. So it is the fault of not accepting the truth and that is why we are not getting the solution.”

     

  • Demolition: Notice landed me in hospital for five days – Ayefele

    Contrary to insinuations that he dared the government by not responding to correspondents that eventually led to the partial demolition of Music House which houses his radio station, Fresh FM, popular gospel musician Yinka Ayefele, on Monday evening said he was hospitalised for five days when he received the notice from Oyo State Government to demolition his N800million worth building.

    He said he was on hospital bed from Tuesday August 14, till Saturday August 18.

    Speaking during a press conference at the hall located inside the partly demolished building, the gospel artiste disclosed that his wife was at the resident of the Oyo state governor Abiola Ajimobi, from around 11p.m on Saturday August 18, till round 4a.m Sunday August 19, pleading with the governor on her knees, not to allow the supposed demolition take effect.

    He said, he couldn’t go on the mission with his wife as he was at the time recovering on his hospital bed.

    Addressing the press conference, Ayefele in company of top officials of the organisation said: “Immediately, I got this demolition notice last week Monday, August 13, 2018, I started making moves on how we can overcome it. All I can see is the demolition taking place, after we have gone to court.

    “They were served with the court processes on Thursday and the case was fixed for Monday August 20, which is today. But before today, we saw that they have carried out what they said they were coming to do.

    Read Also: Oyo government demolishes Ayefele’s Music House

    “On Saturday, my wife was with the governor of Oyo State.  My wife was on her knees for almost five hours with the governor around 11p.m till 4a.m, in the governor’s house. I was on my hospital bed because I have been down since Tuesday that I got the demolition letter.

    “I would have followed them to the governor’s house, but I couldn’t go because I was on the hospital bed. So, I asked my wife to go there and solicit on my behalf. My wife was with the governor for almost five hours.

    “The governor said she should not worry, everything would be settled, resolved. As a matter of fact, the governor gave my wife $1,000 and two other people that followed her to the place, he told them everything was over. What we saw was the demolition on Sunday morning.

    “I don’t know precisely what went wrong.  What has been my offence to deserve this? I have close to 200 people that work with me here, and all my labour, what I have laboured for, for over 20 years in pain, was just pulled down in minutes.

    “So, I don’t know if there has been any way that I have wronged the government, I would have gone to beg or pray for forgiveness,” adding that he acted promptly on all the letters he received from the government and that before the demolition notice was served on him, he had asked for the way out and the government said “we should put up another plan for approval, which I told my architect to do. It is not a day job. It’s almost done when we get this demolition notice.

    “As it stands, we are going to abide by the ruling of the court. Aside this, we are also suing the government for unlawful destruction of our properties. We have relocated our studio and Fresh FM is fully back on air. It is only NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) that can stop us from broadcasting. They can only try but they can’t succeed.”

    Ayefele, however, insisted that he got approval from the government, saying: “In the approved plan of the music house, we requested an approval for a business complex, with proposed two studios, which was approved. This building is more than 10 years. Are you now saying that radio license, which costs several millions to obtain, is not a business venture?

    “They also alleged that we contravened the town planning law. How? We waited for the government to finish their road expansion before erecting the metal fence. They have concluded the road finished the erosion control, gully before we decided to fence it around.

    “We know this is beyond all the cook up stories. It is political and we are not seeking political solution to it. We believe we will get justice at the court as the last bastion of hope for the masses.”

  • Demolition of Ayefele building: Court adjourns till Sept 12 for hearing

    Justice Iyabo Yerima of the Oyo State High Court, Ring road, Ibadan has adjourned till September 12, 2018 a case filed by the popular gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele over the demolition of his property, Music House.

    The case which is between Evangelist Yinka Ayefele/ Yinka Ayefele Nigeria Limited has the Oyo state government , the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Oyo state as the first and second defendants among others.

    Others defendants in the suit are, Ministry of Physical Planning, Ministry of Environment and Habitats, K.I. Apampa and Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, DG Bureau of Physical Planning and Urban development.

    The ruling was in favour of the request of the lead Counsel to the first and second defendants, Yomi Alliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who pleaded for time to be able to address the issues raised by the court.

    There was a heavy deployment of police personnel in and around the court premises, as all who drove into the premises where an Armoured Personnel Carrier and three police patrol vehicles were stationed were stopped and searched by the policemen on duty.

    Drama and heated arguments characterized the court session as Ajimobi’s lawyer told the court that he was appearing in protest because the governor and the Attorney General were not personally served.

    He argued that service of hearing notice and other court processes would be deemed properly effected on the governor through either the Head of Service or the Chief of Staff to the governor not a clerk in the governor’s office.

    The SAN also said the Ministries of Environment and Habitat, as well as Physical Planning and Urban Development which were joined as defendants were non-existent as the law establishing them was repealed in 2015.

    Read Also: Outcry as Oyo demolishes Ayefele’s Music House

    But Justice Yerima told the governor’s lawyer that he should not expect the bailiff the ask to see the governor to effect the service, showing the SAN the acknowledged proof of service in her custody stamped at the governor’s office and in the ministries.

    Alliyu, upon verifying the proof of service, called for investigation of those who signed and stamped for the ministries, saying “dead people must have done the signing and stamping as the ministries are not known to the state government.”

    Ayefele’s lead counsel, Bolanle Olayinka, expressed dismay that despite the pendency of the matter the state government went ahead to carry out the threat contained in the three days notice served on the property by demolishing it in the wee hours of Sunday.

    He, therefore, prayed the court for an order directing maintenance of status quo as contained in a further affidavit filed on Monday so that the state government would not return to the property to continue what it started on Sunday.

    The request was countered by Alliyu SAN, who argued that Ayefele’s case was not properly brought to court, adding that he would also need time to file responses to all the processes served by the claimants’ counsel.

    Giving a short ruling, the Judge while noting that the matter was at a crossroad because the threat is already carried out and the property destroyed, requested the counsels to address the court to reach a consensus on the next step to take.

    After both counsels addressed the court and agreement reached on the need to adjourn, Ayefele’s lawyer insisted that a commitment be extracted from Ajimobi’s lawyer that no further demolition would be done to the building, a request to which the SAN stylishly objected on the grounds that the claimant has a record before the court, claiming that the building has been demolished.

    The matter was consequently adjourned to September 12 for hearing of all pending applications and issues to be determined.

  • NUJ condemns demolition of  Ayefele’s Fresh FM station

    The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Sunday condemned the demolition of  Yinka Ayefele’s  Music House which houses his  Fresh FM 105.9  radio station.

    A statement jointly signed by the council’s  Chairman, Mr Adewunmi Faniran,  and the Secretary, Mr Bola Ogunlayi, said it was highly disturbed that the building was demolished when the matter was before a  court of competent jurisdiction.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the building belonging to the popular musician was demolished at about  4.30 am on Sunday by the state government for allegedly contravening its town planning laws.

    Read also: Aregbesola’s free ride: Many stranded as travellers besiege railway terminal

    The council expressed concern about the fate of the journalists and other media workers in the establishment as well as the loss suffered by the owner of the broadcast outfit.

    “As the fourth estate of the realm  and believer  in the rule of law, the Oyo State NUJ expects  that the court would have been left to take a definite decision on the issue of demolition before it was carried out,” it said.

    The council called on the state government to ensure that “ it comes to the aid of Fresh FM which has been a pride of Ibadan in particular and Oyo State.’’

    It urged the government to relocate the station to another site and ensure the smooth take-off of its operations.

  • Ibadan residents lament Ayefele’s music house demolition

    Residents of Ibadan on Sunday lamented  Sunday’s demolition of the Music House owned by popular musician, Yinka Ayefele, by the Oyo State Government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the structure located on the Challenge-Toll Gate dual carriageway in Ibadan houses the popular Fresh FM radio station owned by the musician.

    A  NAN correspondent reports that hundreds of residents had thronged the scene wielding placards with various inscriptions criticising the state government over the exercise.

    Ayefele,  on his Facebook page after the demolition,  said:  “Oyo State Government did at last…..my pains, my sweat…So help me God.”

    Some of the early callers at the scene of the demolished building were Mr Seyi Makinde, a PDP governorship aspirant and  Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, the Secretary of  Unity Forum, a splinter group in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress.

    Also present at the scene was Hon.  Olusegun Olaleye representing Ibadan North State Constituency in the State House of Assembly.

    Makinde, Olatunbosun and Olaleye, however, appealed to the irate residents at the scene of the demolished structure to remain calm, urging them not to resort to self-help.

    Calls made to the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr  Toye   Arulogun, were unsuccessful as his two cell phone lines were switched off.

    NAN recalls that the state government had marked the structure for demolition, insisting that it contravened the state ’s planning laws.

    But Ayefele had approached an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan seeking to stop the planned demolition.

    Ayefele’s counsel, Mr Olayinka Bolanle, in an exparte motion filed before the court, sought for an order of the court restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit.

    Bolanle also stated that due process was followed in the construction of the structure while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing.

    Justice I. Yerima ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday for the hearing of the exparte motion.

  • Update: Oyo govt. demolishes Ayefele’s radio station

    The Oyo State Government on Sunday demolished Music House, the  structure owned by popular musician, Yinka Ayefele, and which houses his Fresh FM Station.

    The state government had  marked the structure located on the  Challenge-Toll Gate road for demolition for allegedly contravening the state ’s planning laws.

    But Ayefele had approached an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan seeking to stop the planned demolition.

    Ayefele’s counsel, Mr Olayinka Bolanle, in an exparte motion, filed before the court, sought for an order of the court restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit.

    Oyo
    The crowd that gathered at the scene demolished building

    Bolanle also stated that due process was followed in the construction of the structure while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing.

    Justice I. Yerima ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday for the hearing of the exparte motion.

    However, the state government on Sunday demolished the structure.

    Witnesses told NAN  that bulldozers moved in at about 4.30 a.m. to commence the demolition  while Fresh FM alerted the public on the development.

    The government officials and equipment used in the exercise had since left the scene.

    NAN reports that the radio station had  since been off air while a huge crowd gathered at the scene of the  demolition as at the time of this report.(NAN)

  • Oyo to partner Lions Club to fight diabetes, paediatric cancer, others

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Friday said his administration is ready to partner with an international service organisation, the Lions Club, in checking paediatric cancer, hunger, diabetes, vision impairment and protection of environment among others.

    He gave the assurance while playing host to members of the Lions Club District 404-B1 Nigeria, covering Lagos, Oyo and Ogun State who were on a courtesy call to his Agodi Government office, Ibadan.

    The delegates, led by the District Governor, Mr Lekan Babalola were on the visit to solicit the support of the government in actualizing its vision and also invite the governor to the induction as the new District Governor at an event slated for today (Saturday).

    Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Dr Gbade Ojo, Governor Ajimobi said, “all over the world, there is no society or any human collectivity, where government alone can provide everything that we want. So, I can assure you that the Oyo State Government will willingly partner with the Lions Club. One thing that marks out the developed society with the developing ones like ours is the fact that the rich amongst us are not sufficiently giving back to the society. It is either they are evading tax, or they don’t have the required milk of human kindness.

    Read Also: UN, Oyo unveil SDGs in Yoruba

    “When you look at foundations in Europe and America like Ford Foundation and several others, they have gone far in taking care of people. Also, a number of former American presidents have global foundations, through which they either combat malaria, guinea worm or other health conditions. So, the rich among us need to do more people, either by joining the Lions Club, or whatever other ways. If they join such organizations, they will donate more in taking care of the society.

    “No doubt, at all levels of government, we need more influence and appearances of non-state actors. While the society is hungry for infrastructural provisions, which the government alone cannot provide, non-state actors are supposed to fill that gap so that we can live in a better society.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the new District Governor, Babalola, said the club was on the visit to solicit government’s support for its project such as an outreach to at least 10,000 people living with diabetes, free cataract surgery and distribution of eyeglasses, cornea transplant, eradication of hunger and provision of food, protection of environment, reduction of paediatric cancer among others.

    He thanked the government for pass support in various areas of interventions embarked upon by the international organization, noting that, the club has been growing in leaps and bounds because it has continued to give back to those in need, especially the poor and less privileged in the society.

  • Oyo SSG storms APC party secretariat with supporters

    The political permutations of who is likely to succeed the Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State was on Tuesday altered when the Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Mr Olalekan Alli, make good his intention by submitting his intent letter at the APC state party secretariat, Oke Ado, Ibadan, where he also declared his interest in contesting the governorship seat.

    Alli, who was accompanied by thousands of his supporters to the party secretariat however maintained that decided to join the 2019 governorship race in the state on the platform of the ruling party because the ideology of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the most proficient and capable of transforming Nigeria.

    The SSG was received at the secretariat by the state chairman, Chief Akin Oke, who was accompanied by other state executives, leaders and elders of the party.

    While receiving the intent letter from the aspirant, Oke noted that a total of 13 members of the party have taken similar action by submitting their letters of intent to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    He promised that the party would provide a level-playing ground for all the aspirants

    Reading the letter, Alli, said, “I am proud to note that the APC ideology provides the most efficient platform that is capable of transforming our dear nation. Together, we will continue to see that Nigeria attains the required global recognition and relevance that is befitting of our size and diversity.

    “This desires cuts across all levels – from national to sub-national administration, even down to individuals. It is therefore with great pride that I proclaim my conviction in the party as the panacea for national and community development.”

    Read Also: Oyo govt warns land grabbers

    “In good governance, as we have observed in the last seven years, are the signals and symbols for safety, socio-economic welfare, poverty alleviation, human capital development, service reforms and reorientation, sound health, urbanisation, environmental uplifting, infrastructural growth and industrialisation and public engagement as manifested in Oyo State.

    “Indeed, the commitment to empowering women and employing the youth as well as other well-crafted objectives of the tripod agenda is our collective mission. These legacies must be sustained and taken to the next level.
    “In the history of Oyo State, the vision of a 25-year organic development master plan is unprecedented. To lock-in this history requires institutionalizing the execution of the master plan rooted upon transparency, commitment and professionalism.

    “Also, our solid upbringing in the ethos of the traditional and modern Yoruba culture calls for our continued total devotion to ethical paradigm as ‘Omoluabi.’ These are the values we shall continually espouse and which shall be our guide for the advancement of governance for the benefit of the citizenry.

    “Having been privileged to be part of the first-rated team of Governor Ajimobi, I am offering myself to serve the state as it’s governor in 2019.

    “My interest in Oyo State governorship project is to further the repositioning of agriculture as the basis of our industrialization, enhancing the fortune of our education, health, human capital, including staff development and welfare, industry,  commerce, youth development, engagement and empowerment of women, sports redevelopment, and other strategic potentials across the state.

    “My humble knowledge and modest participation in the rebuilding effort of the present government, under our leader, how ignited my interest in this ‘Continuity for Progress Scheme,’ required for further advancement of Oyo State.

    “It is for this reason that I seek your support as I formally declare my interest in the governorship position of Oyo State on the platform of our great party, APC, in 2019, in order to continue the next phase or our socio-economic master plan.

    “As we are set to further promote and sustain the current all-inclusive governance in Oyo State, together we shall progress, together we shall prosper, together we shall advance and together we shall triumph.”

  • NIS arrests Human trafficker, rescue seven victims in Katsina

    The Katsina Area command of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, on Tuesday arrested a human trafficker Mrs. Asia Rita, at its Jibia-Magama control post, and rescued 7 suspected victims of human trafficking aged between 11-44 years in Katsina state.

    Speaking during a press briefing, the Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr. Joshua Olusola said all of them are Nigerian citizens, with three of them from Oyo state, two from Lagos and one from Ogun states.

    He said all victims had obtained their travel documents from Oyo state, and that five obtained theirs in July 25, and the remaining two, on July 27.

    He said the suspected trafficker was in possession of residence visa of the State of Libya, and that her passport indicated she is a frequent traveler.

    The immigration boss further recalled that the command had from mid last month to date, intercepted two suspected traffickers, and rescued18 suspected victims of human trafficking.

    In addition, he said the command, during a routine patrol, intercepted on Mohammed Kabir, a Nigerien, in possession of two high-grade cannabis.

    He said the suspect was apprehended while trying to cross the Nigeria border to Niger Republic through an illegal route.

    He said’’ the suspected victims will be handed over to the service headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.”

    He added that the Nigeriens would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for “further necessary actions.”

    He however reiterated NIS’s determination to ensure “effective manning of our expansive borders to put an end to the menace of human trafficking to save the innocent Nigerians.”

    Investigation by the Nation had revealed an increasing patronage of the border routes of Jibia and kongola in Katsina state for illicit migrant activities and human trafficking

  • Oyo govt warns land grabbers

    The Oyo State government at the weekend warned all trespassers on its land holdings across the state, particularly in Ajoda, Egbeda local government area where its estates are located to desist from such practice noting that legal machinery are already in place to deal precisely against defaulters.

    The state government through the state housing corporation also urged members of the public not to patronise land grabbers who are parading themselves as legal owners of parts of the Corporation’s land holding especially at Ajoda New Town, saying such patronage would amount to falling victim of land fraud.

    The Corporations in a release signed by the Acting General Manager, Mr. Samuel Adekunle and Director, Public Relations and Information, Mr Kunle Sanni reiterated that the government through the agency is still in full control of the about five thousand hectares of land, located within the Egbeda LG of the state.

    Faulting the claims of the alleged land grabbers, the Corporation recalled that a magistrate court sitting at Ejioku gave a judgement in its favour by refusing all the prayers of the applicant and subsequently dismissing the application brought against the Corporation.

    Advising anybody interested in buying land at Ajoda New Town to approach the Corporation or conduct necessary verification and or search in order not to fall victim of fraud, Oyo State Housing corporation said it has renewed its commitment to surpass its revenue target for the year and generate income to the coffers of the state by inaugurating a task force for revenue generation.

    Read Also: Oyo commissioner to youths: shun money politics

    According to the Corporations AGM, Mr Adekunle, the eight member committee will among other things “identify new sources of revenue, monitor distribution of bills to clients in respect of such payments, make a follow-up and ensuring that clients settle bills promptly, compile and collate suns paid on such sources of revenues on each estate of the Corporation and give weekly report to the management through the revenue supervisory committee members.”

    While imploring members of the task force to see their appointment as a call to duty to turn around the fortune of the Oyo state Housing corporation, the AGM during the inauguration urged the entire staff to key into the policy of the state government aim of making government and parastatals self sustaining.

    He said if all the available revenue sources to the Corporation are adequately tapped, the agency will surpass its revenue target for the year.