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Tag: Oyo state

  • 2019: Oyo SSG joins guber race

    As the 2019 general elections comes closer, the ranks of aspirants jostling to succeed Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi got swollen on Friday as the Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Alhaji Ismael Alli signified his intention to vie for the governorship seat.

    The SSG is to contest the position on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

    Alli said he decided to join the governorship race after what he described as “due and diligent consultations” with party leaders, elders, his principal, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, other stakeholders and his immediate family.

    In a letter of introduction to convey his intention to the stakeholders, Alli said his years of service jointly with other stakeholders in the Ajimobi administration had prepared him well enough to build on the unprecedented terms of the incumbent governor.

    The letter dated August 6th, 2018 reads in parts, “For half a decade, I have served, together with you, under the astute and architect-builder of modern Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Within this period, we have jointly gained tremendous knowledge about critical governance issues and become highly schooled in service-delivery to the citizenry. We have also actualised plans and projects to promote the socio-economic status of our state and our people.

    Read Also: ‘Oyo ranks second in human trafficking’

    “It is therefore with this sense of responsibility that I humbly convey my aspiration and offer my candidacy for the service of our state as its next governor. This shall be at the expiration of the unprecedented and highly impactful two-term tenure of our distinguished and acclaimed leader.

    “Taking off from the foundation load by our mentor, we shall ensure the continuous security, safety, welfare wellbeing and prosperity of the citizenry; as we further the engendering of inclusive growth and development of the state.

    “Consequently, I am seeking your support, prayers and partnership to successfully prosecute the project for the benefit of all, God willing.”

    Alli, a 61 year old graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, served in various capacities in the private sector before joining the Ajimobi cabinet as the SSG. He hails from Idi-Omo quarters in Oja’ba area of the ancient city of Ibadan.

  • Youths must say no to money politics, Oyo Commissioner charges

    As a way of addressing the nation’s leadership and mentoring challenges particularly facing the average youths, the Nigerian youths have been challenged to shun money politics and such acts that are detrimental to their future leadership opportunities.

    Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, gave the charge at a press conference to unveil the 2018 Junior Chamber International, (JCI), Nigeria Convention Mascot.

    The national conference slated for October 11th – 14th 2018 is tagged Oluyole 2018.

    According to Arulogun, although a lot of people believe the country’s problems were caused by bad leadership, the mindset of the followership also plays a vital role in the development of the country.

    He said for an all-round solution to the myriads of problems facing the country, especially in the areas of leadership, followership must also be given serious attention, saying followers must learn to resist some temptation possess to them in terms of goodies by the so called leaders.

    He said, “People talk about leadership problem in Nigeria forgetting that followership is also a problem to tackle. In some instances where politicians offer money in exchange of people’s rightful vote, and the youths declined, I think the country’s problem would be reduced, but unfortunately, some of the youths are not patient, they want things to happen overnight.

    Read Also: Oyo: Breastfeed your kids exclusively, govt urges mothers

    “In terms of mentorship, many of them have wrong models, some of the people they look up to are not on the right track, leading them astray. But there are still a lot of youths who are doing well”.

    The commissioner, who described the group as a leadership organization encouraging youths to remain focused on their ambition, assured the group of the state government support towards the success of the national conference.

    “The present administration recognises the fact that the youths are the future of the nation, and all must be put in place to prepare and educate them to fit in for the roles. Am assuring you that Governor Abiola Ajimobi will be there in person to grace the occasion”. He said.

    Junior Chamber International is a worldwide organization and a body of young, vibrant and dynamic individuals committed to invest in youths, provide sustainable solutions to community problems and provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.

    The 2018 Director, National convention JCI Nigeria, JCIN Ambassador Temi Alade-mustapha disclosed that series of educative programme were aligned for the upcoming events, saying “at every of our conferences, we have our trainings to help in developing the youths for better tomorrow.

    “This year event will not be exceptional members  all over the world would assemble in the city of Ibadan to share views and opinions. There would also be a peace campaign walk around the city.”

  • Oyo ADC releases timetable for membership registration, congresses

    The Oyo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday released the timetable for membership registration, ward, local government and state congresses.

    The party had its ranks boosted last week when a former governor Rashidi Ladoja and Chief Michael Koleoso joined with their supporters.

    A caretaker committee with the responsibility of organizing the congresses and registration was last Thursday inaugurated in Ibadan, the state capital by the Acting National Chairman of the party, Dr Ralph Nwosu.

    A statement by the committee’s Publicity Secretary and former Commissioner for Education, Dr Nureni Adeniran, on Monday said registration of party members will hold between Friday, August 10 and Thursday, August 16.

    According to him, ward and local government congresses will hold on Saturdays August 18 and August 25 respectively while state congress is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, August 28.

    Read Also: ADC coalition in Oyo, a strange union–APC

    Adeniran urged all party members to participate in the scheduled activities and conduct themselves peacefully, adding that the task to bring a people-oriented government in 2019 must be done with determination.

    He explained that there was the need to put the structure of the party in all the wards, councils and in the state so as to hit the ground running in the quest to free the people from the yoke imposed on them by the All Progressives Congress (APC-led) administration.

    He noted that the creation of the party structure would also enhance it “smooth and effective take off,” boasting that the ADC remained the government-in-waiting in the state.

  • Ladoja finally dumps PDP for ADC

    A former governor of Oyo State, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, waved a final bye to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday and formally announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    The move came barely a year after he rejoined the PDP from the Accord Party following extensive talks between him and PDP leaders.

    But the former governor said the national leadership of PDP has been unfair to him despite his genuine intention to return to the party he jointly built and on whose ticket he governed the state between 2003-2007.

    Addressing supporters at his Bodija, Ibadan, residence, Ladoja recounted efforts by him to stabilize the PDP in the state and in the country, and said those sacrifices went unrecognized as he was sidelined by the party leadership in drawing up lists of candidates for ward, local government and state congresses.

    Ladoja said he has now accepted the responsibility of facilitating the defection of serving and former governors and lawmakers across the country into the ADC.

    He said:“the assignment that the delegation of ADC from Abuja gave me is that the governors that are planning to join ADC, that I should facilitate their defection to ADC. I may not always be around, but it is for the betterment of our party. This is because I am sure that the home front in the state is safe. Those at home are competent.

    “The ADC and PDP have signed an agreement to present a joint presidential candidate. What we are seriously working on for now is that the presidential candidate should emerge from ADC. “This will compel me to move to different parts of the country quickly so that ADC will hold the ace in other states, after we have conducted the congresses in Oyo State.

    “As it is now, there is no ward in Oyo State that we don’t have presence. If possible, we should conduct our ward congress next Saturday. Registration will begin from now. If the ward congress is conducted on Saturday, the Saturday that will follow, we can also conduct local government congress, and the Saturday that will follow that one on August 18, we can conduct state congress.

    “We need to conduct the congresses on time so that we would not contravene the guidelines set by INEC. It is not that we are in a haste, but time is no longer on our side with barely eight months to the general elections.

    “By the grace of God, things will fall in proper places. I urge you all to cooperate with the leadership as we go through the process. Let us be more committed than we did in the past.”

  • Be exclusive in breastfeeding, Oyo govt appeal to women

    Oyo state government has appealed to pregnant women and nursing mothers in the state to ensure they embrace exclusive breastfeeding for their children for at least the first six months of their lives.

    The State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, while declaring open the 2018 World Breastfeeding Week, organized by the state government in collaboration with ANRiN, said newborns and children must be allowed to enjoy breast milk more than anything so as to have a good foundation for life.

    The event held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

    The Commissioner, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Lanre Abass, explained that exclusive breastfeeding means that the breast milk given to children will not be complemented with water, fluid or any other foods.

    Dr. Adeduntan added that, only 10 percent of the content of the breast milk is made up of nutrients for the baby while the remaining 90 percent is water, emphasising that there is no need to give the baby water or fluid after breast fed.

    Read Also: ‘Oyo ranks second in human trafficking’

    He explained further that, children fed on exclusive breast milk would be healthy as such children would not be down with malaria, diarrhea and respiratory tract infections.

    Dr. Adeduntan hinted that the first 1000 days of life that is, the period of pregnancy and first two years is very important, stressing that, this period is the time that the brain development is at maximum and if any parent miss breastfeeding the child at this period, they have missed a whole lot in the baby’s life.

    Speaking on the breastfeeding week, the Head, Health Promotion and Nutrition, Dr. Khadijat Alarape said the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Oyo state has increased from 30.5 percent in 2013 to 50 percent in 2017. She advised nursing mothers to continue to practice exclusive breastfeeding so that the 80 percent target for breastfeeding can be attained.

    Dr. Alarape further urged mothers to not only breastfeed their children exclusively for the first six months, but also continue to breastfeed even after six months when complementary foods would have been introduced into the baby’s diet.

     

  • Ajimobi charges INEC on efficiency and transparency

    Oyo State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continually improve its operation by making it system driven rather than human-driven to forestall electoral malpractices in the country as well as improve the confidence level.

    The Governor gave the charge while receiving the Oyo state resident electoral commissioner Barrister Mutiu Agboke and top INEC officials who paid him a courtesy call at the Governor’s office Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan.

    Governor Ajimobi who rated the confidence of the public in INEC at about 60 per cent called on the electoral umpire to raise the bar and ensure electoral transparency in the state. He said voting should not be an excruciating experience but an easy process that should not attract hardship to the people.

    Ajimobi said, “There is nowhere in the world that human being will not behave like human beings, that they will not want to cheat, that they will not want to rig, I think INEC system should continually be improved to make it a system driven exercise and organization, rather than individual driven.

    “The moment you put in place checks and balances in terms of electronic devices, workability and such others, I think the more people will believe in INEC. As at today, the confidence level in INEC is about 60 per cent while the confidence level of the people in government and governance is about 30 per cent, which means INEC is doing better than the government. But let us increase that level and the only way is to continue to make it system driven and make it as transparent as much as we can.”

    Read Also: INEC fixes Aug 18 for Taraba by-election

    While speaking on the issuance of PVC, Governor Ajimobi noted that he has been inundated with complaints from members of the public as regards the slow pace, long queues and other challenges confronting the commission.

    The Governor also stressed the need for the commission to engage more ad hoc staff that would expedite the process while assuring the commission of the government support in the areas of sensitization and mobilization, noting that the state government is already considering working out a mechanism that would allow workers take time off duty to go and register as well as collect their PVCs to reduce the volume of uncollected PVCs.

    “We already planned to make the last week of the registration a time off or giving some days off for our people to leave work to go and collect their PVCs. I don’t think there should be a work-free day for that, but we can work out allowing them to go in the morning and then report back to work. We could say, we will allow them to resume work at 8 am then we give them so hours off to go there and collect till 12noon and then come back to work.

    “We could do that three times a week or even a whole week just to ensure that people registered and collect their PVCs. And when we give people that excuse from duty, they must also come back with their PVCs and we will want to see many of them register and those who have not collected it to do so too”, the governor said.

    In his earlier remark, the Oyo INEC boss, Barrister Agboke said about 756,450 PVC are yet to be collected in Oyo state, appealing to the state government to encourage the civil and public servants in the state by setting a day apart for the collection of PVC through a public holiday.

  • FG, Oyo partner to empower women miners

    The Oyo state government has said that its partnering with the federal government to empower women engaged in mining activities across the state as part of plans by the government to diversify from crude oil to other economic activities in the country.

    The government said the programme is also been extended to other states in the South-West .

    It therefore urged women miners to form a registered association with the government in order to streamline and coordinate their activities as this will enhance government support.

    The state governor Abiola Ajimobi stated this yesterday while delivering his speech at the South-West chapter of Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMN) Workshop, held at the Conference Room, Federal Secretariat, Ibadan.

    The governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Solid Minerals; and the Chairman, Mineral Resources Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), Hon. Mathew Oyedokun stressed that efforts of women in mining in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized most especially now that the country is moving away from crude oil to agriculture.

    He added that government may not recognize individual but would recognize a group and the only way such can be achieved is for them to form a registered group which can also help them to solve problems emanating from their day-to-day activities.

    The governor pointed out that government at the state level has little control over mining sector, saying that government at the federal level has a higher control and could help them as a group.

    He called on government at all levels to make empowerment of women a priority as this is the only tool for the development of the nation.

    In his remarks, the Zonal Director, Federal Ministry of Mines, South-West, Engr. Danatus Umaru commended women in mining for contributing their quota in developing the nation as well as providing livelihood for their family.

    Read Also: Oyo returns acquired land to the deaf

    He stressed that the only way Government can help them in the sector is for them to be in a group as this will strengthen them.

    Engr. Umaru then advised them to be using safety equipments always when they are at work.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the President, Women in Mining in Nigeria (NIMN) Hon. Janet Adeyemi, pointed out that the essence of the workshop was to empower and reposition women in the mining sector as well as to enlighten them on the need to come together for government’s assistance, stressing that over the years, women in mining sector died ignorantly as a result of low knowledge of hazard in the sector.

    He added that after the workshop, they will be enlightened and do things right to safeguard their lives.

    She noted that gone are the days when Nigerian government depended solely on crude oil but now everybody has realized that there is money in agriculture.

    Hon Adeyemi therefore called on government to provide opportunities  for women through affirmative policies to accommodate, promote and deepen women participation in the sector through easier access to mining titles, encourage the promotion of women and children wellbeing and livelihood, since WIMIN as an association   focuses on miners, and those living in mining communities and their children.

    She however urged government donor agencies to support WIMIN in building capacities of these men and women in critical areas as health and education to foster growth, overall development and sustainability of the mining sector for a holistic growth of the Nigerian economy.

    Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs Foluke Ademokun commended government at all levels for encouraging women participation in agriculture adding that women will do more if they were encouraged by rendering succor.

     

  • Ajimobi orders release of  acquired land to deaf persons

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has ordered the immediate release of the 20 acres of  land belonging to deaf persons in the state

    Mr Isaac Omodewu, the State Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Survey,  made the disclosure at a forum organised by the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist(NUJ) in Ibadan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Omodewu, who had signified interest in contesting the governorship election in 2019, was at the forum to share his vision for the state.

    NAN reports that members of the Christian Mission for the Deaf had on July 9 in Ibadan, protested the alleged illegal acquisition of 20 acres of land from its  39  by the Oyo State Government.

    Omodewu said records at government’s disposal revealed that the land was acquired by a past administration.

    He stated that the governor also called on the group not to hesitate to inform him wherever they might need his assistance in building their proposed University for the Deaf.

    The commissioner also dismissed speculations that the state government had allocated land for ranching in the state.

    Omodewu, an Accountant,  stated that he was the best to succeed Ajimobi considering his experience and active participation in the current administration.

    He also said that the governor had laid a solid foundation for the development of the state.

    “Lagos State is one of the best in the country because the people embraced continuity.

    “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu laid the foundation which his successors have been building on.

    “Ajimobi has also laid the foundation in the state. He needs successors who will build on it.

    “ In doing this, only an established person is required to succeed him.

    “The established person must be one who knows about the foundation, where it is and where it is going like me. I know of the foundation, where we are today and where we are heading to,” he said.

    The commissioner, who pledged to take the state to the next level, said he would upgrade the Polytechnic Ibadan into a degree awarding institution if elected governor.

    “We will ensure that the glory of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology before the advent of fund paucity is restored.

    “We will harness the potentials in agriculture and ensure that land is fully utilised to boost the revenue of the state,” he said.

    Omodewu, who is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress,  said that he would also liaise with the Federal Government on the gorge dam at  Iseyin to harness its multi-purpose potentials.

    The aspirant described himself as a  loyal party man and an experienced technocrat, saying these qualities stood him out from other aspirants.

  • Microfinance bank body warns traders of fraudsters

    The Oyo State Chairman, National Association of Micro Finance Bank, Elder Femi Jegede has sounded a note of warning to prospective traders, trader groups and people seeking financial support to be weary of activities of fraudsters who parade themselves as operators of microfinance banks in the state.

    He said many dupers and fraudsters are now moving around in uniform seeking people to defraud unsuspecting and innocent customers all in the name of trying to help them access funding for the businesses.

    Jegede sounded the note of warning in a remark at the official opening ceremony of Grooming Microfinance Bank Limited, Ojoo Ibadan, noting that many of those portraying themselves as microfinance bank are not licensed operators.

    The event which held at the office complex of the new bank was well attended by stakeholders and operators in the banking sector, top government functionaries, the bank customers, members of the community, top management, officials of the bank, officials of the apex financial regulatory body, the Central Bank of Nigeria, community leaders, partner bankers, traditional rulers among others.

    Speaking on the heels of a publication issued recently by the apex bank warning customers of the fraudsters who parade themselves as MFB operators, Jegede noted that the state chapter of the association opted for the option of embarking on series of campaign effort to sensitise the people since it lacks the power to arrest illegal operators.

    While commending the management of Grooming MFB for opening its doors of operations in the pacesetter state, the state chairman expressed optimism that the new bank will make accessing finance and funding for petty traders, small, medium and small scale entrepreneurs and others readily available with best practices.

    Addressing the customers at the event, Chief Executive Officer, Grooming Centre, the mother arm of Grooming Microfinance Bank, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, said the new bank is delighted to open in the city to support traders, especially women and youth in the business drive by providing them with funding and supporting their businesses to stand.

    He said the bank is working with a World Bank Group to do a universal financial access and it is one of the 16 institutions worldwide selected for the purpose. He noted that the intention of the bank is to replicate in the country what obtains in Eastern Africa, Latin America through globally known best practices with a complete team of Nigerian experts.

    Noting that the bank is concerned with the health status and awareness requirements of its clients, by engaging in sensitisation on health issues such as ebola fever, lassa fever, breast cancer, healthy eating, hygiene, sanitisation and all other things, Nwabunka assured that the target of the bank is to create a holistic point of view of one way window to meet all the financial needs as well as other needs of the clients.

    The Baale of Ojoo, Chief Amusa Olagboyega who was represented by Chief Yekini Adigun, the Otun Balogun of Ojoo lauded the bank for the deeming it fit to choose the axis to establish the bank noting that many women and traders in the locality are already testifying to the help and financial support provided to their businesses by the bank.

     

  • Oyo APC loses lawmaker to PDP

    A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ibadan North II state constituency, Mr Olusegun Olaleye has make good his decision to dump the ruling APC and joining the People’s Democratic Party formally as he attends the party’s ward meeting.

    Olaleye described the switch of allegiance as “a return to Canaan, the promised land”

    The lawmaker, who had on June 28 disclosed his decision to dump the APC, said his decision was based on the “bastardisation of the ideals of Lam Adesina that he believed in, in the current APC in Oyo State.”

    Speaking at the Ward 11, Ibadan North Local Government, where he was received by the PDP Chairman of the local government, Mr Seun Adelore, Olaleye said he went astray in the APC but was back to the party that will form the next government in the state.

    Read Also: Defection: APC remains strong, says Gbajabiamila

    According to Olaleye, the leader of the PDP in the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, held the “ark of governance in the 2019 election in the state”, describing the PDP as a moving train which boasted of huge followers across the state and good leaders like Senator Ladoja, Chief Sarafadeen Alli and Senator Femi Lanlehin.

    He urged the people of the state, particularly the constituency to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) so as to greatly determine who rules them in 2019.

    Other state lawmakers who accompanied Olaleye to the event include Messrs.  Ademola Ige, Fatai Adesina and Niyi Adeoye.

    Adelore, the party Chairman in the local government in his remark, declared that the PDP in the state was poised for huge victory at all levels of government, in the 2019 election. He described the PDP as a big and accommodating party that all residents of the state should belong.

    The event was also witnessed by large supporters of the lawmaker who also decamped to the PDP with Olaleye.