Tag: Oyo state

Oyo State Government has shut St. Mary Catholic Church, Oke-Padre, Ibadan, for violating severe environmental laws, arising from its dilapidated toilet facilities which has caused air pollution and sewage overflow in the area. 

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Seun Ashamu said the situation contravenes the State environmental regulations and required urgent intervention to prevent potential health hazards.

He described the situation as a public health emergency, stressing that urgent action was necessary to avert a potential outbreak.

“We cannot afford to wait for more casualties before responding. Preventive action is our priority,” he stated.

According to him, the Ministry received multiple complaints from residents alleging that the church had been discharging human waste into the environment.   

He said that Officers from the Ministry upon inspection observed visible sewage discharge and a strong foul odour, which prompted the issuance of formal notice to the church on Monday.  

“The deteriorated condition of the toilet facilities reportedly led to raw sewage being pumped into the open drainage, contaminating the entire neighborhood,” Ashamu explained.

The Commissioner explained that the government could not afford to delay action, saying “this is not a situation where we wait and issue repeated notices. When faeces are being pumped into the streets and the air is polluted, immediate intervention is necessary to prevent a disease outbreak.”

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He further revealed that the church allegedly defied the government’s directive by forcefully reopening its premises after it was sealed, an action he described as illegal and punishable under the state’s environmental laws, and as a result, the church was fined ₦500,000 for the infraction.

“We are not targeting the church. Our only concern is public health and safety. What is expected of them is clear: open the septic tanks, evacuate the waste properly, fumigate the premises, and ensure compliance with environmental standards”, Ashamu said.

He added that further sanctions may be applied should the church continue to disregard the law, affirming that the state’s environmental laws are upheld to prevent further health risks.

Oyo State House of Assembly has dismissed a petition written against the management of Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) by the Chairman, Association of Sacked Supervendors and Investors, Mr. Ibrahim Asiwaju.

The recommendation for the dismissal of the petition was contained in a report read and presented before the House during the plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin.

The Chairman, House Standing Committee on Transport, Adebayo Babajide, recommended that the petition be dismissed on the grounds of lack of merit and substantive evidence.

The lawmaker also recommended that the House should direct the management of PTS to design and implement a well-structured organogram that would establish reporting lines, job roles and responsibilities of all personnel to eliminate ambiguity, prevent role duplication and enhance overall productivity in the company.

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Clarifying the incident that led to the petition written by the chairman, Association of Sacked Supervendors and Investors of Oyo State Pace Setter Transport Services (PTS), Babajide disclosed that the committee discovered illegal activities, collusion and fraud between the vendors and the drivers, which led to the termination of appointment of the vendors.

He said: “Prior to the introduction and implementation of the card payment system to streamline transactions, the company faced leakages in revenue with average daily income reportedly around N200, 000:00. Following the introduction of the card payment system, the revenue increased to two million naira on the first day.

“After the engagement of vendors to monitor card reader machines and prohibit cash payments, the leakages initially reduced. However, the vendors’ collusion with drivers on fare collection in cash led to further fraud. This prompted the company to terminate their contracts.”

…urges Makinde to withhold assent bill

The Afijio Local Government Traditional Council has raised objections to the recently passed amended bill establishing the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, urging Governor Seyi Makinde not to assent to the legislation.

In a formal appeal conveyed through a letter signed by its solicitor, Olajide Olanipekun, the council highlighted what it described as significant flaws in the bill, particularly the omission of local government representation details for members of the council.

The council argued that the failure to specify which local government each monarch represents is a legal oversight that could lead to imbalance and injustice in traditional representation across the state.

While noting that some prominent monarchs, such as the Alaafin of Oyo and the Olubadan of Ibadan, serve as chairmen over more than one Local Government Traditional Council, the council claimed that some areas, including Afijio, are being marginalised.

It specifically objected to the recognition of the Akibio of Ilora as a permanent member of the State Council of Obas, arguing that it violates the traditional rotational system practiced in Afijio Local Government.

According to the council, the Chairmanship of the Afijio Local Government Traditional Council is historically rotated among the Onifiditi of Fiditi, Amorin of Akinmorin, Akibio of Ilora, Alaawe of Aawe, Onimini of Mini, Oniware of Aware, and the Baale of Jobele.

They insisted that recognizing only the Akibio as a permanent representative undermines the long-standing tradition and called for equitable rotation of representation among all the Obas in Afijio.

The council appealed to Governor Makinde to consider justice, equity, and historical precedence before giving assent to the bill.

It argued, “The mention of Akibio of llora as a member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs in the newly passed Bill cannot cure the fatal historical error in the said Bill because the Akibio of llora is not the permanent Chairman or even the incumbent Chairman of AFJIO Local Government   

“Traditional Council thereby, the Akibio cannot solely fill the slot of AFIJIO which by Law should be rotated among Onifiditi of Fiditi, Akibio of llora,Alaawe of Awe,Onimini of Imini,Oniware of Iware or Baale Jobele and Amorin of Akinmorin.

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“The omission of the statutory representative of AFlJIO Local Government Traditional Council Chairman from being a member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs is one of many grounds upon which the newly passed Bill may be set aside by court of competent jurisdiction if peradventure,it becomes Law upon the assent of Your Excellency

on two years basis.

“It is on this premise that the Council is appealing to Makinde’ not to give assent to the newly passed Bill in order to engender justice, equity, fair play and for the sustenance of the age long tradition of rotational practice in AFIJIO Local Government where the inhabitants have been living in peace and harmony because they share a sense of belonging occasioned by the rotational policy which the newly passed Bill has jettisoned.

“We urge Your Excellency to send the Bill back to the House of Assembly for reenactment by correcting numerous historical anomalies which the Bill contained especially the omission of AFIJIO Local Government Traditional Council Chairman which should be on two years rotational basis among the principal towns that make up Afijio local government.”

• Development unacceptable, says former Chief of Staff to Alaafin

In what could be described as yielding to superior arguments, Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday succumbed to pressure by retaining the rotational chairmanship clause of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the state.

The lawmakers also expanded the membership of the Council.

The development was sequel to the passage of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, following its third reading and review by the Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours.

Prior to the passage, the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours through its Vice Chairman, Bamidele Adeola, presented its report to the House.

The newly amended bill retains the rotational chairmanship clause and expands the council’s membership, reflecting a more inclusive leadership structure within the state’s traditional institutions.

The House affirmed the rotational chairmanship system, ensuring leadership alternates among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso every two years.

This measure, according to the lawmakers, is aimed at strengthening unity among the foremost traditional rulers and ensuring balanced representation within the Council.

Additionally, the membership of the Council of Obas and Chiefs was expanded from 35 to 41, incorporating more traditional rulers from different regions of the state.

The Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin,.said  the expansion was aimed at fostering inclusivity and providing broader representation for traditional leaders across Oyo State.

Among the newly-added members are: the Olu of Igboora, the Onilala of Lanlate, and the Alado of Ado-Awaye, as well as rotational representatives from local governments.

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The amendments also included provisions for deputy chairmanship and vice chairmanship, further structuring the leadership of the Council.

Contacted, a Special Adviser to the Alaafin, Chief Rotimi Osuntola, said although he was not speaking on behalf of the palace, the amendment was unacceptable to the Alaafin stool and the entire Oyo town, noting that the case was still in court.

Osuntola, a former Chief of Staff to Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, said the Alaafin stool was the only one that had been crowning other Obas, including the Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomoso.

He recalled that the late Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi supported the Olubadan and even allowed the monarch to wear beaded crown.

“It was politicians that started this interference with the powers of the traditional rulers. They were the ones that tried to reduce the powers of the late Alaafin Adeyemi II. The interference of politicians brought us this far.

“It is totally unacceptable. The case is still in court as instituted by the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi III.

“Historically, even the stool of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon is more superior to the stool of Soun of Ogbomosho and Olubadan of Ibadan.’’

The Palace of the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon has raised strong objections to the Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill 2025 currently before the Oyo State House of Assembly, describing it as a flawed political document that should be suspended to allow for broader consultations.

In a statement released on May 20 by Bisi Oladele, media consultant to the Olugbon, the palace criticised the bill for lacking proper stakeholder engagement.

It noted that there was neither a public hearing nor sufficient input from traditional rulers, the primary stakeholders, before the bill was drafted and introduced.

The proposed legislation seeks to designate the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, with the Olubadan of Ibadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso serving as co-chairmen in a concurrent capacity. It also proposes including the 10 high chiefs from the Olubadan-in-Council as members of the Obas Council.

The Olugbon’s palace expressed concerns that such provisions contradict cultural and traditional norms and risk creating an imbalance in the representation of traditional institutions across the state.

According to the statement, the bill, if passed in its current form, could reinforce regional dominance and marginalise other zones in the state, such as Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa. It noted that political leadership in the state has long been dominated by Ibadan indigenes, citing that since 1999, all but one governor have come from the city.

While supporting efforts to revive and strengthen the Council, the Olugbon maintained that any amendment should reflect fairness, justice, and equity, and be capable of fostering peace and unity among traditional rulers.

The palace also addressed recent claims by Ogbomoso’s mogajis regarding the historical significance of their town.

Olugbon noted that if history were to be the main criterion for leadership within the Council, his own throne would have seniority over that of the Soun, pointing out that the current Soun’s palace sits on land that was historically part of the Olugbon’s domain.

Read Also: Oyo Assembly succumbs to pressure, makes Council of Obas chairmanship rotational

Highlighting the ancient heritage of Orile-Igbon and neighbouring Ijeru, the statement acknowledged that while Ogbomoso enjoys demographic advantage, this has been accepted by other traditional rulers in the zone for political and administrative purposes.

The Olugbon stressed the importance of respecting cultural heritage and historical institutions in any constitutional or legislative reform, urging lawmakers and stakeholders to pause the bill and engage in meaningful consultations to avoid discord among monarchs.

Drawing a parallel with the British monarchy, the palace emphasised the value of tradition and honour, urging all parties to act with the awareness that today’s actions will be recorded in history for future generations.

Hundreds of protesters on Tuesday, May 20, stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, demanding justice for a secondary school student, identified as Taiwo, who was killed by a stray police bullet.

The demonstration, led by the grieving father of the deceased, was sparked by the tragic death of the boy, who was allegedly shot by a police officer attempting to apprehend a traffic offender.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around Alakia in Egbeda Local Government Area when a police officer attached to OYRTMA tried to shoot the tyre of a car driven by a suspected internet fraudster.

The bullet reportedly missed its target and struck Taiwo, who was sitting in the back seat of a car being driven to school by his father, with his twin brother beside him.

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The boy was initially rushed to a nearby hospital and later referred to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was confirmed dead.

Addressing the protesters at the Secretariat, the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security and former Commissioner of Police, Sunday Odukoya, assured the family and demonstrators that the state government would ensure justice is served.

He pledged that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken against those responsible.

Oyo state government has announced the second edition of the International Tourism Summit Oyo State (ITSOyoState2025), following the success of last year’s inaugural event.

The 2025 edition will hold in July at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, and is poised to be a game-changer for tourism investment in Nigeria.

This year’s summit is not just a celebration of culture, it is a strategic investors’ gathering designed to present some high-impact tourism investment destinations to both local and international investors.

The goal is to unlock public-private partnerships, secure long-term investments, and reposition Oyo State as Nigeria’s model for tourism-led economic transformation.

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With participation from foreign embassies, international and domestic tourism operators, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector, ITSOyoState2025 will feature:

“An exclusive Investment Roundtable where viable, government-backed tourism projects will be pitched directly to investors.

“Site visits to three heritage-rich destinations, including royal palaces and ecotourism hubs, providing firsthand exposure to investment-ready opportunities.

“A showcase of Oyo State’s renewed infrastructure, safety record, and regulatory environment, which are already driving increased tourist traffic and investor interest.

“Cultural exhibitions and curated networking opportunities to foster meaningful collaborations across sectors”,a statement from the organiser said.

Speaking on the significance of the summit, the organisers noted that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has deliberately positioned tourism as a pillar for diversifying the state’s economy, noting that the state’s revamped road network, improved security architecture, streamlined policies, and digital investor support systems now make it one of the most attractive destinations for tourism investment in West Africa.

A seven-member planning committee has been inaugurated, chaired by Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

Other members include Hon. Akinola Ojo, Commissioner for Finance; Dr Debo Akande, Executive Adviser (Agribusiness, International Cooperation and Development); Dr Morohunkola Thomas, Director General, Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED); Mr Tilewa Folami, Director General, Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA), Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media); Ms Lolade Ajibola, Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) and Ms Abigail Anaba, Chief Experience Officer, Slvr Wlf Digitale Ltd.